I don't feel like I've really done anything in the past month, as what I've done has been so little. However, as Caylee Grey, the artist from Get Messy, says, "More than zero is enough" so I know that every one of my micro-steps is still getting something done and making a difference around here. Plus, I've been getting lots of resting time too.
Meme source unknown
Word of the Year: Hobbit (Comfort / Cozy)
Celtic Year theme: Joy and Delight (fire, do what brings you joy weekly, how can you bring joy to others?)
[WINTER/REST]: Cleansing Body and Spirit (water, clear your energy/spirit)
Imbolc: Accept Love (fire, accept with an open heart)
Celebrations:
It's now 5 months later, and the greenery from the Telus bouquet is still lush in the vase on the table! After this long, I'm surprised it hasn't grown roots!
Jan. 16th was my 24th anniversary issue of The Chautauqua! WOW! There have been incredibly wonderful times, unbelievably stressful times, and so many amazing people I've met through those years. Taking over the newspaper was one of the all-time best decisions I made in my life.
For one of her writing assignments in early February, my niece was to write about someone who had an impact on her life, and she chose to write about me! Her essay was very well written (she received a mark of 100%) and very emotional to read. I must say, she really knows me!
I've also reached out to neighbours on occasion and they've picked up some groceries for me when they were out, so I didn't have go myself.
I watched Hallmark Christmas movies on the Global app on my ipad till Feb. 1st, and then started watching regular Hallmark movies each evening. I am still enjoying watching Josh Johnson's comedy sketches online for laughter and stress relief.
I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online. Both are repeats from last year - though I updated the New Year's one.
Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter, I...
Finished my 42nd cartoon comic booklet. You can view it here: https://www.facebook.com/beth.richardson.10/videos/1443712393775425
In Beth's Kitchen:
It's a good thing I'd prepared food in the Fall and froze it, as I just didn't have the energy in January (end of December too) to do any cooking or baking. I did turn a loaf of bread into French toast the middle of January.
Jan. 24th I finally made a half batch of oatcakes - it literally took me all week to make them as I added a dry ingredient to the bowl each day, hoping I felt well enough to bake, but didn't. This time I made them with oat flour.
Jan. 25th I peeled and sliced two of my smaller potatoes (ones that would fit in the food processor) and sliced them very thin to make into microwave potato chips. Wow! They were way easier than the recipe indicated! The recipe said to put the slices on paper towel in the microwave, and many of the chips stuck to it, so I switched to parchment paper and that was better (and, truthfully, I don't think I would even need that). I made salt & pepper chips and dill chips. This is definitely a keeper and I'll have to make more soon.
I also attempted to make potato waffles - fail! Well, the smaller large potato sort of worked, but overall, a fail.
I made a no-bake chocolate raspberry pie too in the crust I had in the freezer.
Jan. 26th I used a different microwave potato chip recipe I saw (just for comparison) - used slightly thicker slices of potato, and I tried without the parchment paper. I put nutritional yeast on for the flavouring. Didn't work as good as the previous day's attempts (and I know I do need the parchment paper after all) so I'll stick to the thinnest slices.
Jan. 27th, I went back to the original microwave potato chip recipe and made some more: salt & pepper (my fav seasoning so far), garlic (salt), and paprika. This is so cool as I used to eat potato chips a lot until I got sick, and I look at them in the store when I grocery shop and decide I can do without, and now I can make my own so easy with my own potatoes!
Jan. 29th, I made more potato chips in the microwave - I'm slowly dealing with my potatoes. These ones were chive and onion (salt)
Jan. 31st I made another batch of microwave potato chips. These ones were herbal salt, Italian spice, bacon (bits), and sage. Niece is impressed with how crispy the chips are, though her favourite flavour is still salt & pepper too.
I made another batch on Feb. 2nd. Lemon & dill, thyme, salt & pepper, plus salt & vinegar.
Each batch of microwave potato chips = 3-4 potatoes out of the pail! I've emptied 1 (of 3) pails of potatoes now! I'm also using up the odd dribs & drabs of spices/seasonings. Feb. 3rd I made more: garlic & cheese, hot pepper, roasted red pepper spice, oregano, lemon & dill, and cinnamon sugar.
And here's a picture of ALL of the varieties/flavours together.
Feb. 10th I put the final (chocolate) layer on the layered square - I'm glad I made it, but I don't think I'll make again. I also made more potato chips: chive, garlic & cheese, salt & pepper, orange. My snack container is full again!
Feb. 11th, I decided to try making carrot chips in the microwave - cause that's just how I roll! Tried a couple different methods and think I still need to tweak some more as they didn't really crisp up. I seasoned with salt & pepper and ginger.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
Since my last letter, I still haven't made much headway on the puzzle - partly because I haven't put as much time in, and partly because it is a very challenging one!
UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:
As part of my Hobbit year, I'm going through the Inner Circle Let It Go, Let It Flow program again. Amber did some updates this year and I watched those too. I did consider keeping track of the total number of items I let go, but decided to "let go" of adding more hassle to my life. Instead, I just make sure that I let go of (or put away) at least one physical item per day, and delete at least one computer file per day. I know there will be some days it's more than one each, and I know that the momentum will ebb and flow depending on how I feel each day. Some of my bigger highlights so far...
- continued to deleted old "someday" files off my computer
- more craft supplies/kits to Sis and our postmistress
- recycled a package of brand new (though old) water-damaged envelopes I saved for a journal craft (because they couldn't be used as envelopes) - I decided I had more than enough GOOD envelopes in the house to use if/when I do the craft
- I cut up 6 manila file folders for cards for backs for mini collages (recycled 3 file folders as they were too damaged to use) and then glued the 36 cards onto two old Alberta maps from the 1990s (Ralph Klein era) so they are ready for the next step.
- I finished reading "Pencil Dancing" by Mari Messer - one of the creativity books from my neighbour. I enjoyed reading it and now I can pass it on to someone else
- tossed lists of supplements I have taken from 2013 - 2022
- recycled a bunch of unread mail from 2018-2019 (thankfully there was nothing important that I missed)
- a friend asked one day if my "house full of everything" happened to have an extra mouse pad as she desperately needed a new one - my house did have a brand new one and giving it to her was my 1 item for that day!
Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make though that's on the back burner for now.
Courses and Challenges (free and paid):
Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: I will get back to this after I get the paper year-end done.
Physical Activity:
Rebounder: I will aim for 2 mins each day (starting in Feb.)
"Mystery activity” I’m still doing this DAILY!! For 2026, I'm just going to enjoy the activity and not worry about reaching a specific time duration or level of proficiency.
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting (on hold)
- Era of the Dreamers journal - I didn't really touch this for all of December so am catching up on some of my spreads. While it was only going to be for 2025, I will continue it for 2026.
- personal smashbook for DAILY journal writing as part of my connection to Spirit and my Guides
- mini collages (on hold)
- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled
- UFO crochet project (not food) - on hold
- my next small hooked rug (on hold)
A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it. I watched season 5 (part 1) the end of January and finished on Feb. 1st. I watched the 2nd part of season 5 the first week of Feb. That's the whole series watched now - my favourite parts were all the ranch and cowboy scenes, hands down. Next up, I'll watch season 1 of the Yellowstone prequel "1923."
Featured Products for Sale:
This is a great time to get back into routines, so I have my hour long Love Your Body Yoga Class (suitable for beginners and all levels) available in digital format for $20. If you would like to experience this class, please email thechautauqua@gmail.com.
I have inspirational card decks, journals, chapbooks, musical CD's and more for sale that would make gifts and stocking stuffers. Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make a purchase. Or visit 4910 47 St, in Mirror, AB. Items are also available for sale at Amy’s Bakery on Main Street in Delburne, AB.
I offer $50 Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions. I’ve been an Kundalini Reiki Master since 2023. Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia. Please, contact me to set up your healing session.
"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again. Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia
Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.
Beth
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Your support and kindness are always greatly appreciated, and I look forward to bringing you joy and inspiration! Thank you so much and have a marvellous day!
