Look what I made... My Outlander Scarf

I am a rather large fan of the Outlander Series.

I love the books by Diana Gabaldon...

and I love the TV series on Starz...

It is not often that series or movies do any justice to the books they are based on, however, in the case of this series, the Starz has done an amazing job...

Especially the costume department.

I am crazy about all of the knit wear that the characters wear. Especially Claire.

Some of the girls at work and I are obsessed with the series, both the books and the TV series.

I wanted to make them jealous...

So I crocheted myself this scarf.

It is quite easy.

I found a chunky mixed colored yarn in an Outlander color, browns... but greens or greys would also work.

I made a ring of chain stitches the size that I wanted, and then double crochet until it was super big and cozy.

It is that easy!

Returning to Yoga- 5 tips

I love yoga.

I love the way I feel when I do yoga.

I stand taller... my brain is more focused... I eat well... I sleep well... I have the endurance that I need.

Now I have a confession to make.

I haven't done any yoga in over six months.

and I can feel it.

I've been practicing yoga off and on for about eight years now. It is something that has always had varying degrees of importance in my life.

But it was almost always in my life.

Six months ago, I just stopped doing yoga.

I can make excuses, we let our membership to the gym end, I could not find a class nearby, I got to busy with work, the girls, life...

The truth is, I just stopped making time for myself to do yoga.

But here we are, starting a new year, and in 2015, I am making time for myself to take care of myself.


Here are my tips for returning to the mat...

1. Find a quiet time, quiet place and close the door. It is almost impossible to practice yoga with children interrupting you, dogs trying to give you kisses, husbands asking you questions. For me, I am practicing yoga after the kids go to bed, in the bedroom, with the dog and husband in another room.

2. Go to your favorite yoga flow. There are so many different types of yoga, and different instructors that you can practice at home with. When I am feeling sporty I like Tara Stiles, when I feel like challenging myself I like Shiva Rae. When I feel like doing a basic quiet hatha flow, I often use this one from youtube.

3. Do not expect yourself to be at the same point as you when you started your break. When you practice yoga routinely, your body, mind and heart open more and more, but taking a break creates an opportunity for all that was opened, to start closing. Be gentle your first time back. Don't forget that if you push too hard, you may need a break again.

4. Have fun and laugh at yourself. This is building on tip three. Relax into everything, have the ability to look at what you are doing, smile and enjoy the moment. Did you fall out of tree pose? Just laugh it off and try again.

5. Breathe. Breathing is everything in yoga.


I hope these tips helped you with your practice.

They helped me with mine...

Namaste

Motivation for a New Week...

**Every Sunday, I will be putting a motivational quote in a photograph that I have taken...

What I'm up to this weekend...

This weekend is my youngest daughter's third birthday!

Happy Birthday Ela!!

We are having a small family brunch here at our house in Saturday, and then on Sunday I will be making cupcakes for her class party on Monday.

It is also the last weekend before our winter break is over... so I think we will be trying to get in the last of our family time, and preparing for the week.

Since I will be spending a bit of time in the kitchen, I am going to be listening to an audiobook... This weekend I am listening to Hamish Macbeth, Death of a Charming Man by M.C. Beaton.

I like Hamish, but he just isn't Agatha Raisin...

Right now, I am also, very slowly making my way through All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I hoping to actually have time to sit down and read a bit of this book.

And since Downton Abbey is starting it's fifth season in North America, I think I will try to watch it again with everyone... Don't worry there will be no spoilers...

As for yoga, my New Year's resolution to get back on to the mat (more about returning to yoga after a break to come....) has not even started, and I am feeling rather guilty about the whole thing... hopefully I will be doing some yoga this weekend... but I'm not counting on it...

Wishing all a wonderful weekend!!!