Makeover

It's shamefully late, considering that Fall is my favorite season...but at last
the page has got it's pretty autumn colors.
Even The Girl with a Pearl Earring agreed to dress up a bit and wear a seasonal wreath over her turban.

God I love this time of the year, I feel fresh and alive. Like it's a new beginning. The air is crisp, the trees are incredible, the smells....oh, the smells....
And it's the time to go walk in the orchards, pick apples and pumpkins and corn.

Bake all kinds of spicy, warm things. Hot chocolate, apple pie, cranberry sauce, gingerbread cookies. Totally brings out the Martha Stewart in me that's been half asleep all summer.
It's like a festival for a few weeks. All of it leading to the big final: Halloween!

Welcome to Fall!

Of course...

Once you start that, there is no stopping. It's kind of like the anagram site....

This is Christina Ricci (Riccy??) It's just unbelievable, how she looks like a woman on one side, and strikingly like a five years old child on the other. And here is Tori Amos, because she's very pretty usually, and looks like the cutest doll on the left....but made me spit my green tea all over my screen when I saw the side of her face that looks like *freaking JOHN TRAVOLTA!!!* And these two....well, I won't spoil the fun, let's make this a guessing game. Who are those disturbing side-creatures that prove that sometimes, it takes two average people to create gorgeous, sexy faces?

Two Sides of Ourselves

Here is a fun experiment.
Take a photo of your face, looking straight into the camera. I used this one:

Using a basic photo modifying computer program, copy and paste one half of the face and switch it to the other side. Dot that for the second side, and you will get your two different selves.

I guess this is a good way to determine your "Best-side". I had no idea we had sides so different.

This is rather pretty:

While this...this is...uuuhh....well...unfortunate:


I guess my best side is the right one then....

Do my fingers look fat?

Well gosh darn it, loosing weigh DOES have it's bad sides.
I never realized that loosing 15 lbs could, and IS enough to ensure that all of your old rings are now too large. So you have to re-buy a jewelry wardrobe too!?

It's kind of sad, because some of the rings are so special. None are expensive (I'm a collector of cheap stuff), so it's not the money that matters, but some of them were so original. I will never find the same again. I guess I'll have to wear them on chains.....

It really is puzzling me, because honestly, I haven't seen much of the weigh vanish where it counts. (Hips, I'm looking at you!) I will never complain of having to throw away a pair of jeans because my butt has shrunk. No, I'd burn them with a smile on my face and dance around the fuming remains happily.

But really, have I lost 15 lbs of finger and wrist fat?

An Experiment for the Women

Apparently, women have a special connection with the Moon.

Some people feel closer to it, of course.
I always thought it was one of the most beautiful things in nature, especially when it's full and huge and orange. I even got a crescent moon tattooed on the back of my neck. To mark my love for nature. To me the Moon represents all of it. Some force that's always there every night going again and again in a cycle.

This is apparently the reason why ancient people and today's pagans have chosen our satellite as a symbol of the Mother Goddess. A visible, never-ending cycle, from waxing crescent (young woman), to full moon (mother), to waning crescent (Wise/old woman).

Tribes that lived outdoors were obviously fascinated by the moon, and noted the effect it had on their women.
I read recently, that back when people slept outside, and were closer to nature and more in tune with it. The women's monthly cycle were directly influenced by the Moon's magnetic attraction.
That it was synchronized to come along with the Full Moon.
And this is why some people even continue to call this period of the month "Being in their moon."

Of course, that fascinates me. Is that even possible?
The book said that us indoor women who don't camp out every day can get that connection back, simply by closing or opening our bedroom curtains according to the moon. To sleep in complete darkness on the new moon, and slowly opening them as it grows every night.

So if some of you girls are interested, try this at home, I know I will. And even men, if you disregarded the title and read this post anyway, try this on your woman.
Let's look to the right of our screen, tonight, the moon is waxing, still a tiny crescent. Curtains closed, girls!

A Love Potion

Well, I should make an effort to live up to my Blog's name and give you a proper little spell worthy of a Kitchen Witch:


"When the time comes, warm this potion and give to the one whose love you would sweeten and warm." (I suppose you could have some too.)

"Add to red wine, 1 teaspoon of each:
Rosemary, Anise, Clove, honey, Orange rind, ground Cumin, And 3 green leaves from a rose geranium.
Bring to a simmer and stir deosil while counting to 91. Cool til the brew stops steaming, then strain."

I have to admit I never tried that potion, but whether it works or not, it must smell divine just brewing it up.
Thanks to Gruenwold Cottage's Kitchen Witch for the recipe.
http://www.pookachild.com/

Lily's Fun Facts

Did you know.....

1-That according to a Google search, a screaming baby is 115 decibels?

2-That is more noise then a motorcycle, a Lawnmower or a Garbage truck?

3-That sometimes, when you work at a daycare, you have to reach the conclusion that the cutest-blue-eyed-doll-like-little-thing is most likely hitting the 120 decibels?

4-That 120 decibels= Race Car/Rock Band?

5-And that sometimes....there are more then one in a closed space?

NOOOO!

Nooo!No!Not you TOO!

OH!!Nelly, Nelly, Nelly...WHY????

Right....I'll....I'll just pretend I never saw that....She will be back to brunette soon...Oh dear god I hope she will be back to brunette soon.

And I'm back....

....And it was genius, as expected.

I was really afraid something would happen to prevent my attending. Not to be negative, but when I get hugely excited about something and get my hopes all up, fate often likes to have a good laugh at me and it ends up not happening.
So I was on the lookout....you know, lost tickets, natural disaster, Loreena catching a mysterious illness of the throat....but no. Thank you, fate, for letting me have this.

Her voice....it was just incredible. The drums, the Lyra, the cello....god, there are no words. It was worth all the worries and the tiresome metro ride with the freaks and pervs of Montreal.
(I also got the occasion to see a few female Loreena fans who had adopted her lioness hairstyle of huge brushed out curls with a fringe. Very amusing.)

She DID perform The Mystic`s dream, so I can now die happy. But maybe I was building my hopes way too high about it, and I ended up feeling a bit let down. They left out the gorgeous Gregorian chants at the start, and those are such an important part of the song to me...to build up the whole mood. But it still was great.

The Old Ways was the hit of the evening to me, I never expected to like the live version that much.

Yeah, I know, it`s all useless Blah-Blah to non-fans so I'll stop myself, but I needed to get it out of my mind...I won`t sleep tonight. And I`m very tempted to brush out my curls in honor of the Lady.

Results of kicking my own butt

Remember, a while ago, I missed the occasion to meet my idol, Loreena McKennitt, due to my extreme laziness and reluctance to go out of my precious nest on weekends? Yeah? I do too, and I remember how frustrated with myself I was the day after.

So that's why I immediately, without thinking twice, bought tickets to her show in Montreal as soon as it was announced. And I waited and waited, got nervous, and started thinking of how I'd get myself there, all the buses and trains I'd have to take in the dark. The weird people in Montreal...*shiver*

But tonight is the night.
I know it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life, it will be one of my most treasured memories. I don't know if it can be compared to getting married...the day before...you know it will be nerve racking and exciting, and deep down, you are horribly jittery.
But somehow, you manage to go trough the day's routine, wash your hair, do your bed, paper work in a normal way. But it's like the brain is refusing to register so as to function without freaking out.

I even killed a bad flu successfully using Echinacea drops, lots of water and going to bed at 9 every night this week.
I don't even want to imagine how depressing it would have been to be sick today.

Thank God it's Friday..

So exhausted....
I now fully realise that my job was extremely easy and even relaxing just a week ago.

Yes, there were eight kids with me all day, but they were all around five years old. The blessed age when they move from being babies and get upgraded to kids. Kids that can communicate almost like little adults, that understand what you say without the need for baby-talking. That can cut, glue, draw, paint by themselves. Dress themselves and put on their shoes. Tell jokes (or attempt to with even funnier results.)
They can even argue and pick fights with you, but hey, at least that's challenging in a fun way.

Now the big ones are gone to preschool, well five of them. And this week, the daycare ambiance has changed dramatically.
The five new kids (or should I say babies) are of course cute as kittens. But I certainly didn't remember how taxing it is to care for 2 years olds. It's a whole different world.

Pull-ups and diapers and asking fifty times a day in the general direction of those concerned "Do you need to pee?" and still cleaning yellow puddles off the floor and off underwear.

Attempting to establish communication as difficult as if they came in straight from China to our daycare.
And speaking of language, two of those kids speak a FUN mix of French/English/Spanish. Misunderstanding and frustration all around. But still funny to watch the other kids try to make sense of it with furrowed eyebrows and a look of deep concentration. Genuinely confused two years old are more entertaining then you'd think.

And then there's one little boy who turns into a Banshee as soon as he passes the door. Wailing his lungs out for his Mamie. Good times.

But I also realise that this is only a transition. I am emotionally and physically drained today...but things should be better as we all get used to each other.
For now, I need a rest, and YES, it's a long weekend!

Seriously worried

That's it...I'm now scared of walking in my own neighborhood.

A few days ago, an 18 years old girl was waiting for the bus. Somehow, she got pulled into a car, taken a few miles away, raped, and brought back where she was in the first place.
This CAN'T happen!
Six o'clock, damnit! The sun is still shining high!
And she was not walking in a dark alley or anything. That street is a rather busy one, but still residential, there are many houses and people around. Beautiful flowers, expensive houses, people walking their dogs, children on bicycles, you get the picture!

What's freaking me the most, is that it happened only one bus stop away from where I take it every night at that time.
I'm scared. I always felt so safe.
I even walked at night sometimes, but that time is over.

I don't know what I can do to feel safer. I feel so vulnerable.

Lush-ious!

Last weekend was the first time I had ever heard of "Lush", or more like the first time I had ever *seen* this boutique. I guess you American readers have it too...we are just a bit behind up here. And this is a big and exciting novelty for this kitchen witch!

Wow, it's a whole new experience, like walking into a wonderfully scented rainbow.


At first, knowing nothing about them, I was convinced that the colorful display of plastic-looking soap bars were of the cheap and synthetic sort. You have to admit that turquoise and fuchsia are not what you'd expect of natural soaps, but more of the shelves of a dollar store.


But the enthusiastic and definitely slightly effeminate clerk nicely explained to me how the products are made from essential oils, natural ingredients like clay and herbs and such. I was beyond excited. And then he told me that all of the soaps and ingredients aren't tested on animals, I was sold.

I'm still in the discovery stage, but I have found a favorite already, and it's this baby:

It's called Reincarnate, and yes, it does look quite disgusting in this picture, but in reality, it's a nice looking piece of reddish mud-colored shampoo-bar. It smells of many kinds of spices, orange and some other yummy exotic stuff, and best of all, Red Persian Henna, which supposedly adds reddish tones to dark hair.

I'm new to the concept of solid shampoo, but I love it already, no pesky bottles around the shower anymore. Not only is it great smelling, practical, natural and good for the hair, I realized that I don't even have to put in conditioner after I rinse that off! And this is something I thought I would never even dream of thinking about. Curly hair=vital need for conditioner, can't go without it. So I must conclude that Reincarnate is some kind of magical-does-all hair soap.

The next thing I must investigate is their brand of Henna bars. I'm admittedly a bit put off by how they chose to name the stuff....maybe it's because I'm French, but calling a hair color "Caca Brun mama" or "Caca Noir mama" might be just a bit unappealing....if not revolting.

Victory!

At last, some good news to write about!
I am back from my three weeks summer vacations, and instead of having added the obligatory vacation-ten-pounds, I have actually went down to 133lbs!
I have beat the dreaded 140lbs Plateau! It is gone and behind! And I don't even remember the last time I climbed on the scale and got a number under 140! It's like being in a dream.

I'm still wondering how it's possible....sure, I've been careful about what I eat,walked a lot, but I've not been overly strict...in fact, I've been at my sister's almost half the time, and this is a place of depravation where sugary alcohol flows, and desert is omnipresent, even at breakfast. There were birthdays, I got almost drunk on Sour Puss and Smirnoff Ice and chocolate-cheese cake on a few occasions.

I can only blame the weight lost on emotional stress. Yes, I won't talk about it much on the web, my private diary is there for that.

Very Tempting

So I've been letting my hair grow for the last few months. And for the first time in my life, I didn't actually cut it myself in a bout of frustration after two weeks.

So yeah, it's now pass my shoulders....I'm happy with it.

But it's summer now, and it is HOT outside, and also incredibly humid, and I am going mad with that great curly sheep sitting on my head all day.

I watched the movie Amélie Poulin yesterday, and for a moment, she convinced me to cut my hair ala Amélie. I just adore that cute, fringe-y and funky little cut. And it seems great for hot weather.

I'm hesitating, because first, my hair takes lots of time to grow back....and also, a few people told me that they thought Audrey Tautou's hair was hideous in that movie.

Not that I let others decide on my haircut....but I'd really hate to walk the streets with half the population wondering if I'm whacked in the head...

I don't know how to make a Poll, but maybe you people could help me, don't have to leave a big comment, just YES or NO....I'd like to have a sample of popular opinion.

Tried and true....

It's summer time, so many of us are trying to get in shape.

So, it's my guess that most are now aware of the dreaded word: (cue to dramatic music)--

---PLATEAU---

Yes, you start to loose weight, you are all proud of your progress, you eat right! You walk to work! You run everyday! You do everything you should. You haven't touched a potato chip in weeks. You are almost fitting into your skinny jeans again, and then....PLATEAU.

It can drive you to madness, and it's the time you can get completely discouraged, because you continue to make the efforts, and there are no more results. Steady weight. And I Googled around...it can last up to three weeks.

But why?
Well, our body is pretty clever. It will adjust to whatever we are doing. If we are on a strict diet of 1200 calories a day, and walk everyday the same amount of time (spending the same nbs of calories each day). The body will adjust to that. It says, OK, I'll burn less then, because I know I get that much fuel, and I need that much to function.

It can become a vicious circle, because of course, we could eat even less and spend even more...thus starting to loose weight again, but this will never end, and can eventually be dangerous.

What can we do? I read this pretty logical tip, and it does work.

We need to be smarter then the body.
Never let it fall into a pattern, keep it guessing.
So....say you have a daily diet of 1200-1500 calories. You go a day or two of eating around 1200, and then a day or two more around 1500. You can walk 20 minutes one day, do Yoga another day. Go swimming, run, whatever you like to do. But mix it up.

This also mean you won't feel all guilty to eat a meal at McD's on the weekend, because you know this will be a good start to Monday's reasonable food.
(Be careful though, the higher days could trick you into eating WAY more and badly then you should.)

It DOES work...or you can wait 3 weeks for the damn plateau to go away by itself.

In Defense of Disney

I know that a lot of people today are considering Disney to be a Big-Fat-Money-Making business. And while I agree that most recent movies that came out of there, animated or other were less then spectacular (and that's nicely put)....Disney did came up with little jewels in the past. Hmmm.....maybe I am biased, because it was back in the days when I would be excited to go see one of them at the theater, maybe today's kids will argue that recent ones are great too, anyway.

My point is, some of those movies can define who we grow up to be.

Take the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I heard all sorts of critics about how it was poorly done. How different from the book it was and how it messed children's culture up.

I'm sorry, but this masterpiece of a movie happened when I was at the age of reading only teeny-boopy magazines, yet it made me hunt down Notre-Dame de Paris, and read that complicated french brick multiple times. It made me watch repertoire movies made years ago.

Hunchback single-handedly developed my passion for drawing, for observation, the details in the decor are phenomenal.

My fascination with medieval music and life, Gothic architecture, Gypsy culture all started there in 1996.

My sense of compassion and acceptance for those who are different...while making me discover the thrills of a true villain who's evilness has nothing to do with sorcery or scary monsters, but real human feelings of jealousy, forbidden desires and religious bigotry.

I mean this movie was really dark in places, for the teen that I was. Murders, dark cathedral walls, witches burnt at the stake, a hero being publicly humiliated, a priest that wants a woman so bad that he's ready to kill, all presented right there in front of me. Opening my mind to the adult world.

It made me who I am today, or it woke it up in me.....

Pocahontas made me research Native Americans, and Hercules had me fascinated with antique Greece for a while. All of those childish movies opened the doors to never ending discoveries.

And I have Disney to thank for that.

*Confession, I DO own the Hunchback of Notre-Dame DVD, it is still my favorite animation and I watch it disturbingly regularly. I'm just ignoring those gargoyles....*

Oh Lucky Day!

People always make a fuss about Friday the 13th....

Strangely, I was never very superstitious, as any self-respecting Kitchen Witch, I have a Black Cat. (Love you, Luna!)

I still remember getting a thrill in elementary school when one of the kids wrote the day's date on the green chalkboard in big scary, gooey letters. And everyone would spend the day being dramatic and saying stuff like "see you later....if I'm still alive!"
Ah, the good days!

But now, like most of the people who read the DaVinci Code, I know where the bad luck day stigma comes from. Jeez, it was one of the points from the novel that stuck the most with me. It was like finally, I saw the light . Big revelation. So that's what all the superstitions are about? Some Knight Templar genocide?

Well we should not be scared anymore!
Let's turn it into a positive day, after all, 13 is kind of a cool number, and god knows we all love Fridays!
So pet a black cat, open an umbrella inside the house, and heck, break a mirror!
Maybe you'll have your luckiest day in months!

Kicking the lazyness away

This time I won't be defeated by my legendary laziness and reluctance when it comes to going out. I mean, it's all good and fun to be a happy introvert who loves her apartment more then any other places, but there are times in life when you just need to kick your ass out of that door and go.

September 7th will be that time.

Yesterday morning, I received an email telling me that Loreena McKennitt will start to tour this Fall. And she is coming to Montreal!! I didn't think twice, because I knew that if I did, I would end up convincing myself that I was better off listening to her CDs at home...

And I still had that big part of me who yelled with excitement that seeing her in concert will be a one in a life time, magical experience and that I would hate myself on September the 8th if I didn't go. So I bought the tickets. There is no turning back, and I am beyond excited and totally on an adrenaline rush. After all, it will be my first show in the "Big city". I don't go to Montreal a lot.

I mean, if I have to assist to one show in my life, it should be Loreena's. She is my muse and inspiration, she wrote my favorite song ever....Oh.....if she sings The Mystic's Dream that night, I will melt, and possibly die too, completely happy and satisfied.

Lily's Facts of Life:

There is only ONE downside to working with children-----
Having to deal with the parents.

*GAAAAAAH!*

Update: I guess I should add with *some* parents. Because most are pretty agreeable to deal with.