.turquoise.

The Native Americans honor turquoise as a sacred stone due to it's ability to absorb negative energies. Turquoise is believed to bring strength and healing to the wearer of the stone. Is that why it's such a feel-good stone?

I finished the turquoise holiday commissions. It was really special for me to be able to create these pieces. They have such a southwest energy to them. I was daydreaming about Joshua Tree while I was making them. Have you been? It's such a magical place. So combining the magic of Joshua Tree and turquoise I made a collage to show off the aeo wares. 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with warmth, good eats and reminders of love.

onwards and upwards to 2015.

-------------------------
www.aliciaeo.com

.the southwest follows me.

I was walking around midtown yesterday and came upon a raised bed. I had to look twice, cacti?? In Memphis? I think the southwest is following me. 

.el paso.

 

.happy solstice.

Do your actions and thoughts help you achieve your goals or move you in a different direction?

it's amazing how blue the texas sky can appear compared to its arid landscapes. beautiful.

.texas in december.

.winter rides.

doesn't this look like a dream? such a beautiful ride. 

have you been on any fall/winter rides lately? 

living in the southwest even as the temperature decrease on most days it's clear and sunny. the other day i went riding in shorts, a t-shirt/lightweight pullover, and sunglasses. love it.

and then it snowed? in texas??

.franklin mountains.

i went to the mountains today-
to remember what silence sounds like-
to feel the lightness of the earth's cradle-
to experience the cleansing of the wind washing over me-
to look in the distance and wait for the details to meet me - slowly

to remind myself.

i came home refreshed. the big questions are still right there but i can the feel the big decisions coming.

and i made this, pumpkin bread only i substituted the vegetable oil for coconut oil, switched white for wheat flour, used garam masala spice instead of pumpkin pie spice, added dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds.  ok i changed most of the recipe but i highly recommend it.

.afternoon.

“We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.” - Thich Nhat Hanh