Mermaids of the Lake Blog

Taking a road trip with my BFF!

By Mermaid Shelley

Oh, the fun we're gonna have! Debbie, her daughter, and I are heading out on a road trip. Whoohoo! While I love traveling with my family or even alone, there's nothing quite like going somewhere with your best friend.

We are going across state to visit some of our other friends. Along the way we are going to take our time stopping in at any ol' shop that catches our eye. There should be plenty, as we're going through Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Carnation, Duvall, Monroe, Snohomish, Poulsbo, Port Townsend, and many little places in between. 

Coffee? You bet, when ever we want it! Potty break? You just say so and we're so finding the next rest stop! Pictures? Well, we'll take them, but they will only be posted if they are fantastic! (see The Girlfriend Photo Code feature story.) 

Getting out and having a little adventure is one way to keep our friendship strong. It's a great way to make memories and find new things we both like. We highly recommend finding someone that is a compatible traveling companion and get out there. This is an inexpensive, fun thing to do. And, it's a wonderful way to grow and nuture a friendship. Have a great trip!

 

 

Friends make life a lot more fun!

  "I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." ~Charles R. Swindoll (American writer and Clergyman, born 1934)

This issue of Mermaids of the Lake is all about friendship! Dive into the joy of friendship with us!

Tea Time

By Mermaid Shelley

The Irish are well known for their fondness for tea. They prefer tea strong and robust, acting as a buffer against geography and the weather. I found the following "tea rules" for a perfect pot of Irish Tea:

The Water: Must contain as much air as possible. Cold water right from the tap is best. Boil and use immediately. Do not over boil.

The Pot: The pot must keep the tea warm for long enough for the tea to steep. It must be steeped for 5 minutes. Earthenware pots are the best, as the clay contains air pockets which insulate. The pot can be kept warm using a tea cozy, towel, or a newspaper.

The Milk: Lots of it! Irish tea is specifically blended to be used with lots of rich milk or cream. Even if you do not take milk, try it with Irish Teas. Note: the milk goes in the cup first.

The Sugar: Must match the occasion - colored, cubed, coarse, smooth, or in packets.

The Mother: Someone is needed to pour out the tea. The "mother" can be male, female, old, or young - anyone! The host or hostess is too busy preparing snacks and getting things organized or welcoming guests and is not to be disturbed. There should be no self-serve or chaos, so someone must step in to officially become the "mother" and pour out and serve the tea. It is advised to volunteer. The host or hostess will say, "Who would like to be mother?" But, as a gracious guest, you should first say, "shall I be mother?"

The Tea: Irish Blend tea is composed of High Grown Ceylon tea, grown over 4,000 feet above sea level, mixed with a hearty Assam tea, a bold Indian tea with malted hints and deep color. Small leaf teas are used for a strong, full liquoring effect. Bulk tea is best.

The Ritual: Each tea service is a bit different. It is important to grasp the essential purpose of the tea being celebrated. Plan accordingly. A workman's tea, teddy bear tea, or a get acquainted tea. Sweets and treats should be served accordingly and always consist of a variety of textures, colors, and flavors which compliment the tea and the occasion itself. Baked goods should not be overly moist. The tea should also be in harmony with the hour of the day. Afternoon Tea is served 3-5 pm with a light sweet fare. Elevenses 11:00 - tea and scones informal, a break. High Tea is served almost as an evening meal - 6:00 pm. The tea should also reflect the season and celebrate seasonal produce.

The Mermaids love to entertain and we think a tea party is a delightful way to show guests a wonderful time. Take care to stage the event with lovely table service. Flowers are always a nice touch. We have a fun and creative collection of recipes in the Mermaids of the Lake magazine that will help you plan the best tea party on the block! Check out the list in our Make It: Tea Time article.

Pink Panther Flakes are Pink...

 

Pink Panther Flakes are Pink and sweet as they can be. They arrrrrre... PIIIIIIIIIINK... Tickles me pink! 

I loved this pink cereal as a kid! And, that was the jingle from the commercial! I used to sing it all the time. Happy Pink Saturday and thank you to Beverly of How Sweet the Sound for hosting the pinkest party ever!

Lake Reflections: Deborah Lynn!

By Mermaid Debbie

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love animals. "Tenderhearted" is what my parents always called me. However, I did grow up fishing, baiting my own hook, and by the age of ten, cleaning my own fish. That seemed to be the rule. At the age of ten if my brother, John, and I wanted to fish we had to bait our own hooks and be able to clean the fish for dinner. I love to catch fish and I love to eat fish.  I am still fully capable of cleaning, cooking, and eating fish, but I always feel a little bad for the "poor fishy."

When I was in my mid-twenties my husband and I went on a backpacking trip with my parents. We hiked up to a pristine mountain lake in Northern Idaho. The scenery was spectacular, the wildlife abundant, and it all felt untouched by man. The beautiful little lake was absolutely swimming with trout!

Pristine mountain lake, Northern Idaho

You could see their swirls and splashes everywhere. My dad was thrilled! "We are having trout for dinner!" he confidently exclaimed. 

So, Dad set off with his fishing rod to enjoy nature and catch us some dinner. As it turned out, they were not biting at Dad's bait with the same enthusiasm as they seemed to have for the mosquitoes. He worked at it for hours. After a couple of hours he had three fish. We needed four for dinner. 

Every time he would catch one he would hoot and holler and say, "One fish!" Two fish!" "Three fish!" He carried each fish back to a spot on the lake near camp and put it on a stringer to keep it alive and fresh. That fourth fish was just not biting. 

Sound carries on water, especially in nature. You could almost hear a pin drop on the path. I decided to sit on the shore and bask in the quiet, magnificent scenery. I happened to sit down on a rock right next to the swimming-in-place stringer of fish. I watched them and started feeling sorry for them.

One minute they were minding their own business, eating mosquitoes, and in a short while they would be crackling in a frying pan over a hot fire! Suddenly, and simply put, I let them all go! I was pleased with myself for about a half a second, until I thought, "Uh, oh….what have I done?!" At about that same time I heard Dad's heavy footsteps, running down the path. He was gleefully shouting, "Number four! We're having fish for dinner tonight!"

I flew back to my tent and grabbed my romance novel, trying to look and act innocent. I heard the silence as he stopped at the scene of the crime. I held my breath... and let it out, just as the entire mountain erupted with the sound of Dad's surprised and angry voice,

"DEBORAH LYNN!"

How did he know it was me?

Mermaid Debbie, 1980's (nice glasses!

To read more Lake Reflections, ours and our readers, follow this link. http://www.mermaidsofthelake.com/search.asp?search_kw=lake+reflections

We love our lake memories and we would love to hear yours! If you are interested in sharing your Lake Reflections with us, please check out Loving the Lake for information. 

Friendships End

By Mermaid Shelley

I posted this article to our magazine in our issue celebrating friendship. Not everything about friendship is perfect; sometimes there are painful elements as well. Here, I share the end of a meaningful relationship and how I coped. I hope it brings a sense of comfort for those of you who may have had a friend "break-up".

I mourned the loss of my friend for months. No, she didn't die or move away. She broke up with me! After several years of ups and down in each of our personal lives, she felt our friendship was too much work for her. Being an extroverted, high-energy girl, I was more than my reclusive, introspective friend could manage. While our friendship was deep and mutually beneficial during the good times, her need to heal quietly outweighed her need for friendship during a bad time. Ouch!

My dear, long-term friend knew my true personality. I had no need to be something I wasn't with her, nor did I have to put on any kind of front to win her approval. She was my let-my-hair-down, a true jeans-and-t-shirt-no-makeup, grumpy-mood friend. We discussed things spiritual and intellectual. We ranted and raved at the injustices of the world. We wrote and shared poetry and other literature. In our extremes, she was Darth Vadar and I was Pollyanna. It worked for us!

It's not that I am fakey or shallow, but I let my true self shine with only a select few close friends. They know my dreams, fears, desires, and hurts. In turn, I am entrusted with the same from them. Their lives are woven into the threads of my own. Losing my friend, who knew me this deeply, someone who has seen me in good moods, in bad moods, in anger, in tears, in joy, was like losing a part of my history. A thread in my life unraveled and it felt like a part of the fabric was torn.

I didn't quite know how to talk to my other friends about my pain. Would this rift somehow lessen me in their eyes? My therapist helped. She comforted me by sharing that I am not the only one who has been traumatized by a friend break-up. She helped me to learn why friends stop being friends and what the normal fallout is from a friendship's end.

One of the most frustrating things for me was a lack of resolution. With the break-up, I had no control of the out-come. No amount of negotiation was going to change this situation and knowing my friend as I do, I knew arguing would only exacerbate the state of affairs. I have to say, I was angry. With coaching from my therapist, I was able to recognize and state that I was frustrated, hurt, and angry. Acknowledging and allowing myself to feel these emotions was an essential part of my healing process.

Not all friendship break-ups are deeply painful. However, physiologists state that for some, the end of a close friendship is more difficult than ending a romantic relationship. I truly benefited from the support and guidance that my mental health professional provided. I encourage those who are hurting to seek the help of a counselor or therapist. The anguish is real. Denial will only bury the issue and may set the stage for a future friendship disaster.

Now that I've worked through the emotionality of the parting of ways, I have determined to celebrate the good things from our friendship. My friend isn't evil or malicious. She is a wonderful, talented and kind woman. While she isn't part of my life right now, I can reflect back on the richness of the years past. I have mementos of her in my home that remind me of times spent with her. Every so often, I pull out a poem she's written and delight in her creativity. When other friends ask about her, I speak honestly about what happened, but I am careful to honor her.

There will always be a hole in the fabric of my heart where my friend used to be. I will not fill it with another. She is unique and non-replaceable. I am still sad she chose to bear her burdens alone. But, I love her and that will have to be enough.

For more inspiring, thoughtful, and creative articles, please see Mermaids of the Lake the magazine! 

Be inspired!

By Mermaid Debbie

I love the word Inspiration. I view Inspiration as a gift from God. I love the feeling of it when it hits; my heart races a bit, I feel energized, happy, almost giddy! Inspiration is what gets my creative juices flowing! I personally say a prayer each time I sit down to create, asking God to send me Inspiration. He always does. Each time... it feels like a special gift and it, in turn, inspires me to give.

I notice Inspiration in many places. I ask for it. I look for it, and I am grateful for it! I find Inspiration in nature, music, art, magazines, books, color, used objects, and more.

Be inspired by nature

I woke up at dawn one morning and peeked out my studio window. Wow, the beauty of nature in the early moring hours - a special gift from God. It inspired me to be quiet, to listen, and to be grateful.

The view outside Debbie's studio window at dawn

My husband called me down to our dock to witness a serene and beautiful sight. There were four families of geese gliding through the peaceful water. Each family had one parent in front, leading the way, the babies in the middle, and the other goose behind, making sure everyone stayed together. Did you know that geese mate for life? Did you know that both the father and mother take care of the babies? I was inspired to think that the animal kingdom could be a model for how to work together, care for your own family and your community.

Male and female geese, caring for their young

Be inspired by color

I love the color orange. When Jennifer, our former partner wrote a blog post called Inspired by orange, I was inspired to walk around my house and appreciate every little bit of orange that I saw. Wow! I really love the color orange.

Gorgeous flowers in Debbie's kitchen

Be inspired to create something out of a used object

I had a white purse that I had loved, but it had seen better days. The handles were broken and the white vinyl looked dingy. I reluctantly headed for the garbage can, thinking it was too bad that I couldn't salvage that purse. Boom! Inspiration hit! "I will paint it and replace the handles!" I took it to my studio, covered every inch (except for the hardware) with two coats of white gesso, and got out my Sharpie permanent markers and a variety of paints. I replaced the worn-out handles with new wooden ones. I love that purse again!

The finished purse

Close-up of pocket

Be inspired by the goodness of others

I also find Inspiration in the goodness of others. I was recently inspired by the goodness of a woman in my community who saved my dog while on the way to the hospital for her grandaughter's kidney transplant surgery. View the full story here. She took the time that she really didn't have to stop and help a complete stranger, not to mention an innocent and helpless animal. She inspired me to give that same gift the following week when I rescued a small dog and returned him safely to his family. View the full story here. Most people are in so much of a hurry, doing their own thing, that they fail to even notice an opportunity to help someone else.

What inspires you? Think about it. Look around you. Inspiration can be found almost anywhere! When you discover it... act on it, enjoy it, share it!

Be inspired!

Inspired by orange, By Mermaid Jennifer

Inspired by Mermaid Jennifer's Inspired by orange post, By Mermaid Debbie

Inspiration, By Mermaid Debbie

Can color be a treat? You bet! By Mermaid Shelley

For more thoughts on Inspiration visit our Mermaids of the Lake blog.

Have a happy vintage Pink Saturday!

Vintage advertising is so much fun! Happy Pink Saturday and thank you, Beverly, of How Sweet the Sound for hosting!

Don't forget to visit our Mermaids of the Lake e-zine, where we are celebrating the JOYS of Friendship. You may also want to join the thousands of women who have taken just a couple of minutes to sign up for our free, beautiful newsletter.

Girlfriends, glitter, and tea

By Mermaid Debbie

As BFF's, and business partners, Shelley and I share a love of soooooooo many things! At the top of our list, only below family, is creating and playing together. Luckily, publishing Mermaids of the Lake provides us many opportunities for doing both!

Recently, we joined with a group of women, dear friends, casual friends, and a few we were looking forward to making our friends. This fun gathering was a creative, Valentine's Day workshop, lunch and tea; a whole day of sipping, eating, and playing with glitter- lots and lots of gorgeous, sparkly glitter!

The creative event was held in the home of Elaine Tolson, of Tinker Verve and Boho Art Retreats. Elaine is a pretty, gracious and lovely host. Her charming home is set in a picturesque rural setting in the woods of Eastern Washington. The 1 1/2 hour drive to Chewelah, WA only added to the fun of the day for us. We were greeted with smiling faces and the fun, girl-energy women create when gathered together for fun and creativity!

 
Our lovely hostess, Elaine

Our beautiful and talented teachers were Becky Ellis and Holly Baublitz of All That Glitter. These girls are sparkling glitter queens! Oh, the fun... to have full access to all of the beautiful glitter, vintage papers, old dictionaries, epherma, and a giant box full of bits of old jewels! The Glitter Girls instructed us on useful paper folding techniques and set us loose creating our own beautiful, sparkling banners. The glitter was flying! (poor Elaine!) Girls were chatting and laughing as they played in the supplies like children.

 
Our teachers, Holly and Becky

The amazing lunch, prepared by Elaine, was much-needed sustenance after all the energy we used creating! Beautifully arranged and delicious, our choices were many! Finger sandwiches, fruit, croissants, cakes, and cookies; sparkling soda, water, and a beautiful pink punch made an artful display. The table was set with elegant china and tea was served with lunch.

 

 

Gathering with friends, eating, talking, laughing, creating... the kind of warm-fuzzy stuff memories are made of, made for a perfect day!

Simple pleasures to renew your spirit

By Mermaid Shelley

Here are a few lovely soul-soothing ideas I thought you might enjoy.....

Throw your cares away. Literally. Write any worries down on paper, shred them into tiny pieces, and then toss in the trash.

Start a "soul soothers" file. Fill it with stories, quotes, photo that inspire you or make you smile.

Stop being a grown-up. Go outside and play for an afternoon

Follow your color cues. Do you feel energized wearing red? Relaxed in blue? Use that knowledge to alter your moods.

Break out of character. Order a dish you normally wouldn't have. Maybe try a new hair color.

Commit to kindness. At the end of each day, reflect on one nice thing that happened to you and nice thing you did for someone else.

Begin to trust your intuition. Do it for one day, then one week, then listen to it for life.

Learn to say no. And stay true to your word!

What a way to treat yourself right and renew yourself. Don't wait, try one today!