The Art of Zen

One of Maria's designs

ART
Thought I'd introduce you to something you may or may not have heard of for Try It January.

Zentangle is sweeping the USA and now the UK as the next new arty craze. Zentangle is something anyone can have a go at it. It is really easy to learn, quite relaxing and you are NOT ALLOWED to use a rubber, mistakes are meant to be. Basically Zentangle is a “Don't think about it – just do it” arty activity. It has a whole host of Health and Well-being positivity, from being a warm up activity for an artist to being an addiction therapy tool. So if you are craving that “thing” you are trying to stop have a go at this.
What you create is an Abstract drawing created by using repetitive patterns.

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Zentangle is created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, but, it all started with Maria. Maria had had feelings of timelessness, freedom and well-being with complete focus on what she was creating. All those worries and the noise in her head just seemed to melt away. After speaking to Rick they decided to create a simple system so other people could discover the benefits and that euphoric sense of meditation Maria had experienced.

Now to start there are a few rules for it to be a true Zentangle.
Plain White paper – unlined/uncoloured
Paper size is a 3 & 1/2inch square tile
A decent black pen – maybe a Sharpie for example.

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Here is a couple of links to You Tube to see what and how you create a Zentangle masterpiece.
I tell you the big flower one (which is an Inspired by Zentangle drawing) I was mesmerised and instantly felt like I was chilled out.
There are also kits available to help you get started and if you need some more information about the benefits of Zentangle here is Rick and Maria's Website.
Maria has her own website which you will find here. And for all you social people out there here is their Twitter and Facebook links.
Give it ago and tell me what you think or send me a link to your little tile in the comments section.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT for Dry January
So many of you are downing the alcohol this month. What I mean is, attempting to stop drinking alcohol. So out of respect for my followers who are giving it a go I bring you a soft drink this week. For those beer lovers abstaining too, please still go to your “local” or your favourite bottle shop and purchase, save it for February. It's a very quite time for pubs and breweries trying to stay afloat.
Fed up already with the smoothies, the endless cordial drinks, or,  you've had your fill of Typhoo and Nescafe? Well ditch the coke cola (it's bad for you anyway) and try something different.

BOTTLE GREEN – Lemon and Mint in a can.
This lovely can is nice and slim so much so you could fit it in your jacket pocket whilst you're out walking the dog or cat (whichever floats ya boat) or just out for some fresh air.
Just a nano second before you take a sip your mouth starts dancing and thinks summer is here as the mint which I think is spearmint hits your tastes buds. But, when you sip this fizzy drink the instant mintyness you had turns to freshly squeezed lemons and then straight back to a breath of mint. It's full of flavour and not over powering either. Bottle Green use Cotswold spring water in the mix.

For over 21 years Bottle Green has been creating wonderful tasty non alcoholic drinks, some you could mix with alcohol. And it all started the day they decided to plant vines to create Elderflower wine! Thank the flower fairies they couldn't wait long enough for the flowers to mature!

You can follow Bottle Green on Twitter.

Check out their website it's full of lots of delicious sounding drinks and there is even a page dedicated to Puddings! Oh sorry what was that? You are giving up cake for January too – oh sorry you'd better go create a Zentangle then before I send you over the edge.

COVERED IN WEEDS

Last year I attempted to my delight to grow some Chinese Lanterns, I bought them the December previous when they had vanished. Hence the surprise that I had managed to keep them alive. I also bought some seeds as a fail safe. They popped out one by one all be it a small plant, but as they started to shape out nicely a slug or snail kept popping along and scoffing them!! I only ended up with three when October came around.

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My mum told me about this copper tape she had bought from Aldi. Some miracle product that you place around the top of your plant pots that stops the slimmy critters from munching on your prized possessions! So I mulled it over and by the time I got round to thinking it could actually work, I'd missed them ever famous Aldi deals. But I've found them on line and I will be giving these a try this year. Here's hoping they work.

Have you been given any suggestions on how to keep your flowers with stalks on or keeping that lawn as green as green can be? Did it work?

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MUSINGS

Our spare bedroom is just that spare, a room full of weight benches, a wardrobe and a sofa bed. And after all the other things in the room there is only just enough room to swing a cat although it may catch on the wardrobe oh wait maybe the window too. Maybe there's not enough room to swing a cat on second thoughts. So in a bid to try and create more space or at least a tidier looking room it is my mission this weekend to TRY and tidy the big mess that is the spare room into a more pleasanter mess for guests to sleep in. Although I'm not sure it will work, but, at least I'll have tried.

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Tunes for the Weekend
Beyoncé - XO - First time I've heard this tune!
Demi Lovato - Cool for the Summer
Have a great weekend everyone.