Straight from Nature to You

Aw, man!  I took ALL these pictures of the awesome lounge area we made around our campsite this weekend, and most of them didn't come out.  Most of the close-up shots worked okay, though they don't give you any idea of how *badass* our campsite area was.

We pitched our tents in a circle around a group of three trees and four large, flat boulders next to the creek.  Between them we laid out piles and piles of rugs, cushions, blankets, and pretty sarongs and tapestries spread all over the ground to sit and lay down on.  Naps were taken, songs were sung, and food was eaten here.  This candle lantern, from my living room, hung directly over the center of the lounge area.

We burned incense nearly constantly throughout the weekend.  I was surprised how well the scent of Nag Champa & Amber went with the scents of hot dogs and marshmallows, LOL. 

Everyone contributed to the altar/shrine design.  There were symbols and tools and Goddesses from at least three different spiritual traditions on our group altar.  We figured they'd all get along with each other.  I really can't imagine any god not having a sense of humor about their silly little humans.  ;) 

I *love* the bright colors we ended up with.  LOTS of blue and gold and purple everywhere you looked, completely by chance.  :)

The remains of the community bonfire from Friday night (this is like 15' across!), with smoldering stumps looking for all the world like feet sticking up out of the sand on a beach.  :)

Looking down the creek from my campsite.

Ripening persimmons  in the trees hanging over my campsite.  I brought several home that I picked from the tree and from the ground below it, in various stages of ripeness and/or decay, to see if I can start a tree of my own at home.  :)

A painted tree stump I found in the woods. 

And, finally...

Proof that I really was there, lol.  I almost never get pics of myself when I go places.  But I started my own little tradition when I was 15:  everywhere I go on any sort of vacation, I take a picture of my feet in that place.  One day, when I sort them all into some sort of album, the feet pictures will be my cover/title page for each vacation.  :) 


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Decorating A Home Away From Home

I could NOT think of anything to post today - I'm too excited about my camping trip this weekend, which kicks off in only three short hours! 

But what better way to combine vacation and blogging than to talk about my campsite?  LOL.  Seriously, check THIS guy out.  Best Ikea-hack of all time.  OF ALL TIME:




So if I'm ever trapped hungry and freezing in an Ikea store....wait...  that would actually be kind of awesome.  Also, the restaurant has stoves.

But I digress.

I'm actually not kidding about the campsite - this is no out-in-the-woods-with-bears camping, this is another women's festival like I go to in June every year, and we do what we call "Aphrodite Camping"...creature comforts + whatever creative decor we can come up with.

Imagine this: 

this is where I'm going!

 With a circle of tents draped in sarongs and tapestries, with rugs scattered all over the ground, cushions for lounging, low tables draped with fabrics and covered with food, drink, and incense...

something like this...

Now THAT's camping!  We hang ribbons and lanterns and banners in the trees, light candles on the picnic tables, and ring the campfire area with 6' Tiki torches to light the way when the fire's not going, and to illuminate the drum circle that forms around the campfire every night.

hm...did I pack my palm trees?

And, of course, we take it all down afterward, and leave the gorgeous Hill Country site as clean - or cleaner - than we found it. 

I'll post actual pictures of my actual campsite next week when I get back.  Everyone have an awesome weekend!  I know I will!



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