April Mandala and Reflections

I don't know how it felt to you, but April was a very surreal month for me. After the anxiety and shock of March, I've settled into new rhythms and routines, though I am none-the-less distracted by the threat of the pandemic. I've been leaning hard into self care which, for me, often means diving deeper and deeper into my work. (It's a good thing that so much of my work this month is inspired by the ocean!) In April, the tides fluctuate more than usual, leading to super low tides perfect for the tide pool admirer or seashore forager. Between that and the snowmelt running in rivulets down off the mountains, a lot of my associations with April are tied to water. Let's explore a few, shall we?

First, there are the sea critters: blue crab-inspired breakfast buns are great with a cup of coffee! For a more savory sea-less treat, these sea urchin salads (filled with a wakame and potato salad) are fabulous lunch fare. For further imagination-based sea exploration, I had a lot of fun developing a bread loaf in honor of the myth of Atlantis. This bright blue sourdough bread is what I imagine the city might have run on. Though these Earth Day deviled eggs are not specifically ocean inspired, their lovely sky-blue color really stands out on a serving platter! Accompanying the recipe are a set of three simple rituals to explore your connection to earth and express some gratitude. They are really grounding and lovely and you could do them anytime, not only on Earth Day.

There is no escaping the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic that has shaped all of our lives in one way or another. It felt wrong to me to ignore it, so several of my posts this month were directly in response to the new challenges and needs of my community (including all of you!) The first was a 3-part series of easy recipes I shared on social media: an immune-boosting brothy base that can be sipped as a drink or used in other recipes; easy and delicious Sunray Oatmeal made with that base, plus some apricots and other treats; and then a hearty nettle soup with delicious Thai influences. I figure anything that is delicious, beautiful, and supports immune function is a good thing, right? My inspiration didn't end there, though: I also shared a simple recipe for a tea to support lung function.

Since our pantries are affected by shortages too, I developed a recipe for a delicious cake made primarily out of beans - yes, beans! It was surprisingly delicious, and I even created elegant pearl decorations out of homemade fondant whipped together out of some marshmallows in the cupboard, cognac for a bit of flavor, and powdered sugar. Yum. I think it would make a really lovely pandemic wedding cake for those who are still getting married in very small gatherings or over online video. Perhaps to accompany a slice of said cake, I created a special tea blend to support you in times of grief or stress. I also included a recipe for a latte that has the same light blue color as pre-dawn, that moment of release and hope after a long night of pain or grief.

Bunker Games: As some of you know, I have introduced a temporary bonus treat for my patrons to help keep spirits up through this time of confinement. The Bunker Games are a series of on-going creative and community-based challenges to give my patrons something fun to focus on during this challenging time. The winner will receive a beautiful handmade tidepool necklace by me! So far, we've enjoyed a tea party together, created artwork out of recycled paper beads, told stories around the campfire, and even had our own masquerade party!

The Secret Society of Wonder: I have also created a public Facebook Group to serve as a hub for wonder and discovery. There, people may share the things that inspire them and I like to keep the conversation going by posting almost-daily conversation starters. There are a lot of really lovely and kind-hearted people there already, and we welcome anyone else who'd like to hang out in a virtual blanket fort and build community during this time of physical isolation.

The Muse Series: With limitations on groceries and foraging, I decided that I want to pour some of my attention into a new direction of exploration! I'm working on a series of beautiful and dramatic statement necklaces in honor of the creative people in the West that inspire me. This is my opportunity to indulge my creativity while also openly showing my love and appreciation for some pretty wonderful people. I don't think there are nearly enough love letters in the world, so being able to create one through my artistry and my description is something I really enjoy doing... plus it introduces my community to other people they might really love too! The best way to view this project is the album on Facebook, but I post work-in-progress updates and the finished pieces on social media and patreon.com/thewondersmith as well.

As you can see, I have been busy at work offering comfort, building community, and sharing wonder to help us all get through this challenging period of our lives. Being able to create and share helps me cope with my own anxiety and grief about what is happening. I've been blessed with a relatively healthy April, though I am back in a flare now. I try my best to work with my body: good days are spent creating and doing, bad days are for research, writing, and posting new challenges. There are days that I just need to rest both body and mind or focus my attention on healthcare or facing my ptsd demons. (It's funny how I can be so much more productive overall when I allow myself to rest and take a mental break when I need to.) I feel really honored to be part of an incredibly supportive, creative, and kind-hearted community, and I love being able to create these things for you.

If you want to follow the progression of my various creative projects, the best way to do so is to follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

To all of my patrons: thank you SO much for making all of this possible! I wouldn’t be able to share all of these recipes, meaningful events, and other bits of wonder without your financial support. If you are currently a patron, head on over to your membership page to find a download-able image of the mandala above! If you’re new to my work, you might not know about my patreon. It’s an easy-to-use platform where you can pledge a set financial contribution every month to allow me to create my artwork. Even just $5 a month helps tremendously! You also get rewards from Secret Recipes to downloadable photos to collectable posters and other surprises! Head to Patreon to learn more about what I’m up to. :)

Finally, if you’d like to get this design printed on everything from greeting cards to throw pillows, take a look at my Society6 Shop! Don’t you just love all of these fun cutting boards with my mandala designs on them?

I hope you are safe, loved, and connected these days, and that my work brings a little comfort or joy into your lives. Be well, and prepare yourself for the flower-filled onslaught of May that is headed your way!

Magic Always,
Miss Wondersmith

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