Hazel Acland Tree's Blog, page 9

Competitions galore!

With the online book launch only hours away now it feels amazing to be part of this project as it goes out into the world. To celebrate the birth there are not one but TWO competitions to win yourself a copy….

Two ways to win a FREE copy of the book tomorrow:
Competition #1 to win two copies of the paperback ~
Have a good look at the cover of the book, how many plants can you see?
Post your answers during the launch party like this:
~Number of plants
~A list of plant names
This competition will close at 12 noon (GMT) on Friday 15th Feb. The winner will be chosen at random from those with highest correct lists.
Competition #2 to win two copies of the e-book ~
During the launch party finish this sentence with a post on the event wall:   “A Doula……”
This competition also finishes at 12 noon (GMT) Friday 15th Feb and the two posts with the highest number of ‘likes’ will receive a free e-book.


So come on in, log onto the Facebook page, join in whatever is going on ~ watch videos, post questions, join in discussions.

Facebook event page

Hot Paperbacks flipping off the press

With pancake day just around the corner the image of hot, buttered paperback books flipping off the press really appeals to me. It has come as a lovely surprise from my publishers that the paperback copy of the novel is going to be ready in time for the online launch next week. So for those of us who are not part of the kindle revolution but still like to curl up with a paper back ~ this moment of delight is for you!

The event is now a full-blown BOOK LAUNCH, even if still a virtual affair spanning over the course of two days. Beginning on February 14th at 9am until Friday 15th at 5pm to hopefully allow everyone, from every time zone, who wants to drop in to do so during that time.

So what is an online book launch, and how does it work? Well it involves being online during some of the time of the party ~ and most of the action is going to happen on this blog and the Facebook pages. Log on, check what posts are up, makes comments to join in and post your own discussions. Listen to music, share your favourites, watch videos….there will be loads going on and like any party it will be all the better if you come along and join in.

Join the Facebook event if you haven’t already to keep informed of whats going on :  https://www.facebook.com/events/372321579533340/#!/events/372321579533340/

AND finally some more exciting news: TWO PAPERBACKS TO BE GIVEN AWAY FREE DURING THE LAUNCH

Yes there will be two competitions running over the 14th & 15th February via the Facebook event page. Details will be posted soon, so keep your virtual ears skinned and your eyes sharp.

Kindle ebook online launch party

 In this ago of techno wizardry what better than an online book launch for my e-book that will be available on kindle before paperback. The date of this exciting event is 14th Feb and it no accident. The novel ‘A Doula’s Journey’ begins on that very day with something that changes the life of our main character forever. Log on, tune in and join the party…wherever you are in the world this is one party you can’t say no to.

Online e-book launch party for ‘A Doula’s Journey’

An exciting day in the life of an author

The book launch is on it’s way…..watch this space…

and this one: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/A-Doulas-Journey/326322344074898

blessings

xxx

Bringing our gift to the world

Have you ever felt something run through you like lazy electricity? Bursting through fingertips creating lines on the page or screen or canvas that once lay bare in front of you? This is excitement. Words emerge, images appear like sign posts that wish to be followed. Connections materialize and bubble with potential. It is akin to being drawn in like water to a plug hole wishing to be dived in to join the aqua party. Life feels ripe with promise. This is the spark of life we have been seeking, the energy and excitement to step up to meet the world head on.

Why is it easier for us to hide ourselves, hide our light, hide our unique gift to the world? If the gift that you bring is not expressed by you then the world will be that little bit dimmer. Have you been able to stand in your truth and hold that?

Once the flow is coming from inside, from that place of being in our power, in our essence, life washes over us like a river falling over a waterfall. But by looking outside we may no longer be in the flow. It has slowed. Instead we look down to the pool to see how our flow is being received. It’s easy to get distracted. Maybe it is being received by some, but maybe not by all. Probably not by all. That is when the river dries up, when doubt steps in. Doubt and Should are powerful, they can dry up a the strongest flow. Let us become like the water ever flowing, always changing ever one with our surroundings. Flexible and yielding yet strong and determined.

Thirteen Baktuns

We are in the final days now as the shift of the long count according to the ancient Mayan calendar approaches. On a personal level the feelings are intense, begin with the endings that have been happening in my life, on so many levels. Bearing witness to myself as I attempt to step forward from an old state of awareness into a new wave on consciousness where old patterns no longer serve or are viable.

Change is inevitable. The more self-aware we become the more present we become. And this presence is challenging, moving from being IN an emotion to being WITH it. This doesn’t mean that the feelings have gone, nor have they been denied. They are real and raw. But sitting with them and being with them takes out the sting. allowing them and accepting them as parts of ourselves. You are all of this.. All of this wonder and splendor of being alive at this very moment in time, and also being broken and wounded within the humanness of life. Growing this way allows all of us. As it all is ok. We are ok. Growing in our capacity to love ourselves, accepting us just as we are with nothing to change.

'Our Birth'

‘Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting,

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come.’

~ William Wordsworth. 1807

Body Balm

Herb oil:

One good sized handful of calendula petals (easy to grow and best picked before midday)

250ml extra virgin olive oil

Body Balm:

250ml calendula oil (above)

3 tablespoons beeswax

10-20 drops of your favourite essential oils (I like rose, geranium & lavender)

Method:

Allow the calendula petals to gently infuse in the olive oil for a week someplace warm.

Stain the mixture through a muslin cloth and gently squeeze out the last drops

Using a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water melt the beeswax in the oil, keep stirring until dissolved

Add the essential oils

While still hot pour into sterilized jars or moulds (soft ice cube trays are useful here for small portions)

If using moulds allow to totally cool before removing and wrapping in cling film or greaseproof paper

After bathing use this sumptuous balm to rub into your body, paying extra attention to feet and other dry areas.

Enjoy…