Author Archives: Barbara Techel

For the Love of Sparrow

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I walked over to my printer the other morning, it was this sweet sparrow that caught my eye outside Joyful Pause Cottage studio window.

So unassuming. Still as could be. Something about this struck me.

The image stayed with me for days.

A few times glancing again at the picture I’d captured, I’d feel my heart swell and tears spring to my eyes.

How often we only see beauty in the bright colors of the world.

The shades of brown not so much.

The sparrow often overlooked or underrated.

Yet, I found so much elegance in this scene outside my window.

While I don’t yet know why it struck me so or that this has continued to stay with me, I’m in gratitude to Sparrow.

For the feelings in my heart that stir even though I can’t name them.

But makes me that much more appreciative of this one precious life.

XO

Barb

    

February Animal Wisdom Oracle Guidance. NEW format!

Posted by Barbara Techel

I really enjoyed recording an audio version of this month’s reading for you, complete with soft and relaxing music playing in the background!

You can use it in your meditation practice if you wish, as a prompt to journaling and self-reflection, or as inspiration to begin or end your day. I also invite you to pull a card from an oracle deck of your choice to add some personal insight to the reading. Lastly, I’ll also include the PDF of the monthly readings to serve as a guide for journaling/reflection.

I hope you enjoy! I’d love to hear your insights after listening!

Without further ado… here is this month’s reading and PDF:

 

February2024ReadingPDF

P.S. FREE SHIPPING on my Animal Reflections Healing Oracle deck now through Feb. 11th, 2024. You can order here if interested!

XO

Barb

    

Squirrels Invade My Living Room. What Joy!

Posted by Barbara Techel

I just had to share these sweet squirrels that now reside in my living room.

In December I visited a new shop just ten minutes from my home called LaValley Home & Garden. They used to own a second-hand shop in a nearby city, but made the decision to go in a new direction. Lucky us!

It is such an adorable shop, with a mix of upcycled items, artisans, and other treasures. Their motto: Cultivating a world where home, garden, natural habitat and community come together. They are a non-profit and proceeds benefit animal welfare and nature conversation. Love that!

And this is where I bought this sweet squirrel puzzle. Not assembled, of course.

During the holiday season I thought it would be a fun thing John and I could do together.

Until I found out he has a “system” for putting puzzles together. And in all honesty, I didn’t have the patience.

But I re-arranged the living room to accommodate a table so John could work on bringing the 1,000 pieces together.

What a joy it was to see the progress as John had time to work on it.

Once complete, we carefully prepared it for gluing.

Then it was time for a frame.

Found at a second-hand store. Originally $35, but marked at $1.06. With a 20% coupon to boot! ha! So a whole $.90 cents was spent on the frame.

That was too large, but John cut it down.

So in essence, in the end, it was a project we did do together! Each adding to the completion.

Of these adorable squirrels that brought me so much joy during the puzzling process.

And will now bring me endless joy each time I look at them hanging out in our living room.

XO

Barb