33/365 - Wild Belly, Wild Medicinal Plants

Echinacea seedlings ready for planting. 

32/365 - Purple Belly

I wasn't feeling very creative lately so here is a purple belly just because. 

31/365 - Thinking about Jamie's Belly

My friend Jamie's due date is tomorrow. I attended her blessing way (my first one) a few weeks ago. During the blessing way the women got into a circle and Jamie held a spool of red string. She wrapped it around her wrist twice and said, "I am Jamie, mother of Arlo and mother of unborn baby boy." She wrapped it around her wrist again and said, "Daughter of (her mom's name) " She wrapped it around her wrist once more and said, "Granddaughter of (her mom's mother's name)." Jamie then wrapped the string around her wrist one last time and said, "Great-granddaughter of (her mother's mother's name)." Sorry, I don't remember their names but you get the idea. Then the spool was passed to the next person who did the same thing telling us her maternal line. It was passed around the circle until we were all connected to the red string. In my eyes, we invited all the mothers into the circle remembering on a heartfelt level our connection to them through memory and blood, and our connection to each other as women. The tradition is the leave the red string on your wrist until the mother being celebrated goes into labor. At that time, we then slowly loosen the string until the baby is born. Later, we leave the string out for birds for the nest or to the river as offerings.

Sending love and prayers for a healthy, blissful labor to Jamie and her new baby boy.

I am Luanne, mother of Annelise and Connor, daughter of Joan, granddaughter of Loretta, great-granddaugther of Mary.

365 - Relaxed Mama Belly (reposted)

photo by Luanne Kloster © 2011

"Until I became pregnant with Milo, my belly held my tension, stress, worry, and negative feelings about myself and my body, not only energetically, but physically. Putting a hand on my tight, flat, nearly concave belly, one could feel the spot where energy got caught up and blocked the flow through my body. It was as if I was wearing armor. While carrying sweet Milo inside, and now carrying him outside, my belly has relaxed. I love its softer disposition- it reminds me of the old adage: only by loving ourselves, we can love others fully. I certainly have newfound respect and love for my body after experiencing its capability and strength during pregnancy and childbirth. And this greater sense of self-respect helps me to love my family with greater joy and softness. I love how this picture reflects this- my belly all shiny from the nourishing lotion I'd just made with Luanne, Elissa, and Lauren. And Milo's smile and pudgy pointing, proud finger. He should be proud! He's very much responsible for this happy, relaxed mama belly."

365 - Lauren's Belly (reposted)

Gabbie and her mama's beautiful belly-photo by Luanne Kloster © 2011

I would just like to thank you for taking this picture of my belly. I have not felt good about my belly in a long time. At 2 years old my appendix burst, and the surgery left a scar that looks like a weird second belly button. I have always felt sort of deformed and ashamed of my belly because of this. This picture makes me feel proud, stretch marks and all. (The result, standing next to me was worth it all). Thank you for sparking this movement towards belly love. I'll be working on it.

365 - Ocean Belly (reposted)

Years ago, as I was reading in bed, my partner gently lifted my shirt to expose my belly.  With his hands, both holding and tracing my soft roundness, he whispered,"You must remember, Little Bear, the sweetness of the belly.  Here lies all that is you, your beauty & your power.". .  How true, yet so easy to dismiss at i tumble through my days.  I notice, often, when doubt or anxiety rule my moments, I am fearful to acknowledge my middle.  At those times i see myself as less than:  lacking definition; too curvy;   unable to stand and be present; unclear & unheard.; I curve inward & forget to breathe.

In the Water, however, all inhibition & timidity vanish.  No mater the source (Lake Michigan, Miacomet's stretch of sand and sea, the cool, deep turns along Vermont rivers, warm & unexpected sunshine cloudbursts, turquoise waters pooling at waterfalls' feet) I am in my belly.  Water holds.  Water is constantly changing & mercurial.  Water is languid, fluid & grace.  It is then I remember that these brooks, lakes & ocean tides are forever moving through me. I feel at home in the water because  they are all within me. Always.  I am forever grateful for those words, as they are a constant reminder of my work:   to walk each day & be held by my watery Self;  to be witness to the sweetness of my Belly.

-  erinelizabeth
17 december 2011
Uvita, Costa Rica

365 - Hannah's Smiling Belly (reposted)

Hannah's Smiling Belly

Singer-songwriter Hannah Hoffman will be perusing the streets of Brattleboro starting January 1st. Visit her at http://www.reverbnation.com/hannahhoffman and drop her a line!