Groggy Froggy

Happy New Year 2012!!!

2012-01-01T12:23:00.000-05:00

We watched this movie this morning. I highly recommend it as a way of starting the year.

Much love to you, my friends.

♥

SoulCollage, Ritual and the Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T06:44:00.004-05:00

Happy Solstice!

I created a new SoulCollage card last night. It came together very quickly.

This morning I lit a candle, quieted my mind and did a little I am the One who...

I am the One who...

is wearing a dragonfly skirt.

is practical.

is reading.

wants to have it together.

is understated.

is drawn by ritual.

is repelled by ignorance.

wears the no-nonsense dress that is covered in bold symbolism and in chartreuse, no less.

reads and reads.

wants to understand the meaning; the real meaning. Not the sentiment. Not the superstition.

sometimes wishes I could abandon the logic and throw myself into the ritual.

finds SoulCollage a joy because I don't have to abandon reason to enjoy the ritual.

What do you have to tell me?

I want you to know that it's ok to walk in your perceived two worlds.

It's ok to be logical. It's ok to think.

It's good to be skeptical.

It's also ok to desire connection with something bigger.

It's ok to enjoy rituals based on the old ways.

It's ok to celebrate the cycles of nature and of the universe.

It's ok to love the mystery.

It's ok to be sentimental.

Keep studying. Learn. Enjoy. Relax. Love. Be.

Now I am waiting to watch the sunrise.

Have a wonderful day!

Thankful!

2011-11-27T07:03:00.001-05:00

Lesley Venable graciously offered a bundle of classes and I was able to take an online class for the first time in ages. I am enjoying it so much and learning so much. It's brought me back to my very first art love; collage. I used to do this for hours a day and somewhere along the line, I stopped. With this renewed passion, I took a big breath and emailed the director of a local arts & craft fair and asked for a table! I'm so excited. I'm also getting scared. I can feel that familiar inner scream coming on, "get out of it, get out of it!!" But, nope. I'm not going to get out of it. I'm going to set up a table and see what happens.

Anyway, back to Lesley! She is no longer offering the bundle of classes but she has broken them up and they are only $10 per class. They are worth so much, much more. It is so much fun just watching her put things together and listening to her makes you almost believe you're just hanging out with with her, sharing some coffee and playing art. So go check out the classes. I feel like I'm finally out of my slump. It feels good to get back to the kind of art that originally helped me to heal...way back when.

I've been working like crazy this past week. I'm grateful to have been off from school most of the past week so I could enjoy time with family and to do so much painting and collage. Here's a little of what my past week has looked like.

Cutest Boy in the World

Kasey making us brownies! Yummy.

Sweet little family.

A table!!! Thanks to Mike for bringing the table with him for Thanksgiving! lol
When not being used for dining, guess what it will be? So excited!

Life is good.

Don't forget to check out Lesley's blog!

Day 20

2011-11-20T17:01:00.001-05:00

This one was done yesterday, actually. The rest were done on Day 20 of Art Every Day Month! Yay. Many thanks to Heather Brush of Brushstrokes for encouraging me to do Art Every Day!!

Catching Up a Little

2011-11-19T12:53:00.001-05:00

I've been creating pretty much every day. I don't always have time to post, though! Here are some catch-up pics. The frame at the top I did just this morning using techniques from Lesley Venable. I'm taking an online class from her and it's just wonderful. She's at The Art of Altering.

I am so happy since I've started creating every day. Sometimes you just have to feel the blah and do it anyway. It's amazing how it starts to flow. ♥

A Couple of Paintings

2011-11-05T15:01:00.002-05:00

Been doing some painting.

Doesn't it seem like there are so many voices from without when you're trying to go within?

View out my window. Can you see the face?

My interpretation.

Have a great weekend! I sure am!

Art Every Day

2011-11-03T18:43:00.003-05:00

A little bit of art every day!

I've been working on the background for a while. Added a few touches to it last night.

Tonight this figure came. And tomorrow begins a weekend. Who knows what could develop?

2011-11-02T16:21:00.003-05:00

Nick came and spent a few hours with me at work on Monday.

It was wonderful.

Nick's Home

2011-10-30T13:51:00.002-05:00

Nick has been home this week and it's been so good visiting with him.

I can't believe it had been 8 months since we had seen him.

He looks really good and he's very happy in Boulder.

His job is going really well.

I miss him so much and am so glad to spend some time with him and to get to hug him this week. It's been fun watching him hold Jace. I think they'll be big uncle/nephew buddies. :)

So wonderful having all of the kids under one roof for a time and having them coming and going.

Love them all so much.

Nick holding Jace for the first time. Dad looking on and Nick's best friend, Tyler, closest to the camera.

Nick and Jace.

Jace and his Mommy, Kasey.

Nick and Mike goofing around.

Nick and Mike's Dad, Tom with all three boys. Photo taken by Patrick.

Nick holding Jace with Mike looking on.

Nick and Jace.

A Little Decorating. A Few Pics.

2011-10-16T13:56:00.001-05:00

I know I don't post like I used to. 40+ hours a week at school...well, it doesn't leave a lot of time for much of anything else.

I was home sick on Friday. I stayed in bed the entire day. I'm so grateful that it was an option. Patrick brought me tea and soup. I ate, drank, read a tiny bit and mostly slept.

Today I am still feeling tired but mostly better.

Tomorrow, I will go back to work.

I have to say, the illness was a blessing because I had the chance to do a lot of thinking this weekend.

It felt good to really think about what I believe and what is important to me.

I hope that I can begin to blog more often and share these things with you.

I have a real sense of peace now. I haven't had that for a bit. I've been spiritually restless. I desperately needed some time to think, sort and clear out the mental clutter.

I'm in a good place now.

Hopefully, I'll be able to expand on this a bit more very soon, but for now I'll leave you with some pictures from my last week or so.

Beautiful tree outside our window.

Awww. Blurry. Sorry. Gorgeous rainbow outside our window. The second I saw that day.

Doing a little decorating!

Left print is a Picasso print I found at an Estate Sale. Love it. On the right from top to bottom are 1. My maternal grandparents holding my sons. 2. My sons at 3 years (Nick) and 4 months (Mike). 3. Jace (grandson) with my mom.

One of my fave things in our aparment...but I have a lot of fave things here. :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Beautiful Fall Sunday

2011-10-02T09:48:00.000-05:00

Good morning! It's a beautiful day here.

As you can see from this photo! I was trying to get a pic of this sweet little guy. Looks like a tiny dragonfly. Patrick says it's a faery. :)

Just look at that blue sky and those clouds were flying by quickly.

I finished the painting and she is hanging in our bedroom. Here are a few shots of her.

I have no plans today other than just relaxing and enjoying whatever comes.

Football is on the agenda, for sure.

Maybe some sewing.

Or crocheting.

Or stitching.

Or maybe just some organizing and decorating.

Or maybe I'll just eat and nap like I did all afternoon yesterday.

Have a wonderful Sun Day!!

May the Magic of Life Keep You Well

2011-09-26T20:10:00.001-05:00

~Magickal Graphics~

A Bit of Painting

2011-09-18T11:38:00.001-05:00

I got up this morning, made a pot of coffee and took the plastic off of a fresh canvas. I started putting down paint before I could think too much. I wasn't sure what I would do. Mostly, I just wanted to keep putting down layers and trying different things.

I'm happy with the background. Now to finish the girl and, I think, do some collage. Probably a few words. This piece feels very peaceful to me.

A lovely mess.

This little guy could have something to do with all those peaceful feelings. :)

We've enjoyed a very relaxing weekend with Mike, Kasey and Jace.

Life is good.

♥

Happy New (School) Year

2011-09-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

These are some sweet pictures of Jace last weekend (weekend before Labor Day). We babysat him so Michael could attend a birthday party his friends and fiance were throwing for him.

I was trying to make him laugh. He looks just like his dad did at this age when he opens his mouth to giggle but I couldn't capture it quickly enough on camera.

He's awfully cute, though. :)

Tomorrow our new year starts at school. I'm a little nervous. I want to do it right.

I know it will be great. The kids are amazing, so how can it not be?

Have a great week yourselves!

New Paintings

2011-08-21T21:22:00.001-05:00

I did a couple of paintings today. Feels so good! Thought I would share them with you.

Have a great week!

The View from Our New Place!

2011-08-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

We are so happy in our new space. How could we not be happy with these views?

Life is wonderful! Very busy but wonderful!

Just wanted to share these pics with you. Eventually, I will have art to share. We're still getting settled.

Talk to ya soon.

The Good Life

2011-07-17T18:40:00.000-05:00

Yummy mint tea with mint straight from my garden. It's so good and I think it's pretty, too.

Great Grandma got a big smile from Jace.

We visited my Mom and Stepdad last weekend. This is 4 generations.

This is pure silliness. :)

We all enjoyed our visit so much and can't wait to go back.

I hope you're having a great July!

I am happily tending my herbs, doing some collage and teaching toddlers.

Life is good.

Three Years Today

2011-07-01T08:59:00.000-05:00

Patrick and I have been married for three years.

Time sure marches right on.

When I got up this morning there was a pretty little box sitting on the altar.

Inside was this gorgeous goddess necklace. A local man made it and I had admired it at the community market a month ago. Patrick took notice and surprised me with it this morning. I LOVE it!

And I love him.

You didn't think I could post without a picture of Jace did you? :)

And here's Grandpa Patrick feeding the little man.

My world is a lovely place.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Yeah, I'm that Grandma. :)

2011-06-26T14:31:00.001-05:00

It seems all I use my blog for is posting pictures of Jace now. lol

I am getting the itch to create, though, so hopefully I will have something to show soon.

After some research, I guess I'm not exactly an IndoPagan. Turns out some of those religions are just as dogmatic and superstitious as the others I've rejected.

Energy. Energy. Energy.

That's all I can ever really get behind with gusto. I totally believe in energy and the ability to redirect it.

Next weekend will be the third anniversary of our wedding. Hard to believe that much time has passed and so many changes have occurred. It is with gratitude that I acknowledge that our love has not changed, except to expand and deepen.

I am an incredibly lucky girl.

Pagans, Babies and Goddesses, Oh My!

2011-06-12T13:18:00.002-05:00

Jace at the aquarium, swimming with the jelly fish. :)

I know I've been absent from the blog. This is probably the longest I've gone without blogging since I started!

I have been working into the evening hours and have been too tired to craft or blog when I get home. But my schedule is changing and I'll have a little more daylight time to get some things done and hopefully one of those things will be blogging!

I can not adequately express how much I love teaching in the Montessori school. It makes me happier than I could have known. It's definitely my calling and where I am meant to be.

I'm also making some discoveries about my beliefs, pinning some stuff down. lol I heard a new term last week that has rocked my world...IndoPagan!

I have a label. Hallelujah!

IndoPagans are those Pagans who gravitate toward the imagery/gods/goddesses of the Hindu, Buddhist, etc persuasion. (very simplistic explanation, I know)

That is who I am, in a nutshell, and it's really made me feel content to discover this term.

I'll try to talk about that more as I begin to blog more.

I will leave you with another picture that is dear to me.

Patrick and Jace. :)

Oh, and I want to congratulate Mrs. B for having the #1 blog at the Circle of Moms Top 25 Faith Blogs!

Talk to you soon!

He's Here!

2011-05-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

This blanket carried home Jace's grandpa (Tom), his dad and his uncle Nick!

Not Yet, But Here's Another Pic

2011-05-15T17:53:00.001-05:00

Jace is due Tuesday! Here's the latest pic I've taken of Mike and Kasey. It was Mother's Day, right before they took me out to dinner.

I'm thinking my next blog post will include an appearance by Jace himself. :)

Hopefully, I will eventually do something creative that I can take a pic of. My summer schedule leaves a little time in the mornings so I will hopefully be doing some art. Nick sent a gift card for ACMoore for Mother's Day so I will definitely be buying some fun supplies!

I don't want to neglect the blog or art. We've been through so many transitions since last September. All of us! But things are good and I'm starting to get my bearings so hopefully my blog will get its bearings, too.

Thanks for still stopping by in the meantime!

Life is Great!

2011-04-23T08:57:00.001-05:00

Jace Eugene is growing. :)

Kasey's going to get me for posting this. hehe I took it late at night. She's been getting dizzy and a little sick. Jace seems to be lying on a nerve now and then and causing her to lose her balance. Otherwise, she is feeling pretty good but she is very ready to have him and we are very ready to meet him.

Life is good. I love my job as a teacher's assistant. Next year, I'll be a lead teacher. I'm really looking forward to it.

Just wanted to stop in and say hey.

♥

My Son Built a DreadMill!

2011-04-08T19:41:00.003-05:00

You'll probably recognize him since you're readers of my blog, but just in case you don't, he's the one in the orange shirt.

My lead teacher caught me ugly crying today. I was in the bathroom trying to get myself together so I wouldn't upset the children. She walked in and was so sweet asking if I wanted to talk about it.

I had seen this video the night before and then Nick sent a recipe on facebook and told me his missed and loved me. Then I walked in to the preschool with all those little sweethearts and the comforting music and I just lost it.

I'm ok now...mostly. :)

Anyway, watch the video, not only because my Nick built the DreadMill and is in the video but because it's super funny. When I watch it, I can't help but see the many electronic boards that Nick received for various holidays in his early, early years.

Have a great weekend. I'm so glad it's Friday!

New Job

2011-03-27T18:51:00.002-05:00

Been a while, huh?

I'm working full-time as of the past week. I'm a Montessori preschool teacher in the Early Learning Class (toddlers). I love it. It's exactly what I wanted to do. It's exhausting. lol I was a lot younger the last time I taught preschool and chased children. I also got a cold this first week so I've been coming home in the evenings and collapsing.

Hopefully next week I'll have a little more stamina and perhaps some pictures.

♥♥♥

Home Girl

2011-03-13T14:30:00.004-05:00

This is Home Girl.

I made her yesterday, my 46th birthday.

It's been a strange few days, hasn't it? So many tragedies happening all over and all we can really do is sit and watch it unfold.

So many have lost their homes.

Not only in Japan, but people still recovering from the earthquake in NZ, there is flooding in the NE, fires in Colorado and probably other places I'm not even aware of.

Nick is far from home and I miss him.

Mike will be moving, not so far, but moving just the same before too long.

Life is changing.

After a while you begin to realize that home is not a static place.

Home is inside. We carry it with us wherever we go.

For this I am grateful.

SoulCollage is Going Places!

2011-03-08T08:20:00.000-05:00

I was looking through my old articles at Associated Content. Actually Yahoo! bought them so I am now a Yahoo! Network Contributor. Kinda cool. Anyway, I reread this SoulCollage article that I wrote before becoming a Facilitator and I was really pleased with it.

I am especially pleased that SoulCollage continues to serve in the same way years later. The process proves itself over and over again.

Seena announced in the Facilitator's newsletter that there are now 1000 facilitators "from 20 countries, including 45 USA states, 6 provinces of Canada, and in Australia, China, Egypt, England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland, and South Africa."

That is amazing and a testament to the beautiful process.

One of my past SoulCollage workshop participants, friend and neighbor let me know that she will be attending the Facilitator Training in Portland in April. That is so satisfying and exciting to me. I know that Caroline will be a wonderful Facilitator. I'm so happy for her and for anyone lucky enough to attend one of her workshops.

Life is good. ♥

Transition

2011-03-07T16:46:00.003-05:00

I strolled down to CUPS, a local coffee shop and enjoyed a pot of tea, a spinach/feta croissant and a play in my art journal. It was wonderful.

I'm really starting to understand that I need to put time into art.

Patrick and I own our own business. When people are late paying or merchants drop out, it can be a big hit so I've been looking for extra employment.

I was spending so much energy looking for jobs and then applying. I was spending hours a day doing this plus time worrying and wringing my hands and then checking my email for replies.

Finally, I realized that if I just put that much energy into doing and promoting art and art-related things, I could make being an artist work for me.

A huge part of that is accepting what you work for, too. I realize now how often I would put myself out there and then turn down the opportunity because I didn't feel ready or good enough.

Now, I'm just saying, YES.

Yes to anything that is in alignment with my dreams and goals. Yes!

After spending time with Tricia, I was even more excited about actively seeking ways to do what I love.

I've been spending my creative thinking time to come up with ways of using my talents to serve the community and help myself at the same time.

On Saturday, I facilitated a SoulCollage workshop. I didn't charge what I typically do, but you know what? I had more folks show up and they asked, "when's the next one?" I said, "whenever you want." We will now be meeting once a month! That was so exciting and rewarding.

I was also asked to teach art to a Kindergarten Class. I did and it was absolutely wonderful.

I've had new people asking about my art on facebook and I decided to make prints of several of my pieces. I have two folks who want them already. I've ordered them and hopefully will pick them up in the next day or two and get them listed.

After the SoulCollage workshop at Seeds of Light (I didn't realize until I went to grab the link that she has the next class up on her website already. Yay!)....where was I? Oh yeah...after the workshop, I bought some Doreen Virtue Archangel Oracle Cards. They are amazing. I was a good girl and consecrated them before playing with them and I am truly taken aback by how personal they feel.

This morning I decided to choose a card for the day. "What do I need to be thinking about today?" This card jumped out of the deck, like a fish jumping out of water, as I was shuffling. I've read in numerous places that this is a card to pay attention to so I did. Here is what it said:

Career Transition; Archangel Chamuel:
"Your life purpose is triggering a blessed career change."

How about that? :)

I'm ready.

Moving Day

2011-02-26T14:41:00.001-05:00

He's on his way.

My Baby is Moving Far Away

2011-02-25T17:20:00.002-05:00

This handsome young man. My first born. He's moving to Colorado first thing in the morning.

His mommy is having a little trouble processing that.

How can he go so far away?

Did we teach him everything he needs to know?

Actually, he learned so many things on his own. He is very intelligent and aware in a way that surpasses all who had anything to do with teaching him.

Does he know how much we love him? All of us? His dad, Marianne, me, Patrick, Mike, Emily...friends, family...does he know? I hope so. I hope that love stays in his heart and carries him wherever he wants to go.

My heart is heavy because I will miss him. I will miss knowing that he's right here. I will miss knowing that he might just drop in.

I will adjust, though.

I know he's doing the right thing. He's going to work for a company that was practically created just so he could be employed there. :)

I know he will be happy.

I will miss him desperately but I know that I have to let go.

Whew.

It sure isn't easy.

Of the Heart

2011-02-24T18:48:00.004-05:00

I promise I will get a better picture. This one is scanned in yet it looks so out of focus. I think it's probably because I couldn't close the lid all the way.

Today I got to teach a Kindergarten class.

We did some fun art and the hour passed so quickly I couldn't believe it.

I could seriously do this every single day for the rest of my life.

It was wonderful.

Hope you're having a great week.

Oh, and put your dreams out there because I am here to tell you that even when some things are not going the way you wish they could, those other things will rise up and you'll be amazed.

Know what you want and hold the idea of it in your heart.

♥

Everything is Holy Now

2011-02-23T07:57:00.000-05:00

I feel a piece of art coming on.

This song pretty much sums up the way I feel.

Love Shines Through You

2011-02-20T12:29:00.001-05:00

This is what I did today.

It's not completely finished. I want to give a little color to her cheeks but I can't find my watercolor pencils or my water soluble crayons anywhere. I'm sure I've put them somewhere convenient. Do you ever do that? :)

I promised I'd show you whatever I ended up doing. That really helped. A little bit of accountability goes a long way.

I hadn't done a transfer in a long time and am so pleased with the way this one turned out.

I used mod podge and a transparency and just put it on a scrap of cotton fabric.

I'm happy with this and it feels good to use up some fabric. I'll probably list it on Etsy next week. I need to add a few finishing touches first.

Hope you had a productive weekend or a relaxing one, or both.

Making Art vs Goofing Around Online

2011-02-19T12:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I haven't blogged in forever. Mostly because I haven't made anything new to show you.

Life is good, though. I'm so happy to say that I finally met Tricia and she is just a great person all around. Time flies when we hang out together. We talk art, spirit, art, kids, art, husbands, art, blogging, art and all of it kind of at the same time. lol There is no awkward silence between us because there is no silence between us at all. This makes me a happy girl.

We've been talking about doing more art and staying away from the computer. She has been very good. Me, not so much. It is after noon on Saturday as I am typing this. I have been looking at blogs and facebooking most of the morning...oh and flickring and, as you may notice, updating my blog background and header. All very, very fun and I enjoyed it tremendously but I need to get all my goodies out and make some art.

I'm going to do it. Really, I am. And then I'm going to come back here and show it to you. Ok?

Art Through Meditation

2011-01-26T16:22:00.000-05:00

This is a painting I'm working on today.

I got my work done fairly early. Patrick was out and Mike was sleeping (he works the graveyard shift) and I was just really in the mood to create something today.

When I first started, I almost let myself go back to the internet to be inspired. Often this leads to me being overwhelmed and doing nothing.

I finally realized that though I have stopped running to others for advice concerning my life, instead choosing to meditate and listen to my own inner wisdom, I have been looking all over for inspiration for art!

Today I stopped myself.

I remembered.

I don't need to ask anyone else. I don't need to look at what they're doing.

I need to stop, meditate, listen and respond.

So I lit some incense and candles and played some music that I love. I started painting and when any sense of judgment came up, I dismissed it and just got lost in listening and painting. Listening and painting.

The painting shown is what I have come up with so far and the most amazing thing about it for me is that it was very emotional for me. I hadn't painted like that in a very long time and it felt like worship. I felt such joy.

Then, I shared it on facebook thinking that a couple of my friends would like the idea of it. I wasn't really showing it so much as "look what I did" as I was just so happy and sharing that happiness.

Was I ever surprised by the folks that commented and "liked" it and some picked it up on their pages.

It's very exciting and feels good but even more it speaks to that sense of Source (or whatever YOU call it) within us, connecting us.

I think the people who like the painting are sensing whatever came through me into it.

I think the thing I was somehow expressing is being appreciated by them because they recognize it.

Art, perhaps, isn't so much about making a pretty picture or being precise or shocking or whatever it is that we worry art is supposed to be. Perhaps it is more about expressing that thing that connects us so that we can look at it together and say, "Namaste." I recognize you/me.

Life is amazing.

I will be doing a lot more listening.

Much love to you all.

♥

Listening

2011-01-16T09:23:00.005-05:00

Often when I paint, these figures show up. I have often thought that they were my spirit guides showing up in visible form . I am even more convinced now.

December was a tough month.

It was the kind of month that brought me to end of myself and my own strength.

It was the kind of month that lead me to say, "ok, guides, God/Goddess, angels...if you're there then I surrender to the fact that I can't just inner cheerleader my way through this. If you're there, please help. Please help. Please help. Give me signs. Help me to see the signs and help me to follow them. Help me to notice them and to respond. Help. Please help."

Something to that effect anyway.

Let me tell ya...they did!

Suddenly there were books and quotes and friends and blogs and ideas and energy!

What's funny is that they weren't new things, which is kind of what I was thinking would happen. You know, jobs that I wouldn't really have thought of before, doing things I probably wouldn't want to do but jobs that would bring us some money.

No. It was SoulCollage, kids and art.

What is different is that there are new people in my life with new ideas about how to follow this dream. There is also a new enthusiasm and a stronger me who realizes that I don't have to be fearless. I just have to keep going.

There is one woman, a facebook friend whom I'm yet to meet in person and lives about 45 miles from me. She seems to know everyone in this area. She's amazing. She's an artist, a writer...quite multi-talented.

She saw my updates on facebook about SoulCollage and put me in touch with a couple of people.

One is a nurse in charge of community outreach. She will be doing a presentation on aging and the positive role of creativity. After her presentation, I will invite the group to do SoulCollage. I am so excited!

The other woman is the executive director of Mental Health America's Roanoke office. We spoke for a bit but I haven't heard from her again yet. She is planning the programs for the year so I'm hoping to hear from her in a few days.

Yesterday, I was looking through some old art and posted some things to facebook. This same wonderful woman, Ibby, posted them on her facebook, linking them to people that she thought would enjoy them.

Oh my goodness. That did my heart a world of good.

She also invited me to put them in a gallery that she is heavily involved in. It's one that I wanted to have art in but was too afraid that my stuff wasn't good enough. To have her say, "I wish you would bring some of these to the gallery to sell," means so much to me.

The comments that certain pieces brought made me realize (again, I'm sure, for the umpteenth time) that I don't have to try to make art that other people will like, which always leads to the loss of inspiration and confidence and thus the end of my art. I just have to do what I love, like the crazy painting above, and there are people out there who will love it, too.

Today the world seems full of possibilities.

I am so grateful for signs. I am so grateful for people who offer encouragement and help. I want to always remember what a difference this has made in the way I feel and to return the favor by doing the same for others.

I am still applying for jobs like crazy. I am learning that it's not enough to sit back and "know" things are going to be ok.

Action is the magic ingredient.

Have a great week everyone.

Brightest Blessings to you all.

Little Grandmother Speaks to the Controversy

2011-01-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

Since I brought up the fact that there was some talk of The Little Grandmother being inauthentic, I thought it only fair that I share this video.

Helping People Cope with Darkness

2011-01-11T13:31:00.001-05:00

This is a SoulCollage® Card that I haven't shown. He makes me happy today.

It's been an interesting morning. Yesterday, I read this story about a brilliant young man who took his life. He had been sexually abused as a child and though he was successful in both career and friendship, he could never escape what he called "the darkness" of being abused.

Reading his 2000 word obituary was excruciating yet enlightening.

It renewed my commitment to SoulCollage and to sharing it with others. I made a comment on my facebook about it this morning and a friend happens to be very good friends with the executive director Mental Health America here in the Roanoke office. She called her about SoulCollage and then let me know that there is interest and gave me the number to call. I'm waiting for a call back. Very exciting. And scary. But I'm ignoring scary. No, that's not true. I'm not ignoring it. I'm acknowledging it and maybe even embracing it a bit, knowing that it can't stop me unless I allow it to. It's ok to be afraid of new things...even if you know you're prepared.

I just feel that if kids are allowed to express themselves and to realize that these darknesses are just one facet of their whole beautiful selves, they will grow up healthier and happier.

I want to be a part of helping as many folks, children and adults, on their roads to recovery as I can.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T18:57:00.002-05:00

Nick and Patrick were drumming. Patrick's playing the drum Nick made him for Christmas and Nick is playing the drum I gave Patrick for our anniversary. We're kind of a silly bunch, huh? :)

Tree this morning.

Nick arriving.

Michael proposing to Kasey.

She said yes. :)

Some Crochet and Ornaments

2010-12-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

Quan Yin models the hat and scarf I crocheted and, um, decided to keep for myself.

Kasey's grandmother made this little lace angel for our tree. It's for the baby.

Had a difficult time photographing this. This kind of gives an idea of how cozy things look as I glance over my shoulder from where I'm typing now.

I hope everyone is having a great week and yuletide.

Got Balls?

2010-12-07T17:52:00.002-05:00

For Domestic Witch's Christmas Balls blog party.

I've had this recipe for at least 15 years. It came from a dear friend who gifted me with a tin of them one Christmas. I had to have the recipe.

Sharon's Orange Balls.

1 lb Vanilla Wafers, crushed

1 6oz frozen OJ, thawed

1/2 cup Chopped Pecans

1 box confectioner's sugar

1 stick butter

1 package orange Jello (or cheap gelatin flavoring) Just the powder. Don't make jello. :)

On Sharon's recipe card there is a line for serves. She wrote: "A Million"

Mix together all above. Chill.

Roll into balls, then in jello. (orange flavored)

Enjoy!

For Yule and Christmas, I use red or green "jello" powder.

My kids can not get enough of these. They eat them while waiting for the real food. I had to stop rolling out the entire batch at once or they would all be gone before dinner.

Recycling Curtains

2010-12-06T15:01:00.001-05:00

Last year, I made curtains for the other apartment.

Today I'm cutting them and making napkins.

Snow, Tree and Not Wiccan

2010-12-06T10:18:00.003-05:00

Michael and Kasey catching snow flakes.

The tree is up. Michael and Kasey did the decorating.

I've had emails and even phone calls recently asking me about Wicca so I felt I should perhaps clarify here that I am not Wiccan.

As usual, I don't really have a religion to identify with. I can pretty comfortably say that I'm Pagan but that is about the extent of nailing it down for me. I'm ok with that.

It's the whole anthropomorphizing the gods thing that always does me in. I just can't make myself believe in a thinking, feeling god. I do believe in an energy. I have come to see the earth as a living being who nourishes us and whom we should nourish right back, but to attribute thoughts and emotions to her is very difficult for me. (yet I've given her a sex...hmmm)

So, I'm just me, living the simplest life I can...hoping to simplify more...hoping to be a better steward of this planet.

I believe in love and I love you guys.

Shift Happens

2010-12-05T09:05:00.004-05:00

As beautiful as this all sounds and as much as I like Kiesha and some of the things she has to say, I have discovered a bit of controversy concerning her and claims of fraud from Native American communities. I'm saddened by this. I started to just remove the video but, I don't know, perhaps there is still value in what she says. How can we go wrong loving each other and Mother Earth?

A few pics from the past week or so.

2010-12-04T10:04:00.002-05:00

The kids always expect these orange balls for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanksgiving Day.

I can hardly believe these grown men are my children.

Different day. Michael brought Kasey roses, just because.

Isn't she pretty? :) We ♥ her.

I painted some paper clay faces.

And collaged some boxes.

And painted them.

Not sure what is next.

Murdock staying warm.

Murdock keeping me warm.

Thanksgiving Blessings

2010-11-25T06:43:00.003-05:00

Magickal Graphics

A Meal Blessing
Great Spirit,
We thank you for the gift of this food.
We send blessings of peace, love, and
release to all
whose bodies and energies went into
bringing us this nourishment.
We honor you in our enjoyment and
utilization of this meal.
May it bring us health and joy,
reminding us of our interconnections with
All That Is.
As we receive, so do we give back
And give thanks for this gift in the
Cycle of Life.

by Kristen Madden (Ofelas)
Thanks, Gypsy Magic, for sharing this blessing on your blog. I think it's just perfect.

The Past Couple of Weeks in Pictures.

2010-11-22T10:31:00.003-05:00

My latest SoulCollage card. I'm looking forward to seeing what it has to say to me. I'm especially fascinated by the Mary Poppins character and its location. I had forgotten about this card and, in fact, when I first found it I thought, "oh no! one of the folks from a workshop must have left it and I picked it up by mistake," but as I looked at it, I remembered cutting around the green jewels and gluing them on. It didn't feel finished to me so I quickly added the hand and Mary. Should be an interesting reading.

Michael and Kasey watching a movie. Actually, Michael was sleeping. He's working the graveyard shift now plus Monday classes plus having Kasey over on weekends. He's pretty tired. (so am I)

Full moon through the window at 5am-ish Sunday morning. I was having my coffee before going to pick Michael up from work.

Michael and Kasey's puppy, Delilah. She was very curious about Murdock. He was tolerant for a pretty long time but he did finally swat at her.

Just this morning as I was leaving to get Mike from work. The full moon is peeking through the branches of that cluster of trees. I couldn't quite catch it on camera.

Since Michael drives on the way home, I could take this picture of the rising sun as we passed the high school.

I seem to be taking you back in time. I guess I loaded the photos in the wrong order. Oh well. :)

Saturday, we went to our local village Christmas parade. That's Mike and Kasey turning the corner.

A few glimpses of the parade.

Such a perfect fall day. I found this pic on someone else's facebook. That's Patrick and me...or at least the backs of our heads.

Simple fall decorations right outside our door.

Gorgeous Autumn sky.

The last few leaves; now gone.

This is a short week with Thanksgiving coming.

I'm looking forward to the boys and Kasey being here over the holidays. Hopefully it will be the usual quiet, peaceful, joyful, loving time.

Nick and Michael are becoming so busy now with work and school, it will be good to have time to just enjoy the abundance of our lives together and the hope of things to come.

I am already thankful for the grandchild who will makes its way come Spring.

I am thankful that Michael is so in love and that Kasey is a sweet girl. I am grateful that he got the job that he wanted and that he's doing it well and that it matters to him that he's doing it well. I'm grateful that he is such a responsible young man with a good brain and a loving and generous attitude.

I am grateful that Nick is finding so many new opportunities just by doing what he loves to do. People are finding him and he is doing some amazing things and making some great connections. I am grateful for his big heart, his active mind and his fun nature.

I am grateful for Patrick and his ability to work through just about anything. While others are giving up or giving in, he just keeps going out there and talking to people. I am grateful for his kindness in general but to our family in particular. I am grateful for his sense of humor, his love and his grace.

I am grateful for my mom and grateful for her happiness with Gary.

I am grateful for my brothers, Allen and Tony.

Allen has had a lot on his plate this past year, things he took care of and allowed me to excuse myself from. He buried our dad with more dignity than dad had for himself in life. I am grateful for Allen's sense of duty and his sense of respect and I am grateful that he allowed me to remain distant from the whole thing.

I am grateful for friends. For all of you. I am constantly lifted by your beautiful, fun and thoughtful comments and by your blog posts. I learn so much, too. It's amazing how much knowledge is out there in blogland and how free people are to share it with the rest of us. Thank you!

I am grateful for so much that I could never type it all out.

It felt good to try, though!

Have a wonderful week, whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving or just another beautiful Thursday.

Brightest Blessings to each of you.

Loving November

2010-11-07T19:54:00.003-05:00

I loved the way the sun was shining on this tree and the leaves below.

Almost as if the sun were shining from within it.

Mike, Kasey and Ryan (Mike's friend) were all getting some potato soup. I made a big pot Friday evening and we ate just about every drop that night. You should have seen their faces right after I snapped this. But, you know it makes a mother's heart feel good when they're devouring our food. Plus, Patrick does most of the cooking so I was completely enjoying it while it lasted.

Murdock under the quilt, sleeping.

Until the coffee pot beeping woke him up.

A few snapshots of our wonderful weekend.

Dona Nobis Pacem

2010-11-04T06:23:00.001-05:00

It's the day for BlogBlastforPeace!! Yay! To read other peace blogs today, just click over to dear Mimi's blog. She started this whole "blasted" thing. ♥

I read the English translation for Dona Nobis Pacem and it is "Give us Peace."

I have to say that I don't like the phrase as much now. It implies passivity on our part. It implies that the peace must come from somewhere outside of our control. Some of it must, of course, as we deal with other human beings in this world for whom peace is not a priority, but most of it must come from within us.

I don't think it's something that is given as a gift. Peace is a mindset that we put into practice (or not) on a decision by decision basis. Every moment of every day we are making decisions that affect our own personal peace, the peace of friends, family, coworkers or others in our community and these decisions spiral out and affect the world.

It's not a matter of waiting passively for some being outside of us to grant us peace. It's a matter of choosing peace in the little things as well as the big things.

At least some bit of world peace is up to each of us.

Peace begins with a smile.
Mother Teresa

Have you ever felt the relief when someone you thought was angry with you smiled at you?
Have you felt the calming effects of a smile from someone you love when you're feeling nervous?

Little things can have huge impact.
Little smiles.
Little hugs.
Little pats on the shoulder.
Little compliments.
A little forgiveness.
A little understanding.
A little minding our own business.
A little reaching out.
A little centering.
A little love.
A little magick. :)

It's all up to us today.

What we did Samhain/Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T21:58:00.001-05:00

I ground my mint and lemon balm for teas.

This is about half of what I ended up with with the mint.

The lemon balm filled a jar.

I had a little left over and used it to make incense.

We watched football and the kids got ready to go out trick-or-treating.

This is Kasey, Michael's girlfriend and their friend Debbie.

These were taken after they had been out. This is Mike in his Pyramid Head costume that he made.

Google Pyramid Head Silent Hill (video game) if you want to see what this is and aren't familiar with the game or movie. Mike did an amazing job on it. He made the helmet from fiberglass and cardboard. The sword is cut from a board and painted.

The group. Mike, Kasey as Little Red Riding Hood, Debbie as a show girl (flapper?) and Quillan, another friend of the family is, I guess, the devil. :)

They looked away just as I snapped.

Awwww Aren't they sweet? :)

I hope you had a great day!

Samhain Blessings to You!

2010-10-31T06:42:00.001-05:00

Samhain Altar 2010

Until yesterday, I hadn't really changed the altar since Mabon. Oh, except for adding those great candles. My landlord is moving and she had me going through a bunch of her stuff she was just getting rid of. I have been wanting candles and even that day almost went to the dollar store to get some but decided not to spend the money. Then Jan gave me more candles than I've ever had at one time in my life. lol So happy and I thought these were so autumney looking. That blue chalice is from GoodWill a few months back. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was mine.

Yesterday, I printed out a picture of Patrick's sister, Beverly, and added her to the altar. It still doesn't seem possible that she's gone. Behind her picture is a nature picture she sent us the first year we were together. On the back she wrote: "Look into the picture. Know sounds of water running around rocks. Listen for voices of children playing behind you. Smile. Love, Beverly" Isn't that the best? I wish I could have met her in person. I always thought that I would get to.

I also added a photo of my Grandparents. I miss them tons.

This morning before I got up, I had little conversations with all of them, thanking them for the love they showed.

Last night, I added the cute little pumpkin. Patrick bought him for me our first Halloween together.

muahahahahahahah

Have a blessed Samhain, Happy Halloween or Beautiful Beltane, depending where you are and what you do.

♥

Awards and Seven Things About Me

2010-10-28T07:36:00.004-05:00

I have been so lovingly awarded! I sure love my blog friends.

Thank you to Wendy at The Year of the Cats and to Faerie Sage at Faerie Sage Kitchen.

Though it's taken me a bit to blog about it, I am very touched and honored to receive these!

The awards come in package form and include the Stylish Blogger Award, The Versatile Blogger Award and One Lovely Blog Award. All three together come with a neat simple set of rules; (I totally stole that from Faerie Sage as it was worded so well) :)

1 Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2 Share 7 things about yourself.
3 Pass this on to 15 other great bloggers you recently discovered.
4 Contact the selected bloggers and tell them about their awards.

So, #1 is taken care of.

#2. 7 things about myself:
1. I just joined a local pagan group through meetup. Very excited about it! It wasn't so long ago
that I wrote in my art journal that I wanted to find my tribe. This group is a tribe, rather than a coven. Last night I realized that I found my tribe! How cool is that?
2. I am shy. I didn't truly know that about myself until recently. I've talked myself out of doing fun things all because I was too shy to do them. I have been working on that this week. I have been out and about. hehe
3. My guilty, guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives of DC. I even follow them on twitter so I can watch them talk to each other. And one of them (Ebong) follows me on twitter. Isn't that sweet?
4. I have a youtube channel where I collect videos that uplift me. I call them "vibe lifters" and watch a few nearly every day to keep me in the right frame of mind to attract the things I desire. Plus, it just feels good. It's here if you could use a lift.
5. I am practicing to be part of a virtual choir on youtube, with Eric Whitacre! I'll be singing 2nd alto on this one. My niece told me about it and we are going to do it together.
6. I was sitting here struggling with something else to tell you so Patrick said, "loving wife...did you put that down?" hehe I'll take it.
7. I fully intend to return to college one of these days. It's sort of catch 22. The financial setbacks make me even more aware of how much I really need a college degree yet they keep me from getting one. I was going to sign up for classes soon but when suddenvalues did away with the regional manager positions, I had to give them up.

I shouldn't have ended on a bummer! Sorry. :) I am very, very happy and have way more to be grateful for than I have things to complain about.

I may or may not pass the award on. I will try to find 15 bloggers who haven't received it already but I haven't done that yet and I wanted to acknowledge the awards before it was too late. :)

Have a great weekend everyone. Much love to you all!

Balance

2010-10-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

Closeup of a painting I just listed on Etsy.

So good to have something on there and I hope it's the first of many things to be listed.

I plan to work on some dolls and other fabric art this week, maybe even today while we're watching football!

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Sharing

2010-10-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

I just had a wonderful conversation about the Law of Attraction with a fellow SuddenValues Dealer. She had been in our region when Patrick and I were Regional Managers. No longer being her "team leader" has given me a freedom to say what I wanted.

I found out that she is a peace activist and believes in the Law of Attraction and is very familiar with Abraham-Hicks.

It was such a wonderful conversation that inspired us both to keep doing what we do. :)

It reminded me of the video I saw earlier today. It's the video above.

I love, love, love this video. Of course, we won't all find our calling specifically with Jerry and Esther (wouldn't that be fun?!?) but it just confirms to me that we need to voice our wants and needs and let the Universe (God) take care of it. I don't think Scotty went to that seminar thinking he was going to get his dream job.

We just never know.

Thank you so much for your encouraging and beautiful comments to me. I appreciate them more than I can say.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Much love to all of you.

Everything Will Be OK

2010-10-13T18:09:00.001-05:00

I can't quite put my finger on it but something is making it difficult to blog, work or facebook. :)

I move the keyboard and mouse over a little and Murdock moves over a little. lol I just love him.

It's been a while since I've updated.

It seems like things went so smoothly for the past couple of years and then in the last two months, it's been one whammy after another. Nothing disastrous or painful. Just a lot to digest and absorb.

I have realized this week how little art I've done over the past...oh probably year...and that has got to change. I can feel the extra stress in mind, body and soul that comes from the lack of creative release. I so want to find my niche and create things that would help us financially, as well as giving me some relief from stress and a spiritual release. I have a few thoughts brewing so hopefully soon, very soon, I will start creating again.

I've been pretty busy the past few weekends. A couple of Saturdays ago, I led a SoulCollage workshop. It went really well. There were about 13 folks there that were attending as part of the Healing Through Creativity Festival. We had a good time.

Last weekend we went to WV to visit my family. I hadn't been home in over a year! My cousin and I recently connected on Facebook and she had some days off work and wanted to meet me there. We hadn't seen each other in years and years. Aunts and uncles came, my brothers were there and of course Mom and Gary. It was truly wonderful. Such a fun weekend.

The past couple of weeks we've been launching a new product through our service and it's taken a lot of my time, learning it and executing it while still keeping up with the regular service. There were a few hiccups but we're slogging our way through.

Patrick and I have been regional managers (mostly Patrick but I fielded technical questions and listened to venting sometimes) for the past year. Last night, we got a call letting us know that the position (nationwide) is ending...by the end of the month. That means that we have to come up with a substantial amount of money every month to make up for the loss. The problem is, we just gave up that same substantial amount coming in last month so...here we are again. It has almost become funny. We just laugh and say, "everything will be ok" because we know it will be.

It always is.

Always.

Current Altar

For Roanokers (Salem, Vinton, etc) New Service from our Business

2010-10-04T13:29:00.000-05:00

SuddenBlitz!

This week's offer is for a $27 Gift Certificate to Beauty Bar (manicures, pedicures, hair, wax, etc) for only $14.

This is a brand new service of our business that is launching today. Check it out and pass it on!!! We would really appreciate it!

Grandbaby Ultrasound

2010-10-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

Meet my new grandbaby! :)

Meet Murdock

2010-09-27T08:01:00.005-05:00

A good friend of mine fosters kittens from the SPCA Shelter regularly.

She has asked us a couple of times if we could foster a kitten and we always said no without much thought.

But last week, she told us about Murdock. He's been in the shelter for 6 months. He's 3 years old and has put on a bunch of weight lately. She wondered if we could just foster him for a week or two so he could get some exercise.

Patrick looked at my face and said he could tell that I wanted to.

I can't explain it. I had no reservations. It was an immediate "yes" in my heart.

Michael and I picked him up on Friday and by Saturday, we knew he was going to live with us forever.

It is meant to be.

I have missed Zeke, though he was a pain in the neck. I do get to visit him and he is wonderfully happy and healthy, living with my older son, Nick. So I don't feel too guilty about wanting another cat.

One day during the summer, I thought I heard a cat crying. I looked and looked but never found anything and never heard the cry again. Wally, the neighborhood cat, actually belonged to our landlord's daughter. Just prior to this incident, she had taken Wally to Vermont to finally get to live with her daughter. So I knew it wasn't Wally.

Right there, I secretly wished to the Universe that a cat would come to us. I hear so often that if it's the right cat, it will find you...not the other way around.

I realize now that that is exactly what happened.

We said "yes" to a friend and received a huge gift.

♥ Welcome home, Murdock. ♥

Practical Magic Blog Party Post 2010!!!

2010-09-25T07:04:00.001-05:00

Oh my!

When I signed up for the blog party, it seemed so far away

but here we are! It's time!

I've only known the Practical Magic movie for a short time but, like everyone else there is just something about it that keeps me coming

back to watch it again and again.

I've often longed for a sister and I find that above anything else, this movie, for me, is about sisters.

And their complete devotion to one another.

I have no sisters by blood but I have many

sisters by blog and I am grateful for each and every one of you.

I'm linking up with the big Practical Magic Blog Party found here!

Many thanks and blessings to Anna and Justina for hosting such a beautiful blog party.

I think this is my first!

Surprises

2010-09-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

I've been doing a little Fall decorating. Just a few touches here and there.

I am determined to get mums and pumpkins for outside pretty soon

This was Mike on the actual day of his birthday.

He slept in and woke up to a birthday cake so he had sausage and cake for breakfast. ha

It's been a long time since I've posted. It's been an emotional few weeks.

Patrick lost his sister, who was really more like a mom and he has been pretty distraught. It was so sudden and unexpected. I wish I could take away his pain. He just keeps pushing through and working but sometimes it all just becomes too much.

There were lots of little stressers last week, on top of the sadness about Patrick's sister, Beverly.

And then, one morning last week, Mike kept kind of hovering and I knew he was needing to tell me something. I thought he was just trying to think of a way to ask me (again) to take him to see his girlfriend.

After about 20 or 30 minutes, he finally told me that he's going to be daddy! I'm going to be a Grandma! He and his girlfriend are planning to get married. I always suspected they would end up getting married. I've never seen him like this with anyone.

I know they're young and it won't necessarily be easy but they are both completely focused on the health of the baby and finding a way to take care of it responsibly.

I know they'll be ok.

Did I mention...I'm going to be a Grandma!

So, that's been my past couple of weeks. Very emotional.

But we're ok.

♥

Happy 18th Birthday, Michael!!! (warning...picture overload)

2010-09-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Mike turns 18 today.

I'm so proud of him. He is a really good-hearted person and fun to be around.

He started college classes this week and is loving them.

Below are some random pics of him growing up. At first I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't seem to get them where I want them but then when I saw a baby pic right beside a newer pic, it just seemed right.

He's always had that mischievous twinkle in his eye and that smile that lets you know he's up to something. :)

This is him with his girlfriend, Casey. She's a sweetie and so pretty.

These were taken Monday night after his first day of college classes. Of course, he had to get the obligatory "thumbs up" pose in there. haha

Happy Birthday, Michael. I love you so much! ♥

Checking in...it's almost Fall!

2010-08-24T09:07:00.000-05:00

These are the last two smudge sticks I made. I so enjoy putting them together.

I hope everyone has been doing well.

We're doing well. Nick and Mike's college classes start this week. Nick starts school and his new job today. It's hard to believe that my guys are in college. It just seems like yesterday I was getting them ready for elementary school.

I am so excited about the coming of Fall. I can smell it in air. It was so nice and cool this morning when I went for my walk. We've been watching pre-season football and I just can't wait for the big games! I love baking us up goodies for game time and this year our kitchen is not downstairs away from the game and everyone so it will be even more fun.

Yay Autumn!

Have a great week everyone!

Smudge Bundles and New Books

2010-08-10T06:42:00.000-05:00

I harvested some sage, rosemary and lavender yesterday. I separated them into two bundles and now they're rolled up in paper to dry out. I haven't tried this paper method before so I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out. The apartment sure smells good.

I walked to the post office yesterday to ship a smudge stick I made last week for a friend and also to send another friend (Hi Pam!) her birthday present that I've had made for three years. Procrastiwhat?

While I was out enjoying the cool morning, I took a walk through the co-op and picked up some Roastaroma tea from Celestial Seasonings. Sometimes I would really love a cup of coffee in the evening but I know it would keep me up. Roastaroma will be a nice alternative. I also picked up some almonds and dried mango slices for snacking. I love the mangos but probably won't choose them next time. I didn't read the label to see that they are completely covered in sugar. They are yummy, though, I have to say.

I also went to the used bookstore. I picked up two books that I am enjoying very much. The first one is Magical Spells for Your Home by Anne-Marie Gallagher and the second is Holistic Home by Joanna Trevelyan.

Both are filled with simple ways of making your home a sacred, nurturing space and they're both filled with beautiful images.

Today is the day we put out the weekly update and I have a few new coupons to make and a new contest so that will keep me busy for a while this morning. Then I hope to play a little.

Life is good.

Mostly Pictures

2010-08-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

This is a painting I won from Benedetta last year. I just love it. I was playing around with this frame last week and I really love the colors together. She's hanging in the living room now.

I hung my new besom yesterday. While I was at it I hung a couple of pieces of art, too.

I didn't really intend this table to become an altar but it seems to be doing just that. I need to clean it up a little and still plan to paint it one of these days.

Look how the herb garden has grown.

I'm going to be harvesting this sage and some rosemary and lavendar later today. I have a few folks who want to purchase smudge sticks. I made one for a friend last week. I love making them.

We have plumbers here this morning or I'd be making the smudge bundles now. But my mood with all that noise and upheaval and lack of water going on is not exactly conducive to that kind of work. I'll wait until I can make them with love and peace; in other words, when the plumbers get the heck out. hehe

Have a great day everyone!

Yard Sale Finds

2010-08-07T10:08:00.001-05:00

It's been a while. Just haven't had much to blog about. I've done a little stitching and that's about it. Kind of had the blahs. Too much work and not enough play, I think. :)

Today we got out early and hit some yard sales. I spent a whopping $11.00! Look what I got for that little bit, though. It makes me happy, happy.

Patrick bought one thing, a cooking thing for the broiler for doing steaks on days when he can't grill. There aren't many days when that man won't grill.

I just love the tea light holders I found in different colors. .50cents for three. Then I found the star tea light holders. .50cents for two. The movie was $3.00 and has never been opened. The loaf pan was $2.00. I've been needing one. Now I can try out some bread recipes I've been seeing around.

And that besom!!! Isn't it gorgeous? I love the gnarly handle. It was $5.00.

Patrick's going to grill ribs today and I'm just going to hang out and possibly get some stitching or other crafting done. It's almost like a fall day. Cool and crisp. So inspiring!

What are you up to this weekend?

(Not) A Protest Song by Crank:Radio

2010-07-21T13:25:00.001-05:00

(Not) A Protest Song by Crank:Radio

For so long I've wanted to share this song with you guys. Finally MySpace made it possible. Yay!

Nick, my older son, wrote the reggae part and is singing it. His friend, Derek, wrote and is singing the other part.

Well, shucks. The playlist isn't there now. I thought it would just play the song. Anyway, if you're curious now, you can still go to http://www.myspace.com/crankradi0 and listen to it. (Not) A Protest Song.

Two New Cards

2010-07-16T07:24:00.002-05:00

I made these two cards last night. I made them very quickly without thinking over them too much. It really helped having some new (to me) magazines with fresh images. I just cut out the first ones that called to me and slapped them down. It felt so good and I actually really like the cards. I'm looking forward to working with them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fairy Lily!

2010-07-15T08:44:00.000-05:00

She finally bloomed!

A wonderful woman at the Grandin Community Market traded 3 Fairy Lily Bulbs for

the onion sets and dishcloth I crocheted below.

I planted the two smaller bulbs in the herb bed and placed the bigger one in a pot. I've been watching

and watching. Today Patrick whispered in my ear, "go look at your flower." heeeee

Isn't it so pretty?!

And the nice Market Lady has reported that she has onions growing and that the dishcloth has her colors.

Life is fun!

Gift from the Universe

2010-07-14T14:32:00.001-05:00

I was walking early this morning and noticed Hydrangeas by the sidewalk. It looked as if someone had cut a bush all the way back and then just threw all the good stuff out. I decided that if they were still there on my way home, I would pick them up.

And they were. And I did.

I've been smiling at them all morning and they've been smiling back.

Quick Recovery

2010-07-07T11:08:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about SoulCollage® again. I've been making cards. I've agreed to do some workshops with Grandin Gardens. I've been looking at other folk's cards.

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to experience just how much SoulCollage has saved me, not just from being overwhelmed by the pain from my past but from making myself and others miserable in the here and now.

I was given some emotional news that in the past would have sent me into a tail spin. And it did, for about an hour. Once I came out of that, I felt tremendous sadness for about 24 hours but I just sat with it. I experienced all of the different emotions, thoughts and memories that were going off like the fireworks in the neighborhood that day.

Then it hit me, all that I have learned about myself over the past four years. Why I react to certain things the way I do. Why I've made the choices that I've made, for better or worse. It was then that I was able to observe my current feelings with near amusement. There they were again. Those same old reactions in my head. That same pain in my heart. A little anger. A little self-pity. Guilt. Ahhhh, the guilt. Such a sneaky emotion. Guilt disguises itself in blame sometimes. I feel guilty, so I blame "you" so that my guilt eases a bit. There it all was, playing out in my head but this time I was aware of it. I could see it. "I see you guilt, you sneaky rascal. And you, daddy-issues-girl...I see you, too. Oh yeah, and you drama queen...you're still alive and well, aren't you?"

But thanks to SoulCollage, I have recognized these neters as a part of me yet not me at the same time. They are all part of me but no single one is all of me. Guilt is not in charge of my emotions. Drama Queen is not in charge of my reactions. Daddy-issues-girl, she's just a sad case but I give her lots of love because...well...because I can now.

So much of my life was spent in chaos in my mind and heart. I have always marveled at people telling me how peaceful I seemed or how I brought peace to a situation. I remember seeing a video of myself and being so surprised at the serenity I displayed because I remembered the event and how my head was spinning and how uncomfortable and unhappy I actually was.

My insides were chaos because Guilt, Drama Queen, Daddy-issues-girl and their many and varied sidekicks were brawling over who would be in charge. Too many thoughts. Too many emotions. I guess I was in a trance-like state on the outside to hide the mess going on inside.

I felt that for a brief time this weekend. And then, I remembered. I recognized the committee. And I realized that I have new committee members now who are speaking up. The part of me who loves myself. The part of me who makes righteous choices. The part of me who realizes that whatever I do now will become a part of my past, for better or for worse. Mostly I realized that I am surrounded by love, from inside and out, and I am not desperate for anything. Losing desperation for something truly dilutes outside forces that play on that desperation. I can not be manipulated. Wow! Powerful.

All is calm within. I have a renewed confidence in my ability to handle things that come from left field. Everything has been so amazing for the past three years that I haven't really had to think about it. There have been no real challenges emotionally. So I am over the moon having met this challenge and come through it feeling an even deeper sense of peace, a deeper sense of my Self, and a confidence in Source working through it all.

I am grateful to have experienced the pain of it without just shutting down, as I have in the past. I also experienced it without finding someone to talk to about it. I went within. I cried. I got mad. I got grumpy. I got melancholy. I survived the emotional white-waters and ended in a blissful lake of calm.

Thank you Neters. Thank you Seena and SoulCollage. Thank you fellow SoulCollagers...and all my fellow explorers of things spiritual and divine. And thank you, Patrick, for being an ever-present source of tangible love and support. I am so grateful.

It's our Anniversary!

2010-07-01T14:10:00.001-05:00

Two years ago, I married this wonderful man. It's been a beautiful two years.

SoulCollage Card

2010-06-30T06:57:00.003-05:00

I am one who sends waves of love to the oily water.

I am one who sees the pristine waters replacing those tainted with chemicals.

I am one who prays that life be restored.

I am one who offers my heart.

I am one who knows that healing is possible.

I am one who expects healing.

I am one who sees an ocean teeming with life.

I am one who sees restoration.

Twenty-One!

2010-06-27T12:23:00.008-05:00

Nick turned 21 yesterday! Just unbelievable.

I'm so proud of the man he has become. He's such a good friend and has good friends. They look out for one another.

He's really into Russia. We got him this dog tag from a Russian Etsy Seller and a book on Russia. We also got him a subscription to Entrepreneur Magazine because he is definitely an entrepreneur. I think he will be successful in whatever he decides to do. I think he, for sure, will be his own boss. His ideas are endless and he has the capability to carry things out. Such an exciting time of life. And, of course, he's 21 so liquor was required, right? Patrick bought him a bottle of Scotch. His favorite. Not that he would know since he wasn't 21 until yesterday, right?

This was his cake. Looks weird because I took the pic while the plastic wrap was still on it. It's an eclair cake. Super easy but so good. Just mix together two boxes of instant vanilla pudding with a container of cool whip. Lay some graham crackers in the bottom of a baking pan, layer the pudding/cool whip mixture on top, then another layer of graham crackers, another layer of the mixture...let it chill a bit and add chocolate frosting. So easy. So yummy. I was going to spell out his name with strawberries for a little extra birthday kick but it looked weird so I just did three rows instead.

I got this pillow yesterday at a yard sale for a $1.00. Isn't it pretty? It's like brand new.

Today our landlord was cleaning out the garage to make room for my new bike and her bike. Nice, right? She had this screen that she sat by the curb and wasn't sure what she was going to do with it so I brought it in to use as a headboard. I've been looking all over the place for shutters, a gate, a door...something to use as a headboard and this works just perfectly.

The folks across the street were having a yard sale on Monday and I bought the lamp to the right for $3.00. Then yesterday, I bought the smaller lamp for $1.50.

The room needs some work but it's so fun to have "new" stuff to play with.

I also got 2 cute pairs of black ankle boots yesterday. A buck a pair. I bought Patrick some Elizabeth George novels and, let's see...oh yeah, a metal box to plant the rest of my jades in. Patrick got a flag shirt. He's going to wear it next weekend. hehe I'll take pics.

Our landlord also gave us a lamp timer, a tea kettle, a pureoxia bottle that she found while diving in Lake Champlain a few years ago. It's that gorgeous aqua color I like.

Life is very, very good.

Oh. Oh. Oh.

I almost forgot to say that a woman I met through the Morgan Harrington facebook last October took an interest in my art. She owns an organic produce store in Williamsburg, VA and she asked if I would let her put some of my pieces in her store.

Friday she came and got 5 paintings and a bunch of dolls.

I got a message from her today, saying that the business owner next door came into her store and instantly gravitated toward my paintings, saying how much he liked them.

That was a very good feeling.

I hope they sell for her. (well, and for me) :)

Have a great rest of the weekend or a great week if it's already Monday where you are.

Moving at a Snail's Pace

2010-06-24T12:08:00.003-05:00

Isn't this little guy cute?

He was in the driveway the other morning.

I took a bunch of photos.

I know. I'm easily amused.

Look how much our little herb garden has grown!

If you enlarge and look to the left a little, you'll see the little snail fella still in the driveway.

Later I came out and he was gone.

Patrick had put him in the garden because he was afraid he'd drive over him.

I love that.

Delight

2010-06-23T15:15:00.002-05:00

Our kitchen window this morning.

Crafty Space

2010-06-20T08:17:00.003-05:00

Patrick often teases me about how my tastes change and with them, our space changes. He comes home and looks around to see what's different since he left. He says it's like an Easter Egg hunt.

At first I was worried that my newest obsession with all things lacey might be a bit much for him. But then I ran across our vision board from 2 years ago and this lovely photo that Patrick himself placed there. When he placed the photo there, I thought it was pretty but I wasn't really into that look. Now it is exactly what I'm in to. Love that man.

Yesterday was the Where Bloggers Create party. I didn't participate but I did enjoy visiting and was inspired to clean up my craft space a bit. This is it when I was finished.

We have a small closet with folding doors, just as you come in the front door. Half of it stores my craft things and the other half is for Patrick's writing books and our business supplies; printer paper, files, file folders, etc.

I got rid of a lot of things to be able to fit all of my art and craft stuff into this space. I have a lot of things in ziploc bags inside that gorgeous pink bag that I bought from Deb several years ago. My paints are all stored in the bag you can slightly see on the other side of the sewing machine. The bag has my fave Van Gogh print and was given to me by Emily, also several years ago.

The pretty boxes have thread and ribbons.

I did have my beads in plastic compartmentalized boxes that stacked. It wasn't very pretty but was pretty functional for a while. But I wanted pretty, plus I had empty jars in the closet just taking up space. I took all the beads and buttons and put them in the jars. I put a piece of foam board (that was just taking up space in the bedroom) on the shelf so the jars and bottles would stand.

I really like it.

When I actually do crafts, I have to drag it all out to the kitchen but that's ok. At least I have space to store everything in a way that makes me smile.

I'm hoping for a crafty day today. I've been for a nice walk and am running a bath as we speak. After that, who knows? :)

It Takes a Village

2010-06-18T07:16:00.005-05:00

I've had this mirror forever. I think the first time I ever used crackle paint was on this frame and I loved the look at the time. But it is time for a change.

So, I took it outside and painted it this bright turquoise! Excuse my houseplants. It had rained earlier that day and I put them out to enjoy it. I think the turquoise looks great on the mirror and just a few months ago it would have found a perfect place in my home. But oddly enough, my tastes have changed so much, it just didn't fit in anywhere. It is the perfect size and shape for a spot in the bathroom and I've wanted a mirror in there, since there are no windows for light.

I hung it in there for a bit but, as much as I like the color, it just bugged me.

So, I painted it again. I mixed some pewter with mocha java and got this rich, delicious brown.

I love it! I love it so much that it inspired me to keep working (playing) in the bathroom.

I found this in my storage the other day but it had a portrait drawing of someone. I remember buying the picture at a yard sale and liking it a lot. Now, not so much. So I slipped the portrait out and slipped in this page from an old Country Living.

And then I gathered things from around the house.

These are two of the Warren Kimble prints I was talking about. I just love them and now that we have a claw foot tub...even better!

A little vignette, ~~totally stolen from~~ inspired by Mamie Jane.

The flower is from the butterfly bush that you see in my header plus some sage.

It takes a village to decorate our apartment.

A village of bloggers with inspiring ideas.

How Did That Happen?

2010-06-17T08:40:00.003-05:00

Somehow, our living room took a rustic turn. But I like it. I'm never sure what to do on that hearth-that-isn't-a-hearth thingie. Our landlord is planning to put a gas fireplace there for us. Yes! Maybe we can build a mantel, too. That would be suhweet.

Here are my grannies. I'm really loving the cream, dark blue and gray together.

Milk Glass and Aprons!

2010-06-14T18:49:00.005-05:00

We had a great weekend. Friday night, we went to see my son, Mike, play with his band Epicurus. It was really wonderful to watch Mike play drums. I can't even explain the intensity in his face when he's playing. It's his favorite thing in the world to be doing. I took pics but it was pretty dark in there (and that was before they turned the lights out) so they're blurry. After the concert, we went to one of our favorite pubs and listened to Nikki Talley. We really enjoyed that, too and bought a cd.

The rest of the weekend, I didn't even get dressed! I lounged around, blogged and cut some quilt squares and crocheted some grannies for an afghan. Perfect weekend, if you ask me.

Today, I spent 4 1/2 hours at the storage unit. It's a long story about the storage unit but some of the things have been in there for ten years! Ten! I threw away two city garbage cans full today and brought some things home and bagged some things up for GoodWill and I still have hours of stuff to go through.

It was fun, though. I found some things that I thought were lost to me forever. Things I had just seen pics of in my old photobucket and wished I had. The last box I went through was full of milk glass and aprons! Heaven. It was like going to a thrift store or church yard sale but it cost me nothing.

There are a couple of larger pieces that I forgot to photograph. They're in the sink waiting to be washed.

I found some more yarn, too, which meant I didn't have to stop at ACMoore on the way home. I needed more yarn for my grannies and I found the perfect gray that was just what I needed.

I'll show some pics of the squares in a day or so and of the larger pieces of milk glass and another piece that's green. Not sure what it is but I think it will be nice for planting a jade in. One less thing I have to buy now. Yay!

Oooh I also found my Warren Kimble prints I'd been wishing for. I bought them when I worked for Avon. So happy to have found them. I guess Tim put them all in a box and put them there and I didn't even know it. I left so much behind because I didn't want him to come home to bare walls. I was starting to regret that decision because there's so much stuff I never went back to get. I'm really grateful that he boxed that stuff up. I'm still missing stuff but hey, Warren Kimble, Aprons and Milk Glass? I'm happy!

Have a great week everyone!

Random Things from the Past Week or So

2010-06-07T16:08:00.004-05:00

Patrick decided that the herbs needed a little trimming. They're growing like crazy!
This is from last week. I told you it was random. I made some muffins and did some stitching.

Below was a "ode to Dennis Hopper" margarita with fresh strawberries from the market.
And today! My son, Mike, kept telling me that he was still working on my Mother's Day present. Well, I had no idea that he was giving me my dream gift!!! He rebuilt an old bike he and his friend had and were planning to fix up for money. Instead, he decided to fix it up and give it to me. It has an awesome pearlescent paint job, gorgeous shiny fenders and Mike's favorite, a classic horn. I was sitting at the computer and I heard the horn and jumped. There he was standing in the door with a bike. My older son just fixed up a bike and I thought this was it. So I was like, "oh cool! Oh, is that Nick's?" He said, "It's yours!" LOL I was like a little kid at Christmas, jumping up and down and clapping my hands. "It's mine?!?!" I can't tell you how much I've been wanting a bike and to have one that he made (and is so gorgeous!) is just so amazing. I'm a happy mommy.
Thanks Michael! I love you.
Isn't he cute? hehe (haha after I posted, I blew up the pic of him to look at it and realized I caught him blowing the horn. Told you it was his favorite part.)

Old finish and Some New Things

2010-05-29T13:06:00.005-05:00

This is a needleroll I did several years ago. Shortly after I made this, I gave up cross-stitching because my eyes could not focus on those tiny stitches and I would lose my place, having to start over counting again. Lately, my eyes seem to be changing again so I'm going to give it another go.

Cross-stitch is the reason I started this blog in the first place. In fact, come to think of it, this needleroll is the reason I started this blog. I did this as part of a stitchalong.

I love the needleroll dearly, not only because it's pretty but because it was really challenging (for me) and I was able to finish it.

The pattern below is for a second needleroll. It came with the first one. Apparently I started it but I don't really remember it. I don't like the way the bunnies turned out, so I'm going to frog the bunnies and do them over and then carry on with the needleroll. Wish me luck!

Below is a doll I'm working on. I'm doing some free embroidery doodling on it.
And this is a dishcloth. Not too exciting but I needed another one and I love crocheting my own.
This morning we went to the local farmer's market and bought these yummy oat cookies.
And finally, we got there in time to buy some strawberries. The last time I walked down they were sold out! They are so sweet and juicy. Nothing like fresh.
After a little more blog cruising, I'm going to get to stitching that needleroll. I sure hope my eyes cooperate!

Thank you all for all of the amazing comments on my last post. I think that's the most comments I've ever had. My grandma would be shyly proud and happy. :)

I hope you're having a great long weekend.

My Grandma's Recipe

2010-05-20T15:25:00.004-05:00

Today I was cleaning out this breadbox which belonged to my Grandma. She used to keep snack cakes in it. These were the cakes she would pack in Grandpa's lunch every day. I was not allowed to ask for these cakes. That would get me in big trouble with Mom, but if I "didn't ask" in just the right way, I could get one. Often Grandpa would just ask me to come into the kitchen with him and he'd open the breadbox and ask if I wanted one. That was my favorite thing.

It's been in storage for years. So many years that it had sippy cup lids stored in the little boxes. My kids are 17 and 21. I've been meaning to clean it out and finally remembered this morning while I still had dishwater in the sink.

I found the recipe above, which I was hoping was still in there. Written by my Grandma's hand, it's her recipe for Baskin-Robbins pie. People loved her Baskin-Robbins pie. It was always a happy occasion to open the refrigerator door and see it sitting in there.

I am thrilled to have it. It means even more to me now than it did when I discovered it in the breadbox several years ago. I always knew that I wanted to display it somehow and today became the perfect day.

I found a frame for it and used some black construction paper to fill in the space inside the mat.

I love the stains and the creases. Most of all, I love seeing her handwriting.

I'm so happy to have it in my kitchen after all these years.

If you think you'd like to make the pie, you can click to enlarge the recipe.

I'm dieting right now and one piece is like a whole week's worth of calories but when I'm skinny...I'm making it. Or next weekend. Whichever comes first.

Life is Good!

2010-05-16T10:19:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited to have been given the Life is Good award by Pagan Culture blogger and friend, Magaly!

To accept the award, I must answer her list of questions, then choose six people to answer a list of my own questions.

So here goes:

1. How old were you when you first showed interest in the written word?

Oh my. I don't remember. Before school age. I've always loved reading and writing.

2. What is your favorite old time book and why?

hmm I'm stumped on this one. The Tao te Ching, I guess, because every time I read it I just say, "yes, yes, exactly," and it always feels good to read something that resonates.

3. Superstitious?

Not really, though I do catch myself now and then.

4. Are you afraid of the dark or do you chase the things that go bump when the lights are out?

I'm not afraid, but I am not a go-to-the-woodshed-while-the-scary-music-is-playing kind of girl.

5. Done any skinny dipping lately? Ever?

Lately? No. Ever? Yes.

6. What makes you go "DAMN!" when you look at an attractive person?

Usually a nice hiney, either sex.

7. What do you know about Witches?

hahaha enough to avoid this question. :)

8. Environmentally friendly or environmentally terrorist? The last kind would get really pissed if others don't conserve water. AskDiandra's boyfriend, he knows all about it.

I'm friendly. I'm not consistent enough myself to be a terrorist.

9. Have you been in a strip club (Mireyah, if your answer is yes, I'll teleport to wherever you are and beat you senseless! If teleporting doesn't work, I'll ride my broom there, but there will be punishment!)

No, never have been.

10. What was the last book you read?

I just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I'm now reading, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Stephen L. Hopp and Camille Kingsolver.

That was fun. Ok, let's see. I will pass this award along to:

Ok, I chose 7. Couldn't help myself.

And I have to come up with 10 questions. Let's see:

1. If you could spend 6 months doing anything you wanted, uninterrupted, what would you do?

2. What was the last song you heard and did you choose it?

3. Have you ever said "yes" when your head was screaming "say no!?"

4. If you could learn one new thing next month, what would it be?

5. Facebook or Twitter?

6. Tightwad or Crazy Spender? (or somewhere in the middle)

7. What is your guilty pleasure?

8. Urban or Rural?

9. Sweet or Salty?

10. New stuff or old stuff?

Whew. Coming up with 10 questions is the toughest part. I tried to check but if you are a no awards blog and I missed it, just ignore but know that I thought of you. :) If you just don't feel like fooling with it, same goes for you. I typically don't either but I haven't had an award or meme in a while and it's Sunday and it was fun.

Thanks again, Magaly!

Little Miracles

2010-05-11T07:39:00.003-05:00

Our neighbor (and now landlord) Jan, gave us these peonies from her garden on Mother's Day.

I commented on how pretty they were and she said, "want a bouquet?" and cut some for me. They smell so good.

I love the fragrance of the air in May. It's one of my favorite things. I was standing out in the mist this morning, listening to the birds, watching them play when a nice stream of honeysuckle scent wafted past me. I love those moments.

Ozark Gypsy had this little poem on her blog and I read it this morning for the first time. It seems just right to share at this moment.

Have a great day.

She calls the poem "Little Miracles."

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.

But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." and a star shined brightly.

But the man did not notice.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.

But, the man did not know.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly from his shoulder and walked away disappointed.

The Sage is Blooming. So pretty.

2010-05-06T12:02:00.002-05:00

Sage in June of last year.

Sage today.

Isn't it pretty? I love the blooms.

For a Friend

2010-05-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

May this little doll be a reminder of love

and a bringer of hope.

Herbs Planted

2010-05-02T08:27:00.002-05:00

May Maple Beltane Bread. I cut a goddess figure into it but

I broke it a bit as I moved it from cookie sheet to plate.

Our local Community Market opened yesterday. It was great to see old friends there

yesterday. We bought some herbs to plant.

Basil

Oregano

Aqua Mint ~ A Native American Mint

Lemon Balm

Some sort of Italian Parsley that we can't pronounce.

Our Landlord was there at the same time we were and bought some of this

and shared. Wasn't that nice?

They are all in this bed now, along with the Sage.

I look forward to watching them spread, grow, feed us, fill dolls, dream pillows, sachets, become smudge sticks, become part of bath salts and probably other things I haven't even thought of yet.

Have a great Sunday.

We're going to eat breakfast, go for a walk and then I think I'll do some crafting.

What are you going to do with this beauty of a day?

For Jamie's 5th Annual Virtual Dance Party

2010-05-01T13:14:00.002-05:00

For Jamie's Virtual Dance Party.

Without excuses because you all know I'm goofy. :) Many thanks to my dear Patrick for

putting up with my two left feet. Sorry that I can't edit out the grope. He couldn't help himself. ;)

Beltane!

2010-04-30T11:56:00.006-05:00

I love May. It's no wonder that Beltane speaks to my heart. For an amazing post on Beltane go to Jasmoon Butterfly's blog and read her beautiful post. The images alone are worth the trip over. I don't usually like it when blogs play music automatically but her playlist is an enhancement. Her blog is an experience. :)

My plans for Beltane are to make this bread. I'm going to plant herbs that I've been waiting to buy at the Community Market tomorrow. I made some stones for marking the herbs. I got the idea at Jasmoon's blog in that same post. At the bottom is a video with a tutorial for making fairy stones. I decided to make herb stones but the only difference is that I am writing herb names instead of "fairy." I also made a little goddess while I was playing with the paper clay. In these pics, the stones are out drying in the sun. When they're dry, I'll paint them and seal them.

Sorry the pics aren't clickable. I copied and pasted to get them where I wanted them and it must have made them unclickable.

The one below reminds me of something from Easter Island. I really like it.

This is where the herbs will go. We have sage in there already. At the end we have some blue fescue that the landlord gave us just to fill in the edge. She also gave us some extra paving stones she had and Patrick surprised me by putting them down Wednesday. I really like the definition it lends.

This is our Beltane altar. Some irises from the yard that could no longer stand after the wind and rain last week. They have new blooms on them since bringing them in. I was wishing that I had a nice Beltane doll and then I remembered the one I made last Spring so I got her out and put her on the altar. I have a basket under the altar that holds all my dolls. So much nicer than keeping them in a plastic bag like I did at the other apartment. :D

I picked up The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd this week at the library. I stayed up late reading it and got up early to finish it. LOVE. I told Patrick that I just had to see the movie now. He just walked in with a copy of it. That man. How could you not just love, love, love him? So, I'll be watching that this weekend. He said, "and since this one's going to make you cry, I got this one (Couple's Retreat) to make you laugh." I don't know what makes him think it will make me cry. Just because I couldn't read the book for the tears and then cried just watching the trailer this morning. haha I wouldn't let myself watch the trailer until I was finished with the book because I liked my own characters and didn't want to lose them. But I will say that it looks like it is cast perfectly so I'm very excited.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! I hope it is beautiful where you are.

It Was a Great Weekend.

2010-04-26T09:21:00.004-05:00

The gorgeous azalea in full bloom and the irises. Our landlord's daughter painted the ones on the house behind the plant.

Even the Sage is happier here. Can't wait to see the blooms!

I made these yummy cookies this weekend.

And started knitting this dishcloth.

And crocheted these coasters. The cup was made by my sons' stepmother. Isn't it gorgeous? I want to buy a whole set of dishes like this. Maybe I'll get a first-wife discount? hehe

Here's what I see when I look out one of our windows. I like basement living.

I also have a beautiful view of the moon out this window. Last night, I got up around 3am to find our living room full of moonlight and looked up to catch the almost full moon.

Rhythm

2010-04-22T18:39:00.004-05:00

http://www.art.com/products/p10053983-sa-i1288309/robert-delaunay-rhythm-joie-de-vivre.htm

Tonight I was outside. I was looking at the half moon and thanking her for keeping the rhythm for us.

Then I realized there were planes flying over. I spotted three. I realize that the pilots were keeping a rhythm of sorts. They do an amazing job reading direction and getting folks where they want to go.

And even the neighbor who was out swinging a bat, apparently in practice, was practicing rhythm.

Life is about rhythm, isn't it?

I guess our job is to find the rhythm that works for us. We find the rhythm that makes our personal lives work while we try to fit into the rhythms of nature, life and friends.

Perhaps next year my "word" will be rhythm.

“Rhythm is the basis of life, not steady forward progress. The forces of creation, destruction, and preservation have a whirling, dynamic interaction.” ~from the Kabbalah

In the Spirit

2010-04-18T14:12:00.004-05:00

After being with so many people yesterday, though it was truly lovely, today I needed to nurture my hermit spirit.

Creating this doll seemed to do the trick.

I've recycled a paintbrush and built around it. You can see the brush part at the top of the head. Now I don't feel quite so bad about forgetting to clean the brush and letting it get all hard and unusable.

I'm not sure if he/she is finished. I think some beads might be nice but for now I am stopping and just enjoying having completed a doll for the first time in ages.

I don't think I will wait so long in the future. It felt so good to be in that creative space again today.

To my friends who are going through such difficulties right now, I wish you peace, joy, health and much love. Know that you are in so many hearts all over the world.

How I Spent My Saturday

2010-04-17T18:26:00.005-05:00

We spent the day at Grandin Village for Earth Day Roanoke 2010. It was awesome. I was supposed to have a community collage project but noone wanted to be in the little cottage when it was so beautiful outside and it was way too windy to do it outside.

So, instead, I wandered around with my camera and tried to catch the spirit of the day. I enjoyed myself so much.

I took 81 photos. I am mercifully sharing only 5 of them with you. :)

Warning: I do have tons of video as well.

If you actually want to see all the photos, friend me on facebook. Just scroll down and find my facebook thingey on the right.

Rolling Along

2010-04-15T18:23:00.002-05:00

I couldn't help taking a pic this morning when the sun was shining on the cushions. On the table is a collage I had done a while back and found again recently. It tugged at my heartstrings so I framed it and there it sits.

Got my spirit stick/SoulCollage cards thingey hung. Love it. We plan to hang other art around it to fill out the space.

Having so much fun in our new space. I've worked pretty hard all week on getting all our campaigns out so I can then play in the apartment. :)

I'm really wanting to do more art but it's also fun playing with art that I had almost forgotten about.

Love to you all.

Spirit Stick and SoulCollage

2010-04-14T07:05:00.003-05:00

I saw this idea yesterday while looking around the internet. If you scroll down you can see one here.

I've wanted to make a spirit stick for a while now and since I was looking for ways to display my cards, I thought this was a good time.

I want to add more things...things I can't find since the move. ha! I have a peacock feather somewhere around here and some other beads and baubles, but for now it makes me smile as it is. I just have to figure out where to put it.

If you click on it, you'll see that I began by punching holes in my cards. As I went along, I realized that I could put a needle through them and that looks much better. Live and learn.

Pulled Fabric Art?

2010-04-12T07:39:00.002-05:00

I stumbled across this blog yesterday. I just love what she is doing with the upholstery fabric. It reminds me of pulled art or Gut Art, as Mystele calls it. I really want to try this.

Not a Decorating Blog

2010-04-11T16:27:00.001-05:00

I promise this is not turning into a decorating blog. In fact, I'm really getting the itch to make some collages and spirit dolls again so hopefully GroggyFroggy will go back to being an art blog one day. :) BUT...for today, here are some more pics of our little space as we're getting organized. There's nothing on the walls yet. We're trying to get everything together first and figure out exactly where we want things before we make any holes.

I found a collage I had forgotten about this week and it made my heart sing. It's really inspired me to do some collages again. I even framed it and put it on one of the end tables. You may be able to see it if you click on the pic.