Weekend Wrap Up

This weekend was pretty low key which was fine with me. I have been fighting a cold...let's be honest - it is winning. It wakes me up in the middle of the night because it has stolen all the moisture from my throat so I cough a ton (sorry Will). Then when I wake up, I discover a fortress has been built in my sinuses. It feels like someone has dumped a weight on my face. Colds are fun.
Friday-The Alldays had their 3rd son. He is precious. His name is Silas Carter Allday. Everyone is healthy and doing fine.

Baby Silas

Friday evening we caught a ride with Chris Barefield to China Grove, Alabama to stay with some friends at their cabin. It was perfect. There was no t.v.. We talked, played, games, and ate. It was so great.

This is the cabin...and Blake

Doesn't this look so enticing?

On Saturday we headed over to the Smith's house and hung out with them and their sweet girls. We don't visit Montgomery nearly enough, but we were able to catch up with a few more people on Sunday morning.

We are minus a Smith girl because she wasn't feeling well.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and took time to do something you enjoy.

My Newest Accessory

before

after

 It has been 7 years since I have purchased a new pair of glasses. I stayed with the purple color group. These frames are called cat eyes. I can't help it. I just love cats. They always seem to find me. 

Art Projects

On Tuesday evenings Will is usually working and I try to take time to work on some type of art project. This is also the time I usually spend having my artist date.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Julia over at Black Tag Diaries passed on the Versatile Blogger Award. I met Julia in college and have only recently reconnected through the blog world. I have been reading her blog for several months now. It is part of my morning rituals when I get to work. She has weekly postings: Happy Monday and Thankful Thursdays. She also showcases her photography skills and the adventures of her daily life. Thanks for the award Julia.

I am supposed to list 7 things interesting facts about myself.

1.Every time I put my deodorant on I count in my head 5,6,7,8.

2. I am ambidextrous when it comes to using scissors.

3. I put 3 different hoods on the car that I drove in high school and college. (My hood flew up when I was driving: Tommy Boy style)

4. I love a costume party (there aren't enough).

5. Musical festivals are my favorite.

6. I ate a gizzard for the first time a week ago (The guys I work with are always trying to feed me different parts of an animal).

7. I sneeze almost every time I go out into the sun.


I am now supposed to pass these on to 7 of my favorite bloggers

The Versatile Blogger Award goes to...

Will@ Viva La Re

Tracy@ Seattlite

Claire@Peanut Butter and Honey

Natalie@ Ramble On

Holly@ Papaw Jeans

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday Night- We had our second DFC. We watched The Goonies and discussed imagination and creativity. We watched as these kids struggled whether or not to hope in the impossible. The question was posted: What happens to our imagination and our willingness to dream, to hope, and to create as we get older? So often I think that we are told life should look this way and this is the prescribed method of accomplishing it. We don't travel or take the job that would evoke our gifts because well we are already "settled". It would be too much trouble to do what we love. It would cost us too much heartache or possible disappointment to do what brings us back to life...to living. I think the America dream hinders our ability to think outside the box.

Saturday morning was beautiful. We decided we would take a walk. I brought the camera so I could take some pictures. This tree is one of my favorites. I watched it bloom all last year and never got around to taking a picture of its petite little blossoms. I have no idea what kind of tree it is. After it blooms the whole tree is covered in leaves that are shaped like hearts. Will also exercised his photography skills as well.

mine

his

Late morning we headed over to the community garden which is located in the West end of town. We learned about composting and planting. We met a man named Miran who spoke of the relationship he has with the earth. He said when we enter into any relationship we have to give something. He said it is the same with the earth. When we give good things to the earth, the earth will give good things to us.

Saturday evening we were pooped. We caught up on some of our shows and watched some basketball. This is the first time I have ever filled out a bracket. I am in 4th place as of Saturday. My friend Smruti would be proud.

Sunday morning we attended a brunch for a couple that recently got engaged. We headed back home and Will started studying and I decided to make my first batch of bread. I had any old roommate, Colleen, that used to make bread and it smelled so good and tasted even better. I gave it a shot. It turned out ok. It tasted fine but the outside was really hard. I had in mind bread that would be softer like the kind at the grocery store. I will have to try again.

Mustache Madness

My husband has been sporting an amazing mustache for about 3 months. He has endured many stares and countless compliments. What I have learned is mustaches take work. They are not always o naturale. His friend gave him mustache wax for the ends. Too much of this wax and it looks like he has dandruff, while too little can lead to a frizzy mess. In my opinion, people with mustaches have a style all their own. They even have special "mustache mugs" which Will acquired on his birthday from his mom. But alas, after 3 months Will decided that on Fat Tuesday it was time to lay is mask down in lieu of Lent. As he began to shave it and I was actually a little sad to see it go. But boy, when I saw that baby skin face again, I said to him, "I forgot how cute you are" (my filter is broken). I documented with pictures.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I don't know this man but I wish I did. Hope you all have a great St. Patrick's Day.

Artist Way Week-1

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." 

-Joseph Chilton Pearce

Here are the notes from this week's Artist's Way.

So I did say that I would blog on Wednesday about the Artist's way. Well that isn't exactly what has happened so far. I am only meeting with my friend every other week. She is out of town this week so we will pick up again soon. I will most likely end up blogging every other Wednesday at the very least. Here are the exercises and material that we have covered so far.

Often times when we are growing up we don't get the support/encouragement that we need to continue creating. So we may go through life not ever tapping into our creativity. We may also find ourselves becoming friends, dating, or marrying people we could consider artists. She calls this a shadow artist

"Artists love other artists. Shadow artists are gravitating to their rightful tribe but cannot yet claim their birthright.Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist-hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch."
Julia Cameron

She would say in order to come out of the shadows we must nurture our artist within. This is why she has created the morning pages and the artist dates. It is in these times we are able to get back in touch with that part of ourselves. When we begin creating we won't turn out master pieces and that is ok we are only getting started. We have to be careful because it is in these beginning projects that the shadow artist will try to discourage us to continue on.

"Judging your early artist efforts is artistic abuse." Julia Cameron

She says it is our core negative beliefs that keep us in the shadows and keep us scared. She calls these negative beliefs, blurts. One of the first assignments is to write down these blurts. Here are some of my examples:

-I don't have good enough ideas
-I'm not an artist
-I haven't had any training
-I will never be as good as my brother
-People will laugh

(It was really scary how quickly these thoughts came to mind.)

Take these negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones.

The other assignments that she gave are:
List 3 old enemies of your creative self-worth. Be specific. She states "Your historic monsters are the building blocks of your core negative beliefs." Julia Cameron
Select a story from your horror story hall of fame. Give details of the room, the people who were there,the way you felt, whatever comes to mind. Then write a letter on your behalf to that person.
Then list 3 champions of your creative self worth. Then write a detailed story about the encouragement. Write a thank you note to that person.
Take your artist for a 20 minute walk, using your senses to notice all that is around you.
This study requires a lot of thinking and writing, but it is so great to see what comes to the surface.

Prayer: God show me the ways in which you have endowed me with creativity.

Herreson is my friend Lindsay's little boy. He turned 3 years old on the 3rd of March. He is having his birthday party this weekend. We sadly won't be able to attend. We are wishing you a wonderful birthday sweet boy! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Ash Wednesday

I didn't grow up observing Lent. When I was in high school or college I gave something up once or twice but all I can remember understanding is I need to give something up so I could hunger more for God. While I am sure there is some truth in that meaning I wanted more explanation. How does giving something up help me get closer to God?  So I started reading To Dance with God by Gertrud Mueller Nelson. Nelson talks of the celebratory time before Lent and how this is a time when we observe in us the chaos or the masks we wear on a daily basis.

Nelson writes "Carnival, for all its look of madness and its possible danger, is the wish to honor all that wells up from the forgotten levels of our souls which, on every other day of the year we would rather not look at or recognize but which does need a period of consideration and celebration." 

She goes on to say it is in this time of consideration that Lent begins. We ask God to show us our masks, drawn from the deep what is within. This is not a happy season (no wonder it hasn't been commercialized). I am very nervous and timid to ask God to reveal what I often can't see. Instead, I would like to fast forward to Easter forget about Lent and dye eggs. But alas my spirit beckons me to take this journey of introspection. I am unsure of what God will show me. I am more afraid that faith will not carry me to finish these forty days of reading and prayer. 

"Misunderstandings, losses and failures, separations and loneliness, loving and longing, the fears we know deep down, all cast long shadows across our days because we cannot come to the light unless we are willing to enter into the darkness." Gertrud Mueller Nelson

I LOVE NEW ORLEANS! I have visited this fine city in the past but I have only been to the touristy parts. We stayed with a friend of a friend and got to experience New Orleans like a local. We were in the uptown area off of Magazine St. We spent our weekend walking to all the parades and eating at local restaurants. If any of you know me well you know that I cherish celebration. I don't mean "yeah let's get drunk and throw up." I mean laughing, eating, and dancing. New Orleans is like getting all the celebrators together and letting them lose.

There are so many charming qualities that draw me in. I am in love with all the buildings and the unique feel of the city. The unusual European-style buildings, the uneven cobble stone streets, the colorful shutters hung from each window, the sound of music everywhere (I could go on). There is such a strong sense of culture and tradition. Maybe that is why I am so fond of this Cajun Cutie. Here are a few of the pictures. I forgot my camera battery so they are limited. I will try and get more from my friend.

Will's Birthday Destination was:

New Orleans!!

I will post pictures some time this week.

Secret Birthday Destination

This Sunday is Will's 28th birthday. You may be wondering: WoW only 28, how did Will get such an older sophisticated woman? Well I will let you ask him. (Hint: He does make homemade cards so that is a start)

I gave Will clues all week that hint at the weekend's events. I can't say where yet because he may read my blog. We are leaving at noon Today to begin the weekend getaway. Any guesses where you think we are headed?

Thursday Crepes

Add your favorite spreads or fruit.

We had crepes this morning for breakfast. They were so yummy! Will found the recipe online. He added cinnamon, all spice, a few drops of vanilla, and some sugar to the mix. If you want a more savory crepe make it as the recipe calls and then add toppings like: cheese or meat.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 
  
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
• Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

The Artist's Way Wednesdays

On Wednesdays I am going to be sharing with you as I read through the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I originally started this blog to document my progress through the book. I was going through it by myself and was having a hard time staying on task. I asked several friends but no one was as excited as I was. I decided to continue working at my own pace BUT then a couple of weeks ago I found a woman who was interested. Tah Dah! I am very excited to be meeting together every other Tuesday to discuss the book. I will share with you what I have discovered or made recently. Feel free to follow along with us.

The Introduction: She discusses the lay out of the book. The daily morning pages and artist's date. Often times we want to be more creative but we simply don't know where to start. The author assigns morning pages as a way to unblock our creativity. For 15 minutes every morning I am supposed to write down anything that comes to mind. It can be what I need to do that today, what I am feeling, or a short story. It is completely up to me.

Cameron talks about how we have a censor. The censor is the voice we hear when we venture to do something creative. "You call that writing" "You won't be any good why try." "it's too late to start now."

In the morning pages she encourages the writer to identify that voice. She asks the question: What negative experiences have we had with others that has stifled our creativeness? These experiences only serve to strengthen our censor voice. By writing about these experiences we are able to be more aware and in being aware we take away the power of that voice.

"We tend to think, or at least fear that creative dreams are egotistical, something that God wouldn't approve of for us." Julia Cameron (our censor voice can even parade itself as spiritual)

Another part of the assignment is to go on artist dates with myself. This is a time to refresh myself and feed my creativity. "Spending time in solitude with your artist child is essential to self-nurturing. Our creativity will use this time to confront us, to confide in us, to bond with us, and to plan." Julia Cameron
She encourages the participant to be present to themselves in these moments, using their senses to take in the moment. "Art is born in attention. The artist's language is a sensual one, a language of felt experience." Julia Cameron

Song of the Day

A friend posted a link about a guy named Damien Jurado. So I gave him a listen and thought I would share him with you.