2 More Trip Photos...

Unfortunately I have been hit a string of migraines. It started lightly on Sunday evening when we were out of town. And has gotten progressively worse. So today hasn't been very productive.

But here are a few more photos of our trip...


I love this shot that Michael got of the picnic table. I bet it would look lovely in black and white too.


This photo has an effect on it too - similar to the one in the last post. I have been wanting to play with those kind of things but often feel I shouldn't with Michael's photos. This one and the other one with the effect were shots I took while he was driving.

Escape to Ouray

Back from our overnighter. It was great! So beautiful! I packed sandwiches and such so we didn't have to spend money on food. And our night in the hotel was free too. So we just paid for gas. Oh we did stop and have breakfast on Monday in Montrose so that was the only meal we spent money on. So not too bad. And more importantly we had a lovely time.

So much snow that sparkled in the sun. It was so pretty. As I mentioned last time we had our overnight and went through there was no snow. And for some reason I just think of Ouray with snow. It looks good with snow.

When we got back in town we ran a few errands and then went to pick up a calendar. We got one with the art of Daniel Merriam. Surrealist that kind of reminds me of Michael Parkes in some ways but not at the same time.

A couple photos of our trip - and I will post more later...
(click on the photos to get a bigger view of them)
I did a texture on top of this photo to create lines in it.


This photo Michael took and it is beautiful hotel in Ouray.

Prayer for Christmas

A friend shared this in her Christmas card to us this year and I thought it was beauitful prayer for Christmas...


I salute you! There is nothing I can give you
which you have not; but here is much, that,
while I cannot give, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts
find rest in it today. Take Heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not
hidden in this present instant. Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow;
behind it, yet, within our reach, is joy.
Take Joy.

And so, at this holy time, I greet you,
with the prayer that for you, now and forever,
the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
--Fra Giovanni,1513

Christmas Eve Breakfast: Gingerbread Muffins

The picture trying to show off one of our new plates in addition to the muffin.

Recipe on my other blog.

Christmas Ornaments - Part 3

Pets are important to us so they get their own ornaments on the tree too. One for each the year we got them. And then we picked up that kitty cat ornament in 2005. It is the closest we have found to both of our kids.

Christmas Baking

Today was really just a good day - really good memories made today. We had a day of baking and making Christmas goodies together. Michael usually just lets me have my domain of the kitchen and baking. It is something I enjoy obviously. But I have been a little stressed this year with the everything. I just haven't had my mind in it as much as years past. So Michael spent the day with me in the kitchen and we had a lot of fun. Michael made a batch of Festive Bark and then helped me dip Ritz crackers in pepperminty chocolate. We laughed and just had lots of fun.

So this year I made:
Maple Fudge
Chocolate Fudge
Mint Thins
Festive Bark
Chocolate Caramels - which didn't turn out - we over cooked them so too hard first year that has happened
Sour Cream cookies - which didn't turn out either
Molasses cookies
Cream Cheese Cookies with white chocolate drizzled on them
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Cardamom Butter Cut Out Cookies
and Magic Bars

I made the magic bars because the caramels and sour cream cookies didn't out this year. I made them while listening to the Nutcracker. It is a favorite of mine. 

So heading to bed as I am tired tired. Will post pictures and recipes soon. 

Gratitude Friday

1. For having creativity to get some gifts made
2. For getting gifts mailed out this week
3. For Chinese take out
4. For finding 2 Christmas tree ornaments for 2008 - Santa Magic Man and then another we are happy we found but won't get here until the 24th
5. For XM Holiday Pops channel to hum with when baking and wrapping gifts
6. For still getting so much from Eat Pray Love - as I am reading it again - for the 5th time
7. For a winter wonderland here - lots of pretty white fluffy snow
8. For my family sending us a package of little gifts to open until Christmas. They are a lot of fun and cute! It was very thoughtful of them and I am thankful for their kindness.

Christmas Ornaments - Part 2

Just a few Santa ornaments...which seem to be a favorite of ours. The one that my Aunt and Uncle gave us is a favorite of Michael's and mine. The 2008 Santa is called the Magic Man. We also have another yearly ornament coming but it won't be here until Wednesday. It is one that we were really searching for and having some problems. But did find one we liked on Cafe Press.

Just some daily stuff...Thursday night I made several batches of candy and then got dough ready to bake today. I made chocolate caramels, maple fudge, chocolate fudge and festive bark. I mixed dough up for molasses cookies, sour cream cookies, cardamom butter cut out cookies and cream cheese slice cookies. I haven't baked the cardamom cookies yet but will tomorrow. The sour cream cookies totally flopped. It seems to be an altitude issue as I never had this problem before living in Colorado. They just are flat and melt. I think I need to cut the sugar down but not sure. I still want to bake peanut butter blossoms and the cardamom tomorrow. Oh and the Ritz cracker mint thins - I need to make them too.

Christmas Busy in Full Force

* We sent off a BUNCH of packages today. The clerk at the post office was amused that all our packages went to different places.... California, Idaho, North Carolina, Washington, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas.

* Our neighbor had Christmas carolers earlier. I think they were from her church. I was hearing fa la la la la la la and I couldn't figure out what I was hearing at first. But then muted everything and finally figured it out.

* I am utterly exhausted. Going to bed.

Christmas Ornaments - Part 1

Michael and I buy one (or sometimes more) ornament a year. We haven't got ours for this year yet as it is kind of specialized and we are having problems finding anything like it. I think we are going to have go to cafepress or etsy to find it.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for some creative energy I have going on right now - especially when I needed it (will be posting pictures in the coming week)
2. for the book Soul Collage making me think and giving me me something I was needing
3. for finding my Christmas spirit
4. for one of my favorite Christmas traditions - decorating the tree with Michael. It is a very special tradition we both cherish. Going through each ornament as we hang them and reminiscing with memories associated with them. Sitting and just reflecting and enjoying the glow of the Christmas lights sparkling off the ornaments.
5. for more chocolate then need but was wanting....Michael came home with about 3 different chocolates this week for me. I complained about all my pretty Christmas bowls were empty. Well they aren't anymore although those dove chocolates do seem to be disappearing pretty quickly. :)
6. for the simple pleasure of coloring and watching Polar Express
7. for Michael's Dad doing so well after surgery

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Blog Hopping

This site that I hopped to the other day features quite a lot of handmade etsy shops. And there is so many wonderful holiday items. But thought I would just give these 3 links on Poppy Talk.


Holiday Ornament 2008 Guide
101 Reasons to Buy Handmade
Holiday Gift Tags

Thanksgiving

We had a really nice slow Thanksgiving. I paced myself on everything really well this year. Michael said I should have been taking some notes so that I remember how to do it next year - I might jot some down after this entry for next year. Everything got done right about the same time. Everything turned out. So it ended up being a very good Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving filled with love. Just as I did. There are so many things I am thankful for and I try to be aware of them everyday as the pass through my daily life. And I will continue with that throughout the next year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Overnighter

We had an absolutately fantastic time. Relaxing and fun....just wonderful quality time. We saw some of the most amazing scenery. When Michael downloads pictures, I will upload some here. Very tired but so happy. More on it all later.

A link to the scenic byway we took today - San Juan Skyway. Only took a portion of it but it was so beautiful.

Escaping

Tomorrow we are going to escape....just for overnight. We have some free hotel nights to use up before the end of the year. And we just can't seem to get away for a whole weekend so thought why not just an overnighter. Our first choice was Ouray but they are booked. So another place I have always wanted to go is Durango. Michael went to college at Fort Lewis in Durango so I have always wanted to see it. We are both looking forward to unplugging and just enjoying our time.

We are doing it on the cheap - with the free night. And then today I baked a ham and also made a loaf of bread. So we can bring ham sandwiches with us so we don't have to spend money going out to eat.

It is just so nice to get away from it all - even over night.

Art & Food

Today we were up early and out of the house for a Saturday. We had to go do some errands before going to The Gallery B&B's Art Show. It might be the last one of its kind as they are closing the Bed and Breakfast and 2 of their in house artists are moving to a new studio. So we really wanted to be there and support all of them as we have always loved all the art shows they have put on and they are just good people. I picked up a little bowl for Michael's office for his birthday - which he knows about since he was there and said he liked it. And we also got an art piece by Mary Mansfield. I really beautiful mixed media piece that we are probably going to hang in our bedroom.

They always have food out there at the shows one thing was ham with cream cheese spread on it and then wrapped around a pickle. It was really good. So I was telling the ladies there about something I made for a meeting that Michael went to...BLT Roll-ups. The BLT roll-ups was new for me. I was reading another roll up recipe that had bacon and thought why not BLTs. They ended up tasting pretty good. But I never can make my roll ups look perfectly round like most photos I see of them. Anyway....I mixed 1/2 cup of cream cheese (I used low fat cream cheese), 1/4 cup ranch dressing (also light), 1/4 cup mayo (and again light), 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and spread that on tortillas (used 8 tortillas total - I think). I cooked up a whole package of bacon but didn't use 5 slices. I broke the bacon up into little pieces and sprinkled on top of the cream cheese layer. I then chopped some greens up and sprinkled that on as the last layer. Rolled up and cut into bit size pieces - securing with toothpicks.

Here is a picture of them...



Side note: I love that plate I got it for $1 when we were out shopping while my parents were here for my birthday.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful....
1. For the hours of entertainment Buffy the Vampire Slayer brings me
2. For orange juice - tastes so good when I have a cold
3. For an amazing friend that gave me a gift more then one...the book that will give me self-awareness that I have been seeking and for the note she included that means so very much to me
4. For fuzzy sock to keep my feet warm in bed...where I am going in a moment
5. For finding all sorts of good images online for collages

Blog Hopping

I am a menu planner so this blog has 3 Mom's menus for the week. I always like looking through others menus to get new ideas for ours.

Because as I stated last week I love pumpkin...I found this at Simply Stated - 10 Pumpkin Cocktails and Desserts.

Free Thanksgiving tablescapes from Paper & Cake. Free download button on right sidebar top.

At Poppytalk decorating....Pumpkin Time. They are really unique.

Soul Collage

A very dear friend of mine, Jessica had been doing Soul Collage. I have seen her breathtaking and moving cards. She inspired me with them. It was one of those things that I thought someday I will get the book and do the work for it. Right now I am still in that "I am 40 years old (41 years old now but started when I hit 40) and what do I have to show for my life and where do I want it to go the next 20 years" phase. So doing that kind of work probably would be very good for me but as always things just get put aside.

Well after yesterday I don't have an excuse anymore. Jessica gave me a gift of the book and brought together 4 of us friends to do this together. I am looking forward to exploring all that comes with it.

Here is another link about them too that talks about how to make them.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for the new piece of equipment we got for our business that ROCKED! Today was really extrodinary and the possibilities of where we could go with this is something I truly express gratitude in.
2. for all the people that have stood behind us for this change and really supported and believed in us...really Michael being able to give them quality.
3. for coming home after being in Denver and being able to sink into our bed that has clean sheets on it and extra blankets
4. for apples and crisp fall days - this past week I enjoyed our crisp fall days and bright red juicy applese too. Thankful for the beauty in those simple autumn reminders.
5. for Michael who truly is awesome in so many ways. Tonight after we loaded the car with all our equipment in Denver, I had a really bad asthma attack as I have a cold that moved to the lungs. It was to the point I almost said bring me to the ER. But he calmed me down, stopped and got me cold medicine, water, a little cute Christmas cup (because I requested airborne too so he wanted me to be able to take it right away) and just everything I needed to feel better. He pulled over and talked to me and held my hand - and just did everything he could to make me feel better. I am so very grateful to have such love in my life.

Blog Hopping

This post I know I found via another blog but I can't remember where but it is a good one by Casaubon’s Book about Patriotism.

With the holidays coming upon us I am gearing up for all out baking! I love to bake for Christmas...for parties, for family, for gifts and just to have around the house! So in my blog hopping I found this recipe for Festive Bark. It looks so yummy! I know it would make a good gift in a pretty box or tin.

And then this one just looks fun Free Vintage Transfers for handstitching. But I see them for even painting on flour sack towels for gifts or on to a gift tag for a handmade gift. I am sure the could be good patterns for many things.

Art Classes

Over on my other blog I am very slowly doing 100 Things about me....and this one is art related so just cutting and pasting it here....


14. My art classes were good for me and bad for me as an artist.


When I was in college my major changed several times but I always had art classes. Most of the art classes I took were set up the same way. We sketched - did some specific assignments for about a week and then we had to bring in those works plus a sampling of any previous work. To give the professor a preview of what we did - who we were as artists. I don't remember the words said but always it was a form of rejection of my talent to out right brutally "honest" opinions that I did not have it as an artist.

One semester I took, another nude figure drawing class - as those were my favorite because I love drawing the form...curves, softness, roughness - so much to a body. I took this class however because I knew it was going to be a little different as the professor was an artist from NYC. I had seen his work and liked it. The university I went to owned a building downtown that they converted. It was one of those old brick buildings that had a lot of character and had probably been a textile mill or something of that nature. The first floor of the building was a gallery, second had about 5 or 6 studio classrooms and then the top 2 levels were studios and apartments for visiting artists. They could live and use the studios to work and show work with the condition of teaching an art class.

The start of his class was not different then any other. But this one still really stands out over all the others that told me I did not have talent. He was polite but basically said it was a hobby for me. He told me I probably would never sell anything (proved him wrong several times over by now). I had heard it over and over again. I always just gave it something - not enough really to me. But I didn't give up completely even with the comments. At the end of the semester for that class we had to do the same thing we bring in works from the class and anything outside of class we felt was significant. I arrived and he had long tables set up where I laid out each drawing. He got to the third drawing out of like fifty pieces. He looked ahead a little and then looked back at the 2 before and then again at the 3rd. He said, "I'm sorry." I said, "pardon?" I was so scared I did something wrong and he was going to fail me - as this was like a final for art. And he looked up at me and said, "I'm sorry....I should have spent more time with you."

See what the art professors I came in contact with did use that first viewing at the beginning of the semester to pick out the the students they think have talent to work with them and push them more one on one. The others just get skipped over or glances with passing one or 2 word comments. That is what he did to me all semester.

So he looked over the final portfolio and explained to me that he saw something that I should explore more. He went on to explain where he should have been pushing me more. We talked about each piece. He wrote down lots of stuff for me to remember and learn from. He had me explain what I felt and thought. We had a wonderful conversation. He wrote up a letter to give to my next professor. He told what pieces to put in my next portfolio for my next class. And sat and talked to me about my art in a positive way.

All those that came before him said things horrible - things that could have stopped me from taking art....from making art. Of course I let it affect me but I didn't stop or give up. It slowed me down. I didn't always push myself at times because of the things said. But still I have had it in me...that passion for art. And if I had let the previous professors stop me I might never have gotten that chance to stand there with a professor and artist that saw something.

So I had this positive happen with my art...I needed to work full time so I could save for my wedding. So I had to quit school to work full time and never got my degree in art - yes by that year I was an art major. So I gave it up. I worked on my art here and there through the years but I never gave it what I should have or wanted to give it. Mostly fear stopped me of course. Fear and doubts in myself. I then came to be with Michael and he not only encouraged it but insisted on me pursuing it more. I still don't give it what I should but I am so grateful for all he has done to support and encourage this passion. And glad that I have been able to create.

(top image: charcoal drawing from the class I talk about in post. just a rough sketch. middle image: mixed media on paper that I made for friends a few years ago - bottom image: mixed media on canvas that I did for my parents a few years ago)

Freebie Collage Clip Art

I found several good pieces
here for collages....Free B&W Clip

Let Freedom Ring

Michael and I are West Wing Junkies...which probably isn't surprising since we are political junkies too. All week I have had a song in my head that I heard on West Wing...well that version of it...My Country Tis of Thee by Crosby Nash.

It is a really pretty version....linking to it on Last FM.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for seeing history made this week in the election of Barack Obama as President
2. for many creative ideas for things to make as Christmas presents
3. for finding really great deals grocery shopping this week
4. for being able to stock up on baking supplies for December baking
4. for the new equipment that will help us in our business
5. for having hope...in the business turning a new corner, hope that all will be alright with Michael's Dad, hope in positive changes for our country

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Blog Hopping

I love pumpkin...pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin cheese cake, pumpkin pancakes...you name it pumpkin just makes me feel warm and cozy...it is the feeling of fall when you take a bit of anything pumpkin. So in my blog hopping I found...

Pumpkin Parfits via Design Crush - the recipe is by Gourmet

Another from Creature Comforts* that I did a few weeks ago but landed on this post via Design Crush. It is a really cute -free- greeting card to print.

Free printable 2009 Calendar. Very simple but pretty. Via Vintage Glam.



* Featured another blog hopping post from Creature Comforts about the pretty doilies used on the wall

Gay Rights...?

I am thrilled we have Obama as President-Elect. But I am really confused on how a country can elect Obama but still ban gay marriages? It really disappoints me that we as country don't give everyone equal rights. Even though that is one the foundations of this nation. I don't get it. I have had happy tears going last night and this morning but have some sad tears going now too. I have several friends that got married this past year - I was so happy for them and I hope that their marriages won't be annuled. And I hope that those bans are overturned and others who I love can get married too.

Yes!

I don't know if I have words for what I witnessed tonight but it truly was history in the making. I think I have went through almost a box of kleenex.

His speech...again showed me one of the many reason I like him - his mind. He talked about finding ways to work on the issues which we all can agree on in order to move forward from all that we have facing us. This is big to me....so very big that he wants us to be united instead of divided. His has steadiness even tonight in making history so calm and ready to lead. He has a knowledge to not just go with his thoughts but surround himself with many other smart people to help decide what is best for the American people. He reminds us that we have to do work too as Americans. He is so very smart. And I am thankful he is not the guy next door or a regular Joe. He is extrodinary.

(artwork from Wallpaper for Obama)

Why I didn't Vote for...

I did a long post with sources included on why I didn't vote for McCain. I voted last week for Obama.

Gratitude Friday

Just a quick little post before my gratitude list...

In the 5 years I have lived here we have had exactly 1 kid knock at our door on Halloween - hence we turn off the light and don't buy candy. Tonight we have had 3 knocks and I can actually hear kids. My studio is in the front of the house and I have heard groups of kids walking by. We didn't get candy so we had our light off and didn't answer when they knocked but it is just really odd that this year we got them. I really don't remember seeing more kids in the neighborhood. Every year I am a little sad it is we don't get them and then this year we probably could have had about 20. Not many but more then the whole last 5 years combined.

I am thankful for...
1. Burt's Bee Replenishing Lip Balm with pomegranate oil! It smells so good but also relieves my dry lips. It is just a little thing that makes me happy and so I am thankful for it.
2. Airborne as I felt like I had a cold coming on but the Airborne seems to have chased it away.
3. The leaves changing. It is just so beautiful and a just a wonderful reminder of the nature's cycles. And the enormity that has on our lives.
4. A perforated French Bread pan....Michael bought it for me this week and I am loving it!
5. The right to vote. Michael and I voted early this past week.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Blog Hopping

Creative Kismet - No-Mold Polymer Skull Beads - with Halloween coming tomorrow and Day of the Dead on Saturday it could be fun project!

Inspire Me Thursday - " A weekly dose of inspiration for mixed media artists and creative types to nurture their muses and CREATE!"

Molly Chicken - Fabric Pom Pom's - I just think they are pretty and fun!

Gone in 60 Seconds

I just haven't had time to write as my parents were here Friday to Monday. Then it was catching up on work Tuesday and Wednesday. And now today leaving for Denver. But will be back tomorrow night. So hopefully I can do a post this weekend about all the fun we had when my parents were here. It was great to see them!

So for now off to Denver.

Flickr Mosaic

1. Darby takes a walk., 2. Dinner on the back deck..., 3. 4x400, 4. My purple all star for the first time at the park, 5. Keith Olbermann on TV, 6. Cherry Limeade, 7. Italy / Tuscany - Grosseto: Happy flutter ........ Italien / Toskana: Frohes Flattern ( 1.005☺36 ), 8. Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Raspberries, 9. Art Journal--No Words, 10. And then there is silence, 11. Curved Sky - Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain Nice, 12. Tap the Maidens
{photo credits are listed above}

Q&A:
1. What is your first name? Darby
2. What is your favorite food? Chinese Food
3. What high school did you attend? Millard North High School
4. What is your favorite color? purple
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (really don't have one but to pick someone Keith Olbermann
6. Favorite drink? Cherry Limeade
7. Dream vacation? Italy
8. Favorite desert? Cheesecake
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? mixed media artist
10. What do you love most in life? quietness
11. One word to descibe you? nice
12. Your flickr name? darbyart

Wanna play? So here's the deal...you answer the 12 questions about yourself. Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL's into the Mosaic Maker (or make it yourself in photoshop). Have fun!

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For warm fuzzy socks with Halloween pumpkins on them
2. For finding a letter that Michael wrote to me for Christmas 2 years ago. It made me cry and be so very thankful for knowing and being with such an amazing man.
3. For actually feeling tired tonight. I often suffer from insomnia so being tired and knowing that when I go to bed in a few minutes I will actually sleep is truly a wonderful thing.
4. For thousands of bloggers banning together to talk about poverty and raise awareness.
5. That my parents arrived to help celebrate my birthday. I haven't seen them since my last birthday so I am very thankful for this time to see them as I miss them lots!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

October 15th Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Going to participate in this over on my other blog.

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." John Milton

I am going to admit it. Sometimes it is hard for me to do Friday Gratitude. And obviously life is full of things everyday that I am thankful for so it shouldn't be hard. I think though what happens is I forget some extraordinary every encounters by the time Friday rolls around. I hope to get better at being thankful for my everyday life experiences.

I am thankful for...
1. Last weekend....it was a wonderful weekend with family celebrating Frank's (Michael's Dad) 75th Birthday.
2. Being able to enjoy Frank's famous spaghetti and meatballs.
3. For our kitty cat getting better. He has skin allergies and this week has really turned a corner healing.
4. Feel the fall season really coming....the leave changing colors and the nights really cooling off so we can keep our windows open and enjoy the chilly nights under blankets.
5. Being able to decorate for Halloween. It is a fun holiday!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Obama Button Artwork

I have been getting lots of hits for Obama Button Artwork. They all end up on the moveon.org free Obama buttons post but I just wanted to point out cafepress.com has some great Obama buttons and t-shirts.














Links to products for images...
Faith Hope Obama - Andy Warhol type Obama/Biden - peace hand sign - Obama Biden 2008

Somersault

Monday we left to go to a meeting in the afternoon and forgot the keys so locked ourselves out of the house and car. So we had to break into our house. Be prepared to giggle as you read the rest. I scooched (more like ungracefully heaved) myself through a window that we got open. As I hit the floor in a full somersault my leg got caught into the curtains but I made it in. Thankfully no injuries occurred during this amazing acrobatic exercise. Oh and all this was done in a skirt. So now I am sportin some wicked bruises because of it. Just sayin that we need to train the cats to unlock the door for us.

Michael kept saying he wished he had a camera...I was thankful there wasn't one around. I hope our neighbor didn't watch!

We are leaving to go out of town so I didn't get to do a blog hopping today because been busy packing. And hopefully tomorrow I can take time to do my weekly gratitude list. Otherwise...we will be back on Sunday.

Blog Hopping

From A Study in Brown - Making the Most of What You Have (It looks like a blog that I will be adding to regular reads too.)

Creature Comforts - I don't like lots of ads on blogs. And more importantly I don't like lots of animated/blinking/moving ads (the web designer in me screams no don't do it). But I am linking to this entry because I love the simplistic decorations used in the top picture and then the next two. The top photo is of doilies with orange tacks arranged on the wall in such a great design. Then the next with the clip boards and pictures. I have 3 of those clip boards sitting in my studio as I was going to do something similar only I was going to do some mixed media art on them and then hang photos from it. But just the simplistic brown of the board looks great. (I got those clipboards at Dollar Tree and another great thing about them they have a little flip up hanger so easy hanging.) And then photos arranged in a heart above the bed. So nice.

Marc and Angel Hack Life - 30 Books Everyone Should Read Before Their 30th Birthday -- Well I am over 30 but there were some books on that list I haven't read and would like too.

Redesigned...

Michael's political blog for him.


Spoon's Rant

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Seeing Obama here in Grand Junction on Monday! It was an amazing experience!
2. Ice pack for migraine cycle this week
3. Caesar taking his medicine so good
4. The Rachel Maddow Show -- I have always liked her thoughts and opinions and it is great to watch her TV show on MSNBC
5. For finding good deals on meat at City Market today.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Blog Hopping

Mistreatment: Toppers and Valances - I like that last one with the door knob. I have been meaning to do new valance in the kitchen and dining room. I hope to have it done by my birthday just need to find some fabric. Maybe if I find the right fabric it will inspire us for paint in the kitchen and dining room.

Tossing Your To-Do List - with my never ending to-do list -- this is a good reminder

Bread and Butter - It is really the whipped butter I was looking at because in this time of rising food costs I am always looking for ways to save money. Plus it just looks yummy!

Fall Goodie Boxes - I think they are just so cute. Doing up some fall cut out cookies in little bags with ribbon would make such a cute gift.

A Bit Sleepy...maybe more then a bit...

Okay so late Thursday afternoon we were suppose to leave for Denver. We were doing a live webcast on Friday for a conference. Michael decided to test one thing before we left...well...it didn't work. And it ended up messing up something else which would end up messing up something....you see the pattern right? So he spent all afternoon and evening trying to fix it. We were suppose to be setting up at 7am on Friday morning in Denver. We live in Grand Junction 4 hours away. So 10:30pm comes and I finally say that it is probably best we go to bed and get at least some sleep before getting on the road at 3am and lets pray for it to work in Denver. Michael agreed so we went to bed and slept until 2am. Got up - showered, loaded the car and started towards Denver. We got to Denver a little before 7am.

Michael figured out a way to patch things together to make it work for the conference. So we did the webcast until 3pm when the conference ended. We packed up all the equipment and got out of there about 4pm to head back to Grand Junction because we had a wedding to film on Saturday. We arrived home about 8:15pm on Friday and went to bed by 9pm. Saturday morning wedding day filming started with the being at hair salon at 10:30am to film the bride. So were up about 8am to get some things done before heading there. We then were on the go and working until 11pm last night.

So needless to say today we are kind of tired. We did manage to drag ourselves out of bed to go our favorite breakfast splurge that is only available on Sunday at Rockslide Brewery (they don't have a website or I would link to it). It has really good food fresh food. So we went there this morning and toasted with mimosas for surviving the weekend.

After we came home, I did a few chores (dishes starting to stack up from our grabbing quick bite and then running out again) and then I went to crash. I slept all afternoon. And really felt like I could have kept on sleeping but I worried that I might not sleep tonight. I made a lasagna the end of July and put half in the freezer - let me tell you how thankful I am for that lasagna today so I don't have to cook dinner tonight. We have a busy week ahead of us too so I am hoping that this day of rest helps me get through it.

Book Review: By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept: A Novel of Forgiveness by Paulo Coelho

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
The heroine is Pilar a young woman who is resigned that her life will not have anything extrodinary in it - it will be working, coming home to a marriage of companionship more then love and just doing what society expects of her. Her former childhood friend contacts her and together on a short journey they experience a spiritual path through admiting their love of each other and letting go of fears. I was caught up in the characters and their journey that carried me through the great Pyrenees. The book reminded me of the triumphs, fears, joy and pain associated with love as well as religion and our spiritual journey. It is often critized that Coehlo isn't writing "real" literture. But of course I disagree as he is my favorite author. His stories might have simiple life lessons but he often tells it in ways that seem to touch many people -- and I am one of those people. They are good simple lessons that come from Coehlo's heart so it is hard not to react to them. I am usually one turned off by overt conservative religous tones in books but Coehlo always has a twist on those religious themes that makes them far from being conservative. His words often make me look at my life -- my spiritual path, my life journey and the love in my life.
View all my reviews.

Gratitude Friday

1. Obama's speech last night moved me
2. That although the bread loaf that I made the other day was smaller then I thought it would be -- it worked, it looked good and most importantly it tasted good!
3. A really good DNC -- renewed hope in democrates for me
4. For several good chats this week with friends
5. For naps in the middle of the afternoon...sun streaming in the window

Blog Hopping

I blog hop quite a bit. I go to one person's blog and hop from a link there to a blog and then hop from there to another and so on. I can really lose lots of time that way. But in the process I laugh, I find inspiration, I find touching stories of love and life challenges.

So I thought I would start sharing some blog hopping finds....

Pretty Paper Blog posted an entry for a project to help jump start those projects we all want to do...she created a Creative Juice jar. Read more about it here.

The Happiness Project - I have only read a handful for entries but several messages that spoke to me.

In my blog hopping someone linked to this...

Hope Revolution -- I would really love to participate in it. From the website: "When I hid my hope notes around the city and documented it online, my inbox was flooded with messages from people who were inspired to do the same in their communities. I was bewildered, but I guess word of mouth is powerful! It propagated through the Internet like wildfire. So, I decided to develop this website to continue the hope revolution."

Hillary hit it out of the park and it is still going....

Oh my....Hillary Clinton did an AMAZING job tonight! She really pumped up the energy of the DNC. We watch MSNBC and the crowd outside with Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews were even more energized. I feel she did a great job at UNITY.

A few favorite lines...

"No Way, No How, No McCain!" -- Great line and sound bite!

"John McCain says the economy is fundamentally sound. He doesn’t think there’s a health care crisis, and wants to privatize Social Security, and thinks it’s OK for women to receive unequal pay for equal work. It's fitting that George Bush and John McCain will be appearing together in the Twin Cities because it's awfully hard to tell them apart." -- GREAT GREAT line! I was laughing. And with family in the Twin Cities, you know I feel for them having the twins there for the Republican Convention.

"To my supporters, the Sisters of the Traveling Pantsuits, thank you." -- Very cute line. The audience laughed and cheered.

"I want you to ask yourselves, were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like it? Or were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the invisible people?" --- Personally I think this is the much needed line as it really asks if her followers if they were just voting for her or the issues. If it is the issues then vote Obama -- and if it was just for her then she believes in Obama so vote for Obama.

"By following the example of a brave New Yorker, a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad. On that path to freedom, Harriet Tubman had one piece of advice:

If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they're shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. And even in the darkest of moments, that is what Americans have done — we have found the faith to keep going.

I've seen it in you. I've seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military you always keep going.

We are Americans. We're not big on quitting. But remember, before we can keep going, we've got to get going by electing Barack Obama the next president of the United States." -- This for me was another one of those Yes we can moments...where I felt like yes...lets not give up our freedom and lets not give up hope and keep fighting the good fight....and elect Obama.

"Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance. I want you to think about your children and grandchildren come Election Day. And think about the choices your parents and grandparents made that had such a big impact on your life and on the life of our nation. We've got to ensure that the choice we make in this election honors the sacrifices of all who came before us, and will fill the lives of our children with possibility and hope." -- And then this line I think rung true for me too...I do feel our fate as a nation hangs in the balance because we have had such a horrible 8 years and I just can't imagine another 4 of it with McCain. It make me feel so sad for us as nation.

I think she did a great job at doing what she needed to for this speech tonight. The energy was amazing and I look forward to roll call tomorrow as well as President Clinton's speech and Joe Biden's too. I suspect it will be an evening in front of the TV tomorrow night.


(Full transcript of speech)