Wow, what a week it's been...

Wow folks, this has been a week! Monday and Tuesday went well, or at least relatively so...considering the getting ready for the holiday and the fact that my car was making a very strange sound. The ex was sweet enough to try to make sense of what the noise was for me, in the dark on Tuesday night, but wasn't sure, so he suggested I not worry, he'd call the dealer Wednesday and see what needed to be done.

Wednesday...Wednesday was another story.

Imagine, if you would, I get into the car to drive to work, expecting the strange sound that I'd been hearing. Then, imagine a horrible screech, the sort of sound you expect to hear when the gates of hell are swinging open. Immediately following the screeching gates of hell noise comes the rolling clouds of gray smoke. Quite impressive if I say so myself. Horrifying, but impressive, my car had turned into the portal to hell. My karma needs improvement, obviously. Of course, I call the ex...he's a police officer, and I am pretty sure that, somewhere in all of his training he's had to have something about closing a portal to the underworld...right?

Now, at this point, let me say....he and I have been divorced a long while, and he really didn't have to deal with my falling apart moment, but I am very thankful that he did because I sure wasn't dealing with it well. I'm not sure I've had that many tears in a long while. The good news is, it was easily fixed, and was ready to be picked up at six that evening. Apparently a couple of the belts needed replaced, they were causing the screeching gate noise, and there was too much oil was put in during the oil change last week, and that is what caused the billowing smoke clouds (I promise, even James Bond would have been proud of the smoke screen it created).

After all the tears, the worry, and the sense of feeling so lost and alone...the day actually afforded me a couple of special gifts. First, the gift of being thankful that my ex and I get along and I can still depend on him. Second, it gave me more time to share with The Little One, and we spent the day making a traditional part of the Thanksgiving feast, without feeling the pressure of having to hurry to get it made. Both of them gifts I am very thankful to have.

And, now to the Artsy Blogger list for the week...(more wonderful blogging friends I am thankful to have too)....check them out...and I promise, I'll have many more posts next week...at least barring any more portals opening...

Arts & Crafts Examiner
Do you need a gift idea for the favorite crafty person on your list? Here are a few fun ideas for your holiday shopping.

A Creative Dream
Toys for strangers to love..

Gadabout Media DIY
Win your own set of 13 great rubber stamps and ink pads from Ford Cares & Martha Stewart Omnimedia!

Hankering for yarn
Noreen's been making fun Christmas ornaments. Here's the link for a tutorial on how to make a tiny 'Bog Coat' from origami tree. Perhaps Santa's Elves would appreciate a new coat or two?

Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Nicolette Anderson shares her lovely work!

The Artful Crafter
Make some romantic mood light candles with decorative tissue paper and decoupage medium.

Random views from a weekend...

Ohhhh, look! The creative fairy dropped by this weekend...the place is a wreck, I've got lots of snowmen waiting for faces, and moons waiting for stars...penguins and kittens...and and all kinds of wondrous holiday things were accomplished...

Some updating with different ribbon for some ornaments for Etsy...
The polyfill needs picked up, and the fabric put away...for now though, The Little One has drifted off to sleep beside me, and, just like when she was a baby, I recall how...on those rare occassions when she slept as a baby... I would watch her sleep and think how utterly beautiful she was. And now, I am enchanted all over again...nothing has changed, other than how much more I love her than I did even then. There is nothing so precious as a baby, even when she is almost 18. I'm going to enjoy the magic for just a few minutes...

It's Friday...and time for an Artsy Blogger round up...

My group of blogging and crafting friends have been busy again, and they've shared some of the great ideas they've had or found online...I'm sharing them with you! The links are below, and on the side bar as well so they are easy to find later when this post has moved on down the line...

Enjoy!

Arts & Crafts Examiner
Designer Minoo Hersini shares her unique fall centerpieces, perfect for your Thanksgiving entertaining.

Gadabout Media DIY
Do you have a pair of blue jeans with a hole? Don't throw them out - it's easy to repair them!

Creative Dreamer
I'm sharing a post from August when I was experimenting with creating hand made books. I wanted to see if I could create a round one, and these are the result.

Hankering for yarn
This week, Noreen has made a video tutorial about how to work with the charming little vintage looms, 'The Magic Looms', that mysteriously always have a photo of a crocheted Granny square on the box. This is odd, because the looms couldn't possibly do that, but they DO create delightful squares. What were the manufacturers thinking? Ah well, the magic lives on.....

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has finished a second Garden Quilt and is offering her tutorial!

The Artful Crafter
Say �Happy Anniversary� to Totally-Creative and win a free 1-year subscription!

OMGosh.....a surprise for me!!!

OK, this has been one of those weeks. Nothing has gone terribly wrong, but nothing has gone terribly right either. You know the kind...just enough to push the boundaries of frustration.


Something is wrong with my car. I'm sure that is going to be fun to deal with. I've been trying to create a year end report at work (keep in mind the year officially ended in June), only to be thwarted at EVERY point (heaven help you if you suggest change...does anyone else ever get tired of hearing "But we've always done it that way"???????)...and something is wrong with my computer there, which doesn't make it any easier.

I am so not fond of these shorter days either. While those glorious sunrises like the photo up there are spectacular...It's not even 6pm and it's dark already. I neeeeed the light! I swear all this dark (and frustration) seems to sap the creativity. So, all in all, I've been in...not a grumpy mood, but not the usual "Mary-Sunshine" mood either. Picture Oscar the Grouch...without the trash can around my hips.

So, all the way home I am thinking about all this minutiae and, through the frustration, reminding myself that it is all a part of life...this is how we lean, it's how we find our grace. All the while, the little voice inside my head is going "pfffftttttttt...I'm sick of this crap, I want something to go easy for a change..." I grab the mail and drive on into the garage (old house, the garage is detached). As I walk to the back door, I see that the heavens have left me a beautiful gift. On my step is a perfect, beautiful, yellow leaf. Just sitting there, waiting for me to appreciate. There are no yellow maples anywhere on my street that I can see, so I'm pretty sure it is a gift from the heavens. And, it gets better....

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about being thankful. One very sweet reader, Magpie Sue, commented on the card that I used as the artwork on it. I tracked her down through her blog (really, I am not a stalker), dropped her an email asking if she'd share her address with me so I could send her the card. She was gracious enough to do just that, and I mailed the card off to her. I had even made a mental note to myself earlier today to check to see if she had received it. Well, sitting right there, between the bills and the grocery fliers, was a manila envelop. It was from her. With a sweet note in it...and this little birdie in it. Isn't it great?!?! It is definitely great. I'm so excited!! It's going to hang on my Christmas tree this year, and then, I am going to keep it where I can see it all the time.

What a sweet thing for you to do Sue! It's so much fun for me to leave surprises for unsuspecting strangers, but it isn't too often that I am on the receiving end. I certainly hope that the ones who find my Little Art projects feel about them as I do about this.


Thank you!

Ahhh...pumpkin...sweet pumpkin...

Who can resist a whoopie pie? (I giggle every time I say...or type...that...my mind is just that perverse.) I think they are fabulous. Who wouldn't love two yummy cakes sandwiched together with a sweet filling?

I'm not so much a fan of the chocolate ones as I am of those flavors that are not the "norm". When I am baking whoopie pies (giggles), it doesn't really matter what flavor of cake I am using, I rarely use the traditional marshmallow creme filling, I prefer the real red velvet cake frosting. And, for everyone that is not from around these parts...the traditional frosting is NOT cream cheese...but we'll discuss that more in a moment.

Now, let me say up front, I love made from scratch cakes. But, for all of you traditional-by-the-book-never-make-a-whoopie-pie-from-anything-but-scratch-types (and I know you are out there), this method is not for you. I've taken a couple of short cuts with the cakes that save me time, and I really think make a better textured cake. I also almost feel like I should insert an "eat at your own risk" warning here. These are yummy...that means they are full of fat and sugar and have tons and tons o'calories. That being said...venture forth at your own risk...and do not curse my name for the yumminess you cannot stop eating...

The traditional southern frosting for a red velvet cake (as I was taught to make it by my great-grandmother) begins with making a paste, much like you would if you were making a pate choux, with no butter melted into the paste. It is then allowed to cool completely. I cannot stress how important that is, you can trust me I am trying to lead you away from failure on this one with my own past learning experiences. Once cold, enormous amounts of fat and sugar are whipped into it until a fluffy and irresistible frosting/filling is created. (Remember, I am NOT to blame when you cannot stop eating this, you were warned...) Into a small sauce pan dump about half a cup of all purpose flour and stir in just enough milk to make a very thick paste. Mix this until it is smooth...if you leave lumps, you'll have an icky lumpy filling later, and none of us want that. Once you have a thick, lump free paste made, stir in enough milk to end up with about a cup of milk in the mix. Notice in this recipe, or any recipe I give, you will see the term "about" an awful lot. I was taught to bake by women who never measured anything...so it's not my fault. Just wait until we get into smidgens, pinches, tads and bits...in future recipes.

Once you get your lump free milk and flour mixture made, put it on a medium heat and stir, stir, stir. This stuff will scorch, and when the mixture begins to thicken, it will happen very quickly. First you will see what looks like a little curdling..the next thing you know, the entire pot is one big thick lump..."seized up" as my Nona termed it.






When it begins to thicken and there is little of the "wet" left in the pan take it off of the heat and really beat/whisk it well, you really want to be sure that there are NO lumps in it at this stage remember, we want fluffy, not lumpy.



While it is a steaming, hot, smooth mass of paste, put it in a bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap. Put the wrap completely on the mixture, not on the top of the bowl, we are trying to prevent a "skin" from forming on it (that would lead to lumps later, and we've gone over that already). Stick it in the fridge and don't think about it again until the cakes are finished and you're standing there, after the cakes are baked, wondering, "what the heck did I do with that filling?" We want it to be a completely cold, congealed mass of stuff before we go on with the next steps. And, while you are in the fridge, grab a stick of butter and sit it on the counter, you'll need it later...something to do with the fat and sugar being whipped into it.

The cakes are simple. One cake mix, I always use Duncan Hines, follow the directions on the back of the box using ONLY 3/4 cup of water. You get a dough that is thick enough to hold a shape when scooped onto the pan for baking, but soft enough to make a yummy cake. For pumpkin cakes, I use a spice cake mix, decrease the oil to about 2 tablespoons since the pumpkin will add moisture, and add one 15 ounce can of pumpkin.And, since I like all those warm spices, I add about another teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the mix. Beat it all with your mixer until it is wonderful and smooth.

I'm makin' mini whoopie pies, so I use a cookie scoop for the batter. Use a consistent measure with whatever you use to drop the batter, you need evenly formed cakes since they are going to be sandwiched to make a cookie. Grease your cookie sheet, and drop them about an inch or two apart. I've never found a whole lot of spreading with these, just a nice even, almost muffin top effect. Bake them at 350 degrees for about five minutes (if you make bigger cookies, add more time). They should be firm and spring back when lightly touched on the tops.

Once the cookies are baked, allow them to cool completely while we get back to finishing the filling. The base should be completely cold now having been in your fridge..this part of making the filling is not for the faint of heart or the impatient..this is going to take a bit of whipping as the filling is made fluffy. Stand mixers are wonderful for this, if you don't have one, hand mixers work just fine, you just may get bored while you whip.

You will need that stick of butter that you set out earlier, and about half a cup of shortening. The shortening is important in this, don't leave it out and try with only butter, for some reason you'll end up with a runny mess. Beat the paste with the room temp butter and half a cup of shortening. Beat this until it is very, very, very well incorporated. The base will be smooth, and a pretty pale ivory color. Once the fats are in there, you slowly stream in granulated sugar. Don't add confectioners (powdered), or, again you will get the runny mess...I really do speak from experience there. I usually put in between 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups total. This really is to taste, make it as sweet as you prefer. At this point, you have to whip and whip and whip. The sugar will dissolve and you will find that you have a fluffy filling. It is totally dangerous because it is so light and fluffy you will never believe how much fat and sugar you have added...again, I am absolved or responsibilities for those calories, that warning was given waaayy back there at the beginning.

I use a very generous spoonful, ok, overly generous spoonful, of the filling to sandwich two of the cookies together. The pumpkin makes these cookies very moist, so I layer them with waxed paper between. Store loosely covered, and enjoy every bite, they are a wonderful, messy, yummy treat!

Random views from a weekend...

It's the middle of November here...and the day has been so gorgeous I had all of the windows open...











It's so pretty I gave the dog a bath...












And thoroughly enjoyed the BLUE sky...









And the Christmas cactus...the one that bloomed for Halloween...











Life is good in my little town...

Is nothing sacred...not even email conversations at work?

Nope, not when it comes to this blog...even some email conversations are game to be shared....Friday, I had this email conversation with a friend of mine while we were working...this stems from one of those chain emails we all get...this one happened to involve the sending of a "financial fairy"...(and, really, regardless of what it seems here...I work very hard during the day...)

It began with this from Donna:

You have just been sent a Financial Abundance Angel! Pass her to two people and be rich in four days. Pass her to six and be rich in two days. (Now, for all of you who have not yet been lucky enough to receive this Financial Abundance Angel, don't worry, I am sure you will soon...but in the mean time, it comes with a sparklie graphic of a pretty woman with wings and an assurance that you will receive a wonderful financial windfall if you pass her on.)

Me: You know, I got her about a week ago, and sent her forward...no windfall...I think we need to track down the creator of this email and find out what gives...


Donna: Stop it!!! I am LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

Me: Did you remember to wear Depends for just such an emergency???

Donna: Yes, I did..What I like about Depends is I can blame the Butt rumples on them.

Me: (Butt rumples...I laughed until I had tears...and yet replied through them) Ohhhh, BRILLIANT...now what do we blame the thigh dimples on? I really, REALLY need an excuse for them...

Donna: Ummmm...let me ponder that one...

Me: Maybe we can make knee length Depends? With extra spandex "just where it's needed" for those hard to de-dimple areas???

Then, I get this from Donna...(my apologies to the originator of this email, I cannot give credit where due for the photographs...)

Where does the time go?

"Remember yesterday, dream about tomorrow, but you better live for today."

How quickly the years pass:

Now, I just want it noted here...about the long Depends (or similar product), with spandex...if they come out, I'd better be getting a cut of those profits...'cause that Financial Abundance Angel thing sure isn't working....And, Donna...I promise when that windfall comes in...a life time supply of Depends...'cause friends make sure friends have excuses for having butt rumples....

Friday the 13th...

Warning...poppy ATC has absolutely nothing to do with blog post...I just like it, and wanted something to brighten the post....

So, it's Friday the 13th...for the third time this year no less...can you believe it? I love folklore, old superstitions, all the strange and bizarre beliefs and practices that we have in our world...makes this adventure so very much more interesting. (Could at least partially explain that strange interest I have in cemeteries as well, couldn't it???)

Instead of worrying about all of the bad luck that can happen on Friday the 13th, I'm going to share some fun things with everyone today!!! This is going to be the first time I feature my fellow ArtsyBloggers! With a big drum roll.....here are some recent posts by this group of talented bloggers!

Oh, and before you go onto them....there is a Blue Moon coming in December...so if you have something you get to "only once in a blue moon"...you might want to be making those plans...heaven knows...as I have said before, those dates are FAR closer than they appear on the calendar!!!

Arts & Crafts Examiner
The latest Twilight Movie is coming out soon - celebrate the launch with these fun New Moon crafts.

Beading Arts
Make a batch of little beaded flowers, and before you know it you'll have a necklace!

Creative Dreamer
June is offering a free file for a card she designed to anyone who checks out her blog!

Gadabout Media DIY
You don't need any fancy gadgets to make round yo-yos - Chloe shows you how with this easy tutorial.

Hankering for yarn
Noreen has designed a gorgeous new Celtic Interlace necklace that gives a whole new way of looking at spool knitting!

The Artful Crafter
Make a pretty fall triple wreath wall hanging for your own wall or as a housewarming gift. With a little imagination, you can adapt the design for Christmas or just about any other occasion/season.

An invitation...

Y'all have seen this doodle before, it's just a few posts down the list. I wanted to use it as a wallpaper for my desktop on the work computer. So, I scanned it, added the wording and the black background. Voila, I had a pretty little wallpaper for the desktop.

I really was very pleased with the overall effect. And, as my mind is often wont to do, I thought..."Hmm, how else can I use this?" I decided that I could use a printed version of it to have on my desk at home, that reminder that sometimes I must take time to be still. So, I converted it to a postcard size print. Printed a couple (ok, a bunch) on some 80 pound white card stock and thought..."I like it." I handed them out to anyone and everyone who crossed my path at work that day. Some were excited to get them, and I'm sure there were some who really weren't, but they were polite enough not to turn them down. (Mental note to self, check the recycling next week to see how many you find in there...) When I get excited about a project I like to share, what can I say? (I do know that one of my co-workers is using them as cards, she's asked me for more...no wonder I like her, she makes me feel appreciated!)

With the success of that, my next thought was "You know, these would make really nice note cards too."

You know what...sure 'nough, they do.

Ta-da!
(the pink border is just acting as a border to show you the overall card)

I've printed them on the same white 80 pound card stock as I did the postcards. I just set the file up a bit differently. They print two per page, and when folded, they fit in a standard "invitation" size envelope (you can buy at any office supply store).

Why do I tell you all of this you may ask? (Go ahead..ask...it gives me such a thrill....)

Wellllll...Last week a lovely group of extraordinarily talented artists who just happen to blog invited me to join in. I've been a follower of all of their blogs since I came to blogland, so I jumped on the chance! As I said, they are and amazingly talented group (no pressure here for me, huh??). I'm sort of hope that their various talents and wit rub off on me.... To celebrate, I'm giving these cards away. How many do you ask? Well, just how many do you want?

Rather than give a set of six, or eight, or a couple of sets of six or eight, or even ten, cards...I'm giving as many of the cards away as you want. I'm sending the card, in .pdf format, to anyone who would like to have it so they can download, print and use it for themselves. You can have the file in either the folded, two per page style, or the postcard style...or both. (Because I am just that darned sweet!)

Now, there are a couple of caveats, you know there always are...you may ONLY use it for personal use. You may NOT print it and offer it for sale. You can't make any changes to the file either. But, you may print as many copies of it for your own use as you want. Now, take note, I cannot be responsible for your printer quality, so I cannot guarantee that the cards will be professional quality. I use a lazer printer that prints very high quality, and I am very pleased. If your printer doesn't give you the quality you'd like, consider going to your local print shop (think Kinko's or Office Depot, Office Max, Staples...etc., etc.)

You may link to this post on your blog, if you have one, just let me know that you have so I can share your blog with others who read mine. You may feel free to email a link to this post to whomever you think would like a copy of the file...I'm happy to share it with everyone who would like it.

To receive the file, email me with your request at: ACreativeDreamer@gmail.com

Oh, and one more thing...since I know how much we all dislike being put on email lists (goodness knows I don't like it)...I promise, your name won't be put on one...nor will it be offered to anyone else to be put on a list, and I won't be keeping it for some later use.

Enjoy!

To all of our heroes...thank you...

For all of our fallen heroes, and for those who are serving still...


Let us never forget...those who give their all.

She started it!

The Little One started it. When she was sitting on the couch with me, trying to postpone the inevitable homework...she leaned over and drew a face on my hand. With a bow tie no less...


She started it....








And I ended it....



Because old age and treachery will ALWAYS overcome youth and skill....




(Doodles aren't just for paper you know....)


I love this child...

Ugh...Monday...

I really, really, REALLY enjoyed getting to spend time with the kids this weekend, and the photos we took are great. They will make a wonderful gift for their Dad at Christmas...but I gotta tell y'all, that was about the ONLY part of the weekend that went well.

Ever had one of those where just everything you put your hand to screws up? My big plan for the weekend was to make some acorns from polymer clay (more on that in an upcoming post). I really loved the idea of using those colorful canes to create a lasting fall decoration. I'd picked up some acorn caps at the ex's when I'd picked up The Little One one afternoon, and Thursday evening, when she went back to her Dad's I settled in to get creative.

I pulled out the clay canes, and poured myself a glass of wine. And then, I just didn't know where to begin. Five acorns later, and only half the glass of wine (maybe that was the issue, I should have had more), I was not really satisfied with how they looked...but thought, "OK...you've come this far, let's bake them just enough to firm them up and see if they need anything else." I stuck them in the oven for 10 minutes on just 200 degrees. When I took them out, they were horrible. The colors had morphed, I have NO idea why, and they all looked nasty and dingy. So much for that I guess.

Friday, honestly, I just did not have the wherewithal to give them another go, so I thought maybe a bit of stitching. Gave that up after half an hour, heart just wasn't in it. Reading didn't work either, after you read the same paragraph a dozen times you realize, it is just time to let that go.

Saturday...well, let's just say Saturday was invested in a morning pity party for myself...every now and again this whole "fast approaching 50 and no one in my life" thing gets the better of me. At least it wasn't a total loss, I did get some laundry done in the afternoon.

As the golden afternoon light of the ever shorter day began to give way to the quickly approaching twilight, I just gave up and sat down with a pen and paper. This is where the doodling comes into play yet again. As I lay the pen against the paper and watched as the first lines cut across it, creating patterns, and then patterns upon those patterns, and even more patterns, the night darkened and the stars began to blossom in the sky.

I realized then that sometimes I really do simply need to "Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10).

Random views from the weekend...

I love how the light falls across the old quilt on my bed early in the morning...













And, how perfectly it falls across the chair I read in...












I adore these three...













And these two adore each other...













And, really...she does adore her brother...(and he obviously adores her to put up with it)









I hope they never outgrow playing...






Ahh, I love weekends like this...

Zentangles...or doodles?

Got a question for y'all...have you heard of this thing called "Zentangles"? Apparently, (according to the site of the developers of this concept)...it is "an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns". And, for $50.00 you can buy a "Zentangle Kit". It contains thirty four 3.5 inch squares of water color paper, with deckle edges, that they call "tiles", two Pigma Micron 01 (permanent) pens, a couple of short pencils, a sharpener, a DVD that "teaches" you how to create them, and "legend" that shows you 20 Zentangles and names each of them...oh, and you get a 20 sided die that, if you are stuck for ideas, you can toss and draw the images shown on that legend. And it all comes in a small box too.

Now, the question...is this just me, or does this sound like doodling to you? Sounds an awful lot like doodling to me...doesn't it sound like doodling to you?

Don't get me wrong, I admire the pair. They realized the meditative powers of doodling, and they chose to box it and market it. Quite successfully too it seems, people are grabbing them up. Oh, and they are certifying people to teach it. To teach you how to doodle. I guess there are rules...don't tell me what they are though, it would just be in my nature to break them.

What I am disappointed in is myself...why didn't I think of that? I have been a doodler all my life, I have some amazing notes around here somewhere that I took in college that are as much doodles as they are notes. My mind makes connections with words and pictures and that's how I remember things. (You have no idea how utterly shocked I was to find out that there are some people out there who, when reading a book, just see the words...I thought everyone was like me and the words just turned into pictures...) I'm very thankful to Mrs. Rowland, who, way back in first grade, handed me paper and crayon and encouraged me to doodle, and to find patterns in it, then to create more patterns still. Somewhere along the way I think I worked out the meditative properties of it all by myself.

Interesting though, isn't it...that, once it was boxed, and given a name, it's all about marketing to the right audience. I have to say, I wish them well in the venture..and I really hope that those who are buying the product experience the meditative aspect of doodling, truly, it is an amazing tool regardless of whether you buy it in a box, or just doodle on scrap paper. I think I am going to stick with the stuff I've been using all these years...Although, I may well get a great big piece of paper and some crayons out...and, maybe, when I am finished with it send it off to Mrs. Rowland, with a note thanking her for instilling in me a life long love of learning, and the inspiration to always try something new.

On being thankful...

I'm already four days into November...FOUR DAYS!!! (Somebody PLEASE tell me where I can find all the lost time from this year?? Is it in the same black hole where the socks that get sucked out of the dryer when drying go?)...and, while I keep hearing Thanksgiving is "still down the road a ways", you and I both know it is coming up fast. It's sneaky that way, those dates on the calendar are always much closer than they appear. And, from there it all just falls apart...it doesn't matter whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas or Kwanzaa, for those of us who are "The Keepers of Tradition", panic time is almost here. There just never seems to be enough time to accomplish it all. And, to those of you wonderfully organized people who have the menus planned, the decorations in waiting, and gifts bought (and wrapped) before Halloween, I only have one thing to say...."ppppfffffffttttttt".

I woke up at 4:00 am this morning giving thought to what in the world I am going to do for the Little Art project this week. Shortly after going through the empty corridors in my mind where those ideas should be, I drifted into thinking about how soon I need to be fully engaged in the holiday panic mode when my brain said to me..."Hey, you...(tiny voice replies..."who, me?)..."yeah, YOU...WHY are we awake and worrying about this stuff at four in the morning???" Insomnia is soooo unforgiving, as is that voice in my head. But it did make me think, "what am I over analyzing now?" And here's what I've come up with...

I've been very disappointed in what I consider the lack of "return" for the Little Art and The Toy Society projects. Don't get me wrong here, I am not wanting or expecting fireworks...in this case I am defining return as getting a note from those who have found the projects simply letting me know that the projects found. I realize the "risk" with both of the projects is that I will never know...but come on guys...just a quick email...

Of eleven documented drops, and countless undocumented drops, there have been two replies. Yep, count 'em...two. And one of those I really cheated on, since I sent the gift to someone I knew would take the time to reply (after all, a girl has to get a couple of ego strokes every now and again you know). Maybe my hopes are just set too high?

One of my co-conspirators tells me that this project isn't about what it does for others, it's about the change it will make in me. Ok, I'll give you that. Except, people who have known me forever will tell you I've always been this way, learning to give without expecting anything in return isn't going to be what I will learn. The down side is that I could become so disappointed that I just stop doing these things, and I don't want to do that. So, I have to really give some thought to this and make sure the lesson is positive for me. Between contemplating this disappointment and the "when to get in the full panic mode for the holidays", it's a tad more difficult to find that silver lining...but here's what I think...you can let me know if you agree, or if I'm just off my rocker...or if maybe both are true...

While we should be thankful every day for the blessings we have, we often simply get busy and forget to take the time to be.

Time, darn it all, just gets by us faster than we realize. After you get past the hectic morning to get the kids off to school and make it through rush hour to get yourself to work, you spend the day doing what you do, be it working in an office, in a factory line, or working at home (the most difficult job I have ever held by the way), rush out to run the errands, deal with dinner and cleaning up, spending time with the kiddos, significant others, and getting done with the day, who has time to be thankful, right? I'm going to attribute the "lack of return" on my projects to just that, we lead busy, busy lives. (But...seriously folks....just a note...)

And here is the lesson I have decided I am going to take from this, in this season of being thankful. Every day, I am going to say thanks, and I am going to sincerely mean it. And not to the great big stuff...but to all the little things, 'cause I believe the little things are the ones that count so very much.

I'm going to say thanks (and did) to Aretha at the deli who took the time to go see if they had any hard salami in the cooler rather than just tell me "sorry, we're out" since there was none on the front case...it sure would have been easier to, and The Little One would have settled for the Genoa salami...but she didn't have to because Aretha took that extra minute to check.

And I am going to make it a point to say thank you to all of those other people out there who help me accomplish the things I have to accomplish in a day. The person at the video rental counter who checks me out, the people at the bank who make sure the transaction goes smoothly, the grocery clerk, and the stockers who make sure the items I need are on the shelf...

So, before engaging fully in the "OMG, it's Thanksgiving...ALREADY" mode, I am going to take time every day to engage the "I am in this moment and I am thankful" mode. And, to keep myself engaged in this plan, I am going to share a list of those little things I am thankful for every day through this season. At the top of the list at this moment...thanks guys, for reading my rantings, and for commenting too. I'm amazed every day when I can see people have been here, and even more amazed when you take the time to comment (you wouldn't believe the shock when you actually follow, talk about making my day!)...I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to make my day!

Random views from the weekend...

I enjoyed creating this post last weekend, I think it may become a regular...Random views from the weekend...






Ghost dog....he never stands still...makes for some very "interesting" photographs of Joey.











The view from my window...












My Christmas cactus...obviously a bit confused about the season...makes a beautiful Halloween cactus, huh?














I made a chocolate cake....with chocolate amaretto frosting...yum!









A terrible Chinese movie on Sundance...at about 3:30 am...for an insomniac like me, this time change is really difficult.









Fresh, crisp, yummy gala apples...















The Little One...how did she grow into such a beautiful young woman so fast?










Spalding's ....a long standing local tradition...









The colors of the season...






I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!