Its cold (for So Cal!), rainy and I think we need cookies . . .

Today was one of those rare days in So Cal with lots of rain and wind. It was the perfect day for starting the Christmas cookies I love to make only at this time of year. So I lit all the candles in my living room, got the mixing bowls out and and turned on the oven - yummy!! The house is toasty warm, good smells are in the air and my nest feels cozy and comfy! This is a big part of what Christmas is about to me.
Then I had a most unexpected surprise in the mail today. The house next to us had been abandoned by the former owners many months ago, such a sad sign of the times. In the interest of keeping things looking as normal as possible I would mow the weeds when they got too high. J. would go over and pull the weeds growing up in places we couldn't get to with the lawn mower and we would take in the newspapers that continued to be delivered in spite of my calls to have them stopped. We just generally kept our eye on the place. Well, a couple of weeks ago it was bought at auction and the lovely man who bought it totally fixed it up to sell. He sent us a check for taking care of it before he even owned it! I was blown away! What a nice man! It makes my heart happy to know this man fixed this house up right, and he cares about us wanting to have nice neighbors move in next door. I was very humbled and happy. The real estate situation has so many people feeling callused and cynical these days, and it just made me feel warmed to know it wasn't going to be that way for the house next to us.
Here's another story that warmed my heart and humbled me. I am teaching a class in January using tins to make altered art. I have three class samples in the store and this weekend a customer really wanted to buy one of them. It just so happens that it was my first one and my favorite one, but something told me to let her have it. When I asked if it was for her or someone else after she purchased it, she told me it was for a friend of hers in Colorado who is battling cancer. She bought it to send to her as encouragement. My heart just immediately melted. I am blown away when something from my heart and hands touches someone's heart. It really makes me believe in the power of the Spirit, and man, how that humbles me.
So today I wish you the peace of a quiet, cozy day, filled with your favorite smells and sounds, candles adding gentle light and a heart touched by the Spirit of the season.

It is the busy time of year . . .

We are all in our busy mode these days. Things to be done for Christmas rather it is presents to give, items to make for shows or just the internal need to create, we are all doing it! This morning I was reading this:

"You are blessed because of the love you give forth. In coming days such blessings shall you have that you will feel you have no more room in your heart to receive them. Go now to the tasks that await your hands and I will work with and through you as you fulfill your daily portion of work."

This really speaks to me. I am reminded that the creations we bring forth with our hands, starts in our hearts and brings that love to the people we share our art with. And it's not just our art, it's the way we go about using our hands throughout our day. We drive, do chores, we touch and hug our family, friends and pets, we are cooking and cleaning, planting and writing. Our hands are there to express the love that flows through us in all the actions they take. I don't know about you, but that offers me great comfort as I go about my day today.

Home, happy and hopeful . . .

I am home and had a great time with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday! We ate turkey (and many turkey sandwiches!), played lots of Scrabble games, and enjoyed each other's company. A good time was had by all!
I am happy. I cleaned house yesterday, washed windows to let the sun shine in, filled bird feeders, caught up with friends on the phone, and in blogland. Putting order back into my world.
I am hopeful and letting the excitment and anticipation of the Christmas season start to flirt with my thoughts. I am going to a Christmas party this Friday, which is called Craft-O-Rama!! It will be my first time attending and I've heard wonderful things about it in the past that I can't wait to get to go play there this year!
I love this time of year. The season is about hope, love, the promise of good things to come and appreciation of the good things we have already.

Giving thanks for the blessings that are mine . . .

This morning I was reading my one of my favorite books and this line jumped out at me: "Let quietness be in your heart today, peace be in your soul." I just really love the cadence of this sentence. I thought this would make a wonderful replacement for my typical, "Have a good day.", but my BFF suggested I may want to rethink that! I guess I will just keep it as silent mantra for traffic jams and long grocery lines! I wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in one or two of my pieces of art one day, though.
I taught class this weekend, and one of my students was given the class as a birthday present from her friend. That really touched my heart. I have been working on my journals for the gallery and will deliver them tomorrow. I have been having fun with them and want to make more when this batch is done to have on hand for future shows.
I know we are getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, so I want to wish all of you that quietness in your heart and the peace in your soul as you celebrate your gratitude for your journey. I'll catch up with you all next week! Hugs from me to you!

Light of heart . . .

Today finds me feeling light of heart, hopeful and happy! I am feeling on track and on purpose and it feels good! I know this is a feeling that can change on a moment's notice, but for right here, right now, that is how I am feeling. Yesterday was such an art filled day. It started with dropping off the little ornaments you see here at Studio Maureen then a much anticipated trip to the Grove for inspiration and a few early Christmas gifts for some of my knitting buddies. Next it was lunch at the Beach House in Solana Beach with 3 wonderfully talented artist. We sat outside, watching the ocean and planning all kinds of road trips, future shows and having fun inspiring each other to go for the gusto in life! The next trip was off to the ATC group I belong to at GeeGee's in Carlsbad and trading art and stories. Yes, life is very good to me. I am breathing in, I'm breathing out and I'm enjoying every second of the journey.

11-17-08 Monday afternoon reflections . . .

I am sitting here today with the sound of birds chirping outside, the dryer running in the background and the shadows of the afternoon sun playing on the dining room wall. I am posting pictures of a couple of little journals I made because last week I had some good fortune. I was accepted to sell my journals at a new art gallery here in Southern Calif called Artists by the Sea in Cardiff. I made these journals a couple of years ago, and I just love them. I love the long narrow shapes, perfect for use as a gratitude journal, or for writing your favorite quotes. I make them with a variety of papers, paints and encaustic wax. I am excited the gallery accepted them and am happy I get to make more of them. My good fortune did not end there, I was privately commissioned to make a couple of PMC pieces, also.
So I was thinking today about the idea of where my thinking comes from. Is my heart in a place of abundance, or is it coming from a place of lack? Do I see the blessings of doors that open before me and walk through them with excitement and expectation, or do I stand back and hesitate, letting fear and doubt keep me on this side as I watch those doors close before me? These are all choices I get to make, and the choices I make will determine the flavor of my life. I have to admit I am a lover of vanilla, but sometimes I have to go out there and have the "death by chocolate"! I wish you your favorite flavor today . . .

11-13-08 What's with the date in the title?!

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the date of my last several blog entries have all been dated October 14th. That's because the computer needs a new battery and I've realized that it in no way interferes with me posting if a new one has not been installed! I am not a techno whiz, so I am saving this project for my IT man to take care of in his leisure. It was his suggestion that I could manually post the date of my entries. At which I balked, and then thought, hmmm, maybe I should . . .
So my thought for the day has to do with something that I wrote about in my gratitude journal the other night. The presence of the friends I have in my life. I know I am loved by these women who make sure to talk to me and make plans to spend time with me on a very regular basis. These women enrich my life beyond words. They are one of the cornerstones on which my life today is built - their love for me and the encouragement they extend to me colors my world in ways I can't imagine living without. They are each treasured gifts of my life. While reading, "The Voice of the Master" this morning it was reinforced with this sentence, "My love manifests for you in many ways - in ways of health, strength, wisdom of mind, soul understanding, in friends with whom I surround you; all are manifestations of My abiding love." I do feel very loved today.