My world is rocked…

The rest of today is going to be all about the rocks.

Not just because I have an order to fill, but because I just remembered the joy that I get when I sit down and paint those sweet messages from the Universe on those smooth pieces of stone and I am determined to fill this day with whatever joy I can.

No, I am not acting like nothing has happened, as though our world has not be cracked open and its insides exposed, or like thousands of us haven’t died, and many thousands, millions of us aren’t suffering so very much in this moment.

I am acting like all of that has happened and choosing to BE in this moment, LIVE this precious day, because I have been given this gift and I sure don’t want to waste it in fear and worry.

So I quit Facebook today indefinitely – it was too hard to come back to a place of being with all of the emotion and tons of information happening there.

I will still blog because that is my way of putting some of my love and light into the world and I also need to be connected to the Hearts I love so much !

I will no longer watch the news as it goes straight into my heart but will read a bit here and there just to keep informed.

Yep, the rest of the day will be all about the rocks…

and the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and feelings that I have around me. I may even get super into washing the dishes or folding laundry later.

I just know that I have to BE in this moment, LIVE my day to the fullest and

for the gift that I have been given.

Thank you for this Day.

Sending Big Love and Light to you, Beautiful Ones !

For Today, Monday March 14, 2011

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is grey, warmish and most of the snow has melted down to the icky dirty leftovers. A spring day in New England.

I am thinking…that though I woke up crooked (nightmares, bad dreams, crazy brain thoughts upon wakening), I will do my very best to shake that. My life is so good, and I am going to focus on that.

I am thankful for...the fact that every day is Day One, and that I was given the gift of this day.

From the kitchen...fresh pineapple and strawberries, and oatmeal.

I am wearing...my pale purple Land’s End robe and my old green clogs…

I am creating...collages/paintings on 12 X12 canvases and pages in my art journal.

I am going...to get showered and dressed early today so I can be ready for anything.

I am reading...”The Help” by Kathryn Stockett .

I am hoping…that the world will come together to help those who are suffering so badly right now. There is always Hope, right ?

I am praying for…and sending love to the people of Japan,and for all of us on this planet.

I am hearing...the quiet of Monday morning on my street, birds chirping, motors humming.

Around the house...animals nap, plants need repotting, laundry needs putting away and the art table beckons…

One of my favorite things...clean, soft, white cotton sheets and a down comforter – bed heaven !

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meditation Monday tonight, a haircut, finding a gift for my nephew Thomas for his 8th birthday this weekend, and a trip to La Conception, Quebec this weekend to celebrate ! My first trip to the peeps since Christmas ! Yikes !

Here are some pictures I am sharing…

My latest art journal page : Word of Wisdom.

Inspired by the lyrics of the Beatles song of course :

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, .....

The words gave me comfort yesterday as I struggle with all that is happening in our world.

My Angel looks kind of tired and sad…appropriate, don’t you think ?

I hope you find some comfort and good things to hold onto today too, Beautiful Ones.

Light and Love !

In Gratitude

Sunday morning, March 13, 2011.

Daylight Savings Time is  in effect.

This day always feels like you are running after time.

It feels like 8:30 am but it is already 9:30…

Most days do feel like that, in fact, with Life going so quickly it makes my head spin sometimes.

With all the horrifying events happening in our world today,

I do the only thing I know that works to keep life making sense.

I turn to gratitude.

Deep Thankfulness for this day, this moment, this breath.

Deep thankfulness for the ones I love…

Oh, I draw them close to me in my heart..

Thankfulness for my ability to still see what is good and beautiful,

in spite of the evil and the horrific.

Thankfulness for my compassion and the strength of my Love, and for the beauty of my Own Soul.

And gratitude for my Voice, my Creativity, my connection to Others in my world.

Deep gratitude for all that I have and all that I am, really.

 

“Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened.

Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading.

Take down a musical instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” – Rumi

 

I plan on spending this gift of a day BEing, to the best of my ability.

In gratitude.

Light and Love, Beautiful Ones.

Haiku My Heart–Hopeful Signs of Spring

Rockin’ Red Bird sings

his Springtime, horny, love song !

That’s Cardinal love.

********************

I have been hearing signs of spring.

My favorite one is the beautiful red cardinal who changes his tune around this time of year, calling out in a joyous, “hey, look at me” way to the lady cardinals in the area.

I think he starts his ritual earlier than most dudes, having stayed here all winter.

All I know is that hearing his song makes me want to shake a tail feather too !

I know March 11th is early, but I am starting to feel it.

And it feels good.

Happy Friday, Beautiful Ones.

Haiku My Heart is hosted by the incredible Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon. Visit her for more.

Where I Am This Wednesday

is in a good place.

The spring-like look to stuff outside is helping. The temps are cold and so is the wind, but the rain from the weekend has left the snow banks shorter, the driveway and decks clear of ice and the sun even made a nice appearance this morning.

The “S”–word was being tossed around in the weather forecast, but I choose to ignore it today.

Today, I have no obligations to anyone but myself.

No groceries or other errands to do,  no orders to fill…

I am happy to have this time just for me !

I had such an inspiring afternoon yesterday, showing a few friends some of my art journaling tricks.

I am inspired to spend the day in the studio, finishing up what I started yesterday and maybe even starting a new piece on canvas. We shall see…

I started the day with a yummy smoothie (strawberries, raspberries, kiwi and blackberry yogurt) and it looked so pretty , I had to photograph it with these gorgeous tulips that I bought on the weekend and that have been getting prettier and prettier each day…

Boo had to investigate.

Through the stems he spotted the drink…

Love this crazy cat shot !!!

Then I hissed him away.

No cat germs in my smoothie, Crazy Kitty !

Here are the two pages I started yesterday at my friend Patti’s house.

We used on of my favorite techniques – carefully cutting out a figure from a magazine and using both the cut out as a mask and the background left over as a stencil on the page.

My rocking figure stenciled with white paint…

and here used as a mask, rubbing white paint around the outside edge of the cut out.

Cool effect.

I still have pen work and some journaling to do on these pages but I loved the colors and the different layers of paint and collage.

Oh, and looky here !

The hibiscus is welcoming me to my day of play !

Yay !

Have a great Wednesday, Beautiful Ones !

I hope you find some ways to be kind you your Self too.

A Life Worth Watching…

Monday morning and it feel like my life is a work in progress again.

That is a vast improvement from the stagnant, stale, stuck feelings I was having in February.

Whether it is the longer days, the warmer temps., the end of the longest month of the year for me, or some of the help I have been asking for and receiving from outside,

I am feeling like I have some March-ing orders !

Here is my latest art journal page.

Love the quote. The whole page, not so much.

But that’s okay.

I get to go looking for sweet spots.

Like this eye.

And this one.

A good reminder that not all art is pretty or likeable.

Sometimes , it is about looking for the sweet spots.

And others, it is just about the process.

Taking the time to hang out with your Creative Spirit for awhile.

It always feels good to do that for me, whether I love the end results or not.

Above is a work in progress.

I am lucky enough to be teaching some art journaling techniques to a little bunch of friends tomorrow afternoon.

The focus will be on the process, the letting go of thinking too much, and on having fun with the techniques, and hopefully not so much on the end results.

I am looking forward to it !

Off to get prepared !

Oh, by the way, go and stop by Beth’s blog. She has a super cool  giveaway happening there today !

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

More Gifts…

It was a little like Christmas in March this week around here !!!

I think I received a gift from someone every single day this week.

I told you I was blessed !

Along with the gift of my friend Suzanne’s presence and the beautiful felted treasures that she made me, one gift  I received was from Carla Sonheim.

Remember when I participated in the Art Of Sillyness 3 and won “Squeen for the Day” in the first day?

Here was my sweet, gorgeous, silly prize ! All kinds of goodies from the true Squeen herself. Love the button, the bouncing pen and the Carla Art !!! Thank you so much, My Squeen !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then as a participant in OWOH, I was lucky enough to win three giveaways !

One was the jackpot of all card making kits from Susan at Pieces of Fate :

Look at all that loot ! Big thanks to the generous Susan !

A second giveaway prize was from the Rich Witch. I won this magickal crystal ball and she included some lovely samples of oils from her shop. Thank you, My Lady !

My third giveaway prize was this beautiful print from Kelly Lish at “Love is My Religion”. (You know I love her blog name !!!)

Isn’t the Mother and child precious ? I love it, Kelly. Thanks so much !

I also received a special thank you piece of art from a Facebook friend, Barbara. I had sent her a Rock My World rock with the words “Celebrate Everything” on it – her mantra for the year.

She sent me back this awesome postcard with my own life mantra on it !

Yesterday, I went to Barnes and Noble with my other friend, Susie, Susie Riley.

We shared the gift of both being published in Patti Digh’s newest book, “What I Wish For You”, released early and on the shelf in my local store !!!! Susie has both a piece of art and an essay in the book. Yay, Susie !

I have to say I am tickled pink that my artwork was chosen for the first piece in the book. Such an honor and it feels so good in my artist heart ! So much talent, wisdom and love lie between the covers of this book. It makes me so proud to be a part of it !

So these are the gifts amongst the many that Ireceived this week that I wanted to share with you, Beautiful Ones.

It is more proof to me that the lesson I have learned and have been trying so hard to put into practice wherever I can is true :

Whatever you focus on, you receive more of in your life.

Here’s to light and love growing more in all of our world.

Happy Saturday ! Big Love from the Happy Queen!