Be Bright

Forgiveness is a double gift.
It is a gift to the one who is forgiven, but
also a gift to yourself, freeing you from
the prison of resentment and bitterness.
                          Walter J. Ciszek, S.J.
                         With God in Russia





This bright idea is from Better Homes and Gardens.

A pink bench and crisp bright pots.

Live in COLOR.

Hit Pause with Crafts

What is the anatomy of time?
Living in the age of multitasking
is making us sick.  The craft
movement is the movement
of slowing time.

Visit to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA

To craft is to pray, to meditate,
and slow our heart rates.  We
crave the stillness and quiet
of craft. The courtship of craft.

There is no way to speed up time
while creating. A gift of something
handmade is the precious gift of time
and love. 

Let your heart sign.

Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures,
and without friends even the most agreeable
pursuits become tedious.

Thomas Aquinas

The Power of Craft

There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle or the mirror that
reflects it.
                          Edith Wharton

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/edithwhart100511.html#WObpEZSilTUe4IGu.99

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/edithwhart100511.html#WObpEZSilTUe4IGu.99

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/edithwhart100511.html#WObpEZSilTUe4IGu.99

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Edith Wharton

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/edithwhart100511.html#WObpEZSilTUe4IGu.99

When Mr. Lee and I started dating we had
a teeny tiny difference of opinion.
Mr. Lee called my acrylic paints "craft"
paints in a condescending voice. 

In my heart I was a homemaker
who needed to craft.
Oh yes, I worked outside the home
but that didn't define me or bring
the satisfaction of crafting. 

Reading about crafting and crafters
is almost as satisfying.

Embroiders' art and book.
The book Hoopla, by Leanne Prain


Mr. Lee's comment was a put down. 
Definitely, a put down. 
True Mr. Lee is the
artist but I get
more crafting done, because
without the meditative qualities
of making stuff my soul
would wither.

Another great book:
Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover
New Ideas. Advice & Projects from
50 Successful Artist

Visiting Prescott, AZ

Everyone's Hometown, Prescott, AZ

Not one person asked,
"You aren't from these parts are you?"
This is hometown bliss:
super friendly, super clean, with historical
downtown Whiskey Row.

 

At home we rarely have time to go to
the movies.
In Prescott, we made time for two movies
Muppets Most Wanted
and Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

Totally luxury at the Picture Show theater.

Seriously, every single seat.


Thrift stores, home cooking, and a book lover's
paradise.

Peregrine Book Company

The Hampton Inn accommodations included
this indoor kid friendly pool.
Swimming every day.

Cute cottages all around.

Candle dipping at Armadilla Wax Works

A Grumbler's Paradise

A life spent surrounded by grumblers. 
Nay sayers. 
The glass is half empty types.
Pessimists.  Creatives outlined in darkness.
Silly barkers who lift me up and allow my brightness.

No Jesus fish stickers on my car or
NTW..not of this world decals.
You will know I am Christian
by my love, by my love.  And limited
grumblers. 

Right now, I am reading Delight by J.B. Priesley. 
A grumbler's anthology of good things.  As the proclaimed
Queen of small things the book is a bit of revelry.
 

Love the sarape covered chair.  It would be hard to cut
a perfectly good sarape. 

Manicures all around.

Downtown Los Angeles.

Hot and Sticky...Humid

The humidity is so painful.   Symptoms of
Ankylosing spondylitis are my constant
unwanted companions.  Extreme weather
aggravates the inflammatory pain. 

Renegade Los Angeles

Mind over matter.  Mind over matter.
The only way to cope with the pain, without
the help of modern often harmful
medicine, is to distract the mind.

At the root of my strength is my
faith:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
                                    1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18

and creative endeavors.

4th of July Idyllwild