Speaking to My Heart

In the past few years, I've discovered Stampington Publishing. If you love creativity and artistic expression, go over and sift through their magazine offerings. Their product is professional and high quality.

One of my "must-haves" is Artful Blogging which unlocks and opens the door to many creative bloggers that I would have never found just trolling through the internet on my own.

In the current winter issue, while soaking up the inspiration laid out among the pages, I came across an article about Carmen Torbus and her blog called, Distracted by Design.

Part of the article was a partial post from her blog--a poem. As I read it, I realized it spoke exactly what I feel.

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

Feeling Tender and Vulnerable

by Carmen Torbus

Sometimes I sit and dream.

I think of all the things I'd like to do.

I put off the stuff that needs to be done

trading that time for daydreams.

Thinking of conversations I'd like to have,

with old friends,

current friends and

with friends I've not yet made.

Wondering where the other people like me are.

How do I find them?

How do I connect?

I long to sit and laugh,

sip coffee, or hot cocoa, or tea,

while making a mess with art supplies,

or just chatting about nothing in particular,

or the meaning of life itself.

Deep conversations,

light conversations,

no conversation,

just being.

I don't want to just be a dreamer,

I want to be a doer.

I want to paint.

I want to write.

I want to take pictures.

I want to talk.

I want to listen.

I want to have a tribe of my own,

and be a part of the tribe of others.

I want to be a part of something bigger.

Something good.

Something powerful.

Make a contribution to the world.

Somethimes I think it's me that gets in my way.

Is it fear that stops me?

Lack of belief?

Lack of motivation or energy?

Lack of work?

I sit back and watch others do what I know in my heart

I can do too.

Sometimes envious, or jealous, wondering what the

secret is.

Wishing I could know what they know,

I cheer them on

Pat them on the back.

Encourage

Congratulate

Sit in awe of.

Recognizing their potential,

their strength,

their capabilities,

their talent,

their accomplishments.

What is the missing piece?

How do I reach my full potential,

my strength,

my capabilities,

my talent,

so that I can realize and accomplish my dreams,

and contribute.

I suppose I'm not alone in my desires,

my dreams,

my paralysis.

I suppose the only way to find out is to "do" while

continuing to dream.

I suppose I don't have to know how, I just have to start.

(used by permission)

See the original post here.

Art Journaling

art journal page December 2009

Yep.

That pretty much sums it up.

If it's artistic

or

creative, I want a piece of it.

A little thing I like to call...

Creative Schizophrenia.

I'm Might Be Rolling Into Next Christmas...

Time to start some Christmas cooking and so far, all I can get out of hubby, is that he wants Buckeyes.

Like momma used to make.

(photo: allrecipes.com)

I've never made Buckeyes before, but I trolled the internet for recipes and I'm going to give it a shot.

He better savor each and every little ball, because after reading the directions, we may not be doing this again. Not sure how much patience I'll have rolling those balls.

(Recipe from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups confectioners' sugar
• 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
2. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth.
4. Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 331 | Total Fat: 19.4g | Cholesterol: 16mg

Looking for a Piece of Quiet

Tap, tap, tap.

*checking the keyboard to see if it still works*

So is life moving at the speed of light for you too? It seems all I've done recently is work and sleep and start the cycle over the next day.

I'm looking forward to Christmas. We are not traveling and as far as I know, won't have any company either. It will be a lovely, restful day. Can't wait!

For now, I'm just trying to maintain status quo. I've been reading every chance I get. (A practice I've had since I learned how.) I'm working my way through some Madeline L'Engle books. I have Wrinkle In Time and picked that up (and couldn't put it down) and that led to a trip to the library for Meet the Austins which I THOROUGHLY enjoyed. I wanted to BE part of that family!

Today will be full of going out and finding Christmas surprises and later on, seeing Christmas lights and sharing a bit of Christmas cheer with some friends.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!