Sunshine & Rain

I took this photograph on my first trip to Scotland, back in April 2004.

Our first stop outside of Edinburgh was Blair Castle and the grounds were so lovely!  We even met our first Highland cow...awww.

I was transfixed with everything I saw and couldn't stop clicking away with my camera.  I switched to color film after this and never turned back.

***

This is an 8x10 matted (size includes mat) print of a sundial in the rain, Perthshire, Scotland. Mat color is black.


Scottish Sundial Photo Print - SOLD

XO

Clouds and Rainbows

I was watching Master Class with Maya Angelou on Oprah's new network (OWN) last weekend and became inspired!  This woman is phenomenal indeed. I had my journal next to me throughout the entire program.

She said that she always says "yes" to doing good/interesting things...and then will do the background work required to get the work done...in other words, she takes opportunities and chances. She moves forward.

Inspiring!

I'm hoping that I can be a good example and practice what I preach here (Maya also said that you need to live what you teach to others...something I heartily agree with).

She also said something to the effect of, "we are all human, therefore nothing human is alien to us".

There is dark and light in all of us. We are capable of both so we shouldn't look down on others for their "failings." Including ourselves! It all comes down to choices. We can reach beyond what we think we are capable of.

***

It has come to my attention that I need to work a wee bit harder at creating and recognizing that there is sacred space wherever I am in the present. It might make my final time in New York a little easier. After all, I'll be taking me and that space with me wherever I go in the future.

So, I'm working hard at creating goodness where I am and looking forward to saying "yes" first when amazing opportunities come up in the future (and then figuring out "how"). I'm also trying not to be too hard on myself for going off track. I'm marvelously human...I can't help it sometimes.

Some wonderful quotes from Maya Angelou's Master Class:


"Prepare yourself to be a rainbow in someone's clouds..."


"Love liberates...it doesn't bind."


I love the idea of being a rainbow.

XO

P.S. I found a link to the show online!

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/i9bwAfwuYyg/

Seafood Soup Improv

I was reminded, last week, about how important it is to eat fatty fish...like salmon.  Something my diet had been lacking.  So to remedy that, I decided to make some sort of fish soup using easy ingredients.


Fresh Direct is fantastic in that you can buy pre cut this and that (I'm sure this is true for a lot of grocery stores). This time, I took advantage of the package of Soup Greens and Fish Cubes (I love using the fish cubes to make soup).

You still have to do a little bit of chopping, but it's minimal.

Last year I made a different, but still very much improvised, seafood soup

Everything I, basically, needed

Here's what I used:

1 Package Soup Greens (onion, red potato, turnip, parsnip, carrot, celery, parsley...) cut into cubes

1 Package Fish Cubes (in this case it was a mix of salmon and tuna, I think)

2 32 oz. Cartons of organic vegetable stock

Garlic Croutons

A couple handfuls of frozen spinach

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

Chili Powder

Salt

Pepper

1/2 tsp Powdered Kelp *optional*

I cooked the onion in some olive oil until they began to soften (about 5 minutes) and added garlic, salt and chili powder, sauteed for another 2 min.  Then I added the rest of the cubed veggies.

Next I added the stock and brought it all to a boil and then let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Then I added the fish.  Let simmer for another 5 minutes...and added the spinach. Simmer, Simmer Simmer!

In the end, I believe I added some ground lemon peel and the kelp for an added boost of nutrition.

Garnish with the garlic croutons...YUMMY!!!

XO

I'm a Winner!

I've been planning and working on my next trip to Scotland, and one of the elements of this plan is a workshop I'm taking on Iona.  This time, scholarships were available and I applied.

I don't usually expect to win stuff.  For as long as I can remember...winning has been a rare occurrence.  I lost in the housing lottery at FIT two years and had to live off campus as one example.

I did win a giant bunny-rabbit in a church raffle back in High School, but that was because my dearly departed Dad bought most of the tickets (I think he wanted it more than me)!

Skip to the present...and I have been awarded one of the Iona scholarships!!!

I know it's because that God and The Universe help us out when we are headed down the right path, following our dreams instead of simple prizes. Who knows, maybe my Dad bought most of the tickets again...

This is a wonderful piece for the dream puzzle because I am still in the paying down debt and saving money phase of my Creative Dream journey.

So I'm off to Scotland in a little over 2 months. I have my plane ticket and the very appreciated scholarship already in my possession...next up train tickets to Oban etc.  I wonder if it's too soon to start packing?

XO

Mac & Cheese Soup

I love using the ampersand...I really do.

So, Mac & Cheese soup, y'all!

I was inspired when my friend and co-worker Glen brought in some that his wife had made.  I immediately looked up some recipes and then promptly ditched them to do it my way.

Mostly because I couldn't find the cheese soup on Fresh Direct...and because I was a little afraid of the contents.

So...call me "Sandra Lee" this week because this uses all boxed, canned and frozen items...I am still decompressing from the holidays, it seems.

***

I bought 2 boxes of organic mac and cheese and a bag of frozen veggies (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower).

I cooked the pasta until it was al dente...then added the butter and cheese mix and veggies.

THEN, I was going to add a  can of organic cream of mushroom soup but felt it was too little soup and instead opted for the carton of cream of broccoli I had and let it all simmer for about 20-30 minutes (until the veggies were cooked).

In the end, I added a little cayenne and water to thin out the soup until I was happy :)

It was quick, cheap and...

YUM!

XO

Teardrops and Fire

 Terracotta dish: 5x5"

One day, years ago, I felt like painting something.  I took an ad containing a photo of a woman looking up and turned her into my model. The rest was pure imagination.

It's the only painting of mine that I still have hanging on my wall and it's very indicative of my mood at the time. I've cropped it and applied it to various creations...including this dish:

The painting inspired the following poem, which I included on the finished dish:

Ghostly ocean eyes

drizzle blue sleet

over a chilled face

waiting for fire

--Lee Ann Monat

I love looking at this now because I feel as if I've finally found my fire.

Teardrops and Fire Dish - $25.00

New Year, New View

 Finished Chili

I am sitting here on a quiet Sunday afternoon with some turkey chili cooking away, music playing, laundry waiting to be sorted...and yes, a messy apartment. However, I don't feel as tied to the physical place as I once did. Yes, I have bills and rent etc. but that is just in the meantime.  I'm moving toward something new and better (for me).

I stayed in this weekend because I've been so busy and it's nice to not have to be anywhere for a change...but also because I don't want to go outside.  I don't want to immerse myself in the energy of this city when I don't have to. More and more signs that it's time to move on.

Fried plantains on the side

I remember feeling sort of out of control a year ago.  Not quite knowing where I could go, but knowing that I needed to get out of here and that was a scary place to be. The "hows" were overwhelming.  I still don't know "how" but I'm choosing to trust that as all the shackles keep falling away the path will be made clear.

I continue to learn about myself and how to be easier on me. For example, no New Year's resolutions.

New Years used to come around and I would feel depressed if nothing seemed to have changed from the previous year.  That probably had something to do with the fact that, in essence, I was standing still/spinning my wheels. I realize, now, that when I don't know which way to go...if I stand still a little while (and listen) eventually the winds will blow me in the right direction. It's the listening that makes all the difference...and embracing the changes.  Before I used to rail against them.

I actually submitted a little piece to The Fabulous Beekman Boy's blog about my take on New Year's resolutions. It didn't get picked up, but so many people seemed to think the same things I did!  And rather than be disappointed in not making their blog...well, hey, I have my own!!!

New Year’s resolutions...I’ve never found many pros in doing this. I used to frantically put my list together when a new year began.  I thought of it as a big do-over for my life but would inevitably fail and then feel badly about myself. 

In recent years I’ve found my path through healthy eating, cooking, herbal medicine and practicing radical self-love and acceptance. Resolutions simply feel negative and all self-judgey...which I can't stand!

Maybe some people do well with forcing rules on themselves for some structure but I’ve never gotten any results from being militant over anything. In fact, my willfulness comes out in full force when I do and I end up rebelling...and it feels sort of ridiculous to rebel against myself!  Maybe it’s the artist in me but I need to have freedom, fun, and an attitude of “YES” in order to thrive.

So I’ve resolved not to make resolutions anymore (unless they are to keep living a healthy, happy life). I’m not sure why we feel we have to always put limits on ourselves which can weigh us down. Through committing to constantly learn, be healthy, laugh, create beauty, and be true to my dreams and authentic self I am able to move forward instead of being stuck in the loop of the yearly do-over. It is so much more liberating than putting on those old shackles that the new year used to bring and certainly makes me happy.

XO

I think the biggest difference this year is the calmness surrounding the dreams.  That's new and interesting for me to experience. I have no doubt that there will be difficulties ahead, but at least I feel as if I'm on the right track. I'm taking baby steps towards change...starting with a new website/blog.  I picked a new template and that feels so good! Things are moving forward. :)