checklist...?

How often, especially around this time of the month, do I wonder "where did the month go and what did I do with it?" As a crafter, it is difficult for me to hold back such thoughts and question if I've done one single creative thing this month?!

I don't care to measure my days by the number of crafty items I've produced, but I do like to hope that I am being attentive to the creative side of life. My head is constantly spinning with ideas...so if I don't "do", will I lose those ideas or will they get tangled up with each other and turn into lousy ideas? Or worse yet, will I go crazy because the creative outlet door is closed? OK, a bit dramatic but just where did this month go and what did I do with it?

Immediately, I can tell you that our family celebrated two birthdays, #26 for both second-oldest-daughter and daughter-in-law. And, if I say so myself, we have the best birthday parties around, lol! Not because of anything we do, but because of who we are and how much we enjoy one another!

We also attended the wedding of a special young couple this month. We've known the bride since her middle school years and we adore her. Her new husband is delightful and we couldn't be happier for the two of them. The wedding was lovely and the reception was great fun. I didn't have to do a thing except enjoy the specialness of the evening!

You know, I'm already starting to feel like it's been a full and fruitful month--that's good!



As for creativity, how about other possibilities? Like baking...











Rick does all of the cooking at our house (yes, I am very lucky!) but every now and then I feel like baking something.










Or decorating...I framed and hung this poster of a Santa Fe Village--I love the colors!














Oh! I made a bracelet for the first time!

It was a kit that I purchased from French General--gotta love trying something new.








And I changed the look of my blog and I started my online workshop and I'm sewing a garment for a friend and I'm reading a novel!











I think I'm on a roll. But it's not a checklist. It's life and not all of it is tangible--in fact, the best parts aren't!

Well, alrighty, so much for my lament of April...there's a whole week left!

Marilyn

Need to warm up your January? Attend a wedding!

We went to my nephew's wedding Saturday night. He married a really sweet woman--no surprise, he's my nephew. The wedding was in St. Louis and the temperatures were what one would expect in January, and that is freezing!

However, there's nothing like a wedding to warm a soul. Love is everywhere! The young couple, of course, is just bursting with love for each other. Everyone is celebrating the couple's love and new union. Maybe, too, some are remembering and celebrating their own gifts of love. New families are created and friendships made. It really does warm the cockles of a heart. And so, (yes, before Saturday night I'm not sure I would have said this) a cold January day is a wonderful time for a wedding! Who'd a-thought?!

Marilyn

Happy New Year!

What a better time to start a new blog than at the beginning of a New Year!

And what a better time to start a new blog than at a time when I am feeling full of inspiration! My wonderful husband planned a surprise Christmas getaway for us to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, which was on October the 19th. He chose one of our favorite places--Santa Fe, New Mexico.

It was awesome! The rich light and magnificent skies warmly greeted us, just as they do in the summer months, but snow on the high desert landscape was new and exciting and beautiful!
The landscape and the spirit of the city...its art and architecture, its culture and food...are reasons we love Santa Fe. What an excellent place for rest and renewal.














And, oh, what it did for my creative urges!!! Oh, yes! I hope to be sharing pictures of the resulting art work very soon.

Until then, I am wishing you and your's a happy and healthy 2008!

May you find peace, comfort and joy in all of your creative endeavors.

Marilyn