Multitudes on Monday (on Tuesday!)

Yesterday, I spent most of the day at the hospital, as my husband had surgery. Scheduled for 4pm it didn't happen until 5:30 and I didn't get to see him til 8. He seems to be doing okay and may come home today.

It is strange though coming home to an empty house.

I missed posting my gratitudes and with his surgery, I really need to:

I am so grateful for:

51. my husband

52. skilled doctors and nurses

53. our provincial health care

54. Rose, my step-daughter, who drove me to and from the hospital

55. family and friends who care

56. books that can occupy your mind and keep you from worrying

57. comfort food - chocolate brownies and tea

58. Christmas lights shining all the way home last night

59. art - that keeps my mind and hands busy

60. for prayers -mine and others

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up / The Artist's Way

This past week has passed in a flurry of parent interviews, volleyball practices and a tournament, and a wee bit of time for art. The interviews went well, although not all parents showed up. It made me think of an article from the NY Times I read this week about how we need better parents. A very interesting read.

The volleyball tournament turned out disappointing for the kids at the end as they lost the semi-final round. Cheating by another team was not addressed and my group were very discouraged. It definitely was a learning experience - for all of us! They did extremely well though. I did write a long letter to the coordinators - but haven't heard back.

The Artist's Way

I am back on track, finally. Chapter 11 was filled with wonderful messages:

"Creativity is oxygen for our souls."

Creativity is its own reward.""Creativity requires action and part of that action must be physical."

"As artists we are spiritual sharks."

"I need to create what wants to be created."

"Creativity is not a business."

This chapter was inspiring and so positive. I love the idea of a creativity notebook and listing the wishes for 7 areas of our lives. I intend to do this, but connect it with the planning for 2012 (see below)

Lots of nurturing is encouraged for the week ahead and I intend to do that.

As for morning papers - that still is not consistent and is done at night, to unload thoughts and ideas so I can sleep! My artist date continues to be time to create.

It is hard to believe that we are almost done the book. This group of people who have shared the journey are so supportive. Be sure to check out Paula's blog for others of the group.

AEDM

Leah of Creative Every Day offered a Survival Guide for AEDM and it has been very helpful. It has given me prompts and ideas that I can continue to use after November is over.

I have done a bit of sketching and more photography this week. Here is a cat based on an Escher print:

My favourite model:






A sky I couldn't resist:








2012


Both Jamie Ridler and Glenda of "Myles Ahead" both have started the planning process for 2012. Check out both for some ideas and direction. 2012 is only a month away!

Shadow Shot Sunday

As I walked into the kitchen this morning, light was streaming in the window and making lovely lace shadows on the wall. Perfect shadows for the day! Within a few minutes they were gone, but now preserved here.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful shadows at Hey Harriet - that addictive meme created by Tracy.

Multitudes on Monday

Once again it is time to express gratitude for the many wonderful things that have happened this past week, even if they were only simple pleasures.

I am very grateful for:

51. medicine and doctors - that have helped me clear up an infection

52. family get-together - to celebrate a birthday

53. playing games, along with laughter and talk - if you haven't played Mexican Train (with dominoes), play it!

54. more lovely ATCs received in the mail

55. a delicious turnkey dinner

56. a caring dentist

57. a ride to a workshop today

58. homemade banana cranberry bread, fresh from the oven (just made tonight -the smell is heavenly!))

59. new shoes that relieve pain in my knees

60. Christmas lights already shining

Be sure to stop by "A Holy Experience " for more "Multitudes on Monday", with the list that never ends!

Wishcasting Wednesday

Today from Jamie Ridler, comes the question:

What is your greatest wish?

Each week Jamie poses a question that has us look deep into our hearts and minds. This week is no different.

As I thought about it, I realized that what has been on my mind a lot recently has been my upcoming birthday and what the years ahead will bring. Turning 50 was not difficult - I was getting remarried that year and had much to anticipate.

Turning 60 though is different. I had hoped to be retired and healthy. I am still teaching and probably will for another year or two at least. I have been battling health issues for awhile and am so tired.

So for my greatest wish - to enter my 60s with a positive outlook, with health, creativity, friendships and love, and a passion for living and making a difference.

From Diane Ackerman, comes a quote that resonates with me:
"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Multitudes on Mondays

"There are blessings in the moments - if we look"

This small quote sums what what showing gratitude is all about. It is looking at that those blessed moments in the day when we feel love, compassion, thankfulness.

This past week, I have been grateful for:

41. a very moving Remembrance Day service at school

42. the beautiful voice of Adele, whose music always stirs me

43. warm apple crisp, a comfort food when I am feeling achy or down

44. time to create art, especially through AEDM

45. talks with my daughter

46. friends who I can laugh and share things with

47. the secretary at school who always helps me

48. my sons who phone to just say hi and "I love you"

49. the first sighting of Christmas lights on our street - gorgeous!

50. my husband, who always takes care of me

Stop by "A Holy Experience" for more "Multitudes on Monday", with the list that never ends!

101 in 1001 Days

Friday November 11th saw the end of my 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

When I started the list back in Feb.2009, it was a challenge to just make the list, let alone think 2 + years into the future. But the time has past and I did accomplish many things on my list. Not all of them, but a lot. Did I think it worthwhile? Yes, very much so. It helped me set goals and although not all were met, I believe I accomplished more because there was a list.

This quote is quite true:

"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal.

The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." by Benjamin E. Mays

So today I have begun a new list of goals, some from my first list and many new ones. The next 1001 days will pass, whether I plan or not - so I want to reach for many new things - especially retirement! And fittingly enough, the 1001st day falls on my Mom's birthday in 2014!

(I will add my list to the side over the next week)

Check here for the original site of 101 in 1001, where you can help creating your own list.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This past week I have actually been able to create or work on some art each day.

(and have now found my header for my Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up - hopefully I will figure out how to add words to the above!)

AEDM

Leah of Creative Every Day is hosting Art Every Day this Month and I am following her survival guide. There have been interesting nuggets each day.

Here are a few pieces I did this week from her prompts:

Walk outside and observe the world around you:

I love the leaves at this time of year - loved the rough wood behind. Love photography as well.

Make bad art (it's getting me in the mood tho for the holidays!)

Just Do it:

I had seen this heron in an old, old copy of "Flat Tail" and I loved the lines.
(I love herons as well) So I attempted a sketch - on a day when I really didn't feel too creative.

Create Small:

I do this all the time with ATCs .

The Artist's Way

I am a week behind! I finally finished Chapter 9 for our group that is hosted by Paula.

I love the message in this chapter that enthusiasm and play are paramount. Yes we need to have discipline, but the joy must be there in the creating.

I enjoyed the task of describing and visualizing what my future life will be like.

"I am an artist and an art teacher, holding classes for children".

Yes, I can see it! And I am working on steps to get there.

When the task asked us to chose an artist totem I knew what it had to be:an art doll I created a few years ago for a Visual Arts teaching course I took.

She has many of the symbols I associate with myself. She now has a place of honour on my shelves.

This week I will forge ahead with Chapter 10.

Shadow Shot Sunday

After snow flurries and coolldd weather yesterday, it was a nice surprise to find a bright sunny morning today. A perfect day to track down shadows!

I experimented with some coloured glass and loved the effects (thanks to Sylvia for her inspiration!)






And I checked around the house for some other shadows.

Be sure to check out Hey Harriet (that addictive meme of Tracy's) for some awesome shadows!

Wishcasting Wednesday

Today Jamie Ridler gain poses a very intriguing, seemingly simple question:

Who do you wish to have tea with?

As I thought about it, I thought of people in the past who I might have liked to have tea with - people like Katherine Hepburn, Virginia Woolf, Mother Teresa, Corrie Ten Boom or Rachel Carson for example - To listen to their accumulated wisdom, to hear their stories.

But I realized that what I would like most is to reconcile the women in our family, to gather the sisters, daughters, cousins and aunts together; to share our hurts and feelings and wishes and needs; to expose the past and wash it away with pot after pot of tea; to cry and hug and feel each others' pain; to reconnect in love.

A Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Multitudes on Mondays

This is turning into a very special way to look at the week that was and to express gratitude for the many wonderful things that have happened, even if they were simple pleasures.

This week I was so thankful for:

31. time out with my husband

(portrait of us inspired by Picasso)

32. being able to finish my progress reports -on time!

33. laughter and kindness from my students

34. for beautiful flowers on my table - tonight I bought red carnations

(to represent kindness and flowers- again inspired by Picasso - one of my favourites by the great artist)

35. music to dance to, to get me moving and enjoying the exercise

36. hearing from my children

37. an excellent math workshop last week, which tho was very long, was also very informative

38. beautiful weather for so long into November

39. time for art several times

40. receiving so many lovely ATCs for my birthday to come - Thank you to all those wonderful artists!

Stop by "A Holy Experience" for more "Multitudes on Monday", with the list that never ends!

Sunday Weekly Wrap-up - AEDM, The Artist's Way

Just a quick post as I have a bit more work to finish report cards for tomorrow.

Time for Sunday Weekly Wrap -up - my look at the week that was.

AEDM

This month is "Art Every Day Month" - a challenge offered by Leah at Creative Every Day.

I am enjoying working through Leah's Survival Guide. She provides a prompt each day, to spark inspiration and motivation. It is also a chance to see more of her artwork.

Here are a few of the pieces I have created and a summary of what I've done:

Nov. 2: Watercolour Horse - inspired from a card from Saratoga

Nov. 3: Finished ATCs for a swap (theme was Stamps/Scrapbooking)

Nov. 4: Painted backgrounds for ATCs

Nov. 5: Photography (more skies! I posted a few photos for SSS in the previous post)

Nov. 6: Worked on my art room! - Leah talked about having your own creative space on Day 4 and I finally got inspired to do that.

The Artist's Way

Paula at "HappySnappy" hosts this exploration of "The Artist's Way".

I have read Chapter 9 but have not done much on the tasks . My artist's date has been my daily time for creating or working on my art space.

Morning papers - nil. I did re-read those I have done this round and the round before (a year ago). It is not surprising, I guess , that some of the same issues arise.

Now that reports will be out of the way I can devote more time to actually working through this chapter.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Once again, it is time to share shadows. With bright sunshine this morning, I was able to get a few shadows.

And of course, I had to get a few shots of our cat.

Be sure to check SSS at Hey Harriet! -that super fun meme created by Tracy.

AEDM -Day 1

Today brings Art Every Day Month with Leah of Creative Every Day. I have done the challenge twice before and look forward to doing the challenge again. The idea is to create art or something creative every day throughout November.

I am making the commitment to be creative every day, to give myself time each day to make art and enjoy the process, not matter what medium I use.

I hope to try some new things but also work on one project: quote cards.

I will continue creating ATCs - I have a number of swaps to work on.

I am working on finishing "The Artist's Way".

I want to sketch daily.

I will continue with photography and my challenges related to that.

I look forward to the creative community who participate in this challenge. I plan to share once a week, on Sundays.

Check out Matt Cutts TED video on 30 Days Challenges found at Paula's blog.