SO... WHAT? YOU THOUGHT YOU GOT RID OF ME?

     I have been so busy getting my art studio ready for something that is in the works right now.  More details when I have a definite date for you.  But, let me show you what I was working on and some of the art in the the works right now....

     Focal point of the studio.

     My OCDiva is prancing proudly holding a paintbrush ready for the next project!

Just a little showcase of my Catwoman collection

     Let's face it, I am a non-conformist when it comes to art.  So, even my labels have to be exciting.  I chose to then add a word here and there to at least make the labels meaningful like "laugh" ribbon.   To me when I hear a laugh, it brings joy.  Much like a ribbon is to a gift package or a little girl's hair.  Hmmm?

     My own showcase of what nature feels like when I gaze at this collection.  My dream house in a vineyard, flowers surrounding me, my children, animals, and my favorite childhood pet duck, Cleopakwak (R.I.P).

Miss Queen Bee, ruler of My Happy Cocoon! 

     (Bees representing ideas buzzing around in her head!)

In the works.  Ms. Leoparda Thunderbolt!

Till my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!!

PART 5 AND 6 - LASTING LOVE

    PART 5 Continue communication.  Men and women are different, psychologically and emotionally opposites.  The fact that opposites attract is God’s joke, because what attracts us before marriage, drives us nuts after marriage.  The grace of God will allow you to communicate your differences.    That’s the reason God put us together.

Embracing our differences keeps the relationship from getting stale.  How boring would it be if you and your spouse do things exactly the same.  Yes, it is sometimes a boon to a mate who thinks and does things the same way you would but let's face it, differences add the spice of life.  God has created each of us unique individuals and He threw in free will which if we mull about it more, we could come to the conclusion that does make the proverbial "world" go round.

   PART 6-Refresh Romance.  Keep the love light burning.  When we say "living together", what we really mean in today’s society is that we’re sharing the same bed.  That is the idea that we are together physically, we are dwelling together, living together, speaking of sexual mutuality, the physical side of marriage.  Express that love physically, but all through life keep the romance going.  Always touch and hug,  Keep it there.  Keep that courtship going, never cease flirting with your wife or husband and never flirt with another man or another woman.  There is only one darling, or honey.  Keep her/him number one.  Give honor.  Be a gentleman.  Show her courtesy, and compliment one another constantly. 

Making time for each other doesn't just mean dinners, vacations, etc.  Even at home, you can do things together like cook, watch football games, play cards, or just talk.  Never lose your sense of humor with each other.  For me keeping the humor is very important.  Making light of everyday events and not taking oneself so seriously really paves the way to a comfortable and stress-free relationship.  Be each other's best friend.

Often the wife is the one who initiates a deep conversation.  The husband should at times oblige her with some thoughtful musings even if it could be unsettling and foreign.  Consequently, at times the wife should just sit and listen to her husband or in the same token, be quiet, when he is lost in his thoughts.  The result could be very fulfilling in the form of mutual respect.  However, in the event both are fragile, the stronger one at the moment must let the other go first.

Till the next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

SWEET SWEET RETRO CANDY JAR MADE OF PAPER CLAY

Hey-LO!  This paper clay candy jar was masterminded by moi jeez I guess a year or two ago, just sat sadly plainly on my shelf all this time.  I knew I wanted to do something cute but had no clue until the other day while watching my 49ers win again.  I hope it inspires you to do something so random but utilitarian at the same time, cute!

It started with a plastic container from the store, you know the kind the peanut brittle or cookies come in from Costco.  I actually had to handcraft a lid for it using a styrofoam ball for a handle (check out the Youtube video click here http://youtu.be/n1Gm207-rtA)  Then I let it dry for 2 years, LOL!!! I crack myself up!

Then I drew some random drawing after applying a coat of gesso and began painting away.  I chose the retro style colors and whimsy because it's fun!

Until my next rant/project... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

THE VINEYARD - FINALLY!!! (Again, I digress)

I don't know what I was thinking when I started this painting/texture art in 2009 (LOL!).  There is so much detail in this artwork that I would practically get burned out doing it, stop for months, come back to it, get burned again, and so on.

Finally, today it is finished.  This will stay in my studio forever!  I will create a workshop to teach the technique to create this.  POSSIBLY encase it in resin to give that further shock value. :)

So sharing with you the result of my blood, sweat and tears.  Here is the finished VINEYARD. 

Till my next rant....LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!

PART 4 - LASTING LOVE - BANISH BITTERNESS

     
Don’t be bitter.  Be the better half not be the bitter half.  Learn that there are no problems too big to solve, just people too small to solve them if we just stop bitterness and attack the problem rather than one another.  For example, it may be an insignificant small thing like a splinter.  If you don’t bother to remove it right away, three days later you wake up with a throbbing pain, it's infected.  Those little things that bring infection into your life.  Banish bitterness.  Don’t go to bed back to back, angry, don’t let the sun go down upon your wrath.  Don’t be getting back at each another.

The key is understanding.  No one is perfect, not even you.  It's difficult enough to live with yourself, let alone another person for the rest of you life.  I once asked an old married couple what their secret was.  The husband said the wife was always right even if she's wrong.  The wife said overlook the little things the husband does.  Pick your battles.  When you are really angry, let some steam off, then let it go.  Pray and ask God to help you choose your words when you finally talk about it later.  This won't be easy, because of our innate need to always be right.  But, what's the alternative?  What are the advantages?  You decide.

Contrary to popular belief, the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.  The grass is greener where you water it.

Till my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

PART 3 - LASTING LOVE

                Cultivate contentment.  "Abraham in the Bible is very wealthy, just like there are lots of wealthy people who are Godly.  Abraham and his wife, Sarah, did not put their wealth first, they were willing to leave the comfort of their house, their friends, etc. to live in a tent to do whatever God wanted them to do. 

If you want to have a happy marriage, you have to learn to live only with God and each other and just the basic necessities of life like food and clothing.  That’s all you need in order to keep you happy.  Learn contentment.  The bible says in Phillip 4:11,  Whatever state we're in, we are to be content.  The wise man once said to whom little is not enough, nothing is enough."

I have read as well as heard stories of marriages falling apart once the wealth dissipates.  It is better to go through life with someone by your side when tragic situations hit, at the very least you have each other.  They say two heads are better than one.  A solid marriage that is regarded as an unbreakable covenant will survive any tragic situation life presents to them.  When two people are each other's rocks, they sit strong through any turmoil.  It is admirable to realize that such unions exist all around us and we all strive to attain it for ourselves.  It takes two like (sometimes unlike) minds and hearts to mesh together to create such a bond, but when it happens, it is magical.  Marriage is 90% work and 10% love, in the beginning.  However, I believe that the longer the marriage lasts, the scales start to tip the other way, and at the end, love prevails victoriously. 

There are some people who get married for the wrong reasons, or for reasons they thought was a good and then later throw the marriage out when reality bites.  No matter how you slice it, the end result is the same.  Better to make certain before you take the plunge if the person you are planning to marry is the one you want to be with forever, because forever is a mighty long time.

Until the next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!

Oh boy!  I was craving for some sweet and tangy treat today, but knowing how much I dread the indecision and the fact that there's nothing about driving to the store just to give into the craving sounded enticing to me.  I thought about the sweet cherries that I had frozen from last April at the Oakley cherry orchards

and decided to make these fabuloso cherry chocolate chip cookies!!!  Look at the delectable treat below!  I'm misting you... you can do this!  Enjoy!

1 c. dried cherries

1/3 c. hot water

6 tbsp. shortening

6 tbsp. butter, softened

1 ½ c packed brown sugar

½ c. sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp. grated orange peel

1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. quick cooking oats

¾ tsp. baking soda

¾ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

1 c. semisweet chocolate chip cookies

In a small bowl, soak cherries in the 1/3 c. hot water for 10 min.

(I didn't have to soak mine because I packed the pitted cherries in individual bags so they were still juicy.  The container above was the juice I strained from it.  So I incorporated that into the batter instead of the water from the recipe.  I prefer this way because I had the thawed fresh cherries.  I did chop these after I popped them in the oven to dry them out a little bit more.)

In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs, orange peel and vanilla. 

Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add cremed mixture and mix well.  Stir in the chocolate chips and cherries with liquid.

Drop by rounded tsp. 2 in apart onto baking sheets. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes until edges are browned.  Cool for 1 min. before removing from pan. 

Makes 3 ½ dozen

1 cookie = 143 cals -- OMGosh so yummy!  Try not to eat more than one, but if you do, exercise!!! Till my next rant/recipe, LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!