Celebrate with me

Celebrate with Me

Hello!
Welcome to my November/December Newsletter ⛄️ 

Happening now.
Stepped into an opportunity and participated in the Imperial Art Alliance 2022 Juried Fall Art Show. Saw some great art and made some new artist friends. We had cold and rainy weather outside but the creative and supportive conversations inside made for a beautiful afternoon. 'Celebrate With Me' earned best of show and now I'm just floating on clouds! What a great way to kick off the holidays. Thanks to show judge Fahmi Khan for the valuable critique and for telling me, "Don't hesitate to put your mark on the world...you're worth it!" The whole experience felt like such a huge nod from the universe; confirmation that, yes, I'm on the right path. 

Inspiring me.
I have been learning so much about forgiveness. Being brought up in a family that attended church on the regular, I am familiar with a concept of forgiveness that holds its own line in The Lord's Prayer, "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

I understood that the first part, forgive us, was the most important part of the whole prayer. If you didn't - Do not pass go. Do not collect $100. You were on your way to the bad place. So, I prayed and it was magically done. I heard the 'forgive others' as a secondary part. It wasn't quite as important as the first, but ok. So, I prayed and it was also magically done. But...when I prayed to forgive others, I never felt different. I thought I was not spiritual enough because everyone else seemed to have it down. Time would soften the memory for me a little and maybe that's all it was supposed to be like. 

It has been revelatory to look at the painful stories from my past (or present) with humility and honesty and realize that the bulk of my resentment and all the other stomach-churning feelings that still remained stem from the harm that I actually caused to myself! Yup. I had trespassed against myself. Knowing that it's time to forgive myself keeps me in a head-space of forgiving others too. It's not magical, it's not just forgetting what happened, and it takes work, but it feels like freedom to me! Feels like true forgiveness. 

Disclaimer: No one's situation is exactly like mine and no one's journey to/thru forgiveness is exactly like mine. I wish you the best on your own search. For some additional thoughts on forgiveness by one of my favorite writers and podcasters, have a listen to "Everyday Forgiveness" by Kelly Corrigan Wonders Podcast. It's 8 minutes of awesomeness. 

Nourishing me.
You guys. I had such a beautiful Sunday during the Winter Magic Day at Braving Star Farms by Daring Discoveries. LeeAnn managed to gift us with a tea service, Qi Gong, Soulcollage, walking the labyrinth, and a gourmet lunch (thanks Jake!) from their sweet potato harvest. Lots of deep breathing and purposeful thinking about this season we’re entering. I don’t know how she managed to gently facilitate so much in one morning and afternoon without any vibe of rushing at all. Such a restorative and significant day for me that I will be thinking about for a long time. 🤍❄️🤍🫖🤍

Also, OMGEEEE! Fell in love with the The Herd: Dragon, Francis, & Donkey. The Ducks: Darla & Dolores. The hens: Betty Jane, Ruby, & Mozzelle. The Luna Art Barn cats: Leche & Gingy. 

Don’t miss out! Go to her website for more events at Braving Star Farms if you're local or can travel. She also has online events as well!

Keeping them fed.
Ok. So I would prefer to be in my studio painting over most things. But my people have got to eat. We had a low key Thanksgiving this year. Yay! I only made easy sides that I have made before. No surprises this year, thank you very much. Wanted to share my recipe for Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad. I always make a bunch because it's one of my favorite day-after, less-artery-clogging options. I modify it to make it easier and eliminate all the chopping by using canned (drained) pineapple and mandarin oranges, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds. 



Well...that's it. This one has been longer than usual. I guess I had a lot to say! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.