Motivating Quote

So stop asking whether or not anyone wants it or needs it, and simply do it because you were made to do it, because it makes you fully alive to do it, because you are working out what God has already worked in, because it matters.

Close the Door

Close the Door.
Write with no one looking over your shoulder.
Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you;
figure out what you have to say,
It's the one and only thing you have to offer.

Barbara Kingsolver

Making Art

Simply put,
Making art is chancy -
It doesn't mix well with predictability.

Uncertainty
Is the essential, inevitable and all-pervasive
Companion of your desire to make art.

Tolerance for uncertainty
is the pre-requisite to succeeding.

Claiming this Verse Today

And Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45

Good advice from Owen Davey

Holiday Cooking Practice

Those of you who know me well are going to crack up at this post - but I am an unashamed beaver and I will persist!

We are having lots of people & food & meals at our home around the holiday. That's the way we our home - full of people & food & celebrations. In preparation for this huge season I've started combing cookbooks and my new magazines to line up some new and exciting dishes.

I purchased a new cookbook entitled: Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook. Yep, it's written by our chick knit lit writer herself. Seems she also cooks & knits & writes. I knew I liked her! This book is a treasure to get your hands on. It's full of great recipes for all types of holiday fare as well as decorating ideas and food gift suggestions. My daughter and I have been pouring over the cookbook like a farmer creeps through the seed catalog.

I highly recommend the November 2011 edition of Taste of Home magazine. They have a turkey cooking idea (which includes a wet cheesecloth over the bird instead of covering with foil) and several other side dishes that have me drooling.

So in the spirit of all the people coming to my home, I'm making a list of recipes to try beforehand on my family & local friends so that we can see if they're a hit before the big day. Right now I"m baking a spiced pumpkin bundt cake (there's a hole in this cake!) with a cinnamon glaze frosting. Smells fantastic.

There will be a warm spinich & artichoke dip in our near future - as well as some coconut balls and pecan molasses cookies.

I'll let you know if there is a recipe that becomes a new holiday favorite...

New Stats

Today, in my work capacity as a high school guidance counselor, I came across the follow new statistics: 5.9 million young adults, ages 25-34, have moved back home to live with their parents due to financial reasons. Only 46% of people ages 16-24 have jobs Some sobering numbers for our young workers, college graduates and parents!