Working in my Labyrinth

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”…this day is also known as Shrove Tuesday. It marks a day (or more) of carnival…. of eating rich, fatty foods…..of parades and parties……before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season for reflection, soul searching, and repentance. It is the preparatory time for Easter.

So, it seems good to be working in my labyrinth…..it serves as a metaphor for getting ready to withdraw into the wilderness…….it reminds me that each of us is searching for God in our own way. And, as a labyrinth circles into the center….we too will circle into our own centers to find the safe still place where we can be…….be still….. be whole……be loved…..a place inside ourselves that we can remember who we are and that God loves us.   He loves you and he loves me.

Just as Jesus withdrew into the wilderness for 40 days…..May you be blessed with still quiet moments of reflection and of understanding during this Lenten season.

Random Acts of Culture - Handel's Messiah 10/30/2010

Frozen Waldorf Salad

This is wonderful recipe.  Enjoy.

1 cup heavy whipping cream - whipped
1 lb 4 oz can crushed pineapple
3 eggs lightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup diced celery
3 medium apples - diced
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Drain pineapple and reserve 3/4 cup of juice.

In saucepan, combine pineapple juice, eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and salt.  Cook over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat.

Add pineapple, celery, apples, and nuts.

Fold in whipped cream

Pour into tray and place in freezer.

(Will be good for up to 1 month)

Christmas Coffee Recipe

For my friends and family..............I finally found my famous Christmas Coffee recipe............hidden for the past 2 years...................never to be lost again..............please enjoy!

Christmas Coffee

2 cups hot chocolate mix
1 cup instant coffee
2 cups non dairy coffee creamer
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix.  Use about 2 Tablespoons per cup (according to taste)

Wow

Muscadine Grapes

Muscadine Grapes……I’ve seen them at the grocery store every year for as long as I can remember……seen them at country fairs and festival booths….. but never stopped to try one for myself. (Or so I thought) I always meant to, but didn’t…..didn’t really think about it……..but today, I purchased a box full from our local Kroger……took them home and washed them and took a little bite of the juicy, purple goodness……and I was suddenly transported back to my Granddad and Mema’s home in Johnson City, Tennessee. I was probably eight years old, give or take a year, playing in their yard…..past Mema’s beautiful rose garden…..past the driveway….past the lovely, tall magnolias…….down close to the fence…….what used to be an old set of monkey bars, transformed into a palace of green, twisting turning vines…..bursting full of muscadines. I couldn’t quite reach those luscious grapes, but Granddad would pull them down for me. As I held the leathery, purple skin of the grape tightly in my fingers and gave it a good squeeze, the delicious inside of the grape would pop into my mouth …and the tangy sweetness….well, it’s something I remember still today. It’s the taste of warm late summer afternoons and the taste of childhood imagination…… purple, sticky, grape sweetness.

Filled with Gratitude - No. 4 - A Nice Hot Cup of Tea

I am filled with gratitude each time I sit down with a nice hot cup of tea. The elegance of the worn china cup with its delicate blue flowers is a pleasant reminder to stop for a few minutes and just enjoy. The warmth, the flavor, the aroma....fills me with a renewed sense of peace..... and a reminder that there are so many good things in this life to enjoy.

Many Blessings today and always...........

Evolution of Dance

Filled with Gratitude - Number 3 - A New Box of Crayons

Crayons.......what can I say?


They make me smile.

Just opening a box of crayons takes me away..........

The scent....the colors....the anticipation.....

I am filled with gratitude for an inexpensive box of crayons

and a few sheets of paper.... that...

can create in me a new moment in which

time stops and art flows.

I am filled with gratitude for the memories I have of

coloring and drawing with my girls when they were little...

giggling as we colored........

I look forward to new memories and

new boxes of 64 colors with a sharpener in the back.

I look forward to losing time while making art.

What a simple pleasure.

What a blessing.

They remind me to be filled with gratitude.........



May your day be filled with gratitude.

Filled with Gratitude - No. 2 - yellow butterflies



I love yellow butterflies.....and I am filled with gratitude every time I see one fly by. They brighten my spirit and lighten my load. They are a silent and very beautiful affirmation that life is good. Like a nod from heaven, they testify to the wonders that are in front of me everyday......they signal me to slow down.....to pause and say "thank you".....to look for the good that is everywhere.

Filled with Gratitude...No.1......The Sun is Shining


Today, I am filled with gratitude that the sun is shining. The sky is a gorgeous shade of blue. The wind is light and while not quite warm....it has a nice feel to it. After days of gloomy skies and cold wind, today has the wondrous sensation of spring in it....making the grass seem a little greener and the beautiful daffodils a brighter hue of yellow.

Canon in D.....wow this will make you Smile!

Bright Side of the Road

A few months ago, I received a copy of the book Bright Side of the Road by Anne Marie Bennett. Anne Marie takes us on her spiritual journey through breast cancer….and we are blessed by being able to walk with her. We see her honesty and her bravery as she learns to deal with all the issues of having, treating, and surviving breast cancer. This is one incredible lady……...extremely honest and hopeful she guides us through the complex issues surrounding any life threatening disease. Issues ranging from fear and anger to faith and spirit and everything in between are brought to light.
Along with the story of her journey, she includes many extras in her book that are incredibly helpful to anyone who is traveling or accompanying someone on their own journey through cancer. I especially like the chapter on Touchtones for Body, Mind, and Spirit in which she lists many resources and suggestions such as “notice what you are grateful for”, “use affirmations daily”, and “seek things that will make you laugh”. She also lists some of her own affirmations and other resources such as books, movies, cds that have been helpful to her. There is also a chapter on do’s and don’ts for family, friends, and caregivers.
Bright Side of the Road is a great read……a plethora of information…..and a must have for anyone dealing with the issues of cancer.

Anne Marie Bennett’s website is www.annemariebennett.com. She is a writer, artist, and SoulCollage Facilitator. Please see her website for information on how to purchase your copy of Bright Side of the Road. Many Blessings.

Dr. Oz recommends Reiki

Reiki sessions are wonderful and relaxing. If you are interested in Reiki sessions with me.......... please contact me at amber.coffey@gmail.com.....all sessions are by appointment only. I also have Reiki infused art and jewelry for sale...and am now offering personalized healing art mandalas infused with Reiki. Please include the first name of the person that the mandala is for. Blessings.

Winter Feast for the Soul

Winter Feast for the Soul is a worldwide 40 day spiritual practice period for all people.......this year it starts on January 15.

(Please click on the poster to enlarge for easier reading.)

Let's practice peace.....for 40 minutes a day ......for 40 days.........

Centering Prayer

PTCUMC will be offering a class on Centering Prayer ....starting with a workshop on Saturday, February 27(from 9 to 3) and then following up with 6 group meetings on Mondays at 11:30.
Call PTCUMC at 770 487 6499 for more information.

Shelby's Senior Photos

 
 
 

They grow up way too fast.

Must Watch Video

Holidays...........and brown paper packages

In the rush of Fall and the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving…..time starts moving so fast, that all the things that I have in my heart to celebrate become a blur of activity. The retailers are aglow with ghosts and pumpkins and pilgrims and yes, even Santas and candy canes………..I would like to give each holiday its’ fair time….but I find that during this busy season, with all the different celebrations, that my celebration of Christmas can become a such a frantic whirlwind of activity …….and not enough of my time is spent in reveling in the awe and wonder that this season so rightly deserves. So………..I have decided to stop for a few moments (and yes I know that it is October) to think on things that should be pondered more often….way more often during the year…….so I’m starting my heartfelt Christmas journaling early this year…so early in fact, that my blog entries will seem to flit from here to there………….and rightly so….my brain does this on a regular basis….:D


“Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things……….”

The excitement that wrapped gifts bring……the thrill and the anticipation of an unopened gift….. What a wonderful way to illustrate the miracle that Christmas brings to each of us.

The birth of our Savior…..The Gift to all people…….
The wonder of this newborn baby…….quietly sleeping, wrapped gently in warm blankets, in a manger filled with golden hay. His presence is radiant….the stars glow from the heavens and light the way for all to see him……splendid as he is……His parents are so pure of heart and so full of faith….that they were chosen to receive this precious gift……the thrill and the anticipation….what wonders are about to be revealed?…..what wonders will come? This is the greatest of all gifts ever given. This is the gift of true love.

We are so right to feel the excitement and the mystery…. the anticipation and the thrill of that oh most holy of nights. When, angels filled the air with songs; and kings and shepherds joined together to worship the birth of one most precious baby. When past and future joined together in one magnificent moment and the earth stood still with awe and wonder.

Remember what we celebrate this season. The gifts are just symbols. Symbols of things new, symbols of love, symbols of hope……………..But, what we need to remember is what we celebrate is real…….It was real then. It is real now. It will always be real. He is our gift and hope. He is our love and life. He is eternal and his love is everlasting. He is our light home.

Six Word Saturday

I have 2 sentences for this week........

Creativity is a gift from God.

and

God gives this gift to everyone.

Have a blessed weekend!

A Little Art for Today

 
 
 

All Souls' Day ..... Day of the Dead ..... Art Exchange

 
 
 
 

Here are my art pieces for the Mother Henna "Day of the Dead" Art Exchange. I thought I would put up some pictures of my process of creating. I drew the picture, then transferred it to a stamp block and cut it out. I stamped, inked, swirled colors, layered inks for the overall texture. The inside of the eyes are hand drawn with glitter pens and glitter pens and spider writers were used to continue to layer on top. The bones and face of the skeleton have a shiny gloss coating and I have used silver and clear glitter pens to accent different areas of the hood and cloak. I inked the edges of the paper and the edges of some orange cardstock and layered the art onto the orange cardstock and ta-dah...........

The cards are packed in clear envelopes ready to be mailed to Kara. I can't wait to see all the other "Day of the Dead" Art. Be sure to go to her blog http://www.motherhenna.blogspot.com to check out the progress on the "Day of the Dead" celebrations.

Six Word Saturday

My 6 words for Six Word Saturday..............are:

Running water is a beautiful thing.

Wishcasting Wednesday - What Luxury Do You Wish For?

Jamie Ridler's prompt in this past weeks Wishcasting Wednesday....asks....."What Luxury do you wish for?" hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...good prompt...............

I wish for a small house on the beach.............that I can go to anytime, from anywhere................ with friends and family, or completely alone.........filled with art supplies, good books, and great food..................no clocks, no phones, no tv..............and so it is..................

Mother Henna: NEW Collaboration & Fest: Day of the Dead

Mother Henna: NEW Collaboration & Fest: Day of the Dead

Inspire Me Thursday - Chairs as Art

My mixed media painting from the "IMT" prompt "Chairs as Art".

Changes.....................

Richard Gere’s character in Shall We Dance says the following to his wife after she finds out that he has been taking dance lessons without her knowledge.

“The one thing I am proudest of in my whole life is that you're happy with me. If I couldn't, if I couldn't tell you that I was unhappy sometimes, is because I didn't want to risk hurting the one person I treasure most. I'm so sorry.”

We all change and grow and learn and love. Many times even the different parts of ourselves change and grow and learn and love at different paces. It doesn’t mean that we are unhappy with our life. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love our family. It just means that we are living….we grow…….we change…..we need different things…..it doesn’t mean that we want everything to change….but it can mean that a change is needed…….whether it is dance lessons, traveling to new places, learning organic gardening…………To live is to grow……to grow is to change……..if we don’t change and grow……… we die.

In Sue Monk Kidd’s new book Traveling with Pomegranates, Sue and her daughter, Ann; engage us in the “passing of the baton” of womanhood from mother to daughter. As I sat on the beach this past weekend and immersed myself into their story, it wasn’t hard to see the similarities in our lives……it felt as if the words were written just for me……me…pushing 50……,,.me…….starting to create my own new world (while keeping many parts of it the same)……no longer the mom of small children……..no longer creating new life within myself…….learning that creating is life…..whether it be creating a baby, a poem, a work of art, a great dinner, a loving home…………..me,, with beautiful, articulate daughters that are each finding their own unique voice and style..….......becoming…..becoming who they are…….…who God made them to be………….ready…ready to take the world by storm………..ready to create…..new lives, new loves, new spirit…………and in the midst of all this change…..recognition of the miraculous voice of the divine in each of the changes.

And still…..there is the ever so subtle feeling of loss……loss of youth….loss of “mommy hood”, loss of skin without wrinkles………And in my determination to work through the feelings of loss… a new sense of power at my own becoming……becoming someone who isn’t so involved in looks and things…..someone who is a good teacher and healer……..someone who is able to take the world in her arms…….someone who can see children (of all ages) from all over the world as her own children….someone who is growing into a wiser old woman…..a more laid back woman…..a much more spiritual woman……I am on my way to becoming the woman I am to be for this second half of my life…………….and I’m liking her….especially her strength and her compassion.

And I am able to watch my girls, as they begin the newness of their own lives….being out on their own for the first time…..learning to love……..…..learning how to hold on to who they really are while learning about relationships……..finding their own way through life…………..learning about change………….. I get to watch all of this with much love and with a heart bursting with pride at the women that they are becoming.

What wonderful journeys we all are on.

Lists

Sometimes when I'm feeling out of touch with myself, I will have an overwhelming sense of urgency to write....and to get things cleared out of my head......
but I can't always figure out where to start. That's when I will make lists.....lists of likes........lists of dislikes...........lists of favorites......lists of books..........lists of whatever. This always helps. I get words onto paper (or blog) and I feel better. It's definitely not Shakespeare, but it is cathartic.

10 Favorite Books

1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2. A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
3. Anna Woman of Miracles by Haenni and Van Vick
4. Inspiration by Dr. Wayne Dyer
5. The Language of Letting Go by Melodie Beattie
6. Poem Crazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge
7. Living Juicy by SARK
8. The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a bodyguard) by Jill Badonsky
9. What We Ache For by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
10. The Jesus Dynasty by James D Tabor

So there they are....10 out of my zillions of favorite books....in no particular order. I do love to read.....and I'm feeling better already.
Blessings

Wise words

The thought for the day………….I ask that you to take into consideration these words……

“Acting Simply” by Lao-Tzu

True leaders
Are hardly known to their followers.
Next after them are the leaders
The people know and admire;
After them, those they fear;
After them, those they despise.

To give no trust
Is to get no trust.

When the work’s done right,
With no fuss or boasting,
Ordinary people say,
“Oh, we did it.”

A portion of the definition of the word “trust” in my handy old (the last president listed is Nixon) Webster’s dictionary is “1. Firm belief in the honesty, reliability, etc. of some person or thing; faith. 2. The one trusted. 3. Confident expectation, hope, etc.: as, have trust in the future. 4. The fact of having confidence placed in one. 5. Care; custody. 6. Something entrusted to a person: charge, duty, future ability to pay for goods, etc; credit…..and on…….”
The definition of the word “faith” is “1. Unquestioning belief. 2. Unquestioning belief in God, religion, etc. 3. A particular religion. 4. Anything believed. 5. Complete trust or confidence. 6. Loyalty…….etc.”

We need both trust and faith……….and prayer…..Pray…pray with loving hearts for a loving peaceful world.

Savannah

I recently spent a few lovely days discovering Savannah with my daughter (who just moved there). I have passed through Savannah, but had never really stopped to soak in all the history and beauty......It is absolutely gorgeous there....and Ashley's new apartment is just awesome...built in the 1800's and has gorgeous fireplaces and woodwork.......such a fun place to live..........

Sage Seven Visions Project

A call to all artists, peacekeepers, light bearers, peaceful spirits....

Please visit my new blog: www.sagesevenvisions.blogspot.com.
In starting The Sage Seven Visions Project, it is my hope to heal the world one beautiful piece of art at a time. I envision submitting heart inspiring and thought provoking prompts using quotations, heart thoughts (mine and others), and words to create a safe place to share our dreams of universal peace and love for all.

Once a week, I will post a theme to think on and create with. You can create art, poetry, photos, digital art.....whatever way you choose to interpret the theme is wonderful. I would love for everyone to share their work.

I am providing plenty of open space for this project to stretch and dream and grow. The SSV Project needs you, your open, loving, creative soul,and your wonderful, healing thoughts and ideas to blossom. Let's grow this together.

Please visit www.sagesevenvisions.blogspot.com for more info.....and again on Monday morning, July 20th, 2009 for our first prompt.

Blessings!

Another wonderful artist blog to visit

http://studiomme.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-post.html

I just found this wonderful blog and artist today. Please visit her giveaway. Her art is amazing.

Also...I have been having such fun visiting so many new (to me) blogs. One such blog is Thursday Sweet Treat......it has a challenge to play with posted every Friday for art to be submitted by the next Thursday. Fun....and happy......

Spirit Jump

 

New Art

 
 
 

I've been busy for the past few weeks working on some new paintings.

Some are mixed media on wood.... some are mixed media on canvas...some are mixed media on paper....as soon as I get the prints made, these (and others) will be listed on my etsy site....

A Wonderful GiveAway

A wonderful giveaway from Judith B Designs............go have a look...it's beautiful. (click on title)

Wishcasting Wednesday

Wishcasting Wednesday....July 15's prompt is
What do you wish to invite in?

My answer is..........
I wish to invite in the sacredness of being truly
in every moment of my life. This is my wish.

Blessings to each of you and may all of your
wishes come true.

Attitude is Everything

 

I've just spent 5 days...... in Atlanta, Georgia ....in the summer..... at my home..... without air conditioning. Realizing, of course, what a baby I am about the need for temperature control. There was nothing that we could do to save our 14 year old system.....we had to have her pulled out and hauled away. The new system took all day to install, and by the time the guys were finished and the sweet cool, air started coming up through the vents, it was all I could do not to kiss those guys on the lips...... Working Air Conditioning........who would have thought that these 3 words would be so pleasant to hear.....like a melody, really.

Come...Make a Difference....World Gratitude

 

please cut and paste:
www.worldgratitude.com
into your browser to go to their site.

Pen Making

 
 
 
 

Going from square chunks of wood to beautiful pens......fun to do.........once everything is glued up (first 2 pics).......then I get to turn the pens (no pic).....it's amazing how beautiful the patterns in the different woods can be. The close up picture is a pen made from olive wood from the Holy Land.

I will be putting some in my etsy store......
if I have any left at the end of the day........these pens are flying away as fast as I can make them.

Photo Friday - Weekend

This is my entry for Photo Friday's prompt
"Weekend". It is a path to discover time for
fun, a path to discover new things, a well worn
path to wherever you would have the weekend
take you. Have a great weekend!

Inspire Me Thursday - Swirl

This is my entry for the Inspire Me Thursday
prompt - Swirl - it is a mixed media painting that
I did last year.......she is swirling, the colors and flowers
and circles swirl around her.
She is caught up in a swirl.................
A happy swirl...........