I was raised as a Catholic; 12 years of parochial school, church every Sunday, no meat on Fridays, gave up candy for Lent, confessed my sins, feared going to hell . . . I am now an ex-Catholic, but I  believe my  upbringing in the Catholic church taught me a lot, and for that I am grateful.   Although I no longer accept many of the church’s doctrines, I still believe in God (albeit in a different image than the God of my childhood), and  trust that my guardian angel and other guardian spirits are watching over me.

Ever felt an angel’s breath in the gentle
breeze?  A teardrop in the falling rain?
Hear a whisper amongst the rustling
of leaves?  Or been kissed by a lone
snowflake?  Nature’s an angel’s
favorite hiding place.
~Carrie Letet~

In my early education we studied the archangels and the ones I remember are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.  I know there are more,  but their names escape me now, as does much of what I learned in Catholic school. I am presently taking an e-course called “Michael’s Seven Golden Steps” taught by Mary Soliel.  Much of the material in the course are messages channelled  from the Archangel Michael.  One of  seven lessons is delivered to my inbox every Monday morning and I look forward each week to the quiet time when I sit down to read it.   I must admit  there are times when I have to suspend my disbelief and just keep reading, because there are a few things I have a hard time accepting fully; however, I always come away with a heart wide open, feeling boundless love going both ways – in and out!  I also feel closer to my guardian angel who has consistently been with me on my journey, but who I too often neglect.  I have the nuns and priests of St. John Nepomuk school to thank for my ongoing relationship with, and trust in, my guardian angel.  My friend Susan told me about Mary’s course and at first I wasn’t sure  it was for me.  However, when I read that the course would, among other things, “help me lead from my heart rather than my brain, dispel negative thinking, embrace rather than fight change and allow the miraculous help being offered by our angels and the Universe to grace our blessed life”, I realized I had nothing to lose and much to gain.  So with that information, and the fact that I trust Susan beyond measure, I signed up for the course, and  I’m here to tell you it’s worth so  much more than the $55 it costs.  If you are interested you can find out more about  the course at http://marysoliel.com/ecourse_287.html.

If you can’t hear your angels, try
quelling the static of worry.
~Terri Guillemets~

If trouble hearing Angels song with
thine ears, try listening with thy heart.
~Terri Guillemets~ 

FURRY ANGELS

We are all kissed by angels but some
of us never think to pucker.
~Terri Guillement~

Don’t forget to pucker up and ask your angels for help when you need it!

We think that accomplishing things will
complete us, when it’s experiencing
life that will.
~Mark Nepo~

When I read these wise words of Mark Nepo’s this morning I wanted to share them with you because in some way I thought it was a continuation of yesterday’s post.  How many of you make lists of the things you want to accomplish each day?  While accomplishments certainly are important to our well-being, I think placing a little more emphasis on the experiences we have each day might enable us to live our lives more fully and with added joy.   Maybe it would be useful to reflect, at day’s end, on how many times we’ve lost ourselves in our experiences, and were totally and vitally present to what we were doing, because isn’t it in those times of losing ourselves that we find ourselves?

Clutter and mess show us that life is being lived. . .
Tidiness makes me think of held breath, of
suspended  animation. . . Perfectionism is
a mean, frozen form of idealism, while
messes are the artists’s true friend.
What people somehow forgot to mention
when we were children was that we need
to make messes in order to find out who
we are and why we are here.
~Anne Lamott~ 

Now you know why I love Anne Lamott.  Reading these words of wisdom earlier this morning has given me a new way to look at the messes surrounding my work spaces.  I am, more often than not, stressed out when I look at the papers and stuff that accumulates in my work areas.  The clean-up and organization of these surfaces is always  on my “to-do” list, and one of the things that doesn’t get crossed off all that often by the end of the day.  I have always looked at this as something I need to fix – “I should be more organized.”  However, now I see that these messes are an important part of creativity, and I find that very freeing!!   

Bella and Hannah tend to be on the messy side as well.   At the start of the evening our living floor is clutter free, but by the time we’re heading upstairs to bed it looks like this (okay, the knitting is mine), stuffed toys, balls and bones everywhere.  I never get stressed out about their messes, only look on them with a smile, knowing they had a good time playing, which is the way I will look at my messes from now on.  Thank you Anne.

If enough time passes, everything comes back in style.  If you taught or went to fitness classes in the 80′s (and you’re a woman) you most likely wore leg warmers at some time during those years.  I had no idea leg warmers were back in style this season until I was standing in line at DSW Shoes with my friend Betty who was buying a fabulous pair of boots.  I noticed a rack filled with leg warmers and went over to have a closer look.   It was early December and I was getting ready for our trip to Sante Fe and had planned to take my comfortable red walking boots to wear with my warm leggings for those days we were exploring the city on foot.  I knew the clunky boots at the end of my skinny calves was a look that would  end up in the “fashion don’t” column, but comfort trumps fashion these days. Leg warmers were the genius fix for this fashion problem, so I bought a pair.  The first day I wore them while we were browsing in the shops around the Plaza in Sante Fe, a number of women stopped me to find out where I bought them, and while chatting with one of them, I got the idea to knit a pair.  Eureka –  they are a perfect project for the times you want simplicity!  So if you are a knitter (beginner or seasoned), and  want an easy, no-brainer project, leg warmers are for you.  They knit up fast and are great for the times you want Zen knitting, as they take little thought.  And, as it turns out, they  are more than just fashionable, they keep your legs warm on a cold winter’s day!   Check out the free patterns on the Internet, and have fun.

Great for yoga!

]]> http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/then-and-now/feed/ 2 suellen1234 SCAN0429 DSC06701 SCAN0430 DSC06704 http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/adding-to-the-beauty-of-the-world/ http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/adding-to-the-beauty-of-the-world/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:01:32 +0000 suellen1234 http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/?p=3941 Continue reading →]]>

All who are creative, in whatever way,
are doing something very important
to the well being of the world.
~Sandra Chantry~ 

We should not forget to enjoy the
experience of daily creativity,
whatever that may entail.
~Diane Carter~

The field of creativity that exists
within each individual is freed
by moving out of ideas of
wrong-doing and right-doing.
~Angeles Arrien~ 

What will you do today to add to the well-being of the world?  Embrace your creativity!

What force is more potent than love.

~Igor Stravinsky~

Love is a force more formidable than
any other.  It is invisible – it cannot be
seen or measured, yet is powerful
enough to transform you in a
moment, and offer you more
joy than any material
possession could.

~Barbara de Angelis~ 

Love is that splendid triggering of
human vitality, the supreme activity
which nature affords anyone for going
out of himself  toward someone else.

~Jose Ortega y Gasset~ 

Give love and unconditional
acceptance to those you
encounter, and notice
what happens.

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer~

 Love to you all.  Have a beautiful day.

I came across the recipe for this granola at Food52, a blog I recently subscribed to, and then later, the same day, I saw it again at Orangette, a blog I’ve followed for quite some time.  The granola got rave reviews in both blogs, so, of course, I had to try it.  The recipe is Nekisia Davis’ Olive Oil and Maple Granola and is sold as Early Bird Food’s Farmhand’s Choice Granola.  Unfortunately, stores where this tasty cereal is available are limited, but fortunately Nekisia was kind enough to give out her recipe.

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw hulled pumpkin seeds
1 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut chips
1 1/4 cup raw pecans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
3/4 cup maple syrup, preferably Grade B
1/2 cup olive oil
Dried cherries, optional

Preheat oven to 300 F.  Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In large bowl, combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut chips, pecans, light brown sugar, and salt.  Stir to mix.  Add the olive oil and maple syrup, and stir until well combined.  Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake stirring every 15 minutes, until granola is golden brown and toasted, about 45 minutes.  Remove granola from the oven and season with more salt to taste.  Cool completely on wire rack.  If you like, stir in some dried cherries.  Store in an airtight container.

Notes:  I used dark brown sugar and reduced the amount to 1/4 cup.   I baked the granola on 2 lined baking sheets, rotating shelves when stirring, to help even the browning and toasting.  I couldn’t find coconut chips at my local markets, so I used unsweetened coconut flakes, which worked just fine. I used Grade A maple syrup because that is what I had on hand. Next time I make it I will use Grade B syrup, which has apparently has a more robust flavor.  I added the cherries which I thought were a great additon.

]]> http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/delicious-crunch/feed/ 5 suellen1234 DSC06684 DSC06657 DSC06659 DSC06695 http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/the-shore-of-a-promise/ http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/the-shore-of-a-promise/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:07:30 +0000 suellen1234 http://artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com/?p=3898 Continue reading →]]> BREAKING SURFACE
~Mark Nepo~

Let no one keep you from your journey,
no rabbi or priest, no mother
who wants you to dig for treasures
she misplaced, no father
who won’t let one life be enough,
no lover who measures their worth
by what you might give up,
no voice that tells you in the night
it can’t be done.

Let nothing dissuade you
from seeing what you see
or feeling the winds that make you
want to dance alone
or go where no one
has yet to go.

You are the only explorer.
Your heart, the unreadable compass.
Your soul, the shore of a promise
too great to be ignored. 

I am sharing this beautiful poem with you today because of the internet and a wee bit of synchronicity.  While reading another blog last week  I came across this poem by an author I hadn’t thought about in a very long time.  Mark Nepo is a philosopher, poet and author who I discovered many years ago while browsing through Banyen Books, a wonderful bookstore in Vancouver.  I was drawn to one of his books, The Exquisite Risk:  Daring to Live an Authentic Life.  It’s a fabulous book, which I was happy to find  I still own, as I’ve down-sized my book collection over the years in our many moves.  I’m finding it as meaningful and inspiring the second time around.  Now that Mark is back in my life, I’m running into him everywhere!  I opened my inbox the other morning to find an interview with him by Tami Simon from Sounds True, which I highly recommend listening to.  If you’re interested go to the Sounds True, Insites at the Edge website, and sign up for their free podcasts.  I also found an Oprah interview with Mark.  Apparently his book, The Book of Awakening was one of her favorite things for her last season on the air, and it is now on my to-buy-book-list.  To me this is synchronicity at work.  Once we open  to receive guidance, we find it all around us.  As Buddha said, when the student is ready the teacher will appear. 

HALLELUIAH
~Mary Oliver~

Everyone should be born into this happy world
and loving everything.
But in truth it rarely works that way.
For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it.
Halleluiah, anyway I’m not where I started!

And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes
almost forgetting how wondrous the world is
and how miraculously kind some people can be?
And have you decided that probably
nothing important
is every easy?
Not say, for the first sixty years?

Halleluiah, I’m sixty now, and even a little more,
and some days I feel I have wings. 

It never ceases to amaze me how I find messages that resonate with me at exactly the right time!   Now that I too am on the other side of sixty, I am beginning to see certain truths so much more clearly, truths that I wasn’t ready to fully comprehend before.  Yes, and on some days, I too feel like I have wings!

I find baking therapeutic and comforting, and so yesterday I decided that baking cookies would be good medicine.  That nasty cold that’s had me down for 10 days, morphed into a sinus infection and sent me to my doctor’s office on Monday morning.  With two days of antibiotics under my belt, I am happy to report I’m starting to feel the energy running more smoothly through my meridians once again.

I decided on biscotti because it had been quite some time since I made them and they have less butter than the other cookies in my repertoire, so therefore a wee bit healthier.  Since I’m not a believer in greatly reducing the fat in cookies and other desserts, this is a great alternative.  I believe in eating less and really savouring the food I’m eating, rather than putting something in my body  that doesn’t taste delicious.

 So if you’re in the need of  baking therapy, and have a craving for chocolate, this recipe may be just the thing!

Double Chocolate Expresso Pecan Biscotti

2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons instant expresso powder
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.

In a bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  In a bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until combined well.  Add vanilla and expresso powder, beat until combined.  Stir in flour mixture to form a stiff dough.  Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.

On prepared baking sheets with floured hands form dough into two slightly flattened logs, about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide, and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.  Bake logs 35 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.  Cool biscotti on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

On a cutting board cut each log diagonally into 3/4-inch slices and arrange, cut side down, on two baking sheets and bake until crisp, about 10 minutes,  Remove from oven and cool on rack.

Before baking

After first baking

Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the cut cookies before the second baking.  If you have one of those wide fish turners for the grill it’s an excellent tool for removing logs to the cutting board.  If not, I find that two turners, one on each end, work fine.  Make sure your knife is sharp to make a clean cut or you end up with broken-off pieces.  A trick I learned from my friend Steph, is to turn the oven off after the second baking and leave the cookies in for another 15 minutes or so, to insure a crisp cookie without over-baking.

As you probably know, biscotti keep well in an airtight container, however, I like to keep only a few days worth in the pantry, freezing the rest, taking them out as needed.  This ensures that marvelous crunch and burst of flavor when biting into each and every one.

Bon Appetite!