They Draw & Cook - my recipe illo!

Just wanted to let y'all know that my recipe for They Draw & Cook was posted here today - thanks again Nate & Salli for accepting it to your fabulous blog and for the wonderful opportunity to share a bit of myself and my work with everyone around the world!

On a side note, I researched the hummingbird as I started working on my illo and found this fascinating passage on personal totems. After reading it, I believe the hummingbird is definitely one of mine....maybe yours too?

Hummingbird as a Personal Totem

The hummingbird - the tiniest of all birds - brings special messages for us. It is the only creature that can stop dead while traveling at full speed; can hover; or can go forward, backward, up or down. I wonder if the person who designed the first helicopter had studied the hummingbird.

Hummingbird lives on nectar and searches for the sweetness of life. It's purpose is to pollinate the flowers of the world, and there are over 300 species of this amazing little creature going about this work. Its long "nose" lets it bypass the often tough and bitter outer layer to find the hidden treasurers underneath.

What is hummingbird's message for us? First of all, adaptability in life's many situations and being able to "roll with the punches". If you have hummingbird medicine, you adapt easily to whatever situation you may find yourself in, and make the most of your new circumstances. You don't waste time looking back and wishing for "what was" for you are concerned with making the most of "what is".

The second message is inner joy. A hummingbird person could never become addicted to any artificial stimulants for it finds its joys in its own heart. You take great pleasure in spreading joy and love and beauty to all around you, and have the gift of taking that inner joy into new and different surroundings.

You have a talent for finding the good in people, and are not put off by a gruff or abrupt exterior for you know that, if you can only get beyond that tough outside layer, you'll find goodness and beauty inside.

You may have a gift for working with flowers, maybe growing them to share with others, or using flower essences for healing. Aromatherapy may be your calling. You have high energy and a spirit that must be free. To restrict that wonderful, free, loving energy is to suffer great depressions and feelings of uselessness. Hummingbird must fly free in search of beauty, spreading joy and love to all it touches.

Because it lives on nectar, and nature's sugars, hummingbird people need to be mindful of their sugar intake for they do love sweets! Be careful not to upset the sugar balances in your body. Be wise - be cautious - and share your special gifts with all you meet.

hello, sharing, news....

Helloooo.....dusting off my blog before it dries up and blows away :>

Life has been strange lately, busy as a bee & social as a butterfly one minute then feeling much like this flower - standing alone, feeling like I want to float, craving a minimalist existance......

I decided to join Susan & Chrysti in their latest prompt for {Echo} Week 23 - Minimalist as the timing was good to get it posted and I thought it fit perfectly with the mood I was trying to convey with my camera...

new work - sharing:

Above is a sneak peek of my 'They Draw and Cook' entry. If you're not familiar with TDAC, it's a blog that features illustrations with a twist - all the illos are themed to recipes. I'd been wanting to send something in when I first heard about it but the announcement of a book being published finally gave me the push I needed. My recipe/illustration was accepted for publication on the blog this morning by Nate (thanks!) but it's not posted yet - they have a ton of last minute entries for the book so when the link's up, I'll let you know.

one last note - art show:

I'm joining a friend of mine next weekend at a local arts & crafts event, we're sharing a booth and and so I've been busy putting cards & prints together but not really sure what else I'll have for sale , maybe some small original mixed media pieces.

And yes, yes I am still hoping, planning, (plotting) on finding the time & inspiration to get my new Etsy shop up and running - I feel like if I wait any longer I may just shelve the whole idea....

Here's to being inspired and creative and moving forward - rinse, repeat.....

Comfort & Joy....and Cookies!

Just a quick post as the hustle & bustle is upon us all. Getting into the Christmas spirit here: scented candles are lit, fave holiday music is playing and cookies are just out of the oven, yum!

Thought I'd share a last-minute project I'm working on and my all-time fave cookie recipe. The knitting is a scarf for my daughter (shhhh!!) made from 100% Merino wool, I ♥ this yarn! The recipe is for 'Thimble Cookies' (aka 'Santa's Thumbprints') and they are are melt-in-your-mouth-delicious, I tell ya!!!

It's a no-fuss basic ingredient recipe that whips up fairly quickly. I love that you can add jam or candied fruit to the centers of these, whichever you prefer. You can also add mint jelly to the centers to make a festive red & green cookie display or pop them in a vintage or holiday tin lined w/ parchment and tie with a sumptuous bow for gift-giving! Enjoy!


(enlarge pic for recipe, it prints out index card size)



Hope you're finding time to savor all the wonderful sounds, sights & smells of Christmas!