A BEAUTIFUL START to a WONDERFUL WEEK.......

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

A BEAUTIFUL START to a WONDERFUL WEEK.......

……began with my favorite thing! Sunday morning with Sandie Girl!

Oh my goodness, what’s going on you may ask! Well, Sandie & I are both May Babies and love to celebrate that fact together. Looks like the fun has begun….

Happiness all the way around!

I had seen the blankie Sandie had made for baby Noah and in my subtle way…….O.K., I said I wanted one! This is truly a labor of love ...

Awwwwww…………….

Sandie selected the most delightful patterns for me….Butterflies of love!

Here are some more. I’m going to cuddle up on the sofa with this,,,,,,,,

O.K. Sandie Girl…It’s your turn. I see that you have a BIG box too!

Here’s the story behind the story. Sandie is a true foodie and the only person I know who is courageous enough to consistently try out NEW recipes for dinner guests. I mean, who is that brave??? You already know I’m becoming a regular at Pirch. I love their motto…’Live Joyfully’!

Anyway, besides appliances they also have a lovely gift section and I spotted this book…’Salt Block Cooking’ along with a Himalayan Salt Block. This is a precious pink mineral from the ancient hills in Pakistan’s Punjab provence….an Iron Chef panache if there ever was one! How perfect for the culinary adventurous Sandie Girl!

But wait…..there’s more! With this gift you are also entitled to a FREE 'cooking with a salt block' class at Pirch." Are you serious says she?"

Well, after all the excitement had settled down we did the same and enjoyed coffee with the treats of sweet rolls and fruit from Whole Foods Sandie had so thoughtfully brought.

A fun time all around…...

And a special hug for Sir Charles…..

No Kita, you can’t go home with Sandie…...

Shortly after Sandie left Sweet Amy came by for Mother’s Day with the most exquisite floral arrangement I have ever seen……

You’re looking at a Garden of Love!

The terrarium dome contains a fairyland……..and look at the beautiful butterflies…...

These beautiful roses were for mom….it’s Wednesday and they’re still beautiful….I suspect they will last at least a week as Amy always selects the freshest flowers at the Flower Mart!

Nikka loves the jewels Amy puts on the roses…...

Happy Mother’s Day mom!

Good thing there’s Gourmet 88 delivery or we’d probably starve!

Sooooooo good!

Dessert is usually fruit and ice-cream….

Before we settle in with popcorn to watch TV Kita has to dance with Emma…..

She was cordoned off for most of the evening…..wonder why!

May you have a playful week!

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.