GIVING THANKS…….

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

GIVING THANKS…….

…..We have so much to be grateful for and Thanksgiving is an over the top time to give thanks! The day started beautifully with a rainbow appearing in the kitchen!

Then it was time to stuff the turkey. In went onions, celery, oranges, apples….whatever we could fit in!

I asked for Prosciutto at Whole Foods and the fellow sliced it like beef….way too thick. The figs were the best I’ve ever tasted and with the goat cheese it would have been real yummy if only the prosciutto had been sliced thinner.

I don’t know….is it me or is it the oven. Let’s not answer that!!! The turkey was rescued in time but….the timer said it had another hour. I’m sure I didn’t set it on convection….

Of course, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without FOOTBALL!

Almost time….

So cute…...Nikka….smile!!!

I went back for seconds…..

Mom said it was delicious but she said that before, the year that I burned the Turkey….

Charles said it was terrific….

Poor Kita was cordoned off but Nikka & Emma visited her…

And of course she had a new dance partner….

….who is Joseph, Emma’s BF….

On to desert…..Vicki said mom loves Lemon Meringue pie….this was not my idea. I wanted the yummy apple crumble we make…oh well….

The crew made short order of the dishes….

Then it was time for Lady Gaga and the Muppets!

Saturdays class was splendid….great fun and it looked like everyone had recovered from Thanksgiving!

More cuteness to close out the week…..

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.