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If I could get my hands on him, here’s what I would say. “ARE YOU SURE? Try it again Phil. Try it again!” Or if I were one of the Soprano’s I’d say, “Phil, do again and do it right. I wouldn’t want you to accidentally slip one day and end up swimmin’ with the fishes.” But, I imagine he’s well protected and would simply shrug. He’d see his shadow again and walk away saying, “Six more weeks biznatch, so deal with it.”

Do you believe in the whole idea of Punxsutawney Phil? Are you superstitious? I can say that I don’t walk under ladders – well mainly because I don’t want anything to fall from the top and hit me in the head – and I don’t like it when black cats cross my path. Oh and that whole accidentally spilling salt thing? I do throw it over my shoulder after. What about you?

Although I do think the whole Punxsutawney Phil thing is nuts, his predictions usually end up being right. Once, on the first day of a new job, my husband gave me a plush Punxsutawney Phil. A couple of weeks into the job, Phil was kidnapped and held for ransom. It was by far one of the funniest things I’ve ever experienced. I kind of wish the real one had been taken on a trip today or been groundhog-napped for a few hours so we wouldn’t have any idea how much more winter was ahead!

As we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the eve of a new President taking office, I find I am inspired. These men, like many men and women throughout history, had a dream of where they wanted to be and, no matter what the cost, they let nothing stand in their way as they pursued it. In that, I find inspiration.

There are many people who are willing to compromise their beliefs for the right price or the right amount of power. Those who do such things are willing to let the white noise of Washington or naysayer’s anywhere drown out their voices. And there are those, like the two men we will celebrate this week, who will not.

I had a dream of stepping out on my own and pursing my dream for far longer than I care to admit and what held me back was fear. I stood in my own way. Today, I am working harder than I have ever worked either personally (raising my daughter and maintaining my family) or professionally (starting my business) at anything and the main reasons for that are my daughter and our little family. Everyday that I watch my little one repeat a word or learn how to put something together I am reminded of the hard work takes just to grow and become who we will become. I am reminded of the sheer determination it takes to walk, talk, eat, etc. I want her to know that she can do anything in this lifetime.

I watched my husband build his dream and everyday he continues to do so. As I he learns, grows and moves forward I am reminded of the power of passion. When you are passionate about what you do, you will work harder to give your dream wings.

As my friends raise their children, I marvel at the love it takes to bring your dream to life and tackle all of the hurdles that come with it. I am inspired by the willpower it takes to battle through the days when you feel like you’re just not cut out for anything and the joy – the overwhelming joy – that’s shared on the days that life reminds you that the most important thing we have is one another.

The artists and writers that I have met over the course of the last year in life and in the blogging world and those I recently met who are challenging themselves to create new works of art using new mediums as part of Thursday Sweet Treat have inspired me to try and to be ok if I fail. The strength it takes to go out on a limb and try and try and try is incredible.

These are just some of the people who inspire me every single day. They remind me to keep going, keep trying, keep loving, keep dreaming and above all else no matter what challenges may come – never, ever give up.

Are you living your dream? Who inspires you and keeps you motivated to keep going time and again?

Welcome to 2009! I hope that it’s already started off well for you!

I’m not a resolution maker. The very word “resolution” makes my palms sweat and my stomach ache. The pressure of it is as great to me as the pressure of New Year’s Eve. With New Year’s Eve there is this idea that it has to be the best night ever just as with resolutions there’s this pressure to radically transform yourself into your ideal self overnight. To be honest, September always feels like the start of a new year to me. When I was a kid it was the fresh blank pages of notebooks, the new books waiting to be explored and newly sharpened pencils that seemed to signal a fresh start. To this day, I find myself feeling a sense of newness at that time of the year and when New Year’s rolls around I have usually started something new. So, I spend time prior to and on New Years Day thinking about my hopes and dreams and making suggestions for how I might be able to improve my life and the lives of those I love in the coming year.

For the second New Year’s Eve in a row, I wore pajamas. Whether I have gone out or stayed in, I have worn them to start the year. Last year, I donned them because I decided that I wanted to usher in a year of relaxation and for the most part it was, save the end of the year. This year, I dream of a year where I lessen my stress and worry and maximize my enjoyment of life. That does sound like a dream, does it not? See I tend to worry all the time about everything and the largest thing I worry about is being x, y and z to everyone and, in order to do that, I stretch myself way beyond my personal limits. This year, I am going to respect my limits, try to recognize the signs my body gives me when it needs some replenishment time and give to myself and to others from that place. When I am running on fumes, I am no good to myself or anyone else but when I am at 100% I am able to share my time, laughter, attention, and most importantly, love. That is a suggested goal. And the use of the word “goal” brings me to my next thought.

I have been so goal-oriented and while that is good I find I can sometimes miss out on the learning part and honestly while learning can sometimes frustrate me (that’s when I’m trying to be perfect and I’m REALLY over being perfect) it makes me feel alive. So, for 2009 I sincerely hope that I don’t discover everything there is to learn about everything because I want to spend time learning about the world, the people in it, especially those I love and everything in between. Most importantly, I want to learn from and with my daughter as she explores this world.

There are other suggestions I have about my creative ventures but I’ll share those as I begin to work on them. I don’t know about you but sometimes when I talk about things I’m going to do, I feel like I’ll jinx them or I won’t accomplish them. If I quietly work up to a point that I feel as though I can start the projects, then I share because at that point it’s no longer just talk, it’s happening.

What suggestions have you presented to yourself for 2009? I can tell you that I’m looking forward to sharing what I have within and learning all that I can from you!

 Santa brought me pajama pants for Christmas. I love Santa. He understands my need for little comforts and these pants with the red ribbon bow made me feel special on Christmas morning when I was fighting a fever and terrible cough and sore throat. I only share this tidbit about my sickness for two reasons.

1. To say to the gods, or Mother Nature or whomever is in control of cold and flu bugs that in the New Year I promise not to burn the candle at both ends. I plan to rest so lay off with the sickies, ok?

2. So many things did not get done. Members of my family are still getting presents and as for my Christmas cards well only half were finished so for those of you whose addresses I have when you receive your card know that you were far from an after-thought. You were a well before thought…things just got a little screwed up.

But the point of this blog is not to discuss illness although I must admit that despite it all my daughter, my husband and family who spent Christmas Day and the day thereafter changing things to bring Christmas to my house made this Christmas one of the best and most memorable of my lifetime. Thank you for all you have done.

The point is to share my absolute favorite moment of Christmas. My husband set up the living room so that the tree was lit and all the presents were under it when my daughter walked out of the bedroom. The Yule Log was even on TV…I love that log! She looked at the tree and then the gifts, walked over to the TV to watch the log burn and then started to play with her regular toys. She simply had no idea that the presents were for her. It was hilarious. Then, when she realized that they were for her she could not believe it. She hasn’t stopped playing since then. Her innocence and delight made my Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong there were other moments that were great like when I opened new books. I love curling up with a good book especially at this time of the year when I like to take a personal time out. This is the one I plan on reading right now.  

And when I discovered new clogs. I love that Santa feeds my obsession year after year. So, I collect clogs…what about you? Do you collect anything?

There are so many moments – warm moments, tender moments, funny moments and more. But my daughter’s face and excitement is what made Christmas beautiful for me and my husband.

What is your favorite holiday moment this year?
 

Twas the night before Christmas and all throughout Nacho Land, Natasha was wondering what gift you were most excited about giving or receiving. The gift I am most excited about is the gift of time. The end of the year has been tremendously busy with little time for anything.  I am looking forward to spending time with my family, real quality time with them. That is why there will be not be a Nacho posting on Friday as I’m going to play with the family but I will see you next week!

From my family to you and yours, may you have a very Merry Christmas! May your home and your heart be filled with peace, faith, happiness and love.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As Christmas fast approaches, I find myself in the mood for a little holiday fun! I was recently “tagged” by Blueberry Junkie, an artist who makes incredibly cute handmade treats. Now, I have been tagged before so you guys already know some random and weird things about me. So this time I decided to share 6 holiday things you might not know.

1. I grew up in a five-story walkup building. My grandma and grandpa lived on the 3rd floor while my family lived on the 4th floor. So, on Christmas Eve, the night my Mom and grandma did a million things in preparation for our big Christmas Day celebration, I could be found running up and down the stairs with presents or yummy Christmas treats. Mom was always so busy that night that she would not have time to cook so we’d order food and we always ordered Chinese. So, every Christmas Eve I crave Chinese food!

2. On Christmas morning, I am the biggest kid. I get up ridiculously early, wake my husband who always begs for a few more minutes, turn on the lights and sit down to open the gifts just the way I did when I was a child.

3. After we open all of our treats, we head over to a family member’s house to open more and I always go in my pajamas. In case some of you have forgotten what that looks like here’s a reminder photo. I love rockin’ the PJ’s in the street!

4. My most favorite thing to do is watch people open their presents. I love it when they open something they love and they begin to play right away. Personally, when I receive books I go nuts. I love books and want to read right there and then.

5. One of my favorite all-time Christmas memories was when my brother and I got a video game system and stayed up all night playing. Our Mom kept telling us to go to bed but we’d simply turn down the sound and try not to scream while playing. I think it’s funny it never occurred to us that she could see the bluish light of the television flickering in the dark while we played.

6. This is the first year that my daughter is old enough to get the concept of things like Santa and Christmas. In fact she keeps saying those two words with delight. I am so excited to watch her on Christmas morning that to me, that’s the most incredible gift I will receive this Christmas.
Now, I am supposed to post the rules of this game of tag here so that the people I choose to tag can come back, pick them up and run off to tag another. So, here they are:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 6 facts about yourself on your blog; some random, some weird.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as their links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been “tagged” by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my choices:

PinqueChocolat

Meditations from the Moondog

Memories for Life Scrapbooking

Doobleh-vay

My Life’s Poetry

Cat Productions

What are some of your favorite Christmas moments – present or past?

So the holidays can be incredible, right? I mean we sing about how it’s…”the most wonderful time of the year!” We Fa-La-La-La-La all over the place and Jingle our way through gift-wrapping or gift-bagging. We toast one another, we share decadent treats and marvel at festive lights in store windows and on gorgeous trees.

Yet for all the happiness the holidays bring, they can also bring a serious amount of stress. As some prepare to close out the business year and take a few days off to rest before ringing in the New Year, others shop for the “perfect” gift while worrying about breaking the bank. We prep for the arrival of family or prepare to journey to see family knowing that while we adore some family members, there are others who make us nuts and we simply have to grin and deal.

It’s at this time of year that we can feel worn out and less than….less than …you fill in the blank. It’s at this time of year that some think, “I don’t have enough” or “I haven’t done enough.” Well, I’m here to debunk that theory.

You have enough. You have people in life who love you and who you love. You have done enough. Whatever doesn’t get done, doesn’t get done. The most important thing is that you are present for the time you are spending with your loved ones. That’s the only thing that matters.

I think all of you are awesome. From the things you share here which always illustrate how much you love and cherish those in your life to the ways in which you simply share the gift of you with the world…without you the world wouldn’t be half as colorful….you are awesome.

So, if you’re feeling stressed or any other tough emotion at this time of year, feel free to share it here….I’m stressed I admit it. I’ve been worried about not getting all the gifts I need. I’ve been worried about making sure I have enough money after Christmas …note to self, don’t go bankrupt right now. I’ve been stressed about making sure all the people I love have a good Christmas. I’ve been working a ton and worrying that I’m not promoting myself enough, etc, etc. I have to remind myself that it’s all ok….it really is…and breathe and then I feel better. Looking I’m smiling

Now that I’ve shared, I invite you to share. Leave your worries here and then remember this…there’s someone (and probably plenty more folks in your life) who think you are enough. You are AWESOME! Remember that..really feel that and then pass it along to someone else because I’m sure there are people in your life who need that gift from you.

And most of all….Happy Holidays to you

Oh and a BIG Happy Birthday to Claire!!

My daughter and husband watch the snow.

My daughter reminds me every single day that life is a gift to be ripped open and played with, a beautiful, endless ocean to dive into, a moment to be savored, an adventure filled with unexpected joy and the reason to give love, lots and lots of love. Last night was a clear illustration of this idea.

My husband, daughter and I went to get our Christmas tree and as we walked out of our building we found ourselves in the middle of a true winter wonderland. It was as though someone had taken a globe and shaken it. My daughter was too little to understand the concept of snow last year but now she completely gets it. She stood there as little snowflakes collected on her eyelashes and watched it fall.

“Snowing, Mommy, snowing,” she said, running over to look at the snow covered tree wells, the snow on cars and the snow that magically made little mountains on her gloves when she held her hands out.

As her father threw mini-snowballs at her, she giggled and while she could have been thrown the snowball that was in her hand at any time she preferred to simply hold it as she ran after him.

I watched her delight in the magic of a snowy evening, marveling at the world’s white blanket and some of my own favorite childhood memories came to mind. My cousin and I helping my brother walk in the snow for the first time when he was a baby, sledding, snowball fights with childhood friends, chasing my husband down a snowy street on a weekend getaway, and many, many more.

I think snow brings out the child in each one of us. The sounds of business, cars, noise and the hustle and bustle of everyday life are replaced by the sound of belly laughter when snowballs are thrown and snow angels are made.

Last night, I felt like a child. Seeing the snowfall through my daughter’s eyes was like seeing it for the first time. She reminded me that we all have the ability to look at the things and people we see each day with fresh eyes. We have the ability to find wonder in the familiar as well as that which is new and that might be the most amazing gift I’ve received in a long time.

In honor of this occasion, I want to share a card I made awhile ago. I wanted to celebrate the way my daughter marvels at all around her and show her that with a little imagination and some wishing, anything is possible. So, I made this for her.

What are some of your favorite snowy day or night memories?
 

© Reproduction rights remain with the artist.

I recently completed a custom frame order and was present when all the people were given their frames. I don’t usually like to be there to see their reactions because it makes me feel like I have to puke in my shoes but I am actually glad that I was there this time. Some folks loved them and marveled at the designs and a couple did not look exceptionally excited. Of course, I focused on the negative reactions wondering why everyone didn’t love my stuff. However, after awhile and a few conversations with my husband and fellow crafters, I discovered something.

Not everyone is going to love the artwork that I create. You might be sitting there thinking, is she serious? She’s just grasping this concept now? And the answer to that is yes. I know it’s a very simple concept but I just hadn’t let myself accept it yet. To be honest, there is freedom in accepting that idea.

Sometimes we like to think that we are doing it all on our own but the truth is that people help us build our dreams. They embrace what we are doing and talk about it or buy what is being made or simply offer encouragement. That’s a beautiful thing. However, different people support different things. The people who like my art may not like someone else’s art that I recommend and those recommending me may find that their friends don’t like my art.

The point is that I can’t create for others. I can make things for people, things that come to mind and make me happy when I think of them but ultimately it’s still my art, my interpretation of how I see them. So, it all has to start with them liking my work from the getgo or they won’t like something custom made for them. I don’t know if I have written as clearly as I would like to about this concept but it’s an important one to me. It is a reminder to be true to me and simply create the best possible pieces I can. Do you feel like you are true to yourself or do you feel like you are always reminding yourself to be you?

For the longest time, I’ve had my eye on the prize but now I’m just enjoying the journey and I’m SO glad I can share it with you.

Here is one frame that I created. What do you think of it? Do you like frames like this?

One final note – Happy Birthday, Judy!

 © Reproduction rights remain with the artist.

Good morning all my favorite Nachos! How are you?? I missed you all yesterday. I’m so sorry I was not here! I was working on two orders that needed to be completed yesterday. It felt like I worked round the clock and I wanted to be here playing more than anything. Don’t worry, I’ll figure this whole thing out and make sure I don’t miss another hang time with you! To all the people who commented and have sent emails and texts, I’m so sorry I haven’t been around. I’m just resurfacing and will be in touch shortly!!!

Inside message: “…be filled with all the things that make you happy.”

So, today I wanted to share a new birthday card I designed. What I have found is that I am at my best when I am making something with a person or specific people in mind. Several fabulous Nachos like daisies so I decided to make this. What do you think?

What’s YOUR favorite flower?