"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviours. Keep your behaviours positive, because your behaviours become your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny." Mahatma Gandhi

I found this quote (above) in Robert Genn's newletter today. He is an artist in Canada. His newsletter provides guidance and encouragement for artists (or anyone interested in the creative life).

I truly believe that being positive keeps us young and strong. I try to write this blog in a positive way, enjoying life's little moments. [The photo above, selected from my files, is of my granddaughter in a Halloween parade a few years ago. I love that she was and angel for that holiday, rather than a ghoul!]

Sometimes, however, I do come across things which are not upbeat or positive, but feel I need to share them. This link (below) is to one such piece of information. Cash register and credit card receipts often contain BPA's. This toxin (an estrogen-mimicking pollutant) has been shown to cause changes in the development of fetuses. NOT GOOD. Dr. Oz has mentioned this and recommends that women of child-bearing age should wash their hands well after handling the receipts. [Which of course sends the chemicals into the water supply.....another story/worry!] Who would have thought that we have to be "on guard" so much; shopping CAN be dangerous!

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48084/title/Science_+_the_Public__Concerned_about_BPA_Check_your_receipts

It has been a wonderful day!!!!!

[Scones waiting to go in the oven!]

A sunny, wonderful first day of 2010!

I managed to take a walk with dear Mr. Pear which made me so full of energy and hungry that I decided to bake some scones.

I happened to have some clotted cream just waiting to go on the warm scone, along with some wonderful jam (Four Fruits).

Mr. Pear helped me get the scone photo with our temperamental digital camera, then we sat down with a pot of tea, and enjoyed every lovely bite!

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After all the baking and the tea time treat, I felt my creative energies going in a good direction....so down to the studio, though it was getting late. No time to execute a masterpiece, not even time to set up a still life, but I could pull out my scissors and glue and do collage!

First, I did this cover for an inexpensive "brown paper bag" moleskine. Now it will be fun to use as an art journal.

The other collages I did were in a hardback book which my friend Paula and I are "altering" with paint and collage.[ I posted a couple of the pages I did today here .]

Notes on Gratitude

I often think how lucky I am to be able to cook and eat lovely foods and to post about doing it. This is a wide, international Internet and I do hope that no one who is suffering from hunger stops by and suffers even more because of a post. I am grateful for being able to eat as well as we do, and I do not take it for granted! Cooking takes a lot of my creative energy and I love sharing the inspiration and enthusiam!
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." (Cicero) [So, I am working on having gratitude!]

Because I am on the road, and "out of Pocket", what I am referring you to is a beautiful holiday post from my friend, Macrina. She has a special gift for finding peace and hope in everyday life!

I am at my daughter's home and am having a wonderful Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful week, too!

Home from work, I have been counting many blessings.

Blogging and the Internet among them!

I have resisited BLACK FRIDAY bargain chasing.

Instead, I feel like making a difference somewhere other than the retail scene! The answer came as I read tips about blogging and was led to this.... a link to a very special blogger, Maggie Doyne who has built a home for orphans in Nepal.

I read that she could use donations for the sewing room, where clothing is sewn using fabric from local shops and local women as seamstresses. They will be teaching the children to sew as well. I will be sending her a donation. Please go to her help page , if this speaks to you!

It has been a weekend of blessings.... the word above is a "wall word" on our family room wall. This clock is on the mantel in the same room and beside it stands the figure named,

"Blessings"......she is a graceful Willow Tree figure by Susan Lordi. She reminds us of our granddaughter who usually wears her lovely hair just like this! We were blessed with the gift of this figurine by our friend Karen. Thanks again, Karen!!!!!

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I am blessed, I am lucky, I am a winner!

JoAnn at Pieceful Afternoon drew my name for her embroidery pattern giveaway! I was a winner and chose the bird embroideries.

Thank you, JoAnn. I may share these with my granddaughter who is learning to embroider!