Homegrown Hospitality

Doodlin', Sharin', Teachin' & Knowin'

I arm wrestle with myself about my doodling "art" on a daily basis. (That is the "Simply Complicated" part of me, which for the most part, is completely unnecessary.)

The thing is, I love doodling because I love the way I can relax while coloring something, and that seems a tad selfish, because, really..it is not about "me"..duh....but I also love that I can take a plain piece of white paper and turn it into a picture by adding colors, lines,  shapes, a thought and usually a heart. 

I do not know it it is the thickness of the black lines, the colors of the pens I used, the phrase, or a little of all three, but I kinda love this little lost doodle (I have alot of them, lost doodles, that is)

This is another part of my self-arm-wrestle competition...the fact that I have a HUGE, bulging, over flowing file STUFFED with "little lost doodles" and the confusion of what to do with them.

For now,

I will just keep doodlin' what I am doodlin', sharin with you what I am sharin, teachin you what I am teachin and knowin (with out seein) that I am goin in the right direction...

That my friends, is Faith. 

A Spark

Hearing about and understanding the definition of  the word "Innovate" has sparked something in my brain and creative soul...

Understanding and working with the concept of innovation is exciting and learning how to be patient in the process is, well...necessary.

I am not one to sit around and just wait for things to just fall in my lap nor "just happen"..I am good for a "whole lotta" R&D and that exactly what I have been doing:

and then, to top it off, like a cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae, I heard this phrase this morning that pretty much sums it up:

"Keep the spirit of what you're doing alive"

so..does it spark something in you???

Do not let that spark die out....let it ignite a fire....(not a real fire)

It's the Little Things

Little moments of bliss, little newborn toes, little words that make a big difference, little gestures of kindness...

Moleskin Journals in packs of two at Target

that are little

and hold little doodles

because

and are just the right size for little reminders

Happy Friday!

The "P" Word

One of my things, you know, the "P" word (PURPOSE) is to "inspire" others.

BUT but the other "P" word is PINTEREST and the inspiration that comes from that PLACE is something I can not describe.

Actually, I can use the word "Over-Stimulated" to describe myself when I am on the PINTEREST site, which usually results in  falling off my axis, losing all focus and ending up a bigger Whirling Dervish than I already am...

anyways, in my quest to only visit PINTEREST in 15 minute increments (75 times a day!, just kidding) I came across these which I instantly wanted to make, like right then because I knew I had loads of the PERFECT fabric from the napkins I made almost five years ago (can you believe it has been five years, eeek!!!) ..

anyways.....
in my PURSUIT of PRACTICING all kinds of things this year, I waited...until yesterday, which really was only two days since the day I saw them, but, I did not POUNCE on them as if I was Tigger. 

 to be continued....

40 Days...

added this morning..for you to follow me along in... right..up.. there...in the corner, or you can click here, too http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/photos/40_days_in_the_word/index.html 

www.40DITW.com

 

Practicing:Patience

by letting the decoupage dry and then letting the paint dry and then letting the puffy paint dry...

so that I can go onto creating the next page and the next page and the next page until it gets filled up and will burst at the seams with happy...

Today, practice patience so that you can burst open with happy.

All of the Above

WARNING: A LONG ONE...Grab some coffee, tea...or drink of choice.

We all have a specific "purpose" and several years ago, when I not only "heard" that, but took it SERIOUSLY did I "get it" (no, not "my purpose" but the entire scope of what it means)  

I was EXCITED to know WHAT my purpose was, because I never really "knew" what I wanted to "be" when I grew up besides a wife, a mom and a PTA member (hold your comments !!!!).

Insert screeching breaks....

Ummm...It is not like you stand in line, wait your turn and then be handed a slip of paper that tells you what your Purpose is and, "Duh"...it's not really what "we want to be"... (I thought I had to figure it out...)

 

NOPE.

Our individual purpose is "what we were created to be" and up until a handful of years ago, did I REALLY get it...and I had to "grow through" what I had to go through* to understand it all and now I get it. I mean, I got it...

My Purpose, that is...

and here is the thing, everyone else around you may be able to "see" it and "know it" and even tell you what "it", your purpose is, but until you REALLY get it, you don't...

Oh, I hope I have not lost you because here it is:

I am starting to feel, think and see things differently than I really ever have before and with that, I have to say...

It's not about scrapbooking...(duh)

or doodling.. (eek!)

or making things from paper..(drat!)

or baking things from dough and batter..(whatttt????)

or stitching things from felt...(gulp!)

or painting, stamping or really anything thing else....It, MY PURPOSE is about inspiring, influencing, teaching, reminding and loving all of the above and creating a community around it.

Insert falling confetti, letting colorful balloons fly, blowing party horns, clicking heels like a leprechaun, lighting fireworks..

It only took 42.75 years to figure it out..now I have 42.75 years, give or take, to work it. 

 

Thank YOU for being part of my PURPOSE!

amen.

A Spaghetti Noodle 1001 Ways

I have said it before, and will say it over and over again...

God is Good & Faith is a Neccesity 

It is what I believe, how I feel and what I need (even though it is "not about me") you know what I mean.. 

Now, don't twirl your eyes and go to the next blog where you can learn how to use a spaghetti noodle 1001 ways....please...

Remember, I am an equal opportunity-non competitive girl so you will never have to worry 'bout me trying to sway you ...NOPE...I will NOT ever ever never ever tell YOU what to believe, or what not to believe, I just share what works for me, what has worked for me, etc (well, okay, if you are standing in my garage, watching some sporting event and you spout off something crude..I WILL give you an evil eye...but that is about it...)

I am harmless.

anyways....

All I wanted to say was that I heard the phrase " When it's true, it's true" during Pastor Rick's message this weekend, all I thought was..."duh" and it reminded me of my "click" this weekend...that when things come together, pieces fall into place, when I am pickin up what God is puttin down...it is a good feeling...and really, I guess all I am saying repeating is "When it's true..it is true."

oh, and for your visual entertainment, a new doodle that I did while watching game 1of 2...the last  ENTIRE day of football...(sorry for the watermark!) 

 

Practice:Process

It is Saturday, January 21..5:15am...it is raining, it is quiet...everyone is asleep (even coco) and I am working, thinking, listening, doodling, reading, absorbing and something just clicked...a big click....I want to shout..LOUD...but I can't...because it is 5:15 and it would mess up my quiet and for sure wake up the dog, and then he would whine for a bone, and then it would just go a tad downhill from there...so for now... lucky you..you get my silent shout!

Fastfoward...7:30 am

Dog is awake...so is the Valentine..still raining, coffee pot empty...still raining...thoughts down...dreams spoken...doodle doodled and just so you know....I am getting it..seeing more of the big picture

and along with that...YOU are a HUGE part of my process...

So thank you! 

Do Something

Consider taking Rachel's Challenge as a family...

Help spread some Joy...

Think about spending some time Learning, Loving and Living on Monday nights with me (it starts this Monday..so go sign up!)

oh, and when you are at Target this weekend (because pretty much EVERYBODY goes to Target at some point during the weekend)...buy a few bags of Hershey's Hugs...and maybe some Hersey Kisses so you can make some fun little Valentines with the PDF I am going to post next week!

I would post a picture but Typepad is not cooperating..DANG IT! Note: If you use Typepad..DO NOT upgrade to Intenet Explorer 9. 

Happy Friday!