How I Manage The Winter Blues & Minnesota Hoarfrost

Are you feeling the familiar blahs of winter?  It's dark early, it's too cold do anything outside. It can be a really difficult time for staying upbeat and motivated.

I thought it would be helpful for me to put together a list of things I can do when I get bogged down by a depressing mood.  Maybe it will help you too.

1.  Always have something FUN planned to look forward to. I like to have a trip somewhere warm planned in my near future.  It keeps me going.

2.  Spend time with positive uplifting people.  Go out for dinner with a special friend.

3.  Visit a green house.  I love to do this.  It seems whenever I go to a greenhouse the sun will peek through the clouds, and the whole place lights up.

I soak in the life giving energy from all the green plants. My favorite places to go are: 

Como Zoo

MN Landscape Arboretum

4.  Visit a mall and window shop.  Spending an afternoon in a well lit mall. It almost makes you forget the cold, wet, darkness outside.

5.  Listen to music.  Music is a great way to lift a mood.  Dance around the house, when no one is watching.  My favorite song to dance to is Happy, by Pharrel Williams.

6.  Sit by a fire and read an uplifting romance, or sci-fi whatever it is that takes you to another place.

7.  Watch lots of movies.  I love the way a movie can take your mind off something that is bothering you. At least for a couple of hours.

8.  Go for a walk outside.  I know that this one is tough.  It's the last thing I want to do when it's cold outside.  But, get out there.  Bundle up, and bring a camera phone with you.  Try to take pictures of all that is beautiful about winter. 

9.   Treat yourself to your favorite drink.  Hot chocolate, anyone?

10.  Grin and bear it.

Here are some pictures I captured on a walk a few weeks ago.

The beauty of a Hoarfrost is really spectacular.

Hello

I know, it's been a while since my last post.  2014 was not a good year for me. Last year around this time my mom broke her hip and was also diagnosed with Lung Cancer on Christmas Eve.  

Mom was lucky and got to try a new drug called Tarceva, which seemed like a miracle.  She started to get better and got to go home about a month later.  Everyday, we spent with mom.  Savoring our time together and hoping all would continue to go well.  Those were some wonderful times.  It is a real awakening when you realize someone you love is trying hard to stay alive for you.

Unfortunately, Tarceva comes with some nasty side effects.  Mom handled them well, but soon it was apparent that all was not good.  Mom's cancer was traveling.  There was nothing more to do except pray.

I have never admired someone as much as I do my mom.  Her strength, her love for her family, the many friends of hers who hurt right along with us.  Her faith, and her never give up attitude.  How could she be so strong?  Just thinking of this makes me feel so vulnerable, scared and proud.

Mom went to heaven on September 11th, 2014.  A special day of remembrance for many all around the world.  I miss her every single day.  I talk to her like she can hear me still.  I feel her sometimes cheering me on, and sometimes crying with me.

Writing for the blog, sharing my art all took a back seat.  Mom was my most precious focus.

Today, I struggle to step back into this writing sharing mode again.  It feels good and hard at the same time.  Please understand if I enter it gently, I am changed, different now.  But, I also know that this is what our lost loved ones want from us.  They want us to embrace life and to seek out the beauty and joy of all things that stir us to feel.

I love you forever Mom,

If you would like to see the tribute video that was put together by

my son, Stone Bailey, my daughter Jade Bailey, and

niece Peach Schmidtlien.

Here is the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbz9T9by7gQ&list=UUAqPfhr29IiQbHsJBhHk7eA

"There is nothing better than a life well lived, so live it well."

P.S. I'll see you again in the New Year.  

Blessings,

If I stay - Movie Review

 

If I Stay

 

Movie Release Date - August 22, 2014

 

My daughter and I were invited to go see the screening of

the movie called "If I Stay."  It is based on the book with the same name written by Gayle Forman.

 

Mia Hall played by Chloe Grace Moretz is the main character who is a gifted Cello player who dreams of going to Juilliard.  Things suddenly change when her family is in a car accident.

Mia finds herself out of body, in between life and death. 

It doesn't appear to be a good place, no one see's her or can hear her there.

The storyline is told mostly through flashbacks as we learn about her true love, Adam.

Adam played by Jamie Blackley, is also a musician on the fast track to fame. 

The movie is interesting and keeps up a nice steady pace.

Definitely, a romantic chick flick.

 

When Mia's learns that her parents and brother have all passed on, she is even more confused at whether she should stay, or go to join them?

 

You will have to go watch the movie to find out what she decides. 

Bring some tissues, you'll need them.

 

My daughter and I gave the movie a thumbs up.

 

 

 

Help Me Name My Latest Piece.

 

It has been forever since my last post. I have missed you.

 

                                   

It's one of my favorites.

Sewing Classes At Chanhassen Vacuum Sales Center

 

Last night, we hosted a sewing class at our retail vacuum store.  We've recently added sewing machine repair to our business.  My dream is to also start holding fun creative workshops on site. 

 

The class was taught by the Material Girls, http://www.materialgirlsewing.com/classes/classes-at-chanhassen-vacuum-center/

 

It was so fun watching the young eight year old girls come into our store carrying their sewing machine's  What a great idea, starting them so young.

Look at their little hands, just precious. 

Here are some photos.

They finished some aprons and went home wearing mittens they made themselves. 

 

Wonder what they'll be making next week?

 

Peanut Blossom - The Holiday Cookie Recipe

I hope that you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving.  Mine was really nice.  My entire family gets together in a church basement, as our group has grown quite large.  It was really special when we all held hands and before the prayer each person said what they were most thankful for this past year.  Overall, we were most thankful for family and being together. 

Amen to that! 

 

My traditional holiday cookie is Peanut Blossoms.  I only make them twice a year, on Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

  Now some people will just make these cookies using a peanut butter cookie recipe.  It's not the same.

 

Here's my secret recipe and my tips for making them unforgettable!

 

1 3/4 cups Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Shortening

1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1 Egg

2 tablespoons Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla

48 Chocolate kisses

 

In large bowl mix flour, soda, salt. Add all remaining ingredients, mix at medium speed.  Chill 30 mins. then Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in white sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

 

My tips:  Don't roll the dough into sugar.

Use Chocolate Kisses with Almonds

Take out of oven before they look done.

 

 

Enjoy the compliments.