Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the day:

Take your needle my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that  - one stitch at a time taken patiently an the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love. - Author unknown

You've got mail!


To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart - Phyllis Theroux

Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company - Lord Byron

Over the past couple weeks, my evenings have been dedicated to creating felt mailboxes for my grandchildren...one for each family. I am very excited by the results, and they were thoroughly kid tested on the weekend when all of the children had an opportunity to check them out. We played post office, which included writing and sending valentines, writing and responding to letters (great writing practice), and of course mailing invitations to a winter party and bring a pet. The kids were so excited, marching up to the location (Robin's kitchen) with their pets (stuffed animals found in the playroom). We dined on bowls of dried cranberries, cashews, strawberries, prezels, chips, and mini marshmallows. Juice was served and we followed with dancing to Mama Mia and the Lion King sound track. So much fun.

Here is one of the mailbox sets. The family name is on the other side. Other crafters talked about challenges using a magnet for the flag that goes up and down. I found a greas solution to share with you. Checking through all my craft resources, I came upon teddy bear and doll making supplies and the doll joints work perfectly for the flag. If placed in the right location no velcro is needed to secure the flag when it is in the up position.

The mail bag is a recycled zippered conference bag with a mail label applique. Rather than making felt mail and parcels etc. I visited the dollar store and purchased small envelopes, valentines, stickers and stamps and small boxes to use as parcels. The mailboxes went together very easily. I found instructions here - http://www.giverslog.com/?p=2531

Recent doodles

Recently, I have been incorporating some form of sketching, doodling, and writing into my meditation time. Yesterday morning, I spent some time sharpening all of my pencil crayons and although my preference is black and white, it is nice to play with colour once in a while. This picture of being re-born out of a lily type flower signifies a time of change and growth.

The next two doodles came out of sleepless night in a Toronto hotel. Know models in sight I pulled open a Where Magazine and found photos of the Dali Lama and Margaret Atwood to pose as models for my middle of the night meditative art time.

Me. Just a sketch of my left hand, symbolic of the things I do, write, draw, make, and even those I touch, are touched from or created from a place in my heart.

Almost wordless Wednesday

Recipe of the day

Dinner for 2 for under $7.00 with leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. It was healthy and delicious!

Spicy steak, peppers & rice (easy)

1 diced onion

1 green pepper cut into 1 inch chunks

1 red pepper cut into 1 inch chunks

2 cups seasoned, tenderized round steak cut into strips

Garlic

1 can Franco American Beef Gravy

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 bunch asparagus

1 tsp butter

¼ lemon – juiced

Instructions

Pre-cook rice and set aside

Steam asparagus 3 minutes and rinse immediately under cold water to stop cooking process – set aside

In large skillet heat olive oil, and sauté onion, peppers and steak

When steak is cooked, stir in gravy and add about ¼ can of water

Simmer for 2-3 minutes stirring often

In medium skillet, melt butter and sauté asparagus for 2-3 minutes. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, spoon rice onto plate and cover with steak mixture. Add a side of asparagus, complement with a cold glass of sparkling water and enjoy! Yummy!