Red Letter Days

Bloom True Paintings

2012-02-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

Working on two paintings with Bloom True: the e-course with Flora Bowley! These are turning out to be so much fun. Working back and forth with warm and cool colors and a variety of methods for applying the paint really brings a lot of life to a painting. Will be working on them again today, adding more layers of paint!

Ruffle Apron

2012-02-13T11:03:00.002-05:00

I was inspired by a ruffled apron I saw on Jeanne Oliver's shop at Jeanne Oliver Designs. Her Creatively Made e-course has been so inspiring! So yesterday I combined the best features of two online tutorials Ruffled Apron with six ruffles and this four ruffle Ruffled Apron to make my own. I used a medium weight white fabric. I think it was 2 1/2 yards. I ripped all the pieces to size using a combination of the instructions from the tutorials and made the bib up as I went along. I'm pretty happy with the results. Now to get some paint on it!

Dry Skin Brushing for Health

2012-01-30T21:36:00.004-05:00

Dry Skin Brushing

Alternative Cancer Treatment-Frequency Therapy

2012-01-24T12:22:00.001-05:00

Educate yourself! This is only one of many alternative cancer therapies, do your research.

Royal Raymond Rife

Really Raw Honey

2012-01-17T12:16:00.003-05:00

Yes, my husband has bees, but last year was not a good honey year around here. So, in my search for a replacement for our own I came across Really Raw Honey at Whole Foods. I'm in love. With a jar of honey. Sorry, Honey! This is some of the best honey I've ever tasted. It's thick, creamy and spreadable, or in my case I most often just eat it off a spoon. It satisfies my sweet cravings in a way that I don't feel like I'm compromising my immune system. I've also spread it on rice crackers with some raw almond butter. I would choose a different honey for cooking since that would defeat the benefits of a it's delicious rawness!

Their website is here Really Raw Honey but the best price is at iherb and you can save $5.00 with this code WAG359.

Painting! Horses! Airstream!

2011-09-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

Rearranged my studio space and am working on two new paintings and a series of paint sketches. It's hard to keep up with everything else and paint at the same time. I think I need to establish regular studio hours. My sister says I need to stick to one hobby! Are horses and horse trailers and event planning hobbies? Well, they are things I enjoy doing...for now. I also need to mow the yard and de-clutter from the week, and the Airstream has to be unloaded so we can take it to the factory in Ohio next week for some repairs. What am I doing Blogging!!!

How to Make Sauerkraut, #1 Part, Delicious and Healthy

2011-09-15T17:00:00.002-04:00

Let me just say that I love the videos in this series of three, but I don't use my bare feet to make my sauerkraut! First of all my crock is too small. Second, I just don't care for the idea of eating kraut after someone else's bare feet, so I expect other people might feel the same. Not to say that I wouldn't try it with the plastic bags because it is very effective at jucing the cabbage. That said, this is a great little instructional series. The second video has a noisy bird in it and the "cabbage dance" is most memorable. I love her kitchen! Looks old worldish don't you think! Check out her website for info on the B&B which were our favorite places to stay when we were in Europe.

Vintage Horse Trailer Renovation

2011-09-14T17:43:00.000-04:00

My latest project is renovating a vintage horsetrailer. Looks pretty ugly, but it's fairly sound. I've been looking for a while since we've had two horses for years and I've joined Women on the Edge which is a new trail riders association started up right here in Kentucky. My brother says, "I've got one you can have!". Now that the kids are all out of the house I needed something to fuss over I guess. There will be room for the two horses and a tiny cabin up front. Western style decor sounds good with a miniature chandelier just for a fun fancy touch. Farmgirl fancy or junk gypsy suits me just fine. I'm kind of excited about it!

Big Hill Farm Fair

2011-09-06T21:10:00.000-04:00

Farm Fair

October 1 at the Big Hill Welcome Center

Here’s What we’re Hope’n For:

Art & Craft Booths, maybe some demonstrations!

Pickin & Singin’-Jammin’ on the Porch!

Someone to teach the Virginia Reel and maybe a line dance or two!

Antiques to Show or Sell

Farm & Kitchen gadgets and goodies-and tractors and old trucks!

Barter, Sell & Trade Booths

Farmer’s Market-I don’t know! Taters? Mums!!! PUMPKINS!

Corn Hole Competition

Storytellers!

Whittlers & Chainsaw Carvers

Face Painting

Hoopin’and Hoppin’ Contests, Old Timey Kids GAmes!

Food Vendors of the Old FAshioned Kind! You know-Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Hot Dogs n’ Stuff!

Photo Booth!!! That would be fun! Hello, Jackson County PHOTO Club???

Tell me WHAT YOU WANT!

Come in Costume:

Cowboy Boots, Hats & Garb!

Vintage or Junk Gypsy- It’s just for fun!

We should have a apron pageant! Sorry men-Overalls?

What better time than fall to have a Farm Fair at the Big Hill Welcome Center. We did this in 2009 and folks are askin’ , so here we go again.

Visit the online photo album here https://picasaweb.google.com/redletterstudio/4thOfJulyFarmFair#

Then:

1. Decide you are going to participate!

2. E-mail me with your ideas.

3. Reserve a booth for $5.00 (so we can support the Welcome Center a wee bit!).

4. Spread the word to other crafty/artsy/talented folks who might be interested too!

5. Be annoying-FORWARD THIS! Send it to your Facebook friends for goodness sake!!!

6. Talk to your neighbors and tell ‘em to reserve the day for some good, wholesome fun!

7. Oh, and we need some volunteers to help run this thing!

Art & the Airstream

2011-08-30T21:28:00.001-04:00

I've decided I need to refocus on some things that I had put aside for a while. I've enrolled in an online class which deals with the business side of art. It took me four weeks after the start date to actually get started on it. This is the fifth and final week, although thankfully it is self-paced with a PDF book. I've been busy with making a Civil War costume and curating an Artists & Writers exhibit. Now it's time to focus on my art for a while and readying the Airstream for Feast of Tabernacles. Wonder if I can combine the two pursuits...Hmmm!

Whirlwish!

2011-08-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

My Favorite Raw Food Meals

2011-08-02T13:59:00.000-04:00

Breakfast

Green Smoothie
Fruit & Nuts with Superfoods
Cucumbers with pecans
Superfoods Combo: Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, green powder, coconut oil, honey
Shake Your Money Maker: Super-Food Shake-Matt Amstand
Gabes Goodies: Morning-After Delight
Buckwheat Crispies/Cereal

Lunch

Large green salad with nuts or seeds and a great dressing
Guacamole with chips or veggies
Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Kale Salad
Cucumbers with pecans
Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Cleansing Beet Salad
Broccoli Salad with Pine Nuts & Crasins
Avocado Sandwich on Onion Bread
Lettuce wraps

Dinner

Zucchini pasta with fresh tomato marinara
Zucchini pasta with pesto, tomatoes, olives, avocado & pine nuts
Fresh corn chowder
Ramen cabbage salad with tomatoes
Raw Tacos with Nut Meat & Cashew Cheese
Raw Chili
Gorilla Sandwiches (Stuff hollowed out cucumbers with chopped veggies: jalapeno, yellow peppers, tomato, sprouts, diced avocado, 'wilted' spinach (diced seasoned and dehydrated 1 hr) marinated mushrooms, kelp, served with Snowdrop's Ranch Dip or other dressing
Nori Rolls with avocado, carrot, cucumber & dipping sauce

Desserts and Snacks

Superfoods Truffles
Cauliflower popcorn (shake in ½ cup nutritional yeast & sea salt)
Guacamole with chips or veggies
Raw Hummus with Zucchini or Cashews
Apples with pecans, cinnamon, Yacon syrup
Fresh Strawberries with Almond Crumble or cashew cream
Halva (1 cup tahini + 1/2 cup honey, roll into balls)
Kale Chips
Raw Nut butter with celery & carrots

Drinks

Chia with fruit juice
Lemon-Lime Aid Slushy with Stevia
Herbal tea
Sun Tea
Tonic Drink
Water with Goji berries

Superfoods to incorporate daily (from David Wolfe’s book Superfoods)

Top Ten:

Goji Berries

Cacao

Maca

Bee Products

Honey

Bee Pollen

Royal Jelly

Propilis

Spirulina

AFA Blue-Green Algae

Marine Phytoplankton

Aloe Vera

Hempseed

Coconuts (including oil)

Honorable Mention:

Acai

Camu Camu Berry

Chlorella

Incan Berries

Kelp

Noni

Yacon

Companion Planting

2011-05-24T11:19:00.000-04:00

I've been interested in companion planting for some time. Here are two nice documents on companion planting.

Companion Planting Made Easy
A very nice, detailed little booklet!

Companion Planting Chart

The Passion of the Christ - The Last Supper

2011-04-08T16:26:00.000-04:00

A Native American Tradition

2011-03-10T12:25:00.000-05:00

According to Iroquois legend, corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable

sisters who only grow and thrive together. This tradition of interplanting corn,

beans and squash in the same mounds, widespread among Native American

farming societies, is a sophisticated, sustainable system that provided long-term

soil fertility and a healthy diet to generations. Growing a Three Sisters garden is

a wonderful way to feel more connected to the history of this land, regardless of

our ancestry.

A simple plan from Renee's Garden can be found here!
Three Sister's Garden Plan

How to Cook a Meal in a Thermos Bottle

2011-03-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

Cooking in a Thermos(TM) Bottle

A Fun, Economical Way to Make Your Meals

By Kassidy Emmerson

Takeaways

Besides your ingredients, you'll also need boiling water.
Rice, pasta, and hot cereals cook the best in a Thermos bottle.
A stainless steel-lined Thermos holds the heat longer.

A few years ago, when I had a site on the now defunct "Themestream" network, I posted all kinds of easy-to-make recipes and cooking tips for my readers. I then started to get requests for recipes that made only one or two servings. These requests came from my senior citizen readers, as well as from others who lived alone. To accommodate these requests, I did add more recipes to my site that made smaller portions of food. And, it seemed like the more "smaller" recipes I posted, the more "Thank" emails I received from my readers. It was then that I realized how many people there are in the world who cook small meals.

At the same time I became interested in the need for cooking small meals, I discovered Thermos bottle cooking. It's a great way for senior citizens- and others who need only one or two servings- to put a hot meal on their table with a minimum amount of fuss. There are many advantages in cooking with a Thermos bottle: It's cheaper than using a range, it doesn't heat up your kitchen, it requires only a small amount of energy, and there are no pots and pans to wash afterwards.

To use this method of cooking, if you don't already own a suitable Thermos bottle, you'll have to purchase at least one. You'll need a well-built bottle that's lined with stainless steel. This type will hold the heat the best. It's unbreakable, which is another plus. It should also hold about one quart of food. The wide mouth containers are the easiest to remove food from. However, the larger mouth means it will lose more heat. So, choose a Thermos that has a small neck. If you want to cook more than one recipe at a time, then you'll need two or more bottles. They are kind of costly to buy, but they'll pay for themselves over and over again!

You'll also need boiling water. Your microwave oven can easily provide that. If your tap water is hot enough, you can skip heating up the water and just get it straight from your faucet. Being that your food will be cooked in boiling water, foods such as rice, pasta, and hot cereals cook the best. This doesn't mean that you are limited to cooking only these foods, however. You can make soups, stews, casseroles, and many other recipes.

An easy casserole to start with is one of my personal favorites, Tuna Macaroni. First, pour 1-1/2 cups of boiling water into your Thermos. Then, carefully pour in 4 tablespoons of dry milk, 2/3 cup of elbow macaroni, 1/4 teaspoon of chicken bouillon, and 1/2 teaspoon of parsley. Place the stopper in your Thermos bottle and tighten it. Shake the container for 20 seconds to mix its contents. Then, lay the bottle on its side. Let it set undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Finally, open your Thermos and mix in one drained can of tuna fish and 1/2 cup canned peas to the bottle. Reseal the container and allow your Tuna Macaroni to finish cooking. When you're ready to eat lunch or dinner, pour the desired amount of Tuna Macaroni into a bowl. Season it to taste with salt and black pepper. Then, enjoy your homemade, economical meal!

Cooking your meals in a Thermos bottle can be handy at home. It can be even handier for making meals while you're camping. Or, if you're going hiking, skiing, or rock climbing, you can just add the ingredients and then go! When lunchtime rolls around, your meal will be hot and ready!

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How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

2011-03-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I'm just about fed up with paying $15-20 for a box for laundry detergent! This sounds simple and doable!

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Solar Oven, Rocket Stoves, and More!

2011-03-02T11:23:00.001-05:00

Five Earth-Friendly Cooking Technologies and How to Build Them

Jackie’s tips for Hardcore Homesteading

2011-03-02T09:04:00.000-05:00

Survival Gardening Tips

Emergency Survival List: Food Storage Ideas & Misc

2011-03-02T08:42:00.000-05:00

Wake Up From Your Slumber

Found the list at Good Earth Health Food store.

Food Storage Ideas
Family Size: 1
Time frame 1 year
Wheat...................175 lbs
Flour...................20 lbs
Quinoa..................30 lbs
Rolled Oats.............50 lbs
White Rice..............80 lbs
Pearled Barley..........5 lbs
Spaghetti Or Macaroni...40 lbs
Dry Beans...............45 lbs
Dry Soy Beans...........2 lbs
Dry Split Peas..........2 lbs
Dry Lentils.............2 lbs
Dry Soup Mix............7 lbs
Peanut Butter...........1 qt
Almont Butter...........1 qt
Nonfat Dry Milk.........14 lbs
Granulated Sugar........40 lbs
Molasses................1 lb
Honey...................3 lbs
Beef Gelatin............1 lb
Salt....................8 lbs
Dry Yeast...............0.5 lbs
Water...................28 gal.
Multiply items 1x per additional family size

_______________________

Found the list on a web site, here's the list for posterity
100 Items to Disappear First
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens
From a Sarajevo War Survivor:
Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and
friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.
1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches

____________________

For more references on survival, google "emergency survival" & "emergency food" for the myriad of links to relevant sites. Even reading the how-to survival books might help (check out the list at Amazon by inputting "survival" in Books section and search around for particular books).
Of course, if one can afford and get over the 'irrational fear' of firearms (unless the city, state or national law where you live expressly forbid the ownership of certain firearm with the threat of jail and penalties, like New York state and Australia), the ownership of firearms will be essential to survival. A bow, set of arrows and field dressing kit & manual might help in hunting wild game for roasting & consumption. Just my idea.

Stay Warm and Attractive With the Right Clothes This Winter

2011-02-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

I know winter is almost over, but I really like this article, though I would never spend $400 on the little black dress! I love the leg warmers with the boots and plan to make a pair!

A very common complaint is noticed among women during winter that in attempt to prevent them-selves from winter they start looking fatter than before. However, I have got some tips for all the beautiful ladies out there on how to look slim and stay warm at the same time all the season.

Tip 1: always wear thermal underwear that fits like a glove. It should be well ventilated but should also insulate well without creating any appearance of bulkiness. You can avoid many layers of clothing in mild weather and get away with it. You’ll look slimmer if you wear lesser layers. Your clothes should be tight fitting. The positive thing about winter underwear is that it can hold the shaggy fats on your body and gives you a slimmer shape.

Tip 2: if you are about to wear a shorter dress or a skirt make your legs look slimmer by wearing wool stockings. Choose a black color or a very dark color as they have a tendency to give slimming effect to your legs.

Tip 3: wear coat that matches your figure. A very tight coat will expose your fat and will make you look fatter. A nice fitting coat will flatter your figure and will make you look sexier.

Tip 4: try and wear fewer layers but with warmer effects. Winter is the time to bring cashmere and carry it. Wear silk and wool instead of many layers of cotton.

Tip 5: you can beat the chilly winter with a gorgeous looking pashmina shawl. The good thing about this fabric is that it doesn’t add bulk to your body figure.

Other than these tips to look slim this winter, following are the fashion trends that are going to rule the fashion industry this year.

The LBD: the little black dress is back with a bang and this time even more popular. It is a wardrobe dream and is perfect for holiday parties, cocktail hours and parties or for going out. It’s the most popular fashion of this season and you can find a perfect LBD anywhere for as low as $400. When combined with patterned tights, patent pumps or boots, a funky jewelry, it can make you look attractive and stand out from the crowd.

The sweater dress: cable knit and stocky sweaters are the other most happening wardrobe this season. It can give a chic look and at the same time, can save you from the harshness of winter. You can carry this sweater with a wide belt and combine it with a pair of tights or a leggie. If you are an office going woman, make sure that your sweater is of appropriate length. Combining tights with this sweater will flourish your office going look.

Preppy pea coat: these coats are also going to rule the fashion streets of the world this season. Doesn’t matter, it’s a long coat or a short coat; they will look perfect, fashionable and elegant with anything you wear. You can carry them very stylishly over your work suit or can look very beautiful in a lively silk dress. The good thing this season about these pea coats is that they will not remain color conscious as they were before.

About the Author

Bjorn Olav Jonsson is a freelance writer. For further information visit the website, www.66north.com.

Raw Menu #3

2011-02-14T14:06:00.000-05:00

Breakfast
Lemon Water, 32 oz. upon arising
Raw Granola: Morning After Delight

Snack
Carrots, Celery and Sugar Snap Peas

Lunch

Orange Pomegranate Salad

Dinner
Raw Zucchini Pasta

Kombucha Tea sweetened w/ Stevia

Snack
Apple Crunch
Herbal Tea

One of my favorite raw breakfast recipes!

2011-02-14T12:54:00.000-05:00

Gabes Goodies: Morning-After Delight

Ingredients (always use raw & organic for the best flava!)

1/2 cup Almonds
1/2 cup Walnuts
1/2 cup Cashews
1/2 cup Wild Peanuts (Natures First Law)
1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds
1/2 cup Raw Chocolate Nibs
2 table spoons Cup Raw Chocolate Powser (Natures First Law)
1 table spoon of Raw Honey
4 table spoons of Raw Agave nectar
2 dashes of Sea Salt
2 dashes of Cinnamon

Directions
Chop. Mix. Enjoy! Gabe promises you'll be floating!

I substitute sunflower seeds for the wild peanuts.

We Like It Raw

Linen for Your Health!

2011-02-14T12:38:00.000-05:00

Why wear linen? Try it on and you will immediately sense a difference.

It filters the air, does not cause allergic reactions, does not accumulate static electricity, posseses high air permiablity, is bacteria and fungus resistent, is cool in the summer and warm in the winter, washes and wears beautifully. That's just the beginning! Read more here!

Healing Clothing

Linen for Your Health

Pattern for the skirt in the photo!
Simple Linen Skirt

Napa Cabbage Kimchi Recipe

2011-02-14T11:53:00.001-05:00

Napa Cabbage Kimchi
By Ani Phyo
Makes about 8 cups
Pickling time: 2 to 3 days

1 napa cabbage, cut crosswise into 2-inch chunks
1/2 medium-size daikon radish, peeled and cut into quarters lengthwise, then 1/2-inch-thick chunks
2 tablespoons sea salt
1/2 cup water
2 green onions, sliced into 2-inch lengths
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon Korean chili powder

Place the cabbage and daikon pieces in a large mixing bowl.
Place the salt and water in a separate small bowl, mix to dissolve. Pour over the vegetables. Set aside at room temperature overnight to soften.

The next day, drain, reserving the saltwater the vegetables were soaked in. Add the green onions, garlic, ginger, and chili powder to the cabbage mixture, and mix well. Tightly pack the mixture into a 1/2-gallon glass jar with a lid. Pour the saved saltwater into the jar, leaving 1 inch of space at the top. Tightly close the lid. Leave the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 days (depending on the termperature and how pickled or fermented you want your kimchi). Refrigerate after opening. Will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

Concerned About Pesticides on Your Food?

2011-02-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

The Full List gives you a more complete list!

Kimchi!

2011-02-07T13:50:00.001-05:00

Last night I made Kimchi! A very mild version mind you. Fermented foods are suppose to be longevity foods and good for the digestion. I love them on avocado sandwiches or just as a snack.

It took about an hour and a half of chopping and slicing, but so worth the time. It looks so colorful in a glass gallon jar sitting on the top shelf of my refrigerator.

Here is a link to the recipe I used.

The Ultimate Kimchi Recipe

Raw Menu #2

2011-02-05T20:05:00.003-05:00

Breakfast
Lemon Water, 32 oz. upon arising
Shake Your Money Maker: Super-Food Shake
http://books.google.com/books?id=ialwGIyz0xQC&lpg=PT47&ots=Bvkf97hYyS&dq=shake%20your%20money%20maker%20superfood%20shake&pg=PT47#v=onepage&q&f=false

Lunch
V-8 Vegetable Soup

Snack
Raw Banana Split w/ Cocao Nibs
http://goneraw.com/recipe/simple-banana-split

Dinner
Bok Choy Salad w/ Cashews
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/bok-choy-salad
Raw Blended Soup
Kombucha Tea

Snack
Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas

Audrey Hepburn's beauty tips...

2011-02-02T15:31:00.001-05:00

"For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."
— Audrey Hepburn

Raw Menu #1

2011-02-02T15:24:00.006-05:00

Breakfast
Lemon Water, 32 oz. upon arising
Green Smoothie w/ Bananas & Blueberries

Lunch
Fermented Veggies & Avocado on Onion Bread

Snack
Cinnamon Apple & Pecans Dessert

Dinner
Raw Kale Salad w/ Tamari Roasted Almonds
http://iheartkale.blogspot.com/2008/05/raw-kale-salad-with-tamari-roasted.html
Raw Blended Soup
Herbal Tea

A new linen skirt headed my way!

2011-02-02T13:13:00.001-05:00

New addition to my wardrobe. I love that it's made by a homeschool mom! And I love linen, wrinkles and all!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66191879/long-scrunches-and-flower-skirt

28 Day Reset Cleanse!

2011-02-02T12:25:00.002-05:00

Smoothies! Blended soups! Amazing salads! Menu ideas and recipes to come!

My favorite raw food site is Raw Food Rehab! Check it out here http://rawfoodrehab.ning.com/

Simple Pleasures!

2007-10-15T20:05:00.000-04:00

Girlfriend time!
A sunny window!
Impromptu tea!

A hat!!!

Jackson County Artists & Writers Exhibit

2007-09-03T13:28:00.000-04:00

This is the second year I have had the privilege of coordinating the Jackson County Artists & Writers exhibit in Jackson County, Kentucky. This year we had 14 exhibitors for another beautiful exhibit. Doreen Main's fused glass "Starburst" is on view here. The albums for the 2006 and 2007 exhibits are in the Debbie's Album link or just click here http://picasaweb.google.com/redletterstudio

Blackberry Bliss

2007-07-08T18:10:00.000-04:00

My favorite youngest son picked blackberries this morning and waving the bucket before my eyes said, "Blackberry cobbler!"...so I pulled up today's favorite recipe http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blackberry-Cobbler-II/Detail.aspx and with pleading eyes looked at my favorite daughter and said "Blackberry cobbler!" I think she did a beautiful job!

Passover/Spring Cleaning

2007-03-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

As I think about and study the subject of Passover, the symbolism of the removal of leaven from the home has intrigued me. Jesus speaks of the leaven as representing hypocrisy in Mark 8:15, Luke 12:1, and Matthew 16:6, 11,12. God says remove every trace of leaven from where you live. The message seems quite clear-remove and beware of hypocrisy. A kind of spring cleaning says a friend.

In primitive or old time Appalachian mountain religion churches, they yearly partake of the sacrament and foot washing or the Lord's Supper (after Leonardo's painting of the same name) only after "setting the church at peace." This is in reference to a time, usually the evening before, of confession, repentance and peace-making among the members. The church will not partake of the sacrament until this is accomplished. Old fashioned? I don't think so. Imagine if the humbleness of Christ truly reigned in our hearts and we washed each others feet with a church set at peace.

Spring cleaning takes on a whole new and challenging meaning!

Taking Responsibility for Our Own Health

2007-03-12T10:45:00.000-04:00

I've been interested in and studied issues concerning health for over 20 years now. I've benefited from this interest greatly and so has my family. I've learned a lot from personal trial and error and experienced vegan, vegetarian, raw food, and the Standard American diets. I don't believe that there is one particular way of eating that can be prescribed as perfect for all, but I do believe that there are certain lifestyle habits that can benefit every person. Eating foods as close to their natural form as possible, a moderate amount of daily exercise, plenty of clean water, fresh air, sunshine, proper attitude, connection with God, time with encouraging people, work and other activities that engage you physically and mentally will go a long way in keeping you more fit, healthy and happy. A great site to visit with some great information in each of these areas is http://www.creationhealth.com/ or just click on Creation Health in the website list on the right.

I've also experienced great benefits from short fasts and cleansing programs. As spring approaches, we think about the spring cleaning of our homes and outdoor environments. It's also an ideal time to think about the cleansing of our internal, bodily environments as well. A short seven-day fast or cleanse can make a difference not only in energy and general health, but also help you sleep better and think more clearly. I highly recommend it as a great way to start spring. Sonne's website at http://sonnes.com/ has some great information and I've experienced great benefits from their products especially the #7 Detoxificant and #9 Intestinal Cleanser. I'm trying their 7 Day Cleansing Program this spring while I review a few good books and articles that remind of the benefits of being proactive in my own health care.

2007-03-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

There are two ways to slice easily through life;
to believe everything or to doubt everything.
Both ways save us from thinking.
-Alfred Korzybski

Carrie Bloomston

2007-02-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

This is from today's posting on Daily Poetics http://dailypoetics.typepad.com/daily_poetics/. She has so eloquently stated the process I often go through in creating my own work.

Carrie Bloomston

Artist Statement:"I usually start by screwing something up. The first marks don’t always matter, they’re just there so that I might begin. The first marks change the blankness, remove the preciousness so that I can move in. The rest is a conversation; a combination of intentions and mishaps, discoveries and accidents until I find what I want. It’s as if I don’t make paintings, but rather I find them. They become what they are through a series of exchanges (marks and cancellations) and then I find them there like that - with my conscious self and I think that I can stop. Phillip Guston said he painted because his images didn’t exist in the world and he wanted to see them. I think, in part, I paint worlds because they don’t exist and I want to go to them - each with a logic and a weather, an emotional temperature, a quality of light. Landscapes of the interior. These spaces become for me enduring visual mantras. The landscape is always present in my work - how things grow and live in context of each other, forms in space, living side by side. One mark can become mountain, tree, mist, unknown, figure or ground. The mark is objectified- sometimes alone, sometimes not. In a way, the mark becomes the emptiness - a place where we might put things or qualities, a place where we might go. I don’t want to confine the images, to signify a too exact meaning for the viewer or myself. There should be more work for us when the piece is finished. I want room in the work for mutability, association and play. I try to create enough space so that we can go into the images as though they were air, so that we don’t get hung up on any one thing- so that we don’t get stuck. One of my painting teachers, Holly Hughes, said that we have to paint things with full commitment and integrity to allow the viewer entrance into the work without having to stumble over a lot of technical questions before we can find meaning. I’m after that integrity."

Digital Imaging Tips

2007-02-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

I attended a digital imaging workshop sponsored by Kentucky Arts Council at Spencerian College in Lexington, Kentucky and picked several tips on digital imaging for artists which I thought I would pass on.

Set your digital camera to shoot at the highest image resolution possible
Save your images at the highest resolution possible (300-600 ppi) in a file labeled "Original", this is your archive
IMPORTANT! Work only from copies made from the original
Use your camera software or a program such as Photoshop to work with you images
Know what you will be using the images for before determining resolution and size
A resolution of 72 ppi is considered a low resolution image and is used exclusively for web which can only display at 72 ppi-if you've ever lost patience with a slow loading web page, the images were probably too large
A resolution of 150-200 ppi is considered medium resolution and is used for low quality printing such as newspaper and small images on high rag content paper
A resolution of 300 ppi is considered high resolution and is used for high-end printing such as magazines, brochures, billboards, etc.
File format is determined by intended use
.jpg-JPEG, Joint Photographic Experts Group, lossy-loses quality every time you make changes, compressed, used mainly for Web
.TIFF-Tagged Image Format File, can be opened in any image editing software, no loss of data when you make changes
.psd-native file for Photoshop, must have Photoshop to open

The Kentucky Arts Council offers a variety of great workshops for artists. There are three others in this series for artists coming up on digital imaging, marketing yourself on the web, and promotional materials. For information here is the place to look http://artscouncil.ky.gov/wkshops.htm

Doing What We Can, Not Worrying About What We Cannot Do

2007-02-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

One of my goals for 2007 is to read through the New Testament. In Mark 15:47, it says the women saw where Jesus' body was laid. It seems insignificant, and I have read over it often. In that time women were insignificant, but in Chapter 16, because they returned the next evening to do something they could do, these women were recorded as the first witnesses to the fact that the tomb was empty and to receive a message from an angel. The note for 15:47 was significant to me-maybe it will be to you as well.

These women could do very little. They could not speak before the high council in Jesus' defense; they couldn't appeal to Pilate; they couldn't stand against the crowds; they couldn't overpower the Roman guards. But they did what they could. They stayed at the cross when the disciples had fled; they followed Jesus' body to its tomb; and they prepared spices for his body. Because these women used the opportunities they had. they were the first to witness the resurrection. God blessed their devotion and diligence. As believers,we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do.-Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation

Heart Box

2007-02-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

This heart-themed wooden box top is painted and collaged. I used a magazine photo, torn papers, and acrylic paint and medium. The inside is paint and tissue papers. I love to visit thrift stores and pickup boxes and items which can be used for assemblage and collage. Now just finding the time and space for it all!

The Offering

2007-02-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

Hearts...

Hands...

Stones.

Stones...

Hands...

Hearts.

I enjoy interesting stones. My oldest son, Matthew, found this heart-shaped stone and gave it to me. I've treasured it and often enjoy just holding it and looking at it. It has a few tiny embedded chips which I believe may be some type of gemstone. It reminds me that no matter how hard the heart, there is always a glimmer of hope or some hidden treasure within if you look close enough. My daughter Kathryn composed and took the photo.

Writing an Artist's Statement

2007-02-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

Marketing materials become more necessasary as you become established as an artist. An artist statement gives you an opportunity to share why and how you do what you do.

Here are two sources on artist's statements which I found helpful in clarifying what an artist's statement is, the value in having one and how to write one.
http://www.ebsqart.com/ArtMagazine/za_400.htm
http://www.mollygordon.com/resources/marketingresources/artstatemt/

Worksheets are useful for some people...
http://intranet.mcad.edu/modules/ds/assets/004/Artist_Statement_Worksheet.pdf
http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/3901/3901_analyzingPhotos_writing.pdf

and a simple to understand blogsite on artist's statements.
http://artistemerging.blogspot.com/2006/08/writing-artists-statement.html

Layers

2007-01-22T16:26:00.000-05:00

I've been experimenting with layers of transparent acrylic paint and inks applied with recycled plastic cards. The effect is a luminous quality which reminds me of stained glass. Inspire Me Thursday's Weekly Challenge of Layers was a perfect opportunity to share this piece called Cardinals.

Marketing Your Art

2007-01-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

I just picked up some great tips for marketing for artists who have very little money for advertising from this smARTist Telesummit link
http://www.smartist-telesummit.com/preview/1-18-2007.mp3

This is an art career telesummit. They have very generously posted the 90-minute first day panel discussion recording. Hopefully it will be available for a few days at least. Here is the link if you want more information http://www.smartist-telesummit.com/