Trip to Dead Horse Point State Park

Michael and I had a chance to go to Moab for a couple of days for work, but on Friday afternoon we were able to take some time to go to Dead Horse Point State Park. Neither of us had been there so we were glad for the chance to be able to go.  It was beautiful. The weather was cool, but not cold so that we could walk around without coats until the sun went down. 

Be Your Own Beloved

When I got my iPhone last year, I started following Vivienne McMaster on instagram.  She is the creator and teacher of the e-course Be Your Own Beloved. From the first moments of seeing her photos and hearing about her class - I knew I wanted to take it at some point. I have learned so much as just by following her and reading her blog - I have learned to start seeing myself differently.  I knew I had much more to learn. So when the chance came up that I could take her class - I jumped on it.  Starting February 1st I will be taking Be Your Own Beloved. I am looking forward to it and can't wait to learn and grow. I need to talk to myself with kindness and see myself with compassion.



Be Your Own Beloved from Vivienne McMaster on Vimeo.

Jar of Hearts

52 Week Photo Project: Week 4

From Dead Horse Point State Park

Be Me

I am a big Liz Lamoreux fan. I have her book Inner Excavation and feel it helped me get unstuck in creating again.  I get her newseltter and often it says just what I am needing to hear in that moment. Her newsletter of January 22nd was one of those. 

Quote from it...."We all need a space where we can just be us. A space where we aren't in charge. Where we feel safe enough to unearth this true essence inside us. A space to be the quiet one or the one who gives the biggest hugs or the one who invites others to dance or the one who simply nods and listens murmuring "yes." A space where we can connect with other like-minded souls." ~ Liz Lamoreux

That space often is just with me inside me - quite, taking deep breathes and doing what feels right in the moment. But also it is with a group of friends. Twenty thirteen brought me a circle of friends that I haven't had since moving to Grand Junction.  It is the first time I have felt like I have a space to be me.  It is a space to be me in art, be me in laughter, be me in silliness, be me in deep discussions, be me in connection and vulnerability.  I am truly thankful for the great group of friends that came together in 2013 and grow closer in 2014.

Photo from Amy Brown Fairy Cards - a tarot reading done on the 19th.

Sweet Dreams

52 Week Photo Project: Week 3

Frozen waterfall outside Idaho Springs.  Michael upgraded his iPhone so I got his old one which is faster and bigger memory then my old one.  I was needing it as many photos as I snap - I was running out of room. With my old iPhone - the iPhone 4 I wouldn't have been able to get this photo.  With his old 4s - I was. This was in a moving car along I-70 outside of Idaho Springs. So I was thrilled it took such a good photo.

Light

52 Week Photo Project: Week 2

Art Community

Stepping out of my comfort zone....joining Grand Valley Art Student League. My friend Sara asked me to join the GVASL so I took a step outside of my comfort zone to nourish myself with art. I know I like being around a community of like minded people - artists.  It nourishes me and helps push me to create.

Hibernate

My friend Kathie gifted me an e-course: Hibernate.  First Thank You Kathie for being so kind and giving.  It is just what I needed right now. The Hibernate e-course is about taking rest in the winter to nourish, gather, renew, create and rest.  I am looking forward to taking it.

It is odd that it has taken me so long to be okay being me. Really it started when I was 40.  I am now 46 and still not quite where I am comfortable being me completely.  I want to take this time in this class to do all the things it suggest - nourish, gather, renew, create and rest so that I can create a clear vision of what work I need to do next.

Someday's it is easy to fall back into old habits and old ways of thinking.  But I know I feel better about myself and life when I keep walking the path I started on at 40 and hope to see more solid and clear in the years to come. I am hoping my 50's seem more completely in myself.

Royals

52 Week Photo Project: Week 1

Breakfast on New Years Day

This is an easy, versatile breakfast that has many names. I grew up with my Grandma and Dad calling them Toad in the Hole. But I have heard them called, Eggs in a Nest. It is simply an egg in a hole in bread.

The normal way is to do this in a frying pan, but then that means cooking them almost one at a time. If you are doing several, I find baking them much easier. Plus it allows me to walk away and do other things while they are cooking.

We like even having these for a quick dinner when things have been so busy during the day.

Ingredients
serves 4

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for sheet
4 slices sandwich bread
4 large eggs
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings: grated cheese, finely chopped green onion, crumbled bacon, ham, chopped parsley, sliced avocado, hot sauce, and chopped tomatoes

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter (or use coat with cooking spray) a rimmed baking sheet.

Butter bread on both sides. With a cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut a 2 1/2-inch round from center of each bread slice. Place slices and rounds on sheet and bake until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven and flip bread.

Carefully crack 1 egg into center of each slice. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are set, but yolks are still slightly runny or cooked hard, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through (sprinkle with cheese, bacon, ham, onion, if using, during last minute of baking). Serve with desired toppings.

NOTES:
During the holidays - I used heart, star, snowflake shaped cookie cutters. With Valentine's approaching, I will be doing these for breakfast with crumbled bacon and cheese on top and using a heart cookie cutter on the bread.