When was the last time?

The New Year holds great possibilities and a chance for renewal, a rebirth of ideals, commitments and promises. In 2016 I am optimist and busy with a new endeavor in creative play. My post title will become understood throughout this post as I will share my newest creative ambition. As tantalizing as the title is and may make your thoughts stray, it's not about that! 

I do not make New Year's resolutions, instead I make a commitment, a personal pledge to a Country and another to a charity or cause. I never break my commitments and in the process I fulfill an innate personal need for learning. For the second year my country choice is America. I feel she is in need and I support trade and purchase products she manufacturers and grows. I travel, learn and discover her majestic beauty and cook from locally sourced foods and try out recipes from different states.

My cause/charity this year is supporting shelters for abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

I believe my charity choice was greatly influenced by the loss of our Max in December. We started off the New Year by making a donation to Morris Animal refuge in Philadelphia. Max and Simon were adopted from there and brought to their forever home. As well as previous cats Holly, Natasha and Sneakers  (my son named him because he loved Kilban's artwork with cats wearing Red sneakers). So instead of resolutions this is what I choose to do and find inner pride in my choice. 

I love foods served in a bowl, especially during our Northeast's cold Winters. It's soup time in Philadelphia and Winter means a home cooked different soup each week.

This is my own recipe. I named it Cowboy 18 bean soup, made with smoked Turkey wings and thighs and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. Interested in the recipe, just ask and I'll send you it, it's Tex-Mex with a warm kick of heat. Hearty, filling and a comfort food soup.

Over the years I've gathered an interesting bowl collection that I coordinate with foods served in them. For my Cowboy 18 bean soup I used our vintage cowboy bowls. John and I purchased them around 25 years ago, they were already vintage, a set of 4 found at the Berlin, NJ flea market. They were pricey but in pristine condition, the dealer showed the marking on the bottom of the pottery bowls and it read Frankoma. Frankoma Pottery is American made in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and highly collectible. Any recipe I make that is Tex-Mex and fits in a bowl gets served in these fun bowls. 

My title, When was the last time? I ask you ... When was the last time you awoke from a dream with goosebumps excited to try something new?

It last occurred on New Years Eve three years ago going to bed and praying for another artistic expression. That morning I awoke with a poem in my head and since that day have been writing poetry, an expression that stirs my emotions and feeds my soul. Seriously my muse doesn't quit with interrupting my thoughts and demands I craft the words into poetry, other wises words and rhymes linger in my mind and writing releases them.

After my Holiday presentation of a play and a wedding on December 21st, 2015 post I once again asked/prayed for another creative expression. Making clear in prayer I meant in addition to not In place of my poetry. Well the goosebumps arrived with the possibly of creating each and every character from clay in my French theatre and Vampire castle's presentations for next year. Ambitious sure... Tick, tick, Ha!

In my early 20's I was a Potter and threw Arizona Red Clay (my favorite) down onto a potters wheel and formed a whole lot of pitchers and bowls. The wheel is all about throwing down clay and with the grace and guidance of your hands giving structure and shape to a form spinning around. Now if it wasn't for living in the city and Philadelphia's fire code's insurance restrictions voiding out a policy having a kiln in a residential home I'd still be a "Potter". To be connected to earth's clay is a soulful self rewarding art.

I've started working in White clay building up slowly to then sculpt into my "cast of characters" for my presentations. Different for me because it's not forming from within the structure. It is about building up to remove, carving clay with tools. With many "newbie" questions I approached/pestered friend Penny White from Angelsdoor blog for her help, her answers were both encouraging and extremely helpful.

Since working on this piece I have switched from air dry White clay to baking White clay in the oven at 275 for 15 minutes per 1/4 inch of thickness. Baking produces less hairline cracking to repair and a much more hardened piece. I prefer it, hey live and learn.

Building up clay layer by layer over an aluminum foil armature I made to then carve the clay with tools.  This was my first piece as I was working on him. A mouse who's a chubby happy silly fellow who will be paint washed with mousie color tones of Grey's and Brown's. Perhaps sporting a vest made of vintage Sapphire blue silk velvet, we'll see. He stands only 3.5 inches tall.

My clay carving/sculpting tools. 11 tools, 21 double sided different tools. In following posts I will share a couple of completed pieces.

When was the last time you awoke from a dream with goosebumps excited to try something new? 

An adrenaline rush felt with a sudden burst of energy when a new perspective of an idea comes into view.

Often sparks of inspiration occur too few and far between and sometimes the idea seems to arrive a tad askew.

Relax your mind through meditation or breathing exercises before bed to deliver creative concepts you feel are past due.

Images and dreams reoccurring nightly offer a clue towards aspirations that repose within you.

I've discovered all it takes for me is asking in prayer for new adventures or endeavors, I promise it's true.

So when was the last time you awoke from a dream with goosebumps excited to try something new?

I wish you dream tonight of exciting new ideas and when you awake your memories excite and bond like glue.

© Vera

I entered into my third year of blogging on December 11th and I look forward to sharing in 2016 with thought provoking posts to ponder my writings and poetry. My blogging choice, my style.

Blog Land is a unique community of people connected in a powerhouse of ideas, creativity and of personal sharing. Friendships form and through time mindsets are broadened and hearts warmed. Below is a shout out and a thank you to a fellow blogger who has become a friend. Tina from The blog What We Keep.  Tinacarlson.com 

On November 19th, 2015 I wrote the poem Peace on Earth and posted it.  It was a way for me to process my feelings over the terrorism in Paris. It became our handmade Christmas card and included in each one was my poem printed on translucent vellum. 

I had long admired Tina's sense of humor and posting style along with her artistic style. I adore her 3 fur kids, dogs Jack, Bruce and Sophie. Personally I think Tina creates the prettiest embroidery I've ever seen. Delicate yet extremely durable with an appearance of it being hand stitched embroidery.

I asked Tina to embroider 4 hand towels with Peace on Earth on them for the holiday season. The photo is what Tina had emailed me with her embroidery for my approval. Gorgeous, they arrived pre-washed and were instantly hung, loved and are still being used.

Inside the box Tina included a few gifts that surprised and delighted me. Tina took the first stanza which also was the last sentence of my poem and embroidered it on a silk cream fabric backed in Grey silk and accented by an organza wired terra cotta colored ribbon with a beautiful bird pin, the sachet is filled with organic Lavender. But Tina's kind and generous heart tucked more in the box...

Inside a sweet note with 4 fresh laurel (bay) leaves were enclosed (I used them in cooking the following day). Also this ceramic peace dove that has a glittered effect that perches on top of our dining room armoire. I have not packed the dove away with Christmas nor the hand towels. Still praying for that illusive peace on earth and working on my own inner peace. Final gift was one of Tina's cream velvet acorns she creates. From the bottom of my heart thank you my friend. 

I leave you with a photo to bring a smile, the source is unknown. See you soon.

xx,

Vera

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