5 A Day

I was visiting Leah today. She had been tagged to take part in the Mindapples project telling the world what five things you do that help keep you mentally well.

Here’s how it works:

• Write a post telling your readers five things you do that help keep you mentally well.
• Link to the Mindapples site.
• Invite five blog-friends to do the same (if you want to)

And that’s it.

I've decided to list my five things that calm/ground me, but I'm not going to tag anyone. Play along if you like.

1. I like to meditate.
2. Walk around the neighborhood.
3. Listen to music - usually with a Celtic flavor.
4. Be creative. That might mean playing with paint, working with yarn, cooking.
   
5. Reading. Keep the little gray cells active!
   
6. Stay interested in life! Get up in the morning and welcome the day.
7. Opps -- guess I've gone over 5!

It's not 2009 yet, but already the January calendar is getting busy. I enjoyed Creative Everyday so much in 2008 that I signed up for Creative Everyday 2009 (check out Leah's blog). Jamie at TNC is starting a new book in January - Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women. I'm sure it will be as much fun as Soul Coaching was -- not to mention good for me, too! Paulette Insall has a new journaling class that starts January 5. The Houston Zoo is starting off its wild life lectures in January with cotton top tamarins and I have a short, 15 minute presentation for the docents early in the month. Wow! That should keep me busy. Perhaps I should add number 8 above: Keep Busy. Then there is no time to get flustered!

Seeing the little Christmas tree widget counting down the days to Christmas reminds me that time moves quickly. Make every moment count. Embrace every moment.

Handmade Christmas

How about some handmade (crochet) Christmas potholders?

Christmas Tree

Stocking

Wreath

Poinsettia

I think the wreath is my favorite. They are doubled making them extra thick. I think they will look very nice on the table this Christmas. Those of you who are looking for your box from Twisty Lane, don't read this post! The patterns are available from The Crochet Village and Annies Attic.

Old Town Spring

Our girls craft day was canceled again. Last time it was Hurricane Ike that delayed things. This time our hostess had walking pneumonia and my other buddy was stuck at home getting a new fence (the old one knocked down by Ike). Someday we will get together! Hopefully soon.

Mr. Dragon and I decided to drive out to Old Town Spring. As far as we can guess, it has been at least twenty years since we last made this journey. Amazing! I remembered it fondly and thought since it was holiday time, it would be a treat and the shops would be decorated. Our little trip was fun. Neither of us remembered the Old Town being as large as it is today. Street after street of little shops.

Old Town Spring was decorated for the holidays.

Old Town Spring has a magazine and map that we quickly took and marked out our afternoon. We decided The Little Dutch Girl was a definite stop. They make fudge -- all kinds. We came home with a 1/4 pound of four different flavors - chocolate chocolate, chocolate walnut, maple nut and pumpkin. You read that correctly PUMPKIN. The Pumpkin was my favorite. Delicious! Definitely worth the drive! Now I have to find a recipe for Pumpkin fudge.

We couldn't resist the toy store.

Another toy store window.

This was my favorite shop. Metal, Petals and More. They have two shops filled to bursting with metal, antiques, flowers, candles (favorite candle was Snapdragon) -- you name it they have it. My favorite pieces were the wonderful metal holiday decorations.

Metal, Petals and More

Metal, Petals and More

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home had the most delicious aroma when we opened the front door. They have wonderful coffee. One of the local television stations was filming in Old Town Spring and the camera man and young woman reporter were here warming up with coffee.

Mr. Dragon gets points. Old Town Spring is definitely a girly place. We had lunch at Ellen's. The food was very good although we waited over an hour before we were served. For the longest time, Dick was the only male in the place. Soon there were two more gentlemen -- both looking as if they had no idea what they had gotten themselves into. Mr. Dragon was well aware of what he was getting into and went along anyway! What a guy!

Crochet, Mixed-Media, Free Patterns!

Let's start with the free patterns! Caron yarns is celebrating Christmas with a Twelve Days of Christmas email. Each day for twelve days they are sending out a free knit or crochet pattern. The first pattern was for a red stocking for the front door. Hurry over and sign up for the newsletter and start receiving these patterns. The Connections archives are at the bottom of the page and you can find the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas patterns there. Enjoy!




The Gwendolyn dolls are finished. I made the red/orange one first. Then the blue/purple big sister. Same pattern (Gwendolyn), but with some hook size changes. I didn't put an edging on the little sister skirt, but I did on big sister so you really see her pantaloons. Their eyes are black faceted plastic beads -- cheaper than buttons and easier to find. They were a lot of fun to make and I think my little girls in California will enjoy them.




Listen With Your Heart is finally finished. I took the background class with Paulette Insall, Hurricane Ike came ashore, then the destruction/construction/painters were busy and all the art work, art supplies, craft stuff, yarn -- was under plastic -- some still is. Our part of the painting of the walls isn't finished. Mr. Dragon had to set up a studio in the wash room on top of the washer and dryer to get his homework for his art class done.

I'm very happy with Listen With Your Heart. The background is a little busy, but that's okay. With my notes from Paulette's class and this piece, I will remember all the things I learned! I'm ready for the next project already making its way around my little gray cells, but it will have to wait. Girls Day is coming up this week. Finally! I'm getting together with my two best buddies to craft, bead, paint and shop. Yipppeeee!

Christmas Is Coming!

more animals

The kitty in the Santa suit looks just like our little Riley -- if Riley would let us dress her up -- same disgusted look I imagine she would have. Too funny! Have you made your list? Checked it twice? I'm heading off to the post office on Monday with the first of the boxes. I'm helping Santa!