Winter: A Time of Planting

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Marie

I’ve always felt blessed to have my birthday fall on New Year’s Day. It’s a time of slowing down from the rush of the holidays. Many of us take time to look back and evaluate the year that was while looking forward to the new. Some years it can feel a little disappointing after the ball drops and the parties end as we attempt to keep our resolutions and face winter head-on.

As I get older I’m discovering a strong desire to embrace winter on a much deeper level. I find myself  wanting to linger in the quiet and darkness. I want hold on to it like an old, dear friend. Frankly, although I’ve always loved winter, these feelings surprised me. I assumed it was the result of celebrating a significant birthday, but the feelings remained.

About a week ago, a Park Seed Catalog (http://parkseed.com/) arrived in the mail. In my house that’s a big deal. We love to go through it and dream about the sumptuous produce we’ll enjoy next fall. My husband is the gardener … I’m just a foodie … so I handed the catalog off to him. Still I found myself thinking about it and in a flash I realized why winter resonates so deeply with me. It is my time of planting.

Winter metaphorically offers each of us the kind of potential afforded the seed plunged into earth’s darkness. I want to prepare an environment within myself that can unleash dreams on wings of prayers and in so doing find Myself. I believe such darkness is only accessible through heart-felt intuitive listening. It is an exquisitely personal, life changing inner journey. However, this does not mean it is selfish. In fact I would argue that the journey is best expressed through the creative way we live our daily lives.

Perhaps I can best express what I’m trying to say through one of my favorite quotes:
“To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest.” — Author Unknown

Happy New Year! May you shine brightly throughout 2012 … and always.

Marie

 

 

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O Holy Night

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Marie

My favorite Christmas Carol is “O Holy Night.” The original lyrics were written in France in 1847 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, a commissionaire of wines and poet, at the request of his parish priest. The beautiful haunting music was created by his friend Adolphe Charles Adams, the son of a classical musician who had studied in the Paris conservatoire.

The song was immediately accepted and much loved in France. That is until Placide walked away from the Church to become a socialist and it was discovered that Adolphe was Jewish. Overnight it was all but banned.

The song was saved from obscurity in 1855 by American Unitarian Minister John Sullivan Dwight who was a strong abolitionist. He was profoundly touched by the references to freedom and inherent human dignity. He translated and reworked the lyrics to create the version that is sung today.

What lovely irony that this beautiful song should be re-born thanks to someone’s passionate belief in humanity. The song underscores not only the birth of Christ but the opportunity for each of us to be re-born; to rediscover and embrace our worth as children of God and, indeed, each other’s worth in a very deep and real way. This is but one of the joys and miracles of this most sacred night and it is the most personal.

To hear the song sung by Josh Groban, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx0C5ZDi1rs

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels’ voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall His break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

May the Blessings of Christmas fill your heart the whole year through.

 

To read more about the history of this beautiful song, please go to:
http://findthepower.com/ChristmasPagesTheStoryOfOHolyNight.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night

 

 

 

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The Power of Food

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Marie

These last two days I’ve shared our annual fruitcake traditions in a lighthearted way. But food is deeply personal and it’s emotional connections can not be overstated.

My family comes from Spain, Italy and Argentina. On my mother’s side, my  great-grandfather was from Galicia in Spain while my great-grandmother was from Napoli, Italy. They met in Argentina where my grandmother was born. My grandfather was from Galicia. My father is from Galicia. My mother and father’s families have been friends for generations. Theirs is a special love story but that’s one for another time.

Today I want to write about my father’s sister, Tia Lita. She was vivacious, funny, warm caring, an incredible seamstress and cook. We were very fortunate that she and Tio Paco and their daughter Ana spent time in the US while we were growing up. Tio Paco was a cook at several restaurants in NYC and we always teased her that we wanted him to cook … but we always asked for her rice pudding (Arroz con Leche). Over the years I tried to replicate the recipe but it never came close to being as good as Tia Lita’s.

Unfortunately, Tia Lita past away a number of years ago. Shortly after her death, I was  in Tucson visiting family. My sister invited us to go to a Tapas bar called Casa Vicente (http://www.casavicente.com/index.php)  and told me I MUST to order the rice pudding for dessert. The music and flamenco dancing were wonderful and the food divine! When my rice pudding came out it smelled so familiar. I took a spoonful and as the creamy sweetness spread over my tongue, my eyes met my sister’s. Despite all the noise, it was as if we were alone in the room. Without words, our eyes filled with tears and memories of Tia Lita came alive. In that moment, I felt as if it was our chance to say goodbye to Tia Lita and to re-affirm our family love connection. It’s a moment I cherish to this day.

With this in mind, my husband Paul & I will begin a new tradition this year. Paul’s grandmother, Lena, was an amazing woman and wonderful cook. She died 4 years ago this month. This year we’ve decided to make her special holiday dessert, Ricotta Pie, for Christmas dinner with our dear friends Susan & Larry. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of Grandma and we think this will be a wonderful way to honor her and share the love.

I’ve come to believe that this is what the holidays are all about and why, for all the insanity, we keep these traditions year after year. Those moments of love and connection sustain us in a way nothing else can. Being rich has nothing to do with having money and everything to do with having people to love, who love you.

Enjoy the Sweetness of holidays and remember how truly Rich you are!

 

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Behold The Fruited Cake-lets

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Marie

Apple juice, butter, sugar, and spices have been cooked into the fruit. Fruit is now cooling on stovetop.

Dry ingredients have been added and the batter has come together.

My husband Paul was kind enough to help stir everything together. I did try to tell him that Alton said to use a wooden spoon but he said he felt more comfortable with the metal. We then had a little “discussion” because he wanted to make the fruitcake in muffin tins and I wanted to make them in loaf pans. I let him win. Christmas is coming … I have to give the appearance of behaving. :-)

So now our 3 large muffin tins are in the oven baking. Joyous anticipation is in the air. And then the power goes out.

Oh, oh. Last time the power went out it took 3 days to get back. Time completely slows as I go into panic. The lights flicker. Out again. Then, a Christmas miracle! They came up and stayed up!!!! Lo and Behold, 35 minutes later…

Behold the Fruited Cake-lets!

I am convinced that one of the most beautiful sounds in the world is the sizzle of brandy hitting the hot cake … um, muffin, when it first comes out. And the luscious, warm scent. Wow. Life is very, very good.

Please consider checking out the recipe in the previous post. It’s fabulous!

Thank you Alton Brown for this recipe! It’s become a warm and happy annual tradition in our home. (But the metal spoon and the muffin tins were his idea. I’m just sayin’.)

 

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Happiest Fruit on Earth

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Marie

I hate fruitcake. My husband, Paul,  loves it. For years I’d buy him some but found it incomprehensible. Looking at the brick I understood why people made so much fun of it.

Three years ago I was watching Food Network when Alton Brown’s “Good Eats” program came on. In the intro Alton said he was going to make “Free Range Fruitcake.” I was intrigued. Whatever he did it had to be better than buying the brick again. By the end of that half hour I was psyched! I announced to Paul I was going to make fruitcake that year and I have done so every year since.

So tonight I have a double recipe of dried fruits, candied ginger and zests macerating in lovely gold rum. It’s heavenly and we have dubbed it, “The Happiest Fruit on Earth.”

My dried fruit macerating in rum for my annual Fruitcakes.

Thanks to Alton Brown I now LOVE fruitcake! The recipe is easy to follow and fun to make. Here’s a link to the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/free-range-fruitcake-recipe/index.html

More tomorrow but for now I have to wish my fruit a good night. :-)

 

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Spreading Christmas Cheer

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Marie

I’m happy to report all the Christmas gifts and cards are in the mail! Staying with my Thanksgiving theme of simplifying and focusing on people, I decided to make most of our gifts. I’ve always made people gifts but this was the first time in a long time where most of the gifts were made. While I have to admit that the prospect both excited and terrified me I can honestly say I’m glad I did it.

I’ve always been one of those people who tries to put a lot of thought into gifts. In my mind, that thought is what it’s all about … that’s what makes the physcial gift, handmade or store bought, an expression of love. When I give someone a gift and their face lights up with delight there’s an important connection being made.

Making the gifts makes the process even more intimate. It gives me an opportunity to really think about the person; to remember conversations, moments, likes and dislikes. To this I bring my practice in creating any item: I offer the best skill and techniques I know and embed my love and prayers into each one.

It’s about spreading Christmas Cheer … letting people know you care and appreciate them in your own special way. It’s an opportunity to express one’s unique love and understanding of the another unique human being. Showing them that, in this crazy world where time is precious, they matter. And isn’t that what we each really want after all?

 

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Giving Thanks

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Marie

Celebrating the holidays is such a huge part of “crafting a life.” Holidays are filled with meaning and magic. Unfortunately, for too many years, I’ve allowed them to become overwhelming burdens that I need to get through. That has to change.

Thinking about what I wanted to write I realized how empowering the idea of “crafting a life” is. The word crafting is about more than just creating something. It’s about creating it in a purposeful, masterful way. It requires skill, yes, but it also requires focus on what really matters and, at least for me, it works best when in line with my intuition.

Thanksgiving this year comes with a choice: I can keep busy running, doing, spinning out of control or I can focus on what is most meaningful and be part of the day. I know everything won’t be perfect and some of it won’t get done but I choose the latter. Life is simply too short and the people I love too dear.

This Thanksgiving, give those you love an extra hug or stay on the phone a few more minutes. Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, focus on what you do. You might just realize, as I have, that you’re wealthy in ways that no amount of money can buy.

Happy Thanksgiving! May your heart be filled with the blessings of the day.

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Along the Road

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Marie

Recently, on our drive home from Tucson, we stopped by the Museum of the Religious Arts in Logan, Iowa. Set in a lovely rural area the museum is filled with wonderful images and items of faith. Above the entrance you are greeted by magnificent 100 year old stained glass panes that cast colorful light into the main foyer the morning we visited.

Every exhibit is displayed with great respect and careful attention to detail. It’s obvious walking through the King of Kings exhibit that it was created to be a walking meditation of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. The Holocaust display which features charcoal drawings done by George Zielezinski, a holocaust survivor, was a quiet niche that allowed for deep reflection. Wondering from display to display I found myself moving quietly, as if in a cathedral, trying to take in the blessings every image and symbol offered a searching soul. Truly this museum is a gem!

To learn more about this wonderful place please visit their web site at: http://mrarts.org

 

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Artfire Christmas in July

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Marie

I am a huge fan of Nat King Cole. In my heart, the Christmas season begins with the first few notes of ”The Christmas Song.”  I’ve read that Mel Torme wrote “The Christmas Song” during a very hot summer in an attempt to keep cool.  Frankly, I don’t do well in hot weather and I often think of Mr. Torme’s wisdom and example. You can  check out the story behind the song on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Christmas_Song

With that in mind, my Artfire studio, HeirloomImprints, is participating in this this year’s Christmas in July Sale. We are offering 10% throughout the store until August 4th. I will be adding personalized porcelain ornaments soon.

I know. Thinking about Christmas in July to cool off can be quite pleasant. Thinking about Christmas in July and making gift lists can send you into orbit! Look at it this way, if you get your Christmas shopping done early you might just be able to do something novel, like, oh, I don’t know … Enjoy the holiday?! I’m just saying…

Here’s the link:

http://www.artfire.com/users/HeirloomImprints

Please know, I’m happy to answer questions or  help in any way I can.

“Mrs. Claus to the Rescue!”

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Crafting is more than a hobby

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Marie

It’s wisely said that Life is a Journey.

It is my experience that crafting — in it’s myriad of forms — is a microcosm of that journey. There are lessons and opportunities borne of the action of creating that open our hearts in unimaginable ways.

Beginning a new project brings excitement but also reservation. The perfectionist in me often rears her head at this stage, “Are you sure you want to do this? Looks complicated. Beyond your skill set. I don’t know…” I’ve wasted an inordinate amount of time worrying and waiting…hemming and hawing. Fortunately, my passion and curiosity often (but sadly not always) win out and push through and I begin.

BEGIN is such beautiful, rich word. Full of hope, possibility, excitement, power, and the unknown.  Those first few moments when, for example,  I cast on the first stitches to begin a new blanket, I often take an involuntary deep breath that seems to summon all the necessary resources within me. I find myself saying a little prayer and trying to visualize the person this item will ulitmately go to.  There’s a delicious heightened awareness to every move and a joy in seeing the dream begin to take shape.

As the project moves along, there are many lessons. There’s surprise, frustration, disappointment, relief and many “a-ha moments”. Maybe that wool isn’t quite right. Or the wire is a little too thin. The graphic needs less brightness. Among the greatest lessons I’ve learned through this process are to slow down and give my full attention to the project at hand. I see it as giving the process it’s due respect. I’ve also learned to keep an open heart and listen for it’s quiet whispers to guide me through. So many times I’ll be working on something and get frustrated. I’ve learned to turn those moments into prayer and work through them. Often as I do, I’ll get a flash of insight that makes all the difference.

Finally comes that moment of completion. There’s often relief, nervousness and excitement to see the finished product … with just a little sadness that it’s done. As I step back to examine my work, the Empress of Excellence  (as my husband often calls me) takes charge. I’ve learned to embrace this side of me. She’s a little over-the-top but if I can take her observations as learning tools instead of whips to beat myself up, life gets much fuller and happier. I especially love it when she says, “Next time ….”

Next time… a new beginning.

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