De-Stress

If you are one of a certain group of people, like me, you might be like a sponge, soaking in all of the stress of other people's problems or life events.
That's because you truly care about these people and always want to be there for them. I have always been a good listener but sometimes I can get stressed because of it, (usually when I am already stressed out over something else) because I sometimes try to offer solutions to their problems.

But, you can make the decision to relax and solve this problem, by being more SUPPORTIVE instead of trying to SOLVE their problems. By doing this you can be flying high knowing you can still be a good listener and letting your friend or family member know you care by offering supportive words. Just tell them, they can do it, anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

My Short List of Canvas Art

I had a request from a follower to display some of my art. I only have a few oil paintings to share and a couple more in the works. After I finish these, I will be trying acrylics and watercolor. I have some sketches that I will do nothing else to except maybe frame. I would try putting some color on these but they were not drawn on watercolor paper and I would be afraid to add the wet paint. The soaring dove was the very first oil painting I ever tried and the lion the second. The fox is a work in progress. My son already said he wants it when I get done. I am part Cherokee Indian and my spirit animal is the fox (hence my blog name) and I have been very partial to this drawing so it will be hard to part with BUT I have another idea for a second fox. I will be drawing it on canvas soon and I might try to paint both of them at the same time or back to back. One for my son and one for me.

Vintage Christmas Cards

Years ago my mother-in-law gave me a small box full of letters from the 1940's. They were from an uncle that had passed away. She knew I collected stamps and thought I would be interested in them. To my surprise, it also contained Christmas Cards. Each year I get them out and contemplate what I could do with them to preserve their importance but I have not thought of any good ideas yet. I would like to share some of my favorite ones with you.
1941:

1941 Outside

1941 Inside

1941 Outside

1941 Inside


1943 Outside

1943 Inside

1943 Outside

1943 Inside

After seeing these here, I probably should have used a red background color to make them stand out a little more. This scan job does not do them justice. They are much prettier in person. Check out the stamps, 1 1/2 cents in 1941 and still 1 1/2 cents in 1943 to mail a letter.
If anyone has any good ideas on how to use these, I would love to hear from you.

Easy recipe

HAYSTACKS

1 bag of butterscotch chips

1 bag of chow mein noodles

Wax or parchment paper

Melt the chips in the microwave making sure not to over heat. Stir till totally melted. Pour in whole bag of chow mein noodles, stir until all noodles are coated. Spoon out onto wax paper. Let cool. Melt in your mouth good. So simple, this would be a good recipe for kids to make. No flame required.

Take A Roll

Using the right side of your brain will ensure you have a healthier more fulfilling life. That means think like a child, do things that are fun even though it might not be something you wouldn't normally do. Get down in the floor and roll around will your pet or grandchild, sing a silly song out loud, fly a kite, go to a park and swing or roll through fall leaves. These are the things we think we are not supposed to do anymore because we are "grown-up". But they are the same things that keep our brains in tune with our bodies. The more we can stay in tune with our inner-selves the more fulfilling our lives will be. And if you can't do those things, just go there in your mind, to a special place where you can be a kid again. When I go to my special place it is usually my grandparents house in the country. I will picture myself standing in the middle of their huge garden at night and looking up at the stars. I can hear the crickets and cicadas humming and an occasional whippoorwill or I will go to the beach, with the waves lapping onshore and the sea gulls chirping overhead. This is the basic principle behind meditation.

S*C*R*A*B*B*L*E

Scrabble is my favorite board game. My grandmother taught me how to play way back when I was a kid. I spent a lot of time at her house and most of it was learning something. We never just sat around watching TV or doing nothing. We were either outside enjoying nature, doing chores or games inside or maybe helping Mam-maw in the kitchen or helping Pap-paw build a fire in the fireplace. They lived in the country so there was always something to do . When we played games, it was either Scrabble or Yahtzee. We only had two choices and we loved every minute of both of these games. She was always teaching me how to play and making it fun at the same time. I had a good teacher and now when no one else wants to play, I just play by myself. I set-up 2 boards and play each hand individually. I don't play one hand to try to make a spot for the other. I only keep track of my highest score for my personal best.

Unusual Christmas Trees

Let's take a journey down a less traveled path of unconventional Christmas trees. Some are wonderful, most are just odd and some down right scary.











I never thought I had "A fear" of anything but spiders until I saw the next disturbing image. I actually feel scared when I look at this. I was wondering if there was a phobia name for "the fear of upside-down Christmas trees" but couldn't find anything. If anyone knows, let me know.

Overwhelmed In The Potty

U-R-IN-A-Lavatory heaven.........or hell, can't decide, oh my!

Croquet Project

I have been croqueting off & on for about 20 years. I never learned how to read the instructions so everything I make has to be easy. I decided to make some pot holders after seeing similar ones at a flea market about a month ago. I start with 100% 4-Ply cotton yard and chain 22, turn, in 2nd chain from hook, single croquet (sc) to the end, chain one and continue with sc. You can create your own color patterns or use one color. I like to use variegated yarn so I don't have to change. Make 2 pieces, then sew together using a sc around the edge. That's all there is to it. EASY.

My next project, (to resume sometime after X-mas) which has already been started but will take a long time to complete, is an afghan from granny squares. I have never made anything from granny squares so wish me luck. I think the greatest challenge for this project is---JUST TO FINISH. Hopefully I can complete this sometime next year. I saw the original idea in a Country Living magazine. There was a picture of a lady carrying a similar colored afghan. After careful observation I decided it was granny squares and proceeded to Hobby Lobby for the yarn. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Mums The Word

Yes, I know it is almost past mum season but I just had to share this. We attended a banquet given by my husbands company a few weeks ago and at the end of the night, they gave away the centerpieces at each table. My husband got lucky and won ours so I just wanted to share a picture of it. Too bad they don't last very long. It is already starting to fade. I think I will plant it in the yard and see what happens next year. Wish me luck.

Not Ready For Daylight Savings

The title says it all. I still had several projects to finish and now with dark upon us when we get home from work, it has thrown me off. I haven't posted in a few days due to being tired and a little under the weather. I guess it could be because it is my first week of the new diet. It has been windy this week and tonight it is supposed to get down to 24 degrees. I can hear the wind blowing right now. This is unseasonable for Arkansas to get this cold so early. Well, I am working on a croquet project right now and hope to get that posted before the weekend is over so check back. But, for now I would like to share with you a terrific recipe that is painfully easy. Everyone always loves it and I guarantee they will be licking the bowl clean.

Hot Chicken Dip

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 small can chicken

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Tabasco to taste

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Put all of this in a saucepan, stir and heat, or microwave This is good to take to the office in a small crock pot. I recommend you make a double batch!

Please Don't Rush Christmas

This time of year everyone starts talking about Christmas. Everywhere you go from around October 1st, you see X-mas decorations, etc. Well, what about Thanksgiving? I actually like Thanksgiving better because it sort of signifies Autumn. It's just the feeling I get when the days get shorter, the leaves start changing and you can break out the fall colors. All these things seem to put me in a state of mind where I can feel warm and snugly inside. Besides, turkey & dressing is my favorite food. I always fix it again around April or May, who said it's just a Thanksgiving meal. I can't wait till Turkey Day!

FEEDING THE HUNGRY

The Arkansas Rice Depot is a non-profit organization working to alleviate hunger in Arkansas. Your donation will make a difference to a child or person who is hungry right now. Whether you are an Arkansan or not, you can still visit www.ricedepot.org. They have an online catalog where you can buy mixes & gift baskets. Just click on "Simple Pleasures" at the bottom of the home page. Or you can contact your local chamber of commerce to find similar programs in your state.