DeJarnette Sanitorium

Look what I spotted on our way home from the Maple Sugar Festival! There were NO TRESPASSING signs posted everywhere so I could only snap these photos from the road. I just about drove Rex crazy on the way home with my questions: "you're from Staunton....who can you call to let me in this building?"..."promise you'll call tomorrow?"..."you will call tomorrow, right?" When I really want something I can become quite obsessed and very determined. When we got home I did a Google search and found quite a bit of information on the DeJarnette Sanatorium. I have also emailed another artist who has filmed there. In my mind's eye I can already see the photos! I imagine overturned metal beds and decaying mattresses......graffiti on the walls....nature growing up and through the floors and windows. I will keep you posted and I will try not to obsess! OK....I'm obsessing now because I fear it may be destined for the wrecking ball before I can document it!

Self Portraits

bolstered!

softening....

In this post and the next I have included photos of self-portraits in progress. They are created by the amazing women in Jena Leake's Expressive Arts Therapy class. Every week I am just so amazed by these very beautiful and talented women. I thank them for sharing their stories...(life's ups and downs).... their written words.....their vulnerabilities.... for allowing me to be myself! I enjoyed dancing with our masks....dancing with each other....quietly admiring not only the paintings....but the process.........

Self Portraits in Progress

bursting!


inner child!

brilliant!

imprint!

This makes me smile

The Power of Forgiveness

Today forgiveness has been on my mind.

I thought I had forgiven.
I said to myself "I forgive you", but it was not until last night that I put my whole heart and soul out there and sincerely offered forgiveness. I know now that until last night I was only going through the motions.....wanting to believe that I had forgiven....but not committed.
Today I have discovered that by forgiving........someone else was set free. It sounds strange to me....but it was almost audible....like a deep exhalation..... even though there are miles between us. I believe that when we don't forgive one another we hold our hearts hostage.
So.......I am sorry. I love you. Please forgive me.

Things that make me smile:

Handmade Christmas presents......slightly too large, slightly mis-shapen but made with love!
(With more practice maybe I will make some that actually fit this year)

Things that make me smile continued:

1. Help with pumpkin muffins
2. Tender moments
3. Playtime

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. In a large mixing bowl combine 1.5 cups vegetable oil, 4 eggs, 2 cups sugar and 1 cup canned pumpkin. Beat with an electric mixer until well mixed. Set aside.

3. In another bowl combine 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 1.5 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Stir in a 12oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

5. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for 16-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.

6. Smile as you and your loved ones enjoy muffin-munching!

Smiling is very contagious.....I hope you catch it!

Smilingly=adverb=If someone does something smilingly, they smile as they are doing it (The Cambridge Dictionary)

I have been doing a lot of smiling lately and thinking a good bit about smiling. It started with the creation of this blog a little over a week ago...smilingly posting the "winged messenger" photos....smilingly writing about my expressive arts therapy classes and smilingly reading the kind comments from other bloggers. As Misty said "I am smiling now, see how contagious goodness can be?!;)" She is so right! Kindness and goodness are contagious and you can't help but smile. My wish is that everyone would catch this.......that everyone has a reason to smile and to spread goodness. I have watched it spread in my own home......my husband was sitting on the sofa as I was posting and reading comments......he began smiling because I was smilingly typing away......(actually, I think he was laughing)....but that's OK....it made me smile!!:) So....thank you to all of the wonderful people who have brought a smile to my face....I am grateful for each and every one of you........

Boy = "a noise with dirt on it"

You Will Be Okay!

This is the very first picture I took of Susanna's "winged messengers". This is my three year old son Rowan....he instinctively held the wings over his head. "You will be okay"......what a wonderful message of hope.....this is what our world needs more of.....random acts of kindness from strangers and winged messages full of hope and joy. If you haven't already....please check out Susanna's blog. Her photos and artwork will amaze you.