what's deb doing?

2012-02-02T19:36:00.002-06:00

Meri asks us this week....

"What's your bundle of JOY this week?"

spending time with my Mom and Jack

is more JOY than one post can share!

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky

~10,000 Maniacs~

Joy Movement

Beach dancing

2012-01-31T19:17:00.001-06:00

Are you feeling, feeling, feeling like I'm, feeling

Like I'm floating, floating, up above that big blue ocean

Sand beneath our feet, big blue sky above our heads,

No need to keep stressing from our everyday life on our minds

We have got to leave all that behind
~At the Beach, The Avett Brothers~

here and now

2012-01-28T19:42:00.003-06:00

I have come to the waters edge
to spend a few weeks with my Mom

we have places to go and things to do

Change

2012-01-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

“OYA”

Change

I work in ways deep

ever present

always moving

I work in ways dramatic

with thunder and lightning

sweeping and uprooting

I work in ways subtle

pushing and prodding

wearing and tearing

I swirl you and twirl you

I splatter you and scatter you

I shock you and rock you

I clear the way for what is to come

I can be slight or stupendous

brief or long lasting

uproaring or uprising

What I can’t be is ignored

From The Goddess Oracle

{in the picture}

Haiku my Heart Friday

2012-01-27T07:58:00.000-06:00

Winged Heart by Rebecca Brooks

She walks with Angels

Heart singing Soul gathering

Pray for restful wings

Dear Sweet Rebecca needs our prayers

and visits to uplift her

body, health and spirit

in this time of recovery...

please stop by for some love

for you my Love

Haiku my Heart

Guest Post by Vivienne McMaster

2012-01-26T01:00:00.001-06:00

The following is written by Vivienne McMaster, my Self-Portrait Muse. After four online courses with her I learned so much and have grown leaps and bounds as a photographer with the skills she taught me...she has rocked my world!

I’m totally honored to be sharing some words here at Deb’s blog. We crossed paths last year when she took my e-course You are Your Own Muse and I was immediately in awe of that bright spirit of hers.

One of the things I love most about photography is each and every time I pick up the camera and head out for a photo walk, there is a sense of discovery. It turns an ordinary day into something full of potential.

What light patterns will I come across?

What will be growing in my neighborhood?

Who’s path will I cross? A squirrel? A cat? A human?

What will the light be like?

Will I find the perfect quiet moment to take a self-portrait?

Will the cherry blossoms be blooming?

Even if I am walking the same route, I am unlikely to hold my camera at the exact same angle when photographing a flower that I photographed the day before.

There is always potential, discovery, newness ahead.

My life (heck, all of our lives) are full of ebb and flow. Not every moment is inspired, by any means! Yet I always have that camera nearby to pick up and tell the story of the day. No matter what else is going on, there is always a sense of wonder accessible by looking at the world through its lens.

Maybe for you it is when you have a palette of paints.

Or a blank page with words ready to spill.

Or by sewing pieces together.

Or maybe today will be the day to discover that sense of wonder.

That place where creativity invites you in and you feel at home.

Where there is always something new to find.

What could you discover today?

Bio

Vivienne McMaster is a photographer and leader of the You are Your Own Muse E-Course (with a brand new session beginning in February). She has a big love for helping people discover the artist and photographer in themselves. She blogs regularly about self-portraiture, life on the west coast and about living a creative life!

Click here to view more details

play with me

2012-01-25T00:01:00.007-06:00

me at Seaside, Florida
photo by d smith kaich jones

My friend Debi, writer, photographer, artist

shot this fun photo of me on the beach last year in Seaside, Florida

I drown myself in her writings, so asked her to guestpost here on my blog this day, same day I am on airplane to Florida

to visit my Mom...enjoy!

She said “playfulness” when I asked what to write about, and I said cool, no problem, I am all about that, but then I remembered I wasn’t, that I’d mistaken wearing flirty skirts and twirling in the Texas sun as playfulness, when in truth maybe it wasn’t, and maybe wearing bare feet all the time wasn’t playfulness either, and I started to worry, started to think, but by then it was too late; I’d said I would – I’d said I could - and then I started to laugh to myself, started to laugh at myself, cause I remembered her cartwheeling down the cold-ass Florida beach, and I can’t do that, never could, never did, and then just the idea of playfulness became damn hard work in my this-is-your-brain-on-menopause, and it made me feel sorry for myself, that no cartwheel ability, and that made me think even more, and I had to just stop it. Thinking will get in the way of play every time. So I shut up talking to myself and just wrote.

Going to a baseball game with girls is more fun that going with boys. Us girls will Cotton Eye Joe our way through the 7^th inning stretch, even if we only have half of a part of a clue about what we’re doing cause it’s been so long since we did it for real, in a dancehall or under the stars on an open front porch; we will just stop thinking and dance around and toss out a yeeeeehaw or two or three, and we will laugh at ourselves and silly happy sparks will fly from our eyes. If you go with boys, they will be buying more beer.

I hurt my boyfriend’s feelings when I told him this, cause he sometimes mistakes fun for play, and I felt bad about that, so you should know that he once danced me across a parking lot at the end of a hard day’s work, the car door open, Guy Clark on the radio, the sun just beginning to fall behind the trees. It was a damn fine piece of romantic playfulness in the late summer twilight and every once in a while he remembers and dances me around my office just for old times sake.

Which reminds me of one of our first dates, motorcycling into the overgrown countryside, stopped by a locked gate leading onto public property, and how we trespassed our behinds and that motorcycle beyond that gate, into the silence of waiting trees. Which reminds me of climbing fences with a girlfriend, never mind that we were wearing skirts – there was a hill beckoning and we had to see what was on the other side. In my life, amongst my friends, girls and boys are equal – we will always take the road we’ve never been down before. Play is spelled l-o-s-t in the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

pink shoes

flipflops

boots

bare feet painted toenails on the dashboard,

a full tank of gas

and the map tossed out the window cause it doesn’t lead to play.

you draw that road yourself with magic markers.

pass go.

don’t ask mother, may i.

hopscotch.

let go.

cartwheel, baby

Emma Tree

You are Your own Muse

2012-01-24T00:01:00.005-06:00

1. rock my world, 2. worn out, 3. mellow yellow, 4. right eye, 5. wind is my friend, 6. frame, 7. The Beauty of Different, 8. pondering, 9. window sillouette, 10. I wished, 11. here comes the sun, 12. Texas wild-flower child, 13. wine and me

Dedicated to the lovely Vivienne McMaster,
my Muse in 2011

I experienced my first online workshops this past year with Vivienne
and by far it was the best bang for my buck!
It was so much fun and I do hope you will try one of her classes
You will learn to jump, twirl, turn the camera on yourself and P-L-A-Y!!

Click here to view more details

Happy Birthday to Me

2012-01-22T01:28:00.001-06:00

I am fifty four

I cut my hair

I am going to visit my Mom in Florida

I am collaborating on a new project SHE IS THREE

I started a new Flickr Group entitled "BARE BEAUTY"

...a self portraiture project for women

exposing their bare naked beauty

I am growing, learning, stretching...moving forward at a rapid pace!

That's What Deb's Doing ...how about you?

She is Three

2012-01-21T09:22:00.000-06:00

I am proud to announce

and

honored beyond belief to be

One of Three

beautiful, talented artists

Jennifer DeVille and Vivienne McMaster

as we launch a new blog

and project together...SHE IS THREE

ch-ch-change!

2012-01-20T19:58:00.001-06:00

let go lighten up

silver strands feel like feathers

shoulders feel like wings

Haiku My Heart Friday

spaces of stillness

2012-01-19T09:17:00.000-06:00

Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that's where I renew my springs that never dry up. ~Pearl Buck~

My days are busier than I want them to be right now.

But when I pause long enough, with camera in hand,

I find sacred moments of stillness all around my home.

I have so many surprises to unravel and reveal this week...
afterall this is my week to celebrate 54 years of life!!

Come get your JOY on over here

endless

2012-01-16T14:01:00.000-06:00

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative

and the Universe is endlessly bountiful.

Just put forth a clear enough request

and everything your heart desires

must come to you.

~ Mahatma Gandhi~

a good idea

2012-01-11T08:57:00.000-06:00

Ideas can be life-changing.

Sometimes all you need to open the door

is just one more good idea.

Jim Rohn

Prompt: Get in really close

Happy 82nd Birthday Jack

2012-01-10T08:37:00.000-06:00

This is my Mom.

She has written a beautiful tribute to Jack, her husband, my stepfather

on this special day.....

Today we celebrate Jack's 82nd birthday. I am so lucky to have met - and after several years - married this man. Briefly, for those that don't know our story,
we met online, when that was a fairly new experience. No Facebook, MySpace or dating sites. Just two pen pals with common interests.
I relocated to Florida from Texas. And the rest is history.
"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be"
Certainly at our ages - late 60's and 70's when we met - we were not spring chicks. And we both face the challenges of aging. But together we meet each change as it comes, and treasure each moment in a way we could not before.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK. May you reach your goal to live to be
101 1/2years young, with me by your side. ~ Lyn Keil~
Will you please visit her blog BAREFOOT MEANDERINGS

to see what a special Mom I have?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK
from Deb & Matt
see ya soon!

Postcard from Paradise

2012-01-08T12:26:00.000-06:00

painting by Katy Keuter

hangs above my morning altar

My friend Katy Keuter featured me on her blog...

won't you click here for a visit?

and let her know you stopped by?

painting by Linda Manzo

A very special gift arrived one day in December

much to my delight!

I am in love with this Mother Mary from Gemmashouse

painting by Hashi

My blogger friend Hashi visited me last year
and upon her return to California, she sent me her painting
who watches over me bedside

This portrait sketch is by a very young girl, maybe 7-ish

sitting at the same table we were

during the opening for a local Wine Bar.

She was sketching people all around her.

She is good.

She let me give her five dollars for it
since it was her drawing of me!

New Years Day 2012

2012-01-07T16:53:00.000-06:00

New Years Day

friends gathered

nothing mattered

snuggles and stories

laughter and festive beverages

black-eye peas and cabbage a plenty

my porch is quiet now

yet the memories are screaming

out loud inside my heart

as I smile and rock a while

Day One

Haiku Love

2012-01-07T10:24:00.000-06:00

Down Dog with Big Bull

Stop drop stretch breathe hold focus

Hug our Mother Earth

Haiku my Heart

please join us for 5-7-5 at recuerda mi corazon

Peace on Earth

2012-01-04T18:20:00.000-06:00

with much love, peace and happiness

Deb & Matt

a New Year

2012-01-01T09:17:00.000-06:00

"This is your LIFE. Do what you love. and do it often. If you don't like something. Change it. If you don't like your job. Quit. If you don't have enough time. Stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life. Stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat. Appreciate. Every last bite. Life is Simple. Open your mind. Arms and heart to new things and people. We are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; Getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once. Seize them. Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and wear your passion."

~The Holstee Manifesto~

Dirt Road Dreamer

2011-12-29T22:46:00.002-06:00

Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed.

Maybe they just need to run free

till they find someone just as wild to run with them

~Sex and The City~

Come get your JOY on at Meris Place

Holidaze

2011-12-28T13:50:00.001-06:00

Rules for a successful holiday:

1. Get together with the family

2. Relive old times

3. Get out before it blows

~ Story People~

Christmas Heart

2011-12-26T10:55:00.000-06:00

Keep your Christmas heart

open all the year round

~Jessica Archmint~

best gift ever!!

2011-12-26T07:58:00.000-06:00

...to see my son's smiling face!!

he is Home Sweet Home in Virginia

with his amazing wife, Rachel

I made this quilt from mens t-shirts and dress shirts

and a few squares on my own

like hearts, love and Texas Flag

"all you need is love"

and time and thread and some extra helping hands...

Matt even threads his own needle!!

Handmade Love

2011-12-25T06:40:00.001-06:00

...and Matt helped!!

~Enjoy all your moments~

I believe

2011-12-24T06:38:00.000-06:00

Haiku my Heart Friday

2011-12-23T09:31:00.001-06:00

nutmeg vanilla

cookie smells and twinkle lights

home for holidays

Haiku Love
every Friday with
recuerda mi corazon

Return of Light

2011-12-22T13:12:00.000-06:00

We are not short of light here in Central Texas,

but after a few cloudy days of drizzle,

and the day after Winter Solstice

I am blinded by the light!

stitch in time

2011-12-20T17:13:00.005-06:00

yep! I love to sew brown paper bags

mug rug SOLD in my Etsy shop

sold

still available in my Etsy shop here

apron made from t-shirts still available here

SOLD!!

All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle

~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, 1851~

This week was full of JOY

as I drove my sewing machine

and tried to collect all my scattered moments

JOY MOVEMENT

Hearts for Madelene

2011-12-19T07:31:00.001-06:00

Madalene Louise Rodriguez

1960-2006

Madalene came into my life on July 28, 2005.

My heart completely exploded open.

And my whole world changed forever.

Madalene left us all on June 20, 2006.

All of our lives have never been the same.

by Page Hodel

This is an ongoing love story that lives on and on,

even after the passing of Madelene.

Please take a quick moment to read their love story here

and understand why these art hearts can appear

in your inbox every Monday.

The Gallery of Hearts is a sight to behold and their love story

will bring a rush a JOY right straight thru your own heart.

take a moment

2011-12-18T16:57:00.000-06:00

Please take a moment to close your eyes,

open your heart,

and feel all the love

that comes from your heart

Don Miguel Ruiz

Barefoot in December

2011-12-16T08:53:00.001-06:00

Like Spring in Texas

Sockbound feet come out to play

December dancing

Haiku my Heart

with Recuerda mi Corazon

I love my job

2011-12-15T10:25:00.001-06:00

Joy Joy JOY!!

Joy Movement

tis the Season...

work work WORK!!

Matt painting Heritage Haus

shipping Royers Pies

We never complain around here about work...except occasionally when we just can't keep up!

Sometimes I just need another me.

~abundance~

is the word of our month

We get the coolest gigs at the most beautiful and interesting places.

like Bartending the Junk Gypsy Prom at Marburger Farm

for HGTV, catering with Royers Cafe at Rachel Ashwells Prairie, and photographing Royers Pie Haven!

Some serious name dropping here now!

For a little town Population 90, Round Top has all we need

for now....except a Sushi Bar....and a beach.

Frank Hilbolt

Now excuse me, but I gotta get going...
I have a quilt to sew, chair to cover
and family to photograph...see ya in 2012...?

Junk Gypsy Prom

2011-12-13T13:54:00.000-06:00

Amie & Jolie Sikes, aka Junk Gypsies

Matt and I tended the bar with Royers Cafe

He wore vintage pearl snaps,

me in vintage corsette and rhinestones

miles of tulle, fur, glitter, boots and bling

John Evans Band

and yes, HGTV was there filming

so next Spring you can watch it on TV!!

"The Recyclables"

recycled newspaper, plastic bags,

aluminum cans, pie plates,

bottle caps, and duct tape...OH MY!

I am speechless

Virgin a Day 12

2011-12-12T00:07:00.003-06:00

My dear friend, Laurie, randomly decided she needed to come visit for the weekend. She drove 3 hours. We hugged, sipped, laughed and all that. And because her jeans were adorned with our Virgin de Guadalupe I decided to honor the past twelve days with her hip-line...nuff said.

and one more thing...on this day I honor you, Laurie,
as I celebrate my birthing date of my son
Kyle Mackey Broughton,aka Scooter, because for a brief moment YOU were his surrogate mother,
his "Mary"and my voice, my rock, my beloved friend.

This completes Virgin a Day for 12 days.

Wild Woman Dances

2011-12-11T12:26:00.001-06:00

"When we are in our rightful wildish nature,

we all feel this bright life.

It is one of the signs that we are close

to Wild Woman.

We all enter the world in a dancing condition.

We always begin with our own pelts intact."

Clarissa P. Estes, WWRwTW.

Virgin a Day 11

2011-12-11T11:52:00.000-06:00

Holy Protection.

Saintly Secrets.

Madonna Moments.
Virgins a plenty.

Folded hands, closed eyes, golden auras,
draped linen and flowy gowns.

Candle-light, inscense, chanting, praying, singing.

Peace. Serenity. Calm. Motionless.

I was constantly surrounded by Holy Protection.

She was watching me from every corner,
blessing each moment and guiding me into the next.
Regardless of ethnicity or religion, I fancy the notion that these beautiful Virgins provide a sense of safety and protection.

This was my favorite in a cemetary of San Miguel, Mexico.

Virgin a Day

with recuerda mi corazon

December Views

2011-12-11T09:26:00.001-06:00

1000 Posts

2011-12-09T18:15:00.000-06:00

I was unaware that yesterday was my 1000th post.

I started writing this blog June 2007 when I moved

back to the States from Mexico.

Holy Wow! One thousand little stories, quotes, thoughts,

updates and a gagillion photographs that tell my story.

Now what?

Here I am thinking I should celebrate.

Host a give-away.

Say something profound.

Hmmm..but nothing is percolating at the moment.

So have a look at my week, tell me about yours and make sure to keep coming back, because I feel ya. I see ya. I know you are here.

and I love that about this little place we gather to share ourselves openly, honestly and regularly.

And by the way....I want to play something fun here.

Humor me.

What did I ask Santa for when I sat on his knee?

Get jolly and clever cuz I need a few giggles!!

Todays Drummer Boy

2011-12-08T07:40:00.000-06:00

my gift to you

2011-12-07T19:14:00.000-06:00

please come visit Jodi here

to get a free gift from me!!

Art-share-apalooza

Entertain..Eat...Nurture

2011-12-07T18:42:00.000-06:00

Please, oh please come visit Jodi

who is featuring me as "one hot tamale"

and you can also comment to get a free prize!

52 Photos Project-Sparkly!

2011-12-07T14:59:00.000-06:00

Bellas prompt this week is "Colors of the Season"

I think all the sparkly, glittery, shininess of the season

is my favorite color!

since I am kinda rusty, crusty, chippy peely paint,

au natural, rainbow color lovin girl

the glitz and glam is fun to admire during the holidays!

this tiny garland was gleaming so brightly in the early morning sunrise I had to photograph it before my first cup of coffee!

Colors of the Season

Virgin a Day 6

2011-12-06T11:48:00.000-06:00

On this day, I dedicate my favorite Marys

to my sweet Rebecca

I will never ever forget the day I opened an email from her

inviting me to walk hand in hand with her

along the cobblestone streets of San Miguel.

If opportunity knocks on your door

do not neglect

time and money might be an obstacle

but I promise you

it is worth every effort

Rebecca, Deb and Stephanie

The end results are priceless

and life long friendships

are only the beginning of

"wild things occurring"

Meri Arnette-Kremian

Virgin a Day

December View Day 5

2011-12-05T21:32:00.000-06:00

December Views

Virgin a Day 5

2011-12-05T12:22:00.000-06:00

Virgin a Day

Virgin a Day 4

2011-12-04T16:38:00.000-06:00

right here

right now

that's alright with me

Virgin a Day

December View Day 4

2011-12-04T15:56:00.001-06:00

December Views

Small Town Christmas Parade

2011-12-03T17:18:00.000-06:00

Round Top, Texas

Population 70

Christmas Parade 2011

Flag waving

Llama kissing

Antler wearing

Dog walking

Gypsy sighting

Brass Band playing

Virgin a Day 3

2011-12-03T08:37:00.000-06:00


Our Lady of Guadalupe and Bluebird

Today I am featuring Rose Walton, one of my

favorite folk-artists I discovered on Etsy

Star Veil Madonna by Rose Walton

Mexican Madonna

Circle of Love Madonna


Virgin a Day

Haiku Love/Virgin a Day 2

2011-12-02T02:21:00.002-06:00

Winter Solstice moon

Mary prays for new infant

so does the kitty

Haiku Fridays and Virgin a Day

December View One

2011-12-01T16:40:00.001-06:00

To dance is to be out of yourself.

Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.

This is power, it is glory on earth

and it is yours for the taking.

~Agnes De Mille~

December Views

Day One: Virgin a Day

2011-12-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

my morning ritual

Virgin a Day

Marys, Saints and Virgins..OH MY!...click the above!!

Twinkly Lights

2011-11-30T08:02:00.001-06:00

chocolate and wine

52 Photos Project

"Twinkling Lights"

52 Photos Project

Every year, beginning December First,

my friend Rebecca hosts

"Virgin a Day" for twelve days.

Will you consider joining us?

So many Marys, Virgins and Saints surround us...

~enchanting, traditional, contemporary,

exotic, edgy, campy, irreverent, irresistible,

unusual, joyful, rapturous, lovely,

glorious, ordinary, astounding~ Rebecca Brooks

Click on over here and join alongside us for the

Pilgrimage of Marys!

Virgin a Day

Junk Gypsy Prom

2011-11-28T08:27:00.000-06:00

Come one, come all...

photo by Keely Marie Scott

Matt and I are bartending this event...

The Junk Gypsy Prom

and HGTV will be filming

for the Junk Gypsy series

to be aired next Spring!!

yipee!

2011-11-27T11:26:00.000-06:00

It rained.

The temps dropped below 80 degrees!

The crisp cool air made me dance at sunset!

DID I MENTIONED THAT IT RAINED?????

coats and boots and hats and sweaters, OH MY!

Junk Gypsies on HGTV

2011-11-26T12:55:00.000-06:00

My friends Amie and Jolie aka "Junk Gypsies"

will be featured tomorrow night (Sunday)

on HGTV for their premeire series

coming next Spring!

If you are an Facebook,

you can see a sneak peek here

I've worked with them the past several weeks...

sewing behind the scenes,

cooking for the crew

and photographing their beautiful sweet spirits!

click here for a previous post

So many secrets I can not reveal at this time until the show airs next Spring!

But in the meantime, please tune in

tomorrow night to HGTV

for a teaser premiere

and then next Spring,

13 more weeks of their

Hippie-Junky-Gypsy shows

will air...

and maybe get a glimpse of me too!

and Happy Belly!

Texas Holiday!

2011-11-26T05:52:00.001-06:00

that just about covers it all...

Spring/summer roses and green grass,

Fall pumpkins and

Old St Nick...

all in one yard!

Haiku my Heart Friday

2011-11-25T08:06:00.000-06:00

November colors

Clean dirt, seeds sown, sun, rainfall

Happy dinner plate

bounty from Home Sweet Farms

Wheatberry Salad

Cranberry Cilantro Jalapeno Relish and Italian Dipping Oil

Home Sweet Farm

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Veggie Lasagne

I hope I have tempted you and your mouth

is watering just about now.

Hold onto that taste as I am

busily writing and photographing

for my upcoming Recipe Collection Book!

Will you join me and Rebecca

for Friday Haiku Love?

Recuerda mi Corazon

Gratitude

2011-11-24T11:57:00.001-06:00

Sew and Sew

2011-11-20T13:11:00.000-06:00

All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle

~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton~ 1851

Apart from yoga, meditation, reading,

it has to be one of the most serene things to do

Carole Berman and Jennifer Lazarus

Sewing mends the soul

~Author Unknown~

In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until

you can thread a sewing machine while it's running

~Jeff Bezos~

My granddaughter came to spend a few weeks with me,

and I decided to teach her to sew.

After I had gone through a lengthy explanation

of how to thread the machine,

she stepped back, put her hands on her hips,

and said in disbelief,

"You mean you can do all that,

but you can't play my Game Boy?"

~Author Unknown~

After a few weeks of secret sewing projects for

the Junk Gypsy HGTV series

(which will premiere in next Spring

and run for 13 weeks)

my cup is full of sewing satisfaction!

Haiku my Heart Friday, for Joe

2011-11-18T09:17:00.000-06:00

“Wake at dawn with a winged heart

and give thanks for another day of loving

~ Kahlil Gibran ~

barefoot and grounded

hands to heart, eyes closed, deep breath

this one is for Joe

please join our healing circle with Rebecca today

for our friend Joe Spadoman

Haiku my Heart

recuerda mi corazon

thinking of a friend

2011-11-15T20:44:00.002-06:00

with you in mind...."Spadoman"

painting by Deb...Joe's favorite

Will you join me and Rebecca

in this circle of hope?

He is our friend.

He is in need.

We are in his circle.

Pink Party

2011-11-15T11:17:00.000-06:00

My friend Wendy Hartfelder from Seattle hosted a Mary Kay Party here in Round Top, and because I succumbed to the pressure I showed up and against my stubborn will, I decided not to be closed. After-all, I am a Free Spirit, right? This unshaven, crunchy country girl went G-L-A-M....and I gotta admit...I kinda loved it!!

even Matt decided to join in the fun..

he is completely comfortable with his Pink side!

OK. So I never, ever wear make-up....

     but dammit Wendy, I just MIGHT go there on occasion....

but don't even ask me to drive a Pink Cadillac and sell skin products...don't even go there!!

     (xoxoxoxo, love ya Wendy!!)

CAKE!

2011-11-14T09:27:00.000-06:00

and we ate cake all weekend...

Happy Birthday Matt

2011-11-12T11:58:00.000-06:00

I love him so......

his birthday many Moons ago in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago

Haiku my Heart Friday

2011-11-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Summer hanging on

Pillows fluff before winter

November laundry

Will you join us at Rebeccas place for some more Haiku Love?

Recuerda mi Corazon

morning ritual

2011-11-10T09:19:00.002-06:00

 Nag Champa, sage, Mary, crystals, Milagros, fairies and Buddha

Morning has broken,

like the first morning blackbird has spoken,

like the first bird

praise for the singing, praise for the morning
praise for the springing fresh from the word

mine is the sunlight,

   mine is the morning
      born of the one light

 lyrics by  Eleanor Farjeon, sung by Cat Stevens

Come experience more JOY at Meris Place

52 Photos Project

2011-11-09T07:53:00.000-06:00

I have been so busy to play with my favorite prompts and weekly memes

so I am digging into my archives for this one!

52 Photos Project

delicious weekend

2011-11-08T09:40:00.000-06:00

and that was just breakfast!

Day of the Dead

2011-11-01T11:21:00.000-05:00

2011-10-31T15:59:00.000-05:00

Just like a ghost, you've been a-hauntin' my dreams,
So I'll propose on Halloween.
Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you.
~Classics IV~

Dia de los Muertos

2011-10-30T14:32:00.001-05:00

images from my trip last year to San Miquel

Dia de Bloglandia

Please join Rebecca for
The Art of Remembering

Laundry in October

2011-10-29T16:14:00.001-05:00

My first laundry line strung between two oak trees

for my first loads of laundry at our new home in the country

Hungry Gypsies and Happy Bellies

2011-10-27T01:38:00.001-05:00

Southern Pecan Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Happy Belly Muffins loaded with bran, flaxseed,

apples, carrots, nuts and raisins OH MY!

Granola Goodness

So much to tell, but for now,
here is a glimpse of our busy days at Happy Belly...

HGTV is in town for 3 months filming a series

featuring The Junk Gypsies

and we have been catering their lunches

and they stopped by one day to

film the girls on a lunch break

It's a wrap!

Series will broadcast for 13 weeks beginning March 2012

Dear September

2011-10-18T08:33:00.000-05:00

Dear September,
You just became a faded memory.
Now I have begun a brand new love affair with October. Jeans and sleeves wrap me up this day...yellow sundresses are packed away.

Gypsyville

2011-10-16T07:03:00.000-05:00

My Saturday of packing and moving turned into a magical event when I was asked by two beautiful women, Amie and Jolie,

the Junk Gypsies to come do a photo shoot in their

junky barn....hmmm, packing vs playing??

Well, ya don't have to kick this horse twice, so I kicked off

my crappy shoes, dirty t-shirt fell onto the floor

and I took the fastest shower since I was 7 years old

at summer camp, when we were required to take

3 minute showers!!

These two sisters shine from the inside out
and their beauty radiates some sort of Angelic aura
that is a combination of glitzy gypsy glam, vintage ripped
denim country and simple sweetness!
Up until now of my time spent with them has been
on yoga mats, dancing in the gravel or noisy local cafes.
But on this day, I witnessed the family business behind the scenes.
Mom and Dad were always nearby to run gather props,
extra boots and earrings. The family vibe was genuine
and I sensed the love about each one of them all day long.

Grab your sunglasses because
"their future's so bright, ya gotta wear shades"
They are filming locally for HGTV series
and HGTV Magazine
spreading the Junk Love

Gypsies never leave home without them

Sharing my JOY!

2011-10-13T07:53:00.000-05:00

I have some exciting news to share with you

My Bed & Breakfast home has been sold

and we are moving to the Country!!

We are renting this home in Round Top for a while until the dust settles as it happened so fast.

We did not have the house on the market,

but a couple wanting a life change to move to the country and run a B&B

stumbled into our path, and we are all running with it!

So for now, I am happy, calm, and peaceful

when I sit on this huge, porch

looking forward to some long days of creating, sewing

and cooking again

!!~RAIN~!!

2011-10-11T04:08:00.001-05:00

for the first time since June a bit of rain fell on Texas yesterday!

It's kind of a big deal since we have suffered

extreme heat, wildfires and drought since April

Courage To Fly

2011-10-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

hosted by Stephey Baker

Stephanie asked the question

"Have you ever taken a risk on yourself?

Pushed off the branch and flew

into uncharted territory with nothing
but inspiration fueling you?"

Uh HELL YES!!

Where do I start?

The list is long, so I will chose some of my favorites.

The ones that altered my life.

The very ones I took a chance on myself, all alone,

completely on a leap of faith…

entirely and wholeheartedly believing in myself.

Free-falling.

Sometimes impulsively with wild abandon.

I honestly believe that we are responsible
for creating the strength of our own wings to FLY

Oh yes, of course I had support from friends

and family, but they will tell you

that I am pretty hard headed and do it my own way anyway.

I am not afraid to try something new in uncharted waters.

I am not afraid to fail.

And when things do not go as I planned, well,

then it has always been another opportunity for growth.

One more feather in my wings to fly higher,
stronger and further.

You see, all my life, I have tried to squish in as much as I possibly can. I want to make the very most out of the brief visit we have here in this place we call Earth.

So what if things change? HELL YES!!

Time to refine. Pull up those bootstraps.

Dust off those wings, open them up real wide

and flap just a bit harder.

Come on…fly with me for a while…

I joined the Team in Training for Leukemia and walked a Marathon. It took me 8 hours and 13 minutes and I raised $8000. HELL YES!!

I auditioned for a part in the stage performance Vagina Monologues and landed a huge part…never had acting lessons in my life. HELL YES!!

I divorced, bought a home on a tiny Caribbean island in Mexico, remodeled my home and began to mend my broken heart. HELL YES!!

I decided to be brave during my sons two deployments to Iraq, and be the strong mother to support him and conquer my own fear of letting him go. HELL YES!! (he is now home safe and sound) and I am still brave. HELL YES!!

I sold my tropical paradise, returned to my birth state of Texas and bought a Bed & Breakfast. HELL YES!!

I once again opened my healing heart. This took a minute, as I wanted to be sure not to crack wide open all over again. The moment I allowed the love to enter, accept and experience was the moment love began to flourish and I was flying again higher than ever before! HELL YES!!

I just started a new food service business operated from an Airstream Trailer converted into a commercial kitchen. HELL YES!!

And now I can officially say this
out loud and proud...
I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER!
Another self supporting business in which I continue
to explore my passion for photography

Deb Did It Photography

I AM NOT REALLY CONCERNED
ABOUT WHAT TOMORROW MAY BRING.
Because right now is all we have.
This very moment.
Please join me in making it count.

quote by Terri St Cloud

To be whole, let yourself break.
To be straight, let yourself bend.
To be full, let yourself be empty.
To be new, let yourself wear out.
To have everything,

give everything up

~Tao Te Ching~

"Finally Me"

2011-10-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

My friend Meri has launched her new website

and today I am featured on the front page!

photo by Meri Arnett Kremian

FINALLY ME

Will you please link here to visit

and return as often as you like

to be inspired.

Meri says,

"Our target audience is women of substance,

intelligence, wisdom and experience

who are continually growing

and responding with grace

We're posting articles on relationships

(marriages, live-ins, friendships, family);

transitions

(empty nest, menopause, deaths, divorce,

caring for parents, having kids come back home,

mid-life dating...

~and mind-body-spirit stuff~

We're concentrating on women's passions...

like travel, books, films, photograph"

Hello October haiku

2011-10-07T07:11:00.002-05:00

Hello October

Prickly summer heat is gone

Front porch welcomes me

haiku my heart

recuerda mi corazon

I raise my glass to the photographer who holds her tongue

2011-10-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

A photographer went to a socialite party

in New York. As he entered the front door,

the host said "I love your pictures, they're wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera."

He said nothing until dinner was finished, then said "That was a wonderful dinner;

you must hava a terrific stove."

Sam Haskins

Beth doing what she loves

My friend Beth McWilliams shared her story

here FINALLY ME

Going in Circles

2011-10-05T08:27:00.001-05:00

After three weeks of intense work in the kitchen and Happy Belly, things are still quite busy around here...good news in a few days...
but for now, I am just happy to take a minute to play
with Bella and her 52 Photos Project again...

come on over and go in circles with us

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Bowls of my Homebaked Granola

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Peace, love and happy bellies!

52 Photos Project