For my friends who have made the decision to embrace their creativity and express God in new ways, I have this quote from Dr. Wilson Yates to share with you (and it's one of my favorites):

There is a power art has that draws us as a religious people to the works of artists. It is a power that calls us onto holy ground and engages us in matters of ultimate importance. It is a power that invites us to explore the religious and moral depths of our life, to explore our own spiritual journey…We are each, I think, on a spiritual journey, for we all have at the heart of our larger human journey that set of experiences and explorations that are concerned with the inner struggle of defining who we are and who we are in relationship to God, of understanding the ultimate purpose and meaning of our existence, of responding to those events that shake us in often ruthless fashion…If we see ourselves as spiritual pilgrims then the arts, with their power to call us onto holy ground, become our inevitable companions on our journey.

So, my beautiful friends, CREATE, INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE, ENGAGE and show Christ through all you do! I can't wait to see what you come up with so don't hold back :)

For Becca: I thought I'd post one of my favorite photos from December in Norway. There was a fresh snow fall (gotta love that!) and the colors were unbelievably beautiful. It was so surreal, it may not look like it but the turquoise is a lake behind the trees.

PLOG?

* Sigh * A certain person wanted me to start a photo blog posting my favorite pic with the reasons why I chose it. I am finally accepting this challenge. My problem is that I have a millions photographs and I can't pick my favorite because nothing is ever "brilliant" enough to share. So, after finally getting sick of being discontent, I hastily picked a photo of a doorknob at Hearts Castle that struck my fancy. The color palette is gorgeous because it feels faded and old (which it is); the silver doorknob is just incredibly cool and there is a greenish patina in the creases; I love the tapestry on the wall; I love the mystery of possibilities this photo speaks to me. Oh, and Katharine Hepburn touched that doorknob so that's just icing on the cake.

Davis Farmer's Market

I've been asking the Lord to adjust my appetites (spiritual, natural, and whatever) for the past few months and I'm happy to report that fruit and veggies are finally beginning to appeal to me.  Who knew they could be so beautiful AND taste so lovely! This was one of the tables at the Farmer's Market in Davis. It was right next to the Karma Tent (hehehe)

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw in a couple of scenes of Davis life, as well. You never know what you'll see around there which is why I am SO IN LOVE with Davis!

The Things You Do For Friends......

Now, I'm only willing to do this because my friend asked me and she actually hates playing Lexulous but does it for me anyway. So, here goes (not that anybody ever reads this blog)....

What's your current obsession?

Becca's homemade chocolate chip cookies ;)

What's your weirdest obsession?

I'm cool with everything I'm obsessed about so can't think of anything. (hehehe)

What are you wearing today?

Basic black: black shirt and black shorts. Black is supposed to be slimming and I'm hoping that it's magically taken off 8,900 pounds from my 9,000 lb body.

Why is today special?

Because I've been teaching an Ethics class and it's sparked all kinds of awesome debates between students. Very cool, I say!

What would you like to learn to do?

Fly a plane and take a hot-air balloon ride. (That's two things, I know, but I'm kinda greedy that way.)

What's for dinner today?

Diet cr*p: oatmeal

What's the last thing you bought?

Yummy Bulgogi Korean BBQ marinade from World Market and flowers for Mook from the Farmer's Market.

What's your favorite weather?

In the 70's with the sun shining and a mild breeze blowing.

What's your most challenging goal right now?

Losing 8,900 lbs.

What do you think about the person who tagged you?

I think she's very sweet to love an anti-social person like myself. I know amazing things about her that she hasn't begun to discover and I'm looking forward to the aha's that are to come.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

Here go my greedy bits, again: 6 months in Carmel, California and 6 months in Assisi, Italy.

Favorite vacation spot?

This is way too hard.....Italy, Norway, Ireland. Life is never just about ONE thing, is it?

What would you like to have in your hands right now?

A million dollars because I could end the suffering of several people in one go.

What would you like to get rid of?

8,900 lbs.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

To Lynden, Washington to see my Shy-Shy.

What's your favorite thing about the city you live in?

It's close to Davis.

If you had $150 now what would you spend it on?

Spamalot tickets for Rae Rae, Vivi and myself.

Do you admire anyone's style?

Nope. I'm more likely to admire someone's writing or photography style. (Ok, I'm trying to be good here so I guess I'd pick Yvonne Peters)

Describe your personal style?

Basic on the outside, artsy/hippie-ish on the inside.

Who is someone your heart is missing right now?

Oh, absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt, JO!

Name 3 things you'd like to do, visit or see in the next year?

I want to go on a safari.

I want to pray on the Great Wall of China.

I want to rent a car and drive my way through ALL of Europe, taking photos and writing a book.

Now the rules of this tag:

1. Respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention.

2. Tag 7 other people you would love to learn more about.

Bad news: Don't know 7 other people........

Musicals

This is for YOU, Raelynn :)

California Birthdays Are The Best!

Ever been to the California Redwoods? Or to the Benbow Inn? Or Mendocino and the California Coast? If it's your birthday, good things happen there. Champagne, tea and scones, redwood trees that touch the sky, hawks that circle over-head, fog hugging the rugged coastline, laughter.......

Happy Birthday, Raelynn! We miss you!!!!

California Snow

This is the closest we get to snow in my part of California......

It's the weed 'blossoms' between the rows of grapevines in St. Helena.