Wreck This Journal: Week One

So today begins a new creative journey. Our inet book club: The Next Chapter with Jamie Ridler is delving into "Wreck This Journal" by Keri Smith. I am beyond excited for this summer project as I have had it on my Amazon wishlist forever and a day! When the box arrived in the mail, I opened it like a little girl on Christmas morning. Once the book was in my hands, I got this smile on my face that started somewhere deep inside! It is going to be great fun and a much needed source of creative energy.

I have been going through some very personal struggles lately and I know this is the is going to be one of those projects that help me forget about those struggles for even a moment. I have to admit, that I was almost too embarrassed to sign up for the next chapter because I failed miserably at the last chapter. Something happened that made me miss posting one time and that one time led to me not finishing the project. But I had to forgive myself for that and just enjoy what I did get out of participating in the chapters that I did. So here I am. I am going to need your support, my fellow club sisters. I surrender to the fact that in this journal, I truly might need some pushes along the way. But I know I cannot wait to jump inside the book and begin this fun project. Too bad we all couldn't meet somewhere together, aside from the internet, to do this project but I will take it!

Here's to new friendships and getting MESSY!!!!

let the words soak in...

Live while you are alive...

Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit

Learn to free yourself from all things that have molded you

And which limit your secret and undiscovered road...

Never forget that love

Requires you to be

The greatest person you are capable of being,

Self generating and strong and gentle -

Your own hero and star...

Be grateful for life as you live it,

And may a wonderful light

Always guide you along the unfolding road.

- from Ben Okri's "To an English friend in Africa"

*saw this on another blog recently and found it lovely enough that i wanted to share it.

Protect Our Children

Last week on her show, Oprah talked about the sexual predators that seek to harm innocent children in America. Oprah mentioned The Adam Walsh Child Protection Act, an act set up by John Walsh, whose son Adam was kidnapped and murdered in 1981. The Act requires sex offenders to register within their state so that anyone can access their names and addresses and protect their families as best as possible. Unfortunately, in July 2009, the act will have run out of funds, but there is a sample letter on Oprah's website you can download, sign and send to your states senate asking them to comply with the Act. Download the letter HERE.

We, as parents, as citizens, need to do everything we can to make sure the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act can continue. Our children need us to do the right thing! Tell everyone you know to download the letter and send it! Do some good today!

gourmet*jellybeans

just one of those fun little things in life...
you know, trying to figure out the flavor of gourmet jellybeans.

a treat for you...

Here is a treat you must try from Martha Stewart Living!! Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Apricots and White Chocolate

Instead of old-fashioned oatmeal raisin, swap in apricots and white chocolate. The white chocolate's sweetness tempers the tang of the fruit, creating a balanced batch that will appeal to kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Makes about 4 dozen

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 large eggs
* 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped
* 7 ounces dried apricots, preferably California, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, oatmeal, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Cream butter and sugars with a mixer until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low. Add salt, vanilla, and eggs, and beat until well combined, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture gradually, beating until just combined. Stir in chocolate and apricots. Cover, and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
2. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies are golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center, 14 to 16 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool. Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 1 week.

{exposed}

Hello there.

It's been awhile.

I'm sorry for that.

I was feeling a bit raw.

Exposed.

So I went missing.

Well...just hiding for a bit.

I want to exhale now.

So hello there.

Let me share some inspiration with you before I go...

Just a few of my flickr favorites.

These images helped me take a new breath.

For a moment, I came alive once more.

I will catch up on my 12 Secrets soon.

I promise.