Mind Freeing Questions

Awhile ago I saw an article called “50 Questions that will free your mind”.  I like these kind of challenges so I added answering these questions to my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days (#43). Today is a good day to begin answering these questions.  My answers are in green. I’m still thinking about the answers to the ones in purple (4 questions remain).

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 55
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Never trying
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? We get caught up in the here and now and forget that the future may not actuate.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? I will have said quite a lot but, hopefully, done more.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? Selfishness
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? My current balance of work is perfect for me and my happiness.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? I am committed to my work which I think of as my ministry.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I would not be concerned about health or security.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? I’ve had a great deal of control over my adult life which has both good and bad aspects.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? I want to do a right thing in a right way. I’m not interested in playing catch-up.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do? It wouldn’t matter if the person were a friend of mine or not, nasty gossip is not necessary.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Love God with all your heart.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? It really shouldn’t be necessary to break the law to save someone’s life.  Would I lie to a murderer or child molester or rapist to spare harm coming to someone? Unequivocally, YES.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Still thinking about this one.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Still thinking about this one.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? I’m content with what I have and willing to work for the things I want.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?   There’s not “one” thing I would like to do that I’ve never done. I would like to travel more.  What’s holding you back? Money
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Still thinking about this one.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? I think I’d move to France or Italy just because it would be such a change from my life here in Maryland. 
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  No Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Worried genius. Does that mean I’m a genius?
22. Why are you, you? I was created to have a unique relationship with God and humans. I’m not dispensable.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? I would want more from me if I were my friend.  That being said, I am trustworthy, truthful, loyal and dependable.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? It’s so sad to lose touch with friends who live right near you.  Perhaps it’s time to reconcile.
25. What are you most grateful for? God’s extravagant blessing in my life.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? I don’t remember much from years ago so I’d definitely want to be able to make new ones. If I need information about an old memory I just ask my sister.
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Absolutely! Truth is not the same as fact.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? No.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Yes. Does it really matter now? Yes.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special? I don’t remember very much of my childhood but I’m sure my happiest memory would included my grandmother.  When I was very young she would cut out doll clothes for me to sew and never correct me because it wasn’t perfect.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? Now.
32. If not now, then when? NOW!
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? I’m making big decisions and great strides to overcome fear and longing.  Just do it.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? No, I like words; I covet communication.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? War is inevitable considering the Devil rules this world.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Yes
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? No, I have made a commitment to see my job through to its inevitable end.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? Less work
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? No, each day is new and different.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? I try to get all the information I can before making a big decision but then I’m not afraid to step confidently into a new situation. The house renovation is a good example.
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? My son.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Truly living is making the effort to improve not only my personal status, but to empower those around me.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? Doing what’s right has its own reward.  The risk is covered by God.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Afraid of making a mistake is not the issue, disappointed at an outcome.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? That doesn’t motivate me in any way.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? This morning.
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? Still thinking about this one.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that? I will remember that I had a goal and the goal has been achieved.
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? I’m making my own decisions with God’s help.

Whew, this was tough and I didn’t even answer every question.  I’ll get on those directly.

Have you answered any difficult questions lately?

Where Did the Fish Collection Come From?

I didn’t realize I had a collection until I saw Janice’s fish on the wall at Curtains in My Tree. I looked around the Glade and found lots of different fish-shaped objects.

This fishy duo, a tarnished silver toothpick holder and a ceramic plate, have done mantel duty together.

I had plans to hang this heavy iron fish coat rack in the garden when I finally settle on a place for our out-door chapel. At one point in history the fish became a symbol of Christianity. Jesus told his disciples I will make you fishers of men.

I found this fish-shaped rack for a few dollars at a discount store with the hopes of hanging it in an outdoor chapel.

I’m not sure what this little slip of cloth with a fish on it is for but it would be easy to replicate into a larger banner or repeat the motif for a whole school of swimmers.

A 5″ by 7″ piece of fabric with a painted fish.

A brightly painted fish sculpture would add some whimsy to a child’s bedroom.

A brightly colored fish (about 8″ long).

While the fish above is very light weight, this grey and tan fish is a heavy stone.

A painted stone fish (about 6 inches long).

A brass fish dangles on a leather cord to wear as a necklace or perhaps I could find a more unique use.

A brass fish pendant on a leather cord.

A delicate silver metal fish on a key chain might not endure the rigors of daily usage.  Perhaps it could hold one special, seldom-used key.

A fragile, sectioned fish on the end of a line.

My wooden fish earrings add swing and color to summer clothes.

My well-worn fish earrings.

I’m going to see how I can turn this diverse fish collection into a cohesive element.  If I had a pool house the connection would be obvious but I don’t even have a pool. If we ever finish the laundry room the fish might feel at home there. Perhaps a new mantel theme!

Do you have an unintentional collection?

Daffodils

A spring posy for a nonagenarian.

Daffodils

by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed–and gazed–but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

From the garden at The Glade

I have always loved daffodils.

What’re your favorite?

Warm and Drinkable Winter Punch

Sometimes I learn new things just in the nick of time.  For example I wanted to serve a hot spiced cider at our Twelfth Night Celebration but had never really been a fan of hot spiced apple cider because it isn’t thirst quenching.

Our 2.5 gallon punch bowl.

Back to how I learned something. Included in our Christmas traditions Charlie plays the organ for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services for nuns and worshippers at the All Saints Convent.

The chapel of the convent is attached to their living quarters.

After the Christmas Eve service the sisters asked us  to join them in some hot spiced punch and cookies. Their punch was not apple cider, but rather spiced tea and it was delicious.

Trader Joe’s Spiced cider has a good balance of spices.

So this year I brewed up a pot of caffeine free tea using 2 regular tea bags and 2 cinnamon spiced tea bags per pot and heated it with a bottle of Trader Joe’s Spiced apple cider. (They also sell spiced pear cider which is good, too.)  Plus 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar per recipe depending on one’s sweetness preference.

The ingredients for a warming and thirst quenching spiced cider that’s also economical.

The resulting hot toddy was accepted by our guests with the comments that if straight cider had been used they could have only had one cupful but instead they drank  cup after cup all evening.

Have you been inspired to create a new drink? Food?

Getting Ready for Twelfth Night: The Mantel

The turquoise and green Christmas decorations are giving way to greens and burnt oranges to welcome the arrival of the Magi and their gifts to the Christ child.

Three Kings bring gifts to the Christ child.

I wanted to highlight them on our mantel. Any bona fide eastern king would be traveling with camels and so we definitely have camels.

Carved wooden camels

In my stash of vases and pottery I found a lovely Oriental vase with some lovely coordinating colors featuring a peacock.

The peacock vase lends a feeling of the Orient from whence the Wise Men came.

I asked my friend if I could have some dried grasses from his yard because they look like feathers and  give the whole arrangement height.

Dried grasses add height and interest to the mantel.

Then for a little glitz I added some green ribbon and candles.

Ribbon and crystal candle holders add a bit of sparkle.

And glass balls.

Glass balls in brown and orange and silver ball-shaped candle holders add some interest.

The mantle is decorated for our Twelfth Night celebration.  Next is the dining room.

We’ll light the candles on Twelfth Night being careful not to ignite the grasses.

Happy New Year!

What’s new at your house?

Honoring Our Family

As I told you here while I was making swags of greens for the doors I made some extra ones for the graves of our family members.

Door swag with pine, boxwood and rosemary greens.

The thing that differentiates the graveyard wreathes is that they contain boughs of holly from Charlie’s grandmother’s holly tree.

The greens were simply apportioned pine and holly boughs.

Even though grandmother and granfather have been gone for many decades he still has contact with the folks that live in their house.  A dozen snips of holly at Christmas is graciously allowed.

We added some pine cones to finish off each swag.

We made 8 simple swags to lay on the graves held down by a wire pin fashioned from a hanger.

This handmade clips are about 5 inches long.

On a brisk sunny day we lovingly laid the greens on the graves for another Christmas season.

A swag of greens at the graveyard.

Praise God that we are able to honor those who loved us so dearly.

How do you remember your heritage?

Sidebar:  Similar swags cost $8 each at a nearby store.

Help Choose the Mantel?!

Last year I said that our Christmas mantel at The Glade doesn’t change much from year to year.

2011 Christmas mantle complete with crèche

As usual I’m making a fool of myself and totally going back on that statement. This year’s mantel is a departure from Christmases past. On the right side is the large weathered tin vase with natural greens and herbs I made here.

Just a few pleasant items on the mantel

At first I played it very safe using just a few vintagey, Christmasy items on the mantel. If you look closely above you can see the repetition of tree forms:  silver on the small table at left, turquoise on the left of the mantle, and crystal on the right of the mantel. Repetition is always a good design idea, n’est-ce pas?

The candle, herald angel, and glass balls belonged to my mother.

This year we’re focusing on not only using the things we already own but also on our heritage: items and objects from family and friends.

Adding the large picture necessitated moving a few things around.

Moving things around the house I found a large flower print that gave the mantel a bold hit of color while continuing the green theme.  Charlie thought it waaaay toooo big.

A few vintage photos: one of me and one of my great-grandmother at about the same age front the large peony print.

On the left side we’re featuring a newly painted ceramic tree along with a smaller glass tree near some old portraits. The right side has a little lift of color with a stack of Christmas cards.

The carved wooden angel harmonizes with the natural theme.

But since Charlie was not really fond of the big picture I changed the mantel one more time. This time I removed the flower print and replaced it with a round silver tray.

A tamer version of the Christmas mantel.

I used the photo of my great-grandmother at the age of 18 on the Thanksgiving mantel and just wanted to feature it a little longer. This is the most distant of my relatives that I can still remember.

Granny in the late 1800s.

The glass balls are held in place by a little patch of double stick tape so once they were in place I did not move them.

3 glass balls (one not shown) carry the color theme of green and turquoise.

This mantel is in total flux because I keep adding and removing elements daily. But I’d like to hold a little vote among the readers.  Which do you prefer?

Thanks for your help.

Do you continue to change things? Or once you’re done, you’re done?

I’m linked to

Traditional, Transitional, Thankful Mantle

The mantle still sports some of autumns items but is moving toward a vintage Thanksgiving.

The Red Wing stag in the center is one of my favorite fall and even winter centerpieces. Then I just kept loading on uniques pieces as we found them.

The discovery of the strange birds on a branch in the center of the photo is its own story.

I full expect the mantle to change after Thanksgiving but I am reminded of our thankfulness and joy for all God has blessed us with.

Some vintage photos and harbingers of Christmas.

Some of the pieces are really kitschy (like the plastic turkey and Pilgrim squirrel salt and pepper shakers).

Salt and Pepper turkeys sit in front of an advent calendar filled with chocolate.

Others are the result of generations of savings like the photo of my great-grandmother at the age of 18.

Granny in the late 1800s.

Sometimes serious thoughtful decoration can give way to sentimental comforting items to remind us of our homes, our families and our Creator.

Happy Thanksgiving.

For what or whom are you thankful?

Get the Rug Out

The carpet in the halls of our church is slated to be replaced and I’m on the committee to choose the color.

As I was taking a mental walk through the space last evening I remembered

• the walls of the foyer are natural red brick,
• the adjoining carpet in the sanctuary is a dusty mauve,
• the walls of the hall are white painted cinderblock,
• the adjoining classrooms have various colors of blue  and dusty mauve carpet and finally
• the kitchen and assembly room at the back have variegated tan tile.

The plan is to cover the foyer and side entrance area with vinyl tile and carpet the long runs of the halls with seamless carpet.

This area will be tiled.

Our estimate included colored tile and colored carpet, the committee is charged with picking the colors of both.  As I began thinking about it, however, a woodgrain floor (vinyl) seemed to go better with the various areas it would touch, especially the brick and mauve, and more appropriate for a church entrance.

This area will also be tiled.

I really didn’t want to think outside the box, I wanted to show up at the committee meeting, pick a color and go home.  It’s never that easy with me.

Carpet on the left will remain; carpet on the right being replaced.

Six of us assembled promptly at 9 a.m. and opened the meeting with prayer.  Our plan was to select the carpet color, then the tile color then the baseboard.  I suggested we eliminate any carpet swatches that we felt right off the bat would be inappropriate. That brought us from about 25 choices down to 10.

Middle row, second from left is our carpet choice.

We chose a slightly variegated blue that seems to have a hint of pink when held next to the mauve carpet and brick wall. The second item was the tile of which there were about 50 choices.  I suggested we eliminate anything that was mottled; someone else suggested we stay away from blue since we chose blue carpet; another said it shouldn’t be too dark.  Now we were narrowed to about 20 colors. Here I would still have liked to go with wood but the consensus was a light tannish grey tile which looked OK against the other colors already in the church.

Tile choice is circled. Hmmm!

Finally we looked through the baseboard colors for which I would have chosen a dark color to give an emphatic edge along the sides of the carpet but the committee decided on a putty color that harmonized with the tile.    Choices made, meeting adjourned.

The whole process went better than I thought it would. Next item: schedule the installation.

Do you like to design by committee?

The Books of THE Book

Jennifer at ILoveRehabs had a piece of artwork in her post about styling her bookshelves which I really loved.

I had 2 reasons for wanting a copy of it: my son would love it and it would make a great “certificate” for the young children at church memorizing the books of the Bible in order.

So Jennifer sent me a copy of her take on the same poster. I had it printed at Staples onto 11″ by 17″ paper for $2 (I had 2 made so $4.)  I wanted to frame one of them but had a difficult time finding a 11′ by 17″ frame for less than $15, out of my price range.

The art would work with a variety of frame colors.

I looked all around my “artwork” and some empty frames we had on hand at home and found a pair of tropical prints which I had never really cared for.

Old tropical print with goldleaf frame and rust-colored mat

While the frame was not exactly 11″ by 17″ it could accomodate the print with a little extra room on each side. 

Gold leaf frame

 I decided to spray the frame teal to match some of the writing and because I had teal spray paint on hand. 

Spray painted frame

On either side of the poster I added a thin orange ribbon.

Thin orange ribbon borders poster.

I tucked everyting back into the newly paint frame with cleaned glass.

The framed art ready to be hung.

This is a surprise Easter/birthday gift for my darling son who was born on Palm Sunday 30 years ago.

What’s your frugal answer to hanging art?