A frosty day in my neighborhood...

I am very tired but the children have me hopping to get their Art for the Troops completed so they can be mailed next week. The children seem to have an enormous amount of energy tonight and were spinning and hopping and galloping in the central gallery tonight. I would love to have one tenth of their energies and yes they still are in love with glitter and glitter glues! I had some wonderful people come into the studio ...one couple from Bucyrus, OH came over to see the exhibit at The Works for the Remington Gun Exhibit and then walked over for an extended visit ...she is a quilter also. Then this afternoon Hal Stevens came in with a friend who is a silversmith ...we had all met at the Ohio Designer Craftsman Gallery years ago. It felt like old home week as we shared our stories of how our lives have progressed and shared old friends and acquaintances. They brought such sunshine into my studio and my heart. Thank you for blessings my day with your extended years of friendship! I hope you enjoy the photos from a sunny day in the studio! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

daring to be...

I am listening to the sounds of Glee on Fox and the common theme is "daring to be" true to oneself. I am reminded that some days just showing up for the studio is enough to keep me on my journey. I worked on a couple projects and let the Christmas carols flood over my body...filling me a gentle flow that guided me until it was after 4 and I needed to get to Michael's to pick up a couple more supplies for the troops in Afghanistan for their Christmas surprise packages. Ken brought home Chinese Happy Family and we are both having a warming cup of coffee so we can stay awake. I want to work and he is watching the OSU Buckeyes Basketball game versus Duke. It is the simple pleasures that remind us that we are Lucky individuals.

I was reading SOMERSET Studio for Nov/Dec and there is an interesting article about journaling your year. I always think this is a Great idea....but it is very difficult to commit to making a whole year of anything. I am having trouble catching up with my tiny but beautiful to me Inchies. I need to photograph the ones I have completed and finish the last 6 or 7before the end of December. I have to make cookies for the cookie exchange for the Downtown Cookie Walk for the Midland ...I was supposed to make chocolate chip but I have the ingredients for Peanut Butter cookies so this is it! The weather is quietly moving into a wintry mix of sleet and light snow right now...tomorrow could be an interesting ride into the studio. i am sending you all gentle thoughts of appreciation for your support...I am moving very slowly but I am moving
still...I am still here. Imagine and Live in in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Monday ...a rainy cold day waiting for a phone call from my doctor....

I think my Lupus is knocking at my door. I feel extremely tired and my bones actually hurt today. I call my specialist at the hospital...but he was very busy with it being Monday and right after a holiday so I did not receive my much needed phone reassurance. I know i have to get new blood work asap...at the local hospital here and then the results sent over to my specialist. I have been off my chemo now for a month...and it must have been doing something so I will probably have to make some serious decisions when I get the results. I did go to pick up my new frame replacements of my glasses...it is so good to be able to really see once again. I have rested, napped, today was a perfect day for a real nap marathon. I made a couple errands and picked up a small Norfolk Pine tree for my studio ...a real scent of pine and to hang my small ornaments on for display. I am praying tomorrow will be a better day...I need to hold my head up to sew on my ornaments made from vintage fabrics and buttons ...buttons of course. Have a good night. Imagine and live in Peace, Mary Helen

Blessings....

I have been asked to post this on my blog....

Celebrate the quiet moments...
Create a soft place to land...
And share your quiet place...
Embrace the simple joys we all are given daily...
Be present in your living...
Open your eyes....
Open your hearts...
See the sky ...really see the miraculous miracle in the moment...
See the faces you meet each day...
And listen for whispers and echoes you receive ...
Remember those who came before you...
Cradled you ...
And blessed you to witness the beauty that only you have to share....
Blessings.

Imagine and live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart