For quite awhile I’ve been longing to take a workshop with Flora Bowley. Her workshops fill up quickly. In fact, a few months ago she was giving a three-day workshop, but when I went to register it was already full. After my painting week with Jill Steenhuis, I was eager to sign up for a workshop that was longer than two days.

Low and behold, Flora offered for the first time a week-long workshop in San Miguel de Allende! However, when I went to sign up, there was already a waiting list. But, alas, it worked out for me to go. So, I’m glad it didn’t work out after all for me to go to that other three-day workshop. Something else was in the works that was even better. Ah, the magic of divine timing!

For the next week I will be painting my heart out with Flora in San Miguel de Allende.

The fresh energy of a brand new year is here!

Appreciating the past year is a good way to honor the positive takeaways to bring with you into the new year.

Selecting a word or mantra creates an intention which focuses your energy. Here is a link to a vintage post that tells you how: creating your word or mantra for the new year.

Next, why not breathe life into your mantra by creating a collage or dream box? I’m going to invite some girlfriends over for a Cocktail-Vision Board-Soiree so we can have fun creating and sharing our desires for 2012 together.

Wishing you a spectacular 2012!

Every year I read Gary Zukav’s soulful ponderings on The Winter Solstice. David Whyte’s elegant poem, The Winter of Listening, reminds me to listen deeply to my own voice.

The Winter Solstice is a perfect time to contemplate a dream or vision you’re longing to bring to life. Here is a simple winter ritual created by Dana Reynolds.

Gather the following:

A small glass jar with a lid

An image to represent what you hope to bring forth in the spring (this can be a photograph or an image torn from a magazine).

A sheet of paper

Pen

Glue stick

Seeds (any kind of seed will work…. even something from your spice drawer)

Process:

Glue the image representing your intention to the piece of paper. Take a deep breath. Breathe in peace and calm. Exhale whatever you need to release in the present moment; anxiety, doubt, fear, etc.

Spend some time meditating on the image and what it evokes and write about the focus of your intention on the paper. Offer a personal prayer as you fold the paper and place it in the jar. Add the seeds to symbolically represent how your dream will grow to fruition in spring. Seal the jar with the lid.

Find a meaningful place… your yard, a nearby park, or a pot of earth. Bury the jar. Feel the comfort of knowing you are incubating your dream during this time of hibernation.

Throughout the winter months spend quiet time writing about your dream. Make a collage as a visual prayer for what is gestating within you. Trust that in the deepest darkest time of the year something is growing beneath the surface. Something new will arrive with the return of the light in the Spring.

Wishing you a bright day of soulful reflecting.

It is wintry and cold here in North Texas, and I’m definitely in the Christmas spirit. How about you? I adore Christmas traditions. They give a sense of continuity to my life. For instance, there has never been a Christmas morning that I haven’t had cheese grits! My husband and I began our own tradition of buying a Christmas tree ornament from the places we’ve traveled to. I’d love to hear some of your favorite Christmas rituals and traditions — please post them in the comments section below.

In January, I’ll be launching a brand new site with a fresh, new direction (more art + travel — experiencing a sense of place through the arts). I’ve got lots of fantastic things planned for YOU! Be sure you are on my mailing list to keep to date and to receive my free digital workbook, Writing the New Story of Your Life, which is perfect for ringing in a new year with a new story.

Here are a couple of vintage posts that are perfect for this holiday season:
A Ritual of Comfort and Joy

The Winter of Listening

Cheers!
Silky

And, Beth Nicholls is featuring my story entitled “My Year in Art.” Click HERE to read it.

Wishing you a week filled with creative epiphanies.

I’m home from an exquisite and exhilarating trip to Italy, France and Monaco. This adventure combined so many of my loves — traveling, fresh perspectives, connecting with old and new friends, and experiencing a place through its arts and cuisine. A new direction that has been evolving for months has now crystalized. I will be creating a brand new site that reflects my new focus. I have so much to share with you! Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to be notified of the unveiling.

Happy creating wherever your travels may take you!

I’ll be on a glorious holiday through October 14. I can’t wait to share my adventures in Italy and mostly in France.

Enjoy this marvelous autumn.

After the hottest summer on record in Texas, we are now enjoying delightful days in the high 60′s and 70′s. It is time for some porch sittin’ to be sure.

While I continue to take a digital break, here are some more vintage posts which include some insightful interviews AND sharing some linky love.

Illuminating Interviews
Dream Big with Andrea Scher: Andrea is one of the co-creators of Mondo Beyondo and a brand new class is beginning on September 12.

Infinite Possibilities with Jill Allison Bryan: Jill genuinely inspires me, and she will inspire you, too. She shares how she turned a vision to empower women into a reality. I’m so happy we’ll be having lunch next week.

Goddess Magic with Goddess Leonie: As always, Goddess Leonie shares lots of sparkly insights. Have you check out her How to Be a Business Goddess kit?

Right Brain Business Plan: Q & A with Jennifer Lee: Find out how Jennifer shifts through creative blocks.

Paint Writing on 21 Secrets
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed facilitating my Painting Writing class on 21 Secrets. Here are a couple of posts with lots of photos from several participants: A Peek into Paint Writing and More Peeking into Paint Writing. There is still time to sign up (deadline is October 1) for this self-paced online class with 21 stellar teachers. You have until January 1, 2012 to art journal your heart out. Click HERE for all the details.

Sharing the Love
My friend, Tonya Leigh, is a master lifestyle coach who adores all things beautiful, from a gorgeous attitude to a pretty foods. She just posted her Three Part Beauty Manifesto on How to Be the Most Beautiful Woman in the Room. She also shares some of her favorite worksheets. Click HERE to check it out.

For any music affectionados, my husband has oodles of great tips on his site, Lotus Music. Be sure to check out his animated video where he talks about the Circle of Fifths.

And finally, my own Mom has just created a digital version of her book, From Love that Hurts to Love that’s Real. This book was first published by Parkside Publishing in 1989. It was truly a book ahead of its time. My mom was an addictions therapist who used a holistic approach. If you are struggling with addictive and/or less than healthy relationships, then this book is for you! Visit Living Real Love!

Happy Friday!

Come On, Get Happy: Lots of ideas to shift your energy.

The Five Tibetan Rites: Do you know about this ancient practice? It is similar to Yoga and gets your energy aligned.

Tap into Emotional Freedom Technique: My good friend, Pam Robinson, shares all about EFT. It is a marvelous tool to shift your thought processes.

Wave Bye Bye to Stress: The emWave is an amazing resource. My dear friend, Dr. Bill DeFoore, tells you all this nifty little gadget created by the folks at Heartmath.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road: My friend, Dr. Alyssa Summey, who is a holistic chiropractor shares her expertise on generating a sense of well being.

What is your favorite way to soothe stress, shift your energy and to connect with well being? Please share in the comments below.

Next month my husband and I will embark on a three and a half week sojourn to Italy and France. I adore traveling as much as I love anything in this world. And, preparing for the journey makes my heart sing.

I’ve been reading all types of books — from guidebooks to artists biographies to memoirs to style guides to novels set in France. Right now I’m reading Chasing Matisse: A Year in France Living My Dream. This book chronicles the adventures of a man in his fifties who decides to follow his passion for Matisse, becoming an artist and France — so inspiring!

My husband and I have been watching French movies and movies set in France. So far we’ve watched:
French Kiss
And God Created Woman
Sarah’s Key
Midnight in Paris
Priceless
Charade
To Catch a Thief
Funny Face
A Good Year
Chocolat

I’ve been listening to French music. Putamayo has two great CD’s: Paris and Acoustic France. Plus, I’ve created my own French playlist including the music of Carla Bruni, Pink Martini and Carolie Clement to name of few.

Researching hotels and mapping out a rough blueprint for our French adventure can be a bit overwhelming with all of the travel booking sites. A couple of sites that are helpful for Paris are:
Girls Guide to Paris
Do It in Paris
And Provence:
About Provence

My inner globalista has been having a blast. I swear I’m a frustrated tour guide! Now, I’ve got to figure out my travel wardrobe and what to pack. And, I’ve got to get my painting supplies shipped for my week long painting workshop with Jill Steenhuis.

If you have any must do or restaurant tips for Aix-en-Provence, St. Tropez, Nice, Monaco or Paris. How do you plot and plan for a trip? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments section below.

Bonjour!