I Want a Renaissance Mind

TLC Book Tours sent me a copy of The Vigorous Mind: Cross-train Your Brain to Break Through Mental, Emotional, and Professional Boundaries by Ingrid E. Cummings, and they've asked me to schedule my review for Jan. 20th. It will be posted on my book blog. Or maybe, even here, as I'm enjoying the book so much.

The idea behind the book is to embark on a journey to broaden your mind, to learn new things or learn more about areas you are already interested in. Cummings, the author, looks on generalists and dilettantes with glee. Learning more about more seems to be her mantra.

Too busy? Cummings recommends the Japanese concept of kaizen, taking baby steps, making reasonable, not too strenuous commitments. A lot can be learned or accomplished in 20 minutes, two or three times a week--so design your own curriculum and make a commitment for 3 weeks or 3 months or whatever seems reasonable.

I'm almost through with the book now, and I've already begun a journal dedicated to the book and my journey toward a Renaissance (and Vigorous) Mind. Originally, I planned to use the handmade journal Megan gave me for my birthday as a "destination" journal--where I recorded places I'd like to visit and made notes, etc.

Now, I'm so glad I waited because the journal is perfect for my thoughts about The Vigorous Mind, my plans, my lists, my evaluations. The pages are smooth and creamy, a pleasure to write on.
The lovely handmade journal Iliana sent me was already where I recorded thoughts on yoga and meditation, so it is perfect for continuing my study of yoga.

Here are some of the courses in the "curriculum" I'm designing for myself:

• learn more about yoga; learn more about the background,terms, and about the asanas and their purposes (20 min., 2-3 times a week, for 3 months) This is just expanding on something I'm already interested in.

• include walking and weights as part of my fitness program (10-20 min., 2-3 times a week, for 3 weeks--then evaluate and decide whether or not to continue)

• read more nonfiction, especially biographies (at least one nonfiction book a month--which won't be difficult if I choose well, for a year)

• watch 2 documentaries a month on a wide variety of topics

• order some magazine subscriptions to Smithsonian and Mental Floss

• something relating to textile arts--I'm still thinking about this one, something that would broaden my knowledge or my give me a goal of some sort...

I've ordered books, checked out books from the library, and ordered documentaries from Netflix. The documentaries are on wide-ranging topics, but I tried to keep Fee in mind when I chose many of them.

The whole process is right up my alley--I'm a dabble here, read a little there, learn a little about a lot of things kind of gal. The last few years, however, I've slacked off. After retiring from teaching, I've reveled in bon-bon reading and an intellectually relaxed atmosphere.

Yet I've always loved learning (not necessarily the same thing as school) and admired autodidacts, and the timing seems just right to pursue things in a slightly more organized , yet still in a desultory, relaxed manner. Time to expand a little, mentally and physically; time to explore things that have always interested me and things that have never really been on my chart.

What else is on my long list of things I want to do or learn -- studying Italian again after about 10 years, taking a cooking class (it is never too late to learn, right?), reading my camera manual (duh!), learning about classical music, learning more about reiki, go hiking and maybe eventually make a little of the Appalachian trail in the future, go on a retreat (quilting, yoga, or just spiritual)....

Over at Kim's blog, SkybelleArts, I discovered this challenge--Creative Every Day. It will fit in perfectly with my self-challenge because a vigorous mind, a Renaissance mind, is a creative mind, and creativity runs the gamut, the entire range of human activity...

New Year's Eve (first post)

I made a collage of some pages from the book of Bryce Eleanor's first year that Amelia and Chris gave us for Christmas. I SO love it! (click to enlarge)

The only disappointment at Christmas is that Erin, Mila, and Max were not able to come. Their grandparents from France were visiting Eric, and it was the first time they've met Max. Eric has been generous in sharing the kids with us during their separation over the past year , and Erin was happy to return the favor for one of his parents' rare visits to the states. It sounds as if they all had a wonderful Christmas!

We will going to see them this weekend, and I'm looking forward to that!

I've been working on my plans for the next year and have been reading what several of you have been thinking about. I find it a refreshing activity and love anticipating 2009-- a clean slate, a year full of possibilities, new projects, new experiences.

Reading your views, hopes, and aspirations for the new year always intrigues and inspires me, and the same holds true for this year as well. I'll continue visiting blogs today to see your New Year posts.

This year, I will be trying a new approach. I'm reading a stimulating book that has excited and energized my thinking, and I've spent the last several days formulating my plans. I'll be sharing some of them later today.

:) I feel like a kid on the first day of school--eager but a little on edge as I try to work my intentions into a real strategy for action.

Already Over!

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas, full of family, friends, and food!

Bryce Eleanor on Christmas Eve. They sure catch on quickly to the cell phone idea!Christmas Day down at the cabin at Raft Bayou. Maggie, Teresa, Robin--Ladies in Red.


Katie and Jeffrey.Little brother and his girls.


This game shocks you if you aren't fast enough! It was too funny to watch!
My favorite present was a book that Amelia made with Shutterfly of Bryce Eleanor's first year--from birth to first birthday! Wonderful!

Merry, Merry, Merry

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Thank you all for visiting and for commenting and for inspiring me. Thank you for being part of this community that provides such motivation and such widespread sharing. I wish you all joy for the holidays and the coming year.

Gift Bags Done

I finally got all the packages wraps and gift bags made!

In Process

This is a project under construction...



It will be an embroidery kit for Maggie for Christmas. I bought the floss last week and have been going through my stash of buttons (old and new), charms, fibers,beads, etc. How much fun is this?

Of course, I'm pretty much running around like the proverbial chicken trying to get caught up on all of the last minute details after having been out of commission for nearly a week.

I think I'm getting there...sure hope so!

Great Mail

I received a wonderful package the other day from Gail! Full of all sorts of goodies: fabric (even some that has already been pieced), vintage buttons (!!), wool roving, crochet doilies, notes, jewelry pieces...
So much fun to open! Thanks, Gail, for all of the goodies!

The Week That Was...

Kind of Lost. A bad cold has kept me down most of this week. 'Tis the Season. :) Sniffle. Sneeze. Cough, cough.

I've been too tired to do much of anything besides sleep and read, so most of my projects came to a grinding halt. That is the strange thing about a cold: the effort to do anything is enormous, and the mental lassitude makes things even harder. I pretty much gave up the effort.

So over the past few days, I've done little more than sleep and read. I did manage to sew the appendages to my poor limbless sock monster and remove the pins that held some on.
He is certainly much happier.

This morning has been much better; hope I'm at the turning point and now on the road to recovery.

New Doll

Intended to work more on this little fellow today, but I've got a dreadful cold. Maybe tonight, I'll put the finishing touches on him.This one is made with cheap gloves.
Also intended to finish the carrier for my yoga mat so I could use it tonight, but I won't be going to yoga.

I've read a little and slept a lot today. None of the medications seem to be helping the congestion in my head, so I'm something of a mouth-breather at the moment. :(

A Practical Project And More

Finally got to work on a carrier for my yoga mat. It will be more of a sling than a bag. Since the new mat didn't fit into the old bag, carrying it has been a bit awkward.
I'll put a pocket on it for keys or whatever.

Have begun working on another doll. I'm hooked on the sock/glove doll thing!

Candy Colors...

Fee gave me this type case and some of the type was still there. I have more pieces of type that I've bought at flea markets and will have to search for them.
I put some of my pretty shiny threads in it (saw a similar picture somewhere and loved it),
and I love the effect in my very own type case, too!
I wish I had a couple more. Guess this calls for a flea market search. What a shame. I'm really gonna' hate that!

I was tagged for this challenge by Paula at A Latte Quilts:

*Go to the fourth photo file on your computer
*Choose the fourth picture in that file
*post it and explain
*tag four people to do the same

Oh, this turned out to be a good one! This is a scan I made of some old family photos. This one is my uncle, my dad (Laddie) in the middle, and a friend in 1926 or 1927.


I'm not going to tag anyone, but this is such a fun Challenge, I hope some of you will participate and leave a comment so I can see your photo.

Party, Party, Party

The birthday party was a complete success! Beautiful children...
(click to enlarge)
a snow tunnel, and hot chocolate bar...

food, family, friends...Fee made gumbo, deer chili, and a cheese and crawfish concoction for hungry parents and kids. Amelia and Chris had adult beverages for parents, including a wonderful warm spiced cranapple cider with rum.

Birthday Party

Yesterday, before Bryce Eleanor arrived, I was frantically trying to get a gift bag together for her pillow and sock doll. First, it was just going to be a muslin bag...but then an appliqued "B" appeared.


Had to fancy that up a bit.Finally got it done and stuffed the gifts inside.

Amelia and Chris were going out to Chris' squadron party, so I got to keep Bryce Eleanor, who is sweetness with a runny nose!

"And prick it with 'B'/And throw it in the oven for Baby and me."

The birthday party is today. Amelia will have a little extra, unencumbered time to prepare, and Fee and I will bring the birthday girl in time for her to get dressed.

All Done

I'm so pleased with the finished doll. But it has no name--any suggestions?
Made a tiny yo yo to go on the crocheted hat. Now I'm happy! I've embellished and accessorized! The yo yo is sewn on with two different threads and with frequent stops and knots, so it isn't likely to come off into a baby mouth, but Mama can remove the hat entirely when she lets Bryce Eleanor play with it.

Today is Bryce's birthday--one year old. Her party is not until Saturday, but I'm ready now that her pillow and doll are finished. I'll be keeping her tomorrow night so her parents can attend a Christmas party and on Sat. morning complete preparations for the birthday party.

For some reason the lime felt photographs almost yellow.
I had no idea how much fun making this little doll would be! There will certainly be more in the future.

Softy Dolly

I really wanted to use buttons, but for tiny tots, buttons are not necessarily a good thing.
No buttons. Must make do with an embroidered face.Had no choice about eliminating buttons, but I still wanted something more! Nothing tiny that could be swallowed, but some kind of embellishment or addition. Have been thinking about accessories...but for whom? For Bryce Eleanor or for Jenny Claire?

Anyway, the inspiration for this doll project: I had seen some cute pictures from Stray Sock Sewing on a couple of blogs, and when I saw the book at the library, I checked it out. The book is full of cute lil' creatures, so I bought some socks (my stray socks would certainly not be suitable) and created the androgynous character above. Fun and easy. Use your imagination and you don't really need the book, just the socks.

---------------later------------
Picked up my clean and well-adjusted sewing machine before 5:00. Have yet to set it back up because--in its absence, I covered every square inch with books, yarn, felt, fabric, thread, scissors, et ceteraaaa. It was gone for just a little more than 24 hours!

When I got back from yoga tonight, it dawned on me that the sock dolly needed a hat (it is COLD outside) and got right to work on one. It was the only accessory/embellishment I could think of that did not involve buttons, beads, or sequins, and it didn't take long to make! Will take a picture tomorrow of the final, final version of the sock doll complete with lime green crochet hat. And may start on another one, 'cause it was quick and easy and fun.

Hat finished and trimmed with green fringe-y yarn, I made some popcorn for supper (Fee is still out of town) and settled in to read a Maisie Dobbs mystery. Nice cozy finish to the day.

Next...

Kim at SkyBelleArts commented on a previous post that she no longer has WIPs or UFOs, just Now and Next.

This is Now...



This one may actually be complete...I'm debating on a detail or two before showing the finished product.

Not sure what will be NEXT...

Need to look at the "To Do" list and see what catches my eye.

A Clean Machine?

Yesterday, I took my machine to the local quilt shop to be cleaned. I didn't go in as early as planned because of the torrential rains that pounded, then let up, then came again. When I got there around noon, I was informed that he might not have time to get to it. Will go by later today and pick it up--clean or not.

He comes every Tuesday, so it isn't a big deal...except for the fact that the machine is heavy and awkward and I don't like it to be gone even if I'm not using it and even if it is only for a day.

While in the shop, however, I noticed that they had 2 packages of the square buttons! Since my attempt to order was foiled because they'd sold out (although they will notify me by email when they get a new shipment), I was delighted to find two packages left on the rack.

Last night I put the latest square embroideries onto the square buttons.
I also bought a yo yo maker. Because I needed one, surely. :) Have to laugh at the need to make this purchase since yo yos require so little effort, but at least I didn't buy any fabric.