Thankful Tuesday

Since it's the month of November I've been seeing lots of people on Facebook start sharing all the things they're grateful for each day since Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I thought this is a great way for us to focus on the good in life rather than all the things we wish we had and all. So until Thanksgiving every Tuesday will be 'Thankful Tuesday'. I encourage you to comment below and let me know what YOU are thankful for!

Gratitude List

• Day 1: For my family... they have been there for me all the way. Even when everything came crumbling down they were there to help.
• Day 2: For Nathan, my son. Words can't really do justice. I love all our inside jokes and goofiness.
• Day 3: For all my friends who have been there for me and for the distant ones where we could not talk for months, but pick right back up where we left off!
• Day 4: For my cat, Charlie. An animals unconditional love is a treasure.
• Day 5: For toilets. Enough said.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Focal Friday!!!

I decided every Friday will be a FOCAL FRIDAY! This is going to be where I focus on one of my pieces of art and tell a bit about the featured piece. 

Today's piece of art is titled 'Beauty From Pain'.

Looking at this drawing takes me back to a hard time in my life. Heartbreak... to me it feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest rather than my heart actually 'breaking apart'. The pain is beyond measure. It makes me feeling numb to where I can hardly comprehend what has happened in the first place. I go through many emotions. It leaves me pointing the finger back at myself. I wonder how could I let my guard down like I did. I knew I had that wall up for a reason. This just proves my point. I know I have to move on with my life, sew up my wound and move on. So, I draw a picture. It takes my pain and transforms it into something of beauty. Looking at this drawing reminds me that art can be a therapeutic process. I will continue to create art and work on dismantling my wall. 

I have already sold the original of this piece, but I do have prints for sale on my Facebook page Creations By Nikki Lea.

'Beauty From Pain'

 

Butterscotch Pudding 'Double Chip' Cookies

I was in a festive mood, yet again, today! In honor of the fall season I decided to make the cookies that I became famous for Thanksgiving last year. Yes, I brought cookies as my Thanksgiving contribution to the meal. lol HEY! Once the family tasted them... they had NO complaints! :)

I have to give credit where credit is due though. I snatched the recipe from a cute little blog called Two Peas & Their Pod. I'd recommend checking it out! They post tons of great recipes! Your mouth will water just looking at it. You can find the recipe to these delicious treats here! I use the same exact recipe, but I only use the butterscotch chips and the white chocolate chips. I figured I would leave out the chocolate ones because I thought that the chocolate would overpower the butterscotch, but that's just MY preference. I am a butterscotch LOVER!!!

The trick is not to add too much flour when combining the dry ingredients to the wet and also not to overcook the cookies... once again though, MY preference. I check them after 8 minutes and then every 2 minutes till I get them JUST right! I'm a sucker for a soft cookie!!!

I hope you give this recipe a try! Please comment below and let me know if your family loved them as much as mine!!

Hard Workin' Gal

I have been doing a lot of work researching and studying how to go about turning my creativeness into a business! Luckily, I have a lot of time on my hands right now to devote to these tasks. I have been really busy turning Facebook into a SUPER networking tool. It's a pretty snazzy tool to have if I do say so myself. I am finding, though, that I can't seem to turn my brain off when I want to do something else! I find myself rinsing dishes off in the sink thinking of possible newsletter ideas or my next blog post. haha I am surprised that I am not dreaming about it all yet...... Something tells me I will be soon! I am finding this is turning out to be a lifestyle that I am creating. I am okay with that!

Feeling Festive

I didn't get much accomplished that I had planned on doing today, but it was a BEAUTIFUL fall day outside!! I just had to get out of the house and experience it with my, nine year old, son. We decided to take an adventure to a pumpkin patch not far from where we live. It was the cutest little place! We went on a hay-ride to the pumpkin patch field, fed the goats, and picked us out a gorgeous pumpkin! My son had a great time too! I wanted to share some of the pictures I took on the grounds of the farm. I have more festivities planned for tomorrow as well!! Looks like work just may have to wait...... What's a weekend if you can't enjoy it, right??

Crooked River Farm LLC Lawson, MO

Doing The Saturday Cha-Cha

It is the weekend!! Yaaaaay! However, I have a lot to get done. I have a TON of fall leaves in my backyard so I am going to make raking turn into a fun fall project!! I am setting out to make a 'LEAF BOWL'. Pictures soon to come... Yesterday I finished my new business collage to help keep my spirit motivated! I hung it over my little workstation so it can stare me in the face every day. Next, I am working on a filing system so I can cut down on this mountain of various business cards, flyers, notes, and more. I'm hoping this way I can actually FIND SOMETHING!! lol Wish me luck. It was also suggested to me to do a journaling project in my spare time as well. I love writing... so to me that sounds like a good time. Like I said, LOTS to do! So, I better get started!!!!

Batman reminds me to 'quit procrastinating and work on my art!'