A new Twist - Turn Peace Around

I was recently introduced to the concept of Turn Peace Around - a wonderful new twist to an old idea.  As a child of the 60s, I grew up in the groovy world of peace signs.  This new take on the classic peace sign took me back to my youth, then lifted me up with an inspiring new message!  The original symbol, which was actually drawn as a man in despair, with arms down and out, has been turned upside down!  The new version, with arms upward, is a much more positive symbol for peace.  For most of us, this means we are PRO-peace, not anti-war.

Texas Eagle Gallery has joined forces with a collective group of new age "Peace- niks" to share our wares on Zibbet.  You can find dozens of items in the Turn Peace Around shop.  Hope you'll stop by and take a look.

For more information about the Turn Peace Around movement, to connect with others that believe in a positive peace sign, and to keep up with new projects and specials, please check us out at:
~ Facebook page [http://www.facebook.com/turnpeacearound]
~ G+ page [http://gplus.to/turnpeacearound]
~ the blog [http://turnpeacearound.blogpost.com]

Have you ever asked for a Sign?

Have you ever been troubled, overwhelmed or just uncertain?  Have you ever asked for a Sign?  Well, I certainly have.  This past year has handed us unimaginable troubles:  the death of a son and a father; the flooding of our "For Sale" home (TWICE) with sanitary sewage; extreme drought and forest fires - just to name a few!  As a Christian, I find comfort in God's care, and try to start each day thankful and positive.  But some days it's just hard.....

Like the bleary-eyed morning I saw this magnet by Monk Mama on Zibbet.

Jesus KNOWS Me, This I LOVE!   That play on words says it all to me!  It changed my perspective for the day and has continued to enrich me on a daily basis.  I've shared the magnet with my Mom and I know it blessed her too. 

Think about it!  Have you ever known someone famous?  It's not that you know them....everyone does!  It's that they know YOU!  I'm lucky enough to have received many smiles and winks from famous friends on the stage.  It's thrilling.  I love just applying that feeling to the fact that JESUS recognizes and acknowledges me from on high too!  Wow!  I don't feel small or helpless at all knowing this!  Jesus Loves Me, Jesus KNOWS me!  And I am truly blessed!

I hope this saying blesses you too. 

Mini Cinnamon Treats

An old family favorite, these have been on my mind a lot lately.  Needing to share with a friend, I thought I'd post this here for everyone to enjoy.  Sorry, no pics available, but truly, these are fantastic little tidbits!  Try them....you'll like them!

MINI-CINNIMONS 

(Messy to make, but Great to eat!!)

1 pkg. Cream Cheese, softened

½ c. sugar  

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 egg  

2 sticks margarine, melted

1 ½ c. sugar  

2 tablespoons Cinnamon

16 to 20 slices of white bread, crusts removed 

Foil, torn into approximately 6 12” sheets 

 

In a small bowl, stir together cream cheese, ½ c. sugar, vanilla & egg until smooth.  Spread mixture evenly on each bread slice, then roll up like a jelly roll.  Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.  Dip each roll into melted margarine (just to coat, do not soak).  Coat each roll in the sugar mixture.  Place 3 to 4 on a sheet of foil and roll up tightly.  Freeze overnight.

To bake, heat oven to 375˚.  Remove rolls from freezer and slice each one into 4 to 5 pinwheel slices.  Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake 12 minutes.  Turn each roll & bake approximately 7 more minutes until lightly browned.  Best hot and fresh from the oven, but good anytime.

Two Dogs, A Cat, and A Goat

Life's little lessons are all around us - just ask the animals! 

We live in a wildlife preserve in a small community in the East Texas Piney Woods.   Watching the native animals is one of the delights of living here.  Deer, fox, mountain lions and bobcats are as common as cats and dogs.  But it's those cats and dogs that caught my attention in the last few days.

Our kitten Molly, a "gift" from a building contractor, has grown up with our pup, Keely.  Miss Keely is an Australian Shepherd mix weighing in at nearly 70 lbs and is full of spunk and energy.  She can pull me down in an instant.  And even though she often carries Molly in her mouth, she's as gentle as can be!  They roll and tumble but both always come out unscathed!  So last week I catch them in the pantry; Molly on the top shelf opening the bag of doggie treats.  She reaches in and helps herself to some broken pieces, then gently nudges a whole treat to the floor for her partner in crime. What teamwork!  I punished them with more treats and pondered the idea of animals sharing and loving each other.

Around the same time, I started hearing tales of a stray dog in the neighborhood - a splendid Great Pyrenees. It too has a loyal companion, a goat!  The two have been sighted numerous times over the last two weeks, and always together.  They've been seen strolling calmly down the lane, hiding in garages on cold nights, and wandering through the woods.   Nobody knows where they came from, what bonded them together, or even where they will end up.  Undoubtedly they work together to survive. 

This odd couple brings to mind the lovely friends I've made.  Many of you come from totally different backgrounds, even different parts of the globe.   Our religious and political views could not be farther apart.  Yet, still, we honor those differences and work together as friends.  We promote each other and our favorite stars. We share inspirations and sorrows.  We lift each other up.  We walk together down life's pathways together.

 What would I do without my friends?  

Homemade Halloween Fun

Some of my fondest memories are of the "just for fun" holiday - Halloween! It was the one day of the year that I could stay out late roaming the streets with my friends - boys & girls! As we became teens, we papered a few houses and rang doorbells and ran. But mostly we just dressed up in homemade costumes, gathered candy, cupcakes, popcorn balls, and apples. Yes, I grew up before we were enlightened about all the evils that folks can do, so homemade treats from the neighborhood were totally acceptable. What a wonderful, naive time in which to grow up!

Sweeter still are the memories of Halloweens with my children. We spent weeks before the big day creating costumes. Of course they were handcrafted! We never even considered "store-bought"! We made huge messes in the kitchen too - Carmel apples, Popcorn Balls, and Krispy Kritters were the treats we enjoyed for weeks before and after October 31st. Everyone created and cooked and enjoyed weeks of fun in the name of Halloween.

Now the grandchildren are the only trick-or-treaters in the family. I so miss the bedlam of the good ole days! No sticky carmel, no rice krispies on the sofa....no face paint on the lavatory and mirror! But I still take time to create some handmade fun each fall.

My new passion is creating beautiful new items from re-purposed materials. I've revived the art of making pumpkins from vent hoses.

 Another favorite craft is garlands from "JunkMail Jewels" - my folded paper stars. These were made from leftover Halloween bags.

So while times have changed, my passion for Halloween fun has not! I'm finishing up my "kitty" costume and headed into town to take my 2 little munchkins trick-or-treating! They are just 9 months and 3 years old, so it should be a "treat" to see their faces as they discover the age-old fun. Hope you and yours make this time of year special too! Memories are forever!

Wordless Wednesday again

Golden Gate - Purple Sky

Wordless Wednesday - You'll Never Walk Alone

You'll Never Walk Alone