Burnt cookies and a Broken Heart

I hate burnt cookies. It sucks when a new recipe turns out non-edible no matter how meticulously I follow the directions. I really do try to be creative in the kitchen but when something turns out just plain disgusting it makes me wonder if the author of the recipe actually likes the taste of skunk tail. So, with all of the tried and failed cooking happenings, I tend to complain. Selfishly complain. I like food, but I really like it when it tastes good. I pride myself on feeding my family healthy, beneficial food. You know, balanced meals, full of nutrition and all that.

It's been an eye opener to follow the headlines and coverage on the situation in Haiti. I saw a guy the other night haul off with a bag of rice he'd basically stolen off an aide truck trying to get thru the city. There was a whole mob of people fighting to nab something out of the back of the still moving vehicle. Fighting for something, anything to feed their hungry families. Happy with a bag of rice...so desperate that a bag of rice alone could make them happy.

I shake my head at how much I have. I turn on the light switch and the lights go on. Flick the tap, out comes the water. Open the fridge and actually decide from the many choices, what to have for a meal or a snack. I actually complained the other day that there wasn't enough room in the fridge and cupboards for the just purchased groceries we "needed". We are so blessed to live where we live. I don't know who said it, but it's true that we here in North America have won the lottery. Sure we have our hardships...but our -40C in the winter hardly compares to not even having a roof over head, no food and not knowing whether or not your family is still alive. WE ARE SO BLESSED! And my heart breaks for all those mothers in Port of Prince who would love to even have a kitchen to prepare a meal in, food to nourish their little ones. A family to hold.

Heavenly Father, comfort the people of Haiti. Help those of us so blessed to find ways to help them.

What me, paint? A picture?!

I've taken up a bit of a project with the help of a newly-made artist friend. Kelly
an accomplished artist and her hubby, have recently moved to our small town. We were introduced to them through other friends and she and I have had opportunity to share stories, faith and of course pots of Bengal Spice Tea. The project, which began with a "hey, cool frame..." sort of comment as I breezed through her porch one chilly fall day, has had me on the go for a while. It's a great old nine pane window frame, painted a light greenish hue, that simply begged to have something interesting added to it. Kelly's so generous. Her reply was "Ya, you want it?" So now my lil' brain has been all a wonder with what to put into it. We, actually she, streched and prepped the canvas peices in it. (I helped a little.) Now it's time to paint something in it. Being that I am only midly creative when it comes to painting, I've taken my creative brain online to see if some bit of inspiration might skip across my path. That got me to thinking "hey, my blogging friends are all artsy types in one genre or another." So spill it you creative brains, give me your ideas. Here are a few themes I've toyed with. And for those of you wondering, yes, I am a copycat. Possibly lazy too. But that could be the holidays talking. Cheers!