Saturday, December 31, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
"Make your own kind of music, sing your own special song, even when nobody else sings along",  planning a party for one,  New Years resolution- have more fun,  creating my own happy endings,  caffeine- I "needs it!",  pairing together new outfits with my old clothes,  my new 'bling' black shoes that fit my swollen feet... too cute!,  being able to stand today,  the joy of being alive and never truly being alone.
Celebrate the day!
Happy New Year!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
Choosing to wake up in a good mood heading for my morning coffee,  daybreak,  showing my paintings at Perdue Jacksonville for the month of January,  New Years resolutions- they are great if I make them fun!  Chipping at my procrastination list,  lowering my steroids and being less hungry,  making my 'to do' list then knocking off 1/2 of them and "free shipping".
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com  

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
Encouraging others to give God a try,  making time for fun,  eating dessert first,  trying to add value to the world by being my best self,  Irish music,  boxes of stoma paste and a closet full of medical supplies, and connecting with others on a daily basis.
Celebrate the day!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
Putting first things first and keeping it simple,  cooking full meals for myself and sharing/freezing the rest,  "Jesus didn't die so we could have a religion, strong enough today to stand and put away the glasses,  giving myself two anticoagulant shots a day and KNOWING that I have a otherwise hidden blood clot to treat,  being my own life coach (she says to paint more), Bank Of America not calling December 24 and 25.  Heavenly peace.  Now we are back to 3 to 8 times a day,  warm clothes on a cold December day and living out loud.
Celebrate the day!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Tuesday's Grace Notes


Tuesday's Grace Notes

Feeling stronger today... woo hoo!, cooking for one,  White Diamonds perfume and smelling like a girly girl,  having the courage to be seen by others when I am so bloated from steroids and edema,  dressing up for my psychy even though I don't teach today,  getting a high from saving money,  spilling the coffee and deciding that it's a great time to really clean the counter,  and learning to laugh at myself- it keeps me busy.

Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com

Monday, December 26, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
The bestest Christmas ever!  All four of us were sick but Christmas came anyway!  Having a home for the holidays,  Santa sending Panda pup his third reincarnated stuffed quacking dog toy...  "he does exist!" Happy to be me... because everywhere I go, there I am,  not having to explain yourself,  praying for EVERYONE in my life,  and new beginnings.
Celebrate the day!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
Saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone you meet, seeing the beauty within,  a warm biscuit will jam,  advent calendars,  giving gifts that you would want to give yourself,  The Nate Berkes Show and The Chew's December shows...  really fun,  taking the scenic route,  scaling back, going the extra mile and finding some sort of balance.
Celebrate the day!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
Mmm... hot vanilla cinnamon coffee in my sister's huge purple "You're Amazing" mug,  Christmas isn't a deadline but a birthday celebration,  putting Jesus on my to do list,  faith, hope and love can't be bought in WalMart,  "the truth shall set you free",  seeing the good in everybody,  seeking and finding fresh faith every morning.  It may seem like an Easter egg hunt but the golden egg is always there.
Celebrate the day!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Your Name Here

Nancy
I know the plans I have for you
plans to prosper you
and not to harm you
plans to give you hope
and a future.

love
Jesus

Jeremiah 29;11

Now replace my name
with yours.

Celebrate the day!

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
Ho ho! Ho ho! It's off to work I go!... wait a minute...  I'm already here! Laying out my clothes the night before and just throwing them on in the morning ,talking with your hands, childlike faith,  listening more, talking less... I am still working on it,  reconnecting with old friends and cultivating the new,  my children,  sleepy hibiscus flowers in my garden, the joy of giving,  learning how to receive, and putting a limit on my Grace Notes...  I could go on all day.
Celebrate the day!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
New beginnings,  multiple choice; a box of chocolates, fortune cookies, taking a different route, mixing up the schedule, choosing to have a positive attitude....  lying in my peaceful bedroom watching T.V. and thinking "I feel like I am in a luxury hotel room",  simple BBQ pork roast in the crock pot,  baking chocolate candy bar brownies to give away ( I ate one!),  patience with others- patience with myself,  and a humble pair of Keds tennis shoes.
Celebrate the day!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes
Embracing change when it's God's will... He is the potter, I am the clay, a sunny glass of orange juice,  sometimes "good enough" IS good enough,  extended injunctions,  quiet time first thing in the morning so that I can be nice the rest of the day,  getting over my sweet self,  and pounding out Jingle Bells on the piano.
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
Shopping therapy,  having the freedom to reschedule art and music lessons,  bright ideas,  hot apple cider,  baking cranberry coffee cake and cappuccino caramel brownies with walnuts,  ordering in,  wearing comfy cozy sweaters,  favorite Christmas mugs all with a story behind it,  candles, lights, ribbon and evergreens lighting up the fireplace,  and presents from Santa.
Celebrate the day!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes
Purple pens,  Indie Christmas music on Pandora, three heirloom tomatoes- one yellow, one purple and one red... all good,  lounging on a Sunday morning in my bedroom with my white chair and white Christmas tree w/ blue, white, silver and glass decorations,  A Christmas Carol movie classic w/ George C Scott,  baking eggnog chocolate muffins,  "rolling" to church today,  being able to ship boxes of paintings to my clients straight from my home using direct shipping,  and my awesome sisters.. I am the "baby" who is about to turn fifty...  I hope that they never catch on... it works for me!.
Celebrate the day!





Saturday, December 17, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
Baking chocolate chip muffins to give away first thing in the morning then teaching voice,  the sappy fresh smell of evergreens,  a pop of red in every room,  Southern Living Magazine,  twisted passion flowers blooming on a holly a holly tree with berries in the middle of December,  Christmas angels, organized messes,  thinking of others and a perfectly ripe banana on my morning cereal.  Oh!  And clicking on spellcheck with now misspellings!
Celebrate the day!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
Everything pulling together,  not asking "why" and letting God be God...  He's better at it than me,  being taken to get groceries,  God taking the ordinary and making the extraordinary,  mailboxes decorated for Christmas,  sharing the neighborhood with Blue Herons, Snake Birds, Egrets, Red Tail Hawks and Mallard Ducks,  and my son, though low on gas and time turning left instead of right to show his Mom the Christmas lights,
Celebrate the day!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
Trying to focus and stop chasing my tail,  not being ruled by fear,  an iced eggnog latte from Nancy's Cafe (me),  being hungry for life and learning new things,  baking peanut butter Brownies,  giving away treasured possessions... it feels good,  checking off my procrastination to do list,  looking forward to a new year and Facebook friends.
Celebrate the day!
I celebrate you!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
Filling up my soul with the beauty of the ordinary,  my sister loving my artwork so much that she may have to start using it as wallpaper,  sparkly green gel pens,  going down memory lane,  using my walker more,  strong enough today to open the blinds and make my bed,  and  getting the mail.  I never know when I might receive a check from one of my galleries, websites or clients.
Celebrate the day!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Means Nothing

Christmas Means Nothing
without the deliverance of Easter.

According to scholars in the Upper Room during the Last Supper Jesus spoke of His impending death.  When departing they sang "this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it".
In all things
give thanks!

Celebrate the day!


Tuesdays Grace Notes

  • Tuesdays Grace Notes
  • My boss (me) is giving me three breaks a day,  an old friend that I haven't heard from in years calling last night and reconnecting, removing the bubble wrap and truly feeling sorrows and joys,  the cantata A Ft Lauderdale Christmas, healing,  making friends w/ my postal worker Linda,  and opening my hands like the little drummer boy and giving what I can.
  • Celebrate the day!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
Telling my boss  not be so demanding... wait a minute, that's me!... talking to myself again!  receiving Christmas cards,  a new shipment of art supplies,  decking the halls,  checking in with my sisters,  a regular sleep schedule,  a roll of ribbon full of possibilities,  baking spice cookies to give away,  kefir yogurt,  new creations from the pantry,  and daily stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Celebrate the day!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday"s Grace Notes

Sunday"s Grace Notes
It takes a village to raise a Nancy... thank you village people!,  writing in long hand,  doing what my 12 year old self wanted to do when she grew up,  Jars Of Clay Christmas CD, realizing that if I am thankful for somebody, keeping my mouth and hands closed doesn't bless them at all,  staying in on a windy cloudy day,   marketing my artwork even when I'd rather be painting,  and ME doing a neighbor a favor for a change.
Celebrate the day!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
Morning glories and passion flowers in December,  "give your troubles to god, He'll be up all night anyway"... and He listened,  sock monkeys,  book markers,  teaching 8:30 A.M. voice lessons "I'm up!",  making a fragrant pot of lemons, cloves, cinnamon sticks and cider,  fuzzy socks instead of shoes,  and a variety of baking mixes to get creative with and share with friends.
Celebrate the day!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
"Anticipate joy"... can't wait!,  my adult art students becoming my friends,  people watching,  lotions and potions,  my daughter in love fixing me quiche,  a fuzzy yellow tennis ball + an old dog = a really good time,  the riser in my power chair so that I can cook and paint large canvases, doctors who call me at 7:00 at night,  magazines at Christmas time, and 'clearing my head'.
Celebrate the day!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
My Mayo doctors allowing me to go home yesterday and NOT admitting me to the hospital with a severe life threatening cellulitis infection, the same doctors calling me throughout the day and having me email them photo updates, neighbors going to the bank for me,  friends bringing me lunch and dinner,  pain medicine:),  the public library paying off my overdue fines since I can't get there (I kid you not!) and renewing ALL of my 18 overdue  Christmas CD's through Christmas,  having the strength and endorphins to complete four Animal Postcards (due today),  enjoying the crisp crunch of a golden delicious apple while listening to Andy Williams croon...  and I woke up so overwhelmed and in pain and depressed.  What a difference a day makes!
Celebrate the day!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
The gift of sleep,  taking the time to smell the candle before  blowing it out,  new commissioned artwork to work on today,  marshmallows in my coffee,  trying to type with one hand while I pet the dog with the other,  wearing turquoise and white,  ceiling fans,  Casting Crowns and their song "Hear The Bells"... where's the hankie,  more time in my art studio and a profusion of palmettos in my beautiful backyard... I love Florida!
Celebrate the day!
This painting is called "My Backyard".

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Pastel Study "Girl At Beach"

Pastel Study "Girl At Beach"

Pastel Study "Girls At Beach"

Pastel Study "Girls At Beach"

Hot Off The Easel!

Hot Off The Easel
"Love Came Down At Christmas"
Pen, ink and colored pencil

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes
Not becoming complacent with my miracles....  My legs may not work well... but I'm out of a sling,  My body is broken, deformed and bloated... but my soul still has a body to live in,  I may not be cutting CD's and performing this year... but I can still hold a guitar, play the piano and sing a song,   I may rarely get to leave my house... but I am no longer in a nursing home...  and I may not have much hair but I get to wear a lot of pretty wigs....  all in "flame darling". 
Celebrate the day!  I am!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Staying up late drawing, getting up early to teach a voice lesson then teaching a 2 hr art lesson this afternoon all from my home art and music studios... from a power chair,  "Hello, my name is Nancy, and I am addicted to popcorn"... with Parmesan cheese and garlic,  finding out that my "help I've fallen and I can't get up" button is NOT waterproof... oh please!  In order to be first I have to be last... and learn how to wash feet,  taking the time to smell the candle before I blow it out and Micheal W Smith Christmas music.
Celebrate the day!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
My dog giving me snuggelie buggelies at 4:00 AM, going back to sleep at 5:00 AM, then  getting up at 7:00 AM for my morning commute to my home studio,  fixing myself a hot breakfast,  the movies "Noel" and "A Home For Christmas",  Emmanuel... God is with us,  pretzel M & M's,  being able to lift my legs today,  and friends that love and trust me enough to share their sorrows with me as well as their joys.
Celebrate the day!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
Happy December First!  Let the festivus begin!  No wait, I already started... my medical supplies came! My medical supplies came!  I am thankful for my power wheelchair, independence,  baking cookies and then, um, eating them... a cold brisk sunny day, knowing that God's time is not my time. remembering people's birthdays, and finding a pen and paper when I need one.
Celebrate the day!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
Good people... there are so many good people,  split pea soup when you don't feel well,  cheap magazine subcriptions,  getting out and into a car today for the first time in two months... yippee!,  "living the life!",  sleepimg 10 hours straight!  OMG!  Must have needed it...,  so many recorded  Christmas movies to watch... so little time, ha!,  help with making my bed,  turning my heat on for the first time and IT WORKS!  We are so blessed to have heat AND AC,  my funky white Christmes tree in my bedroom and making queche last night that came out to be a beautiful 6 cheese soufle...  I forgot to addd the cream. :)
Celebrate the day!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes
People who love me and take the time to show it, falling forward, having what I need to be who I am, a closet with clothes, dental floss, plain popcorn dusted with pumpkin pie spice and raw sugar, God giving me a voice to sing, blue and white china, a cleaned up art studio waiting to paint in, and remembering living in Bamburg Germany at Christmas time... Wow!
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com

Monday, November 28, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
Morning Glories blooming at the end of November,  The Christmas Choir movie,  sweet potato pecan bread,  slowing down to listen to the birds,  "I love you" texts from my daughter at 11:00 at night,  my new adorable sock monkey pajamas... thanks Michele,  playing Mannheim Steamroller on the piano first thing in the morning and having a game plan for the day.
Celebrate the day!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes
Ah, the rustic aroma of burned cinnamon rolls in the morning,  catching the coffee pot before it overflowed,  if I complain I will remain... if I praise I will be raised.. beam me up Scotty!,  an itty bitty tiny green spider,  the movie "The Christmas Memory" with Patty Duke... most excellent,  remembering and being thankful for my past life as a choir director, worship leader and performer... it was like living a prayer,  my new Kodak Easy Share camera... it rocks!  and my sister Michele... she always has time to talk with me, even with five kids... she is a great multi-tasker.
Celebrate this awesome day!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
"Crazy good",  BOGOS,  living a life with purpose, even if that includes a nap!,  cranberry pistachio biscotti,  having a reason to wake up in the morning,  books books and more books,  getting to know myself (hello self) and "peace on earth good will to all men".
Celebrate the day!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
Momentum,  self employment means no "Christmas bonus"... no wait...  MY LIFE is my "Christmas bonus"!  Amen?,  GETTING to choose what I wear, what I need,  my early morning commute... leave bedroom and go to my home studio,  no road rage.... unless my dog Panda cuts in front of my power  wheelchair,  leftover turkey and dressing sandwiches... and leftovers from my sister,  new designs and new pet series, a yard to enjoy and chocolate peppermint candy canes.
Celebrate the day!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thursday's Grace Notes

Thursday's Grace Notes
Being sick and having to stay home but celebrating the day anyway,  hot chai tea,  living out loud,  hanging out with Shannon, books to read, music to enjoy and a dog to pet,  retailmenot.com,  calling my soon to be 89 year old beautiful mother, and gourmet cupcakes.
Celebrate the day!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
My pendleton clock suddenly working for the first time in years,  getting to go to Hallmark.  my fight with vasculitis and cellulitis and being alive to fight it,  having JUST enough milk for my morning cereal, watching the movie The Holiday"... it was very good, the freedom to design my own one day at a time, my new Electric Pets series and freshly baked cinnamon spice cookies.
Celebrate the day!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Monday"s Grace Notes

Monday"s Grace Notes
Unconditional gratitude,  lying on my bed on a Sunday afternoon listening to Handel's Messiah and smiling,  not being grateful and unhappy at the same time,  my bathroom scale breaking?,  fresh hot corn on the cob with a bit of butter and Lawry's Seasoned Salt,  "let me be the one out of ten healed lepers that returned to Jesus to say "thank you",  looking forward to the day ahead and going barefoot.
Celebrate the day!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes
Having "church" at Publix... a nice lady said today "you must be a Christian.  Your happy face just glows"...  go Jesus!  Seeing the funny side of things,  thinking big,  feathering my nest... I love feathers,  remembering how I used to love being able to iron,  the eye drops for my glaucoma that make my eyelashes long,  having too many things to be thankful for to post in one day.
Celebrate the day!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Saturday's Grace Notes

Saturday's Grace Notes
Thoughts that pop into my head like "my life is so rich",  16 Christmas CD's from the library... maybe a bit of an over do?  Nah!  Smiling at myself,  knowing that with out gratitude my heart remains closed, Saturday morning garage sales, meeting friends and saying YES to life!
Celebrate the day!  Yippee!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday's Grace Notes

Friday's Grace Notes
Rum raisin coffee creamer,  forgiving myself for my daily mistakes,  scanning and posting my paintings,  realizing that sometimes it's my attitude towards a problem that is the problem,  Haas avocados, being able to pay businesses like Pet Chauffeur to take Panda to the groomers and go to the library for me...  Thank you Linda!,  getting the mail and people to bake muffins for.
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thursdays Grace Notes

Thursdays Grace Note
Celebrating today... tomorrow can take care of itself,  learning that it would take $20,000.00 to save my house... good to know where I stand,  going from stolen identity, sabotaged business, near death 2 1/2 month hospitalization this past summer to where I am today... and being a victor and not a victim, bratwurst with cranberry relish and honey mustard, clean blankets, towels and sheets,  a totally overhauled and organized kitchen pantry and donating 15 cans of canned peas and unadorned Christmas trees... sometimes, like us, they look better that way.
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Wednesday's Grace Notes
Answered prayers and a good nights sleep,  my new scanner... woo hoo!,  separately spending time w/ my two adult children on the same day,  being self sufficient,  having my house cleaned today,  doing what I'm supposed to be doing,  rubbing fresh herbs between my fingers and drinking in their lingering fragrance,  orange cranberry relish and mandarin orange yogurt,  colored pencils to adorn my pen and ink pet portraits and a forecast of thunderstorms... a good time to light a candle and brew some hazelnut creme coffee while I work... and my watercolor rooster paintings.
Celebrate the day!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Tuesday's Grace Notes
Learning to lean on other peoples faith as well as my own,  my comfy and familiar neon green lounger w/ the hoodie and embroidered beach chairs and blinging w/ sequins,  drawing pen and ink pet portraits while watching Christmas movies,  putting my feet up because they are too swollen to walk... hence the pet portraits, helping myself before I call on others, my new Whole Living magazine subscription,  and brushing my teeth.
Celebrate the day!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday's Grace Notes

Monday's Grace Notes
Staring into space, using different colored pens, Henry Winkler as a judge on Iron Chef... how fun!  relaxing my shoulders,  being in a working/get things accomplished mood,  my love of fresh fruit and vegetables,  Ciara perfume, polished nails  and getting to be a girly girl.
Celebrate the day!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sunday's Grace Notes
Panda and I playing fetch with his stuffed monkey,  a song in my heart,  coming home to my sense of self,  placing holds on 20 Christmas CD's at the library,  buying long stemmed sunflowers for myself... because life is sweet, be bopping down to TCBY for some fat free peanut butter frozen yogurt,  time with my daughter Shannon, and my favorite painting of all time "Silver Lining" returning back to me.  I may have to keep this one.
Celebrate the day!