Three chairs

Sunday was a big day. Baptism for three family members! In order to be there for it, we needed to be on the road when the sun was rising.

We had the back roads through Ohio to ourselves - too early in the morning for both Saturday party people and the Sunday morning church-goers!

At the center of a very small, very quiet town, we saw this...


... which raises questions in my mind.

Was there a parade? Does this define "drive-by" in rural America?


Were these spectators too tired to take their chairs home with them? Was it just too much effort to close the door behind them when they decided to call it a night?

Or... maybe the event is today and folks set up early to get a good seat!

Hmmmm. Probably none of the above, but it did keep me awake for a while on that early morning drive.

It was a great day... whether questions were answered or not.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Proverbs 8:34

The blobs are here!

Who knew blobs could be so much fun? Yep... my Silly Class is still going on.


The assignment had a checklist of things to do. Blind contours, contour drawings, one-line drawings... and then it said, "Draw five blobs, about the size of a large coin. Turn them into something."

The blob part was easy. Turning it into something started slow... but then... I don't know... maybe "silly" kicked into gear. I started seeing things, and adding color, and little squiggles. Before long, I had five new friends.


The last three need to have their faces washed before they come out to play, but they'll visit soon.

Parts of this class have been really hard for me... but blobs? They're OK!

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. Colossians 3:23

Run, baby, run!

Life this week...


Sunday at 11, most of it will be over.

I'll breathe then.

Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life... John 6:27

Now or later - muffins

Drawings of silliness dance in my head pushing aside all the normal activities that usually fill my days. (Want to see some of the things everyone is doing? Go here - Art of Silliness 2 group)


In the meantime, there are still the not so silly things, like laundry, bills, and food... So here's a really good recipe for hot muffins.

Refrigerator Bran Muffin Mix
Makes 12 muffins

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together:
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup unprocessed wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Make a well in the center.

In another bowl, combine:
2 beaten eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup oil
Add this to the flour mixture; stir just till moistened.

Fold in any of these good, but optional extras:
1 tsp finely grated orange peel
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped nuts

Grease (or use paper liners) muffin pan; fill 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.

*The minute these come out of the oven, I drizzle them with a thin confectioners sugar glaze. Although it adds no nutritional value, it makes them absolutely irresistible to the kids at church... and, who am I kidding? Me too.

This muffin mix can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Although I haven't tried this, the recipe says that you can make just 1 or 2 in the microwave. (Paper liner in 1 or 2 custard cups. Spoon 2 tbsp batter into each cup. Cook 35 seconds for one - 50 seconds for two.) Let me know if that works.

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Silly guerrilla

So, I'm six days into my Silly2 class. I've gotta' say... I'm having so much fun.


A while ago, I promised my Dearly Beloved that I would travel with him during this week of September. Haven't yet figured a way to manage travel and "Silly" at the same time. Hmmm, I wonder if he'd mind holding my pens-pencils-markers-glue-eraser while he drives?

However, "on the road" does mean fresh opportunities for planting my stash of guerrilla art.



Sneaky and silly... I do lead a thrilling life!

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

Mushroom prints

For some inexplicable reason, mushroom prints have always intrigued me. The design is so natural and simple. The process is much the same.

The 3 fat specimens I discovered in the yard yesterday were carefully de-stemmed, then placed right-side up on a plain piece of paper. So-o-o many times I went to check the progress. And just as many times, I said (in my fiercest voice), "Barb! Walk away!"

After almost 24 hours, I lifted the mushroom head and found this...


The spores that dropped are so thick you can see the ridges. Where the ridges soften, it looks like velvet. So beautiful.



I don't know what I will do with these. What I do know is that it's a dangerous pastime ... you begin talking to yourself ... in a fierce voice, no less. I must have inhaled some of those spores.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3

This is silly

I have finished 2 days of the "Art of Silliness" class. I discovered that it's not easy to be silly.

You have to forget the to-do list... forget what makes sense... move wa-a-a-ay beyond any comfort zone... forget about the show-and-tell...


... just go where the Sharpie leads. That's right, a permanent black Sharpie! No erasing. No fixing.

These are just bits of the first two pictures. I wonder what changes will come by day 30?

Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

Lessons

Things I know for sure... this week.

1) Glass cook top cleaner and silver polish are not interchangeable.

2) Always start with a low speed when a mixer bowl is filled with a dry flour mixture.

3) Dryers and gum are not a good combination - even if the gum is unchewed.

4) Handling hot peppers? Use gloves!

I signed up for my first online class, The Art of Silliness. Tomorrow is the first day and I can't wait.

I know it will be better than the self inflicted lessons I have arranged on my own!!!

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Poverbs 23:12