banana cream pie . . .

You create your own opportunities

~ and sometimes they're really quite delicious.

This is what happened in my kitchen tonight.  I had decided not to make it because it was getting late . . . but my dear friend needs a banana cream pie on her birthday tomorrow.  So I am up late making a pie, making a mess, and making it so that I will probably be tired tomorrow. 

The pie turned out wonderful . . . I can't wait to taste it. 

doodled journal page . . .

photo challenge 1/31/16 . . . self

Just be yourself.  

Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, 

quirky, weird, beautiful, and magical person that you are.

 My final post for my January Photo Challenge.  It has been fun and gave my creative side the little bit of a kick start that it needed.  I like messing around with photo collages . . . just a simple one of me and some of the things that I like.  Clare, Sis, Mom, Planet, Clare Helen, Amma  . . . whatever name I go by - it's still me.  From baby to nearly 57 years old - it's still me.  

I've changed a lot over the years - its' still me.  

Sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder where that young person went . . . but it's still me. 

 I can say I lost myself a few times along the way . . . but not for long.  

I have learned that I have to be true to myself . . . 

I just have to be me.

photo challenge 1/30/16 . . . once upon a time

Once again please pardon all of the photos.  This prompt, "Once Upon A Time" seemed like a good excuse to walk through the antique stores yesterday.  I loved all the old Valentines.  I picked up a couple of them and found a birthday gift for a friend.  

Once Upon A Time . . . 

 . . . two lovers sat on this love seat.  

 . . . a young mother sewed clothes for her new baby. 

 Once Upon A Time this was creepy . . .
and it still is!

 Once Upon A Time . . . a young woman was invited to a wonderful party.

 . . . she put this hat on her head and walked into the party feeling beautiful
and hoping to meet someone wonderful.

Once Upon A Time . . . 

 . . . memories were captured.  

 . . . gifts were given. 

 . . . and special Valentines were picked out for loved ones.  

Once Upon A Time . . . someone made a phone call

 . . . or typed a letter to someone they loved.  

"Once upon a time there was a boy that loved a girl, 

and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his

whole life answering."  

~ Nicole Krauss

paper paper cranes . . . .

"Make visible what, without you, 

might perhaps never have been seen."

~ Robert Bresson

 I cleaned out the storeroom yesterday 

and found a little creative inspiration on the shelves . . . 

photo challenge 1/29/16 . . . inspiration

 This is not a very good picture . . . but there is something about this tree lit up at night that I just love.  The picture below was taken earlier this month - I may have even posted it already.  

It reminds me that there is magic in this world . . . and if we look for it we can be inspired by that magic every single day.

photo challenge 1/28/16 . . . neon

Neon lights . . . neon doodles.  

January doodles . . .

photo challenge 1/27/16 . . . trees

photo challenge 1/26/16 . . . beer

First of all - please excuse me for all the photos in this post.  (You really don't have to look at all of them.)  This prompt came from my husband . . . and he likes his beer.  When I was thinking about this prompt I knew I would have no problem finding a picture (or 25 pictures) . . . for some reason I like taking pictures of beer.  I like the labels, the colors, the tap handles . . . and Richard and I both enjoy tasting different craft beers.  These pictures were taken over the last five years or so . . . so you see I really do like taking pictures of beer.  

A fine beer can be judged with only one sip,

but it's better to be thoroughly sure.

~Czech proverb

. . . and if you made it all the way through to this last photo . . . 

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you.

The angels protect you, 

and Heaven accept you!