Whimzey - the magical cottage and studio of Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda in Safety Harbor, Florida

"Whimzey" - A self-described multi-colored, ever evolving, fantasmagorical gingerbread cottage and studio. Whimsical animal yard sculptures create the "Whimzoo", 500 bowling balls border flowerbeds, and it's home to the Bowling Ball Art Museum.

I was so enthralled when I found this town and its amazing magical houses in December, I'm planning regular return visits to see more and experience the ambience. View my Flickr slideshow of my latest journey there with friends. Kiaralinda was in her yard and invited us in. What a blessing!

To discover more information and pictures, visit Kiaralinda.com.

Potato Herb Soup - from the San Francisco Farmers' Market Cookbook

My second venture into the world of homemade soup. This time I found Potato Herb Soup and it was delightful. I am so happy about this. In reflecting on the experience today I guessed that as a younger cook, when I thought of home-made soup I thought of a big pot of chicken or turkey parts simmering in broth with a whole bunch of vegetables. Not my favorite image or soup. I've never liked vegetable soup, minestrone, beef barley, etc. etc. But I LOVE cream soups in restaurants.

Discovering that I can actually make the soups I love is very, very good news. Click on the recipe picture for larger view - in case you'd like to make it yourself. Bon appétit!

After lunch I went to hear the Venice Symphony play Broadway standards like Summertime, Whistle a Happy Tune, Bali Ha'i, and many others. The sound of an oboe, timpani and flute were especially magical to me. Deborah Berioli, a guest soprano, added her magic to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Wandering through "Wisdom for the Soul" - Larry Chang

Three years ago I bought Larry Chang's compilation of quotes "Wisdom for the Soul" at the International New Age Conference in Orlando. The subtitle claims "Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing". I'm not sure why, but I took it off the shelf this afternoon and found myself flipping through page after page as I made my way through the day. My favorite inspiration of the day (in the chapter on Flexibility) is by Laozi (a/k/a Lao Tsu) from the 6th century BC:

The seed of mystery lies in muddy water. How can I perceive this mystery? Water becomes clear through stillness. How can I become still? By flowing with the stream. - Laozi

Twenty six centuries later, here's a magnet inspired by the Abraham-Hicks seminars. It reminds me to go downstream and keep my mind on happy thoughts. Wisdom never gets old.

Other favorite quotes of the day include a Swedish Saying, "Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow" and a Chinese Saying, "That the birds of worry and care fly about your head, this you cannot change. But that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent."

I'm on vacation from worry. I'm focusing instead on looking for reasons to feel good. How about a kitty face to gaze upon ...

Rain and Freezing Cold for Punta Gorda Art Show

As fun as the Safety Harbor show was in December, the Punta Gorda show last weekend was not. The vendors were troupers as we set up at 5:30am hoping the rain would stop and the temperatures would rise. I kept my focus on looking for the blessing in the experience and dancing around my booth to keep warm.

The rain stopped by Sunday but it was so cold the few people who came to the show shivered down the center lane and went home to get warm. I'm looking forward to the Venice show Jan 23rd and 24th to get me back in the game. Meanwhile I'm heading back to Safety Harbor next week to check out retail possibilities there. Wouldn't it be nice if I found a little spot on Main Street to have a new Heartful Art Gallery? Wouldn't it be nice if like-minded artists or crafters wanted to create that too and joined me in the search? Let me know if you have a similar vision.

14 More Heartful Art Posters Are Now Online

I created dozens of new 8.5" x 11" posters last summer but just uploaded 14 of  them to my online store this morning. I'll have the rest of them and the 5"x 7" versions uploaded soon as well. I'm at work on a whole new line of Heartful Art to keep you inspired and loving life. Stay tuned. Be happy.

I love life

Alice Walker said, "I thank the Creator for the optimism of my Spirit." That's the thing I love about life -- the continual spark of new beginnings: year by year, day by day, moment by moment. This week at the "Causing the Miraculous" seminar (Landmark Education), I worked on organization as the topic I wanted more from. Consequently, this week has been abound with clearings, energy, creativity and finding things as I create solutions to reclaim order in my home and life.

I also made a commitment to create and post 10 new creations of art between now and our final class, January 25th. I have three in the works already and look forward to finishing them so I can post them online for you all to see. I'm feeling the stretching and expansion of the new year and loving it.

Stay warm, everyone. Inside and out. Even though it will be freezing cold this weekend in Florida, I will be outside all day Sat and Sun sharing my art with the world in Punta Gorda. Burrr. Ahhh. Life is good.

2010 - Year of Expression

Personally, I declare 2010 to be a Year of Expression. For me, this will include new artistic expression and the creation of new art and publishing projects; expressing myself with friends and associates (being seen and heard); and embracing opportunities to step out and explore, travel, discover and say YES to life. I intend to dance through life this year, make new friends, nurture the friends and family I have and love, and seize opportunities to leap beyond what I’ve known so far and create miracles in my life and in the lives of others.

I intend to continue my studies of Abraham-Hicks, Landmark Education, NLP, hypnosis, writing, art and language, while paying attention to my vibrational focus and the words and thoughts I choose for my expression. Know that I appreciate you and value your presence in my life. You are amazing.