List of things to do...

This is one of THOSE weeks....

You know the kind...the ones where EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT ONCE...

This is one of those CIRCUS WEEKS....as I like to call them...because I feel like a One-lady juggling act....

Here's the rundown of my list of things to do:

1. Monday:: I have miniature paintings to complete for a charity event...which, I have allowed to sneak up on me and will have to complete TONIGHT after I teach a yoga class. I will mail these paintings, tomorrow, so they can be to their destination by May 1rst.  No worries....lol

  Tonight, I'm supposed to teach a yoga class. I hate to admit I always feel nervous before I teach...it is something i am working on...but it is stressful...which is ironic...right?

2.Tuesday, I think, is the ONLY day, I don't have an appointment....which means, I will most likely have to clean the house...or deal with some wild event with the kids...

3. Wednesday: I have a meeting....fortunately the meeting has childcare...otherwise...I would be out of luck...

4. Thurdsday, I have to install artwork at a venue...this entails careful timing, and planning  to be available for the venue, and for my family...and my oldest has his last band concert of the year...

JUGGLING!

5. Friday I have two commitments at the exact same time....because....you know...the rest of the planet doesn't organize around your life...lol...This is just the way things go. I can't be two places at once. And when the cards are on the table...family always comes first. Once family obligation is dealt with, i'll be moving on to the other obligation. (this just miraculously changed...now i can be where i need to be with no worries..amazing how things fall in place after i freak out about them)

Sooooooooo....all of this has me thinking...as I take a break while the youngest naps...blogging right now...is my break time...I should really take a nap right now.... but back to thinking....

When it is all said and done...when all the lists are checked off...obligations met...the reality is...I really love my life....

I am really blessed....I like knowing this....because....

There was a time when this "Schtuff" I just listed...was what I had to do in ONE DAY!....it was non stop...exhausting.... and manic...and I know so many people who live like this on a daily basis..my heart aches for them..I've been there, done that, and in a pinch, i will do it again if i need to....but truth is,we simply don't have to live like that...manically trying to check off lists...meet peoples demands...do things that in reality,just don't really matter...i mean really...how many things a day do you do that in a year...a month....a week...just don't/ won't matter...seriously...

There was also a time, when I would not have been able to tell people "i'm sorry, but i can't do that."...(i'm still working on that part)

As of right no for rescheduling (unless it works in my favour) or other people's demands....There is also no room for feeling bad...or being dragged into other people's drama....this is my life...and I am pleased to be in it...

Banana Oatmeal Cookies...OH YES I DID!

 So a friend on FB posted a similar recipe and I posted it on my own wall so I could get the gist of it. Other friends suggested other additions that sound fabulous! Like: cacao nibs! OOOO must try that next time! I think the original recipe called for raisins. But, my kids just pick those out, so I didn't use them this time. I'm not one to follow recipes exactly unless I completely screw it up the first time. Even then, I will only go back and follow the recipe exactly if what I have made just isn't going to cut it. So, I got the gist of making Banana Oatmeal cookies and went to work...Here is what I did:

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

4 ripe bananas, 2.5 cups oatmeal, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 cap full of vanilla (sorry i never measure vanilla i just put it in)

Mix all ingredients....

spoon onto a baking sheet (i used two baking sheets)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes!

Let them cool on cooling rack if possible...

  (I had to put these up high to keep little fingers at bay)

And there ya go! They taste like banana bread only in a cookie form. NOM! NOM! NOM!

Things I would do differently next time:

1. I used a cookie scoop to put them on the baking sheets and had to go back and smoosh them down because they don't spread out like regular cookie recipes. next time i would do this before i put them in the oven.

2. These ended up pretty moist. So next time i would either cook them the full 15 minutes ( i think mine were actually just ten minutes) or use 1/2 cup more of the oatmeal.

3. I like walnuts...so i think i would add another 1/4 cup.

4 spices! these could use a touch more nutmeg...

Kitsch and Flow: Art Hashers at FWCAC

Have you been to the Fort Worth Creative Arts Center lately? If not, GO NOW! For just a few more days there is an amazing show up comprised of art work by members of Art Hash. (the brain child of Sonia Semone)



KITSCH & FLOWAn uber-edgy, sort of funky, art exhibit featuring original works of art by 50+ Texas artists.
Yin and yang. Hot and cold. Sweet and sour.
Meets----> Nostalgia, flash, sparkle, fresh, slow, and low. 
Kitsch & Flow is something like that. 'Kitsch' promises a creative and calculated attraction, while the 'flow' of this show expects
to immerse viewers with a contemporary energy. If opposites attract, that explains the easy
attraction of Kitsch & Flow.

Aside from the participating artists’ obvious art connection, they have another common
bond; ArtHash, an ever growing social network group for artists. With discussions on the
popular ArtHash Facebook page ranging from sharing serious art techniques, to full on
debates on where one might find the best taqueria, it's understandable how this group of
ArtHasher's can present an exhibit that is both fun and easy to appreciate on one hand, yet
challenging and emotionally charged on the other. A lot like the most spectacular velvet Elvis
you've ever seen! And in similar fashion, Kitsch & Flow intends to get the best of you.

Displayed artwork will be available for purchase. That's right; you can buy original works from

artists working right in your neighborhood.

Participating artists: Bereniche Aguiar, Chris Bingham, Judy Blackwell, Kimberly Bradshaw Meadows, David Brown, Iris Candelaria, Dana Cargile, Jacqueline Colt, Floyd Cornwell, Andrea Davis, Brett Dyer, Dave Edmondson, Gabriela Elguea, Luis Fernando Camacho, Jacque Forsher, Essie Graham, Randy Gonzales, Brian Hamm, Jackie Johnston, Jennifer Lafleur, Gabe Langholtz, Levi Leddy, Liz London, Melissa Lloyd, Joyce Martin, Kerian Massey, Holli Michener, Mike Moffatt, Andy Morris, Joanita Namara, Julia Pappas, Beverly Parson White, Betty Peck, Paul Pena, Jody Pham, Diana Prickett, Pamela Rabin, Lisa Rachel Horlander, Angela Rawlings, Mike Salcido, Shari Sandri, Sonia Semone, Heather Kimberly J. Schaefer, Heather Shoulders, Michael Sir Hendrey, Jan Stateman, Lauren Stout, Roy Vance, Quincy Wakefield, Amanda Watts, Melissa Wertz, Rachel White Delgado, John Worley, Mary Wright.

Leather Cuffs

I love the look of cuff bracelets. These leather cuffs were a lot of fun to decorate and I have made them available over in the etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/bradshawmeadows

https://www.etsy.com/shop/bradshawmeadows

Prepping for Denton

In a few weeks these babies will be on display in Denton. I love Denton. It has such a creative vibe.  These pieces will be in a small shop off the square along with other DFW artist's work. I will post more info soon. The opening is May 3rd.

New Faces

I'm not sure where these faces are coming from.....wait...that's not really true...sometimes I just don't really enjoy talking about where my work comes from because it is so personal...that's all..It's that whole "fear of judgement" thing...but the truth is, these faces have been coming up in my drawings for years...decades really...I should dig up some of my really old stuff from middle school, high school, and college...of course, back then, I was doing the dough-eyed girl paintings and drawings...which in retrospect were my way of showing a since of wonder or innocence....these faces...eyes closed...some with flowing hair...some no hair at all and glowing auras are more about turning inward...finding peace...radiating stillness to the world around them...

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day...i hear...

Confession time: 

I often forget to eat.

 I know....I know.....how is that even possible?  

Um, Well.....If I knew, then, I wouldn't forget...right? 

But it is true... I often go all day only to find that, around 4:30, when I am cooking dinner ( yes i start cooking dinner around 4 or 4:30), that I am truly starving...and I usually realize that I have only managed to have coffee...

(insert gasps...fainting and cries of terror)

ok maybe that is a bit dramatic...but i seriously visualized all that in a 50's black and white t.v. sort of way...

ANYWAY back to breakfast.... Despite not eating all day, judging by my weight...this isn't a good way to lose weight...at all..lol..

So, as part of my commitment to perfect health, I am trying to be more mindful of eating. 

The issue for me isn't so much WHAT  I eat  as when I eat. 

I actually have to make a point to remember to feed myself. Weird...i know...

I did well when.I had a regular schedule for work. It's easy to form a sort of Pavlov's dog routine when someone else tells you when your breaks and lunchtimes are...

Now that I stay home with my youngest,  I kinda got out of that routine. Not KINDA...I REALLY got out of that routine.I hear this is pretty common. My routine revolved around her sleeping patterns, emotions , and such. Now that she is older, a daily routine is helping both of us get it in gear. 

I have a couple of motivations. 1. my own personal health 2. the example i set for my children. I want them to grow up healthy and happy. I feel like it is one of my many responsibilities as their parent to lead the way in their knowledge of how to take care of themselves.

Right now we are focusing on eating a healthy breakfast. For the youngest this can be anything from fruit, to oatmeal, to eggs...or my oldest, i kinda let him do his own thang most mornings before school...(usually being a granola bar, oatmeal, muffins, or sometimes a peanut butter rollup) The Hubs...well, he eats breakfast once he gets to work,(sweet potatoes with almond butter or avocado) For me...I try to stick to a few things and make sure I have some protein to keep my blood sugar from dropping... As of late my favorite breakfast is Greek yogurt, with a sprinkling of ground flax seed, some cacao nibs, and a drizzling of honey, topped with walnuts. I seriously think I could eat this for every meal...OH! and my handful of vitamins....(fish oil, D, biotin,  Selenium,magnesium-which i have started taking at night instead of morning, Turmeric, and my first daily vitamin) and my trusty  mug-0-coffee...I usually drink about half of this and move on to various mixtures of tea and water the rest of the day...

I would love to hear what you healthy breakfast go-to's are! feel free to share!

committed to perfect health

So, I did the 21 day meditation series with Oprah and Deepok Chopra (Oprah Chopra....tee hee hee)...and the first meditation was about committing one's self to having perfect health... (Okay, CONFESSION...i fizzled out about day 11....i don't know what happened...but the next thing i knew...it was finished...so weird...BUT....the first half of the series was great, and i am certain it was all the way through day 21....)

BUT, i digress.... The idea of being committed to perfect health has really inspired me....

I'm an older mom... I'm 40... (i don't mind telling the world...40 doesn't freak me out like i hear tales that it does some people)....what freaks me out is simply that I'm an older mom...with young kids...and i want to be around for them for a long time...not only AROUND....but i want to be healthy...and happy, and i want to be functioning and available for them....

That, and I have a few things working against me....I have mentioned it before, but I have (?) deal with (?) work with (?)...i'm not sure how to say it exactly...but I have an autoimmune disease...Hashimoto's Thyroiditis...I'm only talking about it because I am finding out that more and more people are coming up with autoimmune diseases...and to be honest, i don't think enough people really talk about it...I'm finding out that people who i have known for ages, have some form of an autoimmune disease and have been suffering silently because they didn't think others would understand...i totally "get" this...

What is an autoimmune disease?  In a very basic nutshell...a person's immune system is attacking its' own body....that is a VERY BASIC explanation...

Again, i have digressed... because of this autoimmune issue...I am committed to health....Fortunately my husband turned 40 before me, so his midlife crisis turned into an obsession with Paleo and got our whole family on a better track for eating...which has resulted in our family eating much more vegetables, fruits, lean meats, nuts, and coconut products.

Last year I completed my year-long training for yoga teacher certification. And in January a beautiful soul handed me a bone by getting me to sub some classes at the local gym. Now i teach 6 classes a month. One of the other perks is free access to the gym...and childcare with an amazing playroom for the youngest... we go 2-3 times a week....my youngest is the main motivator to get me there...she loves that playroom and asks to go...i am so grateful for that...it kicks me into gear and gets me to the gym when i really don't feel like moving...(which is very common with autoimmune issues)


Again, I'm chasing rabbits. Perfect health! I don't actually expect to have perfect health. But my goal is to aim for much better health... and really my ultimate goal is simply to feel good... I have schtuff I still want to do..see..be..experience. ..and I want to feel good for it...I just want to feel good...and in order to feel good, i have to be healthier...plain and simple...

For me, that means: eating healthier, exercising, yoga, reducing stress, knowing my limits, having boundaries,living simply, creating, laughing as much as possible, staying positive, letting go of negatives...

The day after....days after a show

So, it is Monday....I had an art show this weekend. We had beautiful weather and it was in a beautiful city square. I got to paint some, enjoy some herbal tea, gourmet popcorn, Oreo rice crispy treats from a bake sale to support local dancers, and the company of my amazing son and good friends...i even saw a friend from my first teaching job in east Texas. (such a treat!)

Today, I am home with my youngest, (as usual)...i'm a SAHM....but today we are huddled up and watching cartoons...no going to the gym, no local playroom, no running around or simply enjoying the back yard...

Why?

1. my youngest is not feeling well...
we spend a lot of time outside these days, and allergies seem to be hitting her big-time...stuffy nose, coughing...possibly a cold...but, she doesn't feel well at all...so that is enough to batten down the hatches...lots of honey-ginger tea is being consumed this morning....

2.I'm still recovering from Saturday...

Yes, RECOVERING....

Why? (you may ask...or maybe not...) Why would i need to recover from such a great art event?

Well, a couple of reasons...

First off:  I am a major introvert....so being out in a public  forum, interacting with people...seriously wears me out...this is something i am owning up to and embracing these days. It used to be a huge source of confusion not only for myself, but for others. (and still is for others at times)...but, as an introvert, large crowds, talking to people in any capacity, answering questions, putting my artwork out for people to eye and judge...is sheer exhaustion...and i happen to know that it is like this for several of my artist friends...it's an energy thing...it takes a great deal of our energy to make the work in the first place, but to deal with everything else, almost sends our systems into failure..

Second off: Autoimmune disease kicks in big time after times of stress....like being out in public, talking to people, etc....so, all day yesterday, i felt like i got hit by a bus....my brain hurt, my body felt like i had the flu, but mostly my brain hurt...and all i wanted was to take a nap or simply relax...which didn't happen despite great effort otherwise....

So, today,I am taking full advantage of setting some boundaries with my personal energy. Today i'm not answering my phone, text messages, or pm's ....I've already gotten a few, and I will just have to get back to them later. Today is about recovering my energy and getting back into balance. Otherwise I know I will be useless the rest of the week.

Why? Because this is part of my commitment to perfect health...understanding my own limitations and doing what is necessary to be healthy so I can take care of my family.

This is a skill I was first introduced to by a dear friend of mine who is my mental guru when it comes to taking ownership of one's health, knowing one's limits, and setting boundaries in order to insure one is at their optimal health standard. The first time she told me to set boundaries for my health was when i first started teaching. I simply could not wrap my head around this. I was stuck in the idea that I had to take care of everyone else first and myself last. It has taken me years, and the development of this autoimmune disease to finally "allow" myself to simply say, "no" or, "i can't do that."





Sometimes people get upset when I say " no" or "i can't do that"...and I have come to realize, that this  is their issue to deal with...not mine...I no longer worry about that...easier said than done at times.

But today is all about recovery...for me and for my youngest....
ginger tea with honey...cartoons...juice...healthy food....rest...and later some yoga...

It is imperative that we do what is necessary to be healthy....when we are ill, or simply don't feel good...that is the way our body tells us we need to rest, and need to  take care of ourselves...

Framing up small prints

Today I had a few minutes while munchkin napped to frame a few prints. These will be available  this weekend ar Arts in Bloom. Hope to see you there!

Daydreaming

I have been working on boosting my vitamin d. Today the sun came out for a few hours. I took full advantage of it. While I was soaking up some rays, I watched the clouds. I hadn't done this in ages. Not like this. I remember watching the clouds like this in childhood. I wish my camera could do it justice. When do we stop watching the clouds? We should make time for this more often.

Arts in bloom inventory

Last night I busted out my trusty suitcases and new (to me) suitcase wracks that I scored at a thrift store. I will be live painting at Arts in Bloom in downtown Mckinney thus weekend. I just realized I haven't shown my wares since january? I took some time off to rest and recenter. That means this week I will be scrambling. Isn't that the way of an artist?