My graphic design debut!!

Here it is! Someone help me get it ^^^up there^^^

Creativity

In my journey towards being a free-creative-person
(I was going to say, "thinker," but it's so much more than that)

I've noticed a thing or two about myself, in regards to creativity.

• When I get an idea I must write it down, immediately, or it's gone. (a fact that is annoying...)
  
• I can very rarely do creativity-on-demand in a group setting, but alone or with one or two others I do just fine
  
• TV is an absolute killer of creativity
• Whenever I compare my creativity to another's creativity I lose my ability to be creative
• I fear judgment
• my ideas are usually so ridiculously out-there that I don't share them, even when Im asked, because people just look at me funny, so I get nervous and fumble through it.
• As far as I can tell, EARLY mornings and evenings are the best times for me, creatively/writing-wise. But I don't generally get up EARLY these days.
• I look at buildings and objects and see what could be; alternative uses and solutions

What have you realized about yourself on your own creative journey?

Back in the Zone

Hey, Friends!

It's been a while since I've written anything of substance. Here's why: I've been sick. I'm happy to report (really, really happy, in fact) that I'm feeling much better (I've been up since 9:30am and haven't had an overpowering urge to sleep all day. Woot! Go me.) and am returning my pen-to-paper this evening.

Other random life events include: someone using my credit card in Australia. Fabulous. So my account is frozen and the charges (which are in the triple digits) are in dispute with my bank.

Also (see below): the false appendicitis alarm at 130am from my little sister.

It's been a great, adventurous, week my friends.

There are several pieces of literature that I have in process.

The two I am most excited about are...

---The Adventures of Spork...
[the candid telling of the journeys of a spork that thinks he's batman,
his dueling sidekicks, and the evil expired gallon of milk, they war against]

---Fear and Hope (yet to be named)
[something a bit less... batman]

So, as I said before: wait with me.

Excited to be back in the zone,

Ashlove

[patience]

I'm working on something.

It's coming.

Wait with me.

they glisten no more

The shift from fall to winter is nearly complete.

The leaves whose colors warmed my soul and made not smiling impossible are now a sort of disappointment. They no longer glisten as they did, just days ago, as we move away from the warmth and light of the sun. And the forecast for my area is essentially the final nail in the coffin: Goodbye, sun... fall... quiet times beneath trees; hello grayness, snow, ice, and snowmen. What does the next few days hold for us? Rain. And after that? Snow. And more snow. And more snow.

But I'm not sure I could do a Christmas season without snow. The idea just doesn't seem right.

I've been writing more. Inspired by those around me and their outstanding creativity and insight. And I'm thinking about writing children's books based off some of my short stories. It would be fun.

Square Watermelon

I'm at work, prepping for an interview this afternoon and getting stuff in line to apply for a job that I could possibly and likely really love, and I stumbled upon this:





Sometimes ingenuity requires you, in fact, to think inside the box.

Some people make me smile.

It just happens...

Thanks to those of you who prayed for me the other day. My back is doing much better!

I need some creative brains. If you are willing to help me dream and tweak some marketing for my work, I'd love for you to email me. It won't be any more time intensive than just "off the top of your head" thoughts when you glance at something. Of course, if you're willing to give it more thought with me, I won't refuse...

I'm also in the middle of creating an extensive database of product cost for my boss. And cost comparison. And creating fax-in order forms for schools and businesses to use...

Annnd creating employee how-tos and guidelines that are ergonomic and eye-catching...


I don't go looking for this type of responsibility... it just happens...


Did I mention that I actually have an OFFICE day planned for next week? An office day...

:-)

Chicken & Cherry Quesadillas

Tonight I decided to make dinner for deats and I. Originally, the "what" was up in the air, but then I decided that quesadillas sounded good, and so did deats. So when I headed off to meijer I picked up some whole wheat tortillas, Monterrey jack, non-full-of-junk chicken beast, and some sour cream... then I headed to the salsa area. Deats doesn't like chunks in her salsa, so I was looking for some non-chunky salsa when lime salsa caught my eye. As I was reaching for the lime salsa I saw the words "Traverse Bay..." out of the corner of my eye... it was CHERRY salsa. As in, chunks of cherry. Being that I am from the Traverse Bay/Traverse City area, I couldn't resist the opportunity to support my hometown economy (and I haven't had a single cherry thing all summer... kinda weird when you're from the cherry capitol of the world...)

My recipe is simple... a little bit of EV olive oil in a pan to start
heat that up, add the diced chicken
heat
add some butter (like a tablespoon ish, I'll be honest, Im not all that great at measuring things... so I don't...)
brown
Add salsa to likening
stir and lit sit on medium-ish heat for a bit

while that's happening, shred your cheese

after the chicken/salsa is done you can do one of two things:

add the sour cream to the pan

or remove the mix and heat up tortillas in pan with a bit of butter (just a little)

place a happy spoonful of the salsa and chicken on one side of the heated tortilla (still in the pan)
add cheese to liking
fold tortilla over and allow cheese to melt

flip after a few minutes to brown both sides (it looks pretty that way)

deats and I choose to put our sour cream on the outside of the quesadilla.

it was great!!


Saturday I am also cooking dinner for a "student" of mine from back in the internship days

I'll be making...

baked honey mustard chicken strips (breaded with whole wheat pretzel smashings)
roasted broccoli with Monterrey jack melted over it
homemade french fries (using golden red potatoes, skin on, EV olive oil, salt and pepper)

And for dessert?

Fresh fruit pizza on a homemade graham cracker crust.

I'm hoping for leftovers because I think it'll be great!!

I am pretty much stooked.

And tired.

Goodnight!

Hooooly Snow!

I think everything in the state of Michigan is closed... including my church's youth group. I'm bummed. Oh well. I've been working on teaching myself some graphic design stuff. I'm working on something for my roomies... and I get so close I can see the finish... but I just can't figure out the last step.

I've also been researching super-cool bible resources, so if anyone has a recommendation or two, would you share it?

And I'm hyped-up on blueberry coffee. The best coffee EVER.

Next I'll be working on a project for my pastor.

So, it's basically a chill-in-pjs day. Pretty much amazing.

I've been working on a couple articles, as well. One on communication, relationships, and the internet, and one on trust. So stay tuned.

Stay warm & safe, folks. The police are asking people to stay off the roads. =)

Peace,
AA