Category Archives: Art

Knitting Happiness

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“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your actions.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV 

countdown-from-year-toHave you made your New Year resolutions? Many of us share the same goals for 2013. I’ll bet at least one of your priorities is on this list of top New Years Resolutions, since the same issues hold concern for many Americans.  Many people have these changes in lifestyle on their list for this upcoming year.

  • Loose weight
  • Get a better job
  • Get Fit
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Take a trip
  • Get a better education
  • Manage Stress
  • Quit Smoking
  • Recycle, Reuse and stop waste
  • Volunteer
  • Save more money 

Notice that PLAY MORE is missing from the list of American’s top New Year’s resolutions. Why is that? Because Americans tend to over eat, over extend their budgets, over drink and they spend a lot of time trying to get their lives in order  and rebuilding their lives after abusing themselves. Sad, but true.

A few weeks ago, I saw a show about Spain, It is touted as one of the top countries for happy people. Why? The work day comes with a two hour lunch break and people in Spain get 30 days vacation from their jobs every year. The lifestyle in Spain provides more time to PLAY, which provides personal fulfillment in their lives!  Want to learn more about Spain’s population of happy people? http://onforb.es/VbOugN

cafe_linkI contend that if Americans spent more time at play, some issues would take care of themselves. There would be a reduction in stress, people would spend less time over eating and drinking because they would find personal fulfillment in other ways – doing what ever it takes to make their hearts zing. 

How about you? What one thing will you add to your play list in 2013? I am going to add knitting more to my list again this year. I did not succeed in fulfilling this wish last year because I spent a lot of time writing. Winter is the perfect time to pull out the yarn and knitting needles.

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Kindle your Aspirations and Share the Peace

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“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” ~ Sy Miller and Jill Jackson 

christmas-earth-dove-painting_1280x1024Reading these words reminds me that although I can not control others actions in this world, I can be mindful of my own. 

So, in that vain, I would like to pass along a message of gratitude to all of you who have visited this website All Things Fulfilling over the past year. Your readership and comments makes blogging worthwhile. 

I have enjoyed learning about our client’s inspiring independent publishing projects in 2012 and look forward to seeing what 2013 brings, for others, who have just begun the process. For so many around the world, having the ability to tell and publish a story that has been burning inside, just waiting to be told, has been a first step towards peace within. We are fortunate to have freedom of press freedom in our country, and the choices in publishing platforms has grown with the development of e-books.

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Merry Christmas, Everyone! May you celebrate this holiday in a way that is meaning and fulfilling to you, personally.

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Expectancy and Hope Worldwide

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 “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” ~Norman Vincent Peale  

Diversity in culture makes our world so interesting. Christmas unites children around the globe in emotions of expectancy and hope, awaiting a visit from Santa or St. Nick. In Belgium and France, Pere Noel is revered. Kerstmann comes to the Netherlands and Weihnachtsmann(Christmas Man) comes to Germany. In the United Kingdom children await the arrival of Father Christmas and Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) comes to Russia. 

This day before Christmas Eve, I would like to share some beautiful faces of children awaiting Christmas  around the globe. Worldwide, some children’s  dreams are fulfilled, thanks to generous people and organizations such as Operation Shoebox. To read more about the organization Samaritan’s Purse, please follow this link. http://bit.ly/T6T4kl . 

Return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling for one more message for Christmas Eve.children and christmasIs he here yet?

chinese child closing eyes No peaking!

ethiopian children with crosses

Children in Ethopia, faithfully awaiting the story of Christmas 

 

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Operation Shoebox, organized by Samaritan’s Purse delivers smiles to children all over the globe

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Scandanavian Children in native garb ready to celebrate

beautiful african american boy

Beaming all things beautiful

canadian children

No doubt about their heritage

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In Peru, children as sweet as the lambs they hold.

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Merry Christmas and blessings to you, too! 

 guatemala children

Sisters from Guatamala herald in Christmas together

 chinese children as santa

Appropriately dressed and waiting

 children learning

The Gift of Education

 child praying

Hands together in hope, faith and grace

worshipping the animals

Worshipping the Animals

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Children – the light of the world.

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A Holiday Respite

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The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

norman-rockwell-christmas-homecoming-1What is it that draws us into reading books and watching movies about Christmas? Many are corny and unrealistic, yet there is still something that enchants us. I suppose we want to experience feelings of fulfillment – joy, love, hope, tenderness, amusement, generosity, faith, peace, harmony. Click on the link For info & ordering Norman Rockwell books

Art images of Christmas, such as this iconic Norman Rockwell painting, enfolds us in thoughts of things that keeps us believing in the goodness of our world and humanity; providing us with a respite from the more difficult realities of life.

Last fall I was introduced to author David Baldacci through his book, I Wish You Well, and found him to be a great story teller. He has a newly released book called, Forgotten, that is near the top of the NY Times Bestselling List, in print and e-book format. So, last week I decided to read his holiday tale, The Christmas Train. I enjoyed this light read and liked his quirky characters. The story was as sappy as maple sugar. In one turn of the story, had it been a true case scenerio, people would have died, or at the very least, frozen to the point of injury. But, in the spirit of Christmas, all turns out well. I did I really expect anything else? Click here for Baldacci books

Santa has always brought our family at least one new Christmas book or movie annually. Holiday Inn had to be replaced last year. The DVD was so worn with use it no longer had a clear picture.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch with your family, here is a list of the top holiday movies of all time, listed in the Independent. http://ind.pn/Ta76PY.

nostalgic christmas2Heat up some hot chocolate, pair it with some popcorn and enjoy a holiday film in the comfort of your own home this weekend. It will do you good to relieve you of the stress of holiday preparations.

Return on Monday, and then I will be taking a break from blogging for a few days to fully enjoy the holiday.

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Fulfilling Holiday Appetites

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Something about an old-fashioned Christmas is hard to forget.” ~Hugh Downs 

Isn’t it odd how we associate certain foods with certain people? My maternal Grandmother passed away when I was a very young child, but one of my most lucid, wonderful memories of her is the chicken stew she fed me when I went to her house. It was so delicious, right out of a can, heated up.  Thoughts of the stew, makes my mouth water. And my paternal grandmother’s greatest joy in life was feeding others. Her basement pantry was large. My sister and I loved going in her cellar to see what was stocked. 

When I was a child, our neighbors found personal fulfillment in “gifting” home baked food at Christmastime. HomemadeChristmas in a jar root beer arrived each year from the family next door. Other neighbors sent cookies, date nut bread or a can of pickled beets or green beans from the garden. My mother always gave back,  something a little different each year – to surprise. This type of gift giving is fun, economical and it  “feels good” because it comes from the heart.  It is  just one way of  how we form  associations of certain foods with certain people.

Christmas has gotten so commercialized and out of control. Need some suggestions of homemade gifts to give someone? Here is a list of one hundred. Some of these gifts can be made by getting children involved in the process, providing quality time between parent and child. http://bit.ly/ZdmMqE. 

goulasch-with-spaetzleAt our house,  Christmas Eve dinner is a recipe that was passed along from my maternal grandmother.  “Spiced Beef” with spaetzle or egg noodles. I cook it for my husband and my son just once a year so it is special. There would be trouble in the house, if it wasn’t on the Christmas Eve table. Since cooking is not one of my passions, (although I do enjoy baking), it brings me great joy to think that a few recipes that I have fed my family over the years brings them fulfilling feelings during the holidays. It is really what Christmas is all about.

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Sign of the Times

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spread the loveI wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~Harlan Miller

I love getting Christmas cards in the mail, even those once a year letters telling me about the lives of friends I seldom see. You know, the letters that say Johnny is on the honor roll, the smartest kid in the school. Mary plays the violin, at age three, with an adult symphony. Jane was the star in the school play and was contacted by Hollywood to do a bit part in the movie that will probably win an Oscar this year. We are often inspired by those around us. Learning about other’s goals and accomplishments helps us to think about our own ambitions and dreams for the coming year.

Over the past decade fewer Christmas cards have arrived in my mailbox. I miss that. People are watching their pocketbooks and practicing time management skills by eliminating some Christmas rituals. I’m no different.

The other day I sent my first batch of Christmas cards – digitally. It was so easy! And my address book is kept in one place, so I can send anniversary, birthday, graduation cards with ease. Sad that I’m included on the list of people who are less frequently sending cards in the mail, I am buoyed by the thought that I can stay in contact with my friends by sending e-cards for every occasion, economically and easily. I like sending cards as much as I enjoy receiving them.

Even Hallmark and American Greeting cards are offering e-cards, their sales have been diversified, and business revenue is now made in  e-commerce. Both companies have been long known for wonderful sentiments on their cards, and I am sure the digital artists they work with have great ideas. E-cards even come with audio sound!  http://www.hallmark.com/.

this emotional lifeIt is important to stay in touch with people who have meant much to us in life, even if we don’t often see them. Friends enrich our lives enormously. There is a DVD called, This Emotional Life, available through Amazon, brought to you by PBS. It addresses just how important friendship is to our happiness. Check it out, and share this link with your pals.Click for info & ordering

Return tomorrow, and we will see what else we can stir up on the subject of personal fulfillment.

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End of the Year Reflections

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“We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than through our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we accomplish goals.” ~ Stephen Covey

It is getting toward the end of year and we all know what that means – reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the coming.

Over the past year, it has been so very gratifying to have worked with a variety of authors consulting on selling publications through e-commerce and steering them with internet marketing strategies and direction. I’ve had the opportunity to learn of unique independent publishing projects, and meet authors who have creative minds and stories. It is extremely fulfilling work.

What I love about independent publishing is the vision people have for their projects and their ability to carry out those visions because the only “gatekeeper” is their own power of motivation, creativity and inspiration. “Independent publishing types” understand Napoleon Hill’s philosophy that “what the mind can conceive, it can achieve!”

My involvement with the Colorado Independent Publishers Association, http://www.cipabooks.com also grants me a chance to work with associate service providers who are so knowledgeable about what they do – from editors, to e-book formatters, cover designers, indexers, to copyright experts, traditional book promotion companies, proofreaders, legal experts in publishing issues and so much more.

decisionLast week, when I was walking about Steamboat celebrating my landmark day of 1,000 blogs that I had written on All Things Fulfilling, I made a decision for myself about this coming year. I am rather excited about it. Come on back tomorrow and I will tell you more about it.

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More Fulfilling Signs of the Season

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“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ~ Washington Irving

On Friday I posted photos of my walking tour in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I had given myself permission to enjoy the day doing something different, in celebration of my 1,000th blog on All Things Fulfilling. 

Today I continue with more photographic images of Ski Town U.S.A., and over the weekend Mother Nature left us with a fresh coat of white, which was greatly appreciated by this tourist town that relies on winter recreation of all kinds. 

My husband and I are grateful to live in such a beautiful and inspiring place, with gorgeous landscapes. Join me on this tour of historic Lincoln Avenue. The town has been bedecked, bedazzled and looks forward to welcoming all. It’s a very friendly place. Thanks for those who let me photograph their spaces.

IMAG0037Steamboat Art Company, offering wonderful coffee table art books and  unique hand hooked wool pillows from Chandler 4 Corners ,  designed by Laura Megroz.

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Center for Visual Arts, the CVA is a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization and community art center. Their mission is to support emerging artists , provide exhibition space,  educate through guest artist series and work with youth.

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Homesteader Kitchen Shop, specialty food items and wonderful kitchen gadgets and accessories.

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Nutcrackers Stand at Attention in the Windows, Handsome Fellows!

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Oh, look! The winter exhibition at the Steamboat Art Museum begins December 21st – a Retrospective of painter Jean Perry and sculptor Curtis Zabel. Can’t wait to check it out.

Photo Below: Lyon’s Drugs and alot more! Great gifts also.

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Photos above and below, more gift suggestions from Off the Beaten Path, the Indie Bound Bookstore in town.

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Branches – home decor and accessories. Pictured above and below.

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This town in filled with businesses of all kinds, including a host of location neutral businesses and people with lots of entrepreneurial spirit. Makes living here, very interesting.

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Street Walking with Joy

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“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”~ Napoleon Hill 

Yesterday I gave myself a break; took time to do something fulfilling for myself. I strolled the streets and retail spaces, preparing for my personal celebration today. This is a landmark – my 1,000th blog on All Things Fulfilling. I can hardly believe it, myself. 

Today, I  share all things Christmas with you through photographic images. Enjoy this day, and I am going to do the same myself. I may even make a little yummy, sweet, holiday treat and put my feet up, just for a little bit, then I’ve got more work to do. 

Thanks in advance to all shop-owners who let me photograph their retail spaces – there will be more pictures of my walking tour of Ski Town, U.S.A next week, too!. Come on back.

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Entry of the United Methodist Church “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

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Off the Beaten Path, a fine Indie Bound Bookstore is loaded up with The Lost Christmas Gift. A winter adventure set in Steamboat Springs, on the Colorado’s Best Seller list, it hit LA Times Holiday Book Gift list and is sold out in most outlets. OTBP has plenty and the author will have a book signing tomorrow – 12/8/12 at 2:30pm!

 

 

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Always a Beautiful Retail Space to visit in town, Steamboat Art Company all decked out!

 

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Window Shopping, a scene outside the Bucking Rainbow Outfitters – what is inside is even better! Attention, fly fishing enthusiasts!

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Fuzziwigs Candy Shop – Stocking Stuffer Sweets Galore!!

 

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Christmas Tree bedecking Colorado Mountain College’s brand new facility – meets all LEED standards and has a great business enterprise center, too! This new building raises the college to all new levels!

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F.M Light Store’s horse ready for Xmas. A real landmark in town. This business has been selling  cowboy boots and hats for more than 100 years! Best selection for miles around!

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Homesteader Kitchen Shop – The aromas coming from this shop were enough to draw me in! Daniella was cooking up her chocolate treats and toffee (more pictures of Homesteader next week). The cinnamon,vanilla coated almonds are outstanding!

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Aptly Named, “Om” this shop is a great place to calm the spirit after walking the streets. Love the lit decorative hangings that you can buy year round to add to a sacred spot in your abode, or for a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

 

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Lyons Drug, yes indeed, great thoughtful gifts in this store, and even an old fashioned soda fountain!

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Branches, Home Decor. Come back next week and there will more images of places to shop locally. Support local business, it’s what makes communities tick!

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Not a Person Stirring, Just a Mouse

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“Do give books – religious or otherwise – for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.” – Lenore Hershey

 In the mood for reading a Christmas book, but you don’t have time to go buy one or borrow one from the library? There are many low-priced and free holiday e-books and short stories available for downloading on your computer. Here are some titles available through one e-book retailer, Smashwords: 

  • Scrooge, American Style
  • Footprints in the Snow
  • The Lights of Christmas Street
  • Kristmas Collins
  • The Road to Tucson
  • Hullabalou and Holly, too
  • Suburban Christmas 2012
  • Snowman’s Chance in Hell
  • Fools Rush Inn
  • The Christmas Cottage _mouse

If you have never read an e-book before, try them out! I have found some very satisfying reads in electronic book format, and generally, they are not pricey, since there are no printer’s costs,  binding/physical manufacturing or shipping costs.  Let’s face it  – a good read is a good read whether printed on paper or not. Even bookstores now carry e-book formatted publications. Check out your local bookstore’s website to see if they are available, if you can’t get out.

I am in need of a good read. So this weekend, when no one is stirring, I will click the mouse and select one of these holiday books from the Smashwords list and enjoy myself. See the full list of books from Smashwords in the holiday category, by visiting this link http://bit.ly/TDMNLq.

Where shall I start?

Stay tuned, www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com  will be featuring a beautiful Christmas story, first published in 1999, that has been fulfilling people’s need to know about the first Christmas, that will be available for the first time in electronic format this year.