Ask and Ye Shall Recieve

     This week has been nothing short of a whirl wind.  Adam has been off work, so naturally my everyday routine was thrown out the window.

     I was also blessed enough to have a great deal on a kiln and a wheel fall into my lap in the same week!  I am now the proud new owner of my very own Skutt Kiln and Brent Wheel... thank you Craig's List!  They are gently used of-course, but in almost perfect condition.  The wheel has been used only a few times because the owner had another one already and the kiln was a gift to a woman who never learned to use it, so it was never fired.  What are the odds of finding both in the same week?  I guess it is true, "Ask and Ye Shall Receive".

Quote of the Day

"Every man's work, whether it be literature, or music, or pictures, or architecture, or anything else, is always a portrait of himself."

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.  Proverbs 27:19

 God's Little Instruction Book for Graduates by Honor Books

Kiln Limbo

Oh, to be back in the studio at WCU.  Wheels and Kilns and Wooden Tables, OH MY!

     For those of you who don't know, I am in kiln limbo.  It has been nice because I have found myself in my writing and photography, but I want to apply it to my clay work.  I have so many ideas.  My soul yearns for clay.  I NEED CLAY!  I NEED IT!  I NEED IT!  Hmmm, well now that I got that out of my system, I just want to say that we need to pray for our economy and our world.  I know things will turn around, and I am trying to enjoy the little things until it does, but my heart grows weary sometimes.

For Lent I Will...

... give up tea.  If you knew how many glasses and mugs of this delightful beverage I drank everyday, you would understand :)

Ash Wednesday

"Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return." Genius 3:19

     Today was the first Ash Wednesday service that I had ever took part in.  Growing up all the churches that I attended never had these services.  I found it to be a very thoughtful way to rejuvenate my love for my Lord and really reflect on my relationship with him.  Not feeling that I totally understood what "Lent" really means I did some research online tonight and found a blog where the writer put the definition of this time into a more personal and easier to understand viewpoint.  I thought I would share his thoughts in order to help anyone else that may also be struggling with this issue on this very special day.  These are his words:


This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday which signifies the start of lent, that ancient period of prepartion for Easter; an opportunity to become closer to Christ through fasting, prayer and works of charity. Ash Wednesday itself is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. The ashes we will receive on our foreheads at Mass on Ash Wednesday remind us how temporary this life is and not to put material possesions and worldly pursuits ahead of our pursuit of union with God, as He is where our eternal destiny lies. 

Each of us must form our own lenten renewal resolutions but the three basic practices are all linked. Praying will strenthen us for fasting and deepen our charity. Fasting will soften our heart for charity and quieten ourself for prayer. Performing works of charitywill give our fasting purpose and focus our prayer. 

We also may wish to offer our lenten resolutions over the next 40 days for a certain person who may specially need to know the love of God. God is never outdone in generosity, what we offer to Him is returned one hundred fold. 

I pray that you and I will make the most of this Lenten time to recommit ourselves to our vocations and to our God.  

Quote of the Day

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting the same results" Albert Einstein

Live Your Dream Life

"I'd gotten the message in my home, starting with my grandfather, that real work, the kind of work that makes you sweat and gets your hands dirty, is a respectable, necessary thing.  But I wanted to write- and that didn't qualify.  Whenever I told my parents I dreamed of becoming a writer, they said, "Great, but what are you going to do for work?"

     I found this article in Self Magazine today (Please follow the link to read the whole article.).  I found comfort in Miss Liebegott's words.  I too have been struggling with the idea of, is it all enough?

     I sometimes doubt my artwork or writing because I do not have a steady paycheck.  I have applied to numerous teaching jobs that I felt I needed in order to make my love of art a rational career choice.  I think in the back of my mind I always felt that being a teacher sounded better than being an artist.  Whenever someone asks me what I do, and I reply that I am an artist, they look at me as if I am an alien from another planet.  Just last week when I went to the doctor about my arm, the nurse asked me what my occupation was.  I told her that I was an artist.  She paused for a long moment, then went on with her other questions.  Later on in the conversation she said, "So, do you work or not?"  After kindly explaining to her that I make pieces of artwork and sell them in galleries, online, etc., I felt this overwhelming since of worthlessness rush over me.

     After reading this article and countless conversations with my supportive husband, I realize just how lucky I really am.  I get to do the things that I love and absolutely want to do each and everyday, while sharing adventures with my daughter.  I get to experience the "little things" in her life.  I may not have a steady paycheck, but I make enough to support my art and my passions.  Meanwhile, I have the most wonderful husband that loves being the provider for the household and is my largest supporter (Did I mention that he is a music teacher- his dream job?).  I may get down sometimes, but I AM living my dream life.  Thank you, God, for my countless blessings.

Are you living YOUR dream life?

Nancy Reynolds Shots from Jamie

     One of my old classmates from Nancy Reynolds Elementary School, sent me these great shots today.  They will be used in "The Nancy Reynolds Project".  I was immediately filled with memories of running  suicides on the basketball team with her and other classmates.  Thanks Jamie, for helping with this project!

Keep sending photos or written memories.  Every little bit helps!

Quote of the Day

"The soul is healed by being with children." Fyodor Dostoyevsky

From the book, The Shack by WM. Paul Young (my current read)

It's the Little Things That Count

A Little Girl Playing on the Floor

A Mother-in-Law Who Sends You Left Over Pie and a Tomato When Your Down

A Crazy Cat That Chases Water Droplets After You Take a Shower or

Eats Your Toes When You Wear Socks

When a Little Girl Finally Cleans Her Room

Game Night With Friends

Valentines From Family (It was a great surprise to open up the one from my parents and hear their voices... it was very unexpected and meant a lot because we don't see the that often.)

A Grandfather Calling You Twice in One Week to Make Sure Your Broken Arm is OK

Tucking in Your Daughter and Whispering, "Mommy Loves You" in Her Ear Every Night

Go out and enjoy the "little things" today!

Quote of the Day

"Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."  God's Little Instruction Book for Graduates by Honor Books

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7 

Happy Valentines Day!

Addison 2010

Quote of the Day

"Having more children won't solve your problems."  Regina Wood

Quote of the Day

"Daddy, I wish we had ice skates."  This was Addison's response to the fall on the ice where I broke my arm :)

Nancy Reynolds Prints Now in the Shop!

jessicawoodcapps.etsy.com

pssst... 50% of all the proceeds from the "Nancy Reynolds Project" section in my shop will be donated to the school

The Nancy Reynolds Project

     

     To commemorate the destruction of a landmark, I am working on a piece called "The Nancy Reynolds Project."  This piece is a way to celebrate the old, and bring in the new.  Nancy Reynolds Elementary School has stood the test of time for 86 years.  It was torn down in 2009 to make way for a new building that is to be completed in 2011.  The old building was so much more than a structure to so many.  There have been countless memories made in this building through generations.  I want to celebrate these memories.

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the thing you never want to loose."  Author Unknown: Found in Mary Janes Farm Magazine 

     If you have a Nancy Reynolds photograph or memory that you would like to be used in the project, please e-mail them to: jesscapps@gmail.com (comments are also welcome).  I will keep you posted on the progress of this project through this blog.  

Quote of the Day

"I read in the paper the other day that scientist have discovered the meaning of life."

"What was it?"

"I forget."

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

Love is in the Air

To celebrate Valentines Day, I am going to share one picture from each year my husband and I have been together.  Time passes so fast.  Enjoy your loved ones and celebrate each other this Valentines Day.

Adam and I, November, 2004

Adam and I, May 2005

Adam and I with Our Silly Head Behind Us, 2006

Adam and I, 2007

Adam and I, 2008

Adam and I, 2009

This is the day that I graduated from Western... what a great day!

Quote of the Day

"Can't never could do nothin'." Mark Wood

Temporary Tattoo

Purposeless Play

[The residual purpose of art is] PURPOSELESS PLAY. This play, however, is an affirmation of life- not and attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we're living, which is so excellent once one gets one's mind and one's desires out of it's way and lets it act of it's own accord.  John Cage

**I know, I know.  Technically this is the second "Quote of the Day" for today, but when I found this I felt it was too yummy not to be shared.**

Quote of the Day

"Nothing would be done at all, if we waited until we could do it so well that no one could find fault with it."  John Henry Cardinal Newman

Thirsty for Words

     Lately, I have found myself (excuse me for a moment to sound cliche') thirsty for words.  It is true!  I can't get enough of them.  Reading, writing, you name it.  Anything that has words in it has peeked my interest.  I have devoured several books in the last week and started a journal.  The inspiration for this journal came from the book, How to Make a Journal of Your Life  by Dan Price.  This little book is a very easy read, but it is packed full of good ideas on how to make "the everyday" special... and you all know how I love that!  I have also tried to integrate this new found passion into the time that I share with Addison.  I made my darling girl a journal of her own.

     I was also surprised to find that she enjoyed me reading my books about journaling and art aloud to her.  It has been so nice to have little moments where we snuggle up on the couch, read, and write/draw in our journals.

Please Pray for Our Military Families

     This morning I was really crabby about the fact that my husband had to go to work on a Saturday to make-up for a snow day earlier in the week.  Well, I got up and checked my email and I had a comment on one of my Facebook photos from a good friend from high school.  I decided to check out her profile to see if she had anymore photos of that cute little baby of hers.

Her status read, "Yay! Craig actually sounded happy for the first time since he's been in Cuba! :-))".  I took a step back and realized just how lucky I am to have Adam here at least for a little while everyday.  I have several friends who have their significant others over seas or away from home in the military.  I can't imagine all that they go through each and everyday.  My heart really goes out to them.  Please pray for our military families.

The Everyday

I love to find the beauty in everyday objects and experiences.  It truly is the little things that make a difference in our worlds.  I adore walking into someone's private space and seeing what objects make that space "home".  No matter who or where you are, there are similarities in the things that surround us in our everyday lives.  My work strives to be documentation of these experiences.

Quote of the Day

"Genius is the ability to see things invisible, to manipulate things intangible, to paint things that have no features."  Joseph Joubert

Quote of the Day

"Life is lived forward, but understood backwards." Philosopher Soien Hierkegaard

Snowy Days and Smiling Faces

Last weekend was the first real sign of snow that we were able to see this year.  Reluctantly, I pulled myself away from my duties of the everyday to go stay with family.  Sometimes I loose myself in my work.  Little did I know, just how much I needed that break.

Since there were no hills really to sled on, I decided to pull Addison all the way to the park.

Jennifer and Addison Making Snow Angels

Addison decided that she wanted to make a snowman with the snowman kit that she had gotten from my parents.  The snow was really icy from all the sleet that we had gotten on top of the snow.  Foolish adults that we are, we told her that we were so sorry, but she was not going to be able to make a snowman this time because the snow wouldn't compact.  Well, the imagination of the child prevails.  She started raking snow together and making a face.  She made her snowman.

The playground seemed so much more fun covered in snow.

This swing was not meant for a family of three.

Addison constantly put hair-bows in everyone's hair the whole weekend (even Papa's).

I made one of my childhood favorites, homemade snow-cream.

In the end, it was an all round good time, with just enough goofing off to lift the spirits of a heavy heart.

Blue Eye Liner

     Isn't it amazing, the things that mean the most to a child?  Warm kisses on the check, a meal when they get home from school, and sometimes blue eye liner :)  My sister, Kayla played "maker-over" with Addison over her Christmas break.  Every time I pull out my make-up bag she asks, "Why don't you have blue like Kaaaylaaa!?"  I have even caught her in her room talking to her baby dolls and putting pretend blue eye liner on them.

     I have talked to my Mother many times about my childhood and the things that mattered most to me.  It seems as though the things and the little moments that mattered most are not the same as the things that she thought would.  It is so mind boggling how each brain remembers the same moments in time in totally different lights.  

     Go out and play with your children today.  You never know how much of a difference you will make  in their lives.  

**Hint:  The little things, the things you won't even think about, are the things that will matter to them the most.**

Spring Cleaning

I decided to do some early spring cleaning today.  It's not what you are thinking, my house is still in it's usual state of disarray... I am doing online spring cleaning.  I am trying to update and "clean-up" my online home :)  I gave the blog a very overdue facelift... what do you think?

The Total Money Makeover

 

     Adam and I just finished a wonderful book.  We have been reading the The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  It has been great... every night Adam and I would sink down in the bed together to read aloud to each other.  It was like we were sneaking away on secrete dates late at night.  If you and your significant other have never read aloud to one another, I would highly recommend you try it.  With money being tight, it is so nice to have a way to get away!  

     Well, hmmmmm.... that seems like a perfect way to segway into what the book is about.  If there is always more month than money, you should read this book.  It really is an awesome game plan to regaining financial freedom.  I feel so empowered.  I not only want to be debt free, but I now want to learn more about investing.  You need to check out this book!

     What book should we read next?