CAC - The Conversation Piece

It's been a while since I participated in a Create A Connection Q&A for "Getting to Know You Day." This one sounded interesting and fun...not that others haven't been - but some have been too personal and I do those in my journal. These questions were taken from a book titled: The Conversation Piece.

1. question #255 - If you had to change your first name, what would you choose as your new name?
It would have to be something exotic like Saffron or something simple like Suzanne...I like both of those...

2. question #158 - What is your favorite saying, quote, or expression?
Lately my favorite expression is: It is what it is...

3. question #49 - If you could buy any rare collection in the world, which would you choose? Why?
Paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe! The size of her paintings astound me...from the tiny ones to the huge ones...and the colors are so vibrant and exciting...

4. question #1 - If you could fly in a hot-air balloon over any city in the world, what city would you choose? Why that city? Have you visited there before?
That's a tough one...It would have to be Washington, DC - would love to see the monuments and the layout of the city from the air. There is a certain magic about DC - because it is our capitol - and there is a certain amount of pride in being a US citizen. I have been to DC before

5. question #221 - What is an item you own that has a minimal monetary value but has such sentimental value that you would not sell it for $5,000?
I know it sounds silly - but the first quilt I made and actually completed. It has such sentimental value...

Hopefully I'll have some photos up later this afternoon or first thing in the morning....need to unload them from my camera.

CaC: Favorite and Future Vacations...

Over at Create A Connection the topic for Thursday's photo day is to post a photo of a recent vacation and why you enjoyed it. Then to post a photo of a place where you would like to vacation and why you would want to go there.

Last year we went to Maine twice! Everyone who read my blog knows that I fell in love with Maine. It was everything I imagined it would be and more. The ocean and waves drew me in, the food was wonderful, the charm of the towns made me want to spend lots of time there exploring! And, since it is not far from home I will go often to get my Maine fix. Below is a photo of me at the coastline...I can still smell the salt in the air!

My dream vacations would include: Alaska - found this photo of the Winter Solstice in Fairbanks at Wikipedia. Since I was a child I have been fascinated by Alaska! The ruggedness of the area, the beauty of the mountains and landscape, and the people have always been something that I have wanted to learn about and explore.

Another dream vacation would be Paris - actually, all of France - why be picky! My reason for wanting to go there is because my grandfather on my father's side was born there. Wikipedia had this beautiful photo of Paris...

Sevilla, Spain - my mother's family lived there before leaving everything behind and moving to Puerto Rico to start a safe life...Thanks to Wikipedia for this beautiful photo of an evening sunset in Sevilla.

So, there you have it - one past vacation and three dream vacations. Where would we be without our dreams?

CaC: Laughter

This would be Zac in his winter outfit...and while he looks rather normal here just standing or sitting- it is hysterical to watch him walk in this snowsuit...he doesn't seem to understand that there is something on his back legs. Watching him just brings lots of laughter...

CaC: Try Day

Saturday was "Try Day" over at Create A Connection. We were each to make a wish and then to support each other's wish by posting on the blog “As _____ wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.”

My problem with that is that like a few others I don't believe in putting things out into the universe in case something or someone wants to mess with it. So, I thought and thought about how to do this...and then I saw how Deb was handling the situation and I worked out my own solution to how to handle this.

I have decided that on the next full moon, I will write my wishes down on paper and then I will place them in my pyrimid shaped holder and light a candle as I say my wishes...then I will burn the paper. You are welcome to support me by posting the quote above and inserting my name in the blank spot in the comments section.

CaC: Best and Worst...

1. What's the best place you ever lived? the worst?

Best: This is really a tough question...It is difficult to choose between Tampa, FL and here in New Hampshire...but, I am going to say New Hampshire. I have always wanted to live in New England! From the time I was 18 and visited the area...I just never took action and moved. I have grown a lot here...I love the four seasons. I love the peacefulness. I love the lack of traffic. I love being able to be outdoors. And, most of all, I love the friends I've made here.

Worst: None - I've only lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; Tampa, Florida; Jonesborough, Tennessee; and Claremont, New Hampshire. They have all had their good and bad memories.

2. What's the best place you ever visited on holiday/vacation? the worst?

Best: Even though I have been to many places on holiday...my favorite vacation was at Cayo Costa State Park. Actually, it was a birthday present for Scarlett and we stayed on the island for a long week-end. It was very primitive but gorgeous with the only access being a ferry that dropped you off and picked you up. Once on the island, the rangers took you to your campsite via a truck. The beach was right there! We stayed in a yurt (check out the photos)...and had to hang our food from a tree so the wild pigs would not get it. It was just one of the most natural, unspoiled places around. We had a really nice time there.

Worst: Going to Haiti. The poverty was unbelieveable. I didn't have a nice time there at all. No only were the small children begging all the time - but, I didn't feel safe.

3. What's the best job you ever had? the worst?

Best: I've liked all my jobs except one...Each job presented it's own challenges and excitement.

Worst: Working as a waitress at Waffle House - I lasted one night! Need I say more!!!

4. What's your best talent or ability? your worst?

Best: The ability to see the best in people and to trust people. And, I am a very good friend to those I care about as friends...may not always keep in close contact - but I am there if you need me!

Worst: Procrastination. I work best under self-inflicted pressure...what can I say...

5. What's the best decision you ever made? the worst?

Best: To have a child and rear her to the best of my ability. She is a wonderful young woman who has grown into a great person.

Worst: None - I have learned from all of my mistakes...and I would not be the person I am today had I not experienced life and made decisions that were both good and bad.

Bonus (so we can end on a positive note!): What's one good thing about you that isn't covered in the questions above, but that you'd like to share with the world?

As a 18-year-old college student, I allowed my best friend to talk me into running for Latin Fiesta Queen. Yvonne was the current queen and she thought because of my Spanish/French heritage I should run. While I did not win - it was truly an interesting experience and I got to learn a lot about my Hispanic background.

CaC: Cup Swap

Over at Create a Connection we are swapping mugs or cups...which ever you prefer to call them...they were supposed to arrive today...and mine did...

Look at what Teri sent me:

This mug is perfect for me...you have to understand, Teri has never met me and we haven't read each other's blogs before now - BUT, yet she picked out the perfect mug for me.

1) The mug is a Debbie Mumm pattern - for those of you unfamiliar with Debbie Mumm - she is a quilter, teacher, and pattern & fabric designer. I am an avid quilter...

2) I have been going through some things that only very few people know about- it is not blogging fodder - and Teri would not have a clue! BUT, the mug has lemons on it - and what is the old saying - "When life gives you lemons - make lemonade" - which is what I have been trying to do...

So, Terri thanks a bunch for the great mug!!!! And, thanks to everyone over at CaC for thinking of doing this swap!

CaC: Small Dinner Party List...

Imagine you're going to organize a dinner party for yourself and seven guests. You can invite anyone who ever lived, whether they're world-famous or someone whose name only you would recognize. If you choose someone from the past, they will be magically alive and present for this one day. But here's the twist - in order for the magic to work, each chair will only hold a guest who fits into a certain category. Tell us who you would invite and, if you like, tell us a little about why. What do you admire about that person or what would you like to learn from him or her?

Dream Dinner Party

1. Guest one must be someone who is/was creative with words - a novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, journalist, etc. Who would you invite?

Without any doubt it would be Margaret Mitchell…author of Gone With The Wind. It would be so interesting to talk with her and see how she was capable of creating characters that intertwined so well throughout the novel and still kept a pulse on such a difficult time in American history. Besides, I’d have to thank her for giving me the name for my daughter – which, of course, is Tara and my best friend whose name is Scarlett.

2. Guest two must be someone who is/was creative with images - a painter, photographer, sculptor, fabric artist, collage artist, etc. Who would you invite?

Georgia O'Keeffe would have to be the one. Her art work just overwhelms me. This past year I was able to see her work and photos, documentaries or any other medium in which I had seen her work before could never compare to seeing her paintings live. The colors and size of some of her work just overtakes you…I could have sat for days just looking at her paintings. I had always enjoyed paintings and going to museums – but seeing her paintings gave me an entirely different outlook on going to a museum. I would love to know how she sees color and how she makes it work for her.

3. Guest three must be someone who is/was a performer - an actor, singer, musician, comedian, acrobat, etc. Who would you invite?

Cher! The woman is a legend! She has a body that does not quit – and the balls to wear clothes that are barely there…and the guts to live her life in and out of the spotlight. She is my most favorite singer and movie star…and I would have to know how she manages to keep such a trim body.

4. Guest four must be someone who is charting/charted new territory - either in the physical sense, like an explorer, adventurer, or astronaut, or someone like a groundbreaking scientist or inventor. Who would you invite?

I had to think about this one for a while…but, I finally came up with Brigham Young . Talk about charting new territory…He had to have been a man of great persuasion to take a band of people across this vast country and establish not only one of the most beautiful cities in our country, Salt Lake City, but the state of Utah. So many cities in Utah and other states like Arizona and Idaho (for example) were established under his guidance. And, we aren’t talking about traveling in nice air conditioned cars either…I would want to learn how he was able to believe enough to take a chance and step out on faith and move to into uncharted territory.

5. Guest five must be someone who is/was a leader of other people - perhaps in the area of politics, like the literal leader of a country, or perhaps a leader in the area of religion, military, business, or even a great philosopher or teacher, or an inspiring athlete. Who would you invite?

From the time I was seven years old, this woman has been the Queen…Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation was 54 years ago…I’ve never known of another Royal Family since my childhood. She is the head of sixteen sovereign states...I admire her for the ability to be able to accept her role in life without backing out.

6. Guest six must be someone from any field who you believe is/was underrated and under-appreciated by most people, but whom you admire. Who would you invite?

The person that fits this category was the woman who took a twelve-year-old little girl whose feelings had been crushed by the glee club teacher when she, along with five other kids, was asked to leave because she could not sing well. She was my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Davidson. She took it upon herself to go an buy supplies to teach the girls how to embroider and the boys how to carve soap…and when the glee club sang at open house, she showed our work to all the parents by displaying it in the classroom. She was truly a gem!!! The work that teachers do is so underrated and under paid and under appreciated, yet many are so like Mrs. Davidson.

7. Guest seven is a wild card - your choice! Is there someone you'd like to invite who didn't seem to quite fit into any category, or was there a category where you'd have really liked to invite two different people? Then this is your chance to add the person you missed to the table. Who would you invite?

This one was most difficult because I know two people who fit the fiber artist title – but, one of them I occasionally get to see and the other I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting. So, my choice would be Tristan Robin Blakeman. His work is bold, energetic, exciting, colorful…and whenever I need inspiration I head over to his website. Even if I look at the same quilt or quilts I always get something different. I would want him to teach me how to Seminole Quilt…and I probably would beg top learn from him that is how talented I think he is.

Bonus: Uh Oh! The dinner party is just about to end, and all your guests are about to disappear, and you realize that you've forgotten to ask one important question of one of your guests. You just barely have time to squeeze in that last question, so quick! - what was the question and who did you ask?

I would have to ask Margaret Mitchell – “Had she lived, would she have written a sequel to Gone with the Wind? and What the heck happened to Scarlett and Rhett”

Create a Connection...

For months now I have not felt very creative...I've tried doing several things...even received a reading and a tincture to help with my creativity...My blogger friends inspire me with the creations they are working on...but, I just can't get myself to the part where I create...so, while making my goals for this year, I didn't do anything about my creativity. Just was not sure what direction I might head in.

One of the blogs I read everyday is Deb's Red Shoes Rambling. She mentioned that she was going to be a guest host on a blog called Create a Connection, so I went over and checked it out. And, it seems to be just what I am looking for to spur my creativity and let my mind wander and think deeply about things. And, the beautiful part is that you don't have to do everything...and the things that it offers are pause for consideration...whether or not you post your results on your blog...

So, I am looking forward to seeing what others are saying, doing, and creating...and seeing what I am thinking, doing, and creating...2007 is starting to look like a GREAT year!!