Happenings Magazine has asked me to discuss in an editorial about my Hand Tinting on not just restorations (shown) but about our new Oil Hand Tinted portraits. It will be in the March issue along with some photographs! About the photograph. While I have done many restorations with hand or digital tinting, the original goes to the client. In the photograph above I created a sample for the article, this is my aunt and uncle.

Inspiration soars

So this is how the day started out. With the promise of spring right in my windowsill as I sipped my morning coffee. The paper daffodils my mom gave me for Christmas have sprouted and bloomed rather quickly. So even in spite of the dreary day outside, it was a little ray of sunshine.  THEN it got better!

I decided a month ago that 2012 was going to totally rock. Although I have grand plans every year, I was determined to get out of my own way and accomplish what I set out to do with God's guidance and occasional kicks in the butt from my friends.  So today while I was working on all the things I had to do, the phone rang. I was asked to be part of an editorial for Happenings Magazine next month. I will be showcasing restorations and the oil hand tinting I've begun to do. Wow! So now I have to work diligently to get that information to the editor. THEN another call came in and it was the N.E. Pa. Business Journal letting me know that I was selected as one of the Top 25 Women in Business that they honor each year. WOW WOW! And let's not forget the opportunity to speak to the Northeast Photography Club next Wednesday. They asked about a specific topic and I'm excited about preparing that talk also!  Thank goodness it's Friday, I'm not sure I could handle more excitement!  Have a great weekend!

Inspiring quotes

I love reading various books and magazines for inspiration. First would be my various devotionals but also on my bookshelf is Success magazine and a variety of dare to dream kind of positive books. These quotes I thought were nice. I have so many great plans for this year and see it as a year of transition that I felt these were fitting. Enjoy.

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem imporbably, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

Christopher Reeve

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

Walt Disney

"Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity."

Investor's Business Daily

Just a thought

Each day I try to find a nugget of inspiration that will be my thought for the day. Today was a big one one that I am going to work on being a new habit. It amounts to Stop-Look-Listen. For me this means to stop and think through things before acting or reacting. Look around at the blessings I have and the people that were brought onto my life and what they mean to me and Listen for that internal voice for guidance before moving foward. All to avoid acting on impulse which usually won't yield the best result to the decision or circumstance at hand. It stayed with me today and I am working to make sure I remember to use that technique going foward. It just seems to fit every kind of situation from losing weight to making purchases to dealing with less than desirable situations.

Who would have thought...

Who would have thought that one would see this kind of scene on a bustling, lively Bourbon Street? It was kind of interesting though. This sad lonely building even in its current state had character and color. It made me wonder. Why was it abandoned? Did something happen to the owner of the building? Did they just give up? Why don't they sell it or rent it out? I kind of felt sorry for the building...almost as if it had its own personality and it was sad. It makes you wonder...

My morning inspiration

Each morning I spend a little time by myself in reflection and prayer. Here is one of my favorite Sites to learn and listen - www.joycemeyer.org. I encourage you to check out her broadcasts and books

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in determination." 

Tommy Lasorda, Sportsman

About the photograph - I took this image during (obviously) a blazing snowstorm, a couple years ago in East Benton. It is one of my favorites. Cheryl