Denise Mulligan's Harvest Moon: 12/1/11

Rewrite of Pimp Your Blog!

The young, twenty year old me read an absurd amount of books. Early before dawn, in the quiet room of a creeky old Victorian, I read. I read everything except the constipated texts I was supposed to read in college.
Today, my laptop is my wardrobe to Narnia. Only now, I not only read, I write. Writing is the way I get to muck around in my own mind with words.

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I didn't know what I wanted out of blogging when I started. A documentary of my life? Or maybe or an online "dear diary"? Mostly, I wanted documentation to show my boys when they were older that I did pay attention to them.

My blog was boring. There, I said it first. Glad I got that out in the open. After the initial "I have a blog" excitement wore off, it occurred to me that my mundane life might not be as exciting to you as if is for me. I posted regularly, like dumping my trash on others 3x weekly.

I'm not dense. I realized that not everyone would be tearing up cyberspace looking for witty anecdotes of my cat. My blog was like force feeding stale Cheerio's to babies, rather than entertainment for readers. I kept it up, writing blogs and commenting on other blogs. Never was I getting a big response either. Or rather I carried out, more and more boxes of stale cheerio's to put in the can.

I believed I was building friendships. Sadly, these people were being kind. Politely reciprocating my efforts by commenting on my drivel. They weren't enjoying it.

Want to know if your blog is interesting or not? Comment everyday on a few blogs for awhile. Train the blog owner to expect to see your face in the comment box. Without a word, suddenly withdraw. Disappear. If they don't come looking for you, they never liked coming over to your blog in the first place. Harsh, I know but someone had to tell you the truth.

Hint: Your blog, smart and lovely for you to behold, obviously is not lovely to someone who answers your comments succinctly with the words "yup", "ah huh" and "ri....ght".

Light bursts in Denise's brain. Maybe I will find another subject and crowd to stalk. Picture me now with cartoon light bulb above my head. I posted my art. A much better topic, well, I think so. Yes, it is something I'm interested in but there is a whole world of art lovers and artists that are interested as well.

"Sell art on Etsy" I thought. That was a fun and frugal way to find out that seriously, don't give up that day job!

Trying out abstract by denise mulligan

Harvest Moon has been choking along the dark paths of the internet for 15 months. Except for an occasional break when I felt frustrated. However, I found that when I did take a break, after a few weeks I missed my weekly diary. I wanted to write.

I started researching writing and blogging. I put more effort into my posts. I'm going to continue blogging, lucky you! I want you to be a happy reader though, not a fatigued one. I'm going to give you interesting and quality content. Or at least not as cruddy. Today's post is a rewrite of the last post I made "Pimp your blog". I wanted to show you that I can do better. If it isn't, then I relieve you of your commenting duties forever.

My resolution... to make my blog better, not bitter! I know you will enjoy what I have in store for you in 2012. I'm popping open some bubbly now, hopefully getting drunk and forgetting all my honesty here.

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

7 Ways To Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Christmas Eve is here. I know you have a million things to finish but do you want to have a Merry Christmas or a stressed one? If you allow it, you can give up the stress and do the following:

1. Resolve to do what you can and forget the rest. I have made cookies, cheese cake, chocolate covered pretzels. I made and froze mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. I need to make the roast and the ham. I'll prepare gravy and saute a few veggies, that's it. What I wanted to do? All that plus, paint the bathroom, wash the dog, buy fresh flowers, get new candles, bake Swedish cookies and make my famous toffee! Too Much! All this extra stuff is not going to happen. I'm resigning myself to this fact.

TIP: If you just found out guests are coming over tonight:

Dinner is simple, a roast just sits for hours in the oven. Simply salt and pepper it, make slits in it and stuff sliced garlic into the slits.

A spiral ham is all ready cooked, just heat and serve.

While the ham or roast bakes, take a damp cloth and run over main things people will see. Your husband and or kids can do this. The refrigerator, tables, cabinets and microwave.

Sauteing is fast and easy. Just chop and prepare everything now and throw in a pan with minced garlic and butter. Cover and put in frig. The veggies can be done when guests are here. Sauteing in butter makes everything taste good.

Gravy: Use juice from meat and beef broth, heat on medium and add butter. Take 2 Tablespoons of flour in small bowl, add a bit of water and make a paste. Slowly whisk in the flour paste whisking over med high heat. If you are not a good cook, buy a jar or package and add juices from the roast after it's cooked!

Get some olives, fancy crackers, goat cheese, and grapes. Put it on a platter and there are your hour-deserves. Pair this with a bottle of White Sauvignon Blanc

2. Stop trying to impress. My family is coming over and I wanted my place to sparkle. It looks okay but I never got to decorating more than the tree an stockings. I didn't scrub the oven, microwave, wash walls (Yeah right!) and wash the windows, there is still laundry to do. Forget it! Hide the laundry, put on fresh couch covers or a pretty throw blanket to cover it. Do a quick vacuum, spray the dog with cologne, let the kids clean the windows. Straighten and forget it. If all this is even too much spray some Lysol and light a candle! Your family loves you (supposedly), if they talk about your housekeeping skills, SHAME ON THEM!

3. Send others to the stores for whatever you need. Do not attempt to shop today unless you are not preparing Christmas yourself. If you are a guest and need a gift, get gift cards. People like money. Buy bakery cookies, wine and bring that. Kids gifts - 711 sells Xbox cards, my kids love them. They also sell stuffed animals for a little girl or boy. Kids also like gift cards and money.

4. If you forgot to buy an adult a gift. Flowers are nice, a box of cookies or candy. Re-gift something you just bought new, men are big kids and like like games and technology. A Starbucks thermal mug and a bag of coffee are good for commuters. An ornament wrapped pretty makes a great hostess gift.

5. If you feel depressed. Remember those who have been through so much struggle in their lives and are still joyful. Think of all the starving, homeless and lonely. Vow to make someone else happy today. Smile at people. Think about a kid who has nothing and is still happy. Think: What is my problem if I can't be happy and a little kid can be happy no matter what.

6. Don't watch television. It promotes shopping, overspending and gluttony. It makes you feel bad if your'e not giving a car with a bow on it to your husband for Christmas!

7. Make sure you spend time on yourself. Take a long hot shower, or make your hair simple but pretty. Use a touch of make-up if you never do. Now, this one is big; close yourself off in your bedroom, lock the door, tell everyone even the dog not to disturb you! Get a glass of wine and just chill out. If you don't drink then just sit and be quiet. Meditate. Reflect. Tell yourself that you've done a bang up job and it's all good no matter if it's not perfect.

In this mini restoration time, remind yourself that Christmas is about joy, love, friends and family. Think of all the things that you have and what you are grateful for. Commit to yourself that you will not be offended, rushed or made to feel bad by anyone. Commit to enjoy yourself no matter what happens. Commit to laughing off all negative comments and disasters that may happen (ie: the roast tastes like the bottom of a shoe)

Are you alone this Christmas? Vow to do something that you love. Use this time to give yourself the things you never dare to.

Get outside and walk in nature be grateful that we have such beauty around us.

Find someone who is homeless and laying on the street. Leave a sandwich, put a coat or blanket on them. Then go and take yourself to a movie and enjoy that you have the whole night off and do nice things for yourself.

Merry Christmas to all of you my readers and those who just may stop by for a peek! Keep Joy in your heart, be brave, smile. Love the biggest gift of all, YOUR LIFE!

Vivid Colors

Hi there! Are you getting any creative time in this week? I know you must be swamped with endless to do lists right now. There is a lot of crying and whining going on here, and that's just my husband!

We are tying up the loose ends and headed for the home stretch. I think we're going to make it! I'm planning my son's birthday party for Thursday and not yet finished with the Christmas cookies. Even though I have a lot to do I didn't want to neglect my blog. I do like to keep in touch with you. I will keep this one short though, since I know your time is limited.

Goodbye Leaves by Denise Mulligan

This is the painting that I made yesterday. It is my fair well to fall. I hate to see it go but I am looking forward to seeing some snow.

I used acrylic paint. One great thing about using acrylics is the price tag. I love the vivid colors that I get with acrylics. The fluidity of acrylic paint makes me want to do abstract paintings. Oil seems to inspire more traditional themes for me.

Oil paint is my favorite medium but acrylic is great fun too! What is your favorite medium to work in?

I'll try to check in again in a day or two. Keep calm and I'll talk to you soon!

Shamelessly taking time for art

I'm not apologizing, I haven't finished my decorating, present wrapping, gift buying, and dinner menu for Christmas. Do you know what? I don't even care if it all gets done right now.

What I really, really wanted to do today was some painting. I've been having no fun at all with this holiday business.

How about you? Are you in over your head yet?

Every year it's the same feeling for me...first the calm, then nervousness, along comes stress, out right panic and then frustration followed by exhaustion. Phew, Christmas is over! The month of December is done. Where did our time go? All those hours gone, prisoner to expectations and tradition.

Today I began to paint a new painting and what a relief it was. It took me away for awhile out of myself, my worries of getting everything done. I'm a firm believer in taking time for yourself. In a post I wrote back in May I told you how I am now Making art a priority and enjoying life.

Nobody around me seems to be enjoying anything. All the women that I talk to are stressed. The lines at all of the stores are long and miserable. People are angry. We all have brought it upon ourselves with our high expectations.

I'm trying to stop letting society rule. I'm reminding myself to take ownership of my life. Do the things that I love.

Painting gives me my spirit back, gives me patience and joy. I walk away feeling like I've accomplished something. I rarely come away frustrated.

I am shamelessly taking the time to make art. Are you with me?

The Zen of The Holiday Rush

"Being Peace" by Denise Mulligan

Hello and happy holiday craziness! Has it happened to you yet? It started for me this morning. This year I decided to do most of my Christmas shopping online. After dropping my kids at school I ran over to Toy's R Us to pick up my online order.

I got there and couldn't find my drivers license. They need two forms of ID in order to give you the order you paid for. My license? Nowhere to be found!

After a few minutes of berating myself for being so stupid, I thought "No, I will change my mind about this." I went home to search for my license and started doing some deep breathing Over and over I told myself "I am peaceful and satisfied right now in this moment". I found myself feeling much better and eventually I found my license. For the past 30 years I have read probably hundreds of books on meditation and Eastern Religions. You would think that I'd have the calmest attitude from all of that reading. Well, no, I still need reminding everyday. I thought I would share some of these teachings with you in case you are feeling stress as well.

I came up with 8 simple steps to having a relaxing holiday experience:

Be Peaceful. Tell yourself you are the peace that you seek. Throughout your day breathe deep breaths and tell yourself that you are calm, peaceful and serene.
Begin your day with a five minute relaxation technique. Breathe in deep and exhale slowly. As you breathe, think "I am satisfied where I am in this moment". Repeat this little mantra to yourself whenever you feel stress. You are fine exactly as you are. When you are satisfied exactly as you are there will be more relaxation in the body.
Appreciate what you do have. Instead of focusing on what is missing find the wonderful things in your life and dwell on them. If you are penniless, without a job or a home, appreciate that you are simply alive. You are breathing. You have the beauty of nature. The blue sky. The light from the sun. If you look around your world you will find much to be grateful for.
Practice Kindness. You can always be kind. You may not have things to give but you can always give away a compliment, a smile, a good deed. When you reach out to others in kindness you will feel good.
When things aren't going as planned, BREATHE. Always fall back to the breath. You will be surprised how peaceful and de-stressed you can become in just a few moments of deep breathing.
Have Compassion. Most angry, mean, negative people are in pain. It may be physical, mental, or emotional. They are suffering from some trauma in their past or present. You don't know what this person may be going through. You can be sure that they are suffering in some way. This doesn't mean that you must roll over and take it. It does mean that you have a choice not to react in meanness. Let them be and say what they like. You know in your heart who you are and what is true.
Get out of your mind. "Monkey mind" is a term used to describe the restless mind. Dwell in the mind and it will replay worn out negative tapes of bad memories, worries and sad emotions. When ruminating on negative thinking we begin to feel and act negatively. Step away from the "monkey mind". Concentrate on a peaceful image or thought. This will cultivate a calmness and inner peace.

I hope that you are having a stress free December. However, if you find yourself feeling stress, take a moment and apply some of these techniques. Hopefully, they will help us all relax while we do our holiday shopping and preparations. Enjoy the moment!

Easy Crock Pot Chicken

Oh Boy it got cold! The wind whipped through our little town this morning, blasting us with a Canadian cold front! It is chilly but the sun is shining! When it get's chilly out I like to cook. That got me moving this morning and I've already put together dinner tonight. I love using my crock pot to make delicious meals. The good thing is that everyone thinks you slaved in the kitchen all day! Ha! I'll be Christmas shopping!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

4 Chicken breasts or Roaster Chicken

1 T Olive Oil
2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges

1 pound baby Yukon gold/red potatoes/ or quartered Idaho
potatoes
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary, plus sprigs for garnish
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

Rinse chicken and pat dry.

Place the potatoes, onion and garlic in slow cooker (Large slow cooker if your roasting a chicken) top with chicken.

Stir together honey, juice, cornstarch, rosemary, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook, 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. Serve garnished with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

If you leave the skin on I like to crisp it in the broiler before serving. Enjoy!

Dala Horse Christmas Ornament

Make this cute little dala horse from Better Homes and Gardens:

Materials:

Transfer paper

Red felt

Embroidery hoop and needle

Embroidery floss: blue, yellow, and white

Polyester fiberfill

1/3 yard of 3/8-inch-wide satin ribbon: whiteTrace pattern (available, below) onto white paper. Using transfer paper, transfer pattern outline and all black design lines onto red felt for ornament front.

Instructions:

Embroider the Front

With white floss, work backstitches for saddle and mane outlines, split stitches for bridle, and French knots at dots on mane. Referring to pattern and using yellow floss, work lazy daisy stitches on mane and running stitches between white saddle outlines. With blue floss, work lazy daisy stitches on saddle and backstitches on mane. With yellow floss, work straight stitches in a V shape at top of each saddle lazy daisy stitch. With blue floss, work threaded running stitches for belly and chest straps.

Assemble the Ornament

Cut out embroidered front. Use pattern to cut a back from matching color of felt. With wrong sides together and using running stitches and floss that matches felt,sew front and back together, working close to the edges. As you stitch, stuff shape with fiberfill and catch ends of a satin ribbon hanging loop between felt pieces at base of mane.

Here is the pattern:

To see original article click here

Hey, if you like this post, I make a lot of art and crafts why don't you subscribe to have my posts come to your inbox. Just subscribe at the top right hand corner that says email.

Thank you for reading, hope to see your name in the comment section soon!

Write Your Story, Link it to Harvest Moon Blog

Hi there!

Today it's very foggy here on Long Island or as I like to call it "The Island of Long" I love living here sometimes and other times it's just, well...foggy, grey and generally yucky. Welcome to wintertime! I do love when it snows which being near the water makes it snow and then melt into dirty water. If only it would stay white and pristine for a little longer.

How about you? Is it cold and snowy where you live?: or maybe you are a hot mamma living in the tropics? The thing I'm wondering is that I get to see your little faces on the comment area and interact with you every so often, but I don't really know you!

I want to know you! I would like to know about your dreams. Your pet peeves, does your husband snore and disturb your sleep like mine? Are your children the loves of your life or are you a single person living an adventurous life like I used to?

So if you would be so kind as to encourage me, I'd like to hear about you. I know a lot of you are mom's like me and artist's like me but what other things do you really, really love?

This this is an opened invitation to write a post on your blog about yourself and add it to my Mr. Linky on the bottom of this post. Ask ask your readers to join in and link up here as well. If you don't have the time just leave a comment. Or you could send me an email...if you want to connect with me but are too shy to link.

I know you're busy but I think it would be fun to get to know each other better, don't you?

I'll start the stories with my personal story.

I am a 48 year young (don't you hate when people say that?) mom who loves her husband and two sons more than she ever could imagine.

I was single until I was 35. I had two 6 year relationships before I met my husband. Six was the unlucky year where we just couldn't stand each other anymore! When I was single I lived and worked it seems like everywhere. I went to college to be a veterinarian. I didn't make it through vet school. I was burnt out and decided to go after my other love...which has always been art. Well, failed attempt #2. Art is just such a broad thing and it always seemed to elude me as what I could be good at and make a living at.

I wasn't focused. I was trying everything and not sticking to anything. I worked menial job after menial job. Don't feel sorry for me though because when I was single I had a pretty exciting social life. After punching the clock on my corporate, boring job, I had tons of friends and places to see. I lived in NYC and I traveled to a lot of places like France, England, Mexico, Costa Rica and more. I made up for the boring jobs by having exciting adventures. The good thing about those boring jobs is that they pay pretty well, so that you can have some fun on your off hours.

After breaking up a six year relationship, I found myself single and moving back to Long Island to have some peace. It was a little too peaceful for someone who liked adventure. I met my husband online which back in those days was unheard of. We fell in love instantly. Really! I knew when I saw him that he was "the one" and I have never regretted marrying him after only a year of knowing him.

Three months after we were married I was pregnant with my first son. I was worried that maybe I couldn't get pregnant because I thought I was too old. Dummy me! I got pregnant with my second son when my first son turned one year old. So, there I was 39 years old with two babies.

My entire life changed like I couldn't even imagine when I had my first son. I thought that I was so together and could handle anything. Boy was I wrong! I had a terrible experience with post parteum depression after Lucas (my first son) was born. I also had a hard time going from full time worker, world traveler, adventure girl to being a mom in the suburbs! It just wasn't my thing. I was bored, lonely and depressed.

All my friends were single city girls who had no clue of what I was going through. They lived an hour and a half away by train. They stayed out late, ate take out food, went to lunch and mingled at parties. I missed my single life and my freedom. I didn't know what to do with this little lump of a baby and I needed help bad. My parents were elderly and needed my help. My sisters were dealing with their kids who were teenagers. I lost those city friends who quickly lost interest in my new found domestication.

I knew that I had to turn my life around but I wasn't sure how or what I could.

So, that is a bit about me...I'll continue my story in the next post...sorry, for the little cliff hanger. It's just that I don't want to get side tracked.

What I would like is to hear your story. If you don't know where to begin just tell me what books you like? What T.V. shows you watch? Do you like music, who are your favorites? What is your biggest worry? What do you value the most? Write what you like, skies the limit.

Please write, this is going to be fun. We spend so much time on our blogs and on the computer let's make it more fulfilling for ourselves. Whad ya say? Write that post or send me an email.

Thank you so much! I can't wait to read your story

Loving this Swedish blog

I just love Swedish style design and homes. I get obsessed when I start looking at Swedish blogs. This one caught my eye today. I love the mix of modern and vintage. Everything looks so perfect against a white canvas.