Category: book

Happy Being Single
book · simple life

Happy Being Single

caroline

There was a time I wanted to have a relationship. The heart falls hard. The relationship was not realistic. He wanted something else. I wanted the commitment. I felt a despair. Cried for days. Then I woke up one day and recognized what being single really means.

There are many women who write about being single. And they all have similar ideas about the happiness a woman can find being single.

Here are some of the reasons being single can bring you happiness.

  • You don’t have to settle for a relationship out of loneliness
  • You can still fulfill your dreams
  • You can still love yourself
  • You can travel when you have the desire to
  • You can work on yourself
  • No one is around to tell you when to go to bed
  • You can sleep anywhere on your bed or the sofa
  • You can put more time into friendships and family
  • You can focus on your health-exercise and eating habits
  • Being single allows you to learn about yourself!

Singleness does not define you, it does not have to determine if you are happy. Happiness is something you can reach for no matter your relationship status.

Here are some books I have read to help me work through my singleness.

Btw: I am still single and don’t plan on changing that!

Books

  • The single woman, Mandy Hale
  • Single, the art of being satisfied, fulfilled and independent, Judy Ford
  • On my Own, Florence Falk
  • A woman Alone, Travel Tales Around the World. Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, Christina Henry de Tessan

Your Shopping Wishes

https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepaws0f-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1400322316&asins=1400322316&linkId=5373d322428b25e0d5a8b4bd1cfc5af3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff
The single woman

https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepaws0f-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0047O2KAI&asins=B0047O2KAI&linkId=5f3caf64944f77d6b6bb3462fe71210c&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff
Single, the art of being satisfied fulfilled and independent

https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepaws0f-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000OI0FSA&asins=B000OI0FSA&linkId=9bbcf7c17ca5e77a21905a55c6ecb9c1&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff
On my Own, Florence Falk
https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepaws0f-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=158005059X&asins=158005059X&linkId=640990612bdddb8b69b1743db4761b27&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff
A woman Alone, Travel Tales Around the World. Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick, Christina Henry de Tessan

Happy Day

Caroline

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Advertisement
Update on My Goal List
art studio · book · crafts · cross stitch · knitting · needlepoint · simple life

Update on My Goal List

caroline

I made goals at the beginning of this year. The goal is to complete what was started! Let’s see what has been done. And read the books I have. Plus no additional shopping, use what I have with my arts and crafts.

The Knits

There are 2 knitting projects, one a scarf and the other is a wrap.

The scarf is knitted with seed stitch. The wrap is knitted in hurdle stitch. It has 4 rows which is row one: knit stitch, row two: knit stitch, row three: knit, purl, row four: knit purl

The scarf is getting close to being completed. I may be able to wear this scarf before the winter ends!

Below is purl stitch. Garter stitch is the edge.

The wrap has much more to finish. I just added the other skein of yarn a few days ago. I also have to stop knitting it at a certain length, so I can knit pockets for it. (being a little adventurous)!

Below is close up of hurdle knit stitch.

Books

I am not a fan of reading. I prefer to write, but I know my writing is not professional.

The Bible study is going well, every night I listen to the study and make notes. I have been learning a lot.

The other books-well they make it out of the bin, but then onto a table. I just can’t get myself interested. The goal was to read, not to complete the entire bin. Maybe I have revisit this goal.

I Bent the Rules

I was going to finish another cross stitch before I began Rue Paris. But I just wanted so badly to start it. So I am now focused on Rue Paris. I am ok with that. I think I will alternate between the one I need to finish and Rue Paris.

Below is how much I have accomplished on the stitching. I’ll stitch Rue Paris on Sunday.

Happy Day

Caroline

Chicken patties gluten free
autoimmune · book · gluten free · simple life

Chicken patties gluten free

caroline

Gluten Free Chicken Patty Ingredients

  • ground chicken
  • coconut aminos
  • sesame oil
  • minced garlic
  • minced ginger
  • sea salt
  • sesame seeds
  • red pepper
  • black pepper
  • pineapple rings

Recommended Cookbook

from Against all Grain by Danielle Walker

I usually serve this with my salad. I like to have the pineapple cut up in the salad, along with watermelon, cantaloup and cucumber, with a lemon basil dressing from Paul Neuman. There is a toping in the recipe book that is exceptionally good and tasty, but I don’t think I will be making that when I pull this out of the freezer.

This is one of my favorite recipes to make, because it is simple and easy to freeze.

Dinner

I warmed up the left over rice and veggies from earlier this week. Then I warmed up the chicken burger. (Goal for meals, is to use what I have and what I made).

For Dessert

Warmed up the last of the cinnamon rolls.

Happy Day

Caroline

Resisting Happiness
book · spiritual

Resisting Happiness

caroline

One of my goals this year is to read the list of books are in my possession.

Resisting Happiness

Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly is next on the list.

Follow along as I include my thoughts about the exercises in this book. The chapters are short but provides a deep questioning of happiness.

Chapter one, when have I resisted happiness in the week?

Chapter 2, what is my score of happiness for the past 3 months? I would say it’s a 5.

And what are the three activities that increase my happiness? Those are art/stitching, being with my pets, walking/yoga.

To quote from the book, page 2, “make no mistake, resistance is your enemy. It will not quietly go away and leave you alone. You have to slay it like a dragon, and you have to slay it anew each day.”

Resisting Happiness is definitely something I will be more aware about. Never thought about how resistance is sabotaging my happiness.

Happy Day

Caroline

Cuddling with Books
book · cross stitch · gluten free · organizing · simple life

Cuddling with Books

caroline

The other day I tried making gluten free pita bread. It was a flop. I decided to buy a few gluten free cookbooks to learn more about it.

The books arrived today. I’m going to sit on the sofa and read a little and watch some tv. Then I need to go through another cross stitch pattern I found and decide if I want to start stitching it after winter gatherings.

Did You Know

I’m at the introduction of the gluten free cookbook and learning so much.

I didn’t know that you can not measure gluten free flour the same as wheat flour. And it’s best to use a kitchen scale.

Off to the store tomorrow to buy a kitchen scale.

Dinner

Here’s my dinner:

It’s Salmon, rice, beets, asparagus. With a glass of water.

Earlier today I started organizing and looking through a bin on my vanity.

Most items in this bin was thrown away. Yes, all nail polish was tossed. Only the clear nail polish was kept. I’m not into painting nails anymore.

Tomorrow there’s a few clients on my schedule. But I am planning to get to the store and then try to go through my cleaning supplies and reorganize the closet in the office.

Then stitching at night until I fall asleep. I don’t care for new years eve. So it’s not important to watch the ball drop. I rather get sleep!

Happy Evening

Caroline

Mission: To Minimize
book · mindfulness · minimalism

Mission: To Minimize

caroline

This year my mission is to buy less and enjoy what I have. One of the things I have done was buy a book and never get time or energy to read.

So I gathered my books and put them in a bin. The bin is under my side table in my bedroom. The plan is to read every night for a half hour to an hour.

There’s no goal as far as reading all of these books. But the goal is to not buy any new books until I have read more than half that’s in the bin!

Only exception to buying a book is if I take a course related to my field and feel it will benefit me.

I wrote a list of books I have and want to read

Then I wrote a list of books I’m interested in reading that I heard about from other blogs at vlogs.

I continued writing my lists and this is a list of steps to take to minimize my life…

And these are the projects I want to finish before I take on more projects.

It’s a new year and time to make changes. Last year was stressful with no goals and no ambition. It was a year I was sick, felt bloated and extreme fatigue. Then I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance. And life changed. Now I want to own less, enjoy more and prioritize myself. I don’t want to focus on money but rather being smart about my purchases.

Happy Day

Caroline

The Creative Formula
art · art journal · art studio · art therapy · book

The Creative Formula

caroline

It has been awhile since I posted about The Creative Cure, by Jacob Nordby. (it’s been a long few weeks, no time to read) I have included chapter 7 and chapter 8 in this post.

Chapter 7 he writes about the creative formula. It was enlightening to read and brought me to a place of “Wow, this is just what I need.”

Here is a review:

Imagination +feelings/intuition +story=action/results

pick something you want to do, Here is my creative formula: “what would I love to create?”

being an artist who sells art:

imagination: going into the art studio. I can smell the turpentine, paint and hear the brushes on the canvas.

Feelings/intuition: excitement, overjoyed, “in my element”

story: If I make more time to be in the studio, then I can creative more art and can be creative daily.

Actions/results: Finished canvases, more to paint and enjoying the outcome of how my life can change.

Why do we need a creative formula? Because it helps with our dreams. It helps with a plan to make dreams be part of our life (steps to make it happen. And it can help us when we are stuck. it can provide a way to see how we might be sabotaging our dreams.

He explains with this formula, the progress and reality of the dreams happening the action, the resources and people to help and strategies will appear. All because you kept focus on the creative process.

He includes a personal discovery assessment in the book. He writes that writing in a journal daily along with meditation and relaxation and the personal discovery assessment can increase clarity to bring your dreams into reality.

Chapter 8 is a review and recap of the book. It reminds us of what we read about what if…?, socialization, the creative formula and living the life that is nature to you.

I will be taking time to do the personal discovery assessment on my own.

This book was insightful and I can see myself going through it again, taking time to do the exercises and continuing to write daily in a journal.

If you ever find yourself unsure of your creativity and intuition, read this book.

Happy Day

Caroline

More art has been posted to Etsy:

Shop link:

https://4pawsartstudio.etsy.com

More on The Creative Cure
art · art journal · art studio · art therapy · book

More on The Creative Cure

caroline

“…ask yourself what you can do to get creative with your creativity.” Pg 131

Chapter 6 has some great thoughts about creating a space to be creative.

  • Space-what is your space like? friendly? Declutter needed? Music? Lighting? Color of room, books, artwork, plants, rugs etc
  • Time– time of day, “honor this time as scared and let those around you know that you won’t be available.”
  • Ritual-“…transform ordinary moments into focused, sacred time that builds meaning and honors the inner creative self.” Mark beginning and end of your creative time. (List of ideas are included on page 140)

He wrote about forming a creative group which would be a support for each other, allow time to be creative together, trade ideas, help each other and be accountable for the creative work.

On page 134, Jacob Nordby shares an exercise, that includes a few good questions.

  • What creative practice would bring more joy into your life? There’s a list on page 128-129 that is helpful to answer this question.

My answer: sewing and textile art, knitting and crochet, painting, growing a small business

  • What is the smallest habit that could bring me toward this practice?

My answer: Experiment with painting techniques, find new knitting stitches to learn, learn more about weaving and start gathering supplies to make a quilt and/or dolls.

This was my favorite topic to read in this book. Very helpful.

Two more chapters to read, more posts to come about this book.

Products on Etsy..see shop for more to choose from:4pawsartstudio

Happy Day

Caroline

Chapter 6 Revitalizing Action
art · art journal · art studio · art therapy · book

Chapter 6 Revitalizing Action

caroline

The last part of chapter 5 of The Creative Cure, by Jacob Nordby, had many writing exercises. I decided to return to those exercises later, as currently my mind has not been into the writing mode.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 is about revitalizing Action, page, 116 “I never feel more alive when I am in the midst of making something from nothing.” That was certainly true for me this past weekend. I spent the entire day in the studio painting and being creative.

Here are the key statements the author wrote that caught my attention.

“Creative practices also reduce anxiety, provide a sense of accomplishment, and connect us to others and the environment around us.” pg 119-120

“…the magic of practice lies in two ingredients: mindset and commitment,” pg 122

pg 123 “We compare ourselves to others and then reject our own work, not realizing we are rejecting ourselves and our pursuit of joy in the process.”

pg 126 the author stated that we may have a regular schedule for our craft but stated “..but we want to broaden the scope and meaning to include anything that helps us restore our connection to inner joy.”

Joyful Practice: it can decrease anxiety, stress, sadness, depression etc.

there is a list in this chapter and what makes you have strong emotional response he suggests to pay attention to that.

so here is what gave me a strong emotional response:

  • rescuing or raising animals
  • gardening/farming
  • photography
  • flower arranging
  • playing an instrument
  • sewing and textile art
  • fashion design
  • jewelry making
  • knitting/crocheting
  • hand-spinning yarn
  • making your own anything
  • growing a small business

This list will be used for the first exercise at the end of this chapter.

I am not surprised at the list that gave the a strong emotional connection. I’m curious about this exercise later in the book. Aren’t you?

I’ll post more later

Happy Day

Caroline

Chapter 5: I am enough..
art · art journal · art studio · art therapy · book

Chapter 5: I am enough..

caroline

I am reading the creative cure by Jacob Nordby. This chapter has some deeper writings to try.

It focused on the internal story we tell ourselves and to learn how to write your own story.

“the inner creative self takes a back seat, and the enemies of creativity take over.” Page 97.

The impact of the stories “…can lead to feeling uninspired, helpless, or hopeless in certain areas.” Pg 97-98

The exercise is about taking a list of “should and should not,” and explore changing that story.

Here’s mine: I should have studied art in Europe.

My story rewritten:

I stayed home to be with my mom. And discovered I wanted to work as a healer and art therapist like I wanted to when I was looking at colleges. This time gave me the insight and awareness to focus on my career and to become the art therapist I wanted. I now have a good paying job, and own my home and I can always travel Europe. With this experience I can be a creator and healer and can help others be stronger. I learned about my inner strength.

I am enough. I am safe. I love myself. I see myself.

More on chapter 5 later

Today’s art in the studio…

Started a new painting…first layer of colors.

Working on coasters…. selling on Etsy…

This painting is not completed…

Happy Day

Caroline