MONK RETREAT WEEKEND

Greetings, dear reader!

What was my weekend with the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans like?

...or something like that.

Photographic proof posted soon!




Paula

ANOTHER GOODBYE

Greetings, dear reader!

I came back from retreat to discover a friend of mine had passed away over the weekend. I was only connected to Lois via blogdom, but I became quite attached to this dear woman as I prayed for her and sent her cards and funny little trinkets to brighten her day.

I am grateful to have the hope of heaven, and meeting her face to face. Meanwhile, I'll just say, "See you later, dear friend!"


More soon!



Paula

WEEKEND RETREAT

Greetings, dear reader!

I am writing while packing furiously for my 3 day weekend retreat with the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. (For those of you just "tuning in", I am a monk. More specifically, a Franciscan monk in an organization that is wonderfully ecumenical and diverse. Read more about us here.)

Anyway, I am in charge of the first service of the retreat...so I've spent the day putting the finishing touches of my sermon, and fine tuning the flow of service. Here's a photo of me in my monk garb...

"But I'm here for altered arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt" you whine? Here is a podcast I created some time ago, as a kind of introduction to MY version of AltAred Art...(note the spelling).

I thought you might enjoy it...also, it gives you a little "window" into the "whys" and "wherefores" of my art. Maybe you create the same way? Perhaps you too are inspired by the things that inspire me?

I will try to post while I'm away...if not, enjoy your weekend! Oh, I almost forgot!

Look at the FAB letters a friend of mine created for my craft room! SHE is spoiled and has the much coveted Cricut machine.

ANOTHER PROJECT WITH GRUNGEBOARD!

Greetings, dear reader! Today I am pleased to show you another project I've recently completed using the amazing Grungeboard by Tim Holz. It's amazing stuff...not quite chipboard and not quite...well...something else. Anyway, inspired by the incredible Ngaire Bartlam's Favorite Words Tag Book, I created this little "key ring size" book of houses.

I love loading things with ribbon (as if you couldn't tell) the colors are just so happy-making!

More soon!



Paula

SISTER CAM: ENCORE PERFORMANCE!!!

Greetings, dear reader! It is I, once more with the Sister Cam.

I have received so many comments about the video via email (including threats of bodily harm from two sisters who shall remain nameless) and so I thought a final, encore performance was in order. I have included, for your viewing pleasure, a few (non-speaking) photographs to fill in the gaps.

Here, you can see our Travel Companion as he poses with the mouth watering cupcakes from the Cupcakery in St. Louis.

Our choices for the day? Strawberries and Cream, Tuxedo (Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting) and Double Chocolate! Behold the cupcake-y goodness! (Is that angel choirs I hear singing?)

This is a shot of us before the carnage began . We all cut our cakes into thirds and then shared, so everyone could experience all three flavors. We, (and the gnome) were duly wowed.

After the Cupcakery, we headed to St. Louis Mills Shopping Center. What a FABulous place! The mall is sectioned off into "neighborhoods". There are educational quotes all around from the likes of Shakespeare and others...it was a wonderful day of walk/shop til you drop. And then, famished from our shopping safari, we headed to Lacledes Landing and the Old Spaghetti Factory.

(That gnome! Always hammin for the camera! Here he jumped up into the shot and was rewarded with temporary blindness from the flash)

My sister Pam...(and the ham)

My sister Peggy...and guess who?

And finally me with a menu. (I suppose he had decided to quit being subtle at this point)

Apparently parched after all the posing and posturing for photos, our companion opts for an Italian Soda...Black Raspberry.

And the Sister Cam Encore:




More soon!



Paula