Box of Hope n' Dreams and a snowball...

I started the day, making blueberry muffins; Yes, they are freshly dusted with flour...snowed is what my kids call it.  I felt, as the day, progressed, my plans turned into the snowball that rolled down the hill.    Oh, yes the muffins came out yummy.
(a favorite on a snow day)  

 I like my muffins, blue, with more nutmeg, then cinnamon and a splash of vanilla extract.

 The past couple of days, I have been making items for a challenge.  I have wanted to submit items for years, but moving or something distracted me.  Mainly lack of courage was my biggest excuse.
   This time, even though the doubt fairy sat on my shoulder, I brushed her off and continued onward.   Everything was organized in my mind, but quickly became, like the snowball that ran downhill.  I couldn't find some items I had tucked away.   My sewing machine had a few glitches, lost a few items...piles of paper, ribbon, paint in a corner, chaos in-sued.  My plan didn't work, had to refab another idea.  Tag all my items, print out directions of how I made things and then the fun of wrapping it uniquely and finding just the right box.  Foam peanuts soon were dumped in another pile, as the ball continue to roll, bigger and bigger(mess).    The doubt fairy continued to nag me, so did the dog, begging for his walk and my daughter started asking, "When are we going to go shopping?".   I thought, it would be easier to quit, give it up...but NO, I couldn't too much time, energy and dreams invested.   So here is my snowball(s).   I always think snow is magical, the memories it evokes, my childhood growing up in New England,  making homemade ice cream.   We used rock salt n' snow, instead of crushing ice.
Snow reminds me of muffins, magic, and  memories in the making.  Hoping that my snowball will be more than a day of chaos, but perhaps published.  A tiny sign, I am going in the right direction....if not, I will try, try, again....(I hope you will, too)





a peek at my snowballs

It has been so hot n' humid here this week.  It seems late summer in the south is so hot and dangerous, we call it Blizzard weather. We are inside more!

Comments

Unknown said…
Those muffins look delicious!
Unknown said…
This summer has been terrible in the Midwest too - terrible hot and humid weather with few breaks.

I'm a huge fan of blueberry muffins - Yum!
Looks delicious bet they taste good also.

Have a lovely day.
Yvonne.
Glad you pushed forward! And I'll take two muffins, thanks.
Pixie said…
Why do we all fight with that lack of courage? I feel there's so much I could do if I weren't afraid. Afraid to move on to another job even though I'm miserable because I'm afraid of lack of money. Afraid to make art because I'm afraid of what my friends and even strangers would say or think. Afraid to move past my comfort zone yet afraid to be alone the rest of my life...lol. Wow. I'm like the freakin' cowardly lion...afraid of everything.
Lynette Killam said…
Oh, Ellie..the doubt fairy and I remain best of friends, no matter how hard I try to discourage her! She will insist I am mediocre at best and should not even bother trying. So glad you were strong and confident enough to shun her, horrid thing that she is! Your projects turned out beautifully..love your house of reflection, and of course, after seeing your lovlies, I'll have to make muffins of my own whilst it's still fresh blueberry season.

The snow references were most welcome, too, as we're choking here on heat, humidity and the smoke of countless wild fires. I so enjoy your comments on my blog. I have yet to see hearts in flowers...but I'm thinking it may be the next thing the Universe reveals to me...

Lynette
Rachel M said…
Gorgeous blog! And those blueberry muffins look divine!
DEZMOND said…
I won't even ask you for the recipe for those muffins, 'cause I know ya won't give it to us :) I'm still waiting for the pancake recipe :(((
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Your projects are beautiful. I love the words "Time" and "Reflection that you placed on them. Your muffins look yummy. I have a great blueberry muffin recipe too, havent made them for a while. Maybe this weekend.......I really love the background of your blog,and your grandparents' photo above. Beautiful.
unnamed lad said…
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, mmmmmm,mmmmmmmmmmm

i want to bite my screen!!!!
Arlee Bird said…
We've been buying the best blueberries in the store lately. Plump and tasty, we just eat them plain. Our granddaughter loves them. They are good by themselves, but I wish someone would come and make us some blueberry muffins--they look so good.

Lee
Tossing It Out
Becky Shander said…
I love the artwork, and the muffins. And I hope the weather cools down soon for you.
Ella said…
Lee-I love them, just as you described or with a splash of milk and sugar(me, stevia or splenda). It had been extremely hot and we had a cooler day, so I decided to make'em. Thanks~

Bud-You are funny; I love blueberries. I am from the blueberry state; August is when everyone is picking or purchasing them. We made a lot of blueberry cake, muffins and pancakes! mmmmh!

Sherry-Thank you so much! You should treat yourself and make some. Sherry blue indulge :-D

Dez-I did post the pancake recipe on 7/26; Go back and look at the "Making Memories" post.
I will post this one, too...it is easy! Funny we went home last summer, to Maine, my husband said my muffins were better there. I added more sugar to my recipe ;-D I usually lower the sugar, since I can't indulge often. I made the original recipe. My family said, they were the best. I'll share the original and my modifications.

Hi Rachel-Thank you; it is nice of you to visit!

Lynette-Sorry to hear the doubt fairy has been visiting you to long! Funny, I didn't have the motivation fairy on the other shoulder. It makes me think of the cartoons, with the angel n' devil on each shoulder giving their spiel. Try to gentle do something you love and don't let the doubt fairy get you down! I hope you make muffins; It is a quick n' easy way to enjoy blueberry season! I hope n' pray the fires stop! I will go look n' see if I can find one of my heart flower pics. It was a gerbera daisy and a hydrangea. It is lovely, cosmic way to enjoy your nature outings!

Pixie-I am sorry to hear you, too have had the doubt fairy linger too long! I think we need to take small steps, our confidence with grow and then gradually move on. You aren't the cowardly lion...but if you love the Wizard of Oz, I know an artsy challenge you could join. It involves 6 tags...check it out here:
http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2010/08/dorothy-.html I did the Alice one; it was fun! I am considering it, but right now we have company. I haven't made up my mind. It is fun, you put your pics on flickr and share. People comment and no one knows you! It is a great way to start...I can travel the yellow brick road with you; if you want!

Alex-Okay, two muffins, some funnel cake pancakes and I can make these great breakfast cookies(think trail mix marries an oatmeal cookie) all for a CassaStar T-shirt ;-D

Yvonne-Thanks; They were gone by mid day! ;-D
I will visit you soon~

Ciss B-Yes, the weather was a bit cooler, so I figured why not. My husband was headed out of town and craving muffins, so I made' em! Muffins at least do not keep the oven on long...

Hi Chary-Thanks, I will share the recipe soon~
I know there is something about the aroma, they are quick to make, and stir up memories of childhood for me~
Ella said…
Becky-I hope you are enJOYing your time away!
There is nothing like camping, blended with family memories, to capture summer's magic.
Unknown said…
i know the doubt fairy on a first name basis... she is called my crutch... over here... I like the ideas you sent them out... and I hope something comes of it... more later.
Ella said…
Hi Lisa-I hope you are better; Sorry to hear you know her so well~Thank you!
Ellen said…
those muffins look so splendidly divine! I love baking with blueberries...especially after sweet pea and I picked so many this summer. Stay cool....
Ella said…
Hi Ellen-I love your name, by the way ;-D
What is your favorite blueberry item to make?!
enJOY your Sweet pea; You stay cool, as well~
ELK said…
elle ..what a delight this is ..how you tie the photos of yummy looking muffins into the way your day was "snowballing"...I think the completed project is so pretty!!
Kolleen said…
i love your completed project and i love even more your courageous, contagious spirit!!!!!!

YOU INSPIRE!!!

i have missed visiting you!!!
the blueberries are making my mouth water.....yum-eeeeeeeeee

xoxoxo
big loves to you
k
Ella said…
Hi ELK and Kolleen-Thanks for the kind, gracious comments! You both inspire; We all need to keep dipping our toes, in the pool of courage! I shook after I sent my items in...who do I think I am, but didn't listen and did it anyway!!! xXx