Sending a big hug, Mom (Kate)

Copyright 2011 Kate Brennan Hall

We’re ending the year celebrating the e-book publication of my hubby’s first book. Of course I am biased but I think The Skerries is a wonderful book for youngsters who are high-end readers who want a taste of adventure/discovery without a lot of unwanted teenage angst.

I had a great time painting the cover. All I had to do was close my eyes and remember being on the water on a beautiful Minnesota lake.

Discovery seems to have been the theme for me this past year, too. Through hard work and perseverance (and lots of angels along the way) I found a deeper well of creativity, a calmer place to find my voice, new friends, old friends who wove their way back into my life (yay!) and overall just a sense of joyful expectation for what is to come. I have much to be thankful for.

So dear reader, I wish all of this and more for you in 2012.

Merry Christmas and may we all have a joy filled and creative 2012!
Cheers,
Kate

Here’s a little gift I baked for a few friends and family. A jar full of scrumptious granola.

I found this recipe in my Real Simple magazine and it is delicious. It converts easily to be gluten-free—just use GF oats and you’re set. EnJOY!

If you’re a person that’s gluten intolerant, diagnosed with celiac disease or just love great tasting food—-Chebe is for you. When I read the story behind Chebe it seemed to fit the definition of living creatively. The producers of Chebe seem open to new experiences and bringing quality products to others. So thank you Dick and Ju Reed for producing a great product that brings joy to people who love to eat!

The folks at StoryCorps were on NPR the other day asking everyone to take time to write a thank you to a teacher who made a difference in their life; which prompted me to try to find an art teacher I had in high school. I’ve tried many times over the years to find this teacher but I’ve hit a dead end so I will post this open letter in hopes that one day he might stumble upon it.

Dear Mr. Mark Mahoney,
(here’s your photo from my yearbook)
I’m writing this note of thanks to you because you made a big difference in my life. By this time you’ve taught many students so I’ll try to refresh your memory. (see photo above)
The setting: Columbus High School in the mid-70′s. I’m a sophomore and I’m in Sister M’s Geometry. Most of the nuns I have as teachers are great but Sister M seems to delight in a somewhat sadistic way of shaming students at the blackboard. If you don’t understand a problem she acts like it’s because you’re trying to ruin her day. I’m flailing (not a typo) miserably in this course and one day you appear at the classroom door. You tell Sister M that I am a talented artist and that you need me to transfer into your art class; but to do this I have to transfer out of Sister M’s class into another math class. She calls me to the door and asks if I want to transfer out of her class. All I can think of is that I can’t wait to get out of this prison-of-a-math-class. Totally missing the point that you, Mr. Mahoney, think I’ve got some artistic talent—enough to incur the wrath of Sister M.  Many years later it strikes me that YOU were one of the first people to believe that I had some talent in the visual arts. I’m sure I thanked you then but I’ve always wanted to thank you again.

That day was a turning point in my life. Your belief in me and my other mentors in college who encouraged me to persevere have brought me to this place.

So thank you Mark Mahoney, art teacher (and hockey coach!) for all you did. You are a blessing.

My mom used to tell me that I held onto my pen so tight and that if I didn’t watch out I’d hurt my fingers. She held her pen as lightly as possible, letting it dance across paper like an ice skater on fresh ice.
When I look at this amazing piece of work I think of my friend’s hands—holding on for dear life to the wire, the pliers and to words trying to escape. And yet she lovingly harnessed the wire to bring out the most beautiful of phrases: it’s not the same as it once was—knowing that this will bring the most comfort; that what’s taken place is in the past and no longer binds mind, body or spirit.

It’s quite mystifying how this tightly controlled medium produced a piece that is most fluid and full of freedom (the wire and shadow seem to be dancing).

Thank you dear friend.

Some say I’m a good listener. I joke that because of my hearing loss I must truly concentrate on what someone is saying to me—literally reading their lips; especially in this noise filled world. It does make me focus on the person—on their face and therefore I probably pick up a few underlying clues as to what they’re trying to communicate. I guess I’ve tried to take a deficit and make it something positive.

I enjoyed this presentation by Julian Treasure. I hope you do, too.

You just never know who will be trick-or-treating in your neighborhood.
These lovely “nuns” stopped by and made my night. Thanks for the
laughter, friends!

It’s harvest time here in fly-over-land and while I’m not a farmer I am busy reaping all I can from several creative projects. I’ll show you them as soon as I can. Meanwhile here’s a little something to share. This is some sort of kitchen utensil (for deep frying donuts?) I found at a great consignment shop called Bargain Heaven. I’ve been looking for something to display my earrings. I love this little wire paddle because it’s compact, portable and I like the way my earrings look displayed in all their glittering loveliness.