Nuts and Bolts

Christmas is here! And I haven't really been in the kitchen a whole lot!  So I decided that it was time to make a batch of home made nuts and bolts.  This is my favourite recipe that has been passed down from my mom.  Christmas time was always the season in which we made these and they really are a great snack.  The problem is that you can't stop once you start eating!  We decided that today we would create a video of myself and my little helper mixing up a new batch.  You can find the recipe below.

Our yummy ingredients!!

Nuts and Bolts

Put in a large roasting pan and mix:

1 box of Crispix (350g)

1 box of Shreddies (500g)

1 box of Cheerios (

1 box of Cheese Bits

2 lbs of mixed salted nuts

2 bags of Pretzels

In a pot on the stove melt: 

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup margarine

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tbsp Worchestershire Sauce

1 to 2 tbsp Garlic Powder

1 tbsp Seasoning Salt

Pour over the dry mix in the roasting pan and stir.

Bake at 250 degrees F in the oven for 2 hours.  Stir every 20 minutes.

Store in glass jars.

Anna-Grace decided that she wanted to help out!

The finished product.  Delicious!

And voila!  There you have it.  We'll have these gone in no time!  So from our home to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Tricia

Count Up the Cost

Living the dream!  Oh how good it can look on paper, on Facebook, or in a photo!  But reality is what happens before and after that photo, post, or inspirational quote.  Yikes!  When posting pictures for a blog or Facebook post I do my best to make them happy pictures!  But somedays if you could see what really happens around here while we're trying to live life, I think it would make a far more interesting post and add a little comic relief at the same time.  It kind of reminds me of the times we have taken a family vacation and you get to see all the nice photos of our time at the beach, laughing, and having fun.  But somehow the 5 hour car ride that turned into 10 hours isn't photographed, with all three kids screaming in the back seat.  It's like one meltdown triggers the next.  Well, that's how it can seem when you go after your dreams!

If someone gave you an option to take an old plough and start breaking up extremely hard soil, who would be eager to start?  It might be to some, but it's not really inviting to me at all.  However, it's easy to start strong.  You have lots of energy, a vision for this field, and picture a huge harvest coming!  So yeah let's start!!  You know it's going to be a lot of work and quite hard at times, but that doesn't stop you from starting.  But let me just say, it's after you have been ploughing for a while and you begin to grow tired,  the fact is that you can start to lose sight of how good this field is going to look when done.  You can begin to doubt it and what you once saw you begin to wonder if it really is possible?  Snapping a few pictures of yourself with a big grin on your face and a plough in your hand, you choose to keep going.  You thought for sure by now you would have had your field ploughed, but the ground is harder then you thought...actually a lot harder.  The slight breaks in the ground can bring more satisfaction to you then you ever thought possible and it's what keeps you moving forward.  But the cost you have had to pay in the meantime isn't always what you expect.  Your plough has broken numerous times because of the hardness of the soil.  You open your wallet again even though you said you're not spending another dime on this field!  Your physical body is aching in ways you've never experienced, triggered by hard work, but also the stresses of battling harsh elements.  Not every day has perfect weather!!  Doubt and disbelief seem to be nasty storm clouds hanging out over your field.  You're faced with giving up more than you even know...and for what?? A dream????  I know, it sounds so inviting!!

So why keep going?  Well, it's because a God given dream won't give up!  It's in you and as hard as it is and even the cost that happens isn't enough to stop what God has put in you to do!  Even if you take a rest and walk away, the dream is still in you, longing to be released into this world so that you can make a difference that is good.  Yes, you have the choice to keep going or to stop and it is good to count up the cost before you begin (just know you won't know all the cost up front).

So, is my field ploughed?  No!  I wish it was.  Many times I feel like, 'what I have gotten myself into?'  My dream still lives in my heart though.  So forward I go, another day at the plough, depending on the strength and help from the one who put the dream in my heart.

Here are some photos to show a parallel to how stepping into your dreams may look on the outside but may be a little different on the inside ........It's good to laugh!

Living the dream!

Still living the dream

It's a brand new Day!!!

Still a brand new day!

Me trying to dig frozen ground. The reality is it's winter and I don't walk around my backyard digging my garden up but I don't have plough for this picture.  Yes, in case your unsure... this photo is staged. Was I happy in it? UMMM somewhat I had to drag Stevie out in the cold from his warm bed to take a picture while my make-up was still fresh. And you have seen his morning look.

Stevie's big dig! He really is a good guy! Willing to have his photo taken even when he thinks it doesn't make any sense with my blog....Well Stevie it's winter and I know you don't plough in the winter but were still ploughing!

So be encouraged!  In due season you shall reap a harvest if you don't give up!!!

Tricia

A Picture Tells A Story

Lately I have been inspired to paint a lot, which I love to do!  I have lots of projects that I need to get done, but none in which I have been doing.  I have tried, but it just feels like striving.  So I decided to take a load off and just paint what was coming to mind and I am so glad I did.  It brought much joy to me and I now feel more inspired to get at the projects that I have waiting me.  So here are two new paintings I did the past 2 weeks.  As I painted them a little story came to mind and I decided to make that part of the finished product.  Steve of course took the time to rhyme the stories.  So for your enjoyment, here they are!

Myron the Snow Owl

Myron the snow owl

Was wise as could be.

Watching the world go by

Sitting on his Fun-a-doodle tree.

From way up high

He saw so many wonders, 

That so many people

Seemed to pass by down under.

If only they could see

The fun and adventure galore

That was there for the taking

Waiting to be explored.

The Fun-a-doodle tree

In the season of cold

All was frozen and void.

Nothing green ever grew

And no colour enjoyed.

All the birds of the air

They were white as the snow,

And their tails were all frozen

And their breath wouldn't blow.

But one day a seed,

An unusual kind,

Fell in a fox hole 

And the ground it did find.

It began to grow

Through the snow and the ice,

And it grew and it branched out

Not once, and not twice.

There were lots of branches

That turned out to be,

The wonderful, colourful

Fun-a-doodle tree.

The birds they all flocked

To look at this tree,

And as they landed on it's branches

They all chirped with glee.

For as their feet came and touched 

The branches up high,

The birds true colours came out

And they began to fly.

Their frozen tails wiggled

As the ice it did thaw,

And their feathers turned purple

Blue green, and colours of all.

The Fun-a-doodle's purpose

Let the story be told,

Was to grow in the void

Bringing life to the season of cold

And that's exactly what happened

In this wintery land,

When the Fun-a-doodle tree grew

And the birds became grand.

Steve and Tricia's Funtasical Studios

Painting Furniture

On today's blog I thought I would go through step by step how to paint a piece of furniture.  This is something I really love to do!  However, getting the piece of furniture ready for painting is another story and I can't say I love the prep works that goes into this.  But I do have an amazing husband who does an amazing job prepping the furniture for me!  He actually likes it!  Go team!
So I am going to share with you the process of taking two already used stools and giving them a facelift into something much different!

Old stool about to get a facelift.

Step One: Sand the surface with fine grit sandpaper.

Step Two:  Spray the surface with spray paint.  I like to use spray paint that is self priming as well, and it is better than brushing as you won't get brushstrokes to deal with.  I find you get a much smoother finish.  Just keep in mind to use light coats, and you'll have to do at least 3-5 coats for good coverage.

Step Three:  Pick my colours!  I use acrylic paints because they are durable and will last well.  I needed to do multiple coats of each colour so that it didn't appear streaky.



Step Four:  I then begin to doodle on my stools.  Sometimes I plan something out in advance, but things seem to be better proportioned for me when I just use my stool as a blank canvas and begin doodling with my black paint pen.

Step Five:  I outline everything I have painted in my trusty black paint pen.  I love using the Molotow One4All paint pens.  I have found them to be some of the best I've used.  If any of you are interested in trying them, you can purchase them on Amazon.

Step Six:  I then seal the whole piece with Varathane.

I should mention that it isn't me that does this, but my very particular husband Steve!  Where I am weak, he is strong and vice versa!

Again more than one coat is needed.  Please allow drying time.

And Voila!  There you have it.  Two totally transformed stools!

And voila! Two totally transformed stools.

Most important step: have FUN! Is there a piece of furniture in your home that is calling out for a facelift? Go for it and enjoy the process!

Brought to you by Tricia Preston's Funtastical Studios.

Books! Books! And More Books!

Our house is filled with excitement... or maybe I should say filled with books!  Steve and I spent the night organizing, signing, and preparing bags and envelopes for 100 books! Yes, that is right!  We have pretty much sold out of our first 100 books already! SO a big thank you to everyone who supported us in this adventure! We learned a lot and still are leaning.  All the books will either be shipped or delivered via Steve in the next week!  Just in time for Christmas!

So what's next????  We plan on ordering more books and are going to be looking at doing live book readings.  If you are in our area and are interested in us coming to your school or a program for children, please contact us!  We have a few things up our sleeves to bring some fun into children's lives!  We hope to inspire and bring creativity out of children as well as have fun!

Our next book is already a thought in my mind. This was so much fun that we can't stop at just one!  Besides Steve is on a roll with all his rhymes!

The books are here! The books are here!

Stevie is busy signing books and coming up with more rhymes for that extra special touch! 

The rhythm of our heart for children everywhere!

Shipping and labelling is more work then I realized...Ready for Canada Post!

Personal deliveries from Stevie the delivery man.

More books.... and even more books.  It's going to be busy few days.

Preparing For An Art Crawl: No Striving Allowed!

On today's blog I am going to share with you some questions I ask myself when entering an art show, as well as all that I do to prepare for the show.  Going into art shows can be very rewarding but can also be lots of hard work.  I am not quick to enter into art shows because for me I have a lot to think about such as is this show the right one for me?  Who is the audience?  My work is very much targeted for children so does the venue make room for that?  Are there going to be families with children coming out?  I also want to make sure that it fits into my schedule.  If I know it's going to cause a conflict in my family's schedule I leave it.  There are always other shows and I believe in not striving to make something happen but rather letting it happen naturally.  Mind you, if it is just a matter of switching things around a bit I would consider it.  There is usually always a cost to enter.  Have I budgeted enough to cover the cost?   Do I presently have enough inventory to being to the show?  Am I prepared to hear feedback from people?  Hopefully there's encouraging words, but those are not always guaranteed.  Making a choice to not be discouraged regardless of what may be said or not said... thats a big one!  Going in an art show with all your hand crafted work and designs, while strangers look over what you have created, is rather vulnerable.

So after pondering all these things and spending some time in prayer, I make my decision.   Recently I have entered into my first art show in a big city!  The Toronto Art Crawl Christmas Show! (www.torontoartcrawl.com)  So the preparations begin!  My first response is, "WOW, I have a lot to do in a short time" and I want to kick into overdrive except my three children won't let me.  I did say no striving allowed! YIKES!  I need to remind myself of that over and over.

Here are some practical things to prepare for a show.  If the show is more than one day, make sure you have lots of inventory.  Go with the belief that you are going to sell.

Hand Painted letters

Getting all my inventory also means having proper packaging for it all.  If someone purchases a painting, I don't want to just hand it to them but rather need to have a proper package for them to take it in.  This may require having bubble wrap, kraft paper, tape, and also proper sized bags with handles for the customer's convenience.



What means of payment is someone going to use?  Very few people carry cash today and I can't expect that everyone is coming to pay in cash.  With today's technology, you can purchase something called 'square' that allows you to use your iPhone and swipe the customers credit card with it! Amazingly easy.  There is no guarantee that the venue that you are at has wifi, so make sure you have a data plan on your phone.  Make sure you have some change available if needed for cash sales.

Take the time to price everything.  People may think that they can't afford your work when in reality they can?  I plan on having nice, white index cards with the name and medium of each painting and marked with the price.  Also have a variety of different price ranges. e.g $5, $20, $100 and so on.

Have plenty of business cards.  I find when I have laid out my cards along a table people grab them.  If people have to ask, they may not take them.  Sometimes they may take them not only for themselves but also for a friend that they think may be interested in what you are selling.

Do a mock set up before the big day! Arrange your work ahead of time to see what looks good so you are not rushing on the day of the show to set up.  I have chosen to use a wire grid to hang my paintings from.  Along with this I needed proper hooks and I also found I wanted to have black cloth behind it because I thought it looked nicer with my work.  All things I needed to prepare.

Have an e-mail sheet out on your table for people that are interested in signing up.  You can then connect them to your blog or website and allow them to hear about new promotions etc.

Add some extra personal touches!  Always have fun!  No striving allowed.  Most importantly... Be Friendly!  People fall in love with you as well as your product! 

Brought to you by Tricia Preston's Funtastical Studios :)

Are You Committed to the Dream?

Stepping into our dreams is a thrilling ride but also scary.

One of my favourite topics to discuss lately is the dream, but not so much about the struggle to see the dream come to pass.  Today I thought I would write a bit about the reality of stepping out into your dream.  If you know me you will know that I really love to encourage people.  Particularly in their God given destinies and stepping into the dreams that lay in their hearts.  But I believe part of encouraging people in their dreams is also being real about the reality of what happens when you begin to step out.  I would love to say that when you take a step of faith and step into your dream 'voila' your dream happens over night! Perhaps this does happen to some, but this is not my experience.  I am finding that there are certain steps that I for some reason (God knows why) need to take.  So often the process is just as important as the outcome.  In the midst of all the steps and struggles to achieve the dream there are valuable lessons that I begin to learn that I probably wouldn't  otherwise.  My character is tested to new levels as I begin to see how much tenacity and determination I have or not have.  When nothing seems to happen do I still keep going?  Last night as we met with our group of fellow artists, we discussed the dreams in our heart and one thing that was mentioned was the word commitment!  I never really thought of that word in regards to my dream.  The question was proposed "am I committed to my dream"? That really is the first step when you decide to go after a dream.  It's kind of a scary step as you start to really think about what that means. You see, if there is no commitment then when things don't begin to go well or happen the way you thought, you can easily leave the dream.  I looked up what the word commitment means.

Commitment: a promise to do or give something: a promise to be loyal to someone or something: the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or to support something. 

I am a believer in keeping my word and keeping my commitments.  Even though I have not always been perfect at this it's not reason for me not to keep trying.  So I decided in my heart awhile back that I am committed to this dream of having a creative business, just as I am committed to being a wife to my husband and a mom to my children.

Proof that dreams do happen! They were once only a dream and yes they are a lot of work but so fulfilling

Proof that dreams do happen!  Our 3 kids
were once only a dream and yes are
a lot of work, but they are so fulfilling!!

So what happens when you have committed in your heart?  You begin to take steps.  For me my steps have been little ones at a time.  Given the fact that I have a young family and I believe that they need to come first before my dream, that is not say that there are not still things that I can do to position myself for the dream.  In fact I believe that my children and husband are a part of my dream.  That's the beauty of God's plan!

In reality, when taking step toward your dream you don't always know how things are going to turn out?  For me as believer and follower of Jesus each step often has me on my knees.  I am learning that I can't be so afraid of taking a wrong step. Otherwise I won't step at all,  and even in my wrong choices there is a lesson to be learned (hopefully I learn it so I don't repeat the step).  I am seeing how one step leads to another and when an opportunity comes I really need to consider it!  Sometimes what seems like a small or insufficient opportunity ends up turning into something so much more.
In the midst of stepping and going forward in the dream I'm faced with the reality of how can I do this with what I have or don't have?  Sometimes I struggle with the lack of resources I have... whether that is materials or knowledge or skill.  In reality God given dreams are designed to need others and we don't start off with everything we need.  If we had all we needed we would be living the dream right now.  It is at this point where I wrestle at times to continue.  This is where I am learning not to be defeated in what I don't have but rather begin to think about what I do have and use to achieve what I need to do.  This is where I need to make a choice to be determined to keep going.  Again for me it is about trusting in God and relying on him for his help and that as I align myself with the dream that he has given me he will align me with the things and people I need to see the dream through.  Here's the beauty of the dream... we need one another to achieve it.  So often our dream starts off being about us and what we want, but the more that I begin to step into it I see that it really is about others and what do I have that I can offer to others.

So I want to leave you today with this question: what is your dream for this season of life and are you willing to commit to it?

step by step even when the pathway is covered in fog