MONDAY MUSIC INSPIRATION!!

(new little "hope string" painting)
this is today's song....i remember the first time i heard this song years ago how it resonated with me. the lyrics to this song are so much of what i stand for and believe and am TRYING to implement in my children. believe in yourself, believe in what you do, know you have a light!

check the lyrics out here...

"and if you're trying to paint a picture

but you're not sure what colors belong

just paint what you see

don't let anyone say it's wrong."

we had quite a storm blow through here this morning....lots and lots of rain and crazy wind! my girls and i sat and watched as the waves came crashing in and listened to the rain beating against the sliding glass doors. now the sun is out in full force, drying out all the lovely things that just got all cleaned off!

well...i am off to snuggle with sophia and sydnie and watch a movie!!! happy monday everyone...sending loves and hugs!!

photos of love & those that i adore

(my kenzie and her great grandma lee)
(new year's eve din..couldn't have spent it w/6 better people)
(mama and her girls)
(amore mio)
(scotty's parents....oh how i LOVE this picture)

hug your loved ones tight!!! xxoo

NOW IS THE TIME...

Please check out Ree's site to see the amazing, wonderful thing she is doing to help those who are suffering in Haiti. Visit, leave a comment, do some research for the best charity and aid organizations whose funds go directly to those who need it.

It all seems so surreal to me...every time I sit and watch the coverage I struggle to grasp that "this really happened. this is really happening." i count my blessings. i pray. i reflect.

OKAY...SO GO. DON'T WAIT... GO NOW TO REE'S SITE....sending my love out...

SAY WHAAAAAAAT WEDNESDAY??

Whoo hoo! You know what Wednesday means.........

Time for SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAT WEDNESDAY???

Today I would love to hear all about this....

WHAT IS ONE GUILTY PLEASURE YOU ARE EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT?

The sad fact for me is... i have more than one!!

But this is the one I don't admit to very often.

I still will watch "The Real World" on MTV.

Yes I know, I am in my late 30's... but yes, MTV is still a part of my life!! Not sure I am ever going to REALLY grow up!!!

So...tell me, tell me...what's yours??? Would love to hear!!! xxoo

MONDAY MUSIC INSPIRATION AND A HANDMADE GIFT...

(12th century castle in Fumone, Italy...wine with little fried donuts...soooo good...i was just reminiscing!)


monday, monday...da da, da da da da!!

this is the song today!!! love him, love the song, love his voice....yup i dig him.

here are the lyrics... "Somewhere out here is a lost and found...somewhere out there is a lasting love...."

photos of the hat my hubby MADE for me for a Christmas gift...we each drew names within our family this year and HAD to MAKE something for that person. this is what he made for me. i absolutely LOVE it!!! FOCUS is a word we use a lot and one of his favs.... so this is my art hat to wear when i paint!!! he did a darn good job i think considering he was totally stressed about it!! just wanted to share!!!

Cheers to Monday....

LOVE LISTS...GOOD FOR THE SOUL

(YES...VALENTINES IS COMING AND SHES OUR REMINDER)
there was a night back on December 30, 2008 (and yes...i meant to type an 8!!) that i had a couple of hours to myself since my hubby took the kids to the movies.

so i snuggled in with a yummy glass of merlot and began to type....i didn't really have an agenda but this is what it turned into.

i began to write things that i love or have loved in my life.

initially i thought "well i will write 100"...then it turned to 150...and before you know it i had written down 207 and i continue to add to this list.

it was so much fun and made my heart GIGGLE!

so i tempt you to do this...and for some reason i did it in 3rd person...not sure why!! so here are a few i wanted to share...

THINGS THAT KOLLEEN LOVES...THAT MAKE HER HEART GIGGLE!

* A REALLY GREAT HUG

* HAVING COFFEE WITH HER MOM

* DANCING ON HER GRANDMA JULIE'S FEET WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL IN THE KITCHEN TO POLKA MUSIC.

* WATCHING A NEW MOM HOLD HER BRAND NEW BABY IN HER ARMS

*TAKING NAPS

* RIDING HER BICYCLE THROUGH PUDDLES OF RAIN AND PULLING HER KNEES UP SO HER PANTS WOULDN'T GET WET

* HAVING MOVED TO PHOENIX, AZ AT 24 NOT KNOWING A SINGLE SOUL.

* OPEN MINDED PEOPLE

* BEING A STEP MOM - SHE FINDS IT CHALLENING BUT REWARDING ALL IN THE SAME BREATH

* BEING RAISED IN A SMALL TOWN IN ILLINOIS

* HOLDING HANDS ON THE BEACH WITH HER HUSBAND

* HOLDING HANDS ANYTIME WITH HER HUSBAND

okay...you get the idea so i will quit boring you!

SO DO IT!

IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL...I PROMISE YOU!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY BLOG LOVES! XXOO

Just say yes...

if you just say yes to this...

dreams and

wishes may come true!

i promise...it will be an experience you will never forget!!! (my sweet little hearwingsisters promise!!!)

loves to all of you on this friday!!! xxoo

SAY WHAAAAAAAT WEDNESDAY??

OH YEA! YOU KNOW IT!

IT'S THAT TIME!!! SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAT WEDNESDAY??

Today I want to know this...what ONE thing is a "must do" for you in 2010??

me...well to be completely honest it is to make it through the next 3 days of this cleanse/detox!!! i know that is kind of a lame answer but it is getting more and more challenging my friends!! so i will write more through out this year on "must do's" once i start this next week!

i also was the proud recipient of an award from this sexy, amazing, talented goddess! She is oozing with so much talent...go see her beautiful jewelry and paintings!! I was lucky enough to get one of her necklaces imprinted with the word "artist" and I cherish it and the friendship we have begun!! Thank you so much Kelly for passing this award on to me!!! xxoo so....

****************************************************************

I have to name 10 things I love and then pass on to 10 blogs I love to visit--here we go...my 10 things I love as of right now!!

1. my sexy hubby who is oh so good to me!

2. the smell of rain on its way...right before it begins to pour down.

3. a secret i can't share yet within my family...good stuff.

4. my house lit up only my candlelight.

5. chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven...falling apart as you pick them up.

6. this movie....LMAO! seriously if you are the least bit down...get in the car and GO TO THIS MOVIE...YOU WILL LAUGH!! I PROMISE!!

7. the Chicago Cubs...sweet home Chicago!

8. the beach in carpinteria, cali and that sweet little beach town

9. my son Chandler's aids...Marci & Kara...they are sent from God!

10. conversations with my 7 year old...so random, so hilarious...like last night..."mom what happens if you drink shampoo?"" yup! that's my baby!

So...passing this on to........

Patti at PBSArtStudio

Cris at Mommys Midwest Mountain

Chrissy at Cul*ti*vate

Bella Rosa

Gloria at Creating Free Spirit

Elizabeth at Retinal Perspectives

Micki at The Art Hermit

Patty at Nomadic Notebook

Lori at Happiness Through Art

Jennifer at Pease Porridge

ALL of you inspire me and i would LOVE to know more about each of you....please post on your blogs and keep this award moving along!!

happy wednesday loves!! xxoo

MONDAY MUSIC INSPIRATION!!

(ringing in the new year with my baby girl!!)

first Monday of the new year and i decided to stick with my Monday Music Inspiration...hopefully it is bringing some inspiration to those of you who visit me or maybe it brings some new music/bands into your lives...today i chose this song. the first time i heard it...i loved it. there is something haunting about it....here are the lyrics.

"one foot in and one foo back. But it don't pay, to live like that."

(new heartwingsisters i am working on)

i know for many of us it is back to work. back to school. back to routine. however, for me it was the beginning of a 6 day cleanse!! i know, call me crazy....i know i'm calling myself that!!! I just hope i can get through it...this girl LOVES to eat!!! My hubby and i are doing it together which should help in the realm of accountability! I have never done anything like this before so not sure what to expect...i am only about 7 hours in to day 1....i will do it! Bound and Determined!!

the blue moon on new years eve and my babies +1 are making their wishes upon it!!! i told them...no wish is ever too big!!!

happy monday all!!! sending out loves!!! xxooxxoo

HOLIDAY BREAK, A TOAST AND A WORD....

my holiday break is coming to a close....funny how i feel the bitter sweetness of it. i am sad that the spontaneity of being on vacation with the kids is leaving but happy that schedule and routine are right around the corner!!! i know, i know...what the heck?!?! everyone that has ever known me, knows that i like it a little sweet and a little sour....likes to have the black and the white....and i am DONE trying to figure that side of me out...NOT!!! ; )
i spent my new years eve with my 4 babies, darling hubby, yummy lasagna (made by my yummy italian hubby), red wine and of course a champagne toast at midnight! it was quiet...and it was GOOD!!! now i am ready to bring on 2010...just a couple of days behind everyone else!!!

after reading this post on my sweet friend Gloria's blog...i felt compelled and challenged to find MY "word" for this year. I thought about it, slept on it and kept seeing this word and feeling it come up in my throat over and over. NURTURE. Yup. Nurture. is. my. word. I want to nurture my children, nurture my husband and our relationship, nurture myself (my heart, mind and soul), nurture those close to me and those i don't even know yet, nurture my creative side, nurture my vulnerable side, nurture all the facets that make each one of my children the unique little souls that they are, nurture all the "shoulds" that creep into my mind... analyze them, deal with them and put them in their proper place, nurture the relationships i have somewhat neglected over the years, nurture the most important relationship there is...mine with me! NURTURE AWAY IN 2010!!

So... What is your word??? Tell me all about it!! I want to know!!! loves to you all! xxooxxoo

SAY WHAAAAAAAT WEDNESDAY??

Wednesday is here yet again...this week seems to be cruisin right by...this year is coming near its end and a new one is upon us!!! so i have been sitting here with my coffee trying to figure out the perfect question to end Say Whaaaaaaaat Wednesday 2009 and am struggling. I thought of the obvious questions about resolutions, etc... and after stepping away for a few hours...going to an antique store (such cool stuff) and having an amazing Italian lunch...THIS is what i came up with...

WHAT 9 WORDS OR PHRASES DESCRIBE 2009 FOR YOU?

I think my 9 would be...

adventuresome, connected, bless-ed, perspective given, quick, retreat, copyrighted (whoo hoo!!), friends/family (i put these into one because friends become family, family become friends...), fearless creating.

i had a wonder filled 2009...full of ups and downs! i like to focus on the ups and learn from the downs!! i also heard on the radio today that tomorrow is going to be a Blue Moon on New Years Eve!! It is called a Blue Moon because it is the second full moon of the month...pretty cool, huh?!? I think we all should make a wish on that blue moon come tomorrow...k?? JUST DO IT!!!! NO WISH IS EVER TOO BIG!!! WHOO HOO!!!! wanted to share my day a bit...

cool mannequin angel at my favorite antique store fun little treasures that just HAD to come home with me...they were calling my name and i just couldn't ignore them!!!

THEEEE best salad EVAH from GianFranco's!!! this is my Italian lunch...do as they do in Italy...always water and wine with lunch!!

can't wait to hear what you all have to say about 2009!!! love you all so much...you have made my year SO much better than it could have been!!!! this...i am sure of!!! hugs and loves.

MONDAY MUSIC INSPIRATION!!

come sit down here next to me with your glass of vino. or coffee. or tea...and let's talk! let's talk about life, kids, boys, girls, art, books, music, food. let's tell each other stories. let's laugh. let's cry. let's be. this is where i am sitting as i type this post...i love this part of the house...it's my favorite room. i'd love some company!!

HERE is my Monday Music Inspiration! This song NEVER gets old to me...I always love to listen to it...sing it and act like I am playing guitar right along with the guitarist!!! (that's quite a picture...let me tell ya!) Here are the lyrics..."i'm amazed at the lack of evolution. i'm amazed at the lack of faith."

painting i did that was inspired by all my friends i made in oregon. miss those gor-juss souls.

Sophia and Sydnie learning to make pumpkin bread on Christmas Eve with Grammie! (it was delish!!) I HEART this picture SOOOOOO much!!

Happy Monday fellow bloggies!!! loves and hugs!! xoxoxo