Daily Treasures: Sisterly Humor

Hello friends and greetings to your siblings,

I was given one flesh and blood sister in my life, but blessed with two soul sisters. Sadly two of them I don't get to see often, but when we get together you can be assured there is much laughter. This is a great daily treasure to have, that distance can't completely destroy the laughter your have with your sisters, if you are on good terms with them that is.

A recent example of sisterly humor being my sister's holiday visit at Christmas. Despite it being stressful with my anxiety, I am blessed to have some hilarious moments from the visit. It all started with my gifts from her and the family a sequined cat Christmas sweater which is purrfect Christmas attire for the future crazy cat lady. Next was a Jigglypuff hat/scarf thing from ThinkGeek that had me talking like it does in N64's Smash Bros game, it's one of my favorite Pokémon. Finally she gave me a collectors box set of the latest TMNT Movie line that had turtle figures and masks. So what do you with all this wearable stuff, you through it on making a lovely geeky ensemble. My sister deciding to joining in on the fun she throws on the mask of her favorite turtle Mickey, mine is Leonardo, and we had to pose for a picture:

It's the Ninja Yeti Fan and Crazy Cat Lady Ninja Jigglypuff

Yes this photo I'm sure will bring us smiles, or groans, for years to come. I'm glad despite whatever troubles we had, have, will have, and the miles between us we can still create sisterly humor, that also goes for all my distanced soul sisters.

Always cherish your siblings my friends be they your blood, soul, or whatever. Remember to always make some laughs. God bless you all.

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

My Strange Finds: Holiday Left Overs

Hello My Friends,

As I go out in the world be it to the doctor's office, grocery stores, or a thrift shop, I will some times come across strange and/or interesting finds that just needs sharing with my peeps. There's actually a theme with this strange finds Holiday Lefts Overs. These are either things I saw during the holidays I hadn't got to share, or they are things found from Christmas past.

First up is a decorated door I came across in my doctor's office during the holidays. They'd recently moved to this big space and the ladies that work there each got to decorate a door and then it'd be decided who was the winner. I don't know who one, but I found this door hilarious:

　

 

After the New Year Fangirl and I decided to have a localized outing. We hit up this Italian restaurant that took over an empty space that I know at one point was a pizza place my sister worked at with a good portion of our family. We then hit up the thrift stores. It was in a Goodwill I found these cute cork trees:

　

　

This one was all ready for Christmas.

　

 

This one was probably made by the same person, but I don't know if it wasn't finished or left as is to show of the cork designs. I thought it was cool the corks come from wine that was made by the Biltmore Estate Winery.

Then there was this carousel that might be home made, it looks like someone used a wooden embroidery hoop for the top there. If it is homemade it's a lovely piece of work.

　

Well we took care of those holiday left overs. I hope you've recovered from your holiday shenanigans and are enjoying the new year. God bless you guys!



Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

The Ninja Writer's Library: Brian Froud and Alan Lee's Faeries

Hello my book nerd friends,

For the New Year I'm introducing a new segment to the blog The Ninja Writer's Library. In these posts I'll be talking about books: old ones, new ones, used, whatever I end up reading and finding in my shelves I feel like yammering to ya'll about.

Today's offering has been around in some form since according to the book's original copyright 1978, it is the Brian Froud and Alan Lee classic Faeries. This is the 25th edition that came out in 2002, the year I graduated high school. I received this as a Christmas present from my aunt this year, which goes great with one of the gifts I got from my sister The Labyrinth DVD, Brian Froud worked on the film, actually wasn't his son the baby?

This was an informative read. I mean I didn't know a lot of these legends and folklore surrounding different beings in the faery realm. Among these legends and tales you'll also find some faerie realm inspired poetry. There's even a section about flora and their ties to the faeries.

Of course there is the pairs' beautiful art. I actually wonder if they didn't also do work on The Spiderwick Chronicles movie, cause some of the drawings put me in the mind of the beings in the movie. Some of the pages were designed like illustrated journal entries with handwritten notes, which made it fill like you'd come across some old research text, though I found it difficult to decipher words/letters at times, not sure if it was the writing or the fact I wasn't wearing my reading glasses.

I will say some of the tales and descriptions left me a bit chilled. There was mention in this version that a woman had a copy signed for her future children, I'm hoping she meant for when their older, because while it's defiantly something to be shared with future generations I'd hesitate to read some of these stories to too young of children, if they're anything like I was the tales might induce panic and nightmares. Keep in mind I'm the kid who's over active imagination forced my Mom to have to call the school to get our librarian to lay off the weekly ghost stories. *hangs head in shame* so yes keep in mind these are not all happy faerie stories.

If your a fan of faerie art and folklore I really suggest this book. Maybe get one of the special editions that have come out since the original cause I know my edition included more art and writings I think than the original. I know it's going to be a keeper in my library.

I hope the new year finds you in many paged adventures my friends and God bless you all.



Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

Don't Be Empty, Be a Tangerine Seed

Greetings in This New Year My Friends,

Earlier I watched Eat, Pray, Love, which turned out I think to be an appropriate movie for the day. We've of course already been celebrating the new year with watching the ball drop, Mom put out her homemade cheese ball and crackers, which is the only thing I've craved today, and in our gorgeous slim glasses we toasted the new year with our traditional non alcoholic sparkling grape juice cocktail, I think where most people have a special night of chocolates and wine I'd do one of sparkling grape juice and cheese ball platter, though I wouldn't say no to some chocolate too. Right now I'm watching the Rose Parade while attempting to keep warm in this freeze.

But let's get quite serious about this time of newness. It makes me think I of this little tangerine seed I have on my desk from the slices I ate the other night, full of potential and growth. If one cultivates it right that is. But yes right now we have a feeling of so much potential and promise, but only if we actually take time to plant and nourish our hopes and wishes will I guess any of them bare fruit.

Back at Christmas when we were visiting my Mamaw for gift exchange she was talking about she thought the cashier was flirting with me and asked if I had noticed (I hadn't cause I was concentrating on trying to get her stuff paid for at the time). At some point in the conversation she said something along the lines how she didn't want my life to be empty. For her it was more dealing with the fact she wished for me to find someone, bless her she worries about me, but I assured her my life wasn't empty. Even if I never find myself in a relationship I have friends and I think I mentioned my poetry, which the latter comes and goes sometimes, but the point is I have things in my life, but it is what she said that has played in my mind not to be empty. In the glow of the New Year's hopes and intentions I think that would be something to strive for not to be empty. As I have mentioned before I have anxiety, depression, and OCD. When I'm not consumed in anger, sadness, fear I find myself in a state of emptiness and being a zombie many times. It's a horrible feeling, maybe not as bad as the previously mentioned three, but it's still hard. I've even had moments where even life around me feels empty. I'd like to reach a point where I have less of that, as much as is in my power. Of course I should remember God's power is in my life, and if it's His will I shall prevail. Maybe 2018 will have me living more fully. Be full of hope and potential as that tangerine seed. Live a life of wonder and being content in my state. It's a nice hope to have, I don't call it a resolution, cause I don't do resolutions. It's a what it is, a hope, maybe I'll succeed maybe I won't, what will happen will happen.

Other seeds of hopes and wishes is to be a better writer with this blog. Since coming to the new space I feel I've not done a good job of posting. I'd love to get to a once a week at least like I use to do, maybe even twice a week off and on at some point. I want to hone my writing ability try to see if I can become better. With my poetry try to send off more this year, and hopefully write more, and not fret over a completed collection, when one's ready it'll be ready for the next stage, but not before time.

I think I may put this seed in this little blue bottle I have to remind me to live more fully. What seeds are you planting in the soil of newness this year my friends? I hope and pray you all have and amazing New Year my friends. God bless you!



Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

Birthday Gifts for Jesus

A freezing hello friends,

Well we have survived Christmas again. I know it's awful to say that about the day chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ, but with my fragile mind state (I suffer from Anxiety, Depression, and OCD) and holiday stress most often I feel like I'm held together by a thread and Christmas day turns into some emotional/mental finish line to the world of normality.

But this post is not to lament about Christmas woes, but about Christmas Traditions. I mentioned in a previous post recently about how I like to make a gift for Jesus every year and that I'd elaborate on it. It's a tradition that started accidentally when I found myself creating Christ inspired work at Christmas, over time I officially decided every year as a way to remind me why I celebrate and allow Christ to have a birthday gift especially for Him.

I think one of the first gifts I made was during a Christmas Eve when due to snows our power had been off for a day or so. I was listening to a Christian station's Christmas Music and I did this drawing:
 

 

One thing that I did on this was use this special invisible ink pen that reveals what you write with a special light. Great idea, but because it was a restaurant kids meal toy pen, think it was for the last Indiana Jones Movie when it came out.

I've written a couple poems as well. I wrote the poem He the Christmas after my cousin's youngest child was born, she inspired a line. I think the next year I created a little video with me reading it, I haven't a clue what it's saved on.

Last year I wrote In Your Honor, it was a struggle trying to create that year, but I'm pleased what I managed to create.

My most ambitious gift was a little house scene featuring a little baby Jesus as a Christmas present:

 

It was the first time I used these little bag of Wilton babies I bought, and you'll find I have used them multiple times for my gifts.

I've made many other decoration gifts there's the ornament I made to replace my favorite one that broke:

 

 

I've even created a bottled/jarred display using a craft store jar, one of the babies, a fabric white poinsettia, and a 50 cent machine king necklace charm that I felt was too bling for me (yes I will rock 50 cent machine jewelry if it suits my style).

 

This year I channeled my lacking origami skills and created another little scene:

 

 

 

Sorry for the crappy webcam shot. I made 2 origami boxes, the red on for the scene and the green one to lay the baby that I wrapped in scrap fabric. I made a origami star and stitch wrote Jesus in a golden yellow. Then using that old school cootie catching making skill I made the small red poinsettia and glutted it to some green leave shapes I cut out. The image of Marry comes from one of these fabric rose bunches we found so I cut a petal off and glued it inside.

 

I hope maybe my friends next Christmas season we can all remember Him in our celebrations and all make gifts. Or maybe if you already have a like tradition share in the comments. May all be well with you the rest of the year friends and God Bless You!

 

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

 

 

 

Sister VS Christmas Tree

Hello My Friends,
We are still trying to get melted from our nice little 7+ Inches of snow.

Snow in the Backwoods

So yeah we've been holed up in the holler keeping warm by the fire. But cold and snow is not what this post is about. Today's post is about our Christmas tree.
In our household we prefer the stately Faux Ever Green. We have nothing against real trees, it's just not a practical choice for us. A. We don't have the dough foe a new tree every year, and B. We're the type of family that puts our tree up around Thanksgiving (American) and it doesn't come down till sometime in January, yeah living tree wouldn't last.
Now when my sister still lived here, she seemed to be in an unintentional battle with the tree. I mean she had it out for it.
I think the earliest attack was actually my fault. Our tree is set up near the doorway into the kitchen. Now one night when I was angry with my sister over something. We tried passing through the door at the same time and I brushed into her hard enough to send her into the tree, knocking it over, and causing her to land on our little cousin's gift, a tricycle. Angry, understandably, Pop sent us to our room, then a few minutes later we heard him laughing his head off.
She's nicked an ornament with a dart, did result in a new tradition where we search for the ornament she hit. She ran into it with her skateboard, I think she hit it with a tape ball.
Her most horrific attack was the morning of her birthday, which fell on the day after Thanksgiving, and apparently Thanksgiving meal did not agree with her. So she was hauling butt to get to the sick. She made it to the front of the tree... And she didn't just get it on the floor. Yes my sister has created many great memories for us to laugh over for many Christmases to come.

I hope you have a great pre Christmas week, remember not to get to burned out and remember the true meaning of the season, for me it's Christ, for you whatever it be. God Bless You my Friends!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

The Snowy Post of Christmas Past

 Hello this Snowy Night,

My friends it appears we have had a nice helping of snow dumped on us, and glitter but that's a whole other matter. At last measure, earlier in the day we had 7 inches and it's still snowing. I'm enjoying it, it makes every thing feel Christmassy. Unfortunately for grocery stores it also means bread and milk is in limited supply. So since this snow has added to getting us into a Christmas mood I figure I'd talk a little Christmas in tonight's post.

Charting Christmas Past

You may recall in a past post that I had mentioned that I'd made a list of past costumes, well I did some minor Christmas mapping. You know certain years that had special memories attached or special titles given to certain years, like the Harry Potter Christmas of 2001 or last year's Time Traveling Christmas.

The above mentioned listing exercise could prove helpful in a new tradition I want to do. I mentioned I want to start doing a Halloween Charm Bracelet, well to also do a Christmas one as well. Along with the mapping of past Christmases I've made notes on the page of memories and things that are very special to me that pertain to this time of year.

One charm memory I'm going to attempt to create myself is with a button. Why a button you may ask. When I went to the Art Room during Pumpkinfest, I found myself reliving a minor yes permanently seared moment from the fragments of Christmastide memories. They had a decorative storage box that was filled with buttons. I couldn't help myself I had my hand sifting through the buttons, travel on a past Christmas road. When I was younger when my Dad and Uncle would go hunting Mom and I, maybe even my sister if she hadn't gone with the hunters, would go out Christmas shopping. I recall one time we'd stopped in a fabric shop right near where my Grandmother use to work. It was filled with fabric rolls, lace samples on the wall, and buckets or barrels of buttons. I remember sifting through them looing for pretty ones to purchase, actually the Art Room box contained I believe similar buttons. But I that little speck of memory opens the door to the feelings and other pieces of memories I have from those trips, hence why a button shall be gracing this bracelet I hope.

A Gift For Jesus
I shall be continuing my newer tradition of creating a gift for my savior Jesus. Every year for the last few years as a way to focus on what this season is about for me and to ensure my Savior gets a gift on His birthday, I make Him a gift. I've written poems, done drawings, and made various other gifts for my Lord's enjoyment. As with the old blog I'll post what I've done, or a step by step of the building. I may take a post to show some past gifts for you all.

Well friends that about does it for this snowy night rambling. I hope your weekend is good and the holiday season is good to you. God Bless You!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer