Does Absence Make the Heart Grow Fonder???

This year is only days away from closing out and sadly I have been away from you dear readers for some time. For that I do apologize but I promise, it was for a good reason.

You see, I have been working on what is my largest handmade project to date...

A BABY!!!

If you know our history you know we move at relatively a snail's pace.

Bear / Bean

11yrs old/6yrs old (when we met. I moved in right next door)

22/17 (we decided we liked each other enough to start dating)

27/22 (yep, we liked each other well enough, so we married)

38/34 (after nearly 12yrs this marriage thing is perdy cool so why not try parenting)

On October 3rd 2011 we got the little "yep I think that's a baby" positive pregnancy test!

This is a picture of "Button" at 12 weeks and already a huge Thumb Sucker!

Here I am first at 11wks at Thanksgiving. Button is the size of a Lime. Then there I am at 15wks on Christmas morning. Button has graduated to a Navel Orange!

I think this is my favorite picture so far. A last minute hey lets hold the orange here, kind of shot. I'm loving every minute so far. All tests indicate that Button is healthy and growing well. I am doing wonderfully having had no morning sickness at all. My Dr. winked and told me not to tell that to anyone ;) The only symptom I had was EXTREME exhaustion. Bear said he knew I was pregnant even before the test because as he put it "No one over the age of 5 falls asleep at 7pm" There were whole months when I didn't even finish one TV show in the evening. There were days I slept 12hrs straight plus a nap in the afternoon, but I'll take that over morning sickness any day.

I'm happy to report that I've gotten most of my energy back, no naps and I can stay awake till nearly 10pm now!!

As this belly rounds out I just get happier and happier.

On January 24th we hopefully find out if Button is a boy or a girl! Feel free to weigh in in the comments section below wether you think Button's a He or a She. The votes have already started rolling in.

Button is tentatively due to be unwrapped June 15th 2012

(we all know how due dates are)

Rounding out July...

There are times when life is so good you snap photo after photo and share every event and then there are times when life is so good you forget the camera and you just live it. The latter has been true for me lately. I have been enjoying life and have simply not felt the need to blog. I've finally come up for air and just like that 2 months have gone by! Summer is shrinking and Fall is knocking on the door. We are slowly reaching for the door knob and soon she'll be in our parlor drinking warm spiced cider. But before that happens allow me to recall just a few highlights from July.

Completely unexpected Fireworks from two streets over that rivaled any show I've seen in many many years.

Standing on our front stoop we had to shout to hear each other. When it was finally over after nearly 20 minutes the entire neighborhood erupted in applause.

Our 8 tomato plants were beginning to burst with lovely green maters.

The best flowers are those you never planted.

Those that greet you one day and bring a smile to your face.

Almost too brilliant to capture in photo form.

Lots of sewing took place! Cup Cozy anyone?

Sunflowers that I planted were finally taller than me and beginning to bloom.

A new adventure on every petal.

There's nothing that will bring a smile and feeling of warmth and well being quicker than a Sunflower in your own back yard.

Not all Sunflowers are yellow you know.

They brought me such joy that I turned them into a card and envelope!

Creativity in general overflowed in the month of July. A rare peak at exactly what that looks like here at the Artistic Bean Studio. Everything you need to make a happy, happy girl!

New Etsy Shop and New Art Blog!!!

Hello dear readers! For about the last year I have been working on a project that has been bringing me great joy. This project has included everything from old hat talents like sewing to new ventures such as teaching myself graphic design software. It continues to be challenging as well as very rewarding and my hope is that you'll come with me on this journey and have as much fun as I am.

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What could this project be?

What is Artistic Bean?

Artistic Bean is my official Creative/Artsy side, my Brand so to speak.

This adventure is starting with my fantastically fun Cup Cozies but it won't stop there. Who knows where it will lead. Check out the links below to see what all the buzz is about.

I'm really excited to announce the opening of my very own

Artistic Bean Etsy Shop!

And with this new adventure comes a brand new

Artistic Bean Blog!

(Don't worry, Rachel In Full Color isn't going anywhere I promise)

Artistic Bean on Facebook!

Great things are happening in the studio every day! You don't want to miss out, trust me.

The Mystery Painting Revealed...

For months now I've been talking about painting. How I've been spending lots of time in the studio, how my mother was bringing my new paints to play with etc. The creativity has been flying around here and it feels FANTASTIC but you may have noticed I wasn't talking about what I was actually painting. It's been a mystery, till now. It had to remain a secret because it was a gift for a dear friend and I had to wait till it was safely delivered.

My I present to you

The Soul Shenanigans Wine Label

Photographed before it was shipped 3,000 miles to Ireland where it will live out it's days.

Safe, sound and framed!

A brief history of this painting...

My great friend and very talented DJ, David who lives in Ireland has a weekly radio show called Soul Shenanigans every Thursday 3-5pm EST on Radio23.org LIVE from Kiltimagh, County Mayo Ireland. He'll get you to shake your tail feather! When trying to come up with an idea for a birthday gift the thought of combining his love of fine wine and his wonderful show sounded like the perfect marriage and the idea of the Soul Shenanigans Wine Label was born. It took me months to get it right as this is the first ever acrylic portrait I've ever done, so unfortunately it was a "belated" birthday gift. I hope he feels it was worth the wait.

What's the next painting I'm working on? Well that will have to remain a mystery ;) so stay tuned!

A Visit From Mom and Inspiration Runneth Over...

I've been so busy these last few weeks that I barely have time to tell you about MommaBean's visit last month before she arrives today for another visit. Sheesh, time sure does fly.

Last month MommaBean got to come and visit us for a WHOLE WEEK! A full week with nothing to do but sit, relax and just be with each other. No rushing around, no big sightseeing trips etc. just relaxing and creating.

Bear and Momma Bean!

I mean look at those smiling faces. Who wouldn't love them to bits?

When MommaBean comes you know what that means don't you? It means 2 things...

Eating great food...

and Art!! Lots of ART!

This is what my studio looks like when you put two painters together and someone calls out

"Ready, Set, PAINT"

My mother can inspire anyone to do anything just by being her. She is a Muse.

She inspired me to paint something I had been thinking about for some time but I wasn't sure how to go about it.

You may remember this photo from my Ireland trip a couple years ago.

Click here to see my post about Poulnabrone. (scroll down to the end of that post)

Below is the photo that I wanted to use but I wanted to paint it to show how I felt at the time, not just paint what it actually looked like. Does that make sense?

With my mother behind me all the way encouraging me and giving me a suggestion when ever I got stuck, this is it. I LOVE it!

I am so in love with this painting. I can't tell you how good it felt to finish this and have it turn out just how I wanted it to. My mother is a Muse among Muses!

Here she is actual size.

I can't wait to see what kinds of fun fantastic creative things we get up to this time.

All I know is, it's gonna be a blast!

A is for Amaryllis...

I've never had a green thumb. I don't know what it is, it just doesn't come natural to me. I'm better off with an animal, a creature that can more easily communicate to me it's needs and wants. I speak dog, not plant.

Upon moving in here last November our friend Leah gave us an Amaryllis bulb as a "welcome back to the neighborhood" gift. I knew it would be beautiful, if I could manage to not only keep it alive but help it thrive. I did some research and found a great Amaryllis Site that showed me step by step what I needed to do. It was a great site because, well see the result for yourself...

I had patiently watched and waited as it grew. Some days it grew so fast I thought for sure I could actually watch it. I mean that stalk actually grew 6" one day! Incredible. When the day finally came when she started to bloom I could barely contain my joy. She was way more beautiful than any flower I have ever known.

Nature simply takes my breath away.

Sadly I knew her beauty wouldn't last forever so I moved her into my studio to capture her beauty on canvas. My mother-in-law's birthday was just around the corner and I knew she would love to have her likeness to put on her little collectibles shelf.

Beautiful large or small.

When it's just too beautiful not to share, paint it!

Mmmm, Muffins...

Muffin Monday!

I recently had a huge Muffin Fail. I have often thought that it might be nice to have a savory muffin so when I found a recipe for Olive, Goat Cheese and Rosemary Muffins I couldn't wait to make them. The Bear and I love all those flavors so how could things possibly go wrong right?

Well trust me, the can go terribly wrong. After assembling all the ingredients with care I eagerly awaited for the timer to go off. The smell was mouth watering. I patiently waited for them to cool enough so that I could shove one in my mouth! The moment finally came and the muffin was promptly shoved.

BLAH!

IT TASTED LIKE WALL PAPER PASTE!

How was that possible? I did everything right. I wonder some times if these magazines even test the recipes before they publish them.

Hanging my head in disappointment there was nothing to do but walk away with my unsatisfied muffin shaped hole.

___________________________________________

Cranberries to the Rescue!

The next morning I was desperate to fill that muffin shaped hole in my belly so I searched the pantry to see what kind of muffins I could whip up.

SUCCESS!

As a matter of fact, such a success that Fabulous Foodie Friend Jennifer requested the recipe!

Cranberry Pecan Muffins

(my personal version of this recipe)

(makes 1 Dozen)

1/2 Cup Butter, softened

1 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup 2% Plain Greek Yogurt

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Fresh Grated Nutmeg (ground in the jar is just not the same)

1/4 tsp Salt

1 heaping Cup Frozen Cranberries, slightly thawed and course chopped

1/2 Cup Pecans, chopped

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees

• In a mixing bowl, cream Butter and Sugar.
• Add Eggs one at a time, beating well.
• Add Vanilla
• Fold in Yogurt
• In a separate bowl combine Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Nutmeg and Salt.
• Stir in Flour mixture to creamed mixture until moist.
• Fold in Cranberries and Pecans.
• Pour mixture into a greased muffin pan.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 mins or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool 5 mins before removing from a pan and cool on a wire rack.

These muffins didn't last long around here that's for sure. They would be great to send with your loved ones to enjoy during their morning commute.

What's your favorite muffin flavor?

Let's Play A Game...

Can you find the Blanket Bug?

Look closely or you'll miss it ;-)

Aw, there it is!

We play this game all day every day because you can't take a step or sit on a couch without first knowing if a Blanket Bug is hiding there already.

Do you have any Blanket Bugs in your house?

Socks...

Self Portrait Friday

The concept that a "Self Portrait" doesn't have to be a picture of your face is one that fascinates me. What makes me, me? If I had to take a picture that represented a part of "me" what might that be?

Socks!

Let's start with socks. I love socks. Fun Socks, toe socks, striped socks, knee socks, etc.

I am so known for socks that I was given the nickname Socks by my best friends.

Socks can take an ordinary outfit and make it an extraordinary statement! I'm not one to walk about life anonymous or understated and socks are one way to make a personal statement.

If I were a museum, this would be just one of many many exhibits.

What kind of Non Self Portrait Portrait would you be?

Green Eggs...

I dedicate this post to my lovies that are dancin their arses off today in Ireland!

In the words of my favorite Irishman...

"It's like Christmas Morning...but without the presents and turkey dinner"

So my dears I dedicate this all Green Post to you!

What's a girl to do when she finds herself home alone with some hard boiled eggs, food coloring and sunshine?

That's right! Let's make Green Eggs!

Oh you can't just make one kind of Green. We shall have three.

Soaking, soaking. Tick Tock Tick Tock.

What is your favorite thing to do on this glorious Patty's Day?

Missing my lovies somethin awful. Big Irish hugs go out across the pond.

Sunshine Out and In...

Walkie Wednesday

"I am emerging from my cocoon and everything seems shiny and new." Me

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." Marcel Proust

During the last couple months it seems like one thing after another conspired to keep me under the weather and yearning for my energy to return. Everything form a mystery rash to the Flu followed by a loverly cold kept the sunshine from my brain. Well I'm happy to report that I'm back baby! And there's no stopping me.

Have you ever noticed that one day you'll wake up and the world seems different? The angle of the sun has changed, the light casts a warm glow despite the still cool temperatures and you feel like stretching and opening a window even if for only a moment.

Do one better, slip on that hoodie, grab your camera and step out the door. The early morning light plays magic on the frosty world.

Even the path you might walk every day changes with each passing minute. As the light moves and morphs the landscape winter becomes just another favorite sweater folded one last time and put away till next year.

If I never stepped out my door I would never have met this wise wonderful woman. Yes, she's a woman, just look at those beautiful curves. Oh the seasons she has seem come and go.

Just one walk around your own familiar neighborhood can change your whole day. Step outside, take a deep breath and feel the sunshine filter into your brain. I promise, you won't regret it.

THE Chair...

IT'S HERE, IT'S REALLY HERE!

Have you ever loved a piece of furniture so much that it hurt?

A couple years ago my hubby saw a chair at his sister's place and fell in love. She didn't think I'd like it. Well guess what?

I LOVED IT.

A promise was made that when we finally moved into a place big enough to have it, it would find it's way to us.

It would take 2years for that dream to come true...

Present Day...

My wonderful Sister-in-law came to visit us and with her came...

the most fabulous chair known to planet Earth.

Simply meant to be.

Wiener the Wonder Dog has already called dibs when ever there is a delightful sunbeam to be had. Just no arguing with that adorable baby.

The lines are gorgeous. Every inch of this chair screams my name.

So if you call and I don't answer it's probably because, well I'm in "the chair". You understand.