As one who has been helped in many ways by many wonderful people during my lifetime, I feel very strongly about helping others.  I try to donate to charity and/or give my time to multiple causes each year.  Whether it’s buying Secret Santa gifts for homeless children, or donating food to the local food bank, I regularly take action on charitably-based opportunities.

My Favorite Way to Give

One of my favorite ways to donate time and money is through my own little art journaling project – something I first did back in 2003, and have done during three different school years thus far.  My aunt, who is an amazing elementary school teacher, would tell me about her students and the challenges they faced: poverty, abuse, gangs, drugs, and incarcerated or otherwise absent parents.  Their stories broke my heart, and I knew I had to do what I could to help.

I decided I’d teach the kids visual journaling: the combination of writing/journaling, drawing, and collage.  In addition to nurturing their creativity and language skills, I teach these classes in the hopes that I’ll give them a positive, creative outlet to help them process the crazy world we live in.  Art and writing have been essential to me as I’ve traveled through life, and I am hoping to plant these seeds in children that are facing so many challenges.

How the Class Works

Each student receives a blank journal and a packet full of art supplies that they keep at school until the end of the school year.  I teach the class – an introduction to art journaling – and provide a handout with a how-to overview and journaling prompts for future use.  When I visit the class for the first time they complete two or three journal entries, which helps to reinforce the different ways they can use their journal for fun and as a tool.

As the school year progresses, the children do additional work in their art journals and we finish with an end-of-year art journal show that I attend.  The first three end-of-year shows we’ve held were a great success, and it always fills my heart with joy to see the excitement and pride of the children as they share what they’ve created.

Others Are Lending a Hand

I donate my time and some of the supplies for this endeavor, and usually solicit donations from friends and family to fill in the gaps.  However, this year donations are going to a whole new level.  Jenny Doh from crescendoh.com has generously offered to provide supplies for the children’s art journal packets, and is also getting her readers involved.  She’s giving her readers an opportunity to get in on the giving, and has written a lovely blog post about my project here.  I’m so thankful for her shared enthusiasm about this project.  I know how big a difference it makes in the lives of these children, and I’m thrilled Jenny recognizes it too and is supporting the program.

How You Can Help

Because there is such great need, I hope you will consider making a donation too, dear readers.  Since crescendoh.com is coordinating the bulk of the donations and materials could be duplicated between our gathering efforts, please consider sending me a gift card to Michael’s or Target.  (If you’d rather send tangible art supplies, please contact me.)  Whether you send a gift card worth $5 or $50, you’ll be helping these children in a potentially life-changing way!

If you’re interested in donating, please email me through this website’s CONTACT page so I can provide my mailing address and so I’ll know to keep an eye out for your envelope or package.  I hope to receive all donations by November 21, 2010.

Please note: The art journal pages in the photo above were created by budding artist Tonya, who participated in the 2009-2010 art journaling class.  Great job, Tonya!

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Warm regards,
Melody

Glory days are gone
No longer moving forward
You were a beauty

If you haven’t subscribed to this blog already, please do so now. You’ll be eligible for upcoming giveaways and you’ll catch future blog posts – including additional installations in this series.

That said, on with the show!  Please allow me to introduce my first Remarkable Woman:

Ariella Fiore, The Quilting Mama

Ariella Fiore’s life combines the best of many worlds.  She lives in the urban San Fernando Valley, but keeps chickens.  She’s tech-savvy (and seems to be addicted to Facebook!), but also sews and puts up jam made from the fruit harvested from her fruit trees.  She’s a bit of a wild child, but is also a devoted wife and mother.

Ariella is not easily defined, and she is a spectacular example of joie de vivre.  French for “joy of living”, joie de vivre doesn’t mean that every moment and every day in Ariella’s life is perfect.  On the contrary, some of her Facebook posts mention the trials and tribulations of her everyday life.  I think Ariella embodies joie de vivre because of her gusto.  She’s not an observer – she’s an enthusiastic participant in this crazy thing we call life.

I met Ariella, then Ariella DeCastro, in my 10th grade year.  We were both students at the Alexander Hamilton Academy of Music, and she was a grade ahead of me.  We were on the same bus route, and we remained friends after she started driving herself to school soon thereafter.  I was drawn to Ariella, as many were and are, because of her kindness, sense of humor, and abundant personality.  She wasn’t a “blend in with all the others” girl – could not be shaped by the cosmic cookie cutters that molded others, restrained them.  Even then, at the ripe old age of sixteen, Ariella was unique, knew it, and – most importantly – embraced it.

Flash forward approximately 20 years, and Ariella is living the dream – her dream.  She has a loving husband, two bright and adorable children, and she’s got a garden that turns this apartment-dweller (several shades of) green with envy.  She’s active at her children’s school, involved in the Fiore family computer business (EPG Technologies), and frequently performs in local musical theater productions.

A social butterfly, Ariella has a knack for bringing people together, and her cooking and baking skills are invariably put to use whether she’s the hostess or is a guest.  On top of all that, she’s also got her own business – The Quilting Mama, which offers hand-sewn items at craft fairs and through an etsy.com store.

Ariella is a decidedly passionate person, and one of her greater passions is saving the planet.  She is the reduce-reuse-recycle queen, and is so vigilant that she doesn’t even use disposable party goods (plates, cups, etc.) when hosting get-togethers – regardless of size.  While many of us (myself included) are blithely using plastic sandwich bags and tossing them after one use, Ariella ensures that her family contributes as little to the landfills as possible.

She’s so committed to responsible living that even her Quilting Mama product line is earth-friendly.  Her reusable, sandwich-size Food Bags, Green Sleeve Coffee Cozies, and Reusable Swiffer-style Dry Cloths are just a few of the ways she’s trying to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  She also sells wonderful baby blankets, adult bibs, and other goodies.

Click here to visit The Quilting Mama Store

Oh, and don’t be afraid to contact The Quilting Mama with special requests. In the past I’ve asked for baby blankets and an adult bib with special patterns and dimensions, respectively.  Ariella was very accommodating, and the finished products were just what I hoped for.  (Please note: I’m not a paid endorser, just a fan!)

Some people you meet in life are admirable.  Some are unforgettable.  Some are fun, some are talented, and some are simply a joy to know.  Ariella Fiore is all of these things, and I’m glad to have met her on the school bus all those many years ago.

***
(The photo of Ariella Fiore was taken by Maggie West.  All other photos were taken by Melody Nunez)

Today’s self-portrait shows a ring on my right hand, as well as detail shots of the ring.  Made of sterling silver, this ring was custom-made by an artist I found on Etsy.  (I actually ordered three or four things from this vendor – Kathryn Riechert) “Exuberant imperfection” is a phrase I borrowed from Chris Baty, the founder of National Novel Writing Month.  On page 32 of his book No Plot? No Problem! Mr. Baty first introduces the idea of exuberant imperfection.  To paraphrase, in order to eventually write a great novel, you have to write an enthusiastic but crappy novel first – a very rough draft.  Mr. Baty wisely points out that we can seldom do something well the first time we do it, and rather than focusing on the result, we should first focus on the doing – the trying.  The skill, refinement and attempts at perfection can come later.

What does all this have to do with me, and exactly why do I like this phrase enough to put it on a ring?  I guess it’s kind of like a motto or a two-word self-portrait.  In my mind, this phrase means that I’m enthusiastic and actively participating.  That I’m passionate about life, and would rather leap, try something new, get in over my head, and/or potentially stumble than play it safe.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m far from perfect, and I know I’ll continue to make mistakes along the way, but I am proud that I’m excited about life, am seldom jaded, and that I continue to learn and grow.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Be sure to tune in Sunday when I introduce a new feature.  It will be the first installment in my Remarkable Women Series!

Warm regards,
Melody

I LOVE watching movies!  I enjoy them whether we watch them at home or in the theater, but I especially enjoy seeing them in the theater: the big screen, stadium seating – the works.  Thankfully, my husband is a movie buff too.  I do see some movies with other people, and some on my own, but José and I usually see movies together and I’m so glad he’s as crazy about movies as I am.

Given that I’m a total movie junkie, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.  Perhaps you’ll watch some of the ones you haven’t already seen and will enjoy them, too.  Here are some of my favorites:

The Princess Bride

When Harry Met Sally

The Sound of Music

Moulin Rouge

The Shawshank Redemption

Big Fish

Amelie

Whale Rider

Slumdog Millionaire

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Snatch (and no, it’s not x-rated!)

Lars and the Real Girl

Overboard

Life is Beautiful

Have you seen any of these movies?  Do you love them too?  Please leave a comment!  And please let me know if you watch one of these for the first time after reading this post.  I’d like to hear what you think.

Warm regards,
Melody

Are you interested in writing a novel, but just haven’t gotten around to taking action and actually doing it?  If so, National Novel Writing Month is for you!

Held in November, National Novel Writing Month – also known as NaNoWriMo – is an ever-growing event, with tens of thousands participating each year.  (There were nearly 170,00 participants in 2009!) The goal?  To write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Impossible?  Certainly not.  Inadvisable? Only if your sense of adventure is dead and buried!  I met the goal of 50,000+ words when I participated in 2007, and you can succeed, too!  I will be participating in NaNoWriMo again this November, and I hope you’ll limber up your fingers, get your creative juices going, and join me.

The NaNoWriMo website (nanowrimo.org) is bursting at the seams – full of both information and inspiration.  Look around and you’ll learn about NaNoWriMo’s roots, that there are regional writing groups and get-togethers, and you’ll also find the forums that you can participate in or just read for your information.  The FAQs page is particularly helpful.  Another resource, if your interest is piqued, is a book by NaNoWriMo founder, Chris Baty.  No Plot?  No Problem! is a fun read for those of you contemplating joining in the fun, and is available both online and at bookstores.

So please – poke around the NaNoWriMo website and see if you can squeeze a 50,000 novel into your month of November.  I’ll be in the trenches, writing away, and would love some company!  I’ll post a few of my own NaNoWriMo tips as the event draws a bit closer. Please leave a comment on this post or send me a message through my contact page if you think you might give it a go…

Warm regards,
Melody

At the risk of sounding conceited, I’m a really good baker.  I don’t do anything fancy and mostly stick to cookies and the occasional cake, but I do enjoy the process.  And though I like the baking itself, and love to eat the resulting treats, my favorite part of baking is sharing what I’ve made with those around me: family, friends, and co-workers.  Yep, I’m the gal in the office that periodically brings in homemade treats.  The one who bakes fresh cookies or a cake for family gatherings.  And I savor the enjoyment of those I’ve baked for.

My husband, José, and I often joke that my baked goods are so tasty because they’re made with a not-so-secret ingredient: love.  And though we kid, it’s true.  I believe my love – for baking, for people, and for sharing – is evident in every bite.

All that said I also have an incredibly well developed sweet tooth, so it’s no surprise I gravitated toward baking desserts!  I’ll be posting recipes fairly regularly on this blog, and though many of the recipes will be for sweets, I’ll also include something savory from time to time – so please keep an eye out for the recipes in coming months.

Today’s recipe is for Sugar-Dusted Lemon & Almond Cookies.  I love the bright tang of the lemon combined with the sugar and the almonds.  The recipe’s yield is a bit small if you like to share, as I do, so consider doubling it.

These cookies are delicious with a glass of cold milk, a cup of hot tea, or a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Warm regards,
Melody

Sugar-Dusted Lemon & Almond Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 large egg
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup finely chopped sliced almonds
Additional sugar, for coating the tops of the cookies before baking
Parchment paper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in lemon zest and lemon juice.  Add egg, beat until combined.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined.  Beat in almonds.

Pour extra sugar into a shallow bowl.  Scoop up dough approximately the size of a ping-pong ball, rolling it into a smooth ball in your hands.  Press the ball slightly flat and, allowing one side of the cookie to stick to your hand, press the top of the cookie into the shallow bowl – coating it with an even layer of sugar.

Place each cookie – sugar side up – on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for 10 – 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.  Let cool on pan for two minutes.  Remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire racks.  Enjoy!

Inspiration is often an elusive thing, and I find it interesting to track the progression from initial inspiration to a finished piece – with my own work, and with the work of others.  I thought I’d share this collage, Dissect, as an example of how one element – one material – can inspire an entire piece of art.

I created this collage early last year, when I was emerging from an artistic drought.  I knew spending time in nature would help restore my creative spirit, and headed to a nearby park that has extensive hiking trails.  Once there, armed with my camera and some plastic bags, I walked the trails to see what would catch my eye.  I gathered a few feathers and a stone or two, but the prize of the day was this odd-looking thing that looked like a cross between a pod and a loofah.  It reminded me of a heart, and I knew it would make a compelling central image for a collage.

From there I decided to take a peek inside, inside myself that is, which I like to do from time to time.  I dissected my heart, figuratively, and created this collage based on what was inside.  Once I knew what aspects I wanted to visually manifest, I dipped into my cache of art supplies.  Here are some of the materials I used, in addition to the found pod:

Base board – the base is thick cardboard, a slightly damage book cover
Background paper, crumpled
A page from a vintage ledger
Masking Tape (for the edge/border of the collage)
Metal tape
Glue dots
Buttons
Thread
Small vellum envelopes
Vintage sheet music
Other ephemera/personal bits
Vintage letter stamps
Metallic rub-ons
Silver tray (I chose this as a frame for the heart, partly because it had a kind of clinical feel – like a tray that might be found in a laboratory)

Assembly took a few hours, and voila!  Dissection complete!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick peek into my creative process. Inspiration will be the topic of some future blog posts, when I’ll share how other pieces of art or writing took seed then bloomed into their finished state.

Warm regards,
Melody

I’m a half marathoner – a walker – and have walked over 867 miles in the last three years.  It’s not spectacular in the grand scheme of things, given that there are many athletes out there doing much more, and faster.  However, it is a personal victory for me, given my lifelong struggle to find a physical activity that I love.

I’ve loved to dance since I was a child, and was actually able to fulfill some of my high school P.E. requirement with the dancing we did in my musical theater class, but straight athletics left me cold.  Sports?  Ick.  Running? Double ick!  And since I’m often on the plump side, and need to be physically active to maintain general health, it’s been a battle.

My dear husband is one of the lucky ones.  He loves to exercise, and enjoys the gym. I, on the other hand, would happily fill exercise time with other things if I could, and loathe the industrial, sweaty gym.  Am I driven away by sensory overload?  Too many strangers packed into one place?  Probably.  If I have to exercise I’d much rather be outside, which is why I’m so glad to have stumbled upon distance walking.

My interest in endurance events was first piqued in late 2004.  I’d received a flier from Team in Training, an organization that trains people for full and half marathons, triathlons and century rides, and raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I could walk a marathon in Alaska in June 2005?  Cool!  What a great way to challenge myself and help others in the process!  Though I wasn’t able to walk the marathon in Alaska in 2005, I did train for and complete the Honolulu Marathon in December of 2005.  I was hooked, and had such a great time working with Team in Training that I volunteered as a mentor the following season.  I finally got to Anchorage, Alaska for a race, and while I ended up walking the half marathon instead, it was an incredible experience nonetheless.

Having walked that first half marathon, I realized I was on to something good.  Walking a half marathon was a lot more fun than walking a full, and training took a lot less time, too.  I wasn’t as sore after the race, either.  Since that first half in 2006 I’ve gone on to walk 7 more half marathons, and have set a goal to walk at least 50 half marathons in my lifetime.  And while I’m sure I’ll walk the 26.2 miles of a full marathon again some day, the 13.1 miles of a half marathon are perfect for me now.  I’ve walked two half marathons this year, and have three more coming up before the end of the year.  Oy!

One of my favorite training tools is my Nike+ sensor, which works with my iPod.  This little gizmo shows my walking pace, elapsed time, tracks how far I’ve gone distance-wise, and logs all my walks into the Nike website so I can look back on past training. It’s how I know I’ve walked over 867 miles, and though I wish I had an exact number of all the miles I’ve walked (dating back to the beginning of my walking career in 2005, and including treadmill miles), it’s good enough.  It shows that I went from zero to 867+.  It shows that though I was a bit reluctant participate in anything athletic, I’ve finally joined the ranks – even if I’m on the fringe.  I’m an endurance athlete, and I’ve got the gear, the medals, and the worn-out shoes to prove it!

Warm regards,
Melody

Now that my blog has been up and running for nearly two weeks, I thought I’d publish a post about some odds and ends – some things that are currently happening and some things that are coming up!

Schedule – what & when…

I’ll generally be posting on Tuesday, Thursday (unless it’s a Self-Portrait Friday week), and Sunday.  There may be variations from time to time, but that’s my plan.  I’ll include a post from each major blog category each week (writing, art, and life in general), though I’m not assigning a particular category to a set day each week.

Monthly Features – the list will be growing…

For now my monthly features include recipes and haiku, and I’ll post at least one of each per month.  Other regular features will emerge soon, and will likely include travel write-ups and ethnic markets, and my Remarkable Women Series.  My first Remarkable Woman will be featured later this month, so stay tuned!

Comments & Suggestions – please share!

Please feel free to comment on this “Schedules, and Features, and Giveaways!  Oh My!” blog post if you’d like to share what you’ve enjoyed so far, or if you have suggestions on what you’d like to see more of in the coming months. Alternately, if you’re shy, you may email me privately through my contact page. As for commenting on other posts, please do!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Subscribers – you’re appreciated!

THANK YOU to everyone who has already subscribed, I really appreciate your interest and support!  Please note that the emailed versions of the posts don’t look nearly as pretty as the posts do on the www.melodynunez.com website itself, so please click the link at the end of the emailed post to link to the site.  That way you can enjoy the full effect, and are in the right place to add a comment if you’re so inclined.

Not Subscribed?  Goodness gracious!

If you’re a regular reader of this blog (but haven’t yet subscribed) I really appreciate you too, but I have to ask: what are you waiting for?!  I hope you’ll subscribe today.  It’s quick, painless, and only subscribers will be entered in the giveaways I’ll be holding.  I’ll be giving away goodies from time to time and my first giveaway will be coming up soon.

Tell you more about the giveaway?  Okay!

For my first giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a set of my handmade, signed photographic note cards (a pack of five) when I hit one hundred blog subscribers, and the drawing could be soon.  So join in the fun, and subscribe today!  You could win my pink water lily cards, which are blank inside and ready for you to add your personal sentiments.  (I’ll also have an alternate and more “manly” set ready in case a male wins and would prefer a different image.)

Thank you for being a part of my blog, everyone!  I look forward to many adventures with you in the coming years…

Warm regards,
Melody

p.s. We had some technical difficulties with yesterday’s blog post – so sorry!  Please read Welcome to Self-Portrait Friday! when you have a moment.  Thank you.