Happy New Year Anneliese. No resolutions here, I resolved a long time ago to no make any resolutions ever, just small corrections as needed, when needed.

Congratulations, Donnakay!! I resolve to stop waiting for stuff to arrive and to actually have a kitchen. I plan (but not so strong as resolve) to have bi-weekly dinners for family and friends ostensibly for conviviality and to nurture relationships, but also to experiment on them as I learn to do all kinds of things with my gonzo new appliances that were just not possible with the half dead old kitchen. Cat_Mom, I had the whole recipe problem until one day I decided I'd just had it with the multiple pages of notepad paper with family recipes, and the clipped outs, and dumped them all on my desk. Turned on the TV to interesting but not very visual entertainment, and didn't get my desk back until I'd typed my way through the lot. My recipes directory as all kinds of sub-directories like a cookbook but with my own kind of categories. It makes it SO easy. I do print out ones that need specific following, and keep the print-outs in a basket in the kitchen, where they're handy to give away to those who ask, or to reuse. But when I'm planning, making shopping lists, etc., or when one gets just too grotty, I can print out a new one. I highly recommend this!! In fact, I also resolve to type up recipes that I like that are in books, because I can't always find the right one. And since I use them as a starting point usually, remembering the outcome doesn't always help (as in the bread pudding recipe didn't call for poppy seeds...so which one was it now?)

Hi all! I'm new to the forums but I have an idea why this one doesn't get much response. It's not listed in any of the categories, it's only listed sort of alphabetically in the s's as The Single Life, it took me several visits to find it and I still have trouble remembering where it is on the list to click so I can lurk! Maybe someone should suggest to Spike? that it be made more visible, I know that there are a lot of singles on the forums. Just thought I'd pop in and say something and maybe someone else has had the same experience. My New Year's Resolution is to be proud of being single and not be so quiet. Happy New Year! Charlotte

Luvs, I have never heard of Marlene Stevens. Wonder if she has a website. Did I tell you I took classes from Priscilla? She has a studio in Destin, Florida not to far here. This was in 1986 and I spent a week doing tole strokes, etc. I even have a certificate. But tole painting is too restrictive for me. I can't stay within the boundaries and I, too, am not a "technique" person. I have learned a lot from so many teachers and with that I have came up with MY technique which is a combo of everything. I think that is why I have such a hard time teaching a rose. My roses never seem to be painted the same because I am not hung up on the technique, some have more petals, some are more open, etc. I actually tried to do the primitive and cutesy type of painting but it didn't work for me. I like the cutesy for holiday especially Christmas but it is not my style in my home. I love Tuscan and shabby chic but not too shabby. And I absolutely love tea party type things - very soft and pretty. I am a tea lover and have collected tea cups for years. I have a collection of old battenburg lace, crochet tablecloths, and damask table linens. I would love to have a few of my painting friends over for a Painting Tea Party so I can dress up the tables, similar to what Judithva does. I will probably use some of her designs for inspiration. At one time I had planned to open a gift shop with a tea room but since I have had a shop before and worked full time at the same time, I remember the hard work and not sure I want to do that again. Remember I told you I feel I could do anything and I want it all, my idea was to have a painting studio to teach, a Tea Room to serve lunch only, and a gift shop where handcrafted and handpainted items could be sold along with the regular gift shop items. In my mind I have it all planned out but I live in a small town and I am not convinced the business would be there. The more I learn about you, the more I like. Anj - the big 40, huh? That still sounds young to me. I was actually 40 for about ten years. I never hesitate to tell someone my age - I just said I was close to 40 - and when they raised their eyebrows, I continued with, just not as close as I use to be. Now, I say the same thing about the 50's. It's funny how my mind and spirit thinks I am still in my 30's but my body keeps trying to tell me different. I use to be able to paint until 0200 (am) then get up at 0700 to go to work. Then I would think about painting all day long and draw in my notebook. In the evenings I would work the shop for the night classes. Finally, I got smart and realized the 2 partners I had were not bringing in the amount of revenue as my classes did so I told them I was quitting. They decided not to go on with the shop and we closed down. I reopened a gift shop with all handcrafted and handpainted items. It was great but the state came through and widened the road which took the little blue house I was in so I decided to close after three years. And I was just pooped!! My, my, am I talkative today or what. Better sign off for now.