Just as I was starting to gain my energy and feel better after being sick, I got hit again!  I tested positive for the flu on Monday, so I am back to snuggling with the kitties most of the day.  I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten two viruses back to back like this and it is the pits.  I am ready to get back to my usual work and life routines, but I am thankful that it’s just a virus, it’s temporary, and I’ll be back to my old self soon.  I’m also so glad I made a big batch of Carrot White Bean Soup (recipe HERE), a dozen Chicken Patties (recipe HERE), and a container of brown rice.  We’ve been able to eat off of that and the carrot soup has been soothing on my throat.  Anyway, since I’m down and out again and not working on new

I love how one little bit of inspiration can lead me down a creative rabbit trail.  Such was the case with the “Book of Circles” tutorial offered by Rachel of The Travelling Bookbinder. Right away, I knew I wanted to make a little book with some of my antique papers.  I have a tendency of buying them and then not use them.  I sort of just want to keep them and have them, which means they aren’t really being enjoyed.  I need to frame them, use them in projects, and let go of the idea that they are too special.  Isn’t it funny that we often like to save the nice things and use the not-so-nice things?  So backwards.  Anyway, I pulled out some of my antique papers for this project. Instead of making a book of circles, I decided to make a book of trees.  I’ve been working on