Little darlin', it's been a long cold lonely winter......

......It feels like years since its been clear... hahaha ! remember George Harrison ? bless him. 
 Hi dear friends, sorry I have been out of touch for a while. Busy developing new ideas and getting ready for the opening of the house ( Claydon). Its been challenging but I'm still here surviving if not actually thriving! And its looking really good. Chosen as one of five artists to represent Buckingham in the twinned town of Mouveax France ( never heard of it? nor me ) But they have an art exhibition every year apparently including artists from Buckingham and this year I get to send my work. Its happening next weekend 5th -13th April. 

 Even more exciting for me however, is the fact that I'm going to be exhibiting in House for an Art lover in Glasgow, a building designed by Charles Rennie Macintosh, whom I have long admired. 
Below is an image of the new larger spiral face that  I played around with in photoshop, I love the colors and it also shows how good they will look in bronze ( wink) 

'Orion' one of the new pieces

This image above also demonstrates how much they have scaled up in size. The challenge here is to make them without any signs of the necessary join, as the length of clay strip needed is impossible to manipulate around the tube unless joined somewhere.also this is the perfect venue for Naomi, (left) who has now become a one off as the mold has been lost by the former company who cast her for me. 

So, I have been studying hard, learning and loving every moment , my life enhanced with new friends and experiences. I feel very fortunate to be doing what I love in this amazing place. 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Claydon/

I have found some incredible videos on youtube lately for those who love the poetry of Rumi, check this one out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZeijSN6Z4w&list=FLgpaew-QMEYJBmWeiSDn4Lw&index=40&feature=

Art by Kadir Kara

time for some humor?

Chili Cook-Off

If you can read this whole story without laughing, then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end.  This is an actual account as relayed to paramedics at a chili cook-off in Texas

  

Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas , you know how true this is.  They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio City Park .

Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield , IL .

Frank: 'Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge 3.'

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato.  Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway.  Took me two beers to put the flames out.  I hope that's the worst one.  These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN 'S AFTERBURNER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children.  I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

 Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.

Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite.  Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC

Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice.  Disappointing.

Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT .. just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 -  LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

 Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili.  Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge # 2 -- The best yet Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames.  I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it  will eat through the chair.  No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally.  Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

 Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment.  **I should make note that I am worried about Judge # 3.  He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing.  I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me.  I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful.  Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway.  If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI

 Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili.  Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself.  Not sure if he's going to make it.  Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

Judge # 3 - No Report

well I was holding my stomach in crying by this time......... have a great weekend peeps! big hugz to all. :)

keeping resolutions ( yeah right!) :)

It's both of us today , that is Ella and myself (Lucinda) so double trouble or double delight? you see where I'm going with this don't you? all the tempting treats that are left over, or as in this case come through the door as a belated  gifts to chase the very last of my resolve to eat healthily from now....What is it they say? 'when it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile'. Ella is the second person to bring me chocolate in two days! Well that resolution is out the door.Ella brought the cutest and most thoughtful gift ever! A magic tin with little  love-heart tokens inside surrounded by treats and chocolates. The tokens consist of a trip to the cinema, my choice, an amazing cup of tea, a batch of delicious brownies, and a website help session from her Dad. Truly this girl knows me so well. I am blown away! At this moment in time she is assisting me with eating the chocolates.... failure loves company :). 


Okay so it's 2012, and many of you will have heard conflicting reports about the state of the economy, ecology, etc, and what is allegedly going to happen on 21st December this year.I refuse to be led by the 'doom  gloomers ' and with this in mind decided to share this enlightening information by some of the very wise.  I hope this will allay any lingering doubts and fears.
http://www.seri-worldwide.org/id435.html


 Totally in keeping with the above,here is an artist who is living those principles mentioned . I love his music and was sorry that I missed his live performance at The Drawing Room in Chesham a few weeks ago.
In my way I am doing the best I can, to live and create from love and share this with anyone I come into contact with. I don't manage it every moment but as I said before, I am not perfect, just perfectly me!

( In contrast here is a sample of Ella's taste, I don't share it but they are very good at what they do.)

(Ella here) Lucinda has given me permission to share a little bit of my music taste. I got tickets for Christmas from my parents to go and see Coldplay, best Christmas present ever! I cannot wait to go and see them in May and thought I would share this video of their performance at Wembley with you and to make you all jealous :). 

Ella's gone home now so I'm left to finish this and I remembered that I promised to begin the amazing story of how I came to be living here?

 It all began with  waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! As I was so ugly a baby, the doctor slapped my mother! :))) Not really but as I have run out of time I will have to begin this another day. 

just one more little joke and you may go....

A married couple had been out shopping at the mall for most of the afternoon.

Suddenly, the wife realized that her husband had "disappeared". 

The somewhat irate spouse called her mate's cell phone and demanded: "Where the hell are you?"

Husband:  "Darling, you remember that Jewellery shop where you saw the diamond necklace and totally fell in love with it and I didn't have money that time and said, 'Baby, it'll be yours one day'?"

Wife, with a smile, blushing: "Yes I remember that, my love."

Husband: "Well, I'm in the Pub next to that shop."

have an amazing week all my love LU xxx

Hi everyone Ella here for change, sorry I have been revising for exams in January so I haven't had much energy left to help with the blog for the past weeks. Lucinda didn't mention in her first post today the brilliant present she got me for Christmas and I thought I would share it with you all. As I have a cat at home, we never get a real tree for our Christmas tree as she would use it as a scratching post. So we use our normal artificial, plastic tree every year, which many people have told is not the same as having a real tree. So I was delighted when I came home from visiting family for Christmas to find this waiting for me: 

My very own little Christmas tree!!! On the little tree there were little presents, bells, snowflakes, beads for tinsels, and a proper star for the top! Also hidden in the tree were little figurines, like a metal horse, a baby, and hanging from the tree, Lucinda's genius really shows here, was a little stocking which contained a lovely bracelet which I am wearing as I type. And she hid a pair of earrings on the tree, like decorations, which are beautiful. It is the cutest Christmas present I have ever been given, and I wanted to show my thanks by using the blog. Thank you Lucinda for a lovely year working for you and the best Christmas present EVER!!! 

I wish you all the best for the new Year :)

Happy New Year!

Hi friends, today is the first day of the rest of your life. Does the party have to end? Not 'til the very last breath.  Celebrate!

 Not everyone will share my taste in music but this is what I've been listening to this morning. Dance like no-one is watching ( chances are they're not anyway) :)
I spent New Years eve alone for the first time ever as far as I can remember, but you know? it was fine, I watched the fireworks on telly, danced with the crowd to the music and went to my bed feeling contented.


This is a beautiful life.

Some quotes from my teacher Prem Rawat, who continues to inspire me in every way.
 This is how I discovered the serenity .

I have been making a couple of new pieces and I'm liking the feel of them, they are not fired and I'm still deciding on the name and what colors I shall use to enhance the grass texture, but here they are and if you like them let me know.

So begins another exciting year. There are plans to maybe extend the gallery into the main courtyard and I'm looking at the logistics of this as we speak. Change is inevitable ( except from a vending machine) :)
I need another giant leap of faith to make it happen but this is how I came to be here. Next time I will begin the magical story of how I found myself living on one of the most beautiful estates in Buckinghamshire, creating my art and enjoying the wonderful surroundings.

Til then my friends have a glorious week and remember new years resolutions are there to be broken, don't beat yourself up just do your best.Be happy and spread a little sunshine. All my love Lu.