My Greatest Comforts ( besides chocolate)

Greatest Comforts (chocolate free version)

This week I am listing "My Greatest Comforts" (based on Moorea Seals #52lists project, found here) When I first sat down to write the list, chocolate in its many forms kept popping up... dark chocolate, hot chocolate, m&m's almond Hershey's kisses-- it was like Eureka! No wonder I can't lose these stupid 5 pounds. So I set out to make a chocolate free list.

The first thing that came to mind was knitting. I love knitting very complicated patterns and my cat inevitably comes into the room and trues to snag a ball away from me. I love the feel of the yarn and how the knitting patterns stimulate the left side of the brain. The knitting gives me an excuse to sit in front of the tv or keep my husband company while he listens to records. I also knit when my kids are doing homework or when I am waiting for them to come out of an activity.

Next on my comfort list is a visit to an art museum. I love doing this the most when I have someone to share it with me. My husband always jokes that my blood pressure drops after a good visit to a museum. Luckily I live a 30 minute train ride from New York City, which in my opinion is the art capital of the world. To make the trip even more satisfying, I will knit on the train or read a craft magazine -- like Vogue Knitting, Cloth, Paper Scissors or Stampington. Pure Bliss!

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Another indulgence is getting my nails done. I am very impatient about the drying time, so I always have to upgrade to the chair massage during the drying period. I don't know about the rest of the country, but in NYC we have a few low priced nail salons in every town where you can get a massage and manicure for $20. I love using whatever the latest Essie nail color polishes are displayed at the front counter. I also have an embarrassing large collection of Chanel nail polishes. Currently, I am wearing grape purple nail polish ( same purple as the journal page) with splatters of acrylic paint on top.

Although I like to think of myself as an intellectual, I do have a weakness for reality tv. I absolutely adore Project Runway because I love watching the creative process. However, I also love Dance Moms...for no other reason than it is fun to watch a fat woman run a successful dance troop. No seriously, the kids are really cute and fun to watch their routines. In the past I have gone through phases of watching other reality tv shows... too embarrassing to list here. oh heck-- you can guess. Millionaire Matchmaker, Housewives of Whatever, etc, etc

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I love shopping-- but not for clothes-- in fact I really detest shopping for clothes. I will buy one new pair of blue jeans per year and wear them everyday until holes develop between the thighs. (yes, chocolate causes that) On the other hand, take me to an art supply store and it is hard to get me out. Lately, I have been getting my daughter to come with me to keep me focused. Recently, I went nuts in the Ink Pad, a New York City store where I bought $100 worth of washi tape. I don't even use them in my art.. I use the art when I decorate packages for art bought in my etsy store!

Which brings me to my final comfort... one I have little control over.. but nothing makes me happier than getting the "Etsy transaction" email in my inbox. I just LOVE selling my artwork. Wrapping it up all pretty and sending art out into the world is my greatest comfort.

If you want to play along with me you can right click and download the blank art journal page to use yourself.
(mentioned in this article: @vogueknitting @MixedMediaCPS @Stampington @mooreaseal @etsy @TheInkPad @CHANEL @essie @DanceMoms @ProjectRunway )

What are your Greatest Comforts?