Tracy Weinzapfel Studios

What fills your glass?.....

Today I pose the question..."What Fills up your Glass?"  I posted a photo on Facebook (cranberry Sprite and Vodka) which sparked much converation.  No matter what you choose to put in your glass (literally and figurtively) what fills you up?  As women, moms, caretakers sometimes it is so easy to lose sight of those things that fill your tank.  I received a great deck of cards from my friend Mary Kay McDonnell that are so cute "52 Ways to Pamper Yourself".  

For me the things that bring a smile to my face are so simple...a cute pair of boots to indulge me, sand between my toes at the beach, belly laughs with my girlfriends, dark chocolate covered coconut (darn you Costco!), a hot cup of tea, a nice cold beer at the end of the day, a pretty cosmo with a spiral lemon peel, watching my kids at their various sports/activities, a nice hot bath, flowers, candles burning, and painting.  

So this morning I woke up and did just that.......painted in my LET IT GO JOURNAL.  Something fast to fill my creative soul and just release.  I put the holiday projects aside, the Etsy orders to ship and here it is.... 

 

A few of my favorite things this morning as I create away with my tea....

 

Back to cleaning my Studio, finishing projects, working, mail, kids, and preparing for my parents.  It felt good to good to carve that creative space.  So remember to fill up your glass.  You will have so much more to give to those around you.

 

 

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We all have a story...

Tuesday I had an work appointment downtown to a place I have not been in 6 years.  I was early so I decided to take in the streets of downtown San Diego in the perfect weather.  I stopped for lunch and spoiled myself with a mimosa, took in the people waking by including the homeless woman talking to herself. I walked blocks in my heels. I smiled.....I enjoyed this most amazing city I live in and that is safe enough for me to walk in. I ate a turkey apple sandwich that left me wanting more. I ate a potato pancake that reminded me of mom's. 

 

I could not help overhear the woman next to me talking to her mother about her impending divorce. I wanted to jump in and tell her she would be ok but I don't know her story. You will walk a long walk, do the work, be stronger, smile through the tears. I know a lot of people including me that know that journey....it is not easy. What would I even tell her...in time you will smile and be in a different place. Her situation sounds bad...I minded my own business and let mom do her job. She asked me about the mimosa and I answered ....it's strawberry.

I watched tourists kiss and laugh. Everyone had a story, a journey, troubles, triumphs. I wondered what theirs was. For now I just walked and took it all in.  I am a different person now but the same in so many ways...true to me, my kids.  As I walked I had a different gait. I am stronger, smiling and taking it in. We are sometimes so hard on ourselves, our choices, the path, what we don't or do have going on.  This day taking a moment to appreciate my story, my spirit...

 

I finished my work and was again early for dinner.............hello Blick, my happy place!

Then off to dinner with some amazing friends, truly talented photographers and artists!  We laughed and talked and got up-to-date on all in our lives as moms, women, photographers, artists.......

in the City I love........recognizing my spirit!  What is your story?  How are you telling it and what are your triumphs?  This is only Chapter 1 of my story....stay tuned!

"We all have a story to tell whether we publish it or keep it for just ourselves or family; allow yourself to be heard."

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An Art Inspired Weekend!

I took a little time off for this weekend for some "me" time in between work and stuff around the house and it was nice.  I filled it with some things that I find relaxing.  One thing I love to do when I am kiddo-free is to venture into parts of San Diego and just see my city!

Saturday was a much needed trip to the sand.  There is nothing like sand between my toes and La Jolla is amazing....

 

 

The sun gave an amazing show!

my feet alone hitting the sand felt great....

 

Sunday I took in the Carlsbad Arts Festival...which was great!

I found some new artists I had never seen like Gregg Visintainer from Viz Art Ink.  His pen/ink work was amazing.  Within each of the doodles were words/drawings so you could look at his art for hours and discover new things:

Also got to see David Lozeau in action working live on a painting...love his work and his frames along are works of art!

On my way home I spotted a vintage bookstore and stopped in and picked up this HUGE dictionary for $7!

This should take care of my book text needs for a while and just about everyone else's I know!  Was quite happy with the find and the relaxing weekend.  I love San Diego......so much to see and do especially in the summer!

I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and took some time to do what they love!  It makes starting the week so much easier!

REMINDER:  We are on LIVE tonight at 6:00 pm on twStudios Ustream Channel:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tracy-weinzapfel  I would not miss it for the world...I feel inspired and love our time on Mondays!  I need to share your many bird projects you guys shared with me from last week's show!

"You have three choices in life: Give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got.".......I choose to give it all I got ♥

Great Friends....Great Friday!

When your week comes to an end and you can end it with good friends, good food and wine it is a great time!  I was able to do just that yesterday with these lovely ladies....

Cheers and Happy Birthday Lori!

I truly am blessed having you all in my life..........great memories Slide Show HERE (may take a minute to load):

 

I thank you all for a great time and a great way to end the week and start the weekend.  For those who could not make it we missed you and will do it again soon ♥.

“Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly.”

Friends, Wine, and Sunset......Perfection

Wow, two sunsets in one week!  Lucky me!  This weekend friends asked me to go to a local winery...Cordiano Winery for some wine tasting.  I had never been there and it was beautiful!  We had yummy wine and wood fired pizza....... 
saw a beautiful sunset!.....

  
She may kill me but my friend is beautiful (inside and out!) and such a great mom......

and despite the fact her hubby is a Bears fan I like him too......afterall I am his second Tracy...

 
who does not want to just squeeze these little cheeks on Maggie-pie....

 
and fair is fair..........the camera got turned on me :)

hey, wait.....I was not looking and you got my turkey neck...gobble, gobble!

 
I guess that smile (and the 42 chins around it) says it all........Another local place I was introduced to and will be going back for sure!

 

"People love and appreciate others, not just for who they are, but for how they make us feel." ~Irwin Freedman

9 Years Ago...Nov 20th

....I met two of the most beautiful people that I am proud to call my rug rats.  They popped into our world and changed things as I knew it. Not only did we have one blessing but two for the money.  I will always remember the day of my ultrasound when the lady said "There are pearls in this oyster" and that is exactly what they are to me, precious gems. 

 Twin B (Micky) and Twin A (Joey)

These gems made me stop, change my priorities, change my career, and filled the last 9 years with so much more than I could have ever imagined. 

Today they are in third grade and happily carrying their 48 cupcakes that their mother painstakingly baked all night (some things will never change!) to their friends to share their birthday.

They are still the two pearls who make me happy every single day!  Happy Birthday Joey & Micky!  I love you both and am ever so thankful you two came into my life.

Have a great weekend all!  I know we will because Micky is looking forward to her first manicure/pedicure and Joey is going to see Harry Potter!

 

Twice as much to love, two blessings from above.  ~Author Unknown

Thankful for A Piece of Italy

One of my new favorite treasures in San Diego is Little Italy. 

 
I discovered it by accident a couple of months ago HERE when venturing down to an art store (Blick Art Supplies) and it has three things I love......

1. A great art store
2. great food
3. a bakery to die for

It is a beautiful part of San Diego that I wanted to show Mark so we headed down there last week.

Lunch was delicious and so was desert......

  

So yummy!  It was a nice relaxing afternoon that we both took off work to enjoy. Thanks Mark for a great afternoon in one of San Diego's treasures!  So glad we could share three of my favorite things.

 

"You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

A Penny for Your Thoughts Today

Thank you everyone for the positive mojo and prayers for The Furball.  Man-alive my life was easier when I was "not a dog person" and was not in touch with my feelings.  Just so you know I still think these things call feelings are way over-rated!.  Well..............

I took Penny to her new veterinarian today and let me tell you what a 150% difference that was from the second I walked through the door.  Each and every person who we had contact with was nice and compassionate to the pooch (and I!).  I think I needed it more.  And Dr. Woods was the most informative and compassionate doctor ever.  To the folks at Adobe Animal Hospital...THANK YOU!  And to my friend Julie M. who called them before I even got there to make sure the red carpet was out...thank you (you could have warned them just how crazy I am).  That was above and beyond nice of you to do. 

So the diagnosis has not changed but the foreboding and unaffordable options that were presented yesterday have changed.  She does have a Inguinal Hernia and Dr. Woods recommended surgery ASAP to avoid all the horrible things that are associated with this.  He gave me a full print out of costs (ouch but not as ouch as yesterday) and recommended they do the surgery TODAY!  I had to lament briefly but knew my only option was to do it despite the empty wallet.  I had done my homework on pet insurance and the vet verified that they would deem in pre-existing and genetic and not cover it.  Plus I thought of what could happen and suffering is not an option.

So...more positive mojo is requested for her today (and me!) as she undergoes surgery.....as well as the kiddos when I tell them tonight.  There is no guarantee it can be repaired AND...there is great risk since she is only 4 lbs.  But the outcome outweighs the risk.

As for mommy, Well I asked where my prescription was and basically will have to self-medicate with a glass of wine tonight as she spends the night in the animal hospital.  And I am going to reach out to some organizations my friends recommended for assistance to bring our Penny home.  I guess this will be my "Penny for a Penny" plea.

So again, the lessons are clear. 

• Don't sweat the small stuff 
• Be thankful for wonderful friends.  I so appreciate all the emails & comments!
• Reaching out and being vulnerable is not a bad thing.
• Sometimes wine is the answer.
• Be thankful Mark does not mind 3:00 am wake-up calls to calm me.
• My black boots do look great with my Puppy Purse.
• and.............I am still "not a dog person".

So the only camera I had on hand was my iphone but I leave you with this....A Penny for Your Thoughts
 

Have a great day and THANK YOU!  I so appreciate the kind words.  My friends and family are the best!

 

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why.  ~Author Unknown

Sometimes you just have to eat on it....

There are a few things that just make me feel balanced..(please omit any x-rated ideas here)...They are:

1. being creative (includes shopping for art supplies, using them, or being with fellow creative/crafty folks sharing what I love).
2. food.........good food and the perfect beverage to accompany it
3. music
4. a great nap
5. a certain Aussie's accent

Tuesday I needed to just get away for a bit and clear the 'ole noggin, take a break from work and some medical schtuff (and was a rare occasion the Mommy mobile was not for hire).  I decided to venture down to the Blick Art Materials store here in San Diego.  I have only been to the ones in Chicago so this was my maiden voyage in San Diego.  I dropped what I was doing and followed that yellow brick road (a.k.a. the Google map)

Lo and behold was I surprised and happy to find it was smack dab in the middle of Little Italy in San Diego.  I have never been there but where there are Italians there is good food.

But first the art supplies...........

For some it is shoe shopping, make-up, big shopping malls, Target, Home Depot but mine is paint brushes, pens & paints.

Right after I figured I had to eat (doesn't everyone) and hit this little bustling Italian Restaurant.  I swear the stars were aligned.  I ordered the first item on the menu that included mushrooms and it happened to be Risotto.  It has been my life's mission all summer to try risotto because I see it all these cooking shows.

Have you ever had a meal that just melted in your mouth, all the flavors danced and you literally have a food 'happy moment' (insert x-rated word if you see fit).  I swear the Maltese in me danced right out of my skin when I ate this meal!

Now that was what I call lunch!  And don't think I did not get something from the bakery!  It was just what the doctor ordered to rekindle the soul and enjoy the sights and sounds of our city.  I swear that greater power knew to put that art store right in the middle of Little Italy just for me. 

The artist's world is limitless.  It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away.  It is always on his doorstep.  ~Paul Strand