Just a reminder of how the blog week days roll!

Here is a play by play for weekly days & topics!

Monday: Motivate

In retrospect, I will be writing a article or two about getting the writers or readers inspired.

Tuesday: A Tale or two

Today is a day for storytelling. Either from you or one of my close acquaintances

Wednesday: Wisdom of the World

Wednesday is the day for writing wisdom & marketing enlightenment.

Thursday: Free Day

Give ME a Break. :) 

Friday: For Everybody

Promote your dope! I feature a music video of an artist I admire, a poem or a short story from fellow colleagues.  

Saturday: Sneak Peeks

Sneak Peeks of my new upcoming novels. The cover reveal or insert I allow to flow through my writer's hands. 

Sunday: Let's Have Fun Today! 

A recipe or crafts I love to share! 

I <3 pinterest!

 Follow http://www.pinterest.com/crazii09bjarns/

If you would like to post with me on the days I post new things about other creative artists in the world. 

Thank you to all who view and enjoy the articles I post, I am very excited to contribute to your livelihoods!

Email me and we will have loads of fun collaborating! :) Hooray!

Motivation for the last day of the Month

How do I describe the last month, hectic,  enjoyable, pleasant, chaotic, lovely! :) There are times when mixed emotions are never a bad thing. Here we are completing the first rotation of my monthly, weekly, daily schedule for being an avid writer/blogger/posting extraordinaire. What I would like to say is never give in to the stereotypes people classify you as. Never look the other way when one is being wounded. Always stand up to those parts of you that are so passionately driven to take you down. Believe you are only capable of delivering that story in your hands, enjoy that no other could create the same exact replica because they are not you, they have not experienced your life in a personal manner. To the days that never seem to end and the words that will always be speaking to you, have a cup of tea and take a break. You made it through this month. Cheers! Onward to the next :) Let Literature Heal You. -S.M. Bjarnson

Mounds Layer Cake Recipe

I really love cakes with poured ganache on top — if you’re not so great at cakes but want something that looks nice, this is really the best way.  It covers up any imperfections in your frosting and the pretty drips distract the eye.  Plus, a little extra chocolate is never a bad thing.

Print

Mounds Layer Cake

Ingredients

Cake:
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup Dutch Process Cocoa Powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup boiling water
Filling:
• 14 oz bag sweetened, shredded coconut
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Frosting:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, slightly softened
• 1/3 cup cream of coconut (I buy this in a squeeze bottle with the drink mixers)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups powdered sugar
Ganache:
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup (you can use honey if you are opposed to corn syrup)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three (9) inch round pans. If you only have two pans, just fill one pan a little more than the other. You will split the taller cake in half.
2. Bake your cake: In the bowl of your mixer, combine sugar, cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, oil, and buttermilk and beat on medium speed for two minutes. Scrape sides of bowl and stir in boiling water. Divide batter into cake pans (batter will be thin) and bake for 30 minutes or until tops spring back until lightly touched. Allow cakes to cool in pans for about 5 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.
3. Prepare filling: In a large bowl, combine coconut and sweetened condensed milk. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Prepare ganache: In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave for about 2 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds to stir until smooth. Stir in corn syrup and refrigerate until slightly cooled and thickened.
5. Prepare frosting: In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, cream of coconut, and heavy cream on medium speed until smooth. With the mixer set on low, slowly add powdered sugar. Once the powdered sugar is just barely mixed in, increase speed to high and beat for one minute until fluffy.
6. Assemble cake: Spread coconut filling between 3 layers (if you only made 2 cakes, split one in half). Frost with coconut frosting, and spoon ganache on top to the very edges of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Garnish with a scoop of coconut filling if desired.

Notes

Keep uneaten cake stored in refrigerator.

This is seriously one amazing cake.

http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2013/04/mounds-layer-cake/#_a5y_p=1326008

Circus in Me: Sneak Peek 4

She was taken back beneath excitement to something of gleam or gallant. They gravitated toward her, wanting to accept her, partake of her journey. She shivered in her conforming seat, contemplating these lifestyles almost in a judging manner but not quite.

Her hand was never raised in disapproving motions. She merely volunteered to be a rescue. As you would a lost dog, a homeless cat or any other pathetic animal you couldn’t help find but adorable.

They like her, they pulled at her. Bringing her into an embrace she had never experienced. Doc, the ringmaster placed a comforting hand on her shoulder welcoming her into his family of misunderstood individuals. He lead her down the line of performers. First the Bearded Lady, Mona, then Doc the manager and caretaker of the animals, Katarina, the tattooed beauty. The triplet acrobats near her age eyeing her shape and figure. She walked amongst these odd individuals; her fear unbearable now. She came to the conclusion she must shout out for some sort of help, but what kind of assistance was she asking for? A departure? A rescue from these odd fools, who she seemed to belong too, or maybe just maybe a helping hand. The mystic, Arunia, smiled at her as she lent an open hand, her voice was simple, but pretty. She hushed Trae Lai’s fears; she was home.

S.M. Bjarnson 

Street Electric Violinist Bryson Andres: Secrets

Talk about talent! This guy is at the top of the food chain when it comes to electric violinist!

LORDE - Team (Audio)

How Your Friends Affect Your Creative Work, by David Burkus

Today is Wisdom Wednesday! Hooray today I am sharing with you an article about support groups, critisim teams and the inklings. Click to see the entire article by David Burkus.

http://99u.com/articles/21521/in-praise-of-the-creative-support-group

How Your Friends Affect Your Creative Work by David Burkus

For the modern creative, it has never been easier to show your work to audiences around the world. Connective technology has made it possible to collaborate on and display your projects across time zones and borders. But all of this connectivity comes at a cost: anonymity. 

Criticism should strengthen the work and its creator.

 Consider the famous (or infamous) writing group the “Inklings.” This was a group of British writers that included J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and many other prominent authors and poets of the time.

The purpose wasn’t to proudly show off finished works, almost everything read was a work in progress. In fact, legend has it that C.S. Lewis actually had to argue with Tolkien that the manuscript he’d been reading at meetings, working title The Lord of the Rings, was in fact strong enough for publication. But the primary purpose of the meeting was to just connect with similar souls and draw strength from each other.

 We’ll need their criticism first and we’ll need their support long afterward.

—

S.M. Bjarnson's thoughts:
 I can truly if not wholeheartedly agree. I wish there were a modern version of the inklings, if there is and somehow I have forgotten to sign up, please contact me for the criticism. As being a writer we need the outside interpretation of where our manuscripts are heading. If they are good and what needs a good fixing. We develop and always should understand that our helpful peers are trying to assist us on our situations as we do on theirs. We appreciate the time it takes them to indulge themselves into our writings and artwork. Our response their efforts to understand should be highly respectful. No not every living and breathing human being with applaud every single word written. You aren't here to please people, you are here to heal them, entertain them, enlighten them. Prove that you are better than what skepticism says. We are not just word makers. We are the creators of the new world.

Feeder of the Fish, S.M. Bjarnson

Feeder of the Fish

With those who seek guidance and inspiration look unto your Heavenly Father and Savior as a feeder unto his fish.

As we delegate our lives according to what fits us most and what we desire above all, we make certain judgments and make unique decisions to fit our beliefs.

Let me now relate this to a feeder of a fish.

The feeder tends to the fish helping them and guiding them through their troubled waters.

But, the feeder may not always be around exactly when the fish is prepared to dine and be nurtured.

Like us, we reach and await the spiritual food that the Lord has sent down to us.

We await the guidance and motivation that the Lord holds out unto us all, waiting for us to take in a taste.

Think for a moment now, that we are the fish in this pond or tank of water, our feeder being God our Lord, may send us inspirations and plant in our hearts guidance unto our beings.

As the bits of food trickle down the water front we are able to feast and strive to go the biggest pieces that look the most fulfilling.

We may feast upon the words he has sent down to us, but some do pass away and fall beneath us, unnoticed.

For when we wait for our feeder to come and he does not, we feel saddened and find ourselves in despair.

But, we must look for the inspirations he has already given us.

The words and phrases we let slip through our fins and fingers, the ones we ignored and disregarded from our presence, because we see them as too small and unfulfilled.

But, those bits of enrichment are the ones we need most in our souls most of all

I plead with you and unto you and unto myself as well, that we seek and search for the hidden meanings the Lord has placed before us.

Let us strive to find the meanings for ourselves and may we find our own inspirations and have our own understandings of the things we need to be enhanced by.

So, then may we grow and excel to our spiritual potential and our emotional beings.

So, I say unto you again, let us open our eyes unto the Lord our God and unto the inspirations from the scriptures.

Let your soul go free and search for the inspirations you are looking to heal your broken heart and troubled soul.

Search and seek and find your own guidance in this world. 

S.M. Bjarnson

Speak up!

Wait. Wait for the time when you are allowed to speak and show a distinct emotion or feelings. Wait, for the time that will become your own and somehow the words will fall out of your own mouth as astounding recreation of solitude. What am I searching for? Or whom, how will I know? The search engine blinks for the question I cannot seem to ask. Will I end up just like the others have, misguided in a wave of love… I do not know how the approach is too happen or if true love exists, but I taste it on my breath as if I had eaten it for breakfast. I can follow the rhymes and times of the rhythm which made friends once become lovers, but I do not understand how or when the idea came about.

Was it the touch that made them cave, or the notes upon the page? Either way, they had fallen down beneath the clouds, to become a part of the falling sky feeling in us all. One too many times our lives have come about into one another’s, and I cannot seem to let go of it, the idea of us. The feeling between our fingertips and the way we moved in the darkness, like we owned the light switch of happiness. Words, were carelessly placed among others ready for a dive in that was not theirs to swim about through, To Whom It May Concern we will all die very soon.

Characters in a play do not realize who they are. Have they lost all sense of stability walking through their walls, I wonder as I watch, performing in such a way, do they see the light around them I have held so brutally to my own. Among others things I grant a farewell, to those who not have lost, but those who have yet won.

Don’t push too many things or you may fall over yourself. The tide of change comes near, and you all run away in a chaotic fear. I cannot see, but maybe I don’t want too. As a blind fool once said, “I can be anything I want to be, no matter who says.”

Remarkable timing, remarkable lines upon lines of diseased places, places you have never been but write so carelessly about as if you brought up to be so cruel in their warm society of people.

S.M. Bjarnson 

Dollar Store Crafts: DIY Teapot Cake Stand

DIY Teapot Cake Stand

25 FEBRUARY 2014 338 VIEWS 5 COMMENTS

by morena

196

Last year, I fell in love with a lamp that was available at Anthropologie.  I didn't need a lamp, though, so I started thinking of ways to recreate the look in a form that was more useful.  I came up with a fun bird bath, instead.  One reader suggested that I adapt the idea to make a cake stand, and I thought that was a perfect idea!  Here's how I made my teapot cake stand, which would be a really fun centerpiece for a tea or party.  Everyone will ask where you got it, and you can say, "I made it myself!"

I found all my items at the thrift store, but you could also find almost everything at the dollar store, too.  You probably even have some of these pieces sitting around your house!

Project estimate:

• Bowl. on hand or $1 and up
• Tea pot, on hand or $1 and up
• Various cups, containers, and saucers, on hand or $1 and up
• Large plate, on hand or $1 and up
• E-6000 glue, on hand
• Primer or adhesion promoter, on hand
• Spray paint, on hand

Total:  Free and up

 

Begin by collecting the items you need.  I recommend using a wide bowl for the bottom.  I usually start with more saucers and tea cups than I need, so I have options to choose from.

Begin stacking the items until you find a set that is visually appealing to you.  The most important thing is to have a wide, sturdy base, so the entire thing does not topple over.

Use E-6000 to glue the pieces together.  Start from the base, and glue the bottom two pieces together. Let it set for a few minutes, then proceed to the next piece.  You may want to use a level to make sure that your tower doesn't start to lean.  You don't want the top plate to be crooked...then your cake might slide off!

Once the cake stand has been assembled, it's time to paint!  I took a short cut and used spray paint.  You could also use multi-surface paints or glass paint to achieve a different finish.

Food will be on the top plate, so you want to keep that food safe and spray paint free.  I turn my projects upside down on a box so I can spray paint everything but the top of the top plate.   (You may have noticed that the photo below is a different project...that one is much too tall for a cake stand!  Adjust the number of  items you use to make your stand an appropriate size.)

Since my ceramic surfaces were slick, I used a spray on adhesion promoter (like primer).  After that had dried, I then spray painted the cake stand.  If you wanted to take it up a notch, you could use stencils to add pretty designs to the piece.

Isn't this a fun way to turn unused pieces into something that will be useful and loved?  My cake stand gets LOTS of attention, and it's just such a fun piece to have at a get together.  Have fun crafting and creating!

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/02/diy-teapot-cake-stand/

Circus in Me: Sneak Peek 3

There she stood among the vagabonds and thievery of folk. She noticed how the strange light came through the tunnel of a tent. She arrived on the edge of her seat. Greeted by none other than the performing characters; they enchanted their performances around me.

She was taken back beneath excitement to something of gleam or gallant. They gravitated toward her, wanting to accept her, partake of her journey. She shivered in her conforming seat, contemplating these lifestyles almost in a judging manner but not quite.

Her hand was never raised in disapproving motions. She merely volunteered to be a rescue. As you would a lost dog, a homeless cat or any other pathetic animal you couldn't help find but adorable.

They like her, they pulled at her. Bringing her into an embrace she had never experienced. Doc, the ringmaster placed a comforting hand on her shoulder welcoming her into his family of misunderstood individuals. He lead her down the line of performers. First the Bearded Lady, Mona, then Doc the manager and caretaker of the animals, Katarina, the tattooed beauty. The triplet acrobats near her age eyeing her shape and figure. She walked amongst these odd individuals; her fear unbearable now. She came to the conclusion she must shout out for some sort of help, but what kind of assistance was she asking for? A departure? A rescue from these odd fools, who she seemed to belong too, or maybe just maybe a helping hand. The mystic, Arunia, smiled at her as she lent an open hand, her voice was simple, but pretty. She hushed Trae Lai’s fears; she was home. 




S.M. Bjarnson

Kelly Rae Roberts, Voyage toward Truth

Kelly Rae Roberts is a visionary in the mixed Media art world! I took an e-course from her! Inspiring, eye opening if nothing else, life changing! Check her out


http://shop.kellyraeroberts.com/collections/prints/products/voyage-toward-truth-8x8

The Five Beats of Successful Storytelling, by Jenn Godbout

Another Great article for Storytelling.http://99u.com/articles/17652/the-five-beats-of-successful-storytelling-how-it-can-help-you-land-your-next-job 


The Five Beats of Successful Storytelling & How They Can Help You Land Your Next Job 

by Jenn Godbout

Author Philip Pullman wrote, “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” Whether we’re talking about life, business, or art, storytelling is an essential skill. Maybe even THE most essential skill. But that doesn’t mean it comes naturally.

S.M. Bjarnson Comments:

I found this wonderful website where I have been getting most of the Wednesday Wisdom from. I believe this explains so much for us as gifted storytelling. People can't help but be captivated in the way words flow and move around in their minds. I know this article is based on a job interview, but it also displays quite extraordinary potential for us, to sen dour a query letter, making a pitch to an agency. We can make them fall in love with the story we are writing as we sing it to them. 

Give it a try! 

I surely am! 

:)

Scared to live our lives, by S.M. Bjarnson

   A Heads up I wrote this in High school.

Dear Fellow Peers & Colleagues

      What makes us fear growing up? What makes us not exceed our maximum potential? Is it that we feel threatened or inferior of other achievements? Or maybe it’s the fact that one day soon we will have to stop holding onto the past. That we won’t be able to hide from our future and it’s events. Whether your future occupation is a local gardener or a famous motor cross rider, you will be great at it because you were born to do it.

   In high school we put up safety barriers around ourselves, because of the intimidation of having to be something more than an average high school student. For most high school seniors we have already had this realization come to us. So, now we are facing the coming winds, head on with a fearful heart and a courageous mind, both characteristics that we all should learn how to master.

    As our cards are laid out in front of us it’s our choice to pick and play or fold and fail. It’s our choice to press forward to excellence or stay another regular human being. A quote that hangs above my window makes this statement, “Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be.”  With that phrase I strive to face every new day with a hopeful heart and optimistic mind, to be a new me and make a better world for myself and for others. This is your life fellow student body, it is your choose to live and take charge, leaving fears and nervousness in the dusty tracks behind you. It’s your choice; it is your life, no one else’s.

     Fulfill your own destiny, chase after your own personal passions and have them become a true reality to your life, discover once and for all dreams can come true. Believe in yourself and find the personal strength that is screaming to be unleashed from within you, let it out and be freely you. Maybe than we won’t be in fear of growing up and becoming adults in the world’s society.

    Take chances and stop thinking. Quit wondering to yourself what if, stop caring what the person next to you thinks, they don’t think and honestly I doubt they care. Do something, because you want to, because you feel the need to shout it out to the world, be proud of the accomplishments of being influential in a spontaneous way. You wait around your whole life waiting for something amazing to happen to you, but than nothing happens and you get discouraged with life. Let me make this clear, nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen.

   Be happy and comfortable with who you are today, walk with confidence and hold your head high. Because, after high school no one will stress with statuses, even if you dominated the top of the pointed pyramid or that you slummed to the crumbling bottoms. No one will care, because it doesn't matter, it never did. Figure it out for yourselves; you’ll know it’s true as well.

   Be smart and be courageous, stand out above the normality of each other’s lives. Be you and be free.

S.M. Bjarnson

Best Motivational Speech ~Secrets to Success, How Bad Do you Want it? {F...

I watched this and you can't help but feel motivated! I wanted to share it with my fellow peers trying to achieve success. So how do we do it, do we breathe it in? Do we write everyday endless notes upon notes squiggles of maybe good artistry. YES. You have to want to be successful as much as you want to breathe.

Believe in yourself!

After watching this I ask myself late at night when all energy to proceed is empty.
How badly do I want it?

Easter Peep Smores

/http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/edible-easter-crafts-round-up/


Have a super great Easter and with these super delectable Peep Smores! :) yum!

Foxes - Let Go for Tonight (Official Video)

Circus in Me: Sneak Peek 2

The wind began to pick up and I shifted my memories of late yesterdays to early fore comings of today. How would I strive out here; on my own? How in this decaying world would I find the salvage to relinquish the modern thought of love, let alone life.

The posters on the blank billboard were torn with weather. I thumbed through the edges; they were keeping secrets. I managed to read what was left of a carnival poster hanging in the window. Today. Only today? I never was very good at reading coincidental signs or their premonitions, in my thought pattern I just wanted to go and see the show.

S.M. Bjarnson 

WINDSWEPT: Linzi Linn

http://www.saatchiart.com/art/Printmaking-WINDSWEPT-Limited-Edition-13-of-50/340560/172856/view

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!@!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO 

THE MOST AMAZING HANDSOME HUSBAND!!!!

 
Photo Credit: Google Search