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I hauled my drawing supplies out of the storage shed today - something I've been thinking about doing for a few months.

Back in 2003 I'd picked up the book Drawing for Dummies wondering if there was anything to my elementary school habit of doodling. After working through the first 88 pages, I couldn't wait to put what I'd learned to the test. Grabbing an old National Geographic, I found this photo of a Koala bear in a eucalyptus tree and gave it a shot. I'm pleased with how it turned out... I did embellish the smile a little.

Happy Koala Bear - 2004

As you can see I didn't quite did finish it. This was my first and only attempt at drawing. Life came knocking at my door as life often does, and along with a few other creative outlets, I temporarily put my new pencils and sketch pad aside to navigate through more pressing matters.

Fortunately, like the seasons, life moves on, we grow, and priorities shift. Today, I look forward to discovering myself anew in the creative - that mysterious quality which hints to the image of God we all bear - and finding a healthier balance between work and play.

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While doing a study on 'desire' I came upon this quote by CS Lewis. Its depiction that we all share this deep longing - and it not being sated in this lifetime - completely seized my heart. Could this be the reason we are so driven, embracing many forms of distraction and substitutes - often at our own peril - and why many are now looking beyond the physical to the spiritual?

Perhaps this intense yearning is a gift that reminds us of a time and place where we were truly complete, full of love, joy, peace, lacking nothing, living life as it was intended: in Paradise conversing and walking along side the magnificence and brilliance of our great Creator. Perhaps it is intended to guide us back to that one thing we were made for all along, the glory of Eden, a new Jerusalem... home.

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A while back, a good friend of mine Liesa Billings of Rustic Buds asked if I would write about what it was like growing up on a blueberry farm. Liesa writes about restaurants, farming, and sustainable food resources in and around the Greater Vancouver Area and was naturally curious.

Taking that trip down memory lane and what I'd discovered was as much a surprise to me as it was to Liesa. I won't spoil the read, but suffice to say I need to go back to those days more often and appreciate that I was - and still am - blessed.

TOO MUCH of a good thing?!

It may seem hard to understand that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Growing up on a blueberry farm had its perks and "not-so-perky" side! I am sure that I look at blueberries in a completely different way than most. For example, as an adult, I have never had the desire to purchase blueberries, or to eat them. I guess you could say I got my fill as a child - enough to last me a lifetime. As a little girl I really couldn't appreciate the quality of blueberries that my Father grew... they were fresh, sweet, big and juicy. I thought this was how *all* blueberries were. NOT so.

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Christmas time is here again, and up from our world rises all sorts of activity.

This is a day that takes us out of our daily routine and throws most of us in some kind of tizzy and/or celebration. That in itself truly deserves pondering.

Christmas is a day that stirs people up, and for many a time of unmet expectations and additional stress. Emotions can run a-muck from joy to depression, love, hate, peace and animosity.

I find it absolutely fascinating that this single day can evoke so much controversy. To some, the very word "Christmas" is offensive.

As I listen to the debate of which Christmas phrase is most appropriate I almost feel like opting out. People will be offended if I wish them a Merry Christmas. Some find Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings too impersonal and empty.

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"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God." - Psalm 42:1

As a member of several networking forums, I am no stranger to the process of filling in one's profile. The purpose of a profile is to reveal a bit about yourself and bring some definition to who you are through your occupation, company, interests, website, blog etc.

On occasion, a profile will also include an opportunity to share information of a more personal nature such as hobbies, activities, political stand, and religious views. It is the latter that I find myself giving much thought to.

In the 2001 Census, 78 % of Canadians claimed to be Christian, yet there is seeming little similarity in how this religious view is lived out in their lives.

With so many people calling themselves a Christian, and their lives, choices, convictions and morals contradicting each other, I wonder how calling myself a Christian could possibly draw a clear picture of my religious views.

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Hello and welcome to my blog. I'm Jeannette Duguay - known as Jen by my peers. I like to work hard, and I also like to play hard.

To me 'playing' means enjoying new experiences, and learning new things.

Even more so, playing is helping and empowering people, connecting with friends, having meaningful heart-to-heart conversations, and solving the world's problems... always accompanied by coffee and bon-bons.

As the founder of TAZZU® Business Networking Community and JenTekk Web Solutions, I wear several different hats. Yet, none are as important to me as wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Some would also describe me as a woman of faith, a slave to my creativity, fanatical about hot yoga, and having a large appetite for adventure and food of almost any kind. I'd say that's pretty accurate.

Here's a bit of my story!

Musician and singer

Music has always been a passion of mine. I taught myself to play guitar during my elementary years and eventually took lessons - following a few years of piano lessons.

After years of listening to music delivered on every form of music media available to man, including 8 Tracks, and taking vocal lessons followed by a smattering of performances, I ventured out and recorded my own 6 song EP. Two local radio stations even spun my disc.