When My Food Relationship Met Me In The Kitchen

At coffee the other day, a friend said how she believes that everyone has a very unique and personal relationship with food. While she talked about this, I was completely on the same page in one respect and could see how this is true for most everyone I know, yet I couldn't see how it was true for me. A few days later Matt and I were in my favorite little stop for breakfast and coffee after church. I love this place because it feels so old fashioned. And when they are out of fresh brewed coffee they offer you things like French Press and bottomless cups to make up for you having to wait. Everything is baked fresh, and coffee is poured with such care. I love this little place and its parchment paper, mix matched mugs, vintage jars, french press, brown sugar cubes, hand sewn aprons, and my favorite eggs benedict florentine. And on that Sunday morning, I realized that I do in fact have a very personal relationship with food, and that what my friend said in that coffee shop days earlier, was very very true for me.

She was right about everyone's relationship being unique. For some it might be the process of baking, and the taste of time and labor and effort finally enjoyed when sitting down. And for others it might be the tradition, being taught recipes passed down from their mother, and her mother, and their grandmother's mother. Or the first bite, the gathering around a table, the community that food means. The gratitude and joy that one can have a meal before them, even if it's a box of mac n' cheese with hot dogs. The relationship of nourishment and thankfulness with each bite. Whatever it may be, there is a relationship that is personal and unique. And for me, that day in my favorite little place, I realized that food and I have a ways to go. That I have walls up, and boundaries that I don't like to cross. I love the visual and the nostalgic of baked goods, yet I do not like the mess and have never found satisfaction in baking. I love the first bite of a warm out of the oven cookie, but I don't fully enjoy the process of getting there. Food has mostly been a means of nourishment for me, and while I delight in sitting down at a table for community and gathering over a warm plate, that is the extent of my relationship. The process hasn't come to fruition, and my ability to relax and enjoy cooking and baking has yet to show up most days. And while I waited for my fresh cup of coffee at my favorite little place after church this week, deep down in my heart I made a deal. I want to remedy it. I want to build my relationship with baking and cooking, so that one day, my children and husband can see joy pouring out of me while I'm in the kitchen.

I feel silly writing this, but I find that when its uncomfortable to write or seems so left field, that that's really when I need to write it. So I'll share with you how I took a baby step in my relationship with food that day. I stepped into my kitchen later on that Sunday afternoon, vulnerable and open armed, ready to bake. And I did not bake a pie crust from scratch, but went in with a basic plan--to make something I've been eyeing but hadn't the courage to bake because of my lack of one on one time with recipes. Something simple and visually appealing. Muffin tins in hand, pre-made cookie dough, brownie mix, and oreos met me in my kitchen. I fastened my favorite apron around my neck and waist, set the oven to 350, and baked. I made a deal that day, and I've made a promise to myself that I'm going to work at it. Some days, I might not want to. But for my relationship with food--to get to that place of joy while in the kitchen and not just while at the table and at the end when everything is pretty--its going to take discipline and time. Although I might not aspire to be a food blogger or the person who hosts Thanksgiving, I do aspire to be a woman who exudes a deep down joy while in the kitchen. A women who has no walls and boundaries, but can come as she is and take delight while mixing batter round and round, standing barefoot, and licking the spoon clean while dirty dishes pile high.

WEAR | Neutrally Cheery

blouse // Anthropologie sale   necklace // handmade (DIY here) 

black jeans // citizens of humanity (denim here, similar & on sale here)    booties // clona

The sun warmed up Denver today, so I braved the still snow kissed ground without a jacket. I needed a break from being swallowed whole by my sleeping bag (what I've now named my down coat). Totally worth it for just a few goose bumps from my trek to and from the car. The word merriment was spoken a record amount of times today, as we popped open poppers at work and I told customers about the holiday survival guide that anthropologie has over at their blog right now. For working retail on a Saturday, everything and everyone were just so cheery. Also, I forever have the smell Aloha Orchid memorized from my first day. Have you smelled the Capri Blue candles? They're Aaaaaah-mazing. If you need a gift for the person that is hard to shop for, I'd go with one of these. 

Words from Norman Rockwell

 “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” 

― Norman Rockwell

Yes, Norman, yes. I want to live this way in all realms, not just in a creative sense. I want each piece of writing, each project, each new collaboration to be a new adventure. My friend Anne referred to her blog as a place she needs to view as her playground. Something to look forward to, enjoy, and place where you she doesn't look back, doesn't get stuck in the muck, but explores joyfully. I think of adventure and the things I categorize as such. I list off travel, and things I've never experienced before; completely missing the subtle  things in life that can be seen as adventure, as new, as exciting, even if not appearing as such on the surface. I want to live a life where I'm looking ahead to something new and breath-taking, don't you? Too often I let the past pacify what's ahead, it traps me like a web that I can't break free of. And this isn't the way we are meant to live. I know we were meant to live with a pressing forward, a forgiving of the past, and a looking to what's to come. I want to live a life, where when I do look back, that I don't sit and dwell, being stunted--but where I can confidently say "I lived," and God can say "Well done." So yes, Norman, you speak to my heart!

DIY Ideas | For Gifting & For Yourself

I tend to make things when I can. Really, that is how this blog even began--with DIYs coming out of its ears. Then the do it yourself mode slowed a bit as I matured as a writer and cultivated my style on here. But still, I love a good hands on project. It is so very much a  part of me, as you should have figured out by now ;) 

Especially with gifting season here, and round ups of all these great DIY gifts filling other lovely blogs and Pinterest, I've been nudged to remind myself of all the fun things I've created and perhaps shared on here. Lately, along with the smell of cinnamon and crisp cold weather, our house has been sprinkled with DIY remnants and ideas overflowing as I think about things I've made, and things I still want to make--all in the midst of making what I'm currently making. Oh how I love making things while in the warmth of my home on the weekend, while sipping coffee with my toes in wool socks. "Busy hands make busy minds" was always my motto as a teacher, and I pretty much feel these words are true even for grown-ups. Can I give you a challenge this season? Turn on some holiday tunes, and get to making something by hand. Bake it, glue it, paint it, sew it. Pick your fancy. Whether its intended for a gift, or for yourself, go make something--and then tell me about it! 

Here are a few DIYs from the past year, pictured above: 

Bib Necklace

Envelopes from Scratch

Dalmatian Heart Lace Ups

Repurposed Dinnerware

Color Pop Pencil Jar

Painted Lettering

Retro Fan

Burlap Wreath

Striped Mirrors

Lace Tea Lights

Mason Jar Candles

Napkin Ring Necklace

Personalized Ampersand Art

Hand Painted Tea Towels

You can also hop on over to my Pinterest board where I'm often pinning do it yourself inspiration. PS: Today I'm over at Thoughts By Natalie sharing how to make a Burlap Wreath! Natalie also has a great post all about gifts that you could make this season--which you can check out over here.

A is for Ainsley | Calendars for a Cause

At the end of October, after finding a large growth on her cheek, three year old Ainsley was diagnosed with Embroynal Rhabdomyosarcoma. This dear little girl, too young to really understand what is happening, will be going through 22 weeks of chemo therapy at the Detroit Children’s Hospital. Detroit is located almost eight hours away from this little girl's hometown of Marquette, Michigan. Costs are accruing quickly for Ainsley's family, as you can imagine. Ainsley’s mom Patty, also fought breast cancer two years ago. 

The people in Ainsley's community, like my friend Samantha, are working together to raise money for Ainsley and her family. They are selling adorably designed calendars, sized 5 x 7, for $12.00. If you're in need of a gift for someone, this is one that keeps on giving! All the proceeds cover the cost of materials and the rest goes to Ainsley. These little calendars would be perfect for teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, co-workers, and even for yourself if you need a desk side calendar. Hop on over to Calendar for A Cause's Etsy shop for purchasing details. 

Update: So many of you have been sharing this post on Facebook. THANK YOU. You rock.

Photos taken by Samantha Elizabeth

Finally "Us"

I've never felt like the Christmas cards I send out are truly "us." And to be frank, I never truly felt delighted in ordering them, because my experience has been void or creativity. I find a template, plug in my posed photo for the year, click "order", and go on my way. Perhaps its because I come from a line of Christmas card makers (or at least, that's what I've coined my grandpa and uncle who carry on the tradition), with my grandpa hand making each and every card when Christmas arrived, and now his son, my uncle, doing just the same. I come from a family who literally makes everything they are capable of (we are one creative bunch!) Perhaps our card has never truly felt like "us" because Matt and I  are all about the process--the process that comes with doing, and making--and not just  the outcome of a product. Don't get me wrong, I completely love the cards I get from my friends and family. They are so "them", template or handmade, they fit the sender. However, when it came to "us", its never felt like a process. Its an upload and go, a disappointment in the price tag, or a last minute rush--and then that's it, its done. 

As I get older, and hopefully wiser, I'm learning that the process is what counts. And really all that our cards have been these last few years are a product, completely missing the enjoyment of slowing down, sitting around a table, and painting, cutting, glueing, and getting messy while creating our cards. What I love most about the ornaments on our Christmas tree is that each one has a story. Even more than that I love that my entire life, someone has taken the time to slow down and tell me the story behind them. They invested time in the process of Christmas traditions. For you, the process of making a card or hearing the story behind where a passed down ornament came from might not be as important, and that's okay! But for me, it is central to who I am--that's how I tick. The process that comes with making traditions and being creative is what fills the crevices of my being.

Although they might not look as put together as let's say Minted or Tiny Prints, they are "us." (Discalimer : I am by no means bashing these companies, I LOVE them!) When I sat down to make our cards this year, I really focused on the process. I focused on the process so that one day I could pull out cards past, some that we made this very Christmas, and tell our kids about them as we take them out of a dusty box, passing along story and tradition. 

This year, our cards find themselves hand painted on recycled paper and meshed with Prinstagram Mini Prints. I just ordered the Mini Prints and chose a random assortment of Instagram photos from the past year. I decided to be less stress and go with Intsta for our "family photo." Kinda fun, right? I cannot wait to assemble and mail to them off!

What about you, do you find delight in picking out or making your Christmas card? What are your traditions that you cannot wait to tell the stories of and pass along to family?

Study It, Love It, Stay Close To It

Kansas was good for me. It took an otherwise fast paced girl and put her in a slowed down state. The outdoors can do that to you, and I am forever grateful for its hold on me...

I can't stop thinking about this quote by Frank Lloyd Wright: "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." I love that those words come from one of the most famous architects and interior designers of his time. Not a farmer. Not a cowboy. But an architect. I think he was onto something--that true ability to hone in on one's creativity has its roots in nature. At least, it does for me. Entirely. The more I am in the great outdoors, the more I am able to see creativity indoors. Creative or not, wide open space clears the mind, sorting out all that gunk and making room to focus on what is at the core. Have you ever had a sinus infection? They are the worst. Clarity fogs, sharpness slugs, and joy dissipates in light of annoying stuffed up gunk. We get like that in life. We get stuffed up, like a sinus infection, and our joyful, sharp, clarity of mind becomes hard to grasp. We get run down. We burn out. Yet the cure? Wide open space. Time outdoors. The sky above, grass below, the wildness of nature and all her living beings. I had that clarity these past few days. And I want to hold on to it, hold on as tight as I can.