family / home / IN MY KITCHEN / life (in general) / link love / LIVING WELL / MOTHERHOOD

Glimpses of Reality, Followed by Inspiration

I believe a few glimpses of reality are nice every once in awhile. Healthy, even. Here are a few glimpses of reality from my day:

I am making grilled cheese sandwiches while I write this post. My laptop is sitting on the counter beside the stove.

My girls are watching a movie about penguins. And I'm okay with that. Because our morning was full or play and creativity.

I'm listening to Diana Krall on the radio show Art of The Song which reminds me of a boyfriend in college. Which I didn't think of until just this instant. (this is a new-found favorite on the radio and gets my inner singer, songwriter stirred up.)

reality

This is where the girls spent most of the morning. A secret club meets under there. In order to get in, you must be wearing a tee shirt with the name of your favorite sport on it. Mary's says horseback riding. Emma's says soccer. And you must bring a sketch book. If I could fit, I'd be in that club, too.

Later, the girls commandeered the bathroom. Which, when the door is shut, is the warmest spot in the house–when the furnace is working, of course. Which isn't something you can count on.

reality

That's Elizabeth, trying to get into the club. Yes, she's wearing underwear, over her clothes, which is another post to come. Yes, you'd break an ankle trying to get into that room. You should try to navigate it in the middle of the night. Yes, their beds are unmade. Morning "chores" were postponed this morning.

reality

That's my kitchen table yesterday, about thirty minutes after I should have been elbow-deep in dinner prep. Instead I'm up to my elbows in red and pink and hearts and cupids and fancy paper and pipe cleaners. I'm working on some crafts for a new section on babycenter's website. They need 10 crafts, designed, instructions written out, and shipped to be professionally photographed in 7 days. Am I crazy? My deadline is tomorrow.

And now some inspiration to balance out my reality:

**Molly's photography in this post about her new restaurant, Delancy.
**Ali Edward's office tour. I'm getting Dan to build me some of those wooden bins on the wall, asap!
**Kristin's handmade doll clothes, which I think would be great to make for the girls' new dolls. I've already reserved the book from the library.
**This peek at Heather's new work. Stunning.
**Cassi's button clips.
**This post over at Ordinary Courage. It's actually her take on Oprah's latest magazine cover, but her thoughts on addiction, body image are really eye-opening. I'm not sure anyone could read the post without taking something positive away from it.

And back to reality……I burned the second side of the grilled cheese. Bummer.

I believe a few glimpses of reality are nice every once in awhile. Healthy, even. Here are a few glimpses of reality from my day:

I am making grilled cheese sandwiches while I write this post. My laptop is sitting on the counter beside the stove.

My girls are watching a movie about penguins. And I'm okay with that. Because our morning was full or play and creativity.

I'm listening to Diana Krall on the radio show Art of The Song which reminds me of a boyfriend in college. Which I didn't think of until just this instant. (this is a new-found favorite on the radio and gets my inner singer, songwriter stirred up.)

reality

This is where the girls spent most of the morning. A secret club meets under there. In order to get in, you must be wearing a tee shirt with the name of your favorite sport on it. Mary's says horseback riding. Emma's says soccer. And you must bring a sketch book. If I could fit, I'd be in that club, too.

Later, the girls commandeered the bathroom. Which, when the door is shut, is the warmest spot in the house–when the furnace is working, of course. Which isn't something you can count on.

reality

That's Elizabeth, trying to get into the club. Yes, she's wearing underwear, over her clothes, which is another post to come. Yes, you'd break an ankle trying to get into that room. You should try to navigate it in the middle of the night. Yes, their beds are unmade. Morning "chores" were postponed this morning.

reality

That's my kitchen table yesterday, about thirty minutes after I should have been elbow-deep in dinner prep. Instead I'm up to my elbows in red and pink and hearts and cupids and fancy paper and pipe cleaners. I'm working on some crafts for a new section on babycenter's website. They need 10 crafts, designed, instructions written out, and shipped to be professionally photographed in 7 days. Am I crazy? My deadline is tomorrow.

And now some inspiration to balance out my reality:

**Molly's photography in this post about her new restaurant, Delancy.
**Ali Edward's office tour. I'm getting Dan to build me some of those wooden bins on the wall, asap!
**Kristin's handmade doll clothes, which I think would be great to make for the girls' new dolls. I've already reserved the book from the library.
**This peek at Heather's new work. Stunning.
**Cassi's button clips.
**This post over at Ordinary Courage. It's actually her take on Oprah's latest magazine cover, but her thoughts on addiction, body image are really eye-opening. I'm not sure anyone could read the post without taking something positive away from it.

And back to reality……I burned the second side of the grilled cheese. Bummer.

Uncategorized

Freelance Writing Contributions

CURRENT:

Wknd. | Khaleej Times

 October 2012


Screenshot_76
Screenshot_77
Download the complete article here

ARTFUL BLOGGING : Summer 2010

in print

excerpt from article:

“We all know life moves quickly. Children grow up too fast. There isn’t enough time in a day. We wonder where the year went. Technology keeps us updated, on-track, and efficient, yet when I sit down to my blog at the close of the day, when I take a few moments to find the story in a day, to take notice of the beauty in life’s everyday moments, to stop long enough to let the day show me its lesson, suddenly time is captured, caught, and cherished. I can look back and celebrate seasons I have made it through, the growth and the wisdom, trials and triumphs–each that life and faith have given me.

I am convinced that every day has a story in it. There are words, thoughts, and moments to be remembered and written down. And there are always lessons to be learned.”

 

 

WONDERTIME MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS 

Powerball Cookies | Wondertime Magazine | September 2008

Cookie-girl-art-photo-240-WT0908LWLO.A999
{photo courtesy of Wondertime Magazine}


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spaghetti Squash | Wondertime Magazine | February 2009

WT 0209

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BABYCENTER’S MOMFORMATION BLOG

 Momfo

A Bushel & A Peck : weekly journal about motherhood

Get Crafty : weekly round-up of crafty ideas for children

CURRENT:

Wknd. | Khaleej Times

 October 2012


Screenshot_76

Screenshot_77Download the complete article here

ARTFUL BLOGGING : Summer 2010

in print

excerpt from article:

“We all know life moves quickly. Children grow up too fast. There isn’t enough time in a day. We wonder where the year went. Technology keeps us updated, on-track, and efficient, yet when I sit down to my blog at the close of the day, when I take a few moments to find the story in a day, to take notice of the beauty in life’s everyday moments, to stop long enough to let the day show me its lesson, suddenly time is captured, caught, and cherished. I can look back and celebrate seasons I have made it through, the growth and the wisdom, trials and triumphs–each that life and faith have given me.

I am convinced that every day has a story in it. There are words, thoughts, and moments to be remembered and written down. And there are always lessons to be learned.”

 

 

WONDERTIME MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS 

Powerball Cookies | Wondertime Magazine | September 2008

Cookie-girl-art-photo-240-WT0908LWLO.A999
{photo courtesy of Wondertime Magazine}


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spaghetti Squash | Wondertime Magazine | February 2009

WT 0209

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

BABYCENTER’S MOMFORMATION BLOG

 Momfo

A Bushel & A Peck : weekly journal about motherhood

Get Crafty : weekly round-up of crafty ideas for children

animal kingdom

Cue the Doves

Yesterday afternoon I stood in my upstairs bathroom folding and sorting laundry and as I moved back and forth between the washer and the dryer, I stepped delicately.

And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth at this moment who is folding laundry with a white ring-neck dove pecking around on her bathroom floor."

This morning in a sleepy stupor, I heard the rustling of children downstairs. Moments later, I awoke to hushed giggles beside my bed, and opened my eyes to a dove preening her feathers on my pillow.

And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth waking up to a white ring-neck dove nesting on her pillow."

So before you begin to think that I've started smoking strange substances, I should probably back up and explain myself.

our animal kingdom grows

On Saturday, the girls and I made a quick roadtrip to my sister's house for the final leg of this on-going Christmas celebration. (Am I the only one with a few lingering Christmas gifts still to give?) My sister and I have been coordinating this giving of doves for awhile.

She works in a vet office and often comes home with the odd animal that needs some rehabilitation or extra care and Chloe the dove has been in her charge for awhile. It was at Thanksgiving that I mentioned Emma was saving up for a dove and she said she had one and wanted to give it to Emma for Christmas.

our animal kindgom grows

Of course we didn't want to leave Mary out, so we found another friend, and Chloe and Snowflake have now taken up residence in my kitchen.

The girls are obsessed, which may be an understatement. The doves spend more time out of their cage than in. Chloe rides around the house in Mary's arms like a queen, nestled down on a soft pillow. This morning I checked emails while she sat on my chest, preening her feathers and pecking at my buttons.

our animal kingdom grows

I've decided that I am now all about the menagerie. The chickens, the guineas, the finches, the doves. Bring on the turtles, the sheep, the ponies, the hamsters. What's childhood without a little animal kingdom craziness? right? anyone?

Yesterday afternoon I stood in my upstairs bathroom folding and sorting laundry and as I moved back and forth between the washer and the dryer, I stepped delicately.

And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth at this moment who is folding laundry with a white ring-neck dove pecking around on her bathroom floor."

This morning in a sleepy stupor, I heard the rustling of children downstairs. Moments later, I awoke to hushed giggles beside my bed, and opened my eyes to a dove preening her feathers on my pillow.

And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth waking up to a white ring-neck dove nesting on her pillow."

So before you begin to think that I've started smoking strange substances, I should probably back up and explain myself.

our animal kingdom grows

On Saturday, the girls and I made a quick roadtrip to my sister's house for the final leg of this on-going Christmas celebration. (Am I the only one with a few lingering Christmas gifts still to give?) My sister and I have been coordinating this giving of doves for awhile.

She works in a vet office and often comes home with the odd animal that needs some rehabilitation or extra care and Chloe the dove has been in her charge for awhile. It was at Thanksgiving that I mentioned Emma was saving up for a dove and she said she had one and wanted to give it to Emma for Christmas.

our animal kindgom grows

Of course we didn't want to leave Mary out, so we found another friend, and Chloe and Snowflake have now taken up residence in my kitchen.

The girls are obsessed, which may be an understatement. The doves spend more time out of their cage than in. Chloe rides around the house in Mary's arms like a queen, nestled down on a soft pillow. This morning I checked emails while she sat on my chest, preening her feathers and pecking at my buttons.

our animal kingdom grows

I've decided that I am now all about the menagerie. The chickens, the guineas, the finches, the doves. Bring on the turtles, the sheep, the ponies, the hamsters. What's childhood without a little animal kingdom craziness? right? anyone?