dream

My dreams are coming back to me. What I mean by that is, I'm having more and more that I remember and that tell me or help me figure things out. 2009 and 2010 were pretty much dream-free years. I'm so glad that 2011 seems to be the year of the dream come-back.

I had a dream last night. My BF from college was starting a new creative business (which is ironic because she's starting a new food business in her real life). It was something I really wanted to do and I was sort of surprised that she was starting this new venture (in my dream, not real life). She had founded the business with 2 other people and they were looking for 4 people to head 4 different teams and then I think one or two people to be on each team. i had to interview with my friend a a few other people. Here's where the dream gets dreamy-like with the weird details.

There was a creative convention being held and that's where I was going to interview. The convention was being held at the Dekalb County Farmer's Market. I went in, and was walking around and had a chance to talk to a creative professional that I admire a lot.

Let me just pause here in the dream telling to say, that I don't do well with celebrities or people who I admire from a far. I totally choke up and can't talk. I squeak...literally. It's embarrassing - I met Duran Duran once (my FAV) and squeaked at Simon LeBon - humiliating. Anyway - back to the dream....

I talked to this person and couldn't believe that I did. I learned that she was somehow connected to the job opportunity my friend told me about and I got extra nervous. I went over to my friend (who's booth was set up in the meat section of the Farmer's Market - I'm sure that means something, but I haven't figured it out yet --- I was feeling raw, maybe? Dunno.) and talked to her about the job. I wss sort of annoyed that I had to interview, but I did anyway.

Afterwards, I found Heather and Emily and my friend Charron (my core peeps right now). We were all sitting on a couch - I was in the middle and we were watching tv and we were very comfy. Behind the TV was some stairs, and the creative person that I admire came down the stairs and saw us all lounging there, very comfy, settled, happy looking. (She was also wearing a dress made out of the same fabric as a scarf Felicia received for Christmas. Weird.) I was sort of uncomfortable with her seeing me like that because I didn't want her to think that I was so comfy with my life that I couldn't change.

The next day, I saw my friend. She offered me the job, but there were catches. First, remember those 4 groups? Well 3 were alike (and I wanted one of these) and the 4th was dealing with something more challenging. When she offered the job for me, the job was to oversee the suicide division (which is not what it was when I first heard about it)....the job was essentially going to be like an art therapist (but not licensed) and working with people who had attempted (but failed, obviously) suicide. My first response to her was that this was not the gig I wanted, but I would take it if it meant doing something more creative.

Then she talked about money. It was the first time in the dream that we had discussed it. She offered a salary, that I totally expected her to offer in my dream. I explained to her that the salary part was going to be the tricky part because I made 2x (after I woke up, I realized that it was really 3x) more than what she was offering. I asked her if we could make a deal. I told her that I would keep my job now but work this in so that I could do both. I told her that I was willing to work on the weekend and figure it out. Then I went on to bargain some sort of deal about when I proved successful, I wanted something (don't remember the details) so that I could a)make more and b)quit my FT gig. She protested a bit and we went back and forth on what each other wanted/needed.

And then, my beautiful, amazing daughter came in and woke me up.

So - I'm stuck with this dream and I don't know how it turned out. But maybe my unconscious heard my darling girl coming down the hall and figured that the next part of the dream was supposed to play out in real life.

Feels like I'm ready and open for new things.

Now for my take on some of it...

The money part is a very real part, but I'm surprised and encouraged to see that I found a creative way around it, and I didn't just let go of my basic needs in order to pursue my dreams. This is something I've struggled with a lot in real life - how do I get from here to there without killing everything I've worked hard for up until now?

The suicide part is also interesting. In real life if I had taken the job as offered, not only would I have been committing financial suicide, but I probably would have also killed my relationship. Not good. I would be killing the life that I know. In my dream I wondered, "why suicide?" to myself, but looking at it awake - I see it. It wasn't about other's choices - it was about mine.

I also like the stairs scene. I am comfortable where I am right now. It's taken a bit of time and a lot of energy to get back here, but I don't want people (me) to think that I'm settled here. I can venture out - take baby steps towards something new. New York was a shell shock of a move to us - to my core, and I don't want to make that same mistake again. For my family, last year was about returning to normal, but through that process I was realizing that I wanted normal plus, or I wanted a different normal. I rocked the boat so freakin' much with moving, and I'm terrified of rocking it that much again. I think that's a lot of the friction I feel when I think about starting something, but this dream feels like clarity. I can do something different, and I can venture out and it doesn't need to be on someone else's terms - it can be on mine. I can negotiate until I know it's right for me. I can take baby steps.

overwhelmed and the power of validation

still alive.

have thought about blogging, but haven't actually blogged.  did you notice?

been thinking thoughts.

thoughts like - do other artists/creative-type people get overwhelmed by looking at other people's work?  not inspired, i mean - that happens all of the time, but overwhelmed.  i've been overwhelmed lately.  i've been sitting with this trying to figure out why or what is overwhelming me, and i've come to the following conclusion.  the people that i've become overwhelmed by are all people i admire.  they are all people that are very established in their creative life or they are people that seem to transition from one big life event to the next.  i don't feel particularly coordinated, especially when it comes to big life-changing events and i'm not what i would call established.  i'm wandering.  i'm figuring things out.  i probably think too much sometimes.

i want to be somewhere other than where i am today.  i don't know where that is, exactly.  i know what i don't want, which is always a step towards progression, but i don't know all of the things i do want.  so in trying to muddle my way through this, i've been overwhelmed by those who seemed to have just figured it out.  i know that's not the case.  i think very few people just sort of wake up and KNOW what it is they should be doing.  i'm reading keith richard's autobiography right now, which is a great read and he seems to be a big exception to what i just wrote, so add keith richards to my list of people who overwhelm me.

i've thought about taking a break from the blogs that inspire/overwhelm me.   my thinking with this notion is that it will give me time to just sit with myself and my own ideas, but the truth is, i'd miss those blogs and the routine of visiting each day.  i also do draw a lot of inspiration from these individuals, and it comes out in the weirdest things sometimes.  i don't want to lose that.

there's another truth to this which is this -  there is a fair amount of comparison taking place in my brain.  i compare my work to others.  i know i shouldn't do that.  i know it's not a good thing and even though this isn't on the same vein, i really appreciated kelly rae robert's post yesterday on "the secret ingredient is YOU."  she was writing about people stealing/borrowing/stealing her ideas, her work and she described how success comes from being yourself.  I haven't stolen anyone's work and I don't intend to, but her message of being true to yourself is one I needed to hear.  i liked her recommendations of just playing - finding your voice and trying new things out.  i think that's what i've done over the past however many months with this blog.  i've challenged myself with various creative groups, i've participated in things that i never thought i would, and i've learned some new things about myself.  the sketchbook project, in particular, has stretched me in some ways i didn't expect.  it's also given me the confidence to move forward on my plan for an etsy shop.  i think i had said 'within 6 months' back in October, so I still have a bit of time.  :)

the other thing i've been sitting with is future transitions.  there is a shift occurring within me.  the desire for something more and something different and a life with more creativity.  the more i recognize this shift and accept that not all of the pieces are defined yet, the more i feel disconnected to the things in my life i don't want.  it's like the strings are loosening up.  you'd think i'd be more freaked out by this feeling, but i say 'bring it!'

i also saw this video today, which i fell in love with.  it's somehow tied to everything above, but i can't articulate it.  enjoy.

The missing December posts

I mentioned I was sick, right? Geez - I'm so glad that's over. Well, I guess technically it's not over but after three months of hacking my brains out and trying all sorts of different medications that didn't work, I stopped taking the drugs and listened to my body. And guess what? I figured out what was going on. I told my doctor and she agreed with me. YAY! Now, I take minimal medicine and control what's going on via my food choices and am back to myself. Shew!

Anyhow - between all of the coughing, I did manage to squeak out some art stuff in December. I have hopes of posting more, but if I don't get to any of the other projects, I want to at least acknowledge this one because it was a lot of fun, and I want to give thanks to the challenge creator and folks who swapped with me.

Louise Gale came up with a fantastic idea of doing an ornament swap. I signed up and immediately came up with an idea I was sure would not only be fun, but super easy. Wow - was I wrong.

I attempted to make wreaths out of wooden balls. The trick was painting them. They just never turned out the way I wanted them to, so I scrapped the whole idea and took a route I was more comfortable with - paper and pens. This is the final result:

The Front

The back. It reads, "For Lucy, nothing said "holiday" more than gold sparkles."

The inside. It reads, "Follow your happy, this holiday and everyday."

I was pretty pleased with the final result and I hope the recipients enjoyed them. In return, I received three adorable oranments.

A cute little bird (green, nonetheless) from Kimberly Turner of soggydogstudios.

An adorable house (I received the one on the far left) made by April Cole.

I received one more, but I can't find the card that came with the ornament or the blog, that I know I've seen. It was a super cute candy cane stripped circle ornament. I loved the simplicity of it and it's something I might try to mimic for gifts next year.

I loved the process (despite my own set backs) and I loved receiving goodies in the mail! Looking forward to more swaps for sure!

Hello 2011 and my word for the year.

I feel like my whole soul has exhaled. My shoulders feel lighter than they have in such a long time. I feel like I can relax again. It's over. 2010 is over.

Don't get me wrong - there were a lot of good things that came out of 2010, but it was a hard year. The beginning of the year brought a huge shift in our family as our home went from housing the three of us + the animals to housing the three of us plus the animals + my brother and Felicia. It also brought a lot of stress and adjusting and finding ourselves just when we thought we were digging out from the aftermath of moving to/from NYC. The year brought a job change for Heather. It brought great birthday celebrations for the girls. It brought Mardi Gras, Halloween and other fun celebrations. But 2010 also held a lot of sickness. It seemed like someone in our house was sick almost every week of the year. Looking back, I think that a lot of it had to do with the stress we were all feeling. One of the greatest accomplishments in the year was that Heather and I decided to work on dealing with the stress together. While there were still sick moments, the end of the year definitely held more laughter and tender moments than the beginning. Our house has settled into a new routine, and while it's not perfect - we are more accepting of each other's quirks, talking to each other more and trying to find the positive.

Exhale.

It's going to be ok.

2011 feels fresh and new and perhaps more than I have ever felt before - I am so thankful for new beginnings and the chance to have a clean slate. I'm excited to carry and build on the positive things that we started/re-newed in 2010. I'm ready for this year and have my arms open wide to the possibilities that it contains. Heather's status on Facebook this morning captures what I think we are both feeling so perfectly. She said, "Ok 2011, let's do this."

This year, I am choosing to enter the new year with a focus on one word. There are many in the blog sphere that participate in one word challenge/commitment (what's the right word, here?). Last year I sort of had an unofficial word - creative. I think it helped me remember what I wanted to get back to, but it also helped me in lots of small ways. I sometimes called that word up when I was being a mom to a tired/cranky/stubborn child and I found a creative way to deal with the situation. I used it in times of stress and would daydream about some silly notion that gave me a moment's reprieve. I used it in planning meals for my family - since I have done most of the shopping in the past few months, I've tried hard to find new ideas that balance things we love with food that is good for us. Creative was a good word and one that I definitely intend to keep close by.

For 2011, my word is mindful.

Dictionary.com defines it as an adjective that means: attentive, aware, or careful (usually fol. by of ): mindful of one's responsibilities.

Synonyms are heedful, thoughtful, regardful.

Merriam-Webster gives the definition as "inclined to be aware." I like that.

I know that this word will take on different twists and turns as the year goes on, but for now here's what this word is meaning for me:

1. Listening to myself, being aware of what I need. I am such a happier person when I stop for just a second and not only listen to myself, but take whatever action it is that I need at that time. I want to be more mindful of my inner voice this year.

2. I like that dictionary.com had a reference to responsibilities because it's definitely one of the reasons I chose this word. I want to be more mindful of my actions relating to my health, my professional life, my finances and even some of my smaller (but very important) responsibilities like cleaning the cat box. I want to remember the consequences of my actions and remember that I have a part and a role in what happens.


3. Being present. One of the things I noticed in 2010 is that I checked out a fair amount a lot. Now - a little checking out is ok. In the past, going to the movies or taking a nap or something similar would be my normal mode of checking out. This year was a little different, unfortunately. Zynga - those wonderfully talented social gaming creators, sucked me in with 2 of their games. I spent more time than I'd really care to admit farming and building a city. Man - do I feel so silly writing this, but it's true. No more. I've deleted the apps, I've deleted my gaming friends and I've decided that I want to be more present. I made mini attempts at this over the past few months but I'd go back, but now, I feel ready to commit to this and be present, mindful of what's going on with me at the time. Letting go of the games also frees a lot of time as I'm not turning on the computer every 20 minutes. It also frees me to read and participate in communities where I can build connections and friendships vs. interacting with an avatar and a cow. Sad. So, yes - mindful of my world - both real and virtual is a good thing!

I know there's more to come with that word. I know that 2011 is going to stretch me and teach me things that I didn't know I need to learn. I'm excited. I'm ready.

Let's do this.

a little update

I sorta fell off the blogging universe a week or three ago. my last post goes into more detail about the health issues i've been having. on top of that, my mean, but precious little kitty, Oscar was diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks ago, so we've been adjusting to life with insulin and watching for signs of improvement, which thankfully, we've seen. on top of that, the kid also has 2 ear infections, so yeah - this is a sick house. but... my meds have been changed, and i've started to feel a difference with that - more energy, more myself. this is good.

and i've still managed to squeak out some creative time.

i've had some ornaments to attend to for my ornament swap. i tried one idea. it failed miserably. i then had a stroke of inspiration and sat down to create 3 ornaments. they turned out great, until i tried to add one final touch to each of them. not a great idea. i had to start all over, but that's ok, because i'm really happy with how they turned out and i learned to avoid that last technique. :)

i also completed an ATC challenge, and waiting for my swap cards to come back. it's so fun getting art in the mail!

our house has also been transformed for christmas, and we have one very excited little 3-year-old around here. it should be a fun christmas morning!

pictures and more regular postings to come.

'round here

for some reason the counting crows are in my head this morning, but the title seems to fit with what i'm going to write about.

'round here i've been coughing.  a lot.  for like 3 months.  first it was a cold.  then the cold went away but not the cough.  i've been going to the doctor.  the doctor thinks i might have asthma.  so right now i am on steroids and an inhaler but i also have a cold again on top of all of this.  colds make you cough and so it never ends.  needless to say, i haven't felt 100%.  most days i feel about 75%.  some less and sometimes - for snippets of a day, i feel more.  by 7:30 at night i'm usually pretty tired.  it stinks.  i am trying to not make a big deal about it, and i'm sort of surprising myself that i'm even writing about it here, but i feel like it should be acknowledged, so i am.

this definitely impacts creative time, but i'm sort of pushing myself to make the time despite how i feel.  why?  well, for one - sitting at my desk is like meditation for me.  i zone out - i leave my worries and i'm just there with whatever it is i am working on and the music i am listening to.  i feel better mentally and spiritually after hanging out in the paint room for even a few minutes.  for two, i have a lot of stuff to do.  i've signed up for a lot of things and i have two deadlines by friday....eep!  thank goodness i've taken a PTO day today and the little person in our house is going to daycare.  the morning is mine to do with as i'd like, and then the afternoon will hold time with heather (movie, perhaps) and thanksgiving preparations.  for three - even though i've been working towards returning to an artful life for a lot of this year, i still feel like i have to be conscious of working it into my life.  it's feeling more and more natural, especially on saturday mornings, but to take the time other parts of the week sometimes feels weird or like i'm not deserving.  i hate that feeling of not deserving something i love, and i don't know where it comes from, and i want to get beyond it.  getting beyond it takes the practice of doing, so that's why I go in the paint room.  that's why i write here.  and that's why - asthma, cough or whatever i'll keep doing what i love. 

huh. 

i totally didn't expect point three.  but there it is.  it's true.  it felt a bit angry, or perhaps defiant.  a middle finger to my lungs or my cold or things that get in my way.  i will not lose this part of me again....  i think that's what's really there.

isn't writing interesting?  stuff comes out of no where sometimes and it hits you like a truck. or maybe like a train on a track?  which reminds me of this song, which i love a whole whole bunch...



wonder if the counting crows and florence + the machine would make a good mash-up?

The weekend to-do list

Lot's going on round here this weekend.

First up - chores.  I hate them, but they must be done.  I'm going to bust through them quickly so I can move on to the following:

1.  Ornaments for Louise Gale's Color Ornament Swap challenge.  My ornaments include a bit of wood, a bit of paint, a bit of string and perhaps a wee bit of glitter.  I received my three recipient names, and I hope they will like what I'm putting together.

2.  December Daily Album - simple and easy...that's the goal.   Going to get at least 1-15 done this weekend.  As much as I would love play with some of the ideas Ali did with her book this year, I just don't have the time.  I'm being realistic about that so I don't start something that I can't finish and I will enjoy what I can do.

3.  Playing the memory game with Em.  She calls it the fish game, and I have no idea why but I promised her that today we would play, and today we will.

4.  Going to ICE-Atlanta.  We went last year and it was a great show!  Looking forward to this year - just Em and I going I think, but she should have fun (last year she slept in her stroller).  It will give me a chance to do a bit of Christmas shopping without other eyes around.

Because no blog post is complete without a picture, I'll leave you with a clue of what Emily is busying herself with this morning:

This was taken a few weeks ago, but this morning I've seen a witch, a 'mommy', princess heels and random purses and necklaces.  Maybe Santa will bring her some more dress up clothes.

Wishcasting Wednesday - 11/17

Ever since stumbling across Jamie's blog a month or two ago, I have loved the concept and spirit behind Wishcasting Wednesday.  I don't always participate, but they do inspire me and give me pause to reflect on my own wishes and desires.  If you aren't familiar with what this is, I strongly encourage you to check it out and wish along.  The positive vibes that come from this are contagious!

Today's question is:  What do you wish to celebrate?

I've been reading the celebrations of other wish-casters and letting the idea roll around my head.  There are so many things that I am thankful for and celebrate, but as I've continued to think about this, one thing kept coming to the top of the list, and that is my relationship with my partner, Heather.

Fall 2010 - Heather (L) & Missy

Heather and I met almost 9.5 years ago.  A few years after that, we bought a house together and a few years after that, we decided to have a baby.  Our relationship was rock solid up until that point. If there was a disagreement, we worked it out pretty easily.  We found compromise in areas where we didn't see eye to eye. And overall we had a great time together.

Em's 1st Birthday - 2008

In 2008, we took on a lot of things all at once.  In hindsight, it was too much, and it started to have an impact on the pretty perfect relationship that we had.  In 2009, we decided to move back to Atlanta and try to find a balance again.  Both years were tough on us - for so many reasons.  We both handled the changes in different ways.

Montreal - 2008

2010 has been the year of the come back.  I've been trying to get back to what makes me happy.  Heather has been trying to work on a few things of her own.  We've both been working on parenting together, but we have also been working really hard at coming back to who we are as a couple.  What we've learned (and are still learning) is that we aren't really going back to who we once were as much as finding a path to a new us.  For the first 6 years, we weren't parents.  Life without kids is easier (no offense kids).  We've been challenged in so many ways in the past three years, and I'm so proud to say that we are still here - together.  There have been times where I didn't think that would be the case.  We've made a hundred changes big and small this year, but the changes have been things we've discussed.  We've taken caution with decisions (rather than flying by the seat of our pants) and we've decided together on what's most important for us.  I feel like our hard work is starting to pay off.  There are many more good days than bad.  There is a lot more laughter and peace than tension.  We are talking more.  We are spending time together more.  We are enjoying our life together more.  I'm so incredibly and humbly grateful for the gift of this relationship.  I've learned so much, shared so much, loved more than I ever thought possible and had so many dreams come true through this journey.  I have much to celebrate.  We have much to celebrate. Thank you, Jamie, for the moment of pause to recognize this.

Christmas 2009

observations on being a creative mama

I know that somewhere along the way I've talked about my struggle to find time to create now that I am a mama.  When Em was first born, my struggle was lack of sleep, going through a very tough 6-month adoption process and adjusting to everything new that comes with being a new parent.  There were a few days of creativity, and I remember putting Em down on the floor next to my desk so that she could play while I worked on whatever it was I was working on.  My process back then was that I'd have a general idea of what I wanted to work on and then take 3, 4 or 8 hours to play with the idea, work on it and finish it.  I remember getting REALLY frustrated with the fact that I couldn't find that time when she was so little.  My thinking was very black and white/all or nothing.  I was stubborn.  I wanted my old routines.  Since I couldn't have 6 hours at a time, then I did nothing.  And I did nothing for another year and a half.  I showed myself, didn't I?

So here I am in 2010.  I decided earlier in the year to find a way back to creativity.  I got really tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching other mamas create and do, and I knew that I wanted that back for myself.  But it totally freaked me out.  What if I couldn't?  What if I forgot?  What if I got frustrated by not having enough time?  What if, what if, what if?  

I got stuck in a 'what if' coma for a bit, but I pushed through.  I started this blog.  I moved my creative space to a room that was more accessible to me.  I organized it so that I can find things.  And I slowly started to spend time in there.  Sometimes I did nothing more than sit in my chair with a cup of coffee and think about colors or ideas.  Sometimes a little sketch came out.  Sometimes more.  I also started to look outside and find other mamas and creative spirits. I watched and I listened and I've been continuously inspired by so many people - mostly across the web, and mostly people I've never met, but the inspiration has been a gift. And all of this has led up to things I never expected.

1.  My interests are changing.  

Earlier in the year, I would have been happy just to get back to scrapbooking.  I have always, always had a thing for paper and textures, and scrapbooking allows me to play in a way that painting never has.  I have been scrapbooking, and the process seems easier/quicker to me than it has before.  I haven't spent hours laboring over a page.  I play with an idea, I do the page and get it done.  If I can't quite work it out, then I put that particular page aside and move on to another.  No big deal.  I used to be all about order and doing things chronologically.  That has changed and it's totally freeing.  I have found that through the process, I'm actually more happy with the final result, because I'm not trying to force something that isn't ready to be done yet.  

But scrapbooks are just a very small part of what I am doing these days.  My interests are still fundamentally the same - I like paper.  I like paint.  I like texture.  I like colors.  But I'm doing things will all of these elements that I've never quite done before.  It's thrilling.  It's fun.  I'm just going with it.  I've been working on some pieces that combine everything I love and it's so fun.

2.  It turns out that you can be creative and get things done in short blocks of time.  

Who knew?!  It also turns out that I don't mind this process.  At least one morning each weekend, I do try to have 2-3 hours in the paint room.  Em is usually with me, so I don't get all of that time for just me, but that's ok.  I've started to use that time to set up new projects and then throughout the week, I'm adding to things where I can.  So it's 10 minutes here - 30 minutes there.  Yesterday, it was just a coat of gesso - 2 minutes in and out, but those 2 minutes give me a mini rush and boost to my day.  I felt like I did something.  Tonight might just be cutting a couple of pieces out and then tomorrow might be the beginning of the assembly process, but I love it.  I'm really not quite sure why I thought it was impossible before.

3.  I accept the fact that I will be interrupted.  

4 years ago, the general rule in our house was that Sunday mornings were my time for mellow music, coffee and time in the paint room.  People learned that it was not wise to disturb me.  I got really cranky.  Now I have come to accept the fact that interruptions will happen.  On the weekend, I will need to pay attention to Em.  Sometimes I will need to get her paper/paint/glue.  Sometimes I will need to tie her shoe or help her in the bathroom or get red or brown raisins for snack.  During the week, I get interrupted by unknowns.  This week, it's been the process of buying a new car, but next week it could be a phone call or a burnt dinner or who knows what, but I'm ok with that.  It's all apart of the new process.

4.  Stating your intent is a good thing.

I think this is sort of implied throughout this entire post, but I think stating my intent and desires have really helped me to realize that this is possible.  You know that saying (or maybe it's a fact) that people who write their goals down are more likely to accomplish them?  I'm finding a lot of truth in that through this journey.

8x10 print from thewheatfield etsy shop

5.  Admitting vulnerability and letting go is a bit like riding a roller coaster - terrifying at first, but the high afterwards makes you want to do it again and again.

I like the idea of getting things right.  I like the idea of not admitting when I am wrong or stuck or scared.  I've liked the idea of things being perfect.  But I'm learning that those things really take a lot of energy and the create a funnel-like environment where you just get stuck and you spin around and around and don't really get to where you want to be.  I've found sanctuary in a couple of communities where I can put my random fears or thoughts out there.  Acknowledging those vulnerable parts with people has allowed me to work through them and not get stuck like I have in the past.  Putting those vulnerable parts here, even if I'm the only person that sees it allows me to let it go.  

I loved, loved, loved the challenge of stating what "perfect is" for me.  It's freakin' exhausting.  Good enough is fun.  Good enough is freeing.  Good enough lets you fly and gives you wings.  I like the feeling of your feet being off of the ground and I like that I've been able to have that feeling a lot lately.

I love this journey. <3

banana salad

We do meal planning around our house.  If I'm lucky, we pull the plan together and I shop for the coming week on Sunday mornings.  Every week, I ask the people of the house what they want in the coming week.  And almost every week, I get a request for breakfast.  So...most weeks we have breakfast for dinner at least once.  We vary it up.  Sometimes it's pancakes (with or without bananas, chocolate chips and/or peanut butter and/or strawberry or 'purple' jelly on top).  Sometimes it's waffles with eggs and/or bacon.  Other times its quiche or egg based casserole, frittata, etc.  So this week, when I asked what we wanted for dinner - I put breakfast on the list because I wanted to try out these 2 ideas from one of my current favorite food blogs - Cookingwithmykid.com  First up:

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit Muffins

picture respectfully borrowed from cookingwithmykid.com

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of ours because we gobbled them up too quickly.  They are yummy and you should try them.  The recipe is here.  They are perfect for little and big hands and I see lots of easy ways to vary this up.  When I purchased the can 'o biscuits, I got 2, so I think I'm going to treat us to an actual Sunday breakfast but using spinach and a bit of onion in lieu of the bacon.

To accompany our biscuit/muffins, we had banana salad.  I figured Em would love this concept, and it turns out, I was right.  As I picked her up from daycare last night, I told her that we had to go home and help Felicia make dinner.  She asked what we were going to make, and I told her 'banana salad.'  It got a great reaction and she thought it was super silly, as only a 3-year-old would.

So we got home and made our version of the salad.  This was another idea I took from cookingwithmykid and to give credit where it's due, the recipe is here. I decided to document our adventures in making it, because Emily was having such a good time.

First we cut up the bananas ('on the orange plate for halloween' - says Em)

She got really excited when she actually started cutting the bananas completely in half.  By the third one she totally had it down.

Next, we added the bananas to the bowl:

Then we added the Craisins:

See that smile?  That is a smile of a child who loves craisins. At this point it was like the child had won salad lottery, and believe it or not, she actually has been known to eat the green variety.  To have bananas in a salad was silly, but to have craisins is divine.  Must remember this for the next green salad.

Next step is the pecans:

This container is the last of once was a 5 pound bag of pecans that Heather's mom gave us last Christmas.  Do you freakin' have any idea how much a 5 pound bag of pecans is?  It is a lot.  I've given co-workers bags, we've made countless things and here we are - almost a full year later with just a little bit left.

From here, I drizzled just a little bit of honey, and added my own secret ingredient to the mix - cinnamon.  Just a little sprinkle.  Our photography skills are not the best, but here's the final result, which we all loved:

I won't name any names, but one little person had seconds of everything on her plate.