Lanterns and a Party

"You can tell it's a Halloween party by their spooky eyes." Kidlet is very interested in Halloween, despite the fact it's 6.5 months away.

Have a festive weekend, all! Maybe hang lanterns on your patios to celebrate spring...

How do I do what I do? A ramble on creativity...

Here is the question that was posed to me by Dominique...

"How can you, as a creative person, find the right balance in doing many projects simultaneously? How do you manage to complete many projects while keeping a healthy body and mind?"

I've been thinking about this question for about two weeks now. Pondering the question of creativity and how I shoe-horn it in to my life, made me question...what the heck am I doing? The answer slowly revealed itself to me. How do I do what I do?

I make multitudes of lists. While I am sitting in class at school or waiting for a computer to reboot (endlessly) at work, I make lists. Lists for arts/crafts/ideas I want to try. Lists for books I want to read. Lists of upcoming knitting projects. Sometimes I make the same list more than once but making the list multiple times takes me that much closer to fruition. Having such limited time means I need to distill the idea until it becomes very clear to me what I want to do. Once I'm there, I can execute it in fairly short order.

Be satisfied with small bits of progress. I find I just about lose my mind if I don't take time to knit at least every other day, and I'm better if I can get a few rows in every day. While I'm not adding a huge chunk onto my project, at least I have touched it and that soothes me like nothing else.

Finding creativity in the most mundane things. I carry my camera everywhere and try to keep my eyes tuned to the easily overlooked. I also try to look at activities that wouldn't be considered artsy in a creative light. Making bread. Digging a hole for a plant. Even cleaning the house with an economy of movement and a song in my head can be satisfying (well, not as satisfying as making a collage, but I try!).

Taking it all less seriously, although this is not easy as art has always had an elevated status in my mind. Somewhere inside me, I feel like I need to take it seriously, as if some collector was going to come across a pile of my stuff and say "Oh! You undiscovered genius! I will be your patron!" and shower me with accolades and cold hard cash. I need to remember that I'm doing this for myself, and that is all.

My creative life is quite limited right now. I have so many obligations: a full-time job, part-time school, full-time mama/wife/family member...I could keep going but won't for fear of overwhelming myself. I'm finding that I like to work on several things at once instead of slogging through one project at a time, despite the fact it feels counter intuitive (wouldn't it be faster to concentrate on one thing? for me, the answer is no). Despite lack of time, I still manage to end up with finished objects and I think that creativity in my life is one of the few things that keeps me sane (sane-r?). I also look ahead to the future for when I might have more time to undertake larger projects or expand my arsenal of the crafts that I do.

Thanks so much, Dominique, for bringing this question my way. It's been quite enlightening and cleared out a few mental cobwebs.

A Dilly of a Day

Despite starting out with a humdinger of a night the night before we left (Chest pains, anyone? 3 hours of sleep due to the lovely anxiety attack? Sheesh...), we had a fantastic day out of town yesterday. The weather was amazing, right around 70 degrees. Flowers of all hues and forms were in great abundance. It felt so good to be out, running around like a kid at Fairytale Town and being full of wonder at the Zoo (Ahh, the zoo. Such mixed feelings about zoos).

Some of the best...Hubby and I sharing thoughts and plans on the drive down. Running the Crooked Mile with our friends (who joined us for the Fairytale Town portion of the day). Watching the vulture spread his wings, Kidlet and I whisper back and forth about how amazing and beautiful he is. Eating veggie burgers and sharing milkshakes.

Hope your days were just as lovely. Back later this week with more knitting and some thoughts on creativity that I didn't get to relate last week (sorry I'm taking so long, Dominique!).

We'll show you the way...

Map to Fairytale Town, by Kidlet. We're finally going this weekend, yay!

I'm just going to pretend the weekend starts right this minute, despite the fact I still need to make crepe batter for dinner tonight, mop the floor, take a shower, take Kidlet to school and take myself to work. That's right, the era of happy relaxation has begun. The weekend is merely a state of mind.

Have a lovely one, friends.

My LYS away from Home

A week ago (just a week ago!) , I put out the feelers to find a good sock yarn for hubby. Raina voted for ShiBui, a brand I had not tried but I was intrigued. My beloved LYS has a large inventory however, ShiBui is not a part of it. Away to the web I went. The Loopy Ewe showed up in my search and as I had seen their name around on Ravelry, I thought I'd give them a go. Lovely folks and the fastest shipping EVER, definitely recommended. And the yarn, like butta'. Can't wait to cast on...just need to decide on the pattern.

Pleased to Meet'cha!

I have had the pleasure of meeting two lovely ladies through the blog, Ms. Noodle and now Crafty Bean. It's been great fun to put words out in the land of bits and bytes and have it turn out that I can meet flesh and blood people.

All Sunday morning, Kidlet's mantra was, "is it time to go meet our new friends yet?" After much stalling until our appointed hour, we finally got to meet up with perennial friend W and new friend, Annabel (Bean's daughter). The small girls had a good time romping about the park, as did the women who met and munched snacks in the sunshine. We have tentative plans for more meet-ups and camping. I can't wait! (Please tell me we really are going camping!)

And the photo has nothing to do with our meet-up except I thought it was pretty. :)

"You have a choice every day...will you do everything, despite the circumstances, to generate love and light or will you give in to the darkness around you?"

--Mayor of Newark, NJ, Cory Booker
as heard on Bill Moyers' Journal podcast, episode "Race and Politics"

Cast Your Nets

What shall we find?

Discovering new desires, finding new hope.

1. I want to write poetry. Don't worry, I won't burden you with youtube videos of me wearing all black, reading some supremely awful drivel that I've written in a dark mood during a thunderstorm. I think I need to read a whole lot more poetry before I even start, but the seeds of desire have been planted.

2. Also, I want to write a children's book. I have thought about this pretty regularly for several years (with my mom) and I think I (we) need to get rolling. Mama, get ready!

3. I believe I will finish school. I believe I will finish school. Repeat for the next 4 years.

4. Trying oh-so-hard to not be so high strung. Deeply grateful for hubby's hand signals to calm down when I am starting to get wound up. Maybe I will be more even tempered one day. I will keep striving (as long as hubby continues to make hand gestures...ha ha ha...remember, Boo?).

5. I love spring. Spring = hope + renewal.

Will be back shortly with my answer to little meme-y/question that Dominique posed and some words about the weekend (Hi, Liz! Hi, Bean!).

Dreaming in Yarn

I finished another project last night (Kidlet's dresser scarf) which has me down to two projects. My clapotis is almost half done but I haven't worked on it in almost a month in the interests of finishing my other 3 projects. And I still have the sneaky project to finish up (which is probably two nights away from completion). I'm really happy with my knitting skills lately. I feel like I've progressed quite a bit in the past year. I can now weave in ends without it looking like a big mess (thanks, Knitty!). And I'll have to post later the brilliant blog that I use to refresh my memory on seaming techniques (because I don't have the link with me).

Anyway, with all this finishing at hand, that means I'm going to be ready for new projects. Woot! Of course, I'll keep plugging away at the clapotis but it's about time for me to embark on some socks for hubby (still looking for the perfect yarn, any suggestions?). Also, I'm going to knit a little bird and nest for a little one's birthday in August (need some yarn for this too, but I've got ideas). I feel like I want to start another project too...but not sure what. It seems silly, but I feel I knit faster when I have several projects going at once. I used to be one of those folks that would dedicate all their time to one project and not start another until it was completely done. It was miserable, slogging through the one project, all the while staring wistfully at piles of patterns and scribbled ideas that I wanted to start. Now I can knit on whatever appeals to my mood, within reason, as I think 4 projects is my maximum load. I want to try a sweater but I have a phobia. Maybe I should take ol' Daisy out of hibernation and get a few more inches along until something else grabs my fancy.

And this concludes our knitting update for today. Feel free to wake up at any time!

Renewal

And here I am...one small person's stomach flu, tons of knitting, not-so-great nights of sleeping, a lasagne, a holiday, and one trip to the nursery later. As crummy as the tummy flu was for the little one, it made for forced relaxation (and knitting!) for me which was desperately needed.

We had a pretty nice holiday and renewed (at least in a small way) our Easter tradition of going to the nursery after Easter breakfast. It was an amazingly warm Spring day. Perfect. I couldn't resist picking up a container of icelandic poppies. I adore poppies; I think they are my favorite. Sure, it is scheduled to get cold(ish) again but I'm a sucker.

Things have been awfully quiet around here on the blog but to be honest, I'm not expecting a whole lot of pick up in activity, despite having some quiet time after an insanely hectic week. I haven't been taking many photos and don't have a ton to say. I think it's that time of budding before the blooms emerge where I go all quiet and just need to do some mental digestion.

Upcoming and what I'm 'mentally digesting'...I'll do a big knitting progress post in about two weeks (after my Mama's birthday so I will be able to officially reveal that super-secret project). Here's what I'm reading (very interesting, I'll save a post to talk about it when I'm deeper into the book). Thinking about my vision and photography (or lack thereof). The desperate need to learn to sew so I can use these fabrics. More dreams of new shoes. In other words, nothing new. Hope Spring is starting to sprout in your neck of the woods. Hugs!

Today is the Day

Four years ago...

I had to decide whether to be induced or be on bedrest for 3 days and then get induced.

I finished knitting a scarf for hubby with an IV in my arm, pumping in the drugs of induction.

A Brownie troop that was touring the maternity ward visited me about 3 hours into labor to 'see what a lady in labor looks like'. I smiled and was friendly. The nurse couldn't believe I didn't have any pain meds because I was so calm.

I watched the opening rounds of the NCAA basketball tourney, checking my bracket in between gritting my teeth and doing yoga breathing through contractions.

I remember thinking about 8 hours after being induced, after a particularly strong set of contractions, "Damn. If this was anything else in the world, I think I would throw in the towel and say I would try again another day." I kept the image me running long distances in my head. Push on through. You are strong.

Pushing was hard. Hubby was a blessing (as was the dear nurse).

I was gifted after 11 p.m.. I gasped, "She's beautiful. She's perfect."

And she is.

****

I went to Kidlet's birthday celebration at school today and it was so sweet. They place a work mat on the floor, light a candle and place it in the middle of the mat. Next, they surround the candle with little 'sun rays' (triangle shaped pieces of paper); each one has a month of the year printed on it. Kidlet was told to bring the globe and put it in front of March. Her teacher showed photos of Kidlet from each year that she's been on this earth. After each photo, she was told to walk around the 'sun' and then the children would do a handclap for the number of years being represented. Then we all sang Happy Birthday and Kidlet blew out the candle. Next, the children were allowed to raise their hands and say something nice about Kidlet. She passed out the muffins I made and we ate.

She's such a serious student! It was fun to see her in her school environment. The only bad part was that she got sniffly when it was time for me to leave.

****

I'll be back soon with a regular update. Things are just so freakin' hectic right now. But soon, my life (for a week, anyway) will be full of knitting and other happy things. Spring break, anyone? Heading to Mexico? Not me, just heading for work but at least there's no school in the picture.

This just in...

One of my favorite bloggers who went on hiatus over a year ago has returned to blogging...Loobylu! She was one of the first blogs I started reading four years (can it really be that long?) ago. Enjoy!

Wish me luck...

as I am still feeling worked over by this cold/flu thing and I've got an overflowing list of 'to-do'. I was trying to keep it together, but I have officially just stepped off into the region of 'oh dear, I still need to do what?!' (i.e. overwhelmed). In short, you won't be hear a whole lot from me for about a week until this 'house cleaning-home birthday party-school-school birthday party-school-and oh, don't forget you have to work' thing is all done.

Right now, this is test study avoidance tactic number 3. I should either just skip it tonight and try to sleep or get on it. (cough, cough) Nighty night, sweethearts.

And this was the good part of going to lab today...

There were only a couple going and I worry for their health with the upcoming cold snap. I will check on them next week.

Last night was so warm, we were outside in just long-sleeved shirts (well, I was in a light sweatshirt because I am always cold). Despite having been pile-drivered by this cold-flu thing, I suddenly had the urge to start cleaning the garden. Y'know, doing the tasks that should have been done in the fall: pulling dead morning glory vines off the pointiest rosebushes in the land, raking leaves, pruning (I'm never quite sure when this is supposed to be done but my lack of knowledge has yet to hurt me). I only managed to clear 3 rose bushes of the twisty twiny morning glory skeletons and pulled out one dead bush, but it definitely is a start. Of course, right before the big party weekend and a planned pre-birthday jaunt to Fairytale Town, it supposed to start raining and possibly snowing. I'm basking in the warmth while I can...that is, between running back and forth between work and school (oh how I love lab week, not at all).

This week is a one giant list, done with one hand behind my back that has its fingers crossed, hoping no one else gets sick or relapses before the party. Food lists and recipes need to be finalized, the presents wrapped, the decorations finished, reminders to be put out that 'yes, we are having a party this weekend', house cleaning and oh yes, don't forget to write your lab report and study for your exam coming up in a week. Also, get together the supplies together for Kidlet's birthday-at-school celebration. I might sleep a few hours in the night too. Maybe. It hasn't worked well for me lately so it would be a novelty.

Despite the fact I may sound a little harried or bitter, I am not. I love lists, hustle-n-bustle is my middle name. I can't sit still. Even in the depths of illness last week, I was busy building Kidlet's doll house and cleaning the house. The emergence of spring is making me think about not only clearing out the dead wood in the yard and the extraneous junk from the house, I'm thinking about cleaning out my head too; the bad patterns and attitudes that seem to seep in during the dark winter months need to be tossed. I feel the change coming and I say it's all right.

Green Friday

So, when I took my green photos last weekend, this is what I expected to post today...



Imagine my surprise when I opened the Kidlet's blinds Thursday morning and I spotted a very small point of yellow on the hill.



Eeeep! The tiniest, earliest daffodils emerged. It's official, Spring is here. True, this photo is less about the green and more about the yellow, but I couldn't resist.

Thank you, Emily, for hosting a lovely week. I found many new blogs to explore and enjoyed all that green. Sigh.

"He who searches for spring with his knees in the mud finds it, in abundance."

--From A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

Green Wednesday

I picked up this little pot at the farmer's market last summer. She had such wonderful items; I wanted to buy them all. It's holding some silky green yarn too. Just filling my life with green, eh? Love it.

The embroidery is from my Grandma. I treasure all the pillows, tea towels and dresser scarves that she's made for me over the years.

Totally off topic but interesting. I was listening to Talk of the Nation the other day and they had an interview with these two folks that compiled this book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure . I can't come up with my life story in six words today, but I can come up with one that sums up today...

Feeling rather sick, sadly must work.

What is your story today?

Green Tuesday

Turning seasons turning wildly
away, morning's majestic calm

unfolds. Out in spring clothes,
I cross eastern fields. A few

clouds linger, sweeping mountains
clean. Gossamer mist blurs open

skies. Feeling the south wind,
young grain ripples like wings.


--From the poem "Turning Seasons" by T'ao Ch'ien found in The Selected Poems of T'ao Ch'ien

More green here...

Green Week...Monday (really Sunday)

This weekend was full of errands, cooking, knitting and one small, yet extremely snotty nose. I didn't get anything done that I had originally planned to get done (ie. start cleaning the house for the big shindig later this month) but it was good, nevertheless. We went to lunch yesterday at a local California-style Mex joint. They have super yummy lemonade (seen here). The salsa verde you see in the corner of the picture is quite tasty too, but the crazy unnatural green puts me off. No need to worry though, the restaurant makes its own chipolte salsa that's so good that I could drink it (and end up coughing and crying due to spiciness).

Also, I apologize for the kind of weird processing on this photo. I didn't process it at the perfect processing hour on my laptop (2 pm). If I try to process photos at any other time of day, they end up with weird colors and are really dark (no matter where in the house I try to move the laptop). Ahhh, the pleasures of my dear lappletop. Hopefully my greens for green week will be better for the rest of the week.