my favorite sight; for so many reasons. the boys in aprons whip up their first pie crust. i helped with the slicing. dan trusts all things ree and turned to our used and abused cookbook for pioneer woman's flat apple pie. it was messy and absolutely delicious, as all her food turns out to be. there was no shortage of butter and sugary sauciness. which made for a fantastic no-fail experience.
the weekend / in review
friday we went out on the town. all three of us. the snow was falling in fat flakes and the sun set early. we went to an art gallery + letterpress studio opening. i was all a-bubbling like holiday tea when we stepped inside. the typical art crowd is just as i remembered. it felt like i was introducing dan to the world of artsy letterpress lovers, not like i knew any of them personally, but the introduction to the whole event of it. like visiting the blogs i love, but in real life.
to be honest, i felt a little out of place. and in my heart i felt envious; i've guiltily given most creative projects a backseat (or thrown in the trunk!) in my life right now. i wish i could carve out more time for things like this, i thought to myself. more time for cultivating my skills for awesome passions i wish i had time for. if i didn't blog so much, maybe i could be better at fill-in-the-blank. or, maybe if i could cut out my once-in-awhile napping ritual i could read more fine literature or possibly, dig into the new yorker or something equally as stimulating / informative. heavens, i am thirty now, i should be reading stuff like that. and i should definitely not be so involved with wondering what ryan seacrest will be producing next.
soon i began to look around–pushing through those feelings–and saw dan with benji in his arms, mingling with the artists and i realized something. my own toddler is my creative project at the moment. he's the main show. and that is more than okay with me. it was a happy mini lightbulb moment. one more moment of realizing how motherhood is something i'm unbelievably grateful for and very proud of. i love that mother is now a title i hold. it is worth giving other things up for. and then i felt fine about everything. i let it go and talked to the artists about their work. and rather than feeling sad that i don't know where i'd stick in letterpressing in my life, i felt happy that these lively ladies are opening their own studio and rockin' it; local style. i am grateful for that moment of letting my own selfish feelings go. to be happy for them and happy right where i am too. u be u, i'll be me. they had their machines going so dan (and benji!) got to see the magic of handcranking out artwork, up close. the fire is still burning to create things with my own hands. there is always a creative storm brewing in my mind of new projects to start, but that shouldn't overwhelm me (as it often does), it should inspire me. it should show me that i'm still alive and breathing. a time and season for everything. for me, it's the season of being mom.
side note // something my dear idaho friend, julie, once told me has been sticking to me like glue lately. i think of it often and am so happy she answered me so honestly. over the phone, i casually inquired about what amazing new sewing project she was working on. (the first time i met her she was sewing a giant hoop skirt–and other treasures to outfit her kiddos–to wear at an upcoming mountain man rendezvous!) she recently had her third baby and is gracefully figuring out how to manage life as a mom of three. julie said so nonchalantly and very matter-of-fact, i've decided that my kids are my hobby. i am putting them first. that one phrase has come into my mind so often. it reminds me, as a mother, to remember to make motherhood fun; to make it more than an obligatory responsibility. to make a choice to make the most of it. to enjoy each day as they are only little once. to make motherhood matter. thank you, julie.
since benji was already out past his bedtime, we went out for cocoa and shared a little delicacy called a fudge cup at this favorite place i love called gourmandies. it was packed and i felt like we were suddenly in new york city. everyone was dressed up and chatting in giant groups. i guess i'm such a homebody i've forgotten that it's sometimes totally fun to get out once in awhile and rub shoulders with the leather jacket (with sequins underneath) crowd. (side note // i seem to always be documenting the cakes, pies and general sweets we consume, am consuming, have consumed. please take no effort in doing the math for me. i read recently in a magazine that your favorite skinny jeans will tell you when you've gained weight. toss that scale! which is funny to me because most skinny jeans are mostly made up of luscious spandex, meaning stretch factor. which is why we love them. now will the new yorker tell you that? til then i'll wait for my tj maxx specials to speak up.)
saturday i joined in on a serious craft fest with the ladies at my church. we watched a buttermint demonstration, made a citrus salt scrub (aaamazing and easy!) and i wrapped a yellow yarn wreath (it's cute, but i don't think i'll ever do that again, unless i have fun people to chat with!). we ate chicken noodle soup. the boys had boy day with haircuts and a dinosaur museum and leaves to rake. we crossed everything off our to do list. i got to have a long chit chat with my brother while rounding the corners of my christmas cards (another task only fun if you have something / someone to distract you). thanks pete! and then tidied the house up. and smiled to have a house to tidy up and whipped some fresh cream for pie night.
sunday we baked pie and ate cheerios. we got dolled up and went to church and, in sunday school, discussed Jesus Christ and what it means to be a true disciple of His. i got to sit in on a class full of bright teenagers who had good answers about being an example while not being pushy. we talked about loving everyone and accepting others as they are while still holding true to our own values. i felt the spirit and felt thankful for the gospel. i am grateful to know what i believe in and know i can lean on it when i am weak. five o'clock, the family showed up; in coats and wet shoes and beaming faces. the warmth was immediate. we ate pie. the kids watched winnie the pooh while we ate more pie. there was coconut cream, chocolate decadence, pumpkin, pioneer woman's flat apple and gingerale party punch. everyone brought homebaked pies. and that wasn't even a requirement! i was so impressed and full to the gills.
there was a coloring table with thanksgiving printable pages and extra chairs brought in. dan got out the rickety old bench for the end of the table. it reminded me of thanksgivings everywhere wherein people round up random assorted seating to seat their hungry, happy visitors. there was a whole bunch of family in our little house. we felt so happy. my made-up game seemed like a success. the children were giddy and chit-chattering. i found the little girls 8 and 10, roaming my office glancing at photos. one asked, so what exactly do you do in here?! if only i had a clear cut answer for her!
the pies were perfect; only tasty, flaky crumbs left. which i nibbled on and vacuumed up simultaneously twenty minutes after the last guests left (and i'm not even a pie person). it's fun when you get to call yourself a hostess and your family members guests. living away from family for awhile, i so appreciate getting to see them more often! what better party is there than a roomful of relatives?! it is my favorite kind of comfort zone.
