CARROT MAN

So this is a new member of the family, my son's "Carrot Man", as we have been calling him. Picked him up at a local arts and crafts show. I told Luke that it reminded us of him, what with the crazy baby dreads he's been working on, and we had to get it. Truth is though, it reminds me of one of my favorite books that I read to Desi all the time, The Carrot Seed. He loves this book.

Have you read it? You must. I'm a sucker for kids' books, plus I have a soft spot for simple and sweet, and this book nails it. The illustrations and writing are wonderfully simple, with a message about perseverance, facing adversity, hard work, and faith.

Basically, a little boy plants a carrot seed, and not once does he let what others think keep him from believing (and working hard at the task) that he'll someday see a carrot come up.

How great is that? I mean, seriously?! It makes me think of the kind of person I strive to be and the attributes I hope to instill in Desi - someone who believes and works hard towards a goal, the kind of boy who's unaffected by what others think or say, whose faith is unwavering.

Does anyone have any recommendations for other kick-ass kids' books?

Sidenote: I thought twice about using "kick ass" and "kids' books" together, but I feel good about it, and I really like the alliteration. And I think I just secured the title for a new reoccurring thing here on the blog : )

FRENCH COW

This post subject kinda sounds like it could be a put down. Like, "you're such a French cow." Which then makes me picture a really fabulous looking cow that's reading a copy of "French Women Don't Get Fat".

The French word for today is "la vache" which literally means "cow", but I've read it can have a lot of meanings and uses, but we're keeping things super simple. So we're sticking with the literal moos-and- swats-flies-with-its-tail meaning of "la vache".

These cows are not French cows, but instead good ol' Oklahoma cows. My Dad's cows. He started out about 15 years ago with just three cows, one named after me and my two best friends. We were flattered. And although he has a whole lot more cows now, he still has those original three, and can still pick them out of the crowd. I'm still flattered.

La vache = cow

BEING CREATIVE

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
       - Pablo Picasso

I can't help but think of Picasso's quote when I see this picture. That's my little Desmond. It was his first time "coloring". I broke out the big pad of paper and crayons. We got crazy that day. There may or may not have been a taste testing of different crayon colors.

I also can't help but think of my own life. I've always loved to come up with creative ideas, write, make stuff, and the such. My mom's an artist and when I was growing up she was always sculpting or painting. Still is, actually. It was normal to open the stove and see one of mom's masterpieces cooking. She was always good about letting me and my brother make stuff, too. She'd give us some sculpty clay and let us create little people. A couple of years we even entered our little people into some art competitions and won.  That year I sculpted my grandparents and my brother scuplted my dad. Oh, the memories. And I think it's clear from the pic below that I've always had issues with my hair. Dang you, Keri Russell from the Disney Club! Just FYI, a perm will not look just like Keri's hair, and I don't think you're supposed to brush curly hair.

Anyhoo, back to creativity. It's something that I've realized I need in my life. Like I need a good sweet tea. It just feels right. There was a time growing up, like Picasso talks about, where I was an artist. I loved to draw, and art class was my favorite. And then as I got older I noticed that I wasn't as good as some other people, and overall just got self-conscious. And I stopped creating like I did when I was young. Which is just kinda sad. I hate the fear of "is this good enough?" "what will people think?". And I still deal with those fears now, too, often. In fact, I just freaked out a few weeks ago when a sign I made for our fall festival got wet in the rain and smeared. Oh man, the fear of it not being good enough... me not being good enough... totally shot to the roof. My husband, ever calm with me, chimes in with what he always says in these moments "Everything's going to be alright". And I want to be like "bite me, Bob Marley!" Oh, the anxiety and fear, how they can mix to create a really-not-cool me. Bless Luke's heart.

Speaking of Saint Luke, he, like my mom, is a really talented artist. Something I realize is not happenstance. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put us in one another's paths. If there's one thing I'm sure of, we make an awesome team. Where he's weak, I'm strong. And vice versa. And he's so good at encouraging me and helping me follow my ideas. And he's good inspiration, too, that one. He's always trying something new, never afraid to fail or look silly. I wanna be a little more like my husband in that way. Yes, Luke, you read that right.

So, here's to writing more, dusting off the sewing machine, finishing those books I want to write, making those shirts ... and the million other ideas jumping around in my head. And if you don't have your very own Luke, let me be the one to say, You're idea is great! Just try it. What do you have to lose?

UN CHAPEAU

I have a ton of hats. I'm talking literally, not figuratively, because as a woman we all "wear a lot of hats", but in this instance I'm talking about all the hats that fill up my closet - ball caps, winter hats, fun hats, cowboy hats, summer hats ... ok, I think I've read one to many Dr. Seuss books lately. The Desi in the Hat.

It's funny though, I don't wear hats all that often but boy do I have a bunch to choose from when I happen to get a wild hair, pun intended, because that's typically when I want to wear a hat. Wild hair that's greasy, been in a bun one day too long, desperately needs a dye job, or it's decided on its own that "frizzy" is the new beachwave. 

Un chapeau = a hat

HOME IS WHERE THE GRAFFITI IS

So we went shopping this weekend for a travel trailer. Something comfy, unique, a real eye sparkle. And we found it.

  

Ok, you got me, not really. We're totally not in the market for a travel trailer. But check out this thing. It's like my husband and his sharpies had their way with it. And he would totally roll in this, too. So who knows, he might be getting some ideas in that crazy head of his and we could own our very own graffiti home on wheels. You just never know.

FRENCH MAN

Bonjour, it's Pardon-My-French Friday. Today's word is "un homme" which means "a man" in French.

When I was in France I loved seeing the "quintessential" French things you hear about and see portrayed in movies - a bunch of older French men playing bocce ball, a French baguette sticking out of a bicycle basket, pituresque lavender fields. And don't forget about the French men. I remember walking down the street and having a random guy pass me and tell me that I have beautiful blue eyes. Not in a creepy way, just in a passing-flirty-I'm-French-so-it-sounds-romantic-doesn't-it kind of way. 

I found this cute little sticker while cleaning out the catch-all room in my house. I think he looks French. That stereotypical French guy. I guess he's just missing his striped shirt, scarf, and baguette. Which when you throw in some Nutella, he sounds like my kind of guy.

WHITE OLEANDER AND PICASSO

"A magician came to entertain us, and I was mesmerized by his beautiful hands, his fluid, round gestures. I couldn't stop watching his hands. They were better than any of his tricks. He pulled a bouquet of paper flowers out of the air and gave them to me with a courtly bow, and I thought love was like that, pulled out of the air, something bright and unlikely."   - Astrid, White Oleander

 

I've always loved this Picasso painting. I've had it hanging on my walls for 10 years and I used to have a little worn yellow post it note stuck in the corner of the frame with the above quote from the book White Oleander. It's such a beautiful string of words, paints a perfect picture. And White Oleander is that kind of book you just have to read again every so often. I just picked it back off my shelf and wanted to share it with you. Such beautiful writing must be shared!

PARDON-MY-FRENCH FRIDAY

No, no ... I will not be cussing today. Well, not on the blog. I can't guarantee what happens when I'm alone in my car and Slightly Road Ragey me comes out. But I'm working on it. Another story, another day.

Moving on.

This is the first installment of a weekly series. I'm a bit of a Francophile. I studied French in college, studied abroad in France, I watch French movies, read French blogs, eat French fries. That last one doesn't count, but you get the gist. So, I've decided to feature a photo with a French word. A little practice, a little picture, a little post, if you will. (Disclaimer down below).

Today's French word is l'aventure. The adventure. Because that's what life is everyday with this little guy. It's good stuff, keeps my blood pumping. It's not a climbing-Mount-Everest kind of adventure,  because then I might actually have a bonafide pack mule to carry the baby bag, my purse, the baby seat, a blanket, the actual baby, etc etc.

Vive l'aventure!

*Disclaimer - by no means do I think I won't mess up some French in the course of this series, it's bound to happen, because shoot happens, or as I think the French might say, c'est la vie! 

BOOKS HELP ME FIGURE THINGS OUT

Listen to the Mustn’ts

 

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,

Listen to the DON’TS

Listen to the SHOULDN’TS

The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS

Listen to the NEVER HAVES

Then listen close to me—

Anything can happen, child,

ANYTHING can be.

~Shel Silverstein

I've always been a reader. When I was little I would sit for hours and read aloud to my mom while she sculpted. As I look back, I'm not sure she was actually listening, but as an adult I am grateful for her willingness to let me read to her. It made me into a reader, and a life long fan of Shel Silverstein.

Lately I've been reading a lot of different books. Parenting, self-help, humor, and fiction - just a few of the categories I'm bouncing around in. I feel like I'm searching for something, the key to making everything click all at once. I have so many ideas, things I want to do and make and see, I often don't even know where to start. Or I find myself afraid. Dang you, fear.

But when I'm reading, it's like things start to all make sense. I find little nuggets that make my brain go into four wheel drive. I discover new ways of thinking and doing. I love books that challenge you to be better, and see life through different glasses. Sometimes it's just the pictures. A beautiful dancer, awesome artwork, all things that make me see the world, my world, a little different. And nudge me just a little bit more towards being more me, creating what I want to put into the world. They help me realize that these people started, that they followed their passions and dreams and worked hard for their lives, and that "Anything can be".

Here is a list of some of the books I've been reading lately. I highly recommend them.

Daring Greatly Brené Brown

I mentioned this book in my first blog post. It remains a book I pick up often. Just to re-read parts. It's so good. You'll realize that being vulnerable is the key to being your true and best self. I love Brené Brown and her honesty. See her TED talk here.



Simplicity Parenting Kim Payne

As a new mom, I've had so many moments of "I don't want to raise a brat" or "how do I keep my kid from being addicted to media?". This book has great parenting tips. Things you can start doing right now with a baby, and things that will certainly come in handy as the little guy gets older. 



The Creative Habit Twyla Tharp

I love dance, especially modern dance. Twyla Tharp is a famous modern dancer and choreographer. This book is all about things you can do to lead a more creative life - how she's done it, and how you can, too.



Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling

This book is laugh-out-loud funny. I've read parts to my husband because I had to share the funny with someone immediately. Mindy Kaling's insight is hilarious and real. I feel like I'm hanging out with a really funny friend. I secretly (not now I guess) hope someday that Mindy Kaling and I will become friends. Oh, and if you haven't seen her show "The Mindy Project" you are missing out on some serious belly laughs. 



Dancers Among Us Jordan Matter

This book makes me happy, end of story. I love dance. The amount of time, energy, hard work, dedication, and athleticism that dancers possess is amazing to me. To make something look so beautiful and effortless, sigh. It's swoon worthy.

MOM LIFE

"Mom life" makes me automatically think of "thug life". I can't help it. Commence Tupac turning.
 
It's crazy what having a baby can do to you. It's all the things people say it will be and all the things you imagine, plus more. It's loving a little person more than you ever thought was possible. It's feeling fiercely protective, and utterly vulnerable in this big ol' scary world. Dear, world, he's my most prized possession, please be careful.

It's crying at the nightly news and diaper commercials. Kissing another human being more than is probably healthy, and having absolutely no desire or plans to stop.

It's feeling helpless when you can't figure out why he's crying, wondering if you'll ever figure out how to juggle everything, and the sad realization that eating out will never be quite as enjoyable as it once was.

It's seeing yourself in a whole new light, too. Being overwhelmed when you realize what you just did and the big role you now have. And then being completely in awe just thinking about what that could mean to this big ol' world. What he will add to this place someday, and what he already has.

Becoming a mom is a game changer, no doubt about it.

This is my little man. He has me waking up at 5am nearly every morning, acting crazy to get a laugh, and perfecting my motor sounds ... and he has my heart.

Dear Desmond, I chose the mom life and I love it. (Sorry, Tupac, I can't help myself).

EXPANDING LIFE

So, my stepson got a birthday gift of the top superhero action figures in this world. He promptly extracted Wonder Woman from the prestigious group, declaring he wouldn't be needing her and she'd be better suited to hang out with me. Little did she know she'd be partaking in multiple photo shoots. But she was cool with it.

Basically, I've been trying to wrap my brain around how aperture and shutter speed work, and for some reason it's taking a while. So it was grueling. She hung in there. And I guess I'd expect nothing less, being Wonder Woman and all.

And it just so happens she's a great first pic for the very first post on this blog, too. Because, well, she's Wonder Woman. And honestly, I'm trying to be a little more like her.

- She clearly works out on a regular basis.

- She's perfected the "mom stare".

- It seems she wears her hair down more often than up in a messy bun.

- She's not afraid to rock an interesting outfit.

- She takes the time to put on lipstick.

- Holy calves, Batman. I'm guessing she's an avid cyclist?

But more than anything, the one quality I'm most interested in?

- She's fearless.

Yup, that word pretty much sums it all up. Maybe I've read too many books lately like Brené Brown's books, or listened to Sara Bareilles' song Brave one too many times, but recently I made a pact with myself that I'm living life in the arena. I'm going to be courageous and brave. I'm Daring Greatly. I'm letting the words fall out. I'm Wonder-Womaning up. Anyone know where I can get a Lasso of Truth? Thinking that could come in handy.

So here's to doing the things that scare you. Here's to having no real clear idea why you're starting a blog, but knowing it's going to be a good thing. Here's to Sumo Dreams.