3 reasons you need to be creative

 Can I tell you something?  

I've stared at this computer screen for over 30 minutes.  I know what I want to say, but today, the simple act of putting those ideas into words just seems hard.  My mind is tired and anxiety wants to creep in.  But, I fight.  Everyday, I put on my big girl pants (aka yoga pants, because we're all friends here) and make a little list of things I can do. I have about 4 things that I try to do every day to keep my mind sane (go on a stupid walk/exercise, read the Bible, read a book, do something creative).  By doing these things, I feel lighter and less anxious than the days where at least one of these happens.  It doesn't matter what.  I mean, this week, I've been sewing a couple face masks each day (Weston was in need of some new ones). . . but oh, man, does it feel so good when I'm done!  My heart feels lighter.  

We don't have to look far to find things that can tug at our heart strings and cause our minds to start worrying and becoming anxious. You don't need to have a medical diagnosis to experience anxiety (I don't!).   The reality is that we all worry. We get anxious.  It's a normal way for our bodies to react to things like news alerts, covid, cancelled plans, unknowns, and the list can go on.  I know that when everything was shut down (almost 2 years ago), I had to be intentional with my time so that I wouldn't go on a downward spiral.  Exercising my body, stupid walks, and creating were my 3 favorite things to turn my anxiety around. . . and it did!   

This little space became a teenager last week and I thought that carving out some time to explain why creativity is so important and is for everybody (even if you have proclaimed to the world that you are not a creative person!). So here are 5 reasons you should incorporate creativity into your daily routine.

1.   We are all created to create. 

I believe that God created us in His image and God himself was the ultimate creator.  He created the world, humans, animals, and pretty much everything.  The Bible uses words like Potter and clay to describe Him.  God molded us in His image and if that's the case, then, we too, are called to create.  And let's be honest, sometimes we aren't very good at understanding what it means to create.  So many of us just chalk it up to being an artist or a musician and we don't feel gifted and so we say, "We aren't creative."

Abraham Maslow, a psychologist who taught at Colombia and a few other Universities, said, "Creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth."  Even psychologists agree that we are created and wired to be creative! 

There are so many ways to use the creative part of our brain, that we sometimes don't give ourselves the credit for actually doing something creative!  Creating does not have to be an original idea. . . that's just crazy.  That's why there are patterns and recipe and countless tutorials and how-to's out there!  Plus, while we are all created in God's image, we are also all unique.  Which means, how I create might be different than how you create and that's OKAY.  I mean, if you need to spend an hour making a Instagram reel and that brings you joy. . . do it!  But, don't compare yourself to your bff who is over at her house painting amazing murals all over her walls. 

2.  Creating is good for your physical health (and may help you live longer!)

There is a lot of research that has found the being creative is actually good for your physical health. There have been a lot of studies that have found that just taking the time to be creative is like a workout for the brain. . . it keeps the brain healthy!  Creative people tend to live longer with higher neural networks into old age!  I'm no neurologist, but that sounds pretty cool!  

There is a documentary film, I remember better when I paint, that found that when they put a paintbrush in the hands of patients dealing with dementia, once they began painting they were able to reconnect with the world.  

NPR put out an article in 2020 that interviewed a few neurology professors and psychologists and found that anytime you engage your brain with some sort of visual expression a reward pathway in the brain gets activated. . . translation: you feel good!  

There is probably a lot more research out there, but trust me. . . it's good for your health!  

3.  Creating is good for our mental health

We all know how stressful life is and how anxious we all get.  We are humans, it's going to happen.  There are things beyond our control and it's not going to stop.  We have to be able to deal with it.  While, I do believe that going to God is our number one source of help in times when we need to chill out and de-stress, I also believe that he gave us the ability to create for a reason and this might just be one of them!  

Studies have shown that doing creative things helps with depression anxiety, and also grief.  I know that when I take the time to do something creative, I feel good.  My outlook and attitude are better than when I am anxious or stressed.  One study measured cortisol in 39 healthy adults and after each one spent 45 minutes creating art, each one had significantly lowered their cortisol levels.  

That's pretty cool.  After reading about that study, I really think that spending a few minutes each day doing something creative is just as important as exercise!  (Somebody might question that, but that's what I think!).

Creativity is something I am passionate about.  Am I perfect. . . absolutely not.  Are there things I can't do. . . definitely!  It's why I started my blog.  When I was pregnant, I was really into making cards with stamps (it's something that I still gander at here and there 13 years later!) and someone actually asked what I was going to do with my craft supplies once I had my son.  I am so thankful that I didn't listen to her advice and took the time to be creative, try new things, when my first born was a baby.  I found time.  I took advantage of nap time to do something that energized me and gave me life.  As a mom (littles and bigs, alike) it is exhausting.  Sometimes you just feel drained from keeping up with their needs and schedules that it's important to take some time and do something creative. . . even if it means doing an art hub for kids lesson alongside your kids.  It's important. 

I hope you stick around and join me in a few creative adventures this year.  I'm going to try some new things, finish some projects, bake some goodies and do some traveling!  

p.s. Check back next week and and we'll be looking some of the ways we can be creative. . . even when we don't feel like we can.  

IN THE COMMENTS: How do you get creative? 

Easy clay tags

Today I am taking a breather.  The kids are at school, its overcast, the fire is going, and a Hallmark movie is playing and I am sitting here taking a breath, doing some writing and finishing up the Christmas cards.  My kids have 3 weeks of school between Thanksgiving vacation and the start of Christmas vacation and that has been filled with lots of soccer, errands, and a lot of life.  It's been great!  We have one more week and it's crunch time!

This week, one of my goals  was to work on my gift wrapping for the year.  This year, I decided to try making tags from Sculpey bake-able clay.  I've always wanted to play with this stuff for fun and not for kids class projects (like the time Ethan needed to create some sort of 3 dimensional version of his wolf-finnick fox hybrid or a model stegosaurus).  This time, I got to play with it and I had so much fun!  It was like playing with play doh for adults!  

I rolled it out and cut out my shapes.  Basically, like making sugar cookies. . . except flour isn't everywhere and you don't get to eat them when you're finished! 

I poked a hole a the top of each one with a random chopstick that I found. 

 

I have gathered some beautiful stamps over the years, and it was so much fun to use them for something other than paper!  I picked some of my favorite words, wreaths, and snow flakes and I carefully pressed them into the clay, making sure each little part made it's way in. Then, I very carefully lifted them out and placed them on the baking sheet.  

While, I was doing this, I preheated the oven to 285*F.  I baked them for 15-20 minutes and then let them cool.  If you want to paint them, this is when you do that.  I left mine white since I was going for a splash of white with each present.

 Then, I wrapped up my first present.  I can't wait to finish my shopping so I can finish!  So cheers to the weekend, cups of marshmallow topped hot chocolate, cheesy Christmas movies, and wrapping presents!  
 

Sparks of Joy {Links that Make Me Smile}

 It's Friday!  Wowzers this week sped on by!

 I'm pretty sure I am going to blink and Christmas vacation will be here!  In just 2 short weeks, both kids will be home for 3 weeks!  I am excited!  But, I've got a clean house that is pretty much decorated for Christmas. I've have every intention of being finished with Christmas shopping before the kids get out! I want to go into this season with every intention of slowing down and savoring the days leading up to Christmas. . . I've got some projects, some baking, and a long list of Christmas movies saved up to watch. . . thank goodness Hallmark keeps coming out with new ones all the time!  

Every now and then, I like to sit down and just share some things that have sparked joy in my life lately.  So this post is just that. . . some fun, silly, yummy, creative, weird things that brought a smile to my face.  I hope that you take the time to click on maybe one of them. . . and maybe you will smile, too.  There is no space for joy robbers here. . . let's share the joy have some fun! 

::Advent started this week.  I am doing the She Reads Truth advent and the we are doing the Kids Read Truth advent cards as a family.  I love the intentionality of slowing down each night and opening our Bibles together. It is often the only time of year it happens and it's my favorite. It's not too late for you to join in. . . you can find the plan here.  It has links to the study, the verses and the podcast (which week 1 is with Annie F. Downs and it's so much fun!).  The Kids Read Truth Cards are have been bringing great conversations and suprisingly, still work with the teenager!  You can find the link here. (It looks like they are sold out of all the Christmas ones. . . but there are others!)

:: Amanda over on instagram (@graccieone) has been doing mini quilt Mondays and I think I'm going to go back and try them out after Christmas.  They look so much fun!  

:: I'm currently drinking this coffee and it's my new favorite! I also love their Buena Vista

:: I've been working through the 12 week workout program (second time!!) using my Flobody.  I love it!  

:: Have you seen 8-bit Christmas yet?  So good! 

:: Trying to decide if we are going to Elf some friends this year. . . have you seen this printable I made last year?  

:: There's also some free gift tags, a delivery driver treat sign, and a cookie exchange for free on the blog. 

:: This baked potato bar looks amazing for some Christmas gatherings! 

:: I saw a post (somewhere???) about a soup party that I want to do sometime. Everyone brought soup to share, and also a mason jar with soup for everyone to take home to freeze for quick, warm lunches.  Do you do a soup party? 

:: These sandwiches are going to be on our menu soon. I'm drooling just thinking about them!

:: Jon kept we awake and alert driving home in the fog last week listening to podcasts at half speed.  So much laughter!  You should try it! 

:: Emily Lex has been drying oranges and I want to give it a try.  They look gorgeous!  Maybe next week?

 :: Have you checked out the new Maverick City Christmas Album yet?  It's so good! 

:: And, if you are in need of some warm fuzzy animals doing absolutely hilarious things in the wild and got caught on camera. . . check out this!  I promise it will put a smile on your face!

Well, that's it for this week.  Let's bring on the weekend and all the Christmas stuff!  

Have a great Christmas! 

p.s. do you have something that is sparking you joy?  Post in the comments here or on facebook!  Can't wait to see what you share!

 

  

Weston's favorite snack: GORP

 Snack mix of any sort is always a good idea.  I can remember years ago, when I was in girl scouts and my mom was my troop leader.  My mom always had the best ideas and somewhere I have a ton of badges to show it. . . in fact, my mom recently found a random patch that never made it on my sash in their move.  One girl scout Thanksgiving, we did crazy things like churn our own butter and assist in all the food making.  I think Gorp was on the menu.  It might not have been. . . but I remember making a batch or two during the many years I was a scout.  

I've always loved the idea of combining favorite snack items to make a yummy treat.  When I was teaching, I always had the kids bring in their favorite snack items to make what I renamed as "test week snack mix." The kids had so much fun making a really large batch of what was essentially Gorp.  The kids got to snack on their mix while taking their annual state tests and it brought a little bit of fun to an otherwise kind of stressful week. 

 

This year, I started adding Gorp to the kids lunches with some snacks that we had lying around the kitchen.  I didn't realize how much of a hit it would be and I kind of had laughed in my head because I was using the snacks that had been forgotten in the pantry.  All of a sudden, the kids were eating some of the forgotten snacks right up.  This mom is celebrating that victory! Plus, my youngest started making the snack mix for after school snacks and basically any chance he could find.  I think it's because I add just a little bit of chocolate. . . and it's an excuse to have a few bites! 

This recipe is so flexible.  Use what you have and get creative!  Extra points if you get your kids involved in the kitchen. . . it will empower them!  

Here's the recipe. . . but really it's just a list of possible ingredients.  Feel free to add your own ideas. . . and please share them in the comments!  

 GORP

Ingredients:

 pretzels

dried BARE coconut chips

dried apples

dried cranberries

raisins

mixed nuts

Unreal chocolate candies (less sugar and no extra stuff)

popcorn

chex cereal (or any cereal!)

Annies Bunnies

chocolate pieces (we use the Thrive chunks. . . they use coconut sugar)

cheese its

oyster crackers

Directions:

  mix together desired ingredients and give a little stir or shake.  Pour in snack bags or snack cups and munch away!  have fun!

 

Looking back on onedayhh2021

 Snap a picture.  Post it.  Every hour-ish. For one day.  

Those are pretty much the directions for onedayhh each year, hosted by Laura Tremaine.  Totally easy and doable.  I find it pretty easy to post things in my insta stories because for the most part they are temporary and that's a quick way for me to share a memory from that moment.  I try to be honest and real. . . I don't want you checking my feed and seeing perfection all the time, because the reality is I am soooo far from perfect.  A picture only shows what we want others to see.  

This year, onedayhh landed on a Tuesday. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed.  There was nothing really going on.  I wasn't even going anywhere.  Just me and a quiet house. . . and social media.  But, I did it anyway because I wanted to be real and  honest with how some days just go.  

Let's just say that for me, the day did not disappoint.  What started with getting up, dropping both boys off at their schools and watching them walk away to join their friends and learn amazing things had some unexpected things happen.  I didn't dress cute and even wore socks with my birks to drive kids around.  

The day was going great.  I was productive and started laundry, meal prepped, even did some vacuuming and still had time to watch the latest episode of Nancy Drew (kind of one of my favorite shows right now!) and eat lunch before tackling kid pick ups and drop offs.  

I did not plan for my washing machine to die.  As in stop working mid load, with a basin filled with water. Thankfully, my BFF lives less than 5 minutes away (if we didn't have to zig zag through the neighborhood, it would be like 2 minutes!) and let me rewash the failed load of laundry in between picking  up kids and doing incredibly exciting things like getting gas. Please note that not once did I enter a Starbucks or local coffee shop!  I didn't really even have time to worry about what we were going to do about the washing machine situation and in between sticking dinner (sheet pan dinner for the win!) in the oven and setting up for Bible Study that night, I had a sudden thought to check out Lowe's website and found one in less than 5 minutes on sale and in stock for Thursday delivery.  I moved quick and by the time dinner was on the table, I had snagged that washer and was doing a happy dance in our kitchen. 

Sometimes I get self conscience because I stopped working so I can stay home.  I absolutely love my job as a SAHM and am so thankful I can do it.  But sometimes, those thoughts of doubt fill my mind.  My husband and I joke that I just sit around and eat bon bons and watch rom-coms all day, but we both know that is farther from the truth.  My day was filled with mundane tasks.  I drove kids around, did laundry, cleaned up, meal prepped, fit in my Bible Study, and even hosted and led my Bible Study group.  In all honesty, the day was kind of boring and normal.  But, I am so thankful for the day because it reminded me of some important things.  Here are the things I learned:

:: Mundane, boring tasks are important and make things go smoother the rest of the week.  

:: I believe that God cares about all the little details of my day, including rewashing a load of laundry and finding a new machine. I didn't have time to worry or stress and everything fell into place.  The random thought to check online was from God, guiding and directing my steps. . . not on a big, life changing situation, but a small, minor detail.  

:: Our jobs, no matter how different they are, matter to God. 

:: The little details of our day matter to God. 

:: At the end of the day, we don't realize just how much we do, until we snap pictures of almost everything!  I now realize that I am tired because I am working hard.  It may not feel like it, but I am!

Tonight, I am going to bed with a full and thankful heart.  

Let's be better.

I have come to the conclusion that I do not have it all together.  The reality is I have always known this, but this year, I am reminded of this every single day.  Every day I fall short of something.  I mess up.  I burn something (dinner may have caught on fire last week. . . Oops!),  I forget something.  Things don’t get done.  It is a reality that I am quickly realizing might just be my normal this year and I have to be okay with that. 

I think that It is so easy to look at someone and assume they have it all together.  You might look at this blog and wonder, “How the heck does she do all she does?” Or even, “Why doesn’t she work?”  Instantly, once these thoughts leave our mind, more thoughts come through and we’ve got a problem.  We start looking at our lives, our homes, our projects and wonder what is wrong with us.  The truth. . . Absolutely NOTHING!. 

Over the past year, there was an image and poem that floated around the social media world talking about how, during the pandemic, we were not all in the same boat.  Each of us was in the same storm, but not in the same boat.  We each handled it in our own way and we each had our own struggles.  A sweet mom friend and I were talking a few weeks ago about how, both of us being enneagram 7’s had to find a way to get out of the house and have adventures. . . Being stuck at home was not good on our hearts.  In other cases, my sweet homebody friends were living their best lives being able to work from home.  Some of us had good or even decent experiences with distance learning and others quite the opposite. 

 But, what the heck does pandemic life have to do with not having it all together?  So much, I promise!  I believe that the same analogy found in that poem also applies to motherhood.  I am a mom.  You might be a mom, or even dreaming of being a mom one day.  And if you are reading this blog, you are most likely a woman (I think my husband is the only guy who might read this blog. . . Feel free to prove me wrong).  We are women.  We balance work, family, volunteering, fitness, bible studies, and social commitments and add in our kids activities, appointments, and possibly different schedules in the mix.  We are wonder women who need our villages to make it all work.  Even as a stay at home mom, I need my people to help me manage it all.  My best friend, who is a working mom, have each other’s backs to help with pick ups.  Between the 2 of us, we have 4 kids at 3 different schools, all involved in different activities.  We need each other.

 Now, I wouldn’t call motherhood a giant storm.  But it is chaotic, busy, and beautiful.   It is so easy to become completely miserable the moment we compare ourselves to others.  This is so stinking easy.  Plus, I think the moment we start comparing ourselves to others we build walls around us that make it harder for us to connect with other women. . . And women are the hardest on each other.  I don’t know about you, I could use some encouragement in the midst of the chaos?  No one has time for walls and judgment.  We need each other to spend more time building one another up then tearing each other down because we want to feel better about ourselves. 

 In 2 Corinthians, there is a verse that talks about taking our thoughts captive (I will link it at the bottom).  It is a verse that sounds like it is preparing for war, and in all reality, we are.  Our mind and hearts are at war daily.  John Eldridge, in his book The Sacred Heart, uses the analogy of arrows being flung at you.  Our enemy, also known as Satan (not that mom who in the Pinterest loving room mom) knows your weaknesses.  He knows what words or thoughts will make you feel weak and unworthy. And he flings them at you hoping to break you down and make you angry, depressed, and jealous . . . The opposite of living a life that is Christ like.  He’s sneaky like that.  We need to take those thoughts captive and not let them get to our heart.

 I love Pinterest and Instagram so very much.  I can easily get lost in the sea of pretty homes and projects and after awhile, thoughts might come in that make me jealous, inadequate, or not worthy.  (One of the big ones for me is why bother blogging. . . There are other writers so much better than me doing the same thing. . .That’s a blog post for another day).  I also can look at the other moms around me they balance everything and wonder why I can’t seem to get my ducks in order.  But, then I remember a passage out of Titus.  Paul is writing encouraging words to his friend Titus and the church in Philippi and one of the things he challenges them to do is to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, and worthy of praise.  This list has been my battle ever since college.  I am so thankful that Satan provides a way to fight those arrows!

Let’s be better women and moms.  Let’s break down the walls we put up to protect us from hurt and jealousy and instead make some new friends and learn something new.  And most of all, let’s not let Satan win with his nasty arrows that go straight to our hearts!  Armor up, fellow ladies!  

What's for dinner? {September 2021}

This morning, I stepped outside to take the kids to school and I could see my breath!  We have officially entered into sweater weather. . . but the kind that has you shedding your sweater by the afternoon because it's still pretty warm.  California likes to take it's time making fall show it's fully glory.  In the meantime, I have apparently been making a lot of soup!  

Between having sick kids and making food for family gatherings, soup has shown up quite a few times this month.  While soup is not my most favorite thing, these ones are seriously delicious! 

I used to do these "What's for Dinner" posts long ago, but I thought that I should bring them back.  I am a huge advocate ending each day gathered around the table.  Now, as the kids have gotten older and busier, this doesn't look the same each night, but we still look forward to the time around the table over delicious food (or the occasional take out) where we share stories from our day, eat, and most often than not, laugh.  

I am constantly scouring Pinterest and my cookbooks for delicious new recipes that fit in our food budget and are mostly clean eating.  In our home, there are dairy and soy allergies, so we often find Paleo-ish meals meet our needs. I also like to try new meals as often as possible so I don't get bored cooking.  I want to feel excited about making dinner. . . give myself something to look forward to. These recipes were all tried on a weekday evening after a busy day of carpooling and errands. My hope through these blog posts are that you feel the freedom to try out those recipes you pin.  There are so many amazing recipes out there that it sometimes can be overwhelming. 

So, let's see what's been on the table at our house last month.

 

1.  Dairy Free Clam Chowder

I love clam chowder and every time my oldest orders it when we are the beach, I get a little jealous.  Last week, he requested homemade and I did not object.  This is the second time Ive made this specific recipe and it hasn't disappointed me yet.  And despite being dairy free, my milk loving son did not hesitate for seconds and leftovers! 

2. Chili

Last month I made two different kinds of chili. . . both from my blog.  They are my go-to and always are a hit.  They also freeze well, so you can make a batch and freeze half for another meal on a busy weekday afternoon when there are chilly soccer games or volleyball games.  

Our Favorite Chili can be found here. 

And Black Bean Chili can be found here. 

Both are so yummy!  

 3.  Simple Sesame Noodles

This is a regular on our menu.  I make a sub coconut aminos for the soy sauce and just use sriacha instead of chili oil.  Ethan has been making this for me so I can work on some other things on busy nights. . . which I love and because I eliminate the soy, Weston can eat it and he LOVES it.  I usually bake some Aidels Teriyaki meatballs to go with it (those aren't soy free, so off limits for Weston, but he doesn't mind!).   I won't lie, we make this at least twice a week!   

 

Cookbook Spotlight: The Defined Dish

And finally, I made a bunch of recipes from Defined Dish, and they were amazing.  So because of that, I am going to also spotlight a cookbook I tried several incredibly delicious recipes from! Let me introduce you to The Defined Dish Cookbook.  We tried her Healing Soup, Muffalata salad, and cheeseburger meatballs. . . all of them soooo very good!  You can find it on amazon or wherever you like to buy books.  She also has a new cookbook coming out soon. . . I'm so excited!  

 

For Your Sweet Tooth: Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies

 And finally, we will end with this post with something sweet and delicious.  Last month I tried out a recipe by Half Baked Harvest (she never disappoints).  I will confess, I messed up the first batch, but remade them the correct way just last night and they were a huge hit.  The maple and apple butter editions add just the right amount of flavor that is not overpowering, but so stinkin' good!  Everyone gobbled them up!   

You can find the recipe here. 

I hope you feel inspired and ready to take on another week of cooking meals for your family.  

 Please note: All pictures were taken from the actual websites of the recipe creators.