Amber Dusick

Now Smelling (and buzzzzzz, welcome bees!)

Non-fragrant flowers are like shallow people.  They may be beautiful, but have no substance, no personality. 

The smelling ones are my loves.  I don't even care what they look like, and you'll see from this photo, they aren't flashy or spectacular.  But they are my absolute favorite.   

When I walk out the front door I can immediately smell the sweet orange and lemon trees which are covered in blossoms and bees.  I can hear the BUZZZZZZZ of thousands of bees from several paces away.  I have to be careful when I want to smell up close to not disturb them.  I sat on a bee in the grass this summer and wow, that hurt.  Yes, a bee sting on my ass.  Classy.  Hey, I was hugely pregnant and couldn't even see my own two feet.  Sorry bee.  

The lavender and jasmine are also covered in bees and it has taken quite a bit of careful training to teach my son to check for bees before picking, smelling or otherwise diving into the plants since these are at his level.  I say "careful" because I don't want him to be terrified of bees, I just want him to be aware of them and stay out of their way.  I've seen too many kids (and adults!) unable to enjoy the outdoors just because there are bees in the flowers.  They run, screaming when a bee buzzes by.  I hate this.  It makes them more likely to freak the bee out and get stung.  Bees aren't out to get anyone.  Well, except for those people who slather themselves in smelly products.  Then it's their own fault for tricking the world into thinking that they are a flower.

Maybe this is a city mouse/country mouse thing.  It never occured to me to be afraid of them as a child, they were just part of the farm and they were everywhere.  I love bees!  We gotta take care of them and a lot of folks are concerned about them.  Even my own parents in rural Minnesota bought gear to set up their own colony.  Someday I'd like to try my hand at beekeeping.  My own source of beeswax and honey?  That would be a dream.  For now, I welcome them to our yard, knowing that the work they do now ensures yummy stuff later.  So important. 

Anyone have any bee stories?  Have you ever tasted honeycomb right from the hive?  Were you a bee for Halloween as a child?  (It is okay to just admit it if you are a runner/screamer, I'll still like you, I promise)     

Taking Care (of ourselves)

We're all starting to feel better, huge relief.  A whole lot babywearing, soothing and zombie-ing over the last few days.  I'll drop everything else to care for them.  Unfortunately, this means I neglect to take care of myself and then I often wind up sick too.  Which leads me to something I've been wanting to post about: taking care of ourselves.   

I'm striving to be great at it.  I've always eaten well for example, but now I'm forcing myself to do the things that aren't as easy as eating organic spinach.  You know, like going to the dentist for a cleaning.  It is no wonder moms have trouble taking care of themselves in the early years of parenting.  Arrange childcare so I can go to the dentist?  Not very appealing.    

I even went to the dermotologist.  I have a bandaid and two stitches to prove it.  I've always thought that going to a dermotologist is something only fancy people do.  Rich girls with flawless skin who suddenly get a zit and "Oh my gawd, I have to see my dermotologist!"  Or maybe that was just high school.  Or maybe I'm fancy now. 

Anyway, a tiny bump appeared where there was no bump before on my arm while pregnant.   A very common thing (all those grow, grow, grow pregnant hormones in your body makes other non-savory shit grow too) but a bump is a bump is a bump (!) and I wanted it checked out.  Actually, I wanted it gone.  A bump!  Take it off!  Especially since my grandfather has skin cancer.  Those damn fair skinned Dutch genes.  It was benign (ie - not cancerous) so that was a relief.  Even though I expected it to be okay those scary thoughts still crept in. 

So my point?  I thought I had one.  It must be here somewhere.  Oh yes, taking care of yourself.  Do it.  Even if you have little ones.  It feels good.     

  

 

 

 

Intentions...and then real life

I had every intention of posting about our lovely weekend hike and how the hills are in bloom and I was going to say clever things about how I feel like I'm in bloom too.  You know, tie it all together with my creative stuff I've got going on. 

But in all honesty, I don't have the energy for that sort of thing.  The little ones are sick so they are all I can focus on.   

 

Be back soon when we are on the mend and I get more sleep. 

Off to make more honey lemon tea...

(And thanks SO MUCH for all your nice and encouraging comments about my ceramics announcement on my last post - it means the world to me.)

Woodmouse does ceramics?

(door to my secret studio)

I tend to be one of those people who secretly works on something only to launch it to the world, completely unannounced and out of left field.  And totally completed.  I see a friend I haven't talked to in a while and the conversation goes something like this...

Them: Hey, what is new?

Me: Oh, not much.  Except I finished training as a helicopter pilot. 

Them:  What?  When were you doing that?  Why didn't you say anything about it?

Me:  Um...  

I know this about me and I know it comes from not wanting others to see me stumble.  It is hard for me to share the learning process.  I like to endure growing pains alone and if something cool comes out of it then I share it.  This also keeps the mystique going that I do these things effortlessly.  Which I don't.

(studio goodies)

So since I'm being all honest and stuff, I'm doing ceramics.  Sort of like "woodmouse" but in clay.  This is my big secret.  I'm playing with some of my old designs (new ones too) but in clay.  I wrote often about moving away from making toys and towards making art and this is how it has evolved...with a medium switcharoo thrown in to keep it interesting.

(some classic woodmouse designs drying)  

This ceramics thing has been something of a dream for a long, long time and I've even hinted at it on various posts.  I feel so fortunate that I am finally able to make this happen.  I've been playing, experimenting and generally having a blast getting to know clay again.  When I get my hands in clay the time disappears. 

But I'm still figuring this out.  And for the first time, I'm wanting to share the journey.  Stumbles and all.       

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Have a wonderful weekend!  We've got hikes, grilling and gardening planned.  (and I'll likely sneak in some clay time too) 

    

Creative Porridge (or, nourishing my inner artist)

Nourish your inner self.  Do you do this enough?  I certainly don't, especially after becoming a mother, but I was never particularly good at it anyway.  It is so easy to forget to take care of yourself when you are so busy taking care of others. 

I've been granting myself what I'm calling "Creative Porridge*" to fill up again, to nourish my inner artist who I've been starving this past year.  I plan to continue doing this and have a current recipe running at all times.  Sometimes it might just involve drinking tea every day.  Or watching a stupid comedy.  But "Creative Porridge" will be a part of my life from now on.  Things that are for me. 

My current "Creative Porridge" recipe:

ONE PART VISIONARY MOM  - Creative Mama e-coaching with Lisa of VisionaryMom.com.  I've never, ever done any sort of "coaching" before but I was compelled to sign up for a four week coaching session and I'm so glad I did.  Sure, I could have cleaned out my garage (and all the other stuff she forced me to do like icky collages - no, just teasing, Lisa) on my own, but I don't think I would have done it as fast nor with as much clarity.

ONE PART FISH BOWL - I  also signed up for In The Fish Bowl:: Life as an Artist e-course with Marisa of Creative Thursday.  Why am I paying to hang out with Marisa online when I can see her live and in person for free?  (my husband asks) Well, first, because she has a lot of great stuff to say and I don't want to miss out on anything.  Second, it is totally worth it!  Making connections with new people.  A dedicated space and time to focus on this sort of stuff.  Marisa as our school of fish leader with her positive, calm and encouraging ways.  I need this.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the next five weeks unfold - both for me and also hearing about the others in our group.    

ONE PART STUFF - And I've been buying stuff.  Art stuff.  Art supplies!  It has been a long time since I treated myself to those types of creative treats and holy crap, I had forgotten how tasty they are.  The arrival of a new glaze paintbrush or a blank sketchbook makes me all giddy.

So that is the current blend.  Simple, but I like my recipes like that.

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Care to share your current recipe?  Are you nourishing or starving your inner self? 

*I adore that Wikipedia says porridge is "used traditionally in many cultures as a food to nurse the sick back to health" which is so incredibly appropriate for what I'm trying to do.  Plus, we've actually been eating a whole lot of the real stuff on rainy mornings - like the photo above of my son's bowl.    

        

  

Making Mistakes...and LOVING it!

I came across this post by Kirsty Hall called The Wisdom of Mistakes and I love it.  It might be my most favorite post about art.  Like, ever. 

So I've been busy making mistakes.  Playing.  Experimenting and just plain having fun with making stuff.  My sketchbook is getting filled, some clay figures have come to life, some wood has been cut and I'm feeling great!   

I'm ready to make mistakes again. 

Make any good mistakes lately?      

I have a PO Box!

I have my very own post office box for the first time ever.  With a key and everything. 

You'd think with my various online businesses I would have had one by now, but they never had any available in our old neighborhood and I was stuck on the wait list.  Finally have one! 

Just one small step towards someday getting back into the "making and selling art thing" again.  I know it doesn't seem like much, but to me it represents reserving that space for when I am ready to use it.  I can't wait to have cute return address labels again!

3.5 Year Old Photography

I first shared the chipmunk's photography here but now he has gotten his hands on my iPhone and has been busy taking photos and using the filters.  He is 3.5 now. 

Here are some of my favs from this week:

Funny, in those last two he has the "thumb in the lens" problem, something I haven't seen in years and had forgotten about until now.  Back in the "drop your film off at the drugstore/pre-digital days" it was a risk every time you let someone else use your camera.  Now if it happens we just delete and do it over.  I had an uncle that was notorious for his thumb in every family picture he took.  I kinda miss the thumb thing.  Connects you to the person taking the photo, the person who is otherwise left out of the shot. 

Anyway, this is yet another way I'm inspired by my son these days.  My own creativity is starting to bloom a bit and the wheels are turning as to how I'm going to express it.  Fun.

 

on being creative...

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

-Pablo Picasso

I'm endlessly inspired by the art of my 3.5 year old son.  It has been such an amazing experience watching him develop as an artist, starting with uncontrolled scribbles as a baby and now representational things like these little houses.  I love them. 

Just as special are the stories he tells to accompany his drawings.  He brings them to life!  The amount of creativity flowing freely from a child is so amazing.  They have no inner critic to give them pause like adults do.  Creating is playful.  Fun.  No judgment, no stress and no expectations.  It just flows.   

How can we step out of the way and let our creativity lead us?  What would we create if we could do this?      

   

Where does the time go?

Inspired by Amber's time management series this month and Marisa's a week in the life series I decided to track my time for one day.

This is a typical Thursday, it is the day where I get the most free time all week. 

 

7:30 - Baby wakes up.  Nurse.  Change diaper & clothes.  I throw on some clothes, brush teeth. 

8:00 - Wake up 3.5yo.  Get him dressed, pee on potty, make him breakfast, brush his teeth, start the diaper laundry.

8:40 - Load car with two kids, diaper bag, toddler's school lunch and drive to preschool.

9:00 - Drop 3.5yo off at preschool.  Drive home with baby.

9:30 - Nurse baby.  Check emails and answer two, typing one handed while nursing.

10:00 - Plan meals and write grocery list for next week.  Rinse cycle diaper laundry.  Change diaper.

10:45 - Whole Foods grocery shopping.  Baby falls asleep in wrap.

11:30 - Check out line, realize I haven't eaten anything yet.  Grab bar of chocolate in line.

11:45 - Ralph's market for two more grocery things. 

12:00 - Stop at bank to deposit a check.  Baby awake and upset now from being shuffled around in and out of the car so much.

12:10 - Home again.  Put groceries away.  Baby pissed.  Put diapers in dryer.  Change diaper.  Nurse baby.

12:45 - Back in the car to pick up 3.5yo from school.

1:00 - Preschool pickup.  Drive home slowly so he falls alseep.

1:30 - My 3.5yo transfers asleep from the car and is asleep in his bed.  Baby asleep in my lap.  One handed typing, I work on a website page.

2:00 - My 3.5yo wakes up already.  Cranky.  Make him lunch.  Baby awake.  Nurse baby.  Change diaper.

3:00 - Husband home early for my "work day" and takes both kids so I can work.  I still haven't eaten but now time is even more precious.  Inhale a few bites of cottage cheese while writing contentfor my websites and answering work emails.

4:30 - Baby crying and needs to nurse again.  Stop working in the middle of a page.  Jump in shower for three minutes.  Get dressed.  Nurse baby.  Change diaper.

5:00 - Husband holds baby and starts dinner for tomorrow while I heat up marinated skirt steak and fire roasted peppers leftovers for dinner.  Serve and eat dinner together. 

6:00 - Wash dishes after dinner.  Get diapers out of dryer, sort and put them away.  Pick up family room.

7:00 - Pick out photos on the computer for 3.5 year old's poster that they'll hang up at school.  Meanwhile playing with 3.5yo and baby.  Nurse baby.  Change diaper.

7:30 - Husband runs to drug store to print out a few photos for poster.  Play with both kids.  Make a phone call while they scream in the background.  Glue photos on poster.  Argue with husband how I don't have enough time to get any work done much less have creative "me" time.

8:30 - Get 3.5yo last snack before bed. 

9:00 - Make school lunch for next morning.  Fight with 3.5yo over not wanting to go to bed.  Struggle to get on pjs, brush teeth.  Read bedtime books.  Tell him a story in bed.

10:00 - Change baby diaper, put on his pjs.  Get in bed with baby.  Nurse baby and he falls asleep next to me.  Husband shuts off light and we talk alone for a few minutes before falling asleep...only to be woken up several times in the night to nurse the baby of course 

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Like I said, this is the day where I get the most free time.  Not a whole lot, huh?  My 3.5yo only goes to preschool two days  a week, and you can delete the husband coming home early on all other days.  If you add it up, I worked for a combined total of 2.5 hours.  Two and a half hours each week to get all my work done for three businesses! 

What about time to do art?  Relax?  Read books?  Watch TV?  Sit with my husband and have a meaningful conversation over a bottle of wine without being inturrupted?  No, no, no, no and also "Wow, how cool would that be?"  No.   

Sigh. 

Before I scare anyone off the idea of having children...it does get easier.  Eventually my baby will sleep through the night and not need me and I could potentially stay up all night to do my own stuff, which was how I kept woodmouse going.  Or I could even stop the torture and hire some freaking help a few times a week...something that this experiment made me realize I probably have to do to keep my businesses thriving.

On the other hand.  I guarantee that in a few years down the road I'll be writing a post with the same title as this one.  Only I'll post old baby photos and be whining that "my babies grew up so fast!"  Where did the time go?  Why did I spend so much energy trying to get free time?  Why didn't I just enjoy every minute while they were so young?  It goes by fast and in the big picture, it is like a tiny blip in life.

So.  Tracking your time.  A good experiment.  Give it a try! 

(but feel free to ditch it if it winds up just making you grumpy like it did me)