{capture the moment}

all in a day's work...

I completed all of these projects a few days ago for Paper Crafts.  All in one day.  So happy to get them done and remove them from my to do list.  As you know, I can't share to-be-published artwork with you, but I thought I could at least show you my stack.  I am putting the finishing touches on all of my write-ups to go along with them so I can ship the projects out.  Then I get to PLAY and design some stationery tonight. 

I go through phases of what my favorite aspect of this hobby is.  Sometimes it is scrapbooking; telling my stories, capturing moments on paper.  Sometimes its the techniques, maybe with focus on stamping.  Sometimes it is graphic design using the computer only.  And sometimes (although rare) I don't want to touch paper at all and dabble in one of my other hobbies like sewing or knitting.  Right now my phase is designing stationery for my line.  I LOVE IT!  I could stay up all night, just me, the computer and my mouse in hand.  I love creating my own shapes and patterns.  All me and my creativity.  I can do whatever I want in any color I want.  Complete creative freedom.  Can't wait to share some of the work with you.  I am so passionate about it.  Dare I say, moreso than chocolate!

I taught a class last night at my local scrapbook store, and one of the students asked me how I have done so much with my career at such a young age.  Well, I don't think I'm all that young (27).  But I do know that I do what I love.  And I have a quote that hangs in back of my brain.

"No dream is too big."

I am a firm believer in this.  Anyone can acheive anything, as long as their heart is in it and they are willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen.  If you want it, you can have it.  It may not be handed to you on a silver platter, but you will get it with dedication and focus.  So what is your dream?  What are you doing TODAY to make it happen?  If your answer is nothing, than WHY NOT?  Life is too short to not chase dreams.  Dreams are made to come true.  My big dream has come true with this stationery line.  So now I need to dream even bigger.  What's next?  Stay tuned! 

rare...

Capturing a moment like this is rare. Laughter at the exact moment it explodes.  Contagious, isn't it?

Hannah (4)

Ethan (6 mos.)

Southwestern Stuffed Chicken

I made my favorite chicken recipe last night.  It has a mexican flair and is to die for.  When we sat at the dinner table, it occured to me that I need to share my top secret recipe with you!  (Sorry, I had already begun cutting up my chicken when I decided to take a photo!) It is based on a recipe I found in Joy of Cooking last year.  I revised it to make it easier to cook and simplify the ingredients.  Add it to your menu plan for the week!  Your family will think you are a gourmet cook!

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SOUTHWESTERN STUFFED CHICKEN

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Rinse and pat dry; trim:

4 boneless skinless chicken breat halves

Lay on work surface with smoother side up.  Make an incision about 3 inches long and 2 inches deep in the middle of the thick side to create a pocket.

In a small bowl combine:

4 oz. pepperjack cheese, minced (Cabot is the best)

2 medium jalepeno peppers, seeded and minced (without the seeds they are pretty mild)

diced sundried tomatoes in olive oil (comes in a jar, Delallo is my favorite)

Spoon one-quarter of the filling into each pocket.  Press to seal edges.  Generously season each chicken breast with salt & pepper.  Refrigerate while doing the following tasks.

Combine:

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

pinch of ground red pepper

Rip 4 squares of aluminum foil, lay out on surface.  Crease each one in half diagonally.  Divide the black bean mixture evenly onto the pieces of foil, on one side of the crease.  Top each with a chicken breast.  Sprinkle with paprika.  Fold the empty half of the foil over the chicken to cover.  Fold the edges of the foil togehter all the way around, closing the packet tightly.  Set on a baking sheet (I use my baking stone).  Pierce each packet once with tip of knife to allow steam to escape while cooking.  Bake 30 minutes.  Serve with white rice and lime wedges.

fresh flowers

Have you ever noticed that there is just something special about fresh flowers?  They always make me smile, a little piece of luxury during my busy lifestyle.  So a few weeks ago I decided to treat myself each week when doing the grocery shopping.  I pick out a bouquet to suit my mood and the season.  This week the choice was sunflowers.  I just love how they look with the morning sun filtering through their petals.  It is almost as if they are glowing.  So sunny and cheerful.  They brighten up the whole kitchen.  And it is always a welcome sight in the morning when I am still trying to wake-up.  A great way to start out the day.  Treat yourself today, whether it be flowers or something else that inspires you. Life is all about enjoying the little things.

Mother Nature

We decided to take a road trip to Cincinnati this week since Owen was on Fall break. It served two purposes. We could take the kids to the amazing zoo located there and I could have the opportunity to tour the printing facility where my new stationery line will be produced next week.

Upon arriving at the zoo, I wasn’t particularly excited. A zoo is an attraction for children, entertainment and knowledge rolled up into one. We followed the map, allowing them to see the lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). Then we came to the gorilla exhibit. It was very large with towering ledges and rocky crevices, similar to their native surroundings. At first we were greeted with a humorous scene of the backside of a large male gorilla, as he lay fast asleep. We looked around at the other residents for a few more minutes and decided to move on. Just as we were getting ready to round the corner, I saw this. It was all I could do not to cry. One of the most beautiful scenes I have ever experienced in my life. When one hears the term "gorilla" several characteristics come to mind. Huge, strong, territorial, threatening. What I witnessed was none of these things. Instead the words gentle, loving and nurturing came to the forefront. I saw myself within her. She was a mother with her newborn baby. She had a look within her eyes that I recognized immediately. One of extreme love and compassion; a look, a feeling only a mother can possess within her heart. In that moment I felt connected to our Mother Earth, nature and the life cycle that continues full circle, no matter the species. I am still awestruck by the experience. It is a reminder for me to appreciate the blessing of a baby and my natural ability to nurture. To experience the true definition of the mothering instinct.

EDIT: Yes, I took this photo .  And I am so proud of it, because David is the photographer in our house!  Normally, any picture I take is out of focus and not worth keeping!

the moment...

There is a single moment, a turning point, that comes in unexplained and unannounced when you are a parent of a child.  This moment comes at different times for different children.  It is that moment when you have gotten beyond the terrible twos and moved past the tantrums associated with age three.  The moment when you feel a connection with who your child really is as a person. Most of the behavior issues that plague the early part of childhood are swept aside and allow room for their individual personality to shine through.  Hannah crossed this bridge yesterday and it caught me by surprise.  We have had more issues with Hannah than we did with Owen.  She has been challenging.  I found myself digging deep for patience regularly, just trying to make it through, day by day.  Then it happened.  We were sitting in the window seat at the kitchen table, just having finished lunch.  The sun was streaming in, making her face glow and all of the fading summer highlights in her hair reflecting a brilliant gold.  She had some homework from pre-school that we needed to work on.  So we had gotten out her crayons and were ready to begin.  I read the directions to her then she picked out her favorite colors and began her work.  She paused for a moment, looked up at me with her big hazel eyes and smiled, just for a moment, than returned to her work.  In that moment it was no longer about temper tantrums and bathroom accidents.  Discipline and tears were not at the forefront. Instead, it was the real Hannah.  The child I had been coaxing out for so long.  We were together, just the two of us, enjoying each other, having fun. It was wonderful.  She is smart and quick to pick up new concepts.  She loves to dance when no one is looking.  And sing too (although always horribly off-key!)  She is shy when she is thrust into a new situation, but out-going when encountered with things that are familiar.  She loves pretty clothes and having her done in two French braids (complete with bows of course).  She is such a sweet little girl, full of love and always ready to share hugs. 

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I am so blessed to be a witness to this change.  From toddler to little girl.  I am so happy to spend time with her and have the opportunity to explore her personality even further.  I am glad to put the constant discipline on the shelf and wear a new hat, that of the fun mom who gets to just worry about being silly and savoring her little girlhood.  Thank goodness for moments.  Thank goodness for little girls!