As noted by mass media, this past week is "the most depressing week of the whole year". They note fallen resolutions, cold weather, and dark days. When I hear this, I feel as if it is an obligation to be depressed.
Usually the winter is mild in Alabama but this year we've had snow several times, creating icy roads and snow days. I threw my hands up in the air, like my garden gnome, Atlas, who was covered in snow and gave into this creative time.
For me, I find this time of year one of my most productive and it always has been. The cold weather keeps me inside practicing, making reeds, researching, and growing.
The challenge I find- arrives in the form of keeping creatively inspired. So I've decided to blog about the ways I keep delight in life- leaving me inspired.
I love to eat. About four years ago I was diagnosed with food allergies, changing my life forever. Like all life changing moments I've experienced, I was initially overwhelmed and then I realized the blessing within the diagnosis. Now I cook all my food from scratch, opening fantastic doors of creativity and inspiration. I love the rhythm of the chopping, the scent of stock boiling away on the stove, and the nourishing comfort of a home cooked meal.
My favorite recipe in the Summer is my Fresh Lemon Sorbet, which balances sweet and tart like a lemon drop. In the Fall, I never seem to make enough 1 pot Ratatouille. This Winter I have been perfecting my soup recipes using many of the fresh garden tomatoes I canned this summer. My favorite has been my French Lentil Soup which takes flavors from home cooked stock, bay leaf, fresh basil and thyme- exactly the flavors needed to brighten a winter day. I can hardly wait to see where Spring will take my pallet.
Other joys have come from attending auctions in the neighboring town of Attalla. This month I found a great antique mahogany music cabinet, perfect for my in home studio. Auctions are full of excitement. There is the waiting for the choice item to come up to bid- a great time for people watching and talking with the locals- their Southern personalities always spark my curiosity. Then there is the heated moment of bidding, and hopefully the win. I've realized that I must set my highest limit and know when to bow out, so as to not accidentally over bid in the heat of the moment. Auctions can be dangerous and emotional in this way.
And finally my delight in laughter from Coco, my faithful puppy who refuses to allow my intensity to get the better of me during hours of lessons, reed making or practice. Lately, as my students will attest to, she has taken to growling and barking at the dog she sees in the studio mirror. It reminds me of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror. I imagine she's asking that dog "to change his ways". Her interruptions are always a reminder to relax and laugh.
Hopefully this helped you remember the little delights that can occur, even in the cold winter months. It has helped me to stop and take notice. Before we know it, it will be Spring and I'm sure my life and yours will be filled with new adventures.
For all the creative entrepreneurs who are curious where my inspiration for this blog came from: to remind you summer days will soon arrive...
- Dash of Kosher Salt
- 1 Cup Sugar
- Zest from 1 Lemon
- 1 1/2 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
