Today...

Today was a really great day. I feel like I actually accomplished something. I feel like it was a well rounded day.

I have been spinning my wheels for quite some time, since probably before the holidays. Being sick for so long just took my spirit away. I got a little... lost. I still don't feel 100% and really need some inspiration to look after myself better. Today was that inspiration. To be able to see the things I can accomplish when I have that energy, that drive- can give me that push in the backside I so desperately needed.

So what started out as a pretty hum-drum Monday, ended up being a brand new day for me. And I think the self portrait session (can find on my Flickr) was the outward evaluation of what was sitting just below the surface and ready to come out. A little corny- but authentic. Trust me.

Some cuteness here too

This is posted on the blog about my kiddos but I wanted to post it here as well. Mostly to show off my cuties but also to show off my new skills! I have been dying to learn how to do these photo groupings!

My husband is great with Photoshop but it frustrates me. So in turn, any time I have the program open... it frustrates him too! LOL!

Thanks for teaching me some new tricks, Honey!

Where is my subject?

I have been really starting to pay attention to the photographs I like and dislike. I'm trying to find some aim in my still point and shoot attitude towards photography. I have a million or more photos of my little darlings which are great for what they are but they are not the direction I want my skills to take. At least not more than half let's say for arguments sake. I want to document these fleeting times with my young kids but I also wanted to take up photography as a hobby because I needed an outlet.

So far my subjects have bored me. Both in real life and in photos. I have to admit that winter has not been offering me very many opportunities or good subjects!

So I am up for a few challenges, should you extend them. I know to look at an old item a new way- but our house is so small and so taken over toys that it makes it very hard to take a picture of anything without showing my mess too! There are a few signs of life in the gardens around our home and I am hoping they offer me some new perspectives but until it warms up outside I am not inspired! LOL!

I need to figure out what it is that I like to photograph. What and where is my favorite subject?

What does he know anyways?

Don't get me wrong, I love the groundhog! Todd and I celebrated (me sick from the couch) our seven year dating anniversary on Groundhog's Day this year! But what does that little vermin know about spring? First off, he's on the east coast. We play the seasons a little differently here. Secondly, I highly doubt he's a team player in the little charade!
I say, spring has sprung! (and not a moment too soon!) We have crocuses and daffodils coming up and average about 10 degrees in the afternoons. It's been a sunny, blissful week here on the west coast.
The twins and I have begun gardening. They are quite the little helpers! We cleaned up quite a bit yesterday and they were right into it. I can see already that my summer blooms will often lose their heads! Owen pitched a fit when I brought them in from the patio. The sport of bubble blowing has come back too! I've posted some photos on flickr for all to enjoy!

Wicked cup

Mmmmmm. Todd made a great pot of coffee this morning. Komodo Dragon blend. His favorite, not mine but wow- what a cup! I think I am recovered and not a moment too soon. 4 weeks is a long time to be down. It's time for some fresh new ideas here and I even picked up the camera today for the first time in weeks!

No Coffee?

I told you that you wouldn't hear from me if I didn't have my morning cup of joe!

For the past 3 1/2 weeks I've been sick. That seems like an awfully long time in print and an ever longer time if you are living it. Take my word for it. I had the flu for 10 days and quite literally could not have told you what planet I was on or what day it was. I was delirious in a mix of hot and cold. This was the beginning of coffee tasting like dirt because, well, everything tasted like dirt! Then a small break between illnesses, although still not feeling like myself and then WHAMO! The cold to end all colds. Or so I thought. It turned out to be a sinus infection that whacked me upside the head and left me breathless.

Today was the first day in weeks that I was even tempted to have a coffee. The 6+ bags of cough drops have left me with few active tastebuds and they did not appreciate this assault! I think it will be a few more days until my regular self emerges.

I hold up a white flag to surrender to this infection!

Comfort Week : Image

One of my favorite places in the world to visit. The Oregon Coast.
I love how the coast can look during different times of day and how much the tides can change the landscape. But I think I love Haystack Rock most of all. There is something about this particular land form that makes me at ease. And that's why I think this image is a comfort to me. Even though I don't have any images of the Oregon Coast in my home, I still from time to time look through old photos or on the web for my favorite coast line. I think it might be time for a visit. Hopefully the twins will like camping in Oregon as much as I do.

The photo is a Peter Greenburg.

Comfort Week : Habit

First thing in the morning, I race out of bed and out the door. As soon as I hit the pavement outside, I feel like everything will be alright. I am at home in my morning routine, my morning run.












RIGHT....
This is something you will probably never catch me doing. (That's NOT me in the picture BTW) I see people out jogging in the dead of winter and I seriously can't wrap my head around it. I mean, isn't the mere prospect of jogging in cold Canadian winter weather the very reason why treadmills were invented??? And with rain a good 9 months of the year on the west coast, I don't think it can possibly be fun. Or feel good.

So instead, I start my mornings with my favorite comforts. Indoors. I have my nice warm shower followed by a breakfast of coffee and toast. Now that's a habit I can be comfortable with.

Comfort Week : Place

I think the most comfortable place is an ever changing situation. I love camping, and find it very relaxing to be in the middle of nowhere. I also like the high city, ultra urban life. Todd and I lived in downtown Vancouver and we both miss it terribly.

However, being the stay at home Mama these days, I would have to say that the most comforting place for me these days is the kitchen. it is also the most uncomfortable place too! We live in a 1000 sq ft condo with 21 month old twins, a dog, a very fat cat and a Degu. My husband also works from home and I'm starting my own biz as well. So space is at an absolute premium. Most days, there are piles of stuff on the countertops and I have nowhere to cook and prepare food! Oh but when I close my eyes, I have this kitchen (or something close to it)



And here's my attempts at showing my little galley without actually having to show off its nastiness for all to see. It basically needs a stick of dynamite and to be completely rebuilt. It's a 1982 builder special and it drives me nuts!

Comfort Week : Home

There is a magnet on our fridge that reads "Hand over the coffee and no one gets hurt" I think this sums up each and every morning in our house. Without this machine, nothing would get done and everyone would be grumpy.
So I would have to say that the thing that brings me the most comfort in my home would have to be the catalyst for my day. My Oster coffee machine. In shiny red metallic, of course.

Comfort Week : Food

I am taking part in a themed blog project. For 5 days this week, I will post about my comforts. You can learn more about the project here.

My favorite comfort food is squash. It is nourishing and so very versatile! It reminds me of the summers of my childhood, even though most squash varieties are a winter feast. I think I have this memory because of the gardening I helped with as a child. I loved to watch the hubbard squash plant take over its place in the garden and start heading for the yard. I think the outside of these sometimes alien looking fruits are as beautiful as the peachy colored flesh on the inside.

As for a recipe, my standard favorite is a roasted acorn squash with very little to mess with it's wonderfully nutty flavor. Try it with a little walnut oil, brown sugar and cinnamon. YUM. But here's my favorite vegetarian dish to share with friends:

Chana Korma
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 jar Indian Korma sauce (mild curry)
1/2 cup water
1 can chick peas, rinsed and drained
2 green onions, sliced
2 cups baby spinach

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Spread squash cubes on baking sheet. Spray with more cooking spray. Bake in centre of oven for 20 minutes, turning halfway, or until tender when pierced with knife.
3. In a large saucepan, combine korma sauce, water, chick peas, green onions and squash. Cook over medium heat, stirring for 5 minutes or until mixture starts to bubble. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in spinach until wilted.
4. Serve with basmati rice or naan bread.

Setting a goal for myself

I think I'm on a path to find my creative self. I think I may even be on the right path.

I've always wanted to be a Mama. As far back as I can remember. I was Mama to my toys and dreamed of the days when I would no longer be babysitting but raising my own. And for the last eight months, I've been doing just that.

Oh but there are days- you other Mamas know the ones- the days when you want to run screaming from the building and take a "Thelma and Louise" moment! And with 21 month old twins, those times can be plentiful some weeks. (Did I mention that we're teething?)

After 8 months together, we have a great little daily routine for the four of us. With just minor tweaking as needed. But for the most part it is just that, routine. I need to step out of the routine and stretch out a little. Go back to remembering who I was before twins. Before adoption paperwork madness.

What did I do with my time? What was I interested in? While dusting the living room, stepping over numerous toys, two kids and a dog, it came to me. I was the ultimate in project starting. Not finishing them, but I was really great at starting them. I can't tell you how many mid way sewing projects are in boxes in storage. There are at least two started projects in the knitting basket. There are 3 scrapbooks with things loosely thrown in them. (which fell out again while I was dusting)

So I have come to the conclusion that I'm having some self-confidence issues when it comes to my creative self. I look at these items of perfection (in my eyes) that others have created and I expect to be able to put out the same end product. I am not being very kind to myself, especially not remembering that I am a novice at best at all of these outlets.

So for the next while, I think I will forge on with the camera. I think that is a very good project for making short term, attainable goals. It's also new and shiny and has captured my interest lately. As for sewing and knitting, I will have to find some ultra small projects to work on so I can give myself a good pat on the back when I complete them. No more 14 step clothing patterns for the next while. I don't have the time and certainly don't have the follow through.

The kids are sleeping. The camera and I have a walk to go for. See you later.

What is it?

What is it to be creative?

I know what I like. I see sewing, knitting and photography galore. I see people who can express in the simplest of terms what it is to live their life. I see people who notice the world around them for all its beauty. All of these things absolutely amaze me and also scare me silly.

I am afraid that I am not living my creative best life. I have neglected that part of myself to the point where the light is so dim I worry it will go out. Where did my creativity go? There are so many answers to that but the simplest is just that I was busy doing other things.

I miss my creative self. Where did she go? Is she ever coming back?

There have been attempts to live the creative life I want to lead. There is fabric in every corner- I am an admitted textiles addict. I have everything needed to scrapbook and had big plans to set up my wedding album and lifebooks for each child. There's knitting within arms reach of my side of the bed. I found tempura paints the other day while rummaging through a closet. What the heck did I buy that for?

And there's something new for the mix. I have always loved photography and now own a DSLR. I feel a little guilty for the purchase and am trying very hard to learn what I need to about this new camera. I am hoping that I can learn half of the tricks I see on my favorite sites.

So what is the first step to rediscovering my creativity? I can keep learning the DSLR but what if this falls off my creativity radar as well? Should I take a step back and observe the things that inspire me and bring me joy or should I dive right in and see where I end up? Are some of these projects better tackled with a similar minded friend?

Where does your inspiration for the creative come from?

Pouring a fresh cup

It was time for some separation. I have become something of a blogging addict and I was finding that The Adventures of Madelyn and Owen blog was becoming a catch all for my randomness. I have begun working on a few new hobbies for myself and think that these would be best blogged about in a new format. I have been inspired by some very creative types who have managed to keep my interest with some excellent concepts and tremendous follow through. I love to watch some new ideas come to light and blossom with every post. I hope to emulate what I have loved in the blogging world and create some of my own kind of fun along the way.

I am hopeless without coffee. So, if I have not had a cup of coffee- don't expect to hear from me here. I am hoping to interject some new energy and creativity into my life and want to show it off a little. Creativity requires coffee- or at least some caffeine in some fashion, chocolate sometimes fits the bill for a pleasant evening of some quiet crafting.

Comments are not only welcome, but will also put a smile on my face and remind me that I am not in fact talking to the cat.

So, come along for ramblings- and don't forget a cup of coffee.