I'm back!

Whoa -- where the heck did I go?  Well, the end of October is always crazy around here with Maddie's birthday and Halloween falling a week apart.  Then there were a few other family activities.  (The triple brother-in-law birthday dinner in the city -- a fun new tradition! and the pumpkin carving contest -- which comes with my mom's delicious chilli.  We are fat & happy.)  On top of that I spent quite a few hours on this big local charity event (delivering flyers to pre-schools, setting up & working many hours at the event).  I wore myself out.  Oh, and Maddie got sick too -- just a cold, but with all the activities it lingered.  I'm fighting it now. 

And I also had a deadline!  I just sent off my article and pattern for the next issue of Yarn Forward Magazine.  So, I have been knitting and spinning (the article is about plying on a spinning wheel).  But time for crafting has otherwise been short.  That should all change for the balance of the year. 

So what of the Easy Bake Oven picture?  Well, I have to tell you about out "baking" afternoon.  Maddie received the oven for her birthday and was very excited to try it out.  I was less than thrilled, but somehow made time to help her with her cake.  I went into it feeling rushed and exhausted and somewhat jaded -- big corporate toy company -- blah, blah, blah. . .   but what I got out of the experience was something altogether unexpected.

As Maddie started to mix up the mixes she was cautious and unsure of herself.  I encouraged her and as she continued, she blossomed!  Soon she was exlaiming that she was "doing it!"  and that she wanted to be a "baking teacher" when she grew up.  Just seeing the confidence that making this crazy little cake stirred up in her almost made me cry.  It took so little effort on my part and made her so happy.  And then, when it was all done (like an hour later -- oy!) she cut the cake and we each ate a piece and I told her how delicious it was and her smile said it all. 

So I guess that we got more than we bargained for when we got an Easy Bake Oven -- and this is just part of the reason why I've decided that it's time to simplify my life.  I'm trying to figure out what it is that really makes me happy.  This weekend Maddie and I spent some time together reading, something which I haven't had the time or energy for lately.  It was lovely.  And the three of us played board games -- something we all enjoy.  I'm recovering and getting back some energy -- hopefully some of my creative energy too -- wish me luck!

Comments

[Cindy]

it's amazing how our preconceived notions can be changed by one so small:) hang in there and get well and give yourself time. sometimes it just runs away from us doesn't it?

[Karen]

Time is the hardest thing in my life...
It's so nice to hear of someone enjoying their Easy Bake Oven. I loved mine as a kid but then the food was nasty. You never know what could spark a future career.

[Vicki]

What a whirlwind! Sounds like a return to simplicity is just the thing. What a sweet story :)

[Brandie]

Happy belated birthday to your dd! I know all about the birthday right around halloween - my dd turned 7 on 10/28 - and we had the party this past weekend!
I'm glad that you and her found such happiness with the easy bake oven! It is the simple things ... sometimes that's all the kids want - and I know I always try to do these complicated big things with them, when really, they just want my time and attention!

[delia]

Glad to see you back! Isn't it amazing how, after stretching oneself in a gazillion directions, thoughts of simplifying life seem to surface. I can so relate and find the effort to "let go of the nonsense" so worthwhile. Take good care and belated best wishes to your darling daughter.

[Tracey]

Glad to have you back! I love having my little monkey help me in the kitchen, it really is such a confidence booster.

[Rain]

Oh YAY, welcome back. Love the Easy Bake adventure.

[Rosemary Capitolo]

Did you ever see the Tim Allen movie: The Santa Clause 2? He gave all these adults the toy they had wished for as children and never got. The Easy Bake oven was right up there. I know my daughters loved it and now my grand daughters. On the Food Network they even had these top chefs making "creations" in an easy bake oven.

Life is really about the little moments, which often are the BIG moments. Our daughters who are now 39 and 37 remember going up to the Santa Cruz mountains every fall to pick leaves.(what we thought was a little outing) Enjoy every minute with your precious daughter;the time really does go by fast. Stock up on all those little moments.