For a couple of weeks I have been struggling to put into words the anxiety and apprehension I’ve experienced. Navigating emotions in the middle of a pandemic in a politically polarized nation does not appear in any how-to book. So while I’ve wrestled along with the rest of my country I kept my words sparse and my opinions graceful.
Today as I watched President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris take the oath of office I felt the baggage I carried around begin to unhitch from my shoulders. And as I sat at my desk listening to a beautiful stranger recite her poetry at the inauguration I found the words that I couldn’t.
Amanda Gorman, thank you.
You reminded us of America’s rich history of resilience. You reminded us that color and status mean nothing when it comes to basic human rights. You reminded us of our calling as a country–to climb the hill before us in unity.
Thank you for sharing your words. They will not soon be forgotten.
It’s Friday morning and I’m sitting here with my coffee and laptop eager to join my positive Five Minute Friday community on this week’s link up. If you are curious what this is all about here it is: Five Minute Friday is a community of positive writers who gather weekly to respond to a common prompt. We share links to our articles and visit each other’s pages to offer encouragement and insights. Since I started writing on this public forum, my circle has expanded and I’ve been influenced by some great writers. This week, our prompt is the word FRESH.
Over the next couple of days, my family is traveling to a state park where we have rented a cabin. Ever since I was pregnant with #2, we have made it a tradition to get away during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend and every year it seems to come at the perfect time.
I am in need of fresh air.
The outdoors does a wonder for the psyche and for that I am grateful. Even in our Ohioan winters, a winter hike or sled ride can bring a fresh wave of joy. It’s easy to deprive oneself of sunlight and the world outside of our cozy homes when it is cold enough to freeze the ground out there.
But our bodies were made to interact with nature. Our lungs crave the restorative power of fresh air. Our brains yearn to collect vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Our feet long to feel the ground below.
However, this trip is about more than my physical desire to be in nature. It has become necessary to re-center my attitudes. When I crafted my 2021 intentions I had no idea that within the first week I would be so shaken by the events of my country that I would experience a mental paralysis. Like every American, I’ve wrestled with events as they unfold and it has left me immobile in my thoughts. Try as I might, I cannot shake the foreboding feelings because life is saturated in media, news, and talk about the future of our nation.
This weekend I am hoping for that fresh perspective that comes from fresh air.
My prayer is that this weekend will help me to move past the wreckage and into a place of clarity and peace. Not only do I pray for physical restoration, but I also pray to reunite with the inner peace that comes from a fresh faith.
This photo is a vinyl sticker of David’s head made by my sister, Mo.
Dear Schitt’s Creek,
Thank you first of all for your brilliant entertainment. In a year where so many struggled, you stepped in providing a consistent dose of laughter with a healthy message peppered throughout. For years, you hid amongst Canadian broadcasting, but right when America needed you–there you were. Right on time.
You created a world where love prevails over money by sharing characters who must discover this truth for themselves. The journey that the Rose family takes is one of all emotional sorts.
With Johnny the viewer follows a man who used to find purpose in his franchise. Once all of that is stripped away, Johnny Rose must turn his entrepreneurial skills toward his family–far from the corporate world.
With Moira the lessons are sparse, but the wit is heavy handed. Her verbose vocabulary and eccentric style remind us to always be true to ourselves and to never give up on our dreams. (Even when attacked by a flock of crows!)
With David we are shown a unique love story. It’s one in which affection is never questioned and loyalty is proven over and over again. Of course he made us laugh along the way, making us fall in love with both his heart and his one liners.
With Alexis, the character arc is most pronounced. Rid of luxuries and fame, she must work to discover herself. The journey takes her through many ups and downs, but she finds her purpose far from the purse strings of her parents and forges her own path on the heels of heartbreak.
Thank you for six wonderful seasons where you taught us to give like Johnny, live like Moira, love like David, and grow like Alexis. Teaching us to do all of this while laughing is a massive creative feat. Well done! Your series will forever be at the top of my favorites and will become a streaming staple in my house.
During this first link up of 2021 I thought I would share just a little bit about the Five Minute Friday community. This is a positive collection of online writers who unite weekly to share creative inspiration. The host of the weekly link-up (Kate) posts a word on the website and then we craft a short piece based on that word.
The next part is really cool and why I keep coming back. After you have authored your post you can share the link to your site and response on the Five Minute Friday website. Each person who joins must visit the person who posted before them and any others that catch their eye. I have been blessed by this community and met many inspirational writers this way over the years.
Now, I’m picking up where 2020 left off and joining my fellow writers on this week’s prompt:
America, it is TIME.
It is time to build bridges over the waters that separate us.
It is time to collect the fragments and bandage the wounds.
It is time to stop piercing with words and weapons.
It is time to return to the purpose for which we were founded.
It is time to unite under our similarities–no more division over our differences.
It is time to unlearn hate and educate ourselves on love.
It is time to heal the land that we are polluting.
It is time to discard the outdated and welcome our country into a new era.
It is time to reclaim our destiny.
It is time to remember that we are the UNITED states of America.
It is time.
*I cannot end this post without a brief monologue about the current state of our nation from a history teacher’s perspective. I will not get into my political views here–those are irrelevant. But in as far as citizenship is concerned we must be better, America. We must embrace the definition of democracy and allow differences to exist in peace.
As a teacher I was a little nervous about discussing the topics of this week’s mob at the nation’s Capitol. But my students far surpassed my expectations. We engaged in a peaceful and insightful conversation about recent events this week. Every single one of my students articulated their feelings and disgust over what occurred on Wednesday. As adults we can take a lesson from teens today. Their level of tolerance and maturity on political issues is commendable. If only my Twitter and Facebook feeds were full of adults expressing themselves in a like manner. I was so proud of the way my students respected one another’s opinions and in a time where my faith in our country could be tanking I look at my high school students and know that they see the problems. There is hope for us yet!
If you are looking for a tried and true routine to unblock your creative ideas and energy look no further than The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. For decades, artists have used the tools outlined in this book to bring life to their creativity. Last year, I completed this twelve week exercise with success in many areas. I not only tapped into unused potential, but I also uncovered hidden talents and passions beyond my understanding.
I am restarting the book during this first week of 2021.
As I looked over my 2020 accomplishments many were owed to having worked through The Artist Way in its entirety. And as I look ahead to this new year I am inspired to revisit the lessons and tasks that brought me clarity last year. In the future, this may be a new tradition–working through the book annually.
What is The Artist’s Way?
It is difficult to put into words exactly what readers find when they encounter this text. It isn’t a how-to book, a biography, or any type of prescriptive plan to help bring out creativity. Rather, it is an intense course in giving your inner artist the room to play. There is no right or wrong way to complete the course as long as you give yourself permission to be authentically you.
The book focuses on the use of two tools: Morning Pages and Artist Dates.
Morning pages are three handwritten pages first thing each day. This activity is not exclusive to writers. It is an exercise in getting things out of our minds that distract us from whatever creativity lives within us. This is stream of consciousness writing–nothing prolific or beautiful (although you will surprise yourself with the things that spew forth to the page from your own thinking.)
Artist Dates are weekly outings that participants take alone in order to pamper their inner artist child. These are intentional dates that one takes with themselves in order to better understand or unblock their creativity.
When I completed my twelve week exercise in 2020, I continued to utilize the Morning Pages and Artist Dates in my creative routine. I uncovered story ideas, a secret passion for painting, and an unbridled love of the outdoors. Morning Pages helped me to chronicle my journey and notice the ebb and flows of my natural routines. Through these seemingly meaningless daily ramblings I got to know myself better. Like friends who get together and talk about nothing, but also everything at the same time I stayed committed to the morning pages because they had given so much to me.
Artist Dates continued to be a part of my weekly schedule. Two hour blocks every weekend were set aside to go wherever the wind blew me in order to see and hear the inspiration around me.
The entire process is hinged on giving yourself permission to create and to fail. It is about being secure in your natural self and loving how you were created. I cannot stress to you, my Muse, how crucial these tools have proven to be in my own journey. Which is why I am starting the journey again. I look forward to exercises and tasks and seeing the transformation a few short months can make in my life.
What are your favorite ways to beat the artist’s block?
On a beautiful, sunny day Mo and I headed off to Upper Arlington, an affluent suburb of Columbus, Ohio, to try a new coffee shop on our Columbus Coffee Experience Trail. We grabbed a delicious lunch at Brassica on Lane Avenue and then drove a few blocks to Crimson Cup.
[A note about Brassica–I ordered the falafel bowl with veggies, hummus, and red pepper sauce. My tastebuds were in heaven with the complex tastes of this Mediterranean bowl. It was pretty pricy for a casual fast dining experience so I rate this place 8/10]
With coffees in hand, Mo and I walked around a park in downtown UA. There were several others out walking dogs and even a few people on the Lacrosse field. We enjoyed the outdoors as Ohio has been under a blanket of snow insulated by below freezing temps for about a week. Our coffees were still warm once we made it around the park so we decided to continue our venture and we walked along Tremont Avenue talking about our goals for 2021 and life in general.
The Ratings:
Me: large drip coffee with a splash of almond milk- 7/10. In my opinion, Crimson Cup is far superior to Starbucks, but it is not the most unique when it comes to taste. It was a very smooth cup of coffee, but I don’t think I can rank it above some of the local roasts I’ve had recently.
Mo: Crimson Mocha Latte, no whip-8/10. It had strong, rich flavor, but was definitely more of a “desserty” drink.
As we embark on the final week of 2020 I have several wrap-up posts in the works. 2020 was my fourth year bullet journaling and as in all years I went through months where my journal game was strong, and others where I was too bogged down to put energy into something else.
For the most part, my journals were helpful in planning, journaling, and creating. Over the past year so much has happened in my life and these three journals helped me to chronicle those moments.
In this post, I would like to share some of my favorite pages with you from each journal.
Bullet Journal #1: January-April 2020
The first few months of 2020 I had no idea that life was about to change. I set up my first bullet journal of the year with the same intentions and beliefs as years past. Little did I know, that many of my earlier spreads would not see use because Covid-19 rendered them pointless. For example: I made a spread about movies I saw in the Cinema. Well, Little Women was the ONLY movie I watched in Cinema in 2020 and that was way back in January. I also set annual goals which are completely laughable looking back on now.
Bullet Journal #2: May-October 2020
My second journal of the year was my most creative. Summer gave a major boost to my creative repertoire as I ventured outdoors and beyond the house. I was inspired by Youtube bullet journaler, Amanda Rach Lee, and I included more themes and doodles than ever before in my bullet journal.
Bullet Journal #3: November and December 2020
My final bullet journal of 2020 only covered two months. I used the first 75 pages as I normally would and then the back of the book was used for handwriting and calligraphy practice. Additionally, I added some plans to for my 2021 bullet journal setup [which I will be releasing in a post soon!] I also got a Sprocket for Christmas so I started incorporating photos in my bullet journal for the first time this year. [The Holiday Bingo was cut out from a freebie from Be More With Less by Courtney Carver]
I hope you found some inspiration in these pages and enjoyed looking at some of my creative projects in 2020.
If you are looking for the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life [who already has far more than enough mugs to justify another] then please take gifting advice from my secret pal. This holiday season I received macaroons, a gift card to a French bakery, and a stamp book for the Columbus Coffee Experience Trail. (Experience Columbus)
Inside the book is a listing of 19 coffee shops local to Columbus, Ohio.
Does my secret pal know me or what? Secret pal, if you are reading this [and I have a strong suspicion you are] please know that you are amazing and know me so well!
I’ve decided to document my journey through the Columbus Coffee Experience. When it comes to coffee, I like mine black with little to no milk. I am observing a dairy free diet so if I must add a splash of something my milk alternative of choice is almond. Since my drink preference is rather boring for most I’ve decided to rope my sister into this with me too–she’s an espresso and latte lover.
So as a our schedules allow in 2021, Mo and I will bring you our reviews of the Columbus Coffee Experience. Will we hit all 19? I’m not sure, but we will take you on the ride with us and we hope to find new local favorites along the journey.
Kitties Cakes in Bexley: Our First Review
In the heart of historic Bexley, Kitties Cakes occupies a modern building connected to an independent bookshop. If you were to ask me about an ideal date night activity pre-Covid my answer would be coffee and bookshop hopping–which means the location of Kitties Cakes was a solid 10/10 for me.
The interior was small, but a heated outdoor patio gave us space to remove our masks and enjoy our coffee slowly. England has taught me over the years that coffee is best enjoyed as a leasurely activity and not on-the-go. I have tried to add this British concept to my consumption habits, but Covid has made that pretty difficult. Mo and I enjoyed our coffees on the patio where we split a fruit scone and talked about our upcoming Christmas plans.
The Ratings:
Me: Drip Coffee (Stumptown Coffee Roasters) with a splash of Almond Milk–9/10. I really appreciated that the barista allowed me to advise on the adding of the milk because some places can overdo it in my experience. I like enough to make the brew smooth, but I am not heavy handed when it comes to the addition of milk alternatives in my coffee.
Mo: Salted Maple Latte–9/10. Its flavors were subtle but tasted amazing. And it didnt have a chalky taste that some espresso drinks have.
Both: We shared a berry scone–6/10. It was very sweet and sticky. Very good, but served room temperature without cream or jam.
I am reblogging this because it’s a recipe I made this weekend. And every Christmas literally since we started a bake-off at Mom’s house. If you are looking for a quick, sweet snack this Christmas please check out my Christmas Crack recipe below:
A few weeks ago I was dreading the Holiday season as it applies to being gluten-free. Inevitably I would receive invitations to parties with tables filled with baked goods. (Cake, why must you tempt me so?) I’ve been on the prowl for a good gluten-free recipe to use as my go to this season. I’ve tried cookie and cupcake recipes, but I’ve been hard pressed to find one I really like and that I’d be willing to share with others.
This weekend we hosted a game night. This is a somewhat new thing in our family, but we are hoping to form a habit with some of our friends where we get together and play games once a month.
I spent days trying to find a recipe for a Christmas snack to offer at game night. Then, my sister solved my problem when she offered, “Why not make Christmas Crack?”…
The Ameri Brit Mom 