Lessons in Omelet Disaster

I have several signs that hang in my studio. My favorite states, "Chase Your Dreams." I really need to remember that. I have such high expectations for myself. A problem of being a perfectionist. I pretty much look at tons of things I do and complain that the finished product was not what I envisioned. Yesterday, I tried to make an omelet for my husband. I'd seen the cooking segment on the "Martha Stewart Show." I figured easy smeazy. Well...it turned out a total flop! I was so disheartened. I wanted to really impress my husband, but instead he ended up having to come in the kitchen and turn my culinary disaster into scrambled eggs.

This shook me. I had this wonderful image in my mind of a bacon & cheese omelet that would make hubby feel like he was at a 5 star bed & breakfast. (I have an elaborate imagination) Well my failure sent me on this rant about how I build things up in my mind only to have the reality turn out to be a disaster! I mean it was my first time trying to make an omelet. Why was I getting upset about this?

Now let's look back at where I actually went wrong... First of all, I don't even own a pan small enough to fit an omelet. I'm using this huge skillet where the egg runs all over it to about the size of a pizza. Mistake #2- Instead of a spatula, I have a wooden spoon. Of course my omelet would fail.

In reflection, I learned something from my kitchen mess. I need to understand that my mistakes are lessons into making something better. I don't turn my dreams into constant failure. If I look at things I like to do play the violin, art, making jewelry, and baking nothing was natural the first time. I'm dreaming of my baking career. I need to keep the dream in sight, don't get frustrated by the mishaps, and continuously try to correct the mistakes until my final product becomes my perfection.

There will be another omelet adventure...

I will succeed.

Finding myself

I thought I'd take a new direction on this blog and tell you the struggles I'm overcoming as I seek to "find myself in a creative world."

When I started out in college I always thought I'd be the one to quickly climb the corporate ladder. My sister was the family driven one, and since I decided not to have children, I always thought I'd be the "career one." I started off in a job and in less than two years I worked myself up through two promotions. I was a manager of two departments. I wasn't really happy, but at least I was driven.

Suddenly in November 2011 I found out that I was being laid off!

All my hard work and dedication  to that corporation for seven years was a waste. I never took vacations and developed a bad migraine condition from what I know was  due to living in a constant stressful environment.  Being laid off is bad for anyone, but for someone who thought her job was the only thing she was good at, was even worse.

I've always had hobbies. Crafty and artsy ambitions. I started making jewelry as a stress reliever. I piddled with a struggling Etsy store. I love baking and art journaling. I have all these "artistic ideas" and used to say "if I only had the time..." Well, now I have the time. Everything happens for a reason. Perhaps my reason was so I could discover what will make me happy.

So for now, I'm trying to "Find myself." Moving from the corporate attitude and personality I had to be- and soul searching to become the person I WANT TO BE.  

March Madness!

Another reason why March is the best time of the year is "bracket season!" I love March madness. Even though I'm born & raised in NC, I don't truly follow the ACC tournament. Call me a traitor to my state but I'm not a UNC fan (great job Florida State!) I love the SEC tournament (even though I was sad to see Kentucky lose). The real fun comes when the NCAA tournament is here!
If you don't like to watch the games, you can still get into the basketball spirit!
These cookies from Eleni's Cookies will help charge your madness mood!

Get inspired. Grab a cookie cutter and make some great cookies while you watch the big game!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Some people get excited when December rolls around. They think that Christmas is the best holiday. Sure it's a wonderful, meaningful holiday. Christmas gets more advertisement, merchandise, carols, and presents, but my favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day!!

I'm not Irish (well my husband is part Irish- lucky him), but I've always been fascinated with the culture and this holiday's charm, fun & festivities.

I thought I'd show you some of the great St. Paddy's Etsy treasuries that are out there from some wonderful people that are in the "Luck of the Irish" mood.