Finding ways to express yourself creatively is one of the hardest things about being a mother and a part-time worker. It was something I took for granted when I was younger and time was my own. Perhaps if I had known what was ahead of me, I might have been a little less carefree about my interests and nurtured them more carefully along side my career and family.
So what are my interests? Cooking has been a part of my life since I was teenager when it opened up a new door for me: the art of culinary therapy. What better way to deal with the many challenges life brings than to beat, roll, mash, chop, dice, slice, (well you get the point) my way through them. My kids say “when Mum is stressed, she bakes”. Not always, I also cook because I love creating heavenly feasts for those around me. Love their gratitude and the pleasure they receive from eating something yummy from my kitchen.
Next on my list are reading and writing. I love everything about books: the cover, the story behind the story, the author, their typeface, the reviews. Consuming a book from front to back is as pleasurable to me as a cup of hot chocolate with dollops of whip cream on a cold winter’s day. From my love of reading came my voice as a writer which I was lucky enough to develop further in my University years. But sadly, one I pretty much left as motherhood, domesticity and all the responsibilities that go with it took over.
Recently I have found myself at a place where I cannot continue to hide from my long forgotten creative journey. It is bursting to come out and seems to attach itself to things without me even realising it. Suddenly a child’s party is an opportunity to bake cupcakes, cookies, cakes, cheese stars, cookie cutter sandwiches. A dinner party for friend’s becomes candles, Jamie Oliver’s campfire Chili, and home-made after dinner candies.
Family and friends have said for some time that I should do something with my cooking but I know in my heart I am not ready for a “proper” business yet. Maybe as my kids get older and I become more confident that my time is my own. I like being a mother and I enjoy spending time in that role. I don’t want to do it slapdash (and in particular juggle more than I already do).
Blogging is something I have heard a lot about. Since we have our computer in the kitchen I often find myself googling recipes or simply ingredients in search of new ideas for meals. More and more “blogs” have been top of the list on google and I have found some really interesting dishes to add to my repertoire. Most interesting though are the different “characters” that you discover from blogging. From domestically challenged housewives to at home pastry chefs it’s a diverse and entertaining world out there.
So here I am. Attempting to add something new to that mix. It isn’t easy as a lot has already been done very well. I am not entirely sure what I am going “to be” yet except I imagine it will centre on much of what I have discussed above. Cooking, entertaining, creating, and writing. Oh and being a mother. Somehow I imagine that will feature heavily.
Hope you enjoy the ride. I know I will.
hey heather… you were always a wonderful writer. i have one of your original collections of poetry and short stories… i treasure it with glued in feathers and all. i i do remember you cooking. in fact i remember it more as i read your blog. i was not particularly talented in that area. i had stale milk, grapefruit juice and vodka as i recall… but things have changed in my contents of my refrigerator the past 16 years.. so glad that you are back writing/blogging. i just got a part time job at borders as well as my full time job talk about over extending one self. but i love books and i too love everything about them, the feel the smell… but i am just getting back to reading after a long break from it just due to stress. have you read the girl with the dragon tatoo. its very hot here in usa and i just purchased it. love georgia
mother’s day came and went here, none of my kids even knew. this full time job has pushed me out of their sphere and when i walk through the front door after being away for 10 hours, they stare at their facebook page or xbox or msn chat….it’s time for a change….how do i do it
Hi Heather! I’m so glad to see that you’ve taken this step towards cultivating your creativity. For me, the first few months, heck probably the first six months, were a learning process, finding my voice, finding other blogs to use as inspiration, determining what I wanted my blog to be.
But, the people that you will meet through this blog and the things that you will challenge yourself to do will more than outweigh all of those uncertainties you are feeling.
Welcome! And I look forward to visiting often!
Thanks for your comment. I’d love to look at your blog. What’s the address?
Welcome to the blogging world! I warn you, it’s addictive!
I know what you mean about taking stuff for granted when you are younger or before you’ve had kids. If I’d realised just how much FREE time I had then I would have done all sorts of things with it. I could have been cooking and blogging years ago but it never occurred to me then.
Thanks for visiting Maison Cupcake and hope to see you again soon.
I know just how you feel. I’m a new blogger too but I felt like I would burst if I didn’t do it! Only problem is its less time for those other hobbies…
Thanks for the comment. My first! I can see that this could take over your life. It’s all I think about at the moment. Had a look at your blog. It looks very professional. I need some work on making mine more high-tech.
Thanks you are very kind – it took me ages to work out how to do it all though… I can totally relate to it being all you think about. I’m yet to work out if this is a good thing or not. Life is thoroughly taken over!