Sometimes there is a lull in my creative projects. This weekend I rested – I watched TV (the entire first season of Project Greenlight – I know, random choice), read (Defending Jacob – it’s so hard to put down!), saw a movie (Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates – love the cast), did a ton of laundry, went to the grocery store and cooked. A few times I thought – I could be doing that project – but then I realized I didn’t feel like doing them - sometimes that’s how creativity works – sometimes you need to recharge your batteries.
Anyway, I thought I’d give you an idea of the projects I have germinating in my mind or sitting on my craft table – in “pre-production”.
1.Henry’s T-W-O pictures. (Here are his O-N-E pictures, to give you an idea of what I’m talking about)
2.Sewing a new shirt using a pattern, which I’ve never done. I have the fabric and pattern – I just need to be mentally ready. This is the fabric - and I love it!
3.An ABC Photo Book for Henry. (similar to the one I created for Hadley here)
4.Burp cloths for my nephew Kellan – my sister Jordan says she uses them constantly and could really use more – which always makes you feel good when your creative project is actually useful.
5.A wreath for my friend Amanda, which I actually just finished – blog post to come!
This weekend I was focused on cooking – which is weird for me. Sometimes I get to this point after eating too much fast food – or too much unhealthy food – I want to cook healthy, fresh food.
Pretty often, this quote from Jen Hatmaker’s book “For the Love” comes back to me: "Cooking is not an affliction, and we aren’t incapable women who can’t crack eggs. We should disregard those commercials and remember that feeding people real food has always been a good, noble task."
So I made three new recipes and they all turned out great and I was so proud of myself!
Cucumber Onion Salad – which feels old school – like something I’ve only had at a church potluck. My dad even said he remembers his mom used to keep a jar of this in the fridge.
Glazed Pork Chops – kind of intimidating, but actually pretty easy and delicious.
"The
first is a specific tragedy I call Leggings-As-Pants/Tights-As-Leggings
(LAP/TAL = no). And don’t make me delve into the crisis that is Tights-As-Pants
(TAP = seek professional intervention)."
Here’s Jen to explain this herself:
For the record, she's also against Manpris.
Practical Advice For Everyday Life
"Cooking is not an affliction, and we aren’t
incapable women who can’t crack eggs. We should disregard those commercials and
remember that feeding people real food has always been a good, noble task."
"You can’t do
everything perfectly. You don’t have to
live up to an invented standard of perfection.
You can choose what to be involved in and when to say no to things. Choose the things you find life-giving."
Laughter
"I
just saw a commercial for mousse that will not only battle this Texas humidity
and make me a hair model but also make people laugh hysterically at my wit!
WhoknewIcouldbethatfunny? It seems my new hair will attract young,
good-looking, multicultural friends, and we will run through a field laughing
over our shoulders while our hair bounces and shines. Well done, mousse!"
Tears
Her
wish for her children: "I pray for your
kindness more than your success, because the latter without the former is a
tragedy. God measures our entire existence by only two things: how we love Him
and how we love people. If you get this right, you can get a million other
things wrong. Have the courage to be
exactly who you are. Love God and follow Him. Really,
nothing else matters. Be
kind. Be
you. Love
Jesus."
Pop Culture References
I love seeing these all together - doesn't it make you want to read the book, just so you can figure out how she worked all these in?!
Tina Turner, Coach and Tami Taylor, high-waisted jeans, Netflix,
Olympics, Paul Rudd, Shakira, Young Jedi, Annie Leibovitz, Instagram, Aerosmith,
HGTV House Hunters, US Weekly, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Friends, Maya
Angelou, Annie Dillard, iPhones, Buzzfeed, Target, Jessica Alba, Mason
jars, Garanimals, Gatorade, Mary Janes, American Idol, Alex Preston, Will
Ferrell, Young MC, like a boss, DeLorean, Jennifer Lopez, L’Oreal EverSleek, Halle
Barry, Maybelline, Walgreens, Sarah Jessica Parker, Garnier Nutrisse, Eva
Mendez, As-Seen-On-TV Products, EZ Egg Cracker, Gwyneth (Paltrow), Ben
Howard, Cameron Diaz, Ina Garten, HGTV, Jimmy Fallon, Thank-You Notes, Spanx, Jell-O,
Children of the Corn, Disney-Themed Slanket, Amazon Prime, Ann Voskamp, Nickelodeon,
Dynasty, Pinterest, Game Boys, So You Think You Can Dance, William and Kate, March
Madness, Scrabble, Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester, Third Day, Aquire the Fire, MercyMe,
Xbox, Angry Birds, Minecraft, Madden NFL, Facebook, E-Readers, Hamburger
Helper, Food Network, Wolfgang Puck, Justin Bieber, Phil Donahue, Sally
Jessy Raphael, the Bieb, Sandi Patty, YouTube, Top 40, Kidz Bop, Bruno Mars, American Idol, Ke$ha, FloRida, Melissa McCarthy, The Tom Green Show, Punk’d, The Jamie
Kennedy Experiment, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop
Talking, Twitter, Siri, Autocorrect, Mark Zuckerberg, Tinder, Bluetooth, (President)
Obama, Spotify, Jock Jams, Subway, Sandwich Artists, Gru, Despicable Me, Justin
Timberlake, Disney, Mowgli, Taco Bell, Dane Cook, Circo, Taylor Swift, fist bump,
Ovaltine, Tim Riggins
Thank You Notes
"Thank you, Person Having a Cell Phone Conversation in the
Public Bathroom Stall Right Next to Me at Target, for the reminder that nothing
is sacred (or sanitary) anymore. Not only do I know your digestive habits now,
but I also know that your cousin Lucy is marrying a loser the whole family
hates and you are “not about to pay $120 on a dress for a lame wedding.” Good
talk."
"Thank you, Taco Bell, for knowing one hundred sauce packets
and zero napkins are the perfect number of things to put in my bag."
Truth and Wisdom
"Annie Dillard was right: “How we spend our days is, of
course, how we spend our lives.” You
decide your days should contain laughter and grace, strength and security."
"If
we tell the truth in the small things, our honesty is well-practiced when stuff
gets dire. This creates a sincere community for which the earth is starving. In
a world full of the fake, artificial, pretend, and superficial, we have the
sustenance to nourish our starving hearts."
Old School Twitter
If Twitter were around back then…
"@JenKing—April 13, 1989—Haysville, KS Had the best time at youth group! #WednesdayWarrior Won the skits with my Paula Abdul imitation. #StraightUp"
"@JenHatmaker—December 31, 1993—Wichita, KS Our wedding was DREAMY! Colors: forest green and burgundy, of course. Tea-length bridesmaids dresses. No alcohol at reception. #Baptist #AlsoIAm19"
Use of Capitalization
I love her use of capitalization. I don’t know why, but I Love It.
"Sure, I planned on being a Darling Lamb Wife, but I accidentally got a fiery personality and forgot to be darling."
"When I was a kid, I thought my parents knew everything because they were parents. I was unclear how information about All The Things had been transferred to them, but I was certain they were in possession of it."
My Endorsement
Here's the one that didn't get picked at all:
Like
chips and salsa, Jen’s sense of humor and authenticity are an irresistible
combination. For the Love left me feeling refreshed, restored and
energized to love people. I can’t wait for everyone I know to read this
book!
~ Lyndi; INTJ, Aunt of Hadley and Henry, Diet Coke Drinker,
Wichita, KS
Here's the one on the website:
This book is So Good. I
laughed and I cried and I identified with so much of what Jen said. Reading
this book felt like a weeklong vacation with my best friend. I want everyone I
know to read this book.
~ Lyndi; Paralegal, Photographer and Craft Blogger, Wichita, KS
As a member of the #LaunchTeam and one of the #500 – I’ve read through the book more than once and I’m telling you – it’s good.
