on the joys of entertaining

Last week I had the joy of having six of my dearest friends over for breakfast as we bid adieu to our friend who was headed to Kyrgyzstan for a four month deployment.

Check out what I had to say about the joys of cooking for a crowd. 

feminism

To claim I have a clear understanding of feminism and all it entails would simply be false.  I have to say, that despite my feminist leanings and my background of attending a women's college, I am 'feminism dumb'.  Meaning, that I have such limited knowledge of feminist critiques, feminist cannon, and more.  This is not to say I don't get the tenants of feminism (I do), but rather my ability to support my ideas around feminism (especially in regards to childbirth, mothering, homeschooling, etc) is completely non-existent.  Luckily, enter my 2nd graduate degree.

I am currently enrolled in a Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Non-Fiction down here in Georgia.  And while most of the courses I am expected to take are surrounding the understandings of prose, fictional and non-fictional writing, and teaching creative writing; I also am blessed to take a few literature courses.

This semester I am enrolled in 'Literary Women', a graduate seminar focused on the way in which women write about their experiences as women.  Well all be darned!  I do this all the time!  So to take a critical eye to the material and my writing should prove to be eye-opening.

This past week, we've been working through Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own.  Holy. Crud.  What a beautiful and confusing piece of work.  I have to say though, that I feel similarly to her.  A woman, to be happy, just needs a stable income and a place to create.

A few months back, I had neither.  And the innate sense of peace that has followed in gaining both has been marvelous.  

your limits are imaginary

Annie Thorisdottir is the 2nd time world champion of Crossfit.  She's been crossfitting for less than three years, speaks fluent English, is a full-time Chemistry student, and wants to study medicine. And she's extraordinary. 

reveling :: on motherhood

I believe I sent a number of my close friends into a tizzy of shock and awe when they saw my first post that mentioned I'd be discussing 'preparing for motherhood'.  I received a few texts, a number of emails, and a few quizzical looks when people spoke to me about my blog face to face. 

I might as well let the cat out of the bag.  Yes, my lovely partner and I are in the process of planning for children.  This does not mean we are having them yet!  Deep breaths friends.  Deep breaths.  But we both firmly believe that preparing our home, our minds, and our hearts are key pieces to our growth as a couple and our future (slightly larger) family. 

We have big dreams for our family.  Attachment parenting, cloth diapering, homeschooling, and so much more.  We hope to instill a deep love of dirt, community, food, reading, and kindness. 

Emerging from Doula training in May I felt called to prepare.  Prepare my mind, my home, my body for pregnancy and motherhood.  To take time to mull what adding a munchkin or two to our daily lives would entail.

We have the gift of time, but we are also aware that time is impermanent.  We see this balance and acknowledge it willingly.   We hold both in our hands, breathe, and know that when we are ready, we will know.

Source Unknown:  If you know the photog, let me know. ('twas a pinterest find)

round-up :: motivation

Once a week, I plan to do a photo/link round-up of all the lovely things I have found, I am musing over, or simply stumbled upon.  Some weeks I might have a theme, other weeks not so much (methinks I am likely to edge closer to the 'not-so-much-theme' plan).  This weeks theme is Motivation. 

For a number of years I was an avid Crossfitter, but during a rough year (2010 to be exact) I dropped the ball.  I found myself with a bum foot and a broken heart.  To be frank, working out didn't even matter to me at that point in time.  While I was crossfitting,  I loved it for two reasons:  1) It was a quick trip to the gym and 2) It didn't involve much running.  These two facts still remain true. 

As of two weeks ago, I started getting back into shape.  Because as much as I love to argue that 'round is a shape too', I was started to feel outside my own body.  While in a way it strays from the quiet, simplistic life I'm learning to love...it simultaneously keeps my routine incredibly simple.  I wake up early, commit an hour to my health, and call it a day.

Here is my current Motivation.