My Favorite Things: Lazy Sundays

During the school year, there are very few Sundays that don't require my attention to something school-ish. (There's a special place in hell for people who think teachers only work 8:00 - 3:00 Monday through Friday nine months out of the year. And that special place is filled with ADHD kids who are out of meds and their helicopter parents.) Where was I?

Oh, yeah. There are only a few Sundays during the school year during which I have nothing to do. Today was one of them.

I still have a to-do list a mile long involving books, blogging, writing, school, house, daughters, husband, dogs, cats, dust bunnies, yard work, quantum physics, whatever. But, tomorrow, I have no obligations, so I can work on them tomorrow and take today to be lazy, which is what I've done so far.

I like Sundays anyway. Sunday school and worship services are a great start to the day if for no other reason than that I have to be unplugged. I turn off my phone when we pull into the parking lot and turn it back on when we pull away from the parking spot. For that time, I am unplugged and no one can disturb me. (There are other reasons why I like my Sunday school and worship services, but that's all I'm jumping into at this time in this space.)

We usually go to our friend's pizzeria for lunch--it's a buffet, so there's no arguing and no waiting.

When we get home, I tackle my to-do list for the weekend/Monday.

But, since we are still on Christmas break, I snooze.

I kno what you're thinking: Heather got a new hair cut.
This isn't me. I'm not this tan.
Source

I woke up in time for Daughter 2 to go to her sleepover. Then I shipped Daughter 1 off to her youth group. And here I sit. Relaxing. And blogging.

There's not often that we, in our ever-connected world, get a chance to just sit, so today, I'm taking time to do just that. I'm enjoying a lazy Sunday. It's one of my favorite things.

Also, since The Daughters aren't home, I'm eating the Christmas candy I've stashed throughout the house. It's also one of my favorite things.

My Favorite Things: My Bubby

My Bubby--I'm not sure why I started calling him Bubby; it evolved from Buddy, and I'm not sure why I called him that either. Although he does remind me of Buddy the Elf, I started calling him that way before the movie came out. My friend, FloJo, refers to him as Bubbly part in mock but partially because he is ... He's a bubbly sort of fellow.

When I was putting together my line-up of favorite bloggers to highlight, he was one of my first thoughts. We've been married for almost sixteen years, but have known each other for almost twenty ... we think. We met several times before actually meeting and sticking together.

He's my biggest supporter and the one whose opinion counts heaviest with me. He encourages me in all aspects of our life together and is a great daddy, an awesome teacher, a fabulous husband (read my book, Getting Lucky--you'll understand why) and my best friend.

Check out his Favorite Things post on his blog. This man, my heart, one of my most favorite things.

My Favorite Things: Christmas Eve Services

I love Christmas Eve candlelight services--all Christmas Eve candlelight services. The day leading up to the services is full of cooking, baking, cleaning, fighting, lounging, watching movies. There's an energy in the air, but life goes on.

I yell at The Daughters to put on clean and appropriate clothes. I fuss about having to do all the chores myself even though I told The Daughters I wouldn't ask them to do anything on this particular day. I grumble with Brian because he runs around all day delivering pecans and buying Christmas ornaments because Christmas day has snuck up on his yet again. We'll finally get in the vehicle and the chorus of "Get Me To The Church On Time" will waft through my mind as I sit in the front seat breathing heavy because it took us way too long to get to this point.

Then, we'll walk into the sanctuary. We'll hear the story of a young mother giving birth and how that baby will grow up to offer us a love that the world has never known before. We'll stand together, passing the candle light from one candle to another, and lift our voices in celebration of the miracle of Christmas.

The beauty of this message is this: The yelling and crankiness and fuss and muss of the day leading up to this night falls away; The ugliness doesn't last; I am not in charge of this life (I hear all y'all saying "Thank God," and I follow it up with an "Amen."); There is more than just this world.

There is hope and love and joy and peace and light--and it comes in the symbol of a little baby who can take the cranky world away and replace it with beauty.

It's my favorite night of the year, recognizing once again that there's more to life than this world has to offer. That's a beautiful light in this often dark world.

Merry Christmas!

My Favorite Things: My Neighbors

Earlier this month, I filmed a segment for Great Day Green Country (if the link goes online, I'll post it here). The segment was about holiday gifts for your neighbors. These are all items that your kids can make or that you can easily whip up and share with those you have to look at your metal flamingo in the front yard. (Brian says sorry; I think it's cute!)

First up, Spicy Nuts. These are so incredibly yummy and easy! We get our fresh pecans each year at  Schaper Pecan Farms in Ramona, OK. 

2 cups of cleaned pecans

2 T butter

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T seasoning salt

2 t garlic powder

pinch(es) of salt

Melt the butter and Worcestershire sauce in a microwavable bowl. Stir in the seasoning salt and garlic powder. Add the pecans and stir until they are well coated. Microwave for one minute, then stir. Microwave for another minute, then stir. Microwave for a third minute, then stir and pour onto a paper towel-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt and let dry for about an hour. If you don't want to microwave, you can bake at 400 for about thirty minutes, stirring every ten minutes.

~

Marshmallow Straws. These are so good and easy. The girls eat them for breakfast. No, I'm not kidding. Melt chocolate bark (or almond bark). Stick a straw in one end of the marshmallow (I used the ginormous marshmallows) and then dip the marshmallow into the bark. You can add sprinkles for fun. Then they can stir them into hot chocolate or coffee for a great treat. Or, you can eat them for breakfast. 

~

Rice Krispie Tree: Did you know that once you mix the marshmellows into the Rice Krispies, it becomes like play dough? Just butter up your hands. (Really. Add a lot of butter.) And shape and mold the delicious Krispie treats into whatever shape you want. The Daughters made a Christmas tree and decorated it with M & Ms.

~

Santa Soup: Layer one third cup of rice, one third cup of red lentils, and one third cup split peas. Add a Knorr Stock packet, one third cup dehydrated onion, 1 T black pepper, 1 T garlic salt. They add six jars of water to the mixture and let it simmer all night (or day). They can also add eight oz of ham or chicken if they wish.

We did get a pic of the Santa Soup, so here's a pic of the Stock Packet.
They are not paying me to say this, but I wish they would. I love these little things!

~

Easy Breezy Candy Bar Treat: If you don't have time to do any of this, I feel your pain. But, that doesnt' mean you should neglect your neighbors, especially, if you live close to me. So, grab a few giant Hershey bars and add this cute little poem that I got from my scrapbooking buddy, Suzanne, several years ago--but it's been around the block a time or two.

Dashing from the mall

With groceries left to buy

Kids, school, work and stuff

Life's so busy, why?

Bells on our phones ring

Voicemail will take the call

We have no time for family or friends

It drives us up the wall

So, how are you?

How's your life?

We really want to know.

Hope your ready for Christmas

Now many it will snow.

A day or two ago, 

we thought we'd make a treat

For all our special friends

A Holiday treat to eat.

Our intentions were top notch

But our schedules wouldn't budge, 

So, we hope that you enjoy this year's

Davis* Family Fudge.

*insert your own name, duh.

~

And finally, a gratuitous picture of my own personal camera man who took the pics while I filmed. Isn't she adorbs?

My Favorite Things: Shopping With The Daughters

I love my family. 

When Daughter 1 was a itty-bitty toddler (actually, she was never itty-bitty), she used to tell us, "My favorite thing to say is 'I love my family.'" And it was her favorite thing to say. She'd tell waitresses, our pastor, people in line at Hellmart. It's kinda become our motto: I love my family.

This picture has nothing to do with this post. I just really like it.
I should frame it, right?

And it's the truth. I do love my family.

I do not, however, typically love shopping with my family. I'm not a big fan of shopping anyway. I don't like spending money. I don't like going on wild safaris in search of just the right item or fighting crowds--it just doesn't light my fire. The shopping that I have to do for groceries every week wears me out, and I leave The Daughters home for that outing.

But, once a year, we take The Daughters out by themselves to go shopping for each other. Brian and I accompany them as the basket pusher and accountant, keeping them within budget.

On these shopping days? I love shopping, and I love shopping with my family.

This year, Daughter 2 took along a notebook and pencil (so she could erase), and she made a list of items that her sister would like (along with the price) then she carefully decided what would make her sister the happiest. There was a lot of thought and consideration that went into her selections.

Daughter 1 spent a great deal of time picking out the exact item that would best suit her sister. This year's gift was not what Daughter 2 specifically asked for, but it's something she would want more and hadn't even considered.

It's in those moments when they consider a gift for each other that the pettiness of sibling rivalry melts away. The harmful words and hurtful grumblings fade to nothingness at the sight of them each pulling from their hearts to select just the right things. Shopping with them for Christmas makes my momma heart pound with pride.

Then we go home and Daughter 2 says, "I got you a One Direction pillow." (She didn't.)

And Daughter 1 says, "You know I hate One Direction."

So Daughter 2 fires back, "So, you have to say thank you anyway; it's the rule."

Then Daughter 1 says, "Well, I hope you enjoy your stupid lime Jell-O because that's what I got for you." (She didn't.)

And Daughter 2 whines, "You know I hate Jell-O! Unless we are at Furrs!"

But, I have that memory of a sweet sister pouring her heart and soul into her gift choice to keep me going until Christmas rolls around again next year.

My Favorite Things: Gina Knuppenburg

I know I talk about Arkansas Women Bloggers a lot, but I really have met some of the most wonderful people from my neighboring state, and today's Favorite Thing comes from Arkansas, but not originally. I met Gina a year ago at Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged, summer conference. It turned out to be a big sorta weekend for Gina and her now-fiance Thom. (Go read about it, you'll be so glad you did!) In the meantime, Gina and I have kept up with each other through social media. I read all about her wedding-planning posts and she pre-reads and reviews my books. She was even so sweet as to provide the virtual appetizers for my book launch! She's just as sweet and real and sweeter-still as pie. 

I've never been super girly.  There.  I said it. Maybe it's because I grew up with brothers and been roughhoused enough to make me try to act tough.  Or, maybe it's because I've always been, oh, how do I say it delicately?  Not dainty size-wise?  Okay, plus sized.  I'm a big girl; therefore I've never felt girly.

Luckily for me that's changed in the last few years. I think it's the feeling of being more secure with my being, older and wiser, settled in a relationship and all that yada yada.

The whole point of this diatribe?  I've never liked gold and glitter but since I've gotten engaged and am in the throes of wedding planning-I can't get enough of glittery golden goodness. So in light of everyone sharing their faves here on Minivan Momma, I present to you my faves this holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

My Favorite Things: Christmas Programs

One of my favorite things during this particular time of the year are the Christmas programs. Daughter 2 was in our church's program last Sunday as a singing Mary--she added the singing part. This week, she'll be a dancing Anna--they gave her permission to dance. I'm sure it's a mistake that won't be repeated in years to come. (Fingers crossed there's not any twerking.)

Daughter 1, though, because she's older, has the opportunity to perform with her school orchestra. This concert is the all-city concert, which means that both middle schools and both parts of the high school will actually perform. The end of the evening concludes with the senior high's full concert orchestra playing several Christmas familiar carols and the audience is invited to sing along.

Daughter 1 has been practicing her cello part over and over and over again. I love the cello. A cello solo or cello in a group--large or small--is a beautiful, mellow sounding instrument that will bring tears to your eyes and goosebumps to your flesh. But I'll tell you what: When the cello part is played in isolation? You will think a cow is in labor in your front room.

At the concert, Daughter 2 sat--I use the term loosely because she's a wiggler--between me and my own momma. She whisper-chatted a dozen or so times about who was wearing what, which bass player had a Santa hat on and why the others didn't and how could we all get out of that place if a violin randomly caught fire. It's always exhausting entertaining to sit next to her at these sorts of events. 

I did notice a pattern in her whispers and wiggles. As each song began, she'd lean over and asked, "Momma? Do I know this song?" 

And at each song, I'd hiss whisper back, "I don't know. Why don't you silently listen and see?"

Finally, when the senior high orchestra took the stage and were warmed up, they began their first number, "Winter Wonderland." Daughter 2 squirmed in her seat and faced me, "I know this! I KNOW THIS!" There was not a hint of a whisper in her voice. 

Then the first verse of "Winter Wonderland" began Daughter 2, in her best American-Idol Audition voice belted out, "Sleigh bells ring! Are ya listening?" She was so loud, I jumped.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

"Singing along," she whispered back before continuing in full vibrato, "In the lane, snow is glistening!"

"Hey!" I whispered as I threw my hand over her mouth, "This is a time for listening."

"It's a time," she said wiggling away from my hand, "For singing. It says so right there." Then she pointed to the program before continuing the song, "Gone away is the new bird!"

You know what? I just let her sing. 'Tis the season, y'all!

My Favorite Things: Misti Pryor

Misti is in the middle--with the cleavage.

Misti Pryor is one of my favorite things. I first met Misti when we were both cast in the NWA Listen To Your Mother show in 2012. I began stalking her on Facebook, Twitter and her blog because that's what I do, and I instantly fell in love with her because she was so welcoming and accepting and authentic and just loved you from the get-go. Then I met her in real life and understood that  that was her--the real her. The next year, which was last year, she said I could be her sidekick for Listen To Your Mother 2013 in Oklahoma City. I hope you love her too because unless you are a downright mean person, she loves you too.

Favorite Thing.

I “officially” graduate with my Masters degree in 20^TH & 21^ST century literature on Friday.  I’m not participating in the ceremony, I’m not getting hooded or walking across the stage. I’m just anxiously awaiting the delivery of my diploma.

Graduate school isn’t for the weak, that’s for sure.

I had no idea just how much of it was a pure test of wills versus a test of knowledge until it was all finally over. It was a long, difficult and expensive road that took some twists and turns and in the end, delivered me not into a classroom of a ph.d program like I had planned, but into the world of non-profit leadership advocating for girls and working with volunteers.

As December is 1/3 over, maybe more by the time I finish this post, I look back and take stock and think about the year. If you put any trust in the Facebook Year In Review, you can see that this year was a big one, chocked full of new experience and friends and change.

Listen To Your Mother: OKC was a huge success. HUGE! We donated over $3000.00 in cash and diapers to Infant Crisis Services; we sold out the house and then had SRO for the event. Everyone involved worked well as a team and had a sense of connection to a bigger entity and that was really my goal for this thing.  These women, the cast, the production team, and everyone involved from the sponsors to the staff were beyond anything I ever expected. I’m excited to start work on the 2014 show.

I sold my house to Julie and moved to Norman with Mark. THAT was huge. There were lots of tangles and tangibles and time eating THINGS that came with that. I’m still not unpacked fully. We are still not so organized that I can have all of my clothes and shoes in one closet (Silly historic homes with tiny closets) but it feels good. The transition wasn’t without some bumps. I don’t have any friends here that have known me longer than a year. Not to say that I don’t have any friends here, but really, anyone that knows-me-knows me  well, they don’t live in Norman. And that is lonely many times. Having someone to go grab lunch with on the spur of the moment, or go sit at a bar and have Sunday Funday with and watch some football, that life seems to be on hold right now. That really has been the biggest adjustment to the move.

Quitting the hair business and moving out of academia and into the non-profit world was also huge. HUGE! The learning curve has been steep, but I feel like I have navigated it fairly well. I just keep saying, “if I can make it to Thanksgivng/Christmas/Through the Cookie Sale” and I have no doubt that I will make it. I’m already looking forward to next year, and how I will do things better than this year. So much better.  But I do miss my clients; I miss doing hair and formulating color and the community of my Salon W family. I miss them terribly. I miss walking into Kamps Meat Market next door and getting some delicious lentil salad for lunch, or grabbing an after work drink and commiserating on all of the crazy that we saw.

We bought our little teardrop trailer and took her out for a few adventures this year. Santa Fe, Colorado, Talihena Oklahoma, Granite (MeMe Lois’ backyard to be exact).  It’s the funnest thing ever and I cannot wait to see where we take her in 2014. Looking forward, that is one of the reasons that I write about these changes and events. I like to make note of them, to place them here so that I can look back and reflect. I don’t focus on the things that I miss, or the bumps in the ever changing road. They are part of the journey.  It’s the looking forward part that really butters my muffin.

Graduate school almost broke me into a thousand pieces. But in a few weeks, I’ll have that piece of paper hanging on my office wall and no one can take that away from me. Gearing down from the ever constant stress has been interesting, and getting to actually read a book or two for fun has been a newly rediscovered joy.

 I didn’t land anywhere near where I thought I was going when I started the program, and Lord how happy that makes me.

That is the biggest take away for me from this entire year.

Joseph Campbell said it, and I’ve read it over and over but it wasn’t until this year that I GOT IT.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” 

This life that was waiting on me? It’s a pretty awesome one.

In fact, it is my favorite thing.

My Favorite Things: Holiday Cooking

One of the many things I love about blogging is the connections I've made with so many different people from all walks of life--people that if we were to meet at Hellmart, we might not even look twice at each other, but because we have the commonality of blogging, we're soul sisters (or misters). So, on Saturday night when I baked my famous triple chip cookies and they all came out looking like this:

I took to Facebook and tagged some of my foodie blogger friends like Debbie, Julie and Rachel. I figured that they could give me a quick fix. And they did. But so did a lot of other people. In fact, I got sixty-nine comments on my picture of my sad excuse for cookies. In fact, one of my favorite high school sophomores (ahem, Kaycee) said, "Were they supposed to look like fake vomit?" No. No they were not, but I'll keep that in mind for April Fool's Day or maybe next Halloween.

The cookies were still not fixed. I'm blaming old baking soda. PSA: Baking soda expires. Did you know that? I know that (now). They should put that on the box.

The good news is that I made a batch of Spicy Nuts, which I love saying, and didn't need anyone's assistance because they came out fabulously. In fact, they are so good that they are all gone.

 

Of course, the cookies are all gone, too. Even though they looked like fake vomit, they tasted like awesomeness.

I love holiday baking!

My Favorite Things: Kellee Mayfield

Kellee Mayfield has been on f my Favorite Things for a while now, and not just because we have the quintessential southern girl's middle name, just like I have as well. Ahem. I met her in Arkansas--which may as well be my second home--and instantly wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me. She's sweet as maple syrup and as fun as a pre-teen slumber party. Y'all? She took wigs and hula hoops to the Arkansas Women Bloggers Conference! Enjoy one of my favorite things:

A Few of My Favorite Things: Delta Moxie

Happy Holidays! It’s Kelly Jo from Delta Moxie. Can you believe Minivan Momma let me be in the driver’s seat once again?  I don’t know about you, but it’s that time of year I rely on some of my favorite things to get through the holiday season when life seems to shift into high gear. Nothing’s going to slow it down...so a girl needs to be prepared. 

NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick in Cruella

Running around feeling like your tinsel is tangled? Apply some bright lipstick to your lips and you’ll feel like a new person. I promise. I love the NARS Velvet Matte lipstick because it stays on well and it’s bright. My favorite color is Cruella, NARS describes it as a scarlet passionate red. I don’t feel dressed without it. Because, I live in a very rural area of Arkansas, I order this online.

Garnier Frucitis Volumizing Hairspray

Along with my bright lips, I love big hair. Since I’ve moved to the South, I learned about teasing my hair. Sometimes my bouffant gets out of control because my artist side takes over and I begin molding my hair to places that defy gravity. I have a heavy hand when it comes to teasing. I think if a little is good, then a lot is better...right? Not necessarily because I experience some bad hair days, but having hairspray is essential to my hair sculpting ways. I like the Garnier Fructis Volumizing Hairspray. It doesn’t smell like a terrible perfume and it isn’t expensive.

Fake Eyelashes

For special occasions like holiday parties and weddings, I wear fake eyelashes. I simply apply glue to a strip of those fuzzy caterpillar looking strip lashes and line them up with the shape of my existing lashes. Y’all, they really add a large element of drama to my peepers and the best part is I skip mascara. I always get compliments. And I bat my exaggerated lashes and sweetly reply, “Why...thank you,” as if these lashes were biologically mine. So don’t fear the lashes. Want to add a little flair, try a pair. Here’s a video of me before and after.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is my go-to moisturizer for everything. Let’s face it, this time of year my skin resembles that not-so-fresh garland I draped throughout my home before Thanksgiving. To ease the dryness, I keep a jar of coconut oil in my bathroom. Need a great under eye cream, make-up remover, body moisturizer, hair sleekener (ya, I made that up) and deep hair conditioner? Slather on some cold pressed, unfiltered coconut oil. You can get it in your health food section of your grocery store. I find mine at T.J. Maxx in the food section. It’s good for you and is a super bargain. To not cross contaminate my uses of coconut oil, I keep a separate jar in my kitchen for cooking. You’re welcome.

Free Wifi

My favorite thing is free wifi. Wifi should be like air. Anywhere you have to wait, eat, shop...free wifi should be available.

Moleskine Notebooks

These notebooks come in an array of sizes, colors and other options. I use this small pocket size for everyday note taking and brainstorms. Watch out when that happens. I call my pocket sized moleskine my “brains”. I use a bigger size for when I feel I need more space to expand my thoughts on projects, sketches, and Christmas lists.

Minivan Momma, TMI Mom and Heather Davis

Heather is one of my favorite people. She makes me snort laugh on one end of the spectrum and has me intrigued regarding how she does it all...working mom, wife, best-selling author, and big-deal blogger. You know where to find her because your are reading her blog right now. If you haven’t already, order her new book, TMI Mom: Getting Lucky.

Link to Amazon

Link to Barnes and Noble

Congratulations, Heather. 

And Happy Holidays.

As for me, you can find me at my blog www.deltamoxie.com.

I am a random artist, traveler, real-food-eating, sensible-shoe-wearing mother, wife and contract clinical specialist for a medical device company. Did I mention I have a southern drawl? I do.

Join me as I share my version of life in Southeast Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta. The colors are abundant. From the crops perfectly lined in rows to most beautiful people who make the Delta a perfect place to call home.

website: Delta Moxie

Facebook: Delta Moxie

Twitter: @deltamoxie

Instagram: delta moxie

Tumblr: delta moxie

My Favorite Things: Rhonda Bramell

Today, my favorite thing is Rhonda Bramell. I met Rhonda in Arkansas. This girl always has a smile on her face ... even when she's relating how her minivan almost blew up on a windy Arkansas road! Then I saw her in Listen To Your Mother. She's funny and she's fresh and she makes you want to hang out with her and her kids and just have a grand ol' time. Enjoy her. She's one of My Favorite Things.

The Advent Calendar:  Easy For Mom and Fun for the Kids

I saw a discussion awhile back on Minivan Momma’s Facebook page about Advent calendars, so I thought I’d share our family’s calendar.  I’ve wanted an Advent calendar since my oldest child was born, but knew I needed to wait until she was really old enough to understand the meaning of it.  As I shopped around for a commercially-made one, I realized two things:  1) they were really expensive or 2) they were really cheap-o and involved giving my kids a piece of candy or a small trinket they would either break or choke on.

Last year, we found ourselves stranded at home over the long Thanksgiving holiday due to our own beloved minivan being in the shop.  I needed something to entertain the five-year-old and crafting is her thing.  Thanks to this little thing called Pinterest, I’d found several pins of homemade Advent calendars by those moms who have perfectly decorated homes and children.  So, off to Hobby Lobby we went to gather up our supplies. 

Instead of giving the kids candy every day, I wanted to have activities for us to complete as a family. However, I knew that with a five-year-old and a couple of two-year-olds, that our Advent activities needed to be simple, easy for them to complete and have some sense of “specialness” to them. 

Our supplies included felt in many colors, decorative embellishments, dowel rods, hot glue, a Sharpie and blank tags to write our activities on.  You should know that I don’t sew; the hot glue gun is my friend. 

We spent the better part of two afternoons cutting, gluing and decorating our Advent calendar.  The kids did so great with it last year and loved each activity we completed.  Here is a partial list of some of our activity tags:

·       Drink hot cocoa after dinner
·       Sing a Christmas song
·       Do something nice for your brother & sister(s)
·       Watch a Christmas show on TV
·       Eat dinner in your PJ’s
·       Drive around and look at Christmas lights
·       Choose some toys to donate to others

This works well for us now, but I’m sure the activities will change as our kids get older.  Our Advent calendar made its appearance last night while they were sleeping—yes, a day late…but that’s how I roll.  I’ll give them a piece of candy to make amends.

Rhonda lives in Northwest Arkansas and works full-time outside the home in retail marketing. In her spare time, she writes at Bramell, Party of Five where she's been blogging for over six years. You can find her blogging about everything from the funny things her kids say to Pinterest projects with her kids to occasional product reviews and giveaways. She's your typical southern gal turned minivan-driving mama. Live with twins plus one is a crazy, busy life but definitely provides her with a lot of creative inspiration!