Saturday, September 25, 2010

CREATVITY

I lack creativity. I knew it the minute I posted the picture of the bunny with sea shells the week before fall began. And everyone was so sympathetic...just put a few leaves and acorns on the bunny's serving tray and it will look like fall. So I added some candy corn. Doesn't it look festive?


I really have been under the weather with the asthma, going on 9 straight days. You might say that I am lacking oxygen to the brain. What feels real is that I may be lacking a creativity chip. Blogging has helped a little, but I sometimes can't help but think, am I inspired or am I imitating?

Daughter Emily is in her last year of interior design school. This is the project she is working on now.
See the gorgeous upholstery job she is working on? Well, not just the upholstery part, she is building the chair as well. I don't suppose we would exactly choose to take on a project like this, but the thing is, she's really having a ball and I am loving the process as well, considering I have never upholstered or built anything in my life.
I watched with pride as she worked on this yesterday. I even helped with the stapling of it {I had never used a staple gun before}.

After she left, I sat wondering about many things. She dived into this project like she does most things. She came home from Joann Fabrics and sat down on the floor and got right to work. I would have pondered the whole project for awhile and taken baby steps. I would have been on my second coat of paint today after carefully letting the first dry all night. That's just how I roll. I still think about that beautiful sewing machine that I bought and then got stuck on the threading part. I joke about it but the thing is...once it's threaded, I feel something is expected of me, that I will expect something of myself, and what if I fail?
The lack of oxygen has really slowed me down. I haven't cooked all week, I love my carry out menu book. Yesterday I was just tired of sitting or lying in bed. I found a box of chicken broth, cooked up some onion and chicken in butter and olive oil, threw in some broccoli, carrots and sugar snap peas and made some chicken soup. Not exactly the traditional veggies, but it worked. It was delicious.
Lying in bed last night with my jammies and Vicks on, magazines and dogs all around, I thought about gifts. I thought about talent; things we are born with and things we hone. I am so darn proud of my kids, my heart wants to burst. But I don't give myself credit for the things that I love to do...the things I've learned and what comes naturally. Maybe I will teach my future daughter in law how to cook, maybe I will write a book. Maybe I will thread that sewing machine and make quilts and pillows all winter long. Anything is possible, I have learned that from my children. And I am passing it on to myself.

41 comments:

Debbiedoos said...

Oh Jane, don't be so hard on yourself. We truly are our own worse critics....can you believe there are gals that actually like those ridiculous pumpkins I made? TO me they look like my nine year old made them:) But anyhow, I do believe we all have something creative to share...creativity comes in all forms...for instance, you can express yourself very well....and I think you do a great job on your home, making it loving and welcoming...so that to me is creative. Hope you feel better soon. Debbie

Helen said...

Now, now ... couldn't you at least have filled your rabbit dish with fall colored candy corn? Just kidding .... you ARE creative, and sweet and fun! Feel better!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Jane~ You really shouldn't be so hard on yourself! You do a wonderful job of creating a home! The rabbit looks adorable no matter what he is serving- look at all the friends who commented on that post? You have a lot of people out there who like what you do! I beat myself up constantly for things I should be doing, choices I have made that maybe were not great, etc.... it is NOT a fun place to be! Right now, I am hosting my first link party this weekend- and lo and behold, I fowled the links up!! If you would like to join anyhow- I would love it! It's a decorating inspiration party- and you definitely have some fantastic inspiring posts you can link with! :)

Olive said...

Dear Lord in heaven you need some prednisone. I am worried. You are certainly dropping your oxgyen sats I am sure. You are seeing a doctor soon please. I also do not sew or craft much. But I have my talents and so do you. Your daughter's chair looks wonderful as does your chicken. You are thinking too much dear Jane. big O2 filled hugs♥olive

Barb said...

Hi Janie, your post looks wonderful....so many possibilities.

I think you are too hard on yourself....we all are at times. Take each day as it comes and realize that when you are ready to make something on that sewing machine.....it willlllll come.

Sending you hugs,
Feel better soon.

Barb

Gypsy Heart said...

I think I'll send you some fall colored candy corn! :-) Just kidding ~ and hoping you will laugh. I'm so sorry you've been under the weather. It's been horrible here with all the allergens in the air. I had the migraine from hell yesterday. A storm and weather front moved through about 4:00 this morning and today I'm much better. Wishing the same for you!

I think you are very creative my friend. Perhaps it's the fact that our daughters have an inate talent and feel "freer" to step outside the box? I catch myself comparing too and it's not good for us. Your soup looks delish and that's an area of creativity we both share ~ creating in the kitchen! :-) My sewing machine is still packed...and I know there are a jillion things I could do but am I? NO... We'll get there! Take good care and get well quickly.

Sending you huge amounts of healing energy ~

xoxo
Pat

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

9 days now! Eeeek! When does your doc come back? Do you have an Urgent Care Facility around? Where you could get some stop-gap meds Rx's? I'm getting worried about you, Hon...

Gentle hugs,
From this 'Aunt,' who is being 'Sweet Aunt Bridget', for the day.

Tee said...

You may not be able to thread your sewing machine but you write beautifully honest, touching words. If you weren't creative and interesting, would over 400 people be following your life?

Hope you feel better soon!

The Charm of Home said...

Jane, I think you have creativity! You have created some amazing tables and I love the beautiful posts from the lakehouse too. You just need to get through this asthma and you will not feel this way about creating. Nobody could feel well about much of anything having asthma for over a week. Hope it gets better soon.
Sherry

myletterstoemily said...

i'm convinced you can do anything!
i'm just so sorry about the asthma.
don't ever be hard on yourself
when you feel bad or especially if
you're OXYGEN deprived.

i think your soup is incredibly
creative.

just breathe . . . oh sorry!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Janie,
Sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Take care of yourself, girl! Your soup looks yummy. If I weren't 4-5 hrs down the way, I would run you over some magazines and DQ Blizzard!
xoxo
Robin

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Janie,
You are too creative! You write so well, and your home is lovely and your daughter got it from somewhere you know!
I am so sorry about your asthma my
friend. Take good care of yourself. Oh, I found my book and now I can thread my machine again without hubby! hehe.
And we are hard on ourselves aren't we? I am always finding things that make me feel inferior. But blogging helps because we all give each other warm hugs and inspiration too.
Big Hugs,
Cindy

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
I love reading your blog and really enjoyed all the wonderful stories about your lake house. When you can hold someone's attention with your words, then you are creative!

I do hope that you will feel better soon and feel more like yourself.

hugs
Sissie

Pondside said...

Hi Jane
Yours is one of the blogs I consistently look for - I'm always happy when you've posted. I like the way you write and the topics you pick are always things about which you are passionate, and that comes through. There are so many ways to be creative and I enjoy the creativity you present.
I hope you feel better soon. Vegas is coming up soon, isn't it?

Kathleen said...

Thread the darn machine! Play with it when you feel like it. No one will expect anything, do it for yourself. Or not, up to you!
Feel better!

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Jane....I think it is just the asthma talking...when we don't feel well we sometimes don't look at the bright side. We want to, but we just can't get the energy up to do it! You will be back to feeling yourself soon and your creative juices will be overflowing again!~Hugs,Patti

Anonymous said...

Aren't we our worst critics? I think you are full of creativity -- I mean who else would we expect to display an Easter Bunny at Halloween? That is the most precious thing! You're obviously a wonderful mother and a remarkably supportive blog friend. You are a great cook, and a truly beautiful person inside and out. God blesses everyone, but not everyone receives the same blessings. Besides, we learn new things everyday, and tomorrow someone may invent a sewing machine that threads itself! This was a lovely post.

Julie Marie said...

Oh Janie... this sort of reminds me of the first post of yours I read when I first met you... you are way too hard on yourself! I think you are a beautiful, creative, talented wonderful lady, who has a great sense of humor, writes beautiful posts, takes great photos, tackles everything with a zest for life... do you know, Jack gave me a sewing machine a year ago last May on my birthday, and on it's anniversary this year (my birthday) I got it threaded!!! Then I just did some little stitching to practice... then the thread kept breaking so I quit... then I decided I am a strong lady... I will not give in to a sewing machine of all things! So, I just finished 5 aprons! (That's what is in the favor bags you saw on my latest post for my sister's birthday party!)... you are a wonderful mother to your children, and I could just go on and on about you and all of your beautiful qualities... you love animals and fight to protect them... I love your little rabbit, even just how he was, but he looks adorable with the candy corn in it...I know you are a fabulous cook, and you have a heart of gold... honestly, if "I" can thread my machine and sew something YOU can! I am NOT a seamstress and I don't know if I even like to sew, but I kind of had fun making the aprons, although Martha Stewart would not say they are "a good thing"!... but that's ok... I have a magnet on my fridge that says "Martha Stewart doesn't live here... and it's a good thing"...tee hee hee! I am just me... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

Anything is possible...I am sorry you are having a hard time. It is ok. We all go through that. Yes, you can be proud of your kids....I think you are a wonderful person...We all have talents...I think you are fun, sincere and a great friend.
Love ya
Frenchy

Jenna@Breathe Beauty said...

Hi Jane,

This sounds like a conversation I may have had with myself recently. Oh and I have the worst allergies and sometimes it leads to asthma. It does suck. Now I'm a little put off about the rabbit because to be honest I'm quite fond of the little furball. lol Hope your feeling better soon!

Amy Chalmers said...

jane you always make me smile when I see you have come by and left me a note. my son has asthma and it is really tough, so i feel for you. maybe you need a nebulizer treatment, but take care of yourself. were those pink candy corn? you minimize what you can do...don't be afraid to sew. No one is judging you! Have fun and like so many said, don't be so tough on yourself.

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

I hope you feel better Jane. And you do not lack creativity. :)

Theresa said...

Oh Jane, you do so much and do it well... you are talented and creative... AND beautiful! Now thread that needle and let's get going with that sewing machine:) SAYS she who has an embroidery machine that has NEVER been turned on:)

Your daughter is doing a fantastic job on her project! I love using a staple gun, you can let out some frustration that way:)

I pray you feel much better and perhaps the cooler weather will help!

Hugs and prayers coming your way!

Lori said...

First off ~ I hope you are feeling better ~ there is nothing worse than feeling miserable. I agree with Debbie ~ you are being way to hard on yourself. I love what you said about your kids ~ truly a mother's love is the best. Thread that machine and go for it ~ or not... It will still be there tomorrow. Take care of yourself and that soup looks delish! xo

Knitty said...

I love your bunny with the pink candy corn! I haven't seen pink yet, but maybe the Breast Cancer Awareness displays have it where the regular candy aisles do not.

Sorry to hear you are still suffering with asthma. I am finally feeling better from whatever this crud is that I have, but not 100% yet. I am pacing myself as best I can and sleeping whenever the mood strikes.

Don't be hard on yourself regarding creativity. You are what you are, you think as you think. What others do, plunging in head first may never be the best path for you. If we likened this to getting into a body of a water, I would never dive head first! It is painful to watch how slowly I immerse myself and getting into anything other than a bathtub is truly rare.

Feel better in all ways and be as kind to yourself as you would be to others.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Good for you Jane. You are very talented but just can't bring yourself to say it.....I think that you are just plain modest !!
Your chicken soup looks so delicious....one of my favourite things to eat. I always feel as if I could run a marathon after I've had a bowl of chicken soup !!
You persevere with your sewing machine and I think that you will have enough pillows and quilts to open a shop.
Have a little more confidence in your talents and the world will be as much of an oyster for you as it is for your daughter. XXXX

savvycityfarmer said...

we're here for ya honey
wish we were neighbors

Nancy said...

I was going to say what we lack in one area...we make up for in another. I'll bet you're a good dancer - for some reason you seem like it to me! I know you're a good cook and actually I am but I just have no interest in cooking! I think your family would much rather have mom who cooks good as opposed to mom who decorates fabulously!!!! or like me who crafts! Anyway - I always love going to the Lakehouse and you've made it such a welcoming place. Yep - I just think you need a little more oxygen to think clearly!!! xoxo Nancy
PS - Yes - you're a writer - I always love reading your posts!

Melanie said...

Oh Jane, I am sorry that you are sick and kinda down. Don't let it get the best of you. Give yourself kudos for the things that YOU DO!

Hope you get to feeling better.

Simple Home said...

I think your daughter gets some of her talent from her very talented mother. Being sick really does zap the creativity out of us though. I hope the asthma problems will be better soon. Do you have more problems with it in the fall? My daughter seems to.
Blessings,
Marcia

Barb said...

Hi Jane,

You are precious just the way you are. You are creative and you have a huge heart and that is the most important thing. You have made 2 places into inspiring homes-yes, inspiring.
I feel very lucky to call you a friend. Someday we will meet face to face.

Big hugs- feel better

Life on the Edge said...

You do not lack creativity! I think if anyone can decorate a house like you do, they are definitely artistic. Look at that soup you cooked...I can't do that! I have to have a recipe. That's creativity!

Although I don't get around to visiting blogs as much as I like (but I am getting better at it), I really do enjoy coming to your blog for visits!

Kady
Life on the Edge

Lynn said...

I hope you're feeling better soon! I sure think being a good cook is a gift, and one everyone appreciates! ...especially if there's a not so good one in their life:@)

Maggie said...

Hi Jane,
I'm sorry that you are still suffering, and maybe the bunny with pink candy corn was a mistake but you're not well! So you're forgiven.LOL.
Like so many others I really enjoy your blog and my virtual visits to the beautiful home which you have created for your family.
Get well soon.
Maggie

Mary said...

Jane, YOU are an amazing woman.....just being able to share your personal feelings with so many, and in such a delightful way, makes you the fabulous friend we all long to have.

Don't be so negative about your accomplishments, which are many. Realize that your talents have multiplied since you became one of the most sincere bloggers around - and we love the way you share all your home projects, travel stories, and the great love and pride you have for your family.

Sorry about your continuing health issue, hopefully you will get some medical attention very soon, this is not something to wait out!

Emily's career will be fabulous and she is well on her way from the looks of it. What fun you two will share about the house. As for your cooking skills, looks like you are one of those extremely creative cooks who can whisk up a gourmet class something from a box of broth - way to go girl!!!!

Be well soon - hugs, Mary

Together We Save said...

I hope today is a better day!! After all anything is possible!

Debbie said...

Hi Janie~~~I am so sorry you are still feeling crummy.
It warms my heart to hear how proud of your children you are.
Don't sell yourself short on the "gift" issue.
You always have such great posts to share, and your flair with photos and writing is a blessing to me, and I'm sure many others out there in blog-land.
You have no idea what an encouragement you have been to me on this journey of blogging..and I thank you for that!!
I hope you feel better very soon.
Hugs,
Debbie@houseatthelake

koralee said...

I think you are amazing!!! In everyway my friend.

I wish I had that soup on in my kitchen. hugs. xoxoox

Brenda Pruitt said...

Your talent is writing. You tell a story well. It flows well. I can't even cook. I wouldn't have known what to put in that soup. Lately, my creativity leaves a lot to be desired. I just seem to have the blahs in that area.
Brenda

Lady Katherine said...

This is one wonderful project your daughter is doing. Oh, I would have to have it, to cherish! I love your bunny so much, he looks wonderful with anything at the moment I am thinking chocolates. lol I so sorry your asthma is bad, we are both on the same route! Except,I have stayed in bed all week. I begged Doc to get off some of the asthma meds. no luck. You did get a wonderful meal cooked! I haven't been visiting much, feeling so bad. I love your comments, and know we all feel the same way at times whether we are sick or not. lol You do so many inspiring things! I so wish I could visit everyone everyday! Yes, the scones from this mix are so wonderful. No sticky!!! lol I always use a little flour on my rolling pen and my sheet I roll out the dough on. Maybe??? you might be using too much liquid? These are not tough, just delightful! Add some lemon curd! In heaven. lol Take care of yourself! I know your going to love having another daughter. My son-in-laws are now my sons. lol Just love them. Drink HOT tea it will help with the asthma. I have a headache so bad for two days from all this. I will have a surprise in October, well hopefully. lol I do love your talent, and your food, and your home! All is great just like you! Feel better Soon!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Jane, Sorry to hear that you have have not been well. I hope you get feeling better soon.

You have over 400 followers that enjoy your writing. You must be doing something right. Take care of yourself and get well soon.
Hugs, Sherry