COLLECTING, CRAFTING, COOKIES, CHICKENS, CHOCOLATE and CUDDLING.....just to name a few.....
I like the second definition of Catalyst.....A person or thing that precipitates an event.....
COLLECTING....I have a number of items that I am drawn to every time I go to an auction, garage sale or thrift shop. Whimsical, collectible items from the 50's - 70's. Older wooden chairs, rockers and smaller pieces of furniture (have a smaller SUV now, otherwise size was never a problem). Basically anything vintage from the 30's and 40's always interests me. And, odd things that I, in my mind's eye, find to be something that could be repurposed. My husband doesn't immediately see the connections or value, but he's learning that I have a pretty good eye for things that can be made usable again or things that are very salable because they are items that bring one back to a favorite time, place or person. So, Collectibles begin a process for me of making a plan to restore or repurpose an otherwise discarded item.
CRAFTING.....I no longer wake up and read Today's News on the internet each morning, I prefer instead to go directly to Pinterest...my positive, creative inspiration for each day. It contains all of the new "news" I want and need...my creative juices begin flowing while viewing all of the amazing creativity in this world. I enjoy studying other's work and then I slowly throughout the day begin to formulate my own concoctions of all of the beautiful ideas and items that I enjoyed on today's 'News'.
Good, positive things to occupy my mind each day. I make, sell and repurpose quite a few things these days...and enjoy it so much...nothing better than making a few bucks doing something you love.
CHICKENS.....My husband and I have 50 chickens on our farm (also llamas, peacocks and sheep). I begin each day with them by letting them out of their coop and end each day making sure that they are safely back in their coop for the night. They are so happy to see me and my bucket of corn, oats and sunflower seeds each day (who am I kidding - they love the bucket, I'm just carrying it). One of the red chickens, Edith, pecks my hand until I bend down and she jumps up on my shoulder. She accompanies me as I feed the rest of the animals/birds in the barn. She eventually flies off when she spots her friend Amelia and their 'man' Willie. They are most likely heading straight to the wild bird feeder closer to the house that I filled on my way to the barn (less competition from smaller, unsuspecting birds). In the evening when I enter the dark barn, I can hear all of their sleepy sounding chicken lullabies from the perches where they will all sit close for the night. I close their coop door, say goodnight and I tell them to sleep well and to look forward to a new day. Chickens start my day on such a positive note and end it on such a sweet and comforting note.
CHOCOLATE....Any way, shape or form, anytime, anywhere....have always loved. My mother used to tell me the story of when she was nursing me and she was eating some chocolate. She fell asleep and maybe I did too, but when she woke up, I was licking the melted chocolate that had dripped onto her blouse. So, I go way back with this passion. I can locate chocolate anywhere in the house, I know it's there and I will find it. It's the perfect food, it makes me happy, gives me energy, seems to stimulate my creative juices (not eating chocolate at the moment...just fried mashed potato patties...those are good for inspiration also) and fills my tummy with joy. I love being under the influence of the magical bean that becomes
COOKIES.....I'm not sure if making, eating or giving away cookies makes me the happiest. Oatmeal, pecan and raisin for my hubby, pecan sandies for my son, macaroons for my daughter, lemon bars for a good friend and chocolate chip and peanut butter for everyone. Quick story about the largest cookie I ever made. My husband is a builder and I am an idea generating machine. He built me a bakery/restaurant and we did very well with all made from scratch dishes and bakery. We sold between 200 - 400 pieces of bakery a day...all like grandma used to make...butter....years later people still tell me how much they miss our restaurant/bakery. Like all great ideas that I have, I love the setting up, the running and the success and then I'm done...sell it...onto the next project/idea. What a saint my husband is....Anyway, a favorite customer that bought cookies everyday had a birthday coming up...so I made him a 2 ft. by 2 ft. chocolate chip cookie and delivered it to where he worked on his birthday. Cookies, they bring people together in the kitchen, add to special occasions, and people of all ages enjoy. So many memories all in one little package.
CUDDLING....Had to add Cuddling, it goes so well with all of the above. I've hugged treasures that I have found in the thrift shop, held a sick chicken or a new chick close many a time. Chocolate and cookies, especially chocolate cookies, feel like a cuddle. Favorites times are cuddling with your loved ones, your pets, or a favorite book.
All of these 'C" words are special to me because of what they precipitate...and that is satisfying my soul. I'm not sure where a 'soul' is...but to me it feels like it is somewhere between my heart and my tummy...just kind of that warm, can't quite identity that feeling when it happens, but it feels good and right and is what leads my life. Find those things that satisfy your daily life...even if they don't begin with the letter "C".
