Bathwater Coffee and Pin Curls

Yesterday my three year old daughter, Emme, was taking a bath while I stood at the sink twisting my hair into pin curls – just like my granny taught me. Emme splashed around with her bath toys which consisted only of measuring cups and spoons and a mug.

“Ear you go, Mommy! I made you coffee!” She exclaimed, holding out a mug full of warm bathwater. As I pinned my last curl, I bent down and sipped my special bathwater coffee and realized it was time for a blog post.

Emme post bold roast bathtime

Life changes. A lot. Mine has changed so drastically in the last couple months, I don’t even know where to begin writing about it. In context with my art and career, life had really presented me with some challenges. It had me down.

The reason I wanted to write about bathwater coffee and pin curls is because a month ago (even 6 months ago), I would never have bent over and lovingly sipped my daughter’s coffee and I would certainly never be twisting my hair into pin curls. Those two simultaneous events symbolized a marked change in my spirit and my priorities. Many more changes have occurred and show themselves in handmade plastic canvas coasters sewn by tiny, uncertain fingers, an unfinished wool blanket sitting in a basket by the fireplace, a simpler schedule, a slower paced life, six pair of muck boots by the back door and fresh baked bread on the kitchen counter.

My dear sister in law, Sam Schasteen, and I had some long talks over our time together during the holidays. Sam is one of those super beautiful, stylish, smart women whose inner wonderfulness is difficult not to envy. God sent Sam and her husband, Kyle, a special gift 3 years ago; a gift that no one can deny was handpicked just for them. Maddie came all wrapped up in a five pound bundle with tons of hair and an extra chromosome. She was born with Down’s Syndrome and to make a long story short, Kyle once said to me, “I want a shirt that says, Down’s Syndrome: What’s the Down Side?” Sam has approached her mothering of Maddie with incredible enthusiasm and heart and I have watched their family’s world become more perfect by the day. Comparatively, my world was feeling disconnected and just plain hard.

I shared some of my feelings with Sam. She directed my thoughts toward my life as a mother and she got me reading, among other things, a book entitled, Simplicity Parenting.

Since I began reading the book, my thoughts have traveled from, “I’ll never paint again,” to “I’m quitting my job as a teacher so I can paint during those few hours a week.” Most importantly, however, my priorities have been given a kick in the pants. Suddenly, I’m not just trying to survive each day. I’m reveling in each day. I’m not counting down the hours until bedtime, I’m savoring them. I’m not depressed because I have no creative outlet, I’m sewing and simplifying and enjoying my house in the country. I’m not encouraging my kids to “go play,” I’m chasing them through the house and tackling them for a good old fashioned wrestling match. I’m even having fun.

Brielle inside one of our many clothespin and fabric forts

A telling image from our kitchen: this is me making a handmade doll with vintage fabric, there is my son Taylor behind me strumming a guitar and you can even see our binoculars handy for enjoying all the wildlife that wanders through our yard. Not a lot of painting going on around here, but a lot of creativity, nonetheless.

The parallels of the ideas in Simplicity Parenting to making art have astounded me! I may not be painting a whole lot over the next year, but I will be growing in a deeper, more philosophical way.

As I gain understanding in using the extraordinary power of less, I will continue to apply it to making art and I’ll try to write my thoughts to the blog as often as life allows.

Coming up, “My House is a Still Life.” Not to be missed. :)

God bless.
Mara