Roots & Wings

I love this season. So much celebration. So much time to reflect on the years past and dream about the year in front of me. I will get to the point of this post eventually. But I want to say that I have really been thinking and answering these questions about the year 2008. I’ve realized how many ideas and dreams that I had that ended up being only good intentions. Some of it I can blame on being pregnant and having a sweet baby to chase after. Although, I can look back and remember many conversations with Joseph, dreaming about how I wanted to manage my home, how I wanted to raise my babies, and all the other “strange to most people” things that are important to me. In all of those conversations I heard him say, “Why don’t you do it?” And my reply would most likely be, “I don’t know how and I don’t know where to learn or who to learn from.” Really, that was my excuse for not seeking out the people I need to help me. It sounds so silly in my head, to walk up to someone and say, “Will you teach me this?” or “Will you show me how you do that?” But the truth is, that is why God surrounded me with amazing, smart, older women who are willing to help raise another generation of women to accomplish the role of mother, lover, sister, and friend. So, all that rambling to say, I believe the number one thing I learned in 2008 is that I can’t do what I dream until I am willing to say, “I need help.” Not all things I can teach myself. (I am most defenantly a hands-on, visual learner!) I’ve very much realized that my dreams haven’t become a reality because I thought I could juggle everything by myself, with no one’s help. When the truth is: What good is knowing something unless you teach someone else and let it live on in another generation. I imagine it is a mother’s glory to be able to pass on whatever she learned from her mother to her daughter. How neat, to know that one day Scarlet will be cooking the same Chicken Noodle Soup when her babies aren’t feeling their best. Again, I am rambling. Point is, this has been my realization. Going forward, I am seeing (even more than here) what precious gifts people are in my life. Not only who they are but what knowledge and wisdom, gifts and talents they can pass on to continuously be helpful to new generations of mommas.

After all of that, I am deciding what in 2009 I am needing to learn or glean from someone else. Luckily, I have girls that will go on these crazy ventures with me. And not think I am totally loony when I start washing my hair with vinager. This post has been very helpful in helping others understand why it is important to me. It seems I am in the business of reviving lost arts. Like, the art of sewing and needlework. Or the art of “Putting Food By.” Gosh, so much stuff that would make a different kind of momma, one who has gleaned the good from generations past and isn’t afraid to pass up the “trend” of society for the benefit of her family.

This is my goal and where my head has been for the past few days. I will update you on exactly what my “List of Things to Learn in 2009″ looks like. 

Sometimes my ramblings can be so terribly strange. Thanks for taking the time to read the process of stuff running around in my head get poured into this crazy blog. It’s really for my benefit. See, now my head doesn’t feel like a gum ball machine being shaken violently.

Okay, so, it’s late and my imagination is a little wild. Must be all that insomnia, due to this little guy squirming around in my belly. Phew. Pray for sleep please.

August 033, originally uploaded by tabithasuo.

There are two things in my kitchen that get used everyday. I have a favorite bowl and coffee mug that gets used at least twice a day. They both make me smile and I realized this morning that they both have funny stories behind them too.
My mug I bought at a pottery show when Joseph and I were engaged. Along with it, I bought a soap dish. It was the most beautiful soap dish. I admired it every time I was at the kitchen sink. Not too long after I bought it, I was in a hurry one day and it landed in a million pieces in the sink. I cried and cried and I just remember Joseph’s face… I know he was thinking, “I am about to marry this crazy girl that falls apart over a soap dish?!” So… today, I drink from my mug and remember my soap dish casualty.
My bowl was thrifted one day at a yard sale for a dollar. I went up and asked the lady how much this beautiful bowl was and she replied with “25 cents.” And then her husband comes over and says, “No, a dollar.” While I’m standing there holding my bowl tightly, they are yelling and arms go flying and this turns into and all out brawl. Then I realized that they were selling their house and getting a divorce. So, in an attempt to save the bowl from further abuse, I set the dollar on the table and quickly head for my car. A sad way to inherit a bowl, but at least she is safe.

I know I’m strange. Who blogs about their dishes? You’ll have to get used to strange blogs… there will probably be more.