The baker's life...

If you know me, you know I used to bake. A lot. I loved it.

I'd bake cakes, pies, cupcakes (my fav!), bread, rolls, buns...you name it, I tried to bake it.

Then I kind of burned out. The peeps at my house rarely ate what I baked. I felt like I was running out of friends to pawn off my baked goods to.

So, I stopped. Cold turkey. I just didn't bake anything.

For a couple of years.

Then a few months ago I started watching The Great British Bake Off. Their pudding isn't our pudding. Their biscuits...not our biscuits. But...it was regular people competing to be the best British Home Baker.

I got that itch...the itch I used to have to create something. I usually produce art. Now, I want to produce food again.

I think I will.

Any ideas for what I should bake?

I have an arty friend. Her name is Effy...

I got to interview a friend of mine named Effy Wild. She is fun. Loads of fun. And super smart. Check her out!

Hi there Miss Effy!  How are you?

I'm super today, thank you Miss Cary! 

You know you are one of my favorite people, right?

You know you're one of MY favourite people, right?? :D

I’ve taken loads of classes from you. What do you love most about teaching art?

I love that I get to teach the things that are most important to me (self-love, care, and inquiry) through such a fun and accessible portal as art journaling and mixed media art! 

When did you start making art? Why did you start making art?

I started making art in 2009 because I was a writer with a wicked case of writer's block. I felt like my head was going to explode if I didn't find some way of expressing myself that felt *safe* and doable. I need a creative practice in my life in order to feel whole, and when I discovered art journaling, I knew I'd found something I could do even when words failed me!

Are there loads of artistic folks in your family/background?

Not at all, though my children are all artistic in one way or another, so I suspect there are some artists hidden away somewhere on my family tree!

What type of art do you enjoy producing the most?

Journal art, hands down. I love meeting myself on the page. 

What artists inspire you? Is there a famous work of art you relate to most?

I'm inspired by artists who work in my field, like Tamara Laporte, Erin Faith Evans, Amanda Grace, and Teesha Moore. The work of art I relate to the most is anything by Klimt, but The Kiss is my very favourite. 

How do you overcome a creative block?

I practice. I don't even worry about outcomes. I just sit my butt in my chair, and I pick a colour, any colour, and go. 

Thank you so much!!
My pleasure, darling! xo

Check Effy out here:

Effy's website
Society 6 page
Art class with Effy

A letter to myself...

Dear young Cary...

There are so many things I wish you had known about as a young girl. 

There is no reason to be so concerned about what others think about you.  You are adorable! Don't put so much stock in other's opinions. Just because someone says it doesn't make it true.

You are lovely. Beautiful. So different from everyone around you. And, that's a good thing.

You don't need to compromise yourself to make and keep friends.  You have standards. Don't lower them for anything.

You have a beautiful body. There is no reason to alter it. To abuse it.  What others think about your body is not important.

You are smart.  You can do anything you set your mind to. So just DO IT. It doesn't matter if you don't succeed every time.  You can try, try again.

You have a huge heart. Sometimes that puts you in a situation where you choose others feelings over your own. That is ok. Just remember that your ideas and opinion make a difference.

Do what you feel is the right thing to do. Do it every.single.time. In the end, kindness and compassion make the most sense.

Choose your friends wisely. Give all you have to your relationships.  Don't hold back. You might get hurt, but you need to press on.

You are a beautiful, caring, sensitive girl. Stay that way.

Hugs.
The older Cary

Life in the 80's...

I was born in 1972.  I spent the majority of my time in school during the 80's.

Here are a few things that totally jump out when I think of my childhood as a kid of the 80's...

1. Pegged pants

Did you peg your pants? The tighter the roll, the sweeter the peg!

The precursor to skinny jeans!




2.  Permed hair

Did you have permed hair? Oh, yes. And AquaNet! A total must have for any girl of the 80's.








3. Double Polo's

As if it weren't hard enough being a teen.  Add ANOTHER shirt. And, make sure both collars stand straight up. At. All. Times.





4. Jelly Shoes

Ok. This is a style I saw come back recently. OMG. Why? They were a must-have in the 80's. But, oh so gross. Your feet got all sweaty and dirty. They made super weird marks on your feet. Gross.

5. Iconic Movies

Add caption

Footloose

And many many others.

6. 80's TV

                                                           The A Team                                                  

Miami Vice                  Magnum PI

To be continued....

Books...

Today's post - not super exciting. But...BOOKS...I read. A lot. Not as much as I used to, but a lot.

Here is a list of my Top 5 Books...

1. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

About an angsty teenager. Enough said.

2. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

A pig. And a spider. True friendship.

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

A misunderstood monster.

4. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The rise of Celie.

5. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Sethe - and her story.

What are YOUR top 5 books?

Suicide Prevention Month...

Did you know September is Suicide Prevention Month? If you would like more information on this, please check out this: NAMI

Have you heard of Project Semicolon?

Project Semicolon is an organization devoted to prevention of suicide.

Suicide is a super complex issue. There are more reasons than I can list that people attempt suicide, mental illness being one of them.

Today I was certified to provide initial help to young people experiencing signs/symptoms of suicidal and/or self harming behaviors through the National Council for Behavioral Health.

I felt super empowered during my training.

I traced my semicolon tattoo many times.

I didn't get this tattoo as part of the trend it became.

My semicolon tattoo reminds me daily of the struggles I, and millions of others having with anxiety, depression...things that can easily lead into suicide.

The semicolon I have tattooed reminds me that the struggle with mental health is important.

And to remind me that there were times when I wanted to end my story.

But I didn't.

"A semicolon is used with the author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to.

The author is you and the sentence is your life."

Do you know someone who struggles with mental health or thought of suicide? It might even be you. If it is, there are people who can help you. You can choose that semicolon instead of the period.

Be the reason someone smiles today.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at
(800) 273-8255

Soundtrack of my life...

When you hear a certain song, does it bring you back in time to when you first heard it?

There are some songs that when I hear them, I get a physical reaction...joy, nausea, smiles...

Whenever I hear this song, I get a little bit sick to my stomach.  When I was pregnant, I had morning sickness. Well, more like all-day-long sickness. I would throw up at any time. This song was popular, being played all the time. Even now when it comes on, I get a huge wave of *I'm-gonna-barf*.

Kiss by a Rose

This song...we sang it at our Parent's Tea (a little party for parents of 8th graders).  I played the piano while the entire class sang. When I hear this song, I get a little knot in my stomach - nervousness!

Time After Time

When I hear this song, I smile. A lot. This one was popular when I was in high school...when I was possibly doing some things I might not have been supposed to be doing! *wink*

You Shook Me

Next - when I was 12, our church had a block-party-dance.  I was petrified because I had NEVER danced with anyone.  I was in the bathroom, avoiding going to the dance. An older girl, maybe 15 years old, came in and asked me what was going on. I told her how nervous I was. She pulled me up off the ground and showed me how to dance! So sweet!

Jump

Whenever I hear any of these songs - going to school dances floods my mind.  You HAD to be dancing, especially during the slow songs. You just weren't cool if you weren't! I feel a bit anxious when I hear any of them now!

Against All Odds

Hard Habit to Break

Faithfully

And lastly - when I was in High School we had a Sadie Hawkins Dance. You know, where the girl asks the guy to go? I saved up my money so I could buy tickets, and I asked the guy I had a major crush on. He said yes. Then, at the dance, he hooked up with another girl. And ignored me the entire night. Bummer!

Groovy Kind of Love

So...are there songs that are the soundtrack of YOUR life? What are they??