I adore dessert. Especially good desserts: homemade, real butter, dark chocolate, organic fruit, not overly sweet, warm, cold, frozen, surprising, indulgent and delicious.
However, once one passes the delicate age of 23, dessert restraint is both stylish and polite. The correct answer to ‘Would you like some dessert?’ is ‘Ah, yes, but just a very small piece for me, please.’ And to ‘Would you like seconds?’ is ‘Oh no, I couldn’t possibly, although it is very good. My compliments to the chef.’
Meanwhile, inside my head, I am really thinking, ‘Oh YES, please! Is that all? Can’t you make that piece a whole lot bigger? Seconds? Absolutely! I thought you would never ask. Errrm...don’t forget that bit you just dropped.’
And while I unabashedly have NO restraint when it comes to a meal’s sweet conclusion, I have just realized that I have been exercising the same lack of restraint when it comes to my own artistic endeavours. My dreams have been super-sized. My plans are triple-decker. And worst of all, the execution pressure I’m feeling is both self-generated and paralyzing.
Deep breath.
What is wrong with baby steps, small bites, micro-movements and inching one’s way forward toward a goal? Can’t we lose the ‘SHOULD-HAVES’ for the much-friendlier ‘could-haves’? So what if that deadline gets pushed out? Small discoveries are to be celebrated. Progress is still progress, right?
Two postings ago, I said that I hoped to share some of my own dream-making progress with you. At the time, I was planning to treat you to the full banana-split of dream announcements: My blog up and running. My Etsy shop, open for business. But that was before the kitchen flooded, my nanny gave notice and life generally turned itself upside down. That was before I realized how much work it would be to get each site designed and skeletally functional.
Though that announcement will have to wait just a short while more, today I give you a small glimpse into the work in progress. Thanks to Kim’s awesome Test Kitchen video on ‘How to Build a Mosaic’, my blog header is done.
What do you think? Does it work? Do you like it?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to get myself a large-ish slice of cake and a cup of tea. I promise to take small bites...and enjoy it more.
19 comments:
Oh, I can so relate to what you are saying! I admire that you have gone to the small bites! Reminds me to do the same...! I love that blog header very much! Have to look for that video...
oh Denise
I love being a part of your amazing process... and I do believe you are on the exact path you are meant to follow...
Beautiful header...and that image of your precious girl....be still my heart!!
xxo, kim
Your header is beautiful! And I love your words here -I need to remember more often to enjoy the journey and not get so caught up in the destination.
I think your header looks really great. And I agree about the small bites, although ...
Gorgeous blog header, I'm impressed and love your words about taking life slowly, I like to just imagine myself putting one foot slowly in front of the other. xo
Oooh I have such a sweet tooth, if I had to choose between a main meal and dessert, I'd go with dessert every time.
Love the new header.
I love your header.
I wish I could back out of my own way to make my dreams work...
LOVE your header! Just discovered you from Nutty's Facets and Fractals. And yes to small bites. They'll get you there every time. :)
Hi Denise. What a lovely post and oh so well put. I so understand the baby steps, I often struggle with slowing down as I too am in the middle of building my new website, breathe it'll get done - right? I really love your banner its perfect! and yes you do deserve your dessert I look forward to mine as well :)
What? Where did I miss the build a mosaic? I'm planning on making a bunch for Christmas presents this year, can you point me to the link? And, I think, those other things are never really done enough to our satisfaction, we could tinker and fix and adjust until the cows come home. Leap! my sweet girl!
this was such a great post and reminder to take small steps. much less tiring!
hey denise ~
ok ... so for a while, i was stuck ... stuck on the 'i adore dessert' paragraph ... ; )
and maybe because i didn't want to face that all too familiar idea of biting off far more than one can chew ... and if i can, mix that with an overwhelmed head filled with ideas that can't possibly be achieved in a lifetime ... talk about a familiar self-inflicted anxiety at my house!!
soooo ... i so appreciate your 'one bite at a time' idea when i just want to gobble everything on my plate at once ...
i think you did awesome work on your header ... it absolutely works wonderfully ... and yes, i love it ... i think it says lots of all the beauty you see and share ... : )
here's to tea for two ...
one small bite at a time ...
xoxo
prairiegirl
yes, i hear you, I am trying to teach myself the same thing, always biting off more than i can chew, always imposing too many deadlines. i think it's time for a little chocolate...
Oh wow. I love the header! You make me want to run over to the test kitchen!!
Your header is lovely!
Very inviting...
Thanks, everyone, for all of you fabulous comments and support. It is encouraging to hear that we all seem to push ourselves in the same way. Here's to a little more cake and some patience with the process. To Kim's question, the mosaic video is located under Videos in the Test Kitchen.
xxo
Denise
i like it! it's pretty cute :)
oh wow- I love your header. great post, I can really relate...
It's beautiful, and grab me a large piece of that cake too. Hope it's chocolate!!
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