We’ve got lots of creative fires burning in this house right now. They are explosive, and it is easy to let them take over—unless you have a bunch of kids (who have fires of their own to both kindle and safely put out…) who need to eat and be taken care of… You have to tend to the fire with care.
This has been one of the greatest struggles of motherhood—finding time (and energy) to tend to the creative work that feels essential to who I am. There are seasons when the flame has to be put out alltogether. But most of the time, it smoulders until I can fan it to life.
I am married to an intensely creative man. We have learned that to make life work in this house, we have to take turns. One day a week, Randy gives me a day to work with as little interruption as possible. And I do the same for him. We also give a day like this to our children, where we try not to ask them to watch little ones or do more than the most essential chores of the day so that they can relax and know they have enough time to make significant progress on an idea.
Creative people need time. Not just an hour. Although there are seasons when an hour might be the best we can get. But idealy, creative people need a whole day. A day with no plans, nowhere to go, no chores looming over them. And if there is good food in the fridge and a perfect cup of coffee available at just the right time, that doesn’t hurt a bit.
Creative fires need time to burn. Knowing I have one day a week to write and share takes the desperation out of my life. I have also come to appreciate a slower rhythm to my creative life. No, I don’t finish things as quickly as I would like to, but I do finish them.
Which brings me to some news:
I finished my book!
After a decade of dreaming about it, I have officially written my first book and given it to the world. Celebrate with me by making a pot of tea and listening. (Click the image to go to the free audiobook.)
Family Scrapbook:
Randy recorded a new song this week. It is part of a concept album he is writing about his conversion experience. After a wrecked life and two attempted suicides, God gave him another chance at life. I am so grateful for the man he has become and that I got to know him, love him, and that I get to raise a family with him. These songs are beautiful, and I would love to share them with you. Here is a link to the first two songs:
Who Can Pick Up the Pieces/Tears of the Prodigal
and the new song is here:
The kids have been busy this week as well. I will be showing some of their work in the weeks to come—hand-sewn dollies by Paloma, music by Rosie and Remy and Heidi, drawings by Rune and Azalea, a board game by Kells, and more... Stay tuned.
Current Creative Influences:
I am currently inspired by these wonderful things:
Soms Tea
This is my favorite place to get tea. Every single one feels like it was handpicked for me. Beautiful teas, beautiful owners. Check it out if you love tea and coffee. (You can use the code SOMS at checkout to get 20% off. I am not an affiliate. I just love it that much.)
Yo-Yo Ma plays Bach, Unaccompanied Cello Suites (Spotify link)
This is my go-to album for when I want to write or think. I have probably listened to it a million times over the last decade and it never gets old. It is just cello. Just Bach. Just beautiful.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books
I admit I have never read them. But Randy and my children love these books so much I am going to start them. We have conversations about The Lord of the Rings almost every day. I asked them to convince me why I should read them, and they did.
New Pens
I recently bought a box of 12 of my favorite pens. (Pilot Precise V7 Rollerball pens.) It is crazy how much better I can think with the right pen. Does anybody else feel like this?
Falling Leaves
The colors in northeast Georgia are amazing right now. I caught myself staring off into space after a gust of wind took a curtain of leaves down from the trees. It was achingly beautiful. The kind of beauty that makes you just sort of sit there and stare… Some words are rustling around in my mind. I hope to set them to paper soon.
Your Turn:
What is inspiring you this week?
Love,
Mackenzie