My first EVER Boston Cream Pie!
My first African Style Cooking Lesson
My first “overseas” Banana Bread!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
In previous blog posts, I have spent time writing about my identity crisis, going from a full time job to more of a support/housewife role. (If you haven’t read it and want to click here.) It took me almost my full 2 years in Africa to really reflect on that transitional time for me. As our first 2 years was coming to a close, and Blake and I were really praying about how we move forward, one conversation that entered, was different what if scenarios. Blake said; what if there isn’t funding for us to return, or what if there isn’t a job for us, what would you do back in the states? Do you think you would feel like you have to return to “work”? I told Blake with a COMPLETELY honest heart, I LOVE my role now. I get to support you in ways many wife’s don’t, and when the time comes, I get to stay home with our children, while many mothers don’t have that privilege. It took me two international moves, a time of reflection, and an identity crisis to be able to say that, but what a great place to be.
Now, having been back in the states for a couple of months, I reflect over the last 10-15 years, and I think of all the opportunities I had and I find myself saying, “if only I had known”. If only I had known where the Lord would be leading me, I would have spent more time with Grandma Daniel before she passed away learning the role of “housewife”. I would say more than a housewife, an “I can do anything and everything role”. She was a painter, a baker, a green ware maker, doll maker, a sewer, a canner and everything else crafty maker (including cake decorating). As far as I can tell she knew how to do everything!
I decided, if I get to stay at home with my family, why not learn some of the things Grandma knew how to do, so the other day, I went to Joann Fabrics and bought myself fabric, a sewing kit and a pattern for a skirt that I found online and LOVE! I was so excited that I was going to make this skirt, but once I got home I totally freaked out, because I don’t even know how to sew, how will I ever make this skirt? Besides 7th grade home economics where you make yourself a pillow and stuffed animal, I don’t think I have EVER used a sewing machine! Ok confession time…does that make me a total dweeb? Seriously, I am soon to be 29 and soon to be married 5 years, and I don’t even know how to thread a sewing machine, let alone make myself this skirt! So now I have this awesome fabric that is just sitting in my house saying make me, make me, but it just sits and waits!
I have learned to really cook over the last 2 years, but I am not very advanced or creative (so poor Blake gets the same 20 things year round). I enjoy baking (and if it wasn’t for Sharon H.), I would have NEVER learned to make pies. Things like this have totally freaked me out in the past, but guess what…now I WANT to know how to do all these things, and learn how to do everything! I want to learn to can Grandmas famous pickles, and make my own jam, I want to learn to sew and cook and bake and quilt and…the list goes on! Thank goodness for libraries, books and people that know these things. I am trying to take advantage of our time at home, before returning to Africa. But it really is a slow process, trying to learn everything at one time. Oh boy, if only I had known…I would have slowly taken lessons from Grandma and been this super star by now! But I didn’t and I’m not, but I am excited to learn
I GET to be a housewife and a stay at home mom, I GET to be one of those “crafty” people, how could I not love the role that I have now. In the meantime, if any of you have a “specialty” and want to teach a willing 29-year-old gal, please let me know!