Why Mozart Sounds Like A Picnic in the Summertime, and Beethoven Sounds Like a Dancing Fairy, and Why That is A Very Good Thing

It seems to be the inevitable fate of every busy parent, to spend a significant portion of most days confined to our cars.  Between carpools to and from school, trips to the grocery store, the post office, the park, dropping off kids at a friends house, another trip to the grocery store for the bread you forgot the first time, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, and concerts and lessons and practices, we become pretty familiar with the inside of our minivans,  (or giant, green, Excursions, as the case may be.)

With all the time I spend in my car, listening to music on the radio is a definite sanity saver.  I love singing along to my favorite songs, but to find my favorite tunes, I have to wade through a sea of commercials for shoe inserts or mattresses, and way too many songs that overuse the word, "baby".  When I just can't take it anymore, I hit the number one preset on my radio, and find some solace in Schubert or Stravinsky.

My kids haven't always been happy with my fallback choice of classical music.  Loud, exaggerated sighs and the word, "boring", have often been used to express their displeasure.  Lately however, I have been pleasantly surprised by a change in my kids attitude toward classical music.  This positive change didn't come about because I took them to the symphony, (although this is a great idea), or because I subjected them to long lectures on the virtues of classical music.  My kids have learned to appreciate classical music because of a game. 

One day, driving with a car full of kids, I turned on the classical station, and spontaneously asked my kids, "What does this song make you feel?  What do you think of when you hear this song?"  My kids paused, and listened, and then came up with answers like:  "This sounds like a fairy dancing in the rain", or "This sounds like a marching band", and my favorite, "This sounds like when Perry the Platypus had to walk away from Phineas and Ferb."  Once this game was started, it became natural and easy to ask follow up questions like, "Does this sound sad, or just peaceful?  Why do you think the music changes so much throughout the song.  What do you think the composer was thinking when he wrote this piece?"  I don't think my kids realized that they were learning anything, but they did quickly realize that classical music was actually pretty cool. 

A few days ago, after loading up my kids in the car, I heard the most beautiful words that I have ever heard..."Mom, turn on the classical music!" 

I'm excited about the lessons my kids have learned through their new favorite game, but I'm even more excited about the lessons I've been learning...Some of the greatest teaching opportunities come through taking advantage of everyday moments, and allowing for spontaneous and unrehearsed conversation can sometimes be the best way to connect with and teach our families. 

Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!
Kara

To All The Hopeless Fall Romantics

I am not a patient person.

Bing Crosby can be heard dreaming of a "White Christmas", well before Halloween in my house.  Often, I just can't help myself, and I sneak a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie in August, when no one is looking.  I plan the details of the perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece much further in advance than is necessary, and even though tomorrow marks the first official day of fall, cinnamon, apples, pumpkins, and even unnecessary yet totally irresistible sweaters, have already made a significant appearance in my home. 

I am in love with all things Autumn.  What's not to love about a season that ushers in cooler temperatures after a long, hot, summer.  The world seems to transform over night from a monochromatic landscape of green, to a breathtaking patchwork of vibrant red, orange, and yellow.  Where I live, the leaves have yet to change, and the temperatures have only just this week begun to dip down below the 80's mark.  Even so, I have been bitten by the Fall bug, and yesterday I completely indulged in all my fall favorites. 

I pulled in to a nearby farm stand, and resisting the urge to buy as many pumpkins as I could fit in my car, settled instead on a bag full of locally grown apples, and one small pumpkin.  I had to make a quick stop at the grocery store and the first item that I put in my cart was a gallon of apple cider, not on my list, but I couldn't resist.  I also made a stop at a favorite local bakery for a loaf of cinnamon bread.  Apples, cider and cinnamon bread...a mouthful of happiness.  I will absolutely be heading back soon to the farm stand for more apples, and I'm sure that apple cider will be a regular thing at my house this fall, but as delicious as that cinnamon bread was, It's not very often that I can bring myself to pay that much for a loaf of bread, even in honor of my favorite season. 

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Unable to give up cinnamon bread all together, it's become necessary to find a good recipe for perfect cinnamon bread I can make at home.  For all you hopeless Autumn romantics like me, I share this recipe in hopes of saving your budget and  your fall sensibilities.

Because Ree Drummond has never let me down before, I chose this perfect looking recipe from thepioneerwoman.com.

1 cup Milk

6 Tablespoons Butter

2-1/2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast

2 whole Eggs

1/3 cup Sugar

3-1/2 cups All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Salt

1/3 cup Sugar

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon

Egg And Milk, Mixed Together, For Brushing

Softened Butter, For Smearing And Greasing

Melt butter with milk. Heat until very warm, but don't boil. Allow to cool until still warm to the touch, but not hot. Sprinkle yeast over the top, stir gently, and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Combine flour and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix sugar and eggs with the paddle attachment until combined. Pour in milk/butter/yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add half the flour and beat on medium speed until combined. Add the other half and beat until combined.

Switch to the dough hook attachment and beat/knead dough on medium speed for ten minutes. If dough is overly sticky, add 1/4 cup flour and beat again for 5 minutes.

Heat a metal or glass mixing bowl so it's warm. Drizzle in a little canola oil, then toss the dough in the oil to coat. Cover bowl in plastic wrap and set it in a warm, hospitable place for at least 2 hours.

Turn dough out onto the work surface. Roll into a neat rectangle no wider than the loaf pan you're going to use, and about 18 to 24 inches long. Smear with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Mix sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle evenly over the butter-smeared dough. Starting at the far end, roll dough toward you, keeping it tight and contained. Pinch seam to seal.

Smear loaf pan with softened butter. Place dough, seam down, in the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix a little egg with milk, and smear over the top. Bake for 40 minutes on a middle/lower rack in the oven

Remove from the pan and allow bread to cool. Slice and serve, or make cinnamon toast or French toast with it.
Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!
Kara

Comfort Zone Challenge- Day 30. I MADE IT!

If I had to pick one word to sum up this "30 Day Comfort Zone Challenge", it would be...challenging.

More than once I've wished that I had the forethought in the beginning, to challenge myself to a "7 Day Comfort Zone Challenge", or a 3 day, or maybe a good 24 hours of stretching my comfort zone would have been enough.  30 days!  What was I thinking? 

A month of being uncomfortable wasn't easy. 

Honestly, I'm not sure what was more difficult, coming up with ideas for new challenges, or actually implementing those ideas.  There were times when this challenge took up so much of my time and energy that it felt like a full time job. 

As hard and as uncomfortable as this challenge has been, looking back over these 30 days, and the growth, opportunities, and meaningful experiences I've been blessed to have, I am so GRATEFUL for every single awkward and uncomfortable day.  Without an official challenge to motivate me, I am certain that I never would have spent hours and hours baking croissants.  I never would have pushed myself to run further than I ever have before.  I'm positive I wouldn't have made time to study Shakespeare, reconnect with an old friend, bake a soufflé, donate blood, or write a new song.  Unfailingly, when all the hard work was done for the day, and I looked back on what I had accomplished, I felt amazing!  I can't deny that real growth comes when we push ourselves just a little bit further than we think we can go. 

 

                                                                                                                

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go wrap up in a blanket, eat a giant bowl of mashed potatoes, watch TV, and not talk to anyone, or go anywhere, for the next 30 days.

Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!
Kara

Comfort Zone Challenge - Day 29

It is impossible to be ignorant of the rampant heartache, poverty, and need, that exists all over the world.  Stories of war-torn countries, of thousands and thousands of refugees, of homeless, and hungry, and hopeless, dominate the news every day.  Doubtless, in our own communities, and probably in our own neighborhoods, many struggle to make ends meet, and to provide basic needs for their families.

My heart aches for all those across the world who suffer and want for life's basic needs, but all too often, feeling bad is as far as I take my sympathy and concern. 

It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day, to get busy, and not let our focus reach very far outside our immediate concerns of grocery shopping, laundry, stopping by the gym, deadlines at work, and our favorite TV series on Netflix.

There is so much need, and there are so many organizations in every community that make helping, and fostering real change easy, that I have run out of excuses not to do my part.  I am working on being more uncomfortable with doing nothing to serve and help in my community, when the need is so great. 

So, last Saturday morning I traded in sleeping late and reading in bed, for waking up early and taking action to help the hungry in my community.  There is an incredible charity just down the road from me called, "Brown Bag Ministries".  The service they offer is simple yet profound.  For the most part, their service comes in the form of providing sack lunches every Saturday for the hungry and the homeless in my community.  At five different locations, volunteers help to package 2,700 sack lunches.

I knew I was taking part in something great the second I walked in the door.  Upwards of seventy volunteers of all ages, religions, and races, had come together to serve.  The energy in the room was one of enthusiasm and purpose.  The large group was quickly organized, and soon everyone had a job to do, and in less than an hour and a half, 1,200 lunches were made and packed, and ready to be loaded onto a truck, and delivered to those in need. 

Stuffing paper bags with bologna sandwiches, crackers and a treat is not going to change the world,  but opening our hearts and our schedules to small acts of kindness and service will change us, and the more we give, and the more we love, the more real change the world will see.

Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!
Kara

Comfort Zone Challenge - Day 28

I've heard the wise advice of Benjamin Franklin over and over since childhood,

"Early to Bed, early to rise, makes a man

  healthy, wealthy, and wise."

 

I know it's a good idea to get a solid eight hours of sleep, but as a busy mom, I struggle to get to bed early.  There's something so perfect about those quiet hours of the night, when the house is still and all the kids are in bed.  When I finally have some time to myself, I'm excited to get in a few chapters of my book club book, or sneak in a living room date with my husband, or finally get in that workout that I just couldn't make happen in my busy morning.  At the end of the day, I often crave an emotional rest even more than sleep.  Most nights I give in to the draw of some time alone, go to bed much too late, and wake up in the morning feeling exhausted, not refreshed and ready for a new day.

 

The thing is, going to bed early isn't just a nice idea, it's pretty critical.  The Huffington Post has got me questioning my night owl habits with the article, "Nine Science-backed Reasons Why You Should Go To Bed Early".  The virtues and benefits of going to bed early are impressive.  Apparently early to bed can mean less worrying, improved interactions with others, greater productivity in your day, a healthier weight, and even being better looking. 

 

Knowing that I could benefit from more sleep, I challenged myself at the beginning of the week, to make it to bed before ten o'clock for the next four days.  How hard could it be, right?  Really hard, actually.

 

Attempting to make it to bed at a reasonable hour has led me to discover a bit of a paradox.  I am uncomfortable staying up late, because I know that I would be healthier and feel better if I made it to bed early, but I am also uncomfortable going to bed early, because I miss out on those precious and rare moments at night to fill up my cup emotionally.  I struggled with this problem all week long.  I found myself looking at the clock thinking that I had exactly twenty-seven minutes to hang out with my husband, brush my teeth, and read a page or two, before it was time to turn out the lights.  I started to resent an early bed time.  What about the movie a friend had recommended?  Not this week.  What if I wanted a bed time snack?  Only if I could shove it down in less than three minutes.  I wasn't so sure that "early to bed", was for me."  If fact, I'm embarrassed to admit, that out of the four days, I only successfully made it to bed by 10 o'clock one time. 

 

So then, what is best?  Is it better to sacrifice my emotional health, and time with my husband to get to bed early, or is it better to sacrifice my health and my happiness in the morning, to stay up late?

All things considered, I come back again to my favorite life philosophy, balance!  I can make an effort to get to bed a little earlier, and not stay up unreasonably late, while still making time for the things, and the one's I love. 

 

Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!

Kara

 

 

 

 



Comfort Zone Challenge - Day 27

Several months ago, I stood at the mirror in a public restroom, fixing my hair, and thinking to myself that I was long overdue for a haircut.  Into the restroom walked a woman that I had never in my life met before, who stopped, looked at me, and said,

 "I LOVE your hair! It is so cute! You look like one of those classy ladies in an old 20's magazine!"

"Classy lady in a magazine"?  That was a new one for me, and so far from the self-conscious thoughts I had just been entertaining about my hair.  I suddenly thought that maybe my hair was pretty cool, and I glowed from the compliment the rest of the day.  In fact, if my children are reading this post, at this point they are most likely rolling there eyes, embarrassed that I am once again sharing this story that I've told dozens of times already.  It was a simple thing.  I'm sure that this kind lady hasn't given that moment another thought since it happened, but I've thought of it, and smiled, over and over.

Inspired by this compliment, I decided that finding a stranger to compliment would be a perfect comfort zone challenge.  It turns out that this idea is easier said than done.  I've been thinking of this idea for weeks, but I can't just wander around a store, looking for someone with good hair to compliment.  Maybe I had to wait around for an opportunity to present itself.  I've been waiting, and waiting for weeks.  It's possible that I've just been out of touch, or too busy to notice an opportunity to compliment a stranger when it came.  In any case, yesterday I had an epiphany.  As awkward, and stocker-ish as it sounds, walking around a store looking for someone to compliment was actually the perfect strategy for my comfort zone challenge.  It seems a little insincere and forced to walk around looking for someone to compliment, but that act of looking, is almost as important as the compliment itself.  When you take the time to really look at a stranger, and think of what you could possibly say to compliment them, you are forced to see what makes them unique, and to look for the best in them.  My 15 year old daughter helped to teach me this principle.  We had just arrived at Target and I was already feeling very uncomfortable with what I was attempting.  "How do I even go about this?"  I anxiously asked my daughter.  She replied, "Mom, it's not that hard.  Just look for the good in people."  Oh yeah.  That could work.

So, I wandered around Target, not looking this time for a cute new mixing bowl, or school supplies, but for someone to compliment.  I stopped my cart by a woman looking at home décor.  Typically, I most likely would have ignored this woman all together, intent on my shopping list, but I took the time to really look for the good.  I summoned up my courage, and not knowing anything about her personality, or strengths, I focused in on what I could plainly see about her, without knowing her...she definitely had style!  She was wearing Converse shoes.  I said, "Cute shoes!  I love to see other mom's wearing Converse shoes too."  That was it.  Not flowery, but sincere.  She replied with a little initial shock, and then a smile.  She replied, "Oh, thank you!  I love converse.  They never go out of style.  I think I'll still be wearing converse when I'm seventy."  Then she smiled again, and said thank you a couple of times as she walked away. 

That was so much easier than I thought it would be! 

Once again, conquering the awkward proved much more difficult in theory than in the attempt.  Complimenting someone's shoes or hair is inarguably simple, but I'm beginning to understand that often it's the smallest acts of kindness that make the biggest impact. 

Today's a new day, let's make it purposeful!
Kara