What I’m Reading: Wild by Cheryl Strayed

 Since both kids have been in school all day, I have rediscovered my love for reading. I have read over six books since September.  I have not done that since Marie was born nine years ago.

I forgot how therapeutic it is to become totally absorbed in someone else’s story.  I love the feeling of being transported to a new place and seeing life from someone else’s viewpoint, yet finding myself at the same time.

I’m really drawn to books about self-discovery right now.  For me, having kids has really forced me to figure out who I am and what I stand for.

That is why I love Wild. She was out there alone on the Pacific Crest Trail, mostly in silence to figure out who she really was.

 Away from her circumstances.

 Away from her vices. 

Away from her sadness.

With the beautiful and challenging backdrop of the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl was able to take an honest look at her life, the good and the bad, and make sense of it so she could move on.  I loved reading about how she was able to think critically about her family and come to a place of understanding.  I think my favorite part of the book (without giving away too much) is when she had an opportunity to repeat a recurring mistake and instead of feeling right, she felt empty. 

Through her physical journey, she was able to make her way back to her true self, evolved by transitions and revelations.

I don't think it is currently in my life plan to hike the PCT alone, but I do think that I am in a transition of sorts. I am learning that it takes more courage to be honest with myself as opposed to a muted version that is more concerned with pleasing others.

I am making peace with things that didn't go so well in my life, and celebrating the things that did.

I am working on accepting other people's shortcomings, especially my own. 

Did you read Wild? What did you think?

Spring Celebration 2015

Generally, I have a hard time with transitions. I talked about it here and noted how difficult the transition from winter to spring is for me. 

Logically, it shouldn't. After a long winter, I should be happy when March begins. 

Except March is not really spring here. It might feel like spring one day, and then winter the next. 

Snow. On March 31.

I think the trickery of early spring is the hardest on me mentally. I set up expectations (even low expectations like it can be cold, just no more snow), and then feel frustrated it is still winter. 

Transitioning to all of the other seasons never seems so difficult. In fall, school starts to mark the transition from summer to fall. We put up the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving to announce not only the Christmas season, but the transition from fall to winter. Spring to summer is celebrated by the end of school. 

Spring just sort of happens when I am busy hoping that there is no more snow. 

That is no way to live.  

So I decided to start a tradition that will signify the beginning of spring. First, we went to the park and played outside.

We had been to the park before, but this was the first time we weren't bunlded up.
I forgot how nice warm sunshine feels!

Sidewalk chalk is a sure sign of spring.

Later, I made a special dinner and took to Pinterest for some inspiration.  I wanted to make a meal that was all things spring. I wanted fresh asparagus and mint and peas. Nothing frozen. 

All of the fresh spring food!

But there were no fresh peas so I improvised with roasted asparagus.

Yasss! Asparagus! 

I made crostini inspired by Fork Knife Swoon  and Bitz and Giggles. I didn't have any peas or herbed cream cheese so I just rubbed a pieces of baguette with a cut piece of garlic, spread some ricotta cheese and seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper and topped with roasted asparagus or a cucumber slice and chopped parsley. 

There is something about ricotta cheese that always makes a meal feel like a holiday.

I made a pasta dish with roasted asparagus and sautéed mushrooms that was inspired by Giada's pasta dish and this Gratitude Bowl by Gratitude and Greens . 

I also made a green bean salad by The Kitchen is My Playground. The dressing called for white wine vinegar, mint, and olive oil. I took the liberty of adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and honey.  It was divine!

I also grilled chicken.  I forgot how delicious chicken can be.

 I even made infused water with lemon and mint.

So delicious!

Afterwards, we went to Orange Leaf and celebrated with the first frozen yogurt of the season.  All of my favorite flavors were there – coconut, pistachio, and chocolate brownie!

First Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt of the season!

I really liked doing something small, yet special to celebrate spring.  My mood has lightened.  I feel hopeful when I see the crocuses peeking their way through the dirt.  For the first time ever, I feel excited for spring!

Do you transition well from winter to spring?  Do you do anything special to start the spring season?

Spring and Transitions

This week, there have been a string of sunny days with temps in the high 40s, low 50s.  In Michigan, just about everyone is rejoicing: spring is here!

The kids are excited that they *only* needed to wear a fleece and winter boots.

I do not share in the same delight.

Believe me when I am say that I am so ready for winter to be over, but March, and, if I am being totally honest, a large part of April is mostly the transition to spring. That final push to get through the last bit of winter is really difficult for me to embrace.  Warm, sunny days are not here yet.  I have a hard time cheering for dirty, melting snow and brown, dingy grass. 

 

Blech.

Sometimes I look to retail therapy to help me get through this challenging time.

Maybe a fun, cheery raincoat would help me feel brighter?

And I thought these cute flats would help, too.

But generally speaking, I do have difficulty with transitions. 

When I was in the 3^rd grade, I hid my yellow blankie that I still needed at bedtime in my closet when my friends would come over so they wouldn’t know that I still sleep with it.  The summer between elementary school and junior high, I still played with my Jem dolls (well, not actually played with them, just dressed them up and did their hair  . . . because that is way less awkward than imaginative play).

Even when I moved out of my parents house into my first apartment after college, you know, after I lived pretty much lived all by myself for years, I still had a difficult time making that move.

When I look back on these consistently distressing examples and my challenges with springtime, I think the one thing that is missing here is a ritual that says, “This phase has officially ended.  We are now moving into this new phase.  Officially.”

I think I would fare better if there was something to mark the beginning of the spring, kind of like when we put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and take it down soon after New Year’s Day.  I thought about Easter, but I don’t want this springtime celebration to be affiliated with a holiday that already has its own traditions, like dying eggs or Easter baskets or figuring out Easter plans.

I just want it to be easy and breezy – like the way spring should be.

So sometime in April, I will be having my First Annual Spring Celebration.

I have no idea what I am going to do, but I have been looking to Pinterest  for guidance.  Obviously.

So far, I think asparagus and daffodils need to be involved, but other than that, I am not sure.

I am open to suggestions.   Actually, please give me some suggestions because I am lost here.

Do you have a difficult time with transitions?  How do you celebrate spring?