"Like, what are my skills?"

I know, Pedro. I've been asking myself that same question. I know for sure that I don't have any nun-chuk skills, bow hunting skills, or computer hacking skills.

I wrote this awhile ago-- about learning to love the role of mother. And as I started feeling that paradigm shift, I decided that it was time to throw my whole self into my new calling, just like I did as a student, as a missionary, and as a teacher. Now, I'm about to write about developing my domestic skills. Please understand that I don't think you have to be June Cleaver to be a good mother. And I know a lot of moms are working moms, and don't have time for a lot of extra projects. I, in fact, am a working mom, so I don't have as much time as I would like for exploring my creativity. I guess my point in all of these disclaimers is to say that all of these things aren't necessary to fulfill the role of mother and wife, but are things that fulfill me, as I now spend the majority of my time in the home.

But this whole "operation domestication" (Taylor laughs at me when I call it that, because it sounds like I'm trying to become house broken) thing is hard for me. As you know, this is my husband. He is amazing. And not just with food. When I taught second grade I could say, "Hmmm... what should we do for a Thanksgiving craft," and he would bust out some amazing, colorful turkey made of paper and say, "You could do this!" At my first school my classroom had this super fun space for a window display and when he would design a new one it seriously drew crowds like a window unveiling at Macy's in New York City! Oh, and when I injured my back, he just sewed up a little rice bag for me to heat up. I know! Amazing. I used to feel a little bit threatened by it. I don't really anymore. But sometimes I still let myself feel helpless in the kitchen. Like I ask Taylor questions about frying an egg and get all nervous that it won't look as nice as his. Needless to say, I've been fairly insecure about my skills.

When I first left teaching, I didn't do any projects. I think I was a bit lost for a while without lessons to plan. I didn't really know what most of my friends did with their creative selves. Then I started blogging and realized I wanted to do things like this and this and this and this. Oh, also, everything this woman does makes me drool. Those are pretty ambitious, obviously. So I am starting out small, and mostly in the kitchen, seeing as how I know a little more about baking than about restoring old furniture or sewing.

So here's what I've been trying:

A couple of months ago I made some cupcakes for my friend, Lisa. It was her birthday. (Note: I had my hair cut that day. And my beauty operator (as Grandma would call her) always makes my hair look super fabulous like this after the cut. Most days I'm lucky to get a shower.)

I think fresh berries make the prettiest toppings. I was so proud of myself that day!

In the spring I planted these impatiens around the base of the tree in Grandma's front yard. They are still healthy and beautiful, which is an absolute miracle because I am horticulturally challenged. Seriously, I've killed a lot of plants in my day.

Last month I decided to help the fourteen and fifteen year-old-girls I work with at church make caramel apples. My sister, Kathryn has a killer recipe. They turned out so-so. So ugly is more like it. Then, Taylor got involved. He helped me figure it out and the last few turned out beautiful enough to give away. This is before:

During:
And after: I was so thrilled I could squeal!

So I'm starting to gain confidence in my skills, which is really fun and exciting for me. And do you want to hear the absolutely most fabulous thing that happened this month? I volunteered to bake a cake for a funeral luncheon at our church. I found a nice chocolate cake recipe with an especially tasty chocolate frosting. I hardly ever bake a cake without direct help from Betty or Duncan, so I was nervous. I couldn't taste-test the cake obviously, but the frosting was yummo, so at least the thin layer on top would please the crowd. A few days after the funeral there was a message on my phone from one of the women who served all of the food that day. She said, "Anne, everyone was raving about your cake, and I must have the recipe!" She later told me that the ladies in the kitchen had hidden away a couple of pieces of my cake so they could have some after serving the food. Do you love it?! I was elated! My cake was good?! My cake was so good you want the recipe?! My cake was even good enough that you hid some away?!

That's so much more exciting than having nun-chuk skills!