It’s been a beautiful and very exciting start to the month. Let’s dive in and see what I’m grateful for this week (and always).
Day 4: Work
I will be honest: For the bulk of the year, work troubled me. Despite being passionate about writing, baking and food, I just didn’t feel like Taste of Home was a good fit for me anymore.
However, I have recently accepted a new opportunity, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I’m so excited about what this change will bring.
Day 5: Quotes
I love Baba Yaga. I’ve been a fan of this folktale figure since I was a kid, and my adoration has only grown with time. In my home, you’ll find a few pieces of Baba Yaga art and a copy of Ask Baba Yaga, a collection of advice columns from the eponymous series on the Hairpin.
Over the years, one letter has stuck with me: “What Is Missing?” In a strange way, this specific column has helped guide me over the years. I think of it often.
Dear Baba Yaga,
I feel like I’m forever missing something inside myself. With people, without people, wonderful job, jobless. I always feel like there’s a gaping hole. What is missing?BABA YAGA:
By rooting in the hole you make the hole wider; you scrape , its walls you open fresh soil — the earth of it smells blacker & blacker, you see the hole & the hole only, you live within it always; if you find yrself eating fruits in the good forest you remember the hole & go to look if it is still there dropping yr fruit-meat all the whiles. & if you think think think only of the hole it will become the great work & mystery of yr life, & you will die in the hole as you lived in it.
—Ask Baba Yaga
Day 6: Time
Over time, working in the food space has robbed some of the joy I used to get being in the kitchen.
However, as I begin to untether myself from that career, I’m finding I want to be back in the kitchen for fun again. I’ve been flooded with recipe ideas, and I can’t wait to spend more time bringing them to life.
Day 7: Creativity
I’m still working the world’s lowest-stakes side hustle: Kaminski Handicraft. And I’ve been finding new ways to love embroidery all the time. You’ll see below I’ve started combining watercolors and stitching (I love it!).
But I like to work on other smaller crafts and creative projects. These ugly sweater ornaments were my favorite craft from last year. These were so much fun to make and to share with my family on Christmas. I’ve got another holiday idea up my sleeve for 2023 and I’m dying to start. I’m glad that even though I’ve been working with a needle and thread for 25+ years, it still holds just as much appeal.
Day 8: Health
I’ll put this simply: I hope that my family remains in good (or as good as possible!) health. I am so thankful for the doctors who help with this, especially for my mom.
Day 9: Friendship
Last month, Michael and I hosted Stocktoberfest at our home—the first party we’ve held in at least three years. It felt so incredible to have a home full of friends.
A huge shout-out goes to my friend Amanda and her husband for making a serious trek to come see us. Seeing them walk through the door was a total surprise and filled me with so much joy.
Day 10: Books
If you’ve been around here for a while, you may have noticed that this blog has turned into a list of book reviews more than anything. Since 2020, I’ve made more and more time to read (or listen to audiobooks). I find reading a few pages before bed or listening to a book while I sew relaxes me tremendously.
I’m so grateful for Libro.fm (as always: not sponsored, just a fan), for making listening to audiobooks and supporting small booksellers so easy. And I’m so happy to support the Milwaukee Public Library System! Where would I be without their Libby app and their top-notch Instagram account?
I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Stay tuned and please join in if you’re so inclined!
Leave a Reply