handmade gifts and domestication..

I received this cute little handmade apron and matching dish cloth from my dear friend Nakira. We actually met about 2 years ago shortly after I began blogging and I was knee deep in my adoption journey. She is not only a cyber friend, but she has become a true friend and she truly knows who I am, and not just my alias on this blog.

She emails, texts, calls me on my cell and home. We talk often, and when we don't we make up for missed time chatting. We bounce ideas, business stuff, crafts, sewing, baby talk, pregnancy, traveling, investing, and all kinds of things to one another. She understands my OCD ways as she has her own OCD ways too! We both are becoming better in that area. Most of all, she understands and has been empathetic throughout my journey because she has been down that road successfully. It is amazing how this journey has allowed me to meet such wonderful people.
To top it all off, we found out shortly after meeting in the blog world that we are from the same state and near the same parts. It has been difficult getting together when my hubby and I go home to where I am from. I am an only child, however I have a large immediate family and we do a lot of things together when I visit and it is very difficult to see everyone. My parents usually make it a little easier for me when we come home and they usually have some cook out, BBQ, fish fry or big dinner so my immediate family, cousins, family friends, and friends can come by instead of us trying to get to see everyone on short visits. Nak has been wonderful and has tried so hard to meet our schedule when we come into state. We will definitely make it happen this year. She just may have to come and be apart of the family and hang out, which she does not mind at all!

The week before Christmas I had a long day and it was one of those rough days right before the holiday. I had a lot running through my mind and it was just a sense of doubt in my mind about this journey and I had been in a funk for a few weeks regarding the whole idea of adopting and a few other things.
I believe sometimes I just think too much and analyze things, however, it is just apart of who I am. When I pulled up to my home, I always check my mailbox before pulling in the garage and there was this cute little package inside of the box addressed to me. After I went inside, let the dog out and breezed through the mail, I ripped through the package like a little kid on Christmas Day!

It was totally unexpected, a handmade apron and matching dish cloth from my dear friend Nakira. My spirits were lifted quickly and my mind was taken off of where I was trying to take it! This little apron is perfect and guess what? It matches my kitchen. She has not been to our residence yet, however, she has seen a few pictures that I have posted and removed in the past, and I guess she was very, very attentive. Our kitchen is comprised of earth tones colors (Chocolate, burnt orange etc). She nailed the colors perfect. My husband loved it too!

I love wearing aprons in the kitchen when I am cooking and I am looking forward to adding this special handmade one to my collection, because it was made with love, by my dear friend. Now, I must say that I did not get around to doing any sewing as I had anticipated this past fall with projects that I had lined up due to all of the adoption business that we were completing with our new agency.


I am going to carve out a little more time for sewing this year. It may not be often, however, I am pledging to do something simple quarterly. I returned to my hobby of photography over a year ago, however, I have not made a lot of time for sewing due to my work schedule and doing more with photography and graphic work. I will make it a point to definitely do something handmade for my dear friend for the next special occasion.

Yes, I am thirty something and I can "put it down" in the kitchen like a true southern girl from the past!
I am domesticated and proud of it!
My husband tells people that my cooking skills are one of the things that surprised him about me when we met while dating in NYC in my twenties. He was shocked at my cooking skills and level of domestication. I guess it says something about our generation. I often remind young ladies when they are looking dating seriously that they really need to have some sort of domestication skills. It definitely sets you apart from the next chick that can't cook, clean or do laundry. It is a double standard with guys, however, I have often heard from a lot of men that they truly would like a mate that has some wife skills and potential. So, with that said, it truly does take more than a pretty face to make it happen and keep things going. It surprises me to hear of the number of ladies my age that can't cook at all. It is actually kind of sad.
Many people ask me, "You cook on Thanksgiving and Christmas when you don't go home?" I advise them that I cook the same things that my mom cooks when I am home and I help out there too. My mom is truly a wonderful cook and she loves it and cooks with a passion. It truly is a lost art for this generation.

I am going to enjoy my chocolate apron! Thank you for the apron and dish cloth set Nak! You are a wonderful friend and I am so thankful that we met!