Inspire Me

Spring is all about new beginnings.  And I find myself in awe of how many friends are setting out on new roads.  As excited as I am for these friends and their new adventures, I am also aware of feelings of being somewhat left behind.  So, in an effort to positively move forward, I have been working hard on finding new sources of inspiration.  I have been sewing like crazy and getting into other fun projects, (but many of those will have to wait to be shared)!

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Taking a class can be wonderful inspiration.  It could be a class about something you have always wanted to learn or something that just seems fun, or even a bit random.  I have taken sewing classes that have taken my skills to new levels, as well as a random wool felting class resulting in some cute (and odd) little animals.  Sometimes the best thing about taking a class isn’t the subject as much as what it inspires inside,  who we meet, or simply the satisfaction of creating something with our own hands.

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A few weeks ago a friend, M, and I took a class on how to bake french macarons.  This is not something that I had a particular longing to know how to do… (I know how to buy them really well already).  But, they do hold a certain fascination, don’t they?  They reek of european sophistication and are currently very trendy.  The crisp outer layer, the creamy center, the beautiful pastel colors… These three-layer cookies do make a happy little package, don’t you think?

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And although I wouldn’t typically classify myself as a baker, I was reminded that it is so much fun to learn something new.  There is something wonderfully beneficial in seeing someone demonstrate the intricacies of a recipe or process.  By learning someone’s tips and tricks it removes the mystery and helps us to become a little more brave ourselves.  Since our class a few weeks ago, at least nine batches of macarons have been made between the two of us.  Can you say obsess much?  We are currently looking for qualified taste-testers… Please contact me if you would like to be considered.

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Author’s Note: I am excited to say that I will be taking my first Pantry at Delancey class this weekend.  I have looked forward to trying out the The Pantry for a long time.  It is a food photography workshop, so you can be the judge in future posts as to whether it was worth my time, but I’m sure it will be full of inspiration.

Happy Spring!