I’m a big fan of cooking shows. Why you could even say I’m a (ahem) connoisseur. Restaurant reviews, cooking techniques, chef competitions--I love them all. They’re my chill-out escape of choice. Late one night I was cruising through the dial and landed on Cooking Channel TV. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw a kitchen decorated with animal prints and skulls. But it didn’t stop there. The host strutted around the kitchen in a body-con leopard dress and stilettos. Her lipstick matched her hot red appliances. I rubbed my eyes--what in the world was I seeing? I’d stumbled into a new world of culinary adventure.
Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen. Have you seen this show? It’s now in season 3 so apparently I’m quite late to the party. I’m catching up as fast as I can. Nadia Giosia is a comedian who writes, creates and hosts the show. A product of the web, Bitchin’ Kitchen started small, developed a huge internet following and now has made the leap to a U.S. cable channel with an even bigger audience. In a similar vein is another new Cooking Channel offering, The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia. This one also was born on the internet in the form of video podcasts created by underground filmmaker Justin Fornal. Ambrosia is...”the culinary ambassador to the world, who chases after authentic cuisine in the name of flavor...and passion.” ~ Cooking Channel TV. All the while cruising around in his purple roadster--awesome!
I bring up these examples more for the inspiration than their content. Justin and Nadia are outrageous, funny and over-the-top. They are a couple of folks having a raucously good time doing what they love--that much is certain. I’ll bet they started the same way. I can picture them dreaming up sets and costumes and scripts. They both had ideas and they took the time to play with them. It reminds me of a game I played with my brother. My bedroom window was covered with floor length pinch pleat drapes hung from a traverse rod complete with a pull cord. Voila! A stage and curtains for the silliest show on earth. “The Hilarious Babe Show” was our all-doll review. We were outrageous, funny and over-the-top. Hmm....that reminds me of some late night shows on the Cooking Channel. Child's Play. I don't see a reason to ever stop playing.
Maybe quirky humor and outrageous style aren’t your thing. That’s ok. I picked a fairly outrageous example to make a point--give yourself permission to have some over-the-top dreams. Do you define yourself by your job or by what you love to do? Take a tip from Justin and Nadia and take the time to play--every day.
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There are buds on my lilac bush. Ahhh...Spring. It gives me hope to watch the world renew. Yes, we’ll have more snow but it will be dotted with playful crocus and sunny daffodil blooms. The buds and bulbs alert all my senses. Colors, texture, fragrance--it feels fresh and new. The anticipation of a new season helps lift me out of a rut and back in the creative groove.
What about you? Are you in a groove? Congratulations! May your ride be smooth and productive.
And the rest of you? Are you like me, in a rut? My tasks feel heavy. Arduous. Chores pile high like dirty snow. It’s been a somber, grey winter and I need a change. The best way out is to take a cue from Spring and lighten up. Be playful. Think young. Here’s a game of Child’s Play to lift you out of the rut.
Collect a crayon and paper and practice this meditation: close your eyes and think back--to being 7. You are wearing cowboy boots and “Cars” pajamas. (You also wore this yesterday and will wear it again tomorrow.) Run to the kitchen to drink half a glass of juice. Grab paper and crayon. Run to the living room. Stop to knock down your brother’s tower of blocks. Run back to the kitchen to drink more juice. Wipe your mouth on your sleeve. Now run back to the living room to draw. Fling your your body on the rug and burp. Laugh out loud. Draw a picture of your crying brother. Then, while you’re in “time-out” think about some other things you can draw....Now, make your own drawing. Be seven-years-old while you draw. Sing while you draw. Make up a story while you draw. Feel renewed.
It's a healthy way to suspend impulse control. You'll find this exercise works wonders for the psyche. It's as relaxing as meditation and rejuvenating as a brisk walk. And that's a handy tool when you are overworked. Keep a pad of paper and some markers handy, close your eyes and dream up your own seven-year-old meditation and doodle your cares away. Practice often and you might find yourself journaling. You'll be back in the groove in no time. Maybe for the first time since you were seven!
BTW, the absolute best book about this kind of spontaneous, childlike drawing is “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” It's so good I dare say it is required reading. Read it and be seven again!
Peeps have always been a part of our Easter tradition. It goes something like this: first, open Peeps package on Easter morning, allow to harden for a couple of weeks, then consume. It's funny. My kids prefer stale Peeps.
I love to look at Peeps. That eye-popping hue of the original chicks ought to have its own name, "Peeps Yellow." Unmistakable. The kind of brilliant color that is reserved for candy. Now the bunnies and chicks come in a riot of colors. They're just begging to be eaten. And for those of us who would rather play with their food, read on!
The fifth annual Washington Post Peeps diorama contest winners were announced this week. This year's winning entry for
Peeps Show V is "Chilean CoPeepapo Mine Rescue". That's right, the riveting rescue is depicted in Peeps.
| |  Some of my favorites are the simpler designs like last year's winner, "Eep." |
But the simplest of all is Peeps in a frame. Inspired by a Trading Spaces rec room makeover (remember when that show was popular?), I filled an acrylic frame with marshmallow chicks and hung it in my living room. Colorful and whimsical. And when Easter is over I know a couple of kids who will devour the leftovers.
