One Thousand Gifts- Part 5, 6, 7

Well, it appears I have a little catching up to do. Unfortunately I was sick for a while, and then some major life decisions crept up on me, so that left me little time to keep up with the blogging I enjoy so much! (I cannot wait to share all of the fantastic decisions I have made; however, that is another time and another “space”). So with that said, here are 30 things I am grateful for! Enjoy!

41. Coffee Mugs

42. Blogging

43. The Academy of Dance Arts

44. The Black Hills

45. Hiking

46. Board Games with the Family

47. Fishing with my Dad

48. Big Bay Windows

49. Bagels

50. Essential Oils

51. Adorable Greeting Cards

52. Local Coffee Shops

53. Hot Yoga

54. Yoga Paws (Granted I don’t own a pair yet, soon!)

55. Calendars

56. A Highly Organized and Colorful Planner

57. Long Walks on a Nice/Cloudy Day

58. Whole Foods

59. Hot Tea When I am Sick

60. Lots of Plants in the House

61. Going to Dance Class with Kerry

62. A Good Book

63. The Scarves My Sister Makes Me Every Year

64. My Robe

65. Tons of Blankets for My Bed!

66. My New Knitted Head Warmer from Tanner (I will get a picture of this adorable new addition to my wardrobe!)

67. Soy Milk for My Cereal

68. Grilling Out at Home with the Family

69. My Porch Back Home

70. Book Club with the Wonderful Ladies at My Church

I would still love to hear what you are grateful for! I hope you had a wonderful weekend World!

Love,

Me

Native Foods Cafe

So… I must tell you about a little fast food restaurant I know and love here in Chicago; Native Foods Cafe. It is a vegan friendly place that not only offers amazing food, but also environment-friendly events and charity opportunities! Check it out!

Located on Belmont

Nifty Note on One of the Walls

My Favorite Item on the Menu... Native Nachos! :D

Until next time!

Love,

Me

Breakdown of Dance to Earth

The breakdown of sorts.

The evolution of many.

Time creates crossed paths,

And layers begin.

Patterns Evolve,

Creating discrete lines in the sand.

Trace the fingers,

Mold the body,

Group of dancers…

Connection.

Layers of skin,

Of Muscle,

Of Bone.

This is where you create emotion.

Create Art.

Create Language.

You balance me.

I lift you.

Connection made.

Fall.

The Earth.

The Flesh.

The space in between.

That negative space creates the dynamic layer.

Curl the toes.

Grasp the dirt.

Roll.

Collapse.

The earth as body.

The body as earth.

Coffee Colored Stained Dresses,

Hang them out to dry.

Cool air finds skin.

Fingers kissing clouds.

A partnership of understanding.

Directionality.

And purpose.

Without words, connection is felt.

Felt between the layers of dancers.

Just feel.

Recognize quality.

Recognize structure.

Move Past Ability.

You must create the layers.

There is an intro.

An evolution.

Followed by an end.

Sequence of spine undetermined.

Unrecognized.

You create me.

Force creates you.

Direction molds space.

Performance began.

Take the hand.

Grasp the rib.

Feel connection…

And fly again.

Drop to foundation.

Climb to recognition.

Make fingerprints to the deepest layers of the body.

Stand.

Find water in Earth.

Cleanse dirt with air.

Mold body through movement.

Find understanding… in me.

Create paths.

Look to the future.

Piece Ending.

Layers unfolding.

Twirl in your sundress stained stale.

Look to the heavens.

And don’t forget to feel.

Layers found in movement.

The human connection.

The dance.

 

Sara, I have inspiration.

Will you create this piece with me?

Layers of Me

There is something to be said about layers of the human. We are so completely made. The concept of one created out of the other still fascinates me to this day. So today I’d like to share the layer of a woman made from man…. Me.

I have thought about layers a lot recently and how as humans we are composed of countless parts or dynamics that make us uniquely human. With that said, I am fascinated by the layers God has chosen to provide me with. He has chosen so many distinct characteristics to create who I am as well as who I have chosen to commit myself to. I thought it might be kind of fun to share a few of my layers with you; from the deepest to the most superficial.

A Child of God- This is the most inherent part of who I am. I have been given a life, because God chose to give it to me. I have a lot to live up to. However, I am a sinner as well. Thus, I am constantly seeking forgiveness as well as finding a source of gratefulness in God, my creator.

A Creative Lady- My creativity is definitely a part of my soul; my inner sense of who I am. I believe I was given this at birth. Since I can remember, I have felt an urge to move and to create, to splatter and to mold, to write and to express. In addition, I believe I have been provided creativity to share it with others. Recently, I have decided this layer must be a part of my career, my life. Without creativity, I could not express the “Brittany” I currently believe myself to be.

A Thinker- I have always been a thinker. I find superficial thinking to be boring and frankly ignorant. One must think in order to create, to become, to evolve not only as a human species but also as an individual. Thinking is a source of growth. I do not believe you are fulfilling your fullest potential if you are too afraid to think outside of the box.

A Healer- I have grown up wanting to “fix” people. I want people to feel a sense of empowerment and success. I want individuals to recognize their strength and the endless possibilities and directions they can choose to go if they only take the first step.

A Holistic Coach- In conjunction with my need to heal, I also view health as a big factor of who I am and what I teach. I believe individuals need to fuel their bodies, minds, and souls with nutrition, exercise, love and creativity. Happiness stems from health. This is where my dream of owning a holistic wellness center evolves from.

A Big Sister- I am so fortunate to have come from such a loving family. I was raised in a loving, yet disciplined, environment. I grew up with pets, friends, responsibilities, and freedom; but most importantly, I grew up with a little sister. I am extremely excited to see how our friendship and connection builds and evolves over the next few years. We share similar qualities such as a competitive drive, creativity, the ability to dance, and a loving commitment to those we care about.

A Girlfriend- Tanner and I have been together for nearly 2 years now. I have been obsessed lately with the connection of man and woman. How woman was taken from man’s rib and created. With that said, I believe God creates us from our perfect partner. I believe I am Tanner’s rib. We make up for what the other lacks. We complete the whole. I am excited to spend the rest of my life with him.

A Woman- I am genetically and culturally a woman. I believe women need to embrace who they are more often. We sometimes get lost in what is expected of us rather than loving what makes us so unique in a world that is all the same. I encourage any woman to embrace who she is inside and out. I strongly believe that in order to empower others, you first have to empower yourself. Also, remember empowerment is not related to body image, physical strength, or the beauty of the observer. Rather, empowerment stems from health, from your inner love of the self, and your compassion for others.

A Girl of Connection- I love creating movements within dance that allow me to connect with others. I find there is a source of understanding and love found within this. Connection shows a lot that words and sounds cannot.

An Emotional Girl- I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I think through emotion. I dance according to emotion. I write, act, create, and love through emotion. Although logic does come to me when I need it to the most, my emotion is what inspires me daily.

An Old Lady at Heart- My friends continuously tell me that I must be a Martian. Why? I do not watch a lot of T.V. or movies. I do not seek the internet for many of my answers or source of entertainment. Instead, I would rather read the newspaper for my information; read, paint, draw, or journal instead of focus on the Television; write snail mail versus email; and dance or attend a dance performance rather than go out for a drink. I prefer local bands to big entertainers, and I cannot recognize an actor or actress when I see them. My friends, I know I am unique.

A Physical Specimen- Most superficially, I am a 5’1 woman with a little extra padding. I am strong and more than physically capable of doing what is required of me. I have long curly, currently, black hair that I couldn’t secretly love more. I wear clothes for comfort and not for others. I have eyes that many consider beautiful and moles placed where they are for a reason. I also have slightly yellow teeth from the coffee I drink, and constantly dry hands in the winter. I have feet with amazing arches and a body made for lifting. I will wear big glasses and sweaters that do not fit. I am a bit nerdy and unique when it comes to what I do and what I think. I am an expression of “Brittany” and I couldn’t be happier.

So there you have it World, a few of the many layers that make me who I am.

What are some of your most prominent layers?

One Thousand Gifts- Part 4

Another 10 things I am soooo grateful for… :)

31. Health.

32. Soft Pastels.

33. Crisp Fall Weather.

34. Big Sunglasses in the Summertime.

35. The Bible- where I can find all the answers I need.

 36. My long hair… and just long hair in general!

37. Taking long vacations to see Tanner. :)

38. Herb Gardens.

39. Abstract Paintings.

40. Staying in Bed ALL DAY with Tanner! :)

Inspirational Little Notes :)

I’ll keep this short and simple… But have you ever noticed how great it feels to wake up and see the most inspiring quotes up on your wall? I LOVE IT! Soo… with that said, I decided to write down a few of my favorites and post them up. Eventually I think I will do something a bit more creative, but for now, these little notes do the job just fine!

What are some of your most inspirational quotes? :)

Brit

Creative Creation- Layer Upon Layer

Creativity built in foundations.

Creativity formed in layers.

Deep thinking-thinking deeper.

Difference?

I question you… only to discover me.

Layers Engraved.

Stone to glass kind of evolution.

Transformation occurs in layers of years.

Each individual uniquely created.

Bio under culture,

Culture above heritage,

Heritage across from social nets,

And networks diagonal to you.

Move to form.

Layer to grow.

Ignorance is no longer bliss.

Creativity fuses to knowledge.

Lack thought… What do you have left?

I question certainty only to have more questions.

And answer only to cut the layer of silence.

I spring forth from creation.

Layers full.

Birth to Bottles.

Lollipops to Lipstick.

Diaries to Dating.

Cars to College.

Money to Marriage.

Constant Evolving Evolution of Creation.

Individual You Layer to Individual Me… Layer.

Inseparable.

As my layers, layer onto you.

You ignorant few.

Yes, I layer onto you.

Creation Created by Conscious Cognition.

Without… nothing left to gain.

So move to create,

Create to move.

And speak.

Speak to learn,

And listen to love.

Layers upon layers.

Brick upon brick.

World of Creative Creation.

We are inseparable.

Superficial to Deep- You to Me- White to Green

Scarred and broken, blue… scattered with a pattern but not a plan.

Look twice, I will always look different… layers unraveling, led.

Charcoal greys combine to form red, tears dripping into pools of green.

Yellow… slow… down.

Eyes watch me closely; humorous really… those that evolve become muses.

Peel back the petals, pollen stained orange… glitter of imagination created by body.

Green… for those that know growth.

Water grazes past her eyes, thighs, trickling down to earth.

Layers create us… some more than others.

Type one… you… boring. White. Blank. Dull.

Type two… simple yet appreciated.

Type three… complicated and sporadic… this is the evolution of color.

Layers grow upon layers… buildings upon buildings… foundations upon foundations.

Build.

Complication found beautiful… Imperfection… True.

Tortured souls of attempting to be… but not…

It is the superficial layer of those of you… who don’t even know you.

Breath is found. Ribs caged in.

Skin to skin. Deep.

I know. I love you.

You, my layers.

You are why I am… Unique.

I breathe with purpose.

Thrive with faith.

Colors of layers.

Fade Black.

No, Green.

Etched in lines… and revolving spines.

Twisted as it may seem.

I find beauty in my layers.

Pride is evident… yet… humbleness a given.

What about you?

Layers mold and form… create colors.

Tomorrow, golden blue.

Few.

Fade.

Layer left… Individual, You.

Layers

So World… Something kind of exciting… I have been painting! Yay! What I noticed in the particular painting I am creating; however, is the quality of all of the multiple layers. How each layer adds something to the painting to create the whole. Even more important, what the whole actually means.

I find the concept of layers is found in EVERYTHING. Literally. EVERYTHING… from the personality of a human being to the places of the world, from dances, to paper, to buildings, to art, to logic… EVERYTHING is created through layers. (Which gets me on a whole other topic about layers not necessarily being linear, but we won’t go there.) lol. My point is, this painting has got me really excited about layers this week…

So, each day until my painting is finished, I am going to share a layer with you, both of my painting and the layers that make up us, our world, and our existence. I hope you are as excited about this small, yet huge, journey as I am!

Enjoy! :)

Banana Cuppie Cakes :)

So as part of my new year’s resolution, being kind to myself includes BAKING! And….. with the extra time on my hands here and there, I actually can make all the yummy things I have been wanting to make! I had forgotten how much I love to cook/bake. I love how the aroma of goodies in the oven fills the room! YUM! It is so much fun mixing, combining, stirring, and of course licking the spatula!

Anyways, today I decided to make my own version of the banana cupcake. I used whole wheat flour, cream cheese frosting, a few other ingredients, and LOTS of BANANAS! :D

Here is the process in picture-form. Enjoy!

Loved the Adorable Colors!

Straight Out of the Oven

Cream Cheese Frosted and Loaded w/ Sprinkles

Yum!

Ok, so maybe the green and pink sprinkles don’t scream banana, but they were so beautiful I couldn’t pass them up! More baking to come!

Love,

Me

Oh and P.S. cupcakes do cure migraines. :)