If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll have seen my recent pictures of the flowers that have been blooming like crazy in my yard. It happened so fast! One day the ground seemed dead and unyielding, the next green shoots popped up, and then…
WHAM!https://youtu.be/-EbwAc8dkWI
Flowers and flowering shrubs and trees burst forth with colors and buds and blossoms. Among the first to appear were the jonquils. Then came the daffodils and tulips. But this year we had a remarkable variety of daffodils. Check these out…
As I watched all this happening, it occurred to me that something else was coming back to life: my creativity. It was as though watching spring’s explosion of beauty and color fanned my own spark of creativity–which, I admit, had gone a bit dormant over the long, cold winter–into full flame. I wanted to write! To sing! To garden! To calligraph (yes, that’s a word) a poem! To CREATE! And you know what?
It felt great. It felt like I was waking from a deep sleep that had captured me. Like all my senses were refreshed and refueled. All of which reminded me how vital it is for those of us who make our living being creative to keep our eyes open for the inspiration God has placed all around us. And to celebrate it. Even revel in it.
Today, purpose to look around. If spring has visited you, let the color and shapes and beauty sink deep into your spirit. If you’re still caught in the depths of winter, find beauty and creativity in other things…a child’s smile, a piece of music playing, the fragrance of fresh-baked bread or a perfect cappuccino, a beloved one’s laughter… Wherever you are, I guarantee there’s something beautiful, something creative going on. Because God is a Master of creativity. Open your senses, and your spirit, and see what He has for you today that will restore you.
To share a bit of said creativity with you, here is a video I came across a few days ago as I was exploring another creative outlet of mine: latte art. If you know me, you know I’m passionate about coffee. And one of the things I’ve always wanted to learn is how to create latte art. So here, for those of you who want to do the same, or for those who just need a creative boost, is a touch of beauty in a coffee cup.
Enjoy!
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your flowers. I’m so ready for spring to arrive and the flowers that come with it.
Happy Spring!
Love the video! Always wondered how they could make such pretty designs on top of a latte.
I went out to the back yard yesterday and found the Gerbera daisies blooming in a riot of color. Great pick-me-up after a weekend of rain and cold. Love your flower pictures, especially the middle one. It’s so bright and cheerful.
Ahhhh! I know what you mean. I’ve been preparing for the release of one book, which means the business end of writing. It’s been interesting, but not creative. Just recently, I started my next manuscript and it was like waking from a dark slumber–wow! I LOVE that feeling. I found the “muse” music for this one, too, and oh what a fit. I always need a Christian Rock Band to be my muse for a story, so it was nice to feel that connection. I don’t know if it’s Spring or just the birth of a new story, but it’s a good place to be.
Loved this post, Karen! I’ve noticed my creativity and enthusiasm returning lately, too. Winter depresses me, I’m coming to believe.
The latte pictures were gorgeous! I’m a coffee fanatic, too. Let me know when you master the art of decorating with the foam. 😉
Maybe I’m weird, but my morning run (with Henry, of course) fuels my creativity. Everything is still winter brown here, but at this time of year I get beauty on both horizons–the sunrise kissing the sky in the east while the big ol’ moon hangs low in the west. It’s like a double feature that plays simultaneously.
Some days it’s somber, quiet, gentle. Some days burst with color. But always it’s new. Like God never gets tired of making another day, another sunrise, another flower or bird or tree. Or person. Or idea. Or ANYTHING. So I think maybe he never gets tired of creating with me, either. And there can be new words and new ideas and new sentences for me to write, and new longing–recreated every morning–to live and breathe to glorify him.
Wow! Latte art! I never knew it existed. Truly amazing the beauty that people can create out of everyday things.
Just hearing you speak of creativity birthing fresh in you makes me want to jump into my manuscript.
Blessings on God’s creative work in and through you!
Love this, Karen! The pics of your flowers are gorgeous. And the latte art–what fun! I love gardening and find it stokes creativity in me. This year, just as a few daffodils were blooming, a freeze hit again, and they drooped their heads, the blooming aborted. Still, the hope of other perennials emerging soon keeps me excited–about creating and writing. Thanks for this post.
Ducks. Right now the ducks on the lake in my backyard are fueling creativity.
A mommy and daddy duck have created a nest in our backyard filled with 5 eggs. For 2 weeks, everyday they swim over together and while the mommy checks on the eggs, the dad stands guard on the dock. Watching, waiting, protecting. He’s even scared away some annoying geese, thank you very much my green headed friend. Hatching time is around the corner and just this week, the mommy duck has been transporting the eggs, one by one, to a safer and not so rugged terrain. All the while with the daddy duck following in toe.
My husband, kids and I have been surveying (from inside) the process and my youngest has become quite attached to the ducks and eggs. We hope they swim by when the ducklings are born. We are humbly fascinated by it by the Lord’s creation.
Karen, when you take your latte art class, can I come? As a form barista they did not teach us that at Starbucks. Thank you for the lovely pictures. Those two tone daffodils are crazy cool!
I’m not taking a class in latte art–I’m trying to learn it from these videos. I’m discovering some things that will fuel my next blog! So stay tuned.
I am determined to learn how to make the dragon. My boys would flip out and think I am the coolest mom ever!
Happy first day of Spring, everyone!
I’m so envious of your flowers. My lawn is still 95% snow covered, and flowers are a long way off! Please enjoy them for me!
Can’t wait to see what’s blooming (in the flower and creativity realms) in Mount Hermon in a few weeks. See you there Karen!
Loved the coffee art video. Might even take up drinking the stuff.
Thank you for the great posting! These photo’s are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your flowers.
Thanks a lot for that article! I totally understand. I’ve been prepping for the release of one book, which is synonymous with getting things rolling in the professional aspect of writing. I’ve found it fascinating, but it hasn’t been innovative. Waking from a deep sleep is a really good way to describe how I felt while working on my new book. That feeling is quite nice.
I didn’t have any expectations concerning that title, but the more I was astonished. The author did a great job. I spent a few minutes reading and checking the facts. Everything is very clear and understandable. I like posts that fill in your knowledge gaps. This one is of the sort.