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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Writer in the Kitchen

"Cooking takes time. It takes focus. It takes love. And that's what I pour, instead, into the work of creating and running an entire town named Mitford... Thus, on most evenings you may find me standing at the sink, devouring such culinary delicacies as pepperoni left over from last week's pizza, or fried chicken from the gas station up the road..."
Jan Karon
author of the Mitford books
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I read this in the introduction to Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader, and I thought yes. Yes! This is me!
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And now I feel less guilty about not wanting to spend more time in the kitchen. All that creative energy, I understand now, goes toward my writing.
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What about you? On what do you spend your energies?
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21 comments:

  1. Capri K @ No Whining AllowedJune 23, 2010 at 4:51 AM

    Lately? Staying cool, reading, and schlepping Mousey to and from VBS.
    Creative energy? Oh, probably blogging and mosaicing.
    Cooking is a creativity that I also do not share. Too much work for something that doesn't last.

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  2. LoriJune 23, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    I wish I could be this focused. I generally let my moods choose the way that I spend my creative energies. I do not enjoy cooking at all and the only way to make it bearable I find is to be creative and try new things all the time. Then I feel it is worth my effort. I am sure, though, that more creative focus would be excellent.

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  3. Donna M. KohlstromJune 23, 2010 at 5:23 AM

    Writing, reading and blogging is where most of my energies go, but I take breaks...sometimes long ones...to focus my energies on the tasks of daily living and "chilling out"!

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  4. Terri TiffanyJune 23, 2010 at 6:47 AM

    My writing!! And so my house isn't as clean right now and we might eat soup for supper:))
    Got a goal to meet!

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  5. Wendy Paine MillerJune 23, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    Writing and projects that involve painting. When I paint I get ideas.

    ~ Wendy

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  6. Heather SunseriJune 23, 2010 at 6:56 AM

    I love that! I'm always wishing I can pour my focus and love into whatever task is in front of me, even if I would rather be tackling a different task. Because usually the task in front of me is something I need to focus on and love.

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  7. April PlummerJune 23, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    I don't really cook. Fortunately, hubby does. :) When I was on my own, I so didn't cook at all! Cereal was always a favorite, or I'd toss a bunch of grilled chicken in with a box of pasta and eat it all week. I guess too much of my creative energy goes into my writing to care about cooking even though I do love food...

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  8. Linda HoyeJune 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM

    Writing! Is there anything else?!

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  9. cosmos camiJune 23, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    I've spent a lot of creative energy building myself up into a better person lately. It really takes a LOT out of a gal. Having a purely writing/poetry blog is my reward.
    I do love to cook, despite picky and complaining children. :)

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  10. MedSchoolWifeJune 23, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    Cool idea! I suppose I go in waves. Sometimes I do put a lot of creative energy into the kitchen, sometimes into writing, sometimes into my hair or clothes. My life is very cyclical, I suppose.

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  11. septembermomJune 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM

    I need to redirect my energy back towards my poetry. It's been a busy school year with projects and kids' activities. I look forward to the lazy days of summer where (hopefully) I'll get some new inspiration.

    However, I better use some energy to get my house in order too. LOL.

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  12. JenniferJune 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM

    Unfortunately, creativity flies in a lot of directions. I am a Jack of all trades but an Ace at none. :D

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  13. pattiJune 23, 2010 at 11:52 AM

    LOVE to cook
    LOVE to eat
    LOVE to entertain my soulmate friends
    LOVE to read
    LOVE to write
    LOVE momma-ing
    LOVE teaching...
    I'll stop now.

    A see every God-given gift, yes, even greeting folks at church, as things to pour energy into.

    People. I love people.

    Great energizing blog.

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  14. Deb ShuckaJune 23, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    I haven't read Jan Karon for years. This made me want to go back and reread the Mitford books.

    My energy goes into my writing and my yard and my friends. Any free energy gets spent on reading.

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  15. JoanneJune 23, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    Writing definitely. And taking photographs. In the summer, my garden too! Fresh lettuce and those Jet Star tomatoes straight from the garden to the plate make it so worthwhile :)

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  16. Karen LangeJune 23, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    I need to spend more time on writing, for have not done enough lately. Thanks for sharing this. Am thinking frozen pizza for dinner...
    Blessings,
    Karen :)

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  17. Cassandra FrearJune 23, 2010 at 4:57 PM

    I have been noticing this lately. Creative energy is like a muscle. That means it can only work so long before we need rest. But it also means I can, over time, incrementally increase my ability to work -- at least up to a point. I will never be infinitely and ceaselessly creative like God.

    In the meantime, I should be on a creative energy budget and allocate resources appropriately.

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  18. Susan J. ReinhardtJune 23, 2010 at 8:35 PM

    Hi Janna -

    I'd rather write and blog than cook. Thank God for crockpots.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  19. Melanie HooyengaJune 24, 2010 at 5:48 AM

    I've noticed that when I'm doing a lot of design work, my writing lags. Apparently I only have room for so much...

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  20. Melissa AmateisJune 24, 2010 at 1:01 PM

    That is me, too! I really do NOT like cooking at all and just do it out of necessity. I'd MUCH rather spend that precious time writing!

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  21. KarenJune 24, 2010 at 3:48 PM

    OH, don't feel guilty about working your gift. My time is so split right now, I'm not doing what I would like-most of the time. But one day. :)

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