Top Five Friday: In Praise of Procrastination

“You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.”

‘What mood is that? ‘

“Last-minute panic.”

~ Bill Watterson

In December, I am continuing (barely) to participate in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.  And trying desperately to get in a holiday mood.

T

here’s a dragon in town tonight (well, since midnight actually), but since I hate crowds, I’m going to spend the evening comfortably lost between the covers – of a book.

Or three.

I should be writing.

I should  be baking.

I should be cleaning.

I should be working on a Christmas project.

Should. Should Should.

Pffftp.

Discipline is necessary in life.  You won’t get far without it.  But sometimes, discipline is highly overrated.  And tonight, I’m going to embrace my procrastinating nature and not feel guilty.

I am a procrastinating woman.  Hear me…snore!?

Wait, I don’t snore.

Reading

Tell Me Lies – Jennifer Crusie (because she usually writes with a funny and sassy voice)

What’s Left of Me – Amanda Maxlyn (because someone on FB said they cried when they read it and the female lead character Tell Me Lies is making roll my eyes and tear out my hair – grow a back bone woman!  Also, I like tear jerker romances)

Ashes to Ashes – Karina Halle (because I was jonesing for another heavy Dex and Perry adventure complete with ghosts, dead children, and crazy monkey – well, you know)

Writing

Image credit: Google Search

In my journal. Okay, I know I said earlier that I would be procrastinating and not writing, but honestly, that never happens.  I’m always writing something.

Eating

Dinner.  Usually I don’t have time to eat dinner on a weeknight.  I arrive home from work really late and aside from it being unhealthy to eat after 8pm, I’m too tired and have no appetite.  Tonight I’ll get home a little earlier.

I may even bake some gingerbread.

Making

A list. What?  I like to make lists.  I almost never follow them…but I like planning.  And Santa will be here soon.  I need to tell him what I want! Letters, lots of letters…

Listening

To Christmas music.  See note above.  Christmas music helps.

Let go and live a little.  Forget the laundry.  Forget the dishes.  Kick back and relax.  It really is ok.

They'll still be there tomorrow.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

What are you putting off tonight?  And what are you putting on instead? ;-)

La Belle's Hobby Farm: Seed Packet Art by Ben Hatke

The art of gardening.  In this the artist who lays out the work, and devises a garment for a piece of ground, has the delight of seeing his work live and grow hour by hour; and, while it is growing, he is able to polish, to cut and carve, to fill up here and there, to hope, and to love.

~ Prince Albert

In December, I am continuing to participate in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.  And trying desperately to get in the holiday mood.

I

‘m so excited!

My greatest accomplishment in the garden this year (besides a bumper crop of tommy toes, basil, and marigolds) was saving seeds to plant in the spring.

Of course, I gathered way more than I will ever use ~ ever see a field of marigolds?  And several friends who now have a “bit of earth” and the desire to garden, have asked for some seeds.

But I didn’t want to just give them the seeds in plastic baggies; I always forget what the seeds are when people give them to me. (Note to self: put seed gifts in jars with labels).

So I asked my friend Ben Hatke to come up with some seed packet art.  And boy did he deliver!

Image credit: Ben Hatke

Image credit: Ben Hatke

Image credit: Ben Hatke

You may recognize Ben's  name: he's the artist and master mind behind the Zita the Spacegirl books.  In which case, these beautiful watercolours will not surprise you, but they will make you smile.

What fun!  I get to support a friend and a talented artist and my friends get to enjoy organically grown seeds in a special package designed with them in mind!

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

What gifts from your garden are you giving this year?