Shift
It's been over a month since my last post on Sarah Planet. I feel like I keep telling you the same things over and over... And I don't want to do that now. Sarah Planet just doesn't feel like the right medium for me to blog through these days. I started this site with lofty ideals, and though I still have lofty ideals now, those ideals have shifted. Obviously.
Here's the problem: on Sarah Planet I hardly got "real." It just wasn't set up for me to talk about relationships, my internal struggles... you know, the really messy parts of life. I churned out over 150 posts that ranged from recipes to DIYs and very few times did I share myself. I regret that, but at the same time it just wouldn't have been smart. I tied Sarah Planet to me specifically and so many people that knew me read it. I didn't want to be that honest.
And, in many ways, I still don't. But, honesty has become a huge part of my daily life, and it feels so strange posting on here and not including more of myself. Feels fake. I can't do fake anymore. So, I guess what I am trying to say is... I don't know what that means for Sarah Planet. Blogging is important to me, and I am testing new mediums. It's hard for me to not write, to not share on some level. I am interested in creating a more open platform for me to talk and share things with others. Right now I am enjoying writing for myself and not for an audience. It's possible at some point in the future, when my new blog is more developed, I will share it with you.
I have Sarah Planet until October of this year. At that point I'll make a decision as to what to do with this site. So, I'm not gone forever. Not totally closing shop. Just stepping aside in a very real way.
I just didn't think it was fair to leave you hanging. And, that's all I got.
Sarah
Weekend Project: Make your own coasters!
I am coming back with a bang, people. And by bang, I mean project. A project I think you'll really love.
Coasters!
Coasters are one of those things that you don't think about until you need one. Or four. And I didn't even really know that I needed some until I saw this blog post. Then I was PUMPED. I realized I had no coasters in my life and this made me a sad Sarah.
A sad Sarah is never a good thing.
In my previous post I touched on the fact that a lot has changed in my life recently. And I really don't want to write a whole post about it all for a few reasons.
1) It's f*cking long.
2) It's sad.
3) I don't really know what the rule is about sharing personal life details on a blog, but I imagine (if there is a rule) it's just whatever the blogger feels comfortable with. And I have decided I feel comfortable sharing facts and not embellishing anything. So, here it goes.
I am not married anymore.
I have a new job that I love, and an apartment that is mine.
My stepfather died.
Facts, people. Just the facts. I will let you use your imagination to fill in all the drama, emotion and heartache that was very real and did happen. Know that I am okay. Completely. When I get sad, I let it hit me like a wave. Then I let it pass. Because while it's important to feel your emotions, it's even more important to let them go and not dwell on them.
And it's important to keep doing the things you love. Like cooking and traveling and crafting. And then sharing those experiences and projects. Sometimes I feel like life is one long race, but I'm learning that along the way there are many finish lines and starting points. And that it's okay to admit you're finished. It's okay to start over.
So, that's me. I will say that in my hiatus I've done a lot of cool things. I hope to share a lot of those projects and recipes with you soon.
But, for now, let's lay off this heavy stuff and make some damn coasters!
You will need:
- Tiles
- Scrapbook paper
- Mod Podge (Gloss)
- Clear Acrylic Sealer (Also Gloss, also the Mod Podge brand)
- Craft glue
- Felt
- Brushes
- Scissors
Tip: Purchase your tiles first, that way you'll know their shade prior to picking out your scrapbook paper.
Steps:
- Cut your scrapbook paper in about 3.5" x 3.5" squares. It doesn't have to be exact--feel free to eyeball against the tile and then create a stencil.
- Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the tile and center the square on top. Press down and let set for a few minutes. It's good to get a rotation started. Do this for all your tiles and then paint another layer of Mod Podge. Let dry completely, then paint another coat of Mod Podge.
- After the second coat of Mod Podge has dried, spray a layer of sealer.
- Once the first coat of sealer has dried, paint one last coat of Mod Podge. Let it dry.
- Spray the tiles with sealer one more time. Let them dry for an extended amount of time (a couple hours or even over night).
- Cut felt into about 3.5" x 3.5" squares (I used the same stencil I did for the scrapbook paper) and adhere to the back with craft glue. Let dry and you're done!
How awesome are these? I am so in love with them and am actually putting one to good use right now.
Here's what the bottoms look like. The felt is a necessary finishing touch--definitely makes the final product feel polished.
This is definitely a project where you'll want to make more than one set.
You can make manly ones...
Extra-girly ones... (I made these for my sister!)
I think they make a really great gift, also.
And there you have it! A personalized, inexpensive craft that is totally useful. The best combination, if you ask me.
I had so much fun working on these. Definitely a great project to do throughout an evening while doing other things, like cooking or catching up on TV. Plus there's just something about cutting paper that is super relaxing to me.
Until next time,
SW
Is anybody out there?
It has been almost two months since my last post.
Where do I begin? What do I share? What do I keep to myself?
These are things I'm still figuring out.
But, I wanted to say hi. I wanted to post something on here, to let you know that I hadn't fallen off the face of the Earth.
I've been putting the pieces of my life back together and (knock on wood) everything is finally settling down. Some people would say that it's my fault I had to pick up the pieces. Others would say that it was time I made some changes.
To be honest, they are both right.
Over the past two months I've made lots of choices, lots of changes, many adjustments. Some were in my control and some were not. But, that's life. People change. People die. And, somehow, we all find ways to move forward.
There are lots of things I want to talk about and share with you, and I feel myself easing into that. Soon enough. Just know I'll be back, and hopefully Sarah Planet will be stronger than ever.
More recipes.
More projects.
More fun.
Stay tuned, okay? I'll be back before you know it.
Cosmically yours,
Sarah
My favorite sandwich as of late
Remember how I blogged about Redneck Dip that one time? Well, it's still one of my favorite things to throw together. Recently I've been really craving chicken salad, but am just too lazy to actually make some. Instead, I've been making a lazier version of Redneck Dip and calling it chicken salad. And it's just so easy, I really think you should try it, okay?
Okay.
Good talk.
Extremely Lazy Chicken Salad
You'll need:
- Enough shredded chicken for one sandwich (make it easy on yourself and pick up a rotisserie chicken the next time you're at the grocery store)
- Real mayo
- Tabasco sauce (Are there other kinds? I had no idea...)
- Walnuts (about 1/4 cup)
- Freshly ground black pepper
In a bowl, mix the chicken and walnuts with mayo. Start off slow at first, you don't want mayo overload. Make sure all the chunks are coated. Add Tabasco to taste--more if you like it spicy! Season with black pepper. Serve in a pita with lettuce, a sliced apple and a big glass of water. Done and done.
Am I easy to please... or am I easy to please?
Don't answer that.
-SW
My Mom’s Spice Tea Recipe + A Confession
In Texas, we have two seasons: summer and winter. When transitioning from winter to summer, there will be a small preview of spring, but it doesn't last. It will be beautiful for a little while and then BAM. Scalding heat with no end in sight. Then we'll be teased with "fall," but it actually takes a lot of coercing for winter to come. I'm okay with this, because I hate winter. Sometimes I wish that our seasons were clear and defined, because it can be hard to know when to mentally transition to fall, for instance.
But then there are moments when something happens and there's no more denying it: the seasons have changed (if only for a short time) and you're onto the next season of your life. I had a moment just like this last week when I made my mom's spice tea. It was pretty chilly then (not so much now...), and when I sipped my first mug I knew it: it's fall. (Recipe below.)
Soon it'll be winter. I wonder at what moment I'll realize that. Stay tuned.
My confession has nothing to do with spice tea really. Brace yourself.
Klepto Action
I steal coffee cups from diners. And I don't feel bad about it at all.
Mom's Spice Tea
You'll need:
- 2 cups Tang
- 1 cup Instant Tea
- 1/2 cup Lemonade Mix
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon Allspice
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large-ish Tupperware container. Shake it, if the mood strikes. Pour boiling water over 2-3 tablespoons of mix in a mug and enjoy! Stir with a cinnamon stick if you want to feel extra fancy.
-SW
