Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

* Think of your table… as an outfit. Start with a great pair of jeans (in our case, a pine table) – and build up from there! A fabulous throw becomes an impromptu table runner… velvet curtains make a terrific tablecloth… I’ve even draped yards of gorgeous fabric over my table in a pinch (yes, raw edges and all!). Truly, no one is looking! (And if they are, who knows… maybe they’ll be inspired to “let go” too??)

* Start with an anchor piece. This could be a gorgeous tray or oversized urn… a stunning glass vessel overflowing with wildflowers… a ceramic figurine… a fabulous mirror… anything that is near and dear to your heart.

* Bring the outdoors in! By this I mean bird nests, interesting stones, flowering branches, deer sheds (antlers)… anything cool and rustic that tickles your fancy!

* Mix in a few pieces of vintage silver for a touch of sparkle… it could be a smashing tray, pieces of flatware tied with ribbon, a pewter teacup with a candle plunked into it, a salt & pepper set.

* Don’t forget the candlelight! I love sprinkling little votives randomly around my centerpieces… Sometimes I’ll mix it up and put a dozen of them in a row down the center of my table. Other times I’ll put one at each place setting. Oh, and don’t forget your window ledges, kitchen counter, side buffet… your porch railing! I just find flickering candlelight to be so romantic…

* p.s. Enjoy an evening picnic now & again… pretty dishes, centerpieces, and all! Especially if you have a porch or a deck… now is the time to take advantage! Being from Wisconsin, I know that the cold, chilly months of winter are practically lurking around the corner… (Ack, can’t go there yet!!!! I need a few sticky, 90 degree days in there first!!) Mind you, I’m all for using paper plates in a pinch – but food truly does taste better when it’s served on pretty things – wouldn’t you agree?? And really, if you’ve got a dishwasher – or a helpful mate – what’s the difference? The little bit of extra clean-up time is well worth the added whimsy…

p.s. If you have an open side table or buffet, a great tip for covering up any unsightly electrical cords below is to place a stack of books or magazines in front of them! In the video you’ll see I’ve even used a piece of wall art – casually perched on the floor, leaning up against the wall. (You could also use a set of rattan baskets or nesting boxes here… with the added bonus of extra storage tucked inside!)

So, you know me… I would love for you to add to this list… I must know what you have learned and love as well!

xoxo, Tracy


* that children bring the greatest perspective one could ask for

* that our SUV has more snacks smashed into the floor than most grocery stores have in their aisles

* that wine was cleverly invented by a mother… and I understand why, and I love her… that brilliant woman

* that being the adult means pig Latin is a good language to learn so you can still communicate incognito with your spouse

* that bouncy balls are evil

* that the word creative must have been invented by a parent

* that I would smell of peanut butter most mornings… and then be scraping the residue off of myself while chatting with someone

* that wet sloppy, drooly kisses right on the lips are most excellent from little children

* that a shaken soda really can hit 4 walls

* that enabling a child does not help them learn

* that I would discover the lioness within… (aka… the I would do anything for them feeling)

* that a full cart of produce tipped over at the grocery store is never a pretty mommy moment

* that questions from a child should often be answered with a question in return

* that family dinners are better than just about anything

* that the day you will never forget is the day they were born

* that projectile is a regular word in a parent’s vocabulary

* that private is a non-word for mamas

* that the noise level in our home has nothing to do with what kind of stereo speakers we have

* that not everything in life should get a trophy

* that snuggling heals most

* that being an awesome communicator is more than essential with kids

* that listening is underrated and talking is overrated

* that clean house means it lasts for about 5 minutes

* that kids’ art is cooler than any you can buy

* that I really have a loud voice too

* that humble takes on new meaning when you are a parent

* that the dollar store is the kid mecca (and kind of the mama mecca too)

* that socks don’t get lost in the dryer, they actually end up scattered all over our house

* that proud has a new meaning when you become a parent

* that guilt is something we do to ourselves (no one is looking that closely)

* that poopie talk would be so commonplace in any home, or with other adults

* that laws should be passed against those little wires that hold new toys in their boxes!

* that playing outside costs no money but is truly invaluable

* that judging someone else’s situation is pretty silly stuff in the scheme of life

* that children can still be well-rounded adults even if you never did finish (or start) their journal

* that napping is a fantasy

* that superman really can fly… through chandeliers

* that telling your child you love them and that you are proud of them every day would bring the easiest smile to you both (no matter their or your age!)

* that chicken poop looks a lot like an ice cream swirl to a toddler (yes, really)

* that everything tastes better at grandma’s house (I guess I have always known this…)

* that any mama can get ready in about 5 minutes

* that I really am a referee in disguise

* that daddies who change diapers, cook dinner, and pick things up off the stairs on their way up… ROCK!!

* that crying happy tears is just a mama kind of thing

I will do my best to demystify what you may think about how I find balance… Perhaps this will stir up even more questions… for all of us. Just know that I, too, am still learning!

Perfection. I ditched the notion of “perfection” long ago. I’m not even sure it was ever a part of me. I knew in life striving for balance was key. I see people that want perfect… and it’s a wee bit scary if you ask me. What is perfect anyway?? A lawn with no brown spots? (Who is looking?)… A hair not out of place? (Ewww… a little bed head is far sexier!) No dirt on the floor? (Oh, puleeeazze!!! What is the point of it… too much stress if you ask me.) I’m more of a… this is how I like it, sure it’s got its bumps, but at least it is moving forward and in the direction that pleases me… and sister, I am all about “the living”… kind-of-a-girl! Do you read me?? This is my number one rule of finding balance… Perfection is a great ulcer builder.

Date Night. This one is simple… or at least it is to me. I am not saying you need to spend a fortune… but you can certainly benefit from some time with the hubby… or whomever it is you dig! It does take some planning… and possibly some favors. (Grandma… friends…?) I figure in the end it will cost us far less than any marriage counseling would… And really, I love this guy, and being with him (without the kiddies now and again) is something that is a top priority for finding balance. Now if you are a single person, then a date with you and you alone, or whomever, is still a major bonus… good Lord, go see a movie, or get your nails done… but by all means, do something for YOU!!!!

The Clean House. I know… It’s my fantasy too. But again, who is looking that closely? I have been known to walk around with a rag and the spray bottle squirting at anything that isn’t moving… but, getting all lathered up over the house not being all spiffy is something I did need to learn once our 4 little boys started kicking up the dust. Mind you….I have my “moments”… My are you all kidding me, do I look like I’m your *^%#$@#$&* full-time servant?!?! (moments)… But mostly toys are strewn about… and a row of crumbs seems nearly permanent under the kitchen counter where the boys eat breakfast… and I now have my kids cleaning the toilets (don’t worry, non toxic cleaners… yippee!!!) since the stream (the pee-pee stream for those of you with girls) seems to only make it into the bowl partially… the other part flows down the porcelain sides and neatly pools on the ledge and forms a solid layer in a few short hours. (Too much information…?) And the dog is always wet, and then she walks through dirt… Most of the drawers and closets are tidy and organized… but by God I do have junk drawers… and I celebrate them!! Where the hell else do the little things go? Basically, we do our best… and if you came over, you would see a pretty clean house in decent order, with a happy family that is really living there.

Make a Decision. I suppose because time is short I make fairly quick decisions on most everything. I think it helps me move forward on many things without any one thing sitting on my brain and draining the life out of me. Now it’s not to say that I don’t have major life decisions that need to be pondered… and sometimes a bit of time does help. But generally I don’t let the little things… (paint colors, garden this and that, entertaining… blah, blah, blah) sit with me for too long… that just sucks the life out of me.

Don’t Get your Undies in a Bundle. We all have things that we get bent out of shape over… and mostly I really try hard be as easy going as I can be. My husband calls me easy going but intense. I am Type A, there is no question, so I have had to learn over the years when and how to push… and when and how to stop… aka, balance!

Be a Planner. This goes hand-in-hand with everything above and allows those things to happen more easily. I am a planner… but I am aware I am NOT an over-planner. This would backfire for me as I need holes in my schedule to feel as human as possible. When too much is in my schedule I start to feel the tilt of balance fall off… and I don’t like that feeling. So I try to plan when and where it makes sense for me, for our company, and for our family. I try to see what is directly in front of me, and then down the road and off to the sides. This way I can zig and zag and feel OK with whichever way it all falls.

No Worrying Allowed! Easy to say, I know, but I try very hard to not be a worrier. I find it drains all my energy, and is mostly unnecessary. So I avoid it at all costs. I try to view things in my life as natural progressions, even when they go downhill or become difficult sometimes… and yes, that happens to all of us. I try to see most everything as an opportunity… to learn, to grow, etc. It’s easy to assume other people don’t have problems that they are dealing with… Believe me, WE ALL DO… It’s just a matter of how you choose to view and handle them.

Keep it Simple. Dinner… entertaining… wardrobe… hair… relationships… plans… life! You may not believe this coming from me, the woman who loves layers… layers of life. But in the midst of it all… I am ever striving to keep it simple… an ever-evolving lesson for me. I will always be learning… but I am pretty sure I’ve got the hang of it… Well, most of the time!!!

Trays are an obsession of mine, for sure… They just help to anchor little vignettes on my counter top. But they aren’t just for decoration – they’re actually super functional! Each tray helps to organize a range of goodies, keeping them in sight and at my fingertips. So… I have one for oils and vinegars near our cook top. I have another one for soaps and lotions near our kitchen sink. I have yet another one for all my tea essentials (think sugar cubes, spoons, tea packets, honey, etc). I even have one sitting beneath a fabulous urn which holds all of our larger wooden spoons and other kitchen utensils. Plus, as an added bonus, trays make all the “stuff” so simple to move about when cooking, cleaning, entertaining, etc.!

If you don’t have a lot of counter space in your kitchen, no worries! Why not keep a small tray on your bathroom counter to hold all of your lotions and potions? Trays and platters make wonderful accent pieces on a side table…just load them up with a small collection of treasured keepsakes. Oversized trays are a great way to keep stacks of magazines in order on your coffee table. Or consider using a beautiful tray at the base of a gorgeous centerpiece in the middle of your dining room table with votive candles sprinkled here and there. You can even hang most trays on your wall with an inexpensive plate hanger or a length of ribbon. The possibilities are truly limitless… I’d love to hear some of your ideas!

12 english muffins cut in half
4 Tbs. mayonnaise
2 sticks butter softened (I know… but you will love it!)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 pound imitation crab or lobster
3 five ounce jars Kraft old English sharp cheese

Combine all ingredients (except muffins) and mix thoroughly. Spread the mixture on the English muffin halves. Cut each muffin into quarters and freeze on cookie sheets. When frozen, transfer to ziplock bags. Broil from frozen state until bubbly.