Whoops…It’s been a minute since I’ve said hello! We’re coming up for air and getting some semblance of routine back after a week of fevers and aches. And before that, I spent a very chilly few days up in Nebraska for work. Never a dull moment over here!

Never dull. Sometimes delightful. Sometimes so dang hard. But never dull, and I’m thankful for that.

So, my husband recently bought some maps for our family. He loves maps. He decided that we needed a U.S. map, a world map, and a globe. And that we needed to put pins on allll the places we’ve been, both individually and as a family.

I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled about this project. I don’t mind maps. But I don’t love the idea of having (pretty big) maps as the primary decor in our family room. I know it’s mostly boy-chaos in there anyway, but every once in a while, I think, “I’m gonna style this room so that it’s cohesive and comfortable and stylish.” And maps, well, they don’t necessarily scream *style* to me.

But alas, we got the maps. And the pins. And after many finger pricks and toddler squabbles, the map is taking shape.

And it’s pretty cool.

I think can become prone to believing that the ups and downs and twists and turns of life are somehow…personal. That they’re meant to derail my life or my plans. (And I guess maybe they are—my ideas are usually too small.)

The truth is, life is an adventure. And the unexpected turns, scary changes, and mundane moments are all part of it.

I’m trying to embrace this freshly-remembered sense of adventure in my art practice, too.

I have an idea for a collection that includes BIG pieces, detailed pieces, bold colors, and intricate details…with flowers, yes, but other subject matter, too. I get a rush of excitement when I think about it.

But I’m also afraid.

I don’t have many fully-formed ideas. I don’t know if I have the technical skills I’ll need. I don’t even know really what I want the collection to look like!

I only know how I want it to feel.

And getting to that feeling is going to take hard work, and inevitably, mishaps and missteps.

Looking at my family’s maps, plotted with pins, I’m reminded that even—or maybe especially—the missteps add interest to the story.

I can’t wait to see what happens.

Do you have a mishap turned magic? Can you try something—and let yourself fail this week? What secret adventure is hidden in your heart?

Returning to Adventure