Eyes wide open.

Today’s my Mother’s day.  We’ve all got a mum, and we share a unique experience of this universal day.  When I was a kid, my mom was really good at nurturing.  My memories involve a cool, soft  sheet spread on the sofa when I was feeling puny.  Having to tell her “3 things that happened today” when I got home from school, and dinner on the table every night, a task that I can’t even begin to comprehend.  She helped me explore my imagination and took me to ballets.   She was and is a work in progress, but she’s become very honest about that fact.  She’s raw, creative and real.  She’s developed a resiliency that I think runs counter to how most age.  And, her ability to grow into acceptance of her sharp edges and imperfections is teaching me how to let go of my own battles with perfectionism.  I’ve found the personal growth of my parents’, even from my perspective as a 34-year old grown adult, teaches me faster than almost anything else.  Their willingness to adapt, learn, change, feel and grow sparks deep inspiration and even quiet skills to do the same within my own life.  I find it freeing to think that I don’t have to be perfect to parent.  I just have to keep living, accepting and becoming.

Push send.

Back when my horrendous chef hat was still crisp white, I certainly wouldn’t have told you that I’d write a cookbook with my mother someday.

But, we just pressed “Send” on our full manuscript.  Praise heaven, earth and the extra brain-space that just freed up.

Now, I’m hardly saying we’re finished.  Mom and I have got many edits in front of us, covers to finalize and more, but it’s all on paper folks.  My brain feels lighter without carrying the weight of all those words.  Curled up next to whatever else is to come, the pages had been rattling, eager to get out and their birth feels like an enormous relief.  I celebrated by attending not one, but two dance classes today – a total luxury and my kind of celebration.

Set Your DVR – Apricot Lane’s on Oprah!

Hi Friends of Organic Spark & Apricot Lane Farms,

My talented husband, John Chester, created a beautiful short film about Apricot Lane Farms that will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network during her Emmy award winning show ‘Super Soul Sunday‘ this Sunday, March 24th.  It’s filled with all sorts of adorable animals, fresh green grass, happy chickens and more!

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you might like to see the grass-fed farming message reach more folks, too. Therefore, we need your help!  If you feel the urge, please update your Facebook status, tell your friends, set your DVRs, gather your family around the TV and enjoy!

‘Super Soul Sunday’ airs at 11am ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.  However, DirecTV might pick up the East Coast feed and air at 8am on the WEst Coast.  To be sure, you can tell by clicking on the channel finder on Oprah.com (link here: http://www.oprah.com/own/channel_finder.html) and typing in your provider and zip code.

If you don’t have OWN, no worries… there is also a LIVE simulcast available at Oprah.com.

Our short film will follow Oprah’s interview with author, Brene Brown, titled Oprah & Brene Brown: Living With A Whole Heart (pay attention here because 2 interviews with Brene are back-to-back, it’s after the second one). Stay tuned when they wrap the interview, our piece is featured in a segment known as ‘Sacred Spaces’.

And, this piece is only a preview of what’s to come.  John’s signed on to do more short films about various happenings on the farm.  Up next… Little Lamb: Birth to Fresh Green Grass.

Lots of love,

Molly