My poor cello was languishing in the corner of my studio for 6 months.
All four strings were loose and hung limp off the pegs.. the listless bridge shifted as I tried to pull things back upright into position.
One snapped D string later, I knew it was time to take my poor, neglected friend in for a tune-up.

With a walk of shame, I tenderly laid my faithful companion up on the examining table and thankfully, with only a few minor adjustments, he’s back in playing shape once again.
With sweaty palms, I’d soon be picking him up and seeing what remains from those years of practice followed by a lengthy absence.
I admonished myself for letting this happen, I wondered daily why or how I could lose interest in something that always gave me so much joy and passion?

Did we just need some time apart?

Was it the end of the line for us?

I was privately so disappointed in myself for being such a quitter.

I just couldn’t understand where my passion had gone?

♥

We have a binder at the hospice where relevant articles are available for us to peruse each week when we pop in. I usually give them a cursory read and then tuck them away for the next volunteer. When I began reading this past Friday, I was instantly captivated, because here right under my fingertips was the answer I had been searching for! Was it mere Coincidence, penned pages of Divine Intervention, or a Smidgen of Serendipity? Call it what you will, I finally had the answer I’d been searching for.

Stan Goldberg attended a flute workshop where he was instructed to “Play the contour of the mountains. It will open up your music and let you hear the inherent melody of nature.” On a trek to the Sierras he did just that.. with great success on his Native American Flute. When he attempted to do the same with his Japanese Bamboo Flute he was met with disappointment, for the instrument didn’t fit the technique.

This was Stan’s “Eureka” moment, the revelation that he was confused in thinking the instrument was indispensable and synonymous with the feeling created when he played. I think this opens up a world of possibilities for us. This means we can choose to find love again after the loss of a loved one. We may not find a mate exactly like the one lost,  but we can recapture the same feeling of love and joy. It just may be experienced through a new “instrument”.. for instance, a new friendship, volunteering or the birth of a child.

I had temporarily lost interest in playing my cello because my joy and passion was being fulfilled elsewhere. I was finding all sorts of wonderful, creative outlets with my family and in my little Smidgen world of cooking, baking, blogging, and crafting. My cup and my heart were tumbling over with joy and beauty. Although my instrument of choice was (temporarily) no longer the cello, my creativity had been right there beside me all along!  So, I wasn’t a “quitter” after all. My passion was never lost, it had just found new pathways to wander.

This simple truth was the key to unlocking the puzzle for me. Interestingly, once I understood,  my desire to play my instrument came flooding back in. I could forgive myself for the time spent away from my instrument. I now understand and feel blessed that I have so much more room in my heart and, thankfully, the time in my life, to keep experiencing the joy of creativity… where ever it is found.

♥

Post Script

I received a text message from a friend the day after I wrote this post, her friend was looking for another cellist for their group.
Serendipity, Divine Intervention or just the right Time?

{ You can read Stan’s full post here. }

♥

Well, there was no miracle in the making of this sweet little tart! I had some blood orange curd in my fridge and found the perfect quick tart crust recipe at White on Rice Couple and so I made them…
Just like that… and now so can you:D

A sweet little blood orange curd made from from this recipe is spooned in dreamy little browned butter crusts.

Blood Orange Curd Tarts

At The Heart of Inspiration

 

Print

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

1. Put the 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter in a saucepan and set over medium temperature. Allow the butter to melt and then simmer, whisking constantly, until it begins to just turn lightly browned. You don't want it to darken too much or it can easily look and taste burnt. If you watch, you will see the butter foam, then bubble up. Finally, the bubbles will become quite small in size right before the butter begins to brown. It takes much longer than you would think. Once it's browned it will take on a hazelnut aroma, in France they call this "beurre noisette".
2. Remove the butter from the stove and quickly stir in the white sugar. Stir until the sugar is almost dissolved (it won't completely dissolve). Set aside and allow the butter and sugar mixture to slightly cool.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
4. In a large mixing bowl, measure out the flour and whisk in the salt to combine. Make a well in the center and pour in the butter mixture. Stir quickly to combine. This pastry dough becomes almost like a soft cookie dough. Take one small cookie scoopful and click it into each miniature muffin cup. Using your fingers, press the dough down and up the sides of the tin.
5. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the crusts have become golden brown. While the dough was creamy colored when pressed into the tins, they baked up with a fine speckled brown color when done.

Notes

Fill with Blood Orange Curd, Orange Curd, Lemon Curd, Whipped Cream, Jam, or any filling you wish.

By White on Rice Couple

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My daughter’s adorable friend Madison is running for Much VJ Canada.. it would mean so much if you take a quick moment to just click on her video.. the person with the least video viewings gets sent home. Please help a great Canadian Kid make it to the top! Thanks so much if you can!! 

Better still.. skip leaving me a comment and click on the video instead 😀