Talent

Every one is talented at something. 

Most people are talented at a lot of things.

Sometimes it takes years and years and years to discover what your talents are.

Sometimes you figure it out when you are very young.

My parents worked hard to find what I could do best.  Ballet, tap, choir, sports, piano, and scouts.  I was mediocre at everything.  Which is putting it nicely. 

Until I learned the tripod.

For some reason I excelled at this move even though I showed a lack of grace, balance, or fitness.

It may or may not have been my extremely teased bangs and over sized teeth that kept me balanced in the pose for minutes on end.

But it continued into adulthood.  And soon became my "trick" or my "talent" that I showcased at get- togethers and family reunions.

( Sharing talents and performing shows for each other is a pretty big deal in my family.  Isn't that normal for every one?)

Fast forward to present day..

I was in my hot yoga class recently and was told that we would be ending the class with handstands.

Even though I am always up for new things, I immediately told the instructor that I would not be able to do that. 

Plain and simple.

And she just smiled at me and repeated that we would be doing handstands at the end of class.

I knew that once she saw my flexibility level she would give up on me and let me leave a little early.

But little did I know how patient and determined and encouraging she would be.

Right before we started in to handstands, she asked me if I had ever done any thing remotely close to balancing on my hands.

And I jokingly said, "Well, my talent is the tripod."  And then started laughing.

To my complete surprise, she lit up!  And informed me that she could do so many things in yoga but was unable to do the tripod.

And then had me demonstrate for the class.

Who knew that all of these years I was performing a yoga pose!  I knew I loved yoga for a reason. 

Then she used my new found confidence to talk me through getting in to a handstand position.

A handstand.

Something that I NEVER EVER thought I would be able to do.

Even though I was assisted and it was up against the wall.  I still did it. 

And it felt amazing!  Like scream worthy amazing!  I'm afraid I was a little obnoxious about it.

I even hugged her after we stood back up.

It is just that I was in shock!

Then there are things that you want to be talented in and you refuse to give up.

Like baking.

No matter how much I try - it is just not my thing.

I enjoy making cupcakes, and cakes and wedding "donuts"... but other than that it usually ends up feeling like a chore and not turning out.

I keep envisioning beautiful Christmas gift baskets full of treats from my kitchen.

And then half way through my baking extravaganza I end up with chocolate in my hair and sugar in my eyes and flour in every nook and cranny of the kitchen.

Of course, it may have something to do with me dancing and singing ( in to the mixer beater) all over the place.  That Michael Buble cd sure does get me in the spirit!

Regardless... this is what I ended up with....

Sweet and spicy pecans.  Made with melted butter, brown sugar, and spices. 

The pecans were actually very very easy and turned out pretty good.  I guess I can't really consider that baking, though.

Next came the melting of the chocolate.  Tons of it.

I felt like all I did was dip in chocolate for the next 100 hours.

I made peanut butter/chocolate pretzel bites.

They turned out SO sloppy - but still have the overall taste sensation that you would expect.

And cookie dough truffles.

These are really rich but so good!!  Again, mine are sloppy.  And I totally forgot to buy the mini chocolate chips which definitely make a difference.

But overall they are still fun to eat!

Which I did.  A lot of.

I'm hoping that my lack of talent in baking is cancelled out by my cooking.

And now my body is counting down the days until we get back to a normal healthy eating plan.

And begging me to do a tripod pose in front of Kev the next time he is watching something important on tv.

Tis the season for showcasing talents!