30 Days of Happiness: Accomplishing

(Day5) Sunday was spent putting by. 

Remember last week when I said I'd be doing this forever... um, I meant it. 

Even though we canned our brains out, I still have two laundry baskets in my kitchen just waiting for some attention. We made pickles (hot pack and refrigerator), pizza sauce, marinara, hot salsa (it was meant to be mild/medium... oops).

We took an afternoon break for the kids to have naps and a trip to the park (with our favorite people) before we started back up again.

30 Days of Happiness: Weekend Edition

(Day 3 evening) Friends
A night with my girlfriends and all of our children (eight of them!). Talking, laughing, eating, feeding, caring, wiping, listening... it was a really busy but peace-filled eveing.

(Day 4) Taking Time
We all need to take time to be together as a family. This weekend we took our time on Saturday, we slept in a bit (with kids thats like 7:30, right?), ate breakfast, went to the park and the kids took naps while I went to the farm (where are garden is located) to go pick tomatoes.

When I got there, I realized there was a lot more ready than I'd expected. So Jayne and I gathered: pickling cucumbers (a TON of them), sweet corn, some melons, peppers of all sorts and zeppelin squash. Then we snuck in a piece of apple pie straight from the oven and cup of coffee before I went home.

I got home and super crabby kids preempted our nights plans so we went to a new park in a different town. A lot of family time plus little change of scenery did us all some good.

30 Days of Happiness: A Man Who Can Cook

P8277967, originally uploaded by TheYellowDoorPaperie.

(Day 3) Last night he cooked up some really great ribs and potatoes with this amazing brown/wine sauce.

This morning, he surprised me with one of his legendary lattes on the way out the door.

I am so blessed.

30 Days of Happiness:: The Little Things

(Day 2) When I thought back on today, what we did, where we were, who we saw. It seemed completely mundane.
Came home from work, drove to Sioux City to pick up a few things and drove home. Put kids to bed. Cleaned and organized, washed and laundered. Packed bags, set out breakfast... and so on.

But the things that I hold dear in today aren't things, really.

It's more like: Isabel in a store, one aisle over squeaking out, "I'm lost-- come-- get-- me!" And actually being right there to scoop her up.

It's Truman's "Clap Mommy-Daddy!" to whatever music is streaming in the car.

It's the privilege I have to wake them up every morning, to feed them, clothe them and take care of them.

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I have heard about 40 times in the last two weeks (there is no exaggeration involved in that number), the question, posed in someway but not all in the same words. “What are we put on this earth for? What was I born to do.” So I've been thinking about this answer in my own life.

I wonder if we can answer the question, or if it’s a revolving answer? Can contentment and seeking go hand in hand. Can we be content where we are in life, but still look ahead for opportunities— without exiting the present?

But I am sensing this collective questioning— very colligate-- it seems so much more intense than even in college. Is it that my friends and I, the twentysomethings and thirtysomethings are in the age of questioning? Or is it that because of where we are as a country, economically are we all trying to find where we fit?

30 Days of Happiness:: Confidence

(Day 1) I'm joining Bluebirdbaby for her 30 Days of Happiness. Focusing on the little things that make life worth living. In Erin's words "That time where I want to relish the simple, little things that make our days so very enjoyable. Those little things that make life worth living, that make all the harder things seem not that hard anymore."

And right now, I am so grateful for the confidence of this girl.

The carries herself, ready to take on the world as a big hearted, fast talking, magical human being.


And here is her on her first day of preschool. Always ready for a new adventure-- and ready to play playdoh. Once she saw the dough, Mommy evaporated, and perhaps that's the way it's supposed to be.

Eric and I left work to drop her off for her first day. Then we took an extra long lunch to celebrate the special day with a lunch out-- and a very happy girl.

She got home an asked, "Do you know they still sing Raffi songs in preschool?"

Morning Routines

First off, I have to say a big thank you to Lynette Kraft for featuring me on her blog late last week. What an unexpected treat!

Thanks for all the special ones who took the time to visit and comment! Did you know you could join us on facebook too?

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This morning we started a new routine, we’re getting up earlier, so we can all eat breakfast together. I think since, time is such a commodity around here, we need to make the most of it, and breakfast is a way we can do that. Start the day as a family, food in our bellies, a little reading from the bible together, a quick prayer before we’re out the door. Hopefully to center our day, and to cut the craziness out of the mornings. To start a new morning routine, we had to start a new nightly routine, so there’s no more hurriedly packing bags and hunting for shoe-mates in the mornings. Is there something that you do that really helps get the morning moving? I’d love to hear any advice you have! (This picture is not from this morning, as it is still darkish when we're up before work.)

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This weekend was a good mix of relaxing and work. We froze about 36 quarts of corn for Zestos, Inc. It is really awesome to come together as a collective group and work towards the goal of feeding people!


We picked tomatoes by the 5 gallon bucketful. I made some marinara sauce after the kids went to bed. I love tomatoes, I really do. But I think I’ll be doing a batch of sauce, whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, salsa every night for the next three weeks. Boiling water here I come...


The kids helped Rod move calves, they more stopped to pet and take turns holding the bottle. Aren’t those babies so sweet?

Gratitude Friday.

I’m grateful for these two faces, sweet friend, baby Hazel and Truman. Hanging around on a blanket under the apple tree, playing with their 'toe-toes.'

Today I am grateful for the women in my life, for their friendship and kind words. Those who have gone before us in situations, guide us though the next stages in our life. Help us walk our dog, drink wine at our table, eat, pray, laugh and cry together.

For my children who crack me up. Truman who corrects us when me misunderstand his pronunciations of words. Indignantly, “No, Mama ATside (outside, which also sounds like inside).”

And for Izzo who said last night, “Mom I miss our white chicken, but dinner was SOOOOO good.” (Eric just learned how to butcher chicken, this rooster was HUGE so it was a big job!)

For the adventures the kids love to take and how everything turns into a story. We took Jayne and Lucy on our fairy walk last night.

For sleep (we didn’t get much last night) but it makes you that much more grateful the days you do get it.

I sound like a broken record, but for fresh produce... And for all the salsa it makes. I’ve made salsa for dinner the last 4 nights. Amazing.

For surplus, in so many ways.

Hope your day is filled with gratitude.

Thinking and Growing

We are coming upon a significant milestone in the Arteche household. Isabel is about to start preschool.

Our hearts as Mothers-- as human beings-- grow and stretch along with our kids. And I am totally growing right now.

I think every time we hit a big change in life, in which some milestone is passed-- I get nostalgic or for lack of a better term, grieve for the what beautiful stage we've just accomplished. And a little timid of things that are coming. And she is my first child, we are learning side by side, some of these new steps.

I want them to grow up to be independent people, who know who they are and to appreciate the journeys they will inevitably take in life. I also want them to not be timid of the next step.

She is so strong and is so excited about going to preschool, I can’t wait for her to learn new things, meet new friends and have her world expanded a little bit. Plus, I can handle 5 hours a week.

"We came in the wind of the carnival. A wind of change, or promises. The merry wind, the magical wind, making March hares of everyone, tumbling blossoms and coat-tails and hats; rushing towards summer in a frenzy of exuberance."
— Joanne Harris

Eating and Gathering

Our favorite thing to do this summer has been, eating outside under the apple tree. We set a table with one of my vintage table cloths, and hang the paper lanterns (that are left over from our wedding decor-- almost 5 years ago)!

And after Eric's Birthday party in July, I made a goal to eat outside at least once a week for the rest of the summer. It makes dinner seem so special!


And we’ve had dinner, dessert and a party. The kids love this little adventure, a diversion from the ordinary. And we’re literally right a few steps away from our kitchen table, but since we’re outside the magic of summer is so evident. The night light is fading, but so subtly and softly.


What have you been enjoying this summer?

Late Summer Snack

We arrived home late last thrusday night. Covered in dirt, tired but energized.


After working side by side in the garden with sweet friends. We brought in 4 huge boxes of garden glories: cabbage, sunflowers, squash, carrots, potatoes, beans, peas, the first of the tomatoes and cucumbers! I didn't even remember we'd planted cucumbers until a friend said, "Do you want to pick the pickels?" Um. YES! (Thank's Charlene!)


After we bathed the kids and put them down, we cleaned and seeded 14 sunflower heads (which yeilded 2 gallons of seeds). I have a whole photo story, that documented the whole process. Coming soon!


And washed the beans/peas for canning and freezing on Friday, and washed the cabbages for coleslaw (that we made for a friend’s wedding).

It was getting late, the kids were in bed and lucy was down for the night. I took a shower then made my self a little bedtime snack.

My grandma used to make us a summer salad that was just peeled cucumber, ranch dressing and fresh cooked, crumbled bacon. O my. Getting out of her pool, sitting over the hot bricks in the back yard on the heavy, white, wrought iron lounges (which never had cushions on them) eating this cool salad was the epitome of summer.


I felt a tinge of sadness and memory eating this cucumber salad in my night shirt on the front porch in the summer evening air. I figured it was too late for the neighbors to be peeping out anyway (if not well, hello neighbors!).

So whether you dress them in olive oil or in bacon ranch, cucumbers are a nostalgic summer treat.


Summer Bedtime Snack
1 small tomato
1 small cucumber
1 hard boiled egg (I boil a dozen or two at the beginning of each week to have on hand)
Oilve oil
Balsamic Vinager
Lime Juice (or juice of half a lime, I was out so I used the real lime product... I’m not sure if it is ‘real’)
Salt and Pepper

Dice tomatoes, and gently salt. Cut ends of cucumber’s first, as they are quite bitter. Then dice cucumber, you could peel first, but hey I’m lazy and I like some extra crunch. Dice hard boiled egg and then dress with olive oil, a little balsamic vinager (a little goes a long way), squirt of lime (or lemon), salt and pepper.

It is so easy and so delicious. You could double, triple, quadruple if you wanted too! Add some cilantro for some extra summer zing!

Weekend Manifesto

This weekend I will:

Watch the sunset over the fields

Can peas, freeze beans, make dill pickels

Spend tomorrow with the kiddos

Clean my house Note: after I took as shower for five minutes, two complete rooms in the house looked like I hadn't spent hours in them...

Look for the little things This is a continual goal!

Go to the farmer’s market-- have to save for next week!

Make a trek to the neighborhood bakery

Spend the morning at the park Boo the rain! (except that it was gorgeous)

Get a shot for Bench Monday

Drink a glass of wine

Laugh with friends

Pick more tomatoes. Make salsa.

Take a Sunday nap, after church I wish I would have actually slept

Sew something Saved for next weekend, though I've picked out what I'm going to work on and with what fabric, that's a start

Knit a baby hatstarted!

What will you be doing?

*I'm crossing out all that I've accomplished!

Etsy Shop is Open

Hello Friends,

The Yellow Door Paperie's Etsy shop is restocked and open for business. A few more items will get added this weekend.

My dear friend Wendy's SixTimesThree felted and one of a kind purses are perfect for fall!

So stop by and shop around!

Style File: Colored Tights

Ok, I'm not a fashonista, not in the slightest. However, being a designer/art director, I know good fashion (and catalogue design) when I see it.
So...
Is it just me or are colored tights all over fall fashion for this year?

Toast:




Kate Spade:



I want a few pairs and found some reasonably priced ones here...

Do you love these as much as I do?

Magical Summer

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My Boy

Such a growing, talking, discovering time for this little man. His laughter is insatiable (and so is his appetite). Jokes and sarcasm are coming more easily now. He's always been a sweet and loving one, wanting ‘nuggles’.


he first time he’s spent an hour on anything— Saturday afternoon playing with tinker toys. He had a lot of engineering to accomplish.


For the littlest man in my life, who meets everyday with curiosity and hope, may we all learn from you.

My girl

This weekend I got to have some time with Isabel, who is growing up more everyday. It was just directly evident this weekend how grown up she is.


On our girl date (a walk around the block with Lucy), we went looking for mushrooms, dandelions, little things that you have to be mindful to notice. She created a whole story about the fairy’s in our neighborhood, who build houses beneath the large oak trees. The sproutings around their trunks are perfect little houses for shy little people.

Her new favorite footwear. Wendy and I found these treasures at a thrift store, vintage Buster Browns, mint condition. And red, what more could a girl ask for.

Ten Things

Lynnette is hosting a getting to know you. I adapted and revised this from my 25 things about a year ago-- funny how answers change and evolve over time...

1. My dream is to live in a log cabin in the woods. With a fire to heat the place, and no electricity. I really wish I grew up with Laura Ingalls. But who doesn’t when you read those books?

2. I love my husband and my kids more than anything in the world.

3. I want my kids to grow up with a sense of purpose. I want them to have good work ethic, to be responsible and kind people. To themselves, others and the universe. I want them to be good stewards of nature. I hope that by gardening, talking nature walks, picking up trash, going camping/hiking, talking, discussing and leading by example will teach them these things. I try to live and raise my kids to be people who are compassionate and like Jesus— in the way we love and care for others.

4. I love fabric, thriftstore, yarn shopping. I enjoy coming home refreshed and ready to make something creative (:

5. I do want to be closer to my family. I have an intense love of my family and my friends. I may not express it all the time, thanks to being busy, busy. But I do.

6. Sweet corn, fresh green beans, edemame, peaches... these are the tastes that make summer for me (:

7. I have an amazing but diverse group of girlfriends. And I love them all so much. I think we connect on a different level.

8. I have a ton of artistic/crafty/creative ambition. I rarely return to anything I start. If I do return it’s years later. I usually pick something to learn about and then I have to study, read, do, make and then I exhaust myself from the process. But I’m trying to balance that part of my life. I want to have a few hobbies that I am good at and well satisfied with. Except knitting, that comes back seasonally.

9. For a while everything in our life happened the week of Thanksgiving. We started dating, got engaged, got married, brought home our new baby on our first wedding anniversary, found out we were having our second baby and more. Just kept us remembering to be thankful.

10. The people I learn from the most are my kids and my husband. They help me to be a continual student of life and circumstance.

Let's Make: Freezing Fruits and Vegetables

Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) is a really easy way to keep fruits and vegetables in their most natural state but preserved for the winter. The idea (for me) is to have loose veggies that I can use a handful or two for soup, risotto, cassoroles....

Simple Process
1. Wash and dry fruit.
2. Line sheet pan with wax paper or parchment.
3. Trim and slice veggies or fruit.
4. Lay fruit/veggies in a single layer on cookie sheet.
5. Freeze for 2-5 hours (or longer), place frozen veggies in Tupperware or a plastic bag.

Fruit that I have tried with this this method: Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb

Veggies: Green pepper (sliced for fajitas), cauliflower, broccoli, any kind of hot pepper (freeze whole with stems).

Zucchini or carrots— grate with skin on, portion into cups. Lay each haystack of zucchini on a cookie sheet. Then if your recipe calls for 2 cups, then you’ll grab two haystacks out of the freezer bag.

Sliced Carrots— I cut carrots into rounds for soups or stews

Strawberries— I just trim the green stems and freeze whole

Peaches, Pears and Apples— I cut into slices, sprinkle with fruit fresh and freeze.

Peeling Peaches and Tomatoes for canning
1. Score the bottom of the fruit by cutting an x just through the skin.
2. Bring water to a rolling boil
3. Boil peaches for 2 minutes, Tomatoes until the skin starts to peel up
4. Cool on a baking sheet
5. Peel, it’s so easy!

Garden Update

A little later today, I'll give you some easy tips for preparing food for winter, but until then, I'll leave you with some images from our garden!

Tomatillos : :


Cabbage : :


Sunflowers : :