Friday, April 30, 2010

Lately...

This week was filled with lots of late working, and many helping hands to keep the kiddos snuggled, played with and barely missing me at all. It takes a village-- it really does, I am so glad to have helpmates on this journey,  our community keeps me grounded on busy weeks like this. And I am so grateful for them.

This weekend we are going to take it easy, Saturday breakfast, our regular Sunday Lunch. And lots of up keep, mow the lawn, mop the floor... you know. The usual!

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While I've been away here are a few moments that we've treasured. 

Sunday Morning Breakfasts::


Eric's Homemade Granola::


Playing in the Rain::


Shelter Awareness Day Picnic with
Our Friends from The Bridge::



After Lots of Playing::


Dress Up AND Playing Outside in The Mud::


What have you been doing?

Monday, April 26, 2010

While you were out...


It's been a while, hasn't it?

So many good things have happened around here, mostly in the form of playing outside and eating strawberries. Which is so good.

I may be out for a few more days, but while I'm away. Check out Vicki's series on Mothers, a great group of women who are celebrating motherhood, just in time for Mother's Day. 

The Name is Mom


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I picked up a little dress on Saturday. And I love it. Though I paid waaay less than it's listed for on the site. Perfect. 

E opened a little vintage shop, such great stuff...

A new-to-me blog and Lisa is selling her clothes. Cute, cute!

Susannah's How to Fall in Love with You series on her newly designed blog.


The Green Kitchen. Alice Waters, Rick Bayless. Yes please.

Yerba Mate Latte.

I'm contemplating making one of these for Izzo, or two or three... but if not, I'll buy them from Andrea. (:

Friday, April 23, 2010

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Amanda Soule

Friday, April 16, 2010

{this moment} -- Boys and Hats...



{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Amanda Soule

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Blogging Break...


I'm busy. Like, don't have enough hours in my day kinda busy. So, I'll be away for a while (a week maybe two... but I'll pop in once and a while to say hi...).

And when I'm back, I'll give you a glimps at what I've been up to-- as it's mostly top-secret design-y stuff. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

WEEKENDhospitality:: Baked Bakery Cookies


Thank you so much for the book suggestions, keep em coming and I'll put together a massive list soon. 
This Sunday bordered on perfection, walking to church in the sunshine, good food, good friends naps and a trip to the park. Really what else could you hope for? We have friends that we share a meal with every Sunday-- family dinner style. This has been such a grounding ritual for us, if you have a group of friends who like to eat. Join up for a weekly meal, you won't be sorry.  --Mary
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This weekend our friend, Bob made the best guacamole, hand-formed burgers, fresh cut potato wedges and served with ice cold beer. What a great meal! It was great to spend it with friends enjoying the beauty of sunshine coming through the windows.

I decided to keep it simple this week, even though Truman wanted donuts again. My trusty dusty easy fall back is the classic and always delicious chocolate chip cookies. I used a recipe from this book but altered it by adding a tsp of cocoa powder (always delicious). I love making chocolate chip cookies and make them whenever there are chocolate chips in the house.
The funny thing about this recipe is how different they turned out (I made some at lunch and some as an evening snack with Mary). At lunch I didn't have my silpat and just put them on a stainless cookie sheet. They came out crispy and flat, yet very delicious and the chocolate oozed. 
At night I used my silpat and cooked them the same and they came out much nicer and chewier. The chocolate was still oozing but they had a better consistency and I liked them better. I will definitely be doing this one again.
What is your favorite quick fix fall back recipe? 
--Eric

Monday, April 12, 2010

No Pictures, Still Reading!


This weekend, for the first time with my kids, we read an entire 'book with no pictures'. It was a personal goal to read great books with the kids at bedtime. Ones that required imagination and consentration.

We read Sarah, Plain and Tall, in just a few sittings, but mostly in the car on Friday evening. They kept asking for more-- "Just a little more, Mimi. Please?" How could I say no?

When we finished it last night,  I asked some questions, who was your favorite character? Sarah.

What was your favorite part?

Isabel said, "Seal kitty. I love kitties." No surprise there.

And Truman, "Wooly-rag Wort!?" Repeating flowers they have in Maine...

Do you have any suggestions for read-aloud books. Because, I hope this is a family tradition that sticks around.

Friday, April 9, 2010

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Amanda Soule


p.s. there's a new play list for 2010 spring. scroll down to the grey music box! enjoy!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Playing at the Park


This is my favorite time of year, park playing time! We check out different parks all over the area-- rain or shine, grey skies or blue. As long as the kid are in a good mood, I love it.

Sometimes when they are not, I find taking the time to let them run off their energy and frustration is so helpful.  I, in turn take the time to breath in the fresh air, feel the sun on my face or the wind in my hair. And I am again energized to be present with them.

And being present always helps their mood and mine. We are all connected, to each other's temperaments, but don't have to be ruled by them.

My mantra of the week? Raise them with the future in mind, not the short term. What changes in behavior now will benefit them later?

_________

Ahh yes, you guessed it-- we're beginning Truman's transformation in preparation for preschool. On the checklist?  Pacifier (day three check), potty training (o boy),  sippy cup at bedtime (God give me strength)...

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Lent Discussions


I cannot believe that lent has come and gone. It moved so quickly, but I did not feel like the time ran through my fingers. I feel like for the most part, I was in the moment, appreciating it for what it was.
As you may remember, I gave up time wasters, including facebook. And though I was clearing mental and physical space in my own day to day life. I really wanted to mindfully look at each activity, evaluate it as time enriching or time wasting. Asking my self a few simple questions: As this enriching for me? Am I investing in my family, my friends or myself? Is this relationship building?

This has been an amazing journey. Surprisingly, I didn't miss facebook or my computer at all. Yes, I missed my family and my girl-friends. But I made real time for them in other ways.

I spent my weekends mostly computer free, taking time to do other things I love. I finished reading 5 books and I'm halfway through a 6th book. I've knitted/crocheted/sewed, we've cooked and shared many meals, made cards, spent meals and quality family-time together... and the list goes on.

I felt like my spirit was full and ready to share with others.

This year, I was prepared for Easter, in my own heart.

I didn't think that I could make more time in my day. But an extra 20 minutes here or there quickly adds up. And my kids loved an extra book or song at night, the absence of intense hurrying in the mornings (not every morning but most).

And the things that I've learned, I'm going to continue. Mindfully choose my tasks, continually asking myself good questions.

What did you learn during this season?

Our first Easter egg hunt.

I didn't realize that my kids had never been on an Easter egg hunt until early last month. So when Jayne invited us over, for their family's traditional Easter celebration, we jumped at the chance. It was really fun, and they were so generous. It was definitely the highlight of our day.








Monday, April 5, 2010

Sneak Peek at our Easter...

WEEKENDhospitality: Generosity of Spirit

 
"Hospitality" can also mean generously providing care and kindness to whoever is in need. 
--Wikipedia
 
For the past few weeks we've spent time together discussing recipes and food ideas. This week I would like to focus on the purpose of these postings. 


 
 This weekend was spent being hospitable. Friday we took the kiddos to Sioux Falls for the day and invested in coffee and bread (two of our favorite food groups). 


We spent time at the park eating and playing and just being silly. It was a great day. Saturday we had a house full of friends and beautiful babies running, playing and of course eating. A pot luck of favorite breakfast foods, pancakes, bacon, Emily's bran muffins, Maria's egg bake, bowls of fresh fruit and preserves.


Sunday was spent with our friend, Bob enjoying the afore mentioned bread in grilled cheese sandwiches (with green peppers, onions and tomatoes!) and homemade tomato soup.

As Mary and I discussed our favorite events throughout the weekend I said that my love bucket was full and bursting. I love nothing more than a housefull of happy people breaking bread together and enjoying good food, good friendships, good conversations.

What would life look like though if we were hospitable to the other people who are in need. What would life look like if we were hospitable to the person in the grocery store, or the driver tailing us on the way to work (or the persons I tail on the way to work). What would life be like if we lived hospitable lives intentionally to those we are closest to? What if I was hospitable to Mary every day, to Isabel and Truman, to Lucy...

Now that lent is over and life moves to the next seasons, maybe it would be good for me/us to practice hosptilaty. And not just to those who come into our houses for a meal, but maybe those who live in our houses everyday, to those we pass everyday without really noticing.

Have a great day and pracitice hospitality to whoever is in need, even if it's your family.

--Eric

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sleep with the windows open...


Good morning, I’m a tad exhausted, Eric is off to early morning bible study with his guy-friends. And I am trying to drag the kiddos out of bed.

But, friends, it is beautiful outside and even though it’s cooler than yesterday, we slept with the windows open. And there is nothing like the feeling of fresh air on the morning!

Filling your lungs up with cool and moist morning air while still under warm covers. O my. It’s like you can smell the grass growing, and flowers are pushing their way out of the ground.

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Watching:
I know, everyone is talking about Jamie-- I’m not the only one, but Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is amazing. But that first episode, makes me cringe. Seriously. I watched it with a sense of nervousness— and the resistance, government led standards that are no help to having quality food in schools. Arg. But I hope this really makes a difference in our country and how we feed kids. HOW DID THOSE KIDS GO THROUGH LIFE AND NOT KNOW WHAT VEGGIES ARE??? (Deep breath...)

Doing:
The park is finally dry enough to play in... Well until it rains tomorrow. But no fear, We’ve got rain boots for Izzo, and this weekend I’m going to try and pick up a pair for Truman too. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know they are our preferred footwear for summertime. What is better than a ‘suit-kini and rainboots?’ It’s the perfect summer uniform.

Reading:
Kitchen Table Wisdom— this book may be my number one read of all time. And it’s been years since I’ve found a book that knocks, Great Gatsby and 100 Years of Solitude off their pedestal. It may not be the Great American Novel. But it was so real, the understanding of sick and well, healing and wholeness— humanity. Geez. Go read this.

Thinking:
Changing routines tonight. Just in time for spring! No more pacifier, and no more sippy cups at bedtime. I’ll let you know how we turn out.

Cooking:
I keep thinking about lunch yesterday it was so good! Whole wheat toast with sautéed asparagus, sharp cheddar cheese and an over easy egg. I think that’s what I’ll be making for us for dinner tonight (though the kids will want to trade out asparagus for broccoli— which is good too).

Listening:
Mumford and Sons, Broken Bells. 


Have you been watching, doing, reading, thinking and listening lately??

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