What luxury... a morning walk by the freshly snowy lake with a friend followed by a cup of coffee and more visiting. This is the kind of vacation that I adore.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Early morning lake walk
What luxury... a morning walk by the freshly snowy lake with a friend followed by a cup of coffee and more visiting. This is the kind of vacation that I adore.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Beautiful day (3)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
"Please get off the wall."
Another thing I never thought I'd hear myself say. And yet, it wasn't at all surprising.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
My choice.
Our polling place is the elementary school across the street from our house. Having missed our chance to vote by absentee ballot, I bundled up the kids and myself in hats and mittens and jackets, we headed over to cast my vote at 8:30 this morning. I braced myself for a loooong line with two wiggly boys, but as I heaved open the front door I was greeted by 5 smiling volunteers and a lull in the voting rush! There was NO LINE. It was amazing.
While I signed in, a volunteer asked me if Christopher might be interested in a little treat. Indeed, with the memory of trick-or-treating not far from his every thought (every day he wants to know if we can go trick-or-treating at night), a little treat was very much appreciated. The electronic booths were filled, so while Christopher carefully ate the top layer of pink frosting and multicolored sprinkles off of his doughnut, I showed him how to connect the arrow lines to make my choice. That was the best way I could explain it to him. It's a choice, right? A choice responsibility.
We were then gifted three "I voted!" stickers as we left.
1. No waiting in lines,
2. Flats of doughnuts with sprinkles! to which Mama said, "OK," and
3. Stickers.
I think voting might be our new favorite thing. Too bad we have to wait another 2 years before we get to do it again.
While I signed in, a volunteer asked me if Christopher might be interested in a little treat. Indeed, with the memory of trick-or-treating not far from his every thought (every day he wants to know if we can go trick-or-treating at night), a little treat was very much appreciated. The electronic booths were filled, so while Christopher carefully ate the top layer of pink frosting and multicolored sprinkles off of his doughnut, I showed him how to connect the arrow lines to make my choice. That was the best way I could explain it to him. It's a choice, right? A choice responsibility.
We were then gifted three "I voted!" stickers as we left.
1. No waiting in lines,
2. Flats of doughnuts with sprinkles! to which Mama said, "OK," and
3. Stickers.
I think voting might be our new favorite thing. Too bad we have to wait another 2 years before we get to do it again.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Fall weekend
Pumpkins
Leaf raking
Roasted chicken and roasted vegetables
Tomato clafoutis
Naps
(I'd post the recipe/link for this delectable treat, but I still haven't figured out how to make one happen with 100% success after 3+ years of trying... email me if you have the answer!)
3 mile jog
Bike rides
Church gig
Pumpkin bread
Lawn dethatching
Sweet potato burritos
Flannel pj's and slippers
We're ready for you, Monday.
Leaf raking
Roasted chicken and roasted vegetables
Tomato clafoutis
Naps
(I'd post the recipe/link for this delectable treat, but I still haven't figured out how to make one happen with 100% success after 3+ years of trying... email me if you have the answer!)
3 mile jog
Bike rides
Church gig
Pumpkin bread
Lawn dethatching
Sweet potato burritos
Flannel pj's and slippers
We're ready for you, Monday.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Just another day.
Today I wiped down the shelves while wearing a child-sized fireman's hat. Not in a million years would I have ever seen that one coming. Not in a million-bazillion years. But Christopher insisted, so who was I to refuse?
Also.
I am investing in a food mill before next year's harvest/canning season. I spent 2 hours peeling, seeding and dicing Romas for sauce the other night. That was a looong time. And it'd make applesaucing and squash souping a heck of a lot easier, too. I'm not a big fan of one-trick ponies in the kitchen, but the $40 just might be worth it.
Lastly.
Knitting season is here. It's cool and rainy today. Banana bread is up next before we head out to see what sorts of puddles are ready for stomping.
And one more thing.
I find myself missing Copenhagen at this time of year. It's the oddest thing. Perhaps because this is what the city was like for much of the year? A little bit rainy, a little bit cold, very grey and very cozy.
Also.
I am investing in a food mill before next year's harvest/canning season. I spent 2 hours peeling, seeding and dicing Romas for sauce the other night. That was a looong time. And it'd make applesaucing and squash souping a heck of a lot easier, too. I'm not a big fan of one-trick ponies in the kitchen, but the $40 just might be worth it.
Lastly.
Knitting season is here. It's cool and rainy today. Banana bread is up next before we head out to see what sorts of puddles are ready for stomping.
And one more thing.
I find myself missing Copenhagen at this time of year. It's the oddest thing. Perhaps because this is what the city was like for much of the year? A little bit rainy, a little bit cold, very grey and very cozy.
Monday, September 24, 2012
3 pecks
We went apple picking on Saturday morning. It's a fun activity that doesn't require hours of picking labor, and pays off very quickly. It's easy to fill a bag with apples.
48 hours later: I've made two huge batches of applesauce, an apple crisp, cardamom apple cider butter and apple buttermilk pancakes. We're snacking on them at every turn (all four of us... using whatever number of teeth we have to work with), and wondering what we're going to do with the TWO pecks we still have remaining. Frozen apple pie fillers? Probably more sauce canning... and maybe a little pile on your front doorstep... if we think you're out and unsuspecting!
Apple bread? Apple coffee cake? What are your best apple recipes?
At this point, maybe I should see if we can borrow a fermentor from Mike's lab and brew up some hard apple cider for the holidays. Mmm. Now we're talking!
48 hours later: I've made two huge batches of applesauce, an apple crisp, cardamom apple cider butter and apple buttermilk pancakes. We're snacking on them at every turn (all four of us... using whatever number of teeth we have to work with), and wondering what we're going to do with the TWO pecks we still have remaining. Frozen apple pie fillers? Probably more sauce canning... and maybe a little pile on your front doorstep... if we think you're out and unsuspecting!
Apple bread? Apple coffee cake? What are your best apple recipes?
At this point, maybe I should see if we can borrow a fermentor from Mike's lab and brew up some hard apple cider for the holidays. Mmm. Now we're talking!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Fall arrival
It was bound to happen... today fall came to town. We started the morning in slippers with oatmeal, we walked on the sunny side of the street to make sure we didn't get a chill and we remembered our sweatshirts when we visited the park.
The forecast for tonight projects a low of 38 degrees. Would it be too dramatic to go outside and wrap a blankie around the few green tomatoes on the vine? I've had so few this year and it seems sad to see armfuls of potential red sauce bite the dust. I guess Mother Nature had her own plans this year. I'll make sure I have stronger seedlings ready to go next year.
In this last week, with the start of the new school year and the distinct change in season, I have had many de ja vu moments recalling where I was at this precise time *last* year. Colin was so new -- he pretty much sailed in with (on?) the fall wind.
When I look at the honey-colored sun coming through the windows at a low slant in the afternoons, I remember sitting in the sun room watching Mike and Christopher raking the first falling leaves and nursing a teeny tiny Colin. I did that again today, though he's pretty big and wiggly now at over 22 pounds.
Colin has soft brown hair with blond highlights around his temples and the cutest little curl at the nape of his neck, just like his older brother had. His hands are big (that was the first thing the midwife commented on!) and blue, blue eyes that draw remarks from perfect strangers on a regular basis. He loves to eat and is still an adventurous diner for the time being. Drinking from a cup is his current joy at the table. And there is no other person he'd rather play with or emulate than Christopher. In Colin's eyes, Christopher is the funniest, fastest, awesom-est, rad-est boy on the Earth and he can't wait to grow up and catch up to him. He can play roll the ball, loves peek-a-boo (in fact, thinks it's part of the dining experience since we always seem to play with our napkins towards the end of dinner), waves hello and bye-bye emphatically, wants to be held - mostly by Mama - 100% of the time, and clearly says, "Mamamama" when excited to see me or when the going gets rough. He's a smiler and a kisser. No complaints here!
He's a keeper, that one.
The forecast for tonight projects a low of 38 degrees. Would it be too dramatic to go outside and wrap a blankie around the few green tomatoes on the vine? I've had so few this year and it seems sad to see armfuls of potential red sauce bite the dust. I guess Mother Nature had her own plans this year. I'll make sure I have stronger seedlings ready to go next year.
In this last week, with the start of the new school year and the distinct change in season, I have had many de ja vu moments recalling where I was at this precise time *last* year. Colin was so new -- he pretty much sailed in with (on?) the fall wind.
When I look at the honey-colored sun coming through the windows at a low slant in the afternoons, I remember sitting in the sun room watching Mike and Christopher raking the first falling leaves and nursing a teeny tiny Colin. I did that again today, though he's pretty big and wiggly now at over 22 pounds.
Colin has soft brown hair with blond highlights around his temples and the cutest little curl at the nape of his neck, just like his older brother had. His hands are big (that was the first thing the midwife commented on!) and blue, blue eyes that draw remarks from perfect strangers on a regular basis. He loves to eat and is still an adventurous diner for the time being. Drinking from a cup is his current joy at the table. And there is no other person he'd rather play with or emulate than Christopher. In Colin's eyes, Christopher is the funniest, fastest, awesom-est, rad-est boy on the Earth and he can't wait to grow up and catch up to him. He can play roll the ball, loves peek-a-boo (in fact, thinks it's part of the dining experience since we always seem to play with our napkins towards the end of dinner), waves hello and bye-bye emphatically, wants to be held - mostly by Mama - 100% of the time, and clearly says, "Mamamama" when excited to see me or when the going gets rough. He's a smiler and a kisser. No complaints here!
He's a keeper, that one.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Late summer itch/ramble.
It's almost back-to-school time. The shift from late to summer to early fall is everywhere. The mornings are chillier, making for perfect running weather and the kids wear sweatshirts with blankets tucked in around their legs when we take them out in the jogger. The tomato plants are brimming with green tomatoes (which will hopefully turn bright red after the next three days of heat!). The kids are growing out and wearing out their summer clothes and shoes just in time for new footwear that will keep piggy toes warm and tops and bottoms that will protect arms and legs from ginormous piles of fallen leaves. I've started to have fleeting thoughts of squash soup and applesauce.
And I have the purge itch.
A general notice to all items within the house:
Watch out if you aren't nailed down. If you don't prove yourself to have both form and function, you may find yourself listed on Freecycle or sitting on my front porch waiting for the donation truck to sweep you away.
Favorite things to purge: toys, clothes, superfluous kitchen items, things in storage which aren't ever taken OUT of storage, more toys, and more clothes. This fall, I also need to Freecycle a bag or two of fabric and perhaps some yarn. You know, get real about what projects I actually want/need to do.
I find that my kitchen inspiration changes greatly towards the end of the summer, as well. I find that if I listen to my palate's whims, it pushes me to follow the season's directions. So, I pulled Patricia Wells's At Home in Provence* off the shelf earlier today and earmarked the Crustless Onion Quiche and the Tomato Clafoutis. I'd also like to make a huge Vegetable Tian in the next few weeks and a Tomato Tart (I need a goat for a constant supply of goat cheese, please). The thyme in the garden is going bonkers, so that should add a nice touch to all of the above.
Ooh. And maybe some gazpacho. And some popsicles. And and and...
We have a wide-open, unplanned weekend coming up and I'm pretty excited about it. The weather will be warm and the beach will be calling. The garden will be waiting for us, too. Time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Ahhh.
*Normally, I'd question a book on Provencal cooking that is written by an American. However, this was gifted to me by a friend who lives in Aix-en-Provence and she swears it's one of the best resources in her cookbook library. Several years ago, Mike and I were treated to the most delicious stay at her family's beautiful home in Provence. The only specific plans that Nathalie made for the week was what we'd have for dinner every night. On the first evening we arrived, she had made the simplest, most elegant quiche I have ever eaten. It was gorgeous and so yummy. In honor of that wonderful memory (friends and food, conversation and catching up, warm summer air and a cheese course to blow your mind to finish it off...!), tonight we're having quiche with tomatoes from the garden - all shapes, sizes and colors - and I'll throw in some chard and kale because god knows we have plenty of that.
And I have the purge itch.
A general notice to all items within the house:
Watch out if you aren't nailed down. If you don't prove yourself to have both form and function, you may find yourself listed on Freecycle or sitting on my front porch waiting for the donation truck to sweep you away.
Favorite things to purge: toys, clothes, superfluous kitchen items, things in storage which aren't ever taken OUT of storage, more toys, and more clothes. This fall, I also need to Freecycle a bag or two of fabric and perhaps some yarn. You know, get real about what projects I actually want/need to do.
I find that my kitchen inspiration changes greatly towards the end of the summer, as well. I find that if I listen to my palate's whims, it pushes me to follow the season's directions. So, I pulled Patricia Wells's At Home in Provence* off the shelf earlier today and earmarked the Crustless Onion Quiche and the Tomato Clafoutis. I'd also like to make a huge Vegetable Tian in the next few weeks and a Tomato Tart (I need a goat for a constant supply of goat cheese, please). The thyme in the garden is going bonkers, so that should add a nice touch to all of the above.
Ooh. And maybe some gazpacho. And some popsicles. And and and...
We have a wide-open, unplanned weekend coming up and I'm pretty excited about it. The weather will be warm and the beach will be calling. The garden will be waiting for us, too. Time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Ahhh.
*Normally, I'd question a book on Provencal cooking that is written by an American. However, this was gifted to me by a friend who lives in Aix-en-Provence and she swears it's one of the best resources in her cookbook library. Several years ago, Mike and I were treated to the most delicious stay at her family's beautiful home in Provence. The only specific plans that Nathalie made for the week was what we'd have for dinner every night. On the first evening we arrived, she had made the simplest, most elegant quiche I have ever eaten. It was gorgeous and so yummy. In honor of that wonderful memory (friends and food, conversation and catching up, warm summer air and a cheese course to blow your mind to finish it off...!), tonight we're having quiche with tomatoes from the garden - all shapes, sizes and colors - and I'll throw in some chard and kale because god knows we have plenty of that.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Clarity
It's blissful when they both take naps at the same time. Ahhh... clarity and peace.
I want to sign up and do this online course about sewing with knits. Fun!
I want to sign up and do this online course about sewing with knits. Fun!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
On my list
This past weekend we stumbled on the coolest event at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, the annual Kite Festival! It was awesome and we all enjoyed the expert kite fliers. There's something about a soaring kite that literally and figuratively lifts a person up. We'll be on the lookout for it next year!
I always see something new that I want to grown in my garden when we visit the CBG. This time, I spotted some Velvet Queen Sunflowers. I want to grow armfuls of them!
Clearly, I need to live on a big piece of property with lots of room for a biiiig garden. Preferably smack in the middle of a city like New York. That's possible, right?!
I always see something new that I want to grown in my garden when we visit the CBG. This time, I spotted some Velvet Queen Sunflowers. I want to grow armfuls of them!
Clearly, I need to live on a big piece of property with lots of room for a biiiig garden. Preferably smack in the middle of a city like New York. That's possible, right?!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Edible summer
Today, I shared summer meals with my favorite people. Sitting at the dining room table or outside on a picnic blanket, enjoying each other's faces and stories (or babbling!) - this is my favorite place to be in the summertime.
:: Strawberries and blueberries and raspberries - oh my! - piled high atop granola and yogurt for breakfast.
:: Mangoes so juicy that their sweet slices slip from the grasp of baby, toddler and adult fingers alike.
:: Green smoothies* with kale and chard plucked moments earlier. "Mama, I want some more smoothie, please!" (Um... YES!)
:: The last of our sharp Wisconsin cheddar brought home from our summer vacation.
:: New red potatoes smothered in chunky pesto made from our garden's early season basil.
:: Crisp, clean lemon cucumbers and our first three plum tomatoes made a salad.
:: Sweet cherries in the Cherry Chomper (endless entertainment for all four of us).
:: A big bowl of shelled edamame ("mamies").
:: Fresh Mint Chip Frozen Yogurt. Mint from the garden, producing the closest thing to BerryLine that I've tasted in the last 3 years. Takes me back to memories of hot summer nights strolling Mass Ave in Cambridge. Ahhh...
:: A cup of Lemon Verbena tea (my favorite, most under-utilized herb to grow) to sip and listen to the cicadas.
August. Summer at its excruciating peak. Too hot to handle were it not for the glorious things happening in the garden and thus, on my plate!!!
*I've started to do more of this in light of the massive amount of greens we have in the garden. I'm happy to report that the hype is true: they are quite delicious and uber nutritious. (Plus, it's fun when they're bright-Kryptonite-green.) My recipe today: 1C water, 2 ice cubes, 1 frozen banana, 7 huge leaves of kale, and 1 mango. Blend into oblivion. It's really refreshing and the best part is that Christopher and Colin love them, too.
:: Strawberries and blueberries and raspberries - oh my! - piled high atop granola and yogurt for breakfast.
:: Mangoes so juicy that their sweet slices slip from the grasp of baby, toddler and adult fingers alike.
:: Green smoothies* with kale and chard plucked moments earlier. "Mama, I want some more smoothie, please!" (Um... YES!)
:: The last of our sharp Wisconsin cheddar brought home from our summer vacation.
:: New red potatoes smothered in chunky pesto made from our garden's early season basil.
:: Crisp, clean lemon cucumbers and our first three plum tomatoes made a salad.
:: Sweet cherries in the Cherry Chomper (endless entertainment for all four of us).
:: A big bowl of shelled edamame ("mamies").
:: Fresh Mint Chip Frozen Yogurt. Mint from the garden, producing the closest thing to BerryLine that I've tasted in the last 3 years. Takes me back to memories of hot summer nights strolling Mass Ave in Cambridge. Ahhh...
:: A cup of Lemon Verbena tea (my favorite, most under-utilized herb to grow) to sip and listen to the cicadas.
August. Summer at its excruciating peak. Too hot to handle were it not for the glorious things happening in the garden and thus, on my plate!!!
*I've started to do more of this in light of the massive amount of greens we have in the garden. I'm happy to report that the hype is true: they are quite delicious and uber nutritious. (Plus, it's fun when they're bright-Kryptonite-green.) My recipe today: 1C water, 2 ice cubes, 1 frozen banana, 7 huge leaves of kale, and 1 mango. Blend into oblivion. It's really refreshing and the best part is that Christopher and Colin love them, too.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Give.
Some of our dearest family friends are walking by their daughter's side as she goes head to head with Leukemia. Ellie's diagnosis and brave spirit has affected all of us deeply. And with the distance between our homes, it is often hard to know how to help. What to do. What to say.
Luckily, our friends Polly and Jeff are do-ers. And right now they're offering everyone a chance to do something. Jeff is fundraising for a very special place called Camp Okizu by running the Feather Falls Run in Davis, CA on Sunday, Sept. 9th. He is training his buns off for the 5K and has made biiiiiig promises about his time. :) I know he'll beat his own goal and I wish we could be there to make a hell of a lot of noise and cheer him on.
To help Jeff reach his fundraising goal, CLICK HERE!
If you'd like to read more about Ellie's battle, please read Jeff's blog love4ellie.blogspot.com. He writes brazenly and compassionately about his experiences parenting a child fighting Leukemia.
To read more about Camp Okizu - CLICK HERE.
To read about the Feather Falls Run - CLICK HERE.
Luckily, our friends Polly and Jeff are do-ers. And right now they're offering everyone a chance to do something. Jeff is fundraising for a very special place called Camp Okizu by running the Feather Falls Run in Davis, CA on Sunday, Sept. 9th. He is training his buns off for the 5K and has made biiiiiig promises about his time. :) I know he'll beat his own goal and I wish we could be there to make a hell of a lot of noise and cheer him on.
Go Jeff! Go Ellie! Kick some cancer ass.
If you'd like to read more about Ellie's battle, please read Jeff's blog love4ellie.blogspot.com. He writes brazenly and compassionately about his experiences parenting a child fighting Leukemia.
To read more about Camp Okizu - CLICK HERE.
To read about the Feather Falls Run - CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Screen time
This isn't a diatribe on screen time or TV or media, etc... if you know us, you know how we tend to run things around here. Screen time for the kids is limited - some might say heavily. Mike and I, on the other hand, could stand to get our heads out of our smartphones more often!
Regardless, I saw this and thought it was very clever. Makes a good point without any finger-wagging.
This is especially relevant to us at this moment because Christopher has begun (demanded?!) to read to US! Yep. We are allowed to read books on loan from the library (because he hasn't read them, yet!), but otherwise he reads to us. He follows the words on the page with his pointer finger and reads aloud to all of us. His favorites are Goodnight Moon and Freight Train. We have large lap editions of these which make it easier for him to follow the words and really take in the story while he reads. It's fascinating watching his infatuation with numbers and letters. Unlocking more and more of that secret code every day.
Regardless, I saw this and thought it was very clever. Makes a good point without any finger-wagging.
This is especially relevant to us at this moment because Christopher has begun (demanded?!) to read to US! Yep. We are allowed to read books on loan from the library (because he hasn't read them, yet!), but otherwise he reads to us. He follows the words on the page with his pointer finger and reads aloud to all of us. His favorites are Goodnight Moon and Freight Train. We have large lap editions of these which make it easier for him to follow the words and really take in the story while he reads. It's fascinating watching his infatuation with numbers and letters. Unlocking more and more of that secret code every day.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Blåbær
We had our family's summer vacation last week. It's a week just for Us. And we love it that way.
Admittedly, the word "vacation" used to imply hours upon hours of uninterrupted, blissful sleep, quiet time for reading or spacing out, and leisurely evenings of adult beverages and decadent meals for Mike and me. When we grew bored of our own laziness, we'd go see a few big sights or shuffle through a museum. (You know... when in Rome... literally...)
Times have certainly changed... but we still know how to have fun! Last week, we were treated to hours of splashing in the lake, hikes in the forest and many trips to the ice cream shop. We'll take it. The day will soon come when they don't search us out for playtime every waking minute and Mike and I will be able to go back to our 3-week long European adventures. For now, though, a week at the lake with our kids is Just Right for us. All of us.
We did watch a few movies after the kids were in bed, and I read a very engrossing novel, and also managed to squeeze in a bit of car knitting. Mike and the kids went for jogs in the state park almost every morning and were treated to one very close and memorable deer sighting one morning. Those are the perks to a 6:15am run, right?! We did some cherry picking as Door County is famous for their sour cherry season and we happened to be there right in the middle of it. The cherries are pitted and waiting in the freezer. I'm thinking of making a Sour Cherry Slab Pie this weekend. That is, if it's not over 90 degrees. It's hard to justify oven use (even for pie) when it's over 90 degrees and humid.
Earlier this week, Michigan blueberries hit the store in full force. While making jam (and doling out handfuls of berries to two little hungry mouths), I realized that my happy blueberry memories now cover three parts of the country.
2002 - Mike and I took a 2 week camping/hiking trip through Northern California and Oregon. We hiked and camped our way through some beautiful settings. We spontaneously picked a big paper shopping bag full of blueberries one afternoon at the foot of Mount Hood. They were as big as marbles and tasted of utter blueberry perfection. We snacked on them while driving along the gorgeous Columbia River enroute to Portland and I can still remember how delicious they were after a night of camping in our cast-iron-griddled pancakes.
2008 - Living in Boston, we took a day trip up to a favorite New Hampshire town: Portsmouth. Following a friend's tip, we visited a wonderful little farm that grew several varieties of blueberries. Intensely flavored and meant for pie, I made a few mean desserts that summer. It was as close as I ever got to my Maine blueberry picking fantasy.
2012 - I didn't pick the berries that I jammed earlier this week, but I mean to get around to doing so in the next few years. Michigan blueberries are the best in this part of the country and that's just a few hours around the lake... I think that Christopher and Colin would enjoy nothing more than standing with a pail in front of rows upon rows of berry bushes just waiting for their tastebuds and curious fingers.
Maybe next year.
Until then, I'm thinking I need to bake up a batch of cream scones this weekend to fully enjoy this loveliness.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Friday...
On Fridays I feel my thoughts gathering and my plans for the weekend get totally out of hand. I review the past week in my head and start to dream about the myriad tasks I'll surely be able to do over the weekend with another set of hands to help me wrangle the little guys. Ah well, better to go in the direction of optimism, right?!
Here are a few things I'd hoped to share with the blog over the past week:
-- Would someone please remind me to plan for successive plantings of lettuce and other greens next year in May when I'm feeling all plant-ish and over-zealous? I do love salad, but man... we have a lot of salad right now. Not to mention chard and kale. You will recognize me by my green-tinge and iron rich glow.
-- I'd like to add a few of these to my kitchen walls.
-- I really, really, really appreciated this post by one of my favorite bloggers. Seriously. Be kind to each other, ladies.
-- The Birkenstock-wearing, had-my-baby-in-my-bathtub side of me thinks it'd be super fun to visit this place someday. In the meantime, this movie will provide a peek into the place that resurrected a mindset that I embrace and for which I feel very deep gratitude.
-- I am looking forward to the Fourth of July! Bring on the parade and the streamers and the decorated Red Flyer wagons. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Here are a few things I'd hoped to share with the blog over the past week:
-- Would someone please remind me to plan for successive plantings of lettuce and other greens next year in May when I'm feeling all plant-ish and over-zealous? I do love salad, but man... we have a lot of salad right now. Not to mention chard and kale. You will recognize me by my green-tinge and iron rich glow.
-- I'd like to add a few of these to my kitchen walls.
-- I really, really, really appreciated this post by one of my favorite bloggers. Seriously. Be kind to each other, ladies.
-- The Birkenstock-wearing, had-my-baby-in-my-bathtub side of me thinks it'd be super fun to visit this place someday. In the meantime, this movie will provide a peek into the place that resurrected a mindset that I embrace and for which I feel very deep gratitude.
-- I am looking forward to the Fourth of July! Bring on the parade and the streamers and the decorated Red Flyer wagons. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Three.
1. Sometimes I love email. Sometimes I really dislike it.
2. I acquired a "thing" that I love! It hangs out on my oven door handle and makes me happy. Here it is.
3. Today was a hot, sticky day that was at times hard and at times fun. One of the sweetest moments was peeking into the dining room to see two little boy bodies waiting for their lunches, clad only in colorful diapers, cooling off from a morning outside and giggling together. I snapped a mental picture.
2. I acquired a "thing" that I love! It hangs out on my oven door handle and makes me happy. Here it is.
3. Today was a hot, sticky day that was at times hard and at times fun. One of the sweetest moments was peeking into the dining room to see two little boy bodies waiting for their lunches, clad only in colorful diapers, cooling off from a morning outside and giggling together. I snapped a mental picture.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Happy Father's Day!
We love our resident Dad.***
This morning at 7:30am he was pushing the double jogger in the annual Race Against Hate so that all four of us could participate (I would have been much slower if I'd been behind that thing for 3.1 miles!).
Then he and Christopher zipped over to the pool for the first of their summer Sunday morning swim classes with buddy Wally and his daddy. The post-swim account was enthusiastic and included descriptions of "lots of BIG jumps, Mama!"
We had a picnic lunch outside with a few ticklefests to show him how much we love him and then he took a well-deserved afternoon nap (as did Christopher, woo hoo!).
Post-snooze, we went to Hartigan's for his favorite summer treat: a Cookies 'n Cream milkshake. We all enjoyed frozen yummies... except for Colin, who was asleep on Daddy's back in the Ergo for the whole trip.
We finished up the afternoon with BBQ and waterplay in the backyard. He grilled up some veggies in his new grill basket. We're looking forward to using that a lot this summer.
Super Dad brought the day to a close with little boy baths, singing the ABC's for toothbrush time, and now I can hear him in the other room reading a book about trains and counting.
Gooooo Daddy! You're awesome, Babe. Can't imagine this wild ride alongside anyone else.
***Our non-resident (Grand)Dads rock, too! One is celebrating with BBQ. The other one got to spend a long weekend at the US Open with much of my extended family. Wish we were there... sniffle!
This morning at 7:30am he was pushing the double jogger in the annual Race Against Hate so that all four of us could participate (I would have been much slower if I'd been behind that thing for 3.1 miles!).
Then he and Christopher zipped over to the pool for the first of their summer Sunday morning swim classes with buddy Wally and his daddy. The post-swim account was enthusiastic and included descriptions of "lots of BIG jumps, Mama!"
We had a picnic lunch outside with a few ticklefests to show him how much we love him and then he took a well-deserved afternoon nap (as did Christopher, woo hoo!).
Post-snooze, we went to Hartigan's for his favorite summer treat: a Cookies 'n Cream milkshake. We all enjoyed frozen yummies... except for Colin, who was asleep on Daddy's back in the Ergo for the whole trip.
We finished up the afternoon with BBQ and waterplay in the backyard. He grilled up some veggies in his new grill basket. We're looking forward to using that a lot this summer.
Super Dad brought the day to a close with little boy baths, singing the ABC's for toothbrush time, and now I can hear him in the other room reading a book about trains and counting.
Gooooo Daddy! You're awesome, Babe. Can't imagine this wild ride alongside anyone else.
***Our non-resident (Grand)Dads rock, too! One is celebrating with BBQ. The other one got to spend a long weekend at the US Open with much of my extended family. Wish we were there... sniffle!
Friday, June 15, 2012
On my radar :: right now
With the season change, I've found myself with less time to blog... being outside in the hot sun zaps our energy, we're trying to stay extra busy during the unplanned summer days, and the toddler isn't napping these days (perhaps the biggest travesty of them all!).
And so, when I think of things I'd like to share here, it starts to feel like a list of bullet points. My Hipstamatic endeavor dried up late last month, so maybe I can manage a few bullet pointed lists as the summer plods along.
In the meantime, here's a prosier update on what we've been doing:
I've been reading in my spare moments. Bringing Up Bebe was very interesting and I'm now reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. I can't believe it's taken me so long to read this one. I'm entrenched in an education on the politics of corn at the moment. It makes me want to grow everything I might ever eat in my own backyard. You can't eat lovely grass, you know...
I'm working on new rep and continuing work with a local composer for a cd recording. When I can snag a few lucid minutes after bedtime, I'm sewing skirts, doll quilts for little friends' birthday parties, and a set of numbers and letters for Christopher.
Speaking of numbers and letters, Christopher's awareness of them has grown exponentially over the last few weeks. His eyes and mind are making a billion new connections each day and he's continually asking us to talk about individual letters and sounds. I'm excited for him. It must feel like he's unlocking a secret code.
Colin is, in a word: scrumptious. He claps and is thrilled with himself. He has just figured out that we've been signing the word "more" to him at mealtimes and now uses the sign himself. He gets a kick out of seeing us respond. (Looks very much like the baby's sign in the linked video.) He scoots and inches himself around the floor quietly and determinedly. I have a feeling we'll discover that he can walk when he just ambles into the room and says, "hey guys," a few months from now.
Mike continues to guide his lab here and to travel around the world, in demand by universities, international advisory boards, companies, and funding agencies. We're all too adept at hearing him sneak out for a 6am flight and help unpack his bags when he arrives home late in the evening a day or two later. Changing The World racks up a lot of frequent flyer miles. Who knew?!
I hope your summer is off to a great start.
And so, when I think of things I'd like to share here, it starts to feel like a list of bullet points. My Hipstamatic endeavor dried up late last month, so maybe I can manage a few bullet pointed lists as the summer plods along.
In the meantime, here's a prosier update on what we've been doing:
I've been reading in my spare moments. Bringing Up Bebe was very interesting and I'm now reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. I can't believe it's taken me so long to read this one. I'm entrenched in an education on the politics of corn at the moment. It makes me want to grow everything I might ever eat in my own backyard. You can't eat lovely grass, you know...
I'm working on new rep and continuing work with a local composer for a cd recording. When I can snag a few lucid minutes after bedtime, I'm sewing skirts, doll quilts for little friends' birthday parties, and a set of numbers and letters for Christopher.
Speaking of numbers and letters, Christopher's awareness of them has grown exponentially over the last few weeks. His eyes and mind are making a billion new connections each day and he's continually asking us to talk about individual letters and sounds. I'm excited for him. It must feel like he's unlocking a secret code.
Colin is, in a word: scrumptious. He claps and is thrilled with himself. He has just figured out that we've been signing the word "more" to him at mealtimes and now uses the sign himself. He gets a kick out of seeing us respond. (Looks very much like the baby's sign in the linked video.) He scoots and inches himself around the floor quietly and determinedly. I have a feeling we'll discover that he can walk when he just ambles into the room and says, "hey guys," a few months from now.
Mike continues to guide his lab here and to travel around the world, in demand by universities, international advisory boards, companies, and funding agencies. We're all too adept at hearing him sneak out for a 6am flight and help unpack his bags when he arrives home late in the evening a day or two later. Changing The World racks up a lot of frequent flyer miles. Who knew?!
I hope your summer is off to a great start.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
2012 Garden
My garden schematic for this year (click for bigger):
To be honest, much of this has changed. Along the way, I made changes realizing I had too many squash plants or not enough tomatoes (never!) or to just leave room for any other spontaneous veggie acquisitions later in the season.
Also, some of the beds were planted with Christopher's help and as a result, they are a little less organized than last year (read: I'll have to wait until things grow up a bit more to figure out what is where).
Things are growing - we had our first green salad from the garden tonight. Fresh garden lettuce is so tender. It was delicious. And we had a small snack of strawberries from our little berry patch this morning after watering the beds. That's always fun. Amazing how sweet and juicy they were... if I only lived on a few acres... the things I could grow!!!
Also, some of the beds were planted with Christopher's help and as a result, they are a little less organized than last year (read: I'll have to wait until things grow up a bit more to figure out what is where).
Things are growing - we had our first green salad from the garden tonight. Fresh garden lettuce is so tender. It was delicious. And we had a small snack of strawberries from our little berry patch this morning after watering the beds. That's always fun. Amazing how sweet and juicy they were... if I only lived on a few acres... the things I could grow!!!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Taking requests
This morning at the farmer's market, there was a banjo player picking and strumming while people picked out the last of the peonies, sweet snap peas and fistfuls of asparagus.
The banjo player was taking requests, but he underestimated his audience. When he asked what Christopher wanted to hear, he replied with, "Stevie Wonder." (By which, he means his favorite song "Sir Duke.") The banjo player kind of did a double take and commented, "you have very adult taste in music."
Christopher had to settle for a pretty mediocre rendition of I've Been Working on the Railroad. That's okay, though. I think the guy would have had a hard time with the opening horn riff on that little banjo...
The banjo player was taking requests, but he underestimated his audience. When he asked what Christopher wanted to hear, he replied with, "Stevie Wonder." (By which, he means his favorite song "Sir Duke.") The banjo player kind of did a double take and commented, "you have very adult taste in music."
Christopher had to settle for a pretty mediocre rendition of I've Been Working on the Railroad. That's okay, though. I think the guy would have had a hard time with the opening horn riff on that little banjo...
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Peonies
This year I'm not going to let a single bloom go to waste. It's going to be Pink Peony Heaven inside my house this week.
We don't have any humidity just yet, but the days are warm and the evenings are so lovely. We're spending our time digging and planting and watering and feeling the grass in between our toes. There have been several good excuses for ice cream and we can now enjoy the happy sound of ice cubes clinking around in our glasses. We have also been frequenting the Botanic Gardens for further dirt-related inspiration. It's wonderland for the gardener.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day! I trust that all of the moms out there got to do whatever they fancied and that the rest of you enjoyed spoiling them rotten.
I know for a fact that I have the Best Mom in the Whole World... (and I sincerely hope that everyone else feels the same way about their own mom!)
I know for a fact that I have the Best Mom in the Whole World... (and I sincerely hope that everyone else feels the same way about their own mom!)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Bearded Iris
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
More sewing
Crafting at naptime (after bills and dinner prep and lunch cleanup, etc, etc, etc... of course). It's one of my favorite times of the day. It's definitely my version of a nap. A recharge.
Friday, April 27, 2012
This week...
"Mama! Look at all the flags! Is it a party?"
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Field trip Friday
I like to take the boys out for Friday morning "adventures" even if it's just a long stroll around the neighborhood to drop off dry cleaning and buy a paintbrush at the hardware store.
Yesterday we went to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and had a great time. The Butterfly Haven is captivating for all of us.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Picture it
Reverently deconstructing someone's perfect little stitches to get at the lace needed for a different, special project. I hope that she wouldn't mind... whoever she was...* * *
I also have several little anecdotes that could not be photographed. I hope my pithy descriptions can help you can imagine them, however...
:: Going to sleep under a spring comforter with the sounds of a thunderstorm outside and the gentle breathing of a baby inside.
:: Discovering a new-to-us book with Christopher. We read it frequently and discuss the difference between horns on bulls and antennae on bees. Whew!
:: A new iTunes download which has accompanied my solo-time in the evenings. This group has a sweet spot in my heart.
:: Books taken off the overcrowded shelves upstairs have been sorted into the downstairs bookcases and, of course, into the donation pile.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
pasta magic
With fresh (unintentionally) overwintered parsley from the garden. Nice! We all helped and we all slurped it up. Fun fun fun.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter
Homemade Challah into French Toast
Beautiful blossoms
Dyed eggsWe spent the day outside weeding, hoeing, lugging, shoveling, turning, hauling, clipping, watering, wheelbarrow-ing and enjoying a full day of spring clean up.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Afternoon light
I love our sunroom in the shoulder seasons.Yesterday, at 4:15pm... the couch had been warmed by the afternoon sunlight and a new book from the library beckoned me to sit down.
Of course, both boys woke up about 5 minutes later. Those 5 minutes were *really* nice, though.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Planning.
Going through my seed stash and planning what will go where.
:: Vegetable bed rotation - or crop rotation on a recreational gardening* level.
:: More flowers = more color = more bees = more veggies.
:: No potatoes or onions.
:: More tomatoes. Never too many tomatoes. I had 9 last year... would 12 be too many this year?!
Planning makes me happy. Just ask Mike.
I'm forever saying to him, "so I was thinking that we could..." (Finish that sentence with any number of DIY projects for the house, a trip idea to the Faroe Islands, a new way to reorganize our budget and uncover an additional $10K each month, or just something I read about roasting broccoli for dinner.)
*My alma mater rocks.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Things That Make Me Happy
I'm going to start a little series here on the blog.
See the previous post for the unintentional start to my series.
Along with my little Hipstamatic app, I'm going to post a few things each week that have made me smile. With they be material acquisitions? Material objects that I've decided to forgo? (It is time for a little spring cleaning, after all...) Something that I observe or hear? Or just the feeling of seasons changing? I tend to think that I'm not an object/thing person, but is that just lip service? Hmmm. We shall see.
Presented with the help of Hipstamatic because I think it's fun to feel like I'm looking back at family albums from when I was Colin's age. And this way I get to add personal images to the blog without posting faces (because I'm weird about that, too).
Christopher is very interested in Feelings these days as they have been the topic of conversation at preschool since the new year. How are you feeling? What makes you feel that way? Etc etc. We frequently hear him asking Teddy how he is feeling. Teddy has a very wide range of emotions, wouldn't you know. :)
See the previous post for the unintentional start to my series.
Along with my little Hipstamatic app, I'm going to post a few things each week that have made me smile. With they be material acquisitions? Material objects that I've decided to forgo? (It is time for a little spring cleaning, after all...) Something that I observe or hear? Or just the feeling of seasons changing? I tend to think that I'm not an object/thing person, but is that just lip service? Hmmm. We shall see.
Presented with the help of Hipstamatic because I think it's fun to feel like I'm looking back at family albums from when I was Colin's age. And this way I get to add personal images to the blog without posting faces (because I'm weird about that, too).
Christopher is very interested in Feelings these days as they have been the topic of conversation at preschool since the new year. How are you feeling? What makes you feel that way? Etc etc. We frequently hear him asking Teddy how he is feeling. Teddy has a very wide range of emotions, wouldn't you know. :)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Apps and Napps
Nothing says Spring like a glass full of daffodils in the afternoon sunshine.
A long-awaited day off has been made sweeter by the indulgence of a new app (I'm about 3 years late to the Hipstamatic Party) and well-aligned afternoon naps.
A long-awaited day off has been made sweeter by the indulgence of a new app (I'm about 3 years late to the Hipstamatic Party) and well-aligned afternoon naps.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Buttons and crackers.
Christopher got his hair cut last week at an overpriced kiddie salon that I only shell out for when absolutely necessary (read: he's been there 3 times in his life and I do the in-between trimmings, for better or worse...). The stylist wanted to use an electric razor on the back of his neck and over his ears to really clean him up and so he let her. He's pretty trusting. Plus, he was distracted by the video playing in front of him. The stylist had cued up a Thomas the Train movie for him on the little DVD player and he was captivated by that. The cut came out nicely, if a bit short for my taste. I do love it when it's just long enough to still see some of his curl. Ah well - it should last us until the end of summer!
Afterwards, I asked him what he thought about the haircut and he told me, "She was pushing my buttons and cracking my neck, Mama."
I think he meant the DVD player buttons and the shaving/buzzing of the razor, but it was pretty darn funny.
* * * * *
Before leaving his bedroom tonight after stories and rocking and songs, I asked what he was going to dream about and he enthusiastically told me, "Playdoh! And cheese... and crackers!" Preschool is tomorrow and I think he's looking forward to it.
I'm so glad that I have another little one who will go through this stage in exactly two years from now. Though the rough moments of toddlerdom are indeed, rough, there are moments like these that are so sweetly wonderful.
Afterwards, I asked him what he thought about the haircut and he told me, "She was pushing my buttons and cracking my neck, Mama."
I think he meant the DVD player buttons and the shaving/buzzing of the razor, but it was pretty darn funny.
* * * * *
Before leaving his bedroom tonight after stories and rocking and songs, I asked what he was going to dream about and he enthusiastically told me, "Playdoh! And cheese... and crackers!" Preschool is tomorrow and I think he's looking forward to it.
I'm so glad that I have another little one who will go through this stage in exactly two years from now. Though the rough moments of toddlerdom are indeed, rough, there are moments like these that are so sweetly wonderful.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Nice stuff
- Little boys in matching monkey pj's.
- This dress from Boden. And if I had that dress... I'd need a trip (for two, please) to:
- France. Nice, please.
- Teeth *after* they've cut through. We're in the pre-cut phase right now and it's brutal. Poor babe.
- My first baby. The Black 2000 Honda Civic EX. She quietly passed the 100K mile mark without my noticing sometime in the last few months. She's at 100.8K right now and deserves a post devoted entirely to her alone. Coming soon.
- Downton Abbey. I don't ever want it to end. And I want all of Lady Mary's dresses.
- The aforementioned with an accompanying cup of Yorkshire Tea. At about 2pm. While two little boys are sleeping. Ahhhh.
- Good fabric and good yarn.
- A vocal coaching... the first one in 2+ years. Too long.
- A rippingly good High C. :)
- My yearly Valentine's Day poem. Better than any gift or box of chocolates out there.
- Vegetable garden planning. Easy to do around here with the lack of snow we've had this winter.
- This dress from Boden. And if I had that dress... I'd need a trip (for two, please) to:
- France. Nice, please.
- Teeth *after* they've cut through. We're in the pre-cut phase right now and it's brutal. Poor babe.
- My first baby. The Black 2000 Honda Civic EX. She quietly passed the 100K mile mark without my noticing sometime in the last few months. She's at 100.8K right now and deserves a post devoted entirely to her alone. Coming soon.
- Downton Abbey. I don't ever want it to end. And I want all of Lady Mary's dresses.
- The aforementioned with an accompanying cup of Yorkshire Tea. At about 2pm. While two little boys are sleeping. Ahhhh.
- Good fabric and good yarn.
- A vocal coaching... the first one in 2+ years. Too long.
- A rippingly good High C. :)
- My yearly Valentine's Day poem. Better than any gift or box of chocolates out there.
- Vegetable garden planning. Easy to do around here with the lack of snow we've had this winter.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The winter that wasn't.
We made a mad dash to the local children's consignment store late last week in search of rain boots for muddy outdoor play. The combo of next-to-zero snowfall and winter sunshine has created the most boot-sucking, shoe-sole-caking, super-duper-cold mud... it feels like spring! However, spring this is not, and so we picked up a pair of bright yellow fireman rain boots to save the snow boots and the sneakers from doing all the heavy duty mud work. You should have seen Christopher's face when a Real! Live! Fireman! commented on his fireman rain boots at the grocery store last weekend. AMAZING. Worth every second hand penny I paid.
Colin is a drooling, finger-gnawing gigglepants except for when he's fussing because his gums hurt. I can just sense those first chompers will be coming through soon. He's 5 months old now and my favorite parts of the day are when he and Christopher have giggle fits together. They just laugh at each other... it's a cackling-giggling-heart-tickling circle of little boy laughter.
The Things They Say
Recently: "Daddy, turn off the wind." "Mama, make a train appear."
It's good to be regarded with the powers of a super hero.
Colin is a drooling, finger-gnawing gigglepants except for when he's fussing because his gums hurt. I can just sense those first chompers will be coming through soon. He's 5 months old now and my favorite parts of the day are when he and Christopher have giggle fits together. They just laugh at each other... it's a cackling-giggling-heart-tickling circle of little boy laughter.
The Things They Say
Recently: "Daddy, turn off the wind." "Mama, make a train appear."
It's good to be regarded with the powers of a super hero.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Checklist
4" - 6" of white, airy snow -- check.
Head-to-toe snowsuit with boots/hat/mitten combo -- check.
Saucer (extra slick model) -- check.
Energetic and equally excited Daddy -- check.
Small hill to throw one's self down on aforementioned saucer -- check.
Daredevil 2 year old who insists on going alone... face first -- check.
Adorable 4 month old immobilized from layers and a red bunting -- check.
Homemade hot chocolate waiting upon arrival at home -- check.
Long hot bath -- check.
Early bedtime -- check.
Pile of firewood for first fire of the winter -- check.
A truly wonderful weekend day.
Head-to-toe snowsuit with boots/hat/mitten combo -- check.
Saucer (extra slick model) -- check.
Energetic and equally excited Daddy -- check.
Small hill to throw one's self down on aforementioned saucer -- check.
Daredevil 2 year old who insists on going alone... face first -- check.
Adorable 4 month old immobilized from layers and a red bunting -- check.
Homemade hot chocolate waiting upon arrival at home -- check.
Long hot bath -- check.
Early bedtime -- check.
Pile of firewood for first fire of the winter -- check.
A truly wonderful weekend day.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Jan 10th
Can it really be January 10th? This isn't a quickie post about "where has the time gone?" (but really - where has it gone? My baby is 4 months old!), rather a post about the weather.
Ho hum and boring, you say.
No! This is seriously crazy stuff! It's 50 degrees out there today! And tomorrow it will be ever so slightly higher! All of you scared Californians really should come and visit in January, as it turns out. It's a very balmy month. Lovely, in fact.
We had some friends over to play this morning and we really should have been outside at a park, but we just weren't mobile fast enough. Maybe we'll hit the park post-preschool tomorrow...
Provided winter doesn't hang on until Memorial Day, I really am ready for a bit of snow. It'll justify a fire in the fireplace and all of my new wool socks. 50 is fleece vest weather. 20 is North Face parka weather. It's January 10th. Bring it.
Dear Mother Nature: This is not a request for a blizzard.
Respectfully yours,
Megan
Ho hum and boring, you say.
No! This is seriously crazy stuff! It's 50 degrees out there today! And tomorrow it will be ever so slightly higher! All of you scared Californians really should come and visit in January, as it turns out. It's a very balmy month. Lovely, in fact.
We had some friends over to play this morning and we really should have been outside at a park, but we just weren't mobile fast enough. Maybe we'll hit the park post-preschool tomorrow...
Provided winter doesn't hang on until Memorial Day, I really am ready for a bit of snow. It'll justify a fire in the fireplace and all of my new wool socks. 50 is fleece vest weather. 20 is North Face parka weather. It's January 10th. Bring it.
Dear Mother Nature: This is not a request for a blizzard.
Respectfully yours,
Megan
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Anew and right now
It's possible that New Year's may very well be my favorite holiday. Or at least a close runner up to Thanksgiving (I do love all that delicious cooking). No gifts... no pretense... and I must say that I do not feel pressure to be at the perfect party in the perfect dress with the perfect kiss at midnight. I've got that last one covered 365 days a year and the previous qualifications just don't matter anymore.
And so... here we are in 2012. It's refreshing to make new plans and even better to remind myself that This Moment is for now - only now. So, we should enjoy to our heart's content before it's over.
On New Year's Eve Day, Mike and Christopher and I sat at the breakfast table while Colin happily hung out in his bouncy chair. We talked about our favorite things from 2011. When we shared them, we realized that our favorites were the same.
Colin's birth came in at #1, not surprisingly. Labor Day 2011 was just magical. We woke up a family of 3 and went to sleep that night as a family of 4, all within our own home's walls. He's healthy and smiley, cooing and wiggling, bright-eyed and loving. We couldn't imagine anything more.
Our #2 favorite was our family vacation in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Seven straight days of walks and hikes and bike rides and lazy afternoon naps and toe-dipping in the lake. This was the second most precious memory to both Mike and me. One whole week of basking in the warm summer, complete with toddler toes and drippy ice cream cones. Just us. Bliss.
We've got a lot planned for 2012, but for right now I'm trying to remember to use/experience/relish whatever moment I'm in, just like my toddler does. In fact, I think that my baby knows how to do this better than I do, too. Trust me, if you could be on the receiving end of one of his heart-crushing giggles, you'd know what I mean.
And so... here we are in 2012. It's refreshing to make new plans and even better to remind myself that This Moment is for now - only now. So, we should enjoy to our heart's content before it's over.
On New Year's Eve Day, Mike and Christopher and I sat at the breakfast table while Colin happily hung out in his bouncy chair. We talked about our favorite things from 2011. When we shared them, we realized that our favorites were the same.
Colin's birth came in at #1, not surprisingly. Labor Day 2011 was just magical. We woke up a family of 3 and went to sleep that night as a family of 4, all within our own home's walls. He's healthy and smiley, cooing and wiggling, bright-eyed and loving. We couldn't imagine anything more.
Our #2 favorite was our family vacation in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Seven straight days of walks and hikes and bike rides and lazy afternoon naps and toe-dipping in the lake. This was the second most precious memory to both Mike and me. One whole week of basking in the warm summer, complete with toddler toes and drippy ice cream cones. Just us. Bliss.
We've got a lot planned for 2012, but for right now I'm trying to remember to use/experience/relish whatever moment I'm in, just like my toddler does. In fact, I think that my baby knows how to do this better than I do, too. Trust me, if you could be on the receiving end of one of his heart-crushing giggles, you'd know what I mean.
Happy New Year to you all!
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