Tid Bits

Monday here again, not a bad idea. I'm sitting to crank out a quickie here, and then off and running for the day. Actually, I'll be off for about a week, possibly. After two weeks of cleaning, gardening on the heavy duty scale, and organizing by way of purging in the garage, I'm taking the week off to spend with my boys. I'll still be working on school things with my preschooler but having more fun. I'll outline more of the details after our week of fun-stay tuned.
The weekend wasn't too bad. I finally got the garage set up the way I need it for now, that way I can take a little piece at a time to purge further. The Facebook page for a book exchange is really heavy on my mind, and I think I just might do it. I think it would be best to put the feelers out there with my friends list if anyone would be interested and want to participate. It could be a worthy adventure.
The meal menu for the week is ready to go into Word today, and then posted on the fridge for the week. The new sales flyer for the market sits on the table, items highlighted and ready to go for pickup. I also have some birthday shopping to consider for my oldest, who will be four yrs old soon. Time flies, and it waits for no one.
I'm still plugging away at reading for my first topic of writing. Its going well, and I've highlighted and taken notes on things that stand out. I still have until the first full week of September to compile my info, and then to sit and write about my findings. A week of a break between the final writing of the first installment, with fiction to clear the mind. Then, back to work and onto the next subject of conversation. I will give the link where to find my work once I've posted.
My boys are playing, picking over what's left of breakfast, and I'm ready to sign off here to move onto my next leg of my day-shower, pick up, get ready to move and groove. Its all good, and every day is never boring. Always interesting. ~Momma

We're Almost There

Its Friday. After almost a full week of sorting through my life, which has been in boxes stacked in the garage for the last 4 mos, I'm ready to be done for a little bit. I've been devoting roughly two hrs a day, since Sunday, to this project. I've weeded through boxes and bags of scraps and have accumulated three large lawn and leave bags of things to hit the trash. Nine bags of donations, and a box of books so far that I really don't know what to do with. The idea of creating a book swap page through Facebook is tempting; is there anyone who still enjoys a book in its original form, even if you own an e-book? Food for thought, I suppose.
We've had good weather for the last two days, resulting in trips out of the house to burn off some pent up energy. Not sure what is in store for us today, so we'll take it on the fly. Better to be open-minded on a day when the best events are four hrs of driving in the car; if my boys were more travel ready, we'd already be on the road. Next week, with the heavy duty garage purging aside, we'll be taking the days as they come and enjoying them as fully as we can. I don't want my boys to think that life as an adult is all work and no play; they know mom is doing things, but not quite sure why I'm running from one spot to the next. Right now, the fascination with fixing the vacuum cleaner and helping with sweeping seems to be fun for them.
Next week's menu is already in rough draft; I've picked stuff from the new kids cookbook we have. I just have to put it in Word and print off to hang up. And yes, I will take a picture so my readers can have a peek. I've been thinking about how pictures will enhance what I write about here, and its coming to that time to move ahead and do so. I have done so with my three other blogs in the past, so why not now with this one? I have improvements to do with this page, set up my Google +, and a few other things as well. I have ideas, I just have to sketch them out on paper, put time lines on them with how much work needs to be done, and move forward. Dreaming is great but the real work is what makes it manifest.
Speaking of work, my mate is in process to finish putting new roof shingles down on the house; he did the garage last year, and so far this year, he's done half the house. I'll be glad when this project is done; we still have the backyard to fence in, gardens to improve upon, chickens to add to our urban homestead, and a new backporch to put on. We're extending the porch, and hopefully adding the purgala (not sure if the spelling is correct there) I've been requesting. By the time year five hits for us to be here, this place will look so different from when we first got here. And yes, that's my intentions.
So there, it is. My spun gold for the day. Off to enjoy the day, making the most of it, watching my boys learn and grow, and capturing life's priceless moments to hold close to my heart. The weekend has the promise of sun with the closing of showers; we'll take it. ~Momma

Spinning Straw into Gold August 19

"Stories are medicine....They have such power; they do not require that we do, be, act anything-we need only listen. The remedies for repair or reclamation of any lost psychic drive are contained in stories." -Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.

It's Been a Busy One

Today is blue skies and sunshine after two days of rain and clouds; its been good for the gardens, and good for focusing on other areas of life that need attention. Today, we are shifting gears and diving into the day to enjoy what we've waited for: warmth from the sun and the feel of grass under our feet.
Tuesday's Task Master day was a good one. I've been working on the garage organization since Sunday, and it has felt good to do so. Several bags and boxes have been gone through to clean out, make decisions, and throw out. I'm up to two full large garbage bags to kick to the curb at this time. A temporary place for my business stuff, mostly supplies for my product making, has been secured. Its taking shelter in the section where the garden and landscaping stuff will go until I move that a bit to set up our stockpile. Everything will shift to find its place, boxes labeled and set up for easy access, making it so much easier to get into stuff, continue to sort through and watch everything change. Its change in a big way. And change is good.
Our weekly meal menu is complete, hanging and its one more thing done on my task list. Its so nice to see it up, with the little shopping list of items that we may not have that are needed for the meals they are designated for. If its on sale, we stock up, putting aside for another meal. For the next two weeks, after this one is over, we're doing meals focused on kids being able to help in the kitchen; I hope my preschooler has fun with it. We'll see what's left for the meal once he's taste tested! We made brownies yesterday, and he loved them-my guy who doesn't like chocolate. Go figure.
I have a dentist appointment later today, so we've changed the schedule up for yesterday and today; that also feels good to be able to move things around and go with the flow of those changes. Better than feeling overwhelmed by sudden changes.
Speaking of changes, I did some research yesterday for writing opportunities. I have a list, and a good one at that. Deadlines way out, giving me time to work on those subjects and turn them over for review before submitting. It feels good to write again. I've also been working on my reading, which right now has been about parenting. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no manual for kids when you bring them home, and there is no manual for parenting. I'm learning that it is trial and error, that you won't always get it right, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. It's not an exact science, and it wasn't meant to be. Advice, ideas, and tips are good but not to be taken like they are written in stone; each family and the children in them are different. Call it the holistic approach to living; what works for you and your family is what works for YOU and YOUR FAMILY. I am working on this subject for the next month, at least getting into it and working on my own parenting and family atmosphere; how can you speak about something if you are not living it? Live your values, walk your walk to be able to talk your talk.
And yes, I'm taking a break today. No garage organizing, no research topic reading. Play, fun, and after the kids go to bed, hopefully doing some reading on meditation; something else I'm currently working on these days. Tomorrow, I'm back in the trenches, making a go at that place called a garage, making time for the garden, spending those priceless moments with my boys. Life is good. ~Momma

Taking On Quite A Task August 17th

"To live fully, outwardly and inwardly, not to ignore external reality for the sake of the inner life, or the reverse-that's quite the task." -Etty Hillesum

Rainy Day Monday

Unlike the Carpenters verse of being let down by rainy days and Mondays, I'm enjoying the rain. Its very much needed at this time. Its been dry for a few weeks, so its a welcome peace today. Plans for today? Rainy day activities with the boys, a movie with popcorn while lounging on the air mattress, menu planning, daily housework, and a spotlight in the garage while they rest. Sounds like quite a bit, but its the average day here on the urban homestead.
Our rainy day activities range from art, playing cow bowling and free play. Music with "hop like a frog" fun. Snacks, tea, a light lunch....relaxing. Its warm enough we can be outside on the back porch for some of this fun time, too.
New menu this week, and just like last week, I'm not ready as of this morning. Grab some cookbooks, flip through and tab pages, sit later or tomorrow to plug into Word and print off. It is so much easier to see that menu with the little shopping list hanging on the fridge; no more guess work for meals. I was watching Extreme Couponing on TLC yesterday afternoon, and it still blows me away how these people can do this. Its a full time job just to do the research, find the deals, and get all the coupons they take to the store! Yet, I have to say, we are moving in that direction. I still don't believe we'll ever be as extreme but it helps everywhere possible when you can pick things up that usually cost more on a regular basis. Like this week, two stores we shop at have some good deals. One place, for example, has a 24 pack of toilet paper on sale for $4.99 and a 50 oz. bottle of laundry detergent for $1.99. We all know that laundry soap can be so much more expensive than that, so is it worth stocking up on when its at that kind of price? Yes, ma'am. We already have four bottles of laundry detergent-name brands that are low on the ingredient index-stocked up and we are still using the soap we've had for six months; we used to buy the great big containers to make it through but with these deals, we're actually saving more money. And every mom knows there is never enough tp in the house, so this other deal is appealing. My other store is offering double coupons, so there's a trip there, too. We don't have a huge list to work off of, so we won't be spending tons of money. With stocking up on certain things, the extra money goes where its needed: other items, bills, savings, etc...it just takes a little time getting settled in with; nothing worth it happens overnight.
I started working in the garage yesterday while my boys were resting. I had a pile of bags and boxes to sort through, stuff I always say "It can wait." Well, it waited no longer as of yesterday. I now have one bag and one box of books, magazines, and misc. that can be sorted into separate places and used. I found a gardening magazine from when we moved into our home the first summer and I had only flipped through it at the checkout line! I can still use that magazine for the gardens I'm putting in here. Once I'm done, I can recycle it and move on. Who knows, maybe I'll have a Kindle or Nook Color one day that I can put magazines on and not have the pile of recycles to haul out of here. One never knows what tomorrow brings.
There it is. My thoughts for this morning that have been piling up all weekend long. I've also been thinking, as I'll be busy with the garage organizing this week, I'm going to consolidate my writing for the week; I'll post again on Wednesday and then again on Friday and tell you all about my adventures for those days and the days in between. I also believe it will make my posts longer, more interesting than just the daily report of what's happening. A little change up is always good. Will I stick with this method? I don't know, haven't seen how it maps out yet. We'll see how it works out this week. Anything's possible. ~Momma

The Courage to Create August 14

"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.
No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader."

-Robert Frost

Label, label....who's reading the label?

Food. It's on my mind this morning. Not so much as to eat it but to think of what we really put into our bodies to nourish and sustain. It's fuel for the day, to help keep running the race. What do we put in to go the day?
We eat seasonally and locally here at home. If anything comes from a can or a box, its because I simply can't find that item in produce or from a local source. Otherwise, I'm in the kitchen, working over a recipe, fresh and local ingredients in front of me. I bake, grill, steam. Yes, I fry on occasion. My boys eat healthy snacks, and yes, even cakes and cookies that aren't gluten-free or sugar free. I use raw sugar instead of refined. No bleached flours. My preschooler has never sat with a can of soda and a bag of chips (he does like chips now and then, and has sipped a soda but not devoured those items). He's not a candy eater. When he's older, I have no problem with the once and a while snack of crap but not a consistent basis. I'd rather he ate well and be healthy than to let him ping off the walls from sugar loaded stuff. And with today's products being overloaded with refined sugars, chemicals and preservatives for shelf life, and the over abundance of dyes for color, what child needs to be hopped up on all that junk?
This past week, we've had dinners I've taken time and effort to make. With the leftover chicken from a couple dinners, I'm making dinner tonight that will actually be breakfast. I've not had breakfast for dinner in a long time. Good stuff. Who says eggs and waffles are for 7 AM? I say make a break in the menu and enjoy your food. Sunday will be my day to look into next week's menu plan and posting the new menu on the fridge on Monday morning.
This week has been a good one for gardening and being outside. The weather has been fantastic, and the days we've gone to the park have been great ones. Letting my guys run and play, swing, taking those rides down the slides, and the new fascination with baseball diamonds; time to get the t-ball set up ready to use. I think the next time we go to the park, we'll have to take it along and set it up on one of the diamonds. Let my big guy get a feel for what it will be like to play ball like the guys he was watching yesterday during a practice game.
My gardens are set for late crops. The only trouble I'm experiencing is the squirrels will not leave my corn alone. Punks. If we get corn this year, we'll be lucky. Otherwise, we'll have to wait for next year. Corn can be picked up at the store but I love being able to go out and pick my own. Next week, I start slowing down, maintaining and harvesting. Getting flower areas cleaned out, set for Fall and eventually the big sleep to come before Spring arrives again and the gardens come alive with color.
So, when you think about food and what you put into your body, what fuels you? Don't drive yourself mad reading every label out there; I don't read ALL of them, just what pertains to our household. And by the way, we do eat out now and then. We do eat food that we could do without. I do eat a cheeseburger or a hot dog now and then. I'm not starting a riot about food. I'm just as guilty with my simply pleasures of junk food. We are entitled to treat ourselves to what we normally don't consume. It just doesn't have to be a habit for us. But hands down, I would rather eat something I know doesn't make me feel like crap later or even more hungry. Give me a good portion, let me fuel up, and let me go for the day until the next meal. ~Momma

Thursday Starts With Wonder

My boys are still asleep as I start this post. They slept all night. Chamomile tea from lunch til just after dinner, Celtic harp & Native American flute music while reading a couple of stories while reclined in bed. Both down and out by 9:15 pm. We did garden and were poolside during the day until it rained, so that may have helped as well. I like the idea of the tea and the music at night. It was nice to sleep all night, even if I woke a bit to listen.
Today is my garden day, of which I will be putting in radishes, carrots, turnips, beets, salad mix. After that, it will go back to cleaning, pruning, weeding. I'm hoping by the weekend, I can transplant what's left and then settle into maintenance and harvest. I'm already sketching in my mind the ideas for next year that I have coming along. Time to put it onto paper? Perhaps.
The sun is shining and the skies are blue. I'm itching to get out there and enjoy the day. I'm also filled with the idea of what I've mapped out for the next couple of weeks and hoping to really make a dent in things around here. I know next week, its all about the garage and organizing. I have started several times, resulting in a pile that needs attention to weed through. Just a box or a bag or two has become a few boxes and a few bags that need to be gone through and decisions made. I'm coming to that point in my life where I'm ready to put aside the concern for the things not taken care of and really enjoying the life in front of me. Interesting how you can become so consumed by the things not taken care of, the things that pile up and seem like it will never go away. I'm not one to just throw things in the trash; to me, there's a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. If I can't use it or don't have time or don't remember the purpose behind why I have it, then there's got to be someone who can benefit from it. I want to teach my boys that you just don't throw stuff out; you make sure that if it still has use, then it has a place to go. Use what you can, share what you don't need.
So, here's to Thursday and wondering at the beauty of it. ~Momma

Second Thoughts August 11

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Today you realize how blessed you are.
-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Wednesday with Sinus Pressure

The sun is shining, my boys are eating breakfast, and I'm working through a sinus headache. Despite the last piece of info, we are pushing ahead with our day. Another day of gardening and the pool. Maybe a trip to the park. And its our creative day. Back to the Preschooler's Busy Book for ideas.
Last night's dinner was not too shabby. Ginger chicken one pot meal, with a salad containing mandarin oranges, avocado, dried cranberries, and dressing made from yogurt, orange juice, a sprinkle of nutmeg and a dash of vinegar. Making meals seems so much easier to get back into a routine of setting up a menu, changing days around if necessary, and not hitting the panic button as to what to make to feed the crew. It also maps out if we need an ingredient I don't readily have on hand. Recently, with food prices rising, learning what couponing is really all about, we've been stocking up on items. Coupons, sales, even finding clearance items that we would normally pass up on due to full price. I even pushed the issue when my mate came home without picking up the necessary amount of english muffins to get the sale price; he's going back to the store tonight on his way home to get the sale price and some popcorn-I pop on the stove-with the refunded money. If I can benefit from a sale, I'm on it. If I'm paying full price, it better be top quality. Gotta save where you can save; it makes budgeting easier.
I have a confession to make. I'm a recycle/reduce/reuse kind of gal. We have a drop off center here in town, a place to take your garage, recyling, yard scraps, etc....There's a little shed that attracts all kinds of treasures and the people who look for them. I've found everything from books, school supplies (especially homeschool curriculum), planting boxes and trays, even a small chicken house. Yesterday, I found "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy," by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Nice piece. The ribbon page marker was on June 27, talking about herbs, connecting to earth when working with the plants in the garden. How appropriate. I was in the garden when I pulled the book to flip through it.
So, I've given my readers my dinner plans, creative day ideas, garden passion, and confessed to my attraction to sales and recycling. And with that, I give you today's Simple Abundance as food for thought. ~Momma

Calling Forth Our Gifts August 10

"You long to call forth your gifts. To explore your talents. To discover and recover your creativity. But where do you begin? You begin by offering an open heart and a willingness to serve." -Saran Ban Breathnach

"Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understand." -Baruch Spinoza

Tuesday's Possibilities

Sunshine again this AM. Fabulous. Doing some garden work today, along with poolside fun. Weeding, mostly but some love and care needed. Some seed mixing for Fall lettuce/greens patch. I'll leave it at that for today's plans, as leaving room for any changes that come along. And they do come along-usually unexpected. That's life with children.
Our menu for the week is planned, now to put it into Word and print off. I mentioned it in yesterday's post, kind of as a fingernail appearance of sorts. We had a mellow day yesterday, along with some great playtime. It appeared as though rain was going to keep us in, so we did rainy day fun. Cow bowling, ball play, and music. A couple of books, and then we noticed the sun burst onto the scene, so plans for the park were made. A quick stop @ the market for some produce, and then we walked to the park. Arrival back home, one child napped while the other relaxed. I made dinner. Breaded pork chops, smashed potatoes, and candied carrots. Yum. Bedtime was a bit off kilter but we made it happen all the same. Sometimes, I think my boys think they can hang out all day and all night. Chamomile tea, guys. Does it every time. Zzzzz....
Laundry looks like it needs to be done today, along with a couple of other things as well. I'll get those things done over the course of the day, squeezed right in there with time with my boys and tending one of our gardens. That's why its Task Master Tuesday; do what I can, move whatever undone for another day, and just take life as it comes. It's all good. ~Momma

Menus, Gardens, and Such

Rain. Finally. I've been waiting for this since sometime last week, and we finally get some. Not raining at the moment but waking up to wet ground, means watered plants. If it dries out a bit today, I can work in the gardens, as this is my planned week to do so. Otherwise, I can rough sketch my plans for the gardens, and focus elsewhere.
Today, I start working on a new weekly menu format. Type it up in Word, and then print off to post on the fridge. It will also have any grocery needs posted on the same paper, thus eliminating excess paper postings on the fridge. More space, less waste. Sounds like this fits in with my organizing bit? Yeah, I guess it does. Another tidbit of organizing ideas.
Speaking of organizing, I've mapped out the next three weeks to work on areas in need of attention. Gardens, finishing things and late crops starts. I'm a woman who likes to sew, and my sewing is in desparate need of work. And last but not least, that damn garage. That's all I'm going to say about that. August is a busy one.
Today is our Mellow Monday when it comes to school stuff. Weather pending, we would be at the park today but I think today may have to be a rainy day special. We have a bowling set, among some other things we can do for indoor activities. We haven't had a rainy day play day in a while now.
My mind is already working on the reading I've started. Parenting, homeschooling, all while encompassing the rest of my life. Its always busy here. Hardly a day goes by without feeling overwhelmed or wondering how more stuff gets added to the seemingly never ending "To Do List." I suppose, with more organization and time, it will all come together.
My boys are finishing breakfast, which is the signal for me to sign off and grab a quick shower before diving into the day with them. So, here's to menu planning, organizing, more planning, fun and play, ideas and tasks.....~Momma

The First Friday in August

Here we are, the first Friday in August; sun is shining, sky is blue. Weather forecast seems promising. We are having breakfast in bed, with tri-berry (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry) muffins. My infant becoming a toddler has pounded down three by this time, a dozen more are baking, and waiting for my preschooler to wake up and join us. He's gone to bed a bit late most of the nights this past week, but with sleeping all night, I'm taking it for what it is. Its been a year of trial and error when it comes to raising two little ones who are three years apart in age, but one I would not take back. I wouldn't change anything, as this is how I've learned to wrap life around them, learning from them what they need from me and how best to deliver that.
Through a site titled, Find & Go Seek, I'm finding events and such to do with my boys; this encompasses Vermont and makes a great way to avoid, "There's nothing to do!" August is about going places, kind of like getting those last vacations before school in and enjoyed. I'm also working on building up our traveling, that way my boys can go anywhere. Of course, there are the pitfalls of wanting to go home to sleep in your own bed, falling asleep on the trip (which of course, will happen) and waking up in places they don't know, meltdowns from sitting for too long in the car while traveling. Those can be worked with, over time. Today's activity is breakfast in bed. We pile pillows and a light blanket or two onto an inflatable mattress, put a fun show or kids movie on, and chill out for a bit in the morning. I have other ideas for the day as well; I'll share those on Monday to let my readers know how it went-or didn't.
Yesterday, I was questing for a quinoa recipe to add to the dinner I made last night; yes, I'm including the recipes this morning. I didn't find what I was looking for, so I made one up. Here's last night's dinner.

Chicken Rosemary

-1/4 c olive oil
-2 chicken thighs
-juice of half a lemon
-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
-salt and pepper to taste

Rinse chicken in cool water, pat dry with paper towels. Separate skin enough to insert one sprig between skin & meat. Squeeze lemon over thighs, follow with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Pour oil over thighs. Let set while preparing summer squash recipe.
Take everything out to the grill. Make sure grill is on low heat (I've served Cajun black a time or two, so flame levels are important), and place chicken on grill. Check periodically and turn to ensure properly cooked meat. When meat is no longer pink, your chicken is done.

Grilled Summer Squash

-1 medium yellow squash
-1 medium zucchini
-Olive oil
-Salt and pepper to taste

Wash squash and slice off stem & end. Slice 1/4 in thick, placing in an aluminum foil pouch (these are fun and easy to make). Pour olive oil over slices, followed by salt and pepper. Leave pouch open to allow heat to get in to "steam" while on the grill.
Place on top rack on grill to avoid burning bottom layer of squash. When squash is done, it should have a bit of a crisp edge to it; if its mush or burned, its been on too long.

Basic Quinoa Turned Pilaf

Cook quinoa according to package or basic recipe directions; please remember to rinse before cooking. Chop one medium carrot, half of a small onion, two small stalks of celery (preferably closer towards the middle and add leaves as well) and add towards the end of the cooking time for the basic recipe. Salt and pepper, if you desire, or add a teaspoon of sesame oil and black sesame seeds.

This was a good dinner. Now, you can increase your recipe measurements, according to the size of your family. For us, two adults and two kids under five, we don't need a spread for 10 people (although, I grew up with this style of cooking to ensure everyone gets enough to eat and then you can have leftovers for a day or two if there's enough). Give it a try and enjoy the taste of summer while we have it; it will be Fall before too long and the menu will change again.
It's that time again to say "So long for now." The day awaits, my boys are coming alive with excitement, and I know I've got to be on my toes to keep up with them. Caffeine iv, please! Enjoy the day, have a great weekend, and make the most of every moment you can. ~Momma

Thursday with a Chance of Clouds

Cloudy this morning. That's ok. We can make do, or is that make due? I've often heard the expression but don't recall ever seeing it written down or typed, etc...another one of those hillbilly verbal expressions, perhaps. Not sure what it will do today but with that aside, we will pursue the day just the same. School, projects, fun, and just being in the moment. Oh yeah, gotta finish the laundry by giving it a good fluff n' fold. Time given, maybe a flat iron.
Right now, I'm trying to plan dinner for tonight. Using local ingredients, with the exception of maybe a spice or two, I'm planning Rosemary Chicken, Grilled Summer Squash (yellow & zucchini), and some type of grain side of either Millet or Quinoa. Haven't figured that piece out yet. Still looking. The chicken and the squash I can do on the grill, taking the heat out of the kitchen, and do the grain stovetop. I'll post the recipes tomorrow while my slow cooker meal is starting.
I had an epiphany of sorts yesterday afternoon. Something that didn't sit well with me at the time. I had to journal about it for a few mins just to get it off my back. As of tomorrow, I will be starting researching, reading, and writing again. My first topic is homeschooling/parenting. What does it mean to be a mom who desires to homeschool her children? What type of parent makes this kind of decision? Is there room to be a parent and a teacher? Can you separate the two, or is it unique to be both? What types of learning styles are there for the children involved, and what type of teaching styles for the parents? Who's who in the curriculum world for materials to teach? How does your ability to teach affect your ability to parent, and does it? Just some questions to ponder. I feel like I'm back in college again, sketching blueprints for the house I'm about to work on for the next six months of study. Once my sketch is down, then I can start clearing the space where the foundation will go. As I read, the plans may change a bit, adding or subtracting to create a uniqueness to what I'm embarking on; keeping in mind to keep the foundation strong, or the walls will crack and the house of the future will not be supported properly. This will most definitely be an adventure.
So, back to recipe hunting for my dinner. My boys are eating breakfast, I'm ready for a shower, and we have the day ahead of us. I believe there's some room for some gardening today, and as we set up some bean sprouts yesterday, we will start some more corn today. Cucumbers and tomatillos are doing well out there, as are my herbs. I found poppies growing in my preschooler's first raised bed box, which was cool to find. Next year, we'll have a bigger bed for him to work with and pass the small box down to his brother, who's already showing interest in dirt. Of course, it could all change, but I'll remain optimistic.
Have a great one today! ~Momma

Creative Wednesdays

I hear the birds singing in the backyard, a promise of a good day today. The sun is shining, the skies are blue. One of my boys is awake and having breakfast, the other still catching z's. Today is our creative day, and a time of changing things up just a bit.
Wednesday has almost always been our day to be creative, in a variety of ways. We've been on a baking binge for weeks, making cake or cupcakes weekly. One week was so hot that we made banana splits instead. Now, I feel its time to change it up a bit. I have my easel set up on the backporch, along with my preschooler's. I also have a copy of "The Preschoolers Busy Book," which gives ideas for activities and creativity with children ages 3-6 yrs. I've picked it up before from the library, and it was time to do so again; I love taking books like this one out repeatedly. Sometimes, you find something of interest that you may have passed by the first time you had it in your possession. What I like about this book is that its sectioned by by themes. Rainy day ideas, what to do outdoors, how to explore when out and about, the three r's (reading, 'riting, & 'rithmetic), the arts (music, dance, drama), and art (visual & crafts) gets its own section. Recipes for homemade playdough, fingerpaint, etc...good source to have around when you have little ones. Being able to stay at home, working on homeschool preschool, this helps keep from the old saying "There's nothing to do!"
What will we do today? Oh, a smattering of things. Some art, a bit of math and science, music (listening and playing), free play (this is always a good way to come down off of concentrated work for 20 mins at a time), reading, and just going with the flow of the day and having fun. If you're child is not enjoying his/herself, then why do the activity? If it peaks his/her interest, go for it. If it doesn't, let it go. If you like it and think your child might have fun with it but just doesn't seem interested at the initial time, save it and go back another time. New things appear differently to all children. Some dive in, loving change. Others want to test the water, toe at a time. Don't push or pressure, let them grow as they will; because they will blossom.
Here's to Wednesdays, the creative process, busy children, and the parents who love them. Cheers! ~Momma

Off My Posting and On My Mind

Tuesday's weather seems uncertain but with the hope and the promise of a new day for us, I take it in stride and know that we'll find something fun and rewarding to venture into today. My boys are now both awake, taking on breakfast and a cartoon. I have my time to throw words on paper-words on screen, that is.
Tuesdays are typically my Task Master talks, focusing on my latest venture of organizing through purging, sorting, etc...Today my mind is on the books I've been reading recently and the completion of two of those in question. Kitchen Table Wisdom, which I gave my views of through two posts, and Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. The second title, one I embarked on through an online study, was also a good and quite moving piece for me to read for the last ten weeks. It also came at a time in my life when I needed it the most. Opening doors to the past, blowing the dust off memories and issues. Learning to look at those things in a new way, facing my fears of how to deal with them as well. I feel myself changing, a needed change for me as a woman, a mother, and of the many, many hats I've come to wear. I have felt at my lowest during my reading, and now with the final page highlighted, I feel I can move on into the light of tomorrow.
Hidden Joy was written and shared by the author and a part of her life's history that had marked her every step for 20 years. She was raped. When a woman is violated in such a way, it takes away so much of her life. Fear colors every dark corner, making it impossible to feel like a functional part of the world. I do not share in Wendy's feelings of violation, at least not exactly what happened to her. But I do know what it feels like to feel paralyzed by a trauma that renders you almost to the point of useless. I know what its like to feel like no one understands what you feel, think, etc...And now, I know what it feels like to finally feel the warmth of change on my face. I'm understanding that I'm not alone, and that I don't have to feel helpless anymore. I have a life, one filled with promise.
I'm now finishing the Woman's Meditation book. Good so far. Enlightening as I turn each page. A good way to get back into my yoga practice, to share that with my boys. A way to give time to and for myself, to share priceless time with my boys. Self care is so important today. With all the demands made on women, let alone women and men, it makes me see why most people run around on auto pilot. We're all in such a big hurry to get to the next thing, we miss what's in front of us. We get to tomorrow, ahead of schedule, and then express impatience at having to wait for Nature & Divinity to show up at the pre-planned time. Or we arrive late, and complain the whole time at what we're sure we missed, thus missing what we were destined to discover. Satisfaction is hard to find, or is it?
So there you have it. My morning thoughts. Food for thought for the day. What motivates you? What satisfies you? Are you in a hurry for what hasn't happened yet? Are you missing the big picture, or the little priceless moments you'll never have again? What legacy are you working on to leave behind for future generations? Lesson for today. Take 90 seconds-time it if you feel the need-to take a genuine deep breath (don't forget to exhale). Note how you feel. Write it on paper, type it on your smart phone. In a week, go back to it. Repeat. Love. ~Momma

Is It Really Monday Again?

Monday comes again; the sun is peaking through the overcast, the promise of a good day laced with the potential for storms. Ok, we'll take what we can get out of it today. Lots happening here, and the mental list is going into sketch mode immediately. August homeschool schedule-yeah, I'm a day behind already, the final week of my online study, two books on my spiritually inspired list finished, my research & writing mode coming back into my life-a little lighter this time, as opposed to diving in without a life jacket, and researching tantrums in the preschooler. And yes, my house in need of a good clean; I have to wonder how it is that Monday comes with a chore list that adds to the one I already have set up. Sometimes, I feel Monday is an unwanted houseguest but today I'm seeing that it will help me process what I need to, mentally. A good sort of meditation, I guess.
Kitchen Table Wisdom is finally complete. A great read, even with the heaviness of the contents. I needed to read this at this time in my life. With the passing of my grandmother, which I mentioned in a previous post, this book and its stories have helped put a perspective on what happened for my grandmother. I could use the word closure, but I feel that with the passing of loved ones, closure doesn't come for quite some time. We need to mourn, to grieve. Its a normal part of the process of living; just like dying is a part of living. The life cycle needs to be honored, to see the sacredness in life. In the midst of mourning on my part, I'm seeing the importance of family, how to rise above age old quarrels, and working on a better tomorrow to let things go that cannot be changed. Why hang onto all that baggage?
August is here, bringing with it the change in the air. I love this time of the year, and as it goes into the months of September, October, and November. The air is different; not quite the thick humidity of July, and not quite ready to become iceberg cold. Perfect. Our second round of gardening is already underway, and lots of landscaping is happening in the front yard. This is also a perfect time to spend at least half the day at the parks, drinking in what Nature has to offer as she changes from blasting heat to a bit more forgiving sunshine and blue skies.
My mind is not quite a fog at this point, making it a good opportunity for an exit. I'm looking forward to finishing my third spiritually inspired book, one on meditation, and then taking a small break with a piece of fiction. Contemplate, meditate, live each day without beating myself over the head about what didn't get done or how imperfect things are. Its a work in progress. The birds are calling, a shower needed, and a jump into this new month. Cheers! ~Momma