New Day!

Let's just say it - get it out there:  I'm a horrible blogger.  (an? an horrible blogger? does that rule still apply?)  I haven't stopped to do a keyboard ponder for over a month!  I've had things I could share, but they must not have been super important or they would have haunted me until I got 'em down on record.

But today - something special happened today.

I felt peace.

Seriously!  I can surely count the number of peace-filled days I've had since giving birth.  And not just "days without kids" or sleep-in days (what? what are those? I have a vague recollection of sleeping past 7...), but days that, no matter how deep the chaos, I felt peace.

Let me set the scene:  Yesterday, I had planned to meet my parents at Costco (yep - I'm a costco moocher.  I totally use their card instead of getting my own.), but Dan had to use the car, so I had to cancel. Later, I was supposed to go to the gym for a much-needed sweat session, but instead was blessed with a drop-in visit from one of my most favoritest friends.  "Of COURSE the gym can wait - I'd much rather eat a sushi lunch and watch Monday's SingOff episode with you!"  Then I'd thought I would make a run to the local consignment shop to try to sell some of the kids old clothes and accoutrement, but my in-laws dropped in after going to lunch with Dan - and brought him home SICK with them.  (Poor guy!)  We had scheduled with my parents for a date night (to First Thursday in the Pearl for a couple friends' art shows), also, last night, but I had to cancel that because Dan was sick.  THEN his parents offered to take me and the kids with them to the Pearl so I could still go to the galleries.  I got the kids fed and bathed, redressed, shoes on, coats on and ready to peel out as soon as Grama and Grampa arrived.  The doorbell rang and at that same moment, Jack threw up on my (and his) feet.  4 times.  (I won't tell you how helpful the dog was at this moment, because that is disgusting.)  So - yes.  I still went and took Lily along and we had a wonderful time!

So - maybe the peace I feel today is just relative?  I don't know.  Today had it's own gentle chaos with two sick guys moping around the house.  But still... yes still... my soul is still.  and I am breathing in and breathing out.  and life is good. and I am loving it. All of it.

Morning Brew

I LOVE COFFEE!  But I can't have it any more.  Danged olderness.  I still sneak a sample cup every time I go to Trader Joe's, but that's pretty much my limit on the beans.

I've switched to tea.  Green, mate and herbal.  I start most every day with Trader Joe's Organic Cranberry Green Tea with my breakfast.


Then mid-morning when I'm craving a little something tasty, I "indulge" in my new favorite cup-o-brew.  Guayaki Yerba Mate's Organic Mate Chocolatte - a tea blend that has tasty spices, the mate caffeine kick and a little cocoa, but not so much that I feel dessert-ed.  Just comforted and refreshed.

The big problem is, everyone around me still drinks coffee, so sometimes I feel a little guilty for not having a pot on when someone pops in.  Or I feel bad that my esposo doesn't get to have coffee before work (tho Mr. French is happy to serve him!).

Isn't that the best sign ever?  It's copper!

So - I still have beans on hand, and am working to get the grinds-to-water ratio correct for the french press.  It'll happen!

In the meantime, come for tea!  I promise I'll share.

Fall 2011 Palette Challenge and other stuff...

For those concerned about our sanity over here in the Big Blue House, Dan was home for 10 days in August.  He's been gone for another (almost) 3 weeks, but is trying to get home for the weekend.  Aaaargh!  Keep praying that we don't lose our minds in the meantime!  :o)  Actually, we're fairing quite well with all our precious family and friends that RALLY when I start twitching and spouting random nonsense. loudly. to strangers.  Dan's parents actually took both kids for an overnight last night, so I made it to the bead shop, Crossroads, the gym, Mio Sushi, and then home again for a happy movie and some beadwork.  (Last Chance Harvey. sweet love story and BEST father-of-the-bride-toast scene ever!)

I'm feeling a little more level hearted (hearted? oh well -that's probably true, too) today after a great night's sleep, a healthy breakfast, a walk with Corabelle, some more crafting, shopping, gym-ing and lunch.  It's nice to feel like and individual every now and then instead of a conglomerate all the time.

flowers on the farm

So - My next move in my Reventuring spirit - met with a trainer at 24Hr today to talk about Fitness for the Over 40 people (Thank you Abby!).  I'm one of those.  I'm feeling pretty inspired and ready to focus again on adding some good healthy things to my/our life.  I'll be working on:

• adding some resistance training (read: weights/Body Pump class) to combat the osteoperosis demons that lurk as I get older
• controlling my evening snacks (especially while Dan is still away!  Those empty evenings after the kids are asleep just KILL my resolve.)
• varying my cardio workouts - adding some water classes, try running a little when I walk the dog, etc.

I've decided that I'll do better on tracking these things and maintaining accountability if I blog more about what I do each day to be more healthy and fit and to be a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter... all those things.

 

The other fun thing that I'll be adding in for the next 8 weeks is Colette's FALL PALETTE CHALLENGE 2011!  I love this stuff.  That means I get to pick colors for a Fall wardrobe, decide how many pieces I need/want to sew and then decide how much of that I can actually afford to follow thru on, time- and money-wise.  It'll be fun!  If you're a seamstress at all, you should go check out the challenge or go see the Spring Palette Challenge pictures and get inspired!  

Stay tuned!  It'll be a fun-filled Fall!  Lovin' it!

 Jack's new tree house - Phase 1

There was a little girl who had a little curl... 

After a Much Needed Break...

Honestly - this has been one of the wackiest summers yet.  With my esposo out of town all of July (and yes - he's STILL NOT HOME!), I've been bordering on insanity most days and have to take lots of deep breaths.  But I can't complain!  With such a strong familial support system, sanity is restored weekly, if not daily.  And we've been crafting, library-ing, snack-making, Oaks Park-ing, swimming, farm-ing and Curious George-ing.  (I love OPB/PBS Kids!)

With Dan out of town, we've resorted to some pretty intense versions of normal activities - just to pass the time. One example:

Rice Crispie Treats!

They used to be simple before THIS happened.  and I'm grateful, mind you, because they are shellfish-delish. One part of me misses the "butter in a bowl, microwave, add marshmallows, microwave, clean exploded goo from microwave, stir with crispies, press in pan and eat" system.  Another part of me - the ultra ansty, try anything that takes more time just to use more time and magically fill an empty evening part of me - wanted to take this to a whole new level.  Plus I was afraid baby girl would fall asleep before we got to a "normal" grocery store, so we pulled over immediately in to the Whole Foods parking lot.  Does WF's even stock marshmallows?  YES.  Yes they do.  I had to ask, tho, because they were above my viewing levels.  We even bought puffed brown rice cereal, because if we were going to use $5 marshmallows, we were going to make these things as healthy as possible.

I was hesitant to spend the $5 per bag for marshmallows.  Yeah, you heard me.  Almost $5 for each bag!  But the cashier that helped me find them sensed my hesitation (probably because I said, "WOW! $4.95? Do they even melt?") and she sampled out both packs so I could give it a try risk-free.  YAY  free marshmallows!  So - we came home with our wares, and then I found a giant bag of plain old $2 marshmallows in the pantry.  oops!  Oh well - perfect for a taste test.

Lily was napping, so Jack and I set up our chem lab.  First we sampled each marshmallow.

  

The Elyon were petite and light as air.  They were tasty enough, but sort of melted on our tongues.  Jack said they were "soft and powdery."  Plus I love the little happy dancing mini-marshmallows on the bag!

The Dandies were a little bigger and had a nice vanilla flavor.  More of a regular marshmallow texture, but they stuck in my fillings.  Jack said they were "a little sticky but tasty."

Then we had the giant looking Fred Meyer (nee Kroger) Marshmallow.  Classic.  No surprises.  No subtleties.  The giant puffball of classic mallowy goodness.  Or as Jack put it, "These are my favorite because it poofs out my cheeks."

I made a batch of the Smitten Kitchen Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats as noted above, and added star-sprinkles, per Lily's pre-nap request.

Then we tried out the new stuff.

hmmm.

Let's just say, they were ... uhh... healthy?  maybe!  I had to add a half a bag of ghiradelli semi-sweet chips just to make it all kind of stick together.  Those little marshmallows were just not gooey enough to hold it all together.  That, and with the bigger puffed rice bits, they just got dry.  They were tasty, but not fun to eat.  and honestly nothing like a Rice Crispie Treat.  But it was fun to try!

Sometimes, you just have to stick to the classics.  Revel in that corn syrup, dextrose, modified corn starch, gelatin, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, artificial flavor with just a dab of blue 1.  YUM!

Church Picnic!

Today was heartwarmingly wonderful.  There is not much better than a shared meal on a warm, sunny day in a park with people you adore.

We had a church potluck picnic in the park.  I didn't get very many great pictures, but a couple came out okay.  I love our people!  but I tried not to show anybody's faces full-on that didn't belong to me.

Me Made June - finishing out the month

This has been an interesting little challenge.  A few observations:

I have far fewer homemade things than I thought.  

Most of what I have is jewelry.

I love jeans and long-sleeved t's.

I have not made any jeans nor long-sleeved t's.

Skin looks weird on micro.

So - Monday, I wore this: 

It was a free, downloadable pattern off the Burda website.  I think the pattern was called JJ, because I always think of JJ Abrams when I wear it, which is just weird.  I like the fabric texture, but I'm just not fond of the color cream, I guess.  I like it on other people!  

Tuesday, I repeated my blue stripey Sorbetto top.

Wednesday, I was on vacation and forgot to pack anything homemade.

Today - I wore this birdie necklace:

and tomorrow is July.  hooray! (oh...that means today is my brother's birthday.  oopsie!  I need to go make a phone call!) 

I want to do this again in September.  I'm going to try to add in some knit shirts, a couple pair of pants and maybe a dress or two before then.  Wishful thinking, I know.  Stay tuned!  Unless you're bored out of your mind.  In which case, you are dismissed.  :o)  No hard feelings.  but you'll be missing some very intriguing nonsense, I guarantee.  and I don't tweet.  so you'll miss it.  for reals.  

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Time for some make-up posting!  I've neglected some little tidbits that I have wanted to share but just haven't gotten to quite yet.  So - the kids have a bowl of air-popped popcorn and a Charlie & Lola cd from the library, and I have some stolen moments.

Last weekend, the kids saw my bag of lemons in the fridge and begged to make some lemonade.  So - we did.

Did you see those pretty little fingernails!  and the yummy little chubby arms? and they're so serious!  I love it.

and in further news:

When Life Gives You Milk:

make pudding!
I had just a 1/2 quart of milk left and was going to TJoe's, so of course picked up a gallon.  Immediately when we got home, my beautiful, wonderful, talented, generous, laughter-ful neighbor Sarah flagged me down and asked if we needed any milk.  Perfect timing?  (Sarah has a coffee cart and often has leftover milk, which she doesn't drink, so we reap the benefits!)  After a quick search on line, I settled on this recipe for REAL chocolate pudding. I poured the still-warm comfort-in-a-bowl into my 4 new birthday cups (that's the wrong word!  I can't think of the right word...), and still had some left in the pan.  The rest went in to pyrex prep bowls.  I took two over to Sarah's house and her daughter M and her friend were diligently working on the coolest project at their giant sprawl of a table.  M's whole face lit up at the sight of the pudding!  "Snack time!"  I'm hoping to get a couple pix of their project... the coolest hats EVER.  Much cooler than this princess topper.  More on that later, I hope!
RAMEKINS.  ramekins.

Me Made June 25, 26 - weekend edition

Saturday.  I pretty much just wanted to take the weekend off.  I need to make more stuff!  More options, please!  Especially pants.  I love pants.  Pants are my friend.  Maybe I just like the word pants.  I use it a lot as descriptors with my kids:  silly pants, crazy pants, shorty pants...  Pants is awesome.

Anyway - I put on some pants, a stripey tank, granny cardi and this little pendant.  

I think I'm going to retire this one.  I like the sunflower/sunshine pattern, but it's such an anemic color.  Or maybe it was just bad lighting.
I dunno... my jury is still out.

Jack made some amazing train track yesterday and sneaked about 48 pictures onto my camera.  I saved 3.  and one of his shoe, the piano, and the underside of a lamp, but you don't need to see those.

Can you tell he's a smarty head?

Okay - on to today - Sunday - the Day of the Lord.  For that, I can wear a skirt.

(That's right - it's a repeat skirt and bracelet.  New nail polish, tho,  So fancy!)

(p.s.  Do you like the rash of sticker residue on the kick-plate of the door?  Now that's preschool classy!)

This afternoon, Jack and his daddy went to the park to "play" tennis.  

Dan is teaching Jack to hit off the wall and to bounce the ball on his racket.  He'll be taking lessons in a week or so and was worried that everyone would know how to play but him!  Poor little sweetie pants! (heehee!  I said Pants.)

 Speaking of furry pants...

Me Made June 23 & 24

I waited too long!  Thursday was so three days ago... who remembers that? 

I made this little beauty when I lived in San Francisco.  I think it's one of my better complicated pieces.  Usually I go more for simple stuff, but this one I still think is fun!

It's an odd combination, kinda, but it works.  and it's cheery!

and it has a sweet little heart-shaped clasp.  

Friday - I wore a redone skirt.  I got this at the last swap I went to and it was absolutely adorable! 

But also, too big.  and too cumbersome. 

The apron look is cute in theory, but hip-widening and saccharine sweet - like it was just trying too hard.

So - I removed the apron, took out the zipper and added a button/loop closure.

  (and I added a lining)  So - now it's adjustable, comfortable, and CUTE FABRIC.  and I can still tie the apron back on if I want to!

Me Made June 22 - Birthday Edition

That's right - it's my BIRTHDAY!  and it was a lovely day.

I woke up to this:

Wore this:  (that I made this spring)

And these:

They look kinda plastic-y in the picture.  They're much nicer in person.  And they're Aerosoles, which = happy feeties!  The insoles are the softest, yummiest suede.

And this:  (I know!  so fancy!)

Drank my tea from this:

(New birthday mug!  I'm completely taken with this little cutie-pie!  This has been a semi-tradition with my mom, whose birthday is today, too!  We go shopping together, each pick out a mug and buy them for each other.)  Also enjoyed a chai latte from my sister-in-law!  Thanks Tricia for reviving an old addiction.  Them's tasty bidness.

Birthday Earrings:

My friend Charity brought these over today.

What a gorgeously special gift!  I love them and perhaps will wear them every day for quite some time!

My parents took us to dinner at Spaghetti Factory.  The kids thought it was awesome-sauce.  That's right.  Awesome Sauce.

Lily and Pa

Jack and Daddy

Me and the other Birthday Girl!

A very lovely day.