This Vintage Chica

{this moment}

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

Inspired by Amanda.

 

crazy summer = beautiful garden

After a very difficult and crazy summer, I am welcoming Fall with open arms.

Welcome!

I'm glad you're here!

A few weeks ago, on a drive out to the farm to pick up our CSA and I spied the first yellow leaf clinging to a birch branch.  I almost broke into tears at the promise of a shift in the season - both the natural season, and our season of grief.

When things have gotten tough around here, in true "me" fashion, I've retreated to the garden.  And good for me I have done so, because the garden is beautiful right now.  The fullness of the garden right now seems to be in equal proportion to the heaviness I've been feeling.  

*note* when you are surrounded by things you can not change, its good to focus on things you can, like gardening.

**another note, I think I need to repaint the large pots on either side of the front door...hmmm....now what color?

The backyard vegetable garden took a beating thanks to Hurricane Irene, but the front beds are absolutely gorgeous in all their Fall bounty right now.  

This time last year, a good friend and I began tearing out the large boxwood bushes that covered the front of our house.  They were gangly and not getting enough sun now that the trees are beginning to mature.  It was time, and I needed a project on which to focus my energies.

The front beds sat there bare and frozen all winter leaving the neighbors to wonder what the heck I was thinking.

I planned those beds all winter long.

And when Spring poked its little head out the very first time, I began digging in again.

I knew I wanted to stick with more texture and a simple color pallet.  Purples, lime greens, dark, greens, whites, variegated leaves, and simple flowers that would attract birds and butterflies.

All of that planning and digging paid off this summer.

Today, I added a few dark purple colored mums to the pots on either side of the front door replacing some of the summer annuals that were looking sickly.  They blend perfectly with what's already in place.

If you interested, a list of what I planted is below.  Are you getting your beds ready for Fall too?  I'd love to hear what your planting.  What's your favorite new addition?

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Purple Leaves: Sweet Potato Vine, Weigela, Heuchera, Purple Cabbage

Lime Green Leaves: Choleus, Creeping Jennie, Japanese Maple

Texture:  Lamb's Ear, Swiss Chard, 

Smell:  Gardenia, Verbena

Variegated Leaves:  Hosta, Pittosporum

Edibles:  Purple Cabbage, Kale, Swiss Chard

Pops of Color:  Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower), Swiss Chard, Verbena, Salvia, White Periwinkles, Morning Glories

Attractive to Birds and Bees:  Sweet Potato Vine, Verbena, Salvia, , Gardenia, White Periwinkles, Echinacea, Foxglove

chic, chic, chickens

Hello peeps!

Its been all about the chickens around here lately.  Since getting our girls back in April, we've built a coop, fed and watered and cared for our three Dominiques (which weren't Black stars after all) and three Buff Orpingtons.  After the girls started trying to roost in the backyard neighbor's tree at night, we learned how to clip wings.

And the neighbors haven't fussed too much so far.  But I think we have earned the reputation of the crazy, hippy people who have chickens in the city.  

Oh well...

This past Monday, just about the time we were starting to get antsy and my husband started threatening them of becoming fried chicken, the girls started earning their keep.

Eggs!

Stars, one of our Dominiques laid the first egg and you would of thought she really was a star the way the boys oohhed and aaahhhed over her and her new ability.  

"Oh, Stars!  You are such a good girl!  You did it!"

Then yesterday we discovered a little nest of 6 more eggs behind the air conditioning unit...those sneaky girls.

We should be up to our ears in eggs within days.

Anyone for a spinach and cheese omelet?

on the other side

Whew!

What a few weeks we've had.

Thank you for all of your tweets, emails and facebook posts.  We survived Irene with very, very minimal damage.  The summer garden was pretty much destroyed.  But other than that we escaped with little more.  

Which leaves me thinking about those up the coast a bit more who are still experiencing power outages and flood waters.

Our thoughts are with all of you.

Today is a busy, busy day...

haircuts, first soccer practices of the season, teacher meet n' greets, etc.

As with so many themes in my life, it was the little things that amazed me during the hurricane...a little hummingbird visiting the window in the middle of some of the strongest winds of the three days, looking for the feeder in its usual spot...wings just humming right along as if nothing was any different.

I want to be the hummingbird in the middle of the strong winds.

The garden spider that went right back to building a new web even before the rains had ceased...while we were still hunkered down indoors with the power off.

I want to be like the garden spider, so focused on the work at hand and not the dramas in life.

And the morning glories that continued to open and close in perfect timing even without the sun shining brightly.

As always, thank you for the lessons little creatures.

postcard from the cabin

3 mamas and 11n kids between us...

that's 22 flip flops to keep track of,

4 silly stories about glitter and unicorns,

0 husbands, 

1 black dog,

18 hornets killed,

8 boat rides, 

3 people swimming the boat back to shore after running out of gas,

111 icey pops eaten and 31 sandwiches,

0 fish caught,

1 earthquake,

6 conked heads on the tube,

2 bags of marshmallows,

1 night out in the tent...

and at least a million smiles.

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I could not have asked for a better way to hit the reset button and prepare to head into another season.  Time spent in the outdoors and nature always seem to do that for me.  And the icing on the cake, was it was time spent with two of my bestest girl friends and their kids.

A few things I realized...

::  nature really is the great equalizer, where else can eleven kiddos from the ages of 17 to 5 have so much fun together

::  I want to hold on to how blessed I feel right now for a little while longer...maybe all the way to Christmas

::  next time, bring more chocolate...and more wine

::  mamas rock...seriously

::  I need to get away more often

::  watching Shannon's kids tell such great stories makes me want to tell more stories to my kids

Also of note...

::  Yes, we felt the earthquake.  At least those of us not on the boat at the time.  My first.  Never thought I'd experience a quake on the East Coast.

::  And yes, now we're preparing for Irene's arrival on Saturday.  What a summer!

seaside

 

This year, we have not spent *near* as much time at the beach as I had hoped.  And now with 2 weeks left until school begins, we're squeezing in as much as we can.

I love this time of the year. The tourists are gone...mostly.  The water is still warm from the heat of summer.  And the pre-autumn sun seems to make everything glow.

Here's a little video to make you smile.

happy things

It is early here this morning and I am up before the boys - the first time in several weeks.  Most mornings it is them waking me up, crawling into bed with me, prying my eyes open with their little fingers, asking "is it time for breakfast yet".

I feel like I've been a bit of a downer the past several weeks...maybe even a bit longer than that if I stop to think about it.  Friends call and ask in a quiet, serious tone..."how are you?".  I want so much to answer with a cheerful "Im great, how are you"?  But they know.

And that has kept me from being here in this space too.  You see, many of you have become such good friends.  And Im afraid if I tell you all about the pillow I sewed, the colors I chose, the stash busting that is going on around here, that you will know Im putting up a front.

There has been so much loss and sadness all around us.  I do not want to pretend that sadness and grief does not exist.  And I know I am not the only one. Several of you are feeling losses of your own.  You have been so brave and generous sharing your own stories with me.  And I am comforted knowing there is hope and grace on the other side.

I am ready to be happy again.

Because really there is still such beauty and goodness in the world.

I am learning that loss and love CAN happen simultaneously in the same story.  It does not have to be one or the other.  They are not mutually exclusive.  Like so many things in life, there is a great irony in that.  

So for awhile, I have decided to post about happy things.

Small or large, things that make me smile.

::  a little needlepoint picked up at a boot sale that speaks truth

::  feeling the ever so slight tilt toward autumn

::  nature in my boys' hands

::  morning coffee

::  friends sitting around my kitchen table, sharing our stories over coffee and a bowl of cherries

::  evenings at the beach, my favorite time of the year

::  my boys and their developing sense of humors

::  acorn and butternut squash in our csa last week

::  three more weeks before school starting...we've got a lot more summer to live here

Hope you are well.  Much love to you today.

 

 

back again

 

Hello dear friends.

I am back home now.  It was a difficult trip in many ways.  More ways than I would have expected.

Thank you for your stories about your own experiences.  Thank you for your emails of support the past few days.

There will be many more difficult days ahead.  More grieving to do.

But the healing has already begun.

I look forward to getting back here a bit more often.

The Rhythm of Family, Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons

Amanda Soule's new book, entitled The Rhythm of Family:  Discovering a Sense of Wonder Through the Seasons,  is available on August 9th.

Most of you might know Amanda from her blog Soulemama or one of her previous two books... The Creative Family or Handmade Home.

I felt privileged to sneak a peak at it a bit early.  And what a wonderful book!  It just might be my most favorite of the three.

The Rhythm of Family is a bit different than Amanda's previous two books.  Not only are there family friendly projects and recipes...but essays from both Amanda and Steve, aka Soulepapa, on how to maintain family connections throughout the seasons.

And with my bookstore overflowing with "craft books" now, I am more drawn to their thoughts and feelings toward their children and how they can all create family memories by exploring the natural world around them.

(photo does not appear in the book, but is my own and included because I like it.)

From the publisher:

"Written over the course of a year, through the passing of the seasons, this book is a heartfelt and inspiring guide to creating deep family connections and meaningful memories through living in tune with the seasons.  From stomping around in mud boots in the spring to gathering around the wood-stove in winter, our activities naturally change season to season--from the rhythms of the seasons comes the rhythm in our homes, our hearts, our families, and our every day.

Paying attention to these changes slows us down, inspires new types of creative play and exploration, instills a sense of family togetherness, and deepens an awareness of nature and self that can make our lives, days, family, and earth grow stronger.  Through crafts, recipes, and ways to connect with the outdoors, this book is a guide to and example of living a richer life closer to nature."

My favorite things...

:: writing a manifesto for each season

:: how to make wintry weather cowls

:: We Live By the Sea, an essay by soulepapa

:: how to make "bug stay away"

Congratulations Amanda and Steve!  I am so beyond thrilled for you two.

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You can order a copy today or The Rhythm of Family will begin popping up in bookstores August 9th.

parkinson's sucks...and other notes

A few weeks ago, one of the boys came downstairs and declared that the chore he had been assigned that day "sucked".  Then as quickly as the words came out of his mouth he looked back at me to see what I would do.  A good indication that he has no idea what the word means, he was just trying it on for size.

I told him it wasn't necesarrily a word that I cared he use.  There are so many other words to express your displeasure at something.

5 years ago my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  There is no cure and so far, the effectiveness of the meds. he is being given have been less than we had hoped for.  It is horrible, horrible disease that I think was invented by the devil himself.  And things are progressing faster and faster.

I'll be traveling down to see my parents next week.  Please be thinking of us.

So, because you and I are friends I feel like I can tell you...Parkinson's sucks.

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-we've shifted our beach time to the evening, but now with reports of shark attacks not too far down the coast from us, I have to admit, I'm a bit more cautious

-we picked our first cantaloupe this morning...yummy!

-I need to get cracking to sew up a few gifts for a few dear friends

-and Im thinking some embroidery projects might be perfect for upcoming flights and layovers

Basil Peach Smoothies

When you have an over abundance of (insert appropriate summer produce here) peaches, you have to get a bit creative with how you use them so that the little people don't exclaim "peaches again, mom?"

This morning I came back from the garden with a few handfuls of basil to make pesto later in the day.  I love basil.  I love how it smells.  And I was just thinking about how almost anything tastes a bit better with basil.  

Hmmm...peach smoothies?  And basil?

We tried it and it is amazing.  I think I've found our newest breakfast treat.

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Peach Smoothies with Basil 

::makes four smoothies

Four ripe peaches, pealed and quartered

Two tsp. of honey or to taste

1/2 c. plain yogurt

1 c. orange juice

2 sprigs of basil (about 8 leaves)

1 cup of ice

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

 

::weekending:: from field to kitchen

Sometimes our weekends seem to have a theme...soccer, the beach, etc.  This weekend seemed to be all about our food.

On Friday we visited our favorite farm to help with weeding the swiss chard bed.  Knowing we would be there for several hours, I opened the back of the car and laid all of the seats down.  The boys made a pallet with quilts and blankets.  And for hours, they ran back and forth between the car and the weeding project...reading, catching toads, reporting on the chickens and goats running about.  

For our efforts, Farmer Maureen gave us a huge box of cucumbers.  Saturday morning was spent in the kitchen putting up pickles!

And a few weeks back, Jamie of Steady Days sent me a copy of the Green Market Baking Book.  I've spent several evenings "dog-earing" pages with recipes I'd like to try.  So, this week we used some of our csa beets to make the beet chocolate cake.  Yummy!  Using maple syrup and honey instead of granulated sugar gives the cake a very different "sweet" taste, and the boys commented on it tasting different.  But all in all they liked it.  We will definitely be making it again.

We picked up two baskets of peaches too...and blueberries.  All are now very happy in put up in the freezer, awaiting their use in smoothies and fruit crumbles during the winter months.

I haven't spend that much time in the kitchen in quite awhile.  It felt good to be preparing for how our family will be eating today and into next winter.

How about you?  How was your weekend?

{this moment}

"When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. 

— Mary Oliver (New and Selected Poems: Volume One)

 

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(joining soulemama with a favourite moment in the garden)

boys room: vintage americana + lego + star wars

Have you ever watched HGTV's Secrets of a Stylist with Emily Henderson?  I've loved Emily ever since she walked onto the set of Design Star.  Her process is to interview the homeowners and find each of their styles then layer one on top of another to eventually reflect both points of view.

So, our latest room re-do all started with Zane's dresser.

Zane is getting older...9 now.  And his small upright 5 drawer dresser was just about to fall apart.  Actually the bottom drawer had been glued together 5 times and was just about beyond repair.

So one day last week I loaded the three boys up in the car for a field trip to my favorite thrift store in Norfolk.  We walked up and down each aisle multiple times and he would take time to carefully opening each drawer and get down on all fours to look at the feet.

After looking at all of the 20 or so dressers we found this beauty.  A mid-century piece with clean lines and little cut outs for your hands to open the drawers.  Zane says these drawers are "stealthy" because there are no knobs.  And I love that it was only $40.  Score!

This dresser is quite a bit longer than the upright version he had previously so had some rearranging to do.  But the new dresser will will provide a young boy with treasures plenty of room to display them.  

And you all know what happens when you move one piece of furniture in a room...right?

Yep, we ended up moving the entire room around.  Which is always fun in my book!

When we are in Texas, my mother always asks the boys to pick one item from her antique shop to take home.  Last time we were visiting, Zane picked the American flag that now hangs above his bed.  And he loves, loves, loves bald eagles.  

I could see a theme was developing.  Enter layer one...vintage americana.

We moved one of the vintage metal school chairs from the kitchen into the room.  And some thrifted bed spreads with ships and eagles on them became new curtains for the closet...instead of those dreadful bi-fold doors.

On the same trip we found the dresser, this little eagle holding an olive branch and three arrows caught our eye.  Considering our theme and the $4 price tag, we decided we couldn't resist.

And now for the second layer...legos.

Last year, S made Zane a lego table out of a shipping pallet with some legs attached underneath.  Its super stable and has worked great for him.  Now we've added an old printer's try above the table to hold all of his "guys".  The little spaces are the perfect size for lego minifigs.   I first saw this idea on Ohdeedoh a few months back and filed it away for future use.  Love it when something is pulled from the old noggin' archives like that.

The model of the star wars solar system (did you think that was OUR solar system?) was moved from over the bed to the other side of the room - above the lego table.  And that big planet is not Earth, its Christophsis.  If you have a 9 year old boy, ask him about it.

The last layer we added was the Star Wars element.  Scattered about the room are his action figures.  And he has a few Star Wars posters that he's tacked above the bed next to the flag.

The embroidered pillow was one I did for him years ago off of one of his first drawings.

And there you have it - our version of vintage americana + lego + star wars using Emily's Secrets From a Stylist.

What do you think?  What would your kiddo's style be?

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 And with any home decorating project, its always a work in progress.

Still yet to do...

-find a new shade for the lamp on the dresser.  as much as I love the original wooden shade, you can see the lamp parts below it which means the current shade is a bit too small.

-the wall next to the bed is still a mishmash of his star wars posters and artwork.  i think he could use an inspiration line or at least a bulletin board to make it all look a bit more organized.

-and finally, i need to work on a storage system for underneath the lego table.  i don't think there is a perfect lego storage system out there, but that doesn't keep me from trying.

right now

right now, we are...

 

listening to:  the police (ian's choice)

watching: robotic lego videos via youtube

eating: Oma's 7-up Pound cake with strawberries for breakfast

planning: our morning at the beach

needing: a day at home to catch up after a really crazy, but fun weekend

thankful for: the abundance of fresh food we have right now

praying for:  marriages

drinking:  coffee with only milk, when you're having cake for breakfast who needs creamer, and kale smoothies for the boys

feeling: tired but content

waiting for:  Zane to wake up so that I can take pictures of the new things we've done in his room

wondering:  how I can make summer last forever

 

old +new

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

via soulemama

summer rain

Yesterday, we were outside playing a round of badminton which has become our family gaming choice this summer.  The air was heavy.  You could feel the air just sitting on your chest, almost making it hard to breathe.

Just when the youngest and I were about to make a big comeback from a 6-1 score, the skies opened up.  The biggest raindrops I've ever seen began to drop and we were soaked to the skin in a matter of seconds.

We took shelter under the porch and found ourselves in good company.  A gigantic bumblebee had been checking out the sunflowers and now hovered next to the stars and stripes bunting.  A swallowtail butterfly was darting in and out trying to see if it was safe to emerge from the safety of the porch.

It rained, and rained, and rained.  One of those rains where it feels like there just might be enough water in the sky to continue on for days upon days.

The boys got tired of hanging out on the porch and began to venture out from under the shelter.  Without umbrellas or rain boots, they walked in the gutters pulling the clogs of pine needles up and releasing the flow of gushing water.

I thought about doing the same when I was a girl living in Oklahoma - rescuing earthworms washed into the street, making dams, splashing about.

I joined them.

We were out in it for about an hour.  Walking and laughing and noticing.

The Earth had released the heat of the days built up tension.  And so had I as we both exhaled and smiled at the sunshine that followed.

the 4th

the weekend was an exceptionally good one.  did you notice there is a lack of fireworks in the photos above.  around  6 p.m. a huge thunderstorm rolled in an rained out our planned trek to the beach to watch the celebration.  but we ended up at a good friend's house sipping white sangria and playing mouse trap.

a good 4th indeed.

pvc pipe sprinkler fun

Both of the neighbors on either side of us have pools.  My boys are insanely jealous and beg for a pool everytime we hear the splashes coming from over the fence.  (And it doesn't help that one set of neighbors rubs it in a bit that they have a pool and we don't...really!)  

But we have something else now...

We've had some pvc pipe laying on the side of the house next to the garage for several months now.  I knew they'd come in handy eventually.

So when I saw this, I knew what we would be doing yesterday.

Three trips to the hardware store later for caps and valves and we had ourselves some amazing summer fun.

If you are up for putting together one of these, here are a few things we learned:

1.  Its easier if you keep the longer pipes all one diameter when you go to look for the fittings.  There are a million to choose from so we just kept it to 1/2 inch.  Much easier!

2.  Valves are a must...so much fun and a great way to teach about water pressure.

3.  When you drill the holes in the pvc, make them small first.  The larger the holes, the more water pressure you loose and the sprays won't shoot as far.  You can always make the holes larger, but not the other way around.

4.  Have more end caps on hand than you think you will need.  I think we have 10.

5.  Be ready for said teasing neighbors to want to come over to play as soon as they see how much fun you are having. :)

Ahhh, now that's summer!

Happy sprinklering friends!

 

 

scenes from our days

every morning we've been at the pool by 9 a.m.

and we've been doing a lot of cooking, and then of course followed by much eating

we were able to watch as a young man we knew as a kid got married 

and we've spent a lot of time in the garden, weeding and watering

and harvesting, corn, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, red and blue potatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions and blackberries

and there was an oh, so special beach night to celebrate my birthday in great style, candles, wine, fresh noshings straight from the garden and the farmer's market.

oh yes, and I have a new little toy to play with.  an iphone.  I think my D40 is a bit jealous.

 

busy, busy, busy

in the last 8 days we have...

finished 2 teacher quilts,

picked zinnias 9 from the garden,

visited the Contemporary Art Center's Boardwalk Art Show and Inflatable Art Exhibit with 2 good friends,

eaten 3 cantaloupes from the market, and eaten our weight in popsicles,

picked 7 tomatoes...there's always one that can't follow the rules of how to become a pretty tomato, eh?

visited with our 2 cousins (1 tia, 1 tio and an abuelita) at the beach,

played 6 games of kickball, 

run in from the rain 3 times,

said good bye to 4 great teachers,

and umpteen jillion friends (but just for the summer),

...and today is only the first day official day of summer.

 

Looks like its going to be a busy one!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

we're checkin' out

this is the boys' last week of school...we're not officially out until Friday.

but we have cousins in town this week.

and the berries are ripening fast.

i can't get will smith's "summertime" out of my head.

there are ghost crabs to be caught.

boogie boards to master.

and its so hot that popsicles are a necessity.

the beach is calling us each evening.

we can't help it.

we're checkin' out.

an explosion of grace in the garden

ive been thinking again...maybe it has been amanda's beautiful series of posts this week.  tara's especially hit me as such truth, or maybe it was all of the kind comments and encouragement.  we all need a little 'atta girl now and then don't we

<><><><><><>

grace in the garden

i know i've said it before, but
the garden is absolutely beautiful right now
this morning i was up extra early
i even beat the sun
and the chickens

and as i was having my first cup of coffee
wandering through the raised beds
full of yet-to-ripen
tomatoes and blooming beans
i realized for the first time

that the flowers and veggies and pretty vines
are perfect mirror images of what's been going on in my head
the same, but opposite

the garden has been such a wonderful place to run away from the craziness
that I find in my life right now
but what I wasn't ready to see

what the garden has taught me
is how much running i've done
escaping to a place where I can weed out the yucky stuff
i don't like to see

a place where the dirt under my nails is washed off
once I come inside
where mucky boots are left outside by the back door 

but it is time
it is time to face the music
time for grace
and mercy and goodness
time to embrace change
and let the light back in
because there is beauty
and joy
and wholeness,
and love,
love 
on the other side.

I know it.

Happy weekend to you all!

:: always love tend

:: so pretty

:: farm fashion

:: sweet relief for the summer heat

Soulful Mothering

Amanda has a great series going on right now while she is breathing in a new life.  So, please join me over at Soulemama today.  And please scroll back through the last 4 or 5 posts as well.  There's lots of goodness there.

And thanks Amanda for the chance to do a little reflecting on how I have grown into motherhood.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Happy Birthdays Boys!

Dear Zane and Ian,

Nine years ago today, you two entered our lives.  

And nine years ago, you made me a mother for the first time.

Twice.

And the surprises haven't stopped since your arrival.

This morning I have been going through photos of you two.

This morning we celebrated with your two favorite breakfasts.  Zane, you wanted bacon.  And Ian, you asked for doughnuts.  So bacon and doughnuts it was!  One wanted sweet the other salty and savory.

Great chefs search their whole lives for balance between sweet and savory.  And I think you two have it down to a science.  

Balance.

Give and take.

Without words you two have an innate sense of what the other is thinking.

A deep knowing of who another person is in their core.

And to be honest.  I am a bit jealous.

We all need to be known.

Deep down in our core.

A balance.

A sense of when to push and when to pull.

Just like how the two of you dance, without words, on the soccer field.

Or how you finished your second "marathon" running side by side.

Where one is weak the other is strong.

My prayer this morning is that the two of you always know what a special relationship you really have.

I pray that in your relationship, you continue to dance, circling around each other, or running side by side, giving and taking, pushing and pulling, no matter where you live, where you travel in the world.

This morning you told me that neither of you are going to get married...ever.  And that you were going to each buy a house next door to the other.

We shall see.

I love you boys.  Thank you for teaching me, your mama, about the beautiful balance we all seek in life.

I wish you all the blessings the world can give you,

Your mama.

The Kindergarten Teacher Quilts Update

Now that the school year schedule is winding down, I'm finding a little more time in the mornings.  The boys are off to school by 7:30 and without so many school volunteer hours, I am able to work in a few other projects here and there.  Its a good thing because the garden continues to require much picking and weeding and staking.

But the quilts for the kindergarten teachers are also coming along.

My sweet neighbor Marci has been a huge help.  Thanks friend!  And its been fun to chat over coffee and listen to our dueling machines hum along.

One teacher's favorite color is orange and the other is partial to purple.  I thought I'd like the orange quilt better, but there's just something about that purple that just frames those little masterpieces to nicely.  I love how they are looking.

I'm not sure how it worked out, but both quilts have several rainbows in them.  Mrs. Troyan's quilt has several squares devoted to the tree they've been watching all year.  And bugs!  Lots of bugs!  And one little boy, Trenton, drew the entire class on his quilt square.  So great!

Now...for a quilt sandwich and binding!

In The Garden: Three Sisters

The lettuces have all bolted, but the kale and chard are still kicking strong!

And with the last few days of really hot (like the end of July hot!) weather, the summer plants are really growing like crazy.

I've wanted to try the three sisters method of planting corn, beans and squash for a long time.  But we just didn't have enough room to get them all in.

Until this year!

With the addition of the two new raised beds, I dedicated one corner to trying out the three sisters.  The corn seed was planted first, followed about a week later with the beans.  And now we've added the yellow crooked necked squash.  

 The idea, originated by the Native Americans, is that the corn provides a trellis for the beans to climb.  The beans provide much needed nitrogen for the soil.  And the squash covers the ground keeping out weeds and keeps the ground from drying out.

There are many different ways of using companion planting similar to this in your garden.  We also plant tomatoes next to marigolds because most bugs that get your tomatoes do not like the smell of the marigolds.

We're excited here to see how our little experiment goes.

Bring on the summer veggies!

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Other garden notes:

-Potatoes are beginning to bloom

-Corn is silking

-Peas are almost done

-Picked 4 little patio tomatoes today

-Basil is growing like mad

-Cilantro is going to seed...corriander!

-Garlic is blooming

-Saw the first little baby cukes

-Purple runner beans are beginning to make their way up the trellis

-Peppers are beginning to make peppers too!

Memorial Day {revisited}

“My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.”

-George Washington

This past weekend, in honor of those who have fallen we...

• swam until our legs hurt
• ate chocolate popsicles
• grilled out
• drank sangritas and toasted those who have given the ultimate sacrifice
• surfed until we were cooked (S and the boys did, not me)
• hung out in the garden catching dragonflies
• napped
• picked the first tomatoes
• and talked about how blessed we are to live where we do.

Steady Mom: Making the Monotony a Bit More Fun!

There's a new post over at Steady Mom today. A few little ideas for making the monotony of motherly tasks a bit more enjoyable.

Fold your laundry outside!

Using Spring Greens : Swiss Chard

This morning it is quiet.

Other than the mama mallard duck outside the front door quacking away for her breakfast.

She had an injured foot for awhile and she couldn't walk very well, so she set up shop in our flower beds.  The stalking cats didn't even seem to bother her.  So Wyatt started feeding her every morning.  Now she's gotten a bit demanding and quacks loudly if she doesn't get her morning meal.

I've been busy this morning.

Right now the whole house smells like spinach.  When I was a kid I used to hate that particular smell.  But now love it.  So earthy and rich.

Between the chard that I have raised and what we've been getting from our CSA, my cup overfloweth with swiss chard.  I'm trying to be better this year about freezing what we can't use right away.  So far so good.

Chard seems to be one of those greens that are a bit new to some of us and if you receive a bunch in your csa, you might not know what to do with it.

---------------------------

The NYT has a great article about the health benefits of chard and a nice list of recipes.  We have tried several of them and so far our favorites are to throw a bit into our pizza like we would spinach and thrown in eggs with a bit of onion and tomato.

From what I've read so far, the only greens you can't freeze is lettuce.  So, everything else we're freezing for later use.

Kale, Chard, Spinach, Turnip Greens, etc. can all be blanched and frozen.

I've been collecting recipes using chard.  Below is a list of some of our favorites.

 

How To Freeze Swiss Chard And Other Spring Greens

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Step 1 - Pick the greens!

Remember that the greens cook down quite a bit, so you may feel like you have picked a lot, but they will cook down by more than half.

Step 2 - Wash the greens

Step 3 - Trim off any brown edges or damaged pieces 

Step 4 - Blanch

Fill a large pot half way full of water.  Bring water to a boil.  Add greens and boil briefly for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5 - Cool

Stop the greens from overcooking by dipping them quickly a bowl of ice water.  Then drain them in a strainer.

Step 6 - Bag the greens

When greens are drained, seal them in ziploc type bags.

Step 7 - Label and freeze

Using a sharpie marker, label and date the bags and pop them in the freezer.

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If you have a great use for chard or other greens, I would love to hear how you are using all of these great spring greens!

::weekending::

Remember we had a very long list of things that we wanted to do this past weekend.  In reality there was not way to get to it all.

But the most important things were covered.

--strawberries were picked with two extra friends in tow...that's five little boys in all.  And only one (one of mine) had to go sit in the car for jumping over the rows.

--the farm was visited, first csa of the season was picked up!  Turnip chips were a complete success.  We used the same idea as the terra chip recipe and they were devoured in a matter of a few minutes.

--warbirds were seen over head without even visiting the airport.

--soccer games were won...and lost.  

--breakfast with a friend was oh, so worth it!  Note to self, plan breakfast out with a friend more often.  The boys were able to have their slow Saturday morning and I got out before anyone missed me.

--birthday party for a little friend...check!

This morning I'm trying to get a bunch of these pretty berries prepared and frozen.  We did this last year and had enough berries to use in smoothies all winter.  Yum!

We'll also try to make a batch of fruit leather as well.  It continues to be a favorite of all the kiddos in the neighborhood.

How about you?  How was your weekend?

A Most Perfect Morning

 

Sometimes people ask, if you were to have a day to yourself, what would you do.

Well yesterday I didn't have an entire day to myself, but I did get a morning.  And it could not have been more perfect.

One of my best friends and I have had some time blocked off on the calendar for what seems to be weeks now.  We didn't know what we would be doing, and honestly it didn't really matter.  But we knew getting together was important, chatting, grabbing a cup of coffee.  Wandering...all very important you know.

We ended up driving out to a little rural area just South of here.  Just the drive was therapeutic.  As the grocery stores and drive-throughs gave way to planted fields and farms stands, I could just feel the pressures and stresses we've both felt as of late melt away.

We ended up at a new little antique/vintage/handmade shop called Southern Fried.  We were there 30 minutes before opening time, but the owners let us in and browse anyway. Love it when shop owners are so nice. If you are local you should definitely check it out.

Next we ended up at one of our favorite plant nurseries.  It is not the cheapest place to buy plants, but they put things together so nicely it is a great place to get ideas of color combinations and textures.  You end up thinking about putting plants together you'd never think of.  Kind of like browsing through an Anthropologie store.  I can't afford to buy anything, but just looking at different ways of putting together what you already have is inspirational!

We didn't end up buying much.  I picked up some Lamb's ear to replace some I lost when I re-did our front flower beds.  And my friend picked up a gorgeous dark purple pepper plant (I can't remember the name now) that neither of us had ever seen before.

And I loved seeing all of the new colors, most importantly salmon colored verbena.  I have some around our mailbox in purple, but never seen it in this soft peachy color.  Love it!

And succulents!  I could very well become addicted to all of the new varieties of succulents.  That wouldn't be such a bad thing would it?

So happy to be heading into a very busy next few days feeling a bit more rested, calmed, centered.

There is a lot going on this weekend.  We'll see how much we can fit in, but our next few days may include any combination of the following: 

• The Warbirds show is this weekend.
• And its sheep shearing time at our favorite farm.
• Scouting some logs to make some of Blair's stump tables.
• Updating the ipod with songs from Alexander.  Thanks for the rec Sara!
• Alyssa has her second soccer game on Saturday night.  Go Piranhas!
• A birthday party for a little friend to attend.
• A breakfast meeting.
• Two more soccer games for the boys.
• Strawberry picking is a must!
• And I'd like to work on the teacher quilts too.

It might all be a bit too much to ask, but if I get half of it done I'll call it good!

Happy weekend to you!

Teacher Quilt (s)

So, my hands haven't touched my sewing machine since I finished this quilt.  But its time to jump back in with both feet.

The end of the year is quickly approaching and end of the year teacher gifts have been on my mind.

I've remember Erin's gorgeous quilt using school children's drawings.  And I absolutely love, love Grammie K's auction quilt.  And I couldn't help but think that these would make great teacher gifts.

So, last week my friend Penny (Wyatt's kindergarten class room mom) and I cut forty 12 inch muslin squares and took them into Wyatt's kindergarten classroom.  The kids used fabric markers and drew pictures using the teacher's favorite colors.

One of the quilts will most definitely have a rainbow theme.  

And the other, I think has an bug/flower theme.

This afternoon, I'm watching the rain and cutting 5 inch strips out of purple and orange batik for framing these masterpieces.

Oh, and did you see the pretty purple quilt Amanda and her daughter whipped up?

Such goodness!

OK, I Admit It...

...I'm a soccer mom.

Yep.  I'm coming clean.

I've avoided the title, and the negative connotation it carries.

But I think I'll embrace it now.

My husband played.  All three of my boys play.

Saturday night we went to a Piranhas game.  We have a vested interest in the team.  Our family is hosting a young woman named Alyssa for the summer.  She is playing forward for the Piranhas and Saturday night was their first game.

The Piranhas lost 2-0, but Alyssa ended up getting 4 stitches in the knee from the opposing team's goalie. Which for three boys might just be cooler than actually winning the game.

Yes, its official.

I'm a soccer mom.

hello, friends

“To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go” - Mary Oliver   Sorry I haven't been around more often.  If you've read this blog for very long, you know I do that sometimes.  When life gets busy and crazy I just have to focus on what's right in front of me.  Which lately has been an impromptu upstairs bathroom redo and crazy busy soccer schedule.  The garden continues to overflow and I am facing the task of putting up as much chard, spinach and herbs as I possibly can.   And of course, there have been other things.  Behind the scenes.  Life has not been all rainbows around here.  Although we've seen three rainbows in real life the past few weeks as the Spring storms roll through our area. I've been feeling a bit under the weather and there have been marriage challenges and parenting challenges and I have a fever blister the size of Texas on my lip.  But if I've learned anything since beginning this blog, it is that I am stronger than I ever knew.  I can do this. In the words of the Little Engine That Could... I think I can, I think I can,  I think I can.

In Honor: A Quiet Day Today

In lieu of this last night's news, I'm feeling a bit quiet.

A lot quiet.

I know the act was just.  It is done.

But part of me is mourning all of those lives lost and families torn apart to get to this place.

I can not celebrate.  And feel a bit confused by those who are dancing and singing in the streets.

So, I am headed out to my garden this morning for some needed quiet and reflection.

And when my boys walk in from their day at school, I will hold them tight.  Make them a snack and say a little prayer that we get a few more of these everyday moments in the months to come.

Much love to you all this morning!

Corners: My Favorite Room In The House

My most favorite room in the house right now isn't a room of the house at all.  It is our stone patio.

Last year S built a patio out of huge slate stones, replacing the way-to-small concrete slab and doubling the size of our entertaining space.

I gently planted woolly thyme and ajuga, moss and sedum with fingers crossed that they would make it.  We also ordered moss seed, the tiniest little seeds (almost dust), that I have ever seen and planted them in between the stones in hopes that they would begin to grow this Spring. 

And the good news is the plants not only made it, they multiplied!

This little table with hairpin legs occupies one corner.  It holds a few random pots, one of which is a metal bucket with a hole drilled for drainage, with various succulents planted in them.  Under the table is a repurposed cinder block filled with sedum and hens and chicks.

This is also the home of just part of Wyatt's growing rock (asphalt, concrete, etc.) collection.

Yep, its pretty much my favorite place in the world right now.

 

 

So, did I tell you we got chickens?

Well we did.

Some of you local folks who know where we live, might think we're a bit crazy.

We might be.

But the laws changed a bit here in our area, so we're allowed up to six hens now.

And if we end up with a rooster or two, we have a home for them now thanks to an amazing farmer and her family.

Everyone is getting along famously.

Except for the kitten.  She is a great little mouser an likes to get extra practice hours in with the chicks.  No worries.  Pretty soon, they'll be bigger than she is.

Man, they grow quickly!

Molly posted a little about why she and her family are raising chickens.  She pretty much summed it up and said it much better than I ever could.  Except ours aren't in the bathroom, they're in the kitchen.

Call us crazy.

But we are loving our chickens!

Breakin'

We're feeling pretty blessed right now.  We've just returned from a few days away.  It is Spring break here and a good friend invited us to spend part of our week at her family's cabin.

We spent a good amount of our time fishing...read that, practicing our casting.  We did some short hikes and a lot of wading.  It was a bit too cold for swimming, although the boys got brave and dared each other to go in.  They came right back out pretty quickly.

It was a wonderful time to think and be quiet.

We're all feeling a bit more settled, relaxed and generally centered.

That's a good thing.

Read more about our little adventure over at Steady Mom today.

From Garden to Table

Our first harvests from the garden are making their way to our dinner table slowly but surely.

Our greens include, baby chard, spinach, red leaf lettuce, butter crunch lettuce, dill, cilantro and parsley.

The boys are even eating salad now tossed in a little raspberry balsamic vinagrette.

Progress!

hello, it was a nice break

hello friends, it's nice to be back here.

i had a nice break and was able to realign some things in my life.  sometimes i just need to pull back and take a long breath.

i've finished a few diy projects, spent lots of time in the garden and thanks to my friend laura, i have found a new farm that seems to love us as much as we love it.

i was asked to return to habit this month and am so excited to be back there.

hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

see you soon!

eren

a little friend on a rainy, rainy morning

a little friend on a rainy, rainy morning, originally uploaded by eren | thisvintagechica.

Taking a little break...not sure how long...need to unplug for awhile.

Shamrock 8K: Complete

As you know, my word for the year is "complete".  I plan on completing quite a bit this year. First it was finishing Maggie's quilt.  Then it was getting S+P open to help de-stash some things around here.

The Shamrock Marathon is held every year around this time down at the beach.  Last year I ran the last mile with the youngest.  What a wake up call!  I have always thought of myself to be in pretty good shape.  I garden, I get out with the boys to ride bikes, kick the soccer ball.  We kayak and walk on the beach, etc.  But it wasn't until I tried to run that mile that I realized how out of shape I was.    I couldn't catch my breath and realized something needed to change.  

Since then, I have been meeting a friend at the gym two or three times a week.  And Saturday I completed my first 8K.

Crossing the finish line was a bit emotional for me.  I didn't want to get all blubbery...its only 5 miles after all.  But it is the first thing I've done for myself, not anyone else, in a very, very long time.

This little race against myself was such an outward expression of the growing and stretching that is going on inside.  

Now I find myself asking, "what next?" with great excitement.

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Oh, and all three boys have been running an entire marathon after school on Mondays.  They finished their final 1.2 miles on Saturday as well.  The older two crossed the finish line together with a time of 6:50 and the 5-year old finished his 1.2 miles (with S alongside) in 8:39.  So, so proud of you boys!

Small Words Make Big Impact on Kids

After a few days of silence, I'm over at Steady Mom again today.  

 

“Put the swing where the children want it, the grass will grow back.”
 – Amish Proverb

 

A few weeks ago, the boys and I stopped by our local bookstore in search of some new reading material.  As a true bargain hunter, we always visit the sale tables first.
 
As I looked down, halfway peeking out from a cookbook was a little book entitled, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World.
 
On the cover, were four little boys in straw hats walking through a field of yellow wildflowers with a big blue sky above.  
 
I immediately contrasted that image with our household.  We do not watch regular TV, but my three boys can still recite entire Geiko commercials they’ve seen online.  Not quite the wisdom I would like them to be committing to memory.

So, when I saw this little book, begging me to take it home, I thought, sign me up!  I’ll take some peace and truth in the middle of a complicated world.

Read the entire story here.

For Japan With Love

My heart is breaking for those in Japan.  It is difficult to explain to my children, but they see it.  They've talked about it at school.  And they are collecting coats in their school.

Every day new photos appear showing the devastation there, and I just want to sit down and cry.  And I do. I can't help it.  This disaster is so huge.  I just wasn't sure what to do.

 

Then via Honey+Jam, I discovered For Japan with Love, which was started by the bloggers of Ever Ours and Utterly Engaged.

Donations go to Shelter Box, which is a great organization that provides basic lifesaving supplies like a tent, blankets, water storage, and a stove to those who need it.

I gave.  You can too.

Just a small donation can help. Spread the word!

 

A House Full of Boys Needs Flowers

I'm surrounded, I tell you.  By boys.

I have three of my own.  And then my husband makes four.

Add the cat (who is a boy) and the two guinea pigs (which are both boys), Scout and I are the only estrogen in the house.

There was a time that I thought this meant I was relegated to a world of camouflage and car prints.  Maybe a dinosaur or two thrown in.

I'm not much of a girly, girl anyway, but I do like lace, and pretty dishes...and flowers.

I am coming to understand though that as a mother of boys, I am almost *more* obligated to bring a little femininity into our home.

It is my responsibility to teach them what the fairer (and smarter) of our species responds to.

It is my job to show these boys that there is a softer side to life.  

We have new napkin rings on the table, with real cloth napkins.  (That go in your lap.) Sometimes we even eat on real china plates.  We are learning to open doors for ladies, even if we don't know them. 

I want them to know the language of flowers.  How to write a love note, even if it is to a teacher.  How to be polite and not put your elbows on the table.  I think they need to know that it matters if you notice the little things, like if your girl gets her hair cut.  Or if she had a new dress on.

These things are important.

But most importantly...all girls like flowers.  Period.  

Their mama is no exception.

 

These are my most favorite Spring grocery store flowers at the moment:

• Alstromaria:  These pretty little lilies don't have much to offer in the way of smell, but they come in a variety of colors from yellow, to red, to pink.  And are very long lasting. They can last for up to two weeks without cutting if the water is kept clean.
• Ranunculas:  Love, love the delicate pretty flowers and the curly stems are whimsical.  This very old flower just screams Spring!
• Stock:  Pretty pastel colors and the smell is intoxicating.  I put them right by the bed or in the entry way where I can enjoy them the most.
• Hyacinths:  Also love the smell.  And hyacinths just scream Spring!
• Daisies:  So summery and long lasting.  These are might be my favorite flowers of all time.  You just have to smile looking at daisies.
• Daffodils:  Yes, daffodils.  I have seen them pop up at several of our local supermarkets and they are always less than $2 a bunch.  A bargain.  And this way I can leave some in the garden to enjoy outside.

I think the boys must be catching on.  We were in the grocery store a few days ago and my youngest picked up the biggest bunch of orange roses and asked if we could get them for his teacher.  "Ms. T's favorite color is orange!"  How can a mama say no to a boy who is so observant of the likes and pleasures of the woman who has his heart at the moment?

If you are a mother to all boys, do you feel the same?  Like you are responsible for teaching your little lads to be chivalrous and keen on the female species?  

And what are your favorite Spring flowers to have in your house?

 

The Day to Day, and Getting Ready

Good morning friends.

I'm still here.

We've been a bit busy with just lots of day to day things.

Laundry.

And dishes.

And making cinnamon rolls.

And playing with legos.  A lot.  

By the way, have you seen Oscar's lego quilt?  Amazing, and simple!

We love legos so much around here Zane has his own MOC page.  Think of it as a flickr for lego lovers.

We've been experimenting with electrical circuits too.  By the way, legos are not good conductors of electricity.  We had to try.  And we found out that if you put to batteries end to end, the light is twice as bright.  But if you try to hook the light up to four batteries end to end, the light explodes.  Yes, we learn by experience here.

Our mallard friends from last year are back again.

And our papa comes home after being away for 6 weeks later in the weeks, so we're (that really means me) trying to wrap up any loose ends so that we can fully enjoy his short time home.

I got a new Springy haircut too.  I like it.

The gals over at TMG are rocking the nature posts these days.  If you have an urge to get out and enjoy this (slightly) warmer weather, take a peek.  

I've been watching gas prices, and food prices, our budget and how much "extra" we have around here.  So, I've decided its time to start making a little egg money.

So, if you think about it, look up under the header on the right side.  Do you see that little button for Sea+Prairie...yes, that's a link to my revamped etsy shop.  I have posted a few vintage goodies there for sale.  More to come over the weekend or as time allows.

Hope you all are well. 

Happy Tuesday friends!

Book Review: The Write Start

                        

I love this book.

I've had it for quite some time now.  But I just haven't had time to sit down and really go through it like I wanted.

Until this week.

And like I said.  I love this book.

I originally found Jennifer's blog about a year ago I think.

Being a mama of three boys who will always choose playing soccer and legos over writing or reading, I am always on the search for opportunities to get them to do more of the things I know they need to do.

Enter The Write Start:  A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, from Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories, by Jennifer Hallissy.

Jennifer does a wonderful job of breaking up the process of learning to write into four age groups and then provides great ideas of how to encourage your child at each stage through games and fun activities.

I have two 8 year olds who would be in the "storyteller" stage...just learning to use writing to really communicate their ideas.

My kindergardener, 5 years old is still in the "speller" category.

Some of the ideas I loved most were...

• creating stationary for each child to use to write letters to their friends/family
• frame copies of their writing like I already do their drawings
• use our scrabble letters to spell our messages for them when they come down for breakfast

It is amazing how quickly the boys have picked up on the ideas I've told them about in the book.

The biggest hit...writing in code!

So look for it!

Or visit the blog.
And download the templates. 

I hope you enjoy The Write Start as much as I have!

 

In the Garden: Very Early Spring

I've been trying out a new little garden helper program called Sprout Robot.  This little application is one that makes me think, "Now why didn't I think of this."  But nevertheless, I am in love with Sprout Robot.

You simply plug in your gardening zone, pick from the extensive list of fruits and veggies you would like to grow and Sprout Robot delivers sowing dates, transplanting dates, etc to your email inbox.  Brilliant!

Totally takes the guess work out of it.

With all of the talk about food prices and gas prices on the rise, it makes me really happy that we will be growing twice as much food for ourselves as we did last year.  Every little bit helps, eh?

Now, we had a pretty good little freeze last week after Sprout Robot said I could plant. But I keep a few old bed sheets ready to throw over tender seedlings for just this issue.  The little lettuces and kale did just fine.  My mom reminded me that my Aunt Grace used to put Ball canning jars over her seedlings.  And you can re-use old milk jugs for this as well.

For you folks up North, I hope you all are getting a few more signs of Springs arrival.  Here on the Virginia coast it is supposed to be almost 80 here.  But don't be too jealous.  We'll be back into the 40's tomorrow.  Ahhh...February, you drive me crazy with your teasing.