InBloom

For about a week we had the most beautiful Bradford Pear trees in bloom on our street. They smelled incredible and were absolutely lovely. My neighbor called them Dogwood trees. ;)

The View

We are here in beautiful northern Arkansas and this is the partial view from the deck. I am constantly amazed at the stunning beauty of my creator.

Food Glorious Food!

I originally started this post with the intent of taking pictures of what my kiddos and I eat for lunches each day. Inspired by this flikr group (which I think is totally awesome) along with the vegan lunch box blog. Obviously I failed miserably at completing this task, because I started this blog entry almost 2 months ago. And my presentation leaves much to be desired. Oh well! Maybe it can give someone some ideas so I'll post it anyway.

Hm.... Back in the saddle...

I've been reading some blogs on simplicity lately and it inspired me. I've been feeling the pull towards living with less lately and these blogs were like some sort of mental lip balm. I feel better having read and been inspired to live a less-cluttered life with more time for what's important to me.

http://www.bemorewithless.com/
http://www.welivesimply.info/ (good family stuff in here)

I am deeply intrigued by people like this:
http://www.missminimalist.com/

Some questions I have for myself (and you if you'd like to answer them!):
What do I want to make more time for?
What does "living simply" mean to me?
Because what I think I'm finding out is that it's about mental and physical clutter. Having too much around you and being too busy or thinking about too many things (which I tend to do).

One thing I'd most definitely like to do is reduce the clothing items I own. I've already reduced what I wear to a 3" section of our closet and haven't really noticed much of a difference. I pretty much wear the same thing over and over and over. At some points, I will wear the same t-shirt for 3 days in a row if I haven't left the house (usually happens during the snow storms).
Some interesting ideas I read about as for clothing:
One woman suggested having something like this dress in her wardrobe, so it would function as several dresses.
The One Dress looks like another way to reduce the number of dresses you'd need in your wardrobe, and is way cool.
And what about this version of the infinity dress? Or the convertible top?
All of these items begs the questions: How many clothes do we need? What of self-expression in clothing choices? How much of a hold does the fashion industry have on me/you?

I'm sure there will be more about this later. I'm out for now!

I Don't Knit

Nor do I plan to pick it back up. So I guess I'll have to buy two of these, then won't I? Adorable!

Recent Reading

The Jesus Storybook Bible - I was looking for a bible that was aimed at my almost 4 year old's age range, and something she could understand. This is a bit verbose for her attention span, but the messages are spot on.

One Thousand Gifts - I LOVE this book. It's written in a way that makes me want to slow down. To think slow, to talk slowly, to act slowly. To embrace each moment of each day and live it for what it is. Awesome.

So the bottom four I checked out from the library:
Feeding the Whole Family - I was looking for a good family cookbook and I think I've found it. Not that I am lacking in the cookbook department... just cookbooks full of things my girls will eat. This one is pretty good and I've already tried several of the recipes out of it. It's a possibility I'll add it to my repertoire.

Crazy Sexy Diet - This book has hit the diet world by storm. The author battled cancer and learned about holistic health in the process. This is the best book on nutrition and body care that I've seen in a while.

Appetite for Reduction - I love the author of this cookbook and have two of her previous cookbooks. Usually she's not shy on using more caloric items in her recipes, though this cookbook is her answer to those who say her recipes aren't low-cal. So far everything I've tried out of it has been really good and needed minimal tweaking.

Fast Fit - I'm looking for a good book to tell me how to fit my patterns to my body. I copied a few pages out of this book to have as a reference. Maybe they'll help. Who knows.

I LOVE to read! Now go grab you a book and sit down and read it!

Recent Sewing

I've been sewing a little bit lately... ok, let's be honest. When am I not sewing? At completely random times throughout the day, I find myself sneaking into the sewing room (also the guest room) and making progress here and there on a project. When it's complete, booyah! I made something. And it is wearable, too. Even better!


I had tops for my two daughters that I fully intended to put applique's on. For whatever reason they ended up being dresses. Easy way to use up scrap fabric. The bigger dress has a tie that ties around the front, rocking the oriental look.






Are you tilting your head, saying "what does this skirt look like? The picture is too close." Yes I know, but hubby hasn't been home to take pictures of my creations this month. I had to hold out the point and shoot camera for this one. It's from the Amy Butler pattern I use to make the plaid skirt out of. This is an awesome pattern. My only gripe about this skirt is that I failed to look at where the large flower was placed on the last two tiers of the skirt. But that's minute, really. Love it. Now I just need some Springtime, please!


Once again, no one to take the picture for me... this is a stretch sweater knit that I banded with elastic and called it a day. Very easy to make, took less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I'm looking forward to wearing this one a lot!

Me Time

I have the most wonderful husband in the world, who understands that I need at least a few hours to myself each week to do whatever I dang well please. In the past I would run errands, but this didn't leave me refreshed. So, recently I've been going to a local coffee shop and reading, journaling, and trying not to eavesdrop on the person next to me (I'm easily distracted). I've started to look forward to my "date with me" each week. It's been truly wonderful, reflective, and rejuvenating.

The beginnings of Black Bean Soup, mmmmm

Life

Who among me feels the stress of the pace of our society? That never settle, over-committed, shop till you drop, never say die mentality. It's very American, isn't it? Something we've always prided ourselves in. We're a nation made of people who can do anything, dang it! But what is this doing to us? The relationships we value most?

My husband is a pediatric resident in his last year, which means our life has been terribly inconsistent. Each month, for the past 7 years, his schedule has changed. So the schedule for the family changes. And his time-commitments in each rotation increases or decreases along with the responsibilities.

No one warned me how much this would affect our family. How much it would affect me.

Yesterday, my husband collapsed on the bed following a 30 hour shift in the NICU. Eventually he woke and over a Valentine dinner (he lovingly prepared for me), he told me about twins born at 25 weeks into a 40 week pregnancy. Wee babies, designed by a loving Father, arrived in the world too soon. Each child is now laying in the NICU, ill-equipped to breathe as their lungs pulsate with electronic breaths that cannot be taken on their own.

How thankful it made me for two term pregnancies and for my two beautiful healthy girls. Thankful for a caring husband who works tirelessly in the hospital and in his home to care for the people God put in his life. Gratitude is good for the soul.

Lately I've been thinking more about what it means to "slow down." To care for the things of our home in a timely manner, so that I don't face stress because I have to rush to be done with them. To sit and reflect in order to process the good God is doing in my life. To get lost staring out my window at the snow or the sun or the sky. To relax.

LOOK at this photography!

I Just Might be in Trouble..

So this morning my Eldest and I decided to get breakfast started while Daddy slept. Dangerous thing to do, leaving two chocolate lovers to decide on breakfast. Thank goodness there are chocolate-lovers who have gone before us, writing recipe books to document their findings. Eldest Daughter and I selected a recipe from Veganomicon: Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles. Mmmmmm.

What???

Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast? I mean, they're waffles, after all. And isn't that breakfast food?

They were fantastic! So good that I am going to all the trouble to type out the recipe for you to try.


Chocolate Chip Brownie Waffles
Veganomicon - Moskowitz & Romero

Measure these into your sifter:

2 c white flour

2/3 c cocoa

1 T baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

Mix these in an extra large bowl:

1-3/4 c soymilk (I used almond milk because it's what I had)

1/4 c water

1/2 c soy yogurt (I used mashed firm tofu because it's what I had)

1/3 c oil

2/3 c sugar

1-1/2 t vanilla

Sift in the dry stuff, then blend with a whisk. When it’s almost mixed, blend in:

1 c vegan semisweet chocolate chips, coarsely chopped

1/3 c chopped walnuts

Ladle the batter onto your preheated (well oiled!) waffle iron. We didn't use much syrup but added a few strawberries, bananas, and whipped cream (not vegan, but whatever).

Enjoy!

Oh my!

Does anyone else come home frazzled after a kids party? Or is it just me? I just returned from a childrens Valentine Party and I am totally overwhelmed. I mean, I feel like I could use a serious break! My eldest has returned home totally buzzed on sugar and energy of being surrounded by 25 other kids (all under the age of 3) and my youngest seems to respond like me. Her eyes are in that perpetual state of wide-eyed surprise.

A while back I read a book called The Highly Sensitive Child, in hopes to understand my almost 4 year old better. What I didn't expect was to learn something about myself! There are several ways in which I am sensitive and it can be downright painful for me to consider. 1. I can only take so much noise. Be it a concert or my children, at some point I reach a cap and have to exit the situation pronto. This makes kiddie parties and even playgroups really tough for me. 2. I attempt to keep things on the calm level, because that's what I can take. So I look like a control freak, but really I'm just trying to keep things to a managable level before my sensitivities are overloaded and I go running from the room. I've never ever liked huge parties, even if they were for me. I could get up on stage and sing in front of a huge room full of people, but if I had to get off the stage and mingle with them, that's enough to make my heart start beating fast and my hands to get all clammy.

And I think to myself "I've been done in by a kids party." Geez.

Is there such a thing?

So about three weeks ago a friend of mine looked at my fridge and said "wow, your fridge looks really healthy." I chuckled. Does it??

This got me thinking. While we don't eat typical SAD (Standard American Diet), we don't adhere to just one of the "natural-y" ways of eating. I've read several books - so many that hubby can't keep up with them all, haha. From vegan, to raw, to macrobiotics, to clean food, to nutritarian, to body ecology... there have been many a diet change in our home in the past three or so years. A common thread in all books/articles/videos that I have viewed is this: eat more (green) veggies, legumes/beans, nuts, fruits, and it 'em raw if you can. Eat less refined or pre-made anything - cookies, crackers, sugary treats. And less dairy and meat. Seriously, they all say this.

Sometimes it seems profound and other times it seems too simple. And why oh why is it so difficult to do?

As for my fridge, is it healthy? Hm...

Randomness

We are thinking about getting some sort of bike thing when we move (coming up in June/July). I want to get an xtracycle or a madsen. You can attach seats on the back for two kiddos.

Here's the xtracycle

Here's the Madsen (and you can fit 4 kids in it, with buckles!)

I realize there is a grown woman wearing this star head band, but I think I'm going to make one for my girls...

This is the skirt I'm working on now for the Spring (this pattern). I can't stand winter any more and am now sewing ahead. Shouldn't you sew a season ahead anyway?

I am totally digging this set of bowls. Handmade pottery nesting bowls from etsy. Mmmmmm.

I've had these hemp Simple shoes for over a year now and I love them (I'm pretty picky about my shoes). Simple makes great shoes!
I've had these shoes for over a year now and I simply love them. Simple makes great shoes!

Who thinks of these things?

I love these!!

http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Cup-Measuring-Matroyshkas-Cups/dp/B002L162FS/ref=pd_sim_dbs_k_6

So I Made a Skirt

I bought this plaid fabric about two months ago with intentions of making a skirt for myself. I should have known better than to buy it... of course a few things got in the way: sewing gifts for Christmas, a diaper bag for a friend, and a costume all took precedence over my skirt. But once I cleared away all of the projects, I got to focus on something for myself. Yay! It took me a few days to decide what I wanted it to look like, but once I discovered this skirt at Sundance I knew I had to have one of my own. I used an Amy Butler pattern for the top portion of the skirt and just made the bottom part work. I LOVE it!

Crunch Cons

So I just finished reading Crunchy Cons. Is anyone else turned off by the title, as I was? But the book is awesome. Very meaty.


Here's the Crunchy Con Manefesto

By Rod Dreher

1. We are conservatives who stand outside the conservative mainstream; therefore, we can see things that matter more clearly.

2. Modern conservatism has become too focused on money, power, and the accumulation of stuff, and insufficiently concerned with the content of our individual and social character.

3. Big business deserves as much skepticism as big government.

4. Culture is more important than politics and economics.

5. A conservatism that does not practice restraint, humility, and good stewardship—especially of the natural world—is not fundamentally conservative.

6. Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract.

7. Beauty is more important than efficiency.

8. The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.

9. We share Russell Kirk’s conviction that “the institution most essential to conserve is the family.”

10. Politics and economics won’t save us; if our culture is to be saved at all, it will be by faithfully living by the Permanent Things, conserving these ancient moral truths in the choices we make in our everyday lives.

And in case you were wondering Luke, you can read the last chapter and get some very interesting information. Though my favorite chapters were: 2 Consumerism, 3 Food, and 4 Home.

Worth the read and at the very least, worth skimming while you're in a bookstore. :)

Busy Bee

Back when I was in college, a very well-meaning person that I respected once told me "if he can't make us bad, he'll make us busy." Well I took this to heart, dang it. I tried off and on to stop being so dang busy, with very little success. So I just kept on being busy and feeling guilty for it. This had been going off and on for about 6 years or so.

About a year ago, the familiar twinge of dissatisfaction with my "busy" trait had resurfaced and I had been feeling convicted. When I was praying about this one day, God spoke to me and very clearly told me: I made you this way. And it was like a switch had been flipped and I felt free from the guilt that I had associated with being busy. I was relieved, to say the least.

So. I quit worrying so much about being busy and set about enjoying it. And do you know what I did with this new found freedom of mine? I started doing more stuff.

Hm...

Somehow, it just made sense to me that I could release myself to DO more because God had set me free from feeling guilty for doing so much. Go whole hog, you know?

And what do you think happened? Yep, I got tired! And started feeling guilty (and frustrated) for doing so much that I made myself tired. Haha. Anyone seeing the irony here? Ah! I totally abused something God meant for good. I had eaten too much ice cream at the ice cream truck. Geez. Thankfully, God loves me too much to just zap me off the planet.

This happens to me often, actually. I get all excited about sewing something or reading a new book (two things I've actually been doing the past few weeks that have been wearing me out, hah). Then I dive in 100% and forget about cooking, cleaning the house, and sometimes grocery shopping for a few days or a week. Then when I finish whatever I was working on, or at least take a break from it, I resurface and realize I need to cook dinner but there are no groceries. Ack. What's a busy girl to do?

When I get like this, I know what my treatment is. To sit at the feet of Jesus and listen, reflect, and unwind my tightly-wound self. It's my therapy. Saying things like: Why do I do this? Why do I like being busy? It separates me from God, I know this. But why did He make me this way only to allow it to separate me from him? Ugh. I must be thick or something, but I just keep struggling with this.

Anywho. I just decided to dump it out there on the internet for all to see. One day I will have clarity about this and I will probably share it. Until then...

Cleaning-Out Saga Continues...

Don't think I haven't been thinking about Round 2 of cleaning out my house. It's been heavy on the brain lately. Having never done such a massive clean-out before, I had no idea how long this could take. See, I got tired and overwhelmed after the huge garage sale, giving away of 12 or so garbage bags full of baby clothes, taking a few piles to Goodwill. I've discovered that some things take quite a bit of time to think about before you know exactly what to do with it. Where to donate it, how to sell it, or if you want to keep it. So I've made a guideline for myself to follow: don't ever make decisions in a hurry and don't make decisions about someone else stuff.

One choice I made that hasn't had the dramatic (negative) impact my husband feared it would is: whittling our dishes in the kitchen down to what we use in a day or two. I now wash the top rack of the dishwasher (always hand-washing plastics, cookware, and cutlery) each day or two because the entire dishwasher was difficult to fill up. This made a huge difference in what I was able to see and retrieve from our kitchen cabinets. They were entirely too full of plates, bowls, and cups for me to get something out without other things either falling or having to be shoved to one side. I also sold all but a very few of the girls sippy cups in the last garage sale. I boxed up half of the plastic drinking glasses we have use daily since we got married without hubby noticing, making room for the fun glass and pottery glasses we have always enjoyed using but bypassed for the plastics. Now we use the glass more often, paying more attention to aesthetic detail than in the past.

These are the kinds of changes that have lasting effect on the de-stuffing process. I don't feel like I'm saying to myself "now why did I get rid of all those cups?" when I held on to them for months and we didn't even miss them. I'm applying the same principle to kids toys, clothing, home decor, toiletry products... and probably more that I am not willing to make my brain come up with at the moment.

Progress! It's not happening as fast as I initially imagined it would. But it's happening and our entire family is benefiting from it.

Lookie here

After writing the previous post, I came across this site and spent some time on it. It's quite interesting, take a peek:

http://rethinkingchristmas.com/