A Small Wonder

Cats are hilarious!!!!

2011-01-17T23:41:00.002-05:00

Note: no Beebses or animals were injured during this production. All was supervised by a trained adult.

A new year and some resolutions

2011-01-13T23:45:00.000-05:00

I realize it has been ages since my last post. Seems to be the trend these days. Seems to be what I'm feeling about a lot in my life. I'm always seeming one step behind, not on top of things, unable to multi-task the way I used to. I have a toddler, I know. I'm still transitioning from working Alix to mommy Alix. Some days that's really easy. And some days that's really, really hard. I never anticipated how hard motherhood could be for a hard-core introvert such as myself (and I mean that in the Myers-Briggs sense). Having someone need you, need you to be with them, hold them, be consumed with their needs all day, every day, when I'm needing little bits of time all to myself to be creative, and to feel like a whole human being and a decent mother, is harder than I like to admit (because, surprise!, it makes me feel like a terrible mother).

I've been thinking long and hard on what I want this little space to be. It's been many things over the past two (!) years: diary, photo journal, record of projects, animal update, baby update, green ideas... But nothing's feeling right for the place I am in my life right now. I have so much that's good each day that I don't feel so inclined to buoy myself with a daily "happy thought." Often, at night, I'm so exhausted it's all I can do to fry myself an egg, fold some laundry, pay a bill or two, and veg out in front of reality shows and then tuck in. (I am such a sucker for the worst of the worst reality TV.) I'm also feeling like I've documented a lot about my life and my animals, so how to keep it fresh and interesting? Perhaps I need this space to be more of "me" and less about the wonderful people and animals I'm lucky enough to share my life with. (But, how to do that?)

How to describe motherhood? You find yourself more in love with another being than you thought possible, yet simultaneously you mourn the parts of yourself that you must hide, or push down for now-- until she's a little older, until you have time once again. How to describe adulthood? When "real life" and bills, and disappointment, and loss, and anger and frustration get in the way of creativity and fun and laughter.

It's also harder for me to write from a place of happiness or neutrality, which is sort of where I'm hovering now, and why this space has been so empty. The past three years brought with them many challenges and a whole lot of grief. I was doing a lot of writing then. (And a lot of reading. *sigh*) In three years I lost a grandfather, an uncle, a dear friend's daughter, two pregnancies, and a home. I felt a part of something in my professional life. I felt successful, but also challenged. I felt I was good at my job. I poured myself into my life there, largely because if I couldn't stop to think about everything else, I wouldn't. Push it down. Push it down. Somewhere along the line I learned that showing emotion is weakness. Or, that's what I've internalized. I like feeling in control. Loss doesn't fit that tendency. So I worked hard, and put everything into work. And then I lost that job. Who am I without it? How do I not take it personally? Where do I go from here? How do I adjust to not being the primary breadwinner for the first time in seven years? How do I take pride in my new job when I loathe vacuuming, cleaning toilets, dusting, unloading the dishwasher (UGH! The worst.)? Though to be fair, I get A+ marks for creative play, hugs and kisses, reading Touch and Feel Kitten hundreds of times a day, and managing to make squash and blueberries go together in a puree. You can't quantify what being a good mother, wife, "homemaker" looks like. There are no promotions, or a paycheck to help define a job well done.

How do I not feel trapped or stuck?

And I've been feeling guilt and frustration each time I don't get here to write. I feel the same when I don't answer emails in a timely fashion anymore. When I don't have the energy to call. When I can't keep all the balls in the air. When *gasp* (I know) I use the dryer or leave a light on when I'm home by myself, or buy jars of baby food. I don't know what to do with all these feelings (that I'm told accompany motherhood, or maybe it's just womanhood) that I'm being watched. Judged. That everyone else can do it better. That I have to always be "on." That somehow I have to be Martha Stewart, but I have to always be calm and stoic. I also have to always be the model for the most "green" way of doing things. And that's how I live, but I've become caught up in probably some destructive patterns of seeking a perfection that I don't think exists-- not unless we were off the grid completely, and you know what?! I can't do that all by myself as the pseudo-single mom that I am with the income we've got. (My partner in crime works craze-o hours). I just can't. There. I've admitted it in front of God and country and blogosphere. I'm not perfect. I don't have it all figured out. I drive myself crazy with my "rules" sometimes. (Like, I don't have any paper towels in the house. I'm pretty proud of the fact that our only paper product is TP. But, I have to say, the other day, I found a particularly heinous act of dog mischief on our bedroom carpet that had me longing for just one roll. Just one! It would be recycled, I swear!!!!!!!!). Like: I feel guilty for buying the bread at the health food store even though it lets me spend a few more minutes on the floor playing with my daughter, but if I'm making bread, I'm feeling guilty because I'm not feeling fully attentive to Addie (or it's just darn hard when a little one wants your attention and decides the moment you have your hands plunged into paste to attempt to swallow a foreign object or grab the cat's tail or just be pissed at you for daring to take a few moments to do anything that she can't yet participate in).

So, perhaps here I will chronicle my journey in 2011 to move on and let go: of grief, of anger, of some random notion of perfection-- both in motherhood and in environmental sustainability. I'd like to continue to find the beauty and the inspiration of every day. I'd like to make yoga a more daily, rather than weekly, sacred space, even if that means *gasp again* I attempt to wake up before my child and carve out time for myself (as amazing as that sounds, I LOVE sleep and I just don't know...). Come with me as I try to find time to read, write, quilt, knit, and take photos. I really do believe that a whole mommy is a happy mommy. Maybe somewhere along the line I'll figure out who the heck I am and what I'm supposed to be doing, and maybe somewhere along the line I'll also find peace.

Namaste.

Christmas morning hair. All of us. :)

A tree! And, the house (finally)

2010-12-07T00:25:00.000-05:00

Our tree!!

You get two here: one with Beebs' eyes closed and one with E's. Ah well.

Today was the big day. We went tree hunting and picked out our tree. It was COLD. Freezing cold. I'm not so sure we anticipated just how bad the wind would be. Perhaps it should have been a hint that we were the only ones at the tree farm. Hmmm. Or, perhaps it was just that it was a Monday at around 1pm. Either way, it really was nice to avoid the crowd this year. Beebs was all bundled up (as you see) and didn't mind at all. She rather enjoyed the whole thing. She also thought seeing the farm's peacocks, chickens and ducks was pretty sweet. Girl after my own heart.

And finally here are a few shots of the homestead. It's looking pretty clean, and nicely jolly. The dim lighting helps hide the dust and other imperfections :).

The dining room.

Looking into the dining room from the kitchen. That's my trusty chest freezer. Made it work even without a basement.

Another shot to show you the openness of the floor plan. You can see the living room on the left and the woodstove (and the diapers drying on the rack in front of it :) ).

The kitchen! We did: all new floors, new light fixtures (well, really, our trusty and fabulous electrician friend did that work, but I designed it :) ), all new appliances, new counter tops and a new sliding door. Oh. And we had all the walls painted. You can't really see, but my kitchen is Araucana egg blue, and the TV room is "Bathsheba"-- the color of Sheba's eggs-- and the living room/dining room is "Hermione"-- the color of Hermione's eggs. Yeah. The guy at the paint counter looked at me funny too when I told him I was matching my chicken's eggs. The colors are so warm and cozy and they go beautifully together.

Another view with Beebs' hippo chair. I really should have taken more "before" shots. Imagine: no appliances, one bare ceiling light, a small island (we increased the top to create an eating space), and scary vinyl flooring that was supposed to look like wood flooring.

The TV room with the tree (the TV is hiding over to the right). Pretty. So, those of you in the know, you'll see we decided to put the tree here, and we think it works. It wouldn't have fit in the living room, and you can still see it from most of the house.

And counting...

2010-12-01T21:36:00.000-05:00

We're counting down!

Forgive the poor photo quality. It was like 9pm and I don't have a fancy schmancy camera.

And, dear readers, here's the story: Growing up Advent was always a big hit for me. And this is funny--full disclosure here folks-- because I'm not religious. I'm very much an atheist. But back then, I was an acolyte in the Episcopal church and loved it. I mean, it suited me perfectly: a "costume," being center of attention at the service, getting to finish the last bitty bits of port after Eucharist, and lighting the candles-- including the big Advent wreath. And at home we had the most wonderful, most special Advent calendar handmade by my great-grandmother. It was felt with pockets for each day, and with unique and glittery, beautiful beaded ornaments hidden in each pocket. We'd excitedly pull one out each day and pin it to the felt tree. We did this every, single year for like 16 years, that is, until our new puppy Stewart (who sadly passed away just this year at 13 years old) chomped it to bits ingesting several straight pins in the process. He had x-rays and had to be put under and the pins removed. It was a scene. A horrible carnage ("Christmas means carnage!!" Sorry. Little private joke there). There was no fixing the damage. It was ruined. And luckily, English Setters are fairly indestructible, we've found over the years, so no harm done to Stew.

Anyway. I never forgot that calendar and how special it was to me. About two years ago I decided I'd make one myself. I don't so much work from patterns with fabric. Something about the precision and the exactness bothers me. So, I just went to it from memory (and in this case, it's not like a bunch of squares, rectangles and a tree weren't hard to cut out without a pattern! so, it's not like I'm living on the wild side here people). What you see above is what I came up with. I managed to finish the tree, the pockets and embroider the numbers on the pockets. Then work, and pregnancy (god I was so tired all. the. time.) kind of kept me from finishing it. I pulled it back out this year and showed my mom. How exciting is it that she enthusiastically took up the task of finishing it!? She has so far handmade 12 incredible ornaments from felt with hand beading. She's attached buttons on the tree that are multi colored and look like ornaments (you can kind of see them better below). Each ornament has a little embroidered loop at the top so we can just hook them on a button! No more straight pins!!! And it has some of her own hand-spun yarn from which to hang it on the wall.

Beebs and I enjoyed hanging our first ornament today. Very cool.

And PS- yay for not using paper Advent calendars-- our little environmental blurb for today.

Holy Sweet Potato!

2010-11-30T13:11:00.003-05:00

We ended up with 4 of these bad boys from our wonderful CSA. Beebs actually cried when she first saw one. She was totally freaked out. She has since made friends, as you can see. I mean, they are GIANT potatoes.

But, even after Thanksgiving where we did manage to eat a good portion of two of them, I still have two left. And, I just received some more from my winter CSA this week! Phew.

So begins my journey to use the sweet potato. I already love em just baked with a little butter and maybe some brown sugar. Beebs loves them baked and mashed. E, not so much. I admit, I'm sick of them just on the side. So...

Recipe number one: Sweet Potato quick bread from The Victory Garden cookbook. A wonderful cookbook dear friends M and N gave me a few years back. I use it all the time. It especially helps with those unusual items you can find in your CSA box, or at the farmer's market.

This bread was really tasty. Not too sweet either, which is a big plus for me (I don't add all the sugar called for in chocolate chip cookies).

One down, one big potato and six little potatoes to go. Next up: perhaps some sweet potato cranberry muffins-- to help use up the cranberry sauce I made, but then forgot in the fridge at Thanksgiving, so we never ate it. I'd like to try making two batches, one for now, one to freeze for later.

For my third post of the evening...

2010-11-27T23:08:00.000-05:00

I finally figured out the template business!! It all comes down to my beloved Firefox being behind the times. Can no longer use the handy-dandy new template designer and whatnot on that browser. Luckily, Safari to the rescue. I'm kind of digging this new look. What do you think? The birds are most definitely for my Beebs.

First haircut! A trim really...

2010-11-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

Before.

After! Just a little trim above the eyes so those pesky hairs don't keep getting in the way. :)

Ahhhh.

2010-11-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

So nice.

Brandi

2010-11-20T22:58:00.005-05:00

A little bit ago (during my seemingly endless blog break) I went with dear friend E to see Brandi Carlile in Wilmington. Hands down it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Sorry The Gossip. Sorry Allman Brothers. Sorry Ani. You'll have to step it up. This woman is even more incredible live. The energy and love was palpable in the theater (strikingly similar to the one in the video). She played off the audience in an amazing way. Made a hundred person crowd feel like they were seeing her in a coffee house. Thank you E for bringing her into my universe. And thank you Brandi for rocking my world.

This week in country living...

2010-11-13T23:16:00.004-05:00

Or, a random jumble because I don't really know where to start after so much time...

Do I go back and tell you fine folks all that we've been doing? There's been apple picking. Halloween: TissageArt: Trick or Treat. There's been cooking and baking. There was a hawk attack that claimed one of my chicken girls. I found her. Buried her. And then got terrible, horrible poison ivy all over my hands, arms and face because I wasn't paying attention to where I was burying her. Evan had some time off. Like actual weekends! We've been doing home projects. I will (finally) be sharing some home photos soon, probably after Tuesday when our woodstove will be installed and I'll feel like my home is in "share-able" shape. There's been trips up to Philadelphia. Swinging in the park. Beebs is eating all sort of yummy things and digging it-- tonight was mashed potatoes and meatloaf and broccoli. I have more of my life back now that my "season" is over and I don't "coach" again until March.

Or, do I go right into what's been up lately? Like, there have been wonderful country moments. This week in escaped animals:

For real, I stopped the car in the middle of a pretty main thoroughfare to get this one. I mean, c'mon! A bull in someone's front yard? Only in Townsend.
Or this guy I found in my driveway a few mornings ago, munching away on our grass, driving the dogs ballistic. By the time I grabbed my camera he'd trotted off down the street. Eventually he found his way back to his worried friends in the field across from my house by running full force into the barbed wire fence and snapping it with his chest. Where there's a will, I guess.

And there's been lots of time with this little lady. Awesome.

Applesauce! Etc.

2010-09-30T23:11:00.006-04:00

Even though it's been 90 degrees I managed to make some applesauce and apple butter with the pounds of apples we picked a weekend or so back. Got out the canner too. The chickens really enjoyed all the cores and apple skins. Let's just say this was the first time making apple butter and it took me a long time. A long, long, long time. I might just stick with the applesauce, which couldn't be easier. If you have any secrets, I'd love to hear them!

These days my job (outside the house) is coordinating a high school organic gardening program after school. I'm lucky in that Beebs gets to come with me. She really enjoys it. Can't you tell?! She watches the big kids for a bit and gets into it herself. Yesterday she had her hands all in the dirt. And remarkably only a little bit made it into her mouth! It is amazing to see how much joy she finds in nature. And I mean, how wonderful to see through her eyes what it is like to really feel dirt for the first time.

Addie thinks it is hilarious when I play with the kitties. I dangle their little catnip string and they bat at it and Addie laughs and laughs. I showed her maybe two- three times. And she got it! Aggie is her big pal. And it cracks me up to see his look of patience, or is it boredom, in this video? She is the cat whisperer.

Oh, and I am super excited about my new subscription to Mother Earth News.

Where I found this amazing article about bread (just click on the photo). And made some today. Delicious. And super easy. I have the dough happily expanding and ripening in the fridge as I type. And how nice to get like 6-8 loaves that are guaranteed crusty and fresh? I love my bread machine, but it just doesn't do that nice, fancy-schmancy crust. Yah know?

Monarchs!

2010-09-26T23:59:00.006-04:00

Found these guys munching away about a month ago on milkweed and phlox in my garden.

Then, a little bit later, found a couple chrysalises on my hydrangea bush. These photos don't do this little guy justice. I don't have great zoom. There is actual gold, like gold leaf, on the top and dotting the bottom. Remarkable.

Then, a few weeks later, a monarch emerged. Unfortunately, not all the caterpillars survived, and the other chrysalis I could find, didn't make it. But this beauty, it made it.

I have been pretty obsessed with butterflies since I started watching them in college as part of a program at the environmental center on campus. So, to see this in my own backyard was pretty special. Especially as monarchs are such incredible little creatures.

If you're so inclined, some fascinating reading (which I've made a link to Robert Michael Pyle's Facebook page):

Um, Hello Universe?

2010-09-26T23:52:00.001-04:00

Yeah. Hi. It's me. I'm really ready for fall. Like, now. Ok? No more 95 degree days. It was really hot in here the other day when it got up to 83 degrees with like 100 percent humidity in the house. It is September 26th after all. I refuse to turn the air on. Refuse.

I'm ready for sweaters (this one is on the needles for Miss A).

And apple picking.

And cozy hats. Just sayin.

We've been gardening!

2010-09-15T21:48:00.002-04:00

With our fancy gardening hats, of course. Missy is very good at helping to pull weeds. No joke. I sat her down next to me; she watched the kids work for a bit and then she started pulling herself. They didn't end up in her mouth, which was shocking. She also realized how lovely it is to put bare feet in soft earth. So nice on the toes!

Continuing the Update

2010-09-09T22:01:00.002-04:00

This last month we also enjoyed visits from Addie's great-grandmothers (on my side)! We are very lucky indeed. :)

Hello? Anybody out there?

2010-09-08T22:06:00.005-04:00

I know, I know. It's been awhile. I was kind of enjoying being unplugged for a bit. I thought over the next few days I'd catch you all up to speed on what we've been up to this August. When I just downloaded my photos on my camera there were 198 on there. Sheesh!

We've been:

Eating all kinds of foods. Still in love with bananas. But so enjoyed sucking the sweet juices out of a tomato today in the organic garden. Green beans, once the nemesis, now c'est ok.

Playing piano for all the animals. She really digs this thing and gets into the groove. Henry is such a patient audience on his blue chair.

Ready for her first gig

2010-07-28T16:21:00.005-04:00

Complete with rockstar burp at the end. Oh yeah!!! Cause that's how we roll!

For booking:
Contact Mommy at this blog.

What's new

2010-07-25T12:30:00.003-04:00

Eating like a champ! We've had two straight days where Miss A has finished a whole portion of rice cereal. Then yesterday she had, in addition, a half of a banana, some avocado and some sweet potato! She really likes bananas-- that's her with some on her chin above.

And she really likes her hippo chair. Of course Mama found a hippo chair to continue the obsession. See the hippo grips? Love it.

Yesterday we had a lovely visit with great-Grandma, and Auntie Carolyn (Mama's cousin) who Miss A had never met before and Mama hadn't seen in two years. So nice! Miss A made a new friend.

And! When I went to collect eggs yesterday I found the first Little Peep egg! It's the small one there in the middle of the big girls' eggs. So exciting. I was squealing out loud out by the coop. As the chickens mature the eggs will get larger. It never gets old.

Frogs, first food and family

2010-07-18T23:36:00.005-04:00

What a wonderful visit we just enjoyed with a whole bunch of family. The house seems mighty empty without everyone. We miss you.

In nature news:

I don't know how many species of frogs and toads we've got calling our acre home-- I've got to get a book! They are mighty happy about our lights. We've a symbiotic deal going: I have lights on for safety, they get to snack and get fat off of the bugs that are attracted to the lights. Last rain I counted 36 frogs on the back of the house (that was just the back), and a handful of toads. We have two toads that come out and hang on our back stoop every night. I look forward to seeing them every night.

We've also been loving our house finch (mom and I finally figured out what she was after two days of searching the bird book and the internet). She built a house in the rose bush right outside our living room window. We can watch her from there, though she eyes us suspiciously. Mom brought up wonderful plants from her garden and we discovered the nest while replanting them here. The little peeps hatched two days ago and I've been loving watching this other mama care for her babies.

To come soon(hopefully): the baby turtles that mama carefully hid under Addie's window several weeks ago.

Miss A has been venturing into the wonderful world of solid food. She is super interested and tries to grab my utensils, drink out of my cups (teethe on the side) and pulls my plate towards her. She has already enjoyed sweet potatoes, avocado and banana. I wanted to start her with "real" foods before going into the whole cereal thing. That was a success, so while Granddad and Grandmama were visiting we broke out the rice cereal. Success again! Miss A wasn't so sure about the concept of the spoon as you see since she'd only just sucked food off my fingers, which is what is going on in the second photo. She is such a fan of food and it is so exciting to expose her to different flavors and see her reaction. She's getting the concept of swallowing and "chewing" down too and it is amazing to see her "getting it."

My aunt came all the way from Japan and met Addie for the first time. We don't get to see each other but once a year, usually, so this was a big deal. It was so special that she spent the time with us, and Addie made a new best friend. My brother PC and his wife Jenny also came up and we had such fun with them as always. Addie is lucky to have so many intelligent, funny, caring and loving people in her life.

Dad, Addie, Misaki and PC

The wonderful! children's park near Mom and Dad's new house. (I'll let her tell you about it).

Me in the rocker, Great-Grandma, Misaki and Beebs

Meeting Misaki- a new pal for life. Addie is loved the world over. How cool is that?

Relaxing with Henry.

Miss A is becoming obsessed with the animals (sound familiar?). She thinks they're hilarious. She also thinks they look tasty and tries to put them in her mouth. Setter hair: not tasty. Cat hair: not tasty. Yet, she goes back for more. She cracks me up with how she giggles and smiles whenever she sees the dogs or the cats. Cuddling with Henry was a special treat. And he was a really good boy. Tolerance city.

7 years

2010-07-05T23:41:00.004-04:00

Has it been seven years? Doesn't feel like it. I'm glad I met you every single day. (Who else would so love me, Addie May...2 setters, 3 cats, and 11 chickens?) You're the best. Even if I don't tell you that often enough. Just know that I think it.

A few of Addie May's favorite things:

2010-07-05T22:40:00.002-04:00

Our new hummingbird buddies. There seem to be about four, two males and two females, that zip around. One male (above) looks to have declared himself lord of the manor and sits guarding the feeder from the branch above. He sits there pretty much all day preening. We're getting such a kick out of watching the antics. Hummingbirds are remarkable.

Naptime with good friends. I heard some strange sounds on the baby monitor. Came in to find these two cuddling and cooing at one another.

The Johnny Jump Up!!

Though this is what it's really good for in Addie's book: super teething time with intensity!

News from the farm

2010-06-24T12:26:00.002-04:00

We're still working away on the house. Seems like it is never done. Luckily, this time we have help. Two talented guys are tiling our master bathroom and installing the sink etc. Phew. We should be able to use it tonight! Whoohoo! This means more boxes unpacked and out of the living room. Double whoohoo!!

I can always count on animal "helpers." Aggie (aka Evil Eyes) helps Mama organize the diapers. (They had just been hanging and drying quite neatly).

To beat the heat, and it is crazy heat--98 degrees every day-- Beebs and I headed over to a dear friend's house for some swimming. She was not so sure about the whole thing which is funny because she loves her bathtub so much. The pool water wasn't too cold either. It felt good to mama anyway.

"What the heck is this?!" she's thinking.

Better on the kickboard.

And to beat the heat, there's nothing like extended nap time with friends, is there? Especially while holding paws.

This is the stuff

2010-06-19T00:16:00.001-04:00

Visiting

2010-06-15T22:15:00.003-04:00

Someone really likes to turn pages for mama these days.

We have been enjoying a wonderful visit with Granddad, Grandmama and (Setter)Aunties Audrey and Ivy.

We've been snuggling and reading.

And learning to knit.

Strawberry hunting

2010-06-08T23:46:00.005-04:00

Miss A smiles now when Mama says "Say cheese!"

The day's spoils.

I really try not to eat fruit out of season. I think the only cheat is citrus in winter sometimes. I've been doing my best to preserve either through canning or freezing. Not only is this the healthier way to eat, there is an attention to nature that can't be missed. It is way more economical too. I'm pretty excited that Miss A will know where her food comes from-- that we go and pick it, perhaps talk with the farmer who grew it. That we learn not everything can be instantly gratified. We avoid pesticides and preservatives and crazy science used to extend shelf life and mass produce. We try to support a thriving biodiversity.

This means I don't take the easy route. Even at my local farmer's market I really make an effort not to buy food that's traveled from far away places. And yeah, that means that March and April can be really tough as we use up what I've stored up, and there's not really anything except maybe some brave rhubarb (though I do love it) on the horizon. And I do know that this philosophy is perhaps a luxury that I enjoy because of my education and our income, but I also wholeheartedly believe that those of us who know better, and those of us who can, should. It is our responsibility. I've discovered though, that in the long run, buying local and buying in bulk has saved us a ton of money, and that if we, as Americans, could get out from under the thumb of fast food, big business and "convenience" foods, we'd be in a whole lot better shape all around.

But right now it's strawberry season. And it was a glorious day. Beebs and I went out to hunt some strawberries. I'll be freezing many, and hopefully making some jam with the rest (if they all don't disappear first).

It sure is tiring picking all that fruit.

Coop; What I'm reading now

2010-06-07T20:31:00.005-04:00

I'm so enjoying this book so far. A wonderful and totally appropriate birthday present, no? Just click play and hear the author, Michael Perry, read from Coop: A Family a Farm, and the pursuit of One Good Egg.

Twofer

2010-06-05T14:55:00.003-04:00

Feeling the cool spray off the fountain.

See all that drool on our Moby wrap? Someone's getting ready for some teeth me thinks.

The farmyard fun was actually yesterday, but mama took so much footage, I had to edit it down today. Today was an adventure at the Chestertown Farmer's Market with daddy. So fun. We picked up homemade bread, and some local and wonderful meats (Cedar Run Farm-- he delivers in MD/DE and I can attest to Mr. Dodd's quality product and his lovely personality. Nothing like having a truck pull up in your driveway with wonderful meat in it, is there? I haven't bought meat in a supermarket in about 4 years and don't plan to any time soon).

Gettin Funky with the Farmyard

2010-06-05T14:49:00.002-04:00

Beebs would like to share with you what fun her Funky Farmyard is. Today was the first day she ever reached up for her toys. And, like a good 21st century mommy, I shoved a camera in her face and documented the heck out of it. Enjoy.

Lately,

2010-06-02T23:17:00.004-04:00

we've been:

hanging with "Big Dog",

watching over our flock* (look how big the little peeps are now!),

reading good stories together (thank you great-aunt Amy for all the wonderful books!!),

staring out at the new view from my kitchen window. The roses are from my front yard and were here when we moved in.

*For those who might be into chickens like I am, I wanted to let you know how super-pleased I am with my "Patriot" solar electric fence unit. My mesh fence is from Premier (they rock), and it has metal filaments in it that I can charge with the solar unit. Installation couldn't have been easier. One ground cable and one shock cable and it keeps the ladies in, and so far, all predators out. It even works on Henry. Sorry buddy!

Phew! Glad that's over

2010-05-26T20:20:00.004-04:00

The boys helping us move.

Fabulous hat courtesy of Grandmama.

No more pictures Dad!

Well, almost. Still some boxes littering the house. A fence and a gate to be installed... and an air conditioner. But, we're here. And now, there is internet!! Oh boy. Best. Day. Ever. So, now I can share pictures and stories from the new "farm." I was feeling mighty disconnected and know I'll have to pull myself away tonight from reading everyone's latest postings.

Today was a lovely break from the chaos. I got a little spa pampering for my birthday, as Miss A and Daddy strolled around beautiful Chesapeake City, MD. Then we had lunch at a favorite spot, and some dipped soft serve at a local place on the way home (always reminds me of Mount Vernon, OH and that makes me happy).

Here are just a few moments from our day. Someone is looking big, no?

We've moved!

2010-05-18T18:32:00.003-04:00

View from our driveway.

Sorry! We've moved. And we have no internet. I'm about to go CRAZY. Boy do I rely on the web. I could sneak some time online today back at school. We should have internet in the next 2-3 days so look out for many pics of The Beebs to come. (When I find my camera in all the chaos and boxes).

Cecil loves barking at the ponies. It's his new favorite thing.

Nature girl

2010-04-30T15:02:00.003-04:00

So glad someone seems to love nature as much as her mama. I set up Miss A's little tuffet while I put laundry on the line. The whole time she babbled away at the trees. I tried to capture just a bit.

Feeling the itch

2010-04-28T22:43:00.002-04:00

I've been feeling the itch creeping up slowly. The itch to make things. The itch that, before I became pregnant, I would stay up way into the wee hours to scratch. I couldn't go a day without creating. Then the first trimester hit. It was enough to just brush my teeth. Or, on a particularly accomplished day, drive to get my CSA, manage to pull myself from the car, pick a few veggies off the table and scramble back in the car before the inevitable nausea hit (some times resulting in the super quick pull over to the side of the road; sorry Galena, MD!). Then I was just so darned bone-achingly tired the whole time I was pregnant. And that usual nesting time? We were thrown for a loop when my job situation and housing was suddenly up in the air and all my energy and focus went to finding a home, and quick. Then my newborn sweetie kept me pretty zapped. Up until about now. In the next few weeks we'll most likely be moving into our new home and there will be plenty there to do: new curtains, quilts, wall decor etc.

Anyway. Here's hoping I can get back in the swing soon. There's a basket, a box and a bowl of yarn waiting, and an entire bureau filled with fabric.

What's up at "the farm"

2010-04-27T23:07:00.008-04:00

Hangin with The Bebes is oh so fine.

And I've been moving the Little Peeps out into their mini-pen just about each day (except those that are rainy) for much needed constitutionals. They lounge and sun bathe and work on their flock dynamics and dominance while Hermione and Bathsheba eye them suspiciously, seemingly grateful that they can't escape the dog pen. It's so fun to watch how gleefully they stretch their wings and strut. They're really starting to look like chickens. Henry, of course, has been monitoring their progress closely as per usual. He has gotten into the annoying habit of pushing down the fence with his chin and climbing in to hang out, play and eat the chicken crumble-- it only took him a year, and it is a frustrating new development.

Some "before" shots of the house...and chickens!

2010-04-18T18:12:00.002-04:00

Finally I'm getting around to posting some "before" shots of the new house. We've had painting done, so they're not totally "before" but, the toilets in the middle of the rooms give you some sense :). Above is the master bedroom.

Here's the front door and living room, looking into the family room.

Here is part of the kitchen and the sliding glass door.

The family room. Though convenient, we won't be keeping the commode in there.

Miss A's room. (We added the ceiling fans).

The guest room. And...

The ladies are growing like crazy. They are starting to get such pretty feathers, but they sure are gangly and funky looking. It is good to know that puberty is awkward for all species.

Look!

2010-04-08T22:52:00.002-04:00

Little peeps growing big and strong. It is amazing to see how rapidly they are growing feathers, trying to flap those little wings, and how their colors are developing. I'm loving raising these chicks.

the struggle

2010-04-05T15:01:00.003-04:00

She struggles against sleep in a way that astounds and exhausts me. So tired. Eyelids droopy, then POP, they're wide open and she screams. While nighttime has become routine and Addie has managed to work up to five to six hours a night(!!) which this tired momma couldn't have even dreamed of a mere three weeks ago, her morning nap is now non-existent. She struggles against it until weary and drained she zonks out. Today it was at 2:45pm. She has started to notice the wide world. All the things to look at, analyze, and attempt to understand. She's like me on car trips--no matter the length I won't sleep--I don't want to miss anything. I can see this in her too and perhaps she figures the nap can wait, there's too much to see and think.

Springtime means...

2010-03-31T21:14:00.005-04:00

CHICKENS!!!!! Couldn't resist these lovelies at Tractor Supply. The flock is officially restocked. Hopefully these ladies will enjoy a nice, long life with me.

They're Golden Comets, and it seems they'll look very similar to my White Leghorn/Rhode Island Red mixes, but we'll see.

Spring also means basil apparently as we been enjoying an incredible bunch from the CSA this week. Oh my what a glorious surprise to find it in there last Friday. There really is nothing like fresh basil is there?

And look who learned a new trick?! Ok, I put the bunny rattle in her hand, but darn it if she didn't grip it and then shake it around gleefully. So fun.

Food Revolution

2010-03-27T22:47:00.004-04:00

Anybody else out there enjoying Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC?

So far I'm digging it.

Addie May says

2010-03-24T18:25:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone! Addie May here. Today was a pretty great day. See--I'm pretty excited about it.

It was beautiful and sunny, though still a bit chilly. Mom and I enjoyed two walks!! I love walks and always fall right asleep. Since school is in session I was quite the celebrity with many kids and faculty seeing me for the first time. I just pretty much slept through it all, but it was nice anyway. Can you see that my Grandmama is quite the knitter?! Check out my outfit above for my walk. Full Grandmamawear.

I helped put diapers on the line today.

My mom is really obsessed with two things I'm learning: her clothesline and those diapers!

I mean, I guess diapers are cool. We also went to Lowe's and picked out a whole bunch of light fixtures for the new house. I'm pretty excited about our new house though I haven't really seen it. Both times I was there I was sleeping. Huh. That seems to be a thing with me doesn't it? Mom was a little worried that this was becoming a baby-centered blog but I suppose she made me too, so she shouldn't be too hard on herself. I can't wait to be old enough for crafts!

Wow

2010-03-23T21:20:00.002-04:00

Today I managed to make an apple pie. After two nights without sleep I thought that was pretty good! It felt so good to make something from scratch again.

And of course I had a little helper to oversee the process. Though she fell asleep halfway through. Hmmm. Let's hope there's more of that tonight.

Spring!!

2010-03-21T22:15:00.002-04:00

A beautiful evening to say goodbye to dear friends who are headed out west to do homesteading in earnest. We'll miss them so much. We enjoyed a lovely potluck amongst incredibly warm and welcoming people.

I love...

2010-03-21T00:36:00.003-04:00

our cloth diapers. I only wish I'd bought more of them so I don't have to do a wash every day. I plan to get several more so I can go every other day. I know that the jury is still out on whether cloth is more environmentally friendly than disposables (water usage vs. landfill space). I happen to feel much better about washing up and reusing diapers than throwing them out-- which I had to do for the first several weeks of Little One's life because she was so small she didn't fit in her cloth diapers yet. I just love the colors of the BumGenius diapers and they couldn't be easier to use-- just like disposables. We've had no leaks at all and they dry up really quickly after a wash so ready to use almost right away.

Someone is not so sure she likes baths still-- though now that she can be fully in the warm water as opposed to just a sponge bath where she was all cold, she is feeling much better about the whole thing. And she has started to legitimately find her thumb. Quite an exciting feat. She knows what to do when I say: "Find your thumb!" She goes for it! So smart :).

A warm day together

2010-03-18T22:44:00.002-04:00

Today we all spent as much time as possible outdoors. It was a beautiful 70 degrees or so and sunny. So what we've been waiting through all this snow for. We even had a chance to thoroughly clean and move the coop. The girls are so happy to be in their new location in the yard with new straw and a new door (thank you E!) to keep them safe. Miss Adelaide was so helpful. See her there with her eggs.

A month!

2010-03-09T19:27:00.003-05:00

On Friday Miss A will be a month old! A whole month. Hard to believe. The time has flown by. This month:

-we had wonderful visits from family and friends
-took our first stroller trip around campus
-Miss A learned to pick her head up, kick her feet out with some control, suck her thumb, grasp my fingers, smile
-ride happily in her "SleepWrap" (she loves being cuddled up on my chest)
-we rode in the car to the Drs. and to pick up our CSA
-Miss A gained over 10 oz.

Can't wait to see what March holds. Maybe some more sleep? Maybe :).

She's here!!

2010-02-22T12:32:00.002-05:00

...and that's where I've been.

Adelaide May
February 12, 2010, 11:06pm
5lbs, 13oz
18.5 inches long

We're doing really well. Her birth was amazingly peaceful and calm. (After the 30 hours or so of ruptured membranes, induction and early labor--her actual birth at the end was lovely). Thank you all so much for the well-wishes and thoughtfulness. I hope to be back to this space regularly very soon. For now, we're sleeping when we can sleep!!!

Snow and Strawberries

2010-02-06T20:57:00.004-05:00

Sorry, that's a tortilla. Not snow, or strawberries. But I took the shot earlier this week when I made the tortillas from scratch and I found the shot and thought I'd go ahead and share--I was pretty proud of myself! The tortillas were remarkably easy to make, especially as I have a pizza stone. Also, I used some of my bag of homemade cornmeal that I got in my CSA box a week or so back.

Now, on to the snow:

Nine months!

It's been a week since my last post (!) and I have MORE snow to report. A bit over 2 feet in fact. Luckily, E was home from work before it all started; he spent most of the day digging us out! He spent many hours out there in fact so he can get to work tomorrow, and just in that off chance that I need to get to the hospital.

We ended up eating like summertime. I was SO excited to find a large bag of frozen strawberries in the chest freezer that I picked and then put away in JUNE--in the days when, for some reason, the only thing I had energy for at all in the first trimester was going out and picking fruit at local farms-- and oh man, they were TASTY. Little bursts of warmer days to come in every bite. Especially amazing on a day when we were snowed in. I knew the tarts were going to be dessert, and that inspired me to dig back further in the freezer and find some of the pesto I froze in August. It thawed beautifully. Basil goodness on a 20 degree day. Awesome.

Hope you're all staying dry and warm. We sure are!

I did not pose them. I swear. Crooky just crawled in there and they slept like babies.

What's new

2010-01-30T23:07:00.003-05:00

I spoke too soon in that last post, and on the phone earlier today when I was adamant it was not snowing. It did in fact snow today. Buckets. The only downside was that the roads were too scary to allow me to pick up my CSA box today. I'm hoping I can do it tomorrow.

Otherwise, the snowy day allowed me to:

-bake cookies and make a huge pot of chicken broth

-enjoy one of the simplest and most amazing dinners--a fresh (and by fresh, I mean I got them out of the coop this morning) soft-boiled egg or two--really, is there anything more heavenly?

-snuggle up with furry friends for naps, knitting and MI-5 on Netflix

We are also officially homeowners!! It's all very exciting. And it is a big reason I've been MIA around here. There was this HUGE change coming for us that I couldn't really talk about yet, and I didn't have much else on my mind. I mean, of course, the birth of my child is front and center, don't get me wrong, but making sure we wouldn't be homeless when said bundle of joy arrives, was taking a lot of brain space and every free second of the last two months. Closing went without a hitch and we have the keys and everything. Renovation ideas are swirling and whirling in my head. As if I needed another reason not to get enough sleep :). I'll of course get some "before" shots up soon--especially as the hair salon that was in the dining room will be gone by the end of the week :). Ok, not a full salon, just the hook up for the sink juts out of the wall.

We're lucking out on this house, I think, and I absolutely love the setting--horse farm across the street!, an acre lot with woods and lots of privacy and quiet--and I love the floor plan as it is open and full of potential. It was also a foreclosure that has been empty for almost a year so it needs TLC. Luckily, nothing major, and it is a big blank slate to make our own. Stay tuned!!

A year ago...

2010-01-26T00:27:00.003-05:00

Odd to go back a year in time in the digital photo album (this picture was taken a year ago exactly). So much has happened! While time seems to have moved at an incredibly rapid pace, looking back reminded me of all that made 2009 so rich. When the photo above was taken we had no chickens, we had no cats, I was not pregnant, we were not even thinking of buying a house, it was freezing! (today was 52 degrees). I remember thinking last year that the winter just would not end. The pond below our house was frozen solid for months. This year, not so much. It's been rainy and warm and it doesn't yet really feel like winter.

This was a good reminder of all the wonderful things that can happen in just one year. And it made me look forward to all that 2010 has to bring even more.

Nesting

2010-01-18T23:34:00.004-05:00

Who knew this nesting phase could make a woman so crazy?! (Well, probably you other moms out there). Man. When that urge hits you, you just must ORGANIZE THAT SHELF RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!

I am so lucky to have so many kind and generous friends and family. They are all really helping me to be as "green" as possible. Almost all of Baby's wardrobe is hand-me-downs from friends and even some dresses and a Snugli my mom found from me and my brother! We've received favorite books that are like new. We have a tub, a pack-n-play, furniture (including a lovely crib) all from friends. I love that we're doing this as low impact as possible. And yes, I'm cloth diapering. Check out the bumGenius!

So helpful.

Check out the chicken mobile!!! Thanks to a good friend. Could there be a more perfect accessory for my child?! Little one will be in with us for the first few months. (Pardon the temporary quilt in the crib to keep things as clean and dust-free and pet-dander free as possible).

Little clothes, washed and folded and put away. Another wonderful hand-me-down: changing table.

Tomorrow I must finish organizing the shelves and I need to get a couple hampers-- one for diapers and one for clothes.

What is making it a little tough too, is that I'm nesting in a temporary space. Drumroll please... we're almost through buying ourselves a nice 3 bedroom house on an acre in the area. Closing is scheduled for the end of this month. I'll be able to try out some of my homesteading for real and I'm really excited. We're heading into lots of new territory this year: new baby, new house. Why not do it all at once?

The house is a wonderful clean slate, only eight years old (but not in a development, thank you very much, cause lord knows some of my stipulations included having my compost bin, my clothesline, my garden and my chickens), so we are going to be able to do all sorts of nifty updates and personal touches- including a lot of "greening" of our space (look out for bamboo floors and a wood stove). When we move in this summer it'll be ready for us--we'll have done a lot of work, and I'm sure it will be popping up here. We'll be close to work (only a few miles away), but just that small distance is that much farther "in the country," which I love. Plenty of space for our expanding zoo!!

Some things

2010-01-08T23:43:00.004-05:00

Things I won't take for granted ever again:

-bending over to put on shoes and socks
-eating without acid reflux
-pants without elastic waists
-rolling over without loss of breath
-sleeping on my back
-walking
-lifting heavy things
-concentrating
-soft cheeses
-wine

Moving forward

2010-01-03T23:42:00.003-05:00

Still reeling from our loss. Getting used to our new dynamic with four members down. Our brave three, Hermione, Penelope and Bathsheba press on too. Venturing further out from the coop each day.

Tonight was a lovely book group with an even lovelier surprise for me. Books for baby and cake!! So sweet. Such a surprise. I was truly touched. And check out the cake decoration (what's left of it, anyway). Perfect!! A chicken. Love it.

Devastation

2010-01-01T20:57:00.005-05:00

Well, hi folks. It's been a while. I needed an internet break over the holidays (and it helped that our WiFi was wonky for a bit). I was all set to write the post tonight about big changes in 2010 and getting back into the blog swing. But E and I came home from a little excursion into town to watch part of the OSU game, to absolute devastation. A raccoon had raided the coop and we lost four chickens. Four. It was horrible. The worst. Over half of my flock. I know that we've been lucky that we have had no predator attacks up to this point at all, but still. What a way to start 2010. I just have a small taste of what farmers must deal with. Not only am I upset because I love my chickens, but I immediately feel the loss of income (however small) from the surplus eggs each week. Imagine if I made my living with my flock? It is going to be really hard tomorrow to open the door to only three ladies. The usual bum-rush to the feed won't happen. Scarlet won't be there to cluck and squawk at me. Just this afternoon I cleaned out their coop and they all "helped" me as they like to do. I'm glad I got to spend that time with them today.

After the storm

2009-12-21T22:42:00.004-05:00

It snowed. A lot.

2009-12-19T23:50:00.005-05:00

It started snowing last night and still hasn't stopped. Since I had nowhere to be today, that was just fine with me. The animals and I just watched it pile up and pile up. E managed to make it home just in time from the hospital, but the car is still at the end of the driveway.

We were happy to be inside and cozy. (Aggie likes to knead with his toes before tucking in, so CeCe got a wonderful back massage that he quite enjoyed before they both nodded off. They stayed like this for quite a bit.)

Luckily, we purchased a plug-in, heated water dish for the chickens a few days ago. I popped their food tray in their coop this morning and had the water right by their front door. Not a one ventured out at all today. I bedded them down with extra straw and I hope they'll all be warm enough through the night. Here was the coop just a while ago:

Um, yeah. The snow is about halfway up the side at this point.

I must have been a funny sight today: 8 months pregnant in three extra layers hoofing it out in 12 inches of snow with straw. Good exercise, that's for sure!

It's still going, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. It sure is beautiful.

Christmas means kittens!!

2009-12-15T22:58:00.002-05:00

We put up our tree and things started getting festive around here. Not having had cats ever before I was a bit nervous about this whole tree in the house thing. I mean, they can climb. But, it turns out I didn't really need to worry. For the most part they leave the tree alone. They do like to bat at the ornaments, and there has only been one casualty so far. So, we're doing pretty well. Really, this is their favorite thing to do with the tree:

and that's just fine with me.

Mama made a mistake...

2009-12-09T00:04:00.003-05:00

These days I can't haul a bale of straw like I used to. I needed to change the coop bedding the other day though. My solution was to leave the bale in the carport, cut the strings and take only what I needed out to the coop. E would be roped in to carry the rest out later. Two bored setters and one distracted mama and this is what I found an hour or so later:

The carport is now their own personal playpen. They've been romping and scratching and throwing the straw around gleefully. It is Henry's new favorite place to eat his dessert (they get one Mother Hubbard bone after dinner each day and they know the word "dessert"), and to nap. So cozy. We may have to construct the Henry coop :). Now I have to figure out how to scoop all that straw into something so I can actually still use it. They keep me laughing!!

Abundance

2009-11-27T22:35:00.005-05:00

Thanks to E I had a lovely centerpiece--a new tradition has been started :).

Today was our Thanksgiving. (I suppose every day should be, but this was our celebration day). E worked night shift yesterday, so before he left we enjoyed a mini feast of pork tenderloin and cabbage/apple "slaw." I then enjoyed the amazing warmth outside and puttered around doing chores, making the house ready for Grandma who arrived today. It was quite nice actually to have a low key day on the actual holiday. There was no traffic whizzing by the house. Everything was wonderfully still and people were at home, or others' homes (watching football) enjoying family time. I was able to get a jump on preparations, making the cranberry sauce, the pumpkin pie, the herb bread for stuffing, and the biscotti (for snacks) ahead of time. Today was no stress. Just a delicious bird that I picked up Tuesday after it had been butchered that afternoon by my farmer friend down the road. It really was one of the most incredible turkeys I've eaten. Everything was local (ok, except the cranberries): brussels sprouts, celery, carrots, onion, potatoes (mine), sweet potatoes, turkey. It was amazing to not only enjoy the bounty of good ol' Delaware and Maryland, but I was supporting my neighbors. Men and women I've met, and with whom I have a relationship. That is more nourishing than just the vitamins and calories I ingested.

We have so very much to be thankful for. And I try to slow down this time of year and not skip right over this wonderful opportunity to recognize this (and eat amazing food--I mean, a holiday based around food?!? Yes, please) and go right to that next holiday that has already, as of two weeks ago!!!!!, taken over the town square, every light post from here to Odessa (Delaware that is, not pulling a Palin here folks), Lowe's, TV and radio, and my neighbor's yard.

So, thank you universe. Each day brings its share of blessings.

Cast on

2009-11-25T23:32:00.002-05:00

A bit blurry, but you get the idea. More knits happening here. Tonight I cast on for the "Kicking Bag for Babies." It's going quickly. Getting back in the knitting groove!

Wee knits

2009-11-25T01:06:00.001-05:00

Still needs to be blocked. But, sweater number one is off the needles! (Sorry for the dim picture, it was late).

What tomorrow holds...

2009-11-14T23:42:00.000-05:00

Lots and lots of papers to grade.

Pilgrim Winnie

2009-11-14T22:23:00.003-05:00

So, Miss Winns was "fixed" earlier this week along with both her brothers. Unfortunately for her, she had more stitches and needed to be fitted with the ever stylish collar to keep her from them. She was pretty dismayed at the whole idea until she realized how to flip it down for a more stylish (and certainly pilgrim-esque) look. And she's been quite happy to sashay around the house showing it off ever since. Pretty girl. She'll be ready for Thanksgiving as well!

Hamlet!

2009-11-09T18:37:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I was fortunate to head up to "The City" to attend the broadway production of Hamlet with Jude Law. Not only was this interpretation of the play riveting and exciting, but Jude Law was incredible. And we were in the third row!!! Third row. I was able to attend with a wonderful group of faculty (initially I thought I was signing up to chaperone students, so this was a welcome surprise when I showed up to board the van). We went to a lovely dinner afterwards and were able to really discuss the play together-- so nice! Not a bad treat.

Blissful Saturday

2009-11-07T21:56:00.005-05:00

It started with the first frost. Then an advisee breakfast trip followed. Then a lovely day of registering for baby things, reading, tea, baking bread.

(Pardon the dog goo on the windows there. There was no house cleaning today).

And knitting from this book all afternoon:Which I love, love, love!! I'm getting the groove back! Just needed a good pattern, and the peace of mind that being 26 weeks along brings.

Fall chickens

2009-11-04T20:54:00.000-05:00

Losing the words

2009-11-02T13:18:00.004-05:00

I feel that if I could just wipe away the hazy, gauzy film that has settled over my brain I'd be in good shape. I envy the old me, the me who could have laundry going, dinner burbling on the stove, a knitting project in hand and the next day's lesson plan going in my head. All at once. Nowadays I'm lucky if I even complete one of those tasks. It's like my words are gone. Yeah, yeah it's the hormones, but for a woman who could once furiously fill ten pages of a notebook at a clip each day, this is a new kind of emptiness. Oddly too, it is one of contentment. What's up with that? Can I only write and think when I'm miserable? When the weight of loss presses down so that the only option left is to spew forth? Is it really true that you must be tortured to be an artist? This does not bode well. I'm shyly entering the realm of commitment. Trepidation kept my hands from too prematurely starting baby clothes, baby toys, new curtains. The small nugget of fear kept me thinking I'd jinx it all. I placed my creative energy on hold for fear I'd have to "deal with things." Or whatever. Slowly, slowly I'd like to come out of hibernation. To once again fully embrace the day without fear that doing so will somehow be more painful than perpetually holding my breath. So that doesn't really sound like contentment, does it? But there is a bit of that going on too. The gradual, constant gestation. The cocoon effect of waiting it out, which feels neither elation nor pain. The time just rolls on. But I am missing out. I am feeling more stunted than protected. So I'll try.

We're here...and clean!

2009-10-31T22:46:00.003-04:00

After a few days without internet at the house, I'm back online. We enjoyed a lazy, rainy day here together. Since we don't really live in a neighborhood we don't enjoy any trick-or-treaters, which is a bummer because I love Halloween. Instead, the boys were groomed in our driveway by a lovely couple who have a whole set-up in their van for mobile grooming. They both smell fantastic and feel very proud of themselves. Apparently, Henry enjoyed the bath so much he kept trying to get off the grooming table to get back in!So handsome in their fall bandanas.

I was able to make applesauce today and roasted up a whole box of tomatoes (seconds from the farmer's market for $7!) and froze a whole bunch for spaghetti sauce all winter. A good book group meeting last night rounded out a good week. I look forward to yoga tomorrow (along with a lot of grading!).

Fall

2009-10-26T23:58:00.004-04:00

Sad news from the farm

2009-10-23T21:23:00.006-04:00

(Goldie has her head up and is staring at Henry in the face in this photo).

We lost one of the girls today. Our beloved chicken, Goldie Hawn. She was fine this morning, but when we went out for evening chores, she was dead in the coop. We buried her under an oak tree. We can only hope that she enjoyed a good life. She was a good chicken. Her eggs nourished us and I'm thankful we got to take care of her for the time that we did. Goodbye dear friend.

It's been a week...

2009-10-20T21:35:00.002-04:00

of grading and comment writing
dog and kitten love
homemade potato soup
students coming over to learn about the chickens
acupuncture
doctor's appointments (that went perfectly)
watching baby suck her thumb on ultrasound
laundry
spotting deer in the fields
a wonderful visit from mom

2009-10-12T21:48:00.004-04:00

Today was a grey day. I ended up popping up to the mall. I know! Scandalous. Especially for me. I mean, I have to know what I am getting, and that the only place I can get it is in there, in order to stomach it. I ran in swiftly because I needed some maternity pants. For whatever reason, I'm finding pants to be the hardest thing to find at Goodwill or from hand-me-downs that actually fit right. Mission accomplished, and hopefully this tides me over for awhile.

There was also CSA goodness, and my own potatoes to harvest.

They were planted way back in the spring, and yielded a decent crop. Emails and grading kept me busy this evening, but I did manage to also make banana bread. So, I consider today to be a pretty productive one. I think I may actually try to get like two rows of knitting done before my chin hits my chest and I am out.

Simplicity?

2009-10-11T23:03:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year. The trees start to change, the weather gets cool and crisp, and the migrant workers come and plug into the farm up the road. Like clockwork every year these folks return in RVs and makeshift accommodations, and just as quickly, in a month or so, they'll be gone again.

And here I was this evening, just thinking to myself about how complicated my life has become. Supposedly I am doing less this year, but it just doesn't feel like it. Now, more than ever, there are just not enough hours in the day, and I just do not have the energy for much of anything.

But I am not in an RV with only a port-o-potty outside my door. I pass these folks every Monday when I go to pick up my CSA and I find it poignant.

Part of the routine

2009-10-06T22:04:00.004-04:00

This is one dose of the blood thinner I inject every day. Under that grey cap on the end is a needle that is equally as long, and about as thick as a straight pin. I have to inject myself in the stomach up the to the hilt of that clear plastic part there, and the yellow plunger goes all the way in. The blood thinner itself stings the whole way and then for several minutes afterwards. I'm bruised even though I alternate sides each night. No cute pregnant belly shots for me, I'm afraid. Even after five months of this it doesn't get any easier. I have to steel myself up. Every. Single. Night.

But it is also my injection of this drug that combats my APL, a blood clotting condition that effects me during pregnancy. I can carry a baby because of this little daily dose. Pretty amazing really. Luckily, I get to stop once baby is born. There is a lot about this APL and the injections and medical attention that have occupied me throughout this pregnancy. So, I deal. And it's all become part of my every day.

Busy weekend

2009-10-04T18:08:00.003-04:00

Catnip mice made. Just from scratch; made it up as I went along. They make the cats (especially Aggie) NUTS!

More apples picked.

Eggs collected. Feel sorry for my poor hen that laid the double-yolker egg on the right. I offer the "normal" egg on the left for comparison. Ouch!

It's fall!!!!

2009-10-01T22:50:00.004-04:00

Well, it has been fall for a few days now. Fall is most definitely my favorite season. It's already feeling like it too. I pulled the down comforter out of the storage trunk this evening.

I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed at work. So far, it's not the part-time gig I was promised. Rather, I'm working full-time for part-time pay. I have to make some adjustments for sure. These days I'm just tired in general. I've been trying to take it easy, as one is supposed to do when one is growing a whole other human. The world is not so forgiving, however. At least, my world. It makes me wonder a lot about women all over the world. What are their traditions? How do they and their communities honor this time in their lives? How about other time periods? (I mean, my John Adams DVDs show me that Abigail was no slouch--out there on her own, pregnant, hoeing the fields). There is such a disconnect between what pregnancy involves, and how, while it is in no way a medical condition as our health care system would like us to believe, rather, a normal and incredible part of life, it is not just your everyday, normal thing. Culturally, we have no mores for this, so the message is that I should do all I'm used to (which for most women, is too much anyway), but I'll just be getting fat at the same time. I'm not an invalid, but my body is going through major change. I'm realizing that you can't keep trucking through.

Not that I'm trying throw a pit party here. Just sayin.

Tonight, I'm lucky to have all my little friends to keep me company. CeCe's snoring on the blue chair, and Henry has been spooning me each night.

For now, the big bad world is very far away.

To my friend

2009-09-28T23:16:00.006-04:00

Dearest Friend,

Thank you for such a wonderful couple days. Thanks for coming out of your way to see us in our little world. For rolling with it: the animals, the yoga, the book club, my long day at work today. I see that while it feels like no time has passed, we're older and wiser (and grayer :) ), and that is really cool. You still put up with my crazy, and I love you for that. You still impress me with your drive and your intelligence and you make me laugh like no one else.

Here's to not letting another five years pass before the next visit.

XOXO

Scarlet the bodyguard

2009-09-24T21:56:00.003-04:00

E told me this story today: He was home this afternoon (after sleeping off a night shift) and heard a relentless squawk coming from the chickens. He headed out there to see what was wrong and found all the girls in the coop except for Scarlet, who was standing on the doorway screeching at a hawk who was sitting on the roof of the coop!!! He said she definitely looked like she was conveying a clear Don't-mess-with-me-buddy attitude. No one was lost today and all is well. A little scary though. Yikes! We'll have to keep our eyes open. I kind of wish I got a photo of that scene. Ah well.

Starting now

2009-09-23T22:45:00.003-04:00

Starting now
I'd like to start looking outside myself
Pregnancy makes you really self-absorbed
In a really wonderful way
But I've been in my own head
And thinking about myself for months
And I'm kind of sick of me
I'm feeling like I'm missing out
On all that's around me

I stand corrected

2009-09-20T22:43:00.002-04:00

First, thank you so much for all your well-wishes. I should add that I am no longer feeling sick (aside from the stupid cold I got earlier this week). I'm actually feeling really great, so no worries.

And you know how I said Henry was not a fan of the cats? Well, that's where I stand corrected. I came out to the living room to this sight this evening. Both of them cozy as cozy could be. Go figure.

I think it's time...

2009-09-19T22:51:00.004-04:00

to spill the beans here.

What I've really been up to the last four and a half months? Sleeping, puking, sleeping, eating, eating, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping, puking, eating... It's hard work growing a human! It has been a long road to get here, and after an amazing week of finding out that all is well, I finally feel like I might, just might, be able to sit back and enjoy this a little bit. We're feeling pretty fortunate right now-- lots of love in this house! (Our little family just keeps growing and growing!)

sniffle, sniffle

2009-09-17T22:44:00.002-04:00

So glad you liked the video so much! That was the trimmed down version, I must admit. It's funny, but Mr. Cecil has quickly become the cats' best friend. Henry, not so much after Winnie jumped on his back while he was reposing in his favorite blue chair. I think some sharp little claws made their mark and Henry has still not forgiven the lot of them. Cecil on the other hand, loves to "wrestle" as you saw. Crooky is especially game.

A good and full day today, but now I think I may be getting a cold!! All of a sudden around 6pm I started sniffling and blowing my nose and getting a scratchy throat. Ugh. So, I made a big pot of butternut squash soup with homemade chicken broth (from the world's most amazing chickens- my farmer friend hooked me up with five "special" chickens he'd saved for me that he had fattened up on an even stricter grass diet than usual, in addition letting them live a few weeks longer- the result? The most incredible tasting chickens... ever). I'm hoping that knocks out the germs.

Your moment of zen

2009-09-16T20:37:00.003-04:00

Apple Picking!

2009-09-13T21:43:00.002-04:00

Though it is not officially fall, we decided to ring in the season with some fun in the fields. We have a spectacular orchard about 40 minutes away in Maryland. We only picked apples today, but we'll be going back to get raspberries. Every few weeks new varieties are ready, so it is fun to go back many times and try out recipes for all the different apples. We enjoyed a yummy chicken pot pie tonight-- oh I love cool weather cooking. And now we're off to bed.

It's getting chilly

2009-09-12T20:46:00.002-04:00

so the knitting has begun! I cast this little number on and have been knitting away.

It's a small wonder...

2009-09-11T21:32:00.002-04:00

that I'm still standing. First week down though. Time is flying. I plan to be in this space much more these coming weeks. And I'm looking forward to it. I've got the camera back out and I'm ready to go. No good pictures today though. It poured. We must have gotten at least a foot of rain. I estimate this based on the lovely pool of water I found this morning in the well of one of the basement windows. This was after I was drawn downstairs by what sounded like a hose dripping onto the concrete floor. No hose, but a flooded basement where the water broke through the seal of the window (all five inches or so I could see pushed up against it) collecting on my basement floor, surrounding a broken sump-pump. But I'm spoiled. I live at a school where there are people one can call to fix things. Right away I got a pumped basement and a new sump-pump. Now I do have an extra moist and mildewy basement and a really wet floor. Guess what I'm doing this weekend?

Exhausted

2009-09-06T23:20:00.003-04:00

I'm pooped. Today was a full day of meetings, smiling, greeting new, nervous and excited students and families, as well as the bubbling returning students, topped off with a good old fashioned square dance. The school year has officially begun. Tomorrow I head off at the crack of dawn for the III Form (freshman) swamp walk. And it is what it is: a literal walk waist deep through a swamp. There are supposed to be leeches. Ugh. As an old and wise chaperone I'll be spared that part I'm told, but not the ride back on a bus full of mucky teenagers. I'll be sure to get some photos :).

Out for a walk with the boys

2009-09-03T22:49:00.002-04:00

We do live in a very pretty place.

Last day of August?!

2009-08-31T22:14:00.004-04:00

Today was a wonderful, crisp day. It's starting to feel like fall. I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but while I certainly enjoy summer break, summer is my least favorite season. It just is. It's humid and hot. And, I don't know, it's just not my bag. Fall however, that's my season. I love back to school time, the shorter, crisper days, pumpkins and apples, leaves changing and a comforter on the bed. Poor E has been sidelined with some kind of virus the last few days, so while it terrible that he feels poorly, it has been awfully nice to have him home all day long. I've been in opening of school meetings, and CPR training. Some of the kids are starting to arrive. I'm digging being less stressed this year. I have been feeling more mellow, not so harried about getting going.

We enjoyed some homemade pesto pasta for dinner with tomato and purslane salad. Purslane is delicious and an offering from the CSA today. I also picked up 10 more chickens from my farmer to keep us over the winter (I now have 30 or so tucked away in the chest freezer).

Off to bed soon all tucked in!

End of summer

2009-08-27T22:19:00.005-04:00

We discovered the joys of toilet paper rolls!! Oh the fun in unrolling the whole thing!

Though I was back at work today for a very full day of meetings, yesterday I managed enough energy to do some "putting by." I had chicken stock going, made some pesto to freeze and I canned my first tomatoes. 2 lbs of tomatoes doesn't yield all that much though. I'm going to have to really stock up on boxes of tomatoes before I can really get enough going to last us the winter.

More meetings tomorrow. Getting used to getting up early again :). I know, I'm very lucky, but the transition takes a little work.

The good list for this week

2009-08-24T23:34:00.003-04:00

- kitten "chirps"

-Greek-style yogurt

- it being only 82 degrees today!

- a plan to organize the basement

- dinner out on the Sassafras River with E

- new Project Runway!!!

Me thinks this week is off to a good start. But the end of the week holds faculty meetings. Da da da daaaaaaaa. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Back in action

2009-08-19T23:01:00.003-04:00

Nothing like a little summer time virus to keep me sidelined for a bit. Yuck.

We've been doing a lot of this around these parts:

Oh yeah. That's the life.

Movie night

2009-08-16T22:47:00.003-04:00

Wonderful night out with the girls seeing Julie and Julia-- a movie I highly recommend, though as one friend pointed out and I agree, Julia's scenes were captivating and I could have used more of them! I most likely won't be trussing any birds any time soon, but Julia's story was so inspiring and it makes me want to order up her cookbook and her memoir, like, right now. Am I the only one who doesn't have a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking? Perhaps, after the Julie Powell book and movie, I just may be. Ah well.

Funny too to watch a movie about a blogger. While this isn't the same sort of project, it was interesting to watch a bit about Julie Powell. I suppose writing in this public space is an act of self-promotion of sorts, but I certainly hope I don't become dependent upon it for self-esteem. That has not occurred of yet, for sure. I do feel badly that my posting has been so sparse of late, but truth be told I haven't been leaving my little "compound" much this summer. My creative urge has been dulled for the time being by another little project I've been working on (for now let's just leave it at that). And I have a ridiculous amount of work looming to get ready for the start of school, as I mentioned, which, I am still completely avoiding. I mean, I'm thinking. Thinking all the time. Reading. But, just not coordinating it all into lovely syllabi and impressive assessments and whatnot.

I must at least try the famous boeuf bourguignon. At least.

So...

2009-08-13T23:35:00.003-04:00

it's been quiet around here. Just enjoying these last few days of summer, I guess. If you look really closely into the white truck, you can see what had me cracking up the other day: a moose head. A stuffed one, of course. But just chillin in the hatch there. Guess he had places to go, or was that guy's particular killing at a yard sale. Sometimes the country really is country.

More amazing nature!

2009-08-10T23:46:00.004-04:00

But don't worry, I didn't adopt this one. I stopped him (her?) long enough to snap some photos and rescue him from two curious setters. Quite a beauty! Check out that orange on his shell.

It was so incredibly hot here today. Super uncomfortable. I was outside barely moving and I was drenched in sweat. So, not a whole bunch of activity happening here today. Just a good day to laze with the dogs and the kittens. Watching the poor chickens pant and try to air their wings. Poor girls. I do have a super clean house now, which is always relaxing and I picked up a bunch of wonderful CSA veggies this afternoon. Dinner with friends last night and then again tonight has filled my social calendar with happiness; so fun.

Summer reading

2009-08-08T22:59:00.004-04:00

With the school year only about three weeks away I need to get cracking! I feel like I used to as a student--just a bit of the last minute slacker. Always. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was usually smart enough to squeak on by. For whatever reason, I never felt that my grades were a reflection of me or what I learned. They were more of an annoyance, a label, an insult of sorts, at least at the high school level. I mean, I loved learning and school. LOVED school. I loved exchanging ideas, and reading, and debating and thinking. I loved creating and imagining and doing. I looked forward to each and every school day. So, I guess it's in a way karma that I'm a teacher. At least I hope my experience makes me a smarter, more involved, more creative teacher. I hope that the assignments and assessments (fancy-pc-speak for papers/tests/quizzes) I come up with stimulate the mind unlike what I remember. Ah well.

The start of the school year is part of what makes fall my favorite season, in addition to the crisp weather and crunchy leaves. To be honest, summer is not my favorite. I don't like being hot. I feel a lot less motivated in the summer. So, though I relish my vacation time, I do look forward to the shorter, cooler days ahead.

Off to read Great Gatsby, The Tempest, Their Eyes Were Watching God etc. again.

My new favorite place

2009-08-06T23:06:00.003-04:00

This is where I've been hanging out the last couple of days, though today the heat finally broke and it was a lovely and beautiful day. One where I wasn't sweating just from breathing.

And a Happy Birthday to Mom!! Since I can't be there to celebrate, here's a bouquet of sorts. :)

Back!!!

2009-08-04T22:52:00.001-04:00

Finally! Phew. It is hard to go a week without internet. Should I admit that?! Now that I'm back online, I'll be back with more adventures from the "farm" on a more consistent basis. Hope you had a good week.

So...

2009-08-01T14:02:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile!! It's already August!! Alas, I have no internet at my home at the moment for some reason, so, no posts until I get it back. Hopefully you'll all still be here when I return. See you soon.

Cuteness

2009-07-28T22:57:00.002-04:00

Nature is cool

2009-07-27T23:58:00.001-04:00

This giant beetle has been hanging out on our screened porch for a few days now. It is at least 3 inches long. Pretty amazing. He just kind of sits there looking cool.