Be Home

out of the game {and in}

I always know that its been a long time since I've been here when Typepad makes me sign in. Its not that I don't love ya all it just...well...truth is, I've been napping. Usually, I post a bit of something during quite time when all my household is up to their own individual times of creativity, but lately that translates into yep, a nap for me! Someone once told me that your body is going through more effort by just sitting on a couch when your pregnant, then taking a vigorous climb when you aren't developing major organs for another human being. All I know is that some days it feels as though I've climbed a few mountains by lunchtime! Thankfully, a good mid-day snooze is a beautiful thing and my family very much appreciates my countenance thereafter.

{smile}

Especially, when two evenings and a Saturday I am focusing on this amazing kiddo. Baseball is a sport that Peter has been waiting a little over 2 years to get involved in again {due to moves} and it appears to be everything he hoped it would be. I personally was hoping not to freeze my bum to a bleacher every game but what are ya gonna do. He really is so darn cute in that uniform.

  Oh, and look my banner still says Winter 2011. Ha! {come to think of it...spring IS still debatable around here!}

bookshops and surprises

Ever trying to familiarize ourselves with our new city, we checked out the small shopping district in Fairhaven. It is a beautiful neighborhood. Such that embodies all things quaint, cultural, and mod. The bookshop was our first stop. It is locally owned and an established staple in the community for many a year. Of course, the children's area consumed most of our visit as we thumbed through the last books of the Unfortunate Events series yet to be read. And I loved the fact that books of interest for Annika were at the level to which she could casually plop herself on the hardwood floors and exchange book after book for a steady stream of pleasure.

Fortunately, it was nice enough to walk around outside the bookshop as well. The brick buildings are simply beautiful and while the day didn't afford us to go into the many boutiques gracing each gorgeous facade, the window shopping built anticipation for future afternoons. However, we couldn't resist the toy store. We all miss The Learning Tree in KC so much that it was refreshing to play with the good stuff once again.

And a toy store is the perfect place to mention that baby rattles and baby blocks will soon be on our list of purchases. As the family anticipates the beautiful days of spring transforming into summer fun so too we will be expecting the birth of a fifth Orlando babe to wrap our arms around come autumn. And we couldn't be more thrilled.

{smile}

{double smile}

 

the everyday

I am so ready for spring to arrive! I hope it comes with a house for us!

We have been meandering along the everydays of life quite well. Schoolwork seems to be for the most part humming right along. Dishes get done, laundry is washed and folded, and meals are shared. But everyday there is a growing awareness of something missing. That something is definitely the unspoken need to be in a home.

Case in point, I washed the slipcovers to our couch last week and it made me long to cuddle up into it. Nicholas later asked about a book we use to read and suddenly we all wanted to see it's beautiful illustrations. Toys that have sat on the shelf for many seasons, now in boxes, have playmates currently waiting their reappearence. Its a funny feeling living so long with just the essentials of your life. The daily workings are just fine but the under girded pleasures are like an empty space beneath you. I do hope we make good decisions in our house hunting. I have always know that a home is a gift that wraps you in warmth, courage, and inspiration but I will never take it for granted quite the same!

 

a cup of joe

We found a great coffee spot in our new little city. Apparently, it use to be an abandoned warehouse building. But being that the location was rockstar, somebody had a brillant idea. With a park and boardwalk surrounding it, it's just perfect for a spring day. And with a few flowers in bloom maybe that's not just wishful thinking either!

 

 

 

 

serving you lunch

If you're anything like me, sometimes the same old habits in food get a bit wearisome. I find this to be especially true when it comes to lunch with the kids. Over the last 6 months I have enjoyed the privilege of my husband being home for our family lunch hour. And even beyond that, he would often make lunch while I was finishing up a subject or two with the boys. As creative a cook as Andrew is, he introduced some flavor into our staples that has renewed the taste buds. Adding a new twist to comfort foods is always a winner.

I thought I'd share today's lunch with you!  

a recipe for tuna

::::::::::

one family pack of tuna {pre-drained}

enough mayo to keep the tuna moist

1 Tablespoonish Dijon mustard

1 teaspoonish of relish

3 hard boiled eggs

+

a fair sprinkling of feta cheese {lightly crumbled}

a good dash of balsamic vinegar

::::::::::

Slice great layers of your favorite cheese variety

I'm partial to Tillamook White Cheddar

{yes, this is yellow but it's what I had}

:::::::::

And as always, before assembling any sandwiches make sure the gluten-free

option takes priority...

This is Gluten-Free Pantry bread mix.

I wrote about how much we love it here!

:::::::::::

For the rest of the family members, this week

Andrew choose these

delicious roma tomato wraps

::::::::::

A last minute decision was the

spinach leaves from last nights salad

It needs a bit of color and

definitely some crunch

::::::::::

 

Volia!

Looks gorgeous

healthy - healthy - healthy

and tastes amazing!

{chips : Food Should Taste Good sweet potato}

::::::::::

 

or Cool Ranch doritos work well too

{wink}

And always have a smart little helper

by your side

{smile}

 

yarn along

Yippee, new yarn! I finally decided on a new and easy project, went and purchased a lovely shade of green yarn, and haven't been able to put it down since. Andrew has wanted a moss colored scarf for {ashamedly} years. We found a great pattern on Ravelry, that he approved, and I think he might actually be able to wear it before the week is out. Just in time for the cold snap that seems to be intruding on our hopes for spring. Maybe everyone needs a new scarf to cheer us up till warmer weather!

 

Rounding out my Michael Pollen kick is his book The Botany of Desire. This is the hardest book for me to enjoy so far, in that it is a bit more difficult to ignore the fact that he weighs heavy on evolutional theories. Which in all other manners of interest I have been able to weed out from the meat of his thoughts. But this particular angle is a bit more challenging in that regard. However, as always, the topics of his study and research results in simply fascinating stuff.

 

For more Yarn Along visit Small Things

happy {heart} day

Saturday was Andrew and I's day to celebrate happy heart day. I was stunned to be told, with no complaints, that all four children would be under someone else's care for the day and that I would be accompanying my husband to a private get-away, passports in hand!

It was a terribly rainy day but that didn't stop two giddy parents from enjoying every minute of pretending we were twenty-something newlyweds going into the big city. It was Andrew's first time into Canada! Vancouver BC is only about 35 min. from us which made it a bit unbelievable to the border questioner. But once we verified we had come via Kansas, it all became much more clear.

After driving around a bit we decided to use the parking garage beneth the Vancouver Convention Center. Since there was a boat and travel show currently in session we blended in as tourist quite nicely. And the building itself was worthy of many pictures.

 

As we journeyed outside we noticed a few more people gathering and curiously looking at the statute inside the square. It took only a few moments before I commented that I thought we were observing the Olympic cauldron of the Vancouver 2010 winter games. Not only was I right but apparently that very day was the one year anniversary to which in just 45 min they would be relighting the flaming edifice! Silly us, we just chose this spot because there was a Starbucks within view. So that's what we did. With coffee in hand we sang O Canada, chatted with the locals, and mingled with athletes and torch relay bearers. We couldn't have had a more romantic day if it had been months in the planning and a limitless budget. Spontaneous happen chances are far more amazing!

 

 

 

As the clouds parted, we took the time to meander down the walkway resembling a starboard bow. And as George would say, we did a little mooching, while the sun streamed across the north sound. Other couples passing spoke sweet nothings in French, Chinese, and English-German. Where have I transported to?

 

 

Happy Valentines Day!

by the bay

Finally, it was a sunny day and one in which we left the house! You would think that that combination wouldn't be hard to accomplish but it is not assumed to be a prospect in our days right now. When we drive to church from our current location we go down the hill, only to drive exactly 25 mph for a long stretch around the bay. It would be unbearably slow {especially if you're late} if not for the changing scenery that such an enforced speed compels you to observe. But on this day we wanted to observe a bit closer.

  

 

 

 

I hope when it gets a little warmer to find some of our favorite spots like this one. Too often I default our schooling atmosphere to the most efficient form possible. But I think some studies gathered around a picnic blanket and lapping waters might actually make the breathing in of knowledge have a richer, more lasting effect.

yarn along

My knitting needles have been a little quiet as of late but they are still making an appearance from outside the weaved basket beside my bed now and again. {Relocations are rough on an ample sense of creative time allotment.}

Just before Christmas I was given a hand written pattern from my grandmother. It was of the baby blanket she has made for every child, grandchild, great-grandchild, friend's baby, and probably friend of a friend's baby over the many years I've witnessed her needles in hand! My own children pull their blanket from the cedar chest every winter with great joy, using them not only to sleep with but also as an extra companion for reading, a tent for secret hideaways, or the perfect cape while defeating a super-villain.

As I watched my daughter one evening, getting newly enraptured with the concept of playing dolls, the thought occurred to me that a smaller version of our beloved blankets would be a splendid coverlet for the new baby crib soon to be sitting under the Christmas tree. It was extremely simple to modify the pattern and came out looking wonderful. So I cast on again for my niece's baby doll and have since devoted two more skeins for another.

I also enjoyed the company of Love in a Time of Homeschooling, by Laura Brodie. It was purchased as an antidote in a moment of home education realities {emphasis intended}. And I actually would recommend its cure to many. It is off the beaten path of my regular dose of inspiration in that it isn't idealistic in the least! But it made me exhale a bit and carry on with a redirected reasoning as to why we've made the choices in education that we have; while also providing a well needed perspective on unpleasant vs amazing moments, which will always be a part of directly tutoring an off-grid, strongly opinionated, excessively brilliant preteen. Isn't that a mouthful! And what a privilege it is too.

 

If you would like to see other project and fantastic book selections

join in at Yarn Along

superbowl sunday

This was a great year for football! Especially if you have a husband that, for the past 14 years of marriage has shared his personal love for the Pckers franchise such that you feel quite compelled to join the ranks. And while we have never sported a cheesehead in all those game seasons, we have faithfully followed the characters and fans that make up the field of play.

The junk food was abundant, given a party crew of 6 with a majority being under 40lbs, and the restrictions on it were such to induce laughter. Peter's new favorite drink takes him as close to a soda+health combo as I can maintain. And it is really quite delicious. A certain lady of the house {ahem} has had way to many herself since then. And we need not mention the lonely dip in the fridge and chips on the shelf just begging to be a nutritious lunch yesterday. A complete bowl of nacho-cheese-triangular-wedges-in-a-bag that someone had their heart set on since before he left for work, was eyed so exhaustively that I believe Annika seconded her quota for a mid-day snack! It must go, it all must go!!!

But what's a game without food and what's food without a win! So all in all, the family time couldn't be sweeter.