My mom gave us a gift recently that has caused quite a spark in my kitchen. A juicer has made it’s way into our lives for the first time, and I have to admit that I was super skeptical at first. We have always used a blender, and our daily green smoothies, while chunky, were still pretty darn good.
We are once again experimenting with the foods we eat and how they effect us (especially our oldest who has to contend with celiac disease), and we have recently tried taking out all bottled juices from our diet. I put my skepticism aside and the first day this large appliance graced our kitchen, we made a batch of carrot, apple and ginger juice. Much to my amazement, my kiddos drank a 12 oz glass each, and begged for more. Now my mornings are filled with little ones who find juicing carrots to perhaps be the highlight of their day.
I know that our health is an evolving process, but my hope is that by experimenting with raw juicing, we will add another layer to our well being. If nothing else, at least this experience has given me a good laugh when Elwood declares in no uncertain terms that he will not eat raw carrots, but he will drink them. What ever floats their boat.
Wishing you a weekend full of goodness.
I have loved every moment of the past nine weeks. The quiet (as quiet as life with three boys can be) that a baby moon gives. The quiet of a newborn breathing. The quiet moments of nursing and the sweet mama milk breath that lingers. The quiet of a new life taking shape.
I promised myself with this child that I would stay in the quiet for as long as I could, savoring every moment. I promised myself that I wouldn’t miss a moment, no matter how much my old ways came calling. Surprisingly, they didn’t. My sewing machine stayed under cover, my knitting needles hidden, and my kitchen empty. I fully accepted the kindest of friends who have cooked, family who have helped, and a husband who has taken on much more than I ever thought he could handle.
My little newborn is growing into a baby, and the comfort of the quiet is receding. In it’s place are so many adventures waiting to happen. His first trip to the park, his first hike, his first pots and pans jam session while I make dinner. I want to force this moment to stay, force the quiet to remain, but try as I might he will grow up.
You know when one stage of life is transitioning into another, and I can feel that so firmly upon me. I see the earth waking up, and with it there is a renewed sense of returning to the things that I left behind for this small amount of time: This space, my kitchen, my creativity. I am sad to leave the cocoon of our room, of our covers, but I am excited to show this little one just what awaits him.
Sometimes I wish I could convey what a picture really means, how I will cherish it as long as I can and will always remember the emotions that I felt when it was taken.
My dad had a surgical procedure on his spine on Monday that seemed to go just fine, and yesterday morning at 4:30 he was rushed to the hospital because he was paralyzed from the waist down from a blood clot. He was taken back into surgery, and for those few hours that we had no idea what the damage was, well it felt like eternity. We were lucky, he was lucky, the damage is minimal and he will be able to walk again.
Seeing him with Landon filled my heart with the greatest sense of gratitude. I realize how often I take for granted the fact that my family is here. I know that things can change in an instant, and that we can never tell someone “I Love You” enough.
I wish all those celebrating a very Happy Easter, and to everyone a blessed weekend ahead.
Tending to three children with Rotavirus, two of whom are recovering nicely, and one who is on day 5 of no eating, and is beginning to worry his mama to no end.
Elwood has been hit the hardest with this bug, with Jacob already having had Rota when he was 18 months, and Landon breastfeeding non-stop, they are both coming through much better than my poor Elwood. We are still holding out hope of keeping him out of the hospital, and a huge thank you to Bernadette for her hydration drink recipe. I am not sure where she found this, but even our pediatrician was impressed with it, and encouraged us to keep a cup going for Elwood throughout the day and night.
I am sorry for not posting about the winners of the Alphabet Glue giveaway before now, but they will be at the bottom of the original post by later this afternoon, and the winners emailed. I wish you all a week of health and happiness, and I will look forward to a return next week.
Bernadette’s Hydration Recipe
1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup honey (or to taste)
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 calcium/magneisum tablets, crushed
water to make 4 cups
*Please note that this is a simple recipe that my family has used, please check with your doctor or naturopath before giving to your child. A child under the age of 12 months should never be given honey.
As life is slowly returning to a more normal pace, the boys have begun asking for our crafting time to return. The other day Jacob, who is obsessed with playing chess and checkers, asked if we could sew him a portable checkers set like the backgammon board I had made him last summer. Part of me really wanted to go down into my sewing room and put something amazing together, but the more realistic part of me knew that there was no way that I was going to be able to cut out dozens of 1.5″ squares of fabric and piece them all together.
So the world’s easiest checkerboard was born. A 12″x12″ piece of outer fabric, a 12×12″ piece of duck cloth, one ribbon, and a set of small square stamps is all that you need to make this set.
With right sides together and a 1/2″ seam allowance, simply sew the edges together, leaving a 2″ opening to turn.
Turn right side out and press. Top stitch, making sure to catch the opening that was left. Mark out where you want each square to go, and stamp according to a model checkerboard.
We used one of our
snack bags to hold the checker pieces, and then simply placed it inside and rolled the entire thing up.
It may not be the most gorgeous sewing piece I have ever made, but I am learning that all my kids really want is for me to take the time to create with them. Perfection is never something that they expect, only something I place on myself. Now we are off for a few fun games together in this gorgeous spring weather.
