Dreaming of Quiescence

Best Summer Ever!

 

Almost one month into summer vacation, two to go. I have been trying hard to come up with ideas and activities to fill up the many hours of the day. I remember days filled with outdoor play during my childhood summers, dashing into the house only for food and bathroom trips, hearing my mother calling me home when darkness fell. I would love to be able to provide the freedom for my children, to roam free all summer long, but unfortunately that is just not possible even in our small little town.

So far I have been trying to balance home time with various outings, keeping things low cost as much as possible. In the past weeks we have had an adventure at the botanical gardens, picnics at the beach, bike rides at the park, bowling and a movie for the kids with Nanue. We plan on camping in the next couple of weeks and I forsee much more time spent at the coast exploring all the little beaches we have not yet been to. The children have already collected a whole bucket of sea glass on one of our beach trips, who knows how much more they can gather in the next two months.

Home activities make up the bulk of our time though. How does one keep an 8 year old and a 3 year old occupied? Outdoor play is highly encouraged in this house. If I see the kids get antsy or starting with frequent bickering I know they are ready for some outside time. Kevin built them a little play house, they have a sandbox, and we have a small pool set up. Drawing and painting are also something we are setting more time aside for. We also encourage Draken and Keelin to have their own time to play, without adult guidance. This does not always go so swimmingly but I really think it is healthier for children to come up with their own games and to play with each other instead of always needing an adult around.

As I look ahead to the many hot summer days laid out before me, I try to remember the magical feeling of my own childhood summers and wonder how I can bring that excitement and adventure to my own kids. I want them to one day reminisce to their children about their summers spent in fun and frolick!

Geek Friday

Graphic courtesy of Death By Dice

We have become a family of D&D players (that is Dungeons and Dragons for the uninitiated).  Now I have never claimed that we are anywhere near normal, and I have always been proud of my anti-social and fantasy loving nature, but to actually step over the "line" into the next level of geekdom, never saw it coming.  It is a whole lot of fun though I must say.  We are now firmly entrenched and I don't see us ever leaving our new territory.  Now you won't see me at conventions or tournaments but I know I would not mind playing with a larger group in the near future.

Kev suggested the game a few months ago as something to do with Draken so he could have his own Mom and Dad time.  I really could not say no, I mean it uses pure imagination with no media influence, perfect for our family.  Plus it is really helping with Draken's reading and math skills not to mention that the game really relies on thinking outside of the box to solve all sorts of encounters.  As an adult my brain seems to struggle with all the possibilities for gameplay but The Boy just rolls with it and comes up with the most amazing ideas.

Tonight is our first night with our own characters (we have used premade ones for our last adventure).  Draken has created a treasure hungry Tiefling Warlord while I am partial to a Rogue (still need to roll specs).  Ahh to leave housework and drudgery behind and step into a world of danger and adventure is not a bad way to spend a Friday evening with the family. 

Pinkeye and Paradise

 So, we are the House of Death this week. Seems like this is winter for us, we become walking zombies of sickness. We eat sooo healthy but apparently our immune systems hate us. Draken woke Monday morning with pinkeye. We have never experienced this lovely little gem before and I must say I hope we never do again. This has been the only time I regret doing the whole “hippy doctor” (as the Hubby likes to call it) routine. I hate antibiotics but oh how I would like to give in. Draken has been home all week from school with this, and his eye is a bit better but not 100%. Herbs, homeopathics and teas are just sooooo slow with this. If the kids ever get this again (heaven forbid) I am so taking them to a regular doc to get treated. And joy of joys; the rest of the family is sick with colds. Ack!!!

The TV has been turned on this week (which I hate) because mommy's sanity just can not survive an active yet plague eye stricken son and a whiny, clingy, drippy 2 yr old. I need a vacation soooo bad. A mommy only time with no one else. Chance to relax and charge my batteries, with no one talking to me or needing food, nothing to clean, no fighting and screaming. Just me, some knitting, a good book and lots of chocolate. So I am dreaming of a night at the coast where it is nice and chilly and I can wrap up in some woolly warmth by a fire and have absolute peace and silence. It is what my soul is craving and I know I must figure out a way for a little escape. This is what I need to be a better mommy and wife for my family. I do not feel weak for admitting this. I know many mothers who could use such a thing. I know that my own mother has said that she wished she had these opportunities when she was raising us. So I will be pulling from my personal vacation fund and going away in the next couple of weeks. Oh how I am looking forward to that lovely day.

Tired

 
I am beat.  Combine two major fund raising events I organized this month with a teething toddler and you get pure exhaustion.  I knew I was crazy when I took the chair position at the school, but I thought it would be something new.  I so did not count on my little one (who has always been the best of sleepers) to start acting like a newborn and waking every hour or two throughout the night.  I am a person in need of 8 hrs a night and I am just not the best mommy (or person in general) when I am barely surviving with sleep deprivation.  I know my crew must have thought me so ditzy over the last few months, but they are all moms so they understand the whole toddler with molars coming in thing.

Even with the exhaustion the events went so well.  The first one was a new one for the school.  Most of the parents really wanted an evening without the children and without volunteer responsibilities.  So, we came up with "Music & Laughter" a night of comedy and music at an amazing vineyard that is owned by a current and Alumni family.  It was a super fun event and I personally never thought our comedian would be so funny when his topic was Waldorf life.  Most of us were in tears we were laughing so hard.  This is to become an annual event which I am so glad we could provide for our hardworking parents.

The last major event in May was our annual Pastels on the Plaza.  This is a huge undertaking but it is so worth it to see the whole community, not just our school, turn out to see some amazing artists and their work.  I am always so amazed to see what a person can do with a little bit of pastel chalk and a piece of sidewalk.  I of course forgot to bring my camera so as of yet I do not have pictures (glimpse of past years on the bottom). 

So the end of the school year is next week and I think we are all happy that we will have a bit of a break before all our activities begin again.  I welcome this little breathing out time as I am sure the children will enjoy their boisterous freedom.

Before I forget...

I had to type this up (why I could not use paper and a pen is because I could not find any).  This is kind of a mish mash of lentil soup recipes from Ina Garten and Kathleen Dealmans with a little bit of my own added in.  It has been nice and cool here for the last week or so (compared to the 105 deg we had last weekend, gotta love global warming) and I really needed some soup.  Had some french lentils hanging around in the pantry so I thought this would be perfect.

Lentil soup

2 cups french lentils (they don't get all mushy)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
5 or 6 skinny carrots, diced
4 ribs of celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 quarts chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon wedges

Pour boiling water over lentils and let soak for 15 mins.  Drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high.  Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes.  Cook until vegetables are soft.  Add stock and lentils.  Season with Salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer.  Simmer for about 45 mins until lentils are nice and soft.  Serve up into bowls, squeeze a wedge of lemon in and some parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

I had meant to add some fresh spinach that I had from our garden basket but got sidetracked by a screaming, teething toddler.  Maybe when I have some for lunch tomorrow I will just add some in.

First of May (ok, well actually the fifth)

 

So, our May Day celebration was more home centered this year.  Every year at Draken's school they have a lovely May Day celebration for all the families with a picnic and maypole dances performed by the children.  It is a very festive a lovely event and something Draken looks forward to.  Unfortunately this year due to his sickness we could not attend and he was pretty bummed about it.  To make it up to him we decided to have our own picnic at home indoors (was pretty chilly here to have it oustside).  The kids made some pretty tissue paper flower head garlands and we made food we could eat with our fingers (nachos and cupcakes).  All in all it was a nice time, and I know it brought a smile to Draken's face, and made it a little more bearable to have not attended such a fun event.

Budget, ugh!

According to my checking account my food spending is way out of control.  I guess I never really realized just how much I was spending per week, let alone per month, on our family eating.  Now, we do not go out to eat very often, and the most extravagant place we go is to OCO Time for sushi every few weeks,  so that is pretty in control.  It is my grocery budget (well never really had a "budget", that word is evil to me).  How is it that I am spending over $300 a week on food for a family of four?  Some of it is that about 95% of our food is Organic, which is important to me, and the rest of it is that I go to the grocery store every couple of days to shop.  For every trip to the store I am more likely to impulse buy some item I see and that can really make the total jump. 

So I have decided to budget out for my groceries.  <sigh>  I really, really hate being limited to a budget.  It is kind of like a diet to me.  You know when you decide to go on a diet you suddenly want to eat things you have never even thought on before.  That is like me right now, I want to cook things I never cared for before just because I know I am restricted.  Also, this means way more planning in my menus and only shopping once a week (this will be what kills me).

I am going back to my broke days for menu inspiration.  Pasta (only once a week though), eggs, tuna, beans, grains and veggies.  A great site for ideas is Just Bento.  This site is so awesome and always sooooo yummy.  Maki has great ideas for simple and quick foods, even those that are able to be frozen so they are ready when you have forgotten to plan ahead (my usual M.O.).  Last night I tried the Tuna-tofu burgers, carrot rice #2, and the spring greens Namul (made with swiss chard).  All of it tasted so good, only a few changes I would make.

The carrot rice was perfect the way it was, I would just not grate the onion on the microplane (took too long) and would just use a regular grater.  The namul was so good with the sesame oil but I would way cut down on the salt that you mix with the oil.  Maybe only use like 3/4 tsp and then taste the greens and add more if needed.  The tuna burgers I wanted to work out so much.  Canned tuna is a staple that I love to have around at all times and new ways I can use it are always appreciated.  Now, I want to say that I do not think it was the recipes fault for not turning out well, I think it was mine.  I did not get the extra firm tofu it called for because I already had some firm silken tofu at home.  That is the mistake.  The silken tofu is just way too soft and creamy even in a firm block to really help hold this together.  Next time I make this recipe I will use an egg or two as binder instead and maybe roll them in some panko crumbs before pan frying.  Will loose some of the bulk the tofu gave but I don't always have that on hand so it will be no biggie.  I will say that even though they were not as firm as I would have like they were tasty none the less.

Tonight for dinner is my all time favorite Quiche, lovely spring greens salad, yummy fresh baked bread (no Knead bread) and a scrumptious strawberry galette made with some local strawberries and fresh whipped cream.  My only splurge $$ wise is the galette since cream and butter are a little pricey but one always needs some cream and butter in ones life otherwise what is living for!

Back to School

So, it has been such a challenge this past week.  Draken was sick with something for almost a whole week (he has never been sick for more than 2 days ever) and it was pretty rough around here.  My son is not the easiest of patients.  Now I do not mind catering to an ill child and nurturing him back to health.  The idea of feeding my little ones home made soups while they are all snuggled up under a quilt is so appealing to my maternal self.  The reality is that my son hates soup but will eat broth (as long as there are no "floaty things" in it),  he will not take medicine of any kind (we only do homeopathic) without a big fuss and fight,  and that the idea of him stuck in bed makes him soooooo cranky.  Well, needless to say I am so so glad that he is much better and back at school today.  I am thankful the rest of the family is still healthy.  I am thankful I did not pull all of my hair out this week.  I am also extremely thankful for evening cocktails, lol.

Keelin is just a bit squirrelly from being stuck in the house while Mommy took care of her brother all week though.  I think a dose of outdoor romping and all around wild time is just the right kind of medicine for such a condition.  Luckily the sun is up here in the hills (they are not so lucky down in the valley today) so I think we are off for some outdoor time before we pick up the Boy! 

Socks for what ails you

So, I am done knitting sweaters, or garments for that matter, for myself anymore.  You would think I would have learned two sweaters ago that I just do not know what to knit for my body shape.  I mean hundreds of dollars spent and I have nothing to show for it but a pile of clothes that do not fit.  I do not have a gauge issue (everyone suggests that first) it is more of a top half issue.  I knit for my bust size but when I try the garment on it is soooooo large for the rest of me that I look like I am swimming in it.  My solution: Knit Socks!!!

Socks always fit (well usually) and they are a pretty good time investment.  Not too much and not too little.  Socks are always my go to project when frsutrated with another WIP so since I am frustrated with garments I am now on a sock bender.  Now don't get me wrong, I will still knit sweaters, they just won't be for me.  The kids always need warm woolen love so I will bestow it upon them.    

Kevin's socks (the first pair I have finished for him) are made out of lovely Panda Silk.  This yarn is so scrumptious that I must locate some more of it for a pair of socks for myself.  After finishing these I immedialty cast on socks for myself out of some Panda Wool I got in San Francisco last time I was visiting.  Decided on toe up cause the yardage is pretty skimpy when you take into account my size 11 foot.

We will see how long I can ride the happy sock train before I get bored, luckily I have enough sock yarn stashed to last me for a very long ride.

Calgon, take me away!

I remember hearing my mother say this when my sister and I were little.  We would laugh and go off to play, thinking our mother was just so silly.  Oh  how I need  to apologize to my mother for ever laughing at her for this most wonderful of phrases.  For the past few days (and through many nightly wakings) I have found myself thinking this phrase with the lovely image of the woman luxuriating in her huge bath, wishing that we could trade places for about an hour.  Ahh, just thinking it now makes me smile.

It has been a week of teething here.  That comes with alot of screaming, tantrums, clinging, and crying (both Keelin and myself).  Add to that a seven year old home on holiday and you have one mommy yearning for a wee bit of peace.  I have even resorted to using children's tylenol just to dull the edge for my poor Keelin.  My lovely homeopathics just can't cut it when it comes to toddler molars.  Right now it is her blissful naptime and both Draken and I will be very happy if it lasted at least an hour.  He is busy making party favors for Keelin's birthday celebration tomorrow.  Even though we are not having a formal party he has insisted that goody bags are essential for all birthdays.  It should be interesting to see what he comes up with.

On the birthday front I am so behind.  I started a simple quilt for Keelin over a month ago( from Amy's book) and of course it is still not done.  All I have to do is quilt it and sew on the binding so that of course will be my evening project.  With a quick wash tomorrow it should be ready in time for her birthday bedtime.  I had planned on getting her a little sand table also but none of our local shops are selling them yet so her big present will have to wait till I make the monthly trip to Santa Rosa and the lovely Target.  Luckily at two she does not really understand birthdays and presents so we are ok for now.  Man I am a slacker.