The Farm

Last week, we picked up our share from Terra Bella Farm. It was a fun experience and their heirloom tomatoes are amazing. I'm finally starting to catch on to how great it is to truly know where your food comes from and to be able to chat with the farmer who grows it. We don't want to wait until this happens in order for our government to react with an discovery investigation. Since being such a big organization, its impossible for everyone to do their job perfectly and to monitor quality on a large scale all the time. DMV services? No biggie. Food services? Umm. So in this case, we'll pick local if it's an possibility. I just know it'll be easier when we actually have some dough rolling in to expand this habit. 

After checking in and learning the ropes, we got a little tour of the small farm. The animals were Ezra's favorite. 

Baby ducklings!

Both of my boys were mesmerized by the clucking chickens.

And a goat, which the farmer told us would be providing goat cheese available next year!

Classics

I'm currently reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I'd heard of the book before, but I didn't know it was a classic until I picked it up at the library last week. And I love classical literature...and have loved fantasy the most since I was a child. Can I get a Labyrinth shout-out...anyone? Anyone?

Classics remind me of a friend I had when I was getting my teaching credential. Justin was my thinker and reader theologian friend whom I would seek out for answers, both trivial and deep. Considering he was pursuing his second masters in philosophy, I figured he was a pretty apt guy and his wisdom proved true time and time again. He inspired me to start reading Classical fairy tales. Not the Disney version, but the actual novels dating back to the 1800-1900s. Some of the real stories are quite different than their film portrayals. In the book's end, the little mermaid actually dies in a sacrificial act of love. 

So far I've only read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass both by Lewis Carroll. And Pinocchio written by Carlo Collodi, where my one of my favorite quotes comes from:

"Of all the trades in the world, there is only one which really attracts me...to eat, drink, sleep and amuse myself, and to lead a vagabond life from morning to night."

I believe this is said before he gets into a whole lick of trouble and completely regrets his poor choices. {how appealing sin is!} Not only are these tales chalk-full of fantastic imaginary and good writing, they present really good Biblical and life themes at the level kids understand. Perhaps even opening a door for discussion and real-life connections. 
"Remember when you hit your sister and lied about it? That reminds me of Pinocchio and his decisions that made his life so hard and unhappy! Or remember how badly he wanted to be a boy? Gosh, he believed and never gave up. What persistence he had! And even when he made poor decisions, he still sought forgiveness and received his strongest desire! It's never too late!" The books also don't sugar coat or exclude 'tough stuff'. I mean if you really think about it: Hansel and Gretel were both abandoned by their parents in the forest where they met a cannibalistic witch. Yikes!

I'm hoping to pick up where I left off, which was Peter Pan. I don't plan on completing this whole list but  will probably stick with the ones I've already heard of. Meaning, grew up knowing the Disney version. I know W is already planning on making his favorite classical series a staple in E's read-alouds. We hope to slip more classics in through the school years in addition to whatever else he likes to read.Touch-y Feel-y books are Ezra's current favorite and his job is to turn the pages.  He loves when we read to him now, if he's not too tired. Although, he's making out to be more of a physical being on the go than a sitter and thinker at the moment. ;)

But I didn't really like reading all that much at the start, much to my read-o-lic mother's dismay. The  Wayside School Series is what perked my interest and R.L. Stine kept the flame going. I tell my tutor and classroom parents that reading is reading, no matter what form it comes in. That Diary of A Wimpy Kid reader could turn into an Animal Farm advocate against socialism and a dystopian world. You just never know.

So yes, our children will still be belting out, "Oh, look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?" throughout our house. But books are magical things, far more powerful for little imaginations!

Peg-Leg

In action

Squirrel!

Stocking sewing project. That's what I've been working on besides reading my book-club book. Until...

One day it was 106 degrees and we were indoors almost all day. A natural consequence of that day was extreme cabin-fever. So the following day, Ezra and I went out for a few errands. One stop was Cost Plus Market to look at some rugs when an idea hit me. New throw pillows!! A girlfriend had mention that she had sewed some pillows before and I figured why not try. It's super easy. 

Before

I purchased four napkins and went home. I pinned and sewed three of the four corners together. Stuffed the pillow inside and sewed the last corner. Each napkin cost $2.99. So for $12 and some change, I updated our sofa. And when I get bored of this look, I'll just sew some new napkins together, cut some seams, and re-stuff! Viola!

After

So for those of you who have seen UP, you'll know what I mean by 'squirrel'. I've been completely distracted with new fun projects that I haven't finished my other ones. Right, back to those last two stockings!

K, Can I Just Admit...

that I was both super jealous and super excited when I saw this photo:

This was my first season watching the Bachelorette and although I think the concept is super ridiculous, it was really entertaining to watch it with either my girlfriends or W, albeit painstakingly for him. Such a good man. ;) I actually 'liked' Ali, although how can I say that when truly I don't even know her. 

Anyway, that confession aside, what I love about this picture is Ali is wearing my all time favorite jewelry line, Twisted Silver. I've mention Deb and her fabulous products before here and here. Deb is first and foremost a Mama of three and started this jewelry business on the side. As her kids have grown, she's taken more steps to further her business. Last year, Twisted was chosen for the Aqua Di Lara Fashion Show in Florida. She's also been included in swag bag for events in Los Angeles. The pieces are also sold locally at boutiques. Deb has made a point of keeping it small while her kids were at home, but people just love her pieces!! And she is so generous, down-to-earth, and has such a big heart. I'm so exited that I can say "I knew her when..." because I know she's just beginning!

Ali is sporting the Lily necklace, which can be purchased here.

A House Called Home

I was looking through pictures in my mom's iphoto albums several evenings ago {remember, I have her ibook now because mine mysteriously ended up on our tile floor from the couch?! So odd how those things happen!}. Anyway, I found this picture taken three years ago when it was sold:

It's the lovely little house I grew up in! That top window slightly ajar was mine. A sort of Romeo-meets-Juliet framework. I was a little over a year when we moved in, but it's the only house I've ever known. When I look at this picture and remember it now, I would die to own a house like this, in a location like here...well, a tad smaller would be better. But in my teens years, I despised the apparent 'smallness'. Guess that's what happens when all but a few of your best friends move into a gated community with gargantuan custom-built homes. Truly a bummer to be so confused and ungrateful.

One of my favorite things about this house, not counting my window, was the color. Bright but not in-your-face yellow. A cheerful yellow. How could you not be excited to come home with a paint color to greet you like this one? That green front door was the backdrop for all my first day of school pictures. From a little tyke in a t-shirt and leggings with a tin lunch pail to a high school cheerleader in uniform. Behind our backyard fence was an open field. One rainy day, a friend & I had a full out mud fight with huge chunks of sloppy, wet mud. During the summer, we'd sled down the grassy hill on cardboard then climb the oak tree on slabs of wood nailed to the trunk like a tree-house.

It's funny how you move on and forget most things. I was chatting with a friend from high school the other day, and I was so shocked by how little I remembered. I think I remember more dance moves from routines than I do specific events from those days.

I do remember some things. Like, being crammed into Valley View's girls' bathroom stall in second grade. Helping my friend, Shawna, clean up after she didn't make it in time while trying not to gag. In middle school, Limited 2 was the place to shop. And even though I had clothes from there, I still didn't feel like I fit in. Probably because of my forehead break-outs and braces. Just so awkward.

Freshman year had me literary running from cheer practice to theatre rehearsal in the MP while juggling soccer practices and games. I remember trying not to fall asleep in some classes because I was up late the night before studying. And that horrid buzzing sound of the alarm in the morning before A period. No one should have to wake before the sun; I guess unless they're farmers.

This house holds some good memories and some hard ones. Hard ones like my mom's miscarriage on my 10th birthday during the middle of the night. I can still see her trying to walk down the stairs while leaning on my dad. It was the first time we had to call 911. Or the night I woke up to my mom screaming and glass breaking. Someone had thrown bricks into two of our front windows. I don't think I was ever a deep sleeper after that.

When W and I were dating and getting to know each other, we whole-heartedly agreed that if we met in high school, we would have never dated. He was the track geek who ate in class and was too skinny for my taste. Always 'friends' with the teachers because he was the younger sibling of so-and-so. He likes to remind me that he use to tutor cheerleaders like me. Whoa, I took lots of AP classes, buster! But I'm glad he got to see my old house. Our first kiss was there actually, when he came to meet my parents for the first time. A few months after we became an item.

After it was sold, I drove by on the way to lunch with a friend. It felt strange. I'd spent almost 18 years on that court, in that house. And now, an entirely new family was living in it. Their truck was parked where our suburban use to be. That meant they were swimming in their pool. Eating cereal in front of their television with the sunlight pouring in from their slider-door. Looking out their kitchen window at the beautiful view.

Even though I miss it, I wouldn't want to go back. I love our Swenson house very much {well, technically it is a townhouse}. It's small with only a patio, but it's our home. It's not yellow but it's still welcoming. Of course, we'd love to own a nice little house one day, don't get me wrong. But I'm in no rush to upgrade just yet. I like the memories we are creating in this space.

{{There was really not point to this post, just a remembrance of an old place.}}

You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right. ~Maya Angelou

Mine's Finished!

I'm finally done with a stocking, thanks to my wonderful husband. He's much more 'attention to details' than I am so after having enough patience to read the manual, he figured out that the needle was installed backwards. Once that problem was fixed, it was straight stitches from there on out...as long as my hand was steady. The finished product:

Some major structural issues with the top. Like, you're not suppose to see those raw side edges. Oops! :)

I used this pattern which I wouldn't necessarily recommend for lay-sewers like myself. Many vocabulary words that I wasn't familiar with and the wording was kind of like reading a chemistry text book. {Still so surprised I passed that class.} But I'm so pleased it resembles a stocking!! And that I actually got that pink ball-y trim on it without any help. Hooray! On to Ezra's.... 

Good-Bye

Earlier this week, we went to a going away party for the Fosters. Jake has been leading worship at our church for about seven years now. With their second baby coming in February, they decided now was the best time to head back home to Seattle. 

We enjoyed some delicious food and wine. It was wonderful to catch up with everybody now that summer is winding down and vacations are over. My favorite baby girl, Autumn Rain, was there. When we put Ezra on the floor next to her, she swooped down on him and planted the hugest kiss on his face. I had tears in my eyes from laughter. Wish I captured that on camera. They babbled and shared toys too.

We prayed for the Fosters and their new adventure of moving, finding a job, etc. Kids were passed around. They were everywhere. Organized chaos really. The oldest were chasing each other around outside, while the crawlers were indoors on the rug. Ella was the youngest little one there; only 7 weeks old!  

We will miss Jake, Melissa, and little Addy. Why do all these sweet families keep moving to Washington?! 

Knox & Ezra

Then

Now

One of the joys of living near really cool people!

Live. Love. Local.

My dream come true is to have a pretty sustainable veggie garden, fruit trees, and some chickens. We wouldn't necessarily live in the country to do this, but we definitely do not have the space to make this dream a reality for now. A girlfriend of mine buys all her dairy products locally from a farm at not much extra cost and has done a good amount of research on diary, which I love. But the choices around here tend to "break-the-bank."

I'd been researching some local alternatives for several months like drop-boxes and home deliveries, but none were really what we wanted. So I was super excited when I found out we have a CSA member farm right here in town. Then the idea was shelved for awhile until our local newspaper did a story on them recently. After chatting with friend who was also excited about the idea and with the farm at farmer's market, we finally decided to become a CSA* share-holder and split the share together. I figured it was the perfect way to test the waters. I'm beyond stocked!

Every Friday, we'll head to Terra Bella Family Farm to pick up our crop share. For $15 a week, we support a local farm and get the best/first selection of their vegetable and fruit crop. This farm also partners with two other certified-organic farms and a local bakery. Getting to take Ezra with me to visit a farm weekly is just another added perk! So although we're far from our own sustainability dream, this is a step in the right direction.

Thanks, Stef, for getting this ball rolling!! ;)

*Click the CSA link to find a local farm near you.

Mr. Bright Eyes

Sweet Treat

One of my favorite things is when new stores come into town. Especially the downtown area near our home. Not only is it a sign of hope for this dreadful economy, but it's almost always a promise for something fun. And since we walk downtown quite often, the transformation from empty store front to opened doors with fresh paint and crisp new decor is that much more enjoyable. It's like the anticipation and wonder adds the delight of something new. 

So when we saw two ladies talking outside this empty unit on the corner of our street, we got really excited. The unit use to be a complete dive with the remains of an old eatery and stored dirty lawn mowers for the business a few units down. It's very small. And had been empty for the three years we strolled pass it. Until this summer. The building was remodeled. A new lawn and flowers were planted. And a really cute bakery shop called Aunti Gluten's Bakery moved in.

So when the doors were opened, we stopped in on our way home from a Saturday's farmer's market. Pink & black decor covered the space perfectly. We met the two ladies: a mother & daughter team. We learned more about our new neighbors. The daughter went to culinary school and still works full-time as a flight attendant. They sell both whole and retail. We didn't buy anything then but enjoyed their company and got some yummy samples of their goodies.

Yesterday, I stopped by again and actually purchased a case of cupcakes for some dessert last night. I popped in with Ezra and my wallet. I ordered a toffee, coconut, and two red velvet cupcakes. Come to find out they still aren't set up for card payment, but take cash and checks. The mom insisted that I take the container and come back later to pay her. Seriously? She said she misses that "neighborhood closeness" from old and said she'd like to see Ezra again. Sure. After E's afternoon nap, we were back again with check in hand. We chatted a bit longer before we left for home. 

I'm no "specialty" type girl...I like all the fat, all the sugar, and all the diary. Perhaps it's bad to have the "go-big-or-go-home" mentality for sweets, but I want to enjoy them! And I'm thankful for a body that can process all those ingredients without painful consequences. So I wasn't sure if I would like not having all the wheat either. But they were fabulous. The cupcake itself was a bit dense and hardier but it didn't leave me with that super sugary hollow feeling. And the frosting! Oh, the frosting! To die for! W loved them too. Needless to say, it could potential pose a problem to now have a sweet little bakery on the corner of our street...

Thai Chicken

One of the dishes we're really digging lately is a crock-pot version of Thai Chicken. It's super easy to make; you only throw 6 ingredient in the pot. I got the recipe from my awesome thrift store find, but you can get it here too. And we're pretty picky about our thai food so when we both loved this recipe, I knew it was a keeper!

What you'll need:

4 chicken breasts

3/4 C salsa (can use any that you like)

1/4 C peanut butter

2 T lime juice (I use lemon: we have a huge bottle of it)

1 t gingerroot

Served with:

Barley that's been cooked in chicken broth

Topped with:

Chopped nuts & cilantro (not pictured)

What you do:

Put chicken in crock pot

Then add rest of ingredients 

Cover & cook on low for 8-9 hours

Cook barley by following directions on back of package

Serve with sauce from pot, chicken on top of barley

Sprinkle with nuts & cilantro

We're Ready!

Hope this autumn's a cold one.

Firewood, Anyone?




...in other news, look what I haven't killed yet!!

Getting Acquainted...

W got me my very first sewing machine recently and I've been spending the last few days getting to know it.  I'm finding that last summer's big baby bedding project with my aunt has really taught me a lot. And the JoAnn's basic class I took a few summers ago with a friend. It's time to venture the hands-on part alone {with an overseer's help who goes by the name of Mom whom I've already called three times in the last 4 hours.}

Here's to getting into the holiday spirit early this year in case this turns into a project fail. I figure it's a project that is pretty simple and I can't mess up too much. Hopefully, these will turn into something fun & personal for the three of us. Using felt, these fabrics & trim:

Wish me luck!!

8 Months

Dearest Bookie Book,

You are turning into one cool cat. We have loved seeing your little sense of humor explode...as well as your mobility. You are moving every moment you're awake. Papa calls you "Peg-Leg" because when you crawl you keep one foot flat on the floor while the other is in the classic position. It looks pretty silly but it sure gets you around. For now, nix & bruises are the norm as you explore and get into everything.

Games are so fun to play with you. You love playing peek-a-boo with Papa's boxers. When someone is going in for a tickle, you squeal and turn away. Then turn back again until you see them go for you again. You also do this with your hand. If we pretend to eat it, you quickly move your hand away. Then you'll move your hand toward our mouth until we open it again. And the other favorite game is "Yeah!" where we lift our arms in the air & say "YEAH!" Any one of us will prompt it and all will follow!

Here are some other things we want to remember:

- "Da" is your favorite expression! You use it all.the.time. except when you're your form of saying "yeah!"

-Favorite toys include water bottles, crinkly paper, the dogs' toys, and any other thing we're interested in

- You're finally wiggling away from me when I carry you. You'd rather crawl. And now you aren't turning around to look back anymore. Sigh.

-Eating is your favorite activity next to exploring. You eat like a rock star. There hasn't been anything you don't eat. Bananas and sweet potatoes are still your favorite.

-Nursing is a bit more challenging now since you don't like to lay down very long, so we're getting creative...
-Naps. You're doing better than we hoped for transitioning to two naps. And nights are still great.

-We hands-down love infant potty training...besides the prune disaster,  poop-smashed-to-bottom diaper cleaning is very few and very far between. Yes, because it is terribly stinky!

-You were pulling up on things at 7 months. Really, Ez, no rush. You really don't have to keep that up. Now you've started to let go and balance for a bit before falling.

-I've never seen such blonde hair before! And you're growing more of it!

-Two bottom teeth! 

-At about 7.5 months, you started to prefer Papa over everyone else.

-While reading, you help us turn the pages of your board books. So cute!

-Still smiling all the time and at everybody. We're pretty sure we've experienced you flirting already!

-Love your open mouth kisses. I'll say "Kisses kisses" and you're ready with an open slobbery month!

-Nicknames for you are "bookie bookie", "booger", and "Ezra Beezra"...not sure why. They just come out.

It is truly so sweet how the simple things delight the heck out of you. 

These have been the greatest 8 months! Thank you for making life more bright and full. We are so blessed that God would pick us for your parents!

We love you, little guy!

Creative Mama

A friend posted a link to this blog on facebook and I just had to pass it on. This stay-at-home mom takes creative "dream" pictures of her baby daughter as she sleeps. Not only is it incredibly creative, it is also extremely adorable!! You must check out the rest!

Here are some of my favorites:

Impromptu City Trip

If I could spend every weekend at Golden Gate Park, I would. And never grow tired of it. Our dear friend, Mel, was visiting and we decided mid-way through  Saturday to go to GG park and explore. Our first stop was Stow Lake (which is where I wanted to go during this trip but it was too rainy.)

We rented a YELLOW paddle-boat and went around the lake. Ezra wasn't extremely excited about having to wear a life-jacket, but he was a really good sport. Especially when he saw ducks and geese. The guys started out in back.

Paddler #1

Paddler #2

Girl Wake...we were really excited about this.

Group shot...our excuse to take a paddle break

I really have a thing for trees and these were to die for!

Happy Camper!

Apparently our lack of speed was putting some to sleep...while others were avoiding the crazy camera lady.

He was yawning until he saw turtles! Can you spot the two on the log in this picture?

After our paddling work-out, we (metaphorically) tossed a bundled-up Ezra in the stroller and walked about. We saw some art in the yard of the De Young Museum.

Got two free churros at the stand thanks to Mel's polite sassiness and customer-care before checking out the conservatory of flowers.

After this last picture, we walked back to the car and headed to dinner. It was a delicious hole-in-the-wall place called ....i can't remember--which is terrible because Mel couldn't either and it took her the whole walk back to the car to figure it out... where we shared a giant pizza and a Chianti bottle. Before falling asleep that night, I asked W what his favorite part of the day was. He said, "Turtles!" I bet Ezra would say, "Geese!" I'd have to say, "The trees and flowers!" I'll have to ask Mel to pipe in on what she liked...maybe the paddling.