good stuff

The party for Ari this weekend was so much fun. It was raining when people arrived and since I hadn't planned much aside from letting the kids roast hot dogs and run around outside, I was a little worried. But the sun came out and it turned into the first really lovely day of the year and everyone was just so happy to be outside visiting and playing and enjoying the day. The one activity I had planned for the kids- making and decorating pinwheels-never happened as there was too much running, giggling, fort-building, kite flying, sand-ice cream-serving-fun happening out in the sun.

I wish I had taken a picture of the gifts people brought (or really, of most of the party- I just was too busy enjoying it!) but they were perfect for our boy. There were several special rocks and seashells chosen by his friends, hand-made art, a homemade cd of favorite tunes, a kite,a story box to inspire made up stories, marbles. The simplicity of the gifts made me love my friends even more, and Ari was thrilled!


This was the cake Ari requested. White cake (I used Orangette's Banana cake recipe, only subbed applesauce for the bananas and it was yummy,) with strawberries, vanilla yogurt topping (I just strain it for a bit-) and chocolate sprinkles. Pretty good taste for a 5-year-old I'd say. We served it with homemade vanilla icecream and we were just able to squeeze out pieces for the 40(!) people that came.

::popsicle weather!::

Sunday was beautiful- we spent most of the day in the garden building a new composter and working to layer the compost properly- something we've been wanting to do for years. We stayed out well after the kids bedtime enjoying the day. Which was good since it has been raining ever since and we've been spending more time inside. Though we did head to the lake for a walk with friends in the rain yesterday, which was lovely in its own way.

And as if the sunshine and party were not enough excitement for one weekend, we were able to attend the first farmers market of the year (my kids favorite thing in the world- There are bunnies to pet, and cookies to eat and pony rides and spanikopita and live music and all their friends! So much fun.) We also went to a community arts event with dancing and a symphony performance, and then there was this- this amazing huge basket of wool!

My friend gave me a heads up about a garage sale that was selling off lots of yarn and fiber items. I got up fresh and early and scored this incredible stash of wool, bamboo needles, wool wash and the beautiful basket! Most of the skeins were being sold from .75 cents to 2$! I will be set for a good while with all this yarn. I was positively giddy! I just keep sifting through it, feeling each skein, trying to decide what my first project should be. Oh, the possibilities!

This week has continued to be busy, with visits and appointments, the house is a bit of a wreak and we are all a little tired, but happy. Planning some down time, some garden planning and some knitting. I hope you are well, dear friends.

celebrating

It is busy around here, so not time for many words, but wanting to pop in and share a couple pictures of Ari on his big day. We had a lovely family celebration of our beautiful boy, and will continue celebrating with a party for him this weekend. It is going to be a big one, as our friendly little fella has been inviting people everywhere we go! We celebrated with our usual traditions- birthday table laid with gifts and crown and wreath and baby pictures with a trail of sparkling stars leading from his bedroom. Morning gift opening and lots of time to play with the new treasures. A birthday supper and cake and a birthday story at bedtime. I made a simple an icecream cake (using our homemade yogurt with raspberries and maple syrup) And just spread the top with vanilla yogurt and "healthy" sprinkles. Perfect for our boy who likes the idea of cake but doesn't actually enjoy eating it. He does have plans for a strawberry chocolate cake for his party though. I love this series of pictures taken by Perry:

I have another post with a birthday letter and lots of pictures half-written which I'll get to posting when I get a chance (I also have Dorian's unposted one (gulp) waiting in the wings, and a homemade yogurt post, and a easter-egg-pocket post and a post about some recent crafting...) suppers on the stove- better get back to it!

Have a lovely day friends.

the state of things

Feeling rather despairing this morning after the results of yesterday's election. Thankfully the results in our riding were great- re-electing our wonderful, progressive NDP candidate (who happens to be a friend of ours,) but I am shocked and saddened by what the country has chosen. Our very own George W. For 4 years. I am trying to find the positive in this- maybe this will be what we need to mobilize for some real change?


We watched the results with other NDP supporters last night, and though we've tried not to burden the kids with our weighty political woes, they certainly picked up the feel of disappointment in the room last night. I feel the need now to "practice optimism" as a friend said this morning- for my children and for myself. So here I am, taking some deep breaths and trying to focus on what is good in the world. Like my beautiful children and my big boy who is turning 5 tomorrow. Politics aside, we have some celebrating to do!

::self portraits in the car mirror::

these days

Catching up with photos from the week and weekend. There have been many lovely days with friends and family and busy days working on projects at home.
(thanks for the patten Melanie, I found myself with knitting basket of sock yarn ends while watching the kids play and no other knitting projects at hand- this was the perfect little project to keep my hands busy. And perfect to decorate the cottonwood branch on the nature table.)
The boys drew pictures for the Easter bunny and left the eggs we'd dyed out for the bunny to hide for them.

I had picked up some plastic eggs in town to set out for the Easter bunny to fill( not something I would usually do, but I picked them up on a whim, thinking we might have an egg hunt in the garden,) but on Easter eve I opened them and they smelled awful . I didn't think the Easter bunny would appreciate putting organic treats into an egg that smelled like new car upholstery, so I had to think quick. I spent the evening sewing little felt egg-shaped pockets for the treats to fit in. I was quite pleased with the simple design, they held a couple jellybeans and sundrops well without them falling out- maybe I'll write up a tutorial sometime. Another reminder that cheap MIC junk is never worth it!


We went to visit a local farm to see some new baby goats. They boys were delighted to meet them all, and also to see the peacocks (and bring home some lovely feathers!) and to meet the tame deer that lives on the farm. I've never seen anything like it- it was rescued by humans as a baby and seems to thinks it is a dog (it even chases coyotes when the dogs chase them,) I don't know what will happen to it when it gets bigger- and possibly dangerous? but it was rather unnerving to be so close to a wild creature like that.

The most wonderful thing of all was the beautiful weather that melted most of our snow and had us outside digging in the dirt. It has turned chilly again, with lots of wind and cold rain/sleet, but just that bit of sun and garden time was enough to cheer us up.
.With this late cold spring we are having, every glimpse of green or hour of sunshine feels like medicine.
Happy thursday friends.

dreaming green

It is the middle of April and the snow keeps falling. Every morning when I wake I peek cautiously out at the day, scared of what white wonderland might be lurking behind the curtains. No April showers, and no budding and blooming and greening and growing. Just snow. And that same scene that was beautiful in December is getting a wee bit old as May approaches.

To stave off the not-quite-spring-yet crazies, we are: Planting seeds. Playing in the potting soil. Dreaming of things that will grow. Flowers and herbs and veggies and "dragon snaps."

Hauling out all the garden books and making plans. Should I turn over the green manure, or plant straight into the overwintered beds? What is the best way to make a no-till herb bed? Which tomato varieties should we plant in our new little greenhouse? These are questions that distract quite nicely if I avoid eye contact with the snow-covered garden beds outside.

Spring crafts. Colourful butterflies to brighten up the house-

Knit in green. Two soft spring scarves for my boys.

Eat salad. Dream about picking our own tomatoes and basil and cucumbers.

Worship all green things we can find. Treat them like the miracles they are.

Visit magical far-off lands. Dream and play and imagine until the sun begins to shine again!

Hope you are all dreaming good spring dreams, friends.