The Tea Cozy

Days 15-23: Catching Up

2010-12-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

Oh, we've been busy! But I haven't even taken the camera out of it's bag, to be honest. I may have to add a photo or two to this post later. When I find where I stashed my camera with all the holiday tidying going on around here...

On the 15th, Sarah and I kicked off the holiday season by going to see Christmas On the Air at a tiny local theatre. Then I worked late into the night on stuff for the next day's bake sale.

On the 16th, we had our busiest day of the school year. It is always exhausting, but also rewarding. In the morning, parents and kids packed 125 bags for less fortunate people in the school neighbourhood, filled with practical items and homemade shortbread. The kids make each one a card and we parents love to read what they've written each year as we are getting everything organized. In the afternoon, I helped to organize the Bake Sale set-up, then home for an hour before I was back to help run the Bake Sale. Whew! The school has the annual sale along with it's Christmas Sing-Along. There are many musicians at the school so they make up a makeshift band and play along while the kids and their families belt out holiday tunes. I must admit, I was glad to be in the quiet cafeteria, cleaning up after the Bake Sale! It is so hot in that crowded gym!

On the 17th, we were all extremely glad to say good-bye to school for the holidays. Two weeks of sleeping in and wearing pjs as long as we want! We drove around looking at Christmas lights and walked a few blocks of Trinity Street. We still need to return and do the whole things when we are dressed warmer.

On the 18th, Jay and I went to the annual holiday potluck at David and Susan's, sans children. Lots of yummy food and hilarious conversation, which seemed to hover around the topic of vasectomies an awful lot!

On the 19th, we had an annual gathering of friends at K and A's house, complete with kids. Alot of homemade Irish Cream was consumed, and big excitement was in the air with Chris and Diana so close to their due date with their first babe.

On the 20th, my sister came over with Maya and Brynn and we did something in the kitchen. I don't think I can call it baking. Colleen was making up rap songs about Christmas fudge, which nearly had me peeing my pants. Oh, remember the fudge fiasco of last year? It was repeated. Yes, we managed to completely screw up the fudge again this year. I think I have to wait a while before attempting it again. If at all. But our Grandma is gone, and we feel like it still needs to be made, so tackle it we will! I did have success the second time last year...

On the 21st, we celebrated the Winter Solstice with friends. Sarah and Vicki and their families came over for a lovely, relaxing evening. The food was easy (meat and vegan shepherd's pies, mac and cheese, red lentil soup and a yummy salad) and we had a lot of conversation, despite 9 kids running all around us! I'm thinking potluck casserole-type dishes is the the way to entertain withour stress. Hopefully I will remember this at other times of the year! (and next Christmas...)

On the 22nd, it was PopPop's birthday, so we gathered with friends and family for our annual celebration. Usually we host it here, but this year we went to my in-laws. I must say it was a lot more relaxing for us this way, even though we like to do it! Jay and I came home last night feeling ill, we were sooooo FULL! After the kids went to bed, we slumped onto the couch and couldn't move for the next hour or two. Well, except for my hands, which were working the knitting needles. I only have one gift left, which will easily be finished today. I purposely cut down the amount of knit gifts this year, and then took my time with them. I knew I could have sat for two days earlier in the month and knocked them all off, but then I know I would have found a new list of stuff to knit with the time left, so I spread it out and kept it stress-free. I hope I also remember this next year. See the point of blogging? To remind yourself of what you discovered the year before so you don't repeat mistakes!

Today I plan to hit the Drive with Jay to complete our Christmas shopping and gather the remaining food items needed for the Big Day of eating! I've got local, pastured turkey (20 lbs) and ham (10 lbs) plus an enormous bag of Brussel's sprouts, so I'm good to go! I'd better start making my list!

Days 9-14 - Time Flies

2010-12-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

Oh, blogging is just not as much fun without some accompanying photos. Alas, the weather in Vancouver is so, well, grey, right now that all my pictures turn out dark. It just doesn't inspire blog posts, truthfully. However, I really enjoyed looking back on last year's holiday posts, if only for ideas this year, and I'd like to look back on this time next year (hopefully to see how frazzled and busy I was and chuckle because Christmas 2011 is soooo relaxing) so continue I must, even with dark photos.
So, what have we been up to this week?
First, the tree was bought and decorated. It is smaller than our usual tree, and fit into the living room easily. Not good. Christmas trees must come with furniture rearranging. Luckily I married someone who agrees (if only because he wants to sweep up dust bunnies) so after pretty much all of our furniture was moved, we are quite pleased. I love the light a tree gives off. I always mourn the loss of it when it is gone.

Only about 1/3 of my decorations fit...I got to pick my favourites so I love it all the more!

A few new birdies were added to my tree this year (this one was gifted to me last year from Sarah)
Remember this one? Love it!

Isla and I have started baking...

I told her I wanted to take a picture of her in Faire's apron and she held this pose while I found the camera, adjusted, took multiple shots...in fact, she wants to do this pose in all photos right now! Hilarious!

She helped with a bit of adding and mixing, but really, she just wants to lick the spoons...
Jay moved the TV down into the living room for the next couple of weeks. It seemed a shame to go up the the TV/Playroom to watch a Christmas movie when the tree and the fireplace are down here. It's quite blissful, although we don't have cable and I've already had my fill of CBC Holiday specials...

And, of course, I've been knitting. So has Faire, actually. She plans to knit gifts for everyone. The fact that Christmas is 11 days away does not faze her. I could probably learn something from that. But, most of my knitting is done. I'm feeling quite Zen about it now, which means I am growing as a person, or I am heavily under the influence of homemade Irish Cream liqueur. I have a sneaking suspicion thatI've forgotten something that I'm supposed to be knitting and that's why I'm so calm...

Sugar Overload: Days 7 & 8 of Advent

2010-12-08T20:28:00.001-08:00

On the 7th Day of Advent, my Mama gave to me...

Hot Cocoa in the Bathtub!

Wow, young kids are easy to impress. I remember this being a highlight last year. Once again, I got top Mama points. Even Faire, who'd rather shower these days than soak in a tub, was excited. I didn't take any photos, because, well, most of them seem to old to have bathtub photos on the internet, you know?

Today they got to eat their Gingerbread House. Finally, the whining has stopped. I can't remember the last time the house was so quiet as when they were tearing that house apart. No bickering, no way, wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves because then Mama might change her mind about the whole thing!

They didn't think the house tasted very good (not surprising to me) so they just ate the candy. Sigh...

Tomorrow we are getting our tree! Can't wait!

Now I'm off to knit, which is what I've been doing pretty much every spare moment. Hats, and wrist warmers, and cowls, oh my. I'm trying to be Zen about the whole thing, but it's hard to admit I might not actually be able to pull it all off and have any semblance of a relaxing holiday. I'm slowly coming to terms with it...I've got other things up my sleeve if the knitting doesn't work out!

Where Does the Time Go? Days 3-6 of Advent

2010-12-06T21:31:00.001-08:00

Wow, time is flying!

It has been a busy, busy weekend. Not a lot of Holiday Activity. I hosted a baby shower for my sister and Brynn on Sunday, and we raced to redo our bathroom and fuss around with other parts of the house in time for 20 women to arrive for brunch.

On Friday, the kids got to decorate a gingerbread house with a kit they received from a woman who works with J. The best part?? We sent them over to my Mom's to do it! Woohoo! I will have to remember that next year, although she swears she's running away next time I "suggest"it! Now we have to listen to daily whining about when they get to eat the darn house...my guess is soon, so I can stop listening to it!

On Saturday, we did a whole lot of this:

My poor sister is having a rough go with feeding little Brynn. I told her to come over and lie down on my couch for the day. We got the house ready for her baby shower while holding Brynn, and helping Colleen through some rough patches. She had lunch and dinner with us, and left in a much better emotional and physical place. I hope for her sake that her body heals soon, and that they settle into the lovely rhythm of breastfeeding that I enjoyed. I certainly know it is not easy for many women, but it breaks my heart to see my sister suffering.

On Sunday, after the baby shower, the kids decorated their little tree in the playroom.
After dinner, we needed fresh air and exercise so we headed out for a neighbourhood walk to search for holiday lights. They are few and far between in this neck of the woods, so it was a good walk. Isla just loves the lights. Her excitement is so fun to witness right now.

Today after school, we pulled out the Christmas colouring/doodle books and had family colouring time. It's been many years since I sat with a cool picture and coloured pencils. Fun!

I bought this "intricate ornaments" colouring book last year and it's really nice! Cool patterns, and enjoyable for Mamas and Dads too!

It Begins Again: Days 1&2 of Advent

2010-12-02T23:09:00.000-08:00

Why yes, that is a disco ball hanging from my chandelier! Doesn't everyone have one?

Ah, lovely December, how is it you've come again so soon?

Something about having children in the school system makes the months fly by; does anyone else notice this?

So I am once again challenging myself to an Advent full of the joyful activities, traditions, and creativity I embrace during the holiday season. I tried going without the chocolate advent calendars this year, but alas, Shea was trying ever so hard to tell me it was a really bad idea without hurting my feelings. So off to Whole Foods and a small fortune later, there are 3 Fair-Trade Chocolate Advent Calendars in our kitchen. Isla is starting to understand the overload of highlights this month is about to bring. It will be fun to see her get excited about it all, but the letdown of January will be brutal, I'm sure...

Anyway, what's up in the Holiday House? Well, on the first of December we had pumpkin waffles for dinner, complete with whipped cream. Shea announced that we should celebrate the first day of each month with waffles for dinner. He loves the changing of the month! Not a bad idea, really...

Today, my heart was bursting with joy as I sat my kids in front of YouTube to watch "The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold"! I've been waiting for this to be released on a DVD for years, but the good ol' internet saves the day! Pease, someone tell me they know what show I am talking about here!! Classic Rankin/Bass holiday show, with stop-motion puppets?? Frankly, it is one of those things that you probably need to have serious nostalgia about to appreciate. But let me tell you, I have a big-time nostalgic heart. In fact, I think I'll go watch it again, perhaps with a rum and eggnog.

She Is Born

2010-11-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

My sister had a baby on Thursday morning. It was an awesome birth at home, surrounded by friends and family, and the most treasured midwives. Faire was so excited to go, and she was so amazing - right in where all the action was, ignoring the extremely-frequent cursing coming from Colleen, and just enjoying the whole process. At one quiet moment, she said to the midwife and I, "This is going to change my life". Umm, yes, we all melted. The midwives had her help to weigh baby, and also gave her a full "tour" of the placenta, telling her it was training because they think she'll be a midwife when she grows up.

Oh, I can dream, can't I?

Anyway, a baby!

Brynn Elizabeth, welcome to our chaotic family! You will be treasured and loved! And I will knit you more 70s-style ski touques with pompoms to join the one Uncle Jay wore in 1974! Believe me, Auntie Bonnie can do better than acrylic, my little sweetie!

(photo above of Brynn with her big sister Maya)

Wet Walk in the Neighbourhood

2010-10-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Shea Is Seven

2010-10-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

What better way to celebrate our little Sith Lord than with a Star Wars Party?

a Death Star pinata,

Costumes (we had a Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Yoda, and R2-D2)

and a "Flames of Mustafar" cake.

I'm quite proud of my ability to make a simple chocolate-zucchini bundt cake look cool in the eyes of seven year old boys. (Also funny because the Mustafar scenes of Episode 3 are the ones Shea seems most obsessed with in the Star Wars saga, and it is the only Episode we haven't let him watch any of!)

Harvest

2010-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

Party in Parksville

2010-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

We gathered together here last September for their wedding, and are trying to make it a tradition.
(Next year, when we do it again, they will have a baby of their own to dip little toes in the tide.)

As for the wedding day one year ago, the weather, while not the greatest of forecasts, was lovely.

The kids and Chris discovered a working raft on the shore on the first afternoon, and immediately put it to use.

Isla wasn't so sure about it, but the other two were overjoyed.

The sun came out for real the next day when everyone was there to frolic with us.

When Chris mentioned that pulling the kids out of school to hang out on the beach for a couple of days would result in life education, I think this is what he meant.

Labour Day Weekend

2010-09-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

A weekend up at Little Heaven Ranch was just what the kids had been waiting for this summer. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it happen until the last weekend of our holidays. The up side: mosquitos, which are bad there, are pretty much gone. The downside: more chance of rain.

As you can see, it rained:

Jay and I had a hilarious quad ride together through icy rain, that made us feel carefree and young and foolish, not something we feel very often in the years since becoming parents, but so good for us, just the same. Thankfully, there was a woodstove to light up when we returned, so our clothes and bones could get warm and dry...

Sharon and I trecked through the forest to a small clearing at a creek, filled with mint. I brought a huge bucketful home for tea. Though it was too early for the rosehips yet.

And the rain stopped the morning we were leaving, so the kids could join Sharon on a quest for treats for the horses. Bliss.

Okanagan Abundance

2010-08-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Kyla, Roxanne and I took a road trip up to Kelowna for a weekend of canning. Sarah, who lives there in the summers, had worked her magic at the farmer's Market. She had found lovely, unsprayed peaches (60 lbs), tomatoes (90 lbs), and pickling cukes (40 lbs) for us, along with 60 lbs of organic heirloom tomatoes for herself. The plan was to lounge on the dock and in the boat on Friday (the only forecasted hot day), canning Friday night and all day Saturday, a bit more on Sunday with a break for Kyla, Sarah and I to drive to Okanagan Falls for the Feast of Fields, then home again Monday.

Peaches...my family's favourite winter treat.

Everything ready for pickles (notice our amazing view?)

Heirlooms, getting ready to roast.

Crushed tomatoes, bubbling away.

Sweet success! (literally. we've never tasted such sweet tomatoes)

We took the long way home, packed into Roxy's smallish car, floorboard to roof with boxes of full canning jars, then every other space stuffed with local produce from the farm stands in Keromeos. I love the beautiful scenery on the old highway.

Day 12: Last Day

2010-07-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

We tried to do a bit of everything today as we are leaving in the late morning tomorrow. A bit of tidying, putting the boat away and all the floaties, we smoked three of the salmon, and then eaded to Rathtrevor for one last hurrah. The tide was so far out that after walking for a looooong time, I looked back to our spot on the beach, then looked at the water, and realized I was only halfway. I've used it as exercise time in the past because walking over the rippling wet sand works your legs amazingly. Today I felt lazy, though, and returned to te blankets and cooler for a beverage and my knitting needles. The others played bocce and threw the football. Usually when the tide is out there are large tide pools full of warm water for the kids to play in, but they weren't there this year. So we just stayed hot and dry.

I'll miss looking at sandy shoulders. I won't miss sandy bedsheets, though!

In the evening, the grandparents looked after the five kids and we went out for dinner with Dan and Johanne. We went to the Rod and Gun. Classic Parksville. We haven't been there in years but had such lousy service at the new resort down the street that we decided to forgo the view and actually get treated well. We laughed a lot, drank a little too much, and walked two blocks home to laugh some more on the back porch.

Day 11: More Sockeye

2010-07-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

There was another 4:30am wake up to go fishing. This time, Faire got to go. She was so excited, and had a good time, but oh, she was so tired when they returned.

Jay and Dan fileted all the salmon, and I wrapped. Tomorrow morning I'm smoking three of them.

(I call Dan Kenny Chesney because he looks like a country western star when he's dressed for fishing.)

Day 10: Cameron Lake

2010-07-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

A day at Cameron Lake. We go to an area that isn't as well-known, and almost always have the beach to ourselves.

The kids ride the tube, or float, or frolic in the cool water. It's so refreshing to take a dip after baking in the sun for a while. Takes the core temperature right down so you can go and bake some more ;)

This year Pop Pop even got back on the skis! The kids were most impressed with their grandfather.

Jay on the move.

Day 9: The Annual Gathering of the Family

2010-07-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Loryl and Barry hosted the annual gathering of the Jarvis clan at their home in Qualicum Beach. This year there were 43 of us. What I love most is that most of us see each other once a year, but as soon as we say "hello", we pick up where we left off. I love this family I married into.

Jason, with Shea and Isla.

Sweet Mira.

The lovely woman on the left is the newest "addition" to the clan. She is expecting twins in November! This will be great-grandchildren numbers 18 and 19 for Jay's grandma.

Al and Jason, admiring the view.

Carl impressed us all with is guitar-playing skills. Al also played a bit, then Marilyn (my mom-in-law) sang later in the evening.

Dan and Johanne. He's like a brother to Jay, and they simply live too far away from us. They are leaving for Australia in January for a year, which means we won't see them next summer. We're trying not to think about that.

Cousins. Dan, Kelly, and Jason. These three always have a great time together.

Faire and her Daddy.

Shea Boy.

Too bad the view was so bad.

haha.

At the end of the night, all the kids got flashlights.

Day 8: Early Evening in The Yard

2010-07-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

We are at Rathtrevor Beach at some point most days, but we usually keep to the yard in the evenings. We get a nice breeze off the water, and even on the scorching days, the temperature in the back yard is perfect. The adults hang out on the porch with the daily cocktail (I made sangria tonight) and the kids do their thing in the yard.

Not the clearest photo of Maya and Faire entertaining Isla.

Shea and Carl befriending a neighborhood cat.

Day 7: Dinner Menu

2010-07-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Faire writes up the dinner menu each night on a little chalkboard I found. More grilled salmon tonight. I sense much sockeye in my immediate future...

Day 6: Gone Fishing

2010-07-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Jay, Dan and Carl got up at 4:30am to head up to Port Alberni to fish. They came home in the afternoon with 11 Sockeye! Jay is not a fisherman, and usually his fumbling around on a boat is cause for many laughs. It was no different this time. They still ended up with a lot of fish though, despite, as they said "doing everything they possibly could to lose the fish on the line!"

We have a very helpful neighbor on the Island who loves to fish. He came over when we got home and set up a fish fileting station. His wife wrapped and labelled the fish for us when he was done. All without being asked. Kind people still exist! We invited them over for a salmon BBQ that evening to celebrate the bounty.

Day 5: Local "Fooding"

2010-07-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

I can only go so long without my typically local diet. It feels wrong to eat any other way now.

So today the five of us headed into Qualicum for the Farmer's Market. The huge, annual St. Mark's Fair was happening as well, so we browsed a bit, ate mini doughnuts (hey, it's a Fair!) and listened to a great Australian singer, Kim Campbell. Bought his CD, some locally spun alpaca yarn for my upcoming cool-weather hat, some berries, and veggies, even a set of wooden mind-teaser toys, and felt oh so much better about life in general. When we left the house, the kids were miserable to leave their cousins, but after a very short time, they forgot about it. I bring them to markets or to the grocery store with me as often as possible. I want them to know where food comes from, and how much work it is to have a meal end up on the plate. And they rarely complain when we're there. I let them choose ingredients and they try new tings. And we spend quality time together. Win-win.

On the way back home, we stopped at Qualicum Cheeseworks. Yum. I love their cheese, and their farm. The kids got to visit with the animals, and I stocked up on local pork. Their breakfast sausages are soooo good, if you're into that sort of thing. I wish they'd bring their meat to the Vancouver Farmer's Market.

Day 4: Floating Down The River

2010-07-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

We're packing the van with 9 people and every floatie we can find to spend the next couple of hours floating down the Englishman River to where it meets the sea.

The camera is staying home for this one!

Day 3: The Mermaid

2010-07-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Back at the beach. Isla got buried in sand to make a mermaid tail.

Yesterday while I was knitting in the sun, the family next to us were passing around cold Coronas. I was admittedly a little jealous. So this was my beach "snack" today!

Day 2: Rathtrevor Beach

2010-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hands down, our favourite place on Earth. It is so huge that there is space for everyone, even if everyone wants to play a game of beach baseball. Or beach bocce. Or beach football. Or throw a frisbee looooong distances. We have done all those and more. We know the best spot and it's even quieter than the rest of the beach. Two years ago, we put the ashes of one of our favourite men out to sea here. A year ago, dear friends married here. This is our place.

Day 1: Big, Deep Breath

2010-07-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, we're back to the Island, where in the summertime, the livin' is easy.
Down the road from our house is the Parksville Beach, which is being developed with much controversy. One nice addition is a boardwalk. However, we were shocked by how much busier the beach was now that access is so much easier. Ahh, always a downside...

I got to sit in the breeze and knit while Jay headed into the water with the kids. You can go on forever without it passing your knees and it's a lovely temerature.

Okanagan Memories: On the Dock

2010-07-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

We had a whirlwind weekend in the Okanagan at Sarah and Padra's place. They were kind enough to open their home not only to us, but also to Jay's cousin Dan and his wife and two kids from Edmonton. We holiday together on the Island every summer. This year we met for a weekend in Kelowna before continuing on to Parksville. There were 14 of us in all, so there was much laughter, chaos, and good food (if I do say so myself!). But nothing was broken, and nobody squabbled, and there was luckily a boat big enough for us all!!

Each day found us down on the dock. A double kayak, two longboards, numerous floaties, water fight supplies, and a cooler with cold beer kept us happy and occupied!

A view of the dock from up on the porch

A relaxing float

Jay and Dan out on the longboards.

Maya takes Faire and Kai for a ride.

Johanne finally convinced a pensive Shea to go for a kayak ride. It takes him a while to warm up to trying something new, especially on the water. But he enjoyed it, and was out on the kayak often after this first ride.
Shea and Kai. Ahhh, today, out in a kayak together; before we know it, out in a car (ack!)

Maya

Shade was hard to find at certain times of the day. We made a makeshift cover for Isla (except for these cute little toes that I couldn't resist snapping a photo of!

Okanagan Memories: Out On The Boat

2010-07-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

When we weren't on the dock (or eating!), we were out on the boat

Isla and River look out over the water.

Padra and Juma, driving the boat.

Faire and Kai on the tube.

Padra

Dan

Carl up on skis. The beginner ones were so great for the kids.

Check Kai out!

Family

5 of the 8 kids up front (the party section)

Sarah and the star of the weekend, Juma baby. I love this photo!

Me and my girl Sarah, working on our tans. I learned that hanging out over the back edge of the boat is, indeed, a great way to tan your ass and keep cool at the same time. Just so you know ;)

A Recipe From Faire

2010-07-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

She announced on this day that she was making herself a non-alcoholic raspberry mojito! She didn't seem to notice the absence of sweetener or lime, so I didn't remind her!

Faire's Garden Refresher

3 raspberries

2 mint leaves

Bash together and add sparkling water and a straw.

Rosehip Mojito

2010-07-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

I made Rosehip Syrup.

It just so happened that I had 4 quarts of frozen rosehips from last Fall, which I simmered with 2 quarts of water, then strained through a jelly bag to equal 4 cups of liquid to which I added SUGAR and made a syrup. Whew. I'm considering it sugar with added vitamin C.

Sugar With Benefits, shall we?

Well, what to do with said sugar? Make a mojito, of course. I am always on the lookout for a healthier alcoholic beverage, after all (ahem).

If you happen to come across 4 quarts of rosehips, and you have the time and energy to make yourself some Sugar With Benefits, try this!

Rosehip Mojito

Muddle 6 large mint leaves in a glass with 1/2 ounce of rosehip syrup.

Add 1-2 ounce(s) white rum, depending on your mood and your children (haha)

Add the juice of half of a lime (or a full lime if it's not giving up much juice)

Add ice.

Top with sparkling water, or club soda.

***

Oh, and Happy Anniversary Babe!

XOXO B.

Getting Ready

2010-07-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

One of my most favourite things about summer...

Laundry on the line, so our packed bags will smell extra fresh and clean (they won't be coming home that way!)

What's Missing From This Picture?

2010-07-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hint: It was once in his mouth!

Shea has finally lost a tooth!

Hmmm, next on our to-do list today: manicures and pedicures for all!

Oh, The Things Kids Think!

2010-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

See this wonderful view? That is where I'll be sitting soon. I'm in a whirlwind of activity around here, prepping and packing and checking my list.

So this morning Faire asks: "Mom? You know what I'm most excited about in the Okanagan?"

"What?" I ask, thinking she's going to say seeing friends and family, racing along on the boat, or behind it in a tube. Something fun and memory-inspiring, you know?

Her answer: "Sarah's fridge has an ice machine."

Late Last Night

2010-07-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is what my brother loves to do if he's over late at night when Shea is sleeping. Play with his Lego. In this case, setting up a scene of Lego Star Wars people for Shea to find in the morning. Shea never knows what to make of this. He's partly excited that his uncle is setting up his Lego, but partly annoyed that someone played with Lego without him.

Graham is nearly thirty. How old are you when you stop playing Lego, anyway???

Winning Hearts and Minds

2010-07-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

You know when you melt 3/4 pound of butter and a pound of bittersweet chocolate together, only good things can happen.

In this case? Two Winning Hearts and Minds cakes, from the food memoir, A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenburg. It is a great summer beach read, people. And it is full of lovely recipes. Can't wait to try this one, but wait I must. After they cool, they are going into the freezer (apparently they are even better after they've been frozen and allowed to come back to room temperature before serving). I will pull them out of the freezer on Friday before I head out to join my girl Sarah's tribe for some Okanagan sun.

The Next Shawl

2010-07-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

This one's for my Mom, for the holiday...you know, that one that happens in - dare I say it? - Winter??

It Continues...

2010-07-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

It began with strawberries, and now we're onto raspberries. I haven't been to a u-pick yet, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have time before I head out on holidays. Guess that means I'll be packing the canning equipment when we head to the Island. I'll drag everyone out to pick them there, and make jam with the extended family. They'll think I'm so clever (well, not my own, who have seen me make jam all their lives and think this is just what mamas do...)

This batch was made with local honey and some raspberries I picked up at the Farmer's Market. I had to make a quick batch, just in case the family complains about my picking/jamming plans on the Island. ;)

Finished!

2010-07-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Citron

Knit with Zephyr Laceweight (50% wool/ 50% tussah silk) Less than one skein. Added an extra repeat, and wondered why it still seemed so much smaller than I wanted. As I knit the last row, it came to my attention that I was knitting it with a 3mm needle, not a 4mm needle. I have no idea how that mistake came to be, but the next one will be knit with the 4mm. Oh yes, there will be another. I'm casting on with Sweet Georgia laceweight in the Botanical colourway. So beautiful.

It's soft and lovely and perfect for all seasons. Love love love.

Evening Visitor

2010-07-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

As I was casting off my Citron, I heard a scratching noice coming from behind me. When I searched I saw this unexpected visitor, waking up for the night. We've suspected that the huge tree in our backyard houses a racoon or two.

He crept through the greenery, then dipped into the tub we filled to wash our feet earlier in the day. Then he slowly made his way through the yard, climbing up and over a fence and leaving on an evening's adventures while we watched.

I know they're vicious, but look at how cute he is!

Morning at New Brighton

2010-07-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

In the pool with Grandma

And lunch on the porch (homemade tzatziki and watermelon/strawberry "blasters")

Watermelon Blasters
(I think this is from Martha, but I could be wrong)

3 cups cubed watermelon
1 1/2 cups strawberries
3 tbsp lime juice
1 cup ice cubes
sugar (or honey in our case) to taste

Blend until smooth. Yum!

Photos of Old Photos

2010-07-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

While trying to wade through the clutter of my top floor I came across these old photos of me as a wee one. I've never seen them before so I don't know how they came to be up there. I love seeing all three of my kids' faces and expressions on my own childhood face.

Sprinkler Fun

2010-07-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

I think the sun has finally come out to stay in Vancouver. It was a long wait, I must say.

I plan to say YES to sprinklers, soaking in Grampy's hottub (which is kept cool through summer), beach evenings, eating outside, knitting in the sand, and anything else I can think of to completely savour this season.

My favourite.

Photos By Faire

2010-07-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

I love seeing what she does with the camera. I may save up to buy her her very own for Christmas. Ack! Did I just mention the "C" word in JULY??? Maybe because Isla sings the "Christmas Don't Be Late" song by the Chipmunks EVERY DAY ALL DAY!!??

View From A Teeter Totter

2010-07-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

While Faire spent the day at Yarn Camp, Shea and Isla and I went to the park at New Brighton. Sunshine, a lovely breeze, time for the Mama to get a few more rows knit, and a lovely view.

One of the nicest views from an East Van playground, unless I'm forgeting some other park. In which case, please let me know. I'm looking for local playgrounds that aren't ridiculously busy, have sunshine, shade, and a nice breeze, and a fairly clean bathroom nearby. Too much to ask??

Beaching It

2010-07-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

While Faire was down the beach at a birthday party, we hung out and enjoyed the first Saturday of summer. Shea is getting trained in the art of Frisbee (one of these days I may actually get a picture of him at it!) and Isla loves to make sand angels all over the beach. Oh, and find beer bottle caps. Always a good time.
Me? What else, knitting. I'm trying to get my Citron finished up, although the last handful of rows of 500+ stitches of lace yarn are a little, shall we say, boring?

Almost done, and I know it will be worth it!

Canada Day Shenanigans

2010-07-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

A fabulous Canada Day. We hung out with favourite friends, we all pitched in for a super-yummy BBQ dinner so nobody was overwhelmed, and there was plenty of time for relaxing on the porch (the mamas) or playing in early evening air (the kids and dads)

Bikes and Scooters, and Lightsabers, Oh My!

Who wants to play soccer?

A lightsaber duel between Jedi (Padra) and Sith (Isla)

Relaxing on the porch.

Ummm, I love the word Shenanigan. I also love Hootenany, which I'm sure we'll get to before summer is out.

Juma

2010-06-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

We use any excuse to watch this little darling.

Then the four of us proceed to fight over her until her Mama comes to take her home.

We Must Be Boring Dinner Companions

2010-06-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ah, this girl. She has given up napping for the most part, but our long summer days often do her in. We usually head out the door to the beach right around her bedtime, and she dozes in the car, wakes up to enjoy the sunset, then can hardly wait to get back home to bed.

Any afternoon outing usually ends up with a car-ride nap as well. But don't even think about suggesting she nap, on her bed, while at home. No sir, no way.

The other day we were leaving to drive to a farm market to pick up produce. She asked me to bring her pillow so she could "snuggle and go to sleep". Sure enough, that's what she did.

It Begins

2010-06-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

With strawberries.

50+ pounds picked this year.

Most went into the freezer. I ran out at Easter this year so I made sure to freeze a few extra bags so that wouldn't happen next year. Oh horror of horrors.

And of course some got cooked down into jam.

So it begins with strawberries, but the summer's beautiful berry bounty continues with raspberries, blueberries, tayberries (best jam in the world!) and blackberries.

Oh, I love this season.

Sleepover

2010-04-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Shea is the only boy, sandwiched between two sisters, so he loves it when Sarah's boys come over. A lot of craziness ensues...

These three boys together are way more than triple the volume, which is why I sent them outside as soon as possible!

Isla wisely snuck around the outskirts of the yard, staying well out of the way.

She loves to pick things out of yards and gardens these days. I've been on the receiving end of many a dandelion bouquet lately. I'll try to remember how sweet it is when she's picking unripe berries and tomatoes in a couple of months. What did I get this time?

A tiny bouquet of chives, just for me.

Earth Day 2010

2010-04-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

We had a picnic dinner on the beach to celebrate Earth Day. It was a lovely, mild day but it was bloody cold at the beach that evening! Worth it for the view, though. So worth it.

Isla is so near the end of toddlerhood. The girl doesn't stop chattering away (hmmm, like her sister?) and every moment of the day is spent doing things "by myself". We need to don full body armour to offer assistance. If we offer at a time she does NOT want it, we're in for it! Oh, this little one of mine is hugely entertaining. No matter how hard the day has been (oh, there have been some hard days), at the end of them, I'm still having a laugh about something she has said or done.

Every milestone passed is one I won't get to experience again. Some I am quite happy to bid farewell to. But others are bittersweet.
As I snapped this photo, I wondered how much longer I'd get to gaze upon dimpled hands?

Come Join Us!

2010-04-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

love letter

2010-04-07T13:35:00.001-07:00

This was left for me the last time I made the meyer lemon almond cake:

"Dear Mom,
You make the best lemon cake ever and best of all is that it is made from the heart.
From Faire"

Told you! You must make this cake!

Make This

2010-04-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, technology.
Our computer is giving us a lot of trouble these last few months. Or, I should say, was. It is now dead. I am really hoping all my photos and other documents can be saved. I mean, forget photos of the children - I have knitting pattern pdfs in there! Things I haven't even knit yet!

So I shall be a photolesss blog for now.

I have been meaning to post this and now that I am, run out and try to find the last of the meyer lemons in the produce section. They won't be there much longer and this cake is the best with meyer lemons. I've made it with regular lemons (no matter how local I eat, I will always make room in my ideals to include imported lemons and limes, okay?) but it really isn't as oh-did-I-really-just-eat-a-whole-cake-today? as the meyer lemon version. You've been warned.

Meyer Lemon and Almond Cake
(of which there is a lovely photo on my - sob - dead computer)

Mix together in a large bowl:
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup almond meal
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
zest of 2 meyer lemons

Whisk in a separate bowl:
1 cup sugar
3 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup organic canola oil

Mix wet and dry ingredients together and pour into a greased and lined 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 25-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on rack for 15 minutes, then get the cake out of the pan and onto the rack right side up.

Mix 1/4 cup meyer lemon juice and 1/4 cup icing sugar and pour syrup over the cake. Let cool completely.

Mix 3 tbsp meyer lemon juice and 1 cup icing sugar to make a thick, but still pourable icing. Pour this over cooled cake. Eat as quickly as possible so your children don't notice it and you don't have to share. (although it is lovely and moist and therefore will keep covered at room temp a couple of days - I assume, as it's never lasted that long around here.)

Spring Break

2010-03-05T17:26:00.001-08:00

Ahhh, school's out.

Ten days to get up when we want, and best of all, I don't have to stand in the kitchen, bleary-eyed, trying to whip up a lunch for the kids. The words "come on, we're late!" will not pass my lips. Or, at least if they do, I will be talking to J, who makes it his life work to keep me waiting. ;)

Gardening, knitting, tea-drinking, and house-cleaning are on the agenda.

But not until at least 10am.

The Little Canucks That Could

2010-02-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

Oh Canada, indeed.

We rock.

While I spent years begrudging the coming Olympic games to this city, I must admit to being caught up in the awesome vibe that has taken ahold of us Vancouverites. We live in a beautiful city, in a breathtaking country, with, as we have seen over the last two weeks, some of the finest athletes in the world.

Congratulations Team Canada!

Time is Ticking Away...

2010-02-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

...and I am frantically trying to complete my Knitting Olympics Challenge. I am knitting the Reindeer Sweater for J, and his arms are just too long, people! Never knit a long-sleeved item for a man that is 6'5". Other than that, it has been coming along so quickly that I was a little too sure of myself. Let it go a bit and read a book (gasp!) instead. Now it's the last few days and all the finishing is daunting.

The plan is that he will wear it to the Canada-Norway sledge hockey game we are seeing in the Paralymics.

The other plan was that I would be making these sweaters for all of us, but after those sleeves I am going to need to rethink that. Or at least buy a lot more wine.

Anyway, just a quick post to let everyone know why I haven't been posting!

Eight

2010-02-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago...

Just after midnight, in the first minutes of February 10th, I forced Jason to close the Baby Name Book. "It is officially the due date. We need to sleep. For all we know, we could be woken up at 3am with contractions!" is what I said to him. (I also added that I was set on my girl's name and after I gave birth if it was a girl he would let me name her whatever I wanted so stop looking for other girls' names, damnit, but I digress)

"You're right, you're right" was his reply and we settled in.

3:06 am. I am woken with a strong contraction. No way. Really?

Yup. They started out 5 minutes apart, and quickly moved up to 3 minutes. By 4 am I was in the most uncomfortable bath I have ever taken in my life, sipping a small glass of wine (hey, my care provider suggested it!) which I promptly threw up, and Sarah came bursting into my home to lend her support as our doula. It took her and Jason, and a heck of a lot of heavy lifting to get my overwhelmingly-in-labour body out of that tub. How could this possibly be going so fast??

We planned to birth at the hospital with our first baby. I was, in all honesty, in a state of depression, and could not handle the thought of "failing" at a homebirth. Whatever that meant at the time. So when Jason called the midwife to update her and she overheard me in the background yelling "I feel like I need to push", she told us to get right in the car (or, in this case, a bench-seat pick-up truck) Oh, poor Jason and Sarah, who had to figure out how to get my completely unwilling, in transition, large labouring body out of that house and into the truck. I do believe it came down to some tough love.

And there we were: Jason driving, Sarah in the middle, and me leaning against her, all in the front bench of a pick-up truck, racing into downtown (thankfully it was 5:30 in the morning) and I was trying desperately not to push my baby out. Panting until I felt like I would pass out from trying not to push.

As we pulled into Emergency, I stopped focusing for a moment on trying not to push, and my water burst all over the cab of the truck. I was helped out, but didn't see a thing. I was in a wheelchair with my eyes closed. I don't think I opened them until I reached my room. Jason went to park and Sarah checked me in. When they realized how far along I actually was, I remember the feeling of the lovely breeze as the nurse ran down the halls, pushing my wheelchair.

My lovely midwife was waiting for me in the room, and she didn't even have to check for dilation - that baby was right there, ready to be pushed out. Oh, what relief. My favourite part of giving birth is the pushing. Talk about letting your body do what it wants and just going along for the ride. At 6:07 am, Faire Audrey was born and changed our lives forever.

At a year old, we discovered her brother was on the way. I had to return to work half time, and Faire spent those days with her Grandma Marilyn (I am sure that all the time spent with her Swedish grandma is what eventually led to the ABBA-love, but I digress again)

At two, she was long out of diapers, full of words (oh, my, how that girl could talk!) and overjoyed with her baby brother. She sat in our living room during his birth (in our bedroom) and drew him a picture as she heard his first cry. I still have that picture - just you try to pry it from my dead fingers!

(She also had absolutely no interest in napping and told you so at the top of her little lungs.)

At three, she was oh so ready to do more, always more, and was often frustrated by a tired Mama who tried to keep up with both a super-smart three year old and a busy busy one and a half year old, and often failed miserably at both. Oh, and she was still talking. A lot.

At four, she was happily in preschool two mornings a week where I had two and a half hours break from our bickering. Did I mention she was still talking? Oh, she could talk!

At five, she went to preschool with her brother (oh, now those were the days I recall with fondness) and I was pregnant with her sister. She had big plans to be my "kid doula" and showed everyone who came over a black and white photo of a baby's head crowning. Said it was her favourite part of birth. Oh, she was so awesome. And still talking.

The "kid doula" didn't pan out, because I just seem to give birth too darn fast to give anyone time to wake up. But when she came into our bedroom at 1:30 in the morning and saw little Isla there, she ran back to her room, put on her Big Sis t-shirt, and didn't remove it for weeks. She took, and still takes, her job as big sister seriously. She calmed Isla down, or put that baby to sleep for me too many times to count in those early months.

At six, she was happily in Kindergarten, running the place. Her teacher adored her. Oh, and she was still talking.

At seven, she discovered ABBA (with Grandma Marilyn, of course, at a Scandanavian Fair). And we've pretty much lived in a seventies disco ever since.

This weekend, she is having a Disco Dance Party with her girlfriends. All the parents are thrilled that ABBA will be played at a house other than theirs.

At eight, Faire is Big Sister Extraordinaire, to the point where we have to take care not to take advantage. She is happy at school, still running the classroom. Her teacher says she feels like she should be paying her. She is thoughtful, cheerful, and puts up with a lot in this house of younger siblings who both want her attention all the time. She says she wants to be like me when she grows up, "you know, growing things and knitting things, and baking nice food, and making a nice home" Yup, I love this kid.

I can't believe I am the mother of an EIGHT year old, though. How did time pass this quickly?

Oh, and did I mention, she's still talking???

Happily trying out a recipe from her new cookbook.

Happiness is...

2009-12-28T15:54:00.000-08:00

...finding an umbrella swift and a ball winder under the tree on Christmas morning!

oh, I'm a lucky lucky gal (and a truly spoiled one at that!)...

Also in my stocking: tickets to It's A Wonderful Life, which J and I are going to see tonight. A Holiday Date on Granville Island!

Day 24 of Advent: Let the Merry-Making Begin!

2009-12-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

We are in a constant flurry of activity around here, but it feels like nice "work" so it hasn't been stresssful. Holiday music, wine, tea, and treats help. Also kitchen helpers.

Shea helped me make our favourite ginger cookies for Santa this afternoon. Other kitchen wizardry today included:

Almond "roca"

vanilla marshmallows

strawberry marshmallows

toasted coconut marshmallows

two pumpkin-kuri squash pies

I think I'm forgetting something but I'm too tired to think too much about it. It is getting close to midnight, and the stockings are hung, cookies and milk set out, and kiddies asleep. J and I are tagging and stuffing up a storm.

We spent the evening in Maple Ridge with some family (oh, the drive to and from Maple Ridge is painfully long to us!) and the kids came home overly tired. We set out Santa's treats and read a couple of our favourite stories (Faire and I each read one story).

Shea set out the Lego he received tonight on the kitchen table so we can admire it while eating raspberry-rhubarb pie for breakfast tomorrow.

Three generations working on the Star wars Lego.

***
I hope your holidays are full of merry-making and holly jollies!

Merry Merry Christmas!

Day 23 of Advent: Wrapping It Up

2009-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the final preparations for the Big Day(s)...

J and I had a small list of errands we hoped to accomplish today and Graham and Kyla graciously took our kids off our hands so we could do so.

Not wanting , or really needing, to do the "mall" thing, we hit South Granville Street. We knocked off our to-do list quickly, strolling hand in hand, and breathing crisp winter air, and even had a late brunch at cafe Barney before picking up the kiddos. Oh, that is surely the way to shop!

I noticed all my family wearing hats today handknit by me, so I had to get photos.

Kim's Hats, from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Love this pattern. I have knit so many now I can do it in my sleep (hmmm, much like the Toasties!) Nearly every one of my family members has one now. They keep requesting, and I can't say no!

Sweet Baby Cap for Isla, and Side Slip Cloche for moi.

If nothing else this winter, our heads are warm!

Advent Activity of the day: Faire went to work on our old holidays cards, cutting them up and making tags for our gifts. And Sarah's boys, Kai and River, have joined us for a sleepover. We loaded up the van and tried to take them all to the Festival of Lights at VanDusen, but when we arrived at 8pm, the line up was 45 minutes long. Ummm, no. Hot chocolate, popcorn, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version) was decided by the five (five!) of them.

Now they are tucked into bed, and have fallen almost instantly, amazingly, to sleep (told you they got the crazies out at your house two nights ago Sarah! haha!) I am knitting the last few inches of my last Toasty and then I am DONE. Knitting accomplished, which I am ever so proud of, especially with lots of holiday merry-making taking away from knitting time, and a funeral in there to boot. Knowing me, I'll pick up needles tomorrow and "just whip up another gift since I have an extra day"... J will confiscate my knitting basket if I do that, I think.

Two more sleeps!!

Day 22 of Advent: Happy Birthday PopPop!

2009-12-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

Party preparations abound around here. Today is PopPop's birthday (Faire began calling her paternal grandfather "PopPop" out of the blue, of her own accord, around her first birthday!)

Every year we celebrate the day with some family and friends we love. A few years ago, I started the Soup Night tradition. It is so much easier to have a couple of pots of soup on the stove for dinner, and if there are leftovers, well, a bowl of soup comes in soooo handy during thses busy days!

On another note, cranberry sauce has been made. I'm so glad I bought the local cranberries back in October at the Farmer's Market and threw them in the frezer. And I'm also glad that canning is second-nature to me because I can go from this:

To this, in less than an hour. I make "plain" cranberry because because J complains about "additions". I figure I can add to each jar if I want to fancy it up.

Hmmm, do you think this (plus two other jars) is enough cranberry sauce for 20 people???

I predict much cranberry sauce in my future...

Day 21 of Advent: The Solstice!

2009-12-21T21:30:00.001-08:00

We were all busy busy busy around here today. Lots of secret present-making, present-wrapping, and, of course, baking to be done!

This evening, to celebrate the longest night of the year, we walked along Trinity Street, where nearly all the houses along 5 or 6 blocks decorate for the season with lights aplenty. J always likes this one best (blurry photo, sorry!):

I think this one is awesome.

When I went to my favourite BC Wine shop today to stock up for the holidays, my trusted wine advisor was telling me about a great Gewurztraminer he thought I'd love. When I saw what it was called, I knew I had to have it for this evening:

Kids are in bed, wine is poured, knitting and baking await me (in a good way) and then some time by a fire with my man...

Happy Solstice indeed!

Day 20 of Advent: Done!

2009-12-20T15:54:00.001-08:00

At one am this morning, after a couple of glasses of wine at a party and a big mug of tea at home...

The socks are done! I tried them on to take the photo, and oh my, are they ever comfortable!!

I may just go back on my "I'll never knit socks again" stance...

The older kids' Advent activity today is a sleepover at my dear friend Sarah's house. They are super-excited: Shea, to play Lego with Kai; and Faire, to help Sarah with baby Juma. They're going to a Solstice light show in Dundarave. Lucky kids, crazy Sarah (there will be five kids to watch!)

Day 19 of Advent: Holiday Pancakes

2009-12-19T23:39:00.000-08:00

Because I needed an activity for Advent, and the kids wanted pancakes for breakfast, and because doesn't everyone have a set of holiday-shaped pancake molds hanging around their house??

These ones worked quite well, actually, except that I didn't have the patience for more than two batches. J and I had regular ol' circles! Another simple thing (well, simple if you happen to have holiday molds collecting dust - I mean, waiting for the right moment to be used) that thrilled the kids. Love those.

Day 18 of Advent: Saying Good-bye

2009-12-18T20:31:00.001-08:00

Grandma's funeral was today, which was much harder than I expected. It was a lovely service, though, and she would have enjoyed it. And everyone enjoyed the fudge ;)

I am feeling completely exhausted, and all I want right now is tea and knitting beside the tree, followed by a long winter's sleep.

I am so thankful that school let out today. Two weeks of long, leisurely mornings. They're the best.

Day 17 of Advent: The Bake Sale

2009-12-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

Last year, for the Bake Sale, I made gingerbread fairy wands. I baked gingerbread "sticks" and stars, then iced them together and decorated them. They sold fast, and were requested again this year. However, with the funeral tomorrow, and all the work in the kitchen that has come with that, I cheated a bit. I simply made a fancier star shape and stuck a lollipop stick in it before I baked them. They're not as good as last year's, but oh well. They will still be well-received, I'm sure.

Just ignore the dusty chandellier, okay?

Hard at work.

My sweet boy.

Isla wanted to help soooo badly! She decorated one, but started eating the second. We just let her eat the treats off it, and redecorate it over and over again to keep her happy and occupied. I'm sure you've guessed she loved that!

At the school Bake Sales, anything on a stick goes fast!

Day 16 of Advent: Success, In Pictures

2009-12-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

The Recipe, written out by my Grandma Dixie.

Vintage Irish Coffee Glasses, a Christmas Tin, and an Assortment of Old Christmas Finger Puppets, to keep the wee one happy, and out from underfoot. Hey, whatever works!

Up to temperature, and the stirring has begun.

Once my arm is burning from all the stirring, into the buttered pan (my Grandma's, with all the scores along the bottom from years of fudge-cutting)

Scored, and setting up.

Sweet success! Crumbly when you bite in (oh, yes, I bit in!), but not gritty or overly sweet; just the taste of Christmases past.

Day 15 of Advent: Tower of Toasties

2009-12-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Gift Knitting Update:

Major progress. All it takes is a movie or two, really. I forced myself to take the "second sock" to the couch while we watched Julie and Julia and powered through the worst of it. The next time I force myself to knit it, I will finish! I am thinking I may not be a sock knitter after all...oh well. They will be well-loved by the recipient, I just know it.

I am finishing up my fifth Toasty. Love the pattern, but perhaps getting a tad bored of it at this point. I think I could knit it while sleeping now. However, through an unforseen series of events (which is really not very interesting) I now have a pair for myself! Yes, amidst all the gift knitting, I have a little something to keep! Bliss. Another pair is for my niece to match her hat, one each for the teachers, and one for...Vicki. Yes, you, Vicki. The ones with turquoise that you loved. Because I love you. And because your hands are cold, as you say. And especially because I want you to embroider something for me and the thought of embroidery makes my eyes roll back in my head.

After school, we ate a mini cupcake and had local, hot apple cider for a snack. It was so yummy, and felt so Christmassy. I am feeling like the next couple of days will be busy so hopefully I will remember to post! I'm trying for the whole 24 days of Advent, but we'll see. Tomorrow I am baking for the kids' school Bake Sale, the Out Of The Cold Project (the kids make gifts bags for less fortunate folks in the school community) and also for my Grandma's funeral. I am going to attempt that %$#&* fudge again, so tomorrow I may be too drunk to post. Just a warning.

Off to put my feet up and watch a holiday movie. But I'm not knitting that sock!

Day 14 of Advent: Autumn Rainbow Silk

2009-12-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

Day 14...does this mean I only have 10 days to get my gifts made? (gulp)

I needed a break from knitting today (not a good thing on this deadline!) so I decided to dye an autumn rainbow on a long playsilk. I bought it at Maiwa, for local folks. I am giving it to Isla for Christmas with a set of wooden playclips from Natural Pod. It's one of those things I've long felt was a great, useful thing, but never bought. When I finally brought them home from the Waldorf Fair, my kids were hard at work making a fort, trying to keep the blankets from falling down on them, and Jason was impressed with the clips (although I wouldn't let him give them to the kids - they're for Christmas!) As usual, he rolls his eyes when I head out to the Craft Fairs this time of year but he always thinks I get the "best stuff". Maybe next year he'll skip the eye-rolling, but I doubt it.

Anyhooo...dying playsilks. Easy for the most part, but much harder when you're trying to do a rainbow of sorts. I hung it outside to dry for an hour and it froze. Not surprising. I hung it over the shower curtain rod next and used clothespins to weigh down the ends to straighten it a bit. I really like how the colours turned out. And I think Isla will love making little forts with it.

Another gift done!

Day 12 and 13 of Advent: Snow!

2009-12-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

We've had a busy week and weekend. Thankfully, after this morning, I'm not teaching any more classes or workshops until the New Year. We had J's staff Christmas party last night at the Four Seasons (ooh lala) which was fun. Excellent food. The kids had a sleepover with their grandparents and decorated little gingerbread houses. They forgot to bring them home, though, so I have no photos!

The snow has started falling here in Vancouver. Faire is at a birthday party, but Shea is out there. I caught him hanging around this pile of yard "stuff". I can read his mind: "hmm, how can I climb in here and make this a fort?"

Isla is napping, the house is quiet, and I'm knitting (what a surprise!)

I think I'll put on some milk to heat for cocoa. I have a feeling he'll be in soon, and what's a snowy day if there's not hot cocoa when you come inside from the cold?

Day 11 of Advent: How to Get Your Child to Eat Avocado

2009-12-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

More chocolatey goodness, as promised:

(the photos aren't working, so I'm giving up on them)

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

3 medjool dates

(soak in boiling water for 30 minutes, then peel and pit, reserving the soaking water)

1 tsp. vanilla

heaping 1/4 cup cocoa powder (apparently carob works too)

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 avocado

1/4 cup water (use soaking water)

In food processor, blend dates until smooth. Add vanilla, cocoa, and syrup. Blend again until smooth. Add avocado and water and go to town with the blending. Be patient. Even with a loooong blending time, I sometimes have tiny bits of "texture" in this, but it's still AWESOME! And this only serves two so I always double it. Actually, I usually triple or quadruple it, if I'm being honest. J is the only one around here who likes avocado, so this is how the rest of us eat it!

Chocolate mousse with no dairy, soy, or refined sugar! It's practically healthy!

***

Homespun Salon tonight. Can't wait to craft with my girls.

I'm working on a purple cowl for my teenaged cousin (as per her request), the second fingerless mitt for my niece (to match her requested green beret), and I'm trying to finish a doll I am making for Isla. Doll-making tries my patience like nothing else. One afternoon of it and I can certainly see the reason why Bamboletta dolls cost what they do! Worth every penny too! Alas, they do not make Princess Leia, which I am about to do, buns and all. Photos will come. I may take out a billboard when I finish this damn thing.

Oh, I guess I should work on that "second sock" too! Arg!

Day 10 of Advent: Trimming the Tree

2009-12-10T23:28:00.000-08:00

Oh, my most favourite activity!

And this year, after we found our tree as a family, J and I got to decorate it alone after the kids were in bed. Practically a date, with wine and all! (although then I had to take his opinions into consideration...)When we were done, Faire got up and added one of her own. It's just so pretty in the living room when the tree is lit. I'm sad every year when it has to come down. And the old holiday vinyl on the record player just made it all perfect.

***

My sister and I spent the day together in the kitchen Not being Domestic Goddesses. Hell, we just just followed each screw-up with another. We were baking for our Grandma Dixie's funeral. She died on Sunday after a full and happy life. She was the original Domestic Goddess; knitting, baking, cooking, sewing, etc. Most of my skillzz have been passed down from her.

She loved cardinals. They were a part of her "decor". Last year, when I saw these, I thought of her. They made me smile when I put them on the tree tonight.

Love you, Grandma Dixie. Don't worry, Colleen and I will will figure out the fudge and pass the recipe on to the next generation.

Day 9 of Advent: Pomegranate Parfaits

2009-12-09T18:34:00.001-08:00

We eat local fruits and veggies for the most part around here so the pomegranates waiting for them after school were quite the surprise and treat!

Simply pomegranate seeds over a little pile of whipped cream.

Shea said it looked "great, and it will look even better in my stomache!"

Post-Edit: Once his bowl was licked clean he said: "I wish I could have more of that. It was disgustingly awesome!"

Day 8 of Advent: Chocolatey Goodness

2009-12-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

Star-Shaped Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

1/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

1 cup cold coffee
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup oil
2 tbsp vinegar

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Basically, let one child mix the wet and the other mix the dry. (Less arguing this way) Make sure they each get their own whisk. Very important.

Mix together and fill 12 cupcakes liners (star-shaped if you want to be super-cool, like us of course!)

Bake at 350-375F for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick will come out clean (you know the drill.)

This also makes a 9-inch square cake. Or I double the recipe for a 9 by 13 inch.

Stay tuned...more chocolatey goodness is in the works around here!

Day 7 of Advent: Hot Cocoa in the Tub

2009-12-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

Shea's hands-down favourite Advent activity so far.

Sometimes (most of the time!) the simplest ideas are the sweetest.

Day 6 of Advent: The Parade

2009-12-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

It was Parade Day today, and Vancouver lucks out with the weather most years. But, oh, it was freezing! We were bundled right up and still felt cold.

My favourite part of the parade, always. Must be the Scottish blood and the fact that I once played the pipes. I get choked up each and every time I hear them. However, we always sit in the same spot at the Parade, and they always break between songs at this spot! Next year, I will remember to sit further down the route so I can get the full effect of pipe band. I will.

Now that I have thawed I am having my first rum and eggnog of the season, listening to Bing Crosby (with Faire on back-up), and flipping through some holiday food magazines I got from the library. Life is very sweet indeed.

Day 5 of Advent: Home Alone (sorta)

2009-12-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

I left this morning to head out to my Aunt's for our annual sausage roll-making extravaganza. Yum. Lean pork from local, free range pigs as opposed to those frozen thingys in the stores? No contest. We take it very seriously, although we never remember each year how exactly we "assembly line" ourselves, so the first few attempts are usually comical. We eat enough to put ourselves off sausage rolls for the next while and freeze them to use over the holidays. Oh, sausage rolls. Old school, yes?
I tried to take a photo for the blog while I was there, but the ridiculousness of photographing a sausage roll made it impossible. My uncle was trying to be a food stylist with Christmas ornaments and we were all laughing too hard about it by them to hold the camera steady anyway. I'm sure none of you reading will miss the photo, right?

The kids are at a hockey game tonight with their Dad and Pop Pop. J was given tickets and so, hey, make it part of the advent activity calendar, right? Originally he thought we could all go, and Isla could sit on a lap, but I told him to take his Dad, leave the toddler with me, and now that she is asleep, I am Home Alone (sorta). I totally worked that to my advantage. We mamas know "home alone" doesn't happen all that often. I tried to get going on knitting J's gift while he was out of the picture, but I twisted my stitches (damn!) which I didn't notice for an inch or so and now have had to rip it out. Guess I'll finish Faire's second legwarmer. Or the "second sock" (oh, that second sock is going to kill me!). Nah, I'll continue to procrastinate about that until the week before Christmas. I work better under pressure.

Second legwarmer while watching Miracle on 34th Street. With Baileys.
Yes.

Day 4 of Advent: Holiday Card Photos

2009-12-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

The cards are ready to be picked up, hurray! Now to address all those envelopes!

Day 3 of Advent: Snow Fairies and the Perfect Afternoon

2009-12-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

What a sweet little project.

I bought the Snow Fairies kit a couple of years ago from Natural Pod. I didn't think the kids were quite old enough to manage it without a lot of help from me until this year.

Faire is always down with the crafty projects, although she struggled a bit with this one so she was frustrated. She wants me to get the supplies to make more so she can do it "the way she really wanted to".

Shea was surprisingly keen. He's so excited each day to see what the Advent activity is. It's pretty awesome to see that excitement about something other than Star Wars Lego! And he happily tried sewing for the first time!

Concentration

Sweet little snow fairies on a dusty chandelier ;)

***

On another note, I had a perfect afternoon.

I was knitting for the first time with Noro (love!), there was a ginger cookie within easy reach, the toddler was sleeping (at least that's what I thought but she appeared ten minutes later) and the sun was shining through the window. I looked down at myself and thought that I needed a picture of this perfect moment. What you don't see is the bowl of popcorn and cup of tea within easy reach to my left. See what I mean? Perfect moment.

Day 2 of Advent: Ginger Cookies

2009-12-02T09:11:00.001-08:00

I made a double batch of these the other day and they went FAST.
I'm pretty sure I ate them for breakfast, lunch, and snacks in between. I did find the strength to resist having them for dinner (but I did eat the last one for dessert!) Please make them. Ina knows what she's doing in the kitchen.

But be sure to double it. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Oh, and the recipe calls for unsulphered molasses, but I can only ever find Blackstrap. I use regular Fancy molasses instead. The Blackstrap tastes way too strong in these cookies. Anyone know of a milder unsulphered molasses around here?

Recipe here.

I'm off with Isla to pick up some more candied ginger so there will be warm cookies and milk for the kids when they get home from school. (This makes it look like I'm doing it for them, but really, J and I want them for when we watch "Milk" tonight...shhhhh!)

Day 1 of Advent: Trimming The Kid's Tree

2009-12-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

We set up our tiny (fake - akk!) tree in the playroom this afternoon. I've had it for years and we keep it so the kids have a tree of their own for all the ornaments they make and/or collect. Or ones we simply have run out of room for on the real tree. There are some oldies on it too. Like this awesome felt mouse. I remember my mom painstakingly making these when I was little. She made a lot of kick-ass ornaments. I used to play make-believe with these old-fashioned mice. They reminded me of the Mouse Family in the cartoon 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. (Oh, how I loved that show. I need to watch it again soon. I bought it a couple of years ago and freaked Jason out because I knew all the words to all the songs. He had never seen it. Never!) One of my favourite parts of the holiday season? The annual watching of all the Christmas films. They never get boring to me.

Anyway, the kids loved decorating the tree. And they love talking about all the ornaments and where they came from, which makes it all the more special. Isla really got into it. Her first time trimming a tree. Hopefully she got it out of her system so she won't want to help me decorate the real tree next weekend (haha) She tends to...cluster ornaments, shall we say?

Here's another of the oldies. How can I not love it? She's knitting!!

A Rainy Saturday Morning

2009-11-28T11:10:00.001-08:00

November has been grey and wet in Vancouver. I really can't complain because we had a long hot summer, but the single day of crisp, clear skies yesterday was a welcome respite. However, I was born and raised here, so if I'm not used to the wet, who would be? I don't know any different. And my advice for lifting sprits in this weather? Awesome rainboots. Trust me, it works. At least until mid-February or so, and then it wears off during the rains of March, April, May and June...(sigh)

But I digress. On this rainy Saturday, with Jay out helping a friend move, and me at home with the kids, we are hanging out in front of the fire. I am knitting, which is what I'm doing Every. Single. Moment. in the lead up to Christmas. Lots of handmade gifts this year. At one point I looked up and saw this:

Three happy kids sharing (sharing!) Lego and buttered toast (which Faire made so I didn't even have to get up!). The room felt so peaceful, I almost didn't recognise it. Life with Isla isn't so very peaceful for us these days. Small But Deadly, we call her. And she's eating Lego, not toast, but we'll overlook that, shall we? Jay left Faire in charge of keeping the fire going while he was out (he knows I always neglectfully let it die down) and she was doing a fine job of it. Shawn Mullins was playing in the background. I had my well-loved slippers, legwarmers and new flannel pyjama pants on, and knitting on my lap:Does it get any better? I'm working on the second Toasty. Love this pattern. This set is for Faire's teacher. I'll make another for Shea's. I'm using Rowan felted tweed for the first time and I love the feel, and the colours. This photo is a little dark but it is a lovely plum colour. I believe there will be many more of these in my future. I need them in every colour!

If this is what rainy Saturdays bring, I say bring 'em on.

Happy Birthday Dear Friend!

2009-11-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

This is Sarah and I back in 1997. We lived on Trout Lake then, in a funky little house that is no longer there. We met in college but it was in this house that our friendship and sisterhood truly began. Oh, we had some damn good times in that house! And in the one that followed, but this little spot on the Lake holds a special place in my heart.

We navigated young adulthood together, and although our lifestyles were different, our hearts were the same. When my daughter was just about a year old, we both found ourselves pregnant (together!) and gave birth five days apart to boys. We began navigating motherhood together, and, really, we are still navigating, because Mamahood is never quite a smooth sail. But she is my lighthouse, and I am hers, and often we don't need advice from each other, but simply a confirmation of what our instincts told us anyway. We think a lot alike.

She is now a Mama of three, like I am, and we are thrilled to share girl clothes (finally!) and share chaotic but wonderful afternoons or evenings together with our 6-pack of kids. Sometimes we even get time alone (or nearly alone, but Juma is so easy-going she hardly counts!), like last weekend when we hit a craft fair and then had a leisurely lunch afterwards. Bliss! And even after all those hours together, I still wanted to call her about an hour after I got home to continue talking. Her husband will sometimes say "Didn't you just spend the afternoon together???" because he can't imagine what more we'd need to talk about.

What does my husband say?? "She's pretty much a better husband to you than I am".

You know, he may be right.

Happy Birthday Girl! I love you dearly!

Late Summer Art Project That I Forgot To Post

2009-11-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you have a child who LOVES anything to do with Star Wars but who has a Mama that hates buying licenced prodects (especially clothing!)

You know, he looks a little like Young Anakin to me so I guess it's fitting that he chose Darth Vader to draw on his shirt! This boy of mine is all about the Dark Side!

35

2009-10-25T19:01:00.001-07:00

I turned 35 on Friday. We celebrated with a themed costume party - Superheroes and Supervillains. I was Poison Ivy. There I am in all my long-red-haired glory. Funny, my ass was practically hanging out of the back of my super-short dress, but when you've had hair as short as mine for as long as I have, everybody just noticed the wig and ignored the ass! Or perhaps they were too busy noticing Roxy's Catwoman cleavage - woohoo, baby!

Here are some costumes:

The Green Lantern and Captain America

Captain America and Poison Ivy Number Two (I'm Number One of course!)

Princess Leia and A Stormtrooper

Catwoman and me!

Follow on to the next post for more photos!

More Superheroes and Supervillains

2009-10-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Clark Kent

Batwoman, Ho Ho Ho, and Wonder Woman!

My crazy family as Running Man, The Zit Zapper, Johnny Flame, Super(wo)man, Green Lantern and Poison Ivy!

Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel...with Baby Marvel

Johnny Flame and Super(wo)man!

Captain and Mrs. Canuck!

Local Love

2009-10-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Photo by Faire.

Last night, Graham and Kyla joined us for a Local Love Dinner. They brought a ham from a "happy pig" at Sloping Hills Farm (Qualicum, I believe). We gathered sweet potatoes (mashed with honey and butter), baby potatoes (tossed with butter, roasted garlic, and herbs), brussels sprouts (sauteed with Sloping Hills bacon), corn on the cob (grilled with herb and garlic butter) and golden beets (foil-wrapped and roasted on the BBQ with the corn, then served on the sauteed beet greens) from our favourite farm and our own backyard. I made pumpkin creme brulee for dessert and we cheated on the local-only rules with the bit of sugar we sprinkled on top to brulee. I used honey instead of sugar for the custard though. We set up the table in the living room in front of a crackling fire. Okanagan wines flowed. It was sooooooo yummy.

Oh, living in BC is sweet (and savory!)

The Patch

2009-10-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

We couldn't pass up the Pumpkin Patch. It was a sunny October Saturday, and who knows how long it will last?

So Long Summer

2009-09-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

The sun is still shining down on us in Vancouver but I know it won't be long before these sandals will need to be packed away.

I love Summer, but Fall runs a pretty close second. Leaves, acorns, brisk bright days, apples, hand-knit hats...much to love!

What I Did This Summer

2009-09-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

When people ask what I did this summer, for some reason, I always answer "nothing".

Not so.

I filled my cold room shelves. I would like to list all that I have done, simply so I can look back at it next year, but, frankly, I'm exhausted. I LOVE canning. I really do. And smoking, freezing and otherwise storing up for winter. Ask my friends, they'll tell ya. But I am thoroughly tired of it at this point, and I still have pears to can. Sigh...

Right now I am trying out a dehydrator. Drying some of my Italian plums (prunes!) that bless our tree every year with abundance, and also some fruit leather. I am very excited, but also a little too tired to get too yipped up about it. Yesterday I canned tomatoes all day with my sister-in-law Kyla. It goes sooooo much smoother with two people. Friends, beware, I'll be hitting you up next year. I should mention that I had Sarah making pickles with me some time very close to her due date with baby number three. Nothing like putting a very pregnant woman to work in the kitchen! Child labour's got nothing on that.

In the morning we are off to Parksville to see our dear friends get married, and spend a weekend recharging in one of our favourite places. On Monday morning, I will deal with pears. Hopefully I will restrain myself from picking up a case of local whatever from the Island and adding to my workload, but somehow I doubt it. The time for rest is October. Until then, it's harvest time.

Scenes From the Okanagan

2009-09-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I am behind. The kids are back to school and I haven't even posted about our summer. It was agood one. Lots of relaxing (them) and canning/freezing/smoking/etc of local, seasonal treats (me) Good times. We spent much of July "holidaying" with family and friends, and August at home. Now we just have to figure out how to get into the routine of Fall. It's not easy getting out of bed and out the door in the mornings.

Here are some snapshots of our time in the Okanagan with Sarah and Padra and their boys (who now have the addition of a girl!)

(Adding photos to posts is so important to me, but the process is giving me some major grief. Someone who knows this stuff is going to have to share tips and tricks me me. Anyone? Please?? This post took three tries and the damn photos still won't really cooperate. End of rant.)

Jason and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary the day after we arrived. Sarah and Padra kept the kids and sent us to Quail's Gate for dinner. It was absolutely superb. The best meal I've had in a long time. Crab cakes, scallops, steak, lamb...decadent, I tell you. And a great bottle of wine to top it off. And creme brulee because, you know, scallops and steak weren't enough.

Boating is top priority for our kids. Shea is a little more reserved about it all, but Faire always wants to go faster...

Can't forget tubing! Faire would stay in there all day if you let her.

The smoke from the fires in West Kelowna made everything glow and sparkle. So beautiful, but so sad to witness and hear about on the radio.

See you next year, summer house on the lake, to make more memories with one of our favourite families!

Scenes From Fairburn Farm

2009-07-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Water Buffalo

The Chicken House

The view from our window

We can't wait to return. The Sunday Lunch was amazing. Four hours of lovely local food and wine, at a communal table with wonderful company. If any of you are ever in the area, you really do have to have a meal there at the very least. But we slept well in one of the beautiful rooms and woke to the sound of a rooster. Love it! Try to spend a night or two if you can.

Now we're off to make more memories in the Okanagan, then on to our most beloved of places: Parksville!

Jelly Jar Cocktail

2009-07-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Fill a jelly jar with crushed ice.

I am using my Grandma's vintage ice-crusher from a-way-back. It has gathered dust for a good decade in my storage room, but now I have discovered the wonder of it. No more dusty shelf for this baby! (until winter perhaps...)

1 ounce rum

1 ounce lime juice

1 ounce mint syrup

Pour over ice and top up with sparkling water or club soda. Very mojito-ish in flavour, but quick if you make a mint syrup and have some squeezed lime juice in your fridge. I do because I need quick access to mojitos once the mint is up in my garden. Isn't that why everyone grows mint? For mojitos? Anyway, this cocktail must be served in a jelly jar on a sunny porch, preferable with a breeze. If you love mojitos but don't like the mint leaves in your drink (I do, but perhaps I'm odd that way) try this. And you will thank me as all your worries melt away...

PS: I throw about a cup of sugar and 1 1/2 cups water into a pot, bring it to a boil, throw in a handful of mint leaves and let it steep off the heat for a while. Maybe 20 minutes? Don't recall. Then strain and keep in a jar in the fridge, ready for a cocktail at a moment's notice!

PPS: Terrible photo, but I keep drinking them too fast to take a better shot...

I Heart Cowichan

2009-07-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Wow, a photo that I am in, not just taking. Here we are at our most favourite place in the world, Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. What, you haven't been? What are you waiting for???

We celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary a couple of weeks early with a three night getaway all ALONE! We spent Friday night in Parksville at our family home there, then Saturday morning hit the road toward the Duncan Farmer's Market, and the rest of the Cowichan Valley.

What a weekend. I HEART the Cowichan Valley. We've always wanted to go and we weren't disappointed. We ended on the highest of high notes with a Sunday lunch at Fairburn Farm, and a night in one of their lovely rooms. After a farm-fresh, organic (and delicious!) breakfast Monday morning, we were ready to return to the land of parenthood. And what should await us upon our arrival?

Lice. Two of the kids infested. Good times, good times. What a way to "ease" back into it.

I can't figure out how to intersperse photos and words on this blog. Any help in that direction would be most helpful. I will post more about our awesome travels over the next couple of days.

In the meantime, check out Fairburn Farm. No, really, right now. And then go there. Do not hesitate. If you are someone who enjoys and appreciates the Slow Food movement, farm-fresh food, simple and relaxed livin', you simply must go as soon as you can. We want to move there. Just to pitch a tent and help them with the farm chores if nothing else. And cook pizza in the firewood oven. All pizza should be cooked that way.

Now, back to hair combing/picking/etc...

We Be Jammin'

2009-06-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Oh, I love jammin'. Which is a good thing, since I have picked or purchased 48 lbs of strawberries this June!

So far this year:

Strawberry Jam with Vanilla Bean and Honey

Strawberry Jam with Vanilla Bean and Agave

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Tayberry Jam with Bramble Bush Honey.

And I've just begun...

I love Pomona's Pectin because you don't have to add as much sugar, or even sugar at all. I've been mainly making my jams now with honey or agave. I use about 4 cups mashed berries, one split vanilla bean and about 1 cup of honey or agave.

There will probably be another batch of strawberry jam and at least one more of tayberry in my near future. I was so happy to see tayberries at Emma Lea today. Hurray! I must go back to the u-pick soon. I loooooove them! Then we'll move on to raspberry, apricot, peach...

Zucchini Never Looked So Good

2009-06-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

I had to document this accomplishment!

Roxy's Birthday Cake.

Three Tiers for Three Decades.

It's Chocolate-Zucchini Cake, because that is what she loves. I swear, this cake is my one and only reason for growing zucchini in my garden. Well, that and a few other yuumy baked goods. As a vegetable side dish? That rarely crosses my mind. As a base for sugar, butter, spices and flour? Oh yeah.

Happy Birthday Roxanne!

And The Final Bell Has Rung

2009-06-25T15:28:00.001-07:00

School's out!

I have been out of blog action for a few months - oops. No camera, no time, and probably other excuses too. I'm too tired to think of them right now.

But I now have a lovely new camera - a Canon G10 that I got for Mother's Day - woohoo! As soon as I can figure out how to make enough memory in my darn computer to download my many new photos, I'll really be back in action!

But for now, I am just glad to say that school is out.

We love our little Annex, we really do. But we are not morning people. Well, we used to be early risers (and I still am), but we weren't get-up-and-go-ers, if that makes sense. We'd rather get up early and hang out in our pjs most of the morning, drinking tea and reading. My kids have moved into a later sleeping schedule, so it is so great to not have to wake them up every morning and drag them out the door. Please, oh please, children, keep going with the 9:30am wake-ups you've been doing on the weekends. How lovely a summer will I have then? I mean, that would be about 2 hours every morning to myself!

We also aren't very good at schedules and having to be certain places at certain times so we are day-camp/summer camp free! That means lots of days to fill for me as the summer break is ten weeks. Right now I am super excited, but I know after two days listening to the Bickersons (as I call my two older kids) I will be counting down the weeks until school begins again! Oh, I hope not.

We have started our Summer List. They aren't finished yet; most likely we will add to it over the next day or two. I'll post it here when it is done so I have to follow through!

As in the above photo, one thing on my list for sure is eating outside as many days as possible! That photo was taken back in May, I think. I can't believe how much the garden has grown since then. June has been good to us this year. Although looking at the photo is reminding me of the loaded raspberry bushes that we promptly killed a day or so later by moving to another area. What idiots we were. Lucky for us, those raspberries have forgiven us in the past and come back to bless us with their yumminess the following year. I am mourning the raspberry vodka I make with our garden berries every year. Although it will taste pretty awesome with u-pick berries too! Yummmmm.

Summer vacation. Awesome.

We Are All In This Together

2009-05-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

I discovered the best way to feel a renewed sense of family and community connectedness this Spring.

You simply have to meet Peggy O'Mara.

See? Simple!

As a Mothering subscriber, I have read Peggy's words eagerly with each issue that comes through my mail slot. But meeting her in person was better. She is real, and she is open, and I just love those two qualities in people. Especially people who are in a position to influence how others may raise their children.

I was lucky enough to spend three days with Peggy, first at the lovely Tea Party fundraiser put on by Lunapads, and then at the Healthy Families Conference. With all the inspiring things that came out of those events, what has stayed with me most was Peggy's openness about the highs and especially the lows of running a magazine like Mothering, and her excitement at the suggestions put forth by some local, entreprenurial Mamas during the Tea Party. There was such a sense of community, a sense of "we're all in this together", and it was amazing to be part of it. She is the best kind of people, really. She is down to earth.

Spring Break

2009-03-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

Ahhh,

Off to southern California, where it is apparently 20 degrees or so.

I will wear capris and sandals and knit in the sun and feel simply blissful...

Happy Spring Break everyone!

Learning to Read

2009-03-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

I bought this book from 1957 called Bucky's Friends for my son Shea. I bought it quite some time ago, with the intention of giving it to him when he learned to read. It is like a boy's version of a Dick and Jane-style book. Very cute and vintage. My daughter loved to read us Dick and Jane when she first learned to read, so I thought he might to.

He read it to us the other night.

Sometime over the last couple of months, while I was assuming he was playing at the sand table and building with blocks when I left him at his Kindergarten, he went and learned to read.

I don't know why this surprises me so much - I mean, the boy is smart. He is, quite truthfully, smarter than I ever give him credit for. He's very laid-back. Laid-back to the point where you think he's not paying any attention, not taking anything in, but he is. He's just not sitting "criss-cross-applesauce" with his hands folded in his lap while he's doing it.

Anyway, I am an avid reader, and I desperately want my kids to be too. That's not such a terrible desire is it? That said, I really did not care if he learned to read in Kindergarten. I mean, he's 5, a Fall baby who is one of the youngest in his class, and he is in a Full-Day Kindergarten, which was quite an adjustment for him. (And me. I like having him around. He's lovely company.) So we have been dealing with the teacher's concerns this past Fall about his attention span and focus. My instinct is listed above: he's 5, a Fall baby and in Full-Day Kindergarten. Our family doctor said the same thing. (I love it when my doctor feels the same way I do!) And he's following his sister, who was with this teacher last year, and who was one of the oldest in her class, and could sit "criss-cross-applesauce" with her hands in her lap all day if need be. (I keep repeating the "criss-cross" thing not because I actually talk that way, but because I can't get the phrase out of my head right now and it's driving me nuts).

But, here my sweet boy has learned to read at a younger age than his sister even, and while he was laying on the carpet, "not focussing". Hah!

Shea is a Mama's Boy. Has been from day one, and will be forever, I am sure. We just like hanging out together. My Mama Bear insticts are stronger for him than for my other two kids. I wonder about that often. He is the middle child, which, having grown up in a household where the "middle child" was right out of a stereotypical, worst-case scenario, I really feel strongly about this middle child succeeding in every way. It makes me ache when things aren't going perfectly. I think that's why I am always ready to leap to his defense. He's only one school year behind his Big Sister, who is a completely different kind of learner than he is. I hate that the reality of school is that they will be compared. I mistakenly thought that because they are of different sexes, there was no comparison. But it doesn't work that way, I am learning. The thing is, he's smart, just not interested in sitting at a desk at this time in his life. Who can blame him?

I plan to ramble on about these thought as time passes. Perhaps I am over-thinking it all? As a Mama Bear, it's what I do. In the meantime, he is reading! To me! And enjoying it!

I'm so proud of you, Shea-boy!

Happy Birthday Faire!

2009-02-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Seven Things About Faire:

1. She is an amazing Big Sister. Seriously. She helps me more than anyone else in the family, and she is rarely asked to. She just busies herself taking care of her baby sister like she is her own. What a Mama she will be one day.

2. She is a wonderful artist. There are works of art all over this house. Anyone have any ideas how we contain it all? I'm all ears!

3. She loves tradition. Baking "mama's bread", bringing us breakfast on Santa Lucia day, advent calendars...these are the things I also love and want to nuture in her.

4. She is a good friend. She has made lovely friends at school, and gets along so well with them. No mean-spirited talk. I hope that never comes...

5. She likes to take photos. She's pretty good too! We have some framed in our kitchen.

6. She likes to bake and knit. A future Domestic Goddess? In this house, you just wouldn't fit in if you didn't love hanging out with the butter and sugar in the kitchen. She makes great Mama's Bread (a Swedish cardamom bread). And she's been knitting a scarf for herself (or maybe just a neckwarmer - she can't decide)

7. She is a sensitive thinker. She hates to hear anything sad. In fact, as she was helping to make cookies for part of the Out Of The Cold project this past December, she was in tears thinking about those less fortunate who have no homes to go to, or families to spend Christmas with. It broke my heart. And after learning a little about African-American history (after questioning why "Obama was such a big deal") she was in total shock at the concept of slavery. And racism. Her most favourite relative, her cousin Maya, is half Jamaican. The thought of Maya or anyone else not being respected (or worse) because of the colour of their skin just seemed so "stupid" to her (and she was worried because she wanted to say it was stupid but knew that saying things were stupid was not nice. What a girl.)

Happy Happy Birthday to You, Seven Year Old! We hope you get what you wished for (we certainly did when we got you!)

xoxoxoxo

Mama and the crazy bunch