Bridal Bouquet?

Remember the saying we used as kids?  ”If you love it why don’t you marry it?”  Well, we just started our CSA this week.  I have been on the waiting list at a farm I wanted to join since we moved here…and this year?  We are in!  We went yesterday for the first time.  Our treasures included:  Pac Choi, Lettuce, Radishes, Green Garlic, and a Basil plant.  In addition:  Pick-Your-Own Strawberries, Shelling Peas, and Snap Peas!  Because of our dreary weather, the strawberries and peas need more sunshine and time.  But hey, that is why it is Community Shared Agriculture, yes? We share in the risks and rewards together.  I loved watching Jack hunt for red strawberries among some of the yellow ones.  The Pick-Your-Own part of our CSA is an honor system where they give you the quantity you can get but the when you get is entirely up to you.  It can be during a distribution, or it can be anytime– even if they are not open.  We didn’t pick peas, so we will come back and we only had about 1/2 our allotment of strawberries so we will definitely be back for some of those as well!

Sweet and fresh and new.  Colorful, cheery, and a bit of fire.  Think I am describing me?  Well, I could be, but today I am describing the RADISHES!

The conclusion?  Jack, Mark and I love radishes!  (Don’t know yet about Max–he seems a little young for that spicy, heat at the end)  I was surprised a bit about how much Jack enjoyed them.  I think the fact that he was part of the process getting them at the farm, and the teenie-tiny fact that they were sporting his favorite colors–pink and purple and red didn’t hurt either.  I may have capitalized just a little on the color aspect….hey, whatever works people.

Sure, roses, calla lilies, daisies, sunflowers, and all other flowers are appropriate and beautiful for a wedding bouquet, but really I think people should reconsider, and instead choose a radish bouquet. Seriously.  And, they are in season during the hottest wedding month of the year.  Behold, I give you the radish bouquet:

 

So, while I might not marry them, I would marry while holding them!  Mark is grateful, perhaps that we eloped in February!

Quotation and Randomness

“May today there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.”

 

                    I have no idea who this quotation belongs to.  It came to me over e mail buried in the body of one of those “forward this to all the women in your life who matter” type e mails.  I typically delete those and do not obey the forwarding rules.  To this date, no curse that I know of has been put into effect.  I did, however, really like this quotation.  Especially the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love part.  Seems I use the label Momma as an excuse to take part– a justifiable reason to sing loudly and dance around a room.  Truth is, it just feels really good to do it.  So, I wish I hadn’t missed out on those years between when I was a kid and did it, and now that I am a mom and do it.  Note to self, when kids are grown and gone, still sing and dance around rooms.  

 

In other news:

We LOVE being outside finally!!! I love this basket–I use it for everything!  Picnics, toy carrier, beach towels, etc….

My happy happy swinging fool!

Congratulations Graduate…

I no longer have a preschooler.  Our last day was last week.  Our last day of preschool ever.  I simply cannot get over how much you’ve grown this year.  In so many ways.

                                                                                                                                                          First day of school 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                            Last day of school

 

What’s up with not wanting me to document your life in photos–you always protest and put on your most serious face???  Your teachers were Miss Kristin and Miss MaryKay.  For the two preschool years, your best friend remained constant–Sofia.  The two of you are two peas in a pod.  I love the way you always find something completely make-believe to play.  It is usually “For Kids only, No grown ups allowed” and “very complicated” to follow.  I also love that the two of you seem to always have a moment where you discuss the fact that you both like edamame and not all the kids in your class even know what those are.   I can hardly believe that this precious chapter in your life has come to a close.  But, as with all phases, I am so looking forward to all that is to come!

Delicious…

I love to cook–simple things, complex dishes, baby food…anything really.  Jack often helps and loves to cook too.  It has been so fun to do this together.  I must say, I am not trained in the culinary arts, am not an award winner at cook-offs (I’ve never even entered a cooking contest) but my family and some friends think I am pretty good.  So, all that said I don’t have the resume to do a lot of posts about food.  Well, wait, maybe I do.  You see, while I am not entering and winning recipe/cooking contests, I do face one judge every day.  And this judge?  He rivals the great Simon Cowell. This judge is known to use words as harsh as DEESGUSSTIING, and STIIINKY.  He is Jack.  He is particular.  Oh, and he doesn’t enjoy taking time to eat.  A quotation we hear often, “I am hungry but I don’t want to eat.”  What? I simply cannot relate to that.    

We have determined that if he assists in the process it helps tremendously.  This is great!  He feels so proud to tell Daddy he cooked dinner.  He can learn how to cook, and expand his palate.  Oh, and throw in a little math to0 with measuring–happy momma.  Anyway,  we have been trying to rid our diet of some soy lately as we tend to consume it in so many vegetarian products.  Sooo one thing I wanted to find and make were yummy veggie burgers that the whole family would enjoy.  Here is the recipe as they were a big hit!!!!

Lentil-Walnut Burgers  (From Mollie Katzen’s Moosewood Cookbook)  Well, changed slightly.  For some reason I am incapable of following a recipe exactly–no matter how great it may be.

3/4 C dry lentils

1 1/2 C water

2 T cider vinegar

1 T olive oil

3/4 C finely minced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small package mushrooms chopped

1/2 C very finely chopped walnuts

1 t salt, dry mustard, and pepper each

1/4 C fine bread crumbs and wheat germ

Small amount plain yogurt

1.  Place lentils and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the liquid is gone.  Transfer to a medium-sized boul, add vinegar and mash well. (I actually just put them into my food processor and pulsed them into a mush)

2.  Heat oil in a medium-sized skillet.  Add onions and saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Add all remaining ingredients except bread crumbs, wheat germ and yogurt, and saute 5 to 10 minutes–until mushrooms are tender.  (You can do this while the lentils are cooking to save time)  Add the saute and crumbs to the lentils and mix well.  Add plain yogurt as needed if the mixture is too dry and not sticking.  Chill for 1 hour before forming patties.

3.  Form burgers.  Broil 5 to 8 minutes on each side.

Fix them however you like them and viola! a homemade, delicious veggie burger!

Stickyuppie Hair

To our squishably-kissable, smiley baby Max:

You have the best hairdo I have ever seen.  We get comments while out and about every. single. day.  It is a hairstyle coveted by many a rock star and our friends and family are in awe of its height and staying power.  Obviously it is not likely that it will be stickyuppie forever, so Dad and I want you to know we will love you and your hair however wild or tame you and it may be. Forever.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Stickyuppie Hair

Hi-Tech Toothpaste Dispenser…

Seriously?  

Jack has never protested during his bedtime routine about the ritual brushing of the teeth.  In fact, I would say he quite enjoys it.  We vary the paste–sometimes the natural strawberry, others the more infant safe to swallow, and even the occasional mint–or spicy–as he refers to it.  We even vary the who and the where on occasion.  Really a non-issue for us.

Watching television has become more of an issue in our home, or rather the lack of watching television has become an issue.  He is not familiar with the story lines or characters that some of his peers are, and even at this tender age of 4 1/2 this seems to be troublesome to him.   Don’t get me wrong, we do allow him to watch tv, but we are very specific about what he views and how much. And, honestly, given a choice of watching or doing some other activity he will often choose the other activity.  A lot of his friends have older siblings and thus watch things beyond their years.  We realize this will certainly be the case for our future “avocados” and are not all that concerned about it, but for now, our oldest is subject to strict screen time rules.  All this is to say–the littlekin has not seen many commercials.  Period.  And, wow, am I now starting to realize the power they have.

I allowed him to watch some child-friendly program the other day with commercials, and now any time I go to clean, drink, eat, launder, geez…breathe, he pipes up with a product that is simply the best at assisting in whatever task I am doing.   

So, tonight whilst attempting to squeeze the remaining paste onto his toothbrush I hear this small, sincere voice at my side.  ”Don’t you wish we had Touch N Brush?”   As I stared at him bewildered about how to respond, I broke out with the giggles…and the giggles at our house are contagious.  We didn’t know why we were laughing, but we were.  After a few moments, I simply and quietly said, “No.  Mommy does not want the Touch N Brush.”  

Do you???

www.buytouchnbrush.com

Reasons to start a new blog then abandon said blog

In bullet form: (just to expeditiously get this post out!)

• Influenza–Yep, the real deal.  Despite us all subjecting our poor arms to the vaccines, our sweet Jack came down with the flu.  Just a fun FYI: Did you know there was a nasal swab (much like a strep test but in your nose) to actually confirm the diagnosis? who knew?!
• Easter visitors–Mom and Dad were here.  Woo Hoo!!!!  Unfortunately, Mom came down with a terrible cold and spent most of her time sniffling and shivering in bed.  You’ll be happy to know that upon her return to sunny sun-state she recovered fully. Hmmm, we hope she will return to our climate challenged area someday.
• More illness–Sweet baby Max…sinus infection, roseola fever, and a top-front tooth. Whew.  It is with much relief that I am able to report he is back to his squishable, smiley self!
• Warm weather (finally)–who wants to be inside blogging when one can be OUTSIDE all day in the sun riding a bike, taking walks, digging in the dirt, and playing, playing, playing?!

I am back now…in full blogging force!

Big Tree

The photo in the header is something we drive by frequently.  It is the largest Pinchot Sycamore in all of our New England state.  Every time we pass it our family calls out, “Big Tree!” and it is amazing.  Jack’s preschool class took a field trip to it this past fall and they loved it.  It is so huge, in fact, that even with about 18 wee ones stretching arm to arm, they could not quite make its circumference.  I wish I had more photos…as it is truly a sight to behold!  I am anxious for its branches to begin to show off its glorious green leaves.   

Such fun to experience this enormous tree through teenie ones…

 

Spring?  Hurry up.  We’re cold.

True or False?

My four year old Jack has recently discovered the wonder of true or false questions. He loves to answer them, he loves to ask them.  He administered his first exam this evening.

1.  Recycle stuff goes in a recycle bin.  T or F

2.  A door is a pony.  T or F

3. The knob on the door is a door knob?  T or F

How did you do?????