tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4509741675450090802024-03-05T18:28:18.617-08:00troubling starsThe story of a silly girl who is learning to be a wife, a mom of two boys, a homemaker, and a responsible citizen of Planet Earth all simultaneously.
"To enjoy a thing exclusively is commonly to exclude yourself from the true enjoyment of it." Thoreautroubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-49518444923268935612012-01-17T04:05:00.000-08:002012-01-17T04:05:13.088-08:00Updates to the learning space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBD2H_7fExGhjWwhs3PWdMXdwMC77LkiXNtkOe5N3tTMTN6sw5zFOhoSnbjk3qfqqFEZeq_LJ3L-OK7fPRqFVzxrdeMnLFnjfbveDcupr1pEy9ENDnQBQzEoUEV5cA9nYozHroLEWp4Y/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBD2H_7fExGhjWwhs3PWdMXdwMC77LkiXNtkOe5N3tTMTN6sw5zFOhoSnbjk3qfqqFEZeq_LJ3L-OK7fPRqFVzxrdeMnLFnjfbveDcupr1pEy9ENDnQBQzEoUEV5cA9nYozHroLEWp4Y/s320/-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L5a5NM2Q3G6RKj6-pWQOv-p85sN-pKc04fXwlL48Mo_o7isxsu5e5mJlW4QfmOpYAv0Yx0sIlUp7g-rJDfPaTh7Em80gmM-JkkmtlaYCv0buEuIgq7bponfqJfuWE_PkwGxvq2zrcA0/s1600/-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L5a5NM2Q3G6RKj6-pWQOv-p85sN-pKc04fXwlL48Mo_o7isxsu5e5mJlW4QfmOpYAv0Yx0sIlUp7g-rJDfPaTh7Em80gmM-JkkmtlaYCv0buEuIgq7bponfqJfuWE_PkwGxvq2zrcA0/s1600/-9.jpg" /></a></div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-11142623557751843272011-03-20T14:28:00.000-07:002011-03-20T14:28:27.036-07:00Giveaway at Progressive Pioneer<a href="http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2011/03/giveaway-no-plastic-and-the-enchanted-cupboard.html#comment-6a01156f204526970c0147e359b2d5970b">http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/2011/03/giveaway-no-plastic-and-the-enchanted-cupboard.html#comment-6a01156f204526970c0147e359b2d5970b</a><br />
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Sorry to pop in after so long just to tell you about a great give away but... its a really great give away!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP88CRRR9FiQxwL39UtTO6S7GmR980DW7garPPQHNCpZ1pe11TMvW28u-NfSx5x763pqmatiebGfoKW9mBUrEIXnaGMwuvsPmy21CZJ4z0hxwiu-pZ_9MMUObIkpRLSjQGOcDlnl5PHxo/s1600/6a01156f204526970c014e86d11be6970d-pi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP88CRRR9FiQxwL39UtTO6S7GmR980DW7garPPQHNCpZ1pe11TMvW28u-NfSx5x763pqmatiebGfoKW9mBUrEIXnaGMwuvsPmy21CZJ4z0hxwiu-pZ_9MMUObIkpRLSjQGOcDlnl5PHxo/s320/6a01156f204526970c014e86d11be6970d-pi.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Go check it out :)<img alt="" src="file:///Users/bunchcramer/Desktop/6a01156f204526970c014e86d11be6970d-pi.jpg" />troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-61388373457970058402011-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:002011-01-12T06:50:49.990-08:00Friends for the JourneyEvery year I gain a bit of wisdom about how I spend my precious Christmas money. This year I used it to buy two fun travel mugs I had had my eye on for a long time (anything to get this chronically dehydrated nursing mama to drink), a sweet beanie crocheted by a Somalian woman in my mother's sewing group, and then most importantly I bolstered my Madeleine L'Engle library with three new acquisitions; The Small Rain, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Journey-Luci-Shaw/dp/1573832413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294843793&sr=8-1#reader_1573832413">Friends for the Journey</a>, and Weather of the Heart. If you have never read her work go straight to Amazon and make an investment because these are not library type books that you read once and return able to check them off of your list. These are books to savor, to return to, to copy into journals, letters. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1573832413/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link"><img alt="Friends for the Journey" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514Y1BNYR6L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The first I have opened is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Journey-Luci-Shaw/dp/1573832413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294843793&sr=8-1#reader_1573832413">Friends for the Journey; Two extraordinary women celebrate friendships made and sustained through the seasons of life.</a> Long title but descriptive of something I long for. Once married it can be so easy to rely on that best of friendships to sustain us alone. Yet, that's not fair for either spouse. Living a rather transient lifestyle for the past nearly ten years now (I haven't settled in one place for more than 18 months) I recognize the difficulty in sustaining friendships through the seasons of life. I have let so many dear friends slip away as I prioritize again and again for the immediate; the demands of life that stand up and shout. As a young mom I often feel I am merely keeping my nose above water, and don't put enough committed energy into nurturing lifesaving relationships. So, to those of you that may describe I apologize. (Let's reconnect!)<br />
Ben laughed when he looked over my shoulder the other night and saw me doing something uncharacteristic - writing a list of New Year's resolutions. I know, I know, evidence is against them often truly changing people but somehow the very act of sitting and figuring out what I would like to change, where I would like to grow given the opportunity, was centering in and of itself. Two of the items on my list had to do with this topic of friendship. One was to simply write back and forth monthly with my close friends. The other was merely to relearn how to be a good friend. So, here's to 2011 and the strengthening of old friendships and the building of new ones!troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-1340943395944279342010-12-09T11:49:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:49:56.570-08:00Quotes"Ummm... excuse me sir. My mommy needs to keep that piece of fabric because you see she is hoping to twy and gwow me a baby sister in her tummy, and she just might need that to sew her a beautiful dwess. (truth = 4 year old very much wants a baby sister. )<br />
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Rowan go back to time out!<br />
You see mom, I was just talking to God and He taught me to be good and change my heart, and He also said my time out could be finished. (how do you say no?)<br />
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(At Music Together from his teacher, in a very diverse group.) Rowan please tell us what your favorite song was this semester. (imagine his response belted out in a deep toned, gregorian chant style) "I love Jesus and the Holy Gho-ost... go in peace"<br />
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Rowan I'm sorry I get frustrated. Sometimes I lose my patience because I know its my job to guide you to be noble and help make your heart choose to be good. And when I can't do it I feel sad.<br />
(In a very patronizing voice.) No, mom. It is not your job. Only God can make my heart good. You just need to wait with me until He's worked a bit more in my life...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7t4z1_8pmr5acnjwFlcaJoreOM_km1BNsfgarBkTXAhzrjnozx8eEjWDE3WkKHEV8b-uA3NOfU01KDL-dwdf3dQav09s1AYqx-ugdviOoVA3Ge39oRSVig5IsmIkoZgcRNLapMWi6Q/s1600/ben+with+rowan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7t4z1_8pmr5acnjwFlcaJoreOM_km1BNsfgarBkTXAhzrjnozx8eEjWDE3WkKHEV8b-uA3NOfU01KDL-dwdf3dQav09s1AYqx-ugdviOoVA3Ge39oRSVig5IsmIkoZgcRNLapMWi6Q/s320/ben+with+rowan.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>Who would have known that little baby would so quickly be filled with such personality?troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-3111073992327587232010-11-24T17:31:00.000-08:002010-11-24T17:33:31.242-08:00Kites + Stethoscopes = A Midnight Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7nXnWSP7CMKFqfiUqiY4TF85aQfmPUcjKFh5thMt6GlknHk2puh9gJDhYuJYhTTDbgMui9XgrWdHPtLuHEsMQ3L5YTsiXJ4hprXYQe9esjADYN5aHzMAAttZJXPPJZcDmaPXwUz0XQ/s1600/51hcs03qbyL._AA115_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb7nXnWSP7CMKFqfiUqiY4TF85aQfmPUcjKFh5thMt6GlknHk2puh9gJDhYuJYhTTDbgMui9XgrWdHPtLuHEsMQ3L5YTsiXJ4hprXYQe9esjADYN5aHzMAAttZJXPPJZcDmaPXwUz0XQ/s1600/51hcs03qbyL._AA115_.jpg" /></a></div>Tonight we had some friends over for a bonfire, and I delighted in watching the magic of children's imagination unfold before my eyes. It can take so little to spark new worlds and adventures. Ben read the recently re-published Elsa Beskow book The Land of Long Ago to Rowan and his sweet friend. Then they spent the rest of the night trying to recreate the events of the book so that they too could enter into that magical world of mischievous gnomes, flying trees, princesses, trolls, dragons, and knights. We overheard adorable conversations, "Ok, so we just need one gnome, a fallen twee twunk, and a bwoken umbwella... hmmm... we don't have any of those... wait yes we do! we have a wood pile, if we pwetend we could make a whole world out of that!" The next half hour consisted of them disappearing into our home and reappearing with a huge kite that was attached to their backs with a stethoscope, then disappearing into the night and reappearing with corn cob skewers pilfered from the friend's home to use to ... get this... CLIMB THE SIDE OF OUR BUILDING SO THEY COULD GET TO THE ROOF AND THEN FLY OFF USING THEIR KITE. Can you tell their dads are rock climbers?<br />
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Such sweet silly things served to fill my heart, and re-delight me with motherhood.<br />
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Now Ben and I are fantasizing about midnight climbs and majestic flights. Isn't that what every kid thinks their parents do after they go to sleep anyways?troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-75421298838912018952010-11-22T16:53:00.000-08:002010-11-23T05:04:14.201-08:00Handmade Holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUiOsRWcLmLXJFRdI_xZRHusffTPkOt1iRJF_IAInSWX4DVZMZHtRIgABo4wEZaMaCp09JfW9hjA-4j46ILL0QEbGCq_5qZnXWMN4Mn5xLzVNOI5QX8ny-M1jz7TYZPNT6w5FULtlxV0/s1600/Photo+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUiOsRWcLmLXJFRdI_xZRHusffTPkOt1iRJF_IAInSWX4DVZMZHtRIgABo4wEZaMaCp09JfW9hjA-4j46ILL0QEbGCq_5qZnXWMN4Mn5xLzVNOI5QX8ny-M1jz7TYZPNT6w5FULtlxV0/s320/Photo+54.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Today I finished up Cedar's last Christmas present. Inspired by<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47379601/wanderlust-a-natural-fiber-waldorf?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=wanderlust+doll&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade"> this amazing mama made waldorf doll</a>, I wanted to make my lil guy a masculine doll that mirrored his sweet soul, that he could pour his love into. I want to nurture his growing ability to nurture. So I took my cabbage patch doll from the 80's and some left over felted wool I had from dissected sweaters and went to town. His hat is of an elf ish style with a wooden toggle closure under his chin so it stays put. He has a wool tunic belted with a leather belt salvaged from extra attachers for my bike basket. He also has wool sleeves and pant legs tied on. He has a little pouch attached to his belt to collect acorns and stones and a walking stick in his hand to help him on his journeys. I am quite pleased with how it has turned out even if his face is plastic and he can't have that great, crazy, waldorf hair. (My heart melted watching him carry around this same doll pre makeover in a play silk turned baby sling. Lots of kisses. Adorable.)<br />
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I also sewed some very simple wool longies today for lil guy from another dissected sweater. I just took a portion of the sweater near the waist band and sewed it into a tube and then sewed on the bottom portion of each sleeve and voila... pants. And then I made some socks.<br />
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I had a goal to do as much as I could by hand this year, using materials we already had and I am thoroughly enjoying the process :)<br />
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What are you making for Christmas?troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-18063185655678450542010-11-10T11:20:00.000-08:002010-11-10T11:20:40.248-08:00No Mercy for Sweaters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTNUURUss3GyQVMCoVW66CnT1ja3bu-jVwc5jBlFBEa432wGuVy97yfbiA_kvKwWlwHUs6VGLT-hceHyUt3RowZW1VthehyIfi1IUVcKJROdSewH3cz7KcpzRyT1XsGfCJkauTkFhni8/s1600/Photo+81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTNUURUss3GyQVMCoVW66CnT1ja3bu-jVwc5jBlFBEa432wGuVy97yfbiA_kvKwWlwHUs6VGLT-hceHyUt3RowZW1VthehyIfi1IUVcKJROdSewH3cz7KcpzRyT1XsGfCJkauTkFhni8/s320/Photo+81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sweaters faced great peril in my home today. Struck by great inspiration I dissected two wool sweaters and made;, a gnome hat for Rowan, a stocking cap, a lavender pillow for Cedar's bed, an "herb collecting bag for healing the animals" for Rowan, and a pair of Long Johns! I took a pair of my lil guys boxer briefs and sewed them to the arms of an old cashmere sweater . Result? Cashmere long underwear for free! It feels good to have the (silly) yet creative juices flowing again.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-31083390570929930682010-10-26T16:00:00.000-07:002010-10-26T16:01:35.004-07:00A Weekend Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOj36Qkqp87qbAeubF05bcqyZ0mzl0kb2y9M3hHXOyIyju9jxFLAiW4NefRk8ileIyY8xODBmExxN0EW5-b90S62st9GdyplsjQRwqw4QR20WLKGV2NLyTGlyxCVa5f0qzIfoLVuwZWY/s1600/DSC06838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOj36Qkqp87qbAeubF05bcqyZ0mzl0kb2y9M3hHXOyIyju9jxFLAiW4NefRk8ileIyY8xODBmExxN0EW5-b90S62st9GdyplsjQRwqw4QR20WLKGV2NLyTGlyxCVa5f0qzIfoLVuwZWY/s320/DSC06838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsQJrIuBpWxeChf8liZ9rHwS1nzPqfIHp1RdWnIQ47nqe-CgOwCZ6rHmF_7IIG02IuL00mk2ssO1ZMMsUMDDjz7GSCwKhBg1WMcxfA_sJvfO6VxxTukOwdqhBgdMVPYok5x7V9VAEX8A/s1600/DSC06798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsQJrIuBpWxeChf8liZ9rHwS1nzPqfIHp1RdWnIQ47nqe-CgOwCZ6rHmF_7IIG02IuL00mk2ssO1ZMMsUMDDjz7GSCwKhBg1WMcxfA_sJvfO6VxxTukOwdqhBgdMVPYok5x7V9VAEX8A/s320/DSC06798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This weekend my sweet man took me away to <a href="http://www.froghollowfarmbnb.com/">Frog Hollow Farm B and B</a> for a belated birthday/ early five year get away. Wonderful. He made me feel beautiful, appreciated, and I LIKED it! Thanks Ben for the trip and thanks mom and dad for the baby sitting that made it possible. A couple of days full of hiking, climbing, perusing art shows, eating chocolate, taking steam showers, and watching the stars truly filled my soul.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-91679815312446773162010-10-15T04:42:00.000-07:002010-10-15T04:42:43.676-07:00This Moment - Valley Forge<h3 class="entry-header" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3d8989; font-family: Palatino, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/10/this-moment-1.html" style="color: #3d8989; display: block; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">{this moment}</a></h3><div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; position: static;"><div class="entry-body" style="clear: both;"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;"><em>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7m8Tr4R3rf-7aCF-YQaZJDUHXDu3rYz71fWYOg74jMx8cQyLWWCV2Honi94Yt_oAXVesRrvS7tYdELNk9FBKXUJPwkQ3IYlAb0JHxZdM5KSokNbGhwJ059cnjPsCX6jvFS1MJ7E-UiM/s1600/0918001748b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7m8Tr4R3rf-7aCF-YQaZJDUHXDu3rYz71fWYOg74jMx8cQyLWWCV2Honi94Yt_oAXVesRrvS7tYdELNk9FBKXUJPwkQ3IYlAb0JHxZdM5KSokNbGhwJ059cnjPsCX6jvFS1MJ7E-UiM/s320/0918001748b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><em><br />
</em></div></div></div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-31266162006308468822010-10-08T18:42:00.000-07:002010-10-08T18:42:23.048-07:00This Moment 4th Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWaekLH-k8Q_uAtyGG_DsYfsQySu0cPaItwHBPYDjB3YIVpdopy3vYtBfAobZA42s_L_-7DVUCuTnw8_xJozDPRH0IvCQcaKDmRF0ZgMMxHAh6WyQPq64enu3cBEjzhyyggL1Ygpp49c/s1600/_MG_2805_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWaekLH-k8Q_uAtyGG_DsYfsQySu0cPaItwHBPYDjB3YIVpdopy3vYtBfAobZA42s_L_-7DVUCuTnw8_xJozDPRH0IvCQcaKDmRF0ZgMMxHAh6WyQPq64enu3cBEjzhyyggL1Ygpp49c/s320/_MG_2805_2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><h3 class="entry-header" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3d8989; font-family: Palatino, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/10/this-moment-1.html" style="color: #3d8989; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">{this moment}</a></h3><div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; position: static;"><div class="entry-body" style="clear: both;"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: justify;"><em>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. </em></div></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nOYhc65r4jOj9GDeIlO7TiOVRiDyvliLvsjmgoegN_y5pSwswAF2EKeIFc-xD8H-_yds5z0VpfS2FitwBhT6Qt4Pb-Jr1vZnhW9GDpP6HuiZoHI-lDnQfKQ4gPud_MmFG_WNmXWmPks/s1600/_MG_2790_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nOYhc65r4jOj9GDeIlO7TiOVRiDyvliLvsjmgoegN_y5pSwswAF2EKeIFc-xD8H-_yds5z0VpfS2FitwBhT6Qt4Pb-Jr1vZnhW9GDpP6HuiZoHI-lDnQfKQ4gPud_MmFG_WNmXWmPks/s320/_MG_2790_2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HgiPJyizilqx2rdoA_7n0F4abpp9CacFvcfJxonAz4CHtHOlG-8JURokxKHNYtRhZdA5piPzWw2aR69B_zV_DymUVnDAD15mSa3akz1hxc16IhdQY4AZeDlSY5aVmx6VveGWUPxxAFs/s1600/IMG_2766_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HgiPJyizilqx2rdoA_7n0F4abpp9CacFvcfJxonAz4CHtHOlG-8JURokxKHNYtRhZdA5piPzWw2aR69B_zV_DymUVnDAD15mSa3akz1hxc16IhdQY4AZeDlSY5aVmx6VveGWUPxxAFs/s320/IMG_2766_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-998552796057332222010-09-30T09:38:00.000-07:002010-09-30T09:38:39.674-07:00its been a long long timeAfter a long summer outside I am returning to my Autumn self - cocooning into my home, crafting, creating, and blogging.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DWDwXlBOWpVB5FrpWPyh_cYiWW3p1s-Pqn8I06gWyGz_ZHI1Cp5hpobtoPb-_QK5n3S6_YXvojOCh-WETH0rFk1V6e_5iJeu6l0GU5ESZOBwBetE-Z-iIG-QRUjYvocD619QCb0Uk0M/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DWDwXlBOWpVB5FrpWPyh_cYiWW3p1s-Pqn8I06gWyGz_ZHI1Cp5hpobtoPb-_QK5n3S6_YXvojOCh-WETH0rFk1V6e_5iJeu6l0GU5ESZOBwBetE-Z-iIG-QRUjYvocD619QCb0Uk0M/s320/IMG_2324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs17tzC2RtXuKO3hTnPpDu5tyJuh3f358Of05UZdh9pMaAwAIZLMJMjKOSkVvypoqM4qQiLkLuyNgHPIGxcw4L1SAgDUdj2eUBAL0eVt4xuN4knqr_ZV7hbxGUJcp3LcUdNBLBJJPYyII/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs17tzC2RtXuKO3hTnPpDu5tyJuh3f358Of05UZdh9pMaAwAIZLMJMjKOSkVvypoqM4qQiLkLuyNgHPIGxcw4L1SAgDUdj2eUBAL0eVt4xuN4knqr_ZV7hbxGUJcp3LcUdNBLBJJPYyII/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little yoga by the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lHzKUDCORFAjDf_-MR2W2yEkc_JbfwxOVq7DurLMp8pqgTe5cM7-s4SY6I0J39EchsCSDvMD12FIL3RzcLhzr0xJ2bo6muy3u5Q9f1Og8xptdBdMFcsq8gWNLHD7i0lBxPLb6Fq94XA/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lHzKUDCORFAjDf_-MR2W2yEkc_JbfwxOVq7DurLMp8pqgTe5cM7-s4SY6I0J39EchsCSDvMD12FIL3RzcLhzr0xJ2bo6muy3u5Q9f1Og8xptdBdMFcsq8gWNLHD7i0lBxPLb6Fq94XA/s320/IMG_2339.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My families amazing swedish stuga</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBPPsjBpZG79MaSmExoh0hWDTfGOmJ4td16e-ltVv2vh8p1p4kIcZF4r1cBSHb5N1zBl5Gg0Ye7T9kvXvS_pCRRxujZ5N6u-BupoXyfEfFjCfteUta4_-JX6f0EILbRgbAIRCiCK0iVc/s1600/IMG_2341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBPPsjBpZG79MaSmExoh0hWDTfGOmJ4td16e-ltVv2vh8p1p4kIcZF4r1cBSHb5N1zBl5Gg0Ye7T9kvXvS_pCRRxujZ5N6u-BupoXyfEfFjCfteUta4_-JX6f0EILbRgbAIRCiCK0iVc/s320/IMG_2341.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCTCGPasRC9O4g-KFC0yU5bK9HhJuSrwlqgBCAvyZfK3GGYopMYcE9cwh_3IKyZTYX-NhZR0_vKSB3CfbkH_3sTx8MCjI6Q3KJaSw6RQ5eB8DGA75JrdaTfKNFRVhYRZxxL2VeH6fVfo/s1600/IMG_2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCTCGPasRC9O4g-KFC0yU5bK9HhJuSrwlqgBCAvyZfK3GGYopMYcE9cwh_3IKyZTYX-NhZR0_vKSB3CfbkH_3sTx8MCjI6Q3KJaSw6RQ5eB8DGA75JrdaTfKNFRVhYRZxxL2VeH6fVfo/s320/IMG_2364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Story time with cousin and Grandma</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQSqHTBuFWr_G4mcqDLu6gPOtylKBYPtiNu6pOyV_DZnlnpKewx63pQK8gBA7iAil9NmwndigLAbJzHzFWDqSnzx9HH6d0tsh4rvZsrCfvlGNyj8_8_-8CFHgbag_Xp4jC5Kwx6t1sI4/s1600/IMG_2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQSqHTBuFWr_G4mcqDLu6gPOtylKBYPtiNu6pOyV_DZnlnpKewx63pQK8gBA7iAil9NmwndigLAbJzHzFWDqSnzx9HH6d0tsh4rvZsrCfvlGNyj8_8_-8CFHgbag_Xp4jC5Kwx6t1sI4/s320/IMG_2305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our summer was a beautiful mix of home and away, visiting family in Chicago, Michigan, and St. Francisville. I also marinated in the sciences taking three intensive courses while I had my husband home to care for the boys.<br />
<br />
Goodbye summer! Hello lovely Autumn.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-34340591702722911262010-09-29T10:36:00.001-07:002010-09-29T10:36:40.615-07:00Return to Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY5DvQnPF9712a14SFIVyYDP3N9yiix5lGtX46MA43mhWvZxQUbvY4lcMnMte1U1SahWjCoBo4rOpNQzATU9VYYShXBSRa3Kf9kwa8ebJcTzNZdJl5u-etYtOjpYD02d9nOFlsYbytmc/s1600/DSC01236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY5DvQnPF9712a14SFIVyYDP3N9yiix5lGtX46MA43mhWvZxQUbvY4lcMnMte1U1SahWjCoBo4rOpNQzATU9VYYShXBSRa3Kf9kwa8ebJcTzNZdJl5u-etYtOjpYD02d9nOFlsYbytmc/s320/DSC01236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW4bOlzIiL8pFx7wcTIIztPzQrxq48arzVUqI6blaaEWA3zD5sAkydJr2tD7rR5j9VKxaFN6hMhxA9KVI0Tw8ieMlPuWzH36pyne59Qjrihmp4o4wySDaTyXaKzTBTPuDv5FD7TpecNw/s1600/IMG_2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW4bOlzIiL8pFx7wcTIIztPzQrxq48arzVUqI6blaaEWA3zD5sAkydJr2tD7rR5j9VKxaFN6hMhxA9KVI0Tw8ieMlPuWzH36pyne59Qjrihmp4o4wySDaTyXaKzTBTPuDv5FD7TpecNw/s320/IMG_2333.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My first baby is now four and it is time to celebrate him; his smile, his energy, his vivacity. To celebrate him with strawberry topped cheesecake, with golden packages filled with tools to ignite his blossoming imagination, with a treasure hunt and water balloons in our local woods. Cheers Rowan!<span id="goog_857255304"></span><span id="goog_857255305"></span>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-21532860280309836792010-07-16T07:27:00.000-07:002010-07-16T07:27:14.371-07:00This Moment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="entry-header" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #892222; font-family: Palatino, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/07/this-moment-1.html" style="color: #892222; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">{this moment}</a></h3><div class="entry-content" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; position: static;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazDjtoaFVpVo6b-GklRi4my9NqfjWRbptojnavv97gB3x1nVAD76tgn9M5vAkx-pQdNHmcCvQrqQsZRqGNel54lMYnuDvATbwHg5nYggCY1Fy4UrtQiohERobJsmMgMXrQe8qVe6U4FI/s1600/0712001046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazDjtoaFVpVo6b-GklRi4my9NqfjWRbptojnavv97gB3x1nVAD76tgn9M5vAkx-pQdNHmcCvQrqQsZRqGNel54lMYnuDvATbwHg5nYggCY1Fy4UrtQiohERobJsmMgMXrQe8qVe6U4FI/s320/0712001046.jpg" /></a></div><div class="entry-body" style="clear: both;"><em>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em></div></div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-20392512641587711612010-06-17T07:47:00.000-07:002010-06-17T09:21:45.434-07:00Dancing for Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThHREuDNBsQERen6-YVWZzLgOwJYf8Jy5QNEKFwfSNTLoqgl9eakxYSbrLGOkmZo-G-eDcX7_zuHTaQkpVXx0FhaY_SjwRYqeziqBiTlkH64se9ioJCHCUqgEOFEVvKsFhArFy_1_O3s/s1600/IMG_2493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThHREuDNBsQERen6-YVWZzLgOwJYf8Jy5QNEKFwfSNTLoqgl9eakxYSbrLGOkmZo-G-eDcX7_zuHTaQkpVXx0FhaY_SjwRYqeziqBiTlkH64se9ioJCHCUqgEOFEVvKsFhArFy_1_O3s/s320/IMG_2493.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBb571ePzAtnhvLTcGIBk3MzCAen5Xka_i0RHQu0AqD4_f7RnElYRu1SIYkbxyLW01gxi0bprYkjTKNnUtapbcIsQZaLy4fpaefYAdk_1V_0tTAGGO3ANY1Q3gfR5SWPJ3n3ImcN1zis/s1600/IMG_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBb571ePzAtnhvLTcGIBk3MzCAen5Xka_i0RHQu0AqD4_f7RnElYRu1SIYkbxyLW01gxi0bprYkjTKNnUtapbcIsQZaLy4fpaefYAdk_1V_0tTAGGO3ANY1Q3gfR5SWPJ3n3ImcN1zis/s320/IMG_2502.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep5gR5DIW9BEFnxAH1SXCJlvu6B8qh277onuGZe6goc0PSatB1hM2_5lxAWhYvCM-PugscUw6KZxsJAeDinrOZtiXT-H2k5nE8GXZwRfcQrztFUx53ONGvQOZEIzlzKwxlC_ER2aJGvs/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep5gR5DIW9BEFnxAH1SXCJlvu6B8qh277onuGZe6goc0PSatB1hM2_5lxAWhYvCM-PugscUw6KZxsJAeDinrOZtiXT-H2k5nE8GXZwRfcQrztFUx53ONGvQOZEIzlzKwxlC_ER2aJGvs/s320/IMG_2479.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA640VgLTBkpXHMgSjBF8QwSsT5NaI6udyJeGnJlEZ7OTPk7-wWoiLxvAFlStHoVu8fxLhb-CjBa9ZkBARfAsrFW4hyphenhyphenysFoEQHQ26k4KHLjgQGz8Fxezf2QVnFE5BqxVreU5HwRizDVQs/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA640VgLTBkpXHMgSjBF8QwSsT5NaI6udyJeGnJlEZ7OTPk7-wWoiLxvAFlStHoVu8fxLhb-CjBa9ZkBARfAsrFW4hyphenhyphenysFoEQHQ26k4KHLjgQGz8Fxezf2QVnFE5BqxVreU5HwRizDVQs/s320/IMG_2485.jpg" /></a> "Mom look! I am dancing, dancing for JOY!" Rowan getting fitted in his harness.</div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-2122686675317887202010-05-15T06:20:00.000-07:002010-05-15T06:20:06.559-07:00Steph Davis: Diamond Free Solo<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; ">Rowan " I want to do that someday!"</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; ">Me "Great! But could you please do it with ropes?"]</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; ">Row "Nope, I want to do it just like her."</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; ">And he probably will...</span></span></p></span></div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/MmlMxsBXNFE/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MmlMxsBXNFE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MmlMxsBXNFE&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-75841965145119858702010-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:002010-05-07T06:00:33.349-07:00{this moment} - or three Norwegian moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykQ_EhlKZqJSksp0yNwoP3JXsHHzC0eYRG0F6TPqkLwRAEuVObDRd6qcbC9SARjvT5vkthmplCYbjssXFm6LIYLa4pdJnPEJkmudngZ-NmpEnc_gNHnGxLJvCWww9MymykKdX61zzltk/s1600/DSC02454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykQ_EhlKZqJSksp0yNwoP3JXsHHzC0eYRG0F6TPqkLwRAEuVObDRd6qcbC9SARjvT5vkthmplCYbjssXFm6LIYLa4pdJnPEJkmudngZ-NmpEnc_gNHnGxLJvCWww9MymykKdX61zzltk/s320/DSC02454.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment.... A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~<a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amanda Soule</a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkEFJ13PdAHY6N0yDdbNSqsSWP28FHD36YX1hHjfzHPDPdxrSySwD6dbTkjcIgfLxffMq8J6eDXVDyesPYqb2ZC5gbrJS5tP1oSAB46BgOuQowJB66qGdpzUoudjHcptmXLwGQM2l8aw/s1600/DSC02393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkEFJ13PdAHY6N0yDdbNSqsSWP28FHD36YX1hHjfzHPDPdxrSySwD6dbTkjcIgfLxffMq8J6eDXVDyesPYqb2ZC5gbrJS5tP1oSAB46BgOuQowJB66qGdpzUoudjHcptmXLwGQM2l8aw/s320/DSC02393.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngACXNgNpVRMBAONm7VcQAtL-DvMe7xfONvx4O1rjNmkVH_nDG7x0gOMbRQWt8c8xQ65peDw8jZ1RUm_VEuV7FV2UnYQBGj08yTh4SkU_ZZqkzIIIvAiPjhrL3-0-s1CJODuStJOgJQM/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngACXNgNpVRMBAONm7VcQAtL-DvMe7xfONvx4O1rjNmkVH_nDG7x0gOMbRQWt8c8xQ65peDw8jZ1RUm_VEuV7FV2UnYQBGj08yTh4SkU_ZZqkzIIIvAiPjhrL3-0-s1CJODuStJOgJQM/s320/DSC02916.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-71864628149116743162010-05-05T10:52:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:52:50.931-07:00New Life - and healthy chocolate cookiesI have always seen myself as having a black thumb - we automatically purchased almost everything for our garden this year certain that I would be unable to start anything successfully from seed. Yet...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyEESDN0GAk088PC4yQyOkaZ4k09_4dSFJlI2hUez1xe9oDaR1IXBRRdyTl9W8ctKzk7wzM8Rso43pjdOmMeczC4E7Fl5KtSeUt0r5iHHT1VSjdcX44U1JhVvY-2nhyphenhyphenE-gzuDBZ_MKUY/s1600/DSC05965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyEESDN0GAk088PC4yQyOkaZ4k09_4dSFJlI2hUez1xe9oDaR1IXBRRdyTl9W8ctKzk7wzM8Rso43pjdOmMeczC4E7Fl5KtSeUt0r5iHHT1VSjdcX44U1JhVvY-2nhyphenhyphenE-gzuDBZ_MKUY/s320/DSC05965.JPG" /></a></div>this morning I baffled all three of my men by being utterly awed by this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAGNRW_1iCrKP1ESlQHRgor7A8g-0UTamk0jhfSIq5YQrvpgQ9wmjCGsPdsuvoGKYlUg8SM_Eu-clLSw7ur2QiR159KkrLfLzBKfkkvnuB09ZlxaVWNVlgcc5wSAmFCxDvTzw8OLW__U/s1600/DSC05967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAGNRW_1iCrKP1ESlQHRgor7A8g-0UTamk0jhfSIq5YQrvpgQ9wmjCGsPdsuvoGKYlUg8SM_Eu-clLSw7ur2QiR159KkrLfLzBKfkkvnuB09ZlxaVWNVlgcc5wSAmFCxDvTzw8OLW__U/s320/DSC05967.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I sat, and stared, and sat and stared...<br />
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I have made our proud announcement to all who walk by... our sunflowers came through! What magic! The mammoth with its seed so large and its leaves pushing, pushing, to break free. The evening sun with its ruby toned stalk proudly pressing upward. What a miracle. Never before.<br />
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Well everyday most places, but never before here. And our strawberries are THRIVING!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlJTajSW22nI3-9OaX8Q2vB5JHDWP0KTZuzSdJfobstL2b2giLoQVGq5e9GcqBYjkt4vp49Fcu8NfxR1QXNgMg3vBQmCdKfnmvlLuuTDnitF3nF3Hl0QQgqYLmW-s_dU95yy1-0JM_r4/s1600/DSC05969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlJTajSW22nI3-9OaX8Q2vB5JHDWP0KTZuzSdJfobstL2b2giLoQVGq5e9GcqBYjkt4vp49Fcu8NfxR1QXNgMg3vBQmCdKfnmvlLuuTDnitF3nF3Hl0QQgqYLmW-s_dU95yy1-0JM_r4/s320/DSC05969.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And all the tiny seedlings in the background? Pretty sure they are the poppies and wildflowers we also were sure hadn't made it.<br />
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Enthralled I rushed over to our community garden and peeked... sure enough! There too my sunflowers had finally come through! I had given up completely! And what's more, my radishes that I planted on Saturday are already through and thick! And somehow the zinnias that I accidentally planted weeks ago where the radishes were meant to be and that I had presumed dead, popped through too. We'll see how they co-habitate!<br />
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PS I have been delighting in making cookies from Veganomicon and adapted this one enough that I thought I could share it without it being stealing. ENJOY!<br />
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PB and J Chocolate Cookies<br />
<br />
1/2 cup strawberry preserves<br />
1 c honey<br />
1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries<br />
1/3 cup canola oil<br />
1 t vanilla<br />
1 t almond extract<br />
1/2 c plus a little unsweetened cocoa<br />
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour<br />
3/4 t baking soda<br />
1/2 himalayan rock salt (just what i had!)<br />
1/3 c natural peanut butter<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350<br />
<br />
Mix wet ingredients and dry separately then add dry to wet in three batches.<br />
By last batch it will be workable like play dough and you can add your pb in however you desire (or save it to make sandwiches with the warm cookies! yummmm)<br />
<br />
Roll dough into walnut sized balls and smush then pop on the sheet (they dont spread) in the oven for 10 min, cool for 10 more, and ENJOY!!<br />
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(I had kids running over on the playground to beg for these, so make lots.)<br />
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PPS Thanks for all of the prayers and advice for Rowan. His rash seems much better today. His first request upon waking was to head to the park. He even pulled on his shoes over his jammies!troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-52228793474309267502010-05-04T11:42:00.000-07:002010-05-04T11:42:35.492-07:00A Spring Update and Erythema Multiforme with vasculitisIt's been a long time since i've sat down and written. The sunshine was inviting and more recently i've been nursing a sick little boy back to health. But before I share about that I want to catch you up on the Cramer family spring... (this is going to be a long one)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2-5qbC_Da7x4RTrDdgR-fCUXaEMxPVp3t9q1OYRjqrKncPoqX7FigJgPYcvnI4AwbDTCukrsQRqvo1oBRqyNbtDbmIzrP_tfhIXVd54bOlnQneWIBCYhvyDjB3XajqHY3Cs7jvTZFiw/s1600/DSC05694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2-5qbC_Da7x4RTrDdgR-fCUXaEMxPVp3t9q1OYRjqrKncPoqX7FigJgPYcvnI4AwbDTCukrsQRqvo1oBRqyNbtDbmIzrP_tfhIXVd54bOlnQneWIBCYhvyDjB3XajqHY3Cs7jvTZFiw/s320/DSC05694.JPG" /></a></div>We prepared for Easter with a candle ceremony...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DmaWLWtJDHScmMhpk1YtdyGQ7N4I28CjgrNCuRWHHZxGuH18z89kKsHoBjZ8M4k4Z8mw7bHQTnCKhfUzr3r_2FR61Sntj9NYIp3WW5ZZXKjRy2j3y6SqjKP_rPnS87zF3W0fJnpzpC0/s1600/DSC05719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DmaWLWtJDHScmMhpk1YtdyGQ7N4I28CjgrNCuRWHHZxGuH18z89kKsHoBjZ8M4k4Z8mw7bHQTnCKhfUzr3r_2FR61Sntj9NYIp3WW5ZZXKjRy2j3y6SqjKP_rPnS87zF3W0fJnpzpC0/s320/DSC05719.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb3mTFAEEkAYXYqExOmVHOIyA6YsEjtjMSmJjwxEslkH6GXLQOZ903OgWHqi52HhxQtBAKATUQKzkJVg8qtXaRZB_HRuF0Rk8RldnDa1TfCCw0VrxOWwbeqqd9MmtdT4M1VE_VCGEKtQ/s1600/DSC05746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb3mTFAEEkAYXYqExOmVHOIyA6YsEjtjMSmJjwxEslkH6GXLQOZ903OgWHqi52HhxQtBAKATUQKzkJVg8qtXaRZB_HRuF0Rk8RldnDa1TfCCw0VrxOWwbeqqd9MmtdT4M1VE_VCGEKtQ/s320/DSC05746.JPG" /></a></div>Delighted in home grown wheat grass, husband harvested forsythia, Easter dinner with friends, and baskets full of thrifted books, natural art supplies, felted and wooden eggs, new cups and mugs, and even some organic candies...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2l3OFPRlTB9PrH2ljd1GtSv26opV2ufZXcCAqCpRQ6gaVmfn3veNDv1O2wWnq4yGrTVWvK5sX9-Us_hyphenhyphenGHcfgJe3K1x4VnzG770sJeWD5AipxNk_FFnRTtYwWGPwGpdPVcmgsl9yRGE/s1600/DSC05771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2l3OFPRlTB9PrH2ljd1GtSv26opV2ufZXcCAqCpRQ6gaVmfn3veNDv1O2wWnq4yGrTVWvK5sX9-Us_hyphenhyphenGHcfgJe3K1x4VnzG770sJeWD5AipxNk_FFnRTtYwWGPwGpdPVcmgsl9yRGE/s320/DSC05771.JPG" /></a></div>We are still enjoying our wagon and walking copiously in our lovely Princeton spring...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1XlRTequEHqOsuuwViFJiXHxPtXrvztmy7yxC0Tnm0BvgDlZiZRpSIJ_gElrSM4hHXE77HXhm7Ho1qotM6Ly58sY5aNqBGNok5cCAhonCIgS1F0nlj0in-97MyoZEeIWCrkj6yxQGD4/s1600/DSC05790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1XlRTequEHqOsuuwViFJiXHxPtXrvztmy7yxC0Tnm0BvgDlZiZRpSIJ_gElrSM4hHXE77HXhm7Ho1qotM6Ly58sY5aNqBGNok5cCAhonCIgS1F0nlj0in-97MyoZEeIWCrkj6yxQGD4/s320/DSC05790.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hosting family on four different occasions and having a blast showing off Ben's campus...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZlQWxIx_StJIvrIjrdWFK0uL7Q-UAuHr8rTkAmZ2OnKkmyDRvhpXJBZLKdJYPN3nynMN6J3RWQmqFSbtmkfscs6c6ryFmcKeTSPEajC46p4LCFyWBZqVKD9le9O-MFOPrFIn3rZilx4/s1600/DSC05834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZlQWxIx_StJIvrIjrdWFK0uL7Q-UAuHr8rTkAmZ2OnKkmyDRvhpXJBZLKdJYPN3nynMN6J3RWQmqFSbtmkfscs6c6ryFmcKeTSPEajC46p4LCFyWBZqVKD9le9O-MFOPrFIn3rZilx4/s320/DSC05834.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7SZapfYQjU4xYqA-rvEzA3v3hHvfv40ghoKMAJGHkiyBDy0Z95fwIpKPidtJCDAe14Wqy_a7RFQHgC_KIPxU67yDr1uU2jp2ohOt3vv8ABVKmbAgAgALz1z78M1Va6DBmyA-AYjiZaw/s1600/DSC05839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7SZapfYQjU4xYqA-rvEzA3v3hHvfv40ghoKMAJGHkiyBDy0Z95fwIpKPidtJCDAe14Wqy_a7RFQHgC_KIPxU67yDr1uU2jp2ohOt3vv8ABVKmbAgAgALz1z78M1Va6DBmyA-AYjiZaw/s320/DSC05839.JPG" /></a></div>playing (and nursing) in our amazing university library...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf7ILR7OiOzilHsjr6Lysvqj_QvCvpXYE5as6myO24SVoj4nfdc3YCCVUKR3_KJVpDGihAL-N8R2HiHy3jBbh8jjAiBgbf99Xc2kbwIjiNHfHTeabmL916KJbfXDoxUXMJ_0qWUMg4w4/s1600/DSC05891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf7ILR7OiOzilHsjr6Lysvqj_QvCvpXYE5as6myO24SVoj4nfdc3YCCVUKR3_KJVpDGihAL-N8R2HiHy3jBbh8jjAiBgbf99Xc2kbwIjiNHfHTeabmL916KJbfXDoxUXMJ_0qWUMg4w4/s320/DSC05891.JPG" /></a></div>practicing a bit of yoga...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqa9L9j6uz3uv288uRa7VqVqZspzYoEdbv06labFM6AAkR53WRPDNWNfpaAvYMDsD_wseGa0B4NyhYDArHobogxMox_pvGjCoFjSHG1gv14G93IkhsxlNW6kZqrzyZYXV2cyyi0bx5bg/s1600/DSC05906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqa9L9j6uz3uv288uRa7VqVqZspzYoEdbv06labFM6AAkR53WRPDNWNfpaAvYMDsD_wseGa0B4NyhYDArHobogxMox_pvGjCoFjSHG1gv14G93IkhsxlNW6kZqrzyZYXV2cyyi0bx5bg/s320/DSC05906.JPG" /></a></div>doing some home improvement projects...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERhKLMJGr1lh_zJkGuhFKIN5nTOWWY6nge7hivQZyPmB3VIYQESt5IupYuvpJIlLfe0ZX5A8jT_VRI1-IfzS15bgIOZ4f2BSnFKdiufKGiDgHLIzNCwBrIwhAtSwksWK8VmdYJdbg9ls/s1600/DSC05931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERhKLMJGr1lh_zJkGuhFKIN5nTOWWY6nge7hivQZyPmB3VIYQESt5IupYuvpJIlLfe0ZX5A8jT_VRI1-IfzS15bgIOZ4f2BSnFKdiufKGiDgHLIzNCwBrIwhAtSwksWK8VmdYJdbg9ls/s320/DSC05931.JPG" /></a></div>exploring some local historic spots...<br />
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loving watching our garden grow.<br />
Strawberries, leeks, spinach, and arugula, radishes, carrots, chamomile, calendula, zinnias, and sunflowers, romaine, tomatoes, rhubarb, and basil, cilantro, dill, snap peas and onions... so much coming to life. <br />
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His especial new favorite is eating dandelions. Thank goodness our lawns are not treated here. Look how happy it makes him! The nurture of all this will hold off my baby cravings this summer as my 10 month old toddles all around me, NOT wanting a hand to hold, NOT needing his mama, (unless of course he starts craving yet another mommy milkshake.)<br />
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And we have loved relaxing and reading in this hammock my sweet husband bought for me to prevent me from moving our bed onto the porch when the weather got nice...<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My three year old came down with a mysterious and terrible case of hives that was diagnosed as erythema multiforme with vasculitis. I have been further encouraged in my pursuit of a nursing degree through this experience as I have been dissatisfied with my doctors ability to communicate. She spoke quickly using unfamiliar technical terms, diagnosing without listening, not inviting questions, tossing a prescription at me and commanding me not to research his condition as it would only make me worry unduly! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I would have loved for her to sit down calmly and ask me what we had experienced, what i thought might be going on, examined him, giving me her theories and the reasons for them and descriptions of them, and a variety of treatment options. I would have loved for her to at least try to help me figure out what had triggered the outbreak. I know that she went to medical school and I haven't so she might not feel it time efficient to listen to me but...ugh. My recent pediatric experiences have left me with a terrible taste in my mouth. (My last ped. wouldn't allow us to stay with the practice if we didn't immunize). </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I can't even imagine what it's like to be the parent of a child suffering with worse. I have new compassion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Has anyone encountered this condition before that could share some knowledge with me? It is difficult to have a feverish little guy shouting at you bc his purple and gray, hivey, legs are so tender he doesn't want to walk on them or be touched. There are only a few square inches on his body that are rash free. I was given a prescription antihistamine and a push out the door informing me that he would start looking and feeing better in a week or two. That is a LONG time to be covered in welts uninformed.</div><br />
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To those who are still with me... thanks :)troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-51109701977549909352010-04-23T11:00:00.000-07:002010-04-23T11:00:07.376-07:00Journey OnCrisp air, sunshine flowing, soul finally finally relaxing. The past few days I have found my fuse short, and have oscillated between feeling ashamed and self righteous; neither state of mind healthy for long.<br />
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But now, deep breath, after deep breath, baby snores the only sound accompanying the tapping of my keys... I feel it, the calm i've been seeking is arriving.<br />
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The knowledge that I just finished editing my husband's 34 page paper for his independent study on Clairvaux. The knowledge that my chemistry class is wrapping up and that I did well. The knowledge that the round faced one's teeth are through and we are experiencing some respite. The knowledge that my little boy will be a little boy will be a little boy, and I just need to love him.<br />
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I feel like I have a bit more of a handle on life than I had. I've written out a very loose day to day plan to start teaching lil guy the basics of letters and phonetics, and counting and art, and ecology and music and geography... We've decided to put our boy on a movie fast for a month, and that just not being an option has been refreshing... heartening to watch his creativity and industry within play develop.<br />
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Plus one of the biggest delights has been the awareness that we are coming into my favorite camping season. Climbing gear has been purchased for the whole family, gear racks acquired for the top of the car, and it is time to play. to explore. to spend evenings around fire pits. to snuggle into our new hammock and learn about the stars.<br />
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Hope and anticipation prevail as I allow this new season to surround me and entice me onward.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuTnHhdahIrcSEYYVmq9bUu09ft8ne_uaGlez5NAuYMME6EKr7HtyDPlM4c3KNJ6uwi8K51cIY8F0EwVUVux3TwZZt_LKknHmv2NKWIZ0xYBulRRWWjKj6SP5Xb6EFakc8aJrCvOOBg4/s1600/DSC04765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuTnHhdahIrcSEYYVmq9bUu09ft8ne_uaGlez5NAuYMME6EKr7HtyDPlM4c3KNJ6uwi8K51cIY8F0EwVUVux3TwZZt_LKknHmv2NKWIZ0xYBulRRWWjKj6SP5Xb6EFakc8aJrCvOOBg4/s320/DSC04765.JPG" /></a></div> <br />
Thanks for joining me as I journey on.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-25564820583397821532010-04-21T06:52:00.000-07:002010-04-21T06:52:07.495-07:00Hobbit Footin'<img alt="Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" onload="if (typeof uet == 'function') { uet('af'); }" onmouseout="sitb_doHide('bookpopover'); return false;" onmouseover="sitb_showLayer('bookpopover'); return false;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fpSM7oO2L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" />Recently Rowan and I have been "hobbit footin' ". This is what my sweet three year old calls going barefoot. My dad just sent us a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307266303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271857868&sr=8-1">Born to Run</a> and my husband and I devoured it. It teaches about all sorts of aspects of running and inspired me to give running a chance sans shoes. I ditched them and have been surprised how much I like feeling the ground beneath my feet as I move. What used to be a chore for me has turned into play time. Supposedly this mode of movement is not only fun but is also how we were made to get around. We weren't created with cars or skateboards or shoes for that matter... just highly intricately designed feet. Therefore it is supposed to allow us to self correct our posture and stride - the sensations through our feet teach us what is proper and keep us from injury.<br />
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Meg at Sew Liberated wrote a great post about it <a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2010/04/the-new-morning-walk-and-a-baby-barefoot-manifesto.html">here</a> that I highly recommend. She also has great pictures of the 50 mile race described in the book.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-4996400843038015522010-04-10T11:05:00.000-07:002010-04-10T11:05:18.179-07:00Worms, Strawberries, and SunshineToday was an utter delight -<br />
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much awaited -<br />
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our first community garden work day. We tilled compost into all the soil, marked out the beds, and had a worm box composting tutorial. (yea!!) SO, now I am sitting at home guiltily enjoying the feeling of a bit too much sun on my cheeks, with a transplanted second year strawberry bush (big score! left behind from last year), and a big box full of worms and compost. Pretty dang educational. I have a big smile on my face and a big question mark in my head as I try to decide what to plant in that luscious and inviting space. EXCITING!!troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-44820224266901078382010-04-06T18:26:00.000-07:002010-04-06T18:26:10.682-07:00Outdoor adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNdBdib9eeozqDZlzIXr5iTXQVdG6U02PDUrfT0Xrlyn99zNqVVDUVixPfo36o6hz6ff1dhvuhGdnm8kpEaf3F49wFJSdXxhTwdLK8jQ_mi38sCQt23lcXe1jgtp_JT60vgJx666wi0w/s1600/DSC01909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNdBdib9eeozqDZlzIXr5iTXQVdG6U02PDUrfT0Xrlyn99zNqVVDUVixPfo36o6hz6ff1dhvuhGdnm8kpEaf3F49wFJSdXxhTwdLK8jQ_mi38sCQt23lcXe1jgtp_JT60vgJx666wi0w/s320/DSC01909.JPG" /></a></div>Warm weather camping season is upon us again and a group of our friends will head out next weekend to just all pop tent, sit around a fire, hike around, enjoy life together. This will be our first group camping experience with kids - any suggestions?<br />
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This picture was taken last time we camped with friends + kid. Now that little roley poley is a long and lean three 1/2 year old and we have a new roley poley to bring. We are thinking of getting an ENO double nesting hammock for Ben, so that he doesn't have to make that face again, the "this chunk kept me up all night ... I remember when I got to be man vs wild and ENJOY camping" face.<br />
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Again, we would love any family camping advice. Happy spring!troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-14625442622655536132010-04-01T14:18:00.000-07:002010-04-01T14:18:42.302-07:00April UpdateQuick Update:<br />
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This month's plastic fast helped me to become much more mindful of what I use and purchase. I was no purist -sometimes I was outright rebellious, but I definitely eliminated heavily packaged items from my grocery list - started using cloth produce bags, and only regularly cheated with thinly wrapped cheeses.<br />
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We've continued our commitment to make our own hair products, extended our cloth diapering to include wipes too, and I am still a vegetarian.<br />
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For April I commit to no longer driving to the grocery store - its way too close to drive esp now that the weather is so beautiful.<br />
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I have loved these challenges. Each one has served as a regular reminder of the simple and rich life I want to live - constantly drawing me back to my ideals to live gratefully and respectfully for this gift of life God has given me.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-84292829024764375302010-03-28T08:16:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:16:15.725-07:00Corners of My Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYg9DfrgA-gTmt7sAH3KdOcz_6tMCGCRNhcW6iw5gYipKOwc6bovJ7RrDEIrUAir9q48w7SIIayInYQpoKjG6o1bLMUcQxycF01nXoYg6MQajQySVcsAGD5H9CEvxgfrAGbTZ5LyUvyM/s1600/DSC05616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYg9DfrgA-gTmt7sAH3KdOcz_6tMCGCRNhcW6iw5gYipKOwc6bovJ7RrDEIrUAir9q48w7SIIayInYQpoKjG6o1bLMUcQxycF01nXoYg6MQajQySVcsAGD5H9CEvxgfrAGbTZ5LyUvyM/s320/DSC05616.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVWo-PzUMK1ToxyarHZDTrYoZ067Kuahvz8VteuBvGDo4RQloF6wZNwNP5f1g0bqDOaRAI4HEd7owiNI7u6Epi_T3xKnOMJeHFH5osT92Yquc0avycHKhxuCg3Y_m0uVIz5oTBCP9Pi4/s1600/DSC05639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVWo-PzUMK1ToxyarHZDTrYoZ067Kuahvz8VteuBvGDo4RQloF6wZNwNP5f1g0bqDOaRAI4HEd7owiNI7u6Epi_T3xKnOMJeHFH5osT92Yquc0avycHKhxuCg3Y_m0uVIz5oTBCP9Pi4/s320/DSC05639.JPG" /></a></div> Here is the second corner of my home, the lil dining room off of our kitchen. Yesterday in this room, I had one of those moments where I accidentally made something. My lil guy and I decided that it was time to start felting some eggs in preparation for Easter and I was too impatient to go out and buy wooden eggs from the craft store so... I hard - boiled a couple. First mistake. SO Row and I had lots of fun rubbing wool around with hot, sudsy water, got the eggs nicely felting, and then... I squeezed too hard. My egg broke on the inside and I had to cut it out. When I looked down at what remained I realized that it looked like a precious little birds nest. Then the obvious fact dawned on me that we couldn't let Rowan's dry for the two days called for without his egg going bad - so we turned his into a nest too - his was lovely because it was lined with the lavender wool we dyed with blueberries the previous day. Then, "mom, can we make little eggs for my nest? Let's dye them! Will you make me a bird?" Oh boy. So we have sweet little bird scenes for our shelves, but still no eggs. This is my first year celebrating Easter away from family and its time that I began some family traditions. What are your favorites?troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-450974167545009080.post-61413806939968953862010-03-26T11:29:00.000-07:002010-03-26T11:29:50.626-07:00He Walks!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGOM_WxQlUgoBgqw4IRwaogvnmi4ye_lgAqWJRErhhso2y7u4lOmD8Q30rlLqRrnttaMuQLYGYt21-DV_8dAJhogl1F6ShC3zj3ysH-6PDtcDAOt3rJv4Z49VZYkcNXx5kyuEEhmO2ls/s1600/DSC05392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGOM_WxQlUgoBgqw4IRwaogvnmi4ye_lgAqWJRErhhso2y7u4lOmD8Q30rlLqRrnttaMuQLYGYt21-DV_8dAJhogl1F6ShC3zj3ysH-6PDtcDAOt3rJv4Z49VZYkcNXx5kyuEEhmO2ls/s320/DSC05392.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The babe has been racing around with only one hand on the wall for a week or so now... so I had an idea that it was coming. But I was shocked when I looked up yesterday to find him confidently (and delightedly) walking to me! I started counting 1,2,.shuffle, shuffle,..7,8..sway...16,17,18?!? Wow little man. 18 steps when you're only 9 months old is pretty good. Feel free to keep that goofy grin on your face. You deserve to feel proud! 18 steps and a first haircut all in one week. My baby is growing up.troubling starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814687479260066692noreply@blogger.com2