Making Room for More Love

It has been some time since I have sat down to blog anything.  For the past 2 months, our family has been processing the diagnosis, treatment, and eventual death of our very loved cat Porter.

Porter was a cat beyond any other I have ever encountered.  He had a way of coming up to any person and making sure they felt his unconditional love.  He was a hugger, snuggler, talker, great listener, and would patiently put up with our children's need for a dress up doll.  

When we got news of his diagnosis (a very aggressive and rare nasal tumor) we knew that life without him was going to be painful.  On a very gloomy Saturday, our family spent the whole morning loving on Porter.  Our kids drew him pictures and wrote him letters that they read to him while holding his paw.  Our loving 7 year old 5 year old kids worked through their sadness, and as parents, we tried to do the same.  

As time passed, there was a very palpable hole in our family.  We have 2 other very loving cats, but they are less patient and less snugly with the children.  After much thought and adult discussions we decided to start looking for another furry family member.  But, we had very high expectations for this kitty.  It had to be a boy (because our other 2 cats are females), had to be from a rescue because there are so many that need loving homes, had to be good with other cats, good with dogs, patient with kids, and most importantly.... a snuggler.      

When I was looking on the internet for adoption places for cats, I came across this face

I was reluctant to call for information on this sweet face because he was located in a small town over an hour away from our house.  But, there was something about his face that I just couldn't resist.  So, I called and from the description I got, he was the perfect fit for our family.  So we drove down and started the 3 day long adoption process.  We got word yesterday that we were approved and immediately jumped in our vehicle and headed down to get him.

We have named him Ringo, and he is doing great with our family.  Our kids are smitten with him and he can't get enough of their love and affection.

We have realized that we can still miss Porter and have room to love another kitty as well.  It's amazing how much love your house can hold if given the opportunity.    

in this moment}

- A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

*From the Earth We Are Born*

There is nothing like the smell and feel of soil.  I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share this beauty with our kids as we continue on this house building journey.    

As this process continues, I am constantly amazed at how the house is not the only thing being created in this space.  Our family is being created and reborn at the same time.  This build has helped us to make a conscious choice about the family we are going to be within these walls.  As a society we have no problem criticizing other's ways of life, but we don't often truly stop to meditate on our own lives and how we daily have the choice and opportunity to do things differently.  These past 8 months have given us that type of opportunity, and we are not letting it pass us by.  We are different now, we are more grounded now.  *From the Earth, We Are Born*  

this moment}

- A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

*Expect*

I sit in this corner.  This has become my own little space in the midst of our transition to our "forever home".  I have come to really love this corner.  I sit in a chair that reminds me of a dear friend back in Florida.  It's sturdy arms remind me of the foundation of friends I have there.  Even with many miles between us, and many weeks/ months between warm phone conversations, I still know that they are part of my personal foundation.  I *expect* that once we move in to our home... I will miss this little corner.

My little corner is located at the end of this beautiful old farm table that we found for a bargain at an antique store here not long after we moved.  It's boards are old and weathered.  The finish has been lovingly worn off by it's previous life.  I *expect* that I will find myself sitting at this table in the large open kitchen/ living space of our new home more often than I will find myself locked away in my office/ craft room that I am so thoughtfully designing right now.  This table has a future of many family meals being eaten on it, many piles of glitter being dumped on it during craft projects, and many game nights filled with giggles.

My calendar has so perfectly labeled this month *expect*.  Spring is here and full of new beginnings.  I just got off the phone with our builder who has stated that they are marking our lot for the excavation and that they *expect* to have it fully excavated by this time next week.  As my mind spends most of it's time worrying about the faucets and trying to find the best price on the apron sink I am determined to have... I have to remind myself that too many *expectations* prevent me from enjoying the present moment of just sitting in my warm little corner in my sturdy chair.  

   

 

Pushing out the Gray

The clocks have been pushed forward, the birds are singing, Spring is in the air.  Inspired by Ginny, I find myself drawn to the colors in my surroundings in an attempt to push out the gray of the melting snow.

beautiful hand spun yarn made in to an elf hat for Logan

much cherished fine line markers on our art table

lanterns the kids made which adorn our dining room and light our meals

my favorite blue jars

the most fabulous sun glasses ever made! 

Please join me and Ginny at Small Things in finding the color in your own home.

YUMMY NOOKS AND CRANNIES

I am a real stickler when it comes to Belgian Waffles.  I don’t go for the pancake mix disguising itself as waffle batter or any of the standard waffle recipes out there.  To me, a true Belgian Waffle has to have yeast and usually requires you to split your eggs white/ yolks.  An authentic Belgian Waffle also has crunchy sugar bits in the batter with the use of parelsuiker, or “pearl sugar”, that are added to the batter right before cooking.  If you can get your hands on some parelsuiker I would highly recommend it (although it is not necessary).

Since these are yeast waffles, you need to plan accordingly.  The 45 min. rise time added to the prep and cooking time is enough to make any hungry family turn into an angry mob.  So, these are best served as a brunch or late breakfast (unless you get up before your family does). 

I obtained this recipe from the instruction book that accompanied the waffle iron I purchased in the early 90’s.  It has now become a staple in our home.  I guarantee, once you try a true yeasty Belgian Waffle…. you will never go back to the non-yeast recipes. Enjoy!

Belgian Waffles

1pkg dry yeast

2 cups warm water

4 eggs, separated

1 tsp. vanilla

2 ½ cups sifted flour

½ tsp salt

1 tbls sugar

½ cup melted butter

sprinkle yeast over warm water, stir to dissolve.

Beat egg yolks and add to yeast mix with vanilla.

Sift dry ingredients together, add to liquid.

Stir in melted butter and combine thoroughly.

Beat egg whites until stiff, carefully fold into batter.

Let mix stand in a warm place for 45 min. until it doubles in bulk.

Use ¾ -1 cup mix per waffle.

We always set up a waffles station with lots of sliced fruit, nuts, real maple syrup, whipped cream, etc.  

this moment}

- A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). A single photo - no words (although, I had to write something today) - 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

I know that I have already posted many photos of our kids reading.  But, in this beautiful photo, Logan is teaching Rose how to read.  It was a very sweet moment for everyone and therefor my favorite of the week.  Our kids are in their favorite spot of our whole house, a beautiful rainbow bookshelf playstand/ fort we found through Hip Mountain Mama.

this moment}

- A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

Yarn Along with Ginny at Small Things

I have been working on this beautiful Entrelac Scarf on and off for a couple of months.  It has had no designated recipient, so it has been forced to wait patiently for my attention as I have tended to many dolls, hats, and other holiday knit treasures.  The Entrelac pattern is so much fun and has plenty of mini celebratory moments with the completion of each rectangle section.

The yarn is a gorgeous Noro Kochoran.  The self stripping greens, grey, blue, and purple are gorgeous which make the scarf that much more enticing to make.  The scarf is about 1/2 hour away from being finished.  I can honestly say that this is a scarf that I am sad to finish because it is so fun to work on.

I am currently reading about Aga cookers because my husband and I just purchased a floor model 2 oven cooker for the house we are building.  Finding it was a kitchen dream come true for us.  We live in Wisconsin where it is less than warm for about 8 months out of the year.  We will get great use out of our Aga and look forward to our warm and cozy kitchen environment.

If you would like to particapate in the Yarn along, visit Small Things.

Yarn Along with Ginny at Small Things

I am currently reading "Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne, M.Ed.  I reference this book in this previous post.  I am currently knitting a fairy doll for a foster niece of mine.  The pattern for this can be found in "Knitted Toys" by Zoe Mellor, a copy of which I am giving away to a lucky blogger!

If you would like to particapate in the Yarn along, visit Small Things.

this moment}

- A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

Book Giveaway!! Has ended

The winner for the Giveaway is:   Nadja M.

This is my first Giveaway!

The giveaway if for a knitting book I loved so much that I bought it twice.  I love the book so much that I would rather give the extra copy to another knitter than return it.

The giveaway book is the amazing "Knitted Toys" by Zoe Mellor.  It has wonderful patterns that are easy enough that a beginning knitter could produce some beautiful items.  I have made the fairy doll from this book and it was so popular that I have been asked to make 2 more.  

Leave a comment for this post in order to be eligible for this giveaway.  I will leave the giveaway open until Friday.  I will then randomly draw the winner and ship this wonderful book out! 

Enjoy!  Happy crafting!    

"I am shy"

Logan in the fort we built this weekend.  Him and Rose stayed in it all day on Saturday.

There are so many things racing through my mind today.  I have had a couple days in which I have just been dying to get the this page and type, but all the things I have previously planned have been placed on the back burner for I must share with you the reason that every mother (or parent) has the strength to continue with this job each day.

My wonderful husband/ partner in parenting and I switch off putting our kids to bed each night (meaning that if I put Rose (age 4) down, he puts Logan (age 7) down at the same time.... the next night we switch)  that way each child has some special one on one time with just one parent.  Our kids really love it and look forward to the differences that each of us have to offer.  Last night, I was given the gift of putting Logan to bed.

After spending our typical 15 or so minutes of reading, I starting tucking him in to bed.  When I was done doing his routine of special kisses, hugs, and high- fives.... the following conversation took place:

Logan:  "Mom,  I am going to tell you that thing that is really hard to say...."

Mom: "Logan, what makes it hard for you to tell Mommy something?" (I was thinking.... oh, crap!  He is only 7, and there is already something hard for him to tell me..)

Logan:  "I am shy... but I'll tell you the letters the words start with.  They are Y, R, B"

Mom:  "Hmm, You Rock Buttercups?"

Logan: with giggles "No, you know what it is...."

Mom:  "Sweetie, I have no idea.  There are too many possibilities"

Logan:  "It's that You aRe Beautiful"

I must say that I was so touched in the moment that I had some tears in my eyes.  He was so sweet and tender and even brushed the side of my face as he told me.  I am very proud that we are raising such a sweet, sensitive boy.  

Enjoy the small tender moments.  They will be gone before you know it.
Have a beautiful day!

This Moment

this moment}      - A Friday ritual as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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' here and with Soule Mama for all to see.

This Moment

this moment} - A Friday ritual (my computer was on the fritz yesterday, so I am first doing this on Saturday) as inspired by Amanda (Soule Mama). 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.

Redesigning a Family

We are in the process of building a house, but I find that I am so thankful for this little temporary home that we have found ourselves in.  It is the place in which I re-discovered what it means to be a family and where I gather a deeper understanding of what it is to create a home.  Sharing small spaces together and having our bare minimum of possessions has brought our family closer than it has ever been in the past.  Our children have become more patient, generous, and creative. 

As parents, we have become more tuned in to what is best for our family and we are using this new knowledge to help in designing our new home.  We have made major changes so that we can have a home that brings us more together as a family instead of pushing us further apart.

I am currently reading Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, M.ED., this is a wonderful book written by a fellow family therapist whom takes his inspiration from the Waldorf Education philosophies of childhood exploration and learning.  It is a beautiful read that has encouraged me to get rid of the television/ cable in our lives (although my husband and I are really missing The Daily Show and The Cobert Report… neither of which are on hulu).  Our children are spending much of their time in the kitchen cooking, or crafting, or off helping each other make forts.  This is a beautiful space and our lives are really full right now.   

   

Self In Bloom

About 18 months ago, my husband and I decided to shift from our career focused and slightly isolated lives in Florida, to a more family focused life back in our home state of Wisconsin.  We made the move to Madison 6 months ago.  I found that once we moved I was immediately free from any of the self-prescribed labels I had within the 14 years we lived in Florida.  What an amazing opportunity.

If you know me well, then you know that I am no stranger to self-reflection.  I thought I already had a very deep understanding of myself, and the things that brought me joy…. but since our move, I have been on a journey that even I would never have expected.  One of my closest friends somewhat jokingly wrote to me: “Florida had you all wrong”.  I think the truth is that for the 14 years that I was in Florida, I grew and transitioned many times.  Each transition brought me closer and closer to my authentic self.  This latest transition is just another step.  The key is staying open to the opportunities that change can bring. 

The question is:  Who would you be if you moved across the country to a city where no one knew you?  What would you do with your life without the expectations of others (and yourself) hovering over you?