adventure

Student ID, circa 1989.

Once when I was in college I went with a friend to the airport at 3 o'clock in the morning, just to sit and people watch. (And smoke cigarettes, but never mind that part of the "things-I-tried-in-college" part of the story. Ahem.)

Not that there were many people to see at that hour.  But sit we did for quite some time, talking and thinking ourselves awfully interesting to do such a thing. Mind you, this was in an era when you could roam freely around any airport terminal, there were indoor smoking sections and, apparently, anyone could sit in an airport lounge area at 3:00 in the morning with nary a sideways glance.

It's been years since I've thought of that little trip.  For some reason it came to mind this week.  Perhaps because of my, somewhat surprising, recognition that I've become a woman who so eagerly embraces routine, and that the young adventuring woman of 19 or 20 seems long gone. 

Certainly my routine keeps me from adventuring much these days.  But, if I think a bit harder about it, maybe all of my organizing and list-checking actually gives me just enough space to grab that adventure in other ways, in small bits, in ways outside of our routine.

I'm not talking about middle of the night trips, other than to the kids' rooms to check on who is stirring.  But I am talking about having enough confidence in our rhythm to know that I can veer from it at times.

I can comfortably leave the house like this....

In order to do this...

Baking cookies and bread, then delivering them to several friends who need a cheering up.

A leisurely trip to the library and getting a whole new stack of books.

Coming home and sitting amongst that mess reading together for a long, long time.

I'm pretty certain that this wouldn't seem much like an adventure to that perky youngster on my student ID.  That's just fine.  That younger me didn't yet know the true adventure of marriage and home-owning and parenting.  That younger me is less experienced and, frankly, less interesting.  My wrinkled and sagged and in-pajamas-by-9 version of me, the me of here and now, it just right.  So our baking and library adventuring seems just right too.

this moment {being mommy}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

goodness

Our easing has allowed me to see the goodness happening around us.  Such goodness.

:: some January thaw that allowed shorts, shorts!, to be worn for a day
:: making snowmen -- of the chalkboard variety -- as we await more snow
:: allowing the kids to run in the rain, splashing in puddles, and enjoying that January thaw (that is until this Mama discovered all the squeals of joy were from dumping cones-full of puddle water over their heads...oh my!  Then the parenting wheels came off.  Not a stellar mothering moment.)
:: being a winner over at Soulemama!
:: kitchen experiments.  Where water, flour, and dried out play-doh is all that is needed.
:: receiving a meaningful mama merit badge from Amy
:: handmade pine cone bird-feeders
:: an organized basement
:: uncovering, in that basement clean-out, a sweet little rocking chair that Lovey and I picked up at the thrift store for a couple dollars some time ago.  It simply needed a good wipe-down.
:: deciding to mix my own non-toxic laundry detergent, inspired by watching this movie
:: a family portrait by Lovey.  It was immediately put into a frame and placed in a prominent spot.
:: the first issue of Kindred, a beautiful literary magazine created by Amanda
:: a boy discovering the magic of headphones and an iPod
:: opening the very last jar of our homemade grape jelly goodness.  Oh, we must make much, much more next fall.

What goodness do you see these days?

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

basement and boots

I was really hoping for a longer post today.  Alas, most of my Wednesday was spent cleaning out my basement.  Hours.  More than 12.

So I didn't get outside much either, except for the occasional trip of taking out a newly-filled garbage or recycling bag.

I also had a quick photo shoot of those well-loved boots above.  They are one of Munchkin's many pairs that he has worn through until they leak.  I think I will always picture him as a little boy in boots.  Though I've saved his first pair, I've figured that to keep each and every pair was unnecessary.  But I couldn't not take a photo before the boots joined the garbage bag.

Funny enough, when I stepped outside to photograph the boots I had a friend, very close, watching me.

I am not sure if I was more excited to get a cool shot or if I was more creeped that he was fearless so near to me.  After all, there is a history.

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

easing

When our oldest was born, we held no routine for years.  He slept anywhere, anytime, often in my arms.  I easily nursed on the go.  Meals were eaten when ready, not worrying about a bedtime or other structure.  Naptime?  Shnaptime!  It worked easily.  For.  One.  Child.

As our oldest grew (and our family grew) we were forced into the necessary routine that comes with starting Kindergarten.  Then some carefully selected activities were added.  Where there once was a family that didn't worry much about consistency, we've grown into a family of six that thrives in a predictable schedule.  My staying home full time made for the ultimate shift in striving to keep each day simple.

I've come to appreciate the routine, as well as rely upon it to give rhythm to our days.  I have found that the rhythm gives a sense of comfort and predictability to me, and to our kids.  So much so, that we kept to the usual early bedtime for all but two of the nights of the recent holiday break from school.  It was wonderful.  (Did I really just say that?  The 20 year old me just read that last paragraph and laughed out loud!)

Now don't think for a minute that there isn't spontaneity in our household, there is.  We've just become more adept at picking those times carefully.  Honey and I have learned our lesson (over and over and over) that a stop at the beloved ice cream shop before dinner just doesn't end well for us.  Ever.  A recent Friday night family meal at a friend's house, when we let the kids stay up well past their usual bedtime, garnered us four children in meltdown mode on the ride home.  Not fun.

So you will completely understand how unsettling the last several weeks have been around here.  The holiday break became the transition back to school, then became cleaning the lingering Christmas mess, then became sick day upon sick day, then became a long holiday weekend, then became snow days.  Hrrpf!

No wonder I have been so tired.  I've been expending all of my energy breathing deeply, to remain calm, to keep some semblance of routine, despite the turn-stile of happenings that would like it otherwise.

So here I am declaring an easing.  An easing back into the goodness of our routine.  The good that comes when, feeling comfortable and confident, we can indulge in the fun that naturally happens around here.

The fun of fresh air and homemade hot chocolate.  Fun of learning new things and being creative.  The fun of finishing good books and cuddling up with Honey to watch Market Warriors on PBS.  The fun of saying "yes" to markering your faces.  The fun of dancing with wild abandon in the living room to Munchkin's favorite Puppy Dog.

The fun of, ahem, our routine.

becoming nature girl

I think it is firmly in the realm of possibility that you, dear readers, have had quite enough of outdoorsy photos of my children.  Honestly how many pictures can be taken of mud puddles and snow mounds and fallen trees and hiking trails?  Apparently many.

When I scroll through my photos from the past six months most feature trees, sunshine, moss-covered ground, slow-moving rivers -- with and without children wading in them.  Rocks.  Boots.  Dirt.  Dirty boots.

Oh my.

I realize that something has changed in me.   Consistently, slowly.  So slowly that any given day or moment doesn't seem surprising or radical.  But looking at the whole helps me recognize the subtle, substantial change.  My becoming myself.  Myself which is different that a year ago.  Ten years ago.  And I imagine different than I will be in a year.  Ten years.

The pictures simply document the change.  I simply show what I've documented.

I've shared before that I've chosen to be outdoors more.  That I've bundled the kids up -- sometimes amidst protesting -- and taken them to the park.  That I've let go of other activities, blogging included, to instead take a hike or feel moss or simply breath deeply the fresh air.

I'm still making meaning of this recent becoming.  Isn't that what our lifetime is about?  Making meaning.

And in the meantime I'm breaking in my hiking boots, and sporting a new (to me, $30 on Craigslist, thank.you.very.much.) Kelty baby carrier.  This nature girl knows when she has had enough of sludging a stroller through the mud, snow and ice.

So chances are there are more outdoorsy photos in my, and your, future.

this moment {looking}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

through the blinds

Last evening as I made rounds to sick kids, doling out popsicles and ice chips, I noticed the sunset, a rich deep red, as pleasant as it was surprising.

I realized I hadn't been outside all day, regretting having missed the fresh air. 

This very thorough bug has now been with all six of us.  Each spending hours in flannel pjs, lying in bed, taking turns with the iPad.

Amist the cleaning up, making chicken soup, and loads-full of laundry, I'm grateful that timing brought me up the steps and to the doorway of the darkened room in time to see this beautiful hushed good-night.  Grateful I paused for a long, long moment, to really see it.

reprieves

We've had a bit of a bumpy reentry into our regular routine.  Our holidays were a smooth ride.  Bed times held firm, most moments calm, special times certain, simple moments abundant.

Re-acclimation has been much less so.

Christmas decor is only partially put away, and what is out is not quite decorating the space, as it is taking up space in jumbley piles waiting to be put away.  New toys have basically found permanent spots, transplanting others to jumbley piles in the basement.  Laundry, frankly, has gotten away from me, and is in a massive (you guessed it) jumbley pile surrounding the washer and dryer.

Toss in a weekend where two thirds of the family is sick, including the two grown-ups, and we've got ourselves a full-fledged descent with turbulence my friends.

Luckily, before sickness set in, our family had a reprieve of the fresh-air kind.  The weather was warm and the mud plenty.  The boots held their place of honor as the best investment of the season.

And as the 24 hour bug wound its way through our ranks, we had a reprieve of the generous family kind.  Nonnie came late Sunday evening, laden with bags of food and supplies, and the necessary patience for dinner and bedtime with the kids.  She didn't leave until all were asleep and some laundry was done and things were sanitized as only a Mom can do, reminding me that even a grown-up Mama needs her own Mama at times!  My sweet Aunt even came on Monday to help with the kids and their schedules.  Reprieve indeed!

Today we are all feeling better, thankfully, though the jumbles are still present, and dare I say, growing.  We are far from arriving back to family life as we know it, but at least I see the destination a bit closer now.  So I am strapping on my seat belt and hanging on tightly.

Wednesday Morning Update: As life would have it, a few hours after posting, another little came down sick.  So just one more to go...

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

awaiting downton {and a teeny tiny giveaway}

After months of waiting, the third season of Downton Abbey begins Sunday evening.

Fantastic!  Or as our friends across the pond might say "Brilliant!"

Plans are being made for tea and scones and settling down to watch the season premiere with a dear friend.  A few weeks ago I had the good fortune of seeing the first hour of tomorrow's episode in a special preview screening.  If you are a fan, you shan't be disappointed.

And if you are a fan, leave a comment, and enter to win this (very teeny tiny) giveaway of a Downton Abbey bookmark.  The winner will be selected on Friday, January 11.

If you want even more of Downton, check out these books:

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
An interesting read that gives great historical context by the present day Lady of Highclere.

The World of Downton Abbey
Includes a nice mix of historical information and insight about the show.  Lush with photographs and quotes from the series.

And for some good British entertaining, check out Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends by the lovely Pippa.

So friends, until next time. Cheerio.

this moment {superhero chef}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "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."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!