Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankful


Of course I am thankful for my family and all of the people who bring joy to my life, for our health, our employment, and the time we are able to spend together. But today, I reflected on some of the smaller things that I am also thankful for:

fair trade, organic coffee at Trader Joe's

Gluten free bloggers, especially Karina's Kitchen, Elena's Pantry, the Nourishing Gourmet and Gluten Free Girl (you all have brought so much good food to our family!)

.01 and .005 Micron pens

a cabinet full of herbs

fall leaves

cardigan sweaters

flannel sheets

polar fleece socks

sleeping children (fingers crossed on that one!)

coffee (did I mention that already?)

and for all of you that have clicked on this little blog. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ummm...Pancakes


Matt was out with the boys and I didn't really feel like cooking, so it was pancake night. Lots and lots of pancakes. Like maybe 40. I had no idea the recipe would make so much, but can you really have too many pancakes?

And.... you may want to check out the March 2010 issue of Somerset Studio. I know it's a few months away, but I'm just sayin'...

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Egret


 
The kids were amazingly patient and quiet. They found a good spot to watch him, down by the mint. We observed him for about half an hour, following his progress up the creek. Then our tummies told us it was lunch time.  A good morning.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Marsh Creek, November


Marsh Creek winds its way along at the end of our street, and it is my favorite source of inspiration and solace. I have taken photos of it every month this year, and for this installment, I played with two of my favorite apps, Camera Bag and Toy Camera. Maybe tomorrow I'll actually take the SLR with me, but the year's documentation has all been taken with my iPhone. Amazing what that thing can do.

The kids are excited about having tomorrow off to play at the creek. I told them of all of the birds I spied today, and the big fish I was able to see because the creek is running so low (rain, please). It's everyone's favorite place to play, even the dog. After finishing Last Child in the Woods the other night, a book every parent in America should read, it has become even more important to me. It's our little slice of wilderness in this suburbia, an experience that is slipping away from our kids. I remember building a tree "house" (really just tree benches, because enclosed structures invite all sorts of nefarious creatures in the Arizona desert) and playing for hours in the wash behind our house as a child. I was about as afar as you could get from being called a tomboy, yet outside play was still the norm for everyone, then. Now video games and simulated play on the TV are.  Why, in heaven's name, would you want your preschooler to ride a plastic bike hooked up to the television when they could be actually riding one outside? Come on, get up and go play outside. Just remember to take your coat.