Notes From a Small Town

My week of slowcooking

I am feeling inspired by a few food-related things lately and will be embarking on a week-long trial of using my slow cooker (aka Crock-Pot)...everyday. It was really quite by accident that I realized I had something planned for the slow cooker each night. But, I've decided to run with it. It's nothing like this blogger who used the slow cooker everyday for a year, but a week seems like an attainable goal for me.

But first, a little background on my new love affair with my Crock-Pot. It all started when we were shopping for a bridal gift for a friend. We went with her registered slow cooker and chose an accompanying book. And, sort of like those books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, I realized how little I use my slow cooker and how good (and whole foods worthy) these recipes were. And, since I tend to consume new projects with vigor, I immediately checked out a number of books from the library and I've been fiddling with it all week. Although, it did take me until today to figure out how big my Crock-Pot really is -- 5 quarts. Apparently, the size of your slow cooker matters when choosing recipes.

Homestyle applesauce - pureed (mostly) with my immersion blender - which just emerged from a two-year hiatus in a rubbermaid container. Quite timely, don't you think? It was (and still is) delicious. And, the smell from the kitchen...yum. It tastes just like apple pie filling, but with just a tiny bit of sugar. Calum scarfed down his portion and Ronan ate more than half (he is a texture/look kind-of-kid...it looks a little different than the "regular" applesauce he is used to).

We have had a quart-size mason jar full of applesauce that should last us the rest of the week. The recipe comes from the book, Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker, page 201. A book that I am quite happy to discover - which also seems to be on Google Books. Yay! No copyright infringement for me - thank you very much.

But, now I must be off since I have to re-use that slow cooker pot tomorrow morning. And that means no waiting until the next day to do the dishes. 

celebrating

I love it when my birthday stretches into two days of celebrating, Ronan-made drawings, and a morning of sleeping in (amazing, the things you ask for when you get to be thirty-two). We celebrated with lots of of love, laughter and a wee bit of out-too-late crankiness. These celebrations are different from five years ago - before our kids - and yet, they seem richer and more memorable. Truly. I awoke to the already-lit birthday wreath (our newest family tradition) and a picture drawn just for me. We've really noticed this year that Ronan seems to "get" the ideas and tradtions behind our celebrations and holidays. He was very excited for me and his enthusiasm sparked my own.

And, so after a "normal" day, it seemed perfectly natural to make my own birthday dinner (and cake). To top it off, the kids went to bed early (oh, such a nice birthday present) and we may have had just a little bit more cake. In my defense, it's really good (it's the millet one from this book with some orange marmalade in the middle, topped off with chocolate buttercream frosting).

Friday morning bliss

Knitting, coffee, and two brothers playing together while I sit at the table...there's not much more a mama can ask for. (Someone else to clean my house, maybe? I don't want to get too greedy, though)!

Oh, yes, there's been a return to knitting - and reading - now that my youngest has cut his first two teeth. There's a wee bit more sleeping and a bit more regularity around here. As the parent of two, I know it will not last, so I am enjoying it right now.

Have a great weekend!

Today

Today...we will visit a tree-filled park and visit with friends as we move with the sun and seek out the shady protection of the towering oak trees.

Today...I will gently sway my hips and lull my baby to sleep - a combination of heat and motion - a reminder of a time long ago while we waited to meet one another.

Today...I will remember a friend. His love for family, friends and life was apparent in everything he did. He was true to himself and I think of him whenever I say my son's name.

Today...I will go grocery shopping and be thankful that I can afford the food I purchase - and that I live in a country where such food is in abundance.

Today...I will leave my children with their grandparents for a few hours - a time to strengthen their bond - and a chance for me to focus solely on the man I Iove.

Today...I will remember how we are fortunate to be living life the way we would like, the way we want - even if it is not the "perfect" vision I had originally pictured.

Rainy Day Reflections

Today I am listening to ::

:: Calum cooing and giggling on the floor next to me,

:: the thunderstorm rumbling (quite loudly) all around me,

:: the cats meowing with discontentment (about the storm),

:: Ronan and I singing - as per his request this morning.

There will be a lot of singing and thunder rumbling in our morning. As a kid, I loved rainy days - it meant the perfect excuse to lay around all day and read, read, read.

And, when we get tired of reading, I think some gluing may be in order.

(Homemade apron - made by Aunt Jackie - check!)

(Contentment with a q-tip, glue and some scraps? Check!)

What are your rainy day plans?

for the weekend

On the docket for this weekend: out-of-town friends, a zoo visit, and some mama-crafting! Heck, the house is already (mostly) clean, I may just party all weekend.

Well, except for the laundry. But, that doesn't count.

Here's a little preview:

Have a wonderful weekend.

random thoughts

My mind has been preoccupied with a random sampling of ideas and to-do lists. I could blame it on the rain which is keeping us indoors, thus giving us more time for contemplation. On my mind lately:

:: realtors and empty houses : and an adorable house that we didn't get, but that gives us hope,

:: the writings of Wendell Berry and all of the introspective thoughts that accompany his words,

:: digraphs, phonograms and three-letter words : finishing up my Montessori language portfolio.

What's occupying your thoughts this week?

Tagged!

Madeline over at My Boy and Me has tagged me for a little sharing game. The rules, as I understand them, would require me to tag eight other bloggers. Eek! As I am new to this blogging stuff, I don't know eight other bloggers well enough to tag them. But, as I think all rules should bend a little, here goes:

What is your current obsession? Hmm...before my wee one was born, I would have to say knitting. Now? Keeping the house clean?

What is your weirdest obsession? Trying to find the perfect bread recipe. Bread that tastes good, is healthy, and actually gets made in the morning.

What are you wearing today? Pajamas. Sigh.

What’s for dinner? Quesadillas - with some hidden guacamole and beans for Ronan.

What is your favorite book? Harry Potter. And crafting how-to books. And, some fluffy chick-lit. Did I mention I was a librarian?

What’s the last thing you bought? Food.

What are you listening to right now? Silence. Oh, it's SO nice. I should get up in the middle of the night more often.

What is your favourite ice-cream flavour? Mint chocolate chip.

What's your favorite breakfast food? Muffins that we made the day before. Or - a sandwich - I'm not big on breakfast.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? If this is my vacation home? Maybe the South of France. Or, Maine (so I could escape the heat).

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour where would you go? Sweden, Norway - any one of those progressive, cold-climated countries.

Which language do you want to learn? French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian (gotta be able to talk to them while I'm there).

What gets you motivated to clean? Playdates at my house.

What is your favourite colour? blues and greens

What is your favourite magazine? Definitely Mothering. And, I really like Sew News.

If you had a £100 now, what would you spend it on? Is putting it in savings an option? Ah, the perils of being a SAHM and living on one-income. I'd probably use it to pay off my last student loan!

Favourite artist/s? Monet.

Describe your personal style? Uh, that would probably require me to know that there are different types of styles? Relaxed beach? I live in sandals.

What are you going to do after this? I'm going back to bed. Only to be woken up in another hour anyway. Maybe I should clean...

What are your favourite movies? Office Space and The Sound of Music

What is your favourite fruit? Strawberries

What inspires you? Seeing new things through my sons' eyes, my husband, fellow bloggers, reading, exploring

What music do you like this week? We've been listening to some storytelling by Jim Weiss. Stone Soup and The Elves and Shoemaker are a big hit around here.

What is your dream job? Staying at home and teaching my kids. And, maybe a little bit of artistic work on the side.

What is stopping you? Nothing (well, maybe a little lack of free time for the artistic endeavors). But, I'm very, very fortunate that I am able to stay at home with my kids. To quote Madeline, "God is very good!"

What is your favorite season of the year? Spring.

Something about yourself that makes no sense? I think I have big knees. (See? That makes NO sense).

And, since I need to tag at least a few other bloggers. Wanna play?
Brandi @ The Cooke Family Blog and
Heather @ Mama Unfurling

Happy Monday!

an open letter to bread

Dear Bread,
I'd like to apologize for all of the slanderous words I used this past weekend. It really wasn't necessary and I should have been more understanding about how you turned out - despite all of the setbacks.

It's just been a bit difficult for me lately, to find the time to make such a tasty recipe. So, when I do put in the effort, well, I was expecting the same results I had previously - a healthy, moist loaf of bread.

No, no, I'm not angry...just disappointed. I fell in love with you the very first time we got together. I thought I had found the perfect 100% whole wheat bread recipe - no easy feat. Alas, the past few times we've gotten together, I feel as though you aren't really committed to this relationship.

I followed the recipe exactly and although, I probably should have kneaded the dough a bit longer in the first stage, a tiny oversight like that never would have caused such a rift in our previous outings.

I know that I have not been the perfect partner. I know that I am not one of those people who enjoy the steady hum of kneading dough, perhaps in four or five years I will achieve such a zen state, but for now, I am happy to let the Kitchenaid do its duty. Are you ready to move on? To find someone who will appreciate the intricacies of kneading?

Do you think I should start at the bottom and make fluffy, white flour recipes? Because, they might come out better, but I will have no love for them. White flour and I do not get along and it would only be a fling - a glorious summer fling - but still just an empty, meaningless relationship.

So, I'm begging you to reconsider. Please give us another chance. And, again, I'm sorry for all of the hurtful words, especially since you redeemed yourself in the end. You did make a glorious french toast.

we've been experimenting

This week has seemed full of experiments for our clan. Some of them have been intentional and others, well, not so much. (Apparently, we are trying to see how long we can avoid mopping our tile floors. Let me tell you - it ain't pretty). Regardless, we've all had our own curious ventures this week.

Ronan: "What happens when an ice cube melts?"

This book did not get put away with the rest of the winter books and has been a bedtime favorite for the last month. And, seeing as how Ronan’s favorite phrase is currently, “why?” he was wondering what happened to the snowball in Peter’s pocket. (Spoiler: it melted when he came inside his house).  Well, first you have to describe snow in terms that your three-year-old Florida native can understand. It seemed like a bit of an abstract concept. So, I related it to an ice cube. And, then it began…

He's repeated this experiment almost daily for a week. But, most of the time, once the ice melts he comes back and drinks the water (he's quite eco-conscious, you know). I'm not sure which he likes better - drinking the water or getting an ice cube out of the freezer.

Me: I've been trying to discover which foods Calum can (and can't) handle. So far, it seems that broccoli, onions and ice cream are out. Thankfully, chocolate is still okay - although, I may be ignoring the signs because  - it's chocolate. When I do come across a food on the no-list, we do a lot of dancing in the Moby wrap.

Calum: He's been working on trying to determine why a tiny hand keeps trying to get in his mouth - and how he can make it stay there permanently. Either that, or he's in a contest to try and see how many times I can change my shirt on daily basis due to spit up.

And, finally, we have Joe, whose gardening experiments have taken over the tiny patch of dirt we call a backyard.

Behold, the great lima/bush/pole bean experiment. This plant started it all, ironically, a home experiment with some grocery store lima beans and a wet paper towel. Ronan was curious how plants grew and remembering my kindergarten lima bean experiment, we soaked a paper towel and voila - three days later - we had sprouts. Finally, something we could actually grow! So, of course, Joe had to try some more space-saving techniques.

The plastic mesh is patiently waiting for a vine to sprout and begin making its way to the top. (These were planted just a few days ago). The ingenious-ness of this device is that Joe designed it to move with the sun. Our backyard gets very little sun, but this way he figured he could move the plants during the day and they would have enough sun to grow. An experiment, indeed.

(Bean pods)

I think that one of the nicest things about being able to stay home with your kids is being a constant observer in the learning process. And, while I can’t wait to use some petri dishes in our experiments, for now, I am just impressed with the desire to find out what happens - something which I am thankful we all seem to posses.

Happy weekend experimenting!