Monthly Archives Apr 2008
Break for beauty and other life stuff
April 29, 2008
I love blogging about the beauty and blessings in my life. My children, my garden, family hikes, good recipes, good books, the farm, daily struggles and sweet successes, lovely soaps etc... I also like that blogging allows me to get on my soapbox and vent the occasional rant. But mostly ...
Early Spring Education on Mount Will
April 28, 2008
The kids are learning perseverance, patience, leading, following, contentment, nature appreciation and how to leave the woods and the world as you found it.
More GIMP and Sparkly Eyes
April 27, 2008
I've been really enjoying the tutorials over at Pioneer Woman Photography. This afternoon I GIMPed around with this photo of Brienne - so much fun.
Creativity Part II
April 26, 2008
My first post on this subject was about accepting myself as a creative individual. Now I'd like to turn the attention to my kids, which as you know are the most creative, brilliant and darn good looking kids around! Seriously though they are very creative and I believe all kids ...
Local Schmocal
April 25, 2008
According to this article by National Geographic News it seems I'm off the hook for eating Florida oranges all winter. Good thing too, since this is what my garden looks like for 4 months of the year.
Garden Report - First Pickings
April 25, 2008
Tonight's supper was Maine grown potato salad with garden fresh chives and lovage. Celine was simply delighted to pick the first of the garden's offerings as part of her supper prep tonight - she takes after her mom in her love of all things green and blooming. We rounded out ...
World Food Crisis
April 24, 2008
I have to go grocery shopping this afternoon and I'm rather cranky about that. Shame on me. At least I can feed my children. Unlike millions of desperate parents around the world. It breaks my heart AND makes me angry AND leaves me bewildered, wondering what more can we do?? ...
Earth Day at Tumbledown Mountain
April 24, 2008
Yesterday was the season's first mountain hike. In a word, or rather two, it was spectacular and wet. My parents were visiting for a day on their way home to Nova Scotia from Boston, where they were cheering for friends who were running the Boston Marathon (they've run this course ...
Apatite for Adventure
April 20, 2008
Nope, it's not misspelled, we hiked Mount Apatite Park this afternoon. Our first woods walk of the season. We saw some cool wildlife including a toad frog toad amphibian laying eggs in the middle of the path. Unfortunately I think I accidently stepped on her before we saw her. Thankfully ...
Garden report - Mid April
April 18, 2008
I'm munching on my salad of farm grown greenhouse mesclun mix that we picked up with our spring share yesterday. The first taste of farm greens is a near spiritual experience for me. Correction, it is spiritual. I am deeply grateful for the turning of the seasons, the Creator and ...
GIMP
April 18, 2008
I've recently discovered ThePioneerWoman.com blog which is simply way over the top in terms of eye candy and overall quality, though I disdain the ads. I'm not sure why I keep going back since it gives me an inferiority complex every time. But... I can't help myself because the photos ...
keepin' it real
April 17, 2008
not my photoThis post is the first in a new blog category called Keepin' it real you'll see what I mean... The kids and I went for a walk/bike ride to Bates yesterday afternoon. We hung out there for a long time, and at some point I started to develop ...
Creativity Part I
April 17, 2008
The desire for creative expression has been in the forefront for me these past couple months. I've been motivated during this life "season" to discover what energizes and moves me, to hone my crafts and become more skilled at communicating the beauty I see all around me. Thanks to my ...
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - a review
April 16, 2008
Overall, the book was a fantastic read. Kingsolver is engaging, funny, convincing and just an all round excellent writer. The book is an eat your local veggies and meat mantra but the narrative of her family keeps it personal and interesting.
Hungry Planet Supper Night
April 15, 2008
Recently a friend loaned us a copy of Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. An essay and photo journal featuring a breakdown of what 30 families around the world eat in a week. The kids and I used the book as a world study curriculum for a couple weeks. Then ...
Doubts and Reassurances
April 14, 2008
Spring arrives suddenly the same way each year. The weather warms and everybody wants to be outside. The garden and yard are wanting attention NOW, the camping trips need to be planned, the garage cleaned out in time for yearly curbside pick up, laundry is being hung and indoor cleaning ...
Strangers in Our Midst
April 13, 2008
A few months ago I read the book Making Room: Recovering Hospitality As a Christian Tradition. After reading it I wrote the following review, which is in my goodreads: "We have always practiced hospitality but the Holy Spirit is using this book to help guide us in broadening that circle ...
Today spring looks like
April 11, 2008
bikes, a scooter and a yellow ducky helmet. Blue sky and birds chirping. A plan rescheduled because the day was just too plain wonderful to rush home. Taking off jackets, sweaters and socks. Purple flowers blooming(!) in the lawn. More snow melting and muddy boots.
Lots to Gardens greenhouse planting
April 9, 2008
The kids and I joined Lots to Gardens this afternoon to plant seedlings. We planted broccoli and cauliflower, two of the kid's favorite brassicas. The seedlings will grow in the greenhouse until later this spring/early summer when they will be planted in community gardens to help feed local folks.
Garden report - The season begins
April 9, 2008
I prepared the carrot and pea bed today. I'll plant snap and shelling peas tomorrow. Also sweet peas along our compost corner fence, trying to provide a screen for our neighbors to hide the sometimes unsightly compost pile. I feel a little like I'm scrambling to catch up. I've devoted ...
Spring's firsts
April 8, 2008
Last week truly felt like the beginning of spring. Noteworthy firsts of the season: First daffodil green finally exposed by the melting snow. First spring cleaning job, tackling the girl's bedroom. First neighborhood bike rides with the kids. First loads of laundry on the line. First trampoline jumping.
Spring arrival limerick
April 7, 2008
This morning the kids and I read some funny limericks from A Child's Introduction to Poetry (not the greatest poetry collection but a fun book to read) and I was inspired to write a poem about today. The Tougas children went out to play, they stayed outside half the day. ...
Brienne's pierced ears
April 6, 2008
The conversation started innocently enough. With a sly smile on her face, "Daddy, will you buzz my hair?" Brienne asked Damien after he finished cutting his hair this afternoon. "Sure." was Daddy's quick and joking reply. "Ok, I want my hair buzzed." Brienne fired back. Mommy tuned in to the ...
Gluten Free Granola
April 5, 2008
With 3 gluten sensitive members in our family I haven't made granola for years. After all what do you put in granola if you can't use oats? Lots apparently. I finally got tired of missing it and searched for a recipe last week, made some modifications and came up with ...
Hayloft
April 4, 2008
We spent a little time at Willow Pond farm yesterday and the kids discovered another hayloft. The Hayloft by R.L. Stevenson Through all the pleasant meadow-side The grass grew shoulder-high, Till the shining scythes went far and wide And cut it down to dry. These green and sweetly smelling crops ...
Spring yarn activities
April 3, 2008
Spring was a tempest yesterday. Blustery and despite the sunshine, downright cold. A good day to be indoors. Near a sunny window. Playing, learning and creating with yarn. Laurent and Brienne are crocheting, Celine is weaving. I found some inspiration for children's weaving at Easy Weaving for Kids: Make Textile ...
Don't Make Me Count To Three
April 2, 2008
by Ginger Plowman Counting to three... as if. That's simply a sugarcoating for disobedience. [Off the soapbox] After reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp many moons ago this was a great refresher on parenting to the heart of our children. How to draw out the foolishness (in the ...
easy chowder
April 2, 2008
If we ate corn I'd jump right on making this recipe for supper that my friend Spring invented for her family.
Dishwasher love
April 1, 2008
A new dishwasher came to our house yesterday arrived in the most usual way. Up drove the truck unloaded its gear the first new appliance of this year. All dishes go in with nary a rinse dirty utensils, pots even pans quite a treat for these dishwater hands. A shiny ...
