I've Been....

{colorful beauty no. 1}

...filling my last few days with full of happy things until I literally burst (this looks like me, falling into bed fully clothed, smelling like babies and the trees...). Trying to forget why we're sad, and that we're returning to an empty home with nothing but two camp chairs, paper plates, and an air mattress without our sweet Saphira. I've already written our moving story, but I'm not sure that I want to share it. It's not happy like a moving story should be. It's fully of big, real emotions that I'm not sure I want the internet to remember forever (ya catch me?). Some things are too special to share, I think. So until then, I'll just leave you with the beautiful, wonderful, and loving things that I AM filling my vacation time with. I've been hunting down colorful beauties like these....

{colorful beauty no. 2}

...and snuggling my lazy baby, who, despite our separation, still poses for my camera with little reminding. She's getting fat at the family farm, eating more than her share of food, and being the sleepiest Daphnie-Doodle to ever walk the planet. But I don't mind. She's a daily reminder to be thankful for what we have, when we have it. And I love her even more for serving that purpose for me...not that she realizes it. She's also an excellent listener, as long as you bribe her with cuddles!...erm...or food.

          

                      {Lazy Doodle, exhibit no. 1}

 I've also been watching the sweet faces of the canines around me, taking in their spunky personalities, and reminiscing the moments when Saphira would run around the house, roll in the snow, and snore louder than TMV. There are so many more memories I wish I had captured, but perhaps I'll blog about the at a different time.

{Sweet canine no. 1: Matilda, affectionately known as "Tilly"}

I've also been spending time meditating, being calm, and finding my peace. And despite all of the chaos and sadness, I think I'm doing ok. Mostly because of views full of trees...

...and spots with still decor....

...and being full of the people I love.

                              

                              {TMV reading about one of his true loves: Harrier airplanes!}

                        

                            {Mum and Seester doing bath time entertainment for Hudson, my beautiful nephew}

And...

... I've even begun enjoying a much anticipated past time: harvesting. I clipped massive amounts of herbs this weekend, and with the assistance of Daddio, have hung some of them to dry.




As for the boxes, unpacking, and settling in...? All of those things will have to wait because now is the time for peace, love, and family. There will be time for cardboard, tape, and re-arranging in September.

When I Met A Baby....

So I finally did it.

I FINALLY got to meet my nephew.

Here's what you need to know:
First, he's precious, beautiful, and has the best cheeks.
Second, he was born the day before the best day of MY life -my wedding. So I'll never forget his birthday, December 20th, because on that day, four years ago, I was preparing, laughing, and being merry.
Third, he belongs to me. Well, really he belongs to my sister, but he is part of me, too. It's amazing how quickly they do that -wiggle into your heart, and take firm hold to stay there forever.
Fourth, well -you fill it in with whatever you want. Happiness, baby snuggles, that irresistible baby smell, whatever. You can decide for yourself.

When he was born I couldn't be there. That was devastating. I was so very sick, and H was SO seseptable I just couldn't risk it, especially since baby Hud went to the NICU. Good call by us, but I had to wait TWO months to meet him! Lucky for me it paid off. :) Patience MAY be one of my virtues after all!

On the last day of my visit I was lucky enough to get an amazing set of photographs of him. So, here he is, folks.

{suspicious of the camera, but handsome regardless}

{Momma makes it better by singing a sweet song}

{being photogenic is exhausting business!}

{I see what you did there...it was funny...}

{feeling a little sleepy...}

{still suspicious of that clicky black thing....}

SEE!!! Isn't he marvelous? I'm the luckiest aunt there is. :)


See you soon!

Lost In Translation

Well hi!

It's been a long time. An unexpectedly long time. Sandwiched between life and living there really hasn't been a whole lot of extra time, which means no time for blogging. It's come to my attention, during my unexpected two month hiatus, that sure -I like blogging, but I also think that I NEED blogging. I don't think that I need you to hear about every thought that crosses my mind (because we all know that's what Facebook is for...just sayin'), but because it helps ME cut down on all of the extra thoughts that cross my mind.

*shrug* A lesson in self care for everyone, I suppose!

So -here's what I've been up to: a trip to meet a baby, a MUCH needed mini-vacay, a very special visit from friends, a house up on the market, a new internship started, more food being made and consumed, and big plans for the future.

Betcha can't wait to see what's coming next, huh?

Don't worry. My plans for completely deserting you for two more months don't exist. Buuuttt....you may need to be a little patient as I work my way through life, and all of the living I'm doing!

Thanks, and I miss you!

Yellow Chevron Joy, People!

This food blog has been temporarily interrupted for a moment of sharing.  Every year for Christmas I am blessed to receive some monetary gifts.  This year I have been SUPER careful, keeping an updated tally of what I've spent on my phone calculator at all times (because, lets be honest, sometimes you just need to go to T.J. Maxx.  Hear me?!?!?!).  So because of this obsessive extremely careful budgeting I was able to purchase this little guy from etsy.

{happy happy!  joy joy!!}

You're probably wondering what the big deal is, really.  For example -"why is there a post singularly dedicated to this one bag?"  Or, perhaps you're thinking, "why does B need a spiffy bag for her camera?"

The answer is simple.  I have waited TWO YEARS for this bag.  TWO YEARS PEOPLE!  *insert fist shake of justice here*  This is an example of severe patience on my behalf.  NEVER do I wait for something for TWO YEARS (besides my engagement ring and the still to be determined children that will hopefully someday grace our lives).  It's amazing.  It's remarkable.  And if you know me, you'd know that too.  

So now comes the part where I tell you about how I found this little beauty.  Ready?  

After obsessive careful and specific googling I was frustrated with my results popping up mass produced itchy looking bags.  My next step was etsy.  I'd never used it before, so it wasn't my first go-to.  Now, after using it many times it's my FAVE place to order goodies.  So anyway -I was searching and was immediately gratified by HUNDREDS of results.  After browsing, a maker kept popping out to me.  Xcess Rize Designs had SO many choices.  First I wanted the pink one, then I wanted the green one, then I wanted the paisley one, and on and on and on.  Thank goodness I had to wait because I finally was able to choose.

Yellow chevron happiness it was.  Jackie, the shop owner, did an amazing job!  No extra strings hanging anywhere, and it was shipped and received with no problems.  As an added bonus, her business card (besides being the nicest one I've ever touched) states, "life is too short to carry an ugly bag...."  Girl -you hear my heart!  AMEN!

So now I am equipped with an amazingly SAFE and stellarly cute camera bag.  And now that I have a stellarly cute camera bag maybe it'll seep into my photos and then create stellar photos, too!  Heh.... One can hope.

Happy cooking, friends!

In My Tummy

{newly created whole foods storage area!}

I've been putting lots of new things in my belly lately.  In addition to my own curiosity, Lent happened to coincide with V-Day AND my whole foods cooking class.  Thankfully, I  have had extensive support in my new cooking adventures and haven't had any extra time to wish longingly for any of the "junk" we gave up for Lent.  I've been channeling all of my extra time and energy into planning, soaking, and preparing our food.  And so far the process of knowing food instead of just eating it, has been really great.

A short list of some of the good things are: kale (*gasp*) and quinona (which reminds me of how a barn smells while the grains cook), beans and extra veggies.  I've even been eating MUSHROOMS.  *GASP*  I know folks, I know.  But don't worry -I'm still me just with a better tummy.  My class has provided me with a few vegan recipes that I've tried, including a nut cake dessert that tastes amazingly like key lime cheesecake with strawberry syrup.

I'd like to say that I'm resourceful enough to discover this all on my own.  But honestly -it's been a little overwhelming.  There is SO much to learn, so having recipes has been really nice.  It's allowed me to have a place to start instead of wandering around the whole foods world all by my lonesome.  Which is kind of how I feel walking around the co-op.  People are always so busy rushing up and down the isles that newbies (like yours truly) that want to take time to explore are left anxious and wide eyed.  Maybe that's just me...but... *shrug*  I always like to explore to know what I have available to me should I decide to be brave.  Not that I'm likely to be brave, but you never know.

Anyway -I digress...again.  So easily distracted...

Since I've started filling myself with these new tasties I've noticed a lessened need for tea (like -I NEED TEA NOW feelings have decreased) and caffeine in general, and since I'm literally making EVERYTHING from scratch we're eating SO much less salt and unnecessary carbohydrates.  I've also noticed all of the wonderful groups on FB catering to people like me.  People who want to learn and grow, and for me that's really nice!

So what are you putting in your tummy?  Are you trying anything new?

-XO-


B.

{small gift for TMV -coffee and candied ginger}

So today's the day.  The day where my entire Facebook feed is FULL of women posting photos of flowers and gifts, and talking about how much they love their spouses.  But you know what I see the most of (AFTER the flowers, of course!)?  I see posts about what they're fixing their honeys for dinner, or vice versa.  It always makes me smile to see what people cook.  To see their styles and their flavors.  Maybe that's  just me, but whatever.  You happen to be reading MY blog, right?  Right.

I digress...back on topic.....

So because of all of this posting about food, I've been reflecting.  Because on top of everyone's love crazed cooking (not judging -just noting that we have a tendency to love through food), I'm also taking a whole foods class where I'm learning not just about whole foods, but I'm also learning about myself.  Which is a huge bonus.


But all of this learning takes IMMENSE quantities of quiet, uninterrupted time (which is hard when your sister + nephew keep sending you pictures of cuteness).  So after receiving my weekly eBook, I (un)patiently waited for the member day at the co-op to come around.  I printed off the shopping list and bee-lined it so that I could beat the lunch rush.

Walking through the skinny isles of the overpacked store I was taken by such a sense of relief.  Relief of knowing my body would feel better with this food.  Relief from high prices for nothing foods that come in boxes and unrecycleable plastic wrapping.  And as I'm dropping each little bag of wonderful into my cart I'm feeling lighter and lighter because I have the TIME.

I have the TIME to learn.  The TIME to grow, and the TIME to HEAL through this new process.  The teacher of this class (you should consider it.  Truly amazing -it's called Whole Foods Kitchen.  I'm already in love), in her eBook, gives us permission to be whatever we need to be during this time of learning.  To be completely honest, I cried like a big fat baby.  Simply because I've never had anyone tell me (in regards to food) that it's ok NOT to be perfect (myself included).  You know -measure this, count that, "if you want A slice of pizza you have to go swim laps."  I'm not joking -that was part of my life.

The whole point of this message is simple.  Today, on this day of love, food, chocolates, and flowers, my heart is full of gratitude for this TIME that I've been granted.

Happy cooking, lovers!

-XO-
ME!

Every year when Valentines day rolls around TMV and I sit down with our calendars and pick our alternative V-Day date night.  Which ultimately means that my super girly romantic self is never with-date on the actual V-Day.  While I CAN hear you saying, "aww" don't worry -I've come up with a solution over the past four years of our married life that I believe ultimately serves a better purpose than chocolates and roses (although I do have to say that when the alternative V-Day date rolls around TMV is a 5-star date planner.  :)  Not to rub it in, or anything....).  Here is my go to V-Day ritual: I focus on the opportunity this love based holiday has granted me and reflect on how much love I have going on in my life.  To take a minute or ten and be GRATEFUL.

So here are some pictures so that you can have some bonus joy in your day.  :)  These faces sure bring me lots of joy, so why not share them, among the skimming of the jug of things that make me thankful for my life.

First and foremost I am thankful for TMV.  For everything he does, and everything he sacrifices.  

No matter how hard it is right now, I can't wait to see what life brings us in the future because of all of this hard work.  Also -isn't he handsome in his geekyness???  *cough*

swoon

Second I am thankful for the people in my life that helped make me who I am today.  Of course that includes these wonderful people...

Mom and Seester

OGO and Seester

And tons of other wonderful people that I don't actually have pictures of/with....  Added THAT to my list of MUST do's.  :)

My handsome NEWPHEW!  I can't wait -I get to meet him for the FIRST TIME in just over a week (I had the plague when he was born, so I've TOTALLY missed out -seeing everyone ELSE post photos of him has been a total bummer).  :)  My excitement overflowith.  Be ready to see a gazillion photos.  Truly -a gazillion.

Munchkins like this little scooter (who is supposedly now practicing her walking instead of her walk-face planting....)

And like these cheerful kiddos who are always the first to blow kisses via Skype (that I am SO thankful for).  Miss their snuggles!

And last but certainly last but not least........

Friendship.  No matter the distance (and no -no picture for this one.  Too many specials in my life to pick JUST ONE.  So you'll have to be creative.  Don't worry -I have faith in you!).

So this Valentines Day is for you.  I am so grateful to have you in my heart.  :)

-XO-

ME!