Tender Twigs

Seven Quick Takes

(one)

Breaking News-my children played by themselves for over an hour yesterday morning.  First they played individually and then they sat atop a table and pretended it is a boat on a river.  It is nice when children are well behaved.

(two)

We have picked almost 60 pounds of organic blueberries in the past two weekends.  My freezer is now packed.  I overheard Si saying "kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk" several times.  So cute.

(three)

I found two wonderful books at the Goodwill this week.  Read A Rhyme Write a Rhyme includes ideas for writing poetry, prompts and lots of delightful poems.  I've had my eye on this Golden Book of Fairy Tales book for some time and was thrilled to find it at the Goodwill for $2.  We have enjoyed reading it, although Cate brought it to me last night and told me it was making her feel scared.  Perhaps we will read it during the day. 

 

(four)

I am considering doing a media fast like the one described here.  Her fast included all media, books, computer, newspaper, cereal boxes.  She writes that she slept a lot more.  I've also considered doing this and allowing myself only one tough book.  I've wanted to read Emma for some time but there is always more interesting and easier things to read.  If I had only one choice would I devour it?

(five)

To not bore you with too much recycling and trash, here is a link to photos and a bit more explanation about another two week view. 

(six)

Cate completed this 200 piece round puzzle.  I wish I had a close up of the beautiful puzzle design.  We grew this lacinato kale (my favorite) in our garden.  My dh planted more for a fall harvest.  It is a plant that keeps on giving.  We've had this kale once or twice a week for much of the summer.  It is a great savings as this kale is $2.99 a bunch and never looks as good. :)

 

(seven)

Tell me, what do you think about responding to comments within the post.  I've set up a new comment system that typepad offers.  Notable blogs that are using it are Beauty That Moves (one of my favorites), mamaroots (a most wonderful wooden toy maker and mama to another little boy named Silas) and Soulemama.  I've noticed that the readers of Beauty That Moves are truly interacting with the comments sections.  One thing I don't like is that my responding ups the comment count which I think is somewhat artificial. 

 

Sharing and a Giveaway

Elsa Beskow giveaway at the end.

I'm still here, healthy, happy and living a good simple life.  I just read this post and it made me appreciate my own mothering and homemaking a little more.  I just wish I could do it with a little less complaining.  I've been enjoying the sunshine and sleeping more by going to bed earlier or napping when the children nap.  It isn't very ambitious but it works for me.  I take good care of my home and family, cleaning, reading, being present, cooking, in a slow, authentic and simple way.  It might take longer to hang a load of laundry but I enjoy it and my electric bill is much lower than most.  Blogging somehow has taken a quiet backseat to daily life.  I'm still reading blogs but haven't commented much so please forgive my silence. 

I've been reading a lot of blogs that are very practical with homemaking and money saving advice including simple, eco living and grain-free cooking blogs. If you frequent the same blog circle as me you undoubtedly know the blog High Desert Home.  I've read through her entire archive enjoying every bit while wistfully wishing she hadn't ended her blog.  If only I could craft my blog with such wisdom and simplicity.  What she shares is my ideal but I do have to laugh; she is only 9 years older than me and has grown children.  I have a two year old. ;)  I enjoyed her post Natural, Simple, Eco, Healthy, Frugal... and intend to write a similar post for my blog.  I really like knowing what products and books people use.

Speaking of books, I haven't been checking as many from the library for the children.  I have become frightfully aware that Cate and Si will only be little for a short time.  I will only have so many more times to read I am a Bunny or Little Fur Family to Si.  To that end, I am focused on reading our old favorites again and again.  I feel we do not have the time to read too many new untested books.  I am going to share a list of my own top 100 picture books and I can guarantee the list won't look like this one.  I plan to write the list by 10 or 20 books at a time.  I know some of you have written these lists in the past.  Will you please share a link now or when I post the start of my list?  I think these are some of the best lists because they are created by us not publishers or teachers reading to large groups of children but mothers reading quietly to their own child. 

All that flies in the face of my two new book selections to share.  I have to gratefully thank Jennifer for mentioning Emily and Daisy.  Like so many of you, Elsa Beskow is a favorite in our house.  Emily and Daisy is newly issued by Floris Books.  The story is delightful and I was pleased that even Cate (nearing 6 years old) adored the book.  The illustrations are charming with flowers, a meadow, elves and homelife.  It reminded me a little of reading Ricka Flicka and Dicka books.  This book will certainly be on my 100 list.  It doesn't happen often but again, I liked the book so much that I am giving away a copy.  Leave a comment through Sunday 19th to be entered.  It would make the best gift

The fortieth anniversary of the first moon landing is July 20th.  If you are looking for a book to mark the day look no further than The Moon Over Star.  Written by Dianna Hutts Ashton (An Egg is Quiet) and illustrated by the fabulous Jerry Pinkney this book tells the story of one family and how they spent the day leading up to the moon landing.  The book brought me to tears and I was choked up reading it aloud to Cate.  This book reminds you that it was an awesome event and is also is full of hope and promise.  The young girl in the story is named Mae which suggest that it is African American astronaut Mae Jemison.  I would be happy to swap out the Beskow book for this one should you win.

I made it...

My husband has been traveling for the past three weeks.  He arrived home last night and even though he went to work this morning I feel like I am on vacation.  Knowing that he will be home this evening is such a relief.  To say "I survived" might be too melodramatic but at the onset I didn't think I would.  Three strategies that helped me survive:

Napping when the kids napped
Radical reduction of on-line time
Staying on task with household chores all day

But the real reason I made it was Cate and Si have started to play together! 

(A photo captured through the screen window as not to disturb the miracle.)

So I am back on-line but with a new balance.  Now I must go visiting.

Listen my children

Today started at 3:45am with "I want breakfast."  Not a good start and by 4:45, I was already "having a bad day" and reading blogs and feeling like our Mother's Day was not nearly as lovely.

But then, Silas now back to sleep on the sofa, briefly lifted his head and said "Sheep Out to Eat" and then laid his head back down and fell asleep.  Ah, I thought, we might not do crafts or clean up very well but my children know books.  Apparently, they even dream about them.

And then I remembered a sweet moment this weekend.  My husband said "you really need to get Cate a copy of Paul Revere's Ride."  Oh husband of little faith, I have a copy.  I found a book of poetry opened it up, took it outside to Cate.  Seeing the title, she grabbed the book, laid down in the overgrown grass and began reading it.  She was delighted as she puzzled out the few words she didn't know, like mystic, barrack and Lexington.  She certainly doesn't understand it but it is a start.  She is now eager to read the "Jack and Annie" Revolutionary War book. 

Today I want to find an audio recording of the poem and perhaps a picture book.  Cate can recite The Owl and the Pussycat because of hearing it on this CD hundreds of times.  Occasionally, I will come upon Si saying "his nose, his nose, a ring at the end of his nose." 

Suddenly, I'm not feeling so bad. 

In the photo above Si is delighted by a tool.  My dh planted the planter.  Isn't it lovely?

Can you say deep end?

Good golly, I didn't delete the post but I redirected it here.  Many people visit this blog and I wouldn't want them to think I had entirely given up.  Thank you to those who emailed me.  It makes me realize that I've known many of your for a long time.  I only closed the comments because I didn't want readers to think I was looking for sympathy.  Yesterday was one of those very bad and rainy days.  I deleted almost all my blogs from Google Reader and then wrote that post while my sick sick kids were napping.  You know, they just needed to sleep.  They were so cute when they woke up.  Tiptoeing into my bedroom and tapping me under the covers were I was hiding.  I was awake.  Do you ever pretend to be asleep when your kids come in your room?

Last night my husband read two books that I've never read to the kids.  One because I thought it might be too scary, Where The Wild Things Are and the second, Snoozers because it just seemed strange.  Well they loved both.  Cate is reading Snoozers over and over again.  Right now, my difficult child is reading Where The Wild Things Are to Si. 

 

Last night, Cate turned off her light when she went to sleep.  She wasn't scared.  She wanted to be "good to the Earth."  Also, she has been waking up dry more mornings than not.  Trust me, this makes me very happy.

I think we mamas know when we need to get off the computer and enjoy our kids.  I'm not giving up blogging but I need to find a better balance.  Here is a picture Cate drew last night of the Wild Things.  It reminds me of the post I wrote about being worried that she didn't like doing art work.  Ha ha, now I can't get her to go to bed because she loves coloring so much.

Long time no post...

Wow, 12 days since my last post.  I'm not busy and life isn't full.  We are just living in the slow lane.  So let's see...some thoughts,

We extended our lease for another year on the house we are living in.  We were sure the owners would raise our rent but they didn't.  I'm super happy about this.

In preparation for the owner coming to the house we spent all day Saturday cleaning house.  Everything is clean, organized and fresh.

We are having a few sunny days here in rainy Seattle.  The windows are open, the kids are playing (and fighting) outside.  It is like my house is twice the size.

I try and purchase a good quality toy or art supply for the kids every month.  Some months I spend a little more than others.  Last month, I found this adorable wooden forklift for Silas at the Goodwill for $1.  He loves it. (Yes, that is the sun shining.)  For next month, I've ordered a set of silk scarves from Beneath the Rowan Tree.  The scarves we now have have served us well but I've been longing for these soft silk scarves for some time.  I am looking forward to adding them to our collection of toys.

I started taking a Yoga class at the YMCA.  The children go to the wonderful childcare area and I have an hour (and a half) break.  I didn't really think it would amount to much but I am getting quite a workout and feel very peaceful after having a break from Cate and Si.  I run 5 days a week but the yoga is giving me a very different feeling. 

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I've never used vinegar to clean until now.  We have this terrible black granite tile counter top.  The fingerprints and cloudy grim were driving me crazy until one day I tried hot water and vinegar.  I soak the towel and wipe the surface and the countertops are clean and clear.  I am so happy about this.  If you are interested Simple Frugal Green Co-op (love this blog) has a recent post worth reading 20 Household Uses for Vinegar.

I have given up the microwave which we only really used to pop corn in a brown paper bag.  I read this post and realized I can still make popcorn.  Marybeth makes it sound so easy. 

I am dreaming of a life like this.  We are doing lots of this because I let them get muddy.  And I really enjoyed this.  And do you know who inspired this little list of this'?

Okay then, I am off now to sit on the back porch and read this.  I read Mary, Bloody, Mary in a day last week.  I love reading YA fiction which is usually so fast and easy to read. 

Sick but productive

We spent most of the week at home due to sickness.  Cate actually acted like a normal kid and laid on the sofa quietly for much of the time.  She is back to her feisty self and beside herself that Si is getting all the attention now.  He is miserably sick and hasn't been sleeping well at all.  Thursday he was up at 2am and didn't go back to sleep all day.  The kid needs no sleep.  Earlier in the week, I tackled the junk box and the activities closet.  One of the big things in the junk box was a broken iron.  I found a small appliance repair shop that was willing to take it for spare parts and thus saving it from a landfill. 

I almost cleared my email box today so you might have heard from me.  I should be doing the big things like taxes and applying for Silas' citizenship but clearing clutter on-line and in my house is so much more fun.  Sorry, I know this might be boring but it thrilled me to get some things organized.  

Here are a few photo updates.

The activities closet is so neat.  I always feel certain it will stay this way but it eventually returns to chaos.  I might label the bins for easier cleanup.

 

The now empty cupboard that I merged with the activities closet. :)

 

I also organized the closet that holds all the materials for reuse like plastic bags and shipping materials.  Also reusable shopping and produce bags.  I keep the few cleaning supplies I still have in here.  I always keep a bag in here for Goodwill donations.   The pink bag is full of donations from the junk box.

 

And finally, one cupboard that still needs some attention and where some odd but useful bits went from the junk box.  I'm sure Si will be up very early tomorrow morning.  I'll work on it then. 

 

A bit more decluttering...

Do you see decluttering on my Today list?  If you came to my house, you would say "what clutter?"  We have very little stuff and yet I am overwhelmed.  My sister who has worked as a professional organizer says I don't have much, the moving company declared we didn't have much, a causal observer would say the same thing.  Then why do I still find stuff that we no longer need?

One answer is that kids grow out of toys, clothes, and even books.  I look around and more than half (maybe even two thirds) of what I have is child related.  In my heart, I am still the girl who can move everything in the back of her car.  Recently, a moment of clarity revealed that this clutter is fleeting.  Someday, I won't need 25 baggies of activities, (beads, clay, paints) to entertain little children.  And while I don't intent to succumb to the clutter, it comforts me to know that someday it will be very easy to clean my house.

Cate is under the weather with a nasty cold.  She rarely gets sick so it breaks my heart to see her cough and whine "I don't like being sick."  We are stuck at home today.  It is cold, rainy, and windy.  Not the kind of weather a sick child can enjoy.  So today, I am tackling my giant junk box.  I consider myself an organized person until it is apparent that I am not.  I've been dumping my small "junk drawer" periodically into a big 18 gallon Rubbermaid container.  What a huge mess.  The container is so full and overwhelming that I've ignored it and it has become nearly impossible. 

Anyway the junk has entertained Cate and Si most of the day.  What I found:

enough Euro coins for a couple cups of coffee in a Paris cafe (a girl can dream),
a baggie's worth of loose beads. 
hair clips and tie backs (now I know where they all went)
half a dozen library pencils
rubber bands
the bandages
a sweet April poem
arrowheads sent by my mom
the thermometer-that came in handy
11 of the dozen paper muffins from a kindermusik activity
acorn doll stand
stickers
a wind-up bunny that Si loves
paper trash
enough junk plastic to equal the total yearly intake of this blogger 
And alas, I have another bag of items to take to the Goodwill

Some in process photos of the toy closet and the junk box. 

 

Thoughts and a winner

Had to repost this as it wasn't picked up in Google Reader.  My apologies to blogline readers.

Have you seen new moms sporting one of these stroller?  Really, who can afford a $1000 stroller?  When I see someone pushing one, my first thought isn't "oh, how impressive", it is "how silly to spend that much money."

Cate had her third swimming lesson yesterday and for the first time she didn't cry!  I was so proud of her.

Why did I think a very active 2 and 1/2 year old boy would agree to stay in an Ergo Carrier?  We just had a very embarrassing (I lost my cool) time while on a walk.  Glad they hold their value on Ebay.  I bought mine used for nearly the price of a new one.

There is nothing like a minor holiday to make me feel like a loser when reading blogs.  So many of you celebrated and made merry in ways I never would have imagined nor even wish to do.  Your kids are lucky.  Cate reminded me that it was St. Patrick's Day.  Our sweet teenage babysitter brought chocolate coins from the leprechaun.  Isn't that nice? 

I just read a wonderful picture book biography of George Washington entitled Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington by Anne Rockwell.  The cover art doesn't thrill me but the content and inside illustrations are wonderful.  I think it would be great for ages 7-9.  I did not read it to Cate.

And the winner of Quiet in the Garden is Christie. 

Happy things...

Kate awarded me the award Hooked on Your Blog and now I see Cher has as well.  So nice.   The rules are listed here.  This works out perfectly because I was working on a post of happy things.  Six things making me happy right now....

Play dough.  Meredith linked to a play dough recipe that I book marked for future use.  Ever wonder about the power of blogging?  Please know, how powerful one link or word of kindness can be.  My kids played for literally hours yesterday with our new homemade play dough.  I don't know why they did but I am very happy that Meredith linked to it.  It was a much needed break for mommy.  Thanks.

Look what I found at the library bookshop!  The spines haven't even been cracked.  In case you don't know why this is awesome, here is a link.  I think I might go out and follow Melissa's advice to buy a new hardcover copy of Penderwicks with my savings. :)

A little poem by Cate.  Sharing to remember. :)  

My little pear says the sun is green
My little orange says the sun is orange
My little plum says the sun is purple
My little apple says the sun is red
My other little apple says the sun is green
My little peach says the sun is pink.
My little lemon say says the sun is yellow.
Yes little lemon the sun is yellow

Clean dishes

The discovery of a delightful picture book.

   

When you Google the quote I referenced from the inaugural speech in my post yesterday, my blog is the first site on the list.  :)

 

Let's see (currently I'm hooked on 114 blogs!)
Meredith (thank you!)
Sarah (always)
Susan (so glad you're back)
Jennifer (no matter what)
Lorilee (because you make our play time fun)

oh and one more (because I don't always follow the rules)  Mariposa (because your advice is invaluable.)