Slowing Down January 18, 2012

I’ve been feeling the call the last few weeks to slow down. To move slowly and take the time to enjoy my life. You could almost say that we have been living in an almost survival mode since our little peanut was born. That just happens when you have a newborn. You just get through. But somehow, it became a habit, our way of life. After almost nine months, I think it is time to re-enter the world.

You see, I work away from home for 4 hours a day while my husband stays home with our son. Then when I come home, I work from home while taking my shift as parent while my hubby works. That means a lot of multitasking. It has been such a huge blessing to be able to take this year and do that. To be able to be home with my son for longer than the 3 or so hours he’s awake after 4:00 has been amazing. It has been especially great for the hubs to be able to bond with the little man. But, sometimes it is stressful to juggle it all.

I often think about people who have it worse than I do when I start to express my feelings. I’m not going to do that today-at least not out loud! Even in this amazing set-up I have, I feel like I’m just going and going and going with no time for myself or even my husband. It has gotten to the point where I just can’t do anything. I’m falling apart at the seams. There has been a continual call to slow down. So, I’m trying to figure out how to do this. I can’t work less hours-plus I LOVE my job!

While I was sewing a tag blanket for a dear friends baby shower this past week, I remembered how much I loved to sew and create gifts by hand. So, I’m going to try to make time to do that more. I also realized that I loved to write on this blog-I just never seem to get around to it.  It doesn’t take long-so I’m going to try and post once a week. I’m not promising fancy pictures or deep reflections, but I’ll get something up at least once a week. The other thing I love-spending time with my sweet little family without cell phones or laptops or TV. So, we are going to try to get out of the house together more and do “fun” things! Even if it is just lunch at Panera!

So, this is my beginning of slowing down and using my time in a more thoughtful way. How have you slowed down in this busy world?

Letting myself off the hook… December 19, 2011

I am person that tends to feel guilty about an endless number of things. As a new momma, those things seem to have multiplied. No-I don’t use cloth diapers as much as I wanted to, no-I haven’t made all of my little man’s first foods, no-I haven’t captured every moment of his life in a cool artsy black and white picture.

Then there is the holiday guilt. My husband and I have always committed to not giving in to the commercial machine of Christmas. We buy local or hand-make most of our gifts. Or give something consumable or experiential. That didn’t really happen this year. I even broke my vow of not going to the mall-ick!

As I start to spin these things around and around in my head, a still small voice spoke out to me. That voice said, “It doesn’t matter.” It doesn’t matter? As I began to think about it, I started to understand what He meant. No one is keeping track, there is no list. I need to slow down and enjoy the things that are present in my life. This time is so precious and my life is so different now than it was a year ago and THAT IS OK!!! So, the gift that I am giving myself is letting myself off the hook. If you see me beginning to spin spin spin-please remind me of the still small voice.

 

Merry Christmas!

Ten Simple Things October 5, 2011

I am a great blog follower, but not a great blog writer! However, I was inspired by a blog that I follow to write out ten simple simple things that I am loving right now and so here they are:

1. An amazing hubby who is not only a great Daddy but takes great care of his lady too!

2. A baby that has at long last learned to nap!

3. A job that let’s me work at home while said baby naps.

4. That even thought it is fall, the weather is still sunny and warm. You gotta enjoy it while it lasts because I know what is coming next!

5. South of Chicago’s meatball subs-YUMO!

6. Having the recipe at long last to a friends lentil barley soup-it is so good guys!

7. Enough clean diapers to keep baby  boy going for at least two days

8. A community of people that live close enough that you can just run into them and chat without planning it!

9. Garlic artichoke salsa-mmmm

10. Silence

 

Maybe this will make you think about some things you are loving and grateful for too!

Cooking up a Community September 5, 2011

So, I was up entirely too early this morning. The joys of having a 4 month old with an ear infection. Between drinking my morning juice and trying not to let my frustration be aimed at my son, I decided to sulk while checking my bookmarks. Some I check daily, some only a few times a month or so. I decided to check a monthly one and came upon this amazing article about a group of women who get together to cook meals in big batches and then share them with each other and the community that has grown amongst them. They started out as friends of friends and have created this great community as they cooked together. The group cooks together once a month and shares their meals. What I loved about reading this was that this wasn’t a we live, breathe, work together kind of community. The time commitment is small (a few hours once a month) but it has spilled over into a community that keeps up with each other throughout the weeks in between their cooking times.

As a mom of a small but adorable son, I’ve felt isolated and lonely and a bit like I’ve lost myself. I rush all morning at work and come home and take care of my wee one while doing some work and then suddenly it is time for bed and I get up and do it all over again. A pretty great life-being a mom is super important and I love it and feel super lucky that I get to spend the time with my son that I do.  I’m just wanting more. A time to connect with other women, maybe even other moms and cook together. Isn’t there something magical that happens when women get together in the kitchen?And in this crazy busy world who doesn’t want to get together with some friends and cook together?

So, that being said-I want to do my own group! Who’s in? I mean really in and willing to commit! I think I know a place we can use. Contact me if you are interested! Here is the article:

http://rhythmofthehome.com/2011/08/the-batch-cooking-group-cooking-large-for-family-and-friends/

This is Love July 21, 2011

So many things have happened since I last updated the old blog. Most importantly, I became momma to the cutest little guy in the whole world. Well, at least we think so. Most of my time or should I say all of my time has been devoted to him. I haven’t done much aside from care for him. It has been hard but good and I’m glad that I’ve done it.

However, it is summer and normally I am busy in the garden and going to the farmer’s market and canning and a number of other adventures. But this year,I just didn’t. At times it killed me to think of all of the things that I would usually be doing. As time went on, it became less bothersome as I focused on what was really important. And it feels like love to give up something that you love for someone else. So, if that means it is too hot to take baby strawberry picking then there will be no freezer jam put away. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to buy it from the store.

If that means we bought most of our produce that we didn’t grow from a grocery store (GASP!) this summer so be it! I’m learning little by little that I’m no longer the most important person in my life. Sometimes that means you have to give up things that you love for a little while and I’ve done just that. And you know what? Nothing terrible has happened! Maybe it is healthier to relax in some of these areas and just enjoy what you have and not be so worried about the environmental impact of every single thing you do.

I hope that this summer finds you enjoying life to the fullest!

 

Who gave my neigbor kids a whistle? April 19, 2011

Yes, that’s right! Someone gave the lovely children across the street a whistle. These children already roam the block yelling and playing completely unsupervised (apart from the occasional adult yelling out the window at them) have been given a whistle. As we have had our windows open to enjoy the warm air and spring breezes, we have often been treated to a whistle solo or two. Just one of the many joys to city living!

Now, why am I writing a whole blog post about this event? Is it to vent about my annoying neighbors? Maybe a little. Mostly it has made me think about my new little guy who is on his way. It has made me realize that part of our family’s decision to live where we live and to love the city might effect him in ways that I hadn’t thought of. He is probably going to see and hear things that I’d rather him not. He is going to ask questions and we are going to have to talk about why that man is pushing a grocery cart down the street or why that lady is yelling swear words at her children. When you live in the city you can’t run away from the brokenness of people and their lives are all right out there for all to see.  In such close spaces, you can’t hide that stuff! And there seems to be more of it in Fountain Square than other places. Or maybe it is just because I drive through it every day!

After the snow and ice melted this spring, I was so depressed to see the ick that was hiding underneath. The trash and brokenness was just out there on the streets in the gray pre-spring mush. The grass and blooming trees have done little to cover it from my eyes as it has in past years. Maybe I’m just seeing my city through new eyes-mommy eyes maybe. But I want better for us Indy! My heart actually breaks as it hasn’t in awhile to think about my city. The coolest part is-to quote my husband-”Jesus wants it all-every part of this city!”  He wants every abandoned house, every shirtless tatted up gangster, every crazy lady on the street and even the riff-raff that spray paint buildings and slash tires. I’m glad that He does and I hope that He will give me just a piece of His heart for it all!

Growing a baby is like growing a garden…kind of April 13, 2011

So, I’m at the point where I’m ready for this little baby boy to come on out already! My emotions range between clam peaceful reflection on the past nine-ish months and the life growing inside of me to total freak-out and fear (mostly irrational fear of ridiculous things like thinking I will forget to feed the baby etc.) and ending up in the I’m really over this already just be born already! In one of my more peaceful moments, I thought that growing a baby is kind of like growing a garden. Before you roll your eyes-allow me to explain. Maybe it is just that my feelings about both seem to overlap.

Here’s what I mean:

In the beginning of both you are so excited, spend a lot of time planning and re-planning (I think I made that word up). You read endless articles and books and commit to wanting to do things just right. Nothing will be good enough for your little baby/ garden.

Then reality hits you about how much work this actually is going to be. You begin to be uncomfortable and things might start to happen and you ask yourself-”Is this normal?”.

Then at the end (I may be the only gardener and preggo lady who gets this way, but I suspect I’m not) you are over the hard work and effort it takes to do anything and just want the thing to be over. I literally have left ripe veggies on the plants due to laziness. Plus, some of those things at the end of the season taste kinda funky! Hopefully my baby won’t be funky!

Plus, in gardening and babies-EVERYONE has an opinion, wants to share pictures to brag, has the perfect solution to your problem and will tell you what you are doing wrong! Actually both periods of time you should avoid bossy relatives that know everything (just ask them!) and Google!

Well, thanks for letting this oh so pregnant lady vent and laugh at myself a little! Hopefully the next time I blog I will be writing while my little man naps!

Getting the Itch March 26, 2011

Not the seven-year itch, just the I’m not really going to garden much so I’m not starting any seeds kind of itch. Normally by now every surface of my home would be covered by my seed babies. Not this year, I’m growing a real baby instead! If you think about it, they are both small and fragile. Hopefully my son will be a lot heartier than many of my seed babies from last year. It is so frustrating once you start putting those babies out in the sun and then 20 minutes later all your hard work is gone! I was lamenting this fact with my gardening buddy and all around good friend Natalee yesterday. I don’t know how people who fill their gardens with self seed started plants do it. Such heart break!

On to more positive things, I am so overjoyed with spring being on its way. Although the forecast for the next week and my spring break is looking chilly, I am so glad spring is on her way. I am looking forward to being able to return to consuming more local foods. As a pregnant lady, I had to resort to grocery store produce all winter to make sure my little guy was getting the best nutrients possible. Strawberries in January-not at all local but I was so tired of apples-it is important to feed baby a variety of colors in his fruits and veggies. And no more plastic boxes of greens for me.  I have become addicted to the herb blend for a grilled chicken salad that I hope to recreate from my garden this summer! At least now their are local greens at the farmer’s market!

Hope that you are able to enjoy something springy despite the cold weather. Warmer days are on their way!

Not As Good As Twon’s March 1, 2011

I was quite proud of myself this week for dipping into out winter store of summer’s harvest. I put away a measly three freezer bags of green beans from this past summers harvest. I decided to use them to make one of my pregnancy cravings. My friend Twon makes this delish potato-greenbean-maple-mustardy baked heaven. He brought it a few times to pot lucks and Thanksgivings. I had it on the brain for a few weeks before I asked for the recipe. Of course, if you know Twon, it came from a really yummy vegan cookbook.

So, I tried my hand at making this dish. It turned out ok-despite the fact that I didn’t have one of the main ingredients and maybe used different potatoes than he did. The hubs and I agreed that it was tasty-I mean mustard and maple syrup can make almost anything yummy. It just wasn’t as good as Twon’s!

I am proud that I used my summer veggies and my heart swelled with pride that I made something with my surplus storage (always a goal but doesn’t always happen)! YAY  for moving one step closer to sustainability. Maybe in a few years the recipe will be made with my own stored potatoes and onions and local maple syrup (yes they do actually grow and make maple syrup here in the land of corn) and mustard. One step at a time-right?

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine today and have started those seeds-spring is right around the corner!

Composting in Winter? February 2, 2011

There are several inches of snow and ice surrounding my usually steamy compost pile. Not so steamy these days! We have also had several days with single digit temps. Not great conditions for composting my friends. Yet, I still put my egg shells, veggie scraps and toilet paper tubes (shredded of course) into my composting pail on the counter top. I just can’t let good compost materials go down the disposal or into the trash!

Then the pail gets full and stinky and we try to jam more and more in it without wanting to trek to the backyard in the snow. What a terrible stench this pail makes in my kitchen. My husband normally gets fed up with it before I do ends up taking it out. Pregnant ladies don’t need to be trekking out in the ice and snow, right? I also think my gag reflex is a bit higher than normal-so I might have to add some ummm, personal compost if I emptied it.

So, this blog is meant to be asking for advice rather than telling about something that I’ve done. Any thoughts on winter compost? It is a waste of time? Something worth stinking my kitchen up for? OK-community of bloggers and blog readers-share your wisdom!