We're Off

I'm blogging at work, that's a first. I'm short on time and I'm in vacation mode. Vacation starts at 4:30 today and in a mad rush we will be leaving for BC shortly after that, trying to get to Calgary at a decent time tonight. I really wanted to be organized. It's not happening. I tried packing with the flashlight in my hand last night. What are the chances that the power would go out right after I got the kids to bed!?!? I gave up and went to bed after packing one and a half bags. I'm more rested than I thought I would be today, so maybe that will help more with a quick getaway anyhow. Send prayers for us, for safe and HAPPY travels!!

Plum Down

Lanelle walked up behind me while I was making supper tonight. I heard a "thunk" and then "uh-oh". The "uh-ohs" kept being repeated so I began to pay attention to her. She was pointing to the open air duct until the cupboards. Once Ian had to dig out Lightning McQueen from down there with a coat hanger and sticky tape. We should have covered it up. Since Lanelle came from Ian's direction, I asked him if he'd noticed what she had in her hand. We weren't sure. Then he pointed out that there had been a raid on the plums that were still on the floor in the grocery bag. We counted, yep, we were missing one. Replaying the thunk over in my mind, I realized it probably was indeed the missing plum. We ignored the issue for a while. I wondered how long it would take to shrivel up to nothing. Would it stink?

Ian couldn't live with the plum down there, so it became a late night project. I was wishing for suspended ceiling tonight while my wrist was cramping and my elbow was yelling at me as I tried to fold my arm around an impossible corner while fishing for a plum with a coat hanger. I would have ripped the duct apart, but not our basement ceiling. Not for a missing plum. Ian was trying not to yell as he was giving direction peering into the duct that he opened up in the storage room. The whole thing struck me as very funny after awhile and I couldn't stop giggling which didn't help. Eventually, just before I gave up, I managed to retrieve it. We also found a monster truck that neither of us recognized. I think it had been there for a long time.

Ian is currently searching for material in the garage to cover the hole. Just thought I'd share my giggle with you.

Missing

I think I've been missing being here, at my computer before I go to bed, to think just a bit. I was missing the kids today while I was at work. I've been thankful that hasn't been an overwhelming feeling that robs me of enjoying the days at work. But maybe since I'm getting very anxious for the holidays to begin as I dream about how much fun we are going to have. 4 days left.

I was missing Grandma Bell lately. I decided to take up knitting again. I thought it would be fun while we drive out to BC and back over the long weekend to have something to feel productive about. I saw the most beautiful knitted dress that I wanted to make for Lanelle. I was surprised that the skill I once had didn't come back as quickly as I thought it would. So while watching some knitting on youtube, playing with the yarn in my hand and feeling very awkward with the knitting needles, I kept having flashbacks to Grandmas kitchen where she taught me knitting with a few friends in 4-H. It was really nice to have so many warm memories. I only briefly thought about going back to crocheting, but didn't want to disappoint Grandma. I think I'll be able to knit some hats on the trip but don't know that the dress will be done without some serious practice.

One a very different note, Lanelle made me laugh tonight even though I shouldn't have. Kellen and I were trying to play trains and she kept darting into our game (very sneakily) and grabbing an engine or car as she took off at top speed down the hall. Kellen would wail and take off chasing her again. She'd act very nonchalant as he ripped it out of her hand and tell her no. She'd saunter back to her toys for a moment before darting in again to frustrate him. Like you probably are thinking, I thought she was just wanting to play with us. So I tried to involve her in pushing the train around, but she honestly had no interest in that. Once she had her hand on a car she was gone, anticipating the chase the would ensue. What kept seeming so funny to me was that it wasn't her done in her usual squealing, smiling way. She was very serious about it and seemed to enjoy torturing her brother in some somber, dark way. She was so content with herself and not concerned at all about Kellen's reactions. So, yeah, I shouldn't have been laughing, but it was so strange.

With that little story I best get myself to bed. I just didn't want to forget that one.

Share your good reads, please!

I'm dreaming about my soon to begin vacation. I'd like to do some reading, while the kids play in their new fun backyard. I'm going to go to the library this week and would like to order some good books. So please help - send me some of your favorite titles!

I've been told some people can't comment. If that's the case, email me - janetmuirhead@hotmail.com.

Please, please, pretty please...

Hopscotch Camis GIVEAWAY!!!!

I wish I would make the time to sew. The handmade uniqueness would be so worth it. Until that time, maybe I could win something cute, specifically this
Hopscotch Camis GIVEAWAY!!!! for Lanelle, please?! She looks so cute in red!

Feelings

Some of tonights feelings:

Surprised I want to be here, thought I'd stay away for a long time. Guess it is a habit.
Even more surprised that I used iTunes to purchase some music for the kids I've had my eye on for awhile - successfully and quickly. Johnny Bregar, if you are wondering. Yes, I suppose its for me too even though it is "childrens music." So far, as I'm listening and typing, Dragonfly is my favorite.
Discouraged that I'm finally sitting down to scrapbook and I'm too tired.
Happy we went to Aliya's birthday party - Kellen really enjoyed it and it was good to feel connected since they just moved from the Fort to Regina.
Eeekkk! (Don't know exactly how to put the feeling into a word). Ian bought Kellen a play structure for the backyard. We really shouldn't have. But, we are going to all love it.
Peaceful in a pretty darn clean house (and feeling pleased with myself about it.)
Delighted that my kids are so much fun (most of the time). Trying to be thankful that Lanelle is exerting so much independence, as I remind myself its an important developmental stage.
REALLY wishing that the Town has a new garbage truck driver hired, so we can have Ian with us Sunday mornings.

Fruit Salsa

I didn't think I'd be back here so soon, but I have to share this winner. It was the biggest hit at a cooking class this week and then with my own family. I think its a must for summer picnics and I promise its well worth your time.

Fruit Salsa
2 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped
1 cup strawberries, chopped
1 kiwi, peeled, chopped
1 orange, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup peaches (fresh or canned)

Can pulse the fruit in a processor for salsa consistency or finely chop.

Mix together 2 T marmalade or jam, 2 T brown sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice (or I substituted peach juice from can) and combine with fruit.

Serve with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips: Cut tortillas into wedges, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake about 10 minutes or until crisp at 450F.

What? (30)

After 30 bizzilion starts here to this ridiculous post, I give up. I learned this past month that its difficult to write when tired and that's its okay to not say much. I was hoping to not end with that feeling. Making it to #30 should feel like an accomplishment, and getting more stuck than ever on the last one really takes away from that feeling. I'll think of the lesson in that tomorrow. Tonight, I'll just say goodbye. It's been a challenge. For anyone that has stuck with me in the challenge, thanks.

I did have a great day and should have taken some pictures. Having a little get together with Muirheads/Koops to say Happy Birthday to Uncle Michael was fun. The kids loved having everyone around. Ian enjoyed all the oohhs and ahhs over his table. I enjoyed it all, as always. Thanks Mary for the special gifts. And, I hope you had a very great birthday Michael and I'm praying it will be a year full of amazing blessings for you.

Goodnight and Goodbye (probably for awhile now!)

My Black Bean Soup (29)

1 tsp canola oil
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
5 cups cooked beans
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1 tsp dried sage
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tomatoes, chopped

1. Saute onion, garlic in oil
2. Add 3 cups beans and mash. Add remaining 2 cups of beans, stock, water, sage, brown sugar, and pepper. Simmer for 30 ish minutes.
3. Add chopped tomato and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Serve topped with grated cheese (if you like)

I made this tonight. Many adaptations from original recipe. I'm not sure that I've estimated my previous estimations very well but it should be close. It was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to make it again. I was a little bit nervous to serve it to our guests, but they also really loved it! Served with fresh whole wheat biscuits, summer blossom honey and fresh apple cranberry crisp. Perfect.

Creativity (28)

I find myself thinking about creativity more lately. I would have labelled myself a non-creative person, because I can't draw after all. Through things like scrapbooking, I started recognizing that I like being creative. Then I saw in other crafting things I liked to do that, hey - I really am creative. Now, I think about being a creative mom and inspiring my kids to be creative. I really enjoyed this book and got lots of ideas from it. Including a bigger picture of what being creative entails. One idea that I keep thinking about - having an inspiration board. Anyone can put up things that inspire them - a photo, a magazine page, a piece of fabric, ribbon... where the color, texture, emotion, whatever beauty inspired them. I don't know if I'll do it (although I might), but it really made me think about how we should reflect on what things around us give us inspiration.

These 2 things made me feel joy, so I took pictures of them. If I had an inspiration board, I think I would add these pictures. I loved my green tea (with summer blossom honey from the farmers market - if you haven't tried the difference between spring, summer and fall honey you really should, its amazing).

I feel like I have to defend why diapers drying on a line inspire me, but they do and explaining would cause it to lose that feeling.

I think watching children explore the world around them is a whole different level of understanding creativity.

Friday, June 5 (27)

Today, I am still enjoying a clean house. Today, I am home sick with a cold. I took the kids to the sitters late this morning and had a nap. Now, I am feeling much better and the cold doesn't seem nearly so bad as this morning. I just endured the second night in a row that Lanelle was up for more than 2 hours in the middle of the night. Ian would like to give her away. Sleep really affects everything, doesn't it? Today I am getting organized in the clean, peaceful house. Bills have been paid, laundry is being done, diapers are on the line drying, the winter gear has been pulled out of the closet and packed away, piled up papers are being sorted. I think having someone clean is going to enable me the time to get more organized. The kids will be up from their nap soon, so I will go pick them up early. I will enjoy a relaxing Friday evening with them, while I can feel the opposite of overwhelmed. Hope you have a wonderful Friday night.

Yep (26)

It is as good as I could have imagined!

The Big Day (25)

Remember what tomorrow is for me? First day with the housecleaner! I took Kellen to pre-K registration tonight and planted flowers, tomatoes, seeds in between putting kids to bed. I'm just finished up with that and the house is a disaster. Normally this would cause the rest of the evening to be ruined. But, tonight, it makes me laugh because its going to be clean when I get home. The food under the table, magically gone. The grass all over the porch after Ian cut it tonight, yep that will be gone too. The dishes that didn't all get done yet, she said that would be cleaned up too! The dirty bathroom with little mud footprints will have disappeared also!

I think I'm going to ask Ian and the kids to stay out in the yard tomorrow until I get home, so I can enjoy the clean by myself for a few minutes.

Have you ever had someone clean for you? Is it as wonderful as I'm imagining?

Relief (24)

I don't have to go away for work for 3 days. I didn't want to go. I needed to be home, but I had to go. So, I tried to be positive. Then, 2 days before departure, I don't have to go! I did a happy dance and feel so light I could float. I was beginning to feel like I couldn't take much more and it was affecting me in ways I didn't even know. I smiled a lot more for the rest of the day. I appreciated people more.

So, instead of checking into a hotel on Thursday, I will be coming home to a clean house (the housecleaners first day!) Going to our second slow pitch game (our first was last night and I really had fun). I will enjoy my kids, do some yard work, and smile.

Just thought I'd share my joy today. Good night, I am going to have a restful sleep!

Happy Birthday (23)

Happy Birthday to the amazing most important woman in my life. Thank you for all the love you've given me. Thank you for all the prayers you've said for me. Thank you for the example of faith you are. I hope you had a great birthday, Mom.