Birthday Girl

Lanelle turned 1 on the 8th. She loved her shopping cart most of all and with all the practice behind it, she has now moved on to walking without it. She changing so fast, I'm starting to feel that I can hardly remember her as a baby. She is really good at demanding what she wants and gets her point across strongly. Her sitter always comments on what an independent little girl she is. She seems like such a strong little character. She and Kellen have been playing together more lately and she doesn't let him push her around at all. They giggle playing silly games of peek-a-boo or chasing. Kellen is understanding how to play at her level more. Mostly she is easy going (unless I'm trying to keep her away from the toliet, her latest obsession). I love watching her observe things around her. She seems to take new things with interest and ease. She is good at giving cuddles that make me melt. We are all so thankful for her and we love her so much!

New Routines

So, its been 2 weeks and we have found our new routine amazingly quickly, well, and smoothly. The first week was well organized, the second not so much. However, I think that is part of our life now. Learning how to get through some weeks that will be disorganized and messy, especially after a busy weekend. Making the most of the time with kids and not worrying too much about the mess. Still doing things we like. X-country skiing a little, preschool gym night, the Stampin Up club... That feels good, cause I thought I might not make time for other things.

Now I have a four day weekend to get organized for the next few weeks. Today is Indian Goverment Day. We get a few extra holidays at the tribal council. Very nice.

I'm heading to the laundry room (you wouldn't believe the pile there, yikes.) Thanks to those who have prayed for us during our adjusting time. I know people have.

Community Shared Agriculture

Would you like an alternative to the commercialized food distribution system? Would you like to know where your meat and vegetables come from, how they were grown, and treated? Organic vegetables? Tastier, fresher food? If you don't care, you can stop reading now.

Still reading? The farmers name is Keith Neu and the farm is the Etomami Community Organic Farm at Hudson Bay, SK. Deliveries are made to Regina and Saskatoon once a month year round (twice a month during the fresh produce months). Members receive garden produce (fresh and frozen), beef, chicken, eggs... You can sign up for what you want and how much you want. Except for specifics of the garden produce. Everyone gets the same share.

He had a trial year, then year 1 was 2008, and he is now heading into year 2 and is taking more members. I'm joining. I attended the information meeting and potluck last weekend. It was the best potluck I have ever been a part of. It was obviously a group of people that care about good food. I am excited to be a part of this project because it is going to grow and thrive. Keith has great vision and ideas for expansion.

From his brochure:

Our food supply is being increasingly threatened by globalization of
agriculture, the primary purpose of which is to provide profit for the
agricultural corporations and their investors. The needs of conusmers for
healthy affordable food, and the needs of farmers and their families to make a
viable living are not part of the corporate equation...Finally, people's needs
for community and for connection the the land are completely ignored by the
processed food industry.

Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) restores the connection between people
and their food source. It reduces shipping costs and storage waste because
food production is relatively close to its consumers and the food is fresh and
healthy. Alternatives to CSA, such as direct farm sales or farmers'
markets, do not give the farmer the benefit of guaranteed income from year
to year, and require more time spent in sales. Nor do they invite
participation in the operation of the farm.

Empower yourself and support your community. Get involved with
CSA.

Interested? I'll happily pass along more info. I'll email the contract/order form. Think about and email me - janetmuirhead@hotmail.com. Current members seem very satisfied and say you'll be surprised by how much better things taste.

Start Buttons

The start buttons in my life have begun to make me feel like there is a theme I'm suppose to pay attention to. When we moved into the new house, the stove here has a start button. Not hard to use. Push it after you set the temperature. Except on my old oven there was no such button, I just had to set the temperature and it knew what to do. I quit counting the number of times I went to put something in the oven and found it still cold. It made me so mad. Mostly at myself, I mean, really, how hard is it to remember?! We had to replace the dishwasher. It died on us at the beginning of December and we found enough self-control to wait until last weekend to replace it. Kind of a going back to work present. We LOVE having one again. Of course, this one has a start button. Which I can't seem to remember to press. Shouldn't the dishwasher just know to go ahead and start after I press normal cycle!? Although not exactly the start button issue, I had a similar problem with my washer. The laundry in this house is hidden in a corner of the basement instead of pretty much in my kitchen at the old house. So, after I added the soap and turned around to put it in the cupboard I kept walking away without putting the lid down and I didn't notice until I'd come back to put it in the dryer. Sounds really stupid, I know. But I did it like 25 times before I finally was able to break the habit.

So, I think I'm suppose to learn something. I think I have a lot of good intentions and even get prepared to do things, but then never follow all the way through with things. Like, I actually came down here to sort through and file the pile of papers and bills on top of the filing box. But, here I am writing instead. I made of list of things I would like to do before I went back to work and thought about how to accomplish some of them. But, they are definately not all going to get done now. I made a list of things I would like to get for the sitter to put in a nice basket for her, just to say thanks, let her know how happy I am to have her taking care of my kids, and to start off on the right foot. But, I'm I actually going to go shopping and put it together this afternoon?

I'm going to try harder to follow through. So, here I go to file and to go shopping. Maybe if I learn the lesson well, I'll be released from my issue with start buttons? Ha, not likely...

Update: Gift bag ready and delivered this a.m. Good start on the paper pile. Good feelings carried over into work today and I found myself doing things immediately instead of filing into to-do piles. AND I remembered to push the start button on the dishwasher tonight. AND I remembered to push the start button on the oven (I was making cookies tonight - I was so hungry all day today). Things feel great and it was fantastic to be back at work today. Loved it.

what it looks like

You now know what it looks like when a 2-year old puts on all their underwear at once. 11 pairs, I believe. This done quietly while I was putting Lanelle to sleep. It made me laugh and I hope it made you smile at least.

We've had a busy month and it has slipped by too quickly. Now I am thinking about what life will look like next week when I'm back at work. I wonder what dropping the kids off will look like. Although I've gotten a taste of it this week and know it is not going to look or sound pretty, on Kellen's part that is. I'm praying that it won't take him too long to adjust. I wonder what the house will look like with a lot less attention. I wonder if I'll look sane or not after the first week. I wonder what our balance of time and priorities will look like. I'm hopeful we'll find a new normal quickly. The kids have a GREAT sitter and situation with very few other kids. I have a great job that I am excited to do again. And I do have a great husband who is being and promising to be even more helpful. Keep us in your prayers and I'll hopefully find a minute next week to let you know what its looking like.

Recipe 8: Orange Cranberry Muffins

1.5 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 whole navel orange

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup fresh cranberries

1. Combine dry ingreds

2. Cut off ends of orange, cut into quarters, remove seeds. DON'T peel. (I know its tempting). Process in food processor (yes, including the peel) with egg, milk and oil.

3. Stir orange mixture into flour just until moistened. Gently mix in cranberries.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

These have such a great orange flavor. I love them. And its a great way to use up oranges that aren't the greatest. Again this is from the Dietitians of Canada: Simply Great Food. Maybe you should just buy the book.

I made these for New Years, which we celebrated at our house with a Mamma Mia theme. Crystal liked them so I said I would post for her. Wasn't the last recipe for you too, Crystal?

Crystal, Andrea, Deanna

All of us women/girls

Kenana Knitter Critter

Here's my favorite gift I gave this Christmas. It was kind of last minute and didn't actually arrive in time, but Lanelle didn't notice it was late! This lion was knit in Kenya with local home spun wool, dyed with plants grown in gardens. Learn more about the knitters here. It came signed by the knitter - Margaret Mukami!!! You probably know Margaret is Lanelle's middle name and the name of both my Grandmas. So I was so excited when I saw the name! It is my favorite knitter critter ever and I'm working hard to make sure Lanelle gets attached to it.

I ordered it from parentingbynature and would highly recommend them. I've bought their diapers too and they are super helpful.