Into the Woods:: 4/14

Oh, the spring woods. Full of green and the promise of all there is to come with the changing of the season. I was reminded at the beginning of our walk the benefits of living in a University town. A mist netting project and we happened upon an downy woodpecker. The boys were quite interested and the researcher was surprisingly personable and willing to share what he was working on (the effect of feeder stations on wild bird overall health)

We feasted on wild garlic, and enjoyed the spring beauties.And then came upon the mud. The thing my boys like best about the spring woods. Off came the shoes and socks and the worry of getting too dirty. While I didn't indulge myself, the mud looked ridiculously awesome and I can imagine how wonderful it felt to squish through their toes.I was happy to find my most favorite of the springs floral show in bloom. Trout Lily, you have to look carefully to find the first among the thousands of leaves that have no bloom. But once you find it, your eye seems to know where they all are and what you felt sure was the first one of the season, opens up your eyes to many more... not too many though as this plant send up only one rubbery (like a balloon) leaf for seven years before it sends up two and flowers.Love.

Keeping Focus

The state of things outside of my home, has me in a bit of a panic. Thinking about the way the country is headed, feeling fearful of what kind of place we are raising our kids in has been overwhelming me. I don't even know where to begin to process everything. I have been trying to just enjoy the days, while trying to figure out how, I, as one person, part of one family, can make some sort of change. How can we stand up for what we believe, when life is already so full?

And luckily my conclusions have been somewhat simple. Keep doing what I am doing and work towards that vision of life that I have. Live simply, buy less, vote with your dollars and put them in things and businesses that are doing things right and keep focused on the things that are good.

Like springy days with bare feet, smells of cedar, sights of long eared owls, chickens laying eggs, baby plants from seed, cold frames full of greens, snowdrops and crocuses, sun making my back hot, and trips to the playground.

Laughter, family, health..
.

I Spy

Just a little catch up post (which I typically swear off!) But Asher and I had a lot of fun making it. We asked friends to bring over a selection of items for the photo shoot, which was unfortunately a typical gray February day in Central IL, we tried to tweak them a bit and the photos turned out better than I expected. I had the printed as 5 x 7's then laminated them making sure to round the corners- those laminating corners can be super sharp.Laid the pages out how I wanted them and bound the partners together with book binding tape (cloth athletic tape works too!)

It isn't my neatest book binding, but it is durable.

Stacked them up on top of each other and ran a straight stitch to sew them all together.

All together a perfect gift for our eye spy loving boy.

Searching

We have been out looking and are happy to report several signs of Spring!!

Snowdrops in our neighborhood, daffodils and ramps popping up. Forsythia blooming inside!

Sun still shining after 5!

Getting back into climbing outside (instead of the couch and end tables!)

Obsessing

As a maker of things I am often drawn to the repetition part. As much as I love love starting a project over finishing a lobor of love, I think I more adore the quick project that I can repeat, memorize and improve in my own mind- which is typically just understanding it better therefore improving the end product b/c I actually was able to follow the instructions.

Oh I love this wee balaclava. Asher was pretty quick to lose his blue one and so I just had to knit him another. The yarn is one I dyed and I love the results. A olive dye with essentially no stirring as I was too afraid that I would end up with something impossible to ball up. The varigation is something I hope that I can repeat.

And I had almost enought for River's with his wallaby left overs and am quite pleased with the yellow edgeing that came to my rescue when I realized there was just quite not enough.

Number five is currently on my needles and hopefully number four will be in the mail soon.

FOUR!!

It is an amazing time of year here. I love that we have both of the boys birthdays in February, it helps the grayest, blah-est month of the year for me so much more fun. And I love that my boys love their birthdays. Birthdays really are such an amazing time. Time to reflect on growing, changing, cherishing and all the things that we love about life and the birthday person. My favorite thing about Asher these days is that he says at some point during every day typically to River, sometimes to Papa and sometimes Mama, "Isn't this the best day ever?" He isn't so much asking as looking for confirmation that this is the best day. And even on those days when I really want to say that this day blows, his face and lit up expression, pulls me out of any funk and helps me see that yes, today is the best day ever. He constantly pulls us back into our moments of living. He looks out the window on numerous occasions and states how beautiful it is. He sees the world in such a wonderful, innocent way and I am so grateful to experience that along side him.He is growing up fast. And is thrilled that his Papa put together a fly rod for him with the promise to take him fishing this year. Oh, the look on his face.Asher had two simple requests this year, a piñata at his party along with a bad sugar cake- as in ones like some other kids have gotten that come from the store with lots of iced decorations.
The piñata was easy really, I refused to load it with candy and luckily had enough of the organic lollipops left over from Halloween for each child and then stocked it with home made crayons, stickers and tatoos. I tried very hard to simplify his birthday this year, to make it all about him. We had it on a weekday to avoid the over-population of adults and I limited the guest list to 3 & 4 year old friends. I am pretty sure next year will be the jump to as many kids as you are turning- I had hoped to do that this year, but A being A was so excited that he seemed to be inviting everyone that he saw.
We served some lunch, mini sloppy joes (meat and veggie)
Tried our best to make a "bad sugar" cake. Devils food cake with butter-cream. My first time making the butter cream, so satisfying without much sugar, and the colored decorations satisfied the birthday boys request adequately.


He was a little shyer this year compared to last year but still happy to hear everyone sing.
Little boy of mine you are an incredible little person. I don't know that I know anyone else who can ask as many questions in a row, name as many animals and what families they are part of, or get more excited about snuggling up to read a book.

Into the Woods:: 2/13 & 23

We had our first walk in the woods without snow, then in snow again and then no snow.
I kinda think that we are done with measurable amounts of snow for the year and we are all happy that more time outside of our house is coming (just not tomorrow as there will be sleet).




I think my boys could be entertained for hours with water and sticks. Ice just adds to the joy. Where R stands now is full of water as the ephemeral ponds have returned to our woods... I can already smell the spring woods!



A is getting the itch to climb... he is a little frustrated trying to climb trees in boots and can't wait to get back to his barefoot tree climbing.

We are excited for this seasonal transition.