Everyday Life for Four Seasons

:: One of the farmstands where we buy corn ::

Happy Autumn! I've been looking ahead to this day with great trepidation, and now that it's here, I think I'm okay with it. This is the day when there is balance between daytime and nighttime, dark and light. I expected balance in my own life today, and I was pleased to have found it. Work is balanced and going well; volunteer work is balanced and going well; family downtime is back; we're in touch with our food source; and we celebrated our family "new season" ritual tonight.

I love when we go around the table and each of us says the things we're going to miss about the summer and look forward to in the fall. Our lists are so different, yet understood by all.


:: Now that I'm eating eggs, I get them here, at a stand down the road. You can't beat the size or the price for a dozen local eggs ::

I took the girls to the farm today to pick up vegetables, then headed to the farmer's market to buy a few items I need for a dinner I'm making for another family this week. I love Wednesdays, the day I stock up on produce for the week ahead. I love seeing the new variety for the week ahead, thinking about the meals I'll cook, and handling the vegetables as I store them carefully. I've been using green bags to store my veggies and so far they've been working out well.

I'm dreaming about:

:: butternut squash soup

:: pad thai with wilted chinese cabbage

:: zucchini frittata

:: tomato soup


:: Mardi Gras mask paintings - done this morning in art class ::

Our days lately are BUSY. I was home this afternoon just long enough to get dinner ingredients together so that Jeff could prepare dinner, then I left again and showed up at 7:30 with two hungry girls. We're running, running, running. I don't like living like this. I need some regular doses of unstructured free time. In the midst of it all, I enjoy stopping to savor a breakfast of homemade bread with homemade jam.

On the up side, I am:

:: Going to the gym regularly

:: Volunteering at church

:: Bringing the girls to swimming, gymnastics, art classes, 4-H and Girl Scouts (I changed my mind and decided YES on Girl Scouts)

:: Meeting up with friends for fun & play

:: Stopping to look at Jupiter in the sky and the red maple leaves on the ground

:: Making regular trips to the library

:: Cooking healthy homemade meals every night

:: Running errands that need to be run, cleaning things that need to be cleaned, fixing things that need to be fixed, and generally keeping up the house in a way that makes even me proud

... and I'm in need of slowing down soon!

Barley, tofu, cauliflower and green beans for dinner.

Loving:

Tree's felt food

The chance to see Jupiter "up close" this week

The inspiration I find at Rhythm of the Home


:: Books to be returned ::


:: Books we want to keep ::

Peace Fair today... what a wonderful group of people to spend the afternoon with. I learned from college students who spent their summer in Swaziland and Iraq, building schools and community centers; connected with the Saratoga Peace Alliance; listened to folk music; spent time with friends; and had a very nice afternoon all around.

The girls made felted balls - their (and my) first exposure to felting. I have heard of people doing it but haven't seen it done in "real life" until today. They each got a handful of wool and dipped it in water until it was soaking wet. Then they got a squirt of dish detergent on each handful and passed it between each hand for a long while and watched it form into a ball.


I've learned these past few years that if I want to live in a community of peaceful, earth-loving, creative people, I have to make an effort to find those people and actively work to keep the spirit of community alive. All of us who consider ourselves to be part of the community have the responsibility of working to keep it going. Sometimes the work is more involved and complicated, and sometimes it's as simple as having a conversation and connecting, whether it be on a personal, spiritual, or activist level. It's worth the effort. What I get in return is a feeling a fulfillment that I can't find many other places.

Hmmm.... I'm starting to sound the same way I did last year after the Peace Fair!

Today:

'H' slept all night, which means I did too (yay!). So right away, the day started out good. It flowed along like this:

breakfast

decide on upcoming dinners (tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches; veggie burgers; garlic soup with pasta; asian-infused cauliflower, green beans and tofu; homemade gnocchi; roasted vegetable quiche). I've figured out that when I eat some animal products (eggs in particular), I have more energy. Maybe it's true what they say about eating for our blood type? I'm an O. O's like low-carb, more animal protein in their diet. It's my husband and kids who are Type A and will flourish on a diet low in animal protein.

watch 'H' at her gymnastics class. All those little kids bouncing around the mat are so cute!

play outside. Swing, swing, swing. Listen to birds.

forgot to make a loaf of bread for dinner tonight, so I started it late. We'll eat late tonight.

now I'm ready to make tomato soup for me and Jeff and some lentil/carrot/pasta soup for the girls. I can't believe these girls don't like tomato soup! I'm using a loose version of this soup that was recommended by Erika.

if I'm lucky, and if I feel like it, I'll work on 'H's Halloween costume tonight. Maybe.

This weekend is full but should be fun:

sewing class (me)

a birthday party for a friend whose whole family is adored by my whole family

church

I'm working at the Peace Fair this year (remember how inspired I was by it last year?)

if we have time, we'll attend the potluck at the farm

and finally, I meet with my small group - a wonderful group of women who keep me inspired and grounded, all at the same time!


:: I'm in love with all of 'A's sculptures. This one is a bird. ::

It's chilly here today. Rainy and chilly. I decided to shut all the windows and get the stove running. Mmmm, it feels nice. And that basket of blankets next to the stove has slowly become a regular stopping-place in the evenings. Yes, fall is on its way.

'A' has been asking about our family's Change-of-Season ritual, making sure we're going to do it next week on the Autumnal Equinox. We gather things from nature that represent both seasons (the outgoing and the incoming), light candles, and each of us has a turn talking about the things we will miss from the outgoing season and the things we're looking forward to with the incoming season. I'm glad my girls like these rituals too.


Sometimes I find that I know something, but choose to ignore what I know. I then take some action and... surprise, surprise, I end up being reminded of what I already knew.

For example, I know that 'A' is very interested in learning about all kinds of things, but one of the things she is definitely not interested in doing is learning to read. She loves books, and loves being read to, but has no interest in doing it herself. Because I know this, you would think I would abstain from teaching her to read. And I have. Until today. Another homeschooling mother told me about a book she used with two of her children and today I sat down with 'A' and turned to page 1. 'A' participated for a minute before tuning out. It was really interesting to see the difference in her level of interest between learning about math and learning about reading. She couldn't have been more clear at letting me know that she's just not there yet. So, I'll put the teaching part of me aside and keep doing the storytelling until she let's me know she's interested.


One of the things I need to spend some time teaching myself about is finding rhythm to the day. I've let it go and I so much want it back. I'll start by:

:: drawing up a list of dinner ideas for the upcoming week

:: having more regular waking hours (for me. 'H' has started getting up at night again and when she does, I can't fall back asleep. So I fall asleep late and sleep late)

:: adding a purposeful, nature-based activity to our routine a few times a week in addition to our regular free time outside.

... and I'll keep doing:

:: cooking family meals and treats together

:: clean-up time after dinner at night (toys and dinner dishes)

:: asking the girls to get the mail every afternoon (they love that job!)

:: storytime after lunch and before bedtime

:: lullabies at night

:: regular trips to our neighborhood library


What means rhythm for you?

So, take a look at this... this tree down the street is sporting some distinctively fall color. The change is starting, isn't it? This is always a hard time of year for me. It's not that I love summer so much that I can't stand to see it go, and it's not that I don't like autumn. It's that I know that after autumn comes winter, and that is somewhat distressing to me. I didn't grow up this far north, and I've found that the summer season here begins two weeks too soon for my comfort level and ends two weeks too early. And the cold weather lasts four weeks too long. I'm just not ready for it.

There's a chill in the air now. The windows are mostly closed at night. We wear layers during the day. The tomatoes aren't as sweet, and they don't ripen as quickly in the garden. The little pool has been empty now for a while, and is probably ready for storage. I've got plans to go through all of our cool-weather clothing tomorrow. Yes, it's time to welcome the new season.

We're just back from a trip to Old Sturbridge Village. Yesterday was homeschool day and we went again this year. I was so impressed with the way so many of the homeschooled children dressed up in period costume! Even the teenagers were decked out in dresses and bonnets or breeches and flowing white shirts and floppy hats. I forgot to bring bonnets for the girls and I know they would have loved wearing them. 'A' went to a workshop where she learned how to sew together a travel journal. My sister came with us and we visited with animals, talked with interpreters, pumped water from the well, and got in touch with the early 19th century.


Things around here are calming down a little. I'm not as busy or as scatterbrained as I have been. Instead of wondering how to find balance, I'm just plugging along and taking time to do the things that bring me pleasure (stopping to notice the little things, cooking dinner for my family, organizing all the papers on my desk, spending time outside, talking to my children). So far so good.

In the meantime, I've been:

feeding Erma Devil's Claw to treat her arthritis

working on math lessons with 'A'

wondering what "topping the brussels sprouts" means and if we should be doing it

working on 'H's Halloween costume

finishing up some website work

wondering if 'A' should do Girl Scouts after all

making granola again

not recording everything I eat for Weight Watchers but still happy to see the numbers on the scale dropping

thinking that I need to harvest some herbs from the garden and store the ones I harvested this summer that are already dry

looking forward to picking some apples soon

... I've been doing a lot of wondering and thinking, haven't I?

Sewing class today with a great teacher. I'm making a fairy costume for 'H' for Halloween. We meet again next Saturday and I'm hoping to have most of the costume done by then. I have to make fairy wings, something I'm scared to do, and I'm saving those for the next (and final) class.

We're having an early dinner, followed by an ice cream social at the UU church for the kids, followed by some sewing and relaxing with Jeff (he does the relaxing, I do the sewing).

Have a great Saturday night.

Just sorting through some more photos from our time at the Cape last week...


One morning while we were there, 'H' and I visited an herb farm, Cold Spring Farm. It was nice to walk through the herbs and spend some time together. I bought a few things at their shop, including tea mixes for Jeff and my father, and a culinary mix of French herbs. Someday I would love to have an herb farm of my own. Mmmmm! I can just smell it!

:: the view on the way to the farm makes the short trip worth it ::

Hi there,

I'm always so aware that there are ups and downs throughout the day and throughout life. There are times when I can sense more energy around me, and times when there is less. Lately, I'm overwhelmed by all the energy around me. It's mostly stirred up by me. I've got a lot on my plate and I'm seeking some solid ground. Craving routine, easy peace and some quiet. It's going to be a while before I find it on a daily basis, but for now I'll continue to look for it any chance I get.


:: the dog at the farm is always so friendly and welcoming, just the kind of animal we love to see! ::

This week I'm thinking about:

...the website project I'm working on. There was supposed to be a small change that would affect almost nothing, but it ended up being a big change that affected so much. So, so much work has gone into this project, and I've seen far more midnights than I want to remember.

...homeschooling my girls. Public school has started up here (for the other kids) and the activities for my girls have started at full speed too. I've been rethinking what we're doing this fall and [I think] have decided upon: 4-H, gymnastics, swimming and art class. Dance and Girl Scouts aren't going to make the cut. We just have too much going on, between the evening activities for 'A' (once or twice a week, depending on the week) and evening meetings for me and Jeff (again, once or twice a week). There's no room for more. In addition to the scheduled activities, we do a number of other things that fall under the "schooling" umbrella, such as trips to art, science and history museums (we're going to the Schenectady Museum this week, Old Sturbridge Village next week, and the Hyde Collection the week after), trips to the farm to pick up our veggies and see the goats, penmanship practice, reading, math lessons, nature walks, and lots and lots of play time.


:: our vegetable share this week ::

...Erma, my ailing, aging cat. Her arthritis is so bad that she can hardly move. When she gets to the litter box (and she still does get there, thank goodness), she's too sore to bend and squat, so she ends up urinating all over, not just in the box. It's an issue for us because it means we are constantly cleaning up cat urine. She's already on a medication called Duralactin, which is a milk protein, and so far it's helped her to stay mobile. It's time for some more help. Acupuncture will ease her pain and increase her flexibility, but the price tag is out of our range. I looked up information on herbs for arthritis and learned that Devil's Claw and Spirulina are both good for it, then found that the Manataka American Indian Council sells supplements for cats containing both of those ingredients. I do hope we can help Erma find some relief from her pain. She's 17 years old and aside from the arthritis, she's in wonderful health. She deserves better.

...my garden. I've got tomatoes and peppers that are still ripening, basil that is begging to be made into pesto, lettuce mix that is sprouting, eggplant on the vine, nasturtium and marigold blooming everywhere, brussels sprouts that I hope to eat before the cabbage bug does, and herbs, plentiful herbs. All in all, it was a success this year.


:: 'A' and the dog ::

...natural healing. We've been self-medicating with herbs more and more. I recently found out that a tincture made of cornsilk will help stop bed-wetting in children. Since I have two bed-wetters, I thought, "why not?" I've been letting the tincture stew and it'll be ready in a few weeks. To make it, I put corn silk in a clean jar and cover it with vodka. Every day I shake it up, and in a month or so I should be able to strain the liquid and add little bit to a juice drink as medicine. Or if I want to make the alcohol evaporate first, I'll add it to some boiling water. Tinctures are one of the oldest ways of making medicine and yield shelf-stable products that we can use throughout the winter when our access to fresh herbs is cut off.

...volunteer work. I love to volunteer. A lot of us do. Funny how it works though - I love to volunteer when I have the time to do it. And lately, I don't have much time. Or energy. But still, the work is there.



...balance. What does it mean?

...waking up tomorrow morning to the sound of, "Mommy, are you awake?"... rolling my head to my right and finding Grace snuggled up next to my neck and shoulder... seeing my girls standing next to the bed, waiting for me to get up... and starting a new day, full of new possibilies.


:: cooking dinner ::

What are you thinking about?

We're back and settled in. 'A' LOVED "nature camp" (as she calls it). She ended up missing the last day because we fled the Cape as Hurricane Earl approached. Turns out, we didn't need to go so quickly because Earl was nothing but a strong storm. Better safe than sorry though, I say.

As 'A' plays outside now with her sister, it does not escape me that if she were to be entering kindergarten this fall, she would be readying her things for her first day tomorrow. I always knew that homeschooling her was the right choice for our family, but I wondered how I would actually feel when the first day of school rolled around. Now I know: I feel good. I feel comfortable and relaxed. I feel as though our decisions are the right ones for us. I feel as though this is going to work well.

This long weekend has been nothing short of fun for our family. We went kayaking on Saturday, to church and to the Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival yesterday, and today, in addition to doing some much-needed cleaning and organizing, we went for a hike along some new paths near our home. We're all happily worn out.


Fall is coming whether I want it to or not. I see signs of it everywhere. Fallen leaves, cooler weather, fewer ripe tomatoes in the garden. I'm not ready. I'm never ready, and this time of year always finds me heading kicking and screaming toward the change of season. It'll be the same this year. Maybe I'll learn to find some peace as the autumnal equinox arrives this year. Maybe.


In the meantime, check out this tree, which I do believe is a secret, long lost work done by Picasso. This tree is looking at us!