Everyday Life for Four Seasons

We played at home today. The girls didn't get out of their pajamas at all. I had sewing class tonight and Jeff put them to bed, so I don't even know if they got out of those pajamas and into clean ones for bed.


I am working on children's pants and two shirts in my sewing class. I really enjoy it and I wish I could devote more time to sewing on my own. But I feel guilty when I indulge in my hobbies. It's my Puritan work ethic.


There is a woman in my sewing class who photographs nature. Her work is very soothing, so please check it out. My favorite gallery is the Maritimes gallery, because it reminds me of my favorite place in the whole world, the New England coastline. I'm at home anywhere from Eastern Connecticut to Maine. Love it.

We've been catching up on Lost. It's addictive.

Finally, we're getting some rain.

Thank you, Mother Nature, thank you.

We planted this purple plum tree last year.

Jeff is out tonight and I had planned to be super-productive, but my pine pollen allergies are getting in the way. I did, however, manage to make the veggie burgers I've been dreaming about. We made a decision to take another step away from eating animal products. Our diet is mostly egg- and dairy-free because of 'A's allergies. We eat a fair amount of poultry for dinner and we're starting to switch to more of a legume-based diet. It's just better for everyone that way. Better for our health, better for the animals, better for the environment.

My veggie burger recipes come from a heavenly cookbook: Vegetarian Burgers by Bharti Kirchner. The burgers are hearty, fresh and tasty. Not to mention oh-so healthy. I'm going to post our favorite recipe from the book with the hope that you will make it, love it, and buy the book so you can make many more. Actually, this recipe is all over the internet, so I'm copying and pasting to save myself some time :)

Pecan Mushroom Burgers

1 Tablespoon olive oil
3-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup coarsley chopped green onions/scallions
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 lb swiss chard leaves, stems removed, coarsley chopped (about 2 packed cups)
2 teaspoons tamari/soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 cup prepared Bulgur (soak 1/2 cup bulgur in 1 cup water for 30-40 minutes or until soft.
1/4 cup pecans, toasted and ground in a spice/coffee grinder
1 3/4 cups bread crumbs
salt and pepper

Heat oil in skillet; cook garlic until golden.

Add onions, mushrooms, chard, tamari and rice vinegar. Cook, covered, until vegetables are softened.

Place vegetable mixture and the bulgur in food processor or blender; pulse several times until well blended.

Scrape into large bowl and add ground pecans and bread crumbs. Mix with spoon or hands until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Form into patties 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter. Preheat broiler. Place patties on cookie sheet and broil 3-5 inches from heat, 7 to 9 minutes per side or until lightly browned. When one side is done, turn patties carefully with spatula. Serving suggestions: on whole wheat bun, or focaccia bread, with shredded lettuce or cabbage, sweet onion rings, or a gravy.

Oh my, talk about a dichotomy. My photos from today and the energy from today do not match up.

In short, it looks like we played Huck Finn today, ambling along, looking at the trees, the ants and the dirt, breaking up all that looking with some time on the swing or a lay in the hammock.



Not quite. 'A' had preschool this morning and 'H' and I went for a walk in the park. She hates being confined to the stroller, so the walk wasn't really enjoyable for either of us. When we all got home at lunchtime, I was so excited to put them both to bed, or at least in their rooms for quiet time, so that I could break out my sewing machine (or "masewing sheen" as 'A' used to call it) and work on the shirt and pants I am making for 'A'.


I didn't have the chance. 'H' woke up screaming after a few minutes in her crib. This is the 4th day that she hasn't been able to sleep through a nap or the night. I brought her to the doctor. Sinus infection. Antibiotics. Hopefully she'll sleep tonight, although that is not likely since she has been screaming out in pain on the hour since she went to bed.


So, enjoy these photos that paint an idyllic portrait of our life, and know that reality doesn't resemble that at all.


Love, Jillian

PS: the hammock beckons. Maybe tomorrow.

here's a neat website that will turn your regular-looking photos into ones that look like they were just pulled from your grandma's dusty cellar. The directions are in Japanese, but I trust that you can figure out how it works.


See the original photos here and here.

Sorry folks, I've been absent. I'm blaming it on general busy-ness combined with Spring Fever. It's really hard to stick to my usual routines when it's so nice outside. During 'H's afternoon nap, 'A' and I like to sit outside and eat popsicles and watch the plants grow. It's a delicious indulgence. I'm enjoying it because I know that all too soon it'll be too hot to sit in the afternoon sun.


Good thing 'H' is driving this car because 'A' is almost ready to fall asleep!

after dinner.
way after dinner.

had the windows w-i-d-e open today!

This is Erma.

She turns 15 years old soon. Erma is the best cat in the world. She's steady. I can count on her to always be the same, no matter what is going on around her. She's predictable. She sleeps in the same spot day in, day out, until suddenly she changes her spot, and then sleeps in that same spot for a few weeks.


One of the neat things about Erma is that she is a polydactyl cat. She has many, many toes on each foot. I think there are 6 on each. The extra toes have always managed to get caught on the carpeting where ever we have lived. When she walks on wood or ceramic floors, her extra toes go clickety-clack, as if she is wearing high heels.

Somewhere along the way, she got fat. I think it was when I started apartment living and she couldn't go outside anymore. She stayed fat for a long time. Then last year, she lost a lot of weight really fast. 6 pounds in a few months. All of the tests came back normal. Not only normal, but, "wow, for her age, she is so healthy!" normal.


She continues to lose weight, but at a slower pace now. She's losing interest in the world around her. Her eyes have a different look in them. She's putting distance between us. I don't know what the future holds for her. I hope that life continues to be kind to her.


No distance in these eyes.

After a very cold night (I pulled out an extra down blanket for myself and another one for 'A' after she woke up feeling cold), we were pleasantly surprised to find that today's weather is delightfully warm.


We met some other mothers and children at the State Park today for a brisk stroller walk. 'A' rode in the stroller for a while before deciding it was time to get out and run around with the boys. They were really cute, running around carrying their drinks tucked under their arms.


I brought these daffodils inside from the garden yesterday and they seem to be happy in a vase on our kitchen table.