Dec 24, 2013::plans

Last night, in a family conversation about where our kids see themselves in twenty years, our youngest shared his plans. 

When he is one year older than his daddy, he will marry the first girl who meets him at the marrying place.

They will have a house and four kids.

On March 28, they will have a baby girl, Gabriella.

On March 29, they will have their first baby boy, named Sudden Rain. 

He will be followed on consecutive days by his two younger brothers, named Sure and Twas the Night Before Christmas.

He has such specific plans. I can't wait to see his life in twenty years.

Namaste

November 28, 2013::thanksgiving in chicago

After a very rocky start at navigating the public transit system, we made it to the hotel. The kids and I wandered Millennium Park while Todd watched the Cowboys game and rested his foot. 

Tomorrow...Black Friday on Michgan Avenue.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Namaste

November 28, 2013::road trip...er....rail trip

We are headed to Chicago by rail for the weekend. Looking forward to holiday spirit of the big city.

Sept 29, 2013::hello from the backroad

Just dropping by to share some of our adventures in the last week or so.

Brice and I have begun reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series with Little. House in the Big Woods. I live to read about the laying in of food in the first chapters of the book. I would have loved to play house among the piles of pumpkins in the attic. The big kids always seem to make their way to the room where we wre reading aloud. I think we all love the Little House. 

After reading the part about Ma making butter, we tried our hand at our own. What fun!

Captain America still makes a daily appearance around these parts.

Our dear friend, Lisa, paid us a visit last weekend. It was so good to see a familiar face, especially one we miss so very much!! Looking forward to more exciting company next weekend.

We attended the Koh-Koh-Mah and Foster Encampment and watched a reenactment of a battle from the French and Indian War.

I am working on a plan for how to paint this place when all the wallpaper comes down. Work in progress...

The Indiana Bicentennial Train Exhibit visited Kokomo.

Reeves learned to play Magic at the local game store. Big Bang Theory hard!

We attended a video taping of a local tv show and watched a concert with Shiny Penny. Check 'me out on iTunes. Remember them. I think they are going to go far. Talented kids.

And my favorite adventure, the VW Cruise In! I even picked up a treasure at the swap meet for my collection. 

Until next time...happy adventuring!

Namaste

Sept 18, 2013::still

My intention this year was to post something here daily to mark our year of "home."

My struggles to post lately reflect my inner struggle to pinpoint my place here in our new home and new hometown. Nothing to worry about. I came with very few of my former responsibilities, so my personal place in this community can now evolve into something new for me. That's exciting. 

My inner voice is telling me to be still and listen instead of pushing to speak. So, I will not be posting here daily. I will post, but it will be when I have something I truly want to share, not just to fill a calendar. Fall is typically a very creative time for me, so we'll be together here again soon.

Namaste

Sept 15 & 16, 2013::pumpkin time

Oh, it's pumpkin time and that makes me so happy!

I am not a fan of the Starbucks pumpkin concoction. 

No, It's the pure, orange, smashy, real deal that I love. 

I use it off and on throughout the year, but in the fall, it's a staple in everyday cooking.

The October issue of Food Network Magazine is speaking my language in their insert cookbook listing 50 ways with canned pumpkin...inspiration!

I put it in smoothies, pancakes, cookies, even chili. 

This year, it's going in applesauce, scones, refrained beans, hummus, and cornbread. 

Great fiber and vitamins. We even feed it to the dogs and they love it! 

Remember what happened when you fed your baby too many carrots?

I may be orange by December!

It'll be yummy getting there, though!

P.S. A very happy birthday to my guy...love you always...

Namaste

Sept 13 & 14, 2013::weekend update

Ended the week with...

A women's summit on the IUK campus. So great to meet so many of Kokomo's women and talk about the needs of women in the community.

Visited the apple orchard again for a last stash of Honeycrisp apples.

Visited Target for a special purchase. How else would he spend his allowance?

Still not feeling up to snuff, so this is short and sweet. Looking forward to some beautiful fall weather coming up this week. Leaves are changing before our eyes. Can't wait to see an Indiana fall.

Namaste

Sept 12, 2013::new obsession

Brice announced today that he will be Captain America when he is an adult. He will eat lots of good food and get strong enough to lift a motorcycle.

Instead of plans for Titanics, he's dreaming up bigger and better shields and better "dresses." He talks of his plans nonstop. 

One obsession traded for another...on to new learning.

Namaste

Sept 11, 2013::roses

I do not have a green thumb. Both of my parents do, but that talent skipped over me. Really, though, I should just own up to the fact that I find the repetition boring. I love planning and planting, but the constant weeding, watering, and upkeep is beyond my interest. I would love to take a master gardener class, but would I use it? 

When we bought this house, I was a little disappointed that there were so many rose bushes. they are beautiful, but oh boy, roses take work. They all appeared to have finished blooming, and I wondered if we should just dig them up and give them away instead of allowing them to die a long death under my neglect. 

When my parents visited, my dad gave me a lesson in pruning and within a week they were blooming again! Pruning, I can handle. Seeing new buds, I can enjoy. 

I still don't have a clue how to prep them for winter or fertilize them or help them survive this heat wave, but I have a start. They are doing ok by luck right now and I am growing attached to them. Maybe I can nurture them and my own green thumb.

Namaste