I have no idea what blogspot is doing

and don't have the desire or energy to figure it out.

Enjoy the picture of the cute kid anyway.

Happy Halloween

I'm not alright, you're not alright

I struggle with self image like nearly every American, I'd guess. Those of us plugged into the media in the forms of TV, movies, magazines, newspapers, and/or radio have all got the message: Thin is Good. Thin is moral. Thin is the priority. Thin is healthy. Thin is the only form of beauty.

Thin is ever increasingly hard to obtain in our sedentary, high fructose corn syrup laden, fast food abundant, speed of light world. It makes me think of the Rubenesque beauties that were heralded for their voluptuousness perhaps because high calorie food was difficult to obtain and having extra flesh was a sign of wealth and prosperity (and I'm sure a nice way to stay warm in those drafty homes of the 16th century).

In celebrities we've got a few awesome men and women with some curves and rolls that show one can be chubby and healthy. One such celebrity that passes for fat is America Ferrera.



She's a lovely woman with beautiful skin, a warm smile, and a healthy and curvy body.

And here is the lovely Ms. Ferrera in a magazine shoot



What? Where are the lines on her neck? What happened to her cute freckles? Her soft arms? And did she get a breast enhancement?

Clearly not. She's been altered by the infamous air brushing that is rampant in every fashion magazine.

No wonder no one feels beautiful enough, good enough.

While strides are being made I still struggle with accepting who I am and what I look like. I don't expect to look like the magazines models (because I know they are fake) but it can be hard to get the logical side of my brain to link up with the emotional side. I know that beauty doesn't make a human being a quality person but the constant battering of thin imagery takes a conscientious decision to overcome. I'm still working on it each and every day and I know that I will for a long time to come. I hope that my daughters and son grow up stronger and more self assured than I am. The best I can do is try my best not to expose my children to this type of media until they are older and can process it better as well to not let them know about my unhealthy self image.

Neighbors

Currently in the rain and thunder the man across the street is mowing his lawn. This isn't actually odd behavior for him. He seems to spend the majority of his time out of his home. I'm not sure if he just likes being outside or if the teens are getting to him. They clearly have teenagers though I couldn't say how many. There are always teens coming in and out of the house, sneaking around to the side to make out, and walking up and down the road. They aren't obnoxious but they are always there. Maybe the man is simply forced out by lack of space. He seems to spend hours a day putting things in and taking things out of his truck. He also mows the neighbors' yard on one side of him. At first I thought it was nice as she appeared to be a single mom but now I'm thinking that it's another excuse to keep out of his own home. Perhaps I should strike up a friendship and see how much lawn work I can get...

It's time...

Tea time




















Shawn and I have been having an affair since the Autumn weather has us feeling so cold. Even though we are devout coffee drinkers one cannot carry on with that much caffeine all day. To get past the evening (or morning, or afternoon) chill we've been consuming a lot of tea.

Pictured above is Organic Masala Chai in those wonderful triangular silk bags. This is some good tea. You can see the herbs and tea leaves in the bag not just some random fine dust. I know it's not a high end tea but it's delicious with a great aroma to boot.

The chai isn't our only dalliance, or at least not mine, I also adore the vanilla rooibos and peach and blueberry and a nice mint green tea to soothe an upset stomach (I just hope I can keep the Smooth Move boxed up).

Our new love has been encouraged in no small part by a new toy. We all know toys can spice things up but this one has not only made things more exciting but easier too.

His name is Capresso. A svelt Italian fellow that I couldn't recommend more. Capresso brings us boiling water in no time and has many uses. I flip the switch for my French press, for water to thin sauces, for oatmeal, and of course our several times daily tea. I've wanted this for a long time and am so glad that we finally brought it home.

My Ta-Da! List

Inspired by another blogger I have decided to post a Ta-Da! List today. Instead of focusing on what I can't accomplish I'll focus on what I have done. I have figuratively worked my butt off (figuratively because my butt is unfortunately all still there) today.

1.Washed, folded, put away 4 tall baskets of laundry (Can you believe there is more to do?!)
2. Washed 2 drying rack full of dishes (more of those too)
3. Vacuumed living room, dining room, hallway, kids' room, and office (the living room and dining room need to be done again and I need to take the dust buster to the edges of all the rooms)
4. Picked up the living room and helped the kids do the dining room and their room
5. Reorganized my yarn bins
6. Hung lots of stuff on the walls
7. Made lunch, simple as it was
8. Sorted the clothes for the season change
9. Supervised the kids numerous chores
10. Organized the kids craft area
11. Sorted things for the swap
12. Nursed and diapered the baby many times over, of course
13. Sneezed a hundred times from all the dust (yesterday Shawn and I unpacked the garage)
14. Finally sewed the buttons on two knitted items that have been waiting months

And now Ivy is finally napping. She's been a patient girl, especially since she's teething, and has spent a lot of time cuddling and playing with daddy.

Once she wakes up I want to finish the dishes, clean my own room, and maybe if I have time clean the bathroom. The bathroom will probably have to wait till tomorrow along with the rest of the laundry and the vacuuming.

I do feel pretty satisfied with what I've done but would be a lot happier if my kitchen and bedroom are clean before I go to bed.

Want to post your Ta-Da! List?

To Do List

As the water for the coffee is boiling and thus I'm not completely awake I thought I'd make up a list of what I need to accomplish today.

-Fold 4 loads of laundry (and ideally wash about that many more)
-Wash 2 sink fulls of dishes
-Vacuum the living room and dining room (who the hell thinks that carpet in a room for eating is a good idea?)
-Sew skirts for Julie, 20 or so I think
-Unpack books (yes, we still have lots that is not unpacked)
-Scrub the bathtub
-Turn the pears into pear sauce before they become compost

And of course make 3 meals from scratch, nurse the baby multiple times, do homeschool, break up fights, make snacks, change diapers, etc

And the other things which I would like to do but won't
-Make salsa (but of course I'd first need to clean the food processor that I got for free off Freecycle)
-Bake bread
-Unpack and organize the school box
-Clean the kids' room
-Steam clean the carpets (read about carpeting dining room above)

I just do not have enough time in the day or hands to get it all done. I need a clone.

Update: Right after I clicked "Publish" I heard the water boiling for the coffee. I had to pour it one handed since I was carrying Ivy so I put the French Press in the sink and poured the boiling water in then the press slipped and sent coffee grounds and boiling water across the kitchen. Luckily no one was burned except me but now I have to start the coffee ritual all over again. Awesome.

A Tuscan Meal

This time of year my mind turns to soup and one of my favorites is perfectly timed with our CSA delivery and our garden output. The Tuscan Peasant Soup has been a favorite of mine for years.

Here is the original recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 Italian sausages, mild, about 1 pound
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 onion; small
• 3 cups beef stock
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped or 1/2 teaspoon dry basil
• 1 salt and pepper to taste
• 1 parmesan, grated or romano

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown Italian sausages on all sides; slice sausages 1/2-inch thick rounds. Use non-stick cooking spray or a little vegetable oil if using turkey Italian sausage. Pour off excess fat. Add to skillet the celery, zucchini and onion. Saute 2 minutes longer, stirring. In crockpot, combine beef broth, tomato sauce, and basil. Add sausage and vegetable mixture; cover and cook on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve this hearty soup with garlic bread or crusty Italian bread.

I make variations of this in Fall. This year we used tomatoes from our garden to make the sauce, I skipped the celery, and slow cooked it overnight before adding the sausage. We use summer squash and zucchini and added onion. I used ground sausage and made meatballs.

We had this for lunch with sliced Tuscan melon from our CSA delivery.

Each time the soup turns differently each time but I recommend trying it with your own variations during the cool days of Fall.

From barely walking to running

in 3 days




















It seems that she doesn't realize that she's a baby. In another 3 days we fully expect that she will be climbing the bunk bed ladder.

Local. It's what's for dinner.

or breakfast

















Steamed kale topped with Russian banana fingerling potatoes, uncured Applegate Farms ham, lionsmane mushroom, and sweet onion, cherry tomatoes, and Tillamook cheddar cheese. Served with locally roasted coffee and Darigold creamer. Quite delicious.


It's also what's for snacks














This is our motley crew of rainbow carrots. I broke a few during harvest and we didn't get many white ones. We will be eating these fresh since most varieties turn orange during cooking. I definitely want to grow these again!