What Santa Brings Us.

There is a constant sorting of knowledge I go through as a parent.  The wisdom my parents passed down doesn't always come to the surface right away.  Then these little epiphanies emerge, and I say, "Hmm, my parents were so wise".
They did Santa really well!

They may have gone a little overboard on the rest of Christmas, but that wasn't from Santa. And thus my point.
As I encountered Santa conversations this year. I realized other people do not see Santa the way my family did.
A neighbor brought several wrapped packages to my boys and said they were from Santa.  I told the boys they were not.  An 8 year old told me what she asked for from Santa.  She listed 8 things and expected them all.
These two experiences made my heart sad.  It made me think of all the other times that I encountered a package labeled "From Santa". I actually recall in my childhood reading a gift from one grandparent to the other and was confused why Santa's package had already arrived.... It also made me think about how materialistic our children's wishes can be.  My boys wanted everything in every catalog for Christmas. They are still pretty young to decide on something, but wishes are just that something you wish for.

I do not take my boys to the mall to talk with "Santa".
I think that there are some things that if you see them they are not as magical.
Our imaginations usually create much more interesting scenarios and pictures than real life.

In my parents home and in ours the presents from Santa are not wrapped.  They sit under the tree and therefore they are the first thing you see on Christmas Morning. Of course, the early bird must wait for everyone else in this scenario.  I covered little guys eyes this Christmas morning as we passed the tree into the kitchen and he helped me make our Holiday Challah until brother awoke.

I agonized over the Santa gift.  My eldest saw a bright yellow plastic crane in some catalog with a remote. I knew it would get broken and the batteries would be lost.  But he continued to ask for a Crane.  I looked at the big Bruder trucks and then considered their size.

Then one day little brother, (after asking for weeks for a car that made music and could ride on the road, then asking for a live duckling to live in the bathtub...) he asked for a boat with cars in it.  And Viola, an Etsy seller made a beautiful Ferry Boat with cars and a Crane with trailer.

The way the Santa Present is presented helps to keep the magic of Santa Present (No pun intended).  Many people do not realize that their actions and words create doubt in children's beliefs.

Here are some rules of Santa Presents passed down in my family, but not previously written down:
1. A Santa gift is really special.
2. There is only one per child.
3. The really special gifts must be somewhat equal in the special category.
4. They can not be made by Mama or Papa, or Grandpa or Grandma.
5. They are not wrapped. How could Santa use the same paper as Mama?
6. It is helpful if a child sends Santa a Christmas letter in late November stating what they really wish for.

If you read this and have small children or gift things to children.  Help me out here.
Let's keep the magic going as long as possible.  Together let them believe in Santa, Beauty, The Spirit of Christmas, and that Love Endures all things.

* I never intend to pass judgement.  My intention is really to keep Santa alive and Special as long a possible.  Please know this is written with some humor and much sincerity.

Your Toes are like Ice Cubes

 

At some time in the night my 4year old placed himself in my arms.
I did not hear the creak of a bed, his little footsteps coming near, or the depression in the mattress.  He was in my arms cozy and snug.  But I awoke when he pressed his little feet into my legs to get them warm.
The voice in my head said, "Your toes are like Ice Cubes". I didn't say in out loud because I was a human taco.  One little guy pressed to my back, one big brother cradled in my arms, peacefully, quietly...
And then I smiled, and thought of my Dad.
The words,"Your toes are like ice cubes", took me back to my own childhood, cradled in my Daddy's arms.
I remember exactly how it felt to walk across the hall, having awoken by a dream or a chill. Then to crawl into my parents bed and be enveloped in my Dad's strong arms, kind words, and warmth. Every time he would say the same words, "Your toes are like ice cubes!", then follow it with a giggle. And after that giggle I would usually fall back into a deep sleep.
It is a fond memory, being engulfed in warmth and welcoming.

In the night I thought of how blessed I am.
To have always been welcomed, cradled in love, and offered kind words.
A gesture, a way of life, a giving to the next generation.
And I get to pass this gesture down to my little men.


Thank you Dad!

The First Snow of 2013

The day before we were raking leaves.  I got so warm I took off my coat and laid it on the bench.
And then one thing led to another and the night brought us our first snow cover.

 Pride Captured in a photo...

Pie with Benefits

I don't know what it is with me and quantity, but I have a hard time using 8 eggs, 2 sticks of butter, or a whole carton of yogurt...  I previously avoided these types of  recipes and found one with 3 eggs, 1 stick of butter, and so on. I have turned a new leaf. Thanks to my parents and mother-in-law, who always show up with gifts of the food we enjoy, I had excess this week.  Including, three containers of yogurt, 3 packages of bacon, and 4 dozen eggs.  We made sponge cake, lemon curd, and this delicious yogurt pie!

The title "Pie with Benefits", comes from the probiotics in the yogurt, the Vitamins of the squash, and very little sugar.

Fall Yogurt Pie: Must Make Yogurt Cheese 8 hours + prior

Graham Cracker Crust
2 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter melted.

Pour warm butter on crumbs. Mix well. Reserve  1/2 cup in another heat proof bowl. Press into shallow pie plate, creating a thick crust at sides.  Bake both pie crust and extra bowl at 350F for 8-12 minutes.

Yogurt Cheese:
Place in a colander a few layers of cheesecloth.  Put colander in a bowl that will suspend it and allow whey to collect beneath without touching colander.  Place one 32 oz container of plain whole milk yogurt in cheese cloth. Tie closed with string and tie to a wooden spoon that reaches across colander.
Let drain for 8-12 hours in refridgerator.
You will have yogurt cheese (like cream cheese) in colander and whey below.  Save whey in a sealed glass jar for other uses.  Fermenting veggies, making bread, adding to recipes instead of milk...

Filling:
1cup pumpkin or winter squash ( I had a quartered piece of butternut squash left over)
3 tbs. maple syrup
1 tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Yogurt cheese

Blend squash or pumpkin with maple syrup first in a blender or food processor.  If you need more moisture add a small amount of yogurt.  Too much moisture may not set up.  Then blend other ingredients until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness or spice.
Pour into cooked and cooled pie crust.  Sprinkle extra crumbs on top.
Make a little bowl of scrapings from blender and a little bit of crumbs for your little ones (or you) to enjoy now.
Chill pie at least 1 hour, more if possible.

*Inspiration came from Moosewood Cookbook's Yogurt Pie.

Making time for each other when doing things for others

 I was up late cooking apples my friends helped peel and slice. I hoped to can 15-20 quarts to give to the local Homeless shelter. One pot burned terribly, one just a bit before being saved, and two large pots awaited the food mill and canning. As soon as I awoke this morning, I was making applesauce again. My boys were also up late.  They somehow managed to attend the first 1/2 hour of the applesauce party before bedtime round two.
Although a little sleepy everyone was chipper. I fixed the boys some toast with apple butter and gave them a bowl of mandarins to eat for breakfast.  Then they played and I worked on applesauce.  They then made cards to give with the applesauce.  Then they played again, nicely.
And then I noticed that I still had a bit of work to do, they were just about out of patience, and it would be hours until my help (grandma and grandpa) arrived.
So I packed a quick lunch, put two trikes and a pot of the burnt applesauce in the back of the car, and after picking up a coffee for Mama, headed to the park...Oh what a good idea!

We rode our bikes into the safety town, ate our picnic, and my 4 year old noticed there was a lot of trash.  He wanted to pick it all up.  I grabbed a kitchen size trash bag from the car and we practically filled it by walking around the park.  Oh the joy it invoked.  We were so happy to pick up trash that I do believe for a moment we skipped in unison.
I do not believe in preaching to your children.  I think most teaching is through imitation and observation. What I do, is much more important than what I say. It brings tears to my eyes to witness them doing something I would love for them to do, especially when I said nothing.
My heart ached with love for these little people who found pleasure in making this park more beautiful.
The joy stayed with us through the day.

Little guy trotting with joy.  He even stopped to pick a dandelion seed head to blow in the wind.

Then ever the comedian in bloom, noticed Mama with a camera and stuck his fingers in his nose.

 We took the burnt applesauce to the Breakneck pigs to enjoy. I parked the car so the boys could watch the meat birds, and adorable puppy, while I bought some grain, feed, veggies, and stew chicken.
All that talk about feeding the pigs must have spurred some creative juices.  They spent the rest of the afternoon building a pig home and gates until Grandma and Grandpa arrived.
And then, I got back to the applesauce...

A very dirty stove, which gets replaced tomorrow.

15 quarts complete.

A boy and his Chickens

Big Brother with Brahma

Was it only 3 months ago my little guy turned 4 and brought 3 new baby chicks home to live with us?
Yes. And they have grown so much together in this time.
He will sit with his chicks and feed them greens through the run.
Or he decides to take one out on an adventure.  He finds them a good spot for worm hunting and keeps close.  Umm, covering Little Red in the leaf pile was not one of the best plans...
Oh but the adventure, the lessons, and the love...

Little Red, Soma, Astra, Sammy

A Devoted Repurposer

I actually bought 12 canning jars this year and then found out that most of my family has canning jars. My mom in her basement, my aunt in her barn, and my uncle in his barn. So each trip to Prospect I get a few more.

 I took a walk down memory lane last Friday. I haven't been in my grandfather's (now uncle's) barn for years.  But it is a place of fond memories.  I share many of the stories from the farm with my boys. The story of Chocolate the cow (who I bottle fed), grandpa feeding the cats after dinner, playing in the empty chicken coop, riding on the manure spreader (only one time after extracting manure from my long locks), driving the truck in the pasture when our legs were two short and one sister operated the steering wheel while the other sister measured the gas and break (I will share this after they are 17 years old!), and the smell of the barn when there were cows, hay, and grain. There are many more stories and some of them came rushing back as we walked around the farm yard so different from my childhood, but still rich with memories.
 I guess it has been about 15 years or more since there were cows in the barn. My uncle said he moved the canning jars out about 10 years ago. But as I raked through buckets of canning jars among old straw and barn dust it seemed like yesterday that I was there. I remember taking my grandfather's soft hand and walking across the drive to the barn.  We would walk into the old milking area and fill a bucket with the feed from a big trough.  The smell of the grain is permanently present in my memories.  He then carried it into the larger part of the barn and fed the cows grain before climbing into the hay mow and tossing down a few bails.
So here I found myself, in a sea of dirty canning jars, in a space filled with memories. What does a sentimental repurposer do? Set limits, evaluate how much space you really have in the car, imagine the look on your father and husband's face when they see them, form a plan to clean them before the previous mentioned ever sees them, and last choose the most likely subjects to become clean and therefore enjoyed.

My early afternoon was filled with memories.  My late afternoon filled with scrubbing, Clorox, carrying buckets of hot water from my father's basement, and a few impatient family members wondering if I would be finished by dinner...

The jars after they were removed from the Barn at my Uncle's.

The jars on their trip to my house. The lidded jars were cleaned on a previous trip.

In my sink.

Ready to be my new granola or oat container.

These are the "new jars"  I have used for dry goods. They will become canning jars again.  My vintage jars will be used for these.

Oh, but it was well worth it!  They came clean and will be used for many more years.

I went on this canning jar expedition with the intent to have enough canning jars to donate applesauce in some.  I will use the jars that have been well stored in my pantry, my mother's basement, or by my Aunt for this purpose.  I will keep the ones I worked so hard to scour clean.  When I use them I will think of my grandparents, my uncle, and the farm of my childhood.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

"Mama, Can I just have a little taste? It is just a little raw egg."

My 4 year old loves to help bake.  Especially if little brother is busy doing something else. For this Bread pudding big brother made the whole pudding while little brother "made soup" in the sink.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding:
 2 cups bread chunks
 (We cut the outer layer off of our homemade cinnamon toast because it was very dense)
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup raisins
Let soak for 10-15 minutes

In another bowl whisk together the following:
3 eggs
1/2 cup mashed pumpkin
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Then mix in bread mixture.
Pour into a shallow 8" or 9" pan.
Bake 350F for 45 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
One reason I hope I never need to remove gluten from my life.  I love bread pudding!

Putting the Garden to Sleep

Oh it has been a good year for green beans!
We had a solid month of zucchini, a couple good tomato salads, about 10 little perfect cucumbers and a little bit of everything else.

When I think back I had two garden goals.  Plant many runner beans and cucumbers.  My little guys are not huge tomato fans or big fans of lettuce, but they could eat cucumbers and beans every day.  I think I have tired them of green beans this season.  After a break I am sure we will love the frozen beans in our winter soups.

I cut down the green bean vines yesterday, in the middle of October and they were still growing.  For 4 months we have picked a bowl of beans every day or two. The largest beans we dried to keep for seeds.

Here is a little recap that I hope I reread in the Spring.
Success in the garden this year:
Green beans
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Parsnips
Carrots
Parsley
tatsoi
kale
early lettuce
Zucchini
rutabagas
green onions

Sad plants in the garden this year:
Cauliflower
beets
cucumbers
leeks
tomatoes
winter squash

What I forgot to Plant:
Patty Pan
Broccoli

Buy new seeds next year:
Beets
Carrots
Broccoli
Parsnips
cucumbers

Apples, Sunshine, and Secret Gardens

I have been lost in apples for a month.
I have jars upon jars full of applesauce and apple butter.
I have foraged, gathered, and picked apples and I think I will be done soon.
We picked another 1/2 bushel off the ground in our backyard today. Along with the last of the basil.

In the days surrounding our applesauce making we have managed to have some fun adventures.

Canning tomatoes, finding secret gardens with Nancy, playing in the sunshine, petting goats and rabbits, and riding a horse named Jewel.

,

Why God Gave Me a Twin

35 years ago in September my mother went into labor in the evening.
Upon her arrival at the Hospital, they decided to take an x-ray of her belly.  My parents assumed they were having an October boy, or at least that's how the story goes.
When Doctor Gray reported the news to my parents, that there were two babies in her belly, my mother's labor stopped.  The wisdom of the world gave her a little break, a small moment in time to take in the news and adjust.
At some point in the night my twin gave me a few nudges and I was born by late morning, she 3 minutes after.  We used to joke that I did all the work and she was able to just slide out.  Thus was my previous view of things.  I felt like I did so much work and yet in the end did not have what I wanted.  And she seemed to so effortlessly go and get it done.

When I forgot to write down the homework assignment, she always had it.
When we were in a new environment, like summer camp, she made new friends for us effortlessly.
When I was far away seeking my adventures, she grounded me.

I tend to go back in time and long for a time when things seemed simpler and more natural.
She picks up technology with ease and understands all that is new in the world.
Some things still seem to come a little easier for her, and others easier for me.

But now I see it through different eyes: A karmic one, you could say.

We were meant to be together, best of friends, to complement each others journey.
When we create together we succeed.  When we reflect together, we can be sincere.

Then she became a mother, once again, I felt I was not alone.
She understood what I was going through, and understood the small acheivements.
I love her child like my own and she mine.

Thank you God for blessing me with this beautiful woman who has guided, shaped, helped me to reflect, and loved me always.

 I love you Dawn!
Thank you for being you!

For your birthday: 
A tunic for you!

Good Night my Little Ones

Our bedtime routine has changed a few times in 4 years.  Beds and rooms have changed, our family expanded, nursing stopped and sometimes Papa takes over.
The things we keep consistent are the songs and verses.
They are a sweet transition into sleep.
Often, on a day that was too full or an evening a little off track, I find myself singing the songs several times.  But each time I sing them I hear a yawn and a calmness come to their hearts.

My favorite Lullaby:
Good night my little ones,
May you sleep with the sun,
And arise in the morning light,
With your hearts warm and bright.

to a tune I created.

Recently, My little guys decided they wanted to sleep in the same room.  They begged me to bring the toddler bed up from basement so little brother could sleep in big brothers room.  They were both so thrilled they "went to bed" after dinner, to pretend sleep in their new setting.  I could not believe it. That night they both slept happily in the same room for most of the night!

We read 2-3 books, say good night to our little friends (Pendy Bear, Dolls, and a Dog), tuck them in, tuck boys in, then say verse, sing songs, and I usually rub one back with my right hand and two feet with my left until quiet sleep drifts over them.

Last night, Big brother had things on his mind.  He needed to share some important things.  He had a plan for fishing and a fishing spot he needed to try.  I tried to encourage his imagination without promising to go fishing tomorrow. He also told me a change in his imaginary friend.  Anka Danka has been a part of his play for 2 years.  She is who he calls on the phone, who he plans adventures with, and who's house he dreams about when he needs to dream a bit or travel a bit in a pretend car.
He said," Anka Danka has died Mama,"
I said, "Oh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear. What happened?"
He said," She got a snake bite and died. I am sad about that".
I said," Yes, that is sad, I will say a prayer for her."
He said, "Yes, and I am going to pretend I have a new friend now. His name is Sandy- Dandy".
And then the conversation was finished. His wheels were still turning, but we were finished discussing it. He had a whole new friend to imagine and I did not want to influence it.

I then sung lullabies once again...

Later as I sat knitting I realized I needed to leave space for reflection.
We all need to reflect at the end of the day.  It is one of the reasons I write this blog.  We often review the day, but to reflect is altogether different.

This evening, I made room for reflection and somewhere it went haywire.
The boys were contemplating God!
First day of intentional reflection and they pick a doozy.
Little brother said, "What is God?" "Is he an animal?", "Is he a cloud?"
Big brother said, "No silly!  He is a human being!"
Then they giggled and continued the discussion a bit, completely stalling sleep.
Eventually they needed separated to calm down.

I am asking my angels tonight to help me with this one...
Past midnight tonight, I'll contemplate tomorrow...

Under the Oaks

Under the Oaks

Garden Playschool

by Andrea Zeno

zenoandrea@yahoo.com

Under the Oak Offerings:

Woodworking and Sculpting Blocks:

Starting soon: 3 week blocks for age 3-5.

$10 per child for block.

They will go home at end of block with a finished project.

3:30 to 5 pm weekday to be announced.

 

Nursery Child Care / Playschool: age 2-5

class size: up to 6 children

 T, F 9:00-12 with snack and lunch $25/day

aftercare 12:30-3:00 $15.

Parent Child Nursery Group:

1^st Monday of the month

Free- 9:30- 11:30 age 1-5

Daily Rhythms:

Nursery Play Group and Child Care

wash hands 

morning activity (baking, craft,painting)

play

circle

snack

outside

story 

lunch

goodbye

Aftercare:

story and rest

snack

outside play

Homemade Shampoo

Oh Shampoo, silly shampoo.
Something we use so frequently and yet think so little of.
Well my husband and I have been thinking about it a lot lately. 
We can't seem to find one that we like, that smells good, that we would like to smell like, and that is less than $8.00 a bottle.  Really why is good smelling shampoo so expensive?

I decided to try and make some, scent it the way I like, and see how is works.
I spent some time at the Co-op to see if I could buy a small amount of Jojoba oil and Aloe Vera. The smallest bottles were $5.00-$8.00. Still in the experimental stage, I wasn't willing to pay what I would for a bottle of shampoo, yet.

And sometimes the universe sends me a sign:
That evening I pulled a 400 degree pan from the oven and pulled it back in a way that singed my bicep.  I remembered my unattended Aloe plant.  It was happily growing in front of the sunny basement window. I pulled off one leaf to treat my burn and noticed the size of the plant.  Why buy aloe when my plant is big enough to extract some. About 3 large leaves gave me 2 tablespoons of aloe.

Recipe:
2oz castile soap (half lavender half peppermint scented)
2 tbs Aloe Vera
1 tsp olive oil
10 drops essential oil (I used Pillow Talk)
6 oz boiled and cooled to warm water

Combine and add to a previously used pump bottle.

As I shampooed my hair the first time, my husband opened the door and said "What is that, that smells so good?" "Oh, just the shampoo I made" was my answer.