Apple Flowers

I relish the newness of food when it is in season.

We grow tired of apples in the spring. They store so well they are one of the only fruits we always have in late winter and spring. In early summer we rarely eat them.

And then the first apples of the season are so juicy and delicious.  My boys eat the peels, devour them, and they love choosing a variety from the bowl on the table.

Apple dip: a variation from my mother

My mom adds raisins. We do to sometimes, but the less chewy variation goes over better with the little ones.

1/4 cup smooth organic peanut butter

1/4 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons honey

Mix well. Place a dollop in center of dish. Press each apple slice ( flower petal) into dip.

Devour.

Paying it forward

Yesterday started OK. I was up late sewing and may have been just a little cranky as a result. We had planned to make the 2 hour trip to Grandma and Grandpa's for a very exciting adventure.  The dig date for their new abode was Tuesday.  We did not go down with runny noses in the pouring rain and decided instead to journey on the most beautiful day of the week, Thursday.
I had bags packed and almost everything set out, but I was a bit rushed (or groggy) getting us in the car.
I did not pack a snack or even water to drink.
An hour into the trip, after being stopped by construction traffic, and slowed by a wide load, I was hungry and the peace in the car seemed to be waning.  Little guy said, "Mama can I have some water?". And then I felt like a neglectful mother.  I couldn't even pack them some water...
We got out at a rest area, really because I had to go.  Both boys can hold their bladder better than Mama these days.  They got a sip of water from the drinking fountain and we continued on.
Still hungry, we approached the half way mark, and a Starbucks drive thru.  I knew Grandma was preparing a big lunch for us and thought of what I could get just to tide us over.
As we pulled up to the sign to make our order, little brother says (with a drooling mouth looking at the big picture of a sandwich before him), "Mama can I please have the sandwich with Swiss?".  I order my iced coffee, two ice waters, and the small package of shortbread cookies. I explain that grandma is making us lunch, we just got a little cookie to tide us over.
Then I approach the window and realize I left my traveling cash at home. The only cash I have is a $10 bill destined to be the tip for the lovely lady who will fix the color of my grey henna frizz. I pull out my debit card to give to the young man at the window.
He hands me my coffee and says, "Your order was paid for by the car in front of you" (with a smile). I said, "Really? That was really kind.  Did they say why?" (I realize I didn't even see them just vaguely a white car in front of me. Then I think, Did they see me apply the lavender oil roll on before searching for my cash? Did I look stressed? Sad? Or did they just do this for whoever was destined to come behind them)  He said, "They didn't give a reason, they just did".  I said, "I will pay it forward".

My bill was approximately $4.00.  An amount large to some and quite small to others.
The amount or the quantity is of no importance to me.
It was the gift given, just because and it made my day.
Through the next detour I was not bothered. I was elated and happy; thinking of how strangers did this kind deed for me.  It still makes me smile, the synchronicity of life.  A gift given when I needed a little lift.

A day that began a little off turned around quite nicely.
We arrived at my parents house , had a nice lunch, and then went to the farm/work site/ new house...
The boys continued to play for hours outside with their grandparents beside them and I went to have my hair transformed.

I haven't necessarily paid it forward, unless sharing a few secrets with my stylist, like making yogurt counts.
As I shared the story of the day some of my dear friends told me they paid it forward the same day.
What a small world we all coexist in.

Anniversary Foodies

In the early stages of our courtship my husband and I ate our way through Carmel.
We laugh about this now, I wouldn't change it one bit. For a semester of my bachelor's work I worked at a coffee shop in the morning, read and typed in the afternoon and then went to dinner with my guy.  I didn't pay rent for this small portion of our time so I paid for food.  So really I worked at the coffee shop and spent my savings on fancy romantic dinners in one of the most romantic places on earth.
We would get dressed up, have a cocktail, walk around Carmel by the Sea, have dinner, then walk on the beach until we could drive down Carmel Valley Road to our tiny temporary home.  It was so much fun and you could say educational in the area of food.
We had our favorite places around the Central coast.  DiGiovanni's and Piatti's being two I recall. My husband always partial to quaint Italian restaurants.
We don't eat like that much anymore.  Childcare, money, time, all seem to be hard to come by.  So when our 10th wedding anniversary (15 years since eating our way through Carmel) came along I longed for the quaint little Italian restaurant.  By some miracle we found it.

Guiseppe's Restaurant in Northfield is the most exquisite food I've eaten in NorthEast Ohio.
I put on my twirling dress and the boys had an evening with Nana and Poppy.
My husband and I headed out on a sensory experience that took us back to our early days.
It was refreshing, romantic, and fun.
The evening also reminded us of the things we do really well together: Create beautiful children, and talk, eat, and create wonderful food.

Eggplant:  Sometimes I think I'm the only one who loves eggplant. I had it as an appetizer and for the main meal.  Every bite was wonderful. I even got a look of amusement from the woman at the next table as I described the flavors yet again to my husband.  He agreed the food was wonderful.

We will see if he reads my blog with this picture.

Sending Light and Love through Anger

I am really angry about Ebola spreading.
I am angry that the CDC led people (nurses, doctors, cleaners) to believe they were safe treating ill patients.
I'm really upset that they allowed someone within direct contact of a sick Ebola patient to travel.
I'm infuriated, but I'm sending them LIGHT and LOVE.
They have a lot more to do and I hope they will do it with grace.

I have mixed feelings for the nurse who traveled to Ohio possibly carrying Ebola.
She cared for a patient who was dying, believed that by following hospital protocol she would not become ill, and then may have carried this horrible virus to her loved ones.
I'm mad at her for being selfish and attending the wedding.
She may become deathly ill and has a long road of pain to overcome.
I am sending her LIGHT and LOVE.

When I was 8 months pregnant with my first child I decided not to go on a family vacation. I really wanted to be at the beach and be with my family. I did not however look forward to the 14 hours of travel in a car. I decided not to go. I received some flack from my family. There were feelings of me being over cautious. It turned out two weeks later it was suggested I lay low on the couch and drink plenty of water due to low amniotic fluid in my womb. It was a wise decision to be cautious for my unborn child.
We can never know the outcome, but we can try to make wise decisions. I hate to live in fear and not live, but sometimes missing an event may be sad for a short time but a small sacrifice for the health of others.

Because this nurse traveled, so many other people have been affected. Events cancelled. Schools closed for cleaning. A whole flight of passengers placed in a state of not knowing.  Fear. Caution.
I am sending them LIGHT and LOVE. 

Today I'm thinking about all of the people involved, those who have read the news, for my friends and loved ones, my coworkers, and the people who are yet to contract this virus in our country and over seas.
I am picturing LIGHT and LOVE encircling them and praying that this too shall pass.

In my own selfishness today, I encircled myself and my little ones with LOVE and Comfort.  I coated my boys in coconut oil mixed with On guard essential oil.  We baked cookies, continued our bonfire in the rain, roasted wet hot dogs, and drank warm tea with cookies to warm our bodies and hearts.
And I will keep sending LIGHT and LOVE!

Fall days 2

Fall days 1

Grateful for this

I feel full of gratitude today:

1: For my husband: He goes to work every weekday while the rest of us slumber. I know he would love to sleep in.  But he supports us, plays us beautiful music on his guitar, creates stories just for us, and he dreams...

2: For Family and food. Nana brought us an organic whole chicken which cooked in the crockpot while I was at work. I'm now pulling off the tender meat and adding the bones back to simmer over night. It smells wonderful!

3: I'm glad tonight for big stores that stay open late. I drove 5 minutes out of my way at 10:30pm to pick up rabbit food. It was so much easier than dragging my little ones through a store in the morning.

4:For friends who come together and create good energy. 

5: For finding the guidance of Michealmas in my shower. It brought me joy to see that St. Michael instilled the courage necessary for one of my little guys to capture the dragon. 

And made me chuckle.

See picture below.