Trick Or Treat

I Love Halloween. I loved it as a kid, and I love it having kids. Dressing up to be someone/something else and going and collecting candy... what could be a better combo really?

Two Little Monkeys

Just Relaxing...

To Market

We woke up this morning with nothing for breakfast... literally nothing. Sometimes this appears to be the case but after further investigation I can usually come up with something. But not today. So off to the co-op we went for breakfast and then some much needed grocery shopping. I always love shopping at the co-op... such good energy there. And it was especially fun this morning being that we pretty much had the place to ourselves. While we were leaving I realized it was a beautiful day out and thought we should really take advantage of the sun and the fact that we were a block away from the river. So instead of going home we headed down to the river for some seagull chasing and a walk. Can't beat that on a crisp fall day.

More Fall

Pumpkin Pizza Party

Our first annual pumpkin pizza party in our new home (well not so new anymore... it will be a year on Nov. 1st). My sister joined us for the celebration. We made homemade pizza, carved pumpkins, and enjoyed pumpkin pie and ice cream for dessert. Oh and we roasted pumpkin seeds. I would say it was quite a success, fun and delicious.
Now I just need to start those costumes...

Sometimes, when life happens and things get really hard, I become all to aware of my own limits. And almost without my permission, it seems, words, emotions and actions begin pooring out of me that are not even really me, but just old tapes that are still playing in my head. Words I heard over and over again as I was growing up and are somehow now imprinted in my being.
Despite all of this, I push myself to give outside of my capabilities. I know that my limits were set by my own upbringing, which will in turn set the foundation for my own children. Sometimes just imagining my children as adults, full of patience, full of love, is all I need to do to center myself, breathe, and try again. I can do this. I can do this because I love them. Because I love my grandchildren. And my great-grandchildren. When I feel like I'm going to fold, all I need to do is remember this. The

All Better

Normally for Ryan and I, our relationship stays pretty stable. Not that we don't have our fights or disagreements, because we most certainly do. It's just that usually it's pretty straight forward. Have issue, discuss issue (sometimes with more vigor then others), resolve problem, move on. But recently we had an issue that just wouldn't go away. We would talk and talk until it seemed to be better but then a new layer would present itself and we'd find ourselves having to discuss it all over again. Finally after literally a week of discussions, our problem seemed to be resolved... however we still weren't quiet the same yet. I think we must have just needed some time after that... time to reconnect with each other, time to laugh, time to be close. So after another (almost) week of that, I finally feel like we have once again reached equilibrium. Back to us. Except for maybe just a little bit better us. Because it is always at this point that I am reminded that though marriage can be hard and challenging at times, it is often through these harder moments that real growth occurs and we come out just a little closer on the other side.

And I have to say, it feels really good to be back to us again. Really good.

Jackson, Pumpkins, and Puddles

Speaking of one year old love... I had the little guy to myself today (Grace went to my parent's last minute with Ryan who is doing some work there). We thoroughly enjoyed our day together. I think my favorite moment was coming in out of the cold to eat hot out-of-the-oven pumpkin muffins.

In between water time (a new game where Jackson tricks me into giving him a glass of water which then ends up being pored back and forth into other found cups... and onto the floor), jumpy hugs (this game Grace came up with when she was about this age where I am the recipient of a long running, leaping hug. Jackson loves it too. And well, so do I), and puddle splashing, I spent all the rest of my energy in the kitchen. 2 pumpkin pies, a dozen pumpkin muffins, and chicken tortilla soup for dinner. A very fall festive day with my one year old.

I don't think I put the directions for how to cook a pumpkin in the previous pumpkin posts so here they are

1. Cut pumpkin in half and drizzle with a little olive oil. Place face down in pan and add a cup of water.
2. Bake at 350 for 60 to 90 minutes (until done).
3. Scrape out pumpkin and mix until smooth.
4. Place a couple coffee filters in a strainer and put pumpkin in. Let drain for at least 3 hours.

New Pillows

Finally found the perfect use for this new fabric.

Morning Walk

I miss

My park (these first two pictures are from my very first post). I love that we still live by the river, and our new home here has it's own special river places... but there is nothing lake Interstate Park in the fall. Nothing.


And I am finding myself missing the convenience of having one of the most beautiful places in the world being just a long walk or one minute car ride away.


I'm also finding myself missing (just a bit) that time in my life last year when outings consisted of tucking Jackson in the sling and bounding off to an adventure with only one (fairly self-sufficient) child to keep my eye on.


There have been some trying times over the past few weeks... and I would have given anything to be able to pack everyone up and (within minutes) be at my park, where I always leave feeling peaceful, inspired, and singing a happy tune.


Of course I could have driven to my park, it's only a 40 minute drive, but it's so much more complicated now. There would be nap schedules to worry about, car ride crankiness to deal with, and of course a one year old who loves to run and explore but has no sense of safety. (And who also likes to eat anything from acorns to pine cones.)


On the flip side of course I am in love with this one year old (so in love)... and new fun things have taken the place of the old ones. Like being able to play with Jackson instead of just wearing him. And watching him explore everything around him. And talking to him (I think we're up to 15 or 16 words now).


I do miss my park. But for now, I'll have to settle for one year old love.

Soaking Up The Sun

We tried to spend as much time outside as we could today being that it might just be the last really beautiful fall day we have.

Our Weekend

Tea With Grandma

My mom came out today and took Grace to tea. Grace brought all her dolls (we spent the morning getting them dressed just right for the event) and upon arriving, each baby was given her very own highchair and teacup. I wasn't there, but from what I was told, this delighted Grace to no end. They were there for over two hours drinking tea and having lunch. A much enjoyed date with Grammie.

Soul Food

The other day when we were at the co-op they had some homemade chili to sample, which Grace and I tried and agreed that we needed to make ASAP. So tonight I made a batch using the squash from our garden... oh so good.

Black Bean Chili with Winder Squash

1 medium winter squash
2 tsp of olive oil (I added a little more)
1 large onion
2 to 4 cloves of garlic (I used four)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
2 (15 oz) cans of black beans
1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes
1 (4 oz) can diced mild green chilies, drained
1 green bell pepper, chopped
salt to taste

I also added some organic ground beef

1. Cut each squash in half, scoop out seeds. Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes or until tender.
2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cumin and oregano. Saute, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except squash and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer gently for 15 minutes. Stir in squash, season with salt.