Colorful

I'm tired of it...all of it. I'm exhausted with the battle of making myself something wholesome, and watching my child night after night feast on quesadillas and apple slices. Any mother will understand - the whole "adult" food and "kid" food has become a nightmare.When Brayden was little, I enforced that he eat everything on his plate... that didn't always go over so hot. Let me rephrase....it NEVER went over. I tell the story often of a time he kept food in his mouth for three hours...me sitting next to him with my arms crossed...either I was going to win or he was. His bedtime came...and I finally succumbed and had him spit out his food, not wanting him to choke on it in his sleep. I know, I know...poor little boy - ignorant, heartless mom. I didn't know better at the time...I thought I was teaching him to be polite and grateful. Unfortunately I was doing the complete opposite...I was teaching him that food was a battle, not a pleasure. I also didn't know that he had Aspergers....yah, that little piece of info could have been pretty beneficial.

I've become a vegetarian. This has taken much thought and research...but I definitely know that this is the path that I want to take. I do not think that meat is bad for you....if you have the privilege of having buying meat that is antibiotic free and doesn't come from a huge feed lot...cheers. I don't have that privilege...and I've come to terms that I don't need it - I can do without.

I expressed to Zac the guilt that I feeling making this decision...to live my life mostly eating plant based food (I do still eat fish and eggs.) As the primary grocery shopper and meal maker - how can I push my lifestyle on my kids...on him? At at the same time, I also feel lousy watching my kids turn up their noses to good foods...always embarrassed to go over to other peoples houses for meals because my kids won't try new things. Then I remembered how any time I would serve my kids "quality" meat (chicken, beef) they HATE it. No sir...give them a nice chicken breast seasoned with lemon pepper and garlic and they'll grit their teeth...and then it's like pulling teeth (big ones) to get them to eat it. Give them a hot dog...a piece of sandwich meat..and it's "down the hatch." Very bothersome. What have they liked? Surprisingly....fish. Fruit...go figure. Oh, and they are nuts about almonds...tumbling over for rolled oats, hip hollering high for honey....cinnamon makes them happy. Getting the picture?
So, we decided that we're all in. The kids no longer get to be unhealthy while mommy pumps her body full of veggie goodness. I'm responsible for their health, and I believe with all of my heart that God is the one who has put a passion for nutrition and herbs and earth's goodness in me...I'm just a little earth mama through and through. My parents use to call me their "flower child." Well, I'm embracing it....heck, it's true. ~*

I've been living this way now for about 3 weeks...and I feel so good. I've been juicing for about 10 days now and it's been so fun to experiment with different fruits and veggies...learning which ones compliment each other. Trinity adores carrot juice....that makes this little mama smile SO big.
And look at that color?! When I'm in the produce department it's like "open season" for me...seriously, if I could snatch up fruits and veggies as quick as a hunter can pull a trigger I'd be a mean green machine...a force to reckon with. Alyssa...aka "Jolly Green Giant." All of the things that God has put into plants amaze me...all of the vitamins and chlorophyll and phytochemical goodness.. right there for me to eat and to nourish me perfectly, the way God first intended....there weren't no ground beef in the Garden of Eden folks. And if there was...it definitely didn't come from a feedlot.
The first REAL test came tonight. I bought two things I had never imagined I would place into my cart...two things I didn't even really know existed. Ready? Swiss Chard and Shitake mushrooms. Yes...that's right - never had either.

I got the kids involved...Trinity helped me saute minced garlic in some olive oil....we added the sliced up mushrooms and then a sprinkle of salt and cayenne pepper. Next came the shredded up chard...and we just let it steam for a bit. Done. Simple, easy...colorful - and MOST nutritious.

Before the kids ate Zac and I had a talk. We decided that our approach was going to be this :

"Kids, this is what we are having for supper. We will give you all a little bit on your plates...a little of everything. If you don't want it, you're free to get down and go play. If you eat it ... all of it...you can have a happy supper and a small piece of dark chocolate for dessert."

Hold you breath............okay - let it out. They ATE it. ALL of it. The chard, the chard's stem...the swiss in the chard. They ate the mushrooms and the bits of garlic...they ate all of their nutty brown rice and watermelon that I served on the side. They all got a bite of chocolate.
Trin took a picture of my pleased expression - it felt like Christmas.
I feel really alive. My juice detox went great...did what it was suppose to do. I feel energized and my cravings for fat and salt and sugar are gone. I don't even crave coffee - I decided that two cups a day is good (i use to drink 6.) I'm taking B Complex, Bee Propolis and Evening Primrose Oil....but that's another post - I know you're all stoked.

So...here's to more colorful meals, a new HAPPY approach to food - here's to KNOWLEDGE and being PROACTIVE in caring for my body...and all of my littles. We only have one life to live, and I personally think the "you gotta die of something" as a right of passage to destroy yourself is the lamest most selfish approach you can take. Life is a gift....I want to live it fully. Guess I'm going to need to stock up on dark chocolate.....

Swiss Chard and Mushroom Goodness

3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 bunch of Swiss Chard, cut inch thick strips (I used 3 big leaves)

1/2 pack of sliced shitake mushrooms (about 1 cup)

Cayenne pepper

Salt

Saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms...sprinkle with cayenne pepper to taste. Salt to taste (i used himalayan sea salt.) Add chard and let cook until wilted...about 2-3 minutes. Serve over brown rice. Simple easy goodness.

The Way to a Child's Heart....

I feel very strongly that childhood needs to be peppered with memories such as the smell of freshly baked cookies, milk mustaches, long days in the afternoon sun...Popsicles on the porch...summer fires and smores. Seriously, besides a sunny smile NOTHING will endear you MORE to a child than handing them a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie...still warm from the oven.

Well, allowing them to lick the spoon is pretty high up there on the list too. If it's a really special day they might even get the bowl - if mom doesn't clean it our first. :)

Princesses love cookies..especially with a glass of milk.

Brady is the master of the milk mustache. I love baking and then calling everyone to the table for a couple cookies and a glass of milk...such great bonding time talking, enjoying the afternoon sun shining in the window and hearing my littles laugh and lick their chocolate covered fingers. And then of course we had to read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...our all time favorite read.

I used the recipe on the back of the Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flour but cut the sugar down a bit and added a cup of chocolate chips instead of a WHOLE bag like the recipe called for. They were plenty chocolaty...here's the recipe with my changes if you want to have a baking day of your own!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup of butter, softened

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of turbinado sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Mix wet ingredients together and then add...

2 cups of whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips

Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees...allow to cool for a minute before transferring to a cooling rack.

These turned out DELICIOUS for a whole wheat cookie.

Feeling Productive...and Snow

What a day. What a glistening ,white snowy day...what a long, productive day....what a good day.
We woke up to 7 inches of snow this morning....you can see it stacked up on our fence. Seven inches in Georgia isn't a normal occurrence by any means and it takes the general populous quite by surprise...businesses close down, snow days are had by all the public school folk...EMT's are worked to exhaustion, the weather is broadcasted ALL DAY LONG and pictures of residents snow men creations are shared on the local channels.
Zac got home safely last night and I'm so glad that he beat the weather because all of the flights in Atlanta were canceled today. We had a good evening together catching up, him telling me all about his future dreams and showing me pictures of Colorado and telling me stories of the family. So nice to feel connected again and to have him beside me in our bed...he did have to go to work this morning which felt a little bit like a tease. So, today I made the best of it so that the next couple of days he is with us I won't have to be in the kitchen or cleaning very much.

Brayden and Trinity ventured out in the snow this afternoon....much braver then their mama. These pictures I took from our porch...that was about as far as I was going out in the knee deep stuff. Brayden chose his outfit...no coat, a new vest from a friend at church, and a felted hat that Aunt Robin made years ago. I had to put packing tape around his boots because I noticed a big hole in the toe (couldn't find duct tape.) Needless to say...we aren't very well equipped with super warm clothing around here.

Trinity was so very brave for staying outside for an entire 20 minutes or so...she could barely walk and I kept seeing her from window to window face down in the snow. I had warm clothes all laid out for them and hot cocoa made for when their adventure came to an end...

Let me tell you what all of this *white* does for me. Besides ,of course, creating a magical atmosphere...all I can think of every time I look out the window....all I can see in my head...is me shoveling piles and piles of it into my mouth. Yes, you heard that right. I crave it. I crave ice on a daily basis...I did when I was pregnant with Tristan too. I've had my iron tested and it is above normal, so there is no reason to explain this strange craving but it is constant. I just finished up my last big bag of Sonic ice (zac got me a bag of that pellet ice that Sonic uses in their beverages...to die for) and so today I actually got up the nerve to go out several times with a plastic cup and scoop up some of the deliciousness. So very good. It's dark now and I'm about to venture out and get some more for the evening. At least it's organic.

So, as far as what I actually accomplished today....I folded some laundry, dusted the house, and then this afternoon I thawed out about 6 lbs of chicken and cooked some of it into a sweet and sour stir fry, I boiled some it to have on hand for enchiladas and chicken salad, and then I made a pot of the most delicious chili ever. Don't ask for the recipe because I really have no idea what I actually put in there...but it's good. Then I decided to start making good use of all that pumpkin I scored a deal on a few weeks ago and found a good pumpkin muffin recipe.

My basic *system* to using new unhealthy recipes is to gently tweak them over time. What I mean by "gently" is not "all at once." Instead of omitting too many ingredients before I work out all the glitches I just start slowly making it healthier. I LOATHE using my expensive healthy baking ingredients for the food to turn out blah. So...I just start slowly. You can see the recipe I used here and then at the end of this post I will type out how I made them.

I somehow incorporated Prenatal Yoga into my day and it was so very relaxing and helped work out some of the kinks in my hips and spine. I would like to start making "yoga time" a daily routine. Maybe that's stretching it a bit...a few times a week routine. There, much better.

Looking forward to tomorrow folks. Pumpkin muffins and turkey bacon for breakfast...a good looking man walking around my home for the next 48 hours, and new pictures of kids playing in the snow and having quiet time in the house. Oh...a little side note. I'm not a morning person at all...as in I'm hopelessly grumpy when I wake up. Lately I've noticed a huge change in my attitude when I have breakfast already made the night before - at least aleady mixed up if not baked. I've also been setting up coffee the night before so that I can wake up that delicious "oh so good" smell. It's made mornings more managable and taken some of the pressure off of me when I first get up.

Hope your day was lovely.

How I made them:

1 can of pumpkin

1.5 cups of oil (next time I'm using half applesauce)

1 cup of turbinando sugar

1/2 cup of honey

4 eggs

1 cup of white flour

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons of aluminum free baking powder

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/3 cup of mini chocolate chips

1/3 cup of craisins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl beat the sugar, honey, eggs, oil, and pumpkin until smooth. Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. Divide batter in half. Add chocolate chips to one half and craisins to the other. Grease muffin tins and fill 3/4 full with batter. bake 15 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

Hope you try these and enjoy them! The original recipe said to bake for 16-20 minutes and when I checked them around 15 minutes they were already pretty brown...so you may need to watch them the first time!

Babies, Breakfast Bars, and Blessings

Note to self : when previously saying in a post "...there will also be hard days where I will WISH that I was home with screaming babies and not going through whatever crisis that life will throw at us in the future (it's inevitable...hard days WILL come.Not trying to be pessimistic...just realistic) "
....expect a crisis to be JUST around the corner. I wrote those words at about 9 pm that night and at 1 am I woke up to the most horrible stomach flu ever. To make a long story short, I kept absolutely no fluids down for over 24 hours....I couldn't even have a sip of water without throwing it up....I was pretty much miserable. However, in the midst of crawling to the bathroom, the shakes that took over my whole body...the low grade fever...in the back of my head I just kept thinking "I wrote that I needed to be content with where I am, I need to not take this out on anyone or anything but just go with the flow." And so...the flow took me threw a whole day of sleep (day after the before mentioned* purging*), a nice natural body detox, my husband cleaning my entire house, and me with a tired body but coming out with a pretty joyful spirit. Success!!!
This last week has been a *soup week* - tortilla soup to be exact. Divinity if you like Mexican food. Recipe to come in my next post...

The kids have had several lazy days full of hot tea and fruit, books and just a little fresh air..the movie Fox and the Hound (that movie is SOOO cute and I always get a good cry while watching it-I'm thrilled I splurged.) So far just the boys have gotten the dreaded flu...Trinity so far has come out of this ordeal unscathed.

Poor little Brady has been quite...serene. Yes, serene is how I would describe him - when he is sick he is just totally quiet and calm. He has a lot of questions, but generally a very good "sick child" to have, if you will.

Today Zac went to work for the WHOLE weekend (WAHHHHHH I want my love back!!!) but despite his absence I still was productive and enjoyed myself even though a bit lonely. The weather was glorious so I let the kids go out and play (notice Trinity STILL in her pjs on at 4 pm.) I love the crispness in the air mixed with warm sunshine and NO wind. The BEST weather ever - storybook weather. Tomorrow will be raining but I choose not to focus on that gloomy fact just now...

Brady was able to sit in the doorway to soak in some good ol' vitamin D too. My kids are obsessed with vitamins right now...always wanting to know which foods contain which vitamins. I need to brush up on my general nutrition knowledge. In highschool I kept a journal where I categorized foods with all of their vitamins listed beside the food...and then beside the vitamin I would list what it did for the human body. Fascinating ,I know,....just another little fun tidbit about my obsessive nature.

And if this picture isn't the epitome of preciousness I don't know what is. Koala bear is SUCH a joy to our hearts. He is looking so much like his daddy and has the sweetest little spirit. This week I start on turning our laundry room into laundry room/nursery for him and to keep the new baby's things in. He already sleeps in the laundry room in his pack and play but I have plans to divide the small room with a curtain and then decorate it and "cuteify" it if at all possible. Hopefully I score some great thrift store finds because the family budget is tight right now (non existent really.)

Another good thing about my sickness happening is that it gave me time to watch the documentary Foodworks which I found highly interesting. It once again gave me the little boost I needed to get our pantry and fridge back to it's old wholesome state....and hopefully the occupants of the Corley household will follow suit in good health and vitality. :) I would really love to feed us as organically and as minimally processed as possible...and I have finally learned HOW I can do that on our budget.

1. Make a weekly menu with at least three meals that contain rice, quinoa, or beans (cheap cheap cheap...even when you buy the slightly more expensive organic.)

2. When going to the grocery story, know how you want to eat and don't continue to think "well, if I WEREN'T buying organic or the healthier version I would have spent so much less." Decide HOW you want to eat and then make sure you do that as cheaply as you possible.

3. Make soups.

4. Try to spend a little more time in the kitchen. Prepackaged is always slightly more expensive and usually worse for you.

I found these oatmeal fruit bars on Sara Snow's blog and they were SOOOO good. Here is how I made them (I changed some of the ingredients to more commonly used pantry items.)

Alyssa's Breakfast Bars

1) 2 cups whole wheat flour ,1/2 cup of butter, softened

2) 1/3 cup ground flax ,1/2 cup organic cane sugar

3) 1 tsp baking soda ,2 eggs

4) 1 tsp salt ,1/2 cup honey

5) 1 tsp cinnamon ,1/4 cup coconut milk

6) 1/2 tsp nutmeg ,1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup of chopped walnuts

1/2 cup craisins

3 cups rolled oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9X13 baking pan. Combine the first 6 ingredients, set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs, honey, milk, and vanilla. Mix until creamy and then add the dry ingredients. Mix. Add the nuts, craisins, and oats. Spoon batter into prepared pan and spread. Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until golden brown.

*These bars come out chewy and hearty...a very healthy breakfast on the go or you could wrap them individually to have as "granola bars." Yumm -O.

I also got in a bit of sewing today for the first time in a LONG time.

I present to you my little "Fly" pillow. I think I'm going to save it for the nursery. I also hemmed up Trinity's curtains after having let them sweep the floor for about...hmmmm....6 months? Tsk tsk. And I can't wait to make Tristan a little pair of these pants...too cute and supposedly easy. And now my faithful readers, I'm signing off to go watch Little Women and drink a cup of tea...perhaps have a little granola. One thing about eating "clean" is that I get full quickly with all the grains and fresh veggies and nuts, but then I also am eating fewer calories so I eat more often. I feel really good though...the best I've felt in a couple of months.

One last thing to share...the belly officially *popped* this last week! Maybe I can get a belly shot for you soon... I think we get to find out if Sweet Pea is a boy or girl in about 3 weeks....hurrah!

A *Granola Day*

I was *on top of it* today. On what? you may ask. Well - IT....this mountain of life that I have had such a hard time controlling lately. Today, I was in charge of my destiny...my Monday destiny....my "what type of day are you going to have"destiny that has been pushing and clawing against me for weeks. I woke up to a sick baby and needy kids...my body was WRITHING with exhaustion (thank God for Zac putting on the coffee before he left for work.) I was convinced that the day was going to be horrible ...I would try my best to NOT like it. I even texted Zac these words "hard day. Tristan is miserable and Brady just threw a huge tantrum."
Then, something got a hold of my heart...two hands gripped it and then slapped it around a bit...a voice spoke in my ear and I got it....I wasn't in control of the uncomfortable circumstances but I was in charge of my attitude. I don't know how many years I'll have to live before i start to truly understand that I can decide to be happy or miserable...I can choose joy and endurance over shrugging my shoulders at the world and pulling the covers up over my head.
With that decided...i made this a *Granola Day*. A good, wholesome day for the kids and me with lots of baking...lots of quality time - I *climbed* the mountain and reached the top of the laundry pile, the top of the baking...and filled my heart with contentment. So fulfilling.

I was lucky (blessed) a couple days ago to find Annies Mac and Cheese on sale from $1.20 a box to 49 cents a box. Needless to say...I purchased 8 boxes. I've been trying to get back into our healthy eating this week but sometimes a simple meal like mac and cheese is just becoming a must - I feel better when it's not packed with chemicals.
The kids were excited about helping so I pulled each of them out a chair...handed them a box...and we literally WATCHED water boil. Okay...I forget the saying about watching water boil and how it takes forever when you're wanting it to happen...this is very true. Fascinating though how something like heat can take room temperature water that is completely still and boring...start to pep it up a bit with a little steam, a few minuscule bubbles...next the steam begins to build and billow, the water to bubble and bubble - fascinating.

When we were reading out the instructions about how much milk and butter to add it was funny that I had to teach the kids what "boiling" means. Thus, the reason why the three of us stood there staring at a hot pot.

While the noodles were cooking we took the empty boxes and cut them open to learn about *re purposing.* The kids learned that not only was the packaging good for holding the noodles and learning to read words on the back, but also instead of using a nice piece of paper to color on....we could open up the box and draw on the inside before tossing into the recycling. :)

Trinity with her lovely "book." Why do kids choose to color with just ONE crayon?

Brady illustrating how you can close the box up and it becomes a book...love the intensity in his eyes.

Next we finished off making the mac. The only reason why I'm posting this picture of trin helping is to prove to my kids in 10 years that mom was *laid back* and would let them help over a hot stove. Really people...I'm giving myself a pat on the back here. Anyone that know me understands that "laid back" is probably the LAST word you would ever choosing in describing me...but a girl can try can't she?!

And the finished product was a very fun, yummy lunch of mac and cheese, black olives and orange slices. About the oranges - I totally splurged. I was at Kroger the other day and looked ACROSS the store and could see large orange mesh bags full of delicious fruit. My pregnant brain switched to *on* and I walked over and dropped the 8 pound bag into my buggy...not caring at all about the cost or the quantity...I just wanted them. My body thanks me...and so does Sweet Pea.

Remember how much fun black olives were? I'm reminded by my kids to take enjoyment in food...and play a little before devouring.

Brayden proudly displaying his olives (Aunt Robin...notice the vest? )

And to finish off the day I baked a loaf of bread (actually ground my grain but let the bread machine mix it up.) I really enjoy this recipe...I think I've posted it before. I'll go back and check, and if not I'll share it in a later post.

The one thing I'm not on "top" off would be the dishes....if that darn dish fairy would just show up when she says she is....

I'm ending my day with a delicious bowl of chowder....looking forward to yogurt and granola in the morning. I thank God that He continues to teach me and to give me really good days...days that I can remember WHY it is that I wanted so badly to be a wife and mommy. It's good to have HOURS of fulfillment where I'm content and praising the Lord that I'm so blessed to stay at home. Lately I've been wanting...well, not to be a working mom...but just to be alone. Just to be in my bed and reading...just to be by myself crafting...just to be walking around a store with a cup of coffee. None of those things are wrong...but when they simply can't be - they just can't be. There will be time for reading and shopping and making Christmas ornaments...there will also be hard days where I will WISH that I was home with screaming babies and not going through whatever crisis that life will throw at us in the future (it's inevitable...hard days WILL come.Not trying to be pessimistic...just realistic) The key is to learn to be joyful in all things, especially when it isn't exactly what I would choose. And then, God does this miraculous thing...He turns the circumstance (His desire for me) into my desire.

I'm going to go to bed tonight with the coffee already set up...my stomach full of good soup and bread...and the knowledge that I did my best today and that I am loved and that I love. Is there anything better?

Oh...thought I would share how I made this chowder if anyone would ever like to give it a try.

Alyssa's Creamy Potato Chowder

5 cups of diced chopped potatoes

3 diced carrots

24 oz of chicken broth (or 24 oz of water with chicken bullion)

1 tsp of garlic powder

1/2 teas. of black pepper

1 cup of frozen corn

1 cup of either cream of chicken soup or make a white sauce using 1 cup milk, 2 tsp corn starch, salt and pepper (I used the white sauce just because I don't care for a lot of *canned* things )

1.5 cups of egg noodles

4oz of cream cheese

Put first 7 ingredients into slow cooker and turn on high for 4 hours. When potatoes are getting soft add the egg noodles. Let cook on high for 45 minutes. Add cream cheese and let cook another 15 minutes and stir. Turn off crock pot and let sit to make sure cream cheese is totally melted. You could also make this on low but it would take about 8 hours and you need to be around it for the last hour to add the noodles and cream cheese....so if you wanted it ready right when you came home then that wouldn't work so well since you need at LEAST a hour of babysitting it. :)

Mine came out delicious and creamy...hope yours does too.

A Small Glimmer of Fall

Thought I'd stop by and share with you all the going's on in the Corley home over the last few days. There were a few hours of *blahs* yesterday but today that has all been forgotten....I'm QUITE filled with joy and productiveness...feeling "on top of the world" as they say. I made up a batch of whole wheat hot dog buns for tomorrow's lunch, some oatmeal muffins, and even made a whole wheat pizza crust to just have in the fridge to save me some time...anytime. I've done yoga and had a glass of fresh juice, I've read books to the kids, played puzzles...scrubbed the kitchen and made my bed - ah "on top of the world." At least..."on top of 1114 Mt Vernon."

The weather has been so nice...*finally* some relief from the scorching heat. The kids wouldn't even consider going out for at least 3 weeks...talk about a lot of "pulling out my hair" Alyssa time. Sometimes I could make them and then I would look out the window to see two little souls walking around miserably, sweat running down their little foreheads...too hot to even have imaginary fun. I felt just so awful for them ...I would soon open the door and say "okay, never mind guys, mama didn't know it was quite THIS hot. You can come in and play in the bath." Smiles all around.

But NOW to my greatest delight it has been in the 60's every morning...perfect for drinking coffee on the porch and watching the humming birds hum around the feeder (a new little gift Zac picked up for me a week ago.)

Squirrel is still very much a hoarder in every imaginable POSSIBLE way. She always has a basket or little tote full of items...old bottles and rocks, part of her sandwich, a sippy cup and ALWAYS a dolly.

The other day I came in from mowing the lawn and found all of these little flowers lined up on the table....and there stood little Trin with a "look what I can do" smile across her face. Like I said...SO thankful for the cooling temperatures. Ten days ago it wouldn't have been flowers lining my table...probably something more messy that didn't belong anywhere near her tiny hands. :)

This morning we discovered morning glories twisting their way up the old cornstalks in the garden...the ones we still haven't chopped down...any day now I'm sure. I was so surprised to find these little blue friends because I don't think I've actually seen any up close since I was a girl in the mountains. Sure...I've seen them from the car window on long trips or maybe in pictures but to actually find one growing up my very own dead plant....so fun. I squealed and told Brady all about how they are magical because they go to sleep at night, just like people, and then when the sun shines on them in the morning...they lift their little heads...slowly start opening up to the morning before them...shake off their dew and start making the world more beautiful. What a fun job to have...to exist just to make their surroundings a bit more lovely.

I use to always imagine fairies drinking from the tiny vessel shaped plant. Ah...I use to want to be a fairy so badly. I would imagine myself sleeping in a match box on a mattress made out of bright green moss ... drinking from a thimble (morning glory cups were for special occasions) - I even had a pet ladybug. Fairies are just so stinking lucky.

Today has been lovely and it's only half way over. Oh...and for those of you that love children's books with lovely pictures please search for The Ox Cart Man....it's so wonderful and full of life...gorgeous pictures. I would love to find another copy and tear it apart JUST SO I could use the pics in some white shadow box frames. Under Trin's shelf in her room I have left the wall completely bare for when that perfect picture comes along...the perfect frame already exists at Ikea...I just have to find time to go get it. :)

And here's a little muffin recipe for those of you that like to eat healthily. If you are partial to cake-like muffins...these aren't for you. :0

Alyssa Oatmeal Muffins

1 1/3 cups of whole wheat flour

3/4 cup of rolled oats

1/3 cup of brown sugar

2 tsp of baking powder

1/4 tsp of salt

1 tsp of cinnamon

1 tsp of vanilla

1 beaten egg

3/4 cup of milk

1/2 cup of unsweet applesauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together the dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients. I like to add 1/4 cup of flaked coconut to mine...or you could even do craisins or raisins....yummy. Grease muffin tin and fill half way...bake for about 15 minuts.

Enjoy...we love to have these with eggs and fruit in the morning and today for lunch my kids had them with some slices of apple and cheese. Super easy and nutritious.

All in a day....

I've been a busy bee the last couple of days....imagining and creating...trying to tap into that inner child and create a fairytale in felt. I like the result!

And while it's been so busy, my little self needed a simple dinner for tonight that tasted homey but was quick and cheap...a skillet was just the thing and was DELICIOUS...healthy...cheap and hit the spot. Here's what I did for all those interested...

Brown one lb of ground breakfast turkey sausage. Place in another dish. Chop 4 large red potatoes and one sweet potato and dump in skillet. pour in enough water to cover bottom so that potatoes don't burn. Sprinkle salt and pepper and a dusting of cayenne pepper on top. Stir and place lid over top and steam until potatoes are soft...remember to stir often so potatoes don't stick. When they are soft add the meat and toss...serve with applesauce on the side and maybe a salad with pecans sprinkled on top. Yum -O!!!!

Oh....and just for kicks....here's a picture of Brady being a scuba diver in the tub last night....I think right before this he was a robot. I had to "plug" him in for his nap yesterday so that he could recharge.

This and That

"Here mom....a present for you. I love you so much." - Brady
Is there any better gift then to hear the words "I love you" spoken by your child, completely on their own accord....no prompting....no bribing...just out of the sweetness of their heart? Pure bliss.

As I was tucking Trin in for her nap this afternoon she peaked her head out from under her blankie and quietly said "I wuv you mommy, I pwomise." Such a cutie pie. She and I did a complete overhaul on her room yesterday - got all the "junk" out and organized her books and toy dishes. Allow me to just illustrate why we call her "squirrel." Not only does she get into EVERYTHING...she also hoards anything she places her fingers on. In her room i found MY utensils, socks from other family members...marbles, rocks, leaves, twigs...old bills of ours she had colored all over. On top of that -if there is ever food just lying around - like if Brady gets down from the table to use the restroom and leaves a few crackers on his plate, I will find her sitting in his chair...just munching them down. After breakfast if Tristan or Brayden haven't finished their oatmeal, I can always count on squirrel saying "can I have theirs too?" It's a mess...but a very lovable mess.

Today is so sunny, not a cloud in the sky. The kids have been exploring and creating "spooky forests" under the carport. We took a small break from our play to snap some shots of this bird nest with it's wee little eggs. My neighbor brought me it the other day after she had been cleaning out her shed. Now, I know Miss J meant no harm, but maybe being a mother makes me a little tender hearted for the poor mama bird that flew away in the morning to gather pieces of twigs, little strings and scraps to add to her cozy home she was preparing for her soon to arrive little baby birds.

As she was flying back, her beak full of goodness, she sees a tall awkward being walking out of the shed....the mama bird's eyes quickly glance toward the corner of her beloved home...to see...nothing. She is now completely disoriented wondering where it could be...what could have happened to her little eggs she worked so hard to lay.

My neighbor came over and said 'I hope you won't think I'm mean but I just couldn't have these birds over there making a mess." I constrained myself and then later gave the kids a long talking too about how when we handle a birds nest the mama bird can't come back and take care of her little babies. So...just thought I'd add that "sunny' little story for all to read. I know, I may be utterly ridiculous - I really don't care. It still hurts me a little to see those three eggs that will never hatch to become a sweet swallow or a bright yellow finch or maybe a sparrow chirping in my yard, and yes - eating our garden.

Back to the spooky forest. Brady and his imagination has been totally enthralled with forests. The other days we were walking through some woods and he actually asked me if there were witches in there! My heart seriously stopped for a minute. "No," I told him "there are not witches." "Well mom," he replied "are witches nice?" "No" I said back.... "witches aren't that nice Brady." He thought for a bit and then questioned further "why not...why aren't they nice?" Great....another conversation I wasn't prepared for. "Well baby, witches don't serve Jesus." He thought a bit more.... "yah mom, witches are of the devil." I left it at that.

Here they are...transplanting weeds in our carport to create "trees." I love that they have such great imaginations.

I decided that littles that were playing so hard and being SO good deserved a chocolate chip cookie day. Unfortunately for me...I always try to make healthy cookies (those two words really shouldn't go together...or even be near each other, really) and the poor things (cookies) turn into absolute flops. Well siree...not today!!! I found a recipe that was semi healthy...I modified it to make it even more healthy, and they turned out super great. Not "win the blue ribbon" good, but definitely "I think I'll just have one more..." good.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup of unrefined coconut oil melted

1/2 butter softened

1 egg

3/4 cup of organic sugar

1/2 cup of honey

1 tsp of vanilla

Blend these together then add...

2 cups of whole wheat flour

1/2 cup of rolled oats

3 tbsp of ground flax (just for kicks)

1/2 tsp of cinnamon (also just for kicks)

1 tsp of baking soda

1/4 tsp of salt

1/4 cup of carob chips (or 1/2 cup of chocolate chips)

1/2 cup of walnuts

Drop in Tablespoons on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool for 1 minute before transferring to cooling racks. Happy eating!