Garden Progress: Part III

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DSC_0014DSC_0011The garden is coming along! I wish I could say we had plants in already, but thanks to a family of bunnies that lives somewhere in our backyard, I could not bring myself to take the chance of planting before the fence is up. We would like to feed the people, please!

But posts are in (Andrew cemented them in right before we received a deluge of rain for days and days last week). I completed the stone path (including putting a floor in the boys’ teepee for fun) yesterday and also tilled quite a bit more compost and chicken manure into the entire area merely minutes before it started to drizzle.

The soil is rich and ready for plants. The boys are itching to plant their beans for the teepee. Oliver has already planted several “helicopter plant” seeds around the base of the fort and even taken good care to cover and water them. Milo found a large (moving, wriggling!) chrysalis of some sort and we will be checking out an extensive insect guide from the library today to track down exactly what it is, as it doesn’t appear in our North America Wildlife Guide! What could it be? Emil enjoys digging in the mud with me and bringing me large clumps of it, extending his clod-filled hand and saying “Muuuuuh!”  It is a joy to be outdoors with them. DSC_0019And it’s going to be a delicious summer!

Closet Tour

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DSC_0159I’ve shown you the inside of our refrigerator and Andrew’s closet, so I may as well show you into my closet! Just don’t ever ask to see the inside of my car. The answer will be no.

When we first moved into this big old place, I made it my mission to have a nice closet. It was already there, but just needed some little details to make it my own. Plus, it was pretty dirty and scuffed-up. I painted the walls a pale light blue that was leftover from painting Oliver’s nursery at the time, and left the shelves white. I drilled in the hooks for belts, but I only own two belts, so I decided to hang my bathing suits and favorite scarf there instead. DSC_0160In the upper left corner, I have a basket filled with rolled stockings, tights, and thigh-highs and I keep some extra bedding on the shelf below. On shoes: having them mostly up off the floor is nice because it makes it much easier to clean around them. Plus, I can see everything and they aren’t smooshed in a shoe rack. Also, if you have tall boots that you love, keep them nice by stuffing an old stocking full of newspaper or tissue inside when you’re not using them. This keeps them from slumping over and creasing too much. DSC_0161I also group clothing not only according to type (sweaters with sweaters, jeans and jean shorts, etc.) but also to color. I find it so much easier to choose things this way. I don’t know why, but it’s visually appealing to me and simplifies my life! DSC_0162DSC_0164DSC_0165

Dresses and long skirts go on one side; shirts and mid- to short-length skirts on the other. I also have recently put lots of family photos in my closet in view when I walk in. We have so much artwork on our walls, but very few family shots. I like to see these first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed at night. It makes the space feel very special to me. DSC_0166There’s my closet! What’s in yours?

Closet Re-Do

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Andrew and I have this running joke. He walks into his closet, which is right across from mine (identical layouts in a mirror image), walks out, closes the door, and says, “Your closet is SUCH a mess.”

Because, you know, it never is. But his closet…

Let’s just say it’s clean if you can see the floor. And I find it so hilarious. Because this incredibly organized, cleanly man just throws stuff in there and closes the door. But sometimes, just sometimes, I catch him peeking into my closet (which I “prettied up” almost immediately after moving in 3 years ago because HELLO! My own walk-in closet??? Dreamland). I’m pretty sure my husband wanted a nice-looking space too, even though he would never admit it!

So, I “prettied” up his closet. Here are the before and after shots, though I apologize for the quality and lack of good light. Turns out even a walk-in closet is pretty hard to photograph.

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After:DSC_0002DSC_0008So what did I do?

First, I cleared every mother-loving item out of there (including the shelves), then vacuumed, dusted, and painted the background walls black-ish (it’s Martha Stewart’s Francesca, slightly darker than charcoal grey- find it at Home Depot). I found different homes for the empty guitar cases, empty duffel bags, and extra blankets and pillows for guests, which freed up a lot of space for… dun, dun, dun… clothes!DSC_0005

I brought in one of our wooden crates for storing shoes and drilled in two small hooks for hanging hats or bow ties (he has a pretty crowded tie rack on the back of the door). I added the horns as a joke… he can’t stand them, so I’m sure they will come down after he sees them and groans and laughs.DSC_0011

Then I just organized: sweaters with sweaters, pants with pants, tee shirts with tee shirts, etc. All the pens went into an old mug that used to belong to my dad that Andrew has always loved. All of the miscellaneous items strewn about went into the basket next to it, and that about sums it up! It really wasn’t a very big job, but it made me feel so good to do something nice for him.

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And because I’m showing his closet, I only thought it fair to show mine as well… so how about it? Would you like to see my closet tomorrow???

Weekend Shenanigans: Rain

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DSC_0133DSC_0023DSC_0024DSC_0025DSC_0029DSC_0013DSC_0019DSC_0021Whew! This word sums up every time I am on my own with the boys. It’s just… whew! We are going on day 4 of 5, and there have been adventures and roller coaster ups and downs… but one thing that we did not let get us down was the weather. It has rained or drizzled or misted nearly all day every day for the past three, but we are looking at some really beautiful warm sunny days ahead. Which means YES to getting the ever-loving darned garden fence built! It will be done. It will be done. DSC_0022DSC_0102

We went out to eat a couple of times, left with two out of three kids screaming once (and probably not the two you would guess), braved the opening day of the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market in the rain and flood, woke up at 5 am every day (no joke. Please. This is no laughing matter), cleaned and organized and did laundry (alright, I did those things while the kids messed up and broke some shit… sorry for offending your delicate ears), built forts, played in puddles at the playground in bare feet before getting nearly drenched on our walk back, played “Professor Experiments” in the bathtub, made yummy food, ate pancakes for dinner… and screamed and yelled a couple of times.. after which Milo walked up to me, rubbed my back, and said, “Mama, what can I do to help?” Yes, I am the adult. DSC_0172DSC_0174DSC_0175DSC_0177DSC_0179DSC_0181DSC_0183DSC_0186DSC_0187Oh! And after the boys went to bed, I stayed up late working on a little surprise for Andrew when he gets home. If you’re curious, check back tomorrow! Happy Monday.

18/52

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 ”A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013″

Emil: Enjoying some naked exploring in the back yard when it was very warm earlier this week… you kept dumping rainwater all over yourself until we just gave up!

Oliver: You found the morning light before school and played with shadows until Milo ran in and ruined your fun.

Milo: Earning quarters for picking up all the sticks in the yard- you bought a race car that turns into a ball and claimed that it was the best purchase ever! 

***Linking up with Jodi and her 52 portrait project***

Happy Friday

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DSC_0017DSC_0024This week flew by, thanks in large part to beautiful weather, lots of outside time, and a wonderful visit from our friend Noah (who tolerated all three of our boys jumping on him at once and at all times with a wide smile on his face). We have also been thoroughly enjoying the bounty of our local farmshare, which we are splitting with a neighbor. The above is this week’s takeaway: farm fresh eggs, fresh pea shoots (which are amazing on top of a salad with baby greens and a vinaigrette), tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, Ozark Mountain mushrooms, fresh cilantro, and yogurt from a local creamery… oh, and chocolate. Yes, chocolate.

It feels amazing to walk with the boys and the big double stroller to the church where the CSA distributes the food every other week, watch as Milo and Oliver help set up (they take tremendous pride in carrying or pushing coolers on wheels into the main room and passing them off to the adults), collect our share, and walk back, stopping by our neighbor’s house to drop off their half of the food. And then, it feels even more amazing to cook with all the goodies we have, knowing that it all came from good farms that are close-by, knowing that we are supporting the smaller family-owned farms that otherwise would not be able to compete against the bigger guys. DSC_0013I hope you have a fantastic weekend. We are in for a lot of rain, rain, rain, but after that, we’re gettin’ busy in the garden/mud!

DIY Fun: Paper Ninjas!

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This week’s DIY is very adaptable. If your kids are into paper dolls, make them! Monsters? Make those. It just so happens that my guys are really into ninjas right now (despite my feelings about fighting and whatnot). So, that’s what I made. And luckily, ninjas are easy to make. Just a bunch of rectangles, really!

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • thicker paper (I use card stock)
  • a sharpie or other fine-tip marker
  • scissors
  • markers (if coloring)
  • small brads (you can find them at Michael’s or any craft store)

First, draw your ninja in several parts (feel free to use the one below as a template, but really, I encourage you to try your own because it’s very easy!): DSC_0040

Next, carefully cut out the pieces. Using a safety pin, push starter holes through each “joint” of the ninja’s feet, knees, hips, etc. This will make it easier to push the small brads through.

Push brad through each joint (like the knee, hip, ankle, etc), opening the brad on the opposite side to hold in place. Repeat with each joint until he has all his parts! DSC_0039

Repeat until you have made at least two. Then let ‘em do their thing!

DSC_0043Simple, good, clean (well, somewhat) fun. Enjoy your Wednesday.

 

Dress That Mama: Geometry

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DSC_0001Please excuse the crooked shot today, but I had to include it since Milo took the picture!

Lately I have been so drawn to the trend of geometric shapes: triangles (like the above necklace), rectangles, squares, etc. just catch my eye. But I don’t like it all crowded and fussy, just simple and easy to mix and match with other prints (like polka dots!). Here are a few geometric things I’ve been loving from around the web:

This simple but interesting tank top

This triangle ring is just so great and simple

These placemats, which I think could pair so nicely with these floral plates!

This colorful squares quilt

Any and all of the baby leggings sold on this website

This shirt!

The awesome bandana on this little dude

Yep. I’m obsessed. Happy May 1st! We are looking forward to having an old friend over for dinner tonight. We’ll be grilling out (surprise, surprise) since the weather is supposed to be awesome! Hope the day treats you well.

P.s.- I’m completely out of makeup now that the supply my sister gave me ran out (at least I still have lipstick!). I have pretty sensitive, somewhat dry skin. Any recommendations on a good skincare line that you love???? Help!

Seven Meals

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One: Grilled salmon sandwiches on ciabatta with basil and dill sauce; tomato salad with oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and parsley (recipe here)

Two: Roasted shallot hummus with pita bread, cucumbers, marinated tomatoes, and red onion (recipe for hummus here- substituted roasted shallots for the roasted garlic)

Three: Crispy Barbecue Tofu with brown rice and spinach sautéed in olive oil and garlic with lemon and parmesan (recipe here)

Four: Black beans with caramelized onions and cumin, brown rice, guacamole, tomatoes, sour cream, and sharp cheddar

Five: Tomato, basil, mozzarella salad with red onions, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil

Six: Roasted rosemary baby carrots (find recipe here), barbecue chicken, and arugula salad with lemon and olive oil

Seven: Grilled bison burger topped with local sharp cheddar; oven-roasted red potatoes; power greens salad (baby kale, baby spinach, red and green baby chard) with cherry tomatoes

As the weather fluctuates between warm and sunny and cold and rainy, we have been grilling out a lot more. Man, is summer going to taste good! 

Let me know if you would like any of the recipes that I have not listed above- I’d be happy to share. Also, feel free to add a few of your favorite recipes that have been making the rounds in your kitchen (or in your back yard, if you’ve been grilling out)! And be sure to check out yesterday’s comments for some more dinner ideas.                                    

Weekend Shenanigans

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DSC_0057I only have a few pictures to share from this weekend because, frankly, it kind of sucked. Friday night was the highlight, when I went out to Taste to share a delicious dessert and a slow gin fizz with my friend Elisha, but after that, it was all downhill.

Nothing horrible happened, it was just that we never found our groove. All day Saturday it rained and was cold and miserable, so our plans of moving forward on the garden were put on hold… again. The feeling of standing still with such a big project is frustrating. On top of that, Emil was a sleep thief again. We have been struggling just to get him to go down each night. After a restless, wakeful night, he wakes up for good at 5am and is miserable. DSC_0014DSC_0036Andrew had to work all day Sunday, but at least the rain held out. I took the boys on a nice long walk, and we stopped by Winslow’s Home for a quick breakfast (their scones just never, ever disappoint!). Pushing the stroller through big muddy puddles with a nice big cup of coffee in my other hand made things a bit more pleasant. I tried to adjust my attitude, but it was just a hard, long day. But you know, not every weekend can be the best weekend ever! DSC_0039DSC_0049DSC_0051Tomorrow I have a bunch of meal ideas for you… seven, to be exact. And if you would be so kind as to return here with your top 2 or 3 and leave them in the comments box, I figure we will have some great ideas for next week’s meals! What d’ya say?

Happy Monday!