it's sunday afternoon.
i cleaned the whole house, did a mountain of laundry and changed all the sheets and there are still hours of daylight on the horizon.
the pork chops for dinner are already marinating.
all the windows are open and jackson brown just came on pandora.
in case you don't get it...this is pretty much bliss.
miss bit is playing with her friend who came for a sleepover last night and is still here.
i have to keep calling and texting her mom to extend the visit because they are having so much fun.
their continuous giggles let me know just where they are:.up in the crab apple tree in the front, on the trampoline out back, in the playroom in the basement, up in bit's room.
the boys are on their way home from a baseball tournament.
1 win and 1 loss for the day...same as yesterday.
t. bone is not the least bit unhappy because now he can golf with uncle b. bone.
he has a whole new golf wardrobe and some new to him clubs too so he has been crazy to get on the course.
i doubt coach is bothered either because his entire weekend revolved around baseball.
he's plenty passionate about this pastime, but 3 days and nights gets a little much even for him.
plus the grass needs to be cut.
yesterday was a shout out of a day too.
miss bit had a baseball practice of her own so we opted out of spectating at the tournament.
then we went to our favorite place to pond, but it was a little cool and cloudy so the water creatures were scarce.
we lucked out though because the raptors were all out on the trails for photo ops.
we didn't pay the fee for the privilege of photographing the awesome birds of prey, but we were able to hang out with the great horned owl, the barn owl, and the kestrels.
and maybe i was bold enough to take a picture of my favorite...orion.
we headed to the beach to try and catch up with the bald eagle as well, but we just missed him.
to cheer me up, my girl searched the shore for a heart shaped rock.
it's our thing and special.
i don't want to sound weird or anything, but i sort of felt very blessed to be in the close, intimate presence of these birds.
it was way better than the time i met charlie sheen in an airport or saw woody allen on the streets of nyc or was shopping in the same store as joanne woodward, paul neuman and their dogs in new haven.
bit and i came home and worked together to prep for dinner.
we are quite the culinary team.
it's so lovely too because it's moved beyond the it's more work and mess to have her help to the point of i dislike cooking without my helpful sidekick.
she chops, stirs, tastes, cleans...she'll do anything really and with a smile.
my brother and sil showed up while it was still nice enough to sit on the patio with a cocktail and toast a sublime saturday night.
i juiced a pile of ruby reds and a few limes, and made a simple syrup for the sake of the cocktail of the eve: the paloma.
we decided it is a more sophisticated margarita and a make again.
the boys grilled up a true summer smorgasbord.
we rounded out the meal with sweet corn on the cob, a salad and those same homemade onion rings i'm still shamelessly addicted to.
t. bone went to bed without dinner.
after 3 ball games, he was too tired to eat.
this has been the quintessential early summer weekend and it has been such a blessing.
van morrison is on now.
and to think we have a summer's worth of weekends still in cue.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Grateful Friday
Today I give thanks for...
Miss Bit's prowess on the softball field and what a game well played has done for her love of the game.
Teachers who take the time to make a difference in our kids' lives. There are so many, but this week we felt and applauded the contributions of the music teachers. T. Bone's choir director does such a great job encouraging and teaching the kids, and showcasing their talents all while keeping it fun. This week's program featured mostly pop music like Shakira, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. My favorite was when they sang Blackbird. I love that song and used to sing it to T. Bone when he was a baby.
A chat with Miss Bit's teacher about placement next year. I'm thankful that she sees what I see and that we can communicate openly.
No more store bought lunch meat filled with preservatives and sodium. I baked a turkey breast for sandwiches this week. It's easier and better in taste, texture and quality.
Yogapris. It's what Miss Bit calls her capri length yoga pants...duh!
The Great Gatsby is finally in the theaters. I suspect that the movie will be even more entertaining than Fitzgerald's classic novel.
Finally getting serious with regard to my need for a new camera. I'm ready to take the plunge.
Smoothies for breakfast. My favorite is coconut milk, kefir, a banana, 6 or so frozen strawberries, 1/2 a pear, 1 T. chia seeds and 1 T. ground flaxseed. I think I may start adding kale or spinach too.
Resilience.
My son's confident nature. I'm thankful that he is secure, yet humble not haughty. Pretty handsome too!
Open window, middle of the day naps and birdsong wafting through the breeze.
Bluebirds in the park during my walks this week. I understand why they are a symbol of happiness. I feel it when I see them.
Mother's Day cards made with love from my two. They each gave me a new cookbook too.
Plans to hike the Audubon with my girl tomorrow morning. We'll wear old shoes and bring our nets for ponding.
Lots of baseball the next couple days. The boys have their first tournament team event.
Miss Bit and her friend are outside right now playing catch. They are on rival teams, but they cheer one another on.
There was a message from Miss Bit's coach on the machine today telling us that she will be honorably mentioned in next week's local newspaper.
It's going to be a beautiful weekend, but it's the perfect damp and chilly night for lounging in my yogapris while I write and enjoy a glass of wine.
Miss Bit's prowess on the softball field and what a game well played has done for her love of the game.
Teachers who take the time to make a difference in our kids' lives. There are so many, but this week we felt and applauded the contributions of the music teachers. T. Bone's choir director does such a great job encouraging and teaching the kids, and showcasing their talents all while keeping it fun. This week's program featured mostly pop music like Shakira, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. My favorite was when they sang Blackbird. I love that song and used to sing it to T. Bone when he was a baby.
A chat with Miss Bit's teacher about placement next year. I'm thankful that she sees what I see and that we can communicate openly.
No more store bought lunch meat filled with preservatives and sodium. I baked a turkey breast for sandwiches this week. It's easier and better in taste, texture and quality.
Yogapris. It's what Miss Bit calls her capri length yoga pants...duh!
The Great Gatsby is finally in the theaters. I suspect that the movie will be even more entertaining than Fitzgerald's classic novel.
Finally getting serious with regard to my need for a new camera. I'm ready to take the plunge.
Smoothies for breakfast. My favorite is coconut milk, kefir, a banana, 6 or so frozen strawberries, 1/2 a pear, 1 T. chia seeds and 1 T. ground flaxseed. I think I may start adding kale or spinach too.
Resilience.
My son's confident nature. I'm thankful that he is secure, yet humble not haughty. Pretty handsome too!
Open window, middle of the day naps and birdsong wafting through the breeze.
Bluebirds in the park during my walks this week. I understand why they are a symbol of happiness. I feel it when I see them.
Mother's Day cards made with love from my two. They each gave me a new cookbook too.
Plans to hike the Audubon with my girl tomorrow morning. We'll wear old shoes and bring our nets for ponding.
Lots of baseball the next couple days. The boys have their first tournament team event.
Miss Bit and her friend are outside right now playing catch. They are on rival teams, but they cheer one another on.
There was a message from Miss Bit's coach on the machine today telling us that she will be honorably mentioned in next week's local newspaper.
It's going to be a beautiful weekend, but it's the perfect damp and chilly night for lounging in my yogapris while I write and enjoy a glass of wine.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Keeping It Real
Apparently both T. Bone and his personal shopper/laundress/stylist missed the memo on wearing a bright colored shirt for last night's choir concert. Yep, that's my boy in the crisp blinding white golf shirt! He was one of two out of a hundred plus in such stark attire so he was easy to pick out of the middle school crowd. What I love about him is that he was completely oblivious to his non-conformity, and then when it was brought to his attention: utterly unflappable. He is in no short supply of confidence.
If you forgive the fuzziness of this photo and simply observe the body language of these three, you can not mistake the way they feel about missing baseball. For the hour and a half they were glued to the risers, Coach was good enough to keep them apprised of scores. I believe it may have been harder for him to miss the game than the players. Go figure.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Counting Big Littles and Small Blessings
It's only the start of Wednesday and already it has been a busy week, but I'm here in the recent quiet of a newly deserted house with a few precious minutes to spare. The rest of my family is where they need to be. I'm in what can only be described as that happy place where the whole of the day ahead presents itself with all its potential. Aside from the gloaming, this is the best part of every day in my book.
Miss Bit was the first to come down this morning. She has a field trip to the EAA today and was filled with just a little anticipation. I don't even think she likes airplanes all that much, but she's excited. So eager that she was begging me to take her to school at 7:30 when she didn't have to be there until 8:00. She is likely still a tad on top of the world from her celebrated contributions to her first softball game of the season. No more outfield for our Bit. She played short and first and well, and she had a game changing run that the coach and all her teammates gave her much credit for. It was nice to see her getting the athletic accolades for a change.
T. Bone was happy to sub for a team last night despite the fact that as a substitute he must play outfield and bat last. He has to miss tonight's game for his spring choir concert. There's no question where he would rather be, but it is character building to keep commitments and sometimes do things you would rather not do. Not to mention there are something like half a dozen games slated for this tournament weekend.
I have a funeral to attend this morning. The elderly father of a friend passed on. I believe it will be a very different attitude from the visitation I attended Monday. Laid out in the casket was a 39 year old father of five. These realities do not add any clarity to my relationship with death and dying, yet there is peace in rest in both cases. Peace and relief and sadness and regret and maybe even a little joy. How is that for complex?
A hawk just flew through my yard and dive bombed a chickadee. No feathers flew. The little bird escaped
the talons this time. He was lucky. I feel that way every morning when I wake up to the promise of a new day.
Miss Bit was the first to come down this morning. She has a field trip to the EAA today and was filled with just a little anticipation. I don't even think she likes airplanes all that much, but she's excited. So eager that she was begging me to take her to school at 7:30 when she didn't have to be there until 8:00. She is likely still a tad on top of the world from her celebrated contributions to her first softball game of the season. No more outfield for our Bit. She played short and first and well, and she had a game changing run that the coach and all her teammates gave her much credit for. It was nice to see her getting the athletic accolades for a change.
T. Bone was happy to sub for a team last night despite the fact that as a substitute he must play outfield and bat last. He has to miss tonight's game for his spring choir concert. There's no question where he would rather be, but it is character building to keep commitments and sometimes do things you would rather not do. Not to mention there are something like half a dozen games slated for this tournament weekend.
I have a funeral to attend this morning. The elderly father of a friend passed on. I believe it will be a very different attitude from the visitation I attended Monday. Laid out in the casket was a 39 year old father of five. These realities do not add any clarity to my relationship with death and dying, yet there is peace in rest in both cases. Peace and relief and sadness and regret and maybe even a little joy. How is that for complex?
A hawk just flew through my yard and dive bombed a chickadee. No feathers flew. The little bird escaped
the talons this time. He was lucky. I feel that way every morning when I wake up to the promise of a new day.
Monday, May 13, 2013
2 day pass
the weekend started out slow.
friday was cool...no, it was cold and so it was the perfect night for carryout and hanging in.
we were down a child and that made picking out a movie all the easier.
miss bit chose surfer girl and we all enjoyed it...a couple of us for the second time.
then we snuggled side by side in bed and read until sleep called.
saturday the whole fam. worked well together cleaning and shopping and getting ready for evening company.
miss bit is such an eager and willing helper these days.
she chopped all the veggies for the salad except for the dreaded olives and she made perfect balls of cookie dough to be baked later.
then she planted herbs for grandma in cute little pots before it started to hail.
she gets so excited to make someone else feel happy, and could hardly contain herself all weekend to give me my gifts.
i love her generosity and her selfless nature.
the game went on despite the chilly, wet weather.
we enjoyed visiting with grandma and grandpa after at home in the warm, dry house.
they especially enjoyed the asparagus topped with perfectly poached eggs thanks to grandpa who proved that gadgets are really not needed.
i'm telling you that everything tastes so much better when topped with a runny yolk.
sunday church was exactly what i needed.
we had our favorite priest and he made me laugh and cry.
mother's day is bittersweet for me.
more sugar coated for the sweet love of my two than vinegar infused at the missing of my one.
coach and i went for our favorite coffee in a little out of the way neighborhood because it was as much about the vibe as the brew for me yesterday.
the coffeehouse was chill and earthy and organic.
the boys had an afternoon of baseball while me and my girl met some friends for a leisurely lunch.
the little girls ordered big frothy mugs of hot cocoa to warm their insides.
the big girls ordered a couple bordeaux blancs and a plate of escargot.
miss bit decided she would like to try a snail much to my surprise and delight.
she declared it yummy, garlicky and buttery.
now i have someone with whom to eat escargot.
it made me smile because my mom and i were partners in pulmonates back in our day.
crepes rounded out the meal...berry cream and/or ham and gruyere.
the day...the weekend wound down and left me mostly feeling happy tired.
friday was cool...no, it was cold and so it was the perfect night for carryout and hanging in.
we were down a child and that made picking out a movie all the easier.
miss bit chose surfer girl and we all enjoyed it...a couple of us for the second time.
then we snuggled side by side in bed and read until sleep called.
saturday the whole fam. worked well together cleaning and shopping and getting ready for evening company.
miss bit is such an eager and willing helper these days.
she chopped all the veggies for the salad except for the dreaded olives and she made perfect balls of cookie dough to be baked later.
then she planted herbs for grandma in cute little pots before it started to hail.
she gets so excited to make someone else feel happy, and could hardly contain herself all weekend to give me my gifts.
i love her generosity and her selfless nature.
the game went on despite the chilly, wet weather.
we enjoyed visiting with grandma and grandpa after at home in the warm, dry house.
they especially enjoyed the asparagus topped with perfectly poached eggs thanks to grandpa who proved that gadgets are really not needed.
i'm telling you that everything tastes so much better when topped with a runny yolk.
sunday church was exactly what i needed.
we had our favorite priest and he made me laugh and cry.
mother's day is bittersweet for me.
more sugar coated for the sweet love of my two than vinegar infused at the missing of my one.
coach and i went for our favorite coffee in a little out of the way neighborhood because it was as much about the vibe as the brew for me yesterday.
the coffeehouse was chill and earthy and organic.
the boys had an afternoon of baseball while me and my girl met some friends for a leisurely lunch.
the little girls ordered big frothy mugs of hot cocoa to warm their insides.
the big girls ordered a couple bordeaux blancs and a plate of escargot.
miss bit decided she would like to try a snail much to my surprise and delight.
she declared it yummy, garlicky and buttery.
now i have someone with whom to eat escargot.
it made me smile because my mom and i were partners in pulmonates back in our day.
crepes rounded out the meal...berry cream and/or ham and gruyere.
the day...the weekend wound down and left me mostly feeling happy tired.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
On This Week's Menu
On this week's agenda I have two funerals, a softball practice, three ball games and a choir concert. We are subtracting family dinner. The only meal I...or rather Coach will be cooking is dinner tonight. This will be our Mother's Day family celebration so I picked out the menu because I am the Mom, and made a list for him to take to the grocery since he is not the Mom.
Grandma and Grandpa will be joining us for dinner. We are serving grilled steak, roasted asparagus topped with poached eggs and pancetta, homemade onion rings and a salad. There will be no room for dessert after that meal so I plan to make a batch of candy bar cookies that the kids love. They always have room for dessert.
The rest of the week will be at the whim of the pantry and freezer and probably the concession stand at the ballpark and I'm totally OK with that.
Phoenix
Some like to say up with the birds. I'm editing that expression to be up with the cats. This morning Tigger was bound and determined to wake me at 5:40 a.m. It's Saturday and yet he succeeded. Do you know how light it is before 6:00 in the morning even on a grey day? I do now.
All week I have had to resist the overwhelming pull to stay prone in corpse position all day in my bed. Then today when I actually have the choice, I choose otherwise. Here I am. This is no profound truth, but it gives me reason to pause...to reflect. Tell me I have to do this, to be that and I resist. Give me autonomy, and suddenly I feel more flexible, more willing to do or be. I realize I'm not much evolved from my toddler self the more I think about it.
The truth is that I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me in the last 24 hours. I was holding so much in, hurting, stewing and by simply sharing my burden with Coach, I feel such relief and the start of healing...the return of hope. Sometimes I forget we're a team. A good one at that. I tend to think I have to carry the load alone. That's just ridiculous because he'd carry the lion share every time, and I know that.
And the load...it hasn't changed. Not really. Not much. It's just my lessened ability to cope has darkened my mood and made the world seem like too much. No one event or encounter is the sole cause of my gloomy, overwhelmed outlook...it's many small, ordinary things. And it is true what they say: what you do every day, matters so much more than what you do once in awhile. I'm a big believer in divine dailiness. In the extraordinary ordinary. When the things that usually ground me make me feel burdened, I quickly become untethered.
Despite the fact that I'm more pessimist than Pollyanna, I go to bed every night believing that the next day is a new beginning...a fresh start...an invitation to be better than the person I was the day before. The realist I am knows that it doesn't always happen that way, but this morning I woke up ready to take the bull by the horns again. Life is not always easy, but there is good in every day. Today I'm recommitting to recognizing that good.
All week I have had to resist the overwhelming pull to stay prone in corpse position all day in my bed. Then today when I actually have the choice, I choose otherwise. Here I am. This is no profound truth, but it gives me reason to pause...to reflect. Tell me I have to do this, to be that and I resist. Give me autonomy, and suddenly I feel more flexible, more willing to do or be. I realize I'm not much evolved from my toddler self the more I think about it.
The truth is that I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me in the last 24 hours. I was holding so much in, hurting, stewing and by simply sharing my burden with Coach, I feel such relief and the start of healing...the return of hope. Sometimes I forget we're a team. A good one at that. I tend to think I have to carry the load alone. That's just ridiculous because he'd carry the lion share every time, and I know that.
And the load...it hasn't changed. Not really. Not much. It's just my lessened ability to cope has darkened my mood and made the world seem like too much. No one event or encounter is the sole cause of my gloomy, overwhelmed outlook...it's many small, ordinary things. And it is true what they say: what you do every day, matters so much more than what you do once in awhile. I'm a big believer in divine dailiness. In the extraordinary ordinary. When the things that usually ground me make me feel burdened, I quickly become untethered.
Despite the fact that I'm more pessimist than Pollyanna, I go to bed every night believing that the next day is a new beginning...a fresh start...an invitation to be better than the person I was the day before. The realist I am knows that it doesn't always happen that way, but this morning I woke up ready to take the bull by the horns again. Life is not always easy, but there is good in every day. Today I'm recommitting to recognizing that good.
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