A Corner of Tranquility

Anyone who has spent time at my house knows the state of my yard. A friend once described it as "wild". That's putting it nicely, to say the least. A less tactful person might say neglected, overgrown, weed-congested, or just downright offensive to the eye.

It's not that I don't like gardening, or being outside. Yes, life is busy with two little ones underfoot. But what has really stopped me from taming the yard in the past is my perfectionism. To understand, you also should know that I tend to be *a bit of* an underachiever. I will get an idea in my head but then I become paralyzed when I consider that it will not come out exactly as I imagine. So, I find something else to do, and the idea gets pushed to the wayside.

Well, this past year has been a lesson in abandon. I have decided to practice the art of Trying. This blog is an example of that. Learning to tile on the fly when we remodeled the bathroom is another. There are many more. I find that the more I try, the more I want to try, and the more inspired I become. It's an important step for me. Especially when I see this perfectionist streak echoed in my son. (Lately he has started saying "I can't", and I am forever telling him that he won't know unless he tries. But actions speak louder than words after all, and I need to show him that it's okay to make mistakes. Sometimes our mistakes turn out the be the best lessons right?) I definitely do not want him to go through life being afraid to take a chance. I want him to embrace life, missteps, bruises, and all.

So today I carved out a little niche of tranquility.

Actually it took me the better part of a week. I started by raking and pulling at a thick mat of weeds. I never knew how invasive the buttercup is! It was literally EVERYWHERE! It even outcompeted the dandelions! It had weaved itself so thoroughly about my one sad little hosta that I had to spend about two hours extricating it from vine's clutches. I succeeded, but the darn weed lives on in my lawn to see another day. I now have a new nemesis.

Once I had cleared my little patch of earth, Wyatt helped me design the plant layout. I got some new hostas and lady ferns off of craigslist. The gentleman that listed them was truly an inspiration for me. His yard also backs up to a greenbelt, but he had terraced it, and carved a path that weaved down into the trees! His yard was absolutely filled with beautiful plants of all sorts. He did say that he spends all his free time gardening, and one would have to with a yard like that! We ended up buying a butterfly plant and a new type of hydrangea from him as well, which we will put in the sunnier part of the yard next.

In the new shade garden I also transpanted a sad calathea that was failing in the house, and got two plants on clearance at the store - an elephant's ear and an orange begonia that I couldn't resist. Wyatt couldn't resist it today either! He's so cute. My little nature lover. He actually transplanted the begonia all by himself!

Penelope played happily in her rocker bouncer while we busied ourselves around her. She giggled, and gurgled, and babbled away in the dappled shade and seemed as happy as we were to be out in the garden on a summer afternoon. (I'm not going to be able to contain her so easily before long! Pepper is trying her darndest to crawl these days. She keeps accidentally flipping herself over though when she finally does get her leg up underneath herself. She voices her frustration too! Our little Pepper is aptly named - she's a spicy one!)

It's a modest little garden, but it brings me a measure of peace. I look at it and I think that with some initiative and a little toiling I can create something wonderful. It's not perfect, but it is definitely better than what was there before. That's progress, people. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing".

Garden Harvest!

Tonight we dined on our very first produce from our kitchen garden!

On the Menu:

Radish Top Soup
&
Young Lettuce and Radish Salad

Dinner was divine.

Wyatt had been snacking daily on a radish or two from the garden, so I figured it was time to pull them before they got too big and tough. Most of them were ready, but I left a few in the ground that need another week or so. My lettuce also needed to be thinned so that the heads have more room to grow, so Daddy and Wyatt did that while I got started on the soup.

I got the idea to use the tops from our friend Harley. He came over for dinner on Thursday when we were having a farmer's market dinner with sauteed dandelion greens. He got radish greens confused with beet greens (another favorite), and then we wondered if they were in fact edible. So I looked them up, and discovered that although they are not widely eaten, they do have a small fan base. The greens from store bought radishes are always slimy and wilted - not appetizing at all. However, when they are garden fresh radish greens have a slightly peppery, slightly green flavor (like arugula and spinach combined). The fresh leaves are a little prickly, so although one person online suggested adding them to salad, I decided they were better suited to a soup.

For the soup you will need:
6 c vegetable stock (we're out of homemade, so we used Better Than Boullion No Chicken)
6 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 large walla walla sweet onion, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, mashed and minced
2 stalks celery, sliced lengthwise and diced
4 cups radish green leaves (no stems), chopped
4 T butter
4 T olive oil
1 T Herbs De Provence
1 T celery salt
1/3 c cream *optional
salt and pepper to taste
4 radishes sliced for garnish
Crusty bread for serving
(White Truffle oil for drizzling if you have it)

Boil the potatoes in the stock in a large soup pot. While that is boiling, melt butter and olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and celery. When they are soft, add the garlic. Saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add radish greens. Add spices to taste. Saute until greens are wilted. Add to potatoes and use an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in cream. Garnish with radishes. Serve with bread and truffle oil. Prepare to be amazed!

The salad was likewise delicious with the tender lettuce leaves and peppery radishes. I added some fresh dill, a melange of veggies, and a drizzle of balsamic olive oil dressing to round it out.

Here are some nutritional tidbits:

Radishes are from the Brassicaceae (or cruciferous vegetable) family
Their tangy flavor comes from mustard oil
They are high in Vitamin C (the greens have 6 times the amount of the root) - which is a cancer-preventing antioxidant
They are also good sources of folic acid, potassium, iron, calcium, thiamin, and the trace mineral molybdenum
Radishes have been used for indigestion and constipation, kidney stones, facial blemishes, and weight loss

Red and green leaf lettuce are from the Asteraceae (or daisy!) family
They are high in Vitamin K and A
They are also good sources of potassium, iron, calcium, thiamin, magnesium, manganese, beta carotene, and lutein
Regular consumption of fresh lettuce can prevent osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, and iron deficiency and promote eye and skin health

I must say I feel pretty darn healthy right now... There are few things as satisfying as enjoying the fruits of your labor, fresh from the earth. I can't wait to see what we can eat next!

Curiosity

Today Wyatt had a playdate with his friend Camilla. They captured spiders in jars, helped me with yard work, and played superheroes and "tennis" with racquets and a whiffle ball. It was a good time.

After lunch, Norma (Camilla's mom) and I were chatting when we noticed how quiet it had suddenly gotten. Norma went to check on the kids (who had closed themselves in Wyatt's room) while I finished feeding Penelope and discovered the two sitting on Wyatt's bed. Wyatt had taken his shorts off. When Norma asked what they were doing they said,

"Uum... uuh"

Hmmm...

Norma sent them outside thinking this would redirect them, and we had a good laugh about it. Time to institute the "door-open-and-feet-on-the-floor-at-all-times" rule, I said.

We peeked outside to check on the two lovebirds, but didn't see them gallavanting about. So Norma went in search of them again, and this time found the two in the side yard.

This time Wyatt had taken his underwear off as well.

Oh my.

Norma had a short talk with them about bodies, and said that if they were curious then we could talk about it. When they came in I told Wyatt it was fine to wonder about different body parts and have questions, but that we leave our clothes on when friends are over. The kiddos seemed fine with this, and went off to play again.

Now, we're not a particularly shy family, and Wyatt has seen both of us in various states of undress. It's important to me that my kids are not ashamed of their bodies and are comfortable talking about it, so we've had little discussions here and there, but so far he's been satisfied with a "less is more" approach...

I guess it's time to take the talk to the next level when the kiddo starts exploring with friends though, right?

This evening I reserved two books at the library:

Here's hoping I don't scar him for life!

Of Graduations

When I was growing up we had a dear family friend by the name of Fr. Joseph Fulton. He was a dominican priest, and we were blessed to be able to share even a part of his life, so awesome was (is) his spirit. I remember him saying that he was not frightened of death; that to him the end of this life was not a death at all, but a Graduation. Forever after his words will comfort me when I am faced with the end of a life here on earth, as I'm sure they will come to me on my own death bed.

My uncle George Graduated today. He leaves behind his wife Carrie, and two young daughters, Sarah (15) and Hannah (11). He had terminal colon cancer which was diagnosed last November. I can't say that I was close with him, and his death did not come as a surprise, but still I feel as if my system has been jolted. Knowing that he is no longer in pain, and that he is with other family members that have passed comforts me. My heart aches for my aunt and cousins though. And for my dad. Uncle George was 7 years his junior - the baby of the family.

The last two Saturdays have been busy with visits to my uncle and his family. This last Saturday I took my dad down to the hospital. Uncle George's room was full with family. We packed in, offering support and love, which was all there was left to do. Uncle George lay unconscious, a continuous morphine drip at least offering him some measure of relief as the cancer slowly engulfed him.

The Saturday before that I went down to Olympia to celebrate my cousin Sarah's Quinceanera. It had been many years since I had seen or even talked to my dad's youngest brother, and I admit I originally balked at the idea of spending the best day of the weekend (that Jed had off no less!) at a party for which I barely knew the attendees and was likely to just stand around feeling awkward. I know - Selfish. So very, very selfish. Ultimately, I went to support my dad, and I am so glad I did.

It was a strange juxtaposition, celebrating Sarah's coming of age in the face of her father's untimely deterioration... but both girls seemed to take the day in stride. Hannah stayed close to her mom, and Sarah found time to be with her dad even in the midst of her party. I admire them and my aunt Carrie for the strength and love they showed that day.

It was difficult to see my uncle so emaciated, and even more difficult to see my dad beside him. They didn't say much. Mostly Uncle George slipped in and out of consciousness and Dad looked at him; his face full of tenderness, his eyes windows upon his soul. At one point, my uncle reached out and patted my dad's leg. My dad held his hand then. I won't pretend that I know what each man was thinking or feeling just then, but it was good to see them connect, if only briefly.

Being there brought back strong memories of my grandma Phoebe in her last days, and redoubled my feeling that I had done the right thing in going. When my grandma passed away I did not yet drive, so I was dependant upon my sisters to take me to the funeral. When they decided not to go because my mom was going to be there I was so angry. At the time I didn't understand why I had so much anger over not attending the funeral, but now I understand it was because I didn't have closure. I didn't get to say goodbye to her; her existence just sifted away from mine like grains of sand through my fingers - the harder I clenched to hold tight to her, the faster my memories of her seemed to disappear.... It was the same with my Grandpa Nino when I was a child. One year on Christmas he was gone, and that was it. Us girls did not go to the funeral. Of course I understand it was for financial reasons now. My dad went, and we moved on with our lives. I don't remember a chance in either situation when we were able to share memories, tell stories, or mourn together. I don't believe I even knew how to mourn back then. It was as if someone had set me adrift in a boat with no oar. I knew what was going on, but I had no way to navigate, no way to find the far shore.

Now as an adult and having lived through a few more passings, Fr. Fulton's included, I feel as if I want to celebrate my uncle's life by remembering him.... Unfortunately, the most poignant memory I can dig up at this moment is of his sole cooking attempt at Nina's house so many summers ago. My sisters and I were there for the summer, and Uncle George had gone fishing (at least that was my understanding). He made this fish loaf, yes like meatloaf but with fish, and served each of us a hearty portion. My sisters could not, or would not, choke it down and proceeded to shovel theirs onto my plate. I, not having the discerning palate I have today, dutifully ate as much of it as I could. I remember thinking that it was better than some kids got to eat, and wouldn't Dad be proud of me for not wasting, and for being grateful?

I remember Nina smearing mud on Uncle George's back (now I know it was for his colitis), and them both sitting back at night to watch horror movies. (Horror movies which scarred me for life, by the way. Ask Jed - I made him return the last horror movie he brought home. You think I'm joking, but I'm not. Even having them in the house gives me the heebie jeebies.)

I remember dancing at George and Carrie's wedding with my cousin Luis, and was gratified at the Quinceanera to see that same cousin dancing with Sarah in nearly the same manner, as my Uncle looked on.

I remember taking pictures of George and Carrie, Sarah and Hannah at Manny's birthday party in the community center down at Liz's place in Yelm. Carrie asked me for pictures, but sadly, not alot of them turned out, and I never sent them.

It is sad for me to know that a person in my family has moved on, and I never really got a chance to be a part of his life. I think of my own nieces and nephews and I have renewed determination to remain active in their lives. To show them how much I care, and not leave it to a few passing words, and a clench of the hand when my time comes.

I am struck with the clarity with which it comes to me that all that matters at the end of this life is the connections we have made, and the love that we have shared. It is a lesson I'm sure I will learn again and again as I get caught up in the goings-on of life. For now, I just hold my kids a little tighter, and snuggle in a little closer with the Hubs. I am guilty of getting caught up in the dream for exploring distant lands and faraway places, but when it comes down to it, my life's adventure is right here. I don't have to go anywhere to experience it. I just have to live it, and love it.

Simple Things

Today, I mowed the lawn. Actually, it was a two day project. Yes, it was that bad. I would liken it to a wild meadow, but it wasn't nearly that pretty. To give you some idea of the state which our grass was in, I will tell you that our little Shih Tzu would pretty much be engulfed when he went outside to relieve himself. While it was fun to imagine what it was like for him to go wading into a jungle of grass and weeds (especially right now with his at-home haircut that makes him look like a little lion), it was beginning to encroach on my veggie garden. Any grass that threatens my harvest is doomed, so I strapped on the Pea and squared off to the lawn mower.

Now that we have a push mower I am willing to help Jed with this chore. Not too long ago, we were using a hand-me-down riding one that Jed's dad gave us. Thank goodness that one petered out, let me tell you. One time around our uneven side yard on that thing, and that was enough for me, thank you very much! I pictured a grisly demise every time I thought of getting back in the seat.

Wyatt helped me push the mower in the backyard where the ground is fairly level, and he was super excited about that. He kept exclaiming "It's my first time mowing!", and kissed my forearms more than once. He gripped the handle so tightly that his knuckles were white, and he walked between my arms with purpose. Penelope stared up at the trees and the blue sky, and fell asleep by the time I was done with the side yard. I wonder if the vibration from the mower had anything to do with that.

I relished the way my biceps, shoulders, and abs tightened when I had to muscle the mower over the more uneven parts. The light breeze cooled my sweaty neck as I worked, and I thought to myself that mowing is like vacuuming's more adventurous sister. I think I will offer to trade duties with Jed.

On tomorrow's docket - Weeds.

(*pic is not mine btw)

New Reads

I am reading Michael Perry's newest memoir; Coop, A family, a Farm, and the Pursuit of One Good Egg.

I am loving it! He is humorous, yet with a warm voice. His prose are evocative and quirky and so much fun! I only wish there was more time in the day to sink into the couch and bury my nose the pages. I have already placed holds on his other books (once I find an author I like I tend to seek out everything they've done), so I better get crackin'!

Wyatt and I are reading Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter (who is actually 4 authors: Victoria Holmes, Cherith Baldry, Kate Cary, and Tui Sutherland).

It's a story about a "kittypet" named Rusty who leaves his "twoleg" home to join a clan of wild cats. Wyatt saw the book at the bookstore a few months ago (there is a warrior cat on the front - what do you expect?) and absolutely had to have it! I hesitated to start reading it with him because I thought it was a little mature, but so far he is totally and completely engrossed. This is his first chapter book without lots of pictures, and when I read it with him I can see his imagination at work. Some of my fondest memories as a kid are of getting so caught up in a story that the world just melted away... It's really, really exciting for me to see Wyatt beginning on a journey of his own!

Happy reading to you!

Bellingham

Top 5 Domestic Trips

We recently went up to Bellingham to visit our friends Matt and Claire. It was a fun day filled with sunshine (nothing like this "Junuary" weather we've been having). We had a fabulous lunch at Skylark's where I drooled over their fabulous vintage mirror collages and patio furniture, Wyatt ate his first tuna sandwich ever, and the homemade soups and breads filled our bellies with happiness! Then we explored a small science-minded museum called Mindport fashioned after the Exploratorium in San Fran, and took a walk down to the riverbank where we saw fish jumping (really!) and a family of geese with 4 little goslings! We ended our trip with, (what else?), homemade icecream at Mallards! I had green tea and lavender and it was heavenly!
Matt and Claire are planning to do the Camino de Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage (read all about it with the link - they are doing the route that starts in France) this September! I am insanely jealous, and told Claire she better take a gazillion pictures so I can live vicariously through her! Anyway, talking about the trip with Matt and Claire got me daydreaming about all of the traveling I would love to do.
In that vein, here is a list of my Top 5 Domestic Trips I would like to take, in the order I would like to take them, and my reasons why. (These are all domestic because there is so much of this country I still have not seen, but my Top 5 Abroad will follow closely!) Jed and I went to the Redwoods on our anniversary last year, I got to see some of our Capital with my friend Juliana when I was pregnant with Wyatt, and we are lucky enough to have a cabin in the family that's in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming so I have done a teensy bit of traveling, but there is so much more! It's okay to be greedy when you're dreaming right?
Some of my top 5 are kid-friendly, some not. All of them are extravagant - one of the reasons I made this list is to inspire me to save up for the trips that aren't feasible every year. There are plenty of places I still want to see in the Pacific Northwest, but those are trips that won't cost too many pretty pennies and don't need extensive planning. It was difficult to narrow it to this list, but these are the places (in the U.S.) I absolutely must experience in my lifetime!

1.) New York, New York for 3 days. For a broadway play. For Central Park. For the Statue of Liberty. For the Metropolitan Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum. The list goes on and on. (For the restaurants!) Definitely a trip for just Jed and I.
2.) Disneyworld and Universal Studios for 3 days with a stopover in New Orleans for 2 days when Wyatt is 10 and Penelope is 5. We want to wait till both of them are old enough to go on all the cool rides, and mature enough to handle waiting in line... Disney for the kiddos (can we say dream come true?!), New Orleans for us (culture, music, food)!
3.) Oahu, Hawaii for 2 days and Kauai, Hawaii for 3 days. Oahu for the history and culture (Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center), and Kauai for the natural beauty (hiking Na Pali, relaxing in Hanalei Bay).
4.) Grand Canyon for a week when Wyatt is 15 and Penelope is 10. For years there has been something about the Grand Canyon that calls to me. Yes, it's an incredible natural phenomenon, and offers lots of hiking and photo opportunities, but there's something more. Maybe it's the native history. Whatever it is, my spirit yearns to go there. I want to take the donkeys down into the canyon, then spend the week rafting down the river and camping and hiking in the canyon, and then hike back out. Of course, the kiddos will have to be big enough to endure and enjoy a trip like this, so it's a few years off yet.
5.) Alaska by boat for a week on a small ship cruise. Again, one of those places that calls to me. The glaciers, the whales, the wildlife! The hiking, the fishing, the kayaking!

What are some of your top 5?