A Book from Childhood, Found!

It is amazing what going through closets full of junk will net you.  

As Tyler has progressed into reading, much on his own now, I was thinking of books from my childhood that I loved.  My grandparents were always wonderful sources of books for me.  Every birthday, I received a book.  I had been remembering a book that I loved, that I knew Tyler would also like.  But I was afraid that I had given it away years ago (although I cannot image having done that - still I could not find it).  It is called The Children in the Jungle by Leif Krantz.  It is about three children and their toy troll who begin to paint the walls like a jungle, and everything they paint comes to life, leading them on a amazing adventure.  I looked for it online, thinking, "Oh, I'll just order one."  No, not happening.  It was unavailable, one copy had sold for $105.  I gave up, hoping someday I would find it again.  That day has come!

I was planning on uncluttering my closet and the back porch.  Some items I had planned on putting in Robert's closet.  When I opened it, however, the closet had other ideas.  Jam-packed full of stuff.  I uncluttered that and his room.  Lo and behold, I found the book!  I was so happy.  I read it to Tyler that night, and he loved it as much as I did.  

Here are some pictures:

Juicing for Health

Long ago, when my kids were little, I bought a juicer.  I used it for several years, then gradually stopped.  For a long time it sat on a shelf.  But after my health issues (resulting from major stress in most areas of my life in late 2012), I was motivated to start juicing again.  Ever since March, I have been juicing several times a week.  I like to include more than just orange and apple, adding carrots especially, and occasionally even beets.  Carrots and beets give a surprisingly good flavor, although it takes getting used to.  Now I love it.  I am also getting Paul, and even Tyler to drink it.  (Since originally posting this I have been juicing my oranges in the citrus juicer that attaches to my mixer.  This save the hassle of peeling oranges, one of my most hated tasks for juicing.  Obviously there is more to wash, but it saves time - just cut the oranges in half - and my poor thumbs which tend to get sore peeling oranges!)  Thankfully my juicer is a good model (Champion), and has lasted these years.  I did replace the juicing blade (they get worn down over time), but it works as well now as it did in the 90's.  It feels good to take care of oneself!

The fruit and the juicer, ready to go!

Gardening, At Last!

I was thisclose to giving up on gardening this year.  It has been so cold this spring, so much going on in our lives.  But today it was warm.  Paul was off work, and after we did some house painting, we decided to go pick out some plants.  I got going, and accomplished a lot today.

Our plants, flowers and vegetables

Seeds to sow, better late than never (lets hope it stays cool for the peas!)

Peas are sown in the back, a lone zucchini is in front, to take over the trellis and its own cage once the peas are finished, and three herb plants to reflect my new interest in healthy (and tasty) cooking: basil, cilantro, and tarragon (chives are in an adjacent box, they always come up there with no help from me!).

The Swiss chard is sown in the back of this box, two peppers, one green, one red, and in the front corners are tiny marigold plants that came up on their own here and in another square-foot box (I moved them to a more pleasing placement).

We also planted five tomato plants and the flowers, did some weeding.  It was getting dark when we were done.  I'll have to look at it all again tomorrow.  But I'm glad we planted!

A Little Bit of Heaven

My coworker Ana's famous guacamole recipe with organic Xochitl chips.  Yum!

Happy Mother's Day!

Lovely Roses

Cherry Tree in Bloom

And in the Tree, a Beautiful Bird

Scenes from Our Easter Celebration 2013

I had been working on a new toy for Tyler for the longest time.  It was an alligator, made from a 1950's pattern, that I first saw on Anna's blog.  I thought it was so cute!  The vintage pattern was easy to find on e-Bay.  Sewing it was a little more tricky.   But Tyler loved it!  It is such a happy time when a long-worked-on project is appreciated.   

The Gator

I left him out with Tyler's Easter basket after Mass.

Gator Wraslin'

We also made a lamb cake, using Great Grandmother's (Grammy's) pans.  Tyler and Da decorated.

And what would Easter be without the Easter Bunny Kitty?!  With creepy eyes!  (Kristin's Living Sculpture Artwork).

Easter Elsewhere

This Easter we did not go to our parish church for Easter Sunday Mass.  I could not bring myself to go there, due to the unpleasantness that occurred around Christmas.  (See post here.)  So we went to the other Catholic Church in our village.  It is a lovely church, smaller than our parish, and has a strong Irish influence as opposed to the German influence of our parish (which I have no problem with of course!).  We have gone here several times since Christmas.  As with most Catholic churches, there are wonderful stained glass windows.  The ones at this church have a different Saint portrayed on each one.  Tyler and I especially liked the window for St. Patrick.  He liked the shamrock and snake (St. Francis was said to have banished snakes from Ireland, although this is thought to be symbolic); I liked the Irish harp in bright yellow glass.  

I wore my "Easter Bonnet" (pictured above, with the 1960's handbag that I also carried) and this coat.  I received several nice comments from other congregants.  One lady told me she had been on the lookout to see if anyone was wearing an Easter bonnet, and she was pleased to see mine!

It felt so strange not to be singing or playing.  I simply sang along with the congregation.  But I was okay with it.  I feel that God doesn't care where I worship as long as I do!  But I was moved by the Mass in general, and a special gift God provided: I can rarely sing high E's; I am an alto through and through.  It can be so frustrating to have one's voice break on the high note of a piece.  Easter morning I was able to sing the E.  A small thing for sure, but it meant a lot to me, especially given the circumstances.