today is bliss

I sleepwalked through today until afternoon when I fell into the deepest nap I've had in ages.  One of those naps where you wake up with drool on the pillow, sand under your eyelids, creaky joints when you stand, and still very much in your dream despite your child screaming that naptime is indeed over.

I was up all night at the homeless shelter - taking the 10p to 8a shift.  (See disclaimers at the bottom.)  I think it was my foggy, less particular (read: less controlling, obnoxious, organized) self that allowed me to breathe more deeply in the bliss moments and mind-bending realizations of this day.  Here they are in no particular order...

* England is the oldest country in Europe.  I learned this from a 9 year old at the park.  He was quite sure of the date of the country's birth.  I was quite sure he'll be skipping 4th grade.

* At the pool, Sage kept touching my skin and saying "hot".  I was so extremely proud of her for applying such an abstract thought - Yes, my dear, your mama truly is a hottie.  She miiiiiiiight have been talking about the heat of my skin, but I'm pretty sure she was talking about my rockin bod.  With a little encouragement, she carried on for a few minutes about my hotness.  I'm good to go for a few weeks now in the compliment department.  You can save yours for a rainy day.

* The Buzz's new joke:
Knock-knock.
Who's there?
Skunk.
Skunk who?
Skunk spray you and you stink for days!

* Luke and Sara Roth-Mullet have officially moved back to good old H-town after 1 1/2 years spent finding themselves (come on guys, just own it) in Mexico, Spain, and Oregon.  We had lentils and rice (I love you, More with Less cookbook) and the kids ate it better than they ever eat pizza or mac n cheese or even s'mores.  (Yes, recipe to be posted soon.)  Its our stand-by recipe for We-need-to-get-groceries-I-want-a-good-meal-I'm-not-feeling-spendy Day.  And they brought over a $2.50 bottle of wine from Trader Joe's that is the ABSOLUTE BEST merlot I've ever had in my entire life.  We're stopping the next time through KC for a case.

* Chachi-Band earned no less than 5 stickers on her chart for her extreme patience with the entire family.

* Buzz told me in the car today...
"Two things are great.  God and macaroni.  They are the greatest ever.  Nothing is better or stronger than God and macaroni."

* And last but not least, "build something" continues...



Disclaimer #1....I sincerely apologize for the extreme use of quotation marks and parenthesis in this post.  Its obnoxious, I know.

Disclaimer #2...I'm not super-volunteer-at-the-homeless-shelter-mom-of-the-year.  I am a woman who forgot for a brief moment the power of "no." (sorry. again.)  That said, it was a good shift and I was again reminded of how stupid this world is to the beautiful people in it.

Now, for some sleep...

garden, rugby, relationship...build it....

Grandma and Grandpa Bartel came over for the evening.  I walked around with my camera, took my time in the garden, and drank coffee while the littles played with the bigs.  Bliss.

 bubbles

 cabbage

  sage

 the other Sage

She discovered our first two peppers and took it upon herself to test their ripeness with a hearty chomp.

Buzz and Ryan had watched rugby in the afternoon, so that was the backyard game of choice.

One hour of exposure to the sport qualified him as the "rules expert".  His words, not mine.

Checking out the herbs

The Lamb's Ear leaves are soft like her lovey, so they were awarded the same affection.

She chews sage leaves.  I don't need to explain how happy this makes me.

Plant markers also work very well as dirt spoons.  I took the pictures of the cabbage and rugby game while she did this, so she was probably on her thirds.

River would like you to know that our cherry bushes are giving fruit!

They are s.o.u.r.....

but worth it.  He powered through at least a few.

Of the four goals of our summer, its been surprising to find that "build something" is the one most often achieved.  There have been towers, "flower stews" in the dirt outside, projects out of wood, campfires, and look......I do believe this evening qualifies.  Building relationships.  To last.

Reading about airplanes - his new obsession.

Sage McCage and Daddy demo-ed.

A good night for all.

shower the people you love with love

Liza Jane is getting married!  So we showered her on Saturday.  I wanted a garden party theme, but needed a shady place, so...the park shelter.  China and cloth linens softened it up a bit, and it ended up being a great location and incredible weather for an afternoon to celebrate her.

It was an intimate gathering and a fun chance to truly honor the amazing woman she is.  We took our time together - laughing, eating, remembering perms and junior high clothes, giving gifts, and writing her notes to open in her first year of marriage.

Planning and making the food was fun - just different combos of fruits and vegetables and herbs.  

Recipes?  Well, since you asked...

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans of rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilis), drained

1 1/2 c. frozen corn, thawed

1/4 c. chives (fresh)

1/4 c. parsley (fresh)

1/4 c. vegetable oil (this time, don't use olive oil)

1/4 c. lime juice

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

Toss together, and let all the flavors get acquainted for a few hours in the fridge before serving with chips.  We used blue corn chips - crispier and more flavorful.  I think I'm convinced to buy them every time.

Basil Lemonade

generous handful of basil leaves

1/3 c. sugar

Crush that together and add 3 cans of frozen lemonade concentrate and 10 cans of water.

Let it sit for a few hours before serving over ice.  Mom uses a sieve to take out the basil.  I left it in and no one complained!

Fresh Veggie Pizza (thanks, Chandra!)

2 tubes of crescent rolls - laid flat on a greased cookie sheet, with seams sealed

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

Combine:

1 1/2 packages of cream cheese

1/2 cup of sour cream

2 Tbsp. (ish) fresh dill

2 Tbsp. (ish) fresh parsley

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. season salt

1 Tbsp. minced dried onion (or use fresh chives)

Top with your favorite veggies and some shredded cheese.  This one had carrots, broccoli, red peppers, tomatoes, and black olives.

Really could not be happier for this amazing girl.  

This looks like we are the two getting married.  To each other.  "Why hello there dear."

But no, I get to stand by her when she marries Mark instead!  Win-win for all.

Only 41 days away.