Windy, windy days

Spring time in the valley is known for the wind it brings. Sometimes it seems to go on for days, always howling, blowing shingles off the roof, bringing all sorts of debris into our yard and making everyone a little crazy. This time of year we just want to be outside watching the earth green, enjoying the longer days and warm sun, planning our gardens and taking lots of long walks. And then comes the windy days. This spring I've found these days to be perfect for garden dreaming, baking all kinds of yummy things, sewing projects, starting seeds inside, and doing lots of fun art projects with Mason. Today was a baking day and I love baking with Mason!

We made whole-grain starter dough to ferment overnight and bake tomorrow, oatmeal cookies sweetened with maple syrup and delicious sesame garlic bagels. I find baking with Mason is often a highlight of our day. Sure, I have to let go of some control and perfection (and a clean kitchen), but I find that to be good for me. I love sharing the grounding, earthiness of baking with him.

I love watching him delight in digging his hands in flour, scooping and pouring ingredients, kneading, and of course, stirring, stirring, stirring. He tried something new today - rubbing a little piece of butter around the baking sheets - and man was this a squishy, messy delight! He also takes great joy in peeking in the oven and eating the finished creation. So do I.

This Moment

A Soule Mama inspired Friday ritual (posted this week on Saturday) of sharing a treasured moment, a moment to be remembered from the week...just a photo, no words.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! How did you love your mother today?? Mason and I spent some time just being outside, taking walks, hanging clothes on the line, and watering the greenhouse. We didn't spend quite as much time outside as we might have liked due to the wind, but we still had fun.We have a little nature bowl, and this spring it holds a birds nest we made from usnea lichen, with eggs in it. Today we moved it to the center of our living room table and added some little items from nature - a couple of sticks, some rocks, a feather. We lit some candles around it and looked at all of the objects...one of our ways of appreciating our earth. Of course, Mason promptly blew out the candles, and then asked for them to be lit "just one more time", so he could blow them out again. I also just finished a craft project I've been working on quite a while for Mason. It's so fun that I finished it on earth day, because it's a nature-inspired table fort! We call it the magic mushroom house and Mason adores it. I first got the idea of making a table fort for him from one of my favorite crafty blogs, Make it and Love it. If you sew and don't know about this blog, definitely check it out! I've used several of her tutorials and have loved them all. I didn't buy fabric just for this project, but happened to have a couple of big pieces that worked great when pieced together. I used ladybug vinyl for the windows, and added some felt embellishments. I got some of the ideas for fun felt things from another site I love, Wee Folk Art. They have some wonderful free patterns! I did plan on adding more felt things (mostly animals, bugs and flowers), and Aaron had the brilliant idea to add them on occasionally instead of all at once. That way one day when we put in on for Mason to play in he'll notice a new bird, or a new flower. Love that idea!

Learning how to open the velcro door

He loves reading books inside...I need to get him a little battery powered lantern!

Side window

It was very time-consuming, but very worth it!

Farm boy

Mason and I are spending lots of time outside these days. One way he tells me that he wants to go out is by pulling on his rubber boots (sometimes on the right feet!). It's a skill he recently acquired, and it is so fun to see how proud he is when he gets them on. He absolutely loves helping with chicken chores, playing in the dirt, moving rocks, looking for bugs, watching the birds...no matter what it is we're doing, I'm constantly reminded of the importance of him having time to explore the natural world. I love that Mason is learning about the cycle of the seasons, where food comes from, and how he is connected to the soil, the rain, the bugs, the sun. Gathering eggs is one of Mason's favorite chores, and it's worth losing an egg now and then to see the pure joy he takes in collecting them. He also loves shoveling dirt, or as he calls it "Mason move dirt!" We are building a raised bed in the back yard right now, and he helped carry some of the smaller rocks to build the wall. This morning he helped shovel the soil and add some compost. He'll help with the entire process as we add more soil, plant seeds, watch them grow and harvest the food. One of the highlights of his morning was playing in the wheelbarrow after we unloaded some compost...

Mason J's Blog

Once again, it's been a while since I've updated my poor blog. Much has been happening in our world. I went back to work "part-time" in January (working from home with Mason), and between that, full-time parenting and daily life on the homestead, I just could not find time to blog. I've recently left my job at La Puente to focus on the most important things in my life right now, and if feels wonderful! Though we are not completely sure how it will all work out financially, we know that we will be fine. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off me since I left my job. Of course, I still "work" all day every day, but it's the kind of work I love :) I think I'll have more time for updating now, and I've also begun a separate blog for Mason J. He will soon be having some consultations and possibly surgery for his craniosynostosis and I thought it would be good for everyone to have a place to go for updates. Here's the link: http://theamazingmasonj.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading! I'm about to start a series of herbal entries on this blog...so check in soon!

Christmas in Creede

This year we spent the holidays in Creede, and I loved every minute of it. As a break from my usual blog format, I present:

The Top Ten Reasons I Love Christmas in Creede (In no particular order...) 1. Witnessing my mom's first sledding experience. (That's her laying down in the snow.) 2. Being close enough that friends come to visit. 3. The Blue Spruce tree came from the forest by the house. 4. Dad sledding. Enough said. 5. The snowmen have dove chocolates for eyes. 6. Mason's first sledding experience (tied to mom and sleeping...). 7. It might be below freezing outside, but in Grandma's house it's always warm enough to run around in your diaper. 8. Plenty of space to cruise your new ride. 9. Quality family time. 10. My mountain man looks great in his element.

There are actually many more reasons that I loved Christmas in Creede, like cozy fires, plenty of time to knit, yummy food, games, laughter, snowballs, and family and friends. It was a wonderful way to spend Mason's first Christmas!

Hello Holidays

Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving travels this year. Mason went on his first airplane ride (actually 6 since there were quite a few connections) on our cross country trip first to Texas, then to Indiana. He was unbelievably amazing, like always. Here he is with his 6 month old cousin Logan. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that, for a while, I didn't really want to be a part of given its violent historic roots. Thanksgiving dinners at La Puente Home (the organization I work for) changed that for me. It became my job to coordinate a huge meal and celebration for 200 plus people at the local homeless shelter, and though a lot of hard work, the day became one of love, celebration, and yes, giving thanks. While I still refuse to celebrate some of the traditional historic events surrounding the holiday, I've found a way to make the day my own. I love the gathering of family and friends, the wonderful homemade food, and the opportunity (if you take it), to truly reflect on the year and to give thanks. That being said...here are some photos from our family Thanksgiving get together this year.

Great Grandma Granny Jane with her three new great grandsons.

Three new babies, Mason, Logan and Aidan...all born this year!

Three new babies, Mason, Logan and Aidan...all born this year!

Mason pulling cousin Stacia's hair. Mason and cousin Kylie!

Mason in the cockpit on his first airplane ride!

Mason and Aaron in the cockpit.

Yum...bunnies!

Is it already November?

Mason spent his first Halloween cozy in the Creede house. He was dressed as the cutest little lion ever. He's a leo, so when he was born our friend and neighbor Paula got him this little lion outfit...and it just happened to fit him perfectly for his first Halloween. No trick-or-treating yet, but he's certainly not ready for candy yet anyway. It struck me this Halloween that this year is going to be a year of firsts for Mason in so many ways. First time to be alive for all the different holidays, not to mention all of the things he's learning to do! What an exciting year of first smiles, first laughs, first time to smell Thanksgiving turkey, first time to see snow...such a long list of firsts. Aaron and I are loving watching him learn to explore his world. I can't believe how quickly he's growing. Here are some recent photos...enjoy!

Mason loves tie-dye...or is it just me??

Seanna loves holding Mason.

Happy baby!

Cozy sleeping in his handmade sweater.

Family photo - Halloween 2008

Back Again...

After a long hiatus, a medical crisis and many requests to see photos of our new son Mason...I've decided to start blogging again! It's been so long that I'm tempted to go back and explain everything that has happened in the meantime, but I think most people who will be reading this already know. Besides, if there is anything the past 3 months has taught me (actually I've learned countless things from those months), it is that right now I want to focus on the present...on this day, this moment. And in this moment I'm looking at my sleeping baby boy in amazement, so happy that he's here and he's healthy. His name is Mason J Miltenberger, he was born on August 6, 2008 and I'm completely in love with him. He's certainly a little Leo...always the center of attention! I'm still feeling excitement, peace and pride in our country following the election of Barack Obama! Those two thoughts belong together because I feel that Mason's future got a little bit better on election night. I think he was the youngest person at the celebration party that night, and even though he slept through much of it I'm so glad he was alive for the making of history. It's nice to enter this season of quiet and stillness cuddled up with Mason and Aaron, watching the first snow fall outside. Fall was a fleeting visitor this year, but the colors...the colors were incredible. Here are some photos of us enjoying the golden leaves, and some of Mason's first days. I have too many photos to post right now, so I'll have to add them gradually. Enjoy these, and I'll be back soon (I promise) with more.