...in (no more than) 48 words. A rhythm for the weekend. Taking time to look back on the week past. A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
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A week was had, but I feel weary tonight.
Not many words in me...
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(may your weekend be full of rest)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
ready or not
Hide and seek is a popular game around here these days.
Usually Evee is the hider. She will give 3 options (before she hides) of where she might be when we look for her. Then we look in each of these spots, keeping where she actually is for last. She's always laughing and surprised when found.
It's been a bit more 2 sided lately.
This morning I hid. She told me she'd count to 5 so I headed for a quick spot (behind the bathroom door). When she was still counting at 15 I was thankful I'd brought my coffee with me.
I was amazed at how quickly the memories of playing hide and seek came. That feeling of anticipation - knowing someone is looking for you and wondering, when they come into the room, if they will see you.
When she eventually looked behind the door I do believe she was more surprised than I was.
There are certain moments where I am reminded of the beauty of childhood to a higher degree. Like when Evee sent Clint off for the morning...in song. Or when she says prayers at night...that are all in thanks and gratitude for what's around her.
Another reminder to treasure the moments as they are and when they are...now.
Usually Evee is the hider. She will give 3 options (before she hides) of where she might be when we look for her. Then we look in each of these spots, keeping where she actually is for last. She's always laughing and surprised when found.
It's been a bit more 2 sided lately.
This morning I hid. She told me she'd count to 5 so I headed for a quick spot (behind the bathroom door). When she was still counting at 15 I was thankful I'd brought my coffee with me.
I was amazed at how quickly the memories of playing hide and seek came. That feeling of anticipation - knowing someone is looking for you and wondering, when they come into the room, if they will see you.
When she eventually looked behind the door I do believe she was more surprised than I was.
There are certain moments where I am reminded of the beauty of childhood to a higher degree. Like when Evee sent Clint off for the morning...in song. Or when she says prayers at night...that are all in thanks and gratitude for what's around her.
Another reminder to treasure the moments as they are and when they are...now.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
pictures
We haven't had a camera for months. (Like I've mentioned before) We aren't fabulous at taking pictures or remembering to take them, even with a camera. But when I said something about this to a friend a month or so ago she responded, "poor Iris". Yes, yes. True.
(For the record, we would like to be better. And I'm trying to remember to take more!)
Thank you to my brother-in-law and sister who passed an old camera on to us (!!!) I have a few pictures to share.
Since it's been awhile...
(For the record, we would like to be better. And I'm trying to remember to take more!)
Thank you to my brother-in-law and sister who passed an old camera on to us (!!!) I have a few pictures to share.
Since it's been awhile...
Monday, February 21, 2011
quiet nights
I found myself equally excited to have a quiet night at home by myself (after the girls were in bed, of course) and equally sad that Clint wasn't around to join me.
And yet, it was wonderful to
pull out the sewing machine
eat popcorn and drink wine (classy, I know)
watch a movie while also working on a sewing project
quietly move around the house, doing random things
read in bed for a few moments before drifting to sleep
The night, the quiet, and being alone...there are times I find them comforting and peaceful. Like a good friend.
And yet, it was wonderful to
pull out the sewing machine
eat popcorn and drink wine (classy, I know)
watch a movie while also working on a sewing project
quietly move around the house, doing random things
read in bed for a few moments before drifting to sleep
The night, the quiet, and being alone...there are times I find them comforting and peaceful. Like a good friend.
"Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your own presence rather than the absence of others."
- Alice Koller
Friday, February 18, 2011
this week
...in (no more than) 48 words. A rhythm for the weekend. Taking time to look back on the week past. A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
With people over the weekend. A new friend who stayed with us. Lots of talk about New Zealand.
Coming to some good places in my heart and mind after a bit of time hashing stuff out. Peace.
Legitimate date night. Sunshine. Warmth. Outside play. Longer lengths of sleep.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
With people over the weekend. A new friend who stayed with us. Lots of talk about New Zealand.
Coming to some good places in my heart and mind after a bit of time hashing stuff out. Peace.
Legitimate date night. Sunshine. Warmth. Outside play. Longer lengths of sleep.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
people watching
We sat down to eat some lunch. The bulk of our conversation consisted around the fact that Evee and I were sharing our dishes with each other. Looking around, I took notice. Sometimes I can't help myself.
Two women were sitting at the table next to us. One woman talked the whole 20 minutes we were there. The other got a dozen words in (maybe). She seemed to listen politely. I wondered if this was how their times together usually flow or if this was abnormal. There was a little booklet in front of the one talking. It said "blah, blah, blah". I kid you not. I don't know why I was so nosy to look, but I'm kind of glad I did. :) The irony.
The women had coffee cups in front of them. The one (who was talking) suggested they get lunch, she was starved. The other tried to confirm that, didn't she (the talker) have a hair appointment. No, it had been canceled. We saw them back in line when we left.
A guy sat at another table. He was maybe around my age. He looked relaxed. He was reading a magazine. For some reason this made me happy. I was oddly happy that he was looking at words on paper verses using some kind of technology.
Besides the little girl that Evee made mention of a few times (what she was wearing, that she had a baby too, and that she was another girl), there were two elderly couples within our scope of vision. One by the window, the other on the far side. Neither couple talked much. One seemed quite comfortable with each other while the other not so much.
Maybe it's silly or a bit too nosy, but I do take notice and wonder. I find people fascinating...who we are and how we've evolved into the people we are....the story within each of us...the fact that we and the world around us are in process of writing the story, right now. Really, it's quite interesting.
I guess you never know who you're sitting next to. It might just be some random woman who's wondering about your life and conversation :).
Two women were sitting at the table next to us. One woman talked the whole 20 minutes we were there. The other got a dozen words in (maybe). She seemed to listen politely. I wondered if this was how their times together usually flow or if this was abnormal. There was a little booklet in front of the one talking. It said "blah, blah, blah". I kid you not. I don't know why I was so nosy to look, but I'm kind of glad I did. :) The irony.
The women had coffee cups in front of them. The one (who was talking) suggested they get lunch, she was starved. The other tried to confirm that, didn't she (the talker) have a hair appointment. No, it had been canceled. We saw them back in line when we left.
A guy sat at another table. He was maybe around my age. He looked relaxed. He was reading a magazine. For some reason this made me happy. I was oddly happy that he was looking at words on paper verses using some kind of technology.
Besides the little girl that Evee made mention of a few times (what she was wearing, that she had a baby too, and that she was another girl), there were two elderly couples within our scope of vision. One by the window, the other on the far side. Neither couple talked much. One seemed quite comfortable with each other while the other not so much.
Maybe it's silly or a bit too nosy, but I do take notice and wonder. I find people fascinating...who we are and how we've evolved into the people we are....the story within each of us...the fact that we and the world around us are in process of writing the story, right now. Really, it's quite interesting.
I guess you never know who you're sitting next to. It might just be some random woman who's wondering about your life and conversation :).
Monday, February 14, 2011
love, love
I've always thought that stores bring in the next holiday way too soon. Like, how we finished up New Years and Valentine stuff was out the next day.
But, then I thought. This is when I, too, should actually begin to think of what I may or may not chose to do for that *given* holiday. Brilliant.
And even though I'm usually not one to bring any intensity to a holiday, I figured, why not try out a few things... That way, if I don't do much, it is because I chose not to...not because there was not enough time to get it done. Might be kind of fun to add a bit of specialness to our days.
Valentines 2011
Happy day to you of celebrating love...
But, then I thought. This is when I, too, should actually begin to think of what I may or may not chose to do for that *given* holiday. Brilliant.
And even though I'm usually not one to bring any intensity to a holiday, I figured, why not try out a few things... That way, if I don't do much, it is because I chose not to...not because there was not enough time to get it done. Might be kind of fun to add a bit of specialness to our days.
Valentines 2011
- Beautiful, beautiful weather! Just perfect...sunshine and a bit of warmth.
- Hearts on a ribbon, hung on the bare wall by our table (put up last week)
- Homemade cards for friends
- A note on the sliding glass door for Clint when he returns home
- Wearing of pink during play (although I shouldn't pretend that it's for Vday...pink is everyday wear)
- A "would have been fun idea" - this valentine that came from this (I saw this last year and thought I might do it, but didn't in the end (but it's a very fun idea!)). Maybe next year!
Happy day to you of celebrating love...
Friday, February 11, 2011
this week
...in (no more than) 48 words. A rhythm for the weekend. Taking time to look back on the week past. A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Sunshine to start the weekend...makes it easy to smile. Evee and I said it was a "perfect day"...even though we had a doctor visit, grocery shopped, made bread and yogurt and cleaned. We did have lunch out together which is special. It was a good day.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Sunshine to start the weekend...makes it easy to smile. Evee and I said it was a "perfect day"...even though we had a doctor visit, grocery shopped, made bread and yogurt and cleaned. We did have lunch out together which is special. It was a good day.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
a chapter book
I think that for 6 months or so I've wanted to read a chapter book with Evee. I've gone back and forth as to whether I am simply too anxious to get going on a books that are too difficult for a 3 year old. Plus, we didn't have any appropriate chapter books in our house. (Maybe everyone else knows more about child development...it always takes me an extra moment to think it all out :)).
My sister and I went to a used bookstore when we were visiting them last month. I saw Little House in the Big Woods, debated whether we would actually read it, and then bought it figuring we'd read it at some point.
And so we began. I've been so pleasantly surprised...at the conversations and at her excitement of reading this book without pictures. I don't think I started a day too early.
Although I had a love for Laura Ingalls as a girl I don't remember reading these books, so I didn't know exactly what we were getting into. Nevertheless, I'd only heard positive things about the series.
Take the simple subject of storing up food for the winter. Over the last few nights we've been talking about what this means, how the family is going about it, killing of animals for food, and gardening. We've compared this book with others (like Blueberries for Sal
where the bear and Sal are also "storing food" for winter) and made connections to our own life.
If I question whether she is enjoying it (as much as I am), I need only wait a moment. Then she'll ask a question or make a connection. When I told her that maybe we'd read a bit every night she suggested that we also read a bit every morning. She asked to look through it tonight before she fell asleep (there are a few pictures to look and wonder about). I love this.
My sister and I went to a used bookstore when we were visiting them last month. I saw Little House in the Big Woods, debated whether we would actually read it, and then bought it figuring we'd read it at some point.
And so we began. I've been so pleasantly surprised...at the conversations and at her excitement of reading this book without pictures. I don't think I started a day too early.
Although I had a love for Laura Ingalls as a girl I don't remember reading these books, so I didn't know exactly what we were getting into. Nevertheless, I'd only heard positive things about the series.
Take the simple subject of storing up food for the winter. Over the last few nights we've been talking about what this means, how the family is going about it, killing of animals for food, and gardening. We've compared this book with others (like Blueberries for Sal
where the bear and Sal are also "storing food" for winter) and made connections to our own life.If I question whether she is enjoying it (as much as I am), I need only wait a moment. Then she'll ask a question or make a connection. When I told her that maybe we'd read a bit every night she suggested that we also read a bit every morning. She asked to look through it tonight before she fell asleep (there are a few pictures to look and wonder about). I love this.
Monday, February 7, 2011
i'm hoping
I'm hoping it's the small things that matter, since its the small things that I can do. If I wait around for the big stuff, that day may never come (and if it comes may not matter as much as I imagined it to).
The big problems of the world - starvation, human trafficking, poverty, clean water, and others - can seem so overwhelming...it's hard to know where to start.
I recently got 2 books that are helping me in my small "bettering our family, bettering the world" endeavor :).
The first is a reminder of the responsibility it is to feed my family responsibly. It's a simple cookbook called Feeding the Whole Family: Cooking with Whole Foods.
There have been many good reminders as I've gone through the book. We've started trying some of the recipes...adding to my list of homemade regulars each week. This week it was bread, yogurt, granola and hummus.
The second book is called The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference.
This has been a fascinating book to look through. It "grades" different companies based on how they are in the areas of human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. Its an incredibly practical way to support companies that are doing good.
These are incredibly small things, I know. Our little family choosing to purchase and cook intentionally. But still, I'm hoping it will somehow have an impact. It is something.
The big problems of the world - starvation, human trafficking, poverty, clean water, and others - can seem so overwhelming...it's hard to know where to start.
I recently got 2 books that are helping me in my small "bettering our family, bettering the world" endeavor :).
The first is a reminder of the responsibility it is to feed my family responsibly. It's a simple cookbook called Feeding the Whole Family: Cooking with Whole Foods.
There have been many good reminders as I've gone through the book. We've started trying some of the recipes...adding to my list of homemade regulars each week. This week it was bread, yogurt, granola and hummus.
The second book is called The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference.
This has been a fascinating book to look through. It "grades" different companies based on how they are in the areas of human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. Its an incredibly practical way to support companies that are doing good.
These are incredibly small things, I know. Our little family choosing to purchase and cook intentionally. But still, I'm hoping it will somehow have an impact. It is something.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
this week
...in (no more than) 48 words. A rhythm for the weekend. Taking time to look back on the week past. A simple way to remember the weeks, the moments and to stay present.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Surprised that it's the weekend all ready!
Getting into routine. Seeing friends. Work. School (for Clint). Enjoying the normal and known.
Thinking through my shortcomings. As a mother, wife, friend, employee. Overwhelmed by it at times, but striving to grow and move on in that.
I would so love to read your words! If you take time to ponder the week and write, please share them.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Surprised that it's the weekend all ready!
Getting into routine. Seeing friends. Work. School (for Clint). Enjoying the normal and known.
Thinking through my shortcomings. As a mother, wife, friend, employee. Overwhelmed by it at times, but striving to grow and move on in that.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
travels
From our travels last week: a few things that made the flight more enjoyable.
This teething/rattle toy. The only baby toy that I, myself, have ever bought (as far as I can remember at least). And it was worth it!
A little craft project I decided to take up last minute. I knew Evee would like it (and it was fun to think through and make)...
And the fact that on the way home, alone with 2 little ones, the lady working at the United Airlines counter came over and told me she thought I might appreciate an extra seat (!!!).
She had asked another guy to move so that Evee, Iris and I could have 3 seats instead of 2. It was wonderful. Truly.
I was amazed. Honestly, we've had some bad experiences with United. This was a bit of redemption. I told her over and over how kind she was and how thankful I was. Our trip was significantly easier.
This teething/rattle toy. The only baby toy that I, myself, have ever bought (as far as I can remember at least). And it was worth it!
A little craft project I decided to take up last minute. I knew Evee would like it (and it was fun to think through and make)...
(just in case the pictures aren't clear, it's a felt doll that you can dress up with other felt pieces...dresses, pants, shirts, hair, crowns, shoes, etc.)
And the fact that on the way home, alone with 2 little ones, the lady working at the United Airlines counter came over and told me she thought I might appreciate an extra seat (!!!).
She had asked another guy to move so that Evee, Iris and I could have 3 seats instead of 2. It was wonderful. Truly.
I was amazed. Honestly, we've had some bad experiences with United. This was a bit of redemption. I told her over and over how kind she was and how thankful I was. Our trip was significantly easier.
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