It's all about the LOVE

Over the weekend, Abby and Elise had a little Valentine's worksheet that involved defining "love" according to the dictionary, their parents, best friend, and on their own. They included Anna in this exercise and her response left us all smiling in agreement: "it just makes your heart feel better". 

You're nodding aren't you? Right?!?!?! Toddler speaks the truth... she also takes great pride in her flamingo pose.

Abby and Elise spent the last several days carefully crafting Valentine's for everyone in the family: Anna's had the little pig characters from some of her fave books drawn on it; John's was decorated with pants and referenced reading Harry Potter together; mine had a ball of yarn and crochet hooks. As I was sitting here typing, John walked in the door with handmade dark chocolates and a cherry sour beer from a local brewery. That is love. 

Happy Valentine's Day from our hearts to yours! May you find/do/be/say/see/make something, just even a little something, today and everyday that you LOVE. And, while you're at it, feed your body a little something it will love, like these super tasty and new favorite breakfast cookies!

Crisp and Delish Breakfast Cookies
Adapted from My Darling Vegan: Gluten Free Breakfast Cookies

- 1 C organic rolled oats
- 1/2 C organic almond flour
- 1/2 C organic unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 local eggs
- 1/4 C melted coconut oil
- 1/3 C organic creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 C maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 C raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 C dried fruit (I used chopped pineapple but cranberries would be great!)
- 1/4 C chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredents; in a separate bowl mix wet ingredients; add wet to dry and then fold in dried fruit, seeds, and nuts.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until browned a bit - I made approximately 18 cookies out of this recipe. 

February: the calm after the storm

So, apparently in the world of homeschooling, January can be hell. And I think I would have to agree. After 2+ weeks without a routine in the same setting as where school happens, finding our way back to structure and routine was somewhat of a challenge. "Get dressed? Why?!?!?!?!"... "Addition and subtraction? Say WHAT?!?!?!?!"... "Focus on a task of YOUR choosing? Huh?!?!?!". Abby and Elise are mighty. They are a force to be reckoned with. And what January lacked in snowstorms, we made up for on an almost daily basis with storms of our own. But after the dust settled...

We all took turns enjoying the stomach flu (except for Anna). We loved on each other for Valentine's Day - Abby was thrilled with her gift of a Star Wars book about Darth Maul while Elise politely kept quiet when I gave her a book about Padme Amidala that she already had, unbeknownst to me. I can't keep up with their library... Then we handled a busy week of rehearsals beautifully with John out of town for work, which ended with a fantastic dance performance at the Arts Center of Anansi the Spider. The girls loved every. minute. of the performance. And I cannot count the number of older dancers, parents, teachers who said to me "they're SOOOOO cute!", especially when Elise stopped mid-performance to smile and wave at us in the front row. ;) Seriously, though, after the trials and tribulations of January, watching the girls succeed in something as intense as a stage performance is a much-needed "sigh". I'm so proud of their dedication and hard work, their positive attitudes, and their social finesse. 

What's that? The BABY? Oh, right... Anna turned 9 months old. And the doctor confirmed what we already knew: she's perfect. 9 months and still not a single illness... 15 pounds, 11 ounces ... sleeping 10-12 hours a night... eating EVERYTHING (kiwi, quinoa, soup/stew...)... breastfeeding like a champ... saying "nigh, nigh" (night, night), "mama", "dada"... making animal noises for dog and cat... signing "more", "please", "milk", "daddy", "music", "dog". Anna - I speak for every member of our family when I say that you bring happiness to our world. Abby still can't keep her hands off of you and she loves to bounce you up and down saying "Zoom, zoom, zoom, BOOM!". Personal space goes totally out the window when Elise talks to you and, while she will not allow you to touch her lightsaber, she is happy to share other toys, such as Froggy, as long as you don't put them in your mouth. ;) During Baby Sing and Sign class last week, I had to compete with you for everyone's attention - your smiles and squeals were so big and so engaging that none of us could keep our eyes off of you. That's pretty much how I feel everyday - I look forward to seeing you morning, noon, and night. 

Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever. Those are two words that I rarely use - I love being home and, much like my children, can easily occupy hours upon hours within the walls of our house. There is always something that can be crafted or baked, built or drawn, listened to or read. And still, in my second year away from the school system, I still eagerly await the announcement that it's going to be a snow day. I can't explain it but, if you're friends with me and work in the schools, you probably got a text, as usual, sharing my excitement over the cancellation. 

The snow days two weeks ago were different because they hit us at the very moment that we could either be devoured by or triumphantly overcome Cabin Fever. Within a week's time, Abby got sick, Elise got sick, I got sick, Abby got better, Elise seemed to be better, I got better, Elise got an ear infection, and we got snowed in. Cabin Fever clearly sunk it's claws into us.

The girls and I pick up a respiratory cold about once a year. In fact, I had Elise at the doctor on February 3rd this year and the last time I had been there with a sick child was on January 21st, 2013... one year ago. I don't dislike doctors; I believe in the power of healthy bodies to heal. I am not anti-medication; I believe in the power of healthy bodies to heal. It is hard holding steadfast to that kind of belief when I live in a world where people inundate their bodies with medication... pain relievers and cough syrups, antibiotics and antihistamines. Do the research: illnesses and diseases are smart - they learn to navigate drug-infested systems and grow bigger, stronger, and more resilient. And I can't help but wonder what it does to a healthy system to be attacked by these power-house germs? Stepping down from my soap box now. Just food for thought next time you reach for the medicine cabinet instead of a cup of tea.

We are all well... the snow has melted... and we kicked Cabin Fever's ugly face to the wayside. Enjoy some pics from our time together, both in and out of the house!

Making salt-dough Valentine magnets...

KU Women's basketball game...

From snow to shorts...

Bread and butter

Yesterday there was snow on the ground, we were enjoying an afternoon/evening at home, and the perfect accompaniment was most certainly fresh baked bread. We had fried egg sandwiches for dinner with bacon and spinach (on this bread). We had cinnamon/coconut sugar toast for breakfast (on this bread). We had tuna cheesy sandwiches for lunch (on this bread). And there are a few pieces that I tucked away in the freezer for later in the week. :)

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread
courtesy of Annie's Eats

• 1 1/4 C organic rolled oats
• 1 C boiling water
• 1/4 C room temperature water
• 2 T local honey
• 2 tsp yeast
• 1 1/2 C buttermilk (room temp)
• 1/2 C organic olive oil
• 2 1/2 C organic whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/2 C organic whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• Combine oats and boiling water; let sit for 10 minutes
• After oats are done soaking up the hot H2O, combine oats, room temp water, honey, yeast, buttermilk, and olive oil in bowl of stand mixer (with paddle attachment)
• Turn on low; add 2 cups of each flour; after combined, add remaining flour
• Switch to dough hook and mix on low for 10 minutes - I sprinkled a bit more flour around the sides of the bowl while it was mixing as the dough was very wet and sticky
• Transfer dough to oiled bowl; cover; let sit until doubles - approximately 1 -1 1/2 hours 
• On floured surface, flatten dough into a large rectangle; fold short sides until they meet in the middle; roll long side until a log forms; pinch seams closed and transfer to an oiled bread pan; combine 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp hot water to brush the top of the bread and then sprinkle with oats; let sit until dough rises above edge of pan - approximately 30-45 minutes
• Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour

Oh... and the butter? Nothing special about that - "bread and butter" just always sounds nice together! But here's a great pic for you from our Valentine's Day double-date with our sushi-eating, wine-drinking, dog-loving, party-hardying friends!

Valentine's Day!

Nothing says "I love you" like heart-shaped food, heart-shaped bowls and SHINY SHOES! :) Serious Valentine's happiness hiding behind a big heart on a shoe box:

Abby: "Elise! Get in here! Come see what's on the table!"
Elise: "When did you buy these? Abby- what color are yours?"
Abby: "Can you get me some socks? Thank you, Momma! Thank you, Daddy!"
Elise: "Thank you, thank you! Momma, you are so creative!"

Happy heart day to you and yours!

Valentine's Week: Days 2 and 3

Valentine's Week: Day 1

Blueberry Muffins (baked in a heart-shaped donut pan)

• 4 T organic unsalted butter
• 1/4 C organic coconut sugar
• 1/4 C organic pure maple syrup
• 1 local egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 C organic unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 C organic whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 C organic buttermilk
• 1 C organic frozen blueberries
• Combine butter, coconut sugar, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, applesauce
• Combine (separately) flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon nutmeg
• Mix wet with dry; add buttermilk; fold in blueberries
• Grease muffin/donut pan; bake at 350 degrees: 10-12 minutes for donut pan or mini-muffins; 18-20 minutes for regular sized muffins