Image Crafting

Leaves every shade of the rainbow.  I'm not sure if there's ever been a fall so brilliant and magical as this one.  I keep thinking, this must be the color peak.  Only to discover that I'm wrong.  Some of the maples are starting to lose their leaves, but then the elm, chestnut and sycamore are doing their thing.  Quite nice.  Makes for some lovely morning walks. 

I've been doing a lot of thinking on the subject of Image Crafting.  It's a term that's been used in reference to Facebook and the impression you can give simply based on your profile statuses.  I know that it's something that can easily happen with Twitter and Blogging as well.  There's a strong desire to put the best foot forward, be optimistic, to give the impression that you've got it all together.  There's also a conflicting desire to keep it real, to let it all hang out.  It's pretty fascinating--the dueling inclinations.  I'll be honest, I like posting happy things, pretty things, good things, funny things, because it helps keep my mind in a better place.  I've struggled with depression for so long that I try and utilize everything I have to keep the movement going forward.  But, I also don't want to give the impression that my life is pure bliss.  I almost laugh at the thought, just recalling this past week.  The kids were fractious, particularly near the end of the week, and I was weary.  I think I even remember locking myself in the bathroom so I could order a cheese pizza for lunch--they were clamoring for my attention to such a pitch (read: screeching and crying).  Oi.  We struggle.  We despair.  We make horrible decisions.  We are momentarily brilliant.  We laugh at each other.  We learn to be kind.  And soak up those special moments of beauty. 

I'm a big advocate of marking Great Days(s) on the calender.  So you don't forget when you're in the trenches and ready to do something drastic--like duck tape your children to the wall.  You can look at the calender and think, oh, that's right, not every day is like this.  I think my blog is another way for me to mark those beautiful days.  When brother and sister are kind to each other, sharing their toys, smiling and happy.  Sometimes it's fleeting, and they fall and bonk their knee, or push each other over.  But, that picture, snapped that second, is a keeper!

Good Morning

Madeleine woke up early this morning.  I pulled her into bed with me to see if she would go back to sleep.  Or at least rest.  I gave her Andrew's old cell phone we use as an alarm clock and that entertained her for 10 minutes--open, close, giggle, open, close again.  She would sit up, eager to start the day, I would settle her back next to me and whisper "go back to sleep."  Regardless of her energy and her lack of awareness of how tired her Mama was (is), I adored the feeling of her close to me, her curls tickling my nose.  Good morning, Monday!

To Do List

I'm slowly learning how to manage my To Do list these days.  The first step is to write it on a small piece of paper.  That way I fill it up with five or six tasks and feel a surge of delicious accomplishment with every one I cross off.  Plus, over-extending myself helps no one, let's be real.  The second step involves writing in a freebee--a long walk, make dinner, do laundry.  All three need to happen on a semi-daily basis.  So, those are three I can cross off no matter how chaotic the day gets--and, yes, pulling a pizza out of the freezer and baking it counts as "making dinner".  The third step is future-oriented.  I write one or two things on my list that I know I won't get to, but, I feel strangely on top of, if I write them down.  My thoughts ramble in the following way: Oh, that's right, I need to re-open my shop at some point--what needs to happen before then, or Christmas cards before the new year would be a good thing, right? 

So, on my list the other day was "bake pumpkin bread."  I've been trying to tweak the recipe for a few weeks.  It's part Maine Pumpkin Bread (off the internet) and my mother's recipe.  It's moist, dense, and very spicy--just how I like it!

Pumpkin Bread

3 3/4 C flour
2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
1 T cinnamon
1 T nutmeg
1 t ginger
1 t cloves
1/4 t pepper
3 C sugar
1 1/2 C canola oil
4 eggs
29oz can pumpkin puree

Stir dry ingredients together and set aside.  Mix oil, sugar and eggs together.  Add pumpkin.  Slowly add dry ingredients and mix till smooth.  Pour batter into greased muffin tins or loaf pans.  Bake at 350 till firm.  The bread is best the day after baking.

Staying Cool

Last week was brutal.  The crazy heat and humidity made us all crabby.  Personally, I don't enjoy walking a block and having to wipe the sweat beading above my lip.  Not pleasant.  We did, however, figure out where all the shaded parks were.  Along with watering all the flowers *ahem* I mean rocks, out back.  The hose is a marvelous thing!  Madeleine is eating tomatoes and olives like a champ.  Summer is always good eating--Jersey tomatoes, peaches, corn, fresh basil, beets!

We are moving this coming weekend.  And, although we're only moving across the street, I'm still up late at night, pondering all the things that I need to do to get us settled.  The kiddos are dealing with it the best they can.  Like dogs, they sense the change, and get nervous.  They don't know why they're crabby and clingy, but they are.  I've discovered, when all else fails, just lay in the middle of the floor.  They will immediately stop their clamoring and whining and happily crawl all over you--Mama, you're the best toy ever.  Even if it last only five minutes, those happy moments, are worth it. 

Wish me luck!

Summer Slow

Summer has taken hold of our little life here in Chestnut Hill.  I'm not sure if it's the humidity, but it feels like everything is moving slower.  Things are less urgent.  It feels good. 

One

Today, my baby girl turned one.  A year old!  Where in the world did the time go?  We celebrated with a walk in the park and cupcakes.  She was a little unsure about the whole candle thing.  And frosting.  Just meant more for me and Papa.  Gosh, I love cream cheese frosting!  I put her in a dress I bought over five years ago, cruising through the sale racks at Old Navy with my sister.  She was just a figment of my imagination then.  But, for some reason, I help onto the little summer dress.  White.  Simple.  So sweet.  A dream.  She was my dream.

Madeleine is a sweetheart.  I realize, coming from her mother, that doesn't sound too surprising.  But, then you meet her.  She warms up quick to people and makes you feel all melty inside with her generous smiles.  She's starting to wave at us--a great backwards wave--and crawls so fast I can barely keep up.  Her favorite foods are cheddar cheese and olives.  Bonkers.  And has already mastered the sippy cup.  And adores her brother.  Regardless of the fact that the feeling is less than mutual.

Come visit!  I'll introduce you to her!