Growing and Being Quiet

Our household stuff has been packed up, driven across the country and will arrive at our doorstep tomorrow evening accompanied by some delightful people. We will go from living in very temporary surroundings to having all those rubber maid bins I packed up in June. 

It's going to be busy around here. 

The last couple months have been not what I thought they would be but they have been good. They have also been very hard in a lot of ways. Good and hard often go together to promote growth. 

I think I have growing pains. 

And so, I am going to take a little break. A little break from blogging, a little intentional quiet time. 

I'll be focusing on the very real life I live with my Jared and our two little girls. I'll be unpacking all.those.boxes. I'll be making the transition from hardly anything to everything as smooth as I can for my girls (really for all of us) and that requires me to be purposeful. 

I'm not sure how long of a break I'll be taking but I know that is needed.

Thank-you, as always, for reading and sharing this story with me. XO 

the street where we live

On Westwood Ave, just off Main street and tucked behind a deep red maple is our home. It's a five unit apartment building, built in the early 20th century.

The basement is everything that an old basement should be: cobwebby, low ceiling-ed, and old furniture to be brought upstairs, painted and given a new home. 

The third floor is half living quarters and half attic. Ten years ago, I would have carved out a little nook by the paned glass window to read and dream. Now, I watch my girls as they scurry under the eaves and investigate all the forgotten  treasures.

It's mostly just the girls and I at home during the day. Everyone else is out and about, except for our neighbor access the hall. The gentleman has lived here for a long time and is the sweetest grandfatherly type man. He offers to help with any information about the building we may need, apologizing that he can't help in a more practical way. He's 95, still writing books and walking downtown for his groceries.

There hasn't ever been children or musicians living in this house but the others don't seem to mind. The French couple who lives upstairs always smile at our girls and love listening to the hours of practice.

There is a dog in residence, we hear his feet skittering across the hardwood floor and the little yelps when his owners come home. She looks like Kate right down to her nude pumps and dark wavy hair. He looks nothing like Will though, we exchange hellos when we go for walks and little tidbits about the neighborhood.

There's a fifth resident, one of those brilliant writers or night shift workers, I'm convinced of it. Not exactly the type to host a building party at Christmas but friendly enough to say hello.

And then us. The family with the little girls, recently transplanted from Alberta. Musician, artists and owners of the double BoB.

It's a lovely place, clotheslines out the back and a formal front entry with a beautiful tile floor. The bushes are all flaming red now, the grass still full and lush.

It's the first place that we've loved this much and that I've let myself get so attached too. It calls out the beauty, the parties we could host, the conversations to be had, the neighbors to bake for, and the memories to be made.

It's home. 

Sometimes. You Make Soup.

Sometimes you set out to make soup and realize that you don't have an immersion blender and you don't have your regular blender and you make it anyway. Sometimes you add and you make do and you stir and you taste and it's a beautiful thing.

Sometimes it doesn't all work out. Sometimes your plans of taking in a local music festival that everyone has been telling you about don't work out. Sometimes it rains all day. And the four walls seem very close. Sometimes only the littlest one naps and everyone needs you. Right now. 

Sometimes you get in a funk and it's hard to shake it. Sometimes you can play the Pollyanna game really well and sometimes, you just can't. 

Sometimes you decide to make soup. 

It's a longer process because the kitchen is outfitted with the barest of tools. 

Chop, peel, chop, peel. Roast. Stir. Taste. Stir. Simmer. Taste. 

The familiar routine is soothing. The smells fill the house with warmth and texture like no furniture or pictures ever could. 

Smiles and hellos are exchanged with a neighbor. Autumn rain becomes a friend, pressing the four of you together and you realize the gift you have been given. 

 Accompanied with piles of crusty bread, this soup is a perfect antidote to any day. Good or bad. 

Butternut Squash, Apple and Bacon Soup 
(inspired by this recipe)
Serves 2 adults, and 2 little girls with leftovers for another rainy day. 

Ingredients:
 1/3 lb bacon (more if you like bacon), chopped
1/2 onion, chopped fine
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes
2 apples, peeled and cubed (I used a Gravenstein and a lonely Macintosh that was kicking around the fridge, for best results use a cooking apple)
1/2 c apple juice
Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste

Method:

Peel and cube squash and apples. Toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and roast in a 400 degree oven until very tender. 

Meanwhile, in large soup pot, fry chopped bacon. Once bacon is nearly done, add the onions. Fry until they are translucent. 

Once squash and apples are tender, mash them with a spoon (or blender, if you have one), and add to the bacon and onion mixture. 

Stir in apple juice and enough water to make a thick soup, about 4 cups.

Let simmer with the lid off for about half an hour, stirring every once and while. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. 

Serve hot with a spoonful of greek yoghurt and lots of crusty bread. Rain and fog, optional. 

What do you do when nothing seems to be going well?

Happy Food: Energy Balls {a recipe}

It's happy food. Simple food. Equally enjoyable at 4 pm for a snack to stave off hunger pains of little tummies or at 10 pm after a session of homework, practicing, and teaching.
They come together super fast, and are a great recipe to make with little ones. Lots of dumping and stirring and making balls.

 They're like the cute cousin of granola bars, which I have never been happy with my homemade versions and I've tried several different 'best ever' recipes. They're as a versatile as good pair of boots with as many add-in options as you want. And they are also reasonably healthy.


There's lots of different versions out there, but the concept is all the same. Cereal grains,  something sticky to smoosh it all together, dried fruit, chocolate, and whatever other add-ins fits your mood.

Energy Balls from Smashed Peas and Carrots

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy!  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

I used chopped dark chocolate, because that's how I roll. Feel free to use whatever chocolate you like and in whatever form. Use unsweetened peanut butter and coconut flakes for a healthier version. The honey and bits of chocolate make it plenty sweet. 

 These are some other options, I want to try. The quinoa one intrigues me. This grain is showing up everywhere and I have yet to cook with it.


No Bake Energy Bites 

Chocolate Chip Quinoa Trail Mix Balls


What are some of your favorite snack ideas (I need some more)? Have you used quinoa?

And We Found a House!

He told me not to fall in love. With the house. I laughed and met the man who would show me around.

I tried to stay calm and ask all those grown up questions one should ask when looking at a potential rental. But inwardly, I was cheering wildly.

A mantle?! Built in bookshelves?! Original , beautiful hardwood, closets by the score (well, almost), the glass handles on each and every door.

Tomas showed me the gardens, the back door, and the garbage bins.
He pointed out that the house was one of Wolfville's original apartment buildings from 1912. The previous tenant was just a few years younger then this house.

It's a short walk to the campus, a pleasant walk to downtown Wolfville and a good long walk to a nearby farm for fresh produce.

We both fell in love. We talked and talked it over and decided to say yes.
It's old. It has character. There's plenty of space for the four of us as well as guests. It has lovely little touches that I hoped for but didn't expect.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, all our stuff won't actually be joining us for several more weeks. I'm very grateful that all those rubbermaids will be making their way out here eventually. We'll be living out of suitcases for a little while longer. At least we can put our library books on the shelves and dream about staging the mantel.

It's home and I love it.

Of Shifting and Changing

Transition.

 n. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another;

 

It's not easy this thing called transition. It's that awkward place between here and there, that place of in-between. Of being new before you are old. 

 It's like the shifting of gears, necessary as you hear the engine whine and then settle into a smooth drive at a higher gear. 

 

 Yet it is all needed. 

 

It's a good word for where I am these days. In the in-between, learning to embrace a whole new normal. 

Learning right along with my little girl who asks to go home, to just go home; that home is here. Home is where we are. Mummy, Daddy, Kilmo and Khaira. 

 

Home isn't four walls and all of our stuff. Home isn't an address or a place on a map. Home is an intangible sense of belonging, of knowing that these are my people. It's a safe place colored with memories and dreams. We take up residence within a house but that is never our final home. We never get there, that place where we will never move again, never have any transitions again, never go through anything hard again. 

 

That place of perfect.

 

Perfect wasn't promised us. There's a hope of something more, something beyond whatever four walls we find ourselves living in. The journey of knowing the only Perfect One and letting His ways define our life. 

 

And so here I am. Wanting to learn what is mine to learn from this time, yet shirking from it knowing it may not be easy. Being steady for my girls, reminding them of what home is, and preparing them as I prepare myself for this next big jump. 

 

And, really, there is no other place I would rather be.

 

  

Project 365- Week 17

May 29-June 5 

1. A quick family picture, this is one of my favorite shots of us. Just happy and outside and together. 

2. A trip to the doctor resulted in both girls being on antibiotics. Not my first choice but it seemed to clear up the infections. 

3. And with the antibiotics, I upped our yoghurt intake by quite a bit! 

4. Beautiful tulips that Jared bought for him, and his picture of them. 

5. Love this picture of my girls sharing life and books together. Their jammies are adorable and I love being able to capture moments like this. 

6. Late-night cuddles with the Khaira-baby. 

7. Chilling at Mosher Sr. house. 

 

Less is More (no, really it is!)

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of stuff lately. It probably helps that I'm in a major de-junk, purge, and organize mood. I've been in it before but this time I'm in attack mode. 

I am pretty much ruthless in my method. I say pretty much because at my heart, I'm a packrat. I hold onto little random stuff because of the sentimental value to me. Growing up, I always had a full closet because I could never bear to get rid of my clothes, they all had so many memories attached to them. 

But I can't afford to be that sentimental anymore. 

We've moved a lot since getting married 3 1/2 years ago. We've lived in a lot of different places.  And we've accumulated stuff. Stuff we keep moving around with us.

We're most likely going to be moving again in the future, our little hobbit hole basement suite is only so big. I don't want to move stuff around just because it has memories attached to it. So I've been going through everything, taking bins of stuff to the thrift store and posting ads on kijiji.

It has been so freeing. Our souls aren't so weighed down by stuff. We're free to just be and enjoy what we do have.

We have more space.

I got rid of a change table and an exersaucer. I was only using the change table as storage and Khaira was quite done with the exersaucer. There's so much more space in the girls' room for them to dump their teddies and tea set all over the floor  play. 

The house can be really fast to tidy up.

The girls have three baskets in their room of assorted toys, teddies and books. They also have a little shelf in the living room. It can look like a total disaster but I can clean it up in five minutes making me feel like Mary Poppins. I just need some sort of trick for the laundry now.

I've gotten rid of all kinds of things that I was saving for a rainy day or oodles of spare time.

-A wicker picnic basket with a broken handle, it would probably be an easy fix but I haven't fixed it and it's been two years. I'm not going to be fixing it. 

 -Random knick-knacks that I will never display again and have just collected dust in my hopechest. My style and taste has changed a lot since I was 16 and there's no need to store stuff for no reason.

-A cupcake storage and transport container. I have never used it. And despite my fascination with cupcakes, I'm not keeping it for that 'just in case moment'. When I make cupcakes, I'll be creative and use something I already have to store them.  

I saved the memories and got rid of the stuff. 

 I know what I have and why I have it.

I haven't been completely cold-hearted and cut throat. I saved my tea cups and silver tea service. I have two little girls and I forsee lots of tea parties with real china in our future. I also saved four tupperware parfait glasses. I have never used them. I have four cut glass parfait glasses that are a lot prettier. But the tupperware ones are quirky and retro and I have so many memories of my Nana serving up her famous chocolate pudding in parfait cups identical to mine. I'm keeping them to create new memories for little people in my house.

Are you a pack rat as well? What's your secret to keeping stuff organized?

P.S. These pictures were taken on Mother's Day, I got the girls matching outfits last fall and love that they can wear them now. And I seriously wish they came in my size!

   

The Tarte Tatin That Wasn't

I have been all kinds of inspired lately. And a lot of it has to do with browsing Pinterest and reading. I've been discovering the library again, requesting all sorts of books and working my way through them as I have time. Trying to open a book just as often, if not more, then having screen time. 

My latest delicious read was David Lebovitz's The Sweet Life in Paris. At the end of every chapter, he includes a recipe or two.  And after reading about tarte tatin, I decided that I really, really should start knocking off those food items on my 'to make' list. 

Tarte Tatin has long been on my list to make. And so this weekend, I did. Sort of. I don't have a cast iron pan, yet, so the key element of making the tart was not really there. So I just made up my own version based on David's recipe. And it was good. Very good. 

I used David's pastry recipe but really you could use your favorite recipe and it would be great!

The apples were picked last fall and then frozen, I've been slowly working my way through all the bounty in my freezer and the apples turned out really well. Because you caramelize them, it's okay that they get a little soft. 

If you have any leftover apple filling, it would make a wonderful topping to pancakes or oatmeal. It also makes a lovely snack while waiting for your husband to get home from his rehearsal, not that I would know or anything. 

Free-form Apple Tart
(inspired by David Lebovitz's Caramelized Apple Tart)

For the dough:

3/4 c flour
1/4 t coarse salt
1 1/2 t granulated sugar
2 T unsalted butter
3 T ice-cold water

Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Cut the butter in and mix until the butter is in pea-sized chunks. Stir in the water and mix just until the dough holds together. Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in fridge until ready to use (up to 3 days).

For the apples:
8 cups, sliced apples, (I used frozen Jonagold apples)
1 T lemon juice, to toss with fresh apples, if using fresh
1 T butter
1/2 c packed brown sugar

Melt butter. Stir in brown sugar and apples. Cook on low to medium heat for 20 minutes (or so), stirring to coat apples with butter mixture.

Roll out dough on flour dusted counter into a 12 inch (or so) circle, you may need to sprinkle dough with flour several times to keep it from sticking to your rolling pin and so that it lifts off the counter smoothly. Place pastry in pie pan or on a baking sheet. Fill the centre with the apples, leaving a couple inches to fold back towards the centre.
Brush the pastry with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or until pastry is golden.

The tart is best served warm with a dollop of whipped cream and piping hot cup of tea.

Do you have a list of foods that you want to make? 

Project 365 -Week 7

March 18- 25


1. On the first day of spring, we made spring eggs! It was such a fun project to do with the girls, a cheap way to decorate for spring and a great hands on activity.

2. I bought the girls matching sandals at a consignment store. Kilmeny loves wearing them around the house and she also loves to include Khaira in her fun. I can't wait for summer for them to wear them all the time!

3. Lunch was going to be a hurried affair after a morning out but I decided to make it fun for the girls and serve it up picnic style in the living room. They loved it! Kilmo was so cute at sharing her apple slices for Khaira to nosh on.

4. This is probably my favorite picture of the girls this spring. I was trying to get a sister picture at the park with them both looking and smiling but I liked this one the best of all the ones I took. This was Khaira's first real park outing and she loved it!

5. I walked up one day and met Jared for chai at the new Remedy Cafe. Best.Chai. Ever.

6. French braids in Kilmo's hair! And her cute profile.

7. I love shopping at the Italian Centre, this sign made me smile.

Project 365 - Week 4

The Lovely Ordinary. Simple Beauty. Moments Captured. 

1. Khaira is such a sparkly baby, her big eyes are full of light and sparkles when she's happy which is most of the time. I feel blessed. 

2. I took some time to finally make Kilmeny's deepest wish (on that day) come true. We went sledding on the perfect sledding hill just across the street. She was delighted. 

3. Authors, the game of choice when my younger sisters in law come over. They baby sat for us on the weekend and spent the night so we could have some girl time of shopping, a tea party at which we ate tons of scones and giggled, and played Authors. It was a good day. 

4. Jared's brother had a birthday and we got to share in the cake and well wishes. A late night but totally worth it. 

5. An unexpected gift-time at Starbucks without my girls. I had to deliver a food order and a friend was watching my sleeping girlies. I was early for the delivery and got to enjoy a salted caramel mocha and people watch. Lovely. 

6. Middle of the winter blahs are made much better by fun food. 

7. Khaira is definitely sitting up now, by herself and very happy to be doing so.

 Enjoy your weekend, friends! All the lovely, messy, and unexpected moments.

Orange Cranberry Muffins: A Recipe for Wintry Days

 Oranges and cranberries. They're a favorite pairing right now. Right along with sun dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts. It may have something to do with the fact that it's the middle of winter and garden fresh vegetables robust with flavor are still months away. Oranges are in season right now along with all their relatives in their citrus family. My new favorite orange variety is the blood orange. The flesh is a deep red color, the flavor sweet and tangy. I feel all gourmet when I slice them up for an afternoon snack.

 Here in Northern Alberta, we have (to the best of my knowledge) two opportunities to stock up on fresh cranberries. Thanksgiving and Christmas. I missed the very small window in October and made sure I stocked up in December. I freeze the bags of tart, red berries until I want them. They make a lovely addition to scones, biscotti, or muffins.

I've tried a couple different orange cranberry muffins but I've never quite been satisfied with the end result. I want to taste the zing of the cranberry and the zip of the orange. And so I made modifications after modifications until the results tasted like what I had been trying to create. Kilmeny and I made these one morning during Khaira's nap. Kilmeny is just getting to the age where with a lot of patience (on my part!) she can actually be a help to me as I bustle in the kitchen. She can crack eggs with great proficiency, zest oranges, counts along with me as I measure, and is a top-notch dumper of full measuring cups. And she makes a great taste-tester!

                                                        
                                                           Orange Cranberry Muffins

 (a vintage box creation)

2 c flour (I used a mixture of spelt, hard red and soft white wheat flours)
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/4 t cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c cranberry sauce
3/4 c sugar
1/2  c unsweetened applesauce (if sweetened, lessen sugar amount)
1 orange, peeled and minced
4 T orange zest or peel of an orange
 1 1/2 c cranberries (fresh or frozen)


Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together. Combine and add fruit, stir until moistened. Spoon batter (will be lumpy) into greased muffin tins. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 or until they test done. These are best served warm but they also freeze well, perfect for a little something with a cup of steaming tea!

Project 365 -Week 3

It's been a busy week, in fact it feels like a bit of a blur. I've been working a lot in the kitchen this week preparing food for clients which is fun but rather exhausting at the end of it all. I'm just so grateful for a husband who helps me wash mounds of dishes and for the fact that some of that kitchen work results in meals in the freezer for us as well. 

 Can I just say I love my iPhone? I have it with me all the time and use it almost all the time now to take pictures. I love how handy it is for snapping moments. 

1. This is probably one of my favorite pictures from last weekend and perhaps of this winter. Kilmeny has gotten so many comments on her bright red coat that we picked up for a few dollars at a thrift store. She's my little bundle of energy but with quiet moments like this one when she's enthralled with something new. 

2. We just got given a bunch of basically new cloth diapers and here's my little Khaira baby modelling one of the diapers. I do get the girls dressed each day but this was just too cute. 

3. Play dough at the kitchen table has been a sanity-saver this week. 

4. I love seeing Khaira's personality come out more and more! 

5. Kilmeny and Khaira. Kilmo's going through 'that stage' of faces for the camera, this one just makes me laugh. 

6. My little 'hope of spring' plant from Grama Ardron. I'm hoping I don't kill it off since I love ivy plants. 

7. We love Olivia books here, I've already started the girls a collection of the books by Ian Falconer. The simple illustrations and witty text gets me every time. 

 

Project 365 - Week 2

We spent this past weekend in a little cabin in the mountains. It was lovely, refreshing, a literal breath of fresh air. Just what we needed. In all the bustle of getting everything together I didn't get a chance to put this post up before we left so I'm doing it now. 

Week 2: February 13- 20

1. Khaira sleeping with her little rosebud lips.

2. Kilmeny sleeping. The girls haven't been sleeping all that well lately during the night, colds and upset schedules seem to be affecting them. Naptime has been slightly hit and miss as well so on one of the days when they both slept at the same  time, I had to take pictures. To remind myself of these days and to remember just how precious they are. Even when we're all a little tired. 

3. Kilmeny loves to be 'just like Mummy' and so she had to read some magazines I picked up from my midwife. She loves to 'read' anything she can! 

4. In a quiet and contemplative mood. For about 5 minutes. I love my little spunky girl!

5. A community Valentines party provided the perfect excuse to wear my red shoes. I just love them, they make me feel like a well-dressed lady. ;-)

6. A little Valentine's inspiration along with my to-do list to make my dinner plans come together on time on the 14th. 

7.  We  were out and about last week with a couple different play dates which provided some new scenery and good conversation over coffee. Khaira's totally into these duplo blocks, I would be as well, the colors are fantastic. 

8. And a little shopping trip brought us to a store that had a beautiful display of jasmine plants which I had to take a picture since it's my niece's name. =)

Project 365 - Week 1

Project 365 is something I've been wanting to do for awhile and I just decided to jump in and start, right here in the middle of February. I tend to want everything 'just perfect' before embarking on a new adventure but that's kind of the point of adventures, you don't know how they're going to turn out. So here's to capturing 2012, one picture at a time! 

Here's a peek into this past week!

1. Kilmeny loves to run outside but she only likes it for about five minutes until she pulls her mittens off, eats some snow and realizes that is actually cold out. This is just after she started asking to go back inside.

2. Khaira has just started grabbing her toys, it is so fun to see her at this stage! 

3. We took an evening stroll through the Muttart Conservatory  Thursday evening and they had these gorgeous lanterns hanging amongst the trees. 

4. All dressed up and then bundled on the way to church.

5. Khaira-baby, cute, cuddly and wide awake at 10:15pm! I love these quiet evenings with her like this. 

6. Cousin time at Cafe O Play ! Kilmeny and her cousin, Kaden played so well together while their mums had some refreshing conversation about mum stuff, life, and all that good stuff. 

7. Kilmeny loves to help me whenever I'm busy in the kitchen so I try to be one step ahead of her and think of ways that she can help me. We both enjoy the process that way!

A Little Mid-Winter Decorating

I've been doing a little decorating, a little re-purposing, and a little organizing lately.
This is the first house we've lived in where there's been an actual room to decorate and accessorize for Kilmeny and I've been quite excited about doing it. I like most peoplefind tremendous fulfillment in seeing an idea come to fruition.

Part of my purpose in doing this was that I wanted to get rid of the random baskets where I was storing her books, toys, blocks etc. Inspired by Pinterest I wanted to create a little nook for her to read and play. A place to spark her creativity and make her room an inviting place to spend time. As well as making it a little easier to keep tidy. 

The thrift store was the next stop where I got these three big pillows, intending to re-cover them at home. But that didn't really happen. They sat against the wall for a few days while I played around with different ideas. And then it was back to the thrift store I went to see what fabric I could find to cover them. I didn't find anything except a pair of pillowcases in the color I wanted. So I bought them.

Here's what I did:

Sorted through all the toys and books, putting some of the toys away in the closet and shelving some of the books.
Michaels was having a sale on baskets so I got three that would store the books, toys, etc nicely and that didn't scream 'kids room'.
I thrifted the pillows and the fabric. The ribbon is from my stash, I  had literal yards of the pink polka-dotted ribbon and have used it for everything. I used one of the pillow cases to cover a pillow, the other one sits forlornly waiting for another purpose.
I made the flowers one morning with Kilmeny 'helping' me which involved her emptying my fabric bin and thread and Khaira lying on the floor taking it all in.

Just to keep it all real, moments after these pictures were taken, the book basket was emptied, the cushions were in the middle of the room and both girls were quite ready to eat and have a nap. =)


Any projects on the go around your home?

Peace. And a Little Something to Nosh On.

I curled up on the soft leather loveseat, breathing a deep sigh of enjoyment and opened my book. 

The girls were looked after, happily playing with their aunties and there were no pressing needs on me. 

It had been a long week.

I've sat in this space several times attempting to write and then foiled by little girls waking up much earlier then planned upon and then not going to sleep until much later then desired and  by simply not knowing what to say.

Everyone wants resolution and redemption. This week I didn't have any of that to offer. Tired. Busy. Overwhelmed. All of the above I could give you but I know that each of you has your own share of that in your own life. And so I was quiet. 

We spent the weekend with my husband's family. Out in the country. Away from the distractions and responsibilities of home.

It was for me, a little retreat. I brought a book and took full advantage of the time I had to read. I munched on freshly made cookies and flipped through cookbooks with my sister in law. We watched a movie in the evening, a girly movie since most of the guys were gone and it was utterly delightful. 

The time was quiet. Peaceful. And just what I needed. 

But there was a certain amount of bustling around home to get out the door and to remember all the little details for our family of four. My husband does the meals on the weekends and this weekend he decided to treat us to brunch at one of our favorite breakfast places. With all the bustling and hustling done by her parents and breakfast put off later and later, Kilmeny got rather hungry. And like any other toddler, she gets a little cranky when she's hungry. 

So we pulled out our current favorite snack for her to nosh on. It pacified her until brunch and I nibbled on it as well. It kept us all happy and maintained the peace. Which was kind of the point of the weekend. 

Peace.

I know I'll be pulling this nibble out again before the week's over. Filling up her little plate, setting up a winter-time picnic in the living room, and enjoying some quiet. It's a great Monday snack. It looks especially pretty when served in a little glass bowl and tastes especially good when sprinkled with dark chocolate bits. =)

Kilmeny's Peacetime Snack 

2 parts almonds

1 part cransins

Optional add-ins: dark chocolate chips, roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, any other dried fruit, and nuts.
This is also one of my favorite go-to snacks paired along with a fresh apple or orange, since we're full into citrus season right now.

What's your favorite nibble for when you're feeling peckish?

One of Those Weeks

It's been one of those weeks. You know, the ones where each day feels like an eternity and bed is your favorite place except that the baby doesn't want to sleep. 

I've had this philosophy about child-raising and it has been tested this week. I think we all came through okay. 

 It's just this: I have a two year old. 

And I'm not going to go through the terrible twos with her. Nor are we going to have 6 year old battles or troublesome teen years. 

For me (as most people), when I label something, it becomes that. 

My eager, creative, exuberant, energetic, curious, adorable two year old becomes terrible?

I don't think so. 

But there were some moments this week where I almost caved. And I share these in the interest of keeping it real, being transparent, and offering a big shout out to all my fellow mums who no doubt can relate. You can, right?

I had these grand plans of re-doing Kilmeny's room, organizing, sorting, and making new toy boxes this week. It sort of happened. It was one of those times where the idea was great - spray paint boxes and then cover with fabric for storing her toys, teddies, books and blocks. Except that the diaper boxes I cut down to size didn't take to the spray paint. I should know, I used up a whole can. 

And the fabric that I was going to make adorable matching cushions with is still sitting on her dresser waiting for to get inspired again. 

My little take-the-world-on girl loves playing with it and I let her. Sometimes I clean it up, sometimes I work with her to clean it up. Once or maybe more I just left it and all the other mess that is in the process of being organized and closed the door. 

We had a little quiet time at Starbucks this week. My errands were done and Jared wasn't quite done work so we chilled at Starbucks. I was happy with my chai tea, Kilmeny was happy with her biscotti (that I bought because she thumbed through the packaging while it was on display), and Khaira was just happy.  

We sat there, smiling back at all the nice people who smiled at us and were enthralled by my little winking, smiling, staring girl. 

 We counted to ten and signed the entire alphabet. It was beautiful. 

But then it was time to go, I thought we should really give the slightly-awkward-first-date couple some space. Kilmeny was still enthralled by them so I gently gave a her a few tugs to get her off the chair which I then knocked over with Khaira's carseat while trying to avoid cramming the couple with our little entourage. I nearly did the same to the water bottle display but managed to avoid that one while still holding onto Kilmeny. I pushed the door open just as a gentlemen reached to grab it for me and I proceeded to spill my tea all over my jacket. And then Kilmeny took off running towards the street. It wasn't my best moment.

But I just smiled at the all the business people who were walking home from work and headed to the van. 

The quiet time that I thought I would have to write has been eaten up by a little girl who seems to think she doesn't need a nap anymore but carries on the most fantastic conversations with her dolls instead and my other little-er girl who has gotten another cold and will sleep sometimes and sometimes she just wants mummy. 

And I find that as I focus on enjoying these crazy, busy, tired days rather then enduring them, it does help. I have two beautiful children, a hard-working hottie of a husband, and a lovely little home to call mine. And a loaded Starbucks card for some quiet, all.by.myself. time. ;-)

What has your week looked like? Got any crazy, beautiful moments to share? 

5 easy (and somewhat healthy) lunches

It's a common dilemma. Mealtime is fast approaching and you're trying to figure out what to make for lunch while keeping the toddler out of mischief as well as interacting with the baby. The dishes are still piled from breakfast and after cutting, coring and simmering apples all morning, you don't feel all that creative or motivated to make lunch. 

Or maybe that's just me.

We had leftovers for lunch. It was quick, healthy and simple to prepare. 

I try to have to a menu plan for suppers and a general plan for breakfast but lunches often escape me. 

Here's my list of ten lunches that work well if you're feeding a toddler, yourself or anyone else. 

Hummus and corn chips. 

This is the best recipe I have come across and it's super easy. My Kilmo-girl loves it and it's one of the few meals that she can eat completely with her hands. Add some carrot sticks or cucumber slices for further dipping and eating fun. Buy red, blue or white corn chips. Que Pasa is the brand I always buy and love because the corn is not genetically modified and the oil is cold-pressed. I feel great about feeding it to my family as well as making the conscious choice with my food. 

Whole wheat pancakes with homemade fruit compote

Pancake batter lasts for awhile in the fridge so you can make up a batch and serve it up several times. The whole wheat flour gives a nutty flavor to the pancakes as well as having fiber so you are full and have energy for the rest of the day. I love to top the pancakes with a fruit compote, the natural sugars of the fruit really shine and give a sweet taste without having too much sugar. Compotes keep in the fridge really well and can also be used to flavor yoghurt or top oatmeal.

  Soup

I love soup. It is one of my favorite meals to prepare and eat during the autumn and winter months. Minestone, chicken noodle, clam chowder and hamburger vegetable are a few of my favorites. They all freeze well and can be warmed up for lunch after a busy morning. 

Boiled eggs and muffins
 Making a big batch of muffins along with a pot of soup has been added to my weekly routine. I love the flexibility muffins offer, they can be served up for breakfast, lunch, supper or snacks. I make mine with whole wheat flour and skimp on the sugar so they're more of a whole food then a dessert. This time of year I love pumpkin and apple muffins. Kilmeny loves this kind of lunch since it is eaten with her hands and whatever she doesn't eat at lunch gets served up for a snack. 

Bean and rice dip with corn chips

This is one of those meals that just came together on a whim and I've continued making it. Each time it's a little different and that's part of the beauty of cooking. Basically it's equal parts cooked kidney or black (or both) beans (I cook the beans  until they are quite soft and start to get mushy) and rice, enough salsa to give it a good dipping consistency, fresh cilantro (this is what makes it pop), and some cheese. I've used both cheddar and feta with great taste results. It's also yummy without the cheese making it a good non-dairy lunch. Add some sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve with corn chips. This also freezes well and thaws quickly making it a great quick meal or snack or oh-my-goodness-I-forgot-to-make-you-a-lunch option for your husband.  Who, me? 

Leftovers

 And my favorite option. Quick and simple. We often have little bits left over from the night before that satisfy both Kilmeny and I and my fridge doesn't have (too) many containers of random food.  


What would you add to the list?