Christmas in July

Every summer I wait for my local greenhouse Claussen's to have their famous all you can carry sale. This year did not disappoint. For $50 I was allowed to load up a double decker cart with as much as I could. The plants were layered on top of each other in my car in order to fit them all. I was like a kid in a candy shop.

Here is my car packed with goodness.

I was giddy beyond belief.

So I decided to create a new garden around my once empty brick patio. I wanted to make a garden patio out of it.

I am happy with the results.

The rest of the flowers went to fill in the front yard garden I created this spring and a small one on the side of my house. I was also able to fill many pots for the brick patio and my deck. It was the perfect thing to do on our first day of sunshine in a week.

Go local

I have been on a mission to become a localvore. If you are wondering what that is, a localvore is is a person who eats only locally-grown and produced food. I am fortunate to live in a state that has a leading part in this movement. On top of of all of the local farmers, crafters etc in VT we are also lucky to have many locally owned restaurants and stores who support this effort by selling and using their products. With the oil issue being what it is now is the time to be looking inside your own state and finding what products you can buy locally instead of products that were shipped from across the country or from other countries.

Taking on this challenge hasn't been too hard. In the summer and winter I get all of my vegetables from a local CSA Farm Share and buy as much as I can locally of other products as well. My Eggs, maple syrup, butter, cheese, veggies, fruits, salad dressing and flour all come from VT. There are some things I have had to slide on. For instance I can't yet give up avocados or bananas. This movement has taught me though to shift my eating habits quite a bit. I have become more of a seasonal eater. Since I get all of my veggies from my local CSA I eat what I get from them. This means no salads in the winter because there isn't any lettuce. The summer months are filled with salads, tomatoes, squash, beans, carrots peas and greens. The winter months are filled with carrots, potatoes, fall squash, spinach and root vegetables. All foods they store all winter. I am able to get VT apples all winter too because Champlain Orchards does winter storage as well. On top of this I grow a small garden in my back yard. This year I have 6 monster tomato plants, 4 pepper plants, peas, beans, squash, corn, cucumbers and pumpkins.

Again this means shifting my fruit intake. I no longer buy apples from Argentina and New Zealand (where most are from in the grocery stores), I am trying to wean off of bananas, and I do still give in to grapes but only when they are from CA and not Mexico. I was giddy with joy when I went to the store yesterday to find organic local plumbs grown by Champlain Orchards where I also get my apples.

It is maddening to me how much of our food is produced outside of the US. Most of the big chain food stores do not list on their tags where the food is from but the local food coop that I shop at does. It is scary. VT is taking major leaps ahead in becoming a bit more self sufficient. It takes some adjustment in your diet but it is so worth it.

To learn more go HERE, HERE

Our rescue dog journey

This is the journey we took to rescue a puppy from TN. He was left in a box with 10 other puppies on someone's front lawn in TN. There are so many dogs and mostly puppies on death row in the south due to over population. Never in a million years did we think we would do this but once we saw his picture and learned more about rescue we knew this was for us.

We worked with a local rescue organization called Golden Hugs Rescue who pays a pull fee to get the dogs out of the shelter and into foster care in order to be adopted. They then have a special transport team truck the adopted dogs up North a few times a month.

We left for NH on Friday night. We stayed at my sisters house because she lives close to where our pick up location was. On Saturday we headed to the location at 1:00. The truck was supposed to be there around 1:30 but there was an accident on the highway so it didn't arrive until 3:00. My parents met us there so we at least got to visit with them while we waited. When we got to our pick up location there were about 50 other families waiting to meet their new pets. It was amazing to see so many people waiting and wondering just as we were. Finally the truck arrived. This big truck pulled up with barking dogs who had been driving since TN. The scene was amazing. Our first meeting with Winston (now Zimo) was everything we hoped. He is adjusting well and settling into his new home. He is a doll and it feels great to have saved him.

Zimo slept all the way home from NH. He was amazing. After spending the night in the truck from TN he quietly took another 3 hour drive back to VT. Once home he had some play time in the back yard and a tour of the house but it was late so we had to get the kids to bed. He immediately got into his crate and has had no problems using it since. Amazingly enough he slept through the night. We had him in the crate in our room and we heard not a peep until 4:30 this morning. We took him outside and then back in his crate when we then slept until 7:00. The boys were delighted to see hit loves to play ball. He seems to know some basic commands fairly well. He sits pretty well on command and fetches and drops the ball. He has clearly decided I am his Alpha Mama and follows me everywhere I go. We are exhausted but so happy.

Last night was amazing. I went with my friend Kyler to see the Sex and the City Movie downtown. I was a late bloomer to the show. We have never had cable that gives us HBO so the year I was pregnant with sal 2004-2005 we Netflixed the entire run of the show. Start to finish. I loved it. Needless to say I was excited to see the movie. Now this isn't any kind of Oscar nod movie or anything but it isn't trying to be. It was a perfect slice of escapism that I needed in my life at that moment.

Being home with my kids full time I seldom get a break. I was giddy all day yesterday knowing I was going to be picked up at 6:00. JB was coming home from work early so I had dinner ready for 5:30 and I was out the door at 6:00. I put on a cute summer dress and jumped in the car with a smile on my face knowing I would be free of dishes, dinner clean up and all bed time routines.

The movie was what I expected. Predictable but fun. The fashions were fabulous and I laughed a lot. It was light and refreshing with themes of forgiveness and friendship thrown in.

I came home with a skip in my step. JB and I enjoyed a beer on the deck while enjoying the cooler evening air. I felt free for a moment and it was delightful.

Kyler and I made plans to see Mama Mia when it comes out. I am already counting down the days.

It is hot hot hot in VT today and I have popsicles on the mind.

I just found a great source for BPA free popsicle molds. I am going to order me up some.

Save money by making your own and save your kid from all the artificial colorings and flavorings they put in store bought. But make sure you get the BPA free ones.

Meet Zimo

Zimo will soon be the newest addition to our family. We rescued him from TN. He will soon be making the long trip to the North East and we pick him up next Saturday. He is a 3 month old lab mix. We are in love and can't wait to meet him. His given name is Winston but the kids made up Zimo and so it will be.

These pictures were taken by the shelter in TN where he is now. It has been a long hard search for us to find the right dog. It feels really good to be helping this little guy out.

Vacation Review

I am back from vacation. We went to Ogunquit Maine for the week. It was so nice to get away but even better to come home. Taking a break and going away is such good perspective. I realize that despite living so far from the ocean I absolutely love where I live. Ogunquit was nice but a bit too upscale for my liking. They make going to the beach a very exclusive thing. Our cottage was in walking distance to one of the beaches in town if you didn't have two kids, blankets, a cooler and beach toys in tow. Given that walking wasn't an option to us we were stuck driving. Parking at the Ogunquit beaches sucks! All lots were $15 a day or there was one that was $4.00 an hour. What? That is insane. Other beaches I have been too on the Maine/NH seacoast were not like this at all. I found it all to be a bit exclusive. Luckily we ended up finding York Beach which was the next town over and we loved it. It was much more our speed. The parking situation was meters right up against the beach and it only cost $1.00 an hour. Now that was more like it.

Leaving my hometown also makes me realize how crappy the food is in most other places. Being a vegetarian is hard in America. Most of the restaurants cater towards seafood and steak of course so it was pizza for us when we decided to dine out. We found a breakfast spot called The Egg & I in Ogunquit that supposedly had been voted the best breakfast in Southern Maine. I beg to differ. I had an omelet with cheddar cheese, mushrooms and spinach and a side of home fries. I guess I am spoiled because where I come from you can actually get fresh ingredients in your food. The mushrooms in this omelet were from a can, the spinach was soggy like frozen spinach and the home fries were prepackaged frozen home fries. It was nasty. Honestly it was no better than eating at Denny's or a place like that.

At times I wished we had just stayed in our beautiful state and just rented a place on the lake. Where enjoying the water is more accessible and the food is real. We did have a good time though. We took the kids to Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth NH. Oh and if you are ever in Portsmouth you MUST eat at The Friendly Toast. Amazing. Truly amazing. I finally found a restaurant that cooks real food! Great vegetarian options too. We also took the kids to York Wild Kingdom. Kind of a cheesy place but the kids loved it. It was fun to be able to do things with the kids they don't normally do. Arcades, ice cream - most limits were off that week. We all came home with belly aches and 3 extra pounds for me (boo-hoo). I crave fresh vegetables and fruits. Thank goodness it is farm pick up day for us at our CSA Farmshare.

Coming home was wonderful. My yard and garden exploded while we were gone. I have monster tomato plants, small peppers growing, peas and beans reaching for the sky, salad mix begging to be picked and strawberries and blueberries growing plump and juicy. I spent the next day mowing, weeding and harvesting. It was delightful. It was nice getting away but it was wonderful coming home.

After the storm

IMG_0009_1.JPG
Originally uploaded by John & Kacey

We had crazy storms yesterday which included a tornado watch. Tornado watch in VT? It was a bit scary. By early evening the storms had come to a calm point and the sun was setting before the next one came through. This was taken outside out front window.

VT - heaven on earth

VT - heaven on earth
Originally uploaded by John & Kacey

This is why I love Vermont so much. Taken from the top of Mt Philo.

Father's Day Eco-Green gifts from A-Z

Here is the ultimate list in eco and green gifts for father's day from ecobites.com

An alphabet of gift ideas that include not only things to make and selections of home grown produce but also offers of your love, labour and energy to perform chores for Dad and Grandpa - a gift of precious time that will always be welcome. Spending the day with Dad on Dad's Day is probably the best way to celebrate him. If you want to treat Dad to something extra special, search your soul, and ask yourself, what would he really like? Instead of supporting the overconsumerism, how about showing Dad you love him with a truly sustainable gift. A APRONS are always handy for the busy grill / BBQ cook, or sew a serviceable one in strong calico or canvas for the gardener or handydad. A whole case of your own grown fruit or vegies. A family video or DVD of the children with Dad or Grandpa, wrapped with a packet of organic popcorn and seasoning mix 1/4 cup dried basil, 1/4 cup dried marjoram, 1/4 cup dried thyme,1/2 cup nutritional yeast powder, 1/4 cup garlic powder,1 /8 cup kelp powder. In a grinder, grind basil, marjoram and thyme and mix well with the rest of the ingredients. Store in an airtight glass container away from heat and light. Attach the following instructions on a homemade gift tag. Sprinkle on lightly buttered popcorn and enjoy! (add a small bottle of organic coconut oil - organic popcorn, popped in coconut oil is just delish! no need for butter). A simply-framed photograph or child's painting. ADOPTIONS For fathers who are as 'wise as an owl' as 'strong as a lion' or as 'lovable as a grizzly bear'.World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is making it easy for people to salute and celebrate the special men in their lives for Father's Day. Symbolic animal adoptions in support of a worthy cause are a great way to honor a great father while protecting the environment. www.worldwildlife.org/gifts. ALTERNATIVE material products: recycled, organic, heritage plants, do-it-yourself or handcrafted from local markets. B BREAKFAST IN BED Pamper your husband, Dad, brother, or friend with a breakfast in bed on Father's Day! BAKE something special, a pie with "We love Daddy" or using refrigerated organic bread dough, have your child make different shapes, such as braids, hearts, circles, maybe spell out "DAD", "#1 DAD". Bake according to the package instructions. These fresh-out-of-the-oven creations can be served to Dad as part of breakfast in bed on Father's Day. Bake a special cake, cookies, scones or whatever is your Dad's favourite treat. Make a personalized BOOK. Children can cut pictures of things out of magazines and then glue into the book.Cut up some old photographs (or copy some photos or print from your computer) and glue their heads on other bodies, animals etc, and make a unique story book for Dad or Grandpa. BIRD SEED (organic millet) for those Dad's who enjoy bird watching. BOOKMARKS If Dad is fond of reading, then a personalized bookmark would just be apt for the occasion. There can be distinctive types of bookmarks like a bird bookmark, sporting bookmark. Add a gift voucher from Dad's favourite book store.Or a gently used book purchased from a charity store. Or a homemade voucher for a weekly library visit. BASKETS Grapevine baskets made from own grapevine, and fill with Dad's favourite organic homemade and local treats. BEER Home brew or local organic. BICYCLE Sport-utility bikes with a tail for Dad's lugging a briefcase or groceries. http://www.xtracycle.com/index.php Team it up with a BPA-free reusable stainlees steel water bottle - the plastic alternative for Dad whilst running, on the bike etc. http://www.kleankanteen.com/ BREAKFAST in bed every Sunday for a month. C CELEBRATING Father's Day gives you a chance to celebrate all the important men in your life. Show each of them how much you care by surprising them with a unique and personal gift that will be remembered for years to come. Remember elderly neighbours, teachers, coaches and friends with a small homemade gift. CHOCOLATES After-dinner treats such as chocolate-covered organic brazil nuts and organic strawberries – just melt some organic chocolate in a bowl over just-simmering water, skewer your nut, strawberry (or organic dried fruit), and dip into the melted chocolate. Then lay on greaseproof paper to set. Place in decorated jars, baskets or homemade boxes. Chocolate DIY or organic fairtrade. A box of your chocolate creations makes a delicious personalised gift for the chocolate loving Dad. CERTIFICATE "Cookie of the Month" certificate along with one dozen cookies. Come the beginning of each month, bake a different kind of cookie / chocolate etc. CRAFT You can really make any craft eco-friendly by choosing papers and supplies that are environmentally friendly. Such as, use what you have! We all have bits of paper, odds and ends everywhere. Use recycled paper, ribbon, fabric etc bought from thrift shops, too. Source items found from nature. CHILD'S HAND PRINT Mix 1/2 cup salt, 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil, and 1/4 cup water in a large bowl; when mixed add 1 cup organic flour and knead well. Form dough into a softball-sized shape and roll out with a rolling pin. Press your child's hand into the clay (with fingers spread). Bake at 250 degrees F. for several hours. After it's cooled your child can paint the handprint using eco-friendly paint. Label the handprint with your child's name, age, year the handprint was created, etc. You can also etch into the clay before baking something like "Hands down best Dad" or "Handy Dad". CARDS Make beautiful Father's Day cards from a brown paper bag / any old paper / recycled board / fabric and some ribbon. Brown paper (from a grocery bag) or paper or card or fabric scraps etc. Pinking shears or scissors A hole punch, Ribbon (about 1/4 inch wide) or thick yarn Markers or crayons Cut a large shape from brown paper or fabric using pinking shears. Using a hole punch, make a series of holes around the edges of the card. Make an even number of holes. String ribbon or yarn through the holes. Tie the ends in a bow if desired (this is the hardest part of this project). If the bow doesn't look good, you can glue the ends of the ribbon to the back of the card instead. Write a message, paste a photo (or the children can draw a picture) on the card. Glue pictures from old cards onto homemade or store-bought recycled paper to create new cards. Glue paper on the inside of old cards to cover previous writing--and use them again. Make a greeting card or gift tag from scrap paper, fabric or wallpaper. For short Dad quotes use a large leaf or flat stone. Make cards or gift tags from pieces of a food box. COUPONS Make up coupons that Dad can redeem for everything from a hug to weeding the garden and taking out the trash, whatever comes from the heart. Use a hole punch and ribbon, a stapler, or paper brads to hold your coupons together. Breakfast in Bed Coupon, Walking the dog Coupon, An hour of silence Coupon, One hour control of the remote control, Big hug Coupon. Ask Dad what he would like added to the coupons. Once you have Dad's requests, all you have to do is make them a reality! CAR WASH KIT Here's what you need: Paper towels / newspaper Sponge Old cotton towels to use as rags Ingredients for homemade car shampoo (eco-friendly or DIY dishwashing liquid and powdered laundry detergent, and water), each should be chlorine- and phosphate-free and non-petroleum-based. Spray bottle of eco window cleaner / (vinegar and water) Homemade car air freshener (craft foam, cookie cutter, scissors, essential oil, hole puncher, string) Make some vouhers for Dad to redeem when he is not using a commercial eco friendly car wash Recycled bucket to display all the items HOW TO MAKE CAR SHAMPOO In a bucket, mix one-third cup (.16 pint) of dishwashing liquid, one-quarter cup (.12 pint) of powdered laundry detergent, and one gallon (eight pints) of water. This concentrate can then be used sparingly with water over exterior car surfaces. Even when using green-friendly cleaners, it is better to avoid the driveway and instead wash Dad's car on the lawn or over dirt so that the toxic waste water can be absorbed and neutralized in soil instead of flowing directly into storm drains or open water bodies. Also, try to sop up or disperse those sudsy puddles that remain after you’re done. They contain toxic residues and can tempt thirsty animals. HOW TO MAKE A CAR AIR FRESHENER Trace the shape of a cookie cutter onto craft foam, then cut out the shape. With an adult's permission, spray the foam with essential oil and water several times. Let dry. Punch a hole at the top and tie a string through the hole. Hang the air freshener from the car's rearview mirror. CAR WASH Vouchers from an eco-friendly car wash, will give Dad and the environment a rest. D DONATE to a charity in Dad’s name. Help non-profits that are helping the planet, and keep stuff Dad doesn’t need from clogging his closets, or worse, landfills. http://www.changingthepresent.org/ http://www.earthjustice.org/ Because the earth needs a good lawyer. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/topten.list.htm http://www.2020vision.org/ DOLLARS $ Buy a subscription to an organisation working to make the world a better place such as the RSPB, RSPCA or Oxfam. Buy a homemade or fairtrade present. A bird table, compost bin, worm farm etc. If you do not have time and inspiration for homemade gifts ... Support LOCAL and sustainable businesses. E ENERGY (in the form of Eco job vouchers), ie. 'I promise to mow the lawn for one month' or 'I promise to tend the compost heap for one month' or 'I promise to rake the leaves for one month'. F FRAMING that “great photo of you and Dad,” or “Dad and the fish,” and top if off with a handwritten, heartfelt message, either in a corner of the photo, or on the back of the frame. FRESH-PRODUCE subscription from a local organic farm. Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, coffee, or any sort of different farm products. http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ G GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS Use your imagination to present your homemade gifts in reusable materials that Dad can re-use. Consider using used products from around the home -- blueprints, wallpaper and fabric scraps, brown paper, newspaper, butchers paper (that the children can help decorate), graph paper, rice paper, children's drawings, old maps, old sheet music, A3 or A4 paper (cut out the used print or paint or glue pictures if printed both sides, children can draw on one side) for attractive effects. Use ribbon, string, rope, wool, instead of stickey tape. Make your own gift boxes from cereal and tissue boxes. Juice cartons (in quart or half-gallon size or juice boxes). These make interesting containers if you're giving small size gifts (vouchers or eco promises in the juice boxes) or bigger gifts. Have children take any recycled board or paper and glue to decorate the cartons with a solid colour and then they can cut out shapes. Or they can glue on buttons or glitter or anything you have around the house to personalize it for that special Dad or Grandpa. GIFT BAGS For some really fun bags, start cutting up some of that worn out clothing and sewing together into rectangular pieces. You choose the size bags you want and then sew up the fabric on three sides like a pillowcase. I've found a bag that is 18 inches by 24 inches is the most useful for giving everything from clothing to books. Turn right side out put in a gift and tie at the top with some ribbon or yarn. After you give the gift, Dad can return the bag and you wash, fold and put away until the next ocassion. GIFT BOX filled with hand-written letters of all your favourite memories. GIFT CERTIFICATES to an organic restaurant, movie tickets, Dad's favourite sporting team tickets. GRILL AND CHILL prepare Dad's favourite meal and kick back with an organic cool one on the deck. Pump up the Rat Pack tunes, and reminisce about a few of your favourite times spent together. Give a unique experience. GIFT BOX of Dad's favourite foods / drinks / photo album of past memories /memory jar, write notes of all your favourite memories. Green Dads often have GREEN THUMBS. Help Dad start or maintain a garden. Buy his favourite organic seedlings (whether it's fruits, vegies, herbs, or even flowers) and help plant them. Flowers like nasturtium do triple duty as a beautiful and colourful garden decoration.Nasturtiums attract aphids and can also be added to salads and stir fry. GREEN book for Father's day and plant a tree from http://www.ecolibris.net If Dad collects books, we know that they're made of paper, and that paper comes from trees. Raz Godelnik noticed - he thinks green - and he wanted to balance his books with new trees. So he started the website Eco-Libris, anyone can donate money to plant trees to offset book purchases. H HANDMADE GIFTS Many ideas for things start from items you might see at Ecobites, in magazines or elsewhere, add your own touch, and you have an original gift. Perfect for small children, a homemade gift is sure to warm a Daddy's heart and the energy saved by not buying a manufactured item will ease any eco-friendly conscious. HOMEMADE CARDS Cut out suitable pictures from old cards, or use an old photograph of yourself (baby pictures are good to use, if you have some) and stick onto recycled paper to make a card. Or else make a home-made card using your very own artwork (and verse, or quote). HERBS FOR DAD It is hard to find herbal gifts for men that are not flowery and overperfumed but this recipe imparts drawers a fresh outdoor scent that is guaranteed to cheer up even the most disreputable socks and jocks collection. All ingredients must be dried first, including the lemon peel. 1 cup lemon verbena leaves or eau de cologne mint 1/2 cup pine wood shavings 1/2 cup African marigold petals 2 tablespoons lemon peel 2 tablspoons rock salt 2 tablspoons ground ginger (optional) Break lemon peel up into small pieces. Tear wood shavings into small pieces. Mix all ingredients together and store in a covered container for 10 days. Make up one or two square sachets from fine, closely woven cotton, ladle in herbal mix, sew end firmly. If you do not sew, cut out several 15 cm (6 in) squares of material, trim edges with pinking shears and tie together with braid, yarn or ribbon. HEALING MASSAGE OIL Great for the athletic Dad, excellent for muscle aches and stiff joints. 2-inch piece fresh ginger 1/2 cup almond oil Grate ginger and combine with oil in a small, nonmetallic saucepan. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Remove from heat and steep for another hour. Strain oil to remove bits of ginger. Using a nonmetallic funnel, pour liniment into a four-ounce glass bottle with a tight-fitting screw top. Attach the following instructions on a gift tag: To use, gently massage the oil into affected area twice a day until symptoms have disappeared. I Write out IOUs on recycled paper or card. Offer gardening, seasonal meal prepared, day out at the library, museum, art exhibition, whatever takes Dad's fancy. Download ITUNES http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ J JUMPERS hand knitted with love. K KNITTED slippers or socks. Make a KITE with Dad and go have some fun! L LIQUEUR in fancy bottles - homemade. Add damsons or other fruit to organic gin, vodka or organic spirit of your Dad's choice. LONGLASTING, recycled and recyclable "ANYTHING". M MEMBERSHIPS in green causes. MASSAGE neck and shoulders, head, feet or more. N NATURAL, organic, seasonal or local foods cookbook for the gourmet loving Dad. NO COST GIFTS lovingly crafted from homemade or recycled materials. O ORGANIC Heirloom seedlings. Organic gardening supplies. Organic gardening kit with organic seeds, tools and a book about companion planting, composting, or native plants for the new green thumb Dad. ONLINE gift vouchers are always a safe bet, and you’ll save wrapping paper to boot. Would Dad prefer another silk tie or a ORANGUTAN? The ideal gift where we can make a difference, for example, support the wonderful work being done to protect and preserve the remaining orangutan population and the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra visit any of the following websites: Orangutan Foundation International www.orangutan.org Orangutan Foundation UK www.orangutan.org.uk Boneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation www.savetheorangutan.co.uk Australian Orangutan Project http://www.orangutan.org.au/seeing.html P PARK and museum passes (waste-free gifts). PEN OR PENCIL HOLDER Rinse an empty can out and smooth away any sharp edges around the top. Let the children decorate with cut out motifs or left over scraps of material or found items from nature. PEN STAND Sand the edges of a piece of scrap pine ( 14 x 6 cm is a handy size). Rule a line down the centre and mark off the holes. Carefully drill holes wide enough for pencils or pens to fit it. Paint with eco-friendly paints or decorate with the children's help! PLANT a tree for Dad that will last a lifetime. PICNIC BASKET fully stocked and head for your nearest picnic or fishing spot and enjoy the day with Dad! For the fishing Dad add fishing LURES made from old bottle caps. The Bottle Cap Lure Company helps promote a clean environment while creating championship fishing lures http://www.bottlecaplure.com/ PHOTO FRAME insert a favourite photo and decorate the frame.Write a message on the back of the frame. PLACEMATS Have your child draw a picture, colour a design, or write a poem to Dad on a heavy piece of 8 x 1/2" x 11" cardboard. Place the finished product between two sheets of clear contact paper. Use the placemat to serve Dad his next meal, maybe Father's Day breakfast in bed. PHOTO CUBE Take 6 x 3 1/2" floppy disks. Lay one disk face down and glue four disks (one disk to each side) and glue the last disk on the top to make a box. Cut 5 pieces of construction paper so they fit on the floppy disk, leaving the metal at the bottom exposed. Cut out 5 photographs of family members so they are the same size as the construction paper. Use double-stick tape to attach one picture to each piece of construction paper and then use the double-stick tape to tape one picutre onto each side and onto the top floppy. This makes a nice gift for Dad to have on his desk at work. Q QUICHE baked to your favourite recipe, to pack in the Father's Day picnic hamper. R RECIPE BOX filled with your favourite organic, seasonal, local food recipes, for the gourmet chef Dad. REDUCE – for children - maybe a promise not to pester for toys, trainers or clothes for the next three months and to make use of what’s in the household already? RECYCLE – maybe a promise to sort out cans, bottles or newspapers for refuse collections or for taking to a recycling centre for the next three months? Check with local government for recycling programs and sign Dad up for one. REUSE - a reusable cotton carrier bag. REPLACE - replace incandescent light bulbs with eco friendly options. S SEND an email greeting and invitation to spend the day together. SUBSCRIPTIONS to green publications. SEEDS Selection of seeds saved from the garden, in marked packets with comical sketch on packet. SOLAR POWERED GADGETS. SOLAR RAIN GUARD. The Orbit Solar Powered Rain Sensor will switch off Dad's lawn sprinklers when it rains. Yep, no longer will Dad have to dash outside in his coat and slippers with a newspaper over his head to struggle furiously with a tap, this puppy will do it all for him. Automagically. Stop wasting water during unexpected rainstorms. By connecting a rain sensor to your irrigation system, sprinklers can shut off automatically when it starts raining, so you won’t be watering your lawn unnecessarily. Best of all, the Solar Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensor requires no electricity or connection wires, so it sets up in minutes and won’t add to monthly utility bills. http://www.smarthome.com/31261.html STATIONERY Tree free stationery and soy based ink pens. http://www.ecopaper.com/ T TIME just spend the afternoon chatting and sharing time together. For the golfing enthusiast Dad, have a bonding day on the course . . . as said in an article in Golf Digest, “In an era in which the family unit is being kidnapped by forces ranging from the 60-hour work week to the PlayStation, it is the golfer who still has the greatest capacity to celebrate Father’s Day.” Give recycled or Eco golf balls with a homemade voucher "Afternoon spent on the golf course". For RECYCLED GOLF BALL... http://shopgreen.pricegrabber.com ECO GOLF BALL ....the Water-Soluble polymer used to make up the Eco Golf Ball is verified by microorganism testing to be non-toxic and does not restrain from the growth of microorganism and can be degraded totally.The Eco Golf Ball has no bad effects on the environment. Once the ball is dessolved in water, specific microorganism will cause it turn into carbon dioxide and water.The Eco Golf Ball is 100% safe to marine life. http://ecogolfballs.com/ TOILETRIES Eco-friendly, Keep Dad looking good and feeling good with no man-made nasties! Make your own or check out http://www.male-organics.com/ U UNUSUAL potted plant, bromeliad, venus fly- trap, or a pitcher plant. UNDERWEAR If Dad needs some new duds, give sustainable. Organic - http://www.ecobodywear.com/mens/munderwear.html 100% Hemp Boxers http://www.rawganique.com/CLmensunderwear.htm Organic Cotton and Bamboo Underwear http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/sect12310.html V VINEGARS AND OILS Make up herbal vinegars and organic salad oils in glass jars with sprigs of rosemary, tarragon, parsley, etc and season with garlic and peppercorns for the gourmet loving Dad. W WINE Home-brewed, in fancy bottle and personalized labels. Local organic wine. WIND CHIMES made from pottery discs or anything recycled that takes your fancy, or a wind sock. X X-TRAORDINARY Homemade Gifts are also extremely appreciated by their recipients because of the time, care and love taken in the making. Y YOURSELF There's some of you in every homemade gift, because of the pleasure in the making and the giving. YOUR undivided attention for a whole hour to do anything Dad wishes!! Z ZANY hand printed organic T shirt. ZESTY HERBS hand picked from the garden and turned into culinary delights - pesto, to accompany a fresh home baked herb loaf for Father's Day on the grill BBQ lunch. The nicest gifts are always those that have been handmade, fashioned by the hands of the giver and full of warm vibrations. Making your own need not be expensive or difficult. It just requires imagination and a little skill. The varied homemade ideas we have included here should start you on the absorbing and productive path. Traditionally, gifts are given by children to their fathers, but does Dad really need another silk tie? According to The Green Guide, more than half of Dads say they have never received a "good" gift, and the average cost of a Father's Day gift is $89.00. Running out of time or inspiration to create a homemade gift for Dad, spend the dollars with a waste-free gift that Dad or an Eco organization will appreciate. Don't sweat the gift-aspect just let Dad know that you’re thinking of him, and you love him. Enjoy the day, and celebrate Dad with your heart, however you know best. Happy Father's Day!

Garden Updates

Oh how I have been enjoying this season. Each day I crave digging in the dirt, transforming my yard, and growing fresh organic veggies for my family. Gardening cleanses my soul. There is nothing better than going out to my herb garden while I am cooking and picking some fresh herbs to add to the meal. Here are some photos to show how it is going so far. I am trying many new things this year.

I decided to try my hand at two raised beds this year. I put them in a different spot away from my other gardens to see how they do. The one on the left has tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, radishes and squash. The bed on the right is my baby lettuce bed. I plant baby lettuce seeds alternating sides every two weeks.

The structure on the left has peas, the one on the left has beans. There are two strawberry plants, chives and several garlic plants. In the very front row will grow corn and sunflowers.
My garden fort is growing. I can't wait until this is covered with lovely flowering vines.

This was my latest project. The front of this garden section is filled with chives, basil, lemon balm, Italian parsley, cilantro and lavender. Behind the herbs is a new edible flower garden I just planted yesterday. Behind that is two rows of pumpkins, one row of corn and two cucumber plants.


Happy gardening.

What's in a name?

This weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to a family gathering for my mother's Italian side. The Grasso/Locicero family. My great grandparents moved to NH from Sicily when they were in their late teens. My great grandmother was a Locicero and my great grandfather a Grasso. I was too young to remember my great grandfather but I have many memories of visits to my grandma Grasso's house as we called her. Her first name was Vincenza. I was too young to really absorb and realize how much I had around me at the time. Instead as a young child I was easily annoyed that I could not understand her broken English and every time she pinched my cheeks I wanted to scream. The many large meals we had at her house though were unforgettable.

In Italy it is tradition to pass down family names to the children. When they came to America though most of this tradition stopped. My great grandparents carried it on. They gave birth to Salvatore (my grandfather), Mary, Camile and Rosario. It was this generation however who chose more American names for their kids. I am assuming in order to have them become more "Americanized".

When I married I did something I never thought I would do and I took my husbands last name. When I was younger I used to wish my mother had hyphenated our last names so I could have used her maiden name as well as my father's. I found it unfair that the women marries and gives up her name. The one identifier of her past. I have been thinking of switching my name back for years now. I mean no disrespect to my husband and his family. I only wish to hold on to mine as well.

Some people move their maiden name to be their middle name. This is an option for me but I don't want to lose my middle name either. I think the only thing to do is to have several names as I have given my children. So I believe I will add my mother's maiden name of Grasso to my middle name and then add my maiden name of Freel and maybe hyphenate it with my current last name. I'm sure it will confuse people but I don't really care. I have never been one to do anything normal anyway.

What's in a name?

This weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to a family gathering for my mother's Italian side. The Grasso/Locicero family. My great grandparents moved to NH from Sicily when they were in their late teens. My great grandmother was a Locicero and my great grandfather a Grasso. I was too young to remember my great grandfather but I have many memories of visits to my grandma Grasso's house as we called her. Her first name was Vincenza. I was too young to really absorb and realize how much I had around me at the time. Instead as a young child I was easily annoyed that I could not understand her broken English and every time she pinched my cheeks I wanted to scream. The many large meals we had at her house though were unforgettable.

In Italy it is tradition to pass down family names to the children. When they came to America though most of this tradition stopped. My great grandparents carried it on. They gave birth to Salvatore (my grandfather), Mary, Camile and Rosario. It was this generation however who chose more American names for their kids. I am assuming in order to have them become more "Americanized".

When I married I did something I never thought I would do and I took my husbands last name. When I was younger I used to wish my mother had hyphenated our last names so I could have used her maiden name as well as my father's. I found it unfair that the women marries and gives up her name. The one identifier of her past. I have been thinking of switching my name back for years now. I mean no disrespect to my husband and his family. I only wish to hold on to mine as well.

Some people move their maiden name to be their middle name. This is an option for me but I don't want to lose my middle name either. I think the only thing to do is to have several names as I have given my children. So I believe I will add my mother's maiden name of Grasso to my middle name and then add my maiden name of Freel and maybe hyphenate it with my current last name. I'm sure it will confuse people but I don't really care. I have never been one to do anything normal anyway.

Happy Birthday to me!

birthday apple tree

Today is my birthday! Hooray hooray! So far I am having a rockin' time. Here's why:

• David Cook won American Idol last night!

• I got this awesome new table cloth and cloth napkins I wanted from Crate & Barrel from my sister in law

• My kids made my day this morning just being all cute and excited about it being my birthday.
  

• My husband got me the new Madonna CD. It freakin' rocks.

• I had a soy latte and amazing muffin with my youngest son at my favorite local coffee shop this morning.

• Then I bought an apple tree with the gift card to Gardener's Supply my in laws got me. I have always wanted an apple tree. I am psyched.

All this and it is only 10:51am. My husband says he has a surprise for tonight. I can't wait to see what it is.

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy birthday little

This week we celebrated my youngest son's 3rd birthday but two days before would have been my oldest child's 8th birthday. We lost her due to a miscarriage. Ironically she died the exact same day my oldest son was born. My husband and I have always made a flower bouquet from our garden on that day but from this year on we are choosing to celebrate what would have been her birthday instead. So this year on that day we chose to buy a plant and add it to our garden in celebration of her. She left us too early but her memory lives on. I honor her and treat her as if she was my child. She was my first experience with pregnancy and losing her was devastating. It happened very early in our relationship and it was because of her that my husband and I bonded so strongly and stuck together. We married later that year and gave birth to our first son exactly two years later.

Her name is "little" and will always be little. Thank you little for coming into our lives. Even though your time with us was short we love you just as much as if you were with us today.

Happy 8th birthday.

We love you so much.

xoxo

I was interviewed for a small piece that was done in our local paper on Moms and social networking sites. Read the story here.

Today you are three!

Then . . .

Now . . .



Dear Sal,

Today is your birthday. Today you are three. You have done so many wonderful things this year. You learned to ride a trike, climbed higher at the park, perfected your alphabet, learned to count in Spanish, drew fabulous pictures, and painted with lots of globs and colors. You are such a helpful, kind and polite child. You value your friendships and wake up each day with a wide eyed new view of the world. I have so thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow and learn this year. You have been a wonderful teacher for me. I thank you for showing me how to stop and notice the birds in the trees, the songs they sing, a simple lady bug on a leaf, and how hiding in the same spot over and over again during hide and seek can still be fun.

I wish for you so much in your next year as a three year old. After being home with me full time you will venture off to preschool this coming fall. It will be a big step for both of us and I know we will be ready. With a tear in my eye and happiness in my heart I will hold your hand as we begin this adventure together.

Happy Birthday my little guy.
I love you so much.
xoxo

What a weekend

Saturday we had our family and friends birthday celebration for Sal. He turns 3 on Wednesday the 14th. My parents came up for the celebration and lots of our friends joined us as well. Sunday was Mothers Day and I had an amazing time. I was treated to a delicious cheddar, mushroom and spinach omelet, some flowers and awesome handmade cards. I sat outside sipping some coffee while JB cooked and I just knew it would be a great day. I was like a kid in a candy store when JB offered to borrow our neighbors truck and pick up my 1/2 yard of soil/compost for my new raised beds. I was out there shoveling soil all day and it felt great. I filled my new raised beds and had extra to add to my herb garden spot and still have extra that for now is just piled in the back of my garden. I planted my vine flowers for the garden fort and built an extension trellis on my deck to grow vines for a privacy wall. We ended the day with a family game of bocce ball and a BBQ. It was a great weekend. Here are some pictures:

Sal about to dig into this home made cake I made him. Double layer super moist vegan chocolate cake with home made butter cream frosting (non vegan)

Some of our good friends who came over on Saturday to help us celebrate.

We took my parents out for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Italian of course.

My Mother's Day flowers.

My Mother's Day breakfast. Cheddar, mushroom & spinach omlette, soysauges, decaf coffee in what was my Papa's coffee cup when he was alive.

Garden bug

I have been officially hit by the garden bug. I have waited through the long cold winter to dig my hands in the earth. We finally had some nice weather a few weeks ago and I started on some projects I had on my list.

First up was to put up the structures. I have given up my main garden space to create a children's garden. This year I will be planting my vegetables in two raised beds. Here you can see on the far right is our bean tee pee, next to it is a structure that will hold our peas and to the far left is going to be a garden fort. I found the materials for the garden fort behind my shed and put it together last week. I really wanted to create these structures so they become a natural play space for the kids. If all goes well and the plants grow as they should we will have here three different forts for the kids to play in.

Second project on my list was the entrance way into our backyard. This is where my backyard insanity starts to show a bit because last year I ripped up all the grass and put down gravel. This year I decided to dig up all the gravel and try to grow grass again. This is how it looks after I shoveled up all the gravel and made about 7 wheelbarrow trips to my neighbors house to dump it off. I put the stepping stones back in place and I will attempt to grow grass again. I think I have a problem

Third project was to create a small front yard garden. My front yard grass sucks and I have been wanting to create a garden space in the attempt to eventually have the front yard become less and less grass (I think Americans are too obsessed with lawns anyway). This first picture shows what it looks like after I cut out the design, ripped up all the grass and put down some mulch.

This second picture shows it after new top soil has been put down and a few perennials have been planted. It's a start at least.

So that is what I have been doing lately. I hope I have inspired some future yard projects.

Happy Earth Day!

Spring is trying really hard to come to Vermont. Something bigger than us all is holding her back though. I started raking out my garden beds last week when we finally had a few warm days which melted the rest of our snow. A lot of the leaves are still wet, heavy and in some spots a bit frozen to the ground still. Despite these condintions the plants are trying so hard to come up and I am trying to get them uncovered as fast I can. I live for spring. I think I live in the wrong place though.

Since I can't really do much in the garden yet I have been busy planning what new things I am going to do this year. I am going to give up what was my main vegetable garden to make it more of a children's garden. I plan on having a bean tepee, pea structure, sunflowers and strawberries. I am going to try out these raised garden beds from Gardeners Supply for my main vegetables, and I also plan on creating two smaller beds for salad mix.



In addition to this I have been obsessed with creating a garden fort for the kids. I just found this at one of my favorite companies Magic Cabin. I am debating whether or not I should get the kit or try to build a structure myself. Has anyone done this before? If so let me know what materials you used for the structure.

Two weekends ago we went to Visit family in one part of VT and it looked like this.

Last weekend we went to visit friends in another part of VT and we did things like this

It has felt so good to finally get out and do some visiting. Both places are far from our busy little town. It was nice to be out in the country again. The greatest thing about VT is you don't have to drive to far to be in a small town far from it all. I used to live in towns like this when I first moved to VT in the early 90's. I moved to the "big city" when I was 21 because I craved music and nightlife. Now many many years later I am starting to want to go back to the basics. Both choices have their pros and cons. For now we are enjoying where we are at and given the fact that the economy isn't the greatest we will choose to stay put for the time being.

In the meantime I will still dream about the day I can buy a big old farm house like this one below. I took this on our drive last weekend to visit our friends.

Letting something go.

The other day while at the gym I was watching Rachel Ray (it was just on ok) and she had on a mom of two kids who told her story of racing off in the morning to drop off her oldest child at school, race home with her 10 month child, proceed to work her part time at home job, take care of the younger child, pick up the older one later in the day, do dinner, bedtime, and then proceed to study for the online classes she is taking to complete her degree. She was frazzled and didn't know what to do. I started crying on treadmill because I could have been looking at myself on that screen. I just wanted to shout out "That's me!"

I am burned out.
Last fall I took a web project management consulting job for two months at the company I used to work for. It was a struggle trying to juggle it all and I decided I would never do it again. When they asked me a few months ago if I would be interested in another project I had to give it another try. The extra money is of course a major incentive but so is keeping a connection with the company. The project was a very interesting challenge for me so I decided to take it. I have been working 15 hours a week managing the project from home since Feb. The process has been so much smoother this time. I learned how to better juggle my time and to really stick to the three hours a day I am supposed to work. It is hard to let those three hours become your entire day. It is hard to juggle it on top of my other responsibilities of mother, home maker and small business owner. You know what though? I am loving it.

But like the mother I saw on Rachel Ray I am getting a bit frazzled. The advice she was given was that something had to go. I have been thinking about this myself the past month. As much as I love the small business I am running I can't afford to work as much as the small business requires for free anymore. I can make a very good living if I continue with this consulting work and I can continue to be home with my children as well. I only have a certain amount of hours in my day and I have to pick and choose how I use them. I am not going to give up my small business of jewelry and books but I am also not going to expect it to become my main income and because of this I need to let go somewhat.

If I can keep the consulting work going I am hoping once my youngest is in preschool this fall I will have more flexibility and be able to go into the office from time to time until the school day is over. It is the best situation for me. So although nothing is really changing on the outside with my jewelry/book business, I am making major internal changes and boy does it feel good. Learning to let go and re prioritize things in your life whether it is work, school or activities can be such a refreshing and rewarding experience.

Yesterday was JB's birthday. He got out of work early and the kids and I surprised him as he walked in the door with confetti, party hats, and flowers. It was Enzo's idea. We then had an early taco dinner and I surprised him by telling him I had gotten our neighbors to babysit for a short time so we could out for a drink. After dinner we ate a yummy apple spice cake with butter cream frosting that I made. We put the kids to bed and went downtown. It was a short outing but it felt so great to be out with him.

Ice Storm

We had a crazy ice storm this weekend. Our telephone and cable lines broke from the house and got wrapped around our electric line and hung dangerously low over the street. A tree branch also fell on our electric cable lowering it so much we could not get out of our driveway. All this happened about 7pm on Saturday and stayed this way until 11am on Sunday when help could finally come. Here are some pictures taken the day of the storm and the rest are taken today when the beauty of the storm finally revealed itself.

New name - same but different game

I have been struggling between two blogs. I started this one when I first became a mother 6 years ago. It started out as a place for me to write about my struggles with juggling the new role I had as mother while trying to save space for my creative being. As the years went by and my family has grown, so has my creativity. After the birth of my second child came the birth of my craft business, the decision to quit my full time job and build a new structure around full time parenting and part time business entrepreneur. Just as my life has changed so has my interests in writing. I created a separate blog for my crafting business thinking I would try to separate that side of my brain from this one. What I have found is that they cannot be separated. I am one. I would not be the mother I am without my creativity. I would not be the artist and business owner I am today if I wasn't a mother. They both consume me, empower me, move me.

I have decided to change the name of this blog to upon being. upon being has been a phrase that I have used from time to time for short periods over the years in various online outlets but it never felt like the right fit anywhere until now. It was the clear choice to me when trying to pick a new name.

For the most part the themes on this blog will not change. The main themes will be around natural family living, craft, music, art, design, and books. I will no longer be keeping two separate blogs. I feel lighter already.

The url will not change but please if you have my blog listed on yours could you update the name from Mamaspeak to upon being?

thanks.

Weekly Status update

Enzo' artwork has changed so much this year. I am so proud of his budding skills. This is a picture he drew of our half dog Silis. Silis doesn't live with us but we have visitation rights (long story).
A picture of the boys today. They have this thing with strings. Forgot toys. They each just need a string and they will have a full day of fun.

I have been a busy girl. I took on a 5 week consulting job at my old company helping them finish up a website project. This time around I set some boundaries so I wouldn't get as burned out as I did in the fall. I am working roughly 3-4 hours a day from home. It is still a juggling circus as I drive Enzo to school, JB to work, hit the gym three of the days, then rush home with Sal in tow to log in by 10:00 am. This is after having been on to check email and set up my resources with their work for the morning all before leaving the house at 7:45. All in all I feel like I am finally getting the swing of it. It is hard since I have Sal home with me still but it was hard working full time out of the house too. Neither one is a piece of cake. I am just grateful to have this opportunity and I plan to keep it going as long as the work comes in. We are able to pay off some debt without having to pay any childcare so it is worth the sacrifice for now.

On top of this I have been busy building my new Barefoot Books business. I have my second home event next week, I have fundraising opportunities sent out to two local preschools, I have officially become a sponsor by having another Stallholder join my team, and I have a few prospects hopefully joining in the next few weeks. All of this in the two months since I joined. I am extremely excited to build my team and business.

Enzo has been on school vacation this week. It has been so nice to be able to lounge around in bed with the kids while JB has to get up and rush off to the bus. Sorry honey - that sucks for you. I love the break from drop off and pick up. What I don't like though is missing my rest time when Sal naps. We have had a mellow week because Sal ended up with pneumonia. It was a very mild case and he is fine now having been on antibiotics all week but it still sucks. He ended up getting nebulizer treatment and we were sent in with a home one. He goes in next week to get checked for asthma, allergies etc.

As for the weather - well I am sick of it. It is cold and snowy with no signs of spring in site. I am dreaming of my garden. I am planning on turning my existing vegetable garden plot into the kids digging area and instead I am going to have 4 raised bed gardens in a different spot for the veggies. I can't wait to get my hands dirty in the earth again. I am going to start my garden journal soon so I can plan out some new beds I plan on starting as well.

Dare to dream

The little movie that could Once was represented at the Oscars last night. The two musicians who played as actors in the movie as well were up for an oscar last night for Best Original Song in a movie last night. Here they are Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová accepting the award.


Here is the performance from last night


Markéta was not able to give her speech so they actually brought her out later so she could have the chance to give it. I can't get my hands on that video yet but I will post it once I do. It was just amazing to see these people win. You could tell how humbled they were by the experience. I was a bit afraid that crappy disney music would win over indie music since the three songs from the movie Enchantment were also up for oscars. I am so thankful the academy was able to see these well deserving and true talents for what they are. Watching Gen and Markéta win and then Diablo Cody for Juno was so inspiring. Three truly independent artists who really prove that anyone's dreams can come true.

Friday is Pie Day

Pizza pie that is. Having pizza on Friday for dinner is a tradition JB and I have done since before having children. Back in the day though we ordered out for pizza every Friday. Even after Enzo was born we were able to keep this tradition going. Once the second child was born and I stopped working we had to cut out things like going out for dinner and ordering pizza. So I started buying store bought dough and making our own pizza. I have recently moved to making my own pizza dough each week now and I am loving it. It takes a bit more time and there are some days where I wish I could just pick up the phone and call my order in, but I love the process of making the dough fresh each week. There is nothing like the taste of homemade dough. This is now one of the reasons I love Fridays. I love that it is the beginning of the weekend, I love making my pizza dough, I love happy hour, I love watching a movie in the evening with JB.

Hooray for Fridays!

Once

Once I finish school I will do this
Once I get a job I will do that
Once I have babies I will do this
Once my kids are grown I will do that
WAKE up - now is the time. Stop what you are doing and Start doing that one thing you have been putting off your entire life.

If you need some inspiration or are interested in hearing some of the best music ever made on this planet then you must watch the movie Once. Music has always been a big part of my life. It can move and motivate me. The music in Once has done this. I have always been one to judge music by my emotional reaction to it. The best music in the world to me can make me cry. It is very strange but certain music will strike an emotional chord in my body and make me cry. From rock to pop, folk to heavy metal - the best of the best will bring tears to my eyes. Let's just say it has been a while since any music I have heard lately has done this. The strike is over. I can't get enough of the music in Once. It plays over and over again in my head day in and day out.

Watch the preview for yourself below. If this song does not make you tingle you might not want to watch the movie. This movie is about the music. The actors are the real musicians. There is an incredible back story to this film that which I don't feel like going into here. My better half did a good job writing about the film here if interested. This movie was exactly what I needed to watch this week. I got out my guitar yesterday and played three times throughout the day. An act I have not done in some time.

Happy Valentines day to all.

JB brought me home these flowers last night and tonight we will enjoy some Lake Champlain chocolates that we got to share.

Got Art?

It has been a shock to my system this year to find out how little art has to do with my son's education now that he is in public school. Art class is once a week. Music class is once a week. Math and reading are every day. Now don't get me wrong. I understand the importance of math and reading. I love the fact that my child is reading at the level he is as a Kindergartner. I however also feel that art and music play as much of an important role in the primary education. I believe at the kindergarten level at least art should be a daily part of their learning. Basically what I have seen is that since kindergarten is public in my state they begin to follow the rigid rules public schools must follow which is teach to test.

Enzo not brought home one piece of artwork or any kind of summary or updates as to what they are learning about in art so far this year. Now to someone like me who lives and breaths the arts this is a big deal. When I asked his teacher I was told there is an art show at the end of the year and we are then given a portfolio of his work. This is great and all but to me art is not a side subject that I only care about seeing once a year. What Enzo creates and brings home in art is just as important to me as the weekly math and reading homework and projects he brings home. In order to get a full education I believe there needs more balance. It is unfortunate that in order to get an education richer in the arts I have to have a lot of money for a private school Why is it only those with more money have access to more choices?

I am keeping my fingers crossed about possible magnet schools being developed here. One of which would be more art based. I am not holding my breath though. I am sure my children will be well out of elementary school by the time it becomes available.

I just keep hoping and praying the No Child Left Behind Act will be revised and or demolished.

My daily fix

I have a weakness. I usually can't get through my day without it. I have tried to give it up but it just gets harder and harder. By mid afternoon I give in to my craving and pop some chocolate into my mouth.

Now any old chocolate just won't do. I am picky. I can't stand milk chocolate. It has to be dark. I have realized the higher quality the chocolate, the less I need to satisfy my craving. No crappy milk chocolate made with fake vanillin (yes look on the back - most are made with it now.) I want the real, dark stuff made with real vanilla extract. It is out there but you have to look.

My personal favorite is Lake Champlain Chocolates made right here in Burlington VT. They even have some great info on the health benefits of dark chocolate. All the more reason to eat some.

The way I satisfy my craving is to buy my favorite chocolate chips either these from Lake Champlain Chocolates, or these from Ghiradelli. I'm sorry but the cheap chocolate chips just won't do the same trick. The reasons these work so well is because of their size and flavor you can have just a few and you should be fine. Give me the cheap stuff and I would have to eat the whole bag. This way I keep a secret stash in the cabinet and I dip in just a few once day and I am good to go. Try it . I swear it works.

Enzo is reading!

He started a few months ago and has been progressing so much. In this picture he is actually reading this book to his little brother. It was honestly the most heart warming thing I have ever seen. He is in a multi age classroom. It is kindergarten and 1st graders mixed. He is in Kindergarten. I believe so strongly now in multi age classrooms for early education. It allows the children to get support regardless of their abilities. JB and I are both big readers so hearing him read for the first time was a wonderful milestone. We have been reading to him since birth. I can see the pride he now takes in being able to sit with a book and read it himself. We still read to him on a daily basis but we make sure he takes some time each day to practice reading on his own as well.