A non-itchy princess dress

When I made a princess dress for Clara a few months ago I also offered to make Maryanna one.   But she insisted, "princess dresses are not for me".  I couldn't figure out why but didn't press into it far.   Just this week however it came out that "princess dresses are too puffy, itchy and long, and they are difficult to run and jump in".  So I told Maryanna to design a dress with the fabric I had on hand and I promised to make it soft and comfortable inside and out.   Here is her design (that was unpicked and re-sewn more than once until it was just was she had envisioned).  

   

Of course Baby Becca needed a matching one.  

To make it more comfortable the inside is lined with the soft white knit velour.  Maryanna said it is so cozy she might even wear it out in the snow.

I would have photographed them in a more active setting outside running, swinging and climbing but Maryanna encountered a little accident testing out the dress' mobility before it was even finished.  You see before the sleeves were set in and as soon as the bodice and skirt were attached she thought to climb up a door well (as she often does) just to make sure the dress wasn't too puffy.  Unfortunately the length of the slippery satin got in the way and she fell flat on her back.  No major injury resulted but she has a bruised hip and enough of a limp to prevent her from her usual activity level.  Instead she is most likely to be found slow dancing with Henry in the living room. 

When not being worn, the girls keep their special dresses hanging on hooks in their small bedroom.  I like that it is both functional and decorative, I also like that we have kept princess dress-ups to a minimum.  

One, Two Buckle My Shoes

Not too long ago in my early mothering days I swore to only buy slip on shoes, rushing about I didn't think I had time for anything else.  My mother who cared for a family more than double the size of mine wore down the backs of all her shoes, even sneakers and heels.  As a child I wondered why she did that, as a mother I understood.  

We now live at time where fashion is quick and even flip flops can be fancy.  Now there is no limit to the styles of slip on shoes available, but this summer I needed something different.  I felt an urge to be grounded and filled that urge deliberately through my choice of a buckle sandal.

I've been wearing these since our trip to Florida and I admit they've seemed inconvenient at times. I typically run about 15 minutes late to everything despite my harried efforts, trying all at once to tidy the kitchen, collect necessities, remind little ones to use the potty, and shove the older ones out the door leaves little time for the one in charge to buckle her shoes.  But that is exactly what I need in those moments.  

A moment to slow down, catch my breath, exhale and remind myself of what matters most.  I usually finish my buckling with extreme gratitude for my feet and hands that allow me the capacity to do many things.  This moment of buckling my shoes allows me to face whatever schedule or journey that I'm headed into for the day with more presence.

And the best part about it is these sandals are comfortable enough to get me through it all.

p.s. picked them up at Fourth Ave Birkenstock  

Grape Juice: Take I

We were surprised to discover many of our grapes were already ready last week.  These are wine grapes, we don't drink wine but they are sweet and juicy enough for juicing.  I admit we've got lots to learn, both about viticulture and food preservation but I had my first go at it on Saturday after Paul and the kids picked a large basket of grapes (I think there were probably 28 lbs in there).

I consulted with facebook friends, google, experienced sisters, my mom, MSU extension pages and a Ball food canning book with great anticipation.  The helpful clerk at Downtown Home and Garden noted both my enthusiasm and nerves as he loaded the van with purchased canning supplies, he wished me luck and handed me a flyer for an up coming jam competition.  

My kind neighbor from church Hermana Gonzales (who we are so blessed to be living across the street from) joined in the experience. 

She helped separate the grapes while the girls smashed them.  We told the girls of the European tradition of squashing them with your feet, I think they were tempted.  

Earlier that morning I had stopped at both a garage sale and a thrift store and luckily found one old wooden pounder at each stop.  I got them originally for making sauerkraut but found they worked perfect for the grapes.

This is the most messy and labor intensive way to process grape juice.  I have since been convinced to purchase a stove top steam juicer. 

After mashing the grapes I simmered them, I did this in three different batches.

Then strained them in cheese cloth.  Paul walked in on the process and wondered if it was worth the effort.  Hermana Gonzales quickly assured him that this work of our hands shows gratitude to God, more so than driving down to Meijers and buying a $.99 bottle of grape juice.  

I appreciated that perspective and also reminded everyone that this was more about learning a process than gaining a product.  We only ended up with 4 liters of juice from this batch but gained enough experience and confidence to go forward with more adventures in not just grape juice but all sorts of food preservation.

It was suggested to let the juice sit for 24 hours in the fridge to let all the sediment settle.  I did not have room in my fridge so we simply simmered it again then went right to bottling.  That was the most intimidating part for me.  I used the 1 liter Weck juice jars because I thought they were pretty and because I thought they'd be easier to pour.  But from what I read I was nervous about getting a good seal.  Peter cheered me on during the process and included in his bedtime prayer "please bless that the bottles will seal properly".  

Peter also chatted with me about all the crops he hopes to grow next summer.  He made some interesting observations about how different this juice tasted from grocery store juice.  He said it was like nothing he'd ever tasted, I don't know if that means he liked it or not but I think he liked that we made it ourselves.

I'm happy to report the bottles did seal.  You only need 2 clips but I used 4 (just in case).  

The clips are removed once the bottles are cool.  In the morning the boys said it looked like bottled blood.

James was a little sluggish getting out of bed and off to church so I gave him a quick shot of the juice.  I believe the strength and pungency woke him up.

I am also told this tastes great mixed with Sprite.  I think we ought to try that, along with bottling as much grape juice as we can this summer.

Out my Kitchen Window

I love that I can watch the kids out my window and love that I caught this very active little boy in a still moment. 

A Summer Fair

Where many have already gone back to school, it is still summer here in Michigan.  Knowing what temperatures lie ahead we celebrate it as long as we can.  And one of the best ways to celebrate it is a summer fair.

We spent most our time checking out the livestock.  This beautiful cow's name is Oreo and she is due to have a baby in just a few weeks.    

I thought this was a clever brooding set up.  

The pigs were a little stinky but very friendly.

Maryanna said this rooster was very pretty but would rather buy a bunny.

I think we all are itching for a few barnyard animals now, the kids are even enthusiastic about planning what crops they'll plant for next year.  Hopefully we can find a 4-H group near by to help guide them.

The boys were inspired by the wood carvers.

And Peter was impressed by this mini-fig collection on display (don't think we'd even need a 4-H group to compete in this one).

Here is Colors the Clown with her hedgehog and hairless guinea pig.

It was helpful to have older cousins along and helping.

We shared plates of elephant ears and funnel cake with cousins.

Then cheered on all the cars in the demolition derby.  

The kids were all sticky and tired and ready to go home by the time it was dark, a sure sign that it was an event worth sharing with them.  

Everything Grows

A generous pile of basil from the garden of a kind neighbor.

A sunflower amongst the weeds in our untouched summer garden.

Some surprise squash right out of our compost pile!

Maryanna's bangs.

And mommy's tummy!

How excited we all are as we prepare to welcome a new baby this coming winter.  I recognize this as a great joy, responsibility and blessing, and I am humbled.  

It is hard to believe I am almost half way there, I can barely remember those dark days in June where my head was spent under a pillow for most the day then pop out at 10:30 pm only to make crazy requests of Paul like a grilled cheese, tomato, avocado sandwich or hot miso soup and gyozas take out.  The kind man provided and never complained as I neglected household duties in the face of constant Netflix streaming.  

The boys are hoping it'll be a brother and of course the girls are already convinced it is a baby sister.  But we're not going to find out this time, we'll wait for the surprise.  

And now you all know why I made chicken liver pate', I was just craving it.    

Sound of Music Singalong

For Maryanna's birthday we got to participate in the Sound of Music Singalong at the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.  It was suggested you come in costume for this event so we did the best we could.  My sister in law Eva and Peter were the most authentic ones there dressed in real Bavarian costumes.

They were invited up on stage to parade their costumes before the show.  Eva looked just like Maria with all the little ones trailing behind her.

We enjoyed the gold leaf pipe organ before the show.  

Then sang our hearts out with the crowd as the words of all the songs appeared across the screen.  Clara really belted it out as did my nieces and that was a joy, Maryanna was admittedly pouty as she thought she should be the only one singing on her birthday.  

The entire audience was given confetti poppers that were let off when Maria and Captain Von Trapp finally kissed.  That was really fun.  The whole event was really fun, every time I looked over at Eva she was both singing and cracking up, as was I.  

Before the show we celebrated Maryanna's birthday at Ben & Jerry's where the kids shared a Junior Vermonster sundae.

Maryanna also redeemed her free birthday cone because there is nothing like "sugaring up" on a birthday.  This was memorable celebration!