Birds and Binoculars

Last Saturday morning I spotted a wild turkey right in our front yard.  It was only a few feet away from me as I tiptoed down the drive way to the car.

This was a very big bird - big enough that I thought it'd more likely chase me off then the other way around.  But I didn't want to chase it away, at least not before allowing a few of the kids to share in the joy of this sighting.

William, my "naturalist", was the first one out the door and by my side.  He ran right back inside to get his North American Wildlife field guide.  We confirmed it was a male wild turkey, he fluffed his feathers a bit but was not too shy as we crept around him.  

William was so excited about the siting he decided to join me for the 45 minute ride to my early morning destination.  The whole way we talked and he read to me about wild birds in our area.  He expressed interest in bird watching but frustration about the plastic binoculars he got several Christmases ago - they were both lost and broken.  I assured him we'd get some real binoculars someday.

Just before we reached our destination I spotted a sign I could not pass by - Estate Sale - 1/2 off everything.  This was a high class neighborhood so even if we were "just looking" it promised to be good.  When I asked William if we should stop he answered immediately, "oh yeah, I love looking at people's stuff"!  It was raining and he was a few steps ahead of me, not because of the rain but out of excitement.  

I couldn't get passed the first room full of vintage costume jewelry and clothing but William urged me on.  There were all sorts of treasures!  But I had George in my arms and that saved me from my grabby urges.  

I did find two really nice wool blankets for the girls and William gladly carried them.  

Guess what he found?  Binoculars!  These were pretty heavy duty and preserved perfectly in a leather case.  They said "Made in Germany" but also had a $60 sticker on them, but at 50% off they were worth considering.  I called my Dad since he is the optics expert in the family.  He assured me "never pass up German made optics" - especially for $30 and if in the end we weren't happy with the purchase he'd gladly buy them off me.  So I bought them along with the wool blankets and another vintage typewriter (yes I already have 3 at home - this was for my sister's family).

What a memorable morning with William - we both agreed we'd never forget how exciting it was.  William rode the whole way home with the binoculars up to his face.  It was still raining so the visibility was not great but he spotted out all the necessary exits far sooner than I could read them.

When we got home we checked ebay and my dad was right - never pass up German optics for $30, or even $60!  New they start at $400 and being vintage they are doubly valuable.  But the experience I had with William that morning was priceless - these are his to keep.

I called one of my friends and laughed to her about my morning.  She shared her "mystic wisdom" and explained in ancient cultures the wild turkey signifies gratitude, abundance and fertility.  I laughed even harder.

We've actually been spotting the turkey quite frequently since last Saturday, so have our neighbors.  Here it looks very natural next to the plastic slide and cold forgotten basketball in our backyard.

The boys enjoy getting a closer look with the binoculars.

I keep spotting this boy spotting birds.  There were 43 robins outside my bedroom window the other day - some very fat, looking like they are ready to lay, that is what I'm told.  

I kind of like "boy watching", I think as William likes "bird watching".  

This is going to be an exciting Spring indeed. 

Quick new jammies for the girls

School was called off for all of last week due to illnesses.  We spent our days mostly watching movies and napping - it really was a blur.

I did find bursts of energy here and there and took off with it by cleaning out every corner of the girls room including their closet and drawers.  It was clear they were in need of new jammies.

I've had this Kwik Sew 3234 pattern since the new year but let it sit because I was tired of making knit jammies.  Of all the pj's I have ever made this pattern is the quickest!  It is my new go - to pj pattern.

My go - to knit fabric source is the fabric fairy and we are very happy with both the quality of the knit and the design.  Clara picked the rainbow hearts and Maryanna picked the Russian nesting dolls.

Not much more to say about these except they will be made again and again as long as we need new jammies.  

Here they are in "action" - since being "active" is always a part of the girl's bedtime routine.

After clearing out their room the girls convinced me to rearrange the furniture so their beds were right next to each other.  They told me they would sleep better.  It looks a little strange but it actually worked! Instead of getting out of their beds to play together they just stay in their beds and play and soon fall asleep. 

They're not really sleeping in this next photo but at least they're trying.  

Next up - clean out the boys' room and possibly make some more pj's for them too.

   

     

What's the fun in not feeling well?

 No one ever chooses to be sick, it really isn't fun, but after a long week of battling it in our home I'm going to play "the glad game".  Because.........all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).

Still, I resist "not feeling well" because it does not fit too well into my daily routine.  Here's a view of a day in our life.  I have gone to such extremes to stay well  and "keep up with our routine" as to rubbing my feet with oregano oil, stuffing my socks with fresh chopped onions, eating cloves of fresh garlic, downing spoonfuls of fermented cod liver oil and stocking my cupboards with herbs and homeopathic remedies.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  When it doesn't, I recognize our bodies have limitations and then allow the experience to teach me.

That being said, I lived half of last week in denial of being sick.

I knew a bunch of the kids were sick because some had fevers, some had coughs, and some threw up.  The laundry piled high as it often does when children are sick, I let it.  Paul came to the rescue as he often does when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I let him.  He took a trip to the laundry mat for me Friday morning.

It was still early when he returned.  I told him to dump the warm clean clothes on the couch so I could fold it all before they wrinkled.  The pile was so warm I took a nap instead.  That was fun. 

When I woke up I found William under the other half of the laundry.  He helped me fold for a bit but when I recognized I did not have the strength to finish the task I cancelled our plans for the day and decided to take a real nap in my bed.  That was smart.

I don't know what happened in the next 24 hours because I did not move too far from my pillow.  I know the kids moved through about 6 boxes of Rice Chex from our food storage and watched at least 6 hours of movies.  That was probably fun for them. 

Paul set up a portable crib in his office and took care of the baby and that was helpful.

Though not really physically comfortable, the hours I rested and laid in bed led to some very quiet reflective thinking.  I watched the snow fall softly outside my window.  It was then I realized I needed mental rest just as much as I needed physical rest and was this weekend flu allowed me both.

When Henry noticed I was not feeling well he rubbed my head and back and brought me his blankie.  It was also sweet to hear a few of the other children check on me and report that they had said a prayer for me.  William was really honest and told me he said a prayer for me to get better because he was really getting tired of eating Rice Chex and bananas.  That was funny.

I also got to watch 4 movies in bed and that was a treat.  The girls joined me for Emma and I'll never forget Maryanna's impatience in whining..."when is she going to marry Mr. Nightly"?!  I'll also never forget Clara's clapping, giggles and kissy sounds when Mr. Nightly finally professed his love for Emma.  I am very impressed that they sat through the whole movie and even more impressed with how it since shaped their pretend princess play.  I also allowed them to stop in and out of The Young Victoria, Anna and the King, and Meet Me in St. Louis but those shows did not hold their attention like Emma did.

I didn't make it to church on Sunday but recognizing my absence one dear friend brought by some delicious chicken soup.  One of Paul's friends brought by a bag of goodies for him and the kids to eat.  Both were very thoughtful and kind.

By Monday night I was almost on my feet so I allowed the boys a movie party of their own in my bed.  They watched Rudy.

It has since been a slow week.  James became quite lonely when his two closest brothers came down with it.  This made him realize how lucky he was to have them to play with everyday, that is what he told me.  I checked the family book log and found James passed the time reading through The Little Lame Prince, Tom Sawyer, and Huck Finn.  With my appetite still at a loss he also took over all cooking duties.  This both pleased me and impressed me.

When Peter got sick he sweetly requested a baby massage.  I'm sorry I never got around to it but took the request as a need for more affection and that I gladly gave.    

When Clara got sick she spent a day in my bed with her Calico Critters.  I love how she tucked them in next to her.  I also love how William has taken this slow week to experiment with black and white photography.

James is just now hit with it.  He vocalized his frustration and resistance to being sick in questions and comments such as "why do we have to have trials"?, "this is just not comfortable, how can I make it through this"?, "I just don't want this right now","why do our bodies have weakness", "this is torture!".......though I felt sorry for him all wrapped in a blanket and barf bucket on his lap, I would not trade the thoughtful discussion that came from this episode of discomfort.  I thanked him for expressing his feelings so honestly and admitted that I allowed the same thoughts to run through my mind just days earlier.  I then shared with him something that I learned through giving birth. Pains and trials just come, it is part of life.  Though we cannot control the trial, we can control our resistance, and sometimes in letting go, we allow ourselves to pass through the trial in more peace than pain.  He took it with a deep breath, allowed himself to throw up a few times then declared, "I know I can get through this, and gain courage from this experience".  That was fantastic!       

I really don't know when this all will end.  Did I plan for our family to be down with a horrible flu?  No Way!  In fact, I've had to cancel all sorts of fun plans.  But though our days have been slow, and at times uncomfortable, this experience has been rich in so many ways and I'm sure it may even be fun to look back on someday.

Kodo with kids

I didn't feel good this morning and did not want to get out of bed.  But I did. I had special plans with Peter and Maryanna to go see Kodo, a traditional Japanese drum group perform at Hill auditorium. 

But late into the morning I was still in such a groggy state that I dropped my keys somewhere after parking the car.  We retraced our steps and my little hero Peter found them in a pile of snow not too far from the car.  At this point I wondered if I really should have stayed in bed.  But we pressed on and a kind student directed us to the theater because even though I had been there several times I was too tired to find my way out and about.

We made it to our seats just in time.  And I'm so glad we did, this was just what I needed, a beat so deep to shake my bones and remind me I was, at that very moment, very alive.  

Children don't need that reminder so much, in fact, most of the children in the auditorium, including Maryanna and Peter had their hands over their ears from the very first beat.  They liked it though.  They joined in the gasping and laughter of all the other children when these two performers stepped out in their barely there costumes.  

What made their performance so impressive was the giant shadows projected across the whole ceiling.  Maryanna said their drumming shadows looked like dancing elephants and dinosaurs, it certainly sounded as such.  

This was indeed a full body performance, the drummers displayed the strength and stamina of professional athletes.  Peter liked when they hit their sticks at each other like sword fighters and I was most impressed with the segment of drummers on the floor rapidly drumming in a flexed abs position - that was a workout.

I kept thinking about the large wooden drums my Dad brought back from Africa.  They were loud and I use to like to bang on them - both when I was very happy and when I very angry.  I suppose banging on a drum is an urge most children have - mine came back.

Finally Maryanna told me she was getting a headache and turned her head to allow her eyes to wonder throughout the entire auditorium behind her.  She discovered the joy of people watching in a large crowd - I like to do that too, but mostly at sporting events.

This really was a great event to share with my "in the middle" children.  When we were through they convinced me to stop into Ben and Jerry's just around the corner.  We got ice cream cones and they finished them on the cold walk back to the car.

When we got to the car I reminded Peter how grateful I was he found my keys earlier - we headed straight to the grocery store with their faces still sticky with ice cream.  Their messy faces were just a reminder of all the fun we had together today.

And now I'm about to download some Kodo on itunes because there may be another rough morning that I need that deep beating rhythm to remind me that I truly am, very alive. 

How I wrap my baby on my back

With so many sisters and friends with babies, toddlers and babies on the way I thought I'd post a video on how and why I wrap my baby on my back.  I highly recommend it for so many reasons.  

For now you can enjoy my low budget filming on photo booth.  Something funny happened with the film speed and audio but that makes it even more entertaining - I like the way the kids are speeding around me because that's how it feels sometimes.  

Enjoy for now and if there is interest I'll figure out a way to make a better "how to" video with my flip camera.  

Brown Rice Berry Muffins - Gluten Free!

Transitioning to a gluten free diet can be challenging.  In the early stages I was too intimidated by gluten free baking and spent way too much money on the prepackaged goods.  They didn't even taste good.  I have since mastered a few basics and brown rice berry muffins are one of our favorites.  

This is just a variation of the basic muffin recipe from Nourishing Traditions.

Start with 3 cups brown rice.  Sometimes I do a combo of gluten free grains including millet, white rice or oats (we avoid quinoa or amaranth for baking because the flavor is too strong).

Run them through a flour mill or grinder.  

I have an old Magic Mill stone grinder I bought off ebay. This purchase was Marie's recommendation, she comes from a family of super homemakers who all use the Magic Mill so I know it was a good purchase.  I use it at least once a week and is so heavy that I just keep it on my counter top.  This machine is heavy duty - it's going to run for years.

Dump the freshly ground flour in a glass bowl and add 2 cups buttermilk.  Cover and set on counter top for 12 - 24 hours.

After the mix has set add in:

1/2 tsp. xantham gum

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

3 Tbs. melted butter

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup frozen berries

Bake at 375 for 10 - 15 minutes.   

Henry gets a separate egg free batch - I just add applesauce instead of eggs and it works as a mini muffin.  Sometimes we add pumpkin and chocolate chips instead of berries. Remember for George's birthday I made them with fresh grated ginger - but that only got mixed reviews. 

More than anything though gluten free baking has taught me to be brave and experiment with food - and enjoy the process not just the product.

Leg Warmers and Feet Warmers

It is actually 40 and sunny today!  The kids are outside playing without coats (some without shoes) and Clara requested I pull out her pretty sandals.

But this is Michigan so unless we plan a trip to Florida, it will be several months before I pull the sandals out.  Clara actually needs some slippers.  All her "spinny" moves have worn holes in the bottom of most her tights this winter.  So I plan on making her a pair of wool felt slippers/leg warmers to get her through the remainder of winter.

Here is the test run I completed this morning.  It all started with this wool felted cardigan.

I cut off the arms.

And traced my foot on a piece of scrap leather that was picked up at a thrift store weeks ago.

Switched to a leather needle.

Set my machine for a wide zig-zag and sewed around the edges just like I finished James' fleece socks.

It is easier to sew with the leather side up because it can stick.  After inside outing it, pull to expose the zig-zag seam the to the outside, this reduces uncomfortable seam allowance around the toes.  I also like the way it looks.

It fit good so I proceeded with the second one.  I sewed it in warmth and comfort.

Final product - please note how I took advantage of the ribbing on the sleeve.  These were quick and easy so I'm off to the thrift store to find some more leather for Clara's pair.

As for the rest of the sweater, I'm wearing it.