A Day That is Dessert

he

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Today
we put together some things to send my grandmother.
Abbott made her a card
with a rainbow
and a heart broken into two pieces
that said, "I know how it feels."
I asked him how he knew and he said, Cinnamon and Piper died. I still feel that way when I think about them.
Yesterday
the boys took their money out of their piggy banks
in preparation for a trip to the lego store.
Cal had less money
because he's spent more.
Abbott gave him three of his dollars
because he said he found him in a corner crying about it.
Tomorrow
is the anniversary of Abbott's due date.
Little did I know then
as I waited for him
how much my life would change.
Or who he would become.
I still wonder about that, really.
In my lifetime
I don't know if I'll ever feel as much empathy for others
as he does.

summer continues

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

On the trail to the beach yesterday, we noticed quite a few ripe blackberries. We did the logical thing and changed our plans to accommodate picking and eating, eating and picking. This summer the boys have become particular about picking only those berries that are perfectly ripe (is it plump? is it slightly squishy?). And, Cal pointed out to me their sweet scent - I'd never noticed it before. He carried his bucket near his face to enjoy the full sensory experience.

The beach will still be there tomorrow.

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

There are times
I wish they knew me in my younger life
also
I wish I knew them when I was a child.

now and then

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

I picked the last of our peas yesterday - kind of bittersweet - and used them to make this. And what you see here is the last of our cauliflower.

From one of my aunts yesterday:

"You make me think of picking peaches and shaking apples from the tree and picking okra and black eyed peas and shelling and canning them but somehow when I was growing up I didn't think that was all that much fun but I do remember that Grandma Wolf and Grandma B were plenty busy as well as Mother and how good Grandma Wolf's frozen cream corn was in the winter and how I hated and still do to this day apple butter but I liked the peach butter bet my grandkids don't even know what they are. Oh another trip down memory lane...."

Makes me happy to feel like the life I'm living is a life my great-grandparents would be comfortable in. And at the same time, thankful my life is easier in so many ways.

web of life

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Unfortunately Alexi had to work this past weekend. The boys and I attended parties Saturday and Sunday and I had conversations with many people whom I didn't already know. I found myself dwelling on the ways connections are made, random and not so random. Saturday, I encountered someone who is connected to my friend the host because his late wife was a patient of that friend. Sunday, someone I talked with knew the host because they had once had a mutual friend. They've both lost contact with the other person, but remained friends with each other. I became friends with the host of Sunday's party via Flickr; the internet makes the world a smaller place.

What a web of life we weave all around us.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Happy Monday!

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:45:00 +0000

We decided to walk to our neighborhood farmer's market this morning. Soon, we'll be catching a ferry to attend a pig roast! Happy Saturday to you, whatever your plans may be. xoxo Lecia

hi

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Eight of the twelve or so weeks of summer, my boys are enrolled in swim lessons at our neighborhood pool. The swimming is great exercise for them, and it gets us dressed and out of the house reasonably early in the day. Every single lesson Cal spends much of the time grinning at and waving to me. I worry I'm a terrible distraction, but what am I to do?

This week we've had paradoxical days of chilly, foggy mornings followed by warmish to hot afternoons. The light and the temperature at times have felt and looked more like fall than summer. Alexi noticed that he needed headlights for his drive to work yesterday, for the first time in a long time.

We've been eating berries, berries, berries. Sometimes with yogurt or cheese, often alone. And lots and lots of salad. At our picnic Wednesday our friends brought this salad; last night I made a quinoa, corn and edamame salad with cilantro and a lime-based dressing that we all loved (if only I could grow limes!). We've had three ripe sungold tomatoes and are eagerly anticipating full blown tomato season.

In response to your inquiries, our camping trip was to Fort Ebey on Whidbey Island. The waterfall pictures yesterday were taken at Snoqualmie Falls.

Happy Friday to you!

good

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0000

One of the ways summer is good for me is that it pushes me to operate differently than I do when left to my own devices. This is primarily because the boys are home. Instead of 'getting things done', I get out and in summer. And tonight, coming home to chaos after a full, fun day of hiking and picnicing with friends, I was able to convince myself that I am not a terrible housekeeper. I decided I am a good wife, mother and friend who happens to have a messy house.

habit

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Habit is one of my daily reads. For the month of July, Emily and Molly, the blog's co-curators have started a flickr group. Anyone so inclined is invited to share a moment of their day with a photo and a few words. This pool is a magical collection of days; I encourage you to take a moment to browse and, if you'd like, join in. The images below are some that I've contributed.

1 July
I washed our third and fourth pints of the day to make the pie.

2 July
It dawned on me that yesterday I forgot it was the 13th anniversary. And what a sign of healing. And if things had gone differently, I wouldn't have them.

5 July
I had the feeling of life having come full circle as we hiked. That same trail Alexi and I climbed dozens times together during our courtship.

6 July
I realized it's easier for me to understand the perspective of his older brother, being a firstborn child myself.

7 July
It probably wasn't wise to turn on the oven today, but I wanted to make something special for breakfast. His oldest friend was here for his first sleepover.

10 July
I always think about my grandmother when I garden. I'm thankful for all the teaching, the modeling she did for me in her younger life. I wish she lived closer.

11 Jul
For a split second I wasn't sure how he was going to react; I saw on his face it could go either way.

12 July
He never stops making me laugh.

14 July
I was glad for the time alone; at the same time, the house felt so empty.

15 July
At dinner he said to me, "At times I wished this day was already over and at times I wished it would never end." Exactly how I felt.

16 July
I had unexpected tears when he came outside in the cape. He reminds me to channel my inner superhero.

17 July
The last time their grandfather came with us to the farmer's market A was two weeks old and in a stroller. Today, we held hands and talked while they shopped.

19 July
To say we were all surprised would be a major understatement.

been camping

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0000

We're home from our annual camping trip. There was so much goodness I don't know how I could possibly convey it all. Suffice it to say the sense of togetherness and the emotional content will linger with us, despite Alexi's return to work tomorrow and his father's flight home.

weekend wishes

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing weekend! I'll be back here on Tuesday. xx

Friday

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

At dinner last night Abbott said that at times he'd wished this day was already over and at times he'd wished it would never end. I really liked his take on it; I felt that way too, come to think of it. There had been nearly continuous fighting and a general lack of cooperation throughout the day. On the other hand, I had really nice time alone with each of them while the other had their swim lesson. Another highlight was when Cal said, with pride, that he was finally able to play that hard song (on the piano).

Alexi's father is coming to town today and we're really looking forward to spending some time with him. He's joining us to go camping!

Happy Friday! xo

in the lavender fields

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Earlier this week we visited Purple Haze lavender farm. We roamed (ran through) the organic fields and enjoyed ourselves immensely. The scent was really overwhelming. I wasn't sure if the destination would be a hit with the boys, but they really had a great time. Running through scented fields, cutting flowers to your heart's content - what's not to love about that?

Remembering Granddad

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

(me and my Granddad, 1976 or 1977)

My grandfather, Granddad as we called him, passed away on Monday. He had been declining over the past couple of years, and the last few weeks were particularly hard for him, and my family. He was ready to go. In talking to my grandmother it's clear she's relieved he's now free of pain and in a better place.

I can't speak to what kind of a husband or father he was, but I can tell you about the Granddad he was. He was tickling, coca cola in glass bottles, swimming in the river. He laughed easily, and played with us tirelessly when we were kids. As we got older, he never shied away from asking me or my cousins a question he wanted to know the answer to, sometimes much to our surprise or embarrassment. When there was silence around him it was comfortable. He loved The Price is Right and most game shows. He had a deep faith and a great sense of duty to his family and his community. My first driving experiences were with him - first a tractor, later a pickup truck. He had a sweet tooth and liked Little Debbies. I got my compulsive urge to vacuum from him, but never picked up his quirk of drying out the shower.

He will be remembered for being a loving family member, and much missed.

Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Hello, hello!

It feels like our week is off to a really great start, even though it no longer seems like summer (notice the boys are wearing sweaters again?). We went on a road trip of sorts yesterday. At bedtime Cal said he was glad we'd gone on that vacation...sometimes getting out of town, even if just for the day really feels like one.

I hope you're having a nice Tuesday.

content

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:30:00 +0000

These images from the past few days have a feel of contentment to them, don't they? Summer is good for us in so many ways.

I hope you all had a nice weekend. xo

wishing you

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

I was just reading Calvin & Hobbes with Abbott, and encountered "there's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." So true. Whatever your plans for the weekend, I'm hoping you'll have some time for doing at least a little bit of nothing. xoxo

about the jam

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

At the beginning of the summer I was so glad to see Abbott add 'pick berries' and 'make jam' to our summer list. The season lingers a little bit throughout the rest of the year for us as we eat what we made and remember the whole process.

Last night Abbott had a friend sleep over. At breakfast the friend tried some of the strawberry jam we made last week. Without knowing we'd made it ourselves, this seven year old boy said that it was the best jam he'd ever tasted in his life. This was quite a compliment in my opinion, as little boys really aren't prone to saying things like that. I decided I should pass the link on to you in case you're contemplating jam (if you're not, I think you should!).

When Luisa posted the recipe for Strawberry-Lemon Grass Jam recently I decided to try it; her recipes are always spot-on. I wanted to do something different from the freezer jam we made last year. It takes a bit of time as does any version of jam, but the recipe is straightforward. And, as our seven year old friend observed, it really is the best jam we've ever had.

I hope these experiences of picking berries and making jam as a family become lifelong memories for both of my boys.

Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

Today, a few more photos from Monday's hike.

Alexi and I just watched Frida, and I was so moved by it.

Random things regularly seem to materialize in our luggage; a long-lost camera manual was found in our hiking backpack (happy day!).

I was glad for the need to find our fans yesterday. Enjoyed my first iced coffee of the summer.

We're eating raspberries and strawberries for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just about all of the vegetables we're eating are from our garden, and that feels great on so many levels.

I hope you're enjoying your week! xo

an old love

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:35:00 +0000

Today I was reminded of how much I love hiking; it's been eight years since I've been on one I really enjoyed. We took the kids in backpacks when they were really little and did easy hikes the past few summers, but it has always felt like work. There is often complaining from the second we arrive at the parking lot. Today, however, Abbott and Cal were totally up for it. They ran ahead of me and back, again and again and again. We snacked on cherries as we walked. Wandering through the fields of tall grass and wildflowers, feeling the sun on my skin and the damp grass on my legs I felt more alive. The boys are now sleeping like logs. It was just what we all needed.

right on schedule

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:36:00 +0000

True to Seattle's reputation and history, after a wet and chilly summer thus far sun is forecasted from here on out. (hooray!)

Happy fourth of July! Happy summer. xo

(recipe for the cake found here)

a week of summer colors

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Monday: pink
Tuesday: yellow
Wednesday: green
Thursday: red and white
Friday: blue

I love seasonal color weeks. It's been such a treat looking through the Flickr pool this week and thinking about my world right now in terms of color.

As I was walking with Cal and a neighbor yesterday the kids discussed their love of hotels (the neighbor is leaving on a vacation today). I've heard these kinds of discussions between Abbott and Cal before. I think the enjoyment is partly because of the pool usually present at any given hotel, but mostly because of the family togetherness that comes with staying in tight quarters.

I wish you a happy Friday! xoxo

July

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0000

I am ready for you, July. Your days that linger forever and all the goodness those days will hold.

Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:00:00 +0000

"Things happen. Things collide". (p.133) - Let the Great World Spin.

There is a theme of the connectedness of people and events in this book (my July book club selection) that can be interpreted as either eerie, spiritual, or just plain chance. Something to think about.

The book really blew me away; I've been telling everyone I know to read it so now I'm telling you.

Happy Wednesday!

oh, bother

noreply@blogger.com (A Day That is Dessert) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:01:00 +0000

As many of you noticed, something went awry with this site yesterday and it disappeared for a few hours. The problem is resolved; however, every comment ever left seems to have been erased. I'm kind of sick about it. So much of what I enjoy about this space is the interaction I have with you all. I'm holding out a bit of hope that the comments will be found and returned; if they aren't recovered, I guess I'll keep their emotional content in my memory, if not the exact semantics.

Poppytalk is hosting a week of summer colors; I thought I'd play along at least for today, as I love yellow.

I hope you're having a nice Tuesday. xo