then.and.now: seasons around the coop

number.ten

But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day.                                                                                                                           ~Benjamin Disraeli

   

Inviting you to join me in my Monday ritual with your own then.and.now

(this moment)

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, link your 'moment' in the comments for all to find & see.

  Joining  Soulemama          

nine

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

This week's treasures include:

 -- Harvesting... more to come!

 -- Sharing a little watermelon after a late dinner with these marvelous friends/neighbors.

 -- Why not take a run through the sprinkler in your pj's after doing chicken chores?

 -- Chickens and their gracious eggs.

 -- Last year, this tree gave us hmmmm, six? apples. This year... Woot!!

 -- These two sharing a snack after a bike ride.

 -- Despite the lack of sun in the garden, our kale harvest has been non-stop!

 -- "Wear Ema's gloves"

-- To know and love this little dreamer.

What are you treasuring this week? 

little hands, big help!

Cooking with kids is an adventure I love, when I'm in the right frame of mind. For me it requires lots of patience, a willingness to open to "yes" and the ability to relinquish control over the final product (and who am I kidding... I must relinquish control over the process too). A few weeks ago, in such a space, I got some assistance from my best little helper. We raided the pantry and made some delicious gluten free energy balls. The beauty of these is that the final product is delicious without perfect measurements. An ideal snack for 2 year olds to make. Avi was awesome in the kitchen - measuring, scooping, pouring, mixing, and tasting. I love to see him feeling helpful and important ... he shines with pride as he does his "work". (p.s. I love our learning tower for exactly days like this).

What are your favorite adventures to do with kidlets when you are in the right frame of mind?

then.and.now: eight years

number.nine

But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day.                                                                                                                           ~Benjamin Disraeli

 

My nephew Gage - 2004

   

That same sweet smile - 2012

Inviting you to join me in my Monday ritual with your own then.and.now

(this moment)

A Friday ritual. A single Two photos - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, link your 'moment' in the comments for all to find & see.

Joining  Soulemama

Nine

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

This week's treasures include:

-- These beauties ... growing to the next size but still baby feet.

-- Lately, I've been consumed by wanting to live near the water... then I came across this quote on someone's blog (was it yours? let me know so I can link)...

 "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus

Ruminating so obsessively about being someplace else, I almost missed the beauty in the moss growing between the flagstone in our front yard. I miss the water, but I do love where I live. 

 -- Plans to climb a 14er (14,000 foot mountain) with my Mom and siblings to celebrate her  70th birthday were thwarted when she sprained her ankle and knee five weeks ago. So instead, we did this...

 -- ...and this. This game ties our family together and has for many generations. Here Avi getting his first taste of Euchre from his Uncle Rick and Uncle Gene. 

 -- Uncle Gene's whiskers.

 -- Our vacation rental included a treasure map. 

 -- Our visit to the county fair.  Making Grandpa Berner Proud. 

-- Two weeks ago, a tired Ema at her wits end (as the going-to-sleep-process was once again weighing heavy on us all) drags the futon mattress from the spare room into Avi's room. And this is how his room stayed...

  -- ...until Sunday, when Avi and I took the crib apart together, using "tools" and the futon became his temporary big boy bed. The going-to-sleep-process is down from 3-4 hours to 15-45 minutes! Woot!!! I guess he was ready!