Boys and grandboys!

Having five sons and soon to be three grandsons provides for unlimited observation of "boy bravado." As a girl or middle-aged woman depending on the moment, it is with unending fascination that I watch these disarming forces of nature. Girls, I can relate to pretty quickly on most levels, boys... let's just say the more insight, the better. We have a fairly interesting range of personalities within our brood, from in"vin"cable (Vinny)and Christopher to reflecting and sensitive Alex. Luke and Zach are a lot alike in that they are both first born guys. Luke arrived after nine barren years so the first born moniker applies and he has jumped quite naturally into the role. They are independent, confident and able to scale small buildings in a single bound. They just seem to succeed at everything they try, excepting self-government. Why is that? I think that overconfident bravado may be too much self. Yet, I can see that this has it's advantages and significance in a boy's tool kit.
We kinda laugh at the fact that Vinny was born to swagger... he also exhibits first born qualities in my estimation. We have video of he and Gianna (his twin) toddling around. Her little feet just twinkle across the floor as she hardly brushes the ground. Vinny, shoulders hunched forward, a determined grin looks at though he is at football practice about the hit a dummy full might employed. As scripture states that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches... we should have considered that Vincent means "victorious conqueror." So far he has conqueroed all territory within his five-yo range and melted our hearts as well. Not bad for the 5th son of a 5th son...

Out with the plastics!

A couple months ago made a real honest to goodness green decision. There is a place within me that wishes I could say it was altruistic for the good of the earth and the future of all life, including mankind, imagine that backwardness. However, is was due to a health emergency the details of which I am unwilling to divulge publicly, specifically because it relates to one of my children. If you want to know... ask privately, I may share for your individual benefit. So, armed with parent guilt, it was mission impossible here, get rid of as much plastic food containers as possible, including cups, plates, storage, ziplocs, purchased food and sauces(especially anything acidic.) The result, a slow, but easier transition. Our grandparents were just begining the introduction to Tupperware and I have picked a few octogenarian brains for inspiration resulting in gifts of antique glass containers, lids included. Also, for those of endeavoring to move in this direction, walmart, kroger and Target all seem to be accomodating this demand for glass containers, they are providing a plethora of choices! So, as I open the cup cabinet and view the abundance of jelly jars... I smile a glorious realization that we have officially become a rural Tennesseee family, gotta love it!!!

Hope!!

Constantly distressing news assaults our spirits these days. From tainted food supply to rogue countries and their nuclear arms endeavors it is rare that we get a real, actual nugget that show some sort human restraint! Individuals seem to have a much less egregious approach to life since they are often simply surviving, but when we collectively, as a government or corporation, we delve into ethical and moral implications the decisions are often deplorable. But, today I am encouraged. Wrote a book and in the middle of it's sequel exploring the dangerous slippery slope of patenting human genes. The U.S. patent office has come out officially and stated that they will not, until further notice, patent any more human genes!!! GO U.S. Patent Office!!! Still, the word "more" in that sentence is a bit unnerving...

life with kids

"Humbirds!" Our 2yo Mariclaire loves the hummingbird feeder recently installed on the dining room bay window... and apparently so do a few "humbirds." Just have to express my unending surprise over joy caused by my children's discovery of nature. The simple and mundane, the common are not when experienced through their eyes. Perspective is everything and blatantly I ride the wave of my children's fresh and enthusiastic embracement of every form of life they encounter. Worms, wriggling tubes of enthralling adventure... okay, I did think, poor worm, hurry, wriggle away.

Garden Experiment 2009

Organic Gardening

Having experimented somewhat successfully with organic square foot gardening and companion planting last year...for pest control used Nasturiums, marigolds and Garret's juice. (2 tbslp. minced garlic, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 4 tbsp liquid seaweed must apply every time it rains, but effective against a whole host of problems.)
Expanding garden this year. Here is a pic from last year's. My green beans, red and yellow bell peppers, romaine, kale, spinach, mustard greens,tomatoes,zuccini and cucumbers all did pretty well considering the fact that we planted in a place where due to trees, it only got 4 hours sun a day. Pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupe... not so much. rotted before they could get ripe. Moved to new location in yard will get 8+ hours now!
Fall garden didn't really pan out as this was an extremely cold and snowy year here. Did have 1 kale, 1 swiss chard, 1 sugar snap pea, 2 cilantro (surprisingly) and about 20 garlic survive.
This year have so far planted peas, swiss chard, kale, romaine, baby bib lettuce, orange and red bell peppers, tomatoes, shallots, yellow onions, purple onions, cabbage, broccoli, curly spinach, flat leaf spinach, mustard greens, watermelons, bush and pole beans, cucumbers, dill, basil, thyme, marigolds (for pests) and nasturiums oh, and added asparagus as well, 3 year old crown.

Bread

Made Parisian Daily Baguettes again, much easier this time, made 7 loaves... family loved them, of course. One interesting TIP that he shares is that bakers do not use chlorinated tap water, apparently it changes the flavor and sometimes the texture of the bread. Hmm.