Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Commute

I really think that I have about the best commute on the planet. Well, sure there probably are some that come pretty close, but what do you think?

The vehicle (one of two) and my HOV passenger:

So in the morning, Azalea and I walk Lola and Tigo to school. It's just over half mile. Flat and easy and a good way to ease into the morning air.

Azalea now goes to a great little preschool. It is located on the other side of "the fields" from the elementary school. The fields are just that.

Fields of public space that has a spot for the public to garden, the elementary kids to garden and to learn about gardening, corn fields, sunflowers and other stuff that doesn't get eaten too much by humans. There are farm roads that traverse the field, that are basically walking paths for folks to go for walks, take their bikes out, take their dogs or even take their horses out. But an integral part of the fields' existence is to provide a winter nesting place for the migratory Sandhill Cranes.

Amazing.

The "ditch" lines part of the fields so there is water fed to the fields from Spring to Fall. The ditch has been there for decades, so therefore there are very old very beautiful cottonwood trees that are all along the outskirts of the fields....

With the mountains in the background and those gorgeous Sandhill Cranes with their amazing bodies and vibrant voices piercing the air. It's really gorgeous.

Occasionally on our way home we take a small detour and pick up our CSA food at our farm, which is literally around the corner.

Los Poblanos Organics. It's an excellent little farm.
It's great to be a part of and delicious, healthy, local food, too. 


Azalea likes to go there so she can see a few more of her animal friends. Though she would much prefer to be on the same side of the fence as the turkey, goats, chickens, etc...

Way better than bumper to bumper on the beltway.

But occasionally there is a traffic accident and we have to get out of the vehicle and wait.
Mostly just to do some more birdwatching though.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pillow Talk


Azalea is my shadow for most of the time. So when she sees me sewing she wants to do the same. So we decided to do a quick impromptu project with some fabric laying around. A pillow for her little animals.


 She picked out the fabrics.
 
 Cut them out.
 
 "Helped" with the sewing.
 
 Did all the stuffing with fabric scraps.
 
 More stuffing.
 
Test it out.

 Love it. And acting fabulous.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Just not right

 These poor boys got subjected to the ladies of the house.
 

 

 

 

 
They are picking on each other with the tutus and backpacks on. 
 
 They are talking about how to get back at the girls...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Winter Foraging

This morning we figured out what all the nuts are that the dogs keep bringing into the house.


The only large trees that we have in our back yard right now are a Mulberry tree and a couple of Cottonwoods. Neither of which produce nuts. So I wasn't quite sure where all the mystery nuts were coming from. But the kids went around the yard this morning collecting the nuts. Which were scattered more than they might otherwise be due to the dogs love of nuts.

But we figured out that our neighbors have been kind enough to plant a Pecan tree that hangs over into our yard.

So the kids took turns cracking.

Then everybody did some shelling.

There's the inside and the outside.
 
 And a bowl full of delicious pecans.

That was promptly turned into Pecan Ice cream.
Yum.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Mulligan or the Real New Year

I'm not quite sure that I qualify for a Mulligan. I'm not lost in the woods, nor am I out of bounds. I know where my figurative ball is lying and generally speaking it's fair play. I'm just not sure that I took my first stroke of the year with enough strength, focus, determination and intention to really make me a contender.  So I'd like a do-over.

Actually, I don't really want a do-over. Do-overs really aren't fair and in a true situation there are no do-overs. Not when it counts. I just would like to give myself a better life playing position for the new year. So maybe I should follow something along the lines of the Chinese New Year. As we all know, the Chinese do not have the new year switch with the calender year. And since I know that there are great things on the horizon for 2010, I'd like to begin properly.

With love, laughter, creativity, strength, focus, determination, and intention. Oh yeah, no yelling either. :)

With this in mind, Happy New Year. - Whenever yours begins.

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 in Review

What a crazy, craxy, year!

January
Obama gets Inaugurated, excited, but we skip town for the party and go sledding in Shenandoah Co.


February
I start sewing again and Azalea is my #1 model.


March
More outings to Great Falls



April
We celebrate Easter and have a super Egg Hunt in the back yard.
And more trips to the mountains.


May
We sadly say goodbye to my first "baby" and an amazing dog.
Sorely missed everyday. Love you Pancho!


June
Saying goodbye to our house... end of an era.
Lola finishes 3rd grade, Tigo finishes Kinder and Azalea completes her first year in Preschool.


July
Living with Grandstan for the month of July.
Urban playgrounds, Lemonade sales, trips to VA Beach, golf tourneys won, 4th of July celebrations, Lola turns 9, lots of Virginia trips, goodbye VA...


August
Road trip across the US.
We start exploring New Mexico
around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Lola and Tigo start at their new Elementary School.
New friends are made, mountains are climbed.


September
The month of Amaya Birthdays...
Elmer (87), Azalea (4), Holly (93) & Tigo(7)!
We of moved into our new home in Albuquerque, adopted two super sweet puppies,
had our first visitors out here! (Waiting for you, though!)
Lola, Tigo and Azalea start gymnastics and LOVE it!
I've become a gymnastics mom.


October
Balloon Fiesta, School Fun Fair, Halloween, pumpkin carving, walks in the fields, desert fall, warm days.
(I get to take a trip to Boston & Martha's Vineyard to see my very old and dear friends!)


November
Biggest highlight is our trip to El Salvador. Amazing, amazing for all of us.
Azalea also starts a new preschool and meets new friends! Hooray!
It was very sad though to have no real Thanksgiving.


December
Return from Central America to see that Albuquerque does in fact get very cold! Very cold.
Celebrate Christmas in our new home.
Enjoy the company of friends new and old and a great visit from Grandstan and Valeri.


What do you have 2010? 
Can't wait to find out what's in store!