discovery - organic vegetables

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had beautiful vegetable gardens and orchards to pick from each day?  Or that we lived in a part of the world where everything we love to eat grew easily?  Meanwhile, there is no doubt in my mind that organic is the way to go.  Not only is it better for my family to each non-pesticide, non-genetically modified, but the processes used are better for our environment and our overall health.  Yet, how do you afford, or find everything organic in small towns like where we live?

I read some great comments by Dr. Mercola, on an article written about which conventionally grown produce are the safest to consume, or have the least amount of pesticides.  To read the article summary and Dr. Mercola’s comments, check out his site at mercola.com

I love getting newsletters from Dr. Mercola weekly.  He’s fabulous and is a great resource to look at all kind of current health concerns.

Anyways…here is the list of the 12 fruits and veggies you don’t need to buy organic:

• broccoli
• eggplant
• avocado
• cabbage
• banana
• kiwi
• asparagus
• sweet peas (frozen)
• mango
• pineapple
• sweet corn (frozen)
• onion

The twelve fruits/vegetables with the highest pesticide content:

• sweet bell peppers
• apples
• celery
• nectarines
• strawberries
• cherries
• lettuce
• grapes (imported)
• pears
• spinach
• potatoes

So maybe organic isn’t the answer to everything, but here are a few more things to think about.

development - condo flyer

rentflyer08

More than a year and a half ago, we put our Midway condo up for rent, and after a couple weeks of silence, called Hilma and had her put it on the market.  A few low balled offers and several months of double payments, we decided to offer the condo for rent again.  This time we were more focused on finding renters.  There first couple of months were rough, trying to learn the rental game.  But we’ve been blessed to have renters since last November.

Who knows how long the housing market and economy will continue as it has, but as long as we can keep our condo rented, we won’t stress.  I was working on rental flyers this afternoon.  We’ll see what happens.

development - the great detox

Our good friend and real estate agent, Hilma, is always on the lookout for our lil’ family.  A couple weeks ago she told the designer about a very small home for sale in Midway, sitting on a half acre lot, in one of our favorite neighborhoods.  Square footage-wise it is smaller than our condo and there are stairs (not the best for me).  So the designer didn’t think much of it. 

For some reason it affected it so much more.  I think I come up with crazy ideas/schemes, whatever you want to call them, nearly each week.  Well, here’s one of my latest: I told the designer that i thought we should get rid of at least half of what we own (we probably don’t need it anyways), or put it in storage, move into the little house in Midway, save money, as we save up, add on to the home, and over time, build our dream home. 

Right in line with most of my wild ideas, the designer looked at me, smiled, and said, “yup, i think it’s a crazy idea…we could go through our stuff though, if it makes you feel better.  I think that’s a good idea.”

Maybe it’s the nesting that didn’t come to pass before this past pregnancy, with my early labor and such.  Whatever it is, we are calling it “the great detox.” 

The great detox began this morning.  We’ve decided to get rid of things we aren’t using or won’t use any time soon.  On my list of detox areas:

• the kiddos’ toys
• the shoe cupboards
• above the shoes
• our room
• books   
• the builder’s closet
• junk drawers
• clothes
• garage

The designer was very focused, and mostly thanks to him, the shoe cupboards, and above them are now amazingly better organized and diminished.  Pictured above are before and after shots of the shoe cupboards, and above.  The toys are all sorted and placed in boxes, bins, bags, above the shoes.  This will hopefully avoid the “dumping” from our large toy bins, and overwealming clean-up.  He even went through he kiddos’ books and got rid of a few damaged books. 

It feels great to have a few less things and be a bit more in order.

delight - music w/ kiddos

The piano was definitely one of the best gifts my parents have ever given me.  True that it has been moved 6 times since the designer and I married, and is terribly out of tune, but we enjoy it so much.  The kiddos love to play and mess around on it.  Some days we just pound away.  Others we play “animal music,” where we play loud low sounds for an elephant or hippo, small high sounds for a mouse…etc.  Today we went through several books together: The Hymn book, the Children’s Hymn book, and the Moms book that has great nursery rhymes. 

The builder is always amazed when i can play a song he knows.  The dancer loves to let me use her finger to pluck out the tune.  The builderlet me do it for the first time today.  Some days I just want to sit down and play by myself, but we usually end up playing duets.  It’s fun to have a musical instrument we can all play and learn together!

delight - aug vt msg

Just taking a few moments to ponder this month’s Visiting Teaching message.  To read the whole message, click here.  (no, it’s no very long…i’ve quoted half of it :)). 

My favorite quotes:

What Does It Mean to Be a Beloved Daughter of Heavenly Parents?

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “You are literally spirit daughters of Deity, ‘offspring of exalted parents’ with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. You received your first lessons in the world of spirits from your heavenly parents. You have been sent to earth to ‘prove’ yourselves. …

“You are treasured children of the promise. If you will keep the Lord’s statutes and commandments and hearken to His voice, He has promised that He will make you high above the nations in name and honor and praise” (“You Have a Noble Birthright,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 106, 108).

How Can I Understand and Attain My Divine Destiny?

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): “All of you need to drink in deeply the gospel truths about the eternal nature of your individual identity and the uniqueness of your personality. You need, more and more, to feel the perfect love which our Father in Heaven has for you and to sense the value he places upon you as an individual. Ponder upon these great truths, especially in those moments when (in the stillness of such anxiety as you may experience as an individual) you might otherwise wonder and be perplexed” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 222).

******************************************************************************************************************

I love how they both talk about the importance of our knowing who we are: that we are truly unique; from the way we look down to our personality.  That ultimately, the knowledge of who we are is what will aid us in those difficult times.  I think knowing who we are helps understand who everyone around us are as well.  That we all have great destinies to accomplish, and that we are all loved by our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Knowing our heritage makes it easier for me to ignore rude drivers or be patient with someone I don’t understand or know personally.  Better yet, it helps me forgive those who may have offended me, be it intentional or not. 

“Drinking in the gospel truths”, and ever seeking knowledge will help me in developing those qualities needed to fulfill my divine destiny.  It’s okay to be different.  After all, we are individuals, and He loves each of us and finds value in our individuality.  So should I find value in all of my brothers and sisters.

theory - learning is messy

Yesterday afternoon the kiddos and I embarked upon a new adventure: scissors.  Yes, I am crazy.  I had been wrapping a birthday gift for the builder’s best friend, and the kiddos wanted in on the fun.  After much begging and my excuses, “scissors are for mommies and daddies…it’s too dangerous…”  The dancer somehow managed to get the safe guard off the scissors and was inspecting them.  When the builder saw this, he too had to have a pair.  And that was when I gave in. 

I put them up on the counter with leftover magazine pages (that i’d been using to wrap the gift…it turned out really cute…i used some pottery barn Superman room pages).  We discussed how to use them and the dangers involved.  The dancer mostly just inspected her scissors, but the builder was really getting it.

All this was going on while I was trying to feed the grower, get each of us a snack before the party, and prepare a salad to bring to the party.  I think the snack and the classical music playing are what saved me from utter confusion and panic.  After a lot of discovery with paper and scissors, and a very intricate mess, the kiddos were satisfied and, thank goodness, unharmed.  It did seem a miracle that no one got hurt, considering the ages of the two: 3 and almost 2 years.  I guess the injuries don’t necessarily come when they are learning, but when you feel they are safe, right?

It was exciting to watch them learn in different ways.  The builder is a doer.  He gets right into it.  Tries to hold the scissors in different ways and just goes for it.  The dancer is a thinker.  She is busy watching the builder and myself…figuring out the correct way to hold the scissors, exactly what and how they work. 

Ultimately, I realized that there will be many scary or tense learning moments being a mom of these 3 kiddos.  When they learn, there will probably be a mess involved, and that just has to be okay. 

And how is it for each of us?  Is learning messy no matter how old we are?  I believe it is.  Sure, it’s pretty obvious that when I am creating a new meal for dinner, I may not know which tools will be best to use, or may dirty more dishes.  But other times, when I am learning something new, things don’t always take the amount of time I desired, and it might “mess-up,” or alter, another part of my life: my schedule, goals, etc.  Learning isn’t always perfect and easy.  It takes practice, work, patience, and clean-up time.

So how does it relate to the daily delights theory?  Well, learning takes time and giving yourself joy requires learning sometimes….which means, making a mess: whether physically or figuratively.

discovery - fox printing

Ok, so maybe not a new discovery, but a rediscovery for sure.  Paula, at Fox Design & Print Team, and I are currently emailing back and forth, working on my painting postcards…

I first used Fox Printing when producing new business cards for Landaco (a landscape design-build firm i worked at in Vegas).  I’d gone through most of the print companies in Vegas’ yellow pages and decided on Fox design.  Being a smaller print place with smaller overhead and less employees help them keep prices down.  The business cards created looked great.

A year later, I’d moved to Utah, but used them again to make greeting cards with some of my watercolor paintings.  Once again, the pricing was so reasonable and the quality, wonderful.  I’ve sold quite a few, enough to cover my cost.  Now I enjoy giving them to friends and family.  When gals in the ward were watching out kiddos or bringing us meals i would give them a pack of the cards as a thank you.  The builder loved letting them pick a pack from the box.  Now they are nearly gone.  Good thing I can work with the Fox team again.

If you’re looking for a small or relatively small print job, in Vegas, or not, check out Fox.  I’ve been really happy with them!

development - painting postcard

One of the great parts of having a painting in the Sundance Food & Wine Festival is the opportunity to meet potential collectors.  Having something for them to take home with them is a must.  So I’ve been working on a postcard-style card, promoting my art.  Tomorrow I hope to get a decent price for them to be printed before the event at the end of this month.

discovery - packing & road trip wonders

My stud of a brother, Sean, just returned from his two year mission in Korea last week.  He is reporting in church on Sunday, so our lil’ family has made the trek to the OC to welcome him home and enjoy he and the whole fam being together again.

Having just arrived home from Bear Lake Wednesday afternoon and needing to leave again Thursday nite was quite the challenge with the 3 lil’ kiddos.  After helping me get the youngest two down for naps, the designer returned to work, and I began the unpacking and laundry.  The builder was not about to take a nap, so he started helping me with the laundry…this was so sweet of him, but it also meant a longer process for me.  Somehow we got a few loads done…

Our whole ride home that morning, the builder had asked to not go home, but go directly to Grandma’s house.  So after dinner we went over, helped pick beans from the garden, and let the kiddos play a bit.  The designerhad a nite meeting, and Grandma offered to watch the builder while I took the younger two home for bed.  A couple hours later I still didn’t have the grower to sleep when Grandma brought home the builder…so naturally, I hadn’t gotten much accomplished.

But I was too tired, so when the designer arrived and helped me get the grower to sleep (finally), all I wanted to do was go to bed.

Bad idea.  It was very hard to pack while the kiddos were making more messes.  Grandma had offered to help with packing, so after a few hours, I gave up and called Grandma for help.  While we were waiting her arrival, the grower fell asleep but woke as soon as Grandma took the older two.  With 20 minutes of solid concentration (he finally fell asleep 20 minutes before  noon), I went to pick up the kiddos at grandma’s.  The saint that she is, she offered to keep the builder a bit longer because we knew he would be too much help. 

After 3 more hours of little progress, and no naps for the two kiddos at home with me, I called in tears to the designer and asked for help.  Somehow we managed to get things packed up and out the door.   As we got in, he asked if we had everything…”i hope so,” I replied.  Of course I realized that I had only packed half of his underwear as we were driving to Grandma’s…..

(Will my pre-pregnancy brain ever come back?)

There were a few other bumps in the road: a closed auto service center, a busy jiffy lube, etc.  but we made it to Vegas and my sister’s place, safe and all three kiddos asleep!

Along the way, we listened to a LOT of Signing Time cd’s.  The dancer loves the theme song, and she and her older brother enjoy the colors songs, ABC’s, and I’m really good at…  Who knew we could make it several days of road tripping without a dvd player.  It’s been a lot of fun though, having the kiddos enjoy singing and signing together. 

This morning we went to a park in Vegas that had been in the design process when the designer & i worked for Marriotti Landscape Architecture.  We all enjoyed the park and it’s amazing design.  It was installed a few years ago, but we hadn’t been and it was great to see how much the plants had already matured.

Soon we found ourselves swimming with the kiddos in the Caesar’s Palace pool.  They had a blast, and after wearing them out fully, and seeing an old roomie (luv you Janelle), we were on the road again.  Sleeping most the way, and a bit more signing time music, we arrived in Yorba Linda, greeted Seanna, and were able to watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics with our recently Asian returnee.  Soo worth the madness the past couple days!

development - sundance food & wine

    

The designer and I are excited to attend this year’s Sundance Food & Wine Festival.  The third annual event is a fabulous charity fundraiser.  MCG Design is donating a whole “design package,” including Calder & Starr’s New-Old Barn, by yours truly.  It should be an exciting afternoon, and I’m honored to be a part of it all.

development - art show

Saturday afternoon our lil’ family had enjoyed a new local sandwich shop and were driving down Main, when I spotted a friend taking a painting into the Midway Mercantile.  It was then I remembered that we needed to bring our art to Lynette at the store for the Art Association’s show.  The pieces weren’t due till yesterday, but we would be at Bear Lake, so I ran over the paintings that afternoon.  Thanks to Marilyn for also turning in her painting early…and while we were driving by…

Because I had just brought a painting home from Accents and had given a painting for Sundance (I’ll try to post on it tomorrow), I chose to bring some paintings from home that haven’t been framed.  After I turned the paintings in to one of the employees, she gave me some postcards to pass out.  As I looked at the flyer, you can imagine my surprise when I saw that the painting shown was actually mine!  Funnier still was that I had not included it with my entries for I had just given it to Andy at Accents. 

Unfortunately, we won’t be around for the artist’s reception.  We leave tomorrow for the OC and my brother’s homecoming from his mission in Korea the past two years.  So excited to see him…definitely worth missing the show.  So if you’re around, go to the party…I hear Lynette throws a great soiree.  She’s fabulous!  Or if you’re anywhere near Midway between now and October 4th, stop by and see the show.  Art Association Members with lots of local art…should be fantastic.

delight - new goals

Here are some new delight goals for exercise and spiritual growth.  Sometimes I just need to write them down and then reevaluate them later.  There are some that I’m already doing, but I need to be more organized about it and make a system

Exercise: 5-6 activities per week

                 2-3 bike rides each week (fhe, riding to grandma’s, to the office)

                 2-3 pilates workouts (with & without the kiddos)

                 1-2 walks through the old districts of town pushing & wearing the kiddos

Spiritual: 20 minutes each day…

                  scriptures - (topic study as well as page by page)

                  lessons (relief, Sunday school)

                  vt message

                  conference talks/ensign

                  hymns (learn to play, learn about)

                  record what i learn & feel

theory - live like alex

Please go out there and do. Live. Don’t be the same as yesterday. Don’t live vicariously online. Don’t use language that has no meaning or talk ideas you don’t really live. Don’t hide. Don’t copy others or live their ideas or life. Don’t fear doing your thing. Don’t fear doing…

…Dream big, work harder. Have lots of fun, lift a finger, do something for someone else…

…Live with a light heart. Play more. Remember what it’s like to be seven…

…Do. I can’t stress that one enough. Take action on your life. Make the change. No more sulking, waiting, thinking, reading, talking about. It’s time. You’re ready…

Just a few nuggets from Alex Beauchamp’s personal manifesto.  If you are feeling inspired, read the whole entry here.  Alex is amazing, thought provoking, inspiring…enjoy!

july in review & call for entries

Looking back at this past month I have an even stronger conviction that the daily delights are making a difference in my life, attitude, and progression. 

Some of you have written to me that you like what you’ve seen, and that you would like to do it…just haven’t gotten around to it.  Whatever the reason, if you’re feeling a bit overwhealmed by the thought of the theory/process/commitment, it’s that inner self telling you that it would do you good.  And no, I don’t need to remind you this…you’ve felt it haven’t you? 

So do yourself a favor and start.  Start by spending 5 minutes today writing down your goals within the three categories.  Take 10 more minutes each of the remaining days for the next week and work on your goals. 

For those of you who have begun the program, how is it going?  The designer and I were discussing tonight the whole assessment side of The Daily Delights.  I was telling him about the book I want to design/create, to help ladies assess their progress.  He admitted that he isn’t one to write things down and asked what ladies would do who were like him.  Well I don’t know. 

Those of you who have begun, what kind of assessment are you using to record your daily delights?  In the Assessment page I suggested other ways: sketchbooks, a blog, and photos.  What about voice recording your delights?  I’m still working on this, so please comment below if you have more ideas, and please tell me what assessment tool you are using or most likely to use.

Overall, I’ve found that my single friends have responded the most about the site and it’s theory.  I thought this was interesting.  Sometimes I worry that now that I am a SAHM that it will be harder for my single friends to relate to me, but the feedback that I’ve received reminds me that we as women all have the same desires/needs…to be better and to feel fulfilled, loved, etc. 

The call for entries: for the month of August, I’d like to spotlight a delight from one of you once a week.  So if you are up to it, send me a delight, discovery, or development entry.  Use my blog as an example, or do something totally different…I’d love to see what you’re up to, and share it with all the other ddls (daily delight ladies) :).

delight - a friend to play

The builder and the dancer are becoming better friends each day.  Yes, they have their moments…and regularly…where they don’t get along, or are teasing each other.  Yet, lately, it seems that the more common occurance is for me to hear them giggling, lauging, chasing one another, helping each other, etc.  Rewarding is the best way to describe the feeling.  Relief also comes to mind. 

Our neighborhood is wonderful.  Beautiful open spaces with lots of animals for the kiddos to enjoy, but there are few kiddos for ours to play with.  Two of their cousins live accross the street.  The younger is just between them in age.  He, and the dancer still nap each afternoon, where the builder is more likely playing during quiet time.  Yesterday afternoon, the doorbell rang, and there was the builder’s older cousin, Rebecca, inviting him to play.  He was soo excited.  A friend wanting him to play!  I was also so happy, because the grower  was having a hard time: in and out of his afternoon nap.  

When I went to get him later, he had a new hairstyle (the last of 7 previous), was reading books with his younger cousin, and having the time of his life.  When I told him it was time to go, he of course did not want to leave.  Rebecca offered to babysit him for me, but we needed to run to Costco that nite.  I was so happy with her though, that I couldn’t resist hugging her for giving him such a wonderful afternoon. 

I know, I know, it won’t be long and he’ll be constantly running out to play with his friends.  It was just so nice to see him happy and excited to not have to be quiet any more!  And for me to have a quiet moment to myself during quiet time…I actually got dinner ready on time. 

delight - charm of old houses

When we first moved to this small valley, one of the first things that I fell in love with was the charm of the old houses downtown.  The builder (two months at the time), and I, would walk up and down the streets in the old part of town.  He loved the movement, being outside, and it almost always put him to sleep.  Me, I loved the exercise and the visual stimulation.  There is just something about an old home that has been painted with care, has architectural details, and a sweet hand making the grounds around it even more beautiful.  The lots downtown are much smaller and so there is something new and exciting every few moments :).  Sometimes the builder and I would walk twice in a day.  There were always new streets to walk and a new path to take.  Each spring, after the snow has given up for the year, the designer and I get excited to see an old home or two each week; being updated, repainted, and glowing.  Simply charming! 

This morning the kiddos and I took a walk through the old part of town near the designer’s office.  I pushed the two older kiddos in the bike trailer, and wore the grower in the Baby Hawk.  My back is sore, but my soul is lifted.  A walk once a week downtown would be good for all of us, and I’m sure I’ll find more charming old homes to photograph and later paint.

discovery - wee gallery

I can’t really say that wee gallery is my discovery, but it was my dear friend and roomate while living in italy, Laura, who made the discovery.  She sent the grower some art cards this past week, and we’ve already had so much fun with them.  I love the simplicity of the designs.  The best part though are the patterns.  The cards are designed to grow with your baby’s development.  Well, the older two kiddos have already had a blast with them.  Besides showing them to the grower, I’m hoping to use them to teach the older kiddos how to draw with patterns.  Should be a fun activity for them.

Wee Gallery has several art packs to choose from as well as mobiles, wall decals, greeting cards, a special book for twins, t-shirts, canvas wrapped art, and free templates to download online.  Check out their site.  It’s rather charming.  The pricing is also very reasonable.  Thanks again Laura, we just love the cards.  The builder could not be parted from them this morning, driving them around the house in his large dump truck!

discovery - family traditions

At church today we discussed the importance of family traditions, and making sure the traditions within our families are righteous traditions.  The lesson was based on the talk by Sister Cheryl Lant, Righteous Traditions.  

Not long into our marriage I asked the designer which traditions he thought we should keep and which we should begin in our own family.  He was a bit confused with my question.  I understand now.  His family has some pretty strong traditions that are held and kept with his extended family.  Why did we need more? 

Without planning, I think we’ve begun some of our own.  We love to bike as a family and take walks together.  We also do a lot of cooking together and that is quite fun.  Generally I have one or two of the kiddos helping me cook meals.   Yes, it is usually messier with help, but also more fun. 

A funny tradition we started a while ago is the evening “diaper dance.”  When getting ready for bed, somewhere between removing clothes from that day to putting on pajamas, the older kiddos would run around the house in their diapers.  They love this.  We laugh and enjoy them getting out their final energy of the day.  When the builder was potty trained, he would run in his pull-up or big boy pants.  My mother gets quite a kick out of their nightly ritual.

For another development goal, I’d like to start recording traditions in the designer & I’s families growing up and ones we now have or would like to create. 

During the lesson today I shared an example from this week.  The tradition is the gift of priesthood blessings within our homes.  Growing up it was common to be a recipient or an observer of priesthood blessings.  Whenever someone was sick, needing comfort, or starting a new school year, my father would give us a priesthood blessing.  It was something so simple and yet it was something I felt comfortable asking my father for if i felt the need.  I received school year blessings until i was married.  I learned a lot from these blessings. 

Fortunately I married into a family where the designer’s father also gave blessings willingly and frequently.  This was a comfort to me.  Before the dancer was born I remember receiving a blessing from the designer and his father.  With his father now gone, I cherish this memory.   

On Thursday afternoon, the designer’s youngest sister, Brittany, had a near-death drowning experience.  That night the entire family (extended and then some…) gathered to celebrate pioneer day and a grand-daughter’s 1st birthday.  It shook everyone in the family as we listened to her retell the event.  I was the last to hear, as we stood outside our car ready to go home for the evening.  I was soo grateful that my sister-in-law was safe and quickly felt that reminder that life is a precious gift and how blessed we are to still have her as part of our lives.

As we went to drive home we realized that our kiddos’ bikes were still at grandma’s house and thought it best to go get them then.  All of the grandkids and cousins had decorated and rode their bikes in the annual family “bike parade,” (another family tradition), with grandma leading the way on her new blue bike as the grand marshal. 

After we pulled up to Grandma’s house, she and Brittany parked into the garage.  My mother-in-law came out and asked the designer if he would give his sister a blessing.  She had gone into shock in the car ride home and was having a very particularly difficult time.  I couldn’t see what was being said as I was in the car but knew the designer needed to stay.  So we took the kiddos into Grandma’s house and the blessing was given.  

There was a sweet, peaceful feeling in the room.  A lot of love.  In the blessing Brittany was told that these experiences would help her in her life.  It also told her how much her Father-in-Heaven loved her.  You could tell how much better she felt afterwards.  

Soon, the designer’s older brother had arrived and was hearing the story for the first time.  I looked at my mother-in-law and got a feeling that she could also use a blessing of comfort.  When I asked if she needed one she said she thought she was alright, but tears were welling in her eyes, and I knew she needed one as well.  I signaled to the designer that he and his brother should give their mother a blessing as well. 

Another sweet blessing was given.  She too was told of her Heavenly Father’s love for her and his gratefulness with the way she has taught, raised, and loved her children.  She was reminded that Brittany would grow from these experiences and that she would be protected. 

Both the designer and I felt very blessed to have been there.  All three of our kiddos had been wonderful during the blessings.  We were so glad, because we want them to be a part of this special tradition early on in their lives.

As I write this experience, I am again reminded of the importance of recording life’s blessings as well as the blessing of righteous family traditions.

theory - how personal?

When my husband and I were brainstorming the idea & organization behind this site, he wanted it to be less personal.  He didn’t want he and the kiddos named, nor our address spelled out for the whole world to know.  But I also know that when making ideas, experiences, and feelings clear, it helps to be personal.

I’ve held back a bit on the topics within my world that I discuss, but have decided to let it all out and face the consequences.  If you’re reading this blog, you’re most likely looking to better yourself and find others out there seeking the same (as I am :)).  I don’t expect people to agree with everything I write about…especially some of my opinions and views.  But I’d love to hear if something said helps, if you have answers to any of my searching questions,  some advice, or if you have any suggestions. 

I’ll commit to be as candid as I can and hope that it will be a positive experience.  Those of you who know our lil’ family will of course understand more, but those of you who don’t know us as intimately, won’t have to know everything about us.  Meanwhile, to make writing about our family easier, I’ll call my husband: the designer, my first son (3 years old): the builder, my daughter (almost 2 years): the dancer, and our second son (6 weeks): the grower. 

Any thoughts?

delight - biking w/ kiddos update

Finally I feel good enough to work out with the kiddos. So we hooked up the bike trailer and put the baby in the baby hawk, and off we rode to Grandma’s house. The older kiddos were soo good in the trailer. Earlier in the week my husband’s mother had joined our family on a ride to a local park. They didn’t fare as well. Not sure if it’s because they haven’t ridden much since last Fall, or if they were just tired, but they had so much fun this time.

The baby went to sleep, as usual, in the Baby Hawk (so nice). The older kiddos and I enjoyed the animals, tractors, and newly paved asphalt along the way. Three kiddos are much more weight to pull, and I was surprised to pedal harder and more often than last year. Definitely a good work out though.

Not sure how long it will take to get the muscle tone I need to ride each day pulling all three kiddos, but looking forward to it!

development - summer salad

Prego ladies get all kinds of cravings.  I’ll admit that not all of mine have been healthy (most actually).  With my older son, I had terrible cravings for Squirt, Mac n’Cheese (out of a box…i know…unbelievable!), and Baskin Robbin’s chocolate & peanut butter ice cream.  With my daughter it was french fries with fry sauce (combination of mayo & catsup).  Unfortunately, the strongest cravings I had with my third, and latest pregnancy were things I couldn’t eat…fresh salads, apples, and tomatoes.  All three would make me throw up the entire pregnancy, and the heartburn was the worst with this lil’ guy.  (Surprisingly, he was also born with the most hair…maybe that wives tale is correct…) 

So after much dreamin’, I’ve been able to enjoy a large salad nearly twice a day lately!  I love to make a homemade salad dressing, but usually stick to my old faithful: balsamic vinegrette.  (another development goal: other homemade dressings).  The salads are made up of various things, but I like to have a bit of meat, cheese, nuts or seeds, and fruit with some dark leafy greens…whatever is around.

Today’s summer salad:

baby spinach (enough to fill a large bowl…depending on how many you’re serving)

1/4 c walnut pieces

1/4 c emmental swiss cheese, cut into small pieces

1/2 c strawberries, quartered

2-3 slices deli roast beef, cut into small pieces

2 tbs basalmic vinegrette

Serves 3-4 if using as a side, or 2 if eating as your main course

balsamic vinegrette:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
1/2 tbs sucanat
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp oregano, dried
1/4 tsp basil, dried
1/4 tsp onion powder (or a small cube pressed)
1/4 tsp salt

discovery - slate flooring

         

One thing I like about slate flooring is that it is a material that works indoors as well as outdoors, and my husband and I are all about bringing the indoors out and the out indoors. 

Meeting in Landscape Architecture school has made our future home’s outdoor rooms of a top priority.  I was telling him the other day about how I want our fireplace in the great room to be situated such that it can be a double fireplace and used in an outdoor dining room on the other side…:)  As we watch the summer storms we talk about making sure we have a roof-line that will cover at least one of our outdoor rooms so that we always have shade and can enjoy the summer storms without getting wet. 

Anyways, the slate pictured is from Camara Slate, which is out of Vermont, and yes, the different colors above are natural colors.  Something else I just learned from their site…slate roofing.  Apparently slate has been used for a long time for a roofing material.  The company even buys used slate roofing…will take it right off if you no longer want it and then reuse it.

discovery - old house web

Pictured above is my son enjoying my brother’s creature toys that my Mom has saved.  I think his favorite thing, other than my parent’s backyard, is the closet filled with old toys.  

My parent’s main floor is covered in Mexican pavers, (other than the Family room) even up the stairs to the second floor.  Other than using the dust pan on the uneven floors growing up, I love these floors.  Early in the morning you can walk on them in your bare feet and they are not cold.  They have this warmth to them that make my parent’s home even more comfortable and inviting.

I love our maple floor we put into our condo, but with the loft, it was rather noisy.  Now in our in-law’s home, covered in linoleum, it is also very loud.  Is it all stone, or just my parent’s that is not loud?  I don’t want the home any louder than it needs to be.  :)  So now I’m rethinking my desire for bamboo floors.  I wonder if my friend Marcie’s bamboo floors make her living area loud?  (oh, and I’m not a big fan of grout…)

My friend Brittoni and I were chatting the other day about how much she loves her brick flooring.  So I’m looking to see what kind of stone options are out there…a bit more even than my parents, still charming, natural looking, maybe even reclaimed old stone?

I found this great resource of a site called Old House Web, which has suppliers, articles, product review, forums, and guides for everything in the home.  They even have a section on stone flooring.  Looks like I’ll be spending some time there, checking everything out.

using daily delights

If you’re ready and willing to find your daily joy…

1. Read the theory page. 
2. Set and record some goals within each category of delight, discovery, and development.  Take some time each day for yourself and enjoy achieving and learning within each area. 
3. Choose an assessment method from the assessment page, or one of your own design that works for you.
4. Send experiences, discoveries, and achievements to me if you are willing to share with others: trinaberg@gmail.com
5. Reap the joy and rewards from your daily delights!

a bit about me & the daily delights

Just another gal looking for a moment of joy each day.  Trying to daily celebrate my family, who I love dearly.  Abundantly blessed with a wonderful husband and three darling kiddos, trying to constantly fill my soul so I can be the wife and mother I desire.   My husband and I have been married  4 years and I’m still learning something new about he and our relationship each day.  My life is busy feeding, changing, potty training, teaching, and enjoying our three kiddos three and under.

Growing up in Orange County definitely had it’s excitement and perks.  During college, I found my travel bug.  Much of who I am and what I love were developed while learning aways from home.  Though I adore traveling, I am completely satisfied to be living in a small town up in the mountains, near lakes, ski resorts, and beauty everywhere.  For me, it has been an ideal place to raise our family.

As much as I adore my kiddos, pregnancy has been such a trial for me.  I am sick almost the entire time.  With a bone disease that put me through several surgeries as a child and on osteoporosis supplements at age 29, it is difficult to fight the physical pain from gaining and carrying so much weight, as well as the depression that comes.  It’s so hard on my husband and I’ve tried to be stronger, more positive with each pregnancy.  Each day during my recent and third pregnancy the kiddos and I played hard during the morning and as they napped I tried to do something I enjoyed.  It was great at first, but soon I was getting sicker and my body was falling apart. 

At 30 weeks my body went into pre-term labor.  After a few episodes, I decided to get checked out.  I was experiencing braxton hicks throughout each day, and though they say it is normal to have more of these contractions the more children you have, my energy and patience was failing.  Fortunately the baby was just fine and it was just my body that was doing poorly.  But something had to change if I was going to have a full-term baby, naturally born at home. 

I’ve always been an independent person, and being the eldest of 6 I’m sure is partially the cause.  That, and being a particularly stubborn person; I like to do things myself, and my way.  Soon I realized that I would have to ask for help.  It was humbling to have to ask for help with my two kiddos, and realize that I physically could not do it myself.  Yet, it was a great lesson to learn. 

Through it all, I knew that I needed to find some joy each day in order to endure the trial.  I’ve always been a journal-er, so blogging is a particular delight for me.  I’ve started several blogs, but found that organizing my goals into one blog and making sense of this whole experience needed to happen.  This site is a place for me to set, record, and assess my goals.  

I know i’m not the only gal out there struggling or trying to find joy.  Finding my daily delights, striving to develop my talents, and discovering new ones has helped me to endure my trials; to see the good and strength that can come if we allow ourselves to grow.  Join me on this journey.  I promise a great adventure. 

development - birdhouses w/ kiddos

A couple weeks ago, the older two kiddos were hanging at Grandma’s while the baby and I were resting at home.  Most of the cousins were over and my sister-in-law thought it would be fun for them to do a craft project.  They painted birdhouses, and mine, practically painted their clothes as well.  (I have the kiddos wear my old t-shirts when we paint at home, just in case).  Thank goodness the paint came out of their clothes. 

They had a blast and have enjoyed their birdhouses.  My son has been asking to put them in the large evergreen out front.  There are several families of birds that inhabit it and he wants his birdhouse in an appropriate spot.  So we finally took them out the other day and placed them in the tree.  My son laughed, because I can’t reach very high.  True, they may not be very high, but the three of us shorties can enjoy it from below.  Who  knows if birds will really test them out, but the kiddos were pleased, and that’s all that matters.

development - summer smoothie

Our family loves smoothies, especially during the warm months.  We have one nearly every lunch.  As a momma, I love that I know my kiddos are getting fresh fruit with loads of vitamins.  Here’s the recipe for this afternoon’s smoothie:

Combine all in blender:

1 1/2 cups almond milk

1/2 c oats (thick, slow cooking)

1/2 c frozen strawberries

1/2 c frozen peaches

1 banana

blend until smooth.  serves 3-4

delight - gardening

My kiddos are crazy about being outdoors.  They love to ride their bikes, play in the sand and dirt hill, go to the mailbox, draw with chalk, and visit our in-laws across the street.  Now that I feel better, I no longer sit on the steps or porch and watch.  The kiddos are enjoying themselves, why shouldn’t I?  Lately I enjoy watering and looking after the yard.  Our plants have all at least doubled in size since we planted them a few weeks before the baby arrived.  It’s been very hot and dry the past couple weeks and everything seems to be suffering.  There are several spots in the lawn that have needed special attention.  After I drug the hose all over, watering the planters and trouble spots in the lawn, I noticed that the hose was in a bow-form:

What a crack up!    Overall, the small bit of gardening has been quite healing for me.  It gets me to walk all over the yard, be in the sunshine, and just enjoy some beauty.  One day, we’ll have a whole yard of our own to design and care for…with fences so the kiddos can play to their hearts content without me worrying about cars driving by.  And I’ll be tending to the yard.

development - kiddo’s art collage

Well here it is: my version of Jan Eleni’s children’s art collage.  Click here to see my original post on her collage.  Since my kiddos are still so small, I thought it would be fun to include photos that I’d taken of them doing art.  This way you can more easily see their age when they were creating. 

 

The collage was done in Photoshop.  First, I made my background, canvas, sized at 24×30 inches.  Then I opened all of the photo files I wanted included and edited each photo by changing the image size (horizontal to 2″).  This I thought would make the geometric design easier to create.  And finally, I played with the images until I got the pattern you see above.  

 

Almost too small to notice, in the lower right hand corner of the collage, 08 is printed, to better remind me of our kiddo’s ages.

 

The design process (as usual) really didn’t take that long, its getting the files out, converted, and deciding how large of a canvas to use.  So if you’re like me and don’t want to pay a hefty price to have someone else do your collage…bust out the Photoshop and have fun!  I’ll post the final product when we get it framed and hung.

discovery - jan eleni collage

Have you seen this gorgeous kiddo art collage by Jan Eleni?  I spotted it in a guest mom’s post on Design Mom, and think it is absolutely charming…so I’m going to make one each year for my husband!  He just had his birthday this week and I had the kiddos do some birthday paintings for him.  After my son’s painting was dry, he insisted on rolling it and gift wrapping it for his dad.  My husband has it hanging in his office at work.  So I thought I’d do a collage for each year, displaying our kiddo’s art.  I’ve taken pictures of quite a few of their pieces already, so I just need to get into photoshop and get going.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

development - gingerbread cookies

Cooking with the kiddos is always an adventure.  This morning we pulled out The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook and my son chose Gingerbread Cookies as our task.  I’m trying to doctor up recipes and see if they still taste good.  Especially treats and cookies.  Like most roll-out cookies, the dough must harden a bit in the fridge.  My son wasn’t too pleased to wait 20 minutes, but he and his sister had a great time playing with and sorting the cookie cutters.  Here are the ingredients listed with my alterations in parenthesis:

3 cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat)

3/4 cup brown sugar ( 1/2 cup turbinado sugar)

1 tbs cinnamon

1 tbs ginger

1/2 tsp cloves (I substituted 2 1/2 tbs of Spice Hunter’s Pumpkin Pie Spice for cinnamon, ginger, and cloves)

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 sticks butter

3/4 molasses ( 1/2 cup black strap molasses)

2 tbs whole milk (1/2 cup almond milk)

1. Mix dry ingredients.  Soften butter and add to mixer.  Add remaining ingredients
2. Let dough harden in fridge 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees while rolling and cutting dough. (1/4″ thick)
4. Cook for 10 minutes.

development - chicken piccata w/ olives

Sauce:

2 c chicken broth

2 tbs lemon/lime juice

2 tbs capers

2 tbs butter

1/2 c olives, chopped

1 tbs parsley

1 tbs cornstarch

1 garlic clove, pressed

Warm sauce ingredients on medium heat in large saucepan. Add 1 lb chicken (sliced thin) and cook 6-8 minutes or until cooked through. Serve over rice. We enjoyed it with brown basmati rice, alongside a baby romaine, Parmesan cheese, & pine nut salad, covered in a homemade balsamic dressing. yum.

delight - biking w/ family

For FHE, my husband suggested we ride the trail in the canyon. We invited his mom and sister. His mom recently had her birthday and was given a beautiful beach cruiser. It was a perfect evening for riding. Half way down the trail there are gorgeous waterfalls, where we stopped and ate a picnic lunch, and let the kiddos explore the waterfall a bit more.

It was so fun to ride with my mother-in-law. She was so cute riding on her bike, clearly pleased and enjoying the adventure. My sister-in-law was also enjoying her ride, speeding down the trail on her own. My husband pulled the older kiddos in the bike trailer as I rode with the baby snuggled in the baby hawk.

We all had a wonderful time, and it looks like we’ll try to do a bike ride each Monday evening till the nites become too cool to ride. Each week we’ll try out a new route and destination. Should be fun!

delight - fly lady

Making it on our own last week, the three kiddos and I, was a great accomplishment, I thought.  Though I did get behind on quite a few things, we all survived and had a great week together.  My sweet mother-in-law asked if she could watch the kids for me so that i could catch up on my laundry…what a saint!  So the baby and i did laundry alone for a few hours this morning, and I kept going through the kiddos naps to get 7 loads done and hung.  Two more to go tomorrow.  But I was so happy to have a cleaner laundry room. 

I love to have a clean house.  Sometimes it just is not the priority, however.  My husband always tells me to relax, that it will be there tomorrow.  Just hard for this detailed gal to take. 

A friend showed me the fly lady.  I spent quite a while on the site one day reading and getting inspired.  It’s a great program, and just 15 minutes a day sounds achievable.  I started following along right at the end of my pregnancy, but soon realized that i needed to be ok about survival mode, and that my fly time would come.  I’m hoping soon.  I’d really like to be on top of things.  Organization is such a sweet treat for me. 

The picture above is of the fly lady’s first book.  Check out her site.  Be inspired!

discovery - bike safety for kiddos

I’ve been trying to figure out a way for our whole family to once again bike together.  Our eldest is still riding his trike.  I’d love to have him ride the tagalog like the older child in the picture above, but that may be a while.  So in the meantime, this iBert safe-T-seat might just be the answer.  Once our youngest is sitting up on his own, I think this would be a great way for me to take all three kids around town (the eldest & youngest in the Burley bike trailer, with my daughter up front since the safety guidelines recommends 12 months before using the iBert).  Well, we’ll see…anyone used it before?

discovery - green flooring

As always, been thinking about the green home of my dreams lately. I’m surprised how little home builders are paying attention to green flooring options. Not only does it save our planet, but it is usually less expensive. Maybe they’re just afraid people won’t think it’s beautiful.

The Green Building Center gives suggestions for green flooring options. The marmoleum is not my favorite because it reminds me too much of linoleum, but I would love to use bamboo and cork flooring in our home.

A while back, I ordered some bamboo samples from Simple Floors. I love the color choices they have. My favorites are Irish moss, Vertical Natural, and Red Cognac. Amazing how affordable…some are even $1.99 a square foot.  Unfortunately, I know you have to do your research on the product, for you can’t guarantee how green the bamboo really is and if fair trade is being implemented.  A great article to read: on Treehugger.

At the same time, I also ordered some cork flooring samples from Simple Floors. Lots of choices there as well. The patterns within the samples were very different. Once again, very affordable at less than $4 a square foot.

delight - real foods market

Minutes from ski resorts and yet within our own beautiful valley, we live in a small town. The nearest city is about 30 minutes away, which limits our grocery options as well as shopping in general. Over the past 10 years I’ve struggled with my health…mostly due to food allergies or intolerance. Once I married and we had our first child, I felt even more responsibility when it came to food in our home. Slowly, we started eating more natural, more organic, less processed, better meat, eggs, & cheese, whole grains, raw sugar, etc.

Going to the grocery store can be quite humorous, considering we wouldn’t even eat 80% of what is sold. Gradually, the two grocery stores in the valley have added items to their shelves that I feel confident purchasing. And then there is the fabulous Winder Farms, that bring fresh groceries to our door each week. In the past I would drive to the nearby ski resort town and buy from Wild Oats, now Whole Foods, but as we had two kiddos, I began trying to cook dishes I could create with what was available in our local stores.

At lunch my husband arrived with a bag of cheese and oats. Not just any cheese, but cheese made from raw milk. He had just been to the newly opened Real Foods Market. I went on their website for the first time today, and saw that you can even sign up for a newlsetter that comes to your email. They are also the same company that manufacture Redmond RealSalt. We were both excited, because not only do they offer quality food staples, at Real Foods Market, but they also sell raw milk.  We gave up drinking milk in general and replaced it with almond milk, because raw milk has been so far away for us to purchase. Definitely a food delight!

delight - back on schedule

I adore my kiddos.  They are a light and a joy in my life each day.  Life with three is definitely challenging…especially since they are so young, but today was such a good day.  It felt so right.  This is the first week I’ve been completely on my own, and trying to get back into our schedule has been a challenge, but easier each day.

Quickly, I learned that a schedule was the best way to assure a good day for all of us.  We play hard all morning, eat lunch, and then the afternoon is quiet time.  My oldest has been napping most days, but occasionally he plays in his room quietly.  I nap or enjoy something else for me.  Sometimes i do laundry, but mostly i try and do something that i enjoy.  Between 4 and 5, we cook dinner and wait for my husband to come home so we can all eat together. 

I prefer to have a plan for each day, so that i don’t get stuck or distracted.  I am a free spirited soul, but to have stucture as my base helps me to use that freedom and gives me the relaxing attitude I need to enjoy each moment.  I’ve found that my kiddos also do better if they have a sense of our plan. 

When I was sick at the end of this last pregnancy, our schedule was different nearly every day.  The kiddos were going to different friend and family’s homes for a few hours each morning for about a month or two, and it definitely took it’s toll. 

My oldest, who has been potty trained since march, started digressing in the trained department.  I attribute it to my absence and the lack of consistency in his life.  He craves it just as I do.  And maybe it was a way for him to receive the needed attention he desired.  Who knows, but it has been frustrating and disappointing.

As I’ve recovered and gained strength each day, I have more patience to work with him.  Today was just wonderful.  This morning we ate, cleaned up breakfast, the two eldest played for a bit while i fed the baby and pumped.  They were so good to help me clean up so that we could get on with our day.  My son (3) was right there helping me with everything.  I was so proud of him. 

We braved the grocery store, the three kiddos and I.  My list was fairly short, so I thought it was a good time to try.  As we drove, the baby fell asleep.  So i put the older two in the main part of the cart, with the baby up front in his carrier.  With my eldest, we took the stroller and I put groceries underneath and hung canvas bags on the back.  When my daughter was born we still took the stroller for a while as I carried her in the backpack/carrier.  This was the first I put the carrier in front.  Not a great idea.  I am just shy of 5′1″, and I could not see over the carrier. 

Definitely should have used my baby hawk.  Towards the end of our visit, my son needed to use the toilet, and the baby woke up.  I carried the baby in my arms and pushed the cart as best I could.

After the store we went to the ”bumble bee park,” named by my son as it has a bumble bee kids can sit on and ride.  It was hopping at the park: lots of kids and moms.  My son was out first.  After a few tries, my daughter decided which shoes to wear and was ready to get out.  I looked at my son and realized that we needed a potty break.  There are no restrooms at the bumble bee park.  So I loaded everyone back in the car, drove home, and after another successful potty run, we drove back to the park. 

The kiddos enjoyed the park and the other kids for another half hour.  My daughter is getting soo brave; trying to climb on everything just like the big kids.  She swung, hanging from a bar with her older brother.  I was nursing the baby under a blanket, trying to spot her, but she still managed to swing with one hand and fell a few feet off the platform.  Fortunately, just a few wood chips in her hair and a disappointed lil’ princess.  Soon it was time for another potty run.  My daughter did not want to get back in the car.  I was just grateful that my son would give me enough notice for us to load up and drive home.

One of the other toddlers tried to come home with us.  He even crawled in the mini van.  Fortunately his mom saw him and came to get him as i was quickly buckling everyone in their car seats.  When we got home I told my son we were staying home (i did not want a third run to the park so close to lunch).  He was sorely disappointed, but accepted a picnic in the living room while watching Alice in Wonderland.  ( I had to pump…the baby was asleep again). 

After I pumped and the older two kiddos enjoyed their picnic lunch, they were ready to swim out on the deck in their wading pool.  They kept summoning me for help, and I finally told them to play so that I could cook my lunch.  Soon, my husband came home for lunch and after we ate, he helped get the other two down for quiet time.  (Thank goodness he comes home for lunch each day…I sure can use the help). 

As I got ready for my own nap, I thought about the morning and realized…we’re gonna make it!  This life with three kiddos is going to be busy, fast paced, challenging, but oh so fun.  Just got to stay on top of everything, make sure we have a plan, and stay on our schedule!

development - chicken coconut soup

Just a little alteration of a great soup.  I decided to use fresh lemon grass, and had some eggplant from earlier this week’s eggplant parmeseana that i hadn’t used…

In a medium pot, boil 5-6 cups water with 3 breasts of chicken.
Remove chicken, chop, and put back in pot with 1 ½ cups of the chicken broth. (i save the remaining) 

Add:
1/2 - 1 tsp. green curry paste

2 cans coconut milk

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Mix and heat together.

In a sauce