Enchanted Mama

Weeding::

 

 What an interesting month May has been.  

May 1st brought 14" of snow.   Yesterday, I found myself outside listening to birds and children chatter as I pulled weeds out of the garden.  Rain and sunshine provided the ideal growing situation for the prolific nuisances in the yard.  

I'd begun to think that blogging just wasn't in the cards this month.  With family trips and big daddy trips and my girlie turning "14" time seemed to be all about the family.  No time to reflect when one is "on task" at all moments.  Alas, this afternoon the two littlest are happily playing amongst themselves and I have a full half an hour before I do the next school pick-up. 

So how are you friends?  I've missed being here.  

I've been spring cleaning this month.  Yes, it's almost summer with one more week of school left but I felt spring was late in arriving so I don't feel bad it's taken so long.  It's exciting and overwhelming to go through "stuff" and clear it all out.  This time I'm serious.  I'm clearing things out that have been gingerly laid back the last ten times I've cleared out.  Bags of things are being sent out to the appropriate places with a silent vow to not over-do anything again.  Really how many table cloths does one need when you have one table?  Plus the fact that I rarely use them?  How many t-shirts does one need to own when laundry is done every few days?  Dishes, don't get me started.  Books, which seem to be what I love and conveniently overlook all the time, are being gone through.  It's pretty liberating to clear out the books that tell me how to garden, and organize and simplify my life.  My grandmother was a delight in this area and I hear her voice often lately..."Why are you holding onto that old thing?"  I used to watch and giggle as I saw her clear out things that no longer served a purpose.  What a great example.  She also referred to books, and I must add here that she was an avid reader, as old ideas.  There are a few that you hold onto like the ones you re-read over and over again but otherwise?  Make room for new ideas.  Let some breath in.  

So that is what I'm doing.  As well as loving the weather outside and attempting to soak it all in.  Knitting...not much happening there.  Though I have a pile of projects that need to make it onto Ravelry.  Sewing...??? Crafting of any sort??? Reading...this might be what I'm doing the most of and that isn't much.  Like I said it's an interesting month.  A good month.  A month to breathe and be.  

I'm glad to have the opportunity to check in as the last photos on the blog are of snow.  Though it wasn't that long ago it seems miles away with all the green bursting forth outside now.  

Thank you dear friends for all the lovely comments you leave.  I read every one of them and love the thoughts and ideas you share.  

Happy end of May to you all.   

 

 

Sometimes::

:: Sometimes one must have a sense of humor about the weather.  One must understand that as King Winter and Lady Spring have their last tug of war all you can do is embrace it.  Put on your snow boots one day and your flip flops the next.  Squish around in rain boots.  Watch the water drip off snow clothes by the fire.  More than anything keep an inward giggle that soon all this water will bring spring flowers...hopefully.

 

:: Sometimes one must take your daughter to the premiere of the Sense and Sensibility Musical because really, Jane Austen rules.  One must enjoy a delicious french Croque Monsieur and drink Perrier.  One must listen to amazing singers tell a fabulous story and then give advice to your daughter, after the show, about how to enter the world of musicals.  Then one must revel in that cool, cool day.

 

:: Sometimes one must organize despite the weather outside.  One must go through thousands of photos and wonder what in the world to do with them all.  One must wonder many times, "where did all this stuff come from"?  Sometimes one then realizes that there may need to be an entire post on this later.  

 

:: Sometimes one must apply their Crossfit motto of "Don't think just do it" to writing for an excellent magazine.  One must sit and push through the moment when fingers hover over the keys and nothing, I repeat NOTHING, comes to mind.  Then one must sometimes put the computer away and be grateful when the whole idea comes pouring forth mid-tooth brushing.  Sometimes that's the way it goes with writing.

 

:: Sometimes one must realize that they are literally never going to blog again unless they can use Instagram photos once in awhile or everyday.  It may not be what one would ultimately want but it seems better than total radio silence.  Sometimes it's necessary to re-evaluate all the boundaries we trap ourselves in and have more fun.

 

:: Sometimes one must know that life if full. Interesting. Exciting. Worth being here for.  Sometimes, one must embrace the current moment and dance with the winds of change.

 

What do you do sometimes? 

Dragon Fire::

It's April and there's snow falling outside.  It started again yesterday and, more than likely, plans on continuing into tomorrow.  As grateful as I am for the moisture it seems to be wreaking havoc with my "Spring" ideas.  The "clean up and clear out" part of this season seems a distant thought.  Crawling into a warm, fur-lined nook by the fire with a good book sounds better.  Much better. 

As a distraction, on this otherwise non-spring day, I thought I'd give you an update on the fire cider we started a few months back.  The big daddy loved the whole idea of this recipe and the uses for this magical stuff.  Or was it the super spicy stuff he got to put in it?  He will never say, though I have my suspicions.   

This fire cider may very well be magic.  It seems to prevent and cure all.  This wet, cold, snowy season of Spring seems the perfect time to have our first batch ready to test.  Yes, we have started other batches as it takes a good four to eight weeks to brew.  This past weekend was the first sampling.  I'll admit, I was scared.  How spicy would it be?  Would I be able to take it and still convince my children to try it even if I'm hopping around the kitchen on fire?  What in the world would it taste like?  

Well, it's good!  Spicy. Vinegar-y. A burn in your throat kind of wonderful. Similar to Kombucha only with a kick.  We love it.  At least the two oldest and the two youngest do.  My five year old asked, "if he would be able to breathe fire afterwards"?  Um,(parental decision moment)....absolutely!  I felt like I was breathing fire, so why not?  We have since re-named it affectionately "Dragon Fire".  

If you are strong of heart and up for a challenge I suggest you put together some of this concoction.  There are many ways to make it your own. More spicy. Less spicy.  Amanda added honey, cayenne, and turmeric to different batches that they made. I suppose anything that sounds good to you would work...maybe not chocolate.  

But, then again.... 

 

 

Feet firmly planted::

A foot of snow sits outside as I write this.  The windshield wiper, just on the drivers side, was broken when we went to sweep snow off the car this morning.  Yet, I feel the promise of Spring in the air. Throw open the windows, feel the fresh breeze waft through kind of promise.      

I've been catching up on a few of my favorite blogs since returning home.  The theme...change.  It's out there.  It's being felt in so many ways.  Resulting in many thoughts and epiphanies.  Many feelings of over-whelm.  Change.  I feel it.  I welcome it.  I've felt limited.  Limited by myself.  Limited by how I've set things up.  

We had an amazing trip over Spring Break.  One that you look forward to and plan and think about for months ahead.  The trip very much apart of our dinner conversations and chats over lattes in the morning. A trip to celebrate the big daddy and a big birthday happening this summer.  Though, I felt unable to share it here.  For the sake of boundaries.  For the sake of feeling unsure how I felt about others knowing.  limited.

The photographs I take for the blog are just that..."blog photos".  I recently went through my library and realized that so many photographs of my children are half a face, no head, from above kind of photos.  Not a lot of "real" photos of my children.  For someone that has an interest in photography I found that mildly disturbing.  In fact, so disturbing that over Spring Break I took only photos that showed my children's faces.  Their personalities.  Who they are today.  Faces I want to remember. 

So, I'm noticing these things.  And, I'm no longer okay with them.  

This past July my littlest turned two.  Two. I panicked.  Mostly because I have spent a good part of my children's youth being pregnant, tired, nursing, over-weight, and not fast enough to keep up with them.  The day after my girls birthday I began researching.  I've changed the way I eat.  In October, the big daddy  joined me, to help make it easier, as well as he saw the results in me.  In November, my super-fit sister in law came for a visit over Thanksgiving.  I researched Crossfit gyms for her to attend while she was here.  It turned out that they happened to have an introduction class a few days after she left.  I decided to go, just to see.  I thought it would be too intense, as most outsiders think.  It was hard.  It challenged me.  I came home and told the big daddy, "I LOVE it!"  There it was.  My place.  After all this time.  I now call myself a "cross-fitter".  Though I've never even mentioned it here.  A big part of me.  

Do you see where I'm going with this?  How many places do we limit ourselves?  How often do we alter who we are to fit into certain parameters?  How many times are we not honest with ourselves and what we want? 

This blog, Enchantedmama, I started over four years ago to bring more creativity into my life.  A way to provide more tangible results.  Then, it shifted ever so slightly to document our stories as a family. A way to look back and remember things I would have forgotten in the blur of pregnancy and exhaustion.  Now? Well, that's what I'm working on.  I've felt a bit stalled here.  Limited in what I can share here.  I toyed with the idea of changing it completely.  Moving to another site.  Another name.  Another focus.  I've realized though that it has everything to do with me.  I'm the change that needs to happen.  Not the font, or colors.  Though, I will more than likely do that too!  Moving would just be delaying what really needs the shift. Me.  

So, I start from here. Feet firmly planted on the ground. Eyes open. And, I'm pleased with that.  

With the theme of change circulating "out there" this spring my version will involve looking into those places where I limit myself.  

I want to bring more here.  I want to show you what inspires me.  I want to know what inspires you.  I would like to have this blog change along with the seasons. Movement. Freedom. Change.   

I want to notice this Spring.  I want to look it in the eye and say, "Yes!".

Birds have always symbolized change in my life.  Even as a young child.  Today, as I write this post by the window, latte in hand, there are over thirty Robin Red Breast birds in my snowy yard.  My little two year old kept saying, "Birds.  Birds outside."  "uh-huh."  I would oblige between sentences.  "No, mama birds!" "Okay, sweetie pie." She grabs my hand, "Come now.  Birds!!!"  Roused from my writing I walk over to the window and see a festival, a gathering of over thirty birds.  "Birds!!!" I yell.  She smiles.  

They are still there.  Ruffling their feathers and looking positively fluffy.  Like a big warm winter coat.  So simple yet so telling.  If birds mean change.  And, I'm writing about change.  And, there are over thirty birds outside right now...that has to mean something right?!!???! 

So on that note...I will leave you for today.  

Until tomorrow my friends.  

 

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The Light::

As I was saying...::

The Light::

The light seems to have shifted.  Ever so slightly.  Just enough that the shadows are different.  The light streaming through the windows in the afternoon slants in different patterns.  Spring is in the air. 

We spent most of the weekend outside.  Sitting under the budding trees listening to the bees buzz-buzz buzzing around.  Busy in their work.  Calm and happy to be back at their job.  

I believe everything from the garage that has wheels was brought out, inspected, and taken for a ride.  Sand was moved around in the sandbox and pillows dusted off in the playhouse.  There seems to be a pile of shoes by every door ranging from snow boots to flip flops.  No one slept in, unfortunately, but all were exhausted early as the sun ducked behind the mountains.  

This time of year is exciting.  The brown earth begins to have shoots of green bumping through the tam-bark.  Snowdrops appear daily.  The lilac seem to have grown green buds overnight.  Our flowering trees let us know that Spring is on her way.  I love it.  Yet, I find it makes me even more ready for change.   

Ready to move things around outside as well as inside.  Spring cleaning a natural instinct it would seem. This past weekend with the warm sunshine and drifty wind it seemed to set things to rights.  Not the house. That my dears, is a disaster.  Hope to get to that today.  I hope. 

As Spring Break approaches I believe my "plans" will have to be relegated to the "to do" list for a bit longer.  I don't mind, mostly.  As the changes happen outside it gives me a chance to dream.  See what ideas have hibernated all winter.  See what new thoughts will arrive.  See how they each will blossom.  

Here is to the shift in the light and the budding of Spring, dear friends.

May this day hold beauty for all of us.

 

 

As I was saying...::

So, as I was saying*...you know, about the elusive light in February?  The last time we had a chat?

Well, lets just say I'm elated that March has come knocking and pushed the brown, gray, icy-thing past us.  March whispers of Spring. Green shoots peek through the monotone ground.  Warm sun dances on faces as we sit and ponder.  Bikes emerge from the garage.  More rain boots, less snow boots crowd the front door and back door...and every door for that matter!

Life is full.  Just like yours.  Crammed with fevers and books. Warm meals and homework.  Class plays and shelter projects.  Play dates and soccer practice. "You are my Shun-shine, my only shun-shine..." sung by a two year old.  Trips to see family and crazy-sweet cousin hugs and tears.  Clearing out and bringing in.  Crocheted afghans and bach suites from our cellist.  Amazing soup ala the big daddy(he must share this recipe soon) and exercise.  Yes, exercise. I know. Time to find our bearings as this season begins its slow transformation to SPRING!!!

Won't it be grand?  I couldn't be more excited.  It just seems like this year it will be brimming with possibility.  Answers to age old questions.  Time to soak up a bit of nature in less than three layers of clothing.  

So, there it is. I'm here.  Taking photos. Knitting. Tending. Attempting to read a lot.  Thinking about my garden.  Chasing after children. Recognizing when to stop and look.  If there is anytime to do this it surely is Spring.  The tiny buds waits for no man/woman.  So you better get out there and notice.  

Happy Wednesday to you all.   

 

  *As I was saying...a tricky way to get you to think that the month that has passed without blogging was imaginary.  Not real.  Just a parlor trick, if you will.  Rather, I just paused in conversation and then resumed with what I was saying.  Did it work?

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And so...::

Today::

The good, the bad and the...::

I thought it might be nice to share a bit of this week and realized that there are many aspects to it.  Some rich and juicy.  Others not so shiny.  So, in an effort to show what is really happening in our lives as of today here you go...  

 

the bad and the ugly--

-I torqued my neck while swimming on Monday and have been askew since then. It seems to have gotten worse with spasms and I feel triple my age.  Plus, if anyone touches my neck I think I might scream. Oh, and did I mention the piercing headaches? Mostly, I'm upset because I've had to miss swimming the last few days.    

-My girlie got her ears pierced for her upcoming thirteenth birthday and the guy botched it.  One earring is too far toward her face and the other is too low AND too close to her face. The worst part is that she is disappointed.  Not what we were going for. 

-The big daddy's working hard to finalize preparations for the Friday Medieval Games.  He's been nicknamed "The Blur" by his family that love him so.  I'll be glad when I can see his face in focus again.

-And..pretty sure I killed the oven.  A shattered glass of water dripped down into the back of the stove.  It screamed at me for twenty minutes before I finally hit the circuit breaker.  So concerned about what "FO" meant that it didn't even occur to me to turn off the power. Plus, FO doesn't sound very nice if you ask me.  

 

the good--

-My neck isn't worse than three days ago.  So that's improvement.

-My girlie had her ears pierced for the first time.  That is a big day.  Lots of breathing in and out by this mama.  She's growing up.  Oh my.  Good stuff.  

-Once all the "stuff" is done the day of Medieval Games will be fabulous.  I will be able to share in the experience with my sixth grade girlie and the big daddy.  memory making stuff.  

-The baby is over her "whatever-pneumonia-ick" she had last week. Sleeping through the night again.  Wahoo!!!   

-I'm currently eating a lime popsicle.

-I plan to go to bed early tonight which makes me a bit giddy since it so rarely happens.

-I'm ready for my girlie to turn thirteen this weekend.  Gifts are wrapped in silks.  Cake is planned.  Memories of her birth story are surfacing and bringing a smile to remember my first baby born many years ago and yet it seems like yesterday. 

-It's almost summer. lazy mornings. time outside. flip flops. swimming. afternoon rainstorms.  laughter. reading. my youngest boy pouncing on grasshoppers and getting quite good at catching them, gently of course. love it all.

-The rain in the past few days has nestled in all the new seeds we planted over the weekend.  Even the secret ones that my little guy and I planted around our neighbors in the alley. ssshhhh.

What about you? 

 

 

***linking up with ink and chai*** 

 

 

Spring Dance:

We've been dancing around a few May Poles as of late. 

I love that part of the Waldorf school.  It calls in Spring and the end of the school year.  Brings out the fluffy dresses from older sisters and new pink sandals.  Everyone wears flower crowns (which really ought to be that way all the time).  There are boys who dress as Root Children that are awaken by the Spring Maidens.  There are little brothers and sisters dressed and dancing themselves as they watch all the laughing children bounce around with ribbons.  There are older sisters who end the orchestra serenade by informing me how many times they played the song.  27 times this year.  48 times last year.  She looks forward to graduating to Spring Maiden next year.  A group celebration ends the May Pole with the whole school holding hands and skipping serpentine style around the May Pole.  silly? maybe.  fun? Absolutely!  The whole thing is quite lovely.

Now... 

There is a big event happening for the sixth grade this week.  The Medieval games.  The favorite memory of most Waldorf students.  As the big daddy has a large role in arranging this, life has been full.  There will be costumes and correct medieval language.  A few "Fare thee well good sir" and "Let us go thither" and "Tis most splendid" and "Watch thy head dear sir" and " By my troth" and well, you get the point.  There will be floating platforms, ropes courses, obstacle courses and oh-so-much that I can't even say.  There will even be an opportunity for me to try my hand at "riddle master".  Just the thought of that makes me smile.  I love riddles. The "babysitter arranging" is really the last hurdle I have until we can be in the moment and watch the children have a fabulous day.  

I plan to pop in a few more times this week.  It seems I have some catch up to do.  I hope to see you all soon.

So, that's what we've been doing.  What about you?     

 

Pause and Listen::

This was one of my favorite days on our recent vacation.  

The day spent, in the forest of Yosemite, frolicking through the rain.  Completely by ourselves as everyone else must have been tucked inside by the fires.  The sensible people.  But we, our family of six donned our rain gear and set out for a morning adventure.  

Puddles were splashed through.  Creeks were crossed.  Laughter heard in the otherwise quiet forest.  When we stepped gingerly through the pine needles not a sound was heard but the patter of rain.  

It was magical.  

A moment to remember.  

The quiet of the rain seemed to quiet the children as well. There were whispers of voices, heads tilted toward the tall trees and rain boots that found their way over rocks that lined the creek.  The big daddy and I watched in silence.  And smiled.

There's something so peaceful about nature if only we pause and listen.  

Thank goodness we did.   

 

Untamed::

There is something untamed and beautiful about the forests left undisturbed.  An area that exudes epic vistas at every turn.  A place that draws you in and you find yourself and all your children walking five miles and hardly noticing.  

This national treasure sees millions of visitors a year.  Travelers from all over the world.  Speaking many different languages.  Looking for different experiences.  

 

For spring break this year we spent a lovely time with dear friends camping by the beach and enjoying time together as our children grow.  Dipping our feet in the ocean and  sharing thoughts and ideas.  

Then we traveled to Yosemite National Park.  A few days to take in the forest and the wonder that it owns--from sunshine and cool breeze, to a day of rain and waking up to snowfall on all the mountains surrounding us.  

Breathtaking. yes.  

I find that traveling with children can be equally exciting as well as exhausting.  Anyone else feel that?  

With so much to see and do.  We had to adjust our plans for the wide range of children's ages.  Almost thirteen to twenty months.  There were backpacks and carriers and rides on shoulders.  There were snacks packed into bags and pulled out when we all needed a break.  Water bottles toted for the miles we trekked.  

Full was our experience.  As well fun and challenging at times.  

Somehow this vacation opened up as many doors of possibility as it did to closing others.  Somehow that seems just about right.  

I know having four children is "the adventure" and no amount of traveling is necessary to see those epic views, rambling streams and opportunities around each bend in the road.  

 

So as we settle into being home and being present for the last month or two of school I find myself quite grateful.  

Grateful to live in a lovely town that has so much to offer.

Grateful for the opportunity to travel with all that it brings.   

Grateful for my little family and all the moments good and challenging that we experience everyday.  

Grateful to take a deep breath and know that I will be waking in my own bed for a while.  Something about that feels extra great.  

How are you feeling today?  

 

p.s. Anyone notice the tree trunk that my son is standing on in the shape of a heart?