Oh Joy!

Joy is a return to the deep harmony of body, mind and spirit that was yours at birth and that can be yours again. That openness to love, that capacity for wholeness with the world around you, is still within you. -Deepak Chopra

I joined Hannah Marcotti's The Joy Up Program and it's been awesome. Taking time to focus on joy is just what I needed. It's not that joy hasn't been in my life, but Hannah's program helps you tune in to it more... to be present with joy and to turn things around when they don't seem very joyous. Heck knows with 2 kids on me 24/7 I really need to see the bright side of certain situations that arise when they get sick of playing together. Also, it's pretty darn cool to really notice the way joy engulfs those around you. It's like you are this beam of light and others are mirrors and joy just keeps getting bounced around all over the place.

Last evening after dinner my hubby was pooped and needed to lay down for a few minutes. The kids felt bad and offered to clean up after dinner for us so we could both rest. They woke us up 15 minutes later and they had actually picked up the whole house!! Now that's the kinda joy I'm talking about!!

There are still down moments, but at least they don't last as long because you remember all the joyful things your life is made up of. I wish my sunflowers could be a part of Hannah's program. For some reason they haven't opened up yet. It's kinda sad. I keep hoping one morning I'll walk into the kitchen and their petals will be spread open wide greeting me with all their "sunshine." Until then, they stay shyfully closed.

Cheep! Cheep! Chee!

We welcome 3 new little members to our flock! Today we drove down to Portland's Urban Farm Store and got to pick our fave chicks... an Americauna, a Brown Brahma and a Blue Andalusian. They are all equally cute and ohsosweet. And Urban Farm Store rocks! Their staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. If you live in this area and want to buy chicks, I recommend visiting them for sure!

We have our chicks set up downstairs to stay warm. Luckily, we had a huge empty pond tub that we were able to use. It gives them plenty of room for a little exploring during the day. The kids have already named them. I think the name choices are pretty cool.

Up top is Cookie Monster(Blue Andalusian), in the middle is Penny (Brown Brahma) and on the bottom is Yellow Jacket(Americauna).


We have our coop all built but we have to prepare a little run area for them. I'll have to post pics of the coop next time. I'm super excited to raise these little ladies and look forward to watching them grow and their personalities emerge. I know I shouldn't have a favorite, but I can't help but be drawn to our Americauna. She'll be giving us some greenish blue eggs in a few months and that makes one happy smiley mama.

Sinkin' into Summer

The move from California to Washington has kept me preoccupied and super busy with unpacking, cleaning and organizing. The kids haven't been quite as preoccupied. I must say I am proud of the way they have kept themselves entertained. It's true they spend a lot of time arguing because they are spending VAST amounts of time together, but, hey, they are learning a valuable lesson here... conflict resolution.

This past Friday I think I finally sank into Summer. A Summer that is spent with the kids and not trying to dig myself out of some moving box. I can't be all work and no play. We know what that makes, right? So, I turned to Nature Rocks which is an AWESOME site full of fun things to do in the great outdoors. No one wants to be stuck indoors. Check out their Summer Activity Guide. You won't be disappointed and neither will the kiddos. Also, The Nature Conservancy has a fun Treasure Hunt printout.

Summer, here we come (fashionably late, of course)!

Our collection for our sunprint.

A pretty yellow wildflower that caught our attention on our nature walk.

Washing some rocks for Rock Archaeology.

Making our way back up the steps to home. My dad did a great job carving them out for us!

Chance is always powerful...

Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. ~Ovid

So we did it. We made a momentous decision in our lives which moved us from safe California to the wild unknown Washington. Am I nervous? Am I a little scared? Will I miss all the familiarity of California and my family... the family? Oh, heck yah! But, the excitement and the beauty of the unknown and the feeling of this being "right" outweighs my anxieties. The husband and I couldn't ignore the voice we both heard when it came. And the voice wasn't loud or demanding or threatening. It was a soft voice offering peace and love.

It was kinda nutty how everything aligned to make this move possible. Sometimes I cry because I am so grateful for the opportunity and the hand of Divine Grace that we soulfully took hold of. This was definitely a once in a blue moon chance. We thought about what the kids would miss and we thought about the safety of our existence in a small town doing the same ol', same ol' that provided much comfort.

Moving day was sad, I admit. The home we grew to love for 7 years would no longer be home. We were about to embark on a true adventure in a new town that we didn't know and people didn't know us. We would call an unfamiliar house home.



Audrey in her old room with her many moving boxes.

The moving van all packed and ready to take our stuff to Washington. *Sniffle Sniffle*

The Flocks invade Washington!



Now it's been 2 weeks since California. We are unpacking boxes and making things our own. We absolutely LOVE LOVE our house and our yard! The backyard is amazing. It's a yard of scouting and treasure hunting and collecting and meditating and peace making and soul finding. We look forward to what's on the horizon for us. But most importantly we look forward to discovering our new home together as a family.


The little man enjoying his freedom in the backyard.

Me and our backyard wild daisies. I love that they are everywhere!

The fam (my dad even came along to help us move!) in the backyard "jungle". The kids call it paradise. *Smile*

Luke's Colorful Dragon Smoothie

The boy wanted a smoothie and he wanted to come up with the ingredients himself. So, he opened the fridge, grabbed a few things and we blended away. Pretty darn good turnout if you ask me.




Luke's Colorful Dragon Smoothie
4 strawberries
6 grapes
1 banana
6 frozen pineapple chunks
5 frozen mango chunks
1 heaping teaspoon of Strawberry Nesquik
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cups crushed ice

Mix all together in a blender. Pour in a glass. Top with whipped cream. Enjoy! *Makes about 24 fluid ounces

Major Rewind

It's Sunday night and I find myself with some time to write. How sweet it is! I've been wanting to recap a day trip I took on Mother's Day weekend because it was so very, very awesome. It was an early Saturday with a clear, blue sky. The sun was shining and the anticipation of spending a day with my Mom and sister was pure joy. So, we loaded the van and began a wonderful journey of sights, smells and tastes.

Our day was spent at Squaw Valley Herb Gardens in Squaw Valley, California. Squaw Valley is a teeny tiny town in the Central Valley with golden hills and sparse oaks. When we arrived at the "garden" we weren't expecting the lush beauty that greeted us.



We knew immediately we were in store for something truly special. And special it was! Rosemary, owner and teacher, wowed us with her vast knowledge and wisdom of herbs. She introduced me for the first time to Lemon Balm (Melissa). She paired a few leaves of Melissa with sliced apple and the combination was a feast for the taste buds! After a wonderful tour around the garden Rosemary treated us to a delicious homemade tea of ginger and honey. We were then given a yummy appetizer of crackers topped with cream cheese, fresh cut chives and their edible purple flowers.





Everything at the gardens was enchanting. Rosemary truly knows how to showcase not only the physical beauty of the herbs, but she captures their natural savour and makes you long to know as much as she does. Everywhere we walked we were greeted with perfect photographic scenes.





Towards the end of our visit we enjoyed a light vegetarian lunch of organic treats. Rosemary happens to be an awesome cook as well! Our plate of food was not only pretty to look at, but delicious as well. It included a spinach quiche, a cucumber and beet salad and a cous cous salad. Yum!



Our visit is still vivid in my mind and I long to recreate the tastes and smells. If you ever find yourself in the Central Valley please plan on stopping by Squaw Valley Herb Gardens. Rosemary's tours should not be missed. They are true gifts to the soul. Our souls were definitely enriched.

Tune In Thursday. It's somebody's birthday, yo!

My littlest man turned 8 today. He's such the character. Not a day goes by without him trying to make us laugh. He's pretty good at it. I went through old pics today and I couldn't help but cry for the baby he used to be. Oh they grow up way too fast.

Here's a mix in honor of his birthday. 8 of his favorite tunes to celebrate his 8 years on planet earth. Rock on!

Schoooooool's out for Summer

The sun is shining. There's not a cloud up in the sky and it looks super blue. The temp is a magical 79 degrees. Can the last day of school be any more perfect? I think not.

Oh Summer always holds so much excitement. It's all PJs, spontaneity, crafts and adventures from here on out. And this Summer promises to be a whole new world for us. I will reveal more later. But for now, Happy Last Day of School (even to those who have a few more days or a couple more weeks)!!!

They are soooo excited!

Ohmygosh, last walk to class as 2nd and 4th graders.

In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.
~William Blake

Soulful

Ohmygoodness, what a week! I am finally finding the time to sit still for a moment. I thought about grabbing my notebook and my needles and yarn and then I just sat and breathed in. I thought about writing about my truly wonderful Mother's Day and then... I just breathed in. I needed the quiet. And when it was time to return to the "noise" I found these. Simple and beautiful and soul-touching.

Prophecy Song by Joanne Shenandoah

ALL WE WANT from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

Friday Fun!

I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books growing up. It was fun to have choices in a story and decide where the story would lead you. This video is a cute take on Choose Your Own Adventure. So where will your story go?