Lessons from the Mother

On a day when we are stuck inside as the earth in spring shines her radiant light upon all that she has created this season, remember to let her warmth and beauty also shine inside your heart and to take moments whenever you can to sneak away and be among her flowers and newly sprouted growth. In each new season become reacquainted with her changes and tune yourself to receive her gentle lessons. Realize that even though it sometimes feels as if our spirits are frozen and dormant in all that we do, that that time like the winter always ends to bring about the most beautiful of new beginnings. That we as a part of her reflect the seasons and should take note of all that she tries to show us in nature everyday. Pay attention and let go of all the chaos that our kind makes and breath in the signs of new life~ Melanie Donahue

Creating a Staff Luncheon....

So this year was my first venture into organizing the duanesburg school district's staff appreciation luncheon. It is sponsored by the PTSO (Secretary here) and the food was provided by parents in the community. It essentially takes making a hundred or so phone calls to get various kinds of desserts, sides, main dishes, and salads, some shopping for various supplies, drinks, etc. and a vision of what you like the overall feel of it to be. I was nervous but really excited about the entire affair. I got through the first dozen phone calls by pacing rapidly around my house but after realizing that most people were more than willing to help I lost the shy factor and did about 20 or so calls a night. Kelly (the wonderful lady that has been doing this for years) came over to give me some help in the beginning and said that she would be there the day of with a few student volunteers so I was all set up in that area and the only thing left was shopping and decorating (my specialties). The event is held in the high school cafeteria and using the picnic style like tables which are not exactly the glamorous round tables I saw in my head, so table cloths were a must to soften the room and add ambiance. The theme I picked was cherry blossoms which I thought would be delicate and pretty and remind everyone of the coming spring. I had a friend that just so happens to be a wiz with photoshop make the invitations to send out and recognition notes that went on the tables, and due to the fact that I was working with a tight budget and there were 20 tables plus buffet, I made the flowers. The grand flower arrangements that I wanted would have depleted to much of my funds and I really wanted something unexpected. I got the idea off another blog which pointed me in the direction of the great martha stewart and a tutorial. It called for pink tissue paper and a branch and since my birch tree had a big limb fall off this winter I new just were to get them. I purchased simple vases and river rocks for the base and covered each table in a white paper roll cloth with a hand cut scalloped edge. The flowers were pink and the buffet tables I did in pink as well for a nice contrast. Each place was set with a simple rolled napkin containing their silverware and tied off with a ribbon. All in all everything came out beautiful and the staff were surprised and delighted! I will be doing it again next year and only hope I can make it equally as stunning!

First Pie Crust Ever...

This weekend I made my first from scratch pie crust ever. I used martha stewarts pate brisee and it came out great. I then decided to give it a grand filling and made a sweet sausage, green onion, baby spinach, broccoli and three cheese quiche...

St. Patricks Day Surprise

Here are a few pics from a funny St. Patrick's Day prank left by a tricky little leprechaun...

Reading Rain(e)bow...

So lately Raine's reading skills have been improving immensely. She is able to read several pages at a time out of books like Junie B. Jones and actually enjoys it, by that I mean understands the sentences she is putting together not just painstakingly sounding out word by word. She reads to me at home sometimes and in the car will take out a book all on her own, shush me saying, "Be quiet mom. No talking. I am reading here!" I am overjoyed by the whole process as I had trouble reading early in life and did not like books until I was almost 16. I was worried at the beginning of this year because it was tough for her as well and she had the same reaction. I wanted so much for her to love and enjoy the worlds that reading can open up. I am happy to say that we are getting there and one of the funniest examples was this weekend. We went out for a mother daughter lunch (this is a big thing as we do not eat out in restaurants hardly ever) on Saturday. I let her pick and she wanted the Chinese buffet which was fine with me (I was secretly thrilled there is just something about all the choices that tickles me pink) and at the close of the meal when I went ask for her to give me her fortune cookie so I could read it she gave me her best "please mother" look and said, Uh mom I can read it myself! Duh!" Well she did much to my delight. Man I am so proud of her...

Winter Hikers

Yesterday found us on an impromptu 3 mile hike in the snow. We had been antsy all day and after asking the neighbors if we could take Wren with us decided to put on our suits and boots and make the best of a windy winter day.

It was brisk and refreshing and completely kicked our butts. The big hill that starts the long trail in winter is a doozy (except for Wren who ran circles around us the whole time).

It was peaceful and exactly what we needed. Towards the end of the hike we even went off trail trying to find a huge raven that was making all sorts racket at us.

After the hike we were both tired and happy and came home to a dinner of fresh steamed broccoli, mini salt potatoes and wild salmon that was caught off the coast of Scotland...Good Day!

Nature's Valentine...

Found yesterday during our winter hike, it's so nice when mother earth leaves you little valentines...

My Statement to Winter...

My darling winter you are getting very sleepy. You are growing tired of staying up all night and blowing your cold winds across our lands. You have put in a great season this year with so many storms of swirling snow and mornings filled with glittering ice. Your breath is almost gone and after giving the earth her great slumber you are now ready for one of your own. So close your heavy eyes and let the sun sink you into the ever waiting ground. Let your mother cover you in a warm blanket of grass while the cherry blossoms bloom and then pay tribute to you as their petals fall like snow. Sleep deep for another year when we are again ready for the healing rest and stillness that you provide. I thank you for the quiet and look forward to seeing you again but your brother Spring is in the air and it is time for you to go....

Oh Deer!!!

They were out in droves yesterday. I saw at least 40 on my drive home last night...
This was at a neighbors house down the street.

Happy Valentines Day Raine!!

This was my Valentines Day gift to bubby this year. I have been looking for one like this secondhand for the past 6 months and finally came across on craigslist late Friday afternoon. I emailed the person right away hoping that it was still available. The nice couple that owned it responded within 5 minutes(it was obviously meant to be) and I was able to make arrangements to pick it up at their home in the Catskills on Sunday morning (which means a nice ride to boot). And the very best part of this story...It was FREE!!! They are moving to Maryland next week and didn't have enough room to take it with them. Raine had drawn a picture of her dream room awhile back and one of the prominent items was a desk by her window. I think this great find might have just fit the bill...
Sometimes things just work out if you believe strongly enough that they will! Happy Valentines Day...

Funny Thoughts

There once was a woman named Melanie,
Who was about to commit a felony,
For if she was hung up apon once more,
She would hide him beneath the floor,
How hard is it to say goodbye or not call if you're going to be rude,
But apparently you have no manners and we must all be subjected to your mood,
So for every working mother that is busy,
Try not to let your ex get you in a tizzy,
And when next he feels the need to calls you back,
Let the answering machine pick up to the tune of Hit the road Jack....

Rainbow Quotes from this Weekend...

"Ewww! Dog Slobber, it smells terrible but I just love it!"

(This was said after Wren coverewd her in doggy kisses)



"SLAMMIN! SALMON! SLAMMIN! SALMON! In your Face!!"

(This was said in an aggressive singsong tone from the back seat of the car) She's nuts...



"Everybody farts in Grandma's house, even the cats!!"

(Enough said)

Belated Christmas Activities...

Due to illness this holiday we had to put off a few of our holiday activities. So our gingerbread house could more aptly be called the January House but it was fun none the same. The puppets were diy gifts from Laura.

Without

We so often breathe life into the souls of others,
Taking care of those that we feel need our assistance,
We tend to live in one extremity or another,
Selfish, blindly walking through existence,
Or Giving, putting everything we have into those around us,
We are here for reasons unbeknownst to us or so it would seem,
Fear, Love, Hate, Passion, and Sorrow, are just a few of the emotions that guide our lives,
If each were given the option at the beginning would you ask for only the good,
Would you always choose Love?
I would not…
You cannot have one without all the others to make it real,
You cannot appreciate what one truly is without knowing the others,
It is in the way that we discovery pieces of each that we find ourselves,
To many of us run from that which is difficult, avoiding the very experiences that shape us,
Do you think that happily ever after happens to those who run?
Happiness comes to those who make it by taking chances with their hearts,
No one ever wants to be hurt, but would you know true love without the mistakes,
I would not even call them mistakes, for what are they but guidelines to show the way,
Those who say they do not know themselves are not looking deep enough,
We cannot help but know what it is that we are if you truly wish to see the answer ,
We choose to ignore the very essence of our beings,
When things do not appear to fit in with what we are taught by Others…
How is it that you would deny what you know feels right because something outside says it wrong,
Do you think that we are all meant to be the same?
Each soul has a different path and is born with the strength needed to take it,
But know that it is not ever supposed to be Easy…
Nothing worth it ever is…
So ask yourself this…Why is it that we will fight for things that are insignificant,
But not fight for that, which makes us unique,
Embrace what you know is right and fight everyday to develop that person,
Know yourself and never allow another to make your decisions for you,
Breathe life into yourself and care not for the misunderstanding of others,
Only you can understand your own heart,
But in doing this remember each time that you look at another that they too have their own paths,
Do not judge what you may not understand yourself, but look beyond yourself
To see that there is rhythm and beauty to everyone though they themselves may not have seen it yet…
If we took the time to truly bring ourselves to life before we try to bring life to others
We could do so much more and happiness would be so much easier to grasp,
Love yourself, Find yourself,
Then with the confidence that only that can bring,

Find Another…

Snow Day!!!

It is so nice to have giant hills covered in snow right outside your front door. We had a great time sledding down and trudging back up again. Wren (our favorite dog) came along for the fun. I can see a lot of opportunity for winter birthday parties in the future...

3 Things....

This year I want to be more involved in the world outside my door. I want to really take notice of all those that I walk by each day. I want to listen to the small things that so many of us choose not to hear and pay attention to what they are saying. I want to be open to the opportunities that the earth so often give us to change what is or make a difference in anothers life. I have decided to do three things each month for someone else. These things can be done for or gifted to anyone. They can be for the someone I know well or to the perfect stranger that I know not at all. Some would call this random acts of kindness and I would agree, but for as much as they are for others I am doing them for me as well. I want to be a great person when I leave this world and I believe that it takes a great deal growth and understanding to get to that place. As I tune in and listen to those that have been placed in my path I will learn from them and know more in different ways because of them. I will let myself see beyond the surface and in doing so allow for the possibility of changing the way they view this world as well. January has gotten of to a great start and as I suspected the earth has provided me with the tools and understanding I need to fulfill my path and I am already feeling different because of it....

Go Ravens!!!

Chicken Pot Pie

It was a very cold weekend and we were in the mood for some comfort food. One of the recipes we decided to make was chicken pot pie. I cheat a little with this recipe as the pie crusts are pilsbury but I think it comes out just as good as if I make them from scratch....

We used leftover chicken from a roaster that was baked earlier in the week threw in some veggies (corn, peas, onion, celery and carrots) and made a simple cream of chicken sauce to fill. It was so good!

Natural Bird Feeders

Raine and I had a great weekend full of home cooking and crafts. One of the projects we did was out of the book I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward. We were reading over some of the outdoor winter activities and came across the one called Tweet Treats. It is basically a great way to clear out a few items from your pantry and completely excite the local wildlife. Here's how it's done...

Find the biggest pine cone that you can get your hands on. (I just happen to love pine cones and bought this one for a buck off a lady in Edinburgh that got it from a cousin that lives out in California, ya I'm a little wacky) Tie a string around the top to hang it from and cover the string in saran wrap so that it won't get saturated with peanut butter. Put on an apron as this tends to get messy and break out a jar of natural (unsweetened) peanut butter.Cover the pine cone as thoroughly as you can in the peanut butter. Try to get it in every crack and crevice as the more you put on the more bounty it will hold...Assemble a meddley of treats. We used unsalted raw peanuts and sunflower seeds, rolled oats and dried raisens and cranberries. Then roll the pine cone in all the nuts and berries until it is completely covered. Remove plastic sheath from string and let sit out in the cold for a half hour or so until it firms up a bit...

Once it is firm (nothing is falling off) hang it from a tree or on you birdfeeder stand and wait until the "bird word" gets out. We had all kinds of feathered friends come to visit from cardinals to woodpeckers. It was great fun for us and a tweet treat for them even the cats enjoyed the show.

Makes Perfect Cents...

It's friday and I need to pick up Raine tonight. I have 1/2 a tank of gas, .27 cents left in my bank account until wednesday and a freezer/fridge/pantry full of things that with a little imagination have the potential to be great. I started to worry this morning when I discovered just how close I was cutting it this week but realized at the last second that maybe this was a blessing in disguise. When I thought about it I could see that it basically said that we need to stay in this weekend. Take this time to do some of the crafts/projects that we've been putting off so long because we have been to "busy" to get to them and to do some "slow cooking" of the kind that starts from scratch and takes all day. I have to say that what felt like a disaster this morning now feels more like a gentle reminder from the earth that this is exactly what Raine and I need after the whirlwind that was december. I am going to enjoy this excuse to break away from it all and settle in to the simple. Great things can come when you allow the body to be still so that the soul may take flight and I hope that I will accomplish just exactly that. May all of you find a moment of stillness this weekend and let your own creations come to life. See you on monday...

The Year of...

I have been reading a lot lately about people naming 2009 as the year of (insert goal here), and though I am not one for resolutions I find myself drawn to the wording or thought behind "As the year of". It almost sounds like you are creating a grand list of things you'd like to do or accomplish and can check them off as you go, but without the disappointment of the written in stone pass or fail resolution. That said I am going to name this year as I love to write list and nothing gives me more pleasure than when I get to cross things off (that would be the perfectionist in me). So here goes...

I hereby decree that 2009 will be the year of.....

Chickens
Grand Gardens
Shedding of Shields
& Great Ideas

Wooh this should be interesting, wish me luck!

Happy New Years!!!

Raine and I had fun at the new years eve party that we went to and were both able to stay up until 2am before finally heading home (I am glad that we only live a mile away). Raine enjoyed spending time with her friends and would come downstairs every once in a while to grab some food and a hug. I had some great food, conversations, and company. All in all it was a relaxed evening with friends and the perfect end to the busy year. May this set the tone for the next. I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite spot for the night....

New Years Eve Baking

Raine and I went to Lis's house for a New Years Eve Party and I made a puff pastry covered brie with toasted pecans and brown sugar. It was a hit and came out just like the one Martha Stewart did on tv. I covered it in suns and star in light of the eclipse....

Christmas Morning

The Presents
Don't you just love how I wrapped the sheep...I went with the whole if I can't see you then you can't see me philosophy.

The look of delight and surprise as she discovered the loot....