Calendar Project. 2013 Photos in Review.

Not sure if this is a Tradition I can sustain, but I am hoping! For the second year in a row, I made Calendars of photos of the previous year. We gifted them to Grand-parents and ourselves. 

I've been pretty happy with the quality of Shutterfly's Calendars (although, because I also use it as my Planner and was in CONSTANT use, the photos became a little scratched).

The first year I made them, I consistently uploaded and added the photos every Month. It made it crazy easy in December to place my order. 

Last year, January through March got uploaded and arranged. And, then you know...My heavily pregnant Self got too busy with the Sassy Toddler. So, the Calendar Project got shelved.

December rolled around. I was determined to finish the Calendar. I stuck the Eldest in front of the T.V. and put the Baby to bed early and then I stayed up very, very late to finish the Project. I think it took about 5 hours. 

The hardest part was narrowing it down to my favorite 5-6 photos from each Month. It was a challenge to make sure both Kiddos got equal-ish face-time. I also have a tendency to take mostly vertical photos. Not a big deal until you have a horizontal slot to fill.

Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend a Calendar Project (even if you don't have Kiddos). So many of us take tons of photos and never print them. This is a way of having some of your photos printed and displayed. It makes a sweet Gift that's both practical and frugal. The best kind, right?

Farewell 2013. You were very good to our Family. Thank-you.

***A big Thanks to my friend Erin for taking the gorgeous, amazing Birth Photos that I will treasure until my last Breath.  She had never been present at a Birth before and was totally game on a days notice to come shoot an "Un-medicated Birth Center Birth."

And, also a big Shout-out to another extremely talented friend, Hilary Flynn, who shot the Baby's lovely Newborn Photos and some excellent photos of my Big Girl.

How lucky am I to have such talented friends? Very lucky.

Our Anniversary Getaway in Frederick, MD

 

 

 

 

Working out at the Gym. Acupuncture. Gorgeous weather. Eating tapas in the Sun. An amazing Toy Store. A Nap. A Bath in Claw-foot Bath-tub. Walking hand-in-hand. More delicious food by Carroll Creek. A Charming Inn. An uninterrupted Night of sleep. A killer Break-fast by a Fire. A 1/2 hour Massage. Hello Kisses and Hugs from My Girls

Seriously, I don't know how we could have added any more of my favorite things to our Anniversary Celebration. It was 24 hours of re-connecting and enjoying my Husband's company. It was a blast.

We hadn't done very much for our previous two Anniversaries, so it was extra-special to really celebrate making it through these last intense three years.

Here are a few photos from our lovely time in Frederick on Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soups to Freeze. My Mama's "Cold Zucchini Soup"

This recipe is from my Mama and can be found in my Family Cookbook. It's a perfect, easy Summer-time dish.

Peel Zucchinis - if large, take out seeds and pith from centers.

Barely cover with water and chopped onions.

Add bouillons or use Chicken Broth.

Cook until just tender.

Cool and put into a blender (at this point you can freeze and use later...if you have a glut of zucchini, you can fill your freezer with this Soup).

Season with pepper, garlic powder, salt (unless you used a bouillon), fresh dill, a dash of curry and sour cream (or plain yogurt).

Easy, right? Except make sure you COOK the zucchini first. That's the step I missed the very first time I made this Soup when I was 19 years old. Whoops.

This would be a nice soup to make, if you are currently Pregnant and trying to stock-pile your freezer. If you don't have a garden, you may know someone who does. They'll probably be willing to give you bags full of them.

You may also want to try Broiled Zucchini. Pure deliciousness and a very FAST meal.

Ecologia Design Tours June 22nd, 23rd and 29th. Month of Beauty.

 

If you are interested in Sustainability and Local Food and live near Frederick County (Maryland), write down June 22nd, 23rd and 29th from 5-6:30 pm on your calendar.

These are the dates of the tours Michael Judd from Ecologia Design will be giving of his wonderful Homestead near Frederick. His beautifully designed Gardens, require no weeding and almost no watering.

He is interested in re-introducing fruit trees and bushes that thrive in this climate, as well as introducing new edibles like the Hardy Kiwi. You can grow Kiwi in Maryland or Virginia? Who knew?

During the tours, you will learn about creating Food Forests, Herb Spirals, Raised Bed Gardens, Rainwater Harvesting Gardens and how to grow Gourmet Mushrooms among much, much more.

Michael Judd is a dynamic speaker and is doing really great work. (He designed all the gardens at Volt).  He learned a tremendous amount working with indigenous farmers in Central America. His book will be coming out soon...I can't wait.

Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will go to Project Bona Fide, a program Judd started in Nicaragua.

I have written about Ecologia Design before in this post and this one.

Barmstorming Tour This Saturday, June 8, 2013, 10 am - 4 pm

 

 

 

One of my favorite things to photograph is an old Barn. I love the textures and shapes and the light you can find when inside a Barn. If you are like me and think such things beautiful, you are in luck because this Week-end in Frederick County, MD there will be a Barnstorming Tour.

 



 

 

 

 



 

According to Frederick County Landmarks Foundation's website, "Frederick County Landmarks Foundation will present the 7th Annual Barnstormer's Tour and Plein Air Paint-Out on Saturday, June 8, 2013, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This popular annual self-guided tour calls attention to these beautiful old structures and their importance to our agricultural heritage. The tour provides a rare opportunity to gain access to some of our most scenic and private farm properties. This year's tour will feature barns at seven farms in the Urbana, Monrovia, and Ijamsville area, south of Frederick, Md."

 

Here is my blog post about the Barmstorming Tour from last year.

 

All photos courtesy of Priscilla Rall.

 

 

Growing Power's Will Allen is Coming to Frederick On April 11th

Hoop Houses on Raised Beds (Photo credit: Chiot's Run)

I wrote about Growing Power, way back in January of this year. Growing Power is a 3 acre farm in the middle of Milwaukee that has grown 1 million pounds of organic food using Hoop Houses and a Aquaponics system.

The founder of the organization, Will Allen, is coming to Frederick, MD. He will be giving two free talks on April 11th.

Frederick Reads is sponsoring both readings. The first one will be at FCC at 11 am and the second will be at 7 pm at the Weinberg Center. Two chances to meet this inspirational man who is changing the way we think about Urban Farming. Mark your calendars!

Nye-Nye's 2nd Birthday Party with an Easter Twist

 

 

 

Surrounded by lots of Love and lots of Family (and a little bit of rain), my daughter celebrated her 2nd Birthday. It was simple and sweet (although not without some anxiety before-hand).

 

We decided to combine the two events because of scheduling issues, which meant my Mama hosted the largest Easter Celebration she had ever hosted (37 or was it 39 people...of JUST family). We kept hoping for a beautiful day, but dealt with the sprinkling of rain we got.

 

The kids had their Easter Egg Hunt and we all filled our bellies with a terrific meal (thanks to Papa Bear, my Mama, My Mother-in-law, Neal Uncle, Aunt Mimi and Rita Auntie).

 

The house felt like it was bursting with Love. I love the video I shot of all the happy, loud chaos. It was a good day. I am so grateful.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Gratitude Practice

 

 



I have always considered myself a rather Spiritual person. I remember being 8 years old, sitting on our stone fence, looking out at those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, contemplating Life and its Meaning.

Since becoming a Mama, my mediation pillow hasn't seen much action and my private little altar has gathered some serious dust. I haven't mediated regularly this past year. Nor, have I prayed much.

But, what I have done is think of "Five Things I'm Grateful For" every night before I go to bed.

I can actually give credit to my Blog for jump-starting the habit. Last November, I decided to write out a daily list of "Five Things I'm Grateful For." It stuck.

Some nights, I struggle to come up with five. Other nights, I just keep going and going. It's a really peaceful way to end your day. I'm looking forward to introducing the concept to my daughter, in a few years. Nothing like Gratitude to cut through all the muck in your life.

Stewed Pears in a Slower Cooker

Illustration of a pear variety from the Herefordshire Pomona (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 This past week-end, my family gleaned some pears from the neighbor's very old tree. My sister was hankering after some stewed pears, so we got busy.

She cored and peeled the pears, while I sprinkled a little bit of this and a little bit of that until it was just right. I got inspiration from several different recipes, but was concerned when I turned on the Slow Cooker that maybe I over-did it on the number of ingredients.

No worries. They turned out heavenly. Even Papa, who rarely eats his fruits and vegetables, raved about them.

I'm thinking about cooking another batch for Thanksgiving. It's a super-simple, quick dessert that anyone, including kids, can make and it offers a slightly healthier alternative to all those pies and whip-creme.

15 or so Pears cored and peeled
2/3 a cup of Brown Sugar (couldn't find the Maple Syrup, otherwise I wouldn't have used the Brown Sugar)
3 tablespoons of Butter
3 teaspoons of Ginger Powder (didn't have any fresh or would have used that)
2 Cinnamon sticks
10 Cloves
1 cup of Apple Cider
1/2 cup of White Wine

Cook in Slow Cooker for 4 hours or until they are nice and soft. Unless, you prefer yours to still have a minor bite to them. Doesn't get much easier than that, does it?

I am awful grateful for all those free pears and for that lovely, nameless person who planted that tree many, many years ago.

Keeping Busy Before, During and After Hurricane Sandy

The Day Before Sandy. Bringing in the newspaper during her morning ritual with Papa.

During Sandy. Making noodles for Slippery Chicken Pot-Pie with Ra-Ra and Aunt Mimi.

During Sandy. So much fun rolling out the dough.

During Sandy. Helping Ra-Ra with her Holiday Clove Ball.

After Sandy. Making Elderberry Syrup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Sandy. Driving around the area, assessing the damage. Thankfully, not as much as there could have been if the Hurricane had moved slower through our area.

 

 

 



After Sandy. Getting some much needed fresh air.

 

 

After Sandy. Who can resist a giant pile of sawdust? Not Nye-Nye. She had loads of fun exploring Papa's Cabinet-shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Sandy. Helping Ra-Ra again on this Never-Ending project.

 

 

 

 

After Sandy. Getting a good look at all the fields. Thankfully, Papa got in all the soybeans before Sandy arrived.

 

 

After Sandy. A much deserved nap.