Fermented Green Tomatoes. Gratitude Month.

I've been interested in the "Health Benefits of Fermented Foods" for a long time. Unfortunately, I don't like the taste of Sauerkraut and Kim-chi is way too spicy for me.

But you know what? There are TONS of foods you can ferment.

Like Green Tomatoes.

Last week, I picked the last of our Green Tomatoes from the several amazing volunteer Tomato Plants growing in our Compost Heap. Those babies were tough. Those babies were little miracles.

Because you know what? I never watered them. Not once all Summer. 

So, what am I Grateful for today?

Those Volunteer Tomato Plants. Thanks for bearing such lovely fruit for us!

I am hoping my "Fermented Green Tomatoes" will turn out. Supposedly, they will taste a bit like Green Olives. I'll keep you posted.

If you are interested in learning more about the process of Fermenting Green Tomatoes, I read the following posts: this, this and this.

Rainbow Rice. The Gratitude Month.

It's the Simple Things.

Seriously, how have I not made "Rainbow Rice" for my Kiddo, before? It cheap, it's easy to make and occupies my Rugrat FOR HOURS.

I packaged it up for Nye-Nye to take to her Dadi's this Week, while Papa Bear and I are away. It's a perfect thing for her to do at her Grandmother's house.

It cost around $8 for a 10 lb bag of rice and I already had some food coloring and a big, plastic storage bin. If she eats some, it's no big deal. I'm sure you seen it on Pinterest and a million Blogs, so I won't bore you with directions.

What am I Grateful for Today?

Rainbow Rice...Fun, Open-Ended Play for my 2 1/2 year old (perfect for long, Winter Days)

The Gratitude Month.

 

 

This Month's Theme is Gratitude.

 

Very soon after I started my Blog, TWO YEARS AGO, I decided I wanted to use a Monthly Theme to help me focus my writing. Some Months have been more success than others.

 

This is one of the easier ones.

 

Here is an older post about Giving Thanks.

 

What is one thing that I am Grateful about Today?

 

That I live in a State where Early Voting is so easy. Today, Papa Bear and I are traveling and therefore are not going to be able to make it to the Polls in time.

 

On Saturday, we were able to each take turns Voting, while the other one waited in the car with the girls (it was too close to Naptime for our Eldest...we decided not to risk a spectacular Meltdown).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was amazing convenient and made me very, very Grateful that I live in a Country where I don't have stand hours and hours in line to exercise my Right to Vote.



 

If you live in the United States, don't forget to exercise this fundamental Right!

 

Here is an old post on the first time I took my daughter to Vote with me. A very proud day for me.

 



 

 

 



Happy 6 Months! Anala.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Bright Eyes,

That happened fast. Today you turn 6 months old! Where did half a year ago already?

I look at your Sweet Self and I just want to squeeze and squeeze and squeeze you.

You continue to be an absolute Joy. Seriously, kid...thanks for being so easy going (except when you are getting your face wiped...you REALLY HATE that).

The Big News is that you started crawling a week ago. You don't go very far before you flop down, but you are definitely going. You especially crawl towards things you KNOW Mommy doesn't want you to get. That look of fierce determination on your face is priceless.

You know what also makes me laugh? Watching you attempt to snatch your Sissy's Milky out of her hand.

Milky is her blasted "Lovey" which is actually just an empty bottle she sucks on for comfort. She is still adjusting to sharing her Mommy with you, so Milky hasn't found a new home, yet.

One thing that makes my heart just want to explode is watching the two of you interact.

You both love to cuddle with each other and have started playing together on a very simple level.

A few days ago, your Sissy sat across from you on the floor and threw one of your fabric, squishy balls into your arms. You looked so surprised and then you giggled. You frequently giggle at her antics.

You are also very, very patient about her wanting to touch your face or your ear (much more patient than Mommy and Daddy).

 

 

You were an absolute Gem on Halloween Night. Even though you were tired (and it was nearing your Bedtime), you cuddled with Daddy in the Baby Carrier and quietly observed everything.

 

 

 

 

You are a wonderful Sport about having numerous Costume changes on the days leading up to Halloween and you don't fuss about having a hat on...that's very helpful, thank you.

 

 

 

 

You continue to be intrigued by watching others eat. You stare open-mouthed every time someone eats something in front of you that you can't eat. I guess sometimes pureed green beans isn't enough.

 

Your favorite song? Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Your Ra-Ra first sang it to you, during your Colicky Stage. Sometimes, it was the only thing that would stop your crying. You continue to be enchanted by the song and now your Sissy now sings it to you. It's a beautiful song.

 

Your frequent mannerism of the Month? Feeling your hair. You love to stroke your own hair, especially when you are nursing. I love it.

 

 

 

 

 

And, I love you. We all love you. Thanks for being You.

 

 

It's an absolute pleasure to be your,

 

Mommy, Daddy and Big Sissher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. This is the letter I wrote to your Sissy when she turned 6 Months.

 

P.P.S. One Month, Two Months, Three Months, Four Months and Five Months.

Our Day of the Dead Celebration

 

 

 

I set up a little vase of Marigolds from our yard, a candle, some sage and incense in front of our Puja. The 2 1/2 year loves watching incense burn and saying Omm.

 

We talked about Spot the Cat (her reference point about Death).

 

I said a prayer for those who have Passed On and I carry in my Heart...

 

Grandma Caroline. Grandma Elizabeth. Popop. Ba (Sharda). Dave Elder. Cousin Mary. Grandma Domm. Grandma Bee. Deeva. Gene R.. Gene B.. Marion. Johnnie. Jamie. Jack. Barry. Granny. Hermant Uncle. Sequoia. Kim. Eric. Cathy Jo. Sarah F. Jennifer. Walter. Josh. Taylor. Terry. George. 

 

May all you have found Peace.

 

Halloween Twins.

 

 

Sometimes, I have difficulty looking at photos and saying which girl is which . Bright Eyes is starting to look a little less like her Sissy did at the same age, but there is still a strong resemblance, don't you think?

 

Can you tell who is who?



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two photos in the wagon are Big Sissy and the rest are all of our sweet Bright Eyes.

 

Big Sissy was about 7 weeks older than Bright Eyes in these photos and was a week away from walking. Luckily, our Chunky Monkey is heavier and has shown little interest in standing (unlike her Sissy's constant need to stand). I am going to savor having more baby time this go around. What a Golden Age!

 



Here is my first Twin Post.

 



The Countdown Has Begun!

Thirty days to write a Novel? Impossible, you say?

Hundreds of thousands have participated in National Novel Writing Month (including myself). Thousands have completed the challenge of writing 175 pages of a Novel (more like a Novella) during the month of November. Five pages a day, every day.

Today is the start of National Novel Writing Month. How exciting!

This year, I have way too much on my plate. One of these days. One of these days. As I have mentioned before, successfully completing NaNoWriMo is on my Current Bucket List.

My first attempt was 7 years ago. I think it's wonderful how much NaNoWriMo has grown in the past 7 years. 

Now, they even have a fantastic program called the Young Writers Program. Perfect for a very organized Teacher or Homeschooling Family.

You can find out more about NaNoWriMo right here.

Best of Luck to all those "NaNoWriMo Writers" out there!