daffodils, cherry blossoms, moss, worms and chicken eggs

  Spring spring spring.... I am soooo happy that it's been (mostly) over 60 degrees and sunny the last few days. Daffodils are everywhere, walks through the park are a lot less slippery and muddy, cherry blossoms are in bloom in some places-still waiting to open in others, my dormant herbs in pots are growing fuzzy moss and little leaves to signal their return, and I keep finding worms in the garden beds (and they are sneaking into the basement!).... This afternoon, the warm air on my bare arms as I did a little work outside was so magically powerful. I could feel myself standing taller, unfurling like a flower. I didn't have to huddle into myself for warmth. I tidied up in the chicken coop and did a thorough clean up on the front porch, even painted an old wood chair the perfect shade of melted strawberry ice cream pink.

   Beware, the moss is everywhere, slick underfoot and waiting to get you as you skip out the door in the morning. My little lady and I have both fell flat onto our butts a few times this week.

 Miss Pensive... Two seconds before she was singing the Frozen song (I now cringe... it's everywhere!) and imitating the ice queen and I said, "I want to take your picture as you think about nature.". She's really thinking here. Then my gal said "I don't think Mother Earth likes this trash people left on her, we should pick it up!" so we picked up some trash by the trail.

 Spring cleaning has been happening in a big way. I'm trying to figure out how I need to be eating. I've been trying so many different things since my little one was born. The last 5 years have been a constant flux. No one can keep up with my dietary changes. I think back to when I felt the healthiest and like I was getting the most out of food (and not using it as an addiction-um, I've mentioned my caffeine and sugar dependency many times) and that was when I was vegan. I'm working on vegan, gluten free, minimal nightshades, no refined sugar, and only green tea allowed for now to see how my body responds. Sounds fun, right? I've been doing this since Monday (and have had only a few sugar slips cuz it's in EVERYTHING!) and I feel good, different. Totally different energetically. I have a real ethical conflict when it comes to eating animals. I'm not one to push my ideals onto others (haha, anymore!) and preach, it just bums really me out when I eat animal products. I love animals so much, I've always felt a real connection to them. I feel this lightness and openness when I'm eating vegan. It's transformative for me and I kind of forgot that.

 Eggs! All the hens are laying everyday! It's nuts. 5 eggs a day. Even Sadie, who is almost 4, has started laying and she hasn't given me an egg in probably 9 months. No one wants to eat them. I've never been a fan of eating eggs (especially after one of my hens, Cinnamon, got one stuck and I had to... assist.) and the kids are super sick of eggs in all forms. I'm gifting a bunch to some lovely ladies tomorrow. There are at least 3 dozen in the fridge!

    It's sunny and warm in the mudroom, dry on the rickety porch and steps.

 

 Spring Equinox is on the 20th and that also marks the end of the funkiness that has been caused by mars in retrograde. I've been having the weirdest dreams and poor sleep. For some reason my cat has decided he needs to vigorously scratch the bedroom door at 3am every morning. When I open the door he runs and hides. He's not over being banished from the bedroom at all.

  The moon is so stunning tonight. My digital camera did little to convey her mysteries. xo m

outside

   Here's an example of the typical shenanigans that happen every time I try to do some etsy pictures. My little one loves dressing up in finery and wrangling/tormenting the hens. A 3 foot fence worked fine for the big chickens but the tinier gals get over that no problem so we'll be reinforcing a few spots with taller fencing so we can have our chicken free yard again.

  It is 85 degrees and muggy as heck today. I'm counting the days till we get outta the city and into the trees by the sea. I really can't wait! xo m

health is wealth...

  I do have the very best of intentions. I'm honestly doing very well in the health dept... I'm pretty proud that it has been nearly 8 months (gasp, really!) since I swore off alcohol etc... I'm pretty psyched that it's been smooth sailing, no falling of wagons and such. But there's always room for improvement and wheat and sugar remain my eternal temptresses. They are the things I crave the most and I do think they don't help me feel wonderful at all.

 mmm... Se there, all that was dinner on a good day. I do a great job mon-fri. Everyone's at home and I make healthful meals, avoiding allergens and irritants. and then Saturday sneaks in. My littlest is with her papa and my teenager is hanging with friends and I'm left to my own devices and... I crave treats and have a friend who works at, what is, in my humble opinion THE BEST bakery in Seattle if not the world!! Seriously, I cannot stay away...  I usually get a couple things and my friend will sneak an extra treat in the bag if it's close to closing time. oh boy...

 *chicken side note. I was pretty much patting myself on the back at how smoothly the chickens had become integrated. Sadie (the alpha hen) wanted to make sure that I know she does not care for 4 extra little peepers in her bunk house at night so she has taken to sleeping in the egg box (Sadie is broody and pretty much occupies the nesting box all the time now) and pecks any chick who tries to enter. The little chicks quickly give up and sleep in a little pile on the floor of the run. I have a largish dog kennel and for now the babies (teen chicks) have taken that over as their night time coop, but they're outgrowing it and I need to figure out a solution pronto!

 A few pics of my gal at her preschool graduation (and wheat filled treat fest!! there were bite size key lime pies! among other delights).

 See, that pic below was taken yesterday (treat left over from Saturday). I always feel my best when I avoid wheat/sugar. I often feel physically terrible when I do indulge. It's somehow not as satisfying/naughty/bad to crunch on a carrot stick or nibble a handful of cherries. I'm working on retraining that mind and mouth desire connection. I realize that the way I want these treats isn't really a healthy thing-especially as they do my body harm...

   This summer (and all the time forever) I am working on improving all over "health". Mental, Social (there are a few "friends" that are not so good and need to be well, avoided, I realize) and physical. Riding my bike often. My teenager is into the bike rides and we've agreed on a care free sat/sun. And, damn it, I'm getting off the refined sugar. Only a bit of honey and a little maple (somewhat refined) syrup on occasion. I can do this. The next phase of my magical health journey begins! xo m

chicks...

  The little girls are finally outside (at least during the daylight hours-at night they go back into their pen in the basement). They are confused and a little freaked out and spend a lot of time hiding behind the blue container lid I put in there for just that purpose. I might try and sneak them into the coop with the big girls this weekend but maybe not... Sadie is pretty unkind and I think it'll work best to go slow with the introductions.

   The two black hens have the longest, sleekest feathers, they feel like silk when I pick them up.

 And, while they were all the same size at the start,  the black chicks have quickly overcome the others in size (and beauty-I'm a little partial to these lovlies).

   We've been lucky enough to have several sunny days in a row. Plenty of outside running around time, which we really needed. Necessary  yard/garden chores/planning and park play.

  So happy a wonderful trio of lovely island ladies (love these girls!!) needed a place to stay for the night and that meant I got to clean up my basement studio (which was long overdue for some tidying up) so there was room for the slumber party.

 Tea and mermaid/barbie play party in full swing, my little gal is instructing dolly dress up. Piper, Amelia & Milla are all such sweethearts.

There were cafes and tea and gluten and thrifting and bread and coffee and kombucha on tap...

Yesterday it was over 70 degrees and so sunny, it felt like summer (at least summer here...)!

  Today I'm hoping the sun will burn through these heavy clouds and bring some warmth. I want to do some weekend bicycle riding and exploring, not in the rain please. xo m

spring chicks!

   There's a really wonderful little feed store we go to called Portage Bay Grange. We were in a couple weeks ago, buying feed for our big girls, and decided to "just look" at the baby chicks. Baby chicks are the cutest thing, there were so many cute little puffs hopping around! I went home that night and couldn't sleep. I was thinking about how pretty Black Australorp chickens are and they had baby chicks at the grange... A few days later I went back and got 4. All different types with varying egg colors.

   Now the chicks are starting to get their adult feathers and looking a bit rough and HUGE! They are incredibly tall! I've been taking them into the back yard for a few minutes, on sunny days, so that my 2 chickens can see them and the big chickens do not seem very happy. This flock expansion is going to be a journey! xo m

r.i.p. cinnamon

   Oh Cinnamon... She was very sick a while back and I didn't think she was going to survive but she did and she seemed to be getting healthy, putting on weight, running around... This morning, when I let the hens out, I found her.  Cinnamon was nearly 4 years old... She was everyone's favorite chicken and had the prettiest orange feathers... My little one cried for an hour solid, until her best friend kitty came along to distract her into a game of dress up. This cat is the most agreeable cat I've ever met. Nothing bothers Domino.

  I think it's been a couple weeks since I've even blogged. What with this sickness(es) making the rounds through our home and trying to catch up on work work work, plus working on "the book" when I can... Never enough hours in the day. Now I need caffeine (just a little!) and off to work. busy as a bee in summer. xo m

energy

   2012 was, and 2013 continues to be, a time of transformations. I am building the life that feels right and beautiful to me. So many little and big things are changing everyday. I think the most important part in all of these changes is ME. I am becoming a person who chooses to smile rather than choosing to scowl. I am learning to give love freely without expecting love in return. I don't feel the need to correct and argue (at least I don't let the feelings leave my mind and come out of my mouth!) all the time.
  I want to connect with nature, people,  life and beauty and see it all with wonderment. View and appreciate what is around me.  I want to experience the energy of earth and the universe in a spirit of love.

 Soft colored lights and lanterns are filling up our house. Bright lights have always bothered me. I feel so cozy in a soft glow. I saw these star shaped paper lanterns at a friends and had to order some for our house. They are like little stained glass windows.

Sugar has been reduced (I can't let go completely, yet... give a girl time.) greatly. Gone is the Gluten, Dairy, and so many grains. I realized, when I cut out gluten, that eating a big amount of almost any grain makes me feel all puffed up and just terrible. Welcome to salad town... I eat a lot of salad and try to eat as many fresh raw vegetables as possible because that's what makes me feel good and gives me the most energy. I can feel myself vibrating happily after I eat a nice salad with a little protein on it.  That ice cream up there is vegan coconut milk with chocolate chips. and tart cherries on top... that was a couple weeks ago. I'm being good now. Maybe a little nip of dark chocolate or some dried mangoes on occasion.
  One of chickens, Cinnamon, is not well, she seems pretty sick. She's on antibiotics and we'll see what becomes of her health. All my hens are nearly 4 and not very productive layers anymore. They're pets. I hate to think Cinnamon is suffering and in pain or confusion. She seems ok, still eating and drinking, so I'll just wait and see.. I was pretty bummed for a few days and stressing about what to do... xo m
 

chickens, crystals, color!

  I was pretty excited when I found a random chicken in my neighborhood last week. I actually thought she was one of mine and brought her home, thinking she looked prettier than usual, then realized that it was a spry young lady and not mine... I did a little research and found her owners and kinda sadly returned her. My hens were quite happy to see her. Oh how I love a stray!

 Saturday nights get pretty wild around here! A little hand sewing and repairs and tea. I'm trying to finish up the piles and piles of projects.

 This beauty showed up in my mailbox last week! It was such a sweet surprise, I was having a sort of moody, ho-hum day and then I saw a chunky envelope peeking out of my mailbox. The lovely Sadie Rose of Lost Boys & Lovers sent me this magical crystal & feather necklace and I am loving it sooooo! I imagine myself wandering the desert when I put it on. It has deeeep California sunshine vibes. Thank you sweet Sadie!! I feel so happy & grateful for the connections I've made online with other mystical, creative, powerhouse mamas (and some amazing non-mamas too!). This strange internet dimension is wonderful in some ways!

I love this little  trilogy of quartz power! sigh...

 ok, so some hair got colored... not very much. So here's the before...

 and after a little orange & pink...

Hmm, I'm thinking soft lilac all over. This color fades fast! This winter gloom is making me want soft pastel hair like a maniac so I'll just fool around a little... xo m

spring is sneaking in!

  We spent a lot of time outside today. The chickens were out of their run and loose in the yard so I was mostly running around trying to protect my garlic (the green shoots are already nearly a foot tall!), rhubarb and greens. All the other beds are empty and covered with mulch etc so the chickens did a lovely job of churning it around-which is something they love and will do for hours. They munched so much grass and ate so many worms and things that they just nibbled at their dinner.

   They are such funny, sweet tempered (for the most part...) girls. I really had to fight the urge to order a bunch of chicks. Next year we'll add to the flock but not this spring. There is talk of a bunny, maybe. Gotta get Papa on board with that...

   Yes, the Holiday lights are still up. I like being able to see what's going on back there at night. When it gets a bit warmer and I can take the heat lamp out of their coop, the lights will go too. A couple more weeks...

Some little miss stole my camera and took a million picture when i was washing up the breakfast dishes... Domino is her favorite model. And the toilet paper. She drug all the rolls out of the bathroom cabinet and was building a tower with them and then took so many pictures. Really, like 40 mindfully staged toilet paper pictures. So funny...

  Tomorrow I'm going treasure hunting/thrifting at the rag house. I'm putting my positive vintage vibes out for it to be a good day at the factory. Some days it's really like digging through trash. Scary and gross. I'm feeling like tomorrow will be nice (and clean, please! fingers crossed!).
  I also need to get some seeds in the ground and start a few in the sun room. Spring just happens so fast! Thankfully, the gloom was wearing on me a bit. Hope your weekend was sweet. xo

baking & spring?

  I totally have spring fever (and I always have baking fever.... I like to cook real food fine but I really LOVE to bake. ) The garlic is already sprouting up and many inches tall. Seattle weather can be very confusing for plants and seeds... but back to baking, I think biscuits are like my favorite food in the world ever. Really. It's one reason why being gluten free has been so hard. Every so often I get a hankerin for a delicious biscuit and until last week hadn't found or come up with a recipe that worked. I got the blackbird bakery cookbook and it is really wonderful and the buttermilk biscuit recipe is stunning. I am serious, it kills me. I've made them almost everyday since I got the book. so freakin good! before...

 and after... The kids love that it's like a biscuit flower.

 and brownies. so so good.

 We've had a few warm and bright days and the chickens have been able to get out of the run and explore the yard. Our yard is less than secure and there are many cats/raccoons that lurk around so I haven't been letting them be in the yard unless we're outside too. This weekend we're going to fortify the corners of the yard with fencing and hopefully they'll be able to hang out more...

 starfish zone.

 I came up with this recipe for oat pancakes that I'm loving. I'll post it tomorrow. I'm too tired...

 banana bread...

 cupcakes that I made for a friend's birthday...

And now I need to watch something fluffy and really vapid to cleanse my mental palate after the intensity of Black Swan... I was braced and ready for it but it was a little too "haunting" and not in a good way. I was afraid to go into the bathroom in the middle of the night after seeing Black Swan. and (*Spoiler ALERT!) I never need to see Winona Ryder stab herself in the face repeatedly with a metal nail file... Don't even get me started on the mom. ugh. I guess I'm just too sensitive.  So I'll be watching some lite vamp fare and sipping a glass of Gladiator... Happy Tuesday!