Gardening in April

We spent Saturday doing garden chores, and the weather was so mild and perfect, I didn’t mind a bit! Honestly, gardening in April is the BEST because it’s not yet too hot.

We pruned wisteria vines from out of our redwood tree, where they like to rove. We also planted new plants and trimmed trees and Ian reset our slate walkway. (It is still drying and looks like a sticky, muddy mess right now, but soon the stones will be revealed and we’ll plant some kind of creepy, crawly turf to grow between them.) I potted some plants and dug up a few daylilies to propagate them. I’ve never done that before, so I’m hoping that the five new clumps I planted elsewhere in the yard take off. If this works, then I have many more daylilies to separate.

Slowly, slowly the bare spots in the yard are filling in with new lovelies. Last year’s plants are bigger—the ones that survived our freakish snow from last December. It is one of my several obsessions: What will go here? What could I grow there? I’m thinking of adding something with purple flowers here. Is there any yellow over there? No? Better add some.

And my patient Ian smiles, pulls out the tools, and gets to work. Best of all, he said, “I’m really proud of our yard.”

One of our six new azaleas.

Nasturtium seedlings. I’m hoping these will become a riotous tangle of red, orange, yellow, and green.

My purple robe locust tress are in full bloom and the hummingbirds and bees are mad for them. They smell divine. One of these tress is now about 30 feet tall.

New patio pots with petunias, gazania, and bacopa.

My soft lamb’s ears. I love to pet them.

State of Us

Work

Things are fine; not too busy at the moment. My two big, long-term projects that I’ve already committed to are on hold, temporarily. The reason sucks: the baby of the editor in charge is very, very ill and undergoing some seriously heavy treatment. Naturally, the editor doesn’t have much time or energy to spare for work. It’s completely understandable. I’m just hoping her baby will be all right.

In the meantime, I’m working on some odd jobs—helping out another DE with some tasks to take some of the burden off her. I’ve been spending time researching photos and reformatting tables. Yes, kind of boring, but also no stress.

I’m also working on a novel development job and it’s turning out to be both educational and rewarding. I think I’m making useful suggestions and my client is happy so far. A little job that disappeared last fall has resurfaced. And I hear that my uncle was pleased with my recent monograph edit. I think I have a strategy guide starting up soon, too.

Lucas

My dear Lucas’s eighth birthday is in less than three weeks! We went kind of all out last year throwing him a super-cool Aliens & Robots birthday party here at our home. We built robots, did crafts, played games, ate alien foods and had an alien birthday cake. The boys all dressed in costumes and it rocked.

This year, the theme Lucas came up with was just too challenging. I tried and tried to figure out a way to do a Secret Agent birthday party for 8-year-olds, but just couldn’t get around the fact that they have NO CONTEXT for spies or secret agents at all—no James Bond, no Cold War, no “Mission Impossible.” No explosions or weapons or special high-tech gadgets (kids are already living in The Future) or grappling hooks or lasers. In a moment of desperation I asked Lucas if he might like to have his party elsewhere, like at a fun place that does birthday parties. He instantly jumped at the idea of Sunrise Rollerland and roller-skating. No hesitation. Really? I used to skate there as a kid in the late ’70s and early ’80s. “Yes, mom! That would be SO COOL!” You don’t have to tell me twice. I booked the party there for May 1st, his birthday.

I am not at all thrilled about the roller-rink pizza that will be served, but they won’t let me bring food. I admit there is a part of me that feels like it’s a cop-out to buy the party (GOOD mommies make birthday cakes , right? Oh. That’s MY script?), but I am also somewhat relieved not to have all that busyness to worry about in the next two weeks.  We made our invitations and sent them out yesterday. The only other thing I have to do is make goodie bags for the party guests.

Asher

Oh Asher! He is so very, very 3 right now. Asher is determined, bold, assertive, demanding, outrageous, talkative, charming, precocious, HUNGRY, and picky. This child knows what he wants at every moment. He is happy and playful, and he uses language beautifully to tell you exactly what he thinks (watch out).

This is not to say that his pronunciation is perfect. In fact, it’s still quite babyish, which I admit I adore. I was so sad when he learned to say “please” with the l sound in there. Some of my favorites are:

binkit (blanket)

stabdabdies (strawberries—this one is on the way out)

beenana (bananna)

Bye, my fends (friends)!

kick-kick, (which is becoming click-click, his name for his pushing Red Flyer wagon)

I need some Mama time. You need some Baby time.

Asher went potty in the toilet four times yesterday; that’s a monumental accomplishment for him (us). He’s finally starting to get the hang of it.

Another Easter Egg

I thought this was going to be a cool birthday gift for Lucas (which I won’t yet name because I still hope to make one), but before I knew it, this needle-felting project rapidly became another Easter egg. I think I really love Easter eggs. This egg is rather like one I made and gave to Grandpa and Mimi a couple of weeks ago. I has flowers all the way around the back.

Another Easter Egg, Post-Easter

Needle-Felted Wall Hanging (Work In Progress)

I’ve seen some gorgeous wool “paintings” in books and online and I thought I’d try my hand at needle-felting something new. I didn’t really consult any how-to resources (and probably should have). I just got out my roving and went for it. Honestly, this wool is so forgiving. The last thing I need to do is to create some hooks on the back and hand it by a pretty twig, I think. Small bursts of creativity are better than none, right?

Needle-Felted Spring Wall Hanging

Detail: Needle-Felted Spring Wall Hanging

Rambling Day at Grinding Rock and the Black Chasm

Last Friday, before this most recent rainstorm, we all took off on a little day trip to Amador county to see what we could see. We were finally all feeling mostly healthy after our sequential colds (which I didn’t dwell on much this week because we were all home together and taking life pretty easy anyway). The day was gorgeous and we had so much fun.

Arrowheads for Different Purposes

Various Tools and Artifacts

We started out at one of our favorite local spots: Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock, near Volcano and Pine Grove, California just 8 miles east of Jackson. It’s a lovely, well-maintained state historic park with an educational center and the largest bedrock grinding stone in North America. This is where Miwok people ground their acorns for centuries. The wildflowers were dressed to impress and I enjoyed them very much.

Mortar Holes

Blue Wildflowers

The Grinding Rock

Lichen

I didn’t know manzanita trees flowered like this:

Manzanita Flowers Me and My Children

We had a yummy picnic and then hiked the short loop trail through the woods. Asher is such a trooper when we’re hiking small trails like this. He really likes it when we all stay together, though! Of course, Lucas likes to rush ahead.

Then we ventured on to the Black Chasm, which was only another 10 minutes’ drive up the road. We paid for the tour into the cavern, which is pretty damned spectacular. I had to carry Asher in our Ergo on my front and feel my way down the slippery, wet staircase into the cavern. It was exciting and a bit scary, but we all did it! Lucas was very brave. Because of carrying Asher, I didn’t bring my camera into the cave—it would have been just too much to manage. I’m sad not to have any pictures, but I can tell you that it was so beautiful and very well lighted. This cave has a great display of helictites, which are very rare and weird and formed from hydrostatic pressure. (If you go to the website, you can see pictures and even a short video.)

Above ground, they had a flume and we hunted for crystals in the sands. Asher made friends with a little boy who lives there named Kit.

We stopped at a lovely winery after our exertions, where the kids ran around in a safe picnic/game area. The wines were pretty nice and we came away with three bottles. Mmm.

Wine Grapes

Our adventure culminated with a walk through Sutter Creek and dinner. Asher was asleep as soon as we climbed into the car. Such a great day!

Family Portrait

Nature Walk, Part 2

More photos from that lovely day at the very end of March at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center preserve.

I don’t know what this tree is, but it has pretty red chains of blossoms.

He is so brave and adventuresome now. His eighth birthday is only three weeks away.

A Zen moment, relaxing and watching the American River drifting by.

Aren’t they stunning? Tiny white stars twinkle on this vine. I couldn’t get enough of these darlings.

Sometimes the brightest colors of the day are found closest to the ground!

Climbing and chilling on a fallen tree. They both bravely walked along this giant (Asher held my hand while doing so).

Nature Walk Along the American River, Part 1

I’m behind in my blogging. My experiences and photos are stacking up and waiting in line to be showed and kept here. I think this secretly means that life is full these days.

We took this lovely walk on the first day of the kids’ Spring Break. Lucas had a morning class about bird-watching at Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael, and when Asher and I arrived to pick him up, we all walked through the preserve along the American River for a while. (Somehow I managed to get Asher only half dressed this day.) The day was overcast but comfortable and the preserve was glorious in every way.

Glory in the green, green grass, particularly inviting for this little “lello” bunny.

Glory in the purple vinca major (AKA periwinkle), which is not a California native plant but has naturalized. (I love it.)

Glory in the group of deer we patiently watched while they grazed, especially this mama and fawn.

Glory in the tiny pink wildflowers, only an inch or so tall, and in the great oak trees.

Glory in boys being free, courageous, goofy, and happy in wild places.

My heart swells when I see my children in places like this, where we are safe and comfortable, and free to ramble on down the trail, or to pause to savor a vista or follow the erratic flight of a butterfly. I love coming here because we are guaranteed to see and hear wildlife, no matter the season. And I love how I feel when I’m here with my family—like maybe for once I’m doing something JUST RIGHT, that maybe I’ve found a perfect moment of happy calm for them and for me. I love the great big sky, whatever its color, and the intricacies of the natural world—the turn of a leaf, the texture of the bark, the smell of the air.

This nature walk was so tremendous, I’m going to post more pictures in a “Part 2.” I can’t help it. They make me feel tranquil.

Oh, Easter!

No doubt about it. Ours was a bounteous, Easter-filled weekend.

We hosted a wonderful gathering of friends on Saturday—one of our famous, all-day brunches. Our home was warmed by many dear ones and terrific food. We had an egg hunt for the kiddos and lots of chill time for the grown ups.

Sunday morning, on Easter, we woke very early to find the Easter bunny had come to our house and nibbled up almost all of the carrots we left out for him. He left us flowers and strawberries, and baskets of goodies for Lucas and Asher.

The Bunny also brought fun Easter books for the boys. The Easter Egg by Jan Brett for Asher, and The Story of the Butterfly Children by Sibylle von Olfers for Lucas. We love both of these author/illustrators very much! And we’d highly recommend either of these books to other children.

The baskets contained small toys, like needle-felted chicks inside colorful wet-felted Easter eggs. Asher received a wonderful wooden family of four bunnies with three bushes for them to play among. He got wrist ribbons for when he needs to fly like a bird or a butterfly, or perhaps even a yellow dragon. And there were some soy crayon “rocks,” but I think they look a lot like jelly beans.

Lucas received a big-boy felting needle with an egg-shaped handle, a wooden biplane model kit, a super-fancy stone egg, and some springtime note cards, in case he would like to write to his friends, whom he has been missing while on spring break.

We had a wonderful breakfast at VoVo and DiDi’s house, visited with Auntie Kelly and Matt and hunted even more eggs! Grandma had Easter baskets for them there, too.

We hunted again later in the day at RoRo and Nana’s house. (That’s a lot of egg hunts for two small boys, but they enjoyed each of them.) By the end of the day, Asher was hunting eggs like he’d been doing it every day of his life! He was dropping very few by the end. Lucas and Asher each got another book (can’t wait to read Stuart Little with Lucas) and more candy there. Two tiny babies were there, Alice and Travis. (And Asher hardly recognized them as humans.)

By the afternoon, the cold had turned to heavy rain showers and we were glad to get home, safe and snug that night. It was a marvelous two-day holiday for us and we are still enjoying our new goodies. Alas, Asher isn’t too keen on eating the hard-boiled eggs.


Happy Easter!

The day is not yet done, but the festivities are. We are tired and happy, and the rain is coming down. More later. For now, we wish you a Happy Easter!

Easter Projects

We are expecting about 30 friends to come tomorrow and celebrate Easter with a day-long brunch. I can’t wait to see their smiling faces! Today has been for Easter projects. Banana bread is baking in the oven right now and making the whole house smell divine.

Ian and I are going to make a bunch of food:

  • Barbecued salmon fillet
  • Vegetarian quinoa with roasted red and yellow peppers and shallots
  • Vegetarian butternut squash casserole
  • Banana bread
  • Pumpkin bread with tiny chocolate chips
  • Chicken apple sausages
  • Big bowl of fruit
  • And maybe hot cross buns, if I have time …

We decorated and hung felt eggs today on our (somewhat neglected) ficus tree. These were made with crummy, 20¢ craft felt and scrap pieces of 100% wool felt. The boys were quite taken with the stars, so they focused on creating eggs with stars. Asher really loved using the scissors!

We’ve been dying Easter eggs too. We had to compromise. The boys wanted to use the pearlescent commercial dye kit that Grandma gave them. The eggs were both easy to color and are also quite beautiful, in lovely pastel shades.

I, on the other hand, was hankering to do some natural dying again, like we did in 2008. I’ve seen some gorgeous eggs online and in one of our craft books that use leaves and flowers to make a negative image on the egg. We did the yellow and red onion skin dyes today, and this is what we came up with. Not quite a perfect result, but two of them look really great. We’re supposed to shine them up with oil.

The dark brown eggs were dyed with the red onion skins. Three of them didn’t get the leaf technique. The lightest egg was dyed just by wrapping the boiled yellow onion skins around the egg and leaving it overnight. If we have time tonight, we’ll do some with red cabbage and hopefully make some pretty blue eggs, too.

OK. Gotta run to the grocery store! Happy Easter!

  • About Sara

    Thanks for visiting! I’m Sara, editor and writer, wife to Ian, and mother of two precious boys. I am living each day to the fullest and with as much grace, creativity, and patience as I can muster. This is where I write about living, loving, and engaging fully in family life and the world around me. I let my hair down here. I learn new skills here. I strive to be a better human being here. And I tell the truth.

    Our children attend Waldorf school and we are enriching our home and family life with plenty of Waldorf-inspired festivals, crafts, and stories.

    © 2003–2018 Please do not use my photographs or text without my permission.

    “Love doesn’t just sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.” —Ursula K. LeGuinn

  • Buy Our Festivals E-Books







  • Archives

  • Tags

  • Categories

  •  

  • Meta