Summer Highlights

Though autumn officially begins just shy of a month from now, I am ready-- ready for the cooler weather, fall planting and the fall semester of school (for the kids plus myself). Overall, this has been a satisfying summer... lots of family bonding and fun with friends.

Some lessons learned along the way these past few months:

The messier, the better (when the kids' entertainment is concerned, that is)...

There's always enough time to pull over and enjoy the view (& talk to a goat or two)...

You never know what you may come across on your travels (camels in CA?)...

Firefighters and fireworks are a dangerous combination...

You can never grow out of skinny dipping, pillow fights, or catching frogs, tadpoles & butterflies...

The best meals are improvised (and the more, the merrier!)...

Love knows no boundaries (just ask a preschooler)...

And, no matter how bumpy the road, the beauty's in the details.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

--John Muir

Catch the sun in a mason jar!

At first when I came across this product, I thought it was charming idea, (though the reviews on Amazon.com were pretty disappointing). It's basically a genuine mason jar with an inner solar light. It holds a soft, sunny-colored glow at night (and charges in the sun during the day).

These would be great for outdoor summer evenings, so why not try and make them ourselves?

It's pretty easy--just purchase a mason jar with attached lid (ex: Ikea), some glass frosting spray, cheap solar garden light, and some Blue Tak. Click here for the tutorial.

Seasons on an Organic Farm

This Common Ground: Seasons on an Organic Farm, by Scott Chaskey

"An elegy to the land and to the creatures who inhabit it...the book is also a gardener's bible." --Anne Raver, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Also, check out this interview of the author.

Cute.

My kids have developed a fascination for fairies. The presence of this moss terrarium in our house would induce endless stories and discussion on the fairies that live in our garden. I love how innocently gullible kids are at this age; we grown-ups can spin tales of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and so on-- all to the delight of our little ones' imaginations. For partly selfish reasons, I say lets encourage this sense of wonder in our children for as long as possible. As it is, life passes us by fast enough.

terrarium habitat and photos found on Etsy

Anita Shreve Addict

I am loving the novelist Anita Shreve, and have been reading her books every night while the kids fall asleep. I started with Body Surfing, and haven't stopped yet--so far, only one of five has disappointed (Wedding in December... too loosely connected until the last few chapters).

Light on Snow, A Pilot's Wife, and Sea Glass were my favorites. Next up: Weight of Water. Shreve interweaves a touch of everything into her stories. It has been a while since I have found a writer I've enjoyed this much without getting bored with the writing style.

There's just something about her characters and their stories... I can't figure out exactly what it is I love about them, except that I feel as though something a bit comforting can be drawn from each book.

Costly slipper...

I finally broke out my sewing machine... and produced a tiny Soleful Slipper for Izzy.

Will I attempt to complete the pair? Maybe after both kids are attending preschool...

Before slipper:

After slipper:

(Yep, that's the same room in both shots.)

I dream of libraries...

I've always loved my grandmother's (I know I mention her a lot) floor-to-ceiling library in her dining room...One of these days, I'd love to have a wall lined with bookshelves, complete with shelves protruding out from over and around door frames and such. Space is limited for us right now, so why not wall paper? Though we could recreate the visual, it just wouldn't be the same without that "old book" smell.

If we ever get around to installing real shelves, it'll be time to make things official: emboss all the "keeper" books (you know, the ones you want to re-read or pass on to your kids) with a subtle, yet permanent, inkless stamp. And, what would our stamp say? ..."from the library of The Fox Den," of course.

Photo credits: Expressionary.com and Deborahbowness.com

New Year's Resolution

For the year 2009, I will:

1. plant a garden

2. Maintain a budget

On My Own Two Feet:

... a great "business/finance" book by Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar.

Now, I don't speak Math. Admittedly, I've never learned the basics of personal finance, and though I've made a few attempts at budgeting, I have yet to maintain a budget. This book is an easy, fast read, and it is so very informative. Though it is a woman's guide to personal finance, it can easily be applied to both genders. Basically, it teaches how to "save and invest wisely...and acheive financial security" (covering everything from college funds to retirement funds). I am definetly saving a copy of this book for my daughter (and maybe even one for my son).

Painting is to Journaling is to Blogging

Journaling: (a.ka. blogging, sketching, painting, writing); to turn blank pages into inspiring expressions of our everyday lives...

I've always loved the idea of journaling as an outlet, and this blog (called Paper and Threads) is a delight to scroll through. I've scribbled and sketched in a few journals, myself--the contents of which I too would display on a blog if I had half as much talent as the elusive Paper and Threads.

This talented blogger is a painter and a traveler. I got lost and very inspired in this artist's water-colored commentary (I would include more specific info, but this blog doesn't include a profile--only an impressively detailed journal of experiences, along with challenges aimed toward artistic skills).

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

All images courtesy of http://www.paperandthreads.com/

Thirsty Moms On the Go

Between the weekly dance, swim and karate classes (not to mention playgroup and t-ball), my kids keep me on-the-go quite often. Okay, perhaps I'm the one keeping them busy, right? I am pretty picky about what I feed my kids, and thus tend to pack them the necessary on-the-go snacks and drinks. Nevertheless, it is often tempting to utilize the strategically located Starbucks drive-thrus for myself ("ahem: one Starbuck's sweetened venti Passion Iced Tea, please..."), since my motherly instincts seem not to include the ability to nurture myself. I am trying to leave the house each morning well-prepared and therefore less likely to detour into these convenient drive-thru pit stops that pop up into my periphery during my weak moments of the day ("...and a Turkey Pesto sandwich, please... thank you!"). Here's one of my remedies for thirsty Moms on the go:

Check out these ice cube trays from Ikea--

These floppy rubber molds come in several different shapes, but I like these 6" long "sticks" best...

Imagine freezing some fresh-squeezed juice from some of these:

...with a single julienned piece of this:

...and perhaps a crushed sprig of this:

...Add one of those ice "sticks" to water inside this on your way out the door:

...and viola! You've got water on-the-go (green*ly contained), worthy of serving at a day spa.

(And, more health-conscious than your average bottle of water. Click here for more info).

Photos courtesy of Google.com

Fire in Montecito

Sadly, a fire has damaged about 4 square miles (so far) of Santa Barbara's beautiful Montecito, the community where Westmont College is located. According to the news reports, over a 100 homes have been destroyed, and as of this morning there were no reports of containment.

As far as Westmont is concerned, buildings withing the Clark Hall dormitory were destroyed, as well as the Physics Building, the "old Math" building, Bauder Hall and the Quonset Huts. I've also heard that the nearby monastary was destroyed (unrelated to Westmont College). Updated reports can be found on the Westmont College website (click here). For a list of known Westmont-related residences damaged, click here (several professors lost their homes). Also, click here, and here and here for more information.

Even though Westmont is only a piece of my past, it's a nostalgic memory that is held close to my heart. Its campus and surrounding community are treasures to many people. Lets hope the worst has already passed.

A portion of Clark Hall after fire...buildings F, G, M & S were destroyed, as well as Mark the R.D.'s home.

Chapel after fire...safe.

Photos and info courtesy of happywonderer.wordpress.com, Kaiblogy.wordpress.com, and npr.org

A Piece of My Past

I never finished college. The second semester of my junior year, I left the campus. I didn't return until a couple years later--on a motorcycle run up the coast highway. I wandered the campus for about an hour with my riding partner (Ron, a family friend), and left feeling incomplete.
I still dream about school, and usually it involves familiar feelings of insecurity combined with nostalgia. The pressure I feel in those dreams always revolves around a deadline I have allowed to lapse, and a yearning for completion. The details of dorm life, the beautiful campus, Sunday evening Vespers, chapel requirements, and even the dining commons all flood my memory banks when I reminisce about Westmont.

I even miss some things: friendships with roommates and fellow resident advisers, endless hours of class in the English department, and exploring Santa Barbara. The world was at my fingertips when I was living on that campus, and I didn't even know it.
I had everything I needed within walking distance: a 3 story library, an after hours "cafe," serene landscape and beautiful architecture, a theater, a pool, 2 chapels, a P.O. box, a shuttle service, lectures and discussion on every type of writing imaginable, fascinating professors, small classrooms, spiritual guidance, weekly guest speakers, and a social life. I often wonder what life would be like today had I seen this through to the end. I know I certainly was a different person way back when, with a lot of maturing to do and a soft outer shell. If I could do it all again as the "me" I am today, would I?

Heck, yes! Just let me take my babies with me on campus, or provide me with a qualified nanny to follow me around from class to class. There's enough grassy areas, foliage, footpaths and the occasional fountain or pond to keep them entertained all day long. We could picnic together at lunch time, and I'd hit the library after their bed time. Definitely do-able.


Why all this talk about college? I discovered a former roommate's blog. She was my first roommate in the Clark Hall dorm my freshman year, and we were worlds apart on the maturity scale. We stayed in touch, and have probably broken some phone tag records--it can go a year or two before we get back to each other. Voice mails have been our primary form of communication, in which we are informed of marriages, babies, etc. As I have just discovered her blog, our level of communication has been instantaneously upgraded. We have not seen each other since college. One of these days, perhaps...? Until then, I am loving her extraordinary writing.



Also, I got a chai latte at Starbucks (first time in a long time). There was a quote on that paper cup by a Noah benShea, author of Jacob the Baker and The Word (both excellent books). I met him during a Jewish Lit course with Professor Cook (one of my favorite professors). I remember hanging out after class with another student in the tiny English department "lobby," discussing with Mr. benShea his journey as a writer. He answered all our questions and signed our copies of his books. That was just one of the unique experiences that college provided.

All Westmont campus photos courtesy of google.com

Great Green Blog

Our Green Nest
Here is a great blog for families interested in a green lifestyle. The site includes lots of info and resources on green living, recycling, natural homes and gardens, and raising babies "green".

http://ourgreennest.blogspot.com/

... And now maybe someday we'll ask: Where were you on this day?

Tonight was one of the few times I have ever cried while watching CNN--only this time, they were happy tears (the last time was on 9/11). I didn't really follow the election as closely as I would have liked, but even so, both McCain's and Obama's speeches tonight were powerful. I was especially moved by how encouraging McCain's words were as he put all pride aside and looked to the future. Watching Obama's family standing before a victorious audience was exciting. I'm looking forward to calling him our President.

Love this blog...Want this life (for our family)

photos courtesy of SouleMama's blog

There is a particular blog that I love to peek at every time I update the Fox Den. It is called SouleMama, and is created by a very crafty, resourceful and talented mother from Portland, Maine. She is definitely a nature mama who is teaching her kids about the joys and wonders of the simpler side of life.... knitting, sewing, canning, baking, gardening, hiking, etc. I must confess, I want this mamma's life (with my own family included, of course). Oh, if I could magically transport the life and land portrayed in her blog out west to San Diego, CA--then there would be no more need to subscribe to Country Living magazine, because I would already be an expert.