sugar shacks and poop manicures

this weekend, despite the massive flooding and swimming potential in our basement, we decided to get out and check off one of our to-do's for 2010! we've all been dying to go to a real sugar shack and see the whole maple syrup process. i did some searching and found that we actually have a small place pretty close by, and since the season is so short, we jumped on the chance. after a brief detour (classic nina beana style, i mapquested the wrong street and the wrong town), we arrived and were greeted by a really chill old sugar dude who walked us through the whole process. the kids were into tasting all the different stages, and i was into marvelling his poop manicure (we coined this term...it's kind of like a french manicure but it's what happens naturally after wiping your bum for 100 years and not washing your hands. yes, he had a poop manicure, but we definitely loved him anyway and still bought some delicious syrup!). it still amazes me that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. going and seeing how it was done made me appreciate the process and not mind shelling out the big bucks (compared to the market basket imitation syrup) for some quality medium amber syrup.


of course, since this is our favorite family song, there was lots of singing involved:

the things i've been telling myself lately

dear nina,

nobody is going to do it for you.
nobody but you.

if you want to make a change,
you better just make it happen for yourself.
please don't wait around
and wait for someone
to come around
and start making the magic happen.

nobody is going to book that
fabulous tattoo appointment for you
nobody is going to change the way you grocery shop
or completely revamp the products you choose to buy
or choose to dress differently
or shop at different places that make you feel good.
nobody will be as excited about the things you feel excited about.
i promise you that.

nobody, nina.

so you better just start doing it yourself.

if you want it bad enough,
just do it.
shave your head or grow it out
buy new things that make you feel good
eat a new way that feels different, uncomfortable, but amazing
stick up for yourself
dream bigger

because if you don't

seriously, it won't ever happen.

ps, i love you. xx

fun anyway

today i'm trying
to stay focused
on the fun

even though
the day
started at 4:ooam
followed by tears
from everyone
except johnny
and then there was all that broken glass
that i just finished sweeping up
and my shirt smells
kind of moldy
because i left it wet in the washing machine
for too long
but i'm wearing it anyway
because it's all that clean
so i guess i'm using the term "clean"
pretty lightly here

but today
will be fun
and pretty awesome anyway
if i have anything do to with it.

xx

wishstudio and artful blogging love

so it's completely normal to pull out a sharpie and make your friend sign your magazine while out to lunch, saying "you're famous! you're SO FAMOUS!" quite loudly in a crowded whole foods, right?

right?

i'm blessed to call mindy from wishstudio a friend. and while we don't see each other every week, or even every month, when we do see each other, it's my medicine. she leaves me feeling inspired and creative and itching to do something big. i love her. and i love what's she's done with the wishstudio. over the past years, i've seen it grow from a physical studio space to a virtual, connection-overflowing space that bloggers gravitate to. it's pretty awesome.

which brings me to...the latest issue of "artful blogging" magazine. the one that mindy has a four page article in! see there on the cover where it says "from the wishstudio"? well, this is the big issue that we've been waiting for. AND it's the one that my.first.published.photograph.is.in.!


it's on newstands now! or you can read more about it here. johnny got me a copy at borders when our electricity was out so i could have something to snuggle up with. seeing my photograph in print (my feet!) makes me feel special. and my feelings about mindy's accomplishment just send me over the edge. so if you're at the bookstore, pick up a copy (or look at mine) and check it out!

cleaning house

really changing things up here in nina beanaland.

and it feels good.

tempted to give away most of my stuff. i've been going through drawers and stacks like a madwoman, and i just want to get rid of stuff. stuff holds me down and makes me feel stuck. maybe it's the spring, or maybe it's reading all about the families doing the RV thing, but i've got a serious case of housekeeping going on.

i'm also tempted to get rid of most of my clothes. like even the stuff that i'm keeping just in case 1. i get smaller or 2. i get bigger. because i figure if those things happen, i can always just find new clothes at that point. i'm always on the search for better fitting/happier-making clothes...one of my most favorite things in the world is getting bags of clothes from friends (thanks steph and melissa!) and going through and picking out the things that speak to me. and then passing everything else on to other friends. there isn't a day that goes by when i'm not wearing one item that someone has lovingly passed on to me. like today's outfit features pants from a dear blogging friend teri, a tank top from nicole, and a shirt from melissa. these things make me happy. (so when i say i want to get rid of my clothes...please still keep the hand-me-downs coming! ;)

i'm amazed at how little stuff we use on a day-to-day basis. we surround ourselves with all this "stuff" to make ourselves comfortable...stacks and stacks of books, and baskets of toys, and lots of clothes and dishes and etc. etc., but we hardly use any of them. i'm tempted to just go through the house and purge purge purge. i wish i could have a yard sale (just.can't.do.it. it's one of my major hangups) because i can't be bothered lugging load after load of stuff out of here. wish someone would come and pick it all up off my front lawn. now there's a thought...maybe a freesale when spring rolls around?

anyone want some stuff?

back in business

we had some crazy weather here over the weekend. well, actually, it was last thursday night that the weather came through. and by crazy i mean some serious winds that ripped off parts of my neighbor's roof and siding, fences, and then tore down a giant old pine tree, and with it, all of our electric lines. so we had no power for a couple of days. everyone rallied and took care of us- feeding us, letting the kids sleep over, letting me take a shower after two days without. we gathered around the fireplace at my dad's, feeling grateful for having family close by. the kids thought it was an adventure, and got to eat mcdonalds takeout as a 'special treat'. we cleaned out the fridge and trucked a couple hundred dollars worth of groceries to my mother in law's house so it didn't go to waste. and i actually got to clean.the.fridge.! like clean clean, with a scrubby sponge and stuff. who knew that the shelves and pieces of the fridge actually come out! it was a whole new world to me. and after six years of living here, you'd think it was about time.

and johnny and i stayed at the cold house one night, taking out all the candles and lighting them. it was kind of nice, reading in bed with candles in the cold, knowing the kids were safe. i refused to let the loss of heat and electric get me down. it really made me stop and think about how blessed we are- and it made me think about all the people living without heat/shelter/food every day of their lives. and the earthquake victims. etc. etc. i made a promise to myself that i would stay centered and focused on all that we have in our lives, especially a kick ass family ready to take in three wild, grubby kids and two unshowered parents.

so we're home, back in business, warm again. the fridge is clean. and i have a renewed appreciation for my morning shower.

xx

i told you so

and it was better.
it just got better.
even with all the rain,
and being stuck inside again,
it was better.

it only gets better
if you tell yourself
it will.

xx

better.

today will get better. i promise.

xx

adventures and meatlessness.

well hello there. things have been quiet here on the blog front for many reasons, the main ones being that last week was school vacation and lulu has proven to be quite the climber, and her goal in life is to climb up on top of the television and jump off to her certain doom. which makes it hard for me to sneak upstairs and get some computer time. because you know, our laptop has been broken for approximately six months. which is a different story for a different day.

but here i am! and there have been many adventures while i was away. there have been birthdays and celebrations. there have been photobooths and love and joy. but there has also been sibling rivalry, and the kids running wild around the house, and glasses of wine after bedtime. it's an up-and-down kind of ride and i'm learning how to enjoy the moment while i'm in it, instead of wishing it away.

the biggest thing i have going on now is my newest journey to a meatless life. and let me just tell you...i'm a bit of a meat addict. it's one of the parts of me that has never felt right- all the meat consumption. i spent years and years as a vegetarian and struggled desperately with anemia, especially when becoming pregnant with gray. but lately i'm just so over meat- so over the same old same old when grocery shopping. so i'm slowly switching my ways of cooking...and buying...and consuming. it's been really enlightening and pretty awesome. because it's made me slow down and stretch my wings when it comes to cooking. and i'm reading some great books along the way, particularly the kind diet by alicia silverstone.

and this is the part where i explain how PATIENT and AWESOME johnny has been- because there are been some EPIC FAILS in my vegetarian cooking department. like those peanut noodles. you know, the ones that were supposed to be edible. but then we all had to have tongue transplants afterward because i thought it would be cool to replace the "seasame oil" with "HOT seasame oil." and this recipe called for a LOT of seasame oil.

but there have been some beautiful adventures to be had. like finding the huge asian supermarket a couple of cities away while on a date with boo. and buying a ton of new foods for $17. and then cooking together as a family. making bread. and surprisingly filling and delicious meals. all i had to do was stretch my wings. and i'm kind of loving it.

gotta look sharp

rainbows wristbands always help when trying to look sharp.

(thanks aunties joya&libby!)

the good.

good good things:

*artist dates
*vintage wrapping paper
*new canvases
*snow days
*veggie burrito night
*homemade pumpkin streusel bread
*soup dinners with family
*coffee shops with chalkboard walls
*drinks in mason jars
*getting inspiration from other artists
*the newest issue of artful blogging- waiting for my copy with baited breath!
*reading about raw foods
*reading hypnobirthing
*library trips where lulu doesn't scream and tear up library books
*upcoming fancy dinner date in the city this weekend (with MIL who's celebrating 60!)
*new recipes
*the grateful dead cookbook (makes me laugh every time)
*random acts of kindness
*new vintage quilt on my bed
*beastie boys (good thing joey and lulu don't know about swears yet)

what's good in your life? xx

and this is the part where i interview myself.

1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

a little clip-on bedlight. the books that i'm reading (cleaving by julie powell, bicycle diaries by david byrne and whatever, mom: hip mama's guide to raising a teenager by ariel gore). a light with a hippie scarf draped over it. a little drawing by gray. glass of water.

2. what are some things can't you live without?

my kids. johnny. my family and friends. company coming over. communal meals. the little scrap of fabric that i sleep with every night.

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

an art show. my favorite thrift store. the salvation army. incense shopping. art supply store. borders. whole foods. trader joe's. sushi. one of those places for sure.

4. show me three pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like.




5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/
http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ and http://happyfoody.com/
http://www.welcometomybrain.net/
and
http://hulaseventy.blogspot.com/2008/09/about-this-through-viewfinder-thing.html

that's it, loves! hope you enjoyed. i wish i could interview everyone- i loved doing this! stayed tuned for more blogger spotlights. xx

interviews part 5: mindy from wishstudio!

mindy, the creator of the wishstudio, is a kind and gentle soul. i like mindy because she is a collector of good people, and she's a connector. and she's created a beautiful space for artists to gather and exchange ideas. and whenever i hang out with mindertins, i leave feeling good. she's one of those peeps. enjoy. xx

1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

on my tiny nightstand is a tall (and precariously stacked) pile of books and magazines, a glass of water, and my light. just the bedtime essentials.

2. what are some things can't you live without?

my children, my laptop, laughter.

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

i'd probably want to take a nap, but i'd try to get out instead and poke around the local farm stand, book store or vintage shop... all food for the soul!

4. show me three pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like:

5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

jenny doh's blog http://jennydoh.typepad.com/

this amazing video and movement http://underapinksky.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-know-right.html

got my eye on this http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/

lovin this artist's work lately http://alisaburke.com/

love her vision and can't wait for her new book! http://shonastudio.blogspot.com/

find more mindy magic here:

the studio: inthewishstudio.blogspot.com
the big event: wish*full virtual art retreat
my mailbox: wishstudio@comcast.net
my journal: underapinksky.blogspot.com
my shop: wishstudio.etsy.com

nina beana interview series part 4: jenica

jenica is a dear friend, and for that, i am lucky. it was about 2 seconds after i met her that i decided that she was friend for life material. so when i'm 87, i'm hoping that no matter where we are on this planet, we will still have phone dates and manage to hang out in real time once a year.

she is a mother of four who is honest and brave, and who pulls it off with grace. she's one of the few people who gets me- and knows what it's like from the trenches of motherhood.

enjoy! xx

1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

my bed is on the floor in a tiny room so there's no room for anything else. but i simply can not sleep without my eye drops, an ear plug, and a baby blanket rolled up underneath my neck. if i were to keep books by my bed... i'm currently reading the dance of the dissident daughter and i keep my art journal with it for when inspiration strikes.

2. what are some things can't you live without?

i can't live without...daily creativity, the raucous giggles of little ones, the smell of my husband's deodorant, clementines and fresh pineapple, the sun's warm and delicious rays streaming through my windows.

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

one hour evaporates fairly quickly... so i would run straight for my nearest arts and crafts store and touch paper. i'm such a paper whore, i love the smell and texture of it all. yum. i would treat myself to a mint truffle sold at the checkstand and call it good.

4. show me three (or more) pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like.

i clicked these today, and yes, they represent the everyday madness that exists here.




o
5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

is it terrible to say that i'm just not blogging, reading, or surfing much lately?
i would have to say that my three LATEST loves are
wishstudio
karen maezen miller
shona cole

find more of jenica here:

http://www.jenicamckenzie.com/theonelittleone
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theonelittleone
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onelittleone/

interview series part 3: pixie campbell

i'm very lucky to call pixie campbell a friend. she pushes me to examine what's sacred, reminds me that it is important to make time for me, and provides the most soul-searching prompts about deep, deep things. she pushes me beyond my comfort zone, allowing me to come into my own. she's my mentor and my creative support system. i can call her when i have questions about breastmilk, or about acrylic paints. now that's a good friend.

1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

Oh dear. I wish I'd cleaned it before you asked! Kleenex, a little leaf dish full of varying types of lozenges, infant tylenol, a gigantic lamp much to big for the table, The Not So Big Life, my journal and many pens.

2. what are some things can't you live without?

My peeps. Baby bums. Strong coffee and real cream. Laughter. My husbands ridiculous jokes. Rain. Color all around. Ecover lip balm. I have a lot of creature comforts-bit of a princess and the pea that way.

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

Art supply store.

4. show me three pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like.




5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

http://andherheadpoppedoff.com/
http://www.art-dept.com/artists/maingot/

http://mayamade.blogspot.com/

www.sewliberated.typepad.com

http://www.alyssanicolphoto.com/

and

http://crafthope.com/

you can find more inspiring pixie goodness here:

www.pixiecampbell.typepad.com

www.pixiecampbell.etsy.com

and to all my local peeps, her work will be showing here next week. i'm going...anyone else want to come? xx

five questions interviews: part 2 with mccabe!

although i haven't met mccabe from dancing mermaid face-to-face yet, i can assuredly say that without her creative influence:

1. last summer with three kids stuck in the house would have been a lot more miserable (we took her mini mermaids class and followed all the project prompts)

2. i would not feel as comfortable undertaking my own creative projects (i took her creative class for adults, too)

3. my daily clicks would be less colorful.

what i love so much about mccabe is that she listens to kids. i don't need to have met her to know that this much is true. and listening to kids is powerful. and i like that.

so here we go!

1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

heating pad, ginger tea, nibs, at least 8 books, current candle

2. what are some things can't you live without?

my friends, animals. cowgirl boots, peace in my heart, paint, my camera, my laptop, bread with olive ill and balsamic vinaigrette, a good bra, brightly colored scarves, the sea, wine, teaching, learning, playing, dreaming, and netflix (i mean i could but why try?...)

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

toss up between a good wine at my favorite italian restaurant in a little black dress or a trip to the art store. can i have more than an hour?

4. show me three pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like.

5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

well these are not new (to me) but here are some daily reads:

allison who is bold:

www.anenchantedlife.com

mike who inspires:

http://www.mikehillphoto.blogspot.com/

katie who is fun:

http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/

anne who is brave:

http://www.folkandfable.com/

christoph who is interesting:

http://www.thelongestway.com/

(they are among MANY sites i love!)

if you want to follow a magical trail of breadcrumbs, you can find mccabe here:

www.dancingmermaid

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mccabe


hope this inspires you! xx

five questions interview series with nina beana!: part one with wendy

i've been a little internet-overwhelmed lately...call it interwhelmed if you will. and then it struck me...i should interview some of my fantastic blogging (and real-life) friends about what makes them tick...and what's inspiring them.

my first five questions interview is with the wendtastic wendy from mother rising!


1. what are the things that you have next to your bed/on your nightstand?

Well, our mattress is on the floor so we don't have nightstands. Initially we put it on the floor so baby Satch wouldn't have far to fall if he rolled off. Now he's 4 1/2 and we keep it on the floor because it makes the perfect trampoline. I have two little antique foot stools as nightstands. Upon them, a rotating stack of books, a book light, and a water bottle. Beneath the footstool is a basket of vintage hankies because you never know.

2. what are some things can't you live without?

Love, Love, Love.....and sunshine, and music, and good food, and art supplies.

3. if you had one hour to take yourself out on a date, where would you go?

I would go to a thrift store. The town I live in is void of thrift shops and I really miss them.

4. show me three pictures that sum up what an average day for you looks like.

all around the town: big ball races in tumbling class.

outside: growing fairy population

inside: the daily tide of play



5. what are five new websites/blogs that are inspiring you lately?

oh there are soooo many, but here's just a few...

1. poppytalk http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
2. creature comforts http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/
3. the long thread http://thelongthread.com/
4. the crafty crow http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/
5. junior society http://www.juniorsociety.com/

you can find wendy and all her magic-makin' here:

http://www.wendycook.com
http://mightygirlart.blogspot.com
http://motherrising.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wlcook


all i have to say about wendy is that i'm lucky to know her. and she makes my life happier.

xx

hibernation station

it's been kind of snowy here, so we've been doing lots of painting and crafting and movie watching. there is also a healthy dose of reading and writing and cleaning. and cleansing. and hibernating. and tea drinking. and gathering with friends. there's always that...and i'm afraid that without it, i wouldn't be a sane person. or even close to a good person.

there was also a date this weekend (thanks mom!). a real live date. and i stayed up until 11p! and we went to the movies! and (gasp!) we sat down for dinner at 10pm. it was kind of surreal and we barely had the energy to converse, but we got out of the house together, and that's what counts when you have three kids six and under.

today we're sprouting and getting rid of old kitchen stuff (i'm new to this "stuff has expiration dates" phenomenon). and i actually get to get out of the house alone (gasp!) to work (thanks dad!). work=quiet. mama=happy.

peace. xx

.happy happy joy joy.

happy list:

* babies in hippie jeans

* a house full of friends this past week lifting me up

* four new paintings finished and ready for the world

* a surprise quilt completed and gifted to a dear friend

* new friends that get my parenting style

* endless cups of green tea

* liver cleanse! and wine!

* black bean pie

* starting a new quote book

* lulu has started to run- and it's kind of the most funniest and incredible thing ever

* letting go

* accomplishing 2010 goals

* the upcoming weekend

* my lovely new business cards that my boss gifted me for christmas

* taco night! i need taco night!

* art magic swirling around, and painting with joey

* lulu's upcoming birthday------what!?! how is this possible that she's turning ONE! guess i can't call her a newborn anymore!

* ariel gore's book "whatever mom: hip mama's guide to raising a teenager". and yes, it's saving my life. and yes, i'm reading it and applying it to my SIX year old

* cracking open.


what are your happies today?

xx

only from my husband would i receive an email like this

"I thought of you today when I saw this picture: Actually, I thought of (insert: name of someone we used to know) for some strange reason but then I thought of you and how much fun we used to have in Tatnuck (our old bookstore) meowing like cats and making our own clothes. -Johnny"

join me

come. join me. for a cup of tea.
we can talk about our problems,
and make each other feel normal.

xx

.simple day.

it's very cold here today. my hands are cracking open from being so dry. we've already made our trip out to the grocery store. so now we have milk, bananas, apples, and kefir. i want to hibernate and create. but it's icy in my craft area. so it looks like i'll have to move some things inside.

that's all i have today. a quiet cup of tea steaming beside me. a banana peel. some socks on the floor. nothing special...but it makes up a day.

sale of eights

happy january 8th, everyone! the perfect day for a sale of eights in the shop. most everything is eight dollars, and everything has an eight in the price! making room for the new...

happy friday, happy weekend, happy snow. xx

joy.

today
i would like some
delivered
to my door.

xx

isn't a new year a beautiful thing?

this is how i'm feeling lately...
like the whole world
::every single thing::
is a totally tangible possibility

really, i could make just about
anything happen
if i put my mind to it

write it down
and will it to happen

it's just a matter
of figuring out
what magic to make
and what to do first.

xx