what we don't have and what we have

we don't wear
coordinated outfits
on the holidays
and we usually have
dried boogers on our faces
and maybe a little dirt under our fingernails
and sometimes we say inappropriate things
and sometimes we get mad and yell
and we live life simply and don't go overboard
and we don't get involved in lots of activities
because we don't like to rush around
and have lots of stuff on our schedules
we don't care too much about that
we tend to stick out
because of some of these things
but we don't mind too much


because what we do have
is love
and in this house
we believe that
that is enough.


xx

composting 101 with really techinical terms

the gilberts are trying their hand at composting! we bought this rolling composter on a stand and we're attempting to make our first batch of compost. we produce so many vegetable scraps every day now that we're juicing that it felt like such a waste to throw them all away. and even though we decided not to do raised beds this year (due to the expense and the fact that we are doing other house projects), how can you say no to beautiful compost waiting for you when you need it?

here's a little rundown of how we did it::

first we filled the bottom of the composter (about seven inches high) with shredded leaves. then we wet that layer until it was the consistency of a wrung-out sponge (or just dump a whole bunch of water on it and say to each other "how the hell are you supposed to know how much water to add to this??????")

then we added a couple of weeks worth of veggie/fruit/egg scraps. since it was sitting around for a couple of weeks in the heat it was totally gag-worthy and filled with bugs. it was really, really not a pleasant thing to do. luckily it was cold the day we did this so it made it a bit more manageable. but seriously. yeah.
for the final layer, we added a bunch (see how i'm so technical with my terminology!) of old grass clippings. we have a big pile in the back of our yard (which is also going to be our more 'natural' compost pile #2 while this first batch is cooking). we added a thick later and then closed the top. you're supposed to let it sit like this for about 7-10 days before you turn the composter (which is super heavy, btw!).
every once in a while we'll give our composter a turn and peek inside. not much going on, but it's been pretty cold and i think heat will speed up the process. the kids love seeing our food waste being turned into something else! it's like mama earth magic.


do you compost? how do you do it, and what do you use it for?

so utterly grateful i can't even tell you

for these (any many, many other) things...

:: finding love, everywhere...

:: movement!...

:: sisterly love caught on camera....

:: beautiful, bountiful salads...

:: lunch dates in vintage diner cars...

:: plentiful vegetables...

:: creating beautiful food with my family...

:: simple breakfasts...

:: the bustle and beauty of the farmer's market...

:: the gifts from the earth that sustain me every day. xx


love to each one of you. tell me please, what are you grateful for today?

red love

"I love red so much that I almost want to paint everything red."--Alexander Calder

spring fever!

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

my goal today is to spend as much time as possible outside! i ran with the birds chirping early this morning....it sounded so good that i had to take my headphones out and just enjoy. headed to the trails now for a little family hike, and then maybe a picnic lunch outside on the back patio. what springy things are you up to?

feeling quiet

no words today. just some pictures of the beautiful quiet all around me.






shhhhhhh...

xx.

love is lots of things

love is lots of different things.

...it's eating a cupcake made by an awesome auntie...

...wearing a scarf made from an old t-shirt, and standing in the light of the kitchen...

...it's giving love to something smaller than us...

...it's being with your family, celebrating...

...it's sitting in your grandmother's favorite chair...

...it's cauliflower with lots of curry waiting to be roasted...

...it's a big bowl of toasty kale chips...

...it's a big bowl of fresh produce...

...it's sitting by the fire in my favorite coffee shop...

...it's little people with big smiles...

...it's colorful pieces of paper arranged in a way that creates happiness...

...it's spices and herbs and nourishment...

...it's taking pictures kissing produce (and ginormous earlobes waiting for kisses from joey)...

...it's taking silly pictures in the winter's light...

...it's fresh spring rolls...waiting for spring...



what does love look like to you? xx

excuse me

please excuse the blogging hiatus...

i've been busy
taking art classes
meeting up with friends for dinner
wiping butts
hanging out on the couch
finishing up 48 hours of continuing education credits
working
living
cooking a million batches of banana muffins
food shopping
wiping more butts
trying to get out with the kids more
staying silent
going to bed at 7pm
reading
writing
thinking
dreaming.



what have you been up to? xx

nine rules to live by

1. start loving yourself today. do it right now, right where you're at. don't wait for permission, don't wait to be skinnier, healthier, shining bright on the outside. the time is now. do it. love.

2. the sink will always fill up with dirty dishes (especially right after you finish cleaning the kitchen) so stop worrying about it. find your peace with the dishes. do them. now, or later.

3. find something that really makes you happy. one thing that you look forward to. lately this "thing" has been trader joe's spicy hummus. oh yeah.

4. write letters to people you love. tell them how important they are to you. because they won't be here forever, and neither will you. and people can't read minds. so tell them. now.

5. lemons make it better. they just do.

6. hug the little people you love (and the big ones, too). i'm hard pressed to find a little one in my life who will turn down extra snuggles.

7. find beauty everywhere. and color. and love.

8. feed yourself what makes you feel good. and score bonus points if it's in a pretty bowl.

9. if it's green, it's good.


what are some of the things making you happy right now? what are some of the things you know to be true? xx