Friday, April 27, 2012

Forever......

About a month ago, I was rocking my sweet little Asher during the time he usually takes a nap. He was restless and having a hard time falling asleep.  My lullaby station was on Pandora softly in the room.  Nursing, rocking, massaging, singing, breathing....nothing was working that day to get this little one to rest.  I thought to myself..."he must just not need a nap today"...and I was just going to give up on nap time.  Then, on Pandora, came a song that I never really have listened to or at least paid attention to in the past....Lullaby by Dixie Chicks.  I looked down and those sweet little eyes looked up at me so heavy and moments later they were closed.  And off Asher went into dream land.  This song has now become part of our nap time rhythm.  Every time it comes on, seconds later he is fast asleep.

So I have come to love this song and the beautiful words that are sung.  I could have written them myself!  From the deepest part of me I know that my life began the moment I became a mother.  Life didn't even make sense to me until I took that first glance at my boys.  Every single thing I do....every breathe I take is for them!  Some people say not to lose yourself as a mother.....but I found myself as a mother.  I don't care if my clothes are out dated....my hair is a mess...my home is disordered....my makeup hasn't reached my face in days.....I am with my babies.  My babies need me now...in a few years they will start to become more independent.  They will start to go out into the world and explore it as their own.  I want to cherish and embrace this part of motherhood now!  

Their dada and I love them more than we can even grasp....more than words that can even be typed.  So all we can do today is promise that we are here for them NOW and tomorrow.  And that my husband and I will continue to fall deeply in love with each other and our children every single day and into forever!  Because deeply, truly, and honestly I believe that all we need is love!  


Peacefully,
Alyson

“When you moved, I felt squeezed with a wild infatuation and protectiveness. We are one. Nothing, not even death, can change that.” -Suzanne Finnamore



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Menus & Farmers Markets

Last weekend my mom and I took my two boys down to the Portland Farmer's Market!  The sun was shining....which we DO NOT take for granted here!  The sun comes out and everyone erupts with smiles and energy!  It's fantastic!  The market was booming with happy people, which is amazing to have all this support for our local farmers.  The energy there is infectious!  I was able to get some radishes, onions, kale, carrots, leeks, and some beautiful fresh seasonal flowers.  I was giddy about all it!  I might be a nerd if I get giddy over fresh local veggies but I like that nerd part of me!  I took only a couple pictures as I was focused on my kiddos since it was a crowded adventure!


Last week I made a Spring Pizza that was to die for!!!!  I highly recommend making it before the asparagus season is over.  It was perfect with steamed artichokes or a micro green salad!  Here is our menu for this week.  I am trying a couple new recipes this week and I am very excited about them.  I will let you all know how they turn out.  It is just my littles and I for most of this week since my husband is traveling, so I will cook smaller portions!  Enjoy!

MENU:

MONDAY:  Vegetable Stir-fry over brown rice

TUESDAY-  Dinner with some close family friends

WEDNESDAY-  Tex-Mex Taco Salad (substituted the meat for brown rice)

THURSDAY- Egg Salad Sandwiches (omit mayo) and Beet & Avocado Salad with Fresh Mozzarella & Fennel.

FRIDAY-  Leftovers and a big green salad

SATURDAY-  Quinoa Burger and steamed broccoli

SUNDAY-  Family Picnic!!  Tuna pasta salad, homemade hummus and veggies, and pineapple

What is your favorite thing to get at your local Farmer's Market?

Peacefully,
Alyson

"Hug a farmer" 

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Happy Earth Day

Today is set aside to celebrate the beauty that surronds us on our Mother Earth and the awareness that is made to protect her.  Though in my world I believe and practice that Earth Day should be everyday.  Everyday we should be doing something to make this world a cleaner and better place.  This goes beyond  today....this goes beyond just the acknowledgement that something needs to be done....it is about doing good and actually doing it in our everyday activities.  It doesn't have to be big huge changes every day, it is about just taking the strides to get to a more earth-friendly way of life....big or small!

My biggest motivation to protect our Mother Earth are my children.  I want to protect their future, their surroundings, their ability to enjoy and fall in love with the world around them.  They deserve to hike the trails, awe at the waterfalls, frolic in the meadows, ride on the mountain, swim in the lakes, fish in the rivers....they deserve what the Earth provides us.  If we don't protect it.....our children may not get these amazing incredible adventures.

Our Mother Earth is pretty spectacular and provides the perfect balance for us.  She deserves us to fight for her and to take the steps to allow her to heal.  We are all connected by our Mother Earth as a big family with one big home.  We need to pick up that big broom and sweep up the filth, the hate, the grim that is seeping into our beauty.  So....tred lightly my friends!  And get outside today and love on our planet!  Here is the link to my list that I put together last year....it is still a great list.  I am adding these great ideas along with it....
  • Slow down....enjoy your surroundings....show your children the little details this Earth has provided us with.
  • Visit a local farm.
  • Make art from something that might have been thrown away.
  • Turn off your lights!  Use candles!  
  • Go out!  Explore!
  • Most important....have fun with it all!
I am off to enjoy this beautiful sunny day with my children.  We are working on our garden, playing in the sun, attending our local Earth Day Celebration, and finishing the day with a delicious seasonal organic dinner with my family!  
source via Climbing-Up
Happy Earth Day!
-Alyson

‎"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Easter Celebrations & Menus

We were all over the board in our Spring & Easter celebrations.  My husband has been traveling a lot the past two months so he was gone for Easter and I went to Utah to help my sister in law have a baby.  So we had a family celebration at home and dyed eggs a week before Easter.  Then in Utah we had a small little family celebration.  Then back at home when daddy was with us...we had an egg hunt!  Haha....does that even make sense.

I love holidays, celebrations, birthdays, and gatherings because I believe it is important to gather with love ones for any reason at all!  And I love to reel in all the delicious food, love, and laughter that comes along with such celebrations.  So I had to make sure we were doing all the celebrating for Spring and Easter.  I could not get pictures for each celebration but I'm posting a few.

For the past two years we have dyed our eggs in all natural dye by boiling down different vegetables, spices, and teas.  We absolutely love doing it this way and we will never purchase store bought dye kit!   I believe it is way better for our bodies and our beautiful planet to stay away from these artificial dyes.  Ayden was very involved in every part of the work for this....from preparing the vegetables, to cooking them, to dying them, to eating them.  I think I enjoyed doing it with him just as much as he enjoyed doing it.

Yep....I totally put a bunny tail on my baby boy!  I think it is cute...he might not when he is a teenager!

Trying to get better at posting my menus.  I get such a great response when I do and I love sharing delicious, organic, healthy recipes.  We are looking forward to the season of copious amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits from our backyard, farms, and farmers markets!  

MENU:


TUESDAY:  Out to dinner at a local Mediterran Restaurant

WEDNESDAY:  Fish tacos and black beans

THURSDAY:  Rice, Cheddar, & Spinach Pie and a fresh green salad

FRIDAY:  Spring Pizza and steamed artichokes


SUNDAY- Family Earth Day Dinner at my parents.....we are attending our local Earth Day festival and the farmers markets this weekend to find some delicious local and organic edibles to cook up!

What are you cooking this week??

Peacefully, 
Alyson

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Woolf


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

365 Photo Project- January 31st, 2012

Today was our last day up in Park City.  I got up early to take some photos of Asher....for his "7-month" photos.   The lighting in this house was incredible!  Then we headed down to Grandma's house for a family celebration. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of the party at Grandmas.  I don't know what I was thinking!  Sad!
 Back to reality!!!!!  Thank you Uncle Rick and Aunt Holly for letting us spend some time up there!                                                                                                                                      

Updating 2012 Photo Project- January

So in order to make this way easier on myself I am going to update the photos for the photo project in three big posts...the rest of January... February...and the little bit of March that I was able to do.  I was able to take photos each day but I missed some mostly in March.  Then after that I will start all over again with the beginning of April.  HA!  Does this even make sense.  Long story short...you are about to see a bunch of photos!!!
January 17th, 2012
Breakfast Time!
These film pictures were shot with a Pentax K1000 using Ilford Delta Pro 400, Black & White, 35mm film.
January 18th, 2012
 Eggs from the farm! 
These film pictures were shot with a Pentax K1000 using Ilford Delta Pro 400, Black & White, 35mm film.
January 19th, 2012
Stand up my little! This was the first time my little one pulled himself up with no help!  He was so proud of himself after he got all the way up!  This was the beginning of lots of exploring for him.  


January 20th, 2012- Puddle Jumpin'!

January 21st, 2012- 
PB&J

January 22nd, 2012

My husband is an avid snowboarder.  He lives and breathes snow!  Sometimes I get jealous!  Ha!  So naturally we want to get our oldest up to the mountain as soon as possible, so our son is comfortable with the snow and so they can ride together in the near future.  So this Sunday, we went up as a family and Ayden got use to the snowboard with dad.  Its so wonderful to see my husband so happy to be doing what he loves with our son!  

January 23rd, 2012
Sad face!  He was not a fan of bath time this Monday night!  Don't worry....I took the photo fast and snuggled him!  Pobrecito!

January 24th, 2012
Nothing is as sweet as my precious baby dreaming the nap time away.  Sweet dreams my little one!
 "Mommy woke me up with all her picture taking!  So I will give her lots of smiles!"

January 25th, 2012
My film camera!!!!  This camera is actually my mother's camera but when I was in high school and developing a love for photography she let me use it.  This camera is the camera I learned how to take pictures on.  Followed with classes in the dark room!  Now over 15 years later....I am still using it and loving it!  

January 26th, 2012
This Thursday in January, we flew to Utah to visit my husband's family.  We came to attend some family gatherings and celebrations.  We were also lucky enough to have some of our very best friends drive up from New Mexico to see us.  It was an incredible trip!  The first day we just relaxed at Grandma's house!

January 27th, 2012
 This Friday was filled with family activities but my favorite part of the day was in the morning!  Balloons and a magnified glass filled the morning!

 January 28th, 2012
For part of our trip we headed up to Park City, where my husband's uncle has an incredible home/resort.  It is literally at one of the highest parts of Park City....in fact the ski lifts 9990 and Peak 5 from The Canyons Resort are in the backyard.  We were able to stay up there for a few nights with some family and our friends from New Mexico.  The kids had a great time as they had SO much space to run around in.  And us grownups got to "escape" from reality for a few days too.

January 29th, 2012
More time up in Park City......lots of relaxing and enjoying our family and friends.  These are just some random pictures from the day.
These last two photos were taken by my husband.  It is from his hike with his best bud up from the house we were staying in.  He really wanted me to put these on my my blog....and of course I did!  

January 30th, 2012
Snow....snow...snow!  Ayden and his friend got on a board for the first time!  They both did SO well!  I am pretty sure riding runs in the family and he is already such a natural at it.  It was pretty exciting to see him have such style on the board.  Watch out Shawn White!!!!  The dads built a snow igloo for the kids and we just enjoyed our surroundings. 

I am posting the last day of January all on it's own.  I took SO many photos and I couldn't pick a few, so I am letting that day have it's own post.

I hope you enjoyed my month of January.  It was fun and challenging taking photos everyday!