Sweet Mother Nature

Several years ago, I read the book Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. I also had the pleasure of hearing this author speak in Kansas City. As I'm typing this, I have a feeling that I've probably referenced this book/author/idea previously on the blog... maybe multiple times. His phrase "nature deficit disorder" references exactly what it seems: children do not spend enough time in nature. That phrase and idea had a huge impact on me at the time as a teacher - I wasn't a mother yet. Simple things happened - I was able to get rain boots and galoshes purchased for every preschool classroom in our building... window-birdhouses attached to each teacher's window... books purchased to help guide instruction with a focus on outdoor exploration. 

Here I am - no longer employed as a teacher - but working harder than ever to make sure that my current students never lack in their relationship with Mother Nature. I never have to write a lesson plan. I can go for weeks without purchasing any materials. Each student can pursue her own direction and interest. Every topic can be expanded and used across subjects. Mother Nature is AMAZING!

Over the past week, we did a little owl hunting - barred owls, to be exact:

We investigated pond life as well as family structures among geese:

And we definitely stopped to smell the flowers - bleeding heart bouquets picked by the girls. I wonder what we'll learn tomorrow...

Wordless Wednesday: Be A Butterfly

Tostada Tuesday

The Weather Channel says that it is currently 94 degrees outside. Say what? I guess this year's seasons are going something like this: WIIIINNNNNNNNNNTTTTEEEERRRRR, spring, and SUMMER! "It is what it is", right Mom? :) 

Whether it's May or August, the outside temps make such a difference on what goes on in the kitchen. Yesterday, I made a big batch of couscous (Elise requests it daily, while Abby wants "CHICK PEAS!"), browned some local ground turkey, and baked a loaf of bread. All before high-noon. :) The morning cook-a-thon serves two purposes: I don't like adding extra heat to the house in the afternoon AND I like to have our afternoons free and clear to head outside. Since we play a little longer and harder outside this time of year, it's a necessity to add meals to the rotation that can be prepped ahead and put together quickly. Insert tostadas. 

Baked Tostadas:

• Organic corn tortillas - brush with some olive oil and bake or broil until crisp; I did these at 350 degrees for a bit and then turned the broiler on high
• Organic, low sodium refried black beans
• Local ground turkey - browned and seasoned (I added salt, pepper, onion and garlic granules, chili powder, and some salsa)
• Toppings (all organic): onion, green pepper, shredded cheese, lettuce, avocado, sour cream, salsa, jalapenos
• Once tortillas are crisp, remove from oven and smear with beans, top with onions, green pepper, cheese, jalapenos and broil on high until cheese melts
• Add lettuce, sour cream, avocado, and salsa

A hearty tostada was a good belly-filler after our annual adventure to Henry's Plant Farm. This year's plant-list included: tomatoes, peppers, herbs, butterfly plants (lantana, milkweed), and a few others for pots here and there. The veggie gardening all happens at Gran and Grandpa's - we have too much shade. I bought 2 stevia plants - never grown it before but the leaves are insanely sweet and I'm thinking of using it in smoothies? Don't worry - I'll blog about it. :) 

This was Abby and Elise's first visit to Henry's - taken almost 3 years ago, to the day:

And here we are, 3 years later, still chasing that peacock:

Happy Mother's Day

So far, I've cleaned cat poo off the laundry room floor. Found cat vomit behind the couch, but only after the dog beat me to it. And spilled my coffee down my arm. Would I expect any less? Absolutely not - these damn animals don't know a thing about Mother's Day. But do you know who does? The two little faces who snuggled so tightly into bed this morning, beaming with pride at the cards they had prepared for me (which, by the way, I'd like to give a shout-out to the hubby for assisting the girls in making HOMEMADE cards, complete with decorative paper, punched designs, and beautifully tied ribbons). 

Here was Mother's Day 4 years ago:

Can you even believe those faces???? Four years ago, I woke up to those smiles on Mother's day and there is nothing in the world that could be a better gift. Talk about the gift that has kept on giving!!!! 

I love being a mom. I love being Abby and Elise's mom. I love being the mother of John's children. I love having a mom. I love knowing other moms. Happy Mother's Day yesterday, today, and tomorrow because, as a mom, everyday is worth celebrating.

Foodie Friday: Drink green. Eat sweet.

Green(ish) Smoothie

• 1 organic frozen banana
• 4-5 organic frozen strawberries
• Juice from 2 organic oranges
• Local whole milk (maybe 1/2 cup)
• 4-5 big leaves organic kale
• 1 T organic coconut oil; melted and drizzled in while blender is running
• 1 local, organic egg yolk

Japanese Sweet Potato

• 1 organic Japanese sweet potato
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Wash sweet potato
• Prick skin with fork several times
• Bake on foil-lined baking sheet until fork pierces easily into potato - this really depends on size... but maybe averages 30-45 minutes?
• I LOVE these - without anything on them. Baked. Eaten. Yum.

Wordless Wednesday: Swing into Spring!

Beautiful blues

Spring is taking its sweet time to settle in, but there are signs of it popping up that we are so excited about! On the front of our house, we've been watching momma Robin work diligently on her beautifully constructed nest. A nest which now holds these beautiful blues:

Another fairly solid indication of spring is the transformation of the chicken coop (thank you, Grandpa, for your wonderful assistance with this project!):

And the transition of the chickens OUT of the house! Who would have thought that, the year we get our first flock of chicks, Spring would take it's sweet time and we'd have big chickens living inside!!!! It's really been pretty ridiculous, if you ask me... and tonight was going to be their first night outside, but Abby was "really worried about the chickens" and it is supposed to be in the fifties... so yes...the chickens are sleeping inside tonight. Again. Maybe tomorrow night, chickies...