Into The Cool Comfort of the Woods

On unbearably hot days, we head to the cool shade of the forest. We've had a row of intense heat and rain storms, so there are mushrooms sprouting up through the underbrush. We also found tiny baby toads soaking in cloudy puddles, and yellow leaves scattered on the ground. 

I'm longing for autumn, but finding the beauty in summer, too.

Because every season is beautiful when you have love and laughter in your life.

xoxoxo

Rafael Turns 10 Months!

The past two weeks have been so full of progress for little Rafael! He is pulling himself around on his stomach, so quick, here and there...and he can go from lying down to sitting all on his own. That's a big step, and he's so proud about it! He looks at me and grins every time he does it. He is also pulling himself up, especially on the open dishwasher door while I empty it. 

He would love to play with the water in the dog bowl, and tries to all the time. He points at so many things all day long and always asks "Daaaa?!" which means 'there?' in german. So I tell him: "That's the fan....that's Kiki....that's an airplane....that's a bird....that's a book....that's a tree." He listens intently and soaks it all up like a sponge.

If I need to clean, I put him in his high chair and scatter Cheerios or red currants in front of him. He picks them up one by one and plops them in his mouth. This always buys me some time for getting chores done.

As the many fuzzy photos above show, it's hard to take a picture of him now! He is so active! And it's gotten very difficult to change his diaper or dress him, because he just wants to keep moving around, exploring everything, and lying on one's back is of course boring.

He is affectionate, hilarious, curious, and healthy. My little boy at 10 months.

xoxoxo

A Rainy Day On Anna Hof's Organic Farm

It was one of those warm, rainy days that you sometimes have in summer. My friend Neli asked if we wanted to join her on a trip to the organic farm Anna Hof, which I visited once before and posted about here. 

First we bought raw milk, meat, vegetables, and bread at the little shop they have, and I admired the rows of apple trees, the farm equipment (I love farm equipment!) and the surrounding green hills. 

Then we set out to explore the grounds, and visit all of the animals. Everything was green and glistening with rain drops, and it was so much fun showing Rafael the cows, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and pigs.

The Anna Hof organic farm showed us what healthy, happy animals look like.

I just wanted to also note: I am so grateful to have made these new friends since having Rafael. Before I had him, I spent most of my time alone, and going places or being around other people felt taxing somehow. But now, I really love meeting up with my Mommy buddies. I love the things we talk about, the places we go, and the times we share. A day with nothing planned used to feel so freeing to me, but now I am always happy when I know I'll see my friends. It's very new for me, and I love it.

P.S. Look, Rafael is half as big as me! :)

xoxoxo

A Day In The Country

Thank you, Dani, for another amazing day at your beautiful farm.

For the delicious meal you cooked for us.

For the walk through sunny fields and wild flowers.

And for the huge basket of flowers, herbs, eggs, and veggies!

xoxoxo

Simple Homemade Strawberry Jam

Pick or buy fresh, aromatic strawberries...the best are the ones that are red inside.

I bought three kilos at the farmer's market.

Wash your berries.

Remove their stems. (See the redness throughout the cut berry? Yes, that's what we want!)

Weigh your washed, stemmed berries...

....being sure to keep the finest handful to eat raw and fresh.

Mash or puree the strawberries; I like to use my old pie dough cutter.

Add jelly sugar (I used the 2:1 formula: 2 kilos of fruit and 1 kilo jelly sugar) and stir on high heat until

it boils. Keep stirring while it boils for 4 to 6 minutes.

Have your sterilized jars, tongs, ladle, and funnel ready.

Ladle the hot jam through the funnel into the jars.

Close the lids tightly and turn them over for 10 minutes to seal them airtight.

Use pretty fabric and twine for the jar lids.

(Thank you, Morwenna, for giving me such a lovely jam lid set!)

Enjoy on scones, bread, toast, buns...or in yogurt, müsli, or cream.

Give to friends and family.

And keep some in your pantry to enjoy throughout the cold months of the year.

xoxoxo

Caught Red Handed

"Hmmmm.....the Christmas issue....that's a good one..."

"...This one's nice too..."

"Uh-oh, I've been spotted...quick, flee the scene!"

????

"Hey Mom, how's it going? What? The magazines? Well...it couldn't have been me....I'm way over here! See?"

"It was probably Boston. Mmmhhmmm. He's a Country Living fan."

Yep folks, this little guy is now mobile...and curious...and very, very cute.

xoxoxo

The Chicken Hunt Continues

Another gorgeous summer day on my friend Dani's farm. And this time I found the chickens!

I also walked down this little way...

...and got a peek into the greenhouse, climbing with cucumber vines.

Rafael and his three friends played under a the big sky. It was so nice to spend time with fellow mommies, talking about all the things on our minds, sharing ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

When I went to visit the white hen sitting in the coop, she actually stood up and laid an egg right in front of me!

Dani sent me home with three zucchinis and chives from her garden, and a little green speckled egg from the coop. They looked so pretty on my kitchen counter.

I'm thinking....zucchini muffins?

xoxoxo