sage's homebirth

This video is a little more graphic than any of the others I've posted but I found it again and loved how integrated the birth was into the preparations for Christmas:)  It totally spoke to me about what I really love about homebirth, being free to be however you feel in the moment, having it quiet (save for the music you like:) and having a care provider that you know and trust supporting your birth.  Enjoy!

yerba mate and belly laughs

The evening is quiet save for the tunes I have quietly playing into my ears.  Hayden's "Weight of the World" is perfect for the mood I'm in.  I just realized that I bought wooden buttons that have a similar look to the design on this plate:)  

This past week I've felt in the mood to bake.  I made vanilla nutella butterballs and when I came out from putting Nora down for a nap half of them were mysteriously gone.  The girls were covered in crumbs and faces that said, "what?"  

This photo shows my breakfast, fig jam on toast, I can't think of many other more delicious things especially with the cup of tea I made to go along with it.  

 I am desperately wanting this book to never end!  I am in love!  It's been awhile since I've read such a beautifully written book.  Bauermeister is an artist that's for sure, I've been lost in sublime moments of pure delight all week.

 On Thursday I went to Hope and watched part of the soccer game with my dad, we were oh so sad when Germany lost!  This food cheered me up though:)  I found this black pepper, swiss cheese bread and the rest of the ingredients came together.  A salad of tomatoes, bocconcini and basil laced with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Tender esperagus with lemon juice and some cumin havarti cheese for the bread.

Today I took the kids around mill lake and after, we shopped for ingredients for the candied pecan biscotti I wanted to make.  I'll have to take some photos because I'm really pleased with how they turned out:)  They'll go well with the Yerba Mate I just bought.  

I went through lots of photos today finding some shots for a friend who's getting married. I loved seeing what I've been up to in the last ten years.  All the amazing people I've had the privilege of meeting.  Right now I'm listening to Jen Grant's "Echoes" and I need to find more of her music because it's so fun!

I'm noticing that I'm living more in the moment, a belly laugh with my girls on the way home yesterday when everyone got the giggles, a snuggle with my smiley Nora, noticing how much I loved the taste of my Yerba Mate on my drive.  Life is rich and full.

taproot

I received my second issue of Taproot and there are some serious treats inside!  Amanda Blake Soule is the originator of this beautiful creation and her blog is a favorite of mine.  

 When I got to this page I got super excited, Ina May Gaskin is a real modern day hero of mine and to get a behind the scenes look at her life was so cool. I love this quote.

 Ina May is known for the "farm" where people from all over the world come to birth their babies naturally.  One of my midwives was thinking of having her baby there:)

Neka closes a chapter in her life

Neka graduated from preschool last week and I got a little teary watching her grinning from ear to ear when she caught my eye.  I am looking forward to having Neka home next year as we'll be doing homeschool for kindergarten:)  I've signed her up for a dance class in September and we're looking forward it!

 Neka receiving her diploma from Ms.CIndy.  As each child goes up the teacher tells the group what that child wants to do when they grow up, Neka said she wanted to be a princess when she grows up:)

 A very proud moment for Neka and Mommy.  

 The girls having a snack after the program...

 a fun time had by all.  We love you Neka!

happy birthday nora

I woke up today feeling excited I knew that many fun things awaited us today.  It was Nora's 1st birthday today and we celebrated all day long.  From an early morning play session with the balloons before Tey went to work to a fun splashing game in the bath in the evening.  I love my little bundle of cuteness!  Nora was born here in our home and last night when I was putting her to bed some of the memories came to me.  I felt close to her.  Aunty Shannon made this lovely banner for her baby shower almost a year ago and I couldn't resist putting it up because I think it's so beautiful!

 This year I wanted to start the waldorf birthday ring tradition in our home.  Nora's figures are so darling with the little stacking rings that actually come apart:)

 These lovely honey lollipop sticks I found in the Old Clayburn General Store.  They taste scrumptious, I'm glad I have a few leftover:)

 We gave Nora this fun, organic cotton, earth fairy from the miYim collection.  She is in love with it!

 A little snuggle with Opa brought cute smiles to Nora's face.  We all headed over to the matsqui recreation centre to go swimming.  The kids said afterwards that they had too much fun:)  Nora splashed happily for an hour and a half without slowing down.  I think I have a water baby on my hands:)

 Last night I made these delectable cupcakes following this recipe.  I am in love with them!  Of course the cup of mighty leaf tea (African Nectar) was perfect with it, ok, ok, I had two but they are just that good!

 Me with my beautiful girl.

 Oma bought play sand today and filled up the little pool with it, the kids had a ball!

 The kids opening up their loot bags after finding them in the garden tucked away in a few good hiding spots:)

Thank you family for a wonderful birthday (The cute dress Nora is wearing is from Aunty Shannon, you are such a great gift giver!)  This year has gone quickly and I'm loving being a mama to these three unique and wonderful girls.

the essential facts of life

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,

to front only the essential facts of life,
and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, 
and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

 – Walden, Henry David Thoreau

Beckie's Baby Shower

This event is something I've been looking forward to for a long time!  Shannon, my sister-in-law, lent the use of her cool paper cutter to make the favour bags and Michaels had the straws that I totally love.  After seeing the elephant that Lizzy put on the invitations I thought it would be fun to do an old school circus theme.

 My brother, Sancho, brought his cool cafe style coffee machine and made the yummiest drinks for all of us!  I baked a chai tea lemon cake

 and a triple layer chocolate cake with nougat, paired with the tiramisu mocha that Sancho made, I was a very happy camper:)

 These are a few photos of the inside of the Old Clayburn schoolhouse in central clayburn

Alicia provided these beautiful potted flowers to give as gifts to everyone.

 Tara made the tastiest quiche and the funnest bocconci, basil, tomato appies.  Alanna made the delectable fruit and vegetable platters.

 Cheryl made these cute and tasty cookies and Lizzy and her Mom brought some fun treats as well.  The food looked and tasted wonderful.

 Alanna made these gorgeous centrepieces!  The room had a wonderful old school feel, pun intended:)  I had a wonderful time with planning, setting up and then enjoying everyone's company.  Lizzy had some fun games planned and as I looked around the room while everyone was having fun I thought, yay, this came together beautifully!

A huge thank you to Tara, Lizzy, Alanna, Alicia, Sancho, and Cheryl and all those who came to celebrate our wonderful friend Beckie!  We love you Girl:)  Can't wait to meet baby Stolz!

happy 32

This is what awaited me when I woke up!  

I asked Tey to take me to the Cactus Club for dinner, I've been wanting to go since it opened and it did not disapoint.  I loved the high ceiling and open concept.  Oh and the food was good too:)

It was so great to go out to eat (the lovely Alessandra watched the girls for us)  Tey and I had a chance to chat and eat yummy food, it was good for my soul!

Of course the dessert was soul food!  I had the dark chocolate lava cake and boy oh boy was it delicious!  I'm desiring to be more present this year to living in the moment.  There was a short time where the sun came out as we were talking and eating our dessert and I felt present and very happy.  I realized it's when we're present that that's how we create memories that are golden.  I want more of that in my life!

homey and cozy

Neka put the little rocking chair in the corner and it fits perfectly.  I see the little designer in her.

 Oh my goodness!  These little dainities are a fine treat with a cup of tea.  I especially love the minty flavour:)

 And while I'm at it I might as well tell you that this chocolate is the secret to intense happy thoughts:)

 A moment of pure happiness for me seeing Tey in the midst of being Papa.

 It was in my goals to build the girls a play house this June.  Though this is not what I am really planning on building I needed to create this space in the garden for the girls to play with their imaginations.  I had one almost like this when I was a girl.

 We've been going through the flu in the family.  Many loads of laundry have been washed to keep up with kids being sick.  I was sooooo happy to see the sun and to be in the garden with the girls.  It was much needed!

I read something lovely yesterday. 

Take, for joy's sake, from these hands of mine a little honey and a little sunlight.

-Osip Mandelstam

From Poem 116, November 1920