my tribe

Lately I've been thinking of being part of a tribe.  Wikipedia says, Many anthropologists used the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship .  How I've been loving the word kinship.  In my last post I was sharing the idea about small gatherings with friends, such experiences are lasting and precious.  

Something in me is changing since turning 30. I want to face some of my fears, I worry less about what others think, I'm more at peace with my body and I want to bond more with people I love.  Life is becoming such a rich experience.  I have a husband and three lovely girls, it takes time for such things to sink in, I'm a mother!  

This photo stood out to me when I found it.  It says so much about what I value in life, what I desire.  I see myself as the one with the red and grey sweater being a part of love that knows no age and values strength expressed through vulnerability and caring.  

A few years ago I heard a woman talk about her tribe, a group of maybe five or six women comprising of artists, authors, maybe chefs (hopefully one of those in mine) mothers and women who know who they are.  They all bring to the table their unique story, their love for one another and a way to fully express themselves in this life because they each have a sounding board thus creating a way to ground themselves. 

I know if I spend a few hours on my friend's couch (Beckie, I love that you live only two minutes from my house) just being myself whatever that looks like at the time I come home more peaceful and excited for what that looks like.  I welcome the tribe into my life and I realize that blogging has been the beginning of that for me.   

we are young and hungry

kinfolk

This morning I'm conscious of simple, beautiful moments. I was feeding Nora in bed and Nala came in for a cuddle.  She gave me a kiss and while stroking my hair said "mom, you have beautiful hair."  I feel so blessed!

I love Kinfolk, they are about simple, intimate, and real gatherings. Their manifesto speaks to me

 a guide for small gatherings 

Kinfolk is a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. We recognize that there is something about a table shared by friends, not just a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energizes us. We have come together to create Kinfolk as our collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love.

Every element of Kinfolk—the features, photography, and general aesthetics—are consistent with the way we feel entertaining should be: simple, uncomplicated, and less contrived. Kinfolk is the marriage of our appreciation for art and design and our love for spending time with family and friends.

ribboned asparagus salad

said the whale

Said the Whale-the light is you

curry dinner

I wanted to add this photo to my 'sisters' post, some days they are so adorable with each other:)

 I've been craving Indian food lately and because my good friend Michelle, who lives in Victoria, makes the yummiest Indian food I've had I went to her for recipes.  Then, at aquafit last night I was chatting with my friend Beckie who said that she and her sister made their mom an amazing Indian dinner on the same day that I made mine, great minds think alike:)  She told me about a salad they made that I absolutely must try as well as a cracker that tastes amazing. So next time the craving hits I've got more to add, yum! (when I make those I'll post recipe and cracker brand)
Here is the food I made:
I started with Michelle's basic curry recipe and then went from there.


Basic Indian Curry
Saute one onion in oil
in a half a cup water mix together,
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp tumerick
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp garlic powder
When onion is soft and translucent pour in curry mix.  
Add 2 Tbsp. Pataks mild curry paste
Simmer and add a  little more oil


Vegetable Bhudja


Now that the onions and spices are ready,
Add 3 or 4 chopped potatoes
Add 3 or4 chopped carrots
Add a head of cauliflower, cut into pieces
Add about a cup and a half of peas
Add a can of coconut milk 
Salt to taste
Add veggie chicken, FriChick  from the ABC store (SDA Conference Center)
cook until tender


Coconut Rice


3 cups long grain rice
1 1/4 tsp tumeric
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
6 cups water, (1 can coconut milk is part of the six cups)
2 bay leaves
pinch cinnamon
pinch cardamom
pinch cloves
On med heat add oil and rice into a med sized pot, add tumeric and salt.  Once rice is heated and coated in the spices pour into a 9 by 13" casserole dish.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min and then take the foil off and bake for an additional 15 min. 


This photo shows the leftovers we had the next day for lunch:)  Sooooo yummy!

Neka came out of quiet time with this picture, I am in love with it!  I can't wait to see what's next.

sisters

I just finished reading "me and my sisters" and although it wasn't a really deep read I was intrigued by the whole three sisters thing.  I have brothers and so don't know what it would be like to have a sister, the older I get the more I think that having one would be really cool.  Maybe she'd be the one that really gets me, the one that I could tell anything to, that when I could come over to her house I'd know that she wouldn't tidy up before I came because she didn't have to worry about what I thought about the state of things there.    

I also think, I have three girls, what will their relationship be like as adults?  Will they all be close?  This weekend I observed three adult sister chatting and bantering with each other then when their mother came into the room they all began exclaiming how good her cooking was.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven, you mean this kind of relationship is possible!  I want it!  I want to nurture, teach and love my girls into becoming delightful people who inspire and lead others while nurturing those around them.  It is a tall goal for me as I find myself many times shouting through the tantrums, sending people left and right to time outs and yelling for this one to stop hurting that one.  

I often refer to my life as a three ringed circus, this analogy makes me laugh because it brings a funny and most times chaotic picture to mind. Within that picture I want to be the loving yet firm ringmaster that bringing out the best in everyone despite the chaos, seeing through the tantrums to what is really going on and affirming instead of just scolding when the smallest things causes one to dissolve into tears.

Last week I needed to read more and be on the computer less.  I feel more peaceful now and ready for what I want to create this week.  A visit with some high school friends, exercise to make me feel great about myself, sending a care package to some friends who've just had a baby and some blogging time just for me.  That's my share for the day, a little insight into my thoughts:)

A happy week to all!

home

Morning in the garden

This film captures my desire for an earth conscious life.  I've been thinking lately about what is truly my heart's desire.  I see wood, dirt, glass, and cement, put those together and I see something that feels grounded, solid and whole.  I was washing the dishes the other night alone with my earbuds in and dancing to Laura Marling.  I breathed in and out and sang at the top of my lungs.  In quiet moments I see my life as it is-beautiful.

To find any of these links visit my pinterest board

valentines

Valentine's Day had moments of delightful surprise and some tasty morsels to eat. After Neka's school we headed over to Aunty Shannon's house so the girls could give out their valentines cards and chocolates.  They had so much fun in sticker heaven making them.  There, we received yummy brownies, mmmmmm...thank-you!  
During the day I found little notes all over the house hidden amongst ordinary tasks.  The one that touched me the most was when I sat down to read for a few minutes and upon turning a page I discovered a note about finding peaceful moments in my day-I love you buddy!
The day before I found the most wonderful recipe.  An Italian Nutella Meringue Torte. I thought, I should make this sometime but then on Valentines I shook my head and say wow, how cool is it that I found this recipe yesterday, it was the perfect way to surprise Tey with something yummy. I just realized that many of my posts lately have been about food, ahhhh well, such is my life:)

 I can't seem to find where I found the recipe but when I do I'll post it:)