Baking And Bread And Blooms
Tags:
I mentioned recently (duringWeek In The Life I think) about my emphasis on creating new pathways. Doing things a little differently in the basic routines around here, catching up on things that have been neglected (stuff like changing exterior light bulbs), and generally making new memories. Some days it's easy and others it's really, really tough.
I've been baking bread. I've had the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes A Day book probably at least a year. Two weekends ago I finally tried it - the basic recipe - and it was awesome. Simon's a really big fan.
I made cookies from the back of this month's Everyday Food magazine. Loved them.
I spent a good deal of time outside over the weekend working in my yard. We live in a place that gets a lot of rain and a lot of cloudy days so when the sun comes out it just feels wrong to do anything but be outside. I weeded and then bought a couple more peonies and two white hydrangeas (I've been dreaming about adding those to my yard for awhile).
I love that Anna likes to come outside and play and hang out with me. She's also becoming an expert at going to the garden stores with me. I'm working on encouraging Simon to be outside more too. Yesterday the two of them spent a good portion of the late afternoon playing pirates outside - hunting for treasure in and around the front and back yard.
I think about my parents so often when I'm in the yard. Thinking about how much they love to be outside, thinking about how I had jobs to do in the yard as a kid when we weren't at the pool or a soccer game like weeding or picking up the dog poop. I think about the energy and the love that goes into the dirt and the stress that's relieved by digging and pulling and lifting and breathing the fresh air.
I had friends over on Saturday night for Cinco de Mayo. Anna and Emma ran around and around and played and made mischief (like painting each other and the carpet). Kim & Dave & I made my Dad's margaritas and cooked and talked about books and gardens (I want to start composting). Simon and Ben watched lego videos on u-tube. It was so nice to have them here.
Here's to new pathways in familiar locations.
MyWeek In The Life album is in progress - I've got the first five days of photos printed out. I stayed out of my office this weekend and will be on a field trip with Simon today so it will be a few more days before I share my album here.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
44 comments
If you don't have a lot a yard waste, then vermicomposting is a great way to go. It is perfect for kitchen scraps.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I had my dear dad till up the gardens last time he was here. I started seedlings a few weeks back. The peppers and zinnias are going strong; all of the tomatoes, however, have bit the dust. Would love to explore compost but feel that with my schedule the only thing it would result in is a pile of stink. Glad you had a great weekend. Thought about and talked about you a lot this past weekend (good things of course). You were missed!
Replies
I love zinnias - need to plant some of those here. I did some tomatoes last year but it was just not ever hot enough for a sustained period of time - it's like that here...you never really know. Miss you guys and looking forward to seeing you in the fall :).
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali - also celebrated Cinqo de Mayo this weekend with margaritas - would it be possible to post your dad's recipe? That looks yummy.
Replies
Sure - I posted it on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/ali.m.edwards/posts/10150704021041082
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So happy for your productive weekend. I finally finished last July's WITL. Not really sure why I waited so long but I'm very happy to have completed it. I think I just allowed roadblocks to get in the way from finishing it. I finally realized that I need to set aside time to do scrapbooking in my schedule. I have replaced television with crafting and I'm not looking back :).
Replies
Awesome! I watch very little TV too and don't miss it at all!
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I do see a change in you, in the way you write, present your stories and that you are now taking a little more "me time". In the past I bet you would have had week in the life done already. Change sometimes opens our eyes to what we are missing, not what we have left to do. Its a good thing. So here is to Hello Ali!
Replies
I don't see how there's any way possible I could not go through what I'm going through without being changed.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Your bread looks BEAUTIFUL....added this book to my wishlist!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali,
Your plants look beautiful...I haven't been able to garden the last few years and really miss it. It's satisying to see what you plant grow into something beautiful.
LOVE the connection to your 'UP' word: rising bread, vines, tall tree, and up time with your friends.
focusing on my OLW this weekend as well
thanks for all you do! so inspiring! :)
Replies
Love that connection too Linda - thanks for reminding me of that.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Have you read The Happiness Project Ali? Based on this post, it sounds like it might be right up your alley. A friend of mine just read it, and it's on my list. :)
I've always wanted to make my own bread. And, you should totally start composting! It's awesome- my roommates and I did it in college actually.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Composting is great fun - we have a wormery as well, lots of fun and the nursery next door bring the Anna sized students over for a field trip :)
Being outside in the garden is high on my list at the moment - between showers here too.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
The bread looks awesome - I've been wanting to try the version in that book - I just got it from the library.
Which cookie did you make - it looks "lemony"
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Love all of your new giveaways! Just like Spring - my creativity is blossoming - with your help!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.