diapers and skinny jeans

One of my goals for this summer was to build a raised bed garden; not much tastes better than freshly picked vegetables and fruit. The opportunity to facilitate learning around wholesome, homegrown food right here at home was one I have dreamt about teaching my children ever since I became a mom. It seemed like such a distant memory in the depths of winter, but now that our rainy season has taken a break we have headed into gardening with full force (and muddy toes!) I wish I had taken more pictures during the construction of the bed itself, but we used this as a resource. The bed contains a mixture of organic garden soil, mushroom compost, and a peat-moss topsoil enhancer. This is our first year attempting to have green thumbs and I know I'll be happy even if we don't yield much. We have a variety of peppers planted, along with tomatoes, squash, and cucumber. I'm hoping to eventually add strawberries, lettuce and the carrots that we picked up from Silver ...

Over the weekend I spent a bit of time wandering through the conservatory in Lincoln Park for a photo session.  The flowers were beautifully blooming in the elevated greenhouse temperatures - quite a welcome escape from our recent weather.  Chicago has been flooded after a few days of non-stop rain leaving many with flooded basements, the absence of hot water or heat, and impassable roads to drive on.  We're lucky we weren't affected other than having to re-route ourselves on the commute to work, but many others weren't as fortunate.  Sending lots of positive thoughts to those that are still struggling to clean up after last week's storms.  We are ready for sunshine.

A perfect weekend day spent with family, warm enough for light jackets and egg hunting in Great Grandma's backyard.  Spring is on it's way here and we are all breathing a little easier.  I feel so blessed for moments like these that we all get to spend together - I couldn't be more grateful that I live just hours away from the most important people in the world to me. (With the exception of my other sister who moved out to sunny California).  A trip may be on order soon! I sincerely hope your Easter weekend was warm, bright and filled with family.

This year Sofia and I took a stab at naturally-dyed Easter egg decorating.  While I admit it wasn't as vibrant as coloring with standard white eggs and food coloring, we still had so much fun making earthy golds and soot-colored greys.  Quite the un-traditional take, I think!  We wrapped a few of our eggs in rubber bands before letting them soak in the "dye" as an experiment, and while fun, unfortunately didn't make much of an artistic impact.  Here's what we used: For an earthy, yellow-gold color: • a few tablespoons of turmeric • boiling water to cover • tablespoon of white vinegar • container for dye For a lighter, ash-colored grey: • around 1/4 c. smooshed blueberries • boiling water to cover • tablespoon of white vinegar • container for dye It's fun to get creative with Easter egg decorating - there are so many recipes floating around for even more gorgeous colors like jade, brown or violet.  We let our eggs sit at the minim...

We have shared so much quality time together the past few days, me and you.  Trips to the midwife where you demonstrate with grunting noises of how mama is going to "push baby out", quick stops in for donuts at our favorite place in the city, climbing up on my lap as I try to finish up the last of my photo editing, and falling asleep together in the big bed. Papa has been putting in long hours at work, so we've both been happily keeping each other company. The last weeks are hard knowing my time to love only you is dwindling.  I'm not quite sure how the heart doubles in size after multiple children, but I trust that it does.

The last days of winter always spark desire for change.  I can start to smell spring in the air and it settles deep into my bones, a rebirth.  Two years ago, that change was cutting off all of my hair - a horrid idea, now that I look back on it... blegh!  Thankfully - to myself and all who know me - I've decided to take a less dramatic route this year and simply darkened my hair to its natural color. I'm really hoping for a pre-natal massage as I forge through my most uncomfortable weeks, but I still have a ways to go before I get there. I'm certain any pregnant woman would agree that bath time is their most cherished time of the day.  To be weightless, even for a moment, is pure bliss.  I'm lucky if I ever get a bath to myself anymore though, so my littlest companion has been having extra fun with her brand new bubbles from YesTo  baby carrots. While I always try to source products with natural ingredients for my children, I've often fo...

My husband - and others, I'm sure - think I am quite the crazy person walking around in my summer moccasins after a snowstorm.  Rightfully so, I suppose.  My feet are bare, unfazed by the harsh temperatures or the occasional icy piece of fluff that sneaks its way into my shoe. Summertime and the laid-back mentality that comes with it simply havnen't left my heart, and some days is the only thing keeping my seasonal grumps at bay. This winter has been all about just making it through. Most times I can appreciate and welcome each season as it rolls in, but winter this year has been exceptionally hard for myself and for those around me.  I find comfort in knowing that in just twelve short days we will welcome a new friend, Spring, and all the new beginnings she has in store for us. The world will come alive again.  The flowers will bloom.  The dry, barren land will be quenched of its thirst, and we will welcome a new life into the world.  I will sway...

Every Wednesday, it has been a somewhat-tradition of ours to take the family out for brunch and make time for adventures and exploration. When we woke today to a depressingly gray sky and bitter winds, I knew in my heart that it would keep us cooped up inside, yet again.  To say I'm not beginning to feel the pangs of frustration and the "winter-blues" would be a lie, and boy did it hit me a bit harder than I was expecting! Tick-tick-tick as moments kept passing us by, no work in the house was done and the course of the day had left us irritated and feeling a bit aggravated with where we were at.  I remembered a recent conversation where Erick and I had discussed how just when we think that everyone else out there seems to have it so great, that they're consistently putting out great work on their portfolio or have a picture-perfect home without any washing pile in sight, in reality we're only seeing their highlight reel.  Unless you spend ever...

One of my most treasured memories about winter is the time spent cuddling indoors.  When we're all together, you can usually find us hanging out in the bedroom: taking naps, getting in tickle-fights, or turning up the tunes and having a dance party.  Sofia will usually request to "fly" (belly on our feet up in the air!) and her shrieks and giggles are enough to make me wish those moments would last forever.  These photos prove it to me even more each day - our little girl is growing up. Do you have any favorite indoor activities? Maybe a book together on the couch, cocoa by the fire, or late-night snuggles...  all perfect if you ask me! 

Sister winter has made her appearance - the people are staying inside, the children are back in school, and everywhere and everything seems to be quiet. While I'll admit the abundance of gray days aren't usually my favorite, this season I almost don't mind as much, especially considering we've had the odd bit of sunshine lately!  A welcome surprise. Though we're only a week into this new year, I've been busily lining up my plate starting with an exciting collaboration with Katie from Offswitch Magazine .  The stillness of the season has been calling for nights spent at my desk, intensely planning and striving to stay on top of things rather than be buried beneath them. An uncluttered mind, to live in the moment... How do you spend your quiet days of winter?

My Pa loved pears more than anyone I had ever met, but despite his constant urging I wouldn't have anything to do with them.  Now much later in life, I've gotten over my silly fear of their texture, and have been savoring every bite of these juicy fruits.  Pears to me will always be a fruit to be enjoyed in the winter, simmered or poached with soft spices and sweet honey.  This was my first attempt at any type of jam, and I'm pleased with the way it turned out!  What makes me most happy is that while I would have normally had to use almost 55-85% sugar to "set" the jam with pectin (which is normally loaded with preservatives), I found an amazing alternative that allowed me to only use a few tablespoons of honey and nothing more.  Perfection!  I had already fallen in love with the idea of a low to no sugar jam - then finding out it was naturally free from preservatives... could this be real? WINTER VANILLA PEAR JAM YOU WILL NEED: •...

I have previously celebrated the coming of the newest year by setting goals,  sitting down and reflecting on memories passed, and- of course- thinking undoubtedly that this "was going to be the best year yet!" While I still feel it's incredibly important to give myself some form of direction to propel into the new year, I also have realized that some of the best intentions I had set were often stifled by negative thoughts or past experiences and failures, keeping me from a truly clean slate to work from.  Have any of you ever felt the same? Taking Time To Recollect Before attempting to jot down my newest intentions for 2013, I will be taking the coming weeks much slower, perhaps setting aside time to really examine what didn't go right in 2012.  A cup of my favorite tea, a candle lit, the quiet calm of the morning-- all should be enough to encourage a few moments of reflection.  It may be seem counterintuitive to the positive resolutions and happy memorie...

The crunch of the dead leaves on the ground, late blooming flowers, a mid-conversation snap of the little one... This is what our autumn looked like the past few days. I loaded up the grocery basket with every single root vegetable imaginable, with my lofty plans for soups, pies, and even an impromptu purchase of eggnog.  It's silly, but no matter what type of mood I'm in, when I head to the market or our local Whole Foods I can instantly be cheered up... I sure do love food. This was also such a wonderful week for budding, new friendships.   Katie , who I've known and loved from  Off Switch Magazine , is such a delight in person.  I first "met" her at the Renegade craft fair, complete with an awkward hug on my side.  This time, though nervous, I think I held it together a bit better as we sipped on our tea and coffee.  After our meet up, I immediately went home and jotted down new ideas for the blog, and tried out some grain-fr...

"The beauty of life is to experience yourself" -- on my Yogi tea  Realizing how each individual season impacts my day-to-day, I'm starting a recurring column based on this book and all of its lovely pieces of wisdom.  If you've never heard of it, I highly suggest picking up a copy.  It talks of happiness, not in the usual way of perfecting an "emotion", but rather explores the individual seasons and their deeper meanings, putting us back in sync with our own cycles. On to autumn. Each season carries it's own reminder, or meaning-- a lesson we must heed to accrue the greatest wisdom they bring.  Autumn, a time for harvest.  This is when I begin to inventory and plan, counting my blessings I've reaped over the summer and diligently preparing for the depths of winter.  Our family has slowly transitioned to staying indoors more, preparing our home for the holidays and deeply cleaning every last spot we can find.  It's rejuvenat...