Lickin' the Batter

see beauty

2012-01-21T21:55:00.003-05:00

i'm ready for this. ready to bursting.

2012-01-18T10:14:00.003-05:00

change is inevitable.

a photo a day ...

2012-01-17T01:10:00.001-05:00

times are busy and full around here as i dismantle things and prepare for john's three-day visit and then moving day, so maybe posts around here will be short .... rising above the mess, i thought about future times, both dreamy and practical. there was sunshine in those places.

2012-01-08T18:04:00.001-05:00

I'm adding to the list of new year's intentions: Cook a recipe once a week. Chances are I'll do it way more than that once I settle in to a teaching job in the Philly area, but this one is so important to me so I'd like to make it achievable. I miss being in the kitchen more than I am now, and being purposeful yet meditative, and producing a healthy, delicious result -- and now I can do that for

new year, new intentions.

2012-01-04T02:10:00.001-05:00

There's a lot of new around here, actually .... entry steps, philadelphia art museum Has it really been over a MONTH since I last blogged? I guess life just has not been standing still as in years past. It's a very transitional year, in so many ways ... I said a couple of necessary good-byes, worked my first (and, turns out, last in KY) Montessori lead teacher job, went to school for my

Philadelphia or bust!

2011-12-05T21:46:00.001-05:00

I finally got the knitting bug!! So, this will be a quick one, as I have a very simple Christmas present (or two or three) to attend to. In February .... I am moving a lot closer east .... temporarily to So. Jersey ... and then to Philadelphia!! Now, I'll be honest, I don't have a teaching job ... yet. But the resumes are out there (including one to an AMI FARM school that's only a 20-

change!

2011-11-28T01:51:00.001-05:00

wow, some magical things are happening around here! i'll check in soon ...! be well out there.

reflective thoughts.

2011-11-14T01:45:00.001-05:00

I'd like to become an earlier riser again. even if i get less sleep while adjusting. i work a lot of late nights (till midnight) now, so it's not the easiest to go straight to bed and then get up early. however, i do feel that even though it's been nice to sleep until 11 and go to work at 3 i'm not getting anything productive done. some of this is normal getting-used-to-the-seasons-changing

2011-11-07T21:47:00.001-05:00

today was a wonderful day of staying home most of the day. i also went out and bought yarn for a dog coat I plan on making once the right size needles are back in stock, a vintage desk chair, butter dish, and 1940's red clock.isn't it cute on my yellow table? the flowers are from Trader Joe's. Today, I also made the pear butter cake from Apples for Jam (which looked almost exactly like

cooking, centering.

2011-11-06T22:49:00.000-05:00

I really keep meaning to return to this space more often than I do. I wish I could post my beautiful pictures, my knitting, my sewing projects. But I don't even know where my camera is, and getting used to a new job with sometimes wacky hours has made me often just too tired/uninspired for crafting. plus i'm not doing ANY holiday knitting this year, so i lack the usual motivation for this

fall cookin'

2011-10-23T22:28:00.000-04:00

I wanted to pop in and share with you two recipes you MUST make. The first is from Apples for Jam and uses up apples which are currently plentiful here at the farmer's markets. Apple bread! I made mine without the walnuts, well, because I'm not crazy about nuts in bread (and I also didn't have any walnuts). Apple Bread (walnuts optional!) 3/4 c sugar 1/4 lb. plus 3 tbsp.

Simplify.

2011-10-16T13:49:00.000-04:00

Here I am again, popping in as promised. I'm taking this entire Sunday to myself and my dog, who is very happy to have me here all day, all to himself. I am: slow cooking dry pinto beans for a lentil-bean-veg stew I'm making for dinner tonight finishing my current novel (Sarah's Key) and starting my new one (The Help - finally) updating my blog (read all of yours last night) already -

i'll be back in a few ...

2011-10-15T21:38:00.003-04:00

i will try to pop in here tomorrow ... miss this space.

some recent reflections and happenings.

2011-10-03T23:17:00.004-04:00

Wow, it's been a long time since i posted. But the master's thesis is in the mail (!!!!!) after six weeks of working endless wee night hours on it each day, so that frees up my time ... briefly. I just got hired at trader joe's, which is finally opening a new store here in Louisville. I start working for them next week. I'm still at the Montessori school, and I applied for a

food, food

2011-09-08T21:48:00.000-04:00

Ok, going to see if I can figure out the new Blogger interface .... and give you a post with the pictures I've been long dutifully erm ... meaning ... to post! Life is a bit busy when you are running a household and trying to get two huge papers written by Oct. 1! However, I am confident that I've done enough research on topic one to write paper one this saturday. then two weeks to get paper

delicious zucchini spaghetti

2011-08-29T19:47:00.005-04:00

scenes from the woods, where i spent a bit of time saturday night ... I made this tonight for two busy people (me and boyfriend) and whipped it up in less than 10 minutes. no, seriously. so of course, i had to share! i have no photo, i was too busy eating it! but trust me on this one. especially if your garden has a zucchini glut ... it's the time of year, y'all! based on a meal i had at a

busy bees here in kentucky!

2011-08-22T22:56:00.002-04:00

(pretty fountain, Brooklyn NY) I just realized I haven't posted an entry in ... oh, almost two weeks! oh my! well, i've been super busy ... getting a new part-time job at a montessori school setting up my own home-based montessori-inspired business painting walls in the home classroom buying antique furniture for said classroom making up yummy summer eats: black bean croquettes,

whole wheat raisin bread (vegan)

2011-08-10T22:21:00.004-04:00

I've been wanting to tell you all about the amazing, delicious loaf of whole wheat raisin bread I made this week. It's from 1,000 Vegan Recipes. It makes the BEST toast when sliced with a very good bread knife, very thin. This is the day after it comes out of the oven. The night it came out of the oven we ate huge slices of it slathered with vegan butter (and mine had also honey on top!).

I'm back!

2011-08-08T14:31:00.003-04:00

daisies adam got me for returning home ... i gave him a 1925 mandolin restored by my friend Jake! for his birthday which is Friday. Regular posting should resume ... well, right now! It's good to be home. Current projects include continuing to unpack boxes and organize the apartment, figuring out work-at-home spaces with less arguments (we really just need an antique table adam can use as a

Getting back to healthy

2011-07-24T21:45:00.006-04:00

I still don't know what general direction my blog is going in these days, but right now I am writing here to make myself start that "going on a diet" I keep going on about. I need to lose a significant number of pounds after slowly, sneakily gaining a LOT of weight over the last three months or so. I plan to eat smaller portions (eat one helping slowly instead of having two), log my eats and any

anxiety relief, found again in nature

2011-07-13T22:32:00.005-04:00

quite a while back, i gave up keeping close tabs on the news. somehow, recently, i started that up again.now i know why i quit. too much sadness. disbelief at what human beings do to each other. what we are doing to our world. it goes on. does anyone else feel overwhelmed and hopeless and powerless by the media machine? i needed some time in nature, really. it was long overdue. i found this

vacation, pretty sweet

2011-07-12T23:38:00.003-04:00

check these out ... i could not resist. they are adorable ... and a steal at $18!! so far, vacation is going well. day one - beachday two - goodwill shopping (found a $2 silky nightgown AND two vintage dresses, AND vintage-looking brown heels, yee haw!!), vegan pistachio ice creamday three - bought trail shoes and the new Gillian Welch album. gillian's coming to louisville at the end of august.

I've decided on YES.

2011-07-08T16:31:00.008-04:00

**wrote this the other night but for some reason blogger wouldn't publish....so...here you are!**...a scene from the inspiring Columbia River Gorge .... So. School is now over, and after writing two major research papers due Oct. 1, my master's degree in Montessori education will be complete. Big news for you (and for me, really!): I am going to start up my own business running classes for

1-0-9-9?

2011-06-26T19:19:00.003-04:00

some of my greatest inspirations. i don't normally post pictures of the children i've taught, but this is relvant to the topic at hand. It's been a while since I've visited this space. My, it's good to be back (I have been keeping up with most of YOUR posts!). I'm going to be at school for two more weeks, finishing two out of three more classes toward my master's in education. Then vacationing

temporary hiatus

2011-06-16T18:02:00.003-04:00

Um, yeah. So I'm finishing up grad school and need I say the workload over the next three and a half weeks will be *very* intense? I'll be back soon, and I'm sorry I'll need to be scarce. I'll try and read your blogs when I can/need to catch a break! I'll leave you with just a few more Portland pics ... I'm off to the amazing swimming pool here and then ... doing LOTS of reading! I am taking a

Changes and adventures

2011-06-13T00:19:00.005-04:00

Here are two Portland pics for ya ... I won't even tell you how much I spent on vintage there!! ;-) The hula hooper is from the awesome Last Thursday Alberta street fair. That was amazing good fun! I could eat from the food carts every day! and back home at last .... a corner of the new apartment This was going to be a long, detailed post, but time has gotten away from me this ONE week home in

my old (actually new!) kentucky home

2011-06-06T22:44:00.002-04:00

I am back from Portland ... processing some stuff ... will be back soon. Forgive my absence. It's good to be home, even amongst moving boxes. love and light, kp

vintage finds!

2011-05-26T19:28:00.003-04:00

Sorry, I traveled all the way to Portland by train and failed to bring my uploader cable! Above is the exact bowl I found in an antiques store today! What a find. There were a ton of vintage fabrics, too, but the price was too high. I also scored a 1940's skyway train case. I've got a few other vintage clothing finds ... so many vintage stores here, dangerous!Things are fun here, so much to see

bit of a blog snoozer ... sorry

2011-05-15T21:49:00.003-04:00

meant to update today ... life and the stress of moving just got in the way. plus, it was rainy. all. day. you know how it goes, i'm sure. i am playing with new names for the blog. i'm sure the blog is still about my simple living journey, but i want it to be very personal. i want it to have more soul. i want to make sure i'm not just blathering about my day-to-day. and it's not just about what i

busy.

2011-05-07T19:40:00.003-04:00

dessert at our anti-derby picnic in the park today. yes, that's REALLY good vegan chocolate cake baked up by my friend Carrie! local asparagus, roasted simply with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper. We enjoyed this with a homemade lentil soup! we found this beauty today .. hydroponic. at the farmer's market. i almost hate to use it up! it's so darned pretty!*********************************

we are moving! (haha yes AGAIN for me)

2011-05-03T18:25:00.002-04:00

Well, we've decided ... (actually the decision was forced on us ... I won't go into the sour-ness of those grapes here, though...let's just say it was a nearly sleepless night) ... we are MOVING! into a friend's home who is leaving for several years due to a new job opportunity. we have an established garden! with strawberry, raspberry, blueberry plants, kiwis, even. and i'm going to plant tons

sunday at home.

2011-05-01T15:57:00.002-04:00

today was a good day, spent out to breakfast at our favorite little place. yesterday we went to a fiber festival (i only spent $25 but I could have bought tons more yarn!) and got inspiration to do needle felting/felted soap. we also went to an art festival, where we bought some regionally-produced vegan soap. after breakfast today, i came home and cleaned the place for TWO hours straight. came

greetings from storm central ...

2011-04-26T20:41:00.004-04:00

It's not so bad, really. Most of the horrible weather went juuuust to the west, north, and south of us. We'll be in the clear in the few days. It's certainly been strange weather around here lately, though. Dinner tonight was amazing, so I thought I'd share: For a delicious quick weeknight meal, do the following: (figure out your own measurements!)fry up some cubed veggie tempeh in oil, and add a

stormy morns. .. and nights ... and afternoons ...

2011-04-23T14:24:00.006-04:00

happy asparagus season! this is our gift this morning from the farmer's market. Hello there from the stormy, stormy, stormy midwest! It's been a real humdinger here. days and days of loud weather radios, tornado sirens, thunder, and lightning ... and five days more of it to come. it's craziness. it's a good day to stay home (after a morning at the farmer's market and a drizzled-on local greenie

bloom where you are planted!

2011-04-17T11:41:00.004-04:00

look what i just found in my own yard! cuttings for inside, to be sure!!So, dbf and i have decided NOT to move, after all, saving us a $900 deposit that we can instead put toward some much-needed new furniture (the futon I've been sleeping on faithfully for oh, 7 years will be used as a guest bed), plants, antique-y end tables, and the like. when my roommate who owns the house moves out, we will

spring has sprung

2011-04-10T20:32:00.014-04:00

**i am sorry for the grainy/blurry picture quality of this post. i think i had my camera on auto instead of high iso. so sorry ... oh well!! ** whoa, sorry about disappearing for um more than two weeks! whoopsie. spring has created its usual flurry of activity here. i'm just coming off a 10-day spring break during which much fun was had, much dreaming and planning done, and much rest accomplished

quiet saturday at home

2011-03-26T20:09:00.009-04:00

vegan corn chowder i made this week, i also made homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies per dbf's request. Well, it seems winter has briefly returned to these midwestern/southernish parts, despite the obstinance of blossoming tulip magnolias, dogwoods, crocuses, daffodils, and tulips! It even hailed briefly today. Oh, well. Not to last long. I've gone and decided (after months of subconscious

sunday update

2011-03-20T11:08:00.006-04:00

st. patrick's day was fun! i love cloggers. those two girls go to my school.Today is one of those nice, slow Sundays where I bake, knit, read blogs and books (today's reading will feature learning about raised bed gardening from two books i checked out of the library). In fact, I have vegan cinnamon roll dough rising as i write. it smells delicious! I wanted to share with you some pictures I've

two quick recipes

2011-03-14T20:43:00.003-04:00

My latest intention is to be off the computer by 8:30 p.m. each night to allow for some very healthful non-screen time before turning in, but as I was just standing here in my clean, cozy kitchen and settling in, lights off, with a cup of tea, I could not resist telling you two food things on my mind!the first, is something i try and prepare at least once each week, and usually lasts two days.

rare as gold

2011-03-13T19:53:00.004-04:00

I had one of those weekends. Rare as gold. Total and complete relaxation, and letting go of all expectations, just flowing into the moments as they came. Such as the farm walk. Oh well, 'twas not to be!Today, after a very late bedtime due to visiting a neighbor friend and watching a movie on netflix, I did something very unusual: slept in blissfully until very late in the morning. I awoke to

craving.

2011-03-11T21:28:00.004-05:00

i have a craving. vegan recipes requested. maple icing preferred. entirely homemade, of course, for both. 'cause that's how i roll! happy weekend to you! i'm planning on visiting a new yarn shop tomorrow and getting some new library books for my classroom. i also ordered Knitting Without Tears from my local bookshop today. i can't wait to pick that up next week and begin reading! sunday will be a

clean

2011-03-10T21:22:00.007-05:00

I find that baking soda, vinegar, and lemon/tea tree essential oils, and hot water, really go the distance at my house. thinking of making my own laundry detergent next (after my soap nuts run out). any ideas? pondering something with borax and essential oils. i want a liquid but i guess powder would be okay. the simpler, the better. i love cleaning my house (but not deep cleaning my oven). am i

love, simply.

2011-03-09T21:40:00.003-05:00

bernheim forest in kentucky - iron ore trail, this is the bridge on the "canopy tree walk". the path ahead of me is not changing, yet it's becoming clearer. loads of transformation here. i am, in a matter of days, becoming the official money manager of a new unofficial "family unit" (no it's not what you're thinking tee hee!) .... yes, my boyfriend (i will tell the long story sometime) is moving

design change

2011-03-01T19:38:00.005-05:00

inspiration ...just a bit of a spring redesign of the blog. nothing fancy. clean and airy like a farmhouse kitchen. i'd love that color in my farmhouse! white wood floors (soulemama got me started on that one). i seem to be relatively uninspired to write these days. i'll be back with words, i promise. guess what's popping up at school? crocus! and we planted radish seeds today. a humble beginning

march is coming. quiet march.

2011-02-23T21:36:00.003-05:00

spring is coming ... i can just. feel it in the air. been hiking two or three weekends in a row now. planning on a very long hike this sunday in 50-degree weather. i can't wait. i hope there is sun. i've been taking pretty good care of myself, does staying up late in bed for hours reading a good book count? i actually like being on the internet only once a week. i'm getting more knitting done,

menu planning

2011-02-19T19:00:00.004-05:00

yeah, i'm trying to do that again. in an effort to force myself back to eating at home 99 percent of the time and get back on that frugal path i seem to keep slipping from. why is it so hard to change our habits? anyway, here's what i'm eating this week: quinoa-beet salad with chardpeanutty-tofu roll-ups sesame-soy breakfast spread on sesame bagelsoatmeal with fruit, nuts, flax seeds, and maple

simple woman's daybook

2011-02-10T22:59:00.004-05:00

attempting to get tons of veggies and whole grains back in my life ... lunch the last two days has been red quinoa topped with steamed swiss chard, lemon juice and tahini ... simple but soul (and belly!) filling. the above salad was around for a while, too, recently. Outside my window... it's dark and frigid cold but supposed to warm up considerably for this weekend ... yay, hiking!!I am thinking

self-care

2011-02-07T23:06:00.004-05:00

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one having trouble with regular blog posts lately. Oddly, I've been surprisingly busy these past couple of weeks. Setting the wheels in motion for the rest of the school year, mainly ... and for my school "year" this summer. The last set of courses before I receive my master's! An exciting time. It's been nearly 10 days without any exercise. I blame business and

i'm still here

2011-02-01T19:17:00.004-05:00

vegan chocolate chip cookies, homemade, from 1,000 vegan recipesjust hibernating, a bit. not too much to report. slogging through this winter. some nights at yoga, some at the pool, most just home, spending more time in the kitchen. i have a few lovely food pictures i've been collecting. i'll share with you soon. the cookbook 1,000 vegan recipes is inspiring! i've made a wonderful soup last night

some bright and cheery for the snowy and gloomy

2011-01-20T18:10:00.010-05:00

I've been really disappointed in the lackluster sheen to my blog lately. of course, i blame winter's low/lack of light. i have plenty of pictures...but no literally shining stars. so maybe i'll just brighten things up with photo credits for a while. there hasn't been much to update lately, other than a few yummy things i've made in the kitchen. the unusually cold and snowy weather here, and many

nursing a cold

2011-01-09T07:10:00.005-05:00

I'm still here ... been offline for a few days, but I've now fixed the problem. I'm also nursing a nasty cold that had me up at 5:30 a.m. ... I'm on the couch in my nightgown and a sweater with a blanket on my lap and some coffee, with the heat cranked to 75 because it's horribly frigid outdoors and the chill gets in my bones too easily. my weapons of choice: children's liquid cough syrup,

intentions.

2010-12-30T23:29:00.003-05:00

That's all they are, not resolutions. self: make yoga/meditation/readings a daily practicewalk or hike at least 20 minutes/daysleep 8 hours/nightonce a month, read Dr. Montessorimindfulness toward complaining and negativitymaybe: a weekend away at snug hollow b&b, or go home for thanksgiving, or a spring weekend in chicago!practical: thurs. night stitch and bitchmake a knitted baby sweatersewing:

elving and such.

2010-12-21T18:21:00.005-05:00

gifts for the girlfriends. well, i'm finally back home in connecticut after a two-day travel delay due to a nasty little ice storm we got hit with in louisville. there is no snow here, i can't believe it! i am so happy that solstice happened and now the days will get longer! somehow makes the rest of winter much more bearable. here's what i did to kill time in louisville before getting on my bus

out breath.

2010-12-13T23:35:00.004-05:00

Tonight, as I was flitting about like a bird getting this and that small detail accomplished, I very briefly looked up, and SAW around me. And I realized, with the tiniest moment of flooding relief, that all was so very close to perfect. That things were lovely, 99 percent of them, just as they stand, because I work so diligently on a daily basis to make them so. A nice feeling to have before you

snow, food, and simplicity, continued. (edited Monday to add pics)

2010-12-12T19:28:00.004-05:00

vegan daiya cheddar bake, a staple menu item in my kitchensimplicity has been ruling my life lately. erm, and food. lots of food!here are a few pictures so you can see what i've been up to. naked burritos with sweet potatoes and pinto beansit's currently snowing here. very pretty, and hoping for a school closing tomorrow so i can finish packing for my big trip home to connecticut by train! (we

the absolute joy of frugality, experienced!

2010-12-05T20:33:00.004-05:00

vegan golden lentil soup. SOOOOO good!i can't believe how often it is that i discover new things about myself. for example, the fact that i'm pretty sure i want to start my own business of sorts (more of this as it develops!), and get out of the full-time working world, hopefully for good! and the fact that living frugally has lately given me some real "high" points -- I mean, literally a proud

just a few thoughts.

2010-12-01T19:56:00.003-05:00

current storefront for Why Louisville, on Bardstown Road here in Louisville ending online time before 9 p.m. daily (exceptions made for knitting patterns and recipes!) is a healthy recipe for a healthy mind and healthy eyes. popcorn on the stove can solve most daily whole grain deficiencies.daily walks are a must, grit the teeth into the cold weather and just go with it. your heart is begging you

soba, so good

2010-11-30T19:53:00.004-05:00

okay, you deserve a fun post of yumminess after yesterday's downer post. life is all about balance, right? which also means i'm getting offline soon after posting this, to listen to christmas music on pandora and maybe some NPR BBC news and knit. here is tonight's super-frugal dinner, all made with food items i already had on hand: this is buckwheat soba noodles, mixed with steamed bok choy and

another post about money, sorry ...

2010-11-29T21:37:00.005-05:00

I'm not sure where to begin tonight. I guess I'm feeling the need for a sounding board :-) Everything is fine, it's just that I'm stressing about money again. I feel I'm in a money pit I can never quite climb out of. I wish someone had MADE me save in my twenties, that they hadn't been so darned frivolous and materialistic. i was such a different person back then. shopping at the mall, racking up

A time for thanks

2010-11-25T14:44:00.002-05:00

that was the feast i just enjoyed, alone, with not a light on except a flickering candle. in my living room, watching it pour down rain here for a second day. a wonderfully quiet, peaceful, and contemplative span of moments. and yes, that is all vegan food you see! :-) i am so happy that no animals had to be harmed for me to thank the earth for all of its bounty, which is all we need. in a while,

healthy limits

2010-11-22T19:53:00.005-05:00

i'm needing to set some "online time" limits for myself. i'm on the computer too much every night, and on the weekends. i'm not reading books, knitting, sewing, writing letters to friends, or getting simple household tasks accomplished. i'm also not going for walks as frequently as i would like. i'm thinking, try no more than one hour a day between blog reading, facebook, and whatever else i use

31 years ago today ...

2010-11-18T23:49:00.002-05:00

I was born in Connecticut, where i then lived for 17 years before heading off to college in Vermont. I have so many goals for this decade of life.I don't know if they'll happen; we can only plan so far ahead, I've learned. Maybe these: marriagemotherhoodlearn guitarwrite and publish a booklearn to ride a horsehome ownership a real vacationtravel abroad, either for work or adventurea year off from

homebody's update

2010-11-10T20:24:00.006-05:00

hi, everybody. just a quick update from the nesting homebody who isn't spending any money these days. all is well, exhausted today after two very late nights. with good reason though. my to-do list lately has been scant and it's been lovely. hike. knit. read books. read blogs. seriously, that's it. i still don't feel much like putting myself "out there" and this is okay though i am somewhat

on finances.

2010-11-05T18:39:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted about my financial situation in a while. I guess because it sucks. I mean, it doesn't suck, technically. I got a raise this year for becoming head teacher, and I now make DOUBLE what I made as an assistant! Yes, that's awesome! Then how is it that I'm still living paycheck to paycheck and paying for checking account overdrafts each month? I don't buy new clothes or gadgets and

the cooking bug.

2010-11-01T21:45:00.002-04:00

do i really get this many fruit/veg into my diet in one day? here is a list of what i got in: spinachbananacucumber tomatoedamamezucchinisweet potatoesapplesonionsgarlicpotatoesstring beanstoday, i also had (in various things): two snack size bars of reese's/butterfinger (meh)almond milkpeanut butterezekiel bread made from sprouted grains (no flour)vegan chocolate chipstofurkey, smoked deli

happy halloween!

2010-10-31T17:25:00.012-04:00

here's the jack-o-lantern i carved today, and the pumpkin seeds i'm going to roast once they're dry. oh, MAN, have i mentioned how much i just LOVE fall????!!!!easily my favorite season, by far. the temps are finally a bit cooler here (upper 60's/low 70's), and the leaves are all a-crunch underfoot. i've had a serious hiking agenda lately. literally, every weekend is featuring long walks through

simple woman's daybook.

2010-10-25T21:03:00.002-04:00

Outside my window... It's dark, and the temperature is unseasonably warm. I can't complain though I do miss chillier New England falls.I am thinking... That I am ready to push my life forward into that place I'm ready for it to go.I am thankful for... a steady yoga practice dedicated mainly to balance, serenity, and love.From the learning rooms... I am learning to let go of the details and

fall goodness, fall slowness, fall promise.

2010-10-18T20:13:00.007-04:00

tomato picking, at school. Hey, all. Just wanted to update with some pictures from this weekend, which was lovely and restful. Am feeling a bit burned out already from school, despite loving my new position as head teacher. Could use a real, week-long school break. Sigh ... I am way too type B. Tonight, I baked, and ate, an ENTIRE spaghetti squash! Topped with fried tempeh (in tamari), homemade

i can't wait until friday to jump on this bandwagon!

2010-10-13T22:07:00.004-04:00

{this moment-started by amanda blake soule} {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

for the love of peppermint!

2010-10-13T20:05:00.003-04:00

was surfing the web for montessori crafts (i think i'm going to make soap and put leaves inside!) and thought i'd share this with all of you. i'm a bit addicted to peppermint ANYTHING (about to go drink some more peppermint tea, actually), and think that vegan soaps make GREAT gifts with handmade dishcloths! any-who, that's about all i got for tonight, y'all. got invited to dinner after

A Montessori blog!

2010-10-12T20:43:00.004-04:00

I did it! Will you link to me? There's nothing really there yet. But it exists. I am excited to see where this leads. Off to some knitting and peppermint tea. oh yeah. link to me! my montessori-themed blog to be

bread and crafts.

2010-10-12T18:43:00.006-04:00

i am sitting home tonight, knitting and waiting for my dinner (chocolate zucchini bread!!) to finish up in the oven. in all of my free time (ha!), i am tossing around the idea of starting a Montessori-themed blog. perhaps on wordpress ... i hear good things about it. i think it will keep me honest to the montessori method (which i think is easy to slip away from, especially if you are not held

hike.

2010-10-11T21:17:00.004-04:00

I finally took a "hike" in beautiful Iriquois park yesterday evening. It takes just over an hour to walk the loop, and it is just delightful and nature-sy feeling for a city park! those are just a few of the dozen or so pics i snapped. oh and some quick shots of my new, semi-organized studio! i just love it!! sorry for the terrible photo qualities ... promise i'm going to take classes in photog.

2010-10-10T15:59:00.004-04:00

new corners How to start this post? Oh, everything is fine, I just feel a bit slumpy and unmotivated these days. I think some of it is exhaustion from night owl tendencies that don't go away just because I'm forced onto a work schedule. Some of it is stress from a relationship that I'm having to end because it's unhealthy for both partners. And some of it is just still feeling slightly cluttered

I'm back, hopefully more regularly, too. happy fall!

2010-10-05T22:32:00.004-04:00

recent dinner/dessert at a friend's house Well, here I am, back again! Hopefully to regular posting. The moving dust has settled, but there are still boxes full of stuff all over the place that need going through. I'm happy to report that I've signed on to at least a one-year lease here, so ... no more moving for a long while, hopefully! Things are good ... large kitchen with new fixtures, wood

waiting for the dust to settle.

2010-09-27T21:25:00.002-04:00

hi, dear readers. just wanted to let you know i'm taking a little bloggy break until the latest moving dust settles. oh, i'm still in louisville, just moved out of a temporary situation into a more permanent one. also have parent-teacher conferences coming up, and trying to spend more quality time with the special guy in my life. life's busy but good!can't wait to share my new tiny workspace (

daybook.

2010-09-17T18:19:00.002-04:00

Today's Simple Thoughts:Outside my window... were flowers. I am thinking... about the family i want to start and why it hasn't happened yet. maybe so i can take my time and learn how to do it right? I am thankful for...my best friend and my parents. From the learning rooms.. I am learning to find life's joy in children, even when they are being irritating. that's when we must dig deep and learn

nesting saturday

2010-09-11T15:14:00.006-04:00

here's another quick picture post. i am really, really craving, and settling into, fall nesting. in fact, i had the light bulb idea just today to spend every afternoon and evening of one whole week at home. no errands running at all, nothing. i think i can do it ... i just want to be home pretty much all the time, interspersed with yoga classes and walks in the park. it's going to be a

one-sentence journal.

2010-09-09T21:24:00.003-04:00

just wanted to share a little love from the long weekend....away ... in .... that's right, Chicago. i still have more of the late summer pics i promised you, coming soon. nesting already. on my list currently: red wineknittingreadinglearning new children's songs to sing with my classroom. which all reminds me, thanks to gretchen rubin's idea i have started a one-sentence gratitude journal. picked

settling into fall.

2010-09-07T21:45:00.004-04:00

just got back from a very romantic, sweet weekend in Chicago. sorry as a result i haven't been around much. i am also trying to set limits on my online time. i plan to spend the next six months or so nesting - cooking, baking, getting through the last small piles of unorganized junk from the move here, knitting, reading, sewing, listening to NPR and my Pandora music stations. lots of time at home

life lately, in pictures.

2010-08-27T19:57:00.006-04:00

mmm vegan sorbet and vintage dresses (that's me lol) tonight is homemade pizza night and i also happen to be going to see Eat, Pray, Love. while I'm waiting for things to begin, here are some pictures from lately. enjoy! have a blessed and beautiful weekend, dear blog world friends!from the community garden my friend just got a plot in! and i'm going to help him with it!!from the farmer's market

eating at home, part two

2010-08-19T17:00:00.003-04:00

more leftovers, jazzed up. the second photo is the one i was too tired to post last night. i was craving a Qdoba burrito like crazy tonight, but i didn't do it ... i just put my hands to work and in less than 20 minutes a very good pasta dish was born. and sure enough, as soon as it hit my blood sugar, i forgot all about that burrito. here's to more money for cat food! ah, frugality .... :-) i

simple woman's daybook.

2010-08-18T22:54:00.004-04:00

FOR TODAYOutside my window... the crickets are chirping. I am thinking... about how the rest of the school year is going to go. I am thankful for... my self-discipline. From the learning rooms... many, many new lessons!From the kitchen... just leftovers from the freezer today. I am wearing... gray skirt, tank top-style shirt with green leaves and pleated front. I am creating... space in my

eating at home

2010-08-18T22:38:00.002-04:00

it's not always glamorous or the most tasty, and sometimes, like tonight, it's freezer food ... leftover homemade soup and trader joe's masala burgers doctored up with some bragg's and hot sauce. paired with local tomatoes from a friend's mom's garden. but 20 minutes later, when my belly didn't feel hungry anymore, it didn't care what i had eaten or where it came from. if you've been reading my

cloth napkin rolls

2010-08-16T21:36:00.003-04:00

I'm going to attempt this over the fall/winter! Great idea for a gift! Along with an Elizabeth Zimmermann sweater (hopefully Feburary baby sweater!) tips in advance are always appreciated. i'm finally going to branch out in knitting from scarves and hats (though those are still on deck for christmas, etc. .. lol). i'm shelving socks for a bit after a disaster with some very expensive yarn .....

the first day of school!

2010-08-16T19:38:00.002-04:00

today was a great first day! Twelve new souls to love dearly. They tore the room up quite a bit, but they sat well in group, they love to sing, and they loved the balance beam I set up for them! It'll take six weeks or so to get them normalized (a Montessori term meaning, concentrating on work and happy, in a nutshell ... shh...Montessori cannot be nutshelled by its very nature!)I love them so!!!

lemons ...

2010-08-15T20:08:00.007-04:00

Sometimes, life throws you a juggle, and your job is to keep it up. In the midst of some things that are very new to me and not entirely easy, I use my kitchen and other homebody-type things to keep me grounded. Well, that and a fair amount of meditation, the best that i know how. recently-finished newborn hat for a frienda favorite quick meal, fried tofu and steamed bok choy mixed with tahini,

picture pages.

2010-08-11T23:51:00.004-04:00

from my sweetie, they are surprise lilies <3mmmmm pesto made from local basil. my version is vegan, and includes garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, walnuts, salt and pepper. recently-finished hat for a friend's coming newborn ... next up is the 3 to 6 month old version. i'll be making another set in white with blue ribbon for another pregnant friend. tis the season of baby-makin'. i'm jealous!

slowing down.

2010-08-07T01:04:00.009-04:00

stove-popped with olive oil and sea salt! love that vintage pyrex bowl i found ... homemade vegan sunday brunch, thanks to the cookbook Vegan with a Vengeance. yes, that's brunch for two you see! :-) on the menu:: blueberry pancakes, tempeh bacon, herb-roasted potatoes, fresh peaches and blackberries (local!) with coconut milk yogurt, coffee mixed with mexican hot chocolate and fennel seeds (

a perfect day.

2010-07-26T01:02:00.003-04:00

they don't happen very often. today was one of them. slept in till noon peanut butter and honey sandwiches, peaches, nectarine, blackberries, oranges prepared and packed hour drive through pure beauty, fields of corn out of louisvillehours in beautiful clifty falls state park, hiking, waterfalls, kissing bridges, toads, anne shirley moments, playground silliness. carryout pizza for dinner from a

topsy turvy, and the goal for strength, peace, balance.

2010-07-20T22:08:00.006-04:00

things are going better around here. my sleeping schedule is still really off. but there are some good things keeping me sane, if not eternally busy. i am busy moving to yet another apartment (my house sold) ... and working on phase two of my new classroom, having pretty much finished the big clean out/set up. the fact that both these things are happening concurrently is difficult. i am turning

Simple woman's daybook.

2010-07-15T17:35:00.002-04:00

Outside my window... life rolls on as usual under the beautiful, hot Kentucky sun.I am thinking...that love is huge. I am thankful for... my parents and wonderful grandparents I am praying for.... R., C., V., L., Melissa's friend's nephew, all those in the world who are hungry and lonely, missing children, myself so I may have inner peaceFrom the kitchen... Red quinoa with tofu, black beans,

some reflection.

2010-07-15T17:05:00.002-04:00

It's amazing how a few days in your life can become so very weighty in so short a span of time. Oh, everything is fine, but I've been privy to some things that are difficult to wrap my head around. I do accept them, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by their enormity and so I've needed to take a step back into myself. Sit, literally, in my bedroom chair for several hours straight. Cook. I haven't slept

high summer is nigh

2010-07-11T16:36:00.002-04:00

i can't seem to find my uploader-cable, or else i'd have more recent "back home" pics to share with you ... soon, my friends, soon. in the meantime, don't you just love that entryway? that's the school where i did my montessori training at for the past three summers. it's so open and airy. lots of natural light. very montessori to the core! today was one of those perfect summer days. hot but not

a positive feeling.

2010-07-03T20:58:00.003-04:00

so .... i've been thinking .... that i love my apartment. i have been in love with it since the first time i laid eyes on it. yes, love at first sight. if you've been following the blog, you'll know there have been some recent issues involving the apartment vs. new realtor vs. neighbors trying to sell that i reacted to quite strongly with, "well, i guess i have to move." but i really don't want

news flash

2010-06-29T21:13:00.005-04:00

I had my oral exam this morning, and passed! I am officially an AMI-certified Montessori teacher, for life! I cannot express in words the joy the end of this three-year journey brings me. But it's actually not an end ... it's a point of departure, a beginning! five days of rest, and then it's back to the painstaking work of getting a new classroom ready by aug. 16, when the first wonderful

just a quick post.

2010-06-23T20:31:00.002-04:00

just wanted to call your attention to this great new blog. back to the books. oh yeah, i'm thinking about a one-bedroom apartment now. simple, but creatively beautiful. if the rent is right, why have a second bed for taking in renters? and i don't have guests often enough. i can improvise a sewing area. maybe the place will have a little nook area. ..... nothing i can do about it for a few more

weekly update

2010-06-20T20:40:00.003-04:00

farmer's market hydrangeasI have passed both my written exams! All that remains is a very important oral exam next Tuesday, which I am practicing/studying for now. Halfway there feels pretty good! This post will be short. I went to the St. Louis zoo today, and just 2 hours in the 105-degree-humid heat was enough to give me a nasty headache (dehydration probably) and tucker me out quite a bit. I

simplifying.

2010-06-12T16:29:00.004-04:00

as you can see, i've decided to simplify my blog a bit. i'm actually still trying to simplify my life. i feel a great call to do this...and recent circumstances in my life that i first saw as negative have actually been an invitation to action to me. don't get me wrong, overall everything is fine. i'm still in st. louis, and just finished up my written exams. in three weeks, i'll have taken oral

lots of work, and almost four days of summer "vacay" ...

2010-05-30T19:04:00.004-04:00

what a day of work done!!slept in till after 11, so not started until noon. ... got my new computer set up over coffee, then dillied online for a bit. at two, started massive overhaul of second bedroom, completely clearing one of the two huge closets. now one is empty for the renters, and one is full, in a very organized-looking way, of my boxes of papers and other stuff (a huge winter project is

Lickin' the Batter

see beauty

a photo a day ...

new year, new intentions.

Philadelphia or bust!

*****change!*****

reflective thoughts.

cooking, centering.

fall cookin'

Simplify.

i'll be back in a few ...

some recent reflections and happenings.

food, food

delicious zucchini spaghetti

busy bees here in kentucky!

whole wheat raisin bread (vegan)

I'm back!

Getting back to healthy

anxiety relief, found again in nature

vacation, pretty sweet

I've decided on YES.

1-0-9-9?

temporary hiatus

Changes and adventures

my old (actually new!) kentucky home

vintage finds!

bit of a blog snoozer ... sorry

busy.

we are moving! (haha yes AGAIN for me)

sunday at home.

greetings from storm central ...

stormy morns. .. and nights ... and afternoons ...

bloom where you are planted!

spring has sprung

quiet saturday at home

sunday update

two quick recipes

rare as gold

craving.

clean

love, simply.

design change

march is coming. quiet march.

menu planning

simple woman's daybook

self-care

i'm still here

some bright and cheery for the snowy and gloomy

nursing a cold

intentions.

elving and such.

out breath.

snow, food, and simplicity, continued. (edited Monday to add pics)

the absolute joy of frugality, experienced!

just a few thoughts.

soba, so good

another post about money, sorry ...

A time for thanks

healthy limits

31 years ago today ...

homebody's update

on finances.

the cooking bug.

happy halloween!

simple woman's daybook.

fall goodness, fall slowness, fall promise.

i can't wait until friday to jump on this bandwagon!

for the love of peppermint!

A Montessori blog!

bread and crafts.

hike.

I'm back, hopefully more regularly, too. happy fall!

waiting for the dust to settle.

daybook.

nesting saturday

one-sentence journal.

settling into fall.

life lately, in pictures.

eating at home, part two

simple woman's daybook.

change!