M is for Motherhood #atozchallenge

Where does the time go?  Fifteen years ago Sunday I became a mother for the first time.  We did not know the sex prior to delivery and were awed by our baby girl with amazing green eyes.  Today that little bundle is growing into a young woman finishing her Freshmen year in high school.  She has always been a very introspective child, who continually develops her own unique world view.  As she matures she has her struggles and joys, disappointments and triumphs. Each day bringing something new to navigate, strengthening her resolves as she heads towards adulthood.  I am awed by her quick wit, kind heart, creativity and thoughtful intelligence.

Motherhood has taught me the depths of love, patience, worry and joy.  It is a task that fills you with appreciation for those who have come before and gives you a broader understanding of life.  The photo above is of a picture drawn by a dear friend of my mother who recently passed away.  It was a gift upon our daughter's birth and has held a special spot hanging in our house ever since.

Rituals

Another year has flown by and it was a good one.  As the dawn broke over 2015, I found myself with a few quiet moments to ease into the day and reflect on the coming year.  Elizabeth Gilbert posted on her Facebook page about New Years rituals.  Like her, the New Years Eve thing, though fun when we have done it, has never really been our main focus.  Over 20 years ago, B and I began to research different traditional foods and rituals from various cultures and the meanings behind them.  We experimented with many of them looking for the perfect fit.  Ms. Gilbert listed several ritualistic things that she has done with her family on January first.  That day when everything is new, a clean slate to begin again.  These ranged from creating intentions for the year ahead to writing down something from the previous year that you were going to let go of.

About five years ago we began hosting a New Years Day brunch for our Tastebuds group.  I realized this morning, as I pondered different ideas to incorporate into this years brunch, that this is our ritual.  Our nearest and dearest come together to break bread that we prepare as a group. We laugh, cook, drink, moderate squabbles among our ever growing and changing children, and this year we all, children and adults alike, assembled Lego Minifigs at the supper table.

In years past I have picked a word, a mantra so to speak to guide the year.  This year I do not think that I will be choosing a word to guide the whole year, more something to just to get me started down the path and help me remember priorities that may have gotten a bit blurred over time.  Refocus.

A Happiest of 2015 to you all!

Five Years

It is hard to believe that five years ago on a very early spring day spent planning the garden, I jotted down a few notes about balance and set up a little space called Tilting at Windmills.  The time has flown and what began as a log of our garden turned into a space to record our journey into the simpler things.  Thank you to all who have taken and interest in and shared this space with me, I have met some wonderful people, many of whom I call friends. If you are new here, welcome!  I thought that there was no better time than an anniversary to link some favorite posts; the cribs notes version of this journey so far.  Happy Easter Weekend!

Our Story
The Tastebuds Do The Seven Deadly Sins
Don't Eat Yellow Snow 
The Bierock Bee
Industrialization vs. Extinction
Hello Mother
It's Whats For Dinner
The Bones That Hold Us Together
October Brings
If I Were..
Fall Wedding With A Tiny Footprint
Paradoxes and Dilemas
Chili, Pie, Tradition, Oh My!
Physiology of Taste and Tastebuds
Harvesting Honey (Part 1)
Mother Rooster
Evolution of the Gourd Lantern
#reverb10~ Moment

Milestones

The last couple of weeks have flown by. Days have been filled with cherished moments and subtle milestones.

 ** After six years of being Sidney's girl scout leader, we had our last formal meeting. It was a great experience, and I'm so glad to have worked with our 23 girls and watched them grow. I can say with the exception of our final farewell camping trip this summer, that I have retired.

 ** my little bloggy space turned four, it's so hard to believe!  The time has flown and I have found so many wonderful souls!

 ** I'm awed by our bees even just one week in. B removed the queen cage, and temporary feeding bag from their transition time. They are well into making comb and even had some started on the feeding bag. It is fascinating to watch them work and their social order. Just like when I learned about all of the sayings regarding chickens and how true they are, I'm seeing that 'busy as a bee' is an understatement!

 ** Charles' meat rabbit for fair has doubled in size in as many weeks!

** We are enjoying loads of salads with spinach that is amazingly sweet and radish thinnings. You know it's spring when you can forage for ramps and enjoy them in an omelet made from your own eggs, a 100% farm meal.

 ** B's mom and sister are visiting and we're having a great time, so I'm headed back to family time... As a closing thought I'll leave you with my Charles-ism of the week "my dance moves are so awesome, they speak!"

Happy Weekend!