She Sows

Local on-the-go

2011-07-11T14:17:00.006-04:00

I'm always on the quest for local produce, meats, eggs, and cheeses. But this time, thanks to a small bladder and a raging thirst, local found me.

My Dad lives in the Smoky Mountains. On the way home after a pleasant week-long visit, the kids and I stopped in this great little market. Built in a 1920s building on the edge of Maryville, Tennessee's quaint downtown, this market oozed personality.

Source

Inside, the meat counter was stocked up with grass-fed beef, bison, elk, goat, and pork. The chicken pasture raised. The eggs from the pasture-raised chicken.

Baskets of picked-that-morning blackberries and peaches were nestled beside local corn, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, and watermelon.

We had already packed for a picnic down the road, but when I saw that they had a deli and were serving up that delicious grass-fed beef and bison in multiple portable formats, our picnic's menu changed for the better.

The sidewalk exit was flanked by herbs in containers on all sides. A walkway of rosemary, dill, sage, cilantro, and basil.

And this happy sign.

Don't mind if I do.

A local grocery serving the locals (and passers thru) with excellent service, excellent quality, and a tiny element of surprise.

In joy (your delicious life),

Celesta

Independent Eating

2011-07-04T10:18:00.009-04:00

What I had for breakfast (moments ago).

Is that wrong?

You remember these gorgeous things?

Just slather them with copious amounts of condensed milk, heavy cream, and whipped cream, plop it upon a graham cracker crust, refrigerate for as long as you can stand it, and you have a beautiful dessert. Or a festive treat for your 4th of July festivities. Or breakfast.

This may be why I keep 20 pounds of padding on my delicate thighs.

Oh well.

In joy (your delicious life),
Celesta

One berry, two berry, pick me a blueberry

2011-06-23T13:36:00.003-04:00

Something I've noticed as I try to be more aware of where my food comes from is how far most produce travels before it reaches the grocery store.

Something advertised as fresh does not mean it is freshly picked, nor does it really mean that it's fresh. Our produce is made to look fresh in all manner of ways. My favorite is the misting system that flares without warning to give the lettuce, carrots, and berries the look of the morning dew. Shouldn't stores install beeping devices to let us produce hunters know that refrigerated water is getting ready to shoot forth into our faces and other places?

I recently purchased an expensive carton of blueberries at the store. They weren't bad. But they weren't good. Just okay.

I realized that they tasted blueberry-ish.

Now that blueberries are coming in season in Georgia, it's so easy to find hyperlocal berries. We found an organic blueberry farm with 75 bushes less than a mile from our house.

That's local!

And fresh!

And crazy delicious.

Click here to find local fruits and vegetables in your area.

And let me know if you discover a great one.

I wrote about a side benefit of blueberries last year. You can read that here.

In joy (your delicious life),

Celesta

My Garden Wears Suntan Pantyhose

2011-06-22T12:21:00.003-04:00

I think it was 1986 when last I wore suntan pantyhose. Though never en vogue, they were at least acceptable then. Or were they? Still. I should have known better. Bless my heart.

I think I started experimenting with the bare leg look during college when my school's dress code called for daily skirt wear. I have never revisited hose in the twenty years since. I believe we are all the better for it.

So you can imagine my struggle when I forced my garden to wear suntan pantyhose. A garden dress code, if you will.

You see, in the night when all living creatures should be resting sweetly in their beds, a party of rebellious deer are methodically munching their way through the garden's cantaloupe and cucumber vines in what looks like an effort to fulfill their caloric needs for a full calendar year. It's like an all-night roadside deer diner.

I like a good deer spotting as much as the next girl, but not when it's in my food supply.

I stopped by to speak with some of the local farmers in the area to see what could be done about my deer drama. Turns out, there are some interesting solutions out there in farm land. Here's a photo of the elements they said I'd need to steer the deer elsewhere.

Pantyhose (my favorite flavor: suntan), Irish Spring soap, wads of freshly cut human hair from unknown sources (eww!)

1. Irish Spring soap placed in nylon stockings around the garden

Irish Spring gives the garden double deodorant protection. Apparently, deer are put off by the smell of a fresh clean whistle. My garden smells "manly, yes, but I like it!"

2. Human hair placed in nylon stockings throughout the garden

Seems that I'm the last to know about the hair trick. When I stopped by the hair salon to ask for the hair from the floor, the haircuttress didn't bat an eye, but asked, "Deer in your garden?"

And now I see how my legs must have looked on my I-don't-feel-like-shaving-today days during my suntan-pantyhose-wearing season of life. Forgive me if you knew me then.

In joy (your delicious life),
Celesta

What 60 Days Can Do

2011-06-14T10:12:00.000-04:00

Day One

Day Two

Day 45

Day 60

In the pan tonight: roasted fingerlings with rosemary butter. Yard to table in 60 days. Love it!

In joy (your delicious life),

Celesta

Six of Hearts

2011-06-08T14:31:00.003-04:00

Audrey Kate,

Last night while you were terribly missing GrandMama, you said your heart felt like it was cracking

You drew a picture to show me what you said it felt like

I would give anything for you not to know that hearts break sometimes, that terrible things happen to people we love and we can’t put our broken hearts back together just like they were.

But I’ll tell you something good I know about hearts

Mine was a lot smaller before there was your Dad and then you and your little brother

When you rode my final labor pain from womb to world six years ago today, you brought deep love and joy with you. You lit my heart up. I don’t think I have to tell you that I fell madly in love. My heart grew ten sizes that day.

I can’t shield you from pain. Someday you will understand that your cracked heart will still beat…with pained love for what has been lost, with grateful love for what remains, and with buoyant hope for what will be.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven...

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3

Today we dance.

And we take time to smell the flowers.

We laugh.

And eat cake poked through by six pink candles.

Come closer; let's press our hearts together. And I will tell you the wisest thing I know:

Life is an extravagant gift. It’s the biggest miracle of all.

I won’t stop thanking God for the immeasurable gift of you.

Love,

Mama

It's the little things......

2011-06-03T09:39:00.000-04:00

"This cabbage, these carrots, these (homegrown fingerling) potatoes,
these onions ... will soon become me. Such a tasty fact!" - Mike Garofalo

Brussels Sprouts Pandemonium

2011-02-04T15:59:00.001-05:00

My Brussels Sprouts addiction is at a fever pitch; I can't get enough. I've managed to secure enough recipes to make them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sprouts for breakfast, you ask? Oh, yes. Check this out.

Breakfast Brussels Sprouts
My friend, Kim, passed along her friend's interesting recipe. I immediately went to work with this jewel (posted verbatim from Diane - thanks!):

Ingredients:

Fresh Brussels sprouts

Thick cut bacon

Maple syrup

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

- steam or oven roast sprouts. If roast, drizzle with olive oil then salt and pepper. I prefer the roasting. About 25 minutes on 350. check and move around at least once.

- while sprouts are cooking, crispy fry some thick-cut bacon. We find that it is easier to cut the bacon into small chunks before cooking than crumbling afterwards,

- when sprouts are done, put them in the frying pan with bacon – and yes – the bacon grease. If there is too much grease, you can remove some. Just keep enough to coat the sprouts.

- add maple syrup – to taste. You want just enough to coat the sprouts, not make a syrup gravy.

- when everything is well mixed and hot, EAT 'EM UP!

I altered her recipe slightly by using turkey bacon. My first batch was too sweet, so now I make them with just a few drops of real Vermont maple syrup and the salty-sweet combo is like breakfast kettle corn. You won't be sorry.

Lunch Brussels Sprout
The same Kim recently went to NYC and told me about some sprouts she had at her birthday dinner. I can't stop thinking about the genius ingredients she said were in them, and have made it my personal mission to reconstruct the Brussels bliss that danced upon her taste buds that glorious birthday night. They go something like this:

Quarter about 20 sprouts, melt about 1/3 cup of butter and mix in a tablespoonish of high quality vanilla extract and spread on the sprouts, then toss about 3/4 cup of (pre-toasted with butter) pecans on them and oven roast on 300 for about 25 minutes. In the last couple minutes, throw open the oven door, and toss about a cup of pomegranate seeds into the mixture. Yummmm!

Dinner Brussels Sprouts
I've been preparing my daily sprouts by quartering, peeling the layers, and sauteeing in olive oil, salt and pepper. I and my kids love them. My husband tolerates, but he does not do the after dinner Brussels dance with us. Until this:

Sauteed sprouts with free range yard bird.

Martha likes them.

Do you?

In joy (your delicious life),
Celesta

I'm Reliving My Childhood, But With Better PlayDough

2011-01-20T07:27:00.003-05:00

The triple dub is loaded with recipes for homemade playdough. I cobbled a few together to make some
in about 15 minutes. I couldn't believe how easy it was.

Some flour, oil, salt, water, and cream of tartar (what is cream of tartar anyway?) gently warmed upon the stove.

Warm until it forms a blob/glob (the liquid has disappeared).

Separate into smaller units and douse liberally with your favorite food color. We went with neon and I'm still wearing it under my fingernails and in my skin creases.

I was surprised by how soft it is and how it continues to stay moist.

And by how much time I've been playdoughing.

If only I could get the kids to join me.

In joy,
Celesta

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

2011-01-12T20:34:00.003-05:00

Whose woods these are I think I know

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep

Words by Robert Frost
Photos by me, compliments of a terrific Georgia snow

In joy,
Celesta

Homemade movie popcorn

2011-01-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

We're snowed in here in the Atlanta suburbs. Bliss!

I surprised myself by magvyering a cord from the telly to the computer and now we are streaming movies all the livelong day.

I can tell you anything you want to know about Kit Kittredge, The Godfather, or Thomas the Tank Engine.

I've watched Food, Inc. so many times that I can quote it like it's Forrest Gump. Invite me to your dinner party and I will wow you with scary food industry stories. I'm fun!

But truly, I care about your arteries, thus this post. My sister taught me how to make movie theater popcorn at home. It's healthy and easy and dee-licious. I got rid of my microwave a couple years ago, so this is old-fashioned popcorn. And it's good!

Start with a snowy day.

Sweet neighbor's lake - isn't it serene?

Gather some popcorn kernels, coconut oil, a deep skillet with lid, and Pam spray.

Drop 3 tablespoons of coconut oil in hot skillet. Cover bottom of skillet with popcorn kernels. Vigorously glide/shake/move skillet on the eye as the kernels begin to pop. When popping slows, remove from heat. Pour into bowl. Spray with Pam to help the salt stick. Salt liberally. And then salt again.

Click play on your movie. Enjoy!

In joy,
Celesta

My 2011 List for Living

2011-01-07T16:38:00.001-05:00

As I do each new year's day, I crafted a list of my goals and dreams for the year. But something that Robin suggested gave my goals a new vibration this year. She recommended writing a celebration letter from the perspective of the last day of 2011. I went item by item and wrote a letter to myself telling me how accomplishing the goal made me feel and how it impacted my life. Very powerful.

Here are a few of the things I'm going to be doing a year-end herkie for accomplishing:

Learn to make Everything bagels from scratch
Play five songs on the piano
Ask great questions
Less Facebook. More face.
Grow Brussels Sprouts to fuel my addiction
Do for one what I wish I could do for everyone
Inspired by this, host a creative painting night
Hike Amicalola and Tallulah Falls
Go RVing
Sleep in until 8:30 two times this year
Exercise five times each week (yawn - who doesn't have this on their list? But, I mean it. Really. I do.)
See the Avett Brothers in concert again
Memorize Psalm 42
Learn to play Bunco
Join a homeschool resource group
Attend a Farm-to-Table event
Memorize Psalm 91
Write a story for children. First draft by 5/1
Develop car seat invention thing. Prototype by 6/1
Shed 20 elbees. More about my 20-for-20 plan here
Read all of Frederick Buechner's books
Make dill pickles
Make bread from scratch - whole grains to mill to flour to oven
Walk eight 5Ks
Use more semicolons; they are magnificent.
Run a half marathon or half of a half marathon - just run!

What are you going to do this year?

It's going to be a good one. Let's make it so!

In joy,
Celesta

A Christmas Story

2010-12-21T10:36:00.011-05:00

Christmas is almost here, Mama

And I still thrill to the marrow with the hope that the Christmas story offers

And read it to your grandbabies

And hope their simple hearts can shuffle through the clutter of holiday messages

A son was sent so they could be children*

Yes.

That's the whole story, isn't it?

For all of us

And especially for you

Merry Christmas, Mama.

And Merry Christmas, sweet friends!
Celesta

*Galatians 4:4-7

Truckstop Buffet

2010-12-01T16:22:00.003-05:00

A sudden stall on the post-Thanksgiving interstate caused my Dad, Evan, and me to miss our food stop in Metter, Ga. But, our appetite kept poking at us so we took the next exit, the one where all the trucks were getting off.

Because our judgment was already impaired by the aforementioned poking appetite, we pulled into the FAMILY RESTAURANT for a bite to eat. That was all the telling in its name. We did not know that we were in for the Friday night fried-real-good seafood buffet. With all the other truckers.

Did y’all know that there are places just off the interstate where people eat, shower, tinkle, get gas, buy candy bars, play slot machines, purchase figurines, and take naps?

It was there from the loud speakers that were perched just over my fried perch patties that I learned that the rain made the corn and the corn made the whiskey and the whiskey made that singer’s girl real frisky.

I was so out of my element that I sent distress texts to a slew of friends.

Me: "I’m eating at a buffet. At a truck stop."

They immediately replied with their worried words.

“Why?”

“WHY, WHY, WHY??????”

“You’ll get your turkey wherever you can.”

My friend, Lori, summed up my predicament perfectly. “What state are you in? Have you been abducted?”

Thankfully, I had not been captured against my will, but I maintain my stance on country music: it still makes me want to take a hostage.

What A Daddy Can Do

2010-11-19T09:22:00.001-05:00

When Steve completed a grueling household task that some men would not have attempted or would have called in a contractor for, I said, "Baby children, your Daddy can do ANYTHING."

Audrey Kate looked at me like I had a third eye.

"We already knew that."

Owl Always Love You

2010-11-08T11:19:00.003-05:00

Inspired by this great ode to creating art (super inspiring!):

And guided by Deep Space Sparkle, a fun and fabulous art lesson site for kids,

We thought you should know:

In joy,

Love in the Adirondacks

2010-10-31T16:07:00.002-04:00

It must have been the way that my brow furrowed, or the paint smelled, or how I bent low to the ground where he always is that caused my boy's love to percolate a little stronger, a bit richer than usual. As I leaned in to inspect the final swipe of paint on the Adirondack, he came close, locked eyes, dispensed a tender kiss and whispered in my left ear: "I'll never forget you."

Nor I you, boy. Nor I you.

Savor your delicious life,

The advantages of living where a chicken house used to be

2010-10-25T18:33:00.002-04:00

Prolific sweet potatoes!

Eat well and be well,

Birth story

2010-10-22T07:27:00.003-04:00

Early on this day 41 years ago, my mother doubled over with the pain and the knowing. It was time to get ready. My two brothers and two sisters were dispatched to their waiting places to find out what kind of baby Mom and Dad would bring home.

Her body cracked open, my Mother gave life to me.

This is my first birthday without her. Me here in this life that will end. She there in the one that lasts forever.

Still. I celebrate.

I am a lover of a well-written story.

While I've Been Away

2010-10-16T23:04:00.016-04:00

A list of things I've been doing while not blogging:

Growing my bangs out

Starting our first official home school year (K-5)

Eating fall tomatoes

Missing my Mom terribly

Listening to the Avett Brothers on constant rotation

Retreating to Florida's Panhandle for saltwater heart healing

Sleeping with the window open underneath a blanket gifted to me from a dear friend

Being the outer spoon

Cutting my bangs

Holding hands

Wiping tears

Reapplying mascara

Listening to this painfully beautiful song (one of my top 10 of all time)

Dancing with my children while we cook and clean

Taking nature walks and pressing leaves

Walking into fields peppered by haybales

Road tripping to Disney with a true blue

Being the inner spoon

Harvesting sweet potatoes

Signing up for and procrastinating preparation for a 5K

Hiking to Clingman's Dome with my sweet Daddy and my kids

Talking about Heaven and banquet feasts and how long forever is

Thinking how true Bono's lyrics are in one of U2's great songs, Yahweh (take this soul, stranded in some skin and bones, take this soul and make it sing)

Passing by the scene of the full moon

Running (fast) with my boy

Hanging out with my boy

Planting Brussels Sprouts

Eating Brussels Sprouts (sauteed in olive oil,salt - thanks, Whitney!)

Nursing a dream and putting some feet to it

Picking apples

Eating apples

Spending time with Phillip and Keely

Reading The Giving Tree over and again (it'll never stop resounding)

Fall nesting and pumpkin pursuits

Overusing Downey's Lavender Vanilla fabric softener

Prematurely overdosing on this season's gateway drug, the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Internalizing what vital, important work motherhood is and absolutely loving the job

Words, forming

2010-10-09T17:22:00.000-04:00

When my Mom died, my words left me. I feel them forming again. If you like words, please come back soon. There will be some here. Soon. I'm sure.

Garden of Life, for you Mom

2010-07-05T15:24:00.010-04:00

I picked these for you because you are not here and I am not there
Because you've been looking so forward to your tomato sandwiches
And I want to tell you about them
And pretend that it matters
When the doctors have said they've done their best
and sent you on your way

to "be made comfortable" if such a thing can be
to rest in your chair and look out upon your growing garden
that is waiting for your daily patrol, and looks for you to walk its rows
and stoop low and inspect its productivity
with swift hands and discerning fingers that deem whether the bean is ready for picking
and wield the knife that frees the okra from its stem

I want to tell you how I'm trying to make pickles from cucumbers
How many tomatoes the vine agreed to let loose today
How your grandchildren are dirt hot with Georgia sweat and the thrill of the veggie hunt

I want to tell you these things because you care, because you want to know, because here in this simple work, in these everyday words, where nothing much is happening but moment after moment of monumental moments

for this is how a life is made and lived and remembered
in the smallest of moments we etch that we have been here, together, - a smile shared, laughter let out, a tear tasted, stories told

we know that love is all tangled up in the daily-ness of living
and here, too is the best of what you've made me: a wife in love with a great man and an armful of babies that Love has made.

i'm coming tomorrow, Mom. and i will tell you these things.

Blueberry thrill

2010-06-02T09:03:00.008-04:00

Oh, sweet blueberry
warm from the sun
Have I told you lately
that you are tons of fun?

First blueberries of the season,
I love you for a primary reason

You have a versatile occupation
My favorite of which is to relieve my constipation.

Your effectiveness is supreme
When I eat you, I barely have time for a magazine.

Thank you for showing up again this year
and for making my digestive track stand up and cheer!

Eat well and be well!

Moon River

2010-05-26T16:17:00.005-04:00

One of the things you should know about me, Dear Multitude of Readers, if we are going to continue our intimate relations, is that my bladder fills quickly. And often. And I always know where the potties are. Thus, when traveling, I strategerize (thanks W!) my beverages with Mapquest. It’s handy. Try it. When a trip is on the agenda, Steve knows that we have a 97% better chance of clearing the city limits without having to take a bio break if we make a coffee purchase 2 miles from here than if we brewed at home and brought with. Timing is everything. And apparently 2 miles makes a big difference. Don’t my bladder know it.

Anyhoo, you see where this is going.

A couple weeks ago, I stayed the week with my parents while Steve was on a man trip. I took the scenic route up and was intent on doing the same on the way home. I’m a sucker for a good back road. Curiosity almost always gets rewarded and I proved this theory when I rolled into the ADORABLE town of Highlands, NC. But, that was hours after this:

I steered through Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and up and over the Smoky Mountains. Gorgeous day. The kids nodded off and I had the car to myself. I hugged the mountains around this curve and that one, following along beside the mountain river whose cool I could feel through my open window and whose trickle was nothing if not hypnotizing. With each bubbling breath from the stream beside, I felt my bladder begin its rapid fill until a slow nag became a persistent badgering. I was in a national park, thus, no quick exit for a gas station or restaurant. No worries. Campgrounds are pervasive in parks such as this and would be an easy place to shake the dew off my lily without waking the kids. Except I missed the turn. So, I carried on knowing another one would be just down the way. I took the next left - passing several dozen parked and empty cars. A good sign. Hikers usually start their journeys close to facilities. After a few switchbacks, I did not find a pot to pee in, but I did find some thick woods and an easy roadside pull off. I already had some Subway napkins.

As I hopscotched between the trees looking for the perfect spot that was far enough away from the road yet close enough to my sleeping babes, I thought about what a good idea camouflage is. In the distance, I heard a church choir singing This is the Day to the rhythms of the river that was now below me. Without a minute to spare, I dropped trou. And it was then that I felt a presence. Not His. Theirs. All of them. The choir. The congregation. The preacher. The entire lot of them standing in the river in their suits, ties, dresses and skirts.

A baptism to remember! A full moon in the middle of the day.

In joy (your delicious life)!

Tater tot

2010-05-23T21:33:00.004-04:00

In joy (your delicious life)!

the long way 'round to a question for you

2010-04-27T23:06:00.004-04:00

I'm not sure if I've told you, Dear Multitude of Readers, something you should know. So, I'll just go ahead and tell you now. I've been trying to lose 20 pounds for 20 years. I'm pacing myself. I like a good journey. But, lately my britches have been terribly tight and were I a boxer or wrestler I would have been moved to a new weight class. Thus, I've put myself on a bit of a program and so far, on my third day, I've only stood at the door of the pantry to hoover snacks once. Or twice if you're going to get all technical and count the second time.

My renewed charge to shed some el bees coincided with my attendance at a Beth Moore conference this weekend where 10,000 other women and two men smooshed in together to say so long to our insecurities. All was well until suddenly we were loosed into the mega-church halls to secure our pre-packaged lunches, rehydrate, and then stand in line for the remaining 90 minutes for a stall to set it all free. I feel certain that church septic system rues the day it was ever installed.

Celesta and Lynette at mile marker 4 in line for the toilettes.

When the "it's time for lunch, please listen to instructions" announcement began, my friend, Lynette, and I inadvertently charged ahead of the crowds because it had been nearly 60 whole minutes since we had eaten a thing. Oh dear Multitude, you understand, don't you? There's a method to my 20-for-20 madness.

The lunch was good and especially helpful if you were looking to make yourself more robust. Chicken salad on croissant with an extra pouch of mayo, macaroni salad, and a frisbee-sized macadamia nut cookie. I had no trouble inhaling all the offerings because I was trying to clear the scent of some airborne patchouli perfume that was wafting along on the thermals of the thoroughly air-conditioned sanctuary and had made a crash landing in my nostrils. It's not that I have anything against Opium perfume. It just compels me to take a hostage.

I do believe that we are fearfully and wonderfully made because all my olfactory receptors stood up and applauded when I blotted out the odorant with some mayonnaise and macadamias.

But, I digress. Back to my pantry. In my quest to be healthy and whatnot, I had a thought: I'll ask you, Dear Multitude, what healthy munchies satisfy you?

In joy (your delicious life),

Ecclesiastes 3

2010-04-22T22:51:00.001-04:00

"More grows in the garden than the gardener sows."...Old Spanish Proverb

Audrey Kate planting heirloom seeds passed to us from Granddaddy

Audrey Kate and Mama a' plantin'

In joy (your beautiful life),

Organic raised bed garden - Phase II

2010-04-20T14:25:00.004-04:00

The www. is chockfulla info on how to build and get started with a garden. It seems like it would be a no-brainer, but the more I learn, the less I know that I know. Seeds of Change has some great articles and tutorials. Here and here.

I'm learning and growing (as I hope my garden soon will be!).

In joy (your delicious life),

Muffin tops help shed muffin tops

2010-04-11T09:48:00.000-04:00

I don’t know about you, but my kids have been freebasing sugar for nearly three weeks now because we are hopeless victims of that sinister marketing scheme known as seasonal candy. This time it was Robin's Eggs, Marshmallow Peeps, Reese's Pieces packaged like a carrot and other bunny and egg-shaped sugared chocolates. I’ve completely let my guard down while all the Easter treats have been "in season."

The kids are slowly coming down now; I’m replacing the pastel M&Ms and solid chocolate bunnies that they have been having for breakfast these past weeks with our regularly scheduled fare. One of our favorite scrumptious healthy breakfasts includes VitaMuffin VitaTops. These are so good and something to feel so good about. Each 100-calorie top is made with all-natural ingredients and packs 5-6 grams of fiber. A week of VitaTops just might erase three weeks of Cadbury Eggs.

To shed my own stubborn muffintop, I’m turning to VitaTops. They come in oodles of naughty-sounding flavors. Our favorites are:

CranBran
Dark Chocolate Pomegranate
Triple Chocolate Chunk (not 1, not 2, but 3 times the chocolate chunkiness that you crave)
Appleberry

In joy (your delicious life),

How about them apples?

2010-04-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

Our second organic food delivery. I'm sold.

If you are looking for a convenient way to get some organic fruits and veggies into your bod, this is terribly easy. I'm still deciding, but I think the price is similar to sourcing, picking out, and purchasing at a store or farmer's market.

If you know someone who has encountered cancer, I believe this would be an excellent way to show them some solid care and concern - a box of beautiful organics to nourish their body as they endure chemo or radiation.

Look for deliveries in your neighborhood: http://ga.naturesgardendelivered.com/index.php

So good it will make you spin!

In joy (your delicious life),

Fertlizing the dream

2010-03-30T09:45:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love a man who, though it is not his passion, embraces your vision and loves you so much he does the hard work to make it happen?

Organic raised bed garden - Phase I

I do!

In joy,

Fresh from the fields

2010-03-25T17:15:00.000-04:00

Our first ever organic food delivery. All this healthy hunk of food came from within a day's drive or 400 miles of our humble home (except for the 'nanas which won't grow in these parts).

My kids literally squealed and shrieked with delight. The delivery man checked himself to see if he was Santa Claus then high-fived me for building up the anticipation so well. In fact, the pile included two more pears and additional celery hearts, which now reside in my babies' bellies.

Eat well and be well,

HealthiER

2010-03-18T12:40:00.001-04:00

Healthy doesn't have to be a somber pursuit. Sometimes, healthy is about choosing healthIER. Though we don't think of sugary sweets as good-for-us, in moderation, we can tickle our taste buds from time to time.

And, truly, what's a kid without a cookie? Or a Mama as taste tester? So, following the advice of Michael Pollan in Food Rules, we can "eat all the junk food we want as long as we make it ourselves." It's the processing and shelving of the treats that we love that create the mischief in our food. So, freed from guilt, I turned the kids loose to make their own homemade white and milk chocolate chip cookies.

Healthy? Not really. Healthier? Yes!

We're potty training out here in the country. We signed up for the Naked and $75 method. Go naked for three days. Evan doesn't like the feel of "missed opportunities." $75 for the carpet cleaning. Ha!

Eat well and be well,

Moment upon moment

2010-03-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

As you soak in the sun (and vitamin D) this weekend, I hope you find:

a road you've never been on
an uninterrupted hour
a first glimpse of daffodils
a new curiosity
a stirring conversation
a friend's laughter

All these seconds and minutes, these precious ordinary days are the pieces of the fabric of our extraordinary lives.

Look there! Do you see? What matters most is waiting to be discovered.

In joy,

Winter's Swan Song

2010-02-22T18:18:00.000-05:00

Though we had one of the most spectacular February weekends I can remember, winter is still hovering, so let's make the most of her.

A chilly rain is falling and the quiet here is making a memorable soundtrack for the reflections the Monday fire is making in my son's small eyes and my satisfied heart.

I hope that your winter song is still going strong. Winter begs us to bend an ear. She has more stories to tell us.

Try this by the fire tonight. You won’t be sorry.

Healthier Hot Chocolate

Dash of vanilla extract
2ish teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (get the best you can find - ’tis loaded with antioxidants)
2ish tablespoons of powdered sugar
A cup or so of fat-free milk

Oh, yum.

Drink well and be well,

Yotorial

2010-02-11T07:02:00.000-05:00

If you are like me, yogurt has become way too confusing to decipher. That section of my Kroger's refrigerated products makes my brow sweat a little because there are so (too?) many options. Should I go lowfat, probiotic, whole, or light? What are the differences among them? What’s best for my little ninos? Sadly, many of the commercial yogurts are milk, additives, flavorings and gelatin - not very healthy at all. However, well-chosen yogurt is a nutritional gem for our children because it is a balanced blend of calcium, protein, fats and carbs in a creamy pudding-like texture that they love.

So, I have prepared a little yogurt tutorial (yotorial) for us. Feel free to use it as a little cheat sheet. And please chime in with your own yogurt wisdom; I’m still learning.

Yo Rule #1: Things to Avoid

Artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners (Aspartame, Splenda and the like).

Yo Rule # 2: Out to Pasteur

Yogurt is known to boost the immune system because of Lactobacillus Casei, friendly bacteria that make their home in cultured products like yogurt and kefir before they make their home in your gut. To get the full benefits of yogurt, look for ones that are not pastuerized and clearly state that they have LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES.

Yo Rule # 3: rBGH is like grody to the max

The recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone is an artificial growth hormone given to cows to make them produce more milk. This is a long topic for another day. Choose yogurt made from organic milk.

Yo Rule # 4 : No More, No Less

* No more than 4 grams of fat
* Less than 200 calories
* No more than 30 grams of sugar (real (from the lactose) and added)
* No less than 6 grams of protein (to ensure the milk hasn’t been tampered with by additives like cornstarch, sugar, and gelatin)

What kind of yogurt do you enjoy?

Eat well and be well,

The Care and Feeding of a Fanatic

2010-02-07T16:12:00.000-05:00

In general, I'm not prone to radicalism. Zealots make me twitch a little. I'm always on guard that I'm about to be sold to or that I'm a conversion project. To each his own, but don't come knocking.

Some cancer, some extra weight and book after book after book has pushed me over the edge. I've read enough now that I've rounded the bend, am brake-less, and am willfully out of control on the last leg of my long journey to fanaticville. For 10 years I've toyed with eating better. At first this was less fried, more baked. Less sugar, more fruits. But, situations kept pointing me to an even more concentrated and sustainable way to eat. Less processed, more natural. Less supermarket, more farmers' market. Less global, more local.

It's necessary to know where our food comes from and what happens to it on the way. I prefer my food without chemicals. It's just one way I can be kind to my body. To that end, I recommend In Defense of Food, Fast Food Nation, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and Food, Inc.

I'm already sketching my garden plans for this year, doubling it in size from last year's (still small, but growing:)), and moving forward in my desire to live from the land I live on. Some gardens that inspire:

(pics from Remodelista)

In the world of organic and local, I am green. Here's hoping for some thumbs to match!

I, a newbie fanatic, invite you to join me on the journey and find local and organic ways to feed yourself and the ones you love. You can start here.

In joy!

Three We Be

2009-12-18T06:34:00.000-05:00

It's not hard to remember Evan's debut on December 18, 2006, having arrived three weeks early on the last projectile vomit of his Mama's 48-hour stomach flu. He was pried from his warm watery cocoon and sent down the chute like he was on a the slide at Splash Mountain.

That's still how he makes an entrance. All force - arms and legs, noses and knees colliding in hugs, jumps, dives and spasms of love.

We have a thing we do - he and me - each night when we tuck, kiss, pray, hug, and enfold one another in arms and squeezes and snugglebunnies to say goodnight. I whisper, pushing my mouth closely to his ear, "I love you and you love me and that's the way it's going to be." He giggles, crinkles his nose, and says, "Yes! Datsaway gunna be!"

Raising well-behaved kids is hard and constant work. And I don't yet know what the outcome will be. The well-behaved part is a finish line that's always just up ahead. I yearn for the wisdom to discipline effectively. To that end, I've read enough parenting manuals and child training books to sit on a panel of some sort.

I'll keep reading all the materials I can get my hands on, but this much I already know: you can't be a good parent without having great kids. And I got me some.

Today I celebrate my GREAT (big!) boy.

Happy birthday, Man Cub!

Love,
Mommy

He’s back……

2009-11-28T20:45:00.001-05:00

In joy,

Celesta

How to have a Pre-holiday Swap Meet Social

2009-11-18T13:59:00.001-05:00

Light your triple wicks and 17 votives.

Put some highly caloric food and beverages within arm’s reach to keep the body fueled for energetic bidding.

Gather some friends.

Have them bring three holiday decor items that they are willing to sell at a nickel auction.

Invite someone with a better holiday playlist than you could have put together yourself.

Reconnect with special friends.

Fondly and nostalgically reassess your own item(s) to see if you want to PAY YOURSELF to keep it.

Ask an articulate, animated, agile, adjective-toting, available best good friend to be an amazingly great auctioneer.

Laugh a lot. And all the way home with your bountiful basket of the best stuff.

Get feisty and frowny when someone tries to outbid you for the thing you have your heart set upon.

Revel in your victory!

Make sure there’s a baby on board.

Wait patiently for the big score: a Spritzer Simmons Thanksgiving bowl!

Do it again next year!

In joy,

Gasp…

2009-11-13T16:05:00.001-05:00

Someone restart my heart. Doesn’t this bedroom make you SWOON? I’m swooning. I’m looking at this bedroom swooningly. In a few moments, I will have swooned. Be still my swooning heart.

To sleep with all those books and words surrounding you…to have your dreams deliciously infected by the smell of books and pages…makes me swoon.

For thousands and thousands of home design ideas, photos and inspiration, take yourself immediately on a date to www.houzz.com. You won’t be sorry.

Swooningly yours,

Rainy days and Tuesdays….

2009-11-10T15:37:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned that I love working from home?

Full of fall….

2009-11-08T11:34:00.001-05:00

In joy,

I went into the woods….

2009-11-02T20:19:00.001-05:00

because I wished to live deliberately

to front only the essential facts of life,

and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,

and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

I did not wish to live what was not life,

living is so dear;

nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,

to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life.

In joy,

Words are from Walden, Henry David Thoreau.

Is there anything better than a day like this?

2009-11-02T18:54:00.001-05:00

My dear Kimberly, her love Brian, and their bouncing bundle of 18-month joy, Benjamin came to play for a couple days. We headed to Burt’s Farm and found that kids are experts at sleuthing out no-money fun. Who knew running through a maze of thousands and thousands of pumpkins could be so fun?

In joy,

Old Farm Days

2009-10-19T16:07:00.001-04:00

Our annual trip to the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum was the third weekend in September. Mom and Dad joined us as we explored the log farmhouse, apple house, corn crib, barn, springhouse, and blacksmith shop to get a hands-on (we shook the marbles in the jar of thick cream to make butter) feel for how a typical family lived about 100 years ago.

I’m thankful for grocery stores, technology, make-up, long pants and store-bought butter. Still, there’s something here that makes me yearn for physically busy days and simpler ways.

Besides the shine of the sun on our backs, the kids’ laughter as they darted for the roosters ahead on the path, the meandering calm of the Oconaluftee River, there was this glorious thing: my Mom was WITH us.

Seven months after a Stage IV stomach cancer diagnosis, Mom was experiencing the fullness of the day with us, making the memories we were creating all the more palpable. Her presence was a warm reminder that this breath, this moment is all we have.

I inhale and set my foot on the wooded path once more.

In joy,

To everything turn, turn, turn

2009-10-03T21:21:00.001-04:00

I was born in October.

That probably has much to do with the nostalgia I feel this time of year.

There’s a sound the dead leaves make underfoot that reflects something in me – that echoes all the years of autumns that have come before.

There's no other time of year that turns me to Heaven more.
All of nature dying such a beautiful death.

Knowing that as sure as Fall gives way to Winter gives way to Spring that life is just around the bend.

Reprinted from my former blog, Nutritalicious Child.

In joy,

Home on the range

2009-09-02T15:35:00.000-04:00

I'm working on making my little boy's room one that he can grow with and that will grow with him. Steve and I have been smitten many times by the charms of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. So, a room in the spirit of Jackson Hole has been my goal. I'm moving slowly, but having so much fun pulling it together. See this cute little free-range folk art cow? He dangles charmingly from the curtain rod.

And this very boyish sign announcing today's Wild West Show at high noon? It sits next to an empty antique bottle of Milk of Magnesia once used to aid the rumblings of my grandfather's gastrointestinal upsets.

My new favorite part of this room arrived this weekend. I was at a yard sale when what to my wondering eyes did I see but this fabulous LL Bean fireplace pin-on. What's a pin-on you ask? I have no idea. But the tack-like mounts on the back of it made it a cinch to smash into the walls with only the back of a flip flop. It was new in the box with a tag that said $54.99. Which made it even more fabulous when I was told that it was 50 cents. Oh, happy day. I love it over the closet.

Little man's bed is just right. His beloved Walter the Dog is a handmade gift (along with the adorable quilt and pillowcase) from my sister and her children. I love, love, love that toile can work in a boy's room so perfectly. I mean just look at Walter. How cute is he?

A little sumpin on the lamp. (I'm sure that that is not also dust that you see....eegads!)

Anybody have any ideas for vintage-looking western paraphernalia?

I'm resuming this blog after many (many, many) months away. I'm linking to DIY Day at Kimba's.

In joy,

Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey and You

2009-08-28T13:31:00.001-04:00

Dear Audrey and Evan,

Your Dad and I took you to the circus yesterday. Presumably we were doing it for you, but the look that was on your Daddy's face while he watched you watch the circus let me know that wasn't the case at all.

I saw his reflection in your eyes when the fireworks ignited, the clown tripped over his shoes, and your little body shook with such innocent laughter.

Sometimes, often, emotions are hard to describe. What is the right word to detail the feeling that comes over a parent when they see their child laughing so hard their body shakes? When they see genuine wide-eyed wonder? When they get to show their kid a really good time?

The $12 cotton candy, $9 lemonade, and $7 snow cones were only props.

What I saw in your Daddy's eyes was a father doing life with his children. He was there with you. Fully present. In the moment with you and for you.

It was just a silly circus, but could anything be more beautiful?

Christmas video surprise for Daddy

2008-12-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

Christmas Cookies with Audrey Kate

2008-12-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy!

2008-09-25T09:07:00.000-04:00

Family shots

2008-09-24T16:20:00.000-04:00

Family shots

2008-09-24T16:12:00.000-04:00

Eye update

2008-09-24T15:57:00.001-04:00

I've been meaning to write and say thanks to everyone for being so thoughtful during Evan's surgery. I'm having a hard time getting him to look directly at the camera so that you can see how greatly improved his eyes are. We are pleased! His eyes are not crossing anymore, though there is still a slight head tilt and a small amount of straying in one eye. Still, the improvement is significant and we are thankful for such talented, skilled surgeons. We return at the end of October for an official ruling of the success of the surgery. Here's Evan yesterday with a neighborhood friend. Thankfully, the Jeep is powered by battery, so we didn't have to wait in line to fill it up :)

Post-Op Visit

2008-08-25T12:10:00.000-04:00

Evan got a stamp of approval on his first post-op visit today. His eye alignment is better, his slight head tilt slightly better, and his spirits much better.

We'll return in 8 weeks when the muscles have settled and the docs can determine if the surgery was a complete success. We're trusting that it will be!

Here he is getting his hair washed at Grandmommy's Salon. I think he likes it...ha!

Update - Evan's Surgery

2008-08-13T15:50:00.000-04:00

Evan will be having surgery next Thursday, 8/21.

They will be working on the medial rectus muscles in both eyes. They do not remove the eyeball, but rather cut through the eyelid membranes and loosen the muscle from the eyeball and shorten or elongate, and reposition it.

We are hopeful that this will repair his double vision and depth perception.

His little kneecaps are excited about this surgery.

Here's the little guy racing Granddaddy to the finish line.

The Eyes have it!

2008-08-06T12:47:00.001-04:00

We are so thankful for a great team of doctors who have been extremely attentive to Evan's "complicated" (as they call it)eye issues. Today's visit confirmed what we expected: he will need surgery on both eyes to repair crossing, which is the latest development with his eye muscle problems. The new additional diagnosis is Esotropia and Brown's Syndrome. The doctor said to think of it as a car: Strabismus is the overall term - the car. Evan is driving two kinds of cars: Esotropia and Brown's Syndrome. He said his problem is very complicated and largely fixable. Over time, they may have to repeat surgeries to fine tune him (given that this immediate surgery is deemed a full repair).

Evan is almost entirely oblivious to these problems. He's an extremely curious and active little fella; adored and cherished.

We are so grateful for your prayers and concern; we'll keep you posted on the upcoming (in the next few weeks)surgery.

ALSO, we've started a new healthy kids and healthy food site at http://nutritaliciouschild.com/. Check it out in your spare time (does anyone have that anymore?)

Another site

2008-07-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

Check us out at http://nutritaliciouschild.com/ for our healthy food site.

Let's see now. Where's that poison ivy?

2008-06-13T17:52:00.002-04:00

3rd birthday trip to the Cabbage Patch Hospital

2008-06-13T17:48:00.001-04:00

3rd birthday fishing party with a fish cake

2008-06-13T17:45:00.000-04:00

Oh, those summer nigh-hites, Part 1

2008-06-13T17:31:00.001-04:00

Oh, those summer nigh-hites, Part 2

2008-06-13T17:26:00.000-04:00

Oh, those summer nigh-hites, Part 3

2008-06-13T17:21:00.000-04:00

I think she likes it.

2008-06-03T19:49:00.000-04:00

An early 3rd birthday bag of FUN - books, toys, puzzles, and a ring from Aunt Randi and fam.

Sign me up for more!

2008-06-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

11th anniversary.

Audrey Panda

2008-06-03T19:38:00.000-04:00

Contemplatin' life on Granddaddy's mountain

2008-06-03T19:33:00.001-04:00

Repurposed furniture at Grandmamas house!

2008-06-03T19:21:00.000-04:00

Evan's eye

2008-04-04T14:42:00.001-04:00

When we returned for a checkup on Evan's eye this week, we learned that his eyes are beginning to cross. This is a problem because it means that he's probably not using his left eye like he should and is mostly depending on his right eye. We'll patch for 8 weeks to see if that helps him gain strength in the left eye. This was an unexpected turn in his treatment for Brown's Syndrome. Please keep him in your prayers, that he would gain strength and use that eye properly (not shut it off).

He is not bothered in the least by his eye issues. He is BUSY!!!! And sweet. And busy.

Easter babies

2008-04-04T14:36:00.000-04:00

Working on the Chevelle with Daddy.

2008-04-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

And now!

2008-03-06T15:01:00.001-05:00

But look at me now!

2008-03-06T14:13:00.000-05:00

Only yesterday, I was crawling.

2008-02-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Britches!

2007-12-21T12:48:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st birthday, Little Britches!

2007-12-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

Evan's first haircut

2007-12-21T12:40:00.000-05:00

Who us? Taking ornaments off the tree?

2007-12-21T12:37:00.001-05:00

The Pink Pig!

2007-12-21T12:29:00.000-05:00

A day in the hay

2007-11-13T10:01:00.001-05:00

Picnic with Grandmommy and Granddaddy at Metcalf Bottoms on the day we all got Montezuma's Revenge

2007-11-13T09:55:00.001-05:00

Bike ride for a family coffee date

2007-11-13T09:51:00.000-05:00

Good love

2007-11-13T09:41:00.000-05:00

Punkin time!

2007-11-13T09:31:00.000-05:00

With Susan Liana at Country Ridge Cabins

2007-11-13T09:23:00.001-05:00

The Beach!

2007-11-13T09:15:00.001-05:00

Baking a cake!

2007-11-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

Hanging the flag w/ Uncle Irvin

2007-11-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

Canton Country Club

2007-08-17T08:22:00.000-04:00

How to properly consume a bowl of ice cream

2007-08-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Moving up - from the baby chair to the high chair

2007-08-17T07:50:00.001-04:00

Moving up - from the high chair to the toddler chair

2007-08-17T07:47:00.001-04:00

Moving up - from the bassinett to the crib

2007-08-17T07:41:00.000-04:00

Moving up - from the crib to the big girl bed

2007-08-17T07:13:00.000-04:00

The Big Tub for the big boy!

2007-06-20T07:07:00.000-04:00

Slumber Party w/ PB, Baby, and MayMay

2007-06-20T07:03:00.000-04:00

I Fall Down. I Cwy.

2007-06-20T06:52:00.001-04:00

The making of a grape mustache

2007-06-20T06:18:00.000-04:00