Vernal Equinox Tea Party and Other Springtime Rituals

Little Ita received an invitation in the mail to our second annual First Day of Spring Tea Party in the backyard. Happy Vernal Equinox!

Guests:

• Baby
• Mama
• Little Ita
• Two friends

On the Menu:

• Nettles tea
• Sliced banana
• Amaranth graham crackers
• Chickpeas in olive oil with salt

One of the guests was at perfect sniffing level.

The day after that appointed first day of Spring, the sun came out to make it official.

I was then able to use that which marks the change of season to me, my beloved clothesline. We've been apart for nearly five months and look at her, strung up with diapers. How glad I am to have part of the family chores be outside, folding clothes that smell like outside, nothing compares.

Next on the agenda for Springtime rituals, filling the bird feeder.

But what is one to do when the birds don't know it's there?

Why send out a written invitation of course!

Urban Rivers

After yesterday's thunder and lightening hail and torrential down pour,

we needed a boat for this river.

Let's use some bamboo!
Fold over one third of the leaf. Peel two slits into that fold

(tearing through only about 1/4 inch length.)

Insert one side into the other leaving the middle part flat.

Repeat the entire process on the other side

One little bamboo boat.

Go boat go!

I remember the days when I was fascinated by

gutters and drains coursing with freshly fallen rain,

and soon he will be too.

Making Mud

It Must be Spring.

• Little Ita is outside "making mud."
  
• The rain comes down harder than ever.
• The sun blasts out for a bit too.
• It's 6 p.m. It's still light.
  
• I'm more than delighted.

How do you know it's Spring?

A Down Comforter in the Sky

As we were driving east to the mountains on a dark January day, I was mesmerized by the cloud layer. It was like looking at a down comforter in the sky. The patterns created by the clouds were quilted and puffy going on for miles and miles. And that's exactly what it has felt like living in Seattle these last few weeks, like living under thick covers. So in order to beat the blues, we tried something new
bundled up the entire family for an afternoon on the slopes at the Summit
and gathered family for an indoor adventure at the REI Pinnacle.

Rock on Sister!

Then Mama promptly requested a potted spring bulb from the store and pulled the amaryllis out of hiding. Little Ita decided she would take matters into her own hands and dig up a bulb from the backyard. Atleast now, while we continue to live under the cozy clouds of winter, I have spring on my table... and so we wait.

Asa Toshi

arrived as a surprise Christmas gift 4 weeks early

born at 3:57 a.m.
his name means "morning excellence"

and boy does he shine a new light in our lives!
Look at that Big Sis Glow

End of Summer Bump

There's lots of fabulous change in our lives! I'm growing more and more and the challenges of keeping up my posts on this blog are as well. Petals and Moss will be on break for a bit...

Summer Favorites

Surprise! August is already here.
I'd like to list some summer favorites before it's over.

Flowers from our little patch of wildflowers and poppies fill our house

One seed packet planted last year has grown into a lot of blooms.

When it's up to Little Bean, she removes all the petals.

Perfect for making ice cubes!

Here is a complete table of edible flowers
so you know exactly what's safe for eating.

One of my favorites, nasturtium mac n cheese.

This pic of candied edible flowers from
5 Orange Potatoes looks like sweet floral fun.

For the upcoming heat this week:
make Molly's delicious popsicles and
freeze your kids toys in ice,
then give them various tools to excavate them
(we use toy hammers, screw drivers, spoons, forks and spray bottles.)

Enjoy the abundant sun.