Jam & the Battle of Equisetum 3 July 2009

Random, spontaneous posts from me for a while.  We’re a one computer family right now.  And we’re trying to settle into our temporary routine.  So reading/posting is sporadic.  I still want to fill you in on our trip, but for now here’s a glimpse of the life we’re living:

In brief, our routine looks like this:

2-3 days in Seattle catching up with friends, shmoozing for jobs for JumbleSpouse and showing JumbleBoy the town.

The rest of the week we live Peninsula life:

• Wake – 10am:  breakfast, message checks, playtime, guest house maintenance
• 10am-noonish:  work in Rose’s garden
• Noonish-2pm: lunch, message checks, playtime, guest house maintenance
• 2pm-4pm:  JumbleSpouse job hunt time/I entertain JumbleSon at lavendar farms, nearby attractions, the library
• 4pm-6pm: JumbleMamaStudent grad school prep/reading time while the boys play at the beach, in a kayak, on bikes
• 6pm-8pm: Dinner and bed time for the littlest Jumble
• 8pm-10pm: Quiet time for adult Jumbles as we read, talk and watch the sun set while sipping gorgeous Washington merlots

Part of our work in Rose’s garden has been “helping” with the fruit & veggie garden.  Mostly this involves harvesting and eating! I’ve never been a salad eater, but the beauty & volume of her lettuce has made me a convert.  And contrary to my blog name, I’ve never made jam before.  But, I had 3 little helpers interested in it (Rose’s kids are still in town for a few more weeks much to our delight), so we gave it a go.  Freezer jam from her strawberries (freezing 3 cups for her to enjoy when she returns).

The other challenge until her husband leaves (which will add lawn mowing to our task list) is weeding.  Thistles and horsetail thrive here.   I’ve seen many a Pacific Northwest gardener use horsetail as a “feature” in their garden.  But, how in the world they maintain it is a mystery to me.  They spred like wildfire under the ground, then pop up all over the place. Today I’ll try straight vinegar (as pulling them at the root is futile).  Any recommendations for organic solutions are welcome. 

So, when we’re not getting her beautiful fountains clean and flowing, we’re fighting the battle of the equisetum (with much joy, I might add – the weather is spectular!)

Highs in the low-70’s.  Slight breeze.  And sunny – mildly so.  I smell the ocean.  The hummingbirds call as they buzz past my head.  There is a constant hum from hundreds of happy bees.  I watch the family of quail scurry past.  A racoon walks up the path and stares me down.  Everything is fresh.  open.  light.  love.

JumbleSpouse has 3 interviews lined up for next week.

We are where we are meant to be.  (blissful sigh)

W.I.P. Wednesday: Felt Frenzy 10 June 2009

I think I’ve found my craft of choice…

Inspired by HPP’s love of Super Mario Bros. Mega Mushrooms . I left the eyes off because I was a coward and feared I’d ruin it entirely.

Heart-mushroom brooch shamelessly copied from Lisa’s wonderful tutorial at 5 Orange Potatoes.

Storyboard (with my view of the local mountains) inspired by an early summer tale in this edition of Living Crafts magazine.

Check out what others are working on over at Wipster Central.

Fashionably Clueless 2 June 2009

I’ve mentioned before that I live in a bubble.  Witness…

• Until a week ago, I’d never been to Costco.
• Until this past weekend, I didn’t know that women (still) use hairspray.
• Until today, I hadn’t understood just how futile “blending in” with my fellow university folk will be…

I was packing clothes and asked for JumbleSpouse’s advice on what to plan to wear when teaching.

“Is it better to wear casual clothes so students think I’m ‘one of them’?  Or should I just wear what I’d wear to work (cross between Talbots School Marm and Fashion-Challenged Bohemian)?”

Mr. Jumble, who’s just been through this, said in all seriousness, “Oh, there’s no worry about blending in.  They’re young.  They’ll let you know right away that you’re not one of them.”

Together we laughed and said, “So, there’s no point in even trying to blend in.”

Not that I would have any real clue how to do that anyway.  I wasn’t good at it at 19, so there’s zero chance of it happening at 39.

And I’m OK with that.

But I’m still wearin’ me tights!

So close and yet… 16 April 2009

I got some big news this week…

For those that have been following me since November of last year, you may recall that part of my hope for this blog was that it would help me work out what I want to be when I grow up.

And, part of figuring that out was to decide whether or not I’d apply to grad school again (more details here).

Well, I did. And, well…I’ve been accepted again.

This is both exciting and devastating news.

The deal is this – I can attend, but will have to pay full, out-of-state tuition for the first year. Even if I only take one class per quarter, that still amounts to over $15,000.

Do you know how much traveling we could do with that kind of money?!? (Provided of course, we had that kind of money – which we most definitely do not).

Maybe I could get loans. But, honestly, we have more than enough debt as it is. Oh, yes, and there’s the little matter of total unemployment for both Jumbles as of mid-May.

I will push for deferred enrollment to 2010 so that I can at least get in-state residency. But, it’s a long shot. The reason I’m in this position is that they wouldn’t accept my application for 2010 enrollment in the first place (long story, but my GRE’s expire this June, so I had to use up my last application chance this year ’cause I ain’t gonna take those stupid things again).

To be continued…

Heaps of Gratitude 14 April 2009

Today’s post is dedicated to all the lovely women who’ve sent me delightful gifts over the past month. Thank you for your generosity, thoughtfulness and love!!

First there’s the lovely Lucy from By Other Means. She reviewed a copy of this fun book, then sent it to me all the way from Scotland! You can find her review of this and other books here.

Lisa of 5 Orange Potatoes made this gorgeous acorn pendant and sent it my way! Beyond the pure beauty of it, I was delighted to learn of its magical properties! I’m saving it for a very special occasion to give to JumbleSon.

Just this past Friday I was delighted to receive a package from Marina at A Small Tribe. She sent it to thank me for my friendship! Can you believe that?? How amazing to receive such a gift!! Inside was a bar of Green & Black’s chocolate (thank goodness as I’d just run out!!), her special blend of organic Fairy Tale Tea and hand-felted soap.

We immediately set up for Tea Time on the lawn. As often happens in our lovely neighborhood, Molly, Angeliki and Son dropped in to join us (as we’d hoped they would). And how appropriate that we would drink delicious Fairy Tale Tea with our magical friends who have blessed every day of our life here.

Have you received any special, unexpected gifts lately?

De-Thinging Thursday 12 February 2009

Last week’s YTD de-thinged total:  497

First Flower of Spring

It’s been a slow week here in de-thinging land…in part because the calendar challenges weren’t very fruitful, and part because I just wasn’t up for tackling any more than the bare minimum.  The up-side is I broke through the 500 mark!!  And look what else broke through in my garden!

5 February 2009

Calendar says, “Bring back overdue library books or books you borrowed.”

2 books – returned to library/Molly

Daily count:  2

6 February 2009

Calendar says, “Dust and declutter one laundry room shelf.”

We have a laundry closet.  It’s disgusting.  I’ll think about showing you a picture (it’s that gross).

****

Ok, it was too gross.  I couldn’t do it.  Maybe I’ll try on my free day.

But, I did do weekly frig maintenance

2 fresh food stuffs – given to Angeliki

2 ookie food stuffs – rubbish

Daily count:  4

7 February 2009

Calendar says, “Go through one box…”

Drat!  I knew it would come to this eventually.  Ok, here goes the box that I filled with stuff I couldn’t deal with in the first 9 months of JumbleSon’s life…

1 pile – rubbish

1 pile – recycling

1 pile – fire starter

1 pile – put away

1 pile – research, decide what to do with – freecycle, donate, sell, etc.

1 pile – craft supplies

1 pile – JumbleSon archive

1 pile – office

Daily count:  4 piles that will actually leave my house

8 February 2009

Calendar says, “Savor your meals today.”

Always!

9 February 2009

Calendar says, “Dust and get rid of some knicknacks on top of kitchen cabinets.”

Thankfully, we don’t have any. Since I’m currently feeling a bit overwhelmed with life, I think I’ll take it easy again today…

3 maps – to Angeliki

Daily count:  3

10 February 2009

Calendar says, “Declutter the silverware drawer.”

2 sets of bamboo chopsticks – to craft shelf

1 set of broken chopsticks – rubbish

1 set of boring chopsticks – to thrift store

4 baby spoons – to thrift store

Daily count:  6

Candle cabinet - before

11 February 2009

Calendar says, “Declutter the junk drawer.”

We don’t have a drawer, we have an entire closet!  But, I’m saving that fun for later.  So, today, I’ll go through our candle cabinet…

Candle cabinet - after

5 glasses for candle making in the future – storage

1 mostly used ugly candle – rubbish

3 cloudy candle glasses – rubbish

5 candle holders – thrift store

1 barely used candle – thrift store

Daily count: 8 items actually leaving my home

Weekly count: 29

Total YTD # De-thinged:  526

How are things with you?

Crunchy Honor 21 January 2009

I’ve been asked to contribute to a fun new blog!  I am so honored and happy to be a part of Crunchy Mama. 

There are some really amazing women sharing the crafty, crunchy and simply beautiful things in their lives.

Crunchy Mama

Clear skies 12 December 2008

Tonight is the biggest full moon of the year!   JumbleSon has really taken to moon gazing, which totally delights me.  So, we are wishing for clear skies tonight.  May all of your observations be clear and bright!

Moon gazing

Sugar Snow 4 December 2008

The snow here is like none I’ve ever seen before.  It’s as crystalline as the finest sugar and delicate as…well, a snowflake, but rarely ever purple.  And yet, somehow I managed to get this shot today.

Snow Candy

It’s beginning to look a lot like… 3 December 2008

First Gifts under Tiny Tree

YULE!  Our first gift-filled package arrived and did not disappoint.  In addition to JumbleSon’s adorable hand-sewn crayon holder (a sweet birthday present that has inspired him to draw airplanes like the ones on the fabric), HalfPintPixie and Little Pixie sent us Yule gifties and foodie treats.  DS decided we should wait to open the gifts because there were so many other exciting things to discover inside the box…

Mrs. Crimble’s Carmel Rice Cakes (rice cakes – so healthy!)

Jacob’s Bourbon Biscuits (2 packages of unbelievable goodness!)

Plamil’s Organic Orange Chocolate with Cranberries (very festive!)

Plamil’s Organic Dark Chocolate with White Chocolate Mint (best combo ever!)

Organica Hazelnut Nougat and Dark Chocolate (I’m in sugar shock just thinking about it!)

Organica Golden Cocounut and Dark Chocolate (move over Mounds!)

Six Tiny Divine Dark Chocolate Bars (one for each pound I’m going to gain eating all of this!)

Jacob’s Fig Rolls (Ireland’s favourite for over 100 years!)

Biona Cola Bottles (sweet and fizzy!)

Biona Tutti Frutti Wine Gums (it’s about time they started putting wine in candy!)

Cocodirect Drinking Chocolate (love it that it’s fair trade!)

Vegan de Guadalupe Cookzine (the cutest cookbook I’ve ever seen!)

If I’ve left anything out, it’s probably because I ate it!  Honestly, I’m in treat heaven here.  I think instead of eating it all right now (which, I assure you, is a danger), I will divide it up in to the 17 Days of Christmas – eating (and maybe sharing a nibble or two) something new each day between Solstice and Twelfth Night.

How about you?  Any special Holiday treats come your way yet?  Any “Days of Christmas” traditions (old or new) to share?