all these things in this chest

ill new years eve, drinking turmeric and angelica root tea. giving baby a kiss at midnight.

This morning I looked in this old chest on my back porch and found some forgotten art and clippings made/cut by me, david, and friends.

mushroom arrangement by grandma

One, son!

Carrot cake with blueberry coconut icing, pomegranate seeds, and SHARKS!

I've lived a whole year now with this little bean. ( 21 months including womb time)
Time goes by so fast and bladeblah all those things we say about growing up and time and quickness. But really, having a kid keeps you in the moment and then when that date comes up that signifies a year has passed it's a crazy feeling.
A baby's progress in life during one short year is so astounding. One year ago he was the tiniest blub and couldn't even roll over, and now he can say words and signs and looks you in the eye and understands and can stand up and move everywhere!  I feel proud for having sustained his little self this far, so much holding and hugging and nursing and snuggling.  Sometimes when I  read baby books  or get advice from well meaning friends  I feel like I'm doing everything wrong.  They say "Don't bring your baby to your bed, let him cry it out, you'll spoil him by holding him so much.. and other methods created in an attempt to make baby having more convenient and to liberate parents. Don't have a baby if you  expect it to be convenient.  Don't "liberate" yourself at the expense of your child's emotions and trust. I realize that as a mother, my intuition is what I need to listen to. If it doesn't feel right, I don't do it. It doesn't feel right to let my baby cry in another room, so I make a safe place for him in my bed.  As controversial as it seems, this is nothing new. Women all over the world have been sleeping safely with their babies for thousands of years and we have somehow survived as a species.
Attachment parenting is the only way I can imagine raising a child. For more on what it means to be attached, and the benefits of doing so,  Pediatrician Dr. Sears has tons of info HERE

                        anyway. Here are some moments from Rali's partys. ( He had two :))

Rali said "Hey Girl" when he got out of his sweet ride. for real.

super fast wagon rides

How old??

analog dj

so tired.    this cake is a carrot one too but with raspberry and mint icing.

candy cane beet

Out

in

wound.

GLAM

 Everyone! On December 5th  come to GLAM  craft show to do your holiday shopping. Last year there were so many adorable and super cool things at every booth, and your money will be going to artists, not mall stores. Here is a little sampling of some goods that will be at our Sunfunnels booth this Sunday...

              

          Terrariums of all sizes! I have like 20 more of these that will be at the show.  5-15 bucks

jungle tiger

Creature necklaces. 8-10 dollars

tiny baby snake!

the tiniest lizard

glitter google friend

crab claw necklaces, too!

                           Catface magnets to put on metal things in your house.  

                                                    a dollar each.

cool. see you there.

The show will happen from 1-5 at the Thelma Boltin Center (516 NE 2nd ave) in Gainesville, FL. It costs $3 to get in if you're over 10 (under that is free) , but it will be worth it I promise!

sculptures i make from what's around. he tears down.

push and smile

I looked like hell after I gave birth. Hell as in I just gave every ounce of strength and love I had to get this tiny new being into the world. The last thing on my mind was what I looked like.  David and I were listening to "Uhh yeah dude" (a hilarious show that sheds light on the growing number of ridiculous things going on in the world) this morning and the dudes were talking about "Push and smile"  the new generation of facebook moms who are bringing a stylist with them to the hospital to do their hair and make up right after they deliver.

                                              Totally expected. And inevitable.
            
                                                               But seriously?!?!

Really, one of the first thoughts after your most traumatic and beautiful life experience should not be something as superficial as curling your eyelashes.  I guess it goes along with scheduled cesarean sections, epidurals, and no pain, quick, easy birth.  These are means to an end, but they have little ultimate meaning.  Why cover up your sweaty heroine act?  Be genuine. The easier we make our lives, the more mechanical and un human they become.  
Come on mommas, leave the makeup bag at home.

I can't believe this was a year ago. Hospitals make ugly backdrops. :(

i won't let him cry. no, he will not be spoiled. he's the freshest thing ive ever seen.

nubs

I've collected so many lemon nubbies! This is just from one day of lemon cutting at the Top. I'm going to use them in a project.. 'giving things warts.'  I thought they might dry out in the yard, but they were getting dirty so I ended up putting them in the dehydrator, which smelled awesome.

sandwich day everyday

sloppily executed but super delicious!

I love reubens, so toasty and buttery and cheesy... but not quite so fresh. Here is a ultimate fresh and colorful tempeh reubenish concoction!
what I used:
Carrot onion bread from Gainesville's Flour Pot Bakery
homemade red cabbage sauerkraut. Directions here
4 strips of  Jose's organic tempeh
avocado  (79 cents each at chun ching market! ah!)
tomatoes
bibb lettuce from the backyard
Tahini goddess dressing.
sharp cheddar cheese ( because I love cheese, but you don't have to use it )
shoyu   (fancy for soy sauce)

Simmer the tempeh in shoyu and water for a couple minutes. Put the tempeh on a slice of the bread and top with cheese, if you're using it. Toast both pieces of bread in the oven until the cheese is melted, and then layer on the kraut and veggies, put the goddess on the other slice of bread and smash it all together. yummz.  If you really want to get tasty you can butter your bread and then grill it in a pan, but I've been going overboard with butter lately. We got a pound of Amish butter last week.. I forgot how good it was. oops.

blingbarf

babydoll, get away

my old flame, judy.

in our house

miss ya

sorry pal

grain greeting

my most favorite cup

whisker of rokoi

stoned monarch wings