Oatmeal Cookies with Greek Yogurt

Molly and I baked the most scrumptious oatmeal cookies last night. Instead of granola on their yogurt this morning how about crumbled cookie! I swirled some raspberry jam into the Greek yogurt and they crumbled the cookies over the top, yum! Here's the recipe for the cookies:
1/2 pound(2sticks) unsalted butter
1c firmly packed brown sugar
1/2c sucanat
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
1/4tsp coconut extract
1-1/2c flour
1tsp baking soda
1tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp salt
3c oats
1/2c sweetened flaked coconut
1c dried sour cherries
1c walnuts
preheat oven 350
Cream together butter and sugars then add eggs, vanilla and coconut extract. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt then add to butter mixture and mix well. Stir in oats, cherries, coconut and walnuts and mix well. Bake tablespoon size dough on ungreased cookie sheet just until set in the middle and brown around the edges(about 10-12 minutes),

Artwork from School

Oliver's watercolor painting

Oliver's woven pouch

Molly's bay wreath
The children have been busy crafting and such at school these last couple weeks. Those vibrant watercolors just jump off the page! Molly's class had a bazaar in their room yesterday and sold little things they had made either at home or in school. What a great way to teach the children money and math! Molly had a blast and came home with the beautiful bay wreath. All classes have handwork every week and Oliver just completed his woven pouch which, of course, he was immensely proud of. For anyone interested in the Stockmar crayons, watercolors or beeswax, you can find it on "My Wish List Store".

Fun

This morning while cooking breakfast we played "Grandma got run over by a reindeer"..... loudly. The kids were hilarious! Molly sung and bounced along while I fried bacon and cut pieces of panatone. Oliver popped over the railing of his loft bopping his head from side to side like "animal" on the Muppet's. Later, as I was getting out of the shower, I noticed some artwork of Molly's on the mirror. She had drawn a huge silly face with curly hair in the steam. We had such a good time together this morning. It's so good to just be fun once in a while!

Christmas Has Come to the Shire

Our tall, thin cedar is now laden with ornaments. Over the years, we've collected quite a few sentimental ones. Some the kids have made, others were given by my grandmother for their first Christmas. Some have been handed down as family have passed away and now sit on the branches of our tree, carrying with them, the memories of all the gatherings around my grandmother's tree. I can still hear the doorbell ring and loud welcomes echoing down the hallway as we tried our best to get to sleep before the big man came. We always sung Christmas carols, albeit a little off key, but the vibration of all our voices together left grooves in my heart like a record. Oliver was laying underneath the tree last night staring up through the branches, "You know what I'm doing mom? I'm really enjoying this moment, I want to always remember it." He will, too. I know I remember. Magic.

The Winter Spiral

Last night, was the winter spiral at the Davis Waldorf School. A room filled with the scent of pine that was carefully laid into a spiral for the children to walk. The only light, coming from a single candle in the center set on a stump and decorated with red berries. Each child is given an apple with a candle in the middle and while a man played quiet, reflective music on the piano, the child would take the walk alone. Everyone quietly watched as each child made there way to the solitary candle. Once in the center, they would light there own candle and choose a place along the spiral to light one of the candles that was placed along the path. Watching these children grow each year, you get a glimpse of their little spirits, as they hold the candle so carefully and the glow seeps through their fingers and lights up their faces. It's so symbolic for this time of year. We're going into the darkest days of winter and we either spiral too far inward and get depressed, or we spiral too far out with all the crazy holiday plans. Then, also there is all the darkness. Alone we bring a little light but as a community we are quite a force. What was once a dark path, now glows strong. A beautiful spiral of light.

Peaceful

Rain softly falling through the darkness


Soft glowing Menorah candles flicker, their light dances across my wooden table


More candles light the hearth


Nothing but the sound of rain


Molly hums in her bedroom


Oliver snuggles with daddy


It's been a busy day, one of growth, one of change


For the kids, one filled with advent lights, dreidel games, bike rides, music, friends


Peace for us this evening


Peace for the world

Icy and Spicy

Blades of grass encrusted with heavy ice crystals, bend over in glittering fields of white, leaves piled high are frozen to the cold streets and our breath hangs in heavy clouds around our heads, so cold is this morning. The kids are in warm layers, gloves and hats. Molly worries about the family of mice in her school garden. Will they be cold and hungry? Relieved, she remembers that the chickens share food with the mice. A nice warm and spicy latte now in hand, I plan the persimmon bread I'll be baking today.

A Busy Morning and a Warm Classroom

I have a lot that I'm trying to work on right now and it feels like I'm running through molasses. Nothing feels like it's quite up to speed which leaves me feeling very frustrated. The Internet and computers are running slowly, and we ran out of printer ink and paper. Apparently trying to work on these things and still get the kids ready for school doesn't mix well. We finally got ourselves, violin, lunches, jackets and hats in the car. Wow was it cold this morning! We all took a Rescue Remedy chewy and Oliver's promptly popped out of his mouth. When he got up to look for where it had fallen, I found it stuck to his backside. I peeled it off and stuck it back in his face, we all had a good laugh. Oliver's paper star was glowing amongst his classmates in the window of his room and upon entering Molly's a calm prevails. Along the window the teacher has set a beautiful space for the children to observe every morning. A single candle glows warm and bright surrounded by red berries and pine boughs. Behind the candle, stands a menorah to celebrate Hanukkah. I take a moment, enjoy the peace it brings me. When things feel cold, I'll try to remember the light.

Muffled Laughter

Mincemeat pumpkin, paradise pumpkin and a traditional brown sugar pumpkin pie.

Molly just loves when there's a reason to celebrate and family converges on the Shire. She wants to be apart of the whole thing, from the cooking and setting the table, to listening in on the adults stories. Oliver likes to lend his "brute strength" to the event, helping to lift wood for the fire. Watching them both, I remember what that felt like as a child, how safe it all felt. "You mean, all these people love me?"Now that we're just across the street, Molly and Oliver spent most of the morning over at my Aunt Denise's house while I baked 3 different pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving(they all smelled delicious)! Being amongst all the bustle, fighting for space both physically and verbally. Try as you might to enter the loud conversations, you may never be heard. Denise compared it to the game Whack A Mole, you've just gotta be patient, then.............. HIT HIM! It's not for everyone, even I get overwhelmed and need to get away for a moment, regain my strength. At my Grandma's, I would sit in the stairwell off the kitchen listening to the muffled laughter, feeling the pulse of the family. The phone on the kitchen wall would ring and someone would answer, stretching the long curly cord around the corner to sit on the stairs to hear better. Having been discovered, I would get up and rejoin the happy chaos. There is not a stairwell to sit in anymore, so I stepped outside for a breather and there it was, the pulse. The laughter, loud conversation and games continued. Standing under the stars, alone, in the dark cold of November, I felt like a little girl again. "You mean, they all love me?"I am thankful for my family.

Nuts and Grubs!

We had some friends over yesterday and, with five children in this small space, it's so nice when they are easily entertained. A bag of walnuts and some crackers is all you need to start the fun! The nuts are dry and ready to eat but there's one catch........some have grubs. I know, YUCK right? Well, this seems to be the funnest part. Not knowing what you're gonna get, bug or food. I'm in the kitchen roasting pumpkin while screams of joy and delight rise up to the ceiling. Some are big, others small (grubs I mean) and sometimes there's a delicious walnut. I don't think many nuts will make it into my holiday baking since each one that they find is edible, well, gets eaten. So what do you do without a television people ask. Here's one interesting project! They didn't seem to miss the glowing screen.

Magic in the Shire

Oliver carves a face in the pumpkin that will soon be a pie while Molly and her friends discover new faerie homes along the banks of the swale now full from the recent storms. She points to a little walnut boat that has settled on a stones beside the water and they all try to figure out how the faeries will move it. They move on to the swings hanging from a large walnut tree, taking turns gliding through the air, they are blissful. My counter is lined with persimmons waiting to ripen to a translucent liquid orange before being baked into cookies and breads. In celebration of the inner light we need to get through the dark days of winter, we have set out a menorah and will fold beautifully colored kite paper in the shapes of stars to put in our windows. I love vacation.

Comfort Food Breakfast

Today is the first day of the kids vacation from school! Yesterday was hard as we attended our friends memorial. The place was packed and some people stood or sat in the aisles. His young daughter performed "edelweiss" on her violin and the closing number involved us all singing the Beatle's song "We can work it out", his daughter on stage belting out with friends and family, all of us on our feet singing our hearts out, tears running down our faces. Oliver woke up crying this morning after dreaming that Michael had passed away. Such a heavy thing for anyone but especially children. I decided to make a comfort food breakfast! With all organic ingredients, I made a cornmeal custardy spoon bread served with rich maple syrup and thickly sliced bacon. Crunchy, luscious, sweet and smokey, the kids were pleased and we got to enjoy breakfast together at the table. "Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friends"
Check out the recipe section for this delicious spoon bread!

The Storm of the Century!

Crazy football fans with sleeping baby.

Ok, so we go to the Aggies vs. Sac State game yesterday and let's just say it won't soon be forgotten. I got there first with Oliver and Molly and it was cold and windy. It began to sprinkle just after kick-off when Michael arrived with our friends three children, one of which is only two. Everyone was bundled in layers of rain gear including myself. The two year old promptly fell asleep on Michael so we covered him in a rain coat like a little cocoon. It started to rain a little harder. Then our friend David arrived and it started to rain even harder. By half time it began to downpour but the bands kept playing as determined as ever. All of a sudden, behind the stadium, shot a huge purple vein of lightening followed by pounding thunder! Now we were getting pelted by painful hail and the kids were all screaming, accept for cocoon boy who is still sleeping. We got out of there as quickly as possible belly laughing all the way to a cozy fire. I've definitely earned some football points here.

The Rain is Back

Yesterday, the rain returned. The ground is so thick with fallen leaves that it sounds like a low drum outside the window. Michael stepped into the garden this morning to inspect the plants, finding some with traces of the small creatures that visit in the night. This afternoon, we'll ride our bikes to another rainy, but fun, football game. Hot cocoa and tri-tip sandwiches are on the menu, yum! We have the next week off school, so I'll be able to tap into my more creative side with the kids. Baking, bike riding and leaf collecting all sound so fun. I usually press leaves in a book for about a week then thread them together to hang in a window. Small oak or Japanese maple work beautifully. Insert a needle next to the stem being sure to tie a small knot to keep it in place before stringing the next one. The sunlight coming through the window brightens the colors of the leaves just beautifully!

A Poem by My Cousin/Niece

Molly came out of class in tears the other day missing her cousin Kiersen. Kiersen is currently living and going to school in Ireland. After hearing this, Kiersen wrote this beautiful poem inspired by the preschool as well as Oliver and Molly.

THE GARDEN

To the garden the children come
To imagine and bask in endless fun
Skipping, sliding and smiling
Thoughtless flower throwing, reclining
The Pixie Girl and the Soldier Boy
Fill my heart with immeasurable Joy
In the garden the children are learning
to run and chase glades in the morning
Their hands stained with ruptured grass
Sharing with each other a warm belly laugh
Building forts and discovering new sports
While making friends and new cohorts
In the garden the children play
Like romping fawns in the light of day
Swing, sing and shake apples from trees
Taking my hand--like Peter Pan--and teaching me new things
Poking bugs and picking up slugs
running back to give a big hug
-She bops along;that Rebel Soul, ready and willing to break every mould.
With eyes that gleam with mischievous wit, underneath it all deep compassion sits.
-He is cool and calm; that rugged man. Give him a problem; he's got a plan. Although he is resilient and serious, in his heart he is silly and curious.

In the garden the children believe in

All the fairies of the evening
In the dark they flicker and dash
Into the cold mud, their small toes they mash
And when it is time to say good night
I hope for them to hold tight
To the garden that they adore
While new adventures they explore

Thank you Kiersen for this beautiful poem. I will cherrish it always.

Evening

Molly is across the bike path having her singing lesson with the neighborhood girls while Oliver has his first violin lesson in our home. Michael and I step outside between the two houses to enjoy the evening and visit with our neighbors. Our neighbor next door shares some pomegranates from her bush and they are so intensely sweet. A warm glow seeps through the thinning grapevines covering our window. His teacher is playing a little tune on the violin while we stand outside listening, the light quickly disappearing, the moon lighting up the vibrant orange persimmon leaves. We give the teacher a couple of the pomegranates and schedule another lesson after Thanksgiving. Just one of those moments when you really get that you have chosen the right path for yourself.

I Want My Children's Lunch

Warm and creamy risotto, a chewy organic granola bar and a banana. Now that's what I would want for a school lunch! They've gotten tired of the natural peanut butter and juice sweetened jam on whole sprouted wheat bread. It's nice, on these cooling days, for them to open a hot thermos of comfort food to warm their little bodies. Of course, I kept some risotto home for myself. Here's a recipe for my kids favorite risotto:
add 3 tbs each of butter and olive oil to a large pot or saucepan. Stir in 2 chopped onions, 2 sticks of celery with the leaves, 2 chopped carrots and 2 cups chopped spinach. Once veggies are cooked, add 2 cups of Arborio rice and let cook for a few minutes. Have ready a pot of hot stock (about 67oz) with some white or red wine added for flavor. Add a ladle full at a time to the rice stirring well and letting absorb before adding more. Once your rice is the right texture(we like it nice and soupy with a little firmness) add remaining butter and as much Parmesan cheese as you like! Sometimes we add toasted pine nuts or walnuts.

Shhh, the Gnome is Sleeping

Cleaning up Molly's room today was quite a task. She's my little clutter bug and each corner and crevice is filled with trinkets. All very important, of course. While she's sick in bed, I am finally able to try to untangle the ball of twine. I'm almost done when I notice another corner she has set up. Over by the door, sitting on top of a little box and encircled with stones and lace, is a basket covered with a neatly folded blanket. I look over at Michael and gently lift the blanket. Inside the basket, tucked in on his side , is a little gnome she made. He's sleeping so sweetly and we both are nearly in tears. How much longer will we get to experience this wonder? Not much longer, I fear. So the sleeping gnome shall stay in his castle by her door and I get to enjoy this world a little longer.

Molly

We were planning to meet the kids and my mom in San Francisco today but Molly got sick. Instead, we ended up driving down to my mom's to pick her up. Poor thing, it must be a flu. Now we're snuggling in bed with our comfortable pajamas on waiting for Michael and Oliver to come back from the store to make dinner. Molly has requested watermelon, granny smith apples, macaroni and cheese with peas and sausage. Anything else Molly? She seems to have her appetite back! I hope she feels better tomorrow so we can enjoy our Sunday together. I would love to take a bike ride over to the campus arboretum to see all the changing trees and ducks on the pond. Molly says she would like to pack a picnic, again her mind is on food. OK Molly, just get better and tomorrow we shall picnic!

Persimmons

Today I think I'll go to the orchard and pick some persimmons! There are two varieties, the fuyu, which is more like an apple, is ripe and ready for eating. The other needs to be completely soft or it has a bitter, sappy texture. The kids are with my mom for a couple of days and when they get back they'll be so excited to find a pile of beautiful orange persimmons on the table. My mom recently harvested her honey from the hive on her property. She brought 5 jars for me to share with family and friends! I love holding it to the light to see it's dense, opaqueness. It really does seem like liquid gold. Now all we need are some chickens in the family!