Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop

So, now, all of a sudden we live with a six year old.
We are blessed with great friends.
We had a party on Thursday, and were surrounded with love and fun.
Ollie's best bud, made a shirt for him, pictured above.

He also received a hand-made hula hoop, art kits, a handmade robot necklace, airplane kits, science books, and he was just generally showered with wonderful, personal, handmade thoughtfulness.
Thank you, friends.

Vegan-from scratch cupcakes were a hit!

His new books and favorite crown of royal colors

We spent Wednesday at the Symphony, bowling, and taking the boy to dinner..Thursday partying with friends, and Friday- Sunday letting the Rayburns love on him in Indiana.

So serious and mature....

she violently knits

So, I am slowly, slowly knitting myself a set of dishcloths and they are both beautiful (to me) and useful. I like them more than any dishcloth that I have ever used before.
If I make a mistake, it's okay because it is for me..

Meat shakin' on your bones

So, back to my 10 week plan for a better me.

I have been keeping up with all of my goals, except jogging or bike riding.

I hate this weather. It is bringing me down, man, and I've used that as an excuse..

Last week, the goal was to buy no meat unless it came from a great local source. Due to price and availability, this cuts our meat consumption considerably. We normally only eat it once or twice a week tops, and during our co-op were able to eat local easily. During the winter, we bought Laura's and "natural" chicken. But, I realize that we could easily do more. So for now, we are vegetarians. I am looking for local meat that is in our budget, and when we find some, it will be our special treat-which will be much healthier for us anyway.

We are also working on outreach. I found a great volunteer opportunity for myself and the children. We are working at our church's food bank, and the kids absolutely love it. They get to shelve food, load grocery bags, and enjoy people. It has really been a blessing to us.

This week I have made an attempt to cut our dairy intake by half. This has been the toughest so far. I love cheese so very much, and without meat, I use it as an easy part of lunches and dinners. We use our local dairy for milk and I often substitute soy milk in recipes. We long ago quit buying creamy condiments. Likewise, I can fool the family with recipes that require eggs, but the cheese! My beloved cheese. I tried to simply skip it at the grocery store, and made a trip back to the store for some today - it is only Tuesday.

I guess the nice thing about making your own goals, is that they are yours to repeat, retry, be reminded of, and generally just own. I will continue to try on this cheese thing or at least seek healthier, more sustainable options.

My spiritual goal for the week puts an emphasis on church attendance. I find so much comfort and value in being part of a community of love and kindness ---this family of God's that accepts everyone and binds together to discuss eternity and outreach and love. I surround myself socially with like minded individuals, and my church attendance helps remind me that we are all so very different, but often can have the same heart, the same hurts, concerns, and joys.

I put all of these goals here, for no other reason than to help keep me accountable. I will eat meat and cheese if I come to your home and you are cooking it up. For any of our lifestyle choices here at home, I never, never want to make a host feel uncomfortable. We like the taste after all, but are rather taking small steps here to lead healthier lives and be more responsible consumers.

See the craters and the canyons where the waterfalls run

This week in a gray cloud of winter blahs, we went to the Opryland Hotel to revel in horticulture. Ollie was also transfixed by architecture. We loved seeing our friends and the energy of all of the life around us WAS rejuvenating.

Look closely above. That is a woodpecker in our tree out front.

Lollipop plant

Camilla

Orchids

Heeeeee-hawwwww

Bird of paradise..

And plenty of time for quiet contemplation by man made waterfalls..

He said, "Let's set up a fort..

Our snow day..

Snow fort..

And, best neighbor award for bringing the kids hot chocolate at the end of our hard labor.

Winter would have no spring

At the start of the week, I could sense Spring.
I remembered what warmth and sun felt like.

School..

Hints from the garden..

And, we started at Flat Eli and Flat Ollie exchange program. We are hostessing a lovely young lady from Nebraska. If you would like to host one of these fabulously polite young men, please let us know. They are free for adventures.

And, then SNOW!

And, therefor, board games with the family.

Builder of rainbows up in the sky,

Certified tree hugger, captivated by texture, curves, and lines..

Child led and executed projects...

Building zig-zag fences on a rainy day: bull strong, horse high, and pig tight..

Making treats for those cold birds....

Baking vegan cookies..

And observing nature on rainy, cold days..

And prayerfully, peacefully, meditating..
I miss the sun and feel my energy slowly evaporating. Once this week, I wished we were sick so that we would have an excuse to stay in bed all day with the covers pulled over our heads. Thank God, we aren't. The above beads I've fashioned into prayer beads to fidget with while in prayer. They have been a comfort, and way to stay focused..I am sticking with this goal this week as I strive to make it more of a normal part of everyday..
Peace.