bon iver - skinny love

Food.

I've been reading blogs about food tonight. Started on Pinterest, casually browsing. Then searched "overnight oats," which led to hundreds of different pins. I chose a few and proceeded to look at the sites the pins came from. Several were from vegan sites... which made me start to wonder about that type of lifestyle choice. One recipe came from a site called "[So&so] Eats Real Food." For some reason, that name made me laugh. We, or those of us who choose to eat well/naturally, are sooo very proud of our way of life. There are so many blogs about natural-eating, natural-living, etc... It is really interesting to me that living "naturally" needs to be talked about. Long-ago, that's just the way people lived. 100 years ago, I doubt that  girl would go over to her neighbour and say "Oh, I just ate the most delicious lunch. All-natural quinoa with lime, cilantro and fresh roasted red bell pepper on top of a bed of organic baby kale, sprinkled with chia seeds and a dab of homemade hummus." Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for natural. The more, the better. I like raw foods, I wish I only ate raw/natural/organic. But I don't. And I'm sure those who do are vastly more healthy and will live several years longer than I. My only point is that it's funny that we talk about it. I do it too, though. I talk about my cornstarch-baking-soda deodorant, cider vinegar "conditioner," olive oil face cleanser, etc... But why? Why are we (general "we"-- you, specifically, may not be) so proud of doing things in a more "natural" manner or eating well? And being so proud, need to tell others about it. And on the other side, we want to hear about it! I'm always reading this-or-that blog about natural-living or whatever, tonight is the perfect example.

It's just funny, that is all. Shouldn't it just be the normal("natural") way to live and not the hot-topic of conversation?

Renew.

I can't remember the last time I didn't make a new years resolution. So I'll not let this year be any different, albeit a little late. This year, I have a theme [place post title before each resolution and it will make sense].

... my Walk.

... my stand on less screen-time.

... my creativity with parenting.

... my commitment to purposeful/careful discipline.

... my healthy lifestyle.

... my food journal.

... my exercise "regime."

... my tea time.

... my routine.

I like resolutions. They make me feel... resolute.

res·o·lute/ˈrezəˌlo͞ot/      

Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

"Mom,

it feels like babysitter.org in here."

-Elsie

Said Elsie:

"Mom, I'm kind of scared. Do you remember when I was three and you wanted to brush my hair? And I didn't want you to. And you said if I didn't brush my hair, then you would send me to North Carolina where kids have no mommies and daddies, and they only get to eat rice and fish."

....um....

I did tell her that if she didn't let me brush her hair she would look like an orphan. And then explained that an orphan was someone without a mommy and daddy.

Someone has their memories mixed up. And hopefully that someone is Elsie.

Bah...

Humbug.

Not really, it's just been a long day/week. There are so many fun things I want to do with and for the kids, but it's been so busy lately that I feel nothing gets done. Thank goodness for the advent calendar... at least they get to do one semi-fun thing each day (even if it's only removing the object held by the clothespin).




Father Time, please slow this life down.

December.

How is it here already? Honestly, November just started. I do love the holiday season, though this one will go by too quickly and life will change.

What will the new year bring, I wonder... but I try not to think about it too much. Just focus on now. Today. And enjoy this time.

Things I love this season:

• Christmas lights ("No! Christmas stuff!" says Marlene)
• Fire in hearth
• Mr. Magoo
• Comfy sweaters
• Christmas music! (specifically: Aaron Neville, John Denver, Hanson (shhh.), Sleeping At Last, Sarah McLachlan, etc...)
• Scent of cinnamon, oranges, cranberries, cloves, pine....mmm.
• Family
• Friends
• Chilly air

....and so much more. But my children are waking up so I must go.

Love this. Best friend and best baby.