Oregon bliss

Posted on | November 22, 2011 | 2 Comments

I still get dumbfounded by how late the seasons are here. When I traveled home to Michigan, over two months ago, the leaves were beginning to peak. They have already gotten snow flurries and are now lucky to hit a high of 30's (the upper peninsula of MI, that is). Back here in our little rainforest, the leaves are finally reaching their demise, the wise trees beginning a new cycle. I was lucky enough to catch a few photos before coastal storms hit over the last few days, taking away the radiant colors of our neck of the woods. Can I share them with you, pretty please?

It's also hazelnut harvest this time of year, and I had a fabulous date with a local orchard below.

And no April slideshow would be complete without some belly photos taken on our driveway and back yard, don't ya' know.

Here is the true secret to these shots:

Rain jacket and umbrella. We are definitely in Oregon!

...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Any big plans, friends?

Category: autumn , belly , Oregon , Photography

Birthday

Posted on | November 17, 2011 | 1 Comment

Tonight I find my mind on my close friend, miss Emily, who is delivering her twins a few weeks earlier than expected sometime this morning. I'm wishing her a joyous delivery, and her babies a beautiful welcome into this world. They have two amazing parents, and are both so loved!

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle. -Vincent van Gogh

Category: Motherhood

Mother

Posted on | November 12, 2011 | 3 Comments

Right now, she's hiccuping. Rhythmic beating on the left side of my belly has never felt so right, like all of life has led to this moment. Morning is always very mellow for the two of us - I lie in bed contemplating rising, a feat that is oh so hard these days. But instead of kicking me awake she makes subtle, easy movement as if she's trying to be quiet while going about her day in her small, warm house. When we're hungry I get a few nudges to move me along, but that is it. The afternoon progresses and I believe that is her rest time. The gentle rocking by my motion as I vacuum the floors or clean the coop leads right to nap time. Evening, however, is another story. Within an hour of dinner she is having a the time of her life in there - kicks that often make me jump, surprise feet in my ribs. If I rest to read or watch a movie she continues her acrobatic feats, only quieting when her father whispers to my belly. He thinks she shy; I think his deep voice simply calms her.

Getting to know this person has changed me, in so many beautiful ways.

Simply put: I'm a mother.

Category: Baby

This moment:

Posted on | November 11, 2011 | 3 Comments

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Category: Baby , belly

Joy

Posted on | November 2, 2011 | 4 Comments

I am officially 27 weeks, friends.

Every passing day feels like the most astounding miracle; it's amazing I can already love someone this much.

xoxo to you and yours,

April

Category: Baby , Motherhood

October market

Posted on | October 26, 2011 | 2 Comments

Oh my, fall is in full swing here. And in honor of autumns goodness, I have been cooking soup & stews with local beef and garden/market vegetables! I must share with you my recent photos from our Oregon farmers market this time of year; a few of these veggies are in a stew I just made tonight!

What a wonderful community we live in!

Category: Oregon

Gratitude Sunday

Posted on | October 16, 2011 | 2 Comments

Gratitude Sunday

Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes:

{Inspired by the beautiful Taryn of Wooly Moss Roots}

The realization that our animals truly do love us & one soul in particular they haven't met yet. This comes at a time where I've been innately frustrated with pet ownership and the oncoming changes in our life.
The market in autumn - grapes, squash, pumpkins, oh my! (pictures to come!)
Quiet times at home with just the animals and a bouncing belly - something I have learned to appreciate despite my unusual quirk of not enjoying alone time.
A bouncing belly, of course. I often catch myself staring and smiling at my stomach multiple times a day.
The rediscovery of yoga at such a pivotal time in my life. The instructor is simply wonderful and stresses the mind/body connection while helping moms connect with the spirit of their baby.
Yard work completed by my hubby, b. There's nothing better than a fresh cut and cleared lawn, even in the fall!
The colors beginning to change, just a bit more every day.
Autumn decorations - something I just love to get out!
The fact we're 25 weeks on Wednesday - a very important time in a babies gestation and lungs. It's surreal this barely two pound baby could have a chance of surviving if she were born this week (now baby, you stay in regardless!).
A job that I often take for granted. Being a part of so many women's births is something I often take for granted and even find myself a bit cynical about at times when women don't plan or put importance on their birth experience. I'm learning to respect all women's birth decisions, even those I don't agree with. They are all beautiful.
My lovely husband arriving home this afternoon. He looks rejuvenated, albeit ready for a nap.
Getting out in nature, hiking is always so soul refreshing.

What are you grateful for this week?

Category: Thankful , Thoughts

::Today::

Posted on | October 13, 2011 | 4 Comments

Today, I am

:: loving mother nature

:: exhausted from hiking five miles with 1000+ foot elevation gain

:: deciding that hiking is a bit more difficult with the wee one in tow

:: grateful for my husbands carpentry skills - nursery trim and crib, you didn't stand a chance

:: enjoying classical music, as is the baby

:: appreciating the beginnings of fall foliage

:: harvesting & drying my herb garden

:: itching to cook autumn foods; the pumpkin muffins I made are to die for!

:: feeling kicks, and deciding she's a night owl

:: craving a new read of some sort (any suggestions?)

:: hearing dogs bark and seeing my belly jump in response (shh, pups!)

:: happy for my husband, who gets to get away for a 'boys trip' this weekend

:: secretly knowing that I will miss him dearly!

:: experiencing some raging heartburn that is so completely worth it

:: eager for the holiday season, only so January/February is that much closer

:: wishing you all an amazing weekend - any big plans?

Category: belly , Hiking , Nature , Oregon

A tale of returning energy, a focus on home:

Posted on | October 5, 2011 | 4 Comments

It's still green here in Oregon, but don't let that fool you. The maples have slowly been shedding, dropping gold leaves one by one on the property. My energy has returned, for the most part, just in time for crisp autumn days and the never faltering showers that turn our yard into the remnants of woodstock. Let me tell you about just one of those days.

This evening I squeezed into my rain coat, knowing it may only fit for a few more weeks (zipped up, that is). I peruse my garden, gathering small handfuls of vegetables that have survived into October: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and of course a medley of herbs. I shake my head, knowing with true certainty my grandfathers green thumb did not pass onto me... this year, at least. There's something about growing a baby that makes tasks difficult (am I right, or no?).

Next I turn the compost with a parade of hens surrounding me chatting, begging for bits of goodness to be dropped by this woman in a much too tight coat. Being dry, I saturate the compost and leave the top open with hopes that mother nature would aid in the watering for the next few days. The ladies then follow me to their coop and with the assistance of an old butternut squash, they enter their coop. I freshen up their bedding and put new shavings in the roost. Their is a total of five eggs in the nesting box: I quietly thank them for continuing to produce well, despite the change in seasons.

I walk a perimeter of our home, cleaning up bits of dog droppings and sticks along the way. Gus follows me intently, also cleaning up droppings (the chicken variety, so tasty). I stop and marvel at our daughter's future room and the view she will have. I truly hope she falls in love at nature the way her father and I have.

I come inside and make myself a cup of tea, steeping dried chamomile that I harvested from the garden in August. There is nothing more delicious than something you've personally grown.

The evening is concluded with my lovely whipping together a salsa from my evening harvest, and for dinner a stew with local grass fed beef, willamette valley vegetables, and of course fresh garden herbs. Delicious!

...

You see, not everyday is this simple. Real life requires long work shifts and food that isn't always fresh or local, despite how hard we try. But I truly believe that any attempt at a more simplistic life should be celebrated. This is just one of those days. <3

Category: Family , Homesteading , Nature , Oregon

This moment:

Posted on | September 30, 2011 | 4 Comments

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Category: Baby

Lovely Little Trees

an aesthetic voyager drawn to the wild, my sweet family along for the ride

Oregon bliss

Birthday

Mother

This moment:

Joy

October market

Gratitude Sunday

::Today::

A tale of returning energy, a focus on home:

This moment:

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