The sun was shining in beautiful Moab, UT last weekend and we were race groupies once again. It was the first time since we moved back and it felt good to be going through the familiar paces: picking up race packets, pinning numbers on, squeezing to the front of the finish line for that high five. We spent a three day weekend almost entirely outside, soaking in the canyon lands and shooting a crazy number of frames. I felt very like myself again by the end.
The last half dozen years of travel have firmly engrained in us a preference for investing in experiences over stuff. So this year, the little girls each invited a neighbor friend to go on a downtown adventure in lieu of themed parties (which are not really my strong suit anyway.) Disney is not usually among my top ten favorite things either, but this show turned out to be outstanding.
We managed to keep our plans a secret right up until the morning of our outing. Abbie (whose birthday comes first) had been making party and cake recommendations for a couple weeks. She was beginning to be perplexed that we weren't committing. By the time Saturday rolled around she was downright alarmed.
We explained we needed to run to Salt Lake City for some errands so they needed to be up and dressed for a shopping trip. Soon after the doorbell rang and they ran to tell their friends they couldn't play. That's when we sprang the real plan on them. I still can't believe they had no idea. Go, us. : D
We piled in the van and made the trek to the Delta Center downtown.
Snacks in hand we settled in for Disney on Ice. The littlest girl with us positively screamed, "Hi Minnie Mouse!!" over and over when the skaters appeared. She was beside herself.
There was some "stuff" too, like craft kits and much needed cold weather gear.
And homemade cake for the first birthday girl. 'Cause that's what we do. (The bigger girl will have cake on her day.)
And then there were some last minute discussions about this whole getting bigger idea. We finally agreed we would carry on with these annual birthdays so long as she agreed to always be my baby. Which made me feel a little better only since she is still small enough to climb on my lap in Minnie slippers.
"Abide {stay, concentrate, give your full attention} in Me. Now part of this abiding means being focused on the example before us rather than being distracted and filling our eyes and ears with things that encourage what used to be called "our baser nature." Do you know what I'm talking about? I've found that some books, conversations, or films stir up resentments, impatience, or other sins such as bitterness or discontent. But other images or sounds we take in encourage the good, the pure, the life-giving."
This from my morning reading has become something of a litmus test for me. She goes on to say,
"Not everyone is able to expend anything like the portion of time and energy on (homemaking) that she would like. In this case we have to choose what is most important and simplify unnecessary complications in our lives."
Alannah made a simple dessert cake, deliberately opting for a flat knife buttercream finish. We set it on the beautiful vintage cake plate Rebecca sent. This could be considered the 20 part of the 80/20 plan, wherein we gravitate towards Paleo and all natural most all the time.
Except when we don't. : ) That could either make you send up a cheer for being "real" or bemoan my inconsistency and compromises. Either way – it looks lovely on the cake plate. Humor me.
Shortly after this afternoon of baking we ran across this book which we agreed may be our next investment. After years and years of elaborate cake making on her part, Alannah was drawn to the simple, organic appeal of Naked Cakes. We are anxious to see more. Since there is not really a full '20' for me, a very promising read is My Paleo Patisserie. Those two are on our short list for summer dessert adventures.
We are in deep. Way deep, head over heels in love.
My husband had been begging talking about getting a larger dog when we returned to the States. Seeing how we tend to opt for "or not" given "ready or not" we went ahead and jumped this week.
Meet Archie, a 10wk old Standard Poodle. Affectionate, mellow, and all legs. And very likely the subject of an embarrasing number of 'baby pictures' in the coming months.
I explained to him that the penance Jesus wanted from him was complete obedience,; obey and that’s enough.
"Can’t I do some other penance?"
"Yes, you can allow yourself the penance of being patient with others and the unpleasant things of life; to accept equally the heat and the cold and the rain; to be cheerful when tired and not feeling so well and so on.”
“But,” said Dominic, “these things come to you whether you like it or not.”
“Precisely,” I replied, “offer them willingly to God; there is nothing that will please him more, and you will be doing real penance.” Thus reassured, Dominic was very happy and completely at peace.
– St John Bosco speaking about St Dominic Savio
Some snaps and notes from our moving days…
8am Eyeliner is wonky. I really could use a shower but husband called to confirm the plan for the piano placement. So instead I straighten my hair, fill the to go mug, and head over to the new house.
10:30 Kids move from doing schoolwork upstairs to an empty bedroom
…while we tag team checking in boxes and Alannah directs mover traffic in the lower level
11am First casualty, a big green glass demijohn bottle. Sigh.
Some comic relief
noon lunch break.
Alannah drives Moira to work. Husband and I muse about the possiblity of nodding off.
3:30pm three books randomly fall out of a box. One happens to be the title an adult son asked me to please read. (Soon, I promise)
4pm B is worn out. Abbie is reveling in that moment when you find the box with your toys.
5pm A child reports, "I hear swearing in a bunch of different languages," which confirms my hunch that they have begun to move the piano. God bless them. That was no picnic.
7:30pm Take out pizza and salad for the family. Make a cold meat and fruit plate for myself.
Now comes the unpacking.
I love the way they think ; D
With wind whipping our hair we braved the chalky coastline of Dover. Since there was a dip in the terrain it was literally 'uphill both ways.' We have hiked higher and farther – hello Lake District? This one ended up kicking us in the pants though. Maybe it was the sandals. Note to self, always bring the hiking shoes because you always need them.
We headed out at the end of a rainy day and the clouds gradually cleared by the time we reached the lighthouse a few miles out. The water and sky deepened in color with every step. Truly breathtaking by the time we got back.
Starry Sky Journal 