Busy town USA

This morning we were fortunate to see our neighbors newest little baby!! It was a beautiful shining day and we brought a basket full of goodies... including fresh Honey Wheat Bread. This bread is so wonderful especially if you use all organic ingredients, like the Spectrum's shortening.

MMMmmm..

Then we spent the rest of the day scurring around town trying to fit all our chores into just a few hours. Having our Co-op is such a blessing. I did however find the time to check out our very own new Climbing Gym!! I am so excited to watch them create their place virtually from scratch. Climbing was a HUGE part of my life before I moved and had my beautiful little ones, whom I wouldn't trade for anything.

Home by six with dinner from Alma's. We don't live close enough to order out anywhere. So I cook every meal almost every day. Reheated take out is the most we can do as far as fast(er) food goes. That's why I am on the search for Quick and easy vegetarian meals. 

Going to town almost always ensure that we will be gone all day, and return with cranky sleepy little babes. 

So usually they go almost directly into a chamomile bath and to bed. 

Another quick meal idea

As I try to avoid a trip to town just for a few groceries, I am getting very creative in the kitchen. 

Spaghetti Squash :

Cut a large spaghetti squash in half, and place both sides face down in a baking dish. 

Add 1/2 inch water. 

Bake on 400 till you forget about it.

While that's cooking fry

 onion, garlic, tofu and peas...

or any assortment of veggies

..or don't. 

Then...when the squash is done scape it into bowls with a fork. 

Add nutritional yeast, tamari and flax seed oil. 

Top with the veggies...and you are done.

GOOD MORNING

Big sis reads to her little brothers these days! It's a whole new world now that she can read! No fooling her now. And yes those are Lyra face crayons all over her. She is a cat today..Rye is a pirate.

We woke up to more sunshine today, so we ate some pancakes and headed out to see our pony down at the barn. Its a sight to see all of us: 

My daughter insisting that she push the baby in his stroller, while my little Ri drives his John deere Gator. Tosh and a few peacocks follow. The pea's are hoping to get some extra birdseed from the kids once we arrive. It was even cold in the sunshine today! Then we checked on our starts..watered them, closed the greenhouse as tight as we could,planted more bulbs, and I headed in while the kids played for a little longer in the crisp spring light. 

Quick easy meals for a large familly

Today I made the best dinner! Always looking for shortcuts to feed my ever-expanding flock:

1) Took out crockpot

2) Added many things to it throughout the day, starting with a box of organic vegetable broth

4) Voila: Tomato vegetable soup!

Whenever I found time I would chop up another vegetable. This method allowed me to make a conplex dish without any stress and in one pot! What more could I ask for? Everyone loved it! 

Our Afternoon Hike.

My daughter and I had the best hike today! We found Horsetails, Usnea,
Wild Ginger and wild Strawberry leaves. It was such fun!

Even though it was only 27 degrees out this morning, when the sun poked through we ran for it! We are going to make teas tommorow. Then we got out my books and read all about the different herbs and what they do.

Ah yes ...Spring

Thanks to these guys..they've been howlin' all night waking all of us
around 4 Am...

At least they only do it in the Spring. Then those beautiful tail feathers fall off and we get to collect them and have lots of fun. That's the reward for not being allowed to chase those tempting feathers around when they are attached to the peacocks. This one is stepping on the cover to my camping tent.

5 Min after Easter began we were done.....

easyer, originally uploaded by The Root Children.

After they had some treats we went outside and said a blessing for the arrival of spring. 

Then we planted all kinds of flowers untill it was too cold and we had to go warm up by the fire.

First days of Spring

The first days of spring have brought many things... 

We have started signing to the baby.

My 5 year old was awarded student of the week at her ballet class . Oh and now that she is reading she can't stop!

And my toddler's  quote of the week is "Me grow big like Papa!" It's his reasoning behind everything he does.  

The baby can sit up!

Here's our youngest  at Easter! He's sitting up, and he's more mobile every day!

Spring Equinox

We put the greenhouse together and began planting our starts today!

What has captured the attention of these toddlers?

A lawn mower in the far corner......

Ballet

When sis is at Ballet we hang at the coffee shop next door. We eat Stonyfield Farm Blueberry yogurt every time! 

March Madness and runny noses

Well we returned from our vacation with a cold that is slowly being passed around our family. So being up most nights for I don't even know how long has really taken a toll on me. No quilts are being sewn anywhere but in my head.  I have some springy ideas annd great colors planned for Summer!! I am so excited hee-hee