gamble

Kales and romaine Crystal raindrop in our broccoli Wheat Crimson clover Chamomile

I took a gamble with our garden this year and planted the seeds directly in the ground in April, far before the snow was gone off of Bennett Mountain (local lore here is that it is safe to plant after the snow there is gone). I half expected my garden to flop but thankfully my gamble paid off. Our garden is flourishing! We have already begun harvesting chamomile, kale and parsley. This year I don't have morning sickness keeping me indoors so my hopes are high. I am looking forward to trying everything else that is growing strong. Ironically we planted wheat this year so that we could go through the whole process of making bread from planting the seeds, grinding the wheat and then baking it. We shall see what the future holds!

Our gluten-free trial has been going rather well so far. Surprisingly most of what we eat was already gluten-free to begin with so the change hasn't been too much of a challenge. Well, other than one of my children wanting fresh baked bread every evening shortly after dinner.

K begged for some chia seed pudding parfaits from the Oh She Glows cookbook for breakfast over the weekend. It took a little longer than planned to get around to it since we had to first make the granola and then the pudding had to sit overnight. We finally had it this morning and it was incredible. Definitely worth the wait for most of us. One of my children was a little skeptical of it at first but as the temperature rose outside she enjoyed this cool and refreshing treat out in the pool and even asked for more.

Baby F came down with the cold that is still lingering in most of us the day after I typed up my last post. I saw it coming when his big brother couldn't help but cover him in kisses. I couldn't blame him - Baby F is pretty irresistible. He was really miserable the first day of his cold but he's a little trooper and trying to smile through it.

gamble

Disoriented

I am feeling rather disoriented after the long weekend so please forgive my scatterbrained thoughts in this post. I keep feeling like every day is Monday. We in the fog of sickness right now too, adding to my confusion. So far everyone but Baby F and Kevin are sick. I am praying it stays that way. I thought I might help to cheer up my sick K by sewing her a mug rug for the nightstand next to her bed (and to help preserve the nightstand since I seem to have to sand it and re-beeswax it once a year). I found a tutorial that was really cute and seemed simple enough, but I forgot that I lack the ability to sew straight lines. The tiny pieces were super fussy to work with and well, I think the photographs pretty much speak for themselves. I was disappointed with the outcome but K loves me and it anyway. Maybe when the quilting plumps up with a washing it will help to cover up the mistakes.

Did I ever mention Baby F's umbilical hernia to you? I can't remember. Well, it is healing up on it's own now, thank goodness. I think his cloth diapers helped with that as the come up over the belly button helping to press it down - similar to the belly bands they sell for umbilical hernias on babies. His stomach doesn't seem to get upset as easily now that it is healing up which is a huge blessing for all of us.

Speaking of tummies, we decided as a family to go completely gluten-free for the next 15 days to see how our bodies react. I went grain-free for Lent one year and I remember feeling so much lighter and full of energy. C might have the hardest time with this trial since she would live off of bread if I let her. I am hoping I have enough delicious alternatives for her that she'll get by. I'll keep you updated on how it goes!

And on that note I need to get my sick self into bed with the rest of my family. I hope you all have a truly enjoyable rest of the week.

p.s. - Ravelry notes on the completed unicorn gift can be found here.

Disoriented