Paper Pie

Hello From Sunday

What did you do today?

On President's Day

A day that Ryan has off work is always a special occasion. I love the easy and relaxed holidays that the first few months of the year grant to us. It is as if we are given a few extra days off because the months are so long and mid-winter is slow going. President's Day is just that sort of day. A day to go out for breakfast and hit up a museum, which is just what we did on Monday. This particular President's Day was extra special because it was a cloudy and gray day, which is a rare treat around these parts. After our breakfast, we headed to the LACMA for some music, art, and fun. We three loved the super lively, interactive drumming experience that is Rhythm Child.

This ceramic tile mural by Henri Matisse was commissioned in the 50s by a local family for their garden wall. Can you imagine?

Rylie ran into this room shouting ba ba ba and wanted to touch the sculpture in the worst way. We quickly distracted her with all of the Picassos in the next room, which she dug and we had her saying Picasso before we left. However, her favorite part of the whole day was the giant spaghetti installation outside the main entrance. This interactive display of plastic tubular noodles collects sunlight all day and glows in the dark at night. She loved running through, touching every strand, collecting a whole armful of noodles and letting them fly. She was enthralled for at least a half an hour and I thought this would be a great place to return on days when the going gets tough.





This reminds me that I have blogged about another installation in this same spot a few years back. Remember this?

When we were walking back from the museum to our car, I noticed the way the vibrant green of the first growth of spring was contrasting against the pale sky. The trees looked as if they were glowing and I felt incredibly grateful to be strolling along with my honey and my baby on a Monday afternoon. It brought my heart a bit of joy to experience live music with Ryan and Rylie together and I felt energized after witnessing the pure bliss and spirit of so many kids that filled the courtyard and the museum that day. Each little heart, mind and body was filled with giddy movement, laughs and screams, running, skipping and truly living in the present moment. It was a beautiful day indeed.

A Morning With The Ducks

I do a lot of reading about being fully open to the present moment and responding appropriately, but I often get caught up in the practice and what that means in real life. One chilly morning last week, Rylie awoke and I knew immediately it would be one of those days. My baby, bless her heart, was not interested in anything I had offered her for breakfast. She didn't want her diaper changed nor her pajamas off. She didn't want to play with her toys, or to draw, or to sing and dance. Ride her bike? No way (as she says.) She resisted all of our go to activities. As she made her discontent known, I remembered all of the ducks at a nearby park. Ryan and I decided to rearrange our morning and bring those little duckies some bread instead.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a paddling of opportunistic ducks swimming across the lake to come and see what we had for them. It was early, before the world was awake, before the park was flooded with people on what was sure to be a sunny Saturday. I love to be out at that time of day and it felt extra special to have that big park to ourselves in such a densely populated city. The sky was steely gray and made the water look black. It was muddy, cold and wet. I had anticipatd the cold and brought my mug of hot tea, but I was not anticipating the mud as Rylie was wearing white pants, but no bother.


Rylie was delighted, we were relieved and the ducks were extraordinary. There were big and small, black and white, male and female, brazen and timid. I had no idea there was such a diverse group of them living there in the park. I can't wait to go back in the springtime when there are sure to be ducklings. Their chorus of unique voices rang out to let us know just what they were looking for.


I brought three slices of bread, sure that would be plenty, but I underestimated just how many ducks lived at this lake and just how voracious their appetites. Rylie tore a piece of bread in half and quickly threw it into the water. The mass of ducks leapt excitedly for the prize. The lucky duck that got ahold of it, dashed across the water and a large excited gang followed him, demanding that he share his generous bounty. The ones that stayed with us were eating the bread right from Ryan's outstretched hand. We also had to keep a watchful eye behind us for the very forward squirrels that would sneak up on us, surely formulating plans of their own.

We took a walk up the hill and explored this big green park that is so close to home. A lovely memory shared and a whole little world of experiences that may have been missed had we remained inflexible to the challenges of the moment. As it turns out, Ryan and I still accomplished all that we needed to that day, probably much more efficiently too.

Grateful

Today, we are grateful for . . .

* fun things at the park like this huge abacus.

* friends to swap meals with.

* the very first birds to visit our new feeders.

*the look of pure bliss on a certain little one's face when she discovers those birdies.

* the kitty who loves to watch those birdies, too (albeit for slightly less innocent reasons.)

*the Learning Tower that we scored a sweet deal on second hand.

*the delicious fruits and veggies that our CSA program regularly drops on our doorstep.

* the loud machines that the gardeners use in the yard that keep my babe in rapt attention.

* being moments away from holding my very first FINISHED sweater in my hands.

* birthday parties . . .

* . . . especially when they are in honor of our cousin and niece.

*our cousin's toys.

* a daddy that doesn't flinch at getting in the bouncy house right alongside the little ones.

What is making your heart sing lately?

Things We Do With Gram

Ryan's folks journeyed all the way from North Carolina to visit us last week. They had a wonderful and joyous time with Rylie and they like to let us know that Ryan and I are not half bad either. They make it out here at least once per year and we try our darndest to get East as well. This visit felt different and like we had reached an important marker, as Rylie really took to them. She was eager to leave me behind and head off to the park with them all by herself. This is the first time they were solo with her. During our visit this past summer at Lake Winola, Rylie was at the height of separation anxiety, cutting teeth and in the midst of a 2 week vacation away from home - a lot to handle for her at 12 months old. During that trip she did not want Ryan and I out of her sight. But this visit, this visit brought many delights.

Grandma Scott arrived with handmade goodies for Rylie's dollies.

and she came with crayons (she really knows the straightest route to Rylie's heart!)

There was drawing to be done . . .

and music to be made . . .

and stories to be read.

And when you are learning the concept of balance, who is a more patient assistant than Grams?

The role of grandparents in Rylie's life has increasingly been on my mind lately. I was extremely close with my own Grandma growing up, we spent countless days together coloring, playing games, cooking. It was valuable for me to have a close relationship with someone so wise and experienced and I want that for Rylie too. Still, not a day goes by that I am not reminded in even the smallest ways of my Gram. She was a very special person in my life. As was my G-Pa.

To watch Rylie bond in this way with her Grandparents was such a treat, and with the help of Skype, I know that she will remember them the next time. Ryan's brother and family live out here too, and I know that it is hard on the Grandparents to be so far away from all of us. As it is now, we have to travel great distances to get to each other. Ryan's folks are in Coastal North Carolina and my family is in West Michigan. Not easy trips in any direction. It is a struggle and one that we talk about a lot. Until we figure it all out, we cherish and relish in these visits and enjoy every last little bit becasue they are too few and much too far between.

Thanks for the visit Grandma and Grandpa Scott! We miss you already.

A Soulful Weekend

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it here before, but my family and I dedicate one weekend a month to what we call Soul Weekend. The only rule for Soul Weekend is that there are no plans made in advance. We do what comes natural and at our own pace. We listen to, and assess, our individual needs and we go from there. We started Soul Weekending when we noticed with increased frequency that life was just zipping right past and large chunks of time just seemed to disappear. I have to admit that I experience a fair deal of anxiety when well meaning friends, relatives, strangers even, see that we are new parents and let us know that kids grow up fast. They urge us to really make sure we enjoy every minute. We do our best to live in each moment and to be fully present, aware, open. But we wanted to be even more intentional and deliberate about it and that spurred the advent of Soul Weekend. I was inspired while reading this book in which the author talks about clearing the calendar and halting activities outside the house when his children come down with what he calls a soul fever. The way he defines a soul fever is essentially not feeling your best on an emotional level.

Our Soul Weekends have quickly become very special and highly anticipated around here. After finishing a major project on Thursday, Ryan took Friday off work and we decided to dedicate all three days as a Soul Weekend mostly because we did not take one in December. And then something magnificent happened. When Ryan got home on Thursday, he realized that he also had Monday off for the holiday! We were blessed and pleasantly surprised with four days. Heaven sent, I tell you.

So here is what we did. On Friday, Ryan made breakfast tacos and we putzed around the house. We had lunch in Hollywood and a delicious cup of coffee here. While we were there, we put some Christmas gift cards to good use and bought a single ceramic filter to make pour over coffee at home. Some mornings you just can not commit to an entire pot in the Chemex. Later we went to Menchies and kicked around a ball in a nearby park. For dinner we ordered Thai and watched Fantastic Mr. Fox. I finished knitting Rylie's sweater and dug right in with the seaming.

On Saturday we worked on individual projects the whole day. I'll show you mine tomorrow. We took a stroll around the neighborhood after dark which is so fun to do sometimes to change things up.

On Sunday we went to the Long Beach Flea Market and I bought all kinds of fun little gadgets for some upcoming art projects that I have planned for Rylie and I. On the way home, we discovered a whole new pocket of our town that we never realized existed, it was thrilling and we schemed up ways in which we could move into the new (to us) neighborhood. Later on, after Rylie was asleep, Ryan and I played game after game of Yahtzee, maybe seven in total. It has been so long since we pulled that game out.

And today, we went out for breakfast at a great little dive-y diner called Dinah's. Afterwards, it was such a pretty day that we headed for the beach and walked out on the rocks (I'd never done that before and that is what Soul Weekend is all about). After that we took a ride up the PCH through Malibu while Rylie snoozed in the car. We stopped at a little organic farm nestled next to the Ocean and bought some of our favorite balsamic lemonade. We stopped for snacks at a tiny Mexican cantina. This is the same place we went on the day were engaged, remember that? At this point you may be thinking that Soul Weekend sounds a lot like food weekend, and you would be right.

It has been a wonderful four days and much needed after all of the activity of the holidays and then several days (weeks) of all of us being sick. It is pure bliss - no schedule, no time constraints - just being. As our hearts dictate. At the end of Soul Weekend Ryan always asks; when do we get to have our soul life? We're working on it - we are working on it.

He Makes Things

My husband, Ryan, is undeniably creative. He writes for a living. I knew all about his quick wit and brilliant mind long ago when I first fell for him. What I did not know about him, and what he surprised me with this Christmas, is that his creativity is not limited to the written word. He makes things! With his hands and from his heart.

He mentioned to me early on in the seasonal hubbub that there was a challenge on zenhabits to not buy any new gifts for the holidays. It struck a chord in him and he decided to make the commitment. All of his gifts to Rylie and I were either handmade by him, vintage or upcycled pieces made by independent craftspeople and artists.

I knew that he was working on this ukulele for Rylie. He had been gifted the kit last year for Christmas from a friend. Isn't it adorable? He even painted her name on it. See it on the headstock? While he had me believe that the uke was a real bear of a project (he'd come in cursing up a storm every night) he was actually done with it much earlier than I knew. Instead, after the uke was finished, he was building me these amazing bird feeders. One for seed and one for water. He used this tutorial.

He found the plates on the tops at a local thrift store and I think they are perfect in this application. They are so pretty and rustic. I love them so. We hung them in a perfect spot just outside the kitchen window. As if these two bird feeders were not enough, he made me this chalkboard, too.

You can see a little corner of my desk poking in on the bottom left. It matchers perfectly! The wonderful story here, is that the same day we bought this door, we bought a few windows as well. I made the door into the dining room table long ago, but the windows have been in the garage for years now. We even contemplated selling them during our yard sale we had last spring, but Ryan was inspired to reuse them, so back into storage they went. I am so glad that we decided that they were keepers, because the chalkboard is beautiful. I'm going to use it to write down tasks that need attention because getting organized is what the new year is all about. I love, LOVE it!

To see a man who usually sticks to the cerebral side, roll up his sleeves and get to work with his hands is downright inspiring. Every night he'd come home from the office, we'd eat dinner, shuffle through the Rylie bed routine, and philosophize over the dirty dishes. Then - after all of that - he would head to the fridge, grab a beer and tell me that he was going out to the garage to "Man Off." Somewhere around 1 a.m. he would climb into bed. He was burning the candle at both ends for several weeks, just for us, and for something he believes to be important. Rylie and I are feeling quite blessed right about now.

So Many Moments

Ahhh... it feels nice to take a breath. The month of December is, by tradition, a busy one. All of the wrapping and giving, the cooking and baking, the planning and gathering, the decorating and general merry making has filled our days around here. The past week has been overflowing with extraordinary and beautiful moments. I am savoring this time now - this time to slow down and see, to feel and experience these magical days.

Part of what I love about this time of year is how everyone is given license to give a little more, to open up a little more, there is an excuse to soften. We were out on a neighborhood jaunt yesterday because it was 80 degrees and sunny. There was a little girl of about six on a perfect new bike with hot pink training wheels. She waved at us and I told her I loved her bike, and asked if it was new, she said yes. As we passed her parents they were grinning from ear to ear and wished us a Merry Christmas. People really are jolly during this week in December, aren't they?

Rylie has had wonderful fun this year tearing all of the wrapping from her presents. That is still certainly the best part for her. With her advent bounty, she has opened a gift every day this month. I wonder what she will think come January. She seems to be growing in front of our eyes. She sprouts hair overnight, I think, and she was chasing her four-year-old cousin around this afternoon, intent on learning to run.

As much fun and full these last few days have been, I am looking forward to the quiet moments that are part of the week in between Christmas and New Year's. The world seems to be at least half shut down, definitely not at full operating capacity. Ryan is off work, and for a few days, we do not have plans. I am anxious to resume knitting this sweater for Rylie, to do a bit of reading, and to take it slow. You know you've been busy when you look forward to doing the laundry. But for now I am sitting, remembering all of the season's wonderful moments, and feeling incredibly blessed.

'Tis the Season

I have never in my life been so prepared for Christmas. Really! It feels great. Sure I still have things to do, but if you could rewind and see me on December 20th in years previous, you'd find a much less calm me walking running around. I attribute it to a few things like starting my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. I've never done that before. I ordered everything online and have only been to Target twice, once for scotch tape and yesterday for Rylie's Mary Janes. I have set the intention of a peaceful holiday season, and stuck with it day in and day out. I think it is a worthy goal for the New Year, too!

Approaching this time of year with a sense of quiet calm, has allowed space for some very wonderful moments to happen.

* We have taken several walks through the neighborhood to see all of the festive and inspired decorations.

* We made our Christmas cards by hand. Something I've always wanted to do, but is usually the first thing to get cut off the list when time is running short.

* There have been plenty of delighted surprises as we've made a sizeable dent in the Advent Bonanza.

*We've wrapped most of the presents and reflected on how it is so much of a nicer experience when not done in the wee hours of Christmas morning.

* We've watched a Christmas movie or two with a hot mug of cocoa complete with whipped cream, sprinkles, and yes, even a splash of Kahlua.

* We have enjoyed an abundance of treats that have come through the door, and have sent out an equally abundant amount of treats to friends and loved ones.

* We had a laugh at Rylie's confusion over all of the fabric and layers that comprise her Christmas best.

* We've made a huge mess of the whole place. But the best kind of mess, the mess of making!

We are headed out to meet Santa tonight and to pick up a few last minute things. Last year, we gifted this book to Rylie and want to continue the tradition of picking out a Christmas or seasonal story for her each year. Maybe this one. And last, but not least, I need to make Rylie's stocking. She points to our stockings and says, sosh, her word for sock, every time she walks by them. Must get busy now and make her one of her own.

How about you? Are you feeling ready?

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last Friday Ryan came home from work early with 2 banh mi sandwiches and a cup of roasted red pepper and gouda soup to share. The afternoon was cold and gray and his lunch offering hit the spot. Afterwards, we thought it the perfect time to go pick out our Christmas tree. So we three jumped in the car and were off. We had to stop to get cash to tip the nice men that would help us strap that 7-foot-tall, needle-y tree to our car. And of course we picked up some hot chocolate too.

The tree lot was quiet that time of day so early in the season. It was just us. What kind of tree should we get? Noble fir? Yes. Stiff braches and soft needles that is what we need. In years past we have had trees with softer branches that sink under the weight of our heaviest ornaments. We have effectively learned our lesson on that. It seems we get better at Christmas each year. Live. Learn. It is all a process, even for fun things like Christmas! Rylie stared up at those big trees with wide wondering eyes, just silent for a while. Studying them. And then, with a start, she tore through the aisles, tree after tree, and let us know her favorite.

Once home, the holiday play list was in full swing. Some of my favorite music this year has been mellow instrumentals. Think Vince Guaraldi on the Charlie Brown soundtrack. I've discovered the Eddie Higgins Trio thanks to Pandora. The holiday album from Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is so imaginative and playful, too. Ryan put togther a pretty ecclectic playlist that is old time-y and includes some organ tunes that remind me of going to candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve.

We pulled out the Christmas boxes, and though we have had this stuff for years now, it all seemed brand new after being away for so long. There are always a few surprises, isn't there? Like when you get all of the lights strung in the tree and then discover the whole string is not working. How could we have forgotten that after last year? And why did we put the lights back into storage if they were broken? Good questions, indeed. But there are also the tender, sweet moments like when I pull out the stockings that Ryan made for our first Christmas together. We were not living in the same state at the time and I was coming out to spend Christmas at his place. He went to Michael's and bought a couple of felt stockings and glitter puff paint and wrote our nicknames for each other at the top of each one. I will keep those forever. And then there are the ornaments. We pulled out Rylie's first Christmas ornaments from last year for the very first time and it choked me up a bit to think that this is already her second Christmas. It is sure to be a fun one if the advent hijinks are any indication. She just loves ripping that paper from the boxes.

Rylie helped us decorate the tree. She loves to take off the ornaments that she can reach and hand them to us, shouting "Ball! Ball!" We say, "Yes, ball. Thank you." as we place it back on the branch. This goes on for sometime. She never tires. The other morning she took off all of the ornaments that she could reach and lined them up in the windowsill.

My heart is in a constant swell over here. The white lights lend a warm, cozy glow and I am compelled to stay in my jammies and knit. Or at night, play board games and spike my hot chocolate with a bit of kaluha. That's what these lights do to me, I tell ya.