this week in a moment

[a friday ritual: the week captured in a single moment to pause and remember always. something that made us smile, reflect, love more fully]...inspired by soulemama.

Nurture

The City Market is back, and my heart is happy.

Nay, it is more than happy - it is full of hope. I realize that sounds a bit dramatic, and I am the first to acknowledge my more than intermittent flares toward the arts, but I really, really, really love the Market. Sure, I love the City Market, but I love the Market at large - it symbolizes all that I aspire to: community, health, justice, sustainability, deliciousness, and, I think, is the answer to many of our ills (well summarized by Mr. Pollan here). It is good to be back.

This weekend, then, was well suited for some food adventures.

Kedzie, touting his Lebanese heritage, took hold of his first dolma (a pickled, stuffed grape leaf) and  mowed through it like a table saw.

Nicole, with market-fresh asparagus in hand, crafted a tart with Filo, potatoes and cheese. Jamie Oliver  supplied the recipe (if you didn't get a chance to catch his Revolution, please try; it will remind you that there are still earnest, creative people working for good. At the very least, think about signing the petition). 

The picture of the tart was poorly lit and censored, but it was delicious. 

And, we have been in the garden. A lot. I stumbled over something I wrote in my journal last year, and it is as true, probably more so in fact, today:

That is why I want to love gardening so much - it is an outward expression of how I want to be. Every season is new, full of promise and possibility. With patience and nurturing, life unfolds and lives boldly. 

So, here's to living with patience and nurturing - the boldly will come on its own.

this week in a moment

[a friday ritual: the week captured in a single moment to pause and remember always. something that made us smile, reflect, love more fully]...inspired by soulemama.

spring has sprung.

We have been amiss lately...here's why!

We've finally begun planting our herb/strawberry/flower garden above the deck retaining wall. It is lovely. I can't help but think of my grandparents every time I smell, eat, touch, see an herb. It feels so right to have this garden be a reminder of them.

I don't think we ever posted finished pics of the deck. Here's a couple views. It's probably more square footage than roughly 1/2 of the inside of the house.

Kedzie has fallen off this corner twice now...both much more traumatic for his parents. He's fine, but we have a friend coming over tonight to discuss a small railing and gate. We were trying to avoid that...but with Kedzie and another on the way...probably better safe than sorry. Oh, and the pile of dirt on the left is not finished or planted yet. We're hoping to terrace it with dry stacked stones. We're not sure if it's in the budget this year or not. Probably not.

Sandbox in all its glory. We love it.

Sam even built some steps...so cute. Our neighbor came over and said "that is a Rule sandbox." Compliment I think.

Finally hung up Kedzie's swing. He and the neighbor love it already. Don't mind the mess in the back of the picture. Old compost pile that Sam is currently working on building bins for.

Our cherry tree we planted a couple years ago. I'm hoping for cherries this year.

Blueberry flowers..aren't they lovely?

My sweet boy. I can't believe how old he's getting. Closer and closer to being a big brother!

Hope your spring has been lovely so far.

N.

the little bunnies

yesterday was the 10th anniversary of hickory nut gap farm...a local farm we've been supporting for 5 years now. we get most of our meat there: chickens, beef, pork, and turkey for thanksgiving. (lamb comes from east fork farm). we went out to hickory nut gap yesterday and enjoyed time gawking at the horses, pigs and baby chicks and dancing to the old time mountain music.

afterwards we headed to two spoons for their grand re-opening...if you live in west asheville and you like ice-cream...the season is upon us.

this morning kedzie woke up (too early I might add) to this easter basket. My inspiration came from here.

the basket innards were either from the goodwill clearance store...all for $6 or homemade like these little guys. there's one for each cousin at easter dinner tonight.

sam also made one of these but i couldn't get a good picture of it...it doesn't like to stand up. the only candy i could bring myself to give a 16 month old was this...they're mighty tasty if i might add.

happy easter all.

n.

this week in a moment

[the week captured in a single moment to pause and remember always. something that made us smile, reflect, love more fully]...inspired by soulemama.

Sandbox in progress.