A retreat we hope to repeat

Why does it seem like Fall is running too fast for me to catch up?  The trees, gorgeously green not a few weeks ago, have suddenly popped with colour.  I even see trees without leaves already.  Oh Fall, please slow down for just a moment or too!  I'd like to admire and revel in your blazing beauty before you burn out.  

We had a lovely 4 day retreat at the Dormition Monastery in Michigan this past weekend.  The children unfolded like flowers with the nuns.  In fact, as I recall, they followed them around like little chicks trailing a mother hen.  It veritably warmed my soul to behold!  Our time there was full.  Walks in the forest.  Picking eggs from the flock of chickens.  Helping nuns with their work.  Playing in the grass.  Watching the kids soak up the love each nun showered on them.  Absorbing the words in each hymn during service and letting them sink into our souls.  Meeting new people and seeing old friends.  Each day found us more uplifted, more hopeful.  

The crowing moment was when our children informed us that they didn't want to leave.  Ever.  A sentiment we share despite our return home.  And so, today, when both M and J reiterated their desire to return to Michigan, D and I started looking to the calendar for another visit...

Before I close this post, I just remembered that I was asked to share my recipe for granola.  I believe I mentioned a vague template before, but I shall oblige with proper measurements this time.  :o)  

This recipe makes a few jars worth of granola, so feel free to downsize if you like.  It doesn't last too long in our house.  We enjoy it atop yogurt, or drowned in milk, or even on its own.  It can be tweaked according to taste, so you can add/subtract nuts or dried fruit or whatever you like.  Cheers!

MAPLE GRANOLA

3 cups oats

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup pecans

1/3 cup walnuts

1/2 cup almonds

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined.  Place on one or two large aluminum foil lined baking trays.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 18 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool before breaking up.  Store in airtight jars.  Keeps well for months... if it ever lasts that long for you!  :o)

Tidbits

There was a time where the only difference between weekdays and weekends was that D was home and not at work.  Now, M is away too for the former.  My little boy.  My baby still in so many ways.  I miss him so much!  I treasure our night-time cuddles.  

And now, the weekend has arrived.  Praise be!  More time together!  So many possibilities.  I'm leaning towards apple-picking and I think he is too.  But it's supposed to rain.  Oh well, a little rain never hurt anyone. 

On a completely unrelated topic: this is a picture of granola prior to baking.  It is positively delectable and I highly recommend it.  Of course, like so many great recipes, this one is not really measured.  More like a recipe that you have to "feel".  It goes something like this though: oats, chopped pecans, chopped almonds (sometimes I sub in walnuts), a small scoop of brown sugar, a dash of maple syrup, a generous glug of sunflower oil, a little trip to the oven for 18 minutes and presto!  Granola that would make a bowl of Greek yogurt with berries weep for joy.  

Anyhow.  I'd like to leave behind a few ideas and tasty tidbits.  As if my to-do/project list needed any more additions.  A girl can dream...

• These little wands are a perfect Christmas gift for J, who's into all things dress-up.  M would probably get a kick out of them too... though he'd likely use it for a sword.  That boy.  He turns everything he plays with into a weapon of some sort.  *sigh*
• It is apple season.  I can't think of a more worthy offering than pie.  This pie to be specific.  I am itching to take the kids apple picking this weekend.  If that happens, you KNOW this pie will be coming out of my oven!  And of course, apple butter.  My crock pot will be busy, that's for sure.  
• Speaking of fall goodness, this mouthwatering gratin is my idea of dinner!  Boo-ya veggies.  
•  If I didn't have a laundry basket's worth of crocheting waiting for me, I'd be working on this right now.  Such a beautiful vest.  
• I cannot imagine a more perfect gift for M than this.  Christmas?  Next birthday?  Who knows!

A headless chicken

I feel rather like a headless chicken these days.  I just can't seem to get myself organized enough to sit and paint.  I've been dying to do a few watercolours, especially as Fall explodes around me.  But then J has a little accident, or S wants to be fed, or M needs to be picked up from school.  Not to mention the state of my bathrooms, the fact that my floors have not been washed yet (I really need to get on that!), nor the fact that meals tend to be rather primitive for the most part (sandwiches anyone?).  Fingers crossed that meatloaf makes the menu tomorrow.

I wanted to share this segment of a short story by Michael O'Brien.  It really resonates with me in so many ways. 

She told me once that people have changed a lot since she was a young woman. It’s true. We are different. We rush through our lives trying to get it all in, trying to get too many things done too fast. And as a result we make hasty decisions. We do not appreciate things very much. We are seldom grateful. We work and play and shop and “have liturgies” on the run. We cook and eat on the run. We consume news and entertainment and education on the run. We “improve” our minds on the run. We strain toward some elusive concept of “success” on the run. We settle for junk food, mass-produced filler that looks and smells and even tastes like food. We rarely choose to make a thing slowly and carefully with passionate love for its meaning. We have developed the habit of doing many things poorly, rather than a few things well. Is it really possible to think clearly in such a state? Is it possible to listen? 

For me, I cannot.  I cannot think or listen clearly, and so I love that being at home with my children has slowed life down in such a way as to live each moment as it comes with purposeful joy.  Yes, sometimes my attention is asked (nay demanded!) 3 different ways at the same time, but it is not a mindless, quick-paced, do-it-all environment.  We choose what to do each day and hope for the time to finish what we start.  It doesn't always get done, and I'm ok with that.  I've had tons of unpeeled garlic cloves sitting on my counter for the past 4 days now - it needs to be chopped up and frozen.  But reading with J, or going to the park is so much more important to me and to them.  I lament now that M has started school, it subtracts from our time together in this slow and comfortable manner.  As a friend very wisely predicted, my time is largely spent in the late afternoons and evenings on activities that quiet, calm and re-centre my darling son.  It is fun for us to bond over Lego, blocks, books, or those wonderful Thomas the Tank Engine audio books.  We both need that time, I think.  It is our way to connect, to remember home, to quiet our spirits.

So, I believe I have a load of laundry that needs to be turned over.  And a pillow that is calling out to me in irresistible tones.  Good night and sweet dreams... (ooo, and thanks D for the delicious melted cheese sandwich you just brought me!)

Bits and pieces

In the interest of falafel and lasagna making, we've given our parsley another haircut.  This is cut #2 since we've moved to the condo and it's pretty exciting for us.  It's a foretaste of my "never having to buy parsley again" excitement - that which a real garden entails.  

We've been having a lot of excitement this past week.  M started school on Monday and we have been adjusting to a new rhythm.  I can remember how terribly disconcerting it is to be thrown into a new situation and left to swim.  My heart swells for this boy of mine.  So brave, so sweet, so eager to please everyone in his own way.  I miss him every moment he's not here.  Even little J feels his absence.  I've caught her calling him on her pretend phone at least twice already.  That was aside from the tears on day 1 when we left the school without her big brother.  Little ones.  They tug at your heart strings in so many ways.

In consideration of each of us and the new adjustments we've been dealing with, I've been taking things very slowly this week.  Lots of snuggles, reading books together, quiet morning conversations, a bit of crocheting before bed...

I thought I'd just share random bits of happiness that have passed my way this past little while.  

• Love this fox by one of my favourite knitters.  She is so talented and her creations are just full of that special homemade touch of sweetness.
• A great farm nearby that we're hoping to visit this season.  
• Chocolate is great with just about everything.  Case in point.  
• This recipe looks absolutely perfect to try out for the gluten-intolerant darlings in our lives.  Got my chickpea flour ground up and ready to boot.  :o)
• Our library cards have already started heating up with several visits in the past two weeks.  I am so grateful for those libraries with kid friendly sections.  Ours is particularly fun for the monkeys.  If you're in the area and you've never checked it out, I heartily recommend you do!
• I feel like Stephanie is living something resembling my dream life.  Such colourful garden produce and such gorgeous projects.  *sigh*
• If I have my way, this is what my weekend will be spent doing.  

 Hope your weekend is restful and rejuvenating.  À la prochaine...

I am thankful

I often experience times where I am calm inside and able watch the things going around around me with a sense of wonder and thankfulness.  I am so thankful for those times and I love looking back on them afterwards too.  It helps ground me when the days are not so full of sunshine.  This past weekend was one of those times.  It was just an ordinary Monday that we spent in a park barbecuing chicken.  And I am thankful we did.  

I am thankful for little crab apple trees with branches low enough for children to climb and look around at the world from a new perspective.

I am thankful for sweet little hands to help us in our daily tasks.  I am thankful for the way they make everything seem new and exciting - even if it's only heating up charcoal.

I am thankful that we had such delicious food to full our bellies, and lots of scope for our eyes to feast on while eating.  

And I am especially thankful that spending a day in the fresh air makes kids sleep so well at night.  :o)