Then and Now.

Ten years ago I was in my second year of college. Staying up all night and rarely going to class. Living in the first of many rental houses. Sleeping off hangovers and eating frozen pizza on the kitchen floor with my roommates.

Today, I am married with two children. We own a house, a dog and a mini van. I am up all night with a baby who thinks sleeping through the night is overrated.


Ten years ago I woke up late and ran out the door for class, American Lit II.


Today, I woke up early, got myself ready and then the girls, and raced out the door for the first day of Sunday school.

Ten years ago I heard a guy on the radio say that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. I thought he was joking.


Today, I didn't hear the guy on the radio talking because I was too busy answering the million questions a three year old can throw at you in a 9 minute car ride.


Ten years ago I walked into my classroom and the buzz of conversation. Plane crash, attack, New York City, terrorist were all I could make out. Chaos ensued as we gathered around the nearest TV.



Today, I walked into a classroom and the buzz of preschoolers, singing and snack. A different kind of chaos ensued.


Ten years ago my heart raced and my stomach sank as I watched the footage of the plane crashes and realized it was not a joke.


Today, my heart swelled with pride as I watched my girls play with their friends and sing songs of love.



Ten years ago I started to panic as I realized my mom was in New York City. And there was a plane crash. An attack. And I didn't know where she was.


Today, I calmed my panicking three year old and told her that yes, Grandma would love to walk to the coffee shop with us later this week and no, she won't be at the cabin forever.



Ten years ago I hit redial over and over and over again, willing my mom to answer her cell phone. Panicking a little more whenever my phone rang and it wasn't her. When she finally called me later that morning to tell me she was ok (and across the river in Newark for business training), I sat down and cried tears of relief. 

Today, I plan on calling my mom to tell her I am thinking of her but first I have to put someone down for nap,start a load of laundry and make lunch. If I don't get to it today, I know I can tomorrow.


I cry tears of sadness as I think back on that horrific day. But I also cry tears of gratitude. I was lucky. I received an "I'm ok" phone call. Thinking of all the people who didn't and never would, breaks my heart.

While I am different person now than I was ten years ago, I will never forget the thoughts, feelings and horror of September 11, 2001. 

Yes, I am alive.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I am a horrible blogger. I don't know what happens. I sit down to write a post and then I get distracted. Or hungry. Or someone needs a snack (and yes, that someone is often times me). Or I am feeling uninspired. Or I end up wasting precious double nap time (extremely rare these days) watching pointless (but HILARIOUS) youtube videos. Like this:

Seriously people. That video never gets old. Never.

And this. This girl is adorable. And she's got Star Wars down pat.

Anyway, back to blogging. Or the lack thereof.  It happens. Sorry.

This week's CSA crate was chock full of beautiful veggies. Tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), potatoes, three different kinds of beans, peas, squash, cucumbers and greens. Our patience has paid off and we now have veggies coming out of our ears. Love it!

We've been making lots of salads with fresh greens and veggies, sauteing and grilling squash and potatoes and eating beans and peas raw. Olive proclaimed today "I love beans. The purple ones make my tongue feel happy". And I have to say, I agree!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekly CSA Love. Or not.

Due to poor harvestable options, we will not be getting our weekly CSA delivery today. Boo. Last week we received a small batch of lettuce, green onions and some more of those beautiful, scrumptious strawberries.

While this is disappointing, it is a risk you take when signing up. I can't imagine how frustrating and disappointing it is for the farmers. We'll keep our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and the crops begin to flourish.

I know that bountiful baskets of goodness are in our future!

(CSA love from 2010) 

Weekly CSA Love

We got our first CSA delivery last week. Unfortunately we also had a pretty sick and miserable three year old on our hands so I forgot to tell you about it. It was a pretty slim box, salad greens and a few green onions.

But this week, THIS week, there were...

 Strawberries!

I love our CSA. Love it.

Especially when they deliver beautiful strawberries like these. So big, juicy and flavorful.

We also got:

• Kale: Rainbow Lacinato
• Salad Greens: Ruby Red Lettuce
• Green Onions
• Strawberry Rhubarb
• Fresh Mint

Yum, yum!

Here are a few recipes I am thinking of trying with this week's bounty:

Sour Cream and Onion Kale Chips
Kale Salad
Minty Ice Cubes
Place 1-3 mint leaves in each cell of an ice cube tray. Fill with cold water and freeze. Or if you want a stronger mint flavor, fill with boiling water. Let cool and then freeze. Makes a nice minty addition to water, lemonade, ice tea or adult beverages. ;)

And of course lots of salads! Maybe with homemade Strawberry Balsamic Dressing. Oh who am I kidding, those strawberries will be gone before the morning! 

All we need now is some Bob Marley and brownies.

Penny loves her shrooms.

Barley and Mushrooms that is. 

This recipe was a fan favorite with Olive as well. And mine too. I looove it. Even Chris, who doesn't really care for mushrooms, likes it.

And it's pretty quick and easy to throw together. Bonus!

If you have a little one who is ready to try something a bit more substantial (or a grown up who wants to try something amazingly good), give this recipe a whirl. It makes a great side dish! 

Enjoy! 

Wow.

Long time no blog! Blogger was being beastly and then life just kind of got in the way. Sorry about that.

Big doings going on in this part of the internet. 

Olive celebrated birthday number 3. 

 (Favorite gift? A nightgown. Clearly she is not my child.)

We had several small celebrations with different family groups. Fun was had and cake was eaten. Good times.

My dad got a new lung. Wait, let me say that again. MY DAD GOT A NEW LUNG!! How freaking cool is that?! We are beyond happy and so excited at what this means for him (and us).  Sorry no pictures. Everything went well and he feels great though!

Penny sprouted a tooth.

And then another. And is working on another. She likes to bite me with said teeth. It's tons of fun. She also hit 9 and 10 months. Which means she will be one in less than two months. *sob*

Let's see what else. Golf season is in full swing which means we see less of Chris. But that also means summer is upon us and we can be outside all day long! Yay! 

What was that? 

Hasn't it been cold and rainy here? High in the 40s? Gale force winds? Torrential down pours?

Oh yes, that's right. I must have blocked the last few weeks from my memory. It's always sunny and 70 in my mind. Or maybe that's San Diego...

Let's just say we've been playing a lot of Candy Land lately. A LOT. 

 

(Notice the nightgown. She wears it 24/7.)

Which I am ok with. Actually, I kind of like it. I mean, who wouldn't want to go to the Candy Castle? King Kandy is kind of kute.

Clearly the recent bout of being stuck inside has left me delusional.

I think that's about it. So really, even though I haven't posted in over a month, I still don't have much to say. Huh.  Clearly, I need a life.

OH! I ran a 5k! 

I know! I am as surprised as you are.

It was a midnight 5k and although I was slower than molasses in January (or June with the weather we've had) it was a blast. It was a beautiful night (we were actually hot!) and there was a sprinkling of spectators along the way. I ran it with one of my BFF's and she didn't complain one bit when I slowed her down.

She was great at keeping me motivated.  Heck at one point she even smacked me in the butt to get me moving. I liked it. We're planning on doing it again next year. And looking into other 5k's to do this summer. 

I am still rocking my FitBit everyday. I love this little gadget more than I care to admit. I forgot to wear it a few weeks ago when I went out of town and I was heartbroken over the lost steps. Ok, not heartbroken but I was pretty bummed. If you like stats and/or need a motivator to get moving, FitBit is for you. So go get one and then we can be FitBit friends and compete against each other. Nothing like a little friendly competition to get your ass off the couch! (And no, I am in no way shape or form associated with FitBit. I just really like it!)

Well, I think that's it for now. What have you been up to my dear readers? Fill me in!

Hope all is well!