Gypsy Forest

just stopping by......

to say hello

miss you all

life is busy with family visiting.....

and a handful of giggles and squealing with two 3-ish wee ones in the house.....

but this gator was just so photogenic.....

so I had to share.....

see you all soon

xoxo

~the gypsymama

   

    

       

     

        

One Small Change - February

Since we're working on reducing our waste for One Small Change, composting was just the next step. And so, the composting begins.... or more accurately resumes....

We had a lovely compost pile back in Wisconsin.... our chickens regularly ate from it like it was a buffet. But here in suburbia I'm thinking the neighbors are not going to appreciate a "food dump" attracting bugs and critters in the neighboring yard..... though once I left our compost heap for about 3 weeks and came back to the most delicious buttercup squash growing out of it.... Plus, our yard is really small too. So we've got to either build one or buy one. Until we make that decision, the compost will be kept in an old garbage can that came with the house. 

We're doing some research and thinking of this endeavor as a forever project. Which is why we are considering a contained barrel type composter. Something we know we can take with us in 3 years when we move. Of course a composter made of garbage cans can just as easily be taken along, but the ease of those composters that can be used continually, no need to let them sit & start a new one, really have me dreaming. Some plans to build your own in the backyard and an article on kids & composting were both pretty inspiring. I  had been thinking of this project as purely environmental, but as Waldorf inspired homeschoolers I realized this is a perfect natural hands on experience for our family. I was reminded of this experience approach to science last night while listening to this. (Waldorf is still new to me, so I have loved listening to these series!)

Has anyone started their own compost? We'd love to hear what's worked for you!

     

One Small Change - Recycling

So how did it go? This Recycling business??

We did not find any place to recycle glass in southern Louisiana. Big bummer, but I'm not ready to jump on the plastic bandwagon either, so I'm sticking with the less packaging is better rule of thumb. Keeping plastic to a bare minimum is very important to us. 

So what do we buy in glass?

wine

beer

oil

jam

salsa

peanut butter

condiments

   

We DID reduce our garbage by nearly half. (yeah!)

This was only partially due to recycling. After seeing the hassle recycling would be for us....

1. The local bin gets filled with garbage, so we have to drive 45 minutes to really recycle.

2. Glass recycling was not an option.

I remembered a song sung by Jack Johnson my kids sing. Reduce Reuse Recycle. Ahhhh, yes..... the recycling comes last. First Reduce. Then Reuse. Then recycle. Don't even get me going on the possibility of where those recycled items really might end up. It makes me cringe to think they just get dumped, but since that is a huge possibility, it makes those first two "R's" all the more important. Remembering those R's in that order, made our garbage can fill up half as often. Of course this creates one smelly little problem. Kitchen scraps. A problem which will only get worse in the upcoming warm months when the house is a balmy 75-80 degrees. So that leads us to our next One Small Change...... COMPOSTING. More on that tomorrow........

Back to the glass, a lot of those jars are being reused for storage. We are consciously purchasing jar shapes that can be easily reused. Some are being saved for gift giving next year.... the peanut butter jars in particular are perfect for gifting edible treats to friends. Be it chai tea, peppermint bark or soup mixes. Our olive oil is now being purchased in a huge metal jug that can be recycled. I plan to start buying frozen berries (when we can't pick our own) to make our jam with and mixing up our own ketchup & salad dressings to reduce the glass waste as much as possible. A mindful work in progress.

What about the wine and beer? Well, back in November we started saving the glass bottles and we've decided that we're only drinking our own. Joe's got a chardonnay and syrah in the processs right now, and also a delicious hoppy pale ale of some sort. Not being able to recycle glass was just the kick my dear man needed to get back in to his favorite hobby. Rumor has it there's even an amber in the works for an upcoming wedding. I think Joe's moonshine hobby is going to start taking over every closet in the house before we know it! But those of you who wander this way to visit will be sipping homemade sangria in the sun with oranges and lemons fresh from the backyard. 

Simple living really is better.

   

In his Nest

It's about this time we begin to coax our littles to bed on their own. Somewhere around age three this transition takes place where we begin to leave before the sleep begins. This of course means endless visits in to the living room to say goodnight one more time and get another drink of water and help to go potty again.... and again......

But snuggled up in mama & daddy's bed with a pile of books pretty much does the trick.

First we read. 

Then we sit and breathe for minute - snugly bugs.

Then the mama or daddy gets up and leaves to go about the evening business.

Checking in every so often on the little drifting off to sleep........

This has worked like a charm with all of our kids.

But this little guy, known for going above and beyond.... 

has pulled out an extra stop.

He needs to build a nest.

This means he needs his pillow and all four of mama & daddy's pillows all around him with his pile of books at his feet. He love this. Adores it. 

This library book has gone to bed with him every night for the past month..... and it's due back. Out of Print. The Grumpus Under the Rug. Any chance one of you has this tucked away somewhere??

Oh my sweet boy, you are a funny one.

  

  

The Pirate

so often I see something my kids do and I think "I want to be that" 

with a set of pink wings and a hippie vest and a pirate hat

not caring one bit about anything but being in their own moment

I want to be completely in each of my own moments

completely authentic to my true self

no matter what anyone else's opinion is

even when I mix pink fairy wings with a wicked cool pirate hat...

  

 

  

he really is the coolest darn pirate I know!

 

Spin

I had not yet shared with you all the most amazing (and intimidating) Christmas gift from my husband.

A spinning wheel.

A beautiful little travel wheel called Joy, made by Ashford.

She sat for a few weeks.... looked at longingly by me because I really had no idea how to use her! No spinning classes in my neck of the woods were about to help things out either. I did try a bit..... but due to life and my not knowing a darn thing about spinning...... I spun something that resembled a chain of Q-tips.

I should have taken a picture for you.

Then I got an email from Amy letting me know a skein of handspun yarn I requested from her was waiting for me. I told her about my sad spinning wheel story and she said "come on over, I'm not a teacher, but I'll show you what I know". 

So I did.

And spinning is just as meditative as knitting. And my oh my is it ever fun to chat with a kindred spirit while you laugh at your mistakes. Thank you Amy!! 

She even gifted me with some hand-dyed fiber... which I have been working on... and it looks something like this......

   

  

   

  

   

So I've got one bobbin filled full of gorgeous hues of purple, greens and yellows. It is thick and thin and curly and I am working on loving it just the way it is. There is a whole process that comes after the filling of a bobbin, which I know nothing about..... but I'm sure that will come with time. Right now the few moments here and there that are filled with this spinning are leaving me relaxed and free of tension..... ahhhhhh.... it's a beautiful thing.

And in the spirit of embracing things for what they are, I was told those lumpy bumpy first spun yarns that aren't quite "knit-able" are perfect for making dryer balls.... who knew?

   

Monday Bites ~ Hummus

I love Hummus.

With garlic.

With Lemon.

With Red Peppers.

With Olives.

Served with fresh hot naan or crunchy vegetables or smeared on homemade bread topped with sprouts and tomatoes and avocado and whatever other vegetable I can find. When I eat hummus I know I am putting good fuel into my body. And when my kids scoop it up with veggies and bread and finish it off with a spoon.... I know they're fueling up on the good stuff too.

But being a family of six we just can't splurge on a 5 dollar plastic container of goodness that *might* last two snack times. So, we needed to make it. This is my favorite basic recipe. It is far superior made with beans you soak & cook yourself, and it's cheaper that way too. Not to mention you don't have a can to toss into the garbage.

    

Gypsy Family's Favorite Hummus::

2 cups cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans (or 1  14 ounce can)

3 TBSP sesame tahini (think peanut butter, but made with sesame seeds)

3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

2-3 TBSP lemon juice

1-2 cloves fresh garlic (the more the spicier!)

sea salt to taste

*puree all the above in your food processor/blender. Add a bit of water if it is too stiff to puree. If you like the creamy stuff at the grocery store add a tablespoon or two of yogurt. I always make the basic batch, take half out for the kids and then spice up the other half for us spice loving hummus people in the house.

Delicious things to add..... 

*kalamata olives

*roasted red peppers

*swap the lemon juice for lime & add a bit of chipotle powder or cumin

*balsamic vinegar

* toasted sesame oil

*fresh herbs, especially basil

Enjoy!

     

      

     

this week.....

peculiar....

it's just been a peculiar week....

I do like that word....

I haven't much to say today.... 

so I will just leave you with some photos from the week.

taken with my new camera lens (thank you honey xoxo)

journaling

  

for Joe

  

in progress :: craft hope

  

tree climber

    

my boy

  

off he goes.....  

   

    

Wishing you a wonderful weekend friends!

   

Grandma Sal's Cake

It is the cake I want every birthday.

Joe's Grandma Sal is no longer with us, but this cake still reminds us of her every time it is made. Chocolate & homemade whip cream...... what's not to love!?!

The original recipes was to bake a boxed chocolate cake. You can get them in the Health Food store and they don't have unpronouncable ingredients on the box. I know they have allergy free ones of all kinds too. We make the Chocolate cake from Moosewood Celebrates, it rocks!

Bake your cake, let it cool and slice the 2 layers in half so you have 4 layers.

Use all but 3 TBSP of a pint of heavy whipping cream to make fresh whipped cream. Add cocoa powder and a bit of sugar to taste. Vanilla and chocolate liquor are other good things to add. Frost the cake with this.

Mix the remaining 3 TBSP of heavy cream with about half a cup of chocolate chips. Melt and cool slightly so it is no longer piping hot but still pourable. Pour over the cake top.

Isn't that easy too? Well, unless you bake the cake from scratch like Joe did. It really is my most favorite ever. Especially since this year Joe mixed the chocolate ganache with Godiva Liquor to pour over our pieces.... oh my yumminess!  He was a pretty smart guy to serve this as dessert when he proposed to me :) That was the first time he ever made it, and you know what? It just keeps getting better.....

  

Birthday Flowers ~ What a treat :) Best of all, they were hand delivered by an adorable brown haired boy in Captain America Footsie pajamas!

   

 

Me, smiling at Mr Three singing me Happy Birthday.

All day he told me it was "our" birthday and yes let him blow out the candle.

   

The best cake ever......

   

From my Mama

  

One hard thing about being away from "home" is being away from my mom. She really is my best friend. And though it certainly isn't about the gifts, I just want to say it is so amazing to open a box of goodies from someone who knows you so well. Each item carefully wrapped in gorgeous fabric. Dark chocolate treats and my favorite coffee.  Danica's Habitat apron & napkins. Some new knitting & sewing books and a lovely necklace. Thanks Mama! I love you! I miss you more :) xoxo ~ me

Just for fun, here is the lovely proverb on my necklace::

May your life be like a wild flower....

Growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.

       

why thank you :)

thank you - thank you!

for the birthday wishes

they made my day even better

there are a lot of happy things piled on my plate today, so I just popped in to say "hello"

and let you know of some things that are inspiring me right now....

we deserve this from Heather ( I hope this is an all week thing!)

craft hope for Haiti (working on something, will share later this week!)

inside out e-course (loving this!)

take a look around you.... what is inspiring to you right now? 

go for it!