A messy kitchen

There is more dirt in my kitchen these days. Up until now I have taken for granted the bath food receives before being placed on the shelf at the supermarket. So when I first signed up for a weekly produce and egg delivery from a local CSA, I never considered how messy this endeavor could be. I now receive sandy strawberries and gritty cauliflower. And those beautiful eggs? Covered in bird waste. It's not glamorous but true.

My hands and counters have gotten quite dirty in this process. But it's a fair trade-off in my mind. The farmers don't wash the produce before delivering it to me, but the food is harvested by the farmers' hands and, within days, delivered straight into mine. I'm learning I can live the mess.

Self

Karis drew her first self-portrait the other day during art time at the library. The teacher placed mirrors in front of each child and instructed them to "draw what you see".

I was very skeptical at first, figuring this was kind of a lame, last minute exercise that 3-year-olds really couldn't grasp. Was I ever short-sighted in my thinking! I watched in amazement as Karis drew her first stick figure and recognizable object. A large (nearly perfect) circle for a head, two legs, eyes, ears, hair, and a few extra features I wouldn't have expected such as her forehead (in red) and a "little" stomach (the blue patch under the mouth).

To be honest, I felt guilty for doubting her abilities. Sometimes I think as a parent I am both the most and least qualified person to say what my child is capable of. Spending literally every waking hour with her makes me an expert in what she's capable of doing right now, but I think it also creates natural blind spots in my faith in her ability to handle the next step. I think it's an honestly-fought struggle and something I hear lots of parents battle within themselves.

One thing I know for sure is that I have insisted Karis show off the picture to everyone who's entered our home since then. And if I keep bragging at this rate, that large circle "head" is only going to get bigger.

Spring-like

The Japanese Magnolias in our neighbor's yard are in full bloom. For two weeks out of the year, the tree explodes with pink-ish lavender blooms all over. Matt and I aren't fans of this tree ordinarily, but we've just about agreed that these two weeks make up for the other boring fifty.

The water oaks are shedding their leaves, leaving piles of yellow leaves pooling in the street. Good neighbor Bob was out front yesterday sweeping up the leaves in piles and bagging them. I remarked to him on the backwardness of a tree losing it's leaves in the spring, and he informed me "the sap is rising and pushing out the old leaves to make room for the new."

This morning I noticed Miss Libby's potted geraniums and rabbit's foot fern have been put back out on the front steps in the wake of recent warmer weather. No sooner did I see that than I heard her lawn mower crank on and my eighty-six year old neighbor slowly pushing the shiny green machine down her driveway to the front yard. I waved to her as I put Karis in her car seat, and she waved back. When Karis asked who I waved to, I responded, "Miss Libby, my hero".

I like getting to know the seasonal calender of my neighborhood a little bit more every year.

Snapshot

This is how I want to remember these days...

I am busy, busy caring for Karis and her friend E (whom I watch full time). My house is littered with play clothes, blankets, toys, dolls, play dough, art supplies, snacks, a pack 'n play, puzzles, so on and so forth. I'm tired but I wouldn't have it any other way right now.

After a few years off, Matt is reentering the world of leading worship for church. His music stuff is scattered throughout the house, and Karis inevitably finds alternative uses for each item. His guitar case makes a fabulous "horse", for example.

Karis is growing in her affection and care for Keller. She can now fill Keller's dinner bowl, instruct her to sit, and then gives the "ok" command for Keller to begin eating. Karis is so, so proud of herself.

Keller, always patient and kind with her young master, sometimes can't hide her annoyance on her face.

Lately

I spent some time photographing this cool little guy with his very cool parents. He is the kind of baby that makes a mom want another baby, despite years of saying otherwise.

I've been reading the Little House on the Prairie series the last few weeks, and I'm really enjoying it. I've taken to referencing Ma and Pa a lot lately as if they are personal acquaintances. Matt's initial amusement has given way to annoyance.

My fridge has been invaded by mounds of kale, cabbage and other fresh produce from a local CSA, Fresh Harvest Farm. I'm thrilled with our experience and the affordable prices, but I'm finding that there is a learning curve involved in this sort of commitment. I found myself literally sweating in my kitchen today as I tried to figure out how I was going to use and not waste any of it. I know we'll get into a rhythm eventually.

In a new wave of independence, this little lady bug/ballerina/princess is helping herself to a lot more in our kitchen these days. She is just tall enough to see what's resting on the counters and just long enough to reach those goodies. I found her parked in front of a ramekin of kosher salt the other day, licking her salt encrusted fingers. I guess that's better than the candy jar?