Just kissed the boys ( at least in my heart and mind, because both of them are now too old to be kissed in front of other people, I have been informed.) out the door. Carpool whisked them off to another busy school day. So the day begins for me as well. Because of my sweet and lovely neighbor and fellow Mama, a few mornings per week I can stay in the warmth of my house and reclaim a little time. Which is why I chose to sit here, this morning. I was going to journal, but decided maybe I should show up here every once in a while for a visit. Over the river and sort of through the woods, well okay, through the park in which some evergreen have been spared, my boys go. I am left here to reflect. I opened an email from a green living yahoo group. The group was talking about homeschooling and bed time. Post after post spoke of the joy of listening to the natural rhythms of the body, allowing their children to wake in the morning when they are ready, rather than being woken. This is one thing I have always hated about sending my children to school vs. keeping them home.
In our early days, keeping them home seemed natural and easy. In practice, it was mostly so. There were challenging times, but more often, there were times of freedom and joy. I miss those times. The best part was that it did feel like a space of honoring each child's individuality and uniqueness. Of course, it was mostly one on one. I could intuit what and when needed to happen for my boy. When he needed to get outside, or eat, or pee! He felt he could do all of these things as he needed to. We were in nature quite a lot. Not only moving our bodies, but breathing fresh air and visiting with plants and animals, enjoying the sense of awe and joy that brings.
We do less of that now. Breathing deeply now, I sigh. We live in the city. A great city! Probably one of the best to live in. But it is a city. Why does it seem to have this magnetic pull on me, keeping me from the nearby oceans, rivers, streams and forests? I recently watched a short clip on youtube about a self sustainable family, living in the country, in a beautiful little cottage they had built. This sweet little place was complete with cob walls and a luxury composting toilet. It was amazing. What brought the couple together, was the interest in finding a bit of land to keep sheep. The house was actually really quite beautiful, not a shack by any means. Though it was rustic and environmentally sound, there was a beauty unmatched by any city home. They were off grid. What a concept. I swear, it was like the sun was shining all around this family. They themselves were gleaming. This reminded me of my heart"s longing. Part of me is also attracted to city life; the shops, the culture, the night life, the coffee shops and natural food stores, galore. The eco-boutiques and bike shops and book stores and libraries and spas and food and Ruby Jewel Ice Cream shop. But it feels a little hollow.
Bringing me back to the start; waking the boys up in the morning to begin the mini rat race. The preparation for entering the hustle and bustle begins. I think of the things my boys are working with. Sitting in classes they don't always enjoy. Being inside more than out. Wishing they had all of the latest technological gadgets. Comparing and measuring themselves to their peers. Feeling like they come up short in some areas and being told so. Is this just what school is like? Is it part of the needed conditioning? Or not? I just wonder and ponder. I think we have chosen the best educational philosophy for our family. I am extremely grateful for the option of Waldorf education. I think it caters to educating the whole child and seeks to foster a balanced child into young adulthood. However, there is still that yearning to break free from this structure. It is not structure I want to be free of. In fact, I see tremendous benefit in form. But this waking your children thing really made me turn a bit introspective.
I was actually going to write this morning about gratitude, and so I think I will. Even though I may not be in a little cob house that is so friendly to me and Mama Earth, though I am not free to travel and explore and learn with my children at any given, spontaneous moment, I do not have sheep or land or unlimited time with my children and family, I am grateful. I watched out the window last night as my boys jumped rope. Colbey's teacher assigned this for homework ( smart lady) and it brought my boys together in a moment of joy, leading myself to a moment of joy. My sweet Colbey is connecting with a new boy in his class. His mother is very kind! Most of all, Colbey feels he can be himself and has fun with him. Christian is blossoming into a fine young man, who is still loving and kind and communicative and mostly respectful, and funny! I have a warm little house, with chickens and I am going to walk to the co-op to get some parsley for my soup in a moment. I can hear a bird singing and I saw some snowdrops blooming down the street. My husband has a job. I have a wonderful job working with the most lovely people. I get to be with small children every day, inviting me to continually seek my highest, most loving self, bringing me to laughter, almost constantly. I am able to see my boys through out the day by working at their school. We live 10 min from a Waldorf school. We can always pull hard against this magnetic field of a city and decide to visit nature more often and need to. And we can. It is accessible. The grandfather and grandmother guardian evergreens that stand watch through out this city are magnificent and a gift. So there, a meander down Stephanie lane, the musing of a mother. I continue to really meditate on balance this year. I think it's my theme.
What's your theme right now? What old ways are you returning to and thinking about releasing during this full moon time?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
SUPERWOMAN
As Christmas came, I promised you all that my sister and I would be blogging like crazy...OOPS! Sitting down trying to come up with something to say to all our "followers", all I can think of are all the hardcore mommy's out there. The mama's who blog every day, who get paid to blog, mama's who start a business while raising small children. The mom's who seem to have the time to do it all...SUPERWOMEN!! It has taken me over 4 days just to attempt to finish this post, I am no SUPERWOMAN. I don't know how women do it? To not only find the time, but to then muster up energy to put creative thought into any extra curricular activities. I must have missed that class that taught women to be able to do it all while having their sanity still intact!
I know for myself just raising two toddlers and taking care of a house and all that, that entails wipes me out! To find time to cultivate relationships, spend time with my husband, take time for myself, let a lone anything else...WHAT, what is that? I pour all of me into my children and my home. When I get a moment I just want to sit and disconnect from life. Sitting in a clean, silent room is all I want. NO, "mommy", "honey can you", "wipe"... silence, to just be able to be me for a brief moment.
I look at these women a little envious and jealous that they can do all that they do. Each day I feel as though pieces of who I am are being lost. I never pictured motherhood/stay home mamahood so isolating and lonely. I knew I wanted to be a stay home mother when the time came. I feel as though that is a huge gift you can give your kids and I wanted to do that for them. No one told me that unless you are SUPERWOMAN, you would feel worthless daily.
In our culture, we go,go go! Every man for himself mentality. Time is money people. I look around at the men and women who have fallen victim to this and I have to admit...I am one of them, or I was. What happened to "it takes a village to raise a child"? Mothers,grandmothers,great-grandmothers, neighbors all raised each other's children. Family values were different. It wasn't about "who had the biggest or best" it was about spending time with, taking a moment to. I believe we need to SIMPLIFY our lives. Our consumer culture has sucked us into this dilution of thinking happiness comes from things. That our kids are loved if we buy them..xyz. We are good parents if we make lots of money and can provide the best way of life for our children. WHAT THE HELL? We really have bought into that lie? I am reading a book called Living Simply with Children: A Voluntary Simplicity Guide for Moms,Dads, and Kids Who Want to Reclaim the Bliss of Childhood and the Joy of Parenting by Marie Sherlock. This book has awakened me to what really matters, our children. Simplicity is what we all really need in life. It's a process, but if we can go back to the drawing board and reconfigure what family and raising children really should look like, I think those tired, warn down mothers and fathers will slowly become alive again. Those over stimulated, over stressed children will be able to experience what childhood should really be. You don't have to be superwoman to be a good mom. You can put the pieces back together because you haven't lost who you are... you have just been misguided. Reclaim the bliss and the joy of parenting! Having kids and being a mother, to me has become a job. A job that I have to do not that I want to do. How I feel people view mothers (especially stay home moms) are that we have it easy. We don't work, we just watch soaps all day eating bon bons. I have been swallowed up by the mainstream way of thinking, that being a mother is easy and I should be SUPERWOMAN. If I'm not, I'm not doing something right. I say SCREW mainstream and I choose to reclaim this amazing opportunity to mold and shape these beautiful children. Being a parent is not a job, it's a gift. We need to get back to that mentality. Going one step further, we really need to support each other. It takes a village, people!
I may never be that mother who blogs every day and I'm ok with that. My sister and I created this blog to share not only information on key parenting topics, recipes and how to save a buck, but we also created this blog to share with others our struggles and our triumphs of mothering. This is it! Raw and real. I know we said we would be doing this daily, I look at my life and am so overwhelmed, I don't know if daily is going to work right now. I hope you all stick with us because we are passionate mothers who care, just not SUPERWOMEN :)
I know for myself just raising two toddlers and taking care of a house and all that, that entails wipes me out! To find time to cultivate relationships, spend time with my husband, take time for myself, let a lone anything else...WHAT, what is that? I pour all of me into my children and my home. When I get a moment I just want to sit and disconnect from life. Sitting in a clean, silent room is all I want. NO, "mommy", "honey can you", "wipe"... silence, to just be able to be me for a brief moment.
I look at these women a little envious and jealous that they can do all that they do. Each day I feel as though pieces of who I am are being lost. I never pictured motherhood/stay home mamahood so isolating and lonely. I knew I wanted to be a stay home mother when the time came. I feel as though that is a huge gift you can give your kids and I wanted to do that for them. No one told me that unless you are SUPERWOMAN, you would feel worthless daily.
In our culture, we go,go go! Every man for himself mentality. Time is money people. I look around at the men and women who have fallen victim to this and I have to admit...I am one of them, or I was. What happened to "it takes a village to raise a child"? Mothers,grandmothers,great-grandmothers, neighbors all raised each other's children. Family values were different. It wasn't about "who had the biggest or best" it was about spending time with, taking a moment to. I believe we need to SIMPLIFY our lives. Our consumer culture has sucked us into this dilution of thinking happiness comes from things. That our kids are loved if we buy them..xyz. We are good parents if we make lots of money and can provide the best way of life for our children. WHAT THE HELL? We really have bought into that lie? I am reading a book called Living Simply with Children: A Voluntary Simplicity Guide for Moms,Dads, and Kids Who Want to Reclaim the Bliss of Childhood and the Joy of Parenting by Marie Sherlock. This book has awakened me to what really matters, our children. Simplicity is what we all really need in life. It's a process, but if we can go back to the drawing board and reconfigure what family and raising children really should look like, I think those tired, warn down mothers and fathers will slowly become alive again. Those over stimulated, over stressed children will be able to experience what childhood should really be. You don't have to be superwoman to be a good mom. You can put the pieces back together because you haven't lost who you are... you have just been misguided. Reclaim the bliss and the joy of parenting! Having kids and being a mother, to me has become a job. A job that I have to do not that I want to do. How I feel people view mothers (especially stay home moms) are that we have it easy. We don't work, we just watch soaps all day eating bon bons. I have been swallowed up by the mainstream way of thinking, that being a mother is easy and I should be SUPERWOMAN. If I'm not, I'm not doing something right. I say SCREW mainstream and I choose to reclaim this amazing opportunity to mold and shape these beautiful children. Being a parent is not a job, it's a gift. We need to get back to that mentality. Going one step further, we really need to support each other. It takes a village, people!
I may never be that mother who blogs every day and I'm ok with that. My sister and I created this blog to share not only information on key parenting topics, recipes and how to save a buck, but we also created this blog to share with others our struggles and our triumphs of mothering. This is it! Raw and real. I know we said we would be doing this daily, I look at my life and am so overwhelmed, I don't know if daily is going to work right now. I hope you all stick with us because we are passionate mothers who care, just not SUPERWOMEN :)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Hustle and Bustle
As the Christmas is quickly approaching my sister and I are feeling the stress that comes a long with the preparations for this next week. My whole family is traveling east to Colorado for a "White Christmas"... HA HA! It hasn't snowed here in a long time, but I'm crossing my fingers! We have slacked on the blogging this past week because we are all over the place. I am trying to get my house in order, wrap presents, get it clean and tidy before 6 other people come into my house and "mess" it up :) My sister has been busy with work, school holiday parties, holiday plays plus trying to locate all of her family's winter gear for the trek to Colorado. From our hearts we are truly sorry to the people that follow our blog...which still blows are minds that anyone is reading what we post :) Thank you all !!
My sister's family arrives tomorrow and my parents the day after that. It's so exciting to have the whole family together again, we get to see each other twice a year, but this summer we were unable to see them. I haven't seem my sweet nephews for one whole year!! If only money grew on trees :) While my sister is here, we plan to sit down and blog, blog, blog away! We will catch up from the weeks we missed.
Just to give you an idea of how crazy life is..it has taken me two days to try to get this post done. I can't seem to finish it. I will post this today damn it! I will!! My mind can't seem to turn off. There are constant lists being made in my head, when one lists is complete the next one starts. I sit in bed, exhausted trying to fall a sleep, but I can't stop thinking. My energy is slowly running out, my poor kids feel the stress seeping right off me. They too are stressing out. UGH.. If only I were the type of person that could just sit back and take a deep breath. Enjoy the life I have been given, the moment I am in, embrace the obstacles and the hurdles... That is the person I am striving to become!
May this Christmas season bring you clarity, love and warmth! God bless each and every one of you and your families. Amongst the hustle and bustle this consumer culture wraps us up in may you be able to see what this season is about!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Frugal Friday
I am so sorry I am so lame! I keep forgetting to post come cool websites on Friday's. So here are some great deals to look at!
Klean Kanteen Sale: Type in Klean Kanteen in the search and you'll find a couple awesome deals
EDEN HOME
Sierra Trading Post! 20% on whole order over 100.00. Also if you become friends with them on facebook you get a coupon code for 20% off.
SIERRA TRADING POST
Klean Kanteen Sale: Type in Klean Kanteen in the search and you'll find a couple awesome deals
EDEN HOME
Sierra Trading Post! 20% on whole order over 100.00. Also if you become friends with them on facebook you get a coupon code for 20% off.
SIERRA TRADING POST
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Not A Mothers Job!
Last night was my second night "night weaning" Phoenix. I am praying tonight goes a little smoother then the past two nights. The first night I had Dan take Grey into her room to sleep and I stuck it out with Nix. I really didn't know what my expectations were going into this new venture, but I knew I was not excited. The night began with me nursing him to sleep like normal, I'm not wiling to give that one up. I couldn't sleep in anticipation of what the night was going to bring me. I returned to the room to lay down at midnight. The moment my body touched the sheets Nix started to move around. Either this kid has the worst timing or this boy can smell mama milk 10 feet away. It was like he knew his mama was there. I watched him roll around while talking in his sleep. Five minutes later he started smacking his lips...I knew it was going to be just a little bit longer before the question.
Sitting up, Phoenix looked around for his me. Our eyes locked and he asked for mama milk. I let him know that milky's were sleeping. Never hearing that before he crawled over to me and asked again. I said "no mama milky's, they are sleeping." he started to cry, tugging at my shirt "mama milky's", he said louder and more demanding. I stayed strong. I got up and changed his diaper then rocked him while I softly sang into his sweet little ear. He didn't like that too much. Still crying I let him know everything was going to be ok. 20 mintutes passed and my back was killing me. At this time he had placed his head on my shoulder, his body slowly went limp. I thought we were good, I could put him back down. I was thinking to myself that "if this is the hard part I can totally do it!" I got on the bed and started rocking him again. Slowly I placed him down...he woke up and started screaming "mama milk." CRAP! I could't hold him anymore because my back, so I laid next to him telling him "mama's here, you're going to be ok."
Nothing I did seemed to help or calm him down. I tried to rub his back, pet his little head, everything..."mama NO." All he wanted was milk. An hour went by and I was slowly loosing it. My mama heart was already broken and I wanted to swoop in and save him! "Screw this, I can totally be sleep deprived for a couple more years..I will just pray more that I can keep it together." There were noises coming from that boy I never heard before. I thought something was seriously wrong. I scooted him closer and stuck my boob in his mouth. I couldn't take it anymore. The look on his face while nursing, there are no words. He seemed so content, experiencing true bliss and comfort. He woke up a couple times after that and I was able to just put him to sleep.
Last night, the second try...I told Dan that he could sleep with Phoenix, but I changed my mind last minute. Seeing your baby cry is easier then hearing your baby cry. Dan was willing and able to take the next shift, I just couldn't traumatize Nix anymore then I feel like I have. When he wakes up and wants mama milk, knowing he wasn't going to get it, but on top of it his mama isn't there...I couldn't. I got a cup of coconut milk on hand to offer it to him, substituting it for mama milk. I got this idea from my sweet friend Hayke who did that with both her babies. She would tell them they couldn't have mama milk, but that she would hold them while they drank tea or almond milk. I figured "why not" I would give it a try.
The night started like the night before, I nursed Phoenix to sleep. Instead of sleeping on the other side of the bed, I slept right were I always sleep, right next to him. Nix only woke up two times between 8:30p to 5:45a. He asked for mama milk and before I could say anything he fell back to sleep. 5:45a he woke up asking for it, I said "mama milk is sleeping." He was not happy and the crying began. I guess he was really loud because 10 minutes later Dan came in asking if he could take over. I sat there with Nix "hyper ventalating", I looked at Dan and said.."it's technically morning, I told him he could have some in the morning...I can nurse him..right?" Dan agreed and he went back to bed. I nurseed my little munch and he was happy.
Am I doing this the right way? I have no idea what I'm doing, but this is all I can do right now. I am not one to let my baby cry it out, putting himself in a state of depression because he feels abandoned. Is this hard for me....you bet your ass it is! I will keep going, I don't like it, but I'll keep going! I believe with all my heart this is NOT A JOB FOR A MOTHER!! My heart aches every time and it's the hardest thing to do, watching your baby, listening to the sweet voice asking for one thing and one thing only..then not giving it to him. UGH!! Where is that "daddy coat" when I need it? :). Thanks for all the encouraging words and prayers.
Sitting up, Phoenix looked around for his me. Our eyes locked and he asked for mama milk. I let him know that milky's were sleeping. Never hearing that before he crawled over to me and asked again. I said "no mama milky's, they are sleeping." he started to cry, tugging at my shirt "mama milky's", he said louder and more demanding. I stayed strong. I got up and changed his diaper then rocked him while I softly sang into his sweet little ear. He didn't like that too much. Still crying I let him know everything was going to be ok. 20 mintutes passed and my back was killing me. At this time he had placed his head on my shoulder, his body slowly went limp. I thought we were good, I could put him back down. I was thinking to myself that "if this is the hard part I can totally do it!" I got on the bed and started rocking him again. Slowly I placed him down...he woke up and started screaming "mama milk." CRAP! I could't hold him anymore because my back, so I laid next to him telling him "mama's here, you're going to be ok."
Nothing I did seemed to help or calm him down. I tried to rub his back, pet his little head, everything..."mama NO." All he wanted was milk. An hour went by and I was slowly loosing it. My mama heart was already broken and I wanted to swoop in and save him! "Screw this, I can totally be sleep deprived for a couple more years..I will just pray more that I can keep it together." There were noises coming from that boy I never heard before. I thought something was seriously wrong. I scooted him closer and stuck my boob in his mouth. I couldn't take it anymore. The look on his face while nursing, there are no words. He seemed so content, experiencing true bliss and comfort. He woke up a couple times after that and I was able to just put him to sleep.
Last night, the second try...I told Dan that he could sleep with Phoenix, but I changed my mind last minute. Seeing your baby cry is easier then hearing your baby cry. Dan was willing and able to take the next shift, I just couldn't traumatize Nix anymore then I feel like I have. When he wakes up and wants mama milk, knowing he wasn't going to get it, but on top of it his mama isn't there...I couldn't. I got a cup of coconut milk on hand to offer it to him, substituting it for mama milk. I got this idea from my sweet friend Hayke who did that with both her babies. She would tell them they couldn't have mama milk, but that she would hold them while they drank tea or almond milk. I figured "why not" I would give it a try.
The night started like the night before, I nursed Phoenix to sleep. Instead of sleeping on the other side of the bed, I slept right were I always sleep, right next to him. Nix only woke up two times between 8:30p to 5:45a. He asked for mama milk and before I could say anything he fell back to sleep. 5:45a he woke up asking for it, I said "mama milk is sleeping." He was not happy and the crying began. I guess he was really loud because 10 minutes later Dan came in asking if he could take over. I sat there with Nix "hyper ventalating", I looked at Dan and said.."it's technically morning, I told him he could have some in the morning...I can nurse him..right?" Dan agreed and he went back to bed. I nurseed my little munch and he was happy.
Am I doing this the right way? I have no idea what I'm doing, but this is all I can do right now. I am not one to let my baby cry it out, putting himself in a state of depression because he feels abandoned. Is this hard for me....you bet your ass it is! I will keep going, I don't like it, but I'll keep going! I believe with all my heart this is NOT A JOB FOR A MOTHER!! My heart aches every time and it's the hardest thing to do, watching your baby, listening to the sweet voice asking for one thing and one thing only..then not giving it to him. UGH!! Where is that "daddy coat" when I need it? :). Thanks for all the encouraging words and prayers.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Family Bed Once More?
Over the years, we have always had an open bed policy. If you feel scared, are sick or just need a safe, quiet place to be, hop in! Our children have always had their own beds and room. The boys have shared a room up until recently. It was clear our teen son (13) needed some private space of his own. He never hops into bed with us now, beside that rare weekend morning that summons him up the stairs to say good morning to his folks. We now share the converted attic with our 9 year old. We decided on this because of a new need that appeared. As I read the book Encountering the Self by Hermon Koepke, I began to understand more clearly what my child was entering. A whole new level of being, of understanding. This can be scary. All of a sudden the veil is lifted and life appears in all of it's glory and mystery to young eyes. Sometimes these eyes wish they could stay shut. This makes sense to me. Often I don't like what I see either! How many times have I wished I could just go back to sleep, metaphorically. I actually read this book when my oldest was nine. Around ages 8-10 is when this shift typically begins to occur. Children may start to try out more rebellious behavior or may struggle to cooperate. They may begin having social challenges at school and at home. They may begin to feel afraid, of seemingly nothing or everything. They may complain of belly or head aches or other pains in their bodies. It starts to feel like backward motion. I remember thinking, "I thought we were done with this crap!!" But alas, crap it is not! It is a very important right of passage. These children need us more than ever to provide firm yet loving boundaries and guidance. They need to feel we understand. They need our compassion. And they thrive on oral story telling. Often, Colbey will ask for a naughty story from my own childhood. These I find amply, and re-tell them and sometimes add or subtract depending on the issue Colbey seems to be struggling with most. These stories live in him long past the time they are told. I can see them midwifing, supporting and helping his growth. These stories ease the intensity of his experience, or at least they seem to.
So back to the need that initiated this room change. Colbey began to feel scared and wake every night wanting to come into bed with us. So, we set his space up across the way from us. We both have our own spaces. We can't see one another from our rooms, well at least not clearly, so it does feel like there is some privacy. I sit on my bed and read or knit whilst Colbey falls asleep. Then, in the middle of the night, when the call comes " mama, can i come into your bed", the answer is easy. YES! He trit trots over and jumps in. Usually just for the wee morning hours.
I feel happy that our bed can be so flexible. It can open and shut and open up again, if we need. I feel so good knowing what Colbey is going through. I understand where he is at, developmentally speaking, and I know right now is an intensive, temporary time. The needs of our boys will continue to exist and evolve as they grow. I think, just like the birth process, it is helpful to remember that we can do anything for a temporary period of time, no matter the challenge, the pain, or the physical exhaustion. Am I worried that I will have two 20 something boys sleeping in beg with my husband and I? Nope. I mean, really? We don't see many healthy human adults still wearing diapers. Eventually, these things end. It is no easy task taking this route. It means educating ones self, making sacrifices, and doing things you don't feel like doing! But in the end, I really believe it is worth it. My two boys are all the proof I need.
The key to this program is to figure out how to get self care in! It is really the only way to survive!! Perhaps this will be the topic I talk about next!
Do any readers have any experience with an extended family bed? Are there readers who are done raising their children who could speak to the end results of family bed? We'd love to hear from you!!
So family bed once again, looks that way! This time, minus the nursing!! Makes a big difference!!
Blessings and encouragement,
Stephanie
So back to the need that initiated this room change. Colbey began to feel scared and wake every night wanting to come into bed with us. So, we set his space up across the way from us. We both have our own spaces. We can't see one another from our rooms, well at least not clearly, so it does feel like there is some privacy. I sit on my bed and read or knit whilst Colbey falls asleep. Then, in the middle of the night, when the call comes " mama, can i come into your bed", the answer is easy. YES! He trit trots over and jumps in. Usually just for the wee morning hours.
I feel happy that our bed can be so flexible. It can open and shut and open up again, if we need. I feel so good knowing what Colbey is going through. I understand where he is at, developmentally speaking, and I know right now is an intensive, temporary time. The needs of our boys will continue to exist and evolve as they grow. I think, just like the birth process, it is helpful to remember that we can do anything for a temporary period of time, no matter the challenge, the pain, or the physical exhaustion. Am I worried that I will have two 20 something boys sleeping in beg with my husband and I? Nope. I mean, really? We don't see many healthy human adults still wearing diapers. Eventually, these things end. It is no easy task taking this route. It means educating ones self, making sacrifices, and doing things you don't feel like doing! But in the end, I really believe it is worth it. My two boys are all the proof I need.
The key to this program is to figure out how to get self care in! It is really the only way to survive!! Perhaps this will be the topic I talk about next!
Do any readers have any experience with an extended family bed? Are there readers who are done raising their children who could speak to the end results of family bed? We'd love to hear from you!!
So family bed once again, looks that way! This time, minus the nursing!! Makes a big difference!!
Blessings and encouragement,
Stephanie
Herb and Garlic Pizza Dough
We have used this recipe many times since finding this great cook book, Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair. This dough can be used for a variety of savory dishes and was originally the recipe of vegetarian chef, Jim Watkins. When Colbey was small this was his favorite dinner to help prep, and even though he's now " big " I think it's still up there on his radar of enjoyment! Have fun and enjoy this fun to make and eat family pizza.
1 Tbs yeast
1 cup luke warm water
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs fresh rosemary
12-15 fresh oregano leaves
1 Tbs fresh thyme leaves
3-4 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
To make the Dough
Combine yeast, 1/2 of the warm water, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Gently stir, then set aside. Let rest for 10 min while yeast comes to life. ( it was always fun for Colbey to watch for the bubbles the awakening yeast creates, this was how he knew it was alive!)
Chop rosemary, oregano, thyme and garlic together until very fine. Add herbs, garlic, salt, oil and remaining water to yeast mixture. Add a little flour at a time. Mix together with a spoon until it becomes too hard to stir. Then transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (10-12 min). Add more flour to surface when needed to keep dough from sticking. Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rest 30 min.
To make Pizza
Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough out to desired shape. Prebake 10-12 min. Remove from oven. Raise oven temp to 450. Cover pizza crust with desired toppings and bake 10-12 min.
prep time: 30 min for dough 25min to finish pizza
makes dough for one 15-inch pizza
1 Tbs yeast
1 cup luke warm water
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs fresh rosemary
12-15 fresh oregano leaves
1 Tbs fresh thyme leaves
3-4 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
To make the Dough
Combine yeast, 1/2 of the warm water, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Gently stir, then set aside. Let rest for 10 min while yeast comes to life. ( it was always fun for Colbey to watch for the bubbles the awakening yeast creates, this was how he knew it was alive!)
Chop rosemary, oregano, thyme and garlic together until very fine. Add herbs, garlic, salt, oil and remaining water to yeast mixture. Add a little flour at a time. Mix together with a spoon until it becomes too hard to stir. Then transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth (10-12 min). Add more flour to surface when needed to keep dough from sticking. Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rest 30 min.
To make Pizza
Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough out to desired shape. Prebake 10-12 min. Remove from oven. Raise oven temp to 450. Cover pizza crust with desired toppings and bake 10-12 min.
prep time: 30 min for dough 25min to finish pizza
makes dough for one 15-inch pizza
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