Monthly Archives: March 2010

Ok, so I got to thinking tonight.  If I’m constantly striving to learn more, constantly searching, constantly growing and changing…then who the heck am I going to be in another 20 years?!?! Will I recognize myself? I mean, seriously, if I continue to learn at the rate that I have the last two years I just might short circuit from the amount of information, wisdom, and knowledge that will be floating around in my head!

Today a package arrived with a book I’ve been anxiously waiting for: The Pruning Book by Lee Reich.  It’s what really triggered all these thoughts.  There is so much information in this book, and I’m not even sure I understand 90% of what is written – which is good and bad. The good thing is that I now have other areas to research, other vocabulary words to incorporate into my vernacular, and a whole new level of understanding as far as my plants and garden go.  The bad thing is that now I feel like I’ve already killed my garden with my complete incompetence! I’m afraid my apple trees will never again produce a sweet, juicy fruit; my lilacs will never again be covered with fragrant bundles of beauty; my daphnes will always be scraggly and leggy.  Dear, oh dear. What have I done (or NOT done as the case may be!).

Ha.  But then, of course, isn’t that how life works?  I realize I don’t know something, so I study it and in studying it, I realize that the more I learn the more I realize I NEED to learn!  Aaah. The joys of knowledge.

Enough philosophizing – let me just get down to it.  Gioia left today. That sucked.  I’ve got nothing more to say about that.

On another note…..I’m proud of myself for a number of things, despite my insecurity in regards to my pruning ignorance.  I am rejoicing in my abilities, my strengths, and my incredible forethought: I remembered to take the garbage out for pick up and the recycling to the front entrance BEFORE the trucks arrived.  Yes. It’s the little things I’m holding on to!

On my way back to the house from taking the recycling bins!

The morning began with EG yelling from her crib for oatmeal, and the day ended with her begging for…for…oatmeal.  What is it with this child and her Steel Cut Oats?  Don’t think I’m complaining; I’ve been darn strict about what I present to her for food, and the fact that she loves something so healthy makes me pretty darn happy.  She likes it plain or with raisins.  We’re not talking that instant stuff with all the sugar.  Nope, she likes the oatmeal that takes an hour to really cook! 🙂 Aaah, Ellie Graye.  What a special little girl.

She had to finish her polenta before she could have oatmeal. I couldn't believe what I was saying. She was watching the pot cooking the oatmeal!

Watching the tractor work!

RANDOM PHOTOS OF THE DAY

My seedlings taking in some of the amazingly warm sunshine

One of the robins taking to herself in the car mirror!

Ok, so I’m supposedly on Day 4 of not having help, but so far it seems like I’ve had more help than I usually do!  Funny how that works!  I’ve been able to keep up on everything and even have time to sit and relax a bit.  It’s almost like I’m on vacation too!

Jeffrey figured out a way to come home for the weekend, and arrived Friday night on the same flight as my friend Gioia.  With a little bribing, my mother and Ed took Ellie Graye to their house so that I didn’t have to haul her to the airport at midnight on a Friday night.   I had spent the day doing laundry, cleaning stalls, running errands with EG, tidying the house, planting seeds, and playing with Ellie Graye.  I felt like I was playing house for some reason.  I still have the feeling that I’m just not old enough to be where I’m at, and that it’s all pretend! Of course, then something steps on my foot, falls, breaks, barks, kicks, vomits, pees, poops, or causes some kind of havoc, and everything becomes very REAL!  It’s kinda hard to daydream when it’s all so…so…so…disorderly. And yet, it all just seems to be ok.

The weekend was jam-packed with activity.

Wanting to enjoy the good weather, we headed out to Uncle Colin’s property to be outdoors, show Gioia something other than DPF, and plain ol’ breathe some clean, fresh air!  Gioia got roped into helping pull ivy, while Jeffrey let EG walk in the river (that is snow melt, I think), and I just took on the role of family photographer!  Colin’s place is really just damn gorgeous, and it does feel like you’re out in a national park somewhere. We’re so happy for him – if anyone can manage the amount of work it’s gonna take to get that house up, he can – and it’s going to be fabulous!

Because Gioia (my former horse trainer) has been in town, most of the activities of the last few days were, of course, centered around the barn.  Avdoo got his first bath in months, and my legs got a work out in the saddle.  It was nice to have someone to chit-chat with as Ellie played with the grain (under Daddy’s supervision), and the horses got some much needed Salon Time.

I love that I’ve had people around – especially for dinners.  Friday night I made Mayumi’s Spaghetti Suace which is one of my favorites as it’s macrobiotic, super clean, and loaded with vegetables.  Saturday night I made an insanely yummy Chicken Shawarma with homemade hummus and a Green Salad.  Sunday I served fajitas with a Black Bean Corn Salad.  Tonight was back to a Mediterranean Greek flare with Lemon Pork Chops, Cous Cous Salad and a Carmelized Onion Spinach dish (the one that my friend Pilar introduced me to).  Gioia says she has eaten more in the last 4 days than she did the entire month previously!  I kinda am leaning toward believing her!

Yes, it has been fantastic having so many people around.  However, Jeffrey left at the crack of dawn this morning, and Gioia leaves tomorrow afternoon.  My dear friend Erin (who is off shooting a pilot for ABC) was scheduled to arrive Wednesday night, but due to a shooting schedule change may not be able to come.  I was just beginning to think I would make it through the week unscathed, but now I’m not so sure.  Gioia has been the perfect person to have around since she is wonderful about seeing what needs to be done and doing it – with EG, in the kitchen, at the barn, and even out at Colin’s!  The fact that I can have her deal with the horses without me is also a huge plus…it’s going to be hard to let her go!  We don’t always do things the same way, but we figure out how to make it work!  I think I’ve been spoiled having so many extra hands the last few days!

The good thing is that spring is officially here (as of Saturday) and while it’s a lot of work, all of this is totally worth it.  I’m so damn fortunate!

RANDOM ELLIE GRAYE SHOTS