Today's Going Be a New Day

The boy met the President of the United States today, as in had a personal reception with the President of the United States. It was amazing and we so thankful.  The President was everything you might hope a leader might be and Ethan was cute & funny. We even had our photo taken by the great Pete Souza. (In this age, What's more important: The history makers or those who capture them?) 

In the midst of so much excitement and incredible opportunity, so many other emotions surfaced. It is difficult to reconcile this opportunity with the loss of the boy's dad. One would not have happened without the other. 

Today I'm proud of my incredible and wonderful boy, yet sad for sweet, young baby.

Rainy Weekend

While some complain about a rain filled weekend, we find adventures, warm fires, stories, comfort food, books, paints, and a new-to-us typewriter. 

Never allow a little rain to dampen your day.

(Now if I could just figure out why the preview looks so cute, and the published post looks crazy!  Time to learn HTML perhaps!)

Be

In the past year, I have stopped attending church (regularly), stopped keeping a journal, and most of the time stopped believing in maintenance of a close relationship with the Divine.   And, I couldn't be happier.

Most days, I continue to believe in the reality of God, but sometimes, I "try on" not believing.  On those days, I feel an ache in my heart.  Yet, something has shifted in my fundamental belief system.  On NPR today, they interviewed a former pastor turned atheist (so interesting!).  Listening I realized I'm existing in the both/and place, and I feel free in this place.

So, I will just be, ride my bike, make granola, and dream of gardens.

Not Much, but blueberry muffins

One of my goals this year is to post more frequently on this blog. However, I've realized that there is very little that I wish to share with the online world. I have many thoughts and ideas, but I don't know that I want everything so public.

So, how about a recipe*- It's our go to recipe for blueberry muffins: Egg Free Blueberry Muffins

Notes: We usually use only whole-wheat flour, add extra milk, and always fresh or frozen blueberries. Some of the reviews indicate needing to add eggs or sugar, but we never do.

*The recipe was orignally posted by Tammie Bickar on Allrecipes.com

Sometimes it's easier to stuff memories into a box in a closet, than it is to face the loss and grief. Sometimes it's not.

Old Man Winter

If you live outside of Alaska, you are probably like most the country and endured the early winter without a lot of snow. Finally, we have a base of 4 inches, but in my opinion, it's not enough. Last week, we took a two and half hour drive, discovered a new area, and XC-skied. I believe that living in any climate (ie not living in a climated-controlled bubble), you need to embrace that climate...

This/That

2011...

-A year of growth


-A year of loss


-A year of commitments


-A year of expansion


-A year of old favorites


-A year of fresh beginnings


Here's to 2012.