HOME

I love my home.  In fact, I haven't left my home today. Not once.  Stayed in, re-organized, re-arranged.  Re-laxed. 

I believe your home should always give you a peaceful feeling.  No matter if it is a tiny apartment or a huge mansion. Your home should be warm, comforting, and inviting whenever you step inside it. 

Let's be honest, sometimes the outside world can be a tad bit harsh.  Your home must be a soft place to fall.

Today, I re-arranged the living room so there is both more seating and more light coming in.  I also got rid of clutter, like books I have already read.  Makes me happy.

Take a peek:

Fall is fun......

Since I have been slacking, here are some recent pictures!  Mostly just from enjoying the beauty of fall.

Oh Dear

I am absolutely the worst blogger ever these days.  So much is going on all the time, running here and there, not time to actually sit and reflect. 

Life has been very rich of late.  Rich in lessons, rich in friendship, rich in blessings.  I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all that I "feel".  That probably sounds a bit kooky, but I am just one of those people who literally FEELS everything.  I can feel some one's hostility from across the room, when I am standing next to a horse his gentle spirit and kind eyes literally warm my skin, I cry from pride, joy, and happiness, and I physically ache from seeing people I love in pain.  I have always been grateful for this gift of experiencing things so deeply, even though sometimes it makes it hard to contain my emotions. 

I think that is the Aquarius in me.  I know, astrology is a "bogus" science, or so everyone says.  Recently though, Jason and I have been reading more into our zodiacs and much of it is REALLY applicable to our personalities and traits.  For instance, Aquarians are determined to make the world a better place, they value humanitarian efforts and love to bring positive energy to others.  Basically, we can't help it that we give a damn.  We give our whole heart, we are overpowered by the desire to give and emote and bring positivity to the world.  This might not fully explain who I am, but it does fully explain my innate desire to GIVE my time and to do things that matter.  I must do things that make the world better.  Even if they are very small things that effect only a very small number of people.  That IS my purpose.  I am currently doing as much as I can to fulfill that purpose each day.  I love growing in this role and seeing it evolve. 

:)

What's been going on??

Well, it turns out this whole "stay at home mom" deal actually means I have been busier than ever.  Two days a week volunteering at smiles, workouts at the Y, karate and dance, oh, and then next week I start working in the kids' class rooms, two days a week for Aidan and THREE for Lily.  My plate is FULL.  I LOVE IT.

The SMILES experience has been SO powerful.  The other day I worked with a young girl named Katie.  She couldn't talk, could walk but not well, she had tiny little hands, cute little glasses.  She was a doll.  When she was put on the horse she seemed so relaxed and happy.  She would reach for us but when we redirected her hand to the handles of the saddle, she complied.  We do various tasks on the horses.  For instance, the students might have to get something out of a mailbox and then place it in a bucket, or match colors, letters, etc.  Every time Katie completed a task and we told her how great she did, she smiled.  Sometimes she would raise her hands high in the air.  Katie couldn't verbalize her happiness, but you could still see it.   She really touched my heart.  After class was over and I watcher her laboriously trying to walk off of the ramp I found myself tearing up.  This sweet girl made a huge impression on my heart.  She made my pool of gratitude even deeper.  I was overwhelmed.  Had to sit in my car a little while to soak it in.  I love being there, I love the horses so much, and the students are such an inspiration.  This experience is an amazing gift.

....That's all for now.  :)

Adventures......

The end of the summer has really shown itsself as a super fun time.  Lots and lots of little adventures!  We have only a week left until the kids start school, so it is important to relish every moment!  :) 

Here are some pics.....

Chicago--on a gorgeous Wednesday!  We took a wonderful sunset cruise, and hit Navy Pier and all its fun attractions!!!

We made sunflowers!!  Ok, so the seeds and the sun made them, but we are so excited to see them in our backyard!!

The dogs are LOVING swimming in the creek behind our house.  So cute!

THe kids.....posing outside Jason's office in Chicago



Country Mouse, City Mouse

We go to Chicago a good bit as Jason works there and, it is not too far away.  The cool thing about Chicago and cities in general is that there is always something fun and interesting to do or see.  There are so many amazing restaurant choices, so much great shopping, fun attractions and parks.  Chicago is especially nice because it has a lake shore area.  Lake Michigan is a beautiful backdrop for the big, bright city! 

The city is neat, and fun, but --cities are HARD.  By hard I mean, constant competition.  If you drive in the city it is a constant barrage of honking, yelling, non-loving hand gestures, everyone in a big rush.  If you are not rushing, you are sitting in endless traffic.  While walking people bump into you, they speed past, get aggravated by the lolly-gaggers.  It's rough!!  Then there are the LINES.  Lines for everything.  If you go to a good restaurant, you will wait.  Go for ice cream, LINES, stores, LINES, bus, LINES, train, LINE.  Oh, and that train, there may or may not be seats, and people will aggressively make sure their ass gets to sit.

I used to live in a city so I suppose I shouldn't be so shocked about the chaos of city living, but I am!   We lived in Nashville over 6 years ago now.  I have forgotten how to handle all the traffic and craziness!  We visited Nashville for one day this summer and it is much more chaotic than I remember it.  Much heavier traffic.  Exacerbated by the bad drivers!!  :) 

I enjoy our visits to the city.  In fact, we are heading down there again tomorrow.  It is definitely not boring!  I just relish coming home to the small town life.  I love walking down to the park at whatever pace I choose and enjoying the peaceful quiet of our front porch.  

Here are some pics from Chicago this past weekend.  We went to the airshow.  It was amazing.  Then we got ice cream at Ghirardelli.  Lily got a banana SPLIT.  Insane!!  :)

On the train.....

In front of Daddy's building...

On the Lakeshore for the Air Show:

Eating the Ghirardelli Sundaes!

Silliness on the train ride back......

She was exhausted from the full day.  I think she is so beautiful when she is sleeping.....

<3

Simple.

I am a relatively simple gal.  Things that make me really happy include never running out of toilet paper, freshly cleaned sheets--and the best of all a fridge full of fresh food.  I love cooking, and I love eating even more.  I like to look into my fridge or pantry and have everything I need to make a great meal.   I don't like "scrambling" or having to run out for odds and ends all the time.  I am happiest when I have thought it out, and I know I am stocked accordingly.  There really is SUCH peace in that. 

Tonight for Dinner, I am making a couple healthy selections I recently came across.  I am hoping that they are as delicious and interesting as they sound on paper!!

Makes 4 servings.
Approximate cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs fresh lime juice
• 4 tsp raw honey
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
• 1 cantaloupe (3 lbs), quartered and seeded
• 1 avocado
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, oil and sea salt; set aside.
2. Cut each cantaloupe quarter in half lengthwise.  Run a knife between the flesh and the skin of the melon, discard skin.  Slice each wedge lengthwise into 1/2" pieces.
3. Cut each avocado in quarters length-wise and then into 1/2" thick slices. Add cantaloupe, avocado, and grape tomatoes to bowl with dressing and toss to coat.

Makes dinner for two adults.
Approximate cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For Salmon Cakes:

• 1 lb salmon fillet (skinless, with bones removed)
• 2 eggs
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
• 2 Tbs coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• coconut oil

For Mango and Cilantro Salsa:

• 1 large ripe mango
• 4 Tbs chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced
• olive oil
• sea salt

Instructions

1. Check salmon carefully to be sure all bones have been removed. Chop into a fine dice and set aside.
2. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Mix in coconut flour, salt and pepper.
3. Mince jalapeno and add to the egg mixture.  Add the salmon and combine completely.
4. Warm a skillet over medium-high heat, and add coconut oil when pan is hot.
5. Test the pan to be sure it is hot by dropping a tiny portion of salmon mixture in the pan-- it should sizzle immediately.
6. Add the salmon mixture to the coconut oil in small (3") cakes and fry until they are golden brown on the outside, and cooked pink on the inside (a minute or two on each side). Let the cakes rest on paper towels when taken out of the pan to absorb any extra coconut oil.
7. Meanwhile, prepare salsa by combining diced mango, red onion and cilantro in a bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil and add sea salt to taste.  Serve on top of salmon cakes.

 

 

I am SO excited to make these!!!  YUM!!

Giddy Up!

There is no creature on earth more peaceful, patient, or soothing than a horse.  It is almost as though they have a magical spirit about them.  I went to my orientation today for volunteering at SMILES.  It is a special organization here that does equine therapeutic riding for adults and children with disabilities.  People come from ALL over the area to participate.  Different schools, group homes and then even individuals come to SMILES to ride.  It is an incredible place.

As a volunteer I will get to lead the horses and\or side walk to help keep the rider safe and stable while he or she is riding.  I will also get to groom the horses and get them ready for the class sessions.  To say I am excited about this is a bit of an under statement.  I have wanted to volunteer here for SO long.  I love horses, and I love people.  To be able to work with both of those groups in such a positive and motivational way--what a gift.  I can't wait to get my training started and then start working!!! 

Aside from just being with my kids, being involved in their school, and being the first person they see when they are done with school each day, I also wanted to be an at home mom so that I could use my time and skills to volunteer.  I have gotten some advice from other stay at home moms who say that you should not take on TOO many volunteer opportunities at one time.  Apparently it is very easy to get in over your head.  So for right now, I am going to keep my work at the kids' school and then at SMILES.  I am pretty sure that with both of these, my house duties, and working out, I should have some pretty FULL days ahead!  :)

Before I left my job, I truly had been feeling like something was missing.  I felt like I wasn't doing anything meaningful.  I felt like the imprint I was making on the world was insignificant.  I wasn't doing things that really mattered to me.  I am so grateful that I am now being offered the opportunity to live my life with the purpose that I want it to have.  Life is constantly evolving, and truly, it is a beautiful thing. 

Busy Busy

It has been such a busy couple of weeks.  We traveled to Ohio for the official Bedwell family reunion!  That means, from my Grandparents down to their great-grandchildren were in Ashland Ohio to hang out.  The best part was that EVERYONE was there!!  All of my cousins and all of their babies.  It was SO much fun watching all the kiddos play together.  They got along so well.  Aidan actually had some boys to play with, too.  That was exciting.  I forgot to take pics most of the time, but I did get a few from an evening of slip-n-slide:

....Oh, and I did get this one of the girls riding in my uncle's convertible to the pool.  This is my cousin, Emily driving!

Slip-n-slide

I have had my nieces the past couple of days too.  It is fun having a car full of kids and getting out with them, going to lunch and swimming, and the park. 

Ok--just ONE home decorating picture too.  I FINALLY framed some of the professional pictures that we had taken.  They make me happy and they brighten up my dark chocolate wall.

:)