Simplicity

Our computer has been having some issues (again!), so I haven't been able to post lately. I hope you are all well and enjoying the beautiful weather! We have been very busy lately, preserving food, baking, playing and visiting with loved ones.


Zara has great style. Cord bell bottoms, a skirt as a top, and sweet accessories. Did I mention her favorite essential oil is patchouli? No, I'm not kidding.

Remember those pears we picked? Here they are, all jarred up. My very first canning project. Lots of fun!


Handmade pizza, using Alice Waters' foccacia bread dough recipe.


Besides being in the kitchen, I've been doing a lot of nursing. Babies are so precious!


Banyan still does a lot of sleeping.


And pooping.


Cloth diapers drying on the line just make me happy. It reminds me of a simpler time, I suppose. Have a happy weekend!

Pears

Our neighbors have a small, family sized orchard with cherry, pear, fig, apple, apricot and plum trees. If the fruit isn't picked it will attract all sorts of nuisance wildlife, including bears! So off we walked yesterday afternoon to enjoy the bounty of the pear trees. We are so grateful to our friendly neighbors!





Zara enjoying the spoils of our little adventure. She really enjoyed picking fruit!

Now I'm off to the library for a book on preserving pears. Any suggestions for a good book or website on food preservation?

Sweetness, Bob and Penguin Sliding

Just sheer cuteness!





Zara got a haircut. It actually ended up a bit shorter after all the even-ing up I had to do.



After being told that her haircut is called "a bob" Zara thoughtfully said: "A bob would not look handsome on a boy. (Pause) But Bob is a handsome name for a boy." Alrighty then. I never thought of Bob as being a "handsome" name, but apparently it is to my 4 year old. (No offense meant to those with the name Bob - we know several good men named Bob!)



We played at one of Auburn's parks the other day. Above is a little stream you have to cross on a footbridge to get to the play area.



Kids penguin sliding on Freddy at said park.



Some beautiful oaks there.

I Am The Lobster

Koo-


koo-



kachoo.

Fair!

Grandma treated us to a day a the Nevada County Fair and a good time was had by all!


We get the kids' faces painted every year by the same guy - a really nice local husband and wife team of artists.



Every kid had their face painted - even little Banyan!




Ash really liked the face painting guy - he had his little hand resting on the guy's knee while he painted Zara's face. When we left the tent Ash gave him a hug.



The Merry-Go-Round Ash started out on a horse but was too scared to ride it. The same thing happened with the real ponies:


He was on the pony about 30 seconds before the sad crying began.




Zara had a blast on the rides and didn't want to stop. We can't wait until next year!

Cursed Coyotes

My stupidly fearless mama cat has been taken by coyotes. Our second tragic animal loss in a year.

A tribute to Moon Squirrel Moonert of the Ert family, from the Misty Moonlit Norwegian Forests.







We love you Moonert. You shall be remembered along with your fallen cat comrades: Broka, The Dude, Little Brubs, Fluffert, Cricket, Nikko, Bill and Lulu.

Foresthill Volunteer Fire Association Garage Sale

My dear friend has reminded me about this amazing sale every year and I am never able to make it. She always gets great stuff for pennies. This year though, I was determined to go. So we raided our change jar, went as a family and came home with some great finds, including about 50 books on crafts, sewing, home building/repair and plants!


A handmade trestle table - it just needs some reinforcing. The top is weeping sap too. Any suggestions for the sap?


Beautiful Guatemalan fabric for 25 cents!!!


Handmade wooden vehicles - $1 for all 4!



An interesting crock. Does anyone know what it's for?

River Day

The Baby Boys

Here are our boys - looking so serious!


They usually look like this:


And this:

So Much Love!

Our New Little One!

Banyan Isaiah was born on July 13, 2010! He is only a few minutes old in this picture. Stats: 7 pounds, 12 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long.

Freddy was a perfect birth partner, as always. We make a good team! Zara awoke about 1/2 hour before Banyan was born, and so she heard and saw me labor. She rubbed my back and told me "You're doing a great job Mom!" in a soft sweet voice. As soon as Banyan let out his first cry, Ash came wandering in. Zara actually watched me birth Banyan, and when it was time, she cut the cord, with help from Freddy. Both the kids were in awe and just so mellow and sweet.

Thank you everyone for all your support and help and love! A more detailed birth story to follow soon!