A lot of lately . . .

So much lately . . . So much doing, so much done . . .

It is fun when a million projects are happening, but sometimes I find it hard to juggle them all . . .

And it has been so warm . . . Sprinkler playing, mud-puddle warm!!!

Our Magnolia tree has decided it is time to show its most outrages blooms . . .

 Sometimes I can't believe Magnolia trees are real.

Doll making is getting closer to an end . . .

They are already discussing names . . .

My little one has been very excited to work in his "math book".
I love how kids at this age, at least all of mine, think all writing work
is math, even if it is practicing letters . . .

I made creme brulee . . . 

With the fire crusted sugar top!!!
 

Oh lordy lord, I love fancy homemade decadence!!!

It feels like warm spring and my energy is pumping with ambition . . . 

I hope to knock my own socks off with how much I can complete over the next short while.

Best Wishes ~ Marica

Colors of my mom's birthday . . .

Today was my mothers birthday. A lovely short bit of time together and a simple gift.

 I found these two beautiful fabrics that seemed like a glove-fit for her sofa . . .

 She is a true pillow lover, so it was a fun quick project to stitch these up and seal

 their fate as colors bound by thread.

 My daughter made her this adorable card . . . My mother also loves frogs . . .

 We took a quick trip to Santa Barbara for lunch . . . Just the two of us . . .

And found a bounty of beautiful color. 

 She even remarked on how the day felt so full of color . . . I agreed . . .

A perfect time together . . .

Happy Birthday to my Dear Mother ~       

                                                                               ~ Marica

When it all makes sense . . .

For some days I have been sitting with this post, hesitating to send it on its way into blog universe. 

I haven't quite been able to figure out why, so here goes:

 For starters, I don't believe in any one way of doing things. At least I try not to. Deep down I am open to all ideas; although I readily keep in mind that sometimes my head is far more filled with my own rattling notions than I would like to think. But when it comes to schooling I keep a wide-open page, constantly taking notes, ready to add information and waiting for the perfect solution.  Sometimes I love what we do and other times I feel like a bit more traditional time might not be such a negative thing. 

I was homeschooled as a kid, dabbled in school here and there, and don't feel it turned me too far for the worse (spelling and grammar aside). We have approached our own children's education with gentle fascination, trying to keep a medium that is not so far one way or the other. But sometimes there are moments that flag me down and remind me that just maybe, perhaps . . . perhaps, we might be heading in the right direction. 

Last Wednesday I was surrounded by three cheery little faces entirely enthralled in a number project. We had cards with numbers written on them and were taking turns placing the next number in sequence. You could see the quiet pride when they realized they had the next number and yet they were equally thrilled to help one another . . .

 It was such effortless absorption of information . . .

Learning is so individual, so unique and so, so delicate. 

These moments free me from the tension of trying to make the right decision. 

They make it simple, clear, and sensible.

                                                                                  Thanks ~ Marica

Such a yummy dinner . . .

Last week I made the yummiest Indian dinner . . .

 With simple white rice, lemon lentils and chicken marsala. . . 

I made naans and was quite amused when my little one announced he had turned 

his dinner into a rice sandwich . . .

For dessert I concocted something I hope I can replicate again someday . . .

It hit the spot so entirely . . .

Basically I sautéed frozen mango pieces in butter, sugar, dried shredded coconut, 

a pinch cardamom, salt and a dash of coconut milk. I want to eat it again right now!!!

                                           Happy Cooking ~ Marica

Fun, fun and more fun . . .

A mini hike to the meadow preserve . . .

Where we heard lots of birds and ducks . . .

Explored logs and stumps . . .

Balanced . . .

And balanced some more . . .

Built fairy houses . . . 

And found this tree I would love to climb . . . 

Had a quick bout of Valentine making . . .

Created alligator and lizard lands . . .

Picked bouquets of sour-grass . . .

So much sour-grass . . .

The brightness that seems so far from winter . . . 

Crossing my fingers for rain . . . 

                                                 ~ Marica

In the kitchen . . . Food, food, food . . . And a simple bun recipe . . .

There has been a lot happening in the kitchen over this last week:

The oven cranked to its highest temperature for traditional pizza . . .

As well as a multi-grain pizza crust . . .

Mild risotto . . . I always forget about risotto . . .

Homemade buns for garden burgers . . .

Bun Recipe

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a large bowl stir gently together and then let sit until 

yeast foams to the top:

1+1/2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon honey

2+1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one package)

Add and knead until elastic.

If the dough is too wet add more flour.

If the dough is sticky, oil your hands:

1 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups white flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 egg

Cover and let sit in a warm place for about an hour and a half.

Divide into six equal pieces and flatten into buns. 

Make sure they are pretty flat because they will rise.

Arrange on an oiled cookie sheet and 

bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until nicely golden. 

Then there were peanut butter cookies . . .

Which I can't eat, but on occasion have a craving to bake . . .

And Mexican wedding cakes . . . Ooo I love Mexican wedding cakes . . .

I thank my oven everyday . . .

                                                       Cheers ~ Marica

Busy . . . Busy . . . Busy . . .

There has been so much happening around here I don't have enough pictures to cover it all.

Lots of working, working and playing, playing . . .

Trying to balance fun and necessity . . .

There has been a fair amount of progress on our Waldorf doll project . . .

 Tricky stitching that took four hands to complete . . .

And careful collaboration to make sure the arms stayed straight . . .

 There was a doll's birthday . . .

 With yummy granola-muffin cake . . .

 All the recent doll play reminds me so much of being eight-years-old . . .

New bunnies to make friends with . . .

 Staying up past midnight to satisfy my own private work time . . .

 Taking the sewing outside to enjoy this incredible February sunshine . . .

What has been keeping all of you busy as of late?

                                                                                 ~ Marica