thishomemadelife | 2011 April

Beans and Toast

April 29, 2011

Well, today is the big day. Prince William marries Kate Middleton. Did you get up early to watch the festivities or set your DVR? I’m afraid I fall into the DVR crowd. Sleep feels very precious this week. Years ago, I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana. My mom and I got up very early. Snuggled in our pj’s and blankets we watched with the rest of the world as a young woman became a princess. As an 8 year old girl, it seemed magical. Early in my parents marriage they lived in England, moving back to the states before I was born. My mom would often share her memories of the time they spent there. Not long ago we found the village, street and flat where they lived, using Google Earth. She took me on a virtual tour of her time living there. How she took her shopping cart and walked to the open air market to get food for meals. She described how the brilliant color of the daffodils and tulips would contrast with the gray English sky. The day that we watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana it was like having my own personal tour guide, right there in my living room. As the cameras showed crowds of people at the gates of Buckingham palace, she told me about the Beefeaters and the crown jewels. When they interviewed bystanders she told me about the humor and character of the people she met living there. I was fascinated. Many of the food blogs I follow have been sharing fancy English desserts and wedding-like delicacies this week. And they are beautiful, but I decided to go a different route and share something a bit [...]

Spring Panzanella

April 28, 2011

Interview with Ben, age 10

April 27, 2011

Yesterday my Ben turned 10. Crazy. It snuck on me a bit, this boy of mine having his big birthday. I love watching the person that he is becoming, but there are days I wish I could go back and have more time. More of those days of sweet newborn noises, 1 year old curiosity and four year old questions. I was so tired during all those days; learning to be a mom and trying to keep up that I sometimes struggle to remember. Then out of the blue a moment will come to mind, one that I thought I had forgotten and I am comforted by the gift that a memory can be. Part of my reason for starting this blog is to capture more of these fleeting moments in words and pictures so that someday, if memory fails me, they will be recorded for the boys here and at the end of the year made into a book. At the suggestion of a few readers and after posting about Samuel turning 7, I decided to interview Ben for his birthday. I was surprised by a few of his answers, others were as expected. Ben’s Birthday Interview What is your favorite food? Seriously, a favorite? I have too many to mention. Who is the coolest person on Earth? My Grandpa, because he knows a lot of cool things. What is your best subject in school? Writing stories and reading What is something you are good at? Playing soccer What is your best trait? My hair color. I like it because it’s like my mom’s. If you could go anywhere, where would you go? To Germany to watch my favorite soccer team play a game When you grow up what do you [...]

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

April 26, 2011

Spring

April 25, 2011

Easter was quiet around our house this year. After a week of Bret being gone we were glad to have a day together. Our stretch of cold, gray, wet days was broken, if only for the holiday. In the afternoon we headed to an area of trails not too far from our house to soak in some sunshine and look for treasures offered by the changing season. Even though the calendar doesn’t always reflect it, to me Easter feels like the beginning of Spring. I start to see signs big and small of the earth waking from it’s winter hibernation. New life. Green on the trees in the palest of shades, as if they have been washed with the faintest of watercolor. Blossoms on the trees leaving a fragrance of sweetness in the air. The appearance of dandelions and many, many bouquets of these “beautiful yellow flowers!” Spending all our time outside. Only coming in as the sun is going down, the boys dirty and spent from the fresh air and activity. It’s all worth the winter wait. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter too! Alison

Beans and Toast

Spring Panzanella

Interview with Ben, age 10

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Spring

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