Sad goodbyes to the last of the Christmas company following precious weeks of visiting;

the beginning of the massive cleanup;

helpful little hands tidying and sorting;

a morning’s wakeup call by such sweeties after a month of breakfasts by grandparents;

a gentle start to the Christmas take-down;

a slightly naked house at the end of it though refreshed and clear;

a reminder (albeit uninvited) to trust+heal (the pay-off for my Christmas diet cheats);

good advice to ease the discomfort, and a good word delivered by a dear friend with heart wide open;

three littles tucked excitedly into new/exchanged beds;

finally finishing the hubby’s Christmas/birthday toque;

a plan to block that hat into shape after confirming it is in fact too small for him;

Netflix date with my best man and this great food doc;

those same excited children awake so early in their beds;

bright winter sun to nourish and energize;

a quiet morning, giving way to quiet afternoon – more tidying, sun soaking, playing;

groceries upcoming on the docket, more knitting, and this anticipated return.

a new year, a fresh home, a gentle prompt

these things I am cherishing

::

What are you giving thanks for this 2013 weekend? Wishing you great joy and a peaceful beginning!

after a long hiatus I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

You were all so sweet after my post last week about our diet change. Your kind comments helped to brighten what was otherwise a rather dreary week. Since I’ve received a few questions about how it’s been going, I thought I’d fill you in here.

I’ve been up and down and all around regarding this new lifestyle. Although it has helped immeasurably that everyone is taking a break from wheat, not just me, it’s been a difficult transition. The kids have been pretty understanding with the whole thing. Poor Simon keeps asking for pizza (which was never a special request before).They do seem to be happily replacing their morning toast with “cheese cakes” (cheese melted over rice cakes), although they are not enjoying the switch to brown rice and the introduction of new grains (quinoa was met with tears on today’s second tasting). These kids all take after their father being mainly food separatists – my attempts to win them over with casseroles and soups are failing.

Dan has been hugely supportive – cooking meals that incorporate these changes. We’ve been leaning more heavily on meat (strange for us). I’ve been preparing green smoothies and porridge for breakfast. There’s been lots of hummus and carrot sticks, and handfuls of almonds. I’m loving that our freezer is stockpiled with chicken stock. Sadly, it’s also stockpiled with pies but I’m trying not to think about that.

I think I’m the biggest whiner in this whole thing. My diet is more restricted – no dairy, no white starches (what? no popcorn? no potatoes?),  and then a host of other no-nos along with the wheat thing. I miss baking. Dan reminds me to think about all the extra time I’ll have – but I’d really just like to have something fresh to bring out of the oven. Gluten-free recipes aren’t suitable for me because most contain the white starches I need to avoid.

I’ve been feeling far too sorry for myself lately. Depression is one of the symptoms of wheat withdrawal and I’ve been muddling my way through that over the last week. On Halloween night as the kids sorted through their loot I thought I’d treat myself to a teensy dairy-free, wheat-free treat of Sour Patch Kids. And boy was I sorry about that later. Of course! – Ten days with barely any sugar and certainly no artificial anything did not leave my system in a great way to handle any toxic candies. Lesson learned.

But even though, I’m moaning from time to time, I’m feeling overwhelmed by gratitude. I’m humbled by those who are living with celiac disease, gluten-related disorders, and chronic food sensitivities. I’m giving thanks for the reminder that all is grace. That this big thing isn’t really so big. That this challenge may actually be a gift if only I’m willing to accept it as such.

And thanks, you, for coming here. For reading my words. For speaking kindness. You are loved.

Difficult change bringing new routines;

familiar comforts and the joy of promise;

good friends even as family is far;

snuggled at home, warm from the cold;

grace from these people of mine as I take a little time to struggle through the new;

a garage cleaned by hubby – and the van’s first winter shelter;

finally organizing the eruption that was the winter gear;

little lass dressed in wool by sweet siblings bringing laughter from all;

admitting defeat and packing away summer shoes and rain boots;

moments treasured with this beloved classic and this special knit;

wonderful meals prepared by hubby as we muddle through this new diet;

kind friend to the rescue with pumpkin and diet approved recipe;

the drip, drip, drip of melting snow and warmer weather (please no snow for Halloween!);

and topping it off with a late evening snuggle with blankets, rooibos, Lewis, and needles.

Peace, comfort, support.

Things I am thankful for this weekend.

::

And, you, how was your weekend? Where did grace find you?

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal

into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our

past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

~Melody Beattie

In the name of gratitude and truthfulness I’ve decided to post a little piece of reality here once a week. Likely just a single picture. See my original post here.

I did not want to get out of bed this morning.

I slept late.

Dan woke me to tell me the time. “Not that you have to get out of bed, just thought you might want to know.”

No jumping out of bed. It’s grey. I’m cold. Flannel sheets are warm.

Thankful for the babe who woke me early but afterwards slept late, I pull on jeans and cardigan uniform, slip on familiar wool-lined slippers.

Late starting school, but we’re at it. A daughter composes cursive creative writing sentences about barf and bums. A son has forgotten how to count by fives.

We’re out of peanut butter. I wanted it for my toast. Instead I eat a cupcake left on the counter after yesterday’s plea for chocolate treat. For breakfast. At noon.

I pick a glob of porridge off the floor. There are bread crumbs everywhere and smears of God-only-know on the white tile floor.

Fruit flies have returned with warmer temperatures and the weekend’s apple boxes. The fruit fly trap reeks of red wine vinegar but it’s effective.

The Map of the World Jigsaw was broken over hardwood by well-intentioned small ones. Tears from older sibling.

There are dinosaur cutouts and paper scraps on the carpet.

Pencil shavings on the table (soon floor).

Breakfast isn’t cleaned up, lunchtime nips hard at my heals, and we have company arriving in an hour.

It’s these days that we aren’t playing our A-game that grace is at its richest. 

We’re messy and humbled, needy and weak. Because we need grace most on these days. And it’s always given for the asker.

And on this messy morning, when I wish the sun would break through cloud, and kids cared for cleaning, I’m surrounded by beauty. Beauty – the offering of joy. 

:: Cinnamon rooibos tea steaming in another favourite mug

:: big girls lingering in bed over library books

:: wee lass in her sweet new sweater with those darling skinny cords

:: first morning’s school whiner turned first to leave the school table

::  almond butter and honey on fresh bread slices

:: colour-coded checkmarks on 7yo’s math pages

:: little fingers tickling ivory

:: knitting bag close at hand

:: chicken stock simmering on stove

:: the excitement of reunion with a childhood friend

Funny how much easier it is to see when I’m looking.

I’m full of thanks.

::

What beauty do you see this day, lovelies?

A day of preparation: laundry loads, baking for the road, packing bags;

one last trip out for the perfect souvenir (despite the fact we’ll be back next year);

11 and a half pounds of organic blueberries, picked just “this morning”;

an early morning ferry, grandpa and grandma walking on with us for parent’s sanity and children’s delight;

bittersweet goodbyes with beautiful people in a beautiful place;

a long, long day of driving:

a headache relieved, a teether given over to sleep, snacks passed (and repeat);

eclectic tunes: Queen, Paul Simon, Metronomy, Elizabeth Mitchell, Metric, The Wiggles to name a few;

then home;

our first time coming home to this place after vacation – much joy: we laughed, we smiled, we hit the hay.

Dan off to help sort at our food co-op;

lazy breakfast for the rest of us amidst unpacking;

thanks to the friend (and best neighbour) who delivered us milk for our puffed kamut;

a van heavy laden with organic food and boxes of fruit (like this mama’s Christmas morning);

a 80 lbs of the 220+ lbs of ordered produce undelivered and thankfulness because perhaps this mama did not need more preserving to tackle;

kids playing in dirt, then in water, then in mud…then stripped down for showers;

german pancake with the best peaches and blueberries for dinner;

decaf latte, school plans, list making, and shawl knitting (see the photo);

topped off with a nursing babe, hot peppermint in a new mug, and a visit from the Doctor.

Grace for a long journey, breathing in the joy of home, blessed by abundance. 

I am very full of gratitude this day.

::

What are you grateful for, friends?

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::