john

john, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

john

john, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

trail

trail, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

For many reasons we didn't venture out of the neighborhood this weekend, but I got to go for a solo bike ride this afternoon, and then I took the kids to the park to bike and skate on a shady trail.

john

john, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

sunday in the park

sunday in the park, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

weekend

At about eleven o'clock this morning John came to me to find out when this weekend was going to end so that he could go back to school. This afternoon he and I went to Lowe's together and for a bike ride in the park. He was wondering whether or not Santa Claus was visible or invisible, and he settled on the notion that he had a "stellascope". He thinks that the only people who have ever seen Santa Claus are the mailman and his friend Foster.

I went through all the kid's clothes today and put them all away. In the morning I'm labeling the little drawers so that everyone will start to put things in the right drawer. It isn't apparent yet, but I have decluttering plans going on all around the house. Some things went to the school yardsale, and I've been stopping by the thrift store dropoff regularly. I'm hoping things quiet down this week as the children settle into their school routine.

off to school

off to school, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

He was absolutely comfortable, had a great time, and can not wait to go back tomorrow.

mr bubble

mr bubble, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

new horizons

Tomorrow is the first day of kindergarten for John, and tonight, pretty much for the first time ever, he embraced soap. He took an up to the neck bubble bath to kick of the school year. Then he went around to each person in the house and informed us that he was "booked solid until the weekend".

cleaned out the pantry

Have you read that new study that connects a western diet with increased allergies, autoimmune disorders, and obesity. Apparently a high fiber vegetarian diet with a termite or two thrown in during the rainy season increases beneficial gut bacteria that can lead to better health.

I did some thinking and cleaned out the pantry. I've been struggling with Ella's desire to be a vegetarian surviving mostly on bread, cheese, and pasta, so we have been talking a lot about vegetables. She doesn't eat raw tomatoes. She doesn't eat eggplant, squash, or cooked mushrooms. Apart from that she is willing to try anything. On the positive side, she does like flavor. On sunday I made a mild buttery potato and pea curry and another dish with lentils, cabbage, and cumin. I served it with coriander chutney, and she loved it. The next night I made miso soup, and a stir fry with tofu, snow peas, broccoli, and spring onions. Another thumbs up. I think I'm going to get her a subscription to Vegetarian Times for her ninth birthday.

So what did I throw out? The marshmallows. Some out of date things. For the most part I just got organized and inspired. I want to take more control over what they eat when they aren't in my house. I'm even looking forward to lunch box season. Four days and counting.

school picnic

school picnic, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Ella helped Ruby take a bath can get dressed. Then Ruby added a few accessories. It is about eighty six degrees.

some extra clothes

some extra clothes, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

river

river, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

john and ruby

john and ruby, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

dancing

dancing, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

countdown

We are off the clean the school tomorrow, and next week's calendar has a flurry of meetings, so school must be imminent. I just ordered two pairs of tennis shoes from L.L. Bean, pink and brown for her and navy and green for him, both with bungees. I had forgotten that John will need outside shoes that he can get into and out of by himself. After today I'm thinking that he needs a seminar in how to wear a belt. He lost his pants several times. We also agreed that he'll remember to wear underpants to school every day...just in case.

5

5 , originally uploaded by ellajohn.

five years old

jbp, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

John celebrated his fifth birthday yesterday with a trip to the lake with friends. For his special dinner he choose cheese pizza and a grape soda a local pizza joint. We came home to have a big mama made chocolate cake.

He is playing with his Playmobil knights and has been in full knight regalia several times. Today at the library we got six books about knights and castles. In twelve days he is going to kindergarten, and I'm wondering where all the time went. Luckily, when he grows up he is going to marry Ruby and live right across the street from me. He is going to be a farmer, and in the summer he is going to bring me the really good tomatoes every day.

The Femivore's Dilemma

So I'm probably the last person to read the New York Times article, but I've been contemplating it's implications for quite a while. I'm planning my coup, ahem, coop.

The femivore

The title was just irresistible. Put on your big girl panties and get out there and farm. I've been wanting to read Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture by Shannon Hayes.

oak

oak, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

I played under this tree when I was little. When I was older I used to get an old quilt, some saltine crackers, and a stack of library books and read for the entire day. The last time we visited Ella got out a quilt and did the same thing. If you've ever been to my house you've seen the big wooden bowl of acorns that I can never resist picking up even though I'll never make that many wool felted acorns in my life.

The tree blew over in the storm two weeks ago, and now is neatly stacked for years of firewood. They think the tree may have been a hundred and fifty years old and was seventeen feet around at the base.

My inner Druid feels sad about the loss of the tree, but I'm thankful it took the path of least resistance, falling on the garden instead of the house or barn.

3

3, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Granny took the little people to Busch Gardens last weekend, and they are still busily memorizing how tall you have to be to ride every single ride. John discovered his love of roller coasters, but I like his word better, roller "toasters". He is a daredevil. He swears that he and I went upside down on the Grover coaster.

Today he got five shots and a blood draw for his kindergarten checkup. He didn't shout until the fourth shot. He is getting tall and skinny,and we are getting ready to celebrate his fifth birthday next tuesday. We will have the birthday ring and crown with breakfast, spend the day at the lake with friends, and then out to dinner with daddy. He is interested in being a knight, and he has a knight's costume to open from his grandparents. I got him a wooden shield with a dragon. I'm already excited about getting him one fabulous holiday gift.

Five. That was the fastest five years of my life.

whirling

whirling, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

egg gathering

egg gathering, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

tractor

tractor, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

garlic naan

I headed out to pick up the children at their Grandmother's apartment in Williamsburg today, but last night John and I took Ruby out to dinner. We were ordering some spicy Indian food, so I ordered her a garlic naan. She seems love garlic and onions these days. It arrived on a lace doily with a small bowl of cucumber raita in the center, and Ruby was thrilled. She tried the raita with a spoon and then picked up the whole bowl and drank it. She pronounced the bread delicious, as well as some salmon tikka. The okra was too "picy".

I like that my children eat and enjoy real food.

circle

circle, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

look for a while at the china cat sunflower

sunflower, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

pensive pirate

pensive pirate, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

We are still cleaning the Patrick County dust out of our tents and camping equipment, but our four days under the trees was a welcome respite from our usual routine. John and Ella camped for the first two nights and then went home to Granny. John wanted to spend most of his time in the Children's Universe, and Ella enjoyed getting her hair braided and her face painted. She did a yoga class and a hooping workshop and is contemplating wearing a bindi on her forehead every day of the third grade. The kids have a tendency to forget that this is a music festival, so I drove them home so that John and I could get out to some shows. Ruby loved Old Crow Medicine Show and finally feel asleep during Levon Helm on Saturday night. I didn't get enough time on the Porch this year but did catch Tift Merritt there and a few minutes of Martha Spencer's impromptu flat footing workshop.

We did catch the Wiyos and the Hackensaw Boys, old favorites, as well as Appalachia Rising and Cristabel and the Jons. John discovered even more Swedish bluegrass, but I'm yet to be convinced. We saw Kat Mills, a mama from our library story hour, open for Levon. Big time stuff there.

We returned home and bought tickets for Bristol Rhythm and Roots,and we are contemplating Shakori Hills. School starts four weeks from yesterday, but I keep reminding myself that summer seems to last well into November here.
We loved fire breathing dragons, fire dancing, and the ever nourishing Veggie Thing.

ruby and daddy

ruby and daddy, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

blue and red

blue and red, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

ponies

ponies, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

pickles

Tonight I made pickles, hummus, roasted red pepper spread, salsa, and brown rice. I've packed five bags of groceries and we are off to a music festival in Floyd. Back sunday.

adventures

adventures, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

It is amazing what you can do just two hours from home. We are home from a few days of camping at Grayson Highlands State Park, and we want to go back and camp there for a week. Little John said, "A week? I want to stay here for the rest of my life."

grayson highlands state park

grayson highlands state park, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

wild ponies

wild ponies, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

up the mountain

We've gone camping on top of a mountain. I am somehow drawn to the idea of a boulder field and wild ponies. I'm taking beading supplies, and the kids are taking painting and drawing supplies. John is taking his big diggers and dumptrucks. Books. Tents. Bikes. Stars.

We'll be back just in time to repack our gear, make the hummus, and head back out to the woods for four days at Floydfest. I'm looking forward to taking the littles to Radiant Yoga.

high summer

corn, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

I still haven't found my balance, but I did make peach ice cream with four children today. I think we have to push back our camping trip a day and take little John to the doctor. He is heading into his fourth day of a fever, and I don't think he is up for climbing any mountains.

My little people have been stuffing their bellies with fresh corn that they picked at a friend's house on monday. Last night we cut if off the cob and put it in burritos with refried black beans, cheddar cheese, red cabbage, fresh tomatoes, onions, sour cream, and chipotle peppers.

balance

john, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

I feel like I've lost my balance around here.

I'm very tired, and this little guy is sick. I feel like I never have any time to make anything anymore, no time to myself at all. I always have to make sure no one is drowning or putting electronics in the sink. If I'm not doing that I'm making meals and snacks, washing dishes, or picking food up off the floor.

I think I'm ready for school to start.

J is for John

J is for John, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

We are back from the country with squash the size of small children.

more fresh wasabi

fresh wasabi, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

I thought I was going to show you more fresh wasabi paint, but then I had to laugh at the stack of laundry in the rocking chair. Here's to keeping it real.

fresh wasabi

fresh wasabi, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Over the fourth of July weekend we finished painting the dining room. It is Sherwin Williams Wasabi, and I love it.

summer ice cream

hugging ice cream, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Blackberry Lemon Ice Cream

In a bowl stir together 2 1/2 cups of buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 tablespoon top shelf vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups of sugar. (I bet agave nectar would be delicious, maybe a half cup)
Pour into your ice cream maker. When the ice cream is set, add a half a pint of chopped fresh blackberries and the zest of one lemon and continue to process until well mixed. Serve topped with fresh blackberries.

july

With big sister out of town for the week, John has taught his baby sister how to say "at your service". Ella went home with her Grandmother for a week, and she has been enjoying all of her meals al fresco, riding her bike, playing with baby turkeys and rabbits, and making some new friends.

horse girl

horse girl, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

She can trot!

farmall

farmall, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

country

farm, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

ella miranda

ella miranda, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

We picked Ella up from her last day of farm camp today. I think she has a new respect for the amount of hard labor it takes to care for animals. She rode horses every day, learned about sheep shearing, washed and dyed wool and then spun a bit with a drop spindle. She mucked out a stall, made mosaic out of beans, and learned some Spanish in a cabin out in the woods.

agriturismo

I know I just posted about our friends who are traveling around the world, but Chrislyn's post from Italy is just inspiring. They are gluten free, dairy free, and mama is a vegetarian, so I love to hear about what they are eating along the way. Imagine an eight year old weeping over pasta and devouring "meat from heaven covered in melted cheese'. The moon. The beans. The olives. The adventure.

sunshine daydream

I'd really rather be in Sardinia. What an adventure to be a child camping one's way around the world.

Well, we didn't make it to Sardinia today, but we did go over to our school and pull a lot of weeds. The bee balm and coneflowers are blooming away, and all the other plants have grown and grown. Ruby was so funny sitting on the tiny dwarf thyme as if it were a fragrant cushion. We planted Thumbelina Zinnias, Cosmos, and many kinds of sunflowers to greet the children when we head back to school in the fall.

The CSA bag was heavy today with fresh corn, beets, new potatoes, squash, and snowpeas, and for dinner tonight we had a giant salad and corn on the cob. Now all we need is a few freshly caught sea urchins.

the big world

old school slide, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

The two littlest and I went out to Newport to hear some music at the Ruritan Park on Sinking Creek. I stopped at the the little country store to pick up some super sweet cantaloupes. John and a merry band of little people slid down this giant metal slide for hours, and then someone fetched a sheet of waxed paper from the concession booth and let him slide down on it. He completely fell of from near the top. He was shaken but fine after a while. It did really scare me though. He is getting so big, and he has to try things out for himself.

Speaking of trying things out for himself, John was completely swept up in playing with other boys at camp last week. I asked him about a little girl who will be in his kindergarten next year and he said, "Is that a girl? I don't play with girls."

He was participating in pretend weapons play, perhaps for the first time, and he was eating it up. I want him to get out there and enjoy the pretend play, but I've always had this idea that kids should never pretend to kill. Defend the castle, hunt for dragons, storm the camp, but let's not get down and dirty killing. It has worked pretty well for our family, but next year he is going to be faced with a lot of boys and girls who have been exposed to a whole new level of media violence. I think children need to be shown the kind of behaviors that we want them to model, and that behaviour does not include sexual innuendo or a well stocked arsenal.

Hopefully our little guy will have some fun out there in the great big world. He has a coon skin cap in his backpack, and he's ready to go.

summer

summer, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

boots

I've found brother's old boots and made them my own, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

malaysian tropical curry with lemongrass and shallots

This recipe is adapted from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. I added some browned tempeh at the beginning of the stir frying.

1 tbs veg oil
4 shallots
3 stalks of lemongrass
1 tbsp lightly crushed cumin seeds
2 cups jicama
1 red pepper
1 diced fresh pineapple
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbs agave or honey
1 tsp chile garlic sauce such as Huy Fong
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Saute cumin, lemongrass, and shallots for two minutes. Add jicama and red pepper and stir fry for three minutes. Stir on pineapple, soy, lime, agave, and chili sauce and cook for one minute. Garnish with cilantro.

This was really delicious, and the kids hated it. It was a little spicy, and the cumin was a strong flavor. Maybe a half a tablespoon would be better. I had to make John a flat egg. On the other hand, I had sauted some tiny little okra with just salt and pepper and John said, "I love these burned beans."

the little man

the little man, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

John was a little distressed that camp only lasted five days. This guy is so ready to start kindergarten. He is all about playing with other little guys, and I heard that he and his friends were galloping around the playground on pretend camels doing some tomb robbing.

His favorite thing about Egypt? The Finks.

headed for Egypt camp

headed for Egypt camp, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

chinese brushpainting

ella's chinese brushpainting, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Ella was visiting her grandparents last week and took a class in chinese brushpainting. Her granny set her up with all the materials and made her a felt roll to store it all in. Here at home she unrolled it on the dining room table and was ready to show me the "materials and the techniques". I was pretty blown away, even for an oya baka.

She has been talking about her visit to the Caledon Natural Area where she saw bald eagles and found sharks teeth on the banks of the river.

I think she is enjoying being at home this week while John is at camp. This weekend she and her daddy are headed out on a camping trip. I have a feeling they will be in a hammock reading Lord of the Rings for much of the time. On monday she starts farm camp, horseback riding, spanish, sheep shearing, wool dying, and handspinning.

pool boy

green, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

big science

big science, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

solstice

We had a bonfire for solstice, and bedtime stories were read outdoors. John is in Egypt camp this week, and we are enjoying one of his first forays into the world without us. On the first day he was happy until I tried to leave, and then he cried and had the biggest frown. He said, "I don't think that I can do this." His friend Hallie took his hand like a little old annoyed wife and helped him into the line, and then he was fine. Now he is have a wonderful time talking about mummies, listening to stories, and thinking about going to kindergarten. This afternoon in the car Hallie told him that he was her brother now.

I asked him if he liked honeydew melon, and he said, "No, I like two eggs scrambled together." I thing that sums it up about the way summer is going. We are enjoying the pace of home.

Happy Father's Day

john h butler, 1950, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

take a left at the tie dye shop

I should probably just be a realtor. I think this is just gorgeous.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, we have the opposite direction.

friday

I'm happy that the single parenting portion of my week is now over. It is just more confortable to have two grownups and a couple of working telephones. Yesterday Ruby gave my cell phone a good washing in the sink, and I had to spend the night phoneless. I opened up the house to let in the cool night air and started hearing noises everywhere. Our backyard is the woods, and all kinds of creatures wander up at night. The coons like to wrestle with my composter, and the deer prance around. What kind of pioneer woman would I make, here in the city without my cellphone? I flashed my carlights to make some ruckus and slept with my car keys and alarm button next to my bed. I was wondering how I could get the police on the Internet if I needed to. Oh, Caroline Ingalls.

For the most part I've been organizing closets and drawers all week. I've taken a few more carloads to the Goodwill. Our realtor was here last week and sent me a list of all the things I would need to do to put our house on the market. Let's just say it is a long list, but it can certainly be achieved with the help of a good contractor, some guys at Lowes, and a middle aged woman with three littles who isn't afraid to take a crowbar to the kitchen counters. Oh, that and a couple of thousand dollars.

Tomorrow I want to bake some pies, and sunday we go to get our big girl.

sweet, sweet birthday girl

sweet, sweet birthday girl, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

Ruby was truly celebrated today with her dear sweet friends. She ate so many berries, and blew out her candles and shouted in her most southwest Virginia accent, "One more time".

The other children put her in a little rocking chair and gathered around her while she opened her gifts.

Thank you to everyone who made this afternoon such a special one.

ruby, 2

ruby, 2, originally uploaded by ellajohn.

a-loon

a-loon, originally uploaded by ellajohn.