Four Fruit Trees

Today is another gorgeous day. This March has been the most beautiful I have experienced in my entire life. We went to church this morning and on our way home stopped at the Menards to purchase four fruit trees. I am so excited. The kids each "own" one of the trees. Hudson is the Early Elberta peach, Johnny is the Honeycrisp apple, David is the Stella cherry and Anna is the Rainier cherry. Adam and the boys have spent the last couple of hours placing and configuring where the trees should go. I saw David think through the lesson in wind direction and placement that I had heard Adam teach him when we planted some other trees last week. David and Johnny both learned to drive the riding lawn mower yesterday, so I have been watching big smiles as they independently motor around the yard doing the errands that Adam has tasked them with. It is such a daydream of mine to have fruit bearing trees and it is a reminder to me as I look out at these four small trees to be praying for fruit in the lives of my kids and to be patient in waiting for it.

I Like Being Yelled At

This morning my alarm went off at 5:45. It took me a moment to remember why I had set it so early on a Saturday... Then I remembered the hill repeat workout I was headed out to do! Ahhh! This hill workout is organized with two coaches and several athletes of different abilities, the goal is to work super hard. I was fortunate to be invited to this since I am not one of their current athletes. I was so nervous about being late this morning that I didn't even take time to make a pot of coffee. I zapped yesterday's; that is how serious I was! Anyhow, made it on time to head out with the group for our two mile warm up. La la la. Then we were instructed that we would be doing a continuous run up and down a .3 mile hill 6-8 times. With that, I was off thinking in my head that 6 would be just fine. I am slow up and quick down (just like on the bike, I love momentum). At about 4, I am thinking "oh good! Only 2 left!" After I finished 5 and I heard the lovely yell, "YOU ARE DOING 8!!"
"for real?!!!" I argue in my head, "But! But! Blah blah blah, just do it." I would never have done that without the verbal admonishment of the coach. She expected more of me than I did of myself. Done with 8. It is still not over--2 mile tempo run. I start out just trying to keep a consistent distance between myself and the girl in front of me, totally satisfied with the 8 repeats I wasn't killing myself on this last part. Then the running coach comes up behind me, makes a few comments with a bit of chit chat before telling me that we are about to kick it on the last mile. I didnt really get what he meant until he was literally pushing me along. Every time I would start to fall back he would yell, "GET UP HERE!!! I KNOW YOU HAVE IT IN YOU! YOU JUST AREN'T WORKING HARD ENOUGH!" I was dying and thinking, "I'm not in shape! I had strep throat this week! I have four kids!" But he got it out of me. I ran so hard. Heart rate hit 215 hard. All day I have been pumped about this workout and thankful for the people that pull stuff out of me.

BABY IS HERE!

Lauren Lily, 9lbs. 10 oz. March 23rd, 2012 

I love getting early morning or late night texts alerting me that a labor is in progress. The day automatically becomes very special. I love praying for labor and safe delivery and good sleepers. (yes! I always include that) This morning I was up kind of early and I heard my phone, Luke and Elissa were at the hospital and she was close. Loved it! Texting is so great because you can just send your well wishes and they don't have to acknowledge them unless they want to.

I went to work this morning on my latest and greatest “Spring Break Chart” for the kids. I haven’t done one in so long and I think the kids will enjoy this over the break. Phone rings! It’s Mom. Hooray! Baby Girl Corning has arrived and she is doing well 9 lbs. 10 oz. No name yet. Dad has been at the hospital since 6:00. Can’t wait to hear and can’t wait to meet her. I was ready to head to the hospital until I remembered that I have most likely had strep throat this week. UGH. I am on the mend though AND on antibiotic. So I will be ready to celebrate her soon.

Looking forward to this spring break so much. I really just want to hang out with my kids, work on the garden, ride my bike, bake stuff and finish The Count of Monte Cristo. Oh, and see Hunger Games. Updates to follow!

The Mailbox

At present I am waiting for my mailbox to burst forth with all sorts of goodies. Yogurt cultures, seeds, codling moth traps, checks and chicks! (although the 35 chicks we ordered will be delivered to the door) Considering that every time I get into my van it costs me an average of $10 in gas, I order more and more stuff online. Also, since Adam and I both work from home all of our paychecks come in the mailbox. It is like an Easter basket some days--others not, but the hope is always there! The mailbox also makes a great stopping point on my Hampshire runs. I often sprint out to get the mail from the house just to keep things interesting. Recently, I was busted by a friend doing this in the rain with four little boys timing me. Anna makes a joke that I always smile when I get the mail. I'm not sure that this is true, but if she says so :)))

Four Months Laundry Soap

I made my first batch of laundry soap sometime in November. Just looked it up online and made it from the things I had in my house: borax, baking soda, bar soap and water. That was it! It was kind of funny boiling my brew in a giant lobster pot then stirring it up in a five gallon bucket. When I finished I had made myself FOUR months worth of detergent and I am no laundry lightweight. I wash about 7-9 loads per week during the winter when the cloths are more substantive. This time I used a green tea bar soap I bought at trader joes for my base. The kids and I picked out our favorite smelling bar. Also something I remember doing with my mom in the store. Laundry is truly a tiresome chore. I like to sit on my bed and fold it while watching a movie on my iPad from Netflix--always helps with my laundry woes. I am a horrible sorter and I never iron, unless company is coming and I need a fresh tablecloth. I consider myself successful if the laundry gets put away. I, like most moms, am a laundry Sisyphus without all the backstory. I do, however, enjoy making the soap!

Ready Set Garden!

Adam confirmed with me one morning this week, “now you are sure you want to do this—
I can’t do this by myself.”
I nodded my head. “I’m in!”

Last year our garden was pretty ho-hum. I was off riding my bike every saturday morning, so I can’t complain. I didn’t help a bit. But this year we are going to give it proper respect and try to create something special. I was super inspired over the winter to try heirloom seeds and attempt seed-saving. We ordered a catalog from The Seed-Savers Exchange and went to town selecting things that we are going to plant this year. I’ve been saving all my coffee grounds and composting all winter in anticipation of gardening season.

Meanwhile, I have been super sick this weekend while it was absolutely gorgeous out. I missed racing Cary and can't even smell the magnolias that have started to bloom. The daffodils are up though and that always makes me smile.

Here is our seed order, placed today!

Tomato, Gold Medal
Tomato, Cherokee Purple OG
Tomato, Blondkopfchen OG
Tomato, Brandywine
Tomato, Mortgage Lifter (Halladay's) OG
Pepper, Mini Chocolate Bell
Pepper, Mini Red Bell
Pepper, Mini Yellow Bell
Pepper, Chocolate Beauty
Pepper, Bull Nose Bell
Pepper, Joe's Round
Pepper, Aji Crystal
Bean, KY Wonder Pole
Bean, Purple Pod Pole OG
Beet, Burpee's Golden OG
Beet, Cylindra
Carrot, Danvers OG
Carrot, Dragon
Cucumber, A & C Pickling OG
Cucumber, Double Yield OG
Rutabaga, Joan OG
Cabbage, Winningstadt
Melon, Pride of Wisconsin
Watermelon, Oh So Sweet OG
Watermelon, Orangeglo
Pea, Amish Snap
Swiss Chard, Five Color Silverbeet OG
Radish, French Breakfast OG
Lettuce, SSE Lettuce Mixture
Onion, Yellow of Parma
Sunflower, Mongolian Giant
Brussels Sprouts, Long Island
Potato, German Butterball

Things to plant not on this list:

Rhubarb

Basil

Cilantro

Gladiolus

Giant Pumpkins Carving Pumpkins

Tag

This week has been crazy warm for March-- it is amazing what a little sunshine and fresh air can do for a person. Our Girls on the Run Program started last week and I am trying to get into a good rhythm of coaching that twice a week. So far so good. I also decided that in order to be a good coach that I should actually be "a girl on the run" and considering I am racing a half this weekend I'd better get to it! (a little too late to do anything more than fake it, but I will consider it a baseline :) In the spirit of working on my running, I decided to do something that scares me and join up with the dick pond fast track team for a workout last night. It was great. Hoping that that will really help me out of a slump. Sometimes you just need to be with actual people. Also signed up for the Twin Lakes triathlon this week and I am really hoping to do the Rev3 half in August. Thinking through some running goals and it makes me excited to work on them.

On the first amazingly nice day of this week, I took the kids with me to measure out a route at the school for the girls to run. Johnny and Hudson ran the course with me like little studs. I think Johnny needed some success this week and I was super proud of him. Afterwards, the kids asked me to play tag with them. I initially thought no, lets just go home, but then remembered how my mom would full out play tag with us at the park and how much we loved it! What in the world do I do all this running for if not to play tag with my kids?! Totally busted myself. My kids are getting fast and they can get away from me with a liitle jig this way or that. I only go forward :)

Anyhow, it was sweet and I am looking forward to some new things! Bring on the spring!

I Should Never Touch a Clippers

Adam got a haircut last week from some kind of “Clip” place. The lady missed a spot entirely. Adam’s mistake was thinking that I would be a good person to help him fix that mistake. My experience with clippers has never been successful. To much power without any sort of undo function. I tend to dive right into to things—not a good clipper quality. Anyhow: “buzzzzzz. Yeesh! Sorry! Why did you give me the clippers anyway?!!” After several minutes of quiet frustration, a scissors and careful instruction—we fixed it. Sort of. Good thing he has gone fishing for a few days and nobody will see him.

Baby Selah was born today. I have yet to hear details, but I got a text announcing her arrival. So excited for this new little Kraukette. Congratulations Brandon and Jenny!

Go-To Chocolate Chip

I have been making this chocolate chip recipe for over ten years. It is the quick fix, always satisfying treat that can be whipped up in less than 20 minutes. I like it because the cookies remain soft and full rather than flat and hard--it was adapted from a cookie cake recipe so that is probably why.

Over Christmas break I wanted to let Anna have a go at making cookies by herself. I wrote out the recipe on a card and put out the ingredients and measuring tools on a prep tray. Then I sat down and read a book while she went to work. My kids watch me bake all the time, but in my life the only way I seem to learn is by doing it myself so I thought I should let her fly solo. I don't even think she asked me any questions--just enjoyed her autonomy. She served them with pride and the boys ate them up. She discovered that she had forgotten to add the brown sugar, but I know she won't forget next time :)

Go-To Chocolate Chip

Ingredients:
1 c. chocolate chips
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter soft
1/3 c. white sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter and sugars, add egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt.
Slowly mix flour mixture into the mixer with the egg/sugar mixture.
Beat in chocolate chips until mixed.
Form dough balls on a cookie sheet. Place about 2 in. apart.
Bake cookies for approximately 12 min.
Arrange on a cute platter.
Enjoy!