The Phoenix: Epicuriousmothering Rising

These say it all . . .

You know how all winter you dream about putting on shorts and light skirts and being able to walk outside with just a t-shirt on and feeling warm enough?  And then, in the summer as sweat rolls down you chest and back, you dream about putting on jeans and sweaters and actually feeling cold?   Well, it seems that fall has arrived and it's time to wear sweaters and jeans and jackets . . . but I can't believe it.  I know I'm going to get hot again, so I keep wearing my light weight shirts and pants or skirts.  I am an idiot.  Today, I had to sit in the car for 15 minutes with the heat blasting because . . .  I did not wear warm enough clothes. Note to self . . . GET THE WARM CLOTHES down like yesterday from the attic.   I haven't because I'm not ready!  It was in the 80s . . . and has gone straight to the 50s.  I need those beautiful 70s and 60s back! I have cute between clothes I've been waiting months to wear!  I kn...

So it's 10:39pm and I've got about 24 quarts of salsa waiting to process (the steaming/bubbling stuff you do so that all the germs are dead and gone and no one gets sick eating it years from now).  My house smells amazing.  Sometimes too amazing. I've cried three times today when I bent over the bubbling salsa to check the consistency and got a big old whiff of delicious peach, onion, garlic, jalepeno magic. Holy Hannah.  It's strong.  And that's just how you want it.  Only, don't stick your face over the pot right as it begins to boil. You might get a little too much.  Just a friendly little tip for when you're canning. (If you want the recipe, it's amazing, and I'll totally share it with you.  If you live close, I'll totally come help you.  And if you live far away and want advice, I'll totally take your FaceTime call . . . though, I often don't shower/dress until 3pm or 4pm so just be warned . . . I may not look so pretty). ...

I'm sure I mentioned this before, but I'll mention it again . . . just in case . . . as a child, I was somewhat riddled with anxiety.  Like I woke up each morning convinced that this day was my last.  My poor mother.  Bless her heart for dealing with my crazy. At some point, maybe around 12 or 13 I begin to realize that this daily terror was affecting my life (yes, it took me a minute).  Everyone around me seemed to get into cars without the least worry.  They'd leave their love ones daily and not fear and tremble that it would be the last time they'd lay their eyes on their dearly beloved.  Not to mention, they did fun things . . . like all the time.  They biked, swam, ate adventurous food, and well . . . lived.   Now, I'm going to get side tracked for a second, and mention that my fears were founded on fact.  My brother was seriously injured in front of me, my mother got ran over as I watched (both stories for another ti...

Yesterday I sat with my face to the sun for hours.  It was the perfect temperature--mid 70s--with a gentle breeze that came exactly the moment when it got too hot.  I was surrounded by my children, John and my sister and her family.  We all listened to wise advice and beautiful music and felt the peacefulness and calming that comes from being reminded that we are not alone in the universe and that we are loved and that we are capable of greatness. And I was also sick and so were all of us.  Finn has goopy eye that weeps white stuff and all of us have sore throats and an excess of mucus.  It's icky in every way.  But yesterday, while I sat in the sun and listened, I felt at peace. And this morning as I did a hard yoga practice with Anne in the sunshine as the wind outside literally shook the house and made it moan, I still felt it.  As I went from pose to pose, I thought about how hard yoga is (for those of you who think it's easy . . . please,...

Sometimes you just have a good day.  It doesn't happen that often, but when it does, you just need to sit back and relish it.  That's what I'm doing right now. The sun is pouring in through the wall of windows in my room warming me all the way through.  Piper and Finn are happily playing downstairs with their cousins, their laughter and chatter floating up the stairs making me smile.  Celia has spent the day at home (her free day) making cake, reading, and actually helping me.  Phoebe is off with laughing friends--I won't see her again today I'm sure.  And John is off picking up pizza so no dinner making for me (joy joy joy) After a beautiful session of flowing yoga and a killer 10 minute ab workout with my choga girls, I walked three miles with Emily in the wind and the sunshine and felt cold and alive.  Then I curled up on the couch with the final book in the Red Rising series (honestly, best. books. ever!) and finally got to read.  I ignore...