WINNERS and an apology

Congratulations to the Katie Evans ebook winner:  Beth Orris!  In the spirit of keeping things honest, I admit that that's my mom, but I didn't rig the contest in her favor... PROMISE!  Here's a snapshot of the screen:

had to crop it here to exclude her email address :)

I'm thrilled that my mom won because she's been on the fence about getting a DSLR and this cinches it for her. She plans to spend her retirement snapping photos... perhaps she'll even takes a few pics of me (the hazard of being the family photo journalist is that there are very very few pics of me with the girls).  Also, she's right next door so we can learn from each other!  And really, it's all about ME :)

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And the Rugrat Design Monet Roll winner is:  Christie Ewing Holmes!  I forgot to take a screen snapshot :(  Sorry, it was entry #9.  Congratulations Christie!  You're kids are going to love it and you're going to love whipping out something so stylish at restaurants!

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As for the apology, this past weekend we had a wonderful OPEN HOUSE for our greenhouse/farm.  Prepping & cleaning up for that has left me beat.  Throw in normal life things and keeping up with my paid writing gigs, I'm dreadfully behind schedule with the posts I want to write for myself.  Day by day... oh dear Lord...

Check me out!

A new writing opportunity has arrived and I'm thrilled!  I'm now a writer for Word Of Mom ... the newest addition to the What To Expect When You're Expecting franchise.  I'm still feeling my way through this new endeavor, but basically we're a group of mom reporters chiming in on all things related to parenting & kids in the media.

Here's my first article... I decided to jump feet first into one of the most CONTROVERSIAL topics out there :)

Flu Vaccine During Pregnany Improves Newborn Health

*I THINK I get paid depending on how much traffic my articles drum up, so feel free to share my article to anyone you think would be interested :)

basket of babble :: Heidi update

Heidi is coming out of her shell and it sounds & looks like this "nah gab bah bab.  blow raspberries."  climb into basket.  squint at mama.  kiss every picture in every book book (but not mama).

She is a hoot!  Still ridiculously good natured, but less likely to smile, more likely to squint and purse her lips.

She's entered the stage where she actually PLAYS independently!  Digging into baskets looking for a toy...then choosing the least fun thing in there (one puzzle piece, silk scarf, drum stick).  She's dancing with us, climbing onto my lap for cuddles and story time, signing "more" and "all done"...

But mostly, she's CLIMBING INTO BASKETS for her own reading time.  Here are just two photos of her favorite activity.  If only I could teach her to put things back INTO the basket once she climbs out :)

fountain of youth

Recently, Hazel discovered a new weapon.  TRUTH.

The other day as I prepared to take the girls with me to Home Depot, Hazel said, "Someday I go to Home Depot BY MYSELF."

Surprised, I replied, "No honey, mommy or daddy take you to Home Depot."

"But someday I GROW UP!"


My jaw dropped and my heart stopped as I slowly turned toward her, the truth cutting through me like an ice pick.

"What did you say?"  I asked in astonishment.

"Someday, I grow up, Mama."  (the "duh" was implied in her tone)

Now, I don't know who told her about this concept, but I was certainly unprepared for this little girl to be so wise... and right :)

Since she LOVES to get a reaction out of me, this is now her favorite thing to tell me:  "Someday, I cross the street BY MYSELF.  Someday, I cook hot dogs BY MYSELF. and so on and so forth...covering all important aspects of life."

Fortunately, I thought of the perfect antidote to the sadness I feel.

Today, I told Hazel, "You will grow up, but you will ALWAYS BE MY BABY!"
"NO I WON'T!", was her reply.
"And I will always be your mama!", was my reply.

This concept has her a little confused, but I've got the upper hand....whether or not I ever let her cross the street by herself or not (leaning towards the latter).

Mama + Baby = TLA

A journey down memory road :: Appalachian Trail excons

Inspired by the GIRL WHO TRAVELS post, I've been doing a lot of reminiscing about past adventures.  One of my hardest & favorite teachers used to say "I learn from other people's mistakes so that I don't have to make them myself."


That quote has served me well many many times as I strive to do just that.  HOWEVER, when it comes to traveling, sometimes the most memorable events are the mistakes/accidents!  Throughout the next month, I'm going to share some of my "favorite" travel memories.  Flooded bathroom in Moscow? check!  Geriatric excursions in the Alps?  check!  Crouching under boulder during hailstorm in Wyoming?  check!

My first tale... looks like this (in my memory):

scene from O Brother Where Art Thou

When Farmer Jake and I started dating, we were both really active in our outdoor interests (as opposed to now when our gear collects dust).  He had been section hiking the AT (Appalachian Trail) for a few years and had made it from Georgia to North Carolina.  I had fallen in love with back packing, but had only really explored the Adirondacks and was anxious to jump on the AT bandwagon.

After a few months of dating, we loaded up our gear (after I was revolutionized and retaught by this book)

Jake had just returned from an intense 5-week backpacking course with NOLS and I was a bit awe-struck by his expertise.  I would (and will) follow this man ANYWHERE.  However, now I do so with a bit more insight and a bit less perpetually-pleasant-nature despite the circumstances (which reminds me, I'll have to tell you about our first real date... that left me black & blue for weeks).

You see, Jake was a marathon runner.  Without effort, he is always in shape.  Without training, he ran an ultra marathon (70 miles).  He hasn't run for at least 2 years, but I'll bet you my retirement account (joke's on you!) that he could up and run a marathon right NOW.  Freak?  Yup!

So, hiking the AT with this guy was naively ambitious of me.  Hiking North Carolina's trail was naively hard core of me.  It looks something like this:  switchback, switchback, switchback VIEW of mountain range, switchback, switchback, switchback, VIEW of valley, REPEAT.  FEEL THE BURN!

Try as he might, Jake could NOT keep down with my pace (as opposed to keeping up, get it?).  Ever the loner, I encouraged him to walk ahead for large chunks of the day.  Actually, I just wanted to sweat and curse in peace and not keep up the "chipper, ever glamorous Julie routine".

It WAS a beautiful hike.  Beds of pine needles, crisp streams, backpacker camaraderie with the others on the trail, gourmet meals (Jake actually RISES BREAD in his pack while hiking!  My mind was blown.  It's why I married him.).  So many good memories.

One NOT SO GOOD MEMORY relates to the "Oh brother" picture.  I kid you not, that's almost EXACTLY how this memory looks in my brain.  I'm sure time has embellished it a tad, but not much, I promise you.

One afternoon, as I was enjoying a particularly shaded & level stretch of the trail, I was in my groove.  My pack seemed lighter and my pace seemed quick.  I was thinking, "I haven't seen Jake for a long time, surely he'll be waiting just around the bend".  Bend after bend, he wasn't there.  I began to feel a little frantic, thoughts constantly returning to 

In this book (an excellent, quick read!), Bryson tells a horrible story about 2 women hikers who were murdered on the trail.  Try as I might, I could NOT get that story out of my head.  

Determined to catch-up with Jake and gently (we were still in "new relationship" mode) admonish him for leaving me for so long, I continued to hike.  Along one particularly lonely stretch, I heard strange noises.  

From behind I heard the sound of RUNNING.  I turned to see TWO MEN IN JUMPSUITS running down the trail.  And I'm not talking about two REI clad hikers, no, I'm talking about 2 middle aged, unhealthily thin, nonbackpack wearing men....wearing JUMPSUITS (did I mention that?).  

"Was there a prison break?" was my first thought.  My second was "HOLY CRAP THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO NOTICE THAT I'M ALONE.  PLAY IT COOL".  I let them pass, thankfully, they barely noted my presence.  Clutching my Nalgene bottle like a deadly nightstick, I continued to hike in the same direction as they went, what choice did I have?  

Worried that they were crouching, prepared for attack around each corner, I about jumped in to Jake's lap when we met up not much later.  From then on, he was only around to be out of sight for 5 minute increments!

All in all, it was a wonderful trip.  However, the memory of those two men haunts me on every solo hike I go on!  I wish I knew the story behind that encounter... or perhaps it's better I don't!

YOUNG and eager to start our adventure!  Notice how my pack looks SO much bigger :)  Truth be told, I was carrying our clothes and double sleeping quilt.  Jake had all the heavy gear and food (sucker!).

Lovin' this: Date A Girl Who Travels

I found this through Jane Anger's (aka Amanda aka 1/2 of Tymanda) link on facebook.  Thanks Jane!

My comment says it best:  "Not only do I LOVE this post, it made me LOVE MYSELF a little more this afternoon as I watch kids play at my feet and remember that this rooted phase of life IS just a phase... because I AM A GIRL WHO TRAVELS :)

Read the post here:  http://www.solitarywanderer.com/2012/02/date-a-girl-who-travels/

Rugrat Design :: GIVEAWAY

So, who read that title and thinks I'm giving away a Rugrat?  I sure do have a few to spare ;)  Also, who wishes I'd stop starting every sentence with "So,"?  I can't control it!  Is it a PA thing?  Yes, let's blame my home state.

ANYWHO... you probably drooled over the adorable-ness of my 1-year old on Mother's Day.  Didn't see that post?  It's here.  Though she would elicit drool even if she was wearing a garbage bag (unbiased opinion), her dress was fit for a queen!

Recently I reconnected with a friend from college and was super excited to discover her Etsy business, Rugrat Design.  Her kids clothing line is exactly my style.  THIS coat makes me weak in the knees!

Some things never change and she's just as sweet as I remembered.  She sent me a gift box stuffed with items for my girls... and even a skirt for me!  Perhaps I'll post a photo of myself in the future... perhaps!

Her designs are low maintenance, the styles grow with the kid for YEARS of wear and are REVERSIBLE!  2 outfits for the price of 1!  Perfect for certain toddlers who like to smear peanut butter on their clothes at breakfast.  Perfect for the mama who likes to dress her kids in cute clothes on vacation, but has a really small car.  Perfect for having something fresh for each season.  Catch my drift?  Reversible kids clothes is where it's at folks!

Hazel in her reversible jumper.  Ties at the shoulder for quick adjustments.  (my model was refusing to stand up.) I had both girls in the more fall/winter prints since it was chilly out.  I can't wait to bust out the aqua paisley print on the reverse!

Heidi in her reversible pinafore dress.  Can you imagine how cute this will be as a tunic top next year?  

Each girl got a dress, a snack bag AND a mobile monet roll.  SWEET!  My absolute favorite is Heidi's pinafore style dress.  AACK... she is selling these dresses for $15 right now. Hurry, head over there and buy before she comes to her senses and triples the price (seriously, everywhere else that dress would be at LEAST $45!).  I've already washed Heidi's dress twice and it looks as good as new.  Granted, a quick touch with the iron is needed, but only after the dryer... not in between wears (since you start with TWO clean sides ;)

The snack bag makes us so much more chic and eco-friendly at church (anyone else low enough to resort to a constant stream of snacks in order to keep the kids quiet?).

Hazel asks for snacks 100,000 times a day.  At least she's now a stylin' muncher!

the velcro kind of closes itself which makes it harder for Heidi to immediately dump her Cheerios!

The crayon rolls are awesome for leaving in the purse for any impromtu coloring.  I've found that Hazel, my almost 3yo, enjoys taking the crayons in and out of the pockets as much as she enjoys coloring.  Another 2fer ;)

and I quote:  "Mama, I HINK (think) we should mail this to Annie"  Hazel asks to mail things to her cousin Annie ALL THE TIME!  Last night she wanted to mail her daddy's dufflebag after she saw that I have a suitcase.  Clearly, mama and daddy don't each need luggage.

AND NOW... THE GIVEAWAY :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ideal Mama Day Gift :: the gift of time

As a young mother, I fantasize about TIME.  Uninterrupted naps.  A few quiet minutes to be still.  Time alone.

As a "seasoned" mother, I'm pretty sure my mom's perfect Mother's Day gift is time TOGETHER.

Different points on our motherhood journeys.

Our road trip to Chicago succeeded in giving us BOTH what we need.  I have been SPOILED ROTTEN!  Meals in delicious, unique restaurants.  Shopping w/o the baby (they actually hired a babysitter for afternoon shopping!).  Movie w/o the baby.  Long car rides when all I could do was... BE.

My mother got time with just Heidi.  Something neither of them often gets.  All weekend, 9 times out of 10, Heidi stretches out of my arms in order to be with her Llama; fulfilling her Mother's Day gift to each of us.

Hazel and her father are having a BLAST!  Not the teary "I WANT MAMA" evenings that I feared when leaving on this 4-night trip.  She is flourishing with the non-stop attention from her dad... and judging from the joy I hear in his voice, the feeling is mutual.

Each of us is connecting, growing, breathing, enjoying special times...

To all the amazing women out there...whether you are raising/ raised/ dream of/ let younger friends into your heart...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

*one outtake from this morning's photo shoot:

classic Heidi facial expression

**Like her dress?  Stay tuned for more goodies and a giveaway from Rugrat Designs later in the week!

Four peas in a pod :: Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day falls at such a perfect time.  Graduations, summer vacations, blooming flowers, spring planting, first picnics... so many things to cheer and energize.  

As for me, I'm in my groove.  FINALLY writing every day.  Regularly putting healthy meals on the dinner table.  Lovin' up my sweet girls.  Happily married and planning an exciting future with my husband.  Whittling down and prioritizing all my "shoulds" (marriage, kids, healthy foods, write. PERIOD.).

I have much to be thankful for.

Last year, Jake surprised me with this necklace that I had fallen in love with on our "babymoon".   This year, while emailing with Irina from My Little Kawaii, I mentioned how much I love her peapods and asked if she ever made them with 4 peas... to represent my Kosker quartet, "four peas in a pod".  She then surprised me and made this felted pea pod which hangs proudly in my kitchen.

HOWEVER, this Mother's Day, I've ripped my quartet in half!  SCANDALOUS!

Heidi and I are livin' it up in Geneva, Illinois (suburb of Chicago).  We're spending a blissful long weekend with my mother and our dear life-long friends, April & Whitney.  We did this a few years ago (here) and soon Whitney is moving to London... oh darn, guess we'll be heading to London for our next weekend away!  I'll share more about our wild weekend soon :)

Jake and Hazel also have a jam-packed weekend planned and she is sooo excited!  Wonder how many s'mores she's going to eat on their camping trip?  

Toddler friendly gardening :: Potato patch

Click the photo to read my TODDLER GARDEN post over at woojr.com.