Living Our Story

Life is lived outdoors during Summer. Time spent in front of a computer is minimal and goes unnoticed. I am extremely thankful to find myself happy in my life's present season. The days are filled with activity so much so we are almost too tired to make it into bed at night. My children seem to grow as quickly as my garden in this sometimes sweltering heat. Their words, their activities and understanding of how this big crazy world fits together amazes me. Together we carry handfuls of tomato, cucumber, sweet peppers, corn and squash from the garden each day. My son reminds me how they all started as small seedlings just like him as my daughter fills her cheeks with the ripe fruit. My heart is full. In front of me I find a narrow pathway along the creek, small fish and polliwogs just below the waters surface. The rocky terrain of a somewhat treacherous bike trail and my husbands silhouette a few yards ahead.  Wet faces adorned with swim goggles and grins popping up from a cool pool. A waterfall so loud we resort to communicating with hand signals while wiping the mist from our sunglasses. A forest of trees more mystifying than any movie on the big screen. This is summer. I imagine myself adrift in these moments forever. I write in my head and rarely ever on paper or in type. There is very plainly more living to be had than there is time to report on it. We are living our story and I rather like this one. So for the moment I am going to step away from the keyboard and enjoy my little ones while they are still little. 

Happy Summer.

Egg Shells In The Garden- Monday

There are egg shells in the garden and coffee grounds in the flower bed. The sun blankets the patio and for the first time this year my little ones search for la sombra in the nooks of our green overgrown yard. Unconvincingly my bare shoulders and knees burn a bit as I find little things to do amongst the buzzing lilac and budding hydrangea. My mind is quiet and calm as I inspect a budding Tomatillo flower or crush Rosemary between my fingers. We eat lunch on a blanket in the grass and drag our craft bucket from the house into the shade. My sweet brood scratch out gifts for one another with washable markers and butterfly stickers. "sanks" says one "welcome" says the other. Frida our plump fawn pug trots by and I notice she's been a canvas for pink and blue chalk. It's a new look that she doesn't seem to mind my mouth curling to a grin. The fire bowl is set for tonight. The sky will be smothered in stars. Fresh cilantro has been nipped from the garden and broccoli too. Edith Pilaf's voice seeps from the living room stereo and I can't imagine another place I'd rather be. No fancy parties of lavish spa dates for me today. No theatre tickets or shopping sprees please. I've already found everything I need, here in our lovely green and overgrown yard.

Hay cáscaras de huevo en el jardín y café en la cama de flores. El sol cubre el patio y por la primera vez este año, mis pequeños búsqueda la sombra en los rincones de nuestro patio cubierto de verde. Poco convincente mis hombros desnudos y las rodillas quemar un poco como encontrar pequeñas cosas para hacer, entre el zumbido lilas y hortensias en ciernes. Mi mente está serena y tranquila como yo inspeccionar una flor en ciernes Tomatillo o romero aplastar entre los dedos. Comimos almuerzo en una manta en el césped y arrastrar nuestro cubo oficio de la casa en la sombra. Mi dulce cría ganarse regalos para unos a otros con marcadores lavables y pegatinas de mariposas. "sanks", dice una "por nada", dice el otro. Frida nuestros gordos cervatillo pug y me doy cuenta de que ha sido una lona para la tiza de color rosa y azul. Es una nueva mirada que ella no parece importarle mi boca se encrespa a una sonrisa. El tazón de fuego está lista para esta noche. El cielo estará cubierto de estrellas. Cilantro fresco ha sido cortada desde el jardín y el brócoli también. La voz bella de Edith Pilaf escurre desde el estéreo sala de estar y no puedo imaginar otro lugar en el que preferiría estar. Ninguna parte de lujo de spa de lujo data para mí hoy. Sin billetes para el teatro o salidas de compras por favor. Ya he encontrado todo lo que necesitas, aquí en nuestro patio verde precioso.

Linking Here, Here and Here.

Treating Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Much of my time, while not baby wrangling is spent in our garden. It is my happy place. In the Spring because I am planting and preparing and the plants really start to produce. Summer because everyday I head out to the garden there is something to be harvested or tended to. The kiddos are in the garden with me or at least never far off. Right now Stella is nibbling the broccoli and parsley and JQ pulling off snap peas. We love it! While I hesitate to call what I am doing amongst the veggies work, it is messy, dirty and right now I am experiencing seasonal allergies!  My nose and eyes are a mess to the point it is unbearable to be outdoors. Not being able to do something I adore and find quite therapeutic because of itchy watery eyes and sneezing would be a total drag. Taking an allergy pill that would make me sleeping, dull my senses or mask my symptoms is not an option either.  Staying true to my ideals I have found several natural forms of treating seasonal allergies that really work for me. Hearing from friends around the country it sounds like many are loving the spring weather not the allergies that come with it. I thought it helpful to share some of the natural allergy treatment methods I have found to be most effective.

 1. Adding honey to your daily diet is a completely natural and effective way to help with seasonal allergies. Loosely, the honey triggers your body into producing antibodies against the allergens. Local honey is best as it would be unique to the flowers and plants blooming in your area. Honey from nearby your home should be available at your local farmers market or natural food store. 2. Adding an all natural Allergy Supplement with ingredients such as nettle, echinacea, vitamin C and bee pollen all of which have been proven to help with seasonal allergies. These supplements can be taken individually as well to help with allergy symptoms. 3. Using a Neti Pot! Never heard of it? I hadn't either until a few years ago but WOW the relief! An ancient tradition of Indian Yogi's the Neti Pot has just recently gained popularity in the US. Using a mild saline solution the Neti Pot cleanses your sinuses thus flushing the allergens out. Used daily this is a very effective and natural way to treat seasonal allergies. 4. Drinking hot tea or even hot water is something I find helpful as well.  5. Lastly, when coming in doors after being outside I will wash my face and hands and even change my clothes. Even trying one of these methods would be beneficial and worth a try.  

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The opinions expressed on this blog are my own based on personal experience and my own research. I have not been compensated for this post in anyway.