Fantastic Five

Hilary, Kevin, Me, Tristan and Kimberly.

Sibling Love

Portrait of me, Hilary and Tristan taken by my dad the day after Christmas.

Precious Boy

This morning Lyric was helping Daddy build a fire. He loves to crumple the paper and throw them in, I'm certain he'll be able to build a fire on his own at a very young age. He is so observant, and takes in so much of the world around him.

One of the first things he wanted to put on this morning were the beenie and boots he received from Santa.

We are having a nice week, family is in town. Miles brother and his 3 girls are having a fun time, Natassia is in heaven spending so much time with her cousins and having late night slumber parties. This morning Miles made the most incredible waffles with a recipe I found. They were a hit, and will be made again soon!

Today we are going to a pool party, I know we are some of the very few across the country going to a pool party today--most people would need to bring ice-skates to a pool party this time of year.

Happy New Year.

Yarn Dolls

While packing and organizing I came across these yarn dolls I made a few months ago. The blue one was my very first, the little one was my second and the bright green and pink was one that I made during Lyric's class. Really fun and easy to make.

Purple Handmaid

My first wool felted doll. I made her for my mom, for Mother's Day. I was inspired by the dolls at Sanderling Waldorf and Lyric's teacher, Ms. Jennifer, showed me how to start it. I've started my second one, but not working as diligently as I did my first time around--maybe it's the summer heat...or the packing that needs to be done for our upcoming move....or chasing around a toddler....

A Perfect Day

Yesterday was perfect. Miles, Lyric and I went to the beach in the morning. Miles caught a few waves, whilst Lyric and I built sand castles, err, actually I was building, Lyric was demolishing. It was so much fun. Lyric was a bit weary of the water rushing up to his feet as he tried to fill his bucket with water, but we worked as a team, and had great success.

After that we went to the Beach House and had brunch. Then back home, where Miles and Lyric napped and I snuck off to lay by the pool and relax in the warm sun. Then Miles and Lyric joined me at the pool. After some swimming, we went to El Callejons for our usual faire. Perfect day all around. I love summer.

African Stew

Come, and join me for some African Stew. hot. creamy. sweet. comforting. It's a hit! I just made it for the second time. The first time around, it didn't last more than 2 days before it was gobbled up by the goblins. Gone. I made a bigger batch this time. Sweet potatoes and almond butter, chickpeas, rice and kale, in a veggie broth, make this superb and unique. Let me know what time you'll be here, and I'll have a bowl waiting for you! See you soon....

3 more blocks

You've seen the color's before, but my stitching has gotten better. These are stuffed with poly-fiber stuffing, rather than rice. Each class donated a basket with different themes. Our class has the "new mom" theme, and each basket put together is for the Silent Auction Fundraiser tomorrow.

Bye Bye Betty

Not to point fingers, but I thought only Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines knew how to make the best cupcakes. As of today, I learned how wrong I am. These little "Lemon Gems", are 100% vegan, and 100% delicious. I know, I know, you're thinking I'm exaggerating, but I am being 100% truthful. These also are the first vegan baked goods that I've had success with. Yes, the frosting looks a little runny, and that's because- it is.. but cupcakes are always a messy treat, so a little extra drippy goo won't hurt anyone.
These little gems, from Vegan with a Vengeance, have the perfect amount of lemon-y flavor and sweetness. The are refreshing. I have already eaten 2, and don't have a tummy ache (which I can't say about my "used to be favorite" cupcakes). I cannot wait for Miles to get home, so I can show them off, and dazzle him with yet another vegan cooking success. Oh, last night he tasted the coconut-corn soup, and maple-mustard glazed potatoes and green bean dish-- I'll just say, the glazed potato dish is going down as a family favorite. He loved the soup too, but not enough to mark it down in "Kenney" history.

Around the Block and Back

These "Earth" blocks are being donated to Lyric's school (Sanderling Waldorf) for a Silent Auction fundraiser. I made them with wool felt and poly fiber filling. With the importance of keeping our earth clean and green, I think they will be a hit. Great for little hands to play with, and a great addition to any room.

Proof is in the Picture

Here is the coconut-corn soup, mighty tasty and soothing. I could make it spicier, but I opted out this time, because I thought Lyric might enjoy it too. (Which he did!) Miles loves spicy, so I can add spice to his before he tries some, which will be sometime tomorrow, or the next day--hopefully there's some leftover.

Here is the Maple-Mustard Glazed Potatoes and Green Beans-- another major hit in my book. I am having a good streak here finally. I must be getting better.

Snapshot of Aroma

I wish there was a way to capture the aroma in my home right now. *Click* Either with a camera...or even a jar with a tight fitting lid. It is heavenly.
I dove in deep today, and made a couple dishes from a few new cookbooks I got.

1)Nearly-Instant Thai Coconut Corn Soup (Vegan.com Top 10 Recipe, 2008)
2)Maple-Mustard Glazed Potatoes and String Beans (Vegan With A Vengeance)

I made, but haven't tasted yet, a "Gee Whiz" Sauce from "Raising Vegetarian Children", well actually after I made it, I let Lyric taste-test it, and he signed "more" about 6 times. I'm going to toss it with Brown Rice pasta for part of his dinner tonight.

Also threw together "Liquid Gold" dressing, to toss w/salad, veggies, or whatever. Lyric is a lover of broccoli, so a little bit of that tossed w/it, will give him mucho health benefits!

Tomorrow, I will make "Lemon Gem" cupcakes, also from V.W.A.V.

Good thing Miles will be home tomorrow night, because this stuff won't last long before it's gobbled up.

Felt Blocks

My latest addition to my ever growing crafty side, is this wool-felt block. It is filled with rice, for a bean-bag effect. It was so fun to make, and the end result left me hungry for more! I am on a mission to find a good wool-felt outlet.

Sweet Success

Last night I had total failure making "sweet and sour meat(less)balls". I was so bummed, the pic was gorgeous, I was hungry, and I ended up with a big pot of sweet and sour chili.

Anyways, this morning, I made, "Strawberry-Mango Crisp"----DEEEEElicious!
I am having some right now, and so thankful for some sweet success.

Here's the recipe--so easy!:

For the fruit mixture:
1 qt. quartered strawberries
2 cups diced mango
1/4 cup sugar (i used sucanat)
1/4 cup flour

For the topping:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine

Preheat oven to 400.
Mix the ingredients for the fruit mixture in a bowl. Spread evenly into a 2 qt. casserole dish. set aside.

Mix the dry ingredients for the topping together in a medium bowl. Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles small peas. Spread evenly over the fruit mixture. bake for 35-45 minutes, or until bubbly. serve warm w/ nondairy ice cream (that's what these intstructions say, i am not eating it w/any ice cream, cuz it's my breakfast).

I GIVE IT A 10!!!!

Camping Trip

We went camping in Joshua Tree last week, it was tons of fun. The site we stayed in was gorgeous, and surrounded by huge boulders and Joshua Tree's. The weather was nice, the sun was blaring, but it was quite cool at the same time. Lyric had a lot of fun digging in the dirt with his little shovel. He also enjoyed snuggling up next to me at nights by the campfire.

Finger Foods to Forks

Last night, Lyric successfully used his fork atleast 10 times, during dinnertime. He was so patient, and persistent. Taught me patience as well, because I had the urge to jump in and help him, but he taught me that we had all the time in the world, and to sit back and watch.

My Little Gosling

Lyric is a "Gosling" at the Waldorf School in our neighborhood. We attend weekly, and it is so fun for both of us. I enjoy watching him interact with his little friends while I learn to finger knit, and gently communicate with other parents. The class teaches me the importance of rhythm in daily life...whether it is sweeping, washing dishes, cooking...or when I'm really desperate for something to do, washing walls. Lyric thrives on this rhythm and squeals with delight as he plays with his little toys.
My mom sent me 2 boxes full of gnome-like, magical toys. Most were from when I was a child. Things like fabric dolls, miniature tree stumps, little wooden spoons, cookie cutters, and a set of miniature pots and pans. Oh, and gourds!... Lyric loves to shake the gourds. I am well on my way to creating our gnome-home, where I am the mother fairy.
The Gosling class consists of free play, and then "dust, dust, dust" time where we put everything back in it's "home". We then gather in a circle and sing songs and hold hands as we dance to the rhythm of the poems.
Then we wash our hands, and have our organic snack, seated at the tiny stools around the table. After our blessing it is delightful to watch the little Goslings gobble up their peas porridge. Following, we close with circle songs and dances.
We can't wait for next week!

Babies and Blueberries

Lyric is really becoming a little boy. He is quickly changing from a cooing little baby...to a busy little boy. He loves to play with cell phones...and he loves to play with daddy's guitar. He likes to take walks outside, and he likes to dance.

He has his 2 bottom teeth, and his two top ones are poking through... no more toothless grin~

He love peas porridge. With a sprinkling of sesame seeds and Braggs Amino's. He loves carrot juice, and his new favorite food is blueberries.

He has started nodding his head up and down as if to say "yes"..

He does a few signs to communicate with us: "more", "milkies", "all done", and he points at everything and talks all day long. He has a lot to say~!

The Lyricist

Lyric is my name, and writing songs is my game!

A few weeks ago, I noticed Lyric holding a pen and trying to draw on a book. I don't know how he put 2+2 together, being that for one, I am always on the computer!...

He loves to color and is really good about coloring on paper only... he is amazing to me!

Disneyland or Bust!

Lyric had his first trip to Disneyland 2 days shy of turning 1. It was a lot of fun. It was packed, but a delightful experience. I even got to ride Thunder Mountain, thank god for the Fast Pass! Lyric rode Pirates of the Carribean and was in awe as he looked around and listened to the sounds of pirate life. I wish I knew what he was thinking when the boat went down the hills, my stomach dropped a little! Mid way he decided he wanted to nurse....I think he needed a little comforting in the entirely new environment. We visited Mickey and Minnie's house in ToonTown..here is a pic of him watching Minnie's dishwasher in action. He also loved looking at Mickey's garden..

Happy 1st Birthday Lyric

Happy Birthday my little pumpkin pie! Today we had a mommy-baby birthday,all of our stuffed animal friends joined us adorned with birthday hats. We mashed organic-no sugar carrot cupcakes all over the place including our face! It was a perfect day.