Sometimes...

life gives you lemons and you don't want to make lemonade. Maybe you don't want lemonade because it is to cold out to drink lemonade, you don't like lemonade or your local grocery store simply doesn't have enough sugar for all the lemons. Maybe you don't even like lemon cake or lemon cream pie or lemon poppyseed muffins.

So, when life gives you lemons and you don't want lemonade, what do you do?

Do you stay home, speak up, ask for help, cry, leave town, eat, work, go to movies, clean, hug your kids, your boyfriend or your mom?

Do you listen to rap music or country, practice yoga, meditate, run, shop, pray or cook?

Do you sleep more, sleep less, take long walks, long drives?

Do you seek out change, look for something new, wonder about what could have been, should have been?

I won't say life has given me lemons. I feel as if I can't say that. I have three amazing children who I can not imagine my life without. I have a warm home in the winter and cool home in the summer. I have clothes on my back (and I like most of them). I have time to work out, run, go to pilates. I am not hungry or cold (well sometimes cold, but only because I like it that way). I have friends who I wouldn't get through the day without. So, I feel guilty sometimes when life's circumstances affect my outlook on life, because my brain tells me I am not allowed to feel this way - there are people who have lost loved ones, sick people, hungry kids.

And yet, here I am. My heart feeling as if it is lost in a bowl of lemons and my head telling me to get over it. What do you do? Where do you go from here?

Late Adopter

I have never been an early adapter. For example, I got an iPhone 3 years after the first one came out - and I still don't have an iPad. I didn't buy a pair of skinny jeans until, last week. I think they have been "in" for several years now. And today, I attended a Fusion class at Fusion Fitness KC and it kicked my a--!

Yes, that is right. I have been hearing about this class and this studio for over a year. I have had the best of intentions to get there. Today, I made it. I thought, walking in the door, "today is a cardio day for me, I sure hope I break a sweat." Wow! I was sweating so profusely that my mat was too slippery to downward dog on at the end of class.

Usually I can "mind over matter" myself through almost any workout. Today, I had to take a break several times. I will be paying the price tomorrow, I am sure. But it was fun. I will be back there on Monday morning at 5:45 a.m. I will not let this class win.

Hope y'all have a great weekend. It looks to be so beautiful here this weekend - fun times ahead (if I can walk!)

20 Days

Has it really been 20 days since I posted? I was just thinking, "I really need to update the blog." Had no idea it had been 20 days.

So, what has been up? Not much. I had a birthday. I had a visit with a great friend. I started my fall 21-day cleanse (I am on day 10 - and feeling great). Other than that. Just a lot of spelling words and science projects.

I will say that part of my absence can be explained by this cleanse, I tend to navigate to food blogs late in the evening, so I have been trying to stay away from my home computer except to check e-mail, etc. The temptation is often way more than I can deal with - see here!

During this cleanse, I have really been trying to focus on some more "spiritual" (not religious) issues. What I am calling, "focus." It has been good and I have enjoyed getting up each day and reading these which come from the book "Crazy Sexy Diet." The author, Kris Carr, faced with a cancer diagnosis several years ago, changed her life and diagnosis through clean eating and has a great book all about it - now everything in the book needs to be taken to heart and then adapted to meet your needs, etc. I can not eat Vegan as she does and I don't agree with everything, but there is a section in the back about a 21-day cleanse. Her cleanse is a little different from the Cleanse I do, but her daily tips are fun. I really enjoyed today's, so I am sharing it here.

Today's "focus" was to:

Make a love list - ten things you absolutely love. This simple act reminds us that life if full of blessings. It's amazing how many beautiful things we notice when we train our eyes.

Here is mine (and I make no excuses for how vain and shallow it may seem - this is not a forever list - just a today list) - not in order of importance.

1. Some great new fall skinny corduroys I just got with a birthday gift card



2. Wallpaper for my powder room



3. Fall mornings

4. This guy (and his sisters - not pictured)



5. Honeycrisp Apples - they are back!

6. My bed

7. That Dave empties the dishwasher in the morning

8. Vitamix - I could not do this cleanse without it.



9. Colorado - yes the whole state.

10. Jump ropes


What do you love? Make your list. It can change daily and probably does.

School Thoughts

Last night was back to school night at St. Michael's. A night I usually dread. And last night, I was especially dreading it because I was going solo as Dave was working in San Francisco (his company's offices are based in San Fran). I am easily overwhelmed by the number of people and the amount of effort that seemingly goes into the dress code for this rather uneventful night.

The night begins with an introduction from Father Porter and Mr. C (the principal), then the parents break up and spend about 20 minutes in the classrooms of each child.

The teachers introduce themselves, talk about the upcoming year and hand out a few papers with schedules, etc. In the packet of information that I received from Eden's teacher there was a great quote.

"I promise you every day your children will learn something. Some days they'll bring it home in their hands. Some days they'll bring it home in their heads. And some days they'll bring it home in their hears." Valerie Welk

Thank you Mrs. Elston - you made the whole night worthwhile for me.

Have a great long weekend.

Slip-ups happen

Since the kids started back to school, we have really been focusing on getting the sugar out of the house and cleaning up from a summer of popsicles, ice cream, hamburgers on the grill, etc.

Things were going well. A word of caution to everyone out there reading this and trying to eat cleaner and healthier, when you are awakened from a deep sleep (or not so deep in my case) at 12:30 in the morning and are hungry, it is best not to go online and read all the food blogs you subscribe too.

Want to know what happens?

You make a 1/4 of a macaroon recipe at 1:30 in the morning - eat two, drink a glass of milk and then go back to bed. Wishing you hadn't had that coconut leftover in your pantry from the healthy granola bars you made a few weeks ago. Nonetheless - here is the recipe. I plan on making the entire batch this weekend - they were amazing!

Damn it.

See it happens to all of us.

Today, much better.

P.S. Happy anniversary Dave -- 14 years. Today is your one year warning. One year to start saving for the 15th wedding anniversary and my 40th birthday - yikes for you!

Sexercise

I knew that would catch your attention.

I posted a few weeks ago about Clara and "extracising", so with all fairness, I thought I needed to post about Eden's "sexercise".

She had absolutely no idea what she was saying when she said this. But Dave and I could not stop laughing. Clara was doing leg lifts and extracising, Eden doing some form of crazy jumping jack and sexercising.

Much to my dismay, we had to tell her that using that word probably wasn't a good idea, especially given the catholic school she attends.

But the more I started thinking about it, the more enlighted I became.

If you didn't know, I am studying to become a personal trainer and lifestyle coach. The key to a "lifetime" of fitness is to find something you truly enjoy and stick with it. This might work for some people out there.

I don't know what comes to your mind when you hear the word "sexercising", but I know what comes to the mind of most men. So, I looked it up. Sexercise already exists. (God, I hope Dave is not reading this.) And, in fact, there is a book called, Sexercise: Spice up your sex life and get fit in the process - you can order it here.

Tomorrow is my 14th wedding anniversary. If I get this as a gift, I am going to kill someone.

Enjoy.

Is that a tie you are wearing?

My sister and her husband moved to Calgary, Canada this summer. She enrolled my nephews in a school that requires uniforms.

This post is about being very careful about what you say. Last year, I sent my sister a photo of my kids on the first day of school. Yes, boys wear ties. My nephews thought this was very funny.

Here are my kids on the first day this year:



Here are the Fabulous Baker Boys:



What is that a tie? And dress shoes? And a cardigan?

All fun aside, they look awesome and I wish them the best of luck at their new school.

And I don't believe Jeffrey skateboarded to school, but who knows?

Doing my part

We try not to use plastic bags for lunch containers. Instead, we use reusable containers, every day. I know that this is the right choice for the environment and my kids future, but we have only finished two days of school and already I am tired of cleaning them out.

Could be a long year.

Dear God, (a back to school prayer)

it is me, JoEllen. Thank you for school. I am officially checking out of parent duties starting tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. and not checking back in until 3:30 p.m.

I love my kids and am thankful for every last bit of them, but my patience for household messes, fighting over a five square foot chair when we have been blessed with a 4,000 square foot house and picking up flip-flops, has run its course.

Thank you for Davis, my firstborn, he will always hold a special place in my heart, but lately his know-it-allness (I know that is not a word) is driving me and everyone else nuts. Please, God, challenge him at school this year so that he realizes on his own that he, in fact, does not know it all.

Thank you for Eden, my middle child (she is 30 seconds older than Clara). Help her to realize that crazy, whiny baby talk will get you know where - especially in first grade. Help her realize that girlie girl crap is just that, crap! And give her the strength to not get caught up in it all.

Thank you for Clara, my baby. She and I have a special bond I can not explain, even though she is more like her dad than she is me. I love this child like you can never imagine. Find a way to catch her attention and provide her with the ability to focus on ... something!

God love them. I do. I just need a break.

Amen.

(Tomorrow - our new school year goals. Yes, I made them, as much as goal-setting is hard for me, I did it.)

Mom's Birthday Dinner

We hosted a birthday dinner at home last night. It was a dinner for my mom and it was just me, the kids, and her. Dave and my dad (Gramps) were out of town.

The kids and I debated on which restaurant we should take her to for several days, and finally I decided, to cook at home. I love cooking and I especially love special occasions because it gives me an excuse/reason to bake something new.

I have this crazy love of baking. Muffins, scones, I will try every variety of chocolate chip cookie out there, but because I believe we need to eat healthy at home, I often don't bake as much as I wished.

So, this worked out great. Plus, I don't really love restaurant food. I can never find anything tasty enough given what I really like to eat. And my kids always eat crap! Their out-to-eat diet wavers between chicken nuggets, pizza, corn dogs, hot dogs and spaghetti. Yuck.

I am not going to reveal my mom's age (she might kill me) but I will say that I can only hope to look as good as she does.

Here is what we had:



Pork Tenderloin, Bread, Bacon and Sage Leave Kabobs - I got the recipe (and the photo - we were too hungry to wait) from the Williams-Sonoma website. Mine actually looked better than this. I used large pieces of bread and went with a sourdough I picked up at Whole Foods that day - it was perfect. I say if you are serving this to guests, the more random sizes the meat, the more rustic and prettier it looks on the table. Very easy to do - and just perfect.

We also had a really great tossed salad full of great summer veggies, carrots, cucumbers, red onions, apple juice sweetened dried cranberries - Yum!

To top it all off - we (the kids and I) baked a Strawberry Plum Crumble. It was so sweet and buttery. Something you must try and very easy. We served ours with some homemade vanilla ice cream. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Strawberry Plum Crumble

1 Pint of strawberries
4 Plums - pitted and sliced

Place them in a pie pan or tart pan - I seriously could have just stopped there.



Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 -2 tablespoons cornstarch - sprinkle on top.



To make the crumble -

1/3 cup cold butter - diced small
3/4 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup oats

Combine and the sprinkle on top -



Bake at 350 degrees for a half an hour.



Wow!





Original recipe and photos courtesy of Dinner with Julie.

Every good comedian needs an audience

Clara made me laugh out loud twice today (once I laughed so hard my stomach hurt).

Here is the first - I was tiptoeing around my bedroom upstairs thinking all my sweet angels were sleeping in (it was only 7:30 - and yes that is sleeping in at the Baxyard) when I came out of my bathroom and saw this...



I apologize for the photo quality - I just grabbed my phone quickly because God forbid Rudolph, Murphy, Zoo Zoo and Lionheart, find out I was snapping their photo and get camera shy. Yes, that is Clara. Playing Mario Cart with her audience. Can a six-year old be more relaxed?

Second thing. "Extracise." You know, that thing you do when you run just to run, or swim just to swim, or go to the gym, or do Pilates. "What are you talking about, Clara? Do you mean exercise?" "No, mom, exercise is when you're out on the playground, or playing a soccer game, or Davis is playing basketball. "Extracise is what you do. You know, because it is Extra!"

Got it! Love her.

Chick Pea Salad...

because my kids think it has a funny name.

I love summer cooking, because of grilling. But, lately, it has been too hot for me to fire up that grill and go outside. So we have been cooking inside. Tonight I wanted a quick, no cook side dish that we could eat with some roasted chicken. This was good and pretty easy. I would highly recommend trying cilantro in place of the parsley - unless you love parsley.

Davis ate all his portion, Clara choked down a bite and Eden (my picky eater) spat it out back onto her plate. I loved it and I especially love that I have leftovers to mix with some chicken tomorrow for a Chick Pea Chicken Salad. Try this.



2 cans of chick peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup kalamata olives, diced
1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1/2 roasted red and yellow peppers (I grilled mine with a little olive oil)
Green onion, diced, you decide amount
Olive oil
Juice from a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley (you may want to try cilantro)

Combine all the ingredients. Toss and serve. Also, I guessed on the above amounts - I went back later and added more peppers and tomatoes - but you decide.

Enjoy!

Capital, Hays, Mountains, Home, whew!

I apologize for the lack of posting (basically the entire month of July). Know that this was not my intention. I had planned on posting the remaining photos from our trip to D.C (Capital), send photos from our trip to Colorado and update things when I got home. None of these happened. So, here is a one month recap.

1. The Capital. We took a Sunday drive to Annapolis to see the US Naval Academy. This was a great idea, in my head. How was I to know that the new plebes report to school on July 1st and that Annapolis may be one of the busiest places in the world (for it's relative size) on the weekend of July 4th? Yikes! We spent more time parking and walking to and from our parking spot than we did touring the Academy.



It was also our intention to eat an authentic Maryland Crab dinner while in Annapolis. This did not happen either. When traveling with children, it is important to remember they must eat every two hours. The wait was longer than that at this popular crab place and by 4:00 in the afternoon we had not eaten since breakfast! Just imagine our lovely children's temperaments.

The highlight of the day was a comment Davis made to his dad about attending the Naval Academy. Dave and I had been talking up the merits of a Naval Academy education (mostly, we are trying to get all our kids to college for free). Davis was thinking this might be really cool. Until, after seeing several plebes walking in formation he asked his dad why they all had such short hair. Dave informed him that they were required to shave their heads when they got to school. Davis, "Well, then, I am not going here." I will say, he does have one of the most lovely heads of hair of any 5th grader I know. So, maybe we will try and find a free acting school - can you say "Patrick Dempsey."

We then spent the 4th of July attending "A Capital 4th" from the lawn of the capital. The music was incredible, and the fireworks, though slightly hidden from view by a tree, were amazing. No wonder we are at our debt ceiling - quite a show. The highlight of the entire trip for me was seeing Steve Martin. He now plays banjo, as if being a great actor and comedian weren't enough, and is darn good. I almost fainted when I saw him in his ivory suit, light blue shirt, red tie and black glasses. I know he is a little old for me, but hey, I like older guys. Check out his band, The Steep Canyon Rangers.

2. Hays, Kansas. After spending two days at home unpacking, doing laundry and packing, we were off to the mountains for two weeks. Anyone who knows us is keenly aware of our unfortunate luck when driving I-70 West. We have had puking kids and flat tires. We have been stranded in a blizzard and slept in our truck. So, we took every appropriate measure we could to be prepared for our trip. We checked the oil, spare tire, washer fluid, coolant, packed a cooler of ice with snacks, a cooler of water. We were ready.

At 9:00 in the morning on Saturday, we left. As relaxed and calm as we have ever been on a road trip. We stopped for lunch in Salina, then hit the highway. Just outside Russell, Kansas, I heard a strange sound coming from the driver side front tire. I turned to Dave, and said, "I think I should pull over, I think we have a flat tire." I am sure he thought I was crazy or delusional, but we pulled over. He got out, checked, got back in the car and announced, "Yes, a flat." Oh Crap! Why Us?

Now, one thing our kids have learned about traveling with Dave and I, is that flat tires can be fun. Clara's first comment, with her arms raised high over head in a cheer was, "Woo-hoo, do we get to sleep in the car tonight?" God, I hope not. It was 2:00 in the afternoon and 100 degrees, 110 on the highway in the sun. Eden's first comment, "Look mom, a dead animal skeleton right outside the car," It really sucked!



We called Triple AAA, even though, Dave was already diligently working (sweating his ass off) on the tire. I figured we could use the help. They informed us after an hour, that they couldn't find anyone to come help us (they should be getting the letter I wrote them about this right about now) At this point, we are realizing our spare tire is so old, that we can't lower it from below the truck. Great. Add to that, our truck is now overheating and we can no longer enjoy the benefit of air conditioning.

Dave and I were getting a little concerned at this point. Our kids? Not so much. Busy playing with ice in the car. Finally, we enlist the help of a highway patrolman who is able to help Dave get the tire down and on. Off we went. At this point, I am just thankful our truck started.

We drove about 20 minutes down I-70 to Hays, Kansas. We knew we needed to get the 10-year old spare replaced and a new spare tire. We pulled into Wal-mart to check on buying some new tires. They had a tire they could sell us, but it would be a two hour wait. We had no choice. It was 4:45 in the afternoon at this point.

Now here comes the part that sounds really crazy. First, a little history. For the last few months I have been researching new cars. We knew our truck was living on borrowed time (10 years, 170,000 miles.) But, I was trying to hold out a little while longer. I knew the car I wanted. It would be a new Ford Explorer and I was planning on ordering a 2012 sometime later in the fall, because there were not any 2011s in the KC area at the time, that were not totally tricked out. I am a firm believer that the point of a car is to get you from A to B - so I don't need all the bells and whistles.

After taking a bathroom break at Wal-mart, I got on my trusty iPhone and pulled up the inventory of the Ford dealership directly across the street from Wal-mart. Well, what do you know? They just happen to have the car we were going to order. So, like any good American family, we hopped in our trusty, gas-guzzling SUV, drove across the street, and to make a long story shorter, bought a new car, moved all our belongings out of the old truck into the new one and off we went. We arrived in the mountains at 2:00 in the morning on Sunday and did not have to sleep in our car. Who does that? We do. Now, our kids will think that a flat tire means you sleep in your car overnight in a blizzard, or you just buy a new car! Gotta love living in suburban Johnson County.





Thankfully, the rest of our trip was extremely less eventful. We enjoyed two beautiful weeks of hiking, mountain biking, rafting and just being outside. We did not watch TV at all and my brother joined us for a few days.



We met up with some good friends of ours for hiking, swimming and some dinner. It was a sad day when we left and I am secretly (well, not so secretly now, job-searching for something in Denver.) What would be really great is if Colorado would secede from the Union and become it's own country, then I could live somewhere really great and not have to listen to all this crap about a bogus debt ceiling deadline.




Now, we are home. And it feels good. We have three weeks until school starts and a lot of things to cross of our summer fun list. We shall see.

Washington D.C. - Part One

Day One of our Washington D.C. trip started with a long run for Dave and I along the Mount Vernon Trail from Alexandria. If you have not had the opportunity to run in the D.C. area, it really is something great. Not only are there miles of trails, but it is a great way to see all of the monuments, without the lines.



After breakfast/lunch, we headed to the Natural History Museum and the Newseum. Two great choices. The Natural History Museum has a butterfly exhibit with more than 400 live butterflies. Eden and Clara love the concept of butterflies, but in reality, they are terrified of them. It was all I could do to keep them from swatting at them and killing them, or seriously injuring them. They are very fragile (the butterflies, not Eden and Clara.)



We also saw the Hope Diamond. It is set in a Harry Winston diamond necklace. It really wasn't as large as I thought it would be - but I would take it. Wait, I already own it. According to the plaque under the diamond, this diamond is the property of the people of the United States of America. Maybe that is why our country is in the midst of such bad luck. We should give it to another country and maybe our economy will turn around.

The gem and mineral exhibit is truly beautiful. The museum was so busy, Saturday, a holiday weekend and it is free. So we only stayed for a while then headed over to the Newseum. It was considerably less crowded, probably has something to do with the $21.95 per person price tag. But, well worth it.



(This is the view from the upstairs balcony of the Newseum - now that would be a great place for a party.)

They have a 9/11 exhibit that is very moving. Davis, though I am sure does not remember the day, was really intrigued. I however, liked the Tim Russert exhibit. I have always been a fan.

Especially loved this coffee cup on his desk. Dave and I try really hard to spend any extra money we have on trips with our kids. We do not buy them alot of "things", but sometimes I worry that we are not doing enough - this really hit home.



In case you can't read the photo - "You can shower a child with presents or money, but what do they really mean, compared to the most valuable gift of all - your time? Vacations and special events are nice, but so often the best moments are the spontaneous ones. Being there. Every moment you spend with your child could be the one that really matters."

We rode the Metro back to Alexandria in time for burgers on the grill and a great evening eating ice cream and watching fireworks in Old Town Alexandria - not bad for day one!

Fun-producers vs. Fun-users?

What are you? Okay, maybe you have not heard this term before. In fact, I am not sure where I first heard it. I think one of Dave's friends used the term "fun-producer." You know the person. Everywhere he/she goes laughter, good times, craziness and parties follow. He/she creates fun. I think this is a positive thing.

I have two fun-producers in my house. There names are Eden and Clara and wherever they go, they produce fun. In fact, I actually had a teacher of theirs use this term to describe them also.

Now granted, having your best friend live with you 24 hours a day makes it easier to be this type of person. These two are NEVER bored.

What are you? Me? Totally a fun user.

Have a Happy 4th of July. Baxyard is headed to Washington D.C. We are hoping to get in a few sights and museums, a trip to Annapolis and fireworks at the capital. Enjoy!

Because these cuties don't care...

how much I weigh.

I have a habit. Every morning I get up, weigh myself, drink two glasses of water and then get dressed for the gym or to run or swim or bike or some kind of fitness. The weighing myself everyday routine began several years ago when Dave wanted a body fat scale and I obliged and got him one for Christmas. I knew I would become obsessed and I did. Some days getting on that scale feels great. Some days (usually the days where I am two pounds heavier) are awful. It is a vicious cycle as some would say.

I am breaking this habit, at least the weighing myself habit. I am finding that my mental attitude is so tied to what the scale says that day. For the next eight weeks, I have decided to only weigh myself once a week, on Fridays. I am tired of seeing the daily fluctuations, and trying to explain away the ups and downs knowing the amount of calories I take in and expend in any given day. Generally, I am a very healthy eater and I religiously work out. So, I decided that I will use Friday as my gage. As long as every Friday is the same, or close, I am good.

Do you have any idea how liberating this feels?

I am loving this. We will see if I love this as much on Friday - I will let you know.

Boys will be Boys

I spent some time in a car this week with six 10-year old boys. One was my son, the others, friends of my son. Being 10, I was not ready to send my son away to a week of basketball camp at KU. I decided day camp was still the best option. I am thinking next year we will make the transition.

Things I learned this week...

1. Boys think farting, talking about farting and smelling farts is funny. I do not.

2. Ten-year old boys like rap music. I became the coolest mom when I informed them Run DMC was around when I was in high-school. But quickly lost my status when they saw I had the Zac Brown Band album loaded on my iPhone.

3. I am convinced noise canceling head phones were invented for mother's driving six ten-year old boys to basketball camp.

4. A box of Chips Ahoy, box of Vanilla Wafers, Twizzlers, Peanut M&Ms and a bag of Fritos are no match for six boys who just spent 12 hours playing basketball.

But, for all I learned, I am sure they learned much more. And I don't think I want to know what that is.

Lions, Tigers and Louisburg

Looking for something fun to do with your kids over the weekend?

Head south. And not South Africa. Just to Louisburg.

A few Saturdays back we drove to the Cedar Cove Feline Conservation Park & Education Center in Louisburg, Kansas. It is just about 20 minutes from our house - probably about 45 minutes from downtown Kansas City - just down 69 highway.

You really won't believe this place. They have seven bengal tigers, beautiful cats. Two lions. And numerous other "wild" cats. On Saturdays, check the hours before you go, you will be assigned a very knowledgeable guide who can answer all your questions about these large cats.

Did you know that in the next 10 - 15 years they expect Tigers to be extinct? Hard to imagine that my kids' kids may never see a tiger.

So make a trip. Check out their website here for hours, etc.

I had a dream...

and it was not about world peace, equal rights or universal health care.

I woke up on Monday morning (I know today is Tuesday) and had this crazy dream that Dave and I drove an hour south of Kansas City to a hunting lodge that I would compare to 5-star private home in Aspen where we were greeted by four other couples, a private chef and an unlimited supply of wine, food and fun.

We sat by an outdoor firepit on 500 acres until the wee hours of the morning (a time I have not seen since I was waking up in the middle of the night to feed Eden and Clara). Every minute of it was absolute heaven.

The best part of the dream...when I realized it was in fact, not a dream.

Go Outside - National Trails Day

Are you ready for National Trails Day®? Did you know the United States celebrates such an event? Well, we do! Since 1993, the first Saturday of every June is known as National Trails Day, inspiring the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out, discover, learn about, and celebrate America's trail system. And this Saturday, June 4th, marks the 18th annual National Trails Day!

National Trails Day evolved from the 1987 report of President Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. The report recommended that Americans should be able to walk out their front doors and within 15 minutes, be on trails that take them through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing any steps. The recommendation, also known as Trails for All Americans, inevitably motivated several public and private parties to join the American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993.

Kansas City's North Face Store is sponsoring a hike through the Parkville Nature Sanctuary from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., tomorrow, June 4th.

The Baxyard is going to drive north and see what this is all about. Very excited. I didn't know a Nature Sanctuary existed in Parkville.

See you outdoors!

The Old Gray Hair

This is not a post about a rabbit.

This is not a post about an old horse.

This is a post about my gray hair and Dave, who finally, after almost fourteen years of marriage and at least, the last six, of which I have been coloring my gray hair, actually noticed how gray/white it really was. Yesterday, we were walking into the gym, I had my hair pulled back into a ponytail with a headband on and there it was, he saw it. He tried to be nice. Hoping to not offend me says, "Is that how white your hair would be if you didn't color it?"

"Yes, it would."

"Wow," he replied. I wasn't sure how to take that. I have been trying to decide lately if I should cut it really short, go away for six months, and just come back with white hair. I ran that idea by him. Mostly thinking about how nice a six-month vacation would be. He didn't object, especially when I told him how much it cost to color my hair every five weeks.

This is a post about that point in your life when you decide that no matter how ridiculous you look in a hat, you will wear one anyway.



Six days until the next hair appointment.

CSA

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported or Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer. In brief...

Advantages for farmers:

1. Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
2. Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow
3. Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers:

1. Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
2. Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
3. Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
4. Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm – even veggies they've never been known to eat
5. Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown


CSAs aren't confined to produce. Some farmers include the option for shareholders to buy shares of eggs, homemade bread, meat, cheese, fruit, flowers or other farm products along with their veggies. Sometimes several farmers will offer their products together, to offer the widest variety to their members. For example, a produce farmer might create a partnership with a neighbor to deliver chickens to the CSA drop off point, so that the CSA members can purchase farm-fresh chickens when they come to get their CSA baskets. Other farmers are creating standalone CSAs for meat, flowers, eggs, and preserved farm products. In some parts of the country, non-farming third parties are setting up CSA-like businesses, where they act as middle men and sell boxes of local (and sometimes non-local) food for their members.

There is an important concept woven into the CSA model that takes the arrangement beyond the usual commercial transaction. That is the notion of shared risk. When originally conceived, the CSA was set up differently than it is now. A group of people pooled their money, bought a farm, hired a farmer, and each took a share of whatever the farm produced for the year. If the farm had a tomato bonanza, everyone put some up for winter. If a plague of locusts ate all the greens, people ate cheese sandwiches. Very few such CSAs exist today, and for most farmers, the CSA is just one of the ways their produce is marketed. They may also go to the farmers market, do some wholesale, sell to restaurants, etc. Still, the idea that "we're in this together" remains. On some farms it is stronger than others, and CSA members may be asked to sign a policy form indicating that they agree to accept without complaint whatever the farm can produce. Many times, the idea of shared risk is part of what creates a sense of community among members, and between members and the farmers. If a hailstorm takes out all the peppers, everyone is disappointed together, and together cheer on the winter squash and broccoli. Most CSA farmers feel a great sense of responsibility to their members, and when certain crops are scarce, they make sure the CSA gets served first. Still, it is worth noting that very occasionally things go wrong on a farm – like they do in any kind of business – and the expected is not delivered, and members feel shortchanged.

This is the first year the Baxyard is participating in a CSA. We have purchased shares in Heritage Acres Farm located in Fort Scott, Kansas. We are all very excited to see what we get each week. Last week was our first "harvest" and it was really fun. We received some farm fresh eggs, lots of spinach and lettuce, japanese turnips, green onions and turnips.



Mostly I am looking forward to challenging myself to create some fun new recipes with all our "new" produce. Because, you get what you get. I hope to include some new recipes ... here is the first ... and so easy.

Japanese Turnips (I will be honest I had not even heard of these until last Saturday.)

Just grab a few of these. Cut off ends and dice like potatoes. I sauteed them in butter and a little brown sugar. At the last minute I added some pine nuts and golden raisins and then served them warm for breakfast. It was a real treat. And I really hope I get some more this week. Next time you see these bad boys in the store - pick up a few.

To find your own CSA, visit Local Harvest and enter your zip code. Don't forget about all the great farmer's markets in the area also.

The View

And no, I am not talking about that show on weekday mornings.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Mostly to keep my mind busy and to keep myself from dwelling on some more serious, sometimes overwhelming matters. I have been desperately trying to gain perspective and to find a place that fits for me.

I recently completed Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. It is a truly delightful love story and there were a couple of very special moments in this book.

One of which is set at Major Pettigrew's home. He and Mrs. Ali, who he is becoming very fond of, are outside his home in the back garden. As they reach a section of fence, Major Pettigrew is concerned that Mrs. Ali will notice his shabby repair work on the fence, yet all she sees is the lovely view of the sheep grazing on a sea of rolling hills.

He begins, "It's just a small view, but for some reason I never tire of coming out in the evening to watch the sun leaving the fields."

It is her comment that really struck me (and even forced me to dog-ear my page, which is something I hate to do. And yes, I still read real books with real pages.)

She replies, "I don't believe the greatest views in the world are great because they are vast or exotic. I think their power comes from the knowledge that they do not change. You look at them and you know they have been the same for a thousand years."

So, this summer, when you are on vacation, taking a photograph of the grand canyon, or the Rocky mountains, or your local park, think to yourself how long that view has been there - that is perspective.

Whirlwind(s)

So this morning I was pleasantly surprised when my kids, without having to be yanked from their beds at 7:00 a.m., bounded out of bed, into the showers and ate their breakfast so quickly, we made it to early school. (Note: We only make it to early school when I absolutely have to be at work on time, Dave is out of town and I have to get my workout done early in the morning because the evening is busy. And usually every minute of those mornings involves me talking in the upper ranges of my not-so-nice-voice, i.e. yelling.)

Why? Today was our last day of school for 2010-2011. I now have a fifth grader and two first graders. I did fine today. No tears were shed and I am looking forward to the next 90 days of summer (yes, we counted, exactly 90.) For perspective, here they are on the first day...



And the last day!



Tonight, as the girls were watching Tangled and Davis was at basketball practice, I started going through papers, art projects, journals, etc. I have neatly packed it all away in my 2010-2011 school year box. Now, I am sad. I don't want to believe that in ten years that box will be how I remember my daughters' kindergarten years, but it will be.



I caught myself describing the school year as a whirlwind. During lunch this afternoon, sitting down with some friends and their kids to celebrate the last day of school, we experienced a whirlwind of another sort, a tornado. I am happy to report that there was little to no damage done by this storm. Exactly, how I was feeling as I put the lid on the box and carried it to the basement - little to no damage.

A Needed Break and Doctor Tim

I have recently returned from two really great weekends away.

The first of which was a trip to Florida with a friend. Hunter and I met several years ago when she was living in Kansas City. (This picture was taken after I had just eaten my weight in Blueberry Granola pancakes.)



Davis was a preschooler, my girls were just babies and Hunter had no children of her own. Forward four years, she lives in North Carolina, has two beautiful children and way to much time goes by between our visits. Yet, we spent three days together shopping, talking, royal wedding watching, eating, walking, running, talking, sitting by the beach, and did I mention talking. When we get together it is strange how it is as if a day has never passed since our last visit.

Then, last weekend, Dave and I managed a really great weekend away to see my brother's graduation from Penn State University. Tim received a Doctorate in Biogeochemistry and Geosciences. (Yes, it is true, I have that typed into his contact information on my phone so that I remember.) Think, he gets the degree after five amazing years of research and studying and it is all I can do to just remember the names of the degrees.



Though the weather wasn't perfect for the whole weekend, it did clear up. And just in time for a great evening at one of Tim's friends' house in Pittsburgh,



Then again for photos before graduation (and after) at the statue of JoPat (Joe Paterno - Penn State's famous football coach)





We got a tour of Tim's lab ... where it all happened.



Spent some time in the Mineral Sciences museum in the building Tim worked in.



And then finished up with a great walking tour around Penn State before we headed back to Kansas.