I do miss the midwestern sky I grew up with … I came home from vacation determined to stay calm. I was reasonably relaxed, though stiff and sore from sitting in cars, strange beds, long runs, and too many restaurants. We’d done the usual “clean up while packing” frenzy that I’m prone to, as I hate coming home to a mess-strewn house. So we returned to a never-this-tidy apartment, and I put stuff away as soon as possible.
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It’s rather hard not to make salsa this time of year, with tomatoes overflowing everywhere, fresh onions, and hot peppers ripening on the back porch. We had tacos tonight, and it was the perfect topper. Every year it’s part of my canning job, which has been pared down to two things … whole tomatoes, and salsa. The salsa is so easy to make it’s a crime not to if you can find a spare hour, has infinite variations, and can be kept in the fridge, frozen, or canned … whatever you have time and space for. I canned some tonight, using up the rest of the bushel of tomatoes that I (for some unknown reason) thought it would be easier to buy on vacation and haul home, thanks to our minivan rental and cheap Ohio farmer’s markets. I didn’t factor in the need to can them as soon as I got home, on top of unpacking from two weeks, and the other jobs filling my plate at the moment. I won’t regret one iota of lost sleep however, when I open a jar of fresh tomatoes in February!
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While summer isn’t quite over in these parts, as it’s meandering into a very hot September, it’s still a great question … what’s been the best bit(s) of your summer? We just got back from a 2 week road-trip, and I’m asking myself the same thing. I’d have to say it’s been the slow times around the ‘hood with my boys, at the park and pool … taking it easy and not rushing from one thing to the next. I’m notorious for rushing, but enjoy so much more when I slow things down.
Seeing a bunch of family in the last two weeks was great also, especially my 94-year old grandma who can still tell stories of her childhood even though she can’t remember my name from one second to the next. Seeing my boys with her was priceless!
What have been your highlights?
]]>Two … we’re not quite finished with our vacation after all, and are taking one more day to get home … look for a newsletter on Tuesday and hope your week gets off to a great start! It’s been a true getaway with hardly any time “plugged in” and it’s been wonderful.
Until Tuesday …
SaneMom
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Image courtesy of MyEyeSees, via FlickrEverybody is pouting about the Recession and how it has negatively impacted their lives. I get it. Perhaps I am no longer moping since we were the Recession Pioneers; we actually began downsizing our lifestyle twenty-seven months ago, were “beaten beyond recognition” and now have only one direction to go from here- UP!—————————————————-
When Heather became a mom over 5 years ago, she completely lost herself. She was in total shock and was left feeling isolated, guilty and confused. She was consumed with being “mom” and didn’t know who she was anymore. As Heather started to slowly re-claim and re-create her mojo, she began to hear a calling (more like a loud roar) to support other women who were struggling with identity, guilt, stress and a general lack of passion as she once did. There didn’t seem to be many outlets to talk about the dark moments of motherhood, so she created one. She combined her counseling background, her new coaching education, and a side of her own postpartum hell to birth My Mama Mojo, a life coaching service for moms. Happy women make the best moms! She now encourages other women to reflect on, “Who are you in addition to mom?”
At least they sometimes help each other … The wording of this question is the key. When do you allow yourself to ask for help with things? I’m betting it’s more complicated for some than others, and I’m currently scrambling to get things done before leaving on vacation but have yet to ask for much help. When will I think it’s ok?! I hate obligating people, or being in their debt (yes it’s part of my control issues!) so I always prefer to do it myself if I possibly can. I like helping others though, so why would I assume they enjoy doing the same? Riiiight. Silly question.
So, when do you ask for help, and with what? Please share!
]]>Have a great weekend! I’ll send out a newsletter on Monday before I hit the road. Packing tips anyone?!
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This super-fast recipe from Catherine Newman is a big hit in this house. Honestly they’re soooo easy, and my farmer’s market has big boxes of little cukes that are perfect for it right now. For about $2 I can make a big quart jar of delicious home-made dills in about 5 minutes. You don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy them :). The basics are below, visit the original recipe here for all the details.