Halu-Halo

Caffeine withdrawal is for real, yo!

But I've made it through the other side.

Sort of.

And why...why, you might wonder, have I left my former BFF of drinks, my confidant, my comfort..that which takes me out of my daily maniacal haze?  Why would I give up one of the only things that keeps me from, instead, stuffing pounds of chocolate into my body, because I can spruce it up with different syrups?

It is because I found myself in the ER with mad palpitations, of the feeling like my heart was coming out of my chest.  My pulse raced like a newborn's despite relaxation techniques and hydration.

A few hours later, I was sent home with a general clean bill of health, with instructions to avoid caffeine , to put my feet up, and to get some sleep (who, me?).

I took the challenge by the horns.  Hubby has the opinion I took him by the horns and have tossed him around a bit.  (I'm so sorry honey!)  Days of headaches and general grumpiness later, here I am now, before you, caffeine free for 5 days.  

And now, I am drinking herbal tea as fast as a chain smoker puffs at their poison.  See that lady over there with her cup close to her body, bags under her eyes, shaking like a leaf.  That would be me, thank you.

I just finished a cup writing this post.  I've got to refill.

Have you quit caffeine?  And even if you haven't, do you have decaf drink/tea suggestions?  

This woman needs them!

Yearning for baby...and (admittedly) beer

A long long time ago, Hubby and I took a 4 day trip to Ireland.  Childless and quite fancy free, we rented a car and travelled from Dublin to Galway along with a friend.  While our friend golfed through this green country, Hubby and I took the time to eat, drink, sightsee, and drink some more.

I appreciate the memories now, much more than how I felt about the experience at the time.  Now as a knitter I wish I took the time to peruse the yarn shops, or even just to knock on someone's door so I can spend time with their wooly sheep.  I think I would have even spent a tourist's fortune to purchase a hand knit sweater.  

I still remember the smell of the countryside...luscious and green.  The pubs were welcoming to us, and while I paid a pretty pretty penny to ride a pony through someone's backyard (so much of a tourist trap that I am ashamed to admit it), the food and the Guinness were worth more than the heavy tips we left in gratitude.

Yum, a warm Guinness.

I tried to capture some of those memories today, on St Patrick's Day.  You can call it nesting, or a last ditch effort at feeling productive in these last 3 weeks of pregnancy (I hope it will only be 3 weeks more!)...but I decided to try my hand at an Irish Stew made with an Irish Stout, Soda Bread, and a fun Green Grog for my half Scot-Irish children.

I enjoyed the stew, loved the bread, but admittedly wish I could just have the Guinness.  

A few more weeks, right?  

Most wonderful time of the year

My joints and muscles are aching this morning, tired from yesterday's festivities, of getting the house ready, making turkey and getting together with friends.  As if I should know my limits by now...

But Thanksgiving is truly my most favorite holiday.  It is the gateway deep into the Fall Season and Christmastime.  It is a no-strings-attached holiday....making food and bringing a good attitude are the only requirements for get togethers.  There is no gift giving stress.  

 

...and the food...really!  Turkey, casseroles, souffles and desserts. It is a holiday giving permission for the sinful consumption of absolutely everything.

But in all seriousness, this celebration is pure in its intention, and of the hundreds of things I am thankful for today, here are 4.

* That my immediate family is intact and secure despite the miles that might have spanned between us.

* That I have been blessed by the love of my children, even from the wee one still in my belly.

* That the humble life I live is mine to live through the span of my own imagination and dreams.  

* That friendships can arise from the oddest of situations and despite the difference between people.

 I hope that you had a peaceful week!  And here's to a busy few weeks crafting before Christmas!

California Dreamin'

Though we have called many places "home", The Bay governs my heart.

The rolling hills, the temperate climate, the easy spirit of its people.

Its ability to be able to house cultures without judgement.

You can see it in the people, their attitude, their acceptance.

An almost fairytale, where tattoos mix with Ralph Lauren and bikers mix with mohawks, reds with whites, with blacks, with browns.  All walking together.

We had 5 days to visit, meet and greet, and kiss and hug, and giggle while catching up.  There was a Wedding, a coffee date, a day in the sun, and many meals with loud talk.  Tagalog and English, flashbulbs all around, tuxes and barongs, flowers and fresh fruit, church bells and dancing.

I do believe that the shortest trips make for the best memories.

Pasalubong (n): Souvenir, Gift

I am thankful this season for:

• My mother ("Lola" - grandmother) who flew across the country to take over and grand sit all 3 of my rambunctious children for a week just so that Hubby and I can house hunt states away .
• Said mother brings a suitcase - a pasalubong - full of Filipino treats sure to teach my children the Culture that makes up half of their DNA.    (see flickr for notes as to what makes up these treats)

• That although said treats can be found in local stores here in our Nation's Capital area, they somehow are much tastier because they come from her suitcase.
• That upon our arrival to that Southern soon-to-be-home State, everyone is so gracious and welcoming.
• That the culture in that Southern State is so diverse that all of my fears of my children growing up as different is washed away.
• We met a Realtor that fit our focused needs. 
• We found a home that is lovely and quaint.
• That the current owners of said home negotiated so graciously to accommodate us.  We were really nice to each other I think.
• Said home is now under contract.
• House hunting gave room for canoodling and other things that the Internet should not read.
• The children are fattened from the week spent with their sweet Lola
• And I can now focus now on eating the pasalubong that is still in our pantry.

Amen. 

I was spoiled rotten today.

It snowed again....so much that I had to shovel. 

It's raining now, and all of the snow has melted...but we enjoyed it so much, the kids got a chance to run and play outside, and they came in so happy and ready to wind down for the night.

It was a great excuse to fill our bellies with sweetness. 

And finally, I got to play with my new ballwinder.  Why I waited 2 1/2 years since learning how to knit to get one, I do not know. 

Oh my, I am officially in love with yarn cakes, they are good enough to eat.

I don't, however, have a swift, so my sweet C helped me out by winding while I fed him the yarn wrapped around my knees.  It still took me less than 5 minutes to have a cake, while in the past it took me about 30-40 minutes to wind by hand.

This is the life!