Creative Hearth

This weekend was joyful. No obligations, no worries, just my family and our home. We had our first gardening experience, BBQ'd, ate dinner outside, ran outdoors, and ate ice cream. True bliss! What makes you happy?

May is a big month of celebrations for our family. This weekend was my husband's birthday, then Mother's day, my father's bday, and then my bday. Lot's of living to be thankful for. And so to begin the celebrations we had a weekend of fun with family, friends, and just us. There was sushi dinner, a bit of pool and ping pong playing, and lots of jumping and hanging outdoors. It was truly a blissful weekend. 

These were taken a couple of weekends ago when we did some yard work, laying, and playing around. 

I have taken a little time away from posting this week as I have been spending more time with family and our home. We had Quinn's birthday party last weekend, which took a toll on both Rob and I. We love to throw parties and the idea of it always sounds so much better then the execution. It is such a pleasure for us to give to others and provide fun and creativity where we can and what better way to do so then have a party. When it is over we always end up looking back on the event with contentment and exhaustion, as it should be. 


We then began our observance of the Passover holiday, which we spent with close friends and family. Our first night's seder was very special this year for us as we shared it with 2 of our closest family friends here in Montclair, NJ. It was such a delight to incorporate our kids into the seder this year and to bring this tradition to our following generation in our own way. In addition, the hosting Dad  is an AMAZING cook and the hosting Mom a delicious baker. I am already looking forward to next years Seder! 


The rest of the week both kiddies were home with me and the weather, gratefully, was perfect so we were able to take advantage and do a lot of walking and park visits. The time I spent with the boys being outdoors and exploring really gave me the opportunity to observe them and see them and their little souls dance. I am really getting to know them and how I relate to each one of them. Although, It was such a pleasure to have this time with these beautiful beings I also had very little time to my self, which left me VERY exhausted and when Friday night came I felt the impact.  I could not move or do anything for anyone or anything. These are times I need to respect my self and allow the responsibilities and chores to go by the way side, as hard as this is to do it is necessary.


Finally, Rob and I had 2 nights out this week, which was super fun and so needed. Our dear friends are in from London so we spent a night out with them and our other friends. And Saturday night we celebrated our friends 40th birthday at a dance party. I find going out like this rejuvenates me and my hubby as well as feeds my soul. 

Finally, this past week and weekend I got my running shoes on and found the time to get out and embrace the beauty of the weather and my physical being. For myself this week I ran for my soul and my body. Oh how I missed this activity so. 

We have had our hands very full with a lot of different projects this past year. Finding the time to undertake each one is a task in itself. Yet, we somehow seem to do it. And it always feels that the changes we make are miniscule to the amount of work and effort we put forward. I know when the projects are fully complete it will show, but for now the foundations are being set. So we have lots to look forward to. And so that leads me to what our creative family day consisted of this week...landscaping. With the weather being so nice and Spring arriving, (YAY!), we decided to move our next project outside. Lots needs to be done. but to begin we needed to remove some very overgrown and what we considered not very attractive tall grass.  We all worked together with our own personal gardening gear and dug, cut, and gathered. Then we had some fun! My husband was a very happy man to see his son skateboarding. 

My family has a lot to celebrate this month...Rob and my 7 year anniversary and my baby boy turns 1 tomorrow. WOWOWOWOWOW! More on this to come, for now this is about my beloved and me. Some quality time was spent this week and weekend. 2 dinners and an afternoon walking around NYC. We were a bit exhausted since I have had another stomach virus, but we did our best to reconnect and go back to where we first lived together and shared a lot of memories together as well. Below is a photo of a really neat and cool sand mandala a very talented artist created in the middle of Washington Square Park. This is why I love NYC! 

This weekend mother nature seemed to be feeling a bit frustrated, leaving our basement filled with over a foot of water. My husband and I felt the stress overwhelm us and we were consumed by many negative feelings. Leaving US frustrated and out of control. After 3 hours of baling out water I turned to my husband, and asked him how can we find positive in this all. So we began to list the things we are grateful for...having a home, not losing our electricity, not having a tree fall on us or our home, having each other to support and help...Even through our exhaustion and annoyance at the situation we decided to take a step back and let go of the 'anger' that we were creating for ourselves. The next morning we woke up to the flood all over again, but we were able to find another option, a pump, to help us do the work. Instead of our Sunday being a wash, literally, we were able to be with our boys and find music in our day. 

Family time this weekend was spent at my nephews 2nd bday celebration at a Beatles Kids cover band concert. My oldest son has never been one to like kid concerts. We are not sure if it is the sound, people, or just an overall overwhelmingness to it all. So, we have never been able to enjoy our times as a family together at these types of events. But, this time we were able to share the experience with our youngest. It was fascinating to watch as his eyes lit up with excitement and joy. I was in such awe to observe him observe this new experience filled with so many sensory indulgences. He smiled with the purest sense of delight and eagerness for what was to come next. His body took in the sounds as he bounced back and forth and shook his head side to side. This was more entertainment for me then the actual concert itself. 

We also did a lot of driving this weekend, with the party being in Philly, we had to travel there and back with the kiddos. Although this was not true alone time with my husband I do find these longer road trips to be the time we connect and talk about life the most. This is our time to strategize, organize, and sometimes we even revelationize (a word I made up, but it seems fitting).  

At the beginning of each week I make a list and do all my food shopping. This was an awesome idea I learned of from my dear friend, Sachi's, blog. It is a great way to organize for the week and save money. I have also created this as a time for me. Although, I am doing stuff for others there is something I really enjoy about doing the grocery shopping alone. I love to explore the seasonal veggies and fruits, find new ingredients or products, and the feeling of collecting healthy and yummy foods feels so nurturing to myself and my family. 

It had been a very very loooong week that included a 3 inch flood throughout our basement, a not so great parent-teacher conference, and a husband working very long hours while getting his new private practice set up. Friday night finally arrived and as soon as my hubby walked through the door he knew I needed some relief and alone time. So I accepted his help and quickly retreated to my bedroom, got under the sheets, and vegged. It took me some time to wind down and decompress, but once I did I was able to release all the negative energy swirling around me and I woke up feeling almost 100% better. Almost.

Some quality time was spent with my husband in an active way this weekend. My in laws came over so we could get some more house work done. We finally completed painting our living room, which has been a work in progress with a palate of many colors painted on one wall for a long time, and eventually 2 of the walls painted the new color. Now all 4 walls are complete as well as the fireplace primed and ready to be painted in the coming days hopefully. Although physical and exhausting at times it was nice to share in this creative process with my husband. We have painted many rooms together from our old residence to this new one. It has become a special bonding time for us where we can retreat into the creativity of the work being done while embracing in eacothers company. 

Finally, for our Sunday family time we decided to take Ayden ice skating for his first time. I have to say I had such an amazing time, even though I am in a bit of pain at the moment from having to constantly hold and pick Ayden up off the ice. Between all the falls I have to say Ayden did remarkably well and took to the ice like a champ. This experience just brought back so many memories for me while growing up. I was a big ice skater. The 2 things I had aspired t be as a little girl was an ice skater or a ballerina. Needless to say I became neither, yet I have that desire in me. The passion is still alive and I can see why I loved to skate so much as a child. As Ayden and I stumbled, glided, and held onto one another we laughed. A laughter I had never experienced with him. It was as if I actually felt what he was feeling. A feeling I recall from being a kid. We were free playing, care free, exploring a new environment and activity. I truly felt like a little girl and I imagine those around me could see that on my face. I left feeling so energized and refreshed. It was exactly what I needed to end my loooong week and begin a new one with a fresh start. 

This weekend my family took a drive down to Pa, where I grew up, to visit a very meaningful woman in my life who owns an herb shop, chrissannthemum. There we all hung out, drank some tea, played games, and smelled the luscious scents of herbs. It was a perfect way to bring love, laughter, light, and clearing into our lives after a long week that seems like a big fog. Above is a picture of some of the nicest sage I have ever purchased or used.

My alone time this week I went to Barnes and Noble where I sat in a big comfy chair, drank spearmint tea, ate a slice of my favorite dessert...cheesecake, and read about home and gardens. This was a nice way for me to relax, release, and decompress from my day.

And...my hubby and I finally watched the very popular movie, 'Twilight'. I had been hesitant to see this movie after all the hype, but it was enjoyable and brought me back to feeling like an adolescent, which was a fun experience to have with Rob.  

Family fun...every Sunday we make sure we do a family night. Whether it be playing a game together, cooking together, or doing a creative project. Last weekend we decided to make our own individualized pizzas. Oh the fun that was had by all. As shown above. As well, on weekends we try to find a time to do at least one family activity, and this Saturday we went to the zoo. The great benefits we received from going on a warm day in the winter...easy parking, no lines to get in, free admission, and we learned about animals that hibernate! 

My alone time...across the street from the yoga studio I attend is a wonderful tea shop. After my class this week I enjoyed a really nice ginseng brew. Yummy!

Time with my hubby & friends...as one of our holiday gifts we invested in the game "rock band'. After the kids go to bed my husband and I have been enjoying some fun time rocking out together. As well, we hosted our first game night this week where are friends joined in on the action. No pictures this time around, next time for sure.