tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12078614050122658802024-02-18T17:38:48.403-08:00Susan Clark: sketches and inspirationThis blog follows the simple life, wilderness wanderings, garden, life and happenings of a PNW gal and her family.Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-32053596387994732542017-12-27T20:02:00.000-08:002017-12-27T20:03:05.413-08:00Dear Indigo: 1 year old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Indigo,<br />
<br />
You've made it to your first birthday!!! Happy birthday sweet girl!! We love you so much, and are so proud of you. You are such a sweet little lady; observant, laid-back, tender-hearted, curious, content, snuggly, quiet, independent and loving. It has been so much fun watching your personality develop these last few months. You've cut 6 teeth, and I fear your molars are coming now. We starting bringing you to nursery on Sundays, and it is always pretty teary because you know that we are dropping you off, but you are a brave girl and calm down after a short bit. The day before your birthday, as we were decorating the Christmas tree, you stood up in the middle of the room and took three steps towards me!! Walking of your own accord! Crawling is still much faster, but you are taking more and more steps. Your current record is 8. You've added Da (James) and ma (more) to your vocab, mostly for pointing to something (usually food) and wanting it. Also you are drinking solo from a sippy cup, and still need some help from a regular one. We bundle up most days and go for a walk, which you LOVE. This makes me so happy, as I have dreams of many walks in the future. Also you charm the pants off the lady at our local chocolatier, which is a dangerously close 0.5 miles away. We may have taken that walk a few times. But sweet little Indy, you haven't had dessert until we celebrated your birthday with a chocolate cupcake. You very neatly ate up every last crumb - and then started ma - ing and pointing at the tray of leftovers on the table.<br />
<br />
Happy birthday Indigo!! We love you!<br />
<br />
Mama, Dada, Da (James)<br />
<br />
Favorite books: Colors by Orla Kiely + Animal Friends<br />
Favorite foods: anything tomato based, rice & yogurt<br />
Favorite thing to do: be held by your family<br />
Makes you laugh: Peek-a-boo & James' silly faces<br />
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-57503679374599342052017-11-11T10:27:00.000-08:002017-12-25T20:03:28.165-08:00Dear Indigo: 11 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Hello sweet little girl,<br />
<br />
This month you added Dada to your vocabulary! Happy 11 month birthday, as of Nov 11!! You are cruising along the edge of the couch and chomping at the bit to walk, always holding onto our fingers as you propel yourself forward. You follow me around the house, and are getting VERY fast at it. Your favorite room in the house is the bathroom, and if we ever leave the door open you immediately there splashing in the toilet. YIKES! Thankfully it hasn't happened too often, and it makes me keep it extra clean and tidy. You LOVE bath time, and splash away loving the drops of water as they fly as long as they don't hit you in the face. You still love your little gauze blanket, and prefer it over all others. You are still waking 2x a night, and I'm hoping this start to decrease, and I've worked to put you down with a full tummy and tired eyes. Now that the sunrise is later and later, you are sleeping in until 6:30 or 7 every morning. Bless you. You are such a sweet, serious little lady. You prefer to be observing all that goes on, and aren't much of a talker (this could be due to your brother filling any empty space with noises). You love rice, curry, anything tomato based and absolutely refuse to eat sweet potatos or green beans. You love getting to see your friend Jack, and you two always give loves. I cannot believe that you are almost a year already!! Also you nickname list is growing...In, Baby In, Indy, Precious, Precious Pearl, Pearl, Pearly, Pearlypoo. Little Indigo - I'm happily surprised that you respond to your actual name. :) Also your face hold your exact feeling, and you have the best happy and the saddest sad faces known to man.<br />
<br />
Love you dearly little In.<br />
<br />
Susan<br />
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PS This is backdated due to my computer being on the fritz for...months. </div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-26111983583196864672017-10-19T09:34:00.001-07:002017-10-19T09:34:20.829-07:00Life Lately: fall thinking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">making: plans for family time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">cooking: all the time, curry, Indian food, roast beef, stir fry, fried egg sandwiches, etc. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">drinking: water, homemade hot cocoa in front of the fireplace. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">wanting: some new work proposals to work out. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">looking: at all sorts of garden plans, looking at seeds, bulbs, and best places. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">wasting: not a single dry day for playing outdoors</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">enjoying: the change of seasons - this hot summer has finally faded to rainy, colorful full blown fall</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">liking: getting to watch the sunset from this window every evening.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">loving: family nights in front of our fireplace drinking cocoa and wrestling Indigo away from James' puzzles</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">marveling: at how blessed we are to be in this home - so much space and yard.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">needing: nothing. truly. maybe some insulation for the back of the house.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">smelling: an autumn wreath candle in morning.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">wearing: wool socks, jeans, plaid shirt, and a content heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">listening: to James' screentime choice - Daniel Tiger</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">knowing: a date with Brad is in the near future!! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">noticing: how much the kiddos have been growing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">thinking: about the book of Romans</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">feeling: really content with life right now...soaking in, even in the disciplining.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 13.524px;">bookmarking: how to start a garden bed over lawn. I think I'll choose newspaper layering. </span></div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-34047564147976142912017-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:002017-10-17T10:00:19.856-07:00Dear Indigo: 10 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Indigo,<br />
<br />
Baby girl, you are at such a fun age. You are feeding yourself with your little pinchers, babbling (most favorites are blah, blah, blah, mamama, dadadada), standing on you own, walking if you are holding our hands, clapping my goodness. You have the best smile! When you are feeling shy, which is often of late, you will give a huge closed mouth grin and then bury your face in my neck. You are a speedy crawler and can get anywhere that you want! Sweet little Indigo. <br />
<br />
Love you babykins,<br />
Mama</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-29108286662964761412017-09-30T10:36:00.000-07:002017-09-30T10:36:00.216-07:00Portrait of the Month: September<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Grape picking at Papa + Grandma Van's house. </div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-83020622437085931212017-09-29T21:33:00.000-07:002017-09-29T21:34:00.172-07:00James Tiberius: A birth story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
James my boy. You were a crazy birth. My first, obvi. <br />
<br />
It all started at 2am Labor Day morning, four years ago. I woke up because I was feeling wet, aside from roasting and 34 weeks pregnant (we weren't sure if it was 33 or 34 at that point). I remember needing to change, and remember thinking, as I waddled around the room, so I guess I'm at the point of pregnancy where I lose all continence and any possible lingering appeal. I changed clothes several times that night until around 8 am I decided that hey, maybe my water broke! So I called my dad and then my doctor's emergency contact who told me to get to the hospital to be tested. We threw some clothes, toothbrushes, and a carseat, just in case, into the car and headed the 1.25 hrs to the hospital. Surely we weren't going to have this baby over a month early, we had plans to go out on the lake that afternoon. <br />
<br />
Upon arrival at the hospital, I was set up in the birthing center's exam rooms. The nurse came to take my vitals and prep me for some tests, at which point the doctor came and looked around and said, yep she broke her water. The nurse asked if he wanted to send some liquid to the lab for tests at which point the he laughed and said, no it is pretty clinically apparent. (to this day, that is probably Brad's favorite line. He uses it often.) Then they booked me in a room, and we met with our doctor who was on call. <br />
<br />
Dr. Bell was on call, and met with us to discuss our options at 34 weeks. If I was a week earlier, they would have needed to ship me further north to a facility with a level IV NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), as their hospital had only a level II NICU. They weren't sure of dates, but we had been going off you being 34 weeks along. We decided to start a drip of steroids to help develop your lungs. You were in critical development of lungs when my water broke. So we waited for your steroids to drip in. Several hours later we started the slowest, tiniest bit of pitocin to see if it would do anything overnight. Brad and I hold to the idea that he didn't want to deal with what was going on since his shift was ending soon, so he did the tiniest drip possible without charting that he did nothing at all.<br />
<br />
Later that evening Dr. Bell was off duty, and the hospitalist came in and asked if we'd like to push a bit more. So she opened up the pitocin a bit and waited. Around 9pm things started moving along on their own, so I was turned off the pitocin. After 9 hrs of labor and 30 mins of pushing at 7:18 am the next morning, there arrived 4 lbs 9 oz, 18 inches long. A perfect, tiny human. It was right at the shift change, so there were 14+ people crowded into our room prepping for our after care, and your stay in the special care nursery. The doctor asked for you name, and I looked at your Dad. We hadn't settled fully yet and were hovering around 3 different names combined a few different ways. They settled you into my arms as your Dad put his hand on you and said, James Tiberius. So it was. <br />
<br />
I was able to hold you for a few minutes before they whisked you away for weight, measurement, APGAR, heel pricks and warm blankets. It was a half hour before I saw you again, don't worry your Daddy was with you the entire time. It was days before you first bath. They wheeled me into the NICU, and I was able to hold you again (on a pillow) for 15 whole minutes before you needed to be back under the warmer as you were fading. Thus began your two+ week adventure in the NICU with bradycardia and apnea, and my own adventure hours later bleeding out while your father ate pizza in the cafeteria with my family. <br />
<br />
Oh my son, you have come so far, gained milestones, and are doing so well. I've heard that a birth describes how the person will be in life...this could be true for you. Unexpected, a perfect storm, sweet, crazy...you grab life by the mane and dig in your spurs. I could not be more proud of who you are becoming and who you are today. Look at you now James, look at you now. </div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-17849472965340796862017-09-11T21:49:00.000-07:002017-10-15T22:11:34.315-07:00Dear Indigo: 9 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello baby girl,<br />
<br />
This month, you are moving! You have 4 teeth now! You absolutely Love crawling around, and are getting pretty fast. You are feeding yourself and done with purees. Baths are a favorite of yours, as are bananas, walks, clapping, and tickles. You sweet one, are such a happy baby. You are loving to be held by me the best, but are usually pretty willing to see/talk with others as long as I'm nearby. You are reaching for other babies, and think the mirror is the coolest thing ever. I never thought I'd have a kid with a blankie, but you have one - or several. As long as your Aiden + Anias blankets are in hand, you are content with someone besides me. Bedtime without them is impossible. You are less and less of a snuggler, as you are wanting to be off exploring the world. You are still very expressive with your facial expressions, and I fear dear one that, like me, you will never be able to tell a lie. But you are pretty chill, and roll with the antics of your brother. Also your skeptical face is amazing. Happy end of your first summer! <br />
<br />
Love you baby!<br />
Mama</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-35739730843452771612017-09-04T22:24:00.000-07:002017-09-29T22:25:30.826-07:00Dear James: Happy 4th Birthday!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear James:<br />
Happy 4th birthday! You sir, are growing up to be such a great little boy. You are 42 inches tall, 40lbs, and a whirlwind of adventures, activity and sounds. Your eye is still crossing a bit, but you have been diligent with wearing your patches and glasses. You are sleeping in your own bed all night, practicing asking for help when you need it, turning every stick into a sword, making every vehicle + animal noise possible, protecting Indigo from paper books and the stairs, and you are a great kid. We love you dearly. I am constantly amazed at your will power, coordination and intelligence. You are awesome. You LOVE playing with your cousins! You love reading books snuggled under a blanket; you enjoy making hot cocoa with me and doing projects with Daddy. You like playing outside, riding your bike, eating cookies, getting a spiced chai treat and picking out new books. I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. You are 100% boy. You are curious about nature, God, family and why everything is the way it is. I pray that you will continue to grow into a strong, healthy, spiritually-minded fella. <br />
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Mama + Daddy</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-50672816788832946632017-08-29T23:46:00.001-07:002017-08-29T23:46:31.157-07:00Taking a moment...to remember<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm sitting here on the chair with my family all quietly tucked into the sheets, fans blowing in the windows for these hot summer nights. James was up twice after I laid him down - we are working on obedience - and Indigo was exhausted after a long day of only three 15 minute naps. Life is a funny thing. Yesterday, I was driving home the back way, and some song came on the radio that reminded me of elementary days. I recalled picking blackberries at a friend's house, painting our nails with the iridescent blue nail polish, and the look on my friend's face when she told me that her favorite singer, Selena, died. Those things are all just moments - minutes passing in time.\<br />
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I remember my first grade classroom having weird smelling bathrooms, and that every story was about some kid named Carlos.<br />
I remember being in a panic because I wrote my piano practice time on the paper on the piano and dented the wood on the other side.<br />
I remember peeking into the open Christmas bags with my cousin in California to see the dolls from Grandma.<br />
I remember cutting morning classes my senior year of high school because my heart was sad, and I'd drive out to the lake just to sit by the water and listen to the bugs and the waves. <br />
I remember being so excited to get a plum cropped sweatshirt to go with my wide legged jeans because I thought I looked super cool. <br />
I remember driving home the first summer from college with the windows down, stuck in horrible Seattle traffic, but I didn't have one single care. <br />
I remember watching my then fiance sob uncontrollable tears at our wedding, and then upon getting the phone call that our precious Graham wasn't quite right - the only two times I've seen those tears from him. <br />
I remember the water glinting off canoe bow as we paddled around the lake on one of many dates that <strike>first</strike> only summer of dating. <br />
I remember birthing our three children, and holding them after shocked at the love and mess.<br />
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All these moments - did I realize I was recording them then? Did I know they were making marks on my soul? Memory is an incredible thing...our memory plays such a huge role in who we are. And its so personal. My memories are different from what my siblings have written on their childhoods. When I die some memories will get passed on, but most will not because they are my experiences and belong to no one else. It is such a strange thought. Maybe I've been thinking about it of late, as my and Brad's grandparents are getting older and memories are fading. It must be a scary thing to forget. To forget what you've done, or where you've been, or what you walked in the room for. A frustrating thing to fade in and out of what you know and what is a mystery. I'm a documenter - always have been, always will be. And so as I think about fading memories, I found myself trying to squeeze every ounce of memory out of my children's lives. Can I remember...? Can I remember? It gets stressful to think about. I suppose that actively trying to make a memory won't really work anyway because who knows what my mind will hang on to. I hope this little brain of mine keeps the good with the bad, the triumph and the struggle. And so I'm left tonight wanting to pick the brains of my elderly family - what memories are they hanging on to? What left a deep enough mark to stay? What will my children remember? I don't have a nice little bow to tie on this...just streaming some thoughts. So good night. </div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-58757076051362359352017-08-15T12:17:00.002-07:002017-08-15T12:18:05.872-07:00Dear Indigo: 8 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Indigo,<br />
<br />
Happy eight months. A you lay sleeping in my arms, I mentally take note of your cool, soft, squishy limbs. Your elbow and knee rolls and your round apple cheeks...I'm so amazed at the spirit your little body holds. I cannot wait to learn more about you as you learn to communicate...you can get out a mama or rather mamama when you are upset and reaching for me. What other words will you be forming next? I can see your peaceful slumber has shifted into dreams because your fingers have started to twitch and you break out into big grins. You sometimes smile just like your dad...closed mouth and wide. You month you've gotten the hang of crawling on your knees and have even started trying to pull yourself up. I better start planning for our stairs. Little lady you are such a happy sweet baby, with shy smiles for just about everyone. And those big blue eyes of yours with their black fringe...they slay me with their intense focus and loving stares. Indigo you've been more interested in table food, stopped sucking your fingers, grasping cheerios, and love blowing raspberries and shrieking for joy. We love you lady!<br />
<br />
Mama, Dada, + James<br />
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James left : Indigo right (both 8 months)</div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-37730803504200302692017-07-31T09:17:00.000-07:002017-07-31T09:17:05.421-07:00Portrait of the Month: July<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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These two... they adore each other.</div>
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Almost as much as they adore their new backyard!</div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-47252330747801882852017-07-29T20:51:00.001-07:002017-07-29T21:28:04.143-07:00Dear Indigo: 7 months <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Indigo,<br />
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Baby, you are doing so well This month you cut your first tooth and are sitting up like a little professional. You are eating purees like a champ, and prefer applesauce the best of all. You are waking up once a night, and much to my chagrin have decided to become a morning girl. Of course you do then nap at 8am. You love going for walks, and have moved houses this month. These were taken in our rental. You sweetheart are the smiliest, happiest baby. You prefer me to hold you, but when you're recently fed, you will be content with everyone. You are decidedly not a snuggler because you have so many things to see, and do and try. You love to wiggle about! We love you little lady, and are amazed at how fast you are growing.<br />
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Love you baby,<br />
Mama</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-77948877436193618622017-07-02T18:16:00.002-07:002017-07-02T18:16:28.053-07:00Camping with small children: Northfork Campground<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Indigo had her inaugural camping trip the first weekend of June. The weather was wonderful, the campground empty (save for one other family), plenty of spring flora and fauna and s'mores...practically perfect.<br />
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Except the complete lack of sleep portion. <br />
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The first night, Indigo was up every 2 hrs, and James tried to be as close to Mama as possible by curling into a ball around the top of my head...yeah. The second night I forgot to put a pull-up on him, so around 4am he wakes crying, soaking, and the tent is filled with a pungent urine smell. Ahh, sweet bliss. Lest I scare you off from tent camping, it usually goes so much smoother. <br />
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But there are really a few essentials that will make your camping with a baby/children so much easier. </div>
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1. Embrace the activity. While my idea of a perfect camping trip involves laying quietly in a hammock by the fire, reading books, and eating s'mores and enjoying campfires with a walk beginning and ending each day...children, my children, groove less with this idea. James needs to have an activity - he needs to be moving his big muscles, running, exploring, being loud, or throwing balls. So we have a big full body activity in the morning and afternoon. Yes, he ran almost the entirety of that straight stretch of road. Lots of activity now, means tired children later. :) Its almost my camping mantra. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwmgSsSbs33c4SXNtXGQRicnC7es2lgP3u0tuGarDVyUJsyU_R5-2GScNnWclfjzBlYSFh1-5IhknLVzKbTLV8yhoJdWQSH4PqSIskJ9FQRyOf9cf-xjWI7oW2CQNB5C_U1HFlP8Fa9yn/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwmgSsSbs33c4SXNtXGQRicnC7es2lgP3u0tuGarDVyUJsyU_R5-2GScNnWclfjzBlYSFh1-5IhknLVzKbTLV8yhoJdWQSH4PqSIskJ9FQRyOf9cf-xjWI7oW2CQNB5C_U1HFlP8Fa9yn/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+II.jpg" /></a></div>
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2. Bring a ground blanket for the baby. Seriously, do you want to be holding/strapped to/baby strapped in something for 48+ hours? Neither does he/she. Bring a big blanket to put out on the ground so baby can stretch, relax, and be part of the goings on outside of the tent. This way they aren't eating too much dirt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBwkzKn0gwvn0f4lZxcS4Uxr2KciBsaDCb4G55Wd4yJDepIH5wuE3NihERr0xe4Z_UpVxzfM-1FIAjNbLySl8IderiSO72AeQ_sdeg2TIpbFdki5xwicBdc2VEasaR33Qn-ENtP8tGgrA/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBwkzKn0gwvn0f4lZxcS4Uxr2KciBsaDCb4G55Wd4yJDepIH5wuE3NihERr0xe4Z_UpVxzfM-1FIAjNbLySl8IderiSO72AeQ_sdeg2TIpbFdki5xwicBdc2VEasaR33Qn-ENtP8tGgrA/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+I.jpg" /></a></div>
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3. Have an huge bouncy ball. The cheaper, the bouncier and the more brightly colored the better. Easy to spot if it bounces into the ferns/woods. 5 million game options - catch, kickball, volleyball, bouncing, bowling, dodgeball, throw it at the trees, kick it into the tent, the possibilities are endless here. We scored ours for $1.00 at a local store on our way through town, and it was the only toy, besides a lovey, we had the entire weekend.</div>
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Thats it! Those three things are huge lifesavers for us when camping. Maybe these are common sense for you, but these three things really made camping with kiddos so much easier and more doable. And now a few gems from the weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkrGPbGxnkXPuA7ZSHUc_vKPCDzYm1X75LldGUY0eYBJYDZ6k6uwdDMlXSRy-A1Wv9rZvyIROY8Bbea4PdYSmQjeqj06JZjVL6W9tW18Yj5gy5KnsT6u2c8dnN1LMjBm5u8MXhPt7XeUn/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkrGPbGxnkXPuA7ZSHUc_vKPCDzYm1X75LldGUY0eYBJYDZ6k6uwdDMlXSRy-A1Wv9rZvyIROY8Bbea4PdYSmQjeqj06JZjVL6W9tW18Yj5gy5KnsT6u2c8dnN1LMjBm5u8MXhPt7XeUn/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+V.jpg" /></a></div>
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bracken fern</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAq_XPhBRjYghnORBMRX5HrawrJWDijd-v2WGxko_AYTuUxdIoam00K5gSPHP7eK1xmsoEr0vOj7BJuCj19Paz-oTKm6X4zQQKTb7yw2BWcGlDqoyJAtUWA3qEsy0YjqVC9iqi3IjBuj8/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAq_XPhBRjYghnORBMRX5HrawrJWDijd-v2WGxko_AYTuUxdIoam00K5gSPHP7eK1xmsoEr0vOj7BJuCj19Paz-oTKm6X4zQQKTb7yw2BWcGlDqoyJAtUWA3qEsy0YjqVC9iqi3IjBuj8/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VI.jpg" /></a></div>
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Cispus River</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00UyKlbEvFgKh8Nkn2kFr1t6b9wTv2cgm3OSdlfiM7DmGsSyvHPhsdf3R2YfogJogQmSnh9BCqvrauJXqk1dp5SKhnzemvngtocG_jo-7aWjOn9Hxqmqfx9gHeSlZqMJeQuj0oT_ptaYT/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00UyKlbEvFgKh8Nkn2kFr1t6b9wTv2cgm3OSdlfiM7DmGsSyvHPhsdf3R2YfogJogQmSnh9BCqvrauJXqk1dp5SKhnzemvngtocG_jo-7aWjOn9Hxqmqfx9gHeSlZqMJeQuj0oT_ptaYT/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VII.jpg" /></a></div>
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wild lupine and bracken fern</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTfJvBtOSuW3rONEU-VYSzcLE7pxGr38tTB6AN6sLdaIV3CuT1mGtL9xHezbZUaEIligieUZQ9ER1CskCq-nJY7VQq7koESL4pmoXGXUauhxCpW4_-YAoF6si-C8JhDqfaoL49G_U8vsZ/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTfJvBtOSuW3rONEU-VYSzcLE7pxGr38tTB6AN6sLdaIV3CuT1mGtL9xHezbZUaEIligieUZQ9ER1CskCq-nJY7VQq7koESL4pmoXGXUauhxCpW4_-YAoF6si-C8JhDqfaoL49G_U8vsZ/s1600/North+Fork+2017+camping+VIII.jpg" /></a></div>
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Happy camping!</div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-78140817889305824572017-06-30T14:34:00.000-07:002017-06-30T14:34:07.883-07:00Portrait of the Month: June<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMG4BgRM8sUJ0J-Pvb_MjHyJxs9bj2uW6lNxjH3RafpBSkk56k8RfcApQw2Mqm9GorHRqEpEZEVvKYZA2Ytfvl3n0BKfKCDGq8IDGgpV8p4jS4A7Lva-sQuvz760XvlpsIAMcRiahCdF8/s1600/June+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMG4BgRM8sUJ0J-Pvb_MjHyJxs9bj2uW6lNxjH3RafpBSkk56k8RfcApQw2Mqm9GorHRqEpEZEVvKYZA2Ytfvl3n0BKfKCDGq8IDGgpV8p4jS4A7Lva-sQuvz760XvlpsIAMcRiahCdF8/s1600/June+2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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This month, we've been packing...preparing for a move very soon...a certain little boy is quite excited.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1MNDSDPXv9zMuxMFxDG6VoL5FI7pZf5B3oRm-B7G8jwq0Wi0BpIz3jjdpYBeqpdEEyAM677XcpQHa3bJpiepgAeDb-Yxcw-5QEwy4Dd6U24noi1qC_q_dV1T8TlqBbCrmMvqN7q3cV1X/s1600/June+III+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1MNDSDPXv9zMuxMFxDG6VoL5FI7pZf5B3oRm-B7G8jwq0Wi0BpIz3jjdpYBeqpdEEyAM677XcpQHa3bJpiepgAeDb-Yxcw-5QEwy4Dd6U24noi1qC_q_dV1T8TlqBbCrmMvqN7q3cV1X/s1600/June+III+2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-701949494605929342017-06-11T15:02:00.000-07:002017-06-30T15:05:55.264-07:00Dear Indigo: 6 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkg9i7_0vawzPsNJ4piUxcPbOt2f3lhCTXGXZ5JmaNxxsO5Pl6bGkUNTcPIa2f9LJC8mRraSKTzaZ6NY2iLML52b7_h3TTGmew8w02TpG3z7fWaTrU0562IYnqT9pkW-cJrgG2SY97OK0/s1600/Indigo+6+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkg9i7_0vawzPsNJ4piUxcPbOt2f3lhCTXGXZ5JmaNxxsO5Pl6bGkUNTcPIa2f9LJC8mRraSKTzaZ6NY2iLML52b7_h3TTGmew8w02TpG3z7fWaTrU0562IYnqT9pkW-cJrgG2SY97OK0/s1600/Indigo+6+months.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknK7uZaajPm_cEKOD45S02hIZK7E7DdIImQPQO3Z59B_7ww01buqP0h2b_PJWsSE_6V9ibHBRzkf-EL_Oq82KmPfiNmaftMMykUjSerK-Xx_ZCL_Qb8ncvJ7IX4vATYaeUw3bWkLfGi4j/s1600/Indigo+6+months+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknK7uZaajPm_cEKOD45S02hIZK7E7DdIImQPQO3Z59B_7ww01buqP0h2b_PJWsSE_6V9ibHBRzkf-EL_Oq82KmPfiNmaftMMykUjSerK-Xx_ZCL_Qb8ncvJ7IX4vATYaeUw3bWkLfGi4j/s1600/Indigo+6+months+b.jpg" /></a></div>
Dear Indigo,<br />
<br />
Hello my sweet little girl. You are such a content lady. You love to snuggle close when you are tired, sucking on your two first fingers on your right hand. You are enraptured, if sometimes scared, by your brothers antics and attempts at giving hugs. You have the most expressive eyebrows and facial expressions; giving away your exact feelings, which you come by honestly as my face is an open book. You are up to 16 lbs and 25.25 inches tall, and love looking at the world around you. You can sit for several seconds all by yourself, and are grabbing for everything. You are eating food (purees) and loving it! Thus far you've glommed down everything we've given you. My little lady, you did very well at your 6 month appointment - 16 lbs, 25 inches long, we are so glad you are a healthy girl. Can't wait to see you grow more and more into your personality. Lets keep these early morning wake-ups the rarity though, alright?<br />
<br />
Loves,<br />
Mama<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSaXDPd_SIEB_Z7SRyIgQqpqeeFPmbKvGraSOZGVmdWxjNszHEf87Knhu5ui8yX5BNefbII_q9RLtsjjYPVi2kQzekWLUCXBWdIwlWX5fABC-DBuL7-t4i6sDCQUOJecBdZXpUiInzsBu/s1600/Indigo+6+months+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSaXDPd_SIEB_Z7SRyIgQqpqeeFPmbKvGraSOZGVmdWxjNszHEf87Knhu5ui8yX5BNefbII_q9RLtsjjYPVi2kQzekWLUCXBWdIwlWX5fABC-DBuL7-t4i6sDCQUOJecBdZXpUiInzsBu/s1600/Indigo+6+months+c.jpg" /></a></div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-44577607079188632352017-06-07T19:39:00.000-07:002017-06-07T19:39:39.910-07:00Portrait of the Month: May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsCTEWVPPy9HptJr7jwd1prob4tOB_1MhEY39eZitFyrsGfpxuDek9NE2AhuIzzVA1RL5TrOrwoNnmpmvRUznJZldmnTsqFPz30v5Y0sVBM26SjDQuVkXcvjH9_tYY0Up97ucjKkJujxr/s1600/May+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsCTEWVPPy9HptJr7jwd1prob4tOB_1MhEY39eZitFyrsGfpxuDek9NE2AhuIzzVA1RL5TrOrwoNnmpmvRUznJZldmnTsqFPz30v5Y0sVBM26SjDQuVkXcvjH9_tYY0Up97ucjKkJujxr/s1600/May+family.jpg" /></a></div>
May was spent enjoying 70 degree weather, taking family walks, dinner picnics, daily trips to the park, mastering the "big" potty, learning to sit up, and living on little to no sleep since everyone had been sick all month long.<br />
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James has been wearing his glasses almost full time after a recent trip to his ophthalmologist showed that his eye isn't progressing as well as hoped.</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-87909438938855462162017-06-01T20:47:00.001-07:002017-06-30T15:05:55.268-07:00Dear Indigo: 5 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgm_Rwo3ARWou4AzoYRn6eq6yG4kwJsEVZC72f50ZZLuW0CYkW0RLhXTZAc1_pIX1UPqA9AggqCQv9c7J50cWTbwy9PGK61S9G6bG1l9OaWLkKqFaOhDj0sl-I6N1qDKSGoMxIyvX2QWS/s1600/Indigo+5+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgm_Rwo3ARWou4AzoYRn6eq6yG4kwJsEVZC72f50ZZLuW0CYkW0RLhXTZAc1_pIX1UPqA9AggqCQv9c7J50cWTbwy9PGK61S9G6bG1l9OaWLkKqFaOhDj0sl-I6N1qDKSGoMxIyvX2QWS/s1600/Indigo+5+months.jpg" /></a></div>
Hello sweet girl,<br />
<br />
You have such a sweet voice, as you coo and hum all day with a smiling face. You are a very relaxed little lady. You've been preferring to only be held by your Mama, but tolerate others for a short bit. You'be been gaining neck strength, and can roll either way now, but you actually like being on your tummy. You are such a content baby, now that regular milk is out of my system, which thankfully we figured out early on. You've taken to sucking on your pointer and middle fingers of your right hand. It is so precious, but we've been pulling them out so that your teeth don't come in weird. You've been drooling up a storm, but no teeth yet. Indigo you've laughed!!! Its more of a chuckle/giggle, and I have to be careful to not let James tickle you because it like being tickled by wolverine claws. You are sleeping through the night, save for one early morning nursing sometime two if you go to bed early. We love you dearly, and are so beyond blessed to have you in our family. This month was a difficult one for your Mama with Graham's 2 yr anniversary, so many reminders of what we missed with him. Sweetie, you are such a precious little lady. I savor your sweet smiles and squishy little legs. You love to be held, facing out to see and experience the world. We love you Indigo!<br />
<br />
Hugs and kisses,<br />
Mama + Daddy</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-59650456510194385432017-04-28T08:09:00.000-07:002017-06-01T19:47:41.957-07:00April Garden 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQNihjNjEeNGj2Gy6-7jewddV1N7LqHXGyyjDNC5p7fCepZnapLVdiFDDrrGL5FkmYp9WNdzzNWeytttJJ6TDeqaqUfzeeEbVAfHGWmPdOjLJeFkyodAIr6aTgeQ1fFXIWOSceLpwu0_M/s1600/April+Garden+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQNihjNjEeNGj2Gy6-7jewddV1N7LqHXGyyjDNC5p7fCepZnapLVdiFDDrrGL5FkmYp9WNdzzNWeytttJJ6TDeqaqUfzeeEbVAfHGWmPdOjLJeFkyodAIr6aTgeQ1fFXIWOSceLpwu0_M/s1600/April+Garden+2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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The little front garden is starting to come back to life...the lemon balm is growing in the back right planter. Some pumpkin seeds are starting to emerge in the back left planter. There are orange California poppies, yellow Welsh poppies, and chamomile starts are all emerging from their self seeded places - mostly in the front left area, but the rock path is pretty well filled with weeds, volunteer poppies, and johnny-jump-ups. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIjKCkxTJ1ZDpmpMEK5Ktx_6uRBdyFSPSXyQilc1hnWE3m2hV-VkT3IFcIaG7E4F2FNH-srGu3VIuqYJBCvCNofqRTX3PVfEM6f6Lix9xrZCZPLg4x_yuy_ZjEXYokN64JG1Z1nOdS-G3/s1600/April+Garden+2017+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIjKCkxTJ1ZDpmpMEK5Ktx_6uRBdyFSPSXyQilc1hnWE3m2hV-VkT3IFcIaG7E4F2FNH-srGu3VIuqYJBCvCNofqRTX3PVfEM6f6Lix9xrZCZPLg4x_yuy_ZjEXYokN64JG1Z1nOdS-G3/s1600/April+Garden+2017+III.jpg" /></a></div>
The front pots are also starting to come back to life. The agapanthus is just starting to come back, and the mint and oregano are coming in too. <br />
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I'd never been such a fan of spring until I started watching the new life emerge. Are you planting anything this year?<br />
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-42724140915578735112017-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:002017-04-27T09:02:06.286-07:00Red dead nettle: Lamium purpureum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RrEKQrmGmVvrKolWDZqUmabAkN8Zn6nWtdiAgCFuTdVlzxvqn2o5AijTsyJNXuS644Ylmv_wq3yQ7Z6wG9tdPHZwnpTrHdFrlEhP6-srFeinpQeGO57-J6HU-bEAjBau2PzJfD5c99kq/s1600/Red+dead+nettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RrEKQrmGmVvrKolWDZqUmabAkN8Zn6nWtdiAgCFuTdVlzxvqn2o5AijTsyJNXuS644Ylmv_wq3yQ7Z6wG9tdPHZwnpTrHdFrlEhP6-srFeinpQeGO57-J6HU-bEAjBau2PzJfD5c99kq/s1600/Red+dead+nettle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM0qFPEjIZyuy38Zw4LxyNDlhm721zRw8NuQ5QcRAqayeMWonOcjGRJa25Jkx45c5726y7gPXtniUQAy86BPYDnSl49NfKCStuFslc2vRJQYOLVYPFK8ztdFvdYsSRnLDNbOZJ4iSL0QT/s1600/Red+dead+nettle+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM0qFPEjIZyuy38Zw4LxyNDlhm721zRw8NuQ5QcRAqayeMWonOcjGRJa25Jkx45c5726y7gPXtniUQAy86BPYDnSl49NfKCStuFslc2vRJQYOLVYPFK8ztdFvdYsSRnLDNbOZJ4iSL0QT/s1600/Red+dead+nettle+top.jpg" /></a></div>
You know it is spring around here when these little beauties start peeking their purple heads out. I've been working to create a purple carpet, but have to keep reminding myself that for plants grow and multiply it simply takes time. I've been reading about native vs introduced plants, and although some may consider these weeds, they are gorgeous little pops of color, packed with edible and medicinal uses. I dream of seeing something like this...a little purple haven.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://chestnutherbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMG_3188-682x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://chestnutherbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMG_3188-682x1024.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://chestnutherbs.com/185/" target="_blank">image source</a>)</td></tr>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-38455722170004717952017-04-20T09:19:00.000-07:002017-04-20T09:19:12.779-07:00Color Palette: White, soft canary yellow, salmon & khaki<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k6V7fBs4VLd6xIFRgr9GNx4k_uPybUEaNSzS94bq-xH8pNuzN4OH54aXGBC_noQ4vU3CQWMNM3Of6pcscCv38vpE62EkRanzDGtI86IduN1WkEXHv-x2nIlEDSkAW9_54kfnI2Fy35eg/s1600/Color+Palette+32+White%252C+soft+canary%252C+salmon%252C+warm+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k6V7fBs4VLd6xIFRgr9GNx4k_uPybUEaNSzS94bq-xH8pNuzN4OH54aXGBC_noQ4vU3CQWMNM3Of6pcscCv38vpE62EkRanzDGtI86IduN1WkEXHv-x2nIlEDSkAW9_54kfnI2Fy35eg/s1600/Color+Palette+32+White%252C+soft+canary%252C+salmon%252C+warm+grey.jpg" /></a></div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-59011096364014667332017-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:002017-06-30T15:05:55.253-07:00Dear Indigo: 4 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_j5VUD_HZ6cbn-FacXFioIKxQ5Oge26kNWppn9kP-5QISIt_tl4kj6uoUmMVJUBmG-xzRzcELVSmLPkRnKIBpTm_pCRoYWoIp-uQKvM78WpPUKPiQd90XfywPuMWFGi9BFdf3AYHIBz/s1600/Indigo+4+months+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_j5VUD_HZ6cbn-FacXFioIKxQ5Oge26kNWppn9kP-5QISIt_tl4kj6uoUmMVJUBmG-xzRzcELVSmLPkRnKIBpTm_pCRoYWoIp-uQKvM78WpPUKPiQd90XfywPuMWFGi9BFdf3AYHIBz/s1600/Indigo+4+months+II.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05fO5mJxcNKuyiUnwJhFlSJrD28tXNUzFI6bA3373zB-d3TtRAI388EQFmfZThzAX5ofSsFdGPIPdE-wknlQMkbXqwgR6e-Gs9GHxGRHnga-J8spJpZzes4mV80cU_opoFtd4rDSqMNNb/s1600/Indigo+4+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05fO5mJxcNKuyiUnwJhFlSJrD28tXNUzFI6bA3373zB-d3TtRAI388EQFmfZThzAX5ofSsFdGPIPdE-wknlQMkbXqwgR6e-Gs9GHxGRHnga-J8spJpZzes4mV80cU_opoFtd4rDSqMNNb/s1600/Indigo+4+months.jpg" /></a></div>
Dear Indigo.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I sit and hold you and just weep. You were so anticipated, my dear. We weren't sure if we would get another chance. But here you are smiling, cooing. You've decided that you are decidedly a night out and love to sleep in until at least 8 am. (Of course that includes eating during the night) Your smiles lights up your entire face!!! and your scowl is hilarious...even if it is around more often than not...those furrowed eyebrows...deep in thought. You've gaining weight and height ahead of schedule. You are in good control of your head now and thus are enjoying tummy time more. You've also taken the habit of sucking your thumb and forefinger on your left hand. We love you and all your little sounds. James loves to hold you...as do I. Your favorite thing is bath time and the quiet. You love a quiet room with one on one attention and eye contact. And my dear, you have such expressive eyes. <br />
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Love you dearly,<br />
Mama for all<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AR7ZLueFRodb7Q_qfkGIG7va-zKd7ScLJq_cBXOpAJw3V1lxETh8QWLuAV_yk-nySFYpwpIYKe99XqW6awUNk1aXO_kO6HS84yxFaC2yGBxic-zOxQSoN44HiD9AGCoWx77RRx345mGI/s1600/Kiddos+in+denim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AR7ZLueFRodb7Q_qfkGIG7va-zKd7ScLJq_cBXOpAJw3V1lxETh8QWLuAV_yk-nySFYpwpIYKe99XqW6awUNk1aXO_kO6HS84yxFaC2yGBxic-zOxQSoN44HiD9AGCoWx77RRx345mGI/s1600/Kiddos+in+denim.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo 4 months: James 6 months: Same overalls. same blue eyes.</td></tr>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-22026762832150892212017-04-06T11:26:00.001-07:002017-04-06T11:33:17.572-07:00Portrait of the Month: March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're a bit late for ...mostly because this picture perfectly describes <strike>this</strike> last month...chill.<br />
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The kiddos have been fighting colds, fighting for attention, and one has been fighting with every word that comes from this mama's mouth. Ah. The joys of parenthood. Seriously I am so grateful to be doing this, but I've started a new note entitled: Things I Never Thought I'd Say. It keeps me sane and focusing on the humor of it all. </div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-7126079444987663432017-03-30T10:34:00.000-07:002017-03-30T10:34:03.195-07:00Recent Reads<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've loved reading since as long as I can remember. When I was in the fourth grade I aspired to read 100 books in one school year. Mission accomplished and then some. The following year, my teacher, the mother of my closest childhood friend, thought my reading levels were far above so she pushed me to read above and beyond. She gifting me two books to celebrate entering womanhood: David Copperfield and Jane Eyre. I loved it, and them. Jane Eyre especially...misty moors, brooding places, a large manor dripping in mystery. What's not to love? I read and read, some fiction, some non-fiction, staying up late into the night just to finish one more chapter. <br />
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I enjoyed reading for fun until graduate studies...which killed my love of reading for several years. I am slowly moving back towards reading (3 years later), but life with littles doesn't always allow for such devoring as it used to.<br />
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I've been reading -<br />
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Show your Work: Austin Kleon - easy reading, encouraging and inspiring for doing creative work<br />
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William Morris by Himself: Designs and Writings - autobiographical look at his life and work<br />
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Encyclopedia of Northwest Native Plants for Gardens and Landscapes: Marianne Filbert, Kathleen Robson + Alice Richter - a great reference book for PNW native gardening<br />
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Wild at Heart: John Eldridge - giving some insight on a boy/man's heart (helpful for raising James)<br />
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Assimilate or Go Home: Thoughts from a failed missionary: D.L. Mayfield - an interesting look at downward mobility + living with refugees to the US,<br />
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-53447991438196628712017-03-22T10:13:00.001-07:002017-03-22T10:13:48.851-07:00Tea Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYEb5ML4wK0IuqB56TySUf7_skIKrxya84acDBTYHHy9wfxQ2uLd8NYt54Y2o0_YclOp5r3k6iYEYPDJsxXZu4tuv_I48x2UjbkhkC3KvNJefanKvK8hbZeFugJdKWncslIHBJm-Ojg7X/s1600/Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYEb5ML4wK0IuqB56TySUf7_skIKrxya84acDBTYHHy9wfxQ2uLd8NYt54Y2o0_YclOp5r3k6iYEYPDJsxXZu4tuv_I48x2UjbkhkC3KvNJefanKvK8hbZeFugJdKWncslIHBJm-Ojg7X/s1600/Tea.jpg" /></a></div>
I love tea. There is no doubt of this if you peek into my cupboards...I have an entire section devoted to it. I enjoy herbals, reds, and blacks. There are loose-leafs and pre-bagged. There is really a tea for every occasion, and I've even gotten my black coffee drinking husband to enjoy (yes, really) a cup. So I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you, in case you want to expand or add a new flavor to your day. <br />
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Sleepytime (Celestial Seasonings) - best for an evening, sublte, cozy tea: chamomile + mint<br />
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Sweet and Spicy (Good Earth) - best as a zippy, pick me up tea (I love it iced): black tea + cinnamon<br />
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Chocolate Chai (Zhena's Gypsy Tea) - best anytime with a splash of milk: rooibos tea<br />
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<a href="https://www.alaskaherbtea.com/product-p/tea-blue.htm" target="_blank">Blueberry (Alaska Wild Tea</a>) - best fruity tea: blueberries + chamomile<br />
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Egyptian Licorice (Yogi) - best "gateway" into the tea world: licorice<br />
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English Breakfast Tea (Twinings) - best classic tea + energy boost: black tea (I prefer it best with a splash of milk and dash of cloves)<br />
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*Most of these teas can be purchased at your local grocery except the Alaska Wild Tea, for that I provided a link.</div>
Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207861405012265880.post-63881294753258602752017-03-11T07:45:00.000-08:002017-06-30T15:05:55.259-07:00Dear Indigo: 3 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhT2TPer-9iiDYi5hoWrBYcNFOR1EPZpuv5vu5VSz7brdPgvkEsrCwzpwHB5cW4KDgQxc48N9645Su9iS5Y6Ev3ILm-yUNG2QNbuzAe8O4-IbTXOaNfEyya6v9xiyRhOKdZ6otP3SI1pq/s1600/Indigo+3+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhT2TPer-9iiDYi5hoWrBYcNFOR1EPZpuv5vu5VSz7brdPgvkEsrCwzpwHB5cW4KDgQxc48N9645Su9iS5Y6Ev3ILm-yUNG2QNbuzAe8O4-IbTXOaNfEyya6v9xiyRhOKdZ6otP3SI1pq/s1600/Indigo+3+months.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear Indigo,</div>
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You are 3 month old lady! Lately you have been awake much, much more. You are smiling and grinning at everyone, and it melts me. You'be been gaining weight up to 12.5lbs, and growing tall 23". Your lovely brown locks are here to stay, and I cannot believe how long your hair is - already past your shirt collars in the back. As I suspected, you are a night owl baby...usually awake and wanting to lay on the floor and play from 8-11pm. Of course this is shortening my nights since you are liking to be up late, and your brother likes to be up early. I'm not complaining though because you are such an amazing sleeper and have been since the beginning. You sleep through the night whenever you go down and wake up to eat once between 4:30 and 6am! Then you're back to sleep until 8am. Sweetheart, keep it up. Also little lady, you've rolled over 5+ times...everyone else has seen it except me...what gives? Your favorite thing of late, which helps with evening fussiness, is bouncing on the red exercise ball (a trick I picked up when James was a babe). Baths are still a favorite, especially since we transitioned to the tub...perhaps you'll be a swimmer. We love you Indigo Marlene, and guess what?! You have 3 new baby cousins to meet in 2017!! You weren't the youngest for long. Wyatt Kevin McCurry arrived this month, with a new girl McCurry cousin AND a boy Clark cousin arriving next month. You'll have plenty of playmates. Also princess, that is one of the last of my hand-me-downs, everyone at church thought you looked so sweet in it last week.</div>
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Nose kisses,</div>
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Mama</div>
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Susan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806406363199746323noreply@blogger.com0