A Season to Plan

I was planning my backyard garden the other day when I came across this article about the prospective rise of vegetable prices due to weather and economic conditions in California. Since lettuce was already on my growing list, I felt like I was at least a little ahead of the curve on this one.


While leafing through the pretty seed catalogues that I ordered, I was tempted to go hog wild with planting large and bizarre crops and turn my entire back yard into something like this urban homestead. When it comes to gardening though I think slow and steady is the best approach for me.

So I've selected a few peppers, tomatoes and okra seeds to add to my stored seeds of beans, squash, lettuce, spinach and collards. I've also got quite an extensive herb list including chammomile for tea! I've never grown tomatoes or peppers from seed before (both are notoriously difficult for a beginner) but I figure even if I fail and need to buy seedlings from the nursury in a few months, I'll only be out a few bucks for the packets of seeds. I found a seed starter tray at the dollar store this week for $4 (which was about $12 less than the catalogue version).

Today Xavier and I planted some collards, lettuce, and spinach in my square foot garden bed. He was fairly stubborn about digging up any and all seeds I planted until I gave him the "magic watering can." Instantly he went from tantruming toddler who didn't understand why mommy was ruining all his fun, to a perfectly wonderful little helper.

So far, the running total for Garden 2009:

Expenses: $4.00

Yeild: zip

Hermit Day

Xavier, Jack and I spent yesterday holed up in our cozy house. It was rather cold outside and I wasn't feeling quite 100%. I strained my lower back earlier in the week by doing a few too many errands with the boys in tow. I also was feeling achy and fatigued.

So I pared down our activities to the bare minimum. If it didn't contribute to the direct feeding, clothing or health of me or my family, it just didn't rank up there with necessary activities. I only picked up Xavier to put him in his crib. He seemed to enjoy the novelty of diaper changes on the floor or being allowed to climb up and down out of his kitchen chair with me spotting him. I realized that he is capable of quite a bit more bit more than I previously realized. He is becoming so independent.

It may have been more than a coincidence that yestday's Saint of the Day was St. Paul the Hermit. I'm not ready

Photos

Okay, and now for what you really want...photos of the boys. Here's one of Jack from Christmas in an outfit sent to him by my mother's office staff. He is now too long to wear this onesie anymore. Time to break into the 3-6 month clothing stash!

This is Jack today as he sleeps in his bouncy seat. I promise that he does smile and open his eyes...just not when I have the camera handy.

And here's big brother Xavier chowing down on lunch. Notice the big boy cup! He's getting fairly handy with a spoon and fork too although you wouldn't know it from this finger food lunch of sandwiches, strawberries and dried fruit bits.

I hope to take some more over the next few days...especially of Jack. Poor kid already is succumbing to second-child-no-photo syndrome. As a second child myself you'd think I'd know better.

Rules over Resolutions: Prayer

This post is a little late for the New Year but I'm still trying to get into the groove with two little boys under the age of two around here. While we were in Houston waiting for Jack to get well, I started reading a book called A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul by Holly Pierlot. She advocates creating a rule (a la St. Benedict) for your life in order to be able to more fully fill your vocation and not get distracted by the clutter of busywork. While it is geared toward Catholic moms, it certainly has a lot of spiritual wisdom that I could have used before I married or even returned to the Catholic faith.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson from this book that I've learned thus far is that I've been trying to do too much. There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to do all the things that I'd like to right now and do what I need to do to run a smooth home with two littles. It has also made me realize how much time I fritter away "multitasking" or trying to outline for the umpteenth time what needs to get done for the week. I need to prioritize, commit to what I can, and as for the rest, let it go.

So this year, instead of making a resolution that requires me to add something new to my life (exercise regime, reading Great Books, etc.), I'm going to focus on developing and committing to my own rule. While the fruits of my labor may look the same for each (its amazing how much more I get accomplished with this new approach despite the focus on simplicity) I'm hopeful that it will be more rewarding to adopt and implement a rule.

The author identifies five "P's" to focus on: Prayer, Person, Partner, Parent, Provider. I thought it might be fun to keep a running tab on my approach and progress with each. Here goes.

PRAYER
She guides you through the rule creation process by first scheduling time for prayer. This can include spiritual reading, bible study, Mass etc. I've decided to set aside time at morning, midday and afternoon to this. In addition, I'm making a committment to do monthly reconciliation. Now that I'm about midway through the month, I'll admit that I don't make it each and every day, but I am getting better. What is amazing to me though is how much smoother my days go when I stop to take the time to reconnect with God.

This step reminds me quite a bit of the financial wisdom to put money away in savings before spending any of your paycheck. Before long, saving becomes a habit without much thought. This has certainly proven true for me with money so I imagine that the same will be true for prayer.

So each day is ordered around prayer time. I'm still figuring out what to do when since I have several different prayer time activities that I like (rosary, meditation, Ignatius Press bible study, the Angelus, etc.). I'm also trying out a few prayer modes that I've not done before (Devine Office) or that I have discarded in the past (Devine Mercy Chaplet).