Rain, Raspberries, and Other Remarkable Happenings

There are few things as exciting in high desert weather-wise as rain. Surprisingly, we have been getting more than our usual share of precipitation this summer, and that alone is making my life much more pleasant. Sitting outside on the bench, enjoying the lightning show, or venturing outdoors into mud-luscious and puddle-ful world, and letting rain plant kisses on your head, then, falling asleep to the tranquil pitter-patter of the rain's lullaby, those are the things I look forward to most come summer.
Plus, they are such a rarity and guilty indulgence on our side of the world, it is almost impossible not to enjoy it. And the whole getting wet thing? Well, that's why they invented rain jackets.



In the midst of this wonderful wetness, we took a break for the mountains. It came down the grapevine that the wild raspberries are here, and we didn't want to miss it.



Although smaller than their "domesticated" counterparts, they reward you with extraordinary flavor, sour and tangy. Every red morsel explodes in your mouth into a celebration of sunshine, rain, and all things summer.
And if you can pluck up enough patience to gather a handful, and then throw it in, mmmm... that's like a whole crazy fiesta with flavors dancing and singing, and just being loud, staying up long after the show ended.



Even more exciting than spotting a raspberry bush heavy with the burden of summer is seeing your little one look for them,



then spot a big one, and with a glee and "yummy" sounds enjoy the treat.





Of course, some of us got into some cow poop that was lying around. Some of us fell into puddles, and got just plain unreasonably dirty. We won't point fingers, though; the trip was quite remarkable, and I've got a set of scraped legs to show for it (why WOULD you wear long pants on a raspberry gathering adventure?).



The clouds have since retreated, and we are again hiding from all-consuming summer heat, patiently awaiting another downpour. The rain jackets are dry for a change. We, however, just might take another trip to the wild. Those gooseberries looked like they are about ready, and I hear they are quite a treat as well.

This Moment

Inspired by SouleMama
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

Lavender Lemonade

Lavender lemonade is one of those things you don't necessarily think about when you think of a delicious refreshing drink. In my mind, it sounded almost like "pickle juice" when I first heard it. And yet it was quite remarkable.
So were lavender cookies,


and lavender bread,



and even lavender chicken rub. No, I am not talking about a cooking challenge gone crazy, this was all a part of the Lavender Fair at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas: more intimate, less crowded then some of the other summer events, but nonetheless marvelous two days of everything Lavender related.




And I didn't even know I would enjoy it so much. Wonderful chances for pictures, of course, too.



Is he yawning? Or singing? Or Screaming? Venture a guess.

Oh, and this. Just couldn't resist. Got me one of those lavender kitties.



All in all, great weekend with a shade of purple. A few lavender projects in mind, a few bunches drying in my kitchen, making it look like there should be a wood stove there with a cauldron bubbling away on top of it, making it look cozy and peaceful. Or perhaps it's just stress relieving lavender qualities (er, did I mention there was a lecture on lavender medicinal uses?).
Hope you are having a great week, everyone!

This Moment

Inspired by SouleMama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see!

Morning Medley

As I rush through my house early in the morning getting ready for work, I have to suffer through absence of me in this picture.



Now, can you blame me from sneaking back almost every morning for "just 5 more minutes"? True, most days I don't get to eat breakfast at home, or make lunch, and my face has long forgotten what makeup is, but these are the moments I drink up and savor knowing how short-lived they are, knowing that just around the corner is the time when babies outgrow and "outneed" the cozy family bed.


(Joseph at 1 month)

As the dawn tiptoes across the house, I pause and marvel. Mornings are such a magical time of day, they are an unconquered land full of possibilities. The worries and concerns of the previous day have receded into the morning mist over the mountains, the day ahead holds endless possibilities.
Every day is a wonder, and even though most important milestones in a baby's life happen only once in a while, there are plenty of little ones that will make your heart melt away just as much as seeing them crawl, walk, and smear cereal across the dinner table. The little smiles, the chuckles, the first time they reach that top drawer that you didn't babyproof because 'oh well he is so small, it will be ages before he reaches it'; all those make my heart skip a bit about a thousand times a day. As I pause and snap a mental picture of this morning serenity, I wonder what the day ahead holds for us... I can't wait for the magic.