Thursday, April 30, 2015

Strawberries and Biscuits… a recipe…

Dear Country Mouse,

Today I realized strawberries taste like springtime. I was making salad at the pie-truck, our seasonal salad which is  made up of mixed baby greens, candied walnuts and bright, red sliced strawberries, when I couldn't help but pop a slice in my mouth. We did the same salad last year for as long as decent strawberries held out and then moved on to autumn and winter fruits. Later on when winter was gearing up for spring I cheated—impatient me—I couldn't wait and started our strawberry salad before the season was abundant. I should have waited. This morning as I sneaked that slice of strawberry, I tasted true, brilliant, vibrant flavor so different and so much more definable than it's cardboard counterpart that I had been wasting my time with. My tongue shouted SPRING. And, the best part, we aren't even onto my favorite variety yet. I like the little button-like strawberries, so almost pungent and deeply determined to carry through.  With a quick cut of the stem, the whole berry gets added to the salad. 




So Dear Country Mouse, we should have strawberry short cake soon. I have truly found a wonderful biscuit recipe, it has been honed over this years time, and after three hundred and fifty-five  days of making biscuits, I do want to share it with you.

Biscuit Recipe (copyrighted Paiku 2015)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit

In a food processor pulse, or if you don't have one simply combine: 
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder

Slice then add and pulse until resembles crumbs (or if using your hands crumble with your fingers until it looks like a coarse crumb-like texture)
12 tablespoons cold butter


Add and pulse until combined:
1 + 1/2 cups sour cream

Add and pulse until combined:
1/2 cup water

Press into a one-inch thick rectangle and cut into twelve equal squares.
Place on a buttered cookie-sheet. Bake at 375 for ten minutes, rotate pan and bake ten more.


Hope you are well and write soon!!!

Love,
   City Mouse


   XXOO

Monday, April 27, 2015

Monday, monday…


Dear Country Mouse,


It was so nice to chat on the phone today, even if just for a few minutes. After we got off I spent my morning drawing:



Then we managed to hit the woods for a bit. (we are planning our future wilderness living)





The drawing I worked on is for our one-year anniversary of opening the pie truck. So exciting! We will be making T shirts to wear, and sell, what do you think? 



Hope you had a nice day off; free of too much other work : )


     Sending lots of love,
     
               City Mouse


    P.S. We are considering getting a puppy. Talk me out of it!

    XXOO

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Check out Spiral…

Dear Country Mouse,

I just heard about the most inspiring thing, double inspiring : ) Let me explain.

When I used to teach preschool there was a wonderful woman in charge of the program, I loved working for/with her. She had a teenage daughter at the time who actually came to my ballet classes that I was holding at the dance studio, random piece of info. 

Anyway, I always loved her family, they are all so sweet, but her daughter was still young, and though I knew would head in a wonderful direction, I was watching the young teen being that, a young teen .

I have always had hopes to create an organization that brought inner-city kids and underprivileged children out into the wilderness, giving them space to find other connections to themselves as well as this great planet we are so lucky to be on.

Okay, cool part, where the two meet:

This wonderful teen/now-grown-up daughter, has collaborated with a friend to create a very similar program. It is called Spiral. It is a month long program for teens across the country. It is isolated to women as of now, which I find a good idea for a kick-off program. Please check it out, and I know neither of us are in the position to offer up money right now, but here is a link just the same: fund-spiral.


Anyway, hope you are well!


Love, love, love you!

              City Mouse

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Flowers and Tomatoes…

Dear Country Mouse,

How is your week going? Did the rain come? I took today off. I still plan to head down and putt around the pie-truck a bit, help get it open, but I mostly plan to have a leisure day at home. Hooray, there are never enough of those.

Did Alena like Annalisa's work? It really makes me want to get out needle and thread and make some pictures for my wall. Readers, you can still enter to win a print of her work…

The plant nursery near my house says they'll have tomato plants in by today. I'm so excited to pick some up get them in the soil. The sky is gray and dripping just enough to be perfect for planting.

I just read a very invigorating blog post on Floret Flower's Farm Journal, totally inspiring for my tiny backyard… and yours? She has such a lovely blog, but this post is so inspiring as it tells about a Toronto based florist, Sarah Nixon who grows her gardens in other peoples yards. Grass roots or what??? I spend so much time trying to figure a plan for my wee yard. Remember when we used to sit in my half-acre expanse and ooo and ahhh over all the space? Well now we both have mini plots to work with. I say it's a fun challenge.


All right beautiful lady,

Let's talk soon!

               Love,
             City Mouse


P.S. Kiss the kids for me!

                      XXOO

Friday, April 17, 2015

2Hands2Tails

Dear Country Mouse,

I found the neatest artist, Annalisa Bollini, through Etsy. She is based out of Italy and does the most wonderful unique art. I love it! Her shop is called 2Hands2Tails.  I think Alena would be inspired too, so please show her these pictures...


textile art, blogger, italian artist

I contacted Annalisa to ask if she would offer a piece for a giveaway for our readers. She happily agreed. So, if you're reading out there… Check out Annalisa's 2Hands2Tails shop and then mention which piece is your favorite in the comment section below: blooming fish, ice cream forest, the lion horse, mosquitonkey or snail bird. Winner will receive a print of their favorite listed. 

Drawing for the winner will be held on April 25th.



       Anyway, I miss you lovely Country Mouse!

            
        XXOO

                City Mouse

~  The winner is Heather D.  ~

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Spring Lamb

Dear City Mouse,
I so desperately need to sneak away for a hike. I miss living in the mountains, with a creek up the road. 

Every time I was upset, I would run out the door and straight to the creek. I would put my feet in the water. No matter how upset I've ever been, the water always washed it away.

I hadn't noticed the doll looked like my dad. When I made it, I was trying to make it look like I imagined my grandfather looked, 20 years before he died. I haven't seen him for 28 years. I guess I did a good job imagining what he might have looked like if you saw my fading him.

I miss all of their generation. They would all get together for holidays, at my grandparents house. My grandmother would put out all her fancy white linens, and set the table with her finest china.
They would all tell stories, laugh, sing, and argue about politics.

My cousins and sister would play under the table, on their soft white carpet.
We would put a black olive on each finger, and chase each other pretending to be monsters.

I once told my mom I wished I had known my grandfather as an adult.
I then said, "maybe it's better though, that way he would always be perfect, the way kids view people before they see their imperfections." My mom replied, " honey, your Zadie was perfect, he really was just as sweet caring, unselfish and courageous as you remember him."
I was 11 when he died, and 9 when he'd lost his mind to Alzheimer's. 
I still wish I could ask them all so many things. 

On a less dramatic note, I got to hang out with Barbara's kids today. They chased the cats, fed the tortoise and made me laugh often.

Recently I made a little needle felted lamb. He looks right at home in the springy clover. If I get another wind of energy I'm going to start on another character for my book.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, sell lots of yummy pie, and laugh often.

Love, Country Mouse

Shall we hike?

Dear Country Mouse,

Today I snuck away from the truck early to hike a small round of Sauvie Island. It is mostly a large meadow with old oaks covered in moss and lichen.  We were met by cows as we drove up the gravel road to park...
  
It has been a while since I was is such a wide open field and it made me want to run and jump like a pony...
I took extra special care to stop and capture pictures of mushrooms. I figure if we ever manage to shrink, we'll need to have made our acquaintance with most of these lovely specimens… Which one shall we live under? Or we can keep looking for one with a wider brim…




Hope you are having a good week!

Sending love,

     City Mouse


P.S.  Tea?

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Loving your characters and making pancakes… a recipe…

Wow Country Mouse,

You took my breath away. Those characters are AMAZING!!!!

I love the grandfather, with his felt puckered hat and perfect face. Did you notice he looks like your father? Was that intentional?

The detail is stunning, the balalaika is too wonderful. Now I am going to be on the edge of my seat to see more…

I'm glad the weather has been nice, spring is such a magical time!

I have been making lots of pancakes lately… I wanted to perfect a recipe for the truck, and then I had to make more at home for the kids. Too often I find my self cooking up wonderful food for customers and then heating up leftovers or a frozen pizza come nighttime at home. The funniest part about the recipe is when I first made the pancakes they tasted like restaurant pancakes. It's weird how being in a commercial kitchen environment makes the food more "real" tasting. Note, letting the eggs and milk warm to room-temperature and then letting the finished batter sit for twenty or so minutes adds to their successes. I added blueberries after I poured the batter onto the pan. Sam is obsessed with blueberries...



Anyway, have a wonderful day!!!

          City Mouse

Balalaika

 Dear City Mouse,
I may have stayed up a bit too late this evening, making Moishe his balalaika. I have to teach a class in the morning, so it's off to bed for me.

Love Country Mouse


Monday, April 13, 2015

Meet Moishe And Sasha

 Dear City Mouse,

We truly need to share a cup of tea.
I'm so sorry you are worked to the bone.
I wish so badly, that we could get our books published and successful.

I too am tired beyond words. Somehow, the harder my serving job gets, the more I'm driven to create something better.

I dream of being able to take that trip with you, to see those English cottage gardens. 

Today the weather was so lovely. I spent hours adding details to my newest characters. Soshe's hair needed to be replaced, due to being attacked by ferocious kitties. I also completed Moishe and Sasha. 

I hope you find them entertaining and inspirational, and that you regain your energy soon.

Love, Country Mouse 






Blog-overlap…

Dearest Country Mouse,

I am pasting my latest post from Wasabi Honey Bee, I am too excited, I needed to show you. You had asked about links a while back, but the true release hadn't really happened…


Sending hugs and kisses to you an the sweetie-pies… or as Zuzu corrected me "mousie-pies"

           XXOO
          City Mouse


 It is here, it has arrived, my newest book, One Treat After Another, has officially been released! We had a little trouble getting it out the door, there were cover problems and then a print mishap which led to the book coming out a month after its original release date. But now, hurray, here it is… 
Thank you to Mayo, at Escargot Books, who so patiently helped the process through, the book is now possible to order on Amazon, and will be available at other major bookshops soon… 
childrens books
Please go check it out… I am so excited, this book was made when my kiddos were little, which is quite a few years ago as the planet turns, and only now is finally in print form. Amazing how time and space are always trying to catch up with intention—
A rainy-day Monday, and bursting with the motion of forward, onward…


Sunday, April 12, 2015

Longs days…

Dear Country Mouse,

I am soooooo tired. I feel my body heavy in every limb, even my non-limbs are heavy. This week has been much busier at the pie truck, and ten hour days like this are only the beginning. Last summer I was pushing through twelve and fourteen hour days, I'm hoping to arrange things a little better so that won't be the case this year. Too much is too much! Although I did swear up and down I knew it was going to be like this and I was willing to take on the task.

Enough of that, are you going to plant a summer garden? I know the lack of water makes it a tough decision. I really plan to, although planning is only the first step. I'm not doubting I'll  get tomato plants in the ground, but I'm not sure if I'll get a whole lot farther then that.

Tonight B and M stopped by for dinner at the pod and joined us for a beer. It truly is feeling like summer. Still a little on the cool side, but the lot has been full of kids, running ramped while their parents find calm solace and conversation at a picnic table. Poor Pow has had a stomach bug, so he didn't want any dinner. Zuzu had it Thursday, but had to be better for her play, and now here the Pows got it. No fun!

The monster is cute, so nice you are getting those girls sewing. That was always my favorite homeschool class, my little group of girls sewing away and chattering. It felt so magical storybook and profoundly important.

I started using the flat top at the truck. It only took me eleven months to get up the courage to jump in and have a go. Henry has been telling my forever that it would save time and be more efficient. I'm such a stubborn one, I couldn't manage it until I was good and ready. Now, three days in, I am madly in love. I made a delicious dinner of portobellos, asparagus, chicken and not so great tomatoes. I served up bacon potato hash all day at the truck, and experimented with pancakes for a future truck special…

Miss you like crazy!

               
           XXOO

                   City Mouse

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Little Monster

Oh how I miss our teatime conversations. We should make a cup the next time we talk, and drink it in the garden.

Rahel's friend's boyfriend is ok, although he broke his sternum, poor kid, so scary.

I love the idea of you taking a dance class. I really need to exercise. It's just so hard to make it a priority over all the other tasks.

I started teaching Paul's girls to sew. Sophie is making a tiny bunny, and Nicole is making a little monster.I am pretty impressed with their natural skill and focus. I was watching them all day, and they were perfectly content.

The little bunny reminded me of Genevieve, and the early motherhood days. We would make ALL the kids gifts. It used to be a necessity, due to such a lack of funding. Still I miss so much about those days. 

Zuzu looks so majestic in her gold costume, a true performer. I wish I could have been there to see that.

I passed out at 8:00 pm after a grueling shift at work. My sales were $1,300 today and I was alone with no front of the house staff. If I had a name tag I'd change it to Wonder-woman. I woke up at 11:00pm, eek, I hope I can go back to sleep! 

The kitty is snoring sweetly next to me. If I can't sleep soon I might have to jump up and photograph the progress on my little dolls.

I love you dearly, and I say BLAST that music!

Love, Country Mouse


Friday, April 10, 2015

Tea Time?


Dearest Country Mouse,

What a horrific afternoon, I'm so sorry! I wish I could come and clean house with you!!! Of course cleaning house would lead to teatime breaks and endless chatting… Hardly what could be called a task…  Instead, alas, I've been pie trucking. I think the cusp of the new season is finally turning over; we are finally getting more customers again! It's been a long, slow winter—so many days of just biding my time so we could maintain our image of "open", even if the truth was we were barely selling any pie. The fact is, it's really not a year round gig, but there is no choice but to make it one. Next year I hope to have someone work a lot of the overly slow days so I can venture on and make ends meet in another fashion. 

Zuzu had her school play tonight. It was adorable and she was perfectly golden…  She played Gold, a metal/god…


I'm going to start taking a dance class on Monday. I'm really excited because it is a ballet class for those of us who have danced a fair amount in the past, but haven't kept up on it. To get me in the mood I blasted Tchaikovsky for a short while in the truck. Unfortunately it caused a customer to jump when the music suddenly rose to a loud climax just as I started taking their order. I didn't feel comfortable playing it so loudly after that, it kind of lost its momentum. 

Anyway, hoping today was better. How is Rahel's friend's boyfriend? By the way I love the doll faces, they are too wonderful! Keep posting... 


Kisses and Hugs,

          City Mouse

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Missing you

Today was one of those days that started out wonderfully and ended rather stressfully.

The kids and I spent the night at Paul's. After we took his kids to school, we had coffee alone on the patio while mine slept in. We made some plans to redesign his garden.  You know how much I love designing gardens. We plan to do the work together too, which I love. 

Before my dad became too sick to work we used to do a lot of home improvement projects together. For me it was my favorite bonding time with him. In so many ways he reminds me of the good parts of my dad.

After we planned the garden we went out to his ranch to meet his dad for their ritual walk. They walk the lemon rows and his dad asks him the same questions a couple times while Paul throws the ball for the excited dogs. There is a lot of comfortable silence. I know his senile father can be rather trying for him at times. I also know he will miss him terribly when he's gone. I even miss the things about my dad that drove me crazy.

After the ranch we woke up the ever sleepy teenagers and lazed around for a bit. I added a few more details to some of the dolls I'm working on. I can't take more photos till I erase a bunch first. We then took the kids to the Camarillo Library. As you know, Rahel loves books. Our library in Ojai is severely underfunded. I had heard the library was cool, but nothing had prepared me for what was in store.

It's important to know that Paul and I just came from the ranch and we looked like it. Alena has a pink mohawk and Rahel looks like a nerdy young boy with Aspergers. We were all completely in awe. Rahel was wandering around flailing his hands and taking pictures of everything. No one else was the least bit impressed. They were however, rather intrigued, or should I say concerned, about our whereabouts.

While we were enjoying the historical section, Rahel's best friend phoned with the awful news that her boyfriend had been in a car accident and was in the hospital in Los Angeles.The happy mood shifted quickly to dismal. When we left with the book Alena was eagerly clasping we were informed our library card was no longer valid.

When we picked Paul's girls up from school they were the usual—boisterous and excited. Rahel's anxiety was at a peak and the noise in the car was a bit more than he could bear after the stressful news. We rushed back to Paul's house and parted ways. We hit Trader Joe's and then the freeway home. The traffic was terrible. I managed to calm the kids down in time to get home. I had planned to vacuum and tidy the mess I had left in a frenzy the previous day before Paul arrived.

When we opened the door, arms heavy with melting groceries, something was not right. We hastily hauled the groceries to the kitchen. "Rahel, you vacuum. Alena, put away all your sculpture mess and do the dishes. What is that smell?"I was slightly worried that the old feral outside cat had in fact been in the house, like I sort of suspected, and died.

I opened the refrigerator. A vile smell hit me. The bag of raw chicken had leaked all over the refrigerator. Need I remind you I'm a total germaphobe? I began the task of dismantling and sanitizing the refrigerator, well aware that Paul would be there at any moment. Not only would he catch me covered in rotten salmonella, my worse than usual mess would be exposed.

"I'm putting this raw chicken mess in the right side of the sink, you guys. Leave it alone. Alena, just use the left side of the sink."

"Mom, the cat pooped on your grandma's rug in your room!"

"Awesome, not awesome like a hotdog. Alena, please take the bathroom trash out."

"I can't, there's water all over the floor."

"Then wipe it up."

"I can't, it's dripping everywhere!"

After grumping at her, I realized the bucket which catches the water that drains out the broken pipe, had overflowed and flooded the bathroom. I guess the faucet is leaking. We use the collected sink water to flush the toilet, that way we can feel more "green" than "broke-ass-poor." Since I collect all the shower water to water the yard, I don't have to feel hypocritical in this fantasy.

I hauled all the water out while Alena took out the trash. I put a plastic bag over my hand, scooped the cat poop off grandma's rug, and carried the rug outside where I saw Paul pulling up.

I ran back inside, quickly sprayed bleach on the floor, and opened some windows.
"Hi girls, hi baby. I'm sorry, come in. You wouldn't believe what—

"Mom, the cat peed on my bed. What do I do?"

At this point, Paul looked a bit concerned.

"Just hold on, Alena, let me finish sanitizing the chicken mess."

Paul brought the kids in among the vacuum cords and chaos.

"Mom, what do I do?"

"Just hold the heck on, Alena. I'm freaking out right now, one thing at a time."

Alena kept persisting till I dropped the sponge and followed her into the messy room. She had pulled everything off her bed and thrown it in the laundry room.

"Why did you DO this? I said hold ON! Now it's all over the other laundry and I can't tell what's been peed on."

She began crying, but I didn't take the queue to calm down.

I felt like I was covered in germs and now the smell was everywhere. The cats would now pee in the laundry room too because they pee where it smells like pee, right?!?

At that moment I spotted the feral cat -- she had snuck in the house the day before. "Get out, you little beast!"I threw the cat out angrily. Paul's kids were now looking at me like I was the cruel beast. The poor kitty.

Alena kept nagging until I lost my temper and yelled at her, including the F word. I sent her crying outside. I felt like a total jerk. I went back to putting loads in the laundry with vinegar, scrubbing her mattress and sanitizing the chicken mess. I carried the foam pad out through the living room where Paul and his kids were looking at me like the cat-throwing, cussing, poop-chicken-and-piss-scrubbing monster that I was. I put the pad on the lawn where I almost stepped in Paul's dog's poop. I went inside and got a bag to pick it up. I swear Murphy is mocking me, because there turned out to be a hole in the bag and it got all over my fingers.

At this point I saw my very kind, very conscientious, very clean and tidy neighbor and I hysterically spilled the gory details of the last 20 minutes episode. 

I apologized to Alena three times, hugged her in shame, sprayed out the foam pad with the hose, and called it quits till dinner time.

I know my overly honest descriptions of yucky things always grosses you out, so why am I telling you all this grossness? I guess I partly needed to confess what a failure I felt like after yelling at Alena.
I also feel like so often we mothers only share the moments we're proud of. I wasn't proud of myself today. Everyone forgave me, I forgave myself even.

I'm laying in bed drinking a beer, listening to that cat yowl a terrible howling meow. My house still smells like pee. I have to work my tail off at the pub in the morning. I guess my point is shit happens! In case you ever feel like you are not quite holding things together, you can remember this one and hopefully laugh.

On the bright side, I paid my property taxes on time today, I have lots of creative ideas for my new book, Paul still loves me, and Alena has to sleep with me tonight.

I love and miss you,
Country Mouse




Glorious Springtime

Dear Country Mouse,

I am on a mission to get you to want to live up in the glorious springtime wonderland that I have be encountering. If you can't move here you should at least spend large bouts of time in this lovely city where everything is truly green.

I can't look at a cottage garden without thinking of you.
The kids started an acting class today and while they were there Henry and I went for a small beer at a brewing company that makes its beer in an old industrial building by the river. I say small, because they offer up mini glasses of 4oz beers for a dollar. It is an option for those who want to try many beers but not be so overcome with a stomach so full of liquid that they pee their pants on the way home.

As you know of me, I am such a light weight, this was entirely sublime because I managed with two small beers, one I liked and finished, the other tasty but then eventually got sacrificed to the Henry God, as I knew I was not planing to drink even eight ounces at 4:15 in the afternoon.
I hide my embarrassed face and snuck those pictures… I do hate being obvious that I am taking pictures in restaurants, it makes me feel like they might assume I'm a lame blogger or yelper. Imagine that!

Did you get your rain? I have to admit, I never managed a booty shake, it unfortunately slipped my mind; I have been fairly busy with pie and other doings.

Give my best to the kids, and say hi to your dude for me.

As always, I love you!

City Mouse

P.S. I reviewed a cool site on Wasabi Honey Bee that I think you would be interested in. Hop over and check it out. Your work would be lovely!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Oh that doll!

Dearest Country Mouse,

Oh that doll, that doll, so utterly sweet! I love that you used the bit of fabric from my littlest ones baby quilt. Yes, baby days are so far away… Tonight at dinner Pow requested we have another baby. This subject comes up so often... The kids want more babies! But really they just want another playmate. I explained the no-way-Jose side of it, but secretly I was like… hmmm… lovely… such a perfect bundle of baby, I would love that! But no, too nutty. Three is plenty, the just right amount for this house hold. I tried to put across the concept that by the time a new baby was big enough to play with, they would be out of the house. Pow would be a mighty teen, and Sam would be, what, twenty-three? Ahhhh!!! How does that happen? Alena was eleven months old when I first got to know you. She was gallivanting all over your furniture, climbing to the top of the stuffed chair by the window, and at the time she seemed so big! Compared to new baby Sam that is : ) 

Anyway, I'm glad to see you working on the book, so excited!!!

Sending love and hugs; praying for your rain. Maybe I'll shake a little booty up hear to encourage the rain gods to bring forth what is so needed.
         
                         Big Hugs!
                                             
                                  City Mouse


P.S. Here are the links to my books: Oh My Sweet Baby and One Treat After Another.

P.P.S. Here is a little inspiration I caught walking home from the pie truck:

                                              XXOO
                     

Monday, April 6, 2015

Meet Soshe

Dear City Mouse,

I have been busily trying to squeeze in time to create more characters for my book. Meet Soshe! She is named after my Bubbie (grandmother). I have begun a couple of the other characters, but I keep getting interrupted by needing to drive the kids places today. 

The day started off beautifully -- blue skies with puffy white clouds, cool spring air, birds chirping and flowers blooming. It was my intention to spend the whole afternoon outside, painting their tiny faces and sewing their tiny clothes. However, the weather took a turn and became too chilly to enjoy. Hopefully we will see some rain.

I was searching high and low for the perfect piece of fabric for Bubbie's little dress when I stumbled onto pieces of fabric from the quilt we all made for you when you were pregnant with Pow. I was hit with a bittersweet wave if emotion, pining for those sweet days again.

Your new books remind be of those times, so filled with baby nostalgia. Could you please send me a link to buy them? I loved them so much I cried.

I just ate the first real meal of the day, oops. It's so hard for me to stay on track. I love the pictures of your yummy Easter food. We should share some recipes too, I'm not feeling very inspired to cook lately. Tonight I made a version of a staple dinner I make:

Sautéed ground Turkey with brown rice and Veggies

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • Brown rice
  • Half an onion
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 5 tbs coconut oil
  • Shredded kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, green and red cabbage
  • Sriracha 
  • Salt and pepper
I start brown rice and while that's cooking I caramelize half an onion on low temp in coconut oil. I then add ground turkey, salt and pepper, and turn up the flame to about half. When its almost cooked I press garlic into it. When the turkey is done, I add all the veggies and a splash of water. I sautée it all together under a lid to steam it all, removing the lid to stir it every so often.
If Alena liked spicy food I would have added something spicy when I added the garlic. This dish is good with a little Sriracha at the end too.

I miss you so badly. Thank you for writing.

Love,
Country Mouse

Too far and too long…

Dear Country Mouse,

I am so excited we decided to create this space to keep connected. I hope you like the layout, tell me what you think?

The day was slow, I didn't get my taxes finished, and I didn't clean a single bit, minus the toilette which really had to be done. 

I am feeling so inspired to work on books, I need a pocket of time to make its way in… I feel like most days my life is galloping forward and I am holding onto the mane and my hat for dear life… Ahhgg, to have little babies again, that would sure slow me down, but I have no plan or intent to do that right now. 

What did you make of your Monday? Did you work on the doll?? 

             Big kisses and hugs!

                       Say hi to the kiddoes!
                                               
                                                         City Mouse


P.S. I have been having the totally stupidest obsession with probably the worlds boringest TV show, Rosemary and Thyme. It is about two old gardening ladies who are always stumbling across a horrific murder. It makes me think of all our old lady plans     tea gardens and English cottages. Of course, no murders : ) It's just that I like to see the flowers and yards of English villages. 



P.P.S. Easter Pictures:








                                                                            : ) Write soon!!!