All Jumped Out

Looking Back - September 2011

Last September our good friends Marc and Amanda got married.  It's hard to believe they celebrated their first anniversary this week!  Ben was their ring bearer and walked down the isle all by himself.  I though he was such a big boy last fall but when I look back at these pictures he seems so young and small.  His little face has matured so much over the past year!

Photos by Capture It! Photography

Boris' Beef Stew

I love soups and stews, especially when the weather turns cool in the fall.  This is Boris’ adaptation of Betty Crocker’s Burgundy Beef Stew.  You really can’t go wrong with bacon, beef and potatoes in a thick gravy-like stew!

Boris’ Beef Stew (Makes 8 Servings)

6 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 pounds stewing beef, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups beef broth

1/2 tsp. dried thyme or 1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. beef bouillon granules

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced

1 dried bay leaf

1 large onion, finely chopped

5 russet potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped

Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over low heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp.  Remove bacon with a slotted spoon.  Refrigerate bacon.

Coat beef with flour.  Cook beef in bacon drippings over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until brown.  Drain excess fat from Dutch oven.

Add onions, beef broth and just enough water to cover beef in Dutch oven.  Stir in thyme, salt, bouillon granules, pepper, garlic and bay leaf.  Heat to boiling, reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Add potatoes and simmer for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until beef and potatoes are tender.  Remove bay leaf and serve.

Slow

Take one.

Yesterday Ben and I went on a walk in the river valley.  I wanted to check out the changing leaves for a photo shoot.  As we left the house, I called to Boris, “we won’t be long” and headed out the door.  We drove down to the dog park close to our home and began to walk.  “Come on Ben!” I called as he crouched down to pick up and examine some rocks.  “Hurry up!” I cried as he stood still, watching the leaves fall from the trees.  I sat on a bench and watched him run back and forth, picking up a handful of rocks then throwing them into the pond.  “Two more minutes, then we have to head back home.”  

Here I was, outside on a beautiful Saturday morning with my curious little boy and I felt rushed, as if I should be somewhere else, doing something more productive.  I was fully conscious of the fact that there was nothing really urgent to get home to but I still could not let go and fully enjoy the moment with him.  

Then I began to wonder, if I feel rushed, does he?  Because the thing is, it wasn’t just yesterday morning that I felt that sense of urgency, that tense feeling in my body.  I feel like that most of the time.  I feel like I’m always running back home to feed someone or put someone down for a nap or throw in a load of laundry.  Even though I’m home with my children, I still feel like I’m hurrying them through their day.  One of the biggest reasons I chose to stay home with them was so that I didn’t feel like I was running a marathon each day just trying to get them fed and dressed and to daycare and so on.  I wanted to truly enjoy their childhood, to take it slow and to let them be kids.  It’s the reason I only sign Ben up for one activity at a time, so we aren’t always on the go, so that we can lay around all day in our pajamas if we want to.  So then why do I still feel like we’re running a race?

Does everyone feel this way or is it just me?  Do our children feel hurried?  Is that why they throw themselves to the ground in frustration when you tell them to stop playing and put on their shoes right now or dig their heels into the ground at bedtime?  Is it because we’re moving too fast, doing too much, expecting more than they are capable of?

Take two.

This morning, Ben and I went on another walk in the river valley.  I promised myself I would bite my tongue, that I wouldn’t say “come on” or “let’s go” or “hurry up” a million times.  I promised I would move at his pace.  I kept having to remind myself that although it would only take me 10 minutes to walk to the end of the path and back it takes a two and a half year old a lot longer.  And that that’s okay.  I brought my camera along because I can get lost behind the lens in the same way he can as he walks along that gravel path.  It was hard, but every time I felt the need to rush him back home I took a few deep breaths and watched Ben enjoy himself in the sunshine.  Because truthfully, he could teach me a thing or two about taking it slow and about being present in the moment. 

Kate the Wiggle Worm

This little lady is going to be crawling before we know it!  Kate has been rolling from back to front for several weeks now and is trying so hard to pull her knees up into a crawling position.  I shouldn't be surprised, Ben began dragging himself across the floor, army style at five and a half months.  My kids are definitely happiest when they're on the move!

He Said (On Acquiring Money)...

Ben and my dad often play "store" at my parents house.  Ben is the cashier and my dad buys his toys with play money.  The other day Ben ran into the kitchen with a puzzle...

Ben: "I buy this ma'am?"

 

Me: "Do you have any money sir?"

 

Ben: "No" (Bows his head and turns down his lip.)

 

Me: "How are you going to buy this puzzle if you don't have any money?"

 

Ben: (Thinks for a minute.) "I know!  I go to the store and buy some money."

Drumheller - The Hoo Doos

Ben could have spent a whole day climbing and exploring the hoo doos.  We had to drag him back to the car!

Saturday: 

Sunday: 

Drumheller - Hanging Out in Our Hotel Room

When we weren't out exploring Drumheller, we spent a little bit of down time napping and hanging out in our hotel room.  It was nice to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet without the TV blaring or a long list of chores to accomplish (we may have told Ben the TV was "broken" upon arrival).  The afternoon light wasn't bad either!

Drumheller - Royal Tyrrell Museum

We spent the past weekend with Vlad, Kim and our niece Ruby in Drumheller.  Our family has grown since our last getaway!  We went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, hung out in our hotel room, climbed some hoo doos and got caught up on some much needed sleep.  Ben can't wait to go back again next year!

He Said (Upon Arriving at the Hoo Doos)...

Ben: "These foo doos are very beautiful!"

Kate in the Morning Light

He Said (On Coming Back)...

The other day, I ran outside for 30 seconds to take the garbage out.  When I came back inside Ben was standing at the top of the stairs with a big smile on his face and said (with the same enthusiasm he would have had I been gone for days)...

Ben: "Mommy, I'm so glad to see you back!"

Seven

It's hard to believe this was us, seven years ago.  Time sure passed quickly!  Happy seventh anniversary Boris.

 Photo by DQ Studios