The Jewels in My Crown

Amara's face is full of chocolate croissant!

 

Havana, whose reading has taken off, is enjoying the Sunday comics!

Many years ago, before I had even left my teen years, I met an incredible woman, Holly Moore, who at the time had three children (and would go on to have a handful more). I never forgot what she told me one morning when we were making breakfast together; "My children are the jewels in my crown."   For years I remembered not only what she said but how what she said felt. Real love, truth, joy.

Fast forward a couple of decades and those words still remain with me. For that is exactly how I feel about my Amara Pearl and Havana Ruby. My life is rich in many ways but what I treasure most are these two precious gems. I sometimes get grumpy, lose my temper, feel selfish; But I never, ever forget that they are the most valuable things in my life. They are the jewels in my crown.

Foxy

A couple of nights ago,  I spotted a fox in our backyard.  It had been quite some time since we had seen our fox friends and we have missed them. You can imagine my delight, when I looked out the window there was Foxy (I don't know what else to call him/her; it's late, I'm tired!), scampering down down the path. By the time I got the family, sadly Foxy was gone. This evening, Amara looked in the yard and there Foxy was again, just chillin on our bench! I am so happy Foxy feels right at home!  

Of course, I ran for my camera (and silently gave thanks for a great zoom lens) and from the upstairs balcony door, we got to watch Foxy relaxing as if s/he didn't have a care in the world! When I made my way downstairs to get some photos from a different angle, Foxy got up and started to leave. To my surprise, Foxy circled around and came rather close to the downstairs sliding doors. Foxy really does seem to feel comfortable around us. I suspect that this may be the fox pup that was born in the yard several years ago. That would explain Foxy's familiarity around the yard and his/her lack of concern or fear of us. (see link below of the mama and pup.)

We hope that Foxy hangs around for awhile. We love his/her visits and feel very blessed that for whatever reasons, our yard is a place Foxy takes refuge in.

http://rubiesandpearls.typepad.com/my-blog/2012/07/fox-medicine.html 

Sunday Morning with the Redwoods

 

 

On the last day of our camping, the kids (and a few parents) went on their second hike. This time we headed into the forest with naturalist Sergio, who taught us about the redwoods.  These towering, majestic trees are rare and sacred. We are fortunate here in the Bay Area to have some remaining pockets of redwood forests. On our hike, we learned about their history and their destruction. We learned the role they played in human life years ago and their vital part of the natural world now.

What stood out most for me was that not only do redwoods grow only in communities but when one dies or is cut, it's roots, which run deep and far, support the growth of a new cluster. This is symbolic of all life; we are all connected to each other. We are all dependent on each other. We are all one with each other.

Amara with a thousand year old redwood

It is astonishing that this majestic tree is ten centuries old.

 

Our guide Sergio showed us a redwood seed. How does something so teeny bloom into something so massive?

 

Crossing a fallen redwood log.

The kids had to climb over a fallen tree that was in our path.

Stopping & Smelling the Flowers

There are so many things I cherish and admire about Amara Pearl. Her curiosity and enthusiasm about life stand out at the top of my list. During our camping trip at Little Basin. she took in everything around her. While hiking through a field she took the time to stop and smell an exquisite Lupine. I love her passionate curiosity and hope that it burns throughout her life.

In Search of Little Creatures

 

During our time at Little Basin, we went on two guided hikes with park naturalists. The first day we headed into the redwoods in search of amphibians. Our guide taught us about several types of species found in Little Basin and how to find them. Off we went, over turning rocks and logs and peaking into creeks.  The excitement from the girls over finding and picking up these little creatures one would have thought we were on an Easter Egg Hunt looking for candy! I was very impressed how mindful the girls proceeded. They were gentle, relatively quiet, eagerly shared their finds and then put back their little friends where they found them.

 

A different Path

I have decided to switch to typepad to host Rubies & Pearls; there are a few more creative options and most of all, I feel it is time for change. You can now find me here......

http://rubiesandpearls.typepad.com/my-blog/2016/04/a-different-path.html

And thanks for sharing in the adventures of Two Small Gems

Redwoods, Newts & S'mores~Oh My!

 

On an early on a Saturday morning this past April, 13 Girl Scout kids (including 2 brothers, a tot sister and a newborn) and 13 grown ups packed up our cars, vans, jeeps and trucks and headed south to the Santa Cruz mountains. Up winding roads, without cell phone or gps reception, we found our way to a gem of state park, Little Basin, that was so close to civilization yet felt so very far away. It was a peaceful, picturesque camping trip that feed the heart and soul.

 During our time, the girls played, hiked, went on ranger hikes, helped cook meals and overall had a blast. We splashed in a river and went exploring for amphibians (we found several types of species).  We sang campsongs over a fire, while enjoying the classic campfire treat, S'mores! A Sunday morning hike found us crossing over logs and creeks. We saw rare wildflower and a thousand year old redwood.

 My intention for the camping trip was a simple but lofty one. Being out in nature, learning to feel comfortable amongst trees and critters is crucial for one's mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. In our fast paced worlds, with kids having to plan playdates and learning about life on tablets, turning off, tuning out and tuning into the natural world is just plain good for us all.  When we learn to slow down and listen, is when we can then move forward in the world more confident, balanced and stable. And that is what we are doing in the Girl Scouts; guiding and teaching girls these crucial aspects of life so they can go out, follow their heart and lead the world doing good.

 

 

 

It's Not Just Chocolate Chip Cookies

During our recent weekend visit to the girls Uncle Edd and Aunt Janet's home, Amara had a request. She wanted to bake cookies with her aunt. Thankfully, Aunt Janet is always a good sport and open to baking with her niece.

Amara making cookies with her aunt has become something of a tradition (check out photos of Amara going back to age 2
 http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-central-coast-coughlins-uncle-edd.html). Not only do they make yummy treats, they are creating lasting memories that fill the hearts with warm smiles.

While they were doing their backing thing,  I thought of my dear friend Valerie Frey, who recently wrote a wonderful book on preserving family recipes. (for more info check out amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Preserving-Family-Recipes-Traditions-Publication/dp/0820330639) . Inspired by her, I grabbed my camera and took some shots of Amara and Aunt Janet at work.

Reading Val's book, I learned the importance of food in the history of families (and friends). Food brings us together. There is nothing like cooking and breaking bread with those we love. Since getting Val's book, I have started my own family recipe book. I have begun  putting both new and old favorite recipes in a binder and have been taking photos to go along with them.

Sadly, I never learned to cook growing up. I left my childhood home with not one recipe and the kitchen being a foreign territory. As I embarked into adulthood, I eventually discovered the love of cooking. There were many a times I longed for one of my mom's dishes only to have to figure a way to make it on my own. Some of my most cherished times with my gals are in the kitchen; whether making a baked ziti or smoothie, they are becoming more familiar and comfortable in the kitchen,

So when Amara and Aunt Janet were making chocolate chip cookies, I took the opportunity to make their recipe into the beginning of a new tradition for our family. Their recipe may be a simple one. It was taken from the back of the chip bag, but combined with the memories and love they added to it, it can become a unique and cherished one. Just like the memories made.

                             

INGREDIENTS

·                                 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

·                                 1 teaspoon baking soda

·                                 1 teaspoon salt

·                                 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

·                                 3/4 cup granulated sugar

·                                 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (the recipe calls for too much sugar for my liking. you can             lessen the amount.)

·                                 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·                                 2 large eggs

·                                 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)  chocolate chips.

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. 

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. 

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars. 

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION: 
PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies. 

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks. 

FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.

Stink Faces!

Cookie Dough OD

  It made me cautiously laugh when Amara (who had just made cookies with her Aunt Janet), went into sugar high while licking the cookie batter. 

Shakin them Hips

Havana quickly picked up how to use a hula hoop this past weekend while at her Aunt Janet and Uncle Edd's house. Not that long ago, Havana barely had the coordination to run straight. Now that Baby Girl is almost seven she has much more skill and along with that so much more of her personality is shining through. Shakin them hips, be it in dance or with the hula hoop is one of things we are learning that Ms. Havana Banana loves.