Letting Go of the Bay Leaf: Mother's Day

Showing posts with label Mother's Day. Show all posts

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Mosaic Monday #133: Happy Homemaker

As I look back over the month, the photos suggest that I have been nesting. Cooking. Crafts. Being spoiled for Mother's Day. Celebrating a new creative space. But inexorably, the days are lengthening, and I am returning to my summer habits - gardening, kayaking with Dear Neighbor Friend, strolls in the back forty, river walks in Whitefish, hikes with Man with Hat, and so much more. So, before May becomes as faint as last year's tan lines, let's take a look!

May in Montana moves from brown to green in a matter of weeks, but frost can threaten anything that is not native, or particularly vulnerable specimens. I have learned the hard way not to plant pots or driveway baskets until June. Desiring a little color on the front porch, I decided to make a spring wreath. With the exception of the peacock feathers, which came from DNF, all of my materials came from the thrift store.

I resolved to cook once a week to give Head Chef a break, and generally I am on track. (I have cheated twice and opted for dessert rather than a meal!!!) The Somerset Stew recipe is another meal from Jan at Low Carb Diabetic; we added sausage to our dish.

Mom crosses my mind frequently. I've lost count of the number of times I reached for my phone to call her. One day, I was moved to make a childhood favorite, Snickerdoodles. I talked to Mom throughout the baking process. So yummy!

In college, I started collecting recipes in a school folder. Some were typed out on the family typewriter. Some are newspaper clippings, long since yellowed. A cherished few are in my Mom's handwriting, such as directions for the Thanksgiving turkey. It has been a (mild) source of annoyance for Head Chef, since it clutters his kitchen, and it is falling apart. So, it is now in my "office" (more later) and it will be put in order one day. In the meantime, reminiscing as I held the innards that have come away from the folder, I decided to make Broccoli and Cheese Crepes.

Spring always carries memories of rhubarb. My Dad's garden had several plants, and we ate rhubarb in many forms from sauce to crumble to raw, the moist end of the stalk dipped in sugar. (But beware that you don't eat the section too close to the leaf - my older brother did that once and he got quite sick!) I was a bit shocked to find that Head Shopper had to search high and low to find enough rhubarb for this crumble recipe! It was worth it!

Ever since we moved into this house, the dining room table and the couch in the great room have been my "office" and crafting center. I had plans to create a crafting space in the dormer of the upstairs bedroom - big enough for a large desk, and with a view of the lake and hills. I had envisioned a tall desk - think bar height - and something unique. However, once #1 Son moved in with us, I began to realize it was not a practical solution since the area would be unavailable anytime we had guests. Spousal Unit and I agreed that we could reconfigure the loft to accommodate me. After lots of fruitless shopping for desks/tables at vintage stores, Spousal Unit suggested I look at standing desks on the Web. Eureka!

The design by Uplift is attractive and also fits the rustic industrial theme of our house with the dark wood and black metal hardware. Without too much fuss, Spousal Unit and #1 Son assembled the two separate desks (each one raises and lowers independently). The "L" shape configuration is ideal for the space and provides significant working surface for me. And there is still enough room for the couch (we donated the cocktail table that used to be in front of the couch; we plan to buy two small ottomans and two small side tables).

Given the open nature of this set-up, it is important to both of us that my work space is organized and in keeping with the design of the house. I was thrilled to find this wood top storage unit with three meshed metal drawers - it is an added bonus that you can see the contents of the drawers without opening them!

I am also endeavoring to keep all of my supplies within the footprint of the desks, so using this vintage crate for binders and placing the Pendaflex on top of it maximizes the space. And isn't this trash bin adorable?

Here is the current look with one desk raised to standing height. (I wanted to show you the view, but the picture does not do it justice!)

On Mother's Day, Spousal Unit spoiled me with breakfast in bed, and also surprised me with a box of chocolates.

I always shed tears when reading my Mother's Day cards. It's like being wrapped in a warm blanket of hugs!

So, here we are, with one day remaining in the month. Life is too precious to take even one day for granted, so I will not write that I am anxious for June to arrive. Instead, I will leave you with more of May's bounty - lilacs along the Whitefish River, and reflections in our lake after a passing rainstorm. Enjoy!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).

Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.

Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.

As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.

Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.

Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Mosaic Monday #82: Emerging

Serviceberry, naturally occurring on

our property

As I looked back over the month of May, the word “emerging” popped into my brain. Spring flowers erupting from the earth. Birds flocking to the northern climes. Spousal Unit and I, re-entering the world like a tortoise tentatively poking its head out of its shell. In fact, so much occurred during the 31 days of May that I will be breaking this post into two parts!

The first glacier lilies were barely gracing Montana’s barren hillsides, and my brother in Ohio texted me a plethora of flowers that he had snapped in his neighborhood. I could practically inhale the warm earthy smell of my youth, and taste the honeysuckle on my lips.

Despite our three years in Montana, we are still learning the mountains that are suitable for spring hikes. Firefighter Lookout on May 1 was not one of them. Check out these comparison pictures – the top is May 1, and the bottom is May 25, taken in exactly the same location. How many differences can you see? 1. Snow is gone.
2. My head barely reaches the bottom of the sign – that shows you how deep the snow was. 3. There are four vehicles in the picture, one of which is ours. On May 1, we could not drive to this point; we had to walk a mile and a half to get here. Now that the snow is gone, this is a popular hike!

With the weather on a warming trend, it was time to buy some ankle-length hiking socks. At the same time, I purchased a new phone holder that can clip to my backpack. (Typically, I kept my phone in a zipper pocket that is on the belt of my backpack. But every time I take off the pack and set it down, I have to be sure to take out the phone to avoid damaging it. Also, that zipper pocket is hard to close one-handed, which creates an annoying hassle when I am usually holding two trekking poles in my hand. This is a major improvement!)

Spring also signifies the return of Man with Hat. Well, Hat may soon need to be Hat 2. A little more sweat and a little more sun, and it might just fall apart. I recently made emergency repairs so that Man would have Hat for fishing the next day. I think it was lucky Hat that helped him net this massive cutthroat trout.

Hat does not look much better after the repair, but I

didn't have a lot to work with! You'll be happy to know

this trout is still swimming around in Glacier Lake!

On a per capita basis, Montana has had one of the lowest COVID infection rates in the US, and I give credit to the governor for setting the standard and to Montana citizens for following it. When Spousal Unit came home with this Danish from Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli on May 4, it felt like such a luxury. He had to make a special stop. He had to put on his mask again. Should we be indulging like this? Yes!

In late April, my Mom was admitted to the hospital for reasons not related to COVID. In one of our many conversations, she mentioned that one of her geraniums had died. Through my sister the florist, I arranged for a flower arrangement with a geranium to be delivered to the skilled nursing facility that aided her transition from the hospital back to her own house on May 11. She was over the moon. So, it was a no-brainer that I should draw a geranium as part of her hand-made Mother’s Day card.

I used one of Sylvia's birdies for the front of the card.

My own Mother's Day was glorious, with breakfast on the back deck, cards, calls from our kids, and a sumptuous dinner.

The month brought other opportunities for me to express my crafty side. Two of the grandchildren of my Dear Neighbor Friend celebrated birthdays during the month, and I was pleased to make them personalized cards. I completed my Violet Protest square on May 6 and sent it off to Maggy Hiltner, who has organized a Montana display at Honey's Café in Red Lodge.

On May 4, our governor allowed for phased re-opening of restaurants, with only 50% dining capacity and other requirements. We gave it a week, and then thought carefully about an establishment that has the space to distance diners, and the resources to do it properly. What a treat to eat out at the Montana Club, especially for Head Chef, who has tired of the endless cooking!

Despite the re-opening, we have continued our practice of team cooking, including biryani and naan bread on May 13, and tartlets and cauliflower fritters on May 22.

Biryani and Naan Bread

Chicken Cranberry Brie Tartlets

Cauliflower Fritters

Hopefully, all this talk of food has left you hungry for more - come back next week for part 2 of this month's re-cap!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Mosaic Monday #28 - Little, Simple Joys

Royal Red Norway Maple - leafing out in our garden

My friends, we're taking a road trip! That is, Spousal Unit and I are taking a road trip. Now, now - don't worry. Letting Go of the Bay Leaf will post all the pictures and the details that are fit for a refined audience such as yourselves when we return. Which means this week's post will be shorter and simpler than most. Which some of you may greet with a "finally"! Welcome to a snapshot of my recent little, simple joys - all I need!

You've seen neighbor cat Katniss before in previous posts - I had the opportunity to look after her again recently. She is so soft and fluffy - such a luxurious coat for a cat!

And then there's our 17-year-old lady, Maggie, who digs the sun spots in our house. Sometimes I have to check that she's still breathing!

If you've been following my blog, you know that we have applied for several backcountry camping permits in Glacier National Park. Two of our three applications were approved, and we learned that mid-May, you can access real-time availability of the back-country campgrounds. As a result, we applied for an additional two-night camping trip, and it was approved within 24 hours. Yippee!

I volunteer at the Whitefish Historical Museum one day a week, and our executive director has witnessed my various craft projects during slow times, whether it is drawing or cross-stitch. Last week, she surprised me with this bookmark, which she said had been left in a donated book. So what is so special about this? Well, my friends, it looks the same on the front AND THE BACK. No knots, or crossing the thread to another section, and it is one piece of cloth … I was amazed. It is simple and yet remarkably beautiful, all at the same time. I especially like the Celtic knot patterns in the corners! I almost cried when I considered that she thought of me when she saw it, not to mention the wonder of the craftmanship.

My dear neighbor took me to a nearby waterfall. I couldn't take my eyes from the 100-foot drop over three distinct cascades, much less the wildflowers that seem to be several weeks ahead of those I have seen elsewhere!

Left: Yellowbells; Middle: That's me standing to right of the upper cascade;

Right: Shooting Star

We recently hosted a dinner party for several of our fellow Mountain Ambassadors, and I had prepared some flower arrangements to grace our outdoor tables. One of our guests brought tulips, and I added them to the vases. The next day I received my Mother's Day cards - it all made for a marvelous mosaic. Until next time, dear readers, I pray for you that every day brings little, simple joys!

Mosaic Monday