Getting Priorities Straight

I have found that when things get busy and I am behind in everything, the best thing I can do is play. Especially if the day is beautiful, sunny, and warm. Today I was so grateful that we are homeschoolers. My kids were outside enjoying the world instead of sitting inside a building. It is what works for us. We spent the afternoon at Tyler Arboretum exploring their tree houses.

Playing inside a giant guitar. How cool is that?

This is my favorite. Ropes hang down that are attached to bells all over the tree. I have the perfect spot for this in my yard. Now I just have to get the Damn Husband to help me build it.

I was inspired by this outside musical wonderland. I want to recreate this in my yard. Neighbors beware.

For Nigel this was a fun tunnel to climb through, for Mikaela it was a horse (Of course!), and I enjoyed making it sing.

And by the end of the day, I had my priorities in place and all those things I felt behind in, didn’t feel as important anymore. After writing this I read Karen Maezen Miller’s post about exhalation and I realized, yes, that is what I did. I remembered to exhale.

Sugartown Family Fall Fest

Green Partners sponsored a wonderful event yesterday at the Willistown Township’s Sugartown Exploration Garden. We had so much fun.

Mikaela has been loving the cider from our CSA and wanted to know how it was made. Our friend Amy told us about this event and we were able to watch a cider press in action.

I just learned from listening to You Bet Your Garden that a deer fence must be 8 feet. Unfortunately the restrictions at Willistown only allow fences up to 6 feet which is a hazard for deer. They think they can jump it but often end up hurt. Green Partners came up with a very clever, and attractive solution for this. The depth of this fence scares off the deer.

Mikaela tries her hand at leatherwork.

Philly Here We Come!

Mikaela in the little city.

When I was 8 plus months pregnant with Mikaela I moved back to the burbs outside Philadelphia. It was painful for me to leave New York. (three bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side, the most fabulous place to live) The culture shock was enormous. I was resentful of Philadelphia. Okay, and also a bit resentful of the Damn Husband who wanted to live here. (Note to the Damn Husband: don’t get started, yes there were many reasons why this move was practical for us but I am not getting into this right now because that is not what this post is about so don’t get your boxers in a bundle. And yes, I like it here now, but once in a while I get a little home sick for my old stomping grounds. xo)) I wanted to be in the Big City. Not the little city. To make matters worse, I don’t know my way around Philly. I can find anything in NY (or at least I could seven years ago…) and I can’t find anything in Philly. Mostly because I never tried. I have not given Philly a chance. Somehow I got caught up with my life and I haven’t taken the time to explore. I am trying to mend my ways. I took Mikaela to see Bodyvox at the Zellerbach Theatre. Considering how many years I spent creating costume designs for modern dance in NYC it is crazy that this was the first modern dance performance I have seen since I left NY. I have been living in a cultural vacuum.

“Look, Mommy”, Mikaela says, “Take a picture of this. All those different looking buildings all together. There is a castle hiding behind there.”

The courtyard outside the Zellerbach.

A beautiful fall day.

Why don’t I ever come into this city? I was lucky to run into my friends. They were great tour guides.

Why so many bikes? Because we are at The Divine Bike Church at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a bike co-op where they help you repair your own bike. I should bring my unicycle here some day. it could use some TLC.

Thank you Mr. Falafel man for your incredible kindness. When it was my turn to order he said, “What can I get for you, beautiful.” It caught me so off guard it took me a minute to remember what I was ordering. It has been a long time since I have been greeted that way by a stranger. It has been a long time since I have been greeted that way by anyone. I could move into this neighborhood just to order from you everyday. And your food was good too. My falafel sandwich was delicious and I am having hummus leftovers today.

Okay, Philly, we’ll be back!