Celebrating One Year of Life

Yes, the little guy is turning one! Since we will be traveling to Toronto to celebrate with the grandparents (and do the Korean dol) next week, we had a Boston birthday picnic this past weekend. The weather was perfect!

It is perhaps trite to write about all the amazing things I've learned as a parent this first year, but all of it is true, so I will write about it nonetheless.

I have never really thought about the meaning behind a birthday until the little guy came along. This year, we are celebrating the gift of life. It really can't be taken for granted, and we are thankful for each day. There is nothing like pregnancy and a newborn that highlights the fragileness and delicacy of life, and just how little control we have over it. I am thankful for this first year, and know that it is a gracious gift.

This past week, my pastor preached about how he has no idea where his love for his children comes from. I couldn't agree more. It is a love that is perhaps the most human (in all that we're intended to be) and the most divine--love purely for the sake of love; as far as I can tell, there is no selfishness in it. That to me is something amazing and quite wonderful, and reminds me that there is something real and true about love, wholeness, and beauty, although they are not always perfect or complete in this world. This same love, I also see between my husband and my child, and I would not trade watching it played out for anything in the world.

This past year has also been a lesson in partnership. I know having a partner in raising a child is a blessing, and I have tremendous respect for those who do it largely on their own. For me, this year, there was something about sharing in this love for a child that has been deeply bonding. As I watch Jason playing with Collin, teaching him, taking care of him, I found myself learning new things about my husband and who he was created to be. It's as if God gave me a window to see more directly into who Jason is, and just how much he loves me and our family.

All this to say, we had a very full year and I am grateful. Here are some pictures of Collin, enjoying the party (oblivious to all that it means to me of course): cupcakes, bubbles, football, friends...really, what more could a little guy ask for?

To-MAY-to, To-MAH-to

I've been learning a lot about fruits and veggies through our CSA. Some of them are really cool; others are a little wierd; and some I just plain have no idea how to use. Today, I thought I'd post some cool discoveries in the tomato family.

Husk cherries: these are a cross between cherry tomatoes and cherries, and they taste exactly like that. It's a little shocking and disconcerting to taste. It's also cool because they come in these husks that make them look like little lanterns.

Tomatillos: hello salsa! Bigger than a cherry tomato, smaller than a regular tomato, and with a big husk like the above (but doesn't go all the way around). Green and purple in color. Very interesting.

Heirloom tomatoes: yum!

It's cool how all of these are kinda similar and kinda different. Gives me all sorts of ideas for the garden--so many possibilities!

Acadia National Park

Wow has it already been over a week since I last posted? Well, we had a good time in Maine--lots of nature, family time, and driving! Acadia was beautiful.


It struck me that Maine is really very me. If there were a state made for me to live in, it just might be Maine. At least in the summertime. :) There is a small-town, home-grown feel to it that I love. Shops often look like homes, very cozy and unpretentious. I like that. And so much local, organic produce! Of course, I would probably miss the city and I'm not sure if my career in immigration law would tank (actually, I'm pretty sure it would); there is not much in terms of international flavor or culture; and I would probably miss the diversity and vibrancy of a bigger city. But oh the sewing/knitting/baking/craft shops! Who knows, maybe there's no place that fits perfectly with all the different parts of life...or maybe I just haven't found it yet.

Speaking of cute shops, this little wood shop was my favorite in Bar Harbor. Local wood, all made in the shop (yeah, Collin got a couple new toys!):

Oh and I would be remiss to not mention that the amazing did in fact happen! I came home from Maine to some baby bell peppers, and they are growing quite nicely now, even in the rain.

The state of things

This is the state of my garden these days. The basil is flourishing, the small peppers are coming out colorfully, the bell peppers are flowering but alas still no fruit (!), and the lettuce is growing quite nicely, if I do say so myself.

Of course, it is now, when things are going somewhat well in the garden, that we are leaving on vacation for a few days. We're taking my family up to Acadia in Maine, and I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. But who knows what my garden will look like when I get back! I'm hoping that if I drench the plants before I leave, they will last the three days, and be somewhat alive (at least revivable) when I return. In any case, I thought I'd take some pictures today to document the fact that my garden was, at some point, actually green and alive.

Now what would be really amazing is if I came back to some actual bell peppers. :)

CSA Inspirations

Farm fresh food meets our kitchen.

Beet and arugula sandwich with homemade hummus:

Basil, eggplant and chives with grass fed beef:

Plain sweet yellow and green bean stir fry:

Just a little selection of our CSA inspired cookin'. Thankful for summer's gifts of fresh, wholesome goodness.