Home-Milling

A few weeks ago, we received the Nutrimill as a gift from our house guests/mates. This wonderful machine mills wheat berries into whole wheat flour, stocked with nutrients/vitamins/proteins that are lost in normal store-bought flour.

The milled wheat flour is of a slightly different texture than store-bought flour, so recipes do not always translate exactly. I've been experimenting with cookies, muffins, breads, etc. I'm please to have found a recipe that works well for bread, and am hoping we can get into a rountine of weekly (or bi-weekly) home-made bread. We'll see how it goes.

But for now, the experimenting has been super-fun. :)

On My Needles

'Tis the season for knitting! And so, here are a couple things I've been working on in anticipation for Christmas this year. I have hopes of a few more, but we will see how things go...especially that orange sweater. I hope Collin can still fit into it when it's finished!

Now that it is officially chilly outside, and fall is giving way to winter, I am thoroughly enjoying this chance to knit. Last year, around this time, Collin was a newborn, and while I did my fair share of knitting for him then, it wasn't quite as relaxing and contemplative as I like. This year, with things more manageable, it's been great to have the time to knit with a cup of tea...next to the fire place (or more likely, in the car, while the little guy sleeps).

There is something calming and therapeutic about knitting...and in this season of celebration and mourning, my knitting needles have been a faithful companion. It gives me space to remember to hope, to love, and to enjoy the little moments that seem to pass so quickly.

Home

Last night, we had a shooting on our quiet little street. It was a complete shock to the neighborhood. Apparently, several police officers were coming to serve an arrest warrant on a young man, and they got into a shoot-out. The young man from my street died. One police officer was severely injured.

We were in our home, with friends, preparing for dinner and chatting when all this happened. When we heard the gun shots, we had no idea what they were. As the police cars and ambulances started swarming in, we watched in shock at the bodies lying on the street (and the wailing of a mother who lost her son). The distance between inside the home and outside the home has never seemed so far or stark.

It made me grateful for our home, which felt safe and peaceful, even amongst the chaos outside. It made me grateful for friends and family, and safety and health. I was reminded of all the little (and big) things that bring joy into our lives...and hope.

As luck would have it, still reeling from the events of last night, this morning I met with a client who has been the victim of some severe domestic violence: stalking, threatening, stabbing, the whole nine yards. Messy and ugly. And so, after an intense morning session, I logged into some of my favorite mom blogs (like this one: www.soulemama.com!) and read about knitting and painting and children playing. And it was just the refreshing break that was needed. And as I went through in my mind all the projects on my list--knitting, baking, sewing--it made me happy, even though I know they are just little, frivolous things (and there are so many big things out there to care about!). But sometimes the little things can be so wonderful...and necessary.

As I think about knitting that hat, or finishing the orange sweater, or baking that loaf of bread (with home-milled wheat!), I am reminded that having a space to do these things can't be taken for granted. And I am truly thankful for the warmth and safety of home.