Solo Aqui: Missing Corners

The rooms are beginning to look a little sparse as we get closer to our move date. Yesterday, I had a pang of nostalgia for my shadowy and shady 1960's house we've been calling home. I wasn't supposed to get attached, and I didn't think that I had, well, at 4:30 PM yesterday,  as I was placing yet another book into a box (seriously, we still own too many!), it all hit me. Yep. We're leaving this lovely home, this lovely town, these lovely memories we have created on this street for the past 4 years.

In the last 4 years...
 We welcomed a precious little boy into our lives.
We bought a car
We traveled East to see  those we love
We lost a few that we love too
We nearly lost me  (see my story)
We enjoyed 4 family reunions
Celebrated 4 different jobs gained and lost
Made friendships that will last our lifetimes
Cooked delicious meals (and burned a few too)
Danced, cried, worried, laughed and lived these past 4 years fully.

In light of our impending transition, please expect this space to not be frequented as much for the next few weeks. I will do my best to pop in with a post here and there.  Please check back often, especially tomorrow, Thursday, when I will have the amazing Sarah from Desirous of Everything here with a fabulous guest post about one of her (and my) favorite authors.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments and support. It means the world to me. See you all again in this space from my...well, new space in October. Onward!

Take Care,
Julia

Solo Aqui: Waiting

We are in a bit of a holding pattern with this whole move-thing. Let me just say, waiting is not one of my strong suits. I am, unfortunately, not always the most patient person I could be. So what are we waiting for?

• Waiting for our loan to fully process
• Waiting to hold that Yard Sale I talked about having...um a month ago?
• Waiting to completely throw my entire life into boxes
• Waiting to sell certain furniture pieces
• Waiting to talk to certain people to schedule a time to visit them (Ack! No idea when this will happen!)
• Waiting to go on any shopping sprees(like this would ever happen, but I since can't do it right now,  I sort of want to go um, shopping for shoes).
• Waiting to make plans for Thanksgiving
• Waiting, waiting...waiting.

This process of waiting has made me a little antsy. So, I said, screw this living like a crazy nomad out of a box. I need flowers. Since, you know, flowers fix everything (right?). And since, I have packed most of my vases I rummaged through the recycling bin, and found a jar that was mostly clean. Marched myself out to my yard and scavenged for the brightest, happiest bunch of petals I could find. Filled that jar with water and tossed those lovely late summer blooms in. Ahhh...suddenly it's not as hard to wait when there are flowers on the table. 

What have you been waiting for lately?

Solo Aqui: Sunrise Moon

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Lately it's been our morning ritual to go outside to see if the moon is still "awake." E loves to look up in the early morning sky and try to find that sometimes absent, sometimes full and sometimes crescent shape he has recently learned to call the "moong."

He points his little chubby finger up to the sky and raises his voice in excitement the moment he finds that mischievous moon.

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It has become our silly tradition. One that brings a spring to my step each day. A memory that I will write down in my son's baby book. A topic of conversation later in life. Perhaps a  jumping off point to begin to tell him the importance of the moon to his family. A way to share with him the legacy of his great grandfather, whom I can't help but think about every morning as I look for that moon among the sunrise.

Solo Aqui: Eating Midnight Sunshine

Overwhelmed. Yes. Over...whelmed. That's how I have been feeling these last few weeks.Working too many jobs (3!), stressing about purchasing our new home (yay!), planning to move (uhg), just being a mom...shall I continue? And so, like with any overwhelming situation I decided to go for a walk.

 On our walk we encountered blackberry bushes that were loaded with ripe delicious berries. We stopped, popping those little deep purple clusters  into our mouths. Their reminiscent tang electrifying my senses; reminding me of hot summer days, rolled up jeans and that lusty summer breeze.

those berries who drink in sunshine and squeeze the ink out of midnight rejuvenated my soul. Giving me the sense of ease I had been longing for. I went home knowing I could continue no matter what "whelming" task presented itself.

I think I shall go back to those berry bushes again tomorrow...

Solo Aqui::10 Things I Learned About House Hunting

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Maybe this post should be titled: 10 things I am LEARNING about house hunting, as I know I continue to learn more with each new step we take on this "hunt" for a new home. I truly thought house hunting would be fun. I did. Really. Maybe it was fun in the beginning what-with the idea of making a space genuinely your own. There were lot's of dreams. Lot's of them. And they still exist, only our perspective has changed immensely.

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The first home we hoped to purchase, which we inspected, made plans for renovation, hired contractors, specialists, roofers, you name it, fell through at the very last minute. Just like that we held no claim over a home we had spent two months prepping, planning, thinking about and  haunting it within our thoughts. We mourned for a few days about our loss. Three days later we cleared the drawing board (ie the kitchen table) and hashed out a new plan. Within the confines of our stale white painted rental walls we made a decision to keep hunting. So, that is what we are doing. Hunting

Just like any good hunt you need to be equipped with gear and knowledge in order to make the best out of your trip. In the process of looking we have become somewhat seasoned house hunters. Here are just a few tips we have picked up along the way.

1. Learn the Lingo. REO Homes are bank-owned and are often associated with foreclosures (being in CA there are a lot of these), the term “short sale” does not necessarily pertain the to length of time it will take to make a sale on a home.
2. Plan to see only 5 homes in one trip. I seemed to have a hard time keeping the homes straight if we looked at more than 5.
3. Bring snacks, water, first aid kit on every home hunt (I can’t tell you how many times I was starving, thirsty  or had cut my hand or got a splinter while viewing some of these homes)
4. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You are going to be out and about for a long time. In and out of a car. Wear what you are most comfortable traveling in.
5. Take pictures. I used my cell phone and it was immensely helpful to be able to review what I had seen at the end of the  day.
6. Don’t just check out the house you are interested in. Check out the neighbors, up the street, behind the house, look for dogs, count the number of cars on the street... You are not just buying a house, you are buying a community.
7. Talk to the neighbors. Most of the time neighbors are out (at least in my experience) and they are eager to find out more about you. Chat with them. Get to know them a little bit. They are a wealth of information.
8. Bring your kids to look. I know, this sounds crazy but I found that having my son with me was helpful in that he found all those things that will be problematic (or in some cases great) for him. It’s exhausting and be sure to bring more of what’s listed in number 3.
9. Don’t bring your kids when you are signing paper work. That is time for you pay attention to details not to be worrying about them breaking into other reactors' offices, taking a giant poo right as you are about to sign your name or running off to play a game of hide and seek (yes, all of this happened)
10. Don’t give up. There is a home out there for you. It just hasn’t found YOU yet.

Please add more to this list in the comments section. I’d love to hear what you’ve learned!

Solo Aqui::Montessori In My Home

I have been thinking a lot about foundation lately. Whether it be part of a home or the foundation I am laying down for my son.


How a child learns, and how best to teach a child, has always been an interest of mine. There was a point in time when I was immersed in such academic study of the matter that I did get a little lost in what the honest importance was. Having my own child has heightened my awareness of what is important, at least to me, and I have adjusted some of my philosophies and techniques.

Brushing Hair Is A New Morning Ritual

With my son I have begun to develop a daily routine and teach him daily simple rituals. A surprise to me is that many of the methods I use are rooted in Montessori learning.


Such methods allow the child to work at her own pace as she discovers the world around her. We started introducing personal care and hygiene activities into our days; allowing my son do some of those basic needs for himself that I have been taking care of for him for so long now.

Hand Washing Activity

It's amazing how we  take for granted our own knowledge of something as basic as how to wash our hands.  Teaching my son this basic-simple daily ritual awakens within me an awareness that has been long forgotten.


I never thought I would be so thrilled to see a pair of little hands rub together in a sudsy melody. Never thought it would be a cause for celebration when a little pair of hands dunk themselves in a bowl of water, dry themselves off and then held close to a little nose to take in the sweet peppermint smell of the soap.


I am humbled and filled with pride. Two very different feelings to find juxtaposed over the simple  act of washing hands.


What has filled you with pride recently? 

Solo Aqui::: Sprouting

Everything seems to be sprouting around here! From a little boy outgrowing every pair of pants he owns (literally) to all of our baby plants who now stand proudly reaching for the sun.

Our citrus trees have begun to grow. Lemons, grapefruits and limes! They are so adorable and fuzzy.

The tomatoes flowers shout with glee as they relish the warm sun. 

Some of the tomato plants even have baby tomatoes! 

Do you have anything growing and sprouting in your life?

Solo Aqui::Fullness

This past week was busy and full. Full bellies, full house, and days filled with friends and family. We all gathered from near and far to celebrate my husband's birthday, and the festivities just continued on into the weekend!

 

We celebrated with sisters, and aunts, and significant others.

We hiked in the sun and cooked in the rain (there was lot's of rain!)

Did I mention that we ate? And ate, and ATE! There was lot's of food to be had. Oh what a delicious week. So much lovely time with people who are near and dear to our hearts. 

Wishing you friends a happy and full rest of your week!

Solo Aqui:: Preserving Memories

Life happens quickly and I find there isn't always time to  document in elaborate or beautiful ways. I absolutely wish I had several few hours to put together a lovely scrap book of all of my life's happenings, but you know what?  Right now, it's just not feasible for me. So, instead I jot down memories.

Next to my bed I keep a stack of lined index cards in a little wooden box with a  pen I adore writing with. Before I tuck myself in after a long busy day I take 5 minutes and I think of one or two memories, moments, feats of accomplishments, or what-have-you and I jot them down.  Sometimes it turns into just a list, other times I find myself writing short prose, haikus, or pretty snippets of poetry. I date the index cards and keep them ordered by month.

On quiet evenings my family sometimes goes through the index cards and selects ones to read aloud and share. We find ourselves reminicsing about past events, silly moments, and those special tender ones too.

I bundle up the memories with a rubber band and hide them away in a memory box tucked back in my closet. Sometimes it's fun to pull down  the cards from past years and have a look. So much changes in a short period of time.

How do you like to preserve and document your family's memories?

Solo Aqui::Homestead Dreaming

I meant to post this yesterday, but I guess with all this day dreaming...it sort of got away from me. Enjoy!

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We've had a lot of time to just sit and dream lately. With a sick child and the weather bouncing between pouring rain and bouts of sunshine we have found ourselves in doors a lot... thinking, scheming, and dreaming about what is up next for us.

The plants around our home are in full bloom and we just can't help but think what life could be like if we had the ability to submerge our hands into the Earth unencumbered. No worries about digging a hole in land we could call our own. There is movement and change stirring within us, pushing us to our next step. 

That next step has taken up a lot of our free time. Searching, reading, and driving as we look at open spaces that we may some day call our own. For now it is nothing more than dreams, but reality has to start somewhere.

 It also didn't help that our first issues of Mother Earth News arrived last week. Those pages are just filled with images that call to those rooting dreams. Beckoning us to eat, build, and live with intention. 

What have you been dreaming about lately?

Solo Aqui:::On My Nightstand

I don't think I have talked at all about my addiction love of reading in this space yet. It's true I am a total book worm and an addict for words. Did I say addict? Conisour. Yes, that sounds much better.

I just finished reading The Help written by Kathryn Stockett. A quick read and a fabulous one to take with you the next chance you have to sit outside in the spring air. An ultimately uplifting story of bravery and of over coming societal obstacles that faced African Americans and Whites in the time of the early 1960's. It is a story that will be enjoyed by most readers.

I moved onto an American classice, which I don't think is widely known, entiteld The Marrow of Tradition written by Charles Chesnut. Written in 1901 and is based on the Wilmington, North Carolina, Massacre of 1898. The Help got me thinking about segregation and so I have moved onto some heavier reading on the topic. So far, it's amazingly written and thought provoking. I like a book that makes me think, oh yes I do!

Next I plan to move onto something a little fun and related to eating...Ah-Hem....food. You all know how much I LOVE food! So I will be stuffing my face with Allegra Goodman's novel The Cookbook Collector. It's been on shelfs for almost a year, but it looks like a lot fun.

Have you read any of these novels lately? What did you think? And, what is currently on your nightstand?

Que Solo Aqui en Su Vida? (What is "Only Here" in your life?) 

Solo Aqui:::Welcoming Spring

Spring is creeping into view around here. It rained, and rained and RAINED last week. Literally thought it would never stop. In a short break between the rain we went for a walk . Just around the corner from my home in an abandoned lot I found this beautiful tree in  full bloom. Every branch was just covered in flowers. It was like it was singing, "Spring is here!" I think the tree was totally showing off!

 The whole tree was covered in stunning purple flowers. I just couldn't pass by without snagging some yummy purple for myself, so rolled up my sleeves (and pants!) and trudged through the very soggy ground to clip a few branches to take home. I think my poor husband had to pretend he didn't know me. Ah-hem. We Came home and placed the branches into two old spice jars. I just couldn't get over the color and the simple loveliness of the branches.

I ended my excursion with some much needed chai tea (see recipe!). Oh so tasty. How are you welcoming spring into your home?

Solo Aqui:::Making Cards

 I have a belated birthday to send a little well-wishing too, and a much needed note needs to be sent to my lovely pen-pal.

I was having fun drawing using colored pencils and watercolor paper. I had forgotten how relaxing drawing can be! Which card do you think I should send to my sister-in-law for her birthday, and which should I send to my pen pal?

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Tough decision! What have you been working on lately?

Solo Aqui::::Only Here

My Wednesday ritual of posting a "Daily Rhythm" is going to morph a little, as any good idea should, right?  I have loved sharing with your some of our rhythms in our life for the past few weeks.

Through the process I have found that there are just some things that we do that don't fit into everyone of my 24 hour days, but happen in an irregularity that some how forms a pattern over time. Life is so complex in it's simplicity.

So, instead I am going to share our "Solo Aqui" moments, or our "Only Here." I hope to share things that we are doing right now...in this moment....only here, solo aqui.

Only Here:::Solo Aqui, we are  speaking Spanish. No one in my family is fluent, however I have at least a functional amount of  Spanish language knowledge.

Recently a good friend mentioned that no matter how much you know of a language just sharing those bits and pieces you do know with your children can make a world of difference in their language skills, studies, and growth for their entire lives.

That message struck me and was sort of an a-ha moment. It doesn't matter that I am not fluent in any other language but English. What matters is I DO know the colors, numbers, phrases, and many vocabulary words in Spanish that I could share with my son. AND that is exactly what  I have been doing.

Now when we talk about colors I share not only the Engish version but the Spanish too. When counting I make sure to also count in Spanish. When I talk about food I make sure to call cetain foods I know by their Spanish names too.  It's a little bit of an adjustment but it truly is a simple gift I can pass along to my son.


What are you doing right now, only here, solo aqui in your life?