Monday, October 22, 2012

The California PE Exam

Eva 3 yrs old Self Portrait
It is with a joy and peace that I re-visit this space again.  In honor of my daughter Eva's 3rd birthday I  am exhibiting her photography.


Toys - photo by Eva.

Again I studied nightly at the neighborhood coffee house, five precious minutes from home.  The place is busy so I use earplugs, order a herb tea and a macaroon and hit the books, solving math word problems for the California Professional Engineering exam.


Eva's little brother Julien - photo by Eva.


Because I live so far north, I must travel 300 miles to sit for the exam. I left my two babes in the care of their father, and drove 5 hours east to where the air temperature was still in the 90s.


Playroom - photo by Eva.
I will receive the exam results in 3 months in the mail.  A thin envelope from the California State Board means I passed.  A thick envelope means I have failed as the board includes paperwork to retake the exam.


Doll - photo by Eva.





Sunday, October 7, 2012

Herbal Salves and Parenting Lessons


I have been making salves from my herb infused oils.  The herbal oils have been sitting outside soaking up the sun, for month now.   I made four potions, each with a different herb and carrier oil. I want to investigate their individual personalities.

Autumn is here, and I will not be able to infused oil in the sun until next summer

Blurry suits me.
As this is my first year making salves, I had a few lessons to learn:

-  fill the jar completely with oil, to reduce mold growing on the inside of the jar.

- Dry the herbs 1 day prior to infusing them, in order to remove moisture.

- My beeswax was unfiltered which resulted in a grainy texture  salve scrub. I need to filter the melted beeswax prior to adding it to the oil.

Perhaps it was the full moon, but with all the little feet tucked in bed,  my thrifted double broiler steaming, I became a medieval healer, adding beeswax to oil , and knew the herbs, the oils, and the wax, all had intelligence.
 
 
 
Avocado, the best moisturizing meal ever!
 
 I left my salve samples within easy reach, they are perfectly harmless and can be ingested.

I found  Eva applying the lavender salve to her body.

She had been sick with a high fever the day before.
 
 
 
 

I was secretly honored, as I watched her play with the sweet smelling golden goo.  I relaxed as the goo started dispersing to the mantle, the wooden furniture. I will enjoy the cleaning task of wiping up the salve.  The lovely smell of lavender surrounding us.

A mama couldn't be more pleased, as I learn to trust my child and let her lead. 

I just need to get out of my own way. and keep hanging my laundry outside. A required moment, just to focus on the clothes, the sun outside, the air, the moment, a simple moment, outside, folding laundry.