He graduated! I am whooped!

I have never been more proud to be an American citizen. We have finally broken through not one, but two major political and social barriers. Our choice, as democrats was a woman or an African American man.

This moment in history will stay with me for a very long time.

The shop has been updated! I am planning to spin, spin, knit this summer!

What about you?

This weekend has been chock full of self sufficiency. The cowboy and I were left to ourselves while D put in some very, very long hours moving his office to a smaller suite in the warehouse building.

I made the decision that I would spend lots of quality time with the boy, seeing as he regularly gets dragged to places that are little fun for 4 year olds. A picnic in the park today with his buddies and the farmer’s market are two of his very favorite things to do.

I have been thinking a lot about self sufficiency and how reliant my little family is on convenience. Now that gas is at the highest  price I have ever seen it, I am thinking more about resources and how we expend them unnecessarily. I read a few blogs where folks are questioning the same ideas and doing more urban homesteading.

I settled up my debt to the Enoch Pratt Library and checked out a few books to help in my quest.

Bread Machine Magic

I really love this book. The Sunflower bread is WONDERFUL. I made 2 loaves this weekend in no time flat. I am slicing and freezing some of the breads as to have fresh bread for the week. I have a buttermilk cinnamon raisin loaf in the bread maker right now.

I also checked out Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Around. I want to try to wrap my head around her process.. I would like knitting to become more of an organic exercise for me. Less pattern oriented and more innate.

My other book that has me all jazzed is a book on Middle Eastern cooking. The New Book of Middle Eastern Food. I love Middle Eastern cooking. I also am looking to make my own hummus and babaganoush this summer. I buy them at the grocery store so frequently and feel that I can make them just as easily and way less expensive.

The overall feeling that I am getting right now is to do more for our family and not cash in the convenience chip as often as we do. I live in a city that is chock full of resources that do not rely on wasting resources. I have a fully planted garden and a membership in an organic CSA. I am making our bread (way too easy!) and getting our milk locally (and delivered! Yup…Mama has a milkman!)

Who else has great ideas?

Ok folks..

My buddy Emily is doing something very cool.

She is riding her bike to raise money for HIV/AIDS education, treatment, and resources for sustaining compassionate care of individuals affected with HIV and AIDS.

I totally dig it when folks find themselves in a position to act… and Em is in that place. Rock on sister!

(FYI: The knittergirly is giving up her WWKIP day to do this!)

If you are so inclined… could you spare a dollah?

I had a very interesting opportunity to try acupuncture yesterday.

Great Soul Wellness Studio here in Baltimore has community acupuncture during the same time slot that the cowboy takes his yoga class. My stress level has been riding at a pretty high tide for awhile now and ANYTHING that I can do, even as passively as sit and have tiny needles stuck in my ears, would be better than stewing in my stress.

The Acupuncturist, Wendy, is really nice and kind. (I guess it would not work if your acupuncturist is a type A personality?) She explained the process and the philosophy and I got 5 needles in each ear and two in my feet.

I honestly felt instant relief. No joke. Felt.Better.Right.AWAY.

I don’t quite know why…. but even after the needles were out… I felt that they were working. I was just a little more mellow than before.

Let’s just say… I’m stuck. (LOL) I will be getting more. I am also thinking that yoga in combination with acupuncture would be a really good idea. The coolest things are… the wellness studio and the yoga studio that I go to have community or donation based programs where you can pay what you can afford. They are committed to bringing affordable alternative therapies to folks based on what their individual budgets allow. Awesome.

If you live in Baltimore, or the surrounding area, and are interested in either acupuncture or yoga.. I highly recommend both facilities.

I am also thinking that wellness incorporates nutrition. Again… the thing that I have a lot of issues with. I am hoping the slow nature of the summer may help the family eat better. It all starts with mom, right?

I joined an organic CSA (pick ups start Tuesday!) and we planted our garden. I am thinking that I am going to drastically cut my meat intake this summer. Not full vegetarian… but opting for more protein sources that are not meat based.

All good thoughts, right? Anyone have any other good tips on this? What is your key to managing the stress and staying well?

OK friends…. looking fir some (ahem..) work out/ walking music.

Anyone have some good suggestions? I am totally in love with Fergie’s  song “Clumsy”…

What else do I need to feed my ears with while I am moving my ass?

Miss BySarah asked to see what I was going to make with Lucy Pevensie.

This is the first round of Lucy’s handspun.

8oz of merino dyed by me. I think it is destined to be this shawl.

Happy weekend folks!

Looky at what Mama got!

Meet Lucy. Lucy Pevensie

(We are a little caught up in Narnia right now at Chez Mama.)

I joined this Club. Steph is a master at inspirational carding. (She is just an inspiration to me, period. So freaking nice and talented…) Damn temptress got my wheels turning….

Anyway… my Ashford Joy felt a little limiting when it came to spinning bulkier yarns. I stopped into Spinster Yarns and fibers one day and started playing with their Lendrum…. and BOOM. I sold my JOY and bought the Lendrum in like 2.5 seconds flat.

I am spinning this summer…. The Summer of Spin 2008 is born.

And yes… Michelle... you are not the only Canadian woman in my life anymore.

Use coupon code ” SOS” to get your 15% off!!!