Squash & Chickpea Moroccan Stew

~Saute these items together~

2 TB olive oil
1 med. yellow onion
4 med. cloves of garlic (minced)
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 cinnamon stick

~Then stir in the following items~

2 C gf vegetable broth
1 lb. butternut squash (diced large)
3/4 lb. red potatoes (diced large)
2 C chickpeas
1 (14oz.) can dices tomatoes with juice
pinch of saffron

~Add the following after removing stew from heat~

1 C brined green olives
salt & pepper to taste

~Serve with rice or quinoa, top with toasted almonds, cilantro and plain greek yogurt~

It's been a long time coming

We have just celebrated our anniversay of 9 MONTHS living aboard!  It's unbelievable really, and even more unbelievable that it's been that long since I've written about boat life.  I have so much to say, so much has transpired. I think I needed a little bit of distance from the emotions of it all though in order to write objectively.  I am a very emotionally driven soul, and sometimes can get a bit lost without a little objectivity.  This has been a period of huge adjustments, both physically reorienting to a smaller space, and emotionally as I had to find a way to say goodbye to some of the most amazing friends.  I find it is different now that I have a child, once you find people that not only hold a space for you but also your child in their hearts and love them as their own, and you feel the same about their children... it is very hard to walk away.

After about a month, I have to admit the honeymoon ended a bit.  The reality that simple living isn't "simple"at all, hit me in a big way. As we adjusted to the space, the logistics of laundry (multiple trips to the laundry nap and folding laundry with a toddler is an all day adventure) , showering (try that one with a toddler when he has free access to a toilet that MANY people have used) and contending with the weather (we waited until August before summer arrived) as well as the tidal drops of as much as 15 feet (try going down that ramp during a winter storm)  It all slowly but surely began to add up.  As well as our impending departure in October, I think both my friends and I were in denial, it all caught up to me.  We also were disappointed by the fact that due to mechanical issues we weren't able to take the boat out at all that summer.  Honestly it took me by surprise how long it took me to adjust (but to be fair I think I was simply exhausted....see timeline below).  Simply for the fact of how long we had been planning this and how much I was looking forward to it.

I am happy to say though, I feel I have adjusted, and am still extremely happy we made the decision to move aboard.  We made our first jump down the island at the end of September and are now docked in Victoria, BC. We took about two and a half days to sail down and it was seamless and the weather was stunning. It was a trip initially blessed by the passing of hundreds of dolphins right as we were leaving the marina in Campbell River It is beautiful here and the weather is much milder than in Campbell River, which is a HUGE plus.  Slugging it out in the rain day in and day out for most of the year gets to you after a while.  I find it much milder here and we have spells of rain but they are sandwiched by glorious days of sunshine.  I literally cried the day after we arrived and woke to the rays of sun beaming in our windows.  I am ready to go cruising if it is for nothing else other than chasing rays of sunshine and rainbows. 
I think it was in November when I finally took a deep breath and let go of all of the angst, and surrendered into the uncertaintity of it all.  This experience has totally changed my perception of the strength of our family.  I feel like I really know how strong we are, how loyal we are to each other and our vision., and truly believe in our ability to adapt to whatever comes our way.  Luckily I have Logan to remind me daily to be joyful, spontaneous, and forgiving.  He is such a little trooper and has adapted seamlessly (ok, maybe there was a bit of acting out when we first moved....but he missed his friends. Who can blame him, I was a bit grumpy myself).  Truly though he approaches each day with such zeal and excitement.  Everything is fleeting, happiness, saddness, but no matter what it is  simply one moment at a time.  Each independant of the next, no judgement, no clinging.  And my husband, well I can't say enough about him.  He has been amazing through this whole process, loving me despite all my tantrums. He continually goes out of his way to make sure I am comfortable, safe and most of all loved.  I am a very lucky woman, and find myself falling in love with him more and more everyday.  I absolutely love that we are rediscovering and redefining ourselves....together.

When looking back at the past 9 months, it has truly been a whirlwind (lots of fun and exciting things but a whirlwind nonetheless!).
 Here is our timeline: 

MARCH - Prepped house to rent as a  furnished rental, put all other belongings into garage for storage ( I had no idea what a big task this would be!). Moved onto the boat.  Went to Mexico on vacation for a week
                                    
APRIL -  Acclimating to the boat, fixing up interior to make things more livable.  Started an energy exchange at the local Bikram Yoga studio (work one day a week for free unlimited yoga)

MAY-  I went home to visit my family in Virginia for the first 3 weeks, while Gordon sailed to San Fran with a friend to deliver their boat. Two days after returning home from VA, Gord left for 5 days to sail  in the 'Swift Sure'Race in Victoria
                                       
JUNE-  4 days after returning home from Victoria, G left for 2 weeks to race in the 'Van Isle 360' on a friends
             boat. One week later we went 3hr south to Victoria for the weekend to celebrate a friends birthday.
                                       
 JULY-  We unexpectedly get notice that our friend that is renting our house is moving..... IN A MONTH!  This was a double blow as we were SO sad to see her go, AND it meant dealing with the house again.
                                 
 AUGUST - Has anyone noticed WE haven't been sailing yet??? Yes, the boat didn't move all summer because of  'transmission issues' It was quite a dissapointment, as well as the fact that summer still hadn't arrived in Campbell River yet.  It was STILLraining. We had to sort all of our belongings again and move them to an 8x10 storage unit........I NEVER WANT TO EXPERIENCE THAT AGAIN.  OMG I never realized we had so much useless stuff, and the sad part is that we are paying to store some of that stuff now!  We gave most everything away though, we no longer own any furniture, no bed. nothing!  It was quite a cleansing experience I must admit, and I highly recommend it (once it's over of course ;) End of August, we dragged our sorry, exhausted tails to the airport and headed back east to VA for some much needed R&R at my parents place for 2 weeks. Oh yeah, and on the way to the airport in Victoria we checked out and secured the slip we would be moving to in a month.
                              
 SEPTEMBER-  Returned mid-month from VA, finalized all preparations for our first leg of our journey south.Verified slip vacancy at new marina, Gord got a new job at a hospital in Victoria, and the part missing pieces of the boat FINALLY put back together and we were mobile! Sept. 24th we left CR for a 3 day sail south to our new home, for the next year or two.
                                  
 NOV/DEC -  One trip home to CR tie up loose ends and visit friends. Winterizing the boat.  Otherwise taking a deep breath, finding our way around town, making friends, and reconnecting with old ones.
                                                         
I know this was a long post, but I wanted to get caught up. We've had a lot of computer issues since September and it's made it difficult to keep up on things. I hope to be more disciplined and write more frequently about our experiences.  As long as this post is, there is so much that was left out.  Feels like this was just the tip of the iceberg and it doesn't justify the experience as there have been so so many beautiful moments along the way.  I feel like it is a bit of a 'dry'  no nonsense rundown of things and doesn't give the full picture of life we are living.  I am so  grateful that despite all the hard work it has taken that we have made this change in our lives. It has been truly transformative.......for all of us.

~This Moment~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

FAJITA SEASONING MIX

1 tsp. GROUND CUMIN
1 tsp. OREGANO
1 tsp. SALT
1/4 tsp. PEPPER
1/8 tsp. CAYENNE PEPPER
1 tsp. CORN STARCH (mix w/ 1/4 cup warm water)

I usually fry up some tofu, 1 onion and 2 red/yellow peppers and then mix in ingredients. Serve up with your usual fajita fixings.  I love mine served on GF rice tortilla wraps or  w/ GF tortilla chips.

CARROT FENNEL SOUP

2 med FENNEL BULBS W/ FRONDS
1 LB. CARROTS
1 med ONION
1 GARLIC CLOVE
5 TB OLIVE OIL
1/2 tsp SUGAR
2 1/2 C.  GF CHICKEN BROTH
**("Better Than Bullion" brand offers some GF broth options - are concentrated and take up minimal storage space in your fridge)**
1 tsp FENNEL SEEDS
1/2 tsp SALT
1/4 tsp PEPPER

Preheat oven to 450 degrees f

Chop 1 tsp of fennel fronds and reserve - discard stalk and remaining fronds.  Slice bulbs 1/4 in. thick and toss w/ carrots, onion, garlic, 3 TB olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread on a sheet pan and roast (stirring occasionally) for approx. 25-30 minutes.

Blend half of the roasted veggies in the blender with chicken broth until smooth. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Repeat with remaining veggies and broth. Thin with water to desired consistency and simmer for 2 minutes.


** Please check any GF product recommendations, as ingredients vary in different countries (U.S. and Canada can have same brand name but different manufacturers and therefore ingredients) and also companies can change  product ingredients .  I am currently in CANADA. **

SAVORY CHICKEN APPLE SAUSAGE

This is a super simple yet amazingly delicious (and healthier) alternative to regular sausage, plus it's super kid friendly.

1 lb. GROUND CHICKEN
1 APPLE (peeled and diced)
1-2 TB GF POULTRY SEASONING
1/2 ONION (finely chopped)
1/2 - 1 tsp SALT
1/4 tsp PEPPER

Mix ingredients, make patties and cook on stove top, Enjoy!

STIR FRY SAUCE

Stir fry veggies as usual,  mix and pour ingredients over veggies and let simmer for a minute.

4 TB GF SOY SAUCE (Tamari is a great gf alternative)
1 1/2 TB HONEY
2 GARLIC CLOVES (minced)
1/4 tsp CRUSHED RED PEPPER

BEEF STROGANOFF

When you're really tired of spaghetti this is a great alternative:

GROUND BEEF ( I substitute sometimes with Ground Turkey)
1 tsp SALT
1 tsp PEPPER
2 TB BUTTER
1 TB GF FLOUR
1 C BEEF BULLION
1 Medium ONION
MUSHROOMS (BROCCOLI also goes well or can be a substitute)
3 TB SOUR CREAM
Squirt  DIJON MUSTARD
Splash RED WINE (only if it's not your last glass!)

Brown meat and saute onions - set aside
Mix bullion and flour then add meat, stir in rest of ingredients and let simmer for about 10 minutes

QUICK CANTALOUPE SKEWERS

This seems like a very odd mix of ingredients, but it was an absolute hit at a bbq!

4 slices prosciutto (gf)
24 cantaloupe cubes
8 bocconcini (halved)
16 whole basil leaves

Pierce one end of the prosciutto , alternate wrapping each ingredient with the prosciutto.

This Moment ~Mowry's New Family~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

This Moment ~ Peacock Sighting At The Petting Zoo!

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

One Proud Puppy!!

After a few times hearing "OH NO!!!" after Logan had been running amuck buck naked in the boat, only to then guide me to where he had freshly peed all over the floor, the couch, beside the toilet... well you get the point, did I realize it's time for a big boy potty!  We took him with us to the store to pick it out, where he literally test drove each and every one. Not only by sitting on them ALL but by also pushing them up and down the aisle like he was a drag racing king.  I was surprised though as soon as we got home and opened the box he was obsessed with it, even insisting on sitting correctly on it (proper penis placement and everything!!)  I am ever so grateful he has his Daddy's trait of attention to detail and will hopefully choose to pee inside the bowl.  As we busied ourselves with making dinner, lo and behold..... we had pee in the potty ( and a foot, but I'm not one for details ;) !  Here is the our Potty Champion, oozing with pride!

~This Moment~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

This Moment~ Too Much Fun Tickling The Cat

Happy Earth Day!

Claiming the cats bed...both to her and my dismay!
He ends up covered in hair head to toe

I spent a wonderful day outside with my little man today.  The weather has finally warmed a bit and we were able to shed a few layers, the most important one... the rain jackets!  It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun as we celebrated Earth Day together.  There is a little beach right by the marina and L had a fantastic time climbing logs, throwing rocks in the water, and slapping around slimy seaweed.  It's is so fun watching him explore and be so enthralled with a rock or a stick.  We spent over an hour on the beach and he quietly played the entire time, inviting me into his little world when he needed help manouvering over a big log or throwing an especially large rock. My mission on the beach today was to collect rocks and sticks to make some natural crafts. I saw a tutorial on making rocks into Easter Eggs by felting them (like you can with soaps) they looked beautiful and I thought it'd be a great alternative to the usual plastic eggs.  I carefully selected my egg shaped rocks and while L was napping I felted them up, they turned out beautiful and I couldn't wait to give them to Logan.  What I should of remembered was how much he LOVED THROWING the rocks at the beach.... so of course as soon as I gave them to him they went flying across the boat.  Guess we'll have to needle felt some eggs that won't break my mirrors!  I just tucked in my tuckered out little nome,  he is so precious and I feel so grateful I am able to watch him grow.  I hope he learns to tread lightly on the earth and to embrace the beauty that surrounds him each and every day.

He pick the BIGGEST rock he could possibly muster and then throw it an inch or two.
I kept trying to convince him go for the smaller ones but to no avail.

His favorite was definitely the slimy seaweed.

He's got the WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS....

My Sweet Pea xo

1 Month Anniversary!

I sit here quietly on the boat, just the humming of the heater and (thankfully) the stillness of the water surrounds me.  The last month has passed quickly, as we acclimated to the our new home and new lifestyle.  It was a huge relief to be finished with the house and to focus fully on our "new" life.  It was a beautiful way to transition as we were here for 2 weeks on the boat and then took a week vacation to Mexico.  It was wonderful to get the tedious task of organizing done and then to take a much needed break.  We were able to reconnect with each other as a family, take a deep breath and rejuvenate our souls as our skin soaked in the warm sun.  We were able to return refreshed and inspired to keep on task and head south asap!!  The winter storms keep rearing their ugly head and have made us long desperately for spring to return.  After a few days of storms one right after another, I finally broke down and took some Gravol.  Luckily it relieved the nausea and I was able to get a good night sleep and start fresh the next day.  The 'calm after the storm' is always such a welcomed one
I had a bottle of champagne in the fridge, and wanted to celebrate......I know I should wait until G is home to celebrate with me, but after finishing cleaning up and the baby is quietly sleeping I wanted to relax and take a moment to reflect.  So I guess  you've figured by now, I decided to drink now and ask for forgiveness later!
I just feel so grateful, for so many reasons.... to start with I can't tell you how much I love the boyish grin on Gordon's face before he goes to sleep at night.  He is so happy down here, so completely at peace.  It makes all the tough days so worth it.  He told me the most romantic thing the other night as we curled up in our little bunks and reached across to hold each others hand...." I want to grow old with you in small spaces. "  It is so hard to put words to the way I felt after hearing that.  I love that there is a beautifully intricate dance that must occur daily for us to live together here.  A true sense of teamwork, an unspoken knowing of each others moods and needs.  The importance of working through problems together , as there is no room for hidden agendas or unspoken feelings.
Logan has adapted seamlessly, he is enjoying the boat and it has also proved to be a great time to implement some much needed changes in his routine.  We've started a new napping schedule and also started weaning him (partially) from the "All-Can-Eat Breastraunt".  He is growing so fast, it's hard to believe he is no longer my "baby".  He brings such absolute joy to my life and I am so grateful that I am able to stay home with him and enjoy every minute of his being.  It is so pure and full of love, it is such a gift to be able to look at life through his eyes.  He's talking more and more everyday.  Continues to be sweet, silly and oh so loving.  He loves giving his kitty "teats" and have caught him doing the 'one for you, one for me' bit.  We bought Malloreigh a kitty bed the other day (in hopes to contain her copious amounts of fur) and he quietly goes up to the poor sleeping kitty, yells "GO" and pulls the bed out from under her and proceeds to curl up into a ball and try and fit himself into the bed. Usually this is after I have finally gotten him dressed for the day and we are just about to leave.....now COVERED in cat hair!!
I have to admit living in such a small space is a bit trying with a cat, the hair just seems endless!  My once adventurous cat now refuses to go outside unless I physically put her out there and close the door.  Then restless and rambuncous, she rustles around all night long.  I've started putting her on the same program as Logan, she has mandatory outdoor time.  It is in hopes that she will appreciate her time indoors and either play quietly or sleep.  Unfortunately she's not as easy to train as Logan is!
Overall, I feel bit surprised actually that things have gone as smoothly as they have.  There have been some really trying days (believe me!!) but it definitely seems doable. We're definitely getting into a groove down here and figuring out a system.  I have to admit I am a bit of a princess and do have a microwave and a crockpot as well.  I figure, we're not going off shore yet, so I might as well live it up while I can!!  There are just some things in life that make living with a toddler SO much easier!  I'll have to go through my own weaning process when the time comes... but in the meantime I'm going to live high on the hog!

Finally Aboard And Making It Home

Well it seems unbelievable that we have actually been living on the boat now for 9 days!  This past month has been a whirlwind of projects between wrapping up projects in the house (and everything breaking last minute - fridge, faucets....) and prepping the boat for us to live aboard.  I feel like I've been in a daze this past week, decompressing and adjusting all at the same time.  Luckily, other than trying to find places for the many many bags of belongings we brought down, it has been pretty seamless.
The first night down, I see it as my "Initiation night".  One of our classic Pacific Northwest storms was rolling through, it packed a bit of a punch though with winds up to 90kmph and sustained high winds ALL night long.  After a long day of packing and cleaning, I couldn't wait to just lie down and pass out, unfortunately  Mother Nature had other plans for me.  The boat was rocking and rolling all night long.  The winds would press the boat on its side and then drop, the fenders constantly squeaked as they protested taking on the weight of the boat as it forced itself over and over onto our neighbors boat.  I thought maybe after a bit it would quiet down, but no such luck, this baby was gonna go all night long!  The boys on the other hand slept like a rock.  G did wake up at one point, I watched him silently waiting to see what he was checking....he got closer and closer.  "Are you awake?"  Yesss....  "Oh good, your were freaking me out for a second, I thought you were sleeping with your eyes open!"  I wish I could have kept my eye on things as I slept, I guess that's a skill I will acquire as I become an old salt.  Needless to say, it was a difficult  putting in a full day of cleaning and packing at the house on zero sleep.  Emotions were labile to say the least.  Breaking down Logan's crib and packing away his room did make me stop for a minute. With a tear in my eye, my heart hoping we were making the right decision for him and us as a family.   At that moment it all finally seemed real.  Previously I had just been going from one task to the next, crossing things off the to-do list.  But now as I saw my little boys life as he new it was about to change, and I had to believe in what my heart has been saying all along, it is going to be a wonderful adventure.

Logan has taken on his new life with gusto, his first night as he quickly scrambled up the steps up into his room, he turned around with a huge grin and shouted "WOW"!  It is  my little mountain goats heaven as he can reach everything.  We are slowly learning what we can and cannot climb on or touch.  He's also learned how to let himself out of his crib, it at least keeps him from rolling out of bed while sleeping.  Guess we're moving to the concept of a toddler bed whether we like it or not!  He loves all the walks we go on now.  He has his little loop down pat, kissing all his favorite wood carvings as we go along.  Mastering the stairs as we go up and down and up and down over and over again.  He has been such a little trooper, never skipping a beat and embracing each moment, each new experience with grace and excitement.  He definitely could teach me a thing or two!

The stove is working beautifully and so is the fridge. I feel so lucky to have hot water as well.  It does amaze me though how much water we go through.  I think we emptied our tanks after a day and a half (and I thought I was being conservative!) and used much more drinking water than I thought we would too.  I have lots to learn, but am enjoying the process.

Here is a peek into our first week:

Logan's room in v-berth

My caveman lighting his first fire on the stove!

Celebrating our first dinner

SUPER MOON

Checking in with Eagleman on our evening walk

Loves brushing his teeth now that he can stare at himself and make funny faces in the mirror.  Crazy hair = shinier teeth

Parking lot puddles create hours of entertainment

Checking out the beach, honing his goaty abilities... those logs are slippery when wet.

It's Coming Together!!

The count down continues, and the days are slipping by so fast now.  So many projects to do and so little time.  There is nothing more rewarding though when you see a project finally coming to an end. Though there is still the last bits to do on all of these projects I thought I'd post an update.  Gordon has done such a amazing job. It seems surreal at times that this is actually finally happening!

I know the picture of the head may not seem super impressive but believe me if you look back at the old pictures they are.  I no longer feel like I am in a grungy gas station bathroom or could catch some obscure disease.  With all the caulking and old stains, no matter how much you cleaned it just looked, well gross.  But now!!!  Oh my, it's just breathtaking when I walk in there!  SO CLEAN (*can you see me smiling* ).  Sorry the doors are missing, they are at the house drying.
I also found some adorable Wall Decals that I thought we could put up so it doesn't seem so sterile and gives Logan something to play with (you can close off the area to the actual head and it leaves a small play area).  I'm in love with the Baby Elephant Chalkboard, now that he is starting to draw, and chalk wipes away much easier than markers!  Anyway I digress.... onto the rest of the projects.

Head floor, Hazmat suit no longer required.

So Shiny & Clean, Yay!

Port side head

To the left is our custom made cutting board (which is attached to the lid of the fridge) made by our wonderful friend Jim!  G also found a new piece of formica to match the existing counter tops.  The lid still needs to be mounted, but all of G's measurements were perfect and it has turned out beautifully.  So much more space than the old design, and super organized to boot!

New Dickinson 3 burner stove and custom made cutting board!

Custom made fridge (we've even got ICE CUBES) Everything fits Just So!

The house is a work in progress, it's all the little things - emptying the file cabinets, boxing up the millions of pictures I seem to have stashed EVERYWHERE, unpacking (for the first time) and repacking boxes from the last move.  Through it all I realize I have a bit of a problem, I hoard things..... books, beads, craft supplies, fabric, did I mention books. Getting one of those Kindle's is looking better and better after hauling multiple boxes of books to the garage.  I just can't bear to part with them (and I do read them again) .... ok I'll stop trying to justify.

Anyway, it is all starting to come together, despite an entire month of continuous illness shared between the three of us(cold, stomach flu, pink eye, cold again) and the glorious onset of the terrible two's ( they are SO fun L thought he'd start early!)  G is now off for the next few days and it is the final push to finish up projects and start moving  the last bits out of the house and start moving our carefully selected items onto the boat!

Looking forward to the next post of COMPLETED PROJECTS!!!!!!!!!!

Homemade Baby Wipes

One afternoon at the coffee shop when Logan was just a little bitty thing, another mother overheard me talking with a girlfriend that I was having trouble with Logan's sensitive skin.  Anytime I used wipes, no matter what type, he broke out into a bright red rash on his bum.  She so graciously offered me her recipe to her homemade baby wipes and said they work wonders.  For over a year now we've only used wash clothes and warm water on Logan which has worked wonderfully but now that we're looking to reduce our laundry, it seemed perfect timing that the piece of paper with the magical recipe floated out of one of my baby books.  I had forgotten about it, but it seems it was waiting for the perfect timing.  So yesterday I got out all my ingredients and made my wonderfully earthy homemade baby bum wipes.  So far no rash, no clothes to wash and easy on the budget.

We're also trying a trial run of  "G Diapers"  I'll let you know how it goes, our first day L did have a little pinching redness at the site where the diapers attach.  I'm not sure if I just need to perfect my diapering style or if it will be an ongoing issue, we'll see.

BABY BUM WIPES

Cut paper towel roll into thirds, and put 1/3 roll (cut side down) into an empty wipes container.

Mix: 1 cup water

        1tsp baby soap (liquid)

        1tsp calendula oil

        few drops of lavender oil

        few drops of tea tree oil

Pour over paper towel and then turn container upside down for 10 minutes

Remove center roll and pull wipes from the center

Subtle Hints

I thought is was quite funny when I got the first bright yellow book in the mail from my sister,  figuring it to be a humorous gift as we were ready to embark on our new adventure.  Then I thought it a bit peculiar when the next book showed up in the mail the next day from my Mom. I just shook my head and laughed.....

I had to find out if this was planned or just a coincidence.  Ends up my sister sent me "The WORST-CASE SCENARIO Survival Handbook" in order to prep me for any of the "What are you gonna do when..." questions my Mom was going to ask me.  And my Mom (who is known as our Safety Girl) had  sent me "SURVIVE! ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND TACTICS TO GET YOU OUT ON ANYWHERE-ALIVE" all on her own good conscience!  Between these two, looks like I'll be prepared for anything and everything.  I love my family!!!

Fonzarelli In The Making

At least the "Ehhhh" will come naturally to my little Canadian, now just to teach him the thumbs up and put a little grease in his hair!  His Auntie Brooke gave him his first leather (faux of course)jacket, and it is precious, he absolutely loves it as you can tell by the smile on his face!

First time rockin'  his new jacket, can you feel the excitement!

All Dolled Up 

C'mon Mama, now we've gotta find me a Harley!

The Count Down Begins!

We had finally taken the last of the pictures of the house to put a flyer up in a few selected places to see if we could find a renter for the house.  We had been hoping we'd find someone we knew, but it wasn't looking good. Funny how the universe works.... before we got a chance to put the flyers up, within a few days we got 'the call' from a friend.   She is absolutely perfect (and Logan approved ~ actually I think he's got a huge crush on her) and we know the house will be well taken care of.  What a relief! We've negotiated that we can keep the garage and use it as storage which makes things so much easier for us. The clincher... our move out date is March 15th!!!  To say the least a fire has been lit underneath us and we are on a rampage around here. Boxing, fixing, painting, organizing, tossing and ordering all sorts of stuff.  How did we accumulate so much STUFF!

Logan loved it, JUST his size!

We were very excited though to finally buy our new stove for the boat!  We can even fit a regular cookie tray, and muffin tin inside.  So here it is, our Dickinson 3 burner stove & oven.

We can't wait to get it installed, we're waiting for some additional parts but then we're good to go.  In the meantime G is working on installing the fridge system.  He has almost finished the lid (it turned out beautiful) and we have a friend who has generously offered to make a custom fit cutting board for the top lid. Jim does amazing work and we feel so honored we'll have a piece of his work on our boat.  Slowly but surely it feels like our boat is not just a house but becoming a home.  We've also decided to make the V berth L's area which I think logistically will work better, but I also love the idea of him having his own space.  I've been daydreaming about decorating it and truly making it his own.  I hope we can make a ladder so he can go in and out as he pleases during the day.  I've noticed lately here at the house he really likes "his" room and loves to show it off to anyone who comes over and loves hiding and playing in there.  I also love the idea of somewhere to put all those toys!!

We're so excited to move beyond the planning phase and into action!  To keep from getting too overwhelmed we just take it day by day, but it all seems to be falling into place. We'll keep updating as progress is made!

This Moment ~ "Reads" Along

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

A Few Nuggets

A couple words of wisdom from my hubby (who quoted from Liz Clark - swellvoyage.com) to keep me motivated and inspired:

"Top 5 lessons I’ve learned:

1.     Be grateful for what’s good and find the positive.

2.     Try first, then decide if you ‘can’ or ‘can’t’.

3.     Hard work will almost always get you there.

4.     Even when it all seems impossible, TRUST that everything will work out.

5.     Nature is the source of ALL…love it, spend time with it, fight for it!"

(Liz Clark - http://www.swellvoyage.com/)

Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the frustrations as we strive to reach a goal, and it's nice to have someone who help you put it all back into perspective.  

Another great find of his which I'm really enjoying is http://www.galleyswap.com/ . 

Thanks Sweetie xo

~ This Moment ~ Puddle Jumpin'

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

A Miracle happened today....

As I was doing the dishes, listening to the news on CBC I suddenly realized I was actually undistracted.  This usually spells TROUBLE, so I went looking for my little monkey.... on the table tops, on top of the dresser, strategically behind the stereo amongst all the many wires, on top of the book case.  He was in none of his usual places and I started to worry.  Never, NEVER did I expect to find this..............

My little mountain goat tired himself right out and put himself down for a nap!

This Moment~ Puppy Power!~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

This Moment

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

This Moment ~Best Friends~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

The Simple Things That Guide Us

I finally take a minute to pause and write down a few of my thoughts.  It has been a whirlwind since November when my parents came to visit.  I cherished each and every moment they were hear, and it sure was hard to watch them go.  Now that I have a child, 6 months seems like a lifetime, just so much happens in that short amount of time.  It is when the tailspin of emotions began, and it's been a roller coaster ever since.    The rush of excitement after making the decision to move onto the boat has faded a bit and the fears and doubts have crept in.  It has really made me look at WHY we've decided to make this move, and I have to say I'm still satisfied with our answer.... SIMPLICITY.  It seems like such a plain, generic, vague word.  As I searched for the answer though, I actually was overwhelmed with its complexity and depth.  It's like the endless rabbit hole, all the different ways to obtain it.  When it comes down to it though, as I search and search for the answers to our many questions, seeking peace and happiness, longing to be enough... it truly is simple. We must let go.  

It is funny how the universe brings you the answers you seek.  I love to read, and had recently finished the book Momma Zen  that a friend lent me and loved it (written by a Zen Buddhist Priest) and wanted to read her next book Hand Wash Cold - Instructions for an Ordinary Life so it was my Christmas present to myself.  I just devoured the book and was ready for the next.  Unexpectedly a friend stopped by and dropped off Eat Pray Love which I also loved.  The book I'm on now is Simplicity Parenting, which was recommended by a friend on Facebook.  It finally hit me as I was talking with some friends, the message absolutely blaring..... Simplicity.  Stop looking, searching, obsessing, over the "next thing" to do, to learn, to obtain, to enhance and just be. YOU are enough, THIS (even dishes, laundry and cooking) is what it's all about, and it's absolutely PERFECT (good or bad).  I feel like when I read these types of books, in the back of my mind it's "yeah yeah yeah, so what to I need to do to get THERE.... because I'm definitely not IT, haven't found that place of Zen, or done whatever it is that needs to be done to get me to THAT place.  What do I need to do, learn, say, buy to get me there PLEASE tell me."  The answer is clear, the answer is simple.  Let go and embrace what is, right this moment.  I've it read this same message over and over again for years now, but finally I think it's sinking in (I know I'm a little slow).  For some reason it feels scary to me, to let go of all the angst and worry.  Like things might fall apart, but I know deep down it is a false sense of control.  I can't control the next moment, but I can alter the way I engage in the present.  If I remain in the present moment, and am fully aware, how can I make a bad decision. 

As I read these books, it made me feel so at ease that I am not seeking an irresponsible life.  I am simply taking the steps to disengage from the masses and carving a path of my own.  One that speaks to me on such a deep level, that makes sense, for both my family and I.  It is not an egocentric journey, but one that strips away the unnecessary clutter and debris  and allows us to engage fully with life and each other.  I also love that this way of life will allow my son a true childhood, filled with adventures and innocence.  

I am feeling empowered, that we are moving towards something beautiful... a simple life.  Getting there is part of the journey and I am trying to embrace each moment.  I have been overwhelmed by the support of our friends, as we had a painting party over the weekend and they rallied and helped us to repaint almost our entire house.  We're prepping it to rent out, as we plan to move aboard Kaizen in May.  G continues to work on projects on the boat and will be finishing the fridge soon.  I was so impressed with how well it's come together so far!  

Each day we move forward with purpose and with passion, reveling in the satisfaction that we are making the most of TODAY.

My little Zen Master

This Moment ~Discoveries~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama