lady cordelia

manifest

Had an interesting talk with a good friend last night.  We were talking about being moms, life, careers and the art of manifesting. 

When I started this blog I spoke a lot about how much I had manifested, how I was living my dream.  It was almost shocking how suddenly here I was in a sweet house with a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.  Since starting the blog itself, and with the inspiration of many other wonderful blogs, I created a small farm and learned how to bake and cook and knit and become more conscious of many things. 

I left a career dream behind 9 years ago when I met The Brad.  Right when my music career was seemingly picking up speed, I turned my back on it.  I wanted a husband and family only, and nothing in the way of it.  Of course right then,  it so happened that a record company wanted to pick up my last album.  I said I wouldn't tour.  And that broke the deal.    Over the years I've kept a toe dipped into the music business, there's been some mild success here and there without hardly a try on my part. But... I can't explain it.....there's no manifest. In that arena, it has not surfaced in me and I don't know why.

I am submerged here and now in all I have manifested.  My girls are young.  My little farm needs tending.  What more comes in must fit in perfectly with that I have and not take me away from it in any way.  Because I love what I have and it is of me. 

Yes.  I love what I have manifested and it is of me and I am of it
and I trust that what's next will be perfect and wonderful just as this is

that what comes next will grow what I have, what I feel in my heart, that I will feel happy and free...

just  know, universe...
i love what I have.
it's fantastic.
& if you have any amazing ideas
for my future
sock it to me
k?
in the meantime,
i'll be outside
changing the water
in the duck pool

xo

scenes from a nice weekend

a few things from my weekend...

roses from the garden.

my babies in my first try attempt at sewing skirts.
slightly potato-baggish, but they love them and are wearing them every single day.
I also made a dress, came out pretty cute.  Show ya later.
(thanks to rachel for the skirt pattern idea and amanda for the material!)
btw: I always wonder if I should show full face shots of my kids on the blog. so, i went halfway and just did a half face crop, exemplifying my confusion.

the unraveled hose is a sure sign it's real warm outside.
(if you look at the outside pic you are looking directly at our chicken/duck coop, you know...in case you ever you ever wanted to see it. ...it's the size of a small nyc apartment.)

oh, and do you like PCS's?  (pineapple-chard smoothies.) The Brad does not.  The girls enjoy them and so mama is happy. Do you have a immersion blender? Then just throw in...

a few big ol' chard leaves
frozen pineapple
few shakes of bee pollen
bit of coconut milk
voila! you are rockin' with a PCS!

my mama came and I got a little time to myself.  she took them to the park.  the house was EMPTY. this mama sure needed that.  also my fave thrifting friend asked me out garage sailing (yes we sailed thru the sales) on the spot on sat a.m. .  mega fun.  thanks friend! XO

Enjoy your upcoming week!

C.

  weekending with my lady A. she's on a roll with some extra-fabulous posts lately!

 

 

 

 

 

 

thrifty thursday

Found this chair at a street sale at the end of my street last Saturday.  I've been so very excited to share it with you!  I haven't gotten anything "big" since I started Thirfty Thursday.  And I had no plans to.  But I saw this chair at a great price and I had to have it.  

This baby replaced our old living room "couchy" chair (which was second hand when we aquired it years ago) and we were more than happy to take said chair to the local thrift.  Unfortunately, when the local thrift guy saw it he said: NO WAY.   Rude.  So, we put our old chair the street with a free sign.  4 days later no one had taken it.  I felt so bad for the old thing.  It wasn't that nasty...was it?   Evidently so.  We dragged the old chair back to our dump pile.  I guess sometimes things are just bound for the dump.  And that is that. 

But back to this chair.  What do you think...30's?  40's?   When I brought her home The Brad said.  "Ew." And I said: "EW?  Are you (swear word) kidding me?  This is an antique, man! Are you blind?  And I got it for next to nothing!"   
After a nice steam clean, The Brad was much more moderate about the chair and very suprised at its comfort factor.  See, this is where The Brad sits every night when the girls are asleep (or not) and we relax for the first time all day.  I sit on the couch, he sits on the chair.  So this chair had to be comfortable.  I knew it was.  And that's why I brought it home.  

This is vintage, baby.  Fits right in our home.  Many an ass has sat in this chair.  And now those asses are ours.   I'm sorry for the profanity.  But, if the ass fits, wear it.  And ours do.  Quite nicely, thank you.

 

 

 

I'm not fashionable.

Would you like a Jammy Scone?  That's strawberry jam in the middle, ya know.  And I didn't sift like the recipe told me to, nor did I use the same kind of flour that was called for.  And you know what?  That's what full on bakers do.  Yep.  They bend the rules. 

Do you like to be fully eco-conscious?  Do you like the idea of saving the world and making earth a better place for your kids?  Ya.  Niether do I.  It's a major pain in the ass.  Still: gotta do what I gotta do. So, that's my vinegar/orange/lemon cleaning brew marinating on my windowsill.  I didn't get the idea myself, my bloggy friends helped me!  Yep, people just like you.  (I kinda ran out of vinegar in the process.  That's why it's half full, IF YOU MUST KNOW.) 

Know what? Sometimes when I'm cruising the blogosphere, I find blogs with women who really are so amazingly hip.  Very fashionable.  Really clean.  I mean, no dirt under the toenails.  And I go: WOW, man.
They are so stylish and stuff, I love those blogs. It's way inspiring. 

Oh, if you could see my now with my linty, dirty leggings that are hand-me downs from my neighbor.  My thrifted Old Navy t-shirt dress with a butter stain on the boob (I made cookies and dropped the butter on my shirt.) 
My hair.  Ew.  Anyone have a brush?  Is that mild dandruff???? Nope.  It's moderate.  Oh well.
Don't even talk to me about my toenails. 

But I'm living it people.  I did make that skirt I talked about yesterday for one of my daughters ( I'll show you later when I make one for the other daughter.) It was so easy, even a baby caveman could do it.  But still: I did it.
I did make those scones I talked about yesterday.
I did not clean the coop.  But I tended garden for an hour or three.
& I prepped dinner for The Brad so all he has to do is put stuff in the oven while I blog. Now that is talent.

I'm not at all fashionable.
I'm more than a little dirty.
I think I'm actually greasy at this moment.
Not famous, hella rich, or even working towards it.
I do the things a baby caveman could do.
But I'm happy, people.
Check it:

 

 

 

this is what I do

Good Morning World.

Today I am not coughing so much.  The cold seems to be dying.  I am so happy.
To celebrate I will...

start off by making strawberry jam scones from this book
I will try and replace the barley flour with whole wheat. 
I'm adventurous like that.
And way too lazy to go to the store.

I will finish the laundry pile containing the oldest girls favorite mermaid shirt. (I promise.)

I will tend to chickens, ducks, tidy the coop.

I will try to make a simple elastic band skirt for each daughter. (tutorials anyone? or will you leave me swearing at the sewing machine...carolyn?  can you hear me? anyone? And I mean SIMPLE.)

By the way: see those irises?  I found the bulbs in a box on the curb a few years back. 
Plant things, see what happens.
I know that's  how I roll.

So.

Oh jeez.  Okay.  Maybe I can stop thinking about "tomorrow" a little bit.  Since today is full and here and perfect with big purple blooms.   Can I do it?

There is a puppy asleep on my feet.  A coffee cup almost empty.  Giggling from the next room.  And scones to be made.  Dang it world.  I'm doing it.

Yeah. 

I'm doing it.

Have a wonderful day.

XO

 

walk the talk

It's hard to be environmentally conscious and eco-sensitive. Have to admit, its just easier to grab a paper towel sometimes.  Of course, if there are no paper towels to be found, because you have stopped purchasing them in order to be eco-sensitive, and you have not done the load of laundry with the cleaning towels in it, and someone spills their drink all over the table, or the dog barfs on the floor....  Well, then there is reason to be pissed.  Then you use a nice cloth napkin to sop it up. And that is all wrong and irritating.  It's when you stop for a moment and think to yourself...Maybe I don't want to save the earth after all.  It gets tough sometimes.  These are the tests I go through on a daily basis. 

Some women are brightly eco-sensitive.  They always have clean rags around.  They love to tell you about how they always have the clean rags around.  Neatly stacked.  Finely folded.  I am not one of these women.  

I'm in transition.  I guess.  And I'm a little bitter.   I'm on the "walk your talk" eco-sensitive path.  It's rough to walk that talk!  I mean to really do it.   It makes me slightly irritated.  I miss the paper towels like I used to miss those good-for-nothing boyfriends.  If I bought a roll of paper towels, I'd hate myself in the morning. Big time.  I've had a few rolls hanging around here and there in the past months.  I won't lie.  But I've been "dry" for a good month now.  Totally dry.  Not one roll to be found.  Even ask Brad.  He knows cause he's pissed about it too. 

Let's move on.

I was informed the other day that bleach breaks down to not much more than salt and water in the pipes.  So, it's not ALL THAT BAD for the environment.  Fish will swim away from bleach, but they would probably swim away from a gallon of Dr. Bronners dumped next to them as well.  Even if bleach isn't the almighty devil I thought it was, and negligible in environmental harm, it's still put into bagillions (it's a word, it comes after "trillions") of plastic bottles and shipped all over the place.  So, the plastic and the shipping are still issues.   So, I still have to make my own natural bleach.   Crap.  

Walking the talk.  Not buying ziplocks.  
Walking the talk.  Not buying paper towels. 
Walking the talk.  Making my own cleaning products. 
Walking the talk.  I'm still buying toilet paper.   Yes I am.  Don't go there with me.

I'm open to all comments, inspirations, recipes and thoughts on real environmental cleaning.   Because, the other day a fellow blogger told me all her hair "broke" because of the no' poo thing.  People: if you think I'm breaking my long and hard-earned gorgeous tresses to save a flipping tree...you're probably right.  But i'll be really super depressed and probably stop blogging so....tell me your best secrets on being a truly green mama.  Someone said you can soak lemons in vinegar for several weeks and it works wonders?  Break with the secrets women. 
XO 

 

 

 

">Source: katiespencilbox.com via Rosa on Pinterest

 

peaks, valleys, this moment, et al....

Joining Mon for This Weeks Peaks and Valleys:

Valleys: simply too much going on, tired, overworked, post-nasal drip.

Peaks: making it through, lots of roses abloom, overall good health, working on next big veggie box, plans for making more of my own natural products, happy & cute children that live with me and fill my heart with endless wonder and joy. 

Cool..  Now let me expand on one of those "peaks" cause this is my blog and I can if I want to: 
I've been really excited this week about my plans to make more natural products in the very near future.  Out of nowhere I'm like...REALLY into essential oils and stuff.  My homemade cleaning products rock and I love them so I'm now looking into making my own: lotion, lip balm, and possibly even "no-pooing!"

Me: Hi Brad!!! Aren't you soooooo into the homemade cleaning products I made???
Brad: Hey Cordy. (He calls me Cordy to piss me off) Yeah those cleaning products are awesome.
Me: I'm thinking about making my own lip balm!
Brad: Uh-huh.  Great idea, Cord.
Me: Yeah, and lotion too.  It's really easy.
Brad: Slow down, shortie.
Me: And I think I'm going to stop using cleanser on my face and switch to just using sweet almond oil.
Brad: oooohhhhhh kaaaayyyyy
Me: and I'm really going to try going "no-poo."
Brad: you're not going to go poo anymore?
Me: No silly!  No-poo means I won't be using shampoo.  Just natural products like baking soda and coconut oil can really....
Brad: Stop it.
Me: ....it's supposed to work gr...
Brad: Stop it now.
Me: Don't knock it til you tr...
Brad: I mean it.  Really.  Stop it. Woman.  Pipe down. That's enough.

The Brad's cute like that.  But believe me, if the no-poo works, he'll be ALL ABOUT it.  And telling everyone how rad it is and acting like he came up with the dang idea.

Here he is making our garden boxes.  Isn't he darling? He sounds like a real jerk on the blog sometimes, but he's a real doll and the love of my life.

Hey everyone! I'm still not over with my Friday post! Remember how I told you our garden boxes were literally outside our property fence?  YOU BETCHA!  We live on a dead end little street so no reason not to make the most of the sidewalk.  All part of my plan to NOT have to go to the Sunday Farmers Market.  Way too many people at the market for me.  And they're all busy and happy and butting in front of me for tomatoes. NOT FOR LONG!!!!

Here's this moment with Amanda.

XOXO

C

 

 

 

 

 

thrifty thursday

Hello Darlings:

It's going to be a quick one today and I'm even posting early so that I can take a full day off tomorrow.  It's been a bit of an intense week with an increased work load for The Brad and a bunch of work for me the past several days as well.  Amougst that--there is our mini farm. the kids, and a lingering cold that comes and goes, annoying us all.

I'll be frank: I'm damn tired, people.  Damn tired. 

But- I do want to share my heart with you (I always do, you know.)  This particular heart resides on a kitchen wall alongside other vintage tins I've been collecting.  It's my own personal rad artsy thrifty statement, albiet one that's in progress, and I swear I'll show you the whole wall someday when I've found a few more special items to help fill up the space. Vintage collections take patience. 

I can't wait to get cheered up by your thrifty finds or thrifty thoughts this week.  Remember, Thrifty Thursday is a state of mind, a way of living that helps save the earth from those expensive Macy's purchases.  It's about building chicken coops from left over wood and creating artwork from vintage muffin and cookie tins. 

Much Love,

C

around the house

Remember the end of yesterday's post about The Brad's camera?  Well, yesterday evening I took a few shots around the house for fun and I used The Brads camera because, well... he was gone for the day working. 
When he came home he said: Why is my camera on your desk? 
And I said: I don't know maybe it's using the computer, or writing a letter. 
Then we locked eyes for a long moment until I jutted my chin up and said: Got a problem with me Brad? 

It's been a little tense around here.  Brad is working more than usual and will be for an indeterminate amount of time. Enough said.  On the bright side, it gives me time to work on my cooking skills. And on that note, I made a great roast chicken last night.  I finally found a stall at the local farmers market that sells tasty (not sinewy) organic chickens that they cull themselves. Meat that was consciously raised and killed is the only meat I want to serve to my family.  Period.  We now have friends who are raising their own meat birds (and have goats as well) and when life gets a little less busy, I hope to take you on a tour of their farm.   Very inspiring.

(taken with instagram on my iphone.  why is everyone so into this?  camera + is way radder)

Anyway...I also roasted some veggies.  SO GOOD.  I had never roasted broccoli before.  WOW. Thanks to Alice Waters for her tips on roasting both chicken and veggies.  Add a little rice and it's a perfect dinner.

Today alongside taking care of my kids and working a little bit from home, I plan to plant some more veggies and make a few more homemade cleaning products.   And maybe steal Brad's camera a little more.  Honestly, I really don't think he minds.

birfday partee et al...

we had an outside tea party for our beautiful 6th birthday girl. 
and ooohhh yes....this cake was made by the now famous baker: mama.
mama impressed the other moms
isn't that neat?
I mean, full on POINTS!  SCORE!  WHOO HOO!  
we had cake inside cause it got windy.  look at this darling sweet girl....

also, side-note:  do you like our puppy? cool. just a quick shot I grabbed with The Brad's camera (and not my iphone which I always use.)  i need to use his mega-rad-camera more often and try and not take blurry shots.  BUT, he won't let me much because it is his "work camera" (say in all-important snotty voice)  and he fears I will leave it outside because I can get scattered.  typical dumb dude thing to say.   really brad?  scattered? rude, rude, rude.   i'm using the camera when I darn well please AND THAT IS THAT BRAD I AM TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW SO TRY AND STOP ME!!!!!!

have a great rest of your weekend.

and p.s.  brad loves it when I talk about him like this on my blog.  he really does.  he just is worried you will all think he's a jerk.  he's really not.  but he should really let me use his camera.