Around Here

Making pesto. Or attempting anyway. I tried on Saturday and I think the pine nuts I used were old - something just tasted off so I'll be trying again. The basil is growing great in my raised beds and I want to master this one.

Vacationing. I spent last week on Martha's Vineyard with a special group of friends (my first time there and I loved it). We switched up our annual get together and headed to the other coast this time (vs. Oregon) and it was a true vacation. I love these people and the absolute joy they bring to my life - especially through laughter. Man I haven't laughed that much in years.

Cuddling with the kids after being apart last week. They spent the week with Chris vacationing in the San Juan islands.

Planning. A camping adventure. Layouts. Fall schedules. Work-related stuff.

Cultivating relationships. With friends, kids, Chris, family and with someone kinda special.

Savoring the beginning.

Listening. To music really loud. And checking out new-to-me music and making playlists and feeling it through my whole body.

Repeating. Finding myself saying the same things over and over again such as "please go get in your bed" and "that behavior is not okay" and "take your plate to the kitchen" and "are you calm?" and "take a deep breath." I'm in one of those places where I hear what I'm saying and wonder if it's the right thing or should I be phrasing it differently, wondering how to get across what I really want to communicate to my kids.

Pruning and puttering out in the yard. My happy place. Cutting flowers and bringing them inside. Waiting on the bigger tomatoes.

Living the length and width. That's what it's all about.

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107 thoughts

  1. Marie says…
    07/31/2012

    Ali, you make me cry... I'm wondering exactly the same things regarding communication with my little girl... I love her so much, but these days are a bit difficult for me to make her understand what is wrong and what is good, and I'm clearly loosing patience with her too quiclky. I guess it's my job of being a mother, with all its joys and its difficulties! Have a wonderful day.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Amanda McGregor says…
    07/31/2012

    So happy about the "and someone kinda special" comment!

    Reply 14 Replies
    1. Kathy (kathyb) says…
      07/31/2012

      Happy for you here too :)

    2. Amy says…
      07/31/2012

      Me too :)

    3. Francesca Di Leo says…
      07/31/2012

      there's been a whole change in everything about you ali... some kinda new confidence, and joy has been beaming from you. it's quite beautiful to see.

    4. Julie says…
      07/31/2012

      CHEERS! to you and your someone special :)

    5. Dori says…
      07/31/2012

      ...me three!

    6. carole heburn says…
      07/31/2012

      Me four !!

    7. julie macneil says…
      07/31/2012

      yes, yes, yes!!!! i can tell you are are so happy in the photos you've been sharing lately- seriously i am amazed at the difference! so excited for you!

    8. Cathy says…
      08/13/2012

      I had been wondering . . . so happy for you.

    9. Cathy says…
      08/01/2012

      Me too. :) :)

    10. Sheila says…
      08/03/2012

      Was soooo hoping you'd mention "someone special" soon. Good for you. He'd be one lucky fella to land you.

    11. Stacey says…
      08/01/2012

      Goose bumps! That's awesome.

    12. Jamie Fisher says…
      07/31/2012

      :))

    13. Kim S. (nerdgrl) says…
      07/31/2012

      Add me to the "me toos". I grinned a huge smile (not great English but you get the drift) when I read it. Woo Hoo!

    14. Noell says…
      07/31/2012

      I know!! I was especially happy to read, "Savoring the beginning," after that little hint about someone special. The beginning is so enchanting and exciting.

      Much love and respect, Ali!

  3. Grace Hester says…
    07/31/2012

    Welcome back! Hope to see some of the vacation photos from your trip and the kids' trip too. And . . . . congrats on someone "kinda special" - hope it blossoms into something "truly special".

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Rene' Sharp says…
    07/31/2012

    Loved reading this post so much. Happy for you!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sandi says…
    07/31/2012

    Glad you had a wonderful vacation. Welcome back!
    Sandi

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. keri @ shaken together says…
    07/31/2012

    Ditto on the "someone kinda special" comment - hoping for serious happy for you :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Neelu says…
    07/31/2012

    oooh "someone kinda special" :D

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. heidig says…
    07/31/2012

    So very happy for you!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. olga says…
    07/31/2012

    Ali, I highly recommend this book: Parent effectiveness training, by Thomas Gordon.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Thanks! I'll check that out.

  10. Kym says…
    07/31/2012

    Your posts always make me smile, Ali. Thank you. :) (PS: I keep my pine nuts in the refrigerator or freezer....they last so much longer. You can use walnuts in Pesto, too, and you can freeze it in ice cube trays to use all winter)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Brandi B. says…
    07/31/2012

    Your posts always brighten my day. I especially enjoy hearing there is a someone special. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. kelly libby says…
    07/31/2012

    Welcome back!

    I've missed ya'. But, i took a few days vacation (or stay-cation).

    Martha's Vineyard is soooo WONDERFUL! Glad you had a chance to visit. It seems like a place that you would love. Where did you stay? Did you get to Katama Beach? or their General Store? Chilmark is quite wonderful, too. And, Bunch of Grapes book store. Ahhhh.... so many great spots on that little island.

    love the "someone kinda special". You had the look of wonder and excitement of a new relationship in your photos lately. Good for you!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. kate says…
    07/31/2012

    a really great post. here, there seems to be to be treating you pretty well right now.

    a pesto recommendation, jacques pepin's pecan pesto. so good. http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/01/18/jacques-pepin-gunst#pesto

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Michelle L says…
    07/31/2012

    OH I can completely relate to the kid thing! My seven year old developed an attitude overnight and my five year old likes to copy so Im having to talk a lot about respsect, patience, how to speak to adults and what is and isn't ok. It's important stuff that you can't over look but so tough! So you are not alone there!

    Happy to hear there is someone special in your life these days. Enjoy!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Oh the copying is big here too!

    2. kim S. says…
      08/01/2012

      I have a 16 and 10 year old...oh, the copying...been going on for years! so happy about the "someone kinda special". You deserve much happiness, Ali!

  15. Laarni says…
    07/31/2012

    Happy to hear about your journey through motherhood as I am a new mom and your relationships. You truly inspire me. Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Tracy says…
    07/31/2012

    Ali I use the Pesto recipe in Giada DeLaurentiis' cookbook Everyday Italian...very easy and delicious!! And yes, pine nuts do get old and very bitter. Try Giada's recipe I think you'll like it!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Thanks! I'll check it out.

  17. April says…
    07/31/2012

    Cultivating a relationship "with someone special" brought the biggest smile to my face. You deserve to be so happy and I hope this relationship with someone special brings nothing but happiness in your life.

    Dahlias are my favorite, yours are stunning!

    Wishing you joy on this journey!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Tina says…
    07/31/2012

    Love the stuff in your post - pesto, vacation, kid cuddles, the beginning, loud music, and garden puttering! Happy for you Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Stephanie says…
    07/31/2012

    I found a great 'lite' recipe for pesto on skinnytaste.com - that's the next pesto recipe on my list to try :)

    I'm from NH and Martha's Vineyard is one of my favorite places to vacation - we LOVE it there! We usually stay in Edgartown and we love how historic it is! Can't wait to see your pictures & can't wait to go back there myself!

    I also have to say that reading 'someone special' on your blog makes me feel so happy for you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Bridget says…
    07/31/2012

    Welcome back. I'm in a similar spot with my 8 year old. I'm sure using the same words over & over just makes him put me on 'ignore'! I've experimented with toasted pecans in pesto (allergy to walnuts in the house). Doesn't taste exactly the same but still good.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. kelsey says…
    07/31/2012

    Someone special! GO, ALI, GO!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Babz510 says…
    07/31/2012

    Love this update Ali, I second all the comments already stated above!

    I totally feel like a broken record with my daughter too these days. Drives me crazy, but I know it will pass soon, eventually it will stick or at least I keep hoping it will.

    One thing to keep in mind with the pesto is that over processing it in the food processor can also change up the flavor. If you pulse it too long and if it starts to turn black you've done too much. Make sure you have enough oil in the bowl too, that helps it move more freely.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Good to know about the processing too long - thank you!

  23. Wendy O. says…
    07/31/2012

    Ali,
    You sound so happy. I am so happy for you.

    About your pesto, have you tried almonds instead of pine nuts?

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Might try that next time (want to try fresh pine nuts first)

  24. Kristen D says…
    07/31/2012

    Try toasting your pine nuts first. Makes a HUGE difference. And definitely store your pine nuts in the freezer. Actually all nuts should be stored there. Nuts are loaded with oils which can go rancid fast. Pine nuts especially get old pretty quickly. Pesto is pretty easy. Just experiment with the amounts of each ingredient till you find the balance you like. There is no right or wrong way to make it! :-)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      07/31/2012

      Will definitely store them in the freezer next time - I did roast them first but they were just too old.

  25. Alexandra says…
    07/31/2012

    So many great things in this post - a true pleasure to read.

    Love that you are "living the length and width" - so awesome.

    And as for the pesto... great advice in the comments above - just tinker with it til you get the blend that you like and then run with it - pesto is a great addition to your culinary repertoire. Fresh and fabulous. yum.

    Reply 0 Replies

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