Under the Tulip Tree

New Rules for Housework

Around the first of the year, it occurred to me that everyone in this house was getting a little too old to be throwing their things about. A little too old to be leaving their backpacks on the floor, flinging their socks across the room, and draping their coats on the chair. A little too old to not set the table and not help clear it. So I decided to take action.

I decided that when people come home from school, they hang their coats up and bring their empty lunchboxes into the kitchen. Those same people switch nights setting and clearing the table, and make sure everything that they have taken out over the course of the day gets put back before going to bed at night. Other "jobs" include not complaining about dinner, and not complaining about not getting dessert if someone doesn't even try his dinner. In return, I agree to make more kid-friendly meals more often.

I made new rules for me, too. I have to make sure that all the dishes are done, the dining room table is wiped down, and the kitchen is clean before going to bed — no matter how tired I am. I also make sure that clothes are put away and my bed is made before breakfast. And now I do laundry as needed, rather than spending every Sunday washing and folding everything. The man of the house has jobs as well (mostly the gross ones and the heavy ones), but since he's working his hiney off day and night to keep this little family afloat, he pretty much gets a housework pass for now.

Of course, there is always more to be done. I still need to do a deep clean every weekend and I'm probably not giving my kids as many jobs as I should. But it's a start. The house is definitely staying neater and people are more aware of their stuff. Most importantly, I don't feel like I'm picking up after everyone all the time. Oh, and these crayons and things were put away by Mr. P before he went to bed last night. Success!

What do you do at your house? How does your family manage housework?

Brunch with Friends

The other morning, we dropped the kids off at my mom's and enjoyed a lovely, adult-filled day at the house of two of our favorite people. We devoured an entire stack of buckwheat coconut pancakes and a whole skillet of goat cheese frittata. Yes, we drank a few tangerine mimosas, too.

We chatted and laughed the day away. Time flew right by us as the rain poured down outside the window. And I hear the kids had fun, too, baking cookies and helping my mom put together her jigsaw puzzle. It was a very good day. The kind of day that makes you forget it's still January.

Right Now, You

Are kind, and thoughtful.

Need to do more than one thing at a time, like listen to books on tape while working on the computer while drawing.

Carry a clipboard with you all over the house.

Like drawing Chibis and Anthros (Manga styles).

Are currently only interested in reading books about pets you wish you owned.

Really want a dog.

Really want a rat.

Are very hurt and angry that I won't let you get a dog (or a rat).

Get really sad, really happy, really angry, really… everything.

Are funny.

Are shy with adults.

Don't like talking on the phone, especially to adults.

Are not into the usual "girl" things (except for the old-fashioned things like crocheting and embroidery).

Keep most of your thoughts to yourself.

Are not afraid to scream at your father, which I find both disturbing and impressive.

Get irritated with us for being more lenient with Perry at dinnertime.

Want things to be fair.

Have a gentle way with animals.

Say that you are part-cat.

Laugh easily.

Want to be heard.

Know what you want.

Are brilliant.

Updated: Smith Family Pizza (with Recipe)

ANY

ANY

The Mister makes really good pizza. He usually makes it on a Sunday night and the smell of the dough rising and the garlic sautéing make us feel like we are going to burst with hunger. He's perfected his pizza over time and now it is just the way we like it — white spelt four, whole milk mozzarella, sweet Italian chicken sausage, caramelized onions, and tomato sauce with fresh parsley. He makes plain cheese pizza for the kids (of course) and it's the only dinner (besides Burgerville) that the kids actually look forward to eating. And it's the only other dinner that Perry eats besides an egg-on-toast. I still don't know where we went wrong with that one.

++++++++++++

UPDATE

To everyone who asked for the recipe, thank you for being so patient!

Smith Family Pizza

1. Preheat oven to 450˚F and place pizza stone inside oven.
2. For dough: Dissolve 2 tsp. yeast into 1 cup of warm water and add a pinch of sugar; let it sit until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup flour, 1 tsp. salt, and 2 tbsp. sugar (sugar is optional here). Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture, and whisk. Add another 1 cup of flour and 2 tbsp. olive oil and whisk until smooth. Switch to a wooden spoon and add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until it starts to pull away from the sides and a shaggy dough forms. Dump dough out onto a floured surface and knead. Add flour as needed so it is no longer sticky and a smooth ball forms. Rinse and dry your mixing bowl and coat the sides with 1 tbsp. olive oil. Swish the dough around the bowl so it is coated with oil, then cover with a dishcloth and set aside.
3. For toppings: Julienne 1 yellow onion. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook onion over medium-low heat until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove onion and set aside in a separate bowl. Without cleaning pan, add 1 tblsp. more olive oil and add 1/2 lb. sausage (bulk or casings removed) and cook over medium heat until browned. Set aside. Grate 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese and set aside.
4. For sauce: In a small saucepan, sauté 2–3 cloves garlic in 2 tbsp. olive oil over low heat; stirring frequently, about 2 minutes (don't overcook or let brown). Add 8 oz. tomato sauce and mix until fully incorporated. Add 1–2 tbsp. fresh, finely chopped parsley and 2 pinches of sugar (optional); salt to taste. Keep on low heat and let simmer for awhile, adding more olive oil if necessary.
5. Finish dough: Turn dough out onto a floured surface and start forming the dough (using either a rolling pin or your hands) into the size and shape you want (ours is a 14" circle), adding flour as necessary. Remove pizza stone from oven, and quickly transfer dough to stone (by folding it or by using a paddle), making sure the dough is not too sticky (it will ruin the dough if it is). Prick surface of dough with a fork.
6. Assemble pizza: Pour on sauce and spread it out to the sides; top with onion and sausage, then cover with mozzarella. Top with parmesan cheese.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until browned.
8. Enjoy!

Evolution of a Studio: Part Two

*Part One here.

I sort of had an identity crisis when I gave up my business and my studio. A lot had changed. We moved to a new town, the kids started public school, and for the first time since I'd become a mother, I couldn't define myself by my business. And I didn't realize how much I needed that definition until it wasn't mine anymore. It's true, I was still technically working (I was drawing and painting and licensing after all) but without an actual business, I just didn't know who I was or what I wanted to do with myself.

After floundering for months (for over two years, actually), I decided to make my home, my life, our lives — my creative business. I decided to write, record, tell stories, take pictures, craft, and sew with as much enthusiasm as I once had for my greeting card business. And for the first time in a very long time, I actually felt like making something simply because I wanted to. Something I didn't have to sell. Something I could make that would be theirs. Mine. Ours.

Slowly, I started hunting down my old supplies from college: Where is all of my thread? I used to have a bone folder, has anyone seen that? Do we still have gel medium? Projects were being worked on at record speed. Then, of course, I wanted my studio back.

Michael needed a studio, too, now that he was working full-time for himself. His needs were simple, though — he only asked for a task light and a power cord. I wanted a bit more than that and I was determined to create a studio space for all of us this time. So I started by clearing off shelves and bringing in old artwork from the garage.

I made a cute little polka-dot pillow and opened up some space so I could think straight.

I put some of the kids' artwork on the shelves above our computers. We have to eat in this room, too, so I'm trying to keep things somewhat sparse and not too cluttered with office supplies.

Little tidbits here and there. These glass jars belonged to my grandmother.

I washed the walls and painted the trim. (This is a little hallway that leads to the backdoor.)

I organized all of our supplies and made some new curtains. The kids supplies are mixed in with ours since everything gets used by everybody.

Are there things I would change about this room if I could? Yes. Do I hate my dining room table? Completely. Do I wish I could keep my sewing machine set up in here somewhere? Definitely. Am I grateful for having this space at all? Eternally.

My studio means something different to me now. The kids are older and they’re in school longer and I don’t need my own space as much. Everyone (including the littlest one) understands that “work” is important to each of us and this time, I'm enjoying the company. And, who knows, I might even open up shop again someday…

Oh. Hi, you.

ANY

*All wooden shelves, drawers, curtain fabric, paper roll from Ikea.
*Canvas bins, magazine files from the Container Store.
*Red cardboard boxes from Storables.
*Everything else, I don't remember.

It Felt Like Spring Yesterday

ANY

ANY

And that felt pretty great.

Winter Garden Close-Ups

I believe it has stopped raining for the moment. I think that's the sun I see, peeking its head through the morning clouds. It's been so long since I've seen sunshine through the windows, I'd forgotten it was possible. Needless to say, I haven't felt much like gardening lately. I miss it, though, so yesterday I took a little garden tour to see how everyone was doing…

The garden is soaking wet. There are puddles in the beds and the ground feels like walking on a wet sponge. Everything is dark and matted, and this is probably the garden at its worst.

My bird bath succulent garden. Looks like only one of the plants has survived. Poor things.

The new Arborvitae is hanging in there. Ever since the cold snap a few weeks ago, it's been looking a little "burnt" around the edges.

Good old Candytuft and Boxwood. Always green, always happy. They stay in these pots all year without complaint.

Looks like the English Ivy is rearing its ugly head. Someone planted it in the rock wall so I am constantly trimming it back and spraying it with vinegar. It's relentless.

The Fountain Grasses need to be cut back to the ground now. Time to prune the roses, too.

Pretty little Fountain Grass plume. One of my favorite things in the winter garden.

The Cherry Tree is predictably covered in lichen. More importantly, it's time to fill that bird feeder. This is the birds' favorite tree, after all!

The bamboo trellis I got on clearance last year is still holding up, I see.

Dew drops on the Bridal Veil Spirea. It's starting to bud right on schedule, despite all the transplanting I did to it last year. I think I'll leave it alone now.

Bronze sculpture that Michael made when we were in college. I do look a little sad being rained on like that.

Withered petals (or seeds?) on the Rose of Sharon. Something has been digging at its roots. Must investigate further.

The sweet little peach tree holding up its side of the yard. Still perky and cute.

Alright, that's it for now. Looks like most everyone is doing okay. I'll be visiting the garden again soon as lots of little sprouts are already making their way up through the soil. So nice to see that the plants have been busy doing their jobs all winter.