The Two Month Mark

Last day in Austin together

Last day in Austin together

Two months ago (01/29/2016) today, a Friday, Jason and I rolled down I-40 West in a 26′ long Penske pulling a U-Haul trailer, arriving in Flagstaff, Arizona at the Little America Truck Stop. Prior to that we packed for days while sharing tears with friends.  Then we bravely  pulled onto 290 West for the long 18 hour drive to Arizona. Leaving an amazing community of friends, a sweet house of 12 years, chickens, majestic Live Oak Trees, dear neighbors, and a spirited city.

Penske Heading to Arizona

Penske Heading to Arizona

Getting a fresh start, setting forth on a new adventure, changing it up… that was the catalyst and that is what we are doing in Northern Arizona.  I have been thinking about the last two months and how it feels a bit like the two month mark with a new baby.  Mama and baby are definitely out and about, feeling sturdy, a little less raw, ready to venture out in the world, reconnect with friends and dig in to resuming a normal life.  ‘Homesick tears’ come and go and there is still the lingering feeling if one will feel ever return to their normal selves.

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Of course I had a real sense of urgency to create normalcy for the kids and the family  at large by creating a tidy and organized home, happy school situation, and revolving around our Flagstaff family, but it has taken some time and required patience and gentleness with all involved. My family (Dallas, Tucson, Flagstaff)  and friends’ (Austin & Flagstaff) support has been infused with such energy and love along the way it still brings me to spontaneous tears just thinking about all that they have done for us.

Hearth and Home on Terrace

Hearth and Home on Terrace

We now have  the amazing fortune to be embraced by the neat folks up at NACET and their extended network of Local First Arizona & Womens Innovation Network of Flagstaff.  I need to take this opportunity to thank Heather Malloy for being a guardian angel and connecting Jason and I to some key people that have really made our transition to Flagstaff in the  professional realm dynamic.  These folks have made a big difference in our confidence and sense of empowerment with the business ventures we are undertaking.

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Annie’s Omnium has come home to roost!  Stay tuned for more posts and announcements about upcoming services (Fresh Configurations), events (Business grand openings), and daily observations (Instagram)!

Baking Bread- bunnies, robots, and the sun

a bunny bread at easter time!

a robot bread for Ollie’s 4th birthday!
…and a Sun Bread as instructed in the recipe…

BAKING BREAD~ SUN BREAD!

My good friends know that I am not the most talented cook in the kitchen! but I am trying to be better about that. I suppose I enjoy baking, in that most often one is required to follow a recipe, thus less room for error! Ollie’s school puts out an annual cook book and I decided to share this recipe and while I was at it I decided to post it on Annie’s OMNIUM.
The recipe is taken from Elisa Kleven’s beautifully illustrated children’s book SUN BREAD. I recommend that you buy the book and enjoy it with your little ones and have fun making this bread with them.
SUN BREAD
1. Mix well: 3 eggs 3 tablespoons sugar (annie’s note: you can also add some citrus zest for added flavor)
2. Combine: 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 stick butter, melted
3. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat well.
4. In a small bowl combine: 2 packages active dry yeast 3 tablespoons milk Let stand until mixture is foamy, at least 5 minutes. (annie’s note: I also found following the instructions on the yeast packet helpful)
5. Add the yeast mixture to the batter and stir. Knead dough on greased, floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Place dough in greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about an hour (until doubled in size).
7. Punch down dough, knead for a few minutes, then separate into two portions.
8. To form the sun’s face, shape one portion of dough into a round, somewhat flattened ball, then place on a large greased baking sheet. With the greased end of a wooden spoon, or with your finger, punch two ‘eyes’ in the sun; draw a mouth for your sun in the same way. (Make sure you make deep lines and holes in the dough so they won’t close up while the bread bakes.) Make a nose for your sun by securely attaching a small ball of dough to its face. (annie’s note: you can also use currents or raisins for face or other features.)
9. To make a corona for your sun, roll one half of the remainder of the dough into four or five long ‘snakes’. Then curl the snakes into puffy ‘snail’ shapes. Shape the rest of the dough into puffy triangles. Firmly attach the snails and triangles to your sun’s face. (Use a little water if the dough is too dry.)
10. Cover the sun and let it rise again in a warm place for about an hour.
11. Preheat oven to 400*F. Bake the sun bread for about 20 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into center of bread. (It should come out clean.)
12. Enjoy! Your sun bread is delicious plain or with butter, honey, or jam.
…again! check out Elisa Kleven’s books… they are all wonderful!

Tea Rose & Eggs

Feeling lucky to have a husband who is a gardener! Feeling lucky to have chickens in the backyard! Our family owned business JBIRD & COMPANY offers a variety of services… design, construction, maintenance. Installing vegetable gardens, planting fruit trees, building chicken coops, and helping people have an urban farm~ no matter how small… in their backyard (or front yard) are some of the services that we provide. Stay tuned for a new and improved www site for JBIRD & COMPANY with lovely photographs by our talented friend Jody Horton.

Three Paintings by Ollie

PAINTING WITH CHILDREN by Brunhild Muller
has been an inspiring book.

YELLOW SUBMARINE
02/19/2010

ROCK AND ROLL
02/19/2010

untitled
02/19/2010
Ollie is painting with STOCKMAR paints. The pigments (liquid & water) are so pure and rich~ however they are mixed one gets a clear, vivid color~ which makes for beautiful results.
They are also a great introduction to color theory.

Welcome Oliver


Ollie just turned 3 a month ago. He has discovered the wonderful world of the dress up. What was once a elaborate wool Laplander in spirit skirt (packed in moth balls in the attic) made by Mom Nancy, has now become a cape from the castle. Ollie is comparing his costume with the costumes illustrated in his ALMOST EVERYTHING BOOK by Joelle Jolevit.