the yogini cowgirl

just another simple dreamsically Saturday?

082011.  The visit from my superParents was interrupted last week when my grandmother (who happens to be 91 and 1/2 years old) had a heart attack on Sunday and the superMom had to rush home to New Jersey to be with her.

And Gram … the original superDuperMom … is finally stable, finally out of ICU, and … after a roller-coaster week … it finally seems the doctors are figuring out a good plan of action for her care.

The superStepDad’s been quite the trooper … hanging out in the Cottage with me and the LO … house-hunting (we are still hopeful about our Dream House, but our realtor recommended we look at a few more places … which we did … and which just don’t compare, but good to have seen them) … and golfing it up at the Cottonwood Course just outside of town.  He even put up with a pizza-party-movie-night for 2-year-olds.  Have I mentioned that the SSD is a good guy?

And on top of it all, the LO had her 2^nd ballet lesson … which went way better than her first (maybe I'll tell you about it one day ... but it was pretty traumatic) … and she made huge strides in our potty-training efforts (while giving me new ideas about how to help her along in the process).

So it’s been a week.

And I’m very thankful that another simple Saturday is upon us.

Not only am I thankful that it’s a weekend during which we have very few plans … but it also happens to be the Cowboy’s birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COWBOY!!!

And even though he’s not here, we’re going to celebrate that he’s in our lives by preparing for his arrival (counting down … he’ll be home in 2 days time for visit … a short visit … but a visit, nonetheless!).

We have presents to make.

A party to plan (If you're in town, you're invited).

And cupcakes to bake.

You see … the Cowboy LOVE LOVE LOVES Dreamsicle cakes.

They remind him of his childhood.

And they make him happy.

And based on some of my online searching, are some of the most unhealthy and “fake” cakes in the world (most of the recipes I’ve seen call for orange jello and boxed orange cake mix …which sort of takes the fun out of baking for me).

So I’ve got some work to do this simple Saturday.

I’ve got to figure out a version of the cake that I’m not afraid to give to the LO and her friends … and one that still satisfies that craving for sense-memory.

So this is where I’m starting …

 

 

which is a recipe adapted from this one …

which was adapted from a combo of Martha Stewart’s CUPCAKES book and one from this blog …

Wish me luck … and if you have room in your prayers, please remember my Gram … she needs them, and my mom and her sisters need them, and I'd appreciate them.

Sat Nam,

YC

 

 

i still do what my mother tells me ...

071311.  I was always a pretty obedient child.  At least, now that I'm a mom, I like to think that.  I mean, I'm sure I was late for curfew once or twice.  And I was for sure not perfect (please, don't tell the snow-angel story again, Mom ... please).

But in general, if push came to shove, I have always had respect for my parents and did what I was told.

And I think that's because of all the positive reinforcement I got from them.  I'd get as much praise for doing something good as I'd get guff for being a goof.  

So yesterday, when the SuperMom called to tell me she liked the blog I wrote, I was pretty psyched.

Actually … she sent me a text to tell me how much she liked the blog.  (The SuperMom is also very 21st Century.)

And then called to tell me I don’t put enough pictures of me on the pages.

But I explained that there aren’t a ton of photos of me … since most of the time it’s just me and the LO … and I’m the one with the camera …

Unless she snags it from me … and then this is what we get:

     or    
She did, at some point in the last month, take a pretty cute photo of her foot, but I can’t find it on my desktop.

Hrmph.

Anyway … to appease my mother just a bit, here are photos of me and the LO on just a few of our adventures:

and one of Red, because he was feeling left out, too:

Happy Wednesday!

 

Happy Mothers Day ...

050811 ...to my mother ... to my grandmother ... to my mother-in-law ... and my godmother ... to my aunts ... to my cousins ... and to all the women who have mothered me through the years (friends, teachers, co-workers, and the like)

... and Happy Birthday to my cousin Thomas!

"By construction, the fulfillment of a woman is motherhood; and motherhood does not mean that she gets pregnant and delivers a baby. If you understand her total behavior, you will understand her motherhood. Her motherhood is service, her motherhood is sacrifice, her motherhood is relationship. When she knows motherhood, she is fulfilled." -- Yogi Bhajan

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." -- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." -- Oscar Wilde

"When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso." -- Picasso

 

Q: Have you appreciated your mother today?

 

 

it's GROUNDHOG DAY!

020211.  And regardless of Punxsutawny Phil’s prediction of an early spring, there’s going to be at least six more weeks of winter in the Big Sky State … because that’s the way it is in Montana (even with global warming). 

And that’s not hard to comprehend as I wake to another (-12) degree morning.

So the LO and I are making plans …

The kind of plans that include an airplane …

A layover …

Another airplane …

And some quality time with the SuperMom (heretofore known as “SuperGrami") and the Cowboy in the SoCal.

Until then, we’re just going to hang by the fire, drink some hot cocoa and do our best to keep warm. 

Q:  What’s on your agenda today?

 

SuperMom in Montana - a digital sabbatical

103010. The SuperMom arrived yesterday and we are headed to Yellowstone ...her first visit to Old Faithful!!! Ever. So ...a brief digital sabbatical for the Yogini Cowgirl ... I'll be back early in the week with a fun GIVEAWAY!

Happy Halloween from YC, the Cowboy, the Strawberry LO and The SuperMom!

to live and love in LA ...a list

072010.  This may not surprise you: I’ve been writing a lot of lists these past few days … I wrote a list of things I needed to remember to pack when we left the SuperMom’s on Sunday because everything was strewn in every room of the house.  (I still forgot the LO’s favorite sippy cup.)

(She loves this sippy cup so much ... but not enough that she won't share it with Hitcher)

I wrote lists of things we needed from the store (like yogurt and cereal and random goodies to have in our Silver Lake sublet). 

I wrote lists of people I want to see while I’m here.

And things I want to do.

Places I want to visit.

But we’ve been back in Los Angeles for three days, and I’m reminded of so many things I love about Los Angeles … and now all those lists are changing. 

So here’s my current list of loves in LA:

1. We get to hang out with the Cowboy again.  Woohoo!!!  

2. Golden Bridge Mommy & Me Yoga (and daddies, too) After getting there late today, the LO decided that instead of doing yoga, she would rather be eating an apple.  So that’s good, too.  Believe it or not, there are no mommy & me classes in Bozeman.  Shocking, I know.  Good thing that’s something I can personally change.

3. Larchmont Village.  My old hood.  I love Larchmont.  I love Picket Fences.  And I love the Village Wine & Cheese Shop where we met the Cowboy for lunch today.  I love Village Pizza.  And Pain Quotidian.  I love Larchmont Beauty Supply.  And Crumbs cupcake bakery.  And I definitely love that SC and her pup Sadie spend enough time on the boulevard that we can just bump into them on the street at any given time.  The best.

4. Our Silver Lake sublet … a neighborhood I’ve coveted for years … and now I get to call it home for 3 weeks.  It’s a dream come true!  (And the apartment is adorable – thanks to the fabulously French owner with a charming sense of style.)

5. Trails, at Griffith Park for tea with the kiddies (the LO’s best friends Oliver and Lux … I’ll get a picture and the okay to post it because these little ones are ADORABLE!!!!)

6. The Bearded Mr. Frenchy at Fred 62 on Vermont.  Mind out of the gutter, people … this is the best dang French toast you’ll ever eat.

7. Barnsdall Art Park Friday night picnic with the gal pals.  Good times.  Excellently good times.

8. Venice Beach, where we’ll go tomorrow for a little sun and a little sand.

9. Cholada Thai on the PCH, where we’ll go after the sun and the sand for a little Spicy Fried Rice. (I guess I like the food in Los Angeles)

I’m going to leave 10 open for all the other things I’m going to remember I love in the next 3 weeks.

Q: What do you love about where you are right now?

the day after ...

051010.  (I wrote this last night … but am finishing it this morning because a LO with a stuffy nose and a hard time sleeping needed me to lie down next to her to help her fall asleep, and then I fell asleep, too!)

As my second Mother’s Day as a mother comes to a close, I am reflecting on not only what it means to be someone’s mom, but what it means to be a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend and a partner.  As women, we have many different roles.  (Men do, too, but I can’t speak from experience on it, so I’m not going to try.)

According to the yoga tradition, women are the “Adi Shakti” … the “primal creative energy” in the world. 

 

(Which is not a hard concept to buy into when one thinks about the idea that the Divine Mother had the power and strength to bring to life God in her womb!)

(This pic is WAY bigger than I thought it was going to be, but I can't figure out how to resize it)

What occurs to me (and I recognize that this isn’t an original thought): Women have the power to change the world … through the example they set for their children, through the kindness they show to their neighbors, and through the love they give to the world.  We have the grace.  We have the strength.  We have the power.  And as President Lincoln said so succinctly, “With great power, comes great responsibility.”  (I think he said it … at least that’s what I learned in the movie Spiderman, directed by Sam Raimi.)

And I am lucky to have some great examples of women who give generously of their time and energy – with no expectation in return.  The SuperMom (of course) is my first and foremost example, who does a ton for me and the LO, but we’re just the tip of the iceberg. 

(SuperMom - please don't be mad at the pic ... just think ... it could have been one from the pool ... plus, I think this is beautiful) 
 

My Master Sergeant Sis in Iraq.  My SuperStepSis who volunteers at her son’s school every week, and has kicked some serious butt (including her own!) walking that 60-mile walk for the cure.  I have gal-pals who rescue dogs, cook for the homeless, raise money for leukemia, and breast cancer, and for orphanages around the world.  The list goes on and on.

So since this is my Commitment Year, I’m going to make one more commitment … for the sake of setting an example for the LO … for the sake of myself … and for the sake of my new Montana community.  I’m going to do more Seva (pronounced SAY-VAH – it’s the Gurmukhi word for “volunteer work” or “community service.”  And yes, I could have just said I’m going to volunteer more … but then you wouldn’t get to learn a new word today!)

Maybe I’ll find a school where I can volunteer my time teaching yoga.  Maybe it will be at the local food bank.  Or the neighborhood Goodwill.  We’ll see.  I’ll keep you posted.

Q: What seva do you do?

another lesson learned... ?

042010. I don’t know about you, but most times, I have a difficult time asking for and accepting help … especially when it’s offered without my asking …

The go-to response in my head is “I don’t want to put you out, or inconvenience anyone in any way”… which means for a terrible cycle of not asking, not receiving, not asking, not receiving.

But I’m starting to re-think that philosophy.  Because if you needed my help, I’d like to think I’d be first in line.  There’s a good chance I’d help you move.  I’d definitely make you tea if you didn’t feel well.  I’d bring you soup.  I’d drive you to the airport.  Whatever.  And you probably wouldn’t even have to ask.  You certainly wouldn't have to ask twice :)

So yesterday, I asked my SuperMom and SuperStepDad to watch Henry while the LO and I go to visit the Cowboy in Utah.  We’re driving (11 hours), and I sort of started to feel overwhelmed by the idea of taking care of both the LO and the Henry along the drive. 

The H is cute.  

But he is NOT a good passenger. 

(the two faces of the H ... happy and whole ... and a neurotic mess of love) 

He gets whiney.  He whimpers.  He paces.  He licks the side windows.  (Seriously an unpleasant habit.  I can barely see out the back windows because of the spit streaks … ew … I just grossed myself out.  Sorry.)

So I asked.  And they said yes.  And then I said … “No.  That’s okay.  It’s too much.  You guys do too much, already.”

And the SuperMom said “sleep on it.  Call me tomorrow.”

She is one smart and awesome cookie, that SuperMom.

So today I called back.

And I am really thankful they are such generous-hearted, awesome parental units.  I don’t know how I’m ever going to make it up to them for all they do for me and the LO.

Q: What do you have to be thankful for today? 

 

I've always loved carrot cake ...

031010.  You know those stories that your family tells over and over and over again that make everyone at the table laugh, but upon no reflection whatsoever, aren’t actually funny stories?

Yeah.

So here’s one:

When I was 11, my SuperMom married my SuperStepDad.  And as is the case when a second marriage happens … a whole new family gets introduced into the world.  For me, I woke up one day with a new older sister (I already had 6, so what’s one more?), new cousins (2 of which I thought were the coolest of the cool), new grandparents (I’d never had a grandfather before) and aunts and uncles, et al. 

And in the midst of the new family madness, I got to spend some quality time with my cooler than the coolest cousins AW and BW and their parents (or rental units, as we used to call them).

Here’s the scene:

INT. THE SUNSET RESTAURANT, RT 31, NEW JERSEY. 1981 – EVENING.

I was having dinner with my new favorite cousins and their parents.  It must have been the first time I was out to dinner with them.  And it was time for dessert.  A typical dining experience ...the waiter came over and asked everyone at the table for their order.  Uncle Billy wanted this. Aunt Ginny wanted that. Cousin Beth asked for this. And Cousin Amy wanted another thing. 

Then the waiter turned to me with a look, waiting for my order.  And I innocently asked, “Is the carrot cake fresh?”

And the whole table (waiter, too) broke down into hysterical laughter.  Hysterical.  Guffaws and tears. Belly laughs.  I thought Uncle Billy was going to fall out of his chair.  I have a very clear recollection of somebody snorting soda out their nose, but I have no idea who it was.  Apparently it was very funny.

I’m still not 100% sure what happened.  Maybe, upon reflection, it’s a little odd that an 11 year old (a string bean with a Dorothy Hammill haircut) didn’t want ice cream or chocolate cake or a brownie, or whatever.  Or maybe it was that at such a young age I cared if it was fresh. (Who likes stale carrot cake?!?!  No thank you!)

(This is Dorothy ... not me ... but on a good day I wanted my hair to look like this in 1980 ... it never did.) 

But I love carrot cake.

I love the little flecks of carrot.

I love that sometimes you can taste coconut.

I love the sometime addition of raisins.  And the robust taste of ginger and cloves.

I love the crunch of walnuts.

I love the moist and spicy cake.

I love the cream cheese frosting (not too much of it … and not so thick that there’s too much cream cheese and not enough frosting … I like frosting that hints of cream cheese).

And I especially love it fresh.  Mmmmmmm.  Just barely not warm from the oven anymore.

And now ... I just discovered it ... there is a place I can turn to for a perfect piece of carrot cake (in the cup form) that brightens a difficult day, or makes a good day even better.   And it’s only 5 blocks from my office.  (www.tendergreensfood.com)

FINALLY… 29 years after my initial carrot cake query, I’ve found a place where I don’t have to ask “Is the carrot cake fresh?” 

I went there yesterday.  And I haven’t stopped thinking about it …

(I had trouble waiting until I got back to the office ...) 

I might have to go there again today.

Q:  Is there a special treat you give yourself when you're feeling good, or bad, or sad? 

 

 

working moms miss magical moments...

030510.  The LO took her first steps yesterday.

But I missed it.

And I’m pretty bummed.

But I’m dealing.

And starting to realize there are a lot of “first moments” I’m going to miss because I made the decision to go back to work after the LO came into my life.

… As I mentioned yesterday, my superwoman Mom arrives on Monday morning at about 7:30 am (after driving 2 hours from the desert) to take care of the LO until midday Thursday, when she’s “relieved” of duty by a wonderful woman that I’ll just call The Nanny for ease of use. 

And, seriously, The Nanny is fantastic.  The LO loves loves loves her.  She squeals in delight when The Nanny walks in the door.  She jumps up and down.  She squirms to get into The Nanny’s arms.  She basically gets “the wiggles.”  Which is awesome.

(I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hurts just a little to know that she doesn’t seem to miss me too much when The Nanny is around!  But what a blessing.  Clearly, the Nanny is good to the LO)

So, yes, I knew going into this whole thing that I might miss some milestones:

… first words (so far, the LO says “apple” and “go” and “mamamamama” and “daddy” and “bird” … I was there for “apple,” “bird,” and “mamamamama” … :)

… first steps (I guess they happened last night)

… the first time she decided to put her face in the bubbles of her bath (see pic)

(The LO as Col. Sanders)

… and first other things that I can’t think of right now at this early 4 am hour. (I have no idea what I’m doing up at 4 am … I doubt this will be a regular time for me to be posting)

Okay, so back to yesterday:

I got home late from work last night (around 8 o’clock).  The Nanny’s husband was already waiting in their car outside the house to pick her up.  And by this time of night, the LO is ready to settle down with some milk (yes, I’m still breastfeeding …I’m thinking this will last until she’s at least 1) and fall into dreamland for the night.  Even though her ride is waiting, The Nanny always offers to give me a few minutes to change out of my work clothes before handing over the munchkin, so I rushed to put on a pair of comfy sweats and a tee and race back to the living room to finally get my arms around the beautiful babe.

That’s when she dropped the bomb … she shows me where LO was standing.  She mimics the move.  She says “she took two steps,” (takes the two awkward, clunky, baby-like steps herself to show me the action), “and then she plopped down,” (another mime move).  I get tears in my eyes (but I don’t cry).  And I say something … I have no idea what I said.  And I just hugged and hugged the LO.  (There's a good chance I was holding her a little too tightly, but she didn't seem to mind.)

We waved to The Nanny as she walked to her car.  Said we'd be happy to see her tomorrow.  And I closed and locked the door and immediately called The Cowboy (who was also sad to miss the moment) and then my Mom (who said LO had done the 2-step-plop-on-the-floor-move before, but she wasn’t telling the Cowboy and me so we could feel like we were there for the first time.  She sounded a little annoyed by The Nanny.)  

I bet LO said "bird" before Monday...)

And that’s why I love my Mom.

Q: Is there someone in your life who loves you enough to NOT tell you things?