Missing you

The last couple years, we've had a Turner-Shultz X-Mas. It didn't work out this year, and Matt and I just this past weekend got to go away for the first time with Snuggli. It took a new yakama space booster to fit anything other than the dogs and the baby...but away we got. We had a soul drenching weekend, but I heard often, "I miss that Byron". We are blessed to have friends that new you when, and have continued to grow with you, teach you, and get you.

Years past:

Uphill snowshoe


They all get along when there are no boundries and no territory...




Ahhh, I love those guys. The weather is warming, the days are getting longer...and the mountain passes, more passable.

I have more to say and show, but it's warm and sunny today and the whole family is going hiking. We are so lucky to be able to say that!

I deliver

Here is the picture I promised of Snugs butt up in the air sucking her thumb. Isn't it delicious?

Thumbsucker

The snuggli is a thumbsucker. It started a few days ago and cracks me up everytime I see that satisfying thumbsucking face. The noise, the underlying grin...she looks truely proud of herself. She's been grunting a lot too. A low deep in the belly grumble. Can you hear it? Urrrrrrrrrurrrr. I'll have to get a picture of her grunting through a mouth full of thumb.

We are going to a cabin in the woods north of fort collins this weekend. This is Matt and my kind of vacation. Pack the essentials, drive a few hours in to a remote location with our dogs, books, laptop, movies, speakers, groceries, chess, wine, and beer. (To yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese)

Does anyone get the Rent reference? If not, sorry for the intrusion.

3 days off work, and 3 days with Haven, the dogs, Matt and 700 sq feet of cabin.

Picture Upload all at Once

http://picasaweb.google.com/SHMShultz/HavenMonth6

Massive photo upload

Snuggleicious loves Whole Foods. It's a safe place to go when you aren't sure how she's going to act in public...maybe it's the dim, soft lighting or the yummy food that she subconciously already understands, but 9 times out of ten, she's pleseant when we go there. Caroline, back me up, I know your clan enjoys the bulk section more than your average Joe.

We took a nice little Sunday trip there today. I had a recipe in mind, and ended up with this:


Halibut wrapped in philo dough with new potatos and asparagus...YUM. My question is, what's the deal with cream sauces. It was supposed to have a lemon cream sauce but twice I tried and the lemon curdled the cream...almost as gross as cottage cheese.

I just reread my post, and realized I spelled a few words wrong (ok, more than not). Instead of fixing them, I'm going to leave them. Consider it endearing...a character flaw overshadowed with my aptitude for science and numbers...

Hiatus

It's been a long week at work, and I've neglected to post. Believe me, this site is not the only thing that's felt the impact.
V-day has come and gone with little notice around here. We are not the celebrating kind when it comes to the hallmark holidays and are more apt to indulge in gifts or dinners for no reason at all. We like to think L-O-V-E is shown in the little sentiments of support and gratitude that may go by the wasteside and unoticed at times...until one of us is feeling the weight of the world...like me this past week...and that silent spoken L-O-V-E is felt in it's entirety.

I made this wall art a while back and captured a picture of it today. Happy Valentines Day.


We also cleared the landing behind the fishtank and usually have quiet time before bed with Snug Bug sitting up there watching the fish, reading a book, or having a sing-along...



Haven is changing so much lately, starting to balance herself and contemplate her surroundings. We tried to give her some solids a couple weeks ago, but she doesn't seem that interested yet. She spit most of it out:

Don't give up on this blog...I enjoy it, and will continue. Sometimes the hours in the day just slip on by.

Much to know about meat

I've never been a red meat eater. I would order the Filet-o-fish at Micky D's when I was a kid...never the hamburger. I ate pseudo vegetarian for years (never gave up the fish). Then there was this one day...around the time Haven started knocking on my womb, I had a craving. "Matt", I says to my vulnerable husband at the mercy of his pregnant wife. "I think I want to eat a steak". Off to Wild Oats we go in search of a piece of red meat to crave my carnivorious, low iron needs. As I'm looking at the meat counter, the following conversation ensues.

"What kind do we get"
"We should go with the tenderolion"
"It's $20/lb. These others are only $5/lb"
"You're a picky eater Susan...you don't eat red meat, we should go with the Tenderloin"
"I don't think we should spend that much on one meal, I'm confused, I'm I'm I'm going to cry..."

Yes, my one and only hormonal breakdown was at the meat counter of Wild Oats. And, Matt was right. I only like tenderloin. And, I still do. Tonight Matt is dusting of the snowfall to make a steak.



...and do YOU put away your deck furniture in the winter?

Firsts

Sometimes I feel like I can see what a beautiful person Haven is becoming. She is a soft, gentle spirit. She's just shaping her world view and it feels good that we can surround her with such a safe and positive energy everyday. In her eyes, this is a world without poverty, war, prejudice, or hate. She sees love and support between friends and family, encouragement to be and do, not to be afraid. Not a day, hardly an hour goes by right now that I'm not thankful for something. You are all a part of that, and I thank you. I must have done something good along the way to be born into this lot in life.

Yesterday was a day of firsts. We rented skins for my skis and the ski package for the chariot and headed to the mountains. 2 dogs, the 3 of us, the chariot, skis and 3 friends.



We had a blast. Snugs was a trooper and took one for the team, braving the cold and wind for us all to have fun. The hike was followed by a family style meal and warm chai.