September 30, 2011

Rappahannock Central

For my birthday this year (in August), I was craving good food and fresh air--not unlike every other day of the year, it seems.

We took a day trip to Sperryville, Va. to check out Rappahannock Central, a restored apple packing house that now serves as a food co-op, an arts collective, and a cafe.

It was a quiet Saturday morning and we arrived before they officially opened so we made ourselves at home in an area designed just for the little ones.

When Cafe Indigo opened we were seated overlooking the Copper Fox Distillery. We shared a really satisfying lunch from locally procured goods--I had ginger carrot soup and a farm cheddar, apple, and arugula sandwich. Neapolitan ice cream was on the menu for dessert and we each had a scoop. Soo good.



Afterward we moseyed through the small industrial-barn styled studios and art gallery.

At last, we spent some time in the farm store where I happily picked out two chickens, lamb sausage, honey, white wine vinegar, eggs, and a phenomenal tapenade, from Everona Dairy, made with olives and nutty goat cheese. There was plenty more that I could have (and wanted to) toss into my bag, but I tried to save some of my enthusiasm for Sunday's farmer's market the following morning.

Do you seek out local food in your area? If you're curious to see what you have nearby, you can search www.localharvest.org for CSAs, farmer's markets, restaurants, and more.

September 28, 2011

Nature Boy


Nature walks serve as a relaxing all-season activity when we find ourselves with a free hour or two, any time of day. Roscoe loves the opportunity to kick around in the dirt and to explore trails that seem without end. I savor the quiet calm afforded by a leisurely stroll beneath trees that make me feel small again, too.

I found this post, written in May 2011, buried in the drafts of my blogger cue. Grab your little one, find an open space and get out in that cool air to gather a few treasures of your own.

We took a nature walk last week.

We walked,

and walked,

and stopped whenever and wherever something looked interesting.


We gathered found items as we went, plopping them into our pail.

At home Roscoe placed each of his finds onto a sheet of contact paper (even the dead worm!) and we sealed it with another piece on top to create a souvenir.


Fearless! With an ant between his fingers.

September 27, 2011

Whatever happened with that last biopsy?

I've been asked the question a lot lately.

After faithfully documenting my breast lump experience, I puttered out after I was told that I would need to repeat the core biopsy because the radiologist missed sampling the tumor and had instead sampled cores of healthy breast tissue.

My lack of enthusiasm developed during a conversation that I had requested with my physician in order to prepare for the second core biopsy, which was scheduled for later that week. Our discussion provided yet another twisty-turn that I couldn't decipher as either good or bad, but that certainly did make me feel very, very tired of the entire experience.

To bring you up to date:

When we finally connected over the phone, I pressed for more information about how and why the radiologist had managed not to sample my tumor at all, and also inquired whether the same one would be performing the re-do. Before we got too far, my doctor said that she had again spoken to the radiologist (who remains confident that she did in fact sample the tumor), and also requested that the pathologist re-review the samples to confirm that there was not a single a sign of a fibroadenoma. There was none.

Based on my doctors advice and her confidence in the radiologist's skill and judgement, I decided not to undergo a second core biopsy in favor of another ultrasound in early October. My doctor said that although the results are not what they expected to find, that does not mean that the results are wrong.

So, it could be great news, or maybe not.

I've noticed that the lump is much, much smaller, so I hope that is a good sign too. Next week, we'll find out what the lump has been up to over the last 6 weeks and then decide if another biopsy is really necessary.

September 24, 2011

Backpacks for the little guys (and girls)

We're planning our first family camping trip for next weekend and I've been looking to find Roscoe a back pack so that he can carry a few toys or a snack, and his water bottle when we go exploring.

Who can resist a tiny tot with a perfectly proportioned pack on his back?


We found a sturdy and cheerful line of toddler packs at The North Face. Homeslice has all the functional features of a grown up backpack with mini side pockets, and reflective piping for safety. It also has a fun splattered paint print inside.

Check out the Sprout model too!

September 20, 2011

Merritt is Seven Months Old!



Our little Merritt boy turned 7 months on the 18th. The newborn phase is officially over.

(Ooweee, it was a long one!)

Just a month ago Merritt was still a snuggle-lump but his six month birthday brought a lot of changes. A few days before, he cut two new teeth and then, a week later, he started sitting up.

Now he's a chatter box.

A growth spurt last month brings him just under 16 1/2 pounds--he's quadrupled his birth weight!
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