Ongoing Inspiration

Hubs just can't be stopped lately with his drawings. He's on FIRE!

I present, for your viewing pleasure, the newest additions in his ongoing bouts of inspiration.

In-between Places

Hubs and I wrapped up our final birthing class last night. It was a bittersweet conclusion. While I'm glad that we've now attended 5 classes, discussing everything from breathing techniques to complications that can arise in labor to cloth diapering, and that our Tuesday nights will now be ours again, I feel a bit saddened about leaving it all behind. I'd come to enjoy gathering with the eight other pregos and their partners, all of us first-time parents-to-be, peppering the midwives with newbie questions and then watching, in awe, each class's concluding video of live birth footage. I also really, really liked getting ice cream afterwards. Pumpkin ice cream is a thing of sheer bliss.

It's strange, this in-between space we're now in. It's more than strange-it's surreal. We reached our crucial 37 week threshold yesterday, meaning, barring any unforeseen complications, Nugget can now be safely birthed at home. To think that, at any day, a wee one will be birthed to us, made of us, gifted to us, is something I still can't quite wrap my head around. Rationally, I know there's a baby growing inside of me. That said, it seems impossible, somehow, that that's truly the case.

Each day, I look around the house thinking "there's going to be a baby in here!" I watch the dogs playing and say to them "you're not going to be the youngest beings in the house anymore." They give me quizzical looks and resume their tackling and bone chewing. I wonder how the cats, accustomed to constant doting, will respond to a newborn's cries. I worry about making sure the chickens get enough attention, the bees have their entrance reducers placed back on their hives before labor begins, and that the house will fall into disarray while Hubs and I assume our new roles during those first few days.

More than anything, though, I'm excited. I'm shedding a skin; I'm leaving behind my status of single-hood. Sure, I'm married, and Hubs and I have obligations to and responsibilities for one another. But becoming a parent takes it to an entirely different level. We will both, from Nugget's arrival ever-onward, always, continuously, ceaselessly be responsible for another being's entire welfare. It's a huge mantle to assume. It's exhilarating to consider, and intimidating, too.

Forgive me if I'm scarce around here lately. My body has moved back into sleep and slumber mode. It's challenging to find comfortable positions to sit, stand, or sleep in. I'm queasy all over again. I'm getting rounder by the hour and have assumed a seemingly ever-present waddle instead of my customary, life-long quick gait. I'm enjoying hot tea, warm blankets, epsom-salt baths, husbandly foot rubs, and quiet reflection. I'm thinking about, and talking regularly to, my future son. How awesome is that?

*For more autumnal images chez English, visit here.

Hosting A Design Swap

Hi everyone! My "Small Measures with Ashley" post is up on Design Sponge. Today's topic proposes hosting a "design swap" of some incarnation. Got clothes gathering dust in your drawers? Swap 'em! Got a tablecloth or platter or copy of "Friends" you no longer have any use for? Swap 'em! In short, if you lack the drive to hold a yard sale to cash in on your wares and want to allow your friends to directly enjoy things you once did, hold a swap. You'll save money, time, and fossil fuels in the process!

I'm off in a short bit to grab a bite to eat with one of my favorite ladies, Jael Rattigan, co-owner, along with her wonderful husband, Dan, of the ever-fabulous, always delightful French Broad Chocolate Lounge (their salted caramels should be canonized). Jael is a home-birth veteran, having birthed both of her sons, Sam and Max, at home, Sam whilst living in Costa Rica (and operating a beachfront cafe and bakery) and Max here in Asheville. I'm going to pick her brain and just generally enjoy her company.

After that, Hubs and I are off tonight to the art opening of a collective of Asheville ladies, including several friends of mine. The show, entitled "Ladylike: The Dark Side of Female Friendships" promises to be quite intriguing. We'll conclude our night with a celebratory "it's actually happening! we're going to be parents!" last pre-nugget hurrah dinner at the always flawless Rezaz. I'm salivating already.

Otherwise, we've got a technician coming tomorrow to prime and service our furnace, making sure it's in top shape for the winter. We did the same to our plumbing on Monday, especially as we're planning a water birth in our large garden soaking tub. All that remains is to source some firewood (our goldmine of a firewood fella from last winter is, sadly, nowhere to be found, so we're on the hunt for a reliable supplier again) and wait...I'll be 37 weeks Tuesday, meaning Nugget can be safely born at home anytime between then and 42 weeks. His due date is November 3rd, and his Papa and I have given him the total green light for a Halloween arrival, as well.

Have a great weekend, all!

*Image from here.

How I Got My Groove

(City girl-Freshly arrived in London August '06 after a red-eye flight wherein my luggage was lost for 45 days)

(Country girl-chillin' with Georgette, who's always camera-ready)

Back in early August, I sat down with Ingles grocery store dietician Leah Mcgrath for a chat. If you've ever been curious about my back-story, moving from urbanite to country gal (or ever just wanted to know what I actually sound like in real life!!!), listen in. We had a great time. Thanks again for the opportunity, Leah!

Homemade Living Giveaway (+Apple Butter!)

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope your weekend was packed full of your favorite things. Mine included working on the forward to a book I'm penning for another author, getting all the home birth supplies packed and ready (our home visit with the midwives is this Wednesday!), eating homemade cardamom (totally my favorite spice) & orange french toast, talking out loud to Nugget a good deal (I tell him about how his Papa and I are getting all geared up for him and how he can keep cooking in there a bit longer, no rush), and curling up on the couch with Hubs and some delicious chicken pot pie. All in all, a weekend well spent.

Today, my publisher is offering a generous giveaway of two signed copies of the first two books in my "Homemade Living" series, along with a jar of the Cardamom Apple Butter I've been talking about around here lately. I invite you to drop by the site (which is a great read in its own right) and leave a comment by October 11th for a chance to win.

50 Ways To Warm Your Nugget

So, the Warming was a delight. We've got such an amazing cast of beloved friends and family. Although no official toll was conducted, I'm guessing around 50 folks came to help us warm the hearth for the little fella. Hubs, Nugs, and I are truly blessed.

In addition to mingling and chatting and giggling and guffawing (not to mention generous gift-giving!!!), the evening consisted of gorging on these libations and victuals:

To quench the palate~

-Hard Apple Cider

-Pumpkin Ale

-Whiskeyed Fresh Apple Cider with Whole Spices & Honey

-Sparkling Apple Cider

-Fresh Apple Cider

To appeal to the savory side of life~

-Local Grit Cakes (to be topped with the next three dishes; an homage to "Hominy Valley", the area here in Candler where we live)

-Local Wild Lobster Mushroom Ragu

-Local Blackened Catfish

-Andouille Chicken Sausage with Apples

-End of Summer Ratatouille

-Local Scuppernog & Muscadine grapes

-Dried Apple Slices

-A selection of Ashe County Cheeses

-Local Pumpkin Butter

-Homemade Cardamom Apple Butter

-Homemade Fig & Orange Compote

-A selection of Farm & Sparrow breads

-Butternut Squash Gorgonzola Pasta with Pumpkin Seed, Lemon Balm & Sage Pesto

-Mixed Greens Salad with my mom's apples, local fennel, and a pickled cherry vinaigrette

-Homemade Pickled Cherries with 5-Spice Blend

To satiate the sweet tooth~

-Molasses Ginger Crinkles

-Fig, Pistachio, & Olive Oil Cake with Cream Cheese Orange Frosting

-DIY Smores station around the fire ring, with Cardamom & Maple marshmallows from Whimsy & Spice Confectioners, Midel graham crackers, & an assortment of chocolates

To take away, in recognition of our abiding love and gratitude~

-Tiny jars of cardamom apple butter (with lovely, custom labels generously gifted by the talented Cyn of River Dog Prints)

-Tiny brown paper sacks of Martha's Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Thanks to everyone who came, feasted, and assisted in any way. We three Englishes love you dearly.

Pumpkin Bliss

Hi everyone! My "Small Measures with Ashley" post is up on Design Sponge. Today I give props to one of my most beloved signs of the times-pumpkins and their kinfolk, winter squashes! I've included a recipe for a Butternut Squash & Gorgonzola Pasta with Pumpkin Seed, Lemon Balm, & Sage Pesto we made for the "Nugget Warming" that is the stuff of dreams!

Hope your weekend is grand. I've got a whole lot of nothing planned, per the suggestion of many of you. Trust me, that's EXTREMELY difficult advice for this go-getter to adhere to, but, fortunately, I'd cleared my schedule for the 5 weeks following last weekend's "Warming." That means I've got plenty of time to write, drink red raspberry leaf tea (good for priming up the 'ole uterus for her forthcoming Olympic event!), watch movies, prop up my feet, and just enjoy these lovely autumn days.

Be well, friends!

*Image from here.