Chocolate making.

We've been making our own chocolate, something far more fun and satisfying than I had initially thought. The one above houses whole almonds, crispy rice cereal, chia seeds, and sea salt. Hayden wants to make a batch sprinkled with Fruit Loops cereal, which, I have to admit, sounds at least visually appealing, don't you think?

Things I Tell Myself, #2.

poem #58.

58.

A long time ago, my boyfriend asked me: "How much do you weigh?"
I answered honestly, "140", and watched his eyes roll back in his head.

"That much!? REALLY?!?"

I just looked at him, silent, stinging, confused. (He didn't seem to
mind my body when he was inside it.)

"If I had control, you'd be 115."
Smirk. Sit back. Point made.

I should have slapped him, scratched out his eyes,
done womankind a favor. Instead, I laughed it off,
the cool girl, always. Say whatever you want,
treat me like shit, I don't care.
Later, in the bathroom, I cried until my stomach hurt,
until I'd convinced myself I was ugly down to my bones.

It took me years to understand that he was a blind man,
sleepwalking the narrowest path. Took me a while to know,
that if I undress for you, I am giving you a gift. That your
hands, tongue, and words should honor me.

It took me years to see that it gets better.
Years of choosing myself so I could choose wisely.
Choose someone who unwraps me carefully.
To choose the life where my breasts swing,
my thighs jiggle, my eyes shine, and I smile because

I am fully awake.

Sick day smoothie.

I'm fighting off a nasty cold, but thought I'd drop by to share this recipe with you. I like to drink this, along with lots of soup and hot tea, in a concentrated effort to flood my system with vitamin C. I didn't really measure. Combine ice, 1 peeled navel orange, 1/2 a blood orange, and 1/2 of one banana in a blender. Pulse a few times, until the ice and oranges are broken up. Then add 1 tsp. each of cinnamon and tumeric. If you have fresh ginger, throw a small chunk in. Blend on high, while adding coconut water to create the consistency you desire. Obviously, less makes a thicker drink and more makes something akin to juice. If you need to hide the bitter taste of the tumeric, add a bit of your preferred sweetener (I used stevia). And that's it!

I should also add that this is a great drink to have during flu/cold season, regardless of whether you're sick or not. Happy sipping, friends.

*If making this for a child, I'd recommend using a whole banana.

Things I Tell Myself, #1.

I found this goldenrod, Cynthia Rowley sweater at the Salvation Army, and I have been living in it to a ridiculous degree. Then my subconscious decided to buy some wool in the same color. And yes, it actually took me a few minutes with this knitting in my lap to go "Oooooo look!"

In other news, my brain is fried due to Minecraft birthday party planning. Also, math. Maths. Algebraic formulas a.k.a. the work of Satan.

This is an Enderman. He has come to steal my home goods and take them back to the Nether.

I need more coffee.

At home.

1. Using the odd china for succulents.
2. Excited every time this arrives in my mailbox.
3. Collaborative drawing with the boy.
4. Pretty packages for pretty people.
5. Scrap-paper banner I recently made during one of our (many) school closings.
6. Chocolate-cherry-peanut butter oatmeal.
7. Tiny feet.