many little things

So many things to tell you about, and so many places to send you in this little weekend post! Grab some tea, my friends, this might be one of my long ones.

First up, we've been very busy celebrating. As of this weekend, my two feet are now firmly planted in my thirties. Yup, 31 it is. It's been a weekend full of soaking up and savoring favorite things - my four favorite people, extended family, good food, good wine, a perfect day at the beach, casting on a new knitting project, ice cream, and a fresh pile of Netflix. And today brings a grand flea market expedition with my dearest girlfriends. Clearly, all the birthday essentials are covered. There's much to be grateful for in all of that, and much more celebrating ahead still as the littlest of the birthday girls pictured above turns two (two?!) in just a couple of days!

And now on to some fun news bits that just happen to be coinciding with birthday weekend. First up, new digs for me! www.amandablakesoule.com is a project I've been working on this summer - or rather, it's a project Kevin and Dave from Portland's iKnow have been working on with vague and often bizarre direction from me ("Make it look pretty!"). Right. But they did, and they rock. The website is up and live, and will serve as a place to hold more book details as well as news and events about what's coming up for me so that this little blog can chug along as it always has. There's a preview of the book there too  - with the Table of Contents and a chapter excerpt to give you a little taste of what you can expect inside!

Also this weekend, you can find an audio interview I did with Jennifer of CraftSanity - it's Episode #60. You can listen to it in your browser, or you can download it for an ITunes listen - super easy. If you haven't yet heard CraftSanity, be sure to give a browse around her archives for some truly inspiring stories - her podcast is one of my favorite studio sounds, and I'm honored to have been interviewed. And be warned - it's 1 hour and 19 minutes (and full of my nervous laughter and ramblings), but I hope - a fun conversation to listen in on when you have the time. Thanks so much, Jennifer!

Phew. I've got a few more days of gorging on the likes above and celebrating before I'll be back here again. Have some cake for us this weekend, will you? Or maybe just the ice cream...or some Green & Blacks (which I was happily showered with for my birthday - bring on the shrinking clothes!). Oh, heck, just indulge in our honor however you like best, will you? I'd really, really like that. 

Comments

[Verrito]

ohhhh!!! happy happy b'day Amanda!!! and congratulations!!!! a big big hug for you, have a nice week!

[Verrito]

ohhhh!!! happy happy b'day Amanda!!! and congratulations!!!! a big big hug for you, have a nice week!

[lovetoknit]

Happy B-Day!!!
I enjoy your blog very much!

[Vasilisa]

Congrats! I'm looking forward to your book. Your blog is quite inspiring and always cheers me up. It's very comforting to see that something craft-related can be so popular.

[AnnaA]

Happy 31st! And that is a very pretty new website you have! :)

[Diane]

Firstly, Happy 30's!! You'll love it. My 30's were an awakening time for me, but judging by your interview with Jennifer (which I've just finished listening to) you're well on your way. As coincidence would have it, I came across craftsanity by accident this morning and downloaded the podcast and there you were!

Well done on the interview and you speak as lovely as you write!
And congrats on the website too. I look forward to reading your book - and the next!

[Melissa Garrett]

Happy birthday to you and, wow, your new site is BEAUTIFUL!! (I can't wait until your book comes out) Congratulations!

[Sarah]

I clicked through to read the excerpt from your book and so enjoyed it that I've just ordered my copy. To be honest, I didn't expect to be buying it, as I have no little ones to nurture and entertain as yet, but I found myself wanting to see more of the world through your eyes, as in the extract I read. Roll on April!

Congratulations on your 31st :-)

[julia]

oh how exciting! all of it. sounds like wonderful things are in the works over in soule-land. congrats on all fronts.

[Eren]

Congrats on all fronts!!! What a great post full of wonderful news! I love, love my 30s. I have always looked younger than I am and I have finally reached that point where my mother always told me...someday you'll love looking younger. Love, love the website...the colors are so gorgeous, and so you! Looking forward to following along with all that is in store for you.

Blessings this weekend!

[brandie]

wow! so much to write about...but i've got to get out the door :) the website freaking rocks. will definitely spend some quality time browsing that. and when i get home i will definitely be listening to your podcast. and the photos are lovely. and wow! your 31st year is off to a grand start.
happy birthday dear one.

[Linda]

Congratulations on your bday and on the new website! It looks great! You are a truly inspiring woman, wish I could be like you!

[colleen]

wow! too much to digest on this sunday morning. will peruse more later, but i have to say now: that cake! that cake! whereever did that cake come from??????????????

happy birthday,dear amanda blake soule.

[kat nicholas]

congratulations on so many wonderful things! looks like your thirties are going to be fabulous. may they bring you the truest sense of being that your heart desires. hope you have a happy- happy- sparkly- shiny- love overflowing birthday. and happy early birthday to sweet adelaide too!

[sarah]

Happy Birthday and Congratulations on all your new endeavors!! I just love that photo of you and Adelaide! Your new site is fab!

[Bluebirdbaby]

Wow! I am so happy for you! What an accomplishment. You are so talented and deserve much success.

Happy Birthday too :)

[shari]

many wonderful things amanda! happy birthday. can't wait to listen to the podcast and visit your new site. warm wishes for a beautiful sunday. xx

[erin]

Happy Birthday Amanda! I hope that this year brings you even more to celebrate. Enjoy your day!

Now...off to download this week's craftsanity. ....it'll be nice to hear your voice.

[amanda]

Happy happy birthday, Amanda! Looks & sounds like a lovely celebration weekend. And happy birthday to sweet Adelaide also!

And your new site? Awesome! Congrats :)

[kristin]

cheers to 31!

congratulations on the fantastic new website. what a lovely little space. looks like a truly special weekend. happy birthday.

[Stefani]

Girl you are just FULL of surprises! I'm off to check out the interview and the new digs, but just wanted to say congrats, happy celebrating, and smooch that big girl for us!

[Lisa L.]

Congrats Amanda - I love the new site. Wishing you tons of success!

[cyndi]

happy birthday soulemama! yea virgos! like you i too just celebrated a birthday. my feet, however, have been firmly planted in the 30`s for quite a while. I`m leaning more toward the 40`s. the thirties were good though. i have no complaints.
i also have a wee one turning two very soon. happy happy birthday. by the way, that cake.....OH! MY! GOD(S)!!!!!

[Valerie]

Happy Birthday sweet Amanda!! I'll be thinking of you and your almost 2 year old baby girl this weekend. I know you'll post birthday pics of her, I can't wait. Have a wonderful weekend celebrating.

[BipolarLawyerCook]

Happy birthday, and what a lovely new site!

[Stefanie]

Happy birthday!

Please tell me you did not make that cake! it is so pretty I want to cry.

[Rhian Dennis]

Happy Birthday Amanda, congratulations on the new website - it looks great. wishing you every success!

[Montessori By Hand]

Feliz Cumpleanos, Amanda! I actually happened upon your spiffy new site about a week ago from a link at Amazon ... I've been keeping my lips zipped until you announced it properly. Now I can spill the beans over at my blog!

Have a supremely gluttonous weekend!

xo,
Meg

[Sarah Jackson]

Happy birthday to you and the little one! I remember being so excited for you when she was born two years ago - this blog world is a crazy crazy thing, with its celebrating the milestones of those you don't "know". Thanks for sharing them.

That is my new favorite cake. Amazing!

[m]

Happy Birthday! And congratulations all around.

Also, yes, I always thought people raved about how great being in their 30s was only bacause they were trying to make themselves feel better about not being in their 20s. But, thirties definitely rock--calmness, security, and having sorted a few things out already make the thirties a much less frantic and scary time. Enjoy!

[Heidi]

Happy Birthday birthday sister! You've got me beat by 3 years, I turned 28 yesterday. I hope your celebration was decadent and blissful. Mine involved A LOT of cake. And wine. Blessings to you and to sweet birthday babe Adelaide. TWO already? Oh my!

[Tricia]

You are a jewel. Thank you for all you do; you are a daily inspiration. Also, a kindered spirit. I, too, am three credits short of a degree in Child Psychology, and (according to an earlier post) currently drowning in library fines! Yikes. If you're ever in Minnesota you're welcome here anytime.

[heather]

oh, amanda. first, happy birthday to you and sweet adelaide, my fellow virgo ladies. second, is it wrong to be so teary over this post? there are so many things to put my finger on here, but overall it is simply beautiful, and i am just so happy for you.

a couple of years ago i began searching around the internet for blogs that spoke of the things i was interested in, nature, creating, family, home, community. i tried a variety of search titles but always seemed to wind up at places that were a little on the conservative side, which was perfectly fine for many things, the women were lovely, their recipes were always divine, there were some wonderful homesteading and sewing ideas revealed, but the connection to community was lacking for me. philosophically and spiritually, i didn't mix. there was a link to your site from one of theirs (i think the lady was sharing photos of a handbag she purchased from you). anyway, i clicked on the link, and immediately knew this was the doorway to the community i had been searching for.

sometimes i wonder if you are truly aware of how many women have been inspired to make time for crafts, slow down with their children, strengthen their relationship with nature. maybe the true beauty of it all lies within your innocent and genuine approach to offering such things.

your website (they did make it look pretty!) is wonderful as is the peek into the book. i was surprised and pleased to see the great amount of text in there! it makes it extra delicious because your words really do sing, so lovely. many blessings to you, amanda, on this incredible journey.

[Wannabe]

Happy Birthday! I too will be firmly planted in my 30's in a month. It feels good, doesn't it?

I love your new site and can't wait for the book to come out.

[amy]

so much to celebrate! happy birthday to you, the little one, and huge congratulations on the new site!!

[jen j-m]

happy 31!
it was nice to see you the other night.

[Kristin]

Congratulations and Happy Birthday to the two Soule girls! I love the new website, though the book preview pages didn't work for me. I love the photos of you and your family on the about page as well. Good job!

[Melissa H]

Yea for everything but especially Craftsanity. Jennifer said she'd already interviewed you and I've been waiting and waiting to listen in.

Also can't wait for the book sneak peek.

[Clare]

Happy Birthday! & Congratulations on the new site - it looks great. Now... off to have some cake...

[eireann]

happy birthday, lady. xoxo

[Regina]

Happy Birthday!! Having your feet firmly planted in "thirty-something" is oh, so good. Your website looks fabulous! Can't wait to listen to your interview! Off to listen! Enjoy your cake~YUM!!

[melody]

Sweet Happy Birthday... and welcome to the 30's from someone who's rapidly approaching her 40's... Blessings and wishes for a magical, healthy and wonderful year.

[kerry lynn]

happiest of birthday amanda!
thanks for always inspiring me!!
xoxo

[Melissa H]

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and Lady A. So excited about the other stuff I forgot to say that!

[Margot]

Happy Birthday! I'm sure this will be an extremely exciting year for you!

[Rebecca]

Congrats and happy b-day! I, too, am salivating at the sight of that cake... do tell, what kind is it? I've got a girl only a few days younger than yours, and have been looking for the perfect cake to make her...

[Carmen]

Gasp! The new website is so lovely. Congratulations!

[Morgan]

Happy Birthday, doll! The new website is lovely.

xoxo

[Tere]

Happy birthday, Amanda!
I just listened to your interview with Jennifer and really enjoyed it. You don't sound the way I thought you would :) It's funny how we make up voices for people we see, eh? You came across so honest and humble and intelligent, and it was great to hear your story. Thanks for sharing!
Take care,
Tere

[Tere]

Happy birthday, Amanda!
I just listened to your interview with Jennifer and really enjoyed it. You don't sound the way I thought you would :) It's funny how we make up voices for people we see, eh? You came across so honest and humble and intelligent, and it was great to hear your story. Thanks for sharing!
Take care,
Tere