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.
Happy Birthday! And that cake looks scrumptious!
I'm heading over to the website now...
Posted by: Amber | September 09, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Have a Happy Birthday Amanda!! We'll enjoy ice cream in your honor in Norway.
Congratulations on the new web-page. I'm going to visit NOW!
Posted by: Gry | September 09, 2007 at 01:09 PM
HB! The new site looks great, very professional and "you". Great job!
Posted by: betz | September 09, 2007 at 01:29 PM
congrats! you grow girl!
Posted by: kate | September 09, 2007 at 01:31 PM
congratulations all around.
Posted by: Grace | September 09, 2007 at 01:36 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR AMANDA!!!!! it looks like your days are full of the things and people that make you happy, but i still want to wish you the best for the whole year.
FELIZ CUMPLE!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Veronica TM | September 09, 2007 at 01:51 PM
oh my! happy birthday! and how exciting... the new web page is. i spent a great while just clicking away and i loved it. thank you for sharing a piece of you with all of us mommas. you inspire! enjoy that cheesecake,
lindsay
Posted by: Lindsay | September 09, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Amanda, I know I already wished you a Happy Birthday in the wee hours of a West Coast night on the 8th but happy 31 again; I LOVE the 30's! And it sounds as if you have been doing nothing but having a blast thus far! Lots of new excitement and adventures for you. I like your new site- it's grand and fabulous!! Especially the sweet pictures of your family and your headshot- beautiful. Thank you for the continued inspiration!! Happy celebrating! :) <3
Posted by: robin | September 09, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Happy Birthday Amanda! The website looks great!!! Congratulations!
Posted by: ellen | September 09, 2007 at 02:18 PM
Happy Birthday Amanda! Congrats on everything and I wish you all the success you deserve! I also didnt think you sounded the way you do, LOL. I was thinking you would have a little bit of a "Maine" accent, like my grandparents had. They were born and raised in Maine and then moved out West in 1969, however their accent never left them.
Happy birthday to your little lady, A! She is already 2, how did that happen?!
Posted by: Heather | September 09, 2007 at 02:37 PM
thanks again for sharing your life with us. will you be having a book signing in Portland sometime when the book comes out?
Posted by: tami | September 09, 2007 at 02:37 PM
happy birthday and congratulations on your new site!
Posted by: stephanie | September 09, 2007 at 02:42 PM
Happy Birthday wishes heading your way!
Posted by: Kati | September 09, 2007 at 02:42 PM
Oooh. Your new digs are gorgeous. I'm glad you're going to keep you blog going because I would seriously miss you.
Posted by: ahna | September 09, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Happy B-day Amanda! I'm glad you are enjoying your day, or I must say your weekend. That cake looks yummy!
Posted by: Veronica | September 09, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Happy ( er.. belated) Birthday to you Amanda! We have 31st birthdays six days apart - yay! Congrats with your daughter's #2 too, and rock on with your bad self. ;)
Posted by: jenn | September 09, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Happy happy celebrating for your birthday, your new website, and all the blessings in your life! I am bookmarking your new site now and cannot wait to explore!!
Posted by: Meredith | September 09, 2007 at 03:36 PM
happy, happy birthday.
looks like life is good and full and satisfying--what better gift?!
xo.
Posted by: molly | September 09, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Happy Birthday!
Reading those few pages of your book makes me wish (even more than I already did) that my kids were still that young. I would have ordered it for sure, but my youngest turns 15 soon, so we have other paths to explore together (also exciting and fun).
Your book (and blog) also brings back so many happy memories. Like painting eggs and eating pancakes ervery year around eastern (our own little springcelebration), with three daughters and at least one friend each One year we painted with twelve kids and I had to bake a lot of pancakes, but we had so much fun!
Good luck with the new site, the book and everything else!
Posted by: Geertrude | September 09, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Happy HAPPY and blessed birthday. I check your blog every day and am truly inspired! I'm currently shopping for a "nature table" for our house- - - just one example about how I love using your ideas. Fantastic post, podcst and can't wait for the book! Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Hodgins | September 09, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Happy birthday sweet Amanda. I wish you for the best although I believe you already have it... Love from each corner of this planet. Nelly from Greece.
Posted by: Nelly | September 09, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Happy Birthday Soule Mama!
Congrats on all the good things in your life.
Posted by: mk | September 09, 2007 at 04:26 PM
happy birthday!
Posted by: Péitseoga | September 09, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Happy birthday to you and congrats on your book and new site. The pictures on the "about" page are really gorgeous. Can't wait for the book!
Posted by: Jessica | September 09, 2007 at 04:45 PM
happy happy birthday, amanada! i loved hearing your voice today, and hearing all the inspiring things you had to say in the interview. i'm really looking forward to both of your books!
Posted by: dawna | September 09, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Many happy returns of the day! Enjoy. The new site is lovely, and just the thought of the book makes me smile.
Posted by: mrspilkington | September 09, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a fabulous day! Happy birthday to the little one too!
The new website looks great and the interview was wonderful!
Posted by: Melissa | September 09, 2007 at 05:22 PM
Happy Birthday and many blessings to you and your little one. Have a beautiful week!
Posted by: Lori | September 09, 2007 at 05:25 PM
I never post but am a reader of your wonderful blog and just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Hope you've had a great one with lots more great years ahead with your lovely family.
Blessings,
Lori
Posted by: LJ | September 09, 2007 at 05:38 PM
Oh, happy birthday! I love ypur new site, it's beautiful. I wish you so much luck. I turned 31 this year, too. So far, still alive. Best wishes to you!
Posted by: Lisa G. | September 09, 2007 at 05:42 PM
wow. I have so enjoyed watching your blog grow over the past few years (I lurk religiously every single day--before I even check the news).
I frequently feel that little prickle behind my eyes--usually as I share your joys (sometimes sorrows, too).
My life has changed a lot recently (I"ve gone from stay-at-home-mamahood to graduate school) but I still peek into your world and I love every minute. Thanks for that.
Happy birthday, and best wishes.
Posted by: Brandi | September 09, 2007 at 05:42 PM
That's the most divine cake I've ever seen! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | September 09, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Happy birthday to the both of you! I didn't have any cake, so I had some chocolate - just for you, of course...
Posted by: DML | September 09, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Oh Amanda, just when I think I couldn't like you any more than I already do, you go and be all adorable in a podcast.
I have to tell you that I have always really admired how positive and hopeful you seem to be about life. I have always envied people who seem so filled with goodness and light. To know that you struggled with depression, as I have, inspires and fills me with my own hope. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us.
Beth
Posted by: Beth | September 09, 2007 at 06:13 PM
Had to look up "Green & Blacks" but now I get it. YUM.
Congratulations on your new site and your new feet, now officially rooted in your 30's. I've been planted here for five years. Welcome--it's a wonderful spot to grow!
Posted by: Jenny | September 09, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Happy birthday and congratulations on the website!
Posted by: nichola | September 09, 2007 at 07:12 PM
where did you get that cake?!?! i want some!!
happy birthday you old fart : )
Posted by: baby sis | September 09, 2007 at 08:15 PM
Happy Birfday toooooo yoooooou! Congrats on that & all your other busy things. It's my birthday next week, I hope my cake looks like yours! Xx
Posted by: Bex | September 09, 2007 at 08:32 PM
Happy Birthday! And here it was you who gave me a gift! Your interview on CraftSanity was such a great gift to all of us who love your blog.
It also made me understand even more why I feel the need to check in with your blog everyday. Listening to your stories about childhood and college were like listening to my own life stories!
Hope you have the best of birthdays!
Posted by: shannon | September 09, 2007 at 08:53 PM
o, happy birthday, lovely Amanda! and congratulations on the new site- which is quite wonderful (beautiful portrait photo). also must say I am overjoyed to see my book linked on your sidebar list. thank you so much! xoC
Posted by: charlotte lyons | September 09, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Wow, the new site is great. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Anne | September 09, 2007 at 10:10 PM
happy b day! have a great week! i am headed to the website!
Posted by: samantha | September 09, 2007 at 10:15 PM
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Alia | September 09, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Happy Birthday! And a happy birthday to your littlest, too! (two) :)
Congrats on the web site. I'm going to check it out now!
Posted by: Melissa | September 09, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Happy Birthday Amanda! Congratulations on all that is happening in your world. Can I say that I want to eat that cheesecake through my monitor ::drools::
Posted by: emily | September 09, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Happy Birthday Amanda! Love the new website, very pretty!
Posted by: Sarah | September 09, 2007 at 11:01 PM
happy birthday! beautiful cake and wonderful website!
Posted by: Jade | September 09, 2007 at 11:01 PM
right before i checked your blog i clicked on my podcasts to see if anything new was in & there you were at craft sanity!...i'm really excited to listen to your interview...& congratulations on your birthday & your site (looks super cute) & your cute shoes & new fiddle partner & anything else that is new exciting for you...love following your journey...:)
Posted by: emilyruth | September 10, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Wishing you the happiest birthday! Your website is really, really pretty. You must be so pleased. And I can't wait to read your book.
Posted by: kristin | September 10, 2007 at 12:12 AM
Happy birthday to you & your beautiful little girl - my girl turns two in just a month & i am in complete disbelief that this could be possible. Heading over to check out the website & download the podcast now.
Posted by: aisling | September 10, 2007 at 12:14 AM