SouleMama

Our Winter Reading Favorites

A note about Amazon: Since the start of this little blog, I've always used and linked to Amazon as a matter of ease and familiarity - Amazon as a website is one of the tools I use to organize my own book lists, seek out new books, and generally gather information. With that 'information' - I then head to either our library (when my fines aren't too high!), one of our favorite local independent bookstores, Powell's, or yes, sometimes Amazon, too. I want to let you know that I have recently begun participating in the Amazon Associates program, whereby I earn a small percentage of all sales made via links through this site. So, for example, if you follow any of these links below, or the Amazon links in my sidebar, I would earn based on anything you purchase in that shopping trip. I made this decision with the confidence that one - nothing in my content has changed or ever will change; two - my own personal buying habits will continue to remain as they always have; and three - that the earnings will - in a small but helpful way - contribute to my family. If you have questions about any of this, I'll do my best to answer them in the comments. I am not, however, up for debate. I trust that you will make the best decisions for your family, and  ask that you respect the ones I make for mine. Thank you!

And now let's talk about books...

There are a lot of books in this house - thrifted books, vintage books, purchased books, hand-me-down books, library books. They're on shelves, in baskets, under tables and chairs and in drawers. Really. While sometimes that feels absolutely magical and limitless when choosing a book, sometimes I know it can feel overwhelming too. So, for us - a system that's turned out to be really helpful is to pull them into 'themed' baskets - some that stay the same and some that change frequently. (As a side note - the kids love labeling the book baskets, with little tags they make for them, "library books, winter books, etc".)

Around the transition of each season, I pull - from all the various spots - our favorite 'seasonal' books, and these stay in a basket close at hand for the duration of the season. So the books are always around - they're just pulled a little closer to view when they're something we're focusing on, or the appropriate time of year. (The exception to this would be the straight-up traditional "Holiday" books that do get packed away with holiday decorations, because I just cannot bring myself to read The Night Before Christmas in July. I just can't do it.)

I tried very hard to keep it to our Top Ten, but you can see I failed miserably at that. I couldn't imagine leaving any of these out - they're all quite treasured by my family. So without further adieu, I bring you the favorites of our Winter books.

Christmas Treasury - Jan Brett
I can't imagine winter reading without Jan Brett's stories and tales full of scandinavian traditions. The Mitten, The Hat, and Christmas Trolls are our favorites, but I just found this treasury with a few more pulled together as one holiday collection. (As a side note - if you don't know about Jan Brett's website, and you have little ones, you must pay it a visit. It will keep you busy all winter long.)

Snow - Uri Shulevitz
This classic is simple and sweet and beautiful. When the snow starts to fall around here, we find ourselves quoting this one to each other a lot. "'It's snowing' said boy with dog. 'It's nothing' said Man with hat." It's one that contains enough repetitive phrases and such that it's a perfect read for the very-beginning readers among us.

The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice - Wendy Pfeffer
A wonderful non-fiction picture book which explains the significance of Solstice, as well as some of the traditions and ways that cultures throughout history have celebrated it. There are activities and experiments as well, making this one a really wonderful homeschool or classroom resource.

The Little Fir Tree - Margaret Wise Brown
I found a vintage copy of this one illustrated by Barbara Cooney that we adore, which includes music for the carols. I haven't seen the illustrations in the new one I've just linked to, but the story is a lovely one of a living pine tree and it's presence in a family's holiday. Brown's rhymes are so sweet and the story is soothing.

The Return of the Light: Twelves Tales from Around The World for Winter Solstice - Carolyn McVickar Edwards
This collection contains traditional tales that tell how different cultures celebrate the magic of solstice. While the faiths and different cultures vary greatly, the connecting themes of 'renewal' and 'change' and 'light' connect us all, and this collection is a wonderful demonstration of that through story.

Ollie's Ski Trip and Peter and Lotta's Christmas - Elsa Beskow
Two wonderful stories by one of our favorite author/illustrators. Calvin claims Ollie's Ski Trip to be his very 'favorite book of all' - (and we have a little bit of Jack Frost  in our dress up rack). It's one of mine too - full of magic and wonder at the winter season. Peter and Lotta's Christmas is equally as beautiful as Beskow's other stories, and includes a few sweet Swedish Christmas traditions in the tale.

Owl Moon - Jane Yolen
Owl Moon is essential winter reading! Jane Yolen so perfectly captures the simplest of activities and the magic and wonder and beauty within it. A walk in the woods to look for owls turns out to be a beautiful tale of all the magic of parent & child, nature & animals. This book has inspired many a nighttime walk around here. They're definitely magical.

The Big Snow - Berta and Elmer Hader
A wonderful tale of the animals of the wood preparing for winter, with a little help from some human friends. The children love to identify the 'signs' of winter that the animals sense. "They just know winter is coming, Mama!"

Nutcracker and Swan Lake - Lizbeth Zwerger
I fell in love with Lizbeth Zwerger's illustrations after recieving The Wizard of Oz from Amy a couple of years ago. Since then, our books illustrated by her continues to grow, and theyr'e always some of our favorites. These two tales are no exception - her illustrations bring these classic tales to life in a new way. In putting this post together, I discovered her illustrated version of The Night Before Christmas. I had no idea this one was out there, but it will most definitely be on the top of our wish list this year.

Winter - Gerda Muller
Gerda Muller's four seasons board books are one of my favorite newborn gifts to give. Without words, the pictures tell the tales of the seasons - in nature, animals, and people. I always think my children will have 'outgrown' this book, but they continue to love it. (It seems to not be available on Amazon, but it is available here at Nova Natural, where you can find a lot of the books I have in this list).

The Story of the Snow Children - Sibylle Von Olfers
Is there anything more magical than the thought of staring out the window at the snowflakes and having them turn into little snow children that carry you away on a magical winter adventure? Oh my. So much delight and goodness. The illustrations in this are simply stunning. (Not available through Amazon, but I did find it here at Three Sisters Toys.)

Nutcracker - E.T.A. Hoffman, Pictures by Maurice Sendak
Yup, two versions of the Nutcracker. Who can resist Maurice Sendak? Not I. The boys and I actually really love finding different illustrated versions of the same book - it's so fascinating to them to see how differently artists can interpret the same words. And well, this Maurice Sendak Nutcracker is a lovely one, and it's with the original text so it's a hefty and wonderful read.

Christmas in Noisy Village - Astrid Lindgren
This tale of Christmas contains all that I hope my children will remember from their own childhood holiday seasons - handmade gifts, baking, singing, celebrations with friends and family, and much joy.

I know there are other wonderful Holiday/Seasonal Book Lists going on out there in BlogLand, so if you've made one on your own blog, be sure to leave a link in the comments so we can see it! Additionally, if you have a favorite that hasn't been mentioned, let us know that too!

Happy cozy winter reading to you and the little ones in your life!

'tis the season of outtakes

It's time! For the annual Holiday Card family photo attempts. I always like the outtakes best (past years' evidence here, here and here). The smiling family shots are always lovely and treasured, of course...but the realness of the out-of-focus, off-centered, silly and funny ones will tell me so much more about how we live our lives and who we are years from now. And right now, they make me smile.

Cheers to all of you attempting the big Holiday Photo - wishing you some fun outtakes, too!

and so it begins...

{Thank you all so much for your support with yesterday's Shop update! Really, Thank You!}

First...there were the tiny sprinklings of snow.

Two hours later, the children's Wintry Wonderland and tree were set up in their room with much excitement.

Followed by the much-anticipated opening of the box of 'Winter Books". (I'm thinking about putting together a blog post with a list our favorite Winter Books - I did this two years ago, but it could use some updating. Would that be helpful?)

And that was all before Thanksgiving.

Then, with many every-ten-minute-all-day-long requests, and since our tree was ready and waiting for us from our family land DownEast, we figured...why not now?

And now...the first holiday craft project. Calvin was browsing Flickr over my shoulder on Monday and spied Sarah's Stacking Fabric Tree tutorial. "I'm making that!" he said with absolute certainty and headed to the fabric scraps. And so he did (his first project with interfacing - he was quite excited about that), and then created this little table centerpiece for it that I'm pretty much in love with.

And so it has begun!

Holiday Shop 2007

The Shop is Open!!

(Remember that The Shop has moved from Etsy to it's new location at Big Cartel. I'm getting lots of questions about this move, and I must say, I love Etsy! I just think the switch is going to be easier for the way I update and keep my shop. On the buyers end, there should be no difference - you can pay easily via Paypal, or even with a plain old credit card. Fancy that.)

You've already seen the quilts that are in the shop - "Dancing Leaves" and "Winter Drops."

Also in the shop are a small handful of cozy Linen Tote Bags. I say cozy because for some reason, this particular batch of linen that I bought is so buttery soft. These are just the size that I'm such a fan of - not huge, but big enough to carry what I really want to have with me all the time. There's a little bit of vintage goodness or embroidery on each.

And my new project - one that's been in the works forever (really. forever.), but finally coming to fruition - greeting cards from some of my photographs. In choosing what photographs to make a set of, I really had all my dear crafty friends in mind. Those special people who get as much pleasure looking at a pile of yarn as I do, but are sometimes a little tricky to buy for. These cards are for them. Or you. Each of the four cards in the set is a different needlework project (therefore, titled, "Needle Work" - I'm not so clever in the naming department) - knitting, embroidery or sewing. Blank on the inside, with envelopes.

In addition to the straight-up set of four cards, there is another option in The Shop. The Cards & Wrap - which is the "Needle Work" card set together with a linen, lined pouch. I wanted to design a holder for the cards that could then be used for so very many other things - as a notions bag, a wallet, etc.

There are a limited number of 15 of these Cards & Wrap sets available. They're all red linen and lined with a grey cotton. The embroidery on each is one-of-a-kind, but all in the same colorway of grey, red, brown, and light blue.

I had a really wonderful time dreaming up, making and photographing this collection of things for The Shop. I hope you enjoy seeing it!

Winter Drops

{Top and bottom photos by Steve}

This quilt has been such a fun sewing project for me the past few weeks. I fell in love with that one amazing little doily in the center while out antiquing recently, and the rest of the quilt grew from there. The quilt is grey linen on one side, and white swiss dots on the other. The circles of fabric - some new, and some feedsack - are all hand or machine appliqued, with some embroidery in there as well. And with a layer of cotton batting on the inside, it's very cozy. I could get attached to this one...

The beach was the only place I could imagine photographing this one, so that's where we headed this weekend. The beach was empty, and it was cold, cold, cold. But despite the cold (I knew it was time to stop photographing when I couldn't feel my fingers anymore!) and the early setting sun (really? 4:00?), it was beautiful there and I do believe the quilt got a little Maine beach blessing in the breeze before it will head out into the world somewhere else.

I'm very excited to share with you the rest of what I've made for The Shop - I've had a lot of fun putting this collection together. And no worries - there will be much more than quilts - with prices starting at $18 on up. So, yes...11 am EST tomorrow - (Tuesday) in this location. I'll post here when it's all up and live!

earlier tonight...

A photo shoot for The Shop had us on a little 'follow the moon' detour tonight, and this is where we landed - Portland Headlight. We nearly got locked in the park for the night - with Steve and I playing with cameras and the kids running around playing on the forts until well after dark. The boys were very disappointed we made it out - a sleepover at the park would have been much preferred (but COLD!).

saturday in the studio

Getting ready for Tuesday's Holiday Shop Update...

...with company from one of my helpers working on her favorite 'studio visiting' project - moving pins from one cushion to the other (No worries - she's perfectly safe - we learn these things early on around here);

...getting little pieces of magic like this one (Ezra's 'fancy letters') slipped under the door to me from my other helpers;

...dipping into my favorite basket of vintage bits and pieces in the sunniest spot I can find;

...with some new studio art inspiration from Samantha Lamb Photography - this photograph makes me so happy;

...and now, back to work!

post-thanksgiving

{before}

{after}

The during was lovely, too, of course. Full of family excitement: starting off with a turkey that didn't fit in the pan (oh, yes); news of an engagement (yay!!); and much feasting and celebrating and noise and laughter.

Today I'm hoping for a little bit of that second photo. (and some pie.) Who knew all that cooking and feasting could be so tiring?

Enjoy your Friday, friends!

from the kitchen

Above: the (short) life of a brownie.

I had some rare and lovely solo cooking time earlier this week, and ended up at Martha's Super Fudgy Brownie recipe. It's a good one. I'm picky about brownies (I know I'm not alone in this) - and the chewiness factor on these are just to my liking. The particulars of mine (in addition the recipe) are 4 oz each of semisweet and bittersweet, as well as semisweet chocolate chips mixed into the batter at the end. Um...so good. I shared them at a little evening gathering of crafty gals, and saved a few for breakfast for my little ones. Because that's always a good idea - swapping out the oatmeal and yogurt for chocolate and sugar before 7 am. Yikes. But fun.

The kitchen is where I've already been this week, and it's where I'll happily plant myself (and all my helpers) for the next 48 hours. The lists are made, the bread is rising, and my apron is on. Tomorrow promises to be a lovely day and a yummy one, too. The kids have been talking about the gratitudes we share following our Thanksgiving meal blessing. "But how do you choose just one...or even two!?" one of them asked. Exactly. There is so very much to be grateful for.

For those celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow...and for everyone else, too - I'm so grateful for each of you - the time you spend here and the many ways you contribute to my life. Thank you.  I hope your day is full of joy and goodness and many yummy things shared with those you love. 

bed of leaves

out walking

"Can we go for a walk?" is surely one of the most commonly asked questions around here. Alright, if we're getting technical, it actually follows behind: "when is it dinner?", "can we do papier mache?" (there's a serious obsession going on) and "can we get our tree today?". If we're getting technical.

But the walks these days. Ah.Who could possibly say no to a walk here right now? We're deep in the loveliness of late fall (one of the eight seasons here, I do believe - the early/late of each of the four seasons are so different from each other), and there is much to behold and treasure out there. Today, some of my favorite images from this week's walks...I hope you enjoy them.

Oh! I'll be sharing mostly photos this week, as we get ready for all the holiday baking, the shop opening, the book writing, the merry making, and well, all that really special walking.

weekend elements

{I've been experimenting with doing a 'quiet' post on the weekend with just images and closing the comments on it. I love hearing from you! But I also love just sharing something without the expectation - yours or mine - of a response. Thanks for letting me try out my silly little idea just once a week, friends!}

down & wool & knits


coffee & friends & pretty packages

old things & needle & thread

I hope your weekend has a few of your favorite things!

making books

- - "Amy [Amanda] my lazy sister is thirteen years old. She talks on the phone for an hour or two at a time. She has her own room and it is a mess. She always keeps it messy. When she goes places with her friends she always dresses nice and leaves her clothes on the floor."

- - "When Calvin was about to climb up the swing, he saw something. A turkey! Then he showed the turkey how to do flips. They were both wearing clown ties."

- - "Then he went home. Then he played soccer. Then he went home. Then he ate corn on the cob. Then he played soccer again"

Excerpts from my three favorite books - My Lazy Sister by my sister written many years ago when she was 8; a collection called Stories By Calvin, written by Calvin two years ago; and Mr. Soccerball, written by Ezra just this summer (the sequel for that one is in progress at the moment-I can't wait). These books are so very dear to me - I read them over and over and over and smile, and I will most assuredly treasure them forever. These were the first, but there are piles of these books now - in various stages of completion - among our things.

I keep a supply of these simple little handmade books accessible and at the ready for when the kids' book-writing inspiration strikes. The construction - on my end - is basic - heavy card stock folded in half, with 10-20 pages or lightweight paper on the inside pages, all stapled together on the fold. I started making them this way after receiving some similarly made and loved books from the Grecos. They're quick and easy, and yet, an absolute favorite thing for the kids to work on.

Our bookmaking has been fueled in recent weeks by the arrival of two wonderful bookmaking books.The first - How to Make Books: Fold, Cut and Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book is a guide to basic bookmaking, containing step-by-step instructions on a variety of methods. It's got me itching to take the needle and thread to some paper. Calvin's often asked about the construction of books, and this has given me lots of answers on the different ways it can be done. Though I think it's really geared towards an adult reader, the kids have been really interested in what's inside it too - I see some fun collaborations happening.

The second book that's being fought over explored daily around here is The Book Book, by Sophie Benini Pietromarchi. This book is really hard to explain - it's such eye candy and poetry and instruction and inspiration all rolled into one. It's written for children and covers not only the how of bookmaking, but the what to include in your book - characters, themes, ideas for inspiration. Really really good stuff, and put together so creatively. It's got everyone around here thinking differently about our bookmaking - and including things like fabrics, found objects, and food (!). The Book Book is published by Tara Publishing - a small and amazing (I'm in love with nearly their whole catalog now) independent publisher out of India. In addition to Amazon, it's also available on the their website here (where there's free worldwide shipping and screen printed gift wrap - ah! - before the holidays), and of course - also available by request from your local independent bookstore. 

Ah...new fresh inspiration for the little and big writers / illustrators / poets / bookmakers in the house. We're going to have fun with these...

keeping warm

While we've also had some warm days, we've definitely felt the first real chills in the air this week. Slowly, I'm noticing the signs of the season happening inside too: the firing up of the wood stove; friends gathered round the fire for cozy visiting; rice pudding; wool slippers; soup nearly every night; hot cocoa; down comforters and flannel sheets; and lots of fireside knitting.

Keeping home. keeping warm.

falling now, coming soon

If the wood toy post from yesterday was of interest to you, be sure to read through the comments - there are some wonderful resources that you all shared, and answers to many of the questions that were asked in comments and emails yesterday. Thank you!

The colors outside are amazing right now - so rich and lush. Ezra says the leaves are dancing in the sky. Yes, that's just what they're doing. I've been hanging on to these last bits of fall - trying to soak them up and absorb them for the winter to come. Snow might come as early as this weekend. A holiday next week. And then, well...it's December. I'm seeing inspiring, creative and beautiful holiday work all over the internet, and admiring the Holiday Shop updates from all the crafty folk. A new season approaches...

This blanket is as child's size 'take-along' quilt. I thought very much of Ezra's 'dancing leaves' when making this. And I need look no further than out my studio window for the color inspiration I needed. This one is made with a very soft washable wool, and like my others - has ties on the end for rolling and carrying along.

I'll have this quilt, a few others, and maybe some other little treats - in the shop on Tuesday, November 27th. I'll remind you when we get a little closer. For now, though, those leaves are certainly calling to play, and I'm doing my best to stay present in this season while also looking forward to the next.

acorns are fun

I placed an order a few weeks back with what has become a favorite local wood shop. I first learned about this place, ironically, through Siri - halfway across the country - when she posted her source for wooden acorns in this post (which I still refer to often for all of its acorn goodness).

We were running low on our wooden acorns - they are often given away, lost, and otherwise disappear. Which means they're played with. A lot. They become little people, pieces in homemade games, treasure, tokens, money, food, and so many more things. Sometimes - like with most good toys - they're put away and forgotten about for a time, but they always reappear in the play eventually. So we replenished our stock - a fresh bowl full of dozens of them. Sometimes we mix them in with bowls of 'real' acorns. Ah. I will admit to just running my fingers through the bowl often, turning them upside down. Like a salad. A mixed acorn salad.

With this order, I got a few wooden beads too, for a project Calvin's been asking me about. And some wooden people, as well. Though I made an error in ordering the wrong size - these are super tiny at just 2 inches tall, which makes painting features a little tricky (Ezra declared on many of them, 'this one doesn't need any eyes!') But still - the kids thought they were fab - to paint, dress, and decorate. Adelaide thought they all needed a hat - a pink (all the colors are 'pink' by the way) button hat. And now - a bowl of these 'people' become another tool for what will amount to - in the end - hours of creative play. What I love about them is that they're blank canvases, really. Blank canvases for imaginations to run wild with, and that they do.

I've been reading some of the news accounts about the mass toy recalls, and I get a little bummed when the story ends with the bit about wooden toys all being so expensive as an alternative to plastic. If you're really looking to have less plastic and more natural materials, it really needn't be so. Sometimes, we do chose to spend a little bit extra to have the toys/tools we like best - those that come from natural materials, those that leave room for imagination, and those that are made in a way that fits our values - but that also means we buy less, evening the cost in the end. Buying less also means we have less - which I believe is always more when it comes to toys and imagination and the growth of our little ones.

But there's also all this other stuff - this 'free' - and yet incredibly valuable - stuff out in the world - rocks, leaves, acorns. Cardboard, newspaper and wood. And all the incredibly inexpensive stuff - paper and crayons and paint. And wooden acorns and beads and cubes and eggs and hearts. I mean, really, all of the above cost me less than $12. What would I get walking into a big toy store for $12?

I'm just sayin'. Acorns are fun.

easy like sunday morning

Yup. That's how I feel about these pants I made on Friday night. They ARE Sunday mornings.

It's the Wide-Leg Lounge Pant pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches. The pattern was smooth and clear - I paired it with some vintage sheeting - and it came together much faster than I expected.  And then I put my new pants on and fell in love. I thought the pattern was cute - love the cut and the wide leg. But I had no idea how comfortable they'd be. Oh, so good. And I had no idea how good it would feel to wear sheets as clothes. I mean -think about it - it's like lying in bed while you're walking around. Or something like that. It's good, I tell you. These are going to be my winter uniform. Paired with my plethora of ultra-comfy, ultra worn-in, and ultra-stained ribbed maternity tank tops (not pregnant. just still wearing maternity leftovers from seven years ago. Come on, Mamas - admit it - you've got some comfy leftovers too. Don't you?).

Ah, comfy jammies - or, lounge pants, if that's what you prefer. Is there much more one needs in life than that? I'm not so sure. Chocolate? Yes, chocolate and comfy jammies. Maybe some wine. These are the important things. Oh! And bubble bath. Anyway. I wore them all weekend. Except when I was forced to leave the house and dress warmer in which cases I seriously whined and moaned, because I do not want to take them off. Ever! I was beginning to get a little panicky about the inevitable washing they would need.

Ah, Problem solved. Oh, Sunday morning pants - I love you. This pair, and that pair, and all the pairs to come.

yellow, in my studio

I hope you're having a lovely Sunday!

what i love :: ocean gold

what i love :: the yellow gold of the ocean that shines at sunset.

Thank you for your beautifully kind, lovely, and funny comments and emails this week! You make me smile. Wishing you a wonderful weekend...

art interpretation

We've hit this incredible milestone in the ages of our children and the growth of our family, in which craft projects have become so much easier than they were just a year ago. Beads are no longer eaten, paint is no longer ingested, and as a general rule - markers stay at the table. Generally speaking. It's heavenly, really. The result is days worth of craft projects and piles worth of finished projects. This mama is very happy, and so are the little ones.

I consider myself a fairly mindful, sorta crafty mama. I know well enough to never insert my own interpretation of childrens' art before they have. I never do. And yet - every once in a while - I find myself so very convinced and so very sure that I know the subject of the art, that I dare presume an interpretation. On this particular day, we had just returned from a long walk in the woods when the painting began. The table was covered in inspiration brought in from the outside -  leaves, pine cones, acorns. I had just finished reading an autumn poem, and we had even been talking about the foliage through the whole painting process. So when Adelaide finished her painting and proudly handed it over, I quite confidently said, "It's fall! The trees! The leaves!".

I was met with an icy chill and a stare from my sweet little one. Followed by an emphatic, "No, Mama!!! Milkey! Me Milkey one side. Me Milkey other side."

Oh, right. What was I thinking? It's a painting of my breasts.

not even close

I know that "simple" in a beautiful minimalist kind of way is really hard to do right. Martha so rocks it. And Sally, too. I had both of them in mind with the making of this shirt. It's Built By Wendy's Simplicity 3835, which I do love very much (and which, for the record, has brought me success in the past - here and here). This crisp grey cotton I purchased for it was a direct result of channeling said ladies at the fabric store. And changing out the sleeves on the shirt pattern with the sleeves on the dress pattern - that was all good (and Sally's idea, if I remember correctly). I added a little length to the shirt too. Really - all was good at that point and I should have stopped right there.  But I was on a roll with all my little modifications and couldn't leave well enough alone. So I forged ahead with the addition of the pockets. And you know - the pockets may be fine, I don't know. But all I can see when I look at those pockets is Barber Bill. Barber Bill - from the old-school neighborhood barbershop where Steve's grandfather had his hair cut, and where we took Calvin for his first hair cut at 2 years old. The hair cut which made me cry for two subsequent weeks because it was way too short, and well, just way too wrong. Oh, Barber Bill.

But I'm not getting rid of the shirt just yet. Because if this gig as a writer doesn't work out, I'll be halfway to my uniform as a barber. Whether or not I could cut hair - well, who really knows about that. My guess is no. But at least I'll have a sweet barber shirt.

Buzz cut, anyone?

a date with my girl

ingredients for a perfect date: cookies from a favorite bakery, a 'new' old favorite bunny book, a sunset walk by the ocean, and of course - my favorite girl.

Oh, I love date night.

showering the world in costumes

As the babes get a little bit older they've become even more involved in the birthday gift-making and giving that happens around here. Often, it involves some kind of costume play. I'm thrilled that - at least for now - they get really excited about dreaming up ideas, planning, and executing the gifts we make for their friends. The past few weeks they've been planning this little project to give to a special four year old, who loves to visit the dress up rack whenever he's here. The boys instantly had grand plans of construction an entire dress up rack from wood, constructing him a pair of shoes, and sewing him a lion's costume. We compromised on this.

It's a vintage red suitcase I thrifted and cleaned up a bit.The boys each drew a few pictures of this little ones favorite costumes, which I mod-podged (yes, that's a verb) right onto the front, using Rick Rack as the 'frame'. And then we got a little nutty with the glue gun adding ribbon and buttons all over. Fun.

Inside is a start to his own dress up collection. A couple of pieces thrifted, a few from their own plethora of dress up, and a couple that we made just for Simon.  You know, the essentials the boys thought he would need to get started: a construction helmet, a boa, some scarves, a sherrif's badge, cape, safety goggles Santa hat and cat ears. The essentials.

Showering the world in costumes - one vintage suitcase at a time. I think that's their plan.

little bits

I'm in a little groove of taking my coffee breaks - or breaks in general - outside, despite the chill. I've had a lot of at-home-alone studio days lately tying up the loose ends on the manuscript (I say this so casually. Ha!). When I'm working - and without the babes to prompt me to GET OUT - sometimes it's far too easy to hole myself up in front of the dang computer for far too long. Getting outside for breaks through the day seems pretty obvious - but it's easy to forget. I'm trying not to forget. There's nothing like sitting in a pile of crispy leaves in the morning sun with some coffee and your pajamas. You know? This is the important stuff.

A few little random bits today:

:: There's an interview I did over on CraftBoom today. I don't generally think of what I'm doing as a 'business', so it was interesting to frame it all that way for a few minutes. CraftBoom, if you haven't heard of it, is a part of eMomsAtHome.com, and is their Art & Craft Business blog. It's a fabulous resource for Craft professionals - lots of tips and interviews and such. Thanks for the interview, Lisa!

:: I'm a little lost with my email these days - there are so many lovely emails from the past few weeks that I want so very much to reply to, but there's just no way I can (this frustrates me). I hope you understand. But - I have been able to answer questions in the comments pretty much everyday, so if you asked a question, check back there for an answer. Thanks.

:: I can't get this talk by Sir Ken Robinson out of my brain. I think it's brilliant, and I find myself watching it repeatedly and nodding at everything he says. If you have 15 minutes, and are interested in kids, education, or, well, the future (in other words: everyone) you must check it out. Regardless of where your children are educated, or even if you're a parent at all, I bet that anyone reading this blog will find what he has to say about creativity interesting. (I must add: I would in no way suggest that homeschooling is the perfect answer. I think awareness and change can be made both within and outside of the traditional school model. Okay. Enough from me. Just watch him.)

:: Lastly, if you're local, tonight is the opening of Jennifer Judd-McGee's home::body show at Edith & Edna. More details here. I can't wait to see it all!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

the Halloween coverage continues...

(Super Rack has an amazing power to be in constant motion - thereby preventing any photographers from capturing him. He also drops his shoes super fast, giving him better foot-griping power with his barefeet. So I'm told). Calvin was sooo excited to read all of your words yesterday. He says Thank You. So does his Mama -you were very nice to him. I loved watching Super Rack evolve - I have such fun watching him when he's in the middle of a process like that.  We kind of 'get' each other, which is of course, all at the same time super amazing and super challenging. Definitely fun, though.

So for the rest of us. Ezra was a Song and Dance Man, as you can see. Ezra really IS the Song and Dance Man - not quite rocker, not quite hippie. In fact, he's somewhat of a cross between Bob Dylan and Huey Lewis. If you can imagine that. He's his own dude and a really really fab one at that. His harmonica tunes and accompanying jigs were livening up the streets last night, I tell you.

Whenever we talked about Halloween the past few weeks - of course, a pretty vague concept for her - Adelaide said she wanted to be a Pirate Fairy. Consistently. Despite hourly attempts by Calvin to get her to be Super Baby (a character of his own design, for which he had the costume all planned out). She can TOTALLY stand her own, man, and so a Pirate Fairy it was. The clothing choices? All hers. That girl has some FIRM ideas about things, let me tell you. I'm ridiculously proud of her for that - even if it makes me pull my hair out sometimes.

And Mama? Well this was the first year as an adult that I've dressed up in a really long time. At 3pm yesterday, I started squirreling away pieces of a costume to surprise the kids with. Pippi's a pretty big deal to these three people, and I thought I could pull it off enough with what I had on hand to at least make it semi-recognizable. They all did immediately, and their laughter and giggles about it all nearly busted my heart.

For someone who is so passionate about family tradition, ritual and holidays, I will admit that Halloween is the one I have the most mixed feelings about - the one I drag my feet on the most. But slowly, our own family traditions are evolving, and at the same time we're embracing some of the traditional ones that I never thought I would. Yesterday was a little of both. It's all about the balance, I'm learning. And really, who can't help but fall a little bit in love with a day that's all about creativity and imagination and dress up?

I hope you had a magical day, too.