little joys in the snow

It's snowing outside right now. We should be getting about 6 inches by nightfall. But we're not going to talk about that. Nope. Instead, shall we flip the coin to celebrating some small joys of the week? Yes, let's do that.

:::: Putting the finishing touches this week on the small quilt collection - a project that I've had such a wonderful time working on for nearly a year now. They're now in the hands of my trusty local frame shop getting dressed up for their show next week.

:::: (We're raising Nikon babies.) Watching two photographers' kids play together with their Mama's cameras, taking pictures, mostly, of each others feet. Sounds about right.

:::: Calvin's new-found skill of using an index. And just like that, a whole world of information just opened up to him. Beautiful.

:::: Open windows. Growing plants. Melting Snow. Spring. (I said we weren't talking about today.)

:::: This video. We're huge fans of The Be Good Tanyas here, but I had somehow managed to miss this video. Not anymore, thanks to several of you who kindly recently sent me the link (thank you!). It's beautiful, and makes me feel full of spring and hope.

:::: Adelaide's new love of reading Tom Kitten to Banjo. And his willingness to listen. That girl and her cat...

:::: Just a little bit more yellow in the house in the form of newly painted kitchen stools. (I swear, that's the last thing I paint/sew yellow for a bit. I promise.)

:::: A weekend ahead full of good things : skiing (see - joy in the snow), friends, and dress shopping at Anthropologie.

Ah, that's better. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Comments

[bigbucketgirl]

I'm guessing it's from here i found the link but the 'Taaarneees' (Tanyas) are a big hit here with #3 having turned into a youtube freak! I'd never heard of them until this week so its been a good find. The jury's out on whether or not a 2yr 7mth old should be working out how to click on the right links for more Taaarneeees!

Good weekends all around i hope....xxx

[Julia]

Have a very wonderful weekend yourself.
Your quilts look beautiful and the snow is almost invisible beside those wonderful yellow spring flowers. So it should be gone soon, shouldn't it? We'll just all pretend we didn't see it and it won't be there when we look next time.

[Eren]

Ahhhh, dress shopping sounds wonderful. Here's to the end of winter and the beginning, the beautiful beginning of Spring. Happy weekend!

[Geertrude]

Those quilts look beautiful! I hope you will post some pictures after the show is over, for those of us who can't come and see them in real life (oh, how I wish I could!)
Have a great weekend!

[kristin]

i see that snow picture as a beautiful blank canvas - can't you just send the wee ones outside with some jars of watercolors along with their skis to spash it up with spring color? a few tree blossoms here, a sun peeking through there, etc... :) happy weekend whatever your weather turns out to be.

[kosenrufu mama]

i wait for your post everyday! and i love your snow, here in italy it's just raining... see you tomorrow.
p.s. i love yellow ;)

[Carrie]

I'm itching to see your little quilts!
I love your newly painted stools-paint and sew yellow things all you like ;) Before you know it,the snow will melt....

[Jen]

Oh so envious of dress shopping at anthropology...have fun. And little girl reading to Banjo...too cute.

[Karen]

Your children have good taste - Nikon is simply the best! We could join the club with three Nikons in our house, except our three children do not dare to touch our cameras... And I won't show them your little photographers!
Greetings from Germany, where spring is finally on the way - hopefully!!!! We had snow on Easter but it is melted and the sun is shining brightly today. What about some more yellow in the garden?! Daffodils e.g.?!
Enjoy your weekend!

[Kate]

Your quilts look divine..those budding photographers are a scream and Hurray for any shopping at Anthropologie!!!
Hang in there, spring WILL arrive eventually, it has to right?
Have a wonderful weekend!

[Kat]

That Be Good Tanyas video is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen... thank you for sharing and enjoy the quiet "plink plink plink" of the snow... (again...)

[kerri]

We are once again covered in snow over here, too. I am thinking about coming up with a melting dance.

Happy week-end to you! I hope it is filled with lots of laughs, cuddles and rest. Next week is going to be an exciting week for you.

[kris]

Tom Kitten & Samuel Whiskers are favorites here. My kids roll up in blankets like Tom all the time!

[Sara]

Lovin' the yellow stools. Have a great weekend!

[QALBALLAH]

Can we get a good look at those quilts once they've gone public?

[Kristen]

I just had a post a couple of days ago on kids taking pictures. It is so great to watch them photograph! Love your spring flowers in your window!

[Carol]

It is a dark and rainy day here today, your post was much needed to cheer my spirits, thank you for sharing.

[janine]

Your photos create such a sense of warmth and contentment that I'm surprised they in themselves haven't chased your snow away! Love to check your daily entries:)

[julia]

those things would make me very happy too. hope you have an excellent weekend. here's hoping for spring to come soon (to maine and minnesota!)

[Madeline]

A dress at Anthropologie! Truly so exciting. I wanted to share that my Georgia 7yo boy saw your pic. of the snow and said, "they're so lucky"

[Natalie]

My 3 yo daughter and I just enjoyed a few Youtube Tanya concerts... what a pleasant start to our day. Thank you for the link.

[camerashymomma]

ah, the littlest birds sings the prettiest song...

[melissa s.]

I can't wait to see those quilts! And I'm counting the days until your book arrives! It's getting close!

Have a happpy weekend!

[Karen T.]

Hello, I saw your blog address on "Down to Earth", a blog of a woman from Australia. So, since I live in N. Waterboro, Maine and I found you via Australia, I thought I should say "hello". I do love your blog. :) Just remember, the snow WILL melt! ;) Karen T.

[denice]

- Those small quilts are awesome. Can't wait to see them unveiled.
- The camera shot is great. We, too, have Nikon kids. (There really is only one kind of camera...)
- We are supposed to see snow again this weekend too... sigh.
- Now maybe you can move on to gathering a new collection of yellow fabric!
- Indexes Rock. Some of the most used books in our home is a big set of encyclopedias. We are reference book junkies. (What am I talking about? We are *every* book junkies!)
- Nice video. I am new to The Be Good Tanyas, but we're huge fans of hand illustration and good music!

I think that covers it for now. Happy weekend yourself. :)

[Lasso the Moon]

Pictures of feet. Surely a blogger's kids! So cute~! Love your pile of quilts.
Anna

[Anna]

The best part of spring snow is it's fleeting nature. Enjoy it while you can.

[sizzle]

I love the Be Good Tanyas. And yellow (just painted my living room a similar shade).

That is utterly adorable how she reads to the cat. :)

[krystal]

Oh Goodie!!
Isn't that video wonderful!? I especially love the part where the mama is twirling her baby.

Your quilts look quite fabulous.

[kristena]

Oh, how I adore your little art quilts! Please come show them in Tulsa, OK!!!

Sorry for more snow. :( We had a very hot day yesterday and had to turn on the air conditioner (!) for a bit. And then there is today... Though it isn't snowing here, I empathize. But you do have the sun painted all over your house! Thank you, Lord, for the color yellow!

[Kirsten]

Lovely little bits! The quilts are beautiful and I love Adelaide reading to the cat, my son does that too. Have a great weekend!

[christie]

we had flakes here in Portland OR this am, but we were excited by it even though it barely stuck even on the deck, never mind anything on the warm ground.

[Lisette]

I love your blog. And your pictures are just beautiful; so cosy, colourful and vibrant. lol, and your cat looks like mine :)

[Berlinswhimsy]

Ack, we're receiving snow, too. Perhaps this week's bad weather was my impetus for making happy, cheery things!

I love The Be Good Tanyas. My absolute favorite.

Those little quilts are so wonderful and inspiring! I can't wait to see them in their full (and small) glory...

[Virginia]

the quilts look amazing! and don't stop the yellow, it's too beautiful.

[robinette]

The quilts look beautiful...hope to see more photos soon...have fun at Anthropologie...I don't have one nearby and it's just not as fun to shop their website.

[Tameson O'Brien]

I paused for a moment on the picture of the quilts and my two year old (birthday last week) took time out from her tantrum to say "ooh pretty". Thank you for the peace.

[urška]

kako čudovite fotke....
in kako čudovito življenje!

[Laura]

Tom Kitten is my daughter's favorite Beatrix Potter. We are huge fans of her in our house. Have a beautiful weekend. It snowed here yesterday as well. Luckily the sun came out to play today!!

Laura

[lissilulu]

love the tiny quilt with the pink and white lace squares on it!
my children read books to their cats also. :o)
lori

[Sarah]

That's a really lovely video - first time I've heard The Be Good Tanyas, but will seek them out on iTunes. Beautiful quilts too Amanda. I love reading your blog - if I only have a few minutes a day to read blogs - your's is one I never fail to read. It warms my heart for the day, thank you for sharing your life in this way.

[Sarah]

I forgot to mention that we love Goldfrapp too, I noticed this album on your blog recently - my fiance plays it constantly!
Sarah

[melody]

You're a better woman than I. *I'm* gripping about the flakes! Though I was just working on a flower and bird covered sun-dress for a brand-new, little baby, which of course helps a bit. :) And now I'm going to go browse over an Anthropologie for a bit (thanks for the reminder). Oh, and I love, love, love your yellow! It always cheers me up! Keep it coming!

[Ula]

Sew/paint as much yellow as you want! Oh, how I love looking at it all.
Eagerly anticipating spring here too (but without snow)!

[Nancy Cook]

Okay, I'm sure I'm not the only one deeply desiring a closer look at the quilts
perhaps after the show opens
oh, and dress shopping at anthropologie sounds divine

[zoe krylova]

oh thank you so much for sharing the tanyas video. i have heard some of their songs, but hadn't seen that video yet. i've watched it more than any normal person would watch a single video in one day!

[Jane]

Hi Amanda,
So excited as I have a copy of your book in my hands (thank you Amazon UK)...it's beautiful. Many, many congratulationns!
Jane xx

[jonipossin]

What a great blog and a darling, creative family. I just discovered you and I'm marching you right over to my favorite links.

Spring needs 'new beginnings'... you!
Joni (of YUMMERS)

[Elaine]

I got your new book in the post today and it looks really good, I have already made the bedtime bags which my daughter is delighted with and my son will get one for his birthday. So many ideas and I have only just started reading(not reading it too fast as it will be all over too soon, but I think it will be a well thumbed reference book). I have also started thinking of who I could buy the book for, for gifts. Well done Amanda, I don't know how you fit everything in, you really are an inspiration to me.

[happymamaof3]

soulemama-
i must admit...i stalk your blog daily! you are such an inspiration to me ( as a mother of 3 my self) ... i guess you could say you are one of my heros!
have a sunny weekend!