SouleMama

little bits

Indulge me in a little list-making today, would you? Of random bits I've been meaning to tell you:

:: My little shop has been out of stock of signed copies of The Creative Family for some time now, but I'm happy to tell you that they're back now! Remember when ordering that they ship one week from order date, because I'm just little ole' me, not Zappos or anyone like that. Though wouldn't that be dreamy? A warehouse full of shoes? Oh my. (And for those of you who have been so patiently waiting, they're on their way right now! The books, not the shoes.)

:: Also in the shop, are a limited number of these postcard sets. A collection of favorite Treasured Things, 10 flat 4x6 cards and envelopes, all in a muslin pouch.

:: I think I need to give the shirred sundress another go. Some of you reminded me that stopping the shirring at the midway point would help. Wider straps would be good too. And Heather herself gently pointed out that color might be a contributing factor. Of course! Hello black, I love you. I'm determined now...I'll keep you posted!

:: This black bean salad has been rocking our world this week. I made it twice already, and it's totally going on my summer potluck go-to list. Yum.

:: In case any of you are in new puppy & kids territory, I want to tell you that Ian Dunbar is our new hero. And the kids, especially, are learning lots from Dog Training for Children. Oh, puppies.

:: Check it: Purple! Soon to hit the sewing machine.

:: And very last bit of random - SoulePapa's in tomorrow (yay!), and then stay tuned for some serious double giveaway action this weekend!

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The sun is (sort of, kind of, maybe) shining for the first time in many days here. We need to get out there! Have a lovely day, everyone!

at squam

Wow! There's so much swirling around in my head after attending Squam Arts Workshop for the past five days.  The one thing I can say right now with enthusiasm and certainty is that if you're in the position to be considering attending Squam - either this fall or next year, but are on the fence for whatever reason - because you don't know anyone else going, because you're not sure it's worth the money, because you're not sure you'll gain anything from it - well, my strong and gentle words of advice are to hop right off that fence and GO. Magic happens there, I tell you...and in my experience at least, that magic can come in unexpected and beautiful ways.

My time was spent doing a delicate dance and travel between the workshop and my family  at a nearby lake (who spent all day, everyday blissfully kayaking and swimming in the very early and cold summer water. Kids do have a different internal thermostat, don't you think?). It was a lovely bit of good in both worlds, but I am so very much looking forward to being at Squam sometime in the future "all by my lonesome" (in Adelaide's words), so I can be fully present and connected in all that it is.

So where are my photographs of all the beautiful, shining, creative and fun people that were in every corner of those woods at Squam? Hmn. Maybe they were all sprites who can't be captured on film? Yes, I think so. Or perhaps I just needed to put the camera aside for a few days. These four photographs - the only ones I took - tell the story to me just fine.

Thank you to everyone who said hello, and especially those of you who traveled over for Saturday night's fair. Each one of you that I've met reaffirms my Pollyanna belief that the world  really is made up of good and beautiful people, and that sharing here in this way we do is the right thing for me to be doing...thank you for that.

My heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth for creating such a space as Squam. I can't wait to see how all that buzzing creative energy I saw this weekend manifests in the world!

And now, onto that mountain of laundry...

Happy Monday!

at week's end

loving :: those six silly, stinky, dirty springtime feet (and all the play that goes with them)

anticipating :: kicking off the season with my first day of farmer's market & rummage sales tomorrow

reading :: ali's wise words on breaking out of a creative rut

counting :: the days until Jeff & Conor are in town (we're on a first name basis, you see. and the count is at 76 days, if you're wondering)

appreciating :: your kind and fun comments to my posts this week - thank you!

welcoming :: May's newest SouleMama Sponsors - Americana, Damestar Baby and Le Papier Studio

looking :: forward to a springtime weekend, sure to be full of family, friends, good food and always - a bit of baseball

wishing :: you a Happy May Day!

in Mothering

I'm super honored to be in the most recent issue of Mothering magazine, in an article by the lovely Jean Van't Hul, alongside four fabulously crafty mamas - Amy Karol, Sally Shim, Stephanie Congdon Barnes and Eren San Pedro.

I have to confess that this particular piece of press was silly-exciting to me for reasons that go back, oh, about 9 years now. Learning that I was pregnant - at a relatively young 23 - with no one else around me with children, let alone parenting in a style that jived with how I was a wishin' and hopin' things were going to go for us...well, it was leaning towards a lonely start. Mothering magazine - both in print and the online forum - was an invaluable resource for me. One summer yard sale day - while first pregnant with my oldest - I found a huge box of Mothering magazine past issues - dating back to the early 1980's. I devoured them - pages and pages full of words that resonated with me so strongly. It gave me just the encouraging fuel I needed for my soon-to-be-parenting heart, and has continued to do so ever since.

So anyway...sparing you further sleepy-morning ramblings (we have a tooth coming in...nights are restless!), I just mean to say that the full-circle-ness of this particular issue fills me with much joy and gratitude. It's fun to see us on those pages.

In addition to the print article, Mothering has just released the first online sneak peak of my book Handmade Home! You can find the downloadable PDF instructions for making your own Family Portrait Bookmarks over on the Mothering website now.

They're such a simple little things, but the bookmarks have become so adored around here - with drawings that the kids made of each other and us embroidered on them and used everyday. I'm quite proud of my potato-spud figure that Adelaide drew last year, too. Waistlines are sooo overrated.

Happy Monday to you!

a little break

We are deep in the trenches of high temperatures, popsicles, orange juice, and fevered hallucinations. It's a crazy place - especially with six (six!) of us in it at once.

I'm going to take a few days off from posting here - I'll be back when the fevers are gone and the air has cleared.

Wishing you a lovely and healthy start to your week!

~Amanda

oh, February!

 

Oh, February, we meet again. We have a complicated relationship, this month and I. I know it's technically the shortest, but somehow it always feels the looooongest month of the year. It's a month full of grey and cold. The month where I find that the 'novelty' and fun of the winter season can get lost in the drudgery of it all. And the month where spring seems (because it is) a long, long ways off still - a far-distant dream of color and warmth.

But there's beauty to be found in February. Oh yes there is, I'm sure of it. It just takes me a little more effort to see and embrace it. And so this year, like years past, I'm dipping into a small little project here. In an effort to stay mindful and aware of the s February (and to avoid the dreaded February Funk), I wrote myself a little February Manifesto that I'll be sharing here over the next two weeks starting tomorrow. A Wintry Weather sanity-survival guide of sorts. Just little reminders - in words and pictures - of some of the joys that really are all around us this season. (Even if we have to look a bit harder that usual!)

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Oh, and psst...there's a picture over on Mama to Mama today that I think you just might love as much as I do.

Also today, I want to wish a warm welcome to February's newest Sponsors:
Eddy & Edwina
Starr Strung Jewelry

Cheers to February!

in the studio with Martha Miller

{photo originally posted in November}

One of the most amazing things to me about this blogging experience is the connections made through it. And how in so very many ways, it makes the world feel a bit smaller to me. Sometimes that manifests in connecting with someone clear across the globe, and sometimes, it means connecting with someone I never would have otherwise met right across town, and in my own 'neighborhood'.

Such was the case with Martha Miller - a Portland artist, teacher, and Mama (and Grandma!) Extraordinaire. She says she found her way to this blog after doing a search for "clotheslines," where she was led to this post. Martha has her own love of clotheslines, which has manifested in her art in many ways (check out this description of her performance piece "Woman Hanging Wash" - I so wish I had seen it!).

Last fall, when Martha began a new portrait series of creative folks in the Portland community, I was honored to be invited to sit for her. So a few months ago...with Harper still on the inside, I sat for Martha in her studio. I knit. She painted. And we talked. We talked of mamahood and art, of blogging and babies. The many things that connect us. I left her studio that day quite in love with watching her process. Being around people truly in love with what they do - watching people with passion for whatever it may be - I think it's one of the most beautiful things in this world.

A few weeks ago, a print of the finished piece made it's way here. In the time since our sitting, Martha continued to work on the piece, and incorporated a few of my photographs into the background as well (she has some great detail photographs of the piece on her blog). And even a wee bit of Harper and his red pants, too! Like magic with her paintbrush, she managed to capture so beautifully so very many things and people and colors that are so important to me and so reflective of this time right now in my life.

{photo by Martha}

Martha has written about her new portrait project and this particular piece on her blog here and here. You can see some of her beautiful portraiture work on her website (her self-portraits are especially wonderful!), and you can find some of her fibery art pieces for sale in her Etsy shop, barnfirestudio.

~~~~

The snow is falling so gracefully right now as a storm just begins. Stay warm and cozy, all you locals! It feels like a good day for making art...

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. Indoctrinating Harper into the love of stripes required of all Soule family members. So far, he's been agreeable. Phew.

2. The basket of our favorite holiday books under the tree - read morning, noon and night (our favorite 'winter' books found here in the Book Shop).

3. This sweet, sweet print from Tollipop (part of her amazing 100 Dresses project on her blog - check it out)...soon to be framed and under the tree for big sister - a.k.a. "Little Mama" Adelaide.

4. The fantasy still alive in my head that I'll find the time - and free hands - to make a matching Mama/daughter outfit this year - just like last year and the year before that and even the year before that one (have I really done that three years in a row?). I'm thinking the Playdate Dress pattern by Oliver + S for the girl, and the Wiksten Skirt Pattern from Stitch Magazine for me. Aqua blue linen for both. But seriously. Um, when, exactly, am I going to do that? A fantasy, indeed.

5. The growing forest of trees my boys have been building for their Winter Wonderland. So very good.

6. Pomegranate season. Yum.

7. Outtakes from the annual holiday card photo shoot. Always entertaining.

8. The box of peppermint bark I have hidden in the house -  somewhere only Mama knows. Oh, and the recipe for Peppermint Bark I'm holding onto for when the box is empty.

9. Seeing the handknits I made months ago, in use now. As snug as I had hoped it would be.

10. The snow falling outside right now. And the magic of a snowy day ahead of us.

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And you? What are you loving this holiday season?

Sponsor Giveaway :: good-ness japanese fabric

Well, happy Saturday to you!

I have a fun Giveaway and discount for you today from SouleMama Sponsor good-ness - an Etsy fabric shop chock full of Japanese treats. Leslie also has a blog, which you can find here.

Just in time for some holiday crafting, she's offering...

Fabric Bundle A includes 1m of each of the fabrics photographed above.

Fabric Bundle B includes 1m of each of the fabrics photographed above.

To be entered in the drawing for one of the Fabric Bundles, simply leave a comment here in this post! I'll close the comments and announce the two lucky winners on Sunday at 7pm EST.

But there's more! good-ness is also offering a discount for SouleMama readers through the end of the November. You can get 15% off fabric costs (before shipping) by entering soulemama in the 'notes to seller' box (a refund for that amount will be issued to you).

Good luck & happy fabric shopping!! And thanks to good-ness for your support here on SouleMama!

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Comments closed! I'll be back to announce the winners later this evening...

And the winners are...

Bundle B:
leslie has such fun fabrics!
and what a fun give-away, too, amanda!
Posted by: cloth.paper.string 

Bundle A:
oooohhhh...i would love to win these!
a
Posted by: amanda o

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Congrats to the winners! Thanks to all for playing! And a big Thank You to Leslie for sharing the good-ness with us this weekend!

Sponsor Giveaway :: Lisa Leonard Designs

(Thanks for your sweet birthing & baby emails and comments yesterday - but there's no baby yet! It was just an unexpected day off...)

I do have a little weekend surprise for you, though! Today, I'm hosting a Giveaway from one of the lovely Sponsors here at SouleMama. This weekend's treat comes from Lisa Leonard Designs!

Lisa is offering a beautiful sterling monogram necklace like the one pictured above. Details:
"A 1" sterling pendant is strung from 18" sterling ball chain with your monogram front and center.  Simply beautiful!"

We have three of these lovelies to share with you! So if you're interested in entering the drawing for one, simply leave a comment in this post. I'll close the comments and announce the winners on Sunday around 7pm EST.

And be sure to check out all the loveliness over at Lisa Leonard Designs! Happy Weekending to you!

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Entries closed! I'll be back to announce the winners in just a few moments...

And the winners are...

Oh how I love her work! Please enter me!
Posted by: elizabeth of course, November 08, 2008 at 8:45 AM  

Wow, that is absolutely beautiful so please enter my name! Thank you for your generosity... ;-)
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy, November 08, 2008 at 10:49 AM  

thank you, both Lisa and Amanda, for an opportunity to win such a lovely piece of jewelry. Yipee!!
Posted by: robin, November 09, 2008 at 4:19 AM 

Thanks to all for playing! And thanks to Lisa Leonard for her generous giveaway!

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Hello, November

Welcome, November!

And Welcome to November's newest sponsors:
The Paper Princess
She's Crafty
My Sunset Road
Baby Bear Shop
and the Yumi Yumi Shop.

...so much creative, lovely and handmade goodness in those links! 

Happy November Weekending to you!!

Friday Finds (on Thursday!) :: Satch & Sol

(But it's Thursday, you say? Yes, yes...I just figured we might all be caught up in the flurry tomorrow of costumes and celebrating and well, all that candy corn buzz. So let's do Friday Finds on Thursday this week, shall we? Let's.)

And so it appears that this week's scheduled Friday Find is more like a Friday Thrice -Found in blog land this week! I couldn't be happier for Satch & Sol, whose beautiful slippers deserve all the attention they receive. A small family business, Satch & Sol partners with fair trade artisan cooperatives around the world, striving for eco-friendly and socially conscious business practices. And most importantly, they have some seriously awesome slippers. Above are the moccasins (in light blue), the flower cut (in orange), and the hitch & tie in blue (my faves, I think...is it okay to favorite one my children's slippers over the other? I think so).

(And this is what you get when you say, "hey! do you think you guys could stand right here next to each other for a second?")

Slippers are an essential part of my fall/winter/spring happiness. They really are. Good, comfy, warm, and well, super cute slippers. We keep our basket of slippers by the door - so they can be slipped right on upon entering the house. And wool - for slippers - has always been what I gravitate towards for both the kids and I - for the warmth, comfort and durability I think they offer over synthetic materials.

There's lots of other goodness over at Satch & Sol besides the slippers, though, so definitely check them out. (Okay, the boots? I seriously wish I could stretch those out to fit me. And please tell me how I am to resist these for the new baby?) And here's one more cool thing - Susan at Satch & Sol is generously offering a 25% discount to SouleMama readers through the end of the year. Just enter the code soule25 at checkout to activate the discount!

Cheers to cozy feet!

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. Photos that are entirely not at all what I had planned...but so much better in their surprise. (This one by Steve - we're all in there somewhere...)

2. The 17 Things I Made video, and the followup The Beckoning of Lovely, all by Amy Krause Rosenthal. Really beautiful.

3. Being a part of someone else's creative process for a bit. (More on this later.)

4. A new to me blog to inspire food and feast - Bread & Honey. Quick French Apple Tart? Oh yes.

5. The arrival of A Year of Mornings: 3191 Miles Apart. What a treat to see this project on the printed page, and so beautifully done. I love it - well done, friends!

6. My new bird tea cup (above) from Little Flower Designs. Making my tea so much sweeter. (I'm a little swoony over the bowl too.)

7. The way Ezra has taken to carrying around a pencil always in his chest pocket - because you never know when you'll be inspired to draw.

8. The pile of work and play that accumulates in front of me, as I sit, and as the day progresses.

9. Your cozy contributions to Sit a Spell.

10. Chasing around the golden October light for play.

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And, you? What are you loving today?

Friday Find :: Stubby Pencil Studio

For the upcoming months, I want to introduce a new sometimes-Friday feature here, Friday Finds, highlighting some of my favorite gift ideas for creative families. I've arranged some giveaways and some discounts, too...so I hope it will not only give you some new gift ideas, but also pass on some savings, and a chance to maybe win something too!

A few months back, the Chicken had a post about Stubby Pencil Studio which sent me straight to draining my Paypal account in a batch of new art supplies. Because I fully agree with Amy in that there is 'nothing better than new art supplies". Seriously. Nothing better. And new art supplies that are eco-friendly, affordable and adorable to boot? Rock on, I say.

Our first order contained some of the soy wax crayon rocks, which became an instant hit with Adelaide, who carried them around like a treasure (and are such a great option for little ones who still think eating crayons is the way to go). And Smencils, which became a love something close to an obsession with Calvin and Ezra (and, um, a bit of a challenge for their first-trimester smell-sensitive Mama at the time). I, on the other hand, became nearly as obsessed with the triangular graphite pencils, (and admittedly get a little grumpy when they go missing from my pencil holder). Good stuff - all of it.

Quickly, I became a repeat customer, trying out a few new little things here and there. And I think I can difinitively say that something from Stubby Pencil Studio has worked its way into every child's birthday gift we've given in the past six months - a handmade bag of art supplies being my favorite stand-by birthday gift to give. (Because, of course, it's what I would want if I were turning 3, 6, or...32).

When I thought about this new feature, Stubby Pencil Studio was the first to come to mind. A small family company who carries affordable, eco-friendly products for creative families, and whose many offerings we love and use everyday. I think you'll like them too.

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Kate at Stubby Pencil Studio is putting together a fun little collection for a giveaway here. So if you'd like a chance to win a package of treats from Stubby Pencil Studio, leave a comment on this post. I'll close the comments and announce the winner on Sunday, 9am EST.

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Entries are closed! With all those lovely entries, Stubby Pencil Studio graciously offered to do TWO giveaways. Thanks to everyone for playing along. The winners are Angel Funk & Nicole:

I love the rock crayons! They are so cool and come in the loveliest colors. And I really appreciate the goal of the company, too.
Posted by: Angel Funk | October 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM

wow! 1565th comment!
thanks for sharing...i know where to go for art supplies come holiday gift giving time.
Posted by: nicole | October 18, 2008 at 01:25 PM

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. New socks! After a good stocking up at Sierra Trading Post, we are all now armed (footed?) with all the SmartWools we could need to get through a winter in Maine. Ah...

2. This song and video by Rachael Yamagata, from her album due out next week. Beautiful.

3. The amazing tomatoes. Still producing - well into wool sock season. Really?

4. My new t-shirt. And the hope I have about this election.

5. Breakfast quilts, brought from bed to stay cozy in the morning.

6. The sound of more time spent inside.

7. Being inspired by the Ali's 'a week in the life'. So much great documenting of everyday beauty.

8. New yarn. Fall Sock yarn! (That I think can be blamed for the random purchase and secret stash of candy corn in my house right now.)

9. Watching Birth into Being with the kids, who love the peaceful birth scenes as birthing-preparation as much as I always have. (If you have never seen footage of a woman birthing peacefully, do yourself a favor and get your hands on this video somehow. Powerful stuff for anyone.)

10. The color explosion happening outside, everywhere. How could I not love fall?

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And you? What's bringing you joy right now?

how it went

From a traditional Maine Lobster Bake - cooked in the seaweed - at my parents house (hosted by my dad and aunts and uncles, who learned it from their own father)....to a ballroom and black tie party the next night - and everything in between and following, it was such a wonderful weekend full of family celebration and love. I don't think I've ever seen a bride smile so much all day long. She, I must say, was gorgeous. I have very few photographs - for the most part, I left my camera behind and the photography to the wonderful professionals on hand (I do hope he doesn't mind his bum being published on the internet, but I do love that behind-the-scenes photo. Um, hi Chris!). (Oh, and for those curious - I did indeed make it all the way down the aisle in heels and stood for the whole ceremony without losing my balance once. I credit that to two things: the flip-flops I wore for every moment to and from the church; and the blessing of a 20 minute UU ceremony. Gifts from the bride and groom, indeed.)

Two birthdays, a new fall schedule, and a great big wedding - oh goodness, that was far more excitement than we're used to in one week. We haven't found 'normal' mode here yet, so hang in there while I get my bearings and catch up a bit this week.

In the meantime...I recently did an interview with babygooroo.com. Hop on over there to take a peek at the Q&A, and enter (by Wednesday morning) to win one of two copies of The Creative Family they're giving away. Thanks for a wonderful interview, Mary Jessica!

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. Yesterday. Thanks for all your sweet birthday wishes - you're so nice! The day wrapped up with a bit of time at the beach. A little bit chillier than a month ago (ha! okay...a lot!)...but I'll take it. Good friends, my family and the ocean. I'm happy.

2. The new Conor Oberst album. So. Good. The kids agree too, though I'm not sure how I feel about that fact when they begin belting out together anywhere and everywhere, "I don't wanna die in the hospital, you gotta take me back outside!" Ahem.

3. The thrill of deadline knitting. Two days until the next family birthday and I've got grand plans of this bit of yarn becoming a wearable gift by then. (The pattern is from the fabulous new Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines book - due out next week. More about the book and the project, well, when it's done.)

4. The game the kids play each night as they dissect the meal by ingredient, explaining what came from our garden, what came from the farm, the farmers market, and on and on. An amazing and fun nightly lesson in where our food comes from. (Zucchini Fritatta with Blossoms from Epicurious. Yum.)

5. This sweet pile of Aunty Cookie fabric. I love it, keep staring at it, and thinking about what it should become. I'm thinking the start of a small lap quilt...yes, yes.

6. This Wendell Berry interview in a recent issue of The Sun. So much wisdom.

7. This kid's style. It always makes me smile.

8. The palpable family excitement as we begin a new season of learning. This week everyone happens to start a new class or lesson out and about in our community. The anticipation of the adventures to come is in the air!

9. This simple and perfect little note I found on the windowsill this weekend. I'm not sure if it's a request, or an explanation. But certainly a simple, sweet statement of truth.

10. This Lisa Leonard bird necklace that I am love, love, loving. It makes me incredibly happy to wear it. And guess what? You can too! Lisa is kindly offering 20% off this necklace to SouleMama readers. Just enter "soulemama" at checkout to get your very own. Yay! Birthday presents for everyone!

And you? What are you loving right now?

birthday wishes

For weeks now I've found myself answering the question, "Mama, what do you want for your birthday?" with something to the effect of "I want you to draw me a picture, I want someone to wash the floors, and I want a day without any fighting with your brother/sister." And each and every time I think - Did I just say that? - as I'm bombarded with the echo of my mother's own voice. I remember thinking surely she was just saying that - that there was something really big and special she wanted. But you know what, now that I'm here, I'm thinking that maybe she was telling the truth. That a handmade card of love by my favorite people - and a sign made out of grocery bags, a little bit of recognition by them of the work I do at home, and a few extra moments of peace - it's pretty much everything I want.

Of course, I'll still happily take the cinnamon rolls they made me. I'll take all those extra hugs and kisses and songs. And I'll so gladly join in this evening's beach picnic fun with friends and family. I might even let them steer me towards the direction of a yarn store on the way for a little splurge. And I will feel very very spoiled, indeed.

Have some chocolate for me today, would you?

Food & Family on Etsy

(Two posts in one day? Sure, why not!)

I just wanted to pop in to tell you about some happenings on Etsy's blog The Storque. They've got a great new feature - Handmade Kids - full of family-focused content. I was asked to share a bit about creativity, family and food. Ah, my favorite topics! You can find the article and interview, an excerpted project from The Creative Family, as well as some of my favorite "Food & Family" Etsy finds (there is so much handmade goodness out there!), here:

SouleMama's Creativity: Food & Family

Thanks for the invitation to join in on the fun, Etsy!

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. New jewelry, in the form of this bangle bracelet from Give Simple. It was a prize for being a runner-up (for the photo "sun spinning") in the MamaZine Mama Focus Photo Contest. Serious props go to Steve, for snapping the photo (but, um, I'll keep the bracelet prize, thanks!). There are so many beautiful photographs of Mamahood in the MamaZine Flickr pool - you must visit them, and bring a tissue, 'cause I usually find an image (or two) that makes me cry (in the best of ways).

2. The promise of so very many things right on the verge of harvest time in the garden! Our raspberries are so, so close - the kids are checking them many times a day. Raspberry jam, raspberry tarts....oh, yum. And then the blueberries. And oh, those tomatoes!

3. The small collection of treasures from my mom's childhood I just inherited. This red pleated dress which Adelaide loves to spin in, and these dolls, which - if I look at them the wrong way - kinda creep me out. But my children love them. So there you have it.

4. The Little Travelers. You might know I'm a little picky on the kid videos, but we just received the Japan episode of The Little Travelers, and we're all in love. I can't say enough wonderful things about this production - it moves along at a beautiful kid-pace, and is completely child and family centered - full of cultural appreciation and loveliness. The producer (director, videographer and Mama, too!) has a blog - check out her description of a globally minded child. Just right.

5. The never-ending supply of fresh cut flowers from the yard at the moment, and the excitement the kids have in telling me that something new is about to bloom. It makes me so happy to bring some in.

6. Heather's month of balance. I'm loving the daily balance she's documenting in photographs - it's so real and beautiful.

7. The baby's bowl! Each of my babes has one of these vintage baby food warmers/dishes, and last week I stumbled upon this one for the new little one. So sweet.

8. Erin's brilliant packing list. I am so totally doing this in a few days as we get ready for a camping trip, and the thought of packing everyone and everything by myself gets overwhelming.

9. Spending time in my studio this week, getting ready for a shop update with Gratitude Wraps (full of supplies!), and Embroidered Hoops. (Next Tuesday - July 22nd.)

10. The craziness knowing that this is my 1,000th post. One thousandth. Um, wow.

And you? What are you loving right now?

ten things

ten things I'm loving right now...

1. Absolutely every little crafty thing that just arrived from good-ness. I can't wait to sew with it all

2. My rekindled pregnant-in-the-summer love affair with banana splits.

3. The bittersweet end of a little league season, where I watched my child's confidence blossom in so many new ways. And where I was entertained. In so many new ways.

4. Strawberries. Yes, still. And the (re)discovery of this strawberry-rhubarb muffin recipe. I Googled 'strawberry rhubarb muffins' and was led to - get this - SouleMama, where I found the forgotten about, but much loved muffin recipe. So bizarre.

5. These book plates from The Black Apple which make the nine year old (not to mention the virgo) in me so happy. "Library" was my favorite game, whereby I cataloged every book in our house, and created elaborate check out systems (Library was followed closely by 'shoe store', which pretty much, I think, sums me up). And while it might be a little unrealistic to cover every book I own in these plates, it is quite tempting, because they are so sweet. So, I'm starting with the craft books.

6. Adelaide's daily request of this video. She currently has a 'baby beluga' growing in her tummy, by the way, so this is of particular interest to her. (Thanks for the link, Brandie!)

7. Being outside all day, then bringing a tiny bit of it inside in time for the evening light, full of gratitude to the gardeners here before us who planted so many lovely things.

8. 20 minutes of sewing that makes my laundry chore just a little bit prettier.

9. This gorgeous yarn from Siri's Knitting Iris shop update. Please tell me how I was supposed to resist that goldenrod yellow? I couldn't, and I'm so pleased I didn't. There's a wee baby sweater in the plans.

10. His style. (little sister's dress up shoes, papa's winter hat.) It aways, always, always makes me smile.

What are you loving right now?

week's end

{her outside "work"}

Well, my goodness, y'all do love a giveaway, don't you? There was just one winner yesterday (announced at the end of yesterday's post), but I have a few more giveaways planned in coming weeks. And of course, do check out that book - purchased, or from your library, or maybe just the podcasts (such great listening -food!). Good stuff in there, I tell you.

I get a lot of questions about CSA's, especially yesterday. Check out this site for finding farmers markets and CSA's near you. I know in many areas, the demand for local and organic produce is higher than the availability. I know it can be discouraging to find a CSA you're excited about, only to find out they're at capacity. But keep at it, get on a waiting list, visit your farmer's market instead, talk to people about sharing in their family garden's work and bounty, and perhaps - do some planting on your own.

I was recently at a talk about local food, and our friend Farmer John (I  can't help it - that's what my kids call him) said something so simple and beautiful that has stayed with me ever since. He said, "Never let a season go by without planting something." Such simple advice, isn't it? And yet, it's so easy to get bogged down by the logistics of gardening, space and growing and time and "black thumbs" and all of that. But plant something - sprout some seeds in a paper towel, grow basil in a pot in your kitchen, toss some carrot seeds in the ground and see what happens. Never let a season go by without the opportunity to get a little bit closer to your food, and have reason to dig your hands into the Earth.

On that note, we are hoping to do some planting next week. I took last summer off from vegetable gardening (that whole book-writing thing), and we're eager to get back at it this year. There is so much excitement right now - every day brings a new change in the landscape, it seems - things opening up, the promise of blooming soon. A new color added to the spring palette each day. Next week, I'll be doing a Week of Spring photographs here, with the hope of celebrating some of that magic. Feel free to play along if it speaks to you.

Until then, have a lovely weekend! And maybe, if you can, plant something!

Sun Days

(top photo by Steve).
You'll have to forgive me for having nothing to share today besides the joy of the sun. But you see, I'm a little distracted by this sunshine. I love the time change in the spring, and the longer days it gives us. It comes at just the right time - just when I start to feel a little too Winter cave-like - now the days become longer, the sun shines brighter, and the temperatures are just a little bit warmer. I want to curl up like the cat chasing the sunbeams through the house; I want to jump off a snowbank and sit in the brightness of the sun reflected off the snow. I love this assuredeness that March brings. Spring will come. The sun says so.

And just to be sure? I'm painting it on, too.

inspiration :: sweet and savory

Oh my.The internet is a very good and dangerous place. Full of inspiration of all different kinds. This weekend, in just one quick Flickr browse of my contacts, I stumbled upon this photograph, which in one click led me to this recipe, which promptly got me up off my chair and into the kitchen - stopping only on the way to gather my loves....for a little donut making. It was the perfect antidote to the blizzard that was storming outside.

That recipe? SO easy and SO good. For some reason I was comforted so much by the baked-not-fried aspect that I totally skipped reading the sugar quantities. Oh my. And really, oh well....because they're donuts, right? We don't eat them everyday. Still, if you make them, be sure you have all 8 of your children, or a few neighbors around to share them with. Otherwise, you'll eat them all up and have crazy sick too-much-sugar head. That's no good. The donuts, however, are good. And they are best eaten warm and immediately. Of course. (My babes like the middles.) Thanks for the inspiration, Liz!

And in other kinds of inspiration, I'm honored to be on Inspiration Boards today. You can find that interview here. Thank you Lori, for the interview and all the work you do to keep us inspired on Inspiration Boards!

the first three years

Ah. Can you hear that? Imagine the longest (in my mind) email 'whooosh' you've ever heard - it's the echo of the manuscript being sent off early this morning. I always think there should be a more dramatic way to send off such a thing that's been so dear to me for so long – perhaps with a quill pen signature on the top of it's two hundred pages wrapped in twine and delivered by Johnny Depp on horseback - to my dear and lovely editor who will now manage to make some kind of sense and order out of my butchering of the English language and unclear ramblings and run on sentences (much like this one).

So that was today.

But I also want to tell you about yesterday. Because yesterday was my three year blogaversary, or blog birthday or whatever it is that we call these things. I've come to think of this near-daily writing here as a cup of coffee that we share each day in my 'living room' on the internet. If you will.

It's been three years full of many, many things in this area of my life - support, creative inspiration, friendships - some that have been lucky enough to grow beyond the computer, opportunity I never could have imagined, lots of learning, and of course a few challenges and frustrations along the way too. But one thing that happens for me in this space is something I never could have anticipated. (You can tell I'm going down the path of gushy now, can't you?)

You give me hope. (But it's true.)

Because, you see - though this was initially a surprise to me - I've come to learn how very different we all are. From your comments and emails and your blog links, I've discovered that some of us are parents and some are not; we are Christians and pagans and atheists; unschoolers and public school teachers; republican and Green; crafters and not so-into-the-crafting; in the US or clear halfway around the world from my home; women and men (yes!); some of you are in school, while there are others who are caring for their grandchildren. And so many more examples I've seen, and everywhere in between. We are as different as we can be. And yet. There is something. Something that brings you hear each day (or week....or even just 'once in a while'). And that 'something' may be defined very differently for each of you and may very well be a number of things. But I think it has something to do with our common goals to find a little bit of beauty in our days; to add a little more mindfulness to our lives; and perhaps give a little more respect to the little ones in our lives.

And this? This, my friends, on the best of blog days fills me with so much hope and beauty about the world and the children in it, that it often brings tears to my eyes. So, thank you…thank you for reading, and thank you for seeing past our differences, and thank you for finding what we share in common. Thank you for filling me with a little more hope about the world. And thank you for the ways in which you seek beauty in your life and just as importantly - the many ways in which I know you share it. You inspire me.

Happy three years to us!

February Ten

Oh, February. How you can give me the funk. But alas, there really is far too much to be joyful about to be February-funked-out for too long. This time of year, I find myself a little more mindful - a little more attentive to the things that bring me joy. They're extra-appreciated amidst the cold and the snow, and the sometimes dreary days. And so today, I bring you my February Ten - ten little joys that are making me smile this  week. Feel free to play along if you wish - in the comments, on your blog, on paper, in your head. It feels good.

1. the bursts of color that radiate from the kids' drawing table

2. a new (but more expensive - dang!) chocolate love

3. a battle of epic and now-comic proportions with Banjo over his admittance into my studio

4. the big toothless gap in my seven year olds' mouth

5. the sudden and beautiful appearance of arms, legs, and faces in my baby girls' drawings

6. a manuscript that's molding into just the right shape at just the right time

7. how in just the right light, the snow looks like a crisp and cozy down comforter - kinda

8. the sound of my honey's guitar and the ripple of delight that follows it through the house

9. the deliberate and determined sounding out of words by my newest reader

10. the sun - gracing us with its presence longer and longer each day

Wishing you many, many little February joys and a lovely weekend!

saturday night

working late tonight...

Enjoying:
"clean" paint (milk paint)
my apron (by Rectangle Design)
camera obscura
with a dash of cabernet.

wrapping it up

Thank you for all of your enthusiasm and generous words about the 30 day project! It was so lovely to hear your thoughts on the images each day, and lovely to hear from so many of you saying hello for the first time! Hello! I enjoyed the month of photography so very much - it was such a great way for me to reflect on the little moments in each day that are important to me, and to us. The little toes that I want to cherish, a book that I've read hundreds of times, a quiet moment at the end of the day.  Moments that are so important in our everyday, day-to-day life as a family - moments that seem as though they could never be forgotten...and yet, of course, with time, they do and will fade. I'm grateful for this little collection - this tiny little snippet into what our life looks like right now - without the faces, without the  posed shots. Just the everyday, ordinary bits of family life that I love. There's more to come of the 30 day project - I'll share how I've collected them as soon as it's ready. And in the meantime, I'll be incorporating "Everyday Photography" posts into the fold here from time to time.

The project also gave me a wonderful break to reflect on this blog space (which is nearing three years old. is that possible?) - time to think about what it means to me and what I'd like to do here. I'm excited about all of that, and look forward to jumping back in next week!

Before I go though, let me direct you to the wonderful blog Artful Parent, where Jean has written a review of The Creative Family (April 1st inches closer!). You'll find a little interview with me, and (you'll like this part!) a chance to win a free copy of the book. Thank you, Jean!

Oh, and I can't leave for the weekend (see, now I can't stop talking) without sharing a little bit of beach with you - from yesterday, containing a few of my favorite things:
new shoes
by camilla & converse
the ocean
on a date with my love.
breathe. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

So long, 2007

We woke up this morning to snow falling outside, and it looks like it will be coming down for a bit. It's perfect, as our New Years plan involves staying right put and cozying in. The kids have grand plans of 'staying up all night' to greet the new year. All manner of strategies are in place by these little ones - involving water bottles to spray in their (own) face when they're tired; a walk in the woods after dark; uncomfortable sitting positions; and so forth. Good fun, and fabulous entertainment for us. Who needs TV when you've got a full-on performance troupe in-house?

The coming year holds so many different and exciting things, and I'm sure there will be lots of talk tonight of all those plans and dreams for our little family. Tonight, we'll put aside the practicality of some of those fun kid - and adult - wild ideas and just let the dreams fly. I love the magic of a New Year - giving room to all the possibilities in the world. Because you never do know...

Thank you for sharing a bit of 2007 with me - your daily stops here to read, cheer, laugh and encourage have moved and amazed me and warmed my heart in more ways than I can say. I thank you for all of that.

May your own New Year be full of joy, creativity, and peace! Cheers to you and yours!

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!).