SouleMama

SoulePapa Blogs: Yikes!

There's SouleMama! Circa 1984-ish in the midst of a four-year Cyndi Lauper for Halloween binge (you thought Calvin was obsessive).  Papa in the Hat from '93 maybe.  I called my man Jeffery early this morning requesting pictures of a childhood Halloween when a friend's uncle painted our faces like the rockers from KISS (I was the drummer- Peter).  No luck on finding those gems.  This has always been a favorite holiday of mine - I think I like it even more as an adult than when I was little.  Not so much the sugar barrage as the thrill of being somebody (or something) else for a time.  Although, the sugar was a thrill too.  I would eat all of my candy as fast as humanly possible and then harass my brother and sisters for some of theirs.  Dad ate the apples.

PS - For those of you hunting down kid-size whitewater kayaks - The one in the pictures is actually my boat which i was heavy for about twenty pounds ago (I told you about the candy, right?).  Small whitewater boats can be very stable for small children but only if they don't mind tipping over.  Check a local boat/ski shop for specific boats and then search for them used at places like boatertalk.com.  If they'd rather not tip, go with a wider more stable lake boat or recreational kayak.  Either way - get on the water - I highly recommend it as a source.

PSS - Amanda will be back VERY soon.  You're all being SO patient!

SoulePapa Blogs: Quack Quack

 
I think my day reached it's peak a little after dinner.  I was flying solo while Amanda attempted to bring her latest/greatest project to completion(oh so close!  update soon!).  The boys were needing a little "guidance" in their choice of evening entertainment.  Smash up derby between the plasma car and the radio flyer wasn't cutting it for me.  The daylight was all but gone and we hadn't been out of the house once all day because of the torrential rain being inflicted on us by an obviously, vindictive god(dess?).

Well, Calvin went out for about ten minutes, around noon,  but only because i bribed him with hot cocoa and a tubby if he ran through the deep puddle out back. Later, on his own convincing, he headed out in the maelstrom once again, before dark, to do some yard kayaking. Excellent form.
Sweet Ezra had a complete mental and physical breakdown around 5:30pm and fell asleep in my arms.  Unfortunately, with daylight savings going down tonight, he'll probably be up around 4am.  I didn't turn my attention back to Adelaide until I heard the dishes hitting the floor in the kitchen.  Sure enough, I'd left the dishwasher wide open and she was unloading the contents for her Papa.  How sweet.  She's also becoming a master climber, the drawing table being her favorite target.  She quietly pushes a chair out of the corner and up to the table.  Silently and with nerves of steel, she goes up to pull the tops off every marker in sight.  If you don't move quickly she won't only fall off the side but, display quite a collage on her lips and cheeks as she tries to gobble up said markers before you take them away. 
Oh, yes.  The rainy day inside with the kids.  30 games of memory,  indoor hide and seek(a crowd favorite) and we even got an encore presentation of Ezra's long running interpretive dance "doggie piano".  There isn't enough coffee in town to keep me going on days like today.
Don't get me wrong - I'm actually a big fan of inclement weather.  The bigger the storm the more excited i get.  Like my Grampie used to say, "Can't handle the winter, don't deserve the summer".
Tomorrow's weather - sunny and windy with a high of 50degs and a possibility of some p.m. showers.  I'll take it!  Gotta hit the hay - Ez will be up any time.  Night Night.

SoulePapa Blogs: Corners

I found myself sulking around the house tonight with the camera, long after the kids and Amanda and the animals had gone to sleep, looking for a corner to shoot.  I've long threatened SouleMama with an "other" corners of my home set which shows the soft white underbelly of our household.  You know,  overflowing laundry baskets, toys galore, mystery food on the floor, greasy windows, dirty diapers, pots and pans, junk drawers, dog hair, dust bunnies, dirt devils, toothpaste on the mirror, broken this and duct taped that.  And sure, there was plenty of that around just begging to be documented.  But I needed this corner tonight.  Probably my favorite spot in the whole house, with the wood stove (or radio holder at the moment) and the rocking chair (with a little mystery something underneath it i notice!) and the kids book shelf.  A couple of old pictures on the wall.  It relaxes me. 

We put an offer on a great old house this week and have been jumping through some serious hoops to try and make it work.  In the end,well...it just didn't.
Maybe I'll go sit in the rocker and have a drink.  Maybe I'll go lay on the bedroom floor and listen to the kids breathe.  This house isn't too bad either. 

SoulePapa Blogs: The Past is Present

We've spent countless hours in this park nearby.  It is a hidden gem, visited only by a handful of "regulars" walking their dogs or strolling amongst the crumbling ruins of a fading moment in time.  I am captivated by this picture that Amanda found.  From the late 1800's to around 1930  this place drew people from all over New England to come dance in the casino(background), watch live entertainment in the outdoor amphitheatre or just walk the expansive grounds and socialize.  Some came by riverboat.  My wonderful late grandmother, Margaret, told of riding the trolley here, as a girl, from downtown.
Now, when my kids tread over this bridge, I have to caution them to be careful of the hole, worn through the concrete over nearly a century of rain, floods, snow and ice.  They ask questions that I struggle to answer about how a place so important could be left to such a fate.
Somehow, I don't find this a sad place.  We build bridges and dams in the spring-fed stream with bricks that have fallen from their places.  We explore every corner.  Climb granite steps, crooked and broken.  Ride bikes down the trails and play in the mudholes where the trout pond used to be. 
As grand as it was, I am happy to have it as it remains.  A small window to our past.

SoulePapa Blogs: My Little Pony

Probably nothing tells the tale of Papa more thoroughly than my present ride. BUT, before i get to that, I want to thank all of you bloggists out there for the kind welcome and encouragement to carry the torch in Amanda's absence.  I'm a daily subscriber to SouleMama myself!
Well, as you can see, it's ok to stand on the hood of Papa's ride... Even with your shoes on.  It's ok to climb on the roof if you weigh less than 200lbs - but you can lie and i don't check.  Usually, you can find some Netflix in or around the front seat and you can borrow them, watch them and return them a week later, faster than I can return them.  Tucked under the dash in front of the passenger seat are the coffee cups and bad food wrappings that I hide from Amanda for no other reason than she fears for my health.  I rationalize with - Organic, healthy food at home / cheese pazzo bread from Amato's on the road.  Yuck.   Other excellent features are;  an array of coins that Ezra spreads throughout the vehicle including many jammed into the vents, radio and cigarette lighter. Paperwork for my four current jobs and two that have ended but the paperwork lives on.  Clothing for all seasons, a radio on the blink(Ezra?), one working speaker, a permanent layer of dust and well, you get the picture. 
It's Papa's car. 
Part jungle gym, part office. 
The car that, when wheeling into the driveway, may encounter hostile pirates, desperate to climb aboard, a clown, Dorothy and the Scarecrow or a host of other characters who laugh and hug and kiss and are happy to take the wheel while Papa works the pedals ("Faster Papa Faster!!!").
Purchased from the proceeds of an unfortunate mishap when Amanda and I ran into each other(quite literally) a couple of years back. Totaling our previous Subaru and paving the way for this beauty.  The preventative maintenance budget is at zero (next to the resale value) and there it shall stay.  'Til death do us part.

SoulePapa Blogs : Crash, Burn and Learn

So, I was sitting atop the half pipe with Ez contemplating what i could possibly come up with for my first SoulePapa post.  Adelaide, worn out from scaling ramps and toddling rough-shod through a host of wheeled travelers, was sleeping comfortably in the van.  Alternating from scooter to skateboard and back again, Calvin was content to be coasting across wood and pavement, fixated on his turns.  I watched a young girl practicing her drop ins, each culminating in disjointed wipe outs of the heartiest variety.  A teenage kid off in the corner of the parking lot, dressed all in black, doing these goofy,  ollie/360 whirlybird things the likes of which I've never seen.  The most accomplished skater of the day, a heavy set fellow with wild, curly black hair and a big smile, ground his way through the park, commanding attention with the sheer size of his movements.  I brought my focus back to Ezra, hat pulled low on his head, nibbling his hair and watching his big brother ride.  Calvin hopped off the pipe onto the pavement.  His board, biting hard, catapulted him into a heap of 5 year old ecstasy.  He popped up without fanfare and continued.  He looked back at me and laughed when the young girl finally nailed a drop in and threw her fist in the air "yeah"!.  I didn't see her miss again all day.  We pulled our feet back off the lip as the big kid with the black hair wound around the halfpipe, catching air at each turn.  He faltered only briefly and came crashing down hard on his back and head.  Wincing, he got up and limped bravely back to the line-up as his friends seemed to calculate his reaction.  A woman who had been sitting on the curb watching the action stood and walked toward him, "are you ok"?   hunched over, he nodded yes.  His mom.

Now I'm home and typing with a two fingered fervor.  The kids are asleep. Calvin's legs and arms are covered with bruises.  Adelaide bit a gash in her lower lip on one of a dozen or so tumbles of the day.  Ezra lives in a constant state of flux between earthly harmony and the pain of a 3 year old's failures and frustrations. 
I may be the Papa but they are my role models.
I am so blessed to be where I am.
Work hard Amanda - it's going to be beautiful.  Like you.

goodbye::hello

goodbye::
Today is the start of a two week blog break for me. I've been working for some time now on a project that I'm quite excited about, and as it's nearing a completion in the coming weeks, it's going to need all of my attention. I'm going to do my best to stay away from the computer, and especially away from here and here. So if you 'see' me out there, you can promptly tell me to go away. Okay? I'll be back in the beginning of November with lots of blog energy, halloween crafting catching up to do, and secret projects to be revealed. 

hello::
But did you think I was going to leave you with nothing for two weeks? Oh no. I've got a very special guest blogger that will be popping in during my absence. A guest blogger! I'm SO excited to see what SoulePapa has to say and share. This will be the ONE blog I allow myself to read on break. I told him the one rule was to 'be kind,' and beyond that he's got free reign. I can't wait!

Be well, my friends!!

mama's milk!

Last spring, I was asked for the use of one of my photographs (found here, it's the companion to this, which might be my favorite photo ever) by Baby Milk Action, a UK breastfeeding organization. Being an issue that is near and dear to my heart (um, literally), I was honored to be asked, and more than happy to share the photograph. The photograph became one in a set of 6 postcards that all portray breastfeeing in light, and humorous ways. The postcards are available for purchase as mixed sets or single sets, with all the proceeds going towards Baby Milk Action - a non-profit organization that works globally to protect women and babies from 'irresponsible marketing'. (Visit their site, or here for more information about what that means if it's unfamiliar to you).

And as these things take some time, it was just this week that the postcards arrived here, surprising me. The photo now seems so long ago, and Adelaide seems so wee. Those tiny sweet fingers of hers, grasping on, I can remember the feeling of nursing her then and at that age. We're still nursing now, but we've moved onto the acrobatic nursing stage - interesting and sweet in it's own way, but different from the 'baby' I remember cradling and nursing in my arms just one year ago. I know that for many reasons, breastfeeding isn't always easy or possible in every situation, and I try to be sensitive to that.  But, speaking for my own life, I am soo grateful for the gift of breastfeeding. Those moments of utter peace - of sitting still - and  of complete connection - those have been - and always will be - some of the happiest and most peaceful moments of my life.

because she really needs another dress

Did you see Lyn's scrap patchwork?  It's beautiful. Coincidentally, on the very day I saw it, I spotted this maternity skirt while thrifting, in just that style of patchwork. Had to have it, since it was the 'lazy' way of getting that same beautiful effect. Being that it was a skirt, with not much material, and also being that I didn't want to do just what Lyn did, I didn't want to do a bag. Which, really only left a dress for Adelaide as a possibility, right? I mean, you can see how I had to make her another dress, can't you?

Like every other dress I've made for her though, it's too big (hmn...if I just followed a pattern perhaps this wouldn't happen). And so sweet Ez happily volunteered to wear it. How cute is he?

Hopefully I can get it off him and into Adelaide's closet before it meets the fate of the rest of his clothes.

in need of shirts, no more

Once Adelaide was done, time to move onto Ezra's shirts. And really, I don't want to actually make shirts, but I'm more than happy to 'embellish' thrifted tees. Ezra and I flipped through Sublime Stitching, where he picked out the swan and the guitar for his shirts. (I used tear away stabilizer sheets to keep the tee from stretching.)

It's such a treat to watch Ezra eat -he, um, loves food, and is not shy about enjoying it. That also means that every shirt that he has is covered in stains. I'm hardly picky about what my kids wear (are you kidding me?), but there's a point at which I know it's ridiculous.

That point is when I start covering it up. I used bits of fabric, with heat n bond, and sewed them onto the shirts. The circus 'pocket' is from a pair of overalls that all three babes wore - I love that print sooo much.

Next up on the fall/winter wardrobe needs: Calvin's pants. Phew. Getting there.

a very good dream, indeed

After this weekend, I thought we could all use a little less talking from me. So today I bring you the work of one of my favorite artists. How much do I love this one? SOO much. Calvin says it was a dream he had. It looks like it was a very,very good dream.

Now, on to the Joy

Thank you all so much for the support. I've tried to answer questions as best I can. My intention really was not to stir the can of worms more than it already was, nor to put more fear out there, nor to be hostile towards those of you who thought using images in a  'positive' way was okay. My tone might have sounded harsh as I was coming from a place of defending my children from being 'used' in a commercial way. I'm not fearful for our safety, and I have no intention of changing how my children appear on the blog, nor do I advise you to do so - unless that feels right for you. But I do believe strongly that asking first before using someone's content or images should be the standard. Providing a link on your website is fine (lots of you have asked me about this), that isn't 'taking' anything, it's just referring. A big difference. I was encouraged by most of the response to my post, and it feels good to me to know that we're looking out for each other. I think that, combined with awareness, and technological knowledge that will help protect image theft, this really can move in a positive direction. I do hope.

Now, let's get on to some joy, shall we? Please? I'm bursting to share this with you!

From under a table (always look under the table!) at a church rummage sale this weekend. It was one of those heart-leaping thrifting moments, where you're sure you're not going to actually make it out the door with the find. Do you know what I'm talking about? Frightening. The conversation went like this:

Church Lady: Oh no. Where did you get this dear? What is THIS doing out here?

Me: {sinking heart...and are those tears forming in my eyes?}

Church Lady: Father Michael! Come over and look at this. Who put this out here, this is filthy! We shouldn't have ripped up old quilts out here.

Me: Oh, it's okay! Really! I love old things.

Church Lady: I don't know who put this out there. This is all ripped up and old and filthy! Just filthy! Bertha {yes, really, her name was Bertha}, did you put this out there?

Me: {chewing my fingernails. getting a little twitchy.}

Bertha: Well, if she wants it, sell it to her!

Me: {That's my girl, Bertha.} Yes, I really do like it just the way it is.

Church Lady: Well, I can't sell it to you for a dollar, I just can't. It's just filthy. Bertha? I can't sell this to her for a dollar!

Bertha: Well, if she wants to buy it for a dollar, sell it to her for a dollar!

Me: No, really, it's FINE. Let me give you a dollar for it. I'm happy to! {please, please, please}

Church Lady: Well, alright then. But I just don't understand....I can't believe....Who would have....Why would....

Me: Um, thank you! {OUT the door}

Oh, how I love my 'new' quilt.

we need to talk

I try to keep things on the light side around here. Certainly not because there isn't sadness or hard things in my life, but because this is the place where I come to be reminded of the joy. And so I apologize today if you've come here looking for a bit of joy, because I need to talk openly here about something that's not so joyful.

I'm angry, and I'm frustrated. I've just discovered that yet again, someone has taken an image from my blog without my permission and used it on their website. I don't know if you realize how often this happens. A lot. And I know I'm not the only one, but I think we usually deal with it quietly.  I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a little loud today. I need to come right out and say this, just so we're all clear:
when you take an image from another website, and use it in any way of your own without permission, you are, in effect, stealing. It doesn't matter if it's a photo of their child, their scarf or their art. It doesn't matter if your intent is sexual in nature, or if you love someones work and want to glow about it. It doesn't matter if you're posting it on your own personal blog, a commercial blog, or if you're a contributor on a group blog. When you take someones image or content without their permission, you are stealing. 

Besides being the law (yes, it really is), it just makes sense. If you'd like to use something of someone's, please, just ask. Sending an email to ask permission might take you a little longer to write your post, but you need to do it. What you find out there is not free for your taking.

Bringing this back around to the joy (there's always a little bit), it occured to me that the stolen photos and/or content are almost always discovered by blog readers. I'm always SO grateful when someone informs me they've found a photo of mine somewhere it shouldn't be. Because at the same time as feeling angry at the violation, I also feel so cared for, and watched out for by my fellow bloggers and blog readers.  And so it occured to me that we should take that and step it up a level. Doesn't everyone always talk about this 'community' of bloggers? Well, this community needs neighborhood watch program. Seriously. I know that we can never make images 100% secure online, but don't you think if we're looking out for each other, surely that can cut down on at least some of this happening within our own 'community'? If you see an image somewhere you think it shouldn't be, speak up. And I'll do the same for you. Are you with me?

In the interest of sharing information -the first step in any change - here are a few links that I think are valuable in this discussion of preventing image theft:
US Copyright Office - the basics
Creative Commons on Flickr
Preventing Image Theft which gives great tips on disabling the context (ie 'right click') menu - IF you code your own site. I can't find a good solution for this with Typepad. Anyone else?
Michelle's tutorial for Watermarking in Photoshop

Whenever this comes up, I go through a range of emotions, and always in there is the thought that I just shouldn't do this at all - particularly posting photos of our children, as my heart just breaks when I discover them somewhere they shouldn't be. In the end, the joy that we get and give from doing this always wins out for me personally - at least for now. But I so completely understand that for others, it's just too much to bear.  Protecting my family and the work I do on this blog is so important to me, which is why I needed to talk to you about this. Thank you for listening.

PS. (added later) Man, I need some self-editing. I'm so sorry to have been harsh to those of you who sincerely did not know that it isn't okay to take images this way. My anger comes from the misuse of photos of my children, which I'm sure you can understand to be intense.

In peace,
Amanda

i guess it's really fall

A little fall eye candy for you this weekend. These are at sunset last week. The colors on the trees are just stunning to me. I can't stop staring at them all in wonder at just how they could possibly be so bright and beautiful. And I want them to hang on to the trees so I can see them just a bit longer, but alas, they're fallling. Sigh.

Oh, and a new banner above too. I couldn't seem to let go of the beach photo quite yet, but I also want to be reminded of the beauty of the fall around us too. So it's a bit reflective of my state of mind, I suppose. (Oh, and if you can't see it after you've cleared your cache, no worries, it'll come eventually. It always takes longer to show up on my mac, but not on the PC. I tell myself it's some sort of internet magic mystery.)

A very happy weekend to you!

the mailman is our santa claus

A lovely bundle of a package arrived this week from Ilse and her sweet family in Belgium. Ilse's blog isn't in English, so I can't read a bit of it (is there a way to do this? I've never known), but I've loved looking at her photographs and have assumed that our families have a lot in common. I got such a clear confirmation of that this week when I opened this package - from so far away - to find it full of things so familiar to us. It was such a comforting feeling, that feeling of connection across continents and language, to think of another family - just like ours - with the same values and 'things' in their home, and the same nature -based handwork happening. Such a good feeling, and one that I was happy to share with my babes, as they're just beginning to grasp this whole concept that the world reaches beyond our little city. Ilse sent along these three adorable knitted kitties (I made just one of these years ago, which can be seen here. Now I suppose I need to make a "papa" kitty and we'll have a whole family?), three felt gnomes (so so cute), and three rocks that are local to her. All so very thoughtful, and now right at home on our nature table.

And she didn't forget to spoil the mama, by sending along these AMAZING vintage wooden, painted buttons. I love them so much. Ilse, thank you so much for your kindness!

And making the postal worker even more loved in our house this week (okay, the Zappos order arriving didn't hurt either), came this package from Barb, of Woof Nanny. Barb has been such a long time (you know, in internet years) reader of this blog and I'm always in love with the vintage finds and patterns she posts about. If you're ever in need of some gushing to be done, check out her vintage apron pattern collection. Wow! She was ever so sweet to send along some of her finds - these books and patterns are all big hits here (We LOVE those 'All Around Us' books!), some for me and some for the babes.

And this fabric, too! Calvin wants to know why the scarecrow isn't busy scaring crows, and Ezra is curious as to why that fork has so many 'sticks' on it. So fun. Thank you, Barb, for sharing some of your thrifty finds with us!!

Edited: It works!! World Lingo really does translate Ilse's blog quite well - seems to be fewer of the 'random' words than on other translating sites. Hooray! Thank you, Sunny!

in need of pants, no more

I think I can safely say that croup and pneumonia are passing by our house (thank you, thank you) and we're all just left with head colds and a cough. Not so bad after all. Phew.

I've been realizing, in the past few weeks as it's gotten cooler, that I spent way too much of my thrifting time this summer in front of the vintage linens, and not enough in the childrens clothing section. Oops. And, Oh well. Since I can't bring myself to buy 'new' kids clothes, I guess that leaves me sewing, now doesn't it? Oh, such torture. Excuses to sew. Logical reasons and needs to sew. I love it.

First up was pants for Adelaide. Being child #3 let's just say that anything I haven't made or found recently thrifted are BEAT after two big brothers. These were all made by tracing the one pair of pants she had that did fit (thrifted Oilily. love that.). I think those blue Munki Munki jersey pants (with ruffle on the bottom courtesy of Sewzannes) have me convinced that I NEED a ruffler. I do, don't I? Yes, I thought you'd agree.

These are my favorites. Next up: shirts for Ezra.

What I Love: kids art

{Emerging from the land of nose-wipes (thanks for the well-wishes! We're getting there!) with this nearly forgotten, but just-found blog post. (I do that. Start things. Don't finish them. Blog posts are no exception.) Anyway, It's almost like finding 5 bucks in your pocket you'd forgotten about. You know, sort of like that.}

Calvin's ramp, with his chalk drawings of all the 'acceptable' wheels for riding on the ramp: bike, skateboard, rollerblades, and scooter.

Ezra, with his claywork "flat tire" and the knitting needle 'that made it flat'. Brilliant, I'd say.

And Adelaide. Sure the pencil is upside down, and headed into her mouth, but once we get that all straightened out, I'm sure she'll be on her way to her own masterpieces. I'm in awe and always inspired by how truly unique each child and their creative expressions are. And how in retrospect it all *fits* so well with who they are. What a gift it is to watch it all unfold.

Not what I was expecting...

The flea market was a little more beanie-baby/overpriced 'antiques' than the vintage fabric/notions we were expecting. Still, I walked away with these little bits - 8 glasses that match what we currently use, (but are always breaking, so replacements are a welcome sight), a butter dish to match a tea set I have (I have a feeling I'm going to subject you to a whole long story about that soon), and this vintage hat pattern that I thought would be just stunning (see below for it's stunning glory. Ahem). While not so materially successful, it was a great day nonetheless. I mean, really, beanie babies and matchbox cars can be plain awful alone (unless that's your thing, of course), but with a good friend, it was made all the more fun (and funny).

So yeah, the vintage hat pattern.This is definitely NOT what I was expecting. Ha! But perhaps it's a good lesson in laughing at myself? Yeah, that's it. Or perhaps the start of a frightening halloween costume for the Mama? Hmn, any ideas? I think I'll stick with the mailorder hats from now on. She knows what she's doing. I, clearly, do not.

Never expected this one, either. Sitting with my knitting at the skate park intown this weekend, while Calvin got his halfpipe groove on. So very MOM. You can definitely put this close to the top of the Top Ten Places I Never Thought I'd Knit. But was it fun? Yes, yes it was.

Didn't expect this either. Though, I guess with us being more "out" in the world this fall (for classes and such), I shouldn't be surprised that by the end of the weekend, we are all sick. Tis the season. And I hear there's whooping cough and pneumonia kicking around town right now. Fun. The good news? We're doing it all at once.

I guess I'm off to make some soup, after all. I *did* expect to do that.

PS. Don't expect much from me this week. ;)

What did I just say?

Because I would like to assure you that you can rely on me for beach photos all year round. And because I think it's quite perfect that I just said that she was 'past the stage of putting things in her mouth,' I bring you these photos from the beach this weekend.

Yum.

And if you're still looking for a reason to smile, check out this or this, two videos highly requested at my house this week.

Okay, now back to your weekend (and mine).

fall weekend doings

Ah, the weekend is here. And a long one at that. I must say that while I love the relaxed, mellow feel a summer weekend, I also rather enjoy the busy feeling with fall weekends. There's so much to do to get ready for a long winter ahead - outings to be squeezed in before it's too cold for them; outside projects to be wrapped up before the weather turns; harvesting to enjoy; and the gathering and making of the things we need for the winter ahead. This weekend promises to be full of such things around here. On our list for the days ahead:

- visiting a new flea market with a friend (I can hardly wait for this)
- the start of a big family carpentry project (yes, the first aid kit is stocked)
- apple picking, and then apple baking
- a visit to the thriving farmers market with some soup to follow
- halloween costumes for three (matching, naturally)
- lots of sewing of warm weather clothes for all the babes
- knitting progress on those wool socks we'll need very soon
- a romp about and a foliage peek at a favorite spot in the woods
- a date with Steve to celebrating a dear friends' 30th birthday at a 70's rock themed keg party. Um, Oh my.

Of course, that's a list for a seven day weekend, which we don't have. So some things will happen, and most we'll let go of. Such is the nature of it all.

"Isn't the sun sooo warm, Mama?" I love the way this time of year - with the warmer days dwindling - reminds us just how precious each warm, sun-filled day is. We spend as much of the days outside as we can, soaking it up, and knowing that soon it will be so very different. Winter will be good in it's own way, but nonethless quite different.

A very happy weekend to you! May you soak up every bit of whatever season you are enjoying.

chicken redux

I was packing up my orders for the TIny Totes last night, and was feeling a little sad about saying goodbye to the chicken. I really love the chicken. So I plotted a new plan for a chicken dress. I love this vintage wool plaid - and was glad to put it to 'good' use finally. The dress/ wrap is based on Burda 9904, but with quite a few changes. It's a little big on her, but I suppose that's better than too small. I kind of cranked it out in between bedtime and Project Runway, which means there's no lining, but I think that works for a wrap that will always be worn with something under it anyway. (And before you go thinking I'm some kind of sewing wonder, let me tell you that the pattern is reeeally basic. Just three pattern pieces. No lining, and bias on the trim. Totally doable in an hour.)

(stopping for a rock snack).

Thank you for continuing the conversation with me after yesterday's post. It's so wonderful, and hopeful to me, to know that so many others feel the same way about the presence of handmade in our lives, and especially in the lives of our children. In the comments, Amy relayed a quote she had read, "Traditional work has traditional rhythms.  You cannot do traditional work at a modern pace."  I really, really love that. So very true.

patiently knitting

I snapped this photo on our walk yesterday. We went to to one of our favorite walkways by the ocean for some skateboarding, watching the train, and generally frolicking about. I happened to look down at this scene - with eyes other than my own for a moment - and saw how funny it was that the yarn came with us. I mean, it always comes with us. For seven years - since I started knitting - I've always carried a knitting project with me. I bring them in the car, and they move about from bag to bag (gathering crumbs of food along the way). Just waiting. Waiting for that five minutes that I'm sitting in the car with sleeping children. Or for that reaaally long train in front of us. Or for the (oh, so) few moments that all three babes are happily engaged without me at the beach, playground, woods or wherever we are. And those moments where knitting actually happens are heavenly. Worth the wait. But I started to think about the number of those moments where I actually do knit, and how relatively small that is compared to the number of hours that the yarn travels with us. It's pretty small. Really small. If I had to put a number on it, I'd say about 2%. That's a lot of travelling for that yarn, and not so much action. Which at first I thought might be a bit ridiculous, but the more I thought about it (it was a long walk), the more I liked the idea. That there's always a presence of something being made, of a creation in progress, of the work of handmade. I've got to believe that it's instilling some sort of value in all of that, and that ultimately (bear with me here), the 'energy' of the kids sock (or whatever it may be) is all the more 'full' for having 'lived' with us for so long. And the beautiful thing about that yarn is, it's so patient. The very nature of knitting isn't one of rushing, or quick results. And so, it's presence serves as a reminder of that for me. It says: The yarn will be there. The project can wait. Take a deep breath. Play with your kids.

These were the thoughts in my head on our walk yesterday as I walked around with my little ones, and gazed at that ball of yarn and needles just sitting there. Waiting patiently to be knit.

fall neck wear

I've had my eye on the scarf ("Scrap Wrap") in the Denyse Schmidt Quilts book since I bought it, but I think I've been intimidated by the project. Just a few weeks ago, Blair's beautiful rendition inspired me to give it a go. I must admit to not really reading all the instructions (so impatient, I tell you), so I don't have that full multi-fabric pieced look that she and Blair both got. Still, I enjoyed dipping into my basket of vintage silk scarves that I adore, but never actually 'wear', and the bigger panels of fabric actually worked well for my must-finish-even-though-it's-1am crafting state of mind.

I've been wearing this every day since I made it, despite the warm sun. I really like it. So much that I made another one nearly identical. That one's headed off to a silent auction I mentioned last week, because, um, I ended up keeping two bags instead of just one for myself (shhhh!).

And here you have the 'scarf on neck, babe on hip' look. Adelaide's a bit of a hip hugger at the moment (which I adore, for the record), so there is no mama photo without the babe. How much do you love her hand gesture? Oh and yes, I do think the orange tee is a bit overkill, but it was what I happened to have on (orange all around me these days - could orange be my new green? Hmmn.), and certainly there was nothing else clean to be found. Gotta get to that laundry one of these days. But probably not.

In the Shop: Tiny Totes!

Yay! I'm so excited about these, that I've had in mind to make for a bit now. I've been wanting to make some totes that each one would be unique and one-of-a-kind and 'new' and creative to me when making them, and I wanted them to appeal to both children and fun-loving adults, all while staying as affordable as possible. I think I did it! Let's call them Tiny Totes, shall we? (Indulge me, if you will).

I put a batch of them in the SouleMama Shop on Etsy (the photos above will take you to their individual pages). I've got sketchbook pages full of more ideas for them (they feel like little blank canvases of embroidery, applique, and patchwork fun!), so if you like them too, then I'll make one more round of them before the holidays (am I really saying that word like it's something that will happen soon?). I've got a few other things I'm cooking up for holiday treats, particularly with little ones in mind, so if you're interested, peek at the Shop for updates. And as always, thanks so much for your support of what I do!

Thank you, Thank you! They've all sold! I'll make another round in the beginning of November!