SouleMama

2008

What a year! 2008 has been so very full of living, dreams realized, plans fulfilled, and best of all - a new life! Already, 2009 promises to be another year full of so many more adventures. I'm excited to see what comes, and to share bits of it here with you.

I want to thank you for your presence here and in our lives in 2008. Your kindness, support, words of wisdom and encouragement have meant so very much to me, and I thank you for taking the moments out of your days to stop by this space. It's an honor and a joy to share the journey with you!

Wishing you and yours the coziest and merriest of celebrations as you reflect on what was, and look forward to what is yet to come!

the "nothing" in between

Even the 'simplest' of handmade, mellow holidays happens with a flurry. A beautiful, busy, full-of-family, good food, and lots of love kind of flurry that's wonderful.

Equally wonderful, I do think, is the rest that comes after the flurry. This week of 'in-between' holidays - when there are no more presents or things to make/bake/wrap/clean. When the house is full of leftovers and the kids (and Mama and Papa, too) are for the most part, happily engaged in their new treats, and 'full' from the love and attention of visiting and celebrating family.

These in between days feel as though they're one glorious excuse for a pause and reflection in this season of celebration. Surely there's lots that could/should/ought to be done. But really...the most important thing I think we should be doing is nothing. Keeping the dining room table clear enough for all the game-playing that's happening; keeping the sofa clear (thanks for all the love yesterday!) for all that lounging, reading, baby-gazing and non-holiday leisurely knitting around here. Everything else can wait.

I hope there's a bit of that wonderful nothing happening right now in your world, too.

under my tree

It's green, it's vintage (the boys are sure it came from Almanzo's parlor), it holds all the silly people I love so dearly, and it's a little weathered and worn - fitting in just right with everything else around here. It's so very perfect. I'm happy.

I never thought I'd say this, but...thank goodness Steve saves his gift shopping until the day before, which in this case allowed him to intercept a perfectly timed email (thanks Julie!) alerting me to this couch before I could see it. Which he then arranged the swift purchase and epic pickup of (without a truck, mind you). In a snowstorm. On Solstice Eve.

I think my honey loves me.

No idea what I'm talking about? Read here, here and here for the whole silly-long sofa saga. Whatever will I blog about now that I've got it?

into Winter

I stood beside a hill
Smooth with new-laid snow,
A single star looked out
From the cold evening glow.

There was no other creature
That saw what I could see--
I stood and watched the evening star
As long as it watched me.

- Sara Teasdale

In the midst of a blustery winter's storm blowing outside, we celebrated the Winter Solstice this weekend.  A celebration of light shining in darkness, of the return of the sun, and of the magic and wonder out there all around us. As the first big storm of the year, it made the contrast of light & dark, in & out, warm & cold all that more tangible and real and...well, quietly beautiful.

I thought - until this morning - that Christmas was on Friday (I don't know where I got that idea, but it was firmly lodged in my clearly sleep-deprived brain). But it's not on Friday. It's on Thursday (did you know?), which makes me a little behind. So today, I did a little baking and a little knitting. But the rest of the many things on The List? Well (as I was gently reminded by a wise Soule in this house), I think it's time to make that list magically disappear into the celebratory fire. And it's time to carry the strong & peaceful calm of that winter storm into the excitement and celebration of the days to come.

So in case you, too, needed a reminder, and haven't done it yet...it's getting near time to toss The List. Take a deep breath. and Enjoy.

Wishing you peace and joy as you celebrate with those you love in the coming days!

merry-making

The merry-making around here is heating up, as I suspect it is in your home too! We're about to begin our family Solstice celebration this weekend, to be followed by a week full of Christmas festivities with friends and family. I think I'll sign off here for the week, though I'm sure I'll pop in to share a photo or two.

Wishing you and yours the most blessed and merry of days!

xo,
all the Soules

the aprons are hung

Much later in the season than usual, I pulled out the box of holiday linens this week. A box full of holiday tablecloths and napkins, towels, and aprons of years past. A box full of memories and dreams, too.

I never showed you this sweet new one from last year. It was made by Meg (I believe it's based on her Emmeline pattern), and was part of our 2007 Holiday Traditions Exchange. Exchanging recipes, traditions, songs and books. I love hearing what other families do to celebrate this season - in all the many diverse ways we do so. Now this apron from a friend I've never 'met' has now been added to our own traditions and stories - in the family collection of aprons we'll be wearing this season and for many more to come.

Adelaide has taken a special fondness this year to this one, to no one's surprise. Those christmas cats, of course. It's never one I would have picked up on my own, but it was my grandmother's and so I treasure it dearly. Just seeing it and touching the worn cotton fabric - it all reminds me of walking into her warm house full of yummy smells and soft hugs on Christmas, and seeing this tied around her waist as she prepared a party full of food in her kitchen.

I nearly forgot what a flood of emotion would come with opening that box of holiday linens (no, it's not the post-baby hormones, I fully admit that an apron alone has the power to tug at my heart). But oh, those aprons - some handmade - by me and others, some passed down, some found - all carrying a special meaning of one kind or another. Each with it's own story; some with years worth of flour in spots so thick that the fabric is faded there; and some with stories I'll never know but always wonder about; and some with stories yet to happen in our family - that I can only dream about now. But all evoking a little bit of the spirit of the holidays - of time spent baking and making for those we love, of feasts prepared and shared, and of home and family.

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?

knitting my odessa

Photos by SoulePapa.

(The sling, for those of you wondering, is a Moby Wrap, which I especially love for these early days.)

So I had that big flurry of knitting in the weeks waiting for Harper. Some results you've seen, but believe it or not - there's more you haven't seen yet. Those hours spent awake in the middle of the night with contractions that were just enough to keep me from sleeping - I filled them with knitting. On my needles then was this hat - Odessa by Grumperina (available as a free download on Ravelry). It was such a fun pattern to knit - interesting, but not too complicated. I used The Fibre Company Savannah yarn - love that stuff.

It's the same yarn I knit the Maine Morning Mitts from earlier this year. I think together, they're going to be perfect for warmer spring days...or for freakishly warm winter days like we had yesterday. (Any Mamas recognize those braids? Oh yes...those are the 'it's been three days again since I've had a shower" braids.)

(This whole little photo session made me laugh so much yesterday, though I'm not sure why. I think it just felt good to be outside...and not frozen out there. And to be showing the woods and the forts to Harper without slipping on ice.)

So the knitting. Until a few days ago, I hadn't done a stitch of knitting since Harper's birth, which of course, was just fine. There's been too much nursing, sleeping and staring to be done. But the itch to knit has started to creep in...and there is that holiday coming up oh-so-soon with just a few hand knits on the list. Thankfully, a few days ago, I remembered that if I can eat, cook, parent and nurse with just one free hand, surely I can remember how to knit with a sleeping babe on my chest.

And so...we're knitting a little bit now, Harper and I. And it's very good - one little row at a time.

Photo by Calvin. (He rocks the 50mm.)

a wintry weekend

out ::

(photos by SoulePapa)

in ::

(photos by the Mama)

I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful & cozy weekend!

right now :: december 10

right now, I am...

enjoying :: the 5-inch tall elfin snowpeeps my kids were so excited to make from the first fallings of snow-like precipitation this week

wondering :: how it got to be 10pm before I posted today?

marveling :: at the pile of packages on my porch waiting to be opened for the Mama to Mama project. You are all amazing.

dancing :: in front of the tree lights each night with Harper to sooth those 9pm new baby bellyaches

listening :: to Sufjan Stevens Songs for Christmas - and never tiring of it

anticipating :: the ice storm that's rolling in tonight - hoping that everyone and everything is safe, but also loving the cozy-hibernating feeling that comes with a storm

loving :: the way these two love each other

thinking :: I'd better go get that spit-up removing shower in before we lose power

signing :: off for the weekend

wishing :: you a beautiful December weekend!

how we're doing...this time

How We're Doing - I found this post recently - from right after Adelaide was born - and it made me laugh. Oh, Lucy...she stuck around for a while. I kind of miss her and her fabulous top knots.

And this time? There is still some of that, even though I must say - the transition from three to four has been smooth-ish. We were, of course, already outnumbered by the children. So there's that. And the kids have all completely and utterly adored Harper since the moment he was born. Adored. Sometimes, though, with a little too much adoration (see above).He's had a constant 'hover' since arriving.

And there is that laundry pile. I actually took this on the day before Harper was born (though I did so for reasons that completely escape my sleep-deprived brain now). But I'll just let you imagine how much higher that pile is right now....for real, people. The laundry. It's crazy.

Yesterday - with Papa at work for just a few hours - I found myself in this moment. This moment where I was sitting nursing a slightly unhappy little one who needs to be in positions just so for a successful nursing session, while instructing another - from across two rooms - on how to make his own lunch (because he was "starving, because you haven't fed me, Mom!"), while steering another away from stuffing the cat into her sling, while the other one was asking for help sounding out the (slightly terrifying) headlines on a New Yorker from one year ago that he found covered in dust from under the couch. And then I noticed the gigantic blob of spit up in my hair. Dried who-knows-how-old spit up.

Add to all that a case of pneumonia, one of bronchitis, and a holiday season for which I have done no making or buying yet...oh, and that sleep thing...and well, it's fair to say there are moments of being overwhelmed. Moments where one might wonder what one has gotten oneself into.

But then. Always just then - at that moment before utter overwhelming panic sets in - a moment like this next one appears in front of my eyes. A tiny moment of peace, a clear sign of love. Surely a sight of family. Without thinking about it, an involuntary deep breath emerges. All of the above stress is quieted and overshadowed by the reminder that this - this is what it's all about. And that I don't want to miss a second of it.

So yes, you could say we're doing just fine.

(Though I would like to wash my hair.)

dear harper

Dear sweet Harper,

Welcome to the world of being photographed in Mama-Made. I hope you don't mind too much - you are, of course, like your brothers and sister - always welcome to opt out. That's okay too. But we make it pretty fun around here, these silly little photo shoot - generally they involve a lot of playing while I chase you around with a camera. Not a bad deal. Except right now, there's no chasing - you just lay there - often sleeping - which makes my job quite easy. Though it does mean that I end up with 100 photographs from every angle of you wearing whatever it may be, because, well, I think you're adorable and I can't stop clicking. Especially with every twitch of your toe, and quiver in that little chin of yours - a new photo each time. And late at night, when you're in a rare moment of not being on my chest or in my arms, I find these pictures on my computer and ooh and aah over you once again. And dream up what I can make you next. I can't help it. I'm in love.

xo,
Mama

PS. The pants? Oh yes. Those are the Picky Pants by Little Turtle Knits, that I made in a flurry of knitting last month. Such a great pattern - highly customizable, adaptable in many sizes and shapes (especially good for that big cloth diaper bum of yours). The yarn? Organik, by Maine's own The Fibre Company.

I'm so pleased that these fit you so early - even in your wee 7lb sweet little body. The next size up is on the needles now...just don't grow into them too fast, okay?

Sponsor Giveaway :: Imagine Childhood

Today's sponsor giveaway comes from Imagine Childhood - a shop full of tools and toys for family exploration, adventure and creativity. (Check out their wonderful blog too - full of child & nature inspiration.)

 
Pine Cone Fairy

Fairy House

Description from Imagine Childhood:
"Bring nature indoors with this wonderful plant-dyed wool felt Pine Cone Fairy and Fairy House.  Handmade on Bryn Du Farm in Colorado using wool from their own Jacob sheep herd.  We can even tell you the name of the sheep the wool came from! House fits 1-3 fairies and measures 7"x7"x7", Fairy is 3 to 3.5 inches in height. Not for children under 4." 

One lucky winner will receive both the fairy and fairy house pictured and described above! If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winners at 6pm EST on Monday.

In addition, for the duration of this giveaway, Imagine Childhood is offering a 15% site-wide discount for all SouleMama readers! Just enter soulemama as the discount code at checkout. 

Good luck!! And happy holiday shopping-for-the-kids!

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Comments closed! And the winner is....

oh we are soooo in to fairy houses right now! sweet!
leslie - posted Dec 7, 10:20pm

Congrats, Leslie!! Thanks to Imagine Childhood for the wonderful Giveaway!

Thanks once again to all the Sponsors! And thanks to all of you for playing along in the giveaways this week! I hope you found some new handmade goodness...

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Sponsor Giveaway :: Baby Bear Shop

Today's sponsor giveaway comes from Baby Bear Shop - full of organic and natural goodness for  baby and grownups alike!

 

Recycled Glass Soy Wax Candle
Description from Baby Bear Shop:
"lavender vanilla scent- this line of etched song bird candles with wispy flowers dancing around the glass is hand-poured using the finest soy wax, cotton wick, and organic oils for a fresh, clean burn every time. environmentally friendly, it’s the perfect gift for any occasion. made in the usa. a tiny box of matches completes the set. burn time approximately 30 hours, 7.5 oz"

 
All The Better To Kiss You With® Eco Holiday Kiss Kit
Description from Baby Bear Shop:
"Contains USDA certified organic lip balm in recyclable vintage tins.  Makes a great under $20 stocking stuffer. Pomegranate, Chai Mandarin & Pepperminty"

Three lucky winners will receive a combination of both of the above - the candle and the lip balm set! f you'd like to enter, just leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winners at 8pm EST on Saturday.

In addition, Baby Bear Shop is offering free shipping on orders over $20 for all SouleMama readers! Just enter soulemama at checkout. Oh - and Baby Bear Shop plants a tree with each order placed. Way cool.

Good luck!!

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Comments closed! And the three lucky winners are...

I can smell it from Chicago! Hope to light it in my home soon.
Jamyn - posted Dec 5th at 1:17pm

oh how wonderful! i can never have enough lip balm :)
Amanda - posted Dec 6th at 11:20am

What a wonderful shop! Lovely items and love the tree planting as well.
Leta - posted Dec 6th at 2:14pm

Congrats to all the winners! And thanks to Baby Bear Shop for a great giveaway, and their support here on SouleMama!

Stop by tomorrow for the last of the Sponsor Giveaways!

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Sponsor Giveaway :: Yumi Yumi

Today's sponsor giveaway comes from the yumi yumi shop - a shop full of whimsical, fun, and original illustrations by Aline Yamada.

Description from the yumi yumi shop:
"Titled 'Little Sparrows, Rainbow Edition.' It is an illustration inspired by my love of organic, floral forms and our feathered friends. This giclee print measures 8.5x11 inch with a border for framing." (Although it is pictured framed, the giveaway is for the actual print only.)

 Aline is offering one print as shown above, for today's giveaway! If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner at 10am EST on Friday.

In addition, she is offering free shipping for all SouleMama readers, through the end of December! Just mention soulemama in the Etsy 'message to seller' and your shipping charges will be refunded. So head on over there to check out all the other yumi yumi goodness! 

Good luck!!

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Entries are closed! And the winner is....

Beautiful print - I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
geek+nerd - posted Nov 4 at 11:09am

Congrats to the winner! Thanks to Yumi Yumi for the giveaway - and don't forget the free shipping code applies until the end of the month!

(Stay tuned - I'll be back later today with a new Giveaway!)

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sitting & staring

I hope you're all enjoying the Marathon of Giveaways! I'm loving checking in quickly with them each day (and I should have told you - I always, always read all of my comments, but this week - on these Giveaway posts - I'm not quite making my way through reading them all. So be sure to email if you have something I need to hear. And continue to play nicely amongst yourselves as if I were in there moderating. Hee.) I must say - I feel a tiny bit like a matchmaker and Santa Claus combined each time I head over to that Random Number Generator. Seriously fun. There are more to come in the next few days, but I thought I'd pause and say hello today.

So, hello! We're all very, very good. Someday soon that Papa above will have to return to work (which means Harper will lose that favorite sleeping spot for a few hours a day...thankfully I do have that hammock in the wings waiting for use! And oh so many slings...and big sibling arms always itching to hold...). But for now, we're all still home together and my main task is sitting & staring. We're relying heavily on the yummy food delivered by friends, and all that summertime goodness packed away on the pantry and freezer shelves. And letting the laundry pile up around us. I can't imagine doing anything else right now.

Except maybe opening a few of my favorite boxes. The tree arrived last night, and we got right to decorating it. (The child quote of the evening - repeated more than I care to count? "Ooops. That probably can't be fixed?" Oh well.) And now I'm pretty sure - with the baby and his entertaining brothers and sisters - and that tree - that I could sit and stare the entire month away.

Here's wishing that your December holiday month is off to a lovely start! And that in the busyness of it all, you're finding a few moments to sit and stare at the beautiful things in your world too.

Sponsor Giveaway :: My Sunset Road

Today's sponsor giveaway comes from My Sunset Road - a shop featuring modern, organic and unique jewelry handcrafted by Courtney Filer-Dougal. 

the Lotus Earrings
description from My Sunset Road:
"Thick slices of sterling have been sawn into petal shaped disks reminiscent of a lotus flower. The curved wire can be gently flexed away from the petal to slide in and out of your ear. Available in a satin or oxidized finish and hang about 1 3/4"."

Courtney is offering one pair of the beautiful Lotus Earrings pictured and described above, for today's giveaway! If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment in this post. I'll close comments and announce the winner at 12pm EST on Tuesday.

In addition, she's offering a discount for all SouleMama readers! You can redeem your one-time 15% off coupon by entering soulemama at checkout.

Good luck!!

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Comments closed! The lucky winner is...

How exciting! Your giveaways are always so much fun and such lovely sponsors. I would LOVE those earrings :)
{heather} - posted Dec 1 at 10:18pm

Congrats to Heather! Thanks to all for playing, and special thanks to Courtney at My Sunset Road!

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