SouleMama

:: right now ::

RIght now, I am...

:: marveling at the weekend of SNOW we had here. October! Weren't we just swimming? Strange days, indeed.

:: tired from all the running around we did before the snow arrived to get the yard, animals, and garden "ready" for it. We still weren't ready, but we were close.

:: laughing at the pumpkins we never carved...because my peeps were too busy happily sledding. 

:: overwhelmed, just a little bit, at the sudden mountain of boots, snowpants, mittens, hats, scarves and jackets for seven at my doorstep.

:: pleasantly surprised by one little one's attempt to keep her gear together. (Favorite mittens are favorite mittens, after all.)

:: wondering, exactly what my babes will decide upon for final costumes for tonight's gathering with friends and cousins. So far, we have a Crazy Clown, a Vampire Boy, a Veterinarian, and Fireman Small. But you know, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if that changed before we leave the house tonight (excepting that vet - she's declared that her costume for life. I believe it). 

:: grateful they love creating costumes from the dress up bin and their closets, with a little bit of kid-sewing too. DIY for the young. I like it.

:: hearing that the Candy Fairy is bringing some pretty great treats this way around midnight tonight in exchange for the candy left for her. It's eat-what-you-want tonight, save just a few favorites, then offer the rest to the fairy (no one's been able to resist the excitement of the Candy Fairy yet. Surprises are fun).

:: going to do my very best to resist the Nerds tonight - my one Halloween night temptation. I know, gross, right? (It takes half a box before I remember that I don't really like them.)

:: planning meals of kale, brown rice and beans for the next week. Balance in our lives, balance in our diet.

:: digging Amy's mention of the dutch baby. It's quick, tastes great and uses lots of eggs? Yes, please!

:: knitting, sewing, knitting and sewing to meet a baby shower deadline. Twins make for double the knitting and sewing, you know.

:: listening to Kate & Anna McGarrigle non-stop in my studio.

:: saying goodbye to habit. Thank for another lovely month together, ladies!

:: inspired by new projects, big and small.

:: happy to be wearing so many woolens these days.

:: delighted by my baby girl's new obsession with her tongue. Raspberries all day long every day. She thinks she's hysterical. (She is, of course.)

:: waiting for pumpkin muffins to come out of the oven.

:: being rushed out of my studio this morning for a family "crisis". Where, oh, where did those halloween bags land after last year? Hmn...

:: wishing you all a wonderful Monday, and a spectacular Halloween night!

 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ NATURAL KIDS TEAM ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Natural Kids Team. In their words: 

"Natural Kids Team is a group of artisans from around the world who share a love for handcrafting eco friendly & all-natural toys, clothing, decor and more for kids, and kids at heart."

You can follow along with the Natural Kids Team blog for highlights, and behind the scenes stories!

SouleMama: Tell us what you envision and dream for the future of your business.

Natural Kids:  We each have different visions for our businesses. Some of us are Moms with little ones; some of us work full time as well. We support and try to nurture each other in our individual endeavors.

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Natural Kids: We are inspired by our children, nature, the earth, all things natural

For today's giveaway, the Natural Kids Team is generously offering the following to one winner: 

~ a basket full of Natural Kids Team goods!
(As photographed above, including items from the following items - click on the link for the seller: knitted gnome, dollhouse doll, bitty bu, painted sorting bowls, super skivvies gift certificate, pretty dreamer gift certificate, wool felt playmat, jingle toy, toddler playtop, miniature squirrel, barn owl needlefelting kit, gardening playset, fairy ornament, waldorf king winter, cotton playcloths.

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Thank you to the Natural Kids Team!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   

 Comments closed! The winner is...

what a lovely basket of goodness.
Posted by: Heather Hawkes 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ ALEWIVES ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Alewives Fabrics. In their words:

"Alewives Fabrics is located in Midcoast Maine and is owned by Barbara Neeson and her daughter Rhea Butler.  We specialize in an eclectic mix of hand-picked fabrics: everything from tickings and toiles to large scale florals and contemporary prints.  We also carry a great selection of yarn, ribbons, buttons, battings, notions, patterns, books and more!"

You can follow along with Alewives on Rhea's blog, or on Twitter and Facebook.

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Rhea:  Alewives Fabrics has been in business since 1978!  We've changed a lot in the past few years, but a lot of things have stayed the same.  We still draw our ads for the local newspaper by hand (a different one each week!) and we still use our original cash register.  One of the biggest changes came about a little over 2 years ago when we added our online shop.  Now we sell our fabrics all over the world!

SouleMama: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Rhea: One of the things we love about our job is that there is no typical day and you never know what to expect.  Just last week we had customers from Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, we waited on Lobstermen buying special scissors to cut their nets, we were vendors at a local quilt show and we received lots of new fabrics in the shop, which is always the best treat.  You never know what to expect!  

SouleMama: Is there a special place that inspires you?

Rhea: The old red barn that houses our business inspires us!  Vintage details like a set of stairs you have to pull down from the ceiling, stained glass sidelights, creaky wooden floors and the gorgeous view from our cupola make this fabric store like no place else in the whole world.  Yes, the building has some funny little quirks (don't even THINK about using the iron and the microwave at the same time!), but we love our barn through and through.  It still gives us a little thrill to turn the key in the door every morning! 

For today's giveaway, Rhea and Barbara at Alewives are generously offering the following to one winner: 

~ a Sense and Sensibility fat quarter set! 
(This collection of 30 fat quarters was hand-selected by Rhea and includes historical reproductions and prints from designers like Amy Butler, Kaffee Fassett, Melissa White, Libery Arts...even some Marimekko! The fabrics in the set are both old-fashioned and a bit wild at the same time: they will speak to your traditional design sense but also to your modern style sensibilities!) 

In addition, Alewives Fabrics is happy to offer 10% off all online orders to Soulemama readers when they enter the code "soulemama"  into the promotional code field at checkout.  And if you visit our shop in person, just mention "Soulemama" at the register for 10% off your purchase!

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Thank you to Alewives Fabrics!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   

  Comments closed! The winner is...

really romantic and pretty! thank you
posted by: michelle

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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family art

A big blank canvas + paper + glue + stitching + poetry + paint + drawing + room for everyone + layers upon layers of family art = a most wonderful day.

Saskia for Annabel

A small pile of lovely Citronille patterns arrived a while ago, and I've been spotting them out of the corner of my eye each time I walk into the studio. Waiting, just waiting for the chance to dive on into them some more. This weekend, I gave Saskia a go. Considering I don't read the language the patterns are written in (which doesn't say much for all the french I took in high school and college, now does it?), I never quite know how it's going to go. But with a familiar word here and there, the diagrams, and a knowledge of basic (basic) garment sewing, it generally goes okay.

I love this little dress! Though, to call it a 'dress,' I think I'd actually make it longer next time. But by then, Annabel will be crawling and perhaps this really is the best length of all. Let's call it a tunic. With a zipper in the back and two sweet pockets. Because, you know, pockets are helpful for five month old baby girls. Maybe not, but surely adorable.

And just in case you were wondering, this is what a fifth baby looks like most of the time. Smothered in brand new dresses she doesn't really need but that her mother wants to make her anyway....with a whole lot of big brother and sisterly love and kisses on top. She's a very happy girl.

in the late october garden

 

In years past, this would have been about the time we put our raised beds to bed, so to speak. This year, there's certainly a change in what's happening out there, but I'd hardly call it a bedtime - there's still so much going on! Even post-first-frost, we have brussels sprouts, chard, kale, broccoli, beets and carrots that we are eating, enjoying and still waiting for. Not to mention things left to plant! I hope the garlic makes it in this week...

{The idea is that the turkeys stay behind the fence, not outside of it. Eating my kale. (Eating my kale!) They haven't quite got the idea of that fence yet. Or maybe they have. Did you know that turkeys love kale?}

And in the quiet spots, where crops have been pulled, harvested and plucked? We've been moving the turkeys through, so that they may all eat the garden 'leftovers' as they wish (thereby cleaning it up for us) and fertilizing next year's garden space all the while. I remind them each day to please, please eat up all those squash bugs so that they may never, ever return again (please and thank you).

{Some of us, as you can see, are still hanging onto last season with our attire. Ahem.}

Just outside of the garden are the 'new' spots - places where I plan to expand the garden just a little bit for next year. Last year, we had the pigs wintering here to 'turn over' the garden area, but this year, the new garden areas, after being visited by the chickens for a while, are being layered with cardboard, leaves, and compost. (A little bit of no-till gardening at work.) 

The little ones are in on the action, too. With a big bag of bulbs (say that ten times) from the local nursery, this weekend, Adelaide and Harper began sprinkling tulips and hyacinths and daffodils along the newly extended rock wall, while talking of the spring days in which they'll see them pop up. Spring?

Oh, this late October garden is still bustling...with all the joy of now and the anticipation of what is to come. 

Annabel (the sweater, not the baby)

This weekend, amidst a three-person band, a teething infant, planting bulbs, cleaning in the garden, chasing turkeys, feeding them all (the turkeys and the band), and ignoring a whole lot of laundry...a sweater was finished! Hooray!

There's that funny thing that happens when I sit down, as documented in the first photograph above (with two big boys just out of the frame - one with a book in his nose, the other with a slingshot in his hand). I'm sure it happens to Mama's (and Papa's too!) all the world over, all throughout time. I sit down. They cluster around. It's all good, and funny, and quite how I've grown accustomed to getting anything done. These days, I barely notice the juggle that's required to do that knitting. It involves giving Adelaide and Harper my knitting 'accessories' bag to dump out and play with (which might be why I found my tape measure by the woodshed on Sunday), talking to Calvin about why the slingshot can't be used in the house (felt balls or not!), discussing with Ezra the finer points of Harry Potter book six (despite not having read any but the first one myself), nursing a baby every other row, all while keeping track of where I am on that pattern, anyway. 

It might seem crazy to sit down in the middle of all of that and knit. Surely, I love knitting in silence, and know that there will be evenings and years ahead in which to do so. But for right now, this middle-of-it-all knitting is what I've got, and I rather like it. Sitting cross legged on the floor in the middle of it all and picking up the needles - it sets a tone - the rhythm, if you will - to this wild and raucous seven-person band I'm in.

{Ravelry Notes here.}

The sweater is Annabel (the sweater, not the baby). The pattern is by the lovely Carrie Bostick Hoge, with yarn by Quince & Co., Osprey weight, in the colorway of honey, to be exact (yum). The buttons are, once again, from Mystic Orb. I adore them. (And while we're talking about what I'm wearing in this post, I have to mention the comfiest gauchos ever.)

It's such a sweet and simple cardigan pattern, and with that super thick yarn, it almost felt like cheating how fast it worked up. I was thinking it would make a really great 'first knitted sweater' sweater, actually. Either that, or a really great "knit in the middle of a whole lot of really wonderful family life chaos" sweater.

Yup. It was perfect for that kind of knitting too...

weekending

I'm totally digging our weekend.

I hope yours is full of goodness, too!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ LISA LEONARD DESIGNS ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Lisa Leonard. In Lisa's words:

"At Lisa Leonard, my team and I create beautiful, hand-crafted jewelry and gifts. We've recently branched out into home décor and wedding items—and the response has been tremendous! Our shop if full of meaningful items, like custom magnets, hand-crafted pewter bowls and personalized necklaces. Look around the shop, we're sure you'll find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!

You can follow along with Lisa on her blog!

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Lisa:  I started the business when my first son was born. He was born with a disability and I wanted to have more flexibility. What started as a hobby has blossomed into a well run business (my husband runs the business) and we have had so many amazing opportunities!

SouleMama: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Lisa: My days are crazy! After I drop the boys off for school I grab a quick cup of coffee with friends and then head over to the workshop. My time is spent creating new and fun pieces for our jewelry and gift line, meeting with our managers, and marketing efforts. There is never enough time to get it all done!

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Lisa: Our customers have become part of my daily life through my blog and also through email. Our community is a group of people who feel deeply, love their families and appreciate the beautiful things even life—even if life isn't always beautiful.

For today's giveaway, Lisa Leonard is generously offering the following to THREE winners:

~ a $50 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs!

In addition, Lisa Leonard is offering SouleMama readers 15% off all orders placed. Use code shopholiday15 at  checkout. Offer valid through October 25, 2011. 

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Thank you to Lisa Leonard Designs!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   

The winners are...

Oh, I LOVE her stuff!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
Posted by: Jane @ Buzzmills

I'm a big fan! Would love to win!
Posted by: Susan

Oh, I've always wanted an LL necklace and tomorrow is my birthday. Maybe I'll get lucky this time.
Posted by: jan

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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SoulePapa Blogs :: What I've Lost, What I've Found

There's a path I used to travel, nearly every day.  Over the years it changed quite a lot.  In those early days it was real primitive and you had to balance and leap, from rock to rock, to avoid the soupy, sucking mud spots.  One time I carried a two person load all by myself, trying to impress my new friends and co-workers.  I slipped, with an ill fated step, and crashed my knee into granite while spilling and breaking the entire contents, off my shoulder, into the boulders and trees.  I learned and I was forgiven and I saw how temporary inconveniences can transform into the stories that mark our time here.  

These days the trail that I tread can be equally unnerving.  I'm looked to for answers but find so many questions.  I talk to the old timers.  Or, more pointedly, I listen to the old timers.  I watch their eyes as the internal rolodex of an aging mind whirls through decades of information to compile cogent thoughts for my attentive ears.  I realize they have forgotten more about homesteading than I will ever know.  But they are patient and smart and don't pretend to have all the answers.  For my part, I don't over pursue the question.  Try, fail, try again.

We used to slog gear and food across those slippery rocks and through the trees to a wide and placid section of an otherwise raging river.  Later in the day we would return by boat, juiced with adrenaline and ready to eat.  We would gather around the fire to dry out and warm up and help each other cook.  I repeated this routine through the seasons and across the states, up and down the rivers of the land.  Sometimes we travelled in packs, other times alone.  Surviving, living, trying, failing, trying again. 

On this farm, I find hints and clues from a past with which I am not familiar.  Wood and metal left to decompose among the trees, swallowed slowly back into the belly of the Earth.  I clear spaces left cluttered with the past and make way for our future.  For me, it is everything.  This dance with time as it stretches away from us in both directions.  We live and learn and we move on.

I returned, recently, to that space along the river.  My river.  It all came rushing back to me, in a torrent, as I neared that spot along the shore.  The place where moose graze the shallow waters and eagles have long nested.  I sat there quietly remembering the ghosts of my own past.  The ghosts of people still alive, but moved on through time.  I remember the smiles and laughter of friendship that we shared through those days.  I carry it with me, as strength, into new days. 

I have learned a great many lessons along this way.  Some I have forgotten and had to repeat, others...I may forget later.  I have learned that a path isn't worn by perfection, but by time.  Those that came before and those that will follow.  I watch them rise early each day and take a pace which is their own.

I listen to the old timers. 

feels like

:: :: :: 

 :: stacking. storing. piling.

{1. the woodshed is done, 2. washing the woolens, 3. the very last of the tomatoes, 4. the annual sock shop, 5. bringing herbs in}

:: :: :: 

:: mending. fixing. repairing.

{1. patching his sweater, 2. & 3. new buttons freshening up old favorites, 4. & 5. vintage fabric on library chairs}

:: :: :: 

As we bustle our way through our days right now, wishing each one was just a little bit longer, I can't help but feel a bit like a busy squirrel. Stacking, piling, storing, mending, fixing, repairing. Preparing.

It sure feels like fall!

read the signs

{No Fox Allowed, No Racoons Allowed, No Weasals Allowed!}

We've had some grim scenes outside, and a few close encounters inside the chicken yard lately. Adelaide wanted to stand vigil through the night, protecting her flock. But her love of sleep and a warm bed led her to another solution instead. Signs.

"I hope they're readers," she said, as she hung them up, "stinkin' chicken-snatchers!"

I'm fairly certain the problems is behind us (until the next challenge). But if I were a betting Mama, I'd say it was those signs that did the trick.

sewing (& rolling) with Annabel

Exactly how many dresses does a baby girl need? A fifth baby girl, who has a closet full of hand-me-downs and handknits and handsewns and other lovely things?

(This is a rhetorical question.)

We did a little sewing last week, Miss Annabel Edrie and I. It's been a while since I've done so...I was beginning to wonder when - and even if - the stitching urge might strike. But sure enough, the beginning of fall days have brought along with them the beginning of sewing days too.

Easing on into things, I decided to make some simple little dresses - perfect for layering over all the woolens I like to use as a base for keeping my babies warm (we love these).  Perfect too, for using those special fabrics that really want to shine on their own without too much fussiness in the details, you know?  The dress is Citronille's Adele, paired with my favorite pants pattern - Anna Maria's Quick Change Trousers (found in her book Handmade Beginnings). The fabrics here are (pink dress) Echino, (blue floral dress) a print from Anna Maria's Loulouthi collection, (pants) Nani Iro.

{oh-so-blurry, but that giggle is clear as day, isn't it?}

She's quite pleased with her new outfit. Or maybe she's just pleased with her fantabulous rolling skills. Either way, she's pleased. And therefore, so is Mama.

weekending

15 October

I'm halfway through my time over at habit.....a collection of days, and once again, enjoying my time there so very much. The daily reflection, the company, the habit. 

Wishing you and yours a lovely weekend!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ A CHILD'S DREAM COME TRUE ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, A Child's Dream Come True. In their words:

"At A Child's Dream Come True we offer a mouth-watering selection of natural wool felt, felting wool, kits and creative supplies for all ages. You'll also find some little wood toys, soft treasures and favorite books for children and families. We're waldorf-inspired, family-owned and operated and thankful to work, live and play in beautiful, rural North Idaho."

You can follow along with A Child's Dream Come True by visiting their Facebook page, where you'll find sale announcements, and giveaways!

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Debbie: My husband and I are celebrating our 12th year as owners of A Child's Dream Come True!

SouleMama: What artists have inspired your life?

Debbie: Tasha Tudor's life is one I would love to have lived.

SouleMama: Is there a special place that inspires you?

Debbie: The outdoors any time of year, as long as it's not bitter cold. I find peace in the stillness of nature, the sounds of wind in the trees, bird song, waves on the shore, crunching autumn leaves, and the quiet of falling snow. This summer we did a lot of canoeing and bicycle riding. It all helps still my mind helping me be more receptive to inspiration. I know when I'm feeling stuck in regards to a decision, or feeling burnt out because of long hours it's due to having lost touch with my "center". Nature and quiet seem to be the key for me as inspiration often arises shortly thereafter. Ahhh.

For today's giveaway, A Child's Dream Come True is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

~ both Organic Plant Dyed 100% Wool Felt & Organic Plant Dyed Fairy Wool

In addition, A Child's Dream Come True is offering SouleMama readers 15% off all orders placed on in-stock items. Use code OCTSOULE at  checkout. Offer valid through October 23, 2011.

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Thank you to A Child's Dream Come True!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   

Comments closed! The winner is....

Just lovely!
Posted by: Rosemarie

 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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bedtime stories

Recently a new mom asked me about our bedtime routine. I laughed a little bit louder than perhaps I should have. I may have spit out my coffee. Actually, I'm sure I did.

Bedtime routine?

I do remember - vaguely - something ten years or so ago that involved a bath and candles, sweet songs and stories, infant massage and a whole lot of quiet. Now, the hours between dinner and the moment when Steve and I finally crash into bed ourselves resemble something more of a 3-ring circus, complete with flying trapeze and more clowns than I can find pajamas. Add in a tube of toothpaste emptied onto the floor, and spying escaped turkeys out the bathroom window, and well, it's a bonafide zoo. It's five (tired) children and two (tired) adults...what more can one expect?

Ride the circus wheel, indeed.

I began to feel a little badly about said 'routine' as I was speaking with her. You know, the whole lack of rhythm and ritual that I deem so very important in our days. (Mama guilt, it rears its ugly head when you least expect it.) But I thought a little bit longer about it, and that night, at bedtime, I looked around. From room to room, surely things were different than they were six months ago, and different, likely, than they will be six months from now. New readers are added to the bunch all the time, naptimes (and therefore bedtime readiness) changes each week, farm chores sometimes creep into the hours of people bedtime, and the light changes along with us all.

But, despite all those differences, I was comforted by what remains the same - what has always stayed the same. Love (lots of it) and Stories (many of them). The reader may change from year to year or night to night, even...but there is a 'reader' each night nonetheless. Mama, Papa, big brother, (eventually) big sister, and self. Side by side, solo reading, three in a bed, four on a bed and one on the floor, and every other combination possible. Stories stay constant, and remain the loveliest way to drift into slumberland.

Tonight after the five littlest Soules were finally asleep, I wandered from bedside to bedside and took note of what each one was reading. For fun, I present to you my findings:

~ How many times can one read the Harry Potter series? Countless, says Calvin! And so, I find book seven on his bed once again.

~ Ezra's bed had no less than five books keeping him company as the case usually is - one tucked under each arm, one on his lap, one under the pillow, and one - the last one he was reading before dozing off - open flat on his face (removing it without waking him up reminds me every night of the game Operation). On his bed, I found The Sea of Monsters, Travels of Thelonious, an old Peanuts comic book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and Harriet the Spy.

~ Adelaide's preferred bedtime reading at the moment is a chapter of Pippi (we love that Lauren Child version) read by one of her brothers, followed by a tale from James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small read by Mama or Papa.

~ Next to Harper's bed, I found our very worn out (second!) copy of Seven Silly Eaters - such a family favorite (that, between Steve and I, we have memorized and find ourselves reciting from time to time - it just fits big family life so well). The excitement of that book was followed that night by reading I Took the Moon for a Walk. Which was followed by "just one more!" book - Harold the Fire Fighter, written by Ezra especially for his little brother.

~ And last but not least of the littles, Miss Annabel, who is quite delighted to snuggle up next to one of her big brothers for a song or story while Mama or Papa are busy with someone else. Ezra says she prefers Peanuts to Calvin and Hobbs. (I quite agree.) But when they - and we - remember that she's just a little baby, I think she likes Marla Frazee's Hush Little Baby most of all.

There's comfort to be found in the 3-ring circus that is our bedtime. And a whole pile of stories, too.

a painted hearth

Oh, for the love of this warm little corner, and that mighty woodstove.

When installing our stove last year, I originally thought we'd replace the existing tile with something we like a lot more this summer. But those plans were usurped by woodsheds and gardens and babies and oh, a whole list of things that were much higher on the list than this. The thing is, those tiles are totally functional...and I have a hard time just ripping them out and replacing them purely because "I don't like it". You know? It just seems silly to me.

Which is where a good old can of paint comes in. A simple can of paint is such a miracle, really. Much to my family's eye-rolling, I firmly believe there's nothing a can of paint can't fix. (Papa believes the same of baling wire and duct tape. We make such a good team.)  I used a tile primer, followed by a semi-gloss paint. And the wood 'trim' around the tile is the same trim paint I've used throughout the house (Yolo's Air .01). Painting went smoothly (even with all my "helpers" and kitten prints on the wet paint, and somehow the baby spit up there too), and I like it much, much better than what was there before.

Though I must confess, I am not so convinced about the color. I took a fabric swatch in from the very blanket and pillows I made for this room, trying to make an olivey-green match. (It's Benjamin Moore's Sweet Vibrations. Good name, yes? I think I got sold on the name.) But I'm not so sure I got it right - the jury is still out (with six, nay seven, opinionated voices in the house, you can be sure there IS a jury). In some light, it's a bit too much for me. And yet, in other lights...and most importantly....by the light of the fire - it's just right.

The beauty of this possible mistake, though...is that it's nothing a(nother) can of paint can't fix. And I can live with it for now.

Oh yes, I can live with it just fine...

bringing it in

Before this wild string of 70 degree days, there was a frost. With plenty of warning, we spent two days working to bring everything in that needed bringing in before a frost - peppers, basil, squash, cucumbers (yes, still cucumbers!), and all those tomatoes!

What a fun inventory, really, of what was out there - walking down the rows deciding what could stay out and what should go in. It became a full family affair, as even those who don't spend a lot of time in the garden rallied with us to get it all done. It was a party, to be sure, and clearly I wasn't the only one who thought so. As we went about our classes and errands last week, Adelaide and Harper had an excited "there's a frost coming!" chant they sang, as if announcing a birthday. Delightful. 

Some of what we brought in sits in the sun or by the woodstove to cure (where I find great full-circle comfort in thinking about them germinating in the very same spot as seedlings all those months ago); more waits in bowls on the table in anticipation of still preserving (it was a slow, but steady tomato season, after all...hooray, more Soule-Sa!); and much of it heads to the root cellar.

The root cellar? Yes, yes....we went that route (greenhouse coming next year). Thanks to the excellent advice in Root Cellering, we made some slight modifications to our dirt-floored cellar. I can say with almost certainly that this isn't the first winter in which a family's food has been stored down there in that 200 year old cellar of ours. That assumption, along with the fast-filling-up shelves down there are certainly enough to make this mama fall in love with that low-ceilinged, dirt-floored, stone wall, kinda creepy cellar, after all.

Sweet harvest days...

one day, in october...

....we noticed the changing colors and falling leaves around us; we ate soup, because that's what our inner calendar told us to do; we picked our favorite pumpkins for carving; I kept knitting socks; and with the unseasonable balmy air around us...we accepted the gift of one last unexpected swim (swim!) in the lake nearby.

It was cold and crazy and oh so wonderful.

weekending

Popping in to wish you a Happy Weekend! I hope you're enoying it with those you love!

SouleMama Sponsor ~ IDA PEARLE ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Ida Pearle. In Ida's words:

"Ida Pearle creates fine art and learning materials for children."

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Ida: I wanted to create an art for children, which was as considered as art which is created for adults. There are so many images created for children which seem like an afterthought- not as much craft or care are put into them as could be. As an artist I believe in the power and importance of images, and for our most impressionable and sensitive minds shouldn't we as adults, designers, artists etc. be creating images, or bringing images into our homes which speak to the intelligence of our children?

In answer to that question my goal was to create original work for children which followed in the tradition of great children's artists like Ezra Jack Keats, Robert McCloskey, Leo Lionni, etc. who have so inspired me!

In the beginning, all of the works I made for children were original collages, but a few years into starting my business I realized that I would be able to reach many more children if I offered my art in print form.

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Ida: My customers seem to be sensitive parents who care deeply about the aesthetics of childhood. People who were effected by the images in children's books they read when they were small, and want to share art that inspires, delights, centers and soothes with their own child. Or, they are people who want to cultivate an appreciation of art and it's importance in their children. One of the aspects I love most about my job is receiving so many lovely and appreciative letters from interesting people around the world, many of whom become repeat customers, and many of whom are kind enough to share their children's impressions of my work! Or, even videos of their children reading or acting out the pages of my book "A Child's Day; An Alphabet of Play". I love each and every one, so feel free to drop me a line! 

SouleMama: What's the product or offering you are most excited about right now? Tell us about it.

Ida: I recently made a print available in my gallery which I'm really excited to be able to offer. It's on page 3 of my gallery and it's of the 4 Seasons. I've received so many inquiries about it over the years but only recently been able to offer it for sale. I'm also excited about another variation of my Name Prints I'm now offering. It's an enlarged version, printed at 22 x 22 inches. They look fantastic blown up so one can really see the details of the tiny intricate cut outs up close.

For today's giveaway, Ida Pearle is generously offering the following to ONE winner:

~ an enlarged custom name print!

In addition, all name print orders over the next week will be 10% off and come with a complimentary copy of Ida's Book "A Child's Day; An Alphabet of Play" inscribed to a child. Frames cannot be discounted, so a framed print will be $10 off. Discount code is "AlphabetofPlay",  offer expires October 14th, 2011.

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Thank you to Ida Pearle!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.   

Comments closed! The winner is...

Lovely, lovely images. Any one of them would make our walls shine.
Posted by: Mary Jo, Five Green Acres

 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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SoulePapa Blogs :: Letting Grow

I tuck them into bed every night and wonder, sometimes aloud and sometimes to myself, where their dreams will take them. 

Their bodies burn so warm as they stretch inside that skin.  They lean toward the future as branches toward the Sun. 

I can hold my breath but my heart keeps beating.  Fresh blood for a brain that says just keep breathing. 

We are one after all.                                                                                                                            

I could plant my feet and pull with both hands and plead with them to stay here with me.  

Or just watch them grow.

Just let them go.

What kind of teacher never gets taught?

How many dreams never get sought?  

They can fly.

Just watch.

The beginning...

all good ~ simply ten

Oh, it's been a while since I've shared a "ten things" hasn't it? Today feels like a good day. (Excuse my absence yesterday...the day filled up, and writing silence crept in, and well...I never did make it here. My apologies if you worried for even a second.)

simply ten

baby thumbs
boys who knit
beautiful new music
buckets full of just harvested squash
making music with friends
the 'pop' of cooling canning jars
sun + falling golden leaves
blue eggs
brothers reading to brothers
scrumptious wool on my feet and in my hands

Oh, that feels so good. It brings the pleasure of right now into full clarity for me, planting me here in the now, and fueling me for the day to come.

Now it's your turn. Give it a go if you'd like - simply ten good things!

 

in October

In the deep fall
don't you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind?

~ Mary Oliver, excerpt from Song for Autumn
in New and Selected Poems, Volume Two

This weekend, right on perfect queue, the turn of the calendar ushered in a stretch of cool and rainy days, and with it - some sniffles too. Just the right excuse slow it down, bring it in, and draw a little bit closer.

Saying goodbye to my favorite time of year always carries a little bit of melancholy for me. But as that calendar turns, the air does shift, and I do my best to gracefully shift along with it. And just as soon as we are in it, I find myself exhaling into the comfort of these days. After the full lightness of summer, before the sparse simplicity of winter...there is the simple comfort of home and hearth right now.

On days like these: the baby can be down long enough to perfect her roll - front to back, back to front and over and over again; a favorite soup is made for likely the last time this season; little ones pick up handwork long forgotten about over the busyness of summer, remembering with all their might just exactly how to do it; scissors, paper, pen, needles - the tools of our time - are within reach everywhere we go; we all settle into the feeling of an extra layer on our body once again; and we gather around the first fire, reacqanting ourselves with it and our place around it.

These kinds of days are simple and good. And full of the comfort that is October.

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(I'm happy to be once again spending some time at Habit this month, amidst some lovely company. Please visit if you can!)

 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ THIRSTIES ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers! In their words:

"At Thirsties it is our desire to make it easy and affordable for every family to choose cloth diapers.  Whether you are using cloth diapers for the financial savings, for the health of it, or for the environmental benefits, we believe you are making the best choice for your baby. "

Follow along the Thirsties blog for updates and giveaways.

SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?

Sadler: After my wife and I were married in 2008, we moved back to Boulder, Colorado, from Hermosa Beach, CA, to be closer to family.  I grew up in Fort Collins, CO in a large family with 6 kids, 5 boys and 1 girl.  After graduating from the University of Colorado with business degree, and a short stop in Vail to be a ski bum, my career led me from one entrepreneurial venture to another, ranging from investment real estate to a nutritional supplement start up.  In 2009, my father, who had recently sold a company he had owned for 25 years, decided that he would like to try something new.  So, he and I partnered up in search of an environmentally friendly business in an upwardly trending industry to acquire.  We looked at everything from solar companies to natural baby product retailers.  After 9 months of searching, we were extremely excited to find Thirsties.  Thirsties was in an industry that we wholeheartedly believed in and immediately recognized that the company had a lot of positive momentum. The founder, Erin Kimmett had done an incredible job of building the brand with a stellar reputation.  We both feel fortunate to be involved in such a wonderful industry and look forward to a long career with Thirsties.

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Sadler: Our customers are wonderful people who share our passion for cloth diapers.  We find that the majority of them use cloth for the financial savings, while some do it for the environment.  

SouleMama: What's the product or offering you are most excited about right now? Tell us about it.

Sadler: We are working hard on producing a new all in one diaper which we hope will overcome a lot of hurdles that we face with prospective customers who aren’t sure about cloth diapers because they believe it to be confusing or complicated.  The new diaper is easy to use and easy to take care of.  It was designed to be a very convenient daytime and daycare type diaper, with the option to add absorbency for overnight.  

SouleMama: How does the balance of work and family play out for you? How has fatherhood changed the work you do?

Sadler: I love what I do and could work endlessly in pursuit of growing and improving our business.  Having a daughter, Mia, has definitely reduced the amount of time I spend at the office and brought a little more balance back into my life.  I am very intentional about getting quality time with my wife and daughter each day. I may not always be there in the morning when Mia wakes up but I am home every evening to have dinner with the family and then put Mia to bed.  It is something I look forward to every day.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Sadler: Our 14 month old daughter, Mia, has been a product tester and Thirsties’ model since the day she was born (that's her below!). 

For today's giveaway, Thirsties is generously offering the following to TWO winners:

~ 2 Duo Diapers with Snaps

( Thirsties Duo Diapers are easy to use pocket diapers which offer reliable, affordable leak-proof protection! The adjustable rise of this diaper design means that you'll only need two sizes to cover your baby from birth all the way to potty-learning.   Thirsties'  specialty inserts feature two layers of serged microfiber terry snapped  together with five serged layers of hemp jersey; seven thirsty layers in  all! Microfiber terry is a fast absorber designed to rest closest to  your baby's skin (beneath the microfleece sleeve); hemp is a stable  absorber and pairs perfectly behind the microfiber terry to add more  absorbency and to prevent compression leaking.)

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Thank you to Thirsties!

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Monday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.  

Comments closed! The winners are...

I would love these for my current baby and any who come later!
Posted by: Joanna Miller

We're starting in our clothing diaper journey next month. I'd love to try these out.
Posted by: megan

 

SouleMama Sponsor ~ SATCH & SOL ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Satch & Sol! In their words:

"Satch & Sol offers of felted wool slippers, hairbands and more, handmade in Mongolia by a fair trade artist cooperative using traditional felting skills."

"You can find Satch & Sol on Facebook!"

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

Susan: mom-owned and operated since August 2008

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Susan: I was inspired to launch Satch & Sol after my inlaws gave our first child a pair of felted wool slippers they brought back from travel in Mongolia.  I fell in love with the beauty of the handmade work, the luscious, soft, thick, felted wool and beautiful detail.  I began working on designs with the group almost immediately and introduced the Satch & Sol line after 4 years of development.

SouleMama: How do you come up with new designs and ideas?

Susan:  I listen to customers and seek advice from frequent buyers.  I go to local sales with product samples and listen to what the children and grown-ups say about the slippers, handbags and hairbands.

SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? The most challenging?

Susan: They are one and the same!  My favorite part of my job is often my most challenging. I love running Satch & Sol primarily from a home office.  That makes three small boys both my favorite and most challenging part of my job.  Sometimes, I want to play when I need to work.  And, sometimes work and play go hand and hand.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Susan: We have three boys.  Our two oldest sons are Solomon and Satchel.  I use their nicknames - Satch and Sol (pronounced like the word Soul, sun in Spanish) as the business name.   Our youngest son, Sage, is 8 months old now. He is my constant companion when I work in my home office.

For today's giveaway, Satch & Sol is generously the following to TWO (separate) winners:

~ one free pair of children's slippers (up to size 3  youth, EU 34)

~  6 felted flower and/or bug hairbands hairbands

In addition, Satch & Sol is offering SouleMama readers 15% off their online boutique shopping with Satch & Sol. Use coupon code soule15. Offer valid through October 9, 2011.

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Thank you to Satch & Sol! 

To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after.  

Comments closed!

The slippers...

So cozy and cute and love that the company is named after your boys
Posted by: creativechris

The hairbands....

love it all!
Posted by: angie!