SouleMama

what I found in the woods

Halloween, All Saints Day, Samhain. However you may spend the day, I wish you and yours a little bit of creativity, magic and mystery!

coming in

(Cycles by Michelle Kroll, in our Taproot print shop.)

(Afternoon In the Kitchen, by Phoebe Wahl.)

(Baby, by me. Isn't she something?)

I am enjoying the coming in this time of year brings for us. How little corners get spruced up, tidied, changed to suit what we need from the space right now, this year. Though I don't fool myself into thinking anything is ever 'done' in a 200 year old farmhouse, I am excited to see this house evolving and projects long in the works move towards completion. And while I wait for the right time for us to finish that trim in the hallway, replace that old light fixture, or paint the last kitchen wall....I shuffle furniture and frame new prints and we settle in for this season ahead.

A month ago, I was at an antique shop looking for lamps (I'm always looking for lamps). I didn't find lamps, but I did stumble upon a spindle daybed and kinda fell in love with it. But, not being there for a new daybed, and not knowing what I'd even do with it if I did get it, I left empty handed. And then the silly daybed became one of those things that kept creeping into my thoughts until I woke up one morning and said, "Steve, I'll be right back. I have to go get a daybed". He didn't blink, and I thanked my lucky stars when it was still there, and brought it home where it prompted a little living room freshening. Some new curtains quickly followed their way into the room (a Marimekko shower curtain cut in half for each window with just a bit of stitching), and it all feels just right for a cozy winter ahead. Though the couch across from it is bigger and softer, it seems that most of us are drawn to that little daybed. Playing, reading, napping and working. But really, put a little bed, with a pile of pillows, right in front of a wood stove and who could resist that? Not a one of us.

 

handing down

In the middle of the living room - for no reason grander than it has no other place to go - lives a cedar chest. Inside of that, live all of the "retired" handknits. It doubles as a 'coffee table' and is therefore covered with piles upon piles of books which distract the curious from opening it. But once in a while, every so often, Mama does. To add something to the pile that's been outgrown.  To make sure that the lavendar and cedar is doing its job to keep the moths away. To touch the yarn and laugh and sometimes cry just a few happy tears, remembering baby years. And to pull things out that might just fit someone else. Someone growing into a new size, and therefore a new handknit (originally for her big sister). 

Quickly, it just becomes part of the wardrobe - part of the laundry pile - and part of the everyday wear for a while. But for a moment, a delightful moment when it is first pulled out again, it's always a pleasure to pause and remember the babe for whom it was made, before handing it over to the babe for whom it fits. To notice their similarities - oh, that two year old belly, and oh, that blond, blond hair that I know will soon darken. And the humor and the coyness from both. And yet, so different they are, each of them their own person.

What a pleasure it is to knit for these babes of mine.

 

the days are full

 

  

 

 

 

Oh my goodness! There is so much going on around here right now, I must confess that I'm having a hard time keeping track of it all. I bought a brand new dry erase calendar for the refrigerator, and Steve and I have ourselves a regular 'check in about the day' in bed every morning. Somewhere in the hours of 5 to 6 am, with (at least) two children between us, we try to troubleshoot, plan and make sense of it all. And still, there are balls being dropped and things forgotten about. This morning I went outside in the fog before first tea, in my pajamas, silly wool hat, and big tall barn boots for morning chores. With a camera around my neck, minding my own business, I came across not just one strange man, but five in my backyard. One on an excavator, two with the cement truck, one delivering trusses, and one whom I can't quite tell what he was doing. I rather forgot - until I turned the corner to my clothesline that is no longer (until construction is complete) - that I might encounter folks working. I went back inside to make breakfast for the small crew of friends here for a few nights helping us build an entirely separate structure. The structure for the animals and the ones they might (hopefully) birth in the spring. The structure that really needs to be complete in the next three weeks, but is already woefully behind. And then there is an editor's letter for the next Taproot issue that is (over)due along with a whole lot of editorial work before we go to print (soon, soon!). And just when I start to feel overwhelmed by all of that, Tchaikovsky starts playing in my head, and I remember that between regular classes and rehearsals, I need to get ourselves to the dance studio six nights a week this month. Is this week really Halloween? Has anyone vacuumed the floor lately? And, more importantly, has anyone fed the cat today? 

Oh me oh my oh....as I say very often. (quoting a very favorite song - and as a side note, if you ever have the chance to hear that duo live, you simply must). 

But all is well. That's the honest truth. In my moments of alone time (mere moments these days, but I'm finding them), I have been enjoying the work of the lovely Brene Brown. And one particular phrase of hers that has been at the forefront of my mind this week, has been 'soften into joy". Soften Into Joy - isn't that wonderful? (Her introduction to the phrase may be in a slightly different explanation than how I'm using it, but I think she'd approve.)

For all of the chaos and wildness and busyness that is going on around me is good. It is full, yes....but it needn't be resisted, for it is beautifully full of family, and passion and life. There are children with hammers creating space for baby lambs. There are loud excavators making a room for Gram. There is work that I truly love doing. There is...each other. And well, in the moments where it's tempting to feel overwhelmed by it all, I am mindfully stopping myself. And remembering that I can instead just soften into the joy, for that's really what all of this is. It changes everything, that shift in thinking. From overwhelm to fullness, from chaos to abundance.

Undoubtedly, we all begin our weeks with a lot on our calendar and our hopeful to do list. This week especially, I wish you all a week full of joy. Enjoy it, friends.

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Swan&Stone Millinery

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Swan&Stone Millinery. In Sam's words:  

"We are Swan&Stone Millinery: Eco-fabulous headwear, handmade from the grass up.

Visit us on Etsy and Facebook."  

SouleMama: Tell us about the beginnings of your business.

Sam: Nora and I met through our kids, and we were friends for three years before it dawned on us to go into business together!

The idea for our business came from a series of small events. Since moving to Vermont from Manhattan 3 years earlier, our family had plunged headlong into mini-farm mode, raising sheep, growing veggies, keeping bees and chickens, and getting all meat, cheese and milk from ours and neighboring farms. I had begun to notice that my two older children (Arlo was still a newborn) continually asked questions about how things were made, where the various ingredients for our meals came from, what goes into a pair of jeans? My children (only 3 and 5 at the time and often wearing mis-shapen, hand-spun wool sweaters) had a greater consciousness of the origins of our daily commodities than I ever had as a kid. 

I thought of our friends back in the City and, like anyone new to a great revelation, I wanted to share! If I could figure out something that we could create with our hands that came from the ground that our friends would love, then whatever that item is could communicate the whole story. I shared this thought with my friend Nora, who surprised me and said, “Let's do it!” Turns out, my mountain-hermit friend Nora lived a fabulous former life making hats for fashion and Broadway in pre-bubble New York City. The vessel for our story was to be amazingly beautiful, eco-fabulous hats.

So, over the next few months, I taught myself to felt and Nora dusted off her old hat blocks and we got to work designing and experimenting with felt and feathers and grosgrain. We've been blown away by the response to our combination of Nora's incredible designs and my hand-made felt!

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Sam: We are inspired by all the work and love that goes into living mindfully no matter where you are. We are also very inspired by the gorgeous and varied Vermont mountains we call home. We are endlessly inspired and amused by our sheep (more than you know!) and the colors, shapes and textures of leaves, insects, rocks and waterways. For example, when Hurricane Irene came through, Nora began to gather the chunks of rusted metal, tree roots and bits of debris the storm left behind. Turns out, rusty metal, felt, feathers, and beading compliment each other in new and interesting ways. Our Hurricane Irene line of hats was born.

But there's no need to wait for natural disasters to befall us! The late summer blaze of goldenrod, and sumac berries, the turning of the meadow, the twilight sky during harvest time and, of course, the explosion of autumn color in Vermont trees all inform our felt choices, our silks and feathers and metals, and the play between the natural and man-made landscape on each hat.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Sam: Nora has one son and I have two boys and a girl. We met through our children; we chose this crazy, all-consuming, yet somewhat-flexible-schedule business because of our children; and, as they are getting a bit older (4, 7, 9 and 9), our children are a little bit more a part of the business. Mostly this means that Nora and I scoot around kids beading, drawing or playing with feathers on the floor, but our kids also help. 9 year-old Henry, who loves Leggos, is the mastermind behind the child's hat with Leggo trim that children can add to and build on. 7-year-old Clara and 4-year-old Arlo are our (extremely willing and hammy) models for our children's hats. And 9-year-old Luca helps me at farmers market.

Mostly, they just love coming to the studio (the school bus drops them off right at the curb!) and joining Nora and me in our own form of parallel play (Nora in the blocking area, me at the felting table). They create in ways they can't access at school and they love showing their friends how hats are made, from the grass up.

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.

Sam : Our customers are cool people! They tend to have a good head on their shoulders (the better to wear hats m'dear), and they want to do right by the world and look darn good doing it! Our customers are self-confident, fun-loving women and men who appreciate well-crafted eco-friendly hats made of natural fibers. They are unwilling to compromise on ethics, comfort, quality OR esthetics (thank you very much).

We have the great fortune of selling directly to many of our customers at fine craft and art shows. We love it when someone comes into our shop saying “I look horrible in hats” and after a fun-filled interlude playing dress ups, they leave with a new spring in their step and a hat that suits them to a “T”.

 

For today's giveaway,   Swan&Stone Millinery is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:  

~ One Sage and Pumpkin Wool Felt Cloche!
This is an extra-soft, super-luxurious hat made from our unique wool felt, handmade on a FeltLoom. We finish our cloche with an adjustable buckle and needle-felted leaf embellishment to create a cozy, delicious and crazy-beautiful cloche that flatters so many faces. Because it is adjustable, one size fits most.

 

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

I always have said I was born in the wrong decade. Love the idea of wearing a hat every day as ladies did in the past. These are just beautiful! Thank you for the introduction and the opportunity!
Posted by: Dawn Harris

Thank you,  Swan&Stone Millinery!

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Nest European Toys & Home

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Nest European Toys & Home. In John-Paul and Lisa's words:

"We offer a large selection of European and North American made wooden toys, Waldorf toys, arts and crafts, organic baby products, and natural products for the home. We carry Ostheimer, Grimms, Haba, Engelberger, Ruskovilla woollens, and many other lines. Our goal is to carry products that are high quality, great value (in every sense of the word), sustainable, and that are lots of fun!

Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest."  

SouleMama: How long have you been in business?

John-Paul: We've been in business five years.

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

John-Paul: One of my favourite parts of the job is opening a shipment of wooden toys from a new supplier and getting that lovely woodsy smell and going through the box and discovering everything within - basically the kid at Christmas. Most challenging - simply finding the time and energy to work on store business. We have a 6 month old and a 2 and a half year old and they're with us all the time. We work on the store during nap time and in the evenings and when one of us is looking after both kids.

SouleMama: What's the product that you are most excited about in your shop right now? Tell us about it.

John-Paul: We're loving our Ruskovilla merino wool long underwear these days. With the cold weather coming back (we're in Ottawa, Canada) we've been dressing our children (and ourselves) in the Ruskovilla and we just love how soft, warm, and cozy it is. They're a necessity for happily surviving winter.

SouleMama: What word describes your business best?

Lisa: Sustainable

SouleMama: What does being creative mean to you?

Lisa: Being creative can manifest in almost any way- rearranging the furniture in a new unexpected way, experimenting with preparing a meal, a turn of phrase, ...but now that we have a family, it's imaginative play like blasting off in a rocket ship to the moon in our sleeping bag together before bedtime, or acting out scenes with our dolls for pure fun of it, or to encourage or make way for expression of feelings related to something going on in our day. It's finding workable solution to some interpersonal conflict, or some household task or for our business, ways to troubleshoot or simplify some computer programming issue. It's all of those things as well as being crafty and artsy. It's the flowers that bloom from our mind's work each day.

 

 

For today's giveaway, Nest European Toys & Home is generously offering the following gift to THREE winners:  

~ $100 Gift Certificate!

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In addition, Nest European Toys & Home would like to offer SouleMama readers 10% off regularly-priced items (except large furniture) through November 10, 2013. To receive the offer, please enter " SouleMamaNest " at checkout.

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

Beautiful toys! I love Lisa's answer about what being creative means to her... just the inspiration/reminder I needed today. Thank-you for a chance to win. ;-)
Posted by: Michelle

Wow, how wonderful. I look forward to checking out their shop... Thanks!
Posted by: renee~heirloomseasons

Wow! What an amazing business and such a generous giveaway! Will certainly be spreading the word!
Posted by: Sarah

Thank you, Nest European Toys & Home!

{this moment}

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{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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this week in my garden :: october 24

Last month, in my garden. (September 26)

This morning, in my garden.

Though my energy certainly feels pulled elsewhere - the garden is still giving us so much! Can you believe we haven't had a killing frost here yet? Our neighbors to the North and West all have, but not right here, not yet. There is still basil out there, which seems shocking for late October (and a total treat). And cucumbers! And I cannot believe, frankly, how many green beans we are still eating fresh. I've canned and fermented just as much as I think we can handle till they come round again next year, so all these are "bonus beans". For dinner each night (it's a good thing I have so many fans in the house), and as a snack at lunch. 

The squash has all been harvested - it wasn't a stellar year, but we did alright. A new variety to us - the Paydon Acorn (a white acorn) - seems to have done the best. It's such a sweet variety good for everything from pie to soups and stews. We're enjoying it. The parsnips are so sweet and delicious and I am doing everything I can to resist pulling them all up, for I know that they'll just get better with a bit of winter time. And still so many carrots in the ground to enjoy. And brussels sprouts! Do you see? They are all doing well, and I do believe will be right on track to make an appearance by the bowlfull on the Thanksgiving table.

The garlic went in this week. It's really one of my favorite things to grow - have I said that before?Besides the bonus that we seem to grow it well here (I hope I didn't just jinx our 2014 crop), we eat so much of it and have been able, for the past few years, to grow enough to last us all year. This year, I'm hoping to grow enough for that, plus enough to be our seed garlic for the year following. Which is the other reason I love growing garlic so much - it feels so hopeful, planting at the end of one season for the next. I really do love that about it. 

So late into this garden season, I am feeling full of gratitude for just how much the garden is giving us. From the last tomatoes ripening on the windowsill in the kitchen to what we've tucked away for winter to the greens that we know will be ended by frost any day. In this moment, we're savoring and appreciating so much. 

with a pom pom on top

I can already tell it's going to be a big hat knitting kind of winter. With a few sweater projects off my needles, I find myself with a stash full of single skeins. I'm doing my very best to resist the temptation to restock it now, because there's a pasture full outside! And I'll get to spinning (and then knitting) all of that very very soon (just as soon as my combs arrive to process the fleece with). In the meantime, afresh new hat is always welcome. And goodness, so portable and handy for knitting on the go, of which there's I do plenty.

 

I grabbed two balls of yarn that I thought might be the same weight, and a size six circular needle on my way out the door the other day. Then I found myself in a place where I had no reception (to look up a pattern), but with plenty of time to knit. Oh bother, I thought, I can do this myself. I've knit enough hats, haven't I? I cast on 80 stitches and got to work. Though they were just little leftover bits, I do believe the yarn is Fiber Company Terra (a favorite of mine).  I wasn't sure - given the lack of pattern, plan or knowledge of just how much yarn I really had - who the hat would belong to in the end. But Harper was the lucky guy, and a very happy guy he was. Though he insisted it required a pom pom on the top, and his sister thankfully obliged in making one. I agree - the pom pom was totally necessary. 

And I'm going to have no problem keeping myself busy with that stash and these needles for the short while, as Ezra insisted I make one 'just like it but with green and white, and definitely with a pom pom on top. definitely the pom pom." Harper's been supervising the making, to be certain I get it just exactly like his. Who needs a pattern when I've got help like this? All I need is another pom pom.

in the kitchen with Ezra

We've fallen into a regular rhythm in the kitchen, Ezra and I. With more and more regularity, he's been joining me in the evening dinner preparation. This isn't new - his love of the kitchen. Since he was very little, he's loved helping us cook. More often than any of my other babes, he was standing alongside me in the Learning Tower. And then, before he could write, he was drawing 'recipes' he wanted to make. He's got a kids cookbook section of his very own on the book shelf. He's been making 'concoctions' in the kitchen for as long as he could say the word. And does anyone remember The Mustard Party we held for his fourth birthday? 

No, his love for being in the kitchen isn't new. But slowly, over time and through the years, something has shifted. Not for him, but perhaps for us as parents. I assure you I loved (or we wouldn't have embraced them as we did) every single one of those messy, ingredient-sucking, a little tricky to digest "concoctions" he'd whip up in the kitchen. And his "help" in the kitchen was always welcome, even if it meant a little bit longer to make the meal.

But now it's different. Now he's capable in the kitchen. Sure he's still a little bit messy while in the throws of creating something with food, but let's be honest - so is his mother (it's true). More than that, he's developing a real and true understanding of food and what to do with it. And the order of things, and the timing of it all. As such, it's a true pleasure to work alongside him, asking the right questions as he does, and challenging my own cooking comfort zone as he's bound to do (let's try parsnips in the mashed potatoes tonight, he says, and so we do). We alternate choosing the music and regardless of what's playing, he insists upon dancing breaks. I oblige. And when we're in the groove - of rinsing and chopping and sauteeing - alongside each other, the conversations are most fabulous. Of books and girls and dreams and oh, it's the good stuff of parenting, I tell you. Those moments are so precious and grateful for them, I am. I learn so much.

Parsnips, by the way, are a most fabulous addition to mashed potatoes.

Happily fed people will happily wash the dishes and clean up when all is said and done.

And frequent dancing is a most essential ingredient. 

a flurry of making

Knitty beginnings after a little stop into Knitwit, my favorite yarn shop...

...bracelet making...

...the jewelry shop...

...the new Everyday Skirt from Oliver and S, ready to begin...

...she's got a bit of a pom pom making thing going on right now...

...I'm eager to get started on Alicia's ornaments, and hoping to entice Calvin to join in (it won't be hard)...

...conquering my fear of cables (and charts) with Habitat...

...I do predict this year's fashion trend: pom pom rings...

Oh, what glorious fall weather we've been having around here. Each day has been warm and just perfect for enjoying all the out of doors work and play that must be done this time of year. We're so happy to be spending most of each day outside so comfortably...in the pasture, on bikes, in the garden, on the swings. Ah...

And yet, there's a pull that's happened too, that's always especially strong this time of year. It's the inward pull to start making things. Evening fires call for a project in our hands, and one person with a project soon becomes three or seven. As we set the dates for holiday parties and gatherings, little ones within earshot scurry to their respective project at the moment, eager to start the merry making. I've heard tell of some grand plans for gifts this year. And there's plenty of time left for the completion of them...or a change in the plan two or ten times. I've been making a whole lot too. Knitting, sewing, stitching, and prepping fleece to spin. I can't tell who's leading the way anymore - maybe my new hat knitting inspired some bracelet making. But for sure, their pompoms inspired my new hat project. (It's going to be a pom pom kind of year, I can tell.) It doesn't matter of course who started it, it's clear that we're all doing it. Inspiring and loving the making of things.

Are you feeling it too? Is there lots of making happening in your world?

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Sarah's Silks

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Sarah's Silks. In Sarah's words:

"Dress ups, Playsilks and Toys!"

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?

Sarah: Our business is unique in that even after 19 years in business we are still working out of our home. My husband, Mike and I do the majority of the work with a few part time employees (including our sons) helping. I do design of new products, the web site and our print catalog. I also do lots of customer service and order filling. Mike does the financial planning, product ordering and making sure everything is in stock and ready to ship.

We have found over the years it works best to have very clear job descriptions and each stay in our own "departments".

To preserve family/down time we schedule business meetings and try to keep work to work hours. It reminds me of the old times when many families ran businesses in their downstairs, or front rooms, like blacksmiths and bakers.

SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Sarah: “Play is the royal road to childhood happiness and adult brilliance.” - Joseph Chilton Pearce

SouleMama: What's the product that you are most excited about in your shop right now? Tell us about it.

Sarah: Our seconds grab bags are very popular and a great deal!  For just $39 you can choose from a dress up bag (which includes a costume piece, a crown, and a small toy), a playsilk bag (5 playsilks), or a baby blanket.

These are new but with slight flaws in the dyeing or sewing. We love to offer them to our customers as an affordable option and a way to start a Sarah's Silks collection.

On our Facebook page we also list one of a kind seconds items, like canopies as they become available.

For today's giveaway, Sarah's Silks is generously offering the following gift to THREE winners:  

~ $50 Gift Certificate to the our website!

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In addition, Sarah's Silks would like to offer SouleMama readers 10% off your order by November 15, 2013. To receive the offer, please enter " soulemama " at checkout.

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

Beautiful !!! My grandson would love !!!
Posted by: Rhonda Arnett

We have a lovely rainbow cape from you that we use for birthdays. It is so beautiful and special.
Posted by: teva

Beautiful, the ideal Christmas present for my little adventurer.
Posted by: Cassie

Thank you, Sarah's Silks!

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Conscious Clothing

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Conscious Clothing.  In Rose's words: 

"Hand made, hand dyed clothing for women and children (sometimes men too). Specializing in hemp, organic cotton, organic wool and bamboo.

Definitely check out our children’s shop too!"

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

Rose: I see the future of conscious clothing growing more and more and eventually building a studio space that can accommodate the machines, fabrics, processes and printing space and a small retail space. I want to maintain the home made feel and hand dyed unique feel while being able to reach out to a broader audience. I want most to maintain the ethical practices that Conscious Clothing was first founded on, but continue to grow. Its such a delicate balance to keep.

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

Rose:  My favorite part of my job is creating new designs. Experimenting with different cuts and learning from what my customers want. I love coming up with something new and then photographing it with friends. My models are all women (and their babies :)) who I know and love and who keep me inspired to make the clothing that they love to wear!

SouleMama: What's the product that you are most excited about in your shop right now? Tell us about it.

Rose: My partner and I have been working on screen printing all summer. Its so much fun putting images on paper, then on screens, and finally on fabric. I love the idea of creating my own prints and actually making clothing from my images! Its been a long process of trial and error but I’m so convinced we can do whatever we put our energy into! So far we’ve experimented with images on tshirts, onsies, dresses, and scarves. We recently invested in larger screens (48”x58”) to print repeat patterns on continuous yardage. I think the possibilities of this kind of printing are endless and there aren’t a lot of people doing it on their own. The textile industry is dirty and so many of the dyes and inks are toxic. I’m so excited to be able to offer an alternative!

SouleMama: How does the balance of family and work play out for you? If applicable, how has motherhood affected the work you do?

Rose: This has always been the most difficult part of being a stay at home mom. My 3 kids- Luna 14, Tigerlily 11, and Ian 8, know that mom is always there! If I’m working in my studio, they feel free to come running in for me to mediate the latest battle. If I’m on the phone ordering, of course the little dears will start practicing clarinet! If a customer comes over to try on clothes, obviously the best time to get hurt or tell me how hungry or thirsty they are. Answering emails is a great time for asking me homework questions!

But at the end of the day or the end of the week, its always best that I’ve been there, and seen every bruise bug bite and heard every giggle and gossip.

SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?

Rose: They love to cut out fabric and create things! Tigerlily is great at putting together the fabric scraps to make the flowers on the headbands. Luna is a top notch sales girl at shows and Ian has inspired all sort of monster doll imaginable. They all know how to sew and come up with some great ideas. They also are very supportive of me and think I’m good at what I do :). It’s a great experience for them to see their mom as a successful business owner!

For today's giveaway, Conscious Clothing is generously offering the following gift to TWO winners:  

~ Winner #1: Hemp Wanderlust Dress in the size and color of your choice

~ Winner #2: Baby Zodiac Onsie (6-12 months) and Organic Cotton Stripe Creepers

(All the zodiac signs are available even though they aren’t all listed)

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In addition, Conscious Clothing would like to offer SouleMama readers 15% off your order today through October 25, 2013. To receive the offer, please enter " soulemama13 " at checkout.

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

me or the baby, now there be a choice...
Posted by: nelly

Wow! The clothes are so beautiful! Thank you!
Posted by: Carolyn

Thank you, Conscious Clothing!

{this moment}

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{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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under construction

There are a great many projects taking place around here this season. There is a small 'barn' in progress for all the (goat) kids and lambs to be born in the spring. There are the arrivals of said responsible bucks and rams. And perhaps (I hope) the arrival of another critter or two for the pasture. There are the everyday projects happening in and around the house - the homeschooling goodness, the homesteading fun, the magazine making journey. There is a (very) full and exciting Nutcracker season in progress for the dancers (and supporters of the dancers) among us. But overriding all of that is the most exciting project of all - Gram is coming to live with us. 

For years, the conversation has been happening in an abstract way about Judy (or Gram, or Steve's Mom) joining us when the time felt right. This spring, she let us know that now was the time, and the process began. Family gathered to make plans and solve each bump in the road as it arrived. We spent the summer weekends in her home - in the family since it was built five generations ago - cleaning out from attic to basement, sharing treasures and letting things go before the house sold. Meanwhile, back here at the farm, we began measuring, planning and troubleshooting on our own as we met with contractors and code enforcement officers and septic system designers, and oh my! So many details.

But last week, a great big excavator rolled its way into the backyard and began digging. And digging. And digging. Yesterday, the concrete truck came through and poured footings (and now I know what that means - we're all learning so much!). And the foundation is going in as I type this very morning. It is happening! After years of thought and conversation from so many of us, and the months of planning that are just behind us...we are here. The excitement around here is quite palpable (that's not just the vibration from the machinery outside the door), for the kids especially, as it all feels real to them now. Gram is really truly coming to live with us, and they couldn't be more thrilled. We're fielding hourly questions these days akin to "are we there yet?" as each one asks "what happens after the foundation is poured? Then, do they start putting up the walls? When is she coming???" Soon, my loves, soon. She - living in a bit of transition after leaving her house and while waiting for this addition (a bedroom and a bathroom off our kitchen) to be complete - is just as ready. All of us eager, excited, nervous, and most definitely ready to begin this next leg of our journey living, loving, growing, and aging together as a family.

In the meantime though, there's enough activity around here to keep everyone busy while we wait for that day. There is the important work of keeping track of who's coming and going for contractors, or which truck is making an appearance today. My Purple Working Man, as you might imagine, is beside himself with all of this. He's being quite safe and mindful now, but I dare say that once we're past the big trucks and to the place of hammers and tape measures, it's going to be quite the challenge to hold him back. But it's not just him excitedly watching what's happening right outside the back door. The folks working on this project had no idea what kind of work they were taking on - a captive audience watches each move they make. The kid all really want the day that Gram arrives with her boxes and suitcases to be here....but oh, the backyard show that's going on until then? It's family entertainment.

 

finished :: nanook

(Photos by Calvin.)

I asked Calvin to take some pictures of my new sweater this weekend. I got these two, along with about ten pictures of his bike, a few of the sky, and twelve self portraits, maybe twenty if I'm being accurate. Oh my funny boy. His efforts are appreciated. Greatly. And perhaps these two photos of this silly little sweater would do just fine. But this sweater! I kinda love it. And so, Papa was called in the next day for another round...

(Photos by Steve.)

(Ravelry link.) Last spring, at the Squam Art Fair, I gave myself a fifteen minute break away from the Taproot booth. It was there, on a quick and furious spending spree (oh my! one can do some damage in fifteen minutes with effort and the help of friends!), that I found - and fell in love with - this yarn from The Woolen Rabbit. I was pondering just a skein or two, having no particular project in mind. But Stephanie promptly talked me into a sweater's worth. I listened to her, and I'm so glad I did. A cowl or a hat or mitts would be lovely...but a sweater? Such a treat. (And perhaps a bad habit to start buying a whole sweater's worth everytime I fall in love with a yarn with no particular pattern in mind yet? Oh!) We guestimated how much yarn a sweater might be (I had no pattern in mind yet), and goodness, friends...I dare say we did well. It got close at the end (as in weighing the remaining yarn to be certain the shortened sleeves would be shortened equally), but I don't love long sleeves on my sweaters anyway (so cumbersome). So all ended just as perfectly as it could be.

The pattern is Nanook, a beautifully put together pattern that was as much a pleasure to knit as the yarn was to hold (which is saying a lot. The Woolen Rabbit yarn is scrumptious). The 'bear track" pattern at the collar just so happens to be the very same pattern I was working on with Adelaide's shrug, so that was fun to have both going on at once. 

With this project complete, my needles are feeling a little bare, and my hands a little twitchy. But the holidays are coming...and there are those bundles of fleece in my studio calling to me. I think it's time I set to work on those. There will be more fleece to come in the spring...and much knitting to do before then. Mind you, I'm not complaining about that. Not a bit. 

Mr. Rochester has arrived

There was a very exciting arrival to the sheep pasture this weekend. A fine young ram will be spending the next forty-five days here with us. Or more accurately, spending it with the ewes. An extended vacation, let's say. He's a dreamy moorit in coloring, all Shetland and from a farm nearby. He's a young fellow - born just this spring. Not "proven" as they say, but we have faith in he and Cinnamon, Charlotte, Emily and Anne.

Isn't he handsome? Being a young guy from a farm full of sheep, he didn't arrive with a name, though we were given permission to do the honors by his shephard. It seemed only fitting that the Bronte's find themselves enjoying the company of Edward Fairfax Rochester, and so that he is. (All the Jane Eyre talk this weekend found me with one late night marathon viewing of my favorite adaptations. Toby Stephens is my favorite Mr. Rochester, though I do like the 1996 version as well. And you?). 

Some of you might recall a month or so ago when I said we wouldn't be breeding the sheep this fall for the reason of simplifying our winter days and not flooding ourselves with fleece come spring. After we made that decision together, it just didn't settle right. I couldn't stop thinking about lambs in spring. And all that kniting I could do. But I want to breed the sheep this year! I eventually declared. Which was met with a classic Sure, why not. from my husband. This is how we roll and I'm so glad for it. If Edward enjoys his vacation as much as we hope he does, I dare say late March will be a season full of baby lambs and plenty of fleece around here. We're all excited about that.

The girls have taken quite well to having a visitor, and Edward seems to be doing just fine in a new setting. The young kids are staying out of the pasture at the moment (he is a ram, after all). And we're all giving the sheep a little more space than usual while we get a sense for the ram's behavior, and so that they may all get acquainted with one another. So far, I can say that Mr. Rochester is a delightful guest! 

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Barn Owl Primitives

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Barn Owl Primitives. In Kristi's words:

"Welcome to the Barn. Home of hand painted Family Rules and Typography Word Art ~ signs to decorate your life!

Visit us on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram!

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

Kristi: My favorite part of my job is the creative process. I love designing signs. I like playing with fonts and letters, arranging words and turning it all into art. I enjoy mixing colors and adding dimension to each piece through the painting and distressing process. The most challenging part of my business is staying organized and keeping up with all the back office work. I'd much rather be painting then populating spreadsheets and filing papers. 

SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

Kristi: “Anything is possible. Anything can be.” ~ Shel Silverstein  

I grew up reading Shel Silverstein poems. As an elementary school student, I thought they were funny. As an adult and a parent of an elementary school student, I now can see how wise and true they really are.

SouleMama: Is there a special place that inspires you?

Kristi: My studio is my very favorite place. I transformed our living room and dining room into my home studio about two years ago. It's bright and happy and I've filled it with all of my favorite things that inspire and delight me; bunting, globes, rainbows, books, vintage furniture and signs, art work, inspiring words, antique treasures and toys from my childhood. And since I get to work from home, my family is always close by. My kids love to draw and paint and create messes with me here, too. Everyone that comes to our home says it's their favorite place, too.

SouleMama: Where is your work available for purchase?

Kristi: My hand-painted, original works of art are sold exclusively through my Etsy shop. You can find licensed reproductions of several of my designs on canvas and paper in retail locations around the US, to include but not limited to; Target, HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Bed Bath & Beyond and Cost Plus World Market.

For today's giveaway, Barn Owl Primitives is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:  

~ $100 Gift Certificate to the Etsy shop!

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In addition, Barn Owl Primitives would like to offer SouleMama readers 15% off in the Etsy shop through October 20, 2013. To receive the offer, please enter " SOULEMAMA15 " at checkout.

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

Love,love,love this shop! Thanks for the chance to win :)
Posted by: Anna hopper

Thank you, Barn Owl Primitives!

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Quince & Company

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Quince & Company. In Pam Allen's words:

"We’re a handknitting yarn company devoted to making pretty yarns in American mills. We source all our wool from the US and have our yarns spun and dyed here.  We also carry a 100% linen yarn grown in Belgium and spun in Italy. Visit our Blog."

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Pam:  I’m inspired by knitting. As much as I’m wowed by pictures of pretty sweaters, it’s in the swatching and musing over a stitch pattern that I find the most pleasure. Finding new ways to marry stitches, silhouette, and the qualities of a specific yarn and color is the best way to stay in love with this craft. 

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

Pam: It’s easy to name the best parts of my job: I love talking to and learning from the people, mostly old guys, who’ve been in the textile business forever. They have expertise that, sadly, no one is learning from. They rarely do email. But get them on the phone and they can talk hours on fiber, spinning, and what this industry used to be like. I’ve learned so much from them.

When I first started this business, I had grandiose hopes for working with the mills that are still left, hoping to be part of a resurgence. But we’re swimming against the current. In the three years we’ve been in business, I’ve heard a lot of romancing American industry from big companies like Eileen Fisher or Ralph Lauren, companies that talk about bringing business back to the states. But if they don’t hurry, there won’t be anything left to come back to.  So many facilities have closed, the machinery shipped overseas or dumped, the buildings sold to insurance companies or turned into condo’s. Whatever ends up surviving will look very different than it did fifty years ago. Automation, specialization will change the historic nature of the textile industry. That said, handknitting yarn is still a hands on product—if you want to get it right. I love that, for now, we can still get it made here with care and thoughtful attention. Our yarn is made by people who understand fiber and twist intimately because they grew up with it. Run a yarn over their upper lips and they can tell you its story. Well, it’s almost that easy.  

What else I love? Staying close to knitting and yarn, having it litter my desk and surround me on the floor is a favorite part as well. Choosing colors, swatching, dreaming up a good sweater—what could be better.

The most challenging part of the job is the supply chain—getting yarn spun and delivered to us on a regular basis. It’s a constant struggle. We work with a couple of mills, but they’re often behind in their production. Equipment is old and it isn’t uncommon to hear something like, “We’re fixing a part on the carder and will be back in production in a day or so.” Dealing with a fading, aging industry isn’t easy.

SouleMama: Tell us about your customers.  

Pam: Our customers come from all over the world. It’s truly exciting to get an order from Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Tasmania—almost anywhere. Imagine!  And I love that so many of our customers tell us that they appreciate what we’re trying to do. As big as the world is, I feel like we—knitters—are a small town, no matter where we live.

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

Pam: This past spring we introduced Owl, an American wool/alpaca blend. We had the yarn woolen spun, a spinning system that’s different than the one we use for our core wool line. Alpaca is a hollow fiber and is usually spun worsted, a method that aligns the fibers and squeezes out the air in and between them, creating a silky yarn with lovely drape, but one that’s heavy and inelastic. In the woolen system, the fibers are only casually aligned in the same direction when they’re spun, so the yarn remains light and literally airy and buoyant. I love our new yarn. It comes in six undyed natural shades (alpaca comes naturally in many shades of gray, black, and brown). But we also overdye the yarn for colors with depth and interest. Owl is reasonably soft and it has a pretty halo. It’s all I want to knit with these days.

We had a difficult time finding domestic alpaca fiber in the right colors and grade. It’s easy to source wool from the US—you can buy it carefully graded and sorted from brokers. There’s no equivalent in the alpaca world. But a handful of farmers are trying to create a system to help people like me who want to source a consistent product on a regular basis. Hoping there’s enough demand so that a few years from now, I’ll be able to make ONE call to get what we need.  Right now, it’s a piecemeal situation.

SouleMama: What's the one thing you can't live without?

Pam: More than one, I can’t live without the people I work with: Jerusha, Carrie, Adi, Ryan, Istahil, and often Hannah; coffee; and rosewood knitting needles.

 

{From the left is Ryan (my son), Jerusha, me, and Carrie}

{Adi and Istahil in the warehouse}

For today's giveaway, Quince & Company is generously offering the following gifts to THREE winners:  

~ One pattern for Sherwood mitts and a skein of Owl, our alpaca/wool yarn to make them. Color of winner’s choice!

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In addition, Quince & Company would like to offer SouleMama readers 10% through October 19th, 2013. To receive the offer, please enter " soulemama " at checkout.

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

I would love to try some Quince & Company yarn!!!
Posted by: Faye

Thank you! Thank you! Your yarn is lovely!
Posted by: Sophie

Sweet! I love Quince yarns. Thank you!
Posted by: Schirin

 Thank you,  Quince & Company!

{this moment}

My apologies for the quiet in this space this week - I have missed our conversation! It's been a bit of a doozie (yes, a doozie) of a week. But saved - as always - by yarn and good snuggles from my babes. I look forward to being here fully next week. And in the meantime, I wish you and yours a most lovely weekend!

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{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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27 hours to a hat

1pm - in the mad scramble that is always getting-out-the-door, grab yarn (Hope Spinnery wind-spun yarn), pattern (butterfly hat), the children to join me ... and run.

1:20pm - While waiting (and waiting) in construction, cast on. (The car was fully parked, I assure you.) Matching wardrobe to the yarn is a great sign of good luck for a project start, don't you think?

2 pm - Occupied hands (not eyes) with knitting, while watching all the trotting and posting that my Adelaide doesn't want me to miss a second of in her lesson.

3:30 pm - an early dinner date with Ezra and Calvin. Finish the ribbing while waiting for milkshakes, paninnis and fries (oh yes, Duckfat), and while discussing important things with my boys like Nutcracker placements, dirt bikes, and Lady Gaga's latest album.

 

6pm - Visit with the dance moms (but not Dance Moms) and knit and knit some more while waiting for classes to end. 

9pm - Wine, brownie, and yarn in front of the fire while listening to the Red Sox game with my love.

10pm - Bail on my love (or rather, the baseball) for the quiet of my studio and a little bit of BBC (who cares if I've seen all of Lark Rise to Candleford already?). Keep knitting.

7am - Tea, toast, and eggs with my baby girl. And yarn.

11am - A few stitches snuck into a Taproot editorial meeting with the lovely Meredith. 

1pm - Hammock time with Harper, some glorious October sun...and a little bit of knitting.

4pm - Snuggles on the front porch with Annabel, Piper...and a new hat.

I do declare - there are few things more portable, gratifying and pleasant than hat knitting.

autumn days

There is soup now - lots more soup. Woolen hats and sweaters with only a rare sighting of bare feet outside these days. A fire in the wood stove nearly every night now. Leaf pile jumping. Tightening up of housing being made - in both pasture and home. And with these full days - darkening as they are - we find ourselves all tucked into our respective beds a little bit earlier, with down comforters and flannel sheets. The slipper basket lives by the wood stove now, in use all day.

Autumn used to be my least favorite -  I was always so sad to see the summer end. But the more years that pass, I find myself falling in love a little bit more, each time it comes around. Yesterday, clad for the first time in the wool hat and gloves I pulled from the bottom of the basket, I raked leaves from the big old maple trees in front of the house. Offering shade all summer long under which the children played and we took a break from the work of the day. Now, the leaves are gathered into the large piles which will be jumped in for a few more weeks yet, before we move it all to the garden. There, it'll cover the soil beds that need some rest and protection from the winter elements. And as cliche and obvious as it all sounds, it felt beautifully symbolic of just what's happening this time of year, and why I'm falling in love with it so. It cannot be a summer party of sunshine and sand every day, now can it? Too tiresome, that would be. No, this time and ritual of preparing to rest is just what I'm learning to love about this time of year. There's still much work to be done, but it's all in preparation for the nestling in that is to come. It's a lovely exhale into home. 

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Ottobre Design

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Ottobre Design. In Tuula's words:

"Sewing and pattern magazine for kids of all ages (sizes from newborn to teens) and for women in European sizes 34-52 and US sizes 6-24.

Visit us on Facebook."

SouleMama: What inspires you?

Tuula: At the moment I'm very inspired by all kinds of handicrafts: embroidering, knitting, crocheting and combining those techniques with sewing. This is because we have our first grandchild. She is so cute and I want to wrap her with everything handmade, like I did when our own four kids were small.  

SouleMama: What's the one thing you can't live without?

Tuula: Good local food. Daily doses of green tee and oatmeal porridge. I also love berries, tomatoes and apples and eat them every day. As we live here in Lapland, we mostly eat local food: vegetables, self picked forest berries like lingonberries and blueberries, wild herbs and meat from wild animals (reindeer and elk). So we actually are very "hip" with our very typical everyday Lappish meals. We did not know it before we started reading blogs of young urban families :) We were so happy, when we noticed the most of the food we eat is now mentioned as "superfood". 

SouleMama: Has your business changed over time?

Tuula: I started as a one woman's design studio and now we have almost 30 lovely creative employees and corporate partners all over the world. That is amazing, and fun!

SouleMama: Is there a creative pursuit you haven't explored yet, but would like to?

Tuula: Yes, writing and illustrating books for babies and small children. Maybe some day when I retire...if I ever have the heart to retire.

For today's giveaway, Ottobre Design is generously offering the following gift to THREE winners:  

~ One year gift subscription ~ including four OTTOBRE design® kids and two OTTOBRE woman magazines!

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

A little autumn inspiration. Thanks!
Posted by: Michele

I'd love to share this with my mother!
Posted by: Andrea

I love Ottobre !!
Posted by: Annette

Thank you, Ottobre Design!

SouleMama Sponsors ~ Sparkle Stories

Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Sparkle Stories. In Lisabeth's words:

"Sparkle produces original audio stories each week for children and families around the world. Families can subscribe and hear new stories each Friday, or enjoy one of our many Audio Books!

On the Sparkle blog, we share storytelling tips and parenting inspiration, along with recipes and crafts that go with our stories!"

SouleMama: What inspired you to start your business?­­­

Lisabeth: We were at this giant crossroads in our life – and we were stuck in many ways: money, health, career – you name it!  We are both creative types, filled with energy and ideas. And we had been fitting ourselves into established roles: teacher, administrator, office manager. But we were stuck.

I kept asking month after month: “How can we engage our talents and gifts in our day to day work? How can we find balance and health and abundance in the most authentic way possible?”

Sparkle was the answer to that persistent question. But it didn’t come to us as we were sitting down to compare skill charts or aptitude tests. It came one night as I was just doing my normal mothering things (actually I was online looking for stories for my sick kids!).

There’s this great quote from writer & theologian Frederick Buechner: “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”

In the moment of “seeing” this idea for Sparkle, I saw a potential for what Buechner describes: David’s great gift and love of storytelling and my constant desire to create and produce, overlaid with a perceived need for a new quality of children’s media -- media that’s simple and delightful and inspiring, that would inspire children to play, to marvel, to laugh, to be kind.

And so with six months of hard work, we sent our little business into the world! And here we are, almost 3 years later, producing weekly stories for families around the world!

SouleMama: How does the balance of family and work play out for you?

Lisabeth: That’s such a great question to ask a married couple running a business together.

Like any married couple running a business, we find we have to be particularly thoughtful about how we work. What I found early on is we brought to the business all of the most satisfying dynamics in our relationship, as well as some of the most frustrating! The business can be a little mirror for the ways we relate in our marriage – which can be great for self-realization, but killer for business success.

So we bring consciousness to it. And we name the places that it’s not serving us, or the business. And then we work to find ways to change it! (And then sometimes we laugh about it. Or engage the help of a counselor or coach!)

Because, at the end of the work day, we don’t go home to separate lives. We go home to our lives together! And we want to remain joyful and appreciative and satisfied.

We also have to be conscious about how our business can take over our lives, from waking until we drop into bed at night. Our kids are a built-in part of the business, hearing the first version of each story as we mentioned above, but they don’t want to eat, breathe and sleep the business of Sparkle! So we have to find ways to bring a close to our “work” life and engage fully in family and home. And that’s an ongoing endeavor.

SouleMama: How do you create the stories each week?

Lisabeth: We both work really hard. We produce an average of 6 original audio stories each week! And, at the moment, we wear almost all of the hats, from audio production, to customer service, to marketing and social media. It’s fun and a little wild! We have to be quite structured to pull it all off.

The audio stories always start as a story told out loud to our boys; David “makes them up” in the moment, and the boys are our first audience. Then he writes them down, and hands them to me, and I edit them, looking for the tightest narrative experience in each. After that, David takes them and records them in the small office just off our barn. Next, they go to our “continuity” editor in Chicago, who ensures that they are clean and consistent, and then they go through a final editing process and are uploaded to our site.

And that’s where families can download or listen each week!

SouleMama: Tell us about your subscribers.

Lisabeth: That’s been one of the most remarkable and amazing things – getting to know the Sparkle families as Sparkle grows, from the U.S. to Australia to Ireland to South Africa!

We think of the Sparkle families more as a community that as customers. And our work is often a conversation with them. Often families will email or post questions, or requests for help, or compliments, or stories. It’s this that fuels our work and inspires many of our stories!

And we're honored by trust our subscribers put in us -- it's a privilege! Consequently, we hold our content to a high standard, so we can continue to earn their trust story-by-story.

For today's giveaway, Sparkle Stories is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:  

~ "Martin & Sylvia through the Year" Giveaway

Martin and Sylvia are the delightful and enterprising brother and sister, whose stories are the favorites among Sparkle fans! Each of our three Martin & Sylvia Series follow the creative endeavors and sweet adventures of this homeschooled family through all four seasons. (The children can find fun and adventure anywhere they go!)

This Giveaway includes:
the Martin & Sylvia "Knitting from the Beginning" Audio Book
the Martin & Sylvia Halloween Audio Book
the Martin & Sylvia Christmastime Audio Book
the Martin & Sylvia Valentines Audio Book
the Martin & Sylvia Summer Adventures Audio Book
Plus a One Year Subscription to any one of our three Martin & Sylvia Subscription Series!

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In addition, Sparkle Stories would like to offer SouleMama the following offers through October 12th. Sign up for our newsletter, and get a Free Martin & Sylvia Fingerknitting Story! Our newsletter is the best way to find about our weekly free stories, our promotions and Sparkle news. Find the sign-up box on the bottom of our Home Page.

And....Enjoy the Martin & Sylvia "Knitting from the Beginning" Audio Book for 50% off. It's $3 for an hour of delightful audio stories! Add to your Shopping Bag by clicking HERE.

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

I'd love to introduce my daughters to audio books. Thank you for the opportunity.
Posted by: Morgan Hayward

Thank you,  Sparkle Stories!

{this moment}

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{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.

. . . . . . . . . .

Field Trip :: Ricker Hill Orchards (and my kitchen)

Well, would you look at that? That, my friends, is our very first apple harvest. Three years ago this month, we received a lovely housewarming gift in the form of some apple trees. Each spring, we've added a few more. Our orchard has now grown to twenty trees, though you have to look closely to see them, and you just might laugh at me if you see it and hear me call it the 'orchard'. They're just babies still. But oh, these three apples this year! Such a treat they were, shared evenly among the lot of us, and a source of inspiration for a whole lot of "someday, in the orchard..." talk.

Someday, yes. For today? We're glad for established orchards where each year, we go to pick our fill.

Each autumn, we find ourselves making the journey to Ricker Hill Orchards. A nine generation deep family farm where we find rows and rows of organic pick your own macintosh, jonagolds, cortlands, and more. There, we indulge in a few apple cider donuts. The littlest always gets wagon rides and apples delivered to her. Mama has her first attempt of the season at a family holiday card. And we fill our baskets with apples and fun before heading home ready for what comes next. Applesauce, apple pie, apple butter...oh, for the love of an apple orchard!

finished :: ice cream sundae

After a proper schooling on picking up stitches (all these years, I've been making a mess of things), I happily finished my latest knitting project, for Adelaide. Coming home from the Common Ground Fair, I handed it to the recipient right away. And right away, after all the love and adoration she gave both the shrug and me, barely through the door, she said, "Mama. It needs a new dress! Don't you think? Let's do it! Can we now?" 

There are a lot of 'no's' we must impose as parents, aren't there? No you may not go to bed without brushing your teeth. No you may not tie your bike to the trailer hitch on the back of the car. No you may not eat your brother's ice cream. And so on. Which is why we all love those easy yeses, don't we? I paused for a minute deciding where the answer to this little, but big question fell. Too easy, this one.

And so it was that I found myself, after nearly two weeks away, in my studio late one night sewing with all the kiddos in and out and on my lap and on my back. Bags still packed by the door, I can't imagine a better re-entry had I tried to craft one myself. A vintage pattern, a simple dress, a bit of corduroy...a new dress sewn. Home.

(Ravelry link.) The shrug is the pattern Ice Cream Sundae, the yarn coming from the kit made by The Uncommon Thread (while the pattern and yarn is available separately for purchase, the kits are no longer).  It's a gorgeous yarn, and was such a delight to knit with. And now that my picking up of stitches has improved (ahem...), and I'm more than a little bit in love with this shrug of hers (though not as much as I'm in love with the missing front teeth and knobby knees), I'm contemplating whether not I should cast on another for little sister Annabel. Yes? That's too easy...

October 1

 

 

Hello, October! 

Welcome (and Welcome back!), to the newest Sponsors here at SouleMama. I'm so pleased to introduce them to you this morning...

Artterro

eco-friendly arts and crafts kits

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The Magic Onions

handmade treasures for the natural home

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Rhythm of the Home

a quarterly online family magazine ~ holiday edition launching later this month

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The Vintage Pearl

hand stamped sterling silver jewelry and keepsakes

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Check out all of their handmade, natural, and creative offerings - and those of our other Sponsors - in the days and weeks to come. I thank them and you both for your presence and support here. And if Sponsorship is something you're interested in for your own business, do be in touch.