Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Crafting

We had a little family visit. It was a big family visit, actually. The sisters, my brother, and mother came out to see us and mostly Bea. I miss their big smiles as I think of them on the east coast now. Why are the coasts so far apart?

I'm off to buy chai ingredients and will soon post my favorite recipe along with pictures. We made a giant pot for the whole family and it was a huge hit! Boy, it was fun ladling out more than just two cups. I ladled six cups and poured a bunch of love in with it. Man, I miss them.

Here, right now, I want to show you the beautiful crafting that took place while we played and lazed in our living room. 





































Isn't that crafting beautiful?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

January

I've got a chai recipe to share soon. Until then, let me show you one of my favorite knits for the littles, especially the very littles.



















This hat. Really fast, really simple, and so darn adorable on a newborn to about six months. I've made three in my life so far. The last two were for twins! What an honor, I thought, as I purled and ribbed away thinking of the two due to arrive in May. Not us, of course. No no no, not us. We are well and busy with one almost one year old.

Miss Camellia Bea is officially walking, signing bird, singing on cue, and uniquely saying kitty (tikky). We love her rosy magenta cheeks and her wide toothy smile. Sometimes she sleeps better than she has the day before. Sometimes not. I'm enjoying tips from the Sear's book, "The Baby Sleep Book-The Complete Guide to a Good Nights Rest for the Whole Family", especially after the "not" nights. And I find great comfort thinking of our fellow parent comrades down the street or even across the states, perhaps struggling with the same thing, on the same night. This sometimes brings me comfort. Hey, and if it doesn't, waking up to that silly finger pointing baby is pretty great. She's always up for helping mom and dad make coffee, their special drink.

Enjoy your Januarys people!


One chai recipe coming up next.


Monday, December 23, 2013

Presents

Here are two things.

One

 





Two

http://8tracks.com/obiwankentucky/concordia-christmas-2013

Presents for you. Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, winter winter wonderful land!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Making

It feels so good finishing a project. Sometimes it's nice to put aside old ones so you can start a new one, complete a new one. I've got two on my mind for the holiday (I think there will be time). Both pretty easy and small but both on size two needles in fingering weight yarn. Feast your eyes on this beautiful skein of yarn that will soon be an adorable pixie hat for my girl. Sh, don't tell.


















I don't even know what it is or where she got it. It's from a dear friend. She gave it to me many years ago and finally it'll be something.
Merry making you all!



















We like snowflakes, swags, and sunshine. Doilies, felt, ribbon, branches, rosemary, candles, lace, a felt bowl, and stuffed Star Wars toys really do brighten up our December days.

Love to you all.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Bea, it's been nice sitting with you, looking out of the big window this afternoon. The cold dry stones out front are so pretty next to what is left of the less than leafy trees. You are getting big, older! Ten months, six teeth, nearly thirty inches long, and twenty pounds heavy.

I love walking with you. You leading me with your arms above you, holding my hands, my mama hands and your baby hands. Yell for dad. Go ahead, he loves it.

And I love strolling with you. Your finger points to everything, e v e r y t h i n g a l l o f t h e t i m e. My favorite of your favorites is the rose. Somehow you can spot it without buds and from quite a distance. That's impressive, m'lady. Onward!












































And now, it's time to start crafting on a budget. To be continued!














Saturday, November 2, 2013

A calendar

A calendar is important in the way that the fabric on your couch pillow is important, creating a feeling in your living room, catching a visitors eye, warming them a little. It is important in the way that the small white tea cup is special because it comes from nana. When you use it or look at it, you remember her vegetable garden and wise, big smile.

A calendar helps you visualize time even if you're not much of a planner (like me). December brings winter and all things chilly outside and warm inside. We have ideas of seasons and months and having time on your wall, in the form of a calendar, is a celebration of these things. Circle the 28th because it's your daughter's first birthday. You could draw in the squares of September because years ago somewhere around those weeks you met a handsome man in the beverage aisle of a grocery store. What if March is a hard month? Maybe the yellow wellies drawn above the numbered days will make you feel okay at least once that dark month.

This calendar, this one here is the one.

























The folks over at Redbird Studio have such delightful, simple treasures. They make the loveliest little wallets, a simple thing about the size of a credit card (but can hold many) with a simple fold over top that's closed by a single clasp. They make hats, bags, stationary, books, pins, clothes and now their yearly hand silk-screened calendar.

There are only 30. There will only be 30 of these in the whole world. Look at those lemons!

If you don't live in Portland Oregon, you can give them a call and order one for yourself or a loved one, http://redbirdstudio.biz/. If you do live in Portland visit them at 2927 ne Alberta Street.

*Thank you Redbird Studio for letting little hand knits use your photo.*