Quotable Sunday

Appreciate the Divine details that are woven into every second of your life.

- Caroline Myss

***

For a complete list of Quotable Sunday visit are so happy.

Off to the Coast You Go

You escape West to get away from the ninety degree heat. Yet, sometimes, a trip to the beach doesn't turn out as planned. No, this is not great weather for mama to be in a nursing tank and shorts...only having prepared for colder weather for the little one.

No matter how snuggled or cuddled you are, the wind and fog still seem to creep in.

So, you change plans and head South, expecting nothing but a beautiful drive along the coast and into the woods.

But you get lucky, and the weather becomes spectacular.

You even manage to find the town of Bolinas... a hidden jewel as locals took down the official road signs to keep it to themselves.

And the day ends even more spectacular, seeing it through the eyes of a loved one...



...and another wee loved one.

No wonder why that girl is always smiling...

...you just look at her mama and papa, who are always smiling back at her.

Inspiration Overload

I recently finished these legwarmies for my wee one who needs warm legs. I LOVE the way my color design came out. The pattern is here at Never Not Knitting, and I modified it a bit to have a different look. Trouble is, after all that work, they don't stay on her. Just a few wiggles, and boom. They're off. Hmph! What did I do wrong?

Right now, I have a "problem" that is this: I am inspired. Like way, way, way too much as of late. I have all these projects in my head, some just started, others temporarily abandoned. This includes books to read, classes to take, cakes to bake, outfits to sew, plants to trim, letters to write, etc. etc.

There is that little (very little, little), part of me that laments what comes with motherhood. I know, it's only temporary, this time I have while watching a little one double in size goes so quickly. Still, putting aside my desires isn't easy sometimes.

Since I don't have much time to craft now I plan on doing some retrospectives of past projects. Look for an upcoming week where I'll be featuring baby quilts I've done.

Meanwhile, one recent inspiration comes from Lily Boot's block-a-month blog. She makes these ridiculously awesome tiny quilts, and has given me permission to post a photo here.

I also asked her to do a tutorial of one (cross your fingers). I know a red-headed gal who would be very inspired by this, as well as many other crafty women.

What has inspired you lately?

***

 UPDATE:
I asked the pattern designer, Alana, why she thought the legwarmies fell off and here is her response:


"I've found that the leg shape makes a difference in determining how well they will stay put. I used to put them over a pair of tights a lot for added warmth and I found that they stayed up well. Also you could run an elastic thread through the top ribbing and that will help too."

Also, I forgot to mention what yarn I used. Here you go: Cascade Cotton Rich DK in colors Del Rey and Lapis.

Quotable Sunday

The day of your arrival

is tagged, like a present--

your name engraved upon it.

- Shani Mootoo

Teething Tribulations

This past week has been incredibly challenging. I said goodbye to a loved one, screamed at a very small loved one, got so wrapped up in something that I missed the big picture called life, hardly slept for several nights running (teething tribulations), and now am sick.

I guess it is no surprise, to be sick after such a wearing week. Yet, as any mama knows, being sick with a little one who demands your all - when you're already worn down - is, well, shitty. Watching our backyard neighbors shoot off an air gun at the flock of crows in their tree pretty much topped off my week with the sour cherry. I refrained from asking if they were inbred. Let's just say, based on past behavior, the question would have been redundant.

I've been fantasizing about packing up and just getting out of dodge. But, what is dodge exactly? Wouldn't it just follow me around until I found the next town marked with a sign that said, "An Even Bigger Pile of Dodge :: Duh, what did you expect?"

Through all this, Little B is smiling and laughing still. Thank heavens for little girls.

***

This video was taken a few weeks ago when Bronwyn had just barely turned 6 months old.

Quotable Sunday

“If you love something set it free; if it returns it's yours forever, if not it was never meant to be.”

- Proverb

***
In my heart will always live a yellow - abundantly loving, always present, smiling, warm, beautiful - Labrador called Martini. She has taught me so much, and this last lesson we learned together was the most difficult and challenging lesson I have ever learned.

I listened to god, to angels, to my heart, and to hers. Separating it all out, I was left with a line that will always connect me to her and her to me.

Your warm eyes, your soft tummy, your kissable nose, your special bunny hop, your tongue all over, everywhere all the time. But that smile. That is what always got me.

Tini, you are so beloved and special. I MISS you dearly. I love you. Always. And, forever.

On Being a Housewife

There are certain days I love being a housewife. There are other days that I think, "Wow, this again!" But those days are more because it is a routine (which most jobs contain a lot of) and I am definitely a lover of variety and change. Either way, I am SO glad I have a choice to be a stay-at-home-mom.

The day that I made this blueberry pie for instance was pretty grand. I love expressing my creativity and challenging myself to do new things. This was the second pie I've made from scratch.
The crust was a cream cheese pastry crust, from the Joy of Cooking, and was incredibly yummy.

Diaper laundry day has a new dimensional zen to it. While not as pretty as Red Laundry Day, it was oh so satisfying to hang those wet diapers on the line and enter a contemplative space. Also, it feels good knowing that I'm making as minimal impact possible upon our mother earth.

Watching Little B on the swing for the first time, dressing her up in whimsical outfits that reflect her personality, and enjoying the world through her eyes.

These are the moments that I cherish, and look forward to more of.