a little inspiration

I'm still here.  I've been busy. And sick. And parenting. And overwhelmed.  I am trying to figure out how to use this space with the time I have.  I'm trying to figure out how to live more graciously.  I'm trying to find solutions for solution-less problems.  How could it be that there are so many of those? I'm hoping to use this to catalogue completed projects this year. Less words, more images.  I've been using instagram a lot.  But this would be neater, easier to look back and possibly (?) have details I'd like to remember.

This week I've added gluten back in.  No wheat, just other sources of gluten.  Because barley is a little harder to have in the house and not share with Emerson I chose to get a loaf of rye bread to experiment with.  This was the first time in two months I could eat a sandwich.  I'm not even going to explain how big that is for me.  My favorite things to eat have always been sandwiches.  I even had to get used to the idea that John does not consider a sandwich dinner except occasionally. What??? Took me years to figure that out. This last few days have been a real pleasure.  So far, no side effects.  Now I have to wait four more days without it and make sure.  But next week is wheat.  I'm interested to see how that goes.  Corn is definitely out for me.  I'm so glad I'm doing this, no matter how hard it has been.  I had suspected corn a little but never eggs at all.  And for months I've been avoiding gluten and ...

Soy seems to have been okay, though I will admit to not eating as much of it as maybe I should have.  I had one serving a day plus tamari on anything I could think of... Today is the first day of corn and already I feel bloated and a little gross.  I did have corn three times today so maybe that was overkill for any day... But I couldn't resist.  Corn is such a big substitute for all things gluten and snack like. Anyway, I'll give it a couple more days to judge.  Yesterday my lovely mother in law got married and I spent the whole day running around with her and eating nothing but fruit and cheese(when we ate at all.)  It was a wonderful day and everyone had a splendid time.  I wore the Hawthorn dress I made from Colette Patterns.  I even got pictures for you!  I'll share later this week.  Can you believe how many things I've made the last few months?  I don't think I've been this productive since Emerson was born. Speaking of t...

Today I got rid of 4 trash bags of stuff.  Last night I spent my time from dinner to bed time clearing up our office space.  I got rid of so much, but there is a lot left to go.  For now I am basking in the ability to walk around and open all the closet doors (I kid you not.)  When my fabric table and area is cleared up I'll take a picture.  I feel so close to that happening (now that I can get there.) We moved from a 2160 square foot house to 1180 square foot apartment in November.  I've already mentioned we got rid of a lot of stuff , but it wasn't enough.  Many will see that as a huge down size (and they are right!  Half the space.) I wanted it though.  I knew the place we were in before was just too big.  In jettisoning the junk I've learned that I had attached all these silly rules to ownership of things that I had no idea of before I read Everything That Remains . I had no less than 4 sets of place mats and probably 6 table...

I am still sewing over here.  Does anyone come here to see those kinds of things anymore?  It has been a while since I was able to share anything about making things.  It is an interesting place to be, moving so much out of my life and loving a craft that creates more stuff.  The Cooper bag is still going strong after a couple months constant use.  I love it and my husband doesn't even mind carrying it. Most crafters have a "stash."  This is just a nicer word to use than hoard I think.  At least, in my case.  I'm struggling to figure out how to balance.  My goal for the rest of this year is to only use fabric I already have.  I can buy a pattern or the notions but no more fabric for a little while.  I have many ideas about what I'd like to create in the coming weeks and months, especially since I am trying to set up a capsule wardrobe. In trying to start this right away I noticed that there is a huge imbalance in my clos...

In my constant search for inspiration I've stumbled onto Zen Habits  and can't believe it has taken me so long to find it.  I have no idea why I chose to read Everything that Remains  in the first place but what a revelation it has been.  Leading me to so many new places.  Zen Habits is definitely up my alley.  He sounds a bit like the voice in my head already. And, of course, I like that.  Who wouldn't want to hear advice and ideas that sound like you only wiser and more concise? We should all read his book The One Skill : The Letting Go eBook and then go on from there and read all the rest of his words.  It is such a powerful little book, an idea that will serve you in every facet of your life.  Every. Single. One. Go check it out.  Tell me what you think.  Tell him too.

I'm not going to lie.  This week I am bored with my options and ready for some cheese or tomatoes or salsa.  I opened the calendar to June and wrote on each week what food is going to be re-introduced.  I am so happy that dairy is week one.   I saw the doctor today and am actually up a couple pounds which I am super surprised about.  He said it because I am actually absorbing the nutrients.  After talking about how I have been feeling he suggested also cutting out eggs.  So many foods to miss at one time!  The evening is when it is hardest. I always used to load up on calories after the kids were in bed to make up for what I missed during the day.  Now I just have my smoothie or a rice cake with almond butter, coconut and raw cacao.  The other night I drank four glasses of water after the littles went to sleep and did feel much better the next day. But- two more weeks and then the fun part starts.  Anything is possible!! (ps...

I finished the arm warmer a few days ago.  It looks lovely, no glaring errors.  Except it is about the right size for Emerson...  Whoops.  I didn't check my gauge.  I didn't check it because with crochet I have never had an issue.  And also, because I am lazy.  And also it really didn't cross my mind that I could get that far off with the right sized needles for it to matter.  So anyway, apparently I hold too much tension on the yarn.  I can't imagine where it comes from... Hmmff! So, I've started something a little more forgiving in terms of gauge with a larger sized needle than recommended and making a big effort to hold the yarn loosely.  It is this beauty .  I'm excited that I decided to look up the crazy stitch abbreviation because the whole thing is super simple to to even though it looked intimidating to me.  Hopefully it will fit over my head in the end. ;)

People.  I am actually knitting.  And it is fun!  And going well. I decided that 2014 will be the year I actually get the hang of knitting.  I've tried a number of times and it always ends in boredom or tears.  I think this time it will be different.  I've even already finished a project! I got this book because I saw the review on Amy Karol's blog and I loved all the images of the patterns it offers.  I have to say I am glad that I already knew the basics of knitting though and I've been grateful for knittinghelp.com.  Unless it is just that I am unable to focus any longer due to the influence of children, I would say that it'd be pretty hard to figure out how to knit for the first time just from this book.  But the patterns?  Still gorgeous and I am hoping do-able with a little internet and in person tutelage.   I made a hat from it for Emerson.  I didn't have the right sized yarn or needles (you need a lot ...

This morning Emerson and I had a chance to have some "school" time.  Our good friends got him a science experiment kit and we've been exploring chemicals and reactions. After that, since Sissie was asleep we decided to draw some letters and color and cut.  These kind of activities don't often last long but somehow this morning we were both in the groove and we sat together for nearly and hour.  The results weren't all that unique but the time was so special I am still surprised about how much fun we had.  Emerson can spell out his name with only a little sound-it-out help and he easily reads letters.  Recently we told him what signs with a circle and line through it means and he tells me all the time what they say.  Senor almost fell down the other day when E said, "Why is there no smoking allowed here?" It was awesome. Anyway, now we have little door decorations.  It's about time we started acting like we live in this house. ...

First up were the shorts for E.  I started them as soon as I arrived on Friday night.  I had edited all the ridiculous pockets and made simple patch pockets instead.  E can hardly get into a regular pants pocket anyway.  This way he can gather treasures without extra frustration.  I used the size 4 pattern and was so surprised when they fit him.  They look huge!! I got this adorable print knowing he would love every creature on it.  I want to add a strip of it to a t shirt as well.  So cute!  I hadn't measured his waist so I had to wait until I was home to finish them.  He is planning to wear them to gymnastics tomorrow even though it is only supposed to be in the 50's. That makes them a success in my book.   Next came the bag.  This turned out to be a total fail.  Giant, way too stiff to work with, nightmarish.  I think I managed to get through it with out any swearing.  I have no idea where that restraint ...

Recently I have been trying a new technique in parenting.  Stopping.  Stop saying no, correcting, redirecting, cringing.  Look away unless you think there will be blood.  Don't warn of trouble (You might fall if you x.) unless there seems a real danger of someone else getting hurt or serious injury.  You see, I am not naturally cautious or rule bound.  But somehow I have gotten it into my head that my son should be.  I think perhaps- because he is so fearless and so driven to do certain behavors that I would never consider- I have fallen into the trap of "parenting" all the time.  If I don't watch myself our whole day can sound like this: Don't bang on that. Put the stick down. Stop yelling. How about watching a program instead of helping me make dinner? Don't bang on that. Don't grab me. Be gentle. Stop yelling. Don't play with your food. Are you eating that or are you ready to get down? You get the idea, right?  Too much pare...

I had a plan. I had some supplies on hand. I was brave. I went for the more complicated one first. I love how it turned out. I am happy I went with the "brave" fabric combo.   Making my own maternity clothes is cool.

Yesterday Emerson wanted to make a card for our friend Jill.  He wanted to put flowers on it.  We used star stickers and I showed him how to draw a stem and little leaf.  And then he did it.  I am very impressed. 

It seemed like as good a day as any other to learn to fly.  We were at Yorktown on this day.  We enjoyed the water and the walking and the ice cream.  We had such a nice time exploring and playing together all week.  Every time the Bug has been with his Aunt Carolyn they make such a magical connection.  It is really amazing to watch. We visited Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown last week.  One night John and I even went out to see a show and drink an ale at the tavern.  We actually got to play together every night thanks to Nana, Pappy and Carolyn.  Since we were staying in two attaching apartments on a little resort kind of place it was pretty easy.  John and I brushed up on our putt-putt skills and had conversations without any competition to finish a sentence. The Bug is so funny with his talking non-stop now.  Interrupting every second to say, "Mama, what are you talkin' about?"  Which mostly makes me giggle insi...

We are learning every day.  As Emerson gets closer and closer to his third birthday I am amazed at how much he knows and can learn each day.  Right now I hear him in the kitchen with Oma learning about division by cutting up cookie dough.  A few weeks ago he wanted to "draw" some letters with Papa. The letters below "rar" and "mamaa" are ones that he had help with.  The others he did mostly by himself.  Of course he doesn't know what to do with them but having the interest in the world of letters is so exciting. ps- I really want to make this .