the hill

This fall the boys & I have found ourselves, many times, on top of this hill. It is near our house, an easy stop on our way to or from anywhere. What I love about being there with my boys, and many others in tow, is the freedom they have to run, throw and explore this great park. This year is so different now that Oscar can run & keep up with Felix. I'm more relaxed because I'm not either pregnant or toting around a baby. I just pack a few apples & we either throw them or eat them, most likely both. Felix & Oscar are really really acting like brothers now. sigh........
( Notice that felix has his hill sweater on for the occasion. )
more holiday crafts coming up soon, if I can get it together.

craft night prep & potty training update

Felix has finally decided that big boy underwear are worth the effort. Now it's like I get my kid back, no frustration, no pressure, no more diapers, it was a long long long long road for us. I started to really resent those who are fortunate enough to have a child who 'decides' to go in toilet. Maybe I'll get lucky with Oscar.
on to a lighter subject ....... craft night,
Tonight I'm making onion & garlic bags for my siblings, here's the prototype.

On the menu: Pear Cheesecake Bars

Chocolate biscotti, from this recipe.

I have missed some of our meetings because of work but normally we meet monthly except for December when its almost weekly. These are a few of the fine talented ladies who will hopefully be joining me this evening, Meg, Beth & Mary Jo. The others are equally talented & we keep encouraging them to start a blog, but than you'll see who I copy from. I feel very fortuante to have such talented friends.

wait...I take it back

so.....I seemed to have gone through the finding inspiration process pretty fast by the looks of it. But maybe I'm just loosening up. Here are some shots from the studio today. The thing I noticed today, that I still have objects that I collected in college ( 10 years ago) that inspire me. Hmm, stuck in the mud or just good taste?

wild thing

Can you tell I'm into plaid? Felix, that lucky little boy & because he was sick, this year for Halloween 2 handmade costumes. The first was a detective, which lost favor once he saw another kid welding a weapon. Sooooo we compromised on this Wild Thing Costume. The hat ( a little small but who cares) was made from this pattern. I really like the way it came out, and he looked darling. And to show that I haven't been been neglecting myself I made a new scarf, made from recycled suit wool that came my way via Five Green Acres.

I'm feeling a little restless in my art/craft making these days. So as not to waste too much material & precious studio time I'm taking a craft hiatus. Every few years I need a break, once I realize that I'm making the same things over & over. Need a refresher on what inspires me. I've started to carry a sketchbook around with me instead of a knitting project. Looking at the world around waiting for inspiration may seem a little silly, but rite when you think your searching something like this appears.
This video was taken before I even had kids, a quiet lunch in our little kitchen in the old house. I noticed this reflection on the wall and was mesmerized.
( don't mind the sound, it's just our community radio station. )

views from the day

Today felt like the days when I was a new mom, only a few years ago. All day at home, quiet music on, small tasks, lots of books, nap times a must. I tried to stay off of the computer & out of the kitchen. A vintage puzzle was unearthed from who knows where, a drawer maybe. A coloring station, a tent. I know that with the boys getting bigger I tend to run them more. Going on more errands & adventures, which is fun. But today was a good reminder that to be home all day, again, can be simple & fun.

counting coins

Like many others we're sick around here. The little guys have fevers but are lively & have a good appetite, T & I are waiting for the other shoe to drop, we'll see how the next week goes. So, home bound. Felix has been wanting to count out his owl bank lately ( his birthday IS coming up) so I came up with this little teaching moment. No counting, values or anything too complicated ( yet). I found a nice coin chart here, took a sheet tray & uncorked the owl bank**. We matched, stacked & talked about all of them for....about 5 min. Maybe your children will last longer, but I bet we will come back to this during our sick spell.

**Oh, I didn't take ALLLL the coins out, only a good variety.

hope you all are well.

missing riley

some of you close to us know that we had to let our dog go up into the clouds last week.


I'm reallly missing him today. During nap time he would accompany me in the kitchen, making a sweet treat for later. I'm off to bake a little without him. I know everyone in my house is missing Riley. He was one of those great dogs.