2010

it's a fun year to write, 2010, 2010.
in my mid-new years day haze here are my resolutions.

to edit
to forgive



I'll be checking all of your blogs for your resolutions. all my best for this year.





thanks for the great feedback on the last post. It gave me the confidence I needed to wear my shirt with pride last night. I'll keep it up if you will;)

Orton Park Festival

it's hard to choose.
maybe a little of everything.
the hardworking bakers, taking a well deserved break.
(photo taken by my dad) Oscar & I rearranging the bakery on the table.


In my town, Madison, Wi, on the east side of that town there are 4 + festivals a summer. All held in a beautiful neighborhood park. Local restaurants provide food, the boy-scouts provide the games and the best lineup of music you can hear north of Chicago. The Waterfront festival, Le Fet de Marquette and The Orton Park Festival, to name a few.

I grew up next to Orton Park and have volunteered for these events since I was 5. The best, the best best best of these events ( in my bakerly opinion ) is the Jazz Brunch. Held Sunday morning, on the last day of the orton park fextival this little bake sale is the best one you have EVER been to. Neighborhood folks donate dozens of bakery, like red velvet cupcakes, feta & phylo torte, scones, muffins, grits, quiches, macaroons, I could go on & on. Everything is $1 each. All the money is donated to the neighborhood association for free summer camp for kids.

For me it's about being at home again, a good sleepover at Grandma's. Baking late into the night, the healthy competition between mother & daughter as to who will bake what. In the morning dragging the vintage tablecloths & fresh flowers down the tent. And transforming the bingo tent into a proper outdoor brunch spot. The ladies who have been doing this for years all deserve a break ( MOM! ) but I am sure they love it so much they never will.

Stitch Coach

Onto number 2: Sewing
I had a few goals set for this year, 1: to have a show of my paintings ( check) 2: to sew more clothes for my family. As luck would have it a friend asked me if I would be interested in attending a private fitting class with her a few weeks back. Taught by a stitch coach, Steffani. So literally the morning after my opening I packed up my sewing machine and headed over to my friends house for this unexpected class. It was amazing, three of us ( my mom came too) all had projects, and Steffani jumped rite in. Helping us fit clothes, make patterns, tips upon endless tips on how to sew garments that actually look good on your body.
The second session was at my house this past weekend and was equally inspiring. It's like doors are becoming unlocked into the secrets of sewing. And the first key is to have someone measure you, here's a good form I found for you to jot the numbers down. Knowing your measurements is key to looking at patterns and adjusting them to properly fit you.

So in the que are boxer shorts for Mr. T and a shirt for me. Now back to it, I'm leaving the laundry & dishes rite where they are!

mama time

the findings from this morning, the morel gods were shining on T apparently. He giggled.
Working on a chicken coop, I know it's been on my mind but this progress is not due to my nagging.
The dash around the table is his favorite game.

But that was a few days ago and now, it's just me. They're gone, all three of them, as a early mothers day present I suppose, off to oma & opa's house for the night. Big, deep sigh. What to do?? Well plenty of course, I'm able to blog & change things around a bit here and in my real physical house. Here's my list:
house stuff
- weed & mulch front garden
- change sheets
- finishing that huge pile of laundry down there
- figure out where that smell is coming from
- tidy up
me stuff
- have some good friends over for a rowdy " my parents are out of town party"
- sleep it off
- go to the market w/o lugging kids
- paint
- print
- sit
- listen
Indulge me:
It's been on my mind lately the limbo of this little family. Well, not the boys just me. It stems from the big question all families face , is this my whole family? Is there any one out there who's missing? maybe 2 ? Or is this US, our unit? Other families we know who are sure that they're done having kids seem so settled, moving forward. Saving special outfits and handing over the rest, sure that they won't need them anymore. Now I should make it clear, I am not planning on getting pregnant any time soon, but it just popped in my head. Who else is out there for us? I'm not the most patient mother, nor am I the calmest so adding another little one may just tip me over but I can't help but thinking that it's in the cards. And what does that mean? hmmm, I think I need my first cocktail to think it over.
Happy Mothers Day all of you
love, Lily

baby shower gift.

A quick quilt for a dear friends baby shower this weekend. sorry it's a dark photo.