Happiness comes in little bits

Clearing things up and a fresh start...

2012-03-02T09:14:00.000-05:00

After my last post on blogging, I feel like I have left a bad taste in some of your mouths.

A little like " Where the heck did that come from Julia?"

So, this post is my attempt at clearing things up for you. Writing is exhausting for me most of the time. Trying to wrap my thoughts into a page on the computer...getting my point across. It's rare that I get exactly what I am meaning to say translated from my head to a page. I am by far not eloquent and I am even farther from concise most of the time.

So let me let you in on what's been going on in my life that has led me to this sort of a turning point.

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Winter seems to have this effect on me every year. It's the winter, I've decided. It's bleakness in the weather and cold dark days. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) at it's best (or worst). It's inevitable that I end up reevaluating what my priorities are and struggle with identity and purpose.

But this year beats out most others.

~I cried most of the way through January and February. Healing from back surgery only to have my symptoms return. An MRI that revealed that the disc that I had surgery on had RE-HERNIATED.

~Laying in bed, minimal socializing, pain, phone calls (which I hate....I HATE being on the phone) to insurance companies and disability providers, doctor's offices, physical therapy departments.

~I hadn't been a nurse in 3+ months and was struggling with staying at home day in and day out.

~Blowing through any form of savings that we had accumulated.

~Feeling unbelievably conflicted in my feelings over some amazingly generous friends at the hospital who donated time to me so that I would still be able to have insurance. It vascilated between extreme thankfulness to extreme guilt.

~Feeling like I am the ultimate burden to my amazing parents, husband, twin, kids. Ever thankful for their love.

~Sick of having to explain to people why I wasn't all better.

"I thought they were supposed to fix your back?"

Well they did.

But my body decided that it liked my disc the other way. Protruding from my spine, pressing on my nerves, making me stretch and lay down and feel all blah inside. It's just the way it rolls.

I know...awesome right?

But me and my back have made peace. Sciatica and I are Besties now. BFFS, soulmates and all that jazz.

Because the only fix for this re-herniation is to go under the knife again.

Well, Fuck that... with a capital "F".

And this is where my thoughts on what I put out there into the blogosphere comes in.

But now, after getting all of that honesty out there, I can only go forward. To keep my promise to myself to keep this a fully honest space. Find the happiness where I can... and weather the rough ones when they find me.

Learning to live in whatever life I am given.

I can only be me.

Spring is on the horizon.

And I have seen the light.

::February Windfall Dolls Giveaway::Meet Felicity

2012-02-29T22:47:00.000-05:00

As our February giveaway babe, we have the adorable Felicity.

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Stop by Windfall Dolls to meet her and learn how you can win a chance to have her join your family.

Keeping up with the Crunchy

2012-02-24T13:15:00.000-05:00

Also known as....The post where I get some stuff off my chest.

I love it when I read something that gets me thinking. Something that just pushes me ever so slightly in the right direction. Into a place that I needed to be in, but didn't quite realize until I got that nudge.

Erin's post yesterday did just that for me.

To tell the truth, I have stopped following several blogs that I used to follow. I got tired of seeing the same thing regurgitated by person after person after person on another person's site. I find that if I keep reading the same thing, the same opinion, or seeing the same pictures as someone else...I lose track of who's space I am actually visiting. They all meld together and I lose touch with the actual person.

It seems like everyone is trying to "Keep up with the Crunchy".

Where is the originality? The authenticity? I myself get caught up in the middle of it too.

And don't get me wrong. I do realize that there are genuinely crunchy people out there that live the lifestyle to a tee. They live and breath the natural lifestyle. And good for them. Really. I admire that. But for the most part, I just don't buy into all of that sweetness and light.

This may sound bitchy but I truly believe that for every genuinely crunchy mama out there...there are two mamas who hide a TV out of frame of the camera and have a box of Pampers in the closet and a pantry overflowing with not-so-natural food.

Afraid to show it. Afraid of being judged.

Why do we do that to ourselves? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves that we feel the compulsion to portray something that we aren't quite fully?

I have written about my struggles with identification in motherhood.

And so now I am taking my own words to heart.

Life's too short to try to be something other than myself.

If we can't be ourselves...then who is it exactly that we are sharing.

But that's the point isn't it? Friends being there for friends. Through the good and the bad? I don't want someone to tell me how terrific that I am all the time, and I sure as Hell don't want to tell someone else how terrific they are all of the time.

Life is complicated and messy and real. Why can't we be?

We all have something to share, something that we might need to get off of our chests.

I've stuggled with my writing in this space before. My hopes for my space, what I wish for it. I try to be real here. I try to share some of the ugly. But when it gets too rough I tend to retreat from writing here. Whether it's surgery, ill family members, a messy house, waning creativity, boys who run around like rabid animals,. I hide. I convince myself that you don't want to hear about my issues. You have enough of your own issues. So I pull back and share the good when it happens.

But now I say Fuck it...maybe you do want to hear about it. Maybe it will bring us closer. Maybe it will make you dislike me. Maybe it will make you like me more.

And so... I've decided to begin a weekly raw post.

A day that I am going to stop looking for the perfect mug to take a picture of my morning coffee, stop shoving the laundry off of the bed when I take a picture of my cat. I am going to stop feeling bad for sharing pictures of the plastic (GASP) toys, packaged food, or worrying about cropping the playstation out of a photo.

A day to let is spill. A real, un-edited, relatable, honest-to-goodness ( or badness ) moment. Maybe it was something I ate that I regret, a mess that was made, something that brought on an emotion that wasn't so great, but needed to be captured.

My hope is that I find that it helps me to appreciate the good when I can look back on the not so fabulous.

Maybe I'll tell you about it or maybe I'll just let you draw your own conclusions.

Letting it out feels pretty damn good.

Because Keeping up with the Crunchy can be exhausting.

Yet another Adirondack Patterns Discount Offer at The Sleepytime Gal!

2012-02-19T08:42:00.002-05:00

The Lovely Nicole at The Sleepy Time Gal is hosting our store this week...and there is a discount!

(I know, another giveaway)

This time it is a 25 % discount!
HOLLA!

Check out the ADORABLE little dollies she made her girls using our Pattern!

Here is the link to her site and the discount!

HERE!

Then...

2012-02-17T07:09:00.002-05:00

Wishing you a sweet weekend.

Yarning Along...

2012-02-15T11:34:00.000-05:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.

Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

On the Needles: A little hat for myself. I am coming up with the pattern as I go and am just getting to the spot where I want to add a bit of lace detail. Deciding on what I want to do with it, but I know that it will be simple.

That is for sure.

Reading: Looking for some crafting inspiration in Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs. I have done a few designs from this book in the past, embroidery specifically, but this time I am thinking that there will be something complete from the book. I'll let you know what it is!

Have a great day friends.

Giveaway over at Feather and Anchor!!!!!

2012-02-10T16:31:00.000-05:00

My friend Erin is holding a giveaway for Laura and my shop. There is a Waldorf baby doll up for grabs and 4 patterns! Stop on overthis during the next week and comment, the winner will be announced on the 17th.

Below you will find just a few examples of the over 60 patterns and tutorials that we have in the store.

Thanks for your support! We really love creating these patterns and tutorials.

This Moment...

2012-02-10T08:35:00.000-05:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Have a really wonderful weekend.

Yarning Along...

2012-02-08T05:34:00.002-05:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

I've been knitting up a storm since I last talked with you about yarn.

Seriously yummy yarn will do that to you.

Inspire.

Off the needles: A hat for my Honey. The yarn is Berroco Sundae in Basil and it is just that...YUMMY.

Reading: Balancing Act by Zoe Fishman. I am just getting into this one, since I HAD to put down Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl. I will admit that parts of that book had me laughing out loud, but for the most part, I just couldn't get past the Authors complaints. I have big hopes for this new book. And my renewed interest in knitting.

Anyway, I will share the pattern for the hat sometime this week. It is super easy and knit up in about an hour and a half.

Have a great day friends.

Living...

2012-02-07T10:05:00.003-05:00

Share the random.

Share the thoughts.

Share the living.

~ Eating way more pureed fruits and vegetables than I need while feeding Hayden...trying to entice him to eat them as well.

~ Drinking Peach iced tea by the gallon.

~ Laughing at my kitty Gracie who chases the sunlight through the house to warm by.

~ Watching Sex and the City on HBO go.

~ Smiling at how Eben picked out some of his stuffed animals to gift to his baby cousin.

~ Wishing that this recovery was going smoother and more quickly.

~ Contemplating another hat pattern and maybe some mitts.

~ Sewing dolls, dolls, doll clothes... and more dolls.

~ Reminiscing about when my own boy played in that playpen.

~ Thinking how precious those Moccasins on a certain little 7 month old.

~ Thawing chicken for dinner tonight.

~ Loving the sound of Adele coming from my sewing room.

~ Grateful for sweet boys who are proud to show me their completed homework.

Yarning along...

2012-02-01T09:18:00.001-05:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

It's been a while since I have done the knit along, but I'm trying.

I had grand illusions of laying bed recuperating from my spinal surgery, knitting needles in hand...a stack of hats, mittens, vests at my side. Fresh off of those needles.

Instead, I find myself working on my babes. Still using yarn...just crocheting with it. Crocheting little toques for their heads to attach lengths of yarn to.

Giving them hair dos.

Giving them life.

I have a feeling that I will be getting out those needles soon though. I stopped by the most darling yarn store in Vermont when I had my last MRI and got a bag full of goodness.

I think a hat for myself is just the thing.

Reading: Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl
Trying to get past the authors multiple complaints about having no Starbucks and no good hairstylist..."out in the stick". We'll see. It might be a good one. I think I just have to give it a bit more of a chance.

I'll let you know.

::January Windfall Dolls Giveaway::Meet Jolie

2012-01-31T09:43:00.000-05:00

Sweet little Jolie is our January Windfall Dolls giveaway baby.

Stop by Windfall Dolls to meet her and learn how you can win a chance to have her join your family.

A doll for Finn:: The Pack Family

2012-01-29T23:11:00.000-05:00

This beautiful family has has brought me to tears more than once.

They have made me think.

They have made me thankful.

They made me hug my own boy a bit tighter.

And for that I thank them.

I came upon this story via a visit to another blog, and then I saw it again... and again. And the more that I read, the more that I felt for this family.

The Pack family experienced the unthinkable... when over the Christmas Holidays, their car was hit by another car on their way home from a party. They were all injured in the crash. Sadly, on Christmas Day their darling baby boy Colum passed away from his injuries he sustained in the crash. He was 18 months old. Kelly, his mother is still in the hospital,, where she has required more surgeries and therapy. Her husband Ryan and their 3 year old son Finn have been discharged from the hospital and are doing well!

Unthinkably, the driver of the other car that caused the accident was not insured and the financial burden of the crash has been placed on the Pack family.

The family has set up a site where you can follow along with their recovery. There is also a place to donate towards their recovery and expenses...here if you are interested.

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I have donated to their funding, but I was desperate to give a little something extra. A bit of happiness... so,we decided on a gift for Finn. Inspired by his baby brother, who left him far too early, we have made him a doll. Sweet little Colum. And while it is a small token, it will hopefully bring a smile to his face in light of such a terrible tragedy.

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PLEASE, if you do one thing tonight... kiss and hug your little ones one more time.

Even if they push you away, even if they wipe your kisses off.

Kiss and hug them....and do it often.

More often.

Because life is much too short and unpredictable.

Love you.

Jules

My happy place...

2012-01-26T09:51:00.002-05:00

Do you see that doorway there? The one on the left?

Behind it's door is our guest room, converted into my sewing room (or my "What-cha-ma-call-it" room.). It is a space that I have spent hours, even full days in. A room that I have complete control over. And that alone makes me happy in itself.

It holds fabric galore, baskets of doilies, crochet needles, knitting needles, yarn, fabric yarn, patterns, books, felt, roving, elastic, velcro, ribbons, painting supplies, papers, felted sweaters, and wooden pieces galore, and my cloth diapering supplies for Hayden.

I honestly joke that I have a Michael's craft shop in my house.

But, it makes me smile, it makes me think, it makes me create.

I adore it, to say the least.

I have a love affair with organizing and reorganizing this room. It has been done and re-done and done again. It's not in it's cleanest state currently, and there was a layer of dust on my sewing machine, but yesterday I was in a funk. I just had to get in there.

I was itching to stitch and clear my head.

To make it a bit happier, I changed out my sewing table linen, in favor of a thrifted embroidered one that I scored for 25 cents.

In the works, I have a few doll dresses for my babes.

A few new Lillipals that I have been hand stitching. Working on my invisible stitch, (which as you can see, isn't so invisible).

Ahem.

I think that I will get it though.

As long as I spend a few more days in my happy place.

This Moment...follow me..

2012-01-20T08:13:00.001-05:00

~::::::::::~

Revisiting a friendly old stomping ground.

Missed it so.

Follow me.

XO, Jules

A babe and his toys...

2012-01-17T07:33:00.002-05:00

He grows more and more and I feel as though these past few months have been a loss. To go from spending 40+ hours a week watching him, to seeing him less and less, due to my back was one of the hardest parts about these past few months.
I haven't been able to carry him, so he's spent most days with his Daddy and Mommy and Oma. And while I am very thankful for all of the help that I have been granted, I have missed so much time. So much growing. So much sweetness.

Yesterday, the older boys didn't have school and were able to help me.

It was one of the first days that felt normal in a long long time.

So unbelievably good.

Convinced that we were done having babies after our first two boys, we gave away ALL of our baby toys to friends. When Laura decided to have another baby, we decided that we would buy very little new things from stores...we had done that for the first boys, and were not about to do that again. Such a waste of money. Instead, we have made him toys, we have scoured Thrift stores and been blessed with hand me downs galore.

Knowing that there are risks with out-dated toys safety...we are choosy for sure.
There is a wonderful Thrift store in our hometown and I was able to find oodles of toys for the lad there.
Wooden Melissa and Doug keys, a few rattlers, and a mismatched stack of stacking rings.

After 75 cents TOTAL and a disinfecting bath...they are as good as new.

And he is one happy babe.

This moment...

2012-01-13T08:12:00.000-05:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

A happy bed...

2012-01-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

Two pillows for my head.
One pillow for under my knees.
A stack of stuffing.
Two doll bodies ready to come to life.
A rice pack to warm my feet.
Yummy new flannel sheets from my Mama.
A clicker to change channels.
Watching the snow fly out our window.

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Update... I am now two weeks out from my surgery and while I am not 100%, I do feel energized. Unfortunately, I now have sciatica in the opposite leg than the one that I had the surgery for, I am very hopeful that it is just nerve issues related to the manipulation and cutting in that area of my spine during the surgery. I am hopeful that it will settle down over the next few weeks.
On a plus side, I am finally able to hold my baby nephew and carry him for short stints. It has been so hard to be around him and to not be able to pick him up or carry him from place to place.

Little by little I heal.

Good for you french toast...

2012-01-10T14:58:00.000-05:00

As a resolution, I vowed to join the millions of people in the world who wish to get healthier. To be honest, I am a very healthy eater. Vegetables, whole grains, fruit...I try. But there is also a part of me that really (like REALLY) likes to nibble on potato chips and spoonfulls of Nutella straight out of the jar.

In 2012, I have made a promise to myself to make more for myself. To cook from scratch and to rely less on already made.

When I overhauled my space here, I tried to gather some of my more favorite recipes under the Cook button. It inspired me to try and share some more of my adventures in eating here in my space.

One of my most favorite things to eat is french toast, and so I have come up with a really healthy and delicious recipe for a healthy variation. It's not rocket science, but I thought I would share it here in case that anyone is interested.

Recipe:

3 slices of whole grain whole wheat bread

3 egg whites

1/4 cup of milk

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Honey

Whisk it all together.

Coat both sides of each piece of bread in the mixture.

Lightly oil a skillet.
Place the bread on a skillet that is preheated on a med-high burner.

Once underside is browned, flip the slices and brown the other side.

Transfer the slices to a plate and pour warm maple syrup over the top.

Enjoy!

This Moment...

2012-01-06T10:04:00.000-05:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Cleaning house...

2012-01-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

In truth, I am not supposed to be doing house cleaning.. as it requires standing for extended periods, bending and lifting. All things that I am NOT supposed to be doing this soon in my recovery.

Luckily, I have a very sweet husband who has been doing all of the above...without complaining, I might add.

He's a gem for sure.

And while I am laying here in bed, resting my back and healing... I am antsy with the compulsion to straighten. And so, I will tidy up my other home.

My space here on the web.

Tidying up the texts, updating buttons and straightening up some things that have been nagging at me.

And so, you will notice some new tabs to your left. Some buttons that I am linking to some of my projects, some of my happiness, some of my inspiration. You will also notice some new links in my Visiting spot over on the right. I have had some extra ( as in an INSANE amount ) of time to browse the web and through my travels I have found some new spaces that I am enjoying. I thought that you might find them fun and inspirational as well.

It is a work in progress, hopefully I will have it all complete by the end of this week.

Now let me know...are you making any New Year changes to your own spaces?

XOXO, Jules

The year 2011

2012-01-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

January is always a month of renewed interest in living for me. Not so much in a resolution type of renewal, but a time of focusing on what it is that I enjoy. What it is that I NEED to change. What it is that I want to give to others.

A time to reflect on what was, what will be, what I can change.

As a New Year presents itself, I find myself longing for renewal.

Fresh on the path of recovery from spinal surgery, laying in bed and healing. I am very much in a new frame of mind. Renewed in my interest in living. Reflecting on the past year and mindful of the times I want to remember, possibly repeat...and those that I want to erase altogether.

Like spinal surgery.

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The list of things that I want to work at and to improve in my life is overflowing, but for now I will enjoy flipping through my photos and posts from the past year.

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And I see that 2011 was overall... a very good year.

Here is wishing you all a healthy, happy, and fun 2012.

Happy Holidays and signing off

2011-12-22T11:05:00.000-05:00

I am going to sign off from here for the next while, as I am having spinal surgery at the end of this month and am going to enjoy spending the next few days leading up to that with my loved ones.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season.

Here is to a beautiful New Year.

A coupon present for you!

2011-12-17T20:47:00.000-05:00

As a thank you to our customers, and followers, and in celebration of the holidays, we are offering 10% off of your total purchase in our store! Just enter the coupon code 10XMAS when prompted at checkout!

Coupon valid till January 1st.

Tell your friends and thanks for the love!

Julia and Laura

And the winner is!

2011-12-17T07:40:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for all of the love that you have shown this little babe. I wish that I had enough for all of you!

Now, if you like to sew and are not the winner I assure you that the pattern and tutorials that I used to make the little babe and papoose are super simple.

So, if you are looking for a lovely last minute gift, give it a go.

I am happy to announce the winner though.

Suzie said...This is so precious! My daughter would never let this little baby out of sight! I am a blog follower. :)

I will be emailing you Suzie!

Thank you all so much.

Giveaway Day! Swaddle baby and papoose

2011-12-12T05:11:00.000-05:00

So! I'm partaking in yet another giveaway day with Sew Mama Sew....

And what I'm giving away is this adorable small doll front or back carrier papoose and swaddle baby.

The baby doll is made using our swaddle baby sewing tutorial from our shop.
Her hat is hand knit with wool.

She tucks nicely into the simple, sweet and comfortable carrier papoose. The carrier can fit dolls up to 10 inches tall and it will fit a child of any age.

My son who is modeling it is a tall 7 year old. Your little one will be carrying around their doll just like a real baby.

Our swaddle baby dolls fits perfectly inside of the papoose, but it will carry other small dolls as well.

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If you are interested in having this little papoosed baby join your family, so that it can be carried around by your little one, please become a follower of this blog and leave a comment at the end of this post. The giveaway will be open until Friday. I willrandomly choose a winner on December 16th and will contact the winner viaemail. Please leave your email in your comment so that I can contact you. I will ship (in the US) (for free) the day after the winner is announced.

For an extra chance to win:

~either "favorite" Adirondack Patterns shop

~ "like" our facebook page

Leave an additional comment letting me know you did so!

Each comment counts as one entry

Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love to see who visits.
Didn’t you know….
Comments feed the soul.

Yarning Along...

2011-12-07T07:54:00.001-05:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to play with yarn and read, I tell ya.

On the Needle~ A new hair cap for a new Windfall Doll using Debbie Bliss Angel. It literally feels like I imagine a cloud would feel if I could touch it.

We are so touched by the response to Windfall Dolls. It is exactly what we were hoping for. Lots of happy homes with sweet children who wish for a handmade doll to care for and love.

Reading~ A thrifted Better Homes and Gardens Christmas idea book from 1989. I adore these sort of books and have a lot of fun scanning through the pages for ideas for this decade.

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On a personal note, I am still dealing with severe back issues which have laid me up in bed for almost a month. After having an MRI, it is revealed that I have 3 herniated discs and degenerative disc disease in my back.

I am sorry for my lack of posting here, it is just not very interesting here at my house, since I am spending most of my days in bed.

I am wishing everyone a splendid next few weeks, with lots of time spent with family.

Love, Julia

Adventures in Crafting

2011-12-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

A few inspiring crafts that I have made over time.

Just click on the photos to link to the projects.

Adventures in painting

2011-12-01T19:13:00.000-05:00

You can find my posts on painting from Adirondack Mama HERE.

You can find my posts on painting from Happiness Comes HERE.

Adventures in Sewing

2011-12-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

A few inspiring sewing projects that I have made over time.

Just click on the photos to link to the projects.

Adventures in Cooking

2011-12-01T13:18:00.000-05:00

A few yummy things that I have made over time.

Just click on the photos to link to the recipes.

::Windfall Doll Giveaway:: Meet Holly

2011-11-28T06:35:00.001-05:00

Laura and I are so excited to hold our first Windfall Dolls Giveaway.

Please visit us there to meet Holly and get a chance to win her.

Knitting Along...

2011-11-23T09:03:00.001-05:00

First off, on a side note, I just wanted everyone to know that we are putting the finishing touches on our doll for the first Windfall doll giveaway. It is a project that is very near and dear to Laura and my heart and we are very excited to tell you all about it.

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And now for the Yarn along!

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

Reading: The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice. I started this book a while back and since I have been mostly bedridden with my sciatic pain for the past week or so, I just picked it up again. I had to read a few pages that I had read previously, to get back into it, but I am back into it and enjoying it immensely. I love the setting.

On the needles: A new crocheted basket to hold my yarn. I still have a huge stash of the fabric yarn that I made when I made my rugs and decided that a basket was just the thing to use some of it up. I am coming up with a tutorial for it as we speak.

Making a dent in it for sure.

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Something special...Windfall Dolls

2011-11-22T18:56:00.001-05:00

I am still very much under the spell of my scaitica, but laying in bed has given me the opportunity to get something up and running.
Something very special.

Please follow me over to a new space that is near and dear to Laura and my heart.

Windfall Dolls

Peace, Julia

::Habit:: my friend

2011-11-18T10:33:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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I told him to scoot, to go outdoors and get some fresh air.
He just stood at the door though, tail wrapped around my leg.
We got back into bed.

::Habit:: The edge of Winter

2011-11-17T07:11:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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Even though it is the middle of November, I was still surprised by the frost.

::Habit:: Willow

2011-11-16T08:57:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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I shut my laptop and slowly helped her come to life.
She may be my favorite yet.

::Habit:: My how they grow

2011-11-15T09:28:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

I cast it on while he was still in her womb.

Something he could grow into.
The pattern said "free ONE year size"
He just turned 4 months.

::Habit:: ouch

2011-11-14T11:04:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

A trip to the ER.
Three scripts for meds, a shot in the butt cheek and bedrest for 3 days.
I knew it wasn't all in my head.

::Habit:: Thwarted plans

2011-11-13T12:33:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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I had grand plans for finishing it.
A little bonnet tutorial for the shop.
My sciatic nerve had other plans for me though and it put me to bed.
Maybe tomorrow.

::Habit:: style

2011-11-12T09:23:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

::::::::::::

He was dressed to the nines, complete with handmade booties that matched his onesie.
I looked down and realized I was wearing the same yoga pants for the third day.

::Habit:: Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T10:17:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

::::::::::::

We lounged all morning in bed.
Electric blanket turned to 2 for him and 3 for me.
He has his daddy's feet, but he sleeps just like me.

::habit:: Chemo

2011-11-10T13:19:00.001-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

I felt silly for thinking it,but couldn't help but wonder.
Why do some things become morevibrant when they are dying?
Today was chemo.

::Habit:: Lull

2011-11-09T08:08:00.000-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

:::::::::::

I haven't decided what it will be, but there were needles and pretty yarn and steady breath.
A lull in the afternoon.

::Habit:: quality time

2011-11-08T13:32:00.000-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

He chased girls at recess.
Johnie and Ethan got into trouble.
He left his hat in the gym.
I folded three days worth of laundry and he told me about his day.

::habit:: taste

2011-11-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

::::::::::::

He jokes that deep down inside of me there is an old woman just crying to get out.
He might be right.

::habit:: what a day

2011-11-06T08:02:00.000-05:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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Sometimes, you just need to hide.

::Habit:: Indian Summer

2011-11-05T14:08:00.000-04:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

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I took a walk around the property today, picking up the remnantsof a season past.

My feet bare.

Sixty two degrees.

I love Indian Summers.

::Habit:: To lay my head by

2011-11-04T07:27:00.000-04:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.
Yes Please.

A journal for jotting, a pen for penning, the very last of the flowers for smelling.
Freshly changed linens.
heaven.

::Habit:: For the taking

2011-11-03T07:41:00.000-04:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit Flickr this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 30, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.

Yes Please.

::::::::::::

I was asked what I would like to take of her things.
The things left of a life.
Choices of jewelry and trinkets,clothes and furniture.
I decided on these.

::habit:: hand-me-down

2011-11-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

Joining in with the ladies of Habit this month. A full month of sharing shots, a few words ( under 36, I believe ) and capturing the moments that I otherwise would have let pass.

Yes Please.

~Those sweet lambs; a new silky binding; two little hands feeling the coolness of it's 31 year old fabric for the first time.

~It used to be mine.

~And now it is his.

Little Sprouts...

2011-11-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

I don't typically write recommendation posts, but I decided to change my tune when I recently bought some snappies for Hayden from Renee at LittleSprouts.

Renee is a small family business owner who after 10 years in business has decided to close shop. This saddens me, to see another small business close up, to have one less handmade or charmingly conscious store go by the wayside. I really wish that I had visited Renee's shop sooner ( before we had a stack of diapering supplies sewn already ), she really has some wonderful things.

Not only did she include a few extra snappies than I had originally ordered, she added in a sweet, personal note as well.
See!
The charms of a small business.

So, if you have the need for any cloth diapering supplies, natural baby products, or just want to browse through her wonderful wares, please stop by her shop. She is having an AMAZING sale right now and she really has such a wide range of beautiful things.

Giveaway!

2011-10-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

My friend Ginny is holding a giveaway for Laura and my shop. There is a Waldorf baby doll up for grabs and 4 patterns! Stop on overthis weekend and comment, the winner will be announced on Monday.

Below you will find just a few examples of the over 60 patterns and tutorials that we have in the store.

Thanks for your support! We really love creating these patterns and tutorials.

This Moment...

2011-10-28T10:15:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

He's a happy babe.

Living...

2011-10-26T12:08:00.000-04:00

Share the random.

Share the thoughts.

Share the living.

~ Eating Apple pie quinoa for breakfast.

~ Drinking more diet soda than I care to admit.

~ Laughing at my insane love of that little pumpkin that Eben made for my last year.

~ Watching Dirty Jobs and thinking that these people have NOTHING on Mothers and Nurses .

~ Smiling at my new clogs on my feet.

~ Wishing that we could just buy our wood instead of my husband having to chop it all.

~ Contemplating changing the table cloth to something less summery.

~ Sewing dolls, dolls, doll clothes... and more dolls.

~ Hoping that the snow holds off until I get my new winter tires.

~ Thinking that I really like my watercolor tags for Christmas.

~ Cooking dinner at 10 am.

~ Loving the sound of silence on a day off.

~ Grateful for my parents love and guidance.

This Moment...

2011-10-21T11:32:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Knitting Along...

2011-10-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along here and there.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

On the needles: I'm in the middle of getting my projects together for submitting to the Winter Edition of Rhythm of The Home. I'm feeling like one of them will be knit, and I've been trying to perfect a design for a Waldorf doll hat. Trying to find the right size is proving to be difficult... seeing how I tend towards larger sized heads. Oh well, I will get it.

Speaking of Rhythm of The Home.
Have you submitted?!?!?!
Do you have a project in the works that you think might be a good fit? Submissions are due on this coming Monday, and we would really LOVE to have some fresh contributors to add to our roster.

Reading: Still working my way through The River King.

I know. I know.

Slow reader seems to be my middle name lately. Oh well, I'll get there.

Eventually.

XO, Jules

Living...

2011-10-17T17:07:00.000-04:00

Share the random.

Share the thoughts.

Share the living.

~ Eating Venison and potatoes from our garden.

~ Drinking apple tea with a biscotti.

~ Laughing at that funny baby's inability to stop moving.

~ Watching Most Eligible Dallas. Bravo is my guilty pleasure.

~ Smiling at my clean house.

~ Wishing that we had more indoor plants.

~ Contemplating buying some indoor plants.

~ Sewing a teether for Mr. Drooly butt.

~ Hoping that the boys had good days at school today.

~ Thinking about what to make for people this winter.

~ Baking muffins. Pumpkin ones.

~ Loving the sound of baby belly laughs.

~ Grateful for Hyland's teething tablets.

This Moment...

2011-10-14T08:02:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

See that little bear there.
It's his baby.

He loves his baby.

And I love him.

Seven

2011-10-08T20:39:00.000-04:00

For the past seven years I have dreaded today.
I have been warned by more than one woman that seven is the magic age.
The turning point.
The age when little boys become little guys.
When they grow away from their mamas.

But here he lies in bed with me.
One leg draped over my stomach.
Breathing calm and slow.
Hair wet from his bath.

The same as always.
Today he is seven.

And I know that those women are wrong.

Oh so wrong.

This Moment...

2011-10-07T05:30:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

I broke out my paints and brushes.
It felt nice.
Oh so nice.

Knitting Along...

2011-10-05T17:10:00.000-04:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along here and there.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

On the needle: Some cotton face cloths to use this winter. Exfoliating is key in the cold weather for me as I tend to get very dry skin due to our woodstove. With the temperature quickly dipping below 50 degrees, I am already feeling the changes in my skin. It's simply crocheting in the round until that the circles reach 3 inches in diameter. They crochet up really fast and are durable for so many uses.

Reading: The River King, Alice Hoffman is one of my true favorite authors. A bit of escapism and a lot of beautiful depictions, this book is cooky, but a good. A good bathtime book.

Yay.

Living...

2011-10-03T09:25:00.000-04:00

Life is busy. And I can't stick with a blog plan for the life of me. For the LIFE of me. Remember the whole From Scratch plan. Yup, out the window.

I try, really I do.

But I can't. And I can't, can't, can't think of a reason for this other than the fact that I am a flitter. And if you don't know what it is to partake in the joy of flitting, please see below.

flit/flit/

Verb: Move swiftly and lightly: "small birds flitted about in the branches"; "the idea had flitted through his mind"

Yup, that just about covers it.

So, with this in mind, I am just going to share.

Share the random.

Share the thoughts.

Share the living.

No need for a schedule or a plan.

I think I can stick to that.

I hope.

Here goes.

~ Eating fresh apples and cheese with enormous pretzels...one of my top 3 most favorite snacks.

~ Drinking several cups of Chai Latte a day.

~ Contemplating tucking my "flips" away in their winter storage box.

~ Giddy to get out my stash of Danskos though.

~ Watching movies on HBOgo with my twinnie.

~ Smiling at my boy and his cousin playing in the yard.

~ Wishing that my sciatic nerve would chill out.

~ Sewing bibs for Mr. Drooly pants.

~ Hoping that I get called off from work tomorrow.

~ Tearing up just a little bit when my boy comes back to the car after I drop him off at school just to "give me one more kiss to go. "

~ Thinking that I need to mail out that stack of bills.

~ Baking brownies... and maybe bread and maybe some muffins. Maybe.

~ Loving a certain little babe's feet sticking out of homemade pants.

~ Grateful for blankets. Lots and lots of blankets.

~ Ignoring the basket of laundry that I keep tripping over when I walk into my bedroom to get into bed...with those blankets.

This Moment...

2011-09-30T05:40:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

A garden's swan song.
The temperatures are dipping.
Until next spring my dears.

Just when you think that what you do is nothing...

2011-09-26T13:28:00.000-04:00

You receive a bouquet of flowers from a past patient who tells you that you "saved" their life.

And you remember that being a nurse is not just
the IV starts
the cranky doctors
the intrusive families
the bodily fluids
the vital signs.

It is the heart that you put into it.

A wedding and a gift from the heart...

2011-09-21T13:43:00.000-04:00

My husband's good friend got married this past weekend to a beautiful and lovely girl. I am not one for buying gifts and so once their invitation came in the mail...wrapped in a fabric envelope, I knew just what I was going to make them for a wedding gift.

I cut the envelope up and used the fabric to make birds like the ones that I made Landon's mobile with.

Fran cut me a slab of wood and I glued the birds to it.

Perched in love.

They had a gorgeous day.
I was happy to capture some of the beauty.

Here is to new lives in love.

This Moment...

2011-09-16T10:03:00.000-04:00

Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

One perk of being a nurse is being able to rock ridiculously cute patterned clogs.

Knitting Along...

2011-09-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along here and there.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

Don't laugh.

I just finished this book. Right along with a pair of mittens for Hayden, to go with his little winter Pilot cap. It took me ever a month to finish it. Yikes. For some reason though, finding the quiet and moments to sit and read are fewer and fewer these days. I think that I am really just soaking up all that is left of the summer in anticipation of the chillier months ahead.

Sure, that's it.

Although truthfully, I have found myself looking longingly at our woodstove, making tea even though it's not nearly cold enough to need to warm up, watching the leaves for signs of turning. It's a restless time for me, this Fall.

Anyway, back to the knitting and reading.

The mittens were done using this pattern. I did a braided string to attach them rather than a crocheted one and while I can't really see the difference, I do like that I was able to use two colors.

The book. Ahh the book. It was good, and I am thankful to be able to start a fresh one. There is always something so yummy about beginning a new book. A new story, new friends to spend some time with. To escape.

So very nice indeed.

Free reversible pilot cap tutorial and pattern

2011-09-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

I was chatting with Heather the other night and we were talking about how our blogs have changed over the years. We realized that we have both pared back on the posting that we both do, and while I reflected on our own blogging habits, I honestly think that that is a common theme in our little community here on the web. Summers are busy and life is full ...you know how it is.

Well after I finished chatting with Heather, I got to thinking. I thought about this space and how it has evolved. Looking back, one of the things that I realized is that my lack of crafty posts in this new space is evident when compared to my old site. And while I do think that it has something to do with the amount of tutorials that I do for Laura and my shop, I also found that I miss sharing crafts here.

You know that I have always had a thing for hats. Pilot caps are a fave of mine in particular. If fact, looking back on when I started painting my little baby watercolors this past spring, the common theme to my babes was a pilot cap, inspired by those sweet little Hanna Andersson caps and knitted ones that I had seen online.

And while I do like those Hanna Andersson caps very, very much; I wanted one with a pointed front and one that would be a bit warmer for Hayden for the upcoming winter. I have tried a few times to knit up one for him but I had a really hard time with the stitches that make that peak at the front. I also wanted the option of having it be reversible, so that it could be two hats in one. So, I decided to sew up one. And I am sharing it here.

Reversible pilot cap tutorial

Materials:
High quality flannel fabric.
High quality cotton fabric
2- 9 inch long pieces of ribbon.
pins
sewing machine
Pattern template pieces.

Directions.

After downloading the separate template patten file HERE.

Note: This tutorial was done using a newborn size.

The pattern is designed to print at 100%. Filling a standard 8.5 X 11 inch page of paper.

The pattern pieces printed at 100% on 8.5 X 11 inch printer paper is sized to fit a newborn.

This pattern and tutorial are very easy to modify for different sized babies as follows.

If you are sewing for a 2-4 month old you would add ⅓ inch to every perimeter edge of the pattern pieces.

If you are sewing for a 4-6 month old you would add ⅔ inch to every perimeter edge of the pattern pieces.

If you are sewing for a 6-9 month old you would add 1 inch to every perimeter edge of the pattern pieces.

If you are sewing for a 9-12 month old you would add 1 ⅓ inch to every perimeter edge of the pattern pieces.

Please remember that all babies are different and that these measurements might need some adjustments to make a perfect fit for your baby.

Cut out your pattern pieces, tape the middle piece #2 to the bottom of middle piece #1, you will be left with 2 pieces that look like this. The long piece will be referred to as the middle piece, the other piece will be referred to as the side piece.

Use these two pattern pieces to cut out your desired fabric. Being that winter is coming, I decided to use a cotton fabric and a cotton flannel. Cut out 2 sides and 1 middle of each fabric.

To assemble the hat, you will stitch the coordinating pieces together as follows.

The dotted line of the green paisley fabric side piece labeled “B1” will be pinned to the dotted line of the green paisley middle piece.

You will be left with this.

Make sure that the right sides are together and that the point of the middle piece is NOT stitched to the side piece.

Stitch the two pieces together using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Repeat with the other side piece of the green paisley fabric side labeled “B2” pinning and then stitching that piece to the middle piece as well.

Your cap will now look like this.

Turn the cap right side out.

Repeat all of the steps above for the flannel fabric pieces.

Turn the flannel cap part inside out.

Insert the green paisley cap part into the flannel cap part.

Make sure that the two parts of the cap are facing right sides together. Pin and stitch the flannel to the paisley part of the hat at the front of the cap as shown. Make sure that the point of the cap is at the center and that all of your seams line up. Use a ¼ inch seam allowance.

You will now be left with this.

Turn the cap right side out and tuck the flannel fabric into the green paisley fabric as shown.

Now it’s starting to look like a cap!

To finish the cap, you will need to stitch the rough edge at the bottom back of the cap and add ribbon ties.

Fold in the rough edges at bottom of the cap. Press with an iron.

Insert the end of one of the ribbon pieces into the fold at the bottom back of the hat.

Pin each ribbon onto place. It will look like this.

Secure the ribbons and close the opening at the back of the bottom of the cap by stitching it closed using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

For a reference, Hayden is modeling the newborn size of this cap in the following photos. Hayden is a very substantial, 13lb 2 month old and the hat is snug on his little noggin.

A hat that is more fitting for this little lad is shown below.

I increased the cap size to fit him by using the guide at the top of this tutorial.

I simply added ⅓ of an inch to every edge of the pattern pieces.

This hat will fit him for quite a while. There is plenty of room for him to grow over the next few months

The top view.

The reverse side.

Side view.

SO here is to more crafty sharing here. Who knows, maybe I will even start back up The Sewing Bee.

XO Jules

This Moment...

2011-09-09T02:54:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

It saddens me that I didn't even realize that they were growing. In past years I have made a conscious effort to pay attention to them. To help them along.

Yet there they are.

And they are delicious.

Thank you Mother Nature for being such a wonderful mother to all.

For his Mama

2011-09-08T17:24:00.000-04:00

We have a good time together, this babe and I.

Three days a week almost doesn't seem like enough time together.

I call him names like Gorgeous and Beauty and Muffie.

I am hoping that he won't have a problem with that.

He's so darn yummy though.

Things to come home to after a first day of school

2011-09-06T13:21:00.000-04:00

~ A new thrifted desk just your size.
~ A clean room.
~ Your favorite dinner.
~ The WIDE open arms of a Mama who loves you more than anything in the world.

Those boys in my life

2011-09-05T08:35:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day of summer. School starts tomorrow and with it's beginning comes the end of a summer that flew by in a blink.

Blink.

I feel like I haven't shared enough of it here. All of the fun that was had. These boys of mine, both my own and my nephews have been my friends through it. Sharing all of the swimming, the biking, dancing in the rain, laughing, and the snuggles.

They are generous. They are helpful and handfulls.

They are lovely little boys and I couldn't be more proud of them.

And tomorrow we bring them to school. We send them off to another year in the school that we believe so much in. The school that their parents graduated from.

As sad as it makes me to have them away from us for several hours of the day, I will not be alone.

There is a certain little gentleman who is going to be my companion 3 days a week.

He's pretty darn fantastic.

He helps with the laundry and entertains me with coy little smirks and stories that go something like this. "Agw wha rawr mmmmwaaaa."

Ahh these boys of ours.
I really don't know what we would do without them.

Here is to an Autumn that goes by a bit slower. One with fewer blinks.
Because they grow so darn fast.

This moment...

2011-08-26T10:10:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Our last day.
It has been fun.
I am ready for home though.

Holiday...

2011-08-24T07:04:00.000-04:00

We rode a ferry.

And drove through some of the most darling Vermont towns

to get there.

But we are here.

And the water is just the right temperature for little boys to frolic in.

Because apparently they like water that feels like it has ice cubes floating in it.

We are on a vacation.
Our first in 2 years.

We are with my husband's family.
It's been a really rough past year and a half and we were in desperate need of an escape.
Together.
To reconnect.
To enjoy.
To leave the cancer and it's cat scans and chemo and prognoses at home.

And although I miss my own family like crazy, I am content.

Content to go for walks on the beach and eat good food and laugh.
To visit with my husband, who I feel like I haven't seen all summer long.
To get my feet (and only my feet) wet in the surf.

We will be back on Saturday.
I wish you all happiness in these last days of summer.

This Moment...

2011-08-19T08:52:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

And the harvest begins.

From Scratch...

2011-08-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. ~ Virginia Woolf

So! I got a cheese making kit from a cute little store on Etsy. A few weeks ago I watched this video while visiting a blog that I follow. It really was inspiring, you know...the thought of making my own cheese and all.

Urban Cheesecraft from Etsy on Vimeo.

So, I bought the kit. How could I not.

Ricotta, mozzarella, and she even includes a recipe for farmer's cheese as an extra bonus.

Enough goods to make 15 pounds of cheese!
Yum.

And while I haven't tried it out just yet (I've been busy busy), I did get all of my supplies needed together and will be trying it out this week.

In the meanwhile though, I will finish up the remainder of my Jack cheese, topping triscuits with it and dreaming of the time when my fridge is filled with homemade cheese, and not the store bought variety.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

~::~

If you'd like to join in From Scratch, simply take pictures and write a post on your blog of what it is that you are finding nourishing. Share your successes, failures, recipes, and tips.

You can link back here to my space if you like and leave a link below in the comments to share your project with the rest of us!

Our first day...

2011-08-11T09:53:00.000-04:00

Today I get him.
All to myself.
His mama's first day back to work.
A trial of sorts.
Getting ready for our 3 days a week together starting next week.

He has his own little space where his brother and cousin let him be.

It is wonderful.

From Scratch...

2011-08-08T08:53:00.000-04:00

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. ~ Virginia Woolf

Every Monday I will be posting about what I have been cooking, because I have been less than inspiring in the kitchen over the past few months, I have invested in some new cook books (and brought out the old ones to boot).

Determined to stop eating my meals out of the cupboards.

If you'd like to join in, simply take pictures and write a post on your blog of what it is that you are finding nourishing. Share your successes, failures, recipes, and tips.

You can link back here to my space if you like and leave a link below in the comments to share your project with the rest of us!

~::~

This past week, I scored a book that I had been coveting for a while. My father's daughter is written by one of my favorite actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow. I was a bit skeptical about this book, I remember Gwyneth's bout with Macrobiotics and I was afraid that the recipes in this book would be just about as tasty as a piece of cardboard. But I paged through it in the isle at Target and finally just decided that the recipes looked doable. Yummy even. Gwyneth is very simple, I enjoyed that bit a lot. The recipes are basic, in the most basic sense, but I liked that bit too. She even gives a list of necessities and substitutions if you don't have the right things. I found it to be entertaining with little anecdotes as well as well written.

I am a hugely visual person when it comes to cooking, I have trouble reading a recipe in a book when the finished product is not shown. I NEED to know what mine should look like in the end. ( I'm odd like that ). The photography in the book is lovely. Very clean, very neat.

~::~

OK, now for what I decided to make!

The first recipe that caught my eye was her brownies. They are called Fudgy Chocolate Brownies and they pretty much looked as if I could have taken one right off of the page and ate it. Plus, I had most of the ingredients at home already.

I was even able to use up the remainder of my homemade maple syrup from our freezer. The only thing that I had to buy was Agave syrup which Eben enjoyed squeezing into the bowl.

I will tell you this. These brownies are healthy. Like spelt-flour-and-no-eggs-healthy-healthy. But With the amount of cocoa powder that it calls for and the sweetness from the syrup and the Agave, Eben was not about to miss licking the bowl.

His favorite part was the sprinkling of the chocolate chips. They came out perfect. The one thing that I had to do was shorten the cooking time. It might be our elevation here in the mountains, but they were done about 7 minutes before the recommended cooking time.

And they were very yummy. To be honest, they are definitely not as decadent as the brownies out of the box that I normally make, full of oil and eggs. But they were a sure hit with my boy. And that was my point in making them. To nourish my boy and myself from scratch, making it together. Messes and all.

To keep us healthy.

And how much fun is it to make something from scratch?!

I think I might even make bread today.

This moment :

2011-08-05T07:40:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - ~~no words~~ - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Every day I am more and more amazed at how much fun that they have with each other.
Brothers, certainly....but not really.

Half of the same genetics.
Boys born to identical twins.

I pray that their bond will stay this strong.
As strong as the love between their Mamas.

Knitting Along...

2011-08-03T06:09:00.000-04:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

Finding time to knit while sitting on my beach blanket in the grass and shade. We go to the lake every day that I am off. I don't get many rows done, for sure. I usually get stripped down to my own suit and dive in to go out to the raft with my boy.

Priorities, I guess. ;)

Reading: Still reading Pack Up The Moon by Anna McPartlin. Still loving it.

In finishing news though, I DID finally finish The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted which was set in the lovely French countryside in a picturesque fixer upper of a cottage. Filled with love and hope and realness, I highly recommend it. I am a little upset with my lack of summer reading. I had a whole list of books that I was planning on reading this summer. Oh well, there is always winter and snuggling up under a blanket, rather than sitting on one. With a steaming cup of coffee or tea of course.

I love seasons.

On the needles: A new hat for the lad. A size bigger than this first one that I made for him. Which he has promptly grown out of.

(Why oh why do they grow so fast?)

This time it's in boy blue.
One to fit him in the winter.

I can't wait.

This moment :

2011-07-29T08:28:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

I literally had to dust off my sewing room.
Nothing that a new set of sheets and a bit of a straightening couldn't fix though.

I am inspired to create.
Now the question....what will I make?

This moment :

2011-07-22T07:54:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Yesterday the thermometer hit a number we have not seen all summer.
As the sun set on the day, I took a walk in the field behind our house.

There was a breeze.
It blew my skirt around.
And I was happy.

Knitting Along...

2011-07-20T07:08:00.000-04:00

The lovely Ginny of Small Things has come up with a weekly Yarn Along and I have been playing along.
Any excuse to knit and read, I tell ya.

My boy, Eben was a Fall baby. Born in October, he was rarely without something warm and toasty on. Unfortunately, I did not have the skill of knitting that I have now and everything that he wore that was warm was bought.

This kid though...between his crochet queen of a mother and myself, we might just have to buy a sheep to supply all of the yarn that we will be using!

The booties in this post are from my last Knitting Along post. I really was worried that they wouldn't fit based on the rate that this little lad is growing. But they do!

And they stay in place on those wiggly, wiggly feet.

I forgot how quickly that they knit up.

Fun.

I can't decide whether I like them at full length or folded over.

I guess I will let Hayden be the judge.

He's pretty easy going.

I don't think he really will have an opinion on the matter to tell you the truth.

*****
Bootie pattern in the shop.
*****
PS. For the reading portion of the knitting along, I am without a picture, BUT, here is the book that I just started.

I'm still reading a few books that I started earlier in the summer, but I am taking forever to finish them with how busy life is. That does NOT stop me from starting on another one pulled from my shelves. This one is called Pack Up The Moon by Anna McPartlin and I am enjoying it very much.

Summer reading is the best.

This moment :

2011-07-15T07:13:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

Two snuggling babies.
One for his brother.
One for his Mama.

Living...

2011-07-12T08:57:00.000-04:00

I find it difficult to jump back into writing. There is so much that I want to say, but my fingers really are having a hard time forming some fluidity into my posts. There are 3 in my Que to post, but none of them make a whole lot of sense and I am struggling with keeping some semblance of relevance in my posts.

SO.

In the spirit of miscellaneous posting, here are some random shots from the past few days.

It's been an exciting time, for sure.

::::::::::::

My boy has mastered a bike without training wheels, which allows the 2 of us to go on bike rides together, rather than me walking next to him.

So much fun!

The first of the boys in our family turned seven years old.

There was a yummy blue frosted (per request of the birthday boy) cake made by his Mama to be enjoyed.

I am lucky enough to have a twin who lets me steal her new babe from her whenever I get a hankering to snuggle.

The sling seems to be a fave of his for sure.

Our flower boxes are flourishing and we are enjoying the random pops of color.

Swimming is the ULTIMATE favorite pastime of our two boys.

We are pretty sure that they are secretly practicing to become part of the next Ester Williams act.

The new lad is an angel and cries rarely.

I actually had to capture one of his meltdowns as proof that Yes indeed this boy does actually do things other than look adorable and serene.

And lastly, there has been a bond forming between these three boys. A bond that is so strong and honest that it takes all of our breaths away.

All in all, I am glad to be back in this space.
It feels very very good.

We are living.

This moment : Returning...

2011-07-08T08:58:00.000-04:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Soule Mama

He’s here.
The birth was glorious and my twin was amazing, to say the least.
He is pure and light and love.
:::::::::::::::::
From here on out, I will be here at Happiness Comes.
Because with the birth of this stunning babe…. happiness DID indeed come.

Love Julia

Retreating...

2011-04-13T16:52:00.000-04:00

Have you ever just had the wind knocked out of you?

That sort of sucker punch that seriously takes ever ounce of air out of your lungs?

It's back.

Metastasis...

It just sounds like a Dink, doesn't it?

If you are new to my space, and have no idea what the heck I am talking about, you can find the backstory here.

We find out the details in the next week or so, but none of it is good. The medical world is so vague, isn't it? Maybe chemo, maybe radiation, maybe surgery, Maybe a few months to maybe a year or two. Probably somewhere in the middle.

All that is not a question mark is the fact that there is no chance of cure once it has spread.

And it has spread.

I mean, I'm a fucking nurse. I know that these things are rarely gone for good. But 3 months?! Three fucking months before he has scans and biopsies and conversations that end with "Well, lets just see what the cells come back as before that we talk about that."

Then he came home to find a message on his answering machine. A message that crushed the hopes of a man who never deserved one minute of the torture that the past 9 months has brought him.

Three fucking months since his surgery. That is just not long enough. He has barely recovered fully and now this.

Awesome.

So, I am retreating. I am retreating to take care of my family and to get us all through this. It's not foreign territory professionally, but personally...My God, does this ever feel like the bottom just fell out.

I'm heading back over to We Deserve This. A place that brought me so much calm over the past year.

I don't have the foggiest idea when I will return here. All that I do know is that it will be at a point in my life when my posts are not peppered with the F word.

Sound good?

Thanks.

The Sewing Bee ...for you

2011-04-07T10:40:00.000-04:00

I have been crocheting more than sewing and have taken the week off from sewing to do such.
So sorry.

Feel free to add in your links in the comments though, I would love to see what you are up to!

Lots of love, Jules