Gratitude 2

The bigger kids have been on a paper airplane making frenzy lately, turning out dozens of flying machines and leaving snips of paper in their wake. Amongst all those bits, an errant pair of kid scissors landed in the hands of our littlest one and she quickly set to work giving herself a trim.

Before I could stop her, Lilla's hair had turned into a punk/mullet combo.

Of course I'm feeling most grateful that she avoided a nip to the ear, but I'm also glad that hair grows back. And hats! It's a good thing that it's hat season.

The new cut cracks me up and kind of surprises me every time I look at her. As I snipped away to blend it in with the rest of her hair she kept saying "cut more!" She's so full of personality and quite the busy girl. Okay everyone, hide those scissors!

Gratitude 1

As a way of coping with life's uneven terrain, Lynn has been sharing a Gratitude Project over at her place. And being a complete copy-cat, I thought I'd do the same. Even though I often am a bit of a 'glass half-empty' kind of girl, writing here allows me to step away from that and to frame the beauty I see. Maybe outside the frame there is clutter, a power line or something else unsightly, but being able to share and remember what's good or joyful has been rewarding. And where there is gratitude, unhappiness has a harder time finding a way in. So without further ado, today I'm feeling grateful for the candles and flowers that grace my table. When the shorter, darker days of winter come, candles often make their way to our dinner (lunch or breakfast) table. I guess that need for just a little more light is instinctual, something that isn't easily accomplished with electric bulbs. And sitting together, circled around the flicker of candles often reminds us to share a little prayer or offering of gratitude. Of course, there are plenty of times we're rushed or too distracted remember, but when we do it helps to put everything into perspective. Yes, the colder weather and lack of light really do call for extra nourishment of mind, body and spirit.And oh, to have flowers when everything else is gray and bleak! Just the unfurling of one delicate African violet blossom is quite enough to make me happy. This little potted plant was a gift from sweet lady. Hope this Sunday finds you circled around with friends and family.

Where I've been

Coming up for air after a long and busy month+. Yes, those holidays stress me out. I stress about the things I do and then stress some more about all the things that don't get done. With the disruption from remodeling being ever present all month, a lot of holiday traditions were left by the wayside. We did not even get our own tree this year (no advent calendar, much baking or crafting either) And through it all I sort of felt like a bad mom...not taking the time to make things as special as I would like.

I also stress about finding everyone appropriate gifts, partly because I tend to procrastinate, putting things off in hopes of finding a more perfect gift. But of course all the procrastination just leaves me in a frenzy at the end. So here is my note to self for next year: begin all holiday preparations much, much earlier!

But we did get to go to the Cape for Christmas and this is why I forgive myself for copping out on such much on decorations/festivities at our own home. Oh there were heaps of snow to marvel at there! And we all took advantage of the snow-even as at began to melt away-for sledding on Christmas day. Weather depending I think this makes for a very good tradition!

See that grass poking through on this well-used hill and coat-less big girls? Nearly balmy.

And in since returning back home from the holidays we've had lots of bitter cold days, seemingly endless snow and way too many days stuck inside with one illness or another. So, I'm sorry to be away from here for so long. I see the sun poking out today...I'll be back soon.

Games

In the midst of all the excitement during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend- family in town and excessive consumption of food- I only took a few pictures. Of a board game. No photos documenting the abundant and gorgeous feast, no pictures of family members in town (some of the Staffs came out for the first time in a few years!) But in a way board games make me think about holidays, of time set away to while away the hours in these mostly relaxing pursuits. When I was a girl, I used to love this game though the "sorry' line could get a bit old. I don't think I had played it since I was a kid and Mrs. D would come over to babysit all of us. It was fun to revisit it again.

Well, I'll be looking forward to maybe a bit more lounging and game playing soon as we plan to gather again with extended family at Christmas. In the meantime I should keep myself going full-force as there's still lots of holiday preparing to do. I'm trying to take lots of deep breaths.

Dusting off the needles

For months all had been quiet in the sewing corner. The fabric and thread sat lined up waiting...the sewing machine was looking a little forlorn, gathering dust. And my will to craft: not especially abundant. Even the cooler weather could not urge me to grab the woolly yarn and knitting needles. A complete craft drought (well, aside from that Halloween costume I threw together for Rowan...the costume whose many components were misplaced or temporarily lost before I ever took any photos).

So, you can imagine how excited I was when a local mama put out the invitation for folks to come on over to her place and join in on some fun studio/crafty time (and treats too!) But Mother Nature had other plans for me: a snowy afternoon that left my snow tire-less car completely unprepared for icy, hilly roads. Once we have snow on the ground, I do not like to drive anywhere with just summer tires. So I stayed home...a little bummed out but a lot inspired to make things.

And I actually started some projects that night and even finished two over the next couple days. One was a hooded cape for Rowan's medieval festival. This was made from an old wool blanket that I dyed gray. The best part about it was how much it excited him. The medieval festival was a wonderful culmination to a class Rowan had taken throughout fall.And a mystery knitted item that will be a gift so I can't say anymore...just in case. Have a happy Friday!

Seven on the seventh

Rowan my delightful one is 7. It really is a magical age. He wished for new lego sets and was completely surprised and ecstatic as he unwrapped those sought after packages. When he opened one to see a pirate set inside, he exclaimed "how did Grandma know exactly what I wanted!" and when finding his sisters had gifted him with Star Wars legos he shouted "Thank you! I LOVE you!" and dove toward them with a big hug. So sweet.

My dear boy may have a slight (or not so slight) interest in swords/pocketknives/guns/catapults/etc and dramatic, dangerous tales, but through it all his kind heart and sensitive soul shine though. Oh how we love him! Happy Birthday Rowan!

Disclaimer

Over the last year this blog has been quiet....very quiet. As I sit here uploading a year's worth of pictures onto Shutterfly (sad that I do this so infrequently), I notice how much went unrecorded here. Not that my aim for the blog is to keep track of every minuscule detail, but I initially was drawn to this format because I liked the idea of preserving the fleeting moments amidst all the busy day to day tasks. I wanted to frame these things that matter. The things that draw me in and make me smile. As a mother days can often add up to mountains of laundry, dishes, errands and schedules, but recording and reminding myself of the all good things makes everything better.