Lots of stuff, to make up for the last 10 days
Posted On April 11, 2011
Posting. Here I am, making a post. Doing it. Who knows if it will actually make it’s way out there… we shall see. I hear kids fighting…
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Okay. Wow. That was an epic little girl meltdown. You see? I get this far into a blog post and then just kind of give up. But, I will not give up! I am likely going to have to work on these posts a little at a time, possibly saved in a document or something. Because seriously, my life just does not let up. The only real time I have to sit and write in peace is at like 10:30 at night, and by then I just want to sit and snuggle with my baby and watch The Cosby Show (which I have recently come to completely love. It just seems to scratch an itch I have…). Either that or Jeff and I are up late talking, which is often our only time to just sit and chat uninterrupted. During one of those late chats we had, we realized that our time is completely stocked full. We don’t have a full day off together, and there always seems to be a slew of obligations in the little spaces that are left. High-class problems, I’m aware. I am happy, I am feeling the fullness of life. I am also feeling a little stressed, a little worn thin. But I don’t want to sacrifice things like this, so I’m working to figure out how to fit these things in. Writing here is good for me. Jeff and I are working out a plan for a "staycation"- where we still go to work, but just have no other obligations and may even unplug our phones…
Other new developments… Oh! My little sister is coming to live with us next month, and will be staying through the summer. I’m looking forward to it. She’s so great, and easy going, and will be helpful around the house and with the kids. I’m learning that this house was just meant for the sharing. It was such a big gift from the universe anyway, it wouldn’t be right not to share it. 🙂
My brother came into town for a surprise visit, and we were talking in the living room for a while and then started wondering what happened to Jeff. We found him like this, fast asleep on the floor of Vera’s bedroom. I love that man so much.
Evidence of play.
After my dad broke his knee, his leather bag became too heavy and awkward to manage with crutches. He commisioned me to make him something simple and lightweight, with just enough room for a folder, and with a pocket for his keys and phone. It’s not like I really have time to craft these days, so I jumped at the opportunity to put something together for him.
He asked that it not be too "girly". I must admit I was tempted to put some lace on the inside or something, just because of that comment… you know, for that feminine touch. Instead I went with navy and olive. I used these old maternity pants, and an old belt for the D rings.
Lining.
I learned this great technique for making the bottom of the bag. I will definitely be doing this again.
I didn’t use a pattern, just grabbed some old pants and fabric and went for it. Anyway, I like this kind of crafting. I wondered why I never really could get into knitting. I think it’s a lot like how I feel about cooking vs. baking. Baking requires such precise measurements, and until you’re really proficient, you can’t do much in the way of improvisation. Cooking, on the other hand, is much more open to interpretation. You can add a little of this, a little of that… you very rarely are stuck with anything. Well, I like sewing for the same reason. You get to take a bunch of stuff you have on hand, add a little creative energy, and you’ve made something new. It’s just a matter of taste. I can totally get behind the zen of the more precise and step by step activities. I could benefit from disciplining myself to do them more (I WILL master the art of the homemade loaf of sourdough bread…). Anyway, I like sewing, and I was glad that I was able to give those old pants new life and help my dad out at the same time.
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My babes. Swoon. Such beautiful people in my life.
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Yesterday we celebrated Tuula’s birthday. We were afraid of rain, which is why it was moved from my parent’s back yard to the big barn at the farm (the one that my dad and I work for). Turned out it was not going to rain. It was going to be 80 degrees and perfect. It was really the perfect setting for this party. My sister set up crafts- decorating cupcakes and painting flower pots. She also had a local kids musician come to play. It was very sweet.
It was nice that the party was there, because I was working through the morning and so all I had to do was walk down to the barn. I’ve been busy over there. It was a perfect day yesterday, so I made sure to take some pictures to put up on the new blog I’m making for the project. I’ll link to it soon, so you all can get a better idea about what exactly I’m doing over there.
Biscuit, the miniature pony.
First planting (outdoor, at least) happened yesterday. Trellises put up, peas planted. We’ve got our first big volunteer day coming up in a couple of weeks. I’m excited and a little nervous about how it’s all going to go down. Adventure!
Really though, as big and strange a project as this all is, it’s truly a pleasure to be doing this job. First, it’s doing exactly the thing I love to do, and I got to take that class (which was just great), and I’m learning by the bucket fulls. What a privilege. Plus, it’s just beautiful out there, and I have the opportunity to help beautify it even more. Pretty great, if you ask me.
Hundreds and hundreds of seedlings…
And on a much smaller scale, the same thing is happening at home.
Garlic! So happy to see garlic poking through that straw.
All the signs of new life and refreshed energy. So good.
I’ll be back here on Wednesday for a "WFP", I promise. And look at that! I finished a post!
Mmm farms in the spring! I can smell it in my mind!
Loved this post and loooove you! xoxox
<3
So much loveliness! Can’t wait to see the new blog! 😀
Do you have any more info on that volunteer day? I’d love to help in whatever small way I can!
I’ve missed your posts- glad to know you’re doing well, just very busy.
Yes! Our first big volunteer day will be April 23. I’ll have more info on the blog. It’s so great that you want to help! Any help is appreciated, even if it’s just your verbal support- I know how full your days must be. 🙂
I’d love to read more about what you’re doing at the farm, so I’ll be eagerly awaiting the link to the new blog.
Also, I love those photos of the seedlings. Not only do the seedling look great, but the pictures are cracking me up because it looks a little bit like the plants are sprouting from trays of brownies! 🙂
Yay! Yes, I hope to get it up in the next day or so.
They do look like brownies! If they were, I’d be in serious trouble out there at the farm… mmm. I think I need to make brownies soon, to balance out all the non-brownie action that’s been happening. Thanks for making me aware of this imbalance. 😉
Oh, the little green shoots and the grass and mud and trellises and animals… I’ll just live vicariously in this post for awhile.
Not to mention the beautiful kiddos and the melting my heart did seeing your husband asleep on the floor 🙂
🙂
I hope you’re seeing lots of little green shoots in your neighborhood as well.
I just adore your pictures. That one of the donkey made me smile. 🙂
And your poor brother. How adorable! It’s like he just was so worn out he just found a spot and tipped over.
Thank you! That’s actually my husband, Jeff, on the floor. My brother and I just found him like that. Yes, so worn out! He works hard. 🙂
The bag turned out amazing! Jaw dropped that it is something you did without a pattern. Super creative. I love it, *and* your take on sewing>knitting / cooking>baking.
Also glad to read your sister will be with you for a while. The extra hand around the house will hopefully provide you with some rest and extra time with Jeff.
Tuula looks so dainty with those paints. I hope she had a wonderful birthday.
I love photos of baby sprouts. LOL. Like mentioned, it looks like they are sprouting from brownie bites. They look nutritious as-is! haha. 😉
…missed not seeing your WFP. Glad you had a chance to get a journal entry in. It’s good to see the sun out and the snow gone out that way!
Thanks for all your lovely words. It’s not looking that good for a WFP- but your comment is helping me think it’s still possible. 🙂
wow, love the bag and that bw pic of Jeff and Asa. what a perfect shot.
and did jeff make all that wood stuff in vera’s room?! its amazing!
No, he made the bed and the kitchen, but the doll house and dress up chest are hand-me-downs, and the chair/table was from the thrift store. We do love wood around here!
Thank you! That’s a high compliment! It definitely lacked some finishing that it would have had at a store, but I was pretty happy with it just the same. 🙂
Wow, you are super talented. That bag looks awesome!
I love the idea of a staycation, too. Sounds relaxing. 🙂
i just have to chime in and agree with everybody else–that bag is amazing, and it looks totally professional! i’m so impressed!! 🙂