sew melody...

boo!

Today I'm thankful for...

1. a warm and rainy Halloween night... because if it would've been cold, we'd all have the swine flu by now...

2. the best cup of tea and piece of cinnamon toast I've had in a long time!

3. Jeff's new job.

4. inspiration...

5. being able to sell 2 cars and buy one new one without payments... 

yeah, I''m still here... my camera is just sucking right now (actually it's my 10 year old's camera -how do you like that?). It's just seems to take so much effort to edit and post decent photos. The photos in this post were taken by my mother. Ugh... 

My computer is also sucking... I need a new one with iLife or something because I can't upgrade iPhoto anymore on this one and that means I can't edit the photos that I do take... RRRRrrrrrrrrr... and I don't even want to talk about the difficulties that I had trying to edit my banner with the new typepad(which you can see was unsuccessful). Oh, well... I will try again but for now I give you the alien princess and the ghost...

the garden this morning...

 

Today I'm thankful for...

1. my bed... I must be getting old... I can't sleep just anywhere anymore. We had a nice weekend away but the sleeping arrangements were less than desirable. I couldn't wait to sleep in my own bed. I'm sure everyone around me was happy for me to get some sleep, too... I'm not so bright and cheery without my beauty sleep.

2. dreary days... I love an overcast day with the potential for rain.

3. the enormous Rhododendrons we have that shelter our front porch... Gorgeous... They were blooming when we moved into this house 10 years ago and I think they clinched the deal... The front room glows pink in the morning.

4. fresh produce directly from the garden... yum.

5. weekends stuffed to the brim with time spent with family and friends. May/June is always a stressful time of year for us. There is always so much to do here at home, as well as, so many invitations and extended family time happening, too. It's always hard to balance it all but it's fun just the same. 

Just a quick note to show you what the garden looks like today... It's lovely right now. The weeds are on the brink of getting out of control but I've been working on them a little bit every morning. At 4:45am, it was light enough to be outside today. (I wasn't out until 6 but it's nicer to get up with the light). The paths in the first picture still need to be mulched with our free electric company mulch. Life is good. Lots of links to pass on but not today, there's too much to do... soon though.

The inside of the house is just a dropping zone... but dinners have been yummy... I'll leave you with Tuesday's... broccoli, spring garlic, chive blossoms, mitzuna, radishes, and kale.

Back out  to the garden!

april showers...

Today, I'm thankful for...

1. rain. I love rainy days...  and I love all the things that rain brings out of hiding... flowers, sprouts, puddles, robins, and frogs... I've been trying to teach my kids the beauty of a rainy day. Sometimes they have a hard time with rain, feeling bored or blah (as C describes it) but I've tried to show them how rainy days can be an excuse to do things differently... and I always try to still get them outside in the rain... because what's more fun than that?

2. telling time as the heron flies... when we're in the garden, we can always tell when it's between 7:30-8am and 6:30-7pm... because at least one, but usually 3-4 heron go south in the morning and north in the evening to and from their nesting grounds...  I love watching them fly slowly overhead with their long legs stretched out behind them and their huge wings like pterodactyls.

3. physical work... working in the garden is such great therapy... I pulled a muscle between my right lower ribs about 3 weeks ago (hauling several loads of compost). My chiropractor told me that the best thing to do for it would be to keep using it without straining it. At the time, I thought he was crazy because every time I moved, it felt like someone was stabbing me... but fast forward 3 weeks(and 1/2 a bottle of Aleve) and it's starting to feel better, even after a long weekend of working in the garden...

4. machinery (and chiropractors).  I can't imagine how difficult it must've been for farmers before machinery (and chiropractors). We pretty much hand till about an acre of property for our vegetable garden and it's hard work. We do have  a lawn tractor with a tiller and a mantis to help pull up the grass in the new beds and make the soil a little more workable before the pitch fork and a pointed shovel really get the job done. But imagine clearing whole fields, acres and acres of property by hand... I can't even begin to wrap my brain around that. Especially in our area, at the edge of the glacial fields where the rocks are so plentiful that you can dig a hole and not have any dirt to fill it back in, just a giant pile of rocks.

5. sunshine... this whole family was in desperate need of some vitamin D... It's been so nice to sit in the sun and have a cup of tea... 

Okay, so can you tell that I have gardening on my mind? It's all about the garden right now... I did do some spring sewing and  I actually took pictures, but I can't  think about sewing right now because all I can think about is the garden. My days have been going like this... I get up at 6:30, head outside (in my nightgown, sweater, and hiking boots) until one of the kids comes outside in their PJ's and starts hanging about hinting that they're hungry... then I come  inside,  feed the kids, and we start school. As soon as we are finished with school for the day, I head back out until it's time to start dinner. I lie in bed at night and worry about tiny seedlings being too cold or where to put the spaghetti squash...  I constantly make lists of what I need to pick up at the Agway and what to get at the greenhouse. For me, this is one of the best times of the year... all that potential and opportunity.  Keep in mind that I probably won't be talking the same way in August when it's super hot outside , the tomatoes are outgrowing their trellises, all the greens are bolting, and I need to spend lots of time with hot pots of boiling water canning and freezing things... That's also when all the bad decisions that I make now become glaringly apparent... like why did I think it would be a good idea to plant 16 zucchini or mulch the pumpkins with straw?

But right now, it's just good hard work and lots of decisions... I've contemplated several blog posts in the last month or so, but just haven't wanted to spend any time inside at the computer when I could be outside in the garden... Anyway, I've got no choice right now but to post because my bookmarks bar is full with links to pass on... 

So, I've been thinking a lot about food lately, where it comes from, how to grow it, how to prepare it... and as is the way the world works, in the midst of doing all this thinking about food someone told me about Food Renegade which is all about food and the issues surrounding food. Food Renegade is just chock full of good information. I also happened upon the hyperlocavore website which is another fabulous resource for links to everything from recycled pallet patio furniture to  yard sharing. Both J and I have spent hours reading all the great info on this site... it's even got recipes...

Now I know that not everyone is a gardener but I found this link to Compost Confidential's $25 Victory Garden Challenge which is worth a try even for a gardening novice. Right out of the gate, my little pea brain had never thought to use toilet paper tubes for seed starting (* note to self- cross those peat pots off the Agway list).  I also like the idea of trying to garden on a limited budget... I do think that in the long run my gardening will save us money but I also have to try really hard to restrain myself from going overboard...

Next up, I saw this link somewhere (not really sure where, maybe Twitter, my new favorite thing) and I followed it to Joe Bageant's website. Joe wrote a book (that I have yet to read) called Deer Hunting with Jesus... Now, here's the disclaimer... I do think this man is slightly crazy but crazy in a good way... crazy in the way that I could be, if I let myself go... Anyway, I really like his post called Escape from the Zombie Food Court. I feel like it's something that I need to read every couple of months... just to keep my perspective.

And now for some good vibes... I think that I've told you before that I love Neil Gaiman... and even though this poem/children's book is quite different from most of his work,  it's still right up my alley. Maybe this book will be this year's birthday gift for all the girls we know. Anyway, Check out  Blueberry Girl (via BoingBoing because of the nice intro that they include), I think it's just wonderful...

And for the second good vibe link... I'm sure everyone has already heard of Matt Harding.  When I showed my brother Matt's videos, he said, " I saw these videos years ago..." Yeah, well... I hadn't and Matt has a new (2008) video up on his"Where the hell is Matt?" website and it's the best one yet... Like I said, I had never heard of Matt until a week or so ago when J made me listen to his "This I believe" story on NPR.  I'm not sure why but watching things like this guy dance (really badly) all over the world brings out the sappiness in me... I can't make it through the video without tears in my eyes...  It makes me happy in so many ways to watch this guy dance and it seems to make a lot of other people happy, too... I also think it's great that he's now getting sponsorship so that he can continue to travel and do what he loves... It's that whole find your passion (and the money will follow) thing that I normally think is such crap but maybe I'm wrong.

Well, we're supposed to have a lovely weekend here, so I'm sure I won't be inside at the computer. Hope you have a great weekend and maybe find sometime to plant something or even just play in the dirt.

forward into the light...

Today I'm thankful for...

1. the sunlight staying out longer in evening and shining brightly through the windows during the day... of course, dinner has been a little late the past couple nights because I couldn't believe that it was 5:30 and still so light out...

2. the hopeful, inspiring, feeling that the impending spring season brings... promising all things good: more time outside, gardens with veggies and flowers, a cleaner, simpler indoor environment, open windows, fresh air, and so much more...

3. the potential of a big stack of library books sitting next to my chair...

4. the kids and their continued health, growth, curiosity, and creativity which is always inspiring to me. I'm so happy with the people that they are becoming.

5.  (on a purely selfish note) that stupid, freakin girl scout cookie season is over... all the money collected and waiting to be turned in. It was tough not to let my bad attitude show through on that one... stupid, freakin, overpriced, unhealthy, cookies. 

Poor neglected blog... something must be wrong with me... I want to write... my bookmarks bar and photo folders are overflowing with links and pictures to post but I always feel like I need 12 more hours in my day -particularly after the kids are asleep, so I don't feel guilty about sitting down at the computer and having a complete, uninterrupted thought... I also need blogging to be a more physical activity, because Lord knows, I don't need to spend any more time sitting on my ass.

I won't lie to you, the winter was rough this year... a real drudge. I felt trapped in this house all cluttered up with the kitchen and bathroom remodels still in progress. I gave up my beloved coffee at Christmas. I'll still have an occasional decaf latte but really, what's the point? it's just not the same. We had some health issues run through the house just enough to scare us and stress us out and then (thankfully) turn out to be nothing but a reminder of how scarily tenuous everything is (and how old we are getting)... Of course, Jeff is still dealing with his eye issue, which we were hoping would be close to resolution early in the new year. Only to find out that we will need to jump right back on the "surgery/weekly trips to Philly/medical bills" bandwagon in the next month or so... Then there's the issue of the economy and the thought that my struggling household is actually in better shape than many... with people (even some people that I actually know) losing their jobs and seeing more and more for sale signs up on people's lawns, so sad...

It's amazing that a person can still feel hopeful but I do (most of the time)... Like I said before, it is the season for hope right now... gardening always makes me feel hopeful, even impending gardening. I still feel very hopeful about the new administration. I know it was a while ago now but I have to say that I was so inspired and touched by Elizabeth Alexander's poem, Praise Song for the Day that was read at the inauguration. I'm not really a big poetry person. I like Mary Oliver and some of Richard Brautigan's poems but I LOVED this poem, not only did it speak so eloquently to the event where it was featured but it also spoke to me and to what I've been feeling... So, in case, you missed it, here it is...

Praise Song for the Day

Each day we go about our business,

walking past each other,

catching each other's eyes, 

or not.

About to speak, or speaking.
 

All about us is noise.

All about us is noise and bramble, 

thorn and din,
each one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem,

darning a hole in a uniform.

patching a tire.

Repairing the things in need of repair.


Someone is trying to make music somewhere,

with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,

with cello,
boom-box,
harmonica,
voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky.

A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. 
Begin."

We encounter each other in words,

words spiny or smooth,
whispered or declaimed.

Words to consider, reconsider.


We cross dirt roads and highways 
that mark the will of someone 

and then others who said, 
"I need to see what's on the other side. 

I know there's something better down the road.

We need to find a place where we are safe."

We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain:
That many have died for this day.

Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, 

raised the bridges, 

picked the cotton and the lettuce, 

built,
brick by brick,
the glittering edifices 
they would then keep clean and work inside of. 


Praise song for struggle. 

Praise song for the day. 

Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, 

the figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
Others by "First, do no harm," 

or "Take no more than you need."

What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital,
filial,
national.

Love that casts a widening pool of light. 

Love with no need to pre-empt grievance. 

In today's sharp sparkle,
this
winter air,
any thing can be made,
any sentence begun. 

 
On the brink, 

on the brim,
on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.    

-Elizabeth Alexander

Good stuff, huh? Well, maybe not for you but for me... that's good stuff. Anyway, on to more good stuff... I've got so many links to pass on... 

First of all, for all you local people, check this out... Pure Sprouts is a new business located in Northampton that delivers organic produce directly to your door. They are committed to finding local vendors but it's tough to grow bananas in Pennsylvania... 

And for the crafter's out there, I thought this craft blog directory was a great way to check out some new blogs (hooray for chicken getting the top spot!!!)... and for the non-crafters blogged.com has lists of all kinds of blogs. 

Again for the crafters, I found this great tutorial for these cute little mushroom houses at little house by the sea... I really need to make some of these for myself the girl's Easter baskets and if you need some more inspiration, check out the infinite ideas over at One Pretty Thing...

Also, one of my favorite things about Target is the way they feature new artists and designers throughout the year... This year they've got Orla Kiely in housewares... Thanks to Apartment Therapy for the tip... Be aware that the problem with these items is that once the buzz is out they are almost impossible to find... and keep your hand off the tiered pear serving dish that's mine...

I found this blog through a friend... milkweed diaries ... filled with great stuff about gardening and the environment... and this quirky little blog by a quirky little friend of mine, Travis, filled with his own artwork. The kids want to use it as their new "vocabulary word a day"... 

Good God, I told you that my bookmarks folder was full... I have to show you these bandanas that I got Jeff from etsy for his birthday... I just love them... My husband is a diehard bandana hankie man... a habit that although I admire, is not one of my favorite things about him because it leads me to find disgusting used hankies wadded up under the seat of my car, in the cushion of my chair, or under his pillow... He also is a like a baby giving up his "blankie" when then hankies are past their prime... Anyway, we were in dire need of a restocking of hankies, so I splurged and got him one in every color... and while we're on the topic of Obama... I think it's the coolest thing that the white house has a webpage and a blog that actually get updated quite often...

Well, I won't bore you anymore... hopefully, Typepad will let me post this and it will be reasonably legible, I've been having difficulties all morning... Happy almost Spring!

the space between...

Today, I'm thankful for...

1. my friend Caroline's daughter, Layne, who has got to be one of the sweetest and most polite children that I've ever met... not to mention adorable... she never ceases to crack me up with her sweet precociousness... just like her mom!

2. my friend's younger daughter, Eve... who is the complete opposite of her sister but her spunk and spark are equally as engaging (and she's just as cute)... and man, can that kid shake her bootie!!!  just like her mom!

3. the upcoming holidays... even though I complain (a lot!) I do look forward to decorating and sitting by the tree with the lights off and all the other good stuff.

4. a feeling of hope... even though it seems as if we are bombarded everyday with bad news and horrible stories of people struggling or having difficult times, lately I've been more inspired than ever by stories of people who embody the genuinely good and loving side of human nature and I am constantly being encourage personally by people who are truly wonderful and nurturing. 

5. not having cable TV/TV news shows... I seriously love my TV shows, they are pure escape for me... but I really feel that not having that direct feed of bad karma injected directly into my home everyday helps me to maintain my sanity and a sense of peace... It's not like I don't read the newspaper and get my news online, but just listening to the TV news when I'm at my parent's house totally fries my brain and stresses me out.

 and in honor of Thanksgiving, today I'm going to give you 5 more...

6. all the things that you can make from leftover turkey... our fridge has been overflowing all week... turkey spaghetti, turkey soup, turkey pot pie, turkey sandwiches... so good! not to mention all the other leftover goodies.

7. my children, who constantly mirror my best and my worst... they are such creative, intelligent, loving children that sometimes just thinking about them hurts...

8. my bathroom door... seriously... don't even ask how long my bathroom has been being renovated but as of tonight, I have a bathroom door... with a lock.

9. a new J K Rowling book out on Thursday... I've been craving a little young adult literature.

10. my life... even though it's not perfect it's damn good...

Wow... ten things sort of seems like an acceptance speech... "I'd like to thank the Academy..." but as always I am very grateful... and I could go on and on and list a myriad of others but I won't...

Anyway, in case you noticed or were waiting with anticipation... I haven't put anything in the etsy shop... YET! I just haven't had a free (or sunny, for that matter) minute to take the photos. I will, maybe Saturday, as the kids will be helping my in-laws that day. Sorry.

So, we're in that crazy wonderful time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving was the usual. I need to try to put more meaning into it for myself and the kids. In my family, (at least as far as my mom goes) Thanksgiving is all about the food. There's no fancy table settings or decorations or lots of extended family. No one gets dressed up. It's just our immediate family -my parents, my brother, myself, my husband and our kids. Keep in mind that we all eat together every Wednesday night at my parent's house, so all of us sharing a meal is not a big deal. My mother refuses to let anyone else cook anything. I've given up trying to help. Seriously in year's past, I would ask her what I could make and she might give in and say, "How about and apple pie?" and I would arrive with my lovely pie only to find that she has already made 2 apple pies. That's my mom for you. Anyway, it's not my favorite holiday. I personally vote Thanksgiving as "the holiday that would be best spent out of the country"... I would love to start a new tradition where my husband and I take the kids on vacation for Thanksgiving. 

Enough about that... there's so much good stuff to talk about. There are great giveaways all over the internet these days -at least in "craft/mama" blog land. Soulemama has been giving away the best stuff over on her blog (even though she just had a baby a week ago...) and you get the bonus sweet baby pics, too. Even if you don't win the giveaway,  she's been giving great discount codes for most of the shops that are offering the prizes... good, good, stuff.

Knitting Iris is featuring some of her vacation pics from Norway this week and they are just great... love that blog. Between all the traveling that she does and living in Montana, not to mention, her adorable kids there are always good things to look at and learn about there.

And in case you are in need of some homemade gift inspiration, Sew Mama Sew is presenting their yearly advent gift tutorials... there's something to make for everyone there and today is "giveaway day" , too... so, check them out. WOW!

I'm loving this blog, but I'm especially loving their new second blog, the Grandma Club, where these young hip women try out things like making butter and soap or canning... it's sort of like my own sewing circle group but younger and hipper. I mean come on they have a blog.

I'm loving some of the ads that I'm finding on some of the more popular blogs, like Simple Mom or Soulemama. There is something to be said for being able to choose who advertises with you. I thought this Etsy shop was so cute, check out annie and olive while your waiting for my shop to fill up...

And if you are in the local Lehigh Valley area, this Sunday there is an Indie-Made craft market in Allentown, so cool... check out there website here. And the Pocono Holistic Moms group is sponsoring a speaker this Saturday at the Hughes Library in Stroudsburg on vaccination awareness. 

Alright, back to schoolwork... we're coming into the difficult time of year where all the kids can think about is cookies and crafts and presents and christmas plays, so I'm trying to get as much work out of them as I can while there's still time. The bottom pic is for comic relief... this is how we spent our Saturday night... it took 2 painful hours to remove that comb but we finally managed it...