A Place Like This......

Bending the Rules

I had heard mention over at "The Angry Chicken" that Amy Karol's new book was out. As we were making our weekly trip to the library I saw it sitting there in the new book section. I immediately grabbed it for myself to check it out,...literally.

 

I have found so many reasons to like this book.

• The first is that it's honest. She tells you why she thinks you will like various techniques and why one would not. You know exactly what to expect.
• The second is that these projects are so imaginative but very useful at the same time.
• I have always wanted to learn how to transfer patterns onto fabric. There are a variety of techniques that Amy uses and I can understand them. It isn't artist speak. It's for people like me. The non-technical sort.
• I feel that I can take these techniques and apply them to a variety of different ideas and objects around my home and closet.

A couple of projects I can't wait to do are:

• Creating my own fabric sheets
• The lunch bag will be one of the first things I accomplish.
• The watercolor tote is fabulous and there are so many design ideas running through my head right now. I feel the sketchbooks coming off the shelf very soon.....like any minute now.
• Love the removing dye with a bleach pen.
• The whole cloth quilt to let my sudo, artsy self let loose.
• Drawing with thread. Does anyone know how much yarn and thread I have? The possibilities are endless, well only as long as I don't run out of thread. A yarny bag will be completed by next weeked.

Amy Karol has done it again with "Bend the Rules with Fabric." An absolute must have which is now on my Loveables list.

 

 

 

Happy Tasha Tudor Day

Today is the day we remember Tasha Tudor. For the last couple of years those of us who have loved and admired her have taken on the tradition of celebrating her life by creating a "Tasha Tudor" moment.

Though many have enjoyed the talents of Tasha Tudor through her books,illustrations, and her 19th century New England lifestyle, I have known her differently and that is through her garden. My father, who was an avid gardener and plant breeder, gifted me with irises and day lillies from Tasha's garden. Every spring and summer these beauties bloom. It allows me to share those items of beauty that gave my dad and Tasha such happiness.

 

      

  

So on this Tasha Tudor day I have cut the day lillies from the garden, put the tea on and will enjoy some Austrian almond hearts. 

     

Here is a great thank you to Tasha and her great contribution to simple living. Enjoy and let us continue to be inspired by her. Happy Tasha Tudor Day.

Sail Away Kids

Remember when you were small and you had a dream of what you might want to be, like an astronaut, fireman or woman, work a cash register, whale trainer etc ?

Well over the summer I had the pleasure of watching one such dream come true.

For the last few months I've been following the around the world sailing trip of Zac Sunderland. Zac wanted to be the youngest to ever circumvent the earth in a sail boat. He was 17 at the time.I was fine tuned into his blog so when he arrived at his global goal on July 17th I was absolutely thrilled. It was a  journey which had many twists and turns.

I didn't expect that his record would be broken only a month later by another younger 17 year old Mike Perham. As I was watching his story another voyage was announced......this time a 13 year old girl ,Laura Dekker, is trying to thwart the child protection agency of Holland by becoming a New Zealand citizen, just so she can sail around the world by herself.

For whatever reason their stories greatly inspire me. It brings back the age of exploration. It's on a grand scale like climbing Mt.Everest, Columbus heading towards the horizon even when those around him thought the world was flat. Perhaps the greatest part of their journeys are to discover themselves. I cannot think of a better example of child-lead learning. As outrageous and dangerous as these trips sound there had to be a lifetime of preparation for these two young people to be able to succeed in their goals. They didn't just wake up one morning and get in a boat and start sailing. It was a test of an already established life.

Could I send my teen out on a sailboat to go around the world? Not today,but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't support a major goal with the appropriate prep time and work. Like playing piano in a foreign country, or taking photos in a recently quieted war zone, studying in a different country, going to the moon as a tourist or building a school in Africa.

In our family, whatever our dreams of the moment are, we support them fully. Is there nothing better than to create a dream into reality?

what dream would you like to become real ?

Swine Flu ?

 

A phone call came in from the high school nurse at 9:30 A.M.  " I have Mimi here with a very sore throat,and body aches. I need you to pick her up".

Upon my arrival at school, another "nurse" friend informed me that this is how the swine flu starts. "Keep a close eye on her because it can really pick up steam." 

On the way home I was thinking "Surely we don't have swine flu? I won't worry until I hear differently."

Mimi seemed sick but normal sick , nothing to worry about. I got her home and tucked her in. A few hours later great complaining came from the sick bed of extreme headache, body aches, chills, and the same sore throat.

I made a quick call to the doctor to ask what the symptoms of Swine Flu are?

" Headache,low grade fever,chills,body aches,and a sore throat".

"We have all of those symptoms" I mentioned in a seemingly apprehensive voice.

"Let's see her today at 5:10. We'll do a quick test for the flu and go from there."

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As we arrived into the examing room a very official looking nurse with a very large Q-tip was waiting for us.

"I just need to get a mucus sample". ......and with that ,all I can say ,is that she clearly invaded some personal space in an up the nose way. I'll go for the blood test anyday.

Great news,however. Mimi doesn't have Swine Flu. She has another virus which is circulating in the high school. It's a virus with many letters and so I've renamed it Hackencough. She will get a little worse before she gets better and will try to lose a lung from coughing but that's ok because it isn't the Swine Flu. Nobody has ever died from Hackencough.

Our doctor informed us that this is the worst August he has ever seen for virus's. He  had diagnosed 3 or 4 cases of Swine flu today but says it is appearing in a very mild form here. It's like a normal case of flu so far.

I don't want to minimalize those families who have suffered from the swine flu or lost loved ones due to the swine flu but is it being over hyped? This has also lead me to ask some other questions like: Is the new Swine flu vaccination safe? Has there been enough time to test it? Would one get a case of Swine flu by taking the vaccination? If you've had the swine flu do you still need to take the vaccination?

Our doctors are actively searching out answers to these questions and getting the information to their patients as they find out. It helps us to make informed decisions.

Let me know what you think about the Swine flu and the new vaccination.

Tomorrow we hope will see Mimi feeling better and  no one else getting sick. Be well !

Under the sea....

"The sea is a vast reservoir of nature. It was through the sea that the earth, so to speak, began." Jule Verne as spoken by Captain Nemo.

It wasn't said in a harsh way. It was just a statement, said in a gentle, creative, spirit. "I'm going to take the photos today." And with that I handed over my camera and for this moment didn't have the "family photographer" responsiblity. Actually, I've only had that since the blog started, for the last two years.

Before that my husband "Mister Man", took thousands of photos of his children and family with fervor, that was until the digital age. It has left him totally uninspired and then ...... he took back the camera and all was right in the world.

Fish smiled !!!!!!

 

Bright colored life sparkled.

This spider crab waved "hello" at me. Happy to meet a fan of the Deadliest Catch and so very glad he wasn't on televison via a crab pot. Me Too. He was very nice.

 

Under the Sea is an amazing place. Luckily, we have a photo of every creature which swims in this sea, thanks to Mister Man and his refound love of photography. Ok....It's my turn now. ....the last two are mine.

 

Is Fall coming?

I noticed it a couple of days ago as I was sitting on the screen porch at the stuga.  At first it was subtle and I paused to question if the temperature felt different. A few seconds later a gust of wind answered my inquiry...yes...it feels like fall is coming.  I wrapped up in a shawl for the rest of the morning but by the afternoon things had warmed up.

The past two days have felt completely like summer is leaving and autumn is coming, which has put my "seasonal" clock into survivor mode.

I spent all of saturday and sunday knitting, as if a blizzard was expected to roll in at any moment.

It's not as if I've never knitted a thing for winter in my life, or that our knitted wear stash has disappeared. None the less, a few things have gone on the needles.

So what's on my needles?

I'm making this wonderful hat from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton called Tillberga hat,made from  Noro Transitions yarn.  Is what makes this so special is that Noro doesn't make this yarn anymore.  Well aren't I special? ........No.......it's more like if you wait long enough to knit "said" project, the yarn will almost be extinct and unavailable. Like I would let such a thing happen. :)

The next project on my little sticks is a fingerless glove pattern which I found over at "House on Hill Road".  I'm doing it a little differently than Erin. She knit it in the roundd which makes for quick finishing of the gloves but I have a great need of a thumb hole/slot and I can't figure out how to do it in the round, hence the flat knitting.

I'm glad we have a few days of summer left ......you know....before winter blows in and I need my hat and gloves. At least we won't freeze.

Anybody else knitting for winter yet? If so leave me a comment and let me know what, and if you have it on your blog or ravel ry leave me a link so I can come and take a peak.

Happy Knitting!!!!

Unschooling Update

The weather is hot, the garden is whithering,everyone is home from their travels and school has begun. That all said, I thought I would take a few moments to focus on some fun we had this summer while we were participating in "Summer Unschool". Unschooling is when you let your children pick and lead the activities they would like to experience and learn about.

This summer saw us staying up all night making cakes for the edible cake contest at our library. We travelled near and far but the most important, inspired, idea was the "Big Project."

This is the sort of project that you turn the pages of your idea book. You start drawing and designing on paper to evolve it into your own. You sleep with the book for further inspiration. You inspire those around you just because you are inspired. You build a team of helpers to share a project together.

We have been working on our big project all summer. Aunt Ruthie, cousin Gillian, mom and sisters all gathered to saw,glue,hammer,sand, and dream with a 10 year old boy. Ever since he was little he loved the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. When we found the Buffy Porson book we knew we could build this. It has taken a lot of updating, since this book was written in 1973. The skills that Omi has learned will last him through his whole life., me too for that matter. They were the basics of measuring, pattern making, problem solving,construction, and confidence making.

I feel inspired watching all of my children learn that if you can think it you can make it happen. All of these sketches have now become a real tangible car. From his imagination to the garage floor. Very Cool and Very Real.

As with all big projects, this one needs a couple more weeks work but it's nothing a little painting,and mechanics can't fix. It's not how fast you make it, it's that you make it. We will show you the finished product in a couple of weeks. We are so excited!

 

I've been reading all of the unschooling families and enjoying their projects. This was such a great way to spend the summer. Much thanks to Eren over at Vintage Chica for organizing such a wonderful moment for all of us.

Happy Discoveries !

Piano Guts

 

It is always a pinnacle day when our friend the piano tuner comes. Yesterday was such an occasion. Everything started as normal....bling,bling,bling,silence,adjust. After about 10 minutes I noticed that it got very quiet,so I tip-toed downstairs to see what was going on. There on the floor was the interior of my piano and Waclaw (the piano tuner) was on the floor peering inside the hollow cavity which use to house my piano innerds.

"Anything wrong?" I asked tenatively.

"Wellllll,two keys our rattling and the damper pedal mechanism has swollen and is making an uneven action."

So after an hour of hunting down the problems and trying to figure out a solution, it was time to go and get little boy "O" from school. Do I dare leave my dear friend open to the world like this with her guts on my music room floor?  ......Yep......there wasn't a choice.

20 minutes later....................................

Little boy "O" runs into the music room to give the grandest greeting to his friend Waclaw. "Wow!!!!! What's this? Is this the inside of the piano? "

"Yes......Guts, .....piano guts." I stated sadly.

Getting on the floor, laying on his stomach he started pressing the piano keys down to see the hammers come up. "This is so cool".

Shouting with extreme excitement. "Mom!!!! The piano is a small machine!!! You never told me that! Look there are levers, and hammers, and keys. The keys release the levers, which bring the hammer up to make the sound. If we used this technology we could make all sorts of instruments with different sounds."

I immediately felt better. I thought my piano was ruined and lying helplessly on the floor. When all I needed was to see it for what it is.....a beautiful and perfect small machine.

Our lovely piano is now tuned and put back together again. I will never play this lovely instrument  without thinking of it in this new way. As long as the music coming out of it doesn't sound like a small machine.....that wouldn't be good! :)

Have a wonderfully musical day and may you see everything differently.

Loveables & Giveaways

I feel like shouting for joy.....truly.  For four years I have watched as my fig tree always grows much foilage and many figs, but the figs never ripen in time to taste them. Autumn comes, the fruit drops, and there ends the story of my fig tree.

         

This spring I noticed that the big green leaves came back fuller and eariler than usual. By the beginning of May I had hundreds of figs on the tree and yesterday I had hundreds of ripe figs on the tree. They are divine!  I immediately made a fig and onion reduction sauce to go on top of my chicken breasts, which were loaded with herb de provence. I was so happy. We, as a family, were so happy.

There's more happiness to share.....

Over the weekend I discovered that I had won a giveaway over at "The Lovely List". Yes, it's true. I'm now the proud owner of a pendant made by Poppy Anne. I will share it here on the blog once I receive it.

Yesterday in the mail came my lovely wished for matroyshka doll from the very talented Emily Moss over at Ravenhill. This cute little girl now has a place in my heart and my home. Thanks Emily, she's beautiful.

         

Now it's your turn to give a try at some happiness. There are several giveaways this week. For those of you who read the Soulemama blog, her new book "Handmade Home"is out. There is a giveaway for a chance to win one of two copies over at  beauty that moves. 

Also on the giveaway trail is the creative momma and her sweet girls over at "An Exhaltation of Larks".  It is a beautifully designed creative package to spend a wonderful time creating. Be sure to stop by.

Last on the giveaway list is Stefani and the Blue Yonder Gang. Yep Book of Summer Days II is now ready and in the shop. This month's giveaway is for Max from "Where the Wild Things Are". Artistically done by Moma Kopp.      

Alrighty....I think that should do it in the happiness department for one day. We just try to spread a little joy every now and then.     

On Top of the World

        

Oh it's so good to be back home and back together.....all except one that is. Zuzu comes back next  week and then we will be a whole family again. It has been a difficult summer for us. My father and my husband's father both passed away. While my husband and kids were out of the country for my father-in-laws memorial service, I had to rush home to my family in Oregon to be with my father. We are so thankful for the wonderful lives of these two men and all of the fantastic years we spent with them. The most unfortunate part about losing our fathers was that it happened at the same time and we couldn't be together as a family. It was such a wonderful moment when I went to the airport and saw all of those lovely faces running to me with big hugs coming at me.

                         

         

We have spent the last week having quality family time. First things first,however......Mimi whipped up some of her famous french toast. We needed a little nutrition.

                         

         

Waiting for us was a huge harvest from the garden which just won't stop. All I do is make tomato sauce and pickles. The pickles I have to hide from certain family members because they eat them before they are pickles. During the winter I crave the taste of garden tomatoes and then when August arrives I've had quite enough of them. At least I get to preserve them for those moments in winter when I miss them most.

                              

Yesterday was a wonderful gathering of family and friends up at our stuga. Stuga means "little cabin" in Swedish. This little house on the lake is only 20 minutes from our home, up in the mountains.It is called,"Lake in the Sky, On Top of The World". I go there often to write, knit, quilt, and just commune with nature. There couldn't have been a better homecoming than going to the Stuga.  I immediately feel calmer when I'm there. Time seems to hold still a bit and I savor my sense of place in this world when I'm at the stuga. It is my comfort and refuge. So very happy to be with my family! I know my sweet girl is reading this blog post while she vacations on the Mediterranean sea. Zuzu we are waiting for you and we love and miss you so much.