Holiday & Winter Reading

I've been planning to do this post all month and life has just gotten in the way of my regular posting. I'm so sorry if it's too late for gift buying! File the ideas away for next year, perhaps. Or check the library, or buy locally. ;)

We have so very many winter and holiday-themed children's books. I did a list last year, and many of those books are still in our very frequent rotation. But I'm not going to duplicate any of them here. Except ... The Mitten. Which is, after all, Elisabeth's favorite.

The Tomten. This book is so, so lovely. Almost too lovely to describe. You know how there are "kid favorites" and "parent favorites"? This one is definitely both. The language (though translated from Swedish), is so gentle and subtle. The book is reassuring and sweet ... I love the way that the ever-turning wheel of the year is described: "Winters come and summers go, year follows year..." Elisabeth could hear this book many times every day, and I think I could easily oblige her.

Winter by Gerda Muller. A sweet wordless board book, one of a set of four (one for each season). James likes to read these to himself. He'll sit down, turn the pages, and "talk" to each one. I like to hear his version of the story much more than my own.

Winter by Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann. Another wordless picture book, also one in a set of four, this series is newer to us than Gerda Muller's. The illustrations have a much different "feel" to them -- more magical, and more festival-oriented compared to the very dailiness of Gerda Muller's. Eva-Maria's Winter features little gnomes on every page and a visit from St. Nicholas, for example. I think I prefer Eva-Maria's just a little bit to Gerda Muller's. But being fortunate enough to have both is really enriching, I think. :)

Big Susan. This is new to Elisabeth this year, though it was on my book wish-list for her even before she was born. I have always loved dolls, doll houses, miniatures, museum dioramas, and everything of that nature. I'm thrilled that my daughter seems to be following in my footsteps with a love of miniatures. We are totally loving the description of the dolls' lives, and their perspective is charmingly, hilariously, and poignantly written. A big favorite!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. I love Robert Frost's simple, quiet poem. The illustrations here, by Susan Jeffers, are funny, surprising, and ultimately, depict the vastness of nature so quietly and humbly.

The Little Fir Tree. There are so many versions of the story of the little tree who becomes a Christmas tree. I have no idea what the origin of this story is; Hans Christian Andersen's darker version was the first I'd encountered, many years ago. But this sweet version by Margaret Wise Brown is my favorite. The tree, rather than being filled with envy or dissatisfaction, is portrayed much more positively, and I love the "new" words to familiar carols. (We have the Barbara Cooney illustrated version, although the Jim LaMarche one looks exquisite. He's a favorite illustrator of mine.)

The Snowman. I guess wordless board books seem to be a theme for us. This one, despite being a board book, is really above James's head, but Elisabeth loves the soft illustrations. Last year, when we pulled the books out and looked through this one for the first time of the year, she sat silently for a moment or two (this is a child who never stops talking), and then said, in a small voice, "Oh. That's sad." It is a very bittersweet little book. But so perfect at the same time.

The Night Before Christmas. We like Tasha Tudor's version, and Grandma Moses's version is also really, really special.

Ollie's Ski Trip. I've been told before that this book is the origin of the characters King Winter and Mrs Thaw. Whether or not that's true, those characters live in our home in a big way. I love Elsa Beskow's illustrations so much, and Ollie's Ski Trip is so adorable. The idea of a secret wintery adventure is very, very appealing to me. Oh, and Elisabeth likes it, too. ;)

Christmas in Noisy Village. We have read this book probably hundreds of times, and Elisabeth never, ever grows tired of it. The simple pleasures and homemade traditions of the children of Noisy Village are so comforting and inspiring. And the children are so very much like real children. Sometimes they bicker and tease one another, but for the most part, they are loving and so full of joyful celebration of the season. I love this book -- and all the Noisy Village books.

The Nativity. This book is breathtakingly exquisite. It was Elisabeth's gift from St Nicholas this year, and I think at 5 1/2, she is just old enough to appreciate the amazing beauty of the pop-up scenes. James really cannot be allowed to handle it, so it's kept separate from the rest. Elisabeth spent a lot of time poring over the amazing scenes when she was sick in bed.

Night Tree. This is the story of a family who drives to a little forest outside of town each year on Christmas eve to decorate a live tree for the animals. I love the thoughtfulness of the family, their interactions with one another, and the fact that I come away from the book feeling energized: I can create simple, meaningful traditions for my family. I can step away from commercialism even for one night. You get the feeling that the family goes home and celebrates a "normal" Christmas with a "regular" tree, presents, and so on. But this experience, of preparing their gifts for the tree in the weeks leading up to Christmas eve, of going out together for a nighttime walk, all bundled up, to their regular spot, brings them together and holds them as a family in a very special way.

Owl Moon. Another book about a nighttime walk, by one of my favorite children's book authors. This is one of my husband's all-time favorites to read aloud. He and Elisabeth have had some very special, important times together reading and discussing this book. One night last winter, an owl alighted on a fence outside our suburban condo as he was coming home from a gig, and it moved him very deeply because of his experiences with Elisabeth and this book. It's one of my most cherished hopes that one day we can move outside of town where these experiences won't be so rare and fleeting. And that we can go owling one day.

White Snow, Bright Snow. I really just love the writing in this book. It's more of a mama favorite, but my wee ones do enjoy it. Well, because they just love to be read to, I think.

The Book of Christmas. With really unusual contributions from writers and poets like Ted Hughes, EE Cummings, Christina Rossetti, and Alison Uttley, this is not the typical Christmas anthology. It is definitely a Christmas anthology, however, and not a winter one. Each poem and story relates to the Christmas holiday (some are secular, and some are religious), not to other winter holidays or general snowy gaiety. Just so you know. For me, that in no way lowers its considerable esteem. ;)

The Mitten. Because Elisabeth loves it so much. And because who doesn't love Jan Brett?

And I could go on and on, and instead I am going to stop here. And maybe save a few for next year. ;)

Sick in bed

We have not had a good season when it comes to colds. I think it's because my husband is a teacher, and brings things home from his students. (High schoolers seem to be sick a lot.) My husband is on his second awful cold in as many months, I had that horrible one in November, James had his very first ear infection, and Elisabeth is now sick in bed for only the second or third time in her life! (She definitely wins the immune system award in our house -- she is so rarely sick.)

My mom was able to stop by yesterday with a fresh coloring book for Elisabeth (always a nice thing to have when you're laid up), and we also got out some little toys that Elisabeth had been given as a gift for acting as a flower girl in a friend's wedding two years ago. We'd forgotten all about them up on a shelf, and everyone was excited to learn that the little characters were actually finger puppets! Elisabeth's dolls have been her constant companions (along with a big pile of winter and holiday books and her snow globe), and snacks of frozen berries and card games have come in very handy, as well.

All this has me thinking about the rituals that we keep when our children are not themselves -- suffering, under the weather, emotionally distressed, etc. Most of the time I kind of think that those times are isolated and somehow not part of our "real life." And yet, there they are, cropping up and reminding me of the messiness of life. And how important these times of convalescence are: to nourish a sick child's body, to nurture a sorrowful child's spirit, to ease a suffering child's mind. What does it take to do that job? Yes, it takes some real physical things: some eucalytus oil in the vaporizer, a homeopathic remedy under the tongue, a cool cloth on the forehead, a gentle massage of aching muscles. But most of all, it takes time. Time is the best gift I can give my children, when they need me, and even when they think they don't. Time that sometimes I think I don't have. But if I really take the time to be present with my children, everything else seems to fall into place anyway. That time spent is an even greater gift to me.

I love this post by Molly, which she ends by saying that a system is not what is needed to raise our children well. She's so right. It shouldn't just be, "Make dinner? Check. Fold laundry? Check. Nourish my child's body, mind, and soul? Check."

Some of my "to-do's" may go unchecked over these few days. But being a present mother to my wee ones is the greatest to-do of all.   

Postponed until the morning.

So sorry! Baby J's eardrum ruptured (he's been sick) today while he was with my mom. I've been assured by his physician's office and all of my hippie-mama recources that this is perfectly normal and won't impact his hearing or anything. BUT ... no drawing until the morning. So, so sorry. I know that there are more than 100 of you waiting with baited breath. I promise. In the morning!!

**You are all so sweet! No need to worry, I'm taking care of my baby first and foremost. And my pup, who's home from the hospital now, second. And my wee girl, who needs some attention and stories. And my husband, who has been having a hard month at work. And people with dolls to win after all that.**

Doll drawing will be announced this evening.

My friend is trying to help me wade through the comments and get them all onto paper ... a bigger job than I expected! My children are off to spend a day with their grandmother so I can work (imagine that!). We went to the funnest birthday party last night, and I'd love to share photos, but both camera batteries are dead right now. Once they're charged and all is uploaded, I will have lots to share.

So, tonight, then. I expect to post at about 8pm EST. One of you is going to be very lucky ... I am only reluctantly giving this doll away! ;)

Equilibrium

I know I promised to post on Monday. And I didn't. And then I was really going to post yesterday, and it didn't happen either. But I'm here today! And we've been busy and happy!

After three lovely days with Daddy home last week, I had the opportunity to attend an inspiring parenting and homeschooling conference this weekend, which inspired and "recharged" me.

However, that made for a very late night on Sunday. And a sleepy day on Monday, reconnecting with my babies and trying to reestablish our rhythm.

Last week my serger finally died. I mean, it really died. So I've been looking into other options ... at this point, I've been so spoiled to have had a serger that going without was not a realistic option, especially not with doll commissions in my future. So I researched, asked around, priced, priced again, knew I couldn't afford what I really wanted, wished, looked for used ... and yesterday, amazingly, a local dealer had just had a trade-in only hours before I called. So we spent the afternoon at the shop trying it out, making sure that everything was in working order, etc., and, with the help of my mama, I came home with my very own Baby Lock! It's about 4 or 5 years old, but has never been used. The person who owned it finally decided, after years of non-use, to trade it in for a vacuum cleaner. I cannot believe how fortunate this was for me, because it's the machine I really wanted, and I would never have been able to afford it -- or any Baby Lock -- right now. But this was an incredible deal, and my mom was so generous to help me with it. I'm very blessed, I know.

Monday night was our annual pumpkin carving "party" with my dear, dear friend Rebecca. We've been carving pumpkins together every year for 8 years now, and have never missed, even when we (briefly) lived many hours away.

We have an annual tradition of having pasta and salad for dinner on pumpkin carving night. The photos throughout this post are from that lovely evening.

And tonight is Halloween! You'll pardon me for waiting to share costume pictures or even hints until tomorrow, won't you?!

Cozy & Sleepy

I am still a bit sleepy from staying up too late working on projects, visiting with friends, and so forth, for the last week. I almost didn't post today, but then I thought, we really can't have that. So here are some photos of coziness from around our home.

I love sleeping wee ones. Especially sleeping wee ones who are all snuggled up together.

A favorite spot in our living room. I could have "styled" this photo first, admittedly, but I also appreciate the realness of it. This is what my children's toys look like at the end of the day. A bit picked up, but not perfect. The cord from our new-to-us (via my mother-in-law) lamp kind of sticking out, not situated yet. Just a sweet spot in a family's life. I love it.

I'm a bit slower on my autumn decorations this year than usual. But they are slowly making appearances here and there.

Busy, busy

Thank you all for sticking with me through the Encyclopedia of Me! I'm so, so glad that I finished it! I have lots of stuff to share and update, but today we are off to spend the day with a friend, so I'll share my goodies next week. For now, I thought I'd leave you with a bit of autumn decorating that's been happening here. And there's more to come ... there's so much wonderful inspiration out there! I can't wait to dive in!

late summer :: late supper

Enjoying a leisurely evening on the front stoop. Bedtime postponed. Gifts of petals from my girl.

A dinner served later than usual. Grilled local peaches and pork. Carmelized balsamic vinegar on the peaches.

{I seem to feel better here and there, and rather than waiting until after my kidney stone procedure to get back to things around here, expect some light posting from me as I'm able.}

Breaking the Routine

Sometimes in the sweltering heat of August, you just have to pack up and go get some ice cream before bed. (Sorbet or popsicles for those of us with dairy allergies.) Pajamas required. Princess attire optional.

Sometimes when you return home, all sticky and satisfied, the sky will look really cool and you'll try to snap a picture, even if the results aren't quite what you'd hoped for.

Nothin'

That's what I got. Nothin'. I was going to post yesterday, but Typepad was down by the time I got to it, and I don't have much to say other than it's about 9,000 degrees and we're heavy into the not-really-busy busyness of summer. Off to the pool each morning, no other commitments, just some popsicles and play ... mama's been doing some knitting, but nothing to show yet ... ah, summer.

This summer I seem to be much more conscious of its brevity, and therefore its preciousness. We love it. So very much.

summer corners

We are loving the colors of summer, and the spaces that suddenly present themselves as bits of home ~ a planter that was barren, empty, and ignored all winter; a post out front suddenly come to life with vines.

I love that these corners quite literally come to life in the summertime and that our definition of "home space" expands to accomodate that, just as I love the contraction of wintertime and the coziness of that time. But winter is a long way off from today!

I also love the constant, predictable rhythm that our seasonal table enables us to establish all year round. Its contents remain very similar throughout the year -- a seasonal doll, some postcards, the tree -- but it is a really organic process, too. Elisabeth adds bits to it frequently, and though it's quite bare in its early summer state, soon enough I'm sure it will be adorned with many discoveries from outdoors: pretty stones, flowers, leaves, shells, and even small pieces of a fallen wasps' nest have all found their home here in summers past. I can't wait to see what beauty this season and my children will welcome and bestow in this little space over the coming months.

Happy weekend!

end of spring, beginning of summer...

Today is the "official first day of summer" in our home. Elisabeth began swimming lessons, my husband is finished with work until he starts his new job in August, and we are outdoors most of the day -- and into the night!

{Pants by me, anklets -- from pants scraps -- by Elisabeth.}

Last week, as the last week of spring, also marked the end of an arts class Elisabeth has been taking. It was a great experience, incorporating visual arts, dance, drama, and music. Elisabeth's favorite parts were drama and dance, of course. ;)

While this class was a fabulous opportunity for her, and one which she really enjoyed, we are all looking forward to more outdoor activities as summer swings into gear ... more outdoor meals, camping, swimming, and general basking in outdoor goodness.

Oh, Summer, how I love thee!

Lost

We found out today that my husband didn't get the job at his school. He is looking into other options, although it's a dry year for music positions in our area, so we don't know what's going to happen. We are reeling from the blow. I just don't know what to say. I think now is going to be the time for me to finally send my camera in to Canon for a repair and take some time off from the blog for a while. I'm sure that I will come back to it when the stress level goes down; right now just dealing with daily life feels really hard. The children still have to be fed and cared for no matter what stress we're experiencing. If you would like me to notify you when I return to my blog, please leave a comment and I'll add you to an email list. You're also welcome to email me at the email address listed in my sidebar, as well. Thank you, and goodbye for now. I know I'll be back ... I don't think I can really stay away all that long. ;)

Deep Breath

This blogging break brought to you by:

:: a bit of embroidery & sewing :: the world's longest lingering cold :: a bit of computer confusion :: snow, rain, and a bit of flooding :: trips to the zoo :: some cooking :: indoor grass :: more than a bit of stress, worry, uncertainty, and waiting regarding my husband's job for the fall :: a whole lot of laziness

I'll be back in a day or two to share some of my sewing and embroidery projects, the last April birthday gifts, and some vintage treasures.

Peace, my friends.

Happy Spring!

Alas, no picture today. I had grand plans to go to a friend's house yesterday and snap some shots of her blooming daffodils (except for the few blades of grass in the new banner, all at our house is still brown and lifeless). But, sadly, my friend's wee ones have the flu (the real flu!), and today a cold I'd been sort of fending off for about a week hit full-force. I think I might have strep throat (!) as none of my usual homeopathic sore throat remedies seem to be doing the trick today. This morning I just managed to get up and make some mochi and tea before retreating back to bed.

I'm up for a second time to make lunch, start a crock-pot, and update the blog (priorities!). Uploading photos just won't happen today, though.

However, in spite of my overall malaise today, Elisabeth and I did hear the songs of several birds this morning -- it really is spring today! (So many bloggers seem to be bird people, and while my dad is an avid bird watcher and listener, I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about birds.)

Anyway, happy, happy spring to you, friends! I'll leave you with a poem that seemed fitting for today:

All the birds have come again,
All the birds together.
Hark the warbling, whistling, singing,
Every bird his music bringing,
All the world with song is ringing.
Welcome to the springtime.

What a joyful merry throng
Darting through the branches.
Blackbird, starling, finch, and thrush,
Chirp and perch in every bush.
O'er the meadows in a rush
Spring comes gaily dancing.

News has come from far and near --
Hearken to the voices.
Listen how the meadows ring.
Children gaily dance and sing.
All the world doth greet the spring,
Every heart rejoices.

-from Germany

Not friends

My computer and I are not friends this week. Or, at least, my 38 kbps internet connection and I aren't. I have been having loads of trouble loading all sorts of sites, uploading pictures is even slower than the usual snail's pace to which I have become accustomed, etc. Frustrating.

Also, have had a big project going this week, to be revealed in two days. Eeek, I better get back to work!

My birthday is next weekend, I promise a fun birthday post and some other goodies. I am trying to convince my husband that we can afford a faster internet connection. So far he hasn't quite agreed, but I am still trying. It would make my blogging life so much easier!

But, I would like to end with something un-complainy today, so I'd just like to say how much I love blogland and all of you wonderful bloggers that I am getting to know! I am getting so much inspiration and making new friends all the time! My husband and I were discussing this last night, and both agreed that blogging has been a positive addition to our lives over the last few months. It has really gotten me enthusiastic and motivated to actually work on creating instead of just wistfully wishing I could do something or being nostalgic about a time when I did (I used to do more embroidery before children, for example). And he made the point that it's encouraging for me to have gotten so much positive feedback on the projects I've shared here. So, thank you all! You are lovely!

Corners of my Home

A couple of months ago, we finally committed to turning one wall and most of the closet of our teeny, tiny third bedroom into my studio space. This represented some sacrifice on everyone's part, because we already live in very cramped quarters. (Our "house" -- really a condo -- is very tiny.)

Anyway, it's been very good for me to have a space of my own for my work (not using the dining room table is a plus; I can spread out with impunity now). I've also been more motivated to sew because I don't have to cart my sewing machine around to use it!

It's still a work in progress as I try to negotiate all of my supplies out of cardboard boxes in our storage closet and into just the right spots here, but it's such an exhalation for me to finally have a space devoted to creating -- and all the goodness that my endeavors connote.

Corners of my Home

One of the fringe benefits of being married to a performing musician is that he goes to a lot of other people's weddings and events, and is sometimes asked to bring "leftover" floral arrangements home with him.

I know that there are men who just bring their wives flowers for no reason, but my husband rarely just buys flowers for me. But on those weekend mornings when I wake up to find a stunning arrangement from someone else's wedding or bar association party (or whatever) sitting on my table, it still makes me very, very happy. It feels so good to be thought about. And although I know that when he brings flowers home from a gig for me, it's because they were offered to him by an event manager, I still feel that the sentiment behind them is just as tender as if he'd stopped somewhere to buy them for me. I can imagine him smiling as he drives home late at night, with a beautiful surprise for me. Oh, he's very sweet.

little break

I need to take a wee break from my blog. I just have to send my camera in for repair (if you're considering buying a Canon, I still recommend them very highly -- the problem here is, uh, a user error). The longer I put it off, the more likely that I won't send it before the children's birthdays, which would be disastrous. So, I just have to do it. And blogging without pictures just doesn't feel right.

This is hitting at a bad time for me, blog-wise, because my site visits have tripled in the last two weeks, and I feel really in the groove of posting. But there is just no getting around this camera thing.

(The sound you hear is just a bit of weeping.)

Please keep checking in! I'll be back as soon as I can be!

Edited: No, it's not just because of my camera, and if you visit me on Flickr, you will have guessed that, because I changed almost all of my pictures to "private" last night -- most of you who I know read this are already on my contacts, but if you are not and would like to be, please email me or add me as your own contact on flickr. I haven't had a specific "freak out" incident, exactly, but I suddenly just felt really uncomfortable with my children's images being "out there." So I'm going to lay low while my camera is away and think about this a bit. I know that most of you have grappled with these issues, too, and ultimately we can each only do what feels most comfortable to us. I'm not exactly sure what that is going to look like for me. I haven't felt well (mentally) yesterday & today, and I'm sure that's a piece of it, too. Don't worry too much ~ I'm definitely coming back! Please do continue to check in. Canon thinks they'll keep my camera about a week, plus shipping time on either side. So, I plan to be back within two weeks, having thought about this "sharing my children's images" thing a bit more clearly. xo, Grace

Morning

I just wish to thank everyone who has been leaving me such kind comments, and Jenn, for her very sweet recent post. I really feel the love; thank you so much.

Have you visited 3191 yet? Wow, talk about inspiring! I think it's worth the cost of my internet connection alone.

I am a closet morning person. I am really struggling with coming to terms with this fact, because I've always gone to bed late and gotten up late. But I hate staying up late. I am not a huge fan of dragging myself out of bed early in the morning, either, but when I do, I function so much better in the morning hours.

Looking at mav & Stephanie's beautiful images on 3191 over the last couple weeks has really gotten me to thinking about morningtime, and what I want our mornings to look and feel like. I certainly do not want the morning to be full of chaos. I believe that the mood of the morning really sets the tone for the rest of the day. I want to strive to make mornings a more peaceful, quiet, and centered time in our lives. (Right now they are just kind of free-form and "messy" -- fortunately we don't have the "getting out the door" problem to make it really challenging!)

So, since it's January, I'm resolving to create more peaceful mornings for my wee ones and me this year.