Birthday pinafore

As I said previously, I had been planning to make a linen smock for Elisabeth's birthday for some time. When I saw this berry-picking pinafore last fall, I made my mind up to do a similar one for Elisabeth, especially since berry picking is one of our favorite family activities. Of course, knowing how much I like the cross-back smocks, I wanted to use that style again. (Elisabeth is refusing to allow this to be called "apron" or "smock", by the way, and insists that everyone say "pinafore.")

I had such fun designing and stitching the "E" embroidery on the front ~ it was definitely my favorite part of the project, and I still get excited looking at it.

I have been working really hard at making my sewing neater, straighter, & more careful lately (I've been especially motivated by this book in that area), making my backstitching and topstitching go perfectly on top of the underneath stitches, and so forth. Right now, I'm still what I would consider to be a "beginner", but I want my stuff to look handmade, not sloppy. I get easily frustrated, and have said many (many, many, many ... just ask my husband!) times how much I hate pinning and pressing and snipping threads ~ all the "extraneous" bits of sewing, right? ~ but I am trying to teach myself to enjoy even those aspects, and sometimes find myself muttering things like, "This is going to be the best pinning job I've ever done." I am not totally there yet ... enjoying the process of sewing (or anything, apparently) rather than just rushing through in anticipation of the "finished product" is challenging for me. But I'm getting better. I think the last few things I've made show my increasing attention to detail.

And I love this pinafore.

Vest

I did, in fact, complete James's Easter vest with plenty of time to spare. I really, really like it, don't you? The pattern was so easy to follow, although I thought I'd try to be smart and make it a little bigger since the measurements in the pattern were for a baby just a wee bit smaller than James. Anyway, were I to make it again, I wouldn't add quite so much length to the arm-holes. It fits him just fine, but looks a little weird at the shoulders, mainly because I just went too long.

My own mistake aside, I would highly recommend this book, and this yarn! Wonderful knitting!

Five years old!

Today Elisabeth turned five. Five! It feels so significant to me; for five years I have been someone's mama. This little girl has created so much change in me in the half-decade that she has journeyed with me. My little girl, my fierce, tender one. My firstborn child, she who made me a mama. She entered this world with the same ferocity with which she continues to live her life, and quickly turned our lives upside down. She has motivated us in so many ways ~ as parents, as individuals. I have learned more from her and through her than I would've been able to in many lifetimes had she never joined me. What a gift she has been, in her intensity, her force of will, in her needs that we have learned to meet as best we can. In this challenging, spirited child, I see my own flaws reflected back at me as through a microscope, and sometimes I feel like I am facing my own ugliest self. The awe-inspiring thing about a child is the ability to transform that very ugliness into beauty and growth for both of us.

As fierce as Elisabeth is, as individual, and sometimes stubborn, she is a generous, creative, fresh, and deeply sensitive soul. She approaches empathy and tenderness as vehemently as she approaches everything else.

I am amazed by her "five-ness" in so many ways already ~ she seems at once so much like a "big kid" now and still so small. I just can't wait to discover what this year holds for all of us. Many new adventures, no doubt.

Happy birthday, sweet girl. What a joy it is to celebrate your presence in our lives!

Smockafore

Because I truly do need more ways to use the word "smock."

(Sorry for the photo quality on these ... it has been very gray around here of late.)

Elisabeth has a friend who is just two days younger. When the girls were little toddlers, her mother and I used to get stopped and asked if they were twins when we were out and about together. It's true that they look very much alike ~ both are tall, curly-haired, blue-eyed little ones. Both are high-intensity, strong personalities. They're so similar and yet so different. It is amazing to me to see how they have grown together.

Anyway, in addition to Easter and Elisabeth's birthday, we have sweet Miss L's birthday  this week (oh, and another little friend's birthday next week ...) So, this gift is the first of many you'll see posted in the upcoming days.

This is not the first time I've made one of these apron/smock/pinafores in the cross-back style, though it was the first time I'd done it in linen.

I'd been planning to make a linen one for Elisabeth's birthday for several months, but since Miss L's birthday party came first, I ended up making hers before starting Elisabeth's. I decided to use my favorite Stitchette pattern for the pocket, and used turquoise and purple floss in the design because they are colors which remind me of her. I'd begun the embroidery before I even thought about what fabric to use as lining. Quite serendipitously, my order of Freshcut fabric arrived this week, and the stripes matched the embroidery perfectly. I am really, really happy with the way this came out, and I hope Miss L likes it, too.

{These cross-back smocks can be seen all over the place lately; Alicia's smocket pattern is the same idea, and Amanda made some using linen recently, as well. The design is traditional, and can be seen, among other places, in an early 20th century illustration on the little brother in the book Ollie's Ski Trip by Elsa Beskow. I adapted my design from a pattern in The Children's Year when I first made one. This style of apron has also been sold at Magic Cabin in the past -- we have one of theirs from about three years ago -- although I don't know if they still carry them.}

A Special Day

It seems like I dropped off the face of the earth, right? Nope, I'm still here. I just don't know how some of you manage to keep up on your blogs even in the midst of busy holiday weeks. I even have a backlog of ideas for posts. But ... well, at least I'm here right now!!

I was informed on Monday that "April threeth" was Claire's birthday, which was the very next day. So, a birthday party was held on Tuesday afternoon, complete with birthday crown, of course.

We made Elisabeth's "Secret Recipe" for chocolate chip cookies (see below), and enjoyed birthday festivities fit for such a special dolly.

When I created these dolls for my wee ones, I made them partly because I wanted them to have this style of doll and wasn't in a financial position to buy them for full retail price, and partly because I wanted to try the project. I figured that they would be enjoyed and played with, but I did not anticipate how much of a companion Claire would actually become. She is in Elisabeth's bed every night, and she is the first doll for whom we've had to have a "real" birthday party.

I know that I could gloat about how much this thing that I made for my child has become a treasured possession, but, truthfully, it isn't about me. Those dolls carry a magic beyond what I could have imbued them with; they are as magical as if they had been made in the real elves' shop (they were a Santa gift) and not in my tiny workspace in stolen moments. I have relinquished the credit for them, and it's not difficult or bittersweet for me at all. In fact, I am grateful for the opportunity it gives me to step outside of myself and believe in magic that much more.

Elisabeth's Secret Recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mix together:
Eggs
Milk
Vanilla
Butter
Powdered Sugar
Flour
Chocolate Chips

Flour rolling pin; flour mat; roll out. Cut into teeny and big circles with a cookie cutter. Put on tray. Bake for 2 seconds; they will be poofy and hard.

Welcome, busy April

It seems that April is one of the busiest months of the year for our family. Of course, Elisabeth's birthday on the 10th is huge. But Easter also falls in this month (most years), and there are a slew of other birthdays -- from my brother, to nieces & nephews, to two of our family's closest little friends -- to prepare for and celebrate.

So, I'm spending a lot of time looking over my "lists" (don't laugh -- I go completely crazy without them), planning & making gifts, cards, Easter goodies, and birthday party fun. There has been much knitting going on over the last week (the vest will be completed in time!), and there are still some sewing projects to complete before Elisabeth's birthday. And we'll dye eggs, of course, and probably do some other Easter crafties ...

Of course, during all of this busyness (yes, I know that is not the correct spelling of that word), spring is sneaking up on us, and my wee ones are getting off to bed before dark. After their bath the other night, this fact really seemed to feel "real" to all of us, and there was some impromptu frolicking on the grass in summery pajamas before going in and settling down to some poems.

And then it's back to work for Mama. But not without a treat.

{Edited: I so rudely neglected to share what this treat actually was. It was strawberry sorbet topped with vegan chocolate chips and some coconut that I toasted in my toaster oven. I don't know how many times I've mentioned our allergies on this blog already ~ maybe 70? ~ but, James and I are both allergic to milk. So, no real ice cream for me, and no milk chocolate, either. Although, honestly, I don't really mind about the chocolate bit, at least. Chocolate is neither here nor there for me. ;)}

Smocktacular!

Yes, I just said smocktacular. Wouldn't you?

Although it really feels like a long time since the estate sale where I picked this up, I realized today that it really has been less than two months. I found it kind of balled up among the fabrics at the sale; clearly a project (I'm guessing it was to have been a long-sleeved dress for a 3- or 4-year-old originally) that had been abandoned long ago. It had bias binding around the neck that was ripped, and a large rectangle cut out of the bottom edge on the back. The sides were not sewn together. When I first grabbed in it the frenzy of the sale, I thought I'd use it for the fabric. But when I got home and looked at it more carefully, I knew it would be perfect smock for Elisabeth.

So I washed it, ironed it, sewed new binding on, made a tie. And then it sat, and sat, in my fabric pile as I mulled over how to repair the rectangle cut out of the back. Then I bought a bunch of tree fabric from Superbuzzy, and it inspired me to try the patches across the bottom.

So last night, I finally decided to go for it. I cut 16 3-inch squares and pieced them across the bottom with no rhyme or reason. I embroidered an apple onto one square. And then I just sewed it all together.

And Elisabeth? Elisabeth was so very excited to wear her new smock to an art class this morning. 

Just a bit of joy

Last night was my sister's wedding reception. They got married privately (some would say they eloped) a while back, but really wanted to celebrate with a party for family and friends. I was the "event photographer," a task made quite challenging by the fact that the lighting in the place was really bad ... I ended up having to resort to built-in flash by the end of the night. (I think more disappointing to me than anyone else, of course.)

To say that my sister and I are extremely different would be a huge understatement. I think the characterizations "earth mama" and "glamour goddess" would not be too off the mark. But anyway, she was the first sibling I ever had, and we shared a room, along with much play and many secrets, growing up. She has had a very, very hard road over the last 10 years or so, and the fact that she has found someone to love, who truly loves her, is so huge that it's difficult to express in words. I am deeply thankful that this has happened for her.

Last night, at the very end of the party, my mom and brother and I asked the DJ to play "Footloose", a song that we had choreographed as children, and used to dance around our living room to it over and over. (The DJ at first refused ... long story ... and had to be strong-armed into it by the venue manager. Not a way to get hired back by a venue, let me tell you.)

Anyway, there we were: me, my two sisters, our brother, and our mama standing in the middle of the dance floor, arms around one another, huddle-style, crying for joy to "Footloose" because our sweet sister is finally happy. (This is supposed to be a joyful post, not a crying one!) It was a wonderful, crazy, fun, sad, amazing moment, one I will never forget, though it's not captured on film (or digitally!).

It was one of those "big" moments in life where no previous amount of struggle or anger could even begin to touch the awesome joy of that moment. (Moments like those make being fully present easy!)

Yarn for the vest

I decided that this vest really was calling my name to knit for James to wear on Easter. (And many times thereafter, I'm sure.) I've been wanting to try some of the Cotton Comfort (80% fine wool, 20% organic cotton ~ yum!) yarn from Green Mountain Spinnery for a while now, but didn't have a specific project in mind until now. It's the yarn featured in the book, which made the choice that much easier.

My wee ones and I had a nice time winding the hanks into balls yesterday (really, who needs a swift when you've got two little ones?!) Well, actually, I wound it while they played in it. It took a bit longer, with more tangles than if I'd done it alone, but really, where else would I rather be?

And the yarn is so yummy. I love that it has just enough cotton to give it that light feel, but the wool gives it beautiful stretch and drape. I haven't cast on yet (one can only do so many projects while sick), but I know I'm going to like working with it. I'm really excited! Now, let's see how fast I can be!

{PS: Thank you all so very, very much for your many get-well wishes over the last few days. I have determined that I probably do not have strep throat (my sore throat has been steadily improving), but I'm still quite sick. As many of you know, when mama is sick, it kind of seems to knock the whole family out. Fortunately, I don't seem to get sick like this very often, and my husband is extremely good in times like this. I am still optimistic that I can complete a skirt for myself by Saturday and manage to be the "photographer" for my sister's wedding party. Because, you know, just going and taking the pictures is not enough; I really need a new skirt for the event!}

funny

Still no picture, alas. Still so very, very sick. I am really hoping to be better by Saturday, because it's my sister's post-wedding wedding reception that night, and I am on the books to be the photographer!

Anyway, this is kind of funny -- it shows how deliriously sick I am, and how I should be in bed, not on the computer. I was just looking at this blog to check that the formatting looked all right & everything, and I got caught up reading yesterday's poem. Then, I apparently forgot whose blog I was reading, because as my eyes wandered to the sidebar, I noticed that this person had a lot -- wait, all! -- of the same books on her "Reading" list. My heart skipped a beat a little. Wow! What an incredible coincidence! And then, after being a bit confused for several seconds, I finally realized that this was my own blog. I am going straight to bed now. ;)

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

a birthday book

In the tradition of copying great ideas, Elisabeth and I made a fabric book for James's birthday. (I am a firm believer in the "imitation is the fondest form of flattery" concept.)

Most of the photography is Elisabeth's; those that she did not take herself were selected by her, and she dictated the captions under each photo. One thing I learned in this process is that my sewing machine is not intended for quilting. However, it was great fun to select the fabrics, and though I haven't done very much sewing in the last ... well ... ever, it was exciting that some of the pages used fabric from things I've made for James, like the cushions from his high chair & a couple pairs of pants.

It was so cute when he'd see a picture in the book, and then look around the house for the person or object (or doggy) shown in it, and he'd just laugh, and look back and forth between them, and laugh some more.

These are my two favorite pages. Nursing is so very important to James & me; it is really a special time for us to connect, which I'm finding feels even more vital with this second wee one of mine. And do you see what Elisabeth had me write under the right-hand page? "This is you, and I love you." Awwww.

And, although these photos have nothing to do with the book, I really had to share them:

He really loves grabbing those candles. Eeek!

Because picking up pieces of the cake with his fingers would have been a waste of time. ;) He was so surprised when we all laughed at him for doing this, but then he bent his head right down to do it some more!

Oh, and I do have to recommend this cake recipe -- it's the Applesauce Cake from this book. Very wholesome, and oh-so-yummy. We have enjoyed this cake on many a first (and second ... and 30-something) birthday with friends. I really had to do an icing this time (second child and all), and since James & I are allergic to dairy, I did a Seven Minute Frosting which was beautiful and fluffy when I made it 40 minutes before icing the cake, and flat, goopy, and a bit marshmallow-y when I actually put it on. When the recipe says "use immediately", I think it probably means it. Oh, well. It tasted good. ;)

One year old!

Today is James's first birthday! I just cannot believe how fast this year has gone.

One year ago, I was cradling my newborn boy. He was born first thing on a snowy morning. I awoke with some mild contractions, but I wasn't really convinced it was labor at first. I wasn't due for almost 3 weeks! Within a few minutes, though, the contractions began in earnest, and we called my midwife and my friend Rachel who was coming to be Elisabeth's support person. Fortunately she lives very close! By the time Rachel and my midwife's assistant arrived, I had been in labor for about 30 minutes, and I was already pushing. My midwife came in just in time to catch him, 60 minutes after the beginning of labor.

James entered this world peacefully, gently, quietly, and his birth seems to have been a foreshadowing of his personality. He is a quiet, tender little soul who amazes me constantly. He's remarkably mellow (especially when compared with the powerhouse of Elisabeth!), and almost always seems to be in good spirits. He has been such a blessing to our family, and especially to Elisabeth, who completely dotes on him. Witnessing the unfolding of their relationship has certainly been the greatest blessing over the last year, though it has been a year of tremendous growth for all of us, especially me, as I've grown into my role as mama to two indredibly different wee ones.

There has been much celebration today, and more to follow this evening. What a joy to celebrate having this little boy in our lives!

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

on seeking mindfulness

The subtitle of this blog is "working toward mindfulness." I know that mindfulness is a word that is tossed about rather casually, but for me, it is really a defining element of my life and work.

I am a person who seems to have a million things going on in my mind at all times, and I really struggle with being fully present in the moment. Part of my journey, I know, is learning to be more gentle with myself, knowing that having so much going on in my mind has allowed me to learn new things and pick up new skills that I may not have attempted, or even considered, otherwise. And part of my journey is working toward being fully present more of the time.

I have a favorite quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, which "lives" on my desk where I can be reminded of it throughout the day:

If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not 'washing the dishes to wash the dishes.' What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact, we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea, either. While thinking of other things, we are barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus, we are sucked away into the future -- and we are incapable of actually living one moment of life!

In my life as a mama, this process is most often expressed as a need for consciousness in my daily choices with my wee ones. Whether it's lighting a candle at bedtime, sitting down to breakfast with Elisabeth instead of just throwing it at her when it's ready, or taking a child into my arms when we're both feeling frustrated and out-of-sorts (rather than walking away or snapping), the day is filled with opportunities to make conscious decisions about my interactions with these incredible souls.

I need to remind myself often that none of this is a formula. Lighting a candle at bedtime does not make me a "good" mother; it does offer the chance to pause and savor a sacred time in a child's life. Because life is a process, not an arrival, right?

And I am very, very blessed to have these wee teachers in my life, because no one is better able to live completely in the moment than a child. As a I see James take complete joy in discovering a cat or watching objects fall as he drops them, or as I observe Elisabeth, engrossed in an art project or important imaginitive play, I am given a fresh opportunity to be reminded (again and again) what it is to be fully present and joyful. Today.

so very beautiful

I'd been eyeing the beautiful work done by Jenny of Queenthings for quite a while before she moved to South America last year. After getting herself settled, I was so thrilled to see that she was not only doing a shop update, but she had created this amazing, amazing Secret Garden project of narrative jewelry. I knew immediately that I had to have one of the pieces. It was, of course, very difficult to choose just one, but I ultimately settled on this stunning flower seed necklace -- which, in her words, is designed to evoke "a flower seed packet [that] had suddenly come to life around your neck."

I really, really love this piece and have been wearing it almost every day! And, because I love it so much, here's another (headless) shot of it on:

lunch fun

Months ago, when Amanda first put placemats up in her Etsy shop, I really fell in love with the "winter bird" ones. They sold, of course, while I was still trying to make a decision. I emailed Amanda, and she graciously agreed to make some more for us after the holidays (which was super kind because she normally does not take custom orders). Anyway, they came quite a while ago, and I've just been behind in sharing them. (We got two.)

Elisabeth has been enjoying using them for her lunch. (These lunch shots are from two different days. I know it's hard to tell since she apparently has the same thing every day.)

Elisabeth really loves the fact that her little bowls and cup fit so perfectly over the little circles on the left-hand side of the mat, and the fact that the (very pretty!) napkin has its own pocket.

Oh, and regarding our lunches, because I think you'll ask ... we seem to have soup on most days (generally leftover, but canned on occasion). In these photos, she's also enjoying cherry tomatoes, pears, and Annie's bunny crackers.

more birthday goodness

Here's some more birthday goodness. Natural Knits for Babies and Moms, a gift from my friend Laura (who happens to be sweet C's mama, as well). This book has become an instant favorite. I am just not sure what to make first!

First off, I absolutely adore these booties. They are just perfect in their complete simplicity. I love the garter stitch on the soles.

Awww, look at that peaceful wee dreamer.

I instantly loved these mittens. Look at that stripey, mitteny goodness!

I cannot resist the cuteness of these kimono sweaters. Oh, so yummy!

And finally, the vest. I never really thought I was a vest person, until I saw my son in one at Christmas, when I promptly changed my mind. I love the subtle striping on this one. So cute! Is it calling my name for Easter?

two of the three

Mmmm. Cherry pie. Courtesy of my mama. (An aside: it's only been since I started this blog that I began to refer to her as my "mama" -- we've always just said "mom" -- but then I found out that she'd always wanted us to call her "mama" but my dad couldn't break the habit of referring to her as "mom" around us. I have been very insistent since Elisabeth was born that I am to be called Mama and nothing else! I hate the name "mom"!)

Anyway, by now I'm sure no one wants to hear me complain some more about my slow internet connection. But really, I've been trying to upload these pictures for two days, and the session just keeps timing out, and I keep giving up. So, at least one birthday goodie is going to have to wait another day.

Thank you all so much for your very sweet birthday wishes! I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I ever got 492 comments to a single post!

So, there was no snow on my birthday (though it's snowy today -- a belated birthday surprise from the heavens, no doubt), but plenty of cherry pie and these wool gifts. The pink is locally spun and handpainted (sorry, can't give away where "local" is) and the blue is just Lion Brand, from the craft store, but I was immensely thrilled with Elisabeth for picking it out on her own when taken to the craft store to choose something for me. She knew it had to be "100% wole" (as she says). She also made this for me:

It's a "hair tie." Obviously.

This was also a good year for book-gifts. My husband gave these two to me. The left one has already helped clarify some things for me (I have a new-to-me serger), and I already have many plans and ideas for the one on the right!

And these, along with this, were from my parents. I love taking pictures, I love my camera, but I want to be able to photograph objects better than I've been able to so far. I am happy with my pictures of my wee ones, but I have not yet discovered how to "style" a photograph of food or my own creative works so that the photo looks really beautiful. These books are good photography books, but not quite in the exact vein that I need. Any recommendations?

We had a lovely, quiet dinner out with my parents and the four of us at a small family-owned Italian restaurant where they still serve the old homemade spaghetti, and plenty of good wine. Then we came home, ate pie, and enjoyed the Academy Awards. Because what could be more fun on your birthday than a night at the Oscars, right?!!

Since it's my birthday...

I thought I'd try to do one of those "About Me" lists. I'm limiting it to 50 items because ... well, I think it's hard to read more than about 50 at a time. ;)

1. I'm the oldest of four children, with only 5 1/2 years between me and the youngest.

2. My siblings are two sisters and a brother. (The brother is the third child.)

3. I talk to my mom almost every day.

4. I was homeschooled from age 5-18. My husband was warned not to date me by someone who knew this about me because this person assumed I would be extremely sheltered and uptight.

5. I am uptight, but more in a Type A way, not in a "repressed" way, like that person thought.

6. My husband is 10 years older than me. We got together when I was 19 and he was 29. He was a jazz musician. I was a classical cellist. It was all very scandalous. (Eye roll.)

7. The one thing that irritates me more than any other is misuse of apostrophes.

8. I am really, really into the Renaissance and also a huge Anglophile. My favorite historical figure is Queen Elizabeth I, which leads to...

9. My favorite movie of all time is Elizabeth. I saw it 4 times in the theater and have watched it about 90 times on DVD.

10. My other favorite movies are Love Actually and Pride and Prejudice, primarily because I cannot resist Colin Firth jumping into ponds.

11. My mom is way craftier than me; I just aspire to be like her one day.

12. I am a true auditory learner, which most people find to be some sort of oddity.

13. Another thing which many people are surprised to find out is that my favorite color is pink. Apparently, I do not seem like the type of person whose favorite color would be pink. By the way, it's not hot pink. It's shell pink.

14. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be "The Queen" when I grew up. (Most of the other little girls were saying things like "a teacher," or "an astronaut," or "a veteranarian." But not me. Nope. I was going to be The Queen.)

15. Prior to being homeschooled, I went to preschool for two years. I once lied to the teacher at my preschool about being allergic to oranges so I wouldn't have to eat the pith. She made me eat it anyway. I also once told that teacher that I had a 12-year-old brother who would be picking me up from school on his motorcycle. No wonder my parents decided to homeschool me.

16. I was Completely Obsessed with Anne of Green Gables when I was a girl. I also really liked Laura Ingalls & Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm & Caddie Woodlawn & A Girl of the Limberlost and all that. But it was Anne of Green Gables who held my true loyalty.

17. I kind of want to live in the olden days. I think Elisabeth does, too.

18. Since I'm so high strung, it's a good thing that my husband is a really mellow guy.

19. I am really good at languages and often unconsciously imitate the accents and inflections of people to whom I'm talking.

20. I am really obsessed with Dave Matthews.

21. I have lived in 12 different homes; 9 of those were in the last 10 years.

22. I drive a Subaru Outback wagon, which I've had for 6 years.

23. Despite being Type A, I am really messy. My friend Rachel says that this is called "anal expulsive" in Freudian terms. Not sure what to do with that information.

24. I am typing this one-handed while nursing my baby.

25. I was on swim team for several years in my early teens. I am a more-than-competent swimmer, but I'm still afraid of drowning!

26. I love Martha Stewart and I'm not afraid to admit it. I don't think she was guilty, either. And I really, really miss Martha By Mail.

27. The two things I find most difficult about my daily blogging goal is naming posts and the hideously long process of uploading pictures.

28. I have always struggled with naming things I've written. So much so, that in a poetry workshop in college, I named every one of my poems "infinity." I had some excuse that since everything is contained within infinity, that everything was comprised of infinity. Or something.

29. I say "hideous" a lot. A lot. I have my daughter -- and most of my friends -- saying it now, too.

30. I have not struggled with naming our children, however. Both of them were named long before they were conceived. James my favorite boy's name since I was 12!

31. Speaking of names, I use my maiden name. It has rarely been a problem. I am fine with people referring to me by my husband's last name in family situations, though it does bother me if people refer to my children using my last name.

32. Now, don't get all up in arms about this one, but I don't really care for chocolate. I like hot chocolate. But not chocolate candies.

33. Also, that doesn't really matter anymore, because I found out last summer that I'm allergic to milk, so I can't really have many chocolatey things anymore, anyway.

34. The only thing I really miss is ice cream. Rice Dream just isn't the same.

35. I am still typing this one-handed.

36. I detest plastic in its every incarnation. I mean, except my camera, sewing machine, and serger. Even as a child, I refused to drink from plastic cups. It has always just been "gross" to me. Now I have environmental reasons to hate it. ;)

37. I read for a minimum of 1-2 hours every day. I used to read novels exclusively. Now I rarely read novels. I often read cookbooks & knitting books, and books on educational philosophy. A day without reading is a really bad day for me.

38. Before I was a mama or even a musician, writing was my first love. I've always aspired to publish something (don't know what yet).

39. I have many, many favorite books. Off the top of my head, some of them are: Pride and Prejudice, Millennial Child, Mitten Strings for God, Shakespeare's Complete Works, Eats, Shoots & Leaves, The Return of the Native, Lord of the Rings, You Are Your Child's First Teacher, and lots of others that I won't list now.

40. I collect stuff. All sorts of stuff. Hobbies, vocabulary words, vintage ribbon, paper, fabric, magazines, rubber stamps ... I just hang onto it all.

41. Other than the things that really count (my family, etc.) my three favorite things are: wool, cherry pie, and snow. A snowy day snuggled in warm woolens eating cherry pie is pretty much a little bit of heaven.

42. I really hope to take singing lessons at some point during my life. I'd also like to begin cello lessons again, just for my own growth as a musician, even though I already have a degree in it.

43. Being a musician has opened so many doors for me and literally changed my life.

44. I have the temper to go with my naturally red hair. My poor family. The one good thing is that I usually cool down pretty quickly and do not carry grudges.

45. I am a total homebody. I would rather stay home than anything else.

46. My husband and I dream of moving to a more rural area.

47. I wish I were more into nature than I actually am.

48. I love making fresh lemonade.

49. My favorite flower is the tulip, and I love that it's in season for my birthday.

50. Here I am on my first birthday. I love my birthday and I look forward to it like a little kid every year. This year is no exception! I am so excited that it's my birthday and will be enjoying a fun day with family!

OK, so now that I've shared, won't you all add something about yourselves?

Happy Birthday, Sweet Friend

Today is the sixth birthday of Elisabeth's first friend. We met C when she was 16 months old and Elisabeth was but a wee babe of three months. Her mama, along with two other women, formed my core of support in those early -- sometimes stumbling, sometimes jubilant -- days of motherhood. For three years, C and Elisabeth were the only girls in our collective growing brood. (Now a total of 10 children between the four of us -- 6 boys and 4 girls.) And at first, that 14 month age difference seemed huge. But the girls have grown together and I take such joy in observing their friendship.

Writing this post is a whole flood of emotions for me. Both in the realization that this girl, this one-time baby, is a big six-year-old now, and in the sheer nervous energy left from this huge project, completed yesterday:

With this having only been my third doll to complete, it was still a learning process for me. But I came to love this doll as much as the others I made. In fact, parting with this doll, whom I lovingly dubbed "Frances" during her making, was a little tragic for me as I dropped Elisabeth off at the birthday party this afternoon.

It was is a huge lesson in letting go for me. I am not just letting go of a doll, you know? Of course you know. I'm having to let go of all that crafter's anxiety: "Will my handmade gift be good enough? What if she doesn't like it? It would be like rejecting me! Or is it too much? Oh, dear, is this gift over the top? " etc. And then, there's that whole letting go of our children bit. You know, because they're actually growing up. Right before my very eyes.

More about the doll. I used the vintage strawberry fabric from the recent estate sale, orange yarn hair in honor of our little strawberry-blonde friend, vintage shell buttons on the back of her pinafore, and vintage ribbon on her knittted shoes. (All other materials are new.)

I also made her a birthday crown (100% wool felt, but not plant-dyed) to coordinate with the crown I knew C's mama was making for her this year. Not knowing what the doll's eventual name would be (C's crown has her initial on it), I just embroidered a strawberry of my own design.

You can see more pictures of the doll on my flickr page.

Happy birthday, sweet C!