Favorite Photo Friday

getting ready...

Little bit of a break there. We were all dealing with sicknesses and have been busy getting ready for the holidays. I am happy to say that gifts have been made, baking is done (almost), cards have been sent - and there is still a whole week left! I have never been this organized at Christmas time, and it actually kind of amazes me. I am excited to show you what I have been sewing/knitting/baking, however, it will have to wait until after Christmas since they are gifts for people who stop by here on occasion.

I hope every one is slowing down and remembering to enjoy the little things at this hectic time of year. Easier said then done, I know...but it's worth it.

Favorite Photo Friday

I love this picture of Jeremy and Odessa so much. Although raising little ones is downright hard work - these little moments make it oh so worth it.

Alpaca Farm

We headed out to the Alberta Rose Alpaca Farm early Sunday morning to visit with the animals and check out the yarn and knitted items they had for sale. It was such a great morning! Odessa and Stella enjoyed watching the animals...at a safe distance, of course (apparently, they spit!). The alpacas are very, very cute, and they all had names - all fifty of them!

I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the yarn they had for sale. I came away with a 100g hank of 100%, undyed alpaca yarn.

My mom also bought me this beautiful scarf which is so soft and very warm.

This kinda makes me wish I could keep some alpacas in our backyard. They would like that, right?

Birthday Quilt

Our family decided to give only handmade gifts to each other on our birthdays, so this will be my gift for Odessa. I wanted to give myself lots of time since Christmas falls right in between then and now, so I got started on it this weekend. I had purchased this fabric a while ago and was saving it to make something extra special, and I found the perfect pattern in a quilt book my grandmother gave me from the '70s. The color combination and prints remind me so much of Odessa; very fun and cheerful, yet delicate. I've decided I'm going to have to get it professionally quilted though, since I don't think my sewing machine can handle one this size.

Odessa always gets excited when she sees a quilt now. She likes to sit on my lap while I'm using the sewing machine and "help". This "helping" usually lasts for about four minutes and then she gets all squirmy and wants to get down, but it is really sweet. 

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all had a happy Halloween!

We sure did!

Favorite Photo Friday

One of the last pictures taken of Odessa and her beloved soother. It has been a week and a half without it now, and my little girl is getting along just fine. She even threw them in the garbage all by herself. Were there tears? Yes. Was it hard to get her to sleep most nights? Absolutely. Am I just a little sad she is no longer a baby? Of course.

Favorite Photo Friday

Good Day

Since I have tried on numerous occasions to knit a pair of baby booties for Stella, and failed miserably, I decided to turn to the internet. I really wanted a pair for her before she gets too big for booties, and handmade is preferable, so I came across Mama Rosa's Knits. Mama Rosa uses all natural fiber blends and has lots of really adorable things to choose from. She also takes custom orders. Exactly what I was looking for!

They arrived yesterday and are perfect! I love the colors.

 

We recently switched Odessa from the crib to a toddler bed. To make the transition a little easier, her baby now sleeps in a bed as well. So, of course, she needs a quilt! I had been wanting to make one for that little bed for a while now, and finally got around to it yesterday. Great project for using up scraps. Odessa was even able to help - by help, I mean picking up all the little scraps and stuffing them into the pillow. 

It was a good day.

Online Quilt Festival

I came across this great idea today! Park City Girl is having a quilt festival...online! I have to write a post about one of my quilts and then I could win stuff! Sounds pretty great to me.

Here it is! My first finished quilt. I love it and all its flaws. I actually made this in a beginner quilting class about a year ago. Up until that point, I had only been piecing together quilt tops, because I had no idea how to finish them. This quilt has made its home on our rocking chair in the living room. Because the living room is where most of our time is spent, it really does get used a lot. In fact, I'm glad I came across this quilt festival when I did instead of two days ago, when it was covered in baby spit up. It just came off the clothes line today; fresh and clean and ready to have its picture taken.

Favorite Photo Friday

Living Simply with Children

"Simplicity and childhood are natural counterparts. Left to their own devices, children lead down-to-earth, uncomplicated, genuine lives" 

- Marie Sherlock

I am enjoying this book so very much right now. Written by a "simple living" advocate, and mother of two, it has given me some more wonderful ideas when it comes to living simply. It's amazing how having children changes your beliefs. It makes you more aware of your surroundings, it transforms your values, and children help you to see the little things.  Ever since Odessa was born last year, we have slowly been trying to live "simpler", not only for us, but the environment. To name a few; we now buy used clothing whenever possible, use a library card (a LOT), become more aware of where we are spending our money, and have been using household products for cleaning. This book has just helped me to refocus and to realize, even more, what matters most in families.  

The first part of the book explains why kids/families need important rituals, less "stuff", and less exposure to corporate America. The second part of the book goes on to explain how to follow through and raise environmentally conscious children. There is also a good portion dedicated to helping kids with peer pressure. Very useful information for any family wanting to simplify.

Favorite Photo Friday

"I love you, mommy"

Odessa said "I love you, mommy" for the first time today. I couldn't be happier.

looking up

Last week was long and tiring. It felt like there was no time to be creative, as both kids were sick with colds. Helping them feel more comfortable was my number one priority. On top of that, there were plumbing issues to be fixed, a run-in with a moose, and what felt like mountains of laundry to be done (I had fallen a little behind). But, it's the beginning of a new week, and everyone is safe and getting healthy and has clean clothes once again. Time to start enjoying autumn.

Favorite Photo Friday

Happy Birthday little Pukster!

Good Idea

I found these on the internet and thought it was such a good idea, so I made some up today while the kids were napping. They're great for little ones who can't seem to stop eating Cheerios. I do buy the little plastic sandwich bags for dry snacks in the car and on the go, and although I do reuse them, I thought this would be a better option. They are washable, cute and better for the environment. What more could a mom ask for?

(If any moms out there want me to make up a couple for them, just let me know!)

Peach Orange Conserve

Not only is this delicious, it makes your house smell amazing while it is gently simmering away. It is so simple, except maybe the peach peeling part - but it is well worth it!

Peach Orange Conserve

2 oranges, unpeeled

1 tbsp coarsely grated lemon rind

3/4 cup water

8 cups coarsely chopped peeled peaches

6 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 stick cinnamon

3/4 cup slivered blanched almonds

After scrubbing oranges, slice thinly and coarsely chop, discarding any seeds. In small saucepan, bring oranges, lemon rind and water to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

In large Dutch oven, combine orange mixture, peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 55 minutes. Stir in almonds; cook for 5 minutes or until setting point is reached. Remove cinnamon.

Remove from heat; skim off any foam. Pour into prepared canning jars, leaving 5mm headspace. Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.

 

Beach Day

Yesterday morning we packed up our things and headed out to the beach. Since it was a Monday, we were all by ourselves most of the time. We spent the day searching for frogs and fish and watching birds. What a beautiful day in September.

Favorite Photo Friday

makeup

When Odessa was about thirteen months old, she found my purse on the floor, opened my makeup bag, and held the eye lash curler up to her eyes. This was a huge changing point for me. No thirteen month old should know what to do with an eye lash curler. Don't get me wrong, it was adorable, but I realized then that I don't want my girls introduced to makeup. Not at all (wishful thinking, I know), but especially at such a young age. It was overwhelming to think that I, as their mother, will play such a huge role in the way they feel about themselves and their bodies. I decided at that point, the makeup had to go. Both for me, and my girls. 

I don't want them growing up feeling like women need makeup to be beautiful. The little bit of makeup I owned went in the garbage that day and I felt better. If they want to wear it when we feel they are old enough, I'll let them. But, as their role model, I want them to know it's not necessary.  

Saturday

Saturday really was a perfect day. Both babies napped for four hours...at the same time! I couldn't believe it. It was so nice to get some cleaning/relaxing/baking/knitting in during the day. Usually, I have to wait until the evening, and chances are, I don't feel like doing anything at that point.

The apple raspberry pie turned out beautifully. Trust me, if the kids hadn't been sleeping, it would've been a lot darker...and crispier...

Odessa enjoyed some good play time in the garden.

In the evening we headed over to my grandparents house for a wonderful meal cooked over a fire. It was such a nice night, and because of the long nap mentioned earlier, both babies were in wonderful moods.

We ate and talked and laughed. 

Favorite Photo Friday

"wash dishes!"

I'm really hoping this girls' love for dish washing continues well into her teenage years.