wood you be my friend?

I painted these wooden doll pins to be play people for Malcolm about a month ago. They have eventually evolved faces, but otherwise they remain very simple in nature.

When I first conceived the idea to make these my thoughts were going all out: hair, clothes, personality. But when I finally sat down one afternoon with the paints and pins, I gave myself some guidelines: keep it simple, and finish before M'boy wakes from nap. Because, I knew if I didn't they might never happen. Keep it doable. I didn't worry too much about perfection - partly because the sponge brush I was working with wouldn't have allowed for it and partly because perfection was not the point.

We are having some fun playing with them. This morning Malcolm was feeding them "eggs for breakfast". Some times he uses them as drum sticks, sometimes he covers their heads with a singe red mega block (this probably needs a picture for you to get the idea), and sometimes he puts them to bed and then says "wakeup".

Side note, one week ago today Dave and I celebrated 5 years. Just as marvelous and mysterious as witnessing a fern unfurl. Love you Dave.

meditations on a peel of wallpaper

I'm getting back in the grove of posting here again, so even though it is 9:40 and I feel I could crawl into bed right now I'm going to put out a few words just for practice sake. Today I spent Malcolm's nap time peeling, scraping, and stripping down wallpaper in the side entry. There's more to come down there, and in the kitchen, and in the nook, and in the bathroom, but at least I gathered up the courage to start it up again. Entering the house greeted by partially peeled light house wallpaper is not feng shui. In fact it is like walking head on into a wall of blocked energy. Even though it is still in the partially peeled state as I write, at least I gave part of that wall a nudge towards a new direction. I put on some music and as I started peeling away, shedding the layer, my mind went to that relaxing place where it can wander where ever it will. Do you know that feeling? Don't you love it? When the task at hand is so mindless that it actually can become mindful meditation? Could it be called productive zoning? Although I can't recall them now, it sure felt like I was having some deep thought at the time. Funny, right? Can you see me now in sneakers on my step-stool, scraper in hand, humming along, tapping my toe, wallpaper falling to the ground, thinking "deep thoughts"? That was me. What do you want to bet that future wallpapering sessions will have lost some of that magic? That's okay, I picked up this month's book club read on CD from the library today so that should help me get through. And speaking of feng shui, there was a Feng Shui for Beginners CD on display at the library that I threw in the basket, why not?, I'm mustering up all the help I can get. So now I ask you for your deep thoughts, what's your favorite kind of productive zoning?


{See the light houses?}


(About the ferns last posted, if you want to hear Oliver Sacks thoughts on ferns and time and all sorts of other interesting things give this a listen from Radio Lab's 1st season. Become a Radio Lab fan today, you won't be sorry.)

fern

{unfurl - May 1}



{unfurl - May 27}

cookie dough

Just cause I feel all springy, I just mixed up some cookie dough this afternoon. Instead of trying to cook it all now and miss out on some of the beautiful sunshine outside, I wrapped up two logs to freeze and have balls in the fridge ready to through in the oven at dinner time.

I was inspired by the yummy grocery pick up from Sarah G. She gave me a package of THE BEST store bought cookie dough EVER that cooked up into amazing cookies. I don't know the name - I'll have to get back to you on that. Help Sarah G.

In other news, yesterday I broke out in hives. Go figure. That happens to me occasionally - and I can't trace it to any food allergy. Feeling great today though. Also, today, I picked up some wood and manure - or maybe "soil" is a better word - for the garden.

Happy Earth Day

{felted earth ball} from cosycottagecreations

This morning it was so h-h-hard to get out of bed, but I suppose that is to be expected on the 2nd day of this early bird schedule. Malcolm is sleeping so I'll treat myself to a little nap now too.

peas & beans

Happy Monday everyone.
Here are two pictures from Friday that I wanted to share.

{planting beans and peas}
Malcolm helps me water them with his little .25 cent watering can when he wakes from nap.

{Oh, this boy makes me so happy.}

We are hoping to make room for some more gardening this week. I picked up this book which has been helpful. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Our family had a little of "this and a little of that" over the weekend. (If you know what I mean.) I've decided I am going to be waking up with Dave in the mornings. Since he has to leave for the hospital at 5:25AM I wrote out a schedule working back from that time and figured our alarms need to ring at 4:40AM. We gave it a shot this morning and as early as it was it worked beautifully. Dave was able to get ready while I fixed him some oatmeal (my specialty) and packed some lunch. I had some peach tea and we were able to visit a little. We worked in 10 minutes for him to get geared up for the bike ride and he left with a kiss right on time. I then had a few hours before Malcolm woke which I filled with some writing, a little cleaning, some yoga, and a hot bath. With these early early bird mornings (that are new to me, not to Dave) we are going to do better about getting to bed sooner. The target is Dave and Sarah in pj's by 8:30, bed by 9:00PM. That's our plan for the standard work weekday. I will allow myself to stay up late for special nights such as book club, but only because I can catch a power nap during the day while Malcolm sleeps. Wish us luck.

cheese and books - life is good

I went to my 1st cheese tasting gathering. A rich an intoxicating world of cheese is beginning to open up for me. It was such a great idea, a few friends with everyone bringing a different cheese. {Photo's taken by the talented Sarah P.} Made us think, what other kinds of tasting gatherings could you have?


The Respite Book Club met and was fantastic as always. We read Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. My favorite line of the night was when someone said, after a long explanation of something, "I don't know where I started with this but I sure had fun talking about it!"

{open}

spring drawstring pouch

This was a quickie to put together. I had some fun with the round and round stitching. I like the way the doubled up stitches over lap for some visual pull. The floral patch makes me think of looking out a window. I think it will be good for all the out and about we are doing in this nice weather. Easily holds my camera, wallet, tissues, lip balm, and a treat or two - all the things that other wise rattle around in the bottom of my bigger bag.

out

We're becoming regular porch dwellers.

{boy, pail, basket}
And,

welcome to the Robin family that has moved in next door.