This Moment

Joining Soulemama for {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Lovely Little Walk

We are so fortunate to live in this area abound with ocean, woods and mountains.  We try to explore as much as we can and discover new things near our home.  This cave Corey is sure must be a dragon cave, and for that reason opted not go inside.  The woods in spring are so full of surprises lots of little streams and brooks that will be soon gone as the sun dries them up.  This was a lovely walk much needed by all of us (dogs included).  It's amazing to me that we all seem to take a deep breath after a bit of time out in nature and can feel just a bit more whole. 

Yarn Along

Joining again in Ginny's yarn along. It's so fun to see what everyone is reading and making!

The yarn is again the Zauberball crazy from last weeks post.  The Stella Pixie hat came out so lovely (no pictures, I think I'll wait and see it on the sweet babies head).  But then I decided that this new little babe would need some leg-warmers to match.  The yarn is just too fun!  I didn't use a pattern for the leg-warmers so there is no link but when it all goes up to ravelry I'll be sure and post a link.
As for reading I'm finishing up The Dirty Life, this book has been getting lots of talk lately and I personally LOVE it!  I've laughed and really enjoyed the story.  Yesterday at the hospital gift shop of all places I found this book pictured above.  When Mother Let's us Garden.  The book was first published in 1909!  If you haven't seen this series please investigate!  The first sentence in the book is "The very nicest kind of fathers and mothers will always let you make a garden."  I mean can you stand it!  So unbelievably sweet and full of practical gardening advise for the little gardener in your life!  Now, here is the really great news;  I discovered this am that it's so old it's archived and available for free here!  I'm so excited to share this find!  There is a whole series of these books from the beginning of the last century!  I found When Mother Lets Us Sew today too!  I'm tempted to print the whole darned thing for Molly.  It looks like there have been some reprints of the some of the others (play, make gifts, cook) on Amazon so I don't know that they will be free on line.  The bummer of the reprints is that the lovely artwork has been replaced, I'll be keeping my eye out for some old versions of these books for sure.
Thanks to Ginny for hosting, can't wait to see what others are up to.

update:  I found more here!

Just Plain Fun

That's it, our weekend was just plain fun.  There is a new pile of gardening books from the library

A new jump rope is getting much use

We've started a new play area in the trees...the plans include much more but we've got to start somewhere

Dad was eager to try out the new swing made by Molly and Mom

There was chalk art

Visits to family that always include good food and a little basketball

The newly discovered (around here anyway) Chinese jump rope

And more projects waiting to be unveiled

Like I said...just plain fun.  How was your weekend?

wonderful imagine childhood giveaway!

Wow, Just had to post about this super give away over at imaginechildhood !  Such a fantastic give away, honestly I'm hoping I win because my little nature kiddos will simply love it all.
I think I'll get some of these nature study cards  if we don't win the give away.  They seem perfect to keep in the backpack while we're off adventuring in the Maine woods, mountains or on the ocean. We're stuck inside today with some pretty cold rain, but I still feel spring in the air and look forward to many outside adventures in the coming months. 
The kids seeds are beginning to sprout:

I can't wait for lettuce and greens from the garden.  Not to mention bright flowers everywhere, I cleaned up the front perenial beds yesterday and was thrilled to see all that is starting to come up already.

The emotional changes that I have spoken of with the change of seasons are in full swing and I welcome them with a deep breath and warm smile.  Enjoy your weekend, may you breath in deep spring feelings of joy.

This Moment

Joining Soulemama for {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny again this week for the yarn along.

In the knitting department I've started work on the stella pixie hat for a friends baby (No I haven't finished Molly's sweater, but I can't resist starting something new).  I'm using zauberball crazy sock yarn purchased at Halcyon, what fun I can't wait to see it on a baby head!
As for reading I've started the much talked about Dirty Life by Kristen Kimball and I love it.  Some have found her musings a bit offensive, but it doesn't bother me I find it quite enjoyable and humorous.  I've also been looking through one of my hospital booksale finds Country Women a handbook for the new farmer.  Another book I got for a dollar.  I love book sales, this one is full of just about everything I need to know about farming, what a steal!
I can't wait to see what others are knitting this week, fun!

A Wonderfully Perfect Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and it was practically perfect in every way.  After a super yummy breakfast of Molly's homemade banana bread we headed off to Damariscotta to see some old shell middens.  There isn't as much left now, but a lovely trail with some great views and a neat look into coastal history.

some exposed shells mostly covered in earth now

exploring the apple orchard

a view across the river to more shell heaps

a perfect spot to rest

Next we went to the quaint little town of Damariscotta Mills where there is a fish ladder for alewives who fight the crazy strong flowing currents to head to fresh water every spring and reproduce.   There is a big restoration effort going on right now to help with repairs and rebuilding of the fish ladder that was started in the early 1800s!  It's a little too early for the fish yet, but the kids really love it here and we thought it would be fun to see the early spring water flow.  Boy was it flowing!

high spring water

wet feet from over-flowing walkways

part of the fish ladder

We walked to the top of the ladder and back down again.

little lake at the top of the ladder

boardwalk coming back down

Back at the bottom we were pleased to come upon a fairly large group of geese having a little snack.

clearly these guys are used to human presence

Before heading back home what trip to Damariscotta Mills would be complete without a trip to Alewives Fabric?  I could spend hours in this place and so could Molly.  We bought some simple blue cotton to make  the woodlands shirt for both kiddos.  It's so sweet I can't wait to get started.  The big excitement at the store though was we just now realized that Oliver & S has started making patterns up to size 12!  I find their patterns so sweet but last I had checked they were only going to a size 4T.  Molly picked out the ice cream dress.  We are going to make it with the bliss fabric for moda I've had for too long. 
Finally my perfect day ended with my sweet husband making fondue for dinner!  He makes a mean fondue that is finished off beautifully with a pineapple upside down cake made by  Corey. 

Corey adding nuts to his cake

fondue

Corey' pineapple upside down cake

I am one happy mama!

little bits of love

This was another work weekend for me which often means I see my sweet family very little.  While this makes me sad I do love my job and feel fortunate what I do when away is so amazing, special and profound.  I mean if you are going to have to work and be away from loved ones I can't think of anything much better than helping new babes into the world.  I saw some amazing moms over the weekend and feel humbled by each of them and their strength and determination.
I also love that when they are without me and sometimes their dad, did I mention Greg had a gig over the weekend too!  They are still having fun, they are happy and secure.
There was a gymnastics meet to attend:

Poor Greg and Molly put in a lot of driving for this one.  Normally we stay the night, but when there is a gig at home and mom is at work you drive....
Corey spent the night with my aunt and uncle (he finds meets a little long sometimes) who he adores.  They went the driving range, played games and ate lots of ice cream.
And finally there was a much needed visit with grandpa yesterday that included sushi, a movie and a trip to the Narrow Gauge railroad.

 

I feel so fortunate this morning!  Here are some more little bits of love I'm feeling right now:

I've been coveting this skirt for a while and am seriously thinking about treating myself.
The kids and I have got to make these, seriously cute.
I love this this song and get a little giddy every time I hear it.
This guy takes some beautiful pictures.
Think the kids and I will go here today (it's my birthday so an adventure is a must).
And since we're heading that way and it IS my birthday we may have to stop here.
Enjoy your day and any little bits of love you find.

This Moment

Joining once again with Soulemama {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

fresh air

It seems as though the spring cold that has entered our house has found it's way to me!  I want nothing more than to stay in bed, but it's simply gorgeous outside so I'm thinking fresh air is what I need today.
I let the kids have at it with some seeds, we're not starting many seeds this year, these are just a few flowers and herbs.

  We just don't have the space or luck when it comes to starting tomato or peppers.  Luckily I've got a friend (you know who you are) who's got some lovely seedlings started, not sure what my tactic will be but some buttering up will be commencing when the time comes:) Of course she does all the same kinds of crafts I do so a trade may prove tough, but I'll find a way. 
I've got the windows open and did manage to bring some more branches in to get that spring feeling. This is the third round of forsythia we've done, they are so lovely and bloom so fast.  I also brought in some lilacs which I've never done before but I saw Melanie over at Our Ash Grove had clipped some and thought "why have I never done that"!

We have plenty of lilacs and I'm beyond excited waiting for that smell. It never lasts long but for a week or so in May sitting on my front porch (or backyard for that matter) is simply intoxicating. 
Now that I'm back inside and the kids have moved on to making mud-pies:

Gotta love that they don't ever seem to outgrow the fun of mud.  Now I've decided it's time to give in to this spring cold.  I've done as much as I can do, these two are content, the windows are open and I must just rest.  Here's to fresh air and feeling better soon.

yarn Along

I'm joining Ginny over at smallthings for another yarn along.  It's such fun and I haven't been joining in because I've got so many different things going on in the craft world.  But here it is.  I've been reading this hysterical handyman's book I picked up at the hospital booksale for $1.  It's copywrited 1962 and it actually has some useful info (though honestly I just love the pictures).

I mean the way the woman is looking up at her hard working pipe smoking man is enough to keep me laughing for hours!
As for the needles, I've started on what I THINK will be a little cardigan for Molly, I got this Araucania yarn that she is in love with.  It's alpaca, merino and silk (so yummy).  The best news is that I got it on closeout at Halcyon yarn.  I'm so lucky to have this place in the same town I live in!  walking in the front door just makes you smile.  I've been playing with knitting patterns recently so I'm sure there will be more posts about this sweater as it progresses. 
Behind the book is another one of the sweet little crochet jacket that works up in a few hours (love that instant gratification!) It's a lovely yarn that was handspun by one of the flower girls from my wedding!  How cool is that?  It's a gift for a friend who knows she's having a girl.
thanks to Ginny for hosting this fun little knitting group.