tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75772431407527570352024-03-12T21:08:57.962-04:00Creative Endeavors in a Busy LifeIris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-69907467278377553502012-12-02T13:07:00.001-05:002012-12-02T13:07:51.351-05:00Goodbye Blogspot! Hello Wordpress! Google informed me that I was at peak storage usage for photos recently. (And rather abruptly with no warning!) And they didn't make it easy or intuitive to figure out what to do next. Newsflash: easy and intuitive is what it's all about!<br />
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It was easier to go start another blog over at Wordpress. I hope you'll consider joining me over there at the new home of <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Creative Endeavors in a Busy Life</a>! Please subscribe by email or RSS to continue to stay up to date with all the busy-ness around here.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
IrisIris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-8687112260822376762012-10-27T20:24:00.002-04:002012-10-27T21:41:35.276-04:00it's ok to fail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently overheard someone say that she was "just the right amount of helicopter parent." Oh dear. I edged away from that conversation quickly and suppressed my gag reflex. The very idea of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent" target="_blank">helicopter parent</a> is odious to me because I feel like it's fundamentally disrespectful of children and childhood. (But <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/317267" target="_blank">this episode</a> of Portlandia is hilarious.)<br />
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There seems to be an assumption in helicopter parenting that the process of growing up is something to be constantly monitored and watched, cultivated carefully: add the right amount of water and make sure there's no weeds because you're adding enough Miracle-Gro.<br />
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And no, I'm not talking about letting my children grow up feral and untended. There are a lot of risks associated with living a normal, healthy life that could result in broken bones and broken hearts, hurt feelings, flopped exams, burnt almonds (when you are hoping for lightly toasted), books left out in the rain, etc. And hopefully we all get out of childhood and teenage-hood relatively unscathed, alive, and with all of our friends and family. Hopefully no one loses an eye.<br />
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So Sylvan wanted to make a fire. I said sure, make sure it's on a rock and have some water nearby. He got the bricks himself and he brought the hose over. I watched him smother a few fires and said nothing. I didn't need to. This wasn't my fire or my process.<br />
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He figured it out. And then decided to create a small blacksmithing forge. Something about pounding pennies or can lids. He thought of the safety goggles and oven mitt himself.<br />
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It's all about failure. Trying things and being wrong and being OK with that, and being creative enough and flexible enough as a thinker to move on to the next idea. What good is the answer if someone just hands it to you? It's like pie crust in a box.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRwEiLACpsU5RtZFCvu9Y1N8aSuMDVYFYdnc9h1jEe5a1mF_0DYBEf6GPM4SLnIOYxRqJYLgpmWvnT9sLrAw_ZFbnboBYTipKpAfrJUh9N_EmKUDPnVv3qXbwflmPqRUMK63B1nXGRu9l/s1600/DSC02114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRwEiLACpsU5RtZFCvu9Y1N8aSuMDVYFYdnc9h1jEe5a1mF_0DYBEf6GPM4SLnIOYxRqJYLgpmWvnT9sLrAw_ZFbnboBYTipKpAfrJUh9N_EmKUDPnVv3qXbwflmPqRUMK63B1nXGRu9l/s320/DSC02114.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Jonas is working on his 8th grade project lately. Each 8th grader at Waldorf schools create an original project during the course of their 8th grade year, with a timeline, goals, and a mentor or two. The projects are unbelievably diverse and creative. Jonas is developing a game, one of those crazy complicated games that he loves playing with rules that take all day to even read, those games that take a certain type of brain which I most definitely do not have. Here he is, doing a trial, figuring out the variables of the rules and potential ways they could effect game-play. My brain hurts.</div>
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I used to buy pie crust in a box. Ew. Totally gross and full of a chemical flavor that was nasty. And then I decided that it was just something I had to figure out how to do. At first I couldn't have anyone in the same room with me. I had a lot of failures that ended up in the garbage or as free-form, ugly pie crust babies, and I did not want anyone's help or anyone to witness my escalating frustration and sometimes yelling. They left me alone, believe me. </div>
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I hope that I'm just the right amount of "I love you," "I'll be here if you need me," "I'll help you pick up the pieces," and "I'll be cheering for you forever."<br />
<br />Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-21788647643706899092012-10-08T13:35:00.000-04:002012-10-08T13:35:09.406-04:00on names and naming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>that is approximately 14 squash too many, </i></div>
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<i>according to my family</i></div>
Here is one of my special talents: in our family, I am the Namer. Stumped on a name for your Playmobil figure or new stuffed animal? I can help. Chicken names? No problem. Upon seeing each of my boys in their first moments, I knew immediately what their names should be out of those preselections we'd made. It took Mr. Crafty a bit longer to come to his own conclusion, but in the end we were in agreement both times.<br />
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~~~Ladies and gents, I present to you our new vehicle! I knew two things when I saw her first in person: 1) she is a she, and 2) her name is TootleBug. Sylvan disagrees. He insists that she is a he, and that <i>his</i> name is…<br />
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<a href="http://www.ronpaul.com/" target="_blank">Ron Paul</a>. Yes, after the US libertarian presidential candidate. "But mom, I think they're alike." Pause. "Really? In what way, Sylvan?" </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">"Well, because Ron Paul has strange ideas and our new car is kind of a strange color."</span><br />
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We have agreed to disagree on this one.</div>
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Are you wondering how my new job is going? It's going so well that every day is like waking up on Christmas Morning. Really?! I get to go back and do it all over again?! So. Much. Fun. Sharing books with students and making connections with students and teachers; most of all, feeling part of a learning community and doing my best to support and augment the good things that are already happening.Last week I had the distinct pleasure of teaching 10 classes of 8th graders (over 400 minutes!) about banned books, intellectual freedom, and how library selection policies work, in celebration of <a href="http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/" target="_blank">Banned Books Week</a>. I love it.<br />
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<br />Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-60672322596162642112012-08-27T20:44:00.000-04:002012-10-02T15:40:50.434-04:00...and we're out...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night of summer vacay. Am I ready to go back to school? </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Well. I love being on vacation as much as the next librarian, but I've just had <i>so</i> <i>much</i> summer, it's been so rich, we've been so lucky, had so much time together as a family and with a lot of people we love. It would be greedy of me to say no.</span><br />
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The answer is yes, I'm ready to head into my new adventure.<br />
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I'm full of summer.<br />
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It's been enough; perfect, really.</div>
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I've seen my share of discarded silver sandals and plenty of flipflops at the various ponds, beaches, docks, and parties we've frequented. And taken portraits of them when I could.</div>
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And I have one more <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/search?q=artist+profile" target="_blank">Artist Profile</a> for you in the works. But Urchin Goddess needs her etsy site set up first. Now she has the photos to do it! In the above photo, I am modeling one of her gorgeous necklaces. In fact we did a partial trade for it, for the pics. I can't wait to show you more.</div>
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<i>~Lucky, lucky me~</i></div>
Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-83054757808214022562012-08-25T12:35:00.000-04:002012-08-25T12:35:30.930-04:00Artist Profile: Orange Iron Fabrications<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uZ0FDiXbYhn3TF0iRhttMkYudjEPgXCoG0aKQ3WaJsvvw7RswwvU_RvJ1iSzNJuUMRxMV084fPfZnAIp7iVn3IPnmc9uvA49vJjMxofRNnXFB8jQbSqg0aBsiQ3yfXv39imlaQiDfK4K/s1600/DSC01407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uZ0FDiXbYhn3TF0iRhttMkYudjEPgXCoG0aKQ3WaJsvvw7RswwvU_RvJ1iSzNJuUMRxMV084fPfZnAIp7iVn3IPnmc9uvA49vJjMxofRNnXFB8jQbSqg0aBsiQ3yfXv39imlaQiDfK4K/s320/DSC01407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Lately I have been asked to document some artists' work. What a pleasure for me! So for the next few posts, I'd like to introduce you to some of these very special, creative people.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuR9Cqoos1VfzwZ7nXgiasx_0APE-9dvomIZ90uPczq6VvGOrZ7GBOw5cv-j_rTMV7QLUeIuk_LFDoDOfaYXMbc30tSnc7FAE2p5KA2bSR76YcJ7U_7W_VYAUzPp_dWGhb4LfLiNfIMpE/s1600/DSC01416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuR9Cqoos1VfzwZ7nXgiasx_0APE-9dvomIZ90uPczq6VvGOrZ7GBOw5cv-j_rTMV7QLUeIuk_LFDoDOfaYXMbc30tSnc7FAE2p5KA2bSR76YcJ7U_7W_VYAUzPp_dWGhb4LfLiNfIMpE/s320/DSC01416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
You may remember my friend Kate, from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/orangeiron" target="_blank">Orange Iron Fabrications</a>, who I have blogged about <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/search?q=orange+iron+fabrications" target="_blank">here</a>. Kate has also sculpted in metal, but her current work is felt-based forms, some of which are wearable. The ones you see here are currently being shown in Small Point, Maine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxcenQRVvkdnk6wad6wu5XjV5LQaShOzz9zyiIQzoYAWeZmMWkKFBB_sw1ufBMwZr9dQMeRSyNEWF0E2J1uUyO8I12aVwgUspUeo21NSbII1o1E_5dOnmEhqLZYcmvnPti5ciLr-vAsQK/s1600/DSC01418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxcenQRVvkdnk6wad6wu5XjV5LQaShOzz9zyiIQzoYAWeZmMWkKFBB_sw1ufBMwZr9dQMeRSyNEWF0E2J1uUyO8I12aVwgUspUeo21NSbII1o1E_5dOnmEhqLZYcmvnPti5ciLr-vAsQK/s320/DSC01418.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
So these wall pieces are all wet-felted first, then machine stitched as you can see in the detail from the first picture. The stitching sort of boosts up the forms, and to enhance that further, Kate stuffs them a bit, resulting in these lovely luscious bumpy parts that make you want to run your hands on them. Kate has mounted them on custom-cut wood-backings, then tacked down at the edges.<br />
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This piece here is a top view of Small Point itself---brilliant! Check out the Google map, <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&q=small+point,+maine&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x4cad7146d744cc6b:0x9a2f171d8d79def9,Small+Point&gl=us&ei=eqc3UNmLCoWe8QTqgYGQDg&ved=0CH8QtgM" target="_blank">here</a>, and zoom out so you can see what she has based it on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMwPcXRaRQFff5I1SQ7fV6ZSfPm-9nqE_luinRdHCJAxw_l78qDJXwOpDKpFzWrlsAkTbys_x_oIcSH-c3yDmsR9VWysq-m-GW7-Ak6tuPFum2bUalrjhlMmmtglIqcDPHfHiLb9g9-MZ/s1600/DSC01424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMwPcXRaRQFff5I1SQ7fV6ZSfPm-9nqE_luinRdHCJAxw_l78qDJXwOpDKpFzWrlsAkTbys_x_oIcSH-c3yDmsR9VWysq-m-GW7-Ak6tuPFum2bUalrjhlMmmtglIqcDPHfHiLb9g9-MZ/s320/DSC01424.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
So swirly and ocean-y.<br />
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This one was one of my favorites. I love how the reds and oranges progress in saturation like bubbles; the overall form is very pleasing to me. The fleece Kate uses comes from lots of places and one of them is the groovy, wind-powered, <a href="http://www.hopespinnery.com/" target="_blank">Hope Spinnery</a>, which specializes in natural dyes.<br />
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And how about this sweet little scene with the <a href="http://small point one design sailboat" target="_blank">Small Point One</a> sailboat design, a boat specifically made to race the Small Point waters! Colorful and so quintessentially Maine. I like that little purple-sailed boat hustling to catch up with the fleet.<br />
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Thanks for letting me spend time with these colorful pieces, Kate. They are gorgeous!Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-19667706555757789862012-08-21T13:02:00.001-04:002012-08-21T13:02:38.694-04:00Artist Profile: 101 Bedsheets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRU96w2S__LLREGyszENAL_9JTE9W04Pzz8k2pWBx-4OeT9cqTkA0KhThOIh5TiOaI451zuC6y52mGcVq01mO2l3O5A0oTTcvoBmo9EiZMGMvAkOggU0L3FrR6vv9A6oUmK5E3ujgUDdA/s1600/DSC01731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRU96w2S__LLREGyszENAL_9JTE9W04Pzz8k2pWBx-4OeT9cqTkA0KhThOIh5TiOaI451zuC6y52mGcVq01mO2l3O5A0oTTcvoBmo9EiZMGMvAkOggU0L3FrR6vv9A6oUmK5E3ujgUDdA/s320/DSC01731.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Lately I have been asked to document some artists' work. What a pleasure for me! So for the next few posts, I'd like to introduce you to some of these very special, creative people.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33uW0kxATtnG0OL3bGkmdNEwVQkAsgwuOD-x0o0NnKHzWK4O2rsdLAaSV9bBSRsMwGWrdsw8EkuKh3Fbm8-ylPyoGmmxQbfOjfBvWLwTMXK23hQuEVPfTbTBC8ASJtv3eX00Die5d5zl/s1600/DSC01701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33uW0kxATtnG0OL3bGkmdNEwVQkAsgwuOD-x0o0NnKHzWK4O2rsdLAaSV9bBSRsMwGWrdsw8EkuKh3Fbm8-ylPyoGmmxQbfOjfBvWLwTMXK23hQuEVPfTbTBC8ASJtv3eX00Die5d5zl/s320/DSC01701.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<i>this is Barbara, the dress form</i></div>
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Today I feature the work of a 13 year-old sewist and designer, Ella Simon, who has been teaching herself to sew. She may have used a pattern once. As in, <i>one time in her life</i>. (Um, friends, do I need to say that this boggles my mind?!)<br />
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<i>note the cute keyhole detail on the back</i></div>
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Ella has lots of old bedsheets to play around with, so many of her garments are white, but sometimes she dyes them. Or embellishes them with fabric scraps or a jaunty colored zipper or a fabric bow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmQnjG_4PH3nnwXjjCYyfogmRA0mN_ku3y3xvfrncNKIYLaCHYhsHnm4az_mnIkt8yAUmd10WpbZNmIWvyDcHSEukkvlEAsTxLFMgL_qPN2_g_6MFUnl83pBwUIvKq37sPGzNUZnmqE2B/s1600/DSC01710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmQnjG_4PH3nnwXjjCYyfogmRA0mN_ku3y3xvfrncNKIYLaCHYhsHnm4az_mnIkt8yAUmd10WpbZNmIWvyDcHSEukkvlEAsTxLFMgL_qPN2_g_6MFUnl83pBwUIvKq37sPGzNUZnmqE2B/s320/DSC01710.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<i>princess waist, slightly dropped hem in the back</i></div>
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<i>sweet criss-crossing and pleats on the back</i></div>
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Barbara the dress form needed to suck in a bit for this next one. Particularly in Barbara's rear. There was a bit of pulling and tugging. </div>
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<i>and in this photo, it looks like hugging</i></div>
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This lovely light green number has a zipper that some might say was sewn inside out, with the dingle dangly bit on the inside of the fabric. But this was a deliberate choice by the designer, who liked the more industrial look of the zipper on the reverse side.<br />
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I love the use of zipper here on the front of the bodice, as a completely decorative accent.<br />
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A little overstitching, in the photo below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCVYAVkgjxznf4y0U8ol3nGt-dIQnIiI8IB4-UTG9saotDRI0bPFG5PtBxEoc7QxZJBJLCQOEwBcHwatHkonuVo760k6W42mbA51gob6i1NA-g4WkGNrKHls7Fqxs0fQx4HX1vRNp5WfP/s1600/DSC01728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCVYAVkgjxznf4y0U8ol3nGt-dIQnIiI8IB4-UTG9saotDRI0bPFG5PtBxEoc7QxZJBJLCQOEwBcHwatHkonuVo760k6W42mbA51gob6i1NA-g4WkGNrKHls7Fqxs0fQx4HX1vRNp5WfP/s320/DSC01728.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Some have wondered whether Ella should be finishing every hem and seam. My humble opinion is a definite no. That part can come later, when she cares, when <i>she</i> <i>wants</i> a finished hem. Or maybe she'll end up with a team of sewists who will do this for her.<br />
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This is a young person who takes joy in her creative work, who is making her own visions manifest through exploring the limitations of fabric and the three-dimensional form of the human body. Hooray for the next generation of creative problem-solvers! Thanks, Ella, for suggesting the impromptu photo shoot of you, Barbara, and a few of your pieces.Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-80835362088660036562012-08-07T14:05:00.000-04:002012-08-07T14:05:42.306-04:00The summer that kept going<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mini golfing. The beach. Gorgeous swims. </div>
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In the words of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU" target="_blank">Marcel</a>, </div>
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"Well, that's just how it looks right now."</div>
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If you are ever sitting on an amazing, uncrowded beach, looking at the gorgeous view and listening to the waves, and a small person offers to do your hair, you will be glad that you thought to bring your brush and your red leather coin purse full of hair-ties. Because this is pretty close to my idea of heaven.<br />
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<i>awesome yellow owl, keeping watch over the golf course</i></div>
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There are two mini golf courses nearby us. <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=mini+golf+rockport+maine&fb=1&gl=us&hq=mini+golf&hnear=0x4cadd095509ff003:0x561d7d4ac312ed04,Rockport,+ME&ei=dFYhUPXML4i69QTuvIGABw&ved=0CIkBELYD&iwloc=cids:5708414867137181400" target="_blank">One</a> is the from-a-box, kind of pre-fab, boring and perfect kind (located at letter A on the map). The other is <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=mini+golf+rockport+maine&fb=1&gl=us&hq=mini+golf&hnear=0x4cadd095509ff003:0x561d7d4ac312ed04,Rockport,+ME&ei=dFYhUPXML4i69QTuvIGABw&ved=0CIkBELYD&iwloc=cids:5708414867137181400" target="_blank">this one</a> (it's located at letter B in the map). Privately owned and constructed, awesome and a little bit funky. One hole has a buoy suspended directly over the hole itself that you have to set in motion if you want to have a prayer at getting the ball in there.<br />
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If you are a snob about your mini golf "green perfection," you should go to the other place. Yeah, so OK, some of the greens here have wonky little invisible hillocks and sometimes the astroturf knap is like completely worn down, almost slick, so that your ball gains speed when it otherwise wouldn't.</div>
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It's all part of the experience. The other place has no bright yellow owls, either.<br />
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<i>check out mama's form, </i></div>
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<i>tied for first place, thank you</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZanTiBGgg7wIXxDg1_snfNz35BShbY7LnvurrIVE7cTotiNx4ZLj67antfJBAM0Ye6SRZ5JmahD8wfj2bLRXGaCkYxkkmc_Kd9_wjvQ2b4pLaIqDgo3JQ2pXkmOAyTVkONU9tUeUFsZQ/s1600/DSC01281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZanTiBGgg7wIXxDg1_snfNz35BShbY7LnvurrIVE7cTotiNx4ZLj67antfJBAM0Ye6SRZ5JmahD8wfj2bLRXGaCkYxkkmc_Kd9_wjvQ2b4pLaIqDgo3JQ2pXkmOAyTVkONU9tUeUFsZQ/s320/DSC01281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes your mother wants a picture of you two together and your grumpy face is fantastic. (Smiling pics came later...).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba8DKZQRcSYaMP9VRuq6qW5t6GVXntlYZuxW85kQPIXfh03LtiKCJqYCRsogLQnmmYN_FcCPfjbx9ErQ-tfWCXPkysHdNnStgwTs-zU4gymsmFez7Qm4HA79Vb14ZQBOkCJSEZiV2Kvpi/s1600/DSC01269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba8DKZQRcSYaMP9VRuq6qW5t6GVXntlYZuxW85kQPIXfh03LtiKCJqYCRsogLQnmmYN_FcCPfjbx9ErQ-tfWCXPkysHdNnStgwTs-zU4gymsmFez7Qm4HA79Vb14ZQBOkCJSEZiV2Kvpi/s320/DSC01269.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Oh. And who is <i>this</i> guy?! This guy is clearly not my baby, he doesn't even look much like my ten year-old. He's a total guy's guy here, like a 22 year-old major league catcher who's giving a charming and articulate interview. Holy Handsome, Batman!</div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-47778373255875909322012-07-22T13:06:00.001-04:002012-07-22T13:06:22.881-04:00~snail racing~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3cWmeydlUb4Y1eKA26dNJeSOXp4aCoS2AHiU3WknY93og-3G6OXz08_69QgGYxKPQTBcp81Ef8LWVQCDlayrKi73OKv_TcO0OfI-by_J-zo8qhQtdRjHn1CO18OOMvBWBuF882iAJEwZ/s1600/DSC01120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3cWmeydlUb4Y1eKA26dNJeSOXp4aCoS2AHiU3WknY93og-3G6OXz08_69QgGYxKPQTBcp81Ef8LWVQCDlayrKi73OKv_TcO0OfI-by_J-zo8qhQtdRjHn1CO18OOMvBWBuF882iAJEwZ/s320/DSC01120.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Two snails were racing as the tide went out the other day.</div>
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According to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5576794" target="_blank">The Week-End Book</a>, snails travel at 1.916 feet per hour. Does this figure reflect the speed of snails at leisure? Or an average of sauntering snails and snail athletes? Because these two contestants here appeared to be hustling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoGB7wrRUMJ6OXC8DCqkbh7nBbw_Qm4Mg-koKiqcdAm2E2TjM337RdNDZNu0Vx2bJDx_-p0w1PHOMtQ3Jvk1GO5xbveh3sdPxBrB4XGxVCsOia78kDZLgPk4oAgBIwZs1CJQYA7GtxIqp/s1600/DSC01122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoGB7wrRUMJ6OXC8DCqkbh7nBbw_Qm4Mg-koKiqcdAm2E2TjM337RdNDZNu0Vx2bJDx_-p0w1PHOMtQ3Jvk1GO5xbveh3sdPxBrB4XGxVCsOia78kDZLgPk4oAgBIwZs1CJQYA7GtxIqp/s320/DSC01122.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
I don't know if they made it to the water before the tide went all the way out. Maybe you'd have to calculate the rate that the tide was going out, and this might involve calculating the slope of the beach, and I'm more content to have born witness to the moment that these snails and I shared. Even if I don't know the outcome. Life is uncertain, after all.<br />
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Sand forms. This is part of the Waldorf curriculum: making amazing beautiful free-hand forms, sometimes mirrored, or not, and the idea is that you don't lift your crayon (or stone, in this case) once you have begun the form. You are committed. Being there in the moment helps, trusting your hand and eyes to work together. I asked Sylvan to make me one to copy and this was what he made.<br />
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Some of our party balanced stones as per usual. Though the Stillmans were notably absent on this day, it was really otherwise perfect. (We felt you with us in spirit! Note to S: The water was actually delightfully swimmable, really pleasant even, and not at all ankle-numbing.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJum5gerpz0CoJAnNu3Ei5CdnKA4sUXg22jlvBwv6N1eJ4dKZT6SYaGKflHvzkUKWb_KKAwmdM4laJp2K0bxhyphenhyphen3lUvih8yF5C26VkAKIqMBkpY3UnZEQmx16VOL_b-p9z3fGhFDrFTbP-/s1600/DSC01113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJum5gerpz0CoJAnNu3Ei5CdnKA4sUXg22jlvBwv6N1eJ4dKZT6SYaGKflHvzkUKWb_KKAwmdM4laJp2K0bxhyphenhyphen3lUvih8yF5C26VkAKIqMBkpY3UnZEQmx16VOL_b-p9z3fGhFDrFTbP-/s320/DSC01113.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNCiwEUfiMpcX-hTa3aaY39tHUZSUHCajtBHa0rBiXvzYa_nEIxnzcUWvnqg_ro58iRXixTnqj99a-5HjHfDbKf3EhG2Dnu2AD7SpQDp4sDbpx6LTWFPvDHKCV66MEnWqzm5kQJdQLI9y/s1600/DSC01115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNCiwEUfiMpcX-hTa3aaY39tHUZSUHCajtBHa0rBiXvzYa_nEIxnzcUWvnqg_ro58iRXixTnqj99a-5HjHfDbKf3EhG2Dnu2AD7SpQDp4sDbpx6LTWFPvDHKCV66MEnWqzm5kQJdQLI9y/s320/DSC01115.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-16071840903810237242012-07-19T10:08:00.003-04:002012-07-19T10:09:59.946-04:00::the summer of::<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>wasn't on purpose, </i></div>
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<i>just ended up with a loadful of <a href="http://www.mofga.org/TheFair/tabid/135/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Common Ground Fair</a> Volunteer tee shirts</i></div>
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<i>(because the cool kids volunteer)</i></div>
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Green smoothies, are my new favorite summer breakfast. And let me say that my idea of a green smoothie is maybe different than other ones, my concept is that it can't be OVERLY green-<i>tasting</i>! Or else: blech, I won't drink it. Which gives me zero health benefits. I use my Cuisenart because I do not have a Vitamix. Here is the rough guide for a recipe:</div>
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<i>Pineapple-Kale-Chia-Mint Smoothie</i></div>
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2 T. chia seeds, presoaked for 5 minutes or however long it takes you to do the rest of the ingredients-gathering</div>
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2 cups fresh, RIPE pineapple, in chunks</div>
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Some (1-2 handfuls) baby kale leaves (chard is good too), de-stemmed and torn</div>
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Fresh mint leaves (I like it minty, so I am generous here)</div>
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1 cup or so fresh coconut water that you made yourself (below)</div>
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Maybe a splash of almond milk</div>
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Ice if you can stand the clunking noise your Cuisenart makes when it chops it</div>
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Put it all in the Cuisenart, including the soaked chia, then give it a few good pulses. Delish!</div>
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<i>Coconut Water</i></div>
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1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut</div>
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4 cups warm water</div>
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Mix together in a bowl and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Then strain the coconut meat out. Voila, your own coconut water, a raw food! Store it in a jar in your fridge and use for smoothies when you like.</div>
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This was a strange adventure in culinary practice that we were inspired to try by a friend who has a yummy vegan food blog: GRILLED WATERMELON. Well, it was too weird not to try it! And I liked it, especially the yummy limey-spicy dressing. The leftover dressing could have made an awesome addition to my bubbly water, but someone had dumped it before I could get my hands on it!!! It was a fun addition to our non-vegan burgers on the grill and I would like to try it with a minty-limey-spicy dressing next time. (OK, I'm crazy about mint!) Read WhollyEats' blog entry <a href="http://whollyeats.com/2012/07/12/sweet-and-savory-grilled-watermelon/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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It's the summer of learning to roller skate. I am learning to be a roller derby referee for our local team, the <a href="http://rockcoastrollers.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Rock Coast Rollers</a>! Learning to skate is a big one for me about conquering fears: of things that are new and things that are physical. There are lots of rules, people, and reading them is one thing, and then learning to SEE them in real-time is another thing. I am learning a new, visual, very physical language.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJun-kXO8neecAkV_yA236o7GBJPALV_M0D0VbpLu7a8wLjLUFWitQHOiOsPoBz9mOqAhTmSYU8VCjPApAW5eiejBczoLsq_KA_0NgKYaz3DrdbNE1OsdxX6vQBor2qoyJPpXR3Gdm_Jh/s1600/DSC00996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJun-kXO8neecAkV_yA236o7GBJPALV_M0D0VbpLu7a8wLjLUFWitQHOiOsPoBz9mOqAhTmSYU8VCjPApAW5eiejBczoLsq_KA_0NgKYaz3DrdbNE1OsdxX6vQBor2qoyJPpXR3Gdm_Jh/s320/DSC00996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It is not. like. the. roller. derby. you. saw. on. TV. The analogy is televised dramatized fake wrestling is to actual skilled athletic wrestling. Same thing for derby. These athletes are all ages and shapes and it's an actual sport, with strategy (and lots of rules); it's not about beating people up on roller skates. Practices are all about drills, skills, and sweaty bodies, like any other sport. Have you let go of your previous associations yet?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSzs6UhRDKMiZjgVcJxQF49gQXMOCYfvBu-Z8kqJewMf-868z7P5QEG7js9sCsH_tgb93dHGx32Bo_616vlbHpi98DzcASWysK_K-5dcKH5hCsivktU80wBjJqYsZ2ZDjf7X0AglXf9Ve/s1600/DSC01101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSzs6UhRDKMiZjgVcJxQF49gQXMOCYfvBu-Z8kqJewMf-868z7P5QEG7js9sCsH_tgb93dHGx32Bo_616vlbHpi98DzcASWysK_K-5dcKH5hCsivktU80wBjJqYsZ2ZDjf7X0AglXf9Ve/s320/DSC01101.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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One night a week, Sylvan is allowed to come to practice with me. He is, of course, brilliant. Which makes me proud and sometimes a little bit jealous, because it is just so effortless for him, so graceful, intuitive, and fearless (without being reckless). </div>
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Here are his new 10th birthday wheels! Brand new Atom TrakAtak wheels for a boy who likes speed. The amazing owner of <a href="http://www.turntwoskateshop.com/" target="_blank">Turn Two Skate Shop</a> in Portland researched wheels that would be right for his smaller sized skates and the wheels arrived in record time. We stuffed ourselves with birthday dinner and cake and ice cream, but then we just had to go to practice last night to try those puppies out. He's getting the feel for them, and the feel is very different from his old ones, so he took a couple of exploratory spills.</div>
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Just look at him, running on his toe stops like a pro.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CwgXDQ_mrnivuNG4IloMO_2aEnadd37IuLg80SLkW6pHaEJBmwotXDuQNPgHz_hxp4iuj4zRkJ0YTwMUlDyFMWGrux-xzfAgsutenbVb3K9qIF5t_EoZKiRkhk-7DdHP9O-PxQQDQqwr/s1600/DSC01107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CwgXDQ_mrnivuNG4IloMO_2aEnadd37IuLg80SLkW6pHaEJBmwotXDuQNPgHz_hxp4iuj4zRkJ0YTwMUlDyFMWGrux-xzfAgsutenbVb3K9qIF5t_EoZKiRkhk-7DdHP9O-PxQQDQqwr/s320/DSC01107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's that handsome boy, whose roller derby name is SylvInsanity, on his birthday:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKm2HtwupBNY8gcW5Zk6F3v-Huqms4-1Fj3fYWP95CU1EDZ8D2Kdv1QeZzLPMAbafpk3tl7EjUMqD7MtVOehHqruoIsSHNc_qzZaQXWTNf8KEWO4Lx1EGrf9-D5Qpdfwlq7VW2Eie_2-Y/s1600/DSC01051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKm2HtwupBNY8gcW5Zk6F3v-Huqms4-1Fj3fYWP95CU1EDZ8D2Kdv1QeZzLPMAbafpk3tl7EjUMqD7MtVOehHqruoIsSHNc_qzZaQXWTNf8KEWO4Lx1EGrf9-D5Qpdfwlq7VW2Eie_2-Y/s320/DSC01051.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Leaping through the air and life, as always...<br />
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The bluebirds are back! They were here ten years ago when we first moved here, tapping on the windows on the morning of Sylvan's birth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgnhYH-2XngLaUrECyQSyp27a2Odt0eeLlfz3yvmZBIBNxzi5eLt5jLcrl0U3yTd61pgx4d39La1DNzxw3hwsAMV8Uj1ADEj2QrCgbnUXCXL40uy8iyvR5yffx3JmipLZtnstPymXjSwA/s1600/DSC00995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgnhYH-2XngLaUrECyQSyp27a2Odt0eeLlfz3yvmZBIBNxzi5eLt5jLcrl0U3yTd61pgx4d39La1DNzxw3hwsAMV8Uj1ADEj2QrCgbnUXCXL40uy8iyvR5yffx3JmipLZtnstPymXjSwA/s320/DSC00995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now they are nesting in the box on the end of my clothesline, overlooking our garden. The papa bird is not thrilled when I hang out the laundry, so he swoops around, and I just keep assuring him that we are so happy his family is here but also that hanging the laundry and weeding the garden are part of the rental agreement.</div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-46425897207508892032012-06-26T16:07:00.000-04:002012-06-26T16:07:13.766-04:00ah, summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>mr. twinkle eyes</i></div>
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The baseball season wound up with success. The main success in my mind is kind coaches and good spirit of the game, plenty of runs, catches, surprise double-play unassisted (!), even a rainbow. A very dear young fellow who was sometimes kicking flowers and dirt and other times making some awesome plays, best smile on the team! And my very own sweet guy was a team leader, praised by his coaches for his sportsmanship and manners.</div>
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We spent the day as a family on Mount Desert Island to celebrate 13 years of marriage. We hit all the high points (ha!): Pirate's Cove mini-golf (I got a hole-in-one!), then lunch at our favorite beach with plenty of rocks to skip and balance, then one of our favorite hikes up Parkman Mountain, catching up with friends, ice cream, dinner, and a surprise chance meeting with a dear, dear friend on the street!</div>
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<i>these two beauties were collected, then <strike>lovingly</strike> grudgingly tossed back </i></div>
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<i>when informed of the "remove no rocks policy" of the park</i></div>
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<i>he listens to the rocks</i></div>
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<i>kiss sandwich!!!</i></div>
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And now, summer vacation. I made it through my first teaching year! WooHoo! And as it turns out, I have a new adventure coming for the fall... I will be the school librarian at a school for 8th/9th graders in the same district as last year. This is thrilling on a couple of counts. </div>
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<i>red leather chairs for reading: </i></div>
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<i>yes please.</i></div>
First, middle school (early high school) students are my favorite age group. They are prickly and interesting and hilarious and it's sort of a precious time in their lives, one that can be awkward and awful sometimes. (And I love reading YA literature.) There is so much that is possible in middle-ish school that becomes harder with older high schoolers.<br />
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Second: ONE SCHOOL instead of five! One learning community that I can be part of on a day-to-day basis! Hoorah! This is quite exciting, to think of the possibilities for spur of the moment exchanges and developing relationships with teachers and students that I will see <i>every day</i>. I feel so lucky. And am devouring a lot of YA books this summer, which is awesome.</div>
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I visited a very venerable library in Boston this past weekend and I wasn't supposed to take pictures, but I took some before I knew... It was a librarian's geek-out holiday.<br />
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And finally, because we've had a lot of rain and gray already this summer, I wanted to show you something blue and summery. Rafter's delight and lots of silliness and the water was warm enough so I could even stay in and play and be part of the shenanigans. This was a rare moment of calm...Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-86639709546532200632012-06-02T13:23:00.001-04:002012-06-02T13:24:43.545-04:00one fine day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks for your kind words about the last post. I kind of jinxed myself with it. We were all horrible and stressed the whole rest of that day. It was the little things that turned into big things, like who got to watch a movie, who was kept in the dark about it, who wanted ice cream, who felt like too many people were making demands and didn't deserve things if they were going to make such a big deal of it. Those kinds of days make you glad to get into bed early to try again tomorrow.</div>
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<i>This</i> day was a lovely, fine day of celebration with friends, however. And everyone was nice.<br />
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<i>baby strawberries</i></div>
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Some people have little daughters who are camera-magnets for me. (She takes the same two fingers as her sister does.) I love how you can see the smile starting in her eyes.<br />
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<i>the shadow of my big boy Jonas against that gorgeous knit blanket makes me swoon</i></div>
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And now for a gallery of feet pictures, with a side order of sweet dresses and skirts:</div>
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You <i>know</i> I fall for the tiny floppy-floppies every time. Perhaps I need a blog dedicated to hands and feet. If you can think of a good name that wouldn't attract the wrong sort of people, please do post it.<br />
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Delicious wood-fired pizza was served up by the nice folks at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvest-Moon-Pizza/173687525978627" target="_blank">Harvest Moon</a>. I fell off the dairy-less wagon and ate some and it was perfection in the mouth. Crispy crunchy melty savory bites of awesome. Then later came the unhappy side-effects: sneezy and stuffy.<br />
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<i>the tiny dancer stole our hearts</i></div>
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Thanks to our gracious hosts who asked that I bring my camera. There was a lot of wonderful happening all over the place.Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-42348741508813190392012-05-28T11:48:00.004-04:002012-05-28T11:50:28.911-04:00boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These two boys, getting bigger (one of them is bigger than me!) and more independent every day. I know lots of moms who manage the great juggling act of family and kids and full-time work and I am in awe of them. I could not have been either the mom or employee that I wish to be had I gone back to work full-time, even a moment sooner than this year when my boys are 13 and 9.<br />
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<i>Sylvan in mid-air, as per usual</i></div>
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I know I am lucky to have had a choice and a partner and family who were in full support of me staying at home with our boys. Lots of years of challenging financial moments, like the utter panic when a car would need an emergency $600 that we didn't really have. I also remember many hard <i>hard</i> days of parenting in the trenches, when I wasn't a graceful parent, or grateful for being a full-time mom.<br />
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Even though I have a full-time, outside-of-my-house job now, I'm still a full-time mom. But it's not the same kind of full-time work that it was. It's not like nursing babies and waking up all night or going to the grocery store with a baby and a 4 year-old and feeling like I was harboring two ticking time bombs liable to go off at any moment. These boys make their lunches and weed gardens and do dishes and clean bathrooms! (Not <i>always</i> without grumbling...)<br />
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Now it's later nights with a teenager who wants connection with us, which we are (mostly) delighted by, even maybe surprised at! (OK, when I am trying to read in bed I am not so delighted truth be told, as Jonas pointed out.) Or just being nearby to us while he finishes homework and we are doing our school work. He's still affectionate with us, even in public.</div>
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<i>Jonas's beautiful drawings of the lungs for his recent Anatomy block</i></div>
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Sometimes we are crazy and silly and annoying and ridiculous. Sometimes we are in funks and irritated at things that can't change or with ourselves or each other. But I think we've got a good new thing going in this new era, and mostly it seems to work pretty well. Who knew?Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-70223840041896109592012-05-23T19:09:00.001-04:002012-05-23T19:10:03.759-04:00~colormaking~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn8VIrobfhOg2GVXlutr0b2_2e0apJ3JqhThbfaHzwidhY6oT4WbfnlNpu_bA-JZepT9zGnCKR0FFJ3Vi9SvasZYq_6vrRK66g3V2ogQuBxzRvDmlIdqerEY59s2jjn8usgTR8JRD57lE/s1600/DSC00406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn8VIrobfhOg2GVXlutr0b2_2e0apJ3JqhThbfaHzwidhY6oT4WbfnlNpu_bA-JZepT9zGnCKR0FFJ3Vi9SvasZYq_6vrRK66g3V2ogQuBxzRvDmlIdqerEY59s2jjn8usgTR8JRD57lE/s320/DSC00406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spring just keeps springing. We've had wet. And sun. And now humid. Like totally on summer or back to 40 degrees and raining.</div>
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Babies seem to be the new "in" thing to produce for my friends and relations . So I am making these adorable booties, a Norwegian <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/irisdagmar/norwegian-baby-booties" target="_blank">pattern</a> rewritten into a more workable style by me and now on Ravelry.<br />
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Someone turned 18 and for his surprise party, we were asked to wear sunglasses and bring a poem. Sylvan and I penned one in the style of the immortally wonderful John Burningham's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Would-You-Rather-John-Burningham/dp/1587172178" target="_blank">Would You Rather?</a> Here's a sample: </div>
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<i>Would you rather...</i></div>
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<i>Swallow a <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/images/M1224-3-lg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1224.html&h=433&w=650&sz=50&tbnid=yiEEHBWOc6ipGM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtomato%2Bhornworm%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=tomato+hornworm&usg=__EWwcyPsZVM8ARes40VirVRK_Edc=&docid=3S7AmwTVM3wrHM&sa=X&ei=5l29T42MHarX6gHw8-Eo&ved=0CHkQ9QEwAQ&dur=743" target="_blank">tomato horn worm</a> whole,</i></div>
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<i>or chew it up first?</i></div>
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<i>Kick your principal as hard as you can</i></div>
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<i>or run naked through your school?</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGc5q1rheTQy54tElnz3_NQOpfnwHB3psMvsw3BpEyez8yPEdTMYHsROCZLnsL3AKFWIULcDO5f0jMTMZTSLigSc_zSBjGKAYNd9JymG5gk_y4MGaJU9uEtFxvW9yFc_0DpsThICaBb4z/s1600/DSC00126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGc5q1rheTQy54tElnz3_NQOpfnwHB3psMvsw3BpEyez8yPEdTMYHsROCZLnsL3AKFWIULcDO5f0jMTMZTSLigSc_zSBjGKAYNd9JymG5gk_y4MGaJU9uEtFxvW9yFc_0DpsThICaBb4z/s320/DSC00126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Still ever watchful of little feet.</i></div>
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Turns out the Beastie Boys make great music to sew by. I had a Pandora channel going and it was like a tour of 90s hiphop fun. In honor of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/mca-ad-rock-adam-horovitz-beastie-boys-interview_n_1539705.html" target="_blank">late MCA</a> of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnWHSEikwB0Rpv8h9hycor5ndJ84E-pDCKBiVQvCim6d6V4gS20PloE7eyyQygF4cmE2pzRVPdLvGveqzZB45h4kg5cSu_IbuCWWtkDxLPwsHbEEhy954g2DwVq9jDP5U77kWz6V6rZnb/s1600/DSC00135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnWHSEikwB0Rpv8h9hycor5ndJ84E-pDCKBiVQvCim6d6V4gS20PloE7eyyQygF4cmE2pzRVPdLvGveqzZB45h4kg5cSu_IbuCWWtkDxLPwsHbEEhy954g2DwVq9jDP5U77kWz6V6rZnb/s320/DSC00135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the fabric I couldn't leave the store without, at a spring visit to <a href="http://www.alewivesfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Alewives</a>. I purchased 2 yards of this lovely Japanese cotton-linen fabric and will get TWO skirts out of the deal, shorter versions of Amy Butler's <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_display.php?id=27" target="_blank">Barcelona</a> A-line. Two skirts because one half of the vertical length of the fabric is the pretty birdies and the other side is a lovely garden with viney flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLTgOQU53nOf6WTDWcz6JQwp8QZZAxD6EZC9tWaTTyHDASEQc_ReFRUxoVYfo94J-jGTCw-XbMuwloJpXyReEDaG62VmbrUJ688TVOR8EPXNeNOjQitmljnxkq3s4eTL95aGGR7zuvl-C/s1600/DSC00094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLTgOQU53nOf6WTDWcz6JQwp8QZZAxD6EZC9tWaTTyHDASEQc_ReFRUxoVYfo94J-jGTCw-XbMuwloJpXyReEDaG62VmbrUJ688TVOR8EPXNeNOjQitmljnxkq3s4eTL95aGGR7zuvl-C/s320/DSC00094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Two yards of fabric, two adorable skirts. I always feel so awkward when people compliment me on my skirts, like "I'm just the person who knew an awesome fabric when I saw it and shelled out the money."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcn5InZhHy9n7zVRxD_L8MQRirUE4cByzezC_UFOH9aKcHAEG8Si1tW0BHUKaGj_sL9D-P3uEB24Qnxho4PXVi8gbJsFyRYkxjokBhqMEJ0FhEAmPmLwESfvhahCHJwhQt-tiUPTcQNJS/s1600/DSC00179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcn5InZhHy9n7zVRxD_L8MQRirUE4cByzezC_UFOH9aKcHAEG8Si1tW0BHUKaGj_sL9D-P3uEB24Qnxho4PXVi8gbJsFyRYkxjokBhqMEJ0FhEAmPmLwESfvhahCHJwhQt-tiUPTcQNJS/s320/DSC00179.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Well, OK, I made it too. But that's just following directions and Amy writes them well.<br />
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<i>Thanks, Japanese fabric designers for making fabrics that inspire and delight me!</i></div>
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(Another post coming soon to cover the other parts of life like baseball games, friends being silly, and those red skates.)</div>
<br />Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-22611582533456903222012-04-28T15:17:00.000-04:002012-04-28T15:17:33.815-04:00this creative place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkvEd3VwyhhWGfgVpxZQgOg-3UZSD4VXJsOHEq-WmL-TWgTEubirZnkZcKhajmJiGxOWfCeIrjj2_ELr1RDEq8Z6k2v-0dUBmn928scXERJJ00aO2_92d-6KVSYw22YPN-wLTePaHRSDv/s1600/DSC00079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkvEd3VwyhhWGfgVpxZQgOg-3UZSD4VXJsOHEq-WmL-TWgTEubirZnkZcKhajmJiGxOWfCeIrjj2_ELr1RDEq8Z6k2v-0dUBmn928scXERJJ00aO2_92d-6KVSYw22YPN-wLTePaHRSDv/s320/DSC00079.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDykjGBulR8J6gbW_1p8o9SN-7Ay22941CxHDRlWldRJ0JEw7jOnqUTGYlN6epY4uPqyskWYN6gJrFT4TXDTAd2cq9Ky4CS7aVa4aObL6a0DO16K5Bc76J-7xyBfvG0qeEDq_0gK59-ZRO/s1600/DSC00084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDykjGBulR8J6gbW_1p8o9SN-7Ay22941CxHDRlWldRJ0JEw7jOnqUTGYlN6epY4uPqyskWYN6gJrFT4TXDTAd2cq9Ky4CS7aVa4aObL6a0DO16K5Bc76J-7xyBfvG0qeEDq_0gK59-ZRO/s320/DSC00084.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Things are happening around here. And readers, we are not moving far away, we just need to move closer in to our workplaces. Our house will be listed very soon and it feels exciting!<br />
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I thought I would show you the fruits of my recent organizing. Imagine this: a clean and neat craft cupboard where I can find everything! "Oh, you need a thank-you note? Second shelf down on the left." "Valentine supplies? Bottom shelf." I got rid of a LOT: a big garbage bag went out to the dump, yard sale pile, and then lots of little bits to special people here and there.<br />
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Knitting project in the works for a lot of babies waiting to be born... Booties meant to stay on little feet that are shaped like little Volkswagon buses, because that is the shape of a nice, chubby baby foot. And if you are a regular reader, I am sure you are familiar with what that looks like. I found the pattern on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stay-on-baby-booties-archive" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, but I had to make a lot of changes to it, so I will rewrite it here when I have finished.<br />
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Sylvan's shelter diorama is finished! He picked the Mongolian yurt. We felted using wet and dry techniques for the yurt and the sheep. And for the base, we got a lovely piece of birch plywood that he made a watercolor wash on, then added colored pencil to indicate grass. He made the figure out of beeswax, and we added a fireplace inside (with a fire made of colored wool), and a little sleeping bed. Do you like the tuft of smoke?<br />
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You can just see the fireplace in the picture below:<br />
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And the beautiful colored pencil geometric construction that Jonas made this week. His shading is really excellent and I love his color choices.<br />
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After the internal cleansing we did, I have so many new ideas about food and my body. I learned a lot about what my body likes, needs, and doesn't like. I learned that I need a big lunchtime salad and that I feel a lot lighter without gluten products. So I have been experimenting with some different ways of baking. This recipe has been adapted from the beYOUtiful cookbook, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/La-Tartine-Gourmande-Recipes-Inspired/dp/1590307623" target="_blank">La Tartine Gourmand </a></i> by Beatrice Peltre. You should get your hands on it, it is so worth a look.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Banana Chocolate Chunk
Muffins---Vegan and Gluten Free</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This will make one dozen
muffins and a small loaf of bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4 T. flax meal soaked in 8
T. water for a few minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4 ripe bananas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2/3 c. canola or vegetable
oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">½ c. applesauce, unsweetened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2/3 c. maple syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 ½ c. nut meal (almond or
pecan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 ½ c. brown rice or millet
flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">¾ t. baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 ½. t. baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 t. cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">chocolate chunks (good
quality chocolate, semi or bittersweet), however much you think is enough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chopped nuts (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Preheat oven to 350. Oil
pans, or use muffin cups<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Put your bananas in a
standing mixer and mash them. Soak your flax meal for a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mix up your dry ingredients
in a separate bowl: flour, meal, baking powder and soda, salt, cinnamon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To the mashed bananas, add
soaked flax, oil, applesauce, and syrup, and mix well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now add dry into wet in a
couple of additions. Then fold in chocolate chunks and nuts, if you are using
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Scoop batter into muffin
cups filling up to about ¾ full. Put the rest into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 20 or so minutes. When they
start to smell good is the time to test them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-33957463297540139632012-04-21T14:04:00.001-04:002012-04-21T14:04:33.745-04:00Spring for it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ready for something new, changes big and small are here.<br />
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First, a new camera---and this time, it's right! After lots and lots of research, I discovered compact DSLR cameras, cameras designed to be small and light and fit in my hand, while offering me lots of creative potential and options. I am still getting to know <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynexc3" target="_blank">my new friend</a>, but I already feel quite comfortable. It felt right from the start. It helps that it's by Sony, the same as my old friend!<br />
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So here's me, playing. Look at that twinkle!<br />
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We are getting ready to put our house on the market, this dear sweet house which has been so much for us and that we have given so much to. Thanks to a good family work team, our garden beds are spruced up and ready to go: weeded, mulched, and with sweet pansies. Inside, we have been painting and purging and majorly de-cluttering (yard sale, piles for friends, and just plain old dump).<br />
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And taking pictures, getting ready to list it! It looks pretty swell around here! But whew, what a lot of hard work and long days. In line with our external space-clearing, we are also modifying our diets around here and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Revolutionary-Program-Restore-Natural/dp/0061735329" target="_blank">cleaning out</a> the insides too. It's been school vacation week with gorgeous weather for working indoors and out...bonus is that the blackflies only barely awakened before our outdoor chores were mostly done! </div>
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I think I'm ready for a break from vacation. But it's felt really great to do this work.Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-61303252639867861442012-03-18T10:14:00.004-04:002012-03-18T10:36:33.977-04:00~early spring~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7gzDfFvgH0kE0kC05w79czH8yEVuT9WA3Jk4uv4CcmxHiz_WmH49vwrn2ihaz8PjX_6n0F4TigpyTLmkdpxgmvY_2pEodk0INber9_SnnF1TRXJMT0fPi2oQLaDnnfgomdomhtIUOUF/s1600/DSC05645.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7gzDfFvgH0kE0kC05w79czH8yEVuT9WA3Jk4uv4CcmxHiz_WmH49vwrn2ihaz8PjX_6n0F4TigpyTLmkdpxgmvY_2pEodk0INber9_SnnF1TRXJMT0fPi2oQLaDnnfgomdomhtIUOUF/s320/DSC05645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721242150638785154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>did you think I could resist these?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>We had the Winter That Wasn't and now are having some lovely, warm days. The sun is strong, no leaves on the trees, so when you are outside it can feel very tiring this time of year.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXtQMt3NOz2NDzab8hEHZwCXt5fEFrW85f2oqTGXnoZmgtPdfy6xLDaM0W2FR5vMuw7GFXJk7gixyAFOWJ9MYUU4ane8Bjkb-WdmFURoMcFBI4AC7a0M-r2z4vDnomIgTIsx1skH5LO5k/s320/DSC05705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721245311666885266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Maple syrup time. An afternoon of helping friends clean their yard, stoke the fire in the Sugar Shack, watch the baby pick up pine cones, make sure no one chopped off their foot, and watching some very industrious wood chopping boys. (Worried GPW should avoid the following pictures!)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SWc7BwvL3Sz8DX6JlHMspr9vmM1DofAoxcMkSFGnOcaYlml61FlLZdzvlOc6krjrUlrmFCjoACt17vBTi7Hcm7QIwlp8vL8U7HclF3df-1cSoJwRfiSmr4WoeaUiijtr32mmhzwIcnVS/s320/DSC05689.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721242169423274738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Notice the careful, wide-legged stance!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wPGchvNX4VQyeOeGRgNT6rvtsw-C_0Y2ie1tJKnucgJN3Pg2LV8H4gQ2fH5n9x61IMOXMbBOAAdI1svIS2jj0Jwy1WekG4xXP-y44OhmMOoVR80wrY5Ha9PlXVeVs3mRNXKBjabTF0dS/s320/DSC05697.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721245314465747026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia90_vcnDtzwsMpmYaygFQ7Gyr7NnF-H0-edSUjynKbQsF0JsuYo5q93pKFuzejztAFCohR0fRe2PgiL8NpclWKTyI7MCdZtbErcrsb-FhyphenhyphenGsKb874j9DYUEtBVawTpVbrDEeSBXdRqDFo/s320/DSC05698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721245324935101522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnucHIxZmfLi5A4gGMoIopSA5V4tx-tQA5v8UM-lpCQpwfsewr0aAgRi84hP0T5H8vxLHDHxNH3A8jcZgvVipHTGd8Cd6b-IvLJVclI8X9Z51pMcaAjek3bnTAGgyl0AqWd9zO7echVaSW/s320/DSC05699.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721242177710358642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHO1nB1guMuMj3g87VgXBiDNDptivJhVCHsLhr2T7Zn02gyGEbTia1DO9rK_5e9CzKA2I6mEysGSeXBlULYfquyLAqSKxjXBXTAy6t2dkJ52c0M7vLQCLnhUUJODDXAcfMrb_s8KSYrix/s320/DSC05702.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721245331964763794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Also, some friends visited (baby feet, pictured above) and we caught up and played games and made yummy food (dehydrated kale chips were delicious, even Jonas admits it!), including some very rich and decadent chocolate chip cookies, as well as very delicious butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup. Here they are bumping elbows on the rack.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6Q3Uk9tKGEOeM5Y8ElABdf7TSCCI9OEeE702ZhHwIJBtBT8KfgQ-oxqevgnXTPwG7fHsrPZ5IMbgexLbx50yZ3WUK_W8z9z4pu7VG5azvCAylcGJzLEEf3uLtdBeVvPI5DM7I_E5MuYh/s320/DSC05652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721242159885333762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">...Shhh! The computer is napping.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-8kDgdvzV88lCJofZYHmmN4xaELTs_3P4jv5IQa2L4t-mbdt9Mz0zpy1mJmOOi8AtVzQ8pdu86YbL-ppklEK097AuZK4gGYuRW9vafPySB92ptA0lR7Upph0VLSCg8V1M4j_hqkqOBXi/s320/DSC05634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721242147263448978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-56234160567467785122012-02-25T15:56:00.007-05:002012-02-25T16:52:50.732-05:00~4 feet~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka0djDfu5qNRlxPvRiav9YCkOhHoVrBk9RjlWVCanx0gE7zEUxP_lKXn3BZdRBq1RGiLejfGADLHoJQSuQLEASrY1OKIgNR2wsokSbhJlfVM2c-b1d59aov9oJdjtSLXS5NND6JmAYY91/s320/DSC05544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713184551235951330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(awesome shot, thanks Carrie)</i></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv9yGwrjMzOIbFV62eAmlMSfCCxSanZ7KTtfCtxSaOzXVcaO0aCFA7Orzk7sbx-rAwbGgMK_YY-bE_2_VxxqDTdd9dgwpN2cIxxY0Z_dF3706ZXmo2NidGl1Ea6kBMWiKUqpVY40rROUX/s1600/DSC05561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv9yGwrjMzOIbFV62eAmlMSfCCxSanZ7KTtfCtxSaOzXVcaO0aCFA7Orzk7sbx-rAwbGgMK_YY-bE_2_VxxqDTdd9dgwpN2cIxxY0Z_dF3706ZXmo2NidGl1Ea6kBMWiKUqpVY40rROUX/s320/DSC05561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713184563128739442" /></a>We interrupt your regularly scheduled but annoyingly un-winterlike winter to bring you Florida:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gu2s4sMx22mi2E36k1mXMh5G1NHPGBuIP_hMqZE7V89fo5_GPqlE9u19ia7HQYEOjb6X8Rw7Ewg6NhOXDbJwxkK8WMAU3U_6Oy09oF8Vh5RQihRHpx4L4XfCg8J0GWtcOfi2qyhUV-jE/s320/DSC05555.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713187587249837250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBnzPgvF6H3MbI27C5od0tJl1KCPTl2NXCxrRZBIC_fZjM8PZAoNmhrmOyGh5lkpz21QK2kLHW7X-cgvn3N4t2GZJgXZHLRMXuKFEDLvWx0WtX5eJrtQsaXyroDOMGjp3mEK2RImdx01q/s320/DSC05548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713187578246083362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>Warm breezes, the sound of the surf all night, and playing in the surf. Me, playing in the ocean: a great joy of my life which I hardly ever experience, living in Maine. Spending relaxing hours at the pool, walking the beach, being with loved ones.<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuYtgSEW93KPyeFQruTpFyIx8g7RDxcjCStU5wH-hLX5bXS5B_CTA6rv3yShDBmI1bv7mUMwz96DB2ZmyoTrNJ8bh3g5e0y-WRDuT81AprvCwGgA0XgI6NquQM00tslGkSZbZPif4IhKk/s320/DSC05533.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713184540769877234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>we made a sand mermaid with seaweed hair</i></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASQ_wEZ91gWtdNeeatbME1lKLCitNoUlftH-OLXP6J1bMIKHjhGfw9PUmWQLkfQaftKXn59v4cYzwxgo5dMA_L6dssnwlbymsXRkJlsHp5hnFD5OaaHTFPy2tSJhbbekLPRPOjF3bHxlr/s1600/DSC05559.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASQ_wEZ91gWtdNeeatbME1lKLCitNoUlftH-OLXP6J1bMIKHjhGfw9PUmWQLkfQaftKXn59v4cYzwxgo5dMA_L6dssnwlbymsXRkJlsHp5hnFD5OaaHTFPy2tSJhbbekLPRPOjF3bHxlr/s320/DSC05559.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713184554246666978" /></a>Jonas reading:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQlE_Be5chRYS_CPnmWXQTspBdkq6EjnyK4OXuwpeA6Q9bkQsaX44Aq89SB7jZlpe8IdkwDzk9hxfAYTCx5ZaE7YFh26OFRjSrwuphCFoTozbgbYckFc0MSPMzCr5SfcqCCXqLuUTnGwx/s1600/DSC05536.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQlE_Be5chRYS_CPnmWXQTspBdkq6EjnyK4OXuwpeA6Q9bkQsaX44Aq89SB7jZlpe8IdkwDzk9hxfAYTCx5ZaE7YFh26OFRjSrwuphCFoTozbgbYckFc0MSPMzCr5SfcqCCXqLuUTnGwx/s320/DSC05536.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713184543255489026" /></a>Jonas reading some more:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2FDNr2HHeonFXJebiBtBqCtgKpqvTIAtngW-No-Zcx2sqNL-pZzV9C1mVMacGkLuOmvYZtCEqlMq8DFXIbaFJmbhayQJ520wxguZTCuE20g13oPZ1MC8IObR2gG7pHAXKCDfgY8aTw5Y/s1600/DSC05516.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2FDNr2HHeonFXJebiBtBqCtgKpqvTIAtngW-No-Zcx2sqNL-pZzV9C1mVMacGkLuOmvYZtCEqlMq8DFXIbaFJmbhayQJ520wxguZTCuE20g13oPZ1MC8IObR2gG7pHAXKCDfgY8aTw5Y/s320/DSC05516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713181506238013138" /></a>After a full day of travel and airports and sitting, Sylvan was ready to run on our first morning there:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4ywrW1V3r8DPQJr-tCdH9gH8n7PSx_bPBYOuVWGu82PljI79s3o1QopvIF_GXLAwYYLrtXu3YyL2gpjqFYsslZuvDmYSCOWdzK-bkBKcWzyrNGba9k4tp1eHIEd7Kl0i1C5Ak6EMUDn/s1600/DSC05513.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv4ywrW1V3r8DPQJr-tCdH9gH8n7PSx_bPBYOuVWGu82PljI79s3o1QopvIF_GXLAwYYLrtXu3YyL2gpjqFYsslZuvDmYSCOWdzK-bkBKcWzyrNGba9k4tp1eHIEd7Kl0i1C5Ak6EMUDn/s320/DSC05513.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713181500811817730" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6iztoakiqcD_MzND3L98v1rayyRtGcRBtARv8Rvblms0kcWogbq5D991ErfBmdfvk4pyFr3aPHNwkeq4n3Cxf3vCLY6y0Zk1F1j5WpbS5kdBmdR-95gKu37vIVc1Mxd84xJLs21OBDSi/s1600/DSC05510.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6iztoakiqcD_MzND3L98v1rayyRtGcRBtARv8Rvblms0kcWogbq5D991ErfBmdfvk4pyFr3aPHNwkeq4n3Cxf3vCLY6y0Zk1F1j5WpbS5kdBmdR-95gKu37vIVc1Mxd84xJLs21OBDSi/s320/DSC05510.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713181494407629762" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAJmD7PtegHueLYB7ldkDeHeMnH9n_OniNJ_FR-a4rF37WxwY86OSx9iUIv_eJXapzPPK8cL88TjEEdjtZCIjYb-KSNNfHYIddFX9aCTVlkV_hZnT8hvj0xOw79VEJTzAehvnPaqnCsqv/s1600/DSC05509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAJmD7PtegHueLYB7ldkDeHeMnH9n_OniNJ_FR-a4rF37WxwY86OSx9iUIv_eJXapzPPK8cL88TjEEdjtZCIjYb-KSNNfHYIddFX9aCTVlkV_hZnT8hvj0xOw79VEJTzAehvnPaqnCsqv/s320/DSC05509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713181489629651106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>boy in motion</i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't expect to like it quite so much, but the air and warmth and outside delights were so perfect. So easy. Why did I pack so many things when I mostly wore one skirt and a bathing suit? It's a little hard to get excited about going outside in the chilly, damp, brown world out there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-style: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqFl8Ej5f0SRKV1c2HI8YV21ErLixLyFztMQDTJyXBjQAkz0kC0jVw13dd4U8QHObyJtvFzJTQ7zjeqFvHZ7eURha5gjoQ5GmKbROcNV_4sReR8E7_Yc9x9Hhu_uLAeQRtCxjQwTw3qiS/s320/DSC05574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713192863280103938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></i></div><div>I love this octopus so much! A small one, maybe the size of a small dinner plate when spread out. It got shy of my low-light flash and sucked all of its limbs in and it was so fascinating to watch it roil.</div><div><br /></div><div>So. Home now and maple sap time!</div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-29820566156100873752012-01-29T08:31:00.004-05:002012-01-29T09:07:31.496-05:00Craft Domination<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInXKI7FhIMpwowUXcWD5OrTikpKGe1ggecL1quxF5YUR5fHs-a3gwwTlKOuZaTDO3P37TmNIFWmOS_zlt7tRAMSgBfkK9hADyZ3hshmXVcOtTI67iK4PaalDAIsfchgzQnaR9Lz_DJwR3/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInXKI7FhIMpwowUXcWD5OrTikpKGe1ggecL1quxF5YUR5fHs-a3gwwTlKOuZaTDO3P37TmNIFWmOS_zlt7tRAMSgBfkK9hADyZ3hshmXVcOtTI67iK4PaalDAIsfchgzQnaR9Lz_DJwR3/s320/IMG_0428.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703051013108142018" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I guess I operate under the expectation that there will usually be problems in making the vision in my head manifest in the world. I mean, why should that be easy? Usually the creative process involves angst, so I have come to expect it now. There's always a row that needs ripping out. Or a seam that the machine goes wonky on. Or some error in my understanding of the pattern that means I sew the handles of the bag totally the wrong way in, so that they are encased between the two layers of the fabric and not poking up and out, like you need them to be. Usually whatever it is, it's fixable. We're talking about craft, not organ surgery.<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGomwlwDjeSJb0xHK4X3R319qZKl7bp-R6uvF1g5PTIJh3N6XXbvNloICPUfnsEnQ0mlGgs9EwTOw-UyGlG-0N8oC921IKX5ei8owg8ICUYYGRfljW0TtB_8-EKPxEHRLanrVRS0tGQpn8/s320/IMG_0411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703047502679730418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>or in this case, snow jump creation:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>realizing that the jump was placed too high on the hill, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>not enough momentum to get over it.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><br /></i></span></div><div>Remember how I was <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/01/fabric-therapy.html">tentative</a> about sewing with wool? My concerns were about how it would iron, sew, how hems would feel, would it be bulky, etc. Clever Joanie suggested I make a small project to test it out. Her exact words were: "I think you'll find the wool to be a willing participant."<div><br /></div><div>I liked the idea that wool would be a willing participant. And Joanie always has good advice. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, driving home yesterday, I thought of a Keyka Lou little modified pouchlet (one pocket only), like <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/12/playing.html">these</a>. Except not with a magnet closure because I need a carrying pouch for my little device; I have been concerned about the health of the device longterm in the pouch I made for myself with the magnet (because of magnets and electronics not being friends). </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WRF-fhtHCcL18O42lilThxyZZCFA5L1XGd4ZGcnuC44T1tgIcs3y94k7QrRmEESSU3QYOYxvQVZkamgb98etkgnghoKk2wcT6U0kYG-nFZ7DDnCgtOzCLF2ORPPNVW2H4ltzntQGwJfq/s320/IMG_0424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703047577105680898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>Nice aqua wool exterior and a little hedgie appliqué for practice.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWzaRv9jr2zjuNrLK0jmGiytXlu3fTBo2fW3O_zppLVWJmU5eppAM_j414hEgY0uZGLSz3F72vAokmZvrNwnrZNwBy4TqpNJ0UN4r3vIbOduAM-nVxxLiIp4j9Mb3iSWG1NSrDuEwHVvj/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703051039558931618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>The wool was indeed a willing participant. Hello? Dream to iron (with press cloth)! Like, one second with the iron and zoopzoop---as though it had never thought of a wrinkle! Love that.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wool was easy to cut and easy to sew. It looked adorable with a little zigzagging edge stitching.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOMedQjRczc1BEEzgrf0L95PaM1mKqQIerzzhXem0RUMnwUWGXxEx1iUIFWI5CpNW0GDOA-Or_zN7BIF_0G8bYXYEK3WnIbZp4gZgbdt3IGDSO_wn7EoLMyeDUWMM675-Kh7Lkd4leoAU/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703051017692258226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>OK, but the button hole. I have maybe done 2 before, and it always makes me hold my breath. How does this thing weird attachment for my sewing machine work again? Did I measure my button properly? What is the appropriate amount of "ease" in a button hole, i.e. not too loose, not too tight???</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ7w8E8LXN2PS1Db6hxGIdqsPI45DXKcAX_xQxY96otzNlU11d7iPb1fHSwtDT5MaNVn0h3RIB9qvDzZLfpOMJYJquFj8CUKIn9tKC3X9AabItwHo5ti_rMW32WFVI3NM5mk8bAt5oNpc/s320/IMG_0430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703051027210857746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>I did a tester and it <i>worked</i>. This felt like a big accomplishment. Rocking the buttonholer!</div><div><br /></div><div>The best part was knowing the Keyka Lou pattern well enough to modify it, when to sew in the button, and now, being a good enough sewist now to try something new, eyeball that button placement, do the button hole, and ----voila---little pouchlet!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrV1GZtsLdErsiNXWgfW_OFva4xGLfP70g2fuTn9-MFcLKhPIzNR0Us0fXTVwaXosq0T275_Np5NKuJ_Q3u1wZ7kbHJcXakHjWLpnikDrdbLH5Dzny0TzUOuxJvzKgt7_9jvhMUacrYAa/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703051034859603170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I'm proud of myself.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is what happens if you lay the chia paste on too thickly on your Chia Obama:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxlPG6BdUaC3_Jykf2ytC_ieoXKT-toNjQSXPZsKehhsq1JZVcQOp3UQM9zP5ruQYrk-Aw2GIS4rwJVJRZH5QsYCBg-4dMAKpgqLGi18xuCyA_KPXxfih_mYYz7TmCyfJsql0h8Z6A3L7/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703047527334243986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCW9-8ibuvzVFSADEl-RNwqseYCTv0a4FotkRVowUogQvOHBrgBD7Kq1Bi1R01pp9AzYZv0WPfHbF2T7cUTiJ13gDytaZGrq3rRu-1Khr2XcRGv0uZ3lNoIPx8tkPIHOTXKhms4kpRnMv/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703047542358554562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruRsoougWycOVBgZhmz2Os4IUgcpYreiw1K4wwTyWGnrdW5wzkmP1jmeraL5FgfdlEsg9fuOjikAEeP3O0Os9raDwh010lxgUXejhLfBqetiThzyL6rnmWJ8rUGpqdVbvLsR8tnE2Uhhw/s320/IMG_0420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703047530894636914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Check out those hot eyebrows! And the hardened chia crust afro, with the little green shoots coming out!</span></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-1543448521220882822012-01-22T13:16:00.004-05:002012-01-22T13:42:44.225-05:00~fabric therapy~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhY95ioTqnqef4ktxcdisWwUA9usYwyO51JH7mflh25Mo6bNJ-QghAyyQ7DL2TqLiQTybUPt3SE4CiJ7C4DD8G9ieq2Wiq1Weoi0FKTzHjbjjskeDsi2TNig8umVcR95DKYVUhdvtJdBa/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHes2lD8VSbrdNvgb0ubbvDS8ksWxnNIZpz1rD4MnXZCBtVPeNrP-HjXQuSr1gr2ti7AJFQ3YS8G2g64a2MLEVI5WPqfYJjkzeHbAlhnXzUcZCtH6pAn_1uiN3pvha4JtCYbdVRyiqSDef/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHes2lD8VSbrdNvgb0ubbvDS8ksWxnNIZpz1rD4MnXZCBtVPeNrP-HjXQuSr1gr2ti7AJFQ3YS8G2g64a2MLEVI5WPqfYJjkzeHbAlhnXzUcZCtH6pAn_1uiN3pvha4JtCYbdVRyiqSDef/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524493822548546" /></a><br />I see that I am right on target with my <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html">January Fabric Therapy</a> trip to <a href="http://www.alewivesfabrics.com/">Alewives</a>. This year, it is only just now looking snowy enough to pass as winter which I am loving. I also loved my bright sparkly ski through the forest this afternoon through the fluffiest sparkliest snow ever.<div><br /></div><div>But still, the pull of fabric is strong in January. The need to see all that color and lusciousness. I went with the idea of making a birthday project for a February gal. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OkECkYpiiCCPDDzoN2zjxQFDP3_3esD2ByGsvQErnxZlMWc9Wv4P7BIcCmpbx0RaVejVTK5GcwDtUkQRnSAIE1QrilYetWLHO8zKFkLGDCF4_JcscdepaT9EXmgJQtsN4eBarX8IYqLH/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700523681862230962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Once there, I started thinking about how I don't have a single winter skirt made by me. I went over to the corner of the shop where there is yummy colorful wool fabric. I admit to being a little bit afraid of working with wool fabric, a new sort of animal and all. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYnzK9feR6BE9eF22dEW9QW5NS0RRqmJuj3DOhoE2G2X-CrSTKWPk5h883e2ihCG3bmgB35wrN_I9TKJCEBxBrfKVtp4XxvrjWx-hTiodePSWVJd4p7xugDPF2tfpN9MUavKWMFOXxdVg/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524486066976498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>At first I was being boring and practical, looking at neutrals. But my eye kept going back to this nice vintage-y aqua and imagining a lovely toadstool and hedgehog appliqué. I recalled the Kate M. theory of ordering at restaurants which is that you can dispense with the notion that you "Should" get a particular something, and just get what you want. Goodbye boring and practical neutrals. Hello, aqua wool delight.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmrjHM2U8M1SWwXPgzeS61ci2K7zYEG8QnRZNuWGX85ZQpjh-F01wrre8T-yRPq_97tt-8ZEZK_reHQLhY-e_wK8srdRgqHn4DitYaje4rgQqCa2rGeb6fJa_PITWcQgNJwNhNeQghwBv/s320/IMG_0401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700523691037014562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>And then there was the impulse buy. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoKVDBeB66RqbKomL03uXRF0N7cQaQfajvqyk060xelcO648f6C759CzNdznxgdSfvdLTSL-SQnou4H0yzcPZllju613addCKdY-6GrJraHBG-7u2ZpHPH_qfTeBCAe0tCrSPEok_y6Rj/s320/IMG_0402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700523702741754530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5iKnGOksSJz0K98-wdmUqRqN1hn4zmYRpxVragNWqwZvalitPRf29douNKg4vCVdTNWw9Q7k-O9hMm-ExhEULx_gVOyp1wF0vDLoSvC5nbIuvchXfo6ZrJWJWFocVZjEaO1E6_KEnJFe/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700523709078493602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KHLVzXvpsd9U3JigjK2M1aVUaIjE3kLeBNWpaCROH78Sy7At7eBakWJHCgXtn24yc8w5bF7gErN1YizNfFXlWU7HXG3ddQUs_z_BDzzznVj6_RKCQHl8AXZWEnQFKhC_DIdulOz_vVYa/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700523716680783634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I spied this little layer cake while I was nearing checkout. Little foxies. Little toadstools. Little Red Riding Hood. I knew that if I left the store without it that I would have non-buyer's remorse AND that it would get scooped up by other sewists in less than a millisecond. Carrie B. and I once discovered the perfect vintage Astrakhan wool coat in a Goodwill in Chicago, left the store, quickly realized we made an abysmal choice, returned to the store and BAM. Gone. Poof.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">It will make a throw-sized quilt, is decidedly girly, and you know what? I say great. I will even share it with the gents around this place if they care to be swathed in pink Red Riding Hood and little toadstools. To heck with neutrals.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhY95ioTqnqef4ktxcdisWwUA9usYwyO51JH7mflh25Mo6bNJ-QghAyyQ7DL2TqLiQTybUPt3SE4CiJ7C4DD8G9ieq2Wiq1Weoi0FKTzHjbjjskeDsi2TNig8umVcR95DKYVUhdvtJdBa/s320/IMG_0408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524508439353298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">If you have not become acquainted with <a href="http://vihart.com/everything/">Vi Hart</a>, let me invite you to discover her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0">inspirational math/art doodles</a>. We all have a little crush on her.</span></span></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-89329692568363675432012-01-20T08:12:00.002-05:002012-01-20T08:32:18.344-05:00~owl love~<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OZrOu6q9T47lm-W6CiaZYtHHl-5sZc85-a4o04o7s7y6Lz1V0HLmgqeQmNP8h6wKeoiJw6arh5KS1r4wpTeSre_kTGbZ6sCYwWP9YZOvqzMAkYvMoU4KuFNYW5iVYrLcE9VqWznhUX2r/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OZrOu6q9T47lm-W6CiaZYtHHl-5sZc85-a4o04o7s7y6Lz1V0HLmgqeQmNP8h6wKeoiJw6arh5KS1r4wpTeSre_kTGbZ6sCYwWP9YZOvqzMAkYvMoU4KuFNYW5iVYrLcE9VqWznhUX2r/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699703302877902370" border="0" /></a>Owls. Love them up. I made these ones out of felt, from an idea I saw <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/holiday-seasonal-crafts/valentines-day-crafts-cards-gifts-decorations/valentines-day-cards/give-a-hoot-825188/">here</a>. I think I'll hang them somehow. No doubt you have seen <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/18/lovely-owl-video_n_1101488.html">this video</a> where I learned that lovely owls can smile.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7v252G7aZTdRfdBHzpbEUHqDgNtWr-FdizupqwfcndEUnDjDglQhgX-BbC4O87WR1po63JY-rOvUVR56sHRWD-9xKbBpuomYQKBSYeMCm_vO4gZJCScyAF8TjOK5a2kS0IoEpTzNboi9/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7v252G7aZTdRfdBHzpbEUHqDgNtWr-FdizupqwfcndEUnDjDglQhgX-BbC4O87WR1po63JY-rOvUVR56sHRWD-9xKbBpuomYQKBSYeMCm_vO4gZJCScyAF8TjOK5a2kS0IoEpTzNboi9/s320/IMG_0395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699703292525529970" border="0" /></a>On their backsides they needed something else. To hide the knots and such and send a message of love. A little Stitch Witchery Fusible Web on some linen, some hand-cut stamps, and these little owls are ready to spread their love in the world. Valentine's Crafts can't be beat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6DuO8L_Om056zDdpmtklV3NdLwZr1aQu56oIvu4_TTqqfzl0ey5rCSH08uAz_yXZIfPRLlNZE1MlvGTy6WIgcX_IwA7y2HaiXi8-A09Xn_b9EXF1IBdHMEiR6xsDl6csJKKZxvifBzb4/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6DuO8L_Om056zDdpmtklV3NdLwZr1aQu56oIvu4_TTqqfzl0ey5rCSH08uAz_yXZIfPRLlNZE1MlvGTy6WIgcX_IwA7y2HaiXi8-A09Xn_b9EXF1IBdHMEiR6xsDl6csJKKZxvifBzb4/s320/IMG_0397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699703290829587218" border="0" /></a>Yummy, dense bread, and easy too. Full of all things wonderful and lots of different kinds of flours, currants, pumpkin seeds, molasses, and nutritional yeast. Best. Toast. Ever.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5jGzrrqjBYQ3eD_Aw6PHtXScgcDYOuxMz04ipXGVJ-WM9mwG7GH1watLTITuDv46QPxQuuxHgPSP3mPJY9VQP_1MgiAH2eSkWh92ylYYJQ0_bpLt90uxclsy1Cbql1xn2V37YTamYDaJ/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5jGzrrqjBYQ3eD_Aw6PHtXScgcDYOuxMz04ipXGVJ-WM9mwG7GH1watLTITuDv46QPxQuuxHgPSP3mPJY9VQP_1MgiAH2eSkWh92ylYYJQ0_bpLt90uxclsy1Cbql1xn2V37YTamYDaJ/s320/IMG_0379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699703324334946434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPQvSvipO6IVYggFMNTKQcfPpBfYD-v1DtJN44Ze3CU0Ap9j9nouZQ1hETwZdK52NbnVtrEIQSFrLfjT0KFDPaH1KWYGeEsfv4uroqbaVO32pyG6Q-WBo0-K4NZfn5BBYupfPbmuzl3fq/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPQvSvipO6IVYggFMNTKQcfPpBfYD-v1DtJN44Ze3CU0Ap9j9nouZQ1hETwZdK52NbnVtrEIQSFrLfjT0KFDPaH1KWYGeEsfv4uroqbaVO32pyG6Q-WBo0-K4NZfn5BBYupfPbmuzl3fq/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699703311698299522" border="0" /></a><br />Here is what it looks like this morning.<br />Like winter!<br />Finally.<br /></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-33350444677386049472012-01-16T15:37:00.003-05:002012-01-16T15:58:53.314-05:00Nature Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1ueCy4imFemdXkWzjnGLzmKkSgXQUgjVIguMzKBYqV8_qpiaXsoI4wmU9JSDmaMZSk8Idh52rtwfV8Lgc9oorhfHjvHlBBFB9l7y56Cs8BUKFKSwj3u1oI-3iJO7X5AmF51UO0e-ORPM/s1600/DSC04229.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1ueCy4imFemdXkWzjnGLzmKkSgXQUgjVIguMzKBYqV8_qpiaXsoI4wmU9JSDmaMZSk8Idh52rtwfV8Lgc9oorhfHjvHlBBFB9l7y56Cs8BUKFKSwj3u1oI-3iJO7X5AmF51UO0e-ORPM/s320/DSC04229.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698332203841289602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~photo by Mr. Crafty, taken in Canada this summer~</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Didn't you need to see green, people who dwell in the northern hemisphere? This is the January photo from our family calendar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was going to show you the beautiful <a href="http://chinesefood.about.com/od/potstickers/r/potstickers.htm">pork dumplings</a> I made (with a much more generous approach to spices, including garlic, ginger, tamari, and scallions) but iPhoto crashed during the transfer from the camera and the photos were lost.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was also going to show you some cute little owls I sewed. Another time. Technology plagues me lately.</div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-63180683555596167532012-01-12T12:32:00.006-05:002012-01-12T12:58:38.811-05:00~Making and Mending~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgScn4vsCQ1pnk4RVCDQyIOxk3XOp3YwzxBKm8BeOBb6j2bb-bTD9cE2wP4cR_Vi1hXNmPOmHUmKiUg8Rj8iKe-e78ImwtFrbckJcv28eUxsQcQ-Qi6GeeTJowVJwI1Q5tlvJAI2EeeKh9/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy6_nvIQiJCFh0da4tT1p8Pb0pN3AVeHKzsfsjXrVilz3M3yBA0CzGjYD_pxocb1BWB0r0r5p-MLi09XqSPXGDAL4YaRWhG4jZC2AmVfN0ge8tx7MxaBeJNwBly0lYLdjzEBq8rwjuzSB/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy6_nvIQiJCFh0da4tT1p8Pb0pN3AVeHKzsfsjXrVilz3M3yBA0CzGjYD_pxocb1BWB0r0r5p-MLi09XqSPXGDAL4YaRWhG4jZC2AmVfN0ge8tx7MxaBeJNwBly0lYLdjzEBq8rwjuzSB/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696801381026651090" /></a><br />We had a mild conflagration last weekend. During a filmmaking session a halogen light was leaned up against the big puffy pillow that goes inside of Sylvan's <a href="http://www.magiccabin.com/Huggle%2DPod%2DIndoor%2DOutdoor%2DCanvas%2DHanging%2DChair_p401393.html">Huggle Pod</a>. It was noticed pretty quickly, but not before a hole had been burned.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ62X0iBCjy8ZBz99jYOQcGF4e09j842HnZthBg5dvvfjqVsE76koWtLNXoV1gAuOh6AqiNgPQrYh2XXoidjUexRl_ejDIZNUF0ijfDZ7fG2j7WZQrpq4ko43TJuFTwPU2R34KEoD8r2Q/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696801384737019106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBVc1VB-HjydMuhyphenhyphenYrlGph3S7FaqoA7cPrKI9a11-GaVEktFLylgGli92H71nKqlc6TQuNtBj9DQXhNGuNCoa-MiiSFrLWn-wxFL50pTxu9ZEdz5zc8K3EBELzM3ekch6z5fO-BiBVcNP/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696801400858753074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div>So I thought: what would Kim do? Make a mushroom patch for all that green, of course!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1-Zos0owFJucbWbSpsV-kAHThKQK9yvdFGDVyybWU8H1Wt6ExdHTQH1ZqFjylWNwqWbsI3feekenVcF1bqnp3kVP3FqUQ5ZTOrUfsBVi9GjWgRt0fblz7naMRPe5iiHnGGX-_tiNZIpB/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696801405198838786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I have not very gracefully been learning and playing with the New Camera. I am not very patient with myself and easily frustrated. But I still feel lost sometimes and annoyed with myself that I am not wildly overjoyed every minute I am using it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxbxNia3Cmfyc3Td0e2jekP7UxXkiruo8wOflXcgEmYsIM9eaXVbSU9kDDrgmnt_7H2wo9HkzhEwX0st4xkSaVHsemlXg9SAIzhJ3m4N3W3Z5ETQQ44t2llf5NJjDWt7-kwO5t8-IwS-3/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696803021749772274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNOI3evfJCFo4RTPNkKDKiyG2akJRrhVfzmDUcwJ-1GIkuUbdIWTfQDmGfjrx-d_9WjWV-zptNNhHvb81OtaX5QrCOqivnVlgW8JQ_UWJQiWa9_8D15rCzXz0MUuhuNn2deDm_-2zI7Y5/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696801406298130562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>The light outside this time of year is less than inspiring, mostly gray. Occasionally there are beautiful moments that I see on my way to or from work, but I don't always have the camera, or if I do I am usually rushing. I am taking the New Camera with me more often and trying (trying!) to leave a little early in the mornings---already early enough at 7 am!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1VLSNEhISePunL3CwSlvvNYKOgRqD8oNHlQUpqk-xH1niQqk3toNzcY2XqwIqp9EgNryjikyXxnJT0gIahWnLAILM9HC-lVDefaTYOpeqljvgI7VusSN_znDOyc-ybaH1N7hH465q2d8/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696803026328276434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83952633@N00/3646583926/">Lacy Baktus</a> is coming along well. I am adoring the <a href="http://goodkarmafarm.com/">Good Karma Yarn</a>: a delight to handle and the colorway is gorgeous. And for all of you knot-haters out there, I can tell you that I haven't had a single one in this whole skein. I have decided to keep on knitting, past the 23" the pattern specifies (before beginning the decreasing), because I want it long enough to be drapey and wrappy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh and this bag? Adorable, yes? From dear Joanie, purchased at <a href="http://www.mainenest.com/">Nest</a>, which looks like a must-visit destination. The fabric is light, like a pillowcase, with these sweet embroidered birdies on it. Perfect knitting bag because I can sling it over my shoulder and knit on the go, or sling it over the arm of my chair by the fire. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgScn4vsCQ1pnk4RVCDQyIOxk3XOp3YwzxBKm8BeOBb6j2bb-bTD9cE2wP4cR_Vi1hXNmPOmHUmKiUg8Rj8iKe-e78ImwtFrbckJcv28eUxsQcQ-Qi6GeeTJowVJwI1Q5tlvJAI2EeeKh9/s320/IMG_0372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696803041068429154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Like right now. At home, on my very first snow day as a teacher!</span></div><div><br /></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-19743838135230931232012-01-07T14:38:00.005-05:002012-01-07T14:57:42.829-05:00The Impulse to Make<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrNWGaJCWEBOp0bARIBCje6IAokLDjPi7R-ofhVwnJfK8luEdczqBaUpr6O2XjqnG5RyW_9h9ftgjG9v8I3vUdmxLUD44j3A2kPpZ3XfXNQP6IWfY00p-MUDnsa1dGbPVhjNFY0KANUy_/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrNWGaJCWEBOp0bARIBCje6IAokLDjPi7R-ofhVwnJfK8luEdczqBaUpr6O2XjqnG5RyW_9h9ftgjG9v8I3vUdmxLUD44j3A2kPpZ3XfXNQP6IWfY00p-MUDnsa1dGbPVhjNFY0KANUy_/s320/IMG_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978791463367778" /></a>When the spirit moves me, don't try to hold me back. Last week I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-baktus">Lacy Baktus</a> shawl on a friend and loved it. I was immediately obsessed. It's long enough to do a generous wrap-around, or worn over a coat, or on the head and tucked around. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1p6phJAnFIiuRUocw4v-ZzXSLs9yST2X8a_CHe9RIHuW8MRtN7jqMYJdgz1sELAO8mcnzbuLYOMzkEGYCKq_vgH5RA1LygNxRrkeEsF5Oiq9Uq7NNHHyXLWynq2zLOil4ZyKv-HTNVq5/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978372558367170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>The pattern had just the right mix of interesting, but not too interesting that I couldn't chat. This is important criteria for me as a knitter right now. I knew just who I wanted to knit this shawl for and knew just the right yarn for the project. The right yarn is a merino and alpaca blend from my friends at <a href="http://goodkarmafarm.com/">Good Karma Farm</a>, in a colorway called <a href="http://goodkarmafarm.com/yarn_store3/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25">Peacock Feathers</a>: so beautiful, soft, and perfect for a recipient who wears emerald green like a queen.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DypDS-jNtZkAypE5MhE0QUuG8YTjl7TcmLXs_qPm4CxGuB5tl9HnZoZxDk5A7PgXVvhBX4ouUROX1mhZhYQFshzii4jL2j1uhro0c8z1l_UW8l3T96FGhAX5Bb4eOP9uvrUJDj7YEu1M/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978370538622786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>While I awaited the yarn's arrival, I was itchy and twitchy and ready to start the knitting! It's my favorite moment of anticipation, of imagining the <i>making</i>, thinking about the pattern, yarn, any modifications I might foresee, etc. It makes the actual making that much more delightful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I am knitting and loving it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4TfVdTvAnO0D54hal2VsnTF4nDtINez455yRMaQRJA-blQjNTe_epmgiGPBtZ8NQcsmNtyBzwVXnsZ_zWB8H66GnijCY9PeXTx-zknnSZPWokj7LbQv7_fWiCzybq8JeH1VF_RBk0Jf/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978356977163618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>little fairies made by my friend B.</i></span></div><div>I am knitting for this friend because I miss her. The knitting makes me feel closer to her: I carry her in-process-Peacock-Feathers-Baktus-Shawl in my bag and it brings my thoughts and attention to her. I think about places we've been together and moments and ideas we have shared. Yarn stores we have visited! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHz0ggSR5RPX5uOtAr-kDFlHTTwmJygLONBaWAM5I98A7QqNiajVKTnBHzHjb2_k6wQrLtoiN1T-0nnkIXMK-u-cVQp6vPpOBnWsu6hyphenhyphen4iNHSSfB34F3UKmvuDkpU7xsLYBbhZRwRwNjT/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978348042720946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>There's no timeline on this knitting. It's just happening and will be finished when it is done.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt61HrEvEeSj7LHhOQ9ivMpoTfPE-HGvAjIC1CO8-EZ_5pX3JXdqiiZCLeEdIhlwhcYbBDLbCTR_Oo768xP4zK-aCr9D7F-1ZZRvf4hlWTxlCdldzZhd-4Fi3kXmxeHJ0DwsbBjp9bB5R/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694978342912579746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">As you can see, it is the <a href="http://craftingmamalibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-1-preparing.html">season for cinnamon rolls</a>.</span></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-36377321461131417032011-12-30T14:10:00.005-05:002011-12-30T14:44:59.919-05:00~Playing~<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0VlT4nTocNLbwgxa1D39BRmEz6TumRJGCyoBjDM0XW-EzrhXwiorqEa6hC2uj3erK0LrRLA6L05Ds4-XY6ZHwfTgx04rMFFWZpMhGrZs38SssNaFg5koH1q4w5lFimbwX4Woa_ouJV6E/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-PRpy0oTH3SQTV7VeXZHg1mYOo3bu-KMNa-hMHRbBwIyNJbQQEWBVwbkqwcFKWkLNhsQbz-1WKWT-_OFMWap4XLczaM5Qjg8R7nQpVsuQLmJstmG6FapelwVy9rMrppCbzb1ThPVnXZd/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-PRpy0oTH3SQTV7VeXZHg1mYOo3bu-KMNa-hMHRbBwIyNJbQQEWBVwbkqwcFKWkLNhsQbz-1WKWT-_OFMWap4XLczaM5Qjg8R7nQpVsuQLmJstmG6FapelwVy9rMrppCbzb1ThPVnXZd/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692006700559661922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a peaceful New Year.</div><div>(Someone put an ice pack on top of our new Peace Ice Cube tray and they got stuck together.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4fbcuC50JG-j3fEEWd7mhKarvwlB4b_70V8mXu7PKhcU4JSV2sUCfVwJYjM1cD-8EVJdKO6c7rDSe3BV06iHQDyyl3XJ8dxfo_KJXGBP3fov2bwmyHzZip-5108EbQNGf8BjpexMB4g8/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4fbcuC50JG-j3fEEWd7mhKarvwlB4b_70V8mXu7PKhcU4JSV2sUCfVwJYjM1cD-8EVJdKO6c7rDSe3BV06iHQDyyl3XJ8dxfo_KJXGBP3fov2bwmyHzZip-5108EbQNGf8BjpexMB4g8/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692006690862092994" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfpuFtAc9hBNecFVuhVdxjvbYl-HwGML1fyL3xpPWlG6Hb-2goXSl4IcTNoFBdoChn4HgzT3YUP2S-Uk54XvcZmkzl0v5VwBV8ycb9HIPh9Pliu5GqLJywFRf-WKniW9fNN6gPCV5F3GQ/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfpuFtAc9hBNecFVuhVdxjvbYl-HwGML1fyL3xpPWlG6Hb-2goXSl4IcTNoFBdoChn4HgzT3YUP2S-Uk54XvcZmkzl0v5VwBV8ycb9HIPh9Pliu5GqLJywFRf-WKniW9fNN6gPCV5F3GQ/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692006686786073362" /></a>A little peak at the lovely Rockport Harbor on a gray wintery day. Snow: Please come here now.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYFocqxrt10ssPY5AaCvk_M5z7ZRvzhWhDgdZ-uKnCKv4kKDPjLF4o-RwG0h9tSfqayNzzTgiGJatQtu6X5jNGbVLXaduehu-HMSbnGAZupe-oYrdU3xwuvwFp3hmIiqaX4bWnP-IxO8I/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYFocqxrt10ssPY5AaCvk_M5z7ZRvzhWhDgdZ-uKnCKv4kKDPjLF4o-RwG0h9tSfqayNzzTgiGJatQtu6X5jNGbVLXaduehu-HMSbnGAZupe-oYrdU3xwuvwFp3hmIiqaX4bWnP-IxO8I/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692002579407785314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of inside, windowsill shots because it has been cold and unappealing outside lately.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0VlT4nTocNLbwgxa1D39BRmEz6TumRJGCyoBjDM0XW-EzrhXwiorqEa6hC2uj3erK0LrRLA6L05Ds4-XY6ZHwfTgx04rMFFWZpMhGrZs38SssNaFg5koH1q4w5lFimbwX4Woa_ouJV6E/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692006985391607154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xb9NEyZSJGYFBvwEb0qZf21AQGTTqb77kFhwxSXRCJkx-xb00tjwgJijrK4vwA4ZGDLywjZidNhPYqnBRmSKzybI0KZq4tVJodbgKM4GrQ55hRHXj78MZtABb2ex8XE9jYGJ4hH51PiQ/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nqbeDGokfjRD4Hb8C9ZU7g4Gb_tfLTjPTxs5KFlvfbugPKw1jUUR-dAm1Y_r6xkr-rVjB7HCYjcl4yFowbsQxovZJIYN7z1lMhgoYBksL3qEdmC7rryUt5AJcfa3yhhL6tdNN-dBflEA/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nqbeDGokfjRD4Hb8C9ZU7g4Gb_tfLTjPTxs5KFlvfbugPKw1jUUR-dAm1Y_r6xkr-rVjB7HCYjcl4yFowbsQxovZJIYN7z1lMhgoYBksL3qEdmC7rryUt5AJcfa3yhhL6tdNN-dBflEA/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692002553775508386" /></a>We had a small visitor who likes to snuggle with Mr. Crafty. I am learning my new camera, still feeling a little tentative. But playing and learning is good---and I have time to do it! We have also been falling down the Youtube hole, and we discovered Bobbie and Tony singing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlE-SkFx9CM">Tell Me Why</a>. Cutest. Couple. Ever!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgeVYfPhC1hvwkwFYyA-mJvdd84qx2k_yCPUGxvpvgWLi5-EWNJYn4-vqTRQgHJCHabQRBs91C6sg39DiQK1deE-PgyucX-HpD7R9uyN2li8WvAn4436CultYWw6yshureuwlJBq81fJU/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgeVYfPhC1hvwkwFYyA-mJvdd84qx2k_yCPUGxvpvgWLi5-EWNJYn4-vqTRQgHJCHabQRBs91C6sg39DiQK1deE-PgyucX-HpD7R9uyN2li8WvAn4436CultYWw6yshureuwlJBq81fJU/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692002549607554978" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Xb9NEyZSJGYFBvwEb0qZf21AQGTTqb77kFhwxSXRCJkx-xb00tjwgJijrK4vwA4ZGDLywjZidNhPYqnBRmSKzybI0KZq4tVJodbgKM4GrQ55hRHXj78MZtABb2ex8XE9jYGJ4hH51PiQ/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692002563158162818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC4VKwnM3dnRqyMc_ovAAQ55m9DWeqQpX4tPllQ3P9ZdzShorbqXYade4SznVNHd5J7s3axVEscJP78K9YVg0lMAcaDkr729z22RBEctvZBoeEJy0oWMg8u5pczZ-Q9MwDLb-VuJ7V91l/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692002575395342786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">More sewing! Can you believe my luck? A whole stretch of days spent at home, sewing more little clutches for more friends. Can you guess who the one with the birdie head and the laundry line fabric interior is for? (ME!)</span></span></div></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577243140752757035.post-56885261618626919652011-12-26T18:53:00.003-05:002011-12-26T20:10:58.286-05:00~Holiday 2: Did it~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfL0UN1whgNArwljYeqfJEi_oyM5msjwrlw8XHciXx6mAcP9yg44wi9s8epb1JCuvYKmJ_P4df5mi-RQQ2tCbpiDx3jDXH8JMrHpbg5gYp-8L6tSP3yco65J2rQHEtdECdrFqmXwt8gy-/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfL0UN1whgNArwljYeqfJEi_oyM5msjwrlw8XHciXx6mAcP9yg44wi9s8epb1JCuvYKmJ_P4df5mi-RQQ2tCbpiDx3jDXH8JMrHpbg5gYp-8L6tSP3yco65J2rQHEtdECdrFqmXwt8gy-/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690590924551695970" /></a>Take note of the army guy, at lower right that has been vanquished just in time from a sneak attack on the manger. Way to go, Ox! Baby Jesus has survived!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgYNhaJx98MQmFmORKsn2ulBhYTsgOMfsu-qQg4WNZ7y0bYkbCd3MqYGDHIavHmlOI6RpYy9NVUkLbieAvK9mzHvFGVXh5MR_twxLinns-uikHDeZgw7By1Zr_oG2WZ3QbDh8XDJ5tJ3E/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgYNhaJx98MQmFmORKsn2ulBhYTsgOMfsu-qQg4WNZ7y0bYkbCd3MqYGDHIavHmlOI6RpYy9NVUkLbieAvK9mzHvFGVXh5MR_twxLinns-uikHDeZgw7By1Zr_oG2WZ3QbDh8XDJ5tJ3E/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690590890761436802" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekpk11mNuAaWXXU4MmDMum1VvLpwbdTPPv0lp1Z2SlSkaeH9vwdsDvvEPDU-HEm-z6T0xhpKmjEACPMOobRsodFTcaOcpNvn2ckmLKaBcQi34-om4HpKTMrBpXpUKUy56wztuo4WaQviF/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690590883732916946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Twinkling Juggler, Robot PJs, AND roller skates?! Seriously. For realz.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDMEUKuiM6nnROeIcxQdMz-jKvg3myKTdBRke81F5Ez0w4qui8ThCsEmgH4r3jpf4VRYMaqMcxc38biP5ZFctch5R1w4ILohqqtRJvElMuPysTI1Uy8_5GJBkTBO8ZBz5sxmlKx2oWRtv/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690590907294812898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Beautiful tables set, loving family, and just the right kind of company with a lower case "c." The kind of company that brings their own instruments and makes music! Beatles sing alongs should be part of every Christmas henceforth. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a crazy gift swap and I ended up with a DVD from Goodwill: <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/yoga_booty_ballet.do">Yoga Booty Ballet Abs</a>! Booty Ballet---can you believe it?! Also on the floor were a hula skirt, felt jester hat, truffles, a Chia Obama (not ours), a 1990 Jack Russell Terrier Calendar, a collection of used cookbooks and odd kitchen implements, a yogurt-maker, and much more silliness. I am sure we will see some of it again next year!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbXtQF96bmnd3cvw1MxWnQy4qFvxjGBc8b4lfjnsvohOBefVdbA7Vn8LIe10pyjx6zmBxdqgpucf_WDsF5tD-4azXYbvf5qHWu4eiBCqJnGs3RQeVLBSUdzG6BjMT8D-uHOMT9Uu-EjjZ/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690590897359539042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div>But the best is that I am a blogger with a new camera. A real deal digital SLR camera of my dreams! Thanks to my husband for organizing some family support towards this amazing gift. And for choosing a camera over an iPad because he wanted to support me as an artist, not just a consumer of technology. I am batting my eyelashes now and my heart goes pitter pat.</div></div></div>Iris E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17997095122571368440noreply@blogger.com1