Two months old

My little love was two months old on Friday, though the rain clouds only cleared enough this morning to take photos. 

This past month I have been reminded that the web between those tiny fingers is a natural lint collector. And how little fists, in arcs of flight, magically find a wisp of hair come loose from Mama's pony tail, and then grip it as if they depended on it. So too, that babies hair is so fine and soft that you can't help but slowly run your finger tips over their little downy heads. And that little checks are so plump and kissable, and kisses make babies smile.

This past month Emerson suffered her first virus. What heartbreak a babies miserable cough, runny nose and watery eyes causes a Mama. Sleep was seldom for either of us until she was over the worse of it. Those little hands began to swipe at her toys, be they hanging from her swing or her wooden play gym. Not only are those hands good for swiping, they are good for sucking on too. A sure sign that she is getting hungry. The smiles came more often - a cheeky smile at her brother, a delighted smile at water poured over her tummy, a sleepy smile as she fed - but no real smiles for the camera yet. A sleep routine has developed that any mothering book would be proud of, though I feel I can take no credit. I simply demand feed and take her cues when she is tired and she does the rest.

Cohen is still in love with his sister, asking each day for cuddles and telling me that "Emcen and Coco friends." No doubt he is copying us, but it still never fails to make me smile when he kisses her and says "Wuv you." This morning while I took her photos, he sat in her room and went through her books, then asked, "Take picture of me and Emcen too Mama." How could I refuse?

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One month old

Thrifty, crafty, rainy days

When our plans for fruit and veg shopping at the markets were washed out yesterday, my sister Fiona and I undertook a little wander through a craft shop, an op-shop and an independant fruit and veg shop instead. My goodies from the day included a cute hand knit baby cardigan for $3, a vintage knitting pattern featuring men in hand knits discussing a riffle (thrown in for free), a bundle of lovely old covered hangers for $2, a white (wool storage) basket for 50c, some great old Tupperware in perfect condition and $2 a piece, as well as wool for two new projects. 

I couldn't wait to start playing with the Noro-like Moda Vera yarn, casting on another Age of Brass and Steam kerchief yesterday afternoon, this time for Fiona. I am enjoying watching the colours unfold with each row. High on my to-do list is learning how to knit socks, which meant of course that I could justify buying the Noir sock yarn above, given it was reduced from $12 to $5 a ball. Another project added to the queue...

Any thrifting, crafting or rain for you this weekend?

This moment

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

(A day late, but I couldn't resist.)

The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief

It's a quiet, rainy day here today. Right now there's a late loaf of bread in the oven. There's a sky full of grey clouds and a coffee table covered in lego. (And an untimely clothesline full of dripping wet clothes.) There's paper pots waiting on the table, with soil and seeds at the ready. There's three giveaways in the works for next month. There's two napping children. And there is also one finished project, cast off last night. 

My first knitted kerchief, 'The Age of Brass and Steam.' It is a fairly simple and quick pattern, as long as you follow the photo tutorial for the garter tab beginning - a technique that was new to me. It has been completed in moments grabbed here and there the past five days. The Madelinetosh yarn has been especially lovely to work with and is soft and warm against the skin. I am a convert for sure.

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Raverly.

Yarn Along

I am guilty. I decided to wind the skein of Madelinetosk into a ball one day while the children napped. Just to see what it was like. (And so Cohen wouldn't try to 'help,' as toddlers like to do.) Since they were both still napping when I finished winding I thought it couldn't hurt to cast on the shawl. Once I consulted the pattern I saw there were only two stitches to cast on. So, thought I, I may as well just start it then; conveniently putting from my mind the fact that I have been telling myself for two weeks that I would finish my other projects before beginning this one. I have no excuses. I am guilty.

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A friend recently recommended 'Buddhism for Mothers' to me. She felt sure I would find elements of the book that appealed to me. I must admit I was skeptical at first, not considering myself to be spiritual and generally mentally struggling with books labeled under 'Parenting/ Spiritual.' However, rather than rejecting what I did not understand off hand, I picked up the book.

Though I haven't delved to far into the book as yet, the more I read, the more pieces of wisdom I am finding relevant. One does not need to be spiritually inclined to recognise the truth in living mindfully - meaning 'knowing what's happening at the time it's happening.' Rather than spending the day ruminating over past occurances or injustices, or thinking ahead to what's next on the to-do list, mindfulness is a reminder to take notice of the here and now. The book focuses that concept to the benefits which mindfulness can bring to yourself and your parenting. I have previously known mindfulness as a way to ground myself in the moment when my anxious brain wants to race off in the opposite direction. So it's interesting to see how a similar concept can be applied to increasing the joy felt when being with your child.

So I shall continue reading and try to keep my mind open and my defenses down. 

And guiltily knit on.

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

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I'd also like to acknowledge today, ANZAC day, all those who have served for Australia and continue to do so. My father and grand-father included. Our many thanks and deepest respect are with you always.

A month from scratch

This morning I was making fresh orange juice for poor Cohen, who has a cold. First though, I peeled the oranges so as to make a citrus cleaner with the rinds. As I worked I was thinking about several things, one being our ninth wedding anniversary next month. That man must have married me for love, I thought. 

As a 21 year old bride I could bake, but I could not cook. And I only baked on special occasions. I would have failed if the way to Dave's heart had been through his stomach. My specialties were banana cake and scones. He still likes neither. (He's crazy, I know.) Our dinners then consisted of prepackaged food, frozen meals, eating out, or takeaway. Breakfast was simply toast and coffee, and we both brought our lunches at work. Although I had been cooking for myself since turning vegetarian at sixteen, I still really didn't know how to cook.

So much has changed since then. Motivated by Cohen's birth in particular, I started learning how to cook. I began relying less and less on prepackaged food. Becoming a stay at home Mum changed our budget dramatically and I could not rely on takeaway any more. But I had more time. I had a tiny person in my life that I wanted the best for. We found out about his allergies and I needed to be able to cater to them. I borrowed recipe books from the library. Printed recommended recipes from blogs. Borrowed recipes from friends. And slowly built up a range of meals that were healthy, thrifty and delicious. I got over the thought that people like me couldn't cook. I realised I had been standing in my own way, much like I was when it came to learning to knit. The only person stopping me was me and my assumption that I couldn't do it. But who cares if every meal is not perfect? Better to build on your successes than never try at all. 

Blogs further motivated me. The likes of Down to Earth, Soule Mama and Inner Pickle opened new doors to me. From growing our own veggies, to eating seasonally. From preserving food, to making even more from scratch. From keeping chickens, to stockpiling. Even just crafting practical things for the home. My focus expanded to consider economy and environment even more. There are some bigger picture things that we are working on for the future - solar power for the house, rain water tanks for the laundry and gardens and others that we have already accomplished - new roof with whirly birds, new ceiling insulation. But I am also interested in the smaller, more every day things - like making my own cleaning products, thus reducing the amount we spend on such things and reducing the amount of chemicals in our home. Or replacing disposable items like nappies, breast pads and tissues with cloth alternatives. (A box of breast pads costs $6 a week. While I have all the necessary items to make them myself and simply throw them into the machine with the rest of the washing. A savings of $60 every two and a half months.) 

Last night we ate creamy pesto pasta for dinner, with pesto made from the basil grown in our garden. I made enough for lunch today and two serves to freeze for a later date. After making juice and porridge for the little one this morning, I made a loaf of bread and baked two batches of jam drop biscuits for the week. Tonight we are having Spicy Vegetable and Lentil soup for dinner with the fresh bread.  I'll be making a double batch so that I can freeze serves for nights when we are in a rush or I don't feel like cooking - something Emerson's birth inspired me to do. Living simpler, healthier, cheaper has become a part of my mind set. But I know there is more that I could be doing. I've been inspired by Fi at Inner Pickle to challenge myself to a month from scratch and document some of those challenges on my blog.

And you? Are you inspired to take up Fi's challenge?

Sunday in the City

"Ice-keem tuck! Wow!"

Also while in the City yesterday.
Ice cream, sunshine, music, lunch and a sleeping baby.
A wonderful day, followed by one very tired toddler.


PS. Those daggy sun glasses Cohen is wearing? They are Dave's safety sunnies and Cohen is in love with them. Possibly because they are Dadda's? They are amusing, but at least he is wearing sun glasses, right?

'Modern Women'

Portrait of a woman, Albert Besnard

 Portrait or Mme X, Marie Bashkirtseff

One of my very favourite things to do is to visit art galleries. I believe it was probably the main reason I decided to do a bachelor of fine arts. Yesterday we viewed the current exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery, 'Modern Women: Daughters and Lovers 1850 - 1918.' The beautiful drawings in the exhibition were sourced from the Musee De Orsay, Paris, from a collection of over four thousand works. Some of the pieces, framed in simple blonde frames, are being exhibited for the first time. The works were beautifully displayed and hung in rooms according to their themes, from mothers and children, with depictions of breastfeeding, to women working on the farm. From performers, to women of the night. Featuring the work of artists such as Degas, Renoir, Manet and Cassatt, who are all linked by friendship or aesthetics, the pieces range from simple line drawings to intensely worked pastels. Drawing at this time was undertaking a radical reinvention and being recognised as art unto its self, and not merely as preparation for painting, making it a thoroughly modern way to work. 

I particularly loved the way dress came in to play across the works. Whether it be fur collars, silk or shop girls dresses cinched at the waist, much of the clothing featured in the drawings was also thoroughly modern at the time and really places the pieces in their period for modern observers. I'm also drawn to interiors from the period. The stuffed floral couches, elaborate carpets and lush drapes are always a joy for me.

While Emerson and I browsed the exhibition with my sister and her husband, Cohen and Dave were making a bird and nest as a part of the Fiona Hall 'Fly Away Home' interactive exhibit at the Gallery Of Modern Art. Dave assured me that he and Cohen enjoyed this activity so much I should take the little man back and do it with him myself. I think I shall indeed.

So, if you are in Brisbane, I can recommend a trip to either gallery or both.

Sponsorship

An especially big thank you to April's lovely sponsors Plushka and Vistaprint.
Many thanks also to Megan for the *bespoke* zine giveaway.

I'm now accepting sponsors for May.
A month in which I will be celebrating my 1000th post (as well as my ninth wedding anniversary.)
If you'd like to join in the celebrations, please email me - christina-lowry@hotmail,com, or check out the sponsorship page.

This moment

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

A day like today

Library 
Groceries 
Dishes
Laundry
Vacuum
Mop
New shoes
Homemade Vegetarian lasagna
Movie and knitting

Yarn along

True to my promise last week of finishing projects before embarking on any more, Emerson's blanket has been completed, and more rows have also been added to the cabled hot water bottle cozy. I sort of feel like I'm knitting knitting knitting and not getting any further with this one right now. The raglan sweater is still waiting in the knitting basket and more yarn may have arrived in the mail... However, I shall endeavor to continue keeping my promise.

Also in the mail some much anticipated and enjoyable reading - *bespoke*, taproot and frankie.

What are you knitting or reading at the moment?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Emerson's blanket

Emerson came down with something on Friday and she has been miserable ever since. Seven week old babies with stuffy, runny noses, chesty coughs and watery eyes are heart breaking for their Mama's to behold. Neither she nor I have had much sleep the last few nights. We are awaiting the results of some tests. The Doctor thinks it is likely a virus, which means there isn't much we can do except keep up the feeds and cuddles.

So while Dada had cuddles with his baby girl Sunday night, I finished off her blanket for some extra Mama-made comfort.

PS. The Doctor called. The three results, one of which was for whooping cough, came back negative. Such a relief. So we are to stick to cuddle therapy unless she gets worse.

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Ravelry.

The weekend was

Rearranging furniture and redecorating

Harvesting my first corn

Buying strawberry plants and a mushroom growing kit

Wearing rain coats

Removing the remaining tree trunk with a bob cat and a neighbour

Filling in those bob cat tyre tracks

Trying to convince Cohen to stop digging up said tyre tracks

Unpacking our Winter clothes and organising the closets

Weaving in the ends on Emerson's blanket

This moment

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

Blog love

Lori times five

ittybitty

la porte rouge

Studio Meez

Hello Milky

Lililabeth

I love stumbling upon sweet, new-to-me blogs and I thought I would share some of my latest discoveries. From knitting to landscapes, gorgeous photos and enviable writing, these five blogs have caught my eye of late.

What's new in your blog reader?
Or who are your all time favourites?
Let me know in the comments so we can all do a spot of blog hopping.


(All images are from the blog credited beneath them.)

Yarn Along

The permission that breastfeeding grants you to just stop, sit down and feed, has gone a fair way towards granting me reading time lately. Though at other times my breastfeeding multi-tasking has included making puzzles, finishing a row of knitting, buttering toast or dressing a toddler. When you throw in a fair bit of baby gazing, I'm surprised I get any reading done at all. And yet I have. Since last week I have finished this book and I'm half way through this one. I'm feeling inspired and positive about my future knitting plans, as well as my intention to return to the jewellery bench soon.

My first Madelinetosh yarn arrived yesterday and I have been enjoying looking at it and touching it, as one does with new yarn. I have however made myself a promise to finish the hot water bottle cozy, Emerson's blanket and Emerson's raglan sweater before making a start with this wool, lest I add to the unfinished pile...
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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Special Parcels

There have been a few parcels in my letter box of late, in the way of gifts and yarn. Wrapped in vintage sheeting and tied with a special ribbon and a note, Tania sent Emerson these gorgeous vintage baby dresses to add to her collection. I'm lost for words at the thoughtfulness and generosity. Thank you again Tania! They are such darling little dresses and I am sure you will be spotting them on the blog in future.

Also in the mail, that bunny to the right of the photo was the contents of this parcel. A sweet little nightlight from Little Brown Mouse, Emerson's Easter gift. (Though Cohen is utterly fascinated by it.) And in another parcel, my new wool arrived from America, which I shall share with you tomorrow.

Oh, I do so love finding parcels on my door step, or hiding in my letter box!
And you? Have you had any special mail lately?
A post card? A parcel? A handwritten letter?

Wellington Point

Next time we'll walk all the way to King Island. Yesterday, the journey seemed more important than the destination and we stayed on the sand bar, absorbed in the details.

Coming home I felt reinvigorated, refreshed, by the sand between my toes and the breeze on my skin. My legs ached, my back reminded me of the baby I'd been carrying, but I felt a calmness within that's difficult to describe. We spoke of home. What it means to us. How the house makes us feel 'good.' The house feels like 'home.' The potential that has been fulfilled and that which lays waiting. The feeling of welcome I notice each time I walk in the door. 

And I recognised my luck again. A piece of my heart sitting in the driver's seat and strapped into two seats behind. This journey we are sharing.