tonight ~

I found myself in my evening rounds tucking kids into bed, picking up around the house, sitting very minimally, and walking around with this skein of yarn tucked under one arm and hands free ever so often to knit and purl 5 stitches or so and it felt good. It also reminded me of having my hands full once again and still being able to get around and do what needed to be done {confidently!}. I stopped in our room for a moment to look at a picture I have of the oldest two meeting our youngest for the first time, sweet moments, and looking forward to more new family pictures being made, our three getting aquainted with a new sibling, and knitting for someone we don’t quite know yet, but dream about how wonderful life will be when we meet him or her.

a treat {tweet} for my tea ~

Here's a little birthday present that arrived in the mail, one that I've been waiting for just the right time to get, and something special to drink my *tea in.

My herbal tonic tea has a new tweet (treat!). It’s the funny bird pattern tea cup handmade by Linda at Little Flower Designs. Check out her site, looks like she will be having some one of a kinds coming out in May. I can’t wait! For the tea, it’s the pregnancy herbal tonic tea from Blessed Herbs. My midwife has had me drinking this for years now. The tea doesn’t come with directions, but if interested, boil 2 quarts of water. Add ¾ - 1 cup of the loose tea to the pot, take off the heat, cover and let infuse a minimum of 4 hours. Drain into pitcher and dilute to 1 gallon and refridgerate. It gives your baby and body great nutrition.

Hello little birdie!

a spring skirt ~

This weekend I sewed this simple skirt for Elise. I have been holding on to this sewing project since last Fall when I stumbled across it on Oliver + S's blog. This skirt is adorable on and sure enough, Elise immediately started to twirl when she wore it for the first time. It’s the Lazy Days Skirt on Oliver + S's blog under tutorials (or follow my link above) and it’s free!! I loved the combo of this chick linen ribbon and the bias gingham, both from Superbuzzy. I have gone through my stash to find other suitable skirt fabrics and ribbons and will soon be making more of these skirts!!! One is never enough, right?

Praising Sundays ~

Early this morning (being Sunday), Lena entered my room and said “here, hang this up” and I gladly set the Magna Doodle up on the dresser as I would any picture or photograph that pleased me. I saw “this shot” in my head and this became my Sunday post. So many special things can come from the few quiet moments in a morning where one child has wondered off by him or herself to be alone to create something . . .

Little distractions ~

With a day at home yesterday, Lena’s imagination took off around mid-morning and said she spied 12 little mice coming out of the wall. Seeing the need to play along, I decided to give her a small red gift bag to catch the imaginary pink mice in which later led to the question, “mom, can I have some of your material to make sleeping bags for all 12 of them?!” We found some star flannel and I gave her some paper to design or draw out the pattern on. As she kept busy with that I had time to start on some other chores around the house. Repeatedly, she reminded me about the 12 sleeping bags so together we began working on the first little bag for her new friends.



And after the first one was done, she announced, “we have to make 11 more beds!” – sigh. I really enjoyed this time with her, and remembered how much fun I had when my own Grandmother helped me sew and create something I had imagined. I will do my very best to finish all the bags she is requesting in hopes that it will inspire her to continue to use that wonderful imagination of hers and to create with her hands the ideas she sees in her mind.

A baby sweater ~

With each of our 3 children, I found myself sewing frantically in those last few weeks of the pregnancy, making something special for them. For our first I sewed cushions for our wooden rocking chair, using my Grandmother’s Domestic pedal sewing machine. Using no pattern, I simply cut and measured a cushion from cushy foam and cut and sewed material to cover it. With Lena and Elise I sewed drawstring gowns for them to wear after their births using a pattern for the first time. Noticing with each baby, my sewing skills would grow and I began to try making new things. Assuredly, there was always a great need for me to “make” something.

With this baby that I am carrying, I started wanting to make something a little earlier and with having learned newer skills since our last was born I really wanted to knit this new baby a sweater. I had this pattern and yarn picked out months before we found out we were expecting, so that first day – on Christmas Day to be exact, I happily cast on and starting knitting this sweater. I love the softness and the neutral colors {I used a light green even though it is showing up as blue in the picture} in this aran weight yarn. I knitted a size 3-6 months since this baby is due early Sept while it’s still hot, that way it will be waiting to be worn when cooler temperatures hit early Winter.

Today I’m 36 ~

Here I sit, pregnant with our 4th child and I am amazed just thinking about where my life has led me up to this year. 15 years ago, I would have never been able to come close at guessing what my life would be like today. I’m still truly amazed at where God’s path has led me, choices I’ve made, and the blessings that have come. I’m very grateful for my life, all 36 years. WOW ! 36?!

In the kitchen with the girls ~

At two different points yesterday morning I worked with the girls {separately} with food preparation. Elise enjoyed cutting up slices of banana for her morning snack.



Recipe writing her way ~
Lena learned a little about Recipe writing {her way}. We made Jello together and then I had her write out the directions so next time she can make it herself {I would help her with the boiling water of course}.





I’ve always been drawn to the way recipes can be written so that children can understand it and make it themselves, kind of like in a chart or picture form. I’m sure there is a name for it, can’t think of it at the moment, so I thought we would start writing out our own early reader child friendly recipes for some foods that are easy to make.

Both girls found lots of satisfaction with their gained independence in the kitchen, with more to come I'm sure!

Black Bean Salsa ~

Needing a healthy snack/lunch packed with lots of protein {I’m suppose to get nearly 70grams of protein daily while pregnant}, I made a black bean salsa on Sunday that was so tasty and fun to eat.

1 can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 can of corn drained and rinsed
1-2 roma tomatoes diced
¼ cup red onion diced
¼ cup freshed squeezed lime juice
1 tsp cumin powder.

I served this with Blue Corn chips and it was so fresh tasting and delicious!!!!

This will be my summer staple for sure!!

another pair gifted ~

I wasn’t sure if I would like these knitted up 1) in a solid color, or 2) in cotton {I used Pebbles Classic Elite Yarns and size 3 needles}, but as I photographed these right before I wrapped them and shot out the door to the baby shower, I really really loved how they turned out.

I typically knit these in a multicolored wool sock yarn or Koigu, so it took me awhile to get a feel for knitting with cotton, especially this yarn since it has a twisted pattern to it and would get stuck on my needles. Nonetheless, I liked the results and will be getting more for the other Spring/Summer babies that I know are on the way.