Thursday, September 23, 2010

Lena's Birthday

Lena's baby picture

Monday was Lena's birthday. She's our hurricane baby born after Hurricane Isabel came through Richmond back in 2003. She was born at home - planned homebirth - and I have to say was one of the coolest experiences of my life, first homebirth - one of three now - and we totally roughed it, water was out, power was out, and I wouldn't have changed anything about it, it was perfect. Birthdays are always a day of reflection as they probably are for all mothers . . . her birth was special and unique as all births are.

So for her birthday this year, I really wanted to make her a sweater - so that sweet sweater that I knitted all summer was ready in plenty of time for her celebration.

sweater for Lena

sweater for Lena

That afternoon she opened presents:

wrapped presents

opening presents after school

rare moment!

wearing her sweather

went to soccer practice - then we lit her birthday ring and had cake:

after practice - cake time!

blowing out candles on birthday ring

refection of cake

one-bowl chocolate cake, swiss-meringue buttercream icing

Voted best cake by everyone - I pulled it out of a Fall 2002 Martha Stewart Baby Magazine - it's the One-Bowl Chocolate Cake & Swiss-Meringue Buttercream recipe. Yum!

Friday, September 10, 2010

this moment ::

Inspiring by Soulemama's {This Moment}


{this moment} - a friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from my week. I want to pause and savor this moment!

{this moment}

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Rosemary is One!

Rosemary is one today, ONE! She is truly a special being.

handmade gifts

table decorations

with her birthday crown

I enjoyed so much making {and finishing up} these gifts for Rosemary in time for her birthday. The minky blankie is so soft! I think its my favorite next to her birthday crown.

I just want to say to you all ~ Thank you for your many blessings and prayers in the past year. You all have ventured along on this journey with me and have blessed my life so much, I am so grateful for you all.

********************
To Rosemary ~ You are such an amazing teacher. I am not the same person I was a year ago before you came into our lives. I love you so much Rosemary, Happy 1st Birthday love!

me and Rosemary








Monday, September 6, 2010

Inspiration

inspiration

My inspiration this week has come from . . . acorns. I go for a walk each morning and each new day I am greeted with such beauty. I may find a few turned leaves on the ground, a beautiful sky, an unusual bird or spider web, but acorns . . . I bring those home with me to share with my girls. I love the deep browns and pistachio greens of the acorns which led me to bringing out this pile of scraps to make something for our home and for the upcoming season. It feels so good this year to be able to look slightly ahead and plan something special for my favorite season of the year - Autumn.

finished log cabin squares

It wasn’t until I started having children, 9 years ago to be exact, that I found a love for this season. It’s magical, and so invigorating. This year I wanted to do something special, so I decided to give it a go with making another version of a log cabin square, inspired by Amanda, and the book, Patchwork Style. I too am hooked and will be making more of these for sure in the Near future!

table runner

This table runner goes perfectly in our dining room and in perfect time, I must say, for a little someone who's having her first birthday, tomorrow!

inspiring

acorns

What's inspiring you?


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Today I have peace ::

clothesline

There is a dimension in our lives that we have access to at a moment’s notice. All it takes is an awareness of the beauty around us. This beauty creates this dimension in my life, a dimension that I call peace.

Today I have peace.

Clotheslines and nature walks are a sure way to bring me peace {this is just a few pictures I’ve recently captured that help describe how I feel today}

mushroom on nature walk

mushroom on nature walk

nature walk

I hope you find an abundance of peace in your life today too.