springy

This was the scene in our house about 2 1/2 weeks ago when first Hazel came down with a virus/flu, then I came down with it and papa soon followed. It was scary to have a babe with a 103 temp, but we were able to keep it under control and this little bean was quite the trooper. Happily we are all feeling better and I think looking forward to a sunnier, brighter day moving forward.

On the sunnier note, I attended a gardening seminar at a local library today. I was grateful my mother could babysit,since Zach was helping his brother. I got a large packet chock full of info and some great tips. I wish there was more time for the master gardener to speak about organic gardening, but I did see yet another event focusing solely on organic gardening. Not too much going on here, choosing seeds and plants and containers. I thought we'd do raised beds, but I am leaning more towards containers- with the spotty sunlight we get. More soon~
Happy Spring~

keeping busy

Just a few pictures to show how we've been keeping busy!

playing in BIG sandboxes


growing pots of these!


eating ice cream sandwiches from the freezer, but pretending they are from the Good Humor guy!


learning to pump our legs while swinging along


climbing rocks near the Hudson River!

You'd think these were all from the same day! Nope! We just love this recycled tee!


I bought 3 of these 100% silk- totally vintage from India. They were 1$ each at a yard sale last weekend- score!

Months ago I had taken Monsters of Templeton on CD out of the library. I don't know when I thought I would listen to it, because it isn't kid-friendly and i never have the time. Regardless, I promptly snatched it up along with a million other things at the library- because sometimes I feel like I am on a shopping spree when I am there. I see so many awesome books, CDs, magazines and I kinda lose it and end up leaving with 2 tote bags full. I listened in the car to the 1st disc then promptly lost it. Luckily I was able to renew it several times and then finally found the 1st disc in my folder of home decorating/renovation. Isn't that where everyone keeps this stuff?

Today was pretty hectic, a dentist appointment this morning- then craziness ensued regarding our closing. It is getting close and we hope to know more this week! Then to add to the craziness my mother and I took Hazel and my niece,Lizzie to IKEA! Like the 3 bears, they climbed into every bed,chair,nook and cranny. Silly babes!



That is what the last few days have looked like. Now I just need to convince Zach to let me paint our bedroom the color of pumpkin pie.
xo

Mending

Tomorrow my mother goes into the hospital for surgery. It is a pretty standard surgery, but still scary. I've started taking a medication at night, that will supposedly help my colitis. I was hesitant for a few reasons, but I need to see if it opens a door to remission. For my birthday I am planning a visit to the Weleda Spa nearby. I really like their products and can't wait to get a facial. I really need one! Having a baby (ahem,some 15 months ago) wreaks havoc on your skin!

I also have 3 or 4 vintage quilts, patchwork that need serious mending. I could easily stitch them up on the Huskystar, but I need to hand stitch them. I love hand-stitching so much. It is meditative, grounds me and relaxes me too. Each stitch is different like snowflakes. Last night, I watched as my mother hand-stitched a pair of pajama pants and then realized these old quilts I have need that sort of attention.

So we are all in some stage of mending. I guess that means Spring is getting closer. Leaves and trunks and grass repairing themselves- growing. Now if I could just grow some patience and be in the now- be less of a procrastinator and more of a doer. Still a lot of work to accomplish!
xo

Guilty

I am admitting for March a very small act involving this guy. I am guilty for not always recycling the toilet roll, yes it is true. See sometimes I am lazy by nature- when we finish a roll I will leave the empty roll aside and say " I'll recycle that later" well later turns into usually never. The roll is usually missing from where I last left it or tossed in the garbage.

Believe me I know how useful these guys are, really. My colitis gives me plenty of time to daydream about possible toilet paper roll projects I could make with Hazel when she's 5. In limited space I can't save them- but sometimes my inner hoarder speaks "c'mon what is a few paper rolls? You need them, You need them!" Then I snap out of it, leave it by the sink and forget it all till my next bathroom visit.

March will be the month for recycling these guys as well as cleaning out my car- getting the trunk almost empty. The weight I carry in the car isn't good for gas mileage or the environment in the long run. Besides who really needs 2 strollers on any given day?

What will be your One Small Change?

Whirled Days

Things have been a little crazy. We are still half in at my parent's house and half out of the apartment- how is that for optimism? My sewing machine- sits in it's new spot atop of my old table, now in front of a bright glass sliding door. When we moved it there I pictured myself happily sewing away a mass of fabric & projects and watching the cardinals feed. But I haven't had time for much sewing. In fact a pile of pinned projects is stacked so high it almost covers the machine. But I need to come to terms with being a full-time mama. I think I need to change my point of view and realize- Hazel is my job- raising Hazel and if I find time for Hobocamp- it is a plus. With that said I need to find cracks in the day for so many things that need nurturing- like my relationship with myself and Zach. You read so much about husbands & partners feeling left out or neglected when a baby comes and I would hate for that to be our case. I know I've neglected a lot that has to do with my own well-being and I have to try and work at that.

Yesterday she had her last of her 4 month-old shots. I broke them up once a week or a little longer. For her 2 month shots, I wasn't happy with her getting them all at once. She had a low-grade fever for a week and I could never tell which was making her feel that way. Of course I had to weigh her and she is 25 inches long and 13lbs 4 ounces. Always with the 4's. 7lbs 4 oz when born.

I also had an appointment with the gastro doctor who I originally went to in the beginning of this madness (which is going to be a year in July).I've also lost 40 pounds in 4 months (without trying) (I don't know if this is a good thing?) but I certainly had not expected to lose pretty much all my baby weight(I was 200 lbs on the day of) plus 10 extra lbs by this point. I am going to get an endoscopy. The gluten-free diet which seemed like a great idea at first, doesn't seem to be helping my symptoms. So we'll see how it goes. I must eat gluten-foods till the procedure. At first, armed with Imodium, I thought mmm bread! But when I tried some it was so doughy I couldn't eat it! Imagine that!

So amidst all this craziness- Spring has sprung and flowers & trees are in bloom. I found some time to plant my seedlings and pick up a few plants. Still more planting to be done. Until the true frost is gone- every night I'm carting the seedlings back into the bathroom for safe keeping.

Today is Wednesday, our car is down at the dock by the ferry landing- so we'll spend the day at home. There is so much to do I need an ultimate to-do list- that way I can check things off here & there and get a great feeling of accomplishment!

Happy Wednesday!
xo
M

The Haul

Even though we arrived later than my rummage sale-plan called for- we still were in time for major haul!
Here is the rundown followed by pics:
1 vintage Pooh Bear & Christopher Robin curtain panel

1 dark denim jacket almost never worn- but super soft
1 pair of dark denim jeans (same)

1 vintage gauze dress

3 skirts (2 vintage- 1 linen H&M)

1 vintage nightie (which I want to shorten)

2 vintage summery robes

1 kids apron ( Hazel)
1 handmade coffee mug (scissors)

6 super soft cotton shirts (for reconstructing and such)

1 pr of men's bathing trunks (Zach? - reconstructing?)

3 pair of cargo khaki shorts ( for Zach)

this all came to 17$ Pretty amazing seeing that a lot of it is expensive brand names-that I would never pay full price for- yippee!

Well tomorrow is a big baby/child consignment sale- so I hope I find a few things there too- then maybe one or 2 summer accessories and this mama is done- for reals- except thrifting. I never even shared the haul from 2 weeks ago- maybe I'll get to showing my vintage $2.00 suit one of these days!
Have a good weekend thrifting/crafting/snuggling.
xo

Live See Make or Sleep Nurse and Forget to Eat

Hazel will be 4 months next week- how time has just flown by. I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging- something. We just came back from a new Whole Foods almost near us with some new friends. A good time was had by all- except now I have a sore throat. With Hazel sleeping lightly on my lap- I wish at this point I would have trained our cats better. As always we are taking on much more than we envisioned and have started moving in with my parents-while still housing things at the old place. I packed up my most summery fabric and my machine and have it all in a pile staring back at me. This weekend- this weekend- this weekend. That is my new mantra. It'll all get done-this weekend.

Although H sleeps through the night now, I am not getting to bed till midnight and rising at 6 to take Z to the train. Once his ticket is up at the end of March- we'll begin a closer & perhaps easier commute ( as I've done both of his and prefer the ferry-train method).

I've started making some clutches and they are patiently awaiting their buttons for closure- however I dropped our digital camera and may have broken it. So I will add that to my list!

I hope the springy weather inspires wonderful things in you.. I need to get into the right frame of mind-which I hope will be coming soon! I'm washing my fabrics and that always inspires me- along with reading SARK and Sabrina Ward Harrison.
be well-