going ons

If I tell you I really could not find a chunk of time to sit and blog- you might not believe me- but really you should, because it's basically true. Zach has been working a lot. Be it printing out iron-ons for his tshirt shop ( 247Magnum.etsy.com)or working on ideas for his day job or working on big and little details alike for his extra, exciting book writing job- the man has been on the computer a lot and when I did have a moment, I'm sure I totally fudge it. Instead of following my own true words of creating every day- I fell flat on my bum (on the couch that is) and finally started a scrapbook for Hazel! My one saving-grace,crafty move.


(Hazel playing with the my apple. The same one I played with how many years back)

In other news, deep B R E A T H, our bid was accepted! But hold on, we still have to get the place inspected and with a weekend of impending weddings (Friday I am in one and Sat. we go to one) we will for sure miss the deadline for the tax credit. Dag nabit! Oh well, I will just be pleased if everything comes through pretty seamlessly...my belly is worried- but my heart and mind are trying their best to be positive.

Going to add some henna to my hair and have a vanilla (soy) ice cream banana split. 3 more busy days ahead. This morning was spent at a swap meet with some other mamas I know, fun was had by all. I think everyone walked out with a few cute things- I know we did!

More to come! xo

Me and my Bindlestiff

Me and my Bindlestiff, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

old picture- I found of our 1st Hobocamp Photo shoot
xo

Do Something!

Do Something!, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

so tonight I did what I do many nights, watch a movie ( or TV) and eat a delicious snack. Maybe I will peruse a magazine, a book or get stuck on the internet especially design blogs or Facebook. Why? For What? here I am envious of other crafters and their lives and losing time in my own life b/c I am on the dang computer. I guess I tell myself that once Hazel is down I can relax. I try to take a bath and read and I get much fulfillment from that- but once I'm out there is the TV saying,"c'mon Mel come and chill!"

But,there has to be some sort of change. It can't continue for me this way... because my energy level is low and my creativity level is even lower. So I am going to try this little experiment out and I urge anyone to join me. I haven't come up with a name yet, but it is a simple idea of basically daily goals of creating. Be it organizing your fabric by colors- photographing a bunch of pencils- whatever just something that moves you to think outside of the everyday stressors and gets you to create.

Tonight I read a good amount of the Kind Diet and I feel very excited about the possibilities of taking better care of myself.

xo

Thrift, Dream, Read

The dream part is still in progress (and I imagine will always be to some extent) and as we wait wait wait for a reply from the realtor. But we are trying to be hopeful and if this specific house doesn't work out- we have a few others lined up.

In the mean time I am trying to stay busy and trying*(sorry,Z) not to call Zach a bazillion times a day at work to see if he's "heard anything".

So I've been thrifting,planning our meals out, planning out rooms in my head and color schemes and all the things I would like to try and make,find or get used for Hazel's play. I really want to get her a kitchen set, I would heart a wooden one because I know it is better for her, our home and in the long run probably more durable. That said if we find a recycled one for very little money- I won't turn it down even if we keep it out in the yard.

Here are a few of my recent finds at my favorite little place called, Grace's.

Vintage TMNT (my husband was thrilled that I snagged that), cute little navy button down and a light pink, DUNDER MIFFLIN shirt!


khaki pants that have adjustable legs and a seersucker pair of red shorts that were a mere 25 cents!


Dunder Mifflin tee


A giraffe tunic, a floral shirt and a long sundress.



Action shot!

This week we are laying low,taking in some sun and reading some new books.

for Hazey:

Good-bye Pacifier


and for Mama:
The Kind Diet.

Since the cocktail of colitis meds, seem to be working, I am feeling braver with my food choices again. We've been enjoying green smoothies. This morning was exceptionally delish- Hazel kept signing and saying "more, more!". It was a handful of fresh spinach, 3/4 banana, a splash of OJ, a tbsp of agave nectar, 1 c. of almond milk and 1/2 c. of mangoes. I am hoping this book will reaffirm my reasons for being vegan years ago and help me get back on track.. even if eggs are still in the picture now & then.
xo

Some Little Truths

I need to make one of these for myself... but first I need to channel my inner Kirsten Dunst in order to channel my inner Marie Antoinette.

-I guess this will be my new weekly thing. ~LITTLE TRUTHS~ till I forget

-I am all out of batteries and I'm too lazy to find the rechargeable ones,so I'll be using recycled or older pictures.

-This weekend is busy. Today we are hoping to put a bid on a house,but I'll save that for another day.. it is kind of a long shot. So we're being wistfully optimistic.


(a picture of me from way back. we were living in our troll apartment with 4 windows, yet I still managed to look sassy!)

-Jasper totally just published this post with hardly any text and my picture. He stepped on the keys and voila!

-My niece Jenny's birthday party this weekend, presents to wrap and a tambourine to fix for our music box. I bought it for 25 cents and it doesn't have a cover, which also has nails sticking out of it. This is the same tambourine, I purchased then placed on top of the roof of my car (while getting Hazel into her car seat), then promptly drove away to the sound of a tambourine playing. I then backed up on a very narrow street in Piermont and grabbed said tambourine off the ground.

-Half a fence to construct and dig holes for (this will probably be work for my father & Zach)

-Make a sugar cookie berry crumble

-Remember to breath and treat myself to a tiny indulgence like a latte and some magazine or book reading time.

-Have fun with those I love. xo

wonderful weekend wishes!

a complete premature thought

Saturday Morning Windowing, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

So Saturday Zach went to see about a few houses. Since I wans't quite up to it, Hazel and I went today. You know everyone who owns a house says you get that feeling when you know... well I got that feeling! I am sure I am having a total premature feeling, but what do we have to go on if not premature feelings?!

A little cottage with potential, 2 bathrooms (a must for me!), a fireplace and a yard. It also has a gorgeous view of Putnam Lake. I want to gush more, but I won't... because who knows what will happen. We can only go through the motions with our breath slightly held and wishes in our hearts. Zach said he kinda felt something too.

I would be thrilled for these two clowns to have some windows to sit in this summer. Holding onto whimsical, premature thoughts- keeps you young. This I firmly believe. xo

Springing Forward

Although I am suspiciously still missing some spring clothing (pink Crocs where have you gone?), we did get the bulk of it out of the attic and shed and into the wash. Today I will finally get a chance to hang dry Hazel's diapers.

Since we are still in finding-a-house-mode, I've been glancing at DIY magazines that have to do with home organization,decoration and design.

Fresh Home has some great ideas in it. The colors and photography pop, you should check it out!

mama snapshot

We were in a market parking lot, Zach ran in.

Today I feels bittersweet and when I tell you why, you'll laugh and realize I am crazy. Bitter, because today is the day of my most favorite rummage sale ever. The place I go early on Friday and then back for more on Saturday. They usually have it marked on their calender on the church's website- but someone must have dropped the ball and although I checked I failed to drive by the church (that is several miles away) to see the sign. So it is my fault, this I know and it pains me. Zach is out on a secret mission, has the car and the car seat and I have no one to babysit.

The sweet part is that today I am finally going to Weleda for my birthday facial! Very excited over here! So although I am really dragging because I missed collecting a few vintage aprons,some linens,some awesome baby clothes... the list goes on, I in turn hope to leave Weleda with a rejuvenated face and perhaps a few products to help keep it that way.

What's up with you today?

Some Little Truths

Some things that I have just realized about me or life or just an AHA moment. It's a new thing I'm starting for myself. Be sure to join in!

-Next time I make brownies, more peanut butter is definitely needed.

-I think I have figured out how not to waist my cup of tea. Use these vintage diner mugs I found thrifting, they're not quite as big as some of my other favorites and they hold just the right spot of tea. Approximately 4-5 gulps.





-I need to take better care of my camera (hence the backward photo booth shots of my mug).

-The more you do, the more you want to do. Be it cooking,art,sewing- it is an addiction of the safest kind and feeds the creative side of me, which is really all around me when I take time to look.

-I've had a nose ring (well a stud)for 16 years,yet I am still surprised at how much I notice it when I start wearing it again.

-Having a talking baby in the house is a challenge( did I say shit? I mean sit, sit!) and an amazing joy!

Pizza for Dinner

So after a morning spent in NY Presbyterian Hospital (colonoscopy) I was starving! I was able to make quite a dent in Breaking Dawn, since we arrived 1hour and 30 minutes early. Zach and Hazel picked me up from recovery with an egg sandwich- that perfectly hit the spot!

On our way home, still feeling a little loopy, coaxed Zach to take me to my favorite little thrift store that was having a $1.00 sale! I scored 2 summer skirts (both need to be shortened- I did cut & pin them), a great pair of like-new long Johns for Hazel, a sweatshirt for myself, 2 pair of pants for Hazel along with a few other things- I am now forgetting. Let's just say it was a success and I am contemplating going back! (shhh don't tell Zach!)

While Z&H played in the yard that afternoon, again still a little loopy- I started making brownies in the house. Don't worry the brownies came out amazing! I used my favorite box recipe and added peanut butter. Tempted to order out,yet trying to use everything in our cupboards, we used up our last packet of Bob's Red Mill's gluten-free pizza dough. This dough is really delicious- plus we have a little secret... since we loove the crust, (well Zach more than I) we usually add some sugar and cinnamon to the crust and save that as a little after-pizza treat! Sound crazy? It really is delicious!

This is how it turned out!


My half had scallions,sauce,mushrooms,cilantro and soy cheese. Zach's side had all the same + BBQ chicken pieces we made.Yum! Great Job Z!

A little Easter gift from Zachary, new sunglasses!! My old favorite white ones, finally kicked on Friday. RIP favorite sunglasses and welcome new, purple,butterfly inspired ones!



This morning I was able to hang my spring clothes on the line! This is the first wash this season, since it is suppose to be about 80-yay.
xo

Cars that are parked on the side of the road and other adventures

Here in New York and in many other states I've visited, I always see an overabundance of cars parked on the side of the road. A rambling,twisting road, a forest and a random car parked with no one inside. I always wondered where are these people? Who are these people? What adventure are they on now?

Well the other day, I was driving on a road I drive at least once a week and I saw this sign, one I had never noticed before.


Had I not been on route to meet a friend, I would have pulled over- put the babe in the Ergo and checked it out. But instead, I dragged Zach and Hazel there on Saturday. This is one of the cemeteries, that is associated with Letchworth Village, which was a home for epileptic,"feebleminded”,mentally ill,and homeless.

more photos here.
I remember in high school there were always scary stories about this whole complex in general. growing up in North Rockland, I think everyone has had some thought driving by and wondering what the heck went on there? The gorgeous brick buildings with air conditioners still in their windows,curtains and furniture. Like something out of a true horror film. From online photos I've see the decomp inside, peeling paint and wall paper,rust which all adds to the village's creepy vibe.

The cemetery is located a few miles down from the actual village on Cal Hollow. There is a NO TRESPASSING sign, next to the cemetery sign, but alas we parked our car on the side of the road. Zach was concerned we might get a ticket, so he and Hazel stayed in the car and I trekked, alone. It was broad daylight out, even though I am a huge baby and of course was trying to remain calm and not run from the forest like a mad woman. It helped that the forest is very thin and I could see the car basically through the clearing. The spot is also pretty serene, even though those who died were not given proper gravestones, but a mere number. Later a stone was erected to "Those Who Shall Not Be Forgotten". Not knowing anyone who was buried here, it still felt to be a sad place, but I am happy I visited. It just felt like something odd I needed to do. When I arrived back, Zach was in the driver's seat ready for a quick getaway! Here are a few of my photos and the NY Times article published several years back on the cemetery.
















Do you have one of those old,creepy places you dream about visiting?!

Spring Essentials

An old favorite, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

Regardless if you have children or not, if you work at home and find your self getting dirty with food-paint-poop- you name it, you might want to think about acquiring an apron. I won't go into the history of these useful-practical items- only to say that I collect vintage aprons and have for a while. So, you can always find me scouring the tag sales and fabric buckets for discarded bizarre aprons. If the vintage ones don't really fit your fancy, there are so many awesome and easy ways to make an apron yourself or support a handmade shop hat sells them!
Here are the few that are in our shop now and some past aprons. I have more waiting, waiting for my fingers to meet my inspired brain to complete the project!

Blue Bell, more for cooking and covering up your clothing. A very small pocket for a kleenex or secret note. I love the blue lace- it just seems so vibrant. Although the tiny blue bell flower print is not vintage- it hints at it.
and the cows? Well I think they speak for themselves!

This apron was made with a crafter in mind. It has multiple pockets for holding cash for shows or hoarding craft supplies. It also boasts a cute little canvas loop for hammers,scissors (be careful when sitting) or some other useful tool.

Hope you enjoyed this little blurb about one of my most cherished things to collect and make! I'll be on the look out for a bunny-themed apron for Sunday! xo