tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56059331368261949762023-11-16T03:53:37.811-08:00Shape of a Spoonfinding art in everyday lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-87879658331625716152013-02-13T21:57:00.003-08:002013-02-13T23:42:13.670-08:00Valentines for Junie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our daughters' names inspire me. I didn't name them to facilitate my personalization of their <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-skirts.html">wardrobe </a>or the end of the year <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/06/botanical-paintings.html">gifts </a>to their <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2012/06/growing-juniper.html">teachers</a>. But once the opportunities presented themselves, I found it impossible to resist.<br />
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I had an idea stewing in my brain last year for my <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-juvenility.html">kindergartener's valentines</a> that didn't quite make the cut. Funny how a miniature person's vote can frequently trump an adult's. Junie wouldn't even let it go past the drawing board. But we've both grown up a bit in the last year. Valentines negotiations were surprisingly simple this time around. And I won!!! ...One of us has grown up in the past year, at least.<br />
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Juniper has a whole slew of nicknames in our family: Junebug, June Balloon. Morph those into a heart shape and, voila! A valentine, personalized to the core. Junie, our resident Paint expert, had free reign over coloring and embellishing my drawing. This collaboration seemed to clinch my victory as she snuggled next to me at the computer: "These are perfect, Mom!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-68329978436667973662012-06-11T10:36:00.000-07:002012-06-12T08:13:15.677-07:00shoemaker extraordinaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not quite, but I finally did it! I took the plunge and fabricated a pair of fabric boots for the five-year-old! I kept fondly remembering the cheery <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2010/12/wool-dress-for-winter-walks-on-pier.html">red boots</a> that the three-year-old outgrew and decided to try my hand at making some.<br />
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Almost a year ago, I tried <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/07/dismantling.html">dismantling</a> some shoes to learn a bit more about their construction, but never followed the project through to completion. This weekend I finally got tired of my daughter's sad collection of half-shredded shoes, and ripped one of them apart. Apparently I thought spending the entire day trying to make a boot would be a more efficient use of my time than going to the store to buy some.<br />
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I used the existing sole of one of her thrashed pair of shoes, ripped out the shoe uppers, then used them as a pattern for the new boots.<br />
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After some failures, rethinking my design, and a bit of hair pulling, success was finally mine! <br />
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Perhaps most valuable, I made it past my own fear that I couldn't do it. I'll definitely be doing this again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-40539328243176512322012-06-01T14:20:00.000-07:002012-06-11T10:41:47.388-07:00growing a Juniper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was the last day of school for my kindergartener, soon to be first grader. Time passed with imperceptible growth - until I remember back to just nine months ago when she began the school year. Kids continue to grow, no matter where they are, but I'm acutely thankful that she had a kind and loving teacher who made the process a positive one.<br />
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Last year I gave the girls' teachers <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/06/botanical-paintings.html">botanical paintings</a> - a fitting symbol of the growth they had nurtured in Juniper and Olive during the year. Juniper and I collaborated on this year's painting together. Now that's a clear marker of growth in my budding artist (and her mother, who successfully relinquished a bit of control on an art project).<br />
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Spring must be Baby Season, what with all of the friends and family anticipating new arrivals, or recently having welcomed them. Boy, girl, girl, twin boys, and even a few "as yet unidentified." With the chaos that is the end of the school year, I needed a good reason to get my hands moving in some sort of soothing rhythm, a way to calm the interior while the exterior runs circles. Nothing does that so well as baby knits -- small, fast, and incredibly soft.</div>
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In the spirit of all that tiny, one of my girls has been spending a lot of time out back. I didn't even realize what she was up to until I stumbled across her Encampment.<br />
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Teepees and canoes, fire pits and ponds. She even managed to shift the dirt in one planter enough to provide for the ever-crucial stable. Reminds me of all the summer hours I spent making small encampments in the backyard of my parent's home (although I seem to remember actually lighting the fire pits -- shhh, don't tell her that. We're on High Fire Alert around here). Sometimes "the good old days" don't seem that far off after all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev4zR6WsrM12856twr4N1Zidy5I38MzmO9eJPJtafxhDtgesE8gnkSHDBzw_nTewm8d3LAQsX_eFSTwcClSW3qGSD9eAxKZcr8C4of-eGwskIhvtlleU0Sq94ICv7D_SD0tX_JXam22sW/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev4zR6WsrM12856twr4N1Zidy5I38MzmO9eJPJtafxhDtgesE8gnkSHDBzw_nTewm8d3LAQsX_eFSTwcClSW3qGSD9eAxKZcr8C4of-eGwskIhvtlleU0Sq94ICv7D_SD0tX_JXam22sW/s400/IMG_5528.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-2469012117553851992012-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:002012-05-23T05:00:06.501-07:00wednesday's ode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-84460518651201616072012-05-21T10:42:00.000-07:002012-06-11T13:36:29.139-07:00Easter for the little man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QsEb7qZCkXs35n7gWfiYSt11eKgLT3wKfEzYHYJSZkRAxiGx6JOGKsPrgjU1Y_iWJGtOabmMf8qVh1K6dLqKrfsPJPgjCdD-AK_RnYVHtsWBHUISNfDPZmM7bt3ZVFVs33E5_joSxvrm/s1600/easter+clothes+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QsEb7qZCkXs35n7gWfiYSt11eKgLT3wKfEzYHYJSZkRAxiGx6JOGKsPrgjU1Y_iWJGtOabmMf8qVh1K6dLqKrfsPJPgjCdD-AK_RnYVHtsWBHUISNfDPZmM7bt3ZVFVs33E5_joSxvrm/s400/easter+clothes+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The last of the Easter outfits (the girls' are <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2012/04/pink-frills-and-princesses.html">here </a>and <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2012/05/poppies-for-easter.html">here</a>). He just took his first steps on Sunday. A <a href="http://sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com/2010/07/all-tied-up-little-tie-and-bow-tie.html">tie </a>and vest, complete with a
screenprinted boutonniere - absurdly grown up for a baby that is growing
up absurdly fast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Bnj3_4nS2oE9CzC7G3bAIwru19TvQumNCu3afVWGidAN6VVQK3M6is-1j2NLgBbr_DDBfPZm8Zem8q8ytfM_MfCl_AH9KJtd-J6WtBjTVPORgv-dvvcZUGbL4tCvPC14uN5eSZwmyHvo/s1600/easter+clothes+118-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-17941319947879726052012-05-18T06:27:00.001-07:002012-06-11T10:42:25.708-07:00i am hope :: white<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://iamhope.blogspot.com/2012/05/photo-friday-white.html">i am hope :: white</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-1041351783142216732012-05-16T06:17:00.001-07:002012-06-11T10:43:12.306-07:00wednesday's ode<i>To beautiful surroundings.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-41163678741864542392012-05-14T08:17:00.003-07:002012-06-11T10:43:32.766-07:00an evening at the lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first year we were here we went up to the lake a couple of times a week. This past year was slower -- more homebound and busy. But this weekend, a good reminder that hiking and mud and cold, cold spring water does us all a lot of good. </div>
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And then some.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-68255639248775548692012-05-11T07:11:00.000-07:002012-05-11T08:23:32.912-07:00i am hope :: tiny things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
. . . in a big way . . . </div>
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or big things . . . in a <a href="http://iamhope.blogspot.com/2012/05/photo-friday-tiny-things.html">tiny</a> way . . .</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-53241927316437305622012-05-09T05:30:00.000-07:002012-06-11T10:43:55.323-07:00poppies for Easter<br />
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My daughter is a compulsive flower picker.<br />
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That said, let me now paint a tricky scenario for you: we live on the bottom floor of our landlord's home. Our landlord, a constant presence in our lives, resides on the second floor. Roses of every shape, size, and color fill the small backyard that we share - the first real backyard we've had access to as a family. These rose bushes are constantly laden with the most enticing blooms imaginable. As an added bonus, the backyard is also home to two lemon trees, their branches weighed down with plump yellow goodness at arm's reach - short little kid arms, that is.<br />
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What could possibly be wrong with this lovely scene? My three-year-old is unable to spend a minute in the backyard without plucking roses, petals, and lemons. In the interest of amiable relations with our landlord, I have become the scroogiest mom around. Every time I spot my daughter cradling a handful of flower petals I give her a stern look and say, "I hope you didn't pick those!" The pinnacle of scrooginess is when I must reprimand her for her gift of flowers that she has picked just for me.<br />
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My flower picking paranoia has apparently rubbed off on the five-year-old. Both my daughters are quite enamored with the California state flower. In fact, they always refer to it as such instead of the poppy. "Mom, she's picking California state flowers!" has been her watchcry lately with the abundance of rich orange poppies that spring has brought.<br />
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I thought poppies would be an appreciated addition to the Easter dress I made for her this year. The dress was made out of the same silk dupioni that made up part of the <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2012/04/pink-frills-and-princesses.html">five-year-old's dress</a>. The three swooping pintucks in the dress echoed the three delicate poppies that I painted onto it.<br />
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I was a bit worried it might not be apparent what kind of flower they were supposed to be. But I almost felt redeemed again as a mother when she donned it excitedly on Easter morning, exclaiming, "Look! The California state flower is on my dress!"<br />
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<i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-8909452666748619552012-05-07T05:00:00.000-07:002012-05-07T05:00:03.668-07:00a little rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've been waiting two months for rain around these parts. Two months that included March -- the first bone dry March on record -- and all of April. The water began falling last night around dinnertime, and even though the temperature dropped with it I opened a window in every room, and the six year-old headed out for an hour of puddle jumping in the gutter.<br />
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Something about the smell of rain in the spring, rain in the drylands, rain on new leaves. Irresistible.<br />
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The garden, for the most part is in, the peas are up, and the radishes, as always, are excessive.<br />
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<i>Next project: Something to make these chairs from the neighbors slightly more comfortable. Cushions? Re-webbing? Hmmmm.</i><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-64707578927596901492012-05-02T06:16:00.002-07:002012-05-06T20:25:10.694-07:00wednesday's ode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-61620238515240708372012-04-28T11:32:00.005-07:002012-05-06T20:24:52.696-07:00i am hope :: photosThere is a great Photo Friday series over on "<a href="http://iamhope.blogspot.com/">i am hope</a>" -- thoroughly enjoyable.<br />
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A little <a href="http://iamhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/photo-friday-quiet.html">quiet</a> for the week.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-126011092456092332012-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-25T09:58:53.621-07:00wednesday's ode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-20964795945306381462012-04-24T10:29:00.000-07:002012-08-31T14:45:25.143-07:00pink frills and princesses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We don't really do Disney princesses in our family. Have you heard of the book <i>Cinderella Ate My Daughter</i> by Peggy Orenstein? I haven't read it, but heard her interviewed a few times. She aptly put into words my uneasiness with allowing my daughter to give her heart to the Disney princess empire. My position is not popular with my daughter. Every so often I overhear her confiding to one of her little friends, "My mom hates Disney princesses." (Though, in my defense, I have never used the word "hate" when explaining my reasoning for not having said paraphernalia in our house.)<br />
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It's a bit disheartening to already be the uncool mom (about 8 years early), but I suppose I've brought it upon myself.<br />
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Needless to say, I was pretty excited when I saw this print in my local fabric shop.<br />
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Rapunzel, but not Disney and not pink. I was saving it for the perfect occasion and Easter seemed to be it. Last year I made them personalized <a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-skirts.html">Easter skirts</a>. The girls were delighted with them, but I think my older daughter still secretly craved a frilly Easter dress. So I decided to dress this year's up a bit. I had various scraps of pink silk dupioni - leftovers that a friend had given me. I fell in love with the pale pink and bright green combination (hopefully I'm not the only one who thought it the perfect color scheme) and designed the rest of the kids' Easter outfits around the five-year-old's dress.<br />
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I made hers fairytale-esque, with a graceful shawl-like neckline and a petticoat-type ruffle under the dress.<br />
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And cowboy boots (logically!).<br />
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Hopefully my coolness factor has increased just a tiny bit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-55849964391108573082012-04-20T13:49:00.000-07:002012-04-20T13:49:44.643-07:00art from strangersI glanced sideways out of the corner of my eye. He seemed to be sketching my baby and I - the stranger alongside us at the counter. I tried not to appear too obvious as I held a bit more still. But then a request from one of my children had me on the move again.<br />
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A few minutes later the stranger smiled and handed me a simple sketch. A random act of kindness coupled with a random act of art.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PcZCsnfyIruKO3DhxzdDKRV2ykfxv6pRkgqAtKIaXri2kzCqYKmUtcoAv78AUlDr31caVVlE_03fYfVRD_zZOxOEtD7tnxFbWiUEgpLuIHUrrZBZmh1ZuJ_DE0g1jy2koLMNJ0f0_KKA/s1600/013-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PcZCsnfyIruKO3DhxzdDKRV2ykfxv6pRkgqAtKIaXri2kzCqYKmUtcoAv78AUlDr31caVVlE_03fYfVRD_zZOxOEtD7tnxFbWiUEgpLuIHUrrZBZmh1ZuJ_DE0g1jy2koLMNJ0f0_KKA/s400/013-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For someone quite self-conscious of her own drawing abilities, this was an excellent lesson as to the delight that can ensue from the uninhibited sharing of talents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9fTyEw5l5SW1w950nEcgzA7pgv9OOKw3m7B7DsIr9SVmvqgSVMVLGpy6m1qRAf7tjHofnE0gTOpKDWjmfnix50dTXoD1xmsQ_2HI3RileTfDWruw6Ae5s3FL4328Zj1WgT_AlRV9VijH/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9fTyEw5l5SW1w950nEcgzA7pgv9OOKw3m7B7DsIr9SVmvqgSVMVLGpy6m1qRAf7tjHofnE0gTOpKDWjmfnix50dTXoD1xmsQ_2HI3RileTfDWruw6Ae5s3FL4328Zj1WgT_AlRV9VijH/s400/016.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrohTHyehFdMxEZiCmaS6ufpJ8zbiVSwOHFhUYGjIoYy-ZgL1Bi1pA3_8UmKs8FWTGx1ke6fC6zQ7q5F-LUd5qXRDBAF6xSoAUozvXsJN4_L696mq7eGrXYgLg3IVuRJYoEwyddJFfatDe/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrohTHyehFdMxEZiCmaS6ufpJ8zbiVSwOHFhUYGjIoYy-ZgL1Bi1pA3_8UmKs8FWTGx1ke6fC6zQ7q5F-LUd5qXRDBAF6xSoAUozvXsJN4_L696mq7eGrXYgLg3IVuRJYoEwyddJFfatDe/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Like this one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-30788447933337609042012-04-19T07:15:00.003-07:002012-04-19T07:19:16.571-07:00wednesday's [thursday] ode<div><i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Y1GW-pILuUSLYYloh8ihUXxj48pjRcxXot8HEwpABFVCIfXrdS5TZcDQRf0QER3gDyS32Ei5A7p_1u2dKJ2xvVAR6JdC_aYn8DgMb1l9hPP56RmfX187OgLEUZ-nMvrFrZsB29MC9jO/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Y1GW-pILuUSLYYloh8ihUXxj48pjRcxXot8HEwpABFVCIfXrdS5TZcDQRf0QER3gDyS32Ei5A7p_1u2dKJ2xvVAR6JdC_aYn8DgMb1l9hPP56RmfX187OgLEUZ-nMvrFrZsB29MC9jO/s400/IMG_4764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733116080623579378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWkCGHlq8lDfACHwNNrCBSJyzBXM7tH-4VtfGImBtYaPdJICDBXzguvspKFs5tolRMCEHoGeJUg0ww5HLkUcjSbe7u0twqbKRo9CvC379I7Px0Pk_tGdP75yrkYc_ZtfoibbggR4KmAYF/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWkCGHlq8lDfACHwNNrCBSJyzBXM7tH-4VtfGImBtYaPdJICDBXzguvspKFs5tolRMCEHoGeJUg0ww5HLkUcjSbe7u0twqbKRo9CvC379I7Px0Pk_tGdP75yrkYc_ZtfoibbggR4KmAYF/s400/IMG_4764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733115894287152162" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-24632369420644549842012-04-17T09:27:00.000-07:002012-06-11T10:44:44.951-07:00"e" is for embroidery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXxeBvK9H_My6nX_9U_AWjmEn8RRERHN35ydmD76Yi8yoRpLuxssQbfh5W5Hfgs9e2U1LB2KEC5WNx1lgPyjHjY2CMBGCYmFt1JXg5KzMPzZ7gDUh-YBbZYSaMIyHhE0jdNErJ2BlPlPd/s1600/053-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXxeBvK9H_My6nX_9U_AWjmEn8RRERHN35ydmD76Yi8yoRpLuxssQbfh5W5Hfgs9e2U1LB2KEC5WNx1lgPyjHjY2CMBGCYmFt1JXg5KzMPzZ7gDUh-YBbZYSaMIyHhE0jdNErJ2BlPlPd/s400/053-001.JPG" width="375" /></a></div>
And Emma. And Emilie. The 5-year-old had a double birthday party to go to this weekend, so I made a couple of "e" skirts with a pocket.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MUGW6-YmuVtdSiygsbM3cfCoycACqwehCKuyONQbWPpCW20YEefzIlyKSiqdBvsF0vKiAuwQwiKm_sof5j_xFWP_lQIcxkk8_aXge61vyb7xrHWWSauUXWoaZ8dTF-ErqZB0eZjoWkfV/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MUGW6-YmuVtdSiygsbM3cfCoycACqwehCKuyONQbWPpCW20YEefzIlyKSiqdBvsF0vKiAuwQwiKm_sof5j_xFWP_lQIcxkk8_aXge61vyb7xrHWWSauUXWoaZ8dTF-ErqZB0eZjoWkfV/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Pockets are a must for little girls' skirts, don't you think? Mine always fill theirs with flowers, rocks and leaves. My 5-year-old even surprised me by having my keys in her pocket on Sunday. I (who did not have a pocket) had forgotten them on our pew in church. She kept them safely tucked away for the next few hours and miraculously produced them just as I was formulating a plan B for how to get us home. Yes, I am a firm believer in pockets.<br />
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For Emma and Emilie, we started them out with a treasure for their pockets. A little memo pad (<a href="http://shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/03/reading-riting-and-rithmetic-skirt.html">great idea</a>, Allyson), the cover decorated with magazine clippings, then Mod Podged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSLtaatP8VsK0iR64LHveDSqct4ZoCkCkRuBl3RRN3u6KToHFDeRC_LI8lSo78XVGzkECWfE-2KodoJIUGolpSEDMv8-LWIXzlPeOSz1_JlAa8ZmXCrSSF-VLc131Km-jMPwwC4CQufFE/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSLtaatP8VsK0iR64LHveDSqct4ZoCkCkRuBl3RRN3u6KToHFDeRC_LI8lSo78XVGzkECWfE-2KodoJIUGolpSEDMv8-LWIXzlPeOSz1_JlAa8ZmXCrSSF-VLc131Km-jMPwwC4CQufFE/s400/054.JPG" width="311" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbh_ZITFQzxP6OkD4-0q6FWcTInDy4ZPcde5pBg7DoHqCC0rSwpa6logQ79h9Am-97DH8uDYyki9ozPEhwpz4skfnoNbpGMAhbn-052SO6cfYynQ8s1LHjuUhhU9uP_yHViCHdtUltkDo/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbh_ZITFQzxP6OkD4-0q6FWcTInDy4ZPcde5pBg7DoHqCC0rSwpa6logQ79h9Am-97DH8uDYyki9ozPEhwpz4skfnoNbpGMAhbn-052SO6cfYynQ8s1LHjuUhhU9uP_yHViCHdtUltkDo/s400/055.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-71251746032980662872012-04-11T05:00:00.001-07:002012-04-11T05:00:06.494-07:00wednesday's ode<div><i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFcbZh5sC7_7oHgKEB2HDfhHuXMQJBvPNFl6ttwGG63CWbAtAlGMIIyNiQ1qsNdbWFs1_HaQKg-f05ydEJAnWikPEoNC__mqmXrKYCJOvI2lcwqEnfkuCAlxA-0zNZsE_lbaOSqnfSfrp/s1600/IMG_4710.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFcbZh5sC7_7oHgKEB2HDfhHuXMQJBvPNFl6ttwGG63CWbAtAlGMIIyNiQ1qsNdbWFs1_HaQKg-f05ydEJAnWikPEoNC__mqmXrKYCJOvI2lcwqEnfkuCAlxA-0zNZsE_lbaOSqnfSfrp/s400/IMG_4710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729979814698298450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgdnASKBF7vfDzw9hq1oo6VyCymm5c0K70YbaWmDVWbW4tIwCQ21gqTF8OG4pMpCf95UqHCG6AMDqXpqemCuWDvrXt72e6TYndwJx8oDEuHa9eD4q-sM2Lm5xuB0CwF27KC1ATCv3r4I5/s1600/IMG_4722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgdnASKBF7vfDzw9hq1oo6VyCymm5c0K70YbaWmDVWbW4tIwCQ21gqTF8OG4pMpCf95UqHCG6AMDqXpqemCuWDvrXt72e6TYndwJx8oDEuHa9eD4q-sM2Lm5xuB0CwF27KC1ATCv3r4I5/s400/IMG_4722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729979809409674818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtaGwS08E5hnDSQM5x-aAyoGhzm1Od5n3TNoxqqTtniiJQA3ak9UOus3srrSS80NGOwFtpVUfhJ9odRGIpWa7_hLl4zFeVYBebb_zXXSzhO9mDFX_nJRiHV50v1ff3s0Rk_nnyHyR6he9/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtaGwS08E5hnDSQM5x-aAyoGhzm1Od5n3TNoxqqTtniiJQA3ak9UOus3srrSS80NGOwFtpVUfhJ9odRGIpWa7_hLl4zFeVYBebb_zXXSzhO9mDFX_nJRiHV50v1ff3s0Rk_nnyHyR6he9/s400/IMG_4733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729979806424826178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rCZ9QTVOf6zl-05L-WvIHqRZnPWJeZTRsbJFbRYU4Jd1uMMSvpMuhlXKyiI1GdG1-Ywavhjd3gd7-V2t9NhNQW6KQM-iTK6_ik3Ch-PtsUj0rSzBlzCcT0K77CJzvYvNPE_c4Z3ysn6f/s1600/IMG_4719.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rCZ9QTVOf6zl-05L-WvIHqRZnPWJeZTRsbJFbRYU4Jd1uMMSvpMuhlXKyiI1GdG1-Ywavhjd3gd7-V2t9NhNQW6KQM-iTK6_ik3Ch-PtsUj0rSzBlzCcT0K77CJzvYvNPE_c4Z3ysn6f/s400/IMG_4719.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729979796386238098" /></a><i>And to a girl who knows how to accessorize a hike like nobody's business.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-85536043379084277052012-04-09T05:00:00.001-07:002012-04-09T05:00:01.297-07:00silly walks<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwxe418vV8Cd-GhNjqwzkvv-PqlWBHarjAZONTSEEUYyO8rURgNqwVgxtQ7TlbrTDZXogPYb82EiVQRbQPnDx2tepFFqso52dzSsFpPCv_YQoVrH0iSLRuQ9L2g21M2WAron9XfWf3Zh_/s1600/IMG_4794.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwxe418vV8Cd-GhNjqwzkvv-PqlWBHarjAZONTSEEUYyO8rURgNqwVgxtQ7TlbrTDZXogPYb82EiVQRbQPnDx2tepFFqso52dzSsFpPCv_YQoVrH0iSLRuQ9L2g21M2WAron9XfWf3Zh_/s400/IMG_4794.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729235034221390354" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXFlVlnsi17q9uUvnfNo2sT-ZsgfOZdbO4OmieYsESPjaxq9YQ4OPxtSREf7MMTLCPHctNDjHkRSIECG8ZdxvC7K4lalVRMW7YXJ5q9L1dyb_H1ro9dVZbFapHVln-BhYrcxI99poI3u3/s1600/IMG_4797.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXFlVlnsi17q9uUvnfNo2sT-ZsgfOZdbO4OmieYsESPjaxq9YQ4OPxtSREf7MMTLCPHctNDjHkRSIECG8ZdxvC7K4lalVRMW7YXJ5q9L1dyb_H1ro9dVZbFapHVln-BhYrcxI99poI3u3/s400/IMG_4797.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729234900446909890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvGZNYTXq0TrAXsrmwE8xbWThLy7huhVcdZe69slQn9vyU02OMm2wgZBLq-X7YWwCHvOLVK9-gJj1Aw4fthntbHlR6wQEAMTii8BkRdtCGYkpwm8lsmF-19R6WQTv-dPVsu_bNSszwzSR/s1600/IMG_4798.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvGZNYTXq0TrAXsrmwE8xbWThLy7huhVcdZe69slQn9vyU02OMm2wgZBLq-X7YWwCHvOLVK9-gJj1Aw4fthntbHlR6wQEAMTii8BkRdtCGYkpwm8lsmF-19R6WQTv-dPVsu_bNSszwzSR/s400/IMG_4798.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729234896127340530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhft_NPllf7GDLaVCk_dekxrYRmT0qm1j4gMNHIYi79Ba2e_aDg_r8CIbEf3mCtY4-IvV1PE8tavwn6LrRGiEP4ppcwMxNLtcVRtcgDfnF_ZO1GoE6FoAIsVk-Q837TV_H8X-HnL7YGWO/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhft_NPllf7GDLaVCk_dekxrYRmT0qm1j4gMNHIYi79Ba2e_aDg_r8CIbEf3mCtY4-IvV1PE8tavwn6LrRGiEP4ppcwMxNLtcVRtcgDfnF_ZO1GoE6FoAIsVk-Q837TV_H8X-HnL7YGWO/s400/IMG_4801.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729234887992550754" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJxWk7RJEay2TbLjAJ3eIvyunPy3XNkGo5KFKrumlLbfedF-SNLsnVgG7QHYZcsR_iGd45sJ9_9KKigUPh8y5eM0HGX6bfQzKSlF9dC1sOHr9H7XV28Sh9CowzBVmgHdbJ63yCYxucdBG/s400/IMG_4802.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729235510012770834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaWdX9iX93K_Fth3Xun8YrD1QrSlvjsLdipcQAoYgHrlKkeELzAZ1d7dH2k-aFUDEzMEanrtc_QFJsmQQdXqJCNCdsrNrBKlkp9fQxePbMlTHhJDEJNZL8hPUq2UxwXjl9QbUlGUOA9E9/s1600/IMG_4803.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaWdX9iX93K_Fth3Xun8YrD1QrSlvjsLdipcQAoYgHrlKkeELzAZ1d7dH2k-aFUDEzMEanrtc_QFJsmQQdXqJCNCdsrNrBKlkp9fQxePbMlTHhJDEJNZL8hPUq2UxwXjl9QbUlGUOA9E9/s400/IMG_4803.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729234880074355938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oYlzTdSZeI4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-65351087313093749002012-04-05T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-05T05:00:11.718-07:00planting time<div>We've signed up for a working share at a local <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/csa/">CSA</a>, prepped the soil at a friend's house (who will be out of the country for the summer) to plant enough tomatoes for gallons of sauce, and we're getting the beds out back ready for a <a href="http://www.shapeofaspoon.blogspot.com/2011/10/frost.html">second try</a>.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwfrXwfj9SJxq9qTwSXgejXneiv9PJf3EbaGNQyHm7RDQuPoIoIfbdIwzk_QtBR858ZTd8t42K6jRbme-A5rTjfjbXNNlwcLihWkFuCir8YJaMMsPxRKpFwm-zYruQ59hueHZN-jclriE/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwfrXwfj9SJxq9qTwSXgejXneiv9PJf3EbaGNQyHm7RDQuPoIoIfbdIwzk_QtBR858ZTd8t42K6jRbme-A5rTjfjbXNNlwcLihWkFuCir8YJaMMsPxRKpFwm-zYruQ59hueHZN-jclriE/s400/IMG_4649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727764976780384930" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTy-8axgYM1IyzizSXSMqLYMe9Yh5pmmCcIN4rCfZyvFgSu962SOTL_OIU0Y2_3Jxh2zcU4dHcbiNe-L7og-eoPKFuHx7HxA3EUqhMax7jOkFPTECAw-umMA2vjc_FaD_SMsHPizPzp6a/s1600/IMG_4650.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTy-8axgYM1IyzizSXSMqLYMe9Yh5pmmCcIN4rCfZyvFgSu962SOTL_OIU0Y2_3Jxh2zcU4dHcbiNe-L7og-eoPKFuHx7HxA3EUqhMax7jOkFPTECAw-umMA2vjc_FaD_SMsHPizPzp6a/s400/IMG_4650.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727764967840201330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG2DITI3lOj2ejTQgv60wRTOBksrO-4I277IVWOA1-J_iCH4DI-h_ahchn1xnrd1DBc6XR3qQ8OuEuxxiNgpNGAN9P9Rt5zy7r-EOxLAtu2TxYN8XITX3DMPtOQrk6Bha2SQCSCMjD0Wv/s1600/IMG_4652.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG2DITI3lOj2ejTQgv60wRTOBksrO-4I277IVWOA1-J_iCH4DI-h_ahchn1xnrd1DBc6XR3qQ8OuEuxxiNgpNGAN9P9Rt5zy7r-EOxLAtu2TxYN8XITX3DMPtOQrk6Bha2SQCSCMjD0Wv/s400/IMG_4652.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727764961329621618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjQwiJh_zRKq0L7N_hOTi-1tUi8DHxEJEREvw2_Iv40Sg5lJlSU0K2UK4zGpXZQ-m-SE3tbWfM35Iw1Hme5o02Xe63TINBj1i_EieUkTa7152O-SHtDA9XAJiGJ0Xh6rcmZTmDXeEMihy/s1600/IMG_4654.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjQwiJh_zRKq0L7N_hOTi-1tUi8DHxEJEREvw2_Iv40Sg5lJlSU0K2UK4zGpXZQ-m-SE3tbWfM35Iw1Hme5o02Xe63TINBj1i_EieUkTa7152O-SHtDA9XAJiGJ0Xh6rcmZTmDXeEMihy/s400/IMG_4654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727764955271816306" /></a>And daily baths for a great many of us are making their way back onto the schedule. Clearly spring has arrived.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-14434682072642279872012-04-04T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-04T05:00:02.342-07:00wednesday's ode<div><i>To beautiful surroundings.</i></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7THUj7lZmzRXr0uGiciAZpSEoNPG3oh2ce3rHBDxBKrA1E0Npm8Plx6FaW8pvWBs6NTGiJFmpgkFsdttGb-LsXSvqg6T4POjAO8jUOuMiXPMaaAMFiNMha8mnxW9h4byuKmRNsOegu4z/s1600/IMG_4339.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7THUj7lZmzRXr0uGiciAZpSEoNPG3oh2ce3rHBDxBKrA1E0Npm8Plx6FaW8pvWBs6NTGiJFmpgkFsdttGb-LsXSvqg6T4POjAO8jUOuMiXPMaaAMFiNMha8mnxW9h4byuKmRNsOegu4z/s400/IMG_4339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727355510749491138" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605933136826194976.post-52584135082837029272012-03-26T05:00:00.000-07:002012-03-26T05:00:03.732-07:00keeping eeyore warm<div>Lately the daily temperatures are hovering in the 70's, so it seems odd that this would be the time my five year-old's bedtime companion, Eeyore, is having trouble staying warm. But trouble he is having. My obvious solution was to grab one of the many (<i>many many many</i>) doll blankets lying around and wrap him on up.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh no," she countered. "He needs a blanket of his own."</div><div><br /></div><div>Being home about half of the week (odd kindergarten schedule and such) is sometimes hard on this girl -- no one to play with but the baby and a busy mom. Most of the time she is searching for a good dose of action. The blanket came as a double request: "Eeyore needs a blanket mom, and I need to do some hand sewing."</div><div><br /></div><div>She picked orange fabric for the back and bright flowers for the front -- "Eeyore really likes flowers, you know" -- finishing off with blue thread for the E. We sewed the blanket together with the machine (lap-sit style, the girl running the show), and then sat down for the hand stitching. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1OcfYAfvVsjiA1x1T7jIhpm-IR-L0Ghpnkr-8Ol620RFI2lj49mpJTg-leg2bf-HHRupH7mEFOZIxpMDY6sjJd2u665HS8s32qkU1Md9OBS4-ZZdVWYSkcWfMA1-DiHmWDpn-vpd2s5d/s1600/IMG_4506.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1OcfYAfvVsjiA1x1T7jIhpm-IR-L0Ghpnkr-8Ol620RFI2lj49mpJTg-leg2bf-HHRupH7mEFOZIxpMDY6sjJd2u665HS8s32qkU1Md9OBS4-ZZdVWYSkcWfMA1-DiHmWDpn-vpd2s5d/s400/IMG_4506.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724036046789773074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6dlAjeOh_G-ReDKCuz3FpIMu0Zh6kDDpyv8o2PJWz0zCOoEjPIQzdJfcl0KztmeWZAAQEPLtBG_hu8vtwfZaDeU9iI-h4jF5F6EvMhRRle-e4xFNGLS9oqw3PeLGQS3B52fHGxz6IZJd/s1600/IMG_4508.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6dlAjeOh_G-ReDKCuz3FpIMu0Zh6kDDpyv8o2PJWz0zCOoEjPIQzdJfcl0KztmeWZAAQEPLtBG_hu8vtwfZaDeU9iI-h4jF5F6EvMhRRle-e4xFNGLS9oqw3PeLGQS3B52fHGxz6IZJd/s400/IMG_4508.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724036039278820962" /></a>Considering that the girl is only six, and has done just a few hand stitches before, I thought she did a remarkably good job. A good job with a little help from her (mommy)friend, and a hearty round of dark chocolate.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggpjjFjyeO0X8QhdYAScnl9Ocm639_zsIqVAUQ6QTratLg_UcWMbFJPpH56QZ8ILybVrY7bfoDjw7XdibzSU_Ja2Ycl_6kmuoRWgamkhxQ8nHRShk3-viSHQQvei49xsx4WsaXb0ZTWc9/s1600/IMG_4509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggpjjFjyeO0X8QhdYAScnl9Ocm639_zsIqVAUQ6QTratLg_UcWMbFJPpH56QZ8ILybVrY7bfoDjw7XdibzSU_Ja2Ycl_6kmuoRWgamkhxQ8nHRShk3-viSHQQvei49xsx4WsaXb0ZTWc9/s400/IMG_4509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724036034988321490" /></a>Eeyore certainly seems happy with the end product. And I'm assured he is nice and warm now.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak4FumSF_mECH3BgA-XK20HT86727ArRu5GVs44FhWhdHvk-9nG_ZYnPvXX2XZl8AYp0c3WchyphenhyphensKTWcGe_pS0vdE5y6WDxlD48KtZthcBuRzO0giMABsBwvGbwxB3xJ2lsvo6GHrLNofR/s1600/IMG_4514.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak4FumSF_mECH3BgA-XK20HT86727ArRu5GVs44FhWhdHvk-9nG_ZYnPvXX2XZl8AYp0c3WchyphenhyphensKTWcGe_pS0vdE5y6WDxlD48KtZthcBuRzO0giMABsBwvGbwxB3xJ2lsvo6GHrLNofR/s400/IMG_4514.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724036026918787810" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2