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AUGUST 2017: CURRENTLY

Posted by Carolyn on August 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

reading Wonder by Raquel J. Palacio.

listening to lots of different things.

eating away from home too much.

planning a night out.

thinking there might be karaoke and dancing.

getting caught up on Blaugust Vlaugust August.

trying to motivate myself to sew.

watching the girls pretend that it’s snowing.

cleaning the house.

feeling discouraged that it instantly gets messy again.

wanting to just give up.

sweating.

wishing for rain.

choking in all the smoke from the fires.

wanting to see the eclipse.

worrying that it won’t work out.

weighing all the different ways we could get to the path of totality.

hoping our world leaders keep their shit together and don’t blow us all up.

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Posted in: currently | Tagged: blaugust, blaugust vlaugust august, currently

JULY 2017: CURRENTLY

Posted by Carolyn on July 26, 2017 Leave a Comment

reading The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss.

hearing rumors that his next book is coming out this fall.

checking his website and seeing no indication of this being true.

listening to Evynne’s cover of “No One Else”on repeat.

planning lots of things for myself and for the internet.

diffusing Christmas Spirit because it’s July and it’s too hot.

not caring what anyone has to say about it.

feeling disjointed about our summer routine.

wanting to get into a groove that is creative, fun, relaxed, and without whines.

knowing that it’s because I just want it to be autumn already.

eating not at home as much as feels right.

camping.

looking for rainclouds on the horizons.

not seeing any.

watching Game of Thrones and loving every new episode.

canning as much as I can can.

seeing friends.

playing in parks.

setting goals.

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Posted in: currently, learned. | Tagged: currently

JUNE 2017: CURRENTLY

Posted by Carolyn on June 14, 2017 2 Comments

reading Angelfall by Susan Ee.

listening to Dear, Evan Hansen on repeat.

getting things in order for our summer.

planning our days.

wishing it were already summer.

feeling big nostalgic feelings.

watching Alma in her last few days of preschool.

thinking about big confusing things.

wanting it all to be more clear.

loving Jesse.

trying to keep my cool.

moving onward and upward.

building fun things.

quilting fun quilts.

watching dumb shows.

wasting too much time.

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Posted in: a little moment, currently, learned. | Tagged: currently

On Blogging – Part Two, or Revisited

Posted by Carolyn on April 21, 2017 1 Comment

Last week, I had drinks with a fellow blogger – Hannah – and we got on the topic of blogging, obviously.  I mentioned that I haven’t been feeling very creative lately, on the blog and off.  I have quilts that are mostly done, but they’re just sitting there.  I have ideas that are forming and formed in my mind, but they’re just sitting there.  I have loads of fabric and two girls who need new clothes, but they’re just sitting there (the fabric, not the girls.  The girls don’t sit still).

Then, today, Facebook reminded me of a post I wrote two years ago.  There is a part that stood out.  Mostly because it was so shockingly true to how I’m feeling now, two years later, to the day:

…there will come a time that I’m not inspired and I don’t feel like I have anything to post.  And the blog is quiet.  And (I know this sounds precious) my soul is quiet.  It isn’t that the work of the blog gets overwhelming, it’s more that I’m just not taking the time to create.  When I’m making things, and cooking things, and growing things, I am inspired.  I’m inspired to write and share on the blog.  Those are the times that I feel the best and the happiest.

Wow, past Carolyn, you sure hit the nail on the head with that one.

I feel the best when I’m taking the time to create.  I feel the best when I’m taking ideas and using them to create actual, tangible things.  I feel the best when I’m taking the time to sit down and write.

Right now, our garden is sprouting and I’m going to take that as a sign that my creativity needs to sprout right along with it.

My to-do list is long, but at least I finally wrote it all down.

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Posted in: a little moment, learned. | Tagged: blogging, goals, writing

APRIL 2017: CURRENTLY

Posted by Carolyn on April 17, 2017 Leave a Comment

reading nothing.

starting All the Ugly and Wonderful Things just as soon as I pick it up from the library.

training to be a runner.

completing week two of the Couch to 5k program this week.

wondering how I’ll keep up with the training when the grass pollen hits.

blowing my nose already.

listening to my Couch to 5k playlist on Spotify, even when I’m not running.

looking at all the beautiful springtime things.

noticing how late everything is to bloom this year.

feeling very uninspired to finish all my sewing projects.

trying to push myself to finish the two quilts I have started.

feeling good about the connections I’m making with people.

oiling all day everyday.

finding new ways to use my oils.

benefiting so much more than I thought I would.

planning a big blog push for May.

working with a good friend on some collaborations.

worrying.

hoping.

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Posted in: a little moment, currently, learned. | Tagged: currently

Happy Halloween!

Posted by Carolyn on October 31, 2016 1 Comment

This Green Faced Witch and this Queen Elsa (who’s really Harriet) would like you wish you a very Happy Halloween!

Here’s that Green Faced Witch looking extra spooky with a mean face and a real, decorative broom.  I made her dress using a pattern for the Wizard of Oz wicked witch.   I really wanted her to have an old-fashioned looking dress, and this pattern was perfect!  The spider web fabric makes it extra spooky and extra fun!

But she doesn’t want you to be too scared.  She’ll rip off her hat and say, “It’s me!  It’s Alma!” in case you look too spooked by her green face.

There was no question that Harriet wanted to be Queen Elsa for Halloween.  She’s pretty obsessed, and this hand-me-down from my cousin’s daughter was perfect!  She’s quick to point out that she’s ‘Just Harriet” if you call her Queen Elsa.  She doesn’t want there to be any confusion.

Here she is freezing everything, but not really since she’s not really Queen Elsa, she’s just Harriet:

Now let’s just hope for a dry evening so we can get some good trick or treating in!

From left: Alma's pumpkin from school, my surprised pumpkin, Alma's jack-o-lantern (designed by Alma, carved by me), Harriet's spooky pumpkin (designed by Harriet, carved by Jesse), Jesse's cool pumpkin, an extra pumpkin.
From left: Alma’s pumpkin from school, my surprised pumpkin, Alma’s jack-o-lantern (designed by Alma, carved by me), Harriet’s spooky pumpkin (designed by Harriet, carved by Jesse), Jesse’s cool pumpkin, an extra pumpkin.

 

 

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Posted in: a little moment, created., sewing, sewing for my daughters | Tagged: elsa, halloween, happy halloween, sewing, witch

Playgroup Pumpkin Patch 2016

Posted by Carolyn on October 24, 2016 Leave a Comment

This was our 5th Annual Playgroup Pumpkin Patch trip!

Oh my, how we’ve grown!

2012
2012

This year we were back at Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm, but it didn’t feel the same.  For one thing, they more than doubled their prices, so we ended up not doing the hayride at all.  We were lucky with a warm, non-rainy day.  It was also Henry’s birthday, so we all dressed up and had cupcakes.  It was fun, despite the fact that we didn’t get to do the hayride.

I have already gone on and on about how much I love these people.  Let me just say that I’m so incredibly happy to have them as my tribe and how happy I am to have my girls grow up with these fantastic kids.

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., parented., playgroup | Tagged: autumn, Parenting, playgroup, pumpkin, pumpkin patch

OCTOBER 2016: CURRENTLY

Posted by Carolyn on October 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

knowing it would be so much better live, or in a fully written book.

wishing I could fly to London with tickets to the play in my hand.

listening to my Autumn Playlist on Spotify.

feeling nostalgic, which is apparently my Autumn mood.

wanting to be more creative, more consistently.

cutting all the felt into all the shapes and letters.

preparing to sell felt things at a bazaar next month.

watching all the Friends reruns on Netflix.

getting excited for Halloween.

looking forward to November, when I practice 30 Days of Gratitude.

thinking that I might start a few days early.

feeling like we all need more gratitude in our lives right now.

imploring that we can just vote early and get this shit-show over with.

reading and watching way too much about the election.

fearing the worst.

hoping for the best.

enjoying the colorful days and dark nights.

stopping to watch the leaves.

choosing to see the beauty.

reminding myself that playing with the kids is what I should be doing.

going outside.

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Posted in: a little moment, CHOOSE, created., currently, friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: currently

A Day in the Life – October 6, 2016

Posted by Carolyn on October 10, 2016 1 Comment

8:23 – I want to remember these girls and the cuddles in the mornings.  Now that they share a room, it’s more likely that they will stay in their beds, or at least their room, and chat and play before they come into our room.  We do all, usually, end up in bed together for a few minutes.

8:47 – I want to remember how the girls love to play with new things.  They made this goo the night before at a Science Fair at the university and were really excited to play with it first thing in the morning.

8:56 – I want to remember this view, with the gorgeous yellow birch, the flaming red dogwood, the landscaping growing up and getting bigger.  The junky car that’s been parked across the street for a few months, I’m happy to forget that, if only it would go away.

9:03 – I want to remember how great it feels to wake up to a mostly clean kitchen.  I never want to do it at night, but it’s always worth it in the morning.

9:08 – I want to remember these autumn breakfasts.  Oatmeal with frozen blueberries for them, tea with orange oil for me.

9:14 – I want to remember how Harriet says “hot cococo” for hot chocolate.   I don’t want to remember how she threw a huge fit because I gave it to her in the wrong cup – I’ll just choose to remember that she eventually accepted the cococo in the Santa mug (the one she usually wants).

9:25 – I want to remember that this was not a normal day for us.  My To Do List isn’t usually a bunch of chores around the house.  We usually actually leave the house.  I don’t usually spend the entire day cleaning the house.  I do want to remember how good it feels to clean up our messes and be able to have such a wonderful home to take care of.  I also want to remember how using the essential oils to clean the house makes it all so much more fun.

9:48 – I want to remember how the girls are actually eager to help me these days.  Harriet loves to help me cook dinner.  Alma likes to help with the dishes, dusting, and sweeping.  I’m working on giving them daily and weekly chores.

9:52 – I want to remember these eggs and these chickens.  I love that my chores include getting eggs, taking out food scraps, and giving them water.

10:07 – I want to remember the corner of our kitchen where things build up.  Art projects from school, mail that needs attention, empty shoe boxes.  These are the things that show our busy existence.  I especially love when this corner of our kitchen gets sorted and put where it all goes.  That was my job this day.

10:12 – I want to remember how these girls play together.  They use their imaginations and really work well together.  They used these boxes as houses, horse stalls, tunnels, who knows what else.  I also want to remember Harriet’s love for her new boots and her tutu.

10:25 – I want to remember the imaginations in these girls.  They had a full conversation between these two candlesticks.

10:31 – I want to remember these candlelit meals and snacks.  Candles, while eating, are pure magic.

10:49 – I want to remember the love and care that goes into keeping a house.  These wood floors shine thanks to me and my care for them.  And essential oils.

11:56 – I want to remember these plates and the little hands that made them.  I want to remember these peanut butter sandwiches – honey for Harriet, homemade strawberry jam for me and Alma.

12:59 – I want to remember all the sewing.  I haven’t sewn in a couple months, so it feels great to get back to it.  I finished Alma’s witch dress, fixed my sweater, and got started on Harriet’s much needed big bed quilt.  I love giving my girls quilts so they can always be wrapped up in my love – and a tangible representation of that love.

2:03 – I want to remember how much I love Christmas and how much I love making good things for our family.  These blend perfectly when I use Christmas Spirit oil (Orange, Cinnamon, Spruce) in my homemade hand soap.

3:13 – I want to remember how Harriet is the queen of the pout.  She will sit down and pout, or just stand in the middle of the room and pout.  Here, Alma is her horse who ran away.  The pout went away once the horse came back.

3:20 – I want to remember these colors and snacks.  Pink and honey for Harriet.  Blue and jam for Alma.

3:52 – I want to remember these slow, cloudy days when I don’t get around to taking my shower until well into the afternoon.  And my old Cal Young tie dye t-shirt that I use for my hair after my showers.

4:15 – I want to remember these days of forts, and make believe, and reading corners.

5:31 – I want to remember how our friends came over, bringing us a fake Christmas gift for an upcoming music video, and how it was fun to wish them Merry Christmas in October.  I also want to remember how they all came inside and hung around for a little bit.  Surprise guests and good conversations fill my bucket in a big way.  Even if I forget to take any photos.  Especially when I forget to take any photos.

6:11 – I want to remember this season and the comfort food that it brings.  This was a baked potato bar, using lots of things we happened to have on hand.

6:18 – I want to remember “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest; let this food to us be blessed. Amen,” and how Alma and Harriet say “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest; let this family to us be blessed. Allmen.”

6:49 – I want to remember the chaos that falls at bedtime.  It is a constant battle to get them going in the right direction to get their teeth brushed, jammies on, and everything else that needs to be done when there are so many other things that they’d rather be doing.

7:03 – I want to remember the calm that settles when we’re all in our bed, reading a story before they head to their own beds.  A few final cuddles and they race to their room.

7:04 – I want to remember how the girls need just a little bit more chaos before they can settle into their beds and eventually fall asleep.

I want to remember the time that Jesse and I get after the kids are in bed.  We watch shows, get stuff done, clean up a little, read books, and eventually fall asleep ourselves.

Other Days In The Life:
May 12, 2015
September 9, 2015
November 11, 2015
January 3, 2016

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Posted in: a little moment, ate., CHOOSE, created., currently, day in the life, learned., parented., sewing, sewing for my daughters, to do lists, writing | Tagged: a day in the life, autumn, cleaning, day in the life, essential oils

Our Third First Day of School

Posted by Carolyn on September 12, 2016 2 Comments

Today was different than other first days.  The girls were excited.  Our time at home was relaxed and slow.  We got out of the house a few minutes later than we’d wanted.  We showed up to a very full parking lot.  We got some rushed photos near the school sign.  We went into Alma’s classroom, where the circle time had already started.  I told her to go find her name on the floor without a hug or a kiss or anything.  She sat by her teacher and got to be the first calendar helper.  We waved and exchanged some excited, nervous smiles.  We took a grumpy Harriet out to the playground, where her class begins their day.  We dropped off bike helmets and extra clothes.  We showed Harriet how she can still look in Alma’s window to wave to her.  Then we left.  On our way down the hallway, we could see Harriet, peeking in at Alma, no longer grumpy.  We walked back to campus together.  Now I am sitting at a table in near silence, enjoying the solitude, looking forward to nine whole months of time that I know the kids are being enriched, socialized, educated, and loved.  And looking forward to nine whole months of time that I spend by myself, thinking, planning, writing, reading, walking, or with teenagers, working, teaching, talking, learning.  Man do I love the first day of school.

 

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., parented., story telling | Tagged: first day of school, preschool
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If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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