Paper and Cloth

Mount Rainier

A view from our temporary living quarters… Mount Rainier.

Goodbye Old Home

We are close to saying goodbye to our old home. Almost on a whim, six months ago, we trekked across the country and started anew. So many good things are coming from this adventure and so many unexpected emotions too. There are many happy times, but there are also many, many occasions where I crave the comfort and community that are familiar to me. I treasure and cherish my east coast friendships — they run ever so deep. Many of us met as first time mothers, seeking friendship of like-mindedness. Many of us were pregnant and had our second babies together. We gathered on a weekly and monthly basis, commiserating, sharing and celebrating. We were all going through it together. I deeply miss everyone so much.

On the cusp of selling our house and moving on, I remember the comfort and rhythms we established there. I remember sitting on the couch in our then, sparse house the first time we brought Cooper home. I gave birth to my second baby on my bedroom floor. After breakfast, every morning, my then 1 year old and 3 year old, opened the sliding back door to go play in the sandbox. I crave sitting in the Peconic Bay, like an old lady, in my beach chair. The colors on the wall, the pictures we hung, my favorite antique store and clothing boutique... I miss.

I’m still in transition, not sure what is east and what is west. I know it was the right time to move on, but it’s also hard to let go.

It's a Pity

Our attempt to grow avocado plants from pits has failed. Hmm… I’m so confused. I remember this being a no-brainer project — water, pits, toothpicks and grow. I am truly disappointed. Any ideas where I could have gone wrong?

Recycled Wrapping

My favorite way to gift wrap these days is by recycling. I hoard the brown packing paper that often comes in packages we receive. I’ve used newspaper and also the lighter color and weight packing paper too. All seem to work.

Sometimes the kids decorate the wrapped gift with crayon or marker, but I often leave the paper as is, tying it up with yarn, thread or lengths of fabric — Simple and sweet, with little waste.

My Second is Two

Somewhere along the way, my second turned two. How, I wonder and right before my very eyes. He’s strong, animated, vibrant, expressive, funny and oh so cuddly.

Birthday banner hung, handmade goodies wrapped… much excitement awaited this little guy on the morning of his second. He tried oh so hard to blow out his candles. He knew it was his moment and he was in it fully. What a normal, lovely day we had, oh… way back in November.

Yarn Repurposed

If you need an hour or so to yourself, give the kid a ball of yarn. Outside a few requests for help in knotting, you have quiet and a chunk of downtime, for yarn work requires much concentration. It’s amazing to watch your living space transformed into an intricate web that only nimble little 4 year old feet can find their way through.

Mix It Up

Oh, a dash of salt, a pinch of flour, some pumpkin seeds, various spices and water — all the ingredients needed for the little bakers in life.

It all started with the gooey pumpkin seeds sitting on the counter. Cooper wanted to “make” something, so I set each up with several bowls of different ingredients, including the goopy seeds, in addition to multiple measuring spoons. Both little ones were quietly engrossed measuring and mixing their concoctions for a very long time. I highly recommend mixing on those days when things get a little crazy. I always keep plenty of towels handy for the inevitable mess that ensues.

June Rain

The sun still shines when it can, but the rain has become stealthy, sneaking in at every opportunity. Pacific Northwest autumn rain feels different from the month of rain we experienced back in June when we still lived in New York. Instead of happily rushing outside to splash and play, we now turn inside and try to settle down. We wonder if it’s a passing storm or the beginning of steady rains.

I’ve been saving this picture for a rainy day to remind myself of the joy that can be had in its showers. On this day in June, I remember a bright sky, a downpour, the depth of water on our deck and the pure happiness of tromping through its thickness. I know there are more joys to come with the rains that lie ahead.

Machine Sewing

There’s been a lot of sewing going on lately. We live with fabric strewn across the floor, supplies, instead of dishes, in our dining room cabinet and the sewing machine has a permanent spot near our dining table — ready for action. My two are eager to help in any way they can and I often have a little one on my lap as the needle is rapidly bobbing up and down. Sometimes the lines aren’t so straight, but it’s nice to have their interest.

October

Fall is shaping up. We are having amazing fall weather — cool and crsip; electric autumn colors abound — bright reds and neon oranges; and, we’ve gone pumpkin picking — at the sweetest local pumpkin farm. We came home with sugar pumpkins, a cinderella pumpkin, mini gourds, a turban squash and one humungo pumpkin which we’ve already carved. I finally feel that my favorite season is fully underway.

Next up: halloween costumes, pumpkin bread and maybe some pumpkin pie.