A Few More Christmas Things

We are busy getting ready for our Solstice celebration tomorrow but I still wanted to post these few Christmas things.
I've been trying to spend some time in the kitchen making my usual Christmas cookies and other sweets. It's a lot more challenging than I pictured. April usually needs something (a nurse, a diaper, a walk, something) just as I'm starting to melt chocolate or just before I need to take the cookies out of the oven. This new level of multitasking is taking longer to adjust to than I hoped. Non-the-less I've made some yummy peppermint bark and I have some gingerbread dough in the fridge waiting to be cut out and decorated. I also have plans to make some Coconut Oat Balls and a Buche-de-Noel for Christmas dinner.

I wasn't sure I would have the time for this next one but I did! I actually got the chance to make April her own special Christmas dress. It really only took me about 2 hours to put it together once I got the right fabric for the lining. The main fabric is some Anna Maria Horner fabric I got back in the summer and I used this pattern from Etsy. I used the size 12 months for most of the dress but cut it to the 6 month length so it wouldn't trip her. I'm actually really thrilled with this little dress (aside from a buttonhole incident). It's festive but that fabric allows for it to be worn after Christmas too.

Finally, I made this darling cross-stitch ornament I saw on the Purl Bee for her very first Christmas ornament. I like it because she can handle it as much as she wants and it isn't going to be damaged at all! I used a darling "Let it Snow" fabric for the back and that sweet polka-dot ribbon for the hanger. It has been a really long time since I did any cross-stitching but I really enjoyed this. I might need to make one for everyone!

I don't think I'll get a chance to post again before Christmas so Happy Holidays to you all!

Decking the Halls

 

 

 

We've been busy decking our halls. We've been taking advantage of the glorious sunny days and gone to collect berries and greens from local parks. Holly is an invasive species in our rain forests so we have been doing our part by removing it from the outdoors and bring it in for decoration.
We had a few very windy days this December so I've been using fallen greenery this year. I did have to collect a couple pieces from the tree but not much. The wind also knocked loose some lovely pine cones that are now on display in my home. I've thoroughly enjoyed the hunt for little treasures that will add the the holiday spirit already taking hold in my home.
Our tree day was as lovely as ever. I love tree day even more than Christmas day. I love bundling up and going to find that perfect tree. We all discuss what we think the perfect tree will be like on our drive out. The lot is lit with lights and smells heavenly. The hunt begins. Here, somewhere, is the tree that we were meant to have. There is always a small debate over which tree is the most wonderful but we never leave with a tree than someone doesn't completely love. I look forward to welcoming the tree in my home. It's like having your favorite friend come to stay. We carefully string the lights and sing carols as we hang our cherished ornaments. We finish just as it is time for bed. We turn off all the lights and watch our perfect tree glow for a moment or two and then we are off the bed. You can still smell the intoxicating scent drifting into the bedroom as we all fall asleep. Tree day is the best day.
Again this year, I took part in the wreath making class at a local nursery. I always have a really good time. It is such a creative process and every year I learn something new. It was a nice two hour break from being mommy. I was just me, expressing my love of the holidays with the local foliage. I'm so pleased with the wreath I made this year.
During these cold, dark months having pieces of nature in your home deepens your connection to the earth, to the natural rhythms taking place. The lush greens and vibrant reds and purples now liven my home. Even the wonderful smell of the pine, fir and cedar lighten my mood. We are looking forward to solstice and planning quite the welcome for those longer days.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama.

Fall at the Lake

These photos are from a trip to the lake we took a month ago but I just got a chance to really look at them the other night. It's been a beautiful fall. The air is clean and crisp. Even though it's been colder than usual, I haven't minded because it's been more dry and sunny than usual as well. April and I go for walks every single day but our walks out in nature are the ones I really treasure. I feel calm and balanced when I out in the natural world. I adore the "silence". No cars or motorcycles, lawn mowers or leaf blowers. It nourishes me.

Lyalya Hoodie

It's been colder than usual this year so I've been trying to make somethings to keep April warm on our outings.  As much as I love the Aviatrix hat, it is a bit small and doesn't really cover the back of her neck so I found this pattern and thought it would be a great solution. The pattern says that the baby size should fit 6 months-24 months so that's what I made. It is a bit small and doesn't fully cover her neck but I still love it. I also love the yarn I used. It is Misti Alpaca in Purplicious. It is so soft and the colorway is beautiful. I think I will be making this hat again only in the child size.
In the pictures you will notice April standing at her Montessori standing bar. She is also very interested in magnets so we've hung a little magnet board above the bar. She just showed me today she can stand alone without the bar and she is getting really good at walking with her walker wagon, she is even starting to walk with just one hand on the bar. She is getting so independent.

A Contest

No I'm not hosting this contest, I'm simply spreading the word.

My friend Robbin has started a great new business. Abernathy Naturals is an online store that offers a great selection of babywearing products such as Storchenweige wraps and Suse's Kindergear, clothing diapering products and other great handmade items.
Robbin is really talented. We have a couple of items from her that we've used with April including legwarmers and a fantastic cloth diaper (both that she sewed herself). She is also the one person that has really given me the help and motivation to improve my knitting skills. She has made some beautiful things for her daughters and she's shown me how to do the same for my girl.
I'm really loving her store. It supports green living and she's stocking many of the items that parents who are planning to pursue attachment parenting will need and when you shop with her you are helping to support a home-based business for a stay-at-home mom. Isn't that the dream for most of us moms out there?
Anyways, the contest! She is offering a giveaway of 30% of a Storchenweige wrap of your choice plus free shipping up to $10. For contest rules and how to enter visit here. Also check out her store. The contest runs until November 30th. Good luck!

A Stocking for April

 
This will be April's first Christmas so naturally she needs a stocking. I refuse to buy one from the stores so I set out to make her one myself. I found this very Christmasy wool in the remnants bin at the local fabric store in the summer and bought it with the intention to use it for the stocking. Then I found the stocking pattern in Alicia Paulson's book Stitched in Time and I knew it was perfect.
Now Alicia does mention that this is a smaller stocking but I was ok with that since we have a minimalist view on Christmas anyways. But man is it small. It is so narrow I had trouble reaching the toe. I guess it will work for a kiddo though.
This stocking was just such a pain. Not the pattern's fault though. I had problems with my blanket stitch, sewed the buttons are crooked so I had to re-sew them, the heel and toe patches did not line up and I already ripped it a little bit while turning it right-side out.
So after much time, a few patch jobs and a lot of swear words, it is finished. The end result is pretty cute. I have some of the fabric left so I might make her a slightly bigger one that she can keep forever. For now, it works.