Saint Patrick's Day

 

The way that my husband loves St. Patrick's Day you would think he was fully Irish. To him, that 1/4 of Irish blood running through his veins is everything. He waits for this holiday the other 364 days of the year like a child waits for their birthday. Growing up for me, this was a day to wear green and eat corned beef and cabbage. It was a bright spot in the month but not huge. That has changed for me since I met my husband.

We have been planning for today since the beginning of March. And Marie-Therese got in on the excitement this year. She had great plans for art, gifts for us all, things to do. When the calendar hit March 1st, I ignored the snowstorm swirling outside and we put green all over the house. Yesterday I was informed by my fashion conscious 5 year old that she had nothing green to wear and that was a tragedy! I had a thought to go to the mall to try to find something but I had no desire to do that. So we went on a quick trip to the big box craft store and found some perfect fabric to make a St. Patrick's Day skirt. It had shamrocks, rainbows AND sparkles. She quickly declared it the most perfect fabric ever and then found some owl fabric to make her sister a skirt too.

Thankfully I have been in the mood to sew and those sweet skirts were made up in no time. This morning dawned gray and rainy but I wasn't going to let that dampen my spirits. We got dressed in our green and headed out to Dunkin Donuts for a shamrock donut, to the grocery store for green carnations (daddy's favorite flowers for his favorite holiday) and then to another craft store to see what they might have for St. Patrick's craft supplies.

This afternoon the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly. There may have been some trips to the window to see if we could see a rainbow (we couldn't) and lots of talk of trying to find a leprechaun so we could share some of his gold. Supper was cooking all afternoon on the stove making our stomachs rumble and more than one trip downstairs during rest time for Marie-Therese to ask if she could "try just one bite because it smells SO GOOD Momma."

This is such a simple holiday to celebrate and I think it's a good lesson, for me at least. We don't need much to bring joy and excitement to our days. It has been a long winter here and I am done. My mood has been suffering lately and I could very easily have slipped into only preparing a corned beef dinner with none of the other little things. But it was those other little things that made my mood lighter today. There isn't much green outside yet so we brought green to our home with the shamrocks hanging from the ceiling and sparkly rainbow skirts for little girls.

Just the feeling that today was something special was enough to bring joy to my heart. Seeing my girls excited for this day made me excited too. Listening to the joy in my husbands voice when he called in the middle of the day lifted my spirits. A holiday in the middle of March is a good idea. I let go of the control I would have had one day not long ago....the pressure to DO IT ALL or don't do anything at all. I didn't do all of the ideas I had, I didn't go over the top, just small, simple things. And because we had a simple celebration it was that much more special. There is no need to do things up big all the time. It takes the pressure off. Today gave us all something to look forward to.

Tonight all four of us are going to bed with tummies stuffed full and hearts bursting with gratitude that daddy is part Irish and proud of it!

Gratitude::it's everywhere

michelle's gratitude week is over. I skipped posting the last few days last week. But I didn't stop counting. Or taking pictures. Taking pictures causes me to pause, to see the beauty in front of me in a different way, it helps me focus and be centered on the moment in front of me.

The action of noticing, and then writing down, my gratitudes has helped me to be open to more gratitudes. To more things to be thankful for. The big, the small, the ones in between.

I seek beauty for my life. I seek joy. I seek peace. I seek enthusiasm.

I am slowly finding that the beginning of those things (for me) is to give thanks. And from that thanks all other things come. 

This time of year always makes people more aware of our gratitudes. My wish is that I can carry it throughout the rest of the year, not just for the month of November. 

I have so much to be thankful for. I think gratitude posts will become a regular here.

Because when there is nothing else that comes to mind to write, I am always able to sit and write out a gratitude list. Lists and gratitudes. Two things that make my heart sing. Along with gray afternoons & candle light; opening new books as the rain hits the window; holding a steaming cup of chai tea between my hands; the warmth of a blanket on my legs; falling twilight; the sound of Christmas carols; the quiet of the girls resting; the knowledge that supper will be easy. 

Just a few things to be grateful for this late afternoon

Gratitude Week: Day 3

::for lamp light on a gray afternoon

::hot chocolate and a book

::online community

::quiet evenings

::sinking into the whiney moods, accepting them & moving on

::curling into bed, even if no sleep comes

::gray mornings and the promise of a fresh day ahead

What are you grateful for? Joining michelle for gratitude week

Gratitude week::Day 2

::beautiful weather for a fall walk

::crunching leaves with my girl

::fresh air that helps any mood--good or bad

::messy, creative tables

::writing down gratitudes

::apple pie baking

::soup simmering

::tea steaming

some gratitudes from yesterday to join with michelle for gratitude week

Weekending::Gratitudes

::quiet time with yarn, needles & my little big girl

::the sun glowing through yellow trees

::quiet afternoons under blankets

:: a daddy & his little girl planting bulbs for spring

::a quiet house 

::a husband who takes the girls for a few hours so Momma's headache can get better

::when they return and all my people are tucked into bed

Just a few things from this weekend I am grateful for

Linking with with Karen for weekending and Michelle for gratitude week

In the beginning

A new year brings so many possibilities. Each day is like a blank page in an open book just waiting for us to write our story. 

I've been thinking the past few days what I want my story of 2014 to look like. I chose a word to carry me through the year. Now I'm pondering how I want that to look, how I'm going to find poetry in my days.

I bought a new journal at Target the other day. I still have pages in the old one but I've begun the new one.  I'm hoping to find the poetry in the days is to take pictures. Not just on the ipad but with the big, real camera. My husband & I were talking and I mentioned that someday I want to take the camera outside into nature to take pictures. He asked me why I don't do it now? Because I answered, I'm waiting for the perfect time...the girls to be older, when I'm more experienced with the camera settings. He said do it now with the girls; learn the camera by getting out there. I am thankful he is my voice of reason when I hold myself back.

Go outside to find the poetry in nature. Too bad the weather is snowy with a wind chill below zero! I'll get there though. And for now there's taking pictures through the window!

I dug out my copy of One Thousand Gifts. Another way to find the poetry in my days is to count the gifts I am given each day. And to give thanks for them. I have a feeling this will tie into the photography too.

It seems especially poignant as we step into 2014, the beginning of a new year, that we have a new baby. There is no better beginning then that of a new person. Her innocence, sweet smell, everything is so tiny & fragile. She is an open book too. Her story is just beginning. I am so blessed that I get to be a part of her story, to witness where it will take her as she grows. 

Like with Ree though, I need to remember that I am not the author of her story. She ultimately is. I need to step back and read it along with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again Amanda has generously put together daily writing prompts for January. "In the Beginning" was yesterday's!

Happy Things

Some Happy Things from the last week!

Anniversary yarn & roses!

I won Tracey's Birthday Giveaway with the sweetest little lamb bag, measuring tape & stitch markers! Inside the lamb pouch are some sticky notes! Thank you Tracey!

And this morning is a gorgeous Fall morning. There's quite the chill in the air. I love it!! Sweater weather! 

Yarn Along

I finished the Puerperium sweater just in time to wrap up for the baby shower. The soon to be Mommy seemed to really like it! I am so pleased with how it came out! My February Lady Sweater is really coming along too. I finished that sleeve up there. So now it's just the 2nd sleeve & putting on the buttons. I put it aside for a bit as I REALLY need to finish Ree's sweater to take Easter pictures.

I had meant to get this post up this morning but Ree was up very early. Then she wanted to draw. We needed to get to story time and do errands as well. THEN the day was so beautiful (a little windy but it was SUNNY and warmish) so we spent quite a bit of time outside. It was wonderful. All that fresh air made Ree ready for a nap. While she was napping I cut out & sewed about 3/4 of her Easter dress! 

I was just getting ready to sit down to write up my Yarn Along post when I turned the news on and saw that there was white smoke from the Vatican. I was very surprised by my reaction. I was filled with excitement and joy at the news that we had a new Pope. I know these past few weeks have brought out pain in some, and made some people lash out at the Church. I have no problem saying that there are problems in the Church and I have come to terms with my own feelings on some of it's teachings. But when it comes down to it I do love the Church & my faith and put hope in the future. The traditions and beauty that encompasses the faith lift me up. To me Pope Francis seems like a gentle, humble man and I pray for him that he can heal some of the wounds and guide us towards the teachings of Jesus. 

I won't always wax philosophical but I started the blog to share the joys in my life and what makes me happy. I have to say this new Pope fills me with joy for the future! The Holy Spirit has filled me with a feeling of renewal not just for the Church but for my own spiritual life! And today this is making me very happy! (Along with the progress I've made on the Easter sweaters & Ree's Easter dress!)

Three!!

Three years ago this morning I woke up thinking I still had 4 weeks (to the day) until my due date. It being a Friday I made plans for the upcoming weekend. That day I was going to wrap some Christmas presents; go to my doctor appointment and then attend my brother-in-laws birthday party. The big plan the next day was pack my hospital bag to be prepared. I was so proud of myself that I, the original procrastinator, was going to have the bag packed a whole month in advance!

I got the Christmas presents wrapped but was too tired to clean up. I left everything where it was thinking I would clean it up that night when we got home from my sister's.

At my doctor appointment the baby's heartbeat was a little irregular and the doctor thought she was still breech. She sent me from there down the hall for an ultrasound where it was confirmed that the baby was breech. I was disappointed as that meant I would need to schedule a c-section.

As the technician finished up I suddenly felt an odd feeling. As I got up from the bed I told my husband I needed to go into the bathroom. I was very embarrassed as I thought I had wet my pants! Instead my water had broken. Rather then go to my brother-in-laws birthday party we headed to the hospital for a surprise c-section. 

My sweet, beautiful little Ree was born at 7:15 that evening. She was so tiny at 5 lbs 5 oz and 18 1/2 inches long but perfect. She changed my life in ways that I can't even explain. Being her Momma is the best thing God could have ever planned for me. I am so honored to be able to guide her sweet soul. 

Her love of all things crafts; art; music; princesses; books & clothes. Her love of walking around the mall. Her answer to my question each day of "What would you like to do today" is always one of a few things: "Lets go to a craft store!" or "Let's go to Nana's!" Or "Let's go to the Mall!" Or "Lets go to the library!" makes me laugh. And then the times she just wants to stay home in her pajamas to read, knit, sew, play, and use her imagination delights me as well.

She woke this morning to the easel that her Daddy made for her (of which she helped until the last minute not knowing what it was or who it was for!) When she saw it this morning she exclaimed "Daddy that is for ME? You made it for ME?" was so precious. We then used markers and she then wanted to do glitter.

Afterwards she wanted to go to the mall. Not to shop but to ride the escalators. And try out the carousel (of which she wanted to get off as soon as it started. When she came back to me she informed me that it made her tummy not to feel good and she needed a donut). So we went for a donut. And then to the water & laser light show at the local furniture store.

For dinner tonight she wanted hot dogs and chocolate chip cookies so that is what she had. Her Nana & Grumpy came over for supper too with more presents. She is now curled up on the couch with her daddy watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

I have no idea where these past three years went. But I have so enjoyed watching this little one grow up into the beautiful, sensitive, sweet little girl. My most favorite words from her little mouth (aside from I love you) are "Momma I need you to knit me......" and then when I finish whatever it is her appreciation warms my heart! 

I can't wait to see what life has in store for her. I am so glad I get to be a part of it with her!

Right Now

Right now I am (well today I have been)

~still thinking of the hundreds....HUNDREDS of grackles that were in our front & back yards this morning. It was unbelieveable. Kind of like a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds"

~enjoying homemade apple crisp. Up next: oatmeal cookies

~finishing up some knitting projects

~making a list of the many more knitting projects to be started

~procrastinating making Ree's Halloween costume. I have everything needed...now it's onto cutting the fabric (a Tinkerbell dress)

~needing to write up a meal plan. I have all the ingredients for dinners for the rest of the week & into next week. Now I need to put it to paper to remind myself

~loving the Autumn light

~wanting to put something together for Amanda's Kindred Magazine

~pondering the subject of "home" thanks to said magazine theme

~feeling grateful for my little one & being able to spend my days with her

~wishing there were more hours in the day to do all the fun things we'd like to do

~hoping this beautiful weather continues!

Autumn

My favorite time of year is Autumn.
Heading into the first full weekend of the season I thought I'd list some of the reasons I love it so much!

:: The colors. I love the oranges and reds and yellows. Whether it's in the leaves on the trees or the ground; the mums that are popping up everywhere or in the stores.
:: The tastes & smells. Apple crisp; pumpkin pies & bread; the cinnamon apple candle I have.
:: Hot tea again!
:: Sweaters and jeans
:: Going to pick pumpkins and harvest festivals
:: Knitting without sweating while holding the yarn
:: The cool, crisp air
:: Comfort food dinners from the crock pot
:: Needing blankets at night while sleeping

And so much more!

Monday

Yesterday was a perfect Fall day.

Ree had the first storytime of the year & was excited to be back. We brought home a bag full of books. The first one we read when we got home was Color Dance. As soon as we finished reading it she needed to put on her dancing dress; some music; and get out her playsilks so she could dance like they do in the book.

I went to the garden and picked things to make a nice salad for lunch (which I forgot to take a picture of. I was too excited to be eating things that I had grown!)

We printed off leaf templates that we are in the process of coloring. I'm hoping to finish them today so I can cut them out & we can make a leaf garland.

A Fall smelling candle and a cup of tea for the afternoon.

These are my favorite days of the year! And seeing all the Fall "bucket list" posts has gotten me even more excited for these gorgeous days!

Enjoying

Here are just a few of the things that we have been enjoying lately:

Starting to learn the alphabet. We had "A" week last week. Ree made this stained glass window. She's always so excited to have me hang her things up!

Playing outside. The weather has finally turned cooler. It's now pleasant to spend time outside running, walking, playing, swinging and anything else the active 2 year old can come up with!

 One of her favorite things: looking at the clouds

 The late afternoon sun hitting the gladiolas. I always enjoy the changing of the seasons for the different light patterns that come into the house

The sunrise. I am not a morning person so this isn't a sight I usually see. But for some reason Ree has been up pretty much since 2 am today. It was pretty to see the sunrise. I hope this won't be an everyday occurrence though!

What are some things you are enjoying right now?

Gladiolias

We planted a gladiola garden this year. I love these flowers! We were a bit surprised when they bloomed. The package was mismarked. We thought we were getting light purple; pink; white; and dark purple. I like the surprise!

I hope everyone in the United States has a good Labor Day. I'm sending special thoughts to those who are unemployed. We were there just over a year ago. I am very thankful my husband found another job in his field in a relatively short time!

Joy Daring

Sharing a list of the on-going One Thousand Gifts:

cool breezes

evening knitting on the deck

leftovers

little cousins loving each other like siblings

sisters

parents

summer

sunsets

plants that are thriving

the hope for vegetables from our own garden

bunches of clover picked for me

walking through the grass barefoot

the smell of summer rain

My girl

Due to the loss of a sweet little baby over the weekend I've been thanking God for the gift of my little girl extra hard. 

Yesterday we went out to the back yard for hours. We ate on a blanket; watched a butterfly land on the house; named as many birds as we could; picked dandelions & clover; made Ree her first clover crown; kicked a ball; pretended to take a nap & smelled all the flowers growing in the yard.

I so enjoy watching her grow and explore her world. It teaches me something too. To appreciate the wonder in the world around us. To stop, and linger in the present moment and see the beauty. 

Keeping it real

Rather then link-up with Amanda at "This Moment" today I'm going to direct you towards my yarn along post. The picture of Ree with the flamingo really was my "This Moment" for the week. It makes me feel good that she loves on the stuff I make for her. And that it's had to come everywhere we've gone all week!

Today I'm going to link up over at ink + chai for keeping it real. I got the idea from Amanda at Habit of Being. I've really been enjoying reading everyone's keeping it real posts each week--sharing the ups & downs from the past week.

Valley's....

*Rain & fog. Every. Single. Morning.

*Headaches. Which are probably from the weather.

*Supper dishes left till the next morning

*Sunburn. I always remember to put sun screen on Ree but forget my neck. Ouch!

Peak's...

*Afternoon thunderstorms!! 

*My husband's overtime slowing down so he gets home at a normal time. And no work on Saturday's. I'm loving it!

*Being light out late that we now are able to go back outside after supper

*Seeing hummingbirds & red winged blackbirds at the feeders

*A friend getting a job here so they won't be moving

*A morning zoo trip even in the drizzle

Right now

Right now.....

*I can't believe the weekend went by so fast
*That first cup of coffee may need to be followed by a second
*Thankful that potty training is going so well
*Wondering how potty training will go with our busy (out of the house) morning
*Looking forward to spending time with friends
*Needing to do at least 4 loads of laundry
*Loving our freshly mowed yard
*Looking forward to an an easy meal week...tons of leftovers!
*Hoping we can catch the ice cream truck this week....he goes so fast!

Also linking up with Morgan at Binks & Bubbles for Weekend in Instagram since all pictures in this post were taken this weekend through instagram!