We will be away..........

We will be enjoying the sand and sun in the north.  See you next week!

Packing

I am packing before the family summer vacation.
There is so much organizing, cleaning, packing, cooking and list making!

I am just thinking that in a few days we will be sitting next to lake with our toes in the water.

It will be blissful!

The Start of Major Production

Last night I started the first 10 yarn bowls.
This is a major accomplishment as I have been talking, thinking, planning and procrastinating for months.  There was always something that was stopping me.  First I needed to clean the studio, then it was reclaim, then it was market orders, then just plain not wanting to put down my knitting.  Last night after of weekend of pugging clay (yes that mound of clay turning into 4 very large containers of usable clay) I finally sat down and started.  It went smooth and easy and my body felt great.
I have organized myself to make about 20 -25 bowls each day which will allow me to do all my fall and christmas shows.
So 10 down and 990 to go!!

Weekend Moments

Wishing you all a beautiful summer weekend. 

{this moment}

A Gramma Trip to the Toronto Zoo while Sam is away at Camp

Gathered Clutch

I am super proud of myself to share this project that I recently finished.  It is the first creation of its kind and I am so happy that it turned out.  I had to get a few things that I had not used or heard of before like fusible interfacing, but I was up for the challenge.  I have been looking for a clutch that I can use when I don't want to be lugging around the big diaper bag and I am just running out to the store.  

The Gathered Clutch by Anna over at Noodlehead.  

I even put in the card pockets!  

It was super easy to make and the tutorial by Anna was clear and easy to follow.  It is a great size and I am thinking of making one for all my Mama friends as it can be used for so many more things that just a clutch.  I ended up using it for all my homeopathic remedies that I need on the go.

Knitting Works in Progress

I thought that I would share some of my works in progress this week.  We are getting ready for a road trip and vacation and I am not too sure if I should take all of these and come home with three finished projects or if I should start something new just for the trip. 

The Lovey Dovey Dress by Spud and Chloe

The Collegiate Cardigan in Men's Knits

The Traveling Woman's Shawl by Liz Abinante

Truthful Tuesdays

Truth.....  I yell.  Somedays I yell a lot.
I have always been a load person and yelling is what I do when I get overwhelmed, mad or frustrated.
I had always thought that when I became a parent that I would be this calm and patient Mama.  I am not too sure who I thought that going to come and parent my children.  Maybe I figured that when I birthed my children it was going to transform me into someone else. While it has changed in me in a lot of ways it doesn't change you into someone else.  So there are somedays when there is no yelling and being a Mama is exactly the fairy tale I thought it was going to be, and then there are other days when the reality of parent is more apparent.  The kids are tired, I am tired, one of them is pushing the limits and testing every ounce of my patience.  Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed with my name being called every 20 seconds for an hour straight that yelling is the only way to bring myself back to a manageable state.
At the end of the day there are kind words before bed and sometimes even a sorry or two from the kids and this Mama.

#43 - Have a Pool Party and Invite Everyone We Know

This weekend we finally had a pool party.  We have been living here for two summer and not had everyone together to enjoy.  It was an amazing time.  There was LOTS of laughs, smiles, and kids running around enjoying themselves.  I realized that I have the most amazing friends and family.  It was one of the first times that I just relaxed and was myself.  I wasn't thinking about what to say, what I looked liked and who I was trying to impress.  I was just me.  All baby fat, stretch marks, load laughing and joking me.   Everyone had a great time and I think that it will be something we will be doing again if not before the end of the summer.

{this moment}

Summer..........

Truthful Tuesdays (or Thursday this week)

This is our T.V.  Remote and 6 out of the 7 days of the week it is my best friend.  

I understand all of the benefits of not letting the kids watch T.V and I have heard every angle as to why homes should be TV. free but this Mama is not capable of such selflessness.  I need to be able to take 20 minutes and breathe and know that the kids are sitting quietly.  I need a shower, to change the laundry, to make dinner without little arms pulling on my legs, I need to not hear my name being constantly called.  I need to use it as a bargaining tool if I need it and for a little boy who no longer naps, he needs it stop moving and just sit and relax.
It is not a free-all on TV. there are only certain channels that he can watch and there are many times when I say the dreaded No to watching, but I use it when I need it. I used to be really upset with myself for making this decision.  I had in my mind exactly how I would parent and how wonderful it would all be. (I think I had an image of the Sound of Music in me head, lots of singing and happiness)  While there is lots of that there are also lots of tough days and reality days.  On those days the TV Remote is my best friend.    

Recycled Clay

At the studio we recycle all of the clay we do not use.  All of the trimmings, pieces that fall over, break, and are not loved are thrown into the reclaim buckets.  Every 6 months or so we turn those buckets back into workable clay.

The first step is to lay it out on the tables letting it dry to the right consistency to go through the Pug Mill which will churn the clay, taking out the air and forming it into logs that we then wrap into plastic and store in air tight containers.

Most of the clay that I use for my work is recycled clay.  There are a few reasons as do why I take the time to recycle the clay and use it.
1. It is a HUGE cost savings.  On average when we do a reclaim we make about $400 worth of clay.
2. The ingredients used to manufacture clay are pulled from the earth and so the less new clay I buy the easier I am being on the planet.
3. Recycled clay is softer and easier to work with.
4. It is unique to me.  Because there are lots of different clays that sometimes get thrown into the buckets the clay has a unique pink tint to it.

So right now we are in the middle of our summer reclaim.  With all my tables taken up with piles of stinky clay, there has been a hold put on production.  I am o.k. with that as it gives me a little mini break.  What will I create during this time instead?  I have a few knitting projects I am sure.

The Days of Rainy and Hot Summer

The summer months so far here have either been unbearably hot or pouring rain.  So we have been packing up and going to the local mall.  

We head straight for the rental strollers so that we can ride in a fire truck (Lily is to sit up heigh because she is smaller he says) and then we make our way over to the Toys R Us and ride the bikes around the store, a small stop to play at the Thomas the Train Table and then home.  All in all it is about 2 hours and the kids are happy and we got out of the house and had a little adventure.  I am finding more and more that it isn't about the big plans that we make but the everyday that make the kids happy.  

 Even something as simple as riding bikes at the store!  

A Day at the Cottage

This weekend we travelled down to my Mom's summer getaway.  It is difficult to describe what it is that she has as it is not a cottage, it is more than just property on the water.  It has a trailer that she has built off of, a small little cabin for people to sleep in, a large deck over the water and a great stair case down to the water.  It is a place that we have spent many a summer weekend at and enjoyed the space and nature.  It is a little more difficult with the kids as the trailer is small and not much sleeping or playing room and the property is on a 50 foot cliff, so there is LOTS of eyes on the kids at all times.  However, the place is beautiful and so is small town of Picton in which it is closely located.

We are going back in a few weeks for the whole weekend and we are already thinking of all the things that we are going to do with more time.

Our First Big Step

Yesterday was Lily's first day at Day Care.
It was a big moment for me and carried so many different things.  I was nervous for her, I was scared for me.  I was excited for her and the new things that this will bring and I was overjoyed to be able to work in the studio the day without any interruptions.  I was able to be in my space and think, create and enjoy without worrying about what was going on upstairs, or rushing to get back as nap time was almost over.

In short for me it was LIBERATING!

At the very same time is was difficult for me.  She is getting so big it seems and blossoming into this amazing little girl.  My little Kindred Spirit she is.  She and I have been together for the last 16 months on earth and a previous special 9 months.  She is now taking a step towards becoming a little soul on her own.

While I welcome this step they take, I at the same time, want to hold on to them.  But I know I have to let go.  Yesterday was the first of many little steps.    

Heat Wave

We are experiencing a major heat wave at the moment in Southern Ontario.  Temperatures are reaching up to 44 Celsius here.  Our little home does not have air conditioning but we do have a pool so swim suits are the new daily outfit and we spending almost all our time pool side.  We have even moved the BBQ and have been eating back there as well.

Understanding

I am in a place now that I am starting to get a little tired of the world that we live in.  I sometimes want to pack the kids up and find a remote place in the forest to raise them so that they are not exposed to the world that we live in.  

This morning we awoke to find that our cars had been broken into again in our driveway.  This is not the first time but rather the 4th or 5th time.  This type of thing is very upsetting to me.  I find it difficult to continue a sense of safety and control in my own home when I have to be double check and locking things.  

I also have to explain these types of things to the kids and I am not too sure how.  How to tell my 3 year old, that sometimes people take things that are not theirs, that sometimes people don't respect other people and their things, and that sometimes  people in difficult situations don't always make the best choices.    Regardless of how I tell them, they will not understand as they live in a work where nothing bad happens, everyone loves one another, and they are always safe and why should that have to change?  

{this moment}

This picture look familiar I know.  I originally posted it here showing or new inside now outside.  This is a peak at the same space being loved and used.  With this amazing weather this week it is getting lots of use! The pool is our new favourite place.