Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Yarn Along

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

I am happy to say I finished the shawl this week and I am very pleased with it, in fact, I love it!!! I had already cast if off last week when I updated you on my progress and all that was left was adding the fringe.  This shawl was a first for me on many fronts - first time knitting with mohair, first time knitting a shawl and first time adding fringe, how have I never done that before? I have never been a huge fringe person, and thought I might leave it off, but Justin convinced me to put some on to see how it looked. And...I love it.


I finished up reading The Chicken Whisper's Guide to Keeping Chickens and I won't lie, it seems like a lot of work. So, if any of you are backyard chicken keepers out there, some reassurance would be great right now...thanks.


With the shawl finished, I am focused on Reece's hat, not much done on it since last week, but this week it will get more attention. And I will be on the look out for my next knitting project, it seems strange to only have one thing on the needles right now.

On the reading front I have started reading the Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature which has come highly recommended to me from some of the moms at Oaks and Acorns. I have just started it so will have more details about it next week.

Happy yarn along!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

It's Okay Being Different

By all accounts everything about our lives is pretty different from the norm, and really, we are perfectly okay with that. It seems though others are not always okay with that, and I have to question why.


Why does being different make people feel uneasy? Why is being different so bad?  For most of my life I have been a little different. When my friends in high school were attending school dances and parties, I was at the dance studio, training hard at an art I loved. As a young adult, when everyone went off to university I stuck around and started my own business. Justin and I got married young, at 23, when most of our friends were still looking for that perfect partner.  Once married, it was 13 years before we would decide to have a child. And when we decided to have a child we knew from the start we would homebirth, use cloth diapers, breastfeed, homeschool and enjoy life together learning and growing as a family.
By definition we are different, at least from the norm, and we love it. And I don’t see anything wrong with it.

We follow our hearts. We stand up for what we believe in. We are not afraid of what others think of the choices we make. I feel no need to explain the informed, conscious decisions we make. We don’t judge others, but accept that we are all different and make decisions based on the experiences we have had in this life.

I think these are wonderful lessons for Reece to learn. I want him to grow up confident in the decisions he makes for himself. I want him to be able to look at other people and the decisions they make and not judge them, but understand they came to their decision from a different place than he did.  I want him to make decisions about his life based on the information he has, not on what he thinks is expected of him by someone else or society.  I want Reece to stand on his own two feet, to love the life he chooses for himself and to look around and love those around him, no matter what differences they represent.
Yes, being different is okay. It may not always be easy, but it is okay.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Goodbye Grandad

Today my parents are in the UK, and while I cannot be there, my heart is with them. They are burying my grandad today.
Growing up I didn’t have the relationship with my grandad that most children have, he was after all on the other side of the ocean. My parents took my brother and me over quite a few times as young children and my grandparents came to Canada quite a few times to visit. But there came a time when they were too old to travel and the time between visits became longer. The summer I turned twelve (1984) I spent six weeks in England with my dad’s family, staying a few weeks at my grandparents, a few weeks with different aunts and uncles and a few weeks at holiday resorts with aunts and uncles, it was a fabulous summer that I still remember very vividly to this day.
After that visit I wouldn’t return to the UK until 2006. I traveled with Justin to race in the Ironman UK and made time after the race to go and visit my family for ten days. It was wonderful. Catching up, seeing people I had not seen in years and just being with them – it was all so lovely.
I would return again in 2009, this time with my dad and Reece.  When Reece was born it was instinct, I just needed to get him over there to meet his family, to meet his great grandad.  And so we went. My dad, Reece and I spent a wonderful ten days immersed in family. I was so happy to be able to introduce Reece to his great grandad.
Reece and his great grandad

My dad, Reece and my grandad

My grandad, Reece and I
So, it was with much sadness I received a call from my dad that my grandad had passed away on Tuesday February 7, 2012. It wasn’t a surprise, he was 94 years old and had lived a very full life, but you know, death always has a way of tugging at your heart.
My grandad was born on August 24, 1917 in Wicklow, Ireland. His given name was James Lawrence Corrigan. He married my nan, Vera May Flanagan on May 26, 1943 and they lived happily in Gravesend, Kent, England. They had four children, my dad the second oldest. He has two sisters and one brother.

My grandad and nan on their wedding day

My grandad and his four children, my dad is the one on the left

My grandad and my dad
My grandad was a World War 2 veteran and could still tell us about his experiences when we visited in 2009. His mind was sharp and his ability to recall information was incredible.  Injured during the war he took up the tapestry during his recovery and became very talented at it.  We are lucky enough to have one of his pieces in our home.


My grandad was known around his neighbourhood for his prize winning rose garden. He loved his roses.  His other favourite past time, long walks to the pub for a pint of Guinness.


My grandad looked after my nan for many years, as her health was not good. He cooked, cleaned, made trips to the grocery store and was a wonderful husband. He said good bye to my nan on February 5, 2002.
He lived a long, vibrant life, looking after himself (with some help from my aunts and uncle), in his home right up until his passing. He was here to meet eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  He was a wonderful man.
The Funeral Procession

You will be missed grandad, never forgotten and always in our hearts.

We love you.

Friday, February 24, 2012

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Crafty Groove




Sometimes you just get in a groove, a good groove. Lately there has been a whole lot of craftiness going on in our home and we love it.  We delved into soap making this week using this book. While many traditionalists out there may not call the method we used soap making that is okay with us. We choose to avoid the use of lye for a number of reasons; the number one being it would allow Reece to take part in the fun.

Reece has this thing with soap, not sure why, but he really likes it. He has a little bag of natural soap from the health food store he carries around with him all the time. And whenever we visit the health food store he heads straight to the soap so he can add one or two to his collection. So with plans to make our own we knew we had to find a way to include him and the melt and pour method of soap making allowed that. The soap turned out great and we have been using it all week. Love it!

I experimented this week with fabric buttons from Sunbeam Button Supplies and they turned out great! I added them to hair clips and they look awesome. Definitely a great Christmas present for my nieces...now to order more supplies.

There has been time for some sewing this week too, or at least getting a pattern, choosing fabric and getting it cut out. Should be on the machine in the next day or two and my little man should be wearing a new pair of pants soon.

And of course there is always time for knitting. You can check out my Yarn Along post from yesterday to check out the progress on my needles.

What are you creating these days?

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I am linking up with Saturday's Artist over at Ordinary Life Magic

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Yarn Along

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

This week was pretty productive for me in regards to knitting and reading. I found the time to finish knitting the shawl I started last week. It is now waiting for me to add the fringe, something I am hoping to do this weekend. I finished John Holt’s book, How Children Fail. This is an excellent read if you are interested in learning more about the school system and how it can fail some children.

The shawl pictured with another one of my father in laws beautiful wood turned bowls.

This week I have cast on with some lovely merino wool. I am working on a hat for Reece from this book. On the reading front I am all things chickens this week, trying to finish up The Chicken Whispers Guide to Keeping Chickens.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Community Potluck

This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to attend a community potluck. It was hosted by the group of ladies which run the Oaks and Acorns Program that Reece and I attend on Friday mornings. 

The purpose of the community potluck was to come together as a community, celebrate our connection to nature and to raise money for a local scholarship for the 2012 Art of Mentoring Program, a program Reece and I will be attending for the first time this summer.  While there was no detailed plan for the afternoon, there was the opportunity to hike, craft, sing, play music and get to know each other a little bit better.
The afternoon began with some getting to know each other as everyone arrived. Then we were called into a circle to officially begin our gathering with some songs. Then everyone was off to do as they pleased for a bit. We decided to do some hiking, as the event was held at the Camp Kawartha Environment Center, Cananda's most sustainable building and a beautiful wildlife sanctuary.  We played in the snow, followed Reece through the forest, chatted with some other families and then headed back inside. I curled up with a cup of tea, and my knitting, Reece played with some other toddlers and Justin found conversation with some other dads. 










Soon everyone had gathered back inside, and we came together for a gratitude circle. We all had the opportunity to express our gratitude before dinner. It was wonderful to share and hear what others were grateful for.
Dinner was delicious. One of the great things about coming together with like-minded families is the food everyone brings; it was healthy and delicious.  During dinner there was some door prizes given out. We were lucky enough to head home with a large bag of organic heirloom garlic from Deep Roots Farm and a book I have been wanting to pick up, The Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature.  Didn’t I say we were lucky, such wonderful and thoughtful door prizes.


After dinner we came together in another circle to share some of our favourite moments and to sing a closing song together. Some left after this, others hung out and the fiddle, guitar and drums came out.
We heard the first bit of music, but headed home soon after they started. It had been a long day and we had a bit of a drive to get home.
It was a magical day. The energy, the spirit, the gratitude and the love felt throughout the day was amazing.  We are so happy and grateful to be a part of this wonderful community.

Monday, February 20, 2012

It's The Little Things


When I look back over my day each night before I fall asleep, I often find it is the little things that make my days so awesome. Here’s a peak at some of the little things that Justin does:
Justin is usually the first one up in the morning, a quick trip to the bathroom and them back to bed, but on his way back to bed he fills up the kettle and puts it on so the water is ready for my cup of hot water and lemon when I get up shortly after.
Reece and I head out the door after breakfast a few mornings a week, and when we get home Justin has taken the time to vacuum and tidy up a bit.
Laundry is a night time affair here as we have a smart meter and hydro rates are lower after 7pm, many nights have me going to bed before the last load goes in the dryer. So, I often ask Justin to throw the clothes in the dryer before he comes up and not once has he forgotten.
Have I mentioned yet, Justin drives while I knit?
Our evening bedtime routine with Reece includes bath, book, a nurse and then bed. Justin does bath time so I can have a little bit of time to get started on work.
And after said bath time, if I am planning to have a bath, which usually happens on the weekends, Justin will clean the tub.
Just a few of the little things Justin does to make my days so great. Yes, I definitely think I have found a keeper. Oh, and I almost forgot, Justin cleans the toilet too! Yup, a pretty great guy I have.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Happy Weekending


Wishing you a lovely weekend wherever the path may lead you.

Enjoy!

Friday, February 17, 2012

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Dream My Little Man, Dream

We are slowly working on creating a sleep space for Reece. We are still happily sharing a bed, and have no plans in the near future to change that, but we thought it was time to start thinking about Reece’s bedroom for when the time comes.  We took our large bedroom and created a lovely space for Reece, divided with a wall to separate his craft/play space from where he will sleep.  The focus so far has been on the craft/play space, but we are slowly shifting focus and working on his sleeping area.
We are still trying to decide what size bed to get, and how many, one or two, cause...you just never know, right? He already has an armoire for his clothes, a place to hang his coats and a spot to put hats, mittens, scarves and so on.  So, we are almost there.
Lovingly built by my dad when Justin and I got married.
The perfect spot for coats, hats, mittens and scarves.

I have been looking forward to creating some sort of dream banner for his bedroom for quite some time and with it all coming together it seemed like the perfect time to get started.  I wanted something different than the usual bunting banner, so I decided to do some knitting. I knitted up seven rectangles in coordinating colours, found some fabulous paisley fabric for the letters and got busy creating.


It took a while as I puttered away on it, but I am pleased to say it is finally finished and I think it looks amazing!! The best part, Reece loves it!

Sweet dreams my little man.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Yarn Along

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

On my needles this week a little something for me, a shawl. I figure this is perfect to keep the winter chill off now and in the spring, the perfect thing to wear on those fresh, cool spring days. This is my first experience knitting a shawl and my first time knitting with mohair.  So far, both are going well. 


And on the reading front, I am stilling working on John Holt's How Children Fail and The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Keeping Chickens by Andy Schneider and Dr. Brigid McCrea. This week though I did squeeze in some time to read one of my favourite magazines, The Green Parent. Love it!!!


What are you reading and knitting this week?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A Day of Love


While I am not one for the commercial side of Valentine’s Day, I am all for a day of sharing the love and gratitude we feel for those we share our lives with.
So, although we should do this every day, take time today to laugh, show your appreciation, hug those you love, and give them a kiss too. Make sure the ones you hold dear in your heart know how much you love them. Tell them, show them, and then tell them again.

We will be celebrating, all three of us, with a little road trip to visit some family. My little man is so excited to see his cousin and can’t wait to give her a Valentine gift and a little kiss too. We will have a late lunch at The Jasmine Garden, and then see what the rest of the day holds.

Enjoy your day, Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

Friday, February 10, 2012

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

More Hearts in Our Home

There are so many Valentine crafts being shared these days, I love it!! After my post last week, I found this from Simple and Joyful and knew Reece and I would be making some heart garland.
I prepared the hearts ahead of time, punched some holes in them and then we got busy. We both worked on a garland, gently stringing each heart onto the string. 





Mine was the first to go up in the kitchen window, where I can enjoy it each and every day as I prepare our meals.




Reece decided he wanted his in his room, above his craft table. It looks awesome hanging there, doesn’t it?


I think that is it for Valentine crafts this year, but thanks to a few other posts, I have ideas for next year already. Thanks mamas.