Having conversations, moments, and news that all lead to one of those hard-learning life lessons: letting go. Bittersweet, as usual. But so much good potential.
Wishing all a weekend full of good potential. Happy weekending!
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Weekending
Having conversations, moments, and news that all lead to one of those hard-learning life lessons: letting go. Bittersweet, as usual. But so much good potential.
Wishing all a weekend full of good potential. Happy weekending!
Friday, August 7, 2015
Henry's Skirt
A few weeks back when I was on that kick making Audrey upcycled skirts for summertime, Little Brother was off on the sidelines watching... and pining. Pining for his own skirt.
I'm ashamed to admit I put him off for quite a while... and I even tried distracting him with a few new pairs of upcycled shorts instead. But no, though he was grateful for the shorts (and wears them regularly), what he wanted was a skirt.
Now I will say I am the type of person that refuses to do something (or not do something) just because That's How It's Always Been Done or because That's What Everyone Else Does. And how big of a hypocrite would I be if I indefinitely put him off because within our set of social norms boys aren't supposed to wear skirts?
Um, no. Also, says who?
So this morning, with my sewing machine still out from the projects we've been doing, he sweetly asked if today could be the day I make him a skirt.
My heart ached with his innocence, and I absolutely said yes. Today is the day.
I used an old, thrifted button-down shirt that I bought years ago because I loved the colors. I never could put my finger on what to use it for after I brought it home, so it's been stuffed in a box with other fabrics waiting for it's purpose. Today I realized what it had been waiting all this time to become.
Henry hovered over the entire process, clapping his hands and grinning from ear to ear. He jumped in whenever he could help, and quite frankly it was a very easy thing to throw together, even with extra 'help.'
Audrey kept saying, "A skirt for a boy? That's weird!" So we had to have a conversation about that. I said I knew some people would think it was weird, but why should that matter? If Henry wanted to wear a skirt it wasn't going to hurt anyone, and being happy with himself was more important than how his clothes made other people feel. Though it was pointed out that Daddy doesn't wear skirts, which is true... but what Daddy wears is Daddy's choice and if Henry wants to dress differently than Daddy we were going to be OK with it.
When we were finished sewing in the elastic he was already standing by in his skivvies waiting for the finished skirt. A second later he had it on and was beaming.
This process really made me think. Why did I hesitate to make this simple thing for him? Why am I still so concerned about taking him out wearing it? Why do I feel reservations about publishing this post and opening this up to anyone and everyone? Quite frankly I think my biggest concern comes from fear- fear of what others will say (or do) to him because of his violation of gender role expectations. Fear of how he'll be treated walking around confidently in an article of clothing designated for girls.
But you know what? I'm over it. He will be who he will be, skirt or no skirt, and if we have to have more talks about judgement, kindness, and tolerance, then so be it. I can't protect him from everything forever. He will learn soon enough that people can be dumb and cruel and unreasonable, so let me first teach him that no matter what, we will always accept and love him, no matter what.
I'm ashamed to admit I put him off for quite a while... and I even tried distracting him with a few new pairs of upcycled shorts instead. But no, though he was grateful for the shorts (and wears them regularly), what he wanted was a skirt.
Now I will say I am the type of person that refuses to do something (or not do something) just because That's How It's Always Been Done or because That's What Everyone Else Does. And how big of a hypocrite would I be if I indefinitely put him off because within our set of social norms boys aren't supposed to wear skirts?
Um, no. Also, says who?
So this morning, with my sewing machine still out from the projects we've been doing, he sweetly asked if today could be the day I make him a skirt.
My heart ached with his innocence, and I absolutely said yes. Today is the day.
I used an old, thrifted button-down shirt that I bought years ago because I loved the colors. I never could put my finger on what to use it for after I brought it home, so it's been stuffed in a box with other fabrics waiting for it's purpose. Today I realized what it had been waiting all this time to become.
Henry hovered over the entire process, clapping his hands and grinning from ear to ear. He jumped in whenever he could help, and quite frankly it was a very easy thing to throw together, even with extra 'help.'
Audrey kept saying, "A skirt for a boy? That's weird!" So we had to have a conversation about that. I said I knew some people would think it was weird, but why should that matter? If Henry wanted to wear a skirt it wasn't going to hurt anyone, and being happy with himself was more important than how his clothes made other people feel. Though it was pointed out that Daddy doesn't wear skirts, which is true... but what Daddy wears is Daddy's choice and if Henry wants to dress differently than Daddy we were going to be OK with it.
When we were finished sewing in the elastic he was already standing by in his skivvies waiting for the finished skirt. A second later he had it on and was beaming.
This process really made me think. Why did I hesitate to make this simple thing for him? Why am I still so concerned about taking him out wearing it? Why do I feel reservations about publishing this post and opening this up to anyone and everyone? Quite frankly I think my biggest concern comes from fear- fear of what others will say (or do) to him because of his violation of gender role expectations. Fear of how he'll be treated walking around confidently in an article of clothing designated for girls.
But you know what? I'm over it. He will be who he will be, skirt or no skirt, and if we have to have more talks about judgement, kindness, and tolerance, then so be it. I can't protect him from everything forever. He will learn soon enough that people can be dumb and cruel and unreasonable, so let me first teach him that no matter what, we will always accept and love him, no matter what.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Flannel and Wool
We've been indulging in some crafting and making these last few hot, hot days. Oddly enough for us when we end up being driven inside by the heat, we tend to stay occupied by crafts directed at the days when the weather is cooler. It's going to be 104 today? Let's dig in to baskets of flannel and wool!
We crazy.
But we stay busy.
Need a wool hat? I'm knitting one now. Need a finger warmer? Audrey and Henry have their design perfected.
...right?
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Keepin' it Real
I'm turning 33 this month, and I think it's time I shared another reality check. Seriously, I'm getting too old for loose ends and pretenses.
Ahem.
So as I've stated in this space before, it is a noticeable trend to anyone reading blogs (like mine) that the focus 99% of the time is on the niceties of life: perfectly executed projects, sibling harmony, balanced meals, all-natural homemade coconut oil hygiene products... you get the idea.
I know I do it too, but honestly my blog wouldn't be much fun for me if it was an equal balance of flops and fantastic. I focus on the good stuff on purpose so I can get a boost every now-and-then looking back through the archives. It's not that hard for me to remember the other stuff on my own, without visual aids.
But every now and again there are a few loose ends that would seem to be tied up neatly into packages with bows on top... if all you knew was what I wrote in this space. Yes, I capture sweet moments with my kiddos and shots with nice light sometimes, and yes, I usually only share the best ones here... but here's a little follow-up to some of all that goodness that needs to happen:
1. My moment 'Learning About Natural Yeast': yeah, it sounded good and wholesome and accomplished, didn't it? I read books, I ordered wild yeast, I worked up a few batches... and all of them flopped. They came out like bricks. I then watched YouTube videos, read more books, consulted some go-to blogs high on my natural foods resources list, and then I gave up. I just can't conquer the Natural Yeast Bread Brick Syndrome. Maybe another time I'll give it another shot... but for now, behind the scenes of this blog, I'm baking with conventional factory-made rapid-rise yeast. I'm sure we'll be fine.
2. My years using the 'Oil Cleansing Method': so I washed my face with various combinations of oils for, like, three years, and for probably two of those three years it worked wonders for me. Unfortunately weird things happen when you age, and last year my skin type shifted and I actually developed what I later learned was "late-onset adult acne." Lovely, right? Now, in defense of this cleansing method, what happened to me was hormone-related, not due to washing my face with oils. But for almost a year now I've been using conventional cleaners plus medicated treatments to clear up my face, and all my expensive oils have been remixed and are now relegated to foot and back massages... and beside my sink sits a bar of Clearasil. How "granola" is that?
3. My food confession: despite what I preach when it comes to whole foods, nutrition, and diet, I subscribe to the 80/20 rule and it should be known that I still buy frozen tater tots, crackers, canned beans, and white flour. Those things will never loose their spots in the 20% of our pantry that slips under the health-food radar.
And lastly, something I never thought I'd ever say and mean it:
4. We are all looking forward to school starting again. All of us. This summer has been great, watching my Littles play together like BFFs every day has been wonderful, and not having the pressures of that early morning routine has been a relief... but yeah. School.
OK whew. Glad to have that all off my chest.
Now back to my perfectly clean house, sweet sleepy babies, and from-scratch breakfast offerings.
Ahem.
Ahem.
So as I've stated in this space before, it is a noticeable trend to anyone reading blogs (like mine) that the focus 99% of the time is on the niceties of life: perfectly executed projects, sibling harmony, balanced meals, all-natural homemade coconut oil hygiene products... you get the idea.
I know I do it too, but honestly my blog wouldn't be much fun for me if it was an equal balance of flops and fantastic. I focus on the good stuff on purpose so I can get a boost every now-and-then looking back through the archives. It's not that hard for me to remember the other stuff on my own, without visual aids.
1. My moment 'Learning About Natural Yeast': yeah, it sounded good and wholesome and accomplished, didn't it? I read books, I ordered wild yeast, I worked up a few batches... and all of them flopped. They came out like bricks. I then watched YouTube videos, read more books, consulted some go-to blogs high on my natural foods resources list, and then I gave up. I just can't conquer the Natural Yeast Bread Brick Syndrome. Maybe another time I'll give it another shot... but for now, behind the scenes of this blog, I'm baking with conventional factory-made rapid-rise yeast. I'm sure we'll be fine.
2. My years using the 'Oil Cleansing Method': so I washed my face with various combinations of oils for, like, three years, and for probably two of those three years it worked wonders for me. Unfortunately weird things happen when you age, and last year my skin type shifted and I actually developed what I later learned was "late-onset adult acne." Lovely, right? Now, in defense of this cleansing method, what happened to me was hormone-related, not due to washing my face with oils. But for almost a year now I've been using conventional cleaners plus medicated treatments to clear up my face, and all my expensive oils have been remixed and are now relegated to foot and back massages... and beside my sink sits a bar of Clearasil. How "granola" is that?
3. My food confession: despite what I preach when it comes to whole foods, nutrition, and diet, I subscribe to the 80/20 rule and it should be known that I still buy frozen tater tots, crackers, canned beans, and white flour. Those things will never loose their spots in the 20% of our pantry that slips under the health-food radar.
And lastly, something I never thought I'd ever say and mean it:
4. We are all looking forward to school starting again. All of us. This summer has been great, watching my Littles play together like BFFs every day has been wonderful, and not having the pressures of that early morning routine has been a relief... but yeah. School.
OK whew. Glad to have that all off my chest.
Now back to my perfectly clean house, sweet sleepy babies, and from-scratch breakfast offerings.
Ahem.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Right Now
Right now, I'm loving a weekend that saw...
...a "cold front" on Friday which brought much lower humidity and a weekend with mornings cool enough for coffee on the back porch.
...a house full of the kind of quiet and still that only comes from Littles spending the weekend away.
...a double-date night with friends, an amazing dinner, and some crazy people watching.
...the burning of our brush pile (finally!), a late morning kid return-delivery, a really good treasure-filled trip to the thrift store with my Mama, and early bed times for all!
Right now we're kicking off the week a little out of our usual: we're in Daddy's truck this morning so we can take it to have the tires rotated and balanced, and while we have the truck we'll swing by our farm supply store for a small chicken cage so we can quarantine a Red Lady with sour crop (that should be fun). We're also still dealing with a broody mama-wannabe who refuses to give up sitting in nesting box(es), despite the fact that she has no eggs to sit on and it's really, really hot... so there's that, too.
So I guess I'll spend a little of my early morning quiet time googling more ideas on how to break this broody hen of her broodiness.
Sigh.
Happy Monday!
Friday, July 31, 2015
10 Things at the End of July
This morning I have one Little sleeping in, one Little up early choosing and packing beloved toys for a weekend away at Mimmy and Pappy's house, and a hazy sunrise piercing through the trees and across my keyboard.
My coffee's half gone, there are muffins in the oven, and my thoughts are all over the place. So... ten things that have my attention this morning:
1. This book- I read about it in Mother Earth News Magazine and ordered it promptly. I actually had to sign for it when it was delivered, and now a friend of mine thinks I'm on a government watch list or something (ha ha), but so far it's been a mind-blowing read. I'm thinking about donating it to our local library when I'm done, because I think everyone should read it.
2. My fall garden- in the next couple weeks I'll be digging out seeds and reawakening the beds I put to sleep for our no-grow summer season. I'm hoping the heat we're having right now will ramp back down (at least a little!) by the time I get out there so my seed babies won't be roasted in their beds before they germinate!
3. Halloween costumes- OK, so it's not even technically August yet... but I can't help it! Look at some of these!
4. Baking- I'm wondering if, while the oven is still hot, I should make some zucchini cake. It just wouldn't feel like summer without making at least one, right? I owe it to summer. Yes.
5. Wall art! Look at this thing... how cool?! I want to find a small wall-hanging sculpture of some kind to complete a spot near our game table area that needs just a little something. It's been fun looking... and the search continues.
6. This article on 'vintage advertisements.'
7. Back-to-School stuff. Yes, it's finally time. In fact we'll probably be planning a trip out to get the supplies on Audrey's school list for the first grade some time this coming week. Also thinking about making a new stack of lunchbox notes like I did last year, because now I've created an expectation for them.
8. Date night- with the kids at my parent's house this weekend, the hubs and I are hittin' the town with friends Saturday night! Now I have to decide what to wear, what to do with my hair, and if I'm going to repaint my toes in this free time I'll have this afternoon!
9. Pie. Everyone is making pie right now, because everyone has a surplus of berries right now. Everyone but me. It's kinda sad. I think I may get out tomorrow and see if anyone at the farmers' market has any they'd like to share. I think I want some pie.
10. How I'm going to clean out the blow-up water slide. It's been up 2-3 days at a time almost every weekend since we got it, and when we've deflated it we haven't been able to completely drain it, so it's getting a little gross. I bailed out the extra water this last time, and it's now inflated to enable maximum evaporation... but there's still sand and stuff in it, so maybe next I'll go out and sweep? Where did the care and maintenance manual go...........?
OK, I guess it's time I try and focus on something... like feeding the Littles and getting them out the door to Mimmy's house! Everything else will have it's turn later.
Especially pie.
My coffee's half gone, there are muffins in the oven, and my thoughts are all over the place. So... ten things that have my attention this morning:
1. This book- I read about it in Mother Earth News Magazine and ordered it promptly. I actually had to sign for it when it was delivered, and now a friend of mine thinks I'm on a government watch list or something (ha ha), but so far it's been a mind-blowing read. I'm thinking about donating it to our local library when I'm done, because I think everyone should read it.
2. My fall garden- in the next couple weeks I'll be digging out seeds and reawakening the beds I put to sleep for our no-grow summer season. I'm hoping the heat we're having right now will ramp back down (at least a little!) by the time I get out there so my seed babies won't be roasted in their beds before they germinate!
3. Halloween costumes- OK, so it's not even technically August yet... but I can't help it! Look at some of these!
4. Baking- I'm wondering if, while the oven is still hot, I should make some zucchini cake. It just wouldn't feel like summer without making at least one, right? I owe it to summer. Yes.
5. Wall art! Look at this thing... how cool?! I want to find a small wall-hanging sculpture of some kind to complete a spot near our game table area that needs just a little something. It's been fun looking... and the search continues.
6. This article on 'vintage advertisements.'
7. Back-to-School stuff. Yes, it's finally time. In fact we'll probably be planning a trip out to get the supplies on Audrey's school list for the first grade some time this coming week. Also thinking about making a new stack of lunchbox notes like I did last year, because now I've created an expectation for them.
8. Date night- with the kids at my parent's house this weekend, the hubs and I are hittin' the town with friends Saturday night! Now I have to decide what to wear, what to do with my hair, and if I'm going to repaint my toes in this free time I'll have this afternoon!
9. Pie. Everyone is making pie right now, because everyone has a surplus of berries right now. Everyone but me. It's kinda sad. I think I may get out tomorrow and see if anyone at the farmers' market has any they'd like to share. I think I want some pie.
10. How I'm going to clean out the blow-up water slide. It's been up 2-3 days at a time almost every weekend since we got it, and when we've deflated it we haven't been able to completely drain it, so it's getting a little gross. I bailed out the extra water this last time, and it's now inflated to enable maximum evaporation... but there's still sand and stuff in it, so maybe next I'll go out and sweep? Where did the care and maintenance manual go...........?
OK, I guess it's time I try and focus on something... like feeding the Littles and getting them out the door to Mimmy's house! Everything else will have it's turn later.
Especially pie.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Library Retreat
We do this probably once a week right now, and our trips to the library have become a beloved part of our summer routine. Sometimes my kids even look at books while we're there (haha). Anything that keeps us out of that harsh high summer heat! How we love our library retreat!
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