Nap Time

Sarah Anne took a nap yesterday. It was a real, regular nap-for-baby. I wasn't holding her. She wasn't being swayed in her carseat. No one was wearing her in a sling. She just slept, there in my her our bed.An hour and a half into this novel experience, I admit that I went up with my heart in my throat to see if she was still breathing. She was. She was all sweet and soft and pink and still asleep!

I cleaned the mudroom.

I pulled everything out, put the winter coats away, wiped down the washer and dryer. I even scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees. Honestly, I stopped just short of painting the entire room. Naps have their limits.

Today, I thought I'd push my luck and see if I could get her to take a real, regular morning nap. So, I put her in my  her our bed and nursed her to sleep. Only this time, I did so while reading my new book: Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing. And now I'm in trouble.

I don't really love sewing. We sort of have a love-hate relationship. Every once in awhile, I think I can sew. I try a project, it comes out fairly well and then, I go buy more fabric. The tension tightens up on my machine. I fix it (but I don't know how I fixed it). The bobbin gets tangled. I untangle it. I get totally frustrated with the machine. Then the tension is in my shoulders and not just the machine.

Last time, I got a new machine. It worked for a project or two. And then there was the tension.And the bobbin.And then the needle broke. And finally, I gave up. Because there's only so much sewing one can do during naptime if the machinery won't cooperate.

Hope springs eternal.I just sacrificed naptime to reading a sewing book. All the while, I was thinking about the season Jennifer started sewing and how effortless she made it seem.One minute she was thinking she'd learn how to sew and the next minute, there were amazing quilts. And then there was Kristen--she of all things beautiful. And then, I started thinking about fabric. I do dearly love fabric. I do dearly want a reason to spend money at visit the site Jen recommended not too long ago.

I spent the whole naptime reading the book. It's full of great ideas, but it begins very slowly-in a good way.The author, Anna Maria Horner, leaves nothing to chance. She takes me step by step through the sewing process, from making sure the chair is the right height to stocking the sewing box to choosing an ironing board. Surely, she'll hold my hand through the technical glitches. And then, it's on to the projects: those little yoyos turned into magnets and a board upon which to stick them, a fabric box, two different skirts (both darling), a peasant blouse, some bags, pillows, and a soccer ball I can just picture for Sarah Anne's first birthday. The book is of course, beautiful--lovely to look at, lovely to hold, lovely to read-- because Anna doesn't just write about sewing; she designs her own fabrics and a whole bunch of other things. And it's all beautiful.

Did I mention she's expecting her sixth baby?

So, maybe I can do this. Maybe this baby will be the one who grows up wearing handmade clothes (made by me).Maybe the next quilt on my bed will be one I made. So much promise in a single nap.

Knitting Lessons

In through the front door,
Once around the back,
Peek through the window,
And off jumps Jack!

In Real Life

Way back when the school year was still in the planning stages, Rebecca and I decided that we'd brainstorm together for "Tea and a Craft" ideas. We both agreed that we wanted the simplicity of a tea time and craft activity suitable to active boys and busy girls. And we both knew that Dawn's archives was a treasure trove of simple, yet meaningful afternoons throughout the liturgical year. So, we figured we'd start there and add and tweak as the year went along, bouncing ideas off each other and enjoying the synergy of friendship. We also knew that we wanted to add a good bit of beauty and, particularly, handicrafts, to our children's lives. So, those plans were "written in" as well (they were actually keyboarded and sent back and forth in endless emails and blogged a bit, too).
We've been sharing most of our learning plans, sending books back and forth between Virginia and Ohio for perusal, and chatting often on the phone. Rebecca's also been on an inspiring de-cluttering tear of late, and it's rubbed off a bit on me. With some other friends, we're talking about how to discern the  the best when you are surrounded by too much that is good, but not necessarily holy. And a dozen times a month or more, I'd have these planning conversations or clutter conversations or knitting conversations with Rebecca and I'd whine a little bit. "If only you were here, this would all be so much better!" And so, on a week that was destined to be gloomy (Michael went back to school and Mike left for the Super Bowl), God smiled on me and a minivan Gypsy Caravan pulled up at my house! We drank endless cups of tea and talked and talked and talked. Our children got to know one another. We sorted through my books and gathered bags and boxes of giveaways (aren't I the most gracious hostess?). We actually did one of those tea and craft ideas of Dawn's together! We made orange snowballs and had orange spiced tea in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia. All the children made pretty bookmarks with an orange theme and an image of Our Lady.In real life. Both of our families together in one place.
And, wonder of wonder, Rebecca taught us to knit. I still don't know how to purl, but Mary Beth does and she has actually finished two washcloths since Rebecca's departure.
I am grateful for the internet. In the nine years since I've been online, I've met so many good people and learned so many good things. I am also painfully aware of the pitfalls of the internet. I know how limiting an online friendship can be and how necessary the human voice and--better yet--the human touch is for a true friendship of trust and understanding. Computers are such a gift and can be such a blessing for our families and the world of blogging and message boards can be a place of community and friendship. This is an unprecedented world, though, one where we tread a bit cautiously as we seek to understand the limitations and the pitfalls of relationships begun in cyberspace. I'm still new at this, but I think the key to true and deep friendships is that both parties are real. If blogs and emails are "the real deal" and phone calls and letters and packages reveal even more of the real person, then the in-real-life transition is not a surprise at all. Instead, it's a blessing and relief. At last, we are able to see and hear and touch all at the same time. And we can revel in the easy companionship of an in real life and forever friend.God bless Rebecca!

Handmade for Karoline

I missed Colleen's fair by a long time, didn't I? Still, I love this logo, so I'm going to pretend that everyone hasn't packed up and gone home. Mary Beth and I made a doll for Karoline today. I meant to get to it earlier, but I'm glad that it worked out this way. It was a peaceful little project for the afternoon and I'm just so tickled with this wee doll. (Christian did much baby entertaining when Kara woke far too early from her nap, bless his dear heart.)The craft itself is enjoyable and the doll is so endearing.Mary Beth was very patient and she is especially fond of the face, which is all her own handwork. Now, I just need to discipline myself (and my daughter) so that we don't cave and give it to her early:-).Incidentally, someone asked about gift giving in a family so large. The children each get one gift from us for Christmas (stockings were given on St. Nicholas day).
They all draw names to give a gift to a sibling. So, that's it: just two presents each on Christmas day, though grandparents and godparents definitely chime in during the season. We've done very well with our handmade intentions. Nearly everything this year has been handmade by us or someone else, with just a few exceptions. Next year, I vow to start earlier. And next year, by golly I'm going to learn to knit! Without further ado, here's "Little Muffin Cake Girly Doll" (Only her working title. Karoline has naming rights.)

We can hardly wait to introduce you to your friend, Little One!

Handmade for the Lord and Our Lady