Simple Christmas

I have been trying hard to keep Christmas simple this year.  I feel slightly more grounded than I did last year. Amelia was only six months old and I think I was still trying to adjust to having two kids, and she had just come out of her fussy phase.  That really did last a long time!   And on second thought I think I'm still adjusting to having two kids in some ways.
This year though I started thinking about Christmas in November, but not in a gift buying, Pinterest-frenzy kind of way, although I did start there.  Christmas has always been really important and special to me, and I think the last five years or so some of the magic has been lost as I adjust to having no Christmas vacation as a nurse and usually working either the Eve or the day.  On top of that I felt a little lost having a baby, another baby, and mostly just focusing on the gift buying and requesting (or requesting what gifts NOT to get the kids :)  It's like I haven't yet found my Christmas groove as an adult and a mama.  This year I felt really pulled to do that as I realized that at the age of 3.5 Claire is actually forming some long-term memories and she actually remembered what the deal was with this guy Santa that will probably bring her some gifts that she wants.  (Although we didn't encourage list-making it would entirely consist of these.)  I started off feeling kind of frenzied and overwhelmed, making lists and plans for various traditions, old and new. (Advent calendars!  Waldorf advent!  The Polar Express! The Nutcracker!)   I'm sure it would have eventually added up to too much until somehow, I stumbled across this new (to me) podcast http://raisingplayfultots.com/.   She had an amazing series called Crafting your simple holiday season and it was like everything I ever needed to hear.  (And finding a new podcast with boatloads of archived episodes is like Christmas in and of itself!!)   She had a list of questions in the first podcast to help narrow down exactly what is important and special to me and to us.  I answered them and wrote them down, and even did the exercise with Greg who did it with a minimal amount of eye-rolling.   Answering questions about what holiday smells are important to me, what foods do I want to eat, and what do I dislike or feel stressed about each year made it so clear to me and to Greg to just take it easy this season and keep it simple.  I feel the biggest 'A-ha' moment for me was the idea that it's the feelings of togetherness and connection that make the season so special, and these can only be appreciated by slowing down to actually, well, notice and feel them.  While I have still spent time making lists and checking them twice, and have certainly spent my fair share of time surfing the internets for gifts and craft ideas, I had no second thoughts about crossing things off my list that were going to create any stress or sense or busyness.  My crafting list was a wonderful motivation, but it continued to get pared down as the weeks went on, and I'm proud of myself that I was able to let so much go.  We have spent a lot of nights turning off the main lights of our house and enjoying candle light while we clean and read and play, and I have spent more naptimes reading and journaling in front of the tree with the lights on (in the day!) just really stopping and feeling quietness, peace and gratitude, instead of cleaning, online shopping and sewing.  And yes, we did go see the Nutcracker (which went sort of okay, but Claire definitely could have waited a year) and I did try out a Waldorf advent-y corner which didn't really take (maybe next year), and I was happy to try those things.  I was able to let go of the expectations of decorating and I did a few things that really spoke to me, which were to needle felt a Christmasey fairy, and make a very rustic, simple Advent wreath with candles for the table.  And by slowing down to listen to what was really important to me, and let go of the things that are not, I was actually super excited about those two crafty things and gave myself my own pat on the back when they were completed.  And even Greg was able to connect to his passions and values of the season when we had friends over for a Christmas themed dinner and he successfully cooked a duck, which fulfilled his holiday wish list of 'meat, wine and chocolate.' 

Attempted sister Christmas pic - this is the best one

Little gnome family I made for Claire

Eric Carle advent calendar - one of the craft projects I chose to say NO to - bought this on Amazon - the gnome family loves it!

First felted fairy.  Needle felting is so addictive!

Playing with dough

Esme Top

 

 

As I've said before, I really get into sewing itches, very seasonally related every now and again and right now is one of those times.  I am so inspired that I am trying very hard to focus on the process of sewing and creating and not just the end result!  Otherwise I am guilty of sewing late into the night (well 1030-11 is late for me anyway) ignoring all my cleaning and laundry all because of a meaningless deadline that I gave myself to finish a project.  I kind of did just that for this top, telling Greg "I have to finish this top before our neighborhood block party!"  and I did so, and wore it outside underneath a jacket in late October.  But I knew I was wearing it and that made me happy.  I made the Esme Top from SewLiberated.  This is the second top I've made from Sew Liberated, I also have made myself two Schoolhouse Tunics which I loved wearing all last winter.  I also just finished a second Esme in voile.  

Digging the look with skinny jeans and boots

I bought a striped chambray fabric which I realized after my purchase looks just like the picture on the pattern sample, I obviously liked it!  This fabric feels wonderful it is really flowy and comfortable.  I ended up cutting out a size 12 and 10 because I was suspicious of the size the measurements told me to make, but at the same time I know there's no going back if you cut out a size too small.  But just like I expected the 12 was HUGE and I did so much taking in when I sewed the side seams it was ridiculous, so the second time around I knew to just make a ten.  Strangely this is the second time this has happened to me, my first Schoolhouse Tunic was huge on me too.  I even looked up how to take proper measurements before I did so, not sure what is happening.  Even after taking it in, with my body type the flowy top was looking very maternity-esque and I just really wanted it to fit tighter in the bust area.  After figuring out that no amount of taking in at the armpit seam area was going to get me this fit I envisioned (I kept basting and basting....) I finally thought to make a little elastic casing to cinch it in the back.  My husband actually was the one who made me think of it, he scrunched it together in the back and said "It would look better if it was tighter like this".  Ah ha!  You can see the casing below......

I was going to take it out if it looked terrible, but it really doesn't!  It's pulling a little funny in this pic I think because my arm is up pulling my hair out of the way.  I literally just cut about a 4 inch piece of 1/2 inch elastic, sewed in a rectangle casing (edges folded under to be finished) and threaded the elastic through and sewed the elastic down on each side.  Even though it was so easy, it was actually the first time I ever deviated from a pattern and made it my own!   It felt very liberating and certainly boosted my confidence.  I really love this top, I have literally worn it about 7 times since finishing it two weeks ago. 

Washi Dress in Voile

I finally made a Washi dress!  I say finally because I have followed Rae's blog since I started sewing a couple years ago, and I absolutely loved the pattern when it came out but since Amelia was a newborn at the time I was not really in a place to make it for myself, it's not totally nursing friendly.  But I saw a paper copy when I was at Alewives fabric and snatched it up, longing for the day I could make it!  While she is still nursing, she's old enough and nursing infrequently enough that I can totally wear it.  In fact, in hindsight I could have just made it in one of its many forms as a top, but I just really had my eye on making the dress with the cap sleeves.  It is such a flattering dress, I love anything that makes me look small on top and hides my post-kids belly in an attractive way.  And it has pockets!  Who doesn't love a dress with pockets?

I am a big fan of Rae's patterns, I've made the Charlie tunic and dress and just purchased the Parsley pants pattern which I'm pumped to make for Claire.  And I also have my eye on her new Ruby dress pattern.  The Washi sewed up really well, I made it in this Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi voile that I had seen everywhere and loved.  Voile can be a little more slippery to work with, and I felt like I had some issues with the shoulder seams, but I just plowed through and it turned out okay.  Which was a good learning experience for me, in that it pays to really slow down and take your time with clothing you're going to wear yourself.  It's one thing to have a wonky seam on a pair of kids pants, the fit is so much less important and people never notice.  And while the 'wonkiness' on my Washi neckline and shoulder seams are slight, it bugged me like crazy when I put it on.  I needed my mom and Greg to assure me 'You can't even tell!' like fifty times.  I just realized that if you're going to spend 5+ hours sewing something for yourself it better fit and look great or you're just not going to wear it.  I could also use more practice sewing bust darts.... mine do pucker a little bit, maybe it's the voile's fault.....  One thing I love about this pattern too is the shirring in the back!  It makes for a very forgivable and comfortable fit, and I had never done it before, but it is so easy!  I love sewing techniques that look mysterious and difficult but are actually so straightforward

 It fits great (I sewed up a size medium) and feels really light and comfortable and I loved wearing it this summer.   I did make a muslin as Rae suggests, just out of some old scrap fabric, and only of the bust, I am glad I did this.  I had plans to make like a million more, but sewed this at the end of a spring sewing binge and I felt like giving it a bit of a rest afterwards.  My sewing is so seasonal though, I have the itch again and I have been purchasing fabric and patterns again and am inspired left and right in sewing blogland... next up... Parsley pants for Claire are cut and ready to go!

Apple Picking

We enjoyed apple picking on a beautiful fall day!  They're not quite old enough to actually pick the apples, but we got a ton and plan to make applesauce, which we're still eating from last year.  There's nothing better than the beginnings of a wonderful fall tradition on an amazingly warm day so late in September.

Oh Summer, I will miss you

I realize that I did not do a very good job posting at all this summer.  I also haven't been sewing too much either.  I was totally sew-crazy in the spring, after I finished up my first Washi (must post soon!) I kind of lost steam other than a few kids sundresses.  I know it almost sounds cliche, but we were so busy this summer!  Between me working, or having the kids alone while Greg was gone, taking vacations, camping, friends visiting, and basically fitting in every possible beach day that I could muster in a ten-week span it has felt busy, but good busy.  (And I am NOT done with beach days yet!!)  It has felt at times hectic, but mostly quite good.  Summer is definitely my favorite season.  The lakes and the ocean call to me and feed my soul, as do all the social visits and lazy family time outside, and basically just opening the windows and breathing and living OUT instead of IN.   Having a newborn two out of the last three summers I did not get to enjoy those summers to their fullest to say the least!  This summer I was itchin' to do it all.  Not that you can do it all with little kids for sure, they really do need a different rhythm than adults can handle, and we had our fair share of melt downs due to late nights, too much sun and no naps, and I did have to be sensitive to their needs.  When we did have down time I even found myself much less inclined to do any play dates so the girls could just have quiet mama time breathing IN at home.  Claire is not going to preschool this fall but she is signed up for a couple of classes, and although on a hot, humid day such as today it doesn't feel like summer is over, the cooler and shorter nights tell me it is coming, as do the scheduled music and tumbletime classes starting up soon!  I plan to get in at least one more beach day (or morning as it is really for us) and hopefully one more canning session. (Cucumber relish?)
To make up for my lapse of posts this summer here is summer smorgasboard of pictures from summer 2013! 

We rented a lake house in New Hampshire since I love lake houses!  Hopefully a new family tradition!  I read almost all of Michael Pollan's COOKED while there, and still haven't finished the last section I have left in the last two months!

Shhh! Don't wake up the baby!

Bug bites and watermelon = Summer!

Loungin' with my mom and our water baby (She's eating more watermelon!)

Somebody was a little too fearless walking in the water alone!

Camping at Crawford Notch Campground, hiking up to Arethusa Falls

Ahhh my love of water apparently extends to rivers and waterfalls

A few minutes of independent hiking

Our blackberry bush was prolific this year!  We still can't walk outside without Amelia diving towards the bushes

One mom, one toddler, one baby at Willard beach.... exhausting!  Always worth it for the two minutes I get alone (sort of) to breathe and look out on the ocean

It melts my heart to see how much she loves the beach.... who doesn't?

Getting through one our quiet days at home

Casco Bay ferry ride

Deliver me to Long Island Maine!

Loving the ferry!

We'll miss you summer of 2013!

Fermented Beets

So for everyone who has been anxiously awaiting a post all summer (or I mean my two friends who read this blog right now) I'm sorry if you're disappointed that I am posting about....... beets.  But I am just really excited about them!!   When I get excited about new things I dive in head first and have a tendency to get really into it, which may mean it sort of consumes all my thoughts and I devour books and now blogs all about it. Case in point for this summer: Lactofermentation and canning (which is for another post). 
I have dabbled in vegetable fermentation for the past couple of years with varying success, making my own sauerkraut.  It has in the past turned out.....okay, and I may have thrown a batch or two out.  Now, in 2013 all of a sudden it seems to be everywhere I look and after checking out Sandor Katz' (the fermentation guru) famous books Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation I am sooooo hooked.  With just a little bit more understanding of the process I am on a roll and am hoping to make tons of sauerkraut with farmer's market cabbage, kimchi and fermented carrots.... this weekend!  I am also reading Cooked by Michael Pollan (love) and am right smack in the middle of his chapter about his own foray into fermentation, and in his book he includes none other than..... Sandor Katz!  I love Michael Pollan, maybe too much. 
Anyway, one step at a time.  I'm not sure Greg really wants to hear me swoon anymore about the benefits of live culture food and our microbiome and intestinal health as solving all the world's problems.  I know my Dad especially could care less but that doesn't stop me from telling him about it, because he's nice and he'll listen!   (Although actually, Greg was the one who made our first real successful sauerkraut last summer that we are just finishing up in the fridge right now after HE heard Sandor Katz on Morning Edition!)  So.... after all this reading and all this talk I have made (with Greg's help)

Fermented beets!  

Nothing like a beautiful beet!

My basic process came from the above books and was this:
1. Peel and then grate our farm share beets in the food processor using the grate setting
2. Mix them in a big bowl with sea salt (I used the ratio of 5 lbs of beets to 3 tbsp salt - I did not have five full lbs of beets but did the math accordingly... or maybe Greg did) and caraway seeds
3. Pack and push and pound into a quart size mason jar, following Mr. Katz's instructions to be certain the juices (brine) covers all the beets
4. Set a weight on top of a lid (I used a smaller jar lid and put a bag of water on top of that as the weight) and put on a shelf in the basement and forget about it/taste periodically.

Yum!  They tasted good!

The beets needed more brine, so I added some salt water - a ratio of 1 tbsp sea salt to 1 cup water

Not a great photo, but basically a plastic bag filled with water on top of a smaller size ball jar lid to act as a weight to keep the beets submerged in the brine. 

After Greg and I both tasted, we were pleased with their pleasant, pickled taste!  But we decided they could ferment some more, so back to the basement for the lactobacilli to do some more work.  We'll put them in the fridge to essentially stop the fermentation, once we like the taste.  Up next... kimchi!

 

Peonies

Smelling the peonies

A delayed post for sure (I can't believe it's been two months since we went here in June!!) but I did love these pictures of Claire at the peony garden at our favorite spot near our house, the Audubon Center.