Nana's Chair

My mom told me I should feel terrible. (That's not the first time she's said that to me, but that's another story.) I have left people hanging about Nana's Chair. I argued that no one is even paying attention. And, I've been really, really busy with a new job and lots of associated transitions.

But, then the other day a Maine-ly Home follower actually asked me if I'd gotten it back. (You can read all about it here.) 

So, IF you having been waiting -- or even worrying -- I am sincerely sorry. But, I'm happy to report that the newly fashioned Nana chair is back home -- and, although it got the cold shoulder for a day or two, it is being much loved, new fabric and all. 

What do you think?

Strawberries, Strawberries, Strawberries!

Late June into the first few days (or maybe a week or so into July depending on the Spring) strawberry season hits Maine. And, oh how delicious it is! I'm not sure what I like more, the experience of picking them or eating them in their various forms. Jam. Shortcake. Blended. Straight up.

Of course, like many things in Maine (except for winter), the season is short-lived and Maine-rs expend a lot of energy trying to preserve this summer goodness to enjoy all year long. I, however, have never canned a thing. I'm totally intimidated by it. I really want to try it - and I think this year might be the year.

On Sunday, the four of us set out to pick strawberries. And, man was the pickin' good. In less than 45 minutes we had picked 16 pounds of some of the most beautiful berries ever. So, while I try to get my nerve up to can, I've already put half of these strawberries to use. I've made six pints of freezer jam (this is SO easy -- so do it!). I've frozen berries for smoothies. I've made shortcake for 20.

We had PBJ sandwiches today with freshly made jam today -- and, it was wonderful. But, I'm still thinking about the wonderful time we had picking.

Happy Solstice

Welcome, winter - we're happy to have you here.

What will you do today to welcome the solstice? We'll be having a quiet candle lit family evening, hopefully while snow is falling...

Tooth Fairy Crisis

You'd think I'd have this - the toothy fairy thing -- all figured out. Afterall, my daughter has been desperately trying to lose a tooth for the entire last year. And, maybe, just maybe, I would have stepped up the planning when her bottom tooth got REALLY wiggly a week ago. Not even the hourly, "See how loose it is Mama" reminders seemed to kick me into gear.

But, when the tooth came out at 5 p.m. tonight and she proudly displayed it in her hand, panic set in.

I know there is a protocol for this. I'm certain. I just don't know what it is. Shoot, I wondered -- what does the tooth fairy do these days? In my day, the tooth fairy left a quarter. Seemed reasonable, though somehow it seems inflation must have changed this. But, what if the other kids in the 'hood have a fairy that does something different...maybe everybody here is on the same page...and the mystique of the tooth fairy could be blown by me. Ugh. Such pressure.We'll just have to chart our own course on this, I guess.

My daughter and I had sewed a little pouch in anticipation of losing a tooth and, it turns out, she had been keeping close tabs on it so she actually handed it to me and said, "what do we do with this?".  I said, "oh, right, well, you'll put your tooth in that pouch and put it under your pillow." "BUT, MAMA....we were supposed to make a tooth on it so the tooth fairy knows what it is!". I tried to dissuade her of this idea, but the long -- the very long - face made me desperately unpack all the carefully packed up boxes (in the process of a move here) in search of a felting needle and wool...or something. I found some embroidery thread and needle and set to work stitching a tooth on the outside of the pouch. (Okay, CLEARLY, I need some serious work on my embroidery skills...). The proud little (toothless) smile my little one flashed made me realize that the mad dash was worth it.

Cute little pouch with cute little tooth from my cute little girl placed under pillow in great anticipation of the tooth fairy.

Phew. Crisis overted.

Um, well, until, it turns out, we (my husband and I) realized we didn't know (read: weren't on the same page) what the tooth fairy would leave behind.

After discussion (one must discuss these things, of course), we agreed upon (and implemented) our plan.

Let's just hope we have been consistent enough to pass the laugh test. :)

Now, onto more important things like watching my little girl figure out her new smile, how to eat with a missing tooth and the like.

What does the tooth fairy do at your house?

Memorial Day Weekend: Mules and Memorials

{my family enjoying typical East Coast Memorial Day parades over the years}

On the East Coast, historically (in my life), Memorial Day represents the blooming of lilacs, the official a-ok time to plant your garden, the time to pull the white things out of the closet, the beginning of grilling season...and, of course, huge Memorial Day commemorations and parades in every town.

This Memorial Day weekend, I'm in California - the other place where we hang our hats -- and, here in the Eastern Sierra, Memorial Day seems to be less about memorials and more about mules.

While I must say I'm a traditionalist and really think Memorial Day should be about, well, commemorating US men and women who died in service, I must say that celebrating the mules is pretty cool, too.

{my mom and my eldest daughter enjoying Mule Days in years past}

Every year during the Memorial Day Weekend, more than 700 mules compete in 181 events at the Bishop Mule Days Celebration in Bishop, California. There is no way to actually describe Mule Days. It is part mule show, part test of skills, and part wild west.

Situated on the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop, California, Mule Days has become an international world class event. Crowds are estimated to be about 30,000! Highlights of the Celebration include the longest running non-motorized parade (my family is full of generations of parade lovers, so this stuff matters to us) on Saturday morning, Steer roping and penning, an event normally reserved for quarter horses, and the Packer's Scramble – the wildest, noisiest and funniest event of the weekend. There are also barbecues, country dances and an arts & crafts show. All taking place at the foot of the beautiful Eastern Sierra.

We've had the chance to partake in Mule Days several times -- it is a hoot! Looking forward to sharing it this year with some East Coast friends and Baby R.

What are you doing this Memorial Day Weekend?

On Monday, I'll be sharing a bit more about Mule Days. Yeehaw!

A Birthday Crown for My Birthday Baby

Today, my littlest daughter turned 1!

To think, 366 days ago, I had no idea who this little being in my belly was...and, now, well, I just can't imagine our life without her.

Sure, it has been a year of many, many sleep deprived days/nights. But, the joy of watching our little flower bloom makes it all do-able. (Remind me of this the next batch of sleepless nights....)

In keeping with tradition (a tradition I sometimes curse in the wee hours before birthdays) in our little family, last night I made her a birthday crown--her 1st birthday crown. Her big sister helped me think through what exactly should be on this crown ("roses, of course!")...and I set to work while the girls slept.

I "felt" (which is a key component of my crowns), but, I do not know how to sew -- and, well, sewing is required. I am what my friend Barbara calls a "wild woman sew-er". I just turn on the machine and start creating. No patterns. No rules. No idea what I'm doing. Consequently, each crown is unique--not only in its details, but in its construction.

Last night, while making the crown, I seemed to have more sewing challenges than ever. But, amidst my frustration, I had a happy heart. I was sewing with my newly-acquired sewing machine. It belonged to my Nana who died last year, just a few months before what would have been her 90th birthday -- April 29th--the day my sweet baby Rose was born. Life can be so bittersweet sometimes.

Anyhow, back to the crown. If you are interested in making a crown, I just discovered that Juicy Bits and Balancing Everything have great tutorials (In fact, now that I've found these tutorials, I just might try to follow one next time...hmm, theirs are way more professional looking than mine!)

A few of my own tips/suggestions:

• Use 100% wool felt for the base of the crown. I prefer to either use extra thick felt to give the crown enough stiffness to stand up. Alternatively, sew two pieces of felt together (I noticed the tutorials use this approach and use interfacing to stiffen). Great sources for wool felt include Weir Dolls and Crafts and A Child's Dream. (You can also purchase needle felting supplies from these sources if you are inclined to needle felt a design on the crown.)
• Use 3/4"-1" elastic (I cover the elastic by sewing a "tube" out of some scrap fabric.) as the back half of the crown -- it works wonderfully to keep the crown in place.
• For adorning your crown, consider ribbon (I have a great stash of vintage ribbon that I love to use for these.), buttons, flowers, etc. Check out this collage for some really adorable crowns (kinda make mine look lame).

Want a felted crown, but don't want to make one? Check out Etsy. There are SO many adorable ones -- even personalized!