Enchanted Mama

Knitting and Reading::

Knitting--  

Currently this sweater is in my basket.  Mainly because I started it two years ago and I really want to make this and I'm not sure if I have enough yarn and the only way I'll know is if I finish the sweater and see what is left over.  So, I'm racing to finish because I really, really want to see the shawl done.  

I've a few other projects in the works, a few, but we can chat about that on another day.

Reading--

An old classic, Little Women.  The March gals are a joy to read about again and again. Sharing this with my girlie as well.  Love that.   

The Grimm Legacy a young adult book. Four chapters in and I'm intrigued.  Anything about Grimm's Fairytales. Reading it before I hand it over to my girlie.  When it came down to deciding who would read it first, she wasn't fast enough.     

 The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I'm reading less ardently than the others.  It's well written and I know I'll end up loving it.  I just seem to have a touch of Spring fever and my attention span is waning or I continue to try and read it at the end of the day when I'm exhausted. I'm sure it will catch my attention again soon.

*linking up with ginny to share love for knitting and reading with yarn along*

 

Also...

**I'm over at Dixon Hill today for a fabulous new series called Changing Places.  Go for a visit and see all the beauty Helen has to share.** 

 

 

 

I've been, playing::

 

 

 

 

A day out with friends.  Lattes, lunch, laughter and a stop at one of my favorites.  New books to peruse.  Delicious yarn to cast on with.  Time to relax and enjoy....priceless. 

Have you been playing???

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Hope you all have a great weekend.  

 
 
 

A Giveaway::

Dearest Readers, 

100 posts.  

100 different ways I've been inspired.  

100 moments documented.  

100 reasons to thank you, my readers.   

There have been many sources of inspiration for me in this past 10 months--the different women I have met at Squam, the comments from other women in the blogging world, and the books that I have treasured and referred to on this journey.  

These two books are by no means the only ones.  I found as I looked back that these are the books I tend to pick up again and again.  Reading how others have created so successfully and with such grace is a source of inspiration to me. Reminding me why we do this and the joy it brings.  

So, today I am giving extra copies of these books away to go out into the world and inspire others as well. All you have to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post.  Then, on Friday evening I will announce the winner. 

If you feel so inclined, let me know how you have been inspired lately....I'd love to know.  

Yours Today,

Kellen

   

***The Winner of the Inspiration Giveaway is....Silvia!!!***

Random number pick #2---She said:

I don't want to sound too cheese but what inspires me most is this wonderful-mummies-blogging-world I only recently discovered... In Italy (where I live with my english husband and a 1 and a half year old boy) blogging is SO NOT famous yet! Encouragement, ideas, shared experiences and so on are vital for me. I crave my daily feeds and I feel part of a world of ever changing, developing and forward thinking minds. I am ready to be even more inspired if I'll be soooo lucky to win this lovely giveaway... Thanks for the chance to share my thoughts. Love from still sunny-warm-no autumn yet Italia!

Congratulations to you Silvia.  Email me your information and I will send your little inspiration pack out in the mail.  

Thank you all for playing.  I had such a wonderful time reading all of your comments.  If you get a chance take a peek at some of the very inspiring, and heart warming tales.  I can't wait to do this again soon.  

Good Night, 

Kellen

Some Favorites::

Books.  I have always loved books -- When I was young I read them, wrote them, arranged them, and cuddled with them.  I spent hours in the library finding just the right ones.  Usually they were small with hard covers.  I loved those.  Even today my relationship with books has remained very dear.  The smell of books and the library will instantly take me back to a happy time in my childhood.    

Now, my children love books as well.  My daughter smiles as we walk into the library -- picture the two of us clasping hands, grinning, and wondering what new adventures we will find.  Other than my daughter's request for skates this year, her entire list for her birthday included books.  I cherish that there are some of my old, worn childhood books that live in her bookcase.  The time of night when we cuddle in bed and fall into adventures, laughter, hardship and triumph are some of my sweetest memories.  The big daddy has joined in on our fun recently.  He is reading his childhood favorite to our daughter -- The mystery, intrigue, and romance of The Princess Bride.  

I thought I might share a few of our favorite books.  I say, "a few" because I could never choose all of our favorites.  This post would be way too long.  Here are some that are currently at the top. 

My Little Guys' Favorites--

Pelle's New Suit by Elsa Beskow

Weaving the Rainbow by George Ella Lyon

The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz

The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau   Amazing illustrations by Gail de Marcken

The Empty Pot by Demi

Starry Safari by Linda Ashman

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

The Apple Cake by Nienke van Hichtum

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

A Boy, A Dog, and A Frog by Mercer Mayer

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

My Girlie's Favorites--

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Avonlee by L.M. Montgomery

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

Some of my Favorites--

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Jane Austen Collection of Seven Novels

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Hearts Haven by Sara Ware Bassett

Book of Fables from 1880

Adventures of a Brownie by Dinah Marie Mulock (Definitely to be read to your little ones.)

What are some of your favorite books?  I would love to know...

Big Bag, small bag::

Well, it finally arrived.  The moment when my little one crawled up into my lap and asked me to read to him. Up until now he would not sit to read for more than 20 seconds at a time.  Now he brings me, the big daddy or his sister piles of books and asks us to read them.   Or, he will bring one book to be read over and over again. 

This moment has happened with all three of my children now.  I Love this moment.  

We went from needing very little when we left the house to needing the major transport of loads of books.  A bag was requested.  First, he tried the canvas bag we use for groceries.  That would fit lots of books but it would drag on the floor.  Next, a good sized bag from his big brother which was still too heavy when loaded up.  Then, mama had an idea.  A bag not too big and not too small.  A bag that was just right.  

The pattern is a simple bag design with raw edges, square bottom and a fun little pocket.  The mushrooms I drew and painted in Maya's sweet class at the Squam Art Workshops. The fabric is canvas and linen.  

 

The result--A bag that would fit a small number of books and a few other treasures.  A bag that he could carry, all by himself, out to the car or to another room in the house.  A bag that is all his own. 

He's had the bag with him since the moment it came off the sewing machine. And the smile he gave me when I handed it to him?  Well, lets just say I wish I had been holding my camera. Oh, the simple joys.