Enchanted Mama

Love in Nature::

It's now been eight years since I first noticed them.  All around me.  Everywhere.  

My mom had just passed and I was moments from delivering my second child.  The world felt as heavy as my eight and a half month pregnant self.  In those moments you wonder about life and fairness and well, love.  

Within two days I had gone outside and found eight different hearts just laying there for me to "notice". 

 

I suppose it wasn't meant to hit me until later.  The beauty in this small gesture I had been gifted.  I failed to even realize that this was happening until a year later.  All the hearts placed in my path...

 

Since then my whole family finds them where ever we go.  In fact my son, whom I was pregnant with, spots them even before any of his siblings.  Strange?  maybe.  More beautiful to me now though. He is the one who found all the coral hearts.

 

Now when I see them, I smile.  

I understand that there is so much light as well as dark in the world.  

But ultimately, there is love and all we have to do is be willing to notice.  

 

What have you been noticing lately?  

Forts::

I have fond memories of building forts with my three brothers.  

Sheets and blankets stretched across tables and chairs.  Secret hide-outs formed under desks and between beds.  Treasures collected, we would spend hours in our own forts with flashlights, lunch and lots of whispering.  Whispering because of course they were secret and if you couldn't see someone then you must certainly be invisible right?  

Outdoor forts were created in the shapes of tree houses and secret spaces under big bushes. In muddy  holes with wood roofs and behind brick fences.   

We lived in a house half an hour out of town which made this kind of play necessary.  For we had to entertain ourselves and find inspiration within our space.  

I believe this is why I love nature and creativity so much.  How a simple tree can become a castle.  A space under a bed an underwater cave.  This list goes on and on.

 

Perhaps the most gratifying part is to see your own children participating in that kind of play.  

This summer there was a beach, not really a swimming beach, that we affectionately referred to as the "exploring beach".  Driftwood lined the sand.  Seaweed washed ashore.  Marine life in its prime scuttled here and there.  It provided hours of entertainment.  

This was one of the many forts created while we were there.  All three of the older children working together hauling armloads of driftwood they had collected.   The big daddy and I talking, listening, and watching.

 

This beach holds a special place in my heart as it reminds me of those many, many hours spent with my own brothers.  And, the new memories of my own children finding their way.  

Imagination is such as amazing thing.  Given a chance it can create such beauty.  

Don't you think?  

 

 

By Hand::

This scarf was knit entirely by the sand, I mean by hand.  

This was my summer knitting project, amongst a few others, that traveled to and from the beach every day.  This one with it's bright, happy colors finished first. 

I've knit this scarf in the Summer before, here and here.  I don't know why really.  

Is it the ease of carrying it around?  

Is it the mindless knitting that allows my full attention in other places simultaneously?  

Is it the delightful colors that mesmerize me?  

Yes. Yes. Yes.  

 

I've raved about this scarf many times.  

I've said what a great beginning knitting project this would be with the maximum satisfaction with the end product.  

Most of all though, it seems to be my most worn knit item.  

Sure, I'm attempting to distract myself with other knits I've finished recently but this one is hard to pass by.  The colors alone in the middle of a dark, gray winter are enough to brighten any day.   

 

So if you haven't tried the Noro Scarf yet, you might want to.  

You'll find, with any research at all, that it's extremely difficult to not post about fifty pictures of this scarf.  The colors I tell ya....they get me every time!

 

What are you knitting these days?  

 

 

At Summer's End::

  

This day officially marks the end of our Summer vacation.  

As you read this my children are already in school.  They are meeting up with friends.  Participating in the Rose ceremony.  And, remembering the beauty of school and the adventures to be had.  

They are sad to see summer go but then aren't we all a bit melancholic as one season ends.  Especially one that is to be enjoyed so fully?  

The task as a parent has been to honor this sadness mixed with excitement.  To remember the memories and then turn them ever-so-slightly to see the new memories to be made in an entirely new season.  

A time when the air becomes cooler each morning as we ride bikes to school.  The season when leaves change in ever dramatic shades day by day.  The season of soups, sweaters and festivals.  It's a good season too, my favorite in fact, and I look forward to sharing this yet again with them.  

And really, the bracelets alone should be memory enough to show for a summer well done don't you think?

 

Happy Wednesday to you all.  

 

 

 

Savoring::

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, you could say that we've been savoring these last days of Summer---including last week as well as these last two days before the children start school again on Wednesday.  

It's interesting, and probably means a summer well played, that my children are not ready to go back to school and there might be tears from one and stubborn refusal from another.  So we haven't mentioned it, much at least.

I believe we'll spend the next two days soaking up every last moment and then I'll be back here.   Back and ready for the impending, delightful beauty of Fall.  The time when children don backpacks and head to school.  The time when creative ideas flourish and warm mittens are worn yet again.  

Until then, we are all about Summer.... 

Have you had a delightful Summer?  Have you soaked and savored and denied the ending of Summer as well?  What is your favorite Summer memory? 

See you soon,

Kellen

 

Another one::

A few days ago I had the privilege to teach a friend how to knit.  Yes, my love for knitting and waxing rhapsodic about it forever finally wore on her and she decided to pick up a pair of needles.  You can imagine my excitement.  right?

Another knitter in the world...well, I'm all for that.

 

We started simple.  A scarf.  Knit. Knit. Knit.  She learned to cast-on and she was off and running.  With only a few dropped stitches she already appears to be a pro in the making.  

Yesterday with my guidance/bad influence, she found some LOVELY yarn and is now knitting in the round.  Yes, taking to it like a duck to water I tell you.  

Plus I badgered her, I mean, helped her see the need for real ingredients in your yarn.  You know wool, cotton, anything that actually comes from nature and not a plastic bottle.  Yes, I may have pushed my will onto her but hey, isn't that the prerogative of the person teaching?  

 Insane amounts of influence?!??

 

Another great result was that it inspired my other two knitters in the house to pick up some needles and start to knit.  

A small knitting crew we were, clicking away on the couch enjoying the company and using our hands for something creative.  

 

We did have this little one helping as well.

Anytime someone left their knitting unattended she was sure to take care of it for them.  Oh yes, did she take care of it.  

All in all we had a beautiful time.  

The best part is that somewhere in the world there's another knitter clicking away on her new needles and feeling the pull of her new yarn.  Starting, what I hope to be, a life-long love or at least something for now.  

She's heading on a long plane trip soon and she said she would "definitely have to take her knitting with her".

Music to my ears.

 

  

I've been::

:: Thinking that I don't have enough hands to knit all the projects I have going right now.  Most knitters lament.  I have too many ideas where knitting is concerned to be realistic and think clearly.  This is a problem since knitting time seems to be few and far between these days.   

:: Pondering where I will take these ideas next and loving the possibilities.

 

:: Writing a lot--In a journal, on the computer, and on small scraps of paper at night.  Yes, there are plans I tell you.  

:: Planning with a dear friend how to make the most of our individual creative ventures.  Loving the notes back and forth full of ideas and things to remember.  

:: Making a schedule for the Fall so that as school begins again I will be ready to tackle some new ventures.

 

:: Being in the moment with my children to absorb the last adventures of Summer.  Hoping to do all the things we had planned and also know when to drop the plan and just enjoy.  

:: Laughing at my ever-energetic three year old who has lots of interesting things to say.

:: Loving the treasures that he brings my way, "just for you, no one else" he says.

 

:: Listening to the sounds in the evening.  The wildlife outside that sings so clear and strong in the summer evenings.  

:: Wishing to avoid yet another mosquito bite while enjoying said "evenings".   

 

:: Attempting to feel better about not being here as often as I would like.  As Summer flies by I want to remember that I played and laughed more than anything else.  

:: Remembering that the reason I started this blog was to spend more time capturing those moments of fun and to find magic in the everyday.  

:: Trying to get more sleep which proves difficult for this here night owl.

:: Contemplating the idea that early mornings are the time to be awake and creative.  As the day is opening up instead of the nighttime when it's closing down.  What do you think about that? 

 

What are you doing these last days of Summer?  Please share as I would love to know...

 

Happy Thursday to you all.  

 

Beach Moments::

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What amazes me most about photographs is how they can capture one moment and suspend it in time.  How a glimpse years later can send your mind whirling off into another story or your own memories.  

As I compiled these pictures from our trip I realized that photographs provide the opportunity to see that moment in real life.  As so much is usually happening in, on and around these photographs its just a bit of the whole story.  

The amazing sunset that we saw only because we turned around from our long walk on the beach back to our place.  

The feet constantly covered in sand and how mother nature can make the most mundane thing beautiful. 

The photograph of our little birthday girl in her fairy suit scooting down the beach toward the water again and again and again...

The feeling of looking up, growing big enough to take on the waves, building castles and hoping they will be there the next day and seeing beauty in the morning just as the sun is rising.  

The smile of a boy who just had a ride on a HUGE wave and only wants to do it again. 

The rainbow after a rainstorm and napping baby feet good enough to nibble on.  

The fragrant flowers and a sea faring adventure.

The lily pond filled with just enough light as my honey and I take an early morning walk for lattes.

The little one perfectly happy with a bucket and a shovel.  

The double rainbow after an even bigger rainstorm with all of us huddled under an umbrella eating our dinner.  That food never tasted so good.  

The girl surfer of ours catching wave after wave and making friends out in the ocean.

The tree so big I couldn't capture it all in one photo.  Stretching its limbs across the sky to give us shade.  thank you big tree.  

And, my favorite beach with its views, sunsets and logs that if you look quickly look as though a mermaid is sunning herself.   

 

 

All in all I'm a lover of photographs.  

A "capturer" of moments.

 A mama attempting to find those times in between all the other not so fun stuff, to cherish what is beautiful.  To see what is significant and worth remembering.  

That for me is what photographs can do.  

It's magic isn't it?

 

 

 

A Dress::

For her birthday I made a dress.  Well to be more correct I altered a t-shirt.  Either way she ended up with something to wear which she loves.  

We thought about gifts for her birthday and really, what does a one year old need?  

Food, check.  

Love, check.  

Attention, check times five.  

She really doesn't care much for toys if there's a cardboard box or our sunglasses to be found.  So, in leu of anything else we gave her a swim suit for the beach some handmade cards and a dress. 

 

This is what it became.  

Nothing fancy by any means.  In fact just down right simple.  Which of course I love most.  

 

This is where is started.  

My oldest has a t-shirt that she loves.  She thought her sister should have one to match.  Unfortunately, they don't make these shirts for babies.  Oversight on their part I think.  But anyway, I decided that I would take a woman's t-shirt and make it into a dress.  

I used, for the first time ever, elastic thread which you put into the sewing machine.  Oh my goodness was that fun!!!  This sewing job was no where near perfect but I enjoyed every moment while making it. 

First I cut off the sleeves.  

Then, I sewed with the elastic thread around the armholes twice, the neck three times, and the middle of the shirt just under the logo three times.  

The magic happened when I took it to the iron, sprayed on some water and steamed it.  It puckered up and shrunk right before my eyes.

You have got to try it.  

 

 

This was the result.  

It's soft and comfy and something I will definitely try again.  In fact, the big daddy has volunteered some of his old shirts that will be great to use since they have lots of interesting places on them that he has traveled to.   

 

The best part is that the girls have something that matches.  

I think when you have two brothers in between having a sister a little matching is necessary.   Required even.   

Our little one may not know she's matching, but we do and later we can show her and smile together.  RIght now we just get to witness these sisters loving one another so much.  

That is lovely to see. 

 

Beach Time

Since we live near the mountains we have all types of seasons.  

We have Fall with it's apples, children off to school, brightly colored leaves and warm mittens.

We have Winter which brings snow, sledding, holidays and wool sweaters.

Spring arrives as green shoots burst from the brown ground, loads of birds sing, bikes are dusted off and taken on adventures, and the warm sunshine returns.

Summer brings outdoor dining, farmers markets, hiking, swimming neighbors and joyful swinging.

We love it all. 

 

But, the one thing we don't get enough of is the ocean.  

It's the place we love to visit when we travel.  

There's something nourishing about being so small in such a vast ocean.  

Feeling the sand between your toes and getting to bed way too late just because you needed a bit more time to swim.  

 

We have looked forward to this time at the beach all summer.  

We are soaking it up, breathing it in and other than the occasional sibling squabbling, that must have made its way into someones duffel bag, we are having a delightful time finding a new rhythm.  

Walks have never been so motivating as they are at the beach and a good long swim makes everything right with the world.  

Plus, I've been making sure to get some sand into my new Noro scarf just because.

So all in all we are enjoying Summer and all it brings us. 

 

I hope your summer is just what you are wishing for.  

Happy Tuesday!