The goals I had set for 2011

refering to this post.

1. Learn to knit
I certainly did! I'm very happy that I can say "Yes, I do!" when people assume I know how.

2. Cut on meat eating
We did, and it feels great, but we're still eating a lot of it...it's still a w.i.p.

3. Cut on cow milk, totally if possible (a hard one, I'm emotionally attached)
That one failed after realizing I'm quite intolerant to Soya mylk, makes my tummy ache. Rice mylk have enzyme in it that makes it not the best for children, and Almond mylk isn't the best to cook with, but we've cut on cow milk, just not totally.
4. Fill my etsy shop with organic doll goodness
I think that one is achieved. I also have new ideas that includes peg dolls :)

5. Don't buy any cloths for me or the kids, make them instead
Well, I'm very proud of this one!

6. Furnish our (upcoming) house with previously loved furniture, preferably unpainted wood N/A. Unfortunately!

7. Still breastfeed on December 31st
I'm 2 days away from this goal. I think I will make it ;)

8. Produce the majority of our veggies N/A for this one as well. I thought I we would spend the summer at "our new house"...oh well!

9. Make our bread
Not as much as I would have liked

10. Be more patient
Still working on it.

11. Enjoy every moment!
I think I did, most of the time.

I'm currently thinking of 12 goals I want to set for 2012 and went back to see what I had achieved this numeral year. I'm definitely not in the place I wanted to be, thought.

Winter Solstice and Xmas

We celebrated the Solstice day, which happened on the 22nd this year, with my mom before she left for Mexico. I made a cipaille, which is a traditional meal from our region consisting of throwing meat and potatoes in a pot and covering it with dough. It was good and the kids loved it, especially Merrick who likes potatoes so much.

We also made a batch of gingerbread men and pine tree, but they've gone missing before I had a chance to take a picture of them... I actually found some in the playroom, missing limbs, naked of all their buttons and eyes...Wonder what happened to them!

We opened our stocking on the solstice day. I like that, so xmas eve isn't too overwhelming and I feel they savour their gifts more. It might me egoist of me, but I knew my handmade stuff would be eclipsed by the huge cardboard playhouse the in-laws bought. I love it too!

I was heard and no one received plastic! Even me, I asked for knitting needles and crochet and received bamboo ones.

But I have mixed feelings about this year's holidays. I really feel like celebrating on the 24th is a fraud, so to say. Papa also informed me of his desire not to celebrate the 31st, as it's "Just a number". We pretty much agree that the real new year happens is November 1st, when the nature is finally getting a rest. So we are in this weird stage of creating our family tradition and finding what's right for us. You know, Boxing Day isn't our kind of thing.

What traditions did you keep? Which one did you create?

Other Handmade Gifts

My daughter adores Fairies. It might be my fault, as I push for her not to like the princess, fairy makes a good replacement. Those are the disney fairies. Even the "evil" one, my daughter's favorite, that never really gets to be displayed on their merch. I love how they turned out and find them really cute. Mariann loves them of course, and she installed them in the felt house I made last autumn.

I made 2 mechanics for Merrick to go with the cars Mariann painted for him.

And this crown was made for the little red-head best friend of Mariann, Zoe. She turned 3 in the middle of the month. I also made her a set of pretend cookies.

And I made this for one of my SIL. Now that she moved to study I thought she could use a sewing kit. I also made an infinity top to the other SIL, but she finds it too thights and the wraps aren't serged so she won't wear it... I made a red infinity dress for myself. I'll try to show you soon.

Winter Clothing and Emergency dollmaking

My goal of knitting a sweater for Mariann, Merrick and Papa wasn't achieved, but, I managed to complete one for Merrick! It still needs to be blocked.

Mariann's sweater dress was made out of a sweater I paid 1$ and Merrick's pants were sweater sleeves as well. I plan on turning the body of that sweater into stocking for next year...I found ours are way too small!

And you know what? After completing and giving this doll... I found Victoria!
We made a lot of reno upstairs and since Mariann doesn't sleep much in her bedroom anymore we had put the reno stuff in there. I thought I checked everywhere and moved every blankets, but Saturday I was seeking for dressing the new doll and while moving the doll cloths pile I saw the pyjama I thought we lost Victoria in.... And removing the blanket, there she was, in the pink pyjama!

Mariann was so delighted. She's playing with her ever since. Dressing and undressing, walking around with her in her sling. Ah! It made my day!

Giftmaking

Mariann's gift for Merrick.

I've been rather busy making various stuff for my kids. I've taken pictures but they are in the other computer... I've started the ribbing on Merrick's vest for the second time and scraped it again... I can't seem to do it!

We've lost Victoria. I must admit I'm more sad then Mariann about it.... She said I could make another one...another Victoria, she said. So I've started that... So that's why I'm not blogging much... A whole new doll to make before the 24th!

Tonight I told Merrick He was a Big Boy

Last weekend I picked up the No Cry Sleep Solution by Elisabeth Pantley. After 2 rough weeks of being tired to be a human pacifier at night, and not knowing what else to do, I seek for help.. You know, last night Merrick slept from 10 pm to midnight and a little bit between 7 and 9 am. So this afternoon, after getting at my mom's and getting Merrick to nap on my very self, I read the book cover to cover and it did help. Really.

She proposed a gentle way to help your baby to "detach from the breast" to get to sleep. She stresses that you should never let him cry by doing so, and that it takes a lot of time and patience. That you'll have to try consistently and it probably won't work the first night.... Didn't sound like a magic easy solution to a complicated problem, so I thought it was worth a try.

So tonight when we got Merrick to bed (with us), I breastfed him like I always did, only when he was a little more calm, and not sound asleep, I told him that he was a big boy, that it was time to sleep. I placed Ulrick (his cuddle doll I made him last solstice) between us and gently pulled out my breast. We stayed a little bit with him. I thought he would automatically moan and ask me back, but no. No sound. Just his regular, deep breath as he hold Ulrick. And I got up, and Papa got up, and we left the room. As magically as that.

I will try doing the same each time he'll woke up this night. I will fill you in with our (I hope) progress.

What I got through the mail...

I've agreed with Marie to make her a doll in exchange of her magnificent nativity set, that I would offer to my Catholic in-laws. I proposed to make a bigger doll so I can get a Winter King as well. But if you know Marie, you know that she is a sweet, generous being. So even when I came back at her telling that the doll I made was too expensive to ship to NZ (and her saying okay) she sent all the same. AND more then I asked!

The Winter King came with two gorgeous Winter Ladies ( and beautiful postcards of her work). I can't tell you how much they have been cherished since they entered our home. Mariann and Merrick love them so dearly, they are the new stars of their play. And they are so well made, they will last entire childhoods. I love them, a lot.

Thank you, Marie! Check you mail soon, you will have a little something from us as well!