Aux Demilunes

{This Moment}

2012-01-27T10:12:00.002-05:00

Can I try, Maman?

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~Amanda Soule

Harry Potter love and Modeled Capelette

2012-01-17T21:06:00.003-05:00

I made Hermione (her favorite), Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville and Draco.

I made them very quickly, with Mariann constantly wanting to paint on them with me, getting bore to just paint two peg of her own. (one is now totally pink and the other green and blue).

Then She decided they needed a castle. The Quidditch Pit, my mom brought that home after a boxing day, I don't remember what year. It was part of a village to put under a Yule tree. My cousin has Hagrid's hut, I'll try to borrow it while HP is Mariann's thing. It changes from the fairies! And I didn't think I would be able to transmit my love for Harry Potter quite that fast. You can't see on this picture, but they both have a lightning bold on their forehead.

Mariann is quite happy with the capelette and might even be over the fact that it has no sleeves. It's big enough so it'll fit next fall too. Let's hope. They are growing so fast. When they got out of the bath tonight Mariann pulled out her favorite pyj (the fairies one) and said Merrick needed to dress up not to be cold. She then proceeded in trying to dress him up. They are growing full of love for each other. Full of hitting and pushing and pulling hair, but love none-the-less.

Spinning, Capelette and Children of the Forest

2012-01-15T22:24:00.004-05:00

This is my first try at spinning. Do I love it? YES. It takes no time and looks so great. Very instant gratifying!

And I've been wishing to make a capelette for Mariann for ages, and there it goes; done. The red fleece was cut out since October I think... but I kept putting it away, telling myself she won't have the time to wear it and other things were more pressing to do. But this week I found 2 great vintage fabric at the thrift store and it inspired me to finish it for once! It took me 2 evenings and it was done. I covered the buttons cause none I had fit, and I'm happy I did. I followed no pattern, I roughly inspired myself from a coat Mariann's best friend has that is way more complicated. Hopefully I'll have Mariann modelling it tomorrow :)

And I've been wanting to make those since the book came at my door (Children of the Forest, Elsa Beskow). This is the clearest picture I was able to get. Once I find them back I'll take some more and put up a listing on etsy.

Papa started school, so he's gone for long period of time. Twice a week he's gone before we wake up and back at 10h30pm, and the children miss him so much. I do, too. The babies are quite long to get to sleep at night, and are very persistent on not wanting to nap. Picture above was taken at 7pm. She had quietly played with the cards (there's Harry Potter pictures on it. How she loves them!) and put them all back in the box and shut down. I tell you its the first time ever it happens, that she falls asleep somewhere else then a bed or the car.

So I haven't been blogging much lately... I don't expect I will post much in the future as well.

The second vest I ever knitted, a scarf for my mom. That makes 2 knitted things

2012-01-04T23:10:00.004-05:00

Merrick is a little harder to take as a model than Mariann (whom I suspect is loving to model).

I had a lot of fun and many frustration learning to knit with this vest. One sleeve ended up being 4 inches too long! I also ran out of the blue soy-wool yarn to make the collar. I tried with a color I had here, and it wasn't pretty. Undo the whole thing and did what I'm very good at: Improvise! So the cowl comes from the same sweater I made Mariann's solstice dress with. So that way they fit together, see?

Papa finds it a little weird and Mariann told me it the white looked like a bib. Oh well. I like it. I didn't blocked it yet and I hope it will make the bottom stop curling up. The big wooden button has a tree craved on it :)

And this I did for my mom. She chose the yarns and I ran out of one of the 2 so guess what.... Improvisation saved me again. I continued with the mohair and gradually bend off so that I only had 1 stitch left.

I really like knitting. I'm happy I decided to learn how.

The goals I had set for 2011

2011-12-29T16:33:00.003-05:00

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

2011-12-28T12:44:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-27T11:36:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-27T11:35:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-17T23:10:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-10T21:43:00.004-05:00

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...

2011-12-01T21:57:00.003-05:00

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!

This post is for catching up

2011-11-30T21:53:00.003-05:00

I've been busy with custom orders and holiday crafting, and well, life. Merrick had a terrible week in terms of waking at night, leaving a Zombie-like mommy who didn't felt like blogger at all. But we did some fun stuff last week, and I wanted to share.

We made a batch of salt dough ornaments. My friend happily took pictures saying that I would be on them for once, so here I am (complete with the messy kitchen). I have some more beautiful pictures of others kids but haven't asked their mom if they agreed on having all those little faces on my blog. There were 12 pre-schoolers in my house last Friday. Sweet chaos!

Said photographer friend multitasking. The very next pictures of this series, Elie gets off the breast to say cheese. It is so very precious.

spot the 4th child.

I now have my driving license. New from today. It feels so good!

Yarn Along- Merrick's vest

2011-11-15T22:54:00.002-05:00

I hope you knitters out there are proud of me.. I'm a very good way into making Merrick's vest. The back is done and I'm doing the front left side, it's going pretty smoothly. I love being able to stuff it in the diaper bag and take it everywhere I go, or just sit in the play room and while I look after the kids.

As for the book, it was lend to me by a friend who thought it might interest me. Well, it sure does! This tiny book is a true Waldorf toy how-to treasury! I'm following its instructions to make little dollhouse doll. They have a pipe cleaner frame and are wrapped in pure wool, then covered with organic cotton. Papa is about 4" and I'm 3" tall. Yes, those are the right proportions... Papa is 1'6" taller then me! Can't wait to cover little me, little Mariann and little Merrick, and make us little clothing. This will be Mariann's Yule gift, and I'm pretty sure she will be thrilled! Just for fun... Anyone has a little scrap of red fabric with white polka dot? I can't picture mini-me not having one red dress in her closet!

No show and tell

2011-11-14T22:19:00.003-05:00

My blog has been pretty much show-and-tell lately. I'm doing a lot of stuff, I have some request from the shop and I've started making holiday gifts.

But sometimes it feels just great to hit the "new post" button and start to write, just because.

I have a crown and a doll to post tomorrow! I would have gone today, but I wait for we have something to get in the city to make the trip worth it. I'm itching to get my license now... My exam is really close, and I hope I pass it, now that I actually have places to go and people to visit. And time off to take, by myself.

I made a pointy hat for Merrick. He hates wearing it. Fortunatly, Mariann loves to model. With attitude.

We went out last week and I realized we were all dressed with something I made. Mariann was wearing her Birthday dress (above) and her Equinox tunic (above), Merrick was wearing his Equinox tunic and Mariann's old mommy-like winter coat (under) and I was wearing a polka dot long sleeve top which I failed to show you yet. But I really did sew something for myself. And I love it!

I really love the idea of getting rid of everything piece of clothing that is massively produce and replace it with handmade goodies, exception allowed to really cool vintage items and Papa's underwear and socks. And the red polka dot dress I've gave birth it. Twice. (and that I'm wearing right now.)

I thought Papa was actually tired of seeing red all the time. I always dress in red, I always dress the babies in red. If I need something new, I pick it it red, if possible. But he apparently doesn't. We're finally renovating our bedroom, the ceiling is insulated and when it was time to pick the paint, I've let him choose...And he choose red. A deep, rich red that I love. And he picked it without any influence from me. And that's awesome because now I have some more excuse of making red things! Even if it's just boring curtains.

And as randomly as I've hit "new post", I'm now hitting "publish post". Thanks!

Merro

2011-11-12T22:34:00.003-05:00

I've got the habit of giving the doll I'm working on a nickname. If the doll isn't a custom order, I call her something random (I call the girl above is Adèle), but if I know the name of the kid who'll receive it, I mix my kid's name with his/hers and come for a nickname for the doll. It's silly...But it's how it works in my head!

So this little brown haired, brown eyed guy will soon be the possession of a little man called Matéo. He is a little ober 15½" and is button jointed. The mama didn't want to see it prior sending and then changed her mind, so here it is.

His brown pants once were a sweater, the burgundy long shirt was once a tank top, the boots were ones that I found and lightly dyed with tea, and the vest is a blend of wools, with remnant of Adèle's hair to make the hood.

Speaking of which, I'm pretty proud of myself! It truly was a make it work moment...Very few yarn to work with, and no pattern to start with! But I figured it out, and I love it. Updated Ravelry notes here. There's a lot of imperfection in this... But it's full of love, which fully compensate.

And so I found that I loved knitting...As if I didn't have enough projects going on!

Birthay Crowns close-ups

2011-11-09T21:51:00.003-05:00

I've been requested a birthday crown for a little one turning 3, and while taking pictures of it before sending, I realized I still hadn't taken good ones of Merrick's, so here are both:

I carefully chose every details I put in my children crowns. Merrick's is yellow; he was born on a very sunny morning of a hot August day, he's a leo, sign led by the Sun. Oaks leaves are green, summer colored. I choose oak because of it's importance in paganism. My little boy should have the king of trees on his crown, nothing less! The M is blue, just like Merrick's eyes.

Axe and shield to represent the nickname my mom and his "godfather" gave him; Little Viking. His name is of anglo-saxon influence and means Ruler of the Sea or Great Conqueror. Add to that that he's bright blond with pale blue eyes, and always growling.

The spear and wheat is because he was born on Lughnasadh.

On to the custom order. I don't know the little Isabelle Mae that will have it, but her mom requested for pink, flowers and ladybugs. She was born in December, which inspired me to add the white swirls and snowflakes.

I found I loved doing crowns for other kids. I have another one to make, with a Moon and snowflakes.. I'm still drawing the design in my head. The initial will be a G for a change!

Laundry Fairies on a November Day

2011-11-07T23:22:00.003-05:00

I think the curse has been lifted. That I was actually able to break the spell and, oh my gods, I am even enjoying November right now.

Being in the dark at 4 pm isn't so heavy now that we decorated all those lanterns, and lit all those candles in the kitchen.

I always have a mug of some hot drink by my side, while I'm knitting, sewing, blogging, etc... Often is 35% creme in hot water with a tablespoon of cocoa. Is there a name for that?

It's also my duty to start the wood fire in the morning. Love the 8 minutes of quietness in the basement by myself (and the spiders).

And I can now plan and start making winter solstice gift without being too much of a freak.

Mariann now understands the concept of cutting along a line. She did all the house by herself, again using lots of glue. She loves glue. With passion.

She now recognize her name, the syllable ma, and Papa taught her to read maman (mommy). There's a lot of motels on our way to the city, and passing by everyone of them she'll say "M like Mariann!!".

We got friends over today. We did some muffins and played and it's always fun to have them in our house. But Mariann skipped her nap, resulting of a horrid mealtime when Papa arrived. Really. She was so upset she felt asleep in my arms right about when the pasta were ready.

She's been pushing our limits lately and I've let Papa instore the "1,2,3...corner" thing. I don't like it one bit, but it works and saved me from going nuts many times. Now whenever she hits her brother or steal a toy from him, I just have to look at her and she goes in the spot on her own. She waits until I say okay, then she goes kissing her brother and saying she's sorry, without me asking. I usually don't leave her there for the whole 3 minutes, just the time Merrick has changed his mind.

When she yells and cries sitting in the corner, we know it's more likely not to calm her down, that she has a spill-over and will need us to ground herself. This might looks like spoiling, but I better like calming her in my arms then leaving her there alone with feelings that are frightening and hard to manage.

Same thing happens to Merrick is we miss the window time where he easily falls asleep. He gets so energetic, but also very grumpy. When this happens, when I try to breastfeed him but he's more interested by the door, Papa comes with us and lay down, sandwiching Merrick, and it really calms him down, and get him asleep in matter of minutes. But this is easily considered spoilage..."Why down you have a crib?? It would be much easier". Well, with did the crib thing with Mariann. It. Was. Not. Easier. And now, we have deep regrets that we did. But we didn't know better, and were told it was the thing to do. Never again.

We're constantly looking at ourselves, at what we do, how we raise our children, constantly asking ourselves if we do it right. I'm getting confident that indeed, we found the right path for us. It was right before our eyes.

My first completed knitting

2011-11-05T21:37:00.004-04:00

I had a special request for a special little boy doll. The mama also requested a knitted vest with him. Since she reads my blog and does not want to see him before he arrives home, I've let Victoria model it.

It's the lovely free pattern made by waldorfmama, my ravelry notes are here.

I've added 7 stitches or it would have been too short, but the length of the body was okay. You can see I finally finished Victoria's hairs as well...

I'm really happy with the vest! It's meant to have a hood, and I will knit it soon. I'm also happy I can finally say that I can knit. Really...It was starting to be annoying, people assuming I could knit, me telling no, and them going You!?? You don't know how to knit!??? But you can do anything! Well, I guess now I can, thanks to a book from the SIL (that was all about gather stitch) I got last Yule and a friend who taught me how to purl. And google. Who showed me how to bind off.

So now I have to knit a vest for Victoria. I think it will be red.

Playing Together, Sleeping Together

2011-11-04T14:30:00.003-04:00

I love teamwork. Both my babies are now down to nap. Mariann naps so easily when Papa is around... Of course now he's back to work and I will have to deal with her when she wakes up, but I know what will happen, and I will try hard not to loose my tempter and just help her make the transition.

Now that Merrick is walking, they play along so well. There's still some épisode of "NO!!!IT'S MINE!!!" but there's a lot of chasing around, laughing. Mariann shares her most loved items so Merrick can play with her, even if he just chew on the man dolly while she makes the woman make dinner.

Often Merrick will take a little chair and sit, so proud to be doing just that on his own. Then Mariann will serve him tons and tons of coffee, tea, juice, milk and water. All that is the same cup.

But I find myself needing a break, or a least a way to go out. I will have my driving licence, hopefully, at the end of the month, so that will help... But I really need something like, a weekend just with Papa. It would be the first time in 3 years... I don't think I abuse the concept!

What the Candy Fairy brought us

2011-11-01T10:10:00.002-04:00

I confess, I did the Candy Fairy gift on the night of Halloween, when Mariann and Merrick got to bed. I first didn't think of making something for Merrick...But it didn't seem fair as he strolled around too.

After leaving her candies for the Candy Fairy, she went to bed, a tad later then she's used to...She was full of sugar. That's what she found in the morning.

I took vintage blocks from her block bins and turned them into a fridge, a stove, a sink and a counter. I also made an autumn gnome! It's the first gnome I make! and two oak leave carpet. The rest we already had it.

And I made this little quick star baby for Merrick to chew on. Oh, and he did chew it.

It was our first visit from the Candy Fairy...I hope she will come back next year!

We celebrated Halloween and Samhain

2011-11-01T09:35:00.003-04:00

This is what we left for the Candy fairy.

I don't have pictures of them costumed, But they went as knights and only did some fifteen houses, which gave the candies above. Mariann was thrilled the give them to the fairy and only kept 6 boxes of smarties, and a dorito bag for Papa.

...to be continued...

We've emptied a bottle of glue

2011-10-26T22:18:00.002-04:00

Along with the tons of art supply my mom gave me, was tons of tissue paper.

Seeing that Mariann is ready for gluing things, I remembered a fall project we did in school, it was an apple, made with tons of little balls of tissue papers. I was 6. But does a 3 years old gets tired of pouring glue? No.

I realized I didn't take a picture of the lovely final result...Shame on me, I will before we give to Mariann's "godmother" this weekend , for her birthday. Well, that's what Mariann said she will do. So aunt Marie-Eve will be really really really really happy. Really. Right, Maman?

I've also wanted to try making one of those for some times now. Here's the instruction from A Child's year. Simple enough. Just try to keep glued-covered toddler hands off of your points while you shape them.

So now we have a pretty star to welcome people on our door.

And here's the cleaning team. 3 littles spontaneously picking up brooms. Is my floor that dirty?

Merrick is so proud of walking. He follows the girl around and steal their snacks, enjoying multitasking. 2 free hands!

Halloween Happenings

2011-10-24T22:28:00.004-04:00

I haven't updated for a little time now. I'm busy making various sizes of doll. I'm sewing like a mad one. I have scratches and cuts all over my hands. Fortunately, no blood was shed over the dolls... And I have no pictures to prove, but I finished something like 15 dolls this month.

Monster Cake!

Our daily rhythm activities concentrated on spooky things and the like. We made a bean-based cake that Lili can eat, and poured bright green icing on it. On a day we didn't have our little friend home and graced with a nap from Merrick, we painted some paper plate orange, painted spooky faces, and glued green leaves. It was the first time Mariann glued something. She loved it. Now I need a project she can glue and glue and glue and glue over and over again...

We also stencilled on that day. Scary stuff, of course! Mariann was very proud of this one, and proceed to show every person entering the house.

Um... Modpodge with toddlers.

It actually went well. I didn't have to scrape all the tablecloth afterward, just some places. Even Merrick did a great job. We've let them dry and decorated them with sharpies...I didn't want to take out the mod podge again... I love them... We will do some more for the winter solstice.

And now prepare for cute....

Mariann's helping Merrick to walk. It was from last week and now Merrick walk around, alone. They are no longer little babies.

Swapping for Holiday gifts?

2011-10-15T22:07:00.002-04:00

This summer, Marie oven at SoSoftheart proposed to exchange a nativity scene she made for something someone would propose her. What a great idea!

14" Waldorf Doll

So here, I'm proposing to swap stuff I can make (dolls, crowns, wands, baby clothing, even crocheted dishcloths!) for something you can make (soaps, knitted doll clothing, wooden toys (even if they are used!), dry herbs, homemade teas... or anything you think might interest me).

Sounds like a good idea?

Personalized Birthday Crown

Comment here or leave me a email :D

{This Moment}

2011-10-14T08:56:00.002-04:00

Photo snapped by Mariann, 3 year old.

I love the lucky shots.

Yarn Along and Doll Washing

2011-10-13T00:11:00.003-04:00

Have you seen that? I've actually started a sweater!
It's for Mariann. Design from here. I'm using some purple wool I found at the thrift store. It cost me... I don't know, very not much! It's my first real knitting project. So far it's going great. I might have miss some spots and the cabling will probably look weird. But... I guess my daughter won't mind.

I'm reading Stephen Lawhead's Arthur. It's the third books of a 5 series and it's pretty great. It pictures a very catholic enviroment for the legende. There's still some magic...Since Merlin is so leet.

See the stickers and the sippy cup? That's how I manage to get Mariann to nap this week. She sleeps; stickers.

Ah! Poor Victoria. Looks like someone walk over her with his work boots. Beside, the plum on her feet and the chocolate ice cream on her arms needed to go as well...

Making with what you have

2011-10-10T20:18:00.002-04:00

I drink a lot of chamomile. I'm an anxious type of person, and the smooth beverage does wonderful job on my nerves.

Luckily there's a field in front of our house, that one that leads to the to beach, that was not worked on this year, so chamomile pretty much invade it. One morning I only had Merrick with me (rare, I know!), I put him in the sling and crossed the 132 road to pick some of this pretties, tied them in bundles, and hung them to dry in my workroom's closet.

The peppermint comes from my mom's backyard. At one point in our life, she attempt to have a garden... It's now pretty much left to itself, and well, the mint acted like mint, so there was plenty to grab and take home.

Yummy teas ahead.

Sharing with friends

2011-10-07T09:16:00.004-04:00

I've finally start making friends that share similar values.
It's so... Validating in terms of the way I parent my children.

People that want to create themselves what their baby wears. People that makes food from scratch, or encourage a local enterprise that does food from scratch. People that joyfully learn me how to knit.

People that have their child's best interest in mind, constantly reading on the subject, with a strong will to do the best job they possibly can at being a mom.

A 60"next to a 54" mattress right on the floor? Normal.
Toddler joining family bed at night? Normal.
Just the concept of a family bed? Normal.

Oh, and how I enjoy this new normal!

My heart pinch as I see my friend's 2 year old asking for mama milk, when Mariann stopped wanting it at 10 month old. I tell to myself.. If only I had some support.... Things would have been different! But now I'm glad I can freely talk without being rejected for marginality. I found I have very strong opinion on hot topics, and find myself preferring to keep my mouth shut in regular mommy groups because it's not worth trying to be heard.

New friends are freedom, and I like it.

A table Full

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

There's actually one 3 year old in the playroom too

I made a friend last spring. She let go of a brilliant lucrative career to stay at home with her four children. She breastfed her twin girls for 17 months. She has a very spirited 3 year old, yet never use the word "time-out". She's busy and organized yet is able to look relaxed and carefree when you speak with her. She also listen. There's all sort of other things that as we speaks, made me feel like we shared the same values. There's something that made us click, and she, at one point, as we got to know each other, almost muttered, a real confession not to be told to everybody:

I think I will homeschool Emilien next year.

Her big boy, she felt, was not in his best place in public school. The little guy is a genius, but dixpraxia make him trapped in his own body. She simply wanted to eliminate some frustration, and most of all, keeping the fire of appetite to learn alive. Because, you know, kids can be so mean. ( I resumed something so complicated in so little sentences)

So the adventure is started. The mom's a scientist, so I offered her something in my lines; arts!

Today we made finger paint (1 part corn starch, 3 part water, heat in a pot, add coloring) and it was really thick. Yes, Merrick ate some. With the spoon.

Emilien ended up making something really cool when he realized he could spread the whole thing with his whole hand.

And I love having so many kids in my house. I love chaos.

Yarn Along: Actually knitting!

2011-10-05T20:41:00.003-04:00

I started knitting for real this week. Thanks to my friend who learnd me how to purl!

Now my mom brought me some yarn she found in her supply room (she's an art teacher) and so far so good, it looks like it should. I'm pretty proud of myself! She requested it for Yule, so I think it's an achievable goal.

And as to what I read this week; I'm still not finished yet with Spirited Child, I'm at the point where she gives advice on how to manage mealtime. I've also cracked and commanded The Rhythm of the Family, which I think everyone knows about, and The Children Year, full of interesting little crafts to do (mostly knitting). I got all three from amazon, used. Ah! Used books. I love you.

2011-10-04T08:18:00.002-04:00

My friend Danni over The Whimsical Cottage is hosting a Countdown to Hallowe'en (see sidebar button for details).
I won't post something Halloweeny everyday, but I'll try to catch up once a week. I'm doing a bit of themed crafting with the kids and some decoration myself, and I'm making their costume again this year.

So, yesterday we craved a pumkin! Its seeds are currently soaking in salt water, waiting to be roasted. We also harvested mapple leaves from my mom's neighbour yard. You'd think with all that land we got, I would have plenty of leaves for ourselves, but since we are by the sea, the first maples we encounter in our land are very deep in the woods and not quite child friendly to access. So, the city mapple produced a nice bunting non-the-less !

Wenesday is Painting day

2011-09-28T15:30:00.002-04:00

I'm trying hard to follow the little daily activity rhythm I've created. So far it's going great. We do get some baking done on Monday, handwork on Tuesday (even if it's just play dough), painting on Wednesday and crafting on Thursday. They are usually enjoyable and Mariann gets thrilled when I mention "activity". On Friday, we don't have Lili, but I try to get out of the house and we eventually do something on the afternoon, going out of the house and all.

We tried stamps today. Mariann actually did the action of stamping unto her paper.
She also had to do her hand too. I wouldn't have resisted either.

Lili took her stamp as a paint brush.

Merrick ate some paint. Then he ate the stamp.

He also manage to stamp himself while giving it a hug. (see the sun?)

They all had great fun. They actually cleaned the stamps afterwards. And then I cleaned the mess. And them. Skin is my favorite product in terms of getting it back to clean state.

Autumn colors decorate well the room. Merrick's finger painting skills are actually quite good! Mariann did the huge red thing, you can actually see some flower stamps textured on all that paint. Lili's (not pictured) is full of yellow and red. Tomorrow is craft day. Not sure of what we're going to do... I have an idea, I'm missing one supply to do it. Activities take some planifications. I guess it's good practice for homeschool.

Hunting for Signs of Autumn

2011-09-26T21:12:00.004-04:00

We are lucky enough to have plenty of natural land to discover, and this week we went walking with our little basket, collecting the leaves that turned red and the grown wheat, oat and barley.

The next morning, inspired by an article on Ryhtm of the Home, we made little fall mobiles. Mariann selected the leaves and cut the thread. She cut way too many, but what to expect? Lili just tried eating them and crushing them, making a pretty good mess.

As night grows longer, I'm actually glad the days are getting shorter, as it means Papa come back a tad earlier each day. I'm tired of feeling in battle with Mariann. Today I "gave up" at nap time, and let her listen to a movie, while trying to get Merrick naping, which he totally didn't do. It resulted in eating early and Merrick falling asleep in my arm, and I was able to take a bath with Mariann after putting him in our bed. So it was a great ending of day. Phew.

Mariann took a picture of Victoria "driving". She's getting good, uh?

So Autumn? Please come in and make yourself at home. I think I'm needing you this year.

Pratical Magic Party: Cauldron Magic

2011-09-22T13:55:00.008-04:00

We're doing it this year too! Last year, I showed you how I make my teeny tiny hand bound spellbooks. It was fun, and I tried to come up with something PM raleted, but not so obvious. But they do, at one point in the film (Gilly's exorcism) make a bubbly smelly potion so I thought about explaining you some basic of Potion Making, and I took some pictures to go along. Enjoy!

First, making a potion can be very simple, as it can be very elaborate... I better like simple! Since not all of us has access to bonfire in the middle of a meadow or on a shore, I'll propose you something most of us has but seldom use; a chocolate fondue kit. You know the one you can put a tea light under? It makes reasonable size potion and you can safely brew you potion all day long with that. I opted for my big red cauldron in the picture, because.... It makes great pictures ;)

You'll need:

Cauldron/Fondu kit/ Pot-pourris Burner
Tea light
Glass stick, or twig, or wooden spoon (those are great since you can carve symbols into them!)
Mortar and Pestle
Ideally Spring Water, but boiled tap water can do.
Herbs and Essential Oils

Herbs can be substituted by their essential oils, and vice versa. For herbs, you need to crush them hard enough to break them and free their essence, but turning them into dust isn't a necessity.

Previously take your water to boil. By the way, if you don't have any fondue kit, you can makey your potion on your conventional oven, you just have to watch it more closely when it brew. Pour it in your cauldron. At his point you can request help from the fire and water element. As a rule of thumb, have about 2 tablespoon of herb for a cup of water. Crush each of them into your mortar and sprinkle on the water. If you feel like strengthening your potion, you can say aloud the name of the herbs/oils you add and why you do so (ex: "Ginger for success", "Rosemary for memory", "Pine for ideas"...).

You can also say something like:

By the Fire and Water,
By the essence of (herb),
Make it as I wish!

When all your herbs and oils are in, let them soak while your think of your goal. Concentrate on it, and when you feel like it's the time, take your stick and stir 3 times; counter-clockwise for banishing potions, clockwise for others. You can also say aloud your goal.

You can also say a more complex incantation, like this one:

By Water and Fire, By the Air and the Earth,
May the hidden powers come to help,
And grant me my wish.
(Ain't it harm none) It is my will, so mote it be!

The potion we made in yesterday was:

Calming Potion

Chamomile
Lavender (+ 5 oil drops)
Mugworth
St. John's Worth

Hope you all enjoyed! It is very fun to do and it leaves your house smelling good, so I hope you'll try this at home. It can be a really fun thing to do with the kids (Mariann couldn't stop throwing chamomile until there was no more...). Or just by yourself... It is a very relaxing activity, and if time allows you, you can meditate on it afterwards.

I also want to wish you all a very Blessed Mabon! Autumn is here, goodbye Summer, I'll miss you! This year I plan to celebrate and enjoy autumn as much as possible. The scar is healing, I don't hate you anymore, Autumn, so let's be bodies!

For some more magic, head up there and enjoy the party!

*****************************************************

Yarn Along: Apple Hat

2011-09-20T21:10:00.004-04:00

I've made this cute little hat while waiting for my mom to pick us up on Saturday morning. Only one skein of red, I was not even sure if I'll have enough for a hat... It doesn't cover her ears, but you know Mariann.. The fact that it is RED and is an APPLE! is enough for her to want to sport it with her RED zipping sweater and her RED rubber boots. Note, that outfit she's wearing is her choice, too.

I was a little upset I couldn't go to my mom's the very first thing in the morning, because Mariann got up on the wrong side of the bed, and so did I... So I had to occupy my mind and my hand, while doing the thing I probably like the least; anxiously wait on someone else. Did I mention I just have a probationary licence?

Well.. thank you Miss Kurcinka. Really.

Intense? Check. Sensitive? Double check. Pereptive? Persistent? Energetic? Yes, I'm all of this. Why I am so surprise Mariann is the very same then!?

I'm not finished with the book, but so far it helped a great deal of how I see my relationship with my daughter. It really bettered my understanding of all the whys I asked myself. I still have the tantrums, sleeping and meal time chapter to read, which I really look forward to. Ah! Today was one of those bad days again, and I sadly feel there's more often of them, as my children not only love but need Papa to be home for meals, but harvest makes it impossible.

By the Sea

2011-09-18T15:09:00.002-04:00

Most important cities, little towns and villages in Québec province are by the Saint-Laurent river. I t gets so large where we are (50km), and the north cost gets so thin, that we call this house, The House by the Sea.

The air is always so fresh, the wind chilly.

The water is cold, anytime of the year and the sand is so rough.

And there is no feeling like walking on the shore, up north, when the tide is low, to that big rock that is usually covered by water, on the squishy algae that explode under our rubber boots.

And the sight of that majestuous river by my window everytime I fold the cloths in our bathroom, and the giggles of delight from my daughter as she watches the Sun "go to sleep with the Moon and Stars into the water" as she looks at the playroom window, and the simple bonefire with good friends and family, and the oh so freshness of the air, and the clear, unpolluted starry sky, makes up for the upstair floors that are still not finished. At least Papa took the very very old rug out today. Lets see if my kids stop being sick... It's been two months now that they are having the flue symptoms....

I tried the art of Needlefelting

2011-09-16T21:01:00.003-04:00

And I liked it.

Obvious pumpkin inspiration here, my first project. The apple is all mine! Something about continuously stabbing with a needle makes me feel good...

I've decided to set a nature table, not sure where still, and mix it with the altar setting tradition of the pagan as well, that which I'm more used too and am missing. Can't wait to see Mariann's reaction to those little dollies. She'll have to wait until Mabon!

Simplying clothing

2011-09-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

My dressers can't close to the loads of cloths there are inside. Merrick's needs constant updating, as he's growing so fast, and Mariann's pile unworn clothing (she's so slender). My drawers are filled with pre-pregnancy clothing that are likely not to fit me anytime soon, and Papa's closet is full of Big Bills that need to be mended, t-shirt that needs to visit the garbage bin and long sleeve shirt that need to become short sleeve ones.

I want to share my technique for simplifying our drawers, as in, getting to a point where I can close them again!

One drawer at a time, I take all the cloth and sort them weather they fit or not, and place aside any that does not fit.

Then with the remaining pile I ask myself if they have been ever been worn, and remove some more.

Then I ask myself if the item is made out of natural fibre, comfortable, and pretty!
Only then, they can go back into the drawer.

Intense

2011-09-11T21:40:00.003-04:00

That's my keyword for this week: INTENSE.

Not as in, we did so much stuff... Intensity is in ourselves. It's the word I've been given to describe Mariann and my own self, and our relationship. We are so very much intense. We are so very much the same. We live our emotions so deeply. We can both be hugging and laughing to find ourselves yelling at each other, blood rushing in our ears the next second.

We are strong willed. Oh, we know what we want, and what we don't. And this week, there was a lot of " I don't want to share!", "I don't want to eat!" and mostly, "I don't want to sleep!!" that piled up to give us a sleep deprived 3 year old that, in the end, didn't really knew what she wanted (but she wanted it NOW!).

But having an intense daughter, when you are yourself intense, is not the worst scénario. Add another sleep deprived baby PLUS an over-working sleep deprived Papa PLUS a whole week of body telling you that those evra stamp (hormonal contraception) is doing the same thing than regular pills (getting you sick, like vomiting and fever and muscle pain) and you end up with a pretty bad week (and weekend).

This little Élie contrasts so much with my kids. She's my little earth whereas Merrick is pure fire and Mariann, just like me, is the water that can sit still under the sky, and suddenly start purring down, with no warning, making sky and ocean undissociable.

I need to learn to myself to calm down in order to learn to Mariann how to do it. Else, we're stuck in this huge tsunami that never ends.

Today was handwork day

2011-08-31T09:29:00.004-04:00

According to my new established routine, today was handwork day and I took out the chuncky beads I found at the thrift store.

It was Elizabeth's first time, and with some help from Mariann, she learned how it worked and managed to make a really pretty necklace for herself. She's 18 month old. Her mama is a great friend of mine and had a really hard time trying daycare places, with all them stressing her and her baby in some way (to far so too much car time, close by too crowed, not sharing parenting values, etc). I offered to take her in and integrate her in our daily routine. So far, so good, and both mama and baby seems a lot happier.

You bet Mariann loves to have another playmate. She can get bossy and she loves to be the chief. On snack time, they are all 3 sit on the floor, with Mariann distributing the food. There's a lot of cooking going on in the playkitchen, a lot of babies being rocked, cuddled and craddled.

There's a lot of hugs and kisses going on, too. Mariann calls her "My love". There's a lot of sippy cup exchange as well, and a lot of food on my floor.

The proud girls. It's now time for bed-in to get Merrick to do his morning nap. The after-noon naps are still to be figured how. Any suggestions?

We tried all in bed with books, all on the couch with a movie, all babies in separated rooms....

Rhythm Annalisis

2011-08-29T13:26:00.005-04:00

Summer seems very gone now. We sure will have some more days of good weather, but September is coming so fast. Soon I will loose Papa on lunch time, and won't expect to come home before late in the evening. And that, 7 days a week, for a least a month and a half.

Our new home rhythm is pretty much well established now. We eat our breakfast with Papa before he goes to work, have some free play time while I tend to the dishwasher and washing machine. I nurse Merrick in our playroom and take him upstair when he's asleep. We have our day's activity (Baking, Painting, Handwork, Crafting....) then some toddler appropriate Yoga. I start to make dinner after Merrick wake from his nap.

Papa comes for lunch and go. We have some more free play time, and when 2 o'clock hits we all get to bed for a relaxation period. Hopefully they all get asleep, if so, I sleep with them, if not I remove the non-sleeping child and s/he come with me downstairs and "help" me with the chores. Sometimes Mariann get to sleep by herself on the couch or on the crib mattress there is in my sewing room.

Wake up time means some more free play, outdoor if possible. I usually sit with a book or a ongoing doll on the floor and let the kids. Sometimes I start souper and sometimes I wait for Papa to be home to do so.

That's how our day looks like most of the time. The weekend are pretty hectic and unplanned.

Oh, we had some fun

2011-08-23T20:50:00.003-04:00

Last week we went on a little trip around the Province of Québec to see my siblings that I don't get to see much. My sister has a 16 month old son that I saw for the second time this weekend, last time he was 4 mo (and I was very pregnant!) and we got to do fun stuff for Mariann - because frankly, the babies didn't care much...

We went in a (free!) park that has a little farm. Mariann loved every bit of it, and you should have seen her eyes when my sister paid her a pony ride. She was enchanted by the goats, too.

We went in Québec city (some 300 km away) and toured the gorgeous Orléan Island, and went into a mall that has attractions in it. You can be sure Mariann didn't want to leave the Mary-go-round. The day after we walked with my brother (he was seeing Merrick for the first time) in the Old Québec city, which I hadn't done for ages. It's beautiful and much to Mariann's delight, full of horses carrying tourists around. It was nice to spend the evening with my brother. His roommate even made us BBQ club sandwich for souper. Imagine, they are all musicians. And by that I mean it's all their life. One makes guitar for a living, the other has his own studio, and my brother record his own CDs. Mariann was very impressed by the number of guitars there was in there (erm, me too) and she was even allowed to play of the piano.

Then we headed to Montréal (some 300km more) We didn't get into the island, which we didn't felt like... We're so not the city type! Just to get to my sister's suburb house was tricky enough... How come the traffic can be jammed on a Thursday mid-after-noon? Anyway, I'm glad we went. My sister needed some help... I think it did her great to see that I, too, was tired of the kids sometimes, that me and Papa can loose our patience also. That our babies practically never get to sleep without a bit of fuss, and that is not such a big deal. She lives far from her mom (we have different ones) and on her husband's side lives in France. It's so easy to feel isolated with a baby! I've listened to her the best I could, but our realities, and our personalities are very dissimilar and I didn't know how to council her. A lot of her issues resolve on the fact that they are both nurses, she work the day shift and he, the night, which leave a very small window were they actually get to be a family, together. Sadly, everything is more of a question of money, which I can't really understand thus talk about without feeling awkward, because we choose that I'd stay home. I didn't want to sound judgemental ...

Oh well. We did the 600ish km back home in one shoot, in the night so the babies were fast asleep. We were away for 5 days and it felt great, and it was enough and I was happy to be back in our mess.

Treasures

2011-08-10T23:55:00.002-04:00

Finally got my camera back, hope it last a little more... So to celebrate, when we got home, I took pictures of the thrifty treasures we found... Enjoy!

I think it's a Honey pot? It was so little and pretty....

This one is tiny, too!

Mariann loves to drink in espresso cups

Each time I can't help but take home any cauldron I find. The reflexion is very cool on this one.

This thing is about 4x4''

It feels really good to have my camera back!

If that is August, then I'm starting to like it.

2011-08-08T23:41:00.003-04:00

I no more need to say that I hated school, you all know it by now. And, sadly, as a child, I spent my whole month of August dreading that infamous back to school day. We would stop going on camping trips so my mom would be at home available to receive the call as weather or not she'll have a [teaching] contract this year. But no more! No school for any of the person living in my house, this year! Of course, I still have to hear my mom dread the back to school day, counting her last days of freedom... But that's her problem now and I've decided to make peace with August and give it a try... And today I was rewarded.

When the babies woke up from a shared bed nap in the late after-noon, I decided we'd go to the field Papa was; he wouldn't be home for 1½ hour, and 1½ hour was about the time it took to get there walking with a toddler (about 30 min for an adult alone) ... And if we didn't made it before he finishes, well, we'd have our lift back home.

Oups, no sling no stroller.... left in the car in which Papa got at the in-laws to get the tractor. After browsing our winter collection, I found a scarf wide and long enough to hold my 1 year old. Of course Mariann requested one to put a plastic baby in and off we went. I was not able, however, to convince her that she really didn't need that hair brush.

Mariann stopped in delight at every butterflies, put many rocks in her pockets, jumped in every mud pit, thrown rocks at every swamps and fed the "baby frogs" with fresh herbs. She was marvelled by the stream and talked back to the birds. She patiently convinced a ladybug to mount on her hand each time it fell for 10 minutes and grabbed, kneeling in the dirt, a bunch of chamomile flowers to give her father.

And that's when we reached the little oatmeal field before the huge potato one, after the woodland road that I felt this sense of pure happiness.

The sky was as blue as my little boy's eye, not a cloud to see. As far as I could look, there was only fields or forests, and right in front of me, align with the earth road, was this big bright Moon smiling at us. "The Moon's awake!" Mariann said in delight, and she started to sing a french song that speaks about the Moon. The air was fresh and warm, not too humid, not too dry. My baby boy held against me was brushing the plastic baby's hair... because Mariann had enough of carrying her baby long before... There was so much to see!

And there was that sense of letting go. I wasn't hurrying to nowhere. I was just glad not to be at home, waiting for my men to arrive while the babies got impatient and fussy. I was standing in that oatmeal field, with a little pain on my neck from the sling, getting hit by an hairbrush every now and then, waiting for Mariann to walk just another couple meter more before getting back to walk. Time froze, and I've savoured every bit while it lasted.

Thank you Mother Earth. For oatmeal fields, babies and ladybugs.

Merrick's special Day

2011-08-03T21:26:00.003-04:00

**please note; my good camera is still, yet again, in repair, I appologize for the photo quality**

One year ago I gave birth to my darling little boy. I still owe you his birth story... Soon!

I'm happy to start our birthday ritual for the first anniversaire for Merrick. I makes it extra special for Mariann and will be totally the norm (yet still magical) for him. And Mariann enjoyed it as much as Bébé frère!

As gift, I think I spoiled myself more then the kids... I bought already cut stalkers and stained them with watercolors. It looks so great in their playroom and Mariann loves to make the puzzles... For now Merrick enjoy tasting all the pieces!

I made one for each element. The little wooden sun was painted by Mariann on Ostara and Merrick loves chewing on it. I put it there in infase the fact that he was born in Summer, on a very hot and sunny day :)

We already had the playsilks and wooden animals.

And here's Mariann gift, which she was very very proud to give!
I cut 3 rectangles and ran them throught my sewing machine, then I asked Mariann to embrodery each page with each colors of the rainbow. It took about 4 baby brother's naps, she would keep her interests for about 3-4 pages at a time. I then handsewn two pages together so the wrong side don't show.

We can see a little bit of the necklace I made. I took blue glass beads and a pentacle charm (for protection) and some hazeltree beads I made from wood harvested in our own backyard. I simply cut each beads (with a tool I just can't find the english word in my head right now...) and a nail and hammer. Right now it sits on my work table, waiting for me to re-do it. Shirring elastic was not a good idea, apperently!

I don't really have a great picture of the crown... I'll take one later.

So, I've embrodery his initial in blue, like his eyes, and sewn felt oak leaves, the king of tree, nothing less! It represents well the time he was born, I find. On the side there is a spear and a branch of wheat which represent the day he was born; Lughnasad or Lamas, the first of the three pagan harvest festival. On the other side, still with felt, I sewn a wooden shield and an axe, symbol of his name, which means Powerfull Conquerer or Ruler of the Sea, and which as value him the nickname of Little Viking by his godsfather and Mamie. All the growling, and the fact that he's so blond and chubby, only added to it!

I also made them paint on canvas, of course Mariann loved it, as always... But Merrick, not really. We still have 2 great paintings on the wall!

And here he is in a tunic I made the very day. I actually took picture to built a tutorial to show you how. And no, it was white no more by the end of the day!

We had our family for super and he even got a spoon of chocolate ice cream. He got a booster seat and was so proud to sit with everyone at the table!

Do I have a 1 year old boy already??

Hope all my pagan friends had a great Lughnasad! We made a corn bread yesterday and it was pretty good with mapple syrup. I'll share the recipe soon.

`This Moment

2011-07-29T11:30:00.002-04:00

this was not the picture I wanted to upload... But sweet mistake, I like this one too. Have a nice weekend!

Some gave her Barbies, others gave her their time....

2011-07-26T22:40:00.005-04:00

It's been a year now that I'm talking, to anyone listening (that includes Papa's family) about my love for natural, handmade toys that are open ended. It's my favourite thing to do. It's most likely to be in one of the first things you learn about me.

For all English folks that didn't know still; Aux DemiLunes means At HalfMoons.

And so, surprise, surprise! Mariann got Barbies for her birthday. FOUR of them. From my sisters-in-law. When asking one why on earth did she buy that, she replied : "Well, I just don't have the choice to buy plastic toys! There's nothing else!". Yeah right. Here I want to thank my mother-in-law who bought wooden block stalkers. Odd enough, they shopped in the same town.

I was planning to make another batch of Play dough for Mariann's birthday, but just a week after moving, I didn't find the time. Fortunately, one of the present contained 4 bowls of naturally-died handmade play dough. Mariann was SO thrilled and played with it all day long for a good 4 days in a row. Anywhere, everywhere as you can see in those pictures...

Another gift that contained 0 plastic. Is that me or some people just don't want to respect our choices? Yes, Mariann loved playing with her barbies for some days. She "washed" one in her play kitchen sink and run with them, naked, saying they are flying fairies... But as a parent that wants to monitor what's entering our house, how come am I suppose to do it if warned adults don't respect a pretty simple and faisable rule of "no plastic" ?

Merrick's birthday is close, and when they asked me what I wanted them to buy for him I simply stated "Please, NO barbies."
"Of course, he's a boy!"

Maybe if I repeat it once again, they won't buy him plastic trucks.

Possibilities

2011-07-25T09:18:00.004-04:00

I promised you a sunset so here it is.

While we're getting settled and cozy in our new- old house, me and Papa have the feeling it's not really home. We're being constantly reminded that it's not ours, and all the repair that needs to be done in here is still waiting, wainting ... The workload on the land is too big. At least now with Papa helping, the in-law can have a little rest... meaning, he's not obligated to start working at 5 am and stop at midnight...

Mariann birthday cake; The roof is fondant, the stairs a mint-chocolate and the trees a almond paste. The rest is buttercream and it was a chocolate cake. Yum!

Papa's talking of going anyway, not waiting to know if he's accepted and just go, try another career option and try again for med school at the end of the year (it'll then cut our choice of city from 4 to 1).

And you know what, I'm pretty tempted myself. The city we would go as a great reputation, community wise. A lot of place for families. Here... Well. People are getting older and older... And many of the ressources and activities are planed for tourists. There's a lot of nature, but little activities to do. I think we know all the park in a 50km radius by now!

And I admit; What is really tempting me, is that there's a Waldorf community nearby where Papa wants to go. (one of the few in Québec). There's a Waldorf public primary school (it's free) and, from what I have heard... It's a great place to call home.

But, it's all up in the air, right? Oh, the possibilities!

~~~
and to reply to Wulf: Yes, Mariann took that picture of my calf :)

{This Moment}

2011-07-22T08:24:00.002-04:00

July 10th

Joining SouleMama in a wordless moment.

We are moved

2011-07-21T21:54:00.003-04:00

For a month now we've been moved. Do I miss the appart? Well... No. Not one bit!

We have so much room, light, and fresh air here!

I have some pictures from various moment of this month... I didn't post regularly because all the pictures where stuck in Papa's laptop... Since I've lost my usb cable. This dinosaur doesn't take SD card, so I had to wait on a wi-fi rooter (uh. I don't like that!) so I can take t

he picture in the laptop from this pc.

And guess what? The camera is broken. Again. Now it's the third time and I've asked for reimbursement. I want to thank Papa here for taking the long time extra warranty. But I have to wait for them to take a decision....

So meanwhile, I'll share what I have taken since we're here. It's been very sunny most days and we enjoyed the outdoor a lot. Mariann particularly likes to blow bubbles (she got tons of liquid on her birthday!) and chase butterflies. Merrick likes to watch Mariann run.

Papa spends his day helping his father on the land. They grow mostly potatoes. They also have cabbage, different sorts of squash, zucchini, carrots, strawberries, broccoli, vines, bell pepper, cauliflower, beans.. I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

And we have a whole house for ourselves. It was Papa's grandfather's, and he past away some years ago, leaving the house empty except for the holidays.

I'm still eager to see what's next. What's after this forced year of slowing down and taking a deep breath. Where are we going? In what kind of place? How will be the people?

But for another whole year we're staying. Here with our families. I've engaged myself in a breastfeeding support group, we're talking of entering La Leche Ligue, there's no representatives in our region. I've entered the comity of the house of Birth where I gave birth. I have also proposed to start a toddler/preschooler art group. I think I've even made some friends (that shares my parenting values).

This is the view when we get back home from the land. See all this water? It's the Saint-Laurent river and I have some sunset pictures to show you sometime next. Because that's what we see from our front windows: water. Tons of it. And it feels so good.

...more pictures to come.

Mariann's special day

2011-07-14T22:54:00.003-04:00

On July 7th, we celebrated Mariann's third time around the sun.

In our new play room, on a piece of green silk, I've put some cake and strawberries I did a while ago, fairy wings, got the idea here: http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/making-fairy-wings.html,. On the chair, a tutu (1" elastic with attached stripes of tule) and another one for Victoria. What's in the wooden box?

Birthday crown... I'd like to refer you to this inspiring post: http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/2009/05/wool-felt-birthday-crown-tutorial.html

I chose the strawberries because Mariann loves them, a lot! She was born on the time they came out, because here they come out a lot latter then USA. So I have this sweet memory of being into labor, on the patio eating strawberries my in-law just picked for me from his field.

The face that makes all the work worth it:

In a little wooden box, I've put a little wooden set (the kind you get in dollar store an assemble yourself) with a pipe-cleaner fairy and a peg baby.

....I really wanted to get her a wooden doll house and furnish it with natural stuff.... But my mom bought one. I was so frustrated I cried. So I'll make her one for winter solstice instead.

I made her a memory games out of felt. Very practical when you have a baby brother that eats everything.

Mamie came to play with us.

And we had friends in the after-noon to share pops with!

... It's hard to get a crips picture of fairy costume try-out...

Une fouaise maman? (Do you want a strawberry, mom?)

Choosing what we eat.

2011-06-25T21:45:00.002-04:00

On the solstice's eve we put some brie cheese and blueberry in the fairy garden. To Mariann's delight, most of it was gone (it's not worse then making her believe in Santa, is it?). She loves playing with it when I hang our cloths to dry.

As my fridge is currently on no-grocery-shopping-before-moving-empty mode, I found out I'm doing really great without cow milk in it.

Oh, cow milk. It's such a big deal in our province.

The government pushes it so much. It's terrible. They're selling it like it was a magic potion, really. The Dairy industry is everywhere in pubs, they financed the nutritional chart, etc...

Even more, most health care professionals were in denial. It's starting to change. They are speaking of changing the word "intolerance" for "stage 4 allergies" So people take it seriously. But... as many things, people don't want to change. It really is a base for cooking. Most people don't feel good if there's no milk in their fridge, should it only be to poor some in their coffee in the morning.

Here we are eating mama-made Popsicle made out of honey melon, rice mylk, pears and soft dessert toffu (banana flavored, if I recall correctly). Pops on a hot solstice day is the way to go!

But still, I'm amazed on how little interested people are about the food they put in theirs and their children's mouth! And on how little effort they are willing to provide so they could eat wholesome, healthy food everyday!

Don't get me wrong, we have those days (like, pops and bagels for souper day) were I don't feel like making much for mealtime. But for some it's like that everyday. And when they open their freezer, they don't reach for healthy pops; instead, frozen half-cooked meat, frozen full of sodium pastas, over processed food...Pogos! Ew!

I can't wait to make some groceries and refurnish our cupboard... With no quinoa, couscous, rice, beans left.... It's starting to get trickier each day! But I think I have a good milestone made; I will skip the cow milk aisle when we go. I learned other ways to cook.

The Day before Litha (Midsummer)

2011-06-20T21:59:00.004-04:00

If you've read me for a while now you know how much I love Litha (or midsummer). I relate this day to freedom, joy and happiness. So what are we doing to celebrate Litha this year?

We've made a fairy garden! I was really looking forward doing this with my big girl.

Mariann loves it, and she played with all day long.

The plants come from my mom's garden and my FIL's greenhouse. The "house" was an oil burner. We also found some shiny glass rocks in my mom's craft drawer.

...Those are the pots from last year that I didn't take care of.... And chamomille and thyme and clover is growing back, yay! Last year was a desaster ... I had all those herbs, but no time to harvest!

The day was sunny and windy... Perfect to dry a load of cloth nappies.

After going for a walk on the morning, Mariann proposed we'd go to our neighbour who has a girl a little younger, and they were outdoor, playing with lilacs, she gave us this:

I found it very appropriate for the mood we are in, and I can't wait to move back to put this little gift at the bottom of a tree from the forest we have in our backyard.

more fairy garden play :)

I found a ton of wooden rings last week, Mariann loves them. I plan on keeping some loose for her and Merrick (such a great teething toy) and turn some into doll slings.

Mariann took some pictures

and I wanted to share the fabric goodness I found at the thrift store (along with the rings)

We made bread

...and when we came back from our super (we were invited) Papa had already ate the half of one.

So tomorrow I will go to a formation about breastfeeding problems, the same formation they give to the neonatal nurses. Hope it'll be interesting.

Then we will make cupcakes, a sun shaped bread maybe, and we will see for the rest of the evening.

Have a very Blessed Midsummer day, my friends!

This moment: We will miss the place....

2011-06-16T23:26:00.003-04:00

Breaking the rule;

We will miss the plce where we made so many friends!