Bluebirdbaby

Giveaway :: Whole Grain Baby

Varenia, owner of Whole Grain Baby, is offering a super awesome giveaway today! She is the creator of the cutest patterns ever. I am in love with this "square neck dress" (I'm picturing natural linen for the body and red linen for the contrasting yoke and sleeves for a holiday twist!) and this shirt looks so cute on her! She is a super talented mama and be sure to check out her lovely blog here.

Varenia is offering the winner 4 free patterns of your choice (wow!), and a discount for the next week (expires on 12.11.09) for all Bluebirdbaby readers. Just enter "BLUEBIRDBABY10" at the checkout.

I will draw a name on Sunday, 8 p.m. EST. Good luck!!

Signing, Shop, and Sun

First off, I want to announce a sweet little event that will be held next Saturday (the 12th) at the Maine Coast Bookshop from noon- 2p.m. I will be there with copies of Artful Blogging, free signed prints, prints for sale, holiday cards, hopefully some handmade goodies, and Sasa, the little one, and Doggie Fly! I will be offering photography tips, answering questions, and have a sign up sheet for a beginner's photography class held at my home in February (would anyone object to the addition of wine and appetizers at this class?!). Not only that, but there are many holiday events and sales going on in town on the same day. Woohoo! So if any of you locals readers want to head out, I would love meeting you!

And I've neglected my poor photography shop too long. I finally got around to adding new prints, print sets (as seen above), and holiday cards. Go check it out! And I'll refund any readers who make a purchase 10% when you enter "bbbwinter09."

In other news, we woke up to one of the worst rain storms ever this morning. It was dark, windy, rainy, and just plain miserable. Then three hours later, the rain cleared, the sun came out, and it was a balmy 60+ degrees in December. (I have to admit that as nice as this was, I am craving snow!) We spent almost the entire afternoon on the back porch reading, playing, knitting, airing out blankets, having lunch, and visiting with the chickens. How lovely!!

I hope you all had a marvelous Thursday too! Stay tuned for a fantastic giveaway tomorrow afternoon!

An Advent Candle Decoration

Wednesday is our craft day. I try to have everything set up beforehand. Today we were making Advent candle decorations. We use this candle at every meal and before bedtime, so it was nice to have something festive to add to it.

The little one is really into drawing letters lately. She likes to trace my letters, so I had written "ADVENT" in big letters for her to trace underneath. She had such fun! We cut out leaves, felted some "berries," and gathered some bells to string together. When it was all finished, we put it around our candle. Such an easy, fun little project!

And just something the little one wanted to share with everyone today...she has shoes "just like mama!" Found at a thrift shop, these Hanna Andersson clogs were almost brand new and super cheap. Oh my! They're a bit big for her, but that didn't stop her from wearing them all over town. She is just too cute!

Oh, and have you seen Grace's amazing shop? She just opened it up. Go check out her lovely dolls!!

The Best Ever

It's our 1 year "housiversary".

We've lived in our quirky little home for a year to this date.

We've lived a life of gratitude and joy for a year to this date.

We've woken up each morning more thankful than the day before for a year to this date.

I woke up to a special breakfast of fresh fruit with crème fraîche and waffles this morning.

I went to work and had a bouquet of beautiful sunflowers delivered to me. (I totally blushed.)

I came home to find a big sign waiting for me in the kitchen that said "I love you forever and always."

I took the sweetest guy ever out to eat at our favorite restaurant where we enjoyed good food and company.

Now we're home, reflecting on our past year together. It was wonderful, it was amazing, it was full of love, joy, and laughter. And we are looking forward to another year. And another. I am a very, very lucky person. Not a day goes by that I don't thank the universe for everything I have.

Sasa...you're amazing. I couldn't have asked for more! You're the best ever. I love you.

Advent and Winter Books

Thanks for all the knitting love! I'm so very addicted already. I'm working on two more scarves. Oh my! And I wanted to let you all know that my "archives" link is fixed. Many people have pointed out that it wasn't working, but it's all set now. Thanks!

Advent, Advent, a candle burns.

I light the night, my candle burns.

First one, then two, then three, then four.

My heart is shining like a star.

Last night we celebrated our first night of Advent. We're keeping things simple here, because the little one is still, well...little! I don't want her to be too overwhelmed with it all and at this age it is still so hard to explain exactly why we're doing what we're doing.

Our Advent wreath is actually her birthday ring. Every week we will add something new to it.

"The first light of Advent is the light of the stones. Stones that live in crystals, seashsells, and bones."

So this week we added some favorite rocks we've found recently on our walks and some seashells from a trip to the beach this past summer. Next week will be some evergreen sprigs and red berries.

We're also baking something special when we light a new candle each week, to celebrate the coming of Solstice. This week Sasa and the little one baked bread sticks while I made a yummy pasta dish. We sang our candle lighting Advent song (above), read the poem about Advent by Steiner, and Sasa and I had a special gift (a winter book) for the little one to open. And, of course, there's the Advent calendar made by Sasa's sister which you can find here! What are your Advent traditions?

And speaking of winter books, here are a few of our favs ::

• Winter by Gerda Muller (a fav!! and it always goes on our nature table too)
• The Mitten by Jan Brett (I've been reading this to her since she was 6 weeks old! She calls my mother "Baba" because of this book)
• The Story of the Snow Children by Sibylle Von Olfers (she has Sasa and I read this to her almost every night, year round!)
• Annie and The Wild Animals by Jan Brett
• The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
• Over the River and Through the Woods by Lydia Maria Child
• Winter by Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann
• Stopping By Woods on A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

What are your favorites?!

My First Project

So, I took all your advice and started on a scarf. I've always wanted to knit, but every time I've started I always run into some problem and haven't had anyone close by to help. But now? Now I seem to be surrounded by knitters! Many thanks to Ann, Melissa, and Ananda for all their help!

I bought some super soft alpaca from a local yarn shop and started a scarf for the little one. It was done in no time at all and I've already moved on to the next one. I think that wool sweater vest for the little one isn't too far off now!

And the little one likes it enough to keep it on, which is saying a lot. She got hot halfway through our walk and promptly handed the scarf to Sasa who, I might add, looks very handsome in purple. (Oh, and the piggy hat was mine as a kid. It's way too big for her little head, but she just adores it and it draws quite a bit of attention...)

I hope you had a lovely day! I'm happy to announce there will be a super great giveaway in this space on Friday. Stay tuned!!

Little Bits

Here are some little bits of our day today. It was rainy, windy, stormy, and cold. We slept, played, read, braved the storm for some lattes, painted, ate, thrifted, knitted (oh my...how I'm hooked!), visited friends, went on a horse carriage ride, ate dinner at a super cool place, came home to snuggle in for the night, and now Sasa and I are now relaxing and drinking wine, while looking up ways to attract fairies to your home in a rather interesting book. (I actually asked if they honestly meant "real fairies" and Sasa replied with, "Well, yea...!") Um...cool!

I hope you had a good Saturday as well. I have my first Sunday off tomorrow in almost a year and am really looking forward to it!!

Oh, and I am so asbolutely way behind on e-mails. So sorry! So please, please, please know that I will indeed reply to them all soon. Sorry to keep some of you waiting!

Gratitude

Here's a little glimpse into our Thanksgiving. It was filled with yummy food (all gluten-free!), my favorite people, a nice walk, and the best pumpkin pie ever. (Sasa is the BEST!)

I hope your day was filled with as much goodness! Happy Thanksgiving!

A Late Afternoon Walk With Gnomes

We arrived late afternoon, hoping the rain would hold off for a while and the mist would stay. We were prepared with the Ergo and our canvas bag for all the goodies we would find.

We talked about the gnomes and elves that live in the woods. She knows some of the sleepy fairy gifts were made by the gnomes that live in the woods. We searched and searched and searched for gnome and elf homes.

We giggled, we ran, we collected pine cones and acorns, we listened for fairies and gnomes and elves.

We finally found a gnome home. They enter their home through a little door in the front. The little one said, "Shhhh! They're sleeping Mama!" So we were quiet and listened. We walked a few steps and found their workshop :: a small log turned on its side, complete with a door and some windows. We listened very carefully and heard the gnomes and elves working away. They were working hard on a toy that the sleepy fairies were bringing a lucky child tonight. We tiptoed away so we wouldn't disturb them.

We finally reached the water after over a mile. We were excited to throw rocks in the water. Mama found five heart shaped rocks while the little one threw rock after rock into the water with a big splash.

We threw Fly's ball. He retrieved it a couple of times, but then he decided to do no more. The ball was slowly floating out into the sea. The little one was quite upset, but I reminded her that the gnomes would probably get it when they came down tonight to take their baths. Thank goodness!

After the little one tried to wade out to get it, she agreed to let the gnomes get it at bath time. She thought the little gnome babies would have so much fun with it. And I told her I was sure they would leave it by the shore for next time.

So we went home, rosy cheeked from the fresh air, happily tired from our long walk, and anticipating our return to see if the gnomes did indeed find the ball and leave it for us. It was a lovely afternoon; full of imagination, nature, treasures, and giggles.

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!! I know I am thankful for so very much, including all of you!!

This and That and an Interview

I have nothing much to say here other than that we haven't really been home! We returned home from a concert in the big city last night (or should I say this morning?!) at 1 a.m. Then I was up for work to be there at 8 a.m. Now I'm home to work on photography stuff for another five or six hours. What a long day!

The above pictures were from last week on our baking day. We made fall inspired applesauce muffins, were thoroughly entertained by our silly cat who likes to bask in the sun, and spent so much time outdoors enjoying the unexpected warmth in late November.

And because I couldn't write a first of the week post without linking to something I am coveting...I have been drooling over large leather bags lately. I've never liked leather before, but oh...how I want one now! Something a bit like this or this.

And...Imene over at A Journey to a Simple Happy Life asked me to do an interview. It's up today! So wander over and maybe you'll learn something new about me! It was a lot of fun. Thanks Imene for the opportunity!

What have you all been up to?

The Lajoie Family

I had the pleasure of photographing this super cute, super sweet, super handsome family this afternoon. The mama is a long time blog reader, and turns out we were in the same hypnobirthing class together! It was so much fun reconnecting and I think there will be a play date in our future soon! So thank you Shannon and Chris for letting me capture some sweet moments of your family this afternoon. You all are lovely and I had such a fun time!!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Sasa and I are off to a concert in the big city tomorrow night, so my Bench Monday shot may be a little late. Until next time...

Friends Rock

Just some goodies that friends (and you lovely readers!) have sent my way. Thanks so very, very much. Mail makes me so very happy. And the little one too! She's received some sweet treats as well!

And look at what arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago. It arrived in the middle of one of the days the little one was away and I missed her so. This sweet little leaf ornament was sent by Lisa, of Lisa Leonard Designs. Elisabeth's name is engraved on it. She rocks. Her jewelry rocks. And her sweet little family rocks too! Thank you so very much Lisa. You really made my day!

I love my friends!

A Gratitude Tree

After all the suggestions to my post inquiring about seasonal crafts, I decided the "Gratitude Tree" was going to be at the top of our list. Just in time for Thanksgiving! The little one and I searched our backyard yesterday for the perfect branch, and today we cut out the leaves (I save all her watercolor paintings because they come in handy for so many things!!) to put on our tree.

We talked a little bit about Thanksgiving and how it's a good time to be thankful for all that we have. I asked her what people do on Thanksgiving and she said, "They have lots of snacks!" When asked what she was thankful for, she listed Kiwi and Doggie Fly at the top of her list, then went on to name every single person who worked at the local bookshop, and every single person who I work with at the co-op. Super cute!

We decided to draw pictures of what we are thankful for, which was much easier for the little one than words and so fun to look at! When it was all done, we put it on a little table by our front door to see every time we come in and out. The little one wanted to add a "name tag" for the tree, so we wrote "Gratitude Tree" on a piece of paper to place in front of the vase. Thank you all so much for this wonderful idea!! It was so much fun!

And just a little peek at a corner of our bedroom. This room is turning into the "bird room" and is so much fun to decorate! Tweet, tweet!

I hope you all enjoyed your Thursday too!

What We Do on a Wednesday

Just a little peek into our day today ::

Craft for the morning :: felting bars of soap and two little "worms"

A little water play after the felting and some window washing.

Then it was off on our nature walk. (We took three today!) Of course, her baby and bunny had to go in her sling and accompanied us all over town today.

Back home to hang laundry on the line. It was so nice today!

A little snack inside. The goat cheese was mixed with a little honey and cranberries, and the raspberries were an extra special treat!

We finished up the late afternoon with some backyard play. It was warm enough to uncover the sandbox and get all the toys out again. So lovely!

What does your Wednesday typically look like?!

A Dog, an Outfit, and Me (and some randomness)

I woke up this morning feeling funky. Do you ever have that feeling? I knew my outfit would reflect that...striped knee high socks just showing above the vintage cowboy boots, the comfiest leggings ever, a very old short-sleeved jersey dress I got for $4 somewhere, my favorite scarf from Mexicali Blues, a very tiny sweater I found at a thrift shop last year, and my favorite hat. Funky indeed! Doggie Fly wanted in on the portrait action, so he joined me. He's such a handsome dog!

I am addicted to Jem. Have you seen this video?? Amazing! Another of my favorites (such a sweet song). Love Sia's "Breathe Me" too. And one more...which is a song that always makes me want to dance...Bitter:Sweet's "The Mating Game." So how's that for some music recommendations?!

I just got done spending 30 minutes chopping up every root vegetable you could possibly imagine to roast for tonight's dinner. I think one of my all time favorite things to eat ever is roasted garlic by the clove. Oh my...delicious!

I would give anything for this skirt. Isn't it cute?!

I love these boots. They are going on my wish list.

This scarf is beautiful.

Love these festive plates.

This hat rocks.

I want one of these in my size.

My friend Mandi is knitting me some fingerless gloves and leg warmers. How awesome is that?!

I wish I could crochet myself a shawl. 

Thanks for all the tiny jean recommendations! I can't wait to find me a pair that actually fits and isn't filled with holes!

What are you all liking lately?! I hope your Tuesday was terrific!

Vintage Bench Monday

• Finally got my act together for a Bench Monday before it got dark
• Scored some super cool stuff thrifting the other day with a friend. The little one adores the wash board.
• Got my Danskos finally! Special thanks to a blog reader Nicolle!!
• Got this vintage sheet at the rummage sale. *love*
• Dinner tonight is carrot, apple, ginger soup and a salad.
• Sasa should be home any minute. Can't wait!
• this video and song is amazing...I think Norah's in love! (I'm not usually a fan of "rap" but I love this!)
• getting ready for Thanksgiving with the little one (anyone have any festive craft ideas??)
• looking forward to felting some bars of soap with the little one this week
• sleepy fairies are still doing an amazing job (yipee!)
• got an inhaler for a cough I've had for more than 6 weeks, waiting on pneumonia tests to come back (fingers crossed!)
• I used up my Pandora minutes for the month. I had no idea I played music that much!
• I'm really longing for jersey skirts and long wool sweaters with wool tights
• I really, really, really need jeans (see above photo!) Any petite readers out there with a good source for nice jeans??!

That's all I got this Monday! Hope yours was swell!