This quilt, from my grandma's. I'm not exactly sure about the story behind it. There might not be a story. It's probably just another functional quilt made of scraps kind of creation, but I'm pretty sure my great grandmother, Leontine, quilted it. She made lots of wild quilts in her days. The weight of this one is so great - heavy, substantial. I'm really picky about the weight of my covers on the bed and this quilt seals the deal in that department. Perfection. I love it. It is sewn entirely by hand and is in perfect condition. Can you say treasure?
This girl. I admit, we have days that are not always so nice. Not in the least. She and I. Together, I know we must sometimes look like two elderly sisters living together and having quite a time getting along. But I like to think that mostly, we really enjoy each other's presence. She is so big and smart and full of important questions and things she wants to know more about - like calendars and fossils. She's getting into these phases where she can play and plan and create for hours. And then she'll go outside and play and play with her little friend next door. Unbelieveable. And then, she'll ask for me to hold her at which point she wraps her legs tightly around my waist and while her arms squeeze me, her nose nuzzles my neck. I love nearly four. Busy, purposeful and still my precious little girl. She's another treasure. The biggest one yet.
We have eight hens and we gathered 8 eggs today. I'm a happy chicken farmer. Our hens are such good, pretty girls. I can't believe half the flock is over two years old already. Beatrix was just a tiny tot when we got them as baby chicks. Time flies.
I made a terrarium today. For the last couple of weeks, I've been collecting supplies: moss, lichen, succulents, rocks, etc. I put it together today and it looks lovely on our kitchen table. I'm ready to make another one!
Also, I think Lori already has quite a following, but just in case you haven't discovered her blog yet, please check it out. What I'm enjoying most is her series on Project Based Homeschooling for grownups. Yes, because we too, frequently need to have faith in ourselves, just as we have to have faith in our children, that we can grow, that we can self-direct, that we can still be curious, engaged learners -- even when we are in the trenches of parenthood. Our children need role models of people doing real, meaningful...stuff.
In her posts, she says stuff like this.
"Just like exercise builds muscle by tearing muscle, you can grow by stressing yourself out a little. You’ve already seen everything that exists inside your comfort zone. I’m not saying you have to leap right to public speaking or kidney donation, but maybe go to a social event you would normally invent an excuse to avoid. Maybe when someone asks for volunteers, raise your hand. When your neighbor asks if you want to go along to her book club, say yes. When you see a flyer at the library for an interesting class or seminar you would normally consider and dismiss, actually sign up. Get a babysitter and go."
Which takes me back to my post from last week. It was a funny little post which was basically just me having a conversation with myself. I really, really appreciate every single kind remark in response to my words. Thank you. It feels good to hear good things about yourself. Wow! But I didn't intend to come across as sounding pityful or needing a pat on the back. (Well, let's be real, shall we? Who doesn't need a pat on the back every now and then.) That felt good, like an unexpected massage, or an evening out with the girls. At least, when I wrote it, I wasn't searching for approval or reassurance... The truth of the matter is simple. I have good days and less than days. Somedays, the dishes feel so monotonous, the whining unbearable, the day so long, the inspiration for dinner seriously lacking. And most other days, the sun shines in the kitchen, I hear a mockingbird singing on the fence, Beatrix is doing something or another crazy awesome, and I feel so blessed about it all. This IS what I signed up for kind of moments. Still I know I need to take Lori's advice and engage more in things that I don't feel 100% comfortable doing. Just to keep stretching. Just to keep in shape. Just to keep growing.
