Live Free

Simplicity in the Home

I've had the great pleasure of spending my last three Saturdays participating in a parent course, The First Four Years, held at the Austin Waldorf School. I enjoyed it immensely.  The presenter had a gentle, yet wise demeanor and I left each class refreshed and inspired to continue to improve upon this journey of parenting...

Since I'm an AMI Montessori guide, you may be wondering why Waldorf? Well, the more the years go by, the more time I spend with children, and the more I seek out what brings true peace and fulfillment to my own life, the more I wonder about the  necessity of an all-out Montessori environment. I mean really, if education for peace is really our goal, can that come about without baric tablets, or the addition snake game? My minimallist mindset is easily overwhelmed by the mounds of stuff that surrounds us (both figuratively and literally) all day,every day. Do we really need it? Can we use what we already have? What do children truly need to thrive? What does the human spirit need to develop compassion, curiosity, self confidence, joy? My intuition and my growing experience with children tell me not a whole lot...

I know Bea's needs will evolve has she grows, but right now, when I observe her at her most engaged, most peaceful moments, she is outdoors and/or with her mama who is present, calm, and content with her task at hand. She thrives when I thrive. It's astounding how easily she can mirror my mindset and quickly demonstrate back to me what I really look like. 

In our family, with this child, I've found that when I'm engaged in the practical life work, so is she. If my hands and body are idle, so is her mind. As a result, our days are full gardening, cleaning, sewing, and cooking. These tasks take longer with her around, but not doing them with her leaves us with a void of where to go from here? In her mind, what else is there to do? 

As such is the state of our home life, I've found myself done (for now) thinking about what sorts of toys or activities I should be purchasing for her. She doesn't play with toys. The most useful items to her are my most useful objects. The same objects that when mentioned to grandmothers and great grandmothers, have them nodding knowingly. Some of Bea's most prized household possessions of the moment include her little galvanized steel bucket, a sponge, a kitchen cloth, her child-size broom, her brush and dustpan, wooden spoons, measuring cups, her stroller, her dolly, a grocery bag, the sandbox, the galvanized steel foot tub, music, her basket of books, and (if she can get her hands on it) mama's sewing notions. 

Another Ice Cream Dress

I finished Bea's second ice cream dress a few days ago. I have to say, I got a bit giddy seeing her wear it this morning.  It came out much nicer than the first one.  I don't think I did anything radically different while making it, but the points seemed to line up much better and it just looks a little less "homemade" (which in my case, is a good thing) :)  A tad bit of refinement goes a long way... 

 

  
Let's face it, there's tons of adorable clothes out there for reasonable prices and heck I'm not opposed to my girl having one or two must have bought dresses for the season. I may never have another little girl to buy or make dresses for. I play down the guilt in this area pretty heavily. Still, I love seeing her run about exploring her world in little old fashion dresses that her mama made for her. Being able to make her something with my own two hands feels so much more right than purchasing a new dress. I hope to keep this habit up for as long as she will endure me. 

The whole process of tracing, cutting, piecing, and sewing forces me to slow down, to be present in my real world, and to be fully engrossed in the task at hand.  I'm learning to take my time. I'm learning not to have crazy expectations to finish a dress in one nap time session. I take my time and do a little bit each day. At the end of the day, when the dress is completed, and I reflect upon the blur of mundane and routine chores, it sure is nice to top off the list of accomplishments with a sweet, old fashion dress on a hanger just waiting to be worn by Bea.  I love tending the home! 

this moment

One moment. A single photo. No words. Inspired by Amanda. 

 

 

Bamboletta Love

Well, what do you know? Christina, the inspiring visionary/creator of Bamboletta is getting a new studio for all of her lovely Bambo making.  She needed help decorating the new space. We (I) entered the photo contest and the photo I submitted was chosen as one of the twenty four photos that will be used to decorate her new studio. I'm so happy that the little Bea and her Hazel will be offering inspiration and happy thoughts to the Bambo creators. 

I have the utmost respect for this small company. Ever since I read Christina's website about how she goes about choosing the materials of her dolls, I was blown away. I knew this dollmaker was extra special. The craftsmanship, love, and care that goes into the creation of each doll is phenomenal. The details of their features and the combination of yarns used to make their hair... The fabric choices and patterns used to make the clothes for each doll is beyond adorable. Really, I have no words to truly convey my love and respect for her work. 

I can say this: I was never into dolls until Bamboletta. 

As Bea continues her journey into toddlerhood and beyond, it is so delightful to watch her care for her doll. She hugs and pats Hazel just as I hug and pat her. She gives her kisses on the lips, just as she kisses me. She compares Hazel's bellybutton to hers and then to mine. She takes Hazel's shoes off the second I put them on her because "soos" are her favorite piece of clothing of all. I can't wait to see what becomes of this already loving relationship between a girl and her doll in years to come.  

Weekending

August is my February. When northerners are itching for warmer weather, giddy with anticipation to see life spring forth, after so many months of being cooped up... Yeah, well that's me, right now. I can't wait for Fall.   

Until then, I have to say, we're finding plenty to keep us busy.  

In between sewing and brewing, reorganizing, and many episodes of Mad Men (oh my, it's been a long time since I've loved the television...the Drapers' wardrobe...can't get enough), the little one has been providing us hours of entertainment just being her curious, musical, silly self!  

Hope you enjoy these random photos of our random moments of this August weekend.  

 Let's jump on mama over and over while she plays around with the camera.

   Thrifty find! We haven't had a bedroom clock in a couple of years...

  Watching bread dough rise. 

 The sewing table...

{helping me} With close guidance, she found great joy in this work.  

 My sewing nook! I finally got around to making curtains for the window from a thrifted bedsheet I bought for a buck! I love almost everything about this corner of my home.

Yay!! I love this spot in my home. The light flowing through the yellow of the curtains creates the warmest glow! 

  

 
  

  

My Latest Habit

 

Since Bea's born, my latest habit has been of the teary-eyed sort.  Yes, I can't seem to shake the sadness as one season ends and a new one begins.  I've always been sensitive to the change of seasons, noticing subtle changes in light and shadow. But since Bea, it's been a bit much in that regard. I think back to the essence of our days of the departing season. I think of the light, the landscape, the routine and rituals, the clothing. And I realize that this time and place will never be again. That life moves on to bigger and better territory, I hope. And that's good. I'm deeply grateful to bear witness to time ticking on. Yet sometimes the leap into the unknown doesn't feel as good as right now.  

Today was my first day setting up The Natural Child for the fall. Of course, it was Bea's first day as well. My little helper. Last year at this time, she couldn't sit up.  Today she left her trail, like little fingerprints on a glass door. She was everywhere and in between. She made unpacking "interesting". And in hindsight, I realize that she was just so very excited to be back there.  So excited she didn't nap. And (thankfully) she's normally not a nap skipper.  It's almost her first home.  Throughout the day, as I unpacked box after box, I was flooded with memories of last year.  Random objects, seemingly insignificant things evoked a nostalgia so sincere. I remember at one point, I looked up and noticed a hook. A hook that I asked Byron to install to hang her hammock.  When she was an infant, she slept so soundly in her hammock.  I thought it might be a good idea to keep that option available while at The Natural Child. Sure enough, at about the time school got started up, she out grew the hammock and her preferred sleep position became her tummy.  

This summer has been glorious. Like Byron put it, having Bea, made summer more real than it's felt in a long time. She brought out a little piece of childhood in both of us.  An insistent slow down. From following the shade around our yard, to enjoying family dinner time well before dark, to smelling -- for the very first time --  the scent of kiddie sweat on my little girl.  It will be a summer I hope to never forget. And if I do, thank goodness for the camera. Gosh, I need another hard drive at the rate that I take photos. 

A Little Felting

What's two girls to do on a steamy, summer afternoon to keep from wilting while outside? Why, we can felt. I'm needing to prepare lots of little felted beads in the upcoming weeks to use as a necklace making activity for the fall at school. I always appreciate a little good company when I'm working.  Good thing, Bea volunteered her assistance. Together, we accomplished a lot!  

Really, Byron and I had a nice moment under the shade of the oak tree, chatting away while Bea popped in and out of the project between her stints of taunting our neighborhood kitties. Good times. 

 

   "Mama, what will you say if I dunk my head in here?'"

This sopping, wet, wool feels luxurious.

Soap, water, and wool = loads of sensory discovery. 

 "Mama, you wanna felt this basket next?"

     
 

this moment

a single photo. no words. this week. inspired by amanda. 

 

Sew Baby Sundress

 

 

 
I made this little dress for Bea a couple of days ago.  It's for the fall. No, she's not going to model it anytime soon. Yes, in the 100+ degrees weather a girl can still fantasize about the coming season ahead even though the possibility of crispness and coolness seems like a foolish thought. TWO MORE MONTHS.  I used the Sew Baby Sundress Pattern that Amanda made for her little girl a couple of months back. 

On the hanger, the dress looks a bit boring. Or maybe it's the buttons that clash. Not sure. The outer fabric is navy corduroy and the lining is linen. The fabric for the pocket is from a vintage flour sack scrap. I love that this dress is reversible. I think the whole thing will look more complete once the the little one is actually bouncing around in it with these shoes.  Oh my, I had just about given up on finding a "good pair of little girl shoes".  

The dress is a breeze to sew.  There is literally one pattern piece. Since it's reversible, the double fabrics give it a nice drape. Now all we need is a breeze from the north....