a close "knit" family

I have always been a very sensitive person. From the time I was a child, any situation that was even slightly heartwarming would cause me to instantly well up. A dad taking his child out on a date, a very close family, or a kind gesture made by a perfect stranger would send my emotions into overdrive. I suppose the reason I have this kind of reaction is that I have always believed in the beauty within people.

Well, this particular print was a 2 tissue moment for me {with a lot of laughing in between}. I will forever remember the look on John's face when he saw me lose it with this one. He has seen much of my welling in his day..... but to sob over a picture of two people knitting. Good grief!

What it represents to me is a closeness that I want to have with my children. A desire to not just live my life around them but to share my life with them.

When Samantha and I were able to sit down today and knit together for the first time, it was truly exhilarating. After being apart most of the day, it was the perfect moment to catch up on the days events and to reveal our knitting progress row by row -Samantha 4 rows- Mama 4 rows, then pulled out 2- oops!

I'm hoping she will meet me here again tomorrow....

~Sweet dreams my friends~

-life resumes-

Yesterday was Samantha's first day back at school after two weeks of non-stop family time. When she was home and settled after a busy 1st grade day, Jasper couldn't help but sneak her a nuzzle and a kiss. It's hard to be away from friends...

squirrel-ly behavior

I truly enjoy starting off the week having had a restful and productive weekend. This weekend proved to be both of those. Not only did we all sleep in both days, we accomplished a lion of a task that had been on my mind for weeks. I love simplicity and in my realm, everything has it's place. When things begin to pile up around me, it is time to purge the house. That is just what we did...

Samantha and Jasper, however, don't share my need for tidiness. They are in fact rather squirrelish in nature; always looking for that treasure and then hiding it away. Dresser drawers will be stuffed full of fabric pieces, chestnuts, fairy kisses and beeswax figures. Closets will house random puzzle pieces and fiddlestick creations. Don't get me wrong, I love to see them collect and create but there comes a time when some of those things need to find a new home.

It just so happens that Jasper is the squirrel in his nursery class (each child was assigned an animal in September). I don't know if this was purely coincidence or rather his squirrel like behaviors landed him the role. In either case, Jasper plays his part with great dedication and pride. Most of what I make for him these days will have a squirrel somewhere on it. I made these pants last night and I knew that his love for them would increase ten fold with a little added squirrel-ly fun.

As with his lunch basket; an embroidered squirrel made our thrifted find much more inviting and personal. Jasper was so excited to take this to school on the first day.

We even have become avid squirrel watchers in the past few months. This is a sign that had us all hysterically laughing. Some days we go out of our way just to drive by it.

It seems that no matter where we are or what we are doing, something squirrel related creeps up on us. This squirrel was handmade by local artist Stephanie Barnes. It was love at first sight!! We named him Silverton, perched him on a shelf and found him a light snack of acorns.

So, yes we have a squirrel fetish going on right now that I'm sure will last right up to the day that Jasper enters kindergarten. Until then, I am embracing this phase with much love and patience and look forward to those purging moments!!

~the trees are calling~

For those of you that visit this blog for crafting ideas and inspiration, I do assure you that I will get back to sewing soon. I have to admit that I have found something so profoundly wonderful that has replaced all of my creative time at the moment. It is this glorious activity called "sleep". I suppose the holidays just plum wore me out. I put the children to bed at night and then myself...

Because of all of my restful evenings, I have found that I have a spring in my step and a clear head for some pretty creative problem solving. But most importantly, I have the energy to keep up with all of the little ones in my care and the ability to keep our days fun and full of play.

On this day, we decided to bear the cold and take our sticks for a walk to the park. Mr. Freckles tagged along for some fun. Our short trek was delightful and sunny but the park is where all the magic occurred. As soon as we arrived, the children began climbing on the trees, creating fairy homes around the tree bases, and setting up house inside a hollow trunk. An evergreen branch became a broom for sweeping up after a delicious dinner. A mossy tree trunk was the bus stop and a crooked tree branch as the perfect cane for the old troll that came to visit.

What was most remarkable about this whole experience was the fact that the children never once set foot on the play equipment. It was as if the trees were calling to them as they ran from trunk to trunk looking for potential in each crack and crevice.

Jasper was kind enough to be the "stick sitter" when the girls were busy with their work. He lovingly held the sticks close to keep them warm; a perfect mother goose! It is days like this that make me truly appreciate Waldorf Education and the many gifts it has given us...

happy day...

There has been some amazing play around this house in the past week and a half. With winter break in full swing, Samantha and Jasper have completely reconnected and are inseparable.

Early this morning, I was greeted by two children in bathing suits on their way to the coast. Jasper was a lifeguard looking for his lifeguard stand while Samantha was a diver in search of beautiful ocean treasures. Around 10am, as I poured my second cup of tea, two moles slowly creeped around my legs and invited me to view their dark cozy den. By noon, a lovely princess appeared with her handsome prince with a royal plan to make paper crowns for all the babies in the kingdom.

By 2pm, I finally reeled them in to the art room with a "whatcha doing, Mommy?". In a desperate attempt to begin our thank you cards, I brought out the huge guillotine paper cutter (which is sharp and dangerous and oh, so interesting...) and I began to cut. Samantha and Jasper were thrilled to draw on such small pieces of paper. Their drawings just so happened to fit perfectly on the cardstock that I cut and the cardstock just so happened to fit (when folded) inside the envelopes that we had. How wonderful it is when all of our work is done and through it all, the play never ceases!! Happy day...

counting down

When I think of all that has happened this year it overwhelms me. The year has proven to be one of the most difficult years of my life. Yet through all of the craziness, somehow, I have my feet planted firmly on the ground.

When I think back through the year, I am truly grateful for my family and friends and all of the joyous moments we have shared. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to jump full throttle into my love of creating and crafting and to meet others that share my same passion. I am in awe of our teachers and the warmth of our school. I am forever inspired by the beautiful landscape and energetic city around me. And with all of this, I move forward into 2008 with a full heart and an excitement for what the coming year will bring.

Blessings to you and yours in the new year!!

a search for the light

This past Wednesday at approximately 2:14 pm, we caught a glimpse of sun sneak it's way into the house. For a split second, I basked in it's warmth and then ran off to find the camera. It is these moments, in a season of darkness, that keep me whole and lively. I have found living in Oregon that the weather can really predict the way I feel on a given day. A rainy, dreary day can make me feel quiet and sleepy while a sunny or even a "bright white" snowy day can have me full of energy and bubbling over. I suppose again this is a reminder of how connected we are to the Earth and everything around us.

Because these light filled days have been few and far between, we "the Hammerwig's" are embarking on an adventure in search of the sun. In January, we will be traveling to Arizona for a complete vitamin D refill and plenty of relaxation and fun. I am finding that in order for me to be a truly balanced individual, I need to listen to my heart, mind and body and right now, I simply need more light.

Dear friends, may you have many moments to bask in the sun in the coming months and may your hearts remain warm as the darkness approaches.