today

 

"Live in each season as it passes;

breathe in the air, drink the drink,

taste the fruit, and resign yourself

to the influence of the earth."

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

For as long as I can remember, I feel like I've spent the majority of each season wishing for the next one. Spring comes and I just can't wait for summer. Summer's here and I find myself dreaming of fall. September hits and snowflakes dance through my mind to the beat of my favorite Christmas carols.

Ever since Riggs was born, I've really begun to realize how fast time passes. How each day is done in the blink of an eye no matter how long the moments might be. I can't get those days back, and it makes me sad. It makes me never want to wish my days away again, which, of course, is easier said than done. 

This year I feel like I'm finally learning to enjoy my days as they come. Summer passed as quickly as ever, but I feel like I really got out and enjoyed it, enjoyed the warmth and the seemingly endless hours of light and the frantic energy. Now I notice the little changes that are happening each day as I walk around my yard and down my road. The leaves turn, one by one. The mornings are getting colder - I could see my breath this morning when I first went out to feed the chickens. And it's dark now when I get in bed to go to sleep. 

The way the clouds have been rolling through the sky lets me know that fall is settling in, and that winter is coming. The cranes are back for a quick stop before continuing further south, and this week there was snow on Pioneer Peak.

But today isn't summer, fall, or winter, it's something in between, and I'm relishing in it. 

no-candy Easter Baskets

basket fillers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

As you may have read in my Easter related post from last week, Easter is in March this year. I'm trying to be somewhat organized and have Riggs' Easter basket ready ahead of time. Ever been to the seasonal decor section of your local grocery store the Saturday before Easter? Pretty slim pickings, especially when you're looking for a toddler who can't eat all the egg-shaped-slash-perfect-choking-hazard-size candy that fills eighty percent of the shelves.

I've decided to be nice and share what I've found in my search for the perfect no-candy Easter Basket. I also wanted to share my two favorite basket options offered by Pottery Barn Kids this year.  I love the idea of having a monogramed basket liner for Riggs, so cute!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

dressing your toddler for Easter

Easter is in March this year, March 31st to be exact, and if you have a toddler that means it's time to start shopping! I have to admit, Easter is one (of many) times during the year that I wish Riggs had a sister. There are so many beautiful Easter dresses everywhere I go, I can't get away from them!  

Luckily boys dress clothes are pretty dang cute too and I'm excited to dress Riggs for Easter this year as a toddler instead of a flopsy baby (so not easy to dress in little man clothes when your baby has a triple chin ha).  I've been online shopping a lot lately, checking out all of the new spring items for toddlers and I decided to put together a few outfits for both little ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy!

ladies first | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

and now the boys
1 | 2 & tie | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

 I'm working on two more Easter related posts so be sure to check back in!  Happy Thursday!

lazy days

We've been enjoying some lazy days since we got back from Homer on Tuesday.  It snowed here at our house too while we were gone, and we've spent quite a bit of time outside with Tutka - who missed us so much!  We missed him too, and we missed our home.  No matter how much fun I have on a trip, getting home is always my favorite part for some reason...there's just nothing like being in your own space and back in your old routines.  I think it's good that Steve and I found each other, because we are both such homebodies!

We've become even more home-centered since we moved into our very first home and since we've had Riggs.  One of our favorite things about being home is the outdoor space and privacy that we have - we just love it more and more as we settle in.  We don't have to drive anywhere to throw the ball for Tutka, or to go on a walk with Riggs.  Each season we've discovered little things about this place that just make us love it even more, and I feel so blessed that we found such a perfect little home for us.

If you can't tell from the pictures, I was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt that I've had since 1998 - I wore them all day and thoroughly enjoyed it too.  I love fashionable clothes and getting dressed up, but when I'm home jeans and tights and blouses just seem so uncomfortable.  My uniform for a typical day at home is usually yoga pants or leggings and soft cotton tops, but there's nothing like the comfort of your favorite sweatshirt (the fact that it's been your favorite sweatshirt for over 10 years is just a bonus). 

Summer Sun

My child loves being outside in the sun. It is our favorite thing about the new house, I think, to sit out on the front porch in the sun and watch the dogs play in the yard.

The problem is, he takes after me and is very pale and on top of it had sensitive skin like his father. And I just don't trust sunscreen to fully protect his skin. Luckily, I had a genius idea. Hello, umbrella! Not only did it protect his skin and eyes, it was very fun for him to grab.

We still don't have Internet set up at our house and won't until next week, but to be honest it's been a nice break as well as a good reminder that there are other things to do. I wish I could say that I have been taking a break from ALL screens, but no, I still cannot tear myself away from my phone. Its been even worse since I discovered Draw With Me (yes, I realize that I am behind and that this game has been popular for a while). I don't know why but I just love to watch the other person guess what I drew. I have included one of my "lovely" drawings below for you to laugh at. :)

My other new pastime is watching the yard like a hawk for for any sign of birds coming to my new bird feeder. No luck yet but I will keep you posted. I have seen a few Robins hopping around the yard and I hear a variety of birds chirping all the time, so I'm hoping to have some customers pretty soon. I need to go though the pile of book boxes to find my bird guide.

It has been hard not to be able to unpack and get every room set up an all out things put away. Steve just started working longer hours at wok and does not have the energy to do much of anything when he gets home. But Saturday he is planning on putting in the new carpet in our bedroom and then I will at least be able to set that room up and get our stuff out of the living room. I can't wait to post some pictures from my laptop and my better camera, but it is nice to have the iPhone which will do nearly anything in the meantime.

My Miraculous Morning

I woke up grumpy today, I'm not sure why.  I was just mad, right from the start.  Tutka usually makes me laugh with his antics; not today.  Today I wanted to make him magically disappear.  I put together a playlist this morning.  It was so perfect for how I was feeling:

It helped to cheer me up a little.  In fact I'm still listening to it - so many good songs!  Riggs also helped to make me feel better.  I honestly do not think there is anything better in the world than the feeling of your baby softly stroking your chest with their warm, chubby little hands as they nurse.  Or to look over and see the sweetest little baby bottom covered in organic cotton and wool.

We went on a walk because I couldn't stand to be in the house any longer.  I started to relax a little the moment I felt the sun shining down on me, but I was still pretty crabby.  I felt like I just needed to go on a walk by myself, walking as far and as slow as I wanted to, with my headphones in to keep people from talking to me.  I didn't want to be walking a puppy that needed a lot of attention and that got the attention of every. single. person. that. walked. by.  I thought I just needed to be alone, on my own, in my own world, in the outdoors.

I got about half a mile before I realized I was getting more and more mad about having to "deal" with walking Tutka the right way, so I turned around.  I was so frustrated!

On the way by, I had noticed a group of about 6 women with about 8 dogs running all around.  They were on this boardwalk over a creek that was sort of isolated and set apart form the rest of the trail.  They looked like they were having a great time talking while their dogs played together...I was jealous, but was feeling very antisocial and was worried about what they'd think about me butting into their happy little group.

They were still there when I was walking back by, and I was still jealous.  I just didn't know how they would react to me coming over with Tutka.  I thought about calling across to ask them, but then I noticed they weren't speaking english.  I tried to keep walking, but something inside just made me turn and walk down the boardwalk towards them.

Their dogs noticed me first, and a few of them ran up to inspect Tutka.  He was on his short leash, so I took him off of it to let him play.  Then I kept walking slowly towards the ladies until they finally noticed the puppy playing with their dogs, and then me, walking around very awkwardly close by them.  Despite my awkwardness, they were so friendly!  They called out to me, asking me about the Tutka and about Riggs, and I felt instant relief that I had decided to walk over to them.

I ended up spending an hour there, talking with them while Riggs slept and Tutka played and played.  It was such a good way to spend my morning.  They were the sweetest women ever and they all spoke dutch and got together often to walk their dogs and just hang out together.  I was sad when they all had to get on with their day, I think I could have spent all day there talking with them and watching Tutka play with their big dogs.  Thanks to them, I left the park feeling like a different person.

It was such a lovely way to start the second-half of my day and I smiled the entire way home.  I'll leave you with a photo of some beautiful blooms I saw on the way home, and warm wishes that your day will be improved at least a little by their beauty:

restorative walking {S.W.D.}

Outside my window...

It was another beautiful spring day today.  Right now the sun is sinking below the horizon and the sky is a mix of pale yellow, nearly white, and powder blue...so beautiful.  It is very quiet outside, there is a stillness that I can almost feel.

I am thinking...

I really should hurry up with this blog post up and go to bed, even Steve is there before me (that never happens anymore).  But it's just so hard to tear myself away from my evening internet time!

I am thankful...

I have the best little family ever!  We were on one of our evening walks this week and I just saw us all together and thought, "Wow, what an amazing little group we are!"  I am so thankful to Steve for working so hard to provide for Riggs, me and the dogs.  I love every minute of staying home with Riggs and know that not everyone has that opportunity.  My husband is such a provider, I love it!

I am creating...

There has been a lot of sewing going on in the house lately.  I am just obsessed with quilts, as you can see on my crafting board, here.  I just finished piecing the top of a baby quilt and am working on writing out the cutting instructions for my sampler quilt (te-di-ous).  I also have a pinwheel quilt I could cut out - who knows what I'll decide to do next?  I don't, that's for sure.

I am hoping...

I would love, love, love it if the sellers would agree to close early.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up about it - but wouldn't it just be lovely?

Around the house...

There are about three sewing projects strewn about on the desk.  There are boxes (both empty and packed) all around the house.  There are puppy toys in a pile on the entryway rug (Tutka's favorite place to lay and collect his toys).  There are dishes that need to be washed - lots of them.  Our bookcases are empty.  The laundry is (at least for today) done and the baskets are empty.  I am cuddled up on the couch in Steve's sleeping bag, content and happy to be blogging away instead of doing something more productive.

One of my favorite things...

Sadly, I think one of my very favorite things is spending quality time with my laptop.  My husband spoiled me after Riggs was born and bought me my dream laptop - a 13.3 inch Macbook Air.   It is so amazing and works perfectly for everything I use it for.  I love it!  

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Tomorrow I have physical therapy.  Sunday my Aunt Connie gets here - so exciting!  I cannot wait for some quality time with her...also I can't wait to see her with Riggs.  I know they will just love each other!  It is just great to see her again so soon after the last time (at Christmas and she got to be here when Riggs was born - so special).  Other than that we don't really have many plans for the weekend.

A {few} peek(s) into my day & I am learning...

Today I took a walk, a long walk.  I walked for an hour and a half with Riggs in the stroller and Tutka on the short leash.  It was an important training time for Tutka - he was learning how to heel right behind me with slack in the leash and how to sit each time I stopped.  I also had him sit each time someone passed by, to try and control his excitement at wanting to see them.

He is going to be a big dog, and I would much rather he wait to be approached than have him running up to people like a crazy dog.  He did very well, and I know I need to do this everyday to work with him.

What I didn't realize is how much I needed this today (and everyday).  I walked along until my nerve pain and resulting muscle tightness went away completely, and it's funny, in that same hour and a half, all of my stress and tension had melted away too.

I sat on a bench by the lagoon at the end of the walk, and just felt so energized and refreshed and at peace.  It was truly the best hour and a half I have spent in a very long time.

I think there might be a message from my heavenly Father in this sciatic pain.  How interesting to have an injury that hurts worse the longer I sit on the couch and feels best (nearly normal) after I've spent some quality time on my feet, walking leisurely along at my own pace.

I am usually a fast walker, I like to get where I'm going, but not right now (over extending the nerve is incredibly painful and makes everything much worse).   God is forcing me to get outside and take the time to appreciate his beautiful creation that is all around me, bursting into life.   What a blessing walking is, both for my body and soul.

my happy little walking buddy

love this - such a Steve face

Right now, I am...

Right now, I am...

...remembering our quick trip to Homer this weekend.  It was so great to visit with family and friends there and to get out of the "big city" for a little while.

....in awe of how beautiful this earth can be.  We spent nearly all our time on Saturday at Bishop's Beach and could not get over what a beautiful day it was.  The sun, the waves, the wind - being out in nature renewed my soul.

...laughing remembering how silly Steve and Tutka were, running around and playing on the beach together for hours.

...a little sad that we didn't get to see Rick and Dorle - they were across the bay getting ready for their first guests of the season.

...happy to have seen my brother-in-law Ben out kite-boarding when we were there.  I think kiting is an interesting sport - to go kiting you have to have high winds, which is weather that most people avoid going out in.  Whereas most people would be a little disappointed when it's sunny and windy, kiters get excited by the news.

...amazed by how fast the snow is melting, and at the same time amazed by how much snow there still is.

...excited for blooming flowers.

...grateful for a big and loving family.  I took Riggs down to my grandparent's house today and they were thrilled to see him.  My grandma got out her oldest sons baby book to compare Riggs' size to his.  It was such a special moment to me to share her memories from when she was at the same stage in life I am now.

he was pretty comfortable with his great-grandpa

My Uncle Larry's baby book - he was the exact same length that Riggs is now at three months, but he
weighed four less pounds than Riggs...my little guy is a chub!

the little tag they stuck to his back to identify him - no electronic bracelets then!

Uncle Larry at three months, in 1947

...happy that it is another warm, sunny day and excited to go on another family walk this evening when Steve gets home from work.