village of peg people

This is what I worked on one afternoon when I saw a video game that had backgrounds made out of cardboard and crayon and fabric. Eden loves to run around the house with these English houses tucked in the nook of her arm. It does add to playing with peg people and imagining them living in these little cottages. It's really simple but really fun.

day at the park

I didnt know

This morning one of the first things I did was change Eden's wet disposable diaper, and hastily fold it up and threw it on the floor. As I prepared breakfast and finished cleaning Eden up from hers, I saw her run from the kitchen and disappear from sight. My back was turned and all of a sudden I heard the squeak of the kitchen cabinet door open, a swoosh of somthing landing in the trash can, the the sound of the cabinet being closed and a pitter patter of running feet. I turned around but no one was there.
I ran to our room to find my husband getting ready for work. When questioned he let out an amused grin, "Yeah, you didn't know she could do that? I taught her how the other night."
Geesh, I was so pleasantly surprised and impressed I literally felt like dancing around the room.

almost done...

"It's not the great things you do in life, it's the little things you do with great love." -mother teresa
Here is Edens room as of this past week. I did some switching here and there and made some new things to hang up. The only thing thats missing are curtains and another coat of paint. I'd love to make curtains but I may resort to whatever is on sale. I moved her bookshelf in her room since a disgruntled father was worried she would get into his important documents in his office. So, now her room is scattered frequently with books on the floor. I've been trying to train her to put them away after she's done using them. Without success. Is it worth getting to teach my daughter? You bet. Is it worth the extra time she pulls out more books and plops in my lap for me to read to her? Oh my goodness. Is it worth her looking up at me through sucking her fingers with a smile? Melting. I love being a mommy!

favorite pho soup

Somthing about this fall weather has gotten me on a soup kick lately. Pumpkin curries, and asian soups are at the top of my list. Simply, its vietnamese chicken noodle soup. Sear a whole onion, and 2 inch ginger piece. Put them in chicken stock/water and boil/simmer you're whole chicken til its cooked. (preferably with bones and let it be on low for several hrs for best broth) Salt and pepper to taste. Then add chinese five spice. (2 Tb. or more to taste) Next add your fresh toppings (to an individual bowl), clear flat wide noodles, fresh thai basil, (or any basil)fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, peppers, or cucumber and lime. I prefer thai basil and sprouts with the noodles. Talking about it makes my mouth water its so incredible!

bread

The other day I was craving homemade baked bread. I was also craving the smell of homemade baked bread. Growing up my mom and I had an old wooden table as an island in our kitchen that we would bake bread on. It was our ritual. The smell always reminds me of those good days. It's now time to begin the tradition with my own daughter. Coincidentally, she loved it. I measured everything out beforehand so all I had to do was help her pour the ingredients in and stir. Stirring wasn't that successful because in her excitement of me handing her the wooden spoon, she threw the flour straight up in the ceiling. She couldn't contain herself! I dont blame her. It didn't take long for her to catch on....she watched in amazement as I punched it and kneaded it and slammed it over and over again on the counter. A slow smile crept over her face and she let go and did the same. I had hesitations about letting my year and a half year old help me bake, but it was such a great experience. Heck, so good we baked sugar cookies together the following week.

I move His heart

Flowers are dear to my heart. Somehow it got passed down to Eden, for even she will daily walk to my pot of flowers, touch them, pick one and drink it in deeply exclaiming, "Mmm!" at the same time. I dont know how she knows. Maybe she's seen me do this ritual before? Anyhow, we love flowers. This summer was blistering hot and sadly, I didnt make it out as faithfully as I dreamed I would. The flowers were neglected and they died. (spring flowers are expected to)I cant tell you how sad it was! There they were, pitiful and brown just begging to be uprooted. I didnt have the heart to uproot them. Now, its October and begining last month they started waking up and comming to life again. The fall rains and crisp cool air have jumpstarted them and they look pretty nice! Eden and I are back to our admiring again.
It got me thinking about Matthew 12:20, "a bruised reed He will not break and a dying flame He will not quench..." Jesus loves mercy! Lately, I've felt like my heart has been in a drought season. Dead. Brown. No rivers of water to refresh and seemingly no fruit or beautiful blooms comming from my life. But wait, maybe just a season? Its a new season! The rains are here, and I actually feel refreshed. The bible is interesting again. The simple Truths are rocking my world. The man Jesus is a real man to me again, speaking to me. Changing me. He's alive and He won't uproot us. He wants us to be flourishing more than we do. He's our biggest fan, our heavenly champion. He won't give up. He'll pursue and chase us down. He'll ambush us over and over till we are so confident in His love we want to explode with JOY. If you feel like nobody understands you, there is a God-Man who is breathing right now, in heaven with a human ressurected body whose lungs are rising and falling just like yours are; this very moment, who is deeply committed to you. He knows you completely. You move His heart. The creator who spoke the world into existence is moved by you. He has great joy in loving you. (its not an obligation)

sunny october

Don't you love this weather? Every day feels like heaven. I feel like the Lord is kissing my heart everytime I step outside or open the windows to air out the house.
New old quilt. I love the bright colors, the wedding band design, and how soft it is to wrap up in. I thought I'd air out our laundry, some diaper liners and such, becuase lets face it, if you know it's been in the sunshine, it automatically smells better in my book.

simplify

I cleaned out our toy chest today. Now it's so orderly and only full of things we actually use. I do believe the less things that you have makes you take care of them. I want to teach Eden that to live simply is worth it. Order in the home and having a place for everything is my goal. I haven't reached it yet.
Today I took her to Blanc burger, my fave place for gourmet afordable food. We had a little lunch date, it was so fun. I was nervous at first because it took 30 min. for the food to come out and I didnt know how long she'd last. But, it was worth it because they gave her this drink out of a squirt bottle shaped like an animal. It entertained us the whole time. Plus a cap to the drink. And a straw. Simple. I saw people from other tables watching us to see how'd she'd react. The only hiccup was when Eden bit down on the cap real hard, and it flew across the room and almost hit a woman! Thankfully it hit her leg, and she was so wrapped up in her conversation she didnt notice. Big sigh of relief. To end the meal, my very well mannered toddler took the dipping sauce (yogurt somthing)from her fruit tray and clasped it with both hands to drink it down. And drink it down she did.

remember the memory game?

I had a bunch of happy baby frozen meals on hand the other day. As I was about to throw them in the recycling box, I had an idea to use the pictures on the box to make a game. It took about 5 seconds. My husband and I played a few rounds and got so competitive, it was entertaining.
And if you're going to make a game, might as well make somthing to put it in so it doesn't get lost. Although it probably will. At least you found your creative outlet doing it and made somthing cute during naptime. Sigh of relief. Now to change a poopey diaper!

day in the backyard

What a beautiful day! I thought it appropriate to play outside and get some fresh air. We've been cooped up inside lately since the weather has been so atrociously hot and miserable. It's amazing how refreshed and energized pulling weeds and mowing the grass can make you feel. There was a cool breeze and the sun was shining, birds were singing, butterflies flying around us as we played outside and kicked the soccer ball around. Almost one of those surreal days you want to push the pause button on. And who can resist a game of hide and seek with a toddler?
Lately we've been having so much fun with peg people. They're cheap, easy to paint, and throw a paper mache house in to make a complete set. It entertains us for a long time. Also, some slate boards and chalk help pass the time. It reminds me of playing pioneer school as a child. My husbands kids that I play with Edens toys more than she does. Then I found my little girl sitting and quietly reading in the corner of our music/office/sewing/library room. Yeah, I know!! Maybe playing so hard outside made her want to have quiet time. By the way, the blue walls? they were like that when we moved in and it needs some new paint. Anyhow, just a peak into our day. Have a lovely fall weekend.

listening

Fridays are our days to be outdoors. To explore. To be quiet and listen. To feel the Lord through nature and His creation. He is the most incredible artist.

desk

Here is her desk and chair in the living room. We picked leaves and pinecones from our walk in the park and they are on display here for autumn. (but they often end up other places!) My favorite vintage phone! We play with that quite a bit. Eden likes to sit here and talk to herself in the mirror. Full ongoing conversations. Too cute.

changes

Heres a quick tour of edens halfway finished room. I have the before and after pictures, I sort of miss how bold and colorful it was, but it was too dark. I like the simplicity of white and variety of colors I can use now. One wall is completed so thats the wall I'll share. The embroidered bird and leaves pillow was made by my grandma Dorothy Hoak and I worked on the other half to complete it. Its the most special handmade thing in her room! The green fabric in frame was made from a table mat from anthropologie. The frame was on the side of the road and I painted it. The wall decal is from the land of nod, and E and bird house is from a craft store. I found a pinecone and random crate from around the house. The fabric birds were from a pattern online (from sewliberated.typepad.com and spool)and branch from our tree.

kitchen play

Another inspiration of mine? Kitchen play. Let me re-phrase that. Kitchen play with wooden utensils. Simplified version. I found an old bathroom shelf and converted it into edens new kitchen. I found a bookshelf and kitchen shelf at a garage sale for under $10. I would love to cut a round hole in it to put a metal bowl in for a sink, but it will have to do for now. I love playing in it with her! And to complete the set, today we were given 2 new vintage style children's aprons! What a gift! I love these. They have so much character, color, and are exactly what I've dreamed of giving eden. I'm sure they re-make these somewhere and sell them for a fortune.
Eden is so fun to play with. She always shares the felt food I made for her. My generous toddler...and she sticks things up my nose. It makes us laugh every time.

daily rhythm

Rhythm. An interesting word. I've learned I'm a random personality, the opposite of my husband, the analytical personality. You can imagine my idea of a schedule or daily rhythm. I don't plan as well as I should. For instance, my husband calling me from work, "So, what's the plan for dinner? Silence. Do you have anything planned...I mean, you're planning, right?" Of course, I always manage to get a hot meal on the table in time, but I do wait til the last minute. Until recently, my thrifty and incredibly wise husband suggested I plan the meals throughout the week, (I had gotten off track) and make a list so I cut down on trips to the store and stick to our budget. It's working great. Until I find a project like painting my daughters room light green to make it more sunny feeling. Or making an art project, handmade somthing that will absolutely have to be done immediatley because it's going to consume me til its done. It's priority. Mhmm. Over let's say, dishes, or making that important phone call or setting up an appointment. I make a list, then throw it out the window at the last minute. Hopeless? Not entirely. Random. So, that brings me full circle to rhythm. Rhythm in the home for my toddler. We have our routine and this week I've made it more detailed. Each morning we wake, eat breakfast, I clean up dishes while she finishes, then we play. Then she naps. I've designated Tues as creative day where we finger paint and create art. Wednsdays are busy for me so we make it a reading day/snuggle on the couch look at books day. Or visit the library. Thursday is focused on worship. We dance and sing. And Friday is our outing day in the great outdoors enjoying nature and sunshine. This is just a rough outline for the main activity for the day. Then the same routine for dinner and after dinner we clean up the toys, put on pajamas, brush teeth, read a book together/pray and put her to bed. She thrives on routine! It'll be fun to see if she remembers what days are for what. What are your routines?

she digs indian food...

Some would say were crazy. We decided to be adventurous and continue to take our toddler out to eat with us to try new things. We love indian food, so why not let her see if she does too? Oh boy, does she love it. We have evidence, and after begging for forgiveness from the restaurant employees for the rice on the floor, ceiling, chairs....we walked out with big grins on our faces. The night was a success.