Gramma Sews!

January 7, 2013 by Summer

I wanted to share the most wonderful of handmade gifts from Ellie’s first Christmas. Ellie is very lucky to have a Gramma who sews. She sews mostly quilts but since Ellie has come along, her sewing is certainly branching out. She always amazes me with the things she can make! While we were away in Boston this year for the holidays, Gramma was sewing up a storm for her little grand daughter.

These wonderful fabric boxes were the highlight. Made from A Walk In The Woods fabric, the same fabric used in her Gramma made quilt before she was born. They are soft and squishable, and stackable in two ways.

And as you can see, Ellie loves her Gramma made boxes!

Gramma also made a set of lovely quilted bibs to catch all of that drool my little teether is producing.

And this last gift was not entirely made by Gramma. She put it together and then sent it off to be made. But, it was so darling to not include.

A little board book, just for Ellie with all the names and faces of the people she has come to know so far (on the west coast. East coast will need a book of their own too I think).

My Mom is such a wonderful presence in Ellie’s life. I hope Ellie learns a lot from this incredible person. I know I certainly have and I’m still learning every day from her. Thank you Gramma for all the lovely Christmas handmades! Ellie loves them and I will treasure them!

Eloise’s Monthly Photo

January 5, 2013 by Summer

Five Months! My goodness you are growing fast! This was a whirlwind of a month. Another trip to the east coast, Christmas, a New year and all the little things you’ve been learning along the way (almost rolling over, teething, raspberries, screaming and growling at us)… fun, fun, fun and busy, tired mama and daddy. We are excited to see what this year will bring watching you grow and develop. We love you Miss Ellie Lou hoo!

{this moment}

January 4, 2013 by Summer

“A Single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

– Joining Soulemama today. Happy Weekend to you all! Please link to your {this moment} in the comment section!

Make More Buy Less

January 2, 2013 by Summer

As is New Year’s tradition, I made a list of resolutions for 2013. My resolutions this year were less about losing those extra pounds or cleaning the house more (two things that certainly should be on a list) but were more ways of living life resolutions; ways I could live a simpler life, a more homey life, a sustainable life. One resololution sticks out a little more than the rest for me- Make more and Buy Less.

This is kind of a broad resolution and means many things. It’s more a reminder to myself to try and make as much as I can. Instead of buying that bath mat I saw in Target, how about making one myself out of the old bath towels I was going to toss. Or instead of buying cookies at Trader Joes, how about making them. So this morning I started my resolution of making things when I got an inkling for some breakfast muffins. I pulled out a cookbook I plan on using a lot more regularly this year and found a recipe for some spiced muffin goodness. I love using this cookbook. It was my mom’s very loved copy. It’s fun to come across a recipe I know was loved because of the worn look of the pages or the oil and milk stains splattered on the pages. I like knowing that here I am with a baby of my own, feeding my family from the same recipes my own mother used to feed hers.

So here’s to a New Year. I welcome 2013 with open arms (and usually a baby strapped to my chest). I know resolutions aside, it will be an interesting one with this continuing role of Mother I am now playing (and enjoying very much). I hope to be cooking more, baking more, and making so much more… join me here as I document the makings of this Mama and everything else that happens in 2013. I sure hope you will.