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!

{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.

Happy New Year!

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jog

December 31, 2012 by Summer

We made it home safe and sound from snow to sunshine!

Wishing you a lovely New Year!

{this moment}

December 28, 2012 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.

We head back to California on sunday (hopefully the weather will cooperate)… have a lovely weekend friends!

A Walk Through Quincy

December 27, 2012 by Summer

I have a sweet, little baby with her first cold fast asleep next to me. It’s a pretty dreary day here in Massachusetts but I thought I’d share a walk we took a few days ago, before it got so dreary and wet. A walk through a very historic town, the town my dear husband grew up in and the town I have spent time in nearly every year since I met Jeff. I had never been into the town center though, so this was a real treat for me…

I love all the beautiful New England churches on every corner. This lovely white one with the clock caught my eye as we entered into the town center.

The Thomas Crane Library and another beautiful church.

Miss Abigail Adams and John Quincy himself.

I believe this was a school built in memoriam for the Adams’ after they had passed. It resides on Hancock street and is now a museum.

And one of my favorite New England things, the Quincy Cemetery. I find these vast spaces so very peaceful and full of history. It’s hard not to think about the lives of each of the names on these headstones and wonder what life was like for them before they passed. Cemeteries always make me want to get into geneaology. Find out who people were and how they lived. I enjoyed the walk through Quincy Center and maybe sometime this summer (when we return for a wedding), we can visit the Adams houses and learn more about this old, interesting town of Quincy, Massachusetts.

Ellie happily slept in the ergo the majority of the walk, but I got this cute shot of my bundled up girl right before we made it back to Nana and Papa’s house.

Ellie’s First Christmas

December 26, 2012 by Summer

We awoke to white all around and snow falling on Christmas morning. I think I was more excited than anything and woke Jeff up so we could bring Ellie out in the snow before it stopped falling.

It was fun to start Christmas morning with a little bit of snow! We came inside and stayed inside the rest of the day, cuddled in pj’s from Nana. The rest of Jeff’s siblings joined us, the punch was made, the shrimp cocktail started us off and we enjoyed Christmas movies, opening presents and enjoying each others company. It was a lot for little Ellie who ended up going to sleep very early… but it was a nice first Christmas none the less.

I hope you all had lovely Christmas’ of your own. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

A Walk Through the Blue Hills

December 20, 2012 by Summer

We took a walk through the Blue Hills yesterday afternoon. The air was crisp and it was a bit windy but a nice day to get outside. We bundled the little one up, stuck her in the carrier and headed out. It was a lovely and peaceful walk. Jeff’s parents took us through a trail that led to a wildlife sanctuary of sorts. We saw deer and owls and hawks, all healing from various injuries. It was pretty quiet up in the trailside museum and sanctuary and fun for baby Ellie. She liked looking at all the animals as well as the trees and wildlife around her. It was a nice outing and a nice reminder to slow down and take it all in.

Nana and Papa’s

December 19, 2012 by Summer

We’re here in Boston at my in-laws house for the holidays. It was a bit of a rough adjustment at first for baby girl, but she’s now settling in and seems to be enjoying her new surroundings. This is Ellie’s first time in Boston, staying at Nana and Papa’s. She likes the cuckcoo clocks that go off every hour and smiles at the large Christmas tree when it’s lit up with lights. We’ve had large family dinners every night always with meat and potatoes of some sort with Jeff’s siblings and their families coming from all over Boston and beyond. We haven’t had any snow yet, just wet, rainy weather but we’re hoping that Ellie will get to experience a little snowfall before we leave. It’s darker here but warm inside. I’m enjoying wearing my sweaters and socks most of the day and drinking decaf coffee with non-dairy creamer. I’m missing my parents (I always do when we come here for christmas), but I am thankful my husband has such a lovely family that we can celebrate the holidays with. Ellie is getting time with her cousins and that time is precious. These are the first memories she’s making, the first memories I’ll have of her first Christmas. Precious, wonderful days, precious, wonderful memories.

p.s. Jeff’s sister is teaching me to knit! I’m very excited and hope to be able to do what she taught me when I’m back home.

{this moment}

December 14, 2012 by Summer

{this moment} – “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.

Please share your {this moments} in the comments section and have a lovely weekend! We’re off to Boston on sunday so I may or may not be in this space as often in the coming weeks. Happy Holidays to everyone!