Head Cases.

This is a story of a headband, a face plant, a wig-thing and a hair cut.

Here is the headband. And the face plant evidence. She was trying to ice climb with a stick in the yard. (We have icy mountains out there!)

Isn't the orange headband pretty cute though? It's The Elizabeth. I made a navy blue one for myself and it doesn't flatter me like it does the girl. It was fun learning a new stitch to create that woven texture, so I will be making more.

We also made a Rapunzel wig. (The boys say it's a hat or a wig-thing.) Minna thought it was going to be a real hair wig, but quickly fell for her yarny one. That look is her "My-mom-makes-crazy-things-but-it's-awesome!" look.

She wore it to the store today. It's this pattern. Really quick and fun. I don't usually make things like this so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

So much in fact, we started another wig-hat-thing today of our own design. Rainbow yarn, with super long loose strands all over and bangs like the ones I had most of my childhood. A full on rainbow wig-thing. You will see. We have a "Magpie Mohawk" (black and white) and a "Cousin Itt" on deck too.

Well, Minna isn't the only one with fun new hair...

I cut all mine off! A tad more than a foot. Gone. No regrets. I am sure I will just start the endless cycle of chopping and ridiculous growing out. But for now, I am really liking it shorter and lighter with a little color gloss for good measure.

Maybe I will go rainbow next.

Happy start of the week!

Schooled By Snow

This is our second winter here on the island.

We don't know what a typical Kodiak winter is. I have heard that this has been an extra cold/snowy/slushy season. I really don't mind the snow and cold at all, especially now that I have become somewhat confident driving in it.

That snow did teach me a lesson last week though.

We woke up to heavy snow on the ground. It came down all night. It also started to warm up in the morning. That left heavy wet snow breaking and bending our trees. Then melting and flooding the greenhouse.

What looked like 6 inches of snow on the ground was actually four inches of snow, on top of about 8 inches of icy slush water. We found this out after getting up early, ready to plow and shovel to get to school. There was no way we were plowing out. We had an ice wall at the end of our drive that was taller than Minna. Almost as tall as Colyer. (We measured.)

I tried to be cool. I announced a snow day for all. Cheers from the kids! But I didn't want a snow day. We had dance class, and grocery shopping and I needed (wanted) yarn, and the list went on. I had so much that just needed to be done.

The snow taught me that the days that you don't want a snow day, are probably the days you need a snow day.

So, we had a snow day.

The kids played. I dug out the chicken coop. Watched those silly birds poke around. I marveled at the snow and how silent it is when it falls, but at the same time has it's own sound. Have you noticed that? I thought about our property and when it looked like this...

(is all that under there?)

I thought about how there are days not far off, that the island feels like this...

and smells like this...

Seriously, how can all that, be under this snow?

In a few months time, we will be trying to remember what the mountains looked like covered in white. The weather will just do it's thing. Nature is always trying to teach us something. Living here makes it hard to ignore. Colyer says he feels closer to the sky and all the animals here. I agree.

See? We are learning.

this moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. 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.

-Amanda Soule (SouleMama)

Have a great weekend!

I will be catching up on some embroidery.

Hopefully, to some sweet harm tunes.

From Our Hearts.

We folded.

And cut.

And pasted with all our hearts.

(JCrew catalog pages made the best paper hearts!

All those fancy stacks of sweaters, men's shirts and

shiny ballet flats gave us a rainbow of colors.

Plus, they were easy cutting for little scissors and hands.)

Now we are feelin' the love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Weekend.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Be back tomorrow for some looove-day stuff...

Checking In and A Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. 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. -Amanda Soule (SouleMama)

*******

Some notes....

Minna and I are pro heart cutter-outers.

Now, what to do with them by V-day.... ?

Also....

Yesterday was my 300/365 round-a-day!

I know!

I haven't posted today yet so really, I am not up to date.

But I had to share. I hit 300! That' something right?

(Have you seen this stitch-a-day project? Good gracious!)

Anyway, I am heavily depending on my kid's art to inspire my stitching these days.

I can do 65 more. I know I can.

As long as I can keep peeking in sketchbooks at the 11th hour.

There will be some cool stitchy book art along soon too.

We got some goodies to read in the mail this week.

Fun-fun! And happy weekend to you!

saturday and sunday

This Moment.

***

I am back to work today after a 6 week break.

Looking forward to yummy cookie smells and friendly faces.

Happy weekend!

Illness And Hope.

Minna and Fwa have the Chicken Pox.

What are the chances?

Minna is taking very good care of her baby.

She looks much worse than she feels, which is a relief.

The very handsome boy below, feels way worse than he looks.

Bad enough that a doctor visit may be in order to find out what is up.

No fun.

We are always so healthy that it throws

me for a loop when illness creeps in.

He is wearing the 6th "Hansel" to come off my hook.

Looks so good on him. He likes it a lot.

I know this because he wore it to bed.

Speaking of hats, I am stacking 'em up for Craft Hope. Making totes next. The kids and I have had great chats about doing and making for others. They have been really affected by the fact that these will be going to kids just like them.

"It means a lot when you make things instead of just buying things from a boring store. It's so much better and like, it's like, special kind of. Really special." -Colyer

It clicked with them. I love that.

***

So, we will be just hanging out. Resting and healing.

Don't worry about us...

...soon everybody will be back to the normal, high-flying, busy business.

Hope everyone is well!