I always thought I'd have girls. When I was expecting my first baby, I remember, as if yesterday, the first baby outfit I bought. It was a soft little pink after bath snuggly gown, with a hood and cuffs trimmed in delicate lace. Several weeks later, during an ultrasound, it was revealed that I was to have a baby Jamie (James) rather than the Elizabeth I was so sure of. After a brief moment of shock, I laughed and happily prepared to greet a tiny son. The little pink gown was wrapped in tissue and tucked carefully away.
After my first marriage ended and my sweet Jamie and I moved into our cozy cottage, I nearly donated that little pink gown. I remember kneeling on the floor holding that bit of pink, thinking "I'll probably never re-marry and have another baby....," but I couldn't let it go. I re-wrapped it in tissue, slipped in a bit of hope, and tucked it back into my cedar chest.
Several years later, happily re-married, my Chris and I discover to our delight that I am pregnant, and this time I know, I am absolutely certain, this baby is a girl! Three months later, the results of an amniocentesis reveal we will welcome......sweet William. Once again, the delicate pink gown is tucked back into its tissue nest where it would safely stay for many years.
Needless to say, I would not dream of trading my boys for girls, and I've come to believe that while I may be a good auntie to my nieces, I am a great mother for my boys.
I have introduced them to cooking and sewing, and many tea parties we have certainly had. I believe in letting children play in the mud, climb trees and build forts. I would have encouraged a daughter to get dirty, just as much as I encouraged my boys. There is a time for dress up and best behavior, but then there is also time for rolling in the grass with the puppy and the wearing of old sneakers and jeans with ripped knees. If I'd had a girly-girl, I'm not quite sure I would have known what to do!
I've been a soccer mom for Jamie, and a basketball and track mom for Will. I have nearly lost track of how many trips to the ER I've made for the setting of bones and the stitching of wounds. But, I have also spent much time carefully nurturing my boys and teaching and guiding in the hopes that they will grow to become wonderful men, respectful of women, and loving husbands and tender fathers.
I'm pretty certain my boys will marry wonderful girls, and hopefully, hopefully, one day I shall have a granddaughter!
What happened to the little pink gown, you may ask? Eleven years ago, my sister-in-law discovered she was expecting twin girls and I happily gave it to her, with other tiny pink things, at her baby shower. :-)
Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful women, mothers or aunties or friends, who care for and nurture the young ones around you!
Happy Valentine's Day! Isn't that a sweet vintage postcard? Such a pretty little girl. My grandmother received the card from a girlfriend when she was a young woman. My mother is now the caretaker of Grandma's postcard collection and from time to time I'll share one with you. Please feel free to take this for your own personal use.
Today is a special day in our household, not because it is Valentine's Day, but because my youngest son is celebrating his 18th birthday. As usual I am experiencing a range of emotions, but mostly I am just happy. A sweet, charming little boy, William has grown to be a sweet, thoughtful young man. Every morning this school year he has greeted me with a cheery "Top o' the morning to ya'!" I'm going to miss that daily dose of sunshine when he heads off to college in the fall. But, I'm pretty sure he'll be sharing a lot of cheer on campus and that's a very good thing.
Birthday gifts this year are all about art, specifically ceramics. Will just finished up a second class in ceramics and discovered he loves the entire process. After haunting Craig's List he located a potter's wheel and a small kiln within driving distance and for $50.00 each. Score! After driving out for a quick look, we purchased both items keeping our fingers crossed that the kiln was operable. Several days later we journeyed into Seattle to Seattle Pottery Supply to purchase basic tools, clay and glazes. Within an hour of returning home William was happily throwing his first pot to the accompaniment of classical music.
This weekend the little old kiln successfully bisque fired its first load of pottery for our budding artist. We have a very, very happy boy!
In that stack of mugs and bowls is a tea bowl for me. Once glazed and refired, I will share the finished project with you. I can hardly wait!
The first day of the new year is softly coming to an end. Just before the sun set, I glanced out the window to see the tops of the tallest firs and cedars tinted a warm gold....such a contrast to the cooler greens below and the bluish cast of the snow which covers the meadow still.
The stars now twinkle in a dark winter sky and a small, prayer candle flickers upon my desk. This is one of my most favorite nights of the year.
This is my time to sit and let my mind wander through the year past, flitting from memory to memory, each a small glowing treasure. It was a good year. To be sure, there were challenges and there was stretching, but really it was a fine year with much sweetness and adventure.
This time last year I announced the coming closure of my little shop. Oh, how the last months of shopkeeping were savored. At the end of May I moved all the teas and teapots home to a large studio/workroom freshly painted a pretty robin's egg blue. Now I work at my pine desk, in front of a large window which looks out into the treetops and down to a grassy meadow frequented by deer and bunnies. In June I journeyed, by myself for the first time ever, to visit a dear friend. That sweet week marked a paradigm shift that began for me more than a year prior. I returned to my loved ones with a peacefulness that lingers still, a peacefulness that comes from knowing with quiet certainty what my mind, body, heart, and soul need at this time of my life.
My mind needs a little peace, a little quiet, and great deal more simplicity and order. My soul wishes to embrace each day and recognize it for the precious gift that it is. My body craves more fresh air, and restorative time in nature, and most importantly, my heart desires to be more present in the lives of those I love and care for.
Attending to these needs and desires, will bring a little more joy to my life. Joy. My word for the year.
This is what happens when you are not paying attention here at Millie's house! You get decorated!
Such a good sport! I didn't leave it on Millie for very long, just long enough to snap a photo, but that look in her eyes says it all..... Are you DONE yet???? :-) The garland has been gracing our fireplace mantle and by the weekend will be replaced by something Christmasy. I promised the sweet pooch I won't try the new decor out on her first.
As I type this it is snowing heavily here on Whidbey and we have very cold temperatures blowing our way...very cold, but right now it is beautiful! My packaging and shipping for Island Tea is done for the day, I have a mug of Spiced Caramel Apple Tea to wrap my hands around and my new British Country Living is calling to me. I might as well just relax and enjoy this view up toward the woods from our family room window.
Perhaps I will even work on this tiny purse.....
But before I do, I think I best start a fire in the fireplace, and thaw the hummingbird feeder one more time, because the wind is picking up and the temperature has dropped three degrees in less than 20 minutes. The Artic Blast is coming!
Wherever you may be, I hope you are cozy and warm. If you are traveling to loved ones for Thanksgiving, be safe.
From our home to yours, Millie and I wish you all a delightful Thanksgiving Day!
Six months plus since I last wrote in this blog of mine. Once I made the decision to close my brick & mortar tea shop, and committed to a date, that is pretty much been where my time needed to be focused. But now I am finding time here and there to take a breath, to sit quietly, to become better acquainted with my camera, and to write. It is so very nice.
Our weather this spring has been so fitful. Even for this pacific northwest girl, this is getting quite tiresome! Don't get me wrong, I do love my rain boots, but day after day? It is June now and I still have planting to do! But all the rain has certainly contributed to the rich lushness that abounds on our pretty island. During one rare, lovely afternoon, while sunshine dappled the lawn, I spent some peaceful moments wandering about.
Chris reseeded our back lawn early this spring and the rich green is the perfect backdrop for the iris planted close to our little pond.
Here are Chris' pampered goldfishies in the Sashimi Pond. ;-) They are fed daily and protected by the wire grid from the ever so patient blue heron that does regular reconnaissance flyovers. On occasion you will look out the window and find this lovely piece of yard art standing ever so quietly eying the plump fish. Giving up (with a sigh I am sure), she will run a few steps on her stork like legs and flapping a bit awkwardly up and away she'll be over the cedar trees. Not today, not today....
While I walked about the garden, my little shadow followed me....
Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
Author Unknown
I hope you are safely where you need to be, warm in the embrace of those you love.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving Day!
Sometime in late September or early October, a certain crisp coolness gives rise to a sense of urgency in any gardener's soul. Winter is coming and there is much to do; roses to be tidied up, perennials to be divided and shared, bulbs to be planted. After more than 2 weeks of going into the tea shop nearly every day for holiday prep, I have had the delight of several days off. The weather has been cooperating with beautiful sunny days. To celebrate garden time I bought new boots!
Last weekend, Chris and Will brought home the perfect gift, a pick-up truck full of beautiful rich, black compost. Oh, the joy of such stuff! We had been working off and on the past two weeks on my perennial border. Over the last few years roots from nearby trees had invaded my garden, enjoying the water and compost found there. The tangle of roots had finally begun to choke the delphiniums, daisies and lilies that bring me so much joy in the spring and summer. My feeble attempts to dig out the roots, brought my husband in to help. He dug, chopped and sifted while I lifted babies to save, tucking them into one of the raised beds.
Do not get in this man's way when he is working! While Chris added a few new fence boards, dug in the rest of the compost and raked the bed, I puttered about weeding, harvesting plump carrots, snapping photos and planning.
There is something about rich black soil that makes the colors of foliage pop! See how pretty the autumn dress of the peony looks in contrast?
Tomorrow promises to be another lovely day, and while my guys are off dirt bike riding, I'll be heading to the local nursery to see what perennials I may be able to find in the clearance area. There are always orphans in need of a home. Then back in the garden I'll be, tucking plants into the bed which awaits. And while I plant, I'll be painting a picture in my mind of what the garden will look like next year. :-)
I'll finish up with this photo of a pretty little late season butterfly. It took me nearly 45 minutes and a great deal of patience late in the afternoon to catch it. I crouched nearby, but every time I'd raise my camera, the little thing would startle and flutter off about the yard, but the allure of the Autumn Joy sedum was too strong to resist. Finally, the butterfly returned one last time and I captured this shot just before it fluttered off never to be seen again. Good-bye, farewell, please send your offspring back next year to say "Hello!"
I am a shopkeeper, wife, and mother of two great boys.
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