The Spark...

Each night after I head out from the barn, I usually swing up to the barn owner's house for a moment to say hello and let her know that everything is just as it should be - and am very fortunate that most night she shares a cup of tea or some freshly-made juice while we sort out the world's problems and have a few laughs. The other night, an interesting topic came up.

We talked about being 30-somethings who feel as though in some areas of our lives we have misplaced that spark that makes us "us". We had the most wonderful chat about the things we used to love about ourselves that we might need to reconnect with.

Although it would probably surprise a lot of my friends today, I have actually been known for being rather spunky and fearless. I used to be a radio dj. I was an avid rock climber and runner. I love to take long, 10 hour +, road trips on my own.

So I made a step in that direction this weekend, connecting with a friend who is a chef to see if I can come observe him at some point in the kitchen. It's kind of a dream of mine. I don't think I could hack (or want to) the daily operation in something like that, but I really do want to see how it all goes down. He said yes - so we'll see!

I'm also trying to foster it in this gal -

I want her to know that it's okay to be just who she is, but that it's exciting and good for us to step out of our comfort zone now and again. So I think we're going to go indoor rock climbing with Grandfather soon. I used to run a climbing gym in my heyday, and I'd like her to see if it's something she likes - if not, that's totally cool, but she tried, and that's what it's all about. 

This guy and I had a conversation this morning about what he wants to do - baseball? "YES!" Rock Climbing? "No. That's just hilarious," He says. :)  He says his favorite thing is to run - so there ya go. 

I've been so inspired by the reading I've been doing lately by all of the people out there who are loving and empowering kids to be just who they are and proud of it. Some people are lamenting this next generation and their inability to adapt and deal with disappointment. And I think it's a valid concern. I also think that there are those of us out there who are trying our best to equip their children to live in this world as they are - and to make it a better and more beautiful place to be in the best way they know how. I know I don't get it right a lot of the time, but I do know that putting forth the effort regardless is important.

And to finish - because it's out of character for me and I was slightly proud.  :)

I needed fingerless gloves for these frigid nights at the barn, and couldn't find any straight away. So I purchased a pair - just to cut up. This goes against every fiber of my being. Ha! They are perfect and I'm so glad I did. It's something small, but I think every little thing that stretches us helps!

Kindness...

Yesterday was crazy. Full moon crazy.

One of the lovely things about closing a barn - getting to see lovely moons. :)

My sweet Samantha had worked so hard all week on good behavior at school and was eagerly anticipating a Thursday afternoon treat with mom. But it was not to be. Apparently it was a hard day on all fronts.

I had one last errand to run after picking her up, so we went on to the post office while having a chat about consequences of behavior etc.

As we're walking in, a gentleman is following up behind us. I turned to ask Sam to hold the door, but she was already on her way to do it. She stopped and held the one door for him and then the second door. He was gracious, and we all went on about our stamp-purchasing and mailing business.

As we were getting ready to post our letters, the man stopped by, and we told him to have a good day. He looked at Samantha and said, "It was very nice of you to hold the door for me. Thank you." And handed her a $5 bill.

She thanked him with her shy smile - which is of course the most genuine smile she has - I think grateful for some redemption in what had been an otherwise stinky day.

While I certainly don't want her to feel that good manners and kind behavior always come with a monetary reward (as they almost never do) I was SO grateful for this lovely gentleman and his reinforcement of the type of manners and treatment of our fellow human beings we are trying to teach our children.

Thank you lovely man - wherever you are.  :)

#boldbrilliantbeautifulyou

So buzzing around the blogosphere on Saturday I found this lovely blog by Carla small + friendly.

The post at the top is about living unapologetically. It really struck home.

It's so nice that people are impressed when they find you made the shirt you're wearing, or cooked a lovely meal or ________.  But when did it become de rigeur for us to apologize?!?! It's just terrible. We need not feel guilty for the things that we do in our life, especially the things that we are good at! 

And isn't it true that there's always a flip side? While I sew quite well and do love to knit - and seriously make one mean cheesecake (and let's not forget the quiche), I am completely rotten at organizing my home and a million other things. I live in a small home with no dedicated play-space for the kiddos, so I cringe every time the markers/watercolors/scissors/playdough come out. That's awful! If I want to feel guilty or embarrassed, there is plenty there without going into the things I should be proud of. 


I now unapologetically post pictures of our trip to Mt. Leconte this summer. It's something my step-mom has been doing for over 20 years, and I've been lucky enough to join the past two. 

I LEAVE MY CHILDREN for 3 days. 3 days!!! To the care of their father! Who lets them play in my makeup!  :) And it's wonderful for all of us each time. (See? I stink at sitting up straight - seriously need to work on that posture).

This is the night before the hike up to Leconte Lodge. We like taking pictures with wildlife when they're used to people and obliging enough to randomly lay down behind us. 

Part of the hike up. Just gorgeous and seeing a deer or two never hurts.

This is waiting for the sunset (that didn't really happen through the fog and clouds) the first night. My dear friend Adrienne and I after 5.5 miles straight. up. hill.   

Much love to you dear ones - practice living unapologetically. We'll get that bit wrong sometimes too - but the growing comes with the effort. 

S

Best. Boots. Ever.

So seriously. Best. Boots. Ever. (and say hello to Mae in the background)

These were a phenomenal Christmas gift from my boss at the barn. I took to calling her the boot fairy for a while.

She and I had the best chat the other night over a cup of tea about how one of the things we love about the barn is that this is *not* a competition in almost any way. Because our girls are more focused on being the best rider they can be than getting to competitions (not that those two things are mutually exclusive at all) the barn tends to draw those who aren't comparing hair/breeches/makeup whatnot. Most likely we're not wearing much if any makeup (you'll just sweat it off). Our gals show up in t-shirts with the sleeves cut off in the summer and piled high with whatever is warm in the winter. Our socks probably don't match and we're happiest around the beasties - not even necessarily on them.

We might want to know where your fantastic boots came from though.  :)

I wear these regularly at the barn, but with a damp paper towel, they cleaned up beautifully for Christmas Midnight Mass with a tweedy brown skirt and cabled ivory sweater.

You can pick up your own fantastic boots from SmartPak Equine.

A little sewing...

So since I don't have any good pictures of a current project, here's one that was finished for Samantha's Kindergarten Graduation. Newer things will be coming soon -waiting for a few patterns in the mail!

The pattern is Kwik Sew K3905. The only hang up I had at all was the collar. Getting that curve right was a bit challenging, otherwise, it's a piece of cake!

Sam and Will - I think I like his hair longer like this. Time to let it grow!  :)  

How Samantha thinks she's supposed to look for a picture.

This is probably a little closer to reality.

And this is normal.  I think this is the only full length shot I got of the dress. We've definitely gotten good use out of this one for a few birthday parties, church and various whatever else. It's comfy and bright - which makes it a 6-year-old's favorite! 

I left the hem a little on the long side because I wanted a long dress. Used the Blind hem on my Bernina Aurora 430 and it works like a  charm (as always! I love that thing!). 

Snuggle time!

As they get bigger, if I get snuggle time at all with the kiddos, it's usually only on the weekend. Every once in a while I am lucky enough for one of them to fall asleep sitting with me - and it brings back so many fuzzy memories of little baby snuggles!

So have some snuggle pics from me to you on this chilly day.

Samantha and I are more silly than sleepy.

Will is the booger who slept ON me for the first year and a half of his life. He pretty well sleeps in his own bed now, though comes looking for mommy quite a bit. Which while it sometimes makes for a sleepy mommy, I'm okay with. :) I'm all too aware of the fact that these moments are fleeting.

So it's cold.

Like much of the USA at the moment, South Carolina is a cold place to be.

One of the newer (and most lovely) aspects of my life is having the privilege to work at a horse barn. Samantha and I get lessons, and I get to spend an hour to two each week night with these gorgeous animals and to have some centering time. 

With it being so cold, making sure those beautiful boys and girls drink enough is priority #1. 

It's fun to get all of the ice out of a bucket in one piece, don't ya think?

When ice forms on the storm door, the natural thing to do is melt it with your hands to make handprints (that remain for hours!)

Say hello to Penny. It's hard to get good pictures at night when they're trying to eat. :) But she's Amish and I love her.

Samantha and her instructor on a not so cold day on the pony she usually rides, Lady. We've decided a little bareback at the end of a lesson is good for the soul.