the snuggle

I was snuggling with Sawyer when Maelle came in the room and decided to join in by climbing on top. We stayed like this for 15 minutes and I was only slightly concerned about the lack of oxygen Sawy's brain was receiving, but she didn't seem bothered.

Yup, this is how we roll. Me and my besties.

Music Monday

Good day.

Music Monday coming at you today with an old time fave and a longer than expected plot summary.  Juicy.

The Protomen. I am very much into them right now. Their second album, Act II: The Father of Death, is a great experience the entire way through way through. I recently looked into the album a little further and learned a little about the storyline. The story is based on the popular Mega Man Nintendo games but is an original story line as it does not appear in the games themselves.

The story has four characters: Dr. Thomas Light, Emily, Dr. Albert Wily, and Joe. Dr. Light is working with Dr. Wily to alleviate human suffering by creating robots to work dangerous and physically taxing jobs (Dr. Light's father worked himself to death in the mines). Dr. Wily displays his true motives to subjugate men to his will just before the robots go online. Dr. Light has second thoughts, meanwhile Dr. Wily executes his plan to remove the threat of Dr. Light to his scheme by using a robot to slay Dr. Light's betrothed Emily. Dr. Light is framed and blamed for the death of Emily but after being found not guilty in court is forced to leave the city. Years pass. The next generation grows up in apathy. Dr. Wily rules the city by fear, forcing people to do his bidding or they would silently disappear one night. Enter Joe; disgruntled youth whose parents had disappeared. Joe decides he's going to do something and speaks out against what goes on in the city. He rides his motorcycle to the edge of town, unknowingly followed by the same robot assassin who killed Emily. The robot shows itself; Joe fights and by chance wins. Dr. Light, living on the outskirts of town all these years, meets Joe during the fight and afterwards the two devise a plan to oust Wily. Joe rides his motorcycle to the center of town with a bundle of explosives aiming to destroy the beacon which controls all the robots and the broadcasting systems which have fed the city with propaganda for years. Joe succeeds in destroying the beacon tower at the cost of his life. Dr. Light arrives in time to see Joe's death, discouraged at the death he feels he has caused he aims to give up. Dr. Wily has anticipated an attack on his reign and has made sure to have backup beacons in the city; he seizes the opportunity to reveal an entire army of the assassin robots that he has been building through the years. Awaiting his doom, Dr. Light unfolds a letter written by Emily years ago which he has never had the nerve to read. Emily's letter brings new courage to Dr. Light, inspiring a plan to bring down Wily's regime for good and giving him courage to live another day.

For your listening pleasure this is "Keep Quiet". At this point Joe has realized that he has been targeted by the robot assassin and is ready to fight rather than live in fear.



I am in total Rock Operawe of this album.

Until next time, keep your City free and your robot apocalypse subdued.

ED (prot)O

the mama: soulemama

I don't know how many of you have heard of soulemama, but I think she is fairly well-known. I've been reading her blog for almost five years now (woah!). I can't remember who directed me towards her blog or how I stumbled across it, but I absolutely adore this woman! Her name is Amanda Blake Soule and she hails from Maine.

I feel inspired by her -- inspired to create, to use what I have, to be resourceful, to be thoughtful, to be intentional, to be simple.

SouleMama is always creating something. Crafting, creating and re-purposing is a way of life for her and her family and this is something I admire. My favourite thing about her is that when I look at the things she has been making, I feel as though I could make them as well. Nothing is too fancy or finicky and everything has an organic/natural feel to it.

Also, SouleMama knits. She knits a lot and she knits lovely things. She knits for herself, she knits for her husband, she knits for her children. The only reason I knit this vest, is because SouleMama knit the same one for her youngest son.

I keep a list of things I want to make in my head. The list is always much greater than my capacity for creating, but it keeps me dreaming. These are a couple things SouleMama has made that I have been dreaming of re-creating for myself.

First of all: Banners. I want one for every occasion! Or even many for every occasion. I absolutely love them! I have attempted making them many a time, but have never had the motivation to actually commit to completing one. The main reason is that I love the mismatched feel of these. I don't have many scraps of fabric so I would have to go out and purchase it all... And I have such a hard time purchasing fabric because then I get too "matchy-matchy" and I hate "matchy-matchy". There-in lies part of the problem.

Look at these though! Aren't they beautiful?!?!?! And fun?!?! I think they are absolutely lovely and I want one in every single room in my house.

And they look so easy to make. I just have to sit down and do it because they would be so easy to make. I have to commit! Maybe I'll call in my own mama for re-enforcements. That lady does not know how to leave a project half-done. 

And this i-cord garland for the Christmas Tree. I have been intending to make this for four years! Every single year I sift through SouleMama's archives to find this lovely little garland. I love the yarn she used and even tried to contact the seller this year, but she no longer sells on-line so I will have to go to my yarn store and find something similarly breath-taking.

I think this would look wonderful on our tree this year. I am especially fond of the colours as they are unconventional for Christmas decorating. If they local yarn store disappoints then I am sure etsy will have something suitable for my own i-cord garland. 

My goal is to make a banner and an i-cord garland by Christmas. I'm going to start small with the banner and just make one that says NOEL. That way I am much more likely to complete it. I'll keep you posted.

{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. 

Wishing you a fun-filled weekend!

*** *** ***

the buds.

These are from a few weeks ago, but I have been meaning to share them. We were at a church gathering and Sawyer needed to go down for a nap. Mr E decided he was sleepy too so he laid down with her.

The two of them chatted and played for a little bit, but when I peaked in on them 10 minutes later I found them like this.... both fast asleep.

What could be better than a Sunday afternoon nap?

the knitted gift

Our neighbours had a baby a couple weeks ago. They're approaching the two week lull when people stop bringing meals and visiting. Most people have already oogled at the baby and have now forgotten the mama who's at home with three kids under two (they have twins) as papa is starting back at work.

I'm planning on making them some meals tomorrow as I have the day off work. the problem is... I don't know what to make them! The only things that come to mind are many variations of pasta, casseroles, and/or slow cooker meals. That is probably what they have been living on for the past two weeks! Any good ideas???

We don't know these neighbours very well. In fact, we hardly know them at all. We stop and chat in the street and we wave when we see each other through our living room windows, but we have never had them over for coffee. We are planning on getting together tonight once their kids are in bed... if things slow down for them. I've talked to the husband a couple times recently and he has said it has been hard on his wife so I have offered to give her a hand whenever she needs it. We live in our front room so they can always see if we are home so I gave them my number and she knows she can call anytime. We decided that we'd better get to know each other a little bit so the mama feels a bit more comfortable  calling me.

I ran this little vest over to them a couple days ago. I altered the pattern I had used before so I didn't need to get seven buttons. It was easy peasy once I realized I was being a bit of a dud on my first attempt. This is such a quick knit! It may be my "go to" for baby showers. At least for little boys. I think it's adorable. I just need to figure out how to make the vest for bigger babies... it's pretty much newborn size. Tiny.

I'm going to need to peruse ravelry again because I need to find a new pattern! My goal is to try a new pattern every month. I also want to make Erik and myself sweaters... we'll see how that goes.

the nuk

My little buddy Sawyer has a Nuk. You know... a soother, a pacifier, a plug. This little girlie uses her Nuk for naps and at night. Her mama's strategy for weaning her off it was to cut little bits off said Nuk weekly. 

So Mandi cut and cut and cut. And Sawyer sucked and sucked and sucked. And they were both quite content. Sawyer didn't seem bothered by her shortening friend. She didn't even seem to notice. The only thing that changed was that she started having to hold the little gaffer in while she sucked to prevent it from popping right out her mouth.

So hold she did. Hold she does, actually. She holds her little Nuk in and ferociously sucks it as she hums herself to sleep. The problem is there is nothing left to cut.

You see, Sawyer's Nuk has been reduced to the tiniest of nubbins. And yet she wails and wails if she is tucked in without her little friend. What a silly goose.

Looks like it will take a couple rough nights to break the habit. I may have to volunteer my services when the time comes... that's going to be hard on Mom and Dad. Oh Little Bean -- give it up already!

If your kids used pacifiers, how did you transition to being nuk-less?

Music Monday: In the cave

Happy Monday.

Today's video is brought to you by the fine people at Asthmatic Kitty Records. It is an interesting and beautiful song and only partly due to the musical aspect of it. The rest... well, you should see for yourself.



I couldn't believe it when I saw it but the Great Stalacpipe Organ is a real thing.

http://luraycaverns.com/DiscoverTheCaverns/StalacpipeOrgan/tabid/504/Default.aspx


Apparently an engineer, Leeland Sprinkle, visited the cavern and after seeing what was down there he formulated a plan to create the largest musical instrument in the world. It took him 36 years to bring it all together and he honed the stalactites down to perfect intonation by sanding each one by hand! That is vision, drive, and perseverance in complete harmony. The instrument works through rubber mallets tapping the stalactites

The composer of this song is from a musical group called Pepe Deluxe. They stated that it took 6 years of planning and preparation before they finished work on this project. Also vision, drive, and perseverance in harmony.

Until next time, keep your stalactites honed.

E

the neighbours

We have some wonderful neighbours! One couple mowed our lawn regularly throughout the summer and we now have a guy across the street who shovels driveways when he is inebriated. I'm not complaining. 

the first annual

Erik and I hosted our first annual Sweet Art Night. Ok, so we are hoping it will be more of a monthly occurrence, but "first annual" just has such a nice ring to it.

You see, in university Erik and his friend Dale had these things called Sweet Art Nights during which they would get together and create. What they created didn't matter, only that they were there drinking tea, creating, and enjoying each others. At the end of the night they would share what they had created. They never planned what they would make and they never stressed about it. They just did whatever they felt like doing in the moment.

Erik and I decided we wanted to have a Sweet Art Night. We went out and purchased some water colour paints, some pencil crayons, some paper, and some paint brushes and invited a couple friends over to create with us.

I have a hard time differentiating between "crafting" and "arting". Everything I wanted to do was "crafting". Erik banned fiber arts. He banned anything planned. He banned making presents for other people. He banned making cards. He said I shouldn't care about the end result and I shouldn't have the intention or the pressure of making something look good. The end result does not matter -- only the creating.

Some options for Sweet Art Night could be creative writing of any sort, sketching, drawing, colouring, painting... pretty much anything you can do around a table with friends. You can glue things together, break things apart, cut and paste, whatever you're merry heart desires. Or so I'm told. The options really are endless and I am actually excited about it. I'm not a very creative person (yes, I do crafts, but I always have a template to follow, or a descriptive pattern, or specific directions), but I think that is something you can develop... or at least you can become more creative. As of now I am not good at "creating from within", but this is something I am definitely interested it. 

I can't wait until next month when we do it all over again.

the long weekend.

I got to spend last weekend with my friend Charisa and her two beautiful children.  Our husbands had planned a hike in Manning Park so Charisa and the sweet babes came to my house for the weekend. Stewart and Charisa live in the Lower Mainland so the six of us met up in Manning and then I came back to Kelowna with Charisa.

It was a wonderful weekend. Halle is 15 weeks (I think) and it was lovely to have such a little one in the house again. She is precious, adorable and itty bitty. And she smells so so good. And Micah, at almost 2 years old, was bursting with energy. So fun and so cute.

Erik had our little point-and-shoot so I was forced to play with Charisa's amazing camera. I may have taken hundreds of photos in the three days they were here. It doesn't really matter how nice your camera is though, taking pictures of active two-year-olds is a challenge. Mr Micah does not sit still.

I love pictures of Momma's with their kids. I love pictures of kids adoring anyone, but especially photos with their Momma's. My favourite photo of all time is of my SIL and her youngest. The relationship of a mother with her kids is amazing and special and I love both witnessing and capturing it.

We spent our time going for walks, enjoying the last bit of fall, reading, cutting food and re-velcroing it together for Micah. There were cuddles, there was yummy food, there was quiet and there was crying. We laughed, we talked, and we danced with little Halle girl.

This was really the first time Charisa and I had ever hung out. Our previous encounters had never been more than a couple hours at a time -- and only a handful of times at that. I think I counted it to be 11 times we've hung out. One of those times was her wedding so all I did was say hello and give her a hug (I'm a hugger). We've managed to squeeze in visits while we are passing through town. They even came to our place once when they were in town.

I probably should have been a little nervous -- three days with someone you don't know can be a little intimidating. I wasn't though because I had no reason to be. I thoroughly enjoyed having a female roommate for the weekend. I've missed sleepovers (no, Erik does not count). I loved being up late into the night chatting about girly things, or crafting together while we watched Pride and Prejudice. It was just so nice.

We are hoping to make it a bit of a more regular thing. I think we have our husbands on board. At least an annual thing. Any of your hubby's want to join the ranks of hiking husbands?? You're always welcome at my place!

{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. 

Wishing you a cozy weekend!

*** *** ***

the birthday boy.

My baby brother, Benjamin, turned 20 on Sunday.  After almost 40 years my parents finally have no more teenagers! Little Ben has always been such a gem. Unlike the rest of us, he is very mellow and easy going (I guess you have to be when you're the youngest of nine!).

my real-life doll.

He was the recipient of much mothering in my younger years. Actually, I'd probably still be mothering him if we lived in the same city. There is something that makes me fiercely protective of him. He is just lovable, gentle, endearing, thoughtful, considerate, sensitive, and all around lovely.

at his sweet sixteen.

It's hard not to think of Benjamin as a little boy -- I still picture my baby brother sitting in the playroom playing with his cars and drooling all over his knee. But he isn't, he's now a young man. And he's one of my favourite young men at that.

So Happy Birthday Benjamin Nicolas Hendrik. I know I'm late, but better late than never!

Music Monday: Double trouble

Aren't Mondays much more fun with new music to listen to? I look forward to them.

I am posting a double header today so I better get right down to it. My Brightest Diamond is a group that I've known about for a while but have never come in contact with. They are signed with Asthmatic Kitty records which has a lot of amazing artists and most importantly was created by my musical man crush Sufjan Stevens.

Shara Worden's voice is stunning to say the least coupled with her song writing ability its a sure match for anyone who likes dramatics and music. One thing I really appreciate is how many artists she has collaborated with. The National, Bon Iver, David Byrn, DM Stith, and (YES!) Sufjan Stevens are just a few. I knew as soon as I heard her voice that I've heard it before and that is because she was contributing artist on many of Sufjan's albums. I feel that artists who are able to collaborate, contribute, and share talents are in a very healthy situation. I love being able to hear how someone's album is added to by another artist's talents.

Here is "Feeling Good" a contribution to the Dark Was the Night album I've posted here before.



As I said, a stunning voice.

Here is another favorite. A very raw and beautiful version of her song "Everything Is In Line". The song on the album sounds nothing like this but I am glad they put this version up because I think its amazing.



Love it.

Until next time, keep your diamonds polished and your feelings good.

EO

{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. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

*** *** ***

the tube

for your listening pleasure.

Music Monday

Hello and welcome to Music Monday. This is a day to listen, enjoy, dislike, and reflect on our favorite music.

I must admit that I am very particular about music. I cannot stand most pop music (there are a few slightly embarrassing exceptions). Generally speaking the music I like has to be emotive, thought provoking, lyrically unique, or just generally interesting. I am very resistant to most new artists or have been until recently and I currently am feeling bad about only liking one or two songs from an artist. I used to think if I didn't like the entire album then it wasn't worth it. Actually, I am still mostly that way but I am slowly kicking that habit. There are way too many good songs out there to listen to and not enough time to listen to them all.

This is Timbre Timber with Black Water



Until next time Mondains, keep your lyrics thought provoking and your beats interesting... or else I won't like you.

EDO

{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. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

*** *** ***

the gym

My dear husband convinced me to go to the gym with him yesterday. His gym. A gym or both men and women. I'm going to start by saying I think I prefer women only -- there were far too many very large, very muscular macho men within an uncomfortably close proximity of me. I'm uncomfortable lifting weights as it is, but when you incorporate forty strong men into the picture I become even less comfortable.

I was reminded of how out of shape I am. It's funny and entirely absurd, but I still think of myself as a fit athlete. This proved to be a myth yesterday.  To be honest, there have been a number of times I have been faced with the reality that I am not, in fact, in shape, nor could I classify myself as an athlete. Even so, I have held on firmly to the myth. Ignorance is bliss, my friends, ignorance is bliss.

I did really well with going to the gym last year. From November till January at least and then I went to Africa and came back far too busy to think about it. And now, now I am a casual employee at the hospital which means I have no set schedule. Which means I can't make a schedule for the gym. Which means I need to decide to go when I'm not called into work. I think I work better with a planning and preparation. I like knowing. I like going to classes I like going to rather than showing up and doing whatever is scheduled at the time. Also, my gym has the worst hours for someone who does shift work. It isn't open until 6am and it closes by 9pm. And weekends are even worse -- something like 11-3.

Oh. I only do classes. I'm not big on doing things on my own because of a) accountability b) I don't actually know what I'm supposed to do at the gym and c) I am more determined when there is someone watching me and when someone else sets expectations.

Anyway. This is me recommitting to going to the gym. Probably my ladies gym, though I do like exercising with Erik. We'll just have to start running together once the weather warms up  again. I miss being fit.

So until next time, keep fit and have fun.

the bean

Erik and I had Sawyer over for the weekend. I don't know if I have ever mentioned it, but Erik again stated that he prefers having her for more than one night. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think he thinks it's easier. I have to agree -- I love having her for more than one night. We get into a groove of our own and I can focus on other thing rather than being wrapped up entirely in enjoying her.

She enjoys playing independently so it's good when I give her some space. This weekend she discovered the wooden food I have. It's Melissa and Doug's Cutting Food and she became obsessed with it. I also have the Shape Sorting Cube which she is getting the hang of. It's actually really tough! It has a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon among other difficult shapes. She still needs a little direction, but if I turn the box so it's facing right-side-up she cn usually figure out which hole the shape fits into.

I think it's fun to watch kids learn. I especially love when you can see their little minds thinking and you know exactly what they are trying to figure out. Sawy gets a very determined look on her face when she is puzzled and she will often look at me and sign "more" or "please" when she is stumped and needs a hand. It's pretty adorable.

Sawyer only signs "more", "please", "all done" and "milk", but I am amazed at how much she can communicate with just that. We were dancing and the music stopped so she looked at me and signed "more please".  I like the idea of teaching kids sign language -- even if it is only a couple words. Especially "all done". I think it can prevent some temper tantrums. Sawyer will sign when she is finished with something or when she wants out of her high chair or when she is annoyed with you rather than getting upset.

Sawyer has started saying "ya" all the time too. She doesn't say much yet -- momma, dada, ball, ya... that may be the extent of it. She sometimes repeats words, but not typically. And she doesn't really say any animal sounds. Not a very verbally expressive little Bean.

This here is her favourite seat in the house. She loves to sit on feet. Especially when your legs are crossed so she is perched up a bit. It makes me laugh every time. I will pick her up to sit on my lap or sit on the seat beside me and she will slide down and sit herself down on my foot. She is very fond of bouncing on your foot too.

She was so cuddly when she was over. She passed out on Erik when I was making our lunch and even he couldn't deny how wonderful a small child feels snuggled up.

The hospital called every single day Sawyer was over. I was waiting all week for calls and none came, but any time I have anything planned they call and I can't come in. Of course. That's the way it always goes. I have this weekend pre-booked so at least I know I'll be working then.

I hope some blue skies are poking through wherever you are. I haven't spotted any yet today, but I remain hopeful. Have a wonderful day!