remembering summer

I can not describe in words the love that these two have for each other

I miss these girls

gifts from a friend, Vincenzio

I have to admit, this is one of the only winters that I have not been somewhat sad for. Having a "farm," or a big plot of land with vegetables to tend and animals to care for, really makes one cherish the downtime during the cold months. I am able to focus on drawing and sewing and all other creative endeavors that are near impossible to even contemplate during the summer. (I will post photos of my newly organized studio tomorrow!) But I still miss the memories that came along with this past summer. Such a wonderful one we had... What are some special memories from yours?

his dad is a pilot

created for the shop

rainbow bookshelf

photographic inspiration

I know it's still November, but come May, I'm having a May Day Party... with little flower satchels for the neighbors' doors and lots of silky ribbon for the maypole. I'd love for all the girls to dress in white, but that seems a bit far-fetched... oh, if only the world were as it is in dream-land! (or 1910, ha!)

a silly poster

canning photos from the summer

jars from our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Tidings

the vegetables Jamie and his father chopped all morning long

corn!

tomato sauce almost complete

mixed vegetables, tomato sauce, green beans 

the process continued through the next evening

Alice Eleanora Carlsson Buckley

This is my great grandma- on my mom's side. She ran a farm in Michigan. There were loads of kittens and a big black bull that happened to chase my mother when she was just a little girl. She only made handmade Christmas presents. Like costumes and dolls and quilts. I wish I could have known her a little more, or just have spied on her in my secret time machine. Her mother only spoke Swedish and cooked only 

Swedish food. 

She brought with her a Swedish horse that is the center of debate between her great great granddaughters. Each one wants it, and one has claimed it. In the end, it will probably go to one of the great great great great granddaughters. I don't think anyone really cares where it is though. Really it's in all of our hearts. Like some carved collective consciousness. 

building a fort

He built a tipi one summer afternoon. Ah, boyhood...

trinket

Translation: "Little fairies are special to me. I love them."
(but I like my child-scratch more)

bees

I received my books in the mail yesterday. Maria & Matthias Thun's The North American Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar for 2010 and Weeds and What They Tell by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer. I'm so excited to read and experiment with each!

I skimmed through the calendar when I first opened it yesterday and found a section entitled Anthroposophical Insights into Honey. I had just finished a long conversation with a friend who was struggling with feelings of not having a place or purpose in this world. I think anyone who takes time to contemplate life comes to that sad conclusion at times. I know I do. I also know that it has the potential of being a most productive feeling once the general sadness subsides. Anyhow, I read the two paragraphs about honey and was reminded of my friend. I am also reminded that she is not alone in her feelings and that others might appreciate and benefit from reading this quote as well. Here you are:

"In his lectures about bees Rudolph Steiner describes how they do not fit into the normal course of evolutionary development. They would otherwise appear as an integrated part of the twelvefold kingdom of the insects. Instead, they are a kind of new creation developed from a pre-existing animal form. He describes that in order to create the necessary conditions for the development of human individuality a particular substance was needed. This substance had to come from flowers and possess certain properties. In the ancient mystery centres where human development was guided, this substance was created by 'breeding' the honey bee from the fig wasp and producing honey. Rudolph Steiner describes how honey was used as a special condiment to support the developing human individuality and bring about the upright stature. Humanity as a whole has passed through and to some degree completed this phase of evolution. Individually, however, all human beings repeat this development during life and become more complete with each successive incarnation and more able to achieve the tasks they have set for themselves. It is quite apparent when observing a young child that the individuality is not active from the moment they are born but only gradually emerges over time under the care and guidance of those around, especially the parents."

a cookbook

This is a small cookbook I made for a friend a few months ago. I love cooking and thought I would finally share this with any inter-webbed friends who traipse across my page. 

Another thing. It has been icy cold early in the morning when I ride my bicycle to work. Before I left yesterday at 6:15 am, I said goodbye to Jamie who was outside in the shed. He had fallen asleep writing the night before. He didn't realize how wonderful it was to be deep in slumber only ten feet from our alpacas. I wonder if their dreams mingled... It was serene to pause and feed them a small breakfast of grains, and their lips were warm nuzzling my chapped hands. It felt good to take my mittens off for them. I wish I had fibers so thick that I could sleep outside atop the crunchy, frosted blades of grass.