Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Remember Me?!

Well, this feels strange, updating my blog?!! I figured why not update after filing my taxes and my boo boo is asleep! Not much to report other than we are currently exhausted and stressed about my impending return to work in less than two weeks.  I so wish I could be a stay at home mom at least for another year.  Nathanael is too young to have his mommy be ripped from him for 4 days a week at 10 hours a day, including travel time.  He is still nursing and I haven't weaned him yet and don't want too.  We will nurse in the mornings, when I get home and before bed and all weekend long if he wants to and I'm sure he will! I'm also stressed because I'm not returning to my familiar job as a learning assistance teacher...they gave my job away and put me in a kindergarten class, of which I am not adept at teaching.  I've been spending precious mat leave time planning and fretting about my return but I shouldn't complain since I know other mothers in the world have it tougher than me.  Still doesn't make it easier with that knowledge.  Anyways, we have been trying to make the best out of our days. Lately, I discovered a gardening nursery nearby and just down the street, a little farm with sheep, chickens, horses and pigs! We've been going there a lot, using it as therapy sessions of a sort.  It's so relaxing to be walking around in the "country"! I also bought a number of plants to make hanging baskets and some herbs to line our patio.  Tending to flowers and our garden has also been a source of joy.  We planted some veggies too! Beets, carrots, radishes, potatoes and very soon, string beans.  I feel that this summer will be wonderful as we see the fruits of our labour flourish and bloom.  Nathanael loves being outside and happily plucks away at dandelions and well, just about everything else.  He packs everything into his chubby little fists like a squirrel, prepping for winter.  He just turned 11 months old yesterday and has been walking since he was 10 months and 2 weeks but a lot more steadier now.  He's quite the card too and makes the funniest sounds when he sees an animal.  If you've followed me on instagram, you can watch the video there.  

As for stitching, that has been a no go.  I did pick up needle and thread the other night, made a big mistake and spent the rest of the night picking it out.  Needless to say, I haven't picked it up since.  But I will! Instead, I have been fooling around with aromatherapy and making a lot of wonderful products to support and heal us.  Inhalers, bath salts, sprays, toners, roll ons and my next venture will be an anti-aging serum.  Aromatherapy is quite the trip and one learns something new everyday.  I was quite surprised that there is a lot of unsafe usage information out there mainly put out by big mlm companies such as Young Living and Doterra.  One of Young Living's oils, cinnamon bark, was recently tested and found to be adulterated, meaning it wasn't pure and cut with chemicals.  You would think that essential oils should be all safe but it's not the case when money is involved.  Isn't that the way with all things though? Anywho, I have found other reputable companies with cheaper prices and have been happy with discovering new oils, uses and scents.  It's a lot of fun!!

Okay, enough rambling, here's some photos of my boy.  I should include some flower photos but I'll wait until my next post...hopefully that won't be 4-5 months away! 













There will be more photos, but I forgot to mention our dear Vickie stitched the most adorable flatfold for Nathanael.  It's a little boy holding Titus, ha, if Titus would let him!! NOT!!!! Thank you dearest of friends for this precious gift xoxoxoxox.





Annnnd, some stitching I forgot to show! One day, awhile ago, as I was making the bed, I knocked over a glass of water and it spilled on my Sarah Chapple! The dye ran a bit but thankfully, because of the dark linen, you can't really tell unless you look real close, that there's ruddy dye marks on the linen.  Oh well.




Some wee grass I stitched awhile back on my JCS 1707.



Now back to my boy.











Okay, I should've edited but it's hard to do when he is just so darn cute.  I miss all of you and think of all of you all the time. Seriously I do.  

Big hugs,

Anne

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Helloooo!!

Eek! Over two months since I've last posted! If I thought I had no time back then, boy do I not now that my boy is into everything and I'm making all of his purees which means more dishes, washing and planning.  In the evenings I don't feel like stitching at all. Instead I've been vegging on reruns of the Office or playing with my essential oils, making bath salts, sprays and massage oils.  I did put in a few stitches the other night on Sarah Chapple, finished one Christmas stitch and the border of my granny stripe.  Yup, that's all the crafting I've done.  My mojo is gone and who knows when it'll come back.  

Thank you to those who have stuck with me.  I've noticed over 20 people dropped my blog, which is odd because when I was more active, I usually deleted a blog if they hadn't updated in 2 years! I've also noticed on Instagram, because of my Nathanael pictures, I've lost loads of stitcher friends.  Which is fine because if you want your feed to be purely stitching, delete the cute baby feed!! Odd how people are.  Anywho, that's my rant and again, thank you to those of you who continue to stay in touch with me during my first year as a mother.  It's definitely challenging but so rewarding at the same time.  

So Nathanael has been an early crawler, stander and basically, getting into everything.  He babbles and said "Mum!" last week which melted my heart.  He loves the water and so we took him swimming which is such a fun family activity. He loves most food but isn't too fond of avocados, peas, beets or green beans.  But what child is?!! We'll keep trying though! He gives big smiles to everyone, loooooves guitar and is clapping all the time.  What an enchanting age.  I wish I could time freeze and stay in this stage forever.  Without further ado, here's a plethora of photos, including some minor stitching ones.  

Cut out backing fabric have yet to sew them together

A finish that was supposed to be done in 2014

The vine on the left is finished, just need to add the flowers!
There's a border but I forgot to take an updated photo
Not into these photos anymore
After the hand flapping, he destroyed the string
Not interested in looking at Mama now
Swim time with daddy

Having the time of his life!

He's a big boy eating toast!

Me and my precious boy

Nana and Nathanael

Touching plants at the mall

Loves his kangaroo jumper

Titus and me on Christmas morning..N was asleep

Christmas time

Ukulele lessons

Papa and Nathanael

Titus and N

Couldn't resist adding this photo of his blue eyes!
Made some wool dryer balls with essential oils

Sleeping boy...rare

Chilly park day

I'll try to update a bit more often but it's hard to do being so busy.  I go back to work in May - insert major waterfall tears here- and will be even more busy! 

Hugs to you all!!