tiny

grapes

corn (yes corn!)

mushrooms (gnome variety - under our lavender)

strawberries

animal friends!

We weeded the raspberry garden today - St. Louis has had days and days of rain. So too muddy to go back there with a camera. Too overcast to take good pictures. Too clammy to make yourself be outside anyways....but things are growing (kids included) and that is very very good. xo

the desk

When I went out to our carriage house/garage to check out the desk we want to revamp for Kyle, I was surprised to find a raspberry plant growing right there alongside it.

It looks a little Jack-in-the-Beanstalk-ish doesn't it?

Kyle is just weeks away from finishing his year in his Waldorf kindergarten. The Waldorf philosophy is not traditionally academic in the kindergarten year, so we will be homeschooling him a bit this summer to acquaint him with some of the things his 1st grade friends might already know when he meets them this Fall.

I'm thinking sky blue for the metal part, and some mod-like fabric for the seat.

He knows he has a writing nook coming his way, but he has no idea what "writing nook" means. I have been completely inspired by The Write Start - I am just devouring Jennifer's blog. This desk, a bookshelf filled with goodness specifically for his work time and a candle (you'll see it soon) with a special friend to help us settle are all part of the package. My bigs are so excited to help too - it's going to be a very fun part of our summer!

And here's our raspberry garden trying to peek in on the action over here.

Wishing you wonderful weekends! xo

p.s.

Here's Ky with his boat! He advocated to keep his project alive for another week - we'll see if we finish it! xo

WIPsTWNGD**

** works in progress that will never get done!**

I found this beautiful oldish book (copyright 1965) at a church rummage sale. It's an adapted Russian folktale with beautiful "the last shall be first" and "peace over violence" kinds of messages. And the artwork is amazing - doesn't it remind you of Tomie dePaola?

As our kylemamadays come to a close (and it's freezing, blustery, icky here), we decided to make boats out of oatmeal containers, modeled after the boats in the story. Great fun, except Kyle was done once his sail was painted with his big capital "K" and his life boat was ready for play.

So we stopped here...and I'm guessing this table will look like this tomorrow and the next day. And then said project will be in our recycling bin. Ah well. Still a lovely day!

Happy Mothering Day!

I once heard a beautiful lecture (homily) about how many countries in the world celebrate a "Mothering Day" to honor all women who mother. Right on! I'm so very thankful today (and everyday) to be a mom, but when I stop and reflect about it, I'm really just so thankful for all the mother love in my kids' lives...whether it's from their dad (oh yes indeed), extended family, our friends, their friends' moms, teachers, coaches, etc. So thankful.

Hope you have a wonderful day! xo

P.S. Do you read Teesha's blog? I love what she writes here about glowing orbs (or what I would call "spots"!)

Farmers Market-ing

Our very favorite farmers market opened today! Above is my daughter, modeling the spiderwomanknits pillowcase totes (tutorial is here) that we made this week - love them! If you live in St. Louis, consider making this market a weekly ritual. I'll share more in the weeks ahead, but the produce, farm fresh eggs, ethically-raised meats, handmade pastas, and treats, live music and handmade goods abound. Definitely the best earth-friendly farmers market in St. Louis!

Oh, did I mention the jumprope making "machine"? Brilliant and so much fun!

And do you see the hand-dyed, hand-spun yarn in that first photo? That is for a very soft hat for my very soft niece who was born last night in Hawaii...more on her soon too! xo