The magic of fairies in our family...

In the weeks leading up to the Handmade Holidays show, I neglected so many things. Where to start? There was less volunteering, less time for my husband, kids, and friends, a shorter fuse on my part, less running in the woods for me, and no blog posts. I was barely keeping the essential balls in the air (like meals), let alone juggling any extras. I kept reminding myself NOT to "pack my bags and go on a guilt trip." (This phrase is credited to a dear friend who makes me bust out laughing every time she says it.)

At the set up for the show, I was sharing with a friend about the fairy house that my daughter had constructed with her dad. I had no part in it, as he'd been filling in all the gaps due to my craziness to get ready for the show. In describing their deepening relationship, I realized that many of the recent moments between them had occurred precisely because I WASN'T in the picture. Not that I impede their relationship, but I think you get what I mean. My lack of presence gave him the opportunity to be more present for the kids.

I marvel at this creation of theirs. My husband has never seen the info out there for parents about building fairy homes. He just joined in her imaginative process and they created. She left a note for the fairies, asking for a crystal and magically it appeared. (I had no part in that one either. I kept forgetting and the note sat there a few days. Thank heaven for daddies.)

This sweet house has several ramps and doors, a ladder, a swing (pictured above), and a lovely porch with a bench to hang out on. Don't you just want to move right in? I kidded my husband that he should start a new business as he has such obvious talent.

When I look out the window at the fairies' home, I can almost see them flitting about. It is such a nice reminder of family, magic, and what we can create.

Handmade Holidays Show

It all starts with a lot of sewing. (How many bag handles can you count?)

Then comes the fun part.... drawing with thread.

Finally the big day arrived. All that prep, and set up, and suddenly you are part of a show put on by two wonderful women in support of local craftswomen and an amazing grassroots non-profit called Arts for Life.

I have to tell you that it was just a lovely event. The women who are invited to sell at this show are some of the friendliest and most talented. It was really something.... an absolute pleasure.

It wasn't just about the money I made or the money that we raised for Arts for Life, although all of that was wonderful. This was the second year of the show, and I have begun to feel a sense of community with these women. I had some amazing conversations that inspired me to want to create and explore more.

I also received so many affirmations about myself as a blossoming quilter and artist. This last little bit may be hard for me to explain, but I'll try. There were many talented and tasteful women there who gave me compliments about my work. Visualizing myself as an artist is something I've been working through for many years. There are certainly some self esteem issues to sort through and old messages to cleanse. I'm working on it; this weekend was such a positive step in that process. So on that note, I want to say thank you to all of my friends and my family who supported me. It was important to me in more ways than you can possibly imagine.

(P.S. I did have a handful of bags left that I will post for sale on my etsy by the end of this week. If you're local and didn't get a chance to stop by, email me and you can come take a look.)

Still here....

Hello friends. Yes. I'm still here. I have so much to show and tell you, but have just been unplugged. I really haven't had time to sit down at the computer. It's just been that busy, or we've been outside consuming every ounce of autumn. I promise to give you a glimpse of all the beautiful sewing I've been doing lately. Soon, very soon. Please come back to visit... soon, very soon.

Fall in Western North Carolina

amazing...

Nine years ago today

It awes me.... what we have. We have lived together for thirteen years and been married today for nine. We have experienced tragedies and triumphs together. We have birthed and are raising two amazing children. There have been no shortage of life lessons.




These flowers filled the bedroom we share together now on the day that I put on my dress for our wedding. I was surrounded by powerful and loving women in that room as I got ready. The love we felt as our family and friends gathered outside under the brilliant fall leaves radiated all around us during the ceremony. It has been as much a part of our marriage as our own love for one another.




When I planted these mums nine years ago, I had no idea what the future would bring. I knew that I was making a lifetime commitment that was one of the very most "right" things I have ever done. Each year these flowers bloom on our anniversary, reminding us of the richness of our choice. What an incredible choice it was, and continues to be.

Family traditions

There are certain things that have become tradition in our household.... a benchmark, if you will, for each season. I didn't necessarily set out to establish this rhythm when we had children, but it has emerged over time. Traditions in families make a whole lot of sense to me now that I'm a parent. They provide structure and consistency for children in the most fluid and time-honored way. They also fill our year with a sense of connection as a family, and there is always a certain excitement about anticipating each seasonal event. I cherish the traditions we had as a child, and find great joy in weaving new ones into the fabric of my young family now.


One of our fall traditions, like so many other Western North Carolina families, is to go to a local orchard and pick apples. I have several years of pictures now, documenting each event. I looked back through each year and was shocked to see how much our children have grown and changed (and how much they looked alike at the age of 3!)

And of course, once we got our apples home, we had to make our requisite apple pie. This little blue gem came with the house, if you can believe it. It was up on a dusty shelf in the pantry. Both kids had a ball cranking and we wished we had more apples. My guess is, now that we've found this, we'll be getting a whole bunch more apples in the coming weeks. Applesauce is next on the list.

(A random aside... the leaf my little guy gave me as a gift. He's shifted from picking flowers for me, to finding the prettiest leaf and bringing it in.)

And of course, I had to take a picture of the finished product. I will tell you that there was plenty of cursing during the making of this crust. I decided to try all whole wheat; it was a different animal... a very ornery one. I finally got the consistency right (much to my surprise) and it was pronounced "yummy scrummy." I'm not an intuitive cook, so I felt it was surely headed for the compost. Whew. It was a close one.

This is the book we read every year as part of our tradition. It's terrific for the 2-6 yr range. What I love about this book, is not only it's illustrations, but the story itself. A brother and sister share their understanding of the seasons by telling how their apple tree changes. The tree is depicted as if it is a part of the family, and the ultimate end surprise is an apple pie made from it's apples in the fall. The book even includes a description of pollination by honey bees at the end. Gotta love that! (Fall, Leaves, Fall by Zoe Hall is also great!)

One more of our favorites, though we didn't have it this weekend to read. A wonderful book, as well!

So... here's to traditions in families and the changing of the seasons. I wouldn't have felt like I had truly recognized autumn until I wrote a post about apples. What are some of your family's tradition around fall? I'm always curious what different families find special and would love to hear. Have a wonderful week...

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