kidding around

exterior corners

Originally uploaded by carol lee.

Another entry for “Corners of my Home”.

This morning, I felt an “urging” from my favorite thrift store to pay it a visit. So Penelope and I obeyed it’s command and we found this lovely treasure. It’s so pretty and I plan to make some pants for Ellie to wear with it.
The detail and stitching is exquisite. I also can’t believe I spent a mere 75cents.
I actually went to the store looking for a small, wooden bookshelf for Penny and her books. I struck out and was tempted to buy a metal, vintage-like tea cart for $10. I overcame the temptation and hopefully will be rewarded with a shelf soon! Ugh, I hate having to use self-control.

Okay, so it’s a cold and rainy day in the Chicago area. Simon is watching some crazy “Superman” DVD and Penny is napping. I decided to share this unbelievable book with all of you. We received it in the mail this past Saturday and we have no idea who it came from, but we sure are grateful.

I think this is one of those books everyone should get to really KNOW what is going on in the world. I know my kids have been really interested in seeing the families and how they live…nothing but a great book to broaden one’s mind, huh?
The writers travelled all over the globe to document the way people eat, what they spend their money on and they even document statistics of each location. It shares the literacy rate, obese population, McDonald’s restaurants, and people with diabetes.

The family(refugees in Chad) above only spends $1.43 a week on their food in contrast to families in Europe and the US spend $347…that’s right over $300! What?!?! We eat pretty well, but there is no way we come close to this figure! I know I but minimal snack foods and the majority of my budget is on local dairy products and fresh meat and vegetables. Crazy.Guess where the above photo is? I only showed a bit of the photo because it was so embarrassing.

This unfortunate sight is a shot in Mongolia. It is showing how that now that there is more affluence, they now have food to throw away.What an amazing and sobering commentary this book is on our world! If only people would be more disgusted with how we have become less grateful and more greedy. Of course, I speak from my own little world. I am fortunate to have many resources available for my family…I have learned a lot from this book, especially from those that “seem” to have less. There is something they possess that maybe we all need- and that is the instinct to survive without being swayed by a commercial for Cheetos.

…of dressing my girls the same!
These skirts were super easy to make and I had a lot of fun going to my fabric pile and pulling what I liked. I figured Ellie is still young that she would think it’s fun she and her sister have similar skirts. I’m just glad she is willing to pose for a photo and wear something handmade. There is such an emphasis on WHERE you buy your clothes and I am glad she has not paid too much attention to it.
I’m sure a lot can relate to a growing list of “to do’s”. There is so much I want to make, but there is so much I want to do with my kids too. Now that the weather is warming up and we are outside more, my “crafting” time is becoming obsolete. How do some of you manage it? I have fun sewing, but I also want to paint more…I also want to begin a “stitching” project because I loved what I did this past Fall…I know it’s a nice problem with so many things in my head, but I’m beginning to think it is a sickness!

This past week we have been really busy with Holy Week and then finally Pascha! This year we took the 2 older kids with us and it was very exciting for them to be involved. The service begins at 11:15 pm and doesn’t end until 2am- but the time is exciting with a procession, all sorts of shouting (Christ is Risen!), and candles. After the service, we break the fast and eat lots of chocolate, good cheese, and champagne or whatever item you have gone “without”. We didn’t get home until 4am…the birds were already singing!
I know a lot of you don’t read my blog for any sort of religious inspiration, so I’ll just show the night in images.
If you look really close, you can see Simon. He did a marvelous job considering the time he stood standing (10:30-2) and he did the same thing the night before. He insisted on participating.

A shot of Nathan and I with Ellie. She insisted in wearing a dress I wore as a flower girl in the 1970s…she pulled it off well.
Okay, time to take a nap. This all night thing has made me all jittery and achingly tired.I’ve missed posting, but it was a nice break. I’ll be showing some skirts I made the girls tomorrow.

As many of you know I work for my sister and her husband.
I only bake for her part-time and cater, but it’s really nice to be apart of such talent. I thought you would all enjoy some “sweet shots” of this past weekend.

Plus, I am trying out the link button and I am so happy I figured it out! Check out their site.

I won’t be posting for the rest of the week. For my immediate family we will be taking time to reflect on Holy Week. We are Orthodox Christians and this time will be a good rest in the everyday and some reflection on more important things. See you next week. Did I really have to post the below picture after being all “reflective”?! Sure, I suppose…:)

I think every kid while growing up loves to recite “The Three Little Pigs” story. I know Ellie and Simon love to use all their dramatic gifts and perform with all of their hearts. Now that I have my nephew’s gift finished (see Robot post), I also need to include in the package something for Violette, his sister. So this little cast of friends will be making their way to Oregon soon.

This was such a fun gift to make. I plan to make more “casts” in the future. Any story ideas?

The above people were a gift for my god-daughter in January. These little girls and guys were so much fun to make! And yes, my kids have put in requests for these too…I think I will get my Christmas gift making started soon…did I just say that?!?

I have 13 nieces and nephews with 2 others on the way. Every time one of their birthdays roll around, I think of them and then kick myself for not sending them a gift. It’s tough, especially when 12 of the are under the age of 7! And they live all over the country. So, this year I am starting to send each of them a gift and forgo the Christmas token.

This set of robot blocks kicks off my new gift giving system and I love them! They will be mailed shortly to my soon to be 2 year old nephew in Portland. Although I have not seen Leo a whole lot, it’s fun to be able to imagine him since he and Penny are so close in age.

Ellie and Simon are dropping hints that they want their own sets…I may just need to make their dreams come true!

I found great inspiration in these cool guys at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago over Christmas. I think Nathan and I were more into the exhibit than the kids. We were mesmerized with these creatures and took loads of shots. I’m glad I did!

After posting all my fun photos of Penny and her big day, she has come down with some sort of flu. She has battled an up and down fever of 101 to 103.3. Thankfully she is coming out of her hot and sweaty state.

Of course I have loved holding her and treating her like my little 6 month old baby, but I also like the quickly- emerging- independent stage too!

I love this shot of her and I lounging on Ellie’s bed. This is such a familiar place for me…each of my kids have spent many moments resting on my chest. I still do this with my 7 year old and always tell her how she rested on me all of the time and I loved every minute.

I’ll try to figure out how to post an image tomorrow- all by myself. I’ve made some fun robot blocks for a nephew and want to show them off.

magic

Originally uploaded by carol lee.

Read more by clicking onto my “flickr”!