There are days when my morning begins with thoughts of work. Etsy shop updates. Blog posts. Business plan worksheets.
Somewhere though the path of my day shifts. I veer towards the seemingly unimportant. Rearranging furniture. Washing floors. Daydreaming.
Many times I offer myself only reprimands about such behaviour and wasting time. Sometimes I allow myself to sink into it and recognize that this too is part of the process.
Today was a good day.
xo
I am going to go out on a limb here and state for the record that this year my love of Christmas was given a run for it's money by thoughts of the days after. The December whirlwind of full-time winter farming, LittleWool making and all that is Christmas prep felt at times like a race to the finish line.
Don't get me wrong, our familiar holiday traditions foster a mindful and lovely vibe. Each gift is purchased or made with careful consideration - books and tools and craft supplies bringing much joy to both the giver and receiver. Of note - it is surprising how much preparation is required to achieve such simplicity. A fact that I must promptly forget each year once the festivities begin.
And now, with all holidaying behind me I find myself with a string of commitment free days. Days spent with the possibility of spontaneous walks on our homestead with no intended destination. Walks with the unhurried pace that allows for the delivery of carrots and apples to spots we know our animal friends will find them.
Mornings and afternoons spent with books and fibre as my inspiration. Always with a coffee or tea in hand. Sometimes in the company of friends or family, sometimes in the quiet of morning alone while those I love are asleep.
Balance has been struck. And as such I have been able to make room in my head for hopes and dreams for the coming year. As we make ready to ring in 2017 there is space for the idea of possibility.
It begins with this little old shed. And remains the subject for another post.
xo
Proof to me that the universe is watching. Because the fact that songs like "It's a Good Life if you don't Weaken" and "If We Make it through December" have been running on repeat through my head for the past month just weren't indication enough. When day one of the work week begins with a headachy kid, it doesn't matter what was on the list of things to-do. The powers that be have other plans.
A forced stop.
A quiet day at home. With little bits of holiday decorating and making thrown in. An opportunity to teach the sick one about essential oil mixing. Catching up on LittleWool custom orders.
Small things that have a disproportionate impact. The opportunity to catch my breath.
xo
It is with growing acceptance that I acknowledge the fact that December is right around the corner. Over the past couple of months my days have been spent attempting to balance farm work with wool work. Oh yes, and the daily routines of home and family. Of note to me is the extreme lack of time spent with friends - a reality of the times but first on the list to remedy come January.
This sweet LittleWool number and I have been a thing for six holiday seasons now. A fact that fills me with the same happiness as it did on season 1.
This year my LittleWool creations are available in a few spots around town. All of the wonderful folks who work so hard at their own small business ventures deserve to have a light focussed on them. Keeping things real in a time of big box madness. (The fact that I am posting this on the nefarious Black Friday is not lost on me).
Thanks for all your support. The heart you put into your spaces does not go unnoticed. And your friendship is perhaps the greatest gift to me.
Lastly, I am participating in two shows in the coming weeks.
This weekend I can be found at Linda Hynes Pottery for her Open Studio along with Milkhouse Farm and Dairy. If beautiful pottery, delicious cheese and pretty fibre are your thing, then you don't want to miss this one.
And of course, the show that I cut my teeth on so many years ago happens December 3 in Ottawa. My old reliable Fisher Park Pop-Up Market.
Happy weekend all. Farm work is calling.
xo
Finally. After way too long I am getting my etsy shop updated. This is never a quick process for me. The self-promotion and marketing gene seems to be lacking in my being. And while I accept that selling is the ultimate end result, I prefer the creative side of things so much more.
With less and less living on the outdoor things-to-do list, more of my time has been freed up to devote to this LittleWool shop that I love so much.
Happy Friday all.
xo
Well. The countdown is on folks. Etsy Made in Canada - the Ottawa version is just a week away. My days at this point are full of farmwork and woolwork......all other pursuits are put away for another time. The small issue of meals and sleep, let's just say they aren't getting my "A" game right now. :-)
But let me say this. It's a pretty special place to be - immersed in the work of my hands, creating sweet little things for all those sweet little people out there. And big people...they seem to get drawn in too. A fact that never fails to make an impression on me. So many kindred spirits out in the world.
And so folks. This event should make your list of things to do next weekend. It is a show full of makers all with the same feelings I do. And a perfect opportunity to support both local and handmade at the same time. Sister shows are going on in both Gatineau and Kingston if that is closer to your neck of the woods.
Happy weekending all. xo
There is life. And there are often times when it remains simply about keeping ones' head above water. Times when the extent of "handmade" includes getting dinner on the table. Times when it has to be enough to fall into bed remembering all that has been done and not what didn't.
In an attempt to keep things light and pretty in this space I feel that maybe sometimes this crucial piece of information gets missed. The pursuit of handmade is a choice that comes hand in hand with my choice to try and live a life subject to what is important to me. This step, that of taking time to think and then create allows for a thought process that helps me remain on this path. It's not that I don't I get waylaid.
As I mentioned in my last post, this Summer the garden has been the centre of my handmade focus. And it started in Spring with a fence.
I am very happy with this fence. Of the postholes I dug. And set posts in. And backfilled. Many times over. The wood gleaned from our property...some of it from old falling down fencing, some freshly cut a stones throw away. I am sure there will be a time in the future when the fence just is and always has been, but for now it is reminder of time spent and grounds me to this place. The creation of gates lives on the list for next year.
There is also now at least a small chunk of each day dedicated to LittleWool. With the impending arrival of my busy season I am attempting to be ahead of the game....even if only for a little while.
And here we are at Friday. The weekend presenting an opportunity to create without the distraction of the everyday routine and the necessity of outside the home paid labour.
Wishing you a wonderful day and weekend ahead.
Karen
After a long stretch of days guided by sunshine, rain greeted us this morning. Truth be told, while I thoroughly enjoyed the warming power of the sun, it was starting to feel like time for some water. It's restorative powers of washing away the remnants of winter...the sand, the salt and the little grey piles of resilient snow, felt overdue.
Our weekend was spent exploring the property my folks will be moving to. A nice little 2-acre lot with a small house. The kiddos spent time do what kids do best. A sight that always bring relief to this Mama's heart and mind. Proof that while the statistics say one thing, the innate curiosity and love of the out-of-doors lives on strong.
And Sunday. My "work" day - spent with my hands deeply mired in batting, roving, soap and hot water. Creating in the moment, prompted by the knowledge that soon my days will be spent in the company of boxes and packing tape. And in quick succession, the reversal of said process.
Happy Monday all.
It's Monday. It is raining. And I am holding onto that weekend-y feeling with both hands.
There is much on my plate in the days to come. All good stuff - baking, sewing, planning - the things that keep me in the moment. But I have to admit that there is a growing sense of "sew faster" or "I have to do this and that" creeping in around the edges and threatening to pull me out of the moment.
So. I find myself on this Monday morning, writing here. This place that somehow manages to help me form thoughts and solutions to the things that plague me. Past, present and future.
Happy Monday all.
Here we are, feet in November. From this point on it is just one slippery slope to December....and all the fun that month brings.
Much of my world looks something like this. Any one who lives out of doors has made a hasty retreat into the underground world. The trees and plants have dropped their accessories and have gone to sleep. Me? I can safely say that if it were to snow lots tomorrow I am prepared. And so glad to be at this point in the circle of the year.
After knowing myself for many, many (and yes many, many) years now, I can say with certainty that the months from October to February are my best months. That is to say, I feel the most like "me" at those times.....in my element and living the life I was meant to.
I am entering the busy season of LittleWool with the peace of mind that comes with having done this a few times now and a scaled back December roster. 'Bonkers' is the word that comes to mind when I think about last November and December. And thankfully, I am in a spot where I can pull back a bit. My etsy store is fully stocked. As is the Village Quire and the Glebe Emporium. Of course, my holiday season would not be complete without attending the Fisher Park Christmas craft fair..the place I started out with seven years ago now.
Here is a peak at what I have been working on.
Welcome November. I am glad you are here.
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