Favicon Thanks...

Do you see that lil' chocolate fishy up there? The wee lil' Favicon? Isn't he cute? I won the lil' fishy over at Striking Keys. And to win him I had to do *nothing.* I just liked Angela's blog a while back, but who wouldn't? She's hilarious & so organized. Thank you, Angela! I love my fishy & now that I'm Firefox-ified I can even see him!

Chocolate Fishies

Yes, I decided to rename my blog. The web address will remain the same for now. The logo was very skillfully created by Stella over at the golden adventures of a very dark horse... and her baby. I just love it. Go check out her wonderful creations here! I just love the new look. And if you look closely you will see why I had to wait until after Nuriel was born to put it up!

I can't take my eyes off of her or stop holding her. She smells so good. There came a point last night when I realized that I had been without sleep for 24 hours, 12 of which were spent in labor & I was not tired. I was so wired, it was crazy! I will type up the birth story sometime soon. It was *not* an easy birth, but so beautiful. She looks nothing like me. She's all Brent. She sleeps with her mouth wide open - just like he did. She's pooping up a storm - just like... never mind. She has huge feet. I tried to put size 6 months booties on her & they are small. She is so alert & awake - it's unbelievable... Back to looking at her some more... 

Gratitude

Oh, thou my beloved air-conditioner & ceiling-fan.
My heart doth rejoice in the cool air thou blowest
on my pregnant belly...

I'll spare you further poetry attempts.

Look what I got in the mail! A handmade Kiwiana bunting for Lil' Bean from Elijah's Mum (I won't say her real first name, cause I don't know if she's an "out of the closet about her name" blogger or not.) over at Currently Unnamed. She blogged about it here & the mailman must have been speed-skating across the Pacific or something, 'cause it got here fast.

It came with a pretty pair of earrings and some postcards from NZ. I can't show you a picture of those, & I can only show you less than half of the bunting, because my camera isn't cooperating. I got very frustrated with my camera today and it made me dream about something like this, but since the title of this blog is "Gratitude," I'll say that mostly I'm very happy with my camera. The bunting has found a home in the dining-room where it looks so pretty by the fireplace and over the entryway. - I can't decide where to put it.

Thank you so much for the Kiwiana treasures! Made my day, really!

A Cause Dear To My Heart

I started reading Matt's blog over two years ago. Matt's wife, Liz, died the day after giving birth to their daughter, Madeline. In her memory The Liz Logelin Foundation was created to assist families who find themselves in the heartbreaking situation of having lost a spouse or partner.

If I remember correctly, I stumbled upon the blog one night through Jackie's blog.

I did not know then that one day I'd be on a similar path...

Through a comment I made on Jackie's blog a few months ago, Sarah found me. Her fiance died two weeks after they found out they were going to have another baby & she has been a tremendous help for me throughout this pregnancy.

On September 17th, 2010, there will be a "Celebration of Hope" Gala to benefit The Liz Logelin Foundation and I have decided to knit a shawl to donate to the silent auction.

Liz's favorite color was pink. I found a beautiful skein of MadelineTosh in Carnation. Liz & Matt traveled quite a bit. I remembered the Traveling Woman Shawl that had been in my Ravelry queue for a while. Liz Abinante, the designer of Traveling Woman (Ravelry link), has kindly given me permission to use her pattern to create a shawl for this auction. - "A Pink Traveling Woman." I shall keep you posted on my progress.

I want to encourage you to create something to donate as well. You can find more information here. If you scroll down a bit, you will also find a downloadable donation form. The Gala will take place in Minnesota where it gets r-r-really cold in winter. Let's keep the people up there warm while crafting for a good cause!

Toasty & Thrifty Thursday

No, it's not a blog post about where to shop for cheap alcohol! Sorry to disappoint.

~ Toasty

If you have temperatures in your forecast like the 100F (37.5C) we're supposed to have in Richmond today, you'll probably think I'm crazy. Who wants to be toastier than that?

I hardly ever get to see pictures of children wearing the pilot-style hats I like to knit.Well, it's winter in the southern hemisphere & Cat J B over at Just this Side of Chaos posted these cute pictures of her boys wearing such a hat.

And being a Waldorf teacher one of my soap-box rants is warmth for wee lil' babies, and I will give you my soap-box link to a short & to-the-point article by the wonderful (I heard her lecture before) Susan Johnson, M.D. Then I will get off my soap-box and send you to look at more sweet pictures over at Little Kiwi Chick.

~ Thrifty

I've mentioned before that, with the exception of some treasures from New Zealand, I've been shopping for Lil' Bean's wardrobe at thrift stores aka opp-shops. Here's his 0-3 months basket closet.

Note to self: Knit some socks!

And thrifty for me, but not thrifty for my friend Laura. This was in a box I received from her this week. Green, my favorite color, and sheep. Awww! Very cute.

It's in the 3-6 months range, but if Lil' Bean takes after his parents, he'll wear it by the time he's a month old.

Tataa... A Babynaming Giveaway!

I came to this yummy local cafe this morning to have a bacon-cheddar-spinach wrap (so good) & a hot mocha for breakfast, and to use their internet connection to create this post many of you have been waiting for.

So, I've created this shoulder shawl. I hope you will like it, 'cause I'm giving it away. I used the Flower Basket Lace Shawl & Scarf pattern by Evelyn Clark. The shawl measures 60” (150 cm) from left to right tip & about 24” (60 cm) from top edge to bottom tip. – A generous size. The yarn is organic Merino O~Wool in Cranberry (or Mulberry?).

Your task is to guess Lil' Bean's name! Sorry if you think that's boring. I'm not quite ready to let the blogger-world actually name my child. ;-)

Here are the hints:

(1) I'm sticking with the cultural origin out of which my older boys were named & to the same beginning letter as well.

(2) It's considered a boy name, but I find it has a unisex quality, so I would also give the name to a girl.

(3) I've mentioned the name in a blog post earlier this year.

I don't know if Brent would have loved or hated the name. He would have had some strong opinion one way or the other, though. He was just that kinda guy. After he died, one day I stood on the playground in a sunny spot & looked up to the sun. Suddenly I knew in my heart that this should be the name. I've asked Brent to make another one pop up in my heart if he didn't agree, but nothing has come to me from the spiritual realms, so I'm assuming he agrees.

Here's how it'll work. You can have up to four entries. Please leave a separate comment for each!

(1) Leave a comment with a name guess.

(2) Leave another comment if you are following this blog.

(3) Blog about this giveaway & leave another comment with the URL to your blog post.

(4) Tell me your location. I always love to know where people who read my blog are from.

On all your comments, please leave me an e-mail or your blog URL so I can easily contact you. I will use random.org to generate a winner since my children are out of town, so they can't do the "draw a name out of a hat" thing. You do not have to guess the correct name to win.

If you get the name right, I will send you some yummy handmade chocolates a lil' surprise in the mail, but it won't be a shawl.

Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 - midnight wherever you are!

Have fun!

House-impressions coming up in the next few days.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

(Added July 4th: The Ravelry link is here. And of course I will send it to anywhere in the world!)

Last Shameless Plug & A House Snippet

One last shameless plug.
Voting ends tonight.
Please consider voting for me if you haven't done so already.
I'm listed in section 5, Claudia Thomas.
The voting link is here:
http://richmondmom.com/index.php/expecting-and-baby/page/category/dream_baby_shower/
You have to scroll down, the actual CLICK HERE TO VOTE is right after all the sponsor's have been listed.

Thanks!

Then back to regular, craftsy, housey, lifey... blogging just as soon as I have internet at the new home & the laptop power-issue is fixed (once again). I will also try to have pictures as soon as possible. It's such a pretty 1910 Colonial-type house with original wood-floors, 4 fireplaces, a brand new kitchen & modern bathrooms.

I feel very safe there already. The fire-alarm is extra sensitive, and the entire alarm is activated even if the house just gets a bit hot. Picture awakening to the siren-noise of eight fire alarms at 4:30 a.m. on your first night in the new home. It was hilarious!

And The Peony Pilot Goes To...

... Jennifer over at Little Kiwi Chick.
I hope you will enjoy the little cap.

Tataa! A Giveaway.

I'm working on knitting somethin' special for a "baby naming giveaway," but over the past few days I have been the receiver of a giveaway treasure, I have read about how winning a giveaway has made someone's day & I have read blogs where very generous people are having a variety of giveaways, so I'm gonna have a spontaneous giveaway right here & right now.

I'm giving away this Peony Pilot. It was created from luxurious Koigu Merino. It's a newborn - 3 months size. If you are not expecting a wee lil' one, then you can always have it as a future gift to give to someone who is having a wee lil' one, or you can just get pregnant. :-)

You can get up to three entries. With each entry, please leave me a clear contact info, such as your e-mail or blog URL.

(1) Leave a comment.

(2) Follow this blog and leave a comment letting me know that you are a follower.

(3) Blog about this giveaway & leave a comment with the blog URL to your post.

I will generate a winner through random.org or my children will draw a name out of a hat - not sure which yet. You can enter through Monday, June 14th, midnight (your time zone). Have fun!

P.S. World-wide, of course.

Vote For Me? Please? :-)

I thought about whether or not I should ask for this on my blog, but I decided to go for it. I hope it won't keep you from reading here in the future. I'm not usually a "me, me, me" kinda person. RichmondMom is having a Dream Baby Shower contest. My cousin, Mona, nominated me. There are 102 people who have been nominated. Anyhoo. From the e-mail I received:

Here's how it works.

1) The mom with the most unique votes wins. This means each person may only vote ONCE & must enter their info in event of a tie (note: we will verify votes if any votes are questionable. We will not send emails to voters unless they opt-into our email newsletter list. Once the contest is over, the email addresses are erased.)

2) Voting occurs NOW through June 20th. Ask friends, neighbors, teachers--you name it---to vote for you. You'll be amazed at how much fun everyone has with this!

3) ONE mom with the most votes will win a prize package over $1500 from title sponsors It's Hip to Be Round and USA Baby & Big Kids, plus a slew of great Richmond sponsors.

ALL INFO and voting link is here: http://richmondmom.com/index.php/expecting-and-baby/page/category/dream_baby_shower/

You can vote from anywhere in the world. I'm listed in section 5 under my legal name, Claudia Thomas. It's a bit confusing, but you can only vote ONCE in the entire thing. I'd appreciate your vote, but by all means if the nomination of someone else speaks to you, then please do vote for them. --- How does this mingle with alternative, simple living? - Some of the prizes are things like a massage, yoga & photography session. Things I value, but could never afford. It would just be a nice thing. :-)

Thank you for considering it!

Kiwi Mummy Blogs

I must explain the "Kiwi Mummy Blogs" logo.

Because, you must wonder, how on earth can a German chick living in the U.S. (legally may I add) be a Kiwi Mum blogger?

I somehow found Kiwi Mummy Blogs during a spell of insomnia last night. You know, when you click and click and click a few more times and all of a sudden you are somewhere where you've never been before & you've found a treasure?

I was just so glad to have found that pocket of kiwiness. Afterall, Baby "N" is half a Kiwi & you may remember that I was attached to him having some things from New Zealand. I sent the blog-owner a note letting her know how glad I was to have found the place! And well, she decided that she would add me anyways, 'cause she likes my blog & she thinks that I will meet some lovely Kiwi Mums & that it will help me keep that kiwiness going for Baby "N". Now, how sweet is that?

Lots of sweet blogs over there & so much craftiness and creativity! You can just feel the good energy pop out through your laptop (or PC) screen! Go have a peek.

I'll have a blog giveaway soon. You can start thinking of boy "N" names if you want to participate in the guessing. The name I have picked is traditionally a boy name, but I would have also given it to a girl.

And kia ora, Sarah. That was as sweet as chocolate fish! :-)

Really? Me? Wahoo!

I woke up to an e-mail from Katherine over at Sleep and her sisters. I won a set of the art-cards in her blog giveaway. Amazingly, beautiful & gorgeous images on those cards! Check out her blog & etsy shop! What timing. Needless to say my day was off to a good start.

As for WIP Wednesday. - I think today is Wednesday... I'm still working on the Wonderful Wallaby for Nate. I'm still packing. There's a WIP on the stove... A huge pot of black bean soup for Nate's class & to feed a family who just had a baby (& us, too). ;-)

My Kitchen Sink

It's not an April Fool's joke! Rhonda over at down---to---earth featured my kitchen sink on her blog today. She has a regular post titled, "You, me & the kitchen sink" with kitchens from all over the world. It's nice to see my dining-room there without the moving boxes that are now everywhere. ;-)

I love her blog. It is inspiring on so many levels. Bountiful, simple living.

Thank you, Rhonda!

WIP Wednesday & Trade Treasures

I'm in need for some phunky Christmas tree ornaments in the rainbow spirit, so I've been working on some felted acorn ornaments. I just poke a hole into the acorn cap using a thumb-tag, pull embroidery floss through using a small yarn-darner, and then add a few drops of hot wax to "glue" a previously wet-felted or needle-felted "egg" into them. So simple. ♥

On another note, the beautiful creations from Softearthart - The Enchanted World Of Needlefelting have arrived on my porch all the way from beautiful New Zealand. Can't wait to put the birdies in the Christmas tree & can't wait for spring now when the root children will find a place on our nature table. Another favorite of mine in the shop are the koru princesses. Thank you so much! ♥

It's not too late to sign up for the blog giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blog Giveaway

It's been over a year since I had a blog giveaway. Too long. Tryin' to keep myself busy. ~ This is just a small, simple kinda thing, though...

Leave a comment in the comment section below by Friday, November 27th. I will have my children draw seven "lucky people" who will receive a wool roving angel (similar to the ones pictured) via snail mail - anywhere in the world.

I just like the number seven. I'll post the "lucky people" on Saturday, November 28th, in the comment section below. Sizes will vary. Since there will be seven, you can also tell your friends about it rather than keeping it a secret.

Namaste! ♥

WIP Wednesday

As you might know, I love swapping. (Wink.)

I'm doing a 'quilt for a knitted lace shawl' trade with Lottie over at the Slightly Mad Quilt Lady (I can't sew a straight seam with a sewing machine, probably to my seamstress-mother's dismay) & I'm also doing a trade for some goodies from Softearthart. What a beautiful etsy shoppe! Check it out. I've never been good with bird forms & I have so wished for some doves for my Christmas tree.

I'm so excited about these trades. They are for things I cannot create & do not have the money to buy, but have sort of wished for. Both artists are from New Zealand - now what was the chance of that?! ;-) I feel blessed to be able to trade goods this way.

Pictures again next week. The battery in my camera decided it's not strong enough for just one more picture...

Happy crafting!

Thank You!

Kelly over at knit.so.quaint has awarded me this award & it made me remember that I never formally did the whole thing I was supposed to do with the Kreativ Blogger Award I received from Renee over at Heirloom Seasons. Sigh. Please forgive me, Renee! I do want to emphasize that I feel truly honored when people like my blog. Creative & gorgeous - what more could I ask for? :-)

I'm supposed to share six things that people are not likely to know about me & then pass the award on to five more people. So, here it goes.

(1) I smoked my one and only cigarette when I was about five years old. I remember my Dad saying, "No. Don't blow into it, take a really deep breath." I remember the gross taste in my mouth & the ensuing coughing fit.

(2) I have been trying to embrace my melancholic-choleric temperament (after pretending to be phlegmatic for many years), which basically means I tend to be either really sad & filled with empathy for others or really pissed. Interesting polarities, huh?

(3) A few weeks ago, out of the blue, I was gifted with a desk I once admired in someone else's house. I don't remember the last time I had a desk. I totally love the antiquey feeling it has.

(4) My biggest fear is that I have totally mis-parented my children & that they will grow up to be criminals or Republicans.

(5) I wish I wasn't alone in all of this. Oh, wait - You knew this. Ehhmm. I love the smell of Pacifica perfumes & I spent $9 on a tin of it today. I can't believe I spent $9 on it! That would have been about 6 pounds of organic beans. Oh well.

(6) I still hope that in the end everything will be okay. (If it's not okay, it's not the end - right?)

And here are the bloggers I'm passing the award on to:

Angie over at The Artist, the Mom ~ She was my oldest son's handwork teacher in 1st grade & I just love her creativity. She's also a Mama to four children ranging from almost one year old to eighteen years old, which I think is so awesome.

Renee over at Heirloom Seasons ~ So many beautiful family stories of homeschooling & exploring the beauty of Colorado.

Lottie over at The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady ~ I just love her New Zealand country life & I'm so excited to do a lace shawl for a quilt swap with her!

Narsingh over at Teaching Handwork ~ She's been my inspiration for years. 2nd grade handwork projects or 6th grade painting inspiration - she's got it all!

Last, but not least, Lizz over at Red Dirt Mother ~ Love her pictures. So much creativity. So much positivism in tough situations - I truly admire that!

Check This Out, Dude!

Is that a catchy title?

Look at these beautiful giveaway treasures over at GardenMama, courtesy of Suzanne at Down In The Meadow. Awwww. Awwwwww. If you go there to enter for a chance to win, you will understand why I'm announcing it on my blog rather than keeping it a secret! ;-)

... Which reminds me that I haven't had a giveaway in ages. Hmmm. I'll see what I can do about that...

Frog Love

I can't stop going "Awwww." - Aren't these so adorable? Brought to me by the awesome Lizz at ZooLooNaturals. I think I'm going to want some tadpoles & eggs to go with the froggie family. ;-)

Blog Giveaway

It's seems I am most often inspired to be creative when really I should be doing something else.

Here she is. Simple, yet somewhat graceful. An autumn maiden. Lizz's fibers are just awesome. The colors speak for themselves.

Leave a comment in the comment section by Friday, July 18th, and I will find a creative way to have Nathan (Noah is out-of-town) draw a "winner."

I hope this is all legal. Please don't sue me if you don't win or you end up winning, but your dog decides to chew the maiden up & becomes sick... or something whacky like that. :-)

Have fun!

July 15th P.S. - Yes, I will ship to anywhere in the world! :-)
July 21st P.S. - Check comments for winner!
August 16th P.S. - The autumn maiden arrived safely in Australia. http://loopity-lou.blogspot.com/2008/08/autumn-maiden.html