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weekending

5.25.13

weekending. my favorite part of the week. a time to relax, live, love, just be. if you’d like to share your weekend either with words, photographs, or both, leave a link to your weekend post or flickr photo in the comments, or post it on the fb page.

+++++

this weekend
here i am writing about it and the thing is
it stretches out before me
two more days to fill up, to fill me up
the day has been filled with little pockets of happiness
slow morning over coffee and my journal
groceries bought for mr.’s birthday feast tomorrow evening
reading in bed beside a napping wee lass
running through sprinklers, hearts full of laughter
and an early dinner at our fave taco dive
kids at the next table “being like grown ups”
so there was actual conversation over margaritas and tacos
i’m feeling content and happy
ready to enjoy the rest of this weekend

how was your weekend?

ps: one good thing about life in louisiana: go-cups for everything and i do mean EVERYTHING as i sit here sipping on my to-go margarita (yay!). bad thing about louisiana: stupid saints and tigers logo/colors on everything and i do mean EVERYTHING (see above photo). hmmmph.

filed in: weekending
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make + read + listen

5.23.13

there has been a little making this week. we’ve found ourselves outdoors most days, trying to enjoy being outside before the heat and humidity are just brutal. the red bean is still working on her peacock sampler and loving every minute of it. cory, i hope there are more designs in the works!

i’ve been wanting to crochet a granny square blanket. i’ve been debating crocheting one big granny square like this (though not so big) or smaller squares like this which i could then join together (most likely cussing the entire time). seeing as i learned to crochet at my great aunt’s knee and haven’t picked up a hook in f o r e v e r, i decided to start small. mine doesn’t look as tight and well executed as blair’s and i know that the white border in no way resembles a square but overall i think it’s not terribly bad for my first effort. advice?

the book you see is norwegian wood. i first read this book while on a break during grad school and i loved murakami’s writing. when i first read it, i was touched by murakami’s writing and the way that he captured the pain and loss associated with first loves and growing up. before we headed outside the other day i was looking for something to read and ended up picking this up off the shelf, curious to see if i would enjoy it as much now that i’m older. we enjoyed a picnic under the magnolia and the wee lass fell asleep at my side on the quilt while i read and read and read. i ignored the laundry and the dishes, the cries of “what’s for dinner?” and i read. i stayed up entirely too late and i read. despite the years between my first reading the this one, it’s still a beautifully written and touching story.

there has been little listening here as we’ve been outside most days but at night whilst preparing dinner and doing the bath time thing, we’ve enjoyed this and this.

what have you been making and listening to?

+++
making + listening along with the fabulous dawn.

filed in: life as we know it | read
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DanielleMay 23, 2013 - 7:41 am

I joined in with Make+Listen this week too. I seem to remember you wanting to read more non-fiction this year? If so, my latest read, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is fascinating and well-written. Highly recommended. It’s been humid this week here too. Not my fave.

CorinneMay 23, 2013 - 7:50 am

I love the idea of a granny square blanket! They are always so colorful and cheerful. It’s been on my list of things to make for so long…

Greer~Typically RedMay 23, 2013 - 8:25 am

Well, I guess I’ll be adding that book to my to-read list. And a granny square blanket is already on my to-make list. One day ;)

PamelaMay 23, 2013 - 8:56 am

I taught a crochet class at homeschool group. The kids made blocks out of all sorts of scrap yarn… Enough to make three lap blankets that I will donate to the Veterans hospital/long term care facility in my county. (When I’m done stitching them together and crocheting a border.)

The key to a square granny square is three double crochets separated by two or three chain stitches. The chain stitches form the corners of the smallest square.

Then, on each additional round, you do more sets of double crochets and chains. Double crochet where you did chain stitches in the previous round.

Does that make any sense at all?

LoriMay 23, 2013 - 8:56 am

love how your and her projects color-coordinate. :)

heathermamaMay 23, 2013 - 9:17 am

when i was pregnant with my oldest i learned to crochet ( i have since forgotten how, lol) and i made her a baby blanket that was just one big granny square. i wish i knew what i did with it. it was such a nice blanket.
oh and because of weekending photo of the peacock sample i have ordered 2 of them. lol one for me and one for my mom. i am super excited about this. thanks for sharing. :)

Erin @ Wild WhispersMay 23, 2013 - 9:18 am

I have wanted to read Norweigan Wood for quite a while… your recommendation is sparkling, the slow lazy days of summer might be a good time to do it!

MelissaMay 23, 2013 - 9:24 am

You need to have extra stitches for the corner. So you can start with a circle and on the round that you want to make the square you’ll need to do the three double crochets, then two or three chains, then three double crochets. You need to do them all in the same space. Google/YouTube it and I’m sure that there are several good tutorials if you need the visual to go along with the written instructions. The colors are great!

HeatherMay 23, 2013 - 9:38 am

I joined Blair last summer for her sampler project. I had only made caddywumpus dishcloths previously. I still need to join the pieces, but I learned a lot. I think Pamela had the best insight. For the corners you need to do two sets of your double crochets in one opening separated by a few chain stitches.

PamelaMay 23, 2013 - 10:05 am

Heather is right. After the first layer, do two sets of double crochets w/2 or 3 chain in between in every corner. Good catch, Heather.

ReneeMay 23, 2013 - 2:00 pm

Lovely crochet! And deffo agree with you re: Norwegian Wood – such a great book! Might have to read again soon…

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:06 pm

oh renee! i love that you’ve read it. i can’t tell you how many times i’ve brought it up with other book lovers and they’ve NEVER heard of it!

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:08 pm

melissa, heather, and pam — thank you! i will try another with your extra sets of dcs and fingers crossed it may just look more square ;-) crowd sourcing for the crochet win!!!

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:08 pm

erin – if you read it, i shall expect to hear your thoughts, k?

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:09 pm

lori, apparently i buy the same colors across the board: markers, wool, embroidery floss. i even took her to the big box craft store to choose some colors of her liking and well, apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because she *ahem* duplicated colors we already had :)

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:10 pm

peacock samplers for the win!

adminMay 23, 2013 - 2:11 pm

danielle – do not come visit. today we’re down to 88% humidity from yesterday’s 100%. d-y-i-n-g.

michelle gdMay 23, 2013 - 8:06 pm

i must look up that book!

i have been making sourdough bread this week.
and listening to various pandora stations…bon iver mostly :)

Dawn SuzetteMay 24, 2013 - 2:10 am

Love all the making going on there. Like Lori the coordinating colors caught my eye as well. :-)
So fun and much more cheery than the park ranger green my gal has going on over here!
Thanks for joining in this week. Always love it!

chrissyMay 24, 2013 - 11:34 am

Wow…that is simply lovely! I really miss embroidery and crochet work. I used to do more of it before the kids, but they have taken up a love of finger weaving:) I haven’t found much time to make this week with the end of the school year antics, but have thoroughly been enjoying my Sigur Ros pandora channel. It never gets old. Never. XO

keishuaMay 25, 2013 - 10:52 am

I love the buena vista social club. that album has one of my favorite songs of all time on it-Dos Gardenias. Right now, i am working on a baby’s blanket that is such in a simple knit stitch but it taking me forever. i am also working on some baby leg warmers but my big project is the blanket. listening to lizz wright’s albums. all of them are so good. Happy weekend.

weekending

5.19.13

weekending. my favorite part of the week. a time to relax, live, love, just be. if you’d like to share your weekend either with words, photographs, or both, leave a link to your weekend post or flickr photo in the comments, or post it on the fb page.

+++++

this weekend saw us all recovering from a sore throat and sniffles
sore throats and sniffles are just wrong when it’s 86F outside
i did manage early morning walks with my wee lass
the red bean has been embroidering a sweet little peacock sampler
i’ve let her run with it, watching as she raided the boxes of floss
the way her jaw sets just so when she’s concentrating on her stitches
she’s not anywhere near finished yet she’s already thinking ahead to the next sampler
*hint hint* cory, you have a loyal customer
my dining room table is littered with paint and glue and model building supplies
the mister introduced the kids to nacho libre
there have been requests for pillowcases from the linen closet and there are sketches because
they’re busy planning their luchador masks
and poor baby oscar, the youngest member of the buckley deer family
he belongs to my mighty nacho who likes to carry him around in this box which
much like snow white’s coffin has a glass lid (nacho’s is plastic)
it seems young oscar is waiting for true love’s kiss
there was time for journaling and reading this
there are no plans for today but i do think tonight calls for indian takeout

how was your weekend?

filed in: weekending
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{Weekending} Projects | Wild WhispersMay 19, 2013 - 11:23 am

[...] Weekending with Amanda: [...]

Erin @ Wild WhispersMay 19, 2013 - 11:25 am

I’m glad to hear you are recovering! It sounds like a slow and lovely few days. Happy Weekend, Amanda!

http://edegraw.me/life/weekending-projects/

CarlaMay 19, 2013 - 11:55 am

Oh no, sore throats and sniffles are only for cold cozy weather, I hope you’re feeling better. I got to sleep in until 9:30 this morning which I haven’t done in forever so the weekend is shaping up quite nicely.

sylviaMay 19, 2013 - 12:32 pm

that peacock is gorgeous!! hope you’re all feeling much better by now!

Weekending | Stitch and PurlMay 19, 2013 - 2:43 pm

[...] with Amanda. How has yours [...]

svennaMay 19, 2013 - 2:46 pm

A lot of sweetness in your weekend! I hope you’re all feeling better soon.
We certainly have the right weather for sniffles over here!!
Our weekend was chaos. and baby feet. :)

http://stitchandpurl.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/weekending-75/

karenMay 19, 2013 - 4:08 pm

lovely stitching, I’m impressed with the tiny stitches. I do hope someone comes along with a sweet waking kiss for the little critter in the box. All of our sniffles and sneezes and coughs are from the allergies that are swirling around. Hope your home is scratchy throat free soon! (I have both kids home for the weekend!)

LisaMay 19, 2013 - 4:09 pm

That black-covered journal looks like a Moleskine..? I need to get a new one very soon…they are my go-to journal. And Sappho! I haven’t heard her name in a long time!

LisaMay 19, 2013 - 4:09 pm

Oh yeah- weekending here: http://www.pilgrimsattinkercreek.com/2013/05/weekending_19.html

Weekending | Adventures at HilltopMay 19, 2013 - 4:20 pm

[...] * Playing along with Amanda [...]

ReneeMay 19, 2013 - 4:20 pm

What a lovely and colourful weekend! Sorry to hear about the sore throat and sniffles – hope you’re now all on the mend :)

http://reneevlast.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/weekending-14/

Have a happy week :)

amanda (sweetpotatoclaire)May 19, 2013 - 7:35 pm

glad to hear you are on the mend- spring and summer sniffles are cruel, no question about it. I love these sweet little calico critters. I’m going to have to break down and get some, they are just too cute. and I love her take on that sampler~ very nice!

any night is a good night for indian in my book!

our weekend was full of good eats, fairy house tending, and the important work of plant acquisition.
http://sweetpotatoclaire.blogspot.com/2013/05/of-food-flora-and-fairies.html

cheers!

April HansenMay 19, 2013 - 7:53 pm

Baby Oscar in the box got a big giggle from me :o )
I love finding little treasures like Oscar around here, it’s just so adorable.

Impressive embroidery! I’d like to dabble in it a bit myself. Why not? A little knitting here, learning to sew there and throw in the embroidery…keep it interesting.

Have a great week ahead Amanda.

Hope you all feel better soon.

Taryn OakleyMay 19, 2013 - 9:56 pm

what a gorgeous peacock!

summerMay 19, 2013 - 10:36 pm

I’m working on that sampler too! She’s doing a great job! Its fun seeing everyone’s progress and what they are doing with the peacock! :) Love the Maple town guy too. I loved them growing up (they were called Sylvanian families or something like that when I had them, when my younger sister played with them they were called Maple Town).
Sounds like you guys had yourselves a nice weekend!

http://summerplayshouse.com/2013/05/20/weekending-24/

CordeliaMay 19, 2013 - 11:06 pm

Tell your daughter that the take on that sampler is BRILLIANT! Seriously. When she is finished, if she wants, I could put it up on Etsy as one of the promos photos. I would love to gather a few different finished ones to show it off.
http://www.ladycordelia.com/my-blog/2013/05/blu.html
XO

SylviaMay 20, 2013 - 1:12 am

oh yes and here is my weekending post: http://www.artsyants.com/2013/05/the-long-weekend-list.html?m=0

DanielleMay 20, 2013 - 7:30 am

The peacock sampler is lovely!

dawn suzetteMay 20, 2013 - 8:59 am

Your weekending made me smile…
Her embroidery is just wonderful!
Sorry you guys got the sickies! No fun. esp. in hot weather! xo

the weekend that wasMay 20, 2013 - 9:27 am

[...] [weekending with amanda] [...]

heathermamaMay 20, 2013 - 10:16 am

i am in love with that sampler. so wonderful. :)
http://onemamasjourney.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-weekend-in-photographs.html

LoriMay 20, 2013 - 12:38 pm

i didn’t want to bring up the coffin thing, but since you already mentioned it…

KCMay 20, 2013 - 3:13 pm

Our weekend was lovely. It was filled with rain and then glorious sun and clear clear skys the azur Mediterranean water. We had so many good things to eat this weekend. If that doesn’t keep you on a high I don’t know what will.

Lot’s a reading too and watching movies.

That peacock sampler is too fun!

CorrabelleMay 21, 2013 - 10:39 am

Haha, I love the little sleeping calico critter. I still have all of mine from when I was little. (only then they were called “silvanians”, I think!)
Here’s ours, although a little late :)
http://themayberryhomejournal.blogspot.ca/2013/05/weekend-snippets.html

MelissaMay 22, 2013 - 3:06 pm

We’ve had a few sniffles as well, but I’m afraid they are allergy related…tis the season.

And fear not, I’m sure young Oscar will be kissed soon :)

the thing about my boys :: 18 | 52

5.15.13

the thing about my boys is:

:: they are other, the unknown
:: they enjoy digging holes, the muddier the better
:: they are quite keen on jokes involving bodily functions
:: the legos
:: the questions (how do birds fly? what is a quantum destabilizer?)
:: the amount of food those two scrawny boys can pack away
:: under the dirty shell, there are two very tender hearts
:: they love animals, all animals even the scary and gross ones
:: they take silliness to a whole new level
:: the er trips for stitches
:: they’ve taught me everything i know about dragons, dinosaurs, and pirates
:: anything can become a weapon in their hands, even a stuffed animal
:: they believe sleeves were meant for wiping noses on, shirts meant for wiping hands
:: they can happily go days without a bath or shower
:: the way they love each other (sweetest thing ever)
:: they are utterly disarming

filed in: i love lists!
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janeMay 15, 2013 - 6:57 am

yep! Pretty much sums it up. Mine keep me on my toes and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

meghannMay 15, 2013 - 7:00 am

Boys really are something else, aren’t they? My little guy makes life interesting, for sure… xo

MelissaMay 15, 2013 - 8:17 am

They give the sweetest hugs and the love they have for their mama is amazing. On the food thing….they can eat more…a lot more. Just wait.

BellaMay 15, 2013 - 8:43 am

I don’t have boys, but I could imagine how charming they could be. xo

heathermamaMay 15, 2013 - 9:41 am

surprisingly they sound a lot like my boys. lol when we first started having kids i was sure what i wanted was a house full of girls, i thought it would be great to raise strong women. i did get two girls, but i also got 4 boys. and i have to say… i am so happy. i love raising boys. :)

RebeccaMay 15, 2013 - 11:57 am

Um, yes! boys, blessed boys. the list could go on and on I am sure. however, I think this list is just so, perfectly boy. xo

karenMay 15, 2013 - 1:42 pm

I like how my son is thoughtful and kind and oh so logical about many things.

Lovely list and especially the crawly critter!!

KimMay 15, 2013 - 2:06 pm

I can so relate to some of these :)

HeatherMay 15, 2013 - 3:12 pm

So what is a quantum destabilizer? Ahh, I do so love my boys. They do sometimes feel like creatures from another place and time, but oh such welcome visitors. Lack of bath/showers, dirty shirts, vast knowledge and all the rest – I am sure your men would love mine. So very much in common.

CordeliaMay 15, 2013 - 7:34 pm

I would have loved to have one more, a little boy.
I really wanted girls and got two- so I can’t complain.
But I will, however, live vicariously though your mothering of small men.
XO

DanielleMay 17, 2013 - 6:47 am

Aw, so sweet. They sound like my boys. “anything can become a weapon in their hands, even a stuffed animal” made me laugh. Yes indeed!

RebeccaMay 17, 2013 - 1:16 pm

Ahhh…boys, and their mama’s. I blogged about my boys today too, albeit, in a very different place in our lives. I’m feeling the bittersweetness of boys turning into young adults, and the reminder of their childhood days, from your post. thank you, amanda.

michele gdMay 19, 2013 - 6:45 am

absolutely delightful…everything about your boys and the fact that you see it all.

weekending

5.12.13

weekending. my favorite part of the week. a time to relax, live, love, just be. if you’d like to share your weekend either with words, photographs, or both, leave a link to your weekend post or flickr photo in the comments, or post it on the fb page.

+++++

this weekend there was a lot of this
small bouquets in jars on the table, my desk
one wee bouquet even washi taped to my bedroom door
i was greeted with a cup of coffee in bed
carefully carried by unsteady 4yo hands down the hall
(only a few drips were lost)
i have been informed i’ll be treated to lunch
and then this afternoon, i shall
curl up in bed with a sleeping babe and a book
savor a bit of quiet and most likely a bit of dark chocolate

happy mother’s day to all the mamas!

how was your weekend?

filed in: weekending
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heathermamaMay 12, 2013 - 11:04 am

beautiful. my weekend has been spent cleaning, cooking and doing, being a mama to 6 kids.
<3
http://onemamasjourney.blogspot.com/

TerryMay 12, 2013 - 11:15 am

Have a wonderful Mothers Day! I was greeted at 7:15am with a perfect breakfast in bed (thought maybe i would sleep in, lol) and as i was eating breakfast and reading the paper i noticed that my daughter fell asleep next to me, while i was wide awake. hahahahahahaha!! :) It was some much needed quiet time though.

karenMay 12, 2013 - 11:58 am

happy mother’s day Amanda!

camillaMay 12, 2013 - 12:24 pm

Happy Mothers day! Wishing you a wonderful day.

Weekending | Stitch and PurlMay 12, 2013 - 3:32 pm

[...] Weekending with Amanda [...]

SvennaMay 12, 2013 - 3:34 pm

Happy Mother’s Day! Ours was a while ago; brits always have to be a bit different from the rest of the world I think!

Happy to be back..
http://stitchandpurl.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/weekending-74/

DebbyMay 12, 2013 - 4:16 pm

Happy Mother’s Day weekend Amanda. We had ours in March it seems ages ago now. Love the plan for the ending, bed, book, baby and of course chocolate.

I’m catching up writing about weekends…this is was the Bank Holiday one
http://www.thehabitofbeing.com/journal/
deb

DebbyMay 12, 2013 - 4:19 pm

Whoops I accidentally posted your link…I’ll try again.

…here’s mine:
http://cookingupastorminateacup.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bank-holiday-weekend_12.html

Weekending | Adventures at HilltopMay 12, 2013 - 4:28 pm

[...] * Playing along with Amanda [...]

ReneeMay 12, 2013 - 4:31 pm

Beautiful! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too.

Have a lovely week :)

http://reneevlast.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/weekending-13/

{Weekending} Simple Gifts | Wild WhispersMay 12, 2013 - 6:18 pm

[...] Weekending with Amanda: [...]

Erin @ Wild WhispersMay 12, 2013 - 6:23 pm

It sounds lovely… happy mother’s day!

http://edegraw.me/life/weekending-simple-gifts/

amanda (sweetpotatoclaire)May 12, 2013 - 10:05 pm

what a sweet little bouquet! and in bed with a book and a sleeping babe sounds about perfect to me~ I got to spend some time in bed with a book myself today. it was a good mix of nothing and working outside. and my first mother’s day with a child old enough to really help out her papa in making me feel celebrated.

http://sweetpotatoclaire.blogspot.com/2013/05/today.html

happy mother’s day!

KCMay 13, 2013 - 2:53 am

Such pretty bouquet! I do hope you got to eat that dark chocolate in peace!

Our weekend was 5 days long! :) http://kathrynpagano.com/2013/05/12/park-weather/

LisaMay 13, 2013 - 5:57 am

Mother’s Day weekend on Ocracoke Island, N.C.
In the morning,errands for getting settled in our house
and in the afternoon, the beach. Lots of wonderful beach walking.
Then, one hour to blog about it all, at Ocracoke Coffee Company
and Dajio’s for dinner. I’m so blessed.

Dawn SuzetteMay 13, 2013 - 6:01 am

Sounds like just the right way to spend Mother’s Day!
Love all of the bright color in that photograph!

LisaMay 13, 2013 - 6:03 am

Oh, and here’s the link to Ocracoke…

dominikaMay 13, 2013 - 8:30 am

sounds lovely…lots of things happening in our weekend, due to a weekend visitor :-)

http://myfeetintheairmyheadontheground.blogspot.com/2013/05/week-end.html

have a great week!

April HansenMay 13, 2013 - 8:51 am

Sounds like you had a very nice Mother’s Day.

Love the flowers washi taped to your bedroom door, so cute!

Bits and pieces of my weekend shared today : http://www.lookingaround.typepad.com.

Happy Monday Amanda!

amyMay 13, 2013 - 8:55 am

Happy Mother’s Day! My husband is in Athens. Sunday morning the kids and I went up to my grandmother’s nursing home, and on the way back we did the grocery shopping for the week. I’ve never expected to be pampered on Mother’s Day and somehow this spring it seems fitting that it fell during yet another business trip. That has been my mothering practice, lately.

rebeccaMay 13, 2013 - 9:22 am

Oh my weekend was so very filled to the brim! family, travel, eating, dancing. barely time to remember mother’s day! however, I had a few stolen moments of quiet, stillness, and soul-filled wanderings. which is so blissful for this mama. Happy Mother’s Day to you! xo

http://pomegranateandseeds.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-north-carolina-weekend.html

loriMay 13, 2013 - 9:24 am

happy belated mother’s day! i love those tiny bouquets from tiny hands, so sweet. my grown kids remembered, makes me SO happy!

summerMay 13, 2013 - 9:31 am

Happy Mothers Day! Sounds like you had a lovely day!
http://summerplayshouse.com/2013/05/13/weekending-23/

erinMay 13, 2013 - 11:44 am

A washi tape bouquet? That’s awesome!

LoriMay 13, 2013 - 12:55 pm

happy mother’s day, friend xoxoxo

BellaMay 13, 2013 - 1:57 pm

Oh, I’m glad you were showered with flowers and love. You are such a lovely mama. PS.. I love that hat you knit (In your last post).
xo
http://www.shetoldstories.com/2013/05/weekending-1.html

leonieMay 14, 2013 - 6:16 am

little bouquets with washi – sounds perfect.

mine was very relaxing, spent in norfolk with my guy: http://wp.me/p26jw8-2md

the weekend that wasMay 14, 2013 - 9:11 am

[...] [weekending with amanda] [...]

MelissaMay 14, 2013 - 2:08 pm

A belated Happy Mother’s day!

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