Activities With Children

Fun, hands on, interactive and education museum for children ages 2 through 12.  Gull Wings opened in 1988 and currently has 15 exhibits, including space shuttle, rain forest, ocean touch tank, harbor exhibit and others.  Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  Admission is only $4; children under 2 are free.  Annual family memberships also available.

Gull Wings Children’s Museum is located at 418 W. Fourth Street, Oxnard.  For more information, visit www.gullwings.org or call 805.483.3005.

The false alarm I am referring to is my 6:45am call of serious abdominal cramps and terrible back pains. As an inexperienced pregnant woman I thought, is this it? Is my labor starting? Then I remembered my midwife saying if you take a hot bath/shower and the pain goes away- it isn’t true labor. So I took a hot shower and then went back to bed. When I woke an hour or so later I felt a little better. Whew! No Baby Yet! As I looked around the apartment and the baby’s crib ( full of clean linens,clean baby clothes & other items) I thought- dear Lord- don’t come just yet.. we still have SO much to do!
With that cue, Zach hooked up the car seat and we took some of the other things out of the closet. I even started decorating for Christmas! Yes, this will be by far the earliest I’ve ever started, but I wanted to have most things ready so whenever Hazel arrives, I won’t have too much to do by way of the holidays.We traded (most) of our Harry Potter busts for our collection of (mostly) holiday-oriented snow globes. I hung a wreath and scattered a few semi-neutral winter pieces around.

The new friend I mentioned is this guy:::

(or girl) Zach found in the bushes by our recycling bin. Much smaller than any other kittens we’ve seen around our apt. complex. Z had been feeding and checking on it all day- he said he couldn’t tell how old it was. When we walked back over to it, he was asleep on the paper plate we had fed him on earlier. The plate we used was a cake plate, so can get a visual of how tiny. As soon as it saw me, it ran directly into my arms! It was pretty amazing considering it was hissing and scared of Zach at first.So I carried it back to our apartment and directly to the bathroom. He mewed, we fed him some soft kitty food and Cat’s Milk ( I don’t even want to know). We called a bunch of places trying to find a home for him, but it was 5 on a weekend night- so we didn’t have much luck. After writing emails to friends and family- including this photo in all of them- we got a few replies for possible homes. Then out of nowhere- my parents decided to adopt him. They’ve always had kitties and now have Bean- the one-eye-wonder cat and thought maybe it was time to get another. My mom had such a positive attitude about it- she was grateful they have a roof over their heads and that they could take this little guy in. At one point we we’re scared we would have to raise a 3rd kitty with a baby on the way… he/she is adorable- but kittens are a lot of work so you can see why we we’re so grateful to find him a home. Now we’ll still be able to watch the baby grow and play with him!

Friday I started making these::::



They’re little girl ornaments.You can hang them on a door knob, a tree branch or anywhere you want something sweet. I’ve filled them with a mix of organic lavender or rosebuds and polyfil. Just in time for the holidays!

The Halloween party I planned for- we passed on. My tummy just wasn’t into leaving the house. Here is what I would have worn- minus the yellow stripes

This is where I’ve started sitting and taking cat naps, reading my favorite stories to Hazel and dreaming of when she’ll arrive. The pillow and crocheted rug (!) are both from my dear friend Suzanne, who just moved. I love this little nook. Once Hazel arrives it will be my nursing corner as well.

Here is an excerpt from one of my favorite books to read to Hazel:::

A Child’s Calendar, by John Updike- illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman
::::::::::::::::::
November
The stripped and shapely
Maple grieves
The loss of her
Departed leaves.

The ground is hard,
As hard as stone.
The year is old,
The birds have flown.

And yet the world,
Nevertheless,
Displays a certain loveliness-

The beauty of
The bone. Tall God
Must see our souls
This way, and nod.

Give thanks: we do,
Each in his place
Around the table
During grace.
:::::::::::::::::::::

It goes through every month. If I am running short on time I read her my favorite months or just the two I think she’ll be born in ( Nov & Dec).
Hope you enjoy it~
Happy Monday
M

Friday~
Yesterday I did actually make applesauce and it came out delicious! I can’t wait till our apple-picking adventure at the end of September. We’re taking my mom picking for her birthday!

Last night after Zach went to bed, I did some tidying and sewing. I’ve been wanting to make a simple bunting of sorts for my little studio nook shelf and here is how it came out:



Hello Kitty in a Squirrel Suit!

Saturday~

This morning we woke and had a yummy breakfast of egg whites, toast and potatoes. Bland enough to soothe my tummy, but delicious enough to make my pallet smile. We ran errands to the post, the market (where we picked up a My Little Pony Halloween addition- for baby,of course)and even hit a yard sale. With the dollars in my wallet I managed to spend two and the other went into one of the various-crazy Japanese piggie banks we’re saving for baby.

Quirky, vintage banks- all thrifted- all from Japan. The .00 was spent on some fabric( over a yard of flannel, white with teddy bears wearing pink overalls & pink engineer hats) the other dollar was spent on an adorable jumper, that reminded me of mini version of
this lovely lady, Secret Lentil.

We also hit the library, who was having a SALE. After renting becoming Jane and King of California ( two movies I’ve wanted to see, but knew Z did not) I headed down to the basement. I found Z with an arm-load of children’s books. Together we found vintage classics, old favorites and a few new adventures.




we found this kitty curled up in a box of books, he was only 10 cents! So we bought him too!

In the mail today, I received 2 copies of Rockland Magazine(a local publication)- where I was one of the women featured in the September issue ” Women & the Web”- I’m very excited and will scan in a copy ASAP. It will also be available to read here very soon.

Now with the house quiet(the cats are sleeping and Z is away for the night at his Manly Movie Night(he and his friends get together- make dinner and watch movies that are manly-yet easily laughable & make-funable (new word?) Think Mystery Science Theater)), I’ve just pulled
these brownies from the oven and I’m going to work on a few projects, the baby quilt, a small tree scene on an embroidery hoop and spiffing up a new bulletin board for the kitchen. Of course I’ll make time for some brownie noshing, tea drinking and magazine/catalogue browsing.
Sunday & Monday~
Sunday was spent working on a piece of embroidery for the baby’s wall and one for a tote I made my niece for her birthday. We watched a lot of movies,I went through some old boxes of childhood toys( think My Little Ponies with no tails and ratty manes) and we found some winter boxes full of scarves & hats & gloves- nestled away a few years ago and forgotten about.I love when that happens b/c it feels like we’ve just gone shopping in a store that knows exactly what you love!

Today we ran to Ikea, alas our crib was out of stock- in fact all cribs were out. So we’ll make a trek next Friday. We still managed to find some goodies. We hit the market on the way back for a stock up on bagels,juice & other Trader Joe favorites. Tonight I’ll take apart our current coffee table ( the edges are kind of dangerous) and although I love the spaciousness- we have an inherited wooden one from Z’s family which is lovely.
I want to make some carrot puree, banana/pumpkin bread and so many things now- tomorrow-this week. I’m excited.
We had a very full vacation weekend. As I look over at Z asleep on the couch with Hermione, I’d say they feel the same.
xo
M

I know, how original a title. Even though I work from home, I like the weekends. This week has been blah for my tummy. I just haven’t been inspired enough or had enough energy to do too much.

I’ve been knitting and finished my first super- soft baby blanket or lap blankie. After using 3 skeins each, I still ran out. So there is a funky stripe at the end in a soft angel hair in orange & tan- but I’m pleased with it.

(Before the stripe was added)

Yesterday, Jasper and I watched from our kitchen window as two little stray, black kittens ate a plate of food. They can’t be more than 3 months- totally black. I think there are 4 or 5 in total with a mom. The whole complex gives them food, because it does take a village to raise kittens.

Last night as we listened to Barack Obama’s speech I stitched the curtains for the changing table. Well I got through the 2 side panels. The two front are pinned- but I need to cut & stitch them up. The bright yellow matches perfectly with a stripey rug we picked up at Ikea on sale awhile back. So I guess yellows & oranges are in our sleeping future!

Speaking of an Ikea future, I think we’ll try to make a trek there tonight to get the crib and a few extra little things, like lampshades for the bedroom night stand lamps. I hate to get rid of something that works just for an aesthetic reason. So I thought getting matching lampshades would tie our un-matchy lamps together- yet we don’t need to buy new lamps.

Today I am determined to make applesauce. I have a big Pyrex bowl full or organic apples- waiting patiently. I also have a basil plant that has been getting kinda agitated by the heat, so I have that sitting on a chair in the kitchen. Seems it is time for a big batch of pesto ( without the pine nuts). Maybe I’ll add a little bit of almond meal.
Here are a couple of new items soon to be
available here

The pin cushion is made from a recycled cashmere sweater. It had a bunch of holes, but I managed to salvage enough for this. Blondie, you may have seen before. I’m happy with how her little blonde highlights came out. Lastly, the coffee cuff. Inspired by project runway- it has soft fleece with scissors,tape measures, needles & other sewing finery along with a patch of colorful safety pins and a vintage piece of measuring tape.

For inspiration I’ve been reading through archives,
here. After listening to this podcast I was so delighted to hear a story I could relate to. So I’ve been enjoying her entries and the adorable photos of kids & crafts.

Another bit of inspiration was found in this issue of Hallmark Magazine.

A woman tells her story about becoming more aware of the environment,what her & her family eat and the overall quality of life. My favorite quote of hers is
“It’s the beautiful, messy wild life experience that I want to give my children.” -Rebecca Barry

To that I say Hell Yeah! Have a great weekend- experiencing your own

messy, thrilling life.
xo

Bernie Mac has been hospitalized for pneumonia, but a source, who reportedly knows Mac’s family, told the Chicago Sun-Times that the comedian is in “very, very critical condition.” Bernie Mac’s publicist, Danica Smith, calls it a “very horrible rumor,” saying that there is no truth to it at all.

Starting Something New, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

A few years back when I really got into knitting, I went out and bought a ton of yarn as I also inherited some from family & yard sales. When we moved I got rid of a lot of it. Then I found this suitcase. The suitcase is a huge-sized duffle. One that was originally purchased when I lived in Indiana and needed to get my belongings back to NY. So it was meant to carry a lot. So you can see, I was shocked when we found it full of yarn!

In the spirit of recycle-reduce-reuse, I’ve decided to use as much as I can. It is mostly acrylic, but I’ve always found when used in bright colors, it not only shows stitches easier ( which is helpful for a semi-novice after 5 years) but it is vegan as well. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy wool- but I prefer using a recycled sweater to wear or deconstruct rather than get a skein of it.

In the long of it, I chose the color pumpkin to start my first back- to- the- needles- project. I thought it would excite me about the upcoming fall days that I so long for every year.

Some new coffee cuffs will be listed today & tomorrow. My brain is swirling with ideas of an Autumn Preview. Including some old favorites & new surprises. I’ve started using some of my favorite autumnal prints. How exciting!

Yesterday, I met my new Midwife. She’s wonderful. She made me feel more cared for in a 1- hour meeting than any of my previous OBGYN doctors did in years. She was convinced we will get to the bottom of my stomach ailments & was very knowledgeable about a veg diet- which so many people don’t really discuss. She also mentioned I need to get back electrolytes.. since I’ve been sick. So, I high-tailed it to the market and found Vitamin Water on sale & promptly stocked up. It feels good to have someone in your corner who cares.

I started rereading my Mary Engelbreit/ Home Companion magazines for August, September & October. They are the only magazines I save, along with Vegetarian Times. I group them by season. I love going over every article, especially the home decor and artist pieces. They’ve covered some amazingly inspiring people and places. Flipping through instantly puts me in a positive & crafty mind frame. Gotta love that!

be well ~
M

Have you taken time off to take your family on vacation this summer? As the new school year creeps closer the hotel industry is trying to entice families to get in that last hurrah by offering spectacular money saving deals on accommodations.

Ok, so there isn’t exactly a brigade- unless you count me and the baby in my tummy.. cause the cats aren’t much help. For the most part the apt. is settled, but we have pockets of unorganized mess. So today at least for an hour, I am going to try and whip those pockets into shape. Our bookshelf (Expedit) is up and in full effect! Dividing my little space, housing our Harry Potters and other cuteness.

Yesterday I took some shots of two of my latest coffee cuffs- which will be in my shop today.
The first one was made from a heavy duty canvas/furniture fabric with various ribbons stitched on. The second is made from a vintage white fabric with raised soft-velvety green polka dots. I then put some fun carrot fabric over it with a handmade gingham in yellow fabric button.
Too cute! They’ll be here Cuteness and Then Some!.

On another note, I’m going to meet with a Maternity Consultant at the local hospital. I’m not very happy with the way my OBGYN experience is actually going.
After watching The Business of Being Born- I realized that I didn’t have to be uncomfortable, which has been the way I am feeling. It took watching this movie and a family friend casually asking me if I had a midwife- before I realized there were other options. I went to school for Women’s Studies and to be honest at the time they didn’t really get into too much about hospital birth Vs. midwifery. Right now I see a slew of different Docs who are partners. I never really see the same one twice and feel no connection to them, nor do I even know who would deliver my babe. So, tomorrow I’ll research other options. I’ll be sure to share them! But check out the movie- it was pretty amazing!

Well one of my favorite events is this week… not so much of an event as it is a civil duty.. you know- the new season of Project Runway! I’m pretty excited! I’ve also gotten addicted to Flippin Out- which is funny to admit. But while Z is on his weekly conference call- I look to Bravo to keep me company.

Hope you’re all well
xo
M

No place like home, originally uploaded by hobocampcrafts.

Up front- I’ll say I only liked these words together for a non- boring title and by no means do they have any significance.

However, with that said we did have dinner and spend our evening with Zach’s sister’s family- who live in Hawaii. We strolled around 42nd street ate at a lovely Italian place called Azalea and people watched from the corners. It was my first time being in NYC since I became pregnant. I must now have baby-vision b/c everywhere I look their are teams of preggos. There was also a nice man who gave me his seat on the subway- so much for wondering” Do I look pregnant?”

Thursday- Saturday we spent in Oneonta with my family. Cooking out, chatting and laughing at the silliness of little kids. I had a really nice time. Everything clicked. The food was great and things ran smoothly. Although the beds are a little uncomfy- the gorgeous bathroom my brother just installed- made up for all that. I can now say I’ve taken a bubble bath in Oneonta. On our way out of town we hit the local Sal’s. Zach scored some great shirts and I found some adorable onesies and such.

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging up towel racks, picture frames and shopping for food at the market- our first actual ” big shop” for the new place.

Now Monday is here. I am visiting at my parent’s house, washing all of the baby clothing I have recieved and sorting it. With hopes, this Wednesday at my sonogram we’ll find out who we are cooking in this tummy of mine!

With luck when I return home today- there will be a new air conditioner, new back door, new closet doors and a new step installed in our place. I just hope the kitties behave!
Have a great Monday
xo
M