I’ll admit I broke down and purchased one piece of autumnal decor, but in the majority of my life I am holding steady to summer. I hate to see her go with all her beauty, sunshine, blooms, long days, and light. I’ll welcome autumn with open arms when she arrives, too, but for now we are are savoring and prolonging these days.
Today is our kick off for Forest School, and I’m really looking forward to meeting the new mothers and kids who will join our cohort this year. We have just loved this program so, SO much. We’ve been planning our handicrafts for fall and spring term, and I’m really looking forward to all the beautiful things we’re going to create.
This week has felt full of beautiful books and a new sewing project that I kind of had to wing at the end. A friend gave us this stunning, older copy of King Arthur and I found a Robin Hood vintage hardback in a free little library (!!!). Both have just phenomenal illustrations. I am keeping them up high on a shelf to preserve them, and lately the boys have been enjoying having me alternate titles as I read to them before bed. Both have pretty complex language, so I find myself tripping over words from time to time. I finally started collecting Elsa Beskow books, they are so SO gorgeous. I thrift most of the books I buy, but am continuing to run out of room (a good problem to have).
Sewing wise I’m nearly finished with this olive green, linen jumper. I am making this for Penny for autumn and winter. I’m envisioning her wearing it over sweaters and tights, and I have a second dress I want to make for under as well. I am just waiting for some Liberty maroon print to arrive. This pattern was quite tricky for me at the end, and I sort of just worked the straps and bands on my own. I wonder if I make it a second time that it might feel easier? That’s the experience I had with the boys’ jumpsuits.
Last week, in honor of Cilla’s birthday we visited a favorite place of ours, a little local flower farm. I’m hoping my bouquet of cosmos and zinnias (my favorites!) will stay fresh on my dresser. I rarely photograph in our bedroom because it’s so dark, which I actually love, but I’ve been brightening up the space a bit with a repurposed rug and chintz chair I found on Marketplace. Since we already did a party last month we didn’t do lots of gifts, but I did put together a little scrapbooking “kit” for Cilla. I wish I would have thought of this sooner for the girl who loves cutting, writing, photographs, and glue. I feel a little stupid. We’re keeping it all contained (hopeful thinking) in a mini cardboard suitcase. I just love age seven so much already. What a delight she is!
I’ll leave you with this pram photo of Penny. A friend gave us this piece a few years ago, and I’ve always loved taking photos of my babies in it. When Penny was born I think I put her down quickly in it to tend to another child, and it became her favorite place to nap. I should put together a series of photos of her in it, absolutely on brand for this baby girl. She’s a riot. I just found a sheepskin because I imagine our next babe may enjoy napping in here as well. And… now I am thinking of doing a newborn session in it with a red candle on the windowsill and snow around the edges of our window panes, ah, I am so excited to have a winter baby for a change!
