a new direction.

Since I take a fair number of photos each week (mostly of Mia), and want to develop my amateur photography skills, I've been toying with the idea of using this space strictly as a photo blog. Seeing that I have such difficulty finding the time right words to compose posts that I'm truly happy with - I am a terrible perfectionist and my writing is far, far from perfect - I thought using another medium might prove more successful. So, my goal is to upload a weekly photo (or more) of pretty much whatever piques my interest or illustrates a feeling or experience.
As an added incentive, I've signed myself up for the David Suzuki Foundation's 30 x 30 Challenge. The challenge is to spend 30 minutes a day in nature for 30 days commencing June 1st. Although I try to get myself and Mia out for a walk as often as possible, some days I just don't feel I have the energy to even climb the stairs, let alone walk the hour-long route we normally take through our housing development. It's funny sad really, because I know that as soon as I'm out the door and breathe in the fresh air, my energy level rises, I feel refreshed, and my mood instantly brightens. It seems crazy that my lethargy wins out so often and many beautiful days go by without being properly appreciated. The challenge sounds easy enough, though I'm sure I'll have many days when I just won't "feel like it". Has anyone else signed up? I'd love to have some "company" in this new endeavour.

sickly sprout.

She caught her first cold this week. 

Poor wee girl. 

spring cleaning.

I love simplicity. I crave it. I would prefer to have fewer, more meaningful, cherished items in my home and life than a horde of pointless, voluminous junk cluttering up my space (and head - clutter makes me physically dizzy). I pride myself on my ability to discard unwanted items throughout our home. So, even though we're back to seasonal temperatures here in Ontario, last week's balmy weather was enough to encourage me to start in on my Spring cleaning and tackle some of the cluttered mess that ultimately follows Winter's long months. What an eye-opener! I was shocked to find that so much of that "pointless," "unnecessary" junk had taken up residence in my own clothes closet. 

It's staggering how much one can amass over such a short period of time. I'm ashamed to even admit to myself just how much extra "stuff" I have. I'd pared down my belongings when we started packing for the move to our new home back in July, but since the transition it would appear that my own number of unnecessary items has grown again. For someone who is constantly on the lookout for things to discard, it's humbling to admit that I am possibly the biggest culprit of all (ssh! don't tell David).

So, to clear my closet and my conscience, I waded through and built a pile of clothes to be auctioned off on eBay. This is only a tiny sample of the stuff I'm getting rid of. I plan to use the money raised to buy something off my our true "need" list. 

It's nice to be able to breathe again...

snow day.

Winter returned with a vengeance last night so Mia and I spent the day snuggled up in bed together with her favourite toys and the cats for company. I drank chili-spiced cocoa and made some good headway on a new knitting project while she napped.

It was wonderful. 

(maybe it'll snow again tomorrow...?)

a small project.

Finding the time for crafting has been difficult since Mia's arrival. Before her, I had numerous sewing, painting, or knitting projects on the go. That all came to a grinding halt 6+ months ago and just the thought of picking one of them up again left me feeling guilty (because why would I not want to be spending every waking moment with my new baby?) Now, as she approaches the 7-month mark, our days are starting to follow some sort of predictable pattern and I'm able to manage my time more wisely. Mind you, by the time 7pm rolls around I'm ready for bed and the idea of starting a new project (however small) is very daunting and almost unimaginable for my foggy brain. However, I miss making things. As a result, I've decided to make it a priority to get some "me" time in every evening and get my hands (and brain) moving once again. So, the other day, I made a nursing pillow.

Actually, we don't use it as a nursing pillow. It's more of a sitting pillow that acts as a safety buffer between little miss "Teeter-Totter's" noggin and the legs on the coffee table. The pattern is from Lotta Jandsotter's book, "Simple Sewing for Baby." The pattern is very easy to follow and the whole project took just under 2 hours.

winter.

I love Winter. I love the calm, serene look of farmers' fields and streets freshly blanketed with snow; glistening icicles hanging from branches and eavestroughs; cardinals and woodpeckers gathering seeds left by thoughtful bird enthusiasts...

Living in Canada, you become accustomed to the cold temperatures; or at least, most of us do. Being of Finnish background, I'm perfectly content to "go for a stroll" in -25 degree Celsius weather while my Italian husband, on the other hand prefers a slightly more temperate climate. 

I've always looked forward to Winter. I've never thought twice about trudging out into the vast whiteness clad in my long underwear, bundled up to my eyebrows in wool. Each outing is an adventure and it's invigorating. Winter makes you feel alive. Ironic I suppose, since it always manages to amaze me at how beautiful dead things can be; how there is always life hiding in places where things seem to be completely empty and still; how many different shades of brown there are! 

Above are a few photos I took on a milder day earlier this month while Mia and I were out for one of our walks discovering our new neighbourhood. Being a new mother has really opened my eyes to just how lovely this (and every) season is (will be). I really hope Mia has more of my cold-hardy Finnish blood coursing through her veins than David's Italian blood (though to his credit, he is a champion snow shoveler and snowball maker). I'm already eager for next Winter when she'll be old enough to tromp through the snow on foot with me and make her own wonderful discoveries.