Gnome

After all this swapping I had to make my own kids some fun little additions. 

Here is my first gnome:

Last of the Pecans

A couple days ago we went out and collected the last of the pecans before the weather really turned cold...

Here's my happy helper (her brother was too busy riding his bike for a picture)...

And this was found amongst the pecans.  I thought it looked like a flower, but it's really a collection of three pecan "skins" (for lack of a better term the outer covering of the pecans). 

It's in on the nature table now.  We couldn't resist saving it, but I doubt it'll last.  It's a very fragile little flower. 

Autumn

Autumn is truly here!

Swaps

Here's my latest creations for a one-on-one swap...

He's called a Tomten and he's a sweet little Swedish gnome.  They were believed to take care of a farmer's home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the housefolk were asleep. We have a lovely storybook about him and I am making one for us to keep as well.

Sensory bins

The weather is certainly changing.  We've started spending more time indoors, which means it's time to start updating the sensory bins.

This time S got one about colors and R got some lizards to play with...

TMI Alert!

There has been a lot of crafting going on around these parts.  In addition to the birthday and Christmas presents, I've got a couple swaps.  But in between all this crafting, I made myself a couple new mama cloths.  Also known as reusable menstrual products.  I've been using them for years and mostly have bought them.  But I figured, I'm urban homesteading, I can make my own.  So here's an example.  Turned out okay!

More Birthday

The family party was last Saturday.  We welcomed several friends and family members to our new-ish house.

We were so happy that Ivana was able to make us another fabulous cake.  They are so incredibly good too. 

My birthday

My birthday was swell.  I got a free drink from Starbucks, my boss let me leave work early, and my family took me out to dinner so I didn't have to cook.  Good times!