Sunday, December 28, 2008
Handmade Holiday update...
Upcycled sweater kitty! Cute striped belly to match the tail!
Felted wool brooch made from upcycled sweater bits~
Rag wreath...revealed!
The children have really embraced Handmade Holiday this year! Their hard work paid off with this beautiful wreath they created from my scrap box! It is really beautiful and it makes me so proud to see them creating "green" crafts! Not to mention how successful I feel remembering where all those scraps came from!
Pure Solitude
Self-Portrait
Happy Solstice!
Solstice feast with friends!
Just like a man...
My son Nakai took this picture of me! I think it would be perfect in the "Conspicuously Incognito" Flickr pool featured below: don't you?
http://www.flickr.com/groups/900190@N24/pool/ Hop on over there and see what those girls have put together! Maybe I'll add this one to the pool.....
Happy Bday to Me! Self Portrait Wednesday
That's me! The birthday girl!
You know, some people really despise having birthdays...but me...not so much. I'm thankful for lessons learned, for friendships gained, for opportunities presented. Thanks to all of you who add those special touches to my life...you know who you are!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
101 Reasons to buy handmade
Click here to go to the list: http://poppytalks101reasonstobuyhandmade.blogspot.com/
So, I'm taking a day off from actual crafting, to allow myself time to recover from this nasty stomach thing I picked up yesterday, but I'm trying to keep my brain on track, so I'm thinking and reading up on things I still need to make. I found this list on a blog that I follow and thought it would be something you all may like to read! So, in the spirit of handmade holiday 2008, brew up a mug of tea or cider and pull up your comfy chair....these are great reasons! I hope you think so too.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Etsy Shop Update!!!
***In the spirit of Handmade Holiday 2008, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all U.S. orders of $20 or more! I will also include a FREE GIFT from me!! This special is good through December 24, 2008.
To redeem: enter this secret code: FREESHIP20 in the message to seller section during checkout and wait for a revised invoice before paying! Easy Peasy!
The Holiday Season
Is
Just around the corner.
Why not go handmade this year?
Visit: http://www.dalaimamasday.etsy.com/ I have just added several new items!
Your stop for handmade, recycled gifts!
You can feel good about reducing your footprint, supporting real people, keeping your dollars local and giving unique, eco-conscious gifts!
GO GREEN! TAKE THE HANDMADE PLEDGE! SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
The Holiday Season is just around the corner!
Why not go handmade this year?
Visit: http://www.dalaimamasday.etsy.com/
Your stop for handmade, recycled gifts!
You can feel good about reducing your footprint, supporting real people, and giving unique,
eco-conscious gifts!
GO GREEN! TAKE THE HANDMADE PLEDGE! SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Ahhh
Corners of my home
This corner (well, it's not really a corner) truly is a favorite of mine. It symbolizes childhood ambition, dedication, perseverance, a wonderlust for all things musical. Be still my heart when a young one sits down and plays me a tune......bliss for this mama! A music corner....such a great place to be!
self-portrait
I felt so accomplished in this photo...I had just come from the YMCA after a very long hiatus! It felt good to push my body to limits recently unknown. As a family, we are going to try hard to visit our Y at least two times a week during this non-soccer season! It's a hard thing to commit to, though. We run and run and run so much during most of the year and I love to hibernate in the winter, turn inward and pursue my domestic goddess passions...baking, sewing, crafting, creating. But really, we do need to remember to be fit...so, I guess we'll hang at the Y a few evenings a week this season!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Pj's...all day long
Do you ever wake up and try to psych yourself up for the day? Well that's what happened on this particular day. I was up hours before everyone else. Had consumed a mug of chai, had done my morning stretching, had let the dog out and greeted the day...and still....could not bring myself to get out of these pajamas! So...I decided to stay in them....all. day. long. And really, isn't that the beauty of homeschooling/working from home? That you have that permission? Schoolwork got done, sewing was accomplished, I even baked some delicious, organic blueberry muffins using blueberries from our friend Zeb's farm....I call that a success. And I would like to encourage you all to try it from time to time....to listen to that inner voice that says to you, "go slow today...no one to be, no where to go...." Indulge for a day. I'm glad I did!
Self-Portrait Monday
Cake for my sweet birthday boy
I made this delicious and beautiful cake for my youngest son Nakai, on his birthday. Though crooked, it did turn out really well. Classic yellow butter cake, covered in chocolate buttercream frosting and topped with delicious organic strawberries, blueberries and raspberries....mmmm.
I've been trying to be more mindful while baking recently. You know, really be focused on my intention with each creation. Instead of looking at it as a chore that must be done, I'm choosing to see it as an opportunity with which I am blessed to have. It was an honor to bake this cake for my sweet boy's birthday. I did it with love and joy....maybe that's why it tasted so good!
I've been reading the Tassajara recipe and bread book lately (don't know why it took so long for me to purchase them)...and the messages in these books are really resonating with me. Zen philosophy and poetry throughout, they are a pleasure to read and inspire me to create.
What are you baking these days?
Corners of my home
In this corner...relaxation happens. Reading after a long day. Knitting and sipping tea by candlelight...listening to guitar being played for me....or my sweet daughter playing me a tune on the keyboard which is near. This corner feels like a treat to me. A reward at the end of the day. A place not often visited, but one I look forward to visiting more as winter comes to our neck of the woods.
Which corner of your home beckons you? Please feel free to share in the comments section!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Change in Plans
Well, when I awoke this morning (from a fitful sleep in which I tossed and turned and thought all night), the rain was coming down hard. I decided then and there that the Farmer's market was out for me. "Great!" I thought. Not only is it the busiest day, but we'll be busy and cold and wet all day! Better hop to it and get things rolling... Just as I was walking out the door to head to the market for fruit to chop up for the soccer snack, the phone rang. It was the coach informing me that the other team cancelled and doesn't want to make it up. I immediately was both happy and disappointed. Happy of course that we wouldn't have to hang out in the rain and that my asthmatic boy wouldn't be running and playing in the rain, but disappointed because I know how much Nolan loves soccer and was looking forward to this last game. Relieved because I didn't have to assemble snacks!
Okay, Next up...rounding up supplies and things to load for the festival. My fellow mama friend Kimberly who was to come with me, called saying that her boys were already not feeling great and she didn't think she would take them out today. Hmmm...I didn't really want to go and have Nolan sitting in the rain all day by ourselves...with all of my handmade, FABRIC wares....so that got me thinking about the fall festival in a different light. As a parent....would I take my family to the woods for a festival if it were freezing cold and raining hard? Would I want to spend money at the rainy festival? Would the activities (natural dye, leaf prints, candle dipping, cider pressing, pumpkin float, bonfire and storytelling) still occur in the rain? I'm not sure, but I don't think that I (a pretty woods-friendly mama) would even want to go to the festival given the conditions today. So, after a quick consult w/ Andy, I decided to stay home and consider my already paid fee a donation to Parker Dam.
Teah is already in Clarion with her dad and her plans to attend Harry Potter themed Super Saturday Science should be unchanged regardless of the weather.
So...all the stress of the week is suddenly gone. Amazing. I now have permission to enjoy a quiet day at home (until 6pm when we will now go to celebrate Andy's dad's bday)...doing all the things I love to do....organize, sew, clean, craft, read books snuggled up with Nolan, treat him to a movie....the possibilities are endless. Thanks to the rain!
Gratitude List for today:
- permission to slow down (the rain)
- being able to keep the curtains shut
- my local freecycle group
- crepes cooked in a cast iron skillet and filled with CNG blueberries from Zeb :)
- our funny dog, Scooter (or Duder)
- baskets of fall books
- the beautiful bird tree that now we get to keep and enjoy instead of selling!
- Spending the day with my beautiful son, just the two of us
- tea in my mug
- a basket full of yarn and gorgeous bamboo needles to play with
Here's hoping you are enjoying a day of stillness too! Really, we go and go all week long...don't we deserve some home time?
Friday, October 24, 2008
The end doesn't have to be...
Well, Folks, we are winding down to the last weeks for the DuBois Farmer’s Market. My how time flies! I'd like to thank you all for supporting me this season. I hope you've enjoyed all your goodies. Jellies, Jams, organic breads, cookies and other healthy snacks! I've enjoyed bringing them to you. I hope to see you again next summer either at the DuBois Farmer's Market or perhaps through a CSA program. I will be attending the PASA conference in February to stay abreast on all the exciting new developments in the world of sustainability, organic farming, and all natural living so that I can bring that knowledge to you. Feel confident that when you buy local, handmade, certified naturally grown or organic, you are giving yourself and your family a wonderful gift. Thanks again and I hope to see you soon!
Now...what flavor shall I bake this week? Hmm.cinnamon-raisin, garlic-dill, healthy hearty whole grain, or honey wheat? We shall see.Oh, one more thing. I wanted to let you all know that just because the market is over, that doesn't mean you have to live without your favorite bread. No, no, no.... I still bake weekly for many other people, so if you'd like to place either a one-time order or a standing weekly order, simply give me a call at 814-591-7673 or 814-371-4130 and I'll be happy to bake for you! Okay, happy winter everyone!
In peace,
Terah
Dalai Mama’s Day
Friday, October 10, 2008
THE DAM SHOW...
Beautiful Serenity in her fun and funky new dress! (thanks guys!)
patchy bags
Dalai Mama's Day...the booth
tye-dye and patchy clothes
hacky sacks, prayer flags, bags, banners
Thanks to all who stopped by to say "Hey!"
Tree of Life tapestry
Me and my sidekick!
A very well-done lightshow on the dam
Our new friend, Local musician Josh Wolfe!
Watch for him!!!
FREE GRASS UNION!!! (we love you guys:)
Fun, fun, fun!
- Free Grass Union (New York)
- Gail Ayers (Coudersport)
- Willie Jack and the Northern Light (Danville area)
- Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (who has debuted on the Grand Ole Opry w/ Allison Krauss!)
- Blue Sky Mission Club
- J.Guy and the Grateful Floyd Band (Easton area)
- Buddhahood (Rochester)
- Tom Martin (Coudersport)
- Freakish Owl Boy (siblings, every one!)
- Redheaded Stepchild (Nashville)
- Hackensaw Boys (Virginia)
- Ryan Montbleau Band (Boston)
- The Slant (Pittsburgh)
- Cherylann Hawk (Pittsburgh)
Dalai Mama had a great weekend at the Austin Dam Show. Won't you join me next summer?