Raising Brave Kids

I have seen this saying around before. Does it ring true with you? The concept really struck me the other day when I saw the words after the following experience I'm about to share with you. I love this photo of Baillie running into the light from a couple of years ago and it seemed to capture the essence of that brave plunge into the unknown. Being brave and taking risks is such a difficult task, but with it can come such glorious and unknown fortune. How do we teach our children this important skill of bravery? I have a lovely new friend in Baltimore, Kim, who seems to know.

I was walking out of a party with Kim and her 5 year old daughter, Kate. We were at the top of a set of four concrete steps. Adorable Kate stood there perched on the top step with her sweet legs wobbling out of a pair of pink cowboy boots. Her blond hair blew in the wind as she leaned forward getting ready to JUMP down the four steps to the next landing. She teetered and swung her arms back and forth as she mentally assessed her willingness to take the plunge.

If she were my child, I would have yelled, "STOP! You could hurt yourself. That's a long jump and the concrete is really hard!" My friend Kim, calmly said, "Try it. You can do it!" I looked at her like she had gone completely bonkers. Luckily, I was behind her. Kate did indeed try it, but became hesitant mid-jump, changed her mind and stumbled down the set of stairs. She didn't hurt herself, but she came close to falling flat on her face. 

My reaction would have been "Kate, I told you, you could really hurt yourself doing that.  Please don't jump from such heights on concrete."  But not Kim. Brave Kim said to Kate, "Come back up here, Kate, try that again. You can do it." Up tromped Kate in those cowboy boots (gah! in those shoes, I thought). She turned around and took a huge leap and landed it cleanly! Kate turned around and grinned ear to ear. She oozed pride and joyful fulfillment from every ounce of her being. Kim gave her a quick "Well done, Kate" and off we went to the car. 

Even now, my heart clenches up just thinking about how she could have hurt herself.  But then, Kim turned that entire event into a building up and strengthening of her lovely daughter's willingness to take risks, to be brave. My, my, what a lesson that was. Could I tweak my parenting style now to allow my kids to take bigger risks in their everyday lives? I need to channel my Brave Inner Kim and let those kids try more things. I'm such a protective mama bear though.  Unfortunately, I've found my anxiety fuels their anxiety. It is just so hard, though, when you don't want them to get hurt.   

Well, that's just the problem isn't it. None of us want to fail or get hurt. But, what I saw with Kim and Kate so clearly in front of me was that you can practice bravery every day in small things. And, if you do make that bravery a bigger part of you, you just might find something glorious at the end of the road. 

"Fortune favors the brave"  is thought to have originated in the 2nd century BC  by playwright Terence.

First Day of Summer

Is there anything more disappointing than this for your first day of summer?

Truly, hope for a hot day at the pool with the waterguns was blasted right out of sight with the remnants of this tropcial storm.  

Allie and I tried to be cheery and summery by going for manicures as a treat. There's nothing like red nails to say, "hello, summer!"  Maybe they'll bring out the sun for tomorrow?  I'm not holding my breath.

My kids are making up for the dour day with a dive into summer reading early.  I caught them here right after lunch. A reading child just makes me so so happy.  Don't you remember when you used to be able to sit on the floor like this for hours?

In fact, the position I caught Allie in on the couch 20 minutes later is how I remember spending the bulk of my summer vacations. The fact that she's reading Little Women (Great Illustrated Classics)by Louisa May Alcott has me on cloud nine. When I was about her age, I had a mini-version of that book that I kept under my pillow for easy reference and re-reading for more than a year, I think. I can't even count how many times I read it. There was something about Jo as the heroine that felt so real to me. That book seemed to encapsulate my hopes and dreams and yet all seem very real and possible. What was your summer fave? What was the book that captured all your brightest imaginings and wouldn't let you go? Do tell!

Letting It Go

Someone asked me recently in a comment: How in the world do you do it all?  She commented that she felt overwhelmed simply parenting her three kids. My answer is this . . . . sometimes, I just can't and I have to let the blog go a bit.

Generally, because of flax & twine, my house is less clean, my kids eat less well, the laundry takes longer to get done, I get less sleep, I tend to be grumpier, I don't volunteer at the kids schools as much as I'd like, I work out less than I'd like to, etc. Need I go on?

This week, I just couldn't get it all done, hence no post. I spent this past week acting as an errand runner, a homework helper, a comforter, a cook, a cleaner, a consultant, a contractor, an organizer, an interior designer, a chauffeur, and a schlepper . . . in short, a mom.

This load of stuff that comes with being a parent, a part-time consultant, AND a blogger, inevitably leads to an ebb and flow of posts and projects here. Sometimes, I just have to back off and say that it is better to spend time with the kids this weekend, or be the one to take them to soccer tryouts, or just hang out and play a game for an hour when I could have done something in blogland. Please remember that with every blog you read, behind every snapshot of ideal bloggy life, there is so much more real life that you don't see.  I speak to how I capture the moment, and what you don't see in this post. I also refer to my mess, my reality and the anxiety that comes with it in posts, as well.

I try to write about how difficult it can be to keep everything up, so this life of mine doesn't seem all sun and roses. Regardless, I feel compelled to make beautiful things and to capture them in photos. Making things with my hands and making them look lovely soothes my own sense of disorderly being. Capturing those beautiful things in posts calms my busy head like a deep breath. I'm so glad that I have the venue to share it all with you.

Happy Weekend.

Head Over Heels . . . Natural Bags

I adore natural woven bags - they can be crocheted, knit, woven, you name it.  I always get an urge to whip one up myself.  I love the textural quality of the fabric. Yellow's been popping up everywhere as a fun sunny accent, too.  Oh my!  I'd take any of these, but the number 01 clutch I love most of all.  These are perfect for every summer outfit in my book.

1) Raffia Clutch With Ball Clasp (Sold Out)
2) Kaylan Clutch
3) Sun Phase Raffia Clutch
4) Ombre Woven Clutch
5) Mar Y Sol Havana Tote
6) Raffia Bag from Style Shop
7) Jada Large Tote
8) Collection of Straw Bags

Didn't get enough? Here are more that I love:

Mid Make: Crochet Edged Pillowcases

I've been working all hours of the night on these puppies. Handmade pillowcases with a hand crocheted edging–perfection in my book. I created these for a class I'll be teaching this fall (keep your eyes open!), but the tute and pattern will be coming too, so never you fear!

I adore the delicate nature of the crochet.  Better watch out, though, I've got my hook and crochet thread ready to attack all sorts of things. Yes, the list of projects may be growing!

Kathreen Ricketson - A Tragic Loss

I am in shock about the tragic news I just heard about Kathreen Ricketson and her husband Rob Shugg, who both died in a swimming accident off the coast of Australia last week. If any of you had the pleasure of working with Kathreen, you know what a wonderful, positive, talented and supportive person she was. From the beginning of this blog, she has been a cheerleader and friend, encouraging me every step of the way.  I loved contributing to her craft magazine and blog and adored her to no end. The energy she put out in this world was huge. An enormous void in my heart cries out. The crafting community will miss her more dearly than I could ever put into words.

These behind-the-scene-photos of her last book crush my heart as I think about her two darling children, Otilija and Orlando. What amazing people they must be. I know that Kathreen and Rob have given them the strength, the character and the long-lasting love to make it through this tragic event. I cannot imagine it. I hold my three so close today as I think of the journey these two must travel. A trust fund for their future has been set up by friends. You can read more abut it here, or you can contribute to the fund via paypal to this address: otilijaandorlando@gmail.com. Other ways to support Kathreen include purchasing her magazines or books, which are amazing and inspiring in so many ways. 

Thank you, Kathreen,  for your love, your passion and your spirit. I will miss you dearly.