tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78929909107377591202024-03-13T08:49:11.495-04:00Just HatchedSimple toys, Simple livingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-87125874927050183172011-06-25T11:12:00.008-04:002011-06-25T11:34:32.671-04:00Lavender and a Fairy GardenWe visited a really neat place this week - an <a href="http://www.caroleesherbfarm.com/">herb farm</a> that's not too far from where we live (yet we never knew about it!). So many interesting herbs and flowers, themed gardens to explore, and a field of lavender ready for picking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLVc128NIs/TgX9aS2mM5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/elzl9U2MXAU/s1600/lavender1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLVc128NIs/TgX9aS2mM5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/elzl9U2MXAU/s400/lavender1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622178338021192594" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWhoQNSVp_4/TgX92WtGO0I/AAAAAAAAAXI/UHBTf3PA0jI/s1600/lavender2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWhoQNSVp_4/TgX92WtGO0I/AAAAAAAAAXI/UHBTf3PA0jI/s400/lavender2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622178820091427650" /></a><br /><br />Inspired by the fairy gardens there and selection of miniature plants, we decided to finally make our own little fairy garden when we got home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEHZ5tHPdeg/TgX-jDuepHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/HKI3NaZ1IRk/s1600/lavender3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEHZ5tHPdeg/TgX-jDuepHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/HKI3NaZ1IRk/s400/lavender3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622179588091061362" /></a><br /><br />A little glass bowl became a pond, and my big boy was happy to add rocks and beach glass for a path. <br /><br />Although when I first asked him if he thought any fairies would come visit our garden, he laughed and said no. But by the time we were done putting our garden together, he ran over to our vegetable garden and picked some peas "for the fairies". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPDlnYe7NNg/TgX_TkwUyuI/AAAAAAAAAXY/KT72Fg_zH54/s1600/fairies1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPDlnYe7NNg/TgX_TkwUyuI/AAAAAAAAAXY/KT72Fg_zH54/s400/fairies1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622180421590895330" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BESj1STr4Go/TgX_vSdoqUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/WAONXW5G9_c/s1600/fairy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BESj1STr4Go/TgX_vSdoqUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/WAONXW5G9_c/s400/fairy2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622180897717004610" /></a><br /><br />This morning, the peas were gone and only the pods remained... much to his excitement.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-48577089584335618402011-05-08T12:03:00.005-04:002011-05-08T12:19:41.205-04:00Our mud kitchen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2axBfrCEOY/Tca_Ih6n8TI/AAAAAAAAAWE/8lsWmeaAx_M/s1600/mud1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R2axBfrCEOY/Tca_Ih6n8TI/AAAAAAAAAWE/8lsWmeaAx_M/s400/mud1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604376939573276978" /></a><br />Gathering some supplies for an outdoor "mud kitchen" was on my to-do list for a while, after first seeing the idea <a href="http://rhythmofthehome.com/archives/summer-2010/mud-pie-kitchen/">here</a> and <a href="http://redbeetmama.blogspot.com/2011/04/corner-of-my-home-mud-kitchen.html">here</a>. Finally, while out thrifting with a friend this weekend I stumbled on some little muffin tins and spoons that were perfect, and finally inspired me to make a few more stops and gather everything we would need.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDV4T36Vno/Tca_I32xmUI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Rk8XAkhpaiI/s1600/mud2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBDV4T36Vno/Tca_I32xmUI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Rk8XAkhpaiI/s400/mud2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604376945462712642" /></a><br />When I returned home with bags full of cookware and utensils, I had no choice but to tell my 4 year old what they were for. He was beyond excited, and would not even consider waiting until tomorrow to get this set up. I told him I wanted to build something with shelves and a counter to place in the back corner of our yard, but he convinced me that it was "fine" and we didn't need to wait for silly things like planning or assembling anything complex. He helped me find some scraps of wood from the garage, and an old drawer which we nailed sideways on top for "shelves". In about 20 minutes, he declared that this was <i>perfect!</i> and <i>just like a real kitchen mom!</i>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezQcFy72DPg/Tca_JFdxyrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/wYH9YNgzEos/s1600/mud3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezQcFy72DPg/Tca_JFdxyrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/wYH9YNgzEos/s400/mud3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604376949115964082" /></a><br />Part of the fun is scavenging around the yard for "ingredients", like these that he decided to use for tea. There were a few unfortunate sips to be tasted as well. And much excitement as I was presented with my morning latte.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd1hQVDiREQ/Tca_Je8La8I/AAAAAAAAAWc/LXLH3FMB4qE/s1600/mud4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd1hQVDiREQ/Tca_Je8La8I/AAAAAAAAAWc/LXLH3FMB4qE/s400/mud4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604376955954359234" /></a><br />My boys played outside in their "kitchen" until it got dark last night. Then on the way inside, my oldest hugged me and said <span style="font-style:italic;">"this is so awesome mom! I love it! I can't wait to wake up in the morning and put my shoes on so we can come back outside!"</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCggqcoiIW8/Tca_TED8D-I/AAAAAAAAAWs/fx1EVxrboMc/s1600/mud6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCggqcoiIW8/Tca_TED8D-I/AAAAAAAAAWs/fx1EVxrboMc/s400/mud6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604377120537841634" /></a><br />And that's just what we did, at 8am this morning. I can't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NRHCAq0izY/TcbB0ef9yjI/AAAAAAAAAW0/ZJKsu7DgnBU/s1600/mud5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NRHCAq0izY/TcbB0ef9yjI/AAAAAAAAAW0/ZJKsu7DgnBU/s400/mud5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604379893593655858" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-18682201398674039882011-04-04T13:15:00.005-04:002011-04-04T13:25:42.221-04:00TerrariumI've been wanting to make one of these for a while, after seeing so many of them pop up around the internet. <br /><br />So last week, we gathered the materials (pebbles, sand, charcoal, soil, moss) and put ours together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4iNu4jvumY/TZn9LE4DRdI/AAAAAAAAAV0/BBU9LHRY1YA/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4iNu4jvumY/TZn9LE4DRdI/AAAAAAAAAV0/BBU9LHRY1YA/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591778779086407122" /></a><br /><br />The best projects these days are quick and easy for everyone to participate in. Dropping rocks into a glass jar = lots of fun for a toddler.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYkE7XFOqvU/TZn9Kw9a-TI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Z_sBF5aM__Y/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYkE7XFOqvU/TZn9Kw9a-TI/AAAAAAAAAVs/Z_sBF5aM__Y/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591778773740222770" /></a><br /><br />The final touches were some smooth stones and a few pieces of beach glass from last summer. And of course, we needed a little mushroom or three - (I got them <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SerenityMosaics">here</a>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grkJ18505nE/TZn9LTpLf-I/AAAAAAAAAV8/8VPVy0sFThw/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grkJ18505nE/TZn9LTpLf-I/AAAAAAAAAV8/8VPVy0sFThw/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591778783050563554" /></a><br /><br />A little spritz of water and we put the lid on tight, and our terrarium is now a lovely, earthy centerpiece for our kitchen table.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-42750642525818473482011-03-11T11:33:00.007-05:002011-03-11T11:57:28.142-05:00Obey the Signs!If you've been to our house recently, you may have wondered about some of these. Just so there is no confusion, I will explain the meaning of these warning signs. Made and displayed by my 4-year-old, they are to be taken <span style="font-weight:bold;">very</span> seriously. (And yes, the adhesive half-sheets are shipping labels!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4my5H7l-cQ/TXpPdIXVnQI/AAAAAAAAAU0/jA0OUMywuz0/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4my5H7l-cQ/TXpPdIXVnQI/AAAAAAAAAU0/jA0OUMywuz0/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582862049959320834" /></a><br />The first, above, is a drawing of the boys' trampoline. (Yes we have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galt-6850008-Folding-Trampoline/dp/B0007VZVGK">trampoline </a>in the living room - doesn't everybody?) You'll notice in the photo that the trampoline's rear legs are off the ground. The circle and line mean "NO making the trampoline come off the ground!", which has been something we have been needing to remind them of. I was proud of my little guy when, of his own initiative, he made this sign to remind himself of the rule.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVG_DHuGnzo/TXpPdv3-NBI/AAAAAAAAAVE/RiQdLF8358Y/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVG_DHuGnzo/TXpPdv3-NBI/AAAAAAAAAVE/RiQdLF8358Y/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582862060565181458" /></a><br />Next, on the side of mama's nightstand, is the sign above. This one is to remind everybody NOT to jump off of mama's bed. Do you notice a theme here? If you were to come to the conclusion that we have a lot of JUMPING in our house, you would be correct... (And just so I don't sound like a big mean NO NO NO parent, there ARE plenty of places and ways that they are welcome to jump safely - and boy do they ever... Our couch, stairs, and their own beds, are fair game!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXcxH7a2Qss/TXpRN-gbfEI/AAAAAAAAAVc/3J4jr3cPkMM/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXcxH7a2Qss/TXpRN-gbfEI/AAAAAAAAAVc/3J4jr3cPkMM/s400/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582863988638317634" /></a><br />This is in our office, on a bookshelf. A reminder to all of us not to yell or scream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgzt1Ad01T0/TXpPeEi5b4I/AAAAAAAAAVM/nDlozdADvjs/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgzt1Ad01T0/TXpPeEi5b4I/AAAAAAAAAVM/nDlozdADvjs/s400/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582862066113933186" /></a><br />And yes, another reminder of the same - in the living room. We have all struggled with not yelling lately, and I may have set myself up for these by welcoming reminders from my little boy if I start to raise my voice...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ox_XDzqujc/TXpPdVp20BI/AAAAAAAAAU8/D8ecu4UkGGo/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ox_XDzqujc/TXpPdVp20BI/AAAAAAAAAU8/D8ecu4UkGGo/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582862053526654994" /></a><br />In this photo above, you will see my favorite - the SOS. Don't be alarmed, there is no dire emergency, just a little boy who does not like the sound of the vacuum. In his words, when asked about this sign - "It's a distress signal. So when you are vacuuming and you see the sign, you will remember that I don't like it and turn the vacuum off." <br /><br />Below that, you will see a sign that he made a few days ago. After playing too roughly with his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hugg-A-Planet-Hugg-a-Planet-Hugg-A-Planet/dp/B0006IYLMO">Earth ball</a> to the point of hurting people, daddy had to put it away for a while. So this sign was to let everyone know that there was to be NO more Earth ball (temporarily, at least).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIylrZv-ok4/TXpPeYkAM2I/AAAAAAAAAVU/6p0iqKEnLiA/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIylrZv-ok4/TXpPeYkAM2I/AAAAAAAAAVU/6p0iqKEnLiA/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582862071487279970" /></a><br />And finally, the newest addition to the living room... No jumping on the clothes hamper. (I had to make this rule after picking up pieces of the wicker hamper off the carpet all morning...)<br /><br />So there you have it. Is everyone clear on the rules now? :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-2510496265821736472011-03-04T16:07:00.003-05:002011-03-04T16:11:27.713-05:00{ this moment }My littlest, standing still for a moment as the maple sap runs all around him...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e31-csplndA/TXFVRz7_U3I/AAAAAAAAAUs/HCIaTO9S-dY/s1600/thismoment.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e31-csplndA/TXFVRz7_U3I/AAAAAAAAAUs/HCIaTO9S-dY/s400/thismoment.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580335177776714610" /></a><br /><br />{ this moment } - Inspired by <a href="http://soulemama.com">Soulemama</a>, a Friday ritual. A single photo, capturing a moment from the week. A moment to savor and remember.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-8178044149436656982011-02-27T12:05:00.005-05:002011-02-27T14:51:17.653-05:00Coming Soon...Something new will be hatching in our home, come September. Not a new toy or puzzle this time, but a new member of the family. <br /><br />We were pretty darn sure that our two boys were the perfect match for us. At four years old and 20 months, they keep us plenty busy. So this unexpected pregnancy has taken a little bit of time to adjust to, but now we are all looking forward to meeting this new little one at the end of this summer. <br /><br />It seems that ever since becoming parents, we have been handed lesson after lesson on <i>going with the flow</i>. It was a challenge to keep life neat and tidy and predictable with one child. After the second came along, expectations had to be lowered all around. The house is never quite as clean, the days are never quite as calm and quiet as they used to be, and there is never as much sleep as there once was... not to mention the unending battle of laundry, and the challenge of preparing meals that include something that all of us will enjoy.<br /><br />Yes, I'm fully expecting things to get much messier and harder, as our family grows one last time. I will no longer have enough hands for each child. Our kitchen table will no longer have enough chairs. But I am feeling ok about it, knowing that at this point we just have to embrace what is to come and keep <i>going with the flow</i>. <br /><br />We are excited to be planning another home birth for this little one's arrival. We're going to attempt to sell our house this spring, so with any luck it might be the grand event to break in a new home for us! Our shop is still keeping us busy, and 2011 is already speeding by in a blur. We are excited about what the rest of this year has in store for us, and especially meeting this new little person, who I know will fit right in :)<br /><br /><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.192884346.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.192884346.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><small>No that's not me!<BR> But isn't this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61821306/organic-cotton-maternity-shirt-animal">Organic Cotton Maternity Shirt </a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Xenotees?ref=pr_shop">Xenotees</a> lovely!?</small></center><br /><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.216782740.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.216782740.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><small>I've also been admiring these beautiful & colorful diaper covers by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WildChildWoolies?ref=seller_info">Wild Child Woolies</a></small></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-70666045246133902202011-02-20T20:39:00.004-05:002011-02-20T21:25:11.485-05:00Oink! Baa! Neigh!I'm excited to finally have listed one of our new items in our shop tonight. This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68521967/wooden-farm-animals-set-of-6-horse-goat">Set of 6 Wooden Farm Animals</a> includes a horse, pig, sheep, goat, dog and cow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bZqXyO0CiQ/TWHG-6-mIMI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Xqz6HUuNBjI/s1600/farm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bZqXyO0CiQ/TWHG-6-mIMI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Xqz6HUuNBjI/s400/farm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575956597947375810" /></a><br /><br />We are also working on some new seasonal puzzles, which we hope to have finished and listed soon. Of course, that could mean next weekend or next month. It's hard to say! It's been a busy month at our home - between trying to prepare our house for selling, and my <s>morning</s> all day sickness which renders me pretty useless most days. My family is lucky they have some clean laundry and an occasional meal lately ;)<br /><br />One of really fun parts of having an Etsy shop is checking our Google Analytics to see how people are landing at our site. A sudden burst of traffic or sales will usually mean we've been mentioned somewhere on the web - and that is <i>always</i> an awesome feeling! To think that someone likes something we make enough to mention it on their website or blog - big or small - is just an awesome warm fuzzy feeling. <br /><br />Thanks to all these wonderful folks who have mentioned Just Hatched recently:<br /><br /><a href="http://coolmompicks.com/2011/02/lift_a_leaf_and_learn_about_th.php">Cool Mom Picks</a><br /><a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/sustainable-wooden-puzzles-from-just-hatched/">Inhabitots</a><br /><a href="http://montessorium.com/blog/2011/1/26/just-hatched.html">Montessorium</a><br /><a href="http://www.todaysletters.com/">todaysletters.com</a><a href="http://www.smalltownlovin.com/?p=638"><br />Small Town Lovin'</a><br /><a href="http://www.lmnop.com.au/2011/02/broken-heart/">LMNOP Magazine</a><br /><a href="http://buymodernbaby.com/blog/2010/09/14/etsy-find-toys-from-just-hatched/">Buy Modern Baby</a><br /><a href="http://tinytwistcreative.com/2011/02/february-inspiration-love-is-in-the-air/">Tiny Twist Creative</a><br /><a href="http://bkids.typepad.com/intro/2011/01/some-things-i-liked-this-weekpart-2.html">Bloesem Kids</a><br /><a href="http://blog.nataliarosin.com/2011/01/brinquedos-de-madeira.html">natzfirefly</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-64156398432437214472011-02-16T15:22:00.003-05:002011-02-16T15:27:26.264-05:00First SocksI finally finished knitting my first ever pair of socks! I started these with hopes of becoming a Christmas gift for my big boy, but knitting time was really limited over the holidays so they became a February gift instead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVcs3zAJ8Lg/TVwyhpPh3YI/AAAAAAAAAUc/vUNUkcKFp7A/s1600/socks2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVcs3zAJ8Lg/TVwyhpPh3YI/AAAAAAAAAUc/vUNUkcKFp7A/s400/socks2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574385992365890946" /></a><br />The pattern is Patons <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4302">Child's Ribbed Classics</a>, and it was a perfectly simple one to start with. (Ravelry link <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/childs-ribbed-classics">here</a>.) The smallest size fits my 4 year old with room to spare.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DzQpvsbx6w/TVwyhb9C_LI/AAAAAAAAAUU/-tdFg3mS0w0/s1600/socks1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DzQpvsbx6w/TVwyhb9C_LI/AAAAAAAAAUU/-tdFg3mS0w0/s400/socks1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574385988798708914" /></a><br /><br />I am really happy with how they turned out! And the best test ever is when he put them on today and said "They are soft and cozy!" Success, indeed!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-58058519229726425562011-02-15T17:04:00.002-05:002011-02-15T17:16:59.251-05:00Goodbye, MotheringIt's just a magazine, but it's also a little bit like an old friend.<br /><br />I remember the day I first saw <a href="http://mothering.com">Mothering</a> on the shelf at a bookstore. My first child was just a few months old, and I was still reveling in the miracle of his birth and taking in all that came along with being a new mother. <br /><br />I remember reading an article by a father about his wife giving birth to their child at home, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Though my first son's birth was unmedicated, and not surgical, the hospital experience was far from the "natural" birth I wanted. But without anyone close to me who had given birth naturally, I lacked the support or information to make better choices at that time. I read that article and knew that was what I wanted for my future childrens' births, and immediately subscribed to the magazine. I set off to read every book about birth that I could, and 2 years later gave birth to my second son in our living room. <br /><br />From when I first subscribed as a new mother in 2006, until now, I have looked forward to Mothering arriving in the mail every 60 days. I usually read it in bed, and always learn something new. Most importantly, I always feel connected to a greater community of mothers who are a lot like me, often making choices that mainstream society does not understand or agree with. <br /><br />A couple of years ago, my husband submitted <a href="http://www.mothering.com/parenting/real-boys-play-with-dolls">an essay</a> he wrote that was published in the Nov/Dec 2009 Mothering. It was such an exciting day to see our names and our son's photos (that I had taken) right there in the pages of this magazine I loved so much.<br /><br />So it is a sad day today, as I learned that Mothering will not be printing any more issues. I am thankful for the insight and guidance I came to expect in each issue, and the online community that I have been a part of for the past 4 years also. I hope that Mothering's online presence will still offer some of the same things to new parents, like what it offered me when I first picked it up 4 years ago. <br /><br />Goodbye, Mothering. You will be missed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-14561117085724684002011-01-23T09:52:00.003-05:002011-01-23T18:20:22.027-05:00Simple AbundanceI had never heard of this book until a friend mentioned it recently. I checked it out from the library and started reading it shortly after the new year. There is a short essay for each day of the year, with the purpose to guide you to a life of contentment and simplicity. It sounded like just what I needed.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446563595/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001D08CQU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WCKCN6DDA6E337J7SW4"><img src="http://books.google.com/books?id=-wM5qIYTeA8C&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&l=220"></a></center><br /><br />I like that each day's reading is very short - I've had no problem finding a few minutes to read it as part of my morning routine. While nothing I've read so far has been especially earth-shattering, it has been nice to start each day with something to think about and keep me focused on what is important. It can be a little cheesy at times, but I'm ok with that because it does seem to be making a difference for me. I look forward to reading it every morning, and I think it is playing a part in helping me stay calm and focused throughout the day.<br /><br />Quite ironically, we found out some news last week that has drastically changed all of our plans for 2011. The routine of this simple little book has helped me stay positive and embrace what is to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-20721068196051816832011-01-14T13:42:00.002-05:002011-01-14T13:48:36.195-05:00{ this moment }Cookies in our "cave".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TTCZ65vhmUI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Z9LRtWfFmUM/s1600/Dsc_3405.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TTCZ65vhmUI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Z9LRtWfFmUM/s400/Dsc_3405.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562114777014180162" /></a><br /><br />{ this moment } - Inspired by <a href="http://soulemama.com">Soulemama</a>, a Friday ritual. A single photo, capturing a moment from the week. A moment to savor and remember.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-69940250966628744442011-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:002011-01-13T10:00:01.736-05:00Things we love: Mama K's Play ClayWe've finally had a chance to break out the Play Clay my kids got for Christmas. Oh my, this stuff is just downright awesome!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamaks">Mama K's</a> is no ordinary play dough. It is Gluten Free, and made with Organic essential oils to give it the beautiful scents of Lavendar, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Geranium, Sweet Orange (my favorite!), Cardamom, and Chamomile. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3hHxOroaI/AAAAAAAAATs/BrXwc0leUak/s1600/mamak1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3hHxOroaI/AAAAAAAAATs/BrXwc0leUak/s400/mamak1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561348638462681506" /></a><br />It has the wonderfully smooth texture of homemade play clay, with vibrant colors and exotic scents that made our hands and kitchen smell wonderful while we played with it. Oh yes, I played too. I promise if your kids have this out, you won't be able to resist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3hWtdvdMI/AAAAAAAAAT0/01R4FHMYLkA/s1600/mamak2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3hWtdvdMI/AAAAAAAAAT0/01R4FHMYLkA/s400/mamak2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561348895150142658" /></a><br />We all enjoyed smelling each flavor and trying to decide which was our favorite. Playing with these felt like an indulgence of the senses, and I love the little storage containers they come in too. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3ii0cJ5aI/AAAAAAAAAT8/WTdBGLcMY0E/s1600/mamak3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TS3ii0cJ5aI/AAAAAAAAAT8/WTdBGLcMY0E/s400/mamak3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561350202692593058" /></a><br />MamaK was an Etsy featured seller recently, and you can read more about her <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=mamak+featured+seller&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">here</a>. Check out <a href="http://mamaks.etsy.com">her shop </a>for individual tubs of clay, sets, and these adorable <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62214043/the-smart-set-all-7-play-clays-in">Mini Clays</a>, which my 4 year old thinks are awesome - and are perfect for using in the car or in a waiting room somewhere. <br /><br />Thank you MamaK, for making such an amazing product!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><small>(And no, this is not a sponsored post in any way. I just wanted to share since I think these are so great!)</small></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-56231761561464770252011-01-12T09:22:00.006-05:002011-01-12T10:18:13.684-05:00Put it on the calendarThe end of 2010 was busy and stressful. So naturally, I've been pondering how to make sure 2011 is more peaceful and organized. We got off to a bumpy start, but now I'm feeling better about where we're headed for 2011.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.198417694.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.198417694.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><center><small><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62782622/magnetic-chalkboard-weekly-calendar-navy?ref=sr_list_14&ga_search_query=calendar+chalkboard&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade">Magnetic Chalkboard</a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NameDrop">NameDrop</a> on Etsy.</span></small></center><br /><br />On a friend's recommendation, I signed up for the free site <a href="http://cozi.com">cozi.com</a>, which is an easy to use family calendar site - you can color code things for each family member, make grocery lists, send things to your phone, and I set it up to email my husband and I our weekly calendar each Sunday. (No I'm not being paid to mention their site - Ha! I wish! - I just really like it.) For some reason, Google Calendar just wasn't doing it for us. But this is working great.<br /><br />Instead of muddling through the weeks, struggling to find time for everything (and each other), I've made us a weekly schedule that has specific time allotted for our work, family time, and even time for my husband and I to have one-on-one time with each child (and each other). This is already helping us feel more productive and at ease with our weekly routine. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.122655665.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; " src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.122655665.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><center><small><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40479965/mini-goals-chalkboard-today-i-will-old?ref=sr_list_2&ga_search_query=chalkboard+today&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade">Mini Goals Chalkboard</a> by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryKateMcDevitt">MaryKateMcDevitt</a> on Etsy.</span></small></center><br /><br />I've also scheduled time at the end of each month to organize our business receipts, etc. for the month using <a href="http://outright.com">Outright</a>. So hopefully next year's taxes will be easier (compared to the scary huge pile of receipts and papers I have been shoving into a binder all of last year.)<br /><br />Of course, as important as the schedules and calendar themselves, is the flexibility to make changes as needed - and know when to throw the day's schedule out the window too ;)<br /><br />Even though it took me until mid-January for the inspiration of a new year sink in, I'm feeling pretty good now about the next 11 months!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-1274103103599982542011-01-10T17:00:00.005-05:002011-01-10T17:09:04.200-05:00Why is our water bill so high?Because these boys (the little one especially) love to play in the sink, every day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCCLuLEVI/AAAAAAAAATU/BD5k_kGYLvA/s1600/sink1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCCLuLEVI/AAAAAAAAATU/BD5k_kGYLvA/s400/sink1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560681138936811858" /></a><br />I wish I could figure out a way to allow all this fun and NOT waste so much water. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCTbEi-II/AAAAAAAAATc/HgftM9ELwjs/s1600/sink2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCTbEi-II/AAAAAAAAATc/HgftM9ELwjs/s400/sink2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560681435114961026" /></a><br />I suppose if they get wet enough, it can substitute for tonight's bath...?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCrvFJvbI/AAAAAAAAATk/0onpvVqDGVE/s1600/sink3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSuCrvFJvbI/AAAAAAAAATk/0onpvVqDGVE/s400/sink3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560681852803071410" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-56897740639490507872011-01-10T14:29:00.002-05:002011-01-10T14:32:39.982-05:00Orange you glad?A bright collection of items from my fellow <a href="http://naturalkidsstore.com">Natural Kids Team</a> members:<br /> <h2 style="font-size: 16px; font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 10px;"> <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none;" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d2b38a682cc8eefb313af88"> 'Orange you glad?' </a> by <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none;" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/justhatched"> justhatched </a> </h2> <h2 style="font-size: 16px; font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 10px;"> From the Natural Kids team!<br> </h2> <table style="border-spacing: 8px; width: auto; border-collapse: separate; line-height: 19px;"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49198165" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.150633496.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49198165" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Lantern Pods </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MerinoMe" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> MerinoMe </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $105.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58416426" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.181463871.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58416426" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Large Collage - Fox... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MapleShadeKids" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> MapleShadeKids </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $59.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/34739806" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.105943171.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/34739806" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Orange and Yellow 5... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/harvestmoonbyhand" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> harvestmoonbyh... </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $10.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62112448" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.193858445.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62112448" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Sunrise Fairy Silk ... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeneathTheRowanTree" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> BeneathTheRowa... </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $13.75 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61388995" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.191425328.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61388995" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> One Little Needle F... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/asherjasper" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> asherjasper </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $23.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42893395" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.130902585.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42893395" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> 3 to 6 mo. Californ... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonpathDesigns" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> MoonpathDesign... </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $20.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38075007" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.114481346.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38075007" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Wooden Fairy Doll ,... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theenchantedcupboard" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> theenchantedcu... </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $12.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65407399" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.206172503.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65407399" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Upcycled Wool Sweat... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thesittingtree" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> thesittingtree </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $20.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60035873" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.186886596.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60035873" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Wooden Angel Toy in... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodmouse" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> woodmouse </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $18.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/30834277" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_170x135.130978132.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/30834277" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Custom Organic Rece... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BearyOrganics" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> BearyOrganics </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $75.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44350329" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_170x135.135870255.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44350329" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Organic Spinny Skir... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handfull" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> handfull </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $28.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53917507" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_170x135.166418089.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53917507" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Fire Handspun Merin... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chimera" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> chimera </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $26.00 </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58592048" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.182056335.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58592048" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Cotton Play Food-- ... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fairtradefamily" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> fairtradefamil... </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $4.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61968084" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.197263926.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61968084" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Orange Angel Doll </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Alkelda" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> Alkelda </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $23.00 </div> </td> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); padding: 6px; text-align: left;" height="110px" width="110px"> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/25262132" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <img style="border: medium none; padding: 0px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_170x135.71544029.jpg" width="110px"> <br> </a> <a style="text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/25262132" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif;"> Horse no.38 brown a... </span> </a> <br> <div style="font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> <a style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(178, 178, 178);" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/penguinandfish" onmouseover="this.style.textDecoration='underline'" onmouseout="this.style.textDecoration='none'"> penguinandfish </a> </div> <div style="color: rgb(120, 192, 66); font-size: 7px; font-family: sans-serif; float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> $65.00 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p style="color: rgb(178, 178, 178); font-size: 10px; font-family: sans-serif; margin-left: 10px;"> Generated using <a href="http://www.whalesharkwebsites.com/tools/treasury.php">Treasury HTML code generator</a> by <a href="http://www.whalesharkwebsites.com">Whale Shark Websites</a>. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-14393639068609079012011-01-09T11:02:00.000-05:002011-01-09T11:02:00.580-05:00What a year!One year ago today, we listed (and sold) our first <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62565405/wooden-leaf-puzzle">leaf puzzle </a>on <a href="http://justhatched.etsy.com">Etsy</a>. Never in a <i>million years</i> would I have imagined what the year would be like. (Yes, our Etsy account was created in 2007 when a friend and I had a short-lived attempt at selling some burp clothes and bibs! It sat dormant for a few years, used only as a buyer account, until I used it to list our first toys in Jan 2010.)<br /><br />To summarize this amazing year will be difficult, but here goes:<br /><br />We never set out to start a business. It still blows my mind that we can even call what we're doing here a <i>business</i>. There was no plan, no budget, no goals. Make things. See if anyone will buy them. Repeat. Had those first few items not sold right away, we likely would have moved on and not thought twice about selling anything again.<br /><br />In April, with less than 3 months experience and only 60+ sales, our leaf puzzle was included in Etsy's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=103">Earth Day Voter</a>. What a lucky day that was! It was pretty exciting, but really we were blown away when our item <span style="font-weight: bold;">won</span>. Of course we thought our puzzle was pretty nifty, but never would have expected to get the most votes among so many other wonderful earthy goodies!<br /><br />The voter gave us a nice boost in our shop, and things continued along and slowly we got busier and busier... until one day in August when I checked my email and saw the convo that every Etsy seller dreams of - we were chosen to be a featured seller in September. I'll make a whole post about this later, but it was quite an adventure. A huge learning experience for us, as we were still a fairly new shop.<br /><br />Our 2 days as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/featured-seller-justhatched-10117/">featured seller </a>were great, but probably the biggest lesson of this year was <i>do not underestimate holiday shoppers on Etsy</i>. Oh my goodness, November and December was a whirlwind of production and shipping and "holy cow I had no idea it would be this busy!"<br /><br />We also ended the year by finding out we are a finalist for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/nasa/entries/3Dart.php">NASA and Etsy's Space Craft contest</a>! We will be sending in our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60204316/blast-off-wooden-outer-space-play-set">Blast Off Space Set </a>for final judging in February. What a fun honor!<br /><br />And just like that, our first year is behind us. We can finally get to some of our "to do list" for new items we've been wanting to make, and try to get more organized for 2011. (I am not looking forward to taxes and tackling this pile of receipts on the desk that we started saving once we realized this was actually turning into a "business"!)<br /><br />2010 was a fun, busy, whirlwind year for us on Etsy. I will share some more of what we learned in upcoming posts. I am really thankful for everyone who cheered us on, gave advice, shopped in our store, voted for us, hearted us, and helped make this a fantastic year for our shop and our family! Thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-88444880087562744582011-01-07T10:39:00.002-05:002011-01-07T10:46:27.107-05:00Wood Heart puzzle for Valentine's DayJust listed this little <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65433220/wooden-heart-puzzle-toy">heart puzzle</a> in our shop today. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSc0qX1povI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Mt3IjNWMhYo/s1600/heartpuzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSc0qX1povI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Mt3IjNWMhYo/s400/heartpuzzle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559470167570359026" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-59535853305665668462011-01-07T09:00:00.001-05:002011-01-07T10:33:50.523-05:00ConnectionsThanks to the internet, I can plan meals for my family in a few minutes a week (and email grocery lists to my cell phone!). I can keep in touch with friends across the country, and make new ones. I even met my beloved spouse on the internet (10 years ago, oh my!), and now we've used the internet to start our little business on Etsy.<br /><br />But recently, I had another really awesome experience that has me once again wondering how people made do without this connection we use every day. What would the woman in this photo think if someone tried to explain the internet to her?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSaNftNYcVI/AAAAAAAAASs/78T0RW5-ThA/s1600/photohungarian.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSaNftNYcVI/AAAAAAAAASs/78T0RW5-ThA/s400/photohungarian.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559286365886640466" /></a><br />I have no idea what she would say, but it would have been in Hungarian. I also <s>have</s> had no idea what she had written on the back of this photo. Neither did my dad, who showed it to me, along with a box full of old documents, letters, receipts, immigration records, and all sorts of genealogical goodies that reside in his attic.<br /><br />But I was determined to find out. So I had my mom sneak up there (they live in another state) and find a few things from the box to scan and email to me so I could have them translated. Online translation sites were not working well (or I couldn't read the text clearly enough to enter it right) and I quickly learned that professional/certified translation services are pretty pricey, so decided to take another approach. I did a quick google search for websites about the Hungarian language, and explained my request in a few emails to the addresses I found.<br /><br />Within a couple of hours, I heard back from a woman named Sarah, a missionary who has a website with information about the country and language, who was happy to have me send the scans to her. The same day, she responded with the translation for the back of this photo:<br /><center><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"My sweet daughter, it has been a long time since I have seen you and my sweet granddaughters Ersi & Rozi (Elizabeth & Rosi), send kisses from their grandmother. God be with you & with us also.</span></center><br /><br />Elizabeth was my grandmother. So it sounds like this photo was from her grandmother, my great-great grandmother. <br /><br />I printed out this translation, with a few others, for my dad and gave it to him with his Christmas gift. He was pleased to learn the meaning of some things that had been lost to us in language and time, and I was very thankful for this stranger who was so happy to help me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-54851893031648248332011-01-06T21:54:00.000-05:002011-01-06T22:06:53.902-05:00LOVE is in the airI'm not sure what I enjoyed more - making this wooden heart <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65191172/love-wood-banner-bunting-reversible-for">banner</a>, or taking photos of my sweet boy holding it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSaDAXdA_RI/AAAAAAAAASk/LmgB7GG7D1s/s1600/heartbanner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ob0bO8uPXzA/TSaDAXdA_RI/AAAAAAAAASk/LmgB7GG7D1s/s400/heartbanner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559274832354409746" /></a><br /><br />More hearts coming soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892990910737759120.post-21387058670003477482011-01-06T14:12:00.000-05:002011-01-06T14:17:49.510-05:00New year, new blogI've considered starting a blog for us for a while now, but the only way I was able to finally convince myself to go ahead with it was was to make one condition. If I get tired of it, or it becomes one more thing to do on the ever-growing list, I am giving myself permission to stop. ;) So there you have it! A new blog - an almost-resolution that really isn't.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0