N.Q.T

Guest Post at Daily Joy!

2010-05-28T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! We've been busy being sick, or rather, getting better

I should say...and falling asleep in bookcases.

What? Not everyone does that?

Recently we were asked by the lovely Lydia of Daily Joy to contribute a

guest post on her blog. I was thrilled to do so, and am equally happy to say

that Lydia will be contributing a post here on N.Q.T. as well in the next few

days. To take a look at my post on Daily Joy, please click HERE.

I've been having such a tough time with this blog lately. It. Refuses. To. Obey!

Why on earth I'm having such a difficult time with even the simplest post,

I don't know...so, to take my mind off that, I've started another blog. Makes

perfect sense, right? It's called Small House by the Sea. I figure if I'm working

on two blogs, that will make me a better blogger all-around through

trial-and-error. In a roundabout way :)

I'm late with my Craftsmom post this week, so please look for it

this Saturday if you are so inclined!

Happy Friday!

Kinderglo Night LIght Winner!

2010-05-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'd like to announce the winner of the Kinderglo Giveaway--

#4, Cameron!

I realized today that I've never actually posted the results....so I did today, just for fun. ;)

Plus, Cameron will be sharing her opinion of the night light on N.Q.T. in a few weeks!

Congrats, Cameron! :)

Love stinks

2010-05-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

Can too much love...be a bad thing?

mama kissed dada

dada kissed baby

mama kissed baby

baby kissed sister

sister kissed brother

and now we are all sick.

Really-bad-stomach-bug sick. Well, except for Liam. Somehow he has fared well--there is always a bright side, I guess.

And a downside, if rarely, to the very best of things. ;)

Craftsmom

2010-05-19T19:11:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone! So glad you could join us today!

Today's Craftsmom giveaway is dear to me and my daughter, Miss Addie's, heart.

You see, we both like to pretend we are Pastry Chefs.

Right now, Addie doesn't have an apron--I've seen a lot

in the stores, but I've truly never seen one over-the-top cute...

Until now.

How do you know when something for your daughter is really, really

cute and adorable?

When mommy wouldn't mind wearing it, too!

Please let me introduce Lollicakesohsocute:

Lollicakesohsocute makes the most beautiful aprons for little girls.

The girly in me just loves the fab prints and sweet little touches--

ruffles, pom poms, little pleats. They look like they're from another era, yet

are completely modern at the same time.

Look at the details on this--that little pocket is so sweet!

I really love the bright, fresh colors.

This bird house print is sweet as can be.

The mommy in me loves that they are reversible!

Another adorable side to show off--I mean, bake in?

Now we REALLY want one.

Little Miss Addie is quite duplicitous--she would be so excited

to choose which side she wants to wear!

Isn't that only befitting of your little princess?

I mean, when there gift certificate makes you swoon, you know

you are onto something cool.

A cookie! Darling.

Enough drooling. It's time to meet our guest!

Artist: Naomi Gomez

Shop: Lollicakesohsocute

Please tell us a little more about yourself and your shop, Lollicakesohsocute.

Hello everyone! I’m Naomi, am 20 years old, a fashion marketing student and I created Lollicakesohsocute. I love baking, especially if my niece is with me. We bake cupcakes for all of our family functions, it is our bonding time and for being 4 years old she’s pretty good at baking, she has mad organizational skills and an amazing eye for decorating.

Lollicakesohsocute started about 3 months ago when I realized my niece was wearing the ugliest, baggiest apron ever. I wanted a cute, functional and affordable apron for her and I wanted it right away so I ran to the fabric store and started sewing. I must admit my first apron looked like a 3rd grade project gone bad. I had cute fabrics, good intentions and bad sewing skills. I wanted to get better at making aprons so I made 5 aprons and gave them to my little neighbors and soon after, one of the moms made an order for a baking-theme birthday party; I knew I was on to something.

I’ve been selling online for a few weeks and am already starting to take my little shop so much seriously than what I did when I started 3 months ago. I am still learning and am so new to everything that it all overwhelms me sometimes, but then I take a look at all the cute aprons I’ve created and I feel a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

When and how did you learn to sew? What made you want to focus on your adorable aprons for little girls?

I began sewing when I was 5 or 6 years old. Growing up my grandma would take care of me and six of my cousins while our parents worked. We’re all around the same age so sometimes my grandma would go crazy when six 4-8 year olds were playing house and using her flowers as food. Her quick solution was to teach us all how to cross stitch, but I rebelled and I started making clothes for my Barbie dolls, and didn’t stop until I was around 12, and then started again because my sister (7 yrs younger than me) wanted to learn.

I started Lollicakesohsocute, mainly because of my little niece. Also, I remember when I was a little girl, whenever I saw my mom cooking I would always run to the kitchen and ask her if I could help, I remember her handing me her apron and telling me to wash the vegetables or make the salad. It was the highlight of my day and I just loved being like her and hearing my dad tell me how delicious everything was. So when I created the apron for my little niece, all those memories invaded me and I wanted her and other girls to feel the same way I did.

How do you gather inspiration for your projects?

I get inspiration from all around, when I’m creating my aprons I generally lay on the bed all of the fabrics I have, I connect my Ipod to my speakers, open all windows and shades and I just let the ideas flow. Sometimes when I need a little extra flow of ideas or more inspiration I go to the fabric store, I swear I can spend 4 hours there and not get bored. I’ve always been a very color-oriented person, everything I do has to have a splash of color here and there, and I love creating harmony between colors.

What’s your favorite apron-worthy recipe?

My favorite recipe is a very simple and gluten free one that I got a hold of when I was trying to bake cupcakes for my boyfriend. He has celiac disease which means he is allergic to gluten and can’t eat all of the yummy things I love like pasta, cupcakes, pizza and burritos!

Most of the gluten-free pastries that you find at whole foods or Henry’s have a very strange texture and the flavors are too strong for my taste; and if you want to create your own cake batter it can be VERY expensive. So I went to Wal-mart and bought “Pamela’s chocolate gluten-free cake mix” It is delicious, moist and the flavors are right, I just made a quick chocolate ganache for the frosting and filled the inside of the cupcake with a marshmallow filling. TRUST ME, it is not overly sweet it is just perfection and allergen-free too!

Here is the recipe for the ganache:

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped ( I recommend Ralph’s brand, organic)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp corn syrup

4 tbsp butter, cut into pieces

*In a 2-quart saucepan, whisk together the cream, sugar and corn syrup over medium-low heat until boiling. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Whisk briskly until the chocolate melts and the mixture is fairly smooth. Add the butter and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth.

*Pour the ganache into a bowl and let cool, I throw it in the fridge and give it a stir every 8 minutes or so until it is thick ( saves you time)

*When ready to frost, whip some air into the ganache by using either your mixer or with the whisk until it gets nice and fluffy.

For the marshmallow filling:

2 tbsp hot water

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1-7 oz jar marshmallow fluff

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

*Combine the salt and hot water in a small bowl; set aside.

*In a medium bowl, beat together the fluff, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla. *Add the salt water and continue to beat until combined.

Finishing the cupcake:

*If you don’t have the long decorating tip that is used for filling cupcakes, get a thin-bladed knife and carefully cut a plug of cake out of the top. I try to keep it cone shaped and keep the plug!

*Fill a plastic zipper bag with the filling, clip a small section of a bottom corner off the bag, and start squeezing a dollop of marshmallow filling into each cupcake hole. *Break off the tips of the plugs, shovel the tips in your mouth, and then place the shortened plug back into the hole, on top of the filling.

*Press gently to seat and when all of the cupcakes are filled, bring out the whipped ganache. Scoop it into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the desired amount of frosting onto the top of each cupcake and ENJOY!

What other hobbies and passions do you have?

Baking and sewing are my top 2 favorite hobbies, but what I enjoy the most is pending time with my family and being a good role model for my sister. We often go on little picnics and take trips to the museum, we also love going to the beach and flying our kites. Two weeks ago we camped outside on our backyard and bought like 3 bags of marshmallows and sausages, it was the best night ever and I am so grateful for moments like those.I always wanted a big sister and now that I am one, I try to be the best one I can be.

Thank you so much for the feature!

love, Lollicakes.

xoxo

Thank you, Naomi! We loved learning more about you!

Naomi has graciously donated this beautiful apron for our giveaway!

Side one:

Side two:

To enter:

1) Visit Naomi's shop Lollicakesohsocute and leave a comment on this post telling me which other apron you find too adorable!

2) Be a follower of Not Quite Twins!

For additional entries:

--blog about this giveaway (2 extra entries)
--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)

--purchase an item from Lollicakesohsocute (5 extra entries)

(please leave links to your tweet/post and a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 25th at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Good Luck!

Life is Sweet!

2010-05-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

The other day this bowl of cherries struck me as very, very beautiful. I had to take a picture.

Don't cherries just seem like such a cheerful, happy fruit? ;)

Like most any mom, I love to feed my kids fresh fruit. And they love it!

I got an idea for a cool photo shot as I rinsed some off for Addie to eat...

here they are.

I like this one a bit better.

Cherries--so sweet, so tart, so humble, so yummy.

My parents have some cherry trees in their yard--

free organic cherries! Awesome!

They're not ripe yet, but here are some recipes I hope to try with them soon!

Little cherry pies

(or as Addie would call them, "baby pies.")

I love the star cut-outs and crimped edges.

And this Cherry Crumble Cake looks so good!

What summer fruit recipe do you love, or are excited to try?

I'd love to know!

Hello Friends!

2010-05-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

We are doing a little primping here at Not Quite Twins!

Mama can sometimes be like a teenager trying on lipstick

for the first time...she doesn't really know what she is doing

when it comes to technical-computer-blog-layout stuff.

Please excuse our mess

as we try to find our "new look" in the days ahead!

Thank you!

Views from the bridge

2010-05-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when nothing else will suit us, we go to one of our favorite places--

the "Green Bridge."

Sunday was the first time we'd gotten Liam off to enjoy it.

Ever since we took Jake and Addie there once, they claimed it as their special place.

I can't blame them. It's lovely.

And there are so many different ways of looking at that river...

Some of us even get giddy enough to start passing out free hugs.

Who, me?

It's a nice place to stop, enjoy the scenery, and think.

Even if you're only one year old.

Views from the bridge: Side one

Side two.

One of me. Eeek.

This photo surely comes on the heels of Dada

telling them some kind of "whopper"--they look so intrigued!

I wonder what he told them?

The most delightful gift to a parent

is getting to watch their kids be kids.

Jealousy in the form of chocolate chips

2010-05-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my good friend, Ugly Cookie.

What you didn't know is that Ugly Cookie has a cute and adorable younger sister, Pretty Cookie.

Of course Ugly Cookie is jealous. Who wouldn't be? Everything Pretty Cookie does gets her noticed. Those chocolate chips, people say.
That dough. Some cookies just make it all look so effortless.

Ha! I tried again, Mr. Warren Brown. And this time I was much happier.

And you...

Fancy seeing you again!!!

The Ugly Cookie

2010-05-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I made chocolate chip cookies. Why is it that I always have trouble making them? Perhaps there's too much fear involved
on my part. I worry that they'll spread too much, taste horrible...I mean, is it too much to want them to be the most beautiful, delicious, perfect
cookies ever to grace the planet earth? :) Ok, I'll settle for a little less.

I decided to use Warren Brown's recipe. I don't know much about him, but he owns a bakery chain called Cake Love, and had a show of the
same name. What intrigued me about these particular cookies is that you form the dough for baking by using an ice-cream scoop. Really?
Holy cow. Any recipe that uses an ice-cream scoop to form cookie dough is alright by me.

Recently I was lucky enough to win a beautiful handmade cake stand from MayDae, which had me super-excited they'd turn out well so
that I could display one on it. (To learn how to make your own, click here.)

Publish Post

(The photograph is of a dear woman I knew named Mae Hensley.)

Of course, princess heard the word "cookies" and was ready to help in a hot jiffy.

I decided to be "fancy" and use the fresh vanilla I had on hand vs. extract.

I had to look online to find out how much to substitute.

La Pina--ideal for tortillas or cookies! :)

Sometimes, when I don't feel like washing up a million bowls,

I measure things out onto coffee filters. I use them as "paper prep bowls."

Easy clean-up.

Another thing I liked about the recipe is that it called for "chocolate pistoles."

Yes, I am dorky enough that I liked how that sounded :) Ooooh, chocolate pistoles! lol.

I had no idea what "chocolate pistoles" were.

Turns out they are just little disks of chocolate.

Alas, I couldn't find any at our local grocery store.

So I went with a bar of Nestle's bittersweet instead.

Princess did the mixing.

She thought it was the most delicious sand she'd ever played in.

This is where my fears came into play. I mean, round scoops of cookie?

Could they possibly cook inside?

Mr. Warren Brown said "press lightly."

But I confess. I squished.

You guessed it. They spread too much.

I had some dough left, so I reshaped it and tried again.

They was some fat cookies, I'll be the first to say.

Every time I make cookies, I get excited as a little kid to taste them.

Also, I want to make sure I don't poison anyone...so I pick out the ugliest cookie

and break a chunk off.

Anyone else do that? :)

They turned out a teensy bit better when re-shaped...fatter, crunchy on the edges.

I think they could do without the chocolate-pistoles-Nestle's-fake-out.

Even I thought they were a tad too sweet, and that's saying something.

I am going to try again tonight:

--more flour

--less chocolate

--bake for a little longer

But guess what?

p.s. Thank you MayDae for the adorable cake stand!

More about Warren Brown: cakelove.com

Recipe:

This is the cookie you wish you had as a kid! Cookies are easy to over bake so watch your temps and timing.

Just remember that even though they'll look rather gooey when they've baked enough, they firm up a lot while they cool.

Plus, gooey cookies are welcomed just about everywhere. Brittle cookies only see the rubbish!

3 oz (1/3 c) granulated sugar

7 oz (1 c, packed) light brown sugar

6 oz ( 1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted

2 tspns vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

10 oz (2 c) unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 tspn baking soda

1/2 tspn salt

6 1/2 oz (about 1 1/2 c) semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 oz (about 1/2 c) bittersweet chocolate pistoles

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F and place rack in the middle.

2. Prep each group of ingredients in bowls.

3. Combine the sugars in a large bowl; sir in the butter and vanilla.

4. Slowly add the egg and yolk.

5. Sir the flour mixture in by the scoopful.

6. Add the chocolate pieces. Stir with the handle of a spatula if the dough is stiff.

7. Use an ice cream scooper to gather the dough into balls. Place a few inches apart on a parchment lined sheet tray. Lightly press.

8. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes.

9. Remove when the outer edges don't break when gently poked, the centers are soft, and they're golden across the top.

10. Serve warm and dunk in milk!

*p.s. For those of you with an iphone, like me, there is a free Cake Love app that is really quite good. There are recipes, videos, and a

step-by-step feature that is really helpful.

**p.p.s. Looking at the recipe again, I saw a lot of weird inconsistencies in the measurements...i.e. the brown sugar: 7oz=1 c? I don't think so.

But anyway, I just measured out what was in the parenthesis and ignored those little measurement blips.

2010-05-16T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hi! Recently Cameron at Paint Myself Pretty was kind enough to give me and N.Q.T. a very sweet mention and award. Wow! Thank you, Cameron! I am so flattered. I have to admit that in some ways, I don't know what I'm doing...but I do love the new friends I'm making and being able to indulge in my artistic side. Once upon a time I wrote poetry, went to art events, etc...which of course has changed a bit with motherhood. I don't regret that at all, because I love my babies so much; I do miss that sort of outlet, though. This has been a very satisfying way to get back to that.

Cameron had some questions for her recipients, so I thought it'd be fun to share them with you! :)

1. Tell us something about yourself only your closest friend would know: No one that knows me would be surprised to know that at the top of my "most prized possessions" list are books; however, I doubt anyone would know what they were. One is a book my grandma Rosa used to read me in Spanish about a little duck looking for a place to build her nest. She would watch me while my mom was at work, and I was very close to her. The others are poetry books--some signed by Sharon Olds, who is one of my favorite poets, after attending some writer's workshops with her--one signed by Anne Sexton (another fave), and one signed by Denise Levertov, which my husband gave me the first night we met.

2. What's the first thing you do in the morning?: I go in to round up Jake and Addie from the room they share, since undoubtedly they've just woken me with their babbling (Liam sleeps in). It's really fun to see them play together, and to see that total "best friends/mortal enemies" duality in them already. I know it's only because they are so close that they have that tendency...even if the more visible side usually is the mortal enemies part. Right now she's at a stage where she wants to grab him by the collar and drag him over to us when we call him. She's taking her Big Sister duties very seriously. Even if being older means it's only by 11 months.

3. What inspires you the most?: Hmmmm. Well, the main thing is other people. Seeing them do something wonderfully well makes me want to try it, because it is so lovely. But also something as simple as a color, or my kids playing outside. My mind has always hungered for the creative, and kind of sees things through that viewpoint--of someone trying to look at things in a new way. I remember once, while out on a walk, I saw a woman sitting on the steps of her back door with her toddler. The woman was very pregnant and had a beautiful yellow tank top on that fit snugly over her belly. It made me think of a beehive, and the idea of a baby being like that precious honey inside. That's the sort of moment that will stick with me and move me to write a poem about it.

those moments when everything seems perfect...

4. Any tattoos? Meanings/ locations...details, please :) No tattoos, most probably because I would never be able to make up my mind on what to get. But I think they can be beautiful. I'm the "I'll get a meaningful one where no one can see it" type of person :P

5. Do you have a totem animal?: No...I didn't quite know what that was, so I had to look it up! I'm intrigued now! If I had to pick one offhand I would say it'd be a rabbit. There's a movie called The Edge that came out years ago that had a theme concerning a rabbit...I can't possibly summarize succinctly enough, so I'll quote: "Early in the David Mamet-authored The Edge, an Alaskan holds up an oar with a panther carved on one side and bets Anthony Hopkins' character $5 he can't guess what's carved on the other side. Hopkins replies, "A rabbit smoking a pipe." Sure enough, it is. The explanation: It's a traditional Cree parable. The panther hunts the rabbit, but the rabbit calmly smokes, unafraid. Why is he unafraid? Because he's smarter that the panther." To me, I kind of see that rabbit as awareness in the buddhist sense. Smart meaning wisdom; choosing to see a certain side of life, and not letting other aspects seem dangerous or real.

6. Favorite quote? "Painted cakes never satisfy hunger." Actually, It's not my favorite but rather the one that sticks most in my mind, because it is so well-put.

7. Favorite leisure activity?: ONE? Oh dear. They range from baking (tomorrow a.m. I'm tackling Cake Love host Warren Brown's Chocolate Chip cookies) to reading (of course!) to watching Hell's Kitchen with my husband once the kids are in bed.

8. Hair up or down? Up until recently, my hair was never long enough for "up" to be an option. I've always preferred it shorter (both because I like bobs and because I'm lazy), but for the first time in years I can put it into a pony-tail. So these days it is "up," with a headband or something to spice things up. I consider it my first official "mom hairdo."

9. What's your secret to Happiness?: Focusing on the simple pleasures in life. Things will never be perfect as a whole, but those little delights that spark happiness in us are essential. The more frivolous and decadent the better ;) For me, these things are: being out in nature with my family, movies, vintage items, good books, good food, DESSERT... among other things.

Valentine's Day Shortbread

My box of vintage glass slides from the 50's makes me happy...

10. Song that gets you into a creative mood?: I'll have to consider that. The first thing that comes to mind is Patty Griffin's song "Useless Desires." But also classical and jazz in general. Just a nice melody.

Now it's your turn! If you're so inclined, please leave a comment answering one (or more!) of the above questions. I'd love to get to know YOU better!

Have a grand day!

The Trike

2010-05-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

Kinderglo Night Light PREVIEW...& Giveaway!

2010-05-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Dahlings! I'm a bit behind on Craftsmom this week, so I've pushed it into next...mostly because I've been dealing with stuff like this:

If you'd like to bestow any pity on me, I'll gladly take it.

Did you know flour is really hard to wash out of hair? Harder than you'd think. Like glue.

Did I also mention that after spending a good hour working on this post last night, I accidentally deleted it all in one fell swoop?

Ok, enough violin playing ;)

Anyway, that means an easy giveaway this week!

Recently, Abi over at the Kinderglo company was kind enough to give
me some of their portable night lights to review, and some to give away. Two of their adorable Quarter Moons, in fact.

www.bluemoonlites.com

So I had an idea...why not enlist a reader to review it right along with me?

I am giving away one Quarter Moon now, and whoever wins will get to put their two cents put in on this very blog!

In a few weeks, I'll feature both our reviews, plus have another moon to give away. Fab, right? :)

To enter, simply tell me something you find adorable or endearing about your kid! Or...if you're feeling brave...tell me what they did that was really naughty. (We can use the company.)

I'll go first: Right now my son Jake calls everything "moon." Since he doesn't have the vocabulary for the proper name of things, out goes his chubby little hand to reach for any particular thing and the word "moon." Why that word? I don't know. Reaching for the moon at 1 year old...ambitious little kid.

I think I already covered the naughty category.

As always, you can do the following for additonal entries:

--blog about this giveaway (4 extra entries)

--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)

(please leave links to your tweet/post.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 18h at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Thank you!

p.s. ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! Check out this other giveaway for a Kinderglo light over at Pittsburgh Mom--hurry, it ends May 17th!

Time Traveling

2010-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day, we decided to take a train ride in Jamestown. They have a really cool old steam engine there at the Railtown 1897 Historic Park that takes you for a 40 minute ride through the hills. The kids are fascinated with trains right now, and I love it of course because it is old and I can pretend I lived in another era.

Here are Liam and I gearing up for the fun. Can you tell he's smiling? ;)

My parents, sister, and nephew came with us, so it was a lot of fun.

The kids loved sitting on Grandma & Papa's laps.

What parents? My kids say.

The kids LOVED looking outside. I loved the sense of wonder they

had as they gazed out at the beautiful hills and trees flowing past.

Although someone had to have a meltdown, of course.

And it was Jakey. He's at that age :)

Plus the train whistle scared him. To be honest, it was REALLY loud.

I thought the train whistle was neat. It stirred up something in my soul,

to hear it...

There's just something about being somewhere that has had some

history that makes me feel so happy.

You can feel that history still there around you.

Aren't these lights inside the train something else?

I thought the windows looked like old glass slides, the way

they lined the car and framed the view.

Even Dada enjoyed himself.

(just kidding Nate.)

After our ride we had a quick picnic because it was getting quite cold

and overcast. Sure enough, it started to rain. All in all, though, it was

a beautiful day for a train ride!

After eating, Liam headed home with my parents so that Addie, Jake, Nate and I

could explore another foothill town called Sonora a little bit.

It is such a cute little town.

There is always an interesting-looking path to follow.

They have some really nice, unique shops there. I liked this necklace and display

from a store called Backspace.

What I really really really loved, though, were these shoes.

Aren't they fab?

At a florist's shop, I made a special friend.

My favorite shop overall was Marianne Wright In Town Antiques.

They had amazing soap displays throughout the store.

Everything about it was beautiful.

I love shops like these because they have things

that are so whimsical & lovely, that you don't typically see

anywhere else.

There were also beautiful letter pressed and vintage-themed cards.

Thank you, Julie, for letting me photograph your gorgeous shop!

Finally, before we left, I had to stop at the Candy Vault.

Don't you just love the excuse of,

"If I don't buy some now, who knows when I'll get the chance to again?"

I had a great Mother's Day. Hope you did, too!

Darling babies

2010-05-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you for being the most beautiful part of my life.

Love Mama.

Mother's Day Photo Contest WInner

2010-05-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry to get this to you so late--but I was REALLY enjoying my Mother's Day! I hope all of you did, too.

Thank you to all of you kind enough to send me a submission. Each and every photo made me smile, and it was so amazing to see and hear about your beautiful moments captured on film.

Without further ado, here is the N.Q.T. photo contest winner:

Congratulations Shenais!

Here are the words that accompanied her photograph:

This photo stirs up wonderful, intense feelings for me. My youngest, at
20 months, is still an avid nurser. She loves nothing better than to
curl up in my arms after proclaiming, 'this side, puleeze!' suckle, play
with my hair, knead my tummy, kick her little barefoot into my chin,
attempt to talk with her mouth full, and simply soak in my caresses and
murmurs. We share such contented moments in this position. Sometimes I
feel overwhelmed by the day, and am relieved when she wants to take a
Mama milk break. It grounds us. It connects us. It reminds us that
all is right in our little corner of the world- at that moment, she and
I, just as we were minutes after her birth.

**********************************************************************************************

I love Shenais' photograph because it is visually so interesting--the vibrant colors, the slightly-askew angle--and yet it compliments her words so well: the tilted view speaks of the "overwhelming-ness" of the day, while the grasp shared between mother and child balance it. I love that the connection shown here is so vivid and real, yet it's spoken not in eye-gazes or smiles but instead by touch.

Shenais has won the following prizes!:

*print of choice, up to size 8x10, from Shannon Blue Photography

*item of choice (up to $40 in value) from Lineage Arts

*a beautiful Linen zipper pouch handmade by Inge from Oskarmycat
*choice of one sampler box from Calabasas Candy Co

What a great prize package!

A HUGE thank you to the extremely generous artists who gave of their time and absolutely beautiful products for this giveaway! Please click below to take a look at their wonderful shops:

~Shannon Blue Photography~
~Lineage Arts~
~Calabasas Candy Co.~
~Oskarmycat~

I hope everyone out there had a truly beautiful Mother's Day!

~Craftsmom~ Virga Botanicals $20 Giveaway!

2010-05-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

It's time for Craftsmom! :)

I'm a bit late with this...my little son Jake is sick and not feeling up to par right now. My apologies, most especially to our gracious featured shop, Virga Botanicals!

As we all know, Mother's Day is coming up--and pampering beauty products are often on the list of gifts we are given. It's funny because a lot of the time, we as moms think we don't "deserve" something like this--yet the health and comfort of our skin are so important. The irony is, when we finally do splurge on a skincare product, the ones many of us think of to purchase aren't as wholesome as we might think. That's why I was thrilled to come across Virga Botanicals!

Virga Botanicals is a beautiful line of premium natural skin and body care products.

In the words of owner and creator Kirsten,

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty..." Keats said it best, and timelessly. My take on that sentiment: real is beautiful. Virga means 'a newly green branch' in Latin. I have made it the name of my skin-care line to denote ever-new, ever-fresh beauty and realness. The renewing, constantly regenerating power of nature is tapped to make these highest-quality skin and self-care products, carefully sourced and formulated using both Western and Eastern botanical principles, and of course no petroleum or unnecessary additives.

Browsing through the shop, there are so many items I have my eye on! How about starting off with a bar of Orange Lavender soap? It looks so beautiful with the layer of lavender on top!

And this trio set of bath salts...don't they look devine? The bottles are so pretty, I'd feel happy just to look at them ! :) Each one comes with a unique "bath tea bag" of flowers made to compliment each set and add to your luxurious bathing experience. The bath salts come in Spice Market, Water Garden, and Aromatic greens scents. Give me these, a tub, and a book, and I'd be very happy.

Check out this Superglow Triple Rose Extraordinary Face Cream! I can just imagine how great it smells....mmmm.

This ultra-rich face cream is for those who love their

skin with a little luminous glow! A very emollient, supernourishing face moisturizer with organic oil of Nature's own amazing rose, rosehip seed and evening primrose oils.

These last two products are at the TOP of my list to try!

1) Lavender Green Tea Cooling Face Mist/Toner--because it's already getting pretty HOT here in CA! Perfect for keeping in your purse for a quick, refreshing pick-me-up.

An awesomely refreshing face mist/toner to spray on your glowing visage and neck as you run about in the summer heat, looking curiously cool and unwilted!

2) Although I find my daughter Addie's curls adorable, it's nearly always a battle to comb them out in the morning. This Ultimate Detangler with pink Grapefruit would do just the trick:

This awesome detangling spray has the pure sunny smell of real grapefruit, which is known to add shine; and a bit of rosemary too, which has an age-old reputation as a hair-health enhancer...a few sprays will help a comb slide right through; pleasantly light as well, so it doesn't weigh hair down or leave residue - hair winds up smooth, shiny, and everyone is happy!

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What really impresses me about these products, though, is the philosophy behind them: REAL is beautiful. As soon as I started reading owner Kirsten's words, I was utterly intrigued. But why let me try to explain it when there's someone much more qualified (and talented!) around? Please meet our newest Craftsmom artist:

Artist: Kirsten Jacob
Shop: Virga Botanicals

Please tell us a bit about you and your shop, Virga Botanicals.

Words and their meanings are really important to me, so I cared a lot about the name of my shop and what it meant, what it stood for. 'Virga' means a new branch in Latin, so the connotation is in part that we are always growing, physically and in any other way we choose - there is always newness, freshness to be tapped and potential abundance, in beauty and skin care, of course, but in everything else as well. I have a huge personal affinity for trees (I wonder if I was a druid in another life!)so that has something to do with it too. Trees have similar symbolism in Chinese tradition, and Chinese medicine calls the lungs, which are closely associated with the skin and its health, the 'flowered canopy' as in a protective canopy of leaves. The picture logo for my shop is a photo of an original watercolor I did maybe 12 years ago or so.

I started virga botanicals just a few months ago, after about 25 years of encouragement that I should 'sell' my 'skin secrets'. The problem with that has always been that 1.) I don't have any secrets and 2.) my rountine - although completely self-made and natural - is so simple it just never seemed like something to package and sell - I've always told anyone who asked exactly what I do, and even demonstrated on occasion if requested.

In any case, I've always been sure that beauty exisits inherently, and does not come from any special secret. You can see this in anyone: when someone is centered, open, sincere, they have that inner luminescence that you can just see somehow - their own real beauty that is absolute, because it is real. I've just found that so many people - women and girls in particular - are not in touch with this because they seem to be looking for something more complicated: some 'secret', something they need to fix about their appearance, when in fact it is the very concern about the superficial that gets in the way of their true beauty. In other words; the less you worry about being beautiful, the more beautiful you are. So, a lot of my intent with virga botanicals is to say: Don't worry about it, its not that complicated, you are already beautiful; move on and focus on other things.

We love how you say that "Beauty is, to me, nothing less than a spiritual principle. Not vanity - the mere concern with personal appearance - but the real, pure beauty of living things everywhere." Can you tell us a little more?

Sure, I guess I did talk about that a little already. To me, Beauty and vanity are opposites. I have always had a spiritual orientation to being, since I was little - just wired that way, I guess. And when I think about it I realize that, likely because of my artistic bent, I have also always seen the spiritual in terms of Beauty - something with which I was less comfortable as I got older, because it seemed frivolous, superficial, and I felt I should evolve 'beyond' that. Then I realized that that is a legitimate way of framing things, and moreover that it seemed to be my particular way, and that I was at my most Real when I accepted it. It is the universal Beauty that I am talking about, which is to me the exact same thing as the universal Realness that informs and gives life to everything - two different names for the same thing. It saddens me sometimes to see how we get in the way of that by imposing our own often media-induced suppositions of what we are supposed to look like, and distract ourselves from so many more important things by worrying about it. That is what I am calling 'vanity', a word which means 'empty' or 'futile'. I do not honestly think I've ever seen a woman whom I feel is more beautiful with makeup than without. After all, we were each made by the Universe, and if its good enough for the Universe, darn it, its good enough for me! I tell my daughter, if you don't think someone is beautiful its because you haven't looked at them carefully enough - everyone is beautiful because everyone is Real deep down; we just have to look at them with the right eyes. (on the other hand, I certainly feel there are times when a physical condition may be so upsetting to someone that it poses a distraction large enough to genuinely hold them back and is better just being removed or 'corrected').

Your lovely products are an obvious reflection of who you are, being that you are an acupuntcure/Chinese herbal student and a vegetarian. You even state that you "prepare them with a deliberate mindfulness that I hope facilitates this (that is the 'good qi' listed under 'materials')." How does it feel to create something so in tune with what you live?

Thanks for asking this, because it took me a long time to come to the conclusion that creating something like skin and self-care products was a 'worthy-enough' contribution and not an invitation to vanity. One of the things I think is really important in determining how best we each can contribute to the larger picture is noting what it is people approach us for, what we are repeatedly asked for. In my case, all my life that has been (mostly to my chagrin) skin-care 'secrets'. I realized finally I could use that, since so many people seem so interested, as a particular vehicle for other things I find more important; kind of pointing to the larger picture, and hopefully getting past that roadblock of vanity so the Real seems more accessible.
So yes, as a vegetarian I find no balance in the idea of any creature suffering harm for the sake of our looking better - that is not Beauty to me. As I've studied Chinese herbs and seen first hand how powerful they can be I've incorporated them where they make sense as well.
I feel intent is very important in general, and in acupuncture school I have a couple of teachers who more or less feel it is everything, and have emphasized its effect in everything we do - intent in Chinese medicine is a kind of qi, like everything else. Aside from the more material efforts I've gone to in order to track down the best quality ingredients, check the sources, etc, I make it a point to kind of rest in that intention: of Beauty, Realness, peace, as I make things. I owe that to the user, whoever it may turn out to be, whether they believe in that kind of thing or not. I do not prepare products when I am in a bad mood - it is not what I want to put out there.

What other hobbies and passions do you have?

Oh, wow, I have a lot of those, but no time to do most of them right now! I am a writer and have been one pretty much all my life. I love to paint and draw too, although I'm probably better at writing... I am a classically trained soprano but these days mostly use my voice to sing my kids to sleep! Speaking of which, my kids: they are my passion, my first priority, my little yin and yang (I have a tomboy-princess girl and a 21 month old boy who is Dennis the Menace's evil twin!!:0) I love to read - comparative religion, history, cereal boxes, anything! - and exercise too, although most of my reading right now is Chinese Materia Medica, and most of my exercise is chasing around little Mr. Trouble...

Thanks so much for the chance to talk to you! I enjoyed the opportunity to articulate these things.
*******************************************************************************

Thank you, Kirsten!

Now on to the giveaway!

One lucky winner will win a $20 gift certificate to VIRGA BOTANICALS!

To enter: (Both 1 & 2 are mandatory to qualify!)

1) Visit Kirsten's shop Virga Botanicals and leave a comment on this post telling me either:

* one item there you'd love to try, and why; ~OR~

* your thoughts on the philosophy behind Virga Botanicals. Be sure to include your email!

2) Be a follower of Not Quite Twins!
(please state whether you are a new follower or already following)

For additional entries:

--blog about this giveaway (2 extra entries)
--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)
--purchase an item from Virga Botanicals (5 extra entries)

(please leave links to your tweet/post and a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 11th at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Best of luck!

Heritage

2010-05-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Although I can be a reserved person at times, tending to keep thoughts to myself--I do have to say that I am proud of where I come from. I think the culture I come from is beautiful, even if I don't agree with certain aspects about it. To me, thinking about it, the "Mexican side" of my cutlure (because I was born & raised in the U.S., after all) is vibrant, passionate, and very rich. It is a little foreign to me; something to be found out and explored. And if that's the price of not knowing or connecting with it fully, then I am thankful for it, because that means I have yet to discover it and add it to my sense of identity.

Someone who makes me feel proud to be a Mexican-American is the writer Sandra Cisneros. To me, she embodies a lot of what I find beautiful about my Mexican culture. Her poetry speaks a lot about that, so I thought I'd include this poem by her, from her book "Loose Woman."

Sandra Cisneros:

You Bring Out the Mexican in Me

You bring out the Mexican in me.

The hunkered thick dark spiral.

The core of a heart howl.

The bitter bile.

The tequila lágrimas on Saturday all

through next weekend Sunday.

You are the one I’d let go the other loves for

surrender my one-woman house.

Allow you red wine in bed,

even with my vintage lace linens.

Maybe. Maybe.

For you.

You bring out the Dolores del Río in me.

The Mexican spitfire in me.

The raw navajas, glint and passion in me.

The raise Cain and dance with the rooster-footed devil in me.

The spangled sequin in me.

The eagle and the serpent in me.

The mariachi trumpets of the blood in me.

The Aztec love of war in me.

The fierce obsidian of the tongue in me.

The berrinchuda bien-cabrona in me.

The Pandora’s curiosity in me.

The pre-Columbian death and destruction in me.

The rainforest disaster, nuclear threat in me.

The fear of fascists in me.

Yes, you do. Yes, you do.

You bring out the colonizer in me.

The holocaust of desire in me.

The Mexico City ’85 earthquake in me.

The Popocatepetl/Ixtaccíhuatl in me.

The tidal wave of recession in me.

The Agustín Lara hopeless romantic in me.

The barbacoa taquitos on Sunday in me.

The cover the mirrors with cloth in me.

Sweet twin. My wicked other,

I am the memory that circles your bed nights,

that tugs you taut as moon tugs ocean.

I claim you all mine,

arrogant as Manifest Destiny.

I want to rattle and rent you in two.

I want to defile you and raise hell.

I want to pull out the kitchen knives,

dull and sharp, and whisk the air with crosses.

Me sacas lo mexicana en mi,

like it or not, honey.

You bring out the Uled-Nayl in me.

The stand-back-white-bitch in me.

The switchblade in the boot in me.

The Acapulco cliff diver in me.

The Flecha Roja mountain disaster in me.

The dengue fever in me.

The ¡Alarma! murderess in me.

I could kill in the name of you and think

it worth it. Brandish a fork and terrorize rivals,

female and male, who loiter and look at you,

languid in your light. Oh.

I am evil. I am the filth goddess Tlazoltéotl.

I am the swallower of sins.

The lust goddess without guilt.

The delicious bedauchery. You bring out

the primordial exquisiteness in me.

The nasty obsession in me.

The corporal and venial sin in me.

The original transgression in me.

Red ocher. Yellow ocher. Indigo. Cochineal.

Piñon. Copal. Sweetgrass. Myrrh.

All you saints, blessed and terrible,

Virgen de Guadalupe, diosa Coatlicue,

I invoke you.

Quiero ser tuya. Only yours. Only you.

Quiero amarte. Atarte. Amarrarte.

Love the way a Mexican woman loves. Let

me show you . Love the only way I know how.

***************************************

Then there's the food!

Pan dulce, churros, Mexican hot chocolate (Ibarra is the only brand that will do)...not to mention enchiladas, tacos, rice and beans--of which my mom makes the very best! I'm sorry, but it's true.

I still have memories of my grandma using a special wooden tool in the chocolate to give it a nice froth--

you hold it between your palms and move your hands back and forth while the chocolate is still in the pan, rolling it. Somehow it works. And it is delicious.

All my memories of family get-togethers involve certain foods--for example, at Christmas it's time for atole (a sweet drink) and tamales. I need to learn how to make them to keep those traditions alive!

I want to close by including a picture I came across on Flickr. You probably have heard about the conflict going on in Arizona, regarding the new illegal immigration law which "requires police to detain anybody they have reasonable doubt might be an illegal immigrant." My purpose is not to comment on any particular side; in fact, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know enough to even do so. Rather, I approach this from the perspective of an artist. Art is meant to "stir the s--t" so to speak, and this picture does. But it also has an aesthetic appeal to it, a technical

grace insofar as the picture itself, and not what it says. I look at it and ask myself, "What is it really saying?" Is it about politics? Or is it also about culture and self-identity?

But wait...maybe it's none of the above. It is, after all, titled "Illegal tortilla."

LOVE the sense of humor! ;)

However you spend your day, I hope it's fab!

N.Q.T. Mother's Day Photo Contest!

2010-05-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Mother's Day Giveaway! I have to say, this post is really a reflection of being a mommy, because I've been trying to write it for days now :)

In light of that, I'll keep this (relatively) short and sweet.

I am holding this giveaway in celebration of all the women in this world that are strong, loving mothers to their children. Becoming a mom has been the most amazing thing...it's something I'm still figuring out, yet has already taught me so much. It's only now that I can truly appreciate what it means to be one.

Because I have so much admiration and respect for strong mothers out there--and because I know any mom can ALWAYS use a little pampering--I have some gifts I'd like you to win!

But first, the details...

What you'll need in order to enter:

1) Your favorite photo that features motherhood in some aspect

and

2) You must be a new or existing follower of Not Quite Twins!

********************************************************************************************************************************

FOR THE PHOTO: Feel free to submit a photograph that captures a favorite moment concerning motherhood. THERE MUST BE A MOM IN THE PICTURE. You don't have to be a mom to enter; it can be a picture of your own mom, a friend, your sister and nephew, etc. The goal is to choose a photo that moves you in some form! Please also include a short paragraph telling me who is in the photo and why it is special to you. This part is just as important as the picture, so please keep that in mind!

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS (1 per person) TO: NOTQUITETWINS@GMAIL.COM

***LEAVE A COMMENT STATING THAT YOU'VE ENTERED AND WHETHER YOU ARE A NEW OR EXISTING FOLLOWER!***

The contest runs from Monday, May 3rd and ends on Mother's Day, Sunday May 9th. I will narrow down the entries to three; from those three my mom will then choose the winner.

THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL AND HAVE THEIR PHOTO POSTED ON MY BLOG ON MOTHER'S DAY!

********************************************************************************************************************************

Now to what you'll win!

1.) One item of your choice (up to $40 in value) from Lineage Arts!

value: $40

SHOP: www.etsy.com/shop/akmariner

BIO:
I am the face of Lineage Arts at Etsy.com but not the only one involved; I'm backed up by my talented mother and grandmother, as well. My mother is an artist with diverse skill. Her mediums are many: paint, fabric, wood, wool, beads, etc. I've learned from her that I am not limited to one facet in my artistry. If it interests me, its fair game! My grandmother quilts and when she quilts, her work is perfect. From applique to scrap quilts for my kids, I am always in awe of her craftsmanship. She inspires me to be better, to be thorough. My heritage is rich!

And what artistic woman is complete without a supportive better half? I'm blessed to share this life with a man who not only lets me explore my craft but also is a good judge of composition and color.

We live in Alaska and enjoy this beautiful place with our three kids, daughter Elsa and boys Ethan and Evan.

2.) a beautiful Linen zipper pouch handmade by Inge from Oskarmycat!

value: $14

100 % natural linen accented with 100 % silk and lined with a embroidered cotton fabric, raw yet feminine.

SHOP: www.etsy.com/shop/oskarmycat

BIO:
Homemade crafts made by me, Inge, a stay at home mother of four. Each item is unique and has its own European flaire to express my own culture. All crafts are made with love and entirely by me with a little help from my cats.

3.) Your choice of one sampler box from Calabasas Candy Co!

value: $20

SHOP: www.etsy.com/shop/calabasascandyco

BIO:
Calabasas is located near the California coast, and famous for a relaxed, health consious attitude. We work closely with a local chocolatier who selects only the finest exotic cocoa beans from around the world. Our cocoa beans are all organic and are ethically traded.

♥Our caramels are made from our own exclusive recipe using only the finest fresh ingredients. So buttery and delicious, they melt in your mouth! Check back soon for new and exciting flavors! Try our marshmallows, so light and creamy, almost like a dense mousse!

♥We are so excited to be featured in L.A. Magazine's February issue under their "L.A. List"!
♥Be sure to check us out at www.onlythebestofetsy.blogspot.com!
♥Thank you to all our etsy friends for featuring us in their treasuries! Please check them out!
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2010/03/i-made-it-blog-party-giveaway-calabasas-candy-c

4) your choice of gorgeous print, up to size 8x10, from Shannon Blue Photography!

value: $25

SHOP: www.etsy.com/shop/shannonpix

BIO:
My photography is about simple subjects and breathtaking tones...

I'm a self-taught photographer obsessed with capturing all the beauty around me. My kids got me into this by being so darn cute. My desire to take better pictures of them drove me to start taking pictures of other things as well. I've been in love ever since.

I'm proud to be a member of the Female Photographers of Etsy (fPOE) and the Photographers Of Etsy (POE) Street Team.

My blog • http://shannonblue.blogspot.com
Become a fan • http://www.facebook.com/shannonbluephotography
Follow me • http://twitter.com/shannonbluefoto
See more • http://flickr.com/shannonpix
RSS feed shop updates • http://www.etsy.com/rss_shop.php?user_id=6781063

Maybe you've seen me...
bliss • sfgirlbybay • decor8 • female photographers of etsy • simply hue • poppytalk handmade • anything indie • diary of a mod housewife • papernstitch • every day vision • tiny treasures • we love indie • simply blogged • shelby nycole • photographers of etsy

********************************************************************************************************************************

Isn't this an amazing prize package? Thank you SO MUCH to the contributing artists for making this possible! Your generosity is lovely!

And thank YOU, moms, for doing what you do each day...

I can't wait to see everyone's entries!

~Good Luck~

AWESOME!!

2010-04-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago, while waiting for my hubby to choose his book from Border's, this title caught my eye:

Really, how could I NOT open it? Turns out it had me laughing to myself in the aisle, because it was so peculiar and yet so right on the money. Subtitled "Snow Days, Bakery Air, Finding Money in Your Pocket and Other Simple, Brilliant Things," it's a delightful and humorous look at the little things that put a smile on your face. For example:

#941 The Universal Fry-Sharing Policy

The Universal Fry-Sharing Policy states that if you are eating a meal with someone who ordered fries, and you didn’t order fries, you’re entitled to grab one of their fries and eat it just as it’s landing on the table as long as a) you ask first, b) you make eye contact with them and raise your eyebrows until they nod, or c) you just know them really well.

Also, since you’re getting first dibs on their sizzling stick-pile of delicious, hot, oily fries, it’s only fair that you purposefully avoid any obviously amazing fry in the pile. You know that really, really long McDonald’s fry sticking out of the box? Probably shouldn’t touch that. But the thin, crispy short ones, the oversalted ones, and the regular, limp n’ floppy ones? Those are all fair game, my friend. All fair game.

But be careful out there: The policy can be abused. Some people might start pecking away at the fry-pile then just start gaining momentum, unable to stop gorging themselves on your plate once they get started. They just keep testing the waters, pushing the envelope, snacking away until you move your plate out of reach or ask them politely how their food tastes. I’m serious, you need to watch out for these Gorgers, because they’ll dent your fry-pile if you’re not careful.

So thanks, Universal Fry-Sharing Policy. Your existence is a win-win, balancing the tables by helping us fry guys trim down the calories and helping the “Can I substitute salad for fries?” folks enjoy some guilty pleasure while still meeting their Eatin’ Healthy goals.

AWESOME!

*********************************************

That's actually the one that had me laughing. Too true, no? Too true.

This one also brought a smile to my face:

#981 Wearing underwear just out of the dryer

Now tell me: Is there anything quite so nice as wrapping yourself up in a pair of steaming skivvies just out of the dryer? It’s like skinny-dipping in a hot tub, jumping on a horse that’s been in the sun all day, and wearing a microwaved diaper…combined! Sure the moment doesn’t last long, yes there may be a little more static cling than you’d like, and yeah, you might have to get changed really quickly in the laundry room to pull it off. But dang, girl. Hot undies, they is fine.

AWESOME!

*********************************************

Is that not B.A.? I thought I should make up my own. So I came up with this:

#01: Cappacino Art

Hot steamed milk, yummy coffee, AND art, all-in-one?

AWESOME!

Poetry Thursday

2010-04-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

It is the last day of my weekly poetry column, so I knew I had to finish with one of my favorite poets. But which one? I don't think there's anyone that can beat Mary Oliver when looking for a graceful, elegant, lovely poem. Here are two poems of Oliver's that I've paired with a few pics from a recent outing we took with the kids. That's what I love about her poetry: it is so alive, so relatable to your everyday life.

Mindful

Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for -
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world -
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant -
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these -
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?

At Great Pond

At Great Pond
the sun, rising,
scrapes his orange breast
on the thick pines,
and down tumble
a few orange feathers into
the dark water.
On the far shore
a white bird is standing
like a white candle ---
or a man, in the distance,
in the clasp of some meditation ---
while all around me the lilies
are breaking open again
from the black cave
of the night.
Later, I will consider
what I have seen ---
what it could signify ---
what words of adoration I might
make of it, and to do this
I will go indoors to my desk ---
I will sit in my chair ---
I will look back
into the lost morning
in which I am moving, now,
like a swimmer,
so smoothly,
so peacefully,
I am almost the lily ---
almost the bird vanishing over the water
on its sleeves of night.

Craftsmom!

2010-04-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone! I am having so much fun hosting these giveaways. I'd like to thank all the artists, both the profiled and the soon-to-be, for their truly generous contributions. I love the beauty of something handmade, whether it be a bag, a drawing, a poem, a cake...it is so personal, and the time and loving energy put into that gives the product soul. Thank you also to all of you who take the time to stop by my humble little blog and enter...I hope you'll stick around!

Speaking of which, someone lucky has won a very yummy gift from last week's artist, Renee Arwood of Bee's Knee's Creative! Thank you so much, Renee--your treats are truly beautiful.

Art of all kinds amazes me. I know that, for me, that is a large part of what draws me into it: not only admiring something beautiful, but wondering: "How did they do that? how did they come up with that?" And when an artist's abilities are not focused on just one type or form of art, that really intrigues me. This is the case with our next amazingly talented artist, Mayka Reyes-Maloney of CindyMars7.

Mayka creates some of the most beautiful items on etsy that I've yet seen. Her shop includes accessories, women's clothing, and girl's clothing, among other items. Being the mommy of a little girl, I am in awe of her toddler dresses. They have a very bright, fun, European feel to them. And I love her handcrafted flowers, which are just gorgeous. You can have it customized for how you choose to wear it:

-Plain back for appliques
-With a Bobby pin for a hair accesory ( different sizes and colors).
-With a silver color safety pin, to wear anywhere.

....and it's only six dollars!

What really caught my eye about Mayka's shop, though, are her beautiful bags. I love how her details are a little bit unexpected...a striped purse strap against a beautiful floral print, or a cute trail of buttons for added color and texture. One of my favorite bags, called the Bella Donna messenger, is made from canvas and a beautiful doily. So lovely.

Her bags come in all sizes and styles, including hobos, wristlets, and clutches.

The attention Mayka places to detail is one of the most appealing features of these bags.

What mommy wouldn’t want--or need--this beautiful tote to carry around all our goodies? As Mayka writes, “Ok, this girly is roomy....Why do I need such a big bag you say? Because you are going to be running around to the sports activities, the beach, the sleepovers, the grocery store, the weekend getaway at like...THE LAST MINUTE! All you need is this bag..." I have to agree.

Here is another example of the playful yet elegant mix of colors and prints that are a trademark of Mayka’s work:

Mayka has a variety of bags for every taste and price. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable they are, with many averaging 30-40 dollars. That's an amazing price for a bag that is unique and passionately handmade. Mayka's personality sings in her creations. Her etsy shop profile states,

"The items here are all a labor of love. As with any labor, there are the pains of having to change countless broken needles, ripping appart unacceptable stitching, pressing and smoothing until I am absolutely satisfied with the final product. My goal is to make sure you have a durable and unique item, so that you can enjoy it for as long as you own it."

It's time to get to know this talented craftsmom a little better, don't you think?

Artist: Mayka Reyes-Maloney
Shop: CindyMars7 on etsy

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your shop, CindyMars7.

My name is Mayka Reyes-Maloney and I am originally from the Dominican Republic. From an early start, I’ve always been fascinated by the arts. When my family emigrated to the US, I instantly knew that I wanted to study Fashion Design. I studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked in the fashion industry after I graduated. After meeting my husband and relocating to Colorado, I developed a true passion for creating handmade items. My sister told me about Etsy and encouraged me to open up a shop and join. I have to admit that the whole process was challenging at first.
I had to think clearly about what I wanted to sell and why ( which was something my boss would tell me during meetings).
It was a bit intimidating at first, because there are so many creative people selling beautiful items . I took a leap of faith and opened up shop in June of ‘09 and the rest is history ( wee!).

You spent 15 years working in New York's fashion district. How did your time there prepare you for making your own beautiful designs?

During that time, I had the privilege to work in the dressmaking business. It meant that you had to work diligently, create a product that stood out and you had to do all this thinking of cost and time. I remember hearing one of my old bosses say this: “ You have to anticipate what a buyer is looking for, otherwise, they can always leave your showroom and go to the next manufacturer…always think ahead”. This taught me to have discipline and to believe in my product.
I also learned that sometimes a design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that you need to trust your instincts and proceed with your initial idea.

On your etsy profile you state, "Because of the women in my vast Dominican family, I grew up loving fabric and the idea that you could create virtually anything you wanted with it." That sounds so lovely! Could you please elaborate?

I was blessed to have so many women in family that loved how to sew. As a child, I remember both my mother and grandmothers always dealing with fabric, buttons, zippers, embroideries, etc.
A weekend sometimes involved going out to a fabric store or watching my grandmother putting the last touches on a dress for a customer. I still remember the sound of her scissors cutting thru the fabric. My mother had a small business on the side making made to order girls dresses. You can’t imagine how many people needed special outfits for their little ones. Our house would be a blur of girls on the weekends, getting measured and trying on finished outfits.
All these women were the driving force for what I do today. You should see my daughter, she is slowly developing a craving for fabric!

All of your products have such a vibrant, fresh aesthetic. What is your current favorite?

Do I have to choose just one? ( laughing) The one item I love is my Tottington handbag. I had this idea for a big , roomy handbag and I came up with the design.
My favorite version of it was made in this pretty rose velveteen fabric with a crochet doily. I cannot tell you how fast it sold every time I posted it.

What other passions and hobbies do you have?

My faith in God, my huge family and cooking! Everyone that knows me remembers something I’ve cooked for them at one time or another. I find it so satisfying when I can prepare a meal and watch people sit down and enjoy.
I also love, love , love flea markets and thrift shops. My husband laughs because whenever we visit a new place, he knows that we have to visit any of these places.

I also have a few sites that I love:
Dooce.com
fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com
soulemama.typepad.com
mairuru.blogspot.com
nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

*******************************************

Mayka, thank you so much for spending a little time with us!

Now for the giveaway: this beautiful "Burst of Nature" purse from CindyMars7!

In Mayka's words: The main focus of this handbag is the incredibly gorgeous tapestry rendition of a pomegranate tree. I've had it on my shelf for a while, admiring the lovely colors...but it needed to be made into this shape. The outer body is made in sturdy brushed denim, in a taupe/stone color ( it may look different of other computer screens). The center back, is made out of an equally gorgeous tapestry design. The inside is lined in a rich caramel linen, with a magnetic snap closure, a key clip and 3 pockets.

Every woman needs one absolutely gorgeous handmade bag...shouldn't it be you?

To enter: (These are mandatory to qualify!)

1) Visit Mayka's shop CindyMars7 and leave a comment on this post telling me which item there is your favorite. Be sure to include your email!

2) Be a follower of Not Quite Twins!
(please state whether you are a new follower or already following)

For additional entries:

--blog about this giveaway (2 extra entries)
--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)
--purchase an item from CindyMars7

(please leave links to your tweet/post and a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 4th at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Good luck!

Speaking of family photos...

2010-04-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

Many of you (okay, no one, lol) may remember that not too long ago I mentioned our family going to get pictures taken. Ummm, yeah...THAT didn't happen. I've just got to laugh, because, well--what can you do? We've never had a professional family picture taken, and it may very well not happen until the kids are in college. Luckily, my hubby is pretty good at editing our pictures, and taking them, too. Here are some recent favorites.

Poetry Thursdays

2010-04-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

I'm putting my sweet husband Nate up on the chopping block for today's poetry selections, as well as myself...here, darling. You go first:

Consumed
by Nathan Woodruff

Superior,
in every way-
you are.
Paralyzed
I stand,
shivering in your shadow
powerless
a leaf caught in the river deep
that is you,
defenseless
unable simply
to influence my own course.
Trembling emotionally
at what approaches.
A roar
filling my only ear-
the good ear,
deep
guttural, electrifying, primitive
in recognition,
yet
still unknown.
Drowned out
within your beautiful vociferation
is my mousy squeak
of fear,
half-heartedly
protesting
this fate-
consumption.
Penetrating deep
to my core, to the reptilian-
This rhythmic thrumming,
familiar
like blood forced to the head,
fight or flight
frozen yet trembling
intoxicating
it is
distracting
it is
Dulling my instincts,
indecision
lulling me...
lulling me...
lulling me...
I hear nothing
but
feel nothing
but
reverberations of a possible fate-
my fate
an oblivion of-
my own unconscious design,
my abyss.
Headlong I careen
inescapable maybe,
unavoidable maybe,
maybe not.
Rushing toward me,
or I to it
destiny dark-
am I blind?
My only wish,
not rescue no
wave them off I would,
but rather
an epidural for the soul-
a life-jacket.
This might hurt...
surely get wet.
and yet...
Wickedly I grin
while wondering
where my floaties have gone-
when needed most.
Terrifying,
this
wicked ride
intimidating,
this
wicked game...
and yet
the only game worth playing.
On the table
everything I am
it's all about heart.
And for once-
I choose to let it ride.

elemental
by Maricela Woodruff

born of sun and high
wind, this heat you hate

i taste of baby-scalp
peach-skin

my body firm pit
grooved with lines

like a record

i orchard, baby

scraped-branch knees
and leaf-thin hair

i this blossom and sultry
bee buzz

kiss of ant bite
on fleck of neck

i light-of-day warming brow
brown roots digging
shade falling on shoulders
like a massage

i a summer waiting
for love to raise my dress
like a cold draft

and it's you that do it, man

you play me
you jazz me with your

cold-climate notes

Craftsmom

2010-04-19T23:32:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone! Since I will be out of town on Wednesday, I am posting this edition of Craftsmom a day early. Please feel free to enter now, you don't have to wait until tomorrow. Thank you to all who have entered last week's giveaway for your choice of print from Trafalgar's Square! One of you will be getting an email from me tomorrow...but first I've got to wait until the contest ends!

And a big thank you to Kit Chase for her generosity and time. Your work is wonderful, and I know a lot of people have been as charmed by it as I am. Thanks, Kit!

Before I introduce our next artist, I have a confession to make. Once upon a time, I dreamt of being a pastry chef. I love to bake, and was enthralled with the idea of being able to learn how to make something both beautiful and completely delicious. I didn't want to be a chef; although I am interested in cooking of any kind, there is just something about desserts and sweets that feels homey. While people's tastes tend to range widely with what constitutes a good dinner, dessert is more unifying. I mean, who doesn't love a warm chocolate cookie, still slightly gooey from its transformation in the oven? Desserts are treat foods; they are the star of the show in terms of birthdays, weddings, and celebrations in general.

Despite my ardent love for the sugary world, I never learned how to make my desserts pretty. That's still a work in progress. You can imagine, then, my reaction upon seeing this:

Drool.

Technically, that was the first thing I thought. The second, though, was this: oh, how beautiful. almost too lovely to eat. How does someone know how to make such a lovely thing? And make it so so yummy, too?

It's time to introduce this week's Craftsmom artist, Renee Arwood of Bee's Knees Creative.

Wouldn't these pastel cake truffles make a wonderful Mother's Day gift?

They are available in the following delicious flavors:

-Double Fudge Brownie
- Vanilla Creme
- Red Velvet
- Cookies & Creme
- Strawberry Delight
- Double Peanut Butter
- Carrot Cake & Cream Cheese

Renee also makes beautiful cookies. Everything from elegant, personalized sugar cookies to use as wedding favors...

...to fun and adorable treats to share with your kids (although I would hide away one of these darling cupcake cookies just for me).

Do you have a "Princess and the Frog" movie fan in your house, like I do? I just KNOW Addie would love these! And they are individually wrapped, which makes them the perfect little surprise treat to give a friend.

Behold these Double Peanut Butter flavored truffles. Exquisite! Sigh. I could look at Renee's treats all day.

Since I can't, I'll share some questions I asked of the talented Miss Renee.

Artist: Renee Arwood
Shop: Bee's Knees Creative, Custom Invitations and Confections
Website: www.beeskneescreative.com

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your company, the Bee's Knees Creative.

To start off, my name is Renee. Nice to meet you :) Since I was little, I have always loved anything creative. From doodling with sidewalk chalk at 4 years old to designing my own website at 14 -- growing up I knew I would always end up doing something creative that I loved. After acquiring my BFA in graphic design two years ago and becoming a certified Wilton cake decorator, I decided to combine my two passions and turn it into a career. Thus, the beginning of Bee's Knees Creative in the summer of 2009. So far, I am loving every minute of living out my dream!

-------

Your profile states that you combined your passion for graphic design and baking. It must be very satisfying to be able to create a beautiful product using two arts that compliment each other so well. Can you talk a little about this?>

I definitely feel my experience as a graphic designer has helped me immensely with the design aspect of my baking. The attention to detail and perfectionism that I have developed as a graphic designer also play a key role in the creation of my original and detailed cookies, truffles, or any other desserts I come up with. It's always a wonderful feeling being able to design a custom product that people will appreciate and enjoy -- I love it.

-------

We love the name of your shop! It sounds so nostalgic and homey. Are there any particular memories of baking as a child that stick with you today?

Thank you! As a child, I was a super picky eater with a major sweet tooth. I loved helping in the kitchen as long as I was in charge of dessert-- both of my parents were always great at letting me help. I remember my all-time favorite thing to make was good old chocolate chip cookies (and they still are!).

-------

Are there any baking cookbooks or recipes that you love and would care to share with us?

Yes! I came across a recipe online for "Cinnamon Sugar Mini-Cakes" last year. They taste like little cinnamon doughnuts to me. Delicious! Here is the recipe -- you won't be disappointed:

INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temp.
½ cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup milk (any fat content)

COATING INGREDIANTS:
6 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt & nutmeg. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until blended and creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth and thick. On low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions and the milk in two additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until flour is incorporated and the batter looks smooth.
Scoop batter into mini muffin pan (a small cookie scoop works great). This recipe makes about 18 mini cupcakes. Bake until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Cool cupcakes about 5 minutes in pan, then carefully transfer cupcakes onto cooling rack.

DIRECTIONS FOR TOPPING
Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. One at a time, roll the cupcakes in the bowl of butter, then the bowl of cinnamon sugar. Set on a cooling rack and try to wait about 20 minutes to eat them, as they get better as they absorb the butter and cinnamon a bit.

-------

What other passions and hobbies do you have?

I enjoy looking at and taking photography -- it's something I would love to learn more about. I have also recently become fascinated by letterpress -- invitations, business cards, stationery -- i think it is all beautiful. I just signed up for a once-a-month class at a press where we get to do our own letterpress printing! Maybe someday you will see some prints in my shop :). Other than that, for now, baking usually keeps me pretty busy. When I do get free time, I love just hanging out and relaxing with my better half & my new pup :)

Thanks Renee! I gotta try that recipe! :) Now for our giveaway: Renee has been generous enough to donate THE ITEM OF YOUR CHOICE FROM BEE'S KNEES CREATIVE!

To enter:

1) Visit Bee's Knees Creative and leave a comment on this post stating which delicious treat you would pick if you won. Be sure to include your email!

For additional entries:

--Follow Not Quite Twins! here on Blogger (1 extra entry)
--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)
--blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)

(please leave links to your tweet/post and a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 27th at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Good luck!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

Poetry Thursday

2010-04-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

For this week's poetry, I am posting two of my favorite love poems. What do I enjoy about these? They are so seemingly simple, but really capture the sweetness, tenderness, and meaningfulness of falling in love.

*************************************************************************

I Wrote A Good Omelet
by Nikki Giovanni

I wrote a good omelet...and ate
a hot poem... after loving you

Buttoned my car...and drove my
coat home...in the rain...
after loving you

I goed on red...and stopped on
green...floating somewhere in between...
being here and being there...
after loving you

I rolled my bed...turned down
my hair...slightly
confused but...I don't care...

Laid out my teeth...and gargled my
gown...then I stood
...and laid me down...

To sleep...
after loving you

********************************************************

Ditty
by Kevin Young

You, rare as Georgia
snow. Falling

hard. quick.
Candle shadow.

The cold
spell that catches

us by surprise.
The too-early blooms,

tricked, gardenias blown about,
circling wind. Green figs.

Nothing stays. I want
to watch you walk

the hall to the cold tile
bathroom--all

night, a lifetime.

CRAFTSMOM

2010-04-14T08:20:00.001-07:00

Welcome to this week's editon of Craftsmom!

Thank you to all who entered last week's giveaway for Jessa Decker Smith's awesome Superkid cape, as well as the hairbows from Lucette Baby & Kids and the "Bargains are sweet!" baking set. The winners have been notified by email!

I am so pleased and excited to announce our next artist, the supremely talented Kit Chase.

Kit Chase's children's art has just stolen my heart. In my mind, though, this isn't art just for kids, but also for the young-at-heart. Featuring the sweetest little animals and children, Kit's illustrations were immediately dear to me because they seem to catch the innocence, fun, and magical moments of childhood.

A sweet birthday party...

a little peaceful nap...

or finding a furry little friend all your own. (The "children & animals" series is one of my favorites...this foxy little girl reminds me of Addie!)

In addition to these beautiful art prints, Kit also makes note cards, mirrors, plush animals, and buttons.

I love Kit's idea of pinning one of these adorable book buttons on your little one to get them excited about reading!!

Kit has been kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions and donate a prize for our giveaway!

Artist: Kit Chase
shop: Trafalgar's Square
blog: lullaloo

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your art.

Hello! How do you do?

My name is Kit Chase. I am 26 years old, born and bred in Sunny Southern California, and the delighted mommy of two adorable little girls, and the happy wife of a wonderful man. Oh, and I love to create art for children.
I work primarily in watercolors and ink (I love painting with acrylics, but it’s a longer process to create with them, and messier-not a good thing when you’ve got little guys), and try to put new spins on old ideas. I like to take a common theme or idea, and tweak it into something original and unusual.

Your drawings are so appealing because they seem to capture the innocence, fun, and magical moments of childhood so well. Has becoming a mother and experiencing childhood through your children's eyes changed your art in any way?

I’m the oldest of 12 children (nine girls, three boys) and grew up with amazing parents. My mother taught us at home and she started off our school day with “observation.” She would pick out an illustration by an artist and we had 30 minutes to try and reproduce it. I remember sketching from illustrations by Garth Williams, Tasha Tudor, and Mary Engelbrite, to name a few. That was by far my favorite part of school; mother would read aloud while we sketched –it was delightful!

When I left home to go to college at Brigham Young University, I focused primarily on my studies and “observation” was no longer a part of my daily routine. As an Exercise Science major, I would sketch here and there, but they were mostly anatomy sketches to supplement my notes, nothing particularly whimsical. Whimsicality didn’t come until my little girls did.
When I was expecting my first little girl, Pearly, I began sketching children and animals for her room. I was very much out of practice and the sketches were horrible. I didn’t like the idea that I wouldn’t be able to make pretty things for my baby and continued to practice. And practice. And practice.

Then, once she arrived, something clicked in my brain, and I began to draw and paint like I never had before. I think having someone to paint for made the difference. Nothing was more satisfying than seeing her eyes light up when she first awakened in the mornings and saw the paintings I made for her.

Pearly is two now, and joined by a brand-new, happy little sister, Gwyneth. As I see her play outside, blow bubbles, dance in rain puddles, look at books, chatter to her stuffed animals, and talk to Gwyneth, I find my sketches for new paintings taking on a more active, joyful style.

On your blog you state that "some of my best and most popular pieces come from custom work." Can you give an example of this, and tell us why you think this is true?

Let’s see, I had one customer request some paintings with a star and rabbit theme for her little boy, and from there evolved my “Wishing Star” series. Another customer requested a painting depicting a little girl in her corner of the woods, and my “Personalize your Corner” painting was born. There is a bit more pressure when creating pieces for people other than myself or family. As I work with a customer to create something unique and meaningful, the challenge of making something that will please and surprise someone I’ve never met before sparks my creative juices.

You list any book by Beatrix Potter as a favorite. Did she (or any other artist) influence your drawing?

I love the painting style of Beatrix Potter; her world of animals is intriguing, and her colors are fresh and vibrant, without being overbearing. Her work is beautiful. Ernest Shepard is another artist that I would say has heavily influenced my drawings. His ability to capture the subtle energy and movement of children with simple pen and ink is unsurpassed.

Besides your art prints, you feature cards, buttons and an adorable assortment of plush. Are there any other products you see yourself working on in the future?

I’ve been working on some carnival/circus themed pieces for a party package (complete with invitations and a customizable poster) that I can’t wait to finish. Bookplates, alphabet flashcards, and customizable stationary are some other products that I would love to have in the shop before the end of 2010.

We'll close by asking you what the significance is behind the your shop name.

Trafalgar’s Square was created by me and my husband on evening walks. We wanted the shop to be a world of stories about a lion named Trafalgar, and his town called the Square. That was two years ago, and the shop’s taken a bit of a diversion since then, but we do plan on eventually releasing a large series of prints about “Trafalgar’s Square.”

Thank you, Kit! Now for the giveaway: YOUR CHOICE OF PRINT FROM TRAFALGAR'S SQUARE!

To enter:

1) Visit Kit's shop at www.etsy.com/shop/trafalgarssquare and leave a comment on this post stating which adorable print you would choose if you won. Be sure to include your email!

For additional entries:

--Follow Not Quite Twins! here on Blogger (1 extra entry)
--Tweet and post a link about this giveaway (1 extra entry)
--blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)

(please leave links to your tweet/post and a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done.)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 20th th at 12:00am PST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Thanks everyone!

Happy

2010-04-11T18:58:00.001-07:00

...3 months, Liam. We love you.

Doing the blog hop on "Follow me Friday"

2010-04-09T12:00:00.001-07:00

I am so amazed by how many genuinely interesting, funny, charming, moving, and helpful blogs there are out there in Blog Land.

There are a lot of very talented people out there, and reading their words is such a pleasure.

Here are just a few of my personal favorites:

LOLApalooza! Lola is two, sassy, and had her first Mac makeover at 2 months old. And her mom, Emilee, happens to be hilarious.

Our Spot: this blog is filled with beautiful photography by Jenny Morphy. Here she catalogs the moments in her life, including her adorable kids Emerson and Dane, with a talented eye and equally talented pen.

Braley Mama: Summur is mama to young daughters Sinclair and Riette, who are two of the sweetest little girls you could ever hope to see. Summur's blog is fun to read beacuse there is a little of everything--recipes, tips, reflections--and seeing all threes smiling faces quickly becomes something to look forward to.

I LOVE checking out new blogs because there is always something neat-o to discover and connect to.

There are lots of new blogs to discover!

Poetry Thursdays

2010-04-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, guess what? It's National Poetry month. The former english major in me has to observe it of course, so each Thursday I'll be posting a poem or few to share. I'll end by distributing some poems in public places on April 29th as part of Poem in your Pocket day. You can find out more about both at poets.org.

Today I have two poems. The first is one I found on the poets.org website. I asked my husband to pick a poem of Billy Collins for the second, because we both love him. As it turns out they seem to go together, somehow, both being about time.

Do you have a poem you love? Email it to me and it may make the post for Poetry Thursdays.

p.s. I have to use this post to say thank you to my husband, Nate, for giving me the best poetry-related present I've ever gotten. It was the first night we'd met in person (after months of just emailing one another. Yep, so "You've Got Mail.") As we were leaving, he gave me a gift-wrapped book. Once he was gone, I opened it in the car, and it was a book of poetry by one of my favorite poets, Denise Levertov. Somehow he had remembered her name from my mentioning her, even though I myself couldn't recall what I'd said or when. I remember the dark of the car and the night outside and seeing, dimly, that it was signed. That was the true when I knew moment. This was someone who understood my heart.

***************************************************************************************

You Begin

by Margaret Atwood

You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
this is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.

Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colors of these nine crayons.

This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
You are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns.

Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.

This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colors
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.

Aristotle

by Billy Collins

This is the beginning.

Almost anything can happen.

This is where you find

the creation of light, a fish wriggling onto land,

the first word of Paradise Lost on an empty page.

Think of an egg, the letter A,

a woman ironing on a bare stage

as the heavy curtain rises.

This is the very beginning.

The first-person narrator introduces hirnself,

tells us about his lineage.

The mezzo-soprano stands in the wings.

Here the climbers are studying a map

or pulling on their long woolen socks.

This is early on, years before the Ark, dawn.

The profile of an animal is being smeared

on the wall of a cave,

and you have not yet learned to crawl.

This is the opening, the gambit,

a pawn moving forward an inch.

This is your first night with her,

your first night without her.

This is the first part

where the wheels begin to turn,

where the elevator begins its ascent,

before the doors lurch apart.

This is the middle.

Things have had time to get complicated,

messy, really. Nothing is simple anymore.

Cities have sprouted up along the rivers

teeming with people at cross-purposes—

a million schemes, a million wild looks.

Disappointment unshoulders his knapsack

here and pitches his ragged tent.

This is the sticky part where the plot congeals,

where the action suddenly reverses

or swerves off in an outrageous direction.

Here the narrator devotes a long paragraph

to why Miriam does not want Edward's child.

Someone hides a letter under a pillow.

Here the aria rises to a pitch,

a song of betrayal, salted with revenge.

And the climbing party is stuck on a ledge

halfway up the mountain.

This is the bridge, the painful modulation.

This is the thick of things.

So much is crowded into the middle—

the guitars of Spain, piles of ripe avocados,

Russian uniforms, noisy parties,

lakeside kisses, arguments heard through a wall—

too much to name, too much to think about.

And this is the end,

the car running out of road,

the river losing its name in an ocean,

the long nose of the photographed horse

touching the white electronic line.

This is the colophon, the last elephant in the parade,

the empty wheelchair,

and pigeons floating down in the evening.

Here the stage is littered with bodies,

the narrator leads the characters to their cells,

and the climbers are in their graves.

It is me hitting the period

and you closing the book.

It is Sylvia Plath in the kitchen

and St. Clement with an anchor around his neck.

This is the final bit

thinning away to nothing.

This is the end, according to Aristotle,

what we have all been waiting for,

what everything comes down to,

the destination we cannot help imagining,

a streak of light in the sky,

a hat on a peg, and outside the cabin, falling leaves.

Then and Now

2010-04-08T17:19:00.000-07:00

This is me 29 years ago, when I was two years old.

Now it is my daughter who is two, and I am so thankful to have her. The picture of me above hangs as part of a collage in the kitchen...I took some photographs of Addie yesterday, and they reminded me of it.

Today I wrote her this.

My darling daughter, You are part angel and part water. Did your eyes turn out blue because your middle name means "woman by the sea?" Your named radiated yellow. I wanted you to be forever connected to the ocean, so you could sail away into the places I'm not. Before you were born I wrote, "Our daughter. The child with the poet/mermaid's name. Adisenne Narelle. French country girl, artist, dreamer, seer, delicate peach blossom. Why am I so lucky to be so blessed? How does one live their life from a place of such profoundness?" Even though I pretended not to know who you were, your heart stirred me. Ringlets of gold hair, little pearl. You've already traveled farther than I've ever known.

Please welcome the debut of CRAFTSMOM!

2010-04-06T22:52:00.000-07:00

One of the things I really love about being a mother is the sense of belonging you get from other moms. There are some things that only another mom can understand, and feeling that kinship and the shared mother-lioness protection for our kids makes for a strong bond. To celebrate that, I decided to launch Craftsmom. Each week, one new artist and the treasures they offer will be spotlighted, followed by a giveaway featuring one of that artist's products. Whether the person creates a fantastic product geared toward moms or is a mother themselves, I thought this would be a fun way to celebrate the mommyhood that bonds us. Sounds win-win to me.

I am so excited to introduce our first official Craftsmom artist, Jessa Decker Smith:

(That's Jessa and her two adorable sons at center.)

I came across Jessa's children's goods while perusing one of my favorite sites, etsy.com. As soon as I saw the Superkid Capes she makes, I was in love. How adorable is this? At times it can be hard to see a really original or unique product when it comes to children's items, but this is something I've never seen before. I love it on so many levels: I love that this is one of the best imagination-encouraging playthings a kid can own--how many little ones don't like to pretend to fly? I love that this item is customized, giving kids an extra boost of self-esteem when they see their initials on it. I love that this is the first "superhero" cape I've seen geared toward girls, because sometimes little boys need to be rescued, too. I guarantee that any little child in your life would be THRILLED to receive their own super-special SuperKid cape. And what floored me beyond all that? At $14, it's an amazing deal for something that is lovingly made by a fellow mommy.

I had the pleasure of asking Jessa a few questions so that I could learn more about her and her shop, Happily Home Sewn:

Artist: Jessa Decker Smith

Shop: Happily Home Sewn

Blog: HappilyHomeSewn.blogspot.com

Quick Bio: I'm Jessa, a former full-time potter, current full-time mama and crafter. I have a manageable 20 hour a week job that I do from home (I do the website and newsletter for a local church). I have two sons--Amazing Eli is 2 1/2, and sweet baby Amos is 7 months. My husband, a minister and student, and I live in lovely Colorado for the moment, although we've lived all over and probably won't be Coloradans forever. It works for now though.

Where do you call home?

Currently, a tiny student housing apartment at the school where my husband is working on his Ph.D. It's beautiful here, so we like to live as though the whole campus is our big back yard. So, even though the space is tiny, we roam far and wide, almost every day. Some favorite spots include the progressive fountain that meanders through campus, a few excellent climbing/hiding trees, and of course, Ben and Jerry's. I could live anywhere if there is a Ben and Jerry's within walking distance.

Please tell us a little bit about your products and what inspired you to create them.

I started sewing when my first born was about 10 months, with simple one seam pants that I still like to make. But now they have enough dorky matching home sewn outfits. They're set. So now I like to mix it up with diaper bags, capes, girlie dresses, purses, crowns, birthday/holiday banners, etc. They're all super simple, but so so cute. I have so much fun making stuff for mamas and kiddos, mine or otherwise, and I love picking out the fabrics!

Your shop announcement on Etsy states that "There may be the stray stitch here and there, but the pieces I've created were crafted with love and whimsy, in fits and starts between book reading and train playing." There is something so beautiful about that. How does being a mama of two boys affect your crafting?

I have five sisters. I had no idea what this boy thing would be all about, but I am happy to report that it is a BLAST. They are such a hoot! So, we do a lot of boy stuff--trains, bulldozers, cars, cars, and more cars. But I love that we balance it out with lots of creating. It makes me so happy that you can pick my kid out at the park because he's the one lovingly clutching a bobbin from my sewing machine (and also by his crazy home sewn pants). And I melt when he declares, "I love Betty." Betty is my sewing machine.

What other hobbies or passions do you have?

* Pottery! Until October 2008 (when my little one got mobile) I was a full time potter with work in over 40 galleries across the U.S. You can see the work of that season at deckersmithpottery.com.

* Pretty much all things crafty--sewing, felting, paper crafts, baking, stamp carving...I could go on and on.

* Movies! They don't even have to be quality flicks. I'm in.

*Hanging with my girlfriends.

Finally, we have to ask--do you have a favorite superhero?

I gotta go with Mamas! Not SuperMom, but RealMom. I am amazed and awed by all the mamas out there doing things differently and creatively to make life work for their families. My two boys are also my heroes!

**************************************************************************************

Thank you, Jessa, for being so generous with your time! And now, for the prize:

A Custom Superkid Cape!

To enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post answering the question: "As a kid, who was YOUR favorite superhero?"

For an additional entries:

--Follow Not Quite Twins! here on Blogger

--Blog or tweet about this giveaway

(please leave a separate comment for each letting me know what you've done)

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 13th. The winner will be picked using Random.org.

BUT WAIT! :)

To celebrate the debut Craftsmom, there are two more prizes up for grabs this week:

1) ~Three adorable hairbows from Lucette Baby & Kids~

These were made by my extremely talented sister, Sylvia. She's one of those people who is good at all the crafty stuff, of which I am not...sigh. She has other bows and goodies in the works, so there'll be more info on her shop in the near future. Thank you, Sylvia!

2) ~A "Bargains are Sweet!" prize package~

Don't you just love a bargain? I think as moms, we all do. This is something I put together by shopping from some of my favorite local stores that offer cool stuff at a discount. This package includes The Essential Chocolate Chip Cookbook (which is full of yummy-looking and cute-looking treats), a Confection-ery box of labels, and a flirty pink whisk. So many cute things you can do with the labels--make a card, leave one in your child's lunchbox...and I think cooking may be just a teeny bit more fun when you use this sassy pink whisk ;) Also included, but not pictured, is a GIGANTIC package of Nestle Toll-House chocolate chips to get you started on your baking adventures. Did someone say Costco? Not me.

To enter these additional giveaways, please leave an additional comment on this post. Winners for all will be chosen on Tuesday.

I am so excited about Craftsmom! Thank you for tuning in!

All new look at The Motherhood!

2010-04-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'd like to lavish some praise on one of my favorite sites, the very awesome TheMotherhood.com.

What do I love about this site? How about everything? Okay, since I have to be more specific: the motherhood is simply the most interesting, fun to peruse mother-oriented website I've ever come across. It's like a bookstore for me--I could spend hours dipping into all its little nooks, as one subject draws you into another. I get a real sense of community at the motherhood; it's easy to feel like you are listened to, like there is someone, many someones, with similar interests, thoughts, hobbies. It is a great site if you really want to feel like you are part of a group of funny, intelligent, smart women who've got your back and are always ready for a chat.

The following are the motherhood "We are's"--the things that, as founding moms Cooper and Emily say, "we all are in our varied glory."

As Mothers, We Are ...

humanity training 24/7
stunned at how quickly it all flies by
collectively unstoppable
living the ultimate reality show
ready for anything
dreaming of a beach hammock
altogether stronger
not picking up his socks again
making the world better for our kids
stuck in the office
raising all boats
Superheroes
on another diet
sending our prayers
letting them stay up late
in an epic battle with a pile of laundry
listening
looking good in our Target outfits
leaving a legacy
undecided about tofu
keeping our eyes on the big picture
shouldering the burdens of the world
so cool
finding some time for us

Now is a great time to step into the Motherhood, as it has gone an extensive makeover, making it more streamlined and visually appealing. Put on some comfy pjs, grab some tea, and make yourself at home.

www.themotherhood.com.

AWESOME blogger's giveaway happening @ Homegrown Mom!

2010-04-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

There's a super-cool giveaway happening right now at the lovely and fun Homegrown Mom! This is an EXCELLENT set of prizes for someone who might be a little technically challenged, like

me :)

The winner gets:

*a complete blog design from Flibby Pie

*31 Days to Build a Better Blog by Problogger

* a $25 Amazon gift card, donated by CKY Books

*a pound of Jarbee Coffee from Daily Shot of Coffee

*"For the Write Reason," donated by Becky Doughty

A newbie blogger's dream! The contest ends today, so head over to Homegrown Mom NOW for details on all the prizes and how to enter!

Celebrating Easter with the debut of CRAFTSMOM!

2010-04-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! We hope you all have a beautiful holiday! Here at Not Quite Twins we have yet to hold our Easter egg hunt, but the kids had a blast coloring their eggs.

Here is Jake protesting his fate in the high chair:

Nothing an Easter egg won't fix...except for some reason he didn't want to hold it. (That's my sister trying to wrap his fingers around it, lol)

Addie patiently waiting her turn. Yeah right.

Ta-da! :)

Don't you love Easter memories? It immediately brought to mind elementary school and the smell of vinegar, dying eggs with the class, all the girls cringing when the boys started to drink the egg dye--SO third grade, right? And of course it also brought memories of family time celebrating the holiday. I love Easter for that--its "spring-iness," and all the traditions that go with it. Although we're foregoing the traditional Easter dinner for homemade fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

YUM.

To switch topics (and do some shameless begging): Please forgive me for the clumsiness of this blog as I try to figure the ins and outs of it all. Formatting everything has got to be the hardest thing in the world for me. So, hopefully there will be a lot of good changes in the future as I feel my way.

I've got lots of ideas in store, so hopefully you'll stick around. Which brings me to some exciting news!! Beginning THIS Wednesday, April 7th, I will launch my weekly Craftsmom artist profile and giveaway! The featured Craftsmom is an artist or company--and often also a mom--making an outstanding product with love and passion. I love the idea of helping each other out as moms, whether it is by sharing tips & advice, or, in this case, spotlighting one another's efforts and cheering one another on. Be it clothing, candy, journals, hairbows, jewelry, etc, the giveaways lined up are totally "awww" and drool-worthy, I promise.

SO, remember: each week, one new artist, one AWESOME gift to give away to YOU. Please check back on Wednesday to see who our debut Craftsmom and product is, and to find out how to enter.

Now for the shameless begging part :) (You thought you'd gotten off scot free, huh?) PLEASE do me a favor by logging into your blogger account and following my blog! Also, if you could leave a comment somewhere on one of my posts, that would be wonderful. You can also follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/notquitetwins

Thank you so very much! Enjoy your Easter!

Do good!

2010-04-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

Like many cellphone users, I am totally addicted to my iphone. One of the things I find so cool and unique about the iphone are the apps, which vary widely in their quality and purpose. My newest favorite is called "Do Good: 365 Collective acts of kindness," which is free. The concept is pretty simple: a new "deed" is posted each day, and if you so choose, you can join the other "do gooders" in the task for the day.

As a mom, it's hard sometimes to find the time to get the essentials done, much less anything else. What I love about this is that these are very simple things, which benefit you personally as well as the world at large. For example, the first "do good" that I participated in was to "recognize sacrifices," which asked you to reach out to someone and let them know you appreciate what they've done for you. I let my mom know how much I appreciated all she does for me, and it really felt good. It made me realize I needed to do that, because sometimes we forget such things.

I remember reading somewhere about how the tiniest ripple of kindness reaches farther than we ever think possible--even a smile for a stranger can do so much, spilling that good into their life and thus the lives of those they know. This is an awesome, totally do-able way to generate that kind of positive energy every day.

For non-iphone users, you can check out the website at mobil33t.com/dogood. :)

On the agenda for today? Pictures! Believe it or not we have never taken family pictures before, and honestly, I'm not sure how well it's going to go with my three monkeys. It's hard enough just trying to snap a cellphone pic of them. The place we go to is great however, so hopefully we can get one of everyone being still, clean, quiet, and looking at the camera. Ha! Wish us luck!

Mommy Kisses

2010-04-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

So April 1st is upon us, and soon my littlest son will be three months old. WHOOSH, that's all I can say. Like his brother and sister before him, he has utterly stolen my heart...and this is how.

PROGRESS

2010-02-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

It's so fun having Liam in our family. I was so excited during the pregnancy to get Addie involved, since she was at an age where she could somewhat grasp it. I would have her feel my tummy, and she learned "Yee-um's" name before he was born. "He's going to be so tiny!" I would tell her, and as she always does, she repeated what I told her to confirm: "Yee-um's going to be tiny tiny, Mama?"

I was certain she was literally going to think he was a little doll, one of her toys to be put inside her shopping cart. Honestly, my worries with her were that she would try to pick Liam up and walk off with him.

But as it turned out, I didn't have to worry.

The above picture captures perfectly her reaction to him when we brought Liam home. Jake was the same way. You know how a child's face almost says more than their words? This is the whole "kids can't hide what they are feeling" thing at its best. She may be sitting there and holding him, but she DOES NOT LIKE IT. Jakey reacted in the same way. To them, Liam was interesting in a passing way, worth walking over to take a very brief and momentary look at. Try to get him near them for a kiss and both would erupt in wild screams.

In the brief time he's been here, though, Liam has managed to win a heart or two. And that's no easy feat. It can be a tough crowd.

2010-02-16T19:12:00.001-08:00

Time is of the essence. That much I've learned from having three kids.

So why not introduce ourselves?

This is me.

Marty, aka "The Mother"

likes: reading
baking
naps

Addie, aka "The Firstborn"

likes: going places
shrieking
anything "princess"

Jake, aka "The Middle Child"

likes: jello
putting on his shoes
saying "no"

Liam, aka "The Newborn"

likes: nursing
being held
crying & turning red

....and, last but not least, Nate, aka "The Dada"

likes: the beach
good hot dogs
zombie novels

(In this pic he is pretending he caught the beached whale that can be seen in the background. So yeah. He's a dork.)

Why call this blog "Not Quite Twins?" That's the nickname I came up with for my first two little munchkins. See, they
are really close in age. Really REALLY close. Less than one year apart. In fact,
I found out about Jakey on New Year's day 2008, when Addie was only three months old. In case you wouldn't think
it were possible...it is. Close enough to seem like they were twins, but--not quite.

Now the kids are older and it's so much easier, even with Liam thrown in the mix. Addie is 2 years old, Jake 1. Baby Liam
debuted on January 11th. Luckily, the times when all three have been crying at once are practically nil. It can be hard, yes--
but I just feel so blessed to have them. They've brought so much fun and love to our family.

Want to join our adventures? We hope so! With three under three, there is ALWAYS an "adventure" going on :)

N.Q.T

Guest Post at Daily Joy!

Kinderglo Night LIght Winner!

Love stinks

Craftsmom

Life is Sweet!

Hello Friends!

Views from the bridge

Jealousy in the form of chocolate chips

The Ugly Cookie

The Trike

Kinderglo Night Light PREVIEW...& Giveaway!

Time Traveling

Darling babies

Mother's Day Photo Contest WInner

~Craftsmom~ Virga Botanicals $20 Giveaway!

Virga Botanicals is a beautiful line of premium natural skin and body care products.

Heritage

N.Q.T. Mother's Day Photo Contest!

AWESOME!!

Poetry Thursday

*Craftsmom!*

Speaking of family photos...

Poetry Thursdays

Craftsmom

Poetry Thursday

CRAFTSMOM

Happy

Doing the blog hop on "Follow me Friday"

Poetry Thursdays

Then and Now

Please welcome the debut of *CRAFTSMOM!*

All new look at The Motherhood!

AWESOME blogger's giveaway happening @ Homegrown Mom!

Celebrating Easter with the debut of CRAFTSMOM!

Do good!

Mommy Kisses

PROGRESS

Craftsmom!

Please welcome the debut of CRAFTSMOM!