Just Words for Now...

I have no idea why my computer which is only a year old has decided to stop accepting new photos I try to upload. It is very annoying, especially since I would very much like to put up some Christmas photos, among others. So it's going to be just words for right now...

Today was a rather nice day...my little guy and I had an appointment at his dentist office first thing this morning, then we proceeded to do exactly and only what we really wanted to do for the rest of the day.

We left the dentist office and went to the local bagel shop for bagels, chocolate milk, and coffee, followed by a little shared newspaper reading...the style and comic sections of the Washington Post. Next we made our way across the parking lot to our favorite place...a bookstore (the exception being an ice skating rink). We perused shelf after shelf full of glorious books for about 3 hours! I kid not...we are true book addicts...came away with the complete Laura Ingalls series. Once we left there we went across the highway to both of the craft & hobby stores in our area...we had three 50% off coupons to make use of, and that we did.

The little boy who sat across from his momma reading the newspaper today, has grown all too quickly from a newborn babe to a seven year old. I want to savor every single moment I can with him...I know first hand that these days will be only a sweet memory years from now. His big brother, now 22, grew up way too fast. When I look back on that time with him I am so grateful that I had the forethought to really pay attention and be in the moment. I have so many sweet memories because I did pay attention and lived every single moment to the fullest with him. I feel so blessed to be able to do this all over again.

It will be a new year in about 25 hours from now. I plan on starting the new year the same way I am ending the old one...by living loving learning in the moment.

If you don't do anything except be present in the new year on a daily basis, then you will have done everything! God Bless You and Happy New Year!

It's Getting Closer...

He had the most lengthy conversation I have ever seen anyone have with Santa...he asked him how he became Santa. He was listening so intently. I couldn't hear what Santa was saying to him, but I got the complete story several times in the days following his visit. I do think that is the longest he has ever sat that still while awake...well, with the exception of the first time we took him to see The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC when he was 4. I had to keep checking to see if he was awake, because from the time it started he was so mesmerized by it that he didn't move a muscle or make a peep.

We are just about ready for the big day...have lots of fun things left to do...I have the neccessary things done, but we enjoy the doing right up to the day. Even after the day we are so still in the spirit of Christmas that we continue listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and making Christmas crafts.

Catching Up...Bits and Bobs of Summer and Autumn Fun...

Watercolor palette has beeen calling to me...need to paint soon...

From this...


to this...


and this...Not bad for our first vegetable garden...



Just hanging out on the boardwalk at the beach...


Getting ready for all the holiday craft fairs...


Who is chasing who? Awesome detail on the firefly don't you think...


Relaxing and blowing bubbles...a favorite pastime...


Shrimp fritters...


Mr. Teddi Tinkerman...his official name...


Afternoon kitchen tea with my little guy...


Out for his first spin without training wheels...


I see you looking at me...


Dinner! Yum! well, after it is cooked it will be...


Blanket town...


Gathering materials...


Stitching them together...





For the cutest scarecrow ever!




Trick or treating with friends...


Spooky stew afterwards...kale, potatoes, kidney beans...


Last okra from the vegie garden...


Preparing fried okra...



Last bell peppers...


Knitting socks...


New venture...


Broccoli, chicken, cheddar ring...


Doughnut french toast with warm strawberry jam...


Birthday pumpkin carving cookout/party...






Reading everything in sight...so much fun learning to read...love it!


First time for fondue...fun fun fun...

Random Posts...

For a little while there will be random posts, here and there. There are quite a few photos and happenings from this summer.

We are now into the school year full swing, as I am sure everyone is...homework, rushing out the door in the morning, earlier bedtimes, and on, and on...missing summer already. I have however, been able to make it to a few art festivals. I am feeling really inspired to start painting again, among many other things. I love art and seeing what others are doing just gets my creative juices flowing like crazy!

Below are a few things I found at the art festivals I have attended recently...I love baskets and I love pottery! (Have been taking basket weavings classes since February this year...my next endeavor shall be to learn pottery.)

The larger basket holds four of my current knitting projects with room to spare...I love it! The man I bought the baskets from is from Ghana. He has been in the US for about 30 years...was a professional soccer player when he first came here, and when he retired from that he started making these traditional elephant grass baskets to sell. They are the same as the ones you can find online at fair trade sites. It is amazing to watch him weave them...he has recently accepted a position with the professional soccer organization back in Africa, and will be leaving the states to return home. It was truly a priviledge to meet him...he is a very kind and joyful person. Good luck and safe travels to you Mohammad Attiah!









Attended an awesome heirloom harvest festival at Thomas Jefferson's home (Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia) weekend before last. I am already planning my vegie garden for next spring, summer, and fall. Also, thinking about planting some berry plants...strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. I am definitely addicted to growing my own food now. Very satisfying.

Updates to Come...

Things have been very busy all summer...I have not been posting as much as I would like to. Since school has started back things are a little more scheduled now. Getting back into routines has been challenging...we are total summer people. We enjoy the relaxed schedules and days of doing nothing but playing, swimming, reading, painting, traveling, etc...

There are a few updates to come. I have many "irons in the fire" (code for personal and family projects). I am at the point in my life when doing it all is not working any longer. It is a struggle deciding what to let go of, and what to keep. There are many personal projects I want to complete, but not at the expense of time spent with my little. He is growing so fast just as our older son did...sometimes I believe it is in fact much faster. So, I am looking more toward projects we can enjoy together. He is such a funny little guy. So much like me that it is scary. The 22 year old is just like me in many of my good ways, and the little one (7 yrs) is just like me in some of my not so good ways. So we really need to work on that.

Since it is Friday, I am going to post a photo of a moment I want to remember...see www.soulemama.typepad.com. Then sometime in the next couple of weeks there will be updates with photos to cover the last couple of months.


My beautiful Drew, on his 21st birthday last year...he loves music...plays all the time. His soul is music to my heart always.