Peonies & Popsicles

6.08.2009


As the end of the school year approaches, our pace of life has been accelerating steadily with appointments, planning for summer visitors, sewing orders, and somehow not letting four dogs' worth of winter fur take over the house. I always seem to get more done the busier I am, and yet I was reaching a point where I needed a time-out. Fortunately I was in a cooking sort of mood the other day, and whipped up a batch of perfect aqua playdough. Jack and I spent a good hour playing with the warm dough and giggling nonstop. The photograph below is not representative of the fantastic mess we made of it.



After a much needed break, it was back to the grind. But last night I was awakened by a tremendous thunderstorm. I had to rush out of bed to close the windows and lay awake as lighting completely illuminated our bedroom. It was the kind of Midwestern thunderstorm that used to terrify me as a child, and in fact it didn't take long before we heard little feet padding down the stairs and climbing into bed with us. The storm finally subsided and we drifted back to sleep. This morning I ventured outside to see how the garden fared, and discovered some lovely and very waterlogged peonies that had begun to bloom.



The rain had completely rejuvenated the flowers and grass and our little bird feeding area was teeming with baby robins and rabbits. It reminded me how I've always been fascinated by the process of watching things grow. Flowers bloom from tiny buds, small kids grow into bigger kids even after consuming what seems like nothing but dirt and popsicles, piles of neatly folded fabric turn into something completely different.

Even after years of sewing, I still love watching this



turn into this



turn into this



I guess sometimes it just takes a good rain to make me slow down and enjoy life's little everyday magic. I hope you too can find the time to stop and smell the flowers today, or at least share a popsicle with a loved one.

Kim

12 comments:

  1. That's my favorite part of sewing as well!

    Thanks for sharing. I love stopping by your blog. :)

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  2. Now you're making me actually WANT to start my new sewing project instead of sitting here, reading blogs and avoiding it because I'm a little scared of it.

    I'm making pettiskirts and the fabric just arrived via UPS. Still, it's raining outside today so maybe the magic that got you going can get me moving forward too.

    Love the pretty fabrics!

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  3. cute little tiny hands, beautiful flowers, pretty fabric!

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  4. The peonies are beautiful. I am trying to be patient waiting for mine to bloom...everything seems to be appearing a little later in the garden this year in MN. Your sewing projects look fun.

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  5. Okay, how did you make the playdoh?
    And most importantly - how do you get that trim sewed on so perfectly?!!
    Love this post!

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  6. My sister creates beautiful things out of everything,.....but she has done beautiful quilts that are priceless. I envy anybody that can take the time to do these kinds of things. My daughter-in-law is creative also. I should take a picture of what she has done lately and post it. Great stuff you do and I love reading your posts!

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  7. Gorgeous peonies! Ugh - I wish I could grow them in TX!

    And what little project did you make there? I wanna see more!

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  8. are those bibs?... what are they... show us more!! ...i still love the process... i think it is why i take so many photos!

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  9. What beautiful Peonies.
    I used to always love making play dough for my boys when they were little. It was always best when warm. It is better than the brought one.
    warm squishy memories are made of these.....

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  10. These peonies are just lovely - my favourite flowers! Beautiful blog! :) please drop by mine too! :)

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  11. Can you tell me if you bind the edges of your aprons or if that is piping. If it is piping, I would love any tips or referrals to a book where you learned to make it. I love the apron with the flowers in the middle!

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  12. I love love love these photos :-)
    I would like to order some of your patterns - do you have recommendations for places to get fabric from? I live overseas and would love to get a bundle of fabric like the ones you use! Gorgeous.

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