Blog Addiction & Truth-telling Serum

 

An exhausted early momma moment.

I have found that even with all my new momma duties, I have been able to keep up with reading books.  I am caught up for book club--The Happiness Project-- and have also managed to read a few others for fun on the side. (Thank you whoever created e-books and their amazing one-handed operationalism!!!) It has been a lot harder to keep up with my favorite blogs, mainly because the computer is designed for people with TWO free hands.

I hate the days where I don't get a chance to check in with all my favorite people (most of whom I don't actually know) via their blogs.  I think it is probably the combination of diary-magazine-conversation that makes blogs so compelling for me.

There are a lot of reasons to read a blog.  To keep up with people who live far away.  To get new ideas.  To get a little glimpse into the heart of someone who you will never meet that is something like you.  While I love the craft, cooking and quilt blogs that I look at for their wonderful ideas, colors and inspiration, they aren't the ones that really connect with my heart.

The blogs that truly connect with my heart are the ones who have figured out how to tell the truth about their everyday lives--they aren't sugarcoating things.  These people are the ones who have really helped me through the last two months of beginning to figure out momma-hood.  A lot of moms talk about how happy, glorious and amazing momma-hood is (and don't get me wrong, there are lots of those moments), but more often than not these early days have been exhausting, frustrating, anxious, and full of doubt.  Those women who are able to acknowledge those tough feelings are the ones that I want to check in with, because it is affirming.  It is a powerful thing to know that you are not alone and others have been there before and that it does get better.

I also love the women who know how to write about God in the midst of all of this.  Their words are graceful, hopeful, and a reminder to me.  They remind me that the antidotes to exhaustion, frustration, anxiety and doubt is rest, peace, hope and faith.  Their words have been life giving and helpful in these early weeks.  These are my favorite and I encourage you to check them out.

The Momastery
Becca Groves: My Life in Stories

Plus, only God knows when I'll get around to needing inspiration for a quilting project again.



Baby Love

This past weekend I was in Peoria for my sister's baby shower.  I am so excited about my new niece/nephew (I'm crossing my fingers for a girl!) and can't wait to buy it stuff and teach it funny things to say.
As my gift to little Baby B., I made him/her a quilt this winter.  The nursery is a gorgeous dusty turquoise color, with accents of orange, green, and brown.  It is totally Better Homes & Gardens. 
This quilt was so much fun and actually really quick to put together.  I sent it out to Karie to quilt, and then did my first ever machine binding (I normally do them by hand.)  Although I prefer the look of hand stitching the binding, the time saved really makes up for it so I will probably machine bind future quilts as well.

Here is the quilt.  This pattern is called "Tumbling Triangles" and is from the All People Quilt website.  You can find it here.

On a side note, I am always excited when I find another fun and interesting blog to read.  My recommendation for the week is The Taste Bud Diaries.  This fun little food blog is not only creative, informative and fun, but best of all is written by a friend of mine who just happens to be a 9th grader.  Her recipe for Orange Poppyseed Muffins looks delightful.  I may have to try them out this week...

The Taste Bud Diaries