Talking Tuesday: Old Icelandic Hymn “Heyr himna smiður”

Not a quote today, but instead a hauntingly beautiful old Icelandic hymn sung in a German train station (the acoustics are amazing!).  Gave me chills.

Talking Tuesday: Bertholt Brecht

"And so we, taken aback, see the curtain closed and all the questions open." 

~Bertholt Brecht

7QT: Rarified Air

--1--

c/o historyinphotos.blogspot.com

I should start this post by noting that my people are two generations off the farm.  We aren't fancy people, we don't move in high circles, we don't know famous or important people.  My husband, on the other hand, has been breathing The Air Up There for a number of years now.  He went to an Ivy League school, got a degree at Oxford, went to Ivy League law school, clerked for the Supreme Court under Justice Kennedy, and generally knows a lot of Important People.  Particularly government types. It is slightly surreal to me that Justice Kennedy and his wife got an invitation to our wedding (they declined to attend, but sent a lovely card), and get our Christmas letter every year (and usually send one in return).  

--2--

About every five years, the former and current clerks put on a big reunion weekend and the Kennedys are in attendance.  There is a black tie dinner at the Court, and various other family-friendly activities the rest of the weekend.  

Clerk Reunion in 2008

We attended when Piglet was a baby, and meeting the Justice was quite an experience.  He and his wife are both lovely, down-to-earth people. 

There was another reunion this summer that my husband attended but I did not because it was less than a month after Ponchik's arrival and I just wasn't up for the trip to DC at that point with a preemie newborn (plus we were having childcare issues then).  

--3--

Later in the summer, the law school invited the Justice to come visit the school and meet with his former clerks (there are three currently teaching there), give a lecture and generally grace the place with his presence.  Mrs. Kennedy also agreed to attend, and an intimate dinner was arranged on October 2 for the former clerks and their spouses plus the dean of the law school.  My husband told me a long time ago that he really wanted me to attend the dinner with him, and that I needed to do whatever it took to sort out childcare for the evening for our three older kids. (Since we let our long-time sitter go this summer, we've not broken anyone else in sufficiently for a nighttime stay).  That left my mother-in-law.

--4--

She graciously agreed to take some time off work and come down for two days to stay with the kids Wednesday night and help me on Thursday so I could give a presentation at my MOPS group and also attend a wives' luncheon with Mrs. Kennedy (talk about two different spheres of life!)  MIL arrived on Wednesday afternoon, and my husband and I took off for the dinner a little after 6:00.  I wore my new eshakti 1940s-inspired black dress with improvised dress clips (1940s rhinestone clip earrings from Austria!) and as an added bonus, it was completely nursing friendly with a sweetheart-style surplice neckline.  My hair cooperated and I felt fairly snazzy.

--5--

The view from my dinner plate on Wednesday.

We arrived ahead of the motorcade, and the U.S. Marshals, which made me glad, as you never want to have to discuss anything with a man holding a big gun whilst holding a baby.  The dinner was lovely (although Ponchik was a little bit of a stinker and refused to sleep and wanted to be bounced and held the.entire.evening).  I was seated next to the Justice, and it felt a bit surreal.

--6--

The next day I gave a talk on meal planning to my MOPS group, and then scrambled off to make it to lunch in time.  It was small and nice, with good food and cloth napkins (at a fancy sit-down restaurant in a local museum), but the other wives were all about 10 years older than me, and Mrs. Kennedy is obviously quite a bit older than me, so I sort of felt like the little kid at the grown-ups table.  But I was flattered to be included.  

--7--

Other than that excitement, I got nothin'!  I finished the other front piece of the vintage cardigan, and cast on for the sleeves, and I also cast on for a red pullover sweater that I'm sort of making up as I go, combining a couple of patterns to get what I want.  (Hopefully it all works out!)  Oh, and I've caught up on Call the Midwife (can't wait for Season 3!!), Bomb Girls, and am mid-season on Scandal (season 2--hoping to finish up and start watching season three as it goes along this year!)

Edited: I forgot to say that I fixed our washer this week!  A quarter got stuck in the pump, and after a mad bout of googling our washer model and DIY fixes, I'm proud to say I fixed it myself!  Just call me Rosie.

Go see Jen and other Quick Takers for more Takes!

Quiet

A friend mentioned recently that I've been quiet on the blogs this month.  I didn't set out to not post--I just have struggled between not having enough to say and having too much to say.  I've got several longer posts percolating along in my brain for the other blog, and could say plenty of little bits about life over here, but I just...haven't.  I confess I'm very tired, and struggling a bit with the school time routines with two in school and two at home.  Ponchik has been sick for two weeks, and Birdie is still cutting those bleeping molars, so night time sleep has been pretty dodgy lately.

I made two of these--one for each of the boys.  It is a pre-printed top that just needed quilting, so no piecing work.  It is crib size since the boys are on crib mattresses on the floor.

I made a few quick-and-dirty quilts this week (two for the boys, one for my office and one just because) that I'm sorry to say are just "good enough."  I'm sort of a perfectionist about some things (crafting especially), and I'm having a hard time being content with good enough.  I want it to be perfect.  But then I remind myself of my daily realities, and ask myself whether I want it done perfectly or just done.  Because perfect just isn't going to happen right now.  Done, I can do.

The back of the boys' quilts.

I'm also trying to spend my non-nursing time doing things--knitting, or sewing, or anything tactile.  I've been thinking a lot about what Jen wrote this week about prioritizing family life while still trying to follow my passions.  I especially like her thoughts on finding one's blue flame--that thing that provides energy and drive and focus (I could easily list several things I consider "blue flames" but not all are compatible with this stage of my life, so I'm trying to focus on what does give me energy and drive each day.  Turns out that sitting on a chair looking at a screen isn't it.  So my creative writing is on hold for now).

So shoulder to the wheel, onward.  I don't know when I'll be back to post, but I will get there.  Just give me time.

Talking Tuesday: Peggy O'Mara

I've thought a lot about this quote lately, and am trying to moderate my tone with my children.

It is hard, having kids so close in age, with different challenges, and none of them really to the Age of Usefulness.  But I must do this, for myself and for them.

Talking Tuesday: St. John of Kronstadt

I admit, I struggle with this more than a little at times.  It is easy to get tucked up in my own world and needs and to be annoyed with the demands of others, no matter how valid or pressing.  I'm working on peace and patience and self-control.  Forgive me a sinner.

7QT:Vacation Hangover Edition

--1--

We spent part of last week at my parents' house, just spending time with my family and hanging out in the AC, and it was great.  So many extra hands to help with the kids, meals, etc.  I even had time to get a proper hair cut and do a little thrifting.  Took the sting out of a SEVEN HOUR flight delay on the way out.  The kids did really well, all things considered, but we didn't get to my folks' until 2 a.m., so it wasn't a great start to our trip.  But our return was completely uneventful and on time, which was good since the boys started school the next day.

My main thrifting find was this fantastic 1940s-era plastic brooch with maracas.  They even make a little clicky sound when I move.  So cool.  And for the even cooler price of under $2.00.  Yay for great jewelry finds!!

--2--

Piglet started kindergarten this week, and Boo started Pre-K (they are at the same school this year) and things are going well.  Boo hasn't had any accidents at school (yet), so that is good.  I thought things would be quieter with just the girls, but Birdie hasn't napped the whole week and Ponchik has spent every afternoon being supremely unhappy, so I'm not impressed so far.  Hopefully things will even out soon.

--3--

I posted a photo on facebook a few weeks ago to show how I double-baby wear.  A friend asked how I did it, so I took the photo to show her!  I use two ERGOs, and have done this since Birdie was born.  It works pretty well with an infant and toddler, but two toddlers is a bit much in the weight department.

--4--

I keep meaning to say that my late-August Netflix obsession was Ripper Street.  I'm only sorry the season was so short and there was only one (so far!)  It is sort of like a Victorian CSI.  With Matthew McFayden at the helm, you can't really go wrong.

--5--

While we were visiting my parents, we celebrated my dad's birthday.  I was super excited to give him the little fishing ensemble I made him, and now I can show it here!

I claim absolutely no credit for the idea--I basically CASED the card and basket from Heidi Baks.  

The fishing vest gift card holder I CASEd from several ideas out there, but the basic template idea came from Jenni Ingerick.

--6--

I've also decided to participate in the Fall for Cotton Sew-A-Long this month, and was pleased to find my fabric waiting for me when we returned. 

It is a novelty cotton from Joann fabrics and I'm in love.  I'm going to make an A-line skirt with it.  I initially thought to make a gathered skirt, but decided that the a-line was going to be a bit more flattering and showcase the print better.  I'm using a modern pattern, but the lines will still work for a 1940s silhouette; all I have to do is add 3" to view B.

--7--

I'm also working on quilts now.  I got some quilt toppers to make quilts for the boys (they are super easy blocks that will quilt up quickly, I think, and I finished piecing a small quilt and matching pillows this morning.  I'm waiting on some extra batting for the quilts, so I'll probably start with the pillows.

--Bonus--

Last week I saw Ron Rifkin's doppleganger driving a car in my neighborhood.  I was so taken aback that all I could think was: Arvin Sloane is alive and well and living in the Philadelphian!  Ha!

(As a random aside: is it totally weird that we can now populate Wikipedia entries with fictitious television characters?)

Right, go see Jen and the other QTers!