Waiting for Ruby

Organezizing

I finished this patchwork ottoman cover yesterday. It is the first time that I sewed a cover,I am happy with how it turned out. I haven't been doing too much in the way of crafting lately because I have been running myself ragged organizing my house-not that we were unorganized before-but I want to be super-organized. Some say a clean and organized house is over-rated,but I say there is nothing more calming than knowing exactly where something is,and that there is nothing in the house that we don't need or love. And it is so funny,because it seems many have been doing the same thing,I have been reading about organizing on other blogs!

Ron brought these ruby-red roses home to cheer me early last week,and they still look lovely. We have been discussing our adoption situation,and needless to say that is all I can think about these days.

I wanted to show pictures of Ron and my evening walk in the snow from last week,but it was too dark and none of the pictures came out right. We walked to the woods,which is only a mile away from us.The beauty of the snow covered trees literally took my breath away. We brought a thermos of hot chocolate,but sleet started to fall,so we had to enjoy it at home. The next morning we woke up,and all of the snow was gone.

364 days left

Eleanor

This elephant softie is the first softie that I have ever made! She is made with 100% organic sherpa wool and is stuffed with sheep's fleece that was purchased at a local farm(through farm to city). Her ears are lined with one of my favorite Liberty prints. I used a pattern that I purchased from here.

She is a gift for a friend's new baby,but since she just gave birth I know she won't be looking at my blog!

Family Update

I am still creating,learning the violin, and waiting. There will be pictures of my creations to come. Right now we are in deep thought over here after hearing more news of delays with our adoption process. Though we will wait until the cows come home for our little Ruby Claire(possibly another two years!!!!!),we have been looking into other options to add one or even two more children to our family. It is even possible that with the way things are going in China,Ruby will not be our first child. That hurts to even think about,because so many dreams before her were crushed,and now the dream of having her as our first child may be crushed. But we are so weary of waiting to have a family. Jealousy is not the word when everyone around you has a family,we are genuinely happy and excited when we hear the news. The best way to describe it is feeling left out. But we know, that one day this waiting will all be a memory. And we really are very patient. But some days are more difficult than others.

Happy 2008!

In Philadelphia, the real partying happens on New Year's day! Unlike most parades that last about an hour, The Mummer's parade goes on from 9 in the morning until about 8 at night! Though,we only stayed for several hours.

The parade is related to the Mummers Play tradition from Ireland,but it blends themes from many different cultures.

I highly recommend seeing the movie Atonement. The director of the movie was the same director of Pride and Predjudice, and he paints the most gorgeous imagery that that alone is worth seeing his movies. Atonement was so beautiful,so well acted and of course,the story is hauntingly beautiful.

I love British romance novels(my favorite is Pride and Predjudice), and almost anything from the British Isles,most likely because 75% of my ancestors(Irish,English,Scottish)are from there(only my paternal grandfather was German). Although I do love Scandinavian things,and I have not a one ancestor from there-though my husband's ancestors are from Sweden!

Well,2008 is now upon us, and I hope it brings great things for everyone. We hope it brings our little Ruby Claire!