Monday's Moment

A single moment captured in a photograph. Candid and fleeting, this will always be a special snapshot in time..

We've spent our day doing leaf rubbings, making spooky ghost pops for trick or treaters, reviewing analog time telling and packing for our holiday. I've been tirelessly sewing birthday crowns and prezzies, needle felting and nursing...it's a race to beat the clock! However none of those things compared to the expression on Finnlagh's face this morning. Today he received his first skateboarding 'deck' procured for him by his dear Papa from our local skate shop. We have promised to put wheels on it 'one day soon.' For now, our almost-four-year-old gets to practice his stance and grin from ear to ear imagining all the tricks he'll get to do someday. 

XO,
N&N

Autumn in ATX

We are into mid-October here in Austin, watching Radiohead perform on Austin City Limits from the comfort of our bedroom.  They did a live performance and taping back in March during SXSW, and my husband Grant was lucky enough to catch the latter portion of the concert on his way home from work. Hey, that sounds like Radiohead?! Indeed it was. He sat himself down on a park bench in front of ACL and just took in the moment. It's not every evening that Radiohead comes to town, or that Willy Nelson retweets you on Twitter. But for my husband, such magical musical moments have sought him out since we arrived. It's virtually undeniable.

There are many such moments here in the Live Music Capital of the World. You can be casually walking by some hole in the wall and just be absolutely blown away by the brilliance of the performers inside. While March is SXSW territory, October belongs to ACL. The Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park is legendary and this year is no exception in terms of performances. For more on who's playing ACL, visit http://www.aclfestival.com

Autumn in Austin looks and feels more like summer in other parts of the world. For us it has meant slightly more comfortable temperatures; while still warm and sunny, we have gotten the occasional bit of rain which has helped keep the beautiful flora thriving. We have been sure to take full advantage. Daily walks to pick up an iced drink or snack, meandering through the city streets always finding somewhere new... discovering this city's unbridled enthusiasm when it is Game Day for the Longhorns...

It doesn't matter how you cut it: every which way you look and turn, Austin, Texas is too cool for school. It's not just a matter of being the hipster capital of the free world (which it totally is without question), or the fact that the food is so amazing, we have yet to have a bad meal.  I won't even get into its thriving economy, the best in Texas and most likely, one of the most prosperous in the whole United States. No, it's more to do with the vibrancy, the pleasant residents you meet just in passing or chat with at the grocery store...most people are actually THAT lovely. I have never had more conversations with total strangers, had more doors opened and seats given to me for my children or to accommodate our stroller. Our days are occupied by pleasant, happy-go-lucky people and without incident.

Just a little bit of what Autumn had in store for us the past couple of weeks...

Til next time,
N&N

Friday Favourites - October 5, 2012

Man oh man! What a week it's been!

I'm currently blogging from my phone, immobilized by my littlest guy who loves to nurse. I can see my computer from where I'm sitting... just...can't...get...there.

Without a doubt, whether you are American or not, it is a very exciting time to be living in the USA. October, apart from being arguably the best month of the year in general, also is host to the World Series and, every four years, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates, with elections to be held in November. From Wall Street to Sesame Street, our eyes and ears have certainly taken in a deluge of information this week. We learned how many times you can interrupt a moderator, s t r e t c h  the truth (or tell lies outright), and how, despite the bitter and unwarranted attack launched against President Obama regarding unemployment, the news plastered in the headlines of the New York Times this morning: unemployment has dropped below 8%, the lowest it has been since 2009. Now that is certainly cause for celebration.

Are there loads of things I'd want to include in my #FF post this week? Absolutely. But I think I can afford to leave those pictures and stories til next week. Today I'm suggesting we take an interest in and follow our respective governments. Keep abreast of the facts. Realise that socio-economics and foreign policy can actually be readily understood, assessed and analysed by the average person; it is not the political mumbo-jumbo many worry it's all chalked up to be. Leave the cynicism at home. Get involved. Raise your voice. VOTE. 

12 weeks already...

And, quite another important bit of news today...our baby Reed Anders is 12 weeks-old!

We love you, darling boy!

Here he is in action...

(It's possible video footage might only be able to be viewed from a computer and not a mobile device.)

Week-end of Festivals, Part 1

Here we are today, September 30... It's the Moon Festival. Our week-end (which is Sunday-Monday) is absolutely jam-packed with celebrations! From Michaelmas and slaying dragons, to the Moon Festival and indulging in moon cakes, the harvest season has well and truly arrived.  There even might be some homemade sausages, pretzels, sauerkraut and steins of beer in our future ...

Looking forward to two days of excitement and celebration!

Here's how we celebrated the Moon Festival last year: Moon Festival 2011

Enjoy your week-ends wherever they may find you!

XO,
N&N 

Tardy Friday Favourites

Hello readers!

Happy Michaelmas!

I know I am a bit on the late side with the Friday Favourites (#FF), but we have been battling strep throat in our household, myself included. Nothing gets you down like a sudden illness tossed from person to person, long sleepless nights...you know how that song and dance goes.

My #FF's this week are all things that have been gifted to me quite recently, all of which I genuinely love! Our wedding anniversary is coming up on Monday ( 7 years!) and so I am merrily plotting...it is the wool and copper anniversary, but the modern gift is apparently a desk set. We have vetoed the desk set idea entirely, as you might have guessed!

And now, without further ado, I present this week's favourites:

Punjammies

Gorgeous pajamas from India, made by women who have escaped lives in which they were forced into prostitution. Part of the International Princess Project.

Learn more at: http://www.punjammies.com


Origami

I appreciate practical, elegant gifts that allow me to use my hands and to create.

Fabulous Origami Boxes by Tomoko Fuse

Beautiful washi paper to accompany it by Daiyo


For Mama and Baby

Maya Wrap - super comfy ring sling

Ergo Baby Carrier in "Galaxy"

A new diaper bag from JJ Cole in 'Midnight Dahlia'

And, shoes...glorious shoes!

XO,
N&N


www.punjammies.com

Nurturing - Head, Heart & Hands: Part 1

We are in the full swing of homeschool around here, having started our curriculum just after Labour Day.  This month we have been focusing on 'Discovering Me' and all of the components that make us unique and special as human beings, from emotions to skills, even to talents we never knew we had.

I will be documenting our lessons in greater detail. We will be celebrating Michelmas a wee bit early (the 26th instead of the 29th this year) and are looking forward to this festival. Do you celebrate Michelmas where you live? Our son Finnlagh really does not like dragons at all, so either he will rejoice in the story of St. Michael's Day, or be terrified of it. Let's hope it is the former and not the latter!

All of the children are fast asleep (all 3 of them at the same time, including the cat) so time to pour myself a chai and enjoy a film with my dear husband, Grant.

A star for you to wish on,

The sun for warmth and light,

The moon for you to think on,

Sweet dreams,

A hug and kiss goodnight.

XO,
N&N