I have been secretly savoring a book for the past couple of weeks. One chapter a day, sometimes two but never more. Just like I would savor a very good piece of chocolate, not too fast because I really want to enjoy every bite.
Last year, I reviewedAndrea N. Richesin's anthology of writings on
mother- and daughterhood, Because I Love Her. I have since "met" Nicki and when she asked me to review her new work, I was thrilled.
"What I would tell her" is a collection of stories written by fathers about their daughters. They share their fears, hopes and dreams and their feelings. Some stories made me laugh, others made me cry. They all shared a vulnerability,an overpowering sense of responsibility and a deep affection that these fathers feel for their daughters. This book is a testament to the complexity of father-daughter relationships and the variety of essay is evidence to the uniqueness of these bonds.
Reading this book felt like opening a window into the souls of my father and husband. I am lucky to have a strong relationship with my father. We share love and respect. We often disagree but we are always able to talk about it. Now that I am parent, I can understand and appreciate more what motivated him.
And now I get to witness a budding relationship between my husband and my daughter. How tiny miss Layla can make her Papa do anything and how she knows how to use it to her advantage. And she's not even talking yet!
So with Father's Day coming up, I thought you would appreciate reading this book too. And once you're done you can share it with the fathers and daughters in your life.
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comment before Father's Day (Sunday, June 20th).
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I loved every part of it, so much that writing this review was very hard. Hard because I couldn't find words to describe the experience. I never thought of myself as a very spiritual person but lately I have been questioning some of my choices in life, beliefs. By simplifying and quieting the busyness of life I felt more in touch with myself and I needed answers. Who am I, what makes me happy, what's my purpose in life?
I was searching for a meaning to my life as a mother, wife, daughter and woman. And in fact her words of wisdom opened up a new world to me: "The search for greater meaning robs our life of meaning". By looking for a greater meaning I was missing on the beauty of the everyday, the little moments of an ordinary life, my life. "We can only love the world we wake up to. The world where things change, dishes get dirty, we age, we get sick, and one day we die."
Unlike Karen Maezen Miller's first book, Momma Zen, it is not about her life as a mother and the challenges of late-in-life motherhood. This book is about her path to becoming a zen priest and in her own words "an errant wife, delinquent mother, reluctant dog walker, expert laundress and stationmaster of the full catastrophe". She shares her experience and wisdom on marriage, divorce, aging parents, gardening and of course laundry.
It is intimate, beautifully written, wise and unpretentious. A lesson in seeing "the inexpressible beauty that comes tucked inside ordinary life." She describes the three parts of this book as doing the laundry where we open to the wisdom that resides inside us, washing the dishes where we bring that wisdom to life in compassionate action, and tending the yard where we sow peace in the place where we live.
It is one of the most wonderful, endearing books I have read lately. And if one good thing came out of it is that I see my laundry in whole different way.I wish I could give you all a copy of this book!!
One of you will get a chance to win a copy of this book by leaving a comment on this post before Sunday May 9th. You can gain six additional entries (remember to post one comment per entry) in the following ways:
Join this blog with Google Friends (right side bar)
The past week has been a very sobering and emotional experience. Sobering because I realized I could slow down, do less and it was ok. Emotional because I have received so many testimonies of friendship, through your comments and emails,I was so touched. Thank you!!
The good news is that I am healing well, I will not be needing to stay at the hospital. My doctor says that my lungs are slowly clearing up.
We spent a wonderful Easter weekend, with egg-hunt and visits to the park. Crafts, egg dyeing and too much chocolate… Not many pictures to show for it as I was too busy having fun.
This little break has rejuvenated my soul and I have many projects in the works. Knitting, sewing, photography and some soul searching through art. Shannon has extended her registration until tomorrow evening so maybe if you want to join me…
I took some time to look up the participants today and there are some amazing women. I can’t wait to get to know them better. I am thrilled to take this class and even more now that Valarie and Michelle will be with me.
The time of reflection over the past months about creativity and how to make time for it has always left the same lingering question : “How can I fit creative time in my day?”. I would visit blogs, read article and books and the only question that I had on my mind was “For heaven sakes give me your schedule? how can you find time”.
Shona , mother of five and mixed-media artist lays out a plan for all mothers to find time for creativity in their daily life. She knows that to be a good mother we have to find time to be creative, nourish our souls .Her book is a blue-print of sorts…You can embark on the adventure on your own or with a group a friends; Exploring your creativity through Poetry, Photography and mixed-arts>
As with all the women I admire I thought Shona should be featured in Blogviews. We’re working on it right now! In the meantime, she was so gracious as to offer a copy of her book to one of my readers.
Leave a comment on this post before April11th. The winner will get a copy of the “Artistic Mother” by Shona Cole . You can gain three additional entries in the following ways, remember to add a comment for each additional entry.
Most of my evenings right now are spent working on my Christmas gifts. Not that it is helping much because I can't really stay awake for a very long time but that's another story. Tonight after everyone was tucked in bed and I was ready to start working, I was tempted to change all of my plans. Can you imagine 9 days before the D-day...
It is absolutely not my fault but the blame should be put on Meg and Rashida. Seriously ladies!! You just made me want to start over all of my holiday gifts.
Saying that I love books is a major understatement and when it comes to craft books it is way more than love. But as for all relationships the recipient must deserve the love he gets ;o) As my collection expanded I have become quite finicky about my new acquisitions. But these two are definitely worth the money, they were on my wish list. In the interest of full disclosure, you have to know that I will never recommend something I would not buy myself.
"Sew Liberated" is the debut book of a very talented Mama , Blogger and an early childhood educator. Her blog is one my daily reads as she shares her creative endeavors, the everyday moments of her life and her knowledge as a Montessori educator.
The book features a set of sewing projects, each embellished with appliqué. The sewing skills range from beginner to advanced and you can also use the book as an inspiration to customize your own things.She managed to resurrect the art of appliqué in a very modern creative style .What a wonderful way to use all of those scraps that we all keep just in case.
I found the instructions to be very clear even for an absolute beginner like myself. Full size patterns are included with the book which I find very useful. Seriously who likes to drag 3 kids to Kinko's to enlarge a pattern. Don't look at me!
Some of my favorite projects are:
The jersey garden skirt
The Blossom Blouse
And the Camera Bag
I really love this book and highly recommend it.
My other love today is "I Love Patchwork". I personally find making a patchwork quilt quite intimidating but this book is about to change my mind on the subject. The projects included are very sophisticated and combine linen and print fabrics in the popular Zakka style. With the added benefit of being written in English ;o)
Zakka has been described as the "art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane" and Rashida sure transforms the simplest objects into art. With step by step directions and very clear diagrams the projects are fun, functional and easy to master for beginners and intermediate sewers and quilters. She also offers tips on how to buy, work with and care for linen.
I personally have favorite projects:
The button calendar. The boys were so excited about the advent calendar that I plan on making one to use for the rest of the year.
The appliqué pillow
And the cutest little lamb ever…
So after spending hours perusing those two beauties I will go back to my unfinished work with even more motivation. For one to see the joy of my little ones when the open the gifts mama makes and two because I will be able to start some new ones ;o)
If you can't wait to get your hands on these books, you can get a taste on Stitch magazine.. One projects from each book is featured:
My sewing machine has been sitting on a desk in my craft room for a little while now. I really want to start sewing again but I just can't seem to find a project that is not too intimidating.
I tend to pick projects that are pretty complicated. When I started knitting again I chose a beautiful jacket by Debbie Bliss..not a scarf or a hat. No I jumped right in with a jacket. The result was ...humm..interesting and came with a lot of frustration.
So with the sewing I wanted to start small. I asked Michelle, Deena and Lina for advice and they were very helpful. They all shared resources and tips, I still can't believe how awesome this blogging community is. I bought some fabric at the local store and started looking for a projects and found “The Book”.
The projects are fun, easy and they only require 1 yard of fabric. It’s a perfect starting point not only that but it’s full of little projects that you can use for making holiday gifts. The instructions are very clear (even to the sewing impaired… like me) and all the patterns are included.
The books is organized by type of projects: for the home, Organizational items, Craft Organization, Bags, Clothes, Carry All, Outfits , accessories and toys for little ones.
So this weekend I am going on a sewing binge.I plan on making a couple of the projects,and I will begin by dressing my beloved sewing machine.
And this little pinafore dress is really to die for.
And maybe this mail organizer will find a home by the entrance door.
This book is definitely worth buying!! And because I can't enjoy this alone, I will be giving away a copy of One -Yard Wonders. So if you want to get inspired for your holiday gift making, leave a comment on this post before Sunday, December 6th.
And the winner by random generator is Mama King :"Count me in! I just bought some fun fabric and I have no idea what I am
going to do with it. I could use a little inspiration :-)". Congratulations! Send me an email letting me know where to send the book.
The birth of my daughter has awaken different feelings in me than my two other babies. It's really hard to explain but it was different. Maybe it was because she was the third and I had some experience with the daily routines of taking care of a baby; she made me think in a more spiritual way. I felt the need to come to terms with things from the past and also figure out what I wanted to be in the future. Her birth raised questions on who my mother was to me and what kind of mother I wanted to become.
Life has funny ways of putting things or people in your way that help you. So while browsing for a new book to read I found "Because I love her" edited by Andrea N. Richesin. It is composed by 34 essays written by women about the complex mother-daughter relationship. I read the introduction and I was hooked.
Some stories where for the daughter in me and others for the mother . Like Heather Swain I want my daughter (and sons) to "question her desires, to learn the difference between wants and needs, and to be comfortable opting out of socially mandated must haves.". Or like Katrina Onstad, I was influenced by my friends moms throughout my adolescence.
All of these stories have a common thread and that is honesty. "What would we tell our mothers and daughters if we could tell them anything? If all our self-doubts were dismissed and honesty was the only option" . The end result is a beautiful work of love that encapsulates the truth about being a mother and a daughter.
I have made peace with my mother long time ago but I only understood her once I became a mother. I realized that whatever shortfalls I've accused her of, I never had doubts about her love for me. And at the end of the day is the most important thing for a child; knowing that he is loved.
In Andrea Richesin own words:" As both a mother and a daughter, a woman is essentially at the center of a three-way mirror, reflecting on her past by remembering herself as a young girl and now as a mother, seeing her mother for who she once was".
I couldn't resist sharing this trailer with you.
And because the blogging world is such a wonderful place, Nicki sent me an email some time ago and offered to share with us the play-list that has inspired her while editing this book.
She also very kindly offered to giveaway one book to a randomly selected reader of this blog. If you would like to be entered in this giveaway, please leave a comment telling us what is your fondest memory of your mother.
For an additional chance to win the book, you can post about this giveaway on your blog and link-back or email me the link.
Comments will be closed on saturday october 3rd and I will announce the winner on sunday.
The winner picked by the innocent hand of Tarek is Garden Mama with this comment:
"Thank you for this lovely giveaway, it looks and sounds like a beautiful book! The times I remember fondly with my mother were on the way to my track meets when I was in high school. It was just her and I in the car and she would give me positive and encouraging talks before my races and play soothing music for me. she would be there at my meets and her voice and smile would cheer me on. there were many special times but this encouragement, support and time that my mom gave to me was special then and now. i carry this with me into my own mothering experience, encouraging my children to do what they enjoy and to be there supporting them in the process."
Congratulations!! Please send me your adress so we can send you the book.
Have you ever met someone and felt "I want to be friends with him/her". I didn't actually meet Nicole Chaison but I read her book and had that exact same feeling. I will call her Nicole, she's my BFF after all. Seriously "The Passion of the Hausfrau" is just hilarious and so truthful. You don't have to be a mother to enjoy it but you definitely will laugh like crazy if you're one.
Nicole documents her life as a mother and lapsed writer and the path that leads her to writing this book. She tells everything: the beautiful, the ugly and all in between. I related to so many of her experiences; the grocery store episode when children raise hell and everything goes wrong, the bathing suit dilemma...
Instead of the marketing stuff every new mother gets at the hospital, they should give away this book. It could be some sort of "feel good" therapy. I will definitely put it on my list of gifts for new mamas.
But beyond the good laugh and the great illustrations, she has brought up the main issue that I face as a mother; that is "what becomes of me and my dreams?". "Can I still pursue my own dreams if I choose to have children and to care for them?".
I will not tell you more but do yourself a favor and read it! Even if you're not a parent!!
You can find more about Nicole on her website "The Hausfrau".
Luxury:\ˈlək-sh(ə-)rē, -zh(ə-)rē\ a: something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary <one of life's luxuries>b: an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.
This definition of the word luxury in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary puts my new love for Japanese craft books in the luxury category for sure.
A Japanese craft book is like no other craft book you ever seen. They are written in japanese to begin with. But that doesn't take anything away from their readability. They are packed with stunning photographs and beautifully designed objects. It might seem daunting to the beginner but the instructions and patterns are very easy to follow. The steps are perfectly detailed and easy to follow. But even if you don't like sewing, knitting or any other craft just looking at them is a pure pleasure.
The books are bright, colorful, inventive put it simply beautiful. Even my husband was attracted to their design and trust me he never opened a craft book.
Just flipping through the pages is a sure way to inspire me and make me want to start a new project. You can visit my etsy store if you want to see some pictures of my absolute favorites.
Every time I travel to Paris, my first stop is la FNAC (it's a mix of Barnes and Noble and Best Buy). My sister is more than happy to babysit and I can browse the lastest book releases. My favorite section lately has become the Craft section and that's where I found this great book by Astrid Le Provost.
I love her work, it's simple stylish and timeless. You can try some of her patterns for free here. They are pretty easy to follow and if you need translation you can use Babelfish or Google Translate.
She also has a beautiful knitting book and a book of patterns for expecting mothers. The knitting one is on my To Buy list for my next visit to Paris in October.I couldn't find any of her books in the US but you can order it from Amazon Canada.
I would not recommend it to a beginner because of the lack of patterns. If you are already sewing than you definetly should get it. My absolute favorites are the french wool beret and the lingerie carry all. A lot of the projects focus on how to revamp thrift store findings and items you already own. The only down with it is that it should have had a user-friendly spiral binding.
I discovered Tara Frey's blog and book through this post on Chez Larsson. And it happens that the day I read her blog for the very first time her book was released. And you probably know me by now, I cannot resist a good book especially if it has these words: creative, blog and bliss.
I ordered mine and I have been reading it ever since. It was just what I needed. It's a go-to reference for the newbie and an inspiration for the seasoned blogger. She covers all subjects from starting a blog, to making your pictures look great to blogging etiquette. And the big PLUS is that it is chock full of pictures and interviews of other creative bloggers.
So in honor of the new look of my blog, let's call it imene 1.0 I will be giving away a copy of Blogging for Bliss. Let me reassure you it's a brand new copy. Mine has post its all over it ;o)
To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post telling us why you enjoy reading blogs. The comments will be closed on Tuesday 25th.
