With two hands.

Some time.

And a handful of supplies.

At last weekend’s Urban Folk Circuit I was totally blown away by a few of my neighbors.

Seriously amazing terrariums by Alapash Terrariums. The only reason one didn’t follow me home is because of the two little people that currently live with me. Beautiful, breakable terrarium and babies just don’t seem to mix.

And then there was this extraordinary alphabet book by Amelia Kieras.

This one will be ours at some point because I can’t.stop.thinking.about.it. I can’t.

And then this jewelry by Muggy Tuesday. Crocheted. Seriously.

And if it wasn’t enough to be so inspired (er, tempted) while at shows, I am tempted everyday in my virtual space as well.

How cool is that Chicago print by albiedesigns?!

And this apron, by Spool + Sparrow,

In love.

And the thing is, I could go on and on (and on and on and on). People make amazing things. It’s awesome.

Composting?

Apartment?

City?

Do these things really go together? Sure they do! If you have a worm bin! While you can buy some fancy systems and set-ups, you really only need a few things to make one of your own.

Materials

• 2 – 70 quart rubbermaid tubs, one with a lid
• Power drill with small and large bits
• Bedding
• Water
• Red Wiggler Worms
• Food Scraps

Directions

• Buy your two rubbermaid tubs. You’ll only need one of the lids.

• Using a larger drill bit, drill bunches of holes through the lid of the tub. There needs to be plenty of circulation.

• With the larger bit, again, drill a line of holes about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of one of the tubs. This will be the bottom tub and will be used to catch any drainage. The holes will help the drainage vent and evaporate, though you will have to empty this bottom tub from time-to-time.

• On the second tub, the one without any holes yet, use a small drill bit to cover the bottom of the tub with drainage holes. You’ll want the holes to be big enough to allow moisture to pass without encouraging the worms to escape. I used the smallest bit in our set and made lots of holes.

• Nest the two tubs. On the bottom is the drainage tub with the line of holes around the bottom, next is the tub with all the holes on the bottom, then the lid with holes goes on top.

• Fill the tub with bedding. You can use shredded newspaper, egg cartons, paper grocery sacks, dried leaves. Stay away from shiny and glossy papers, worms don’t like those!

• Moisten the bedding. You don’t want it to be sopping wet, you don’t want it to be dry. Remember, you can always add a little more water later.

• Add food scraps to one side of the bin. I feed our worms all the food scraps we’ve collected on a weekly basis, alternating sides. This works for us. You’ll find a system that works for your family. Here’s a nice list of things that worms like and don’t like.

• Bury the food scraps with the bedding and add the worms. You can order red wigglers online. I used worms from our other worm bin. With the amount of composting we do we are switching from a one-bin system to a two-bin system. The worms will expand and reproduce to respond to the amount of food waste you give them. Each week that I do a feed, I am always amazed to find that they really have, in fact, eaten our garbage.

Not only is this a really great way to compost in an apartment-setting; it isn’t stinky, honest. It is also a really fun way to let toddlers explore and investigate. Ewan is fascinated when he comes with to feed the worms and loves to check out the happenings. I’m really looking forward to watching him become even more involved as he grows and looking forward to the many conversations we’ll have about how the whole thing works.

Ewan discovering the wonders of pumpkins that are just his size. So exciting this year, to be approaching the holidays with a little one that seems to get the joy and wonder of it all. So.much.fun.

Almost 11 months since we had our photos taken.

Almost 10 months since I first saw, and was amazed by, the slideshow.

And now, today, look what landed in my inbox.

(All photos were taken by Lea Wolf. If you’d like to see more, check out the flickr set.)

It is hard to believe that he was, truly, that tiny. Less than a year ago. Really.

I’ve gotta say, these are shots that I will cherish. Forever. As soon as I saw them, it just brought it all back. All those memories and moments. Those uncertainties as a new mama. The trust you have to have when nursing. It all came flooding back and it was just as clear to me today as it was the day those photos were taken.

Now, as I nurse my toddler, seeing these photos reminded me how very different the experience is. How different, but how important, it has been for my boy through all the months of his life.

I’m not sure where our nursing relationship will go from here or how long the path will be, but I’m so very grateful that I’ve gotten the chance to nourish him, body and soul. 16 months, and counting.

Thank you Lea. Thank you for capturing those moments, thank you for sharing them with us. Thank you for the trip I took down memory lane today and that I’m sure I’ll take so many times in the future. It is, truly, a great gift.

exploring new textures

embracing the mess, knowing that it is evidence of a night spent with good friends

designing a little vest for my little man, hoping that it will be ready in time for spring

drinking whole bunches of chai tea using the concentrate i read about over there

relishing the return of the light and not having to turn the lamps on until dusk

watching Ewan explore seashells in the best way he knows how, by putting them in his mouth

trusting that he will make good choices if given good options

I nurse here. I relax with a book and a cup of tea here. I rock my babe late at night here. I sit here and dream and imagine. And it is such an easy place to be, since I am surrounded by so many of my favorite things in this little corner.

Spring and Fall. Two of the four seasons from our second anniversary art purchase.

A guardian angel, a little gift from one of my cousins. It always makes me smile when I see it.

Our books to read shelf. A number of titles, waiting to be read, right there at my fingertips, inviting me to grab them when I have a spare moment.

A basket full of knitting projects and yarn, just waiting to be played with.

My favorite (and finished) curtains. These are, by far, the sewing project that I am most proud of…ever. Sitting by them makes me happy just looking at the bright red peonies and inspires me to sew more, patiently.

This is Sheldon. I saw the pattern online awhile back and thought that it was awfully cute, but I didn’t know if I had the patience to make something so fiddly. Luckily, I didn’t have to!

A dear friend here in Japan gave Ewan the turtle yesterday and we couldn’t have been more excited. As soon as I saw him, I squealed, “It’s Sheldon!”

She thought of everything. The eyes are embroidered, rather than buttons, making him baby safe. It is stuffed with organic cotton, she knew that the babe most certainly will be putting this little guy in his mouth. And the yarn is superwash wool, so the whole thing can be thrown right into the laundry. Perfect!

We introduced Ewan and Sheldon this morning. At first he was ambivalent.

Then, a bit scared.

Finally, after spending a few moments getting acquainted, they became friends.

I do believe it’s a friendship that is going to last a long, long time.

finishing – the ugliest crochet blanket ever.

hoping – that even though it is ugly, it will always have a place in our home.

using – a new calendar. Despite the chaos in my life right now, it is amazing how something as simple as a 500 yen calendar can make me feel as though I am in control of my life.

smelling – the hydrangeas. They are everywhere and I can’t stop and admire each one that I pass.

eating – nutella. How is it that I didn’t discover this amazing hazelnut and chocolate spread until now?! It is perfect on everything, but I especially like it on apple slices.

watching – Ewan discover toys.

brainstorming – about a top-secret project that is really inspiring me right now.

enjoying – huge cloth diapered butts with animals on them.

wishing – that big people could get away with having animals on their butts.

listening – each night as I nurse Ewan to sleep, Aaron reads aloud to us. Right now, it is the Da Vinci Code, the definition of a page turner, and a reason to be grateful that Ewan nurses for sooooo long.

eating – tiny, red japanese grapes. Oh how I will miss these when we are gone.

feeling – this new yarn slide through my fingers. Each morning, during Ewan’s morning nap in the sling, I sit down for awhile at my spinning wheel. Slowly treading the pedals, watching the yarn gather on the bobbin, and listening to the quiet sounds of my babies breathing, is an extraordinarily peaceful way to start the day.

wearing – my favorite patchwork skirt. I love skirt season!