slide.show.sunday.take 33.

Hello friends! Here's the recap of another weekend at the nest:

You know those lazy saturdays when you want a free.indoor.escape for you and the family?  If we're not at Chapters... we can be found at our local Art Gallery. 

Magical lighting floods in from the shimmering lake outside.  A beauty photo-op for wee Azriel.

Since our Art Gallery is a 'glorified wheel-chair ramp' it's perfect for Azi to run up and down - with her fancy shoes lighting the way!  We viewed some amazing sketches by:  Anne Cavanagh (we were in art together during high school... yes, she was the better artist!).

I'm sooo tempted to photo-shop a turntable in front of D.J. Azi here! ;o)

Enjoying the library collection of 'picture' books in the snowy sunlight.

Yes, 'torpedo belly' is still ready to launch... and waiting...

This HAS to be the week - eviction notice is about to get served to this baby... stay tuned!

Hope your weekend was lovely... what did you get up to?

Artsy-fartsy mama,

Mel ;o)

diners and dancing...

 Yes, we're still a 'family-in-waiting' here at the nest... and today we delighted in some sweet moments while we wait.  

sunshine, and 50's Diner jukeboxes.

 A spontaneous brunch at the diner around the corner from our house...

...with my sweet folks who are the most supportive.helpful.available parents one preggo mama could ask for!  I am grateful for their constant source of love in our lives.  Azriel does a shrieking.squealing happy dance in the window every time she sees them come to our house.

Speaking of 'dancing'.... Azi and I thought an Irish jig may help encourage baby brother along.  Fun times with my gal today!  (Sorry for all the low-quality videos).

Here's hoping your weekend is a beauty one...

...and praying ours is an event-full one!

Dancing mama, 

Mel :o)

cats & crayons..

Here's a bit of cuteness, colouring and cats for your day.

I know I need to be reminded that this gal Azriel is a sweetie since right now she is on 'super cranky.sleep disturbed.whine' mode... hoy!

Have a beauty day friends,

Mel ;o)

a whale of a time.

 What better way to await a new baby... then to sew a whale.. am I right?  Yes, this is the latest creation from my nest here.

Since our daughter Azriel has been loving the notion of being a 'mermaid' in her baths lately.. and always wants to read 'Jonah and the big fish' in her picture Bible... I thought she may love getting a whale from her baby brother.  We're trying that approach of 'new baby brings older sibling a gift from the womb'...

Ummm, suddenly the idea of equating my womb with delivering a whale isn't so cute of an idea.  Maybe I should have sewn her a goldfish...

Yep.  He's still brewing in there.

My midwife today even said it didn't look like he was to eager to dive out... after she made me feel like her ventriloquist doll (gah!).  Nothing like saying you're in your TENTH month of pregnancy to make you feel like a 'bloatation device'.  So yes, I did paint my nails last night (for the first time in...years) and pampered myself with a warm bath, and chocolate chip cookies that Azi and I baked. 

I'm going to just force myself to relax (is that an oxymoron?).. and take this babe at his timing.  At this rate... I may have to sew him a 'cupid costume' for his take-home outfit.

Whale see... get it?

sorry.

Mega mama,

Mel ;o)

P.S. I meant to ask you parents what approaches/advice you took with preparing you kids for a new sibling?  Thanks!

Keepin' it real... at this nest.

I'm still not sure if I should write this post...

I'm all for being transparent with you readers, and for being awkward if it's humorous at my own expense...  but I never want to make it 'weird' for you.  I just want you to know where we are here at the nest.

When Ben and I decided to have a family, we both agreed that having me 'stay-at-home' was desired.  I could not envision having kids and then leaving them while I went out to earn a paycheck (this does not mean I judge other mothers who still desire to work outside the home!).  We knew this decision would mean a sacrifice on many levels, and financially we would lose some 'perks'.  

Recently, we have realised our budget is tighter than we expected.

Almost like a choke-hold.

No extra spending... at all.

Looking to cut any/every thing that's a 'frill' in our life until we can get some stable footing.

Sound familiar?  I know a lot of young families struggle with this issue of finances.budgets.bills... and I'm not looking for pity.

Like I said, we chose this path: seeking to live simply. placing value on family instead of frills.

Here's my dilemma.

Our Internet is next on the chopping block now... and thus, this blog may go into hibernation.

I've never wanted to pursue advertising in this space, I don't want my posts to be dictated by other motives for 'gain'... but keep them real to what I am passionate about.

Trying to find a solution it was suggested I throw it out to you readers - to give you the option of 'partnering' in keeping this space alive.

That idea seems awkward.  I'm not asking for charity.  Creative ideas and beautiful blogs abound without asking anything back...  I guess I just wanted to provide this opportunity to decide if you specifically want my heart.our nest as part of your daily read.

A buck or two from a hand full of friends will keep this nest hatching each month.

That's why I've added the 'donate' button on the sidebar to your right.

Sorry if this goes against 'blogger etiquette', I would love for you readers to still connect here even if you don't/can't spare some change... honestly!

Thanks for hearing my heart.  I hope to keep sharing it with you here in the future.

Empty pockets, full heart,

Mel ;o)

a camel and a bump...

A gorgeous 'spring-like' day warranted a family trip to the zoo today.

Granted.. the only animals to be seen were the camel (better known as a dirty-brown-shag-carpet on four legs)... a few playful monkeys... a couple meercats.. and that snake (it was actually moving up the glass - so I squealed like a two-year old girl and ran waddled!)

If camels have humps... this mama has... one mighty bump.  Yes, still.

Like I said, I breed lazy babies.  But I'm still holding out for the fact that tomorrow night is a full moon and it's bound to shift the tides around here... maybe.

We'll keep you posted!

Mel ;o)

D.I.Y: fabric cloud mobile.

Hey there daydreamers!  Here's a sweet and simple do.it.yourself fabric mobile project. 

Those who know my paintings know that I adore clouds... so it was fitting that I sew up a few fluffies to hang over our dining area.  I've decided to make this a 'seasonal mobile' hence, it was first a doily snowflake mobile.  Now, it will be a 'chance of showers' theme..

Want to make one?

Supplies:

Fleece/Felt

Stuffing

Pearl Beads

Clear Thread

Branch (or hanger of some form)

1. Cut a cloud pattern (large & small).

2. Double up your fleece/felt and cut out a grouping of clouds.  I opted for a range of white/turquoise/and stormy grey colours. 

3. Stitch each matching pair of clouds through your sewing machine - but leave a 1" gap at the end.  With your needle still pinning down the fleece/felt... lift the pressure foot and push bits of stuffing into the cloud (a chop stick is great for this part).  Finish your seam, trim the edges - and poof - your cloud is ready!

4. To add the groovy 'raindrops' feature, I strung some pearl beads onto clear thread and knotted the strands to the bottom of a couple stormy clouds.  You can tie a knot around each pearl..slide it to the length you desire.. and then double knot it in place.

5. String your clouds at varying heights along a natural (or painted) branch.  You could also hang them from a clothes hanger wrapped in ribbon... or a quilting hoop... etc.

Hope that inspires you to get your head in the clouds today...

and go get your craft on!

Mel ;o)