more from the greta lens

meet larch.

our day out

One thing I love about living in the northeast side of LA...The Huntington Library.  It's always been a favorite destination.  We spent the day there today with the kids.  It was pretty crowded with it being winter break and all, and not to mention the weather was gorgeous.  It felt so good to be outside all day.  Greta wanted to play hide and seek the entire time, so she did a lot of running and climbing and jumping.  I think the highlight for Henry was a small crow statue in the children's garden that he gripped and said "BAAAABAAAABABABAAAABABAAAAHH" to for several minutes.  The highlight for me...the rose garden which smelled so sweet with a surprising abundance of blooms.  And the Japanese garden which is usually a favorite was soured by the fact that Henry and I got separated from the pack and without a phone, time was spent searching for "the others". (I am SO ready for LOST...23 days...)  We found each other at the entrance and packed ourselves (rather tightly ) into the car and hit Blick for new art supplies for the family.  It was a very good day.

photo sesh

The kids were looking super cute this morning so we had an impromptu photo shoot.  Greta is very comfortable with the camera, Henry is still a bit unsure, he turns into Mr. Serious.  Greta on the other hand turns into Miss Silly.

This one is my very favorite.  Welcome to the world of big sisters, Henry.

window seat

Henry's high chair arrived.  He now holds his official seat at the kitchen table, next to the window and directly across from Greta.  She entertains him with silly faces and funny voices, he kicks his legs and laughs and laughs.  

what's in a name?

Autumn 2003.  Zach and I had just visited l'Arc de Triumph and were strolling down the Champs Elysees when we were stopped by a couple of very sweet Koreans.  So I threw out a little "anyong-haseo" and that made them smile and I think then that they knew they had picked the right suckers.   They had a big favor to ask.  They needed us to go into the Louis Vuitton store, that we were standing right in front of, and purchase for them, with their money, a handbag and a wallet.  They showed us a huge wad of cash.  This was all very confusing at first. It took us about 5 minutes to try and figure out exactly what and why they needed us.  Turns out Louis Vuitton puts a limit on how much one can buy at that store in a day.  So they asked us  to walk in, pick out their specific items, pay, and meet them outside to give them their goods.   It all seemed very shady, but we somehow felt like we'd be doing a good deed.  Fact is, Zach and I have a hard time saying no,  and this couple looked so innocent and desperate, like they had been turned down by so many before us.  So we took their cash and walked through the giant golden door with rocks in our guts and lumps in our throats.  

The store was packed.  The steely eyes of the sales people pierced right through us.  They could see we didn't belong in there.  I remember feeling very hot with my coat and scarf still on.  We had a bad photo copy of the handbag and wallet we were to buy.  What if we got the wrong one, what would happen to us?  Wow, we were holding a lot of someone else's cash. What had we gotten ourselves into?   Could the salespeople see right through us?  We didn't look like your average Louis Vuitton shopper, maybe a couple of hippies at best. Surely they could see the sweat pouring down our temples. Had they seen the whole interaction with the Koreans?  Was it on tape?  Would they scream, "No handbag for you!!" or would we go to jail?  It was really stressing us out, but there was no turning back.  So we browsed, pretended to be interested, oooed and ahhed over some of the merchandise.  There were guards everywhere.  It was a very surreal scene.

So to make a short story even shorter, Zach did all the talking, we got the goods, hearts pounding, no problem.  Full of adrenaline we exited the store half expecting to be pounced upon from behind by massive security guards.  But instead it was the Koreans who appeared as if out of nowhere as soon we were three feet out the door, demanding to see their stuff.  We gave them their bag and their change.  I think they were afraid that we would take the money and run, but we didn't.  They were happy and thanked us profusely.  It was all very weird, but kind of a rush.  

So the memory of this event, one fall day in Paris,  popped into my head today.  I got to thinking about how there are some people crazy for a label, a name.  Those who simply buy Louis Vuitton (or Prada, or Chanel) for the name, for what it says about them.  That for some the design, pattern, or color of the bag is not as important as having LV stamped all over it.   Are they hoping to say, "I have great style," or " I have a lot of money to throw down on posh accessories"... maybe both?  As for myself, the LV look is not for me.  The classic line in particular with the brown and gold, the one you see knock offs of in downtown, I find it the least appealing.  But I have to admit that this cool photo on their website almost made me like it... just a little.  It's all in the marketing...

In case you're wondering, that seemingly kind couple that we helped out in Paris... did not give us a tip.  We felt a bit used.  Used and abused in Paris.

through the greta lens

A while back as I was busy with something or other, Greta took the camera and took a few shots around the house.  More like a few dozen shots.  I discovered these on the camera sometime later.  Here are a few favorites.

more

More Greta shots...and please pardon the pile of dirty dishes.  

baby blankie

I put this quilt together for a baby girl that is set to  arrive any day now.  I didn't quilt this one, just used ties with some of that yummy cotton/hemp fleece for the back.  The bright asian print is from an old summer skirt of mine that was falling apart.  I'm happy to have used the fabric, it's so lovely .

Greta says she wants one just like it.  She is so demanding.  First I have to make Julien his quilt.  He's arriving tomorrow for a two week visit.  I hope to finish a quilt for him while he is here.  I made one for him when he was about 8 years old. He has since outgrown it.  I have promised him one for sometime now but have yet to get it done.  What an evil stepmother I am.  It's going to be a fun one to make, I'm looking forward to getting started.  I'm on a roll!

rainy day

Today it rained and rained and it was pretty darn cold.  So we stayed in.  We stared out the kitchen window,

the kids played,
I made Leily a new coat,
and a pair of purple wool slacks.
We ate potato leek soup and chocolate chip cookies.  I love rainy days.

greta and henry adventures

It all started a couple of months ago as I was getting Greta to sleep.  After reading a couple of books, the light went off, then came the usual request, "Tell me a story."  These stories typically involve her dolls as characters and she is happy to provide an outline.  Hula, Leily, and Kaya go to the park to climb trees.  Elke hurts herself and her mom wants to take her to the doctor but she refuses to go.  Maybe the ones where Briar Rose, Cinderella, and Woman invite Snow White to their party but Snow White wont go because she doesn't like loud music.  There have been so many stories and I must say I was getting tired of telling the same ones over and over again.

 So, one night I decided to mix things up a bit.  I told her a story with Greta and Henry as the main characters.  This she liked!  The story was simple, I can't really remember, maybe they planted a garden or baked a pie, something boring like that.  She liked it just the same.  The next night Zach was putting her to bed and I suggested telling her a story about her and Henry and that I knew she would love it.  Well, the story that followed blew her away and the Greta and Henry Adventures began.  In this particular adventure they took a hot air balloon to Africa to do some giraffe watching, of course taking along walkie-talkies to keep in touch with mom and dad.   Since then they have been around the world befriending all sorts of interesting creatures. They have ridden on the backs of whales, piloted blimps, scuba dived, a unicorn took them on a ride to an elf village, they have shot rocket ships to the moon to eat moon yogurt. Tonight they rode a dragon from country to country sampling the local delicacies, the dragon getting ten portions to their one.

Zach really is a master story teller.  He includes everything a great story needs.  Humor, exploration, suspense, he has Greta at the edge of her seat and I often hear them laughing hysterically in the other room.  Sometimes they draw together retelling the adventure on paper.  Above are a couple of their doodles.

Greta is so fortunate to have such a fun loving papa to spend sometimes 30 minutes telling her such tales.  It's a special time they share.  Lucky girl. 

hat for girl

Henry-san Dons a Kimono

A beautiful gift from our friends the Eliots.  This baby kimono has seams that can be let out at the shoulders and he can wear it till he is 2 or 3.   I love it...and I love the Eliots!   
Henry-san is feeling his gums these days...maybe we'll see some teeth soon! 

And speaking of teeth, I think Greta has a cavity.  Recently a friend told me of how her daughter, Greta's age, has a few.  She could actually see them, I always believed you could only see them with an x-ray.  So today in the bright sun I took a look in Greta's mouth.   She opened wide and to my horror I think I saw a cavity way in the back.  Then in a very nonchalant almost cheery voice I said, "Oh, I think you may have a cavity back there."   A look of quiet terror fell upon her face.  I told her it was no big deal, everyone gets them, I had one here and here, pointing to spots in my own mouth.  Explained how even her friend has them and it's really ok, and that it may not even be a cavity at all, after all I'm not a dentist, just a mama.  She suggested I take another look because it was probably just some applesauce she had just eaten.  

So we changed the subject and went on with our day not bringing the subject up again.  I have been thinking about it though and feeling a bit guilty.  Not so much about the cavity but for the fear I could see in her eyes.  I may be partially responsible for that.  You see, when she was close to turning 3 we were having one of our many talks about how important it is to brush our teeth, blah blah blah, and we dont want to have rotten teeth.  "What do rotten teeth look like , Mama?"  (or maybe she called me Rachel)  It was then my brilliant idea to Google "rotten teeth" and show her some real honest to goodness rotten teeth.  I explained that she would never have teeth like that and tried not to scare her in any way, she was very interested, in a good way.  I tried to make it light and fun.  She absolutely loved seeing these pictures of bad teeth. It was often a request before bed.  Rather than her favorite book or story it would be, "Can we look at some rotten teeth?"  So that went on for a while and it seemed like a fun kind of educational time with her.  Now I fear that I have scarred my poor child.  At one point today while I was checking out her teeth she asked, " Do dentists pull all your teeth out?"   

In the near future there will have to be a visit to the dentist.  Before that though we'll have more talks about how great and friendly dentists are, maybe explain more about what they will do, find some picture books at the library.  I am really praying, just like Henry in that last frame, that it was just some applesauce back there.

Henry and I...

...one year ago, today.

Mon Petit Amelie

Amelie @2:44

Wool I'll Be, It's a Quilt!

In my second ever post on this here blog I mentioned a project I was working on that was very "hush-hush".  Well, that project was finished and gifted to Peggy and Howard.  It was a quilt made of felted sweaters.  I have made many a quilt but this was my first working with felted wool.  I shopped at the local thrift stores for 100% wool sweaters.  They felted up nice and were oh so very soft.  For the back I found an organic cotton/hemp fleece, also very soft.  Once it was all finished I was tempted to keep it for myself!  I love the way it turned out.  Not at all perfect in it's design or stitching, but I tend to like those imperfections and irregularities.  Charming and undeniably handmade.   My inspiration came from the women of Gees Bend.   

Before the cool weather ends I hope to make one for my Greta.  Maybe in pinks.  

My Big Boy

Henry is doing something new and exciting, sitting up all on his own!  No more does he need to be propped up with pillows or giant stuffed animals.  He started doing this a couple of weeks ago.  This new feat has him feeling quite proud and he makes the happiest coos and squeals as he sits and reaches for everything around him.  We have yet to get a highchair for the house so his first highchair experience was at Mama's in San Francisco.  He was beside himself, he loved it!  Another first was his ride in the shopping cart at Trader Joes.  Not having to carry him in the carrier will make shopping a whole lot easier on me and my back.  Greta kept him happy by crouching down next to the cart and jumping up and yelling "BOO!".  They were both laughing in hysterics the whole time.  I can't tell you what delight it brought me to see them play and laugh, and seeing my little Henry sitting there in the cart.  What a big boy.

More Mendocino Moments

We arrived home Saturday afternoon.  It felt so good to walk in our house, kick off our shoes, throw everything on the floor, and just appreciate our little home.  Our trip up north was a perfect getaway.  Peggy and Howard made us feel right at home and shared with us the beauty that surrounds them everyday.  It was hard to say goodbye but we are happy to be home and are quietly settling into our usual routine with a fresh and renewed perspective. 

Greta and Henry are so blessed to have two of the most loving and doting grandmas.  Here are a few of my favorite shots of Greta and Gramma Peg.  I imagine next visit Henry will be right there in the mix, crawling or even walking, getting into all that he shouldn't, playing, watching, learning.