Dew Drop – Page 4 – Karla's Cottage

Holiday Mom-style Stress

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2016

What was the best part of your Christmas?

Mine was these smiles. And lots of them.

The grand fairies seemed over joyed with all their gifts (even though Dewdrop didn't get the two front teeth that she needed).

We were blessed with multiple celebrations starting with a Solstice party on the 21st, then our big family dinner and gifts to each other on the 24th.

On Christmas morning, we checked out what Santa brought, then had a big, buffet, brunch-bash with relatives.

With a table set for TWENTY THREE! (Did I mention how much I love my newly enlarged space????) We snaked three tables through the kitchen into the living room, and all seemed to fit just fine.

I'd had planned to set the table and make it fancy, but I was lucky to even get food done. So, everyone had to get their own forks and plates and drinks, which seriously, no one minded, or noticed. There is only so much time, and I overestimated how much time I had.

Which brings me to admitting that I over extended myself right along with the tables.

Which I think is pretty typical for the mom of the family to do.

After prepping all of the big meals, I was done in.

I loved, loved, loved, the family parts and the holiday traditions, of the weekend, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy fixing all of the food. While trying to please everyone and make sure they all got their favorite things, making vegan, vegetarian, meat lover, and gluten free versions of the foods, I forgot to keep my Christmas spirit. I got tired, I got cranky, I got resentful that I didn't have time to decorate cookies with the kiddos.

I don't know if it was because I'd been ill this year and am not back to 100%, (a medicine that I am on for another month or so can cause tiredness and muscle aches) or if I'm simply getting older and slowing down, or if I really did over plan and do too much.

Or maybe:

I had shoes that were too tight.
My head wasn't screwed on right.
My heart was two sizes too small.

Cause I acted a little Grinchy while pulling it all together. I'm a bit ashamed of myself.

Yet, on the other hand, I sincerely, honestly love the holidays and it all means so much to me. I did make a huge effort to stay positive and loving with the grand fairies, but I think I grumped and grinched a bit too much with the older family members and really shouldn't have let that happen.

And no, even though Honey looks a little like Max here, I didn't force her into pulling a sleigh. I wasn't full on Grinch, just annoyed that the food preparation never seemed to end.

Like I said, it often is the way of many moms to stress out to make things perfect for Christmas. Normally, I can kind of roll with it and keep our holiday simple while pretty. This year, I'm not sure why, but it got away from me, and I was in over my head.

At least I learned a lesson. Next year we will do a simmering pot of soup instead of a full restaurant menu with enough food to feed a restaurant full of people. I have to be able to treat my family special while not forgetting about myself too.

Yes, I'll change the dinner next time, but there isn't one other thing I'd change, it was delightful to be with people I loved and there is nothing better than that.

(and the leftovers were pretty tasty)

Gratitude, Joy, Merry, Thanks, and all of those wonderful words we need to use more

Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 25, 2016

I hope your day is a Merry one! Isn't that a great word? I love Merry and Joy both, I'm not sure which is my all time favorite word, maybe Joy.

We've tried to make each of those words part of our celebrations. Oh, there have been tummy aches, forgotten homework assignments. a case of the sniffles, and a few reminders that, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" here and there, but over all, I'd say the season was a joyful success at the cottage.

I've tried to say YES to any and all holiday activities that come my way, plus make up a few of my own to make Christmas last all month, not just a day.

Some days, it can be as simple as a Cindy Lou Who hairstyle after watching the Grinch. Other days, it is cocoa in front of the tree, a special night out, or a ride to look at lights. Big or small, it is the attitude of celebration that brings the fun.

And while I can't keep up the parties year round (without more naps than I'd have time to take for recovering), I think that we can keep up the Joy if we make our best efforts.

I'm thinking about making that my New Year's resolution. To create a smidgeon of Joy or Merriment in each day. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, of course, little things mean a lot. And this happiness should be shared, not saved just for family. It really needs spreading around.

My son is a master of this, and I'd like to emulate some of his moves. Like always asking the name of a store clerk or waiter and using it is one of his ways of acknowledging others and showing care.

There are many more, like: Simply giving smiles to people you pass, or making a joke on a crowded elevator instead of looking at the floor and just waiting for the door to open.

Stop yourself from snapping at your kiddo when you've asked them three times to do something, and try singing the request instead. A silly or unexpected response can turn a day around.

LAUGH! Even if you are all alone but especially with others.

Give a kiss on the head to someone as you walk by (which I have to admit, is a better idea with family than strangers).

Post a picture of pure prettiness on FB and bypass those ugly political arguments.

Compliment when you see something you like, speak up, if a passerby's coat is a great color, or if your husband looks nice in his shirt, or if some one is walking a dog that has very nice manners. Don't just think it, say it out loud when you see something you like!

Remember the power of please and throw in plenty of Thank Yous.

And be thankful-to others, to yourself, and to the world and god for what you have. Slow down and be grateful. Nothing brings more happiness than letting yourself remember all the reasons you have to give thanks.

I guess I'm saying that I want to work on not just noticing the good things around me, but speaking out about them. And also creating moments that count, that might lift my own day as well as another's.

Saying YES to Joy.

Well, maybe I should've saved all of this for New Year's Eve? No, probably not. It is never too early to get started on spreading cheer. And maybe I'll start a new tradition for myself- making Christmas Eve resolutions.

And I'll start my resolution by speaking up about YOU. Thank you to those who take the time to visit me on my blog, for listening to me blather on about what is on my mind, what I think is pretty, what I've made, or about my family and pets.

It's been almost ten years of blogging for me and I've enjoyed every minute of it, and I am both grateful and thankful for all of you on the other end of what I write.

Please have the Merriest and most Joyful of Christmases!

Happy Birthday, Dewdrop!

Dew Drop

By Karla Nathan / November 23, 2016

Last week, we celebrated this goofy little sweetie's special day with a trip to Crown Center and Kalidescope.

We saw, a play, "Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer" to kick off our holiday season. I've got plans to take all the kids to see "Peter Pan" at the community theater and "Cinderella" at Kansas University. Plus, a breakfast with Santa and a slew of cocoa parties in front of the tree. I'll host an ornament party also, and try to make every bit of this month as jolly as I can. I simply adore this time of year!

We make sure that Dewdrop's birthday is all about her, but she is excited about the upcoming season too, and is happy for her own holiday to mark the start of the festivities.

Pumpkin Party

Dew Drop, holiday decor, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 27, 2016

For breakfast the other day, we had pumpkins made from mandarin oranges. It took (literally) seconds to do. The sections of oranges stack up easily, and I put a cashew on the top as a stem.

The grand fairy ghouls didn't have school on Friday, and I was about to fly off to Florida for my annual sister trip and would be missing Halloween with them, so we thought it would be a good idea to have an early celebration. There was bobbing for apples, making caramel apples, crafts, and pumpkin painting.

The girls were surprised to find their craft area in the studio decorated with all the garish Halloweeness colors that they love.

We live in a house that features white pumpkins that I display all fall, so the kiddos get extra excited when I let loose and do the traditional, flashy stuff that makes them so happy. Throw in a few dollar bin crafts and they were happy as any little ghoul can be.

Me too.

I'm going to miss them while I'm away.

Punkins and Joy

Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 25, 2016

This year we chose a chilly day for a trip to the pumpkin patch. But the cutting, Kansas winds didn't bother these guys.

I was the party pooper who wanted to leave early. That isn't easy to do, when Sugarwings wants to explore the farthest fields and is automatically drawn to run for the horizon line to find a pumpkin undiscovered by anyone else.

Sometimes, managing fairies is like herding cats. Or why don't I just say, herding fairies? That is a pretty apt description, if you picture a flock of winged, sparkly creatures flying in all directions and me trying to convince them not to flit over the flowers and chase ladybugs, but to go get in a car instead.

But there is no force on earth that can keep a cold Grammie out in a field of anything, including this pumpkin wonderland. I smoothly directed their thoughts toward our next adventure and made the rest of the day seem so enticing that they ran with me to pay for the gourds we bought and then out to the car.

Ha! Someday, they will realize how diabolical I am in my maneuvering. But for now? They think I am fun. Our pumpkin hunting was successful, and we had a wonderful, if short, visit. I might have bought a few more big orange ones that I'd planned to, though. Sometimes a bribe helps move things along too.

Hmmm, I wonder if they were the ones who maneuvered me?

But seriously, can you have too many pumpkins?

Chairs for the hearthroom

Dew Drop, Hearth Room

By Karla Nathan / September 21, 2016

Well, this seems to be more of a photo of the puppeesh than of the new chairs, but I do LOVE these seats! I'm not a fan of recliners, but my husband is. I was thrilled to find a couple of them in slightly distressed leather that look more like club chairs than recliners. And they were on sale. At least I thought they both were, one was on clearance and the salesman was kind enough to give me a second for the same price.

We haven't had a fire in the new, built in woodstove, yet I'm already enjoying snuggling up in my cozy chair in front of the hearth. It surprises me how much I like them, considering the grumbling I did while shopping around for a recliner I could stand. Who knew I'd find some I loved? The dark leather seems ideal in this room, even with all the whites and roses. Actually, I think the contrast makes the whites prettier and the roses rosier.

Once again, this isn't exactly a picture of the chairs, but you can see them a little better here. The table in the background is full of tiles, I'm planning a mosaic on the floor in front of the fireplace. So far, I haven't gotten very far on it.

There is always something waiting to be done, huh?

Dew Drop, Sacred Circus, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 18, 2016

Sugarwings and Dewdrop are learning how to do aerial tricks.

Dewdrop has a natural grace and already has rhythm and good dance moves, so it is coming natural for her.

Sugarwings is more like my son, who we used to say looked like a muppet tossed in the air when he danced. But as he matured, he shocked us with his gracefulness and athleticism. That guy is as smooth as a cat now. Funny, how I never matured into any level of coordination, I still look like Jerry Lewis on a dance floor.

We call her act, freestyling. She has a flair, and is fun to watch, but makes it up as she goes. Still, she is paying attention and working on some moves. Both girls get a lot of tutoring from their big sisters and are learning a lot.

They have no fear of being on stage, and both know how to put on a show.

And are pretty brave up in the lira!

I'm very proud of them both. And so impressed that they are learning these skills!

Costume head dresses for the Circus girls

Dew Drop, family, Sacred Circus

By Karla Nathan / September 10, 2016

One great thing about having a big studio is hosting craft days. I love seeing friends pour in with piles of supplies and watching the creations start developing.

My family was performing at a festival outside of St. Louis (where they got to be on stage with some of their favorite musicians, doing their act to the tunes) and they needed a little something to top off the costumes they'd chosen for the event's themes. Each day was a different color and theme, with outer space, ocean, and – Circus Sunday!

Kia made this one.

They are based on pieces of felt, adorned with fancy stuff, and then have a clip added to the back.

Here is one I made for Avahni. She wanted it slightly steam punkish.

Our friend, Amanda made this for Katie Tree.

Hers were the mermaid themed ones.

Kia also spent some time painting and glittering a Donation tin to set up for tips during their shows.

I adore my studio, and love it even more when it is filled with creative souls.

Here is one that I made for Sugarwings.

These aren't typically the type of things that I make, but it was sure fun to dabble with feathers and glitter for an afternoon. And to be inspired by some artists who specialize in this kind of glitzi-ness.

Some cuteness

Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 1, 2016

How can summer be over???? We are trying to make the most of our last few days.

I've been so busy with the new room, Sugarwings had a 3 week cross country trip, and Dewdrop spent the summer with her mommy. We weren't together as much as we usually are.

Since the grand fairies have returned, I've tried to create some adventures to make up for our lack of summer time togetherness.

Not every experience has to be something special to end up being "special". These guys can turn anything into a party. A couple of applesauce cups, some tiny teapots with lemonade, a bit of mint to crush up, and of course, some good friends. And there you go, cuteness and fun.

Bragging about beautiful babies part two

Dew Drop

By Karla Nathan / August 21, 2016

Well, it isn't Dewdrop's birthday, but after showing all those special Sugarwings photos I had to slide in some of our littlest grandfairy too.

This kid is now a kindergartener!!!!!!!!!!!

We've been trying to squeeze in as much summer fun as we could before school started. But with the remodeling project, and then my poor, old, aching back acting up, we didn't do as much as we usually do. But the house is 90% done now, my massage therapist son fixed my back, so life can go back to normal soon.

The weather still feels summery, heck, it IS summer. School starts way, way too early! I always associated Labor Day with back to school. Not mid-August.

Classes begin earlier now, yet, hopefully we can still get some summer action going to enjoy the last rays of sun. I think a relaxing pool afternoon after they get picked up one day is in order for this week. I sure could use one. I need to celebrate getting this room done.

Well, once it is done, that is…. I need to whip up some curtains soon. Those westward facing windows with no covers are reminding me that summer certainly is still here. That room heats up fast.