Clean.

Coolest Dishes Ever.

I try not to thrift. I really try. But then sometimes we talk ourselves into it, like at the cabin last week. The cabin really needed a tea strainer and a stock pot so we decided to just peek in and see what they had.

In the end, I never even looked for the stock pot. Or the tea strainer. Because I found these and I let out a little audible "Eeeeek!!!!!" and then muttered to Lupine, "These are the coolest dishes I have ever seen." And you know Goodwill. They tend to be... overpriced as thrift stores go. And yes, $2 per plate, $1.50 per bowl, and $1 per cup or saucer did seem steep (which in retrospect was a screamin' deal already). But then I saw it. The "Clearance" sticker on the serving platter (The amazing barn-raising platter above). It said, "Set - $4.99" and I "eeeeeek!"ed again.

So I did It. I bougth a big box of dished that I most certainly do not need and that I love so much I find myself making tea just to drink out of one of these cups. See the buggy? And the folk dancers? And the men hand-hewing beams for the barn? And the farmers!? Good gracious these are awesome. They're like a peek into my future I tell you. We've got beams to make and chickens to feed and fields to plow. I'm sure of it.

I thought they were unmarked when I bought them, but it turns out only the large platter and the small pieces are unmarked. They rest are quaintly labeled "Bucks County" by Royal China, Ohio. I did some snooping around on Ebay and it seems I scored quite the bargain. In Pete's words, "Wow. That means if we break any they'll be really, really expensive to replace."

Because he knows I will never sell them.

Ever.

Now then, I think I need to refill my tea cup. My adorable yellow buggy and hay wagon tea cup. (Eeeeeek!)

I'm Thrifting Again.

(Edited to say: Wow. I admit that the story set up on this post is long before you even get to a picture, but so worth the wait. Don't peek ahead at the photos or you'll spoil the surprise. Ready? Go!)

I broke my fast.

I went thrifting. And it was wonderful. (I know, I know. I swore it off. Back when everything that wasn't nailed down was leaving with a one-way ticket to said thrift store.) But I got the itch. I'm not sure what fired me up. Maybe contemplating finding some wee stocking stuffers for the holidays or the sweater I desperately wanted to get me through the winter.

So I went for it. And I found a couple of wee kid gifts. And my new favorite sweater. And Pete's brand spanking new Mountainsmith lumbar pack (for a mere $1.99, the likes of which I looked up on-line and contemplated buying new just three days before). But those were nothing. Nothing I tell you. Because I scored. In a big way.

But before I share the day's loot with you, I need to tell you a story.

When I was a child the Thanksgiving and Christmas table at my grandparents' house was always set with my grandparents china, silver, and a beloved collection of mix-and-match vintage water goblets. The goblets were my sister's and my favorite part of the table setting, and we would agonize each year over who got which goblet. The coveted cabbage glass was the prize that we all wanted each holiday. (Being the little sister I rarely triumphed, but like Pavlov's dogs the deliciousness of winning the cabbage glass once in a while was enough to keep me going.) The goblets signified the holidays and now, in hindsight, also symbolize my Grandmother and who she was to Leah and I.

Fast forward twenty or so years. Through a convoluted (read:sad) story that I won't go into, many of my grandparents treasures were lost after the death of my grandmother. The water goblets (of which Grandma often said, "When I die, those have your name on them!" to me) were among the casualties, sold to an antique collector or some such silliness. And every year, every holiday, I miss the glasses and my Grandma simultaneously. For more than a decade every time I have gone thrifting I have my eyes peeled, searching over the tacky glassware, waiting to discover a glass from Grandma's collection and start rebuilding what was lost. (I found one once seven years ago and gave it to my Mom for Christmas. It was a cabbage glass. She cried.)

On Thursday we enjoyed our Thanksgiving celebration at my sister's house in Milwaukee. As I stirred (and stirred, and stirred) the risotto beside her, Leah and I began reminiscing about the water goblets. "I want to recreate that set," I told her. "Keep your eyes out for them when you're thrifting." (On Thursday. That was Thursday.)

On Saturday Leah and I went out for brunch. We decided to spend the rest of the day thrifting, something we haven't done together for years. We cruised around the South Side of Milwaukee hitting some surreal stores that looked like tornadoes had recently ripped through and thrown most of the merchandise on the floor.

Especially the first stop. We almost didn't go in it was such a mess. But that first stop was the gold mine.

We found lots of random cast off treasures - a pottery chicken, an art deco pitcher, a 1970's crewelwork tree stump. And then we headed to the glassware isle. Twice Leah thought she saw a water goblet from the set, but didn't. And then, as Leah put it, "I though you had a stroke." Because I freaked. There on the shelf of plastic cups and pitchers and ice cube trays was this:

The coveted cabbage glass! But not just one...

Six. Six vintage glass cabbage goblets, haphazardly bundled together with packing tape like some awkward bouquet, bearing a handwritten masking tape price tag: $2.04. For the set. I could not contain myself, nor did I try. Any pride or composure I may have had melted away and I laughed and danced around like a crazy lady in that messed up thrift store. 

Manifestation? Hell yeah. Loving the thrift? Most definitely. I'll be back, freaky south side thrift store.

And Grandma, we miss you. On Thanksgiving and always.

Downsizing - and a challenge for you.

I have been blessed with visits from five of my dearest friends this week - two sleepovers with friends from afar and three local girlfriends just dropping by to chat or for a meal. I feel so blessed at the start of my journey to have time to visit with these important women in my life. I feel a little like they are sending me off on a grand adventure.

One adventure has begun before I have even left the house. Here is how it began:

One of my visiting friend has recently downsized her home from a large split-level to a small two-bedroom cottage (for her, her husband, three children, and dog). And she is nothing short of transformed.

We talked long into the evening and I realized her transformation: she parted ways with her stuff. All of the safety nets of things that we build around ourselves to insulate us; all the deal-with-it-later messes and broken items; all of the too-damn-much that surrounds us.

Like me she is a savvy thrifter and enjoys the second-hand-store hunt for the perfect Hanna Andersson PJ's; the groovy Danish modern chairs; the quality European blocks for pennies. And like me, she got herself a little buried. (Okay, a lot buried.)

So she and her family determined to dig themselves out.

The called the thrift store for a pick-up and proceeded to fill the truck. And then the dumster. They touched every single item they owned and asked this vital question: "Do I love it?" or "Would this belong in my dream house/dream life?" And if not, they let it go.

They downsized from rooms and rooms filled with gorgeous Waldorf toys to a simple dollhouse, a wooden castle, and one doll for each child. Done. Enough. Go outside and play.

They downsized from closets brimming with clothing and a large overflow of additional sizes in the basement to four adorable season-appropriate outfits for each person with no back-up. Four is enough if you have a washer, and the children mix-and match to create plentiful options. Their dresser drawers are empty and so is their to-do list without all of those things to clean, put away, and otherwise tend to.

They unloaded those tubs of too-big-now-but-will-fit-later kids' clothing, believing in the abundance of the universe. We don't need to hoard these things. We can pass them along and then welcome the right items in our world when we want them.

In short, they are free. Their stuff-burden has lifted.

As she and I talked I started to feel a familiar discomfort in my stomach. A feeling of being on the precipce of somthing really big - of major transformation coming in my own life. It was a little hard to breathe to be honest, as I reflected on just how much I have burdened myself with by way of treasures and finds and just-in-case.

All of my labeled bins of big-kid clothes in the basement seemed vulgar suddenly, and so did our packed closets, dressers, and baskets of playthings. And with a slightly-sick-yet-very-excited feeling in my belly I went to work. I worked from my children's bedtime until my own and proceeded to fill my van with items I do not need.

The next morning the kids and I started right away moving toys and clothes and decorations out the door. They selected formerly-precious playthings to pass along to friends. We joyfully let go of so very many things. And we feel fantastic. I got rid of the jeans that I still wear even though I hate them; the dressy clothes I haven't worn in a year; the beloved Birkenstocks from high school that are useful yet ugly. I let the kids unload things that were treasures to me but ignored by them - a fairy bower, two wooden race cars, some Waldorf dolls. And we feel absolutely free.

And we've only just begun.

Our dresser drawers are easy to open, the playroom is spacious, there is less what-to-wear drama in the morning, and we're all lighter for having less stuff. I even resisted the urge to sell anything. That is just another holding-on that I need to be done with. I gave away my Moby Wrap to a (pregnant) farmer-friend, a brand new nursing bra to a neighbor, plenty of soft-soled kid's shoes to little friends around town, and a fancy kid snowsuit to a little one I love.

I'm done. Divorcing the stuff. 

I share this story because I truly think it is changing me. And I want to invite you to join me. Can you fill a bag today? A box? Your car? It might just change everything.

Are you in?

Post your progress in the comments how much you send down the road and together we'll transofm our families.

With love,
Rachel

Edited Spring 2011: I've just begun hosting a Simplicity Parenting Book Club here on Clean. Join us, won't you? You don't even need to read the book - or be parents for that matter. There is value in the discussion for us all. Find it over here.

Boy's Sunhat Pattern and Tutorial.

Welcome to Clean!

Don't limit yourself to just this one page.

There is loads of good stuff here, from sewing project to do with (or for) your kids to musing on motherhood to yogurt- and butter-making tutorials. Take a look around. I think you'll like it here.

Some favorite tutorials (if I had to choose) include my zip bag tutorial, birthday bunting, and wool felt crown. So make some tea and stay a while.

Rachel

Edited to add: I revised the pattern to make it easier to print the pieces to scale. The new version of the free sunhat pattern can be found here.

This is a little late in coming. I promised this pattern to you weeks ago! I didn't make the time to stitch up a second one and I didn't want to post it without photos, thus the delay. But summer is wearing on and I have this image in my head of many little boys out in the sun, squinting like mad.

So here it is - a sewing pattern without photos - but a pattern none-the-less. Go forth and sew hats, you brave, bold mamas.

(Note: the hat below seems a bit too tall to me, so the pattern trimmed off about an inch.)

Sage's Sunhat

Materials:

• Pattern - three pieces (below). Print without scaling so that you get the proper size.
• Outer fabric (I used linen)
• Lining fabric (I lined with the same)
• Timtex or other stiff interfacing for brim
• Matching thread

All sewing was done with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. This was sized for my 7 1/2 year old. Adjust as needed to fit a younger or older child.

Boy Sunhat Band (No pattern piece. Rectangle 21.5" x 4") - cut two (one lining, one outer fabric)

Boy Sunhat Top Pattern - cut two (one lining, one outer fabric)

Boy Sunhat Brim Pattern - cut three (two outer fabric, one interfacing.) Note: When you cut out your paper pattern fold and cut so you have the entire 1/2 moon. I only copied down 1/2 of the pattern to make it fit on a single sheet.

Brim

1. Cut interfacing brim down by 1/2 inch on all sides.
2. Sew outer curved edge of brim, right sides together.
3. Turn and press.
4. Insert interfacing and trim if needed to fit smoothly inside.
5. Top stitch outer curve through all layers to hold interfacing in place.

Crown

1. Fold hat band so that the short ends line up (right sides together), creating a flattened cylinder.
2. Sew.
3. Pin cylinder shape carefully to hat top (also right sides together).
4. Sew.
5. Turn right side out and press.
6. Repeat with lining.
7. Pin brim to hat, centered opposite of back seam with top side of brim flat against front of hat (it will look like someone flipped the brim up, 1980's grade school style).
8. Sew into place and flip down. It should be starting to look like a hat now!
9. Press under 1/2" on bottom edge of hat and hat lining.
10. Insert hat lining into outer fabric hat and top stitch together very close to the edge. 

Your hat is done! Dance around a little and then call in your boy (or girl) and share your creation. Feel free to leave comments or send emails with your questions.

xo

Rachel

 

Too Much Thirfting.

Is that even possible?

I find myself wandering into garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets with an alarming a delightful frequency of late. I think I may be feeling a little nesty about transforming my space. We dream of moving to our perfect homestead in the country, but for now we are here - in town. I suspect all this thrifting is about making this house to feel as perfect as possible until we move to our farm.

Old treasures come charged with history, energy, and a story of their own. 99% of the time I would prefer something used over something new (underwear and toothbrushes may be my only exceptions).

I guess for me thrifting is as much about the hunt and the treasure as it is about the story. The history. The secrets. Whose table have these graced? What scenes have they watched unfold?

Below are the finds from the past week or two.

My rooster obsession continues with these three cups (two for eggs and the third for salt, I suspect).

I paid under $4 for this vintage Frankoma tea set. My grandparents ate off of Frankoma dishes (which I now have in a box in the basement to use again when the kids are older). Frankoma has been a top thrifting weakness since I was in high school. And the yellow is so sweet. I've been having my tea out of this little pot each morning.

I'm not sure I can even express how much I love this tiny woodland pitcher. A stump and a gnome? Straight to my Waldorf/Nature nerd heart.

And perhaps my favorite find of all are these two paper cuts. There is a water spot on one of the mattes so I think I'll paint them to match the wall I hang them from.

I'm over the moon about these. I've passed them up at our local flea market since Mother's Day because of the water spot. I finally negotiated on the price and took them home for $2.50 a piece. I think I was giggling. 

I suspect there will be more thrifting in store this weekend...
 

Mothers Day.

My Mothers Day was mellow and sweet. Some flowers from Pete, a little sleeping in, a couple of hours with my girlfriends at the flea market, and some time to sew (alone!). Oh, and oatmeal-chocolate chip-macadamia nut-peanut butter cookies bakes up by my three lovelies. Yum!

The flea market was the highlight of my day. I don't often thrift without my kids and it is a delicious treat to wander the isles talking to friends instead of chasing my little people.

I've had three thrift obsessions of late: chickens (vintage roosters in particular), farmer folk art, and vintage bluebirds. But I never buy any for fear of having several half-thought collections cluttering up our already busy space. On Sunday my girlfriends talked me into several of each to combine in one grouping to make big art out of small pieces. Here is the finished product, wrinkles and all (I ironed it, really!):

What do you think? Do smalls really combine to make a large? I'm still on the fence. Here. Take a closer look at all that vintage sweetness...

It is amazing to see the combination of bluebirds and farmers on one piece and roosters and farmers on another. Love. What is your second-hand weakness?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Happy mothers day to each of you who've embarked on the journey of motherhood. We are changed forever for the transformation. Each of you is an inspiration.

Second-Hand Books.

After divesting our stash of cloth diapers, size 2T clothes, overflowing toys and small winter gear at the yard sale, we made a little time as a family to hunt for some new treasures yesterday. Not to fill the void mind you - we like this new open space in our home so very much - but because City Wide Spring Rummage Weekend only comes once a year and we just had to have a look around.

Sage bought handcuffs. Lupine bought a rhinestone-clad watch (or as she calls it her farkly pink belt. Don't ask.) And Pete and I bought very little, considering the dozens of sales peppering our little town. We brought home some garden gnomes (my kitsch obsession), quilts for the kids' room, the microscope, a nut cracker, and a stack of books.

Oh, the books.

The only one not shown here is the Dangerous Book for Boys. The the Tooth Fairy absconded with it as soon as I brought it home.  I didn't question her, but I am assuming she has plans for it for later in the week. Those she left are exactly what I was wanting more of in my life. Attachment. Living with the land. Creating with my hands. Plant medicine.

There's good magic in these pages. Continuum Concept I recommend constantly but somehow don't have in my library. Root Cellaring will fuel my desire to head out to the country once and for all. And knitting and herbal medicine books? My delights.

I am also reading two other books right now that are rocking my world: Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes and Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen. These have been recommended to me by two of my dearest friends and both are shaping our life, day by day.

What's on your nightstand these days?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I promise this is the final bit of Babywearing madness for a while. It's our last day of winners! Before you start skimming the list below to see if you've won, I wanted to thank you all again for being so supportive of this celebration. I've enjoyed it immensely, especially your photos and your writing. Before we turn away from this week entirely, take one more peek at our flickr page. There were several amazing photos over there that I couldn't seem to post here. Take a peek. They are lovely.

Onto the day 6 winners. If you see your name below, please drop me an email (rachel at lusaorganics dot com).

Mama Made Sling Set: Natalie who said:

Most of my stash is DIY, so I loved this post! I am so thankful for all the mamas who share their wisdom through the internet on making carriers... Jan, the Babywearer, and more. And I'm thankful for Slingrings, so I can sling in confidence without worrying about whether my hefty toddler is going to go tumbling if they snap! :)

Mothering Subscription:Darla who said:

I am thankful for all the strong mamas and papas out there inspiring others to homebirth, babywear, ec, co-sleep, breastfeed, etc etc etc!!! Yay!

Babywearing 101: HereWeGoAJen who said:

I've been meaning to make my own sling, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I will soon, I promise!

Slingrings 1: Kristen who said:

Rachel- Thanks for such a wonderful series and a beautiful way to end the week with home-made slings! I love a little DIY project myself so thanks for the encouragement!

Slingrings 2: Melissa who said:

I've really enjoyed your posts this week, and I'm thankful for resources like this that keep inspiring me!

Slingrings 3 Katie R who said:

What an inspiring story! Wonder if I can convince my husband to make some wraps...the stories this week have been really wonderful, and I am so grateful to hear positive and uplifting accounts of other parents who wear their babies! Thank you!

A Microscope.

Thanks for the wonderful thoughts on yesterday's post. I am glad it was so resonant for you. The bread was fabulous and the rest of our day was joy-filled and relaxed. I hope yours was as well!

It is the City Wide Rummage Sale in my town this weekend. I mentioned it here last year (and showed off our finds). This year we had our own sale so we only visited two sales yesterday. But the treasure of the day was Sage's new prize possession:

A microscope.

He could hardly fall asleep last night, planning the slides he would prepare. Providing him with the right tools to explore and learn has been a pleasure for me. Watching the sparkle in his eyes as he discovered an answer to a question he had, or as he explores new concepts confirms my choice to unschool. The learning happens all day long, each and every day.

So aside from homeschooling supplies, the kids are taking the money they earned at our yard sale to look for treasures of their own this afternoon. Happy thrifting!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

And of course, one more day of babywearing winners! If you see your name below, please email me  (rachel at lusaorganics dot com) so that I can arrange shipping. For those of you who have gotten in touch already, I'm moving through these as fast as I can. There are so many, so it may take me a couple of days to get back to you!

Day 5 winners are:

Gypsy Mama: Brooke:

Once again, just fabulous! Love the wrap at the beginning!

Didymos: Jennifer W who said:

I saw Lisa's comment on success yesterday but I didn't realize she had been commenting all week. What a story! :)

I just had the thought yesterday, what do you do if your baby doesn't want to be anywhere except in the sling and you need to take a shower?? Who knew someone already came up with the answer :)

Tummy 2 Tummy: Caitlin who said:

oooh! I have been wanting both of the wraps to use this summer (hot summers in Idaho!) So glad that other mamas are finding the confidence to give wrapping a try- it's my favorite way to wear my baby!

Thrifting.

I have been enjoyed some fruitful thrifting trips recently, some with my kids and one - amazingly - solo. Solo-thrifting, as a mama who spends very little time alone, is both a blessings and a curse. I tend to get caught up in either hurrying or clock-watching and don't lose myself like I use to, but am still giddy at being there alone, wandering through the treasures.

Maybe I just need more practice. I have one more solo-thrift coming this afternoon on my way to collect my kids and my goal is to be present in the moment and find some fabulous treasures.

Here are a couple of finds from recent trips.

100% wool sweater in the most soft, gorgeous yarn I've ever seen. (The question is, wear it or unravel it and knit something new? Likely both will happen. I'll wear it for a while and then repurpose it next season.)

This vintage terracotta teapot was all of $4.00. The little chick handle on the teapot is too much. I fell in love with it and now the kids are thrilled to have their own teapot (to go with their Japanese rooster mugs).

Or they were supposed to have their own teapot. Though they keep asking why it is full of black tea.

And one more piece of vintage yellow pottery for my collection. Though I am subject to many obsessions, only yellow pottery has become an actual collection. 

 

I have maybe 25 pieces and counting and love every one. Some gifts, some antiqued, some scrounged. They are my true-thrifty-vintage love.

Why the second-hand obsession?

1. History: The pieces carry someone else's story, someone's past. To pick up a handmade quilt stitched with love and focus is to hold a stranger's story in your hands. For me that is beautiful.

2. Ethics: second hand goods, by my estimation are ethically neutral. It is non-consumptive consumption, so to speak. 

3. Sport: it's all about the hunt.

So I am off (alone!). If I find any amazing treasures today I'll share them with you soon.

Vintage Christmas Decorations.

Each year we select and cut a tree as a family, usually in my parent's woods. This year we picked our usual scraggly balsam (my favorite Christmas tree). The branches are sparse and therefore so are the decorations But this year we mixed in a wonderful new addition with our old favorites:

 

Vintage bubble lights. They are bright, colorful, and, well, bubbly.

I have loved bubble lights for as long as I can remember and stumbled upon this set for 50 cents at a rainy day garage sale this fall. It was a fabulous sale with vintage suitcases, linens, typewriters, and holiday decor. Aside from a box of a dozen painted vintage glass ball ornaments (also 50 cents), I picked up the bubble lights. In the original box, they had tagged it with their price and "Do not work." But they do! And magically. They bring just the right sparkle of old-school Christmas to our tree.

Enjoy the little surprises that your holidays bring!