Tough Question

My not quite 4-year-old daughter said to me the other day, "Mom, do you like your curly hair?" I replied that of course I did and asked her why she wanted to know. She then recited, "All girls with curly hair want straight hair. All girls with straight hair want curly hair. Girls always want what they can't have."

While I know I heard that when I was little, I also am positive I would never say that to my daughter. As a feminist, I am trying to raise my daughter with gender-equality ideals. When we read books I often change the pronouns so that "he" and "she" can do the same tasks. I try to be a role-model, along with her dad, that men and women have equal talents, abilities, and intelligence. However, when LuLu said, "Girls always want what they can't have," I realized that LuLu's thoughts about gender will not only come from her family. I started thinking about what her friends at school might have said, the gender-roles she sees in the media, and all the other information her growing brain is absorbing that I have no control over. It was a scary thought.

Without pausing for a second, I immediately responded to LuLu, "I am very happy with my curly hair. I am also happy with my job, I am happy with my house, and I am extremely happy with my family. Not all girls want what they can't have. Lots of girls, including me, are happy with what they have."

I think that was a good response to a tough question, but the problem is I am not sure which one of these ideals will stick with her. While I can model gender equality, the outside influences might win over. I want LuLu to be happy with what she has and to work hard to achieve things she wants. I don't want her life to be filled with wishing for the impossible and missing out on the things that matter most. Hopefully, she will realize that she is an incredible little girl with lots of things to be thankful for.

Here's the link to my incredibly talented friend's photography website: http://daniellerileyphotography.com/

Works in Progress

I thought I would share my current Works In Progress (WIPs) with you.

First, I started this massive Crochet Along (CAL) back in the winter. While the CAL is finished, mine is still going. I really liked this CAL because I am horrible at blankets. Even when I keep strict count of all my stitches, my blankets turn out to be triangles instead of squares. So, for a few years all I would crochet was hats. I made hats for everyone!!! When a friend of mine showed me this CAL I was so excited to start because it started as a circle in the round (which I can do) and then turned into a square. The inspiration for the colors is my daughter's room. LuLu's room is painted orange and white, and her bed sheets incorporate the orange and white with an array of fun colors. Once this is finally done, it will be a blanket for her bed. Here is the link to the 2015 CAL. It was an amazing journey that taught me so many new stitches and that I can accomplish anything with dedication!!!
http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/sophies-universe-cal-2015/sophies-universe-cal-2015-information/




My second WIP is growing, literally!!! LuLu and I planted sugar snap peas, cantaloupes, and strawberries. This project came about because LuLu will not eat fruit or vegetables. When trying to entice her to eat anything from these food groups she responds with, "I can't eat that. It will give me diabetes." I have no idea where this idea came from, but when her pediatrician tried to explain the truth to her, LuLu refused to believe her. In addition, I am probably the biggest lover of school you will ever meet!! I love assigned reading, writing papers, doing homework, taking tests, getting grades. I know, crazy, right? But it is all true. When I found Coursera, free, online college classes, I was in HEAVEN!!! I have been taking all kinds of classes (from neurobiology to teaching English as a second classes) all for fun. One of the most thought-provoking classes was all about food production in the US. Well, needless to say, after taking that course I wanted to buy a farm and make all of our food. While that dream is a little too pricey, I thought if LuLu and I tried to grow a few foods this summer it might get LuLu to try eating the dreaded fruit and vegetables if she was a part of the growing process and watched the progress of our first attempt at food production. In addition, small steps are part of the long road to agriculture sustainability.



So, that is what I am currently working on. I will keep you posted on the fruits (both literally and figuratively) of my labor.

About Me

If you would have told a younger incantation of me that my two hobbies would become crafting and camping, I never would have believed you. But, as we get older, our interests, values, and priorities change. In high school and college I spent my weekends (and probably too many weeknights) either roaming NYC or at a concert. Now, my idea of a good time is spending time with my husband and our daughter. We love to camp, hike, explore, and create. In today's world of technology overload, we want to show our daughter our appreciation of nature in the hopes that she will become as active as we are. In addition, I love to crochet and craft; I want to make her things she can appreciate for the rest of her life and create works of art with her. While this might be a change from who I was, I love who I am!

Welcome

So, I decided to start a blog.
I was working on getting things ready for my daughter's 4th birthday party. I was making cute utensil holders, a birthday banner, and ordering fabric to make wings. I realized every year for her birthday party I start with buying the basics (plates, napkins, and cups) and then add my personal, crafty touches. I know that I search the web for ideas, so I thought I would share what I have done to inspire others.
On this blog I will be sharing my crafting projects, rating our camping adventures, and writing about being a mom. I hope you will join me in this journey!!!