Note to Self:

When buying vintage table linens at the Alameda antiques fair make sure you have the proper table measurements written down. Don’t get all giddy by the deluge and sentiment of vintage fabrics and think maybe it’ll work as a table runner. 

Because it won’t. 

Now that I've actually looked up table sizes, our table that seats 6-8 people is on the longer side of 60 x 84 and the linens I bought was roughly 60 x 72.  I didn't take drapery into account. It covered the table for sure - just like a haircut would frame your lovely face except with pixie bangs.  

This is the longer side. On the other end only an inch and a half hangs over the table. Pixie Bangs!!!

Either way, what a difference it made to our dining area! I didn't realize the intimacy involved in shopping for table linens and how meticulous I would be with a specific vintage look in mind. 

This print from the fifties is fantastic!  Nothing short of vibrance and life. And yes, I intended that pun. 

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One Small Step

One small step. One big milestone. My mother told me that I started walking sometime in my 10th month and because our darling Mandarin still has no teeth at nearly a year old, we figured she would walk first - and she did! Well, not quite walking just yet. A few steps, independent in nature, followed by the sudden clutch of security hand on sleeve or arm or hair as she finds her bearings. 

Loving Lala

And while on the subject of bearings, I’ve managed to find a book of rhymes that tinkers with the heartstrings of my own childhood. Mother Goose and its sometimes subversive and meaningless yet highly memorable collection of limericks and rhyme shaped the rhythm of my childhood. It’s a substantial start for poetry, playful and fun - Mandarin doesn’t understand it yet of course. Still, it doesn't stop me from reading it to her. Even if all she wants is to eat the book, or point at the images in it and say...“Bah!” 

The images that Gyo Fujikawa brought to this book of rhyme took this to an even deeper level of nostalgia.  The illustrations are simple and innocent and in my opinion, exactly what young children should be looking at. But then this is the day and age we live in, and while the world out there is harsh and tough; the pace is fast and unforgiving. I choose to keep it simple with our usual parade of songs and rhyme. And laughter. There should always be the enlightenment of laughter. 

Old School Charm
You know you're a fan at heart. 

Possibly one of my favorite illustrations in the book. It's a small world after all....

As Mandarin takes baby steps forward, I take leaps ahead and nurture thoughts of how to create and maintain a safe and happy home for her; memories that will deeply be rooted in her childhood so that when she does start walking tall in the world, her bearings will be solid and fixed so she can always find home no matter where she is.    

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A Good Day

The simple pleasure of living your life with the intent of being happy is an effort that should be consciously taken everyday - regardless of what you hear from other people. Or how much it may hurt to hear words that may offend you. So here I am. Consciously making an effort; my Mandarin is pure joy to me, just the thought of her could light a dark room. The effort comes in the conscious re-shaping of perspective (which I often forget). I am grateful for the small things that matter.     

And for today: I am grateful for the time I am currently spending with my Mom and my Aunt (both visiting). Also, Mandarin took her first BART ride to the city today...and fell asleep.  A perfectly sunny day in the city and how getting home at a leisurely hour opens up more playtime opportunities. 

We like to stand on our tippy-toes.

(I adore this look on her face. It's almost certainly followed by an uttered syllable of her choosing - oh with that innocent and powerful voice.)

And read. 

Ever since she's learned the sign for more, she's effectively used it to communicate with us instead of frustrated grunts and whiny shrieks. 

We threw out our toys...

just because we can.

And looked at them.

We missed Daddy.

So we gave BIG hugs.

Mommy wanted a family photo.

Dinner: 

Pureed medley of chicken breast with butternut squash and green peas. 

Homemade baby!

What toys?

♥

Grateful.

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