I was in an agony of impatience all weekend - the library called Friday evening to say my copy of The Gentle Art of Domesticity was finally in and processed and ready to be picked up. (Please forgive the lack of links - Typepad has very rudely changed everything on me, without asking my permission, and I will have to take some time to figure out how to add links.) However, they were closed because it was a holiday long weekend here in Canada, and I had to wait! That's just mean.
This morning, off we went to pick it up, as well as a book called Cheesemaking Made Easy, by Ricki Carroll (after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver, I've become obsessed with the idea of making cheese. It's probably just a nesting thing, but we'll see.) I hadn't really thought of baking at home as an art, more of a necessity for all the hungry little mouths in my house, and a craving dampener for the large pregnant woman. I like the idea, though, of gentle arts. It brings to mind a sense of peace and pleasure in the process of all the things that we used to do because we had to, and now do because we choose to. Like baking brownies for an after-school treat, with the help of a Very. Busy. Two-Year-Old. And like knitting socks.
I finished the first ankle sock during our afternoon quiet time, and have cast on for sock #2. I know that this should be fairly obvious, but I was overcome with delight today by the realization that ankle socks knit up super fast, since they're half the size of a regular sock. Plus, I can get two pairs of socks out of one 100g ball of yarn! Thrilling stuff, I tell you. Or else, I need to get out more.
what a cutie pie! that is an awesome picture.
cheese making? hhhmmm let me know how you like the book- might be fun!
Posted by: Colleen | May 20, 2008 at 05:45 PM
The Gentle Arts are the ones that have the biggest impact on both memory and soul, I think. I remember the best times in our house were the times when we got to "help" Mom make stuff and lick the beaters/spoon/rubber scraper. The smell of baking bread never fails to make me smile and chopped onions always make me hungry for dinner.
Your pregnant belly is beautiful!
Posted by: Dorothy | May 20, 2008 at 05:49 PM
That's the sweetest pic of her!
Posted by: tiennie | May 20, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Cheese making.... now I'm intrigued! You will follow up with pictures, won't you? And it had not occured to me to look for the Gentle Art of Domesticity at the library... I doubt it's in our little Whistler branch, but an interlibrary loan might do it.
Posted by: Ruth | May 20, 2008 at 08:02 PM
That little chocolaty happy face got me giggling, how precious is that.
The Gentle Arts, it sounds like a lovely book. I'm all for doing more by hand... now if only the rest of the world would just slow down a bit...
Posted by: marianne | May 20, 2008 at 08:33 PM
We are on such a parallel course (without the bun in the oven!!). My copy of Gentle Art just arrived via Amazon UK (not available in the U.S. and I forgot to look for it in London in March) because I could wait no longer. Please let me know what you think of it - there is a little pile ahead of it on my nightstand, so I need to hurry up. With all you have pending - maybe organizing a read-along would be in order?!
As for the cheese - I read Barbara Kingsolver's book last summer and LOVED the cheese idea, too. We bought the mozz kit and tried once last year. It was an initial failure that I managed to rescue and I never got brave enough to try it again. Again - let me know how your attempts go. I think once the basil is bigger, I may break down and give it another go.
And ankle socks - oh, my! It should be obvious, I agee, but I was equally blown away by how f-a-s-t they knit up. Great fun, isn't it?
How fun to have a Canadian twin!
Posted by: Anne Margaret | May 21, 2008 at 04:09 AM
Cheesemaking! I can't wait to hear how it went, that just sounds like so much fun and with your experienced helper, it should be easy-peasy.
Ankle socks are shorter but not by that much! But it's good to have a feeling of accomplishment.
Posted by: Carrie K | May 21, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Yep, knitting a sock is about the size of the excitement around these parts too. What a cute picture!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 21, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Looks like those brownies were appreciated.
Love that book :o)
Posted by: Sarah | May 21, 2008 at 05:21 PM
My grandma taught me to make cheese and it's yummy! If you want, I can give you the receipe.
That is the cutest face ever!
Posted by: Hasbu | May 22, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Adorable!
That is thrilling stuff. :-)
And the Gentle Arts are brilliant ways to slow down and enjoy some process - of course in the case of brownies and ankle socks, product is also enjoyable.
Posted by: Miss Scarlett | May 22, 2008 at 05:58 AM
Just the title of that book makes me want to find it; the gentle arts are the ones worthy of preserving.
Thank you for the sympathy; that was probably the most traumatic knitting disaster I've ever had, especially since I had been looking forward to making these kilt hose for over a year *sigh*
I'm now searching for an alternative, non-staining yarn :-P that doesn't cost too much- I need more that 1100 yards- Oy!
Posted by: meg | May 22, 2008 at 02:42 PM
You have the cutest little helper!
Posted by: Julie | May 23, 2008 at 03:36 AM
Oh my goodness...I'm reading the same books as you are! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, too. Love the chocolately face picture!!
Posted by: Gina aka Sleepy Eyes | May 23, 2008 at 09:13 AM
I might have to look up that book! Your daughter is the cutest little girl with that chocolate face. And typepad hasn't "upgraded" me yet, they are apparently doing it in stages. I can hardly wait.
Posted by: Lorette | May 23, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Look at that cute little face! :)
Posted by: Sheri | May 27, 2008 at 04:10 PM