Christine Chitnis: January 2011

A Wintry Walk

With the babe bundled up, we headed out into the snowy wonderland for a walk, and returned refreshed and rosy cheeked. When the snow is this deep, we opt for the Baby Bjorn, since no stroller could possible cut through the drifts. We were all exhausted when we got home...hauling our big boy over the river and through the snowy woods is no easy job. Luckily, he was sound asleep by the end of the walk, and transferred nicely into his crib. Me...I jumped online and opted for a cup of coffee...but a nap is sounding pretty nice! Have a great weekend!

Farm Yard Playmat

It's a miracle...I actually finished a craft AND took step-by-step pictures for a tutorial. Wow...I think I just impressed myself! This is a super easy, fun little felt playmat, that is perfect for a birthday present or just something to keep the kids busy in the car.

You will need:
-Several colors of felt
-Embroidery thread and needle
-Sewing machine (optional)
-Ribbon
-Scissors

Step One: With your sewing machine, take a large piece of green felt, and sew on a large blue rectangle that will act as the sky. Leave one side open (this will act as a pocket, in which you can store the little animal pieces)

Step Two: Cut out your various animals, trees and clouds out of felt, and using embroidery thread, embroider their eyes, and other details.

Ta da! Once your little felt animals are done...your project is complete! Now you can move around the pieces, make little scenes, sing little farm songs...the whole bit.

Once you are done playing, the pieces slip into the "sky pocket" for easy storage, and the whole mat rolls up. Secure the roll with a ribbon and you are good to go!

True Love

I'm in love. Head over heels in love.

I waited until my last relationship was over and done with (soles were used and abused, you might say) until I started my new love affair. I am told that this one will last forever, as long as I treat them right.

Friday?

I can't believe the week is already drawing to a close. Where exactly did the time go? Well...I have one guess! The little one is entering an extreme "mommy phase" where he wants to be held, but only by me. Have any of you moms out there experienced this?

I'm so bad...I can't help but indulge him even when I know I shouldn't...and so days just seems to evaporate as we spend time cuddling and cooing. When I am rewarded with a smile...the aching back and growing to-do list just don't seem to matter!

Have a great weekend. Stay warm all you New Englanders...we are up to our ears in snow around these parts!

Chihuly in Grand Rapids

Chihuly at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids

Continuing on with the Michigan love, I thought I would share some of my moms pictures, which she took during a visit this summer to the Frederik Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. Dale Chihuly, the renowned glass artist, put together a stunning exhibit on the grounds of the park, resulting in a world-class art exhibit right here in our state! I mean...would you take a look at this? It looks like a garden in Paris, Hong Kong or New York City! Chihuly at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids

I just love how the glass mimics the landscape of the grounds. It feels a bit like walking through Wonderland, where everything seems the same, and then...boom...electric blue cattails.

One of the most amazing things about this exhibit is trying to wrap your head around how they transported the million glass pieces, and then somehow put them all together...in the middle of a pond, or hanging from the ceiling of the greenhouse. It kind of boggles your mind, doesn't it?

I have a few more Michigan-centered posts that I would love to share with you in the coming weeks...I hope you are enjoying my little home-state bragging tour! Have I convinced you to visit Michigan yet?

By the way...can you give my mom a little love here for her AMAZING pictures? She simply blew me away with these! You too?

Detroit

I came across this Time photo essay entitled Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline today and it stirred something inside of me, something to do with my Michigan pride. Michigan gets a bum rap...I have talked about this before. I have spent the majority of my life as a Michigander, and I get a little defensive when people start in on my home state, especially Detroit. My mom was born and raised in Detroit, back in its hey-day, and she remembers a magnificent, thriving city. Although the Time's photo essay focused on the heartbreaking decay of the city, I believe that there is still a beautiful side to Detroit...one that I was fortunate enough to capture during my trip home over the holidays.

I mean, sure...there are many vacant lots, an extremely high crime rate and some less-than-beautiful scenery. But there are parts of the city that still speak to its majestic heyday, and there are still amazing people who call this city home.

Can you believe this building? The Fox Theater; absolutely gorgeous, and in the smack-dab middle of downtown Detroit. We attended a matinee showing of DreamGirls and it was a packed house. There is still life here...thriving, rowdy life.

After the show, we stopped at Avalon Bakery, which is a cozy, thriving little haven in a somewhat decrepit and abandoned area. The windows were steaming up as freshly baked bread was being pulled from the vast ovens, and there was hardly a free seat in the entire place.

I would love to see a photo essay devoted to these places- places where people still come together over a cup of coffee or catch an afternoon show. There is another side to Detroit, and it is beautiful in its own way.

Snow Day

Oh...and what a snow day it was! Truly a magical kind of day. The kind of day where we only left the house for sustenance and more movies (and to shovel, of course).

Today, the snow is still piled high in billowy drifts on the side of the street and the sidewalks are completely covered in a white carpet. Not exactly stroller-friendly weather. So, into the Baby Bjorn the little man goes, for we have an afternoon adventure awaiting us...apartment hunting for a good friend who is making the move to Providence. We couldn't be more excited!

For a peek at what our snowy day was like here in Providence, check out Erin's video over at Reading my Tea Leaves. Too cool!

The First Playdate

It's a snow day here in Rhode Island, which means my husband is home (hooray!) to help with the little one! We plan on lots of cuddling, hot chocolate and maybe, if we are very brave, a trip outside to see the winter wonderland all around us. We also happen to be in the middle of the final season of Lost on Netflix...the perfect activity while the little one naps.

Luckily, we got out of the house yesterday, while we still could, and drove down to Little Compton for our very first playdate. We have had other "walking" and "coffee" dates where the babies stay in their stroller and sleep, but no real playdates (which truth be told, are definitely more for the mom's benefit!).

Felix, the little blond cutie here, is almost eight months old in comparison to Vijay's three months. Given his advanced age (!), Felix was very curious about the little baby, and when we tried to get the two together for pictures, he was thrilled, while Vijay just looked confused. Felix proudly held the baby, gave him a few pats and kept on smiling like a true champ, while poor little Vijay dissolved into tears. I think these are just about the funniest pictures...proof that I am 100% immersed in mommy-world over here- but I know you will indulge me all the same! Happy snow day!