Off he goes

Henry and I are in Florida enjoying the sun (and sweltering, miserable heat) while Jason is stuck in Tennessee working.  I know, it isn't really fair.  In addition to stealing his baby and running off to Florida to play in the water and visit my family, Henry has started walking.  Yes, I left the state with the baby for a vacation and he started walking.  I feel a bit like a jerk.  Jason is missing out a big milestone.  I think it might be a while before Henry and I consider taking a little jaunt without daddy.  Since, I left Jason to work and tackle home improvement projects while I float in the pool I figured the least I could do is post a video of little Henry walking.  He starts by showing off his funny crawl and then he is up and off to explore.  I have a feeling that it is only going to take him a day or two more to master the art of running.


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It still blows my mind to see him walking.  I remember looking at him when he was so tiny, like in this video, and trying to imagine him walking.  It was almost impossible to visualize.  Now, a year later, I am having the opposite problem.  Was he really that small?  Did I really get that excited when he yawned?  Everyone always told me "babies grow up so fast." While I knew statement to be fact the magnitude of it didn't resonate until he started walking.  Walking.  Wasn't he just learning to roll over yesterday?  I find myself squeezing him even more than normal.  I am trying to savory the last few moments I have with him as a baby.  I love that he is growing up and I am not one of those parents who bemoans that fact that baby's grow up but that doesn't mean I won't miss sweet baby cuddles.  Although, I have to admit I am looking foward to all the fun we can have once we gets walking down.

Since this is one of those obnoxious post in which and ramble about how cute my baby is, I am just going to go all out with the gratuitous gloating and post this video too. This is Henry and Tessa chatting it up.  


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Once again, Jason I  love you and I am so sorry for taking your sweet baby away.  We are off to enjoy Florida and hope that we get another lovely sunset like this to look at.

Wish you were here.

Where are my keys?

This is a phrase that is uttered in the Barks household approximately 12 times a day.  We, both Jason and I, are constantly loosing our keys.  In all of our apartments we had a key holder next to the door.  We've always meant to hang a key rack in our house but we couldn't find anything we liked and  . . well . . . we just never got around to it.  Fast forward and after 3 years of living in our home, we still have not found a key hook.  Thus, every morning at least one of us is running through house searching for our keys.  A few weeks ago Jason mentioned it would be nice to have a chalk board to write messages on and then just like that we had an epiphany.  We could make a chalk board and that was a key holder. Brilliant.

We decided to use this frame.  I picked it up at a thrift store a few years back and had it hanging in my kitchen. I thought it had a kitsch quality to it.  While it was fun, it is the kind of piece that one grows tired of very quickly so it was time to make it over.

Now, this is where I want to share a little advice.  Jason and I went around and around about what to use as the chalk board.  I wanted to use the thin plywood back of the frame and Jason wanted to cut a thicker piece of plywood from some scrap wood we had in the shop.  Okay, I have to admit that I wanted to use the wood backing to the frame because it was easier.  I like things easy. I know very little about the in and outs of painting and carpentry and Jason knows all about both things.  So, needless to say, he won the argument and he cut a piece of thick plywood to use to fill the frame.  But guess what, he was wrong.  It didn't work!  Yes, I am gloating a little.  I never get to gloat in this area because, 95% of the time, Jason is right.  Apparently the water in the latex paint (did you know latex paint is water based, because I didn't) caused the board to bow a little. And, since it was so stinking thick, we could bend it back flat.  See, here are the differences in the boards?

See how thick the plywood is?  Because of this little mishap, the project that was supposed to be done in a day turned into the project that took a week.  Jason didn't think the frame back would work.  So, he didn't try it.  And there is sat, leaning against the corner of the wall in our dining room.  Until finally, I decided to give it a try and  . . . . . .

It worked.  Woo Whoo! We have a place for our keys.  Of course, we have to start remembering to hang our keys on the hooks.  We are beginning to get the hang of it.  The hooks are just little coffee cup hooks that I screwed in by hand.  So far they seem plenty sturdy.  This was a great project because it was really simple and didn't require the use of any power tools.

I had originally decided to use the chalk board to write down the weeks activities because we have both been terrible about forgetting to check the calendar and double booking ourselves.  But, the chalk board didn't really have enough space. Then, spontaneously, I decided to paint this big, awkward cabinet we had in the kitchen with all of my left over chalk board paint.  This way I could write down things to pick up at the store, our weekly activities and Henry would have a place to draw when he gets a little bit bigger.

The cabinet provides some totally awesome, much need storage in my kitchen but it was an eyesore (here is a photo of the kitchen without the cabinet circa 2008).  I knew I wanted to do something fun with it but I couldn't make up my mind.  The cabinet doors have been primed and begging for paint for 6 months.  I am glad I finally filled the space. I have now promised to put away the chalk board paint for a while. Maybe.

In case you were wondering, we have decided to use the key holder chalk board as a place for the word of the week.  Jason and I both love vocabulary words.  We are probably the only couple who argues over proper word usage and pronunciation.  We never argue about spelling because I am the world's worst speller.  Seriously. Oh wait, you don't need convincing you read my blog.  Anyway, we thought this would be a fun way to use to new words.  When we both worked 40 hour a week desk jobs we used to get Websters word of the day.  It was always a race to see who could use the word first in a conversation with each other.  Jason usually won. Yes, that's right, Jason won. You have no idea how much that hurts me to write that. And, while I am being self deprecating I will go ahead an admit that Jason is usually right about word pronunciation and usage. But, hey at least I was right about the plywood. 

Anyway, I am off to talk myself out painting an entire wall with chalk board paint so I can replicate this. Anthrologie, you always make me swoon.

Too Much

This kids is just too much.

I can't get enough of him.  Which is good because there is plenty to go around.  He is nonstop motion and I hear it is only going to get worse.  I love this age.  Any day now he is going to figure out he can walk.  When he does, whoa to us!  We are starting that transistion from havings a baby to having a kid.  A kids that walks and talks.  A kid that has a personality and opinions.  A kid that says the dog's name more than Momma. Watching him grow and change is one of the most amazing things ever.  I know I am not the first person to be struck by the amazing speed that a child develops.  Watching him experience things for the first time is like seeing the world all over again.

Speaking of the world . . . . Henry has started collecting shirts from cool people who have visited and live in cool places. Here are a few pictures of the shirts he has so far.  If you would like to add to his collection please email me at jaime {at} barksblog [dot] com.  We'd love for you to play along.

Summer Reading

I haven't written in a while about books, and I don't know why because I have read quite a few of late.

Top Three Recommendations:

Yes, it is a wildly popualr best seller that has already been contracted to be made into a movie.  And yes, I am probaly not the first person who has told you about this book.  But, I have to recomend it because it is really worth the hype.  Seriously, this book was amazing.  I loved it.  More than anything I walked away from this book with an understanding of just how much our culuture has changed in regard to race.  I know we still have light years to go but we have came a long way.  I kept reading this book thinking, wow this was only 50 years ago.   It also made me a bit embrassed to say I was a sothern.  The good thing is, as far as I know, my family was so poor they would have never been able to afford a domestic worker.




This is one of my book club selections of the year.  I fell in love with the story.  It was delightfully dark and witty.  The story unravels in away that you can't help but get wrapped up in it.  You can pick the book up pretty cheap from Amazon.  It is a little hard to find in book stores.  I might even consider putting it in my top 20 all time favorite titles.  Harris writes chatacters that you love and hate.  She cuases you to think about good in bad in a way that isn't totally black and white.  Oh, and the food.  This book is full of wonderful food.  As someone who loves food, I always enjoy when an author weaves food into a story. Food is such a wonderful window into a character.






This is a total guilty pleasure read. I would have never picked it up if it hadn't been recommended by someone who's opinion I value.  This is escapist fiction at it's best.  There is love, sex, violence, time travel, witches, political upheaval and men in kilts. What more could ask for in an indulgent summer read?  This books premise is so bizarre that I almost can't even say it with a straight face. It  is about an english women who travels back to 18th century Scotland.  As I was reading it I kept thinking, why is this book so engaging?  And, I don't know if I really ever came up with an answer.  Something about the story is so compelling that I couldn't put it down.  I found myself totally wrapped up in the suspense and romance (and I hate romance novels).  If you are looking for something to read as you lounge by the pool, I don't think you could find a more perfect read.  Just remember, this book is a treat.  It is like choosing a Twinkie over a meticulously handmade pastry.  Although there isn't as much to it, sometimes you just want a little junk food.  Balance, even in your literary choices, is good.


Other books I have recently read that might be worth your time:

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home - I am not big on memoirs but this book was really good.  I love how the author doesn't align herself with her conservative upbringing but still repects the community she came from.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Yes, you should read this.  There is a reason everyone is the country is reading it.  This is another great summer read.

SuperFreakonomics Intl: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance - Any book that allows you to start a conversation with the phrase "so I read this book that details the economics of prostitution" should be on your must read list.  You will never be at a loss for small talk.

Water For Elephants - A Novel - A cute story about circus performers and freaks.  Who doesn't love a freak?

Any book titles you would like to suggest?  I always looking for something to add to my reading list.  I have even been trying to branch out and read more nonfiction.

PS.  Seriously, this heat wave is miserable.  I  used to love summer but as I get older I find myself hating it.  Of course, in the dead of winter I will be dreaming about summer.  A positive of summer . . .ice cream.  We have been making and eating a lot of it.  We got Henry to take his first unassisted steps tonight by taunting him with homemade peanut butter ice cream.  What?  All we know is dog training.  Apparently dogs and babies both do tricks for treats.

Cambodian Awesomeness

When you get married and have a kid your opportunities for adventure are limited.  Well, there is adventure but it is along the lines of explosive poop and book shelf climbing.  Jason and I don't really get a lot of chances to travel. Don't get me wrong, we love little Henry to pieces and wouldn't trade him for three months in Europe. Now, 4 months, maybe. Anyway, the point of all this rambling is to say that it is important for us to have people we can live vicariously through.  People like our friend Jenn.  She gets to traipse all over the world.  She then comes home and brings us gifts and tells us about all of her adventures. In the last year she has been to Ethiopia, The Netherlands and Cambodia (and probably somewhere else I am forgetting).  Like I said, she always brings us cool gifts but on this last trip to Cambodia she brought us the coolest stuff ever.  So cool, I had to share.

She got this sweet little apron for me.  It is made by Cambodian Women though an NGO that uses sewing as a way of training and empowering women, you can check out their website here.  It is cute and the proceeds go a neat cause. The photo is a little blurry, sorry.

This is also extremely practical.  I wear aprons all the time.  I know it is totally June Cleaver to rock an apron.  Since I have been staying at home more, I have made a point to get dress each day.  I realize this sounds comical but it is really easy to spend the entire day in your pajamas when  you have no where to go.  It occurred to me that if I didn't start getting dressed, Henry's memory of me was going to be in sweat pants.  Also, getting dressed makes me feel better about myself and life in general.  This is where the apron comes into play.  Once I've gotten dressed the last thing I want to do is get dirty cooking and cleaning. And so, wearing an apron has became part of my daily routine.  I don't greet Jason at the door in high heels and pearls when he gets off from work.  We aren't living in a total time warp.


Then she got Henry this adorable elephant tunic. Which he is wearing in the above picture.



And lastly, she got me this totally awesome wallet made from recycled rice bags.  She knows I have been trying to lower my environmental impact and she thought this would be right up my alley. She was right. I love it and I needed a new wallet.  Oh, and did I mention how cool it looks?



My favorite part in the little tag on the inside. They didn't quite get the translation right, which makes it even more amazing.



And, in close, I would like to say that it is important to have friends who travel.  Not just for awesome loot but because it makes you look cool.  I love saying things like "Oh my friend picked this up while she was Cambodia."  It makes me look like my friends are well traveled and sophisticated. Which, they are.  It also helps me to remember that there is a great big world out there.  When you are in the middle of dealing the mounds of dirty diapers and stinky dogs it nice to remember that there is life beyond your daily routine.

Dyeing and Shirring

If you are like me, the first time I saw the word shirring I thought "what the crap is that?" A quick google search revealed the shirring was this:

I was like "Oh . . that is what is it called."  And guess what, it is really easy to do.  That picture above, I did that.  I realize you are now looking at it again and seeing all the imperfections.  I couldn't believe how easy it.  You just load some elastic thread into your bobbin and sew away.  I used this tutorial to make this dress (and here is a good tutorial on shirring).

Ann refused to sit still for this picture. I love this dress!  Simple and comfortable.  I am in love with shirring.  It is so easy, although it is a little time consuming to sew all those lines.

I sewed around 25 lines. It took me a while but that had a lot to do with the fact that I had to stop to tend to Henry every other line.  Babies making sewing a wee bit more difficult.

But wait, there is more . . . .I didn't just sew the dress . . . .I freakin dyed the fabric!!  That's right I dyed with Turmeric. Who knew, it is tasty and packs a colorful punch.

You may ask, what in the world made you to dye fabric.  It really was necessity. I wanted to sew a dress and all I had was a white sheet.  I started poking around on the Internet and discovered that there all sorts of ways you can naturally dye fabric.  I had turmeric and thought a yellow dress would be quite summery.  After skimming several different tutorials this is the way I dyed my fabric.  I heated 2 quarts of water and then thoroughly dissolved two tablespoons of turmeric.  I them poured the turmeric and water into my sink and add my fabric.  I bunched the material up so it was have a kind of tie dyed uneven coloration.

Then you wait.  See, here is Ann perfecting the art of waiting.  If I had wanted her to lay perfectly still she would have never done it.

Once the fabric is a color you like, mine sat about 45 minutes. Drain the water and rinse fabric in vinegar and salt to set the color. Once the fabric is rinsed let the fabric air dry. Every site I looked at said this was important, it helps the color set.

I think I need a clothes line. Once the fabric is done, the possibilities are limitless. I love my dress. Henry loves it too.

He has been following me around tugging on it all day. See those toes in the corner of the room? Those are my dear friend's feet (Hi Tina). She was kind enough to take my picture. You can also catch a glimpse of doggie number two.  I still can't believe that I, someone who didn't care much for babies or dogs, was two pups and a kid. Crazy! I keep joking that we are going to have to have another kid or Henry is going to grow up thinking he is a dog since they out number him.

I think I must go enjoy the summer in my sundress. I feel like I need to drink some lemonade in my yellow dress.