"From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Though gates of pearl stream in the countless host, And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost: Alleluia, Alleluia!" ("For All the Saints," by Anglican Bishop William Walsham How) With Sam's...

"Begin to weave, and God will give you the thread." (German proverb) As you can see, it was a very felty birthday celebration for Sam. My final handmade touch to the birthday celebration is this felt garland or banner--again, another idea I've seen...

"Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possess you." (Andrew Gide) My favorite gift to Sam on his birthday was this birthday crown I made from felt from recycled sweaters. I'd seen these throughout blogland and...

"What do you plan to do with your one, wild precious life?" (Poet Mary Oliver) Today was Sam's 2nd birthday, and we celebrated with a party of 65 people (including 26 kids) at our new house. I went with easy food: hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches,...

"A quiet patience has taken us this far." (Adrienne Rich) Because we didn't have a dining room in our condo, we didn't own a dining room table and chairs. In our new house, the dining room is the literal center of the home--and I wanted it to be the...