tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23217130461707649902012-01-24T13:12:38.687-05:00My little blog about me, my family, and the handmade 'zakka' I make for my little Etsy shop...mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-14059179361934211442012-01-24T13:09:00.001-05:002012-01-24T13:12:38.695-05:00

Baby was a fitful sleeper last night...she's usually my buddy, my little warm bean and we sleep so nicely together...but last night I needed to be up and about - trying to finish up a special birthday T-shirt  and breakfast muffins and hang the birthday banners for my 6 yr old Birthday boy (!) and I needed Baby to sleep in her basinet - which she did, but fitfully.  Was she missing me? No.  Turns

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-14740536327678213622011-12-29T14:48:00.001-05:002011-12-29T14:51:48.535-05:00

So, I had another baby.  Yup, I made a real baby, not another doll, though she is a doll!  That makes 6. (So far.)  I'm amazed.  Here she is sleeping. On her stomach.  (Oh my goodness.) Do I need to explain here why I put her on her stomach? You want to hear my reasons and rationale? Well,  aside from the fact that over the last century doctors kept changing their mind about whether stomach, side

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-28141750748857080962010-11-29T17:43:00.005-05:002010-11-29T17:56:22.640-05:00

Dolls dolls dolls dolls dolls I've got doll's on my mind and all over my table in my studio and slowly but surely dolls are finally showing up in my Etsy shop - hip hip hooray!!!!!! Here are some sneaky peeks: I'd show you my studio but it's a mess - which really, is kind of a good thing! :D

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-44437299477964974482010-11-03T16:57:00.190-04:002011-01-20T15:28:47.027-05:00

Hello.  My name is Autumn Sousanis.  I am a proud mama of 5 little kids.  I also have a secret. Until VERY recently, I used to be quite heavy. About 200 lbs. After the birth of my 5th baby I was heavier than ever and nothing I tried, not diet, not exercise, was working to bring my weight down.  And then, amazingly, I found an online 'fat cure' that promised to release my stored fat and - it DID!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-34377555633979685262010-04-01T13:53:00.008-04:002010-12-06T16:57:52.877-05:00

Matryoshka Dolls...Babushka Dolls...Dolls without arms or legs...Weird, right? But no, we accept this form of doll almost without question. And a doll inside a doll inside a doll? Neat idea! From Russia, right? A long time ago?  Well, not exactly... The very first 'Russian nesting dolls' as we think of them date back to just 1890.  And, although we tend to think of them as Russian, they owe 

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-19315130474149161872010-03-29T02:41:00.001-04:002010-03-29T09:57:54.528-04:00

Hello! I do hope you can swing by my little Etsy shop today! :) T O D A Y at 12:00 Noon (eastern standard time) There will be 1 set of hollow-bodied wooden Matryoskas (pictured above). 1 set of hand-sculpted Mini Matryoshkas (this time with a Grandmother figure) 2 Matryoshka-inspired pencil holders, 2 solid wood Kokeshi-inspired dolls, 3 Mother and child pendants, and other goodies. 

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-5546000979351116892010-03-27T21:12:00.000-04:002010-03-27T21:12:55.129-04:00

Oh the drilling and the sanding and the sanding and the drilling and the gluing and the painting of it all...(Having some fun getting ready for my 'big' update!) this one's a pendant...

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-67728886238032200432010-03-26T19:47:00.001-04:002010-03-26T19:54:10.540-04:00

~ all tucked in ~ a little walnut shell cradle... for my Etsy shop update on Monday!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-73430635122825187762010-03-25T21:18:00.002-04:002010-03-25T21:48:43.189-04:00

like little flowers...See, they're a garden! And here's a Mama to watch over your pencils and pens...Only a few more days now till my shop's update! :)

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-14182927705080452522010-03-23T20:11:00.000-04:002010-03-23T20:11:19.459-04:00

Oh, the painting and the making, the making and the painting...so so fun!  Just 6 more days till my big shop update! :)

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-65230339404549629732010-03-20T19:37:00.003-04:002010-03-20T19:42:46.045-04:00

Wow.  Apparently I'm not the only one all a'dither with lots to say on this subject!  This should be good!  Mothering Magazine is my favorite, favorite Mom magazine.  I have a 'real' subscription AND a digital one, so I can access archives without having to buy up all the available back issues...seriously, those magazines you get for free at the OBGYN?  Leave them.  My only complaint with

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-74446666242953955912010-03-18T18:00:00.004-04:002010-03-18T18:42:42.071-04:00

...your shelves have been so bare lately.  Never mind, just know I have BIG plans for you, with a Spring Update planned for March 29th!!!  There will be lots of dolls and goodies like this that are finally nearing completion, now that the turmoil surrounding adding our new baby is subsiding... so, be comforted, my lil' shop! And get ready for Moday, March 29th 2010mamazakka.etsy.com I'll be

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-65176792537614766182010-03-13T08:35:00.029-05:002010-03-29T21:21:46.316-04:00

My heart aches for the parents of baby Derrick Fowler, who obviously thought that their 1 week old would be safe and sound as they carried him in his sling. And, they are not alone. There have been other baby deaths involving sling-type carriers. Which I find shocking, but not unimaginable... just horrible. "On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-42223638398087064622010-03-08T09:31:00.006-05:002010-03-08T10:01:26.339-05:00

"Morning, Grandma!" "Good Morning!"I have been having some fun with my fabric piles...and made these nice quilted bed-pockets for my kid's dollhouse... the Plan Toys furniture fits it soooo nicely in style and size (but I hate their fabrics! yuck!) And remember these dolls? I love the modern lines of this doll house, and the wood floor...My kids (and I) really have a nice collection of

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-42573948485231918052010-03-07T09:54:00.005-05:002010-03-07T10:25:25.398-05:00

Would it be accurate to say I am obsessed with dolls? I do admire dolls, have dolls about, make dolls, make things for dolls, and obsess over buying dolls, and wonder how many dolls are too many dolls...and wonder why anyone (including me) would like dolls, and wonder why anyone wouldn't...Well, here's a cute lil' horror film, beautifully done, that kinda touches on why some people may not like

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-80430643737062394202010-03-03T12:58:00.004-05:002010-03-03T13:14:19.754-05:00

Don't you love her? I do. Her name is Ddung. She is such a little rascal. Apparently, she is very popular in Korea, but I only just discovered her. You can watch her videos here. You can buy her here. But you can't buy her in her classic 'outfit' of polka-dotted bloomers, no, you'll have to make her the ubiquitous ruffled panties if you want them. Or I could make them for you...someday...(when?!)

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-33495092371974298862010-03-02T09:00:00.001-05:002010-03-02T09:03:12.559-05:00

My cloudy-headed doll so far...

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-81950268945324833742010-02-17T16:39:00.003-05:002010-02-17T16:52:49.876-05:00

Want a sneak peek? Here you go. My working title: Cloudy Mama.

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-70747400284508534692010-02-17T14:27:00.005-05:002010-02-17T16:39:46.720-05:00

The little surprise bed to send her off in...Waiting... Hanging out in the chalet... Made for my Etsy shop...she measures just 2 inches tall...(just sold!) She is my first doll strung with elastic, I think inspired by my research into Japanese ball jointed dolls...I like it, gives her a nice ability to hold a pose.

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-44958501123722784962010-02-11T20:09:00.004-05:002010-02-11T20:21:44.405-05:00

Wow. I mean really. How cool is this? (pretty darn cool!)Find them here.

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-64445004634921507112010-01-18T10:51:00.008-05:002010-01-18T11:47:04.896-05:00

We do! Yes, this is officially a 'Smurf House'. But I'm not a big Smurf fan. These little handmade felt dollies are just the perfect size for this house (and much cuter, in my opinion, sorry Smurf lovers!).My (5yr old) daughter and I made the little 'mushroomy' tables and chairs with wooden spools and she even designed the rug on the inside, which I then sewed out of felt. It needed a rug,

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-37409016594223060332010-01-11T09:02:00.014-05:002010-02-06T11:46:25.391-05:00

Our sweet little baby, Lucy Elizabeth Anne...my 5th baby, my first born naturally, a modified Lotus birth, with no epidural, no pitocin, no episiotomy, no interference...a wonderful labor (read that to mean hard, hard work with a great result)![My birth story follows, but be warned that it mentions bottoms and peeing. Not excessively graphic, just a nice birth story.]Lucy was born at Providence

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-84728992759773739372009-11-13T09:18:00.015-05:002010-01-11T09:02:31.204-05:00

On our Halloween mantel, in a Nightmare before Christmas theme...'jack-o-lantern' eggs, saved from the year when I had enough time and energy to craft a Martha Stewart featured item...when would that have been...2003? (My 3 oldest kids as Lock Shock and Barrel from the Nightmare Before Christmas.)Back then, I probably would have made their costumes 'from scratch'. These days, a purple dress and 2

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-55682855214509739852009-05-28T18:37:00.004-04:002009-05-28T20:00:23.752-04:00

This color combination is giving me such joy...I was so tempted to add in more colors and now, am so glad I held on to my original plan...Happy Spring!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-10183320829581209402009-05-06T03:42:00.008-04:002009-05-06T10:42:37.672-04:00

Today, when a big box arrived from one of my favorite online shops, Reallygreattoys.com, I decided not to wait, but declare it a holiday and hand out some fun new things! The kids went crazy and played beautifully together from lunchtime until bedtime and even put everything neatly on the coffee table for Daddy to see when he got home after bedtime from his board meeting...it was well worth his

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-7773369869806765492009-04-29T14:41:00.005-04:002009-05-04T15:23:10.983-04:00

PJ Sparkles Mini Playset Pj's Magical Lights Bedroom review***0 Stars*** NO STARS***Ok, I mean I hate. PJ Sparkles. I hate you. What a waste of money/space/plastic/earth's resources/pollution...argh. This was a birthday present to my daughter from a classmate. My daughter says she 'loves' it. But she doesn't play with it. It sits, in all its pink and purple plastic-y large awkward footprint

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-7072021408702184132009-04-27T17:21:00.008-04:002009-04-29T14:03:00.853-04:00

I don't want to get too Montessori/Waldorf -i-ish on y'all, so I'm going to include some of our all-time favorite plastic toys in these reviews of mine.I'm hoping these reviews help other families to have less 'quantity' and more 'quality' toys.. I am in the process of weeding out our toy bins...which can be a challenge, considering that we have both boys and girls as well as baby, 'little kid'

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-70020014780122024812009-04-21T17:37:00.009-04:002009-04-29T12:18:14.173-04:00

Grimm's Spiel & Holz Wooden Rainbow ****4 stars****Ok, so we just got this in the medium size (best price $28.95 at threesisterstoys.com) and I have to say I am loving this toy almost as much as the kids are.But. BUT.When it arrived (just before Easter, an Easter basket present for the 14 month old) it was SOOOO rough, I could NOT believe it. The inside curve of each rainbow was nearly

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-12380338420167681622009-04-20T13:11:00.007-04:002009-04-29T12:18:47.914-04:00

I have a not-so-secret passion for toys...love 'em! We have too many, like many over-indulgent American households do, though my goal is, as always, to only have beautiful, interesting and 'smart' toys...and occasionally do weed out the toys I have grown to 'hate'(...more about those later).I actually have a quote pasted above my desk that reads: "The most effective kind of education is that a

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-45226045104928629902009-04-15T10:47:00.011-04:002009-04-16T09:26:26.267-04:00

I'm feeling...Opinionated. Polemical.I want to talk about breastfeeding. And about pumping. And about formula.I want to talk about Hanna Rosin's article 'The Case Against Breastfeeding' (The Atlanic April 2009) and about Peggy O'Mara's response 'Case Closed: Breast is Best' (Mothering Magazine May/June 2009).It is my belief that breast pumps are BAD. They represent Big Business and create BIG

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-67170569872015758072009-04-13T14:43:00.015-04:002009-04-13T17:06:54.042-04:00

The kid's tableStrawberry Rhubarb pie! (The hunt is about to begin!) (following the trail, gathering eggs) (discovering the kid's table)Ok, so...here's what happened. Stayed up nearly all night, despite trying hard to get everything started earlier in the week, but you know, wanted the kids to be surprised...really surprised...and so had to get them all in bed before I could make the breads...or

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-66233230921902084532009-04-09T08:29:00.008-04:002009-04-10T08:04:53.672-04:00

For some reason, this year I really want to re-create an Easter memory of mine...I think I was about 6...maybe it's because my oldest is 6 now? Hmmmm... probably.Well, I am on pins and needles to pull it off, as it involves sweet (challah?) egg bread in little bunny shapes at each place setting, each holding a colored egg...which alone means staying up all night...and though I sometimes do, and

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-45657783731762630242009-03-26T07:54:00.015-04:002009-03-26T11:37:42.806-04:00

I have been having a rough, oh, month or so...I've been sick, my Etsy shop is down, my camera is broken...but soon, soon I will be back in full force! Really!In the meantime, here is a video clip that I really enjoyed and hope you will too (gives me chills for some reason...the good kind of chills). My sister Soleilgirl sent me the link. She's smart like that. I made a Wild Thing and a Max

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-60596731452483259852009-02-26T12:03:00.004-05:002009-02-26T14:01:31.936-05:00

For Olivia's first birthday, even though I was pretty darn sick, I still managed to make her a cake (yay hooray!) and for some reason, a cheesecake seemed just the thing...but all that dairy? Especially for a baby who's never even had a little bit? (ok, maybe she's snuck a sip or two from her siblings sippy cups, but still...So, a tofutti vegan cheesecake it was! I found a great recipe in this

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-3090264273695855222009-02-26T09:35:00.007-05:002009-02-26T14:31:30.678-05:00

Here's a recipe for Vegan Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies that I worked up from a favorite recipe. It's pretty awesome! Makes about 22-24 cookies3/4 cup Organic Whole Grain Pastry Flour1 cup old fashioned oatmeal1/2 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread (original flavor)1/2 cup Trader Joe's Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter3/4 cup Natural Turbinado

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-71050138685920750422009-01-28T16:18:00.002-05:002009-01-28T16:30:23.117-05:00

So, thank you Hilary Lang! After much scrutinizing of this post, I got my boy drawing some Rah Rah Monsters of his own!And look, tuckered him right out!Awwwww...

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-35841635289018504132009-01-27T12:55:00.009-05:002009-01-27T13:43:17.462-05:00

Baby Teething Toy tethers! I made a bunch for the shop and wow, they really feel great...I just want to 'play' in my bead collection (of vintage lucite beads)...running my fingers through all the lovelies for, like, ever... I am so in love with vintage lucite! I mean, wow...I have really gone a bit mad amassing my stash - um, I mean collection... I used to love semi-precious beads...really love

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-51821411876408596112009-01-22T13:54:00.005-05:002009-01-22T14:19:59.383-05:00

I am so in love with the pouch I made for the set of blocks...it just came together so nicely...as if I had it all planned! Ha!It is so interesting to me, how the paint colors (pallette) as well as the images I chose for the blocks (last November) seem so compatable in color and style with this fabric from Anna Maria Horner (from her newest 09 collection in a random bag of scraps that just

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-29853341280565775662009-01-21T13:50:00.007-05:002009-01-21T20:45:53.984-05:00

Teething on markers? Not a great idea, even if they are non-toxic and washable...cute, though. My littlest artist...Happy Birthday Olivia! Whatever keeps you happy,... (while I'm taking your picture, anyway)...Hilarious outfit...a onesie(thanks Uncle Nick and Leah!) and Babylegs and Robeez...we were on our way to getting dressed, but I needed coffee first...And for the 11th birthday cake, Banana

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-43172213347979779012009-01-20T02:47:00.005-05:002009-01-20T03:02:28.354-05:00

Happy Inauguration Day, America!I was listening to The Inauguration Show here on This American Life...(it's a good one).And I just filled to the brim with cautious optimism! (dare I call it hope?)Yay, us! Yay, President Obama! Good luck!!!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-69528583671155029272009-01-18T12:21:00.005-05:002009-01-18T13:21:19.593-05:00

Birds...snow...(still keeping them in feed! Yay me!)I am rewarded with visits from Mr. Big Red Cardinal and his wife...I'll try to get a pic of her soon, she comes by a lot lately...News? We were without water for almost 3 days! John just finished replacing our leaking/dripping/nearly running faucet in the kitchen. So there was no more leak at all! It was a beautiful thing! We bought a new

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-16673793726416979032009-01-17T00:56:00.006-05:002009-01-17T01:28:31.290-05:00

Ok, here is a sneak peek of my latest doll...(s)I really like the idea of having some Grandparents around...even ones who don't really resemble my own Grandparents...even if they just sit nicely on a shelf, watching over us... I think this gent might have a bit of a brogue...he looks a bit of the 'British Isles', don't 'cha tink?and here's a real sneak-peek at his sweetie...she's not dressed yet,

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-72212422061274962212009-01-14T15:38:00.004-05:002009-01-14T16:01:45.205-05:00

Oh, I just had to figure out how to share this! Enjoy! Written by wunderkind Neil Gaiman, produced with marvelous art and artists and in association with some of the magicians and the director from 'Nightmare Before Christmas'...this film opens in 19 days.We just may have to get a babysitter and go to this one!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-13949291040922713922009-01-13T12:22:00.003-05:002009-01-13T13:22:44.432-05:00

So, it is waaaaaaaaaaaay too big for our little house...but it does fold flat and (almost) hides behind the couch when it's time to play with other things, or, say, I want my living room back...The kids have drawn on it and colored it for days now. Seriously. 6 hours the first day alone ...complained about their hands aching... Pretty fantastic toy, if you ask me!It's called "My Very Own House"

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-32708805112931847242009-01-12T01:41:00.011-05:002009-01-12T02:01:15.740-05:00

Lots of snow here...But I'm doing pretty good with one of my new year's resolutions: to keep the birds in feed!Look how high the snow is on the feeder! Wow. But see, really, it's a gift to me,...this is the view from my 'studio' ! (aka the dining room)Can you spot the mama Cardinal?Ahhh...to be warm and cozy on such a snowy wintery day... How lucky I am...:)Have a great day, and craft up a storm!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-68331461842973332712009-01-10T15:40:00.005-05:002009-01-10T16:22:34.966-05:00

So, our neighbor called us, on the first day of the new year, to let us know that her daughter Fiona - whom my kids had hung out with, watched videos with, played dolls with all of New Years Eve - that she now has chicken pox. (!)LUCKILY, we never retrieve our voice mail/phone messages, so we didn't have one moments worry! Not one!And we would have worried, because John never had chicken pox as a

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-86920119976769311572009-01-09T17:23:00.007-05:002009-01-12T02:16:20.157-05:00

Well, you'll have to make your own, but these were a hit and yours may even be better than mine so go for it! You can find the recipe here.I changed the baking time to 12 minutes instead of 15, and my batter was so moist, I just rolled the balls of dough in the sesame seeds without dunking them in milk...so you don't need the milk, in my opinion. The kids are hardly going to let any make it into

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-3364304686408200572009-01-09T14:32:00.010-05:002009-01-10T17:37:08.788-05:00

See my sweet (oops, I mean my kids')new nativity from Schleich?Great detail - kind of amazing detail, really, for a plastic 'toy'...and unbreakable! So hopefully my own (and I mean MY own) sweet little nativity can be displayed unmolested by small, sticky fingers...So nice, so nice...until you see Mary's expression...who painted her eyes like that?! I mean really! Somebody in China is laughing

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-46151019720976628862009-01-09T14:22:00.005-05:002009-01-09T14:32:08.144-05:00

Let's eat that Gingerbread house!Really, Mama? Can we?Sure!Oh wow! Yay! Our Mama is the BEST!(these photos were not staged, this is how my kids decided the task best be accomplished...note the gnawed off cookies on the roof...)reminds me of when they used to tandem nurse, long ago... awwww!;)

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-15412800870220071912008-12-30T15:21:00.012-05:002009-01-12T02:23:32.949-05:00

The pictures are by Garth Williams...so magical... so inspiring...!Are you familiar with this amazing book? You can find it now and again online for rather large sums of money, I'm afraid! I try to keep an eye out at garage sales...because you never know! My neighbor found one for 30cents and THAT was a bit of magic right there!Our copy comes from our great Aunt Mar, (who owns a used bookstore

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-89066231988278140682008-12-28T00:11:00.008-05:002009-01-10T17:36:12.688-05:00

whhooo boy, I am tired...Christmas is over! We made Christmas Magic for all of the 4 little Sousanises and I am beat. But now, there's a giant mess everywhere...where to put everything?!!!Must. Clean. Up. the. House! (but I am in such a making-mood!)No. No making! Only Cleaning! Tidying! Straightening!Okay okay okay, but first I gotta show you something silly I've been working on...It's a quiet

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-38729158043185566882008-12-21T12:19:00.012-05:002008-12-21T14:46:27.463-05:00

So I was all excited to read A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote aloud to the kids...every review on Amazon.com was all like; "our FAVorite Christmas story EVER!" etc etc..."we know it's Christmas-time when Mom gets this book out and we LOVE this story and we have the best Mom EVER and we are a happier family than you, but you can be like us if only you get this book..." etc etc.So I got the book

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-59359945123938302632008-12-09T16:43:00.006-05:002009-01-29T23:03:21.919-05:00

So, have you ever seen something on someone's blog and gone completely bonkers out-of-your-mind sleepless with desire for the something they have got and you have not?Non? oui? (treefall, you are wicked good at this, this -showing-me-stuff-I-now-want-want-want! you-know you are!http://treefalldesign.typepad.com/tree_fall/) (must get that cut-n-make advent calender!!!)(and I do so appreciate all

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-90721568849691920212008-12-09T16:08:00.006-05:002008-12-09T16:42:54.493-05:00

MUST. GET. THIS. FOR. MY. KIDS. FOR. CHRISTMAS. Damn the expense. Import it from England? Japan? Sure, no problem.I know I know, coveting is bad bad bad. A sin even, right? Oh, but I do so covet this Circus in a Box from Muji! I want it soooooo bad!BUT it's not available anymore! At least, I don't think so after calling London, and New York, and visiting and re-visiting the Japanese website!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-50391650401290542792008-09-26T09:33:00.004-04:002008-09-26T09:47:22.165-04:00

These days have been so beautiful and warm...it's hard to believe Autumn is really here! And Olivia is old enough to sit up without me all-in-a-panic that she'll topple over! The days are long, but the months are flying by!

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-23357591756652759842008-08-07T10:56:00.005-04:002008-08-07T21:58:59.965-04:00

Do you see what I mean?...My happy little container garden...4 kinds of basil, also chives, lavender, a tomato plant or two, sage, rosemary...and a funny little guy! (from Target, of course! my goodness, how I love this big box store. Just shoot me.) If it's an homage to Amelie' in my mind, does that make it less kitch? Hmmmm...I promise to come back and tell you the name of this amazing 'morning

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-86445020842629151472008-08-06T16:10:00.010-04:002008-08-06T16:36:52.950-04:00

My little guy's are growing up so fast...I just realized my eldest thinks he's in a grand countdown till his 'Last Nap' which, according to him, is the very moment he turns six. Six! I've never had a six year old before! Maybe they Do take naps still! It could happen! "No way, Mom. Six year olds DO NOT Nap." (Do they sit still and be as quiet as mice and let their Mama do her Etsy-ing and let

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-51025646492565612982008-07-29T10:43:00.005-04:002008-07-29T10:54:13.510-04:00

Introducing Daddy Giraffe and his darling Olivia Esme' Claire, a watchful Mama Owl and her baby, and "In the Garden" an original watercolor assemblage framed in a sahdow box frame (from Martha Stewart. gosh I love it's frame! ) but you'll have to go here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13771633 to see it! :) All available in my shop now...and soon, another Matryoshka family! (

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-22651933012233410732008-07-28T17:03:00.003-04:002008-07-28T17:16:35.290-04:00

I've got a couple of Showcase spots coming up on Etsy and so I thought I'd do a major ("major"?) shop update... well, I am working hard, and it'll be hard to part with some of these things, they're quite dear to me in many ways :) but I'll let cha have a peek!... Do you recognize whose 'lap' this little girl is sitting on? Hmmmmm...Yup, they'll both be available at the SHOP UPDATE: Tuesday July

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-76138054840547193822008-07-27T11:20:00.009-04:002008-07-27T15:14:51.405-04:00

This is usually John's domain...but we were so low on groceries all I had on hand were eggs and potatoes...Ok and a few other things but those 2 things actually made a meal! And the kids liked it!!!Is this reeeally a "potato gallette"? I guess not, because in looking up the recipe I found there is no mention of eggs. *ahem*. And there is usually, I see, rosemary. I don't love rosemary. In the

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2321713046170764990.post-91154662624293463402008-07-25T10:24:00.006-04:002008-07-27T12:45:59.167-04:00

There's my Russell...we call him "The Blur"Today, new beginings! Aurora and Constantine are off to Grandpa Dean's for an overnight, Baby Olivia is still sleeping ... only Russell is underfoot...under table, really...what is it about dirt and crumbs and dog hair that my kids find so attractive? Sweeping is next, but must computer first! :) And next on my list, the Studio! (Ok, the dining room,

mamazakkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00016765176571063940noreply@blogger.com0