Life with the Clarks

Guest Post at My Only Vice

December 17, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

I want to thank Julie for the opportunity to be a guest at My Only Vice. I’m honored. Julie asked me what my inspiration for After the Snow Falls was–basically why I would choose such a difficult topic to write about, and whether there was a personal connection to the events of the story. (For a synopsis of the story, see the review yesterday.)

I don’t think I set out to write about a difficult topic. My desire was to write something meaningful. I think it’s just as possible to write something meaningful in a quirky, light hearted way. I really enjoy authors who are able to do that–to entertain you and keep you laughing and then turn around and make you take a look at yourself in the mirror.

Happy Birthday, Sweetpea

November 8, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

Monday was Sweetpea’s birthday. Knowing that we’re going to be heading back to China soon, we’ve been telling grandparents and aunts and uncles to give gifts that are small, light and flat.

Grandma and I conspired together and came up with something Sweetpea would LOVE: a horseback riding lesson. Sweetpea has developed a devout affection for horses. My husband and I grew up in the country, and my husband’s family owned a horse and a pony. We didn’t realize until this past summer that Sweetpea hadn’t even touched a horse before. Recently, she had a chance to groom and feed a horse and was just ecstatic.

The lesson made the perfect gift. JavaMan took his new camera and some software and made a thing of beauty out of the video footage. Enjoy:

Fall Fun

November 3, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

In contrast to neighbors to the south, who experienced snowstorms this week, and in some parts of New Jersey, apparently exhausted their snow days for the school year, here in the Great White North, we had balmy temperatures of 14 degrees Celsius (almost 60 degrees Fahrenheit, for those who can’t convert). The perfect day for a fall jaunt. Also a great day to take my husband’s new camera out for a spin.

As much as I am excited about going back to China, fall in Canada is one thing I will definitely miss.

Chef’s Hat and Apron

October 19, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

Did you see the chef’s hat and apron in yesterday’s post? If not, here’s another peek at it:

I made these for my kids last Christmas, because they were getting into doing chores in the kitchen, particularly washing dishes, but Sprout didn’t like it when her clothes got wet.

So I took an old McCall’s pattern for an apron I had lying around and made it from vinyl-coated cotton. I used a fabric that would be acceptable for both boys and girls, omitted the pocket from the pattern, rounded the edges, and used binding all around to finish the edges and make the ties and the loop around the neck. Then I found this fabulous tutorial for a chef’s hat. The same site also has an apron tutorial, if you’d rather make one from fabric.

The chef’s hat involves a lot of pinning, but otherwise, it’s very easy. I enjoyed it so much, I made aprons and hats for my niece and nephew as well.

Enjoy!

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