Progressive Pioneer

Easy-Peasy Diaper Inserts

So, a rather disheartening thing happened; a big envelope full of letters to Kjirsten got lost in the mail!  Maybe it was a sign...  Anyhoo, I'll be writing normal posts for a bit.  And maybe I'll just do one letter a week or something, rather than all the posts handwritten; it's a little too scary to think about losing a whole week's worth again!  So, expect to see a handwritten post here and there when the mood strikes me, but normal posts otherwise:)  Here's this week's handwritten one:

PS Awhile ago I wrote a post about how we do cloth.  I had been using cotton prefolds and our old BumGenius inserts in our Bummis wraps.  Someone left a comment about how the microfiber isn't good for babies' skin (thanks!); it turned out that the comment was the solution to my sister-in-law's baby's rash (thanks again!).  As soon as she stopped using microfiber against his skin, it went away.  You guys are the best:)

Back on the Needles Again

:: Links ::

Yarn is KnitPicks Wild West

Sunbeam

Sweater Restoration

 

Years Bound Up in Boxes

PS I just had a semi-related-to-this-post thought.  The written word makes a great gift!  For Christmas this year I've requested a book from each of my parents.  From my dad, a collection of the stories he used to tell me about when he was a kid.  I always used to ask him, "tell me a story from when you were little..."  I want my kids to hear those stories too.  And from my mom, a collection of her thoughts; she has such a wonderful perspective gained from lots of contemplation and study and life experience.  I really want to preserve that wisdom for my kids and grandkids as well.  We're going to have them printed through Blurb so they're nice hardcover books we can save.  Clay's brother solicits a one page summary of the year from each sibling, along with a current photo, for a book he makes for his parents each year.  These sorts of things are pretty inexpensive to have made (even cheaper if you do the whole thing yourself) and become such treasures.  Maybe you have someone close to you who would be honored to make you a book for Christmas, or perhaps you know someone who would like a book from you...

An Official Address

Well, I did it, I got a PO box!  I now have an offical Progressive Pioneer mailing address.  And I would LOVE to get actual snail mail at it!  If you're inclined to spend a quiet evening composing some real paper and ink correspondence I will be more than thrilled to curl up in front of my own cozy fire with a mug of tea and read it.  I've been having so much fun writing letters to Kjirsten.  It really is a completely different experience putting pen to paper, rather than fingers to keyboard.  Both have their place, but sometimes I think technology gets a little greedy and tries to take over where it isn't necessarily needed.  Letters may not be quick, but speed isn't always the highest goal.  Expression, contemplation, and beauty all have their place as well. 

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend; keep your eyes out for our first letter Monday morning!

Amy Thompson
Post Office Box 520565
Salt Lake City, Utah 84152

Meet Kjirsten!

When Clayton and I lived in Maine our family and Kjirsten's family got together for Thanksgiving.  The table was spread with the most delicous things, all coming mostly from their gardens and ours; heirloom veggies, their own turkey, homemade grape juice, all lit by candles made with their very own beeswax.  You can see why we're kindrid spirits.

Kjirsten was over for dinner the other night and we chatted about all sorts of things.  Clay graciously juggled the two kids so I could simply enjoy catching up and having a "grown-up" conversation.  We talked about food (of course), about her recent trip to Hawaii to assist her cousin when she gave birth, about the home schooled kids she works with and our ideas about home schooling, about Maine, about cloth diapers, about art and beautiful things....  Conversation flows easily with Kjirsten and so, I'm sure, will the pen glide just as easily as I write to her (and you!).

I asked Kjirsten to send along a few pictures to help you get to know her a bit.  I love the ones she chose; wild Maine blueberries (they are SO good!), her art, things she loves, and photos that show her radiant personality.  I love sunny people:)  Now I'll let her tell you a bit about herself in her own words:

My name is Kjirsten---yep the "j" throws people off, but I totally love it. I grew up all over the states. (My dad was an ARMY doctor) Some of my favorite places to live were Washington D.C., Hawaii, and Washington State---and of course MAINE!!! I went to BYU-Idaho and started out in Art History, and then realized that I couldn't choose just ONE art emphasis, so...I went into Art Education (Love teaching, love kids, love sharing what I know--love learning from them, and what they know.) and also double majored in graphic design. (Good typography makes me swoon!)

Currently I work as a private tutor for four adorable children. We grow gardens, devour history, and memorize Shakespeare while jumping on the trampoline. I love my job. I also teach an art class for a homeschooling co-op. Photography is my other love.  People are so beautiful. The world is so beautiful.

I love exploring new places, and cultures. Be it across the globe, in a sailboat, or down the street at the farmer's market.

I love to sing, especially with my family. It's a great tradition that helps us connect and use our talents. And I looooove to cook. Indian food is my specialty.  Basically I love to create. Bookmaking, ceramics, painting, cooking. Recently I've put my endearment (read: obsession!) of textiles to good use and made a crazy quilt. It is so not even close to perfect, but it was fun!

You can get your daily dose of Kjirsten on her blog, and see more of her lovely photos here.

And now that we're all friends, let the letter writing begin!!