November 2nd

I have decided that if I try and blog every day and have to come up with a decent title for each post I will explode. So for this month only I shall be using the date as a title. It's just a matter of realistic self preservation.
I am also planning to have a Quote Of The Day every day. Except for today where I will have two Quotes Of The Day, to make up for missing yesterdays. Plus I have two great quotes from today that I don't want to waste - of course if I have no decent quote tomorrow I'll be kicking myself for squandering two in one day, but what's life if you don't live on the edge occasionally?).
I would also like to ask a favour. It's about comments. Which is a subject that makes me squirm. I'd rather discuss finances than talk about Comments. Hell I'd rather talk about my sex life, I won't, don't worry, but it would be preferable to discussing Comments. And can I just make it clear that when I use the phrase 'discussing Comments' I actually mean, begging for them.
You see, as much as I love to write this blog, I also do garner a certain amount of self worth from the comments, (I'm a sahm with a 21 month old who's idea of giving me self worth is to offer me her chewed and spat out banana.)
And I'm a little worried that if I write everyday then no one will bother to comment because it's too much to have to comment every day. And you're right, it is too much to have to comment everyday, but seriously, I'm not sure I can take rejection of no comments every day, so with that in mind I've come up with a plan.
As I said, commenting every day is too much to ask, so I'm thinking that since there's about 200 of you how about you get together and come up with a little comment leaving rota? No? Ack, fair enough, it was just a thought.
How about this then, if you have never commented on my blog, could you leave one (or more) this month? And if you think that a comment won't make a difference then could you leave one anyway, cause it does make a difference (just think chewed and spat out banana). In short, could you take pity on me and leave a comment as often as you can bear, just so that I don't feel like a complete dolt for posting every day. Of course if you think I am a complete dolt for posting everyday, then please accept my apologies and feel free to not leave a comment.
So there we have it. I am hanging my head in shame. (Although I'm pretty sure that there's a good chance that I'll embarress myself oh so much more, oh so many more times in the future. It's a given).

I spoke about a book that I bought the other day that I wanted to share with you and today was actually bright enough to photograph it. It's absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend it whether you have children or not.
It's by Ella Doran , a truly fantastic British designer and Silence.

It's one of those books that just makes you shake your head in wonder. It is wonder full. And in years to come it will be one of those vintage finds that makes you want to scream with joy! (you know that it's a book that Hillary will just happen to thrift in 20 years time!).
It's a straight forward ABC book. But it's also so much more.

D is for Dolls

H is for House.

L is for Lollipop.

N is for Nest.

O is for Owl (how fantastic is this page!!!).

S is for Spots.

It's one of those books that you don't want the kids to get their (very) sticky mitts on and that you buy for all your friends children, because you know it makes you look cool (I'm buying it for my friends children this christmas!).
And if you don't know about Ella then you should look at her site. I did a trade show with her 10 years ago when we were both starting out and I was super impressed with her and her work back then and continue to be so (I've never met her since). She is very popular over here and deservedly so.

Quote of the Day:
"No you can't have the hat, you've got the shark".

Quote of the Day (again):
"No! You do not put anything in your mouth that has been on your bum".

(did I forget to mention that they wouldn't be inspiring quotes? Nope, just the bizarre things I find myself saying outloud as a normal part of my parenting day)

Thank you for listening and good night.

Comments

[capello]

You always get lots of comments, crazy lady. We lurve you.

Here's my quote today: "Griffin, this is the last time I'm gonna tell you - GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY ASS CRACK. Next time you'll be putting your nose in the corner!"

I live such a dignified life.

[Toni]

I love that book, and your quotes are a crack up! Manda, I think it's great that you have a goal of posting everyday this month. I will try to support you with as many comments as I can!! But if I miss a day (or 2), just know that I really do love you :)

[bigbucketgirl]

Hey, I can do this! You do a post every day and i'll pop over with a bottle! Depending on what kind of bottle it is..i'll leave you a comment but it may be a little incoherent! (what's new.)
So ok, until tomorrow. I'm awfully excited. (!)

[monica]

I live in England and I'm Italian and speak to my kids in Italian. I was at the supermarket the other with one of them and was kind of telling him off for something or other...'Dai Basta' I said, which when pronounced in Italian sounds terribly like 'Die, bastard'... well you should have seen people's faces around me! Quite funny. So that's my quote of the day.

[Sue]

Ooh how exciting to be able to read your blog everyday with a new update. I always leave a comment anyway, so the rest will just have to follow suit. I love the ABC book, how cute and original. I also adore those baby blankets, pity I stopped at 2 kids. Oh well maybe for a future baby present one day. The designs are so inspiring, and the fabric looks so pretty and nice. I hope to read more tomorrow, and have a lovely day.

[Mama Urchin]

Ha, I find myself saying the same or similar things all the time. I'm looking forward to your post everyday.

[Stacy]

Oh, I feel like a twerp for rarely commenting. Or, maybe it's never. Don't tell me if it's never. I'd feel really bad. I enjoy your words. I loved the quotes. And I'll share my own: "No, we can't have Poo for dinner" (said only moments ago).

(long story, but Poo is a poodle secuirty blanket who is only a sleeping in the crib time thing. She was holding an imaginary tea/dinner party, wanted to include Poo....get it??).

[autum]

Hi Manda! I'll definitely be back to read those quotes! Capello's was pretty funny too.

[Angela]

C is for comments. heh.
I know what you mean. We all love the comments. ;-)
Good for you on trying to post every. day. oy. And also good luck with that love. ;-)

[jennifer]

I am happy to leave a comment or two. I stumbled across your blog a while back, somewhere around the time you made the nap blanket (which, by the way, is wonderful and how can we work a deal on the pattern??) Then I read your very personal and touching stories of all you and your family have been going through, and not having a blog of my own, and having never commented before, and being new to reading blogs regularly, didn't feel quite right in saying anything publicly, but please know you were in my thoughts. And have very much enjoyed reading your blog for another reason (besides your witty writing), I lived in London for two years and miss it terribly, still consider it home even though I have been back in the States for 14 years. You provide a small tie back there, and I appreciate it! Would love to chat any time via email too!

[Sarah]

I totally feel you on the comments thing. I think I've gotten 2 on my blog. I mean total. And its a little disheartening. Which is why I mostly act like I'm talking to myself.

I'm excited for the crazy quotes!

[lla]

There are days when I feel like the comments that I make are so inane that to be compared to spat-up banana is a total compliment! :) But I"m glad to keep them coming, because I do love you!

I think that today's advice (RE: mouths and bums) is excellent. It also makes me tee hee as I try to imagine the context in which it was said...

:)

[Sarah M]

I have been admiring your blog for some time now. Love your work and the things you share. That book looks great for kids, i'll have to look it up. Thanks!

[sadira]

Yay...I love comments too...and hardly anyone leaves them do they? OK...the quotes, totally inspired! I love documenting the amazing things that come out of my mouth (of course, that may mean me wandering around with a pen and pocket pad...)

[Sharon]

I'm one of the guilty ones that regularly reads your wonderful blog but never comments. I'm sorry! I just don't have anything witty to say but I'll try to think of something to let you know how much I appreciate your blog and all the great photos and art you treat us to!

[Chara Michele]

I have never posted a comment before on your blog, but decided after reading your entry that I absolutely must! I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog. You made me think about how much I appreciate comments, so maybe I should do that little bit that I know brightens my day too.

[claudine]

Hi Manda, I just discovered your blog recently, and I've really enjoyed reading what you write and the beautiful things you make. Love the quotes too :)

[Kate]

Spat out banana! They cost so much in Australia at the moment my girls don't dare spit them out if I buy one as a treat. Strawberries, however, are a different story - why do they stain so much?

[Brandie]

I don't know if I've left a comment here before or not, but per your request, let me say hi! =)
Your quotes are great! I've said very similar things to my kids too. I always write down the funny things the kids say, but I bet if I had to write down what I say, it would be pretty funny too!
Good luck blogging every day this month!

[Kristy]

No comments?Are you crazy????
Love the quotes here's a few of mine.From Josie this morning "Mum,you have got to see what I just did in the toilet it's disgusting!"
Me yesterday when we discovered a leaking radiator "Oh no,we seem to have a swimmimg pool in the bedroom dear!"

[Katherine]

I love that book, I may have to get a copy for myself.

[Tania Ho]

Glad to comment always ... and what a great book :)

[Suzie Vallis]

Hey, maybe I have got this all wrong. See I read a few blogs all the time, daily mostly and do not comment because I feel you will think I am a bit sad. You know 'Oh know, its her again'!!!
Us Mums need a bit of reasurance with our work, I can not remember the last time someone said to me 'Hey your really good at that' least of all the kids. Love the quotes, they are just up my street, thanks for making me smile.
Suzie Sews (UK)

[Mirre]

I don't think you have to be worried about your comments... I have a sore hand scrolling down the list :)))

[Amy]

Not sure if I've commented on your blog before, but I love reading it. It's one of my favorites.
And I know exactly how you feel. It brightens my day so much when I see that I have a new comment. It really means a lot.
And I have a big one person linking to me. For the longest time, I kept thinking, "for the love of God, would just ONE PERSON please link to me???? Just one?"
Now someone has. Very gratifying.
Keep on postin'! We're reading :)