Yesterday's flurry of emotional, sincere comments was absolutely lovely. If you haven't read through them yet I encourage you to do so. You are a wonderful, inspiring community. Thanks for your words. 

We're getting ready for a big LuSa Organics show this weekend. I needed some vintage product displays (small suitcase? vintage doll bed?) so the kids and I headed to a nearby thirft store to see what we could find. We don't thrift much anymore so it was novel and fun for us all. No fussing, no asking, just looking and talking and hanging out together as we searched for the perfect something to display our gift sets in.

Sage discovered a sewing machine table there – something he has been wanting for over a year for his own machine. It was $5. We measured the pins that hold the machine and went home to measure. (When Sage turned seven I gave him a vintage machine for his birthday. He loves it but it is too heavy to set up on his own, so he often uses mine instead of his when he has a project to do.) It was a perfect fit. Sage counted out his change and had enough. He begged Pete and I to let him get it. We of course agreed (okay, I of course agreed and Sage and I worked on Pete until he too agreed.) Sage was ecstatic.

We drove the 15 minutes back to the store, and Sage, my normally cautious and reserved-among-strangers boy went in and made the transaction himself. Through the open window I could hear him chatting politely with the thrift store ladies. Heading his voice drifting out across the gravel driveway and realizing that without Pete and I pushing Sage was developing into a confident and capable boy made my heart swell. We've never forced the "please"s and "thank you"s and hand shakes becuase they have not come easy for Sage. These courtesies have been down right painful for him. Right up until yesterday. No, I'm sure he didn't shake any hands and he might not have officially said "thank you" but the interaction was easy and free. It was momentous.

And that cabinet? He washed it. Set up his machine. Rigged up the vintage power cord from his old case. And he's been sewing ever since. This morning he's almost done with a new pair of camouflage shorts. Sure, he's sewing but he's my all-boy-all-the-time kid these days. What better to sew than camo? (Above he is wearing camo shorts, a camo shirt, and yes, even camo underwear. Turns out unders aren't uncomfortable at all if they are camouflage. Who knew?) Sage used the pattern he drew up here and added a deep pocket on one side to "hide lots of stuff." Awesome. That's my boy. And I love that boy so very much.

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Today we are loading the LuSa Organics trailer and heading to our favorite event of the year – the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair. Hope to see some of you there. In the meantime I'll be reposting some kitchen tutorials that I know you'll love. Based on the enthusiasm to yesterday's post you're ready to take it up a notch in your kitchens. I hope these tutorials will do just that.

Love to all,
Rachel