This is going to be my first mother’s day with a baby. We’re currently in Kyoto, and I just watched her learn to crawl on the tatami mat of our machiya, and, around the same time as learning to crawl, she’s also developed an awareness of object permanence. By which I mean, for the first time, she cries when I leave. Cries when she sees me if she’s in someone else’s arms (save when she’s meeting new friends for the first time, then she’s happy to be passed around!). And, stupidly, I’m surprised. I work. And I’m not fun. I’m a terrible clown; that’s dad’s province. So sometimes I wonder if she’ll like me. And then when she cries for me, reaches for me, snuggles up to me to sleep I realize that being mom & loving her is enough. I don’t have to be the funny one. It’s okay if I work. She loves me like I love her: unconditionally, no matter what.
I teamed up with Mother magazine (find an interview and photos of Eula & I in our Tennessee home here!) and Amazon to put together this gift guide for all different sorts of moms. We have gifts for the gardener, gifts for the crafter, and gifts for the cook (that would be me!) Though I am partial to my copper watering can…
For the Gardener
1. Bosmere Watering Can
2. Zen Garden Terracotta Planter
3. Cement Ribbed Vase
4. Dewit 3-Piece Gardening Set
5. Bosmere Copper Plant Marker
6. Haws Compost Caddy
7. Chooka Black Rain Boot
8. Hanging Tray Bird Feeder
9. Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants
10. Glass Hanging Terrariums
For the Cook
1. Iwachu Japanese Iron Teapot
2. Mepra 5 Piece Place Setting
3. Olive Wood Soup Ladle
4. Stone Washed Napkins
5. Kotobuki Fish Filleting Knife
6. Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking From London’s Ottolenghi
7. Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
8. Iwachu Iron Cooking Pot
9. Digital Kitchen Scale
10. Cast Iron Dutch Oven
For the Crafter
1. Classic Wool Roving Yarn
2. Sketch Pads
3. Moleskin Journal
4. Wabi-Sabi : Further Thoughts
5. Takumi Knitting Needles
6. Tool Caddy
7. Multi Tool
8. Oak Easel
9. Sullivan Tailor Scissors
10. Washi Tape Set
We’ll be doing a kitchen remodel in the near future. I would love to see the mood boards you mentioned in the Mother interview. You’re a beautiful family. Eula makes me wish I could have another! Best wishes to you all.
Thanks for sharing this post! My mum is a cook, crafter and gardener in one, so I shall get her something from your list! x
I love the flatware you suggested!
I’m getting it to go with my vintage white and gold Limoges china.
Thanks and Happy 1st Mother’s Day.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
Happy Mothers Day Beth! I’m amazed by you and your beautiful view of life. Continued wishes for love, happiness, family, travel and beauty.
I enjoyed your Mother magazine interview so much! It was so fun to see more of your house and I loved all of your linen outfits. I have two daughters, the first of whom I gave birth to at 26. I’m 32 now and wanting to grow a creative business, while remaining home with them. Sometimes it feels impossible, but it is so inspiring to see how you do so, with hard work, dedication and love. Thank you for inspiring your fellow mothers!
Awww haha, isn’t that such a sweet and yet conflicting season? When baby cries for you so badly but you’re crying just a little because you can’t even get away for a minute for the sake of others’ sanity? 😉 And these are beautiful some wonderful gift ideas! Love the photos of course, as usual. <3 PS: Congratulations on your first mother's day as mommy! It is such a special feeling and I'll never forget how surreal it all felt for me with my first.
Really love your site very much ! Keep on with everything. Thank you so much !
What a great list of gifts, Beth! Thanks so much for putting this together and happy 1st mother’s day to you!! 🙂
Love the story of your little one learning to crawl. What a fun memory for you. Also, love this curated, lovely list!!
Beautiful images ♥
http://www.lindsaydavison.co.uk/
Love your story so much! My mom told me that she was really happy when i could crawl, I must to wait for a long time to enjoy this moment. So congratulation and let enjoy it. The list of gift is special and interesting. Especially, I love your pictures so much!!!