August 2011

Rhythm of The Home Autumn Preview

August 30, 2011

We have been hard at work putting the final touches on the Autumn edition of Rhythm of The Home. As the heat of summer begins to fade, so many of us look forward to the projects, recipes and activities that this time of year inspires us to create. We hope that you enjoy this small preview, and join us bright and early Thursday morning as this new edition goes live!
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Martinmas Lantern Bunting


Flannel Doll: First Sewing Project


Backcountry Baby


Simple Baking: Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies


Wool Acorn Necklaces

Carving Wood with My Son


A Story of the First Thanksgiving and a Recipe for Stone Soup


Little House Shawl


Pirate Play

The Batch Cooking Group: Cooking Large for Family and Friends

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In Celebration of Six Months

August 29, 2011

It is hard for me to believe that this little one

Has become this little one
Landon turned six months last week, and we celebrated with a first meal, and a millionth hug. I have said it so many time before, but my goodness time flies. I remember those first months of his pregnancy so vividly, those first few moments of holding him, and all the thoughts and blessings that I laid onto that sweet head the first time we “met”. 
It feels like just a moment in my life has gone, and a lifetime has passed before me since he arrived. Having 5.5 years between Elwood and Landon gave Joel and I so much more perspective as this little one has come into our lives. We know that slowing down isn’t an option, that our time with him (and the other boys), moves so fast. We know the things that we can let go of, like the dog licking him, or eating an ant on the floor, and the things that we should hold so dear, like reading him a story every night before bed, savoring those extra ten minutes that we might be able to steal away to just rock him.
Landon has given us so much time to reflect on Jacob and Elwood as well. My he looks like a combination of both of them, and the memory of their early lives has been so strong these past months. I remember how open and awake (literally and figuratively) Jacob was in those first years, seeking out the world that awaited him. I remember that Elwood thought that those first meals were there for the pleasure of throwing across the room, and our walls were an open invitation to color on. I remember the details, something that has faded as they have gotten older and I have been immersed in the lives of (almost) 8 and 6 year old boys. 
My dear friend Valarie recently inscribed a message to Jacob, Elwood and Landon on the inside of her beautiful first book The Fox Diaries“. In it she said “Just like my foxes, I’ve watched you grow little by little”. That statement has given me great pause, because that is a joy that I share. This online world of ours has seen many babies come, grow, and explore their world. We have shared so many thoughts for each other, prayers, blessings, laughs and cries. I have savored every moment of these past 6 months, and I have felt so much gratitude towards all of the blessings that you have brought to my boy’s lives over the past 4 years (yes, 4!!). I hope that one day they will be able to look upon the hundreds of comments for their well being and happiness and smile as much as I do. 
Hat and booties beautifully knit by Stephinie
For today, we have a baby entering into a very full time. There are so many adventures to come in these next few months, so many firsts. I am excited to be there as he grows, and to share his joy with all of you. 
For those who have come through Irene, my family and I are keeping you in our thoughts. Be well my friends, and many blessings for this beautiful week ahead. 
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A Shift

August 16, 2011

Living in the present moment is something that I strive for, experiencing the moments as they come, rather than considering how they might be in the future.
No matter how hard I try, there is always a sense of shift at this time of year, and I find my mind wandering to the cool weather ahead. I don’t dwell on it, or even think of it for very long, but I can feel it.
There is the slightest chill as the sun goes down, a subtle change to the morning light as the sun rises just a little bit later, and a soft breeze that has not been here for the past few months.

I love to knit, and I pretend to be a knitter year round, but as the temperature gauge reaches well into the 90′s, my sense of joy at holding large mounds of wool fades away. I know that there are many warm days ahead, and I welcome them fully. Winter is a long season here, and extends well into Autumn and Spring, but for today I glance over the wool I know will be used in the coming months, and I can feel the shift ahead, and it makes me smile.

This blog has been having some technical difficulties over the past few days, and apparently the comments switched from Intense Debate back to blogger for certain posts, namely the two preceding this one. The comments were lost from those posts, which is a bit heartbreaking, but I am hoping that I can find enough technical savvy to correct the problem (or even just figure out what it is). Hopefully it will not continue to happen on other posts, but somehow it will work itself out, it always does :) .

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Right Now

August 11, 2011

We are returning from a beautiful trip back to the east coast, where we took the boys on a tour of Washington DC. What an experience to see their eyes light up at the White House, the Capitol, the memorials and museums. With everything going on, with all the political strife, the name calling, and the general depressing news, it was great to see the world through the eyes of a 7 and 5 year old. There was so much possibility and promise, and we need more of that in these days ahead.

We arrived home to our garden overflowing, and that end of summer joy that comes from so many days toiling in the dirt. I love this time of year, when the sun takes on a lingering golden hue, when that slight chill creeps in at twilight, when the harvest has come and the fruits and vegetables are stacked on the kitchen counter. There is a moment every day when I can feel the shift in the earth becoming stronger, where that depth of summer heat is letting go, and making way for cooler seasons ahead.

These are the days when we barely come indoors between sun up and sun down. When our feet dangle in the water and all of our meals are taken creek side. It is the time that I want to freeze, or find a way to bottle so that my kids will always remember how much fun we had. Oh how I wish we could. For now we will just have to enjoy each moment, and savor these days outdoors.

The giveaway for The Rhythm of Family will end at midnight MST, and I will post the winner on the bottom of the original post.

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The Rhythm of Family Giveaway

August 9, 2011

As many of you know, Amanda and Steve Soule’s newest book, The Rhythm of Family, makes it way onto shelves today. Yoga and meditation for children is a subject that I am passionate about, and I was honored to be asked to include a piece of this subject in The Rhythm of Family. 
The book is beautiful, and while I had originally intended to read it month by month, I couldn’t wait, and read it cover to cover while visiting the east coast over the past two weeks. The book celebrates the beauty of drawing our children (and ourselves) closer to nature, to the rhythms of the seasons, and to creating our own family traditions that will last a lifetime. 
In honor of the book’s release, I would like to offer a copy to one of you. Just simply leave a comment here to be entered, and I will choose a winner on Thursday. 
Enjoy!

Congratulations to Kim Akari who was chosen through the random # generator. Thank you to all of you for your sweet words to Amanda and Steve on their newest publication. It is a wonderful book that I am sure will be enjoyed by so many.

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