Friday, November 30, 2012

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

It Just Feels Right



Lately I have been meeting a lot of new people, people who seem to understand our life and why we choose to live the way we do. And that feels really great. It is so wonderful to find like minded people who get you.

Last week someone I am just getting to know asked me why we have chosen to live the life we are leading. I didn't want to assume anything so I asked exactly what she was referring to. It was a little bit of everything...the way we raise Reece, the homeschooling, the chickens, growing our own food, cooking from scratch, putting food up, the handmade things we are always making, life in the slow lane, the nature connection, and so on.

I could tell these questions were coming from a place of interest, and I did not feel the need to defend our choices as I often do when faced with this question. Usually I would start to explain our reasons for it all, my passion would take hold and there would be no stopping me. But something inside me didn't quite feel like going there on this day, I felt a subtle twinge telling me to keep it simple. So I did.

I answered, "It just feels right."

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Yarn Along




More peg people hats were knitted up this week. I have to paint up some more peg people, add the hats and then that is it for peg people...for now.

A friend is enjoying the bliss of a new baby and I am hoping to visit soon and meet her new bundle of joy for the first time. A little knitted ball will provide lots of fun in the months to come.

And one of my fingerless gloves is done. It is a little big for my tiny hands, so not sure if I will keep them or not. I will get the other one done first and then decide. I will knit the kid size next time I knit them up, which might be soon.

Not too much reading this week...a little doula reading, a little John Holt and a little The Mother. All good and inspiring.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining in with Ginny and Nicole.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Is The Day Over?


Reece: "Is the day over?"

Me: "It is."

Reece: "Why does it have to be over?"

Me: "Because the sun has gone to sleep and the moon and the stars have come out to watch over us."

Reece: "Will the sun come out again?"

Me: "Yes. After we close our eyes and get a little rest, the sun will wake up shining bright to start another day."

Reece: "Okay."

For the last month Reece and I have a little conversation like this each and every night. He usually asks the question after dinner for the first time. And I say it is not quite over yet, but soon. Then after our bedtime stories the above conversation takes place.

Sometimes we will talk about his day and all the things he enjoyed about it. Sometimes I will ask him about his most favourite part of the day. And sometimes we just snuggle together. It is during the snuggle time that I can feel it, the passion he has for life. The complete abandon with which he goes about his days, giving them everything he has got, leaving him tired at the end of the day, but sad to see it end.

These days of his are so full right now...full of fun, love, laughter, play, wonder, excitement, adventure and more. He is so immersed in them he doesn't want them to end, he wants them to go on and on.

I remind him that each day is a new day, a new day filled with more than the day before. He looks at me after this reminder and smiles.

Then a little "love you" before we nurse, and off to dreamland he goes.

As I watch him fade away to dreamland, I am filled with joy that this little man of mine is living each day on his own terms, in his own way and loving it so much he doesn't want them to end.

What more could a mama ask for.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Our Weekend


This weekend was:

:: waking up to snow!!! It was beautiful. Reece put his snowsuit on right away and headed out to play.
:: a wonderful afternoon spent with some lovely ladies teaching them how to make soap, body butter and lip balm
:: a little outdoor holiday decorating
:: a quiet evening knitting and drinking tea
:: staying up way too late to see Mumford and Sons perform on Saturday Night Live...worth it
:: a lazy Sunday morning, with a little sleep in
:: a late breakfast, followed by a lovely run in the snow
:: afternoon tea at Starbucks with my parents
:: family movie night instead of Grey Cup
:: a little more knitting, tea drinking and movie watching once Reece was off in dreamland

How was your weekend?

Joining in with Amanda

Friday, November 23, 2012

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.



Thursday, November 22, 2012

This Week





This week we have been:

:: enjoying the warm November temperatures
:: spending as much time outside as we can
:: anticipating the arrival of winter this weekend - yes snow is in the forecast!
:: baking ginger cookies
:: making beeswax ornaments
:: crafting beaded snowflakes
:: finalizing the gift giving lists
:: listening to Christmas music
:: planning our festive activities leading up to Christmas

It has been a full, fun week at our little homestead and we are looking forward to the excitement and joy the holiday season brings.

To all my American friends, I wish you a day full of gratitude, joy and laughter with those you love. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Yarn Along





Lots of little things were being knit this week. More wooden peg people, this time for our nature table. Two more little bowls were cast on and off and then felted. I knitted up some little chickens for Reece. They are a gift for Saint Nicholas day coming up on December 6. Justin is making a little chicken coop and fence to contain them, which I am sure Reece will love.

After a little trip to the yarn shop on Saturday I started my fingerless gloves. I have just started and hope to have at least one done next week. I also picked up some wool to make Justin a hat for Christmas.

More doula reading this week, a little bit of John Holt's How Children Learn and a few pages of The Mother, a lovely magazine passed along to me from Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots. Thanks Taryn.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining in with Ginny and Nicole.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

This Smile



This smile:

:: greets me every morning

:: brings me joy during my days

:: reminds me to smile when life gets serious

:: spreads light and love wherever it shines

It is a smile that warms my soul and melts my heart.

May you always wake up smiling little man and may your light continue to shine. 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Our Weekend






This weekend was:

:: a little doula reading with a cup of tea at Starbucks
:: an afternoon visit from my parents and my aunt and her partner, so nice to catch up
:: a lovely little trip to the yarn shop, all by myself. Justin dropped me off and he and Reece went to get light bulbs.
:: dinner by candlelight, sharing laughter with Justin and Reece
:: early morning baking with my little man while Justin slept
:: a morning run once Justin woke up
:: a late breakfast
:: a lovely afternoon and evening spent with like minded families at a community potluck, there was a fire, fun in the woods, great conversation, lots of laughter, lots of children and delicious food.
:: a quiet night in front of the fire with tea, knitting and Christmas music.

Joining in with Amanda

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Weekend Links


:: Some lovely holiday cards

:: These would make a great gift for the little one in your life

:: And if that little one wants to help in the kitchen you can make one of these

:: I really enjoyed this post

:: Today is the last day for 10% off at this lovely little shop with the code Mother

:: Have been seeing this around the blog world a lot, thinking I might have to give it a try

:: We are playing Christmas music in our home, and this is getting a lot of play time

:: Adding this recipe to the meal plan next week

:: A great post on play

:: This really speaks to me.

Wishing you a weekend full of adventure, fun, family time and love.

Friday, November 16, 2012

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.


P.S. Last chance to enter my lovely little giveaway for some wooden buttons, head over now and enter.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

These Days





Lately as I wash the dinner dishes each night I have felt a sense of calm. I have, more than once, over the last few weeks let out a sigh and thought "life is good, really good". There has been a certain flow to our days, an ease, not something we have been trying to make happen, but it is happening none the less and we like it.

I think the time change was good for us, the brighter mornings definitely make starting the day much better and the feeling we get to tuck ourselves away under quilts, sweaters and other hand knits during the cold wintery months match the early darkness of the days perfectly.

We are enjoying the slower pace this time of year allows us to melt into and are planning to take this pace right through the holiday season. And with plans for a simple handmade, homemade Christmas again this year we are pretty sure we can meet our goal. We are crafting together a lot right now and enjoying every minute of it. We are taking time to enjoy nature and the beautiful November weather we have been blessed with. We are taking time to read, to enjoy candlelight meals together, to laugh, to talk and to just be.

As the holiday season quickly approaches we are staying true to our wish for a simple, satisfying and oh so full family life.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Yarn Along




Knitting this week has been of the tiny kind, lots of little hats for wooden peg people. It has been fun, and I love how my little wooden peg people are turning out.

I also knitted up another bowl, and managed to get it and the bowl from last week felted. I love how they turned out.

I will be knitting up more little hats this week, as well as a special little gift for our St. Nicholas celebration coming up on December 6. I am also looking for something else to start, I think the fingerless gloves will be it, just need to get some yarn.

More doula reading this week as well as a bit of John Holt's How Children Learn.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining in with Ginny and Nicole.

P.S. If you haven't already entered my lovely little giveaway for some wooden buttons, head over now and enter. You have til Friday.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Gratitude


I have a little habit of falling asleep thinking of the things I am grateful for. It is a wonderful way to fall asleep, and I love that these are my last thoughts before I sleep each night. I decided a few weeks ago to take my gratitude to another level, I started a gratitude journal. I am not sure why I did it but I am amazed at how powerful the exercise has become.

I am use to expressing my gratitude within myself and also on this blog, but putting pen to paper, recording my gratitude and seeing the expressed words on paper have been a whole new experience. I really didn't think it would be any different, but it is.

Each night before I turn off the light at my desk, I sit down with pen in hand and write the words Gratitude today for, and then I let my feelings flow out one after the other for everything in my day that I am grateful for, the little things and the big things.

It has a certain kind of magic to it, it fills my heart and soul, it makes me happy and it completes my days perfectly.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Martinmas

As the dark falls upon us we must let our inner light shine


We have been preparing all week to celebrate our first Martinmas as a family. Our homeschooling journey so far as been flavoured with quite a bit of Waldorf inspiration and with Reece getting a bit older we decided to start to celebrate some of the wonderful Waldorf festivals.

If you are not familiar with Martinmas, it is the story of St. Martin. St. Martin was a soldier in Rome in the 4th century. Legend says that one wintery night he met a poor beggar, half-naked and freezing. Martin removed the heavy military cloak from his shoulders and, drawing his sword, cut it in two, and gave half to the beggar. That night, Christ appeared to Martin in a dream, wrapped in the same piece of cloak Martin had given the beggar, and said: “Martin has covered me with this garment.” Martin became the patron saint of beggars, drunks and outcasts, dedicating his life to assisting the unfortunate and downcast. Martinmas celebrates his kindness, compassion and selflessness. Lanterns are a traditional part of the celebration as a reminder of the light that shines in each and every one of us, and that we must share and spread this light.

As we began our lantern preparations earlier in the week we chatted with Reece about sharing and giving. We talked about how some people don't have a home, food to eat or clothes to wear. It is not an easy thing for my little man to understand, but that is okay, we will continue to talk about this things, especially now during the holiday season.

We all sat down together on Wednesday to do some watercolour paintings, which would later become our lanterns. I found a wonderful tutorial here. It was the first time the three of us have shared craft time together and it was very special. On Friday we put the lanterns together and let them grace our table.

On Sunday morning we planned a few things. First, it was off to the Remembrance Day Ceremony.  This is always such a touching, gratitude filled ceremony and this year was no different. After the ceremony we took Reece to the grocery store and we went shopping for food to share with our community. We collected soup, pasta, tomato sauce, beans, rice, crackers and some baby food. We packaged it up at the cashier and together we went and placed it in the collection box. Again, I am not sure how much Reece understands, but if we begin now it will be something he gains an awareness about as time passes.

Then it was home for an afternoon of family time. Reece was pretty excited to light our lanterns, and to be honest, we all were. They looked amazing! We enjoyed a lovely dinner by the light of the lanterns and shared conversation, laughter and love around our table.

Martinmas was the perfect first Waldorf festival for us to celebrate and we are looking forward to the many wonderful festivals coming up in the next few months.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Saturday, November 10, 2012

A Lovely Little Giveaway

A few weeks ago I entered a giveaway here and I won!!!! I was pretty excited about it and this week my lovely prize came in the mail.


Look at these lovely handmade buttons. Aren't they gorgeous? I am not quite sure what I will use them for, but you can be sure it will be something special.

How much do you like those buttons? A lot. Would you like to win some of your own? You can.

The lovely Julia from City Sister Designs is offering up a little giveaway right here on my blog today. Before I give you the details I asked Julia to tell me a little about herself:


"I live with my family (City husband, 4 year old daughter C. and 7 year old son W.) in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I home school the kids and work (very) part time as a speech pathologist with children from ages birth to three.



We have a quarter acre that we try to grow as much as possible on using organic methods. In the yard we have a flock of 13 hens and a rooster named Mr. Rainbow. I get a lot of inspiration while puttering in our large garden, berry patches, and edible landscaping. The trees used to create the buttons are from my property as well. Usually the branches are part of pruning and trying to get the trees growing in an optimal manner. I have been experimenting with dying wood with berries from my property as well with some amazing results."

Thanks for sharing Julia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now for the giveaway:

Julia is offering one Mothering with Mindfulness reader one item of your choosing from her shop!  

To enter, leave a comment below.

I will choose a winner on Friday November 16 at 7pm and announce it in this post.

Good luck!

Julia has also been kind enough to offer you a 10% discount until Saturday November 17 with the code Mother
So get over there and order some of her lovely buttons.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And the winner is:

Comment #21 from Amy
"woo-hoo! Sign me up!"

Congratulations Amy!

Friday, November 9, 2012

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

The nights are darker, the days cooler, the leaves have fallen and we are wearing hats, scarves and gloves on our hikes. Fall is definitely here and winter will be arriving soon. There are so many wonderful things I love about this time of year...hot tea, nights knitting by the fire, warm sweaters, scarves, pots of soup simmering on the stove, bread baking in the oven, and so on. It is the time of year to get cozy and I love it.

I also love nourishing, warming winter meals and thought I would share one of our favourites with you today. I served it up on Sunday for Reece's birthday celebration, with some roasted Brussels sprouts and rustic butternut squash, and it was a hit. Truth be told this is one of my go to recipes when meat eaters are coming for dinner and it is always well received.

Hope you enjoy.

Lentil Shepherd's Pie, roasted cauliflower and half a roasted tomato - yum!


Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
4 tbsp of coconut oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 to 3 cups vegetables of your choice (carrots, celery, corn kernels, peas, parsnips, squash, etc)
1 tbsp Herb de Provence
2 cups of cooked green lentils
29oz can diced tomatoes
2 tbsp tamari
3 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
8 medium sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed

Heat oil, add onion and garlic and sweat until tender. Add vegetable and sauté for 5 minutes. Add herbs, lentils, tomatoes and tamari. Bring to a boil, then simmer until mix has thickened slightly. Add chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon into casserole dish, top with mashed sweet potatoes and bake for 45 minutes at 400F.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Yarn Along


It has been a busy week here, but I did manage to finish up Reece's winter solstice hat, and it looks great! I have cast on another lovely little bowl, and by the time you read this it should be off the needles and in the process of being felted. Next up are some little knitted gnome hats for the lovely peg people I have started to work on. Another little craft project for the holidays.

Reading continues to be focused on my doula studies, I am learning so much.

What are you knitting, crafting and reading this week?

Joining in with Ginny and Nicole.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Dear Reece



I cannot believe four years have passed. It seems like yesterday I looked into your eyes for the first time. It is a moment I will never forget, one that changed my world.

Each day since that moment has been amazing. Yes, there have been some days that have been better than others but I am grateful for each day we spend together, whatever the circumstances.

Being your mom is my most treasured role in this life. You have taught me so much and forced me to look deep inside to discover who I am and what I believe. You have changed the course of my life and I couldn’t be happier.

Four years of mothering you have passed much too quickly, and while I can’t slow the next four years down I can promise you I will be present, aware and mindful of the journey we are sharing together.

You are an amazing little man and I am so proud to be your mom.

I love you.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Celebrating Reece





This was Reece's big birthday surprise...play stands and play clips, made with love by his dad. I also added a few new play silks to his collection. He was surprised and so happy to see it. He got right to work creating, playing and enjoying his birthday gift.

Later in the day my parents, Reece's Godparents and my niece, who was staying with my parents for the weekend, joined us for a lovely afternoon hike and then a late lunch back at our home.













We tend to keep celebrations simple in our home, enjoying the things we love with the people we love. Being in nature, sharing a meal and enjoying good company was the perfect way to celebrate my little man.

Reece will be four tomorrow. The three of us will spend the day together, not totally sure what we will do, but it really doesn't matter, just being together, enjoying time together and celebrating our little man is enough . We can't wait!