Mind Body Love...an eBook

A few months ago a couple of friends, KC and Meryl, sent out a call to myself and some fellow bloggers 

asking if we were interested in contributing to a wonderful eBook they were collaborating on.

Of course I said yes. And so today, I introduce you to this wonderful eBook.

In KC's words:

"Mind Body Love is an eBook for mothers, by mothers. This book was created to inspire you, the mama, to take care of yourself. Not your kids, not your family, YOU. It is filled with recipes, crafty projects, exercise advice and lots of inspirational words to lift you up when days are tough. It is a collaborative effort of a dozen mindful, mama bloggers who inspire us daily with their craftiness, yummy recipes, words of wisdom and wit.

This book was the born one day in the middle of winter when I happened to be reading Meryl’s blog. That particular post inspired me, up lifted me, and suddenly the idea for the book popped into my head.  A book that would inspire mothers to take time for themselves. I then contacted Meryl to see if she would join forces with me in creating an inspiring resource for mothers."

I am more than happy to be a contributor to this eBook along with these fabulous and inspiring bloggers:

Stephinie Miner 

Lisa Coffee

Renee Last

Kathy Stowell 

Lisa Hassan Scott

Meryl Carver-Allmond

KC Pagano

The book is available to purchase here. All of the proceeds for this book will go to the charity, Rescue Gifts, an organization that donates supplies to laboring mothers in third world countries.

So, hop on over and get yourself a copy. It is the perfect little gift to give yourself for Mother's Day.

Around the Garden

New raised bed complete, and all beds topped with soil

View from the front porch looking out back

Ready to be planted

The back beds, still in need of a soil top up

The herbs are doing great

Another view of the back beds

Looking towards the front of our property from the little cottage in the backyard

Raspberry canes

The newest addition to Reece's play space...a mud kitchen

Well the sun is shining again, after almost a week of rain. We had the topsoil delivered on Monday last week and the rain started Tuesday. It so was so hard to sit back and not be out there moving soil, and planting. The sun finally came back out on Monday, and the last two days have involved moving most of the soil. The new raised bed is filled, and the front raised beds have all been topped up. The flower beds around the house also got a lovely layer of fresh soil. Next up, the back raised beds need to be topped up, and then some seeds will go in the ground.

I do love how the rain greens everything up and starts to bring that lush feeling back to our space. The leaves on the trees have not blossomed yet, but I know they will soon. And while I wait, I have been keeping an eye on the raspberry canes. They look great, and all of them survived the winter.

Yesterday, while I moved soil and Reece chased chickens, Justin got busy with some wood we had laying around and created a mud kitchen for Reece's play space. It looks awesome and an excited little man was busy creating as soon as it was finished. We have plans for another new addition to the play space this summer, and as soon as we get started I will be sure to share some pictures.

How are things around your garden?

Morning, Noon and Night

Morning, noon and night...three little peeks into my day yesterday.

 Morning, 10:15am

Noon, 2:30pm

Night, 6:15pm

***If you would like to play along leave your link in the comments section so I can stop by and visit.***

Pen to Paper

For eighteen weeks now I have put pen to paper. I have sat, with a cup of tea, beautiful stationary and a pen in my hand, writing a letter. Those letters have traveled around the world, landing in the mailboxes of unsuspecting friends. Birthday cards have been sent, letters to blog friends, postcards, and little care packages.

It is such a simple gesture, sending a letter, but it has the power to change a day, to bring a smile to someones face, and to let the receiver know they are being thought of. I know, because it is how I feel when I receive mail from friends. It is so very easy to send a quick private message, text or email, it is definitely faster, but for me, there is still something so very lovely about a handwritten letter. Taking the time to sit down, collect your thoughts, write the words, address the envelope, and take it to the post office...all of those require intention, thought, and being present and mindful. Writing a letter is a simple gesture that says so much more than the words written in it.

I am reminded again and again that it really is the simple things that bring us joy, and this little ritual is definitely one of those simple things.

+++++

P.S. If you like to receive little surprises in the mail be sure to email your address to me.

18/52

"A photo of my little man, once a week, every week, in 2014"

Reece, the last week or so has had its challenges. I can feel a little shift in you, and sense it is something you are struggling with. I will admit it has me a little rattled, but I am doing my best to hold the space so you feel supported and loved. There is one place where all the worries seem to melt away...the woods. We both feel at peace in nature, connecting to Mother Earth and to each other. This week we spent quite a bit of time in the woods, most of it hand in hand. At times, you let go of my hand to look at something, climb a tree or sit on a stump, but you always came back and put your hand in mine.

Joining Jodi for the 52 Project

Celebrating May Day

Over the last three years we have been slowly adding festivals to our year, choosing the ones that speak to us and the journey we are on. Yesterday we added May Day to our festival calender and it was celebrated with much love and joy. We kept it simple, creating May Day baskets with some water colour paintings, ribbon, and tulips and then hand delivering them to unsuspecting friends and family. A simple note saying Happy May Day was left inside and they were hung on the front door.

Our hope is that they brought a little smile to those who received them and brigthened their day just a little bit.

Happy May Day!

Crafting for His Friend

One of Reece's little friends celebrated a birthday last week. When I told him that her birthday was coming up my heart melted when he suggested he make something for her. Giving handmade is something I have done for years, and when it comes to gift giving it really is the only thing Reece knows. When we have an event coming up we don't head to the store to buy something, we make it. This mama was just a tad bit happy that his first thought for a gift was making one.

We talked a bit about what she might like and in the end decided on a flying bird mobile, inspired by the one our friend sent us, and a yarn wrapped jar. Reece was pretty excited about creating both and spent time over a few days making them. It wasn't the easiest gift to wrap, but I finally made it work, then Reece choose one of his watercolours to make a card and we dropped it off on Friday. We sure hope she likes it.