Wednesday, January 20, 2016

babies, mommas, and finding "me" time




the cows are beginning to calf now...
poor things, a few areas on this farm have become complete mudholes with all of the rain we've been having. this little guy was born about a week ago, and another little one that looks just like him was born this morning. they are so adorable. baby farm animals will always hold a special place in my heart. 
i am also expecting a niece, and a nephew to arrive some time in the next few weeks. i am so excited. 

i am hosting a blessingway for one of my pregnant sisters.
have you ever heard of them? also called a belly blessing or a mother's blessing.
included with the invitation above:
"a mother's blessing is a celebration of life and love, pregnancy and motherhood, in a tranquil, sacred, and love-filled atmosphere. the purpose is to nourish, nurture, support, and encourage the mother while affirming that she will have a beautiful birth experience. unlike a traditional baby shower, which is focused on the baby and gifts, a mother blessing's focus is about the mother as she prepares for a beautiful childbirth and motherhood."
basically it is a ceremony where her closest ladies will gather and share our own unique stories of motherhood and then listen to her thoughts, hopes, fears, insecurities, etc, and shower her in support, encouragement, and love. we will give her massage, manicure her toenails, etc. we will each bring a special bead to create a necklace for her to wear during labor, and each lady will take home a candle that she will light when she is informed that labor has begun. 
i am in love with this tradition. what an incredible way to prepare for childbirth.
i also wanted to share a link to the etsy shop where i purchased this teepee. it is what we chose to give the little ones for christmas, and we are so happy with it. 
here is the link: white vine design



and here and there...
i have been beginning to find creative time that is just for me.
although when a certain nine year old wants to sit beside me and join in on the drawing it quickly becomes "our" time, but i love that too.
i hope to find little bits of time for each of the things that tug on my soul.
drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, music, photography... sigh.... little bits....
 here and there... it will happen.

Monday, January 11, 2016

begin again














above: the little girls new space
below: layla's new space




the start of a new year always feels like such a special time to me.
a huge open canvas full of possibilities. 
i feel differently this year, not that there is any shortage of possibilities, but in the sense that i have no idea what it is that i want to get out of the next year of my life. 
i feel optimistic and excited but i also feel extremely conflicted. i believe that what's "getting to me" is the speed in which the last year passed. it honestly feels like it was the fastest year of my life and that is certainly not what i want. 
so far, when asked what my new years resolution will be, or my big goal for the year i have responded with "i just want to enjoy this year and learn to let go" and i am not entirely sure what i mean by that either. 
i read a quote recently that really stuck with me...
"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about."
-winston churchill
you know what the really funny thing is...
after reading that quote the first thing that actually came to my mind was this blog.
that surprised me.
one thing is for certain, instead of starting 2016 with the usual list making and goal planning... i plan to start the new year with some serious contemplation and soul searching instead, and for the first time in a long time i am going to begin with low expectations and just see where this beautiful life takes me.

the calendars: taproot/phobe wahl find it here
justseeds & eberhardt press agenda book find it here
(this one was gifted by a friend and i LOVE it)
and my favorite calendar you won't be able to find, it is a handmade by my youngest... love love love.