{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, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
In my backyard… there are four little monkeys hanging out in a pod.
I am remembering… this little babysitter. That’s Joey when he was just a few months old. Phoebe kept by his side day and night watching over him.
I am grateful for…Lori Concert at Miss Daisy’s Naturals and her beautiful gift of body butter that we offered up in a giveaway this week over on With Every Intention. Some lucky gal is going to be slathering her body with that butter and loving the lavender scent that permeates the air.
Joey was delighted to be chosen to pull a name from the hat…if it’s up to my kids, we’ll have giveaways often just so they can take turns pulling names.
I am watching…Katie as she moves all her little figurines around, lost in a world of imagination.
I am listening…to Nim’s Island with the kids at lunch and Heart of Darkness on Audible.
I am wondering…why can’t I carve more time into my day??? So many podcasts to listen to, so many places to visit, so many things to do!
I am laughing…at William. He was sitting beside me and he wrinkled his nose. I asked him if he smelled something (as he has an incredibly sensitive nose) and he said, “No I was going to sneeze but I was a sneezer failure.”
I am reflecting…on the idea that “maybe the love gets in easier right where the heart’s broke open” from Ann Voskamp’s new book The Broken Way. It’s a revolutionary thought…to imagine that brokenness leads to abundance but a thought that gives me hope and fills me with joy.
In the schoolroom…Next week is our week off. I plan to use the scheduling cards from Sabbath Mood Homeschooling to lay out our CM schedule. Hoping to post some CM scheduling help and ideas soon. I am in love.
Around the house…Jessica came over yesterday and we prepared our Fire Cider together. It looks beautiful but I dread tasting it…I know what’s in it and I’m just having hard time imagining what it will taste like.
In the kitchen…William got up early this morning to whip up some homemade doughnuts for us. He spread maple glaze over the top. Delicious!
I am wearing…sea green Lularoe leggings and a sky blue sleeveless top. ‘Cause it’s that warm here on this early February day. Winter came and went so quickly I hardly even noticed it.
We are preparing for…a spring camping trip. The weather has been gorgeous, the nights have been lovely and I’m aching to gaze at the stars without the twinkle of city lights.
Someday I am going to miss…the gangly arms and legs, the awkward way he moves…’cause one of these days he’s going to grow into it all and that little boy that I adore will be grown up.
I am reading…America’s First Daughter, The Highly Sensitive Person, The Hiding Place and After You.
One of my favorite things…tinkering with herbs with the kids. Joey and I made a plantain salve this last week that we’ve already made good use of.
A peek into my day…Jessica and I have been trying to watercolor paint together every once in awhile. My artist skills needs some serious work.
Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.
I’m not the commercial sort that loves to receive flowers or chocolates. Rather I love February because it gives me a chance to speak love in many languages and to reach deep into the hearts of my children without appearing overly sentimental (because who can call anyone overly sentimental in a month dedicated to love?!)
In the past, as Valentine’s Day approached, I would run out to the stores and stock up on candy and cards to give out to my loved ones. After a plethora of candy (and a decision to cut back on the sweets), I got to thinking a bit more creatively and started giving my kids gifts like crayons (“you color my world!”) and socks (“we’re the perfect pair!”) but over time, I learned the truth: I equated gift giving with showing my love.
Head on over to Corpus Christi Moms Blog and finish reading about my kiddos and their love languages.
Being intentional is easier said than done. It’s easier imagined than executed. So here’s where we inspire you every week with a simple picture and a few words. Think of this as a chance to help you realize the simplicity of intentional.
The simple observation of a plant sprouting. An afternoon playing with watercolors. A moment that might otherwise have been overlooked is now forever remembered in lovely color.
Be inspired. Allow gratitude and joy and beauty to sneak in with every intention. And then won’t you come back and share your moment with us? Or leave a link in the comments to your blog where you celebrate {A Glimpse into an Intentional Life}.
{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, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
I used to think joining a book club was a luxury. It seemed a bit romanticized. Women joining together over wine or dinner or coffee and tea to discuss lofty ideas in a book they’d all agreed to read.
And then I had my moments of thinking the opposite. Surely these women gathered together under the pretext of discussing ideas when, in fact, they were gossiping and drinking wine and using it as an excuse to get together.
My only real experience with book discussions was limited to either “Here, you’ve got to read this!” passing comments or my literature classes in college where I often left feeling like I was obviously some type of nitwit because I certainly never interpreted that passage THAT way. Add to that the poor guidance I was given through high school in reading classic pieces of literature and I tended to imagine a club to discuss books could only be fun if it involved easy, modern fiction.
I’ve been in my current book club now for almost four years. Four beautiful years of reading, reflecting, conversing. Four beautiful years of intentional conversations about shared reading. Four beautiful years of a community of women that I eagerly gather together with once a month where we can express our own journeys through discussions based on characters and plots and settings and circumstances.
So the thing about my book club is it has been a bit fluid in the past. In fact, of the original members, I am the only one that remains. Members have changed, book lists have changed, discussion formats have changed, venues have changed. Even our name has changed (we are now the Choco-Lit Society…because who doesn’t want to eat chocolate while discussing books?!)
One thing has not changed though. Intentional literary discussions.
Intentional literary discussions (whether done with a group of like-minded women, a group of diverse women, your husband, your sister, or even your kids) is the pathway to our souls. Our minds are wired for stories and character transformation…our own character transformation…happens when we soak up a piece of literature and gather together to hash out the details. We open ourselves to alternative perspectives, constructive criticism and a deeper understanding of ideas when we engage in intentional literary conversations.
Not every book turns out to be what I imagined. Not every book sparks my imagination. Some books are lovelier than others. Some speak to my soul more deeply. Some I struggle with. Some I learn from. Some I connect with.
Because when we come together and actually, intentionally, discuss the book, our minds grow. Our souls connect over a literary world we’ve immersed ourselves in. Suddenly the great big world seems a little bit smaller because it turns out that we all have joys to celebrate, hardships to endure, lessons to learn and we discover that through deep, heartfelt discussions that anchor our floating thoughts to concrete words.
This year to mark the our literary intentions of 2017, we have decided to lay out our plans for the entire year (in the past we chose books a month or two in advance). We are focusing on classic pieces of literature this year. We gather together on the last Monday of every month at 7 in the evening to discuss, with intention, the book for the month. And each of these books are full of beautiful, worthy subjects to discuss.
I encourage you, if you are not part of a book club already, to join one. Personally, I fail at online book clubs, but I know many women who thrive in them. Join an intentional conversation and see the goodness, the beauty and the truth that lie hidden behind a literary conversation. And then won’t you come back and share your experience with us?
In my backyard…February has arrived along with beautiful weather (as is the norm for our deep South Texas location). The leaves have all fallen and our plants in the garden are blooming. We’ll have radishes and carrots in no time at all and broccoli will soon follow.
I am remembering…the shouts of delight as these boys chased the chickens to get them back in their coop.
I am grateful for…having someone who shares my love of literature.
I am watching…Katie go round and round on her scooter…one bare foot and one foot in a roller skate.
I am listening…to William in a panic. He thought he put his sewing needle beside me but now it’s missing. He was walking around in a panic and suddenly it was quiet…no whining, no panicking. I looked over and he was drinking water and I said, “You’re not even looking!” and he replied, “Well, I have to stop and drink water…this is what I do when I get stressed out.” Drinking water when stressed? It could be so much worse.
I am wondering…what in the world Lemon Balm was thinking the first time she stuck her nose out of her box and looked into eight eager little eyes staring back at her.
I am laughing…when I remember Joey at co-op last week. The older girls were teaching all of the kids the movements for the cups to go along with their folk song When I’m Gone. Joey was incredibly enthusiastic and tapping to the beat in his own head.
I am reflecting…on my conversation with William this morning after he read and narrated to me from his Daniel Boone book. He agrees with Daniel and Daniel’s father that Daniel doesn’t need formal schooling but that his practical life skills are more important. William understands why he must get a formal education but he wanted to know why I don’t place more importance on teaching him to hunt and forage and learn survival skills. We are a society that depends greatly on a system beyond ourselves, survival is assumed, but maybe it shouldn’t be taken so lightly…perhaps basic survival skills deserve a higher place in education. We should feel our ancestors in our daily grind, know our physical capabilities and rest in the knowledge that we are a people capable of caring for ourselves.
In the schoolroom…We’re wrapping up Daniel Boone and moving on to Lewis and Clark soon. Another week of school and it’ll be time for a week off of planning. We’re now fully emerged in a Charlotte Mason way of education and I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor.
Around the house…there is a pile of laundry waiting to be put away and sweet little Lemon Balm is ready for her cage to be changed…this should be interesting to watch Joey learn the real responsibility of having a pet.
In the kitchen…a bag of almonds is patiently waiting for me to turn it into almond butter. My jars of lemon balm glycerite are stewing. I’m eager to try it on this handful of rowdy boys and see if it brings us any calmness.
I am wearing…black yoga pants and a teal blue puckered tee. Gosh, that description sounds so awkward…I need to work on descriptive writing.
We are preparing for…Valentine’s Day. Oh how I love a day dedicated to love. I get to get all mushy and overly sentimental and no one can find fault!
Someday I am going to miss…our Friday morning herb studies together.
I am reading…America’s First Daughter, The Highly Sensitive Person, The Hiding Place and Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline. I’m listen to Rachel McAdams read Anne of Green Gables on my phone…she’s done a lovely job.
One of my favorite things…watching these kids learn together (here they are using the Bird Songs Bible).
A peek into my day…
Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.
Meet Joey, age 9:
Tell me a little about yourself: I’m 9 years old and I like playing Lottie and Finn with Katie. I’ve got a lot of Legos that I like to play with and I love learning Spanish. I love Roman Numerals and I want to be a policeman when I grow up or maybe a zookeeper.
What’s it like being 9? It’s fun especially when you’re the oldest because then you get to be in charge and help look after your siblings. You also get a bigger serving of elderberry syrup and now I have a hamster because I’m 9.
What’s your favorite book? Well one of my favorite book series is Beast Quest. My favorite book that Daddy read to me was The Green Ember. Also, I loved Dangerous Journey so much.
What do you like about yourself? I like that I’m eager to build and I also like playing with my siblings.
Anything else you’d like to tell us? My favorite color is red and I like everything to eat. And I write a series of books called Animal Fight. I’m working on Book #17 right now, Armando the Lively Anteater.
Meet William, age 7:
Tell me a little about yourself: My favorite thing to do is eat and do karate. I like to eat peanut butter and almond butter sandwiches. Also, another favorite thing to do is snuggle Mommy.
What’s it like being 7? It feels so great. You just have a lot of energy and you can’t wait to get it out.
What’s your favorite book? I have a lot, but one of my favorites is Swiss Family Robinson because they get stranded on an island and they have to survive.
What do you like about yourself? My hair. It’s getting dredlocks.
Anything else you’d like to tell us? My birthday is coming up. I’m excited to be 8 because that means I’m one year closer to marrying someone. I might marry my friend Ada because she’s very nice and she likes to dance and she’s 8.
Meet Andrew, age 5:
Tell me a little about yourself: My birthday is June 22 and I’ll be six years old, as old as my friend, Cameron. I used to want to be a mud puddle but now I want to be a monster. Hopefully a monster with horns and sharp teeth and claws as sharp as knives. I’ll be a good monster, though, and scoop up bad monsters with my horns and fling them.
What’s it like being 5? Oh it’s really nice. I like playing with Joseph and William and Katie. I like it because I can spend my day outside.
What’s your favorite book? Uncle Wiggily. My favorite story in there is Uncle Wiggily and the Freckled Girl.
What do you like about yourself? I like that I’m not always mean anymore.
Anything else you’d like to tell us? I like monster books and I like playing with yarn.
Meet Katie, age 3:
Tell me a little about yourself: I am nice to Joseph. I like to do my ABCs and I like to swing. I really like to pretend I’m driving the car and I like to pretend I’m the mommy.
What’s it like being 3? I sleep with mommy and daddy and I like to always be with my mommy. I’m a good eater…I get ice cream when I give Daddy a kiss.
What’s your favorite book? Anne of Green Gables.
What do you like about yourself? The way I run.
Anything else you’d like to tell us? I like going to the aquarium and I like to snuggle and play Uno with Granny. My best friends are William, Joey and Rooey. Eleora, Maddie and Baby ‘Retta are my best girl friends. I like everything that is pink and I love to “read” to my mommy. I start a lot of my stories with “Last year…” or “Yesterday…” (although I have no concept of time yet).
There’s something unintentional about the way we slather products onto our bodies. We open a product, slap it on and, for most of us, never consider the fact that the skin is the biggest organ in the body, soaking up every chemical, every preservative, every molecule of whatever concoction caught our eye at the store.
Some of us have become a little more savvy. We avoid parabens and synthetics when we can. We buy things in recycled bottles that are BPA free. We read the labels and see lovely things like coconut oil and essential oils and we just skim over the words we can’t read. We settle for a $10 bottle of organic lotion (and hope it actually works) because surely buying it is easier than making it ourselves.
Luckily, there are people in the world, like Lori Concert with Miss Daisy’s Naturals, that can help de-mystify the skin care product aisle. She has taken beauty products to a level of simplicity that makes my skin sing glorious thoughts. Her wrinkle-free skin and beautiful tone are a testament to the fact that her products work. And the best part? She’s not hoarding the secrets of beauty products. While she makes products to sell at her Etsy shop, she loves teaching other women how to make beauty products in the comfort of their own kitchen.
Lori’s journey has evolved over time. It started with her food revolution. She realized she was filling her body with all kinds of food that fueled it and she reaped amazing results (both in the physical and mental realms) but she wasn’t paying as much attention to what she was putting ON her body. Then it dawned on her how much was being absorbed through her skin and she began reading labels and researching products. Slowly she began experimenting with making her own products and it had a quick spiraling effect…once she made one thing, she was eager to try her hand at making something else.
Her beauty product production began with lip balm. Then she moved onto making her own shampoo, body butters, lotions, bath salts, bath bombs and now she’s moved on to make-up. After years of making her own products, she decided to start her own beauty line to combine her love of crafts with her belief that natural products are a pillar on the road to health. In 2015, she started her Etsy shop, Miss Daisy’s Naturals, based on the idea that people are interested in natural beauty products but are often intimidated to attempt making them on her own.
I had the lovely opportunity to indulge in one of her lavender whipped body butters. Ooh la la! My skin looks and feels beautiful and there is no greasy residue. I have extremely sensitive skin (with the tendency to get eczema patches where products disagree with my skin) and after using her products for the last few months, I can testify that it works beautifully on sensitive skin! Pop over to Miss Daisy’s Naturals to see what Lori has in stock (and feel free to message her with a custom order question if you don’t see what you’re looking for).
Lori and I encourage all of you to experience the power of natural body care products, whether it’s a product you discover in her Etsy shop or a product you decide to make yourself. We promise that once you try them (or make your own), you’ll never go back to store bought products.
Being intentional is easier said than done. It’s easier imagined than executed.
So here’s where we inspire you every week with a simple picture and a few words.
Think of this as a chance to help you realize the simplicity of intentional.
Be inspired. Allow gratitude and joy and beauty to sneak in with every intention. And then won’t you come back and share your moment with us? Or leave a link in the comments to your blog where you celebrate {A Glimpse into an Intentional Life}.
Being intentional is one stitch at a time. One moment. One thought. One conversation. It’s not about winning the race. It’s about enjoying the scenery. Savoring the moment. Living in the present.
With Every Intention 