I’m taking a challenge this Christmas. A challenge to break free and be more present. A challenge to disconnect to reconnect.

It all started here. Check it out and see what you think.

I have felt frazzled lately, and to use a label, a little ADHD in regards to technology. I jump from phone to computer from this app to that one. My brain moves fast and I get overwhelmed by things that aren’t even really important. I create more work for me. I just want to back off, and I needed this challenge to push me.

During my time away (Thursday night to Wednesday afternoon), I will check my email in the morning and “surf” only at night while nursing AJ to sleep. I can focus on family, gatherings, and working in my 2012 Goddess Workbook preparing and dreaming of the new year.

Are you in?!

This holiday season, we are simplifying.  It’s a little bit out of need to stay sane, to save some cash, but really it’s to ENJOY the season and teach our children what it’s really all about.  It’s about being kind and giving to others from the heart and being with the ones we love.  With that focus, I have done a few things differently this year.

::I bought all my purchased gifts online.  I don’t like going to a packed mall to shop because people are rude and makes me angry in the season where I shouldn’t hold that feeling.  It was so much easier just to shop while the kids napped rather than taking them out and causing stress for all of us.  I understand the sentiment of buying local, but my focus wasn’t there this year.

::We didn’t purchase any fancy decorations.  Val and I made decorations together and we really enjoyed our time together making salt dough ornaments and chain garland.  It’s so cool to look around and see our work making beauty in our home.

::We cut a tree from our own property instead of going to a tree lot.  We definitely plan on planting more trees and replenishing, so I don’t feel guilty getting a real tree.  Val and I have plans to put it back outside after we have used it and decorate it with edible things for the birds.  Maybe some peanut butter covered pinecones dipped in bird seed and strings of popcorn.

::We will be baking for some of our gifts using zucchini from our garden and eggs from our chickens.  Who doesn’t love desserts made from real food and lots of love?

::As usual, Val will be gifting some of her crafts too.  There’s beauty, creativity, and so much joy in her paint strokes.

HOW ARE YOU SIMPLIFYING THIS YEAR TO FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS MOST TO YOU?

What really kicked off my thoughtfulness of this topic was The Organic Sister’s coaching calls related to the holiday season and how to thrive through it all.  For only a few more days, you can treat yourself to the holiday thriving kit or a mindfulness meditation too.  Go grab it for yourself.  You and your family deserve for you to be calm, mindful, and thriving this year

I remember student teaching vividly and knowing there were two types of teachers. Ones that love glitter and ones that do not.

I had a teacher I worked with leave the room during intensives because she couldn’t handle our messy learning. It included glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. I love glitter!

So does Val!

1. Tables of seeds awaiting sprouting.
2. Girls Day!
3. V’s imagination in action.
4. Bubbles.  They are fun no matter how old you are.
5. The smell of tomato plants.
6. Easter meal and leftovers.
7. A morning cuppa coffee.
8. Dreaming and planning.
9. Sunshine.
10. Feeling the baby move.

Inspired by soulemama.  What are simply ten good things for you this Monday?

• ::So we realized we are human when we came down with the stomach bug.  Yuck!  I’ll spare all the details, of course but that’s why I’ve been so quiet.  I’m blogging now to the hum of my dishwasher and my washing machine.  It means we are on the mend!
• ::An awesome E-book launched today!  Have you heard of it?  You Don’t Need A Job, You Need Guts! Buy it – Ash will rock your world!
• ::By this time next week, we should have signed on a great house to rent.  I will wait until next week when everything is for sure before divulging anything.  I swear I jinx myself if I share too much too early.
• ::We put up our Christmas tree and our decorations this week even among all the craziness.  How are you preparing your home for the holidays?

{Photo Credit}

Beth shared her List of Love yesterday, and I am feeling inspired to do the same.  Sometimes we just need to fill up our hearts with gladness and share it with others so they may do the same.  She did that for me, and hopefully I can also do that for one of you. <3

::My Love List::

1. Spending a morning with my sister, mom, niece, and nephew.  We had some inside jokes – “We didn’t do it, I swear!”  But most of all, I got to see my daughter connect with my niece on a totally new level.  They were holding hands, having toddler conversations together, and finishing each other’s sentences.  One would say, “Ho Ho Ho!”  The other would respond, “Merry Christmas!”  My heart is overflowing.
2. Having a freezer full of food and some things stored for the winter.  Diced tomatoes and frozen corn from the garden.  Homemade ketchup and pickles.  Frozen venison that we just started processing ourself.
3. Distance Reiki sessions are so fulfilling.  That connection and giving relaxation for only 15 minutes is so lovely.
4. My husband who still loves me after all these years.  Even when my hair’s a mess, I’m wearing a robe, and reading storybook after storybook instead of making him breakfast on time.
5. Good, homemade food.  There’s no description needed here.  It’s just food for the soul.
6. A good cuppa coffee or tea is just as good for my soul.
7. Spending time with friends talking about life, books, marriage, kids… I always need a refreshing morning like that.
8. Fellow mamas and friends who support my parenting choices and getting sweet notes via Facebook about it.  Little reminders about how following your heart is so totally right.
9. Getting things in the mail!  I can’t wait for Christmas cards to start flowing in.
10. Christmas music, Christmas lights, Christmas decorations….. need I say more?

Now is a time to give thanks!  I’m thankful for so many things:

1. Little things like my warm cup of tea, sugar cookies candles, and my cat purring next to me.
2. Big things like my family, my love being home for the holiday, and my little girl and all she has taught me.
3. Things in each moment like my chance to choose, to smile, to share.
4. My blog and the real connections I have made online.
5. My health.

I am also sending many thanks to my fellow blogger and mama friend, Michele at Frugal Granola because she is sharing a discount to her e-book.  It’s called “Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide.”  It’s packed full of homeopathic and natural ways to cure the common cold, flu, and bumps children get (among so many other things).  I am thankful for my health, but sometimes we end up fighting colds around the holidays.  Make sure you get this e-book for 50% off to help you stay ahead of the game!

Use the code THANKS50!  Get “Herbal Nurturing” for less than $4.50!

It’s only good until November 26 – so hurry before it’s too late!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you have a wonderful day with family, friends, and good food.  

Picture courtesy of ~ http://www.girard248.org/holidays/thanksgiving/hornofplenty.gif

One of my biggest pet peeves about Christmas (which I LOVE don’t get me wrong), is that most people rush through celebrating Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving because they want Christmas to be here NOW.  I have always waited until one holiday has passed before celebrating another – I guess that’s the equality in me coming out.

At 100 Days to Christmas, they are talking about decorating for Fall.  Just this past week, I dug out my Fall decorations and this is what I have done so far~

1. Put two bright mums out on my porch.  They are red and yellow and such a beautiful indication of Fall.
2. I received a pumpkin from my CSA that has been in my kitchen as a decoration for awhile – soon it will turn into a pumpkin pie or pumpkin bars.
3. I put out my Fall/Halloween decorations – stuffed pumpkins, wooden pumpkins, wreaths, scarecrows, Autumn placemats….
4. I have stocked up my kitchen with fall goodies – pumpkin spice tea, pumpkin spice latte mix, apple cider and cocoa mix, fixins for pie, and ingredients to make soups and chili.
5. I bought Fall candles at Walmart.  They were small jar candles for $1, so I got pumpkin spice of course and mulled cider.  Are you seeing a pumpkin obsession yet?
6. I also put my Bath and Body Works cinnamon pumpkin spice body gel in the shower.
7. The last thing I have to complete is make the change in the closets and bring up our winter clothes from the basement.  That’s a day project that will have to wait until I get some free time, but I better not wait too long.  The chill is settling!

HAPPY FALL!