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 Amanda Soule of Soule Mama)

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this growing flock

I am so proud of our little flock of chickens. They are some of the sweetest little birds and they are cute to boot. They have reached pullet age and it is now time for me to start thinking about putting them into the coop permanently. Up until now they have been in their little cage, living in our bathroom at night and hanging out on the porch during the day, but they are definitely outgrowing this space and it is time to move forward. I just did not realize how hard it would be for me. I am fussing and fluttering like a mother hen. Worrying about our little birds; will they be warm, will the locks hold fast against predators, will the hawk try to eat them if they are free roaming the yard?

The two Bard Rocks, Spot and Bohem, and the cheeky and bossy Black Sexlink Clucks-a-lot

The girls cuddling and being curious about the edge of the porch

So to prepare myself and our flock, and to assuage some of my fears, yesterday, I left the birdy babes to their own devices on the porch. They had food and water and some yummy table scraps to encourage them to poke about and get to scratching and exploring. They seemed to really enjoy spreading their wings and seemed fascinated with all aspects of the porch. They, much like me, will need some time to get used to this new step; none of them even attempted to leave the porch even though they were not caged or penned in any way. And when one or two happened to become adventurous and fall off of the porch, they yarped for rescue until I wrangled them onto the porch with their siblings again.

Our two lovely Ameracaunas, Speckle and Paisley

Red and Clucks-a-lot sampling the bush from the safety of the porch

Next step, to the old coop across the property until the new coop has been built. I am too excited for this building project and to create this new little home closer to us for our little feathered family members.

getting ready...

It's that time of year again, for me. Time to start rummaging through the art supplies, through the books, through all of the bits and bobs that make up our learning experiences and start prepping for more homeschooling/unschooling to be in full swing soon. 

While we "educate" and learn and grow all year round, I find that it is right around this time where the kids are looking for different crafting supplies. It's right about now that they want new books and are a whole lot more mature and ready for certain ideas and subjects than they were at this time last year. Maybe it's because all of them get one year older in June and July that I start to notice around July/ August that we are having a household growth spurt. 

So once again I have pulled out all of my books...and borrowed ones I do not own but desperately need from the library. I am updating my momma skills to match the new stages everyone is moving into. I am cracking advise books on unschooling, Waldorf catalogs, and wracking my brain (and other blogs) for ideas to fly us through this next season! 

So much has changed since last year. So much growth and so much new information to glean in the seasons to come. I am quite excited!

What do you and your family do to gear up for learning? I'd love to hear it!

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 Amanda Soule of Soule Mama)

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in writing...

So I have had the blessing to be featured, rather nicely I might add, in another publication recently. I was featured in the {Root + Stem} section of the Bamboo Family Magazine for making practice poi for a fun outdoor activity for both kids and parents. I am so proud of this article. The pictures came out lovely and I love how it feels to look up and see that this article, this little piece belongs to me, came from my heart and is being shared with the world! It is such a glorious warm and happy sensation. 

I am even more excited about this particular article because it showcases one of the projects from my upcoming book "Front Porch Summer Camp"; a book that has been in the works for the better part of a year now. As I get deeper into writing this book, looking into different publishers, and steadily moving toward realizing one of my many fanciful dreams, I can't help but feel huge gratitude and joy and love for everything and everyone that have helped me move forward through hard days and great ones! I hope you enjoy this article. Get outside and groove with some poi. They bring joy where you spin!

at last...

I am super thrilled, elated, excited. After years of wanting, and searching and trying to learn I have finally figured out knitting!!! In 20 minutes I learned to cast on, knit on (which I prefer), knit, and purl!!! I am so proud of this accomplishment. And look at what I got done while sitting for half an hour last night  

It might not be the most advanced or the loveliest thing but to me it is absolutely beautiful! Not bad for a newbie. And now that I have figured this out the sky is the limit for patterns and crafts! I have wanted to knit since I picked up my crochet hooks at 15 years old. Crocheting will always be a love of mine but there is something about the lacy delicate beauty of the knit patterns that is so enticing. And the crafts that you can do when you can knit are so much more exciting. I can barely contain my enthusiasm. There are sweaters to start, socks to create, and some extra little surprises for someone very special in my life who will be having a baby soon! Oh the ideas are just bubbling. And you never know. Next will be spinning and maybe even my own sheep or two. Even if I don't get the sheep yet I live in farm country; where the different kinds of fibers from all of the glorious alpacas, sheep, goats, and rabbits makes my fingers twitch with anticipation! Oh happy days. For now it is time to finish off the scrap yarn in my bag...waste nothing you know. Oh the joy of small successes!

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 Amanda Soule of Soule Mama)

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Two Birthday's and a publishing

Today is a momentous day. This day 16 years ago I gave birth to my first sweet boy! It wasn't easy but it was worth every thing! Then as life would have it This day 2 years ago I gave birth to my youngest little one! how blessed am I as a mama to have two beautiful beings to celebrate on this day! Happy birthday to my most glorious "papa's" (what I tend to call my boys). They have been my grandest teachers in more ways then  could have ever fathomed!
I am also super excited to say that my third article has been published with Sacred Pregnancy. Go check it out and tell me what you think. http://www.sacredpregnancy.com/family-togetherness-through-music/ 
I would love to here what you want to see written about!