{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 see.

Inspired by SouleMama

Small Business Saturday

In honor of Small Business Saturday, I want to share a handful of my favorite small businesses with you. 

I love that when you buy from a small business, you are directly helping out real live people and their families. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that you are actively supporting someone's livelihood and dream and of course, your gifts will be unique and thoughtful rather than just another "thing". 

taproot is a quarterly (ad-free!) magazine filled with inspiring stories, poetry, photography and so much more. In their words it is 'by and for people living fully and digging deeper'.

Hip Mountain Mama is the awesome, ecologically conscious purveyor of "Funky Style for Free Spirits" 

{use code 'thankful' for 15% off through Monday}

Laura Emily's good earth living is a selection of beautiful, holistically-minded e-courses ranging from a year-long Apothecary Circle to a week of one-on-one focus meant to cultivate balance during the holiday season. She is also donating 15% of her proceeds to raise $5000 by December 31st to provide water to the developing world.

{use code 'COMMUNITY' for 30% off her courses}

I hope these give you some great ideas! 

Remember etsy is full of great shops and gorgeous vintage and handmade items too.

{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.

Inspired by SouleMama

the long haul

I've really been struggling this past week or so. Everything I have been working on within myself has been challenged and negative emotions are continually bubbling up. It's a conscious effort not to let myself be dragged down and enveloped by them.

Among many others, there is one particular situation that has been testing me the hardest and it has the potential to become permanent, or at the very least, long term. It's incredibly difficult to stay committed when there are many aspects of it that are in such complete opposition to how I need and want things to be. And the way I my envision my family seems to be falling apart. {{Not my family~just the vision.}}

But then part of me says to carry on ... and to let go of control and judgement ... to let go of the "what-ifs" and "if-onlys"and accept what is.

I am sincerely trying to disengage from it all and recognize that everything is as it should be for this moment. I have the notion that there are amazing lessons to be learned if I would just let these experiences wash over me rather than pick them apart.

And so, I am here.

the spirit of the season

Like every year before, the holidays have once again snuck up on me. It always seems that one day the air is just becoming crisp and the leaves are a fire of colors. Then suddenly the world goes gray and asleep and winter's cold, dark embrace clutches our very bones.

Embracing the spirit of the season takes on a deeper meaning when you think beyond the consumerism and hustle and bustle typically associated with this time of year. With the impending hurriedness of the coming weeks, I thought it would be a good time to remind both you and myself to make time for, well, ourselves.

Now is the time to turn inward. Move slowly. Nourish and replenish body and soul. Rest.
Just as we cycle between sleep and wakefulness, so we cycle with the seasons. Allow yourself to mindfully process the previous year so you can recover and make space for the coming one.

Take a moment, if you will, step back from it all and b r e a t h e.

100 list {part three}

A list of things I hope to accomplish in my time on this planet {in no particular order}:

51. shave my head
52. live to 114 years old (yep, I'm serious. It would be the year 2100.)
53. reach 100 blog followers
54. find my tribe
55. view a TED talk live
56. sell something on etsy
57. read Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom in its entirety
58. go to a nude beach
59. go just one month without spending any money
60. hike the full 2650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail

do tell... what's on your list?

recipe: my mama's salsa

In a blender or food processor, combine

1 large onion, roughly chopped
26 oz. container of tomatoes with their juices (I like the kind in aseptic boxes because they are BPA free.)
1 bunch of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
2-8 jalapeños--adjust to desired level of spiciness (could also use jarred pickled jalapeño slices)
salt to taste

a glorious weekend

(I'm a bit late posting our costume photos so they're getting thrown into this post.)

Flo (my MIL), Richard Simmons (yours truly), a froggy & Pocahontas.

my gorgeous girl 

silly henry boy

Sporting Mama's wig!

nap time

Cracking open geodes and found this lovely {tiny} quartz inside.

a thoughtful note from a dear aunt

prayers in the wind

Tea for Mama during nap time. This gorgeous mug is from here.

yummy vegan pizza for dinner

Hoping your weekend was exquisite!