Sunday, December 22, 2013

catching up

i disappeared from here for awhile - 6 whole months actually. but, it doesn't mean i stopped writing. to catch you up here are links for whats been going on....
evening
beauty is everywhere
all is mine
ease
repurposing excess
embracing eccentricity
on learning, by which i mean growing
quite a bit of growing has happened over the last year! i am looking forward to 2014 now, curious to see where it takes us. come along for the journey...life is better when we journey together!


~liv


Thursday, June 20, 2013

you are invited

you are invited come to soul remedies my new love. for the last year or two my bio has said i was done having "babies" and needed a new "baby" to pour my heart & soul into. as i slowed down posting here at cozy comfy cottage i came to realize that making a cozy home was no longer on my heart. i have nested and settled our family in here quite nicely & now i'm bursting with new vision. my journey to this new place has been about freedom i've found through humility among other things. because two are better than one - a childhood friend of mine has been on a similar journey and has joined me with much to share. we welcome you to see what we have to offer! come make friends & stay awhile... happy summer!
blessings,
liv
*update! well that didn't really go as planned! leah and i worked together on the new blog for nearly a year but meanwhile a new venture was unfolding for my husband and i. we launched a new business, or rather a grand re-opening of a local historic alehouse! this took my focus away from the blog and into a more community oriented life right in here in our small town! it was my joy to gift soul remedies to leah to continue with her lovely vision. my writing is still mixed in and im sure i will guest post here and there.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Their Mother

The Wild Children outside, hair flying, untied and unkempt, too long even.
Climbing the tree with the ivy hanging down.  Little one yelling and now crying.
Neighbors wondering -- then sighing. A yell of frustration and then muffled whining.
Isn't there school today? Yes, but this crew is feeling free and loose. Mother is
biding her time til the next door flung open-wide ends her quiet space inside.
Boys scheming, sister longing, wishing and resigning. Not big enough to stay
and play, moping whimpering - sent away.
Whose are these? the wild children belong to ease.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Healthful Living

My resolution for this year is to be a healthy family.  Not just in body but in everything. With activities, nutritious food, hobbies for our hands and new ideas for our minds.
Here are a few ways we are setting out to accomplish this as a family:

1.  Activities:  Jiu Jitsu, Fighter Fight & Yoga for us grown ups.  Spring Soccer, Basketball, Jiu Jitsu, Swimming, Open Gym (for the little one), Baseball for the children - these activities will see us through the end of the school year.

2.  Nutritious Food:  We are including more vegetarian meals into our menu.  A variety of vegetables and fruit are always part of our kitchen fare but especially as produce becomes more abundant.  I have been drinking more tea and less coffee for the antioxidants & to make sure I stay hydrated.  We really don't buy much "junk food" our children none -the -less manage to enjoy quite a bit from everywhere else!  I can't wait to start growing some of our food again when planting season comes around, that always helps with nutritious choices!

3.  Hobbies:  The kids are into models - cars, an engine etc., they are also into building things with tools  and wood in the shop, baking is another favorite hobby.  Lego kits occupy some time as well as gaming for the boys of course! (not my favorite)  A new hobby we are just trying out is wood burning designs onto various wooden objects.  These hobbies are specifically for the Winter, in the Spring we add in things like gardening, riding dirt bikes, mountain biking, hiking...

4.  Ideas:  Reading is the most common inspirational source in our home.  A few favorites right now:  Momma - How to Write a Sentence & How to Read One, 6th grade:  One White Dolphin current, next The Hobbit & Captain Bluebear 4th Grade:  Sign of the Beaver, The Long Winter 2nd Grade:  Shel Silverstein, Preschool:  Jamberry
Of course there are always new ideas online too, via blogs (new favorite Wonder Farm Patricia Zaballos) & pinterest and recipes.  A new blog may be in the works, perhaps...

What are your healthful ideas for the new year?  Isn't health at the front of all our minds as we start fresh!?
Warmly,
Olivia





Friday, January 11, 2013

A Walk on a Wintry Day


The morning was bright and crisp, but I stayed inside with a feverish child.  My early workout beckoned ~ I could not come.  And I was off to such a great new years start too!  Redemption for the lost plans came mercifully, through a friends invitation for a walk in the country.  It was very cold but also dreamy.  We walked briskly, enjoying the most picturesque views of fields, hills, mountains and sunset in all directions, chatting all the way!  It was pure grace for my winter weary soul!

How do you embrace winter in all it holds?

Monday, January 7, 2013

The Duldrums

Well January is here!

He came in with all the clarity & beauty a clear morning can muster (appropriate to begin a new year) and switched over quickly to the drizzly drippy grey.  (January is a he in my mind, in case anyone was wondering;)

He is not beautiful, but matter of fact, no nonsense & every bit down to earth.  I do need this...  along with all the pretty stuff of those lighter seasons.  I need the balance to all that's sweetness and bright.

But, my oh my, does it make my bed look like a comforting retreat to smooth out the rough edges.

The poor chickens in the pasture - nobody wants to go down to them.

And the hungry wood stove?  We are all hard-pressed to keep it filled.

It's just soooo cold...

Oh summer where art thou?



About Me

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wife & mother of 4 beautiful children, 2 girls & 2 boys. small business co-owner; catering and a restaurant/alehouse, writer, gardener, lover of freedom and humility found in christ, small town enthusiast, book reader, admirer of noble truths, beauty and love

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