over at soul remedies....

http://soulremedies.net/an-ordinary-beautiful-day/

collaboration!

it's been quiet around here for awhile...because i've once again teamed up with leah over at soulremedies (soon to be bumbleandflourish.com). life is more fun when we do it together. leah and i have the same conversations all the time. what do we love to talk about?

becoming. more ourselves. coming of age. soul remedies. nature. art. poetry. literature. if you too are a lover of those things join us. we would love to hear from you. leave us a comment or drop in to see the lovely art of the talented artists of our day.

art journal

this year my mom invited me to join her in a free online art journal challenge, the documenting life project. she happens to have enough art supplies to open a small art store and blissfully, i am able to use what she already has! luxurious paints, inks, pens, papers, stencils, stamps, books...and her experience. 

having time set aside for art is another luxury. we usually spend about 3-4 hours one day a week working on each page. i've found it can be hard to return to the world after being settled into my artsy side for awhile! in a few short months i have already found what excites me the most as an artist - flowers! i'm learning what color combinations thrill me, what my strengths and weaknesses are.

so, who knows where it will take me, but i'm happily along for the journey. 

would you like to gift yourself with more time for creating? you could always join the project too! just pick up right where we are. purchase yourself an art journal and use what you have! it's not about professional quality art, it's about learning how to use the different mediums, being inspired, nurturing your creativity! all it took was a half-hearted invitation from my mom, take this as your invitation from me!

bramble & posy

a new little farm shop just opened outside my front door. in our bus stop actually.

a dream of mine has been to have a little farm stand for now, maybe a shop in our little country town later selling eggs, berries, flowering branches, spring flowers, dahlias, cutting flowers and starts. to spend a bit of time each morning gathering up the bounty of our smallish 2 acre piece of land and sharing the sunshine with passers-by. good for my soul, good for others too i hope.

the name was chosen for the way our property tends to go wild the second we turn our back with brambles popping up wherever they like (which is everywhere). okay then, i'll be a blackberry farmer

- it's easy since they volunteer!! and then i love to cultivate flowers also - and make them into bouqets and posies.

so like my homelife with both boys and girls - our place is both wild and pretty. not and/or but both/both!!

water magic

guest posting over at soul remedies...

when we are little we know there is magic in the world. we feel it. we make it with our paintbrush, we hear it in the rustling leaves, we sense the chills up our spine in the evening dew. as we grow, the ordinary seems to creep in, taking over the way we live our moments.

EVERYthing matters

the wide world is so intricately connected that even the flapping of a butterflies wings can turn the weather.*

before i knew this to be true, every loss i experienced was unbearable. 

from my earliest years, the theme of loss has been a constant in my story. and most often it came in the form of divorce. but there are many kinds of losses and all of them painful.

in mine, notably, there was the first boy who stole my heart. he shattered it: suddenly gone forever. friendships fostered during my tender childhood days later marred by growing pains, are sadly over. the death of beloved family members and friends: is this really the end?

each one left searing holes in my heart and i feared that those people, the relationships we grew and the experiences we shared were no longer REAL.  time kept mercilessly ticking away, by the hour taking what was loved and declaring the end. but, what if time isn't REAL, stories are?

what if time only seems to be? past, present, and future.  just as we reread a book and experience it again do our stories remain true for all of time? so it's not only our experiences leading us to where we are today or the tokens of our memories that last...what if we are fused to one another with the energy we exchange with our breath and the life we've lived together? 

we belong to each other. so its never really over, and true stories are always true. 

maybe beginnings and endings are the only links we have to time and once we are beyond, only our connection remains.

*the butterfly effect

a life more wild

walking up a hill in hawaii with the lush green vistas of kailua before me, i pondered what it would be like to live in paradise. for the week i left behind the grays of winter, the endless inside living and the cold. a move to the islands looked like an invitation to live an inside out sort of life. more wild, less domestication. but as i looked from house to house, i realized how deep domestication has taken root even here.

true story: once upon a time…

people everywhere lived in the villages and towns popping up among the wild places. they built homes, often shared in the work with their neighbors, and maybe cultivated a vegetable garden. at the castle and in the common areas expert gardeners, brick layers and builders were hired to build and maintain elaborate gardens and terraces to be enjoyed an admired by many.  but at home, life was still beautiful, though more naturally so.

today…

we are the kings and queens of our own castles, or so we fancy. we each buy for ourselves as much "castle" as we can afford, with our visions of lawns, gardens, design style, and curb appeal.  soon we have a list pages long of remodel, renovate, refresh ideas which soon turn into obligations. and a yard work list just as long. none too soon we realise: there is no staff at this castle, no rustic to do the work except ourselves. there are many things we want done but we don't actually want to do it. we have become the tools of our tools, as thoreau says.

what if we lived a life more wild and less domesticated? we could go to the castle (in modern days perhaps this means the capital or a fancy hotel). there would be someones master garden to enjoy. someone’s fine art collection. we could tour a cathedral in the city or an architectural masterpiece, taking in the beauty with awe and wonder, without having to OWN it.

i've been thinking i have ownership issues. why do i always want to own everything? it used to be a form of self expression for me.. "this" is what i'm about. but i'm beginning to think it’s a cultural issue. we have lost the art of appreciation. we have enslaved ourselves to our ideals.

imagine how much pleasure and leisure we could enjoy if we stopped trying to domesticate everything. wildlife outside our doors instead of lawns. simple furnishings, the beauty of worn things, natural lasting beauty. how would we fill our days if there is less to clean, less to upkeep? our time and our finances freed from unnecessary obligations. without the need to stake our claim or hold our ground, would life become more simple?

go ahead...break the norm. who decided we ought to own it all, and keep our homes & yards magazine worthy? that this is a high and worthy value? you know there is more to life! let yourself at it! break free. leave it behind. you could have so much more.

beyond

it was mid-afternoon, mid-week and he said go. he didn't have to tell me twice and i didn't even know where i was headed but out of this town. so i drove down the end of the road and turned onto the open highway headed for the only bookstore big enough to handle all my searching. i didn't know it yet but i was breaking down fences with that simple drive. 

the next day, an errand needed to be run to a distant store in an unfamiliar place and he didn't want to do it. i heard myself volunteer with a bit of a glimmer in my soul and he said go. so i drove down to the end of the road, turned onto the open highway and headed further this time. stayed away longer too. this time the wires between fence posts were stretched to the ground where i could get through with hardly any resistance at all. 

who put those fences up at the borders of the plateau? who said to stay within for beauty, serenity and comfort? maybe it seems like my man did by the way i waited for his insistence that i could go. no, i built them myself and carefully too. i made a narrowly beautiful, picturesque life for us here in our country town. defined beauty by wide open spaces, quiet, mountain vistas, charming farm-town. in my definition of beauty there was no room for mess. no room for urban sprawl, advertising, obvious poverty. i wanted to be be away from it all. 

well, a small life is okay for a worn out momma of little ones, wide open spaces with room to breathe console weary souls. 

but i'm beyond it now. freedom means more to me than anything. oh beauty still matters a whole lot too. only, beauty is the big wide world these days. beauty is a trip to the city to hear brandi carlile enchant the audience at benaroya hall with a broken hallelujah. beauty is a trip to a cider pub to experience a hard cider tasting. beauty is adventure, even if you have to drive through the industrial district to get there. 

winter's rest

winter has settled in around us. so we will spend our days slowly recharging for the coming expansion of spring.

the rest of this guest post can be found here...

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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?

Top 5 Favorites of a Country Christmas

There is nothing better than spending Christmas in the country.   Here are a few reasons it's the best!

1.  The neighbor down the street who decorates his house to look just like a real gingerbread house!

2.  The Christmas parade down the middle of the main street with familiar faces and so much festivity!

3.  A show in the big city is such a magical treat, yet as we drive back into the country, the fields open and we heave a sigh of relief to be nearly home and tucked away from all the hustle and bustle (mainly traffic!).

4.  It's a simple affair without too much pretense, simply homey!

5.  Our neighbors are still so neighborly!  A sweet great grandmother who lives next door brings Monkey Bread for our Christmas morning, such a treat!

What sort of Christmas do you prefer?  Whatever it may be ~
Wishing you a Merry & Bright One!
Olivia

Heaven on Earth

I am, along with many across our nation, heavy hearted this day after such tragedy in Connecticut yesterday.
My first response wasn't noble, (often it's not, I am ashamed to say) it was to stay in bed this morning and keep going back to sleep.
Once I knew the day was going on and I must get up and join in I wondered what my next response should be?  I turned on the news momentarily to see if any new information had been released and heard a pastor saying we can acknowledge the evil but double down on love.
Some people with their choices bring hell to earth.  Unbelievable but true.  Well I guess in a way we all at times choose this when we yell at our children, gossip... the list goes on.
But today? And really every day and as often as possible we can also with our choices bring heaven to earth.  We can love deeply, reaching out our arms as comfort, choosing selflessness, offering forgiveness, meeting needs.  And of course in the process of meeting those needs find our own broken hearts mended as well.
Blessings,
Olivia

Ah, Country Life

The view is different out my windows lately.  The leaves are gone from the trees expanding the deep horizon so I can now see the Olympics way off in the distance.  The garden sits exposed with bare earth since I haven't finished mulching.  Already I miss my fingers in the soil.  Everything is earthy damp and decaying.  My eyes search over the landscape for subtle changes, something new to look at.

I imagine myself going out and lying down, joining the earth in this deep long pause.

Our home is preparing for holiday but my heart is preparing for winter.  Days indoors, cozy fires in the hearth, hobbies for our hands, books for our thoughts.  Little trips into town but mostly simple at home life, quiet, slow and real.  A little too slow for some of us even.  It may not always be so but for now it's the gist of our country life.

Life on a Budget

I have definetly caught the budgeting bug!

I swear to you for the first time in my life I actually look forward to getting our bills each month.  Can you believe it?  I know, me either.

We have been working hard to keep our heat turned down, our wood stove cranked up, lights off and spending to a minimum.  Our children are adjusting as they at first couldn't understand why we just don't run out for ice cream or a new sweater or .... "fill in the blank" like we used to.  I have reduced my drive thru coffee habit - down to about once every two months.  Scott has trimmed his eating out budget to a fraction of what it used to be.

Here are the top reasons I am so thankful for our new budget:
1.  I feel like a grown up.
2.  It has caused me to be more organized with paperwork than ever before.  I even know what we paid for utilities for the past 2 years so I can have an idea what to actually budget for each month!
3.  We can be more purposeful in our giving!!!
4.  Choosing where to spend our money is empowering!
5.  We can make our dollars stretch farther when we respect them more!
6.   Prioritizing our personal expenses means nothing truly important gets left out at the expense of something less important!
7.  I am more thankful for the conveniences and goods we exchange our money for - heat, services rendered, internet and more.

For our family being thrifty and purposeful during the winter months is absolutely essential as our business slows way down from the full and bustling summer and fall.  While we have more time together we have much less money to spend, it's feast or famine!  I will take the family time and enjoy it more when I realize we  have prepared well!

How about your family - do you budget?  What are your tips and tricks to staying on track?


I use Dave Ramsey's online budget worksheets printed right off of his website for free in order to make a monthly budget.  

Morning Inspiration