life

Simplify Saturday: Embrace Simplicity

Published on by Kariane

“Many people believe simplicity implies doing without. On the contrary, True simplicity as a conscious life choice illuminates our lives from within. True simplicity is both buoyant and bountiful, able to liberate depressed spirits from the bondage and burden of extravagance and excess. True simplicity can elevate ordinary moments…from the mundane to the transcendent.”

–Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

It’s easy to get caught up in the messages of our broader society: to hear the call that says we need to update our house, to keep our wardrobe current, to drive a new car, or carry the latest electronic gadgets.… Continue reading

Autumn

Published on by Kariane

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.

–Emily Dickinson, Autumn

 

Autumn is here. Beautiful, crisp, a final celebration before our little part of the world fades into the renewing slumber of winter.… Continue reading

When Nature Comes Inside: How to Remove a Bird from your House

Published on by Kariane

We live in the mountains, and we routinely see wildlife outside of our house. However, the other day while I was reading to my 6-year-old, my 2-year-old announced, “Mama, Bird in house.” That got my attention.

 

Now, I would like to say this was the first time a bird has come into our house, but it’s not (though it is the first time at this particular house).… Continue reading

A Little Nature Offering: A Pumpkin for a Squirrel

Published on by Kariane

We been keeping our jack-o-lanterns (yes, we already have several) out on our deck. Yesterday, we discovered a squirrel had been nibbling on them.

 

My boys decided that in order to lure the squirrel away from their prized painted and carved pumpkins, they wanted to give the squirrel a pumpkin of his own.

 

So my 6-year-old cut up a pumpkin and carefully stacked it for the squirrel.… Continue reading

Market Meltdown: When your Child Falls Apart in the Store

Published on by Kariane

NOTE: I wrote this piece almost a year ago, but haven’t yet shared it (in part because I didn’t have a suitable picture — is that silly?  I finally decided to use a photo taken by someone else).  The other day as we were walking through this same market, and another person’s child was crying and crying.  My heart went out to the mother and the little girl, and as we walked by I quietly said, “I’ve been in your shoes, in this very market. … Continue reading

Thought for the Day: Lao Tzu

Published on by Kariane

Thought for the Day: Lao Tzu

 

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to’.” — Lao Tzu

 

That is, if something is truly important to you, you will make time for it. And if you’re not willing to make the time for it, is it really as important as you say?

 

Consider this when you’re pondering whether to commit larger things, such as time spent with friends and family.… Continue reading

Teaching Kids about Animal Predators

Published on by Kariane

A few days ago, my friend and her two boys were over visiting. All four boys started out playing in my boys’ room (an amazing chance for us mamas to catch up!), and then decided to head outside to play. A minute or two after they all ran out the door, it occurred to me to ask, “Do your boys know what to do if they encounter a predator in our yard?”… Continue reading

Fall, Leaves, Fall: How we Welcomed the Change of the Seasons

Published on by Kariane

Fall, leaves, fall

By Emily Brontë

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

 

As Bronte poignantly expresses above, there is beauty to be found even as the northern hemisphere prepares for its winter rest. … Continue reading

A Day at the County Fair

Published on by Kariane

Each year when the County Fair is in full swing, we make a venture out to our local fairgrounds. Our fair is small (very, very small compared to many other county fairs – but then our county is pretty small), but that’s part of what makes it a great experience.

 

My boys love animals, so we spent lots of time wandering through the animal barns.… Continue reading