rhythm of the home

Today, the Autumn Issue of Rhythm of the Home is out, and I couldn't be more pleased to have contributed to this lovely publication. This, along with turning the calendar to September, has provided that final nudge into the season ahead that I needed.

Rhythm of the Home is an inspiring collection of recipes, crafts, words and ideas, drawing on the influences of the seasons. I feel honored to have been included in the autumn edition and am looking forward to reading through all the other amazing contributions included in this issue. Here's to autumn and the inspiration it brings!

simple reminders

Last month's meeting with the Holistic Moms Network of Rockford was a great discussion about simple living. It was refreshing to hear from so many mothers who strive to know and live their values every day.

As we talked about our own personal ideas of simplicity, there were many phrases that stood out as being at the heart of simple living. At the end of our discussion, I invited each woman to create her own simplicity reminder to serve as a guidepost for her days. Each person thoughtfully chose the phrases, actions, purposes and ideas they wished to reinforce in their lives and wrote them out to post on a fridge or hang on a mirror where they can be seen throughout the day.

Using many of the words that came up in our discussion, I have created a similar simple living reminder that you are welcome to print out from Wordle. Just click on the image below:

In response to many of the questions that arose in the Holistic Moms Network discussion, I'll be putting together some posts that specifically address ways to incorporate the ideas of simplifying into everyday tasks.

I am grateful for the ideas and inspiration each woman shared and for the gentle reminders that help to shape our days.

passing it on

The other day, I received an e-mail from an address I didn't recognize. The unknown address -- coupled with the subject line refering to a "gift" -- had me ready to hit delete. Suspicious as I was, I opened it just to see. There were no links or attachments, no requests for aid or information about a windfall inheritance. Instead, I found only this quote:


“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other media. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours--clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."
-Martha Graham

I sat for a moment, wondering at the timing of this seemingly stray message. There's been a strong and steady internal debate lately about all the things I do and those that I would like to add, looking at the direction I am heading and why I feel compelled to move that way. I've spent a lot of time questioning and comparing, which is why this quote struck me as so fitting. It is not for me to determine how good it is. Reading that brought a sense of what could almost be described as relief.

And so, I am passing this quote along to you, in the hopes that it might bring a similar bit of peace to where you are along your path right now.