The leaves of the oak trees were just beginning to form, those tightly wrapped buds gently announcing that spring may be on her way. The sun shone a bit too bright as I looked out the upstairs window from my bed, heavy with the weight of mono that had lingered for weeks. Grief over a […]
Parenting
Connecting With Our Creativity: Part 2 – Imposter Syndrome
I have written 11 books but each time I think, “Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” -Maya Angelou “I am a writer.” Well, I mean, I started a blog. I like to write. I am part of a writing group […]
Double Duty Holiday Shopping 2020
My idea of Christmas, whether old fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. -Bob Hope Disclaimer: There are NO affiliate links in this post. I haven’t yet gotten my act together. Bountiful Days will not make one red cent from your purchases to companies linked in this post. I have a confession. I REALLY […]
The Parent Trap: Comparison
Comparison is the death of joy. -Mark Twain A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at the home of some dear friends. The oldest son, 14, greeted us at the door with an offer of a beverage. I truly felt cared for with his warm gesture of hospitality. Later I thought, “Where have […]
- Food
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Why I Got Out Of The Natural Mom Contest
Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect. -Brene Brown Cavities. Not one. Not two. But MULTIPLE cavities. In the mouths of my two sweet boys who had been born without medical intervention, breastfed well past 12 months, and administered not a single antibiotic to date. I was crestfallen. The natural mom formula that […]
Bless This Mess
The question is not what you look at but what you see. -Ralph Waldo Emerson If there ever was a hot mess, my 2020 garden would be it. Despite my best intentions, the tomatoes were never staked, the peppers kept getting pulled up by my 3 year old garden companion, and the daisies sort of […]
Name What Matters – Fall 2020
Kendra Adachi, a favorite podcaster, just released a new book, “The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t and Get Stuff Done”. I mean, doesn’t that title alone make you want to read it? One of the principles she teaches is “Name What Matters”. The key here? Name what matters…TO YOU. Kendra applies […]
- Parenting
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The Story Behind the Snapshot
“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning….Make some light.” -Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux Last Saturday the boys and I hit our local farmer’s market to pick up some honey, fresh berries, lettuce, and flowers. At one point, baby Marshall and I were waiting at the […]
- Parenting
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What Is Sacred?
There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation. -Madeleine L’Engle For most of my life, I pictured something like this upon encountering the word “sacred”: Or this: Or this: I pictured cathedrals, pews, heads bowed in prayer. Only very GODLY things. I […]
Breathe In, Breathe Out
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. -Job 33:4 Does anyone else feel slightly short of breath as we look into July and the second half of this surreal year? I feel a like I’ve been holding 2020 like a tiger by the tail, reminding myself […]