Raw Fiber

I've been working my own fibers, wool mostly, and have been thoroughly engaged with the activity. It intrigues me how fiber that is clumpy, rough, dirty and crusty can turn into something so light, fluffy and soft. The entire process is time-consuming, but so soothing to me.

Play Clay

Burl and I have been making play dough for a while now. We've experimented with recipes, ingredients and natural additives and have had a delightful time in the process.

When I was at Urban Craft Uprising, I was happy to meet Kari of Mama K's Play Clay. I bought some of her clays and love them. And look how adorable she is! She was recently the featured seller on Etsy, a well-deserved honor. I highly recommend supporting her shop and purchasing her clays.

I also high recommend making your own. It's an easy and fun activity that engages sensory development. I follow a few recipes, but this one is a good starter. Burl and I made a few batches this year for Christmas gifts. I skip the food coloring and instead add dried botanicals for color, like beet powder, golden seal, alkanet and spirulina. I add essential oils for therapeutic affects.
Burl helped color the sticker labels :) and we put them all in 4-ounce size tins. Voila! A simple, earthy, healthy, non-toxic, non-synthetic gift.

The Christmas Tree

It's coming down tomorrow. I can't help myself. Once Christmas Day has passed, I'm ready to move on. I know I get way ahead of reality, but I'm ready to start seeds indoors, shop seed catalogs, till my garden, rush in Spring, and ignore the snow all together.

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This year we were gifted a beautiful (and huge!) poinsettia. I've never had one before, tell me, what do you do with yours after Christmas is over?

Natural Christmas

With twinkle lights, a tree and some findings from outdoors, we've kept our Christmas decorating simple. Burl and I foraged our garden and neighborhood to decorate our home; we picked holly berries from our backyard, bay leaves from our herb garden, fallen pine cones from down the road, and evergreen branches. Filled in baskets, little glass jars and cloches around our home, we've really enjoyed the simple feel these natural touches have added this season.

Merry Christmas, my dear friends. His love and peace to you all.

A Saturday in December

Isn't love really all you need sometimes? It's an old proverb I remember my dad sharing with us as I was a little girl.

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Burl has a sticker collection on the car doors. It keeps him occupied and prevents him from running in the streets as I unlock the car doors.

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I think this may be our last year buying a freshly cut Christmas tree. I love live trees, but it just feels like it's time to evolve into something else. Something less expensive and more sustainable, you know?


Happy Saturday, friends!

Ricili Kids

I didn't buy much at Urban Craft Uprising a couple weekends ago. But I HAD to buy this darling little coat for Burl, from Ricili Kids. It's made from a recycled adult size flannel.

It SO reminds me of high school in 1993. Alex says he had a flannel just like this that he wore to an Alice in Chains concert. All Burl needs is a pair of Dr. Martens and he'll look just like all my old high school boyfriends. Except way cuter, of course.

I'm so comforted by the outpouring of kindness from you, my friends. Please know that each of your comments, thoughts and prayers are appreciated more than I can express. Thank you. So very much.

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Here's a sneak peak at my mom's gift for Christmas. My sweet friend, Heather Smith Jones is the author. Her new book is absolutely beautiful.

Keeping It Real

I've been away from this space, I know. And I left without warning or explanation. I'm back now and I feel comfortable sharing a little about where I've been.

Several weeks ago Alex and I were thrilled to learn we were expecting our second child. It was especially fabulous news for us because it has been so challenging for us to conceive. I spent the next little while in a splendid daze of queasiness and bliss. Thanksgiving day brought us heartache though, as I woke that morning with something just not right with the baby. We spent most the day in the ER as I miscarried our child.

My parents and sisters rushed to be with us and to care for Burl while Alex and I waited at the hospital. As he and I drove home later that day, I was filled with two overwhelming and opposing emotions. I was so, so sad for what had just happened. Yet I was overwhelmingly thankful for the life I live. For my husband. For our beautiful son. For the life that had been inside me. For the happiness I have. And I felt that if these are the worst conditions I'm having to endure, I will endure them willingly.


I spent the next week or so feeling sad and sorry for our loss. I tried embracing the despare and really allowing myself to experience the grief. I tried finding the proper balance between feeling disappointment yet not wallowing in sadness.

I'm on my way back up now and I feel good. I have deeply rooted beliefs in a Savior and Father in Heaven who love me and want me to be happy. I am blessed, and I know I will continue to be blessed. So thank you for being patient while I was away. And thank you for being my friends.