My Little Terrier

Oh, he is the sweetest little cairn terrier around. We love him to pieces. But he is a food thief and I will provide evidence tomorrow.

My Second Favorite Season.

Springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year. I love watching the yard transform from sleeping brown to an explosion of green. The spring garden looks so young and optimistic with it's pale hues. It carries with it the hope and promise of warmer days. Each walk in the yard is a surprise as each new tender shoot emerges and shows itself, a celebration of renewal. Spring's turn is almost over, as we hope for frost free mornings where heat loving plants can stretch their roots and and get comfortable.

I love getting out in the yard and digging in the dirt and cleaning out the flower beds. It's therapeutic for me, this time in the garden. I can spend an afternoon out weeding, pruning, mulching, getting it all done. It's a day well spent tending the veggies, knowing that they will soon give some love back in the form of delicious food.   How local and fresh can you get?

So for now I bask in the cool morning and celebrate a spring moment.

I hope that you have the opportunity to dig in the dirt this week.

On Being a Mother

Some days I feel like an explorer, mapping uncharted territory. Well, for me it is and has been these last 15 years. Being a mother doesn't really come with instructions and at times is downright confusing. The best that you can do is listen to your inner voice and keep moving forward.

One thing for certain is that these years have been the best that life has to offer. I've had the privilege of  staying home and raising my one child. Being a constant playmate and companion to my once little one. Now letting go a little, giving my fledgling room to spread his wings and take those first short hops out of the nest. But I'm glad for these years, time spent learning about myself as I took on the role of mother. I'll have time later to be all that I want to be.

Many people don't appreciate what a stay at home mom does. People look down on you and question your lack of usefulness in this world. But what job is more important than raising your own children and being their guiding light. It hasn't come without sacrifice and self doubt. But I'm glad for this role of mother to Nathan and the two that I also love from a distance, Ivy and Olivia. The three of you are always in my prayers. I am so very proud of the three of you.

But I also want to thank my mom for being my guiding light. For the sacrifices that you and dad made over the years. For loving the four children that you have in all of our different ways. I love you Mom, but you know that.

Happy Mother's Day.

This Moment

A single picture capturing a snippet in the week. No words, just this moment in time.

Garden Songs, A New Soap

Just some new soap to share with you today. It's scented with a fragrance that has top notes of citrus and light florals, clean and effervescent. I'm naming this batch of soap Garden Songs.

Guess what my mom and mother in law are getting this weekend? I think that my mom and mother in law will love their new soaps. I have a few more that I'm putting in baskets for them both and will share later in the week how it all came together.

A Ray of Sunshine

A new soap that I cooked up this past week that is making my home smell delightful. It is a simple soap with five skin loving oils. It also has a touch of silk to add a creamy richness. It is scented with a fragrance oil - kumquat, bright, fresh, and uplifting. It brings a smile to my face with it's sunny disposition. I will have twelve bars that will be available July 1st.

I hope that your day is a sunny one.

Rainy Days

Lots of rain, I guess one would call it spring showers. It's nice to have some, it saves me from having to actually water my vegetables. I will admit that I love most just to tend to and admire my garden. So today it is raining again and I'll spend some of my day planning the rest of my garden. It is coming along and I have grand plans centered around lots of kale, chard, and broccoli rabe. Hope that your day is a wonderful one.

In other news, I have lots of new soap to share with you. I hope that the sun comes out soon so that I can take pictures.