Living in the cold north, there are some things to be thankful for....

I am thankful that we don't have to use one of these anymore!  This particular outhouse was a soddy replica of the buildings that were common in the time of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  It is found in Southern Minnesota, near Sanborn.  We visited this lovely little place last summer, and I often think about how privileged we are to live in a house with indoor plumbing when the Minnesota winter is so very cold in January.  Yes, I know that chamber pots were used, but at some point, there was a need to go to the outhouse to dump that pot.

If you'd like to learn more about this place so that you can see all the great work they have done, you can visit their website at http://www.sodhouse.org/history.html  I will add more pictures of our adventure there in future posts!

The Mom

Those random pictures are sometimes amazing...

Especially when taken by a little one who has been sneaking around with your camera!

Every so often, I will upload my photos only to find a few dozen extras on the SD card.  I have learned that those are not to be a bother meant to annoy me, but to inspire.  To give me perspective.  To view life from someone else' eyes.  In my case, that "someone" is a 3 year old.  I can't count the number of pictures I have of my desk or of random fingers.  I love the ones from under the table that only show legs.  The ones that tell of someone's misadventures are something I love to find.  Hard to tell mom you didn't do it when your little brother took a picture of you in action, huh? 

And then, every once in a while, there is a gem that just amazes me.  The perspective, the details, the angle.  They all just make me wonder how those little hands who don't really know what they are doing, can capture something of beauty or just a special moment in time.  This one is my newest favorite. Someone had just rolled back the rug to sweep when Jr. Photographer got the shutter bug itch.  The card just draws my attention each time I look at this!

Do you notice the little things?

Today, as I was going about my day, I took note of things around me.  Things that others may not have noticed.  It wasn't my own choosing, it was something I have been inspired to do by some blogging friends.

I noticed how much a dollar tip can make a server smile big.  Yep, a dollar.  Those dollars all add up one at a time.  Sure, they love more, but there are those who appreciate the kindness.  Especially in a "light service" situation.

Fortune cookies.  I know, they are just printed paper.  Nothing magical or monumental about their creation or existence.  Think about this though.  When you read a fortune cookie, what happens?  Their little whimsical bits of "wisdom" make you laugh, may you smile, or even make you twist up your face and say "huh?  really?!?! what is THAT supposed to mean?!".  A silly little something can make some big entertainment.

A kind word.  It doesn't even have to be to someone you know.  It could be a simple greeting as you pass someone in the grocery store or hold the door for someone as you go in our out of a business.  Even if you are in a great mood, that little "nice boots!" comment can make someone smile...and both of you feel the reward.  The break in the monotony of life can really perk things up.

A simple little flower, picture, or even a candy dish can make a whole room feel warm and welcome rather than cold and sterile.  Life puts me in a lot of meetings and appointments at various places, and rather than fidget with electronics or read a book only to be interrupted at the best parts, I study my surroundings and take them all in.  Those rooms with just that little personal touch make that wait so much more enjoyable.

I could go on and on...but I will save some for another day.  What little things did YOU notice today?

Do you ever wonder what happens to this blog behind the scenes?

I can tell you. From the outside perspective. As a blogger, you are busy with life and think "Oh! I have GOT to share this!" And then, when you get time so that you stop and sit down to write? And forget what was so exciting. You sit there, you hem and haw. You check facebook. You browse through your overly full inbox and think that it should be cleaned out, but you generally don't feel like it. So then you hop over to Pinterest and get sucked in for a bit. You decide that all is lost, you might as well get up to do something TRULY productive again, and go on your merry way. It only takes a few moments before you are busy and the memory is back and you are itching to write it all down. Somehow, along the way to the keyboard, the phone rings, a child talks to you, or the cat meows and it is all over and you are back to square one. This may even happen several times over!

You get past that and you sit down the next time, and wonder if you really had such a great idea after all. Was it earth shattering? nope. Was it new? Fresh? Appealing to anyone besides your kids or cat? What about the dog, did he care? Oh, husband didn't care...hmmm... Then the questions start coming to mind: Has someone else written something like this? Who will care to read it? What if this is boring to them? And the list could go on and on.

Then, there are the questions of pictures: Hmm, that one shows the mess on my counter. If it is posted, what WILL people think? Ok, not that one. What about this one? Argh! If I just edit that out, it would be a great picture! Yeah, but then that wouldn't be *real*. What is the point of a post if it isn't real and from the heart?!?! Why do I blog again? Oh yeah, because there is a lot to say and I want to share ideas with someone besides my poor husband who would rather not hear about project attempt number 327 and how the pieces just didn't fit together like I planned.

Now that you know the running commentary in my head? Welcome to my blog with a fresh purpose for 2013. Grab a cup of coffee while we chat. I know, you aren't truly chatting with me, but what is the point of writing if it isn't *to* someone? It makes it more personal. And that is what this blog is all about. Each and every blog has something unique to them. I am a mom, a wife, a homeschool teacher, a home business owner, a friend, a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, neighbor and so much more. Each of my roles in life will color what I share. The randomness, the reviews, the ramblings... what? you don't ramble? That is ok, I tend to do enough of that for all of us!

And speaking of pictures? Why is it that the cutest ones always seem to have half naked little kids in them? PLEASE tell me, I would love to know.

The Mom

A little bit of focus after the hectic holidays.

I find myself looking at blogs and ideas several times a week. My family takes part in my attempts to constantly try new things an dabble in this art or that craft. As the new year has already started, I have already added a few more things to my "to do" list. I am slowly starting to cross off some of the old ones. One of the big projects that I have found for myself this past year is reviewing items for a homeschool magazine. That experience has been strangely gratifying on several levels. I get new things to play with, I get to critique each item, and I get to keep it! New to my every changing list? I will be both writing and reviewing for an awesome up and coming homeschool site, Homeschool Mosaics and Mosaic Reviews! As I grow the blog and venture out with more writing on a personal level, I hope you will join me! The Mom...

Change of the seasons

Today, I look outside and see the leaves are all gone from the trees. I see the fields are bare. The time is right for a change of pace. Things slow down here in the cooler weather. New projects, new ideas. New thoughts on how to tweak our routines. And plenty of reasons to keep busy inside the house. That means more books to read, more crafts to try, and of course a few Pinterest items to attempt to re-create! Fall is clearly upon us, and I embrace it happily. What does fall mean in your house? The Mom.

WOW! Long time, no see! a bit of an explanation for the barren years...

The gaps you see in this blog are intentional.  The purpose of the blog has changed over the years and the content of previous years is no longer appropriate for the audience I am choosing to speak to now.  Many of the old posts pertained to people and places that are not really relevant to homeschooling, crafting, family, etc.  They were related to business and specific topics.  They would have bored the general public to death...and so, for your viewing pleasure, they are pleasantly edited away ;)  You are welcome!  Trust me, you would have thanked me, had you seen them all!

The Mom...