latest inspiration

Last winter I stumbled onto a really cool idea called The December Photo Project through Sara Janssen's blog, Walk Slowly Live Wildly. I discovered it too late in the game to join in but watched eagerly from the sidelines promising myself I'd participate the following year. Well, December's here and I'm only a day late getting started ,so game on people! If you follow the link above you can get all of the details and join in the fun too.

During the past few weeks of much needed silence/recharge/down time I have been finding great comfort and inspiration from a handful of  places:

Amanda Blake Soule's blog, Soule Mama, is the first thing I read every morning. The intentionality in which she navigates her days is so very inspiring. Her sharing makes me want to be a better person! In addition to her wonderful blog, Amanda has a also written three fantastic books. Her latest titled The Rhythm Of Family  (co written with her husband Steve) spans an entire calendar year.Filled with ideas,crafts,beautifully written essays and lovely photos this little book is a true gift for anyone wanting to slow down and connect in a deeper way with their family, self and the seasons.

I am half way through another fantastic book,Radical Homemakers: reclaiming domesticity from a consumer culture by Shannon Hayes. Initially I was put off by the title and even though I've checked it out from our local library twice I never did crack the cover. My first impression was way off base and this gem of a book is definitely a life changer.It is literally covering every deep nagging issue I've had in my heart about parenting,partnership and building a more authentic life. A must read if you're similarly discontent!

My other favorite web stop these days is over at Knitting Iris' Flickr page.She lives in rural Montana and shares her beautiful, full days of raising chickens, a bountiful garden,homeschooling her two boys with lots of cooking, canning,preserving, quilting and knitting mixed in too. Since rediscovering her inspiring world last month I have: started a quilt, canned a huge batch of applesauce, baked quite often, cooked dinner every.single.night(wow!), made plans for a massive vegetable garden and set up a seasonal mantle. This lady inspires me into some serious action!