How and why I blog

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

          How and why I blog

I’ve had people ask me some great questions about blogging so I thought I would take a minute and answer them.

How do you find time to Blog?

I can not tell you how many times a friend or family member has said to me ” how in the world do you find time to blog?” Well, this is my answer….

I never, ever under any circumstances watch Television. period. 

It’s amazing the extra time you can find when you don’t have a TV in the house:))

I blog early in the morning (like in this photo) and late at night to avoid having my computer on during the day. Oh, I keep a blogging Journal in the Kitchen and on top of my computer;  I write my thoughts, ideas and blogging to-dos in those so I won’t forget or lose my ideas in the midst of the Circus that is my life some days..haha!

What do you blog about?

 I blog about the Magic in the ordinary day. I search it out and some days it’s harder to find than others but it’s always there if you are looking. I blog about my Journey here and I try to do it with as much honesty and love as possible.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”   ~Jawaharlal Nehru 

Why do you put so many links and quotes in your posts:

I love to read and I wish I could write. If I was ever to get an extra talent late in life, I really, really hope it is the ability to write. Quotes say what I am feeling but don’t have the ability to put into words. I try to be oh so careful where I am getting these quotes ( aka never facebook) most of them come from books that I have here at the house, that way I can be sure of where they came from. If not, I find them on the internet and I am super picky so it takes me awhile to find ones I like. I have a notes post unpublished where I keep my quotes and ideas ( hopefully I never publish it be mistake, that would be embarrassing)

Why Links…..oh, well because I can:) jk I love supporting small family owned businesses that make their products by hand. It makes me feel like I am helping them out.

Oh, and I link to my blogging friends cause I love them and I think you will too if you get to know them

Who are you writing to?

To you, to me, to the friends I have and the ones I haven’t met yet, to my family, to my husband, to my Daughters and to my son.

Writing to the friend who has chosen a path that no one else in the world seems to be on and they like me are needing a like minded friend or just someone to hear them out, to my family who thinks they know me but don’t and who will probably never read this..haha, to my love who really wants to know me better, to my children who may someday want to know who I was and what I was thinking when they were young, and for me because I want to record and remember..you, them, this, that and some more of all of this beauty:)))

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin

What is your blogging Mission?

The hell if I know..haha!

I guess if you pinned me down and made me answer, I would say…

To inspire, to Share the finding and holding onto of Magic, to encourage anyone reading to take time out of their busy days to connect with the Earth and Each other, to find and fall in love with their Creator, to love themselves and to follow their hearts,  to wave a banner in support of healthy raw living, to breathe LIFE & JOY into this role as MAMA, to share my gratitude for every single second I am given, to leave a record of my Journey here in this “Magic in a Bottle”  that I call my blog.

Walk Barefoot on the Earth……and listen

~ Barefoot Mama

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“…Silent sun /at sunset/.”

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

  Love ( we didn’t use the chalkboard for 2days because I couldn’t get myself to wash these gorgeous letters off

She wanted to make lunch. It may or may not have something to do with the fact that her pen pal is a chef:))) haha!

I’m not sure what to say about his outfit other than he picked it out himself.

Learning to knit

little hands at work

Reading to his baby

Peter Pan

My used linen shirt that came in the mail last week. The used Waldorf supplies group is a great place to find used hemp/organic/soy and linen clothes….LOVE used clothing!! Oh and my  faithful hemp pants from Intertwined Designs

Who does not remember the interest with which, when young he looked at shelving rocks, or any approach to a cave? It was the Natural yearning of that portion of our most primitive ancestor which still survived in us. ~ Henry Thoreau 

Trying to help him across the “bridge”

She was very proud of him:)))

Sweet boy

Give me the splendid silent sun /at sunset/.

~Walt Whitman

Little me checking out the pictures she took of the Sunset:))

love those hard working hands

   Billy Made Tarzan a big boy bed this week and our little man is very, very proud of it:) He insists that everyone who comes into our home, go upstairs to see his new bed, it’s really just too cute!  The first morning he woke up in his new bed, he said ” dant u da da” (thank you, Daddy) ughh…if you could have seen the joy on my husbands face, it was absolutely wonderful!!!

Tarzan is trying to put Uncle Cody to sleep the way that Daddy puts him to sleep. My brother is not really excited about having this video on the internet..LOL

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcgTCaCxNiI&list=UUqZIjN0vkm9lU2o2wjSYnAA&index=1&feature=p

My “Magic in a Bottle”

 Joan asked if she could paint, I set up the paint, she painted, we put the painting out in the sun to dry and I didn’t think anything else about it. Well, when we went up to put Tarzan to bed there it was, her master piece hanging by his bed.  She had found a couple tacks and hung it up herself as a gift to him. I actually cried…I know I’m a baby but it was just SO darn SWEET!!!

Worry in the midst of beauty

I am not much of a painter but I do paint. I painted this and put it by my bed to remind myself to let go of all of the worry and just enjoy the beauty around me. What will be will be, there is no point in darkening what is today by worrying about what will be tomorrow. 

~ Barefoot Mama

Linking up with Kristi & Alicia

Posted in Barefoot Art, CONNECT, LET THE CHILDREN PLAY, LOVE ORGANICALLY, My Bookshelf, My Magic in a bottle, SUNSET, The Magic that keeps me going | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

This moment { Dance with me}

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

~This Moment~ 

A magical moment, a moment that I wish I could put into a time capsule and pull it out again years from now, I moment I really want to remember, A moment I can look back on when my kids are grown and remember how perfectly magical this time in my life was.Inspired by Soule Mama

Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other.  ~Carol Saline

Posted in LET THE CHILDREN PLAY, LOVE ORGANICALLY, The magic of childhood, This Moment | Leave a comment

Winter Sunrise

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

Do you ever wake up and for no apparent reason feel

OVERWHELMINGLY GRATEFUL?? 

That’s how I felt this morning and that feeling has stayed with me all day. It’s a beautiful way to travel through a day……

Waiting on that beautiful Winter Sunrise

Thank you, Blitzen for keeping my feet warm while I wait!!

Nature, the gentlest mother, Impatient of no child…………. her golden finger on her lip………………wills silence everywhere.
~ Emily Dickenson

I got to have breakfast with my hubby…alone!!! all the kiddos slept in:)) So fun!

“January, for me, is like the silence after the fireworks display on Canada day.” ~ Jennifer Well said, Friend, well said!

Trying to relax and not go out hunting for Our sweet Rhythm but let her find us.

She has mad skills for a 5 year old. Sometimes I forget how young she is.

trying so hard:))

 This is our poor Piano Teacher trying to do a recorder lesson with all three kids.

This video is for all of you Mama’s and Papa’s out there who have ever tried to do any kind of lesson or craft with a toddler……LOL.

BEGINNING RECORDER LESSON

BACK TO JUICING..YAY!!

Organic apples, carrots, celery, lemons, ginger root and beets….YES!!!

We were inspired to start Juicing by David Wolfe and his awesome crew. We are really grateful for all of the awesome information they make available to the public. Such a gift!!!!

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme

 Such an independent girl

Her sweet pen pal made her a necklace, she was sooo excited and has yet to take it off:))))

Melts my heart Virginie. You have done a great job, Mama! He is a sweet heart:)))

 Peter Pan

Thanks to Wendy’s mother we have a new bedtime verse.

“Don’t worry about a thing……have  sweet dreams of Neverland, and everything will be fine when the sun comes up.”

~ Mary Darling

MY “Magic in a bottle“

                                {  You }

The comments on this post are filled with wisdom, love and honesty. I am honored to have been a part of such a great discussion.

COURAGE TO CHANGE

So many wise women sharing taking the time to their hearts with me…

A good friend suggested I print them out, which is exactly what I plan to do:)))

THANK YOU for this keepsake!!!!

LOVE you guys!

~ Barefoot Mama

Posted in Blessings, CONNECT, Learning at home, LOVE ORGANICALLY, Mother Natures Message, Our Rhythm | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

This Moment { connect}

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

~This Moment~ 

A magical moment, a moment that I wish I could put into a time capsule and pull it out again years from now, I moment I really want to remember, A moment I can look back on when my kids are grown and remember how perfectly magical this time in my life was.Inspired by Soule Mama

“Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life.“ ~ Charlotte Mason

 Every Child begins in the world again, to some extent, and loves to stay outdoors, even in the wet and cold. It plays house, as well as horse, having an instinct for it. Who does not remember the interest with which, when young he looked at shelving rocks, or any approach to a cave? It was the Natural yearning of that portion of our most primitive ancestor which still survived in us. ~ Henry Thoreau (from Walden)

Posted in CONNECT, LET THE CHILDREN PLAY, Literature of the heart, Mother Natures Message, The magic of childhood, This Moment, Words that feed my soul | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Warmth and a little “Ordinary” Magic

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

WARMTH

Our wood stove

I am very excited to announce that We FINALLY got the wood stove in and running….Yippee!!!!!  This has been a long time goal of ours. My hubby insists on doing his own work ( I LOVE that about him) so it took a few months from start to finish and I couldn’t be more excited that it’s done.  looks like it’s always been there, doesn’t it?

~A few “Ordinary” Moments~

He speaks in his own language that Only she seems to understand. He talks and she answers and I am so glad he has someone to talk to.

Enjoying the stove and pretending  ( for those who might be wondering…lol) to smoke the pipes their uncle Cody got them for Christmas. I suggested maybe he get them a book next year instead…HAHAH!

 ”Oh no!!! Wait, why are you in the house and where are you friends?????” haha!

“AHHHH…not in my room”

” I love you, but you need to GET OUT right now!!!” LOL

 how can you get mad at them when they give you these?? :)))

We follow their lead. We learn and assist in learning with the Rhythm of their interests. ~ Mama & Papa Barefoot:))

Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. ~ Plato

Taking Picasso’s advice and trying to hold onto the Artist in them

He takes his work so serious <3

 ”Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -

“There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.” ~ George Eliot

To have a loving relationship with a sister
is not simply to have a buddy or a confident-
it is to have a soul mate for life.
-Victoria Secunda

 There is a sort of Magic in these  simple, sweet and very “ordinary” moments  and they are just the sort of moments that lights up my world and make this journey so BEAUTIFUL!!

Hope you are finding some “Ordinary” Magic in your week!!!!

~ Barefoot Mama

WARMTH

My “Magic in a Bottle” today

“mom, is this the picture of the place where Daddy asked you to marry him?” ~ Joanie

“yes ma’am it is!”  ~ Me

“oh, I am so glad he asked you” ~ “Joanie”

“me too, baby, me too!” ~ Me

{ **sigh**}

If I could give my girls any advice about finding their match. It would be this…Find someone that will love you JUST THE WAY YOU ARE while still encouraging you to be better

 

Women that inspire me

Here, here…..I have a new friend and she has given me some food for thought this week:)

She did this just for me..Cause I’m special;) haha!

“So, your progressed Moon is in Sagittarius and will be until around
March 2014. Your theme is Freedom.”

“Another theme, according to House (life area), has been and remains
Creativity (connected still to Freedom theme) and will be until around
July 2012.” ~ Mon 

HOW FUN!!

She has been self-studying astrology for 25 years. I think that is simply fantastic!!!

Thank you, Monica!

You rock!!

5 senses tour

Posted in A gypsy soul, Home learning, My Magic in a bottle, MY SOUL SMILES, Our Animals, The magic of childhood, The Magic that keeps me going | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Courage to Change

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

I’m reading Walden at the moment and really enjoying it.  I think it will prove to be one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read. Well, today in my quiet time I couldn’t get Henry Thoreau’s words out of my head….

“…., I am surprised to learn that they cannot at once name a dozen int he town who own their own farms free and clear.” 

“…he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that got him.” 

“….consider first how slight a shelter is absolutely necessary.” 

” Shall we always study to obtain more of these things, and not sometimes to be content with less? Shall the respectable citizen thus gravely teach, by precept and example, the necessity of the young man’s provoking a certain number of suberfluous glow-shoes, and umbrellas, and empty quest chambers for the empty quests, before he dies?” ********** and this is where I shut the book and decided to take a walk.

I needed a little quiet time to check my heart. Can I live on less? Do we still have too much stuff? and the answer after much arguing on my part was…YES! ughhh…such a hard thing to hear. I have come a long way in regards to living on less and yet I have this overwhelming feeling that this is just the beginning.

CAN I LIVE ON LESS ??

I Can… 

I want to….

&

I need to…

Do you even feel something so strongly, something you feel the need to do or change, something you feel so strongly about that you are sure you will not forget or give up on it. And yet, within a week you have convinced yourself it wasn’t as strong of a need as you thought, not as necessary or maybe what you were feeling or hearing was just hormones and not your heart in the first place??? Well, I’m tired of talking myself out of CHANGE. I’m going to try and be brave enough to write down those things  here in hopes that by doing that, It will keep me accountable and not allowing me to turn my back on my heart.

Here’s to having the courage to Follow your heart,

~ Barefoot Mama

What I am hearing and feeling today I will write down here, in my safe place, with the hope that I will not forget in the busyness of tomorrow what my heart is so clearly telling me today. ~ B

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This Moment { look at you…Growing up so fast!!}

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

~This Moment~ 

A magical moment, a moment that I wish I could put into a time capsule and pull it out again years from now, I moment I really want to remember, A moment I can look back on when my kids are grown and remember how perfectly magical this time in my life was.Inspired by Soule Mama

“Let children alone… the education of habit is successful in so far as it enables the mother to let her children alone, not teasing them with perpetual commands and directions – a running fire of Do and Don’t ; but letting them go their own way and grow, having first secured that they will go the right way and grow to fruitful purpose.” 
~ Charlotte Mason

Posted in Blessings, LOVE ORGANICALLY, MY SOUL SMILES, This Moment, what's on my mind | Tagged | Leave a comment

peaceful sort of crazy

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Barefoot Mama

He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. -Goethe 

A couple weeks full of LOVE, family time, making memories, beauty, play, work and joy.  It was hectic even in it’s simplicity and  I am just so very  glad that we were able to find peace in the midst of all the crazy.

 This is for you, Cindie!!! She seems to think my house is never a mess…. LOL

no denying she is my daughter

Ho, Ho, Ho!!

just a  bit excited about the gift his Aunt and Uncle brought him:)))

 Sweet Meagan drove 2 hrs to come visit and add to the wall <3

Thank you, Freys for making my Holiday season all the merrier:))

Cookie time

 Love you!!! ( this is my crazy awesome sister Brittan)

Casting a spell on you;)

 A gift from my sweet friend Sophie………  LOVE it!!!

The first annual neighborhood Caroling hayride…so fun!

Love you, Mic!

Relax time

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
~Henri Bergson~

Little men enjoying that beautiful Texas Sunset!!

How I spent my New Years Eve:))

I wish I could have paused that moment and kept it for awhile

One of my many goals for 2012 is to LIVE FREE…….. free to listen to my heart, free of fear and free to REALLY love.

Simplify even more, so that in each day I am able to find time….time to pray..time to dream…time to love…time to hear & change and time to JUST BE…

~Barefoot Mama

“Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind….”

Henry David Thoreau 

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This moment { “shhhh…mama, I rocked him to sleep”}

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Barefoot Mama

~This Moment~ 

A magical moment, a moment that I wish I could put into a time capsule and pull it out again years from now, I moment I really want to remember, A moment I can look back on when my kids are grown and remember how perfectly magical this time in my life was.Inspired by Soule Mama

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.
– Isadora James

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