Category: Homemaking & Everyday Living
April 2, 2013 by Laura and Alison
Homemaking Our Way to Happiness…
Often in a search for happiness we seek things that are “out there.” It’s easy to imagine that happiness will come from realizing material and external goals. But we believe that true and enduring happiness lies right at your fingertips, in your very own home through a practice called homemaking. At some point in time, homemaking fell from grace and the role of homemaker was diminished. Chances are that many of us would not...
October 28, 2012 by Laura and Alison
The Heart of the Home
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. One of the reasons the kitchen is so important is because it’s the place in our home that most influences and nurtures our health and well being. You’re probably familiar with the phrase “made with love.” There is a truth to that expression as it is not just the food we eat that is contributing to our health, but also how we feel...
August 30, 2012 by Laura
Organizing Toys
Caring for our children’s stuff can be overwhelming and exhausting. Despite my best efforts, there are times when I feel disheartened by what feels like a never-ending cycle of accumulating, picking up, cleaning, organizing, and then eventually getting rid of their things. To some degree this cycle is inherent in the relationship between children and their stuff—children are rapidly growing and changing and so it makes sense that their clothes, possessions and environments need...
July 31, 2012 by Laura
You Can’t Do it ALL
I have recently accepted that I can’t do it all… at least not well… at least not sanely, nor simply… and at least not at one time. And this is not a bad thing! As it has come to really matter to me how I feel as I get things done, not just if I can get them done. I have a strong need to live peacefully, with intention. And I have a desire...
July 11, 2012 by Laura and Alison
Simple Summer
We hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are! You may have noticed we have strayed from our weekly Thursday posts. We have decided to adopt a summer schedule, which means our posts may not always be on Thursdays and may not even be once a week. We expect to get back into our routine in early fall. In the meantime we are enjoying unscheduled time and our own inspired everyday living....
May 18, 2012 by Alison
Happiness, Flow, and Cleaning
In part five of our spring clutter-clearing series, we’re focusing on cleaning. Now that you have removed the clutter, it’s time to create a fresh, clean space. Now some people may find this surprising, but cleaning makes us happy—and no we don’t mean just the end result, we actually mean the process! When we get into the flow and rhythm of a good cleaning session, we enjoy ourselves. Researcher and positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,...
March 30, 2012 by Laura
Inspired by Food
A few weeks ago I shared the new habits and tips I have incorporated into my life to help me simplify making dinner. Spending time in the kitchen has also caused me to eat in a new way. I have been inspired by food! I want to share some of the new beliefs, recipes, and food that have me and my family so excited. My new beliefs: Eating less: In general I’m eating less....
February 17, 2012 by Laura and Alison
Designing a Dining Room
Sitting down for a meal at the table seems to be less and less common these days. Family members eat at different times, we eat on the go, or meals are served in front of the television. But treating yourself, and/or your family, to a meal at the table is a great way to encourage conversation, relaxation, healthy eating habits, and appreciation of food. Here are a few tips to creating an enticing dining...
February 2, 2012 by Alison
Love at First Sight…
How are dating and looking for a new home alike? Let me count the ways… Have you ever had the experience of meeting someone for the first time and they already seem familiar, or you just know you’re going to become close, or perhaps you experience that instant, undeniable chemistry? For me, looking for a new apartment is a bit like dating… that gut feeling you get when you first meet someone is a...
January 25, 2012 by Laura
Tips for Simple Meal Planning
In my new life in the mountains, I find myself spending more time cooking and baking. As a result, two things have happened: first, I am eating in a new way (more on this to come) and second, I feel like I am finally getting into a flow of meal planning, simplifying meal preparation and making tasty, healthy food for my family. Below are a few things I have learned about how to simplify...