Links to Love Tuesday, Nov 24 2009

No time for a real post this holiday week, but here are links to a few things I’ve been enjoying.

Total frou-frou…I’ve loved perusing Scandanavian home blogs on my mini-breaks.  I started here and I’ve just been working down her beautiful blog roll.  Mostly all-white houses with accents of color…red, usually, or occasionally robin’s egg blue or colors from nature.  So restful.  I will never have a white house, but the natural palette is so soothing.

My friend Chasity recently wrote this thought-provoking post about the “closets” in our lives.  Check it out.

I also enjoyed my sister’s thoughts on spiritual rest. Wise words on stress.

I think I should read this book, A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family. It comes highly recommended from a blogger I greatly respect and enjoy.

Here’s an easy tutorial for making beautiful no-sew Christmas stockings. I recently discovered this Louisiana crafter.  She makes such pretty stuff.

Finally, happy happy Thanksgiving to each of you.  I have so many things to thank God for.

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How to Feed a Brain Thursday, Oct 22 2009

If you don’t read Ann Voskamp’s blog Holy Experience, you should.  I’ve been completely enjoying her post How to Feed a Brain Everyday (Daily Links for Hungry Minds).  Wow!  A wealth of web resources for learning!  I can’t wait to use some of these with my kids.

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Age Appropriate Chores Thursday, Aug 20 2009

Check out this great, extensive list of age-appropriate chores! (Side note: The entire site looks intriguing, but I haven’t explored it fully.  Read with discernment.)

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The Heart of the Home Thursday, Aug 20 2009

No time for a thoughtful post today; I’ll let someone else do the writing.  My younger sister, best friend, homemaker extraordinairre, and health food afficiando, Leah, has written a great post on ways to keep yourself inspired in the kitchen. It’s encouraged me…Hope it encourages you too!

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Cooking, A Lost Art Friday, Aug 7 2009

Al Mohler has a very interesting article on the loss of cooking in Western culture.  Also worth checking out is this NY Times article by Michael Pollan (author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma).  It’s long, but has some great insights into the importance of cooking and why it’s fallen from fashion in our culture.  You can also listen to an NPR interview with Pollan here.

What do you think?  Were you raised in a cooking family or taught to cook as you grew up?  How has that affected the way you do or don’t cook today?  Do you think the notion of cooking is overrated in these articles, or is it something we should try to do more of?

These articles coincide with the release of the movie Julie and Julia, which is about Julia Child.  It’s at our local theater–I want to go!  Here’s the trailer.

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Links to Love Sunday, Jul 26 2009

I’m pretty picky about which blogs I link to.   Mainly I want them to be balanced and encouraging.  There are lots of blogs that fit that criteria, but obviously I’m not familiar with all of them.  I’m going to add a little blog roll to my sidebar to provide easy access to some of these great blogs I’ve run across over time, places that furnish inspiration for frugal living, homemaking, and mothering.

Here are a few that I’m going to start with.

Nesting Place~~Her motto is “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.”  Inspiration for simple, beautiful, frugal decorating!  Check out Best of the Nest.

A Soft Place to Land~~More lovely, frugal decorating ideas.

The Pleasures of Homemaking~~Just a beautiful blog.  I especially enjoyed this post: Making Lunch Special~~Great ideas for making at-home meals as special and fun as eating out…a frugal alternative.

Pretty Organized Palace~~FAB organizing ideas from a mom of 6!

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam~~Lots of great frugal tips and coupon links, but her Frugal Fashionista posts are invaluable.

4 Reluctant Entertainers~~Lovely, do-able hospitality tips…Sandy’s gentle encouragement has freed me to relax and enjoy opening my home to others even more than I already did.

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Simple Fun for Kids Saturday, Jul 11 2009

I found this great post at an Australian “simple living” blog that gives ideas for activities for little boys.  Be sure to read the comments!  They are chock full of creative ideas!

And we don’t want to leave our girls out, do we (although most of the boy ideas are good for girls as well)?  Here’s a link to some adorable printable paper dolls.

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Modesty Monday, Nov 10 2008

I’ve wanted to talk about a few issues pertaining to daughters, but for now the thoughts haven’t gelled in my head enough to commit them to the keyboard. In the meantime, my friend, fashion blogger Rebecca, linked to this excellent Washington Post article about girls and dress.

In the past I also enjoyed Wendy Shalit’s book A Return to Modesty. It’s not a Christian book–Shalit is Jewish. I found her thoughts extremely insightful.

On one hand, I think it’s amazing that these issues even have to be addressed. (I’ve been told I’m a little naive.) On the other, I think it’s important to recognize that the way we adorn ourselves outwardly is merely a reflection of what’s really important–the heart. There’s a fine line between giving our daughters guidance about their outward appearance, while maintaining a focus on inner purity. A wholesome heart will naturally be reflected in wholesome attire, I think.

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Favorite Baby Item: Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper Thursday, Oct 30 2008

I wrote this little review right after Grace was born. There’s nothing in it for me–This co-sleeper is just a product I’ve found incredibly helpful.

What are your favorite baby products? Is there anything that you find really indispensable?

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This is the Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper we got for our sweet new baby, Grace. I am loving it! I’ve tried just about every newborn sleeping arrangement from bassinet to pack and play to crib to full co-sleeping and none of it worked for me. This was recommended by a pediatric nurse friend, and it’s perfect. Grace is right next to me, so I can keep a close eye on her, pick her up easily (without getting out of bed), and during nursing times I don’t have to worry about dozing off and dropping her. That’s always been a big fear. The sleeper actually straps to the bed between the mattress and box springs for a nice tight fit.

She loves to sleep in my arms, but she also does really well in the co-sleeper with her foam wedges and a good swaddle. The nurses at the hospital showed me how they wrap the babies, and while I haven’t perfected their burrito swaddle, I can get her snug enough that she feels secure and sleeps well. This is my first success with getting baby to sleep on her back. I think the swaddle has something to do with it.

In any case, I wholeheartedly recommend the co-sleeper. It’s kinda pricey and at first I thought we had just bought a really expensive pack and play…It’s a lot more than that, though.

The only drawback I can think of is that it’s a bit harder for me to get in and out of bed. I have to get in from the end. However, that’s a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep!

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Link Love Thursday, Oct 9 2008

My sweet friend Erica gave Reviving Motherhood the Brilliante Weblog Award awhile back–and I haven’t yet acknowledged it. Thanks so much, Erica!

The rules are that you tag 7 other blogs with the award. I’m going to make up my own rules since I’m kind of rebellious like that. (Or something.) I can’t say I’m technically passing on the award, but I do want to share links to some really helpful and inspiring places. Since I can’t seem to find time to write lately, maybe this will provide some reading material for you!

1. Crafty Crow is a “children’s craft collective”. In other words, it’s a center for all kinds of simple crafts for kids, from all over the internet. How nice to have someone else do the collecting for you, yes?!

2. You might recognize Jan Brett’s name from her children’s books. She has an amazing and generous web site chock full of coloring pages, alphabet sheets, and more. There are probably hundreds of free printable pages. And cute!

3. Recently, Simple Mom wrote a series called How To Be Disorganized and Unproductive at Home. Brilliant. Lots of great ideas for streamlining and making the most of your time and energy.

4. I love to read 4 Reluctant Entertainers, which is essentially a blog about Christian hospitality. Sandy offers an abundance of ideas, recipes, and encouragement to share your home with others. Plus, it’s a treat for the eyes. Good stuff.

5. If you need a laugh and you’re one of the 3 people in the universe who does not read Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, run, don’t walk there–now. Oh my. I laugh till I cry.

6. This list wouldn’t be complete without recommending my husband’s blog, The Disciple’s Journey. What can I say? It’s great. I just wish he’d write more often. (For that matter, I should be writing more often…)

7. I absolutely love the art of Belle and Boo. Beyond cute. If I was shelling out cash for art (especially for my girls), I’d buy it here.

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