Thank you, Thank you.

Heartfelt thanks to all of you who have helped Meaghan to reach her goal. In truth, it was a goal for all of us ... not just Meg ... as we would not go without her! I am happy to say that through some continued hard work on Meg's part ... and some special donations by some amazing people ... we are on our way to Florida this weekend.

A special thanks to Kelly O, Pam H, Alisha W, Jane S, Sharon F, Darylyne P, Sandra H, Kristina F, and Brooke FW. And of course to Robin K for her generous offer - that in the end was not necessary BUT most appreciated.

Thank you ALL for the prayers and encouragements regarding Meaghan. She is doing so well and we are so very very blessed to share our lives with her. I cannot wait to see her smile at the magic and wonder of Disney World next week. It has been a trying year for all of us ... and this will be a much appreciated break for all of us. I will be sure to post pictures asap.

Love & Peace to all ...

Jodi & Family

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Per A Friend's Suggestion ...

(What is the sound of one goat laughing?)

After a day seemingly filled with setbacks and aggravation, a best friend (who had to listen to my griping) suggested that I would do well to remember all of my blessings. She suggested I take the time this evening to write down all the things I am thankful for ... and in doing so, I would forget the days woes and fall asleep with a smile on my face.

Please indulge me while I share a bit of the beauty that makes the ugliness seem ridiculous by comparison ...

I am eternally grateful for :

* my boy's laughter.

* my husband's unwavering love, devotion, and admiration for me and our son.

* parents who love me BIG. And who love my son even BIGGER.

* the love and wisdom that my brother is finding within himself.

* my camera.

* Dave Matthews.

* the lovely young woman I met at Borders --- who shared her adoption story with me --- and reminded me that Isaac's adoption is not something he needs to overcome --- but rather something that he will celebrate.

* my small, sweet farm and all its inhabitants.

* Walt Disney World.

* true friends --- who help you to be your best self.

* witnessing everyday acts of kindness all around me.

* the ocean.

* this blog --- and all the joy it has brought to my life --- especially the friendships.

* art. Expressing myself through it --- and enjoying the artistic expressions of others.

* sharing wonderful picture books with my son.

* the feeling I get when I dive into a body of water. Only kisses from my son and husband could feel better.

* finding unexpected vintage goodies at thrift stores.

* Haitian Roots.

* the woman who gave birth to my son.

* the woman who helped me to find my son.

* novels filled with wonder and fantasy.

* the cool breezes of a late summers evening.

* and oh so very much more ... random smiles from strangers, elephants, vibrant colored paints, eyesight, the smell of patchouli, my husband's humor, trampoline jumping with Cousin Ange, museums of every kind, trees, baby bums ... and on and on ...

Yes, some situations suck. Some days are better than others. But LIFE is oh so good. And the good absolutely outweighs the bad. My son and husband alone are enough to brighten any day. I just sometimes forget that.

What about you? What brightens your day? What are you thankful for?

Enjoy it all.

Love,

Jodi

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Meeting a Blog Reader!

I met my very first non-personal-friend-or-family-member blog reader at the Bangor Fair last week. It was so great and so very surreal. Until then I had always wondered if I would one day run into someone who might recognize Isaac, Halis or I (assuming that it was highly unlikely).

As the three of us got into line for the Haunted House ride, the woman in front of us asked me if I was the author of the This Handmade Life blog. I was shocked to be asked, but answered with an excited "Yes! Are you a reader?". She replied that she had found me while googling for something and has followed me a bit ever since. Turns out she is from the Boston area and was visiting the Bangor area with members of her extended family, including her gorgeous nephew who is shown in the above photo. When asked how she recognized us, she said that she saw me with the camera, then saw Isaac and put it all together. I was thrilled.

I know that I have readers out there - as my stats tell em so - but to meet a *real* person who reads some of what I put out into the universe was such a special validation of what I am doing with this blog. I would love to expand on it --- and continue to share nuggets of goodness for encouraging others to create their own unique "handmade life".

So - a big shout out to all my "peeps". Thanks for reading & sharing. Please let me know what you would like to see more of here.

Love,
Jodi

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Remember.

Please remember that today is not about hot dogs and pool parties. Today is a sacred day for remembering our dead ... especially those who gave their lives for our country.

Thank you Pepere. You are my hero ... even now that you are gone from this earth ... I know you are still protecting me.

And thank you Mr.T for all that you did in the name of freedom.

Love,
Jodi (aka Babe)

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I Have Chills. So May You.

This may be the most amazing project I have ever heard of in my life. SO incredibly wonderful - that I just can't stop smiling. Please check them out at www.playingforchange.com.

Enjoy every moment. Love,

Jodi

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This Picture Speaks Volumes.

Love assists all healing. Nothing more needs to be said.

Love,

Jodi

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Nothing Left to Give : Temporarily

I am feeling totally tapped out right now (thus the above photo). Sure, lots of wonderful things are going on our our lives, in my photography, in my parenting, in my marriage, and in my creativity ... BUT all that is taking a backseat (like, a backseat on the back of a very long bus) because my family has been experiencing some highly emotional "stuff" right now. Though I know in my heart that it is all temporary, it doesn't stop me from feeling the pain of it all in the here and now.

For starters, my Daddy goes in for open heart surgery tomorrow at 5am. And though I know in my brain that all will go well ... my heart is aching at the mere thought of losing my Daddy ... no matter how slim the possibility may be. Secondly, my brother - whom I love so dearly that it hurts - is going through some pain right now that I would do anything to take away from him. He is private about this, so I will not explain here. But I think of him every minute of the day and wonder what wisdom I can impart that would miraculously take his pain away ... to no avail. Then, my sister - the woman who means more to me than she will ever know - is also experiencing some turmoil in her life that - although I know the outcome of it will be far more wonderful than she can see right now - her tears are breaking my heart. And I again, seek wisdom to help her through this (though she has always been far wiser than me). Next, (as if this weren't enough) my husband is on the brink of losing his job at a time when the economy is at its worst. Not a good feeling. We know we will get by ... and in fact, we welcome some change, but change takes getting used to ... and the "man of the house" feels much pressure and anxiety over how to take care of his family under these circumstances. Oh and then there is my best friend who is has been given a medical diagnosis that is freaking her out ... and is awaiting more tests to fully diagnosis her condition. I wait with her and pray for the best.

So, there is alot going on around here. And though I know that we - as a family - will all get through this together - I feel "tapped out" right now. I want to change everyone's pain, calm their fears, save them from themselves (in some cases), and wave a magical wand to release all suffering. BUT, I totally recognize that walking through suffering and pain, brings us closer to our greatest selves, our greatest joys ... and closer to our soul's purpose. So, it must be what it must be. And the doors that will open at the end of my loved ones' journeys through their pains will be more miraculous than I could ever dream. I know - I have been there. And I have witnessed the beauty of the transformations of others as well. So, I trust. Or, I try to ... except when I want to kick the asses of those who have recently wronged both my brother and my sister ... but hey, I am no Thich Nhat Han.

I hope you recognize that this post is not a pity party for me - or anyone else. Just a telling of the TEMPORARY dark areas that we have found ourselves in .... so that I can later tell you of the beauty and light that comes of it all in the near future. And I suppose this post also serves as an explanation of why my posts have been so erratic these days and will likely continue to be for a little while.

I thank you all for your prayers, your friendships, and your inspirations. You are amazing gifts to me, and I hope I have given you some beauty in return.

In hope and love,

Jodi

P.S. Shameless promotion: the above photo is available in my shop: http://www.jlrphotography.etsy.com.

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It is a Small World - After All.

It is a running joke within my marriage, that I am NOT a fan of the "It's A Small World" ride at Disney World. Boring, Cutesy, Freakish ... these are the words I use to describe it ... among others. But, it is a staple ride at the Magic Kingdom - one that everyone must endure, I mean enjoy as part of the park experience. So, I did my parental duty ... and took Isaac and his Meaghan on the ride in order that they get to experience this Disney rite of passage.

Truth be told, it was kind of nice. Anytime I see something from my past - through the fresh eyes of my young son - I always find a whole new appreciation for it. (If you are not familiar with the ride, you can check it out here). Meaghan, on the other hand, as a 12-year old, fully appreciated that the ride was as boring, cutesy and freakish as I described it. And Halis, well, he had a few good laughs at my annoyance with the endless rounds of the "It's a Small World" theme song being sung by every puppet and played by every speaker ... from every corner of the ride ... from the time you enter the line until you exit the whole ordeal. (Watch this just once and you'll feel my pain).

ANYWAY, the reason I even mention this ride has very little to do with the ride at all. Rather, the ride is a preamble to my intended topic ... a lovely e-mail I received from Belle. Yes, BELLE ... THE Belle of Disney fame ... and the young woman who made such an impression on my son during our Disney World vacation. It seems that she discovered the picture I posted on Flickr of her visit with Isaac ... and it led her to my blog post regarding the brief but magical moments that she and Isaac shared ... and that led her to e-mail us the sweetest message. I was beaming when I read it. How wonderful that we live in such a "small world" where we are able to use internet technologies in order to create and/or nurture both old friendships and new encounters.

Thank you "Belle" ... for your love and kindness toward my son, for the joy you bring to so many, and for the generosity you extended in your e-mail to us. I truly hope that we will be able to see you again soon. I will e-mail you when we are ready to visit again! (How many people can say that they have a direct connection to Belle?).

So - what the whole of this post is driving at --- is that it really is a "small world after all". And though I may not be a big fan of the ride, I am a huge fan of the sentiments expressed in the lyrics of the song: "There's so much that we share - that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all."

Thanks for sharing with us "Belle" --- the impact that we all have on one another can be so great --- we humans are so interdependent and have such a capacity to bring such joy to one another. Isn't that wonderful?

Love,

Jodi

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2009.

It is 2:35 AM on New Year's Day ... and I am lying in bed ... reflecting on 2008 ... having just rocked in the New Year with our new Wii Rockband 2 (Mama on drums, Daddy on guitar, Meg on the mike and Isaac on the grumpy, why-won't-anyone-play-with-me-right-now). I am usually not one for new year reflections ... but 2008 was a truly wonderful year for our family. And I am feeling the need to pay some respect to the joys we experienced.

Please join me (or bear with me) as I show some appreciation for the following events that we enjoyed in 2008 (not in any particular order & likely missing some key events):

* We sold our home in the country.

* We moved into our new city home.

* Isaac started peeing and pooping in the potty.

* I began successfully selling handmade goodies on the internet.

* Halis joined the Hampden gun club and took up target shooting.

* My health improved considerably (I am almost 100%).

* We were able to sponsor Isaac's biological siblings in Haiti to attend school.

* We were able to communicate with Isaac's bio 'mother' with the help of 2 incredible friends.

* One of those incredible friends shared a hug with my son's bio 'mother' --- from me, all the way to Haiti.

* One of Isaac's bio-siblings sent us a sweet letter.

* Facebook brought my high school best friend and I back in communication after 15 years or so.

* Halis, Isaac and I paid a visit to that friend and had a great time!

* I became seriously committed to my photography and greatly improved my skills.

* Halis and I paid off all our debt!

* I was able to generate over $5,000 for some of my favorite charities.

* My Memere celebrated her 85th Birthday.

* I made some amazing friends in the blogging world (likely including you!).

* Halis and I enjoyed more "dates" than we have throughout our entire marriage.

* Isaac greatly improved his vocabulary, math, and soccer skills.

* Halis was able to spend more time with Isaac and I due to cutting his commute time by 75%.

* We increased our time spent with the Goodales by about 300% since moving to the city.

* Halis and I read several books that we have been meaning to read ... including the most profound book I have ever read (you can e-mail me for details if interested).

* Halis asked me to marry him again (down on one knee & with new "bling" to boot).

* Isaac moved right next door to his Bobo & Poppy and visits them whenever he wants.

*My brother secured a good job.

* Meaghan made the local hockey team and chose Halis's jersey number for her own.

* Isaac fell in love.

* We purchased Rockband for the Wii --- how did we ever live without it? Our family totally rocks now.

*** And the list could go on and on ....

But the greatest gift of 2008 was our move to the city. Though we loved the country life while it lasted, our family life --- the time we spend together and with family and friends --- has improved 3-fold. And I have to say, that in all my life, I have never experienced more joys than I did this year. More laughter, more friendships, more security, more romance, more personal fulfillment, etc. I know that part of it is because our conditions have improved (financial security, closer proximity to family & friends, etc.) but I also think that some of my joy can be attributed to my new & improving ways of appreciating and participating in what life has to offer ... of giving my time and energies into that which feels good and saying no to those things which don't ... feeling gratitude for all that surrounds me, etc. At least, these are the attitudes that I strive for but don't always achieve :) Life is good ... and I intend to live a life of believing that out loud.

So, welcome 2009. I hope to enjoy you as much as I did your predecessor.

And to my readers ... I sincerely hope you each enjoy the greatest year of your life!

Love,

Jodi

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Visiting the Veterans.

I have tried to write this post --- in my head --- since Christmas Day. I am just not certain that I can properly articulate the depth of both the beauty and the sadness I encountered when visiting our local Veterans Home for Christmas (a "rest" home, long-term care facility for veterans). It was a wonderful experience overall, and I intend to make more regular visits because of it. But, it was not without its difficult moments...

Halis, Isaac and I arrived at the Home after supper on Christmas Day. We brought arm loads of gifts for 9 of the residents --- people whom we knew were not going to be receiving visitors that day. We arrived with a basket of my mom's homemade goodies, a soft fleece blanket and a wrapped gift (or two) for each of the residents we were visiting. We had our list of names and their room numbers, and we set off to share gifts, smiles, stories and friendship with each one.

Our first visit was so lovely. This elderly man was so incredibly excited to receive visitors that he was absolutely stunned and tickled at the same time. We gave him our gifts, hugs (after asking permission), and chatted with him about his room, his music collection, etc. He was so thankful ... and he gave us such warm feelings. I felt so blessed to be able to make him smile so big ... just by sharing time with him.

And that was pretty much how the all the visits went. We entered each room after asking their permission, wished them a Merry Christmas, shared our gifts, and chatted awhile about whatever came to mind. Every person (except one) was happy with our visit ... and so were we. Some had varying degrees of dementia. One man believed me to be a relative of his, and I played along. He also believed that the gifts I was bringing to him were gifts that I had stolen ... and that they were from his dentist. I told him that I was simply admiring them and asked him if he would like help opening them. As we opened them together, he showed me what they were and asked me not to take them again. And again, I played along. One woman was so enamored by the way I wrapped her gift, that as we were leaving her room, I watched her try to rewrap it. One man began devouring my mom's goodies the moment he received them. All went very well ... and Isaac was better behaved than I expected. But there are 2 visits that were somewhat "difficult"... at least emotionally ...

One particular man told us that he had only been there for a month, in order to heal his back, and that he was looking forward to taking a fishing trip at Grand Lake Stream in the spring. After taking a look around his room, it was obvious that he had been a resident there for well over a year or so ... and that he would not be taking a fishing trip anytime soon. It broke my heart ... and I just wanted to put him in my car and take him fishing anywhere he wanted.

The other visit was quite unexpected. In fact, he was not on our list, but the head nurse told us that he had not received any visitors that day and wondered if we had any goodies left. We did, so we paid a visit to Raymond. He was like no other resident that we had visited. He felt like family right away (perhaps it is because he reminded me of my Pepere who passed away several years ago). Raymond was warm, funny, flirtatious, and lucid. He was the only resident that Isaac took to and happily played with. But he was also quite sad. He had been desperately hoping to see his daughter for Christmas. It seems she dropped him off to the home just weeks before and has had little time for him since. Prior to his stay at the home, he lived with his daughter (and son-in-law) and is having such a hard time feeling so alone. Telling us his story nearly broke my heart ... and it brought him to tears. Halis and I did our best to cheer him, but what else could we do? We stayed with him for longer than we did the other residents, and when we left, I hugged and kissed him, promising that Isaac and I would return soon. He stared straight through me while holding my hand and emphatically stated, "Really. Thank you. Really. For spending time with me. It is the most important thing we can do for one another. I truly appreciate it." And tears welled up in his eyes ... and mine.

As we got into our car, I turned to Halis and said, "Why does it have to be like this?" .... He replied, "What?" .... "Getting old," I said, "Why does it have to be so hard and lonely? I mean, it shouldn't be like that."

That night I cried myself to sleep, thinking of Raymond & the other residents all the while. My visit with them was wonderful ... but also heart-wrenching. No one should be "left" behind. No one should feel so alone. The following morning, I KNEW that Raymond was going to be a part of my life from now on ... that Isaac and I would visit him as much as possible ... and that I would do everything I could to be sure that Isaac grows up valuing the wisdom, emotional well-being and beauty of the elderly. Halis and I surely did.

So, tomorrow afternoon, I am going to surprise Raymond with another visit ... and feel blessed by his company. I so look forward to it. I am thankful that some sort of divine intervention brought us together in the first place ... as he was never on my Secret Santa list in the first place.

Life can be so damn beautiful when we open our hearts to others ... and to the possibilites of every day that we are given. And as Raymond reminded me ... the most important thing we can give one another is time.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope I articulated it well enough to maybe prod someone out there to spend some quality time with an elder in their life who may be feeling lonely... or perhaps to inspire someone to make a visit to their local long-term care facility. You will be glad you did.

xoxo,

Jodi

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Giving.

"For it is in giving that we receive."
- St. Francis of Assisi

"A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return."
- Bhagavad Gita

"Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give."
- Barbara Bush

"There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving."
- Henry Drummond

I have been doing alot of thinking about "giving" lately. In truth, I have been obsessing over it. To give to another --- with the purest of intentions --- with no expectation of reward --- without obligation to the receiver or expectation of obligation from the receiver --- to truly give from the heart ---well, that is such an amazing gift --- to all. I aspire to be that kind of giver.

I have been doing my share of giving lately --- to organizations that I believe in --- to friends that I dearly love --- to strangers that I feel drawn to --- etc. And I am finding it so addictive. I get tingles when I can give an anonymous gift --- even if I don't see the recipient receive the gift --- just putting that gift out into the universe feels euphoric. Sometimes it is a gift of time, or money, a tangible item or a spontaneous meaningful compliment. They all feel so darn good to give. And I am fully convinced that the giver reaps the most amazing psychological and physiological rewards in the process (not to mention the receiver). Perhaps that is all the world needs to heal our ills? If we all got so addicted to that magical feeling of freely giving our time, our love, our efforts, our riches, etc. then we could not help but to have our hearts opened to every human, to our own selves, and to God. And then - how could we go wrong?

Anyway, my obsession with "giving" has me reading up on the subject ... has me discussing it in every recent one-on-one conversation ... has me soul searching in places I hadn't yet delved into ...

Basically, I want to be a "giver" ... in every sense of the word. Ever since I saw the movie "Instinct" back in 2001, I have been obsessed with becoming a "giver" rather than a "taker". (Oh I cried for hours after seeing that film, the whole time sobbing to my husband that I didn't want to be a "taker", never a "taker".) That movie has stayed with me ...

And now I voraciously read biographies of amazing people who give back to the world ... in thankfulness for all the blessings that they have received ... and I long to be more like them ... and am ever so thankful for their examples ...

So, for the next few posts (or maybe more) I would like to explore the subject of Giving ... and I hope you will join me. I read a great article in the latest edition of Real Simple magazine. It is titled: How Do You Give Back During the Holidays? There are some wonderful suggestions for giving of your time, finances, and talents to those individuals or organizations who are currently in need. As Barbara Bush said, "... everyone has something to give." And damn it feels good :)

See you tomorrow with some ideas for giving ...
Looking forward to your ideas too ...

Love,
Jodi

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As of today ...

As of today, I can now honestly tell my son that he can truly be whatever he wants to be in America.

And that feels good.

Love,

Jodi

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7 Things I Am Lovin' Right Now:

1. The right to VOTE!

2. These two prints by Berkley Illustration:

3. Craft Fairs. Selling crafts to those who are willing to pay for them because they fully appreciate the work and beauty of a lovingly handmade item ... well, that is just downright addictive. I am booked at various fairs from now till mid December.

4. Making magnets from vintage magazine ads. Also very addictive. (Terrible pics though - sorry).

5. Silly Songs With Larry. Seriously. Isaac and I cannot possibly get enough of this CD. This song is my absolute fave. This is Isaac's fave. (Cd available in our Amazon.com store - highly recommended). Daddy doesn't have a fave. He just thinks we're weird. Whatever.

6. Going through old Catholic school photos in order to post them on my Facebook page. Hilarious.


7. This post by Perla. (I love you with all my heart).

All good stuff. What are you loving today?

Love,

Jodi

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My Birthday.

I was born 35 years ago today. At 3:15 to be exact. On a Sunday. Daughter of an 18 year old girl and her 21 year old husband ... who are still married to this day :)

I love that I was born in October. I love that the day was beautiful, full of fall foliage, and crisp fresh air. I love that I was born on a Sunday (as is considered a special day according to my Catholic heritage). And I especially love that I was born to two young people who were very much in love.

Every year I like to enjoy the great outdoors in celebration of my birthday. Halis and I have usually travelled somewhere special the weekend before ...to Bar Harbor, Salem MA, Boston, and various spots along the Maine coast. But this year, we decided to stay "home" and play some soccer by the Penobscot River. Perhaps in my "old age", I am less of a wanderer and much more appreciative of all that is local.

So, we hung out at Webster Park in Old Town. We played soccer, ate goodies from The Store at Ampersand, and enjoyed one another immensely. Life is good.

And as I enjoyed my two favorite people in the world, I reflected on whether I was where I wanted to be at the ripe age of 35 ... and I decided YES, yes, yes. I am so enjoying my life right now, as a Mommy, as a teacher, as an artist, as a wife, as a human. I used to have such lofty expectations of where I would be at 35. I was going to be a world famous Marine biologist and photographer. My work would rival that of the infamous Jacques Cousteau. I was going to live on an island off of the Pacific Coast, spending my days watching the migration patterns of Orca whales. I would have one daughter, and a husband who lived away and visited when he could. I would write journals that would later become best sellers. And I would attend high class gala events in honor of my photography. Etc...etc...

And although I wouldn't mind living on that island, and watching those orcas swim by ... I much rather be there with Isaac and Halis ... without any desire to be famous ... or to have a title other than Mommy or Babe (aka Wife).

There are many things I still want to learn and achieve, many ways in which I still want to grow ... but I guess what I am most grateful for on this day is that I am able to appreciate where I already am ... and to embrace it. I have come to learn that that is where happiness lies ... in appreciation and gratitude for what you have, for who you are, and for who is taking the journey with you.

So, on my special day - the day of my birth into this world - I want to thank those who are taking this journey with me - and to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. Hopefully you know who you are ... because if you don't, I am not doing a good job of reminding you how much I love you ... and I will get working on that right away :)

Happy Day to All.

Love,

Jodi

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Monday, Monday ...

Hi all. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend.

Now we are back into our Monday routines ... and as I update this blog today, I feel as though I have a bunch of "loose ends" to tie up as well as some special "announcements".

* First, congrats to Mitzi over at My Artful Spirit for winning my surprise giveaway from last week. I will be sending her some handmade goodies asap. Thank you all for participating, and please let me know if you win any of the giveaways that I posted from other blogs. I will be posting more again soon ( I hope to make it a weekly habit).

* Secondly, I won a giveaway! Tara, over at Tara's View of the World, hosted a giveaway for the Good for The Kids online shop. The prize was a $50 gift certificate. Not bad, eh? I was so excited, as that shop is full of great wooden toys for my Isaac. I spent the gift certificate right away ... and was able to purchase 5 really nice items because they are having a GREAT sale right now. I encourage everyone to drop by. Enjoy.

* Also, (and perhaps this should have been my first bit of news), we sold our house! In less than 5 days. My realtor rocks. The closing is Nov. 7th ... and then I'm going on a shopping spree. Okay, not really. But I do have my eye on another camera. The new D90. And there is always good use for my money over at Haitian Roots.

* Speaking of Haiti, I haven't forgotten those school bags that I was seeking donations for. They are still very much in the "works". Sadly, Halis was unable to go to Haiti this fall (as we had hoped) so we are looking for someone else to bring them to the children who need them. We are working on it. We are no longer in need of donations --- thank you to all who participated. I will let you know when these goodies make it to Haiti.

* I just got word today that after several chemo treatments, etc ... my uncle is cancer free. Alleluia! (Nic - if you are reading this, please give your Dad a kiss from me :)

* And finally, I am excited to announce that I have opened my own little Amazon.com shop. This store includes many of the books, cds, dvds, and other items that I have reviewed or recommended in the pages of this blog. As I have mentioned before, when you make a purchase from Amazon using a link or links from my blog, my family gets a 4% return in the form of gift certificates that we use for homeschool products. We are so thankful to be able to do this - and honored that some of you have chosen to do your Amazon shopping through us. Thank you.

The link to the store will always be on the right hand side bar of this blog. And there is another link just under that for items you are searching for that may not be in my shop. Using either link will earn our family *much appreciated* credit with Amazon. Thank you, thank you.


I hope you all enjoy your Monday. Don't forget to take a walk outside if/when possible. I hope to be out there too.

Love,
Jodi

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October, How I Love Thee.

October --- you make me happy. Long ago, you saw me into this world ... on a cool crisp afternoon. The first air I breathed came from you.

You have continued to nourish me throughout my life ... inspiring me with your rich autumn colors, enriching my body with your earthy scented air, calling me to reflect on the cycles of life, encouraging me to walk the earth in search of all the beauty that surrounds me. The colors of your sky are wondrous. The way you call animals to harvest and to hibernation is simply awesome. I feel the pull of it also. I want to stock my cabinets, to pull out the quilts, to hibernate a bit ... but not before I explore all your amazing beauty and wonder. Not before I watch the does eat up the last of the grasses. Not before I watch the squirrels harvest the acorns and the leaves explode in gorgeous colors that could never be replicated by anything other than you.

So, I will walk. I will reflect. I will cuddle up at night with my family ... with windows open to your delicious scent.I will rejoice in you ... and savor every moment.

Thank you October.

Love,
Jodi

P.S. Blogger friends, please don't forget that today is the last day to sign up for my giveaway. Good Luck!

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Generosity.

My recent shout out for some help in gathering school supplies for Haitian children was heard and responded to by several generous souls. Thank You. The help that you give to any Haitian child can truly turn a life around --- or even save it.

A lovely Mommy named Susan (Mommy to 4 Haitian sweeties) sent a generous donation in order for me to purchase denim fabrics to sew up as many school bags as possible. Thank You.

Another Mommy, "WoodSpriteMama", is contributing half of all her July's handmade goods sales to the cause as well. Check out some of her goods here and here. They are wonderful! I have purchased several items from her over the past couple of years, and they are so well made and thoughtful. Thank You.

Others of you have made purchases from my Etsy store in order to contribute to Haitian Roots. I hope you enjoy them. Thank You.

Generosity is so amazing ... as the giver finds even more pleasure in giving, than the receiver does in receiving. This has been scientifically studied ... and in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful attributes of the human condition. I am thankful for the generosity that so many of you have shown, and hope that you are rewarded with a glad heart.

Love,

Jodi

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Are You Serious? Did We Really Just Have a Night "On the Town"?

Amen! We needed that.

We are planning our next one with the help of this website. Just another reason to be thankful for moving to the "city".

Love,

Jodi

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Squirrel Obsession.

So, speaking of squirrels … Isaac and I have had quite the obsession with them lately. The recent warm weather in Maine (yesterday was 45 degrees) has caused many a critter to venture out of their warm nests to scout for food. And the best location to watch these funny little guys is at my neighbor’s side porch … where she keeps about five loaded bird feeders.

We sort of invited ourselves over to her porch yesterday while she was away from home. And we sat there for nearly an hour – watching and laughing while ten or more squirrels battled for the best feeder locations. We enjoyed some silly birds too.

And the whole while my son giggled and proclaimed, “This is fun, huh Mama?” as he swung his dangling legs from the side of the porch. So darn cute.

Before we left the feeders to make our way back home, I thought I would be a “cool” Mom and try to pat one of the squirrels to show Isaac another one of my many talents. To my delight, I was able to tickle the haunches of one very preoccupied squirrel. However, Isaac wasn’t so sure how cool that was … and it only made him quite concerned about whether or not squirrels bite (something he never mentioned before). Oh, the many unintentional ways in which we traumatize our children.

Anyway, we are thankful for squirrels and for the neighbor’s who attract them.

May you enjoy your squirrels as well …

Love,
Jodi

P.S. Day 3 of “30 Days of the Everyday”.

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The Ordinary & the Everyday.

My dad hates dandelions. And I don't get it. He will plant yellow Mums of all sorts around his property, but he gets so angry when these sweet little yellow dandelions pop up all over his yard. Dandelions are free and abundant, therefore they are ordinary, unimportant and a nuisance. To him, dandelions are ugly and Mums (remarkably similar to the look of dandelions) are beautiful.

He also hates squirrels. They are everywhere in his yard ... and they are always "stealing" the food that he leaves out for the other animals ... the more scarce creatures like bears and ravens. Squirrels are ordinary. Bears and ravens are extraordinary.

On the other hand, I love dandelions popping up throughout my grassy yard. They are free, they are pretty and they are reliable. In fact, you can even eat the greens of their leaves or use them to make dandelion wine. And squirrels, heck... they can be endlessly entertaining. They, too, are "free", pretty and reliable. They can be found wherever there are trees. Maybe they are ordinary ... and maybe I like ordinary.

Show me something that makes frequent, pleasant and reliable appearances in my world, and I will show you something that I understand, love and appreciate. I hope.

The tender kiss my husband places on my cheek every morning before he leaves for work, the way the sunlight comes through my windows and warms my home, the way the birds flutter around my yard and dodge to and fro to avoid my rambunctious dog, the daily phone calls from my Mom and best-friend, the way my son dances around my living room as a daily ritual ... these are all the ordinary ... and the oh-so-extraordinary everyday occurrences of my life. And I strive to better appreciate them.

Soule Mama and her friend Jessie Fields have decided to take a photographic journey through their everyday lives. And I have decided to join them. They have titled their project: 30 Days of the Everyday. I am excited to join in this exercise of seeing my daily life in a different way ... and appreciating all the beauty contained within my everyday, ordinary, and oh-so-extraordinary life.

Perhaps you would like to join us as well?

Here is wishing you a day filled with all that you love --- may you better appreciate the beauty in your "everyday".

Love,

Jodi

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