I know where they've learned this, and when...it has been over the past few months as I have become more and more dedicated to this blog, and to following the many wonderful blogs out there. Every "free" moment (i.e. when the kids are watching a movie or playing on their own, or in bed for the night), I am "connected"; hours can be lost just browsing other people's blogs. I was reflecting on that terminology: how, when I'm off the internet, I'm considered "disconnected". But I've found that since I started actively blogging and following other blogs, I am actually disconnected from my real life.
So, I'm going to ease back a bit, just for the month of August. I have a few music gigs booked (just getting back into performing after years off having/nursing babies), and want to get started on my Christmas gifts. I also have to prepare my classroom for September. Oh, and spending time with my kids, getting this house in order, maybe painting the livingroom, doing some sewing...just a few things on my to-do list!
Even moderation should be taken in moderation, so rather than taking the month off entirely as I'd initially intended, I'm just going to post once or twice a week.
Now, for the giveaway! Awhile ago, Twig and Toadstool offered a "Pay It Forward" Giveaway, where the winner would then post a giveaway on HER blog, and on and on. The winner of the first giveaway was Sheepish, who then offered a sweet felted toadstool purse as a giveaway. And I won that!
Sheepish not only sent the purse to me, but added some other wonderful treats to the care package. Imagine my delight at finding a parcel in my mailbox, containing some lovely handmades PLUS a lovely skein of hand-dyed sock yarn!
So, today I present my own item for the "Pay It Forward Giveaway"! The lucky winner will receive a Mushroom Cottage, handmade by yours truly, plus a few other little items that I will pull together. Please enter your comments below; if you're a Follower, you can post a comment every day until next Thursday, August 5 at midnight, EST. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, August 6.
The only stipulation is that if you win, you need to "pay it forward" by offering a giveaway on YOUR blog!
Enjoy the August long weekend, Canadians...and everyone else, enjoy your usual weekend!
Brilliant idea, Stephanie, although I will miss my daily "check-ins" with your blog. I, too, will be on holidays during most of August so just might disconnect myself as well!
ReplyDeleteI read once that the first lesson children learn about self-worth is based on time with their parents. They learn at an early age that Mommy and Daddy never have enough time, (wait a minute, I'm too busy, I don't have time just yet, just a sec, maybe later..) so if their parents actually DO spend time with them, they must be pretty special!
Doesn't cost much and is truly priceless in the end. I need to fill up my girls' emotional fuel tanks, too, just by hanging with them and not being rushed.
If you will step away from the computer, then so can I.
p.s. LOVE the mushroom cottage!
I know where you're coming from but I too will miss my daily check-ins. I'm not a daily poster myself but I sure check up on everyone else. Just last night I sat down and made a list of all the gifts that need getting for Christmas and came up with ideas for the few I'd like to make. I've never made a gift for someone so I need to give myself plenty of time!
ReplyDeleteI'll enter the giveaway as well even though I won your last one. I'll try not to be so prolific with my entries to give others a fighting chance. I sure would love a little care package though!
Stephanie
www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com
I think taking some time off in August is a great idea. I think maybe I will follow suit, and try to step away from the computer more over the coming month. There are a few projects I'd like to do around the house, as well as things I'd like to do with the kids, before September rolls around and life gets busy again. And I know if I stay away from the computer at least most of the time, it's much more likely those things will get done!
ReplyDeleteOh, such a happy mushroomy cottage! Your work is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced that moment of panic as well. How can August be approaching so very quickly?
Enjoy your re-connection to family and life!
ReplyDeleteCute giveaway...I know a little girl who would love this. May have to make one if I can't win one.
Did you ever discover the fate of your missing chickens?
Oh! And P.S.....you can sing too?? Is there anything you can't do?
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute mushroom cottage, I love it! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
ReplyDelete"Just a minute" is my line...I really need to stop that.
ReplyDeleteI love your give-away and I was just thinking this was a good time to have another one...
That toadstool is precious!! Enjoy your break!
ReplyDeleteWell, balance is so important in life and sometimes you have to tip it back in the opposite direction. I will miss you when you're not here. I feel like I 'know' you, if only through your blog and our brief encounters. I really enjoyed the time we spent at your farm. My kids talked about it all the way home. (Well, my dear K did...) I have a silly photo to share: http://kiyaspiritoffire.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/this-moment-8/
ReplyDeleteI will try to post some more this weekend...your barns made for a wonderful backdrop for my impromptu photo shoot. Bliss!
Mysterious K
What a great idea! Count me in. I've had something in mind for quite a while, and this would provide the motivation to actually MAKE it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the connected/disconnected thing. I find that I need to step away, every once in a while. If I hadn't started that damn Tuesday thing I may have given up entirely.
Well first off, I love the new header. Sunflowers make me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteSecond, I agree about the disconnected part. I started my blog when I was pregnant and had alot of nervous energy in the last trimester. Ha! NOw I am enjoying it, but not sure how it reflects upon this "natural" life I am instilling in my children...hmmm....
Third, heavens yes! Enter me in the giveaway...that is the sweetest lil mushroom cottage ever!
xoxo
Oh my goodness, you are right, August is almost here and I want to handmake all of my Christmas gifts! I had better get busy:) I used to blog every day, but it does take quite a bit of time and now I blog a little less, and it feels right:) I would love to enter your giveaway, your cottage is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend,
Linda
I am going to miss your words very much, but totally understand! I've realized my blog might be a once a week thing, as the days fly by and I can never muster the energy to post at night :o) I hope you have a wonderful month of August, and will eagerly await your posts. Anyway, I'm going to comment every day if I can remember so that I can win!!
ReplyDeleteGood on your for recognising that you need some time away from your blog. Balance is so important
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
ReplyDeletemy goal for the rest of the summer is to not say, just a minute. And to go see what they want to show me when they ask. I'm not ready to give up my little escapes to inspirations yet. But getting out of the house more often helps with that.
ReplyDeletelove the toadstool. it would be a welcomed addition to the things here.
thanks for sharing
Happy Holiday Monday!
ReplyDeleteI love your mushroom cottage!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words this morning <3 <3 I totally understand the holiday. I enjoyed my time away ;) Thanks for letting me know about this giveaway, too. I LOVE your mushroom cottage and I know we would love to have it in our home :) Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletePay it forward... what a perfect idea :) We would certainly be interested!
ReplyDeleteWow! That toadstool house is just beautiful! (And would look LOVELY on our Nature Corner, might I add!) I too have been thinking of the Holiday season as of late. I do the same thing every year; I plan in July and August to start making my Christmas gifts, then life gets in the way and the next thing I know it's November and I havn't started a thing! Hopefully being off on mat leave will help this year... (though I doubt it!)
ReplyDeletei just love the pay it forward idea!! your mushroom is adorable! thanks for the opportunity. ;)
ReplyDeleteYup, the "pay it forward" idea is wonder*full. Keep the good energy goin'!
ReplyDeleteLove the poem!
ReplyDeleteLove that plumpuppets poem! And here is my comment for the draw!
ReplyDeleteOkay. One more time. I like winning things!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com
I'm entering again...that toadstool is too cute to pass up!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGotta enter again!! <3
ReplyDeleteTrying yet again :)
ReplyDeleteMe again! Thought I'd share with you a little heartwarming story in my comment. As I was leaving today to go to the beach with my daughter, I heard a strange scratching noise near the garbage pails at the side of my house. It sounded as if something small was stuck inside one of the cans. I lifted all the lids and discovered nothing. Then I saw the huge piece of eavestrough my husband had cut to make room for a rain barrel, propped up against the side of the house. I picked it up and laid it down on the ground, and out crawled a tiny bird. She had been stuck in there, not being able to make her way back up the eavestrough. She gave a little poop on the ground and flew off. I felt so happy knowing that I'd set her free...she would have certainly died in there if I hadn't heard her tiny scratches!
ReplyDeleteI adore this little make believe cottage, I wish I could find one to live in real time, along the banks of the Ottawa River. The flower details are adorable! I've been reading and loving this blog of yours but understand the need to breathe and be present. Just don't stay away too long. I'm sure come September you'll be beyond busy with mama-ing and school teaching. It's a tough balance, one I totally get!
ReplyDeleteThis might be my second comment...not sure. This mushroom cottage is so adorabe how I wish I could inhabit one along the banks of the Ottawa River. The flower detail makes me smile. You are such a talented mama. I have been reading and loving this blog so much and I hope you don't stay away too long. But I get the need to relax and reconnect with reality.
ReplyDeleteSeptember will be here soon and then the tricky dichotomy of being a mama and a teacher begins...but it really is a rewarding way to divide time.
Final Day!!
ReplyDeleteone last try!
ReplyDelete