Simple Mom» links

Weekend links & poetry

Tsh — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:01:08 +0000

Where is the mommy war for the motherless child? :: Rage Against the Minivan
French school lunch menus :: Karen LeBillon
On comparing yourself :: (in)courage
Simple summer style :: Simple Design
For those of you who don’t comment on blogs :: Chatting at the Sky

The winners of yesterday’s giveaway from UPrinting are Jen and Emily. Congrats! Look for an email in your inbox soon.

And now, Sarah’s thoughts on being a Tiger Mother…

Tiger Mother

My baby staggered
on flat feet and stocky legs
into her first classroom,
where we sang and clapped
and flapped our wings—

until the following year,
when I grew too pregnant
to bounce her on my lap,
and we had to quit
toddler music class.

When the new babies
could walk and talk
(and in fact, didn’t ever stop),
I tried again:
this time, I’d drop them off
and speed away
for milk and eggs,
or I would sit, mute,
in a waiting room,
gulping down the quiet.

I read Battle Hymn
of the Tiger Mother,
and imagined myself
as zealous as Amy Chua:
we’d devote our time
to proficiency in scales
after lessons in tying shoelaces—
but the next day
my only goals were to fry eggs
and to finish a batch
of laundry.

That spring, it rained
and rained some more—
I heaped our schedule
with enriching indoor activities
while the ground outside
filled to capacity
and rejected the endless water,
sent it running off
in streams.

I herded the kids
under a sagging umbrella
to rush from car to class,
forgoing sidewalk worms
and an apple-green larva
spied under a leaf.

One evening
as we pulled in our driveway,
late for dinner again
and most of us in tears,
my hair prickled at the scalp,
my tigress claws clenched the wheel,
and I roared—

until they rolled out of the car
like cubs, tumbled into puddles,
made for the cover of the trees,
where they could
poke a stick in the dirt
and gather worms in peace—
just like I wanted them to.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend links & poetry is a post from Simple Mom

© 2008-2012 Simple Living Media, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Simple Mom subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please contact hello@simplemom.net to let us know. Thanks.

Similar Posts:

Weekend links

Tsh — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:01:12 +0000

Photo by the incredibly gifted Keely Scott

Decorating truths from a 15-year-old Tanzanian boy :: Nesting Place
And so I told her she is strong (and I am, too) :: Sorta Crunchy
10 remarkable women in U.S. business history :: Investor Place
Fresh Air remembers author Maurice Sendak :: NPR
How too much choice affects our kids :: Simple Kids

My emotions from my Compassion bloggers trip to the Philippines last year were rekindled this week as I read my friends’ experiences with Compassion in Tanzania. Sponsoring a child is life-changing—for the child, and for your entire family. If you haven’t yet, would you pray about sponsoring one? It’s only $38, and I can vouch with my own eyes that Compassion is one of the most financially-responsible non-profits I’ve ever seen. And I’ve been around a lot of non-profits.

The winners of the giveaway from Clean Mama Printables are Sarah and Angie! Congratulations to both of you. Look for an email in your inbox soon.

Happy Mother’s day, everyone! May you receive a handmade card.

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” -Marion C. Garretty

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

The Dsh with Tsh

Tsh — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:01:13 +0000

So this week I’ve started a new gig—a weekly column over at Babble. They’ve asked me to write for quite awhile, and I’ve turned them down for over a year, for one main reason: I’m just too busy. That, and I don’t have any more terribly interesting to say. I already write here, I share monthly on (in)courage, and I’m neck-deep working on my next book. What would be left to say? Hi, mostly.

And well, they said I could write about whatever I wanted. I could pretty much say hi. It’s a column, just me, writing about whatever’s on my mind at the moment. I told them, most of the time, my mind is on renovating a house, running a blog network, upcoming travels, and what have I gotten myself in to, raising these beautiful, precious little people?

They said great. Write about that. So I said okay.

So there you have it… Once a week, I’m going to write about what’s on my mind. It’ll mostly be behind-the-scenes stuff: What it’s like to run this blog network that started as a tiny little hobby in my living room four years ago, and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. And also, why on earth central Oregon thinks May means 50 degrees.

Head over there, why don’t you? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit on why my name is spelled so strangely. C’mon, you know you’ve always wondered.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

The Dsh with Tsh is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend links

Tsh — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:01:11 +0000

The goal of a writer :: Goins. Writer
Disneyland on a dime :: Life as MOM
8 simple ways to live more toxin-free this spring :: Simple Homemade
Make your own quality mineral veil (translucent powder) for about $.05 :: Maskcara
An alternative to organize the tupperware cabinet :: Small Notebook (yes and amen)

The winner of the prize package from Againbags is Lisa. Congratulations! Look for an email in your inbox soon.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Queen for a Day: And the winner is…

Tsh — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:01:58 +0000

Seriously delighted to bless one of you with the whole kit and kaboodle gift basket from this past weekend’s Queen for a Day! And also seriously wishing I was Oprah so that I could give one to each and every one of you.

We do these Mother’s Day giveaways for two reasons: to spotlight our favorite small businesses, and to encourage you to shop for gifts with these delightful companies—and also to say thanks to you. You are the reason we get to wake up and do what we do, and while it’s more work than we ever imagined, I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else.

Thank you for reading, for interacting, and for your encouraging feedback. You seriously make Simple Mom what it is!

Without further ado, the winner is…

Rebecca, who said the best part of being a mom is “Seeing their faces transform and the joy and interest shine through as they learn or experience something new for the first time.” Congrats, Rebecca! And happy Mother’s Day to you.

Queen for a Day 2012 sponsors & coupon codes

A HUGE thank you to all the Queen for a Day sponsors! These are all amazing shops, and we’re proud to support them. Many of them have provided our readers with coupon codes to make it even easier to order your Mother’s Day gifts. Don’t wait!

Accessories, Bags, & Clothing

• Arteesta—Use the code QUEEN4ADAY for 10% off through May 31
• Epiphanie Bags
• Gussy Sews—Use the code GUSSYSEWS15 for 15% off through May 8
• Namaste Inc.—Use the code MOM25 for 25% off through May 5
• Shabby Apple

Art

• EvaJuliet—Use the code FORMOM for 10% off.
• Life Manifestos—Use the code SIMPLEHOMESCHOOL for 10% off through May 4 (orders purchased by the 4th are guaranteed to arrive before Mother’s Day)
• Mary Kate McDevitt—Use the code MOMSDAY for 10% off
• Rebekka Seale—Use the code SIMPLEMOM to get free shipping through April 14 (and her set of 3 flower prints are also on sale for Mother’s Day, all three for $35)
• River Luna—Use the code MAMALOVE for 30% off

Bath & Body

• Graham Gardens—Use the code Queen25 for 25% off through May 31, 2012 (and they always have flat rate $5 shipping)
• Live Beautifully—Use the code MOTHERSDAY20 for 20% off entire purchase until May 14
• LuSa Organics—Use the code SIMPLE GIVEAWAY (enter it in the comments field during checkout) for a free bar of naked soap with orders over $35, through May 15
• MadeOn Hard Lotion—Use the code SLM2012 for 10% off through May 5
• MarieNatie
• Saville’s Row—Use the code SAVILLE33 for 15% off

Books

• Naturally Fun Parties for Kids, Ice Pop Joy, and The Organic Family Cookbook by Anni Daulter
• The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier by Ree Drummond
• For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom by Dionna Ford
• Mother Letters, curated by Sean and Amber Haines—Use the code SIMPLE5 for the price of $5 each through May 4
• Whole Grain Baking from King Arthur Flour
• The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder Through the Seasons by Amanda Blake Soule
• Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes by Joy Wilson

Home Goods

• EvoLuxe—Use the code 2012MAMA for 15% off through May 8
• House & Hold—Use the code SIMPLEDESIGN for 10% off through May 8
• Le Creuset
• Peugeot Spice Mills
• Soy Delites Candles—Use the code SIMPLEMOM15 for 15 % off
• Teach Your Tot

Jewelry

• Allora Handmade—Use the code MOTHERSDAY for 15% off through May 13
• Chocolate and Steel—Check the site for the current monthly special
• Funky Vintage Lovely—Use the code SIMPLE for 10% off through May 13
• Lisa Leonard—Use the code SIMPLEMOM20 for 20% off through May 2nd
• Mercy House—Every purchase directly supports the Mercy House maternity home in Kenya!
• Native Shop—Use the code QUEEN25 for 25% off through May 8
• Peggy Li Jewelry—Use the code “SHSMOM” for 20% off through May 4
• Savage Heart—Use the code SIMPLELOVE for 15% off through May 8

Paper Goods

• Paper Coterie—Use the code RECOGNIZEMOM for 60% off through May 4
• Primele—Use the code MOMSDAY2012 for free shipping through May 14

So what are you waiting for? Go order your Mother’s Day gifts now!

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Queen for a Day: And the winner is… is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend links

Tsh — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:01:47 +0000

Lotte time lapse: Birth to 12 years in 2 minutes :: Frans Hofmeester
Steps to avoid Pinterest overwhelm :: The Tiny Twig
Stick a fork in it :: Nesting Place
How work-at-home moms can build a successful online business :: Brian Gardner
One of the best things I did when my kids were little :: Steady Mom

I’ll announce the Queen for a Day giveaway on Tuesday!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ― C.S. Lewis

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend Links

Tsh — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:45:20 +0000

2 questions that make 99% of all haters invisible :: Jon Acuff
Shipping cattle from the farm :: Pioneer Woman
Four tips on writing funny :: The Write Practice
Massive-scale online collaboration :: Luis von Ahn on TED
What I want my daughter to know about the mean girls :: The Gypsy Mama

I’ve got a lot of winners to announce today because we had a lot of giveaways this week—hold on to your hats!

• The winners of Spirit-Led Parenting are: Jaime, Liz, Shannon Moorman, Joanne, Kelly, Joy, Amanda Shelly, Brittnie (A Joy Renewed), Lisa, and Sarah Wright. Congrats! You’ve been contacted, so check your inbox if you haven’t seen an email yet.

• The winner of the MightyNest storage giveaway is Stacy. Congrats to you, Stacy!

• And the winners of a three-month subscription to Whole Food Meal Plan are Carmen, J.J., and Hannah Mayo. Congrats to the three of you! We’ll be in touch shortly.

Don’t forget—Natural Health at Home is also giving everyone a coupon for $5 off a three-month subscription—simply fill out this form, and they’ll take $5 off your order when they contact you.

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” -World War II-era poster campaign

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend Links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend Links & Poetry

Sarah — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:19:00 +0000

A cardboard arcade made by a 9-year-old boy :: Caine’s Arcade
Why you need to find community (even when you’re hurting) :: (in)courage
A month without Monsanto :: Yes Magazine
5 fear-conquering tips for first-time gardeners :: Apartment Therapy
Fishing for hope :: Giving up on Perfect

Keeping the Peace

I saw it out of the corner of my eye,
noticed its tall, silver form
long before naming it in my mind:
heron. It perched, utterly graceful and
still, on a fallen trunk that sloped down
into the creek we cross over every day.
Fog was rising from the water,
and I wished I could stop the car,
approach quietly with camera in hand,
and somehow arrest the moment—
then lift it, intact, to take with me
as an emblem for the day.

Instead I turned away
to face the road again,
letting the moment flick past
like the flipping of channels,
and swallowing my awareness
that we live in a world with—herons.
The children were slumped behind me,
only just lulled into a dubious harmony
that would no doubt be shattered
if we stopped, or if I called out
for them to notice this marvel,
already now behind us.

I envisioned
three heads swiveling,
eager to broaden their horizons
with the wonders of the natural world.
Then I pictured a careless elbow
clipping a seatmate on the chin,
and two sets of hands clawing
at the sibling with the prime view—
of this animal
who has had the good sense to freeze
as we go barreling past.

No, I decided
(and it felt ungenerous):
today I would choose to keep
this emblem of peace to myself,
not sharing it with them directly,
but thereby preserving
the absence of conflict in the backseat,
and the heron’s solitary breakfast,
and perhaps most important,
that rare jewel—peace of mind—
for me.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend Links & Poetry is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend links

Tsh — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:01:05 +0000

The best thing I’ve learned on the road this year :: Jon Acuff
10 things I want to tell teenage girls :: Kate Elizabeth Conner
Free art! :: Mother Letters
5 ways to be a happier mom today :: Motherhood Your Way
Natural hair detanglers :: Simple Homemade

Happy Easter!

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts:

Weekend Links

Tsh — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 07:34:53 +0000

10 things I want to do with my kids as Easter approaches :: Life as MOM
I am not a blogger :: Shaun Groves
How to be a better storyteller :: Chatting at the Sky
Extending the narrative :: Seth Godin
How to know if you’re a controlling person :: Don Miller

Phew… I admit that I’m a little relieved Project Simplify is done (only because I’m ready to write about something else for a bit). But I loved seeing your progress, and I hope it made your home a happier place to be. I’m so grateful for each of my readers! Thank you for being here.

The winners of a signed copy of my book are: Shari, Nony, Matt, ClutteredMama, Maria, Beth, Erika, Amy, RHome410, and another Beth. Congrats! I’ll be in touch soon.

And thank you to the other sponsors of Project Simplify 2012: Lay-n-Go, the Joy the Baker Cookbook, and NeatDesk. You’re all amazing!

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” -Oscar Wilde (print available from Emily McDowell)

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Plan to Eat - Meal planning made simple.
MightyNest - Helping create healthy homes.
Natural Health at Home - Whole food meal plans.
Clean Mama - Printables that really work for you and make your life easier.
Again Bags - The reusable snack & sandwich bag.
UPrinting - Spread your message.
Oak Meadow - Creative homeschooling since 1975.

Weekend Links is a post from Simple Mom

Similar Posts: