The Toddler

Words & Photography
by Christina J. Warren

Dried pinto beans for his construction trucks were cool, but he became a perfectionist and got really angry when they would fall or get messy.

The toddler crawling through his natural habitat: danger. The tantrums have started (21 months) and chocolate chips are no longer a viable distraction, but living on the edge is. Ha! So I'm looking for new and safe home distractions when I'm not ready to go to the park yet. Dried pinto beans for his construction trucks were cool, but he became a perfectionist and got really angry when they would fall or get messy. Am I a little proud of the inherited OCD? Yes. Yes I am.

Handmade Gifts

Words & Photography
by Shaynah Dodge

...there is nothing more personal than handmade gifts to decorate your home with. 

My best friend Elizabeth Lenox sent me my favorite sketches she did (row 2), and I knew they had to be the first thing on my new shelves. I love them so much and there is nothing more personal than handmade gifts to decorate your home with. Finally finding my interior groove! I am back in the game.

Priorities

Words & Photography
by Robin Kay

I kept coming across the quote, "Instead of saying 'I don't have time' try saying 'It's not a priority,' and see how that feels."...

One of my goals this year is to read more. I kept coming across the quote, "Instead of saying 'I don't have time' try saying 'It's not a priority,' and see how that feels." - and saying that reading wasn't a priority just didn't sit well with me. So I'm making time, even if it's just for an hour or two while this sweet pea naps beside me.

Laundry

Words & Photography
by Bri Heiligenthal



Those pretty little flowers are making me feel a little better
about the copious loads of laundry still left to do.

Magic

Words & Photography
by Simone Hawlisch



When I first told Heiko that he needed to take care of my sourdough starter and bake at least one bread while I am away, he looked rather terrified (to say the least). Initially, a colleague of his was to take care of it but timing did not work for her, and now Heiko needs to bake.

When I first told Heiko that he needed to...bake at least one bread while I am away, he looked rather terrified.

I got him onto the topic as he is a biologist and is rather interested in the bubbly aspect of sourdough, and how all the microorganisms work together to produce a fine tasting bread. I started to show him how to activate the starter, and today is baking day and time for him making his very own bread.

As we say, magic happens outside the comfort zone.

Afternoon Pep Talk

Words & Photography
by Tayler Golden



It's 1 o'clock and I'm still in my robe with old mascara eyes. You know those days when you have so much to do that you don't end up doing anything...oh, just me? Well, I'm laying here looking at my calendars trying to find some motivation.

I am feeling spread thin right now. Trying to be a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Trying to work out, constantly eat healthy, have my own style, keep our home clean, read, take pretty photos and run a business.

Life is just overwhelming when we think of the big picture too often...I need to put myself in the present. 

Life is just overwhelming when we think of the big picture too often. The only thing I can do is right now, in this moment. I know it's now a cliche but I need to put myself in the present. Restart my day right now. 1 o'clock isn't too late for a restart, right? And first on the list: Going to take a shower.

Feelings

Words & Photography
by Amelia Jones



I keep it pretty light on here, but I also want to keep it real.

I've been shrugging off feelings of inadequacy and feeling pretty down for the past couple of weeks. As I sat head hung and teary eyed in the bath last night, Josh being the overly stable (at times ;) guy that he is, told me that this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

...I woke up today feeling different. I woke up feeling nicer and more accepting toward myself and others. I woke up feeling grateful.

To be able to feel and care so much sometimes causes us to reassess our priorities. A call to action. It wasn't what I wanted to hear at the time, but I woke up today feeling different. I woke up feeling nicer and more accepting toward myself and others. I woke up feeling grateful. I know those negative feelings will be back, but for now, I am happy and strong, trying to take in the moments that make life so good.

Wonderful Quote

"Much of life, fatherhood included, is the story of knowledge acquired too late:

if only I’d known then what I know now,

how much smarter, abler, stronger, I would have been.

But nothing really prepares you for kids,

for the swells of emotion that roll through your chest

like the rumble of boulders tumbling downhill,

nor for the all-enveloping labor of it,

the sheer mulish endurance you need for the six or seven hundred

discrete tasks that have to be done each and every day.

Such a small person! Not much bigger than a loaf of bread at first,

yet it takes so much to keep the whole enterprise going.

Logistics, skills, materiel; the only way we really learn

is by figuring it out as we go along,

and even then it changes on us every day,

so we’re always improvising,

which is a fancy way of saying that we’re doing things

we technically don’t know how to do."

- Ben Fountain

[Photography by Amanda Rickenbach]

A Celebration Of Sunday

Words & Photography
by Alya Galinovskaya



Thick dark hot chocolate con panna with blood oranges syrup.
A good celebration of Sunday, I think.
Especially if sipped from a cup with a reindeer on it.

Brown Derby Cocktail

Words & Photography
by Jennifer Shin



Tried my wrinkly man hand at recreating the
Manhattan Moonshine Brown Derby cocktail because I looooove grapefruit -
fresh grapefruit juice, honey syrup, and a splash of manhattan moonshine!

Magic In The Small Things

Words & Photography
by Isobel Benesch



We should never let the things we want make us forget the things we have. It’s easy to overlook pieces of our lives as our desire and wants take precedence, but let’s take a cue from our kids and live like this - pure, unadulterated joy in each and every moment.

We were at the beach this weekend, Holden got a new, warmer wetsuit so he’s been wanting to swim in the ocean non-stop. When we were there, I was chasing after the boys in the waves, thinking how cold the water was, how rough the waves were that day, how strong the wind was blowing...the list goes on from there.

I took a deep breath of ocean air and reset my attitude...I want my life to be filled with magic in the smallest of things.

Beside me was a cute family, grandparents and parents jumping through the waves with their kids. I noticed them because the kids all had swimsuits on and I kept wondering how they weren’t freezing.
Randomly, I overheard the grandfather say, “Isn’t this just like a movie?!” and it stopped me in my tracks.

I was having fun with my boys that day, but in the back of my head I had a long reel of complaints running on repeat (I think we all have those days). The man’s comment snapped me out of it. They were obviously seeing something so different than what I was seeing.

I took a deep breath of ocean air and reset my attitude. There are two different ways to look at life and I want my life to be filled with magic in the smallest of things.

Wonderful Quote

"If you have to force it, leave it.

Relationships. Friendships. Yoga poses. Perfect pony tails.

Let that shit go."

- Unknown

[Photography by Aracely Vargas]

Adventure Map

Words & Photography
by Michelle Cope



Our Adventure Map. It fills up an entire wall in our house. We each have tiny colored stickers that we get to place on the map, on the places that we have visited. Ellie's face lights up when she gets to add another sticker. This map represents memories, and future memories. Every time I look at it, I am inspired to travel more and hope that my children can see how many destinations there are to be explored in this world - that there are no limits. The world is theirs!

Every time I look at it, I am inspired to travel more and hope that my children can see how many destinations there are to be explored in this world...

I believe that traveling is one of the best practices that we can do for ourselves and our children. Ryan and I do our best to make it a priority financially, because experiences are so much more valuable than things. There are so many stories and opportunities to be had in each city and country, and I hope to be able to immerse my family in as many different cultures as I can.

Cereal

Words & Photography
by Ginger Parrish



Marry someone who has a different favorite cereal than you
so they don't eat all of yours.

Meaningful Meetings

Words & Photography
by Mary Lauren



We sat on the sand watching Ezra weave in and out of the bushes, digging his hands deep into the sand and then lifting his shirt to rub it all over his belly.

Kind of crazy how much we both shared in such a short time. I felt like I knew her. It was the best kind of strange.

A woman came by and commented on Ezra's (almost) two year old antics and "how time flies"...per the usual. Her kids are both 21 and 22 now. But this led into a really neat conversation that lasted about 15-20 minutes. It just flowed- we talked about emotional things, plans, struggles, prayers, just life. Kind of crazy how much we both shared in such a short time. I felt like I knew her. It was the best kind of strange.

I believe there are some people in this world that just get you. They are meant to be in your life, to listen, to support you, to encourage you and you them. Even if just for a few moments.

Mommy Musings

Words & Photography
by Rebecca Kent



Musings:

A few days ago, at 7 days post-partum. When I closely resembled Dolly Parton and this little one hadn't yet realized she could use her lungs at 1am and I thought she might have been the world's most perfect baby. (For the record I still think she is, but also very thankful for coffee.)

Why do newborns like to nurse until they barf? Jim Gaffigan should not be your role model child.

Literally just found a video the nurse left on my phone of her being put on my chest for the first time moments after she was born and immediately started sobbing.

I look like a lunatic most of the day trying to smell her breath while she's batting me away. Why hasn't someone bottled that smell up yet?

Thankful things get "easier", or at least that there's less 2 am anxious googling of random diseases, the second time around.

I look like a lunatic most of the day trying to smell her breath while she's batting me away. Why hasn't someone bottled that smell up yet?

I love that I have a scar from Wyatt's birth and those cute teeny stretch marks from Hazel. Little reminders of carrying both of them.

Ready For Sale

Words & Photography
by Miriam Bak McKenna



Getting our apartment ready for sale,
I don't think it's ever looked so immaculate.
My new found love of cleaning is also helping mask
the sheer terror of entering the real estate market.

The Walk To The Hot Tub

Words & Photography
by Amelia Jones



The walk to the hot tub in 30° isn't for the light hearted.
And I'm totally that dorky, giddy mom over our matching Kortni Jeane swimmers.

The Cottage

Words & Photography
by Lean Timms



The zoomed out version - an afternoon tea of generous slices of cherry, almond and olive oil cake nestled into the glorious setting that is The Cottage.

Circa 1880's and curated and owned by my dear friend and incredible artist, Lisa Madigan, The Cottage (available as boutique accommodation and for bespoke events - go stay!), is one of the true local gems of the area. It is nestled in the heart of Kangaroo Valley, the sweetest of mountain towns, and is a haven of charm, calm, and textural delight.

It is nestled in the heart of Kangaroo Valley, the sweetest of mountain towns, and is a haven of charm, calm, and textural delight.

It's been such a treat and privilege to be able to pop over the mountain and hang and shoot here this past year - pottering about in the kitchen, styling up a dish or two, photographing all the photogenic corners, and helping out with cottage guests as they come and go. I'm going to miss my visits here and living so close to this gem, as I am going to miss living among the entirety of the beautiful South Coast.

Today is packing day at our place - the removalists are here - and sounds of paper being scrunched and tape being torn makes me a little anxious, momentarily excited and actually quite sad. I'm ready to move, but never ready to let a beautiful place go. Thank goodness we're not moving all that far away, otherwise I'm not sure my heart could handle leaving again.

I'm thinking, to distract myself from the boxes, tape and sharpie pens, a piece of the above mentioned cake will help solve my woes.

One Day

Words & Photography
by Rachel Thompson

One day I'll look at a man, instead of a boy.

One day you'll be bigger than me. Stronger than me. Taller than me. Your voice will deepen and your face will grow scruff. One day your hands will hold mine. One day I'll look at a man, instead of a boy. One day. But not today.

Sea Chants

Words & Photography
by Anna Gushtyuk

I listen to her chanting about going to the beach as we walk...

The day began with chasing seagulls and taking long walks on the beach. We've been on the lookout for the seals that usually park their giant bodies right in this very spot, but so far have not had any luck. Also, sand seems to be the toy of the year. I listen to her chanting about going to the beach as we walk down and take constant breaks to dig around in the sand. It makes me smile witnessing my mini me fall in love with the sea.

Clementine Beet Smoothie

Words & Photography
by Annie Bayer



Usually I wake up in the mood for a big breakfast, but this morning I was in the mood for something lighter. I have a bunch of clementines sitting on my counter so this is what I came up with:

Clementine Beet Smoothie

Ingredients:
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
2 clementines
1 small golden beet, quartered
1/2 cup plain grass-fed kefir
1/2 cup water
Ice

Directions:
1. Throw everything in high-powered blender.
2. Blend.
3. Drink.

Nap Time

Words & Photography
by Rebecca Kent

He jumps in it and happily yells, "Nap!" with his eyes shut tight...

So the mattress might have just come from his old crib and be 6 inches too short and flush with the guard rail (hence the extra pillow rail), but thank goodness almost 2 year olds don't know what perfectly curated instagrams look like. He jumps in it and happily yells, "Nap!" with his eyes shut tight like a million times a day, and my heart pretty much explodes. The best days.