Hello Weekend

Words & Photography
by Cali Katrina



Currently waiting for that tea kettle to whistle.
Helloooo weekend.

Granola

Words & Photography
by Alyson Morgan



I made this granola for easy weekend eats so I wouldn’t have to think much about breakfast and it’s almost all gone. It’s super simple: oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, dried fruit (usually figs), chopped almonds and pecans, unsweetened coconut flakes, and a couple other ingredients. Magnolia likes it on top of her yogurt with berries, and Griff enjoys his with nut milk and bananas. I love to make it in bulk and it’s our alternative to boxed cereals...but it really doesn’t last long.

Magnolia likes it on top of her yogurt with berries, and Griff enjoys his with nut milk and bananas. I love to make it in bulk and it’s our alternative to boxed cereals...

We did our shopping and thrifting today, so the rest of the weekend will be spent outside pruning our apple tree, grapevine, raspberry bushes and currants, and folding a heaping pile of laundry.

Being Gentle

Words & Photography
by Lisa Ramirez



This body of mine is working some major overtime these days, and I’m just trying to go with it. Although I have my moments where I want to do ALL the things RIGHT now, I’m forcing myself to rest more and enjoy this time.

I’m a worker and a doer and constantly have a million and one ideas and thoughts running through my head. But these days I’m reminding myself to take care of me. Because like the saying goes, "You can’t pour from an empty cup."

Being gentle with myself has never come easy. I’m a worker and a doer and constantly have a million and one ideas and thoughts running through my head. But these days I’m reminding myself to take care of me. Because like the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

So if you’re like me, and find it hard to take a moment to enjoy some rest, this is me giving you official permission to do so.

Nonnegotiables

Words & Photography
by Olivia Jane



It’s funny how when we were looking for a house
my two completely nonnegotiable requirements were
an open floor plan and four bedrooms all on the same level.
This house has neither of those things.
And it’s absolutely perfect.

Mondays

Words & Photography
by Joanna Ballentine



Mondays are sorta an in-between the weekends and weekdays for us. An ease of a day to introduce us back in. (We like to take advantage of every minute as a family during the weekends so I don’t like to plan much then.) So for today, not a plan in site but just moments TO plan our flow for the week.

We’ll just get out of bed slower, sometimes get back in our pajamas after a warm, long bath, read a lot, play a lot, craft a lot, snack a lot, and try our hardest to laugh a lot.

We’ll just get out of bed slower, sometimes get back in our pajamas after a warm, long bath, read a lot, play a lot, craft a lot, snack a lot, and try our hardest to laugh a lot. I try to set up our Mondays to make sure I don’t have to pick battles or instruct much. I just don’t have much expectation because we all need a bit of grace to get back into the week. Mainly grace to myself because here goes a whole week of being a stay-at-home mom with deep intentionality- and that takes energy. Sometimes we leave the house on Mondays and sometimes we don’t. Today we probably won’t. I love a good cleaning day so throughout the day I find joy in being able to clean and not feel bad about letting the kids just be. So, I’ll go clean while I listen to my audio book and hope to not get too interrupted with sibling mishaps.

Someone once told me that they freeze casseroles for Monday mornings, doesn’t that sound so great? That would help in our flow for our easy day and I think I’ll try that next week! I just don’t want to be the type of person that mourns the weekend (aka the lack of husband) and hates the start of the week, so this is how we avoid that.

Tiny Home

Words & Photography
by Zeena Fontanilla



An 8 month engagement before we said, "I do" challenged us to consider alternative housing options, because Hawaii’s housing market is through the roof!

Countless Tiny House Nation episodes and a desire to start our married life with a big adventure ended up looking like this. A 360 square foot home just for us. Our affordable housing answer with a whole lotta adventure attached to it!

Countless Tiny House Nation episodes and a desire to start our married life with a big adventure ended up looking like this. A 360 square foot home just for us. Our affordable housing answer with a whole lotta adventure attached to it!

Don’t let the unknown steer you away from opportunities to grow. Connect with the people that are doing what you dream of and jump in. Joy is waiting on the other side.

My Current Stage Of Motherhood

Words & Photography
by Megan Alexandra



My current stage of motherhood goes something like: breastfeeding Ivy while spooning food into another baby’s mouth, and taking bites of my cold leftover lunch. Squeezing in a shower during nap times and rewashing the laundry I forgot about yesterday. Sometimes serving my family a well thought-out crock pot meal I made hours earlier - other times heating up tomato soup and grilled cheese at 8 pm after the babes are asleep.

Squeezing in a shower during nap times and rewashing the laundry I forgot about yesterday. Sometimes serving my family a well thought-out crock pot meal I made hours earlier - other times heating up tomato soup and grilled cheese at 8 pm after the babes are asleep.

During this season I’ve fallen in love with babywearing all over again. Ivy can nurse in the sling and I still have my hands free to sing songs and practice baby sign language with another child. Whenever I’m out in public, people tell me that it looks like I have my hands full. Which is literally true. Hands full / ring sling full / stroller full - and heart overflowing.

Organizing

Words & Photography
by Zoë Kim





One of the first steps to organize a space is to give everything a home. Then only keep what will be in current use front and center. This is key to keeping a space orderly and manageable.

This is how we keep our current read books displayed. It’s simple, manageable, and everything can be seen. This month I decided to use the top shelf for our space activity book and poster.

Keeping a small collection of kids’ books out, and storing the rest, encourages deeper play and repetitive reading-which allows a child to read with fluency and greater comprehension. 

Keeping a small collection of kids’ books out, and storing the rest, encourages deeper play and repetitive reading-which allows a child to read with fluency and greater comprehension. Also, young kids will have fewer books to care for (or toss on the floor).

Real Life

Words & Photography
by Meredith Zimmermann



About to throw some "real life" at you, so if you’re not into the ugly, avert your gaze and keep on scrollin’ (no hard feelings).

It’s 10:30 and this has been a day. We woke up to puke (Elle) and a massive blowout (Sawyer). I slipped on ice getting the kids out of the car and hit Elle in the head with Sawyer’s carseat (my finest mom moment). Sawyer won’t take formula, like not even a drop mixed with my milk at daycare, and my supply has taken a plunge (seriously, what do you do when this happens?). I’m not getting quality sleep whatsoever (looking at you again, Sawyer), and my house is covered in dog hair and piles of laundry because I have no time in the evenings and we have two too many dogs.

We woke up to puke (Elle) and a massive blowout (Sawyer)...I’m not getting quality sleep whatsoever (looking at you again, Sawyer), and my house is covered in dog hair and piles of laundry because I have no time in the evenings and we have two too many dogs.

I’m putting this out into the cyber universe with the hope that 1) if you’re going through something similar, you are not not NOT alone, and 2) maybe the universe will hear me say, "Uncle? I give!" I’m humbled and giving myself as much grace as I can muster in this season. BUT, we are getting pizza tonight with the family so, hey— that’s the good stuff right there. If I ever wanted to snuggle up with the babes at home and call it, today is that day.

Journaling

Words & Photography
by Ashlyn Postier



Do you journal? I’ve been journaling since I was a kid - on and off - but for the most part pretty consistently! It’s therapeutic to me and I love getting my jumbled-up thoughts on paper! I’ve been approaching journaling with a slightly new method so I thought I’d share in case anyone wants to journal, but doesn’t know where to start!⠀

Next, I write what I’m thankful for!..Our ice maker working, hot coffee, and silk pillowcases made my list this morning.

1. First, I brain dump - anything on my mind I write it down. This might be random thoughts I’m thinking, things J does, memories I don’t want to forget, etc.

2. Next, I write what I’m thankful for! There are so many studies on how this impacts your life. I simply thank God for the big and very small, micro things I’m thankful for! Our ice maker working, hot coffee, and silk pillowcases made my list this morning. I’m serious about those silk pillowcases!⠀

3. I write out what I want to accomplish today and how I want the day to go! I have recently incorporated this step this year and I LOVE it because it helps give the day some direction! I will even meal plan the day here if I haven’t already and it makes me feel more prepared for the day!

If you’re not journaling I 100% think you should give it a try! It’s one of the first things I do in the morning - it’s so therapeutic. Plus I know a gal who makes cute journals.

Shake Shack

Words & Photography
by Yiyin Zhang



Can never say no. Especially to the Madison Square Park location. Something about the twinkly lights.

Shake Shack //
Southeast corner of Madison Square Park
(near Madison Avenue and E. 23rd Street)
Madison Ave. & E 23rd St.
New York, NY 10010

Still A Baby

Words & Photography
by Chantelina Hernandez



If I can still do this, it means he’s still a baby right?
Asking for a friend...okay I’m the friend...it me.

All That This Body Holds

Words & Photography
by Melissa Landrus



I could speak about all the things which I do not love, of these skin and bones. The broad shoulders, the chicken legs (as they were deemed by peers growing up), the freckles, the crook in my nose, the scar above my belly button (product of a piercing gone wrong). The very details I—out of anyone—am most critical of.

My daughters will notice. They will begin to second glance and pick apart their own reflection. Because they see the way I look at the imperfections...the ones that cause me to cringe. OR, I can admire and revere its strength. The legs, the feet that carry me. The hands that hug, hold, and feel. The nose I have the pleasure of smelling flowers and freshly baked bread..the imperfections that bring me delight: full of memories, of the past and hopes for the future.

I will honor this body...my ever-changing, strong, curious, beautiful vessel full of curves and sharp edges and softness in which my soul inhabits, where I grew two beautiful humans, where heaven met earth with my third.

I will honor this body...my ever-changing, strong, curious, beautiful vessel full of curves and sharp edges and softness in which my soul inhabits, where I grew two beautiful humans, where heaven met earth with my third. Where I have been able to live a life of wonder and song and joy and passion and discovery. THIS—all that this body holds is what I want my girls to see in the mirror. This is beautiful.

Jolene

Words & Photography
by Tara Lovato



This here’s Jolene.
She’s a Cereus peruvianus.
She conjured visions of western bars, dusty roads,
and since she was sold, broken hearts.

Making Music

Words by Karla Lopez
Photography by Karl Solano



FAQ: When can my child begin guitar/ukulele lessons?

Every child is capable of learning to play an instrument, I can tell you that. The recommended age to start is 6 years because of finger length. But a child as young as 4 years old can begin to learn if they are really motivated and patient.

This is why I always have children touch and play my guitar after class. They see me make familiar music with it, they hear it, they experience the feeling of the music it makes, and then they’re given the chance to produce it themselves.

To foster the desire to make music, your child needs to be around music. The more variety they’re exposed to, the better. Having your child in music class gives them the opportunity to explore different beats with small percussion instruments, meters, tonalities, and patterns. This is why I always have children touch and play my guitar after class. They see me make familiar music with it, they hear it, they experience the feeling of the music it makes, and then they’re given the chance to produce it themselves.

If this is the environment you provide for your child, it’ll be an easy process for them to learn in the future.

It's Ours

Words & Photography
by Kebby Bradshaw

We create the love, the messes, and how much sunshine we let in. I love the magic in that. 

We might not be able to control what goes on outside of our little worlds at home, but what I love about home is that it’s ours. We create it. We create the love, the messes, and how much sunshine we let in. I love the magic in that. No matter where, what, or who your home is, I hope it’s filled with sunshine.

A Treasured Spot

Words & Photography
by Natasha Weir



With all day sunshine and a view of serene semi-rural landscape,
our kitchen is a treasured spot in our home.
It is where we connect in the mornings over coffee,
cook together, watch the birds in the garden,
create new recipes (that sometimes fail),
and dance like idiots to music while waiting for dinner to cook.

Giving Little Things Back

Words & Photography
by Mandy Tetrault



It’s the little things that make my heart full. Pat reaching his hand for mine. Listening to Titus talk and realizing he’s going to sound exactly like his dad. Watching Tyler shovel the driveway in the most OCD way possible. Including cutting through existing snow banks to make the walls of snow straight.

It’s the little things that make my heart full. Pat reaching his hand for mine. Listening to Titus talk and realizing he’s going to sound exactly like his dad...

I try to give little things back. Like these lemon cheese pastries. They are not-so-little bundles of Danish pastry wrapped around lemony cream cheese filling and love.

Let Me Never Forget It

Words & Photography
by Emily Hannon



I remember being asked with Jack what I found hardest about becoming a mother, and I never really knew how to answer. The sleepless nights, the first fever, the uncertainty about this or that—of course all of that was an adjustment, but this deep peace always dwelled in my heart because I was exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I was called to do.

Now...I know what it is that makes my heart physically ache sometimes; it’s knowing that I can’t freeze these details written on his little face or slow the passing of time. 

Now, with Peter, I know what it is that makes my heart physically ache sometimes; it’s knowing that I can’t freeze these details written on his little face or slow the passing of time. I love taking photos of my children because I know I’ll forget these sweet, precious details that tend to get lost in the everyday hustle. His plump little lips that open wide as he doses off, the smell of his head that rests on my chest, his warm body wrapped around mine in a perpetual hug. Lord, let me never forget it, not a single detail.

The Simple Little Things

Words & Photography
by Alice Daisy



Trying to shift that groggy Monday morning feeling
with a nice cuppa’ tea.
Sometimes it’s just the simple little things.

A Winter Person

Words & Photography
by Tiffany Howard



Ohhh, summertime.
I’ve always been a winter person,
but after days of being snowed in
then waking up to the power out from all the ice,
I’m dreaming of blueberry season
and trying to remember what it’s like to be hot.