Bitty Bird.

come see my new home:

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:26:00 +0000

Did you notice a change around here? I've moved to Wordpress as of the end of last week, and I am loving it. I've scheduled a couple of posts from the new platform, and the navigation is simple enough. I could use Blogger in my sleep, but there have been so many little & annoying "glitches" on my blog through the Blogger platform lately... I just had to walk away from it.

I think moving to Wordpress is going to be a good move in the long run for my blog, but I hate to cut ties with the followers I had "collected" on Google Friend Connect. It took a year and a half to reach 41 followers: I am emotionally attached to each of them! I know some blogs with far more followers and a much shorter blogging history: I don't know how they all do it, but whatever... this is my "home". If you are visiting from my blog on Blogger via Google Reader (or however else you have followed me in the past), be sure to like me on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or add bittybird.net to the blog reader of your choosing so you can still keep up. 2012 is looking to be the best year, ever!

i have moved!

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:12:00 +0000

I have moved my blog to WordPress. If you are following me on Google Friend Connect via asmallbirdonfire.blogspot.com, you will find my blog and all its content at http://bittybird.net ...xoxoxo...
Sarah

i was tagged: meme!

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I've seen this blog meme floating around: it was bound to get me one day! Well, it got me twice. I was tagged for this game by Katie at Party of Four and again by Andee at Bearing Fruit! Looks like fun, so I'll hop right in! Why not? Here's how it works:

1. Post these rules.

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.

***

11 Random Things:

1. My alarm is set for 4am every morning. How else can a mama get peace before the boys wake up?

2. I never watch TV, except to sit in on what Eric is watching. When he's working out of town, I don't ever turn the thing on: unless the storm sirens go off and I need to see what's going on.

3. Once upon a time, I had pink hair... an eyebrow piercing... and I liked to read Tarot cards. Eric thinks I was a wierdo... and the earth tilted on its axis the day the wierdo geeky girl married a jock.

Image Source.

4. I took piano lessons when I was in elementary school, but I quit playing in fifth grade. I tried to pick it back up when I was in high school, but (by that time) found boys (especially those that played guitar) more interesting. I'd like to have a piano in my house one day. I'll learn how to play: and this time, I'll stick to it.

5. I used to read a book every three days. I might have read three books all the way through in the past year- since Seth started walking.

6. I taught myself how to cook after my mother got sick with cancer when I was nine years old. She's fine now (relatively speaking, of course), in case you wonder.

7. I have an unnatural addiction to all things Ikea. I am seeking therapy.

8. I almost gave up breastfeeding when Seth was a few weeks old, but (now that I have a nursing toddler on my hands) I am so glad that I kept it up.

9. I smoked a lot of cigarettes in my life. I quit right before we got pregnant with our son. I learned how to knit so that I'd have something to keep my hands busy, and it really helped! This is one of many things about me that changed for the better once we decided to become a family of three.

10. My favorite time of day is when Seth and I read books together.

11. I am about to initiate "Operation: Potty Training" since Seth started complaining that his cloth diapers are too tight.

***

Questions for Me (from Katie):

1. What is your favorite song at the moment and why?

If you listened to the song and can't tell why it's my favorite right now, I don't know what else to say. The words are so sweet, my heart swells to bursting. The music is catchy and dancey-energetic and I just love it. And: shout out to Home, Sweet Alabama! I don't listen to music as much as I used to, but I tune in to internet radio as much as I can and I get a thrill whenever this song hits my playlist.

2. What kind of car do you drive? A 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle named Alice. Alice is a geriatric car now, and she is falling apart. People always stop me to tell me just how much they "love" my car. In the summertime, when it's 100 degrees out and I'm cruising around with no A/C, these comments leave me tempted to hand off the keys and say, "You can have her, then!"

3. What is your favorite time of year and why? I like Springtime: most specifically, the months of March and April. I love to see the first blooms of the year: dogwoods drive me to distraction when I'm trying to get from one place to another. I'm trying to drive, but my attention keeps sweeping to the side of the road. There's only a very short window of time in Alabama when the weather is neither freezing cold nor stifling hot: some years, it only lasts for a few days.

4. Where would live if you could live anywhere and why? Portland, Oregon. There's a host of stereotypes about people that live in Portland, and in nine ways out of ten I'd appear be a good Portlandian. I've known several people (one of my favorite girlfriends is one of them) that spent time in Portland, and all a.) live up to the stereotypes to some degree or b.) say that the stereotypes are pretty spot-on for certain areas of town, and c.) say that they'd live in Portland again, given the opportunity. Besides, I'd love to live somewhere besides "the sprawling city [that] once boasted the second-largest streetcar system in the United States, [but] now ranks among the leading cities for automobile use (and routinely fails to meet air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.)", as per Wikipedia.

5. Where would you go tomorrow if you could go any where and why? See previous. Maybe one day, Eric and I will vacation in the Pacific Northwest and drop in to see what it's all about.

6. What are your top 3 favorite blogs and why? SO hard to pick, and I'm only picking because I have to. 1: A Beautiful Mess: Elsie is so creative and adventurous, and I love to see what she's wearing and what she's doing with her sweetheart, Mr. Larson. I have a crush on her life. 2: Birthing Beautiful Ideas: I admire Kristen for her honesty and for her wit. She is a doula, a thinker, writer, and a mother to three boys (one of which is due to be born any time now, at the time of this writing). I often laugh out loud when I read her posts. 3: Katie's Pencil Box: Katie has a wild little boy, a handsome dreadlocked man, a new little one on the way, a life filled with art and beauty, and she takes gorgeous photographs. What else can I say?

7. What is your favorite clothing company and why? I don't really have one. When I buy new clothes, I always feel like I might be supporting sweat shop labor or worse... and I am the kind of person that sometimes lies awake at night worrying about whether the sugar in my pantry was harvested by a slave. It makes me sad, and I know that there are ways to determine if the companies you buy from are using ethical sourcing. I can't always afford to shop with my conscience, though... so my favorite clothes are the ones I bought secondhand and I know the proceeds supported a local charity or worthy cause.

8. Can you spell good without spell check? I spell decently. Every now and then, I question my instincts and plug a word into the Google search box on my browser window to see which spelling pops up.

9. Would you rather text or just call someone? Text. I hate calling people with a passion! I can't explain it, but texting just seems to have fewer "strings attached".

10. Facebook or Twitter? Twitter: I know very few people on Twitter in real life, so I can say whatever I want to say.

11. What are you wearing right now... and no cheating! This funky shirt from Threadless (I am addicted to their thirts!) with a pair of Old Navy bootcut jeans and a thrifted fleece jacket. I'm in my sock feet, but earlier: I was wearing this pair of Toms.

***

Oh... but there's more... Questions for Me! (from Andee)

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1. Name your fave song: Oooh, goody! I get to pick again! OK... another favorite song is this one:

2. Name your fave dessert: Without a doubt, Hershey's chocolate. I eat at least two Hershey's Nuggets per day (and try to wait until dessert).

3. What ticks you off: Not much, except people being hateful. We get some crazy clients at my work sometimes, and I field a lot of phone calls... Let me just say that (unless I personally caused you the grief that is causing you to scream in my ear) I don't deserve to be screamed at for no reason. Other than that, I am pretty patient.

4. When I'm upset I... Cry. Even when it is the angry kind of upset. I don't know why.

5. What's your fave pet: I'd like to have a pet rock that I don't have to take care of. All three of my fur babies are just that... my babies. But the constant needing attention from... everyone and everything... makes me crave something a little less needy.

6. Black or White: Black, because I drop barbecue sauce and ketchup on everything.

7. Biggest fear: Heights. Or something bad happening to my little boy.

8. Everyday attitude: Come what may: I am human and can only do so much at one time. So, I'll get to the proverbial it when I get to it!

9. What is perfection: Going into the thrift store with $20 in hand and walking out with a bag full of lovely goodies.

10. Guilty pleasure: Social media, period. All of it. I feel guilty all the time because I feel like there are so many other things I should be doing! But... I have to let myself enjoy something.

***

My Questions for You:

1. Morning person or night owl?
2. Who do you most admire and why?
3. What is the last thing you purchased for yourself?
4. Do you pay for a manicure or do it yourself?
5. What is the last book that you read?
6. If you could have any career that you wanted... right now... what would it be?
7. Where is the last place that you traveled?
8. Your house is burning down and you can only save one object: what is it?
9. Coffee or tea?
10. What is the one hobby that you can't live without?

11. If you had $1000 to give to the charity or cause of your choice, what would it be?

***

Tagging 11 People:

If I am tagging you, I must like you- right? I know some of you better than others. The rest of you may have commented on my blog or followed me recently, and I'd like to know more about you. Either way, feel honored if you like: but please don't feel pressured to play. Ok? Shall we?

Tricia at Mama Marchand's Musings.

~~Andee at Bearing Fruit.~~ ...She got me first!

Ashley at 5ohWifey.

Megan at Sorta Crunchy.

Alycia at The Curious Pug.

Sara at Flutterby Butterfly.

Marie at The (Not Always) Lazy W.

Katie at The Terpblog.

Natalie at Various Thoughts and Rants.

Mallory at Mallory's Musings.

Annie at Letters to Mo.

You ladies have been tagged! If you intend to play along, leave me a comment so I can come check out your responses... God bless and have fun!

etsy uno 01.10.12

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

It's time again for Etsy Uno! I've made another change this week: there is no longer a Linky Tools gadget at the bottom of these posts. I found that not enough people are playing yet to justify paying for a subscription (gaaah!). Until there is more interest generated for the game and more people playing, how about leaving a comment with a link to your Etsy Uno post so I can come over and check it out? If you've never played, here are the rules:

I give you a prompt. This week, the prompt is KEEPING WARM.
Pick one item on Etsy that relates to the prompt and add the photo to your blog post. You must give photo credit to the Etsy seller by linking back to the item in their shop. The purpose of this game is to show love to the talented artisans behind the Etsy shop and promote their original handmade products! Never, ever take a photo without giving credit where it is due.
The second item must share something in common with the first one, and subsequent choices must share something in common with the item immediately before it-- use your imagination. That's what makes this like the game "Uno"! List at least five items and explain or describe how one relates to the other. You never know where you might end up!
If you want to play, copy and paste these instructions to your blog post, and make sure to grab an Etsy Uno button from www.bittybird.net to promote the game: and tell your friends! Link up your Etsy Uno post at the bottom of my post every Tuesday morning.
If you have the time, please take an opportunity to send a note to the Etsy sellers you found in order to let them know their product was recognized on your blog. Remember, the point is to support and encourage the hardworking artisans that inspire us every day!

1...2...3... GO!

(From left to right:)1. Charcoal grey hooded scarf // 2. Surreal charcoal drawing with a little fox // 3. Sweet felt fox throw pillow // 4. Paint-by-number globe pillow // 5. Black oceans vintage globe // 6. Black enamel camera pendant // 7. Primary colored cameras art print // 8. Primary colored vintage milk glass coffee mugs // 9. Dainty milk glass cake stand // 10. Cake stand made from raw wood // 11. Birch wood tealight candle holders // 12. Folksy white horse candle holders // 13. Cute little white owl hairpins // 14. Asymmetrical ivory owl and colorful beads necklace // 15. Heart-shaped "love meter" spinner necklace // 16. Vintage German costume shoes with a heart applique

I hope you had fun playing Etsy Uno with me this week. Link up your post in the comments below, and be sure to grab the button code for your blog!

Next week's prompt is: COZY SWEATERS.

mama's new little friend.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Experiments in Natural Family Living

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have reported on weeklong trials to make their lives a little greener. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

***

In an effort to reduce waste and expenses, we chose cloth diapers for our son before he was even born. He's been my "fluffy bum" baby for almost two years now, and I have loved cloth diapering him. As a natural extension of this experiment in earth-consciousness and natural parenting, I began to question my own use of disposable menstrual pads and tampons. Why would I choose to reduce the disposable diaper output from our home but continue to use conventional menstrual pads for myself?

This gorgeous "mama cloth" is available at the Bravely Boutique on Etsy.

You're right. It makes no sense whatsoever. So: in preparation for an experiment in more eco-friendly living, I began researching sustainable menstrual solutions. I considered purchasing a starter set of "mama cloths", but I eventually opted for a Diva Cup:

Image Source.

I've mentioned my Diva Cup in conversation with other women since the experiment began last month, but the concept was not received as well as I would have hoped. I'm not sure why, since one conversation in particular pertained to a "gift" that one of my friends received from her dog, which had been retrieved from her next-door neighbor's trash. Use your imagination, and then tell me which product you think is more unappealing. I'll never go back to using conventional pads or tampons again.

Sure, the Diva Cup may require you to get more familiar with your female anatomy than any product you have ever used before. I hope you'll agree with me that vaginas are pretty cool. Don't believe me? Check out a list of reasons why your mama bits rock, courtesy of Psychology Today. Still not convinced? Maybe this little ditty will change your mind:

So, since we agree on that fact, let's discuss three reasons why you should try a Diva Cup, too.

You don't have to continue buying expensive disposable products every month. For $40, you have all the menstrual solution that you'll likely need for one year.
You are not exposing your most sensitive parts to potentially harmful chemicals, such as the carcinogen dioxin that is a by-product of the bleaching process.
Simple math + an environmental consciousness = a logical choice. If the typical woman has her period for five days of every month for forty years (minus at least eighteen months with no period if she has three children during her childbearing years), and she uses three tampons (or pads) per day, she will use (and dispose of) approximately 7,000 disposable products over her lifetime. Laid end-to-end, those tampons would stretch out over two and two-thirds miles long. Golly.

So, how did I like the Diva Cup? Frankly... where has this thing been all my life? I loved it! Admittedly, I had a little bit of a rough patch to begin with: the first time I inserted my Diva Cup, it must have been crooked, because I started cramping terribly. Honestly: it felt like labor pain, but the cramping let up immediately after I removed the cup. As always, I recommend that if you fail the first time: you must try, try again. I reinserted the cup, twisting it 360 degrees like the product packaging recommended (to make sure it was positioned correctly), and I didn't think about it again for twelve hours.

That's right, ladies. Twelve hours.

That means that I can insert the Diva Cup, take my son to his babysitter, go to work, make a trip to the grocery store before going home... and not have to worry about changing my Diva Cup! It is incredible.

The care and maintenance is quite simple: rinse the cup thoroughly twice daily, and then wash it with unscented soap before storing it away at the end of your cycle. I never had a leak, and the comfort and flexibility (when used correctly, of course!) far surpasses that of my trusty old tampons. I love that I don't have to buy anything else until I replace the cup after about one year. I feel good about the fact that I'm not contributing to environmental waste by using disposable products that have to be packaged and shipped for consumption. I'll recommend the Diva Cup to anyone: whether they think it makes me crazy or not!

***

Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

Make your own moisturizer! — Megan at boho mama whips up a winter skin-friendly moisturizer.
Cold Water Only — Brittany at The Pistachio Project talks about how you do not need hot water to wash laundry.
Family Cloth... Really?? — After lots of forethought and consideration, Momma Jorje finally decides to take the plunge with family cloth.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle : 5-5-5 Things A Day — Luschka from Diary of a First Child writes about decluttering her home in an attempt to create a gentler living space. She takes on a new project where she sets a goal of reducing, reusing and recycling every day.
Pros and cons of family cloth — Lauren at Hobo Mama would love to continue replacing paper products with family cloth … if she could only get over how damp she feels.
Craftily Parenting — Kellie at Our Mindful Life finds that crafting makes her a better parent.
Changes — Laura at Pug in the Kitchen couldn't choose just one area to experiment with, so she wrote a long post about all the fun changes initiated in her life!
Life without Internet: Not all it's Cracked up to Be — Adrienne at Mommying My Way tries to go a week without the Internet, only to realize a healthy dose of Internet usage really helps keep this stay-at-home mom connected.
My Progression to Raw Milk — Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling shares her natural parenting progression all the way to trying raw milk.
mama's new little friend. — Sarah at Bitty Bird tries a menstrual cup to "green her period," and is pleasantly surprised when she falls in love with the product!
Before you throw it out, try homemade laundry soap! — Jennifer at Practical OH Mommy shows visual proof that homemade laundry soap is cheaper, easier, and works better than the store-bought chemicals!
Oil, Oil, No Toil, No Trouble — K from Very Simple Secret talks about her foray into the oil-cleansing method.
I Need a Hobby — Amanda at Let's Take the Metro couldn't decide which experiment to run, so she did them all.
7 days of macrobiotics for a balanced family — The Stones make a [successful] attempt to release the "holiday junking" with 7 days of macrobiotic meals to balance their bodies and souls. Elisabeth at Manic Mrs. Stone includes an explanation of macrobiotics.
Chemical Free Beauty Challenge — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction turned to natural alternatives for her daily beauty and cleaning routine, with great results.
Greening my Armpits!? My Green Resolution — Shannon at The Artful Mama talks about how she decided to give up her traditional antiperspirant and make the switch over to crystal deodorants and definitely isn't looking back!
Going Raw (for a while) — Jenny at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom shares her family's experience with raw food.
Do we get to eat gluten today? — Sheila at A Gift Universe has been trying to figure out if her son does better with or without gluten in his diet … but it's really hard to tell for sure.
Hippies Can Smell and Look Fabulous Too! — Arpita of Up, Down And Natural details her experience of going shampoo-free and overhauling her cosmetics to find the balance between feeling beautifully fabulous and honoring her inner hippie.
Our cupboards are full...but there's nothing to eat — Lucy at Dreaming Aloud takes on the challenge of chomping through the contents of her storecupboard rather than going shopping — but there's something that she just can't bring herself to do …
Elimination Experiment 3.0 — MudpieMama recounts the messy adventures of her baby daughter trying to be diaper free.
Family Cloth Trial — Amyables at Toddler in Tow talks about making and using family cloth wipes in the bathroom for the first time.
Taking a Hiatus — Amy at Peace 4 Parents shares how her experience of much less internet interaction affected her family and how it will change her approach in the future.
Trying Out the Menstrual Cup — Lindsey at an unschooling adventure ditches the tampons and gives menstrual cups a try.
Managing Food Waste in Our Home — Tired of the holiday waste, Robbie at Going Green Mama takes a weeklong focus on reducing food waste in her home, and learns some lessons that can take her through the new year.
Going Offline, Cloth Tissues, and Simplicity — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama muses over her time away from blogging and social networking. In addition, she shares her newfound love of cloth tissues and simplicity.
The Oil Cleansing Method — Erica at ChildOrganics explores an easy, organic and natural way to tackle skin care.
Experiments in Natural Family Living - Natural Toys! — Lani at Boobie Time enjoys the silence of natural toys and being more present with her son.
Discovering a New City and Organic Foods — Amy at A Secure Base describes her family's switch to and search for organic foods for one week.
My Experiment in Homemade Bread — Crunchy Con Mommy tried — and loved — baking her own homemade bread.
Menu Planning: Stop the Excuses — Gaby at Tmuffin stopped the excuses and started planning her weekly meals, drastically cutting her grocery budget and stress level and improving the quality of foods she fed her family.
My First Menstrual Cup — Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children was pleasantly surprised with her first experience using a menstrual cup.
My Natural Beauty Regime — Christine at African Babies Don’t Cry shares the results of banishing cleanser and soaps from her bathroom, as well as a couple of natural homemade recipes that have worked well on her skin.
Unplugging and Creating a Rhythm: Our Experiment in Natural Family Living — Dionna at Code Name: Mama focused less on gadgets and spent more time with her family to create a healthy rhythm for the new year.
Experiments in Natural Family Living: 5 First Steps Toward Preparing for a Natural Birth — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama discusses how she tackled the pressing matter of how to begin preparing for a natural birth.
All you need is...vinegar! — Kristen at My Semi-Crunchy Life learns that one household product can replace all the cleaners in her cabinet.
Nope Nada Ixnay Negative Pass Decline — Zoie at TouchstoneZ finds out what shakes loose if she says, "YES!!" to anything anyone asks of her over the space of 10 days.
Reducing our exposure to toxins found in plastics — Syenna at Gently Parenting Twins throws out the melamine and BPA plastics which have been hanging around the kitchen for too long.
Duh! — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment shares how she began the process of helping her 2-year-old son stop physically acting out.
Experiments in Natural Parenting: Starting, Stopping, and Gaining Perspective — Melissa at Vibrant Wanderings explains how pregnancy brain interfered with her attempts to complete an experiment, but how she gained some interesting perspective as she started and stopped several.
From Experiment to Lifestyle — Abbie at Farmer's Daughter shares her experience avoiding processed foods for a month, and deciding to make it a permanent lifestyle change.
From Disposable Paper to Reusable Cloth – AGAIN! — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle stops flushing trees down the toilet and switches to the softest ever butt-wiping material: cloth.
Extra! Extra! Water Heater Turned Down, Mom Doesn't Notice! — Thomasin at Propson Palingenesis finds an energy-saving experiment that's so easy she didn't even realize it was happening.
Worm Tea — CatholicMommy isn't sure how successful her worm bin will be, but she's having fun anyway.
Miles to Go ... — Rachael at The Variegated Life learns that when it comes to sleep debt, she's in real deep.
My Month With Water Kefir — Paige at Baby Dust Diaries experiments with a new fermented probiotic drink homemade in her own kitchen.
OMG Mom is Home... All Day Everyday: A Week-Long Experiment in Connecting — What a difference a week makes! Ana at Pandamoly is afforded a week off from work and takes the chance to reconnect and reattach with her 16-month-old son through an experiment in simply being there.
Creating Healthy Family Recipes — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now shares her experiment with healthy, gluten-free recipes and a chocolate muffin recipe that was created during the experiment.
Adventures in Alternative Haircare: No 'Poo — This guest post at Natural Parents Network from Amy at Anktangle chronicles a months-long journey into the world of no 'poo.
My Experiment in Natural Family Living: Natural Family Planning — Birth control options are seriously limited for those of us trying to live a little closer to the earth, so Mama Psalmist experiments with natural family planning.

grateful for monday.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Hello again, Monday. So: it's back to work, you say?

Image Source.

If I must.

It's such a pleasure to enjoy the weekend without worry for Monday. I find that loving my work adds to my enjoyment of the not work. I don't get that sense of dread halfway through Sunday afternoon like I used to.

Lately, I've been feeling a heavy sense of overwhelm... but I don't think it has anything to do with work. It has more to do with me expecting too much of myself: a more perfect house, more timely and nutritious meals, more meaningful interactions with my family. I feel like I've done something terribly wrong when the pieces don't come together the way I expected... and that can be daunting.

I'm trying to shed my expectations. I'm trying to spend more time intentionally loving every minute. I want to truly simplify my life: to be grateful for what I have instead of worrying about what I don't have. I want to be more gracious and more thoughtful. Therefore: bring on the week! Let's make the most of the time that is allowed to us. Let's be grateful for Monday.

365 photos // week 1: a dozen (the number '12).

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

We are twelve years deep into the 21st century: and here, I present five photos relating to the number twelve. This is going to be a good year! Remember, good things come in dozens...

To round out a week's worth of photos: the final two photos are "wild card" pictures. These do not necessarily have to relate to the week's theme.

There you have it! Week one of the 365 photo project is complete. Remember, you can follow the photostream on Flickr here. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

thoughts: mothering a single child.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I often wonder what I will feel in thirty years if Eric and I have no more children.

Would I regret having only one child? Would my love for my only son be compounded and made more sublime? Would Seth despise me for not giving him a family of siblings to grow old with?

I've never had any doubt that I would want more than one child. I've always imagined being a mother to two, or maybe three children. I've wanted to be called "Mommy" all my life.

In my prayer time, I often weep on my Daddy's lap, pleading for my family and my son. I don't share my deepest feelings about motherhood with most people. I know that I usually don't have to... the emotions are nearly universal, I am sure.

A dear friend recently posted this article to Facebook: Why Do So Few Mothers Want To Work Full-time?

It's a question that may ruffle the feathers of quite a few of my old Feminist friends. After all, women have struggled hard to grow nearer to the ideals: equal pay for equal work, riddance to the "glass ceiling", goodbye to the strictly gendered division of labor. Why wouldn't we want to work full-time outside the home?

I am blessed beyond measure to have the job I have: as a matter of fact, I am fully aware that I am exactly where God wants me to be. I prayed for this job and God gave it to me in an amazing show of His Grace: answering the prayer swiftly and to the letter. I prayed for Christian bosses, an office job with steady Monday thru Friday scheduling, co-workers that blessed my heart and an environment where people fellowship in Christ's name, to be recognized for my hard work and not taken for granted... and He provided! I love my job.

In my heart of hearts, I still yearn... ache... hurt to breaking that I have to leave my son in someone else's care. There is so much pressure to "raise our children right", but working mothers must leave the rearing to others. I have to trust that the messages he is receiving about life measure up to my own values (and they do not- I am in a constant state of correcting bad patterns on the weekends).

My nature is to impart my values to my child, as a gift. Instead, someone else is doing the nurturing. It is contrary to my desires, and I don't think those desires are caused by society's expectation of me as a woman. I think the desire to nurture my own child is biological and hormonal.

Did you know that babies' and mothers' hearts synchronize with one another just by smiling at one another? Biological. Anyone that believes mammals' behavior naturally serves to protect the survival of their species should be able to see that a human mother's desire to nurture her children is innate and not cultural.

So here I am, lost between the murmurings of my heart, my "biological clock", and my rational brain. Seth is nearing his second birthday, and I am beginning to wonder if we will add to our family. In my personal version of ideal family spacing, children should be three to four years apart: so will we try to get pregnant this year?

How can we? Eric and I are so tired and so stressed that we often fall asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. There is no energy for intimacy. Many mornings, I am ushering my son out the door a mere fifteen minutes after he wakes. Eric brings him home to me in the evening asleep. During the week, I am lucky to get a good, solid hour of quality time with my son... and when Saturday morning comes? I wonder who this little boy is, and what happened to my baby.

On one recent Saturday morning, Eric was gone to work (he has been working seven days lately because the project he is on is terribly behind schedule) and Seth was in a terrible, foul mood. I had a fun and exciting mother-son day planned for him, but he wanted no part of my plans. I battled with him all day, and he won... and I came away with literal battle wounds. I was reduced to tears by my clear parental incompetence, proclaiming to Eric on his return home that evening, "We will NEVER have any more kids, hear? I can't handle more than one like him. I can't even handle HIM!"

Soon after, Eric bargained with his parents to keep Seth an extra afternoon so that he and I could go out on a "date". I qualify the word date, because we so seldom gain time alone, we no longer know what to do with one another. We don't know what is fun or how to talk to one another without including our son anymore! I found my thoughts wandering to Seth all afternoon: concern for him, missing him, guilt for leaving him. That evening, we picked Seth up and returned home with him, and our little boy was in a vibrant good mood. He thrilled me with his intelligence, his mastery of skills advanced beyond his mere two years, his keen humor and curiosity. I was so in love with my son, I thought to myself, "I want three more just like him!"

I want more children just as much as I want "my life" back. I want to be pregnant again as much as I want to regain my pre-maternal level of intimacy with my husband. I want to stay home with my brood of kids as much as I want to be successful at work and be able to provide the "best" for my children. When I arrive at the place where all these desires intersect, I am left with the overwhelming desire to throw my hands up and walk away from all of it.

I love my son. I never thought it was possible to love someone like the way I love him. I want him to have my undivided self: the best of me. When I hold him next to my heart, I know that I have never been as complete as he makes me.

Swooping him into the air, I watch him squeal with the excitement of flying as I pull him to me. "Who do you love?", I quiz him. His little boy hands reach into my hair and he laughs. "Mommy!", he proclaims. I mock surprise. "Me? You love me?" I could do this with him a thousand times and never tire of the simple pleasure of knowing my son thinks I hang the moon.

Time will tell what will be right for our family. I can agonize over the "decision" to have more children, or I can choose to enjoy what I've been given and let my family's destiny work itself out. The peace I know when I "let go and let God" fills me at the end of the day, and I let the outside influences melt away behind me. I have to trust this one to my Maker. I give it to Him and relax into His Grace around me... and the future lies before me to walk into fearlessly. Will our family grow from here? The answer is on my mind... unformed, unseen... but palpably there... on my heart today.

wordless wednesday 01.04.12

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

etsy uno 01.03.12

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This week, I am changing the way Etsy Uno looks. As always, this feature is a work in progress! My goal is to make it easier: on me to compile and on your eyes as you enjoy it. Let me know what you think! I'm using the Etsy treasury, which actually bumps the item count to 16-- but I love treasuries! Once you do one treasury, you can't stop there... Anyway. Onward.

I give you a prompt. This week, the prompt is SEQUINS.
Pick one item on Etsy that relates to the prompt and add the photo to your blog post. You must give photo credit to the Etsy seller by linking back to the item in their shop. The purpose of this game is to show love to the talented artisans behind the Etsy shop and promote their original handmade products! Never, ever take a photo without giving credit where it is due.
The second item must share something in common with the first one, and subsequent choices must share something in common with the item immediately before it-- use your imagination. That's what makes this like the game "Uno"! List at least five items and explain or describe how one relates to the other. You never know where you might end up!
If you want to play, copy and paste these instructions to your blog post, and make sure to grab an Etsy Uno button from www.bittybird.net to promote the game: and tell your friends! Link up your Etsy Uno post at the bottom of my post every Tuesday morning, beginning at 5AM CST.
If you have the time, please take an opportunity to send a note to the Etsy sellers you found in order to let them know their product was recognized on your blog. Remember, the point is to support and encourage the hardworking artisans that inspire us every day!

1...2...3... GO!

(From left to right:) 1. Jewel-toned indian sequined clutch purse // 2. Charcoal-colored clutch with circles patter // 3. Pale pink vintage blouse with circles pattern // 4. Pale pink toned photograph of a ballerina figurine // 5. Vintage ballerina paint-by-number // 6. Vintage horse paint-by-number // 7. Felt cowboy and horse finger puppets // 8. Felt campfire and s'mores for pretend play // 9. S'mores in a jar wedding party favors // 10. Organic handmade soap party favors // 11. Miniature vintage laundry soap for a dollhouse // 12. Miniature midcentury modern style dollhouse furniture // 13. Yellow midcentury modern alarm clock // 14. Yellow VW Bus poster print // 15. VW Bus letterpress notecards // 16. Letterpress recipe cards with box

I hope you had fun playing Etsy Uno with me this week. Link up your post in the comments below, and be sure to grab the button code for your blog!

Next week's prompt is: KEEPING WARM.

hello, new year.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Here's a Monday morning music mix to warm your heart and ease you into the first week of the New Year:

Now that you feel good, how about if you say hello to my new friend?

All the better to take a picture every day, my darlings. Isn't she wonderful? I haven't named her yet... but I am so glad that she's my new companion.

I have to tell you that God answered a big prayer of mine over the last couple of weeks. The unfolding was magnificent. See, a little while back... I learned how to say "Yes, Lord!" ...and accept all the goodness that He has to offer me. Around about then, in the middle of November, I decided that I wanted to get more serious about my photography. I want to learn all there is to know. I want to master the art in the aperture... and all the other things there are to master about cameras. I opened my heart up to the possibilities, and the blessing came rolling in.

Let me tell you: it feels good when Daddy affirms your secret dreams.

By the way: I have reconsidered how I will publish my photos this year. I initially said that I would post one per day, but (on thinking at length about this) I realized this will clog up your blog reader with posts from my blog. I don't want to do that, so I have decided that I will post my photos from each week's theme on Fridays. I will be adding new photos to my 365 photos set on Flickr daily, if you want to follow the photostream there.

And with that said: this is going to be the best year ever!

365 photos: happy new year!

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Here it is: the first installment of my 365 day photo project!

You know I couldn't stop there. Here are some more pictures from last night's photo shoot:

Wishing all my friends a wonderful New Year! I can't wait to see what is in store for us this year. Are you joining in on my 365 day photo project? Be sure to let me know where your photostream is located or link up here. God bless you, darlings!

blog goals for 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:30:00 +0000

I want you to enjoy reading my blog: as much as I enjoy writing it! This was Bitty Bird's first full calendar year, and I had a good time building a "brand" for myself and have learned a lot and met some fabulous people. I want to be even better in 2012, so I am outlining my goals for you (just like a business does for its investors).

Image Source.

This blog is about me and everything that moves me. I cover a diverse range of topics and have no desire to narrow them down: I am a bird that likes to fly: free of restrictions and labels! Don't expect me to back my blog into a single niche. I tried that when I first began blogging. It drained my creativity and sapped my energy fast. I want to write about whatever strikes my fancy today.

I tried several features in 2011, and none of them worked out for me. Nevertheless, I delight in having a routine and rhythm to my day-to-day doings. This is the way I'd like to arrange my posts during the next year:

***

Monday

Monday is for greeting the week ahead and sharing the events of the prior weekend. Monday is for talking about music and art. Monday is way better than feeling a case of the "Mondays" would have you believe!

Tuesday

Tuesday is for playing Etsy Uno! Tuesday is for sharing natural parenting tips and for learning about green living. Tuesday is about being good to yourself, your family, and the world around you.

Wednesday

Wednesday is for inspiration and faith. Wednesday is for sharing about the pretty things that make my creative juices flow and the innermost meditations of my heart. Wednesday is about receiving all the good things God is bringing to my life!

Thursday

Thursday is about the things we are doing: an ode to projects, crafts, movies and books that inspire me, appreciating outdoor play and productivity. Thursday is for sharing my thoughts about the world.

Friday

Friday is for daydreams. Friday is for celebrating life and love. Friday is about fashion, food, and photography.

***

Weekends? Weekends are for spending time with my family, and I will not post on weekends unless I am participating in month-long blog project.

I think 2012 is going to be a wonderful year! I can't wait to see who I meet this year and what things I will get to write about. I plan to start advertising this year, and I hope to grow my readership considerably and start taking sponsors. When I begin to take sponsors, I truly want all the proceeds to go to a good cause. I plan to spend every dollar between advertising for my blog, supporting small business and contributing to charitable causes. I will have a full disclosure policy for sponsorship profits.

You are helping me make it happen! Does that feel good? As part of that, I want you all to feel free to share what you want to see. I take all comments and suggestions to heart. What do you want to see me write more about in 2012?

bucket list: 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Source: afieldjournal.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

In 2012, I resolve to:

January

Start the 365-day photography challenge! Take one photo per day all year, according to the themes for each week.
Get our income taxes done as soon as all the paperwork rolls in so that we don't have to worry about it again until next year. No more procrastinating!

February

Give Seth an intimate party for his second birthday: invite close family only, and meet at a fun and unexpected location.
Start collecting vintage bowls and dishes to replace our stoneware dishes that keep getting broken.

March

Pay off Eric's truck! Now we can really start making progress. This month, we will double the amount of money we put in savings each month.
Clean out all the junk drawers and file boxes in the whole house. They've got to go!

April

Go to IKEA. Need: a loveseat, a new bed and mattress, and a dining room table with chairs.
Take the whole family to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a Spring photo shoot.

May

Take a vacation. Go somewhere: even if for only one weekend. Plan a family trip to someplace we have never been.
Clean out the closets and start preparing a summertime wardrobe (it gets hot very early in Alabama!).

June

Try a new recipe every Saturday this month.
Go fishing with Eric: take Seth for an outdoorsy family excursion.

July

Take Seth to see the fireworks downtown.
Start buying Christmas presents early this year, so that we don't have to buy them all at one time again!

August

Re-double the amount of money going into savings each month! It's time to start planning to buy a new car: one that is more hospitable to a family of four.
Visit a local tourist attraction, just for the heck of it.

September

Replace all the bed linens in the whole house with unique vintage finds.
Make a point to go out with a friend for one afternoon: no kids and no husbands.

October

Re-insulate the attic in preparation for cold weather: to help keep the house warmer and save energy usage.
Visit a pumpkin patch at least once!

November

Send a hand-written letter via snail mail to someone that I love.
Deck out the house for the holidays! I mean: do it right, using materials that I have collected all year long.

December

Take Seth on a drive through diverse neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights.
Take part in at least five random acts of kindness during the holiday season and teach Seth about giving to people in need.

the blog year in review.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:33:00 +0000

This is the post in which I run down my favorite blog posts from 2011 for you, my readers. Have you been reading all year? Thank you for those that have stuck around! I know a couple of you have been reading since the beginning, and that means the world to me. If you haven't been bored to death by my writing and you keep coming around: you are a winner to me! Bitty Bird has come a long way this year: through a name change, several redesigns (I am happy with the look I have now and plan to keep it for at least a few more months), and a new URL, readership has grown steadily and I am now highly Google-able. Whoo-hoo, I feel like I have "made it". For now? Without further ado: the year in blog review!

January:

January is easy. I only posted once, writing about the mommy brain phenomenon. I called Seth (then eleven months old) a "raving, foaming-at-the-mouth, picky, clingy, pester-some, touchy, needy lunatic," and he hadn't even mastered the art of being a toddler yet! Does my analysis still stand? Absolutely. But he's my lunatic, and I love him. I am not nearly so stressed out by the fact that he is climbing the walls behind me anymore. Kids bounce. But I still have to wake up at 3:30am to get anything done.

February:

I loved the photos that I posted on Seth's birthday. I reviewed the best photos of his first year: the milestones and memories that stood above the rest. It is still amazing to look at those pictures and see how much he changed over the first year. It is more amazing to me, still, to see how far he has come since his first birthday to now. See?

2010.
Now.

March:

Without a doubt: I get goosebumps now as I read what I wrote in March about my first experience as a doula, communion with God, and finding purpose in my life as I reflected on the way Sunday morning should be. This has been the theme of my life for the whole year, and I would not have had it any other way.

April:

In April, I participated in a 30-day blog meme... but one post rose above the rest. It had nothing to do with the meme, and everything to do with the day that could have changed everything. My family was very fortunate to escape the paths of a series of tornadoes that ravaged the Southeast on April 27th.

May:

I started a new job in the month of May that kept me so busy as I learned the ropes that I forsook blogging for the most part. Several weeks in, I had to take a moment to be grateful for my new gig: and I still thank God every day for the work that I do. I never get bored and I have a work family that loves and supports me through thick and thin. I've never worked for a company like the one I work for now: and there will never be another like it. I still appreciate that my value is recognized and that I have a voice in my work. It feels good to read what I wrote as a newcomer and feel that the words still resonate.

June:

In June, I completed a 30-day photography challenge (that was the inspiration for the year-long challenge that I designed for 2012- would anyone like to join in?). These photos of a little frog were my favorite photos from the month of June.

July:

I wrote a post for a blog carnival in July about my reality as a working mother and how it feels to leave much of the formative years of my son's life in someone else's care. In reflecting on the way motherhood has not lived up to the ideal that I imagined for my family, I realized that there are many valid ways to mother our children and quite a few ways that I am more involved than I give myself credit for. This post is my "Working Mother's Manifesto".

August:

Our trip to the Birmingham Zoo will go down in history with some of my all-time favorite memories. I'm sure there will be many more Zoo trips to come, but this first one was so much fun. Be sure to watch the little video! Yes, that's my little puddle duck.

September:

In September, we attended the 2011 Alabama Birth Coalition Walk for Midwives. There's not many causes that will get me out of bed when I'm not required to be, but my desire to have a (legal) home birth midwife attend my next birth (and a little nudge from a sweet friend) motivated me to get up early one Saturday morning and tie my walking shoes on.

October:

My favorite post from October required a little flexibility in my Mommy bones, but I was thrilled with how it turned out! The pictures of my son wearing his bicycle helmet are my favorites ever (I have one in a frame on my desk at work), and we learned that there are lots of ways to have fun outside in the fall (that have nothing to do with pumpkin patches).

November:

I participated in yet another 30-day challenge for November: this one was for NaBloPoMo. I wrote something every day for thirty days. I had more fun exploring my neighborhood for another Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop post than any other post that I wrote during NaBloPoMo.

December:

To wrap up my year in review, my favorite post from December was my photo-bomb recounting of all the fun that happens on the farm when our family gets together for "Christmas at the Barn". Now: that's a family that knows how to do it right!

***

Which of these was your favorite? It's interesting to look back and see how my little blog has matured this year. What will 2012 have in store? I guess we have twelve more months to find out!

Linking up:

preparing: another year.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Source: peoniesandpolaroids.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Here we are: on the precipice of a New Year. Have you all considered your New Year's Resolutions? I am reviewing my resolutions from last year and I am pleased to say that I have done pretty well. I think that a lot of the goals I set for 2011 were good lifestyle choices to incorporate into the fabric of my day-to-day and I may rehash most of them for 2012. As with all things: practice makes perfect and perfection I shall never attain: but practice, practice I must. I've already noted that my big goal for this year fell short of the mark: but I am OK with that. I added new experiences to my life history, met wonderful people, and came one step closer to knowing my life's purpose. All is well with the world as I sit down to prepare my resolutions for 2012. How are you feeling about the dawn of another new year?

etsy uno 12.27.11

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Have you heard? Come play Etsy Uno with me! It's so fun...

This is how you play:

I give you a prompt. This week, the prompt is CHAMPAGNE.
Pick one item on Etsy that relates to the prompt and add the photo to your blog post. You must give photo credit to the Etsy seller by linking back to the item in their shop. The purpose of this game is to show love to the talented artisans behind the Etsy shop and promote their original handmade products! Never, ever take a photo without giving credit where it is due.
The second item must share something in common with the first one, and subsequent choices must share something in common with the item immediately before it-- use your imagination. That's what makes this like the game "Uno"! List 5-10 items and explain or describe how one relates to the other. You never know where you might end up!
If you want to play, copy and paste these instructions to your blog post, and make sure to grab an Etsy Uno button from www.bittybird.net to promote the game: and tell your friends! Link up your Etsy Uno post at the bottom of my post every Tuesday morning, beginning at 5AM CST.
If you have the time, please take an opportunity to send a note to the Etsy sellers you found in order to let them know their product was recognized on your blog. Remember, the point is to support and encourage the hardworking artisans that inspire us every day!

1...2...3... GO!

Champagne-colored feather earring from the Still With You shop.

Feathers in a heart archival print from the River Luna shop.

Heart-bordered vintage enamel bowl from the Fulton Lane shop.

Vintage blue enamel flour bin from the Trilogie shop.

Sky blue screen-printed fabric from the Summersville shop.

Hand screen-printed cheerful mustard yellow wristlet from the How to Use Art shop.

Mustard yellow mustache earrings from the Studio 346 shop.

Silver mustache and glasses ring from the Thinkup Jewel shop.

Arrow/chevron earrings on a silver chain from the A Common Thread shop.

Handpainted Toms shoes with arrow design from Shawna Handke's shop.

I hope you had fun playing Etsy Uno with me this week. Link up your post below, and be sure to grab the button code for your blog!

Next week's prompt is: SEQUINS.

holiday wishes (in closing):

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Hello friends. I hope your holiday season...

...was everything you imagined it'd be:

Merry and Bright...

...filled with stockings stuffed with good things...

...and happy surprises under the tree.

Hello, new week: 2011 is coming to an end.

Here's to filling the last week of your year with glee:

And sharing it with the people you love the most.

(My two favorite men in the whole world are quite handsome, no?)

christmas at the barn.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Christmas is upon us! Are you feeling it? Last weekend, we got to partake in my favorite holiday tradition, and I thought I'd share photos with you today to get you all in a festive spirit.This is the little shindig our family likes to call "Christmas at the Barn":

The sign that points down the path to "The Barn" // That's not just "any 'ol barn"!

Glimpse of twinkly lights through a window // the big red barn doors.

The horses get tired from riding the kids around all day... nap time. // Saddle up!

The ping pong area is a main attraction. // Seth plays with two paddles.

Seth explores while Eric plays a game with cousin Jacob. // These boots are made for stompin'.

There are monkey bars and jungle gyms. // A bridge and a bench overlooking a deep valley.

Seth likes the horses, but won't ride one. // You'll find ancient farm equipment everywhere.

There are balls of every sort and a vast play area. // Inside "the outhouse".

Local honey produced by our family. // More ping-pong.

Sometimes, the family hosts a "community singin'" & uses the porch as a stage. // Hello, snowman.

Christmas lights strung everywhere. // My little "big man" says "Hi, doggy"...

... and he makes friends with FooFoo right away. // More vintage: tools, etc.

I love the vintage Christmas wreath. // Let's take a look inside!

The inside is outfitted with a restaurant backline and booths. // A nativity gourd sits by the door.

These chickens live behind the barn. // Seth and Eric explore the chicken coup.

There's so much room for little boys to play here!

I hope you can see why I love Christmas at the barn! Meanwhile, today is the office Christmas party at the company I work for, and then I have three days off. I am excited for Seth to come to my office today (everyone's littles are coming: I work for a family-friendly company!) and he will finally be able to meet everyone. I mean: I will finally get to show off my smart, handsome little boy. I can't wait to share this whole weekend with my two special men and start creating more holiday traditions. What are your favorite traditions for the holiday season?

yummy cocoa gift idea.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

How many of you have finished Christmas shopping? I know that there are still some people out there scrambling for ideas: maybe this DIY will help you out! I guest posted this at After Nine to Five last weekend, and I thought I'd share it with you all here today as a "last-minute" gift idea. I'm a Southern girl, so I may be a bit behind on the weather headlines: but I know one thing for sure. Nothing says "winter" (in my opinion) as well as crochet and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

OK... well. Maybe hot cocoa says "winter" a little better than just chocolate chips. But the chocolate chips are good, too!

How would you like to learn how to make homemade hot cocoa to give as Christmas gifts?

First, you should gather your supplies. A glass jar (I collect the jars from foods that we cook: reduce, reuse, and recycle in every way you can!) works well for a storage container. It's super fun to add your ingredients to the jar in layers. Look how pretty it can be:

Add the ingredients in this order:

1/3 cup dried nonfat milk powder
1/8 cup Hershey's cocoa powder (Hershey's was a staple in my grandma's kitchen, and now mine.)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup dried nonfat milk powder
1/8 cup Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder
1/4 up sugar
1/4 cup non-dairy creamer
1/8 cup Hershey's cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup dried nonfat milk powder

Next, put enough marshmallows to fill the jar to the top in a sandwich bag, put the bag in the jar and put the lid on it. The bag makes it easier to take the marshmallows out so the recipient of this yummy gift can shake up the powders before mixing them with boiling water- or (better yet!) steamed milk.

I covered the lid of my cocoa jar with green tissue paper and secured it with a rubber band. Then, I concealed the rubber band with some pretty red ribbon and garnished it with a crocheted rosette. You could also use raffia and/or some festive holiday fabric! There are hundreds of beautiful ways to dress up your holiday gifts, but that's not what this post is about.

This is all about the chocolate, my lovelies.

Here are some fun ways to dress up your ordinary hot cocoa: garnish with marshmallows and a peppermint stick. Add a dash of cinnamon powder. Top with whipped cream and chocolate chips or shavings. Add a dash of chili powder (Yes! It's good, if you don't overdo the spice!) . Mix hot cocoa powder with coffee instead of water. Use a dash of vanilla or hazelnut extract. Use your imagination, because it's really hard to go wrong with chocolate!

I hope you all enjoy this recipe: and try to share it! Don't hoard it all for yourself, new friends... and have a Merry Christmas!

xoxoxo... Sarah.

all i want, 2011:

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Source: toms.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I asked for a pair of Toms for Christmas. Do you know about Toms? I found out this week that there are still some people that don't know the Toms story, so I thought I'd share it today:

I like Toms because (more and more) I find myself convicted to purchase products that do good for other people and to use the money God blesses us with to help people. Will I get my Toms for Christmas? The jury is still out: here, it is Wednesday and Eric hasn't bought any for me yet. Speaking of last-minute gifts- tomorrow, I will be sharing an easy gift DIY with you. Today? You should hop over to 5oh Wifey's blog and see my guest post! I wrote about everything my daddy has taught me in life, and it might make you cry a little... (the good kind of cry, or course). I hope you all are having a good time preparing for a Christmas weekend!

etsy uno 12.20.11

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Have you heard? Come play Etsy Uno with me! It's so fun...

This is how you play:

I give you a prompt. This week, the prompt is SANTA CLAUS.
Pick one item on Etsy that relates to the prompt and add the photo to your blog post. You must give photo credit to the Etsy seller by linking back to the item in their shop. The purpose of this game is to show love to the talented artisans behind the Etsy shop and promote their original handmade products! Never, ever take a photo without giving credit where it is due.
The second item must share something in common with the first one, and subsequent choices must share something in common with the item immediately before it-- use your imagination. That's what makes this like the game "Uno"! List 5-10 items and explain or describe how one relates to the other. You never know where you might end up!
If you want to play, copy and paste these instructions to your blog post, and make sure to grab an Etsy Uno button from www.bittybird.net to promote the game: and tell your friends! Link up your Etsy Uno post at the bottom of my post every Tuesday morning, beginning at 5AM CST.
If you have the time, please take an opportunity to send a note to the Etsy sellers you found in order to let them know their product was recognized on your blog. Remember, the point is to support and encourage the hardworking artisans that inspire us every day!

1...2...3... GO!

Vintage Santa Claus mugs from the Rice & Bell shop.

Heart in coffee mug photographic print from Michelle Summers Photography.

Avocado yarn-wrapped heart necklace from the A Fine Tangle shop.

Avocado and orange vintage floral bed linen from the Tailored Chaos shop.

Orange poppies embroidery hoop wall art from the Sidereal shop.

Yellow poppy asymmetrical beaded necklace from Brittany Chavers Studio.

Bohemian yellow with turquoise detail vegetable-dyed scarf dress from the Cloud 9 Jewels shop.

Turquoise hand-dyed organic fiber hooded kimono wrap from the One Love Creations shop.

Organic hemp reusable sandwich bag with batik dinosaur applique from the High Fiber Company.

Miniature wooden dinosaurs: small enough to fit in a matchbox, from the Puzzimals shop.

***

I hope you had fun playing Etsy Uno with me this week. Link up your post below, and be sure to grab the button code for your blog!

Next week's prompt is: CHAMPAGNE.

guest post {5ohwifey}: advice for new moms!

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Friends, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to someone I have been most blessed to meet in this wide blogosphere! I have been reading Ashley's blog for several months now, and I have come to love her genuine heart and gentle spirit. She and I share a fondness for men in blue uniforms, since her husband is a law enforcement officer: and my Daddy is a policeman, too!
I have nothing but respect for the men and women that protect and serve our communities, but one thing is certain: their family members deserve our support as well. I know firsthand that it takes a lot of faith to be able to watch a loved one walk into danger every day. Ashley shares her faith with her readers and inspires me with her commitment to supporting the law enforcement community. Furthermore, her heart for God shines through in her everyday blogging! Today, she is dropping in to share some of the things she has learned in her journey through life:

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Hey y'all! My name is Ashley and I blog over at 5ohWifey: life as a mommy & cop's wife. I am so excited that Sarah is letting me post here today! So first, a little bit about me.

I am amazed every day by what God is doing in my life. I am a southern girl now living in California ~~against my will~~. I am the wife of 5ohHubby who is a police officer and wonderful man ~~and no that's not mutually exclusive~~. I am a stay at home mom to an amazing little girl I call 5ohBaby and she is my whole world. We have probably the cutest, ugly dog out there (5ohPup). I want my blog to be a place where we can laugh together, cry together, and just be real with one another.
I have gotten a ton of advice from other parents before and since we had 5ohBaby. Some of it we've loved, some of it we've researched and some of it we've totally ignored. I know when my sister told me it's 10 months up and 10 months down when I worried about weight, I ~~ate at Yogurt Time twice that day~~ more than gladly took it. Today, I thought I would share all the best advice I have gotten as a new mom.

Wait Ten Months To Worry About Your Weight

It takes you 10 months to gain your baby weight, but boy aren't we surprised when it doesn't just drop off the minute we have that baby. As my sister says "Ten months up, ten months down". I didn't obsess over the weight while I was pregnant. To be honest, I gained 50 ~~incredibly delicious~~ pounds. But not all at once. I slowly, pound by pound, month by month, gained the weight in a healthy manner. Now that I am 5 months out I am itching to get back into my pre-baby clothes. Don't laugh. Truth is, it will probably take me another 5 months to lose the weight I gained. But that's totally ok. At least now I can blog about mommy style.

Do it- it's a healthy mindset to have.

Write A Love Note To Your Child

I'm a sap for love letters. 5ohHubby and I went out and immediately bought a journal the day after we found out we were pregnant. I love the verse on the cover. We started writing 5ohBaby that day. We told her how we found out about her, wrote to her after her ultrasound, wrote about her baby showers, the plans we had for her, how much we loved her, what our hopes and dreams were, everything we could think to say. When she finally arrived, we wrote her birth story in it. We continue to write her as she continues to amaze us. As life goes on, we will write her on her birthdays, on special occasions, and about wonderful moments we wish to capture. We plan on giving it to her the day she graduates high school. Your letter doesn't have to be as involved as that. You can make it your own, but plan ahead for their future.

Do it- its important to invest in them emotionally.

Go Out With Your Baby
I know going out in public seems like the last thing you want to do when you have a new baby. But let me tell you, if you take the right safety precautions, it can make your life so much easier. You don't have to go anywhere fancy. As anyone who's had a baby can tell you ~~you can barely walk because everything still hurts like a mammajamma~~ you don't necessarily feel like walking all over town right after you deliver. But you can, and should, do simple things. My mom took 5ohHubby and I to the park and to eat at Outback about a week after 5ohBaby was born. Once you get out in the real world you'll realize its not as hard as you thought it would be. When they are still so young like that, they have no idea where they are anyways, so you might as well get them used to doing things. That first time I needed a ton of help and a diaper bag full of unnecessary items. Now I can just grab 5ohBaby on my own and go just about anywhere on with only a few things.

Do it- its good for your body.

Go On Dates

I was exclusively breastfeeding 5ohbaby so it was really hard for me to leave her for the first time. There was crying, screaming, and separation anxiety ~~but I calmed down eventually~~. 5ohHubby and I had a wonderful day where we sipped champagne, read grown up books, talked about things other than diapers and ate an uninterrupted dinner. True, we didn't go very far. True, we checked on 5ohBaby 4 times. True, although unfortunately, I had to pump in a public bathroom. But we got to feel like people again rather than just parents. We got to be us again and it was romantic.

Do it- it's good for your marriage

Set Up A Sleep Routine
We moved 5ohBaby to her room at about 8 weeks. I wasn't sure I was ready but 5ohHubby pushed it and I'm glad he did. We all slept better. To be fair, I did spend that entire first night staring at 5ohBaby through the video monitor, but eventually I learned to sleep without her right next to me. We also used a sound machine that plays rolling ocean waves. Buy one. Like, yesterday. She has slept "through the night" since then. It acts as a sleep cue when we lay her down (awake and on her back- no matter what) and also helps her self soothe when she wakes up in the middle of the night. We also have a simple bedtime routine to help her know it is time to go to sleep. Bath-Baby Massage-Book-Breastfeeding- Bed.

Do it- it's good for your sleep.

Set Up A Schedule
It doesn't have to be super complicated. It doesn't have to be exact. But it does have to exist. On Mondays, we do grocery shopping and our play group. Tuesdays, I work on my first responders wives ministry and we have small group. Wednesdays we spend time as a family . Thursdays, 5ohHubby and 5ohBaby have daddy/daughter time at a gym and we usually have dinner with friends. Sundays, we go to church. One Saturday a month I have book club. Some weeks we do all of these things. Some weeks we miss a few. But routines are a positive thing for us and for our babies.

Do it- its good for your family.

Do Something For You

It is easy to get wrapped up in being a mom. I am blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom and make faces at my sweet little one all day. But sometimes I need contact with other grown ups. I wasn't getting any so I started a book club that meets one Saturday a month. I am a part of a girls night in order to build friendships and accountability. I go to a Mommy & Me group to pick other mom's brains. I learned to make cake pops and my mother in law's chicken and dumplings because they are delicious and more fun than working out. It doesn't matter what it is you do that's just for you, it just matters that there is something you do that is just for you.

Do it- it's good for your mental health.

Ask For Help
Babies don't come with manuals. And just because you get advice from someone, doesn't mean you have to take it. Talk to friends and family members who are parents. Call your doctor. Get on twitter (follow me) and ask other mom's for advice. Poll your facebook friends. Talk to your spouse. Blog about it. Whatever you have to do.

Just do it. It's important.

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Thank you, Ashley, for dropping in to share your heart with my readers! It means a lot to me, and for sharing these tips with us. You've shared some very good advice, and we should all do better to take these suggestions to heart (me included, of course...). I'm letting everyone I know to hop over to your blog and follow along today!

365 photos: a crazy plan.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

I came up with a crazy idea while in the process of planning New Year's resolutions. Remember that I did a 30-day photography project in June? I decided that I want to do something similar in 2012- but it will last all year long. There will be a different theme for each week, and I will post one photo per day to this blog. Who would like to join in with me?

In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not come up with each of the themes on my own. I ran the idea by my boss, who happens to be a fan of my blog (Hi, Dave!) and is also a shutterbug (but his camera is way better than mine. A coupl-a grande dineros better than mine. Remember me in your Last Will and Testament, Dave? K?). He was down for it... and sent me a list of themes to help me along. SO, the final list is a collaborative effort.

Image Source.

You can imagine that this is quite an undertaking. I am a very busy woman, as you all know (working long hours, being a mommy, and starting up a women's ministry). Therefore, I am setting some ground rules. The purpose of these rules is to allow myself some grace so that the project does not become a burden. I want this to be an enjoyable challenge! Here are the guidelines that I set:

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2012 // 365 Photos // Rules

Rule #1: Have fun.
Rule #2: Step out of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to look foolish in the name of art.
Rule #3: Don't expect to get a perfect shot every time. Some days, you just won't get a good picture, but don't let it stop you from taking pictures every day.
Rule #4: Reserve the right to use photo editing filters and cropping to allow a photo to rise above the ordinary.
Rule #5: Reserve the right to plan ahead and take photos that fit another week's theme when the opportunity arises. Sometimes, the moment is gone before you know it: take advantage of every chance you get!

2012 // 365 Photos // Schedule

January 1: Happy New Year!
Week 1: Jan. 2- 8 // A dozen (the number '12).
Week 2: Jan. 9-15 // Winter.
Week 3: Jan. 16- 22 // Blue and White.
Week 4: Jan. 23- 29 // Wood.
Week 5: Jan. 30- Feb. 5 // Tools of the trade.
Week 6: Feb. 6- 12 // Squares.
Week 7: Feb. 13- 19 // Love.
Week 8: Feb. 20- 26 // Fiber and textile.
Week 9: Feb. 27- Mar. 4 // Pattern.
Week 10: Mar. 5- 11 // Matte.
Week 11: Mar. 12- 18 // Green.
Week 12: Mar. 19- 25 // Harbingers of Spring.
Week 13: Mar. 26- Apr. 1 // Around the house.
Week 14: Apr. 2- 8 // Easter.
Week 15: Apr. 9- 15 // B & W.
Week 16: Apr. 16- 22 // Earth Day every day.
Week 17: Apr. 23- 29 // Obsession.
Week 18: Apr. 30- May 6 // We belong together.
Week 19: May 7- 13 // Vintage.
Week 20: May 14- 20 // Shiny.
Week 21: May 21- 27 // Architectural elements.
Week 22: May 28- June 3 // Delicate.
Week 23: June 4- 10 // Organic.
Week 24: June 11- 17 // Smiles.
Week 25: June 18- 24 // Botanical.
Week 26: June 25- July 1 // At play.
Week 27: July 2- 8 // Freedom.
Week 28: July 9- 15 // Fun in the Sun.
Week 29: July 16- 22 // X's & O's.
Week 30: July 23- 29 // The park.
Week 31: July 30- Aug. 5 // Dark.
Week 32: Aug. 6- 12 // Wildlife.
Week 33: Aug. 13- 19 // Red hot.
Week 34: Aug. 20- 26 // Back to school.
Week 35: Aug. 27- Sept. 2 // Shoes.
Week 36: Sept. 3- 9 // Graffiti.
Week 37: Sept. 10- 16 // Organic.
Week 38: Sept. 17- 23 // Light.
Week 39: Sept. 24- 30 // Circles
Week 40: Oct. 1- 7 // Celebration.
Week 41: Oct. 8- 14 // Sugar and spice.
Week 42: Oct. 15- 21 // In action.
Week 43: Oct. 22- 28 // Spooky.
Week 44: Oct. 29- Nov. 4 // Autumn hues.
Week 45: Nov. 5- 11 // Everywhere, signs.
Week 46: Nov. 12- 18 // Yellow.
Week 47: Nov. 19- 25 // Thankful.
Week 48: Nov. 26- Dec. 2 // At work.
Week 49: Dec. 3- 9 // Coffee and tea.
Week 50: Dec. 10- 16 // Diversity.
Week 51: Dec. 17-23 // Christmas spirit.
Week 52: Dec. 24-30 // Gifts.
December 31: The End.

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Do you realize what this means? It means I will be posting something to this blog every day in 2012! I plan to keep the written content coming, posting at least three times a week: but I will post one photo per day. Monday through Friday, the photos will be on theme, and Saturday and Sunday will be "wild card" days to post shots that capture the moments in between. This is going to be so much fun!

If you want to join along: feel free: I've provided a linky at the bottom of this post where you can direct my readers to your photos (from your blog, Flickr, or other photo hosting sites). The linky will be open all year long. I'm posting this early enough that I hope you all have time to get started planning your shots for the first few weeks. I can't wait to get started!

{Disclosure: I am already taking photos for the challenge: the inspiration and opportunities abound! Feel free to go ahead and get started, yourself. I still plan to take at least one photo per calender day in 2012: and just because you have 5 good themed shots already does not mean you should stop using that theme for inspiration.}

elsewhere today & holiday link love.

noreply@blogger.com (...sarah.) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:26:00 +0000

Guess what? Today, I am guest-posting a holiday recipe/DIY over at Ashley's place: After Nine to Five. I'll surprise you and let you hop over there to see what it's all about. Before you go, press play on the playlist below and get in the holiday spirit. Listen while you check out my guest post! When you get back, check out my Christmas-inspired link love:

1. This is what really happens when a family of four attempts to take self-portraits for Christmas cards.

2. Perhaps the sweetest DIY gift idea for kids I have ever seen.

3. A gorgeously simple DIY mistletoe ornament tutorial.

4. I want to build my very own Fort Christmas with my handsome man!

5. I like an advent calender that teaches the true meaning of Christmas.

6. I love the drawstring bag advent calender (almost) even better!

7. This charming twig display for Christmas ornaments takes my breath away!

8. I adore this funky terrarium DIY Christmas ornament.

9. This paper Christmas tree is almost magical, it is so simple.

10. What kid wouldn't dig having his own decked-out Christmas haven?

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Leave me a note: which inspired you most? It's so hard to pick. There are so many creative minds floating around in the blogosphere: I spend all weekend picking up ideas and almost implode from not having the time to follow through on my inspirations! I'm working on it, friends. Working on it. This weekend, though? I'm nursing a sick baby.... BOO. What have you got up your sleeve? Pull up a chair: have some hot cocoa: tell me about it!