peace{FULL} living from Zen Baby!

Gifts of Thanks!

(Share the gift of Peace this holiday ~ Betsy Streeter)

The holidays are in full swing. Halloween's over, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and Christmas and New Year's won't be far behind. There will be gifts to give to many in our lives. I try to think about them early and create the time and space for thoughtful surprises. If you're looking for a little inspiration, check out The Syracuse Cultural Workers website.

They are a "progressive publisher committed to peace, sustainability, social justice, feminism and multiculturalism."

I have several of their posters in our home, including this Shepard Fairey one.

(Shepard Fairey© 2005)

I've also given them out as gifts over the years. I love these "How To" posters. They can be ordered laminated, making them great gifts for teachers and other educators!

   

We have the "How To Go Organic" hanging in our kitchen next to our breakfast table. The text is a beautiful reminder of how to stay connected to our earth and celebrate all that it has to offer. Whether one takes the time to read it all, or catches a line while taking a bite of cereal...it's inspirational and life affirming! The last three lines are ~Savor the abundance~Share the harvest~Give Thanks!

There are so many different items to choose from on the website, from books, t-shirts, posters, stickers, cards, & calendars...any and all would make great, meaningful gifts of thanks this season!

Enjoy!

Halloween Spirit!!

(Katie's pumpkin!)

We've been getting  into the Halloween spirit around here...as I'm sure many of you are!
We've been decorating, crafting, carving pumpkins, and making treats! 

This simple caramel apple recipe came right off the bag of caramels.

 

5 medium apples, washed, well dried

1 bag (11 oz.)  Caramels

2 Tbsp. water

INSERT one wooden pop stick (from bag of caramels) into stem end of each apple. Cover large plate with waxed paper; spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

PLACE caramel in medium saucepan. Add water; cook on medium-low heat 3 min. or until caramel bits are completely melted, stirring constantly.

DIP apples into melted caramel until evenly coated, spooning caramel over apples if necessary. Allow excess caramel to drip off. Scrape bottoms of apples; place on prepared plate. We added candy corn. And with the left over caramel, I mixed in a little black food coloring and drizzled it over/around the apples! Refrigerate at least 1 hour. So easy & delicious!!

ENJOY!!!

Autumnal Nesting

( a sweet little empty nest we found in front of our house just days ago)

Summer's gone and Autumn is here. (Thunderstorms booming in the distance as I write.) The kids are back in school and I find myself at home in quiet, peaceful solitude. An empty nest. This seasonal shift is a welcome break to the full house & unpredictable schedule of summer. We're still getting used to the new routine. With Katie starting kindergarten it's a time of big transition...for all of us! I'm feeling the need to cradle this time. Simplify and slow down. Nostalgic for how fleeting these childhood years are. And personally, to help myself carve out a path to this next chapter of my life. I find myself more than anything, wanting to turn back to my nest....clean house, organize, reassess, and streamline our surroundings. It feels good, productive, and much needed. A direct link to my internal clarity and peace of mind. I think the whole family will benefit as a result, as well!

Happy nesting! Happy Autumn!