08 September 2010

Back in the Blogging World!

photo credit :: weheartit.com


Hello, dear readers...

I'm officially back in the blogging world!

Where have I been??

Well, let's just say that August of 2010 was not the greatest month in the world for me.  My husband's dear grandmother passed away, which was exceptionally difficult on our family.  In addition, I underwent sinus surgery.

On the flip side, August marked our eldest son's start of the first grade.  He is off to an amazing year!

Here's to an amazing September!!! 


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

28 July 2010

Welcome Wednesday

 
 


Today is Wednesday ... that means it's time for the lovely "Welcome Wednesday" blog hop hosted by the super-hip, awesome blog, Take It From Me!


Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere, Ten Thousand Hugs!!! Take some time to look around, and if you like what you see, please consider becoming a follower and maybe even leave a comment or two!!!

Photo credit :: weheartit.com


And here's something new from my corner of the world...

I am incredibly proud to be an official contributor at Good List Daily, a website completely devoted to daily gratitude!! How cool is that??!!

Just click on the link below the illustration to see one of my lists...
Good List Daily



As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

26 July 2010

90 Days of Kindness Challenge :: Days Four through Eight

 

On 19 July 2010, I officially started the "90 Days of Kindness Challenge," hosted by Laura over at the wonderful blog, Along for the Ride.

I find myself joining this challenge, since I tend to look for what's wrong with the world, whether than what's right with it. 

I assess my personal life and think of ten things that are not going well, while simultaneously ignoring the ten things that are going fantastically awesome!!! (It takes a lot of energy out of me, I must say...)


My goal for this challenge is to actively recognize three things each day, no matter how small or trivial, that exude kindness.


How will I accomplish this goal?? Glad you asked!!!
  • Right here on my blog, I will recognize three kind things that I encounter each day.
  • These proofs of kindness could be anything, from a kind word I hear at home from my children or husband to something amazingly kind that I encounter on the blogosphere or web.  These kindness encounters could be a picture, word, or deed.

I am so excited about this challenge!! I am definitely looking forward to the benefits of opening my eyes to everything that is kind!!!

.: I am behind on my "Kindness Challenge" postings (due to a HUGE blogging event on my other blog and weekend travelling), so I am posting days four through eight today ... making a grand total of 15 kindness encounters!!! :.


Mary Elizabeth's Days Four through Eight Kindness Encounters:
  1. This book that I am currently reading for review: Fearless: The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind
  2. A gentle touch on the hand from my husband during our l-o-n-g car trip this weekend.
  3. Spending time with my husband's grandmother this weekend, who is very ill with cancer.
  4. Watching my older children play with their beloved baby sister, Naomi.
  5. Just talking and being heard.
  6. Listening to Elijah, my 6-year-old son, talk enthusiastically about his interest in volcanoes! You simply cannot find enthusiasm akin to that of a child!!!
  7. Hugs from a dear, dear aunt.  I sure needed them!
  8. This book my children checked out from the library:  Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary
  9. Sleeping in on Sunday morning, thanks to my husband.
  10. Watching my husband hold his grandmother's hand.
  11. Reading kind comments from all of you about this challenge.  Thank you!
  12. Gently holding my 2-year-old son while he threw a tantrum. 
  13. Gazing at nature during the car trip this weekend.
  14. Packing a picnic lunch for my family today.
  15. This quote from the incredible Mahatma Gandhi:


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

22 July 2010

90 Days of Kindness Challenge :: Day Three

 

On 19 July 2010, I officially started the "90 Days of Kindness Challenge," hosted by Laura over at the wonderful blog, Along for the Ride.

I find myself joining this challenge, since I tend to look for what's wrong with the world, whether than what's right with it. 

I assess my personal life and think of ten things that are not going well, while simutaneously ignoring the ten things that are going fantasically awesome!!! (It takes a lot of energy out of me, I must say...)


My goal for this challenge is to actively recognize three things each day, no matter how small or trivial, that exude kindness.


How will I accomplish this goal?? Glad you asked!!!
  • Right here on my blog, I will recognize three kind things that I encounter each day.
  • These proofs of kindness could be anything, from a kind word I hear at home from my children or husband to something amazingly kind that I encounter on the blogosphere or web.  These kindness encounters could be a picture, word, or deed.

I am so excited about this challenge!! I am definitely looking forward to the benefits of opening my eyes to everything that is kind!!!


Mary Elizabeth's Day Three Kindness Encounters ... in Illustrations:
    Graphic ::  Feed Your Soul :  The Free Art Project

Graphic :: Feed Your Soul : The Free Art Project


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

20 July 2010

90 Days of Kindness Challenge :: Day Two

 

On 19 July 2010, I officially started the "90 Days of Kindness Challenge," hosted by Laura over at the wonderful blog, Along for the Ride.

I find myself joining this challenge, since I tend to look for what's wrong with the world, whether than what's right with it. 

I assess my personal life and think of ten things that are not going well, while simutaneously ignoring the ten things that are going fantasically awesome!!! (It takes a lot of energy out of me, I must say...)


My goal for this challenge is to actively recognize three things each day, no matter how small or trivial, that exude kindness.


How will I accomplish this goal?? Glad you asked!!!
  • Right here on my blog, I will recognize three kind things that I encounter each day.
  • These proofs of kindness could be anything, from a kind word I hear at home from my children or husband to something amazingly kind that I encounter on the blogosphere or web.  These kindness encounters could be a picture, word, or deed.

I am so excited about this challenge!! I am definitely looking forward to the benefits of opening my eyes to everything that is kind!!!


Mary Elizabeth's Day Two Kindness Encounters:
  1. My baby's smile - so innocent.  So perfect.  So genuine.
  2. Reading this blog post about "emergency hugs."  Definitely going to employ this one in our house!
  3. I am getting ready to extend myself a kindness by taking a nap after publishing this post.


Tuesday Tag-Along






 

** This is my first "Follow Me Back Tuesday" post ... click on the button directly above to join in the linky fun!! **



As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

Shutter Love Tuesdays at Trendy Treehouse :: Faces ::

ShutterLoveTuesdays
 
This week's theme is FACES.
 
 


That's our little Aedan - always with a unique expression to share!!!



As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

 

19 July 2010

90 Days of Kindness Challenge :: Day One

 
 

Today, I officially start Day One of the "90 Days of Kindness Challenge," hosted by Laura over at the wonderful blog, Along for the Ride.

I find myself joining this challenge, since I tend to look for what's wrong with the world, whether than what's right with it. 
I assess my personal life and think of ten things that are not going well, while simutaneously ignoring the ten things that are going fantasically awesome!!! (It takes a lot of energy out of me, I must say...)

My goal for this challenge is to actively recognize three things each day, no matter how small or trivial, that exude kindness.

How will I accomplish this goal?? Glad you asked!!!
  • Right here on my blog, I will recognize three kind things that I encounter each day.
  • These proofs of kindness could be anything, from a kind word I hear at home from my children or husband to something amazingly kind that I encounter on the blogosphere or web.  These kindness encounters could be a picture, word, or deed.

I am so excited about this challenge and looking forward to reaping the benefits of opening my eyes to everything that is kind!!!

What better time to start than right now???!!!


Mary Elizabeth's Day One Kindness Encounters:
  1. My son, Elijah, tenderly gazed at me this morning and said with a smile, "Mama, you're beautiful!".
  2. My husband called me this morning from work to tell me how much he enjoyed a conversation we had last night.
  3. The opportunity of this challenge!




** This post is part of "Meet and Greet Monday," hosted by Southern Reflections!!! **


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

15 July 2010

Book Review :: Making a Family Home by Shannon Honeybloom ::

Making a Family Home

Making a Family Home

Written by Shannon Honeybloom
Photographs by Skip Hunt
Published by SteinerBooks
Copyright 2010
88 pages

"The domestic arts - cooking, baking, cleaning, making, and so on - are central aspects to creating a living, artistic home atmosphere.  Natural materials - wood, stone, cotton, wool, silk - help to keep children (and adults) in touch with nature and natural processes.  Attention and consciousness toward our inner life keeps us striving as individuals."


Publisher's Summary:  Making a Family Home is a book of real beauty, both personal and universal.  In describing her home and family life, Shannon Honeybloom shows how she made - and how we can make - a house into a real home as she shares her own efforts, hopes, and lessons in making a safe and healthy home that provides warmth and intimacy for the whole family.

Illustrated in color with lively, evocative photographs, Shannon invites the reader into her home and offers warm encouragement and practical suggestions for virtually every aspect of bringing love, comfort, and beauty to a family home.  The chapters in Making a Family Home range from "At Home with Children" to "The Front Porch," from "The Playroom" to "The Backyard and the Garden."

Shannon Honeybloom is a friend and confidant who offers gentle suggestions and wise insights for parents who wish to surround their family with the best possible home environment.


Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  The minute I received Ms. Honeybloom's gorgeous book in the mail for review, I have to admit I knew I would love it! The warm, inviting cover instantly beckoned for me to sit down with a cup of hot tea, get comfortable, and enjoy a lovely read.  Ms. Honeybloom's personal, yet elegant writing style combined poetically with Skip Hunt's delightfully colorful photographs.  Truly, this book was the gem I had expected!

Ms. Honeybloom graciously invites us into her entire home, kindly walking us through every room, every corner, and every aspect of her family's domicile to show how she has made a beautiful place for her children to call home.  Utilizing the Waldorf approach to child-rearing and homemaking, which emphasizes a variety of natural sensory experiences, Ms. Honeybloom offers gentle musings of how to integrate this amazing approach into the life of the home.

Mr. Hunt's photography allows us to fully engage in our visual awareness, as his unique vision through the photographic medium helps us feel at home with Ms. Honeybloom and her family.  With gentle, warm use of light, Mr. Hunt captures the intimate feeling of hearth and home conveyed through Ms. Honeybloom's prose. 

Ms. Honeybloom has created an absolute joy of a book in Making a Family Home, and generously invites all of us to share in that creation through our homes.  You will truly do yourself, your home, and your family a favor by reading this book and implementing Ms. Honeybloom's approach to homemaking and child-rearing.


** To find out more about the Waldorf approach, visit Why Waldorf Works. ** 


** I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Honeybloom for the chance to read and review her wonderful book.  I would also like to thank her for allowing me to feature her on my little blog this past Tuesday.  In case you missed my interview with Ms. Honeybloom, just click here! **


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

13 July 2010

Ten Thousand ((Hugs)) to YOU Tuesday :: Interview with Shannon Honeybloom, Author of Making A Family Home ::

weheartit.com


Today is Tuesday!! That means it's time for my weekly feature, "Ten Thousand ((Hugs)) to YOU Tuesday," where I showcase a blogger, crafter, reader, Etsy shop owner ... or, well, just about anybody who extends kindness (aka 10,000 hugs) through their talents that they graciously share with the world!!!


Today's feature spotlights Shannon Honeybloom, the amazing author of Making a Family Home, a delightful book about creating a genuinely warm environment in your home.  Read on to get to know her better ... I am sure you will fall in love with her beautiful, caring nature as I did while reading her lovely book.



Photos courtesy of Shannon Honeybloom


Q.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I have lived in a lot of different places and in different countries, but for the most part, I grew up in New York State. The things that interested me as a child, are still passions of mine today -- homemaking (I was forever rearranging my room), acting (it's so much fun for me and is a great creative outlet) and writing (sometimes writing can be a chore, but often it is fun to figure out how to get it all down on paper).
I have three children and I live with my husband in Austin, TX. It's a great place to live and raise a family!

Q.  Please talk about the inspiration behind your book, Making a Family Home.

Having children has been an incredibly humbling experience for me. And joyful too. Challenging, and rewarding also. When I had my first child, my entire world was thrown out of wack, and I wrestled with how to be a good mother, what it meant to be a mother, and how to make a nurturing home for my child and my family. Thinking about those things inspired me to put some of my thoughts on paper. And eventually my book grew out of that. It was a pretty long process for me. I never realized at the time I was writing a book. And of course the question of how to be a good mother and how to make a home is one I continue to explore, because new challenges always arise. Everyday I am learning new things about mothering and homemaking!
And meeting the photographer Skip Hunt was also an inspiration for me. His photographs are so beautiful and colorful.

Q.  Please discuss the Waldorf educational approach and its impact on your book.

Waldorf education strives for balance -- educating the hands, head and heart. I went to a Waldorf school growing up, and I also taught high school English at one as an adult. My children go to a Waldorf school. A great website to find out more is http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/.

Q.  When did you volunteer for the Peace Corps in Niger? What effect does that have on your life today, both as a woman and a mother?

After I graduated from college, in the 90's, I decided that I wanted to have an adventure, and that I also wanted to do something that felt worthwhile. The Peace Corps had been in my mind for a long time -- I have an aunt and an uncle who both served with the Peace Corps. My two and a half years there were incredibly formative ones for me. I think I learned a lot about gratitude and happiness while I was there. The people I lived with and worked with in Niger were extremely impoverished, they had very little in terms of material things. Even findng enough food was often a struggle. But the people I knew there were also incredibly joyful and I spent a lot of my time there laughing.

Q.  Please tell us a little bit about your website, Honeybloom at Home.

My website is a a place for thoughts about homemaking, parenting and living in general. I share some of my own struggles and challenges and I explore life, often in the context of mothering, but if I am thinking about other things too, I'll write about that. I write a lot about slow living -- we often undervalue our time, and we are often so busy, that it sometimes makes sense to step back and take a deep breath and take some time with ourselves and with our loved ones.

Q.  Please tell us something about yourself that we might not know just by reading your book or following your site.

I don't play golf, but I was recently in a national golf commercial, playing golf.

Q.  What is your favorite quote? How does it inspire you?

Write now I am loving this quote from Goethe -- because it reminds me that dreams do come true!

“Our wishes foretell the capacities within ourselves; they are harbingers of what we shall be able to accomplish. What we can do and want to do is projected in our imagination, quite outside ourselves, and into the future. We are attracted to what is already ours, in secret. Thus passionate anticipation transforms what is already possible into dreamt-for reality.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe




Photos courtesy of Shannon Honeybloom


Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  After receiving Ms. Honeybloom's book in the mail for review, I knew immediately that I wanted to get to know more about this incredibly kind and gentle soul.  I contacted Ms. Honeybloom to let her know that I would be reviewing her book on my blog, and I asked her if I could invite her for an interview here as well.  Of course, she graciously accepted, and I have been even more humbled by her charm and grace! Ten thousand ((hugs)) to you, Ms. Honeybloom, for writing such an inspiring book and sharing your kindness with us all!


** Please be sure to check back here on Thursday for my review of Making a Family Home by Shannon Honeybloom!! **


** Are you interested in being featured here? If so, please contact me @ mclaingreen (at) yahoo (dot) com!!! **


Tuesday Tag-Along


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

09 July 2010

Friday Feature :: Blog ((Hugs)) and Link Love ::

weheartit.com


Gosh, I have not posted any of my findings from around the blogosphere for a few weeks, so some of these links might be a couple of weeks old! Enjoy!

  • If this suits you and your lifestyle, this site offers great tips to help normalize breastfeeding in public!
  • I found this darling blog, called Delicious Ambiguity, that hosts a Tuesday linky party for moms and caregivers of toddlers! Check it out!
  • I stumbled upon this insightful article about using time wisely while on the Internet ... it's from the fabulous blog about simple living, Rowdy Kittens.  I found it very helpful!
  • I came across a new Friday Follow party, called Playdates Friday Follow, hosted by Stash Mama! I am totally there!!!
  • I found some gorgeous (and free!) tutorials from SewCute Shop ... be sure to check out this lovely blog!
Happy reading! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

Crocheted Headband Giveaway Winner :: Courtesy of Mandy's Yellow Corner

weheartit.com


Congrats to Debby at the Cozy Blanket blog! She is the winner of a beautiful, handmade crocheted headband from Mandy's Yellow Corner on Etsy!!!

I would like to extend a very special thank you to Mandy for graciously sharing her talents with us AND a special thank you to everyone who participated!!!


As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,


06 July 2010

Ten Thousand ((Hugs)) to YOU Tuesday :: Interview with Danielle (aka The1stDaughter) at There's A Book ::

 

wehearit.com

Today is Tuesday!! That means it's time for my weekly feature, "Ten Thousand ((Hugs)) to YOU Tuesday," where I showcase a blogger, crafter, reader, Etsy shop owner ... or, well, just about anybody!!!


Today's feature spotlights Danielle from the fabulous children's book blog, There's A Book!! Read on to get to know her better ... I know you'll adore her as much as I do!!!








Q.  What inspired you to start your blog, There's A Book?

My son. The Turkeybird, as I call him, has a form of Autism that made it next to impossible for him to speak until he was nearly two years old, and then it wasn’t much. But for some reason he could read by the time he was around a year old, those were the only words we heard for a very long time. Because of this I went through book after book after book just feeding him what he loved, reading. He still does. And it was because of this struggle to find the “right” books for him that I wanted to help other parents looking for the “right” books for their own children, no matter the age or learning ability. There is always a book for every person, you just have to find it.

Q.  What you enjoy most about blogging?

Without a doubt, the people I’ve “met” while blogging. Some of my closest friends are my blogging friends and some are now friends in “real life”. I’ve loved getting to know everyone and finding that there is a community of like-minded people seeking to share and discuss what they know. Just love it!

Q.  What has surprised you most about your blogging journey?

Discovering just how much I truly love children’s books. When I started I think I enjoyed reading them to my son, more than anything, but as time has gone on it’s surprising to me just how much I love children’s books. I’ve gone through publisher’s catalogs, giddy with excitement over the prospect of possibly feeling and seeing the pages of a new books I’ve never heard of before. It’s helped me discover what I didn’t appreciate during my own childhood and help to encourage my own children to now revel in the joy that is being a kid with an imagination.

Q.  What is something about your "real" self that we might not know just by reading your blog?

That my husband and I met during a time when he was dating a roommate of mine. After she decided he wasn’t “the one” for her we started dating for about a year. At that time we parted ways to each serve a mission for our church and only conversed via hand written letters for two years. When we came home, we were married three months later. It was a wonderful experience, truly.

Q.  Do you have any blogging tips you would like to share?

Blog about what you love and give yourself a break every once in awhile. It’s easy to get burned out, especially if your blog is highly focused, like mine tends to be. So, choose something you really enjoy and blog about it, but if you’re having a bad day or are too busy once every few weeks…give yourself a day off! You deserve it and your readers will be just as excited to have you back with vigor in your next post.

Q.  Anything else you'd like to share here? (Giveaways, promotions, fave quotes...anything!)

Favorite Quote - “You can want something more than you can say. That doesn’t ever mean it’s yours.” (p.205 The Heart Is Not a Size by Beth Kephart)




http://gotbooksevent.blogspot.com




Got Books? (http://gotbooksevent.blogspot.com//) Is a joint effort with book blogger Gina from Satisfaction from Insatiable Readers (http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/) and myself aimed at promoting books through book bloggers. It’s a two day event, happening from July 23rd through July 24th, where we celebrate everything bookish by hosting giveaways for book related items and talking up the books, authors and publishers we absolutely adore. It’s going to be an event to remember and we hope to continue it on an annual basis, if not bi-annually. (I’m planning a giveaway to suit readers from all over the globe who love books from Children’s to YA, so make sure to stop by!)
I also review at Chick Lit Reviews (http://www.chicklitreviews.com/) for those of you not interested in Children's books, you may find something you really love!

Thank you so much to Mary Elizabeth for having me on! I’ve loved getting to know her better and finding new friends through her fantastic sites. Thank you!


Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  What can I say about Danielle??? For starters, she does so much for the book-blogging community - just take a look at her children's book blog, There's A Book, for a taste of her talent!! Beyond her blog, she organizes numerous book-blogging events and actively participates all around the book-blogosphere on a regular basis.  She holds excellent giveaways on her blog regularly, along with well-written, honest reviews of children's books.  Visit her site today and become a follower ... trust me, you'll be thrilled with her work!!! (P/S ... Has anyone ever seen such a super-cute button for a site??!! Isn't that little girl an absolute doll??!!) Ten thousand ((hugs)) to you, Danielle, for bringing everyone in touch with high-quality children's literature!


** Are you interested in being featured here? If so, please contact me @ mclaingreen (at) yahoo (dot) com!!! **



As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,

01 July 2010

My Open Journal :: HOPE ::

:: Aedan, one of my five proofs of hope :: 


.: Writing prompt credit: "A Bit of Me(Me)" at There's A Book :.

:: Hope ::

This would have to be my favorite word. 

Let me say it again ... HOPE. 

I absolutely love this word, because without it, life would have no purpose.  What do we always have, no matter the circumstances? Hope.  Even if the day is at its darkest ... or a situation leaves us broken ... we still have the gift of hope.  We are still graced with its power.

Has my life been perfect? Absolutely not.  Yes, I have been blessed abundantly, but I have certainly experienced my share of tragedies ... yet, this has been when hope has shone the brightest in my life.  I cannot say that during my worst moments I have seen or felt hope very strongly, but I always knew it was there.  It always will be.

Without going into the details, 2009 was one of the most difficult years of my life.  I am still feeling its residue and smarting from its lessons, but I am still here.  I am stronger.  While I sometimes still yearn for the chance to erase certain events of last year, I know that my spirit has grown better, stronger, and kinder.

And that gives me hope.





As always, extending ten thousand ((hugs)) to you,