Weekend Review: Pulp and Paper by Josh Rolnick

Like the ghosts who hover just beyond the page in the award winning Pulp and Paper (University of Iowa Press, 2011), Josh Rolnick's words swirl around your head before penetrating through all defenses to rest permanently in your fleshy core. Here lie tales that are hard to forget. The common thread between these eight masterfully-crafted stories is that of loss. Whether the soul-crushing death of a child or the abandonment of youthful notions of love, Rolnick exposes the hearts of his characters and through their vulnerability we are better able to see the ways in which we too have been successful (or not so successful) in coping with our own disappointments.

Divided by geography between New York and New Jersey, the situations being revealed to us are seemingly quite disparate: a carousel operator remembering better times on the boardwalk, a teen-aged couple struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, a young boy coming to terms with his mother finding new love, a newspaper man with the scoop of his career. But Rolnick finds in each of them the familiar and, like a good teacher, helps us to discover the hidden interconnections on our own, without belaboring. These are people that we know and care about. Friends and family whose burden we want to lift, or at least to share. As observers of these everyday challenges, our human compassion is awakened and the desire to reach inside the page to comfort and reassure is aroused.

In the titular story, the silence that follows slow, painful, and preventable death is described as "vast and peaceful as a mountain." I ached as I read these words. A tragic ending transformed into a teachable moment. What we yearn for is not necessarily what we need and the lessons that we receive are, at times, more painful than can be described with mere words.

The book object itself is as carefully designed as the stories contained within it, making this one best experienced in print rather than on an e-reader; an beautifully styled octavo nestling comfortably in the hand. This title is the first work of fiction that I've read after a (very long) self-imposed three-year break from such works. It has been a very welcoming return.

This review was first published on Blogcritics.

My review copy was provided courtesy of The University of Iowa Press.

This Moment | A Very Merry Christmas

Playing along with SouleMama today. In her words: {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Planned Obsolescence

Last night after putting Silas down to sleep for the first part of the evening, Steve gave me a play-by-play of his (very long) afternoon task of getting a new cell phone activated. A couple of nights ago the screen of his "old" phone started acting wonky: flashing on and off and randomly dialing people in his contact list. This has happened once before and Steve was able to find the parts he needed online, crack the phone open (a herculean task, really) and fix it himself. But, now that his phone is so "old" that they don't even make them any more, he had to replace the whole thing.

I've put "old" in quotation marks above because, by the standards of the cell phone industry, it really was. Three years is an eternity. But by every other measure, three years is such a small blip of time. That we readily accept certain things will be replaced on an ever-shorter basis is so frustrating. Whether it's cell phones or textbooks or toasters, making things that aren't meant to last benefits no one except for corporate fat cats and hurts us all as our landfills are stuffed to the brim with still-usable items and resources are depleted to make new, new, new.

In many ways we choose to opt out of this vicious cycle. We repair what we can, make do without, or buy used. But some things, like a working cell phone, truly are necessities (not for me, but for Steve in his line of work). But, it would be nice if the onus to purchase those items responsibly and to keep them working wasn't completely on us, ya know?

Part of my intense drive to learn new things, like knitting and sewing and the like, is that the population of people who can actually "do" is rapidly declining and I see a real danger of centuries-worth of knowledge dying with them. The percentage of Silas' generation who will go into professions like watchmaking is probably nil, but I still want to live in a world where there are watchmakers.

Above, Silas holds my very first cell phone, which I got almost 10 years ago. It doesn't text or take pictures. It really is just a phone. I wonder what they would say if I took it in and tried to activate it.

The Christmas Hat

Much like last year, the only handmade that I was able to get under the tree was Steve's hat, but it sure was a lot of fun to make. I used this pattern and Debbie Bliss' casmerino aran, which is super soft and a dream to knit. The stranding was so much easier than I feared it might be and the floats make the hat very cozy and warm. Steve loves it and so do I. In fact, I like it so much that I'm going to use my leftover yarn to knit myself one. I asked Steve if having husband-wife hats would lessen his positive opinion of this one and he assured me that it would not. Phew.

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things.

Happy Solstice

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy Solstice celebration. May it be filled with peace, love, and light.

Yarn Along

There are so many really great Holiday Book lists out there this time of year. I don't have any revelations to add, necessarily, but I did want to record what holiday and seasonal books Silas is enjoying right now. Most of them I picked up at Goodwill when I stumbled upon the book stash of, what I assume to be, a former teacher who was cleaning out her closets. There were some real finds in there and I bought almost 50 books in that one trip; quite a haul even for me!

Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri: Very simple text telling what a little girl does on each day of Advent. The pictures are huge, bold, and bright.

A Winter Day by Douglas Florian: Simple, rhyming words about winter. Large pictures that have a very child-like quality to them.

Winter by Gerda Muller: The beautifully illustrated seasonal classic.

Amy Loves the Snow by Julia Hoban: A little girl and her dad spend time playing outside.

Hello Snow! by Wendy Cheyette Lewison: Fun rhymes that Silas likes to dance to.

The Just-Right Christmas Tree by Jane Gerver: This is one of only 3 winter/holiday board books that we have that Silas can "read" by himself. Very sturdy pages and a sweet Goldilocks-type story.

As for knitting...still working on the baby blanket (expect to hear this refrain for awhile...sorry!).

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things.

Seasons

Have you seen this book by Anne Crausaz? It's French, but came out in an English edition this summer. Silas and I were at our local bookseller this past week picking up some Christmas gifts and we had to check out what was new in the children's section (had to!). When I saw this, I really couldn't help myself. Isn't it beautiful? That last picture is the one that sealed the deal for me. All the illustrations are full of such simple beauty and the text is all about experiencing the seasons with your senses. I desperately hope they release translated editions of some of her other titles, especially this one. They look equally gorgeous!

Weekending

Steve, Silas, and I just returned home from the first of two family Christmas celebrations. It was a weekend of car trips, too much candy, and card games. As I race around the house trying to catch up on this week that's already started (I have no clean diapers!) I'm reflecting on exactly what it is that I hope my son remembers about his childhood Christmases when he's my age. Above all else, I want his memories to be magical. I want them to be filled with light, laughter, good food, nature, and love. I want there to be anticipation, warmth, generosity, tradition, and joy. We're still trying to figure out the practical side, but we do have a year until our next "go" at it. I think we'll get there.

Linking up with Amanda at The Habit of Being.

Sponsor Thank-You

Again I want to take today to say a heartfelt "thank-you" to the sponsors who help support this space. You are awesome.

For your last-minute shopping, consider...

Big Sister Designs: Eco-friendly toddler skirts from reclaimed materials, as well as mei tai baby carriers.

Mary Zoom: Sustainable accessories for adults, children, and the home from recycled fabric.

Earthy Baby Knits: hand-knit natural wool diaper covers from a variety of earth-friendly fibers.

Tina Produce: Screenprinted dishtowels, napkins, and t-shirts that promote the local foods movement.
Celina Mancurti: Upscale eco-friendly linens for the home.

Twice: Elegant, sustainable pieces of wearable art.

Boogaloo Bubbywear: Baby attire of 100% organically farmed cotton (non-GMO), eco-dyes, and  is chemical, pesticide, and sweatshop-free.

g.c.b. Fashionable Baby Clothing: Fashionable baby clothes with a conscience.

The Plain Chachalaca: Satirical designs on apparel for infants and home.

Little Friends Co.: Handmade children's clothing, slippers and accessories of recycled and vintage fabrics.

Jute Baby: Handcrafted, unique baby toys and gifts.

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support!

Weekend Review: The Non-Toxic Avenger by Deanna Duke

BPA in can linings, lead in our children's jewelry, persistent chemicals in our bedclothes; if it seems to you that everything in your home has the potential to kill you, you're right. When Seattle environmental blogger (The Crunchy Chicken) Deanna Duke's family received two devastating diagnoses in the same week -- Multiple Myeloma for her husband and Asperger's Syndrome for her son -- she seriously started to question what impact environmental toxins might have had on these conditions. The Non-Toxic Avenger: What you don't know can hurt you (New Society, 2011) is a chronicle of her search to find answers as well as to chart a safer, more healthy way to live.

Included with concerns about toxins in our environments is usually an equal dose of curiosity about what our individual chemical body burdens might be, but very few of us have the resources to find out that information. With the help of some key players and the legitimizing justification of "book research" Duke was able to find a lab willing to work with her. Using urine and blood sampling, she discovered her personal levels of phthalates, parabens, polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs), heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic), perfluorinated compounds (nonstick chemicals), pesticides, persistent toxic chemicals (like DDT and PCBs), BPA, and the antibacterial triclosan. Each of these is known to cause (or is strongly linked to) harm in the human body. Companies who use them explain this away by claiming that the levels present in any one product are far too low to do any real damage. The problem here, and one of the issues that Duke explores, is that there have been no tests about the cumulative effects of these chemicals. Those low levels of parabens in your shampoo alone might not give you breast cancer, but when there are parabens in your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, make-up, hair gel, food...you catch my drift.

After setting a baseline, Duke then tried to eliminate these substances from her home environment in an attempt to reduce her body burden. The final step before retesting her levels was to do a body cleanse that included fasting, sweat therapy, lymphatic brushing, among other techniques. The book reads like a journal of this journey. We witness as Duke makes discoveries about the surprising and insidious ways these chemicals enter our homes (cadmium in old Legos, anyone?) and as she strategizes alternatives to using them. Along the way she provides background information about why these chemicals are used, their proven or probable health effects, and how they end up in our bodies. She shows us her success as well as her failures.

While the results of Duke's experiment are somewhat specific to her, or individuals who lead similar lives, her findings do resonate for the average person. She veers away from taking any stance that most people would consider "extreme." She does choose to make some of her own personal care items (like deodorant) when she can't find suitable alternatives, but for the most part she's an average woman who wants to be able to wear make-up and straighten her hair without getting cancer as a result. What was most interesting was that before embarking on this quest, Duke was already living a "clean" lifestyle by most standards. Her family was eating mostly organic foods and she chose "natural" products whenever she could. Despite this, her initial levels of parabens and phthalates were off the charts. While we trust governmental agencies are protecting us and keeping us "safe," this is clearly not the case. Even when products are labeled "natural" or even "organic," they are not necessarily safe. We still have to do the work of label-reading and researching.

In an attempt to lighten the perhaps doom-and-gloom feeling the reader might be left with, Duke closes by providing a very useful summary of personal actions that she felt were the most beneficial in creating a safer home environment and which cleanse techniques she felt were the most successful. These are things that we can all do and it leaves one with a feeling of agency in this quest. She recognizes, though, that personal action can only go so far and that the real battle is an overhaul of the outdated and overly-corporate-friendly Toxic Substances Control Act so that it is more in line with the rest of the developed world's use of the precautionary principle in regards to what is allowed in consumer products. Overall, the message is one of empowerment. Our individual actions, whether they be our consumer choices or our activism, are important and in the aggregate they can enact great social change.

This review was first published on Blogcritics.
My review copy was provided courtesy of New Society Publishers.

This Moment

Playing along with SouleMama today. In her words: {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Two giveaways this week...don't forget to enter to win a copy of the book Laughing Through Life as well as a Baby Tag Toy from JuteBaby!

Community

Earlier this week Steve, Silas, and I gathered with some dear friends to share a meal. A Thanksgiving Part Two, if you will. It was a wonderful afternoon of nourishing food, easy conversation, and ready laughter. I've written before about the importance of cultivating and maintaining a community, but never have I felt how crucial this work really is until we started a family. The stresses of striving to live a sustainable lifestyle are one thing, but throw parenting into the mix and suddenly the judgment of others isn't just about how low I keep my thermostat or how "extreme" my trash reduction goals are, it's about how all of my choices affect this innocent little life that I have the privilege of safeguarding. And everyone, parent or not, has an opinion about what the "right" decisions might be and aren't afraid to voice them.

When we returned home after our Sunday dinner, Steve said to me what a relief it was to spend time with people whose values and choices so closely mirror our own. We didn't have to be selective about what we shared or overthink whether or not they would judge us as crazy for not wanting our baby to chew on plastic. We didn't have to hide the fact that we co-sleep or that we don't do "cry-it-out", or any of the other myriad of decisions --baby-related or otherwise -- that invoke such strong responses. There was already a baseline of shared goals and that made it so easy to not only relax, but also to openly discuss things that we don't always have an opportunity to talk about.

Of course I'm not suggesting that we -- or anyone -- should limit our social interactions to those who agree with us. There is much to be gained from healthy debate as well. But at this point in our journey as parents and as eco-warriors, what we need most is support and we feel so blessed to have found a little community that can provide that for us and in which we can offer the same in return. In the energy-depleted future that awaits us, we will truly need each other in ways that most of us have never experienced before. For those like me who were raised to believe that I-don't-need-anyone-and-everyone-is-really-out-to-get-ya, this is a hard future to embrace. But, embrace it I will.

Yarn Along

Knitting: After putting the finishing touches on Steve's Christmas Hat, I've decided to return to Silas' Baby Blanket instead of casting on something new. I don't think it's going to ever get done if I don't give it my full attention, so now's the time. Back to the cables of baby blue.

Reading: Our Secret Territory by Laura Simms...part memoir, part fairy tale, part exploration of the act of storytelling as a vehicle for creating a more compassionate world.

On an unrelated note, are there any mamas out there who are interested in doing a children's book chain letter? The idea is that you send out one book, pass the letter on and if no one breaks the chain, you get 36 books in return. I got talked into it! If you also like pyramid schemes (but with books!) leave a comment with your email address and I'll send the info to you.

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things.

Communication

Silas has a new game. It started over Thanksgiving when he pulled Steve's hat off (a delightful activity in and of itself), held it aloft, and everyone in the room cheered. It only took two repeats for him to learn that arms in the air equals everyone claps and cheers. So now, when he feels like being the center of attention, he'll raise his hands in the air, look directly at me, raise his eyebrows and start to smile, anticipating the cheering to come (I, of course, always oblige).

Steve and I are both amazed by this. There have been communicative gestures before, but this strikes us as different. A first step in the building of a true exchange. For so many months we've been operating on faith. Faith that our parenting is adequate. Faith that his needs are being met. Faith that he's happy. There are the obvious signs of whether or not these things are true. Crying. Smiles. Laughter. But they all exist in him as a response to the external. For so long it has seemed that our communication has flowed mostly in a single direction: from us to him. The arms-in-the-air is something else. It comes from inside him as he tries to get a reaction from us. It makes the fact that he is a little person with his own desires, motivations, and opinions so very front and center. My heart absolutely swells. 

It's a Baby Shower

Thanks so much to the ever-thoughtful Tracey for hosting this baby shower for Amanda. What a wonderful idea! Tracey, the snacks look delicious and I am definitely enjoying my warm cup of tea this morning. That vest and hat? What a lucky little babe. And Karen...I'm "oohing" and "ahhing" over that sweater! I couldn't have picked better colors myself. And Ellen, I don't think we've met yet, but the pleasure is all mine. I can't wait to see what adorableness Amanda knits from that yummy blue yarn. Greetings to everyone else who's here. Silas is a little squirmy today, so please forgive me if I have to excuse myself to keep him occupied.

Amanda, you are such a sweet being and so full of light. I wish for you the labor that you desire, as much rest and peace as you need, and a baby that is perfect in every way.

For my gift, I whipped up a little fabric travel high chair with a matching bib (with a few other little goodies thrown in for good measure). Silas enjoyed modeling them so much that I think I need to sew a set for him as well!

Happy Baby Shower, Amanda!

Sponsor Highlight: JuteBaby

Today we're highlighting A Life Sustained sponsor JuteBaby!

Amy handcrafts unique baby toys and gifts. In her words...

JuteBaby is a new love of mine! My husband and I welcomed our first child in May, a son, and since then I have been on the lookout for baby toys that are interesting to him and made with love. I was inspired to make the original JuteBaby Tag Toy for my son when I noticed how much he loved other stuffed toys (particularly their “made by” tags). I was inspired by images that I saw online... and it all combined to make one adorable stuffed toy! After seeing how much my little guy loved his JuteBaby (even better than his Sophie Giraffe) I decided to make these to sell on Etsy for other moms, grandmas, and those with little ones in their life that want to give their child a handcrafted toy that they will love for years. 

Tell us about your journey to becoming an artist/maker of things. Who taught you how to sew? 

I have been sewing for all of my life. When I was in the second grade, my grandma taught me how to sew, starting with pillows for my Barbie house. I was immediately obsessed! That year I received my first sewing machine, which I still have today and use off and on. Throughout school I have always had the creative bug and sewed many things, including purses, quilts, and clothing. When my son was on the way I found my love for sewing again and have enjoyed spending time at my new sewing machine in the evenings when my son is asleep. 

What inspires you? 

Each day is a new journey when you are sewing. The wonderful thing about creating is that there is no one way to make an object. I love mixing and matching the colors in ways that will be stimulating for little minds. I love making baby toys that aren’t so “baby” and are inspired by textures and colors that all ages will love. My biggest inspiration comes from the amazing fabrics and textures that I use for my designs. I adore new fabric and the excitement of making something unique with a great print. 

Why is it important to you to make handmade toys for your own child? 

I love the fact that a majority of my son’s toys are handmade because I know that they are the highest quality and they are unique. It is so important to me to know where the pieces of his toys came from and I believe that he knows that they are made with love. The pieces that I make for my little guy and for JuteBaby are toys that are going to last a lifetime. They are completely baby safe and will withhold the test of time - and a little monster that likes to perform his own set of tests. 

Tell us about your favorite piece in your shop and describe your process in designing/making it. 

A favorite piece!?!?! That is impossible! The hardest part about making toys for others is actually selling them and not keeping them all for my little guy. Right now my favorite piece in the shop is my Original JuteBaby Owl in Pink. I was inspired by the great fabric that I found for the back of this JuteBaby and the colors are so bright and cheery! All of my designs start with the embroidered face. It is a friendly face that was custom designed by me and digitized by an artisan on Etsy. The shape of each JuteBaby is unique, depending on how the fabric lays out as I am working. I like to make different sizes and shapes because I think it is fun to have a truly unique design. The ribbon is assorted in colors and textures, cut to varying lengths and stitched onto the fabric to be very secure. I then sew the two exterior pieces together, stuff the design with non-allergenic Poly-Fil, and hand-stitch the opening to be very discrete. 

Amy is generously offering to one lucky A Life Sustained reader a JuteBaby Original! The simple, classic design is perfect for little hands. This cuddly owl provides sensory stimulation by the various colors, fabric textures, and tags to play with. Keeps babies busy for hours! 

Each design is unique and was made with love and attention to details. The top of the owl is made from super soft chenille fabric and the back is cotton. The face is embroidered on so it is completely baby safe! The tags are made from coordinating ribbons. All pieces have been machine stitched multiple times to ensure a quality piece that is baby and toddler friendly. This toy is stuffed with a hypo-allergenic Poly-Fil stuffing. 

Just leave a comment on this post to be entered in the random drawing to win.

Get three additional entries! First, you can follow A Life Sustained through Google Friend Connect. Second, you can add JuteBaby to your favorites on Etsy. Third, "Like" JuteBaby on Facebook! Be sure to leave a comment for each "extra" so they can be counted. Comments will be closed on December 17 and a winner will be announced in this post shortly thereafter.

Congratulations to the lucky winner...
Charis's Mum
"I'd love to win one to give to my SIL who is expecting and is due in February. :-D"

Thanks, JuteBaby!

Weekend Review & Giveaway: Laughing Through Life by Connie Corcoran Wilson

The thirty-one essays that make up Laughing Through Life (Quad City Press, 2011) by Connie Corcoran Wilson, represent a broad selection by this prolific writer; a collection of "hits," if you will. Topics range from anecdotes of everyday life to notable bits from the local news to coverage of the 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections and span a large chunk of time (at least 25 years). A fellow Midwestern woman, Wilson writes with honesty, an eye for detail, and without pulling any punches. She seems to always be searching for the kernel of levity in all interactions and stumbles upon some poignant life-lessons along the way. My personal favorite detailed a conversation between the author and her cell phone company regarding her daughter's phone usage; we all should be so bold. Corcoran's observations are wry and we might take a lesson from her willingness to say exactly what is on her mind.

Quad City Press is generously offering to one A Life Sustained reader a copy of Laughing Through Life. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered in the random drawing to win.

(The fine print...this giveaway is open to everyone. If the winner resides in the U.S. or Canada, s/he will have his/her choice of a paperback copy or an ebook. If the winner resides anywhere else, they will be given an ebook.)

Congratulations to Tonya!
"Count me in! A virtual book tour? What a great idea!"

Thanks Quad City Press!

Other stops on the tour...
Nov. 28 Page Flipperz
Nov. 30 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Dec. 1 She Treads Softly
Dec. 5 Carabosses's Library
Dec. 6 Ruthi Reads

Dec. 8 Joy Story
Dec. 9 Read More Books
Dec. 10 A Life Sustained
Dec. 12Stacy's Books
Dec. 14 Book Zone

Dec. 15 Emeraldfire's Bookmark

My review copy was provided compliments of Quad City Press.

This Moment | Snow!

Playing along with SouleMama today. In her words: {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

The first snow of the year to stick around for more than a few hours!

Yarn Along

Even though I've had to rip back two rows (I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking--It's like I completely forgot how to knit for those two rounds), I'm still really in love with stranding! Just like cables, it's so much easier than it looks and when it all comes together...magic. The ripping back has had me stumped for a few days, but once I get going again, this bad boy is practically off the needles. Love it. For reading, I've picked up my first fiction reading in years. Literally. Years. It's Pulp and Paper by Josh Rolnick and so far it's been an incredibly enjoyable read. I'm just two stories in and they're on the somber side, but are so beautifully written. And the book is well-designed too. It might just lure me back from non-fiction for awhile.

See that darling little pouch and stitch markers? Karen (aka Swanski) of Pumpkin Sunrise held a giveaway to celebrate her birthday and I was the lucky winner! The pouch is the perfect size to throw in my knitting basket so that I always have stitch markers with me. This would have come in very handy when I was at my parents' house for Thanksgiving--I started on Steve's Christmas hat but had completely forgotten a stitch marker. I made due with a loop of yarn, but now I won't have to. Thank you so much, Karen!

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things.

Nature Swap

The super-awesome Amy over at Mama Scout invited me to do a nature swap with her a short while ago. Of course, I was excited at the opportunity. How could I not be? Bits of natural beauty from far away? Sign me up! Her box o' Florida nature arrived last week and I'm just overwhelmed and overjoyed at all the beauty contained therein. Silas and I had so much fun carefully removing each piece from this little treasure chest. He loved the feathers and wanted to pick up each individual strand of the moss. So much fun. It all now lives in a place of honor as the centerpiece of our Nature Table where it can remind us of sunnier times to come as our winter turns dark and gray.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Amy! Your nature box from Iowa is on its way to you. Things here are pretty monochromatic (and unfortunately, that color is brown), but Silas and I tried to find some interesting things from the prairie for you to enjoy.

Weekending

This weekend was a little bit of a bust. Steve was hit with some sort of monster flu bug and was in bed for the entirety of it (still is) and Silas has been a grumpy Gus due to those top two teeth breaking through. Without the extra set of hands that I usually have on weekends I had to release my expectations for what I thought I was going to be able to get done (always a hard thing for me to do) and embrace the nurturing that I needed to do instead. There was lots of tea and soup. Rocking and singing. 

Silas and I did manage to make it out of the house on Sunday to attend the First Birthday party of one of our friends from our childbirth class. It's mind-blowing to think that it's been a year already since all of us were sitting in a circle in that room, pregnant, not yet knowing the little ones inside of us. We talked yesterday about how the passage of time has been both so slow and has also gone in the blink of any eye. The individual days of this past year have been painfully slow at times for me, but the fact that a year has already passed? Impossible.

Linking up with Amanda at The Habit of Being.

Sponsor Thank-You

In this season of giving thanks, I have many reasons to be filled with gratitude. I want to take today to say "thank-you" to some of my sponsors from this past year. Your support makes it possible for me to spend time in this space and for that, I am eternally grateful.

For your holiday shopping, please consider...

Full Circle Creations : hand-made furniture and home decor pieces out of recycled, re-purposed, and reused items.
Natura Metallum : sustainable jewelry line made from salvaged metal.
Wooden Wonderz (formerly Simply Soy) : sensory toys for babies, featuring eco-friendly soy based paints and sealers.
My Lil Market : durable, pretty, practical and functional mommy necklaces.
Green Mama Designs : hand-embellished onesies and other adorable upcycled baby items.
Inga Zeitlin : fine art giclée prints as well as one-of-a-kind metal clay art jewelry.
Dream Out Loud Art : unique, miniature, hand-painted wearable art jewelry.
Renaissance Days : paintings, experiments and jewelry in a folk art tradition.

Three Guilds Farm Medicinals : small-batch, hand-created, beyond organic mushroom and herb products.

Pinkhouse Handworks : baby toys that follow the Montessori Birth to age three training.

Tammy Olson : whimsical mixed-media art prints.

Omnatura : sustainable fashion objects that combine modern design and traditional craft.

Dandelion Dream : hand-dyed & stamped shirts.

Too Sweets : adorable children's clothing sewing patterns.

Weekend Review: Amazing Adventures of a Nobody by Leon Logothetis

Hitchhiking to Los Angeles with only five dollars in your pocket sounds like something from the era of free love and peace signs. Surely it doesn’t fit in with the speed of our high-tech modern life, right? Leon Logothetis believes that it does. In Amazing Adventures of a Nobody: A life changing journey across America relying on the kindness of strangers (Bettie Youngs Books, 2011), Logothetis quits his comfortable desk job at his father’s company and leaves his native Britain in search of connection. Disillusioned by the isolation of modern life, he crafts a challenge for himself: travel from New York City to Los Angeles on five dollars a day plus the generosity of those he meets along the way. He won’t take gifts of cash, only food, lodging, and transportation. He discovers that the spirit of giving and compassion is alive and well and others are yearning just as much as he is for real human contact and interaction.

In each of the thirteen chapters, Logothetis tells of a single day's journey. He gets off to a slow start, but a couple he meets at the train station gives him an invaluable piece of advice; he has to sell himself with a good story. For people to stop and listen, he needs to make himself seen in a world where we actively cultivate invisibility. Luckily for Logothetis, spinning a good yarn is something that he does exceedingly well. As he travels from place to place, his story grows to include the characters he meets along the way. Their life stories are woven together with his, which, along with his reflections on the lessons that he is learning, create an inspiring narrative. 

A cynic might claim that there are several extenuating circumstances that might make people more likely to help Logothetis (he is being accompanied by a film crew, his British accent, the fact that he is young and attractive), but he shares with us his successes and his failures and it was not necessarily an easy road that he traveled. His story is compelling because it captures the essence of what so many of us yearn for: to be understood, to receive help when we need it, and to be heard. As we look to a future where we will need to look more and more to our neighbors for support, it's reassuring that a spirit of community still exists within us, even if it is just beneath the surface.

This review was first published on Blogcritics.

My review copy was provided courtesy of Bettie Youngs Books.

This Moment

Playing along with SouleMama today. In her words: {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway of a "Hangin' with my Gnomies" onesie or t-shirt from Boogaloo Bubbywear!

Rhythm of the Home

As I'm sure you already know, the winter issue of Rhythm of the Home is released today. I have been a long-time reader and am always so blown away by all the beautiful creativity shared there. So inspiring. And so it is with great honor that I share with you that I am included among its digital pages with a tutorial for our Solstice Luminaries. Silas, Steve, and I spent a beautiful fall day crafting them together. I hope you enjoy.

Welcome December Sponsors

How can it be December already? The temperatures continue to drop and they say snow is in the air. I want to offer a warm welcome to this space to a new sponsor for the month,

Jute Baby

Amy handcrafts unique baby toys and gifts.

And a welcome back to returning sponsors,

Big Sister Designs

Earthy Baby Knits

Little Friends Co.

Thanks to each of you for continued support!