HIVEdesign
If you are reading this, you may fall into one of 5 categories:
1. You planted a garden, and now you are obsessed and you want to know what else you can potentially plant!!!
2. You have not planted a garden, and you lament + want to know if it's too late to plant something… anything!
This is such a fun post to begin, because it feels like you are standing at my yellow door. Sincerely, I cannot wait to let you into our HIVEhome. This is especially true in light of our current circumstances as a world-community enduring a pandemic and the precautions there of, such as social distancing. Today as we launch this post, what was supposed to be a simple tour of our home + how we live in it (which is already vulnerable) has instead become an invitation in a deeper sense. This moment feels so significant to me. In essence, I am welcoming you into my home via the only way know how at this moment. It is not lost on me that I am not alone in deeply missing the ability to invite others into the community of my home.
"What is a vision board?" you may ask. It's a creative, practical visualization of your desires/goals/expectations & visual inspirations all in one place...
HIVEhomeschool
The decision to homeschool can feel like a mammoth resolution. Believe me, I know. I am not so far removed to forget, but looking back on our homeschool journey I can hardly believe we are nearing our seventh year! How is this possible? I don’t know, but I do know this. This has been one of THE BEST decisions I have ever made.
Lemonade is one of my favorite childhood refreshments other than Sunny Delight. (It was an addiction.) Anticipating this summer, we thought it fun to create printable play props + signs for an easy but playfully coordinated lemonade stand party.
Gardening is such an experience of the mind, heart, and senses, and I am here to encourage you that there are big and small ways to teach your children through the experience of a garden project. We have accomplished this in the simplest of forms from seedlings in Ziploc baggies + baby sprouts, to 1/2 our entire yard converted to garden space.
HIVEhealth
I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that in a matter of days we are celebrating Christmas for more reasons than one. I have a feeling this is potentially mutual for you…
Sprouting seeds is not only fun (for kids and adults!), but also has numerous health benefits. I have always wanted to try my hand at sprouts, but haven't taken the time until now. It seems so easy, and due to the current spring/summer season, we are obsessed with growing. Thus, this little sprouting activity feeds our current green interests as well as our salad bowl.
In recent months, even before the many changes brought on by COVID-19, my husband and I have been emotionally "checking- in,” so to speak. For us, this was a need with or without potential crisis or looming unknowns, but with the added stress of current events, it has been essential. In doing so, it became apparent that in the same way my husband and I need to talk daily about our current thoughts and feelings, our children needed to do the same. They were starting to ask questions and beginning to connect our hushed tones and preparations with what was going on in the world. We'd been having appropriate conversations along the way, but none the less, they were being affected.
HIVEhomemade
Just holding fresh juice in my hand makes me feel a little healthier and happier. It's a real feeling, and there is science to it! The brain does weird things with certain associations such as color, touch, and smell. But, of course, to receive the full benefits you need to actually drink it.
This Paleo Key Lime Pie recipe is straight from the delicious genius of my friend and culinary professional, Rachel Heppel. As many may know she now serves as our resident HIVEhomemade culinary consultant and specializes in making amazing recipes that serve our essential needs and/or preferences such as gluten, grain, sugar, and dairy free treats.
If you want to make any summer meal feel a little extra special, add lemonade. It is our summer go-to refreshment, and my carrot and watermelon lemonade versions are some of my most asked for summer recipes.
HIVEcelebrate
This is our take on the traditional gingerbread house without the sugar mess or - er, gingerbread. Gingerbread I may miss a bit, but the sugar mess I do not.
“Do you wonder, as you watch my face? If a wiser one, could have had my place?”
Mary - An image of God birthing the very face and presence of God for all. Is it likely she pondered if a better equipped version of herself or someone else entirely would be more fitting for the immaculate calling upon her life?
Consider this your personal Mother's Day bouquet delivery from our hive to yours! We wish we could deliver flowers to each and every mama on our reader's list and then some, and maybe one day we can, but until then, this is our most genuine second best.
HIVEfamily
In recent months, even before the many changes brought on by COVID-19, my husband and I have been emotionally "checking- in,” so to speak. For us, this was a need with or without potential crisis or looming unknowns, but with the added stress of current events, it has been essential. In doing so, it became apparent that in the same way my husband and I need to talk daily about our current thoughts and feelings, our children needed to do the same. They were starting to ask questions and beginning to connect our hushed tones and preparations with what was going on in the world. We'd been having appropriate conversations along the way, but none the less, they were being affected.
I remember wondering what it would be like to be a mom as I played nestled up in a tree with baby dolls and a childhood play-mate.
HIVEhope
“Do you wonder, as you watch my face? If a wiser one, could have had my place?”
Mary - An image of God birthing the very face and presence of God for all. Is it likely she pondered if a better equipped version of herself or someone else entirely would be more fitting for the immaculate calling upon her life?
I continue to find it humbling but also spurring to tell my personal story of hope and healing from chronic pain.
All my life, I have loved stories - hearing them, telling them, reading them and creating spaces for them. I am a story teller.
When renovating a space, so much is done that transforms from a 'before' to an 'after', from new floors, paint, and textures, to furniture, decor, and placement choices, but, it's the DIY projects that I always find interesting in making a space unique.