Category Archives: Downshifting

This Life We Lead

Oh we’ve had a good couple of weeks, these little ones and I. Something changed in me, I think  I became more confident as a mother, more certain in our choices and lifestyle. I’ve had so much validation as of … Continue reading

Posted in Downshifting, Dreams, Family Life, Ma Famille, Simple Parenting, Simplicity | 8 Comments

Visiting The High Park Cherry Blossoms

One day last week we had an early morning jaunt to see the Cherry Blossoms at High Park. They only last about a week and I was wary of visiting over a weekend because of the drones of people who descend … Continue reading

Posted in 2013 Goals, 30 x 30 Nature Challenge, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Downshifting, Family Life, Frugal Living, Frugal Parenting, Goals, Good For The Soul, Life Is Beautiful, Ma Famille, Natural Health, Natural Living, Organzing Our LIfe, Parenting, reducing stress, Repairing Damage, Simple Living and Reducing Stress, Simple Parenting | 8 Comments

For My Mental Health (There’s Too…)

Thank you for the lovely comments on yesterday’s post, I can honestly say that I don’t regret sharing what I did and that is because of your kindness. I will respond to comments tomorrow but know that I’ve carried them with … Continue reading

Posted in 30 x 30 Nature Challenge, Downshifting, Eco Living, Natural Living, Simple Living and Reducing Stress, Simplicity | 10 Comments

A Simplified Life With Children

Yesterday we returned the musical instrument we were renting and said goodbye to my daughter’s music teacher. About a month ago, after much soul-searching, I decided in the best interest of our family we were done with music lessons. It wasn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Do something, Downshifting, Frugal Living, Frugal Parenting, Journeying, Laying Foundations For The Life Plan, Lessons Learned, Ma Famille, Parenting, Parenting Children With Special Needs, Reclaiming Simple Sundays, reducing stress, Repairing Damage, Simple Living and Reducing Stress, Simple Parenting, Simplicity | 21 Comments

Our Community Garden Year 1 – With Children

Last summer we were very blessed to receive a plot in a community garden in the area we wanted to live. At the time we were living about 40-60 minutes away, waiting and hoping to be able to move. The … Continue reading

Posted in $60 Week Grocery Budget, 100 Ways To Save Money, 100 Ways To Save Money on Food in 2013, 2013 Goals, Allotment Life, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Community Gardening, Downshifting, Eco Living, Frugal Food, Goals, Ma Famille, Natural Health, Natural Living, Oh so Blessed, Repairing Damage | 15 Comments

Aaah, Here We Are…

Life sometimes feels a bit like a calamity of events and all one can do is look back and laugh. Last week started out with the very best of intentions, realistic goals, healthy children, healthy mama {yes, all three healthy … Continue reading

Posted in 2013 Goals, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Do something, Downshifting, Inventing My Life, Journeying, Ma Famille, Making and Crafting, Rural Canada | 14 Comments

Two Thousand And Twelve

This was a funny sort of year. Not exactly one for the history books by most people’s standards, but as I reflect on it, I see that there were big changes. The year started with that newness, a strange, not … Continue reading

Posted in 2012 Goals, Downshifting, Family Expansion, Family Life, Goals, Inventing My Life, Life Is Beautiful | 9 Comments

What If Money Didn’t Matter?

After hearing some talk today from medical professionals about the future my son faces, a future with “most likely significant limitations” I needed to see this today. As his mother and as the mother of my creative, artistic daughter too. … Continue reading

Posted in Do something, Downshifting, Dreams | 15 Comments

On My Mind

Poverty. During an exhausting week, when there was much on my mind here (note, I was far too self focused), I took a moment to put Frontline on late yesterday evening and watched Poor Kids. An excellent documentary about children growing … Continue reading

Posted in Adoption, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Budgeting for Holidays, ChinaKidz, Christmas Angel To An Orphan Program, Do something, Downshifting, Easy Ways To Make A Difference, Fairtrade, Family Life, Finding Myself, Frugal Parenting, Help A Family Friday, Holidays/Vacations, Human Rights, It's Not About Self, Life Is Beautiful, Love, Ma Famille | 19 Comments

Finding Time

I’m learning about time from my daughter. After my last post, I did a lot of reflecting on what the core issue was and, while there are certainly stressors which come with financing therapies and new special needs which arise … Continue reading

Posted in All Things Bright and Beautiful, Ch Ch Ch Changes, Downshifting, Easy Ways To Make A Difference, Family Life, Good For The Soul, Lessons Learned, Letters To Myself, Life Is Beautiful, Love, Ma Famille, Uncategorized | 6 Comments