SouleMama

counting my blessings

29 (more) empty boxes
12 appropriately-stated "uh-oh!''s uttered from Harper
6 more 'sponge baths' because the bathrooms are under construction
5 (amazingly loud) musical instruments made from the recycling
4 sessions of "the kitten got out!" yard chases
3 eggs
2 Ezra-style interpretive "science" experiements
2 more 'raps' to Robert Frost
1 more level added to the treehouse
1 walk in the woods
1 box of pastels happily unearthed
a few more Corners finished
one room done

It was a very lovely weekend. I hope yours was too!

{We've been so busy settling in and unpacking boxes - I'm excited to share with you this week what we've been up to. Stay tuned!}

Giveaway Winners!

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The winners of the Pema Chodron online retreat:

The Places That Scare You and the work I did with it prepared me for reporting the sexual abuse I survived as a child. I'm waiting for it to go to trial right now, this couldn't happen at a better time!
Posted by: mudmama

What a nice opportunity. Thanks for the offer. It's nice to just think of life with less fear. Leslie
Posted by: Leslie

The winner of the Sarah Jane Studios gift certficate:

I LOVE Sarah Jane's drawings - lovely! I think the elephants are most darling : )
Posted by: Eva Girl

Thank you to Shambhala Publications and Sarah Jane Studios! 

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ SARAH JANE STUDIOS ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Sarah Jane Studios. In the words of Sarah Jane:

"Sarah Jane Studios offers vintage inspired illustrated fine art prints, stationery and paper goods for children. Our Giclee Fine art prints are made to last for generations, and our paper goods are made with little hands in mind."

 "Sarah Jane's Blog is a wonderful place to connect with other women who are inspired by motherhood, vintage charm, simple living, storybooks, design and creativity.  I've got lots of stuff going on as of late, and I'd love to have you stop by and say hello!"

SouleMama: How long have you been in business? What's coming up next for you and your business?

Sarah Jane:  I opened my shop 3 years ago this month, and since opening my ETSY shop, it's grown and grown...and now I work with 3 other lovely women who run the shop so that I can keep designing and illustrating...and playing with my 3 small children.  I also just finished illustrating my very first children's picture book with Harper Collins Children's Books titled "A Christmas Goodnight" which will come out next Christmas. And just this month, I signed with Michael Miller Fabrics to release a new line of fabric come next spring!

SouleMama: How has motherhood changed the work you do?

Sarah Jane: I take each day for what it is, but overall, my family comes first. Being a young mother (my children are 5,4 and 1)  has meant that I have said no to a lot of projects and events, so that I can be with my children during the day. But it also means that I work when I am most tired....late and night and in the morning. It's been challenging at times, but now that my children are getting a bit older they know that "Mommy is an illustrator" and it gives them a great sense of pride...and I find them very interested in being creative with me. I sometimes do have to work while they are awake, but my studio has a large bookcase full of my favorite picture books for them to read as well as lots of floor space for them to color beside me. A chalk board painted wall is coming soon...with hopes that we can create even more when we're all together!  I've tried really hard to make sure that I can mother the way I want to, which is really, really hard. But it's a balance, and I'm grateful for the chance I have to both mother and design.

 

For today's giveaway, Sarah Jane Studios is generously offering the following gift to one lucky winner:

A $75 shopping spree!

In addition, Sarah Jane Studios is offering a discount to SouleMama readers. Receive 20% off your order when you order by Monday Night, Oct. 4th. Make your payment in full, and we'll reimburse you via paypal within 24 hours. CODE: SOULEMAMA

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Thank you to Sarah Jane Studios!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Monday by 8am EST. Comments closed! Winner will be announced by end of day on Monday.

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SouleMama Sponsor ~ Pema Chödrön WEEKEND RETREAT ~

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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Pema Chödrön Live via Shambhala Publications. In the words of Shambhala Publications:

"Shambhala Publications is collaborating with the Pema Chödrön Foundation to offer an online live stream of Pema’s upcoming “Smile at Fear” retreat in California. We’re excited to be able to present this opportunity after the live event sold out to a crowd of 3,000."

  To learn more about Pema Chödrön, visit here. 

SouleMama: Who is Pema Chödrön?

Shambhala: Pema is America’s favorite Buddhist nun. She’s written several books, including “The Wisdom of No Escape”, “Start Where You Are”, “When Things Fall Apart”, “The Places that Scare You”, “No Time to Lose” and “Practicing Peace in Times of War,” all of which are available through Shambhala Publications.

SouleMama: What will she be teaching at the retreat?

Shambhala: The weekend’s teachings will be based on wisdom from the book Smile at Fear, which was written by her teacher, Chögyam Trungpa. Pema will talk about how to approach the things that scare us in a radically different way than we're accustomed to. She aims to help us discover how astonishingly insignificant fear really is—and how surprisingly simple it is to access the heart of fearlessness. These are Buddhist teachings and practices that can become resources for a lifetime.

SouleMama: What is the most exciting part about hosting this retreat?

Shambhala: Having published her books and audio books, we’ve heard from literally thousands of people that she has changed their lives in a profound way. We’re thrilled to be able to bring her teachings to a wider audience now, especially since this may be one of the last times she offers a public retreat like this.

For today's giveaway, Shambhala Publications is generously offering the following gift to two lucky winner:

a ticket to the online retreat, which includes:
Full access to the three-day event in real time via live-streaming video feed
On-demand video access available until March 1st
An edited video download available after the retreat
A discount coupon for 30% off the DVD edition
An e-book of Chögyam Trungpa’s Smile at Fear, the book on which the program is based (available as ePub, PDF, mobi)

In addition, Shambhala Publications is offering SouleMama readers $10 off upon signing up for the retreat. Use code PEMASM. 

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Thank you to Shambhala Publications and Pema Chödrön!

To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8am EST.  Comments closed! Winner will be announced by end of day on Monday.

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{this moment}

{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. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

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October 1st

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October 1st is upon us!
Sending out a warm welcome (and welcome back) to the new Sponsors here at SouleMama:

Persisting Stars

Weekend Retreat with Pema Chodron

The Waldorf Connection

Daydream Believers

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And continued gratitude to returning Sponsors:

Nova Natural Toys & Crafts, Lisa Leonard Designs, Bamboletta, Imagine Childhood, Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics, Alewives Fabrics, Natural Kids Store, Stubby Pencil Studio, Hip Mountain Mama, Bella Luna Toys, Sundara Yarn, Ottobre Design, Lusa Organics, Sarah Jane Studios, Sweetgrass Fibers, Modern Organic Fabrics, Belfast Cohousing and EcoVillage, Lineanongrata, Banberry Place, This & That From Japan, and Satch & Sol, Quince & Co, Aurora Shoe Company, and The Fiber Cooperative.

It's so lovely to have you here!

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In other beginning-of-the-month news, I've updated my reading list (to include all the titles we've been devouring for so long in anticipation), and the "loving" sidebar archives have been updated.

Cheers to October!

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