It was apparent that He was living everything He was saying.
~Matthew 7

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Following are two opportunities to speak up for garment workers. Neither action takes long, but lending our support will not only add to the number of voices calling for action + accountability...it will show garment workers that the consumers of their work value them + are willing to stand with them. 

1. After the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh killed 1134 garment workers...unions, NGOs, + consumers demanded that apparel companies sign a fire + building safety accord. The accord was signed by more than 200 companies + now covers 1600 factories employing 2.26 million garment workers. The Bangladesh High Court is currently bringing a restraining order against the accord. We have until November 30 to speak out in support of this life-saving accord. 

image via

I think that the holidays turned from something of utter delight to something stressful around the time that I went from being a consumer of all the wonder (a girl) to a producer of it (a mama). I realize that often I find myself stressed out in the moments when I am most trying to make sure that everyone is happy...silly really. What would probably make all of us the most happy would be just enjoying all of the messy goodness that there is to be had...together.

This year, I am trying to shed the expectation of producing a jam packed season of joy for my tribe. I am trying to step away from what is expected...and trying to see this as something I'm creating outside of expectation.

What do we love most about the holidays? I'm "sending" out a postcard (sliding it under doors)...What are 2 things you love most about the holidays? What is one good memory of the holidays you have? What are 2 things you would like to do? 2 things you might like to get? 2 things you might like to eat/drink? 

With those things in mind, I will be able to feel that I've made some happy (whether that gets communicated back to me or not). I will not treat these returned postcards as a to-do list, but I will joyfully consider the feedback.  :)

My holiday favorites:
-twinkly lights
-candles
-simple greenery
-music
-hot, spicy drinks
-giving 
-making
-togetherness
-cozy movie nights
-a few thoughtful gifts 
-grasping + celebrating the gift of God among us

It's a simple list. I'm just going to go about bringing some of that home. I'm not really even going to think about the stuff that I don't like...or expectations...or what I'm not doing. And that feels good.

Love,
​Jane

It was just a moment...a fleeting thought. They come + go quickly, but I long to catch this one like the snowflakes falling outside my window. I want to catch just one + observe it quick before it melts away. 

I'm not going to say that I avoided all the sale hype this weekend. During past Black Friday frenzies, I diligently deleted all sneaky sale emails that found their way through to my inbox + moved on. I kept myself away from the shops completely. In the days that followed I'd start thinking of a few thoughtful gifts I'd like to give...and realize that I probably could have saved some money over the weekend. The what-ifs crept in any way.

This year, I took a thoughtful look at the emails that came...deleting most of them...but considering a few. Even then, I felt pressure to make decisions before the end of the sale. I felt urgency + desire that wasn't there before.

Today there is a snowstorm. We knew it was coming, so when I woke up...I knew there was no rush...no place to be. I got cozy with a book + read...a lot. The day unfolded lazily for all of us. The wind blew...the snow whirled. We drank tea + ate soup. And just for a single moment, I caught a thought before it melted away...this is what it's all for...this is what we want + need...a roof over our heads, cozy comforters, left-over birthday cake, heat, light, running water, comfy layers + socks. We have enough. We have "home". And it is good.

No need for more...no frenzy or fear of missing out. Sometimes a single second of clarity presents itself...like that moment when your ears unpop + you can hear fully again + hearing feels like a gift...a miracle...and a minute later that realization is lost. I don't want to forget. I have what I need...what I want to give my girls...what I want...and it is good...so good.

May you experience + recognize those fleeting moments of clarity in the season to come.

Love,
Jane

It's the most consumerist day of the year...beware!  :) Whether we are going outside instead of into the shops or taking advantage of a one or two well planned deals...my hope is that we will feel in control today as far as consuming goes.  

Clarity.
A new sort of reusable cup.
Revolt against plastic.
Loofah.
Escape.

As always remember, if there are regrets after the sales...we can always (often) (hopefully) return it.  :)

Hope everyone who celebrated it had a lovely Thanksgiving! I am endlessly grateful for this community that celebrates the joy in simplicity + compassion every day! You inspire me!  :)

Love,
Jane

These were not merely "friendly Indians". They had already experienced European slave traders raiding their villages for a hundred years or so, and they were wary -- but it was their way to give freely to those who had nothing. Among many of our peoples, showing that you can give without holding back is the way to earn respect. Among the Dakota, my father's people, they say, when asked to give, "Are we not Dakota and alive?" It was believed that by giving there would be enough for all -- the exact opposite of the system we live in now, which is based on selling, not giving.  ~Jaqueline Keeler (via)

Autumn passed in the blink of an eye. Snow flew early this year + stayed...which means that winter temperatures settled in with the snow. In the past few years, November offered at least a couple of weeks worth of autumn...but this year we've transitioned to the woolies + said goodbye to the short-sleeves with confidence.

Above is a little of the type of winter wardrobe I'd like to be channeling with my pieces...and here is what I'll be wearing this winter:

A few notes:
-I wanted oat colored + black pullovers. Last year I could only locate a grey one, so I'm keeping the grey one, but ideally might choose a cardigan instead. 
-I'm keeping my sweatshirts out for now for variety, but it is usually too cold for them.
-I'm open to adding a piece or two.
-I do like black for the colder months, but am considering moving toward lighter natural tones with replacements. 

That's it. When I'm looking ahead, I often overestimate how many pieces + how much variety I'll want. I really need to keep this in mind moving forward!

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Learn how to see. Realize that everything is connected to everything else. 
~Leonardo Da Vinci

It was time for a quieter closet. I'd been avoiding purchasing furniture as much as possible. We've moved enough to know that less is better...but also...organized is nice.  :) In order to figure out just the right piece/pieces to purchase, I listed out the categories of clothes Mr. Tribe and I have + how many drawers would be helpful. I hit upon 5 drawers for each of us. Mine would contain: intimates/socks, tees, layers (sweaters), bottoms, + athletic wear. His would be the same, except he keeps his athletic wear (+ outerwear) in another closet. I wanted room above the drawers for his hanging shirts, so that decided the height desired. Width had to do with being able to access the deeper sides of the closet.

After lots of measuring, two of these sets of drawers seemed to be just the thing. They only have four drawers each, but they met most of my requirements otherwise.

I still have a couple of things to work out (I may not need those bins on top of the drawers), but I'm happy with how this project is shaping up. Along the top shelf are two boxes for our out of season clothing + a few keepsake boxes (a curated collection of letters + keepsakes). I keep my sewing machine here, because I don't want it to rust in the damp downstairs closet (where I keep the rest of my sewing things). There is a bin for my pajamas + one for my athletic wear. My carry-on size suitcase (which holds out of season clothing...namely my woolies in the summer) slides in the side there in front of the shelf. My hanging clothes include my coats (since our coat closet belongs to Mr. Tribe and his outer + athletic wear).  :)

​A quieter closet...a quieter mind.

Love,
Jane

Three weeks ago we revelled in so many familiar places that we love. We visited thrift shops + a gluten-free bakery in Thousand Oaks...drove the winding roads through Topanga Canyon with the windows down, stopping at all the little shops along the way, walking through the library, eating lunch at our favorite spot, chatting with the shop owners...relaxed + walked the beaches of Malibu...lingered in spots along the way back down the 1, eating burger bowls, stopping at surf shops, and not hating the traffic that slowed us down.

This week things are so different in Thousand Oaks...in Topanga Canyon...in Malibu...and in all the areas affected by the Camp Fire as well. Loss of lives + homes + businesses + peace + security + all the destruction that is intangible around events like this is almost inconceivable. 

Here are a couple of lists of reputable organizations to which we may want to consider giving. There are organizations that deal with medical treatment, fire fighters, food, shelter, mental health, animals, + rebuilding. This is a great time to stop for a moment or two dedicated to gratitude + letting our loved ones know that they are loved as well. Wishing you safety + well-being, friends.

Love,
Jane