It's still a bit brown + coldish outside, but I'm trying to remind myself + my tribe that we are almost out of the winter woods. A few happy hints that spring is here ::

Lightening up in the closet:
-My knits, hat, scarf, + gloves have been packed away in my suitcase with some lavender.
-It may be a few weeks until my wool blanket coat joins them, but I'm stitching up the holes in it now. The navy really hides the patches well.
-Not as many regrets when I go without socks (because I pretty much always do).  :)

Sunshine on a plate:
-Mangos. Alone or like this...add some yogurt, honey, cinnamon, pecans, + chocolate chips!
-Spring reminds me of the simple goodness of egg salad on toast with a sprinkle of greens.
​-Golden beets. With kale, onion, chickpeas, wild rice, + avocado.

Getting some fresh air:
-Spotted: crocus + daffodils + tree buds + blue bird
-Trying to get outside for a walk or just to sit in the sun for a bit on those rare warmer days.
-Or at least rolling down the car windows with some good tunes blasting.
-Welcomed fresh air indoors via an open screen door + also received a spider + itchy allergy eyes.

It's spring!

How are you experiencing it?

Love,
Jane

Do you like to take stock, compile the data, look back, make plans, set goals, and map out the next steps? I'm not exactly sure how to answer that question in regards to "like"...but I do think that it can be quite useful.  :)

When I came across this little guide again this year, I jumped right in. I thought in light of the fact that I made a lot of plans at the beginning of 2017, it would probably be good to take an honest look at how it all turned out. I had actually forgotten about some of the accomplishments of 2017 + felt quite good about recognizing them. There were also a few spots that I could have stuck to plan a bit better + I had the chance to recognize that as well.

Now, 2018...I've got plans for you.

If this sort of thing appeals, here a few places to find a little guidance/inspriation for the journey:
​-YearCompass
-Unravel Your Year
-Find Your Word

Have fun.
Celebrate.
Offer grace.
Dream big.
Jump in.

Love,
​Jane

P.S. Let us know if you have favorite year end/beginning inspiration!  :)

I've been on a mission to live a Christmas this year that leaves our tribe with the sense of having experienced love + light. One of the ways that we are looking to experience this is through a different kind of giving. I don't at all wish to call attention to or garner credit for ourselves. I just thought that sharing here could possibly spark some further creativity out there.  :) 

This weekend these girls + I spent a little time writing notes of encouragement + rolling them up with dollar bills. This idea was sparked by someone else who shared doing something similar...so I thought I'd share too in case anyone else might have fun with it. (Highly recommended! No dollars even necessary.)

Before we got out at our first stop, we said a prayer + asked that these tiny gifts would communicate a message of love + encouragement just where it was needed.

A dollar doesn't seem like much, but we went straight to a few places that it could actually make a little difference.

A few of these were placed on washers + dryers at a busy laundromat...among the feminine hygiene products + nerf footballs at the dollar store...in the pockets of cute winter coats + button down shirts at the thrift store...

...and among the cat food + 99cent avocados at a grocery store. This was some of the most fun we've had during this holiday season! We've got plans to keep the generosity flowing + we're all looking forward to it!  :)

A few other ideas for a different kind of giving:
-discuss a cause to which the whole tribe would like to contribute some money, place an envelope under the tree + let each decide the amount they contribute  
-give kids a dollar amount + let them decide how to spend it in the giving catalogs
-combine McDonalds gift cards with handmade cards for homeless neighbors
-buy some personal pizzas + pass them out
-gift feminine products, natural haircare products, toiletries, lotion, etc. to a women's shelter
-make cookies + take them to the places we love 
-pass cards to the people at the grocery store who give us our milk bottle refunds, fill our bulk containers + check them out 
-write cards for the garbage men + mail carrier
-take a walk + spread birdseed for the animals on Christmas Day...doing this once a year offers a day of celebration + ease to our fellow creatures

Love,
​Jane

Christmas offers the best chance all year to see two ways of life for what they are. We're encouraged to make Christmas about us- or, more accurately, encouraged to make Christmas about our children. We are encouraged to buy them stuff. But if we make that the center of the holiday, we help school them in the notion that transcendent joy comes from things. If, instead, you emphasize others- making presents with your kids, spreading seed to the birds and beasts, visiting the nursing home- it exposes them to the other truth, gives them some chance to see where real joy lies. ~Bill McKibben :: Hundred Dollar Holiday

Bento bags have their origins in Japan (like so many useful, beautiful, simple designs). I love their possibilities in relation to a zero-waste lifestyle. Although a bandana tucked into my bag works well for impromptu bulk buys, a bento's bag shape is a bit more spill proof. In this season of giving, I am really looking forward to using these bento bags for reusable, zero-waste gift wrap!

SweetKM's bento bag pattern came out just in time for Christmas giving +/or wrapping! I scooped it up the moment it was offered, because I've been wanting a pattern like this for years. The pattern offers a variety of sizes to make, and works up beautifully. I love that all of the edges are enclosed, so it will wash well. While this bento is the smallest size, I look forward to making a few in larger sizes too. Putting together PDF patterns is not always my favorite activity, so I really like this one. I didn't actually print out the pattern, but instead simply used the provided measurements to mark + cut the fabric.

For gift wrap, I like to use truly opaque fabrics...which often means darker fabrics, but heavier linen or quilting cotton would also work well. (This fabric is from an old favorite shirt.) The pieces needed for each bento are on the larger side, so many of my scraps are not quite large enough. Instead of buying fabric especially for these bentos, I plan to use what I have + to piece together the bits that are too small. I love using every bit of these gorgeous fabrics, + I think that pieced bentos will feel quite special.

These bags would make lovely gifts as well as wrapping. Bentos could be used as project bags for individual craft projects, lunch sacks, bulk grocery shopping bags, travel sacks to separate laundry, toiletries or shoes, or even as a purse. Of course one could be used for all of the above!  :)

I'm in love with these bentos for gift wrap + finally think that I've found a wrapping to love (and reuse) for years to come! 

A few other ideas for wrapping zero-waste:  
​-reuse packaging collected thoughout the year (my favorite is brown paper...tied up with string)
-calendar pages
-children's artwork
-baggu bags
-last year someone's birthday inspired a magic gift box (a nice sturdy box that once opened acquired a new gift + was tied with its bow once more) (my laziness sometimes = laughs)
​-furoshiki
-bandana 
-newspaper
-accent with greenery, cinnamon sticks, tags made from last year's Christmas cards...
​
Love,
Jane

For the last few Black Fridays, I've adhered to the buy nothing prescription. I deleted all of the sale emails + moved on. The thing was that in the days to follow, I was buying gifts + realizing that some of those gifts had probably been on sale over the weekend. My budget could have benefited from a little selective Black Friday shopping (as little as I like to admit that).

So...this year, I selectively looked through the emails (+ unsubscribed from the majority). There were a few things that I had listed out ahead of time + I considered looking for deals on those pieces. Even with all of the sales, I couldn't realistically buy everything on my list. Here's what I didn't buy: (along with the thought process that led to that triumph)  :)

-Steele grocery bags :: I can not quite settle on the color or size to buy...so I take that as a sign that they may not be the ultimate solution for me. The sale was hard to pass up, but paying full price would not be the end of the world (in comparison). I decided to make my bags work with just a little more testing + tweaking of the new system. Steele bags would take up more space + not be as washable (but would probably last at least my lifetime).
-Cydwoq boots :: The sale here was so good...but I just could not decide between three styles. Again, I took this indecisiveness as a sign. I decided to save the money + make my thrifted boots work for at least one year, even though they are not my ideal. (Thrifted boots in my size that are comfortable + cost only $24...that is a gift worthy of a bit more attention.)
-Pants :: My list is holding up. I'm considering one more pair of pants, because I have found that my sarouelles are a bit too light weight for winter (and one may shift into the role of shorts instead). I'm considering Ijji, Everlane, + making. Making is winning!!
-A new sweater coat :: I found my dream coat in a bit more affordable version (both made in Peru)...but I am allergic to this alpaca (I tried it on)...and my mended sweater coat is so good (+ I don't need two).

What I did buy:
-Mr. Tribe's (December) birthday gift. 
-Two wooden combs. Julia + I were recently laughing about how many teeth our combs are missing, so this will be a good stocking stuffer (plus one for me).

As with most things that find their way into this space...this is all personal. What I hope to share is that using sales is obviously not the problem. The problem comes when the sales use us. I don't like to feel manipulated, but I can be easily manipulated. I want to look cool...to give my girls the biggest smiles...to appear generous... But I also want to be in control of my budget, my desires, my values. I'm working on it.  :)

Love,
Jane

P.S. All of these things are good things made with care by companies I would love to support...someday. I just don't need all of the good things...at once.  :)

Black Friday has come + gone, but the sales + promotions will continue in relentless succession in the weeks to come. It may already feel too late, but I'd argue that we can still decide what we want from this holiday season...and what attempts we will make to get it.

Personally, I want the holiday season to be about our faith. We celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas. We believe that God gave us the most precious gift...a piece of Himself...born as a baby in the most puzzling combination of humility (delivered in a stable) and splendor (announced with a chorus of angels + a signaling star). This God/man experienced human emotion, shared wisdom + compassion, and sacrificed His life so that we can be in relationship with Him. This gift is our life.

I love that the holidays point many of us, with or without this faith, toward drawing close to family...reveling with friends...sharing love...celebrating light in the darkness. And yet, we often spend more time focused on preparing decorations, food and gifts...than on what we truly desire from the holidays.

So once we've figured out where we want our focus to be...here are a few ways that we can put all the rest of it in proper perspective. Here are a few ideas for an alternative holiday:

-Buy Nothing Christmas :: This doesn't have to mean that there is nothing to give or receive. Maybe gifts are handmade, experience related, from the kitchen, personalized playlists, a story read-aloud, or...
-Hundred Dollar Holiday :: I check this little book out from the library (+ read it) every year.  I haven't quite gotten there, but it gives me a bit of perspective. This could probably be a more honest name for the above...because it allows for a little additional expense for quite a lot of festive fun.  :)
-Advent Conspiracy :: A version of the first two...but the money that usually would have been spent on Christmas gets donated toward building clean water wells in communities that still lack access to clean water. This access changes people's lives in so many ways...increased education, health, and well-being. This concept could of course be adapted to serve any chosen project, but clean water is the most basic of human needs. This option could be especially great for extended family.
-Christmas is for giving, not getting :: This is the one that I wish I would have come to sooner, because...it keeps Christmas in true perspective...and think of all the fun there is to be had as a family! 

And here are a few more...alternative-light...ways to get some perspective:
-Something they want, something they need, + an experience to share :: Great guideline for parents thinking about gifts for their children. The budget is versatile. That experience could be a swapped board game, movie tickets, an afternoon at an indoor pool, or...
-Set a (smallish) dollar limit/(small) gift number limit for each child
-Experiences + consumables only :: Experiences can get pricey, but they don't have to be. Get creative. 

The pictured print (by Jordan Grace Owens) sits in the spot where I spend time reading my Bible, praying, and being quiet + open to what God has for me each morning. It reminds me of my focus then...and it seemed fitting here to remind me of what I want to bow to...consumerism, stress, debt, busyness, + stuff...or love, compassion, reverence, gratitude, + joy.

What are some of the ways you keep Christmas in perspective? I would truly love to hear!

Love,
Jane

The holidays are on the horizon + before the mood turns toward shopping, let's consider improvising. Entertaining is a tricky topic, because it looks different for all of us. For some of us entertaining is sporadic, and borrowing or just making do is practical. For others of us it is a regular practice, so having a little arsenal of items on hand may be a better option. (We'll try to keep the emphasis on little... + do as much double duty thinking as possible.) I'll do my best to offer some ideas to spark some further individual thought.  :)

If we are entertaining in a smaller space, numbers matter...especially as the temperature dip making outdoor spaces uninhabitable. Consider saving larger scale get-togethers for warmer weather, when they can be held potluck style at a park. Each family can bring their own table service, lawn chairs, and a dish + dessert to pass. At a certain point in my extended family's growth, we started gathering in a park on Labor Day for my grandma's birthday rather than at one family's home for Christmas. This had the added benefits of taking the focus off gifts (except for Grandma) + taking some stress off of the holiday season. Another option might be to get together with far away friends/family at a third location + camp or rent an Airbnb together...whether at the holidays or at another time of year. 

Ok, so now we may be thinking about less people as well as less extra entertaining "stuff". This "stuff" mostly pertains to eating...and if there are overnight guests, also to sleeping + grooming.

When it comes to food, consider ::
-borrowing :: any extra plates, silverware, or serving ware needed :: alternatively keep 12 (or appropriate number) salad sized plates + make do (no paper plates)
-using jars as drink ware :: Bonne Mama or Mason jars work well for us + we always have plenty on hand (no plastic cups)
-serving what is easy to serve :: if we don't want to keep 12 mugs, maybe serve apple cider instead of coffee :: if we don't want to keep 12 bowls, maybe don't serve soup...or serve it in wide-mouthed Weck or Ball jars that can serve other purposes in daily life :: if we don't want to keep a roasting pan just to use it once a year, maybe make shepherd's pie or lasagna the new tradition
-potluck :: not only does this decrease prep work, but the amount of dishes + platters needed :: decreases costs + allows everyone to contribute + participate
-using the counter or dining table as a buffet :: (no extra long table or extra dining chairs necessary)
-doing a dessert buffet, hors d'ouerves, cheese board, or some combination to decrease whole meal expectations + preparation
-thrifting a table cloth + ripping it into a bunch of reusable napkins :: pull the loose strands + leave the fringed edges (or sew the edges, if you like) (no paper napkins)
-stackable stools, if extra seating is necessary :: they can be used as bedside or coffee tables in daily life (or can be packed away compactly) (folding chairs can be compact too)
-bringing an outdoor table in for extra seating + covering both tables with table cloths for a more uniform look

Overnight guests often require some additional stuff. Providing an extra space to sleep along with a bit of privacy can get tricky. Some of us have extra blankets + bedding, but this may not be the case when we are really trying to live light. After each of our moves overseas, we didn't have extra bedding or towels for guests. We were able to borrow a mattress + bedding when we lived in London. Back in the States, we have used our camping air mattress for guests. Since we are all in need of bedding + towels at the same time, it can be tricky to improvise. (We've done that too, but I won't expand upon it.)  :)

Simplifying + improvising may be more about space than stuff in this area. Many of us don't have the desire to heat, cool, clean, maintain, + pay for the extra square footage of a guest bedroom...but it may make sense to dedicate a portion of a closet to a thoughtfully curated collection of guest "stuff" (if we have frequent overnight guests). A few options + alternatives can be found below.

When it comes to bedding, consider ::
-letting camping equipment double as guest bedding...a tent set up on carpet could even offer a little extra privacy or be fun for kids
-borrowing/sharing with family or friends (although this could get complicated around the holidays)
-letting the guest bring their own air mattress + bedding 
-air mattress (es) :: they pack away compactly
-japanese mattress or folding cushions (can be stored in a closet)
-futon/fold-out couch 
-fold up bed frame (above) for those who need a raised bed or for college kids who come home more often
-a folding screen or tension rod + curtain to put up in a doorway without a door :: for privacy
-throw sized pillows :: take up less space + could be used in daily life
​-turkish towels :: take up less space + could be used as a beach towel or throw in daily life

I truly believe that a simple home can offer a lovely, relaxed invitation to come be a part of our uncluttered, relaxed, calm lives. Entertaining, after all, is about enjoying the company of those we love + sharing our most precious gifts of time + presence. Whether we are offering tea + a store bought cookie or a holiday meal, simplicity is beautiful.

Do you have any tips for entertaining with less? Please share!!  :)

Love,
Jane

This is the last week of summer vacation for us. Summer is surely not over, but I want to squeeze as much of it into this week as possible! Here's what's on my simple summer list:

taste ::
-strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, plums, peaches, nectarines, cantaloupe, corn on-the-cob, ice-cream, smoothies, s'mores, iced tea, ginger lemonade, tomatoes, greens...all as close to the source as possible

do ::
-grow a garden + eat its harvest
-watch fireflies
-see fireworks
-marvel at sunsets
-look for shooting stars
-go for lots of morning walks
-visit the farmer's market
-road trip
-picnic
-ride bikes
-make pickles + tomato sauce from the garden
-sit outside at cafes
-read lots of books
​-roast marshmallows
 
smell ::
-flowers on the table
-flowers outside
-camp fires

feel ::
-sand between toes
-waves
-sunshine
-wind in wild hair
-rain
-dirt under fingernails

hear ::
-cicadas
-thunder
-crickets

wear ::
-flip flops
-sunscreen
-swimsuit

What's on your summer list?

Love,
Jane

I don't pretend to be an expert on all teenagers. I have two girls (one no longer a teen!) who are very different + unique...individuals in the best sense. Each teenager is an individual exploring individual interests and that's one of the things that makes them so great! If you are the parent of the teen you are buying for, you know their likes + interests. If you are buying for a teen who doesn't live in your house...well, you might want to ask for some advice from someone who does (if not the recipient her/himself). We've always made wish lists around here, not extremely long ones but helpful, specific ones. I like to add a couple of surprises too.  :)

Zero-waste gift giving to me is a bit less about the amount of packaging that comes with the gift itself (though the best gifts often don't come with much) and more about the appreciation of the gift itself. If something is discarded or just becomes clutter...that is waste. A beautiful scarf knit by hand may be lovely and useful in theory, but if the recipient already has ten scarves or never wears scarves at all...it is waste. Careful thought must go into material gifts whether or not they involve packaging. Appreciation + usefulness of the gift is key.

I read this week about someone who gives each son/daughter one thing that they want, one thing that they need + one experience to share. I like this idea because the experience could be interpretted many different ways + for many different budgets. It could involve a new game or puzzle to play or do together...or it could involve a ballet or ball game...or it could even involve a roadtrip or a trip on a plane. 

Traditions are fun, but they can evolve and morph as time goes by and family dynamics change. Expectations can be changed with conversations and input from everyone.

The holidays don't have to be the pinnacle of the year. Gifts are fun (+ often stressful), but the goal is to provide a little happy glow...not necessarily a fireworks display. This year, we have discussed that I am doing three gifts for each of the girls...a morning gift, a noon gift, and an evening gift. We do stockings too, so there will be three small, inexpensive gifts in each stocking as well.

Here are a few things that I think might be good gifts for teens depending on their interests:

-a piece of clothing they can use (introduce them to a cool, fair, indy brand), or the promise of a shopping trip together (with something specific in mind), including lunch/snack together
-a band t-shirt from a band they love (search the band's website for mercy or go vintage)
-a magazine subscription to a publication they like (bring finished issues along to dentist + doctor appointments to leave in the waiting rooms)
-gift cards to I-tunes, Target, or a favorite coffee shop (or give labeled cash to avoid the plastic)
-Klean Kanteen for avoiding plastic + paper cups +/or taking a favorite drink from home
-money for something they collect or love (the fun of searching for just the right one will be theirs)
-movie passes (either a movie date with you...or not)
-experiences like a yoga class, batting cage, museum, paint-a-plate, skydiving
-a special meal in a fancy (or not so fancy) restaurant
-concert tickets
-gas card, or pay their cell phone bill for a month (I think teens should usually be paying for their own cell phones + gas (or at least be contributing), because then they will know what a gift this is)
-a favorite treat in triplicate...candy, smoothies, chips, Ben + Jerry's, salsa, etc. (maybe or maybe not totally zero-waste, but it's a rare treat...so your choice)
-a three month subscription to a fitness site that they already love
-something a bit luxurious to enhance an interest/hobby...like a beautiful journal + pen(s) for a writer, some gorgeous yarn for a knitter/crocheter, some new sheet music or accessory they've been hinting at for a musician, a new piece of equipment or gear for an athlete, a new lense or polaroid film for a photographer, a sketchbook + watercolors for an artist
-new bedding or a desk or lamp or a framed print, if they've been angling for a room update
-money toward a big ticket item that they are saving up for...a cell phone + plan, a car, + insurance + gas, a computer, a new instrument. (I personally think that it is very important for kids to make a personal investment in these larger items. The rewards of saving + planning ahead are too important to take away completely...but maybe contributing some money toward the goal is appropriate.)
-if you do stocking stuffers: bamboo toothbrush, deoderant, lotion, lipbalm (could be homemade or ingredients to make their own), a special treat or two (we always laughed when we unwrapped things like toothpaste + deodorant growing up, but were grateful not to have to spend our own money on them for a month or two!)

​Love,
Jane

Links above give photo credit.