After a long, hot summer, we finally had a truly chilly morning a few days ago. Though it was still dark, I stepped outside with my coffee to take it in. I stepped to the edge of the porch and poked at the crisp grass with my foot. This brought to mind how, in response to someone who has become a little detached from reality, folks will … [Read more...] about Go Touch Grass! It’s Good for Your Health
Reflecting on Life
Favorite Fall Posts and an Update on Site Upgrades
A couple of weeks ago we had a cold front blow through. We woke to temperatures in the 60s. I was thrilled! I knew our daytime highs would soon be back in the 90s, so I resisted the urge to don a sweater and sit beneath a blanket while consuming a warm pumpkin-flavored beverage. However, I did put my fall wreath on our front door! Last … [Read more...] about Favorite Fall Posts and an Update on Site Upgrades
14 Children’s Books About Gratitude
We are so grateful for our local library! We borrow dozens of books each week. Because we are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday, this week we picked up numerous books about gratitude. Gratitude can be a difficult concept for young kids to grasp. Books are a great way to introduce the concept because they explain it in a variety of … [Read more...] about 14 Children’s Books About Gratitude
Step Back and Look from Another Angle
We have a bottom-freezer fridge in our kitchen. At the top of the freezer there is a shallow drawer, and at the bottom is a large bin. The space between the two is minimal. Because the freezer was a bit full (or pretty disorganized so it seemed full), I managed to accidentally push an ice pack over the back edge of the bin, leaving it stuck at … [Read more...] about Step Back and Look from Another Angle
Under Construction: Please Excuse the Mess
I’ve been writing posts here on Of The Hearth for over a decade. So much has changed during that time! This is true in my personal life, of course, but it is also true in terms of technology and current events. For this website to remain useful to you, I need to make some updates. I’ve been working on a few of these behind the scenes, … [Read more...] about Under Construction: Please Excuse the Mess
Finally Fall
We recently drove up to our new house in our new city. When we woke the day after arriving, we were greeted by temperatures in the 50s and movers pulling up to the curb with a truck loaded with nearly all our earthly possessions. I don’t know which I was more excited to see! Having just come through the hottest summer of my life (nearly … [Read more...] about Finally Fall
A Gentle Response
Have you ever noticed how kids often mirror their parents? In addition to sharing genetic similarities to their biological parents, kids reflect the behaviors, language, gestures, and interests of their parents. I see this all the time with my kids! A recent example is the way in which my oldest child addressed my middle child when they … [Read more...] about A Gentle Response
2022 Year in Review
My husband asked me a couple of days ago if I’d ordered a new calendar to replace the 2022 version that is hanging on the front of our fridge. I hadn’t ordered one yet, but his question reminded me that—ready or not—2023 is about to begin! As we start this new year, I’m taking a moment to reflect on 2022. Winter I began the year by … [Read more...] about 2022 Year in Review
