Sweet stuff for Spring

I'm off for the weekend with my family for our first backpacking trip of the season. Now that I've tasted camping for real - in the woods, no cars and no running water (except the stream) I don't know that I want to go back to campground camping. We're re-visiting Gentian Pond to get us back into the groove. Now, that's what I call sweet. 

You might enjoy some of this sweet stuff while I'm off peeing in the woods and snuggled in my sleeping bag.

Mama Speak

• Changing Lives One Laundry Load at a Time at Small Notebook.
• Come Home to your Children, a book review at Birth at Miracle. My friend Naomi reviews a couple books that help families live on one income.
• Get Outdoors Challenge Day Three at The Loving Path. Debbie has been posting how her and her son are getting outdoors everyday for the challenge hosted at 5 Orange Potatoes. This particular post was so cute... and muddy.
• On a related note, Scientists give grubby children a clean bill of health @ guardian.co.uk. I knew all along that having children on the grubbier side of clean was a good thing.
• Gratitude at infinite learners (or is it infinitely learning?). This post was a good reminder for me to let go of my expectations for perfect and appreciate what's around me.

Homeschool

• The One Thing Principle at Brave Writer, found via Handmade Homeschool. Could it really be so simple?
• Speaking of Handmade Homeschool, Sarah gives us all a permission slip to basically re-evaluate and enjoy our homsechool experience (in case you need reminding).
• Get your kids creating at Clean. I've been very excited to share Rachel's post with you all. I think it's excellent and it's what I would say to anyone asking me a similar question.
• Nature Journaling (tutorial) at Daffodil Lane. Shawn makes this look so easy and beautiful. (stay tuned for a giveaway of one of these little handmade journals)
• Frugal Homeschool at Simple, Green, Frugal Co-Op. Homeschooling need not cost much, especially when kiddos are little.
• Making a One Sheet Book (tutorial) (super easy book making) at Old Recipe for a New World. The kids are busy making these as I type.
• Creating and Preserving Life Margins by Stefani at Simple Homeschool. This is where homeschooling really shines - in the way we can craft our time to suit our family's needs vs. the demands of external pressures.
• Peter's Spring Break Interview at Yarns of the Heart. An unschooled graduate attending college answers homeschooling parents most pressing questions. An excellent read for those of us wondering "is this really going to work?".

Creative Homestead

• On Composting Toilets and Humanure at Organic Sister. Composting toilets - I want one.
• Spring Cleaning: Saving on the High Cost of Storage at Small Notebook. Message to me: just get rid of it already.
• Chalk board pantry door (tutorial) at Creative Kismet. How clever and easy. Too bad I don't have a flat pantry door.
• Simplify your medicine cabinet at New Urban Habitat.
• Pay More, Eat Less: An Important Truth to Eating Naturally on a Budget at Passionate Homemaking. Good food costs money, eat less.

Beyond my Back Yard

• Affluenza and the loss of community at Simple Savvy, "the more we consume, the less we feel a sense of community".
• Are we abnormal? at One Green Generation. Abnormal or normal, it's all a matter of perspective.
• The Great Fear at The Path Less Pedaled. There is always something to be afraid of. Don't let that stop you.

Enjoy your weekend. Hope you all have a sweet one with your family & friends.