The busy post you've been waiting for...

You'll be happy to know I've done some self analysis.

A few months ago I made the broad statement that I don't like reading other people's blog posts about being busy.

I had no idea the public outcry would be so deafening.

Okay, I mildly offended two loyal followers (also frequent blog posters about being busy).

My self analysis uncovered some deep-seeded issues about my own lameness. You see, when I am reading someone's blog about how busy she is, I feel lame because 1) I haven't done nearly as many bloggable, cool, rad, things, 2) I haven't taken any pictures of lately, and 3) I am sitting there reading the blog, so I must not be busy and, i.e, lame.

Self doubt isn't a pretty attribute, especially when God's given me a purpose.

Feeling lame about what I lack, whether in coolness, radness, style, poeticism (thank you spell-check), and funniness, isn't productive.... or grateful. God's so good to me and my blessings abound.

My life is full, busy or not, with blessings.

Check out these two. A hoot and completely uncooperative during a recent photoshoot.

Mandy isn't thrilled with Emma's breath. I'm sure her own was fresh and perky.

The days fly by and these kids keep me hopping, laughing, doing laundry, preparing snacks and meals, running the dishwasher, and sweeping up endless crazy messes.

We spend a lot of time outside, tending the garden, watching zucchini grow before our very eyes. Last year our garden did poorly so I went a little crazy this year and planted way too much of everything. We have tomatoes, corn, potatoes, zucchini, crookneck, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, lettuce, cucumber, and herbs. Keep your door locked, I'm coming over with my surplus.

We planted about 40 feet of wildflowers from a seed packet.

It was a great idea because the girls ask me every day if they can make a bouquet. 

They pick flowers and create to their hearts content and I don't worry about them wrecking any of my plants -- there are plenty to choose from!

When I get a few minutes here and there,

I haven't been blogging. You might have noticed.

[Tap, tap, tap] Is this thing on?

It has fallen to the bottom of my priorities. Priorities being:

1) kids, house, finding hungry farmers (one in particular) to have meals with every day.

2) preparing for a wedding I am shooting in a few weeks and another one at the end of October. I recently bought a flash, stand, and umbrella and am setting up a home studio. Also, taking training courses from KelbyTraining.com, awesome fun stuff!

3) getting ready for homeschooling. The catch-all office needs some major reorganizing to make it functional for a first grader, preschooler, and mischievous toddler... oh, and me too. I got a bunch of the books I ordered in the mail and am excitedly planning the school year. We'll be doing a co-op once a week and have tons and tons to help us learn and have fun with My Father's World curriculum.

4) canning is in full swing. I'm currently working on jams. Along with a bunch of successful jars, I managed to scorch a batch and ruin it while multi-tasking. The plus side is that I completed the curtains for the basement in the process. Down side, 9 cups of berries on the compost pile. Next up are tomatoes, pears, and apple sauce. I really want to make salsa this year too.

5) Drops. I am constantly amazed at how having the accountability of writing for Drops is growing my faith. When it would be so easy to forget time with God, I'm prompted by this responsibility. Sharing my journey with other moms is convicting, compelling, encouraging, and frightfully humbling. 

Andrea and I are coming up on a year of writing for our Drops of Living Water blog. We have a loyal group of readers and God's goodness constantly amazes us. We are hoping to bring on regular contributors this year and are excited about where God will take this effort.

This is life as we know it. What a "busy" post, right? Thanks for baring with me through sporadic posting. I'll be back when I catch another few minutes of free time. :)

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Notes to Self

It's hard for me to believe that summer is slowly coming to an end... I feel like it just started here in Portland, OR! But as summer undoubtedly fades, I am trying to get in all my last bits of summer dressing before it's all sweaters and boots again. Here are a few looks inspiring me in these last warm days...



White summer dresses and bike rides (via Glam Canyon):





Light summer layers - because it's always cold in the air-conditioned indoors... and love her Alexander Wang bag! (via The SF Style):





Denim shirts with bare legs (via The SF Style):

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My Summer Essentials: Alyson of Unruly Things

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Our last contributor and fellow new mama is my friend - Alyson of Unruly Things:





hi everyone! this is Alyson from Unruly Things. I'm excited to fill in here with a few of my summer essentials while Roberta is off enjoying some blissful time with her sweet, sweet baby boy. I also just had a baby boy back in May, so my summer has revolved around being cute and comfortable, yet accommodating to baby.



racerback tanks - my summer wardrobe has pretty much been breezy tanks and cutoff denim shorts. I love the bright colors of these tanks from Madewell.



a colorful baby wrap - I'm typically drawn to solid colors and most often black. however, since my boy was born, I've been feeling like being more vibrant! I love the look of these wraps from EllaRoo.



stud earrings - since I've been doing a lot of baby wearing, necklaces have been out of the question. I like to dress up my summer outfits with sparkly studs.



a catch all bag - I recently purchased a giant vintage woven bag and I'm obsessed. I can fit just about anything I'll need for a summer outing – for me and for baby! Read More.. Read More..

Successful Adventures [with kids]

I used to think I knew a thing or two about adventure.

Europe beckoned with just a backpack full of supplies and my passport.

A solo road trip half way across Canada with a van seat that folded into a bed.

Plane rides to California for a tiny paycheck and a fantastic suntan in return.

Then I had children and the word "adventure" took on a whole new meaning.

I had so many occasions when my highest hopes for a good outing turned into a tearful, messy, cranky disaster.

Whether it is a trip to Disneyland, a simple errand to the mall, or picking blackberries on the back forty,

is it possible to have a successful adventure with children?

After a successful adventure recently, I pondered what worked.

Why did this trip get 5 stars while others rated "WORST EVER"?

1. Realistic expectations. This doesn't mean "low" expectations, just that we as parents know our children. I imagine realistically the potential outing/adventure, not the glossy catalog version where birds always chirp, sun always shines, children never get dirty, and heaven forbid they never throw fits!  

What are the worst possible scenarios and the best possible? Somewhere in between is where life will probably land. I give my best guess to the children's reactions and plan accordingly. For example, my toddler doesn't do the library very well. Hoping to spend a few hours there calmly looking at books is completely unrealistic. In a few years, yes, but for now our library trips are short.

2. Wise planning. How many times have I had a horrible experience just to think back and realize it was all my fault? We left too late, I didn't have enough supplies, a toddler missed a nap, everyone's hungry.... Good planning covers a lot of "what ifs." Times, locations, protein-filled snacks, changes of clothes, Costco size box of diaper wipes, the list goes on. Spontaneous adventures are still completely doable, the planning just has to go faster.

This might be the time to tell the story about last year's hiking adventure where both me and my child's father forgot Mandy's shoes. She had to be carried 3 miles. Poor planning.

3. Communication. I talk a lot to my kids about the upcoming outing. I try not to tell them too far in advance if it something that could fall through or is weather dependent. But just before and as we are going on our adventure, I talk about what it will be like, how I expect them to behave, consequences if they misbehave, and things to look forward to during the day. Toddler or school age, they are all in on the conversation. I learned this parenting tool from a book called Raising Your Spirited Child. I was trying to deal with my firstborn's horrible tantrums every time we transitioned from one activity to the next. The author pointed out that children freak out at the unknown. Spelling out what is going on and what is expected of them helps calm.

I try not to use bribes. Do they ever work very well anyway? If you promise something like ice cream if everyone is good today, what happens when one acts good, but the others do not? Or best yet, the bribes for things you really don't want to take away... "If you don't start acting better, we aren't going to Enchanted Forest." Ya, right. It's better to communicate expectations and reward appropriately. Never underestimate the power of praise!

4. A good attitude. If mama 'aint happy, 'aint nobody happy. My mood has a powerful impact on my family, especially on an adventure. My children LOVE going on outings with me. You should hear their excitement when I announce we are going to Gilbert House, OMSI, a day at the beach, or simply picking blackberries at the barn. All that fun quickly fades when I start acting grouchy, snapping at them, and getting irritated over little things. When I start acting like everything is an emergency.

I heard a quote that went something like this, "Children should know joy today, anticipate joy tomorrow, and remember joy from yesterday." As a parent, it is fully in my hands how my children view life. Is it negative or positive? 

Do I sweat the small stuff and get angry or count blessings and praise God for His goodness?

We had a good adventure picking blackberries. I kept it short and didn't try to do too much (I was tempted).

I had to carry Rem back home because he was tired and cranky.

I thought about this post that was already written in my mind.... this was poor planning, I thought and longed for a stroller or backpack.

We all live and learn, don't we!

How I wish there was some kind of graduate program to earn degrees in parenting.

"Yes, I'm working on my Masters in Adventures with Children. Yes, it is challenging, but I get lot of practice"

It was blackberry ice cream when we got home 

(4 cups ice, 1 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla, and berries in the blender for a minute).

When I think back on all the adventures I've had with my kids, the successful ones required realistic expectations, good planning, lots of communication, and fantastic attitudes (this isn't an emergency!).

What are your greatest memories of adventures with kids?

I love reading your comments.

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My Summer Essentials: Anabela of Fieldguided

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Next up we have the ever-amazing Anabela of Fieldguided:





1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren

I decided to try orange lipstick finally and while I've picked up a few pricier orange lipsticks that I love (MAC's Morange and Lipstick Queen's Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Genre), my ultimate favourite is this very inexpensive lipstick from the drugstore. It's the perfect shade of orange, and while it doesn't have the staying power of other lipsticks, it goes on really nicely.

(can be purchased at any drugstore, or here.



2. Dace Juniper top

This blouse is so perfect. Loose fit, gauzy cotton fabric, cute colour & details (I love the peach stripe down the front and buttons in back). Really easy, which is what I like best in summer when I basically wear glorified pyjamas for three months straight. I prefer it to a t-shirt because it offers a little more structure than jersey.



3. Filippa K Dina Cork Wedge in tan

These were my "fancy shoes" purchase for the summer. They're described as "tan" but they're a little closer to pink. They're lightweight and comfortable and I feel really great when I wear them.



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My Summer Essentials: Jamie of A Desert Fete

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. I am very excitied to have this next blogger and fellow new mama share her essentials - Jamie of A Desert Fete.





01: umbrella

02: tank

03: bra



Hello Campers!



Jamie, from A Desert Fete, here. As Roberta's will soon be (YAY!) my summer has been baby, baby, baby. I can't talk about this summer's essentials without acknowledging how the baby has changed what is essential! Hopefully you might like these even if your summer isn't so one minded.



First off; a fine parasol or umbrella is so handy. We love walking around the neighborhood with baby in one of his carriers. He likes to look out at the world around him, but hates the sun in his eyes (and on his precious new skin.) So mama and baby keep shaded in style!



I have been living in slouchy tank tops. Let's face it, a brand new mom generally has no need for a figure hugging top. But we still want to look cute, stay cool, and be comfy, natch.



And forget wearing a bulky ole nursing bra under one of these breezy tanks, pick up a 3 pack of American Apparel's bandeau type bras. They offer pretty comfortable support, easy access for nursing, and they can be fully visible under a way oversized tank without it really looking like a bra, you know?



Hope you all are enjoying my favorite season of the year! Read More.. Read More..

Summer is when laziness finds respectability.

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."

(Sam Keen)

"Lazy" isn't a word used to describe a farm family's summer, usually.

My hardworking man is currently combining and 

just finished harvesting grass seed, now on to wheat.

The work keeps him out late and we catch moments of time with him for 

lunches and dinners when we find him in the fields.

There are so many pluses to farm life, that I put a piece of duct-tape over my mouth 

when I want to utter a complaint about the long hours.

Even with the duct-tape, the solo parenting still gets to my normally stellar attitude 

and I was in need of a break!

The kids and I took off for a week to glimpse laziness at the camp where my parents work.

With a pool, lake, dining hall, and grandparents with flexible working schedules,

it proved to be the perfect place to relax.

My sister also spent the week at camp, actually camping in a tent trailer

while I stayed at my parents.

The older kids (Emma and Benton, along with 2 of Ben's friends)

went to daycamp during the week.

Mandy and Nano and Rem had a great time playing together.

There isn't too much laziness allowed with active children around.

Should we play at the pool, lake, or one of the playgrounds? became the biggest question of the day.

My children don't have the "fear of water" gene, so Rem wore a life jacket for 90% of our visit.

Occationally he would pull on that horrible leg strap with a look of disdain (wouldn't you?). 

Then he would go on playing.

Along with Rem's cheerful play, here is a portion of my leg 

so you can see I am making an effort to tan.

I'm so thankful for my parents who took time off to hang out with us.

They are as busy as farmers in the summer, but were around enough for us to get thoroughly spoiled.

My baby decided to choose this week to shed any traces of baby-hood.

He learned how to crawl out of the pack n' play the first day and rebelled against naps after that.

He also learned how to drink from a big cup, jump, walk backwards, 

and say "cheese".... just not all at the same time -- he has his limits.

I've never, ever told my kids to say "cheese" to get a smile.

Yet Rem was still going around with this strange smile saying the never-ending version of "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze."

So cute. I admit it.

Emma and Ben had such a good time at camp.

I was curious to see how Emma would like it since she has never been away from me for that long.

She found some hidden extrovert gene I didn't know she had and participated 

with the other kids like a pro. She did swim lessons, crafts, Bible stories, 

and went on a field trip to Northwest Trek.

Probably helps to have a cousin like this to hang out with!

Rem's favorite person is Daddy, but without him around, 

Grandpa became a reasonable substitute

The vacation was a great idea.

We are refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of the summer.

The farmer-man missed us too, working even longer hours. 

He's happy to have happy people to come home to!

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My Summer Essentials: Sophie of Sunken Treasure

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. Next up, we have another talented jewelry designer and blogger - Sophie of Sunken Treasure:





This perfume of the brand "Clean" speaks for itself: a perfect breezy and light summers day perfume. Waisted shorts are crucial in your summer wardrobe/ suitcase, the bright coral works perfectly with a basic sober top. Finish this outfit with these glamorous sandals.



Sandro grey jersey top, Filippa-K sandals, Clean perfume "Summer escape", H&M Bright coral jeans short. Read More.. Read More..

My Summer Essentials: Jennifer of Odette NY

While I am spending a little more time staring at my sweet new baby boy, I've asked a handful of my favorite bloggers to share with you their style must-haves for Summer. First up, we have the very talented Jennifer - designer of Odette NY jewelry:





A large-scale necklace: Odette Amuletum Necklace

In the summer when when less clothing is worn, I tend to go bigger with jewelry. Plus, I designed this collection to work well with summer necklines.



A scarf/wrap/picnic blanket/sarong: Ermie Ave. 51 Scarf

When I met Jennifer Parry Dodge earlier this year, she was wearing this beautiful scarf from a print she designed and I knew I had to have it. It proved to be an incredibly versatile piece on my trip; worn as a scarf, a wrap on the airplane, an impromptu picnic blanket, and a sarong on the beach. Here it is, worn as a wrap during a Santorini sunset.



A summer scent: MCMC Fragrances Love Perfume

Ever since my studio mate Anne gave me a preview of her new fragrance Love, I've been so in love with it, I've worn it every day. With top notes of yuzu citrus, basil, and magnolia, I'm obsessed!



A sundress: Whit Urchin Dress

Brooklyn is hot in the summer time so my daily attire is generally as follows: sandals, large scale necklace, and a sundress.



Leather sandals: Greek Sandals

I bought these leather sandals at the Monastiraki market in Athens on a recent trip to Greece. The color is a natural untanned leather that deepens into a golden tan over time. The best part is that they are not terribly expensive. Here they are at Shell Beach on Shelter Island. Read More.. Read More..

Hello!

Hi there! I am very very happy to report that our little guy, Wylie, arrived 17 whole days ago on July 15th. He's absolutely perfect and we are enjoying every single second of getting to know him.

I have lots in store for Camp Comfort, but I am going to spend a little more time baby-mooning with the husband and boy. In the meantime, I have asked a few of my favorite bloggers to share with you their Summer Essentials - the few style related items they cannot live without this summer. So, to get things started - Here are my Top 3 Summer Essentials:


Clog Sandals: This summer I purchased the Low Braided Clog from Swedish Hasbeens. I am loving the low heel for everyday wear (photo by moi).


Denim Shorts: Cut-Off, Cuffed, Light, Dark, Colors. Paired back to a lightweight button-down or a slouchy tee = my go-to summer look (via Levis, Madewell, Joe's).


Topknot: Essential to keeping long hair off the neck on sweltering days, enough said (via WhoWhatWear).

Check back this week for more blogger Summer Essentials! Read More.. Read More..