More Good News for Beating the Blues

Return to Quail Crossings is a finalist in the North Texas Book Awards. Winners announced on April 10th!!

Solo Company and D Therapy

I am a SAHWM, for those not in the Mommyhood crowd that means Stay-at-home working mom. I love both my jobs and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Working from home presents its own problems when trying to avoid getting into a rut. There is a delicate balance of getting work done, while taking care of and nurturing a child. It is easy get so wrapped up in the routine of work and childcare that you find yourself inside for days, only going outside to get from one appointment to another, especially during the winter.

One of the best activities I’ve found to help with ruts is going for a walk outside. Now, I know what you’re saying to your computer. Duh, Jen, we know this … everyone knows this …this is not new information. So here is my secret to making this walk work better for you … walk alone.

That’s right, make your walking time, your time. It’s really nice to walk with your family and friends. I’m not saying never do that. But when you find yourself in a rut a solo walk is the way to go. It will give you time to think about what’s been getting you down and how to remedy it. It will give you time to really focus on you without interruption. I think of it as walking meditation and nothing beats a rut like some Vitamin D therapy.

Good News to Beat the Blues

There is nothing like good news to help you get out of that rut. Return to Quail Crossings is a semi-finalist in the Christian Indie Authors contest for fiction!!

Snow Days and Flower Fairies

Nothing gets us in a rut quite like winter. It's cold and wet and cold and snowy and cold and ... did I mention cold? It's really hard to get motivated to go out in the weather and sometimes, like today, it's impossible. Cabin fever can set in quickly and it's easy to just sit in front of the TV and not move for days.

Today though, Baby Girl and I decided we'd send positive Spring thoughts into the world and make Flower Fairies. I will be the first to admit I spend more time on the computer than I should. Baby Girl is really good at keeping herself entertained and I take full advantage of that. So having a little arts and crafts morning was long over due.

I found the link to these super easy fairies on Pinterest as I was looking for easy book swag my mom could make. Did I mention she's an author of fairy tales? She is.

Anyway, I had everything on hand so we spent an hour and a half making three flower fairies. I spent way too long trying to give these fairies pipe cleaner wings. Trust me they are fine without them. I just told Baby Girl they were invisible wings. She went with it, she's easy-going like that.

Baby Girl picked out the colors and flowers and I put them together.

She then gave them shoes and bracelets made of pony beads.

Here is Tulip, our first fairy. Even though the website warned me the black sharpie would run on the wooden head bead, I didn't listen. Let's just say she has big eyes. They're not creepy, really.

Here is Daisy, much better face and I love her curly, wild hair.

Daffodil is probably my favorite. I just find her pretty.

I think it's safe to say Baby Girl enjoyed herself.

And that she loves all her fairies (they're actually napping with her now).

We even found a place for them to sleep in her room.

Want to make your own fairies? You'll find the directions over at Pink and Green Mama.
And if you're looking for some brand new fairy tales to share with your own family, check out C. L. Collar's book of fairy tales and fairy poems, Finding Fey.