A Simple Haven | Homemaking with Intention, Beauty, and Mirth

Simple, Natural Cleaning

by: Jenn on May 22, 2013 in Haven with 1 Comment

ver the last year, I’ve slowly been phasing out my old cleaning products in favor of more natural/eco-friendly/less-deadly/whatever-you-want-to-call-them ones.

Motivated by a combination of cost and health factors (crawling babies gnawing fingers covered in floor cleaner much?), it’s been a journey full of vinegar, baking soda, and skeptical glances from visiting family members. Continue Reading…

A Playlist for Everything: An Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

by: Jenn on May 20, 2013 in Intentional Living with 6 Comments

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round the time the babies are waking up from their naps, I realize dinner is not going to make itself, volcanoes of toys have erupted throughout the house, and everyone needs a snack–immediately.

Yes, those last couple of hours before Daddy comes to the rescue are probably the most challenging of the day. Everyone suddenly seems to desperately need Mommy and Mommy just needs to cook the flipping potatoes. Continue Reading…

10 Things Potty Training Has Taught Me About Life

by: Jenn on May 17, 2013 in Musings with 10 Comments

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f there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mommy, it’s that there is no shortage of life lessons to be learned in the midst of mundane tasks like feeding, clothing, and cleaning children.

In fact, it’s probably in most humbling of jobs that the more profound truths are to be found. (See #3 below).

Garage Sale Easel Re-Do

by: Jenn on May 15, 2013 in Handmade with 2 Comments

hile we’re on the topic of garage sales, one of my favorite finds is an easel I found last year for Bun. Originally unfinished and having only a dry-erase board (dry-erase markers are not my medium of choice for 2 year-olds–you?), I saw not what it was, but what it could be with a little stain and chalkboard paint.

That sounds like some kind of life–or at least decorating–motto: “I saw not what it was, but what it could be…” Continue Reading…

Country Drives: Simple and Soul-Filling

by: Jenn on May 13, 2013 in Intentional Living with 2 Comments

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hat to do when you’ve been sick off and on for a month, the babies are stir-crazy, and spring hasn’t quite sprung? Pack up the wee ones (if applicable) and some snacks and go on a country drive.

Or a city drive. But preferably a country drive. Continue Reading…