freelance work: sip-t

I am still the kind of freelance writer who gets paid in resume filler instead of dolla-dollas (money).  But, writing is my passion.  I use this blog as a platform for refining my craft and an outlet for expression.  I also write for a few local publications – one of which pays me in coupons for food at the local co-op (yay for free food!) and the other that’s just a pretty magazine and good exposure for my name.

My latest contribution to the local, and pretty, magazine – Bellingham Alive – is about an awesome local company, Sip-T.  The company makes, blends and packages artisan teas sourced from mainly local and organic ingredients.  Sip-T is run by a mother-daughter duo and is innovative in so many ways, from the tea blends to the packaging.

a blessing for today

Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where
you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are
born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have
received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be
content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into
your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and
love. It is there for each and every one of us.

~Author Unknown

purrfect play: the best for your pet (review & giveaway)

They say that a human year is the equivalent of seven dog years.  If I plug the numbers in correctly and do a bit of mental math, that means our old boy, Tucker, is indeed just that.  Old.  He’ll be celebrating his 84^th birthday this coming March.  He naps a bit more than he did when he was young and spry and his hip displaysia is taking its toll when he tackles a long hike or the foot of snow that’s outside our door right now.  His love of life hasn’t diminished and he is still very much a “momma’s boy” through and through.  He is adjusting to the arrival of Camden MUCH better than he handled Beckett’s arrival.  It appears that he is resigned to tolerating small children because they bring oodles of table droppings, snackies at his mouth’s height and extra walks because of stroller time.  His only resentment seems to be the lack of sleep he is getting because of the midnight, 3:00am and 6:00am feedings he is “required” to attend.

Tucker is a huge part of our life and I make a point to let him know that he’s still special even though we’re being pulled in more and more directions all.the.time.  I’ve talked about dog toys on this blog before and I really value innovative toys that are made from quality materials, particularly organic, that stand up to the brutal love use beatings that my 85-pound bruiser puts them through.  And, my latest find is Purrfect Play toys.

stripping cloth diapers in a front loader

I have been cloth diapering since Beckett was a wee one and thought I had things figured out. I have found the diapers I like, my local source for everything cloth diaper, the detergent that works for our washer and hard water and the methods for stain treating that I rely on. But, I was catching up on my reader a few weeks ago and ran across the term “stripping” for cloth diapers. My reaction was “huh?”.

The blogger was struggling with a diaper rash that wouldn’t go away and a yellow dinginess that lingered on the clean diapers. She finally resolved this by stripping the diapers – the first time she’d done so after using the same diapers for four children. The only problem I noted with the blog was that she had a top loader washing machine. I have a beautifully shiny, oh-so-wonderful front loader that holds umpteen pieces of clothing, works miracles with stains and is blissfully quiet in a very raucous house. But, it’s not always the right machine for the job. The first time I learned this was when I attempted to wet felt a knitted project. Long story short – it took FOR.EV.ER. And, apparently stripping cloth diapers is another ill fit for a front loader.

a giving heart

A few weeks ago, Beckett found a scarf at the consignment store that she loved.  It was pink, frilly and sparkly – three things she adores.  I told her that she could buy it with her own money if she wanted.  She immediately went home, opened up the piggy bank (which was coincidentally overflowing) and began to count out coins.  We made three piles of equal amounts: “to share”, “to spend” and “to save”.

$2.70 went into her savings account.  $2.70 was in hand and counted out by Beckett herself at the consignment store to purchase her scarf.  And, we donated $2.70 to the charity her choice.

bottle baby: green sprouts (review & giveaway)

This was a post that I had not intended to write for at least a few more months, but, oddly enough, I could have written it long ago.  My intention throughout my pregnancy with Camden and even after her birth was to nurse.  I didn’t think we’d have a constant stream of bottles, nipples and all the attachments parading through our sink, dishwasher and drainer.  And, I didn’t think I’d be filling our freezer with ample supplies of milk because the supply far exceeds demand at this point.  But, since I did spend most of my pregnancy operating in a maniacal state of “Just in case” we were stocked and ready for almost any situation.

Green Sprouts is a company that I have featured on the blog before because they embody so many of the characteristics I look for in products. 

organic farming: sustainable & doing it right

A great research-based article about organic vs conventional farming and how organic is sustainable and affordable in the long term.  I love it when the numbers all add up.  Enjoy!

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Study+debunks+myths+organic+farms/5462520/story.html

giveaway update

I had so many plans for the last three months.  They involved plenty of sleep, easy-peasy transitions to running errands with TWO small children overlooking the fact that I can hardly handle one, a massive stocking to be knit and completed before December 25th and oodles of giveaways on this blog.

I am working in the plenty decent barely adequate territory of sleep now and have ventured out on multiple occasions outnumbered by children, but Camden did require a hand-me-down stocking for Santa’s goodies and then there is still the lack of giveaways.  I considered doing a Green Gift Guide, but neglected to get it started by December 1^st, then thought of the “12 Days of Christmas” but missed my starting point of December 12^th and finally opted to kick off the new year with goodies galore!

Here’s to a very Happy 2012 from the Sacred Bee’s Blog to you!

Ready for the first giveaway… click here!

honeybee gardens: a natural beauty (review & giveaway)

I am pretty low maintenance as far as beautifying goes.  My makeup shelf is very small portion of our medicine cabinet and contains only three items: mascara for everyday use, a foundation/moisturizer/sunscreen combo for dry, blotchy skin that works yearround and two tinted lip moisturizers that offer a bit of a pick-me-up color.  I will admit that right now the basic needs of my children take precedence over primping and preening.

Being of fair skin and blondish-hair, I tend to look half asleep if I don’t add just a bit of color to my face.  My blue eyes are nearly lost amongst the wispy, barely-there eyelashes if I don’t do something, anything, to bring attention to them.  Eyeliner and eyeshadow require too much time, but mascara is just up my alley.  It is the single item that turns my entire face from a bleh-groggy-sleepyhead into a somewhat-awake hovering on lively flower.  If I do nothing else, be it get out of my pajamas, eat a full meal, fold the laundry or pay a bill – I make time for a swipe of mascara.  I become a woman and not just a mother.  And, even if my body is wailing for sleep, my face appears awake, which in turns helps me feel the same.

Happy New Year

Wishing all of you a blessed year full of love, prosperity, peace and joy.

From our home to yours – Happy New Year!