Naps for everyone!

I knew it! Napping is not just wonderfully pleasant but it's actually good for my brain (and yours, too). Here's the article with the research to prove it. All the more reason to hunker down for a quick afternoon snooze. 

Slow haircuts in the field

I've been cutting my own hair for years. The last time I got it cut by anyone was when I was pregnant with my now 11 year old. Worst haircut ever. 8 months pregnant, $60.00 poorer, I cried the whole walk home.

Just last week I let my now 11 year old cut my hair. She did a pretty nice job. And felt totally comfortable with the act too. It's a little more shaggish than I usually do but I can work with that. I just love that she will feel comfortable with the act of cutting hair and will know that if you've got scissors, you can cut your hair. No big deal

I had my scissors on our camp out a few weeks ago. I cut my friend's hair - I've been cutting his hair for years. He calls it his "Berna-do". While I cut his hair in the sunshine, we came up with the idea for a new business, Nature Cuts. Park your barber chair in a beautiful setting - in this case in a field overlooking the river just this side of a granite cliff. Total goodness.

I think this qualifies as slow living. Without a doubt.

We're dreaming of a slow Christmas

I know it looks like a sweat shop but really it's a bunch of mamas getting crafty for the holidays in the Ramonster World Headquarters, home of the Future Craft Collective.

Lots of folks freak out at this time of year as Thanksgiving draws near and Christmas comes trotting quickly behind. So much pressure and obligation to do it according to some one else's dictate. Some folks though decide that rather than freaking-out they can make the holidays exactly what they want they want them to be.

If you want to gather and discuss ways to make the holidays your own and leave the obligatory hustle and bustle out of it, check out our class being offered next week. We're dreaming of a SLOW Christmas.

Free range kids?

There's one mom in NYC that's started an entire movement called Free Range Kids. It's in the face of fear-based parenting and she's taking the reins and letting her kids out of her sight and letting life itself serve as the lesson sometimes.

I think kids appreciate a little space now and again.

What do you think?

Total Goodness

Here's Bernadette and I with six of our dearest friends. This picture was taken last weekend on our camping trip.  All of these beautiful women are slow family mamas and brilliant creatives as well. If you have a few minutes, grab a cup of tea, kick back and peruse their fabulous websites and blogs. From left to right: Kathie Sever, Bernadette Noll, me, Barbara Frisbie, Shannon Lowry,  Liz Garton Scanlon, Lynn Hoare, Sarah Bork Hamilton. 

I sure do love these lovelies.

Worth Repeating

The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.  -Joseph Campbell

When do you feel like your heartbeat matches the beat of the universe? 

Top Ten Reasons to Go to Park Day

Slow Family Movement Park day is this weekend Sunday 11/16 2-4 p.m. at Austin's Butler park near Town Lake and the Long Center.

1. Connect with your family
2. Spend time outside
3. Connect with other families
4. Walk the labyrinth
5. Lie on a blanket and take a rest in the sunshine
6. Play in the fountains
7. Meet new people
8. Introduce your kids to new people
9. Celebrate being a family
10. No agenda other than hanging out and playing

Come on out and play!!!