restful productivity to live deliberately & avoid overwhelm 

Embracing the Summer Season – tips & ideas

Embracing the Summer Season – tips & ideas

Around here it is heating up and the school is ending. We are headed into the summer season. There are several things that I think about at this time of year. My book project has me very busy these days so I am including some excellent resources from the archives that will help you in…

Embracing the Fall Season

Embracing the Fall Season

This fall I am taking a break from writing and publishing. I am choosing to slow down. I will take more time to snuggle my kids close and enjoy handicrafts. I have an ambitious stack of books to read (with some new teas to try). I want to listen to more podcasts and audiobooks. I…

Making Room for the Fall Season

Making Room for the Fall Season

The Arizona desert does not change drastically in the fall. It is a slow cooling down and not much visual change. Most of the local trees stay a dusty green color throughout the year. There are very few trees that actually show the change of the seasons in my neighborhood. This means that I need…

Ways to Find Clarity

Ways to Find Clarity

Your time is valuable. As a homeschooler, homemaker, and parent you juggle a lot of roles. My hope is to maximize your energy and efficiency so that your time is well spent. The articles, printables, and resources you find here at Embracing Home Blog will always be practical and helpful. I want to build on…

Practical Meal Planning #2 (the How)

Practical Meal Planning #2 (the How)

I am often frustrated by the meal planning systems created by others. They often assume that everything is “just peachy”. Most meal planning that I have found is based on having lots of time, strange fresh ingredients, or chef-style cooking skills. I usually don’t have that kind of evening cooking environment. I am a mom…

Easy Family Routines: The Monday Meeting

Easy Family Routines: The Monday Meeting

It’s a Monday morning.  We are all moving slow.  The kids would rather play computer games and I would love to sit on the couch with a good book. The weekend was very busy with household tasks, catching up on laundry, activities with cousins, farm chores, shopping, and church. Now we must move into our…

Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)

Tackling Meal Planning #1 (the Why)

This week I will make 15 meals for my family. Lunches, dinners, and a few fancy breakfasts. I will hand wash dishes at least 10 times and spend several hours in prep.  In a month, I will spend 68 hours on meal prep and feeding my household. How much time do you spend in the…