A Place Like This......

A Visit to Gypsy Forest

We became fast friends over gnomes and vintage. She is and ever will be one of my vintage swap partners and someone I check in with daily via the blogs.  Stephinie is the  author of the blog Gypsy Forest.

Stephinie and I share a great many things such as our love of cooking and just throwing things together as well as our great love of books, both for the kids and for the adults. 

photo Stephinie Miner

Today the foxes are visiting our friends in Louisiana and have received a warm Southern welcome. 

 She has been very busy sewing for her first art fair in Squam NH next month. She is really excited to be attending SAW with her mom. Stephinie lives in Louisiana and her moms lives in Alaska. "We don't see each other nearly enough. I am so happy that she will be at my side after the workshops to help me with the fair."

Also, She will be adding  organic items to her line of quilts and other handmades in her etsy shop. These items will debut at the Squam Art Fair, but her etsy shop will be pretty quiet while she prepares for Squam. 

Photo by Stephinie Miner

 After her return from New Hampshire, there will be some new items including DIY kits, project bags, home items and more that will make their first appearance over the month of June. 

photo by Stephinie Miner

So many exciting things coming down the Pike for my friend Stephinie. I'm so proud of her and all her creative endeavors.

For a chance to win a copy of the Fox Diaries, head on over to Gypsy Forest and leave a comment. Until Monday, have a great weekend everyone and thanks to Stephinie for having us over to Gypsy Forest.

Child in Harmony

Today the blog tour takes a very special stop at Child in Harmony. Marcia is passionate about teaching children and families about nature. 

Photo by Marcia Simonds

  Marcia has a wonderful earth school for children as well as having a small farm. This Spring finds her busy with her myriad of animals, I especially love her Polish Hen, and she is having earth classes for teens.

Marcia says,”You know I am passionate about connecting all people with nature, especially children….and I am really touched how much the teens love earth school. I am also continuing my A Nest In Nature once a week for parents and their children, birth to six to connect with nature, their creativity and other parents and their children and to encourage natural learning. You can have a look at Marcia’s Earth School here.

  She will be sharing her  experience with The Fox Diaries as well as hosting a giveaway of the book and a special discount code for those of you who can’t wait.

photo by Marcia Simonds

Later on in the afternoon I’ll be over at the Waldorf Connection. I’m Donna Ashton’s May Spotlight Sponsor for  her monthly call. You’ll get to hear a wonderful interview with Kaitlyn Keyt of VibesUp.

 

I’ll also be interviewed about The Fox Diaries, the creation of Audrey Press, and the rhyme and reason behind Jump Into A Book. Don’t Miss It!….but if you do there will be a replay which I’ll post here for 48 hours.

Here’s a few more details about the call this afternoon and a little more about Kaitlyn Keyt.

 Kaitlyn is passionate about bringing new awareness in
the area of eduction. She teaches on right brain genius,
refers to ADD as NBG (new Brain gift) explains why it is
important to be living our gifts,  the brilliance in the unfocused,
the importance of children being grounded and much more
in the area of children and education.
 
Today, May 11 1pm Pacific/2pm Mountain
3pm Central/4pm Eastern-
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered and
listen to this hot topic. (don’t worry if you can’t make it!
There will be a 48hr free replay)
To Listen by Phone:
Conference ID: 595926#
Primary Number: (801) 656-2240
Backup Number: (949) 333-4806
Local Numbers: http://InstantTeleseminar.com/Local/

To Listen over Internet: (Wed at 4pm EST)
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=19649415

To Listen over Skype:
http://instantteleseminar.com/skype/
pin code# 595926

 

Strawberry Fields Forever

What would you think if I sang out of tune,

 

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.

Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,

Mmm,I get high with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.

Strawberries are in y'all. We're off to make jam. Have a great day!

It's Elemental

Sterling silver, gold, bronze, oxidization, welding, metal wire and then just plain metal. These are the tools that jewelry artist Amy Ambroult uses to create her magic. Recently I had the pleasure of receiving one of her pieces. To celebrate the launch of Audrey Press Publishing, I commissioned Amy to make a silver charm bracelet. Each charm representing another experience in the author/publisher realm. It is such a thrill to wear one of Amy's pieces of art. 

Clearly it is time to celebrate!!!!

Today, live from Massachusetts, Amy, A, and the girls are hosting the first leg of The Fox Diaries Blog Tour. If a family of foxes had a fan club, Amy's girls would definitely be at the top of the list. It was because of "The Girls" that I started posting weekly on Thursdays. Every Thursday they would hurry home from school to find out what our little fox family was doing. We loved hearing their reactions and insights about our little garden visitors. 

Please head on over to Amy's blog Elemental for a glimpse into their look at the Fox Diaries as well as a chance to win a copy of your very own. Be sure to have a look at Amy's incredible jewelry while you're there. A special thank you to the Ambroult family for all of the care you've given over the last couple years and especially today. 

 

The Foxes Are Coming!!!!

                    


On Monday May 9th, the Year of the Foxes begins with a blog tour to remember. Connecting friends in places all over the world by warming the heart and adding a smile, The Fox Diaries will be visiting these wonderful people over the next two weeks.

May 9th    Elemental

May 11th   Child in Harmony

May 13th  Gypsy Forest

May 16th Lady of the Arts

May 18th By Hand At Home

May 20th Mousy Brown's House

May 23rd Swedish House

Each stop will include a book giveaway, a special look at how are friends are spending time with the foxes, and other special goodies. You won't want to miss it ! 

We would love to travel virtually or physically to every State in the US and to every continentin the world. Yes, even Antartica. If you think you would like to host the foxes and give us a peek into your part of the world drop me a note [email protected] .  Please put fox tour as your subject heading.

A very happy Mother's Day to everyone in North America. See you Monday!

 

A Mother's Wish: Create with Purpose

.......a continuation from yesterday..........

"Along with the foxes many doors have opened."

During last summer, as I was greatly missing the foxes and as people constantly were asking me about them, I realized that I wanted to hold onto those cherised moments.  "What about writing a book about them?" my husband asked

It was this specific question that led to many others and a long process of discovery that ultimately came to not only writing a book but  establishing an independent multi-media publishing house called Audrey Press as well.

Named after and in honor of my mother, I find it so fitting that The Fox Diaires is being released the day after Mother's Day.  It was my mother's wish that I create something purposeful in life to show that I was here and that I make a change for the better. " Be compassionate and loving and never forget what’s important. Loving in its purest form means having a good time and sharing it with those you love.”

Remembering her words and wishes gave me the strength and couarge to realize the journey I did want to create. I wanted to create a beautiful book that told the story of this momma fox and her babies, just the way I witnessed it. I wanted to bring the talents of many people together to create this, and I wanted to plan a creative place for future endeavors both mine and others which honors the people creating and respects the planet we live on. 

 
I'll be telling this story in more detail as well as showing how the whole project was put together on the Audrey Press blog. The easiest way to keep up to date is to Like the Audrey Press Fan page on Facebook or by subscribing to the blog itself.

Monday the blog tour starts with some of my creative blogging buddies. This year the foxes and I plan to travel the world both virtually and literally. We are trying to show up in all 50 states as well as every continent in the world. 

Tomorrow the big blog tour announcement.....!!!!!!!

 

 

 

The Day Everything Changed

Long afterwards, she was to remember that moment when her life changed direction. ~ Evelyn Anthony

 

Just over a year ago I was sitting at my desk. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something moving in the front yard and when I turned to look I noticed  the fox I had been seeing for months.

I watched her as she walked across the yard, and that's when I saw them.

Four beautiful baby fox kits. There was nothing to do but grab my camera and from that moment on nothing has been the same.

For weeks they lived in my garden. Everyday at the same time 6:30 am, 2 pm, and 6:30 pm I would be poised with my cameras sitting in the front yard. They got use to me and I got use to them. What happened was nothing short of magical.

The veil and division I had in my mind between humans and nature quickly disappeared as I established a front row seat into the world of foxes.

Every week on Thursdays I would post about my garden visitors only to have many of you stop in and check up on them. As Spring turned into Summer my garden friends left and the absence in my life after their departure was enormous. Still to this day I look out my windows expecting to see them. 

In early Autumn, with the encouragement from many of you, I started on the journey of putting these many happy memories into a book that would be both their story while capturing the magic of that moment. 

In six days time the launch of the Fox Diaries will be here. Starting Monday I've gathered together some of my blogging friends both near and far to help us celebrate the year the foxes came to my garden.  Stay tuned tomorrow to see what doors this fox adventure opened up, as well as where we'll be going on this first leg of the blog tour. Until then have a great day and be sure to look out your window to see what magic is happening in your garden and then follow it.

The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating Mom's and Motherhood

Celebrating Mother’s Day: I’m in the Book!

 

 

Great news! As an official co-author of The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating Moms and Motherhood, I want to share my gratitude with you!  

 

I was so excited to take part in this book. This week is officially book week for me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the absolute love and support of my mother. Even as I was heading off to music school, mom was saying,"You should be a publisher. You should be a writer." Mom paved my path to make sure all of this would happen.

When I was approached by Donna Kozik, the book project founder about writing a story about my mom, I said "Yes" immediately.

 
 

 

My entry is about my mother's finesse for dressing her children appropriately in all kinds of weather.  "There is no such thing as bad weather" she would say," only inappropriate clothing". I can assure you we were dressed perfectly for any type of weather.

 

 

Inspiring stories from the book also include:

 

The Ritual, by Maureen Huntley

Maureen writes in appreciation about “the ritual” that her and her mother would not miss: getting manicures, pedicures and Starbuck’s lattes and then enjoy the sailboats drifting across the lake.  Two best friends that adored every last minute together, and not taking a single moment for granted.   

And also:

A Drop of Love, by Laura Accardo-Williams

Laura expresses her gratitude towards her mother for giving her the capability to love her son so much.  Her mother passed on a “life-long legacy of love” to her which makes her want to honor her mother today, and everyday, because of her capacity to love. As a mother, her love has blossomed so much that what she felt as a child, was merely a “drop” of what she feels now.

 I like to think that this book is the perfect gift for the special women in your life!

It is the ultimate Mother’s Day gift that will keep you in good spirits all year round. Pick up your copy of  today on Amazon! http://amzn.to/gFZ30Z

Purchases made today will arrive before Mother's Day. Also of note, the proceeds of this book are going directly to Woman for Woman International, helping educate women in the third world. This is a charity very close to my heart. All of the author's and organizers have donated their writing and time to support this great cause.

 

Happy May

 

 Here’s a branch of snowy may,

A branch the fairies gave me,

 
 

Who would like to dance today

With the branch the fairies gave me?

 
Dance away, dance away,

Holding high the branch of may.

 
Dance away, dance away

Holding high the branch of may.