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A collection of convictions, essays, poems, & prayers

MEET THE KOWALLIS FAMILY

West Coast transplants establishing roots in New England.

Follow along as we restore a 202 year old historic registry home to her former glory, while raising and home educating our four rambunctious boys.

SHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Cursive Copywork: Childhood Classics

Italics Copywork: Childhood Classics

Daily Rhythm Cards

family photos by Natalie Fong Malis

© 2023 by Lovely Little Things. Proudly created with Wix.com

2025 ✨

2025 ✨

Our first New England Christmas ⛸️🧣🪿❄️

Our first New England Christmas ⛸️🧣🪿❄️

Happy Winter Solstice 🌞🌙

Happy Winter Solstice 🌞🌙

Christmas season is upon us 🌟

A few years ago I began hunting for quality Christmas books for our boys and we now have quite the collection. These books stay packed up with our Christmas decorations all year and come out for December only.

If you’d like to add some Christmas books to your family library, these are our favorites!

P.S. I can’t seem to find Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco. We must’ve lost it during our move but it is a must have in my opinion!

Christmas season is upon us 🌟

A few years ago I began hunting for quality Christmas books for our boys and we now have quite the collection. These books stay packed up with our Christmas decorations all year and come out for December only.

If you’d like to add some Christmas books to your family library, these are our favorites!

P.S. I can’t seem to find Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco. We must’ve lost it during our move but it is a must have in my opinion!

We just got our family photos back from @nataliefongmalis and to say they’re good would be a major understatement.

Natalie has been a dear friend for six and a half years now and has photographed our family four times formally—with many additional impromptu snaps taken along the way. Her and her husband, Conor, are co-workers/ministry partners turned family: ER visits, date nights, gardening plans, doggy cuddles, traumatic events, etc. the Malis’ are our people through thick and thin.

Scrolling through these photos last night had me in tears. It’s so intimate to have a dear friend—who truly knows the journey you’ve walked—photograph you in your home and garden. I’ll treasure these for the rest of my life 🥹💛.

All that to say, here’s us (mom, dad, and Horace 💃🕺🗞️) standing in my favorite room of our home and here’s my public review that Natalie is phenomenal and you should book her even if you haven’t cuddled her dog.

We just got our family photos back from @nataliefongmalis and to say they’re good would be a major understatement.

Natalie has been a dear friend for six and a half years now and has photographed our family four times formally—with many additional impromptu snaps taken along the way. Her and her husband, Conor, are co-workers/ministry partners turned family: ER visits, date nights, gardening plans, doggy cuddles, traumatic events, etc. the Malis’ are our people through thick and thin.

Scrolling through these photos last night had me in tears. It’s so intimate to have a dear friend—who truly knows the journey you’ve walked—photograph you in your home and garden. I’ll treasure these for the rest of my life 🥹💛.

All that to say, here’s us (mom, dad, and Horace 💃🕺🗞️) standing in my favorite room of our home and here’s my public review that Natalie is phenomenal and you should book her even if you haven’t cuddled her dog.

Meet The Horace Greeley House.

Built in 1823, she was originally a lawyer’s office, horse bridle shop, and printing press…and now she’s our home 🥹💛.

The Northern Spectator, the newspaper in which two famous American journalists apprenticed, resided on our second story. Those two apprentices went on to found the New York Tribune and the New York Times.

When I say that this home felt like a lavish—honestly ridiculous—gift from the Lord I mean it. After touring the home in March, I vividly remember telling Nate “this feels beyond whatever I could’ve imagined.”

Moving 3,000 miles away as a family of six has been extremely difficult for a plethora of reasons, but whenever I hear our boys walk up our creaky two hundred years old stairs—where great Americans once walked—or watch them play in the creek in our backyard I feel so abundantly grateful to God for what He provided.

Meet The Horace Greeley House.

Built in 1823, she was originally a lawyer’s office, horse bridle shop, and printing press…and now she’s our home 🥹💛.

The Northern Spectator, the newspaper in which two famous American journalists apprenticed, resided on our second story. Those two apprentices went on to found the New York Tribune and the New York Times.

When I say that this home felt like a lavish—honestly ridiculous—gift from the Lord I mean it. After touring the home in March, I vividly remember telling Nate “this feels beyond whatever I could’ve imagined.”

Moving 3,000 miles away as a family of six has been extremely difficult for a plethora of reasons, but whenever I hear our boys walk up our creaky two hundred years old stairs—where great Americans once walked—or watch them play in the creek in our backyard I feel so abundantly grateful to God for what He provided.

Earlier today, Declan and I stood at the site of a massacre that took place 378 years ago, almost to the day.

The “sack of Cashel”, as it is known, resulted in the death of roughly 1,000 Irish Catholic soldiers, priests, men, women, and children. It is said that their bodies were stacked 5-6 people high across the churchyard.

The catalyst to such a horrific event? In a nutshell: differences in politics and religion.

It is surreal to be seas away while our homeland experiences immense shock, grief, and turmoil from the assassination of Charlie Kirk. And yet, this narrative—diversity leading to violence—isn’t new.

The green isle we’ve explored all week has been plagued for centuries by violence spurred on by religious and political division. We’ve seen blood stained cathedral floors, decapitated skulls of saints, and white washed (oh the irony) frescos all in the name of religious and political superiority.

The more I see the history of humanity repeat, the more my soul groans for Christ’s return. We cannot allow differences of opinion to justify murder.

Earlier today, Declan and I stood at the site of a massacre that took place 378 years ago, almost to the day.

The “sack of Cashel”, as it is known, resulted in the death of roughly 1,000 Irish Catholic soldiers, priests, men, women, and children. It is said that their bodies were stacked 5-6 people high across the churchyard.

The catalyst to such a horrific event? In a nutshell: differences in politics and religion.

It is surreal to be seas away while our homeland experiences immense shock, grief, and turmoil from the assassination of Charlie Kirk. And yet, this narrative—diversity leading to violence—isn’t new.

The green isle we’ve explored all week has been plagued for centuries by violence spurred on by religious and political division. We’ve seen blood stained cathedral floors, decapitated skulls of saints, and white washed (oh the irony) frescos all in the name of religious and political superiority.

The more I see the history of humanity repeat, the more my soul groans for Christ’s return. We cannot allow differences of opinion to justify murder.

Washington: Where we discovered our love of nature, friends became family, we raised chicks and ducklings, had our fourth baby at home, and learned to garden veggies & cut flowers.

When we moved to Washington six years ago we thought it was for forever and lived accordingly. We invested in so many wonderful communities, made each house our home, and established deep roots.

In the midst of this transition, the emotional uprooting has been heavy. It isn’t easy to leave a beautiful life behind; it isn’t a grief that’ll simply heal with time. Our Washington chapter has come to a close but it’ll always be a part of our story 💛.

“I don’t believe that grief passes away. It has its time and place forever. More time is added to it; it becomes a story within a story. But grief and griever alike endure.” -Wendell Berry

Washington: Where we discovered our love of nature, friends became family, we raised chicks and ducklings, had our fourth baby at home, and learned to garden veggies & cut flowers.

When we moved to Washington six years ago we thought it was for forever and lived accordingly. We invested in so many wonderful communities, made each house our home, and established deep roots.

In the midst of this transition, the emotional uprooting has been heavy. It isn’t easy to leave a beautiful life behind; it isn’t a grief that’ll simply heal with time. Our Washington chapter has come to a close but it’ll always be a part of our story 💛.

“I don’t believe that grief passes away. It has its time and place forever. More time is added to it; it becomes a story within a story. But grief and griever alike endure.” -Wendell Berry

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

When we were engaged at 19, Nate and I adopted this verse as our own. At the time, we thought we’d be in South Sudan doing missions work after getting married. God closed that door abruptly and we’ve been in stateside vocational ministry ever since.

At 25, when God brought us to Western Washington, we clung to Hebrews 11:8 and obeyed. We expected to settle in and stay long term.

Now at 31, we are moving to rural Vermont to a new church community, new culture, and a home of our own. This transition is both heartbreaking and exciting. We are leaving behind so much: friends permanently made family, communities intentionally fostered from infancy, and all our PNW hopes and dreams. The grief is heavy.

And yet the excitement is real. We are entering into a community abounding in rich history and craftsmanship. Our 1823 home—with her iron latches and wide plank floors—and the church that Nate will be pastoring feel like an inheritance in and of itself. The blessings in obedience have been genuinely astounding.

Come mid-May, we’ll say farewell to Washington and Poultney Vermont will be home.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

When we were engaged at 19, Nate and I adopted this verse as our own. At the time, we thought we’d be in South Sudan doing missions work after getting married. God closed that door abruptly and we’ve been in stateside vocational ministry ever since.

At 25, when God brought us to Western Washington, we clung to Hebrews 11:8 and obeyed. We expected to settle in and stay long term.

Now at 31, we are moving to rural Vermont to a new church community, new culture, and a home of our own. This transition is both heartbreaking and exciting. We are leaving behind so much: friends permanently made family, communities intentionally fostered from infancy, and all our PNW hopes and dreams. The grief is heavy.

And yet the excitement is real. We are entering into a community abounding in rich history and craftsmanship. Our 1823 home—with her iron latches and wide plank floors—and the church that Nate will be pastoring feel like an inheritance in and of itself. The blessings in obedience have been genuinely astounding.

Come mid-May, we’ll say farewell to Washington and Poultney Vermont will be home.

Emmy Bear is two 🥹💛

Emmy Bear is two 🥹💛

It’s almost St. Lucia Day 🕯️

If you’d like to learn more about Sweden’s patron Saint and how to celebrate St. Lucia Day as a family, click my link in bio.

My new post details all things Saint Lucy including links with my favorite books, videos, and activities for littles. I even made a step by step tutorial so you can make your own felt crown!

It’s almost St. Lucia Day 🕯️

If you’d like to learn more about Sweden’s patron Saint and how to celebrate St. Lucia Day as a family, click my link in bio.

My new post details all things Saint Lucy including links with my favorite books, videos, and activities for littles. I even made a step by step tutorial so you can make your own felt crown!

Forever a baby gourd 🥹🥰👌🏻

Forever a baby gourd 🥹🥰👌🏻

Feeling extra grateful for these boys and homeschooling today as we jump back into our school rhythms💛.

Our school days are filled with time outdoors, good literature, deep conversation, and togetherness.

Homeschooling isn’t often easy, our house is frequently a mess, and it’s required great sacrifices but it is 100% worth it.

P.S. these clips, shot back in May, were directed & produced entirely by the boys after we finished Robbin Hood!

Feeling extra grateful for these boys and homeschooling today as we jump back into our school rhythms💛.

Our school days are filled with time outdoors, good literature, deep conversation, and togetherness.

Homeschooling isn’t often easy, our house is frequently a mess, and it’s required great sacrifices but it is 100% worth it.

P.S. these clips, shot back in May, were directed & produced entirely by the boys after we finished Robbin Hood!

“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

-Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things

“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

-Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things

After the Israelites were exiled to the land of their enemies, Jeremiah encouraged them to “build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce” Jeremiah 29:5.

Essentially, get comfy because it’s going to be a long season of waiting. Do life with your enemies; do life in a land foreign to you. Make a home in the midst of the waiting.

We’ve been looking for a bigger space for quite some time (first as buyers, now as renters) and it’s been a discouraging process. As Emrys & I were collecting green beans from our garden this morning, I was reminded of this passage and encouraged by our life on this 7,000 square foot plot of land.

I don’t know how long this season of waiting will be. I don’t hold to the same promise God gave the Israelites in verse 11, outside of an eternity spent with Him. This side of heaven we may always be a family of six in a 2bed, 1bath rental making it work.

When I look back on our past 2.5 years in this sweet old cottage, I remember so much LIFE. We’ve hosted holidays, birthed a baby, raised ducklings, grown lush gardens and microgreens, gifted bouquets, and homeschooled all within these four walls we call home.

It’s that rich presence in the midst of the waiting that’s seen us through, even when it’s felt like the walls were closing in on us. And it’s that same presence—seen in abnormally chubby zucchinis and sky high sunflowers—that’s witnessing to my soul today.

Bloom where you are planted, friends. Even if you’re desperate for a second toilet 😉💛

After the Israelites were exiled to the land of their enemies, Jeremiah encouraged them to “build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce” Jeremiah 29:5.

Essentially, get comfy because it’s going to be a long season of waiting. Do life with your enemies; do life in a land foreign to you. Make a home in the midst of the waiting.

We’ve been looking for a bigger space for quite some time (first as buyers, now as renters) and it’s been a discouraging process. As Emrys & I were collecting green beans from our garden this morning, I was reminded of this passage and encouraged by our life on this 7,000 square foot plot of land.

I don’t know how long this season of waiting will be. I don’t hold to the same promise God gave the Israelites in verse 11, outside of an eternity spent with Him. This side of heaven we may always be a family of six in a 2bed, 1bath rental making it work.

When I look back on our past 2.5 years in this sweet old cottage, I remember so much LIFE. We’ve hosted holidays, birthed a baby, raised ducklings, grown lush gardens and microgreens, gifted bouquets, and homeschooled all within these four walls we call home.

It’s that rich presence in the midst of the waiting that’s seen us through, even when it’s felt like the walls were closing in on us. And it’s that same presence—seen in abnormally chubby zucchinis and sky high sunflowers—that’s witnessing to my soul today.

Bloom where you are planted, friends. Even if you’re desperate for a second toilet 😉💛

People either hate the taste or love it. It’s either soapy or the perfect herbal addition to your drink or baked good. It’s lavender and welp, I’m a big fan 💜

I’ve been growing English lavender for over four years now with the intention of harvesting it. I love having it in our herb garden for the pollinators and scent but the big winner, in my book, is multiple harvests & rounds of blooms throughout summer AND the ability to cook with it. Scones, lemonade, cakes—lavender can be used in a plethora of ways 🍰🍋☕️

This simple syrup recipe is my tried and true fav. I’ve played with additions over the years and think the sea salt with local honey complement the lavender *just* so 👌🏻

If you’re a fan of lavender, give this recipe a go and tell me what you think! Link is in my bio 🥰

People either hate the taste or love it. It’s either soapy or the perfect herbal addition to your drink or baked good. It’s lavender and welp, I’m a big fan 💜

I’ve been growing English lavender for over four years now with the intention of harvesting it. I love having it in our herb garden for the pollinators and scent but the big winner, in my book, is multiple harvests & rounds of blooms throughout summer AND the ability to cook with it. Scones, lemonade, cakes—lavender can be used in a plethora of ways 🍰🍋☕️

This simple syrup recipe is my tried and true fav. I’ve played with additions over the years and think the sea salt with local honey complement the lavender *just* so 👌🏻

If you’re a fan of lavender, give this recipe a go and tell me what you think! Link is in my bio 🥰

Last week my oldest three boys & I went on a quick two day trip to celebrate the end of a wonderful, stretching school year.

If you’re a fan of PNW family-friendly adventure, here’s where we went:

✨Mount St. Helens Interpretive Center: only 5 miles off the freeway & the perfect family pit stop. Be sure to ask about their Junior Ranger program and collect a badge at the end!

✨Lewis & Clark National Historical Park: Features Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery stayed during the winter from 1805-1806. Be sure to watch the short film on the winter from a Clatsop tribe member’s perspective & do their Junior Ranger program.

✨Cannon Beach: We stayed at Ecola Creek Lodge. If you’re in vocational ministry, they offer a discount! Sleeping Monk Coffee is a necessary stop. Avoid Fridays & Saturdays—it gets extremely busy—and expect to explore primarily on foot.

✨Hug Point: Go during low tide and explore sea caves, tide pools, and check out the falls. Go in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the breathtaking light as it rises through the trees.

✨Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale: Go during low tide to ensure you can get close to the ship. Accept that the unique and exceptionally soft black sand will get everywhere 😅🫣. EVERYWHERE.

This past week, since we’ve returned, has been filled with chatter detailing volcanic eruptions, exploration, and that one time we pretended we were on The Dawntreader. I wouldn’t have it any other way 💛.

So tell me, are any of these locations on your summer bucket list? Or have you explored these places before?

Last week my oldest three boys & I went on a quick two day trip to celebrate the end of a wonderful, stretching school year.

If you’re a fan of PNW family-friendly adventure, here’s where we went:

✨Mount St. Helens Interpretive Center: only 5 miles off the freeway & the perfect family pit stop. Be sure to ask about their Junior Ranger program and collect a badge at the end!

✨Lewis & Clark National Historical Park: Features Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery stayed during the winter from 1805-1806. Be sure to watch the short film on the winter from a Clatsop tribe member’s perspective & do their Junior Ranger program.

✨Cannon Beach: We stayed at Ecola Creek Lodge. If you’re in vocational ministry, they offer a discount! Sleeping Monk Coffee is a necessary stop. Avoid Fridays & Saturdays—it gets extremely busy—and expect to explore primarily on foot.

✨Hug Point: Go during low tide and explore sea caves, tide pools, and check out the falls. Go in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the breathtaking light as it rises through the trees.

✨Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale: Go during low tide to ensure you can get close to the ship. Accept that the unique and exceptionally soft black sand will get everywhere 😅🫣. EVERYWHERE.

This past week, since we’ve returned, has been filled with chatter detailing volcanic eruptions, exploration, and that one time we pretended we were on The Dawntreader. I wouldn’t have it any other way 💛.

So tell me, are any of these locations on your summer bucket list? Or have you explored these places before?

“Is there not some need for ‘mother culture’? But how is the state of things to be altered? So many mothers say, ‘I simply have no time for myself!’ ‘I never read a book!’ Or else, ‘I don’t think it is right to think of myself!’ They not only starve their minds, but they do it deliberately, and with a sense of self-sacrifice which seems to supply ample justification.”
-Charlotte Mason

One of my favorite components of Charlotte Mason’s pedagogy is her value of and encouragement to mothers and their education.

Eight years into motherhood, I wish I had read her volumes before even having children. It is far too easy as mom to lay aside personal desires and needs and play the martyr; to portray self neglect as righteousness.

Motherhood has required good, necessary sacrifice and will continue to until the day I die. But becoming a home educator has, to my surprise, encouraged me to seek space to continue to form my own education and skills.

Yes, I’m often with children. Yes, I’m often learning alongside them. Both of those things are beautiful & stretching in their own right. But so is learning to watercolor, delighting in Jane Eyre, and slowly reading through CM’s volumes all at the age of 30.

Choosing to homeschool doesn’t have to mean choosing to dedicate 100% to your children or your home. You’re education matters too 💛.

“Is there not some need for ‘mother culture’? But how is the state of things to be altered? So many mothers say, ‘I simply have no time for myself!’ ‘I never read a book!’ Or else, ‘I don’t think it is right to think of myself!’ They not only starve their minds, but they do it deliberately, and with a sense of self-sacrifice which seems to supply ample justification.”
-Charlotte Mason

One of my favorite components of Charlotte Mason’s pedagogy is her value of and encouragement to mothers and their education.

Eight years into motherhood, I wish I had read her volumes before even having children. It is far too easy as mom to lay aside personal desires and needs and play the martyr; to portray self neglect as righteousness.

Motherhood has required good, necessary sacrifice and will continue to until the day I die. But becoming a home educator has, to my surprise, encouraged me to seek space to continue to form my own education and skills.

Yes, I’m often with children. Yes, I’m often learning alongside them. Both of those things are beautiful & stretching in their own right. But so is learning to watercolor, delighting in Jane Eyre, and slowly reading through CM’s volumes all at the age of 30.

Choosing to homeschool doesn’t have to mean choosing to dedicate 100% to your children or your home. You’re education matters too 💛.

CLOSED | congratulations @kyndallbarcomb 😚 To celebrate 1k followers, @flowerandtoil and I teamed up to offer a Homemaker’s Favorite Things Giveaway! 🧺

As real life best friends, shop owners, and homemakers we’ve curated a collection of our favorite things & want to give it all away to one of you! ✨

The winner will receive:
•Handmade dish soap block & wooden scrubber
•Handmade pure beeswax pillar candle
•Calendula Salve
•Lotion Bar
•Calendula Soap Bar
•Lavender Soap Bar

•$75 Juniper Grove Gift Card: select your own journal size and style, and three inserts!
•Daily Rhythm Cards

To Enter:
•Like & save this post
•Follow both @flowerandtoil and @errynandco
•Tag friends and share in stories for additional entries (send a DM confirmation if your account is private).

Giveaway ends on May 29 at noon & will be announced in stories & caption 💛.

CLOSED | congratulations @kyndallbarcomb 😚 To celebrate 1k followers, @flowerandtoil and I teamed up to offer a Homemaker’s Favorite Things Giveaway! 🧺

As real life best friends, shop owners, and homemakers we’ve curated a collection of our favorite things & want to give it all away to one of you! ✨

The winner will receive:
•Handmade dish soap block & wooden scrubber
•Handmade pure beeswax pillar candle
•Calendula Salve
•Lotion Bar
•Calendula Soap Bar
•Lavender Soap Bar

•$75 Juniper Grove Gift Card: select your own journal size and style, and three inserts!
•Daily Rhythm Cards

To Enter:
•Like & save this post
•Follow both @flowerandtoil and @errynandco
•Tag friends and share in stories for additional entries (send a DM confirmation if your account is private).

Giveaway ends on May 29 at noon & will be announced in stories & caption 💛.

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” -Charlotte Mason

We started The Life & Legacy of Beatrix Potter today and my boys are enraptured 🙌🏻

We’ve read about Beatrix’s childhood spent studying animals in the solitude of her nursery, sketching subjects with remarkable accuracy over and over again, and vacationing in Scotland & the Lake District 🐇

We’ve gone outdoors and taken intentional space to be curious about our surroundings 👀

We’ve observed and sketched an object to practice our drawing skills 🖋️

Next up: Section Two on Mushrooms! We’ll be starting our oyster mushroom grow kit Friday 🍄

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” -Charlotte Mason

We started The Life & Legacy of Beatrix Potter today and my boys are enraptured 🙌🏻

We’ve read about Beatrix’s childhood spent studying animals in the solitude of her nursery, sketching subjects with remarkable accuracy over and over again, and vacationing in Scotland & the Lake District 🐇

We’ve gone outdoors and taken intentional space to be curious about our surroundings 👀

We’ve observed and sketched an object to practice our drawing skills 🖋️

Next up: Section Two on Mushrooms! We’ll be starting our oyster mushroom grow kit Friday 🍄

“You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” -Barbara Cooney, Miss Rumphius 💜

Today’s school looked like listening to Pilgrim’s Progress & Burgess Animals while we drove, completing handwriting & math with bakery treats, frolicking in a field of lupine, and returning home to nature journal & read on the couch.

Home education isn’t always this glorious but, when it is, we document 👌🏻✨

“You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” -Barbara Cooney, Miss Rumphius 💜

Today’s school looked like listening to Pilgrim’s Progress & Burgess Animals while we drove, completing handwriting & math with bakery treats, frolicking in a field of lupine, and returning home to nature journal & read on the couch.

Home education isn’t always this glorious but, when it is, we document 👌🏻✨

Now in my shop: The Life & Legacy of Beatrix Potter 👒 🐇 🖌️

After hours upon hours of research and execution, the study is finally here!

Dabble with brush drawing and watercolor, enjoy the outdoors with your children, and care for your favorite nature spot—all while learning more about this beloved author and illustrator.

My boys & I will begin the study starting next week. Purchase today to join us ✨. Link in bio 💛.

Now in my shop: The Life & Legacy of Beatrix Potter 👒 🐇 🖌️

After hours upon hours of research and execution, the study is finally here!

Dabble with brush drawing and watercolor, enjoy the outdoors with your children, and care for your favorite nature spot—all while learning more about this beloved author and illustrator.

My boys & I will begin the study starting next week. Purchase today to join us ✨. Link in bio 💛.

Come May 15, I’ll be releasing a study on the life and legacy of Beatrix Potter.

This four part, 8 lesson, study will include:

•Captivating literature that you & your children will be pulling off your bookshelves for years to come 📚

•Nature study & journaling prompts

•Brush drawing and watercolor lessons 🎨🐇

•A look at Beatrix Potter’s stewardship of the Lake District as well as a family conservation project 🌿

More to come!👒

Come May 15, I’ll be releasing a study on the life and legacy of Beatrix Potter.

This four part, 8 lesson, study will include:

•Captivating literature that you & your children will be pulling off your bookshelves for years to come 📚

•Nature study & journaling prompts

•Brush drawing and watercolor lessons 🎨🐇

•A look at Beatrix Potter’s stewardship of the Lake District as well as a family conservation project 🌿

More to come!👒

When we decided to homeschool, I determined what method we’d follow and content we’d use fairly quickly. Implementing that method & content in a day, though? With littles underfoot and a home to manage? I was at a loss 🧸🧺

Over the past three years I’ve researched and tested a plethora of different ways to organize our days at home. Loop subjects, strict time tables, child-led, etc. This year, however, we seem to have found a time table & rhythm balance that *chef’s kiss* works for us 🙌🏻

If you’ve ever wondered what a day of home education looks like, head over to my blog (link in bio) to read my latest post! I’ve included our time table for the 2023-2024 school year and some tips for planning your own 💛

When we decided to homeschool, I determined what method we’d follow and content we’d use fairly quickly. Implementing that method & content in a day, though? With littles underfoot and a home to manage? I was at a loss 🧸🧺

Over the past three years I’ve researched and tested a plethora of different ways to organize our days at home. Loop subjects, strict time tables, child-led, etc. This year, however, we seem to have found a time table & rhythm balance that *chef’s kiss* works for us 🙌🏻

If you’ve ever wondered what a day of home education looks like, head over to my blog (link in bio) to read my latest post! I’ve included our time table for the 2023-2024 school year and some tips for planning your own 💛

New on the blog: A post all about studying birds with children! 🦅🦜🦉

The blog post includes a resource list & an interview with our family’s very own ecologist, Savannah 🔎🌲, who is currently studying woodpeckers in Olympia’s forests!

Grab your kiddos & head to the blog to read all about Savannah’s bird expertise and see some fun photos. Link in bio 💛.

New on the blog: A post all about studying birds with children! 🦅🦜🦉

The blog post includes a resource list & an interview with our family’s very own ecologist, Savannah 🔎🌲, who is currently studying woodpeckers in Olympia’s forests!

Grab your kiddos & head to the blog to read all about Savannah’s bird expertise and see some fun photos. Link in bio 💛.

Happy vernal equinox 🌱🪺🌷🌧️

And happy 5th birthday to our sweet Cal Cal who I swear was just a squishy, beautiful baby 🥹💛. We’ll be celebrating him Callum style 🌋 (IYKYK) this weekend but, for today, we’ll be enjoying this last bit of unusually warm weather with hours spent outdoors.

Our email newsletter will be sent out this evening with all things spring. If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time! Sign up link in bio ☺️.

Happy vernal equinox 🌱🪺🌷🌧️

And happy 5th birthday to our sweet Cal Cal who I swear was just a squishy, beautiful baby 🥹💛. We’ll be celebrating him Callum style 🌋 (IYKYK) this weekend but, for today, we’ll be enjoying this last bit of unusually warm weather with hours spent outdoors.

Our email newsletter will be sent out this evening with all things spring. If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time! Sign up link in bio ☺️.

With Easter just a couple weeks away, I thought I’d share our tried & true Holy Week resources for children.

We like to keep any additives to Holy Week simple so our children are able to understand and process its emotional and theological complexity. It’s enough to read The Word to your children and embrace your community’s worship services but if you’d like a few aids at home, check out the list below:

•The Garden the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton: A pulled-back perspective from the fall of man to the promise of eternity with God’s sovereignty woven throughout.

•The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt: An eloquently retold folktale that speaks to our innate desire to matter. Have tissues nearby.

•The Easter Storybook by Laura Richie: A family-friendly compilation of 40 stories that look at the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Images are ethnically accurate and each reading ends with a discussion question.

•Holy Week by Danielle Hitchen: An age-appropriate primer perfect for toddlers learning about their emotions, who Jesus is, and all that took place during Holy Week.

•Road to Redemption by Tiny Theologians: A collection of cards for each important day during Holy Week with scripture readings, a corresponding giant coloring sheet, description, and question.

With Easter just a couple weeks away, I thought I’d share our tried & true Holy Week resources for children.

We like to keep any additives to Holy Week simple so our children are able to understand and process its emotional and theological complexity. It’s enough to read The Word to your children and embrace your community’s worship services but if you’d like a few aids at home, check out the list below:

•The Garden the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton: A pulled-back perspective from the fall of man to the promise of eternity with God’s sovereignty woven throughout.

•The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Hunt: An eloquently retold folktale that speaks to our innate desire to matter. Have tissues nearby.

•The Easter Storybook by Laura Richie: A family-friendly compilation of 40 stories that look at the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Images are ethnically accurate and each reading ends with a discussion question.

•Holy Week by Danielle Hitchen: An age-appropriate primer perfect for toddlers learning about their emotions, who Jesus is, and all that took place during Holy Week.

•Road to Redemption by Tiny Theologians: A collection of cards for each important day during Holy Week with scripture readings, a corresponding giant coloring sheet, description, and question.

8 weeks of breastfeeding & then roughly 11 months of exclusively pumping. This was neither my ideal nor a narrative I wanted to repeat. But it did, we survived, and I’m darn proud of the work we put in to fight for something that would feel remotely like victory.

Truth be told, the sense of peace I was looking for in making the switch to pumping never fully came. After Emrys was born, postpartum anxiety reared its ugly head again, but this time it was different: more severe, more taxing, and I had more children watching it all unfold. Something had to change. When your biggest trigger has to happen every 2-3 hours, you make hard choices. Yet, the relief I anticipated was never fully realized. I counted ounces frantically and worried we’d run out even though we had a freezer full of milk downstairs. We made it past the self-glorified one year mark & yet something inside me still felt off.

I collected all of my pump parts and packed them away today. I daydreamed of taking a sledgehammer to them. Instead, I picked up my baby, squeezed the rolls that I made, and breathed him in. He was worth the trial. Easily.

This is the conclusion to a novel of heartache that, when we had our first 8 years ago, I never anticipated. I still don’t really understand why nursing is such an ordeal for me. I do, however, know what it’s like to walk through deep-seated fears, wrestle with The Lord over a fragile idol in a permanent death grip, and connect with women suffering similarly by whispering “I get it” between tears.

It isn’t the story I would’ve written, but I’ve accepted that it’s a part of what made me the mom I am today. Fed is best, your sanity matters, and mothers will always be more than their milk 💛.

8 weeks of breastfeeding & then roughly 11 months of exclusively pumping. This was neither my ideal nor a narrative I wanted to repeat. But it did, we survived, and I’m darn proud of the work we put in to fight for something that would feel remotely like victory.

Truth be told, the sense of peace I was looking for in making the switch to pumping never fully came. After Emrys was born, postpartum anxiety reared its ugly head again, but this time it was different: more severe, more taxing, and I had more children watching it all unfold. Something had to change. When your biggest trigger has to happen every 2-3 hours, you make hard choices. Yet, the relief I anticipated was never fully realized. I counted ounces frantically and worried we’d run out even though we had a freezer full of milk downstairs. We made it past the self-glorified one year mark & yet something inside me still felt off.

I collected all of my pump parts and packed them away today. I daydreamed of taking a sledgehammer to them. Instead, I picked up my baby, squeezed the rolls that I made, and breathed him in. He was worth the trial. Easily.

This is the conclusion to a novel of heartache that, when we had our first 8 years ago, I never anticipated. I still don’t really understand why nursing is such an ordeal for me. I do, however, know what it’s like to walk through deep-seated fears, wrestle with The Lord over a fragile idol in a permanent death grip, and connect with women suffering similarly by whispering “I get it” between tears.

It isn’t the story I would’ve written, but I’ve accepted that it’s a part of what made me the mom I am today. Fed is best, your sanity matters, and mothers will always be more than their milk 💛.

Spring is ten days away 🌱🪺🌷

If you’re looking for spring-themed picture & chapter books to peruse with you children, here are our favorites:

•Little Witch Hazel, Spring The Orphaned Egg by Phoebe Wahl
•Frog & Toad, Spring by Arnold Lobel
•Brambly Hedge, Spring Story by Jill Barklem
•Over & Under the Pond by Kate Messner
•A Nest is Noisy by Diana Huttd Aston & Sylvia Long
•Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
•The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
•Worm Weather by Jean Taft
•The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
•The Tale of Peter Rabbit (and all his friends) by Beatrix Potter

Spring is ten days away 🌱🪺🌷

If you’re looking for spring-themed picture & chapter books to peruse with you children, here are our favorites:

•Little Witch Hazel, Spring The Orphaned Egg by Phoebe Wahl
•Frog & Toad, Spring by Arnold Lobel
•Brambly Hedge, Spring Story by Jill Barklem
•Over & Under the Pond by Kate Messner
•A Nest is Noisy by Diana Huttd Aston & Sylvia Long
•Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak
•The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
•Worm Weather by Jean Taft
•The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
•The Tale of Peter Rabbit (and all his friends) by Beatrix Potter

Welcome & nice to meet you 👋🏼 With almost 100 new followers from this past week, an introduction felt necessary.

My name is Erryn and this is my husband Nate. He’s a pastor, micro-greens farmer 🌱, and he’s always willing to discuss apologetics. I’m a nature-lover, deep conversationalist, and I’m always willing to discuss homeschooling.

We have four boys ages 13m to *almost* 8. We are Charlotte Mason homeschoolers, Wild & Free enthusiasts, and use Ambleside Online as our core curriculum.

I started Looking For Home as a blog a couple years ago. During a long postpartum break, and after reassessing our finances & desires as a single-income ministry family, we decided to add a shop to the blog filled with resources for homeschooling, homemaking, and homesteading—all things we’re passionate about in our own family.

Thank you for following along & all of the encouragement this past week! I’ve been genuinely surprised by the interest our Ireland study has prompted & am happy to have found the right side of the internet 💛.

Welcome & nice to meet you 👋🏼 With almost 100 new followers from this past week, an introduction felt necessary.

My name is Erryn and this is my husband Nate. He’s a pastor, micro-greens farmer 🌱, and he’s always willing to discuss apologetics. I’m a nature-lover, deep conversationalist, and I’m always willing to discuss homeschooling.

We have four boys ages 13m to *almost* 8. We are Charlotte Mason homeschoolers, Wild & Free enthusiasts, and use Ambleside Online as our core curriculum.

I started Looking For Home as a blog a couple years ago. During a long postpartum break, and after reassessing our finances & desires as a single-income ministry family, we decided to add a shop to the blog filled with resources for homeschooling, homemaking, and homesteading—all things we’re passionate about in our own family.

Thank you for following along & all of the encouragement this past week! I’ve been genuinely surprised by the interest our Ireland study has prompted & am happy to have found the right side of the internet 💛.

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