because...

because the re-entry after the Story Excavation Retreat has been a bit hard for me

because I'm trying to practice self-compassion even though the to-do list feels long

because joy can come in simple, unexpected ways

because it really is okay to still act like a kid sometimes (especially if you were always told you were "too serious" when growing up)

because I miss the sound of the ocean

because you are so far away

because grey skies have returned

because sometimes the words just aren't there

because everything is just a little bit better with a unicorn, don't you think?

(finally found an online source for these little guys. right here.)

pinned it. did it. {with meg}

Meg is back with another Pinned it. Did it. post. And I LOVE that she's sharing another quickbread. Making breads like this one really is an easy way to feel grounded in the kitchen + fill the house with that something good is coming out of the oven soon smell + indulge just a bit. This time Meg's sharing about how Pinterest inspired her to slightly tweak her family's pumpkin bread recipe. 

Our intention with these posts is to spotlight the real, everyday ways we are using Pinterest to fill our lives with a little more beauty. Read on and then let us know how you are using Pinterest these days. And if you share your own Pinned it. Did it. post, come back and tell us all about it in the comments.

*****

This time of year, pumpkin recipes and products are every where you look. Pinterest is filled with them (in fact I have a whole board dedicated to pumpkin - yum!), people are buzzing about Pumpkin Spice Lattes from famous coffee shops, candle shops are filled with the fragrance of pumpkin desserts... And I will admit that I happily participate in the pumpkin frenzy each year.  

Every year of my childhood, I would get really excited when I could smell pumpkin bread baking in the oven. Still to this day, when I smell it, I am immediately overcome with a sense of holiday excitement. The cinnamon and cloves, the pumpkin, and all of the warm goodness that comes with them... It smells like Thanksgiving and Christmas and it’s one of my favorite things ever. My family has always used a Betty Crocker recipe and in my whole adult life, I’ve only ever eaten one other version of pumpkin bread that comes close to being as wonderful (from the famous coffee chain previously mentioned). But I want our family recipe if I’m going to indulge. And with nearly 3 cups of sugar in the recipe and white flour I rarely eat, it’s a huge indulgence. 

So when I started pinning other pumpkin bread recipes, I always pinned them thinking “yeah, those look nice, but I’ll never sway from the one recipe that I truly love...” Until it hit me this weekend. I could use the recipe I love and modify it or add to it from others that I’ve seen that look good. I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel, I could improve upon it! So I scrolled through my list and found a recipe that adds a streusel topping and I was sold. (I also have hopes of trying a recipe that adds chocolate chips and one that adds a ribbon of cream cheese and oh my gosh one that has pumpkin buttercream frosting, but one indulgence at a time). 

So I used my family recipe (which you can find here), made my loaves of delicious pumpkin bread, and used a pin from Pinterest as my inspiration for adding to something I already love. I added streusel topping to a couple of the loaves. And I am so glad I tried it. I kept a couple loaves au naturale because I do love it that way too. But it was so fun to realize I could just use simple tweaks or ideas to add upon things I already like. 

As I sat and enjoyed a slice warm from the oven, I smiled at how even a tiny bit of inspiration from a Pinterest pin has opened up so many ideas to try with something that is near and dear to me. Big or small, Pinterest is constantly bringing good to my world and I am having so much fun sharing these bits of good with you. 

Are you a pumpkin lover? Leave a link in the comments or tell us about your favorite pumpkin recipes. I am always on the hunt for new favorite pumpkin ideas! 

Meg Brothers is an artist, photographer, mama, and dreamer. She loves cooking, tattoos, and sporadic dance parties in the kitchen. She prefers dark chocolate, black coffee, and flip flops when weather permits. She is a lover of Pinterest and truly believes in integrating ideas and inspiration - big or small - into normal life. Meg lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Dustin and son, Julian. Meg writes about photography, family, and creative inspiration at megbrothers.com. Find her on Pinterest here and on Twitter here. 

***

Note from Liz: Over here in my corner, I'm trying to "use Pinterest for good." I really see it as a community of people trying to see the beauty and possibility in their lives. I'm adding a few new features here on my blog inspired by or directly about Pinterest as a way to invite others to look for this beauty within a social media community. Connect with me on Pinterest here. Read other "Pinned it. Did it." columns here.

charity: water

In my quest to "Use Pinterest for Good," I'm trying on this idea of what might happen if I invited a few million strangers who follow me on Pinterest to change the world in small but meaningful ways. This fall, I'm partnering with charity: water to help give clean water to people living in India and I'm hoping you will join me.

During WDS (a conference I attend each July in Portland) in 2012, I was deeply moved by the work charity: water is doing in the world.  

And I couldn't stop thinking about this: Imagine if you had no clean water. Imagine walking hours to the nearest river to collect water for your family - water that’s not even clean. Imagine giving that water to your kids.

Although this might seem unimaginable to those of us sitting in our corners of the world enjoying a cup of coffee brewed from clean water that flows through our kitchen tap, it's a reality for 800 million people in developing countries.

800 million people.

Join me in a deep breath as you think about that for a few seconds.

I'm joining in with charity: water's September campaign to help them bring water to 100 villages in Orissa, India. Here's a video with more information about why they are focusing on India and what they will be doing with the money raised.

You might have found your way to my blog from my ::YES:: board on Pinterest. There are about 4 million people following and connected to one another through that board. Imagine if just 10% of us each gave $1. Imagine if each of us did.

100% of the money we raise will go directly to water project costs, funding long-lasting clean water solutions for people in need. When the projects are finished, charity: water will show us the exact communities we've helped using photos and GPS coordinates. This means each of us will get an email directly explaining where all the money we donated went.

$45 gives one person clean water.

$450 gives clean water to an entire family.

I can't wait to see what happens when the people who read my blog + a group of a few million strangers come together to help provide clean water. My goal is $4500, which would mean clean water for 100 people.

Every $1 helps.

And even if it sounds like a cliche, I really believe we can change the world. Together.

Yes.

Thank you for sharing your light.

Learn more about charity: water's September campaign and donate here.

five ways we could make pinterest an even better place.

For the last year, I've been spending quite a bit of time on Pinterest finding inspiration, pinning, and learning a lot. And somewhere along the way I found myself with more than 4 million followers. (Oh honey that is a story best told over wine + cheese + really good music by our side.)

And in the last few months, this is what I've come to believe:

I really want to use Pinterest for good.

This principle guides me when it comes to the pins I share and the ways I use Pinterest in my day-to-day life. From trying recipes to getting inspiration for a new quilt to spreading love through quotes and other good things on my YES board, I'm seeing it as a place to remind myself and others of how I want to live...how I want to see joy even in the midst of the tough stuff...how I want to fill my life with beauty and make some real crazy, gorgeous memories with those I love.

With all that in mind, here are five things I share when someone who just wants to use Pinterest for fun says, "So give me some tips on using Pinterest." 

1. Pin from the source. I know there has been a lot of talk about this (I especially appreciate Kal Barteski's Link with Love campaign), but I am still surprised daily by the number of pinners and independent artists and magazine editors and other well-known folks using Pinterest and they aren't pinning from the source.

This is what I mean: Before you repin, click the pin to make it bigger and then click again to go through to the website where the pin originates from. You should then see that image or at least be taken to a site that puts the pin in context. Otherwise you and the people following you won't be able to find the source for those boots you love or that recipe for quinoa bars or the DIY for that garland or where to by that piece of art made by someone who deserves credit for bravely putting her work in the world.

I know it takes some extra time, but really, it will make Pinterest a much more beautiful, friendly, supportive place to hang out. Here is a GREAT article about finding the source from Bonnie of Going Home to Roost.

(And if you don't have time to find the source, consider putting it on a private board so you can come back later to look up the source OR just click "like" so you can save it and then come back to it to find the source later.)

UPDATE: I've learned a super easy way to use Google images to find sources. This works with Google Chrome, let me know if it works in your browser of choice. You can open Google Images in a new window and then literally drag the image from Pinterest (or the Tumblr page etc it is on) onto the Google Images open window and drop it in the search box. Google will then search for possible sources. Try it!! Super easy.

2. Use the comments for actual real connection. This is one that a lot of "power pinners" and "using Pinterest to market your business" articles might roll their eyes at, but I still think it is possible to make actual connections with people on Pinterest. When you are touched by something someone shares, let them know. If you have an idea or another pin to share, do it! If you own the product shared and love it, let the person know it works or is comfortable. If you have an idea that might work better, share. For example, last year tutorials for ways to "write on a mug with Sharpie markers and put it in the oven to make it permanent" were everywhere. One day I came across a pin by someone who basically said, "this doesn't really stay permanent if you wash it a lot but it will if you do this" and linked to another tutorial. Super helpful! 

And try to resist being snarky or sarcastic. Pinterest can feel "less connected" than other social media sites because it feels like you aren't commenting on someone's "wall" or "feed" but in reality, you are. And even if you don't "know" the person you follow on Pinterest like you "know" your friends on Facebook, when you write negative comments, it is a bit like walking into that pinner's kitchen and looking at what she has up on her fridge and giving your commentary.

If you don't like what someone is pinning, just unfollow them. This doesn't mean you shouldn't have an opinion or share helpful product advice like, "I bought this but it fell apart after two days," but take a few seconds to think before you comment. And remember that another person is on the other end of your words. An every day person who is pinning and repinning and trying to find inspiration and make recommendations just like you.

3. Use private boards. Private boards are a great place to gather ideas that you want to remember but you don't necessarily want others to see. You might literally not want others to see the pins, for example, if they are Christmas present ideas. And you also might not want to just fill your followers feeds with all the possible paint colors you are thinking about for the outside of your house. You can also have private group boards if you are planning a surprise party for someone. I have a private board for ideas for retreats that I'm still thinking about and another for gift ideas for my friends and family.

4. When you feel yourself falling into comparison-itis, step away from the computer. My hope for you is that Pinterest is a place to find inspiration, to look up a recipe to make for dinner, to get ideas for a bedroom makeover, to create a board of outfits to wear this fall, and so on. It shouldn't be a deep hole of despair and comparison. Limit your time if you need to. And maybe even brainstorm others ways to use it if you find yourself just mindlessly scrolling through wishing for stuff instead of actively creating the life you want. 

5. Have fun. Like A LOT OF FUN! Create boards for things that make you happy from unicorns to Converse All-Stars to cameo pendants. Create boards for cookies you want to bake and words that make you happy and old album covers you remember. Pinterest is your place to dive into a visual world of goodness. It can really be whatever you want it to be.

More posts with ideas about ways to use Pinterest coming soon, but for a few suggestions today, check out these Pinned it. Did it. posts.

In the comments: Share how you are using Pinterest these days. I'd love to hear your thoughts, advice, or even your questions. 

yes.

Thank you (yes, you) for getting it.

***

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the bravest move

You can trust this truth today.

(Reach out and let someone know you need them.) 

***

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circle of kindreds (a guest post with jen louden)

I'm away hosting one of my retreats and thrilled to share another Circle of Kindreds post with you this week. 

Today, I'm so delighted to share some wisdom from Jen Louden. I love the way Jen moves through the world with her honesty and open heart and laughter. So grateful to know her and to share her words with you today.

And, I can't wait for her free The Shero's School for Revolutionaries that begins September 23. I hope you come along because it is going to be so good.

***

Last week I tracked Diana Nyad as she swam the last two miles of her record breaking odyssey from Cuba to Key West, Florida.

I couldn’t tear myself away. As someone who doesn’t usually care a fig about sports, I watched myself with curiosity as I sobbed and clicked from CNN.com (horrendous coverage) to Breaking News (equally horrendous) to a rousing conversation on Twitter.

Why did I care so much?

Because it is never too late.

Diana wanted. She burned with a desire for 35 years - or longer, how do I know? There is something fundamental to all dreams and that is declaring, “I want that.”

When I groan, "It's too late," what I really mean is I am unwilling to proclaim, “I want this.”

When I moan, “I’m too old, it’s too hard, I don’t know how, someone else has already done it better” but what I'm actually saying is “I’m not willing to ache.”

When I get sleepy and leave crucial details to chance near the end of project (like this one), I’m actually saying “I’m too scared to bet it all.”

It’s never too late doesn’t mean one form of a dream doesn't end – Diane Nyad knew this was her last attempt at swimming the 105 mile mile stretch of treacherous open ocean – and if she hadn’t made it, the essence of her desire would have continued to reveal itself to her in new forms. Yes, you must grieve all the dream avenues that fail, become dead-ends, you must face those griefs and mourn, and doing that is very different than donning a stained T-shirt inscribed with “Too late.” The essence of every dream continues to reveal itself, to be the grit in the pearl of your becoming, if you allow it. You must not let the husk of failed dreams bury what still urgently calls you.

It’s never too late to take the essence of what you care about and build it, savor it, offer it to the aching world. It’s never too late to become the fullness of yourself, not because that fullness is a better you, but because something pulls at you and that something is your own pounding heart, singing “Experience me even more!”

And too late by whose clock?

Before clocks, there was only cow time as in, “I’ll meet you when the cows come home.” Before that, dream time where the world was sang into being. You are here to live out your personal myth, to become the shero of your own story. Too late doesn’t exist in mythological time, in the land of soul making.

What time is it in your heart? What calls you? Why not sit with those questions instead?  

***

Jen Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the self-care movement with her first book The Woman’s Comfort Book. She's the author of 5 additional books on well-being and whole living, including The Life Organizer, that have inspired more than a million women in 9 languages. Jen has spoken around the world on self-care, written a national magazine column, and even sat on Oprah's couch talking about the power of retreats.  She believes self-love + world-love = wholeness for all. 

Visit JenniferLouden.com for fab free goodies and an upcoming retreat schedule.

circle of kindreds (a guest post with shawn fink)

So excited to share the next Circle of Kindreds guest post.  I love what Shawn Fink is up to in her corner of the world and am delighted to be a contributor to her Abundant Mama ecourse. Read on...

Recently, I asked my readers -- all mothers -- to share with me who they are in the margins of motherhood.

The responses blew me away. They wrote things like: 

• I'm a cook, sometimes a caterer, sometimes a borderline chef.
• I'm an "I'd rather make it than buy it" rebel inspired by Pinterest.
• I'm a color selection specialist for friends who are afraid to paint anything other than beige/ taupe/ creme.
• I'm a counselor for friends when it feels like something is about to break. I'm an instigator."
• I am a writer.  
• I am a huge animal lover.
• I am a former zookeeper.  And now I'm an aspiring vegan.  
• I am a daydreamer and a dabbler - cooking and photography and even painting are fun to play around with.
• I am also a musician.  I play flute but haven't in months because my toddler isn't a huge fan of it!  
• I'm an appreciator of simple things.  I'm a woman who's pretty happy being my nerdy introvert self.

But, there were others who didn't respond with such enthusiasm.

Instead, they responded with statements like these:

I don't know who I am.

I've lost myself.

I am not sure about anything about myself anymore.

I don't have time to focus on myself or my dreams.

And, here's what I told them in response.

You haven't lost yourself.

You've just lost the ability to focus on yourself 100 percent like you used to be able to do before other things -- children, jobs, life -- became so demanding.

You've just grown up. You're not that little girl sitting on the wall dangling her feet daydreaming the day away anymore.

You're spinning. You're faced with worries. You're full of fear. You're caring about everyone else but yourself. In fact, at the end of the day, you can't think of more than one thing you did just for yourself.

If we're not careful, we'll lose our sparkle during all that care taking and worrying and fearing of making mistakes.

And, when we live in that "less than" state of mind, we're not happy, which means we're not at peace. And when we aren't feeling at peace with ourselves or our life, there's a very good chance our children aren't feeling at peace either.

I don't want that to happen to you.

The only way to get back to yourself -- or to find the new you -- is to start where you are right now.

That might be doing the dishes. Or scanning Facebook, again.

You might not have time for anything extra in the margins of motherhood just yet.

And that's OK.

But, if you really want that sparkle back, you have to work for it. You have to find the time. You have to carve out the space. You have to make YOU a top priority.

Time has to become your friend not your enemy. Use every single precious moment to your advantage to create a feeling of peace and being enough.

That's when you'll start to see the abundance in your life.

For now, though, please know that the real YOU is still inside that body that feels so overwhelmed with parenting and working and housekeeping.

Your dreams are alive and shining inside of you.

And your time will come, and it will probably be very soon.

*****

Shawn Fink is the author of The Playful Family and the Thinking Mama behind Awesomely Awake, a blog encouraging families to find their happy place. She is a peace and kindness spreader and offers various e-courses, including The Abundant Mama Project that guides mamas in creating their own daily gratitude practice.  You can follow Shawn on her Blog or find her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. 

The Abundant Mama Project is a 5-week e-course experience that guides you through a self-discovery journey to figure out who you are now that you are a mother and what really is the most important things in your life. For five weeks, we take self-care time to do journaling prompts, real-life gratitude challenges and connect with a wonderful, supportive tribe of like-minded Mamas around the world who share the same stories of struggle, transformation and triumph. And now, you can also join the Abundant Mama Peace Circle, which extends the course in a weekly e-mail for the rest of 2013. 

Quick note from Liz: I'm an affiliate for Shawn's Abundant Mama ecourse and Peace Circle because I really think they are going to be fantastic and a beautiful opportunity to connect with other mamas.