A Dreamy Spring Giveaway!

Today I am so excited to offer a giveaway for…

a spot in Mama Scout’s upcoming Dream Lab

Dream Lab is a 10 day explosion of information where I share everything I know about getting things done. Making things happen. And staying open to all possibilities.

We will talk about how to collect your ideas, how to map your past for clues and connections, how to open up and talk to strangers, how to expand time, think bigger, share your ideas, ask for what you want, and create a consistent creative practice.

Each day, for 10 days, starting on April 14 you will receive and email with a provocative and juicy essay, writing prompts and creative projects that will help you manifest those ideas knocking around in your head. There will also be music, movie and book recommendations as well as a few little surprises (hint: sign up early to get one of them in the mail!)

The most exciting part is that we will turn our group into a true lab of alchemic passion. We will pull from our collective knowledge, creativity and resources to help each other get closer to each of our dreams. When we help others we propel ourselves along our path too. I have seen this in my other labs over and over. Connections, deep connections are made as soul mates and friends from around the world are found.

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Having participated in Amy’s courses over the years I can tell you that she offers a wonderful, encouraging, and insightful course. And that bit about the group turning into a lab of “alchemic passion?” Well, it’s true. Because connecting with others is one of the very best ways to make your dreams come true.

Now, how can you enter to win?

To win your space just leave a comment below telling us… what are you dreaming of creating this Spring?

Enter today by leaving your comment and I will randomly pick a winner this Friday, on April 11th!
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PS – Amy is hosting a giveaway spot for season’s eatings on her blog as well…click here to pop over and enter for a second chance to win!

Feathering the Nest: an interview with Amy Bowers

The Spring session of Feathering the Nest is underway and Stephanie and I are having such a wonderful time connecting with our beautiful community in that space. Whether you’ve taken the course, are in it now, or might take it in the future, taking a peek into someone’s home is something we can all enjoy. We can learn so much from one another, sharing our experiments, successes, and fresh perspectives.

it with our intentions and desires to connect with some of the lovely women who have been through our course by inviting them to share their own experiences with creating a soul-nourishing nest.
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Today we are welcoming Amy Bowers to the blog to talk about creating a soul and family nourishing nest. Amy has journeyed with us through all the sessions of Feathering the Nest and we are so honored to have her joining us today for a chat about sacred space making.

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S & L: When you think about home and sacred space what does this mean to you?
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AB: I think of a place where we all feel safe to be vulnerable and explore the full arc of who we are. I think the laughter and tears (and even screams and slams) of our life together are like a mortar that fills the crooks and crannies and imbues our space with a healing energy of shared experience.
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I also feel like we carry this sense of home with us when are together. As we travel and explore the world together, it feels like we are enshrouded in a cloak of family that becomes our temporary home.

S & L: Holding space for other energies in the home can be tricky sometimes. How do you navigate this challenge in your space?
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AB: I have three homeschooled children and a husband who until very recently worked odd hours so we often have a wide variety of energies co-existing! Luckily, we live in a very big old house, so there are places for people to go when they need quiet time. We also live near two amazing walking lakes, a library, art museum and downtown, so we can break off into little satellites of energy and go exploring. Our yard is tiny, but has chickens, a trampoline, a climbing tree, a little pond and a few secret spots. In all, I think our space allows for reflection and rest, study time, reading, explorations, or wild energy expression.

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S & L: How would you describe you home in 3 words? Would you say that these words lead or inspire you to enhance your space regularly?

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full, creative, cozyI need to remember these words and work to constantly straighten and cull, or we become chaotic and cluttered. I want to be surrounded by the detritus of our projects and passions. I want us to be comfortable. To be honest, it is a struggle to rein it all in sometimes._
S & L: When we hit bumps in the road or life starts to feel a little heavy or overwhelming, where do you find retreat? 

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As a family, we love to cook and eat together, maybe outside with a little fire. Weekly movie nights (or game nights) are cuddly and a way to reconnect. Personally, I love to soak in my old claw foot tub. We have a little skylight above it and I can watch the birds fly from lake to lake as I melt away. I also like to lay in bed with all my windows open. Right now the loquat tree is full of fruit and within reaching distance from my window. So, I can read, write and watch the birds and squirrels snack and quarrel. I can even grab a little snack for myself if I am so inclined!
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S & L: Do you have any mind, body or space clearing rituals to renew yourself and your home? 

I love a good purge and furniture rearranging. I also like to clean my wood floors by hand (although admittedly that does not happen enough). We listen to chant, Erik Satie or Django, open all the windows, burn incense and putter around. So often we are on the go. When we slow down and hang around home, we seem to change the energy in the space quickly. 

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Thank you so much, Amy, for blessing us with these beautiful insights, images, and inspirations.

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About Amy…
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I am Amy. Mom to 3 free kids in a sunny peninsula known for its beaches, a certain rodent and juicy oranges. We love traveling, reading, making things, playing, animals, adventuring, nature, movies, music ….. pretty much everything. My husband is a musician, ice cream maker and huge supporter of all the craziness dreamed up here while he is earning the dough.
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Mama Scout celebrates passionate, creative family living through posts showcasing open-ended play and projects, stellar resources, weird ideas, and gentle encouragements to slow down and embrace the ordinary. The next session of Dream Lab, where we will talk about how to collect your ideas, how to map your past for clues and connections, how to open up and talk to strangers, how to expand time, think bigger, share your ideas, ask for what you want, and create a consistent creative practice, begins on April 14th.
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All of the lovely photos in this post were shared by Amy; you can learn more about her upcoming Dream Lab right here.

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We have more gorgeous interviews for you to enjoy!
Click on each name to read their stories and soak up the beautiful images of their spaces here:
Marybeth Bonfiglio // Danielle Cohen // Lindsay Luna //
Kathy Stowell // Jennifer Gabrish // Rachael Ballard // Amy Bowers