We had a great teleclass last night with folks calling in from several different points. We discussed what’s working. What’s not. And perhaps the most resounding, what’s the feeling you’re going for this holiday season. All callers left with some good nugget to take with them into their holiday season. Thanks to all who called in.

We talked a bit about gift giving too and how to keep it in check and fill it with the spirit we are seeking this season. In our house what works for us is to focus on handmade and homemade and on the rituals that allow the whole season to be celebrated.

At Future Craft Collective, my other collaborative endeavor, we just finished up a great round of advent calendar making and each calendar made is so unique – not just in its look but in its purpose too. Some countdown to Christmas, others to New Year’s and still others to solstice or Three Kings Day.

The season is here. And it is ready to be celebrated. In any way, shape or form that you so choose. Make it yours. Make it work for you and your family. And make it something to be enjoyed, not merely endured.

We are excited and proud to announce that Carrie will be representing Slow Family Living on the Today Show Thursday, May 28th. She will be appearing on a segment about Slow Parenting during the Fourth Hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb which is on from 10-11am EDT.

Tell your friends! Tune in!  Tell more friends!

And if you miss it, check back on our site. We’ll be posting the clip.

Wooohooo!

…figuring out ways to transition smoothly and thoughtfully into our winter break. The school schedule is rigid – rising unnaturally at 6:40 a.m., rushing through breakfast and into shoes and coats and WOOSH out the door we go. Three kids dressed, ready, fed in less than an hour is not always a “slow” pace. We have figured out some tricks to make it a little smoother but it never actually feels truly slow.

Now we transition from this schedule into 18 glorious days of break. We are not traveling or gathering even and I am looking forward to a family vacation right here at home. I am looking forward to crafting and walks and holiday movie classics with popcorn and hot chocolate and spacious, spacious time.

I am this morning trying to come up with some ritual to make the transition more recognized and more intentional rather than just sliding mindlessly in. I love ritual and I love creating it too and I’ve got to get moving if I’m going to make this one a good one.

According to Slow Planet slow is…

“…not about doing everything at a snail’s pace; it’s about working, playing and living better by doing everything at the right speed.”

With this in mind we can see that what is slow can vary from person to person, family to family and even day to day.

It seems to me like our usual 2 day weekends just aren’t enough. This 5 day one is feeling rather spacious and luxurious. I think a 3 day one ought to be the norm. In my perfect world that’s what it’d be.