Reach out and touch

I was out in the world yesterday with my two daughters.  I was not the only one feeling so very aware of all the light and life and beauty they carry with them wherever they go.  As Emma and Sophia chatted her ear off, an older woman in the card store reached out her hands and cradled Sophia's face, she ran her hand over the top of Emma's little head and then she squeezed my arm as she told me how beautiful they are. 

We are all grieving.  But we are also reaching out, to acknowledge that we are still here and that we are not alone and that we possess deep wells of love and compassion from which we can touch another's heart.  So much inspiration is found in Connecticut communities and around the world.  Whether a quiet, solitary gesture or a heartfelt family project, I do hope that you find your way to something that helps you move from heartache into sweet, beautiful, healing connection.

• I found this excellent list of ways to send your condolences and support the organizations that are bringing grief counseling and comfort to the Newtown community.
• The Sandy Hook PTA will be creating a winter wonderland at the children's new school in nearby Monroe.  On their behalf, the Connecticut PTSA is organizing Snowflakes for Sandy Hook. 
• Many communities across the country are organizing teddy bear drives, backpack drives and collecting art supplies and healing books for children and their parents.  If you have gifts to share, you can email newtownboe@gmail.com to make arrangements for your donations.

Thank you to Eileen Straiton and Little Acorn Learning for inspiring us all to reach out and touch.  She is collecting stories of light and hope on her blog.  Please share yours, so that we may continually remind ourselves and our children that there is tremendous good in this world.

xo,

Allison



 

Season's Eatings

I have written before about how much I enjoy welcoming my children into the kitchen. Once a week we bake cookies or muffins together. Sometimes the kids pull up stools to help get dinner ready, peeling carrots or shelling peas. It’s a fun way to connect with each other, while they uncover the mysteries of measuring and mixing and cracking eggs. It is my hope that the memories of our time together in the kitchen- and the skills that they are learning- will stay with them throughout their lives.



Emma (left) making scones with our neighbor, Bella

For this reason, I feel blessed to have met Leah Cherry, who has a similar passion for teaching children practical skills for everyday living. Leah is the founder of Skill It, a company offering classes and workshops that support and encourage healthy children, families, and communities. Through hands-on lessons, Leah is teaching children how to grow, prepare and eat simple, healthy, and delicious food.

And this summer, the magic of Leah’s workshops is coming to your kitchen!!

She has created a wonderful new online program for families called Season’s Eatings. This program is chock-full of step-by-step recipes to help everyone cook together, as well as tips, games and fun activity sheets to get kids involved in the food shopping, visits to the famers’ markets, setting the table and cooking.

I am honored to be contributing to this great program, and so excited to offer my blog readers a very special discount! When you register, use the discount code “Simple” and pay only $15!

It really is that simple. Four weeks of great resources that you can use again and again, and plenty of inspiration to keep your family smiling in the kitchen!

Click here to register!

Cleaning House

Welcome to my new little home on the web, www.allisonabramson.com

I've been cleaning up and reorganizing things a bit.  I hope you find this space to be full of inspiration for slowing down and making space for the simple joys of childhood!

Be sure to visit My Programs which now include Simplicity Parenting Book Discussions for moms' groups, book clubs and other groups.

This winter, I'll be contributing to two exciting programs created by my friends Stephanie and Erin.  Click on the buttons at the right for all the details.

And when you have some time, browse through the list of my favorite blogs.  These sites are overflowing with ideas to deepen family connections. 

Thank you for visiting!  Enjoy your time here. 

And if you like what you see, please join the conversations at my Facebook Page, too.  I'd love to hear from you.

Warmly,
Allison