"Spooky scary skeletons send shivers down your spine," *dun dun dun* (tell me you're singing it in your head, now - or aloud - even better!). It's no secret I love spooky season. As a lover of all things spook and as a fun mom (well, I try), I'm always looking for simple ways to sprinkle spook around the house. I'll be sharing a series of ideas for anyone with littles (or you know, for yourself) that will bring ghoulish giggles to everyone involved! Jump right on in to simple ways to sprinkle ... VIEW POST

Simple ways to sprinkle spook part 1

Get them reading with the Tower of Books Challenge
Parents and kids everywhere are feeling the 'end of the year slump' as summer approaches and dreams of closing up the books mix with summer plans that often don't involve a lot of reading. We began feeling that familiar slump after taking a mid-year break of our own (beauty of homeschooling year-round) that left me looking for new ideas to inspire more independent reading in our house. Thanks to Teachers Pay Teachers, I found a great way to get them reading with the tower of books ... VIEW POST

Raise them to love the unloved things
...raise children who love the unloved things... I've always had a knack for seeing the beauty in things that might otherwise seem repulsive -- cupping roving spiderlings in my hands to escape quick-footed spider-squashers is what I do (everyone keeps a tarantula under their bed in college, right?). I don't think I've ever intentionally trampled a spider, come to think of it. Seems ridiculous, I suppose, but I feel for the unloved things. Creepy crawlies and critters that slither might ... VIEW POST

Simple Activity Station Ideas for Kids
I'm often asked, "Jess, how do you function with five kids and a circus of animals?" The answer? Girl Scout cookies and wine (I kid, I kid...mostly...more milk than wine). Cookies aside, since beginning a life of schooling/working at home, I've found that we are all happier when we have options - lots of options. So, I'm going to share a few of my simple activity station ideas for kids that will keep them (and you) happy! Simple Activities - Stay Organized! Before jumping into ALL OF THE ... VIEW POST

Glittery Glowing Monster Jars
Glitter. You either love it or hate it. I'm in the "love it as long as I don't have to clean it up" category. Let's be honest, if you decide to bust open the glitter, you're committing to one to two weeks of picking it out of everything. Like, every nook and cranny. You'll probably even find it in your underwear. It doesn't matter how hard you try to contain it. Once you release the sparkle, it's "game over." Whether you love or hate glitter, you're almost certain to appreciate this colorful, ... VIEW POST
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✨️✨️ This & unapologetic whimsy? Yes. Yes, indeed. How will you add a little whimsy to your life this week, mortals?? ...I am working on an Alice in Wonderland themed fairy garden, myself. 🤌
#whimsy #aliceinwonderland #witchyvibes #magical #homeinspiration
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✨️✨️🌱 Garden inspiration for all my green-thumb hopefuls out there, mortals!! 🌱✨️✨️
....are you not impressed? Are you not entertained?! ....the teenager is not amused. 🤷♀️ #bruh
#garden #gardeninspo #gardening gardenlove
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✨️🌙 What choices will you make to be and live better? How will you use your beautiful soul to create whimsy and magic in your life? What would you add to this ever-growing list, mortals? 🌙✨️
....I am adding glitter bombs to my list....
#bebetter #liveauthentic #whimsy #whimsical #humanity
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✨️🌙 Time for a reset, mortals. Lose yourself for just a minute...breathe...plot how you`re going to be a whimsical menace... 🌙✨️
🌙✨️ How will you work a little whimsy into your week? ✨️🌙
#inspiration #inspiring #moodygrams #witchesofinstagram #createcommune
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✨️💀 A little behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a couple Soulless Statues that will be making their screen debut (& capturing a soul or two) soon 💀✨️
....they`re kind of....adorable? Is that...is that just a mother`s love??? 🤣🤘 thanks to @ajrbrothers for always providing the best soundtrack for skipping to the best part 👌
@the.aj.bennett
@cfulsterauthor
@javadadlife
@puma540hz
@nicholee_oolee
@90skid4lyfe
@duncanjhollis
@floatingrockproductions
#setdesign #moviemaking #moviemagic #horror #horrorart
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✨️✨️ Slipcover refresh from @comfortworks ✨️✨️
🌙 Anyone else use slipcovers to reign in on the domestic chaos that is having 5 kids, 7 cats, 3 dogs, and a Derek?? 🤣 I`ve been supporting Comfort Works for years as their covers are the only I`ve come across thay actually stand up to our goblin lifestyle 🥂 This is the signature velvet in caramel -- pet/claw friendly - and our sensory sensitive kiddos love the texture/feel of the fabric. 🌙
#home #slipcover #comfortworks #vintagestyle #moodygrams
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Why I feel closer than ever to Jesus as a practicing Pagan and former Christian.
Spirituality, religion, faith — all incredibly relevant and powerful to the human experience. Mostly, I believe, because humans are fragile and beautifully imaginative. We want to know why, how, and where we came from…the reason for our existence. We are a naturally curious and innovative species and generally uncomfortable with the unknown. So, we create stories. Stories that provide us with the answers we seek and the push to live without that nagging fear of the unknown…tugging at our hearts and souls.
At its best, faith inspires and lifts us to be better — to love and give more. At its worst, it is weaponized to control, dominate, and conquer.
Growing up in the church ultimately showed me that much of what folks consider “good Christianity” is performative. Gathered together in a vaulted sanctuary, light pouring through stained glass windows — we sing praises, arms raised. We listen to the message of another human, trying to make sense of the world. We feel better by doing this…somehow emboldened that we are doing life right — that when we inevitably die, we will achieve spiritual immortality. Meanwhile, children go hungry, the homeless are reviled, the poor suffer, the immigrant is attacked, trans folks are vilified, bombs are dropped, the Earth is destroyed -- all while we sing Glory to God, drop $20 in a plate, and sip coffee in a wooden pew.
And we are pushed to share the good news — desperate for the world to know that Jesus loves you!! He died for you! He was sacrificed so that the world would know the truth.
The truth? The truth is that Jesus was arrested, tortured, and crucified because he was a threat to the establishment — to religious leaders and the government who feared his message would turn the people against them and their lust for power. Jesus opened minds that were shuttered, shattered the status quo, boldly broke religious rules, and challenged religious authorities that were more concerned with control & law than justice and care for the oppressed.
Justice and care for the oppressed. Radical, much?
*rest is in comments because I am too wordy 🤣*
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✨️ A mellow moody moment for you, mortals ✨️
🌙 ...to remind you to reset, inhale-exhale, notice......even (& especially when) life is breathing down your neck like a fire spewing dragon living with IBS that ate two chicken chalupas supreme combos smothered in 27 packets of @tacobell Diablo sauce. 🌙
✨️ look out for each other, mortals ✨️
#tacobell #lifelessons #naturelovers #inspiration #homeinspiration
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