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The Unplugged Family Activity Book

Herbal Adventures

LüSa Mama Instagram

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How’s your heart, friend? What a season this has

How’s your heart, friend? What a season this has been. Sometimes it feels like a mountain is resting on my chest. You, too?

Perhaps the takeaways of this unprecedented season are these: Take care of one another. Decide what really matters and focus your energy there. Fight like hell for those more vulnerable than you. Use what you have. Embrace imperfection. Be generous. Make space for grief. Be a good human. Seek out small signs of magic. Connect with plants and the earth. Develop self-reliance. Cultivate empathy. Be kind, without the need to be nice. Understand the difference. Stay open. Learn and grow. Get comfortable with the words, “I’m sorry,” “I didn’t realize that,” and “thank you”. Remember to rest. And vote like our very lives depend upon it. Because they do.

Picture of my @taprootmag barn sweater knitting project, knitted with homegrown and home-dyed wool, on a quilt made by my great-grandma and mended by me.

We haven’t been on our little farmstead for the

We haven’t been on our little farmstead for the month of September for years. Maine, then Ireland, Canada, then Iceland + Ireland again...

Because September is “back to school” season, we love for it to be our “back to roadschool” season, and often go for four to six weeks at a time. And so September’s are my bliss.

And in truth, we contemplated a trip this fall in our small, vintage, self-contained RV. I even started readying our rig and pressure canning meals (to reduce the number of grocery restocks we would need while out of our rural germ bubble).

But we have a lot on our plates right now (pandemic aside), and our rig needed leagues more readying than I ever imagined. And it honestly feels rather reckless to hit the road during lock-down, potentially bringing Wisconsin-level crud all the way to the Atlantic.

And so here we are. At home.

How fortunate we are to have one at all, and especially one so safe, green, and whole. And so instead of watching the miles ramble by, we’re watching the garden drift to sleep and the hills slowly turn to gold.

And honestly, it feels simultaneously nourishing and antsy to be here now. Like so much this season, we’re beyond grateful for everything we have. But we also secretly long for what we don’t. For all that has changed.

We’re steeped in privilege over here, no doubt. We even managed health insurance this year, for the first time in 7 years! We’re making the mortgage, month after month, and there is abundant, healthy food on our table. And for all of that we are glad.

Yet it’s still human to grieve the little losses that we pull on every day. And I think right now I need to give myself permission to do just that.

What about you? What small (or large) losses are you grieving, and what privileges do you celebrate?

(Photo outtake from my new book, The Unplugged Family Activity Book.)

Unsolicited homeschooling tip of the day: they’r

Unsolicited homeschooling tip of the day: they’re learning even when the books are away.

Our late summer and fall have been unilaterally dominated by the swimming pond project. And from 7:00 to 9 or 10 am each day plus a couple of hours most afternoons, you’ll find us busily working down in “the pit”. Does it resemble school? Goodness, no. But are we schooling? Oh, heck yeah.

What are we learning? So much! At ages 13, 18, and 47, school is very much in session. We’re learning new and useful life skills, complex project planning, and we’re neck deep in PE, math, and (holy moly!) problem solving. While a pool project doesn’t sound academic, it most definitely has proven to be (I’m looking at you, Pythagorean Theorem).

Transitioning your children from a formal school setting to homeschooling is a transition for everyone. Make space justment for everyone. Make space if you can for something known as “de-schooling”, when kids are bored and restless, as they adapt to their newfound freedom. It makes grown-ups feels crawly, but it’s a passage they must come through on their own terms, emerging voracious for learning, exploring, and doing.

And while many children thrive with firm structure, others truly blossom when the interest-led learning begins. Get to know your child’s learning style, an experiment until you find a fit.

Homeschooling needn’t be stressful or full of you pushing or haranguing constantly. Really! Begin by thinking about what your child is passionate about. Animal care or archaeology? Soccer or woodworking? Dance or baking? Peg doll painting or watercolors?

All of these passions and more are an opportunity to simply embrace the natural journey of self-discovery, love of learning, and skill building.

And all that we as caregivers need to do is cheer them on, and (most importantly if all) get out of the way.

Are you new to homeschooling this year? What worries do you have for how the coming year will unfold?

It's a small loss on the global pandemic scale. Bu

It's a small loss on the global pandemic scale. But during the COVID crisis, my publisher allowed my first book, Herbal Adventures to go out of print. Perhaps had it come up for a third (fourth?) printing during different times, it wouldn't have been set aside, but here we are. And we work with what we're given.

From a practical point, this means it's going to be much harder to pick up a copy in bookshops or in big retailers like Amazon. However, I got a head's up from the warehouse when it went out of print, and they let me cut in line to snag all the copies they had left! So I'm stocked up into the foreseeable future, ready and willing to ship you a signed copy if that's your—or your child’s—desire.

To sweeten the deal, for each copy of Herbal Adventures or The Unplugged Family Activity Book sold on my site from here going forward, I will have a tree planted on your behalf, via @onetreeplanted.

Despite being disappointed by my beloved first book going out of print, it feels like a solid triple win:
Win 1: You get a sweet book to share with your loved ones.
Win 2: you directly support an author (instead of a big box retailer) when you buy.
And win 3: we plant some trees, which the planet needs now more than ever.

How does that land, my friend? So you already have a copy? What’s been your favorite plant to learn and grow with this season?

#herbaladventuresbook

#woodswitch
#herbs
#plantmedicine
#apothecary
#getwellsoon
#herbalwitch
#coldseason
#wellness
#buddingherbalist
#medicinalherbs
#kitchenwitch
#naturalhealth
#myherbalstudies
#planthealing
#herbalistlife
#herbaleducation
#driedherbs
#herbalist
#naturalremedies
#herbalism
#planthealing
#herbalistsofinstagram
#herbaladventures
#herbs
#herbalhealing
#plantmedicine
#cottagewitch
#holistichealing
#herbalremedies

Thank you for the boundless enthusiasm with which

Thank you for the boundless enthusiasm with which you met my last post. Who knew that my little fantasy would resonate with so many.

As it turns out, I’m not the only one who is dreaming of traveling again someday, of connecting with a small, intimate group of people, of going deeper into magic and medicine, history and her-story.

Indeed, I’m not alone in absolutely swooning over this idea.

And the more I thought about it (and quite literally dreamed of it), the more I felt like this is something that we could actually create. That I could plan this and together we might breathe it into life.

And I can't get enough of this plan.

As many of you will recall, we spend a month in Ireland a few years back, and then another 5 weeks there just last fall. Our travels tend to be quiet, magical, historical, and very much off-the-beaten-path, with gems like isolated waterfalls, beaches strewn with polished, semi-precious stones, and stone circles far from the tourist travel rings around the island.

We forage wild things for tea and soup, make our own sea salt, and crawl deep into sacred tombs. And there is so much yet to be discovered!

So. Who’s game to dream this little dream with me? For a future day, when we can travel once more? We’ll even plant trees as a carbon-offset for our flights there and back again.

If you’re down with this fantasy (even a little bit), follow the top link in my bio to a blog post I just wrote about it, and add your name to the email list on that page so you can hear about any plans that I share.

And if you, like me, are literally dreaming of making this journey, then double down and drop an email to my Herbal Retreat mailbox (retreat@lusaorganics.com) and ask me to add you to my retreat email list. That way you’ll be the very first to hear as things begin taking shape (and perhaps you’ll even share an idea or to that will help to plan our path on this transformative adventure).

Because now more than ever, we need to make space for dreams. (Read more through the link.)

New plan. When we can safely travel again, you com

New plan. When we can safely travel again, you come to Ireland with me on an herbal retreat. We tour off-the-beaten-path stone circles and burial tombs; connect with and learn from local herbalists, storytellers, and organic farmers; forage wild things; plant some trees; hike to some magical mossy groves; and ground out deeply on the Emerald Isle. Who's game for this plan? ( She asks, fully lost in the dream/fantasy realm...)

Moving too fast? Now more than ever, the desire t

Moving too fast?

Now more than ever, the desire to slow down, reconnect, create more joy, and savor family life stirs deep within our essence.

Join me, along with a carefully curated community of experts from around the globe as we present to you our very first Simple Living Collection.

A blueprint to a life full of lasting memories, new skills, and deeper connections.

From my work around foraging with children to a step-by-step tutorial for painting barn quilts, this incredible collection will help you and your family find deeper connection and meaning during these uncertain days.

To help spread the word, I’d be honored if you’d tag any friends you think would love to slow down and reconnect as well.

Our autumnal issue is only available through September 13th for $25! With over 30 creators sharing their tried and true skills, everything from learning to cook with cast iron, to crochet basics, to creating an ancestral feast is inside. Sourdough, grain milling, seasonal tea times, gardening skills, preserving your own food, foraging with children, finger knitting, and so much more!

- 35+ products including e-books, tutorials, patterns, recipes, stories, & more
- materials for all ages
- materials that can be used worldwide

7 carefully curated categories:
- Create
- Grow
- Nourish
- Raise
- Wildcraft
- Family
- Healthy Home

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to slow down, savor family life, and learn new skills! You can find a link to all the details in my bio.

#slcautumn20
#slcautumn
#childhoodeveryday
#fleetingtotimeless
#gettingmommywithit
#handsonlearning
#homeschool
#homeschool365
#homeschoolactivities
#homeschoolersofinstagram
#homeschooling
#homeschooling
#homeschoollife
#interestledlearning
#invitationtolearn
#kidsunplugged
#learningtogether
#lifelearners
#lifelearning
#lifeoutside
#ourcandidmoments
#playmatters
#playtolearn
#selfdirectedlearning
#simplicityparenting
#theartofslowliving
#theworldisourclassroom
#unpluggedfamily
#unschool
#unschooling

As my second book nestles its way onto family book

As my second book nestles its way onto family bookshelves around the globe, I find myself mulling over what my next book might be (if there indeed is a next). While my first two were written for kids and their families, that was never honestly the sort of book I imagined myself writing (though it is a perfect fit), nor is it the only writing space that I'm comfortable in.
And so I'm curious... is there something that you would be delighted to read that I might have the skills to create? A book based on what I do and what I write that would speak to your heart.
What comes to mind, friends? I'm open to all manner of suggestions. Thank you kindly!

I’ve decided that my life was a heck of a lot mo

I’ve decided that my life was a heck of a lot more interesting (and photogenic!) this time last year, and for the duration of September, I shall spare you the photos of my tomato harvest and applesauce canning, and instead pretend we are in Ireland once more, on the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime.

Okay, perhaps not, but I’m certainly homesick for this favorite place we love, and longing to return. (Now... how to convince Ireland to let us stay for keeps... there’s something to work on.)

#roadschooling
#ireland
#roadtripireland
#homeschooling
#fleetingtotimeless
#idratherbeinnature
#gooutsideandexplore
#childhoodeveryday
#homeschool
#playtolearn
#playmatters
#optoutside
#interestledlearning
#gooutside
#invitationtolearn
#kidsunplugged
#lifeoutside
#ourcandidmoments
#outdoortherapy
#1000hoursoutside
#unschool
#theartofslowliving
#gettingmommywithit
#theworldisourclassroom
#unpluggedfamily
#getoutdoors
#unschooling

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About Me

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Ireland herbal retreat dreams
The Autumn Simple Living Collection
Eighteen
What happens when a rare hummingbird shows up at your birdfeeder? (asking for a friend)
Savoring this season

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