i am trying very hard to use what i have. i think i could take lessons from you, though.

Oooo, bonfires!

Isn't it funny, but when you start making a conscious effort to be less materialistic it gets easier to recognize the things you just don't need. That's how I always feel about the size of our house...less space, less to fill with stuff, less energy used to maintain it.

well said, alicia! it's hard to escape from our materialistic culture - but it needs to be done!

Great advice -- we could all stand to think more about what we consume/purchase. It is a constant struggle for me, but I try! (score one for me for actually remembering to take my canvas shopping bags to the grocery store yesterday!)

I have been really making an effort to use less and buy less. I see a difference in our big family. And I cetainly feel better for it.

Your weekend looked wonderful!
Great 'Blog Action Day' words as well. Something we all need to do!

Well said. We certainly can do without SO MUCH. Love your pictures too...

Was that first picture taken at the Pizza Shoppe (I think that's the name), home of the M'Lady salad with pink dressing? Just a throwback from when we used to live in KC - I thought the panelling looked familiar.
I, too, have a crawl space full of unfinished knitting, quilting and cross stitch projects. I ought to finish them before buying another!

Here's a great idea...a craft consignment shop for a good cause. Give a new life to craft materials you can't use, and when you need something...instead of running to your nearest big box-with-stuff-from-halfway-across the world-with who-knows-what labor conditions-store...you can recycle stuff that's someone else already bought, save yourself a bunch of money, and contribute to a good cause.

you are so right, alicia!! thank you for posting about this and reminding us.
love your photos of the weekend, what fun!
and that little playhouse, a piece of art, my friend!

I agree, buy handmade because it does make a difference. I too try to think about where things, especially food, comes from & how far it traveled.

Oh lovely photos!

Very well said:)

Hey, I recognize that first picture... just slightly. :) Mmm, pizza.

Ohhh, is that a diner? I love diners. Anyway, I never heard of Blog Action Day until I read it here in your blog...so now I've included it on my blog and linked you in there. Have a wonderful day in your jammies with your little girl!

We've recently started buying almost everything with cash (groceries included) and it's amazing what you don't buy when you have to hand over the green stuff.

True true true. I like Betsy's idea about cash - very clever.

great blog action day post (i know, i'm a little late- just discovered your blog). i also just learned about buyhandmade.org, where you can make a pledge to only buy handmade gifts for the holidays (frankly i think it should be for life in general, but you gotta start somewhere). thanks for sharing and so glad i found you!

I'm in the midst of a personal revolution. I realized recently just how much stuff we have that we don't need and how much of it we bought without thinking. I actually sat down one day with my checking account info and tracked WHERE we spent (not just what budget categories we spent on) and I was amazed by how thoughtless we are about knowing where our stuff comes from, etc. (There's a whole post about it at my blog, so I won't go into it here, but it was very eye-opening.)

Why did I miss this when you originally posted it?! So thoughtful. I never thought I'd come to that place. But it's actually happening around here. Who knew.