{this moment} on two continents! 31 January 2014

Each week my South African friend Vanessa and I post {this moment} on two continents! as a ritual to celebrate our friendship and the bond we share as we raise our boys "together" on opposite sides of the globe.

One of my favorite things about our weekly posts is celebrating the dichotomy of our seasonal experience. This week in the US we hunkered down for yet another winter storm. I found myself very grateful for the warmth of my home. I became very aware of the dichotomy of our own indoor and outdoor experience; I became even more grateful of the shelter we call home.

 

Outside & Inside

 And what a winter it has been. Snowbanks as tall as my boys!

 We created a new game as we tried to get some fresh air despite the cold; snow soccer! - United States

 On the other side of the globe in ZA there are green leafy trees & beach days still to be had! Aidan likes swinging into the giant rosemary bush under the camphor trees.

 Mila's first beach day - South Africa

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo few photos - no words - some words :-) capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment} on two continents! 24 January 2014

Each week my South African friend Vanessa and I post {this moment} on two continents! as a ritual to celebrate our friendship and the bond we share as we raise our boys "together" on opposite sides of the globe.

Our week was filled with "presents." Here in Michigan we were so grateful for the presence of sunshine in our lives this week. We literally found reasons to linger in the windows and bask in the sunlight we have been missing so much!

Ruben stood in the sunlight and helped me do the dishes.

We decided to celebrate the lengthening days by having breakfast for dinner. We were grateful for the gift of maple syrup on our waffles! These are the simple pleasures we try to celebrate each day. - United States

Far away our friends celebrated the gift of welcoming a new member to their family!!  Meet Mila, a Black Russian terrier, who is sure to become Aidan's new best friend! - South Africa

It was also exciting to hear that the package we mailed (about six weeks ago now) finally made its way around the world! Among the gifts was the Soule Family book, The Rhythm of Family:Discovering a Sense of Wonder Through the Seasons, that inspired our own United States & South African {this moment} collaboration. It felt really special to send a copy of this book to a friend who shares my own passion for celebrating the seasons and the wonders of nature.

Finally, when I asked Miles what he wanted to send his friend far away, he answered with a resounding, " a great lakes shirt like mine"  So that is what we did. It is amazing to see Aidan wearing it, and also knowing how much love was sent along with our gifts to our friends!  For now, we continue to dream of the gift of being in each others presence.  I cannot wait for the day our boys will play together!!  Right now I am thankful for the gift of technology that allows us to share so much of each others lives. <3

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo few photos - no words - some words :-) capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment} on two continents! 17 January 2014

Each week my South African friend Vanessa and I post {this moment} on two continents! as a ritual to celebrate our friendship and the bond we share as we raise our boys "together" on opposite sides of the globe.

I think the only thing better than family, is good food + family!  We love to make pizza for dinner at our house.  This week my boys wanted to put on their pajamas before dinner so they could "relax" while they were eating the pizza they worked so hard to help me make.

 Chef Miles & Chef Ruben - United States

In South Africa Aidan was helping celebrate Vanessa's mothers birthday!  Good food + family + a celebration. Three generations together is so amazing! - South Africa

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo few photos - no words - some words :-) capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment} on two continents! 10 January 2014

Each week my South African friend Vanessa and I post {this moment} on two continents! as a ritual to celebrate our friendship and the bond we share as we raise our boys "together" on opposite sides of the globe.

So far this New Year has not been gentle with us.  We have begun with the blizzard produced by the famed "polar vortex," and a few catastrophic events at the family business - no big deal.   Aside from the fact that I adore working with this man that I love; we are tired and we sure could use a break. So - if you are getting a full nights rest at your house, and things seem calm and boring on your home front, please appreciate the peace, and send some of those vibes our way - fast!

 The hardworking man that I love - United States

Here is a peaceful photo from our friends in the Southern Hemisphere to balance out our chaos :-)

Aidan is practicing so that he can help us shovel snow next time! - South Africa

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo few photos - no words - some words :-) capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{this moment} on two continents! 3 January 2014

Each week my South African friend Vanessa and I post {this moment} on two continents! as a ritual to celebrate our friendship and the bond we share as we raise our boys "together" on opposite sides of the globe.

 

 Together we painted the artwork on which we will write the promises our family made for the New Year.

We lit candles in the darkness of winter to honor the gift of this new year we have been given and set our intentions. - United States

Aidan started the New Year with his two cousins from the UK who are staying with us,  discovering their first 'champagne.' - South Africa

I must say that I adore the differences in these two pictures. In the US we are huddled by candlelight, and in South Africa they are sitting on the deck in the sunlight!  The wonders of this earth and our seasons never cease to amaze me.

  
Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo few photos - no words - some words :-) capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.