22 August 2019
Here’s the thing: it is as idyllic as it looks. It’s blue ocean as far as the eye can see, and blue sky as far as the eye can see, and salty-seaweedy air, and cool evenings, and eating blueberries off the bush, and cousins who love each other, and reading all afternoon, and charming shingled cottages with actual lobster buoys hanging on the side. And here’s something else, something I am becoming increasingly aware of with each passing year: these things don’t just happen, they are made to happen. This place, it takes people making budgets and writing by-laws and picking up brush in the sun and asking after each other’s children to keep humming along so beautifully. These family cottages, they take people agreeing on common rules and doing the dishes even though they’re on vacation and abiding alongside each other even when they couldn’t be more different. It’s easier to go it alone, but it’s not more beautiful. That kind of beauty is hard to show in photos, but somehow, it seems to be reflected in the scenery of our beloved island in Maine, and that I can show you… For those who are new: “the island” is a small community off the coast of Maine with 36 cottages and one truck. Two of those cottages belong to my Dad’s side of the family and my Mom’s side of the family (that’s how they met – both have been in their families for generations, and they grew up going to this place each summer, just like I have!). The one truck can be used to help move the big suitcases (and VERY excited kiddos), but everything else gets pushed and pulled in Gardenway carts. Good thing Pop Pop has lots of help :) Shep had to wait almost
31 July 2018
My love for both my family’s summer cottages in Maine and the book The Tech-Wise Family are by now well-documented, but it wasn’t until our most recent visit that I figured out the connection between the two. While in my everyday life, it can feel like a fight to implement the author’s Ten Tech-Wise Commandments*, in Maine, they are a natural way of life. That’s why our time there feels like such a breath of fresh air, and it’s just one of the many reasons why I’m so grateful for this beautiful place! Here are a few photos from our time up North this year, if you’d like to see! We made our first visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and they were AMAZING! We hardly scratched the surface of what they have available for kiddos after several hours. Highly recommended!! Another highlight was a beach day on the Island with my grandma (June’s great grandma!). Such a treat to spend time with her!! Ahhhh… the best view in the world. Until next year, friends! *In case you’re wondering what the commandments are, here you are the ones most relevant for our time in Maine: 1. We develop wisdom and courage together as a family. 2. We want to create more than we consume, so we fill the center of our home with things that reward skill and active engagement. 3. We are designed for a rhythm of work and rest, so one hour a day, one day a week, and one week a year, we turn off our devices and worship, feast, play, and rest together. 4. We wake up before our devices do, and they “go to bed” before we do. 5. We aim for “no screens before double digits” at school and at home. 6. We
14 August 2015
The nice thing about going back to the same place every year is that even though it’s your favorite place in the world, it’s okay when you leave… because you know you’ll be back. I’ll be back next year, and the year after that, and the year after that — and that is a huge blessing. Here are a few favorite photos from our 2015 week in Maine! I have to say, after hanging out with my niece for the week, 18 months seems like a GREAT age. Like, actually legitimately fun. I think she learned 100 new words in the ten days we were together! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!