"In Her Shoes": a conversation with Erin of Feather+Anchor

Today is a special edition of "In Her Shoes" as I am welcoming Erin of Feather +Anchor to the blog as a blog sponsor. We have arranged a sponsor swap so you'll see a post from me over there with in the month as well. 

Erin is quiet an inspiring person and when I found her blog, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of her words and photography. To be honest I have a bit of what they call a "blogger crush"! Her space is so open and inviting. She is a mama, wife, radical homesteader and amazing writer.  She has a wonderful story to tell and I had to invite her into my space to sit a chat a while. 

I’m really enchanted by the name of your blog. What is the story behind it?

To be honest, naming a blog or business is often one of my favourite things to do and have been known to change names and spaces many times.  Most recently, I have been: Apples For Poppy Anne, Apples With Honey, Twenty Six Mermaids and now the Feather + Anchor.  My web address for the new space is my name for that very reason, but I think this one is going to stick.

This time I decided to go back to the beginning.  Our tale began with a boy and girl who fell in love and began stitching a little life for themselves; one square at a time.  A boy and his feather; a girl and her anchor.  A sweet balance of stability and whimsy; patience and flight; steady calm and mad fluttering.  We have made magic together {namely Poppy + Silas} and now find it is this blessed little life we’ve been stitching together all along is what keeps us warm even on the coldest of nights.

So yes, the name has changed because it helps me honor the beginning; respect the journey and look forward to the path winding ahead of us with soft eyes and a grateful heart.

Your photography is really wonderful. It is warm and inviting. It feels very poetic much like your writing. You have a real eye for your subject matter as well as composition. Did you know anything about photography before this blog or has it developed because of the blog?

I have always had a great interest in photography, but felt limited by the basic automatic cameras I have always had.  In 2008 we splurged on a Canon DSLR camera with a crazy good lens and I have never regretted it.

I can’t talk ‘camera talk’ to save my life, but I do enjoy photography as hobby and a blog post feels empty without at least one pretty photo. I have never taken a class and don’t have much patience for how-to books so I simply take pictures of whatever catches my eye.  There really is beauty in the details and I love that.

The cabin you live in is really beautiful, romantic actually. It’s also far away from the city as a homestead should be. What has moving to a place filled with such history and isolation taught you about yourself? Do you find yourself a stronger person because of it?

We fell in love with our little cabin as soon as we saw it.  It is a 104 year old settler cabin with a newer log addition built on the back.  There is exposed wiring, uneven floors, and a lack of insulation, but we see past all that (most of the time).  We have 4 rocky acres and are surrounded by 80 acres of which we have full recreational use if we wish.  It is a bit tricky when thinking about growing vegetables and getting small livestock, but it forces us to be creative.  We have 6 laying hens and would like to get some chicks this spring.  We would love to have some bees.  I would love to have a couple sheep for wool while Mike would like to get a couple pigs for preparing land and meat.

Many people in the community have told us that it is a special place and a previous owner told us it was a “healing place”.  We have only lived here since late May 2011, but I do feel like I have been reconnected to something deeper and we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.

And then there were the snakes.  I have not seen many snakes in my lifetime; they leave me alone and I leave them alone.  It was a great arrangement.  I respect the harmless creatures and would never wish harm to come their way, and I am not generally a squeamish person, but I nearly faint when I see one.  Anyway, shortly after moving here they starting showing themselves to me every time I went outside and one nearly got in the house.  Everyone was surprised by the number of encounters I was having so I began to look for deeper meaning.  I found the symbolism profound:

This a powerful totem -- it is the symbol of transformation and healing. The Snake is wisdom expressed through healing. It is a protector and guardian totem If a snake totem has come into your life, your creative forces are awakening. Your intuition will sharpen and be more accurate. Snake energy is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation. It also signals a transition in your life. New opportunities and/or changes. Snake is fire medicine, the medicine of transmutation. On a material level, it is vitality; on an emotional level, it is ambition and dreams; on a mental level, it is intellect and power; on a spiritual level (the highest level), it is wisdom, understanding and wholeness. Snake magic is heavy magic. Become the Magician and transmute the energy and accept the power of the fire.
Wisdom, Healing, Initiation The symbol of eternity

You can read the story of our cabin here: http://erinellenbergermarch.com/2012/01/04/following-a-feeling-cabin-life/

As a stay at home mama I find alone time to be very limited. My two daughters fill my days, so much so that often I forget about my needs for theirs. How and when do you find time to be alone and re-connect with yourself?

I would love to say I have it all figured out, but I don’t.  I often feel depleted and rumpled at the end of a long day.  I am totally guilty of not taking the time I need for myself when I have the chance.

I’ll let you know if I ever figure I out.

You have a lot of lovely recipes on your blog. What is the one thing your family requests the most? What is your favorite go to snack for your little ones?

My kids (especially Poppy) seem to fight me every step of the way and are always asking for peanut butter, jam and ketchup.  Poppy will find the one non-organic thing I didn’t make on her plate or table and only eat that in copious amounts.  Their preferences change from hour to hour so that is a tough one to answer.

That being said they do love the kale chips and any fresh fruit they can get their little hands on.

You can see some of our family favourites here: http://erinellenbergermarch.com/2012/01/18/kid-friendly-snack-ideas-homemade-graham-cackers/

I really enjoyed your recent post about how children make the house messy and chaotic and little crazy, and that it’s okay. I find that my expectations are often what make the craziness seem more than I want to deal with. So I say to myself “this too shall pass” then I let them (my expectations) go and embrace the chaos and do the dishes later. Do you have a mantra that helps you through the chaotic moments?

I am still learning how to do this, but I sometimes find that simply taking a deep breath while repeating in a whisper “let it go let it go let it go…it is ok…it doesn’t matter”

I also want to get my main mantra tattooed on my forearm for handy reading “go gently + be wonderful”.  It speaks to me on so many levels.

Through your words and pictures you’ve shown us your beautiful handmade world. What influenced you to take this simpler path? Have you always wanted to go down this road to a more self connected life?

Looking back it really doesn’t surprise me that I am where I am in life.  I always had different opinions than most of my friends and have always been seen as the Hippy friend. My husband has always been very socially aware as well so we tend to compliment each other.  I am the local thinker and he is the global thinker; we’re a good team though often tortured by our own ideals. 

It was being in Dental Hygiene school from 2005-2007 that made me realize what was important to me and what was ridiculous and so, little by little we have been moving towards this life.  Most of our friends and family are supportive, but we know they think we’re nuts a lot of the time.

Though I say that a hand made life is simpler then a more conventional one, it’s not easier. But the challenge is so much fun. Can you describe to us in 5 words why you love this kind of life; like so many of us do?

Connection

Gratitude

Knowledge

Health

Rhythm

Thank you Erin for taking a bit of time to talk to me today!  It was a pleasure getting to know you better! 


Monday is also a special day as I have another guest post from Kim of Mothering with Mindfulness who is also a blog sponsor. She has some great tips for cooking with your children so you will want to check it out!