Cloistered Away
is a lifestyle blog, focused on simple, purposeful family living, written by Bethany Douglass.
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the slow unfolding work of home and heart
We moved into our cozy 1920s home two years ago this month, although it hardly feels two years of work have passed. When we purchased the property, the house was neglected and unsavory, stained from leaky faucets
our homeschool in pictures | february
“Why else do any of this if not to become who we want to be?” ― Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See __________________________ planting potatoes, the first of our spring garden handmade valentines
for the weekend | a family day hike
Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity. ― John Muir, Our National Parks We live in Central Texas, far
homemade mayonnaise three ways
Although I’ve mentioned literary influences in the kitchen a few times in this space, I’ve been most influenced by my younger sister, Kristen. She has a natural intuition about food that I’ve learned by watching her
WEEKEND | 5 FAVORITE PODCASTS ON CREATIVITY
My mother has frequently told me, “We will often do for our children that which we won’t do for ourselves. Sometimes that’s how we learn.” I’ve witnessed that wisdom in my years of mothering again and
handwork: a philosophy + practice in the homeschool
When children are very young, they have natural curiosities about the world and explore them, trying diligently to figure out what is real. As they become “producers ” they fall away from exploration and start
eucalyptus + lavender sachets for the winter closet
I love fresh eucalyptus, and it’s quite possible to find a bundle in a vase or drying on a wall somewhere around our home often. My children tease me that I’m trying to allure koalas,
Five Ideas for the Introverted Homeschool Mother
Solitude matters, and for some people, it’s the air they breathe. ―Susan Cain, Quiet It feels redundant to mention the messy and loud work of motherhood, let alone with the homeschool. Whether by the practical work of our
for the weekend | handmade, eco-friendly valentines
As a child, Valentine’s Day was one of my favorites. At home, our celebration was beautifully simple, typically a special dessert or snack or note in our lunchbox. At school, we had an elaborate celebration