 |
Hi, I’m Haley. Lovely to meet you. I’m so glad you stopped by Carrots, my little spot of the web to discuss faith, motherhood, literature, and urban homesteading!
I’m a Catholic convert, wife, and mama to two littles (and one on the way!) living in the bright, sunny South. After quitting art history grad school to be home with my babies, I teach ballet, homeschool my preschooler, love celebrating the Christian Year, and eat many generous helpings of bacon.
You may be here to browse my book lists and post about reading choices for kids, or maybe you heard that we don’t use birth control and you want to know what the deal is with those nutty Catholics. Or maybe you want to read more about motherhood and finding value in the home, wrangling small children in Mass, reflections on the Christian Year, or even breastfeeding in public.
If you don’t know where to begin, you might to check out my most popular posts or my favorite posts from last year.
I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Daniel: hardworking husband and loving daddy, who takes care of our unruly flock of 15 backyard chickens and our even more unruly giant frontyard urban vegetable garden before and after work. He also makes delicious sushi, runs ultra marathons, builds furniture, brews his own beer, and is the bane of the sneaky neighborhood raccoons attempting to carry off our chickens. Renaissance man!
We’ve got two wee bairns, Benjamin, and Lucy. Benjamin is our unexpected firstborn, hilarious, and adorable almost four-year-old. Check out his Birth Story if you’re into that kinda thing. Lucy is our one-year-old baby girl, full of sugar and spice and everything nice. You can read her Birth Story here.
I love connecting with my readers! I try to answer every single comment (although sometimes it takes me a couple of days to respond). You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter (@haleycarrots), Pinterest (haleyofcarrots), and Instagram (carrotsformichaelmas) or writing about our flock of backyard chickens and other urban homesteading topics at Mama And Baby Love where I’m the Gardening Editor.
My work has also been featured at AltCatholicah and Blogher.
Thanks again for dropping by! You can contact me at haley.s.stewart(at)gmail(dot)com
If you would like to sponsor a giveaway or advertise on my sidebar, just shoot me an email.
|
You have a beautiful family !
Who takes your family pictures? – they are very special !
My daughter is also turning 4 months soon and I can’t believe it ! I will be following your blog.
Bye for now !
Thanks, Deb! These are all my photos except for the wedding one (our friend Luis took that one) and the one of myself, Daniel, and newborn Benjamin (our friend Jenny of jdoughweddings.com took those for us and I LOVE them). Thanks for following!
Chickens named by toddlers are the best chickens. Our three and a half year olds imaginatively named one of our egg laying ladies “Three and a half.”
Haha, I love it! Our son wanted to name our daughter “One, Two, Three” so maybe number names are popular with toddlers these days.
Oh no! Why did I have to find your blog today, when my house is a disaster and my children have not been schooled and the day is gorgeous? You are my new fave. That is all.
I clicked on the link to your blog and I love it, too! We might be kindred spirits…:)
Woah, I’m sorry. Did I just find my twin?
Catholic? Check. Harry Potter and L.M. Montgomery? Check. Bacon? Check. Masterpiece Theatre? Check. And hold on, what’s this? BON IVER? Check!
I may sound a little overexcited to you, but I love finding similar minded people on the internet
I already adore your blog. Can’t wait to go read every post!
Marie
It definitely sounds like you’re of the race that knows Joseph, Marie
I just wanted to say that I found your blog today and I LOVE IT. I can’t stop reading all of your posts!
Thank you, Jessica!
Hi Haley
I just came across your blog and it made my day. So many of your posts….make me realize I’m not the only one who thinks/feels that way.
Thanks for the much needed encouragement, and the laughs.
Thank you for these kind words, Bekah! I’m so glad you’re here
This is a common theme….I also just came across your blog and am loving reading your posts! I’m almost done with my undergrad, been married nearly 3 years, and have two boys (22 months and 4 months). I’m just as passionate about books, reading, and my babies as you are! While we don’t share the same faith (I’m a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I feel the same way about making my beliefs a huge part of my life and my children’s lives. Loved everything I read so far!
Thank you, Alysha! Best of luck finishing up school. I know it’s difficult with little ones to tend to, as well
I just found your website and am really enjoying reading your posts. Thanks for writing! I love it that I have so much in common with you and yet get to see a different point of view on a few things. Very refreshing.
Thank you, Jessica!
Hi Haley,
I just came across your blog, and I have enjoyed your writings. I stayed home with my children, who are now 21 and 18, and did not regret it for a minute. In fact, my kids and I have discussed this issue, and we all agree that our relationships with each other have thrived because of this. My husband of 24 years and I feel very blessed that we chose the path we did. God bless you and your husband as you raise your children and nurture your marriage in faith.
~Lynne
Hello! I just happened upon your blog and may I say that I wish you were my next door neighbor! I just spent some time scrolling through your blog and am looking forward to keeping up with you. Any Catholic, gardening, Harry Potter reading Mama is surely worth reading.
Your family is beautiful and your writing refreshing. Congratulations on your 3rd little blessing!
Thanks, Angela
Very beautiful family indeed. I’m a fellow {recent} convert and I’m encouraged by your blog. Fun read.
Thanks, Tacy! And welcome home
I finally clicked over her! I’ve been following MBL for about 2 years and one of the reasons I am a loyal reader is because she doesn’t make me feel like a failure (I know that’s a harsh word, but I can’t think of anything else right now). She admits her downfalls and the fact that her life isn’t always perfect. A lot of Real Food blogs make me feel so inadequate bc I am not making homemade bread, kumbucha, keifer, or the like.
So just now, I read your guest post, The Smug Mom. It was just what I needed. I had my first baby in 2005, way before I discovered this ideal world of Real Food, Bacon, WAPF, etc. I had never heard of baby wearing, co-sleeping, and the only reason I breast fed was bc my bff is a lactation nurse and told me I had too. I did things a little more ideal with my second who was born in 2009, but still, I had no ideal of this world. I was caught up with a vegan way of eating…any boy did I have it all wrong. So my point is, when I finally found the world, I started feeling like I ruined the lives of my children bc I didn’t breast feed for more than 3 months, I bought processed baby food, and I let my kids cry it out. But now, 4 years later, I am feeling a little better after reading your post. Thanks! Nice to meet you. -Angela
Awww, that’s really encouraging to hear, Angela. Thanks for stopping by! There are so many things I wish I knew back when I had my first baby, but at least I can look back knowing that I was trying to be the best mom I could as I’m sure you did, too! <3