Category Archives: News

News

Rainy Reckoning

It wasn’t 18th century France. The room was not a gilded salon. I still am not a high society lady.

But last Wednesday in Westerly, we had a grand conversation. Granted, a small one, but it was grand.

In Salon of Self, the groundwork was laid for a recurring gathering of women and mothers, a place to lay out daily travails and how they translate to the overall journey of motherhood. I envision this workshop to grow and change as its participants do, enhancing our caregiving and individual experiences.

The rain poured down as we shut the lights and closed the door on our session, but a picture my friend sent, seen in a storefront less than a block from where we parted, set a bright tone for the future.

Obviously I see the kismit in this, obsessed as I am with all things writing, but what a potent message for all women and mothers moving forward.

The fact that a dear friend spied this and shared it with me, steps away from sharing such heady things, synthesized everything about female connection and support that I am trying to accomplish.

We all can determine the next step, the next chapter in our lives. We need only take the initiative.

Join us for the next Salon of Self to construct our ideal of not only motherhood, but our personal existence. Be a part of the discussion – if for no one else than your SELF.

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may is maternal mental health month, News

May is Maternal Mental Health Month

My first contribution to Rhode Island Moms is live. Check it out!

In a month dedicated to moms, it’s also important to focus on maternal mental health – the most important gift we can give to ourselves.
— Read on rhodeislandmoms.com/health-and-wellness/may-is-maternal-mental-health-month/

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News

Three for Three

First there were Blog updates . . .

Then came next week’s workshop . . .

Now for the trifecta of new developments!

I am excited to announce that I have joined the team at Rhode Island Moms as a contributing writer.

Part of Wicked Good Mom Media, Rhode Island Moms is a blog, news source, calendar, and social support all in one for local moms.

As I stated in my submission to them, being a mother to four children doesn’t make me an expert by any estimation, but it does give me a wealth of varied experiences from which to draw. And I am so excited to draw on my experiences here on this blog to inform what I share with moms there.

This new opportunity won’t change what you see here on Chopping Potatoes.

It gives me a chance to share a slightly different spin with a different audience.

Rhode Island Moms gives you the how-to of mothering; Chopping Potatoes, the what-for.

There simply aren’t enough forums for motherhood and all its complexities.

I am thrilled to be adding my voice to one more.

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News

Have you been to the salon lately?

Last week I shared with you the improved updates to the Chopping Potatoes site and the streamlined subscription process.

Today I have an exciting announcement!

The in-person workshop is back! And we’re taking it to the salon.

Sad to say, I will not be offering mani/pedis – believe me you probably wouldn’t want what I would have to offer.

Before the modern meaning of the word, salons were gatherings of thought, conversation, inventive ideas. And while we are no longer in the Enlightenment, who has more inventive ideas than mothers?

Except what needs attention and creativity more than anything is how to keep our selves from slipping below the surface.

This is why we gather.

To (re)discover what makes our heart sing. To fight our way through the tough parts. To commune with others making the same slog.

Please join me for a combination of reflection, writing, and discussion – all directed toward supporting your SELF.

Click here

or scan the code above to register!

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News

Salon of Self

To register for the workshop, please submit:

  • your registration info (SEND)
  • your payment info (SAVE MY SPOT)

Go back

Your message has been sent

SAVE MY SPOT!

Thank you for allowing me to walk this journey of motherhood with you.

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mother vs self
News

New Developments

It was nearly a year ago that I took a leap on a long held dream.

On three spring evenings with the whisper of warmth on the breeze, groups of brave and thoughtful women came together to contemplate how motherhood plays out in our lives – and how it intersects with our individual selves.

Often, it cuts those right off at the knees. 

But we came together to assess, to process, and to move forward with more knowledge than before – including that we are in community with other strong women fighting the same battle. 

The community aspect of these workshops is what touched me most. 

In a role that is often thankless and lonely, authentic conversations spurred on by personal reflection are an amazing way to validate the woman/mother voice. 

In September, with the knowledge that many mothers can’t get away or live too far away, I launched an online version of the workshops on this blog.  I took the focus of an in-person workshop and broke it into four modules across a monthly theme.  The thinking, writing, and reflecting done at one’s own pace and the conversation happening in the comments section. 

My personal musings still lived in the Tuesday/Thursday (and occasional literary Friday) postings of the blog, free and available to all.  The online workshops were housed in the Mother vs. Self subscription series. 

The new iteration of the blog had some growing pains. 

I know some readers were frustrated when they received an email notification of a new post only to click and not be granted access.  Or to see the thumbnails of new posts on the homepage and not know which ones would be met by a paywall. 

It was never my intent to alienate my supportive, dedicated readers, many of whom had been with me since the beginning. 

This subscription thing was new to me, too. 

It took me a bit to figure out the logistics, but I finally have two dedicated sides to Chopping Potatoes.

Thank you for your patience – and giving me a second chance if you were annoyed away by my faulty coding!

I love to write, but knowing my words strike a chord is reward as well.

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