Tuesday, May 31, 2011
June Manifesto
Tomorrow is June 1st and as I get excited about all that happens during the summer months, I am also making a conscious decision to really live this summer. It is so easy to cruise through life without even thinking about whether we are happy or doing what we want. I am in a place in my life right now that if I don't stop to think or create manifestos then I can just get lost in the day to day events. I created this manifesto for the month of June for what I want to do, how I want to live, and for what is going to make me the happiest. I will look at this manifest every morning and make mindful decisions based on these intentions. I hope this will inspire you to also create a manifesto...whether it is for the month of June, next week, the entire summer, or even for the year. You can create something like I did, write it on paper, paint it, glue words from magazines onto poster board, or simply just make a list. Or you are more than welcome to use my manifesto! If you choose to make one for June, I would love to see it and share it on my blog. Leave me a comment here with a link to your manifesto and I will share everyone's links in a blog post during June! Happy creating!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Meet Hip Mountain Sister Olivia
The Hip Mountain Sisters are an amazing group of women who are helping us spread the Hip Mama vibe. You will see them pop up on our blog a lot this year reviewing Hip Mountain Mama products. Today we would like to introduce you to Olivia....

"I live in Fort Ann, NY with my husband of 5 years (but we've been together since we were 15 and 16!), my 17 month old son, our 6 year old Great Pyrenees, Kaya, and our cat, Indy. We live at the base of the Adirondack Mountains, so I'm an actual Mountain Mama! I'm a stay at home Mom, so I have no idea what this "day off" thing is that you speak of. :) We love to go hiking, read, get dirty in our garden, explore playgrounds, meet up with other kids and Mamas from our Mommy group, shop (there are great outlets in Lake George!), and walk/have picnics down at the boardwalk in Lake George.
Our family loves music! I can't put my finger on a singular favorite band. We're going to Mountain Jam next weekend and are very excited to see Michael Franti, Grace Potter, Avett Brothers, Umphrey's Mcgee, and Warren Haynes. We're also going to the Phish fest in Watkins Glen in July. We've taken our son to see Moe. and he LOVED them. My husband and I have seen 311 about 10 times in our life. We're just fans of music and love the environment at shows. I plan on using these shows as a place to advertise for HMM whenever I can!
My favorite place on Earth would have to be Maine. Both my husband and I are originally from there and both of our families still live in various parts of Maine. We've lived in cities up and down the east coast, but I always find myself being pulled back towards Maine. I see myself ending up there eventually and watching my child (and hopefully future children!) grow old there as well. Fort Ann and the Lake George area of NY looks a lot like Maine, so it'll do for now! Just loving my family, friends, and the wonderful simple life I've built for myself. HMM fits into my lifestyle. "
~Olivia
Stay tuned for more intros of our Hip Sisters!
Meet Hip Mountain Sister Olivia
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A Day of Exploring
The girls and I had the entire day free on Saturday...no plans, no expectations, no obligations, just 3 girls with adventurous spirits and a desire to get outside. So, we did just this, we went on an adventure. We spent the day eating lunch next to a raging river, creating secret hideouts in the trees, running through fields of grass, climbing on rocks, and going down slides. A day with no plans turned into a day of fun, bonding, memory making, and good feelings. Remember to live life to it's fullest...
A Day of Exploring
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Meet Hip Mountain Sister Amanda
The Hip Mountain Sisters are an amazing group of women who are helping us spread the Hip Mama vibe. You will see them pop up on our blog a lot this year reviewing Hip Mountain Mama products. Today we would like to introduce you to Amanda...
Amanda lives in Williamsport, a town located in central Pennsylvania. She is a stay at home mom to 2 awesome boys. Her favorite thing to do on a day off is to go for long walks/hikes with the family. She loves listening to music and some of her favorite groups are: John Butler Trio, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Dave Matthews Band. Amanda's favorite hip mountain mama product is the soap nuts because they are all natural and really get clothes clean!
Stay tuned for more intros of our Hip Sisters!

Amanda lives in Williamsport, a town located in central Pennsylvania. She is a stay at home mom to 2 awesome boys. Her favorite thing to do on a day off is to go for long walks/hikes with the family. She loves listening to music and some of her favorite groups are: John Butler Trio, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Dave Matthews Band. Amanda's favorite hip mountain mama product is the soap nuts because they are all natural and really get clothes clean!
Stay tuned for more intros of our Hip Sisters!
Meet Hip Mountain Sister Amanda
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Memorial Day Sale
Stop by our shop this weekend and stock up on your summer essentials during our Memorial Day Sale! On sale for this weekend only we have cloth napkins and bamboo utensils for your back yard bbq's, lip balm with spf to protect your lips, cute summer clothing, market bags, and more!
Sale goes until midnight on Monday May 30th or while supplies last and not valid with other offers.
Memorial Day Sale
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Reusable Cotton vs Paper Coffee Filters
In my families quest to replace as many products as possible to reusable, we recently discovered reusable coffee filters. If you are like us, then you have a pot of coffee brewing each morning...let's face it, we love our coffee. And each morning we put a paper filter in and throw it away. Not only is this creating waste, but also wasting money. Let's do a comparison:
Cost: Paper coffee filters cost around $1.25 for 100 filters. Since there are 365 days in a year, if you make coffee 1 time per day, you are spending around $4.57 per year on filters...and if you make more than 1 pot per day you may be spending more. Not a large expense, but can add up over time. If you purchase 1 organic cotton coffee filter you make an investment of $7.99. So, after less than 2 years you are already saving money.
Waste This one is pretty obvious...you are either throwing away 365 paper coffee filters each year to grow old in the landfill or you are reusing 1 filter every day and create 0 waste.
Health Think about it...you are drinking a liquid that is first passing through paper. Paper contains chemicals and these chemicals leach into your drink. We are now learning that these chemicals can be toxic for your health. By using an organic cotton filter you are avoiding all the chemicals that you would get from a paper filter. The less chemicals we put in our bodies, the healthier we will be.
Taste The chemicals from the paper filters can and does affect the flavor of the coffee. You will notice your coffee tasting much better after using an organic cotton reusable filter.
Convenience Yes, it is more convenient to throw away a paper filter every day..however it is very easy to care for your reusable filter. Simply rinse it out after each use and use again. You can also throw it in the washing machine or hand wash with soap and water every so often so you don't get an oil build up. Now, think about never running out of coffee filters again! Never adding them to your grocery list or purchasing them from the store. The added work of using a reusable filter is very minimal and worth it when you look at all the other benefits!
If you would like to try one out, we currently have them in our shop in basket size, Cone #2, and Cone #4. These are hand made by a small company in Canada.
And, check out these testimonials we have received from our customers:
"The coffee filter works amazingly well! I will be honest, and reveal that I was expecting it to be a little ho hum. I was going to use it and it was going to work, but it wouldn't be anything to "write home about." I was wrong! This little filter leaves virtually no grounds in the bottom of the pot, does not distort the coffee flavor at all, and it so easy to care for! Spot on for finding this little gem!" ~ Valerie
"Hi Suzy! Just wanted to drop you a line about my recent purchase, which included a reusable coffee filter. I've been using a size 2 cone coffee pot for ages. Its been a good coffee pot and I liked it well enough, but it never failed that after a few months of use I always had a strange taste to my coffee. It came with a reusable metal filter. Even with regular washing it always was a bit bitter. Well those days are OVER!! The cotton filter I bought from you #1 fits perfectly, #2 NO AFTERTASTE!!, and #3 is soooo much easier to clean! If I am washing snack taxis I just throw it in with them. If I'm not I wash it when I do dishes. No fuss, no muss. Its well made and I expect a long happy life from it! Thank you for carrying such good quality products. I truly appreciate the work you and Andy are doing! I also appreciate loving my morning coffee again without having to use an unneccesary paper filter!!!" ~Charlotte
.

Cost: Paper coffee filters cost around $1.25 for 100 filters. Since there are 365 days in a year, if you make coffee 1 time per day, you are spending around $4.57 per year on filters...and if you make more than 1 pot per day you may be spending more. Not a large expense, but can add up over time. If you purchase 1 organic cotton coffee filter you make an investment of $7.99. So, after less than 2 years you are already saving money.
Waste This one is pretty obvious...you are either throwing away 365 paper coffee filters each year to grow old in the landfill or you are reusing 1 filter every day and create 0 waste.
Health Think about it...you are drinking a liquid that is first passing through paper. Paper contains chemicals and these chemicals leach into your drink. We are now learning that these chemicals can be toxic for your health. By using an organic cotton filter you are avoiding all the chemicals that you would get from a paper filter. The less chemicals we put in our bodies, the healthier we will be.
Taste The chemicals from the paper filters can and does affect the flavor of the coffee. You will notice your coffee tasting much better after using an organic cotton reusable filter.
Convenience Yes, it is more convenient to throw away a paper filter every day..however it is very easy to care for your reusable filter. Simply rinse it out after each use and use again. You can also throw it in the washing machine or hand wash with soap and water every so often so you don't get an oil build up. Now, think about never running out of coffee filters again! Never adding them to your grocery list or purchasing them from the store. The added work of using a reusable filter is very minimal and worth it when you look at all the other benefits!
If you would like to try one out, we currently have them in our shop in basket size, Cone #2, and Cone #4. These are hand made by a small company in Canada.
And, check out these testimonials we have received from our customers:
"The coffee filter works amazingly well! I will be honest, and reveal that I was expecting it to be a little ho hum. I was going to use it and it was going to work, but it wouldn't be anything to "write home about." I was wrong! This little filter leaves virtually no grounds in the bottom of the pot, does not distort the coffee flavor at all, and it so easy to care for! Spot on for finding this little gem!" ~ Valerie
"Hi Suzy! Just wanted to drop you a line about my recent purchase, which included a reusable coffee filter. I've been using a size 2 cone coffee pot for ages. Its been a good coffee pot and I liked it well enough, but it never failed that after a few months of use I always had a strange taste to my coffee. It came with a reusable metal filter. Even with regular washing it always was a bit bitter. Well those days are OVER!! The cotton filter I bought from you #1 fits perfectly, #2 NO AFTERTASTE!!, and #3 is soooo much easier to clean! If I am washing snack taxis I just throw it in with them. If I'm not I wash it when I do dishes. No fuss, no muss. Its well made and I expect a long happy life from it! Thank you for carrying such good quality products. I truly appreciate the work you and Andy are doing! I also appreciate loving my morning coffee again without having to use an unneccesary paper filter!!!" ~Charlotte
.
Reusable Cotton vs Paper Coffee Filters
Monday, May 23, 2011
From War to Peace~Giveaway
I recently learned of a wonderful company called From War to Peace. They recycle weapons of war into peaceful symbols of beauty and function. They turn bombs into beauty, hate into love, and war into peace. They use metals from disarmed nuclear weapons systems and use it to create a wonderful alloy they call Peace Bronze. With it, they cast jewelry and other art dedicated to creating a more peaceful world.
They believe that war is failure, and that peace is triumph.
Isn't this just awesome! Imagine wearing a beautiful and peaceful piece of jewelry that started out as something so hateful and negative. I have had the honor of wearing their Peace Bracelet and Peace Necklace these past few weeks. Not only do I love wearing signs of peace, but I get giddy when I think about how these were made. I also love telling people about the jewelry and get such an amazing reaction. Both the necklace and bracelet are very well made and will be favorites in my jewelry box for a very long time.
I am really excited to be partnering up with From War to Peace as we have similar missions. Today they are offering 1 of my readers an Infinity Necklace. This necklace is great for men and women and is a wonderful way for you to stand for peace! To enter:
Congrats to Stephanie and thanks to all who entered!
From War to Peace~Giveaway
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Eco Friendly Teacher Gifts~Free Shipping
It's that time of year again Moms! The kids are getting out of school for the summer and it is time to thank their teachers. My girls both had amazing teachers this year and I feel so blessed that they each created a special bond with another adult. Most of us like to give a little something to our children's teachers like candles, gift cards, plants, or handmade cards. And we don't want to break the bank doing it as some times we will have several teachers to buy for. This year I decided to go eco friendly with my teacher gifts and gave reusable bags and snack taxis.
In my opinion Snack Taxi's make the best teacher gift! They are inexpensive, useful, cute, and eco friendly. And even if your teacher already has a few Snack Taxi's, you can never have too many! Most teachers already bring food to work so why not give them an earth conscious way to do this. Whether you have an earth lovin teacher or a non earth lovin teacher, a Snack Taxi is something everyone can use and appreciate! And you never know, you just might turn someone on to making an eco friendly change!
Other earth friendly teacher gift ideas.....Market String Bag, Stuff n Go Grocery Bag, Glass Straw, Bamboo Utensil Set, Fun Organic Socks, Natural Handmade Soap
Do your teacher gift shopping with us and receive free shipping! Simply use the code "Teacher" for free shipping on your US order. Offer good until May 31st. And if you don't do your teacher gift shopping with us, please consider visiting small and local shops and stay out of the big box stores! You will keep your money local while supporting small families and finding unique gifts!
And if you are a teacher, please enjoy free shipping as well! We appreciate you!!!

In my opinion Snack Taxi's make the best teacher gift! They are inexpensive, useful, cute, and eco friendly. And even if your teacher already has a few Snack Taxi's, you can never have too many! Most teachers already bring food to work so why not give them an earth conscious way to do this. Whether you have an earth lovin teacher or a non earth lovin teacher, a Snack Taxi is something everyone can use and appreciate! And you never know, you just might turn someone on to making an eco friendly change!
Other earth friendly teacher gift ideas.....Market String Bag, Stuff n Go Grocery Bag, Glass Straw, Bamboo Utensil Set, Fun Organic Socks, Natural Handmade Soap
Do your teacher gift shopping with us and receive free shipping! Simply use the code "Teacher" for free shipping on your US order. Offer good until May 31st. And if you don't do your teacher gift shopping with us, please consider visiting small and local shops and stay out of the big box stores! You will keep your money local while supporting small families and finding unique gifts!
Eco Friendly Teacher Gifts~Free Shipping
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Homemade Cleaning Products
My friend and fellow HMM Sister, Michele, recently turned me on to some great eco friendly cleaning recipes! I am always looking for low cost, handmade, and earth friendly ways to clean my home and find her recipes to be amazing! You will most likely have these ingredients in your home right now! If you have other great recipes to share, please let us know!
Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer
2 cups of baking soda
1 to 2 Tablespoons of ground cloves
a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg *optional
*Did you know that cinnamon is an astringent, an anti fungal, an antiseptic and an antibacterial herb? It is primarily used in men's products such as aftershave as an antiseptic.
Sprinkle mix over the carpets and couches and let it sit for a bit--then vacuumed it up. The room will smell fresh, clean and festive!
All Purpose Cleaner
1 tsp. antiseptic essential oil (thyme, sweet orange, lemongrass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, birch, lavender or tea tree)
1 tsp. washing soda
2 tsp. borax
1/2 tsp. liquid soap or detergent (Dr. Bronner's brand or other renewable-based ingredients)
2 cups of hot water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve and blend the minerals. Spray the cleanser on a surface and leave it for 15 minutes or so before wiping up to give the essential oil's antiseptic qualities time to work. Makes 2 cups.
Kitchen and Bathroom Lavender/Grapefruit Seed Cleaner
Use to wipe down counters, toilets, or floors. The grapefruit seed extract is a natural disinfectant and the lavender will have you feeling relaxed after cleaning.
Michele gets a lot of her recipes from "Better Basics for the Home-Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living," by Annie Berthold-Bond and highly recommends this book..
Let me know if you get a chance to try these recipes out!

Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer
2 cups of baking soda
1 to 2 Tablespoons of ground cloves
a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg *optional
*Did you know that cinnamon is an astringent, an anti fungal, an antiseptic and an antibacterial herb? It is primarily used in men's products such as aftershave as an antiseptic.
Sprinkle mix over the carpets and couches and let it sit for a bit--then vacuumed it up. The room will smell fresh, clean and festive!
All Purpose Cleaner
1 tsp. antiseptic essential oil (thyme, sweet orange, lemongrass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, birch, lavender or tea tree)
1 tsp. washing soda
2 tsp. borax
1/2 tsp. liquid soap or detergent (Dr. Bronner's brand or other renewable-based ingredients)
2 cups of hot water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve and blend the minerals. Spray the cleanser on a surface and leave it for 15 minutes or so before wiping up to give the essential oil's antiseptic qualities time to work. Makes 2 cups.
Kitchen and Bathroom Lavender/Grapefruit Seed Cleaner
30-60 drops of Grapefruit seed extract
Lavender Oil (or any essential oil you like)
32 oz. water
Use to wipe down counters, toilets, or floors. The grapefruit seed extract is a natural disinfectant and the lavender will have you feeling relaxed after cleaning.
Michele gets a lot of her recipes from "Better Basics for the Home-Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living," by Annie Berthold-Bond and highly recommends this book..
Let me know if you get a chance to try these recipes out!
Homemade Cleaning Products
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
It's Farmers Market Season
What could be better than fresh food from the Farmer's Market? Fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, bread, honey, and even some locally made arts and crafts. These days going to the Farmer's Market is quite an event that everyone in the family looks forward to! We are very lucky to live in an area where we can get to a Farmer's Market several days a week with just a short drive. Supporting our local farmers is something we think is very important! Most of us live in areas that we can not depend on just our own backyard gardens for food, so we need to search out other options. Of course there is always the grocery store, but if we have the opportunity to buy from local farmers directly this is your best option! So, get out there this season and explore your farmers markets. Get to know the people who grow your food while checking out other homegrown goodies and having a blast! And don't forget to bring your own bags when visiting the market...reduce your waste and help save the vendors money by providing your own bags! Check out our Market Supplies in our shop for some ideas on some cute reusable bags that will help you reduce your waste this market season!

It's Farmers Market Season
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sisterhood Review: Garden Tank
If there's one thing a plus-sized mama needs it is to feel comfortable and attractive, and I really think this marvelously bohemian garden tank fits the bill. I was drawn to its colors and design, mellow but making enough of a statement to feel fun. I particularly love the details on the top. The rich chocolate brown looks very pretty with the floral fabric detailing. It's like having a built-in accessory on your shirt. But it's totally unpretentious and casual at the same time. Plus I love anything that is sort of fancy yet not uppity-looking.
Like many plus-sized women I am self-conscious about my arms, but that's OK because I can wear this tank with a shirt underneath. I have tried it with at least three shirts under and I enjoy that the colors in whatever shirt I wear underneath seem to bring out a different quality in the tank. The length of this shirt makes it possible to wear it with either leggings or normal pants, or a skirt as I did one day, which I thought looked nice, too. There's a nice versatility to this top that I didn't really expect in that way. Another thing that makes this tank so versatile has to do with the coloring. The neutrals make it go well with almost anything. If you're like me and you enjoy layering, then you'll appreciate this.
Finally, I'd like to say that I appreciate the high quality of this garment. It's not just some piece of crap from Wal-Mart. The stitching is good and I don't feel like it will fall apart after being worn a few times. There are nice details such as the embroidery on the front and there is a sort of secret stretchy area on the back which makes it especially good for those of us ladies with larger chests. Best of all, my husband complimented me several times on this shirt. That is an added bonus.
~Hannah
*Hannah lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. She blogs at Hannah Holistic about her dedication to finding the safest, most effective treatments for her daughter's health problems in order to give her a life with the most happiness and freedom.
Sisterhood Review: Garden Tank
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hip Mountain Mamas Like Comfort
Our Hip Mountain Mama shop has been carrying handmade clothing since we opened our doors. We started out very small and have grown in to a very large womens clothing section. When I select clothing for our shop I am always on the lookout for cute and comfortable clothing. I am not one to wear things that are uncomfortable...you will never see me in a pair of high heels or skin tight jeans But that doesn't mean I don't want to look good and show off my funky style....so we shoot for looking good while staying comfortable. Most of our clothing can we worn to work, going out, in the classroom, or at all day festivals.
As women our bodies tend to change a lot and a fluctuating waist line can cause for discomfort at times. We get bloated, we have babies, we may have an off week and eat too much chocolate...all of these things can contribute to a temporary weight gain and we want to be able to continue to be comfortable during these times. This is why you will see just about all of our skirts and pants with an elastic and/or drawstring waist band. No matter what you body size or type, this will allow some wiggle room during times of change. We also have several tank tops to choose from that are nice and flowy and not tight in the belly area.
Hip Mountain Mamas don't have time to worry about our clothes not fitting during certain times of the month or year...we are too busy having a blast and enjoying life. Whether we find ourselves at Mountain Jam, on a field trip, at a party or in the office, we want to feel good and look good! Hip Mountain Mamas Like Comfort!
Speaking of comfort...my latest and greatest find are these organic yoga pants. I grabbed a pair for me and have not been able to take them off! They are a perfect example of amazing comfort and style! And they come in black or black tie dye! Enjoy!

As women our bodies tend to change a lot and a fluctuating waist line can cause for discomfort at times. We get bloated, we have babies, we may have an off week and eat too much chocolate...all of these things can contribute to a temporary weight gain and we want to be able to continue to be comfortable during these times. This is why you will see just about all of our skirts and pants with an elastic and/or drawstring waist band. No matter what you body size or type, this will allow some wiggle room during times of change. We also have several tank tops to choose from that are nice and flowy and not tight in the belly area.
Hip Mountain Mamas don't have time to worry about our clothes not fitting during certain times of the month or year...we are too busy having a blast and enjoying life. Whether we find ourselves at Mountain Jam, on a field trip, at a party or in the office, we want to feel good and look good! Hip Mountain Mamas Like Comfort!
Speaking of comfort...my latest and greatest find are these organic yoga pants. I grabbed a pair for me and have not been able to take them off! They are a perfect example of amazing comfort and style! And they come in black or black tie dye! Enjoy!
Hip Mountain Mamas Like Comfort
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sisterhood Review: Patchwork Mini Skirt
I love my patchwork miniskirt! I have to say, I don’t really classify this skirt as a ‘mini’ since the hemline hits just above the knee on me. It’s just a super-cute, fun skirt that you can wear anywhere and for any occasion. I wanted to find a shorter skirt for the summer to wear out to BBQs, festivals, farmer’s markets, and local events downtown---I’ve actually been wearing this skirt a lot more than I thought I would so far—hiking around, going to the park and taking walks, just to name a few. I think the drawstring waist is really what makes this skirt so comfortable to wear! As you can see, the patchwork colors and patterns are really beautiful and unique. I love the greens, blues and browns and the nature patterns used. I get compliments on it every time I wear it and I love that this skirt is handmade using Fair Trade practices. It really is a unique, easy-go skirt for anywhere!
~Michele
*Michele is a part of our Sisterhood Review team. She is am amazing Mama of 4 children residing in beautiful Colorado. She blogs at Moonbeam about nature, family adventures, and her journey on living a more sustainable lifestyle.
Sisterhood Review: Patchwork Mini Skirt
Friday, May 6, 2011
Feature Friday: Gift Certificates
Are you looking for a last minute Mother's Day Gift? One of our top selling items in our shop for last minute gifts is our E Gift Certificates. Place your order and we will email it to the recipient within a few hours. No rushing to the stores or having something shipped...simply select the amount you want and we will take care of the rest. Use the coupon code "GC" to receive free shipping on all Gift Certificates!
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms out there! I know first hand how hard and challenging motherhood is and I think you are all wonderful!! We are in for some beautiful weather here this weekend so we will be planting, hiking, picnicing, and enjoying a nice weekend! Have a wonderful weekend!! :)
Feature Friday: Gift Certificates
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Kids Music Giveaway!
When we first had kids we were given a bunch of CDs with kids music. Suzy and I love listening to music and there is always music playing in our home. We quickly realized that these kids albums were not the type of music we really wanted taking over our home. We tried convincing the kids that the Grateful Dead was kids music. With a daughter named Magnolia, we were able to get by calling 'Sugar Magnolia' and 'Monkey and the Engineer' as kids songs but I knew we needed to find something we all liked.
Our love of bluegrass and old time music led me to discover (with the help of Pandora) the music of Sweet Sunny South. Sweet Sunny South (SSS) is an acoustic old-timey string band that plays a unique blend of new and traditional music based in Paonia, CO. I bought a couple of their albums and if you could wear out an MP3 I may have done it with their album "Showtime".
But I just recently realized that SSS has an alter-ego kids jugband called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck. They have recorded a fun kids album and occasionally play kids shows.
The bands banjo, mandolin player and main song writer, Bill Powers explains, "DDGD plays great tunes we grew up with and always loved and then some random ones just cuz they were fun, but the songs are educational--mostly- and all I know is kids love the cd and parents have appreciated that it's not all syrupy kids music."
Bill and his wife Shelley (who teaches Special Ed at North Fork Community Montessori School) have two children and know the importance of having fun, educational, and quality music in their home. Bill says, "[DDGD] is kinda our connection with our kids and our childhoods collectively. Old time and Bluegrass music is way easy for kids to latch on to, my kids always dug it."
Hip Mountain Mama is so excited to announce a project we've been working on with Bill Powers in a few weeks. Until then we'd love to help more young people discover string music...
To hear some more Sweet Sunny South music click here and check out Honey Don't too.
Congratulations to the two winners who have been contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered.
~Andy
Kids Music Giveaway!
Monday, May 2, 2011
May Day Fun
We celebrated May Day at a local farm just down the road from us. The Timberlane Farm Museum held a wonderful May Day Festival complete with a May Pole, scavenger hunt, crafts, animal feeding, music, and vendors. We enjoyed the cool Spring Day with many laughs and adventure.
May Day Fun
Labels:
may day,
may pole dancing,
timberlane farm museum
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mother's Day Offer
Hey Hip Mountain Mamas! We know that we have a wide range of customers from College students, to Grandmas, to Mothers and beyond. This week we want to honor all the mothers out there. We know first hand how hard and challenging Motherhood is and wanted to take some time to say how special we think you all are!
In honor of Mothers Day, this Sunday May 8, we would like to give you a special gift. Place any order today through Tuesday (placing your US order by Tuesday will guarantee it will arrive by Mother's Day) over $30 and receive a free bar of Natural Handmade Soap. Enjoy this soap yourself or give it to someone you love! To receive your free bar of soap, simply add it to your cart at www.hipmountainmama.com and use the coupon code 'LUVSOAP'.
**and don't forget about our Featured Sale item of the week...these bags would make a wonderful Mother's Day Gift!

In honor of Mothers Day, this Sunday May 8, we would like to give you a special gift. Place any order today through Tuesday (placing your US order by Tuesday will guarantee it will arrive by Mother's Day) over $30 and receive a free bar of Natural Handmade Soap. Enjoy this soap yourself or give it to someone you love! To receive your free bar of soap, simply add it to your cart at www.hipmountainmama.com and use the coupon code 'LUVSOAP'.
**and don't forget about our Featured Sale item of the week...these bags would make a wonderful Mother's Day Gift!
Mother's Day Offer
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