Bending Birches

Sugar free baking: honey cornbread

2012-02-08T17:53:00.000-05:00

I arrived at sugar free baking for children about 9 months ago....

It wasn't, and sometimes still isn't always easy, but I feel that I'm reaping the benefits.

W is basically sugar free, and that includes organic and cane sugars, 99% of the time. We use maple syrup and honey to sweeten and bake, and so far the results are great.

At the age of 30 months, I just don't see how I can clean his teeth well enough for him to be consuming sugar. There's that coupled with my opinion that children don't need and shouldn't have much sugar that has led us to where we are today.

Wednesdays are cornbread day here at playschool...

W and I prepare the cornbread before the children arrive in the morning so it is baking in the oven by 8:30. I have to add that baking is now W's most favorite purposeful work. He loves it! I know I can offer it whenever he's feeling cranky and it will cheer him up right away.

learning to crack eggs with his Granny Smith

Enjoy our recipe for honey cornbread and don't expect there to be any leftovers!

I found this recipe online and altered a few things to suit us best.

The rest of the instructions are easy, just combine ingredients and pour into a greased 8x8 glass pan. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

W and the children love to "paint the pan" with oil and a paintbrush which has been reserved for food use only.

I currently use Smart Balance oil because I go through so much of it during weekly baking. If I had a larger budget, I'd like to use Sunflower oil.

We cut the bread into squares and spread sugar free fruit preserves on each half. (My favorite is Crofter's Red Raspberry....YUM.)

Cornbread day is a challenge when it comes to guiding the children to eat slowly and take small bites.

{I should follow my own advice.}

Natural beauty giveaway!

2012-02-04T22:18:00.003-05:00

Please welcome one of our newest sponsors, Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve!

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Sounds good, doesn't it?

But here's my favorite part!

The Chagrin Valley Soap Pledge to our customers
Our products are always natural and will NEVER contain . . .

detergents
sulfates
petroleum products
parabens
pthalates
synthetic preservatives
artificial colors
artificial fragrances
foam boosters
propylene glycol

We do lots of homework to ensure that every ingredient that we use to formulate our recipes will be kind to your skin and not do harm to you or to our planet. We proudly list EVERY ingredient in our products, because we believe that you, the consumer, has the right to know!

I found out about CV soaps through a website for long hair care which I visit often. I decided to order a sample of their Ayurvedic Shampoo bar, (info about shampoo bars here) which I wasn't sure if I loved upon trying it. Truth is, it takes your hair a week or two to adjust. After this time, I couldn't be happier. I ended up ordering another bar with chamomille to bring out natural blonde highlights and I'm very satisfied.

I had the awesome and lucky opportunity to sample many of CV's products.

I enjoyed all of the products, but here are my top 3 which I would recommend to the natural beauty enthusiast...

#1. Squalane Face and Eye Mousse

(the *best* under eye cream I've ever tried!)

#2. Chamomille and Citrus Shampoo Bar

(great for lighter hair)

#3. Ayurvedic Herb Shampoo Bar

Alright, friends!

Now for the giveaway!

The lucky winner will receive one of CV's very nourishing and truly awesome Ayurvedic Herb Shampoo Bars!

Lucky you!

Here's 3 ways to enter:

*Leave a comment telling us about your favorite natural skin/body care product

*"Like" CV Soap and Salve on Facebook here

*Become a dear follower of Bending Birches via Google Friend Connect :)

Get your comments in by FEBRUARY 11th:)

Best of luck!

Be sure to check out Chagrin Valley's website here!

Candlemas

2012-02-02T14:30:00.001-05:00

Candle, candle, burning bright,

Fill us with your holy light.

May the flame of joy and love

Glow now in our hearts.

...No need for many words or explanations today.

How would you describe a day such as Candlemas to a very young child?

You don't.

They make of it what they will.

They gaze into candlelight..

They take it all in.

The evolution of an earthen candle...

Dig a small, deep hole...

Fill with melted beeswax or parafin

Watch it bubble and sizzle...

...And eventually calm down:)

Place a candle wick in the center and hold it there....and wait.

and wait.

Trim the wick and watch them glow..

(spoons work well for digging!)

Dig around the candle once hardened and remove...you may even recognize a heart shape...or something else wonderful:)

This little light of mine...

...I'm going to let it shine!

Eurythmy weekend

2012-01-30T22:20:00.000-05:00

What an amazing weekend I am returning from...
It is hard to describe what I took away from the past 72 hours, but it is something very real and powerful.
Physically, I am tired. My back hurts and the arches of my feet are quite sore....but emotionally and spiritually, I feel well fed and rested. Very rested.

The whole weekend was beautiful....the courses in various aspects of Eurythmy were enlightening and lifting, but the amount of time we were given in between the courses to digest, wonder, and feel were so very helpful, too.
We had 2 hours for lunch on Saturday, and I just stood on a bridge and watched the water moving along in the stream below me. (this was also the bridge my W liked to stop at when we were in town for the Waldorf EC intro. course I took this summer. I brought back a hanfdul of rocks from the location for him, which we well received, of course..) I also walked through the bare woods surrounding the school which was such a sensory experience...also, considering that I spent the whole weekend concentrating on movement; on each part of a single step, made the experience even more rich for me. And quiet.

During the weekend, we experienced tone eurythmy, therapeutic eurythmy, and speech eurythmy.
Tone Eurythmy proved to be the practice which spoke the most to me..

Rudolf Steiner:
That is the essential point — that Eurythmy is visible speech, visible music. One can go even further and maintain that the movements of Eurythmy do actually proceed out of the inner organisation of man. Anyone who says: “As far as I am concerned, speech and music are all-sufficient; there can surely be no need to extend the sphere of art; I, for my part, have not the slightest wish for Eurythmy”; — such a man is, of course, perfectly right from his particular point of view. There is always a certain justification for any opinion, however conventional or pedantic. Why should one not hold such opinions? There is certainly no reason why one should not — none at all; but it cannot be said that such a standpoint shows any really deep artistic feeling and understanding. A truly artistic nature welcomes everything that could possibly serve to widen and enrich the whole field of art.
Lecture of 26th August, 1923

Describing eurythmy is so, so difficult. (Maybe even impossible?) It is such an experience that is beyond words. We did a few rhythm exercises, which I expected, but there was so much that was a surprise to me. It really is a soul experience and a practice of letting go. There were so many beautiful moments. Kind of similar to waldorf EC, it is more about doing rather than explaining. And in the case of Eurythmy, also, more doing than thinking. I could see how a certain aspect of the form is lost when too many questions about logistics are brought forth.

(da Vinci's Last Supper hangs on the wall. No intention or reference, according to the instructors....)

During speech eurythmy, we learned gestures which relate to sounds and rhythms of speech. For example, each consonant has an accompanying gesture.. instructors often give rich imagery to bring the gesture to life and form...

I felt connected to the gesture for B, as I pictured it as an encompassing and protective hug given to a small child. As I rocked W to sleep upon returning home on Saturday evening (I commuted about 2 hours each way every day!) I realized how the gesture for B plays a huge role in my life as a mother.

copper rods and soft balls used for Eurythmy exercises

I am hoping later in life to possibly train as a student of Eurythmy...the training is about 4 years. I can't focus on it right now, but it is something I would love to continue experiencing whenever I have the chance. As a teacher, I feel that there is much I would be able to offer by the way of gesture and intention.

I'm so grateful to have had this experience....it's hard to get away for the weekend; there are so many factors to consider. But it's so worth it. Most of all, I'm so lucky to have a supportive family!

Below is a beautiful video of a performance by Eurythmy Spring Valley.

Blessings!

Winter Story and a weekend away..

2012-01-27T15:30:00.003-05:00

Our stories these past weeks have been revolving around the Winter season, courage, and steadfastness....with an age group ranging from 2.5-6.5, it's a challenge to keep all of them inwardly involved.
The youngest are best engaged with a story about familiar environments and situations...
The older children need more of a story; good triumphing evil at the conclusion...
Our Eastern Pennsylvania finally saw some snow this past week, so I created a story revolving around weather...
Enjoy our very first video capture of our "slowly the snow comes floating down" story!
As you can see, this was simple...we used pieces of white wool roving to create the slowly falling snow.
*We originally attempted to record the story as it was told to the children during our storytime. Well, that didn't quite work out and it's most likely for the best. (It would have been difficult to hear over the sound of a crying 29 month old, among other usual background noises!)
I'm sorry if the sound is too soft; it was nap time when I taped this:) I'm also a bit stuffy and hoarse from fighting the cold which has been circulating here, so excuse my voice:)

Slowly the snow comes floating down
Over the rooftops in the town
Down through the night without a sound
Turning and whirling to the ground
Gray comes the daylight dawning clear
Clouds all are gone, the sun is here
Oh, what a lovely morning blue
Shines on a world made white and new
Homer H. Harbour/Lorraine Nelson Wolf

The week is over and I am now off to a weekend of Eurythmy!

I'll be attending a weekend public intensive course in New York on all different kinds of Eurythmy, including therapeutic and tone Eurythmy.

It will be a total of 12 hours in the car by myself this weekend as I am not ready to take an overnight trip away from my family. I'm seeing the travel time as a way to digest all of the material I'll be exposed to this weekend:)

Stay tuned for photos!

Natural Skin Care

2012-01-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'll never forget the day I started to feel conscious of my skin and overall appearance..
It was the day I picked up a copy of Seventeen magazine...articles about skin and hair care regimens, accessories, clothing all left me feeling like I has entered some kind of new world which I knew nothing about.
As a teen and young adult, I battled acne and other skin ailments every day. Afraid of the relentless teasing which went on in school, I'd wake up extra early to apply a thick and very noticeable layer of makeup...followed by concealer....then powder, which I'd reapply all day long. This took a lot of time and effort, but it was the only way I felt comfortable. I even went through this before going to the swimming pool in the summertime! I remember writing in my journal one night..."The pool will be so much fun, but what if my makeup washes off?"
I'm sure that I was harming my skin more than helping it by wearing such a literal mask day in and day out. It wasn't until my lower maintenance college days that I stopped going through this insanity.
Although my acne breakouts are much fewer in numbers these days, I still bear the scars of so many past ailments. I began following a vegan diet in 2005 and noticed a marked difference in my skin...the scars seemed to fade and my complexion was brighter.
Gone are the days of scouring my face with OXI clean pads; striping my skin of any and all natural oils. Gone are the makeup compacts, drugstore astringents and harsh cleaners...and thank goodness. Here I share my favorite skin care products and regimens for the natural minded and "low maintenance" woman and mother:)

Argan Oil
I know I've written about this oil in the past, but I can tell you that it is pure greatness. I feel like it's the product I've been looking for all this time! Look for 100% organic Argan oil; it is worth the investment. I use it on my face (I was nervous about putting an oil on my complexion at first) for acne scars, flare ups, and to promote an even skin tone. It works wonderfully. It is a sheer and dewy moisturizer which won't leave your face looking shiny. I also use it on my hair and nails.
Tea Tree Oil
For acne spot treatment, I apply tea tree oil with a q-tip to any affected areas. It is very strong full strength, so I only recommend this oil as a spot treatment.
Chamomille
Quite possibly the most useful herb out there, in my opinion..
• To reduce the redness of pimples, chill a chamomile tea bag and press it lightly against the pimple
• Instead of using soap and water, use chamomile tea. It relaxes the skin as well as cleans it thoroughly
• To reduce the effect of acne scars, rub chamomile tea on the marks. Chamomile has a lightening effect, which reduces the visibility of marks left after acne flare-ups.

Rhythm
We hear this word so often and it can apply to our personal care, too. Try to remember to wash your face in the morning and before bed. When you wash your skin in the morning (although it may seem unnecessary), you’re removing toxins, sebum, and nighttime products ...think of it as a clean slate. And it feels rejuvenating, too:) I also find it very helpful to change my pillowcase nightly to reduce breakouts on the sides of my face.
Take the time to find an awesome moisturizer which you really love. My favorite pick for combination/acne prone skin is Derma E's problem skin moisturizer. (locals, find it at Wegmans!)

Other recommended product lines:
Weleda
Derma E (free sample + shipping offer)
Alba Botanica
Uriel

I think I've come a long way from my "make up" days....it almost seems like another lifetime. I wish you all confidence and happiness!

Grandma Bread...

2012-01-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read right.

Not "Grandma's Bread", but "Grandma Bread."
No, it's not my grandmother's nickname (but it may as well be!)
It's what my cousins, brothers and I call the notorious bread my grandmother bakes.
She's been making it for well over 40 years now...for her 5 daughters, for her 7 grandchildren...and now I (we!) are making it for W and the playschool children:)
It's known as "Grandma bread" in our family; it's best when eaten the same day it was baked. It makes delicious french toast and nice, thick sandwich bread, too. I've tweaked the recipe a little bit, but the texture and taste is pretty much right on. Friends keep giving me recipes for other breads to try, but I stay true to this one. I don't know why....I suppose because it's a part of me!

Every Thursday is bread day here at playschool. The children arrive in the morning to find a piece of bread dough at their seat with a sprinkling of flour. They get right to work using butter knives, cookie cutters, and rolling pins.

Recipe for "Grandma Bread"

1 package of live active yeast (about 1 tsp.)

2 tbs olive oil

1 c. milk

1 1/3 c. warm water

2 tsp honey (or sugar)

1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and mix.

Then add...

6-6.5 c. flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing and scraping down the bowl in between.

Continue mixing in flour until the dough forms a ball and no longer feels sticky to the touch. Stickiness means you'll need more flour!

I use white flour for this recipe. Whole wheat yields a very tough and not too tasty loaf. I occasionally use white whole wheat flour, but white suits this recipe best, I think. I've been thinking about adding in ground grains, like flaxseed or the like...this a reminder that I really, really desire to find a quality grain grinder! (recommendations?)

Knead for 15 minutes or so. (It's good, hard work!) Place ball of dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a towel to rise for 90 minutes. I prepare the dough for playschool the night before. I place the bowl in the refrigerator overnight and consider this the first rise.

After 90 minutes (or overnight) punch down and shape into loaves or small balls (for adorable and delicious buns). This is the time where I give the dough to the children to play with. I work slowly on rolling out the buns as they play while the oven is preheating to 365 degrees.

Allow the buns or loaves to rise for another 20-30 minutes. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve very warm with honey and butter for best results:)
I serve ours literally right out of the oven...

The children help prepare our snack table by bringing over utensils, cups, bowls. They know just what to do as I give them each a task after they are done washing their hands with lavender water. Everything sits at the edge of the counter for easy access. It is very special to see how our snack table comes together so beautifully with the help of every hand, big and small. The children take great pride in this.

We light our mealtime candle and sing blessings...as W continues to make silly faces and almost insane animal noises. The older children are now learning that he tends to stop if they don't laugh or pay any attention to these behaviors. It's working....slowly.

By now, all mouths are watering, including mine. Each bun gets split almost in half ("like a butterfly!") and receives a liberal amount of room temperature butter (I'm loving this butter crock for keeping butter soft and fresh!) and honey (my favorite honeypot here)

We love our bread, we love our butter,

but most of all, we love each other!

Happy Bread Baking!

ps- Awesome giveaway coming soon:)
Visit Chagrin Valley Soaps and Crafts for a hint...

In the Winter Garden...

2012-01-15T22:29:00.001-05:00

In the Winter Garden,

Seeds lie warm below,

Flowers are waiting, waiting, waiting...

For the Spring to blow...

...Thankful to have made it through this weekend somewhat unscathed...0

W had his first trip to the Emergency Room on Friday night..

In true Friday the 13th fashion, W tripped up our very first step and ripped the bottom of his chin open.

How ironic, especially after he's been jumping off of everything...climbing up anything...

I'm not the type to feel anxious about these things, and I know that he feels that I trust him (of course, stepping in when something is definitely not safe...but staying in the background, otherwise.)

So, when he was dripping blood after taking what seemed like a not-so-bad fall....

When the cut was still bleeding a bit a few hours later...

When Daddy came home and we both just looked at each other...

It's not a pleasant experience by any means, but we were in and out within 2 hours.

We were home in time for a bath (which always helps to "wash away" overstimulating experiences, I have found....) and when he stood on his stool to brush his teeth and started to lose his balance....well, my heart started to race. I think that after an ER experience is so fresh, you can't help but be a little bit fearful. I'm hoping to be hearing more than "be careful" come from both Jay and I in the next few days:)

We're thankful to be home, playing with cars on the "rainbow ramp" (a painted piece of folded cardboard)...

...Watch out for that treacherous first step!

The joys of a mixed age group

2012-01-12T22:39:00.002-05:00

Think of it as a big family with plenty of brothers and sisters:)

The active two year old, constantly exploring and testing...

We have the dreamy 3 year olds, not quite awake to the big world around them...

The younger and older 4 year olds, ready to help and join in on ideas...

The 6 year old, always building, planning, problem solving...

*Thanks to my awesome assistant, Monica for snapping these photos on our rainy day outside!*

Gosh, I just love her!!

There are challenges, of course...such as how to get down to our Rose Garden park and stay together as a group...but not rush anyone along during their experience. We cross two streets, which is always a concern as far as safety. Tomorrow, I'm going to experiment with a long piece of rainbow finger knitting for the youngest children to hold onto. Perhaps each little one will hold a different color?

My Waldorf Early childhood observation this month was at an urban Waldorf kindergarten classroom. It was a wonderful experience and an example of a seemingly beautiful teacher/assistant relationship. It is so inspirational to be a part of a morning in the classroom...but at the same time, I'm on the long journey of discovering who I am as a teacher. It's easy to mimic something you've seen done so beautifully in a classroom, but if you do something (such as a song, verse, festival etc.) only because you've seen it done before and it feels like it's something you should do...well, I've learned that it kind of becomes meaningless and rote. It's also helped me a great deal having an early childhood teacher as a sort of mentor-type to me...she has helped me begin to realize many things and to consider what I may have never on my own.

Thank you for all of your kind words and thoughts regarding our upcoming wedding:)

It looks like July 1st will be our date!

Warm Treats

2012-01-09T14:42:00.001-05:00

Winter is here, but our very cold days have been numbered!
We are fully enjoying the most beautiful mild weather, but a part of me is waiting for snow:)
On very cold days, the children are searching for warmth all day long..
They warm their hands in front of the fire, they huddle together outside, they ask for warm liquids upon returning inside from the cold.
A popular request has been hot chocolate, but I chose not to serve foods or beverages containing refined sugars to the children.
Our equally tasty alternative has been warm milk with cinnamon and honey...or, as the children are calling it, "white cocoa".

Once a week, we grate our own cinnamon to use in the milk (using the very fine side of a cheese grater), which is enjoyable for everyone...
Upon coming inside, the children remove their snow pants (which we wear on very cold days) and jackets and place them on a coat rack in our mudroom.
Their hats, gloves, and scarves all make their way to their personal belonging baskets...
During this time, I have begun heating a pot of whole milk on the stove at medium heat.
The children sit by the (gas) fireplace and wait for their turn to go upstairs with Monica to wash their hands. This is our quiet time.
I mix the milk with a tablespoon of honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon....the children enjoy this treat and look forward to it each morning!

cheers! (clink!)

Speaking of treats, my new favorite breakfast to share with W is steel cut oats with apples and cinnamon. A friend passed the recipe on, and I've been hooked ever since. The oats are cooked overnight on a low setting in the crockpot, so you have a hot, delicious breakfast just waiting for you when you come downstairs in the morning. Does it get any better?

I hope you are staying warm this Winter with the ones you love...they are the best recipe for warmth:)

In unrelated news, I have some "news"...

After 4 years, Jay and I are finally getting married this Spring (or early Summer)!

Oldie, but goodie:)

The time is right and we are excited.

The whole affair will be very small and nothing fancy, just how I am wanting it.
...I am very excited and starting to make preparations as far as, um, accessories for myself...

such as a hairpiece like this one my good friend recommended to me...

I am "working on" growing my hair out by the date (31 inches by June?), which means no heat styling, no excessive brushing, and a lot of argan oil and avocado treatments.

The happy day is nearing and I can't wait!

...but I suppose I will have to:)

Three Kings Day (Epiphany)

2012-01-06T15:16:00.001-05:00

I sure love a festival day!

It's just what I need after feeling melancholy at the end of the Christmas Season. On the eve of Epiphany, we remove all decorations and greenery from our house, including the Christmas Tree....

Ok....or maybe Jay does most of the work... :)

This is closure for me, friends. Christmas is really over.

Epiphany is becoming one of my most beloved festivals, as it is both meaningful, magical, and something to look forward to:)

Star of Bethlehem shaped French Toast for a morning treat...

A new centerpiece..

The Three Kings depicted and a bit of incense, which the children had many questions about...

It was a beautiful day outside...the children have really taken to climbing the trees at the park...even the littlest of littles are inching their way up with no help from us.

Of course, I am apt to join in on the fun!

Monica and I chose not to help the children climb. I believe that if they can get up, they can find a way down. If we place them on a branch, I feel that they won't be able to get down safely. The children climb as high as they feel comfortable. If we place them where we (standing a good 3-4 feet taller in height) think is a good spot, it may be too high for them...or there may not be ample branches for them to climb down. Sometimes the small children get frustrated, but we know their time will come.

And it has.

Our story today told the tale of the three kings following the brightest star to the child full of light...

I found myself with somewhat cranky but adorable child in lap...

but that's ok:)

Hmmm..the Three Kings look kind of like..gnomes. I found some beautiful wood representations of the Three Kings, but ran out of money to purchase them in time. The children are used to seeing these little peg gnomes take on many roles! Next year, I'll look into making the purchase, as they are of great quality and craftmanship...and they would be well loved, too.

It is during days like today where I have to stop and remind myself that "doing" is more important than "telling" or "explaining". Do more, talk less: that is my new affirmation. While working with impressionable young children who learn and live by imitation, that's the best advice I can give myself or anyone else.

Happy Three Kings Day to you!

Mama Beauty..

2012-01-03T22:45:00.001-05:00

This Friday, January 6th, we will celebrate Epiphany and the beginning of The Epiphany Season....to me, this is the real, true close of the Christmas Season; the day our tree is repurposed, all greens removed from the home, all decorations to be placed in the attic to rest...

We had a quiet home day today; staying cozy and slowly removing ornaments from the Christmas Tree. I am hoping for this change to be gradual up until Thursday evening, the Eve of Epiphany.

As we begin the New Year, I am thinking of aspects of my life I'd like to...refurbish...revist...revitalize?

Ah, before anyone starts groaning about reading one more New Year's resolution, hear me out...

This isn't so much a resolution, but a part of my life I'd like to remember.

I am sure I share the sentiment of many mothers who feel like they have forgotten about aspects of personal care (ok, that sounds bad..)

I'm talking about the details which may serve to make us feel even more good and beautiful.

Since becoming a mother, I've taken a backseat to caring for my appearance. It's so difficult to write about this without sounding vain or shallow! Sure, I run a brush through my hair, wash my face, and surely brush my teeth every day, but I am looking into getting back into a...revised beauty routine.

A good friend and I took a trip to a large cosmetics store tonight. I came with a short list and stuck to it; feeling uncomfortable with all of the sales associates schooling me on pores and exfoliation.

I decided to spend $50 on quality and organic skincare and makeup. The bare essentials, in my opinion....

Organic 100% Argan Oil

-this is a fantastic and all purpose moisturizer and anti acne treatment. It also serves to prevent split ends (hair) and promote healthy growth. I highly recommend this product!!

(not my photo...but a very nice representation of Argan oil)

An Eyelash Curler

-an easy and painless procedure which takes about 8 seconds. An instant eye opener! The deal I got was great; it included a generous sized sample of natural mascara, another easy way to open your eyes.

A Face Complexion Brush

This brush makes face washing a treat. I felt invigorated after my first time using it.

I also purchased a color palette with a few natural colored eyeshadows, a bronzer, and a lip gloss. This will be for special occassions.

I feel good about these purchases and I am looking forward to spending a little bit more time on caring for myself. Just this past week, a teacher from our local Waldorf school observed during playschool for the morning. We had a wonderful discussion to follow this with many memorable suggestions, observations, and information. One of the snippets of our discussion I have been thinking about lately is the fact that as a teacher (and mother!) of young children, I must take care of myself and be well rested. The energy and "life force" I bring to my space has much to do with who I am and I how I perceive myself and others. This is not to say that I must be "beautiful", for that could mean anything and everything...but I feel that I must make sure that I make time for myself in the morning, that I look in the mirror and take the time to...take care of myself. I'm worth it...and so are you:)

Sweet Dreams...

2011-12-31T22:28:00.000-05:00

After almost 29 months of co-sleeping, we've made the decision to move a twin bed into what is now W's bedroom. While we truly loved sharing a bed with W....well, he's not getting any smaller. Or shorter. And when we quietly come to bed later in the evening, we almost always end up waking him. After 20 minutes of nursing, tossing, turning, and fussing...he's usually back to sleep. We're all kind of tired and looking for a change.

W helped moved his twin bed (previously in our bedroom, mostly used as a springboard to jump onto our Queen bed!) into his new room with much enthusiasm.

We set everything up with him and played in his room for the rest of the evening. The transition has been so smooth thus far. We're keeping our bedtime rhythm the same, and I know this has helped. Don't get me wrong, he's not "sleeping through the night" in his room without waking up and crying for us...but I feel like sleeping through the night is a misnomer, anyhow. I can't remember the last time I slept straight through the night!

Speaking of transitions, the conclusion of the holiday season is always difficult for me. It's hard to believe that Christmas was one week ago already! I feel pangs of sadness as I walk though the stores in our town and see Christmas merchandise...twinkling lights, ringing bells, candles...this Christmas was so beautiful and memorable; I can hardly believe it is over. I am missing the magic and anticipation which was so fresh last week.

Along with the new year comes a promise of renewed hope, strength, and energy. The cold winter air does a great job of waking me up from this slump. My answer is...more time outdoors:)

Happy 2012, friends!

Winter Playscape

2011-12-27T22:25:00.000-05:00

My favorite and most enjoyable creation from this Holiday Season...

This wool felted playscape was created for my friend (and playschool assistant!) Monica's daughter...I began construction a few weeks ago but finished up the final details last week. I wanted to make something inspired by Winter, so I began with the igloo...created from a pair of wet felted slipper pieces which didn't pan out exactly how I thought they would. I'm hoping to try the felted slippers again soon...it's a lot harder than it looks; lots of trial and error. Or in my case...mostly error:)

The river was created from some beautiful icy blue plant dyed wool roving from this lovely artist. The rest of the materials were gathered from outside. I especially love using stones and twigs, but the evergreen sprigs were my favorite detail this time. I don't know how long they will last, but they could always be replaced.

I'm in the middle of cleaning out my craft closet and moving it to a spare bedroom which will now serve as my craft room (YAY!). Our other spare room will soon be....W's own bedroom. After almost 29 months of co-sleeping, we've decided it may be time. And by "we", I believe that we mean all of us, including W. I'm loving creating his space; a room for him with many special touches and lots of thought. This doesn't mean I'm not in a bit of mourning for what will soon be.

More later...

A wonderful Day...

2011-12-25T22:51:00.000-05:00

A boy and his fish...

Cooking breakfast with Grandma

Christmas Day candle

Great Grandma's for dinner

A 6-layer chocolate caramel and sea salt birthday cake for Jesus ...

A wonderful handmade gift...a butterfly that flaps its wings when pushed!

(Thank you Uncle Henry and Auntie Michelle!)

Harmonica Time

Many wishes to you for a beautiful Christmas Season!

Welcome, Sun!

2011-12-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

Our first day of Winter was spent almost entirely outdoors...we are having nearly 60 degree weather here, so we played, sang, told our story, and crafted all outdoors today. It was fantastic.

I awoke from a strange dream this morning to find the sunlight pouring through our bedroom windows...
Sunlight was everywhere...

This was most welcome and celebrated, as yesterday seemed so dark in many ways...
The children were all incredibly cranky, especially my W. Cooperative play just wasn't happening, no one cared for our lunch, rest time was not as peaceful as usual, and my mood dropped, too.
I saw 2 horrible car accidents while waiting in a long line of traffic after visiting the bustling craft store....everyone is in a rush to get somewhere by sometime...
The evening ended with a loud thunderstorm and sheets of cold rain.

But, yes, today has been incredible.

Our story this week is The Nativity Story, which is easily one of my most favorite...

This story teaches us much about love and humility; the children have emotionally responded to it in such a way that we're holding back the "awwww's!" I try not to make remarks, such as "that's so sweet", (especially after one girl blew a kiss to baby Jesus in the manger at the end of the story) as I know that this is their very honest way of digesting what has just been laid before them.

We also did some simple Christmas crafting with pinecones we found at the park...

We dipped the pinecones in melted beeswax and sprinkled/rolled them in silver glitter. After they were dry, I wrapped floral wire around the top and bent the remaining wire into a hook for hanging. They look so sweet!

Yes, a wonderful day indeed. Days like these make it pretty easy to forget about the adult conflict and struggle I've been facing almost all month from various angles. Sometimes I feel like nothing is ever good enough and I'm constantly running to catch up with whatever makes everyone else happy....as a mother, caregiver, friend, relative. In the end, I know that I am doing the very best I can, day in and day out. There may be dusty corners in my home...an unkept cabinet under the sink (or two..)...laundry which needs to be folded...a note I've forgotten to send...but I feel that the things in my life that need my real and undivided attention are being taken care of first. Everything else can wait.

Speaking of what matters most....

Congratulations to my brother and his wife,

new parents to a beautiful baby boy, Luke Patrick

I'm so excited to be an Aunt :)

No Nonsense Knits (?)

2011-12-20T15:00:00.002-05:00

The week before Christmas-- really?
For crafters, this is akin to crunch time. A very real phenomenon when you don't plan your holiday knits appropriately ("oh, it's only October! I have time!") and you haven't quite learned your lesson from the year before:)

This is what my life has looked like for the past month...a jumble of yarn and almost finished projects. In a good way!

Spoiler Alert for family and friends!

Most of my gifts this year have been scarves and cowls. Simple, fun, and somewhat carefree projects; just right for haphazardly picking up the needles during that free 10 minutes during the day while the children are playing close by. My most beloved pattern this season has been the Mile-a Minute dropstitch scarf using Noro Kureyon.

W and I had a great time rolling some beeswax candles for the playschool children's gifts. I am hoping that they will use them at meal or bed time...also included will be a small box of matches with a pretty fabric cover. The children love lighting our candles at meal and rest time.. it is a time of quiet and reverence; just what we need before eating or rest.

Pop-Pop was in town this past week and was dead set on taking W to see the Santa at our local mall, which happens to be huge and overwhelming. This was W's first ever trip to the mall and I wasn't all too thrilled about it. Never the less, I remember my father begging me to sit with Santa when I was in 8th grade (I didn't comply; I mean, what if someone saw me! haha!) and I knew that this meant a lot to him.
It was a sweet moment, for sure.

W went home to take a 3 hour long nap and awoke with a low grade fever. I notice this tends to happen when he gets overwhelmed or is out of his element. It is times like these that I feel so thankful all over again that I don't need to have him in the car every day, running errands, etc. It feels so good to be home, and I think he agrees.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, it feels most amazing to be home where everything happens as it usually does.

The briskness of the upcoming Winter season is invigorating and therapeutic for these busy days...for both of us.

Our time outdoors is the best work of our day. I can understand how young children still feel so connected to the natural world around them; how it is so inside of them, how it makes the most sense to them more than anything else. They so need it. With so much going on in the ground below us; such preparation and slow growth, how can one not feel connected and good?

Deep below, Deep below, new life will Spring....

The third week of Advent...

2011-12-16T23:00:00.002-05:00

Praise the bull and bless the bee,

Thank the mouse and manatee.

Praise the deer and bless the dog,

Hallowed be the horse and hog.

Praise all creatures big and small,

Bless them wide, and bless them tall;

For their goodness and their light,

We thank their soul's in the Winter's night

~Reg Down, The Festival of Stones

...Well, it looks like my impatience with the camera situation has gotten the best of me...the pre owned camera I purchased turns out to be a very old model and I haven't the foggiest how to go about using it correctly...that is, if it works. My old camera is lost somewhere in our house, which is enough to drive anyone mad! I panicked at the thought of being without a camera for Christmas, and I jumped at the used one. Now I am scrambling to sell it on Ebay; hoping to get half of my money back. Lesson learned: a quick fix is never really a fix!

Enter my wonderful assistant for playschool and fantastic friend, Monica with a replacement camera for me...she is so incredible to work with and have as a part of my life. We've been working together for about 4 months now and it's clear to see that she picks up on what I need (regarding the children, our rhythm, etc.) before even asking her. She's hoping to become an assistant in an early childhood Waldorf classroom one day soon, and I know she'll be fantastic. Monica is a rare breed in the friend/confidant department...and the children adore her.

Life has taken some interesting turns in the past week...I feel like the Advent season is akin to a very long full moon...what with the hustle of the Christmas approaching, everyone starts to seem a bit on the jumpy, frustrated, anxious side. I've been approached with conflict between acquaintances like never before in my life and I've been feeling so distracted by this. What helps me most is my son and the love I can so freely and easily give to him, no matter whatever else is happening in this crazy world. The playschool children are also a very real reminder that the world is good. I'm so thankful to be working closely with young children...I prefer them over adults any day.

Wheat grass grown to harvest and dry for Baby Jesus' manger

The week has been spent gawking at our countdown to Christmas Day in disbelief at how close it really is. After that, the New Year, which brings about the promise of change and renewed hope. It's just what I need.

Quoting one of my most favorite bands....

....Sweetness Follows.

..If you know the song, you'll appreciate this young girl's cover...it brought tears to my eyes.

Monthy Waldorf EC Observation

2011-12-14T21:26:00.001-05:00

..As a pre-requisite for the Waldorf Early Childhood teacher certification program I have applied for, I have been observing in a variety of beautiful Waldorf classrooms...

This month I was lucky enough to observe in Valerie Thomas' Kindergarten classroom at Kimberton Waldorf School.

The drive was over an hour, but well worth it...

The small kindergarten building was decorated beautifully for the season....

Valerie's classroom included open ended playthings at their finest...

Chunks of wood, hollow blocks, tree stumps, irregularly shaped bowls, and ropes were the main "toys".

Valerie spoke with me for much of the morning about how she strives for playthings which are suggestive in nature...

She mentioned the kitchen playset and how she is careful to not "set it up" solely as a kitchen...it could be many other things...

She also expressed that some teachers don't place dolls in a cradle as this is suggestive that "this is where a baby sleeps." Children sleep in a parent's arms...on the floor, in a bed...

All morning long, I observed the children building, tearing down, working together, bickering, and solving. I watched Valerie (just as the children call her and as she refers to herself) use a firm touch with the children while guiding them...I listened as she used an emotionless voice while dealing with distractions. Most notably, I watched as she comforted a child who had just taken a decent fall from a freshly built structure. She sat him on her lap, instructed one child to fetch an ice pack from the freezer, another to bring some boo boo cream, another to bring the child a glass of water. The children were involved in the healing process and there was a calm in the room. "I hope he's ok!" said one child to another.

This was incredible!

"Strong and sturdy hands" was a phrase which Valerie used throughout the day..."Are your hands strong and sturdy to carry the cups?" she asked a child who was having trouble that morning...

"Take care with our things" was another phrase used when play became a bit destructive...

"Take care with my precious Sarah", in a somewhat flat tone when another child was becoming rough...

I especially loved this. She didn't express this in a sing song kind of too sweet manner...rather, her voice was matter of fact and serious. Her Scottish accent only added to the beauty in her voice, as well, in my opinion:)

During morning circle, a Eurythmist entered the room to lead the circle. The children wore Eurythmy slippers as they moved about the space while listening to a seasonal story with many flowing movements...it was a joy to watch. The language and gesture was beautiful. The story ended with a built in "and until I see you next..." and the instructor exited the room at this. It was the smoothest transition I have ever seen.

I am more than intrigued by Eurythmy and how it can assist young children particularly. I experienced a few hours of Eurythmy and Spatial Dynamics this past summer, but I am eager to learn more. I'm excited to say that at the end of January 2012, I'll be attending a weekend intensive Eurythmy course in New York. That's something to really look forward to after the holidays are over (always a kind of sad time for me..)

I look forward to returning to Valerie's classroom one day soon for another inspirational morning.

You can really tell that the children in these classrooms are a part of something special and that it has affected their very being. They are instructed to do very little (such as "cleaning up"); they take cues from the teacher and her assistant. There is no clean-up song; it just happens. While I was folding a large blanket with the help of a student, he noticed that the corners were twisted. It took him about 5 minutes to figure it out, but he didn't quit. I stood there silently with the other end in my hand, listening to him talk himself through the process. I thought of how rushed clean up time can be and how it sometimes seems like a race with no reverence for belongings....throw this here, shove that into a basket or toybox, just get it done.

The time is taken; the time is there.

This is one of my most favorite aspects of Waldorf EC education!!

Well, on a totally different subject, it seems that my camera is lost. The part that is frustrating me like mad is the fact that I am almost 100% sure that it is somewhere in our house. Gah!!

Feeling anxious at the thought of having no way to capture holiday photos, I checked craigslist for a used camera on Monday evening. I've been looking to upgrade and I found what I believe to be a great deal for a wonderful camera. It is an Olympus Camedia E10 and I bought it last night:)

Now....

If only I could figure out how to use it correctly!

Wish me luck!

Ps- I have taken the above photographs with the permission of the teacher. This is her space and her own designs. Please respect this and do not copy these photographs to another site or use them in a way which would disservice the teacher. Many thanks and love to you:)

New friends...

2011-12-12T15:17:00.000-05:00

Here are our new friends from Woodland Woollens who arrived to us just last week!

Aren't they delicious?!

This handsome gentlemen has been dubbed "W's baby"...

It bears a real resemblance to him, wild blonde hair and all...

...my camera has somehow gone missing and I haven't the foggiest where to look next...

I'll drive myself mad if I start to think about all of the places it could be.

Needless to say, I will most likely be shopping for an upgrade this week, so stay tuned:)

xoxo

Compassion for all

2011-12-09T15:18:00.000-05:00

Our journey today took us to a senior living community down the street from us...
We arrived with a ringing bell, songs, evergreen branches, and a popcorn and cranberry garland which unraveled itself along the way...
My intention for this trip was to spread cheer to these elders, something which everyone deserves, especially during this time of year. The decision to organize came after I read that over 3 million elderly people will be 100% alone on Christmas.
I think of the families of these people; these individuals who have led such long and experienced lives...how hurtful it must be to feel so forgotten. I wonder why our society today tends to "forget" about the elderly or see them as a burden....

What we did was such a small gesture, but I believe it meant a lot to these folks.
I was hoping for this to be an exchange of songs, conversation, and some hugs...I didn't want the children to be incredibly fussed over, but...well, how could they not be? :) It was obvious from the moment we walked in that they were going to be a big deal. Some of them loved it. Some of them were shy. Some of them warmed up over time...

Some of them took a ride in the elevator... :)

While we sang many songs together, I couldn't help but take a look around the room....the women and men were smiling, laughing, clapping along....I felt so warmed and grateful in this moment.
The children brought such an electric and pure energy to this building. They ran around the downstairs, exploring the dining rooms, the kitchen, the hallways, the living rooms....the adults followed them with their eyes, remarking along the way. I can imagine that it felt wonderful to feel such freshness in a place like this...

This was a valuable lesson to the children. Through this experience, I believe they learned much about respect, kindness, and the value of giving....not the exchange of material things, but of something much bigger. Maybe they don't realize it right now, at this very moment, but I believe it will stay with them. They were also excited about the treat bags which were prepared for them...oh, candy. The bags will go home with them (no sugar here, folks!!!) and will hopefully be a reminder of the appreciation shown towards them:)

We'll return to this facility again...perhaps Valentines Day and Easter. Although, we won't need a holiday to remember that everyone is deserving of cheer, compassion, and company...any day of the year.

Please remember the elders in your community...volunteer, visit, send cards/drawings...

It only takes a few moments to brighten the day of someone so deserving...

Advent week 2...the festival of plants

2011-12-07T15:11:00.003-05:00

"Bless the root and bless the stem,

Bless the bud that says 'Amen'.

Bless the fig and the plum,
Bless the willow that looks so glum.

Bless the bean and the beet,

bless the berry that tastes so sweet.

Bless them big and bless them small,

Bless the plants that bless us all!"

~Reg Down "The Festival of Stones"

(Autumn and Winter tales of Tiptoes Lightly)

My biggest challenge this Advent season is how to pare down my ideas and only present the children with a few beautiful and strong images from the season...so many stories to tell, things to see, traditions to experience...I suppose it could leave a young child pretty overwhelmed (and adults, too!)
The quote above is taken from the fantastic book we read every day as we prepare for our rest time. The stories are full of rich language and imagery...it is this time that we informally experience the light of stones, plants, animals, and humankind.

After each story, I bring around pieces of each kingdom for the children to hold, touch, smell, or experience in any way they wish. This week, it is sprigs of pine, douglas fir, rosemary, a shiny holly leaf, and a clump of moss. The especially tactile children seem to really love this...

We also ventured out in the rain to harvest some beautiful rose hips from the public rose garden just down the block. The children were amazed to see "winter's flowers" growing from the tall thorny rose bushes. I used some floral wire to create a rosehip mini wreath. Thank you to my dear friend Joey for this grand craft idea! She is always an inspiration!!

Crafting with a mixed age group requires some thought and planning...the older children very much enjoy small-ish stringing items, but what about the 2.5 and 3.5 year olds? I found that stringing cut shapes of 100% wool felt works nicely and is much easier to grasp (literally and figuratively). I recommend wool felt rather than acrylic craft felt because a blunt ended tapestry needle finds its way much easier through wool....of course, it is much more beautiful to touch and look at, as well!
Wesley helped with the ornament photographed above...but after about a minute, he was absolutely squirming to get down to play. The children are never "forced" to sit and finish crafts...free play trumps everything during this phase of development. (although I should mention that there are certainly expectations for times during our day...such as circle time, mealtimes, etc.!)

Each child has their own tapestry needle which is kept on a felt shape and in a basket.

Baking cookies for a trip to a neighborhood senior community we will visit on Friday in honor of St. Nicholas Day.

I have the opportunity to observe in a kindergarten tomorrow at Kimberton Waldorf School.

I am so, so, so looking forward to this.

This school seems so magical to me; the setting, the history, the diverse staff...

The teacher has been involved in various fields of Waldorf education for 35 years, all over the world.

I'll also be able to observe the curative Eurythmist who visits the class weekly.

I'll post the few photos I feel comfortable taking soon!

In the meantime, here are some photos from past trips to Kimberton.

My application to Sunbridge is completed and mailed..finally!

A 17 page personal statement (...I don't think it's supposed to be that long..) and a printer fiasco later, it has left the building! :) :)

Lastly, many blessings to one of my best friends who just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last week.

Always inspirational and courageous, she had a HBAC (home birth after caesarean) and both mother and baby are doing wonderfully. She was glad to be in the comfort of her beautiful home, surrounded by those who love her.

SHE DID IT!!!!!

W is pictured above, holding his new lifelong friend, Elyse Helen...

What an expression on his face. I think he'll be a great big brother one day:)

St. Nicholas

2011-12-06T08:09:00.000-05:00

"...In Holland I'm called "Sinter Klaas!"
In other places "Santa Claus!"
They call me Sinter Klaas and Santa Claus.
In France they call me "Pere Noël!"
To others I'm just "Kris Kringle!"
In England you ask , "Guess who Nick is?"
I'm just known as "Father Christmas!"
In Russia they don't say "Nicklas!"
Instead they shout out "Grandfather Frost!"

Though children of the world give St. Nick-names,
His spirit is still the same!
My spirit is still the same.

~Fr. Joseph Marquis

Spiral of Light

2011-12-04T22:28:00.001-05:00

The Advent Spiral of Light is a beautiful tradition that has made its way into our church, thanks to the talented and insightful woman who previously held my current job as Director of Youth Education.

Today we worked together to create this special event for the children of our parish..

A chalk sign for outside..

Carving the apple candle holders...

My mother really came to the rescue with this...it is a lot harder than it looks!

Between flattening out the bottom so they stand up...and getting the candle to fit snugly...

There's probably an art to doing this!

We began the evening with a potluck for friends and family...

We were hoping that by adding low lighting the children would not run about the large room,

but they are always so excited to see each other and it comes out in different ways...

We weren't sure just how many people would be in attendance, but it just so happens that we had exactly enough chairs.

(Later, we discovered that we had exactly enough apples and candles, as well!)

Holy Family in the center of the Spiral

Wesley lights his candle with his Grandma, "Granny Smith"

It was so special to watch Wesley have reverence for the whole setting...

I was stationed by the door; handing each child a candle...

A helper called each child, one by one, from the other room to the Spiral.

A parent played beautiful music on the Native American flute in the background, which really added to the experience.

A young boy and girl dressed in white sat in the center of the spiral to assist the very young children with their candles.

We all heard Wesley coming down the hall to the Spiral room; talking loudly and running...

The moment he walked into the room, his expression totally changed...

My beautiful friend, Heather and her son, Vethan

We watched as the room went from almost completely dark (except for the Christ candle in the center and the light from our Advent wreath) to full of brilliant light. A twelve year old boy turned to me and said, "Rebecca, it's beautiful..."

Winter is dark,

yet each tiny spark brighten the way

to Christmas Day..

Shine, little light

and show us the way

to the bright light of Christmas Day...

Nativity on a budget, stories and scenes...

2011-12-01T15:20:00.001-05:00

What a joy it is to celebrate these next weeks of Advent with the children!

I feel so inspired to do so many things, but I must stop myself from overwhelming everyone involved, most importantly the children.

I have a list of ideas for the next weeks, but I'll be selecting only a few...

I'm looking ahead to St. Nicholas Day with the children. The stories of St. Nicholas will be the hallmark of our story telling all month long up until Christmas. The best resource I have found online is The St. Nicholas Center. I have gleaned all of our weekly stories from this site thus far.

This week, we hear the story of St. Nicholas and The Shining Orange. (story here)

I picked this story to address some of the run-of-the-mill sharing and using kind words to each other incidents we sometimes have during playschool. We don't directly "tell" the children to be nice to each other. We also don't "make" them share. Addressing these things through story and setting up "vignettes" so the children can work their own way through has worked very well thus far.. (for example, if 2 children are not getting along, we may have them sit together at a beautiful smaller table of their own during lunch time. One may also take on the "job" of helping the other gather nap time supplies...)

The puppet photographed above is my first standing puppet I have created...or kind of. Truth is, it's not finished yet. I began working on it during my course at Sunbridge this past Summer, and I needed a lot of guidance. I think I still do!!

Hey, all of you haphazard hand sewers out there! I feel you!

I spent much of this past month shopping around for a wooden Nativity set. Many of them were too cartoon-like for my taste, and the really beautiful sets were far too expensive. I really love the Ostheimer pieces, though. The craftmanship is unsurpassed, I think.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found these pieces from Padillly. I ordered Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the Star, and a kneeling Angel...all for about $97.00. There is also a coupon code ("jellybeans") on the site to receive $5 off an order of $50 or more. I'll add more pieces next year and as time goes on. I decided to use some of our tree blocks for a manger in lieu of spending even more money. I think it will work out well.
This week, the manger is bare, except for some stones. Next week, we'll add plants, and so on. I'm glad to introduce these details slowly and gradually. The children seem to notice them so much more rather than them *BAM* all of a sudden just being there.

Here are a few other sets which I admire for quality and price...

(this is not to say that I don't FULLY believe that handmade items are worth every penny.)

A crocheted Holy Family

Folk Art Nativity

Beautiful Wood Nativity

Most of all, my favorite needlefelted set depicted beautifully in a Christmas Card

We're looking forward to the days together as 2011 comes to a close...

We've learned so much together and the children have happily become so independent; recently honing our dish washing skills:)

...on a random note, if anyone knows of a website which sells a beautiful and large stoneware/enamel bowl, please send the link along in the comments section:)

It is always a pleasure to write this blog...thanks for reading:)

Advent in the Home, Week One.

2011-11-29T15:51:00.004-05:00

ad·vent n.1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important:

With Thanksgiving now a fond memory, we are ready to begin the Advent season....

Week One

The first light of Advent is the light of stone–.
Stones that live in crystals, seashells, and bones.

It seems as though we will have two different Advent "wreaths" this year in our home...

Sounds complicated? I am attempting to honor each playschool family by respecting our various backgrounds and beliefs...but yet we are all in the darkness of Winter searching for Light.

Our playschool "wreath" will celebrate the mineral, plant, animal, and human kingdoms; this will be our focus during playschool. The children will be able to light each candle and touch the objects within the wooden circle...

An Advent "ladder" hung from the ceiling will also help us count down the days...

Ack! The photos are really horrible; sorry! The ladder is hung directly in front of a very bright window. It is very hard to capture in a way that does this piece honor!

I created the ladder from pieces of felt glued together to make a long and narrow strip.

I glued the appropriate number of felt stars onto the strip and hung it from a tall window.

The "end" of the ladder falls onto our radiator where the Christmas candle is placed...

A fairy created from wool roving will be moved down the ladder each day...

We celebrated the first day of Advent at church this weekend by creating Advent wreaths together..

What a fantastic and dynamic group of children we have!

I am so honored and glad to be a part of this parish; especially during these special weeks together:)

Our "second" Advent wreath was created to honor these next weeks as quiet preparation...

We rolled navy blue and a rose colored beeswax candles this morning during the parent/child group I lead at church. (What an awesome job, right? I'm very lucky!)

I am really looking forward to the next few weeks and all of the joy they will surely bring...

Our town of Bethlehem, the Christmas City, is totally buzzing and looks incredibly beautiful...

...Thank you all for the birthday wishes...

Here is true proof that it was a night to remember...

...I literally danced my favorite shoes off.

Ohhh....that pavement felt *very* cold on the way home..

30...and giveaway winner!

2011-11-27T23:18:00.001-05:00

Yesterday marked my 30th year in this world I have come to know...

The future is an exciting place to ponder upon.

The old photo above is a great representation of who I am and how some things remain the same over time...

...I still have a toothy smile.

...I still get excited oh so easily. It is very hard for me to contain myself when I'm happy about something!

...Style wise, I probably am still stuck somewhere in the 80's (haha!)

...The cassette tape in the photo is Madonna's Immaculate Collection. Still a favorite. Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation is up there, too.

...I'll always love my birthday; probably just as much as I did in this photograph. It's a day to be reminded of how incredibly lucky you are to be surrounded by people who love and support you.

We officially danced all night long; in a somewhat snooty restaurant with a DJ willing to play all of our crazy requests. We probably were laughed at and we were definitely pointed at. We were the only people in the room dancing the entire time..and it was awesome.

Life changes....

From being sort of confused and not all that happy....

To being confident...

....to believing in love and all of its beauty and promise...

to feeling complete.

....Now for the lucky giveaway winner of the Woodland Woolens Waldorf Doll!

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your doll memories upon entering the giveaway. They were a joy to read and they certainly made me smile:)

If you're a new reader here, I offer you the warmest of welcomes!

THE HIPPIE ODYSSEY is our giveaway winner:)

Lucky you, dearie!

Kindly get in touch with me so your little sweetie can be mailed to you:)

as always, thanks for reading..

Holiday knits

2011-11-22T09:30:00.003-05:00

Oh, it's that time of year again...

The time when I remember that promise I made to myself which I never seem to keep..

Last year, I nearly vowed to start Holiday knits in August...

I'm not going to be rushing through anything, but it would have been great to have had a few things started months ago. Yes, well!

'Tis the season!

The little knitting bag that will happily be accompanying me nearly everywhere until December 25th!

Never the less, I'm enjoying walking through our local yarn store searching for the right skeins for my upcoming projects.

It's a very dangerous 3 blocks from our home!

I find myself there all the time; wandering around for nearly an hour...

Never really buying too much of anything, but touching everything.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS-- SPOILER ALERT!

...you've been warned! :)

I'll be using Noro Kureyon for a drop stitch scarf for my mother

Baby Alpaca Grande for a swiss dot cowl..
This yarn is hands down the softest I've ever felt.
It is downright scrumptious and I mean it!!
I can't tell you how many times I have dug my hands into this display of yarn...
Ahhhhhh!!

Baby Alpaca Grande for a keyhole scarf. When this project is laid out in a gift box, it very much resembles a breast cancer awareness ribbon!

I also finished W's Plain Vest just in time for the cold weather.

I'm really loving this vest, as it keeps his chest and heart extra warm:)

In between stitches, I'm reading LILIPOH magazine, which is always a pleasure!

The giveaway for the beautiful Waldorf doll continues until Friday Nov. 25th!
Good luck, friends and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Woodland Woolens Waldorf Doll Giveaway!

2011-11-20T20:43:00.004-05:00

We are in for a real treat, friends.

Please welcome my dear blogging friend and sponsor, Samantha from Woodland Woolens!

We've combined forces to offer what could be the most beautiful and generous giveaway here in blog land:)

Before we talk about the details of this exciting giveaway, please meet the lovely dollmaker...

My name is Samantha and I'm an attached and natural mama to three little boys under five and with another little baby boy due in March! We live a simple life of home schooling, baking, creating and enjoying lots of time together as a family. I attended a Waldorf school in my younger grade school years, that being my first exposure to a world of beauty and natural play. After having my first little one five years ago I knew that's the life I'd try to re-create for us. So far it's been a very rewarding experience to mother him and his siblings, following my instincts and enjoying the rhythm we have together.

I started crafting soon after he was born, little books, blankies, knit things, dollys and loved it. I always sourced natural materials and made things of high quality that I knew would last (I planned on having a few more babies!) I didn't want to make the same thing twice because the first thing fell apart. After many years of crafting (and blogging about it) I decided to open an ETSY store. That was really fun for awhile, but after having so many babies back to back I decided to take a break. I closed my shop and focused on our growing family. That was a wonderful time, but my creative juices started to flow again! I recently opened a new store that focuses on natural playthings, soft clothing, and Waldorf dolls. Between the diaper changes and the sleep deprivation I find myself creating little pieces of love that I hope to share with all of you.

Many Waldorf families are on a tight budget. A Waldorf doll is truly unqiue, but the price often makes the gift seem unattainable. Please explain to us the value of these beautiful dolls and the work that goes into them.

There are many different kinds of people drawn to the beautiful and simplistic toys that are so classic Waldorf, many of whom are on tight budgets. I understand that completely; it can be hard to justify spending $200 on a doll. However, Rudolf Steiner founder of the Waldorf education we know today, had a strong belief in the child having very high quality toys and yet just a few of them. In that respect, it is easier on your budget when you put into perspective the expensive doll will be just a few things you'd buy during the year.

Also, the extreme care, attention to detail, and sheer amount of time involved in making the doll, not to mention expensive materials imported from Europe, natural and organic fibers, and all the specialized tools used in the process really adds up. As a doll maker I have to pay myself fairly and having a new understanding of all that is involved, it is too expensive to be a hobby!

I have a few Kathe Kruse dolls which I won at a raffle last Christmas ( !!)...they are beautiful, but I noticed that both *polyester fibers* and *plastic pellets* are used in construction. This was surprising and disappointing to me. Please detail the quality of materials you use for your handmade dolls!

I source my doll making supplies from many different places from around the world. All 100% completely natural and most of the time organic. My dolls are made with a Swiss interlock cotton knit fabric that looks beautiful sewn around the wool. My wool comes 100% purebred Romney sheep, known for their fine and lofty woo,l it looks beautiful stuffed and I feel like I can get a firmer body using this type of wool. It isn't unusual for me to use nearly a pound of wool in each doll! I love to use natural fiber for their hair and clothing such as: Wool, Alpaca, Cotton, Mohair and the like, I also spin and dye some of my yarn using a drop spindle and plants for the dye. With all the love and attention that goes into making these dolls I truly hope that every child who receives a Woodland Woolen doll will feel that special magic and love the doll as much as I loved making it!

I also sell simple wooden toys, hand knit hats and outfits for littles, and Doll clothing. When I'm not home schooling, baking, cooking, cleaning, crafting, sewing, knitting, or doll making, I'm blogging about our life over at: http://woodlandwoolens.blogspot.com/

Samantha, thank you so very much!

I'm sitting here trying to figure out how you manage to create such beautiful dolls and balance such a full and joyful family life... what an inspiration to so many of us!

Please visit Woodland Woolens here.

Remember, Samantha is just getting started...let's support her in any way we can:)

Now for the details...

One very lucky follower of this blog will win a 12-inch handmade traditional Waldorf doll from Woodland Woolens, including one change of clothes!

This beautiful doll will look similar to this little sweetie pictured below...

Here's 3 ways to enter...

1. Leave a comment telling us about your favorite "dolly" memory, if you have one:)

2. Let us know that you're a dear follower of Bending Birches.

3. Mention this giveaway on your blog or facebook for another chance to win. Let us know in the comments section that you did so. Don't worry about linking back. We trust you:)

~No "mandatory entries". Nothing complicated.~
Entries close 11/25 at 11:00 PM

One of the playschool children will select our winner at random on Monday Nov. 28th.

Also, please note that readers of Bending Birches will receive 10% their order from Woodland Woolens!

Best of luck, friends:)

~For further reading, please find a wonderful essay from Gateways on The Child's Relationship to the Doll here.

'See, See, My Play Mate,
Come Out and Play With Me,
and Bring Your Dollies 3,
Climb Up My Apple Tree,
Slide Down My Rainbow,
Into My Cellar Door ,
and We'll Be Jolly Friends
Forever More, More, More!'

Oh, hi!

2011-11-18T13:00:00.002-05:00

Hello.
It's been awhile since I've been back in this space and it feels great to be here:)
I'm still waiting for a new charger for my newish laptop...until then, here I sit on my 2003 slow-as- molasses desktop.
But, that's ok:)
Last time we spoke, preparations were being made for our Martinmas celebration, which was beautiful, meaningful, and full of light.

Really, it was an incredible night.
The children began constructing their lanterns a few days before Martinmas...

The older children created lanterns from balloons and tissue paper; yielding beautiful results..

(I recommend layering dark colors first, then finishing up with white and yellow..)
The younger children enjoyed painting mason jars with glue, warm water and tissue paper.

Even little W created his own, which I'll never forget:)

At 5:30, the playschool families and I met a few other friends down at the local rose garden park close to our home. We had a great turnout; about 12 families or so!
We sang all of the songs we had been singing for the past 2 weeks with much vigor and joy...
"This little light of mine" was loud and clear in the night...it gave me the chills; especially during our last verse "Shine all over Bethlehem (our town), I'm going to let it shine!"
Other songs included "Glimmer, Lantern, Glimmer" and "I walk with my Little Lantern"; all lovely and clear.
Families joined us back at our house for the story of St. Martin and a spaghetti dinner...

Despite having our small house filled to the brim with children and adults, I will say that the mood was very relaxed.
I will always remember this night. It was a night of friendship, light, and joy. I don't have many photos..or really any at all, but that's ok.

This past Tuesday night, I somehow got out to see a concert in my town. Ani DiFranco has been a favorite singer of mine for a long time now. Oh, yes, my love for her dates back to those early-in-your-twenties-I'm-so-unsure-and-kind-of-angry days....I've always felt so inspired by the words of others, whether it's coming from an author, poet, or musician...
This was also a night to remember; singing along loudly to 32 Flavors and remembering where I was in my life the last time those words left my mouth..and how much has changed.

2004. Look at that outfit, whoa!

Although...I still wear those socks and shoes..

Sorry, I turn 30 next week and I've been doing some serious reminiscing:)

With our Martinmas celebration behind us, we move to Thanksgiving..
I created a new circle for playschool; hoping to incorporate some Thanksgiving songs, but in the end, none of them were leaving me joyful or excited to sing them with the children. It almost felt like "I had" to use these songs, which I really didn't like. Bringing this feeling to our circle would have been damaging to this time together, which is sometimes hit or miss. On some days, just like that, I lose them. Something breaks the engagement and I feel it right away. Upon reflecting on these instances, I always come back to myself. What was I feeling? Was I excited about the content? Was I distracted?
I'm happy to say that our new circle seems to be very engaging for every child. I am loving it, too and of course it shows, just as it would vice versa.
(I'll detail this movement centered circle in my next post!)
Lastly, I had the opportunity to observe in a Waldorf Kindergarten this morning. It was a beautiful experience, no surprise. One detail I'd like to reflect upon are the choice of playthings in this particular room. Besides some dolls and a few other knitted animals, almost everything was unformed. Chunks of wood, long planks of wood, sheepskins, rocks, tree stumps, tree blocks, large wooden boxes, wooden cubes...
These items were the "things" of this room, and the play I observed was cooperative, clever, and powerful.
No surprise.
Thanks for listening, friends:)

Darn.

2011-11-13T21:58:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone...
We're experiencing some computer problems as of late..
I hope to be back up and running; sharing Martinmas photos with you sometime this week.
It was such a beautiful and warming celebration!
In the meantime, have a look at the Online Waldorf Library...
Click "focus search" in the left hand column.. check "article" in the recource type column, then check the boxes which you wish to read further...
(I chose "early childhood"....and spent much of this past week reading and pondering..)
Enjoy and "see" you soon:)

Twist, twist...

2011-11-09T22:50:00.000-05:00

Here we are working on our fine motor skills through daily tasks...

such as twisting the lids to our jelly jar glasses; preparing to eat our snack outside

It took a few weeks to "master", but here we are!

We are savoring the sunshine and warmth; preparing for our Martinmas Celebration...

Stay tuned for our Martinmas stories, lantern making, and celebrations:)

Powerful film about...vaccinations.

2011-11-08T00:22:00.000-05:00

Friends, I wanted to share this opportunity before it expires *tomorrow*. From now until Nov. 8th, view the powerful film "For the Greater Good" for free.

Follow this link to the film..

"THE GREATER GOOD looks behind the fear, hype and politics that have polarized the vaccine debate in America today.
The film re-frames the emotionally charged issue and offers, for the first time, the opportunity for a rational and scientific discussion on how to create a safer and more effective vaccine program."

I know the issue of vaccination has become somewhat taboo, but I really "enjoyed" this film. I liked that it offered both viewpoints and wasn't staunchly "anti vaccine"....well, kind of:)
The film is certainly worth watching. Will it "change your mind" or "affirm your choices?" Well, much of the film is emotionally driven; delving into the lives of families affected by vaccine related injury and death, but there are many snipets of scientific data which confirm that vaccinations aren't 100% safe.
I'm not writing this in favor of or against vaccines.
We all make the best choices for our family.
If there is one concept which remains important in making these critical decisions, it is Informed Consent.

*If you don't have the 84 minutes to watch the full film ( I stayed up WAY too late doing so!), I highly recommend watching 00:59:00. It touches on the incorrect assumption that vaccines were the #1 reason for the decline in vaccine preventable deaths in the 60's.*

Maybe we can share our decisions to vaccinate or not vaccinate at another time...I'm not ready to jump into that hot water in this space yet! Honestly, I don't think it's anyone's business but your own, unless you offer up that very personal information on your own accord.

If you view the film, let us know what you think!

Well and Warm

2011-11-03T14:53:00.000-04:00

A guardian angle to watch over us..

Excitement is brewing as we look ahead to Martinmas, little by little every day.

Each afternoon before lunch, I informally introduce the children to a different style of lantern; simply placing it on the table, lighting it, and letting them comment and wonder.

By Martinmas on Nov. 11th, our table will be glowing!

We are telling the familiar story of St. Martin, along with an adapted version of "St. Martin and his Light" from the Tiptoes Lightly series, The Festival of Stones.

I love this storybook!

Beautiful paper lantern created by my friend, Tanya

A few new details to playschool include a mini Autumn scene above the new baskets where the children store their mittens, hats, scarves, etc.

Our "baby tea" is a staple in our day..

(chamomille and mint; very inexpensive to buy in bulk)

My fantastic helper, Monica, and I have been especially looking forward to it after lunch time.

We've been clinking mugs and exclaiming, "cheers!"...

Another day has flown by, and they're just getting better, smoother, and so enjoyable.

I value her assistance and rapport with the children and myself so much; it's hard for me to express this gratitude. More about her in another post..

Speaking of gratitude, I am incredibly thankful for the tolerance of the playschool children with W as of late.

They are modeling kindness and patience day in and day out.

It took some time, but we are there.

Every morning, I've been stripping the bed for the children to jump upon...

Some may cringe at me allowing this, but I'm happy for them to work out some of their early morning energy!

Hmmm...some connection with W not wanting to nap?

Most likely, but since my last post, he's been going down so, so easily and quickly.

Thank you for all of your advice and related stories.

I have discovered that allowing for even more time outdoors has helped him become tired enough to give in to sleep!

Since the snowstorm, the weather has been mild and sunny.

We've been enjoying our late morning snack outside at the neighborhood Rose Garden...

Hello, pinecone phone!

Yes, we are well and warm here, and life is good.

Have I overdone it with the positivity and gooey sweet feelings?

That's alright.

It's my truth:)

Saving the Afternoon Nap..

2011-10-31T16:31:00.000-04:00

What an odd few days it has been..
We've been slammed by a snowstorm, leaving most of our town without power for the past 2 days. We were among the lucky ones, only losing heat for about 5 hours. Most people I know are still without, and it looks like much of our area won't be up and running for another few days.
While staying warm, I've been dealing with W's new resistance to his afternoon nap, which is always at 1:30. I have a few friends with children of similar ages who have expressed that their children are also "dropping" the much needed afternoon nap.
Sigh...where to start?
My boy is incredibly active and so very excitable. If he's sitting still, I know he's getting sick. I've been nursing him in our bedroom rocking chair, wrapped in his silk rainbow blankie, for the longest time now. He usually decides when he is ready to move to the bed, and I follow, laying with him and nursing until he falls asleep. We are a co-sleeping family. This is how we've always "done" sleep. Some may believe that by doing this, we are not letting W discover sleep on his own...I understand and I somewhat agree (?). We're working towards independence in this area, slowly but surely. Just 3 months ago, W started falling asleep with Jay, thus removing me as the "only person who could get W to sleep." I think this is a big step. And he made it himself, in his time. The issue of sleep is much talked about in parenting circles, friends, grandparents, etc...it's shaky ground for most people... "What, you let them cry it out?" " How awful!" "You let your child sleep in your bed?" "Well, that's just not how it should be done." Everyone's got an opinion, but no one has the right answer for every situation. We all do what is best for our family and our children.
Nap is usually somewhat smooth sailing around here. During playschool, we "wind down" for a good 30 minutes and every child falls asleep for at least 90 minutes. Yet this past week, I'm upstairs struggling with my 26 month old while 4 year old children are completely passed out downstairs.

time.. to.. wind ..down...

I become frustrated. I try everything. I lay in bed, pretending to be asleep as he runs all over the bedroom, plays in the closet, jumps on the bed....I keep him in a hug next to me as he squirms free a few seconds later. I try the rocking chair again..and again. I sing softly. I hum. I walk outside the door and listen to him scream hysterically for 2 minutes. I'm thinking of the dishes in the sink downstairs...the floor that needs sweeping...the things which must be gathered before the playschool children are picked up...I think about the hour to myself and I want it. I don't think this is selfish, either. Mama's need a break in the day; it's awesome, but tough work.
"Lay down", I say in a resolute voice, but devoid of emotion, so I think. "We put our heads on the pillow", in the same tone. It doesn't work, and no wonder. Underneath everything, I am ready to scream. How in the world could this undertone lull an overtired child to sleep?? Like so much of what we do, the change has to start with us. We need to look at ourselves first and foremost.

...The children didn't seem to be excited about morning circle today? What could I have done differently? What emotion and energy did I bring to the circle? Was I excited about the content? Was it well planned?

W seems clingy all day long...What is not being provided? Were we too busy this week? Am I preoccupied with something?

W is going through a phase of refusal to eat. What is he hungry for, if not food? What is he missing right now?

A playschool child is grumpy and quick to anger today...what can I subtly offer to him/her? A reassuring hug and extra time to tuck in during rest time? A space next to me during snack preparation? The job of candle snuffer today? Extra attention for positive behaviors?

Sometimes I need to really take a step back and look at things from another angle. This is hard to do when frustrated. It took W 2 hours to fall alseep yesterday afternoon, a new "record" here. I see his excitement and energy during the day and I know that he needs this time. I'm not ready for this rest to be lost.
I wasn't looking forward to 1:30 this afternoon. Of course, it rolled around, as it always does and will, and upstairs we went. We practiced tucking his "baby" inside of a silk and laying it down. Into the rocking chair we went. I caught a glimpse of myself in the full length mirror on the other side of the room, and I consciously smiled. I started humming a song which I had made up during Monday Morning Garden earlier today, and I thought it sounded soothing and soft. W hopped off my lap about 5 minutes later, and I tucked myself into bed. He ran about the room, sliding himself belly down on the floor for a bit....jumping off a bench a few times...opening and closing the closet doors...took his shirt off...all while snuggling up to me a few times to nurse in between. His eyes grew heavy. I didn't react to anything. After 30 minutes, I checked to see if his diaper was wet. I changed him, put his shirt back on, and went back to the rocking chair with him. Humming softly again, I thought of how giving into sleep must be hard for such an active little body. When a child falls asleep, it's almost as if they need to be ok with leaving us for a little while, and this clearly isn't always easy....especially when you are discovering new things every day; new things that now have a word, new things to do with your tiny earthly body...

Watching your child give in to sleep is a beautiful sight. I love to watch his eyes lower...then drop. His breathing becomes deep and rhythmical. He feels heavy in my lap. There is something about the sight of a sleeping child that brings about a feeling of intense love and peace. Especially this past week ;)
I believe that today was easier for both of us because of the attitude I brought to the space for sleep. I didn't react, I didn't really say anything. By laying there, I feel like I sort of modeled what I wanted him to do. He wasn't getting any attention, negative or positive. I kind of "checked myself out", trusting that sleep would come to him when the time was right.

I've got a lot to learn. I'm trying my hardest.

I'm reading a great book which details a bit about the connection between a child and their guardian angel during the time of sleep. I am just beginning to understand perhaps a small amount of this, but I do know that I have often found myself asking W's angel for guidance. It is an intention I set forth; a call for help.
The realization that we as human beings continue the work of the angels can fill us with awe and inspire a feeling of gratitude. I've been given a child into my keeping...not only my own biological child, but the 7 other children I care for, as well. Gratitude would be an understatement.

I was also loaned a copy of Working with Anxious, Nervous and Depressed Children, which has thus far been fantastic. I don't consider my 26 month old nervous, depressed, or anxious, but I feel like I am gleaning so much about tolerance and the senses.

It's 4:15 and W has been sleeping for over 2 hours. I hope that his body is getting the rest it needs and that his sleep is peaceful. Peace. Yes, I feel that it's just as important as sleep. I can't make him sleep...but I can offer a space free of frustration. It's up to me.

And I'm up for it.

Let the Light Shine

2011-10-28T22:27:00.000-04:00

Here we are, Halloween weekend is upon us! To me, this is just the beginning of 'Lantern Season', my most favorite time of the year! I think of all of the images of light which we are just beginning to experience as the daylight dwindles...the Jack-o-lantern.... all different types of lanterns for Martinmas.... "Luminaria night" (Luminaria Night started in 1998 in Bethlehem, PA as a way to unite neighbors and help members of the community. Each year we light up more of the city and spread the love!)...the spiral of light for Advent....and finally, our Christmas Tree in all of its splendor!!

Carving our pumpkins was a real sensory experience for all of us. The smell of the pumpkin, the cold, stringy insides, the slippery seeds...

Have you ever felt pumpkin seeds being rinsed in a colander? It is..amazing. One of my most favorite sensations! Every time I do this, I remember my most favorite movie, Amelie, and how she cultivates a taste for small pleasures... dipping her hand into sacks of grain… cracking créme brulée with a teaspoon....

still image from Amelie

....A playschool girl may share these sentiments, as she stood at the sink for 15 minutes running her hands through the seeds. I overheard, "I wish I could take a bath in all of these......"

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm not so inspired or excited by Halloween. I am searching for ways to make it more meaningful and...age appropriate. Watching the children prance down our street during trick-or-treat brings about a feeling of excitement, but at closer examination, I feel unsure. Every other girl is dressed as a princess. Teenagers sans costume look for handouts. Pre teen girls are nearly in their underwear. Almost every costume is inspired by one or another licensed character. Sometimes I wonder why Spiderman, Batman and the like are so popular with very young boys...they're characters from a PG-13 movie! (I'm sure that cross marketing has almost everything to do with this...)

With all this said, I was glad to come across this fantastic article (page 8) from 1978 via The Waldorf Library earlier this evening. It is deeply inspirational!

We did take W trick-or-treating around the block and he very much enjoyed taking candy from our neighbors. (although he didn't eat any, of course!) It was a mild night, but we're now bracing for our first snowstorm (???) of the year. 2-4 inches of snow after a nearly frost-free October?

...I'm excited to hunker down so soon!

I wonder..

2011-10-25T16:00:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a training session for Godly Play, "a non-coercive way to encourage children to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith, through "wondering questions" and open-ended response time."

It was a day full of storytelling, art, and wonder. It has been said that to truly learn about Godly Play, you must experience it. How true!

Throughout the day, the trainer told us many stories.. The story of Advent was especially beautiful and moving.

Godly Play " is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of their congregations as they develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites."

The storyteller is emphatically not an actor or entertainer, but really listens to what God may be revealing to her too as the story unfolds and as the children respond. Usually there is little eye contact. The storyteller is not the focus; instead the unfolding story or religious message is the focus. The teacher creates a sacred space but then 'gets out of the way' to allow the children to meet God directly. This is wonderfully powerful, and has to be seen to be believed - it turns ordinary teaching and storytelling techniques on their head and creates a compelling contemplative level of attention in even the youngest of children.

A key element in the Storyteller's role is to lead the 'wondering' period in response to the story or presentation. Key wondering questions are:
I wonder what you like best about this story
I wonder which is the most important part?
I wonder where you are in this story?
I wonder if there is any part we could leave out, and still have all the story we need?

After the story, the children are given time for an art "repsonse". Children engaged in art or craft work are not directed 'what to do' either. The adults in fact are very cautious about interrupting or pre-judging the children's work. The emphasis is on inviting the children to comment on what they have done and find their own words for what is meaningful or of value, rather than teacher commentary.

This was a wonderful day and a fantastic opportunity for me, as well as a part of my new job as Director of Youth Education. While I enjoyed this experience, there were a few things missing for me; mostly the lack of singing before, during, and after the story. The "magic feeling" was also kind of lost when the teacher began giving us specific directions and asking us to make decisions immediately after the story. Do you know what I mean about that "magic feeling"? I've seen it in Waldorf classroom and during my week at Sunbridge...the moments of silence that "just are." The time that is taken to really let an experience sink in...like the moment after a candle is lit or extinguished, the moment after a beautiful song. No words are needed or spoken. As a rather chatty person myself, I find this very, very moving. I can't think of how many times I have filled a silence in conversation with something unimportant or even silly....learning to take those moments of silence as opportunities for reflection before action...to me, that is powerful. I am sure that Godly Play teachers use a predictable rhythm for their perspective classes; these were just my initial reactions to this experience.

November is upon us and I can hardly believe it. Has anyone else kind of forgotten about Halloween? It just doesn't seem nearly as meaningful as other festivals. Except for the jack-o-lantern song, I haven't really devoted any attention to it at all this year. Not purposely. It just happened.I'm taking a cue from myself and thinking ahead to more exciting times...

There are so many things to look forward to....Shariffa Oppenheimer is speaking at our local Waldorf school, and that is tops on my list, folks! I'll be a vendor at The River Valley Waldorf School holiday bazaar (locals, don't miss this event!), I'm attending Kimberton's full school open house, which is always a treat, and we're hosting a screening of Race to Nowhere at our house, as well. All of this coupled with Martinmas (my favorite!!), the beginning of Advent, Thanksgiving, and my 30th birthday makes for a very happy and eventful month ahead of us:)

**information for Movie screening: Nov 8th at 7:00 pm...refreshments and fantastic conversation to follow:) Email me (bendingbirch@gmail.com) if you're interested and close by (we live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, zip 18018)**

Wishing you coziness and warmth:)

The Autumn Blanket

2011-10-21T14:58:00.000-04:00

The story this week (and next week) is Autumn Blanket, adapted from Autumn: A collection of songs, poems, and stories for young children published by Wynstones Press....

Mother earth was sitting inher cozy red room under the roots of the figtree. her fingers were busy weaving in and out they were weaving an Autumn blanket for children-and Autumn blanket to keep them warm when the days grew cold.

In and out her fingers went. In and out, an Autumn blanket to keep out the cold.

Mother Earth wove many things into her blanket: brown and green grasses, leaves of all colors, corn husks, white woolly clouds...In and out, an Autumn blanket to keep out the cold.

After many days of work the weaving was finished and Mother Earth put it down. She steeled into her chair and fell asleep.

In the night sky the stars were twinkling. They looked through the roots of the fig tree where Mother Earth was sleeping. They saw the Autumn blanket with its green and brown grasses, its golden corn husks, its white woolly clouds, and leaves of all colors--all woven together, in and out to keep out the cold.

"A warm blanket indeed," the stars agreed. "But where are the lights to guide the earth children through the winter nights? Winter will be dark. let us give them some of our light.

Mother Earth was dreaming of twinkling stars, and when she awoke she found beams of starlight woven into her Autumn blanket.

Mother Earth smiled and rose from her chair. Now the Autumn blanket was ready. It had both warmth and light for her children to wear through the cold and through the dark. And she took the blanket and spread it out over the land....

Closing song...

Twinkle, Twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are.

Stars in apple, seed pod, pear

Stars in berries everywhere,

So you guide me near and far,

twinkle, twinkle, little star

I hope you enjoy some story time magic with your loved ones this weekend!

If you have any suggestions or resources for well loved stories, please leave them in the comments section:)

more from our week together...

painting a rainbow silk

have a lovely weekend!

Yarn Along....

2011-10-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

Yarn along this week with Ginny from Small Things...
Amidst playschool, new job, having a dreadful cold...I've managed to get some knitting in; feeling great about it all the while. I look forward to it every night; once work emails are answered, floors swept, house tidied...

I'm almost done with The Plain Vest for W...an easy knit using Trabajos del Peru, an extra fine merino wool. I found it at our local knitting store for $9.99 per hank. That's 75% off of the regular price! (can you imagine??)

I also finished up a short sleeved kimono style sweater for W. This was an easy pattern, but the sleeves look kind of odd to me. But, it's warm and that's all that matters during these upcoming cold months! This is the time of year when I really start to get conscious (militant?) of W's warmth. We are now in woolens every day; both leggings and undershirts. I finally got a wool camisole for myself and it *does* make a difference!

W is now wearing his birthday sweater on chillier days..this was my first attempt at a sweater and I'm happy with the outcome.

As far as reading, I haven't been doing much. My application to Sunbridge was sent to me this past week and I've been busy writing away. I'm working on my biographical sketch which is looking like it may be about 8 pages long. Thus far, it's been an incredible experience looking back on my life and involvement with children. I'm realizing many things over again as I write, which I think is kind of the idea. The application should be completed by the beginning of November. Then, I sit and wait. :)

What the heck are those?

Well, they were my first attempt at wet felted slippers.

They're not so beautiful, but they were great practice.

I think my technique and outcome have both improved since this photo. I will have more finished project photos to post soon:)

'Tis the season for warm feet:)

Spinach Quinoa Muffins

2011-10-14T15:09:00.000-04:00

Whoa!

...Is anyone else surprised to find these ingredients in a sweet (not savory) muffin?

I was, and maybe a little bit apprehensive, too.

Friends, fear not.

Here's a recipe for a surprisingly delicious muffin; packed with nutrients, good texture, and nice flavor.

Spinach Quinoa Muffins

(Makes 32 mini muffins; adapted from Dandy Sugar & The Chic Life)

Ingredients:

3/4 c all purpose flour

3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

Enough fresh baby spinach to yield 1 c. pureed (I used around 3-5 cups)

3-4 tbsp water

1 medium overripe banana, thawed if frozen

1 egg

1/2 cup or less of honey

2 tbsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

zest of 1 lemon or 1/2 tsp lemon extract

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1/2 tsp of Spirulina (optional)

1/2 cup cooked quinoa (any color, I used a mix here)

chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease & flour muffin tin.

In a large bowl, whisk flours, nutmeg, salt, baking powder and baking soda, set aside.

In a food processor, blender, or mini blender, start processing your spinach, adding a little bit of water at a time as needed to get the puree going. When you get one cup pureed, return the puree to the blender, add banana, sugar, oil, extracts & flaxseed, and blend some more until everything is uniform.

Add the wet mix to the dry mix in batches, stirring gently just until evenly distributed. Fold in the quinoa. Spoon into muffin tin, sprinkle tops with nuts, if using. Bake 10-13 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.

Before packing these yummies up for a picnic snack at the park, one playschool child looked at them with concern. After a few moments..."I don't like those...", and slunk away.

...here he is about 30 minutes later shoving the last bite into his mouth:)

Yes, the verdict is in; they tasted surprisingly good!

There were just crumbs left at every child's spot at the table.

Thank you for all of your well wishes for my new job! I am loving it thus far:)

We are off to a Waldorf School (the video at this link is fantastic...a real tear jerker, I think!) about an hour West of us tomorrow for a story hour. Fitting in observation hours at our local school has been difficult now that I am working every weekday. I am excited for this opportunity tomorrow; mostly because I get to share it with W, too!

Happy Weekending:)

Muffins and some news!

2011-10-10T21:15:00.001-04:00

Fall is upon us, and many changes and exciting times lie ahead...

The chill in the air can be felt here at night and it surprises me after a warm afternoon!

My week is about to get a lot more interesting, as I have officially accepted a part time job!

This is in addition to our playschool and morning garden days.

Sounds like a lot, right?

Actually, I feel like this position is a perfect fit for my lifestyle, interests, strengths, and attitude.

Last weekend, I was appointed as Director of Youth Education at our Episcopalian church!

The position is more like a "captain of the ship" role; I oversee Sunday School classes, order supplies, maintain the environment, plan special events, and run a weekly parent-child playgroup.

The decision to accept the position was a relatively easy one; mostly because I am taking over for a very creative woman who has transformed the space I'll be working in.

For me, it's ideal.

The photos from this previous post will illustrate why!

I have very, very little experience with religious education. And my only experiences have not been positive.

Becoming a part of this parish has been a wonderful experience for me in many ways...

I have come to understand God and his unyielding Love.

I feel at peace with this understanding for the first time in my life.

I've been exposed to a group of people who aren't trying to "sell you" a church or a belief.

I've met clergy who are warm, funny, intelligent, and very down to earth.

I've met like minded families who have become great friends...in fact, it feels like I've known some of them forever.

But most importantly for this time in my life, I've found a church which welcomes children as a integral part of the congregation.

It is my hope to foster this belief and to help it grow even further!

Another positive, the position pays very well and will entirely fund my Waldorf EC training for the next 3 years with enough left over for supplies and travel expenses. This is the answer to the huge question which has been weighing on my mind since the beginning of the year...how will I pay for this training?

I do believe that God has called me to this experience.

I have never been a deeply religious person (or religious at all), but I have seen so much of His doing in the past year of my life, and the biggest part was accepting Him and being open to learning more and moving on from my past reluctance. I'm not so great at talking about things like this, but I know that God's love is very present in my life. I see it when I look around me and feel overwhelming gratitude for all that has been placed in front of me.

I used to believe that everything good in my life was from my doing; that I worked hard to make it happen, but I now see that it has a lot more to do with something other than myself.

I will be able to work many of the hours for this position at home, which works out well for me.

W will also be able to be with me when I do need to be in the building, which will be Sunday mornings and playgroup days. (Local friends, please message me if you're interested in attending!)

Posting here may begin to a be a bit more infrequent as I grow accustomed to my new schedule. I will be keeping another blog documenting Trinity's Youth Programs and Happenings. Take a peek sometime:)

Now, for something totally off topic.

Muffins.

They're a staple here for playschool; fun and easy to make.

I'm looking for more honey or maple sweetened recipes, as I don't use any sugar when I bake for the children.

Pass them along in the comments section, if you wish:)

Here's my favorite Fall recipe thus far..

Pumpkin Carrot Muffins

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp oil

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup grated carrots

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and egg.
Add carrots.

In a separate bowl, blend together flour, salt, soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
Add to the pumpkin mixture.
Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-14 minutes.

...Thanks for reading!

Autumn Story

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

This week's story was one of my first "made from scratch" stories.
After more than a month of fairy tales (well, one month would be 3 stories total..), I felt inclined, inspired, and confident enough to make up my own story.
As we close the first week of October , I felt it was time for a tale of the changing of seasons and the world around us...

'The Autumn Walk'
Once there were 2 friends who enjoyed playing outdoors together. During the warm Summer days, they would walk and walk together; noticing all of the beautiful objects surrounding them...bumblebees...purple and pink flowers...the glistening dew on the grass....a wet earthworm....the Summer sun felt warm on their backs and they played all day long in this beauty...
While on a walk one day, the friends noticed a breeze on their skin...it felt a bit cold. A few days later, they heard crunch, crunch, crunch underfoot. Upon looking down, they saw many brown, red, orange, and yellow leaves...what a sound they made! While playing outside, the friends began to notice different gifts from Mother Earth...
A conker; smooth and shiny
A pine cone, brown and prickly
An acorn wearing a bumpy hat
An orange pumpkin, round and cool
..The friends remembered the Summer garden, with the long pumpkin vines and bright yellow flowers..."How things have changed!", they thought..
As the friends walked on, they wondered many things...
But most of all, they wondered what they would discover as the days grew more cold and the skies grew more gray.

Such a simple story, but the children loved it. I remind myself every story/puppet time that less really is more. This story was inspired by our walks back from the park which we take every day...one portion of the sidewalk was all of a sudden covered with brown leaves on day..W walked down the sidewalk, as he always does, but stopped at the end of this leaf covered sidewalk. He stood there a thought for a moment. He turned around, walked back to where the leaves started...and trudged through them again with a big smile.
Our story closes with a simple song..

Summer, goodbye, Summer goodbye...

you may no longer stay,

winter is on its way..

Summer goodbye, Summer goodbye.

Watercolor Wednesdays

2011-10-05T16:30:00.000-04:00

Today was our first 'Watercolor Wednesday' during playschool.
Our family has been working to complete painting materials for Waldorf inspired watercolor technique..painting boards, paint pot holders, a long handled and wide brush...

I barely know anything about the hows or whys behind Waldorf Watercolor painting, but I'm learning through books and friends.
Pop Pop graciously helped us cut, drill, and sand the painting materials during his last visit. We purchased 2x4's a our local hardware store, a saw bit to cut holes, and a whole lot of sanding paper.

It was labor intensive, but the outcome is beautiful.
This Fall, we are beginning with the color Yellow. We will paint with yellow for about a month or more; fully appreciating the color, telling stories about it, and really experiencing the brightness. On a sunny day like today, it was perfect.

While the children sat, I modeled painting while slowly telling a made-up story about a giant yellow sunflower. this sunflower grew so very tall and the bumblebees loved to sit upon it. The birds sometime ate the seeds and dropped a few on the ground as they flew away....in that space, a sunflower grew and grew. Wouldn't it be lovely if every bird in the world dropped a sunflower seed and a flower grew? The whole world would appear...so yellow:)

The children were so quietly introspective about this process..even toddler W.
I look forward to sharing this experience with them every week.
Lastly, a bit of knowledge I gleaned this past summer at Sunbridge while we participated in a Waldorf watercolor painting session; as if we were the students..
The teacher ked us to our spots at the table which were tall enough so we could stand while painting. This was a very different experience for me. She also had the brushes places so the bristles were facing the student..

This ensured that when the student picked up the brush to paint, it was already in a comfortable and "correct"position in their hands. (try it- you'll be amazed. Also, place the brush facing the opposite way and experience how much more work it is to get the brush in position for painting!) Learning to grip a writing utensil isreally hard to do for a child who isn't developmentally ready. I've seen kindergarten teachers come up with all kinds of tricks to get children to hold a pencil correctly.. attaching a rubber band somehow, using a rubber grip, etc. Doesn't it just make sense to wait until they're physically able on their own?
...Wishing you a joyous week.

The challenges of a home care program..

2011-10-02T22:20:00.000-04:00

One of my biggest opportunities for inspiration and growth as a teacher, mother, and..human being (!) is my homecare program, The Rosebud Garden...
The Rosebud Garden was conceived last Fall after pondering how I could work from home, but still be very much with and include our son...
Caring for children in our home is a wonderful fit for all involved, despite the small challenges along the way...
Challenges?
Here's some I have been reflecting upon lately...
First and foremost, #1...
My home is not, and will never be, a Waldorf School.
I aim to imitate so many of the beautiful qualities I have been lucky enough to glean from my classroom observations in the past year or so. But. This space is also a home and I work with whatever resources I can muster up, beg, borrow, or reuse. I was recently interviewed by a local magazine about "Alternative Education"...a journalist came to our home with a tape recorder and asked me a ton of questions about Waldorf education and what I thought about public education in general. I enjoyed this conversation, but I was misquoted several times... the article incorrectly captioned a photo of our home as "A Waldorf Preschool". That it certainly is not. I'm not accredited or licensed...I'm only about to start formal training! More so, I find our program much closer to a Lifeways center (please visit the link!!). We are now "self affiliates"; soon to be listed on the Lifeways website. Luckily, I contacted the editor and had this fixed before it went to print last week! (..Only to find another misquote after it was too late...!)

I strive to make this a space for children; free of adult conversation and ideas, as much as I can. But again, this is also our house and people walk in and out through out the day...a father-in-law to check something in the basement, my father visiting from out of town..everyone seems to always walk in when we are having rest time or our "mini rest" before snack..
Before I get too upset that my rainbow crystal of a world is shattering, I need to remind myself that I am also...home. And things happen.
Budget
A part of me does love being on a budget. It is sometimes a fun challenge to see how much I can come up with while using so little money. I've been pretty lucky with shopping for handwork materials and playthings, but the food budget is what really challenges me most. This is primarily because I am very conscious of the food I bring into our home and nearly all of it is organic, especially and always produce. I'm also hardly every baking with sugar anymore, so I go through a lot of honey and maple syrup. To me, this is one 'department' that just can't be "on the cheap." ..Just this past weekend, while checking out at the grocery store, I caught the young couple behind me eying up my grocery order. It didn't look like much, and for some reason, I always think "I may have money left over!". Always wrong! While paying, I overheard the woman exclaiming, "well, it's not cheap to eat well".....yes, ma'am. You're right.

Toddler-In-Tow
Part of me doesn't want to write this, but it is sometimes the truth. The children I care for are between the ages 3.5-6 and they are real "self starters." Every moment to them is an opportunity to play and I bask in the glow of these free spirits every day. I think back to my day care employee days and the 5 year olds in my room complaining that "all we ever do is play.." To me, this speaks volumes about having a few carefully selected open ended toys which receive real care and reverence!
Anyhow..
My W is nearly 26 months and he adores the playschool children. The children have really adapted to him as he continues his journey through toddlerhood. He loves to climb on them...step on them..grab their toys...throw blocks at them...throw more blocks at them...yell during storytime....grab the storytime figures from my hands...throw food during lunch...blow out the candle before mealtime is over...scream for me while I am preparing lunch...refuse to come inside...refuse to leave my side or my breast...destroy the table set for lunch...fight a nap for 45 minutes...yell while I play the lyre softly...and....I am laughing while typing this!!!

These are the behaviors we deal with on a daily basis. I know that he becomes overstimulated and that he is probably too young for any of this. I sometimes remind the children that whatever they "do", W will also "do." They have become very patient with him and every day they seem to take on the role of "the bigger boy or girl" while in his presence. I know that W is in the developmental phase of imitation, so I try my very hardest to be calm. If he grabs a toy, I touch his hand and softly ask for him to give it back. The thing I am learning most about this kind of situation is to take my time....or "our time." Maybe I have to ask him a few times, but he almost always "listens" after a bit. The older children see me handling the situation in this manner, and they imitate....leaving me out of the next "struggle for a toy." My aim really is to stand back and watch them figure out problems on their own. We're getting there.
Mind you, I don't mean to rant about my little boy...I know he is "acting out" for attention from all of us; myself and the children alike. I struggle to find ways to give him this attention, but keep the "ship running" as smoothly as I would like it to. Also, let us not forget that W shares every one of his playthings with his playschool friends. I don't expect him to understand the concept of sharing, but he is learning in his own way; watching the other children take turns and work together. He has a good group to imitate and for that I am thankful.
Sometimes I look around our house and I can't imagine not sharing it with children. They help bring such life to this space. One day my cabinets won't be filled with 14 wooden bowls...10 painting boards...a closet full of naptime blankets and pillows...pairs and pairs of shoes lined up on our porch...

I'll always remember these days and how I was able to share our home with these very special and loved children. I think of them 10 years from now and I wonder what they will remember from our days together. What impression did I leave on them, if any?
On the other hand, I am so hopeful to one day work at a Waldorf school...to assist with an established classroom and one day have my own. To be a part of a community of like minded families who support one another...to learn from experienced teachers...
Maybe, one day...
But for now..there's no place like home:)

Michaelmas

2011-09-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

Meditative Thoughts for Autumn
“It is true that spring is fair, and it is a fine capacity of the human soul to perceive the beauty of the spring, the growing, sprouting, burgeoning life. But to be able to perceive also when the leaves fade and take on their fall coloring, when the animals creep away — to be able to feel how in the sensible which is dying away, the gleaming, shining, soul-spiritual element arises — to be able to perceive how with the yellowing of the leaves there is a descent of the springing and sprouting life, but how the sensible becomes yellow in order that the spiritual can live in the yellowing as such — to be able to perceive how in the falling of the leaves the ascent of the spirit takes place, how the spiritual is the counter-manifestation of the fading sense-perceptible; this should as a perceptive feeling for the spirit — ensoul the human being in autumn! Then he would prepare himself in the right way precisely for Christmastide.”

Rudolf Steiner

Michaelmas Candle

Dragon bread which was great fun...we carried him around like a pet when he was baked:)

And ate him, of course, after he was tamed and tasted so sweet..

It was a day down at the park, before the rain came and chased us home..

Oh, hello!

Here I am in a few rare photos during circle and story time...

My nursling during story....!

Wishing you all bravery and clarity of mind for the upcoming season:)

Autumn Seasonal Table

2011-09-26T15:43:00.001-04:00

..Dancing and whirling the little leaves went,

Autumn had called them and they were content.

Soon they will sleep in their soft earthly beds

Waiting for winter to cover their heads..

Needlefelted pumpkin with an image of St. Michael slaying the dragon in the background

..I try to keep our seasonal table minimal and uncluttered, which is my goal for our overall environment, too. It will grow as the season moves forward; as we find more treasures to bring inside, but I most likely won't add any other figures, etc. It can be so easy to get carried away with needlefelted dolls, cute "ornaments", scenery, etc., but I prefer to keep only a few focal points.

Ps- The weather was beautiful this past weekend and we enjoyed Celtic Classic all day together:)

One Autumn afternoon just as the sun was setting,

I heard a bluebird in the field pipe a song..

'farewell, we're going,

cool winds are blowing...

but we'll be back when the days grow long.....'

Welcome, Autumn!

Granny Evergreen

2011-09-23T20:59:00.000-04:00

This story for this week was the tale of Granny Evergreen, a German story which I feel in love with during my Summer course at Sunbridge..

Next weeks story will be centered around St. Michael and the dragon, but I plan on retelling Granny Evergreen the week after as well...it's a beautiful story worth retelling a few extra times. The lesson behind the story is one that anyone could appreciate, especially the little ones...
Once upon a time, in a forest not far from here, lived a mother and her 2 children.
The mother was quite ill and her children did their best to care for her.
One day, mother asked the children to go to the woods and gather some sweet berries for her.
The children went off through the woods until they reached a berry patch bursting with red berries..

They bent down and gathered as many berries as they could fit in their baskets.
Out of the forest clearing suddenly appeared an old woman, all dressed in green..
"Children, I am hungry and can not bend over to pick these berries. Might you give me some of yours?"
"Yes, Granny Evergreen.." for this was her name...

The children gave her all of the berries they had collected.
"Oh, children, no need to give me all of your berries, I need but a few to satisfy my hunger.."
Before Granny Evergreen returned to the woods she gave each child a beautiful rose.
"Children, remember that you must not quarrel and become cross with each other. Let kindness guide in all that you do.."
The children returned home with the flowers and berries for mother, who ate them and felt revived with energy.
That night, the children quarreled over some toys.."It is my toy!", one cried..
"No, mine!"
The children both went to sleep that night quite cross..
The next morning, the children awoke to find the flowers wilted...they both cried many, many tears..

These tears fell on the flowers, and they bloomed once again before their eyes. The children vowed to always remember the wisdom Granny Evergreen shared with them and each flower continued to bloom beautifully...

....More photos from our week....

Our new drinking glasses for playschool...small mason jars with each child's symbol adhered to the outside

W and his beloved friend, L enjoying some watercolor painting together...

Wet-on-wet watercolor painting will make an appearance in our playschool rhythm beginning the month of October...our last step is to create painting boards!

I am sitting here in our dining room listening to the needle like tapping of rain against our house. This weekend is going to be another soaker, and the timing couldn't be worse...it is the weekend of my most favorite festival in our town, The Celtic Classic...a weekend full of bagpipes, kilts, Irish food, highland games, and my favorite: The Showing of the Tartan Parade...all of this happening just blocks from our home. We may have to brave the elements with ponchos, but it's just not the same when the beautiful bagpiper uniforms are covered with tarp-like rain gear..

Celtic Classic, 2010

I'm hoping for sunshine...and a lovely weekend for you and yours:)

Yarn along..and a few 'answers'

2011-09-20T19:33:00.000-04:00

Knitting along with Ginny this week...

Some finished projects to share!

First, the Cappucine hat. Ah, it's probably the most awesome hat I have ever owned. And an easy pattern, too! I used an unbelieveable 1 hank of Noro Furisode; thinking all the while that I would never have enough to finish the project with the tassels and all. Surprisingly enough, I had a good amount left over! I purchased this 50/50 silk and wool yarn at our local knitting store which is a dangerous 3 blocks from our home.

Trust me, friends. You are going to want this hat for your own. It is warm, soft, beautiful and fun to knit.

I also finished seaming up W's 2nd of 4 sweaters I am knitting for the Fall; the Sideflap sweater from Knit Picks. It was an easy knit until one odd section which I needed some serious help with. I brought this project to the knitting store during general class hours and even the teacher was stumped. In the end, she figured out another way to get past this very strange hump. This was my first real "stitch and bitch" and it was so much fun! I've never had more fun with old ladies; drinking wine out of paper cups and all...I'll be back next week:)

I noticed a few questions in the comments section lately that I feel I should address...

One thing I am wondering, I know that during the week you have lots of little ones.Do you mesh your daily work with them, do you drop certain things you used to do, do you work in your own hobbies/crafts somehow?

A great question that surely deserves an honest answer! I mesh nearly all of my housework with the little ones. It may take longer, but it is so worth it. My main goal of the playschool day is to set an example of purposeful work for the children to imitate. When they do this, they are imitating life. I find that I get so much more housework done when the children are about because I am aware that they are watching me. If I were on my own, would I be ironing all of my dishtowels? Probably not. But, because of the children, it is now part of my weekly rhythm and they come to expect it. It is also lovely to have a basket full of crisp and pressed towels, I think:) The children enjoy cleaning the kicthen floor using rags as "ice skates" and my floor has never been more clean. The broom is pushed across the floor numerous time a day along with a song. It is presented as joyful work and part of life.

I have a weekly cleaning schedule of my own when the children are not with us, such as vacuuming, sanitizing the bathroom, kitchen sink, etc. I do most of this when W is in bed or when Jay is home from work.

As far as hobbies/crafts, my main handwork is knitting at this time. I do this when W is in bed; this is my "free time." I probably stay up way too late, but once I start, I find that it is hard to stop. Jay will tell anyone that knitting has taken his place, and I am working on paying more attention to him; the poor guy!

During playschool days, I embark on handwork that is purposeful, such as knitting a dolly blanket, fixing a broken toy, mending clothing. I put scraps from my work in a basket so the children can imitate this work in their own way.

The silks look beautiful. Silk is a wonderful material I love it. But I struggle with the fact that all caterpillars die in the silk industry. How do you think about that?

That's a tough one. Back in 2005, I was a very serious animal rights activist. I spent nearly every weekend at protests and really tried to live out my convictions. I do believe that animals shouldn't have to die for our selfish 'needs'; the fur industry would be a perfect example of this. There's just no reason for it. If you would have asked me this question 7 years ago, it wouldn't have applied to me, since I didn't wear wool, leather, silk and abstained from any and all animals products. However, along my path, I met a few very radical people who changed my thinking...

I feel truly thankful for any product that comes from an animal, no matter how small or big. I'll never eat meat; I haven't in over 15 years, but I've come to be "ok" with other animal products, such as textiles, etc. A wool sweater that keeps a child warm is something beautiful that can be used over and over again. A silk cloth which inspires hours of imaginative play is something to be very thankful for in many ways. Warm beeswax which beautifies a home and the senses is something to be in awe of. I try to think of the sentient beings which these things have come from and to me, it is a full circle. Some of you may think that I am a hypocrite for being an ethical vegetarian (and former vegan) but still using other animal products, but this is where I am in my life journey right now. And this makes sense to me.

...Really enjoyed this post. It felt so relatable to read about the struggles as well as the joys :) Most days I look at this blog and think- this just isn't reality. I know most blogs focus on only the joys but it just seems too perfect here some days. So thank you, again, for sharing.

Well, I'm not sure how I feel about this, and to be honest, it's kind of been irking me the past few days. Is this blog "reality?"

It is. I am a positive person who loves the beauty in life. What helps me to see this beauty most is children...being around them, caring for them, listening to their voices, helping them through their struggles and seeing them emerge all the better. Would I have had so much beauty and spirit around me 10 years ago? Certainly not in the same way. It would have been much harder to find.

This blog serves as a live journal and possibly an extension of a teaching portfolio/resume. I want to remember these days, good times and bad times alike. However, I am hesitant to put too much personal information about myself or family "out here", as I feel it is just not wise. I enjoy a good rant here and there, but I like to focus on what is beautiful in my life. And there is so much.

I strive my very, very hardest to provide an idyllic setting for the playschool children and an idyllic childhood for my son. I feel it is their right and my responsibility. I pay close attention to detail, such as smells, placement of toys, the fibers of clothing, quality of food, because it is my job and my joy, both as a mother and care provider. I take both jobs very seriously. I try to convey that in this space.

Is every day perfect?

Hell no.

Some days I feel overwhelmed. Some days I feel like I am trying to please everyone but forgetting so much about myself. We all feel like this from time to time. But 9.5 days out of 10, I feel incredible.

In closing, I still find it hard to believe that anyone reads this blog regularly. It's so nice to read your thoughts and comments and I take them all to heart. Thank you for sharing this space with me!

Love, Your Friend,

Rebecca

Gone Pickin'

2011-09-17T23:31:00.001-04:00

We returned again to the Rodale Farm for the annual organic apple festival today...

It really felt like the beginnings of Autumn; a great day for apple picking and enjoying scenery.

Oh, my W. He's had a difficult past few days. A cold he's been fighting off, a weak appetite..I know he is trying to convey something to me. He's been testing us by making much mischief around the house....I've also been kicked in the jaw twice and it doesn't tickle. I know he is not in control of his limbs or impulses yet; I have to remind myself this. But somehow, I just always seem to be getting caught in the crossfire as of late!

W was very excited to run about the apple orchard; especially when we saw one of his dearest friends. Apples were so exciting to him; the perfect thing to throw- something my boy does constantly. Gravity!

...I feel like this photo needs a really funny caption...

I decided to move all of our wood blocks up to the attic last week....they were being whipped across the room, nearly taking teeth out. They're too tempting for him. I am also sure the neighboors don't appreciate all of the rocks he has thrown onto their lawn, either.
Each time my Aunt or Uncle picked an apple, Wesley retrieved it from the apple picker and threw it. It was a game for him, and gave him much pleasure. It didn't please my family too much...it was an afternoon full of "Wesley!", and "Noooo! Why are you throwing the apples?"...and more...."Nooooo, Noooo!". He stopped eventually and I felt pretty overstimulated. I hate that.

Ok. Some of you may not agree with me, but I believe that until children are a certain age, they don't truly know the difference between right and wrong. Somewhere around 7? 9? Maybe even older. They know what they have been told is right or wrong...but to really, intrinsically know right versus wrong? This comes much, much later, I believe.
I challenge myself to limit my "No's" to instances when W is doing something that really needs to stop. Running into the street...touching the oven...I am not always successful in this, especially as of late and I recognize this. He is changing and I am running to catch up with him, literally. Imitation is key to promote behaviors you want to see more of.

Today was an example of telling my child what to do because it was polite versus letting him explore his environment and everything in it- something I feel he a right to do after a 35 minute car ride. Not surprising, my Aunt and Uncle have no chilldren, so they have not the patience nor know what to expect based on age and development. I'm not proclaiming that my excitable boy should be able to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, but I know that the apples were...just so tempting.

as was everything else...

It was a beautiful day, though. I'm looking forward to the Fall and it's Festivals, especially Michaelmas, the "festival of strong will", which I am hoping will inspire some deep thinking and inner work during this time of approaching darkness on our Earth.