Handwork training

I just returned from a two week handwork training at Rudolf Steiner College in Caliornia. It was challenging to be away from my family for such a long time, but so wonderful in many ways. We got to plant dye wool and silks, knitted and crocheted through the grades 1-3 and attended a wonderful variety of classes. It was a very rich experience for me. My sweet sister even came down with her beau to spend the weekend in San Franciso. We headed for Muir Woods and the Sausalito farmer's market, then back to classes. I spent my birthday on a red-eye flight home, and was greeted at the airport the following morning with five bouquets of flowers and a welcome home banner! I love my sweet family. More photos to come.

Beautiful flow form in the Rudolf Steiner College Biodynamic Garden

Loveliness

It is often the simple things that capture my eye, and bring joy to my day. I just have a few images to share that I have enjoyed witnessing lately. These are glimses into the glorious season of summer. "Simple" is a theme that I feel called to work on right now. I feel that the clutter of things can also really effect my thinking and take too much time away from my days. I am working on letting go of more things so that I can enjoy life! I would love to hear your experiences and suggestions in this effort as well. One place that I am beginning, is reading Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.

                                                  

Bee Love

I had the great pleasure of attending the premiere showing of the film Queen of the Sun last week . It came as a part of the Asheville International Pollinator Week. I can't express how inspired I am after seeing this film. I know that bees are are  incredible creatures, but this film really brought my awe and appreciation for them to a new level. I also feel the calling to protect and nurture them, as they do so much for us. Thankfully, my dear friend and neighbor, Heather, has started keeping bees this summer and I can enjoy watching them swoop over the fence and into my garden. Someday, I would really like to take a workshop with Gunter Hauk at Spikenard Farm and Honeybee Sanctuary. To hear Gunter speak of the bees in the film, as did many other wonderful beekeepers, it was truly beautiful to hear their reverence and deep gratitude.

In honor of the honeybees, I brought the bee mobile project to our local handwork group that meets at Azalea Mountain. I found the idea in one of my very favorite books, All Year Round.

Wool magic and other creations

I am enjoying this wonderful online tutorial with Nicole from Lebenskuenstler  All the wool creations are made without felting the fibers. It is really a subtle art form! I just love the beauty of the plant dyed wool. So far, I have made the bunnies and a sheep.

Vivienne fashioned a cool "new" instrument, which she named the guitar-um, also known a prisoner's bliss. One has to be inside the box in order to play its strings. Pretty fun.

Vivi also fashioned her top out of a bandana and jute rope. She wore it proudly.

And let me not forget Jasper's super deluxe veggie sandwich. Yum. He ate every bite.

Creative days of May

Life has been much busier than I am able to keep up with here on the blog. There are so many bits and pieces that I wish to share! Here are a few creative things that have been happening around here lately. The mushrooms and butterflies are Vivienne's creations. She got inspired to make them and have a roadside stand when our neighbors were having a yard sale. Next is my wool felt version of Wuzzy, the sweet older dog in residence at the girl's dance theater. He is a charming greeter, despite his poor eyesight. I gave this to his owners, Susan and Giles, with gratitude for their wonderful studio.

I am excited to have joined an online Magic Fairy Wool course with Nicole at Lebenskuenstler. It looks delightful and I can't wait for my beautiful plant dyed wool to arrive in the mail. What a treat!

This woodworking project is Mia's, from her amazing and inspiring woodworking class with the wonderful Mr. Crowe. We will miss having his homeschooling classes next year, but he will be teaching grades 1&2  at the newly formed Waldorf initiative, Azalea Mountain School.  And below are the pretty recycled paper flowers that Mia designed and festively decorated our home with.

 Yummy little blueberry muffin...Vivienne dressed it up just for me. So sweet. More to come!

Dear Kale, We Love you...

Ever since the kale started to mature in the garden, our family has been crazy for it. We ate three whole colanders the first evening. After we sauteed some, the kids would run out and pick more, and then they asked if they could have kale for dessert? What? Could my mama ears be hearing this correctly? The baby kale is so yummy. We just sauteed it with a little olive oil and splash of Bragg's. On a related note, Vivi was awarded "adventurous eater" recognition at her Wednesday class. They shared a meal for lunch each week, and she was the only one to eat everything that friends brought. And she enjoyed it all, too!