My Weekend

Here is a summary. First Strawberries (Vivi found three, and cherished each little one) . Dinner with friends. Delicious fish tacos and handmade strawberry ice cream! (Thank you, Tif!) Puppets and more puppets. Gardening, lots of gardening. Handmade cards. Beautiful Stargazer Lilies. Local chocolates. Best breakfast at our new favorite spot, The Sugar Beet. Scenic drive and hike. Great reads (my own copy of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and a Peterson's Field Guide) A weekend to cherish. Many thanks to my sweet family for making my Mother's Day special.

Happy Mother's Day to all ~ May each day be as special.

Rain and Flowers

I have been enjoying these days of sunny mornings and rainshowers by late afternoon. The garden is growing lush and happy! The last few days have been fun. I went to Vivi's classroom to make pounded flower prints with the children. They turned out lovely. The very best of the flowers that we tried were the pansy, marigold and lobelia. We also used stamping ink and added some leaf prints from strawberry leaves, rosemary and thyme. It was such fun that I made some cards of my own today. I also had the honor of attending a wildlife field trip with the Kindergarten class and helped to add more plants to the school garden with Mia's third grade. Today we added a tomato start, basil, marigolds, zucchini and nasturtium. Their carrots, peas and radishes are coming up nicely. This is the first gardening experience for some of the children, and I am so grateful to be there to show them what wonders are to be discovered.

A book that looks like a very useful resource for future projects is called The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers.

This morning we spotted these in the drive. And then went to the arboretum and saw the print of the raccoon (lower left)- looks like a match to me. the kids thought they looked like oppossum. I love the mysterious nature of footprints. Who was this critter and what was (s)he doing in the wee hours of the night?

what mysteries of nature have you enjoyed lately?

May Day Festivities

We had a wonderful Sunday afternoon visiting with friends at the May Faire. The kids loved making flower wreaths, pounding flowers on cloth banners and dancing 'round the maypole.

After May Faire, I had an amazing Meditteranean- inspired meal with my book club friends. I found a very simple arugula-olive rice salad that was delicious. Thunderstorms rolled into town in that evening, an we lost electricity. I sat by candlelight, reading The Passion of Mary Magdalene, such a simple pleasure.

Sending May Day Birthday Wishes to My Dear Sister, Amy!

Mother-Daughter Weekend

Mia and I attended a very special mother-daughter mountain retreat. The thirteen girls made their own tribe, talking, laughing, playing, sharing meals, running wild. And the mothers gathered for sharing stories and words of wisdom, exchanging ideas, preparing meals together, and relaxing. It was a beautiful way to get to know a group of women. We soaked in the wood-fired hot tub perched on the mountainside and hiked the gravel road to see the wildflowers and waterfall. We discovered new blossoms of Solomon's Seal and Trillium, and bobcat scat. I heard an owl hooting at sundown. The rain came down hard, and the clouds rolled over the mountains. We listened to the wind howl and rain pour as we slept under the sky, warm and dry in our tent. It was wonderful to feel surrounded by nature, far from the hum and bustle of the city. Most of all, it was the warmth and support of other mothers who share this sacred journey of raising their daughters to become strong, healthy and empowered women. What a gift it is to have a tribe of "aunties" to call upon for friendship and guidance as they grow to adulthood. I am so grateful for being included in this incredible weekend. I send my humble thanks to Allison who hosted the event at this beautiful oasis, and Rockelle who invited us into this amazing circle .

with love and respect for mothers and daughters everywhere