Oh, Autumn, How I love thee...

This is my leaf fairy, inspired by Marsha Johnson's instructions on the ever-inspiring waldorf-at-home yahoo group. The leaf was dipped in beeswax to preserve the color. I am planning to share the project with Vivi's Kindergarten class next - I can't wait!

And here is the beginning of nature table that will live in Vivi's classroom.I feel so grateful for being able to share it with the children.

To Autumn

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe;

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

"The narrow bud opens her beauties to

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;

Blossoms hang round the brows of morning, and

Flourish down the bright cheek of modest eve,

Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,

And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.

"The spirits of the air live on the smells

Of fruit; and joy, with pinions light, roves round

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.

"Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat;

Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

~ written by William Blake (1757-1827)

We have had such fun hanging out at farms and orchards these days. The weather is just perfect, sunny but not too hot. Here are some glimpses from our recent visit to River Bend Farm.

~portrait of the pot-man~

~Mia's friends who came along for the picnic~

~pretty Rhode Island Red~

~wooly sheep~ where are your eyes?

~honeybee diving in for sweet nectar~

~Jasper greeting the pot-puppy~

~spiky wonder growing from a vine~

~itsy bitsy inch wormy~

~Mia, my sweet~~telling time with the sun dial~

~a splendid garden gate~~Vivienne churning the butter~

Come, butter, come.Come, butter, come.
Little Vivi's at the gate
With her little butter plate.
Come, butter, come!




~and the favorite pasttime of all, holding ginger bunny