Christmas Crafting

Vivienne's Christmas angel

It is always astonishing for me to see the impulse of the season in the work of my children. The elements of the season, the materials at hand, and the inner feeling come through their art. While I try to have a variety of materials on hand, like fabrics, felt, wool roving, needles, and thread, etc., seldom do I initiate their projects. I love to see what comes naturally to them.

Vivienne came up with this fun stocking stuffer idea, pine needle pencils. The pencils are wrapped in floral tape and finished with a fresh spring of needles.

Christmas pencil



Vivienne's yarn animal (added to the nativity procession)

Jasper tells me that he is drawing in the dirt

the lovliest crown (a gift for our neighbor, Heather)

Magical Season (reflections)

I am beginning to feel the shift in myself, the inner spark that lights the way into the darkness of the season of shorter days. I feel the magic of Christmas begin to lift my heart in the most wonderful way. I feel it in the warmth among others, the knowing smiles, the openness and love. It is the season of gifts and miracles. I strive to "think" with my heart, to be present and open to finding that spark in my interactions with others. I hope for moments which slow the pace and keep me from falling into the urgent tug of time. I wish to witness the magic, savor the richness of this human experience in the cycle of the seasons which unites us with all that ever was and ever will be.

I am sharing some images of a beautiful Christmas festival. Around a small community lake, 325 paper lanterns light the half mile trail around the water and the community comes together for hay rides, carolling, and hot cocoa. We joined our friends on this beautiful night stroll, warmed ourselves with hot soup, german stollen, and roasted chestnuts over a sparkling bonfire, under the bright stars. The kids sledded down a grassy hill and star gazed into the night's sky. What a wonderous night it was. Thank you, Ines and Brad!

My thoughts are filled with what I can do for others, what I can offer. Today we watched a wonderful local production of A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens. Such a powerful tale of redeeming one's ability to do good in the world. One fellow blogger who has inspired me is Nicole and her beautful blog in loving support of a mama with breast cancer. She is collecting homemade ornaments to honor Kelly's healing journey. To find out more about this project, visit the wellness tree blog. I would love to know how others share the gift of compassion . What acts of kindness do you strive to bring into the world? Please share your thoughts and ideas with me.

Happy St. Nicholas day!

Imaginative Days

One of my favorite things is to see my children engaged in imaginative play. And it inspires me greatly! (And now you can see Mia's new haircut, too.) In this moment I can see how home education is working beautifully to free the social constraints that pressure kids to grow up in a hurry.

Vivi wears her finger knitted creations and Jasper is so very happy to have discovered a new favorite treat - frozen wild blueberries atop a crisp waffle. He has been really into making food lately, especially deviled eggs, apple pies and anything that he can top with Old Bay seasoning.


How I love to see the dolls getting out for a walk on a mild late autumn day!

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

By candle light

Giving thanks for this loving light, which fills my heart with serenity through the long nights of winter. Happy first Advent.
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A walk in the fairy woods

Yesterday, it was the perfect autumn day. The air was warm, the sun shone brightly. So we put away our books and projects, ventured into the woods, and enjoyed the afternoon in all of its natural splendor. Around every turn, we found something mysterious and beautiful.

Singing within myself ~thank you for this day, thank you for this day... this healing, this healing day...

p.s. more pictures to come of Mia and her cute new haircut!

Lantern Walk

Tonight we took a lovely walk in celebration of Martinmas. The story of the kindness and generosity of Saint Martin was told, and we learned beautiful songs around a bonfire. Then, through the meadows, we walked and contemplated. We had quite a few stops to relight lanterns, as the winds were blowing strongly, but it was wonderful time. One of my favorite songs is a traditional German one, "I walk with my lantern." I found a lovely recording on this nice blog. (Thank you, Farida!) I am so happy to have found a way to revisit the sweet lyrics and think of the beautiful procession of handmade lanterns.

Mia and Vivienne made these beautiful beeswax lanterns (thank you, Ines!)

Here is our version of the translation from the German Ich geh mit meiner Lanterne

I walk with my lantern,

My lantern goes with me.

Above the stars are twinkling,

And twinkling, too, are we.

When my light goes out, it's time to go home,

rabimmel , rabammel, rabum.

May the light shine brightly!

November delight

Now that the days are shorter and the air is cool, we are blessed with the return of a favorite special treat. In the late afternoons in front of our local grocery store, an old world vendor roasts chestnuts. The vendor, Sakshi, moved here many years ago from the Swiss village of Laufen. I cannot think of anything nicer than this wholesome, warm snack on a cold, damp autumn day.

Yummmm...