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~
~wooly sheep~ where are your eyes?
~Jasper greeting the pot-puppy~ 
~spiky wonder growing from a vine~
~itsy bitsy inch wormy~
~Mia, my sweet~
~telling time with the sun dial~
~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
Michaelmas is a time for recognizing the inner struggles of light and shadow, as illustrated by the stories of St. George slaying the dragon. Or, as in the version of the beautiful play we watched, the dragon is spared with a promise to do no more harm. It was beautifully captured with the tale dictated, as the actor's gestures filled the words with meaning. The strength in the iron sword, made of light of the stars, seemed to me, to represent the light in ourselves, which give us the fortitude to see through the dark nights of the soul, those times of dismay and fear. The light of our hearts keep us strong through the waning of the year, as the days grow shorter and darker. We learn to keep faith, believe in good, and find inner strength to move forward. It was wonderful to watch my girls take in the gestures and words of the play, and see their faces light up in delight. And to complete the 
Today, I brought a story and project to Vivienne's Kindergarten classroom. I read the book 
~the whole family of turtles from Ms. Elana's class!~
We celebrated Autumn Equinox with an apple bread (made from the orchards apples we just picked) and homemade vanilla icecream. Apples are one thing that I can eat every day and not get tired of them. The kids seem to be the same way. Vivienne had a really fun time on Sunday, turning the crank of a vintage cider press. It was an all day affair at the Long Branch orchards, picking, sorting, washing , then grinding, sifting and pouring the fresh juice. The kids were so proud of their jugs of cider.
~Our friend, Lily, in the abundance of apples~
~Jasper helping with the apple washing~
