Here are some gathering of art supplies both for drawing and painting in the Waldorf method for my homeschoolers. Some are handmade, some are gathered, some are bought, others we've had for years and some were gifted to us. We love art around here and spend time in the afternoons gathered around the table making pictures and paintings. A fine collection of art supplies makes it that much nicer.
I've listed a few holiday candle holders and nightlights in the shop today. A wonderful gift or tradition for advent or solstice as the days are growing darker. The light brings us a warm glow and wonderful feeling of the serenity of the coming holidays. Any child would love one of these on a dresser at bedtime and they are simply beautiful on the table during a meal. They also make lovely adornments to the nature table or mantel. Welcoming holiday lights.
My kids were inspired to make turkey notebooks after gleaning inspiration from Martha. They used construction paper and writing or drawing paper and glue sticks. The turkeys stand up and contain several pages for writing or drawing. A cute little craft as turkey day approaches.
All the while I'm thinking gratitudes. They come in many forms for me, non-traditional and different. Glimpses, dare I say magic.
Friends, all of my dear friends, most true and confident and fun. I'm amazed, again, as I have found that you really can simply pick back up where you left off with friends. I'm full of aw about the way those people who have such amazing gifts and love show up at the very moment I might need them. I'm thankful, ever thankful, for all of our health here in my little family. The clean air, water, skies. Warm fires, fluffy beds, hugs, snuggles, kitties purring in my ear late at night. Festivals, shows, gatherings, markets, trips, all of which are food for my soul.
I'm happy for the calm that letting go brings and doing less and having more time. I'm recognising the gift of me, the woman I am, separate from everything, the spinning top of myself. I'm thinking, really thinking hard about what medicine means in the course of treatment of my mate. We have come full circle back to our understanding of natural. For that deep inner wisdom that always rings true, I am ever grateful. The humor of my oldest child, the sparkle in his eyes and the calm happiness that he brings to this family every single day means the world to me. I'm glad that I am here, present as my daughters are reaching milestones and gathering themselves before their blossoming.
I am in praise of good food, wool, wood, wind, bells, shooting stars, weekly alternative papers, gifts. I am grateful that my list of undone chores makes me smile, because they are my chores and they are my life. My chickens happily scratching in the tilled garden and bringing a dozen eggs into our home ever day are a blessing. My dogs, my sunny windows, my strong hands, my loving mate, a hot bath, a good book, read by a different family member each night. Lights glowing in the darkness of evening, wishing my comfrey plants a restful winter as they finally give way and do their growing underground now. I am always happy for the silliness that seems to be my inner fire, the thing that keeps me where I am, pure fun. All of our lovely customers in our shop, what a wonder.
Growing babies who are potty trained, weaned, sleeping through the night and very very sure of themselves these days. Little boys who are learning to read and write and loving it. Clean fresh laundry, random nice letters in the mail and pictures of friend's babies. I'm grateful, as a tiptoe around the house just before bed, that we are together, snug in this house, then I cover everyone beneath the many blankets and kiss their sleeping heads. Mostly...I'm thankful for this, all of this, this life, my LIFE!
Layne spent a week with my aunt and uncle in Southern Oregon not long ago. Midweek they had a fishing adventure on the wild Rogue River catching Steelhead and enjoying the day. Layne is here with a fishing instructor friend of my uncle. The fish in the top picture was a wild buck that took him 20 minutes to land. Some big trout! That one was released. After several good catches that afternoon he did get one that he could take home to cook up for dinner.
Fish on, Layne!
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I'm loving this new style of warm chunky hat. What funky fun! There will be more to come, in many colors. A really great versatile hat for all of your winter outdoor adventures. It's cold, cold, cold, but when your noggin is warm and you look this cute, why worry?
So much play has been happening around here lately. Along with warm fires, cooking, working and crafting. For a couple of weeks now I've cancelled all of our appointments, most of them anyway. Seems we've had a very full schedule for over a year now. It was time to have days freed up. And as happens naturally, we've been enjoying each other's company, reading, taking long hot tub soaks, snuggling, being silly, staying in our jammies later just because, eating homemade soup, chili and pies. It seems important to schedule nothing, make time, get back to forgotten handwork, watch Martha Stewart's Thanksgiving special and Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving on DVD. Order a new book, plan a vacation, talk about upcoming birthdays. Draw, film videos, rearrange the house...
We are homing. How about you?
There are some gnomie friends in the shop. Of course they are ever cheerful, always helpful and lots of fun. Love those gnomes!
It's wet and cool and dark. We're entering into THAT season. I like to think of it as newt season. These little critters are our ever-constant forest companions. We step over them along the trails as we hike, we watch them swim in the warm rivers in the summer, we spot them courting in the shallow rain-filled basins in gravely areas and this time of year we look for them under big brown frilly mushrooms. They are constant. Our little newt friends. A friendly reminder of healthy ecosystems, a gauge. It makes me happy to see them thriving. My children have learned to be respectful, gentle, observant, watching the little newts in their wild home. We know that they are poisonous, we understand why. We've seen a newt with a missing leg and one with only one eye, we've understood the dangers that they face being, small, brown, on the ground and slow moving.
They seems happy, content to go about their lives on the cool mossy forest floor. It is simple, newt life. It's newt season.
Here are a couple of beautiful nativity sets have made it into our shop. It's getting to be that time of year. Advent begins in less than 3 weeks. How magical and special this lead up time is as the elves are working away in the shop. Both of my little guys tested these sets out and really liked them. I really like them. I think they would make a lovely gift to display or for play. Thanks for letting me share these with you.
Today was long and hard, but with the holy family I am reminded of courage, strength, love and faith. Thank you for all of your sharing in the comments lately. I'm looking up to the stars tonight and thinking of that special mama out there ready to welcome her new babe into the world. Miracles are all around!
