Celebrate the Rhythm of Life

Rhythm is February's Focus Topic

2012-01-22T13:36:00.022-05:00

Rhythm Give AwayDo you struggle with Rhythm? Is Rhythm one of those mysterious things that you just cannot seem to grasp? Do you fall into bed exhausted at the end of the day? Do you wonder how Waldorf kindergarten teachers seem so calm and manage to sing through the day and knead dough, bake bread, chop vegetables, make soup, color and paint with children every week? Would you like to bring

Basic Elements of Daily Living with Children ~ Circle Time

2012-01-18T14:08:00.006-05:00

"When we choose one story and carry it in a rich nourishing way through speech, movement, gesture, song and drama over three weeks, we are bringing rich imaginations to the child that the child can drink in deeply and digest them."The topic of Circle comes up regularly among homeschoolers and is one that is also being taken up by early childhood teachers and care givers who are working with

In Memory of Martin Luther King

2012-01-17T00:21:00.010-05:00

Basic Elements of Daily Living with Children ~ the Morning

2012-01-16T22:42:00.006-05:00

We all get up in the morning. How to you awaken in the morning? Begin with some reflection about your day, how does it begin? Is it peaceful and slow without an alarm clock? This is the moment, between sleep and awakening when the spiritual world brings us the answers to questions we bring at bedtime. To hear the response, we must be quiet and still to listen. Do you have time to really listen?

(this moment)

2012-01-13T10:04:00.005-05:00

{this moment}A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by SouleMama

{this moment}

2012-01-06T12:08:00.003-05:00

{this moment}A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama Happy Weekending!

The Stillness is Here

2012-01-05T16:40:00.002-05:00

The stillness is here. This morning seemed to be darker than all the others. It's snowing gentle flakes. The earth has finally frozen. Maybe now that all the excitement and focus of Christmas is passing, I am more still within. The earth seems still without. I am wrapped in a warm woolen blanket with the dog at my feet. He loves this cold weather with his thick wooly coat. He rolls on the ground

Twelve in Twenty Eleven :: Readers Favorites

2012-01-04T09:48:00.004-05:00

Your favorite posts in Twenty Twelve include my Pages on What Makes a Waldorf Family, A Calendar of Days of Festivals and Celebration my piece on Celebrating Festivals and everything on the new Program I am offering. Seems fitting for a blog called Celebrate the Rhythm of LIfe, no? Twenty eleven completes my first full calendar year of blogging. In Twenty ten, it took some time for me to figure

Back to the Mountain

2012-01-03T09:54:00.001-05:00

Like a pilgrimage each year, we go to the mountain in winter. We go by there at other times of the year but there is something different, some magical quality in going when the snow has fallen and the mountain is covered with snow and icicles, our little paradise. It is tucked between other mountains. That's where we headed on the first day of the New Year. We rose early, packed our lunch and

{this moment}

2011-12-30T08:16:00.004-05:00

The Lemniscate and the Senses

2011-12-23T12:05:00.006-05:00

Virtual Tea with Carrie: Expanding the Pillars of Waldorf Education Carrie began this conversation with a beautiful outline of three artistic pillars of Waldorf home education: Drawing, Painting and Modeling over on her blog, The Parenting Passageway, much of which she has discussed over the years, relative to many aspects of the curriculum in earlier posts on her blog. It got me thinking. Over

Expanding the Pillars and the Conversation

2011-12-20T12:08:00.007-05:00

As a person who has straddled the worlds of the homeschooler and the school, as parent and as a teacher, I notice in some Waldorf homeschool circles, that there can be some feelings of resentment towards those who have worked in schools or recommend a Waldorf schooling that is consistent with what schools bring. I know and can attest to a way of being with my children as parent teacher in the

The Magic of Christmas

2011-12-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

We have been busy getting ready for Christmas, cleaning out the house, decorating the house, cutting and dragging in greens and prettying them up with bits of red, hanging them on the doors and placing them here and there. We've been taking out the old Christmas albums, singing songs, preparing gifts, cooking and baking. My baby, my little one, Duncan will be nine years old in a few weeks. He is

Give Away for Celebrate the Rhythm of Life Program

2011-12-04T08:21:00.005-05:00

Monthly Guides are back as through the year program! In the words of Lisa Boisvert Mackenzie: “I am so very excited to share with you the news of the return of the Celebrating the Rhythm of Life in Caring for Children through the Year materials. The new format retains all of the elements you love with some expansion in a few areas. I’ve been striving to keep it all very simple, easy for you to

(this moment)

2011-12-02T11:06:00.001-05:00

{this moment}

2011-11-26T13:20:00.000-05:00

{this moment}A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. along with Amanda Soule

Sunday

2011-11-20T19:23:00.011-05:00

Sunday, named for the sun, that giant star around which our earth journeys each year, from Latin, "dies solis" sun's day as well as "Dominica," the day of God.. Wonder if it is related to dominion as dominion over the planets. For many it is a day of worship and rest. The day of rest, to rest the weary body and replenish the spirit with soul full activities, often in community. I recently came

{this moment}

2011-11-18T08:44:00.001-05:00

{this moment}

2011-11-07T06:59:00.000-05:00

This Week

2011-11-04T08:29:00.001-04:00

'Twas a full week, this one, beginning with Halloween at the museum, followed by the parade, followed by games and food at the Fire Station and our last conversation with a friend who was to pass over on Tuesday, unbeknown to any of us in that moment that we were exchanging last words. (Rest in peace good man.) On Halloween day there was The Forest of Magic and Mystery at our local Waldorf

November Program for Celebrating the Rhythm of Life Give Away!

2011-10-29T11:29:00.032-04:00

Monthly Guides are back as a program! In the words of Lisa Boisvert Mackenzie:“I am so very excited to share with you the news of the return of the Celebrating the Rhythm of Life in Caring for Children through the Year materials. The new format retains all of the elements you love with some expansion in a few areas. I’ve been striving to keep it all very simple, easy for you to read and digest.

{This Moment}

2011-10-28T10:54:00.004-04:00

{this moment}A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. joining in with Soule Mama

The Feast of LIfe!

2011-10-23T10:58:00.004-04:00

Many years ago, in those days when we were young and carefree, ha ha! my friend Lisa Dombek shared a book with me that was to become one of those books that resurfaces every now and then, and when it comes to my consciousness, I pick it up, close my eyes and select a page. That page always speaks to me deeply. I have perused pages throughout the book just to check and make sure that it is not

Link Love

2011-10-22T12:47:00.005-04:00

This week brings lots to mull over in the blog world. Here are a few links that I have been loving this week. :: Over on Lynn Jericho's The Inner Year is a not-to-be-missed video, "Let Them Live in Your Heart" it speaks deeply to anyone who spends time with children, as well as to our own experience of being a child, do check it out. :: Our friend Sparkle of Sparkle Stories now has a blog! ::

Halloween is Coming!

2011-10-20T08:10:00.013-04:00

Halloween is coming, then we'll seeFaces in the windows smiling at meCandles on the door step shining brightOh, we'll have a good time on Halloween night!Oh, we'll have a good time of Halloween night! I think I told you last year that Halloween is and has always been one of my favorite holidays. My Mom tells great stories of Halloween from when she was a child during the depression, of

Blog Life

2011-10-16T09:34:00.001-04:00

I am often asked to write more articles and post more photos of our homschooling, of the Morning Garden, of my children, with examples of their work. I don't do that. I offer little "eye candy" of that sort here. The reason I share few pictures of my children and their work are many. I'll share them with you: They don't like it. My children do not like to be photographed and do not like to have

{This Moment}

2011-10-14T07:24:00.000-04:00

Rhythm ~ Waldorf Style

2011-10-13T08:16:00.004-04:00

I wrote this article for the Rhythm page of my Monthly Guides to Celebrating the Rhythm of Life with Children last winter. Because it has been viewed more than any other page on that site, and because rhythm is such an important and fundamental element of early childhood, I am sharing it with you here. Rhythm is life! Rhythm is strength! Rhythm can carry you. We often hear these words but what

La Balance

2011-10-03T06:54:00.005-04:00

Here we are at the end of summer, moving towards the dark and cold of the year. The Wheel of the Year is turning and with it are we, within. The autumn equinox comes along with the stars in the sky known as Libra, the scale to weigh in our deeds. The sign of Libra is often depicted as Justice holding the scales of balance, here.We are back to school yet still holding on to the long, luxuriant

Daily Life is the Curriculum of Early Childhood

2011-10-02T11:07:00.005-04:00

Seems like so many mothers are stressed and frustrated, experiencing a wide gap between the vision they have for life as a family and the daily reality of living with children. First off, I want to emphasize the hard work and self discipline and personal growth that comes with running a household. Thank you Mom. It is far more of an effort than a full time job (it's more like three jobs, cook,

Sign up now for October Program

2011-10-01T07:49:00.008-04:00

October's focus topic is The Rhythm of Food and Meal Planning ~ We'll focus on how food and meal planning can bring rhythm to our days, week and month and foster reverence within and without, in the child, parent and home environment. We will set up an individual monthly plan for each participant and look at weekly and daily rhythms around food and meals with simple practical ways to tweak your

{this moment}

2011-09-30T17:45:00.001-04:00

Michaelmas

2011-09-30T10:43:00.035-04:00

September 29th is known in the Christian world as the feast day of the Archangel Michael. The Archangel Michael is an important figure in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In the world of Waldorf, he is said to be the guiding force of our times. Michael appears in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Michaelmas (pronounced mikel-mas) is a season, the season of the final ripening and

Hail to Thee Great Apple Tree!

2011-08-29T10:00:00.015-04:00

Hail to thee great apple tree! Climb right up that I may see... Great big apples, ripe and sweetGreat big apples good to eat Weighing in our work Serving it up for dessert with homemade ice cream. Yum. Thank you, thank you Mother EarthThank you for our food. For more apple verses, songs, puppet story, recipes, rhythms and goodness: Sign up for the Celebrate September Program. The focus

Monthly Guides are Back!

2011-08-19T14:58:00.008-04:00

I am so very excited to share with you the news of the return of the Celebrating the Rhythm of Life in Caring for Children through the Year materials. I have read all of your very kind, honest and thorough comments in the feedback and taken them to heart. The new format retains all of the elements you love with some expansion in a few areas. I've been striving to keep it all very simple, easy for

Cookie Making for Beach Going

2011-08-06T13:01:00.000-04:00

We had a big chunk of time alone together on a beautiful, warm, sunny, summer morning. I gave it up to my little one, "whatever you want to do, I'm game." Can you guess what he chose.... We put on our aprons and let the mixer do its magic with butter and sugar... we whisked flour, salt and baling powder... added eggs and vanilla. Then I realized, we had no chips. So I raided the S'mores

{this moment}

2011-08-05T14:09:00.000-04:00

It's Calling Me

2011-08-04T17:53:00.000-04:00

I'm trying so hard to get here. I am supposed to be working this week: writing, editing, washing, ironing, cooking, painting and planning. Big brother is off on a Kroka expedition and little brother and his dad are off having adventures together. This is my time to work through the "to do" list. The first articles of August are up on the Magazine and looking good. I love bringing together

{this moment}

2011-07-29T13:16:00.002-04:00

{this moment}A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Right now, I am:

2011-07-24T08:29:00.002-04:00

:: Excited to go the the Vermont Cheese makers Festival:: Grateful to live by the lake and have cool water for respite from the sweltering heat:: Savoring summer reads with my feet in the lake :: Contemplating fresh green peas, fresh ricotta and pasta :: Noticing the shift from humid hot to brisk cool air that takes place each morning :: Listening to Ella :: Writing a piece on a topic that is

(this moment)

2011-07-24T07:41:00.006-04:00

Summer Dreaming

2011-06-29T15:29:00.004-04:00

The days of summer are upon us, long, warm and sticky. The school children are out and the neighborhood is alive with children's voices during the week. The hose comes out and drenches everyone and it's all okay because it's summer. The evenings are so long and pleasant that we often find ourselves astonished by how late it is yet how high the sun is. The strawberries are here, sweet and ripe for

{this moment}

2011-06-03T19:27:00.002-04:00

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember, inspired by Amanda Soule

Finally ~ Knitting project and Article Complete

2011-04-27T21:27:00.004-04:00

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along over at Small Things. It's done, finally, with a great big ta da! The four part series on Knitting and the First Grader for the Magazine begins here, if you are interested. It includes a piece on Introducing Children to Knitting with a Visit to the Farm, Make Your Own Knitting Needles, an article by Angela Mobley on How to Teach Children Knitting, handwork

{this moment}

2011-04-22T18:24:00.003-04:00

{this moment}{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama

Earth Day and Easter

2011-04-22T18:16:00.003-04:00

I have been so busy with The Wonder of Childhood, trying to get the Easter articles up and on the site as well as post all of The First Grader articles there that I have spent little time here. My article Every Day is Earth Day is up on the magazine. Today my parents are celebrating their sixty first wedding anniversary! Sixty one years of getting used to each other. I just have to share that.

{this moment}

2011-04-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

Yarn Along with the Brown Silk Moth

2011-04-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along over at Small Things. This is the most amazing creature, a brown silk moth that emerged after spending a winter in its cocoon in our playroom. We had no idea. But this is another story, another post to write. The books are Thai cookbooks. I discovered that fish sauce, lime juice, chicken broth and a smidge of sugar make a delicious stir fry sauce! On the

Homeschooling celebration!

2011-04-10T09:35:00.000-04:00

Homeschooling can be a bit like Christmas with packages arriving in the mail. Treasures to behold inside. The excitement of taking on something new and fascinating.... What are in your homeschool plans? Do you homeschool? Are you planning for next year?

Ginny's Yarn Along

2011-03-30T17:24:00.001-04:00

In joining with Ginny's Yarn Along this week, I am writing an article on the "needles" that will be found at The Wonder of Childhood on April first for the official launch of the first edition of the magazine. I'm very excited about that! A simple Easter knitting project will be there too, but it's off the needles now. I have been playing with dye baths for wool roving this week, first with

Luck, Wonder and Saint Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T13:18:00.008-04:00

Dear Readers, Come on over and have a sneak peek into The Wonder of Childhood! I am still loading articles and polishing the edges but there is a great deal of material waiting for you. David Sewell McCann of Sparkel Stories, has an article for parents on The Four A's of Intuitive Storytelling, and in the article you will have the good luck of coming upon his story on luck, a speacial story

Yarn Along

2011-03-16T08:46:00.001-04:00

In joining Ginny's Yarn Along , I'm sharing a book that I am a few pags short of finishing and reluctant to end because it has been such a pleasure to read. I have to admit that when I began this book, I was skeptical and thought not another American in Tuscany. Yes, judging without knowing for I could not endure Eat, Pray, Love and quit reading that, something I almost never do, no matter how

Happiness is a Compost Bucket

2011-03-15T10:39:00.005-04:00

When I was young and imagined my life as an adult, I saw myself living in a big city like Paris, New York or San Francisco, doing deeply meaningful work, wearing stylish clothing, discussing politics and working for causes I believed in and going to parties where people said witty things. The urge to have children had not hit and I did not envision children in my life although I seemed to

The Moon Maiden, A Japanese Story

2011-03-14T11:33:00.003-04:00

For those of you who may be seeking a story from Japan, this is a very old story that goes by many names. It makes a beautiful puppet story. There dwelt once on the edge of the forest, at the foot of Fujiyama, a bamboo-cutter and his wife. They were honest, industrious people who loved each other dearly, but no children had come to bless them, and therefore they were not happy. "Ah husband,"

March

2011-03-12T09:32:00.002-05:00

March roars in like a lion so fierce,the wind so cold, it seems to pierce.The month rolls on and Spring draws near,and March goes out like a lamb so dear Lorie Hill The month of March has rolled in with great ferocity here. Over three feet of snow have fallen and the wind has ripped along, creating beautiful snowscapes and drifts. Our most recent snowfall was one of

Mardi Gras Parade

2011-03-08T07:14:00.000-05:00

Waiting on the snowbank for the parade to start. The bubble bus, spewing bubbles...

The Wonder of Childhood

2011-03-04T06:50:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers, In case you are wondering.....or have missed me.... I have been very quiet over here, with nary a post for some time. This corner has been a bit like winter, seeming still and gray, yet beneath the surface the waters flow and great movement is taking place. My time and energy has been focused on Celebrating the Rhythm of Life with Children, Caring for Children in March Guide and

Stylish Blogger Award ~ Thank You!

2011-02-22T10:19:00.011-05:00

The amazing Sally over at FairyDust Teaching and Annette at Seasons of Joy have each awarded me with a Stylish Blogger Award. Thank you both for thinking of me. The rules of acceptance: 1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award. 2. Share 7 things about yourself. 3. Award 10-15 recently discovered great bloggers. 4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the

Valentines Week

2011-02-16T13:34:00.006-05:00

We are celebrating Valentine's Day all week long with more Valentines making, some mischevious Valentine's deliveries, warm tea with fancy china, some baking and some sweet red beets in our greens. We were touched by the secret valentine, who leaves hearts on doors, this year: Sweet heart scones, tea and fruity whipped cream recipes are over at the monthly guide pages. The cupcakes with fluffy

Valentine's Day Gifts

2011-02-05T12:20:00.019-05:00

Oh will you be my Valentine, my Valentine, my Valentine,Oh will you be my Valentine and wear my big rose heart?Oh yes, I'll be your Valentine, your Valentine, your ValentineOh yes, I'll be your Valentine and wear your big rose heart!(sung to the tune of the "Oh do you know the Muffin man?") Valentine's Day brings a breaking with the contraction of winter, a stirring of life filled hope for

The Year of the Rabbit!

2011-02-03T08:36:00.001-05:00

Oh my goodness! It is the New year, the Year of the Rabbit! Thank you Pip and Sarah! My hold on nature does not want to let go of the past. Better do some extra sweeping today! My apolpogies. Lisa

The Year of the Rabbit!

2011-02-03T06:44:00.005-05:00

The Year of the Rabbit began with the new moon nine hours ago and celebrations of Chinese New Year will continue for fifteen days until the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day with parades and lanterns in communities that celebrate the new year.I am inspired by my friend Denice to explore Chinese New Year this year as a family celebration.Special deeds are done on certain days of Chinese New

Chinese New Year

2011-02-02T13:18:00.008-05:00

"Gung Hay Fat Choy!" In China, every girl and boyCelebrates the New Yearin a very special way - With fireworks and dragons,colored red and gold -They welcome in the new yearand chase away the old! - Helen H. Moore If you wish to preview Celebrating the Rhythm of Life with Children in February, a monthly guide for those with children, in exchange for some honest feedback, please e-mail your

Tea Time and Gratitude

2011-02-01T11:09:00.005-05:00

When we show reverence and gratitude by our actions, children absorb it into their bodies and they too will learn to express gratitude from deep within, for the young child, under the age of seven, learns by modelling the behavior of the adults around him and absorbing what lives within the adult. Rudolf Steiner stated, in The Education of the Child in Light of Anthroposophy:“There are two magic

Feast of Brigid

2011-01-31T17:33:00.009-05:00

Working awaty to get this guide out, on the eve of the Feast of Brigid, which is the day she is said to have died ( Saints are celebrated on the day they died) I came across this lovely verse: The dandelion lights its spark Lest Brigid find the wayside dark. And Brother Wind comes rollickingFor joy that she has brought the spring.Young lambs and little furry folk Seek shelter underneath her

Wet on Wet Watercolor Painting Tutorial

2011-01-31T09:24:00.013-05:00

We are working hard to bring you the February guides today. Here is a sneak peak into the painting tutorial. Create beautiful Valentines with paintings. Wet on wet watercolor painting brings children an experience of color that is truly their own and beautiful as well. Make it a part of your weekly rhythm. I like to paint of Friday which is Venus' day. It includes: how to set up for

February Monthly Guide

2011-01-31T06:30:00.003-05:00

Dear Reader, Almost here. Today they will launch! I am working hard to bring you the February Monthly Guide to Celebrating the Rhythm of Life with Children. The guide includes celebration ideas for Saint Brigid's Day, Chinese New Year and Valentines Day with stories, songs, verses, recipes and craft ideas as well as support for finding a strong rhythm in your day, week and year. The guide

Free Monthly Guides

2011-01-28T17:15:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers, Have you used or thought about using a monthly seasonal guide to inspire your time with children? Parents, childcare providers and preschool teachers wanted to test read/use February guide which is designed to provide a deeper understanding of Waldorf education, self knowledge, rhythm, strength, nourishment, fun and community in the task of caring for young children. In exchange,

Beeswax Candle Dipping Preparation

2011-01-25T13:49:00.002-05:00

As we prepare to dip candles we gather the components: Beeswax ~ a wheel or chunks a pot ~ one that can be dedicated to wax melting a large can to put inside the pot ~ this one held pineapple juicewicksa dowel or branch to hang the candles as they dry Warm the beeswax in the can in water in the pot Waiting for the beeswax to

Feast of Brigid

2011-01-25T12:22:00.013-05:00

The Feast of Brigid is an ancient holy celebration, often dedicating the entire month of February to Brigid. Brigid was worshipped by the Celts as a triple goddess; this notion of three dieties in one is also very ancient and has its origins in the ancient goddesses. So beloved by her people of Ireland, she was made a saint, and is worshipped to this day as Saint Bride. Brigid is the patroness

Jack Frost is about!

2011-01-19T07:29:00.002-05:00

Look out! Look out!Jack Frost is about!His silvery powder he'll shakeAnd, all through the night,The sweet little spriteSuch wonderful pictures he'll make!

Winter Circle

2011-01-17T17:30:00.034-05:00

This is a response to a query on how to bring circle to two active boys, age two and age five. Circle time at home can be hard with a few children and especialliy with just one child or very young children. I never did circle time with my children alone at home until first grade. We had a group of children and some parents that we did circle with when they were young ( 3-6) One went to

Nature Table for January

2011-01-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

Birthday Child!

2011-01-13T10:45:00.002-05:00

Eight kisses when he wakes,Eight candles on his cakeFor Duncan with his heart of goldToday he is eight years old!

Yarn Along

2011-01-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm joining Ginny over at Small Things in her Yarn Along. I'll confess that I am more of a reader than a knitter. Sleep comes easily for me with a few pages of fiction each night. Knitting is something I am striving to bring into my daily life. The challenge is finding a regular time for it and carrying it with me when I go to places where I can sit and knit. I am loving Alice

Rhythm of the Year

2011-01-10T12:53:00.001-05:00

Here's my first sketch version of the cycle of the year that I made twelve years ago. I photocopied it in parchment paper and kept it on my fridge for years so I could add notes to it. It helped me envision the year.

Snowmen finger play

2011-01-10T11:51:00.002-05:00

Five little snowmen On a winter's day The first one said, "Wake up, let's have a play." The second one said, "Let's stomp on the ground." The third one said, "Let's roll all around." The fourth one said, "Let's run, run, run." The fifth one said, "I'm afraid I feel the sun" "Oh dear!" cried the snowmen, As they looked toward the sky. And the five melting snowmen Waved a fond

Rudolf Steiner and the Mood of Christmas

2011-01-03T13:51:00.000-05:00

In working on a post for Epiphany, with a little circle play and a song and a cake, I came across this lecture given by Rudolf Steiner on the mood of Christmas. The Festival of Christmas, according to Steiner, is one of the greatest festivals of the year that humaity can celebrate. Steiner asks, in this lecture, " does what is happening in the streets correspond with what is meant to flow

Quieting and Excitement

2010-12-23T09:38:00.004-05:00

It's been a week of quieting and excitement. It began on Sunday with a wrapping up of four weeks of Inner Advent work with Lynn Jericho's group. We've been looking at truth, beauty and goodness in our thinking, feeling and willing and laying it out on a mandala for the year. So much swirling in the mysterious in this past year and so much constellating for the new year. I love doing this work.

The Gift of Light

2010-12-19T20:36:00.002-05:00

The gift of light I thankfully holdAnd pass to my neighbor its shining goldThat everyone may feel its glow, Receiving and giving may love and grow. I pass this gift of light to you Dear Jen at Ancient Hearth. Thank you for the light and warmth you bring to the world. I am grateful for your presence in my life.Pass the gift of light to a cyber neighbor who lights your world until the

2010-12-15T21:43:00.003-05:00

Snow, snow, snow!From heaven falls the snow. The children now have lots of funIt's snowing, snowing on and on. Snow, snow, snow!Hey-o! hey-o! hey-o! Snow, snow, snow!Hey-o! hey-o! hey-o! From The Snow Hayoh! in Gesture Games for Autumn and Winter from Wilma Ellersiek, translated by Lyn and Kundry Wilwerth

Marsha Johnson's Reminder

2010-12-12T17:04:00.006-05:00

The Issue of Toys, Children, and Materialism By Marsha Johnson, December 2004 Shopping bags and baskets full, parents and family friends arriving with parcels, long store lines, and big dollar prices………birthdays, holidays, other occasions both secular and religious, family rooms, play rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, filled with play items, bright colors, plastics, woods, cloth, books, and more…………

Santa Lucia Day ~ December 13

2010-12-11T11:27:00.006-05:00

Santa Lucia is another Festival of Light, in the Waldorf Calendar of Festivals, celebrated on December 13, which was, under the Julian calendar, the Winter Solstice. Hence, the saying: Lucy lightThe shortest day andThe longest night I had a dream when I was in my twenties of being inside a large, boxy house with a large center staircase. The house was uncomfortably dark. I heard a voice say "

Rudolf Steiner on Christmas

2010-12-10T09:53:00.001-05:00

An excerpt from Rudolf Steiner's Lecture in the Rudolf Steiner ArchivesThe Christmas Festival: A Token of the Victory of the SunBerlin, 24th December, 1905 " Christmas is not a Festival of Christendom only. In ancient Egypt, in the regions we ourselves inhabit, and in Asia thousands and thousands of years before the Christian era we find that a Festival was celebrated on the days now dedicated to

The Little Pine Tree

2010-12-09T09:20:00.005-05:00

The Little Pine Tree Adapted from a German Legend. Once upon a time, in the deep forest, there grew a little pine tree, and its leaves were long, slender, green needles. But the little tree did not like its needles. "I wish that I had beautiful leaves," it thought. "I wish that I might have leaves different from any of the other trees. If I could have my wish, I would have leaves

Days of December, Meaningful List

2010-12-08T20:00:00.003-05:00

I am so inspired by the lists that Brooke posted over at Brooke: confessions of an urban earth mama for the days of December, that I am going to start my own list. Have a look at Brooke's blog. The list ideas is meaningful, sane and fun. Thank you Brooke.

The Meaningful in the Holy Days

2010-12-06T17:47:00.002-05:00

Today I am delighted to share a guest piece from Danielle Epiphani on how she brings meaning to the season. For us it's really a season from Michaelmas to Epiphany. Lot's of time that way. I was not familiar with Advent before being introduced to Waldorf. Fortunately, that was when my son was 1 year old and early on was able to put into practice traditions that kept ours (and my life), sane

Keeping the Holidays Sane, Meaningful and Fun!

2010-12-02T10:30:00.004-05:00

This post is the first in a series on the season or festival life that begins with Thanksgiving in the United States and ends with Three Kings Day in January. Days to celebrate include: Thanksgiving Advent ~ began Sunday November 29 Saint Nicholas Day ~ December 6 Santa Lucia Day ~ December 13 Christmas Eve Christmas Day The Twelve Days of Christmas Epiphany or Three Kings Day What a great

Trader Joe Came to Visit

2010-11-26T08:14:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful to Sally over at Fairy Dust Teaching for the inspiration of Trader Joe. He arrived in the Morning Garden this week with a chest of treasures from Mother Earth's bounty to trade for Mother Earth Treasures. Trader Joe was so tired he traded treasures for a hot bath, a bed and a warm meal. The children loved it. Some children, upon hearing the news of Trader Joe, sailed

Martinmas photos and recipe

2010-11-24T11:52:00.000-05:00

So I finally added photos to my last post on Martinmas and you will find the Recipe for Weckmann here

Martinmas Lantern Walk

2010-11-19T10:21:00.010-05:00

Tonight is our Martinmas celebration and it's snowing the first real snow of the year here. We've been making balloon lanterns this week. We'll gather with friends, new and old, hear a story about a small boy who makes a lantern to hold Father Sun's spark and walk through the woods, share a meal and have a bonfire. This year we're baking Martinmas pastry, either Volaerens (donkey droppings)

Waldorf Homeschool Network

2010-11-13T12:03:00.001-05:00

Announcing the Waldorf Homeschool Network! I've just crated this blog as a place to come together and share and connect around the work we are doing with our children at home in Waldorf education. Come join this blog, you can be an author and post on the blog or link to your own blog. It's a place to connect, share resources and trials and tribulations for those who are doing Waldorf education

Verse to Start the Day

2010-11-12T08:43:00.002-05:00

It seems fitting to share this verse today, during the feast or festival of Saint Martin, known as Martinmas, a time of remembering to kindle our flame, to acknowledge by seeing, hearing and feeling that flame of the other, even when it is masked and vulnerable. This is the verse I say to begin my day of homeschooling: A Teacher's Thought for his Children You who out of heaven's bringhtness.Now

Hey Ho for Halloween!

2010-10-30T08:58:00.006-04:00

Halloween is my favorite time of year. For years when I wrestled with questions of religion and spiritualty and sought clarity on what made meaning for me, Halloween stood out as a holiday I could fully and whole heartedly embrace with no uncertainity or feelings of discomfort. Halloween does not invoke the sort of stress that other holidays seem to call forth. I had the good fortune of living

Storytelling ~ Sources of inspiration

2010-10-04T14:43:00.002-04:00

My sources of inspiration:Other people telling stories especially at Waldorf schools: kindergarten, parent child group, play groups, nursery programs, Joan Almon, Connia Manson, Suznne Down, workshops, trainings, performancesBooks that inspire me:Storytelling with Children by Nancy Mellon (do it as a group if possible)Suzanne Down's Autumn Tales are inspiring simple nature storiesSusan Perrow's

Storytelling with Children ~ The Speech We Bring

2010-09-14T05:57:00.004-04:00

How we tell or read a story can make a very big difference in the way the child experiences the story.The vowels carry feeling. Vowels are called the singing letters. The Ah brings wonder and awe, the E carries fear eech!, the I with understanding one's place in the world, with self assertion, here I stand! Oh brings surprise, the o of protection as in love and the long U, brings concern and

What to do with all of those ripe tomatoes?

2010-09-11T15:52:00.003-04:00

Make Tomato Goat Cheese Salad This is one of my favorites from Cafe Liliane. Actually everything we made there was worthy of favorite status! Slice tomatoes, arrange on serving plate, crumble goat cheese ( I like the chervre from Vermont Butter and Cheese) on top, roll basil leaves and make thin slices to place on top, also know as chiffonade, do this with red onion too, thin slices on top.

Storytelling with Children~Nursery Rhymes

2010-09-04T14:11:00.021-04:00

Recently I wrote about movement and lullabies as the first stories the child experiences. From lullabies, flow nursery rhymes. Sometimes they overlap with nursery rhymes sung as lullabies and often accompanied by movement and touch. An example,Sleep, baby sleep,Thy father guards the sheep,Thy mother shakes the dreamland tree and from it falls sweet dreams for thee,Sleep baby sleep.........One

Storytelling with Children~Movement and Lullabies

2010-09-04T12:41:00.018-04:00

Many parents have asked me over the years, to write something about language, literacy and story telling with children: why story telling, why not reading, why does reading come later, what stories to use, when to use them, why tell them rather than read them and what props to use. The philosophy major in me wants to explain everything in great detail which becomes quite lengthy (and dull), so

Toy Story 3

2010-08-12T07:49:00.003-04:00

Sarah Baldwin offers some thoughtful commentary on The movie Toy Story 3. You can find it by clicking here.