Dear Lord, please give me
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humor;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.
Amen.
Author Unknown
Fall has swept by as a whirlwind of busyness in our lives. A move, new work flowing in, school, birthdays, and travels. Living life to its fullest has kept me from finding much time to write, but I am beginning, once again, to feel the urge. To document, share, reflect. December seems to have a way of doing that, doesn't it?
This year, we were honored to enter the season and welcome winter in a most special gathering for a solstice celebration with shares of all kinds...song, dance, poetry, piano pieces, and even a surprise acrobatic stunt! I prepared myself to sing on my own, but was happily surprised to have Julian accompany me throughout. What an inspirational night that I continue to carry with me on this night, as the celebrations are all so very connected.
To anyone who will listen, my growing boy proudly and excitedly shares his new age. "Did you think I was four? Nope. I'm FIVE!" Yes, my little five year old trickster. What a turning point for me!
The Christmas season has been thoroughly enjoyed with excitement and joy by both this big boy and his little sister, who shares in any and all laughter with her brother. Caroling and young Night Before Christmas recitations paved the way to the family gatherings and presents.
I found myself working up to the deadline of Christmas morning (deja vu from last year!) to finish a knit. Gotta have those deadlines. After surrendering to the embroidery not being quite finished, I filled and hung the stocking to be discovered in the morning. The scents and glow from hearth, tree and our beeswax candles gave sweet reminders that Lulu really won't mind that the snowflakes aren't complete. And, indeed, ownership of this new Christmas treasure was taken very well as she proclaimed repeatedly, "My stocking!"
One week later, stockings piled aside, the house is reminiscent of the winter stew that was stove top for hours and feasted upon in preparation for our goodbyes to 2011. In anticipation of shared wishes to bring, as well as leave behind, I am off to embrace this transition to new light, hopes, and dreams to fulfill this next year.
Happy New Year!
Ah, the inquisitive almost five year old mind:
"How could the first person be alive when there was no one for him to be in a tummy?"
"How did the first person who made pancakes know how to make pancakes?"
"Are there more cars or people in the world? Oh, I know. Cars! We're four people and our family can fit in one car!"
After a fun filled summer of swimming, day camping, lots of play with friends and family and many miles traveled, I have begun to sense that familiar change in rhythm creeping in. Autumn. While still warm and beautiful, it brings with its new season, a light that always takes me by surprise.
Perhaps, it is in this new light where I find myself slowing down and reflecting. In the next few months, I'll most definitely be reflecting on this wondrous, little person turning five come December.
Making - laundry soap.
Seeing - red - his favorite color.
Hearing - daddy! - her favorite word.
Decluttering - continually.
Mixing - pancake batter with a new helper.
Picking - lettuces and radishes.
Ordering - beds for the kids.
Riding - an old bike with a new basket for the produce run.
Reconnecting - with a yoga practice.
Enjoying - fewer problems to solve.
Observing - artistic creations.
Eating - beet greens.
Contemplating - connections to new groups of people.
Hiking - with friends in the woods.
Reading - articles that calm the nerves.
Anticipating - summer plans...
...with a rare sense of calm and focus carrying me through these last weeks of spring.
This is a belated post about a most special, first birthday present received back in February. The package arrived just in time. I was awestruck by the colors, the style, and most of all, the love so clearly put into this hand knit gift from Aunt Lora. A pixie coat of her very own.
Julian giggles at her cuteness as she makes her way around like the miniature elf that she is. What a joy to wrap her in this luscious woolen. We are so grateful for this gift that will remain with us for many years. Quite possibly, until she has a little pixie of her own!
This weekend was a sweet one. Pancakes, cookie sale, ice cream cones and strawberries.
We joined in on a neighbor's yard sale, with none other than our favorite sourdough, chocolate chip cookies to sell. I think our neighbor's ended up buying the majority of them, Julian and Lulu ate another large quantity, and then the random passersby purchased a few. Plans for the lemonade stand are already in the works.
As the baskets of strawberries have started to arrive from the farm, we have fully enjoyed the hint of summer flavor. We took advantage this weekend of an opportunity to visit the farm and see just where our food is grown. And, what better excuse to go, but to pick strawberries?
Strawberries and cheese, strawberries on oatmeal, a crumble, and we've still got some left. I tried a soaked granola crumble. Although tasty, there's not much of a crunch to it. I'll keep modifying until I get that crumble just so. Really, I don't mind.
We returned home this evening with two sleeping babes. Dreaming of a day filled with baby ducks, chickens, Easter crafts, and the hunt. The hunt that I was also lined up for long ago. Now all those kids that surrounded me in the lineup, stand by me as we watch our littles.
Prior to the hunt, Lulu discovered the orange tree. She found her way swiftly to the one orange that had fallen. This was her hunt. Once she caught up with the kids scattering all around, seeking their treasures, she happily found a spot to work on hers.
After the orange, we moved on to brown. A brown that all the kids enjoyed, made simply by turning on the hose. This was the 'thing' from last year, and the kids remembered it well. They gathered at the same spot, waiting for the dry dirt to turn into mud.
Who would have thought that this year, orange and brown would be the greatest Easter colors?
Last week's adventure with the homeschooling group took us to a community garden. I entered through the gate in awe. Each plot was uniquely cared for, decorated and planned out, yet all with the shared goal of growing one's own food.
I watched as the children required little instruction as to how to interact with the soil. From gathering compost dirt, wheeling it to their plot and working it into the soil. Dirt was shoveled, sifted, mounded, and pressed between toes. Seeds were sown and watered. A single blue lake bean was brought home to observe and record its growth in a new journal. Even Lulu, strapped to my back, watched each step of the process finding her chances to participate (and, quite well, I might add!)
I left with a sense of nourishment and two sleepy kids from our morning of working the soil.
The Easter preparations are underway. The wheatgrass is only a week old and has already grown much taller than the baskets. A little trim will be in order before the Easter Bunny comes.
The lightest eggs from the farm were boiled and dyed for gifts and to crack at our own table. Seeds for our butterfly garden were scattered amongst some new, spring flowers. Loaf after loaf of bread emerges from the oven to accompany our breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some are beginning to make their way out the door for others, as well.
Loving the inspiration I feel with this season, and specifically represented by this holiday. New life, new growth, new beginnings. What could be more inspirational than that?
Maybe one thing. John the Rabbit, by Elizabeth Mitchell. Have loved this since I first heard it, and am so thankful to have received her music as a gift!
A few weeks ago, a gathering was enjoyed in anticipation of a new spring babe coming any day now. For the mama and her dearest friends, tea and our best wishes were shared as she enters motherhood of two. I entered this journey with her, when our firsts were just five and seven weeks old. Four years later, we still share all that we learn about each new phase. She listens. She supports. She shares her wealth of knowledge. One of the women at this gathering expressed gratitude in that she feels that she is a better mother because of her. I couldn't agree more.
The 'game' was to name the baby. Each shared her favorites and we managed to narrow the list down to two. The 'gift' was a lavender sachet to match the tea of choice to take home.
Now, we simply await the arrival and chance to gather once again!
