Wednesday, December 9, 2009
First Big Snow
William and Charlie have been so worried lately that there might not be any snow for Christmas...so they were thrilled to get outside today and play in the first really substantial snowfall. I was a little less thrilled, I admit, to wrestle with the snow pants, hats, mitts, pant legs that won't stay down, hoods that won't stay up, wrists that won't stay covered.... They had so much fun, though, that I soon got over my grumpies. Sometimes I need to remind myself that snow is more than just cold and beautiful. It is the canvas for snow angels, the stuff of perfect throwing balls, the cement of the best forts, that delicate and delicious speck on your tongue, the softest landing, the provider of shelter, comfort, and fun. Welcome, winter.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Chickadee Tree
We have really been enjoying the programs at one of the local conservation areas lately. Today we went birdwatching, and to visit the Chickadee Tree. We have been here before, but really, it never gets old. William, who had been feeling a little off balance all weekend, stood perfectly still for about 20 minutes as dozens of chickadees landed on his hat and hand to nibble on black oil sunflower seeds. I think that it did him a world of good.
Here's a link for the Audubon Society with some great info on attracting and feeding birds in your back yard.
Here's a link for the Audubon Society with some great info on attracting and feeding birds in your back yard.Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Christmas In The Big Woods
In the morning they all woke up almost at the same moment. They looked in their stockings, and something was in them. Santa Claus had been there. Alice and Ella and Laura in their red flannel nightgowns, and Peter in his red flannel night shirt, all ran shouting to see what he had brought.
In each stocking there was a pair of bright red mittens, and there was a long, flat stick of red-and-white-striped peppermint candy, all beautifully notched along each side.
They were all so happy they could hardly speak at first. They just looked with shining eyes at those lovely Christmas presents. But Laura was happiest of all. Laura had a rag doll.
She was a beautiful doll. She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and ravelled, so that it was curly. She had little red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes, and her dress was pretty pink and blue calico.
She was so beautiful that Laura could not say a word. She just held her tight and forgot everything else.....
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House in the Big Woods
In each stocking there was a pair of bright red mittens, and there was a long, flat stick of red-and-white-striped peppermint candy, all beautifully notched along each side.
They were all so happy they could hardly speak at first. They just looked with shining eyes at those lovely Christmas presents. But Laura was happiest of all. Laura had a rag doll.
She was a beautiful doll. She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and ravelled, so that it was curly. She had little red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes, and her dress was pretty pink and blue calico.
She was so beautiful that Laura could not say a word. She just held her tight and forgot everything else.....
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House in the Big Woods
Thursday, December 3, 2009
There is no ideal Christmas; only the Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, and traditions.
- Bill McKibben
Our family has been trying, a little more each year, to remove ourselves from all of the parts of Christmas that are not in line with our values. I admit that it has been a long road, and that we have a very long way to go yet. Even with not being a part of the traditional school system, even without watching cable TV, I am amazed at how much we get drawn up in the commercialization of the holidays. I have so much admiration for those families who are truly living their values - filling their homes with natural warmth, dedicating the season to reconnecting with and giving to others, and showing their love and gratitude with hand made gifts. These families take on the extra 'work' that comes from making their own gifts with a smile (and perhaps a good strong cup of coffee). I am sure that each and every one of those gifts, made with so much intention and love, will be remembered long after any mass produced plastic toy picked up on the fly has been forgotten. What a beautiful gift that is to give a child.
I'm sending you these tiny gifts
and know you'll understand
Why I'd rathert send you something
that I made myself by hand.
- a Victorian Christmas card
- Bill McKibben
Our family has been trying, a little more each year, to remove ourselves from all of the parts of Christmas that are not in line with our values. I admit that it has been a long road, and that we have a very long way to go yet. Even with not being a part of the traditional school system, even without watching cable TV, I am amazed at how much we get drawn up in the commercialization of the holidays. I have so much admiration for those families who are truly living their values - filling their homes with natural warmth, dedicating the season to reconnecting with and giving to others, and showing their love and gratitude with hand made gifts. These families take on the extra 'work' that comes from making their own gifts with a smile (and perhaps a good strong cup of coffee). I am sure that each and every one of those gifts, made with so much intention and love, will be remembered long after any mass produced plastic toy picked up on the fly has been forgotten. What a beautiful gift that is to give a child.
I'm sending you these tiny gifts
and know you'll understand
Why I'd rathert send you something
that I made myself by hand.
- a Victorian Christmas card
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christmas Let Down
Three years ago, we went to a local conservation area around Christmas time and had a truly lovely evening. We stopped in to visit with the birds of prey and to play in the hay barn, went on a breathtaking horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow covered forest, decorated Christmas cookies by a fire, the kids made beautiful punched tin tree ornaments, and then went in for a private visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause. It was magical, believable, and fun.
Last year, we tried to recreate the same experience.....somewhat less magical.
We decided to give it one more try this year, in spite of the ridiculously inflated price. Here was the outcome..... the nature centre, which was wonderful to explore before, had been 'transformed' into a rather tacky 'Elf Training Centre'. The sleigh ride was packed full and had none of the intimacy that was so wonderful the first year. Punched tin ornaments had been replaced by plastic beads and pipe cleaners, and Mrs. Clause was not only in her 40s, but had beautiful auburn hair sticking out from under her wig. Santa's beard was so artificial that William (6 years old!) commented on it from across the room. Now to be fair, part of my frustration surely came from the fact that it was pouring down rain - not quite my vision of a white Christmas. But really, we were all extremely disappointed.
I guess it goes to show that if there is money to be made, people (and organizations) often lose sight of the initial impulse. This year, there was so much demand for this trip that the waiting list started to form in September (we had to register in August!!). What saddens me the most, is that there is the potential for this 'event' to be really great, and still earn a lot of money for the conservation area. Instead, it was a disaster. Certainly not something that we will do again. At least Charlie enjoyed the cookies!
Last year, we tried to recreate the same experience.....somewhat less magical.
We decided to give it one more try this year, in spite of the ridiculously inflated price. Here was the outcome..... the nature centre, which was wonderful to explore before, had been 'transformed' into a rather tacky 'Elf Training Centre'. The sleigh ride was packed full and had none of the intimacy that was so wonderful the first year. Punched tin ornaments had been replaced by plastic beads and pipe cleaners, and Mrs. Clause was not only in her 40s, but had beautiful auburn hair sticking out from under her wig. Santa's beard was so artificial that William (6 years old!) commented on it from across the room. Now to be fair, part of my frustration surely came from the fact that it was pouring down rain - not quite my vision of a white Christmas. But really, we were all extremely disappointed.
I guess it goes to show that if there is money to be made, people (and organizations) often lose sight of the initial impulse. This year, there was so much demand for this trip that the waiting list started to form in September (we had to register in August!!). What saddens me the most, is that there is the potential for this 'event' to be really great, and still earn a lot of money for the conservation area. Instead, it was a disaster. Certainly not something that we will do again. At least Charlie enjoyed the cookies!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Christmas Crafting
Today's Christmas crafting (of which a lot has been happening of late) took place with a group of our homeschooling friends. Each of 5 Mamas brought an idea and enough supplies for all of the kids (all 20 of them!) to make a craft. After 2 hours and a whole lot of fun, each of the children had a collection of beautiful crafts to take home: beaded treasures, tree ornaments, lanterns, felted wreaths, and Gods eyes. This was the first of 2 crafting days - I am on the books to bring an idea for next weeks gathering. I guess I had better get working on that....
As an aside, a good friend Charlene brought the supplies and directions for making these wonderful felted wreaths. The directions, as well as a lot of other great ideas, can be found on her web site The Funky Maven.
As an aside, a good friend Charlene brought the supplies and directions for making these wonderful felted wreaths. The directions, as well as a lot of other great ideas, can be found on her web site The Funky Maven.
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