Today we made Christmas elves ,a simple and fun project made with just a handful of materials and pretty darn cute too. We got the idea from here
The gals know I am an early riser. We have our morning ritual together. I can hear them call to me when the sun begins to rise. They know I am a softie. As I open the back door they pace and jump knowing what comes next. I open up the run and out they come for grass and bugs, free to roam. They then follow me up to the back door where they wait for their breakfast, a treat of raw sunflower seeds. I love to hear the tap tap tapping of their beaks on the wood. They look up at me as if to say “thanks” and off they go to roam some more.
The first day of December is an exciting one around here especially for Mama. Every year I say I will wait just a bit longer to decorate but then I get too excited. I usually pull things out when the girls are asleep or at a neighbors house playing and they come home or awake to a surprise. So many of my own childhood memories fill me up as I set out the advent calender or the nativity scene. I remember what a simple pleasure it was opening the calender window each day to see what was inside. Now as I watch my girls do the same thing it warms my heart. Today we made pomanders with oranges and cloves. The house smelled like Christmas!
I was inspired by Erin to make a gratitude tree of our own. Norah painted several pages of watercolors which we then cut into leaves. It was fun shouting out all of the things we are so very grateful for: family, our chickens, the world, friends, grandparents, my camera, Open Connections, local farmers, farms and food, the sun and moon. If I do not return here in this space before Thanksgiving, I wish you all a very peaceful holiday.
Sunday was a beautiful, warm fall day so we decided to go for a hike in the woods. We took our favorite trail, one that we have heard is one of the oldest Native American trails in the country of the Lenape Indian. We collected leaves, hid inside gnome houses, and played “meet a tree”. One person is blind folded and led to a tree. Still blind folded, the person then has to feel the tree, feel what is around the tree, listen to sounds near the tree, and to just be with the tree. They are then led back to draw their tree. Afterwards they are to go find their tree. We also played in the stream at Indian Rocks where we collected leaf packs to find micro invertebrates. Papa is a wealth of knowledge and full of fun ideas to explore in the woods. Since Norah just turned four she has been able to do everything on her own. Crossing the stream she exclaimed “I can do it alone, I am 4!” Walking the entire trail without once asking to be held she told us, “I walked the whole way, I am 4!” The weather is still warm and mild here. We hope to squeeze in many more hikes in the woods before the bitter cold comes.
Yesterday was Norah’s 4th birthday. We had loads of fun. The day started off with presents. Papa made a stable for her favorite horse, Stormy. It has a place for the saddle, and reigns, and even a water bucket. We then had a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, followed by lots of horsie play. Friends came over in the afternoon to celebrate. There was a homemade apple pinata, pin the apple on the tree, apple cider by the fire, apple cupcakes, and lots of leaf pile jumping. Happy Birthday to our sweet little Norah! Your wit, your fire, and your love of life, are such a joy!
It’s November! Time is really starting to fly by for me. Maybe because I am having so much fun. Sometimes I want to make time stand still but sometimes I anticipate what will come next. I am trying to soak in each moment and to BE in that moment more. Not to rush. To live slowly.
I am so inspired by Nikki McClure and her beautiful artwork. I always look forward to each month with her lovely calender. Her work truly speaks to me. Her images make me want to slow down and breath. Maybe that is why I have hung her artwork all over my home. I emailed her once to thank her for her talent and told her I wanted to wallpaper my entire home with her art.
She emailed me back with a kale recipe. She is so lovely. Watch this
Our Halloween was full of carving, and baking, and roasting, and nibbling, and a lion (for the 3rd year now) and a wizard! Hope yours was full too!
We had a fun filled, fall weekend revolving around lots of apples. Applesauce, apple prints, apple cider, apple bobbing, and a pie contest entering a triple ginger apple crisp pie. We managed to fit in some pumpkin carving and mushroom making too.
Thanks to Sheri over at Cafe Mom for this fun interview
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