Sushi Party

"A family that rolls sushi together stays together"

Be happy

Be happy in the morning with what you have.
Be happy in the evening with what you are.
- Sri Chinmoy

Sharing cup

Things have been hectic around my family life. Zoe and Owen have been fighting more than usual and testing boundaries. I am finding myself getting frustrated and feeling guilty as a result. I hate that feeling of guilt it seems to creep in and leaves me wondering, aching for wisdom in my parenting skills. This evening after yet more fighting I decided to change things up a bit. I told the kids that after supper we were going to have sharing cup.

A sharing cup is akin to a talking stick. A cup is filled with herbal tea and each person sitting in a circle takes a turn sharing her/his feelings. The others in the circle stay present and holds the space for the person who is sharing. After sharing, the person takes a sip and passes the cup to the next person. I've done this ritual many times with my women friends.

Well tonight I did that with my kids and it was awesome!!! We went to the loft upstairs, lit 6 candles, sat in a circle and took turns sharing. What we shared wasn't all that significant but what came of it was most wonderful. We felt heard, listened to and loved. We even did a short meditation afterward. It was awesome and we plan on doing it more often. Now I am going to take a bath and go to bed guilt free and happy. See ya!

I am thoroughly enjoying working with people again. Having the presence of another adult is truly a blessing. Not only do we share the work load but it's nice to have someone to converse with, to bounce ideas off of and simply be with. I have been doing daycare for almost 5 years and those years were by myself. The winters were particularly hard and I ended up feeling very insulated from the outside world. This experience from working alone to working with 2 great women makes me realize that people really do need people.

Knitting

I've gotten back into knitting. Knitting always makes me feel connected to my grandmother. She taught me when I was twelve. My grandmother was an amazing woman who raised 9 children. In those days she knit not for pleasure but as a necessity to keep her family warm. As a woman she was strong and lived through many hard times. Her spirit lives in me and I feel her strength.

Milkweed Pods

This spring as the earthed warmed from it's winter's sleep I was enthralled (like I always am) by new growth. As little seeds opened themselves up to the wonder of living things, I watched with fascination at the workings of nature. In the spring plants began as young shoots and by fall have transformed into something very different. One plant that caught my attention was milkweed.

In early spring when it just begins it's rise towards the sky and is less than 15cm tall, it is edible. I've never tried one but it is said to be as delicious as asparagus, cooked greens or vegetables. There are poisonous look alike so be wary. When I get to know the plant and am positive in identifying it, I will become familiar with it's taste. Until then I am observing and learning.

As it gets energy from the sun, minerals from the earth and water from above it grows and flourishes into a plant as high as 5 ft tall. In late summer flowers bloom and become a haven for monarch butterflies, honey bees, humming birds and other insects.

Soon comes fall and flowers turn into pods where silky white milkweed fluff is stored. I recently found a patch of these tear dropped pods and collected them for the children in my life. I knew that these treasures would bring excitement and awe to their great, creative minds.


The pods were opened and small fingers took out the soft fluff. Each pod holds many seeds and each seed a new plant. We watched as the breeze gently carried the seeds away, drifting, floating like a dream. Without a word or a formal lesson children understood the importance of wind in the cycle of life. Stories are like that sometimes told without a word, without a sound and felt in a space that is deep within.


Here is an empty pod that we will keep for a future craft. With our imaginations we will find a creative use for it, a boat perhaps, a flower petal maybe, time will tell. I love how mother nature provides us with craft supplies that are free and biodegradable. Thank you mother Earth for providing us with such abundance. :)

Before I leave you, here is a little verse to do with your friends:

In a milkweed cradle all close and warm,
(place cupped hands together)

Little seeds are hiding safe from harm.
(keep hands closed)

Open wide the cradle now. Hold it high.
(open cupped hands, raise them above your head)

Come along wind, help them fly.
(Sway open hands in the air).

Taken from Earthways by Carol Petrash which is a great book if
you are looking for activities that are simple and earth friendly.
Ciao for now!

It's November and this is when I take a break from the world and retreat. At night I do bed time routine with the kids, take a bath and curl up under the covers with my book. In all of that I am working on feeling guilt free from my lack of productivity, things have been put on hold and that's ok. I hope you are well. :)

There is something about walking through the woods that is grounding for me. There is peace to be found in the serenity of trees, the beauty of water, the sun shining, clouds roaming the sky...
Within this beauty there is a silence a powerful strong silence that says "I am here". It says that compared to all there is you are small and insignificant and within all of that I hear another voice that whispers; "yet as insignificant as you are, you are part of it all."

I felt this strength of the Great Mother as I hiked through the woods with my dear friend Jay. She (Earth Mother) touched, caressed and grounded me and reminded me of the need to keep grounded within myself. I found this grace as I often do while in nature.

We began our forest walk on a well trodden path which led us to a beautiful lake. Here we decided to go around the lake. In this decision we found ourselves bush whacking it, trail breaking around the body of water.
We were grateful to be wearing good rubber boots as they waded through cold water and climbed rocks. We felt joy as our feet connected to the ground that makes up this huge planet that we live on.

Every turn held a surprise, bright green moss, huge mushrooms, a beaver damn...

a reflection of God's gifts .

Busy beavers left signs of their work.

Mushrooms of different kinds adorned trees and sprouted through wet earth.

By the time we circled around the lake the sun was setting. We took a moment to
sit back and appreciate the sun set. I felt so blessed to be there in that
moment with the sun and it's display of colors, the cool air caressing my skin
and with a great companion.

The sun at our backs we began the long journey home. As our feet walked through rusty leaves the sky became silver with moon light. The full moon graced us with her presence and
lit our way home.

I am so affected by the cycles of year. In spring I feel like a new woman and so alive and marvel at new growth. Summer is the season where I swim, canoe, kayak and enjoy the warmth of the sun. As fall arrives I am ready for entering the dark months of reflection. As a Canadian I often complain of the cold months. I am making a promise to myself to no longer complain of mother nature's expressions. I vow to live in the moment with what is, to always stay in awe of the great landscape that I am presented with in any given moment.
In these moments I come to realize that I have all that I need, that nothing is more important than what I already have; my health, clothing, good food, a comfortable home and most importantly my family and great friends.
Blessings to you!

That night when we arrived home we ate by candle light :)