Tuesday

Eggcellent!

A simple alternative to painted eggs.  Take squares of bleeding tissue paper wet and apply them to blown out eggs, let them dry and admire your colored egg!

Seasonal Wreath

The snow has melted, feeding the earth. Life in the underworld is awakening. I have spotted fresh shoots reaching through the dirt, stretching upwards towards the sky.  Spring is here and if you were to come and visit our humble abode you would get a feeling of spring being indoors.  Our little fairies have come to grace our seasonal wreath and we are all about celebrating this new season of growth and possibilities.


 

Monday

Sunday was the first Toy Making with Children workshop here at Singing Tree and it was fun!  It felt nice to be gathered with people creating works of art.  The children played as parents felted and people left inspired. 

Tuesday

Break the Back of Winter



Here is a legend taken from the book "The Mammoth Hunters" by Jean Auel, one of my favorite series. I love her use of description and learning how a long time ago people lived with deep reverence to Earth Mother. 

"Sit down, I'll tell you a winter story about the Great Bountiful Earth Mother who created all that lives," the old man said, smiling.  Ayla sat beside him on a mat near the fire.

"In a great struggle, the Earth Mother took a life force from Chaos, which is a cold and unmoving emptiness, like death, and from it she created life and warmth, but She must always fight for the life she created.  When the cold season is coming on, we know the struggle has begun between the Bountiful Earth Mother who wants to bring forth warm life, and cold death of Chaos, but first she must care for her children.

Ayla was warming to the story, now and smiling encouragingly. "What does She do to care for Her children?"

"Some she puts to sleep, some She dresses warmly to resist the cold, some She bids gather food and hides.  As it gets colder, death seems to be winning, the Mother is pushed back father and farther. In the depths of the cold season, when the Mother is locked in the battle of life and death, nothing moves, nothing changes, everything seems to be dead. For us, without a warm place to live and the food that is stored, death would win in winter; sometimes, if the battle goes on longer than usual, it does.  no one goes out much, then.  People make things, or tell stories, or talk, but they don't move around much and they sleep more.  That's why winter is called the little death."

"Finally, when the cold has pushed Her down as far as She will go, She resists. She pushes and pushes until She breaks the back of winter.  It means spring will return but it is not before She can bring forth life again.  But you know She has won.  You can smell it, you can feel it in the air."

I have definitely been feeling winter leaving my bones and the life of spring coming into my spirit. I feel more alive and a surge of creativity has crept in.  This Friday in celebration of spring we took a nature walk to the arboretum.  It was a lovely day as the children found the freedom one finds  when surrounded by trees, a wide open blue sky, singing birds and nurturing adults.  It was a pause into the moment where we stopped to observe the coming forth of new life, new buds, flying geese and the smell of fresh earth.  As I watched the children run, skip, roll down a hill that was most recently covered in snow I reveled at their wonder.  As springs comes upon us I feel stirrings of new life within and as I watch these little people live in the moment I feel stirrings of inner growth.


Monday

Bubbling Brook

Yesterday was a magical day for me.  I spent the day and night by myself, no kids, no friends just me.  I crafted, sang, danced and even shed some tears.  What stands out the most was sitting  on that brown bench beside the bubbling brook. The sun shone through the trees. It seemed like it's beams were intentionally directed at me to keep me warm.  I sat there felting and paused to meditate.  When I closed my eyes all came to a standstill and my awareness opened to the sing song of birds and lulling sound of running water.  I took deep breathes of fresh spring air and felt deep contentment for my life.  I truly am happy with life.  I love where I live, I love my work, I love my children and I love the people in my life.  There is nothing more that I need than what I have right now in every moment. 

Sunday

Dear Zoe and Owen

I was going through my pictures on Flickr and I found a treasure of pictures from when you were little.  I can't believe how much you've grown and keep growing.

 Look at you Zoe!  You are so cute! I wish I could jump into this picture,  right now and we could play with Cocot like that again.


Owen!   Look at that face. Look at those teeth.  Look at that pudge! I wish I could reach into the picture and give you a great big hug.

I love you, 
Mommy

Wednesday

Bubble Fun



If ever you are in one of those situations where your kids are bored and looking for something to do this is a simple fun activity. Pour a few drops of water into a cup, mix with water and allow your child to do what they  love to do; blow bubbles. 


Elodie had so much fun that her bubble making had her blowing for a half hour.  She made this great wonderful rumbling sound with every blow it was great.

Tuesday

A beautiful Spring Day

Spring has arrived early and we are glowing from all the outdoor play.  Save for quiet time we spent the day outdoors, playing, running, eating and singing.


Here is the Great Wall of China built by Joshua and Owen.
Plant Bath is just a hop and a skip away so you will often find us there. 

It being such a nice, sunny, warm day, we decided to have our first outdoor meal. As we
sat around the table to eat Adam Guzman Poole, Naomi's brother arrived with
guitar in hand.  He serenaded us with popular hits like "Old MacDonald had a farm".
We sang laughed and had  a great time. We love having special guests.


 After a great morning of outdoor play there is nothing like a great 
nap to recharge for more play.

Sunday

It was a rainy day so Zoe and I took advantage and felted some dolls. It was nice to spend some quiet time together creating our pieces of art.  She is growing so fast and I realized as we sat side by side that these moments of togetherness are precious.  I hope your rainy day was just as special.

Thursday

Wet Felting

Join this workshop for some artistic fun.  Wet felting is the process of taking raw wool, hot water, soap and friction to make beautiful pieces of art.  In this workshop we will wall hangings, small blankets or play mats for children.  It will be fun and inspirational.  The great thing about wet felting is that no artistic skill is required and every art piece is beautiful!

Wednesday

Join this workshop for some felting fun.  Learn how to use a felting needle and raw wool to make beautiful toys. In this workshop we will take 2 hours to learn how to make soft balls for your children.  Leave feeling inspired with a technique to make felted fruits, vegetables and animals.  Share with other women as we create works of art.
Children are welcome to participate or play.  Supplies and light snack will be provided. Contact me Annie Bananie to let me know of your attendance.  Happy Spring to you!
March 28th, 2010
09:30-11:30
$25/adult- children are free
light snack provided

Monday

A verse for you!

 Here is a little verse that we have started saying before our lunch time ritual.

Two little feet go tap, tap, tap
Two little hands go clap,clap, clap
A quiet little leap from my chair
Two little arms reach high in the air!
Two little feet go jump, jump, jump
Two little fists go thump, thump, thump
Then we all put on a a golden crown
And last of all sit  quietly down

Sunday

Today Naomi, Zoe and I  gathered to clean and organize our space.  Jeremy a friend volunteered his time to help out.  The basement is now organized (thanks Jeremy :) and the side entrance is free of clutter.  The baseboards and walls are gleaming. Working together we got inspired by the space we work in.  
Not only do we have spring fever but we are getting ready for our open house. March 27 will be the big day where we open our doors to families who are interested in checking out our space and programs for kids.  It's from 10:00 - 13:00 if  you feel like dropping by.   I have to say that I work with 2 really amazing women and I love my life!