Eucalyptus

We harvest the leaves from some fallen branches out back...



We cut them up into small pieces and made a tincture...



...and some eucalyptus-infused honey. Maybe tomorrow we will dye wool and silk with the dried leaves.

While we cut the leaves I told the girls some eucalyptus stories. We talked about what kinds of remedies we could make and what ailments they would cure. They retain more than I imagined they would: yesterday Isla had a splinter in her foot and she said, "We need plantain! I have to make a poultice to pull the splinter out of my foot!" Today she said she had a stuffy nose, "But I don't want to breathe in eucalyptus steam!"

Bird Whisperer

The eggs that were laid in the nest made in Isla's hanging bike helmet outside hatched a while ago. We left the babies alone, and it looks like they grew up enough to fly. Our front door was open and two flew right inside! Luckily Grandpa Tapa was near, so we enlisted his help with freeing our bird friends. I imagined he would get a broom to shoo them outside or something but instead he calmly went up to first one then the other. He talked to them and then gently cupped one at a time in his big hands. The girls got to see each one up close for just a split second before they burst out of Tapa's hands into their sky home. Isla even pet one!

California Poppy

Chopping it all up...

It does not "fmell" very good.


Our neighbor was pulling out a bunch of California poppy in front of her home. It was the perfect opportunity to harvest some and make some tincture. Isla was very excited about the helpful qualities of the poppy, and even feigned a toothache so she could try pressing the root against her gums (it didn't end up being a popular remedy because of the taste!). We did have fun chopping up the plants and making tincture, although the best part ended up being finding caterpillars among the leaves.

Surfing with Dolphins

Another incredible day at the beach. The girls got to go surfing with Daddy, and about ten minutes into their session dozens of dolphins came out to join them, flipping and jumping within a few feet of them. Goodness, I need a better camera. I was able to snap a couple of grainy shots, but they don't come close to capturing the magic of this afternoon.

Camping in Big Sur

We Eat Veggies

I was at the park with the girls the other day. They were running around, each with a cucumber in one hand and a hunk of bell pepper in the other, happily munching and playing. I overheard some parents nearby swapping stories of how difficult it is to get young children to eat healthy food. Then one mom asked me how on earth I got my kids to eat vegetables. I think if the only choices children are offered are healthy choices, children won't turn up their noses at fresh vegetables or other healthy food.

I hear all the time things like, "All my little one will eat is mac and cheese and sugary treats!" Hmmm. If I offered my girls mac and cheese and sugary treats I bet that's all they'd ask for, too. That's my challenge from here on out - to offer my girls ONLY healthy foods. I don't want to be too extreme, so we are going to have ice cream this summer and all of that, but it will be homemade ice cream, sweetened just a little with honey or stevia. I can already tell that the hardest part will be to get the grandmas on board! I am trying to find the healthy way to make everything, and in doing that we end up learning all about spices, herbs, flowers, and other plants. Here's our homemade root beer, made from sarsaparilla, fennel, cinnamon, fizzy mineral water and honey:


Anyway, I didn't want to sound too smug and obnoxious, so at the park that day I gave the other end of the explanation as to why my girls eat veggies: they garden! They grow this stuff, and they're proud of it. When they want a snack, they run out to their garden and pick a hunk of cauliflower or broccoli... or kale. The part I try not to rub in other moms' faces is that these vegetables taste good to them because they are not comparing them to the taste of this morning's cupcake, or this afternoon's packaged mac n cheese. (They do get mac n cheese, of course, but it is made with brown rice noodles and bone broth, and has a sauce made from blended kale and parmesan, with nutritional yeast and avocado on top... oh wait, I was trying not to sound smug!)

Lavender

I had a very proud "mama moment" last night. Lyra burned her finger on a dish of elderberry dumplings we had just made, and I had gotten her a cup of cool water and a cold potato slice to put on it. While I was off looking for my honey and bandaids Isla said, "Mom! We need lavender! Lavender helps burns, remember?" I had forgotten! We made an infusion (strong tea, left covered 15 minutes to steep), cooled it with an ice cube, and applied napkins soaked in it to Lyra's burns. It was the only thing that helped. She didn't complain once after the lavender. I was so happy that Isla had learned such an important thing from our week of loving on lavender, that it is not just delicious (although we have certainly enjoyed the deliciousness of it as well):



Lavender cake, lavender tea, lavender lemon aid, lavender infused honey... We make as many treats and remedies as possible from each plant we are learning about. This, along with stories about the plants and their corresponding fairies, seems to give the girls an extra connection to the plant.



I beam with pride whenever I hear them explaining to a friend or relative about the different healing qualities of this or that plant. We go on walks and the girls call out, "wild mustard!... wild radish!... nasturtium!... sage!... yarrow!... plantain!..." and it makes me so happy.



We have dozens of useful plant books at home, but my favorite kid-friendly resources are "Herb Fairies" and "Herbal Roots Zine," both absolutely worth checking out. We started with a few by Rosemary Gladstar, and for the kids I got, "A Kid's Herb Book," by Lesley Tierra, and "Walking the World in Wonder - A Children's Herbal," by Ellen Evert Hopman. If you are pregnant I highly recommend "The Wise Woman's Herbal for the Childbearing Year." It is incredibly user-friendly and thorough, and is great for beginners as well as "seasoned" herbalists.

Candle Making

Advent

This is the first year we have really taken to Advent. I have clumsily tried to honor all of the many traditions of our mixed family, and somehow they have all been coming together this year. I wanted to give my children a connection to Hanukkah, which my step family is so culturally tied to, but all I had to go with were childhood memories of a menorah next to our Christmas tree. This year we lit the Menorah each night of Hanukkah we were home, sang the songs, danced the Horah, and made latkes on the last night. Rather than telling the stories, we simply told the children that Hanukkah is about bringing light into darkness, and about miracles, big and small. The children really took to it, and since the elements I incorporated were tied to my own upbringing I didn't feel like a phony, as I was afraid I would.

Advent, however, is totally new to our family. I didn't even hear about it until my adult life, so I really didn't feel a connection to it until this year. As with Hanukkah, we are incorporating the aspects that feel true to our family, and so far it has been a lovely start to a new tradition in our home. Here's how it looks at our house:

Our little Advent garden...


At dinner each night, we sing the song:

Advent, advent a candle glows,
Advent, advent a candle glows,
First one, then two, then three, then four.
Then stands the child of light at the door.
Advent, advent a candle glows.

Then we light the appropriate number of candles and say the verses up to the week we are on.

The first week of Advent is the light of the stones,
The light that shines in seashells, crystals and bones.

The second week of Advent is the light of the plants,
Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance.

The third week of Advent is the light of the beasts,
Our animal friends, every one, from greatest to the least.

The fourth week of Advent is the light of humankind,
The light that shines in all of us, in hand, heart and mind.

The last light of Advent is for the birth of light,
That came to warm the earth in the darkness of the night.

After dinner, the girls each open a door on our advent calendar. They do not get a piece of candy or a little gift, as I don't want to make this season more about sugar and consumerism than it already is. All they "get" from opening the little door is a peek at a beautiful picture, but they are just as enthusiastic and delighted as they would be to get a piece of chocolate or a little toy. I like that Advent holds this anticipation for the children.

This year we are mindfully trying to shift the focus from getting to giving. It is difficult when everywhere we turn well-meaning friends and strangers ask the children what they are asking for from Santa. Why don't we ask what they are giving loved ones? We have been working on lots of projects for gifts: painting wooden frames, finger knitting, rolling beeswax candles. I am excited to spend an afternoon lovingly wrapping each one with the children. They will each have a little sack to put their gifts in which they can take with them to grandparents' houses and generously pass out gifts to their family. I think after all of the St. Nicholas and Santa Lucia stories we've been telling them they will really enjoy this.

And just for fun, and since it is seasonally appropriate, my first chalkboard drawing...

Menorah Craft

Lyra and I had fun with this Hanukkah craft. It was really simple, but came out looking so pretty on our table and mantle, especially as we lit the candles. You will need: 8 small baby food jars, clean and dry; 1 larger baby food jar, clean and dry; tissue paper in assorted colors; mod podge; paint brushes; scissors (optional). Cut or tear the tissue paper into small pieces. Set aside in separate piles. Brush one jar with mod podge and stick tissue paper all over it. Coat the outside with another layer of mod podge. Set upside down to dry. Repeat with all other jars. Once dry, place a tea light inside each jar. Viola! (We used a small pillar candle in the center jar, so we could use it to light the others. We put a little clay in the bottom so it would stick.)

Autumn Nature Table

My Favorite Waldorf Supplies Websites

For the basics - Sarah's Silks play silks, wooden kitchens and accoutrement, wooden bowls and cutlery, and rocker boards (last two sites only):

www.novanatural.com
www.palumba.com
www.bellalunatoys.com
www.atoygarden.com

For a discount on Waldorf toys and homeschool supplies, art and craft supplies, Weleda, supplies to make your own silk canopies and play silks, glockenspiels, choroi flutes, etc... (and to support a fabulous homeschooling Waldorf mama and her four children)

www.cedarringcircle.com

For gnome homes, gnomes, and handmade dolls by the lovely Christine:

www.thepuppenstube.com

For the best "Heavy Baby" doll kits:

www.dreampixie.com

And more doll-making kits:

www.weirdolls.com

For Waldorf wooden frames, beautiful advent calendars, wooden mushrooms, and other hard-to-find toys:

www.waldorf-toys.com

For eurythmy supplies, art supplies, and beautiful musical instruments:

www.art-makes-sense.com

Martinmas Celebration for 2-5 Year-Olds

Martinmas is a popular festival in our home. I and L both really connect with the story of St. Martin, and both adore reverently carrying their little lights with purpose on a dark night. I was sitting at the computer Monday night, thinking about this, and decided to throw a spontaneous Martinmas celebration and lantern walk. Evites were sent out immediately, and the whole night came together with relatively little preparation.

Monday night we sent the evite, which read:

"We would love your company Wednesday night for an evening in celebration of the little lights in our lives that keep our paths aglow, even in times of darkness.

*Please bring a washed, chopped vegetable to add to our soup pot for dinner, and warm clothing for you and your little ones.

Schedule:
5pm - arrive and add vegetable to soup pot
5pm-5:30pm - lantern making craft
5:30pm - Stone Soup story and St. Martin puppet show
5:40pm - Lantern Walk in the dark!
6 or 6:15ish - Soup and bread dinner, and apple cider

If you would like the words to our lantern song:

"I walk with my little lantern
My lantern goes with me.
Above the stars are shining,
Below, on Earth, shine we.

The Moon, she glows
The cat meows
Hey, hey, hey!
La Poomba La Pumba La Hey!"

Hope to see you there!"

Then the planning began. Tuesday I got everything I needed for the lanterns and food.

For the lanterns, you will need:

enough baby food jars for each child, plus a few extras
pipe cleaners to twist around the mouth of jars, and up into handles
mod podge or other glue
tissue paper in red, orange and yellow
electric tea lights or beeswax tea lights



Wednesday afternoon we set the dining table with a bowl of apples, cucumbers and other snacks



And made some gluten-free muffins with persimmons from our friend's ranch. (The secret here was to get a gluten free muffin mix and add hochiya persimmon pulp and pumpkin pie spices.)



An hour and a half or so before guests were to arrive, I roasted a butternut squash and an acorn nut squash. While they were roasting I filled the crock pot with cider and cinnamon sticks, and set a couple of jars beside it with cinnamon sticks in them for garnish. Then I got out our biggest pot and sautéed garlic and onions in some butter. Then, in went vegetable broth, lots of chopped veggies, and the squash. As guests arrived, each brought a washed, chopped vegetable and added it to our soup:



The children decorated their lanterns at a little table outside, ate muffins, apples and cucumbers, and ran around the yard and house. After everyone - all twelve of them - had made a lantern, I went around and let the children know that we would have a story and puppet show in five minutes. Everyone was enthusiastic and gathered in the living room, which was now dark as I had turned off all the lights. I sat at the story table and lit some candles, told my version of Stone Soup, and then sang a St. Martin puppet show.



Next, it was time for the lantern walk. Each child collected his or her lanterns, and I passed out the lights. They lined up at the back gate and we sang the lantern song while we walked (ok, and sometimes ran) out along the nature path out back in a big loop. The children did so well!



It was so beautiful to see these tiny ones with their little lights, all walking in a long procession in the darkness. Of course the pictures I took from my phone do not do it justice:



The children returned to our home for a bonfire, apple cider with cinnamon sticks, the Stone Soup they had made, and bread.



They loved playing with my husband:



And I think the last guests left at around 7. Short and sweet, and absolutely lovely. Here is Isla's rendition of the event:

Salt Caves in SB

The girls tried out the Salt Caves on State Street during the children's hour. We think it's a fun, albeit short, rainy day activity. Check their website for available times at www.saltcavesb.com.

Autumn in Santa Barbara

Enjoying the harvest at their uncle's house:



Picking the perfect pumpkin:



Finding lizard friends at the park:



Making and re-making the Autumn Nature Table:



Practicing dressing up for Halloween: (The amazing felted fox hat is from vaiva nat on etsy.)

Incredibly Easy Baby Sweater Pattern

With so many of my dearest friends pregnant, I have been knitting a little again. This sweater just happened organically, but it turned out so cute I wanted to share the pattern. It is suitable as a first knitting project so even if you are very new to knitting, this is one that you can do in a couple of days:



I used a chunky weight alpaca yarn.

To make the front piece:
cast on 28 rows
knit 52 rows (26 wavy lines)
cast off

To make the back piece:
repeat what you did for the front piece

To make the sleeves
cast on 20
knit 32 (16 wavy lines)
(do this twice so that you have two sleeves)

Arrange the front and back pieces so that the front piece is right-side up and the back piece is above it, upside down.
Whipstitch the shoulders together, leaving a lot of room in the middle for Baby's head to come through.
Arrange the sleeves so that the lines are going the opposite way as the lines of the body. Whipstitch all the way across so that you now have a shape like a cross. Then you can fold the sweater at the neck and whipstitch from the edge of the sleeve down to the armpit, and all the way down to the bottom of the sweater.

Make a Heavy Baby

Both the girls love their heavy babies, which I made as birthday presents this year. The pattern is from www.dreampixie.com, and is so easy! There is something different about a handmade toy that we have never captured in the store-bought variety. I think my girls can feel the love that went into making their dolls every time they hold them. I wondered if watching me make them would diminish the magic of seeing the finished baby, but I don't think it did. If anything, it made them appreciate the effort it takes to make a toy.

Michaelmas Finery

Last year we celebrated Michaelmas for almost a week, culminating in a big celebration on the actual day. Each day we had a puppet show and practiced a song:

The Autumn winds blow open the gate,
St. Micha-el for you we wait.
We follow you,
Show us the way,
With joy we greet this Autumn day.
Good morning! Good morning! Good morning!

The first day we dyed silk capes, the second day we opened dragon masks, a gift from my dear friend Hilary and her sweet son:



The third day we unwrapped handmade wooden swords of light, and the fourth and final day we made Dragon Bread. Since it had to be gluten-free, I had a little trouble with the consistency. We changed course midway through, putting carob chips in it and forming muffin-shaped rolls instead. These we called "Dragon Eggs" and they inspired a fitting activity:



The girls donned their capes and carried their swords through the "woods" (our living room, which we set up as an obstacle course), on a mission to find the eggs (which I hid throughout the house). It was really sweet, and went with the stories and puppet shows we had been working on that week.

I can't wait for more inspiring ideas for this year.

Lazure Children's Room