Clean.

A family art project.

I really can't remember when I've had so much fun.

We spent yesterday with some dear friends - our first official farm visitors - sledding, drinking tea, and eating good food. They headed home as the sun went down and we decided that popcorn and almond butter apples were in order. For dinner. (Our answer to pizza or take-out night I suppose.)

With all that extra time we decided to make a disastrous mess out of our kitchen anyway. And make art! Together.

Inspired by Amanda's family art project, a similar piece done by a local friend, and also the projects I shared with you here on Friday, we gathered some supplies.

We wanted our piece to be part art and part manifestation board.

Acrylic paint, a big canvas (a board would do), some old calenders, books, and catalogs - and lots and lots of glitter and Mod Podge got us rolling. We worked for hours, laughing and cooperating side by side.

Our shared vision (aside for having fun and making something pretty) was to focus on our farm and the life we're setting out to create here.

A new year. A new home. An new era.

Lupine wanted lots of flowers, Pete was all about warmth, honey bees and lavender, I was seeking images of closeness, family, and community, and Sage focused on images of kids out in nature.

When it was finished we all just knew.

And this morning when we woke everyone gathered around it, beaming at what we made. 

Family art. No rules. Just cooperation and creativity.

I highly recommend it.

Happy New Year to you and your families!

 Love,

Rachel

Five family projects to cultivate gratitude.

Today I'm over on Simple Homeschool with a post for everyone (homeschoolers, schoolers, parents or kid-less).

How would your life be different in 2013 if gratitude was your mantra? I'm sharing five creative, simple projects to do just that.

My post, Skimming the Cream: Five Family Projects to Cultivate Gratitude is here. I think you're going to love this.

Love,

Rachel

Home again

So. How was it?

I hope your holiday was peaceful, joyful, and full of connection.

Or at least peaceful. (wink)

We had a lovely (albeit a bit overstimulating) holiday at my childhood home.

The overstimulating part is fascinating, considering that it is simply the four of us plus my parents and my sister. (I'm beginning to suspect that my people might be a large part of the stim-factor. [See cookie plate above.] Hmmm...)

Indeed, my sister, the kids, and I got carried away on the grain-free and gluten-free treats, so no one was lacking in the sugar buzz department. We even recreated some old family favorites like peppernut and pecan puffs, sans-gluten. Next year? Kling. (Sweet, non-potato lefse.) Oh yeah.

Truly in all it was a perfectly lovely holiday.

I left feeling the gratitude I always do after a holiday with my family. The word that comes up for me is thougthfulness. No hastily bought gifts, no excess of stuff, few off-limits treats that my kids can't enjoy.

The gifts in particular are a treasure.

Goodness, my mom bought me not only the cookbook I've been coveting, but also a vintage manual egg beater and yes, a pStyle (TMI? Sorry. But public toliets weird me out plus we're often out in the woods. This thing is brillaint. I can't believe I just told you that.)

Really. Who gives gifts like that? She's fabulous.

As for my kids, it's even better. My parents gave each of my kids four things: a pair of pajamas, a pair of pants, and a book. They also gave Lupine a headlamp and Sage a watch.

That was it.

Practical, simple things. No noisy electronics or plastic or junk.

It felt a tiny bit like Little House when Mary and Laura each got a peppermint stick and new mittens and were happier than ever.

Okay, not exactly like that, but close.

I've talked about this before and tend to get a lot of emails asking how I got my folks on board.

The truth is, I got off easy. My parents just inherently "get it".

You see, my grandparents went over the top for my sister and I and it troubled my mom. She asked them to ease up and they didn't. (20 gifts for each of us was not unusual on Christmas back then.) And it really bothered her. It was way too much.

So when I asked my mom to give few gifts and ones that aligned with our values she agreed. Embraced it even.

I know for many it isn't so easy. All I can suggest is to keep at it if it is important to you - lovingly and respectfully - and hopefully they'll catch on. Do your best to see their hearts. They are probably doing their best with what they understand and how they see the world.

One resource that might help is the Alternative Gift Registry. Here you can ask for whatever you are wanting and guide your loved ones towards choosing appropriate gifts.

 

And now?

I'm so glad to be home.

Back in the quiet of these hills.

And I'm ready to get on with the rest of winter. To snuggle in and find our rhythm again. Because no matter how magical a holiday is, finding our everyday groove is always cozy comfort.

Winter is here!

Happiest Winter Solstice to you dear friends!

Love,

Rachel

Preparing

Outside and in, it's starting to look like Solstice around here.

Much to the delight of us all, snow began to fall yesterday. More will come today and tomorrow and we couldn't be happier. Our house - somehow - is decorated inside and out, and small handmade gifts are finding their way under our tree. 

Oh how I love Solstice!

Solstice is our the big celebration at our home. We choose to spend Christmas with my parents, so Solstice is the family tradition we have created for just the four of us.

This year's holiday has been simplified. With our move and the flu and my head and heart tied up with events elsewhere in our world, we've focused in on what matters most.

Instead of knitting them each a vest (not a huge project, but too much this season) I made them each the ornament above. Sage's little gnome ornament holds a pouch at his side made from a bit of his baby sling, so my heart gets all gushy when I look at it.

I might make a tradition of crafting an ornament for each of them each year.

Pete also made them each something, and I'll give them each a "Love Coupon" for a special day with me, a homeschooling class, or some other adventure.

When I think back to the many gifts I got as a child I'm happy to provide my kids with a more simple version of Christmas. That it isn't about the stuff, but about the wonder and magic of it all. I'm really feeling that this year.

In the morning the "Solstice Elves" always leave a little something that the children share - this year they are receiving a gift certificate to the local feed store for chicks in the spring. Simple, magical stuff.

Our Solstice tradition involves a bonfire, a mid-night walk in the snow, and staying up "all night" (midnight or later). We make gingerbread houses (though interestingly this year the kids asked to make nativity scenes), dip or roll candles, laugh, and play.

I love it so.

And with that, I'll say goodbye for now. Our celebration will begin tomorrow so I'm going to take a few days to focus inward. Happy Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, and Winter to you all!

So much love,
Rachel

Finding blessings.

On Saturday the children and I baked holiday cookies.

Before we began I gathered them together around a candle at our table.

"Let's light a candle first," I told them. "We'll light a candle for anyone on Earth who is hurting or sad, sick or angry today. We'll send our love to them through this light."

"Why, mama?"

Yes, why? How do you tell them why without shattering the magic realm in which they dwell?

"Because," I told them, "if we focus on sending love to those who need it most right now, maybe they will feel it. Maybe our love can reach all around the world, to everyone who is sad today."

We pictured the light of that small flame glowing out and encircling the Earth, touching every life that is filled with pain right now. We kept that flame buring all day.

And even for me, that's a better feeling than focusing on the details of something unspeakable. To focus instead on how can we shine love into this darkness.

We held hands and I said a silent prayer.

And then I kissed each of my children strong and hard on the head.

"I love you so much," I told them. "Every day I am thankful to have you in my life."

They hustled off to gather baking supplies and I said another prayer. And cried a little more for the children.

My kids do not know what happened on Friday.

I hope it is a story I never have to explain to them. Because how can I? I can not comprehend it myself, much less translate it to my innocent six year old. Children - all children - deserve to live a childhood knowing they are safe. I'll do what I can to keep that belief alive.

As for my own process or guiding you through yours, I do not have any wisdom to offer. No magic statement that will make us all able to better swallow this bitter pill. I have far more questions than answers right now. I think we all do.

I mean, my God. They were Lupine's age. One of them almost shares her birthday.

For me all of this grief translated quite simply into me being a better mom. I found myself being more patient. More kind. More understanding. More playful.

I found myself appreciating my children more - and everyone I love.

I focused on the singular belief that each day is a gift.

Today is very much all that we have. Now. This moment.

Use it well.

So I'm doing my best to be here now and to lead with love. What else can I do? When I slip beneath the shadow I loose myself to fear and despair. And that won't serve me. (Or my kids, or any of us.) Positive change needs to come through positive intention and positive action.

So I'm counting blessings as I find my way through this dark place.

I'm focusing on cultivating peace.

What about you? How are each of you truly doing today? What light are you finding to shine into the darkness?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Charlotte Bacon 2/22/06, 6

Daniel Barden 9/25/05, 7

Rachel Davino 7/17/83, 29

Olivia Engel 7/18/06, 6

Josephine Gay 12/11/05, 7

Ana M Marquez-Greene 4/4/06, 6

Dylan Hockley 3/08/06, 6

Dawn Hocksprung 6/28/65, 47

Madeline F. Hsu 7/10/06, 6

Catherine V. Hubbard 6/08/06, 6

Chase Kowalski 10/31/05, 7

Jesse Lewis 6/30/06, 6

James Mattioli 3/22/06, 6

Grace McDonnell 11/04/05, 7

Anne Marie Murphy 7/25/60, 52

Emilie Parker 5/12/06, 6

Jack Pinto 5/6/06, 6

Noah Pozner 11/20/06, 6

Caroline Previdi 9/7/06, 6

Jessica Rekos 5/10/06, 6

Avielle Richman 10/17/06, 6

Lauren Russeau 6/82, 30

Mary Sherlach 2/11/56, 56

Victoria Soto 11/4/85, 27

Benjamin Wheeler 9/12/06, 6

Allison N Wyatt 7/03/06, 6

Nancy Lanza

~ * ~ * ~ * ~