Dye Goodness

marigold, tansy,

onion skins in a dye pot -

golden autumn crowns

The World on Turtle's Back...

... or The Woman Who Fell From the Sky.

There are many versions of this wonderful creation myth that can easily be located online. I told my students the Onondaga version. It seemed a nice way to start the year, which we are beginning in our combined 4/5 grade with a nature studies block essentially, focusing both on plants and animals that can be found on our beautiful rural campus.

Our first painting of the year was a color circle, out of which emerged a tree. Maybe the tree uprooted in Skyland. Maybe Yggdrasil. The life force. That which sustains us. 

This week we painted Tolba, on whose back the world sprang forth. I asked the students to start with a page of lively blue, darker toward the bottom. We then placed the turtle in the water using yellow. From her back brown (mixed on the paint board) tree trunks sprang up crowned by yellow and green foliage. One student preferred a brown turtle with "rainbow trees."

Calendula

My Grandma Luise always grew these in her garden and I've loved them since I was a child. So grateful for the abundance of today's harvest. Salve. Tea. Dye. To be.

 calendula bloom

sunlight's sweet-smelling magic

or poor man's saffron

Seven Years

Nu turned seven today. And for this girl the special things are so simple. Last night we baked an orange cake for her to take to school today. She wanted it topped with a bit of powdered sugar, lavender, and flowers. We ended up with too much batter but not another cake pan in the apartment, so I decided to bake the second cake in our cast iron frying pan.

While she was thrilled to see there was a second cake this morning when she woke up, she did wonder about the frying pan. "Seriously, Mom? Who gets a birthday cake in a frying pan?" - "All seven-year-olds do. It's a special thing that happens only when you turn seven." Her only wish? - A trip to the candy store where she was so overwhelmed with the choices that she only picked a few things, but to her it's the biggest bag of candy ever.

This & That

I had big plans to write a blog post and then, once again, life happened, so here I am a few days later... I guess I should start with an update. A bit over a year ago Nuriel and I moved to rural Vermont where I started teaching. Having enjoyed a year in the Farm & Forest Kindergarten at our school, this girl started first grade a couple of days ago. The last two mornings have been chilly, so here is the first grader, wrapped in woolen goodness on the way out the door.

She is a lucky girl attending a Waldorf school in rural Vermont with a most wonderful first grade teacher from New Zealand. My girl gets to hear a Kiwi accent on a daily basis. I couldn't be more pleased!

Noah is in his third year of college, studying political science. Quite the progressive thinker. Nathan is planning on pursuing a degree in graphic design/marketing. They share an apartment back in Virginia. After seven years of owning a house, I sold my home in Richmond this spring. It was bittersweet as Nu was born in this home, yet it was the right thing to do in moving forward.

I'm teaching twenty students in a combined 4/5 grade this year. Having taken a class from 1st through 8th grade in the "traditional" fashion, it's quite nice to be able to pour even more creativity into one's work with a combined group. I'm ever searching for ways to bring discussions on privilege and race to students and I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and what I learn along the way here.

Nu and I live in a small apartment {no dishwasher} by a beautiful creek. Sweet & simple living. A tiny food co-op in walking distance. And better yet, a bar, too! - We quite like rural Vermont life although we do live close to "the big city," population 7500.

I've found a new connection to nature and especially plants. I've received a grant to study with Annie McCleary at the Wisdom of the Herbs School. I'm looking forward to the experience and hope to share here, too, in the future. I'm very happy with these Calendulas I grew from seed. The flower heads are plump and they smell divine.

Well, Hello Blog!

After a long absence, I've decided that I have stuff to say. I'll start blogging again. First post this evening. Stay tuned. I may no longer know how to do this. Ha.

April

Linnea in Madelinetosh Pisces. 

I made some changes to the pattern to accommodate my smaller needles and thinner yarn.

A picture by Nu at 5 years & 7 months old.

Happy Spring!

Our fiddle ferns have appeared and Nu's "gnome friend" has emerged from winter hibernation & is greeting his forest friends. Here's to mud season & planting! (Felted fern from the lovely Marie at Softearth's World.)

For Alison P.

... with thanks for writing a comment that made me smile.

Here's a bit of an update.

Noah is nineteen now, attending Virginia Commonwealth University (Go Rams!) for Political Science in his freshman year and working as a substitute teacher. He has a very sweet girl-friend. I like her a lot. 

Nathan is in his sophomore year of high school. He's looking forward to a trip to Italy with his Visual Arts class this June. He worked last summer and on weekends to make it happen and saved up from some custom art projects he worked on. 

Nuriel is growing. Currently, her dream is to be a dog musher. This dream has replaced her dream of being a princess. She recently learned how to ride a pedal bike and enjoys riding in the little side street next to our house. We still live in the same old yellow house with all its quirks, dust, and cracks. 

The eight-year-journey with my students at Richmond Waldorf School is nearing its end. I have caught myself reminiscing about those early years and I vividly remember how it all started. I have been blessed with the most supportive parents a teacher could hope for. And I look at these students and in the midst of all the drama and pain in the world, I am hopeful. These people are destined to bring innovative ideas, social justice, and love into the world. 

Not all is rosy, but for the first time in my life I can take a deep breath and truly focus on the moment. Mindi reminds me to just keep doing my thing. Murielle inspires me to read my affirmations and to deflect the arrows.  

I'm not sure what the near future will bring for us, but I trust that what will come will be good. My dream is to move back to beautiful Alaska, the home of my heart. Many, many years before Nu was born, I had a dream. I stood by a river and across was a sweet little cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. As I was standing there, I realized someone was holding my hand. When I looked down, there was a little girl with curly reddish-blonde hair. At the time I had no idea who she was, but it's apparent now. I think it's our destiny for the time when the teenagers have moved on to their adult lives. I'm trying to take a step toward that dream on a daily basis. Slow & steady...

...

I look at this blog. A moment to breathe. Over a year since my last post. I had good intentions there in the beginning of last year. A lot has happened. How does one pick up after all this time?

2/2015

Oldest child turned 18 over the weekend.

As the teenagers are getting older and finding independence, I'm pondering where this leaves Nuriel and me. I'm longing for a small, simple apartment again. I'm wondering what the future holds for all of us. 

Over the weekend I found this quote: “In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.” ― Czesław Miłosz

Trying to find the courage to step into the unknown. There's so much complacent silence in the world. Last year the majority of students at Noah's high school walked out and marched to city hall. They were taking a stand for better school conditions. When I heard that a few students had chosen not to participate, I feared that my child might be one of the "complacent ones." I called him and was happy to learn that he was at city hall! 

I'm channeling my inner rebel this year. 

I am courageous and I stand up for myself.

1/2015

Trying to have reasonable expectations of myself in 2015.

Would like to give blogging a revival and will attempt a post a week. We shall see.

Also added a "standard" resolution - you know the ones you tend to keep through about January 10th, if that long: I will attempt to make it to the gym on a regular basis (5 times/week). So far, so good... 

I will also try to work less. (A lot less.)

A wise, wise woman led me to these beautiful words: Djection: And Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - I shall read them often. 

 I will continue to treat myself to flowers - time & again. They make me happy.

 In 2015 (as in 2014) we shall leave Santa wine, cheese & sugarplums. 

And although she loves dogs and dogs love her, we will not get a dog. 

Santa Lucia Story

I posted this on the blog a few years ago & I'm reposting as tis the season & Lucy's Day is a favorite for me...

On a cold and dark morning a girl went out to milk the family cow. She looked at the straw on the ground and she saw little snowflakes. It was a frosty, cold morning in December. The little girl greeted her cow and began to fill her pail with milk. She would take a break and blow on her hands to warm them up. When the pail was full, she heard her mother calling her, "Lucia! Breakfast is ready!" The father and mother had named her Lucia, meaning "Light," because when she was born, they looked out at the night sky and were amazed at how bright it was outside. The moon was full, but the parents thought that Lucia entering the world had brought the light to the sky.

Lucia thanked the cow for her milk and slowly walked towards the house with the full pail. She tried not to spill any milk on her dress. Her dresses often smelled of old milk. The night sky had disappeared & only the last star was left in the sky. The sun would be up soon to melt all the snowflakes she had seen.

While Lucia was eating breakfast with her parents, her father was telling her that her uncle had disappeared. Her father's brother was Lucia's favorite and only uncle. Her father told her that he had a guess where he might be & he was going to look for him that evening. Lucia begged to go with him, but her father said it would be too dangerous for her and she was to stay at home with her mother. Her father told her that many people were not too happy with Christians lately. He told her how some people did not think that Christians should not be able to live well.

Lucia could not stop thinking about the conversation she had had with her father while she was doing her morning chores. That night, after dinner, her father left the house. Lucia decided to follow him, because she wanted to know what had happened to her uncle. She followed her father for what seemed like eternity. He was obviously looking for something, but it appeared as if he could not find it. Finally her father went behind a large rock. Lucia ran up and slipped behind the rock as well. In front of her was a dirt path that led into a cave. She was scared, but she had come this far and she was determined to see her uncle. It was hard to see in the darkness, but slowly her eyes adjusted. She looked around the dark room. The floor was full of men and women. Some were sleeping, others were talking, still others were singing. Suddenly there, before her, were her father and uncle. She embraced them. Her father was surprised to see his daughter, but he did not scold her. The people in the cave were hungry. They asked for food. She remembered her own dinner. She didn't have any food to give them, but reassured them that she would bring them something to eat. Her uncle told her & her father that he would not leave his friends. He would remain in the cave until everyone was safe. He told Lucia and her father that they should join them in the cave along with mother because they were Christians as well.

That night, when Lucia and her father walked home, Lucia was telling him all her ideas for bringing back food for the people in the cave and her father wondered how much longer they would be safe inside their own home.

The next day Lucia and her mother cooked and baked all day long. At night they had plenty of food to bring to the people hiding underground. Lucia had armfuls of baked sweet bread to carry. It was a dark walk. Her mother put a ring of candles on her head, so they would light the way to the cave. When the people inside the cave saw Lucia walk in with food in her hands and candles on her head, they thought she was an angel. They were so grateful to the visitor who brought them light in the darkness and food to nourish their bodies.

In the far northern country of Sweden still today people remember this most loving deed. When it is dark and cold outside, on the morning of December 13th, families are awakened by "Lucia" who brings bread and a hot, spiced drink while singing this beautiful song:

Santa Lucia
Thy light is glowing
Through darkest winter night,
Comfort bestowing.
Dreams float on wings bedight
Then comes the morning light.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Through silent winter gloom
Thy song comes winging.
To waken earth anew
Glad carols bringing.
Come thou, oh Queen of Light
Wearing the crown so bright.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Santa Lucia
Christmas foretelling,
Fill hearts with hope and cheer,
Dark fears dispelling.
Bring to the world again,
Peace and good will to men.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Snow Queen Bonnet

 Wanted to make a bonnet for Nuriel to wear as part of a Snow Queen costume for Krampusnacht.

 A quick knit on US 9 needles.

Soft blend of Alpaca & Wool. 

Ravelry Notebook

Simple Joys

The sweet lil' moments in the midst of the daily grind of life...

Almost every day in Aftercare Nu draws a picture for me. She folds it and puts it in an envelope. I have joked with the Aftercare teacher that the school should charge me an extra supplies fee for all the envelopes Nu uses.

As soon as she sees me, she exclaims, "Mama, I made a present for you today."

She always makes me wait until we get home to open it.

She stands next to me, with a huge smile on her face as I open it.
It's always such a sweet moment.

Birthday Pie

Nuriel is four years old today. We made some yummy Raspberry-Ricotta Pie yesterday, then decided to have a bit of it right away. - After all it *was* her Kiwi birthday. - Happy Birthday to my Girl!

Kindergarten 2014/15

Nu's official first day of school as Kindergarten started today. Hard to believe she will be four years old in a couple of days. 

Follow Not

Follow me
The old man said.
Don't question me.

I have the answers
to your questions.

Follow me
The young woman said.
I will show you that the answers
lie within your soul.

They looked at her
and followed the old man.

Don't question me
The old man said.
Follow me.

It's so easy to just follow.

This way he said,
pointing.
And they walked
Straight to their deaths.

The old man stood by the cliff,
laughing eerily.
You foolish young woman
he said.

The young woman wept.
So much potential in those
souls. If only they had trusted
to find the answers
- within themselves.

Summer Adieu.

The obligatory "first day of school photo." Why is at least one child always blurry? Or grumpy? Or why do you suddenly realize that the vacuum cleaner is noticeable in the middle of the kitchen floor, and you crop the picture to make it go away, but you chop someone's arm off in the process, and then undo the cropping because it's better to have a vacuum cleaner on a kitchen floor than 1/2 arm? - I don't know. Maybe because life is what it is - with all its imperfections.

Skeptical Senior - Sleepy Kindergartener - Joyful Freshman

Blurry Senior - "I'm awake now!" Kindergartener - "Can I stop smiling now?" Freshman

August Winter Knitting

Last Winter saw record-low temperatures here in Virginia. Nu spends about 1-1/2 hours outside at school in the mornings and she always complained that her face was cold. 

 She loves this cowl I made for her in hopes of not suffering from a cold face again this Winter. We do love our Winters - especially snow days! 

 Yarn: Koigu American Merino

 I love these beautiful coconut shell buttons.