A baby on the way

Wow, time sure does fly by. I have 4 weeks until I welcome my second baby. I have been telling everyone that I have 6 weeks for the last few weeks. So, reality has set in. I can't believe I have 4 weeks left!!! It is so exciting. I also have lots to do.

I did plan on organizing my entire house, well that did not happened with my broken collarbone. And now, I just lack the energy. I am so lucky that my mother wanted to help out. She is the queen organizer, exactly what my small house needs to bring back that zen environment and get ready for our new baby. Plus, I needed some help to really just part ways with some things. We did our bedroom and next will be the downstairs, the real heart of our house.

To help me find some balance, I also picked up an old book to read again, A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. Chapter 1. Experience the wonder of every moment. Be the space of wonder and beauty and presence. Every breath is a miracle. Be in a sense of awe....

Making winter ice votives

This is a little project is especially great this time of year. It really recognizes the winter season and gives kids a change for hands-on exploration. First, you will need 2 containers of varying diameter. I chose a large ice cream container and a plastic cup.



Fill the center container with river rocks, sand, anything to weigh it down.


Then, fill the space between the containers with water and maybe something seasonal. We chose holly branches and leaves that we have in our yard. Make sure center container is in the middle, so the ice votive will have a consistent thickness and place in freezer overnight.


Now it's time to reveal the ice votive. If you use an ice cream container, it can be easily torn off.

There you have it, a seasonal ice votive.

Tea party in the sun

:: A tea party with my little one in the warmth and light of the midday sun. The beautiful warmth in the room was welcomed, especially on these cold winter days.


:: The fairies flew down for some dessert - wet felted acorns, wooden acorns and amethyst crystals.

:: My little one also put some confetti stars at her window for the fairies. Guess we know what I will be up to later on tonight.


:: Abigaile and her baby doll having tea and dessert in my childhood rocking chair.

Wind chimes

My little one's wind chime with treasures for the fairies - nuts, screws and metal hooks strung onto a branch. We'll bring it outside to decorate the garden for the fairies.

Groundhog's Day

Little groundhog, little groundhog,
Down below, under the wintry snow.
Come on out and tell us true,
Is Spring coming?
Is Winter through?

Crystals, fossils, and pearlized shells

The beauty of crystals, fossils, and pearlized shells are a welcomed addition to our winter nature table. Their sparkle, shine and shimmer mirror the beauty we see outdoors - icicles, snowflakes, and a silvery coat of white on everything. The facets of the crystal reflect the sun and add a sparkle of light. Very magical.

It's also fun to break open your own geode. You never know what surprise is waiting inside. The natural formation of the crystals vary from stone to stone. Be sure to grab a magnifying glass and take a closer look.

Some fossils were added to our nature table by my little one - which is a new interest of hers. An iridescent ammonite fossil has a rainbow of colors.

More playsilks please

My little one is building and constructing on a larger scale these day. Caves, forts, secret hideouts, and nests are continuously being built with all the couch pillows and blankets. It is a massive undertaking, which is wonderful because she's learning. Right? I really do not mind the pillows and blankets everywhere either. With a few weeks left in my pregnancy and my belly so big, helping when a pillow falls or a blanket caves in is getting too much. I knew I needed a solution for both my little one and myself.

Ah-ha...It came to me....To get some more canopy playsilks to cover her playstands. In the past, we were able to use the playsilks to drap off the opening on her playstands and cover the arches, but I think she wants total exclusion these days.

Daisy Hill Silks (on ebay) has beautiful silks. We found a beautiful sunflower gold canopy silk. It just brightens her play area and adds so much warmth. We were also lucky to get a seascape of blues, as well. It reminds me of the ocean. We have a sky and grass canopy playsilk already from Daisy Hill Silks. It is really vibrant and beautiful and, of course, a rainbow canopy playsilk brings magic to any play space. (They are super fun outside on a windy day, too)

The canopy silks are up (and probably not going to be ironed anytime soon) and I feel lucky that her area is draped in beautiful, vibrant silks. My little one is all snug in her cave and I've been sitting down for longer than 5 minutes. I think I've found the perfect solution.