st. nicholas day

Upon leaving St. Nicholas' horses some apples and the biggest carrots we could find, we were delighted by his visit and gifts. St. Nicholas brought a few little gifts - a golden walnut, a shiny red apples and a handful of nuts. Bring us closer to the true meaning of giving and helping others without needing recognition. i must say that some healthy rhythms are returning and we are on a beautiful journey through the season.

advent cones

:: our advent calender focuses on seasonal activities, baking, and crafts for the family to celebrate and share the season together. over the years it has changed a little and i have found it best, in our house, for the calender to contain the supplies we need the family activities. we make these paper advent cones and hang them over our nature table. the elves will gift us cranberries to bake some muffins, popcorn kernels to air pop for our family movie night, or a chocolate bar to make hot chocolate after an afternoon of sledding. the elves also gather our supplies for us, like our paper and scissors for making paper snowflakes or our cookie cutters for baking some sugar cookies. celebrating the advent this way really keeps our family all snug at home, enjoying the entire season together as a family, with maybe a venture or two out of the house, for a trip to a museum or out sledding. i'd love to hear some of your advent activities or family traditions?

advent sky

:: this year, we created an arch "sky" on our nature table and my little one will be adding a star sticker to the sky for each day. i thought it would be really magical to watch our sky fill up with stars and our woolen angel move closer to earth, with each passing day. i wonder about how my little one feels as her anticipation builds as she gets down to the last few stars.


:: here's a revealing of the advent sky. i had to go back and add some more tape, so i took a picture as i did not explain it so accurately in the comments. i started at the bottom left side and taped most of the lights going up the edge all the way to the top. then, i let the string of lights loosely fall to the bottom. i work the lights back up to the top, where i taped the top lights near the edge of the poster board again. i did that i few more times and then layered a playsilk over the top. i taped the playsilk on the back side of the poster board so the curved edge could be seen. hope that helps explain.

the light of advent

:: i am a little embarrassed to say that i have finally put away my halloween decorations, today. the christmas boxes were coming down from the attic so it seemed only fitting to take the halloween decorations up. might i have left the halloween ones out? i feel so overwhelmed right now, that i really think i would have. although, i know i would have manged to pack the halloween decorations away by christmas. these days i am just getting by. getting by on minimal hours of sleep. nursing an 8 1/2 month year old every 3 hours. i really am at my breaking point. or was that last month. i try and remind myself, you have had only a few hours of sleep at a time, you will feel very tired, you will have to remain calm and count to 10, you need to get outside for at least 5 minutes, and you will be moody and grumpy and your emotions are like a roller coaster. even though my days and night run into each other and there really is no end to my day, i remind myself that you will get through the day and to take the time to enjoy special moments. the moments i have with my family, my husband, my daughter, my son and my dogs. take the time to enjoy the roses that are blooming in my garden. can you believe that, here in connecticut, in december, i have roses blooming? and would you look at those sparkling lights. how magical. how beautiful. keeping the peace, serenity and beauty of advent with me and my family. wishing you a beautiful advent.


Advent, Advent, a candle burns.
I light the night, my candle burns.
First one, then two, then three, then four.
My heart is shining like a star.

the weaving of thanksgiving

:: as we celebrate thanksgiving with our family, i am reminded of how our family is made up of many different people. each contributing their unique qualities and each woven together, having a special place within the whole.

thinking about making a quilt

i was thinking about making a quilt. one of those 2 in the morning, sleep deprived ideas. and i thought it would be nice if i made a quilt for my little guy. first let me say that i have not used a sewing machine since the eighth grade. and then i though, i'll start with a doll quilt first, for my daughter's doll. maybe for christmas. and then i started looking at fabrics. ...and the fabrics. i never saw so many beautiful fabrics. i love how they play together. i love the mixing and matching. and for me the ever perfectionist who has worked hard at letting go. and i have let go of many things. but a quilt, those really straight lines and deciding on the fabrics. this quilt could set me back. oh, i could be deciding on the fabrics for a year. and it probably would be more work than i could take on at this time. for my 8 month old little guy is still nursing like a newborn. i am just waiting for him to get up, but i'll leave you with this amazingly beautiful quilt over at willy-nilly. Isn't it lovely and inspiring??

a zenful recovery

sickness is making its way around the family. dad was being treated for h1n1 and has recovered. my little girl came down with strep and is doing lots of resting and getting her fluids, lots of herbal tea and frozen pops. and i am not quit sure what i have, a lingering stomach bug with headache. this morning, we popped outside to gather some sticks for our little zen garden. we had one years ago, but the sand did not seem to stay in the box for long, so it was better to utilized our outdoor water and sand box. magic onions inspired ours today with her natural tools. the sun is shining so we are off for a little stroll to enjoy the sunshine and get some fresh air.