One of my absolute favorite grade school memories is the yearly Valentine's Day party. I don't recall any specific one, but I just remember having a ball making little paper crafts with hearts and doilies for all my classmates, exchanging them to fill these giant envelopes we made out of construction paper, and then having an all-out sugar extravaganza with candy and cupcakes galore. Even the kids ...
Seasons
Imbolc is Here and Spring is on the Way!
As we turn the corner towards the oncoming Spring, our family celebrates the increasing sunlight and the stirrings of the seeds beneath the soil by celebrating the festival of Imbolc. Still celebrated in the United States in some form as Groundhog's Day, St. Brigid's Day in Ireland, and Candlemas by many, the ancient Irish festival of Imbolc honors the Spring's beginning. The word Imbolc ...
Winter in the Country: A Tour in Photographs
As we make our way through another mild, and somewhat erratic Willamette Valley Winter, I thought I'd share a handful of photographs of some highlights of the season. Between our one day of snow, some frosty cold mornings, torrential rain for days on end, and the balmy 60-degree weather we're having this week, I can honestly say that times are rarely dull. Out here in Oregon, even the ...
Boughs of Holly
"The holly and the ivyNow are both well grown Of all the trees that are in the woodThe holly bears the crown" Only recently have I come to appreciate holly. Since my background is in Horticulture with a focus on native plant restoration, I had a lot of negative feelings about this plant as an invasive species always popping up in the forests near houses where holly was planted. It was prickly, ...
Window Stars
Paper window stars are one of my favorite winter projects. They look beautiful and bright with the light shining through them, and they make great holiday gifts! The last couple of years, I called on my origami skills, and the kids and I just winged it by folding up squares of wax coated kite paper from our Waldorf school store into different shapes with points on the end and glued the center ...
Beneath the Mistletoe
Many of us have a little sprig of mistletoe hanging in our doorways this time of year, and perhaps have shared or stolen a kiss beneath this plant. It's a powerful little plant indeed to draw people together in this way. I have also heard that it is a good plant to have in your home for good fortune this time of year and for keeping away negative energy. If you live near oak trees, you ...
Tree of Light
On a clear weekend afternoon in December, we set out to find a tree. I wanted to write this story all about how we went out to our favorite sustainable tree farm on this woman's land way out Lynx Hollow road, where she lets the trees grow up like a magical forest, and the ground is carpeted in moss and toadstools. Now, we probably sound like the sort of folks who would go out in the forest ...
Holiday Market
(Image from the Holiday Market website) We are very fortunate to have an amazing holiday market in our community. Every weekend from late November until Christmas, artisans, crafters, musicians, farmers and darn good cooks gather in the exhibit hall of the Lane County Fairgrounds to create a whole little village dedicated to local arts. Our family goes every year to do a little shopping for the ...
Deck The Halls: Do-It-Yourself Holiday Greenery
When the weather turns cold, and outdoors-people like myself are spending less time in the great outdoors, there's nothing like bringing a little outdoors indoors! There's also something really nice about making a home festive for the winter holidays. It just warms your bones. Over the past several years, I have made a lot of efforts to decorate with natural materials and reduce my ...
This Little Light of Mine…
In the dark, quiet stillness of the winter, people all around the world are lighting candles, lamps, fires, and strands of shining lights to bring some brightness into their lives. Festivals of light are celebrated in many cultures and faiths, and carry on traditions both ancient and new. With winters here in Oregon being particularly dark and rainy, our family has enjoyed incorporating different ...