Snip and Snail

Melted Crayon Art

2011-08-05T21:49:00.004-04:00

We have been having so much fun with experiments this summer. Lots of dry ice, baking soda and vinegar, that kinda thing. I saw this melted-crayon-on-canvas project on Pinterest and knew the boys would love it. And oh, did they love it.

They each chose the order of the colors on their canvases and lined them up for gluing. (I wanted to let them operate the hot glue gun, but that got out of hand very quickly.) So I glued, then they took turns operating the hair dryer to melt the wax.

If you have children that can use a bit of patience practice, this is the perfect activity. It isn't too long that they lose interest, but long enough that they must be patient--and the hum of the hair dryer adds a meditative element to the exercise. Just when they are wondering if the wax will ever drip, it begins to. A high ROI index on this one (huge gratification, small patience investment).

And a bonus at the end: we put trace paper underneath the canvas to catch the wax. When we were finished, the boys loved peeling the wax off of the paper--and then realized they could color with their new custom crayons!

{ this moment } : sunrise bike ride

2011-07-29T09:28:00.002-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

So Much More Than Vintage Pillowcases

2011-07-20T23:08:00.004-04:00

Today was not a day I thought I'd be blogging about. The morning began with one of those not-so-proud mommy moments: I lost my temper. I know, I know, we all do--but still. It was not without benefit, as Big B and I seemed to really connect to the solutions we laid out for preventing such a fiasco in the future. We talked, we resolved, we loved, we hugged, but there seemed to be a little black cloud over my head as we loaded up our requisite Wednesday cooler and beach bag. This past week has also been heavy in our village due to the loss of family members for two in our New Moon Circle, as well as a close friend of Papa's family. Even the ocean--my ocean, whose healing waters usually cleanse me of any negative energy still hanging on by Wednesday--even she was thick, full of seaweed, and a carrier of funk.

But then, just as I was packing up our sandy crew to call it a day, feeling full with emotion and as unclear as the mirky water, I was given a reminder of just how beautiful my little life here is. Not one but two of my dear friends handed me vintage pillowcases they had brought for me. Just because. What for them was a simple, thoughtful gesture was for me, so much more. I was reminded that I am doing a-okay. I have a deep connection to this place and these people. If I have a not-so-great morning, there are people here to lift me right back up and remind me that I am doing a good job with these boys--these sweet boys, who have never lived without the innate knowledge that they are part of a true community.

Two friends, coincidentally and separately, bring me something I love, on the day I really needed love most. I don't know how these things happen. I just give abundant and humble GRATITUDE.

Color Walk, 2.0 :: Orange

2011-07-16T16:18:00.015-04:00

Two summers ago, we took color walks. Lots of them. At the time, it was an activity more suited for Big B, although little b happily came along for the ride. This afternoon's plans changed for a myriad of reasons, and instead of hustling and bustling from this engagement to that--we found ourselves at home, ready to explore a world freshly shined by a thunderstorm. With Papa taking a well deserved nap, Big B, little b and I embarked on our first of this summer's Color Walks--an activity little b is discovering anew. It is only fitting to begin with ORANGE, as this is little b's very favorite color. Many more to follow!

Legacy Quilt, Part I

2011-07-12T07:08:00.006-04:00

I've been working on a very special project. It has been tempting to blog its progress, but I wanted its recipient (and my collaborators) to be the first to see it. I've written in this space before about the amazing woman Papa's Grandma Wilson is. Among the many other things she has given in her life are a collection of spectacular quilts commemorating her descendants' weddings and children (the two she has given to my family are shown in this post).

Some of her daughters and granddaughters and I decided to return the favor. For the last several weeks, the women of the Wilson family have been lovingly crafting unique, commemorative quilt squares in Grandma's honor. Meanwhile, using Noni's photographic chronicle of the family, I have been creating log cabin pieced photo squares showing the faces of Grandma's 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.

I made photo squares depicting Grandma and Granddaddy Wilson when they were newly married, and joined them with a simple pieced heart of vinatage fabric.

When all the squares were complete, I pushed our dining room table aside and began piecing the story of this woman's amazing life.

Sometimes, there are greater things at work than we can put a name on. I had been collecting everyone's squares for weeks, without counting them or designing the finished product until I had all squares in my possession. For the photo squares, I created four for each of Grandma's six children and their families, plus two of Grandma with her children and one each of Grandma and Granddaddy--that's 28 squares. When I finally counted the squares everyone had created, I was amazed--but somehow not surprised--to find 28. The quilt designed itself.

We decided to present the quilt top the night before Sunday's family reunion. Noni and I snuck into Grandma's room and spread the quilt out on the bed, then invited Grammy and her sisters to come in. Somehow they all made it in before Grandma did, and when she arrived, she noticed it right away--and I think it began to sink in, as she looked at every face, every square, what a life of love she has led.

The next day, Papa and his cousin hung the quilt high at the family reunion. Dozens of relatives took their time looking at the quilt, appreciating the love this woman's family has for her. I held it together pretty well, despite sleep deprivation and a swell of pride and gratitude--but when I caught Big B telling little b who some of the people were on the quilt, wrapping his arm around his little brother, I almost melted. Without this woman, my children would never know a family of this size, with these traditions, woven with strong love and togetherness through generations. This family has inspired me to begin family reunions on my side of the family tree, the first of which we held earlier this summer. New traditions. Another chapter in her legacy.

Look at these beautiful women! We will all gather together this fall to finish the quilt in the only way Grandma ever has: by hand. Many hands, working together, weaving the story of a family.

It was indeed a true honor to stitch together the story of this woman's life thus far. She has many stories left to tell, I suspect. I am just grateful to be included in her circle so I can hear them.

"I see the wise woman. She carries a blanket of compassion. She wears robes of wisdom. Around her throat flutters a veil of shifting shapes. From her shoulders, a mantle of power flows. A story band encircles her forehead. She stitches a quilt; she spins fibers into yarn; she knits; she sews; she weaves. She ties the threads of our lives together. She forms a web of spiraling threads: our lives invented and shared."

-Susun S. Weed

Beach Jars

2011-07-08T09:15:00.005-04:00

It rained on Big B's 7th birthday last week, so we missed our beach day and I think we all felt its absence. By Wednesday morning we were all itching for sand and salt. During my morning coffee browsing, I came across this link for adorable upside down terrariums. For a slightly different version, we packed up a box o' Mason jars for Big B, little b and their friends to create little bits of the beach to bring home.

What a hit! This crowd loves to hunt for treasure and find creatures--the glass was the perfect, special, take-home vessel. They were careful to keep the sea creatures alive in their buckets and store only the non-living things in the jars.

We set off mid-morning on a beachside treasure walk.
And when we arrived, sunkissed and happy, back home, we each had a bit of the beach to sustain us. At least until next week.

Thoughts on Seven, Thoughts on Heaven

2011-06-29T22:50:00.005-04:00

The paths are many, the truths are one.

Big B turned seven today. I just have to go on record here and say that despite my lack of patience with several of his more testosterone-driven, spirited antics, the boy is an absolute joy to be around. He is funny, crazy smart, and curious in the sweetest way.

Tonight, on the way home from Papa's softball game, Big B asked me if there were other people that could do magic besides God. Is there is a more beautifully fantastic question? We talked about the magic of gravity, the magic of color, and, Big B added, the magic of being alive. We talked (again) about the fact that although there are many world religions with their various differences, there are underlying common threads among them that are the important things to remember: all we need is love, and be kind to each other. He liked this.

We had just finished this conversation, and were on to the scientific differences between sharks and dolphins, when we passed a church marquee that read, "The paths are many, the truths are one." I felt a peace in my heart and a smile on my face. It was a serendipitous affirmation of the honor and joy it has been to be a mother these last seven years. When I teach with my heart, I am rewarded with the truth. Every time.

I love you, Big B. The day you were born was the happiest day of my life.

Summer Solstice: Sun Tea

2011-06-21T21:20:00.009-04:00

The Summer Solstice is one of our favorite days of the year. Just when it gets so hot outside we are tempted to complain about it, we are given an opportunity to celebrate the summer, the season, the sun. We are reminded how very lucky we are to live in a place where we can bask in its glory. This morning as the sun was just warming up, we went outside to welcome it, and brought with us a pitcher of clean fresh water and raspberry tea leaves. Big B and little b added fresh mint and lemon balm from the garden.
We stopped to notice the sun illuminating the jewels of our little patch of earth.
We went about our morning, knowing the tea would be steeping, waiting for us.
And steep it did! After a few hours, the tea was a strikingly beautiful color and smelled perfume-y, sweetened only by the sun. The boys laid out a picnic blanket and waited patiently for me to bring glasses, ice, and fresh lemon to squeeze.
We took turns giving thanks for the sun, its warmth, its light, its life force. A quick toast, then sweet, refreshing sun tea on the longest day of the year.
To the sun!

"Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun."

-Kahlil Gibran

A Swift, A Wool Winder, and A Merino Blend

2011-06-20T19:00:00.007-04:00

Today I experienced a few minutes of unadulterated joy. I wound my first ball of yarn.

Papa gave me this beautiful swift and a wool winder for Christmas. (That, a blues harmonica, and a gift card for my favorite fabric store--I mean seriously, what a man.)

Other than marvel at its simple beauty, I hadn't used the swift before today--I am typically a winter knitter and a summer sewer. But a knee injury has been demanding I sit more, and when I do, my hands start yearning for needles. So after dropping the boys off at Grammy's this morning for their first summer Monday pool date (thank you!), I stopped at a new local yarn haven for a bit of soul comfort. I decided then and there to knit myself a pair of socks. It seems appropriate, as I'll be knitting while propping my feet up--two birds, one stone, taking care of my body and soul.

I splurged for two skeins of this absolutely gorgeous kettle dyed silk-merino blend. This afternoon, as the rainbow maker was in full force and the afternoon sun was sinking low into the sky, I wrapped a skein of it around the swift.

The boys were riveted, and for good reason--the simplicity and gratification of these two tools together are really beautiful. I threaded the winder and got to work. Big B took this next picture, mid-spin.

Little b was anxious to give it a try, cinnamon stick and all. He did a fabulous job.

After a few minutes of heaven, I had a perfectly wound ball of ready-to-knit yarn, and I held it like a newborn babe. So much care has been infused into this little bundle already, from the shearing to the spinning to the dyeing. Now it's my turn.

Kid-made Father's Day T-Shirts

2011-06-19T09:49:00.004-04:00

Fabric crayons! Brilliant! I found some, unopened, at a Goodwill and we decided to try them out for a special Father's Day surprise. I helped Big B and little b by outlining a tree and two apples on plain white paper, and they got to work.

When their creations were complete, I placed them face down on our new plain white T's, covered them with paper (and placed paper between the layers of the shirt to avoid color transfer), and pressed each design for about three minutes. We were all so happy with the bright results! I like this method infinitely better than the old iron-on transfer paper.

So this morning, fresh coffee in hand, the boys put on their shirts and presented their hero with his gift, saying together: "The apples don't fall far from the tree!" Nope. They don't. And I'm so glad.

Happy Father's Day!

Pickled Green Beans

2011-06-15T16:01:00.003-04:00

Among the bounty collected at The Farm was a bag full of gorgeous green beans. Inspired by this recipe (passed along by a garden muse with a great attitude and a serious pocketknife), the boys and I got to work to create our own summer treat.

The first jar was opened this morning on our beach blanket. Deliciously crisp and tart! Cheers!

Summer Pickled Green Beans

2 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed

4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced lengthwise

8 sprigs fresh dill

4 jalapenos, sliced lengthwise and de-seeded

4 teaspoons salt

2 1/2 cups white vinegar

2 1/2 cups water

Snip green beans and cut to fit inside pint-sized canning jars. (We like the wide-mouthed kind for this treat--better suited for little hands.) Place green beans in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, for 2-3 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water. Drain well. Sterilize four jars. Place 1 clove garlic (sliced lengthwise), 2 sprigs of dill, and one jalapeno (sliced lengthwise and de-seeded), into each hot and sterile jar, against the glass. Pack the beans into the jars and add 1 teaspoon of salt to each. In a large saucepan over high heat, bring vinegar and water to a boil. Pour over beans. Fit the jars with lids and rings and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Enjoy!

The Last Farm Day

2011-06-13T17:09:00.006-04:00

We are so lucky in sunny Florida to have a growing season that just won't quit. Except when it does. Sadly, on Saturday, we said goodbye for the summer to our local organic farm. (We're not the only ones who love this place and mourn its seasonal hiatus.) The fields were still full of deliciousness, but their days are numbered with the rising heat. So Big B, little b and I loaded up our market bags and meandered the aisles one last time, stocking up on only the best our climate has to offer.

When we were laden with lacinto kale, arugula, green beans, sorrell, strawberries, blueberries, and two dozen farm fresh eggs, we looked out across the fields of Romaine and saw a familiar straw hat.
Little b's preschool classmate has a daddy who works this farm. He was kind enough to give the boys a tour, and explain how the plants are grown, harvested, and sold. He showed them how the heat brings more bugs to the plants, and showed them the cover crop (sorghum) that would soon replace the remaining jewels of the fields, destined for local vegetable co-ops. And he let them sample lettuce, chard, onions and basil, straight from the earth.

After only a few minutes in the fields, the boys were hot, thirsty, and ready to leave. This was a great lesson in gratitude for farmers everywhere, folks who work long, sweaty, buggy hours each day to bring us the divine nourishment we so often take for granted. A thank you note promptly ensued:

The bounty was too good not to share. We created a little sampler basket for Great Grandma Ruth, and drove southward to bring some summer sunshine her way.

"Shake the hand that feeds you."

--Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

Summer Beach Quilt, Part One

2011-06-11T08:28:00.004-04:00

I am so happy that summer is here I could kiss the sky. It seems my habitual Goodwill thrifting anticipated my giddiness. For many cooler months, each trip to my favorite Goodwill yielded at least one or two vintage pillowcases or sheets. I had been making aprons with them for a little while, but this stack seemed to be growing into something...more.

Enter: Beach Season. Wednesday was the first official Beach Day for our sweet village of friends. We've been coming to this oasis as a tribe now for six summers, sharing wisdom and picnics and watching our growing babes discover this sweet spot anew each June.

Just look at them--they are all so big now. The girls lead the rescue missions and collect their creatures in buckets...

...while the boys, a la Lord of the Flies, climb their mountain of twisting sea grape branches and beach boulders.

And the mamas watch, talk, feed, nourish, occasionally knit, support, learn, and breathe.

To pay homage to this season of our lives, I rather easily decided to transform that stack of vintage linens into a summer beach quilt. This satisfies so many of my summer goals: carving out more time for creativity as a release, making beauty for our family, having a productive home, and spending as much time outside as possible. Using this square as inspiration, I am well on my way.

These colors just sing summer, don't they?

Pouring from the Pitcher

2011-06-03T07:33:00.004-04:00

Wednesday marked the New Moon in Gemini, and with it a solar eclipse. It was a time to say good-bye to what we no longer need, and welcome the positive change we have been resisting. I embraced this moon with open arms. As I continue on the difficult but hugely rewarding path toward Organized Simplicity, I am forced to acknowledge that I have adopted a lifestyle which is no longer serving me. Too many things, too many obligations, too many yeses that should have been nos fill my plate. Slowly, day by day, garbage bag by garbage bag, I am removing each of them. During this process I am reminded of the willow, and intend to stay firmly rooted while allowing the winds of change to bend my branches toward the sun.

As I am forced to acknowledge my overflowing plate, I am also placed face to face with another harsh reality: I am not the only one who is being shortchanged. It is my responsibility (and honor) to position my children for smooth, happy sailing in these tender years. How can their sailing be smooth when their ship is often chaotic, cluttered, rushed, and driven by a sleep-deprived captain?

In the amazing culture study The Continuum Concept, Margaret Mead tells the author of her pitcher-of-milk theory: if you want to teach a child to pour himself a glass of milk, get up, get a pitcher of milk, and pour yourself a glass. If I want my children to sail smoother seas, I must sail smoother seas myself. As I am clearing away the obstacles and moving toward a simpler life, I will remember to fill my own cup, so that it holds plenty for others. My intention for this moon is to pour from the pitcher and fill my own cup.

As a reminder, I am filling up my favorite pitcher with water each morning, infused with something sweet (lime, cucumber, mint, etc.) and placing a small glass next to it. Each time I walk by, I fill my cup. Here's hoping your cup stays full as well. (Not overflowing. Just full.)

Welcoming Summer (Thank You, Tortoise)

2011-06-02T07:30:00.011-04:00

Papa turned 37 last week, and his birthday wish remained the same as it has for years: a long weekend surrounded by beauty and family on his grandmother's South Georgia land. Each morning, we would wake, stretch, breathe, and explore. The morning glories marked our way through trees and trails, opening brilliantly toward the sun. It seems I'm not the only one that is thankful beyond belief that summer is here, and with it, God willing, a slower pace. The simple act of opening up and reaching toward the sun creates such beauty and stillness. We are truly given everything we need.

On our first morning ride, we found a nice big patch of wild blackberries, and breakfasted there for quite a while. We revisited the patch every day. We are truly given everything we need.

So much beauty and bounty, ripe for the picking. The same was true in Grandma's garden. Peaches from the tree, squash from the vine. We are truly given everything we need.

Big B, little b, and their Georgia cousins celebrated the summer sun by collecting objects of beauty and creating Solar Prints. They all marveled at the speed with which the sun created the shadows, the shapes of the leaves, and what happened when the paper met the water. We are truly given everything we need.

With summer comes water, and the boys (including Papa) drank their fill. Every day held fishing of some kind, whether by boat or on shore. And when the sun became a bit too overbearing, the water welcomed them in. We are truly given everything we need.

Over the last few years, I have become a believer--or rather a conscientious observer--of animal spirit guidance. When animals cross my path repeatedly, all I have to do is pay attention and listen, and their meanings bring me clarity. During this trip, we must have seen a dozen tortoises, mostly gopher, on our rides. Sure, the heat of summer brings them out, but we've been there every Memorial Day for the last few years, and I have never seen more than two or three. The tortoise's message was crystal clear to me, as we release the fast pace of school schedules and bedtime routines and open our arms to easy summer days: Slow down. Look upward to the sun. We are truly given everything we need.

A-Frame Tent, A-Plus Day

2011-05-22T20:55:00.006-04:00

Funny, funny universe.

On a weekend laden with best-laid plans, Big B came down with a nasty tummy bug that knocked him out all day Saturday. This morning he woke, bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to make up for lost time. I knew we were going to stay close to home to allow him a day of recovery, and me a day to finish several organizational projects started during his sickness--but he and little b needed some adventure.

During my morning coffee blogroll, I saw Cakie's A-Frame Tent featured in Grosgrain's Free Pattern Month, and fell in love. I made a quick list for the hardware store and sent the boys on a quest so that I could finish up some chores.

When they returned, we got to work drilling, fitting, hemming and attaching. In less than one hour they had their adventure.

Simple though it might be, there was something special about it being made just for them. It was also a powerful lesson for me: they may not enter it properly or treat it gently--but I did, after all, make it just for them. It is theirs to invent, collapse, rebuild, enter, and love as they wish.

I am sensing a major shift in the tides. Perhaps it is the excitement of summer on the horizon. Perhaps it is this new clarity with which I choose my activities and things. But I am seeing a beautiful light ahead.

Simple Gifts

2011-05-21T23:19:00.002-04:00

I have taken a longer break from this space than I had intended. A lack of camera and plate-too-full have made excuses easy, and I have seen the repercussions. This space is much more to me than an exhibitionist outlet or a pretty chronicle: it keeps me accountable to my own laws of nature. In my time away from it, I have seen its true value. And it is good to be back.

Recently, Mama Bird recommended a small, neatly packaged, seemingly innocent book. As I read (read: devour) its pages, nothing independently groundbreaking leaps up from them. But somehow, the path therein seems brilliantly and easily illuminated.

Organized Simplicity is more than a book to me now, it seems to be my mantra. Through the simple, grounding task of revisiting our family's purpose, I have been given a monumental gift. I now have a clear and ever-present filter for my words, actions, deeds, time obligations, and things. If any of the above do not fulfill the highest good of my family's purpose, they are OUT. And it is maybe the most refreshing feeling I've ever had.

I've even been able to use the filter for the book itself. Where the author is able to implement the system in 10 days, I am granting myself a generous six months, thereby removing all pressure and really making it enjoyable. The same principles and priorities are being applied to my body, my health, my parenting, my marriage--and for the first time in a long time, I feel there just might be time enough in my day to thoroughly savor all of these rich blessings on my plate.

It feels nice to be back here. All of these images were taken in my very own front yard. All around me, things feel clean, fresh, and washed brand new.

New Traditions: Alabama Snow

2011-01-19T03:20:00.005-05:00

Every year, we trek north to visit Paw Paw, Nanny, Aunt A and the horses. And every year, we miss The Snow. Without fail, it escapes us by several days. Until this past weekend, Big B and little b had never experienced snow. I have been shown photographs of Aunt S and me in the snow as little ones, but do not remember it in my mind's photo album. So when we arrived in northern Alabama at sunrise Saturday morning and saw a winter wonderland, the magic infused us--instantly.

We spent the first morning of our visit out in Paw Paw's backyard, feeling the snow, throwing it, building with it, crunching in it. Exploring it. Experiencing it. Loving it.

Paw Paw and Nanny live next to a very old family cemetery. Respectfully we explored the hallowed grounds, reflecting on death, birth, and rebirth, these stone markers of life covered in white blankets and then peeking out again. Very powerful.

I am so thankful that we all were there together to experience this cleansing. It felt good just to play, to run, to look, to feel cold, and to come inside afterward and have a warm bubble bath and a hot bowl of Paw Paw's chili.

I think we'll try to time our visits more according to the weather than the calendar, from now on. This was too good to miss again.

“There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow.

It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray,

every blade of grass, every spire of reed,

every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance.”

-William Sharp

Beeswax Solstice Candles

2011-01-02T10:41:00.001-05:00

Inspired by the beeswax endeavors of Rose and Mama Bird, Big B, little b and I decided to make candles for our family for Christmas this year. We got a gorgeous hunk of sweet smelling wax and wicks from The Night Gardener, scored some little teacups from a thrift store, and set to work on the candles on the Winter Solstice.

Watching the wax melt was strangely gratifying, for all of us.

Big B and little b took turns dipping the wicks into the hot wax and watching them quickly dry.

We then centered the wicks into little metal holders, wrapped the tops around pencils to keep them centered, and poured in the wax.

When we had made enough for our family, we used the rest of the wax to create a special Solstice candle. Big B and little b poured in "snow" and pine and fir needles to capture winter in the wax.

We lit the candle every night from Solstice to Christmas, and said "Happy Birthday Sun!" The kids also reenacted the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King, their favorite Solstice story.

Solstice is a special time in our home, the time we remember a sweet baby joining us beneath the Christmas tree, three years ago. Happy BIRTH day, little b.

2010 : Our Year in Review

2010-12-31T10:18:00.001-05:00

january : a collection of wishes

february : digital valentines

march : strawberry season

april : tibetan sand mandala

may : arlington park ducklings

june : canning extravaganza

july : raw food cleanse

august : new beginnings

september : collecting

october : camping

november : 1st grade garden

december : celebrating seasons

Handmade Feather Ornaments

2010-12-31T09:45:00.002-05:00

Every year, Big B and little b make Christmas ornaments for their aunts, grandparents and teachers. This year, they are both old enough to be careful with glass, and I bought several clear glass balls for them to adorn, not knowing yet which method we'd choose. We'd experimented with the paint and glitter swirly method, but they just didn't turn out the way we'd hoped. Then, Papa and I went to the grand opening party for a fabulous new home accessories boutique in town, and saw these adorable beauties:

I remembered the masks I had scored at Goodwill before Halloween, and the bounty of peacock feathers collected at the ranch, and our ornament making afternoon took shape.

I just love these. They are each so different, so simple, yet so elegant, and Big B and little b created them almost entirely by themselves. We will revisit this concept next year, I'm sure!

Check out these adorable feather ornaments by Mama Bird at Natural Nester!

Block Printed Christmas Cards

2010-12-31T09:20:00.000-05:00

Remember the sweet partridge-in-a-pear-tree linoleum block I scored at an estate sale earlier this year? To my intense delight, I found its Christmas-bells-with-holly partner at a thrift store in December. I had so much fun with these. My only expense in creating this year's cards was the paper. I used metallic silver and copper ink I had leftover from previous endeavors. I was very happy with the handmade results! I did make a fatal mistake, however; in cleaning them, I got their cork backings wet, and now the blocks are irrevocably warped. I will try to remove the linoleum and re-back them, but I am grateful they lasted through this season, and still remain beautiful blocks to admire.

Cows and Pigs and...Elephants? Oh my!

2010-12-31T08:15:00.001-05:00

December was jam-packed over here, one I'd like to think broadened everyone's horizons a bit. The month was kicked off by three days of animal admiration. Big B's first grade class took a field trip to our local dairy farm. I was so grateful to be invited to chaperone this one, as we use their delicious farm-fresh cream to make butter and I've always wanted to visit the source.
Such sweet and gentle animals.
It was amazing to watch them move as a huge group into the milking area. The cows knew which stalls to turn into, and seemed very polite with each other--no shoving, single file, etc. Hmmm, perhaps this was a subliminal message to the first graders?
The cows were given ample room to freely range.
The children were taken on a very malodorous hayride,
watched a piglet race,
and took turns bottle-feeding baby calves.
This little guy won my heart.

The next couple of days were consumed with Christmas decorating, us in our homes and the City outside. Our home has a rich circus history, and this year's downtown holiday parade welcomed two special guests: elephants, trucked in from Gainesville. We were able to get a sneak peek of their arrival, a special treat for which we were all very, very grateful. After much kid-patience, the elephants finally emerged from their chariot, in all their magnificence.

We are so grateful for these moments that allow our boys to open their eyes a little wider.

The Greatest Gifts

2010-12-30T20:31:00.008-05:00

I have not posted here since December 1st. For me, that seems an eternity. It isn't for lack of material--goodness knows we've been a busy family. It just felt like the time to post and write about the things that bring us joy simply wasn't there. There has not been a moment's pause, a deep breath, a sit-and-relax hour in a very, very long time.

It is amazing how the universe works.

Today, just as things are spiraling a bit too chaotically for my comfort level, I receive the sweetest, most grounding gift imaginable. My twin sister, Aunt S, created a beautiful, 400+ page, hardcover book, comprised of all of the posts published here in this space over the last two years, as my Christmas present. Its slight belatedness added to its reception, as I was able to spend still moments looking through its gorgeous pages, remembering small details about my children, their papa, our creations, our adventures, our color walks, our love.

...and now, ironically, all I can think about is chronicling the wonderful things we did over the holiday, and rediscovering my pride in being the keeper of this family's story. I am so grateful to Aunt S for this gift, and can already feel my roots sinking deeper into the earth.

BONUS GIFT: as if that wasn't enough...a few hours later I received a surprise visit from The Voice of the Village, with the sole purpose of gifting me a bread machine--something I recently coveted at Aunt S's house. A full circle indeed. If there is anything that can help get one back to the basics, its breadmaking. And that's just what I intend to do. Live, laugh, love, create, write--and bake bread.

Thanksgiving 2010: An Ode to Trees

2010-12-01T10:01:00.001-05:00

We tiptoed onto Papa's Grandma's land in the darkness, and were greeted the next morning, the day before Thanksgiving, by this magnificent tree. It was the perfect beginning, the perfect reminder to give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us. We celebrated it by adorning our trusty Vagabond with Andy Goldsworthy-esque devotionals.

Big B, little b and their Georgia kin experienced the joy of jumping into a huge crunchy leaf pile, making leaf angels, and basking in the shade and raining leaves of the changing trees. We read The Giving Tree a lot during the trip, resonating deep in the heart of our eldest, who called his favorite climbing tree "Mama Tree" and talked to her every day.
More tree love: deep into the swampland on a brisk four-wheeler ride, we found this incredible cypress wonderland.

At our family reunion on Saturday, we hosted a children's craft table. I braided raffia throughout the trip in preparation for more leaf crowns. Papa and the boys went on a leaf-hunting expedition and collected the most beautiful fall leaves I've ever seen. The kids were crowned, created leaf rubbings, and wrote their gratitudes on paper leaves.The most beautiful tree I saw over the weekend: the family tree. I am so lucky to have married into this family, and so thankful that my children have this kind of history and sense of home to revisit, connecting them to their roots.

After the reunion, we visited a dear friend's property, one of the most beautiful pieces of land I've ever stepped foot on. She took all of us on a magical four-wheeler ride just as the sun was setting. About twenty minutes into the ride, when all daylight was gone, she asked us to turn off our lights and engines. She told us about the forest fairies that help the trees grow and the flowers bloom. The fairies only come out on chilly nights when all is quiet. She told the children to watch out for them, glowing in the trees. We continued our ride, and sure enough, as we neared the creek, there they were--and our children were mesmerized. I am forever grateful for this sweet woman.

The morning we left, we helped Papa's grandma with another special tree, infusing us with Christmas spirit for the long ride home.

Driving away, we passed the orchard of pecan trees that finds its way into Papa's retirement dreams. Such a sense of peace is found between these branches.

Another Thanksgiving, come and gone. And I have never been more thankful for the gifts of my life than I am at this moment. Hoping you all had a restful holiday filled with pause enough to count your blessings.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Game...

2010-11-21T20:05:00.010-05:00

There we were, all packed up for the football game and heading north on the highway, when we just decided it didn't feel right. We were late as it was, wouldn't have gotten there until halftime, and Big B and little b were taking turns wanting to go and not wanting to go (and there was never a time when the two were in sync). We decided to head home, when just at the right time, we got a phone call from a dear friend who told us about a fruit farm having a family festival. It was very close to where we were, and made a happy destination for four flustered folks.

We bought a fistful of tickets and let Big B and little b have their run of the place. They spent quite a bit of time in the Butterfly Garden, exhibiting rarely seen patience and caution.

They each tested their physical boundaries through various exploits in bouncing, climbing, springing, jumping and sliding.
We had a lovely picnic on the ground and saw lots of lovely things.
When it was time to go home, we had a few tickets left, and spent them on homemade donuts from this lovely woman. They were divine, and the boys were enthralled with the process.

Sometimes the best things happen accidentally. And sometimes, I believe, there are no accidents. The afternoon found us in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time. And all four of us were happily in sync.

A Fall Family Feast

2010-11-21T17:08:00.004-05:00

Little b really does go to the sweetest little preschool in all the land.

On Friday, he and his five classmates and their parents gathered for a fall family feast. Each family brought a dish and a craft to share.

(Our craft: each child made a sycamore leaf crown, inspired by Chasing Fireflies.)

When crafting and singing and playing were through, we went into the sweet school for our feast. It was all, every dish, DELICIOUS.

Much ado was made about fancy manners and best behavior, and for the most part, the little ones lived up to the task beautifully. It was quite heartwarming to see them all together, breaking bread, sharing this space of growing and being so proud to show their big siblings and parents their special place.

Thankful is as thankful does.

Blessing the Mother of the Village

2010-11-21T16:47:00.003-05:00

Our dear friend and midwife returned from her Swedish home the last time she was growing a baby, and true to form has done so again, in perfect timing for a mother blessing. Our circle of New Moon mamas would not even be a circle without the birthing home this wise woman created. We owe the congregation of our little village, now with over twenty new children being consciously raised, in large part to her. Naturally, it was an honor place our hands and blessings upon her, full of love enough to carry her back overseas and welcome her third little one.

This blessing incorporated a sweet new element: the Big Sister circle, where the children were wrapped with the same red yarn that ties us all together in birth, in blood, and in love.
Blessings for another sweet birth to our friend,
and gratitude for the village she leaves stateside.

On Gardening with Children

2010-11-21T16:14:00.006-05:00

I have the joy of being one of the 'room moms' for Big B's first grade eco-gardening project. On the south face of the first grade building, they have been given a 10'x50' plot of land to learn one of the oldest, most forgotten, yet most important lessons of life: how to grow their own food. Through the generosity of several local business partners (a landscape supply company, a landscape architect, a native plant nursery and an organic farm), our garden has two plots for each of the eight first grade classrooms, with one herb or vegetables for every two kids. There are tomatoes, crookneck squash, cucumbers, collard greens, kale, spinach, lettuces, basil, lemon balm, parsley and more.

The children have been involved with every step of the process, from learning about the soil that was put down to planting and watering and now to weeding and caring for the little seedlings.
Big B and his garden-mate have a little collard plant to care for. They are so proud of it, and every morning when we walk by on our way to class, Big B checks diligently on his plant.
A few of us parents are taking turns watering the garden twice a day, and once every week or so, we step into the classroom and take out the children in their pairs, to check on the progress of their little seedlings. My friend and fellow garden mama made charts for the kids to measure the height, number of leaves, fruit and flowers, and presence of bugs on their plants at each visit.
"Teaching children about the natural world
should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives."
-Thomas Berry

Magnetic Poetry for Kids

2010-11-21T15:56:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I found a ziploc bag of cut-out easy reading words in Big B's school folder. I have wanted to make him a child's version of a magnetic poetry kit for some time, and just haven't gotten to it--this was the perfect excuse. I scrounged up my magnetic tape, leftover from our annual Photocard Magnet project, and snipped away. Now our dishwasher has a whole new purpose!

Birds of a Feather

2010-11-21T15:31:00.001-05:00

A few weeks before Halloween, I was making a regular stop at my favorite Goodwill when I happened upon nine absolutely gorgeous feather masks for a dollar apiece. I couldn't resist. For several days before the 31st, Big B and little b took turns wearing each, as well as a number of other accessories, and "scaring" each other throughout the house. It was a treat to have two tricksters who really felt the magic of the masquerade this year!

For complete photo documentation of our Halloween bash, please visit Noni's photo album.

On Camping, and the Regeneration of Cells

2010-10-24T17:36:00.012-04:00

For two weekends in a row, our family has camped near bonfires with old friends. How lucky I am to have typed that sentence! Last weekend it was back to The Dome for sweet music and celebration...

...and last night, back to The Ranch, this time for a seventh birthday party.

There was a collective spirit in the air, accented by pumpkins and ghosts...

...and sweet party games that just don't happen enough anymore. Like apple bobbing. Oh, the triumph!

The children, all dirt and grins, communed with nature on every level, ending with a sweet cow-feeding frenzy this morning. Gentle giants, my boys and those beasts, so beautiful.

What really struck a chord with me was the sheer villagery of it all. The eldest of our blessed tribe of babes is now seven. SEVEN. You've likely heard that all of our human cells regenerate every seven years--these incredible little people (over twenty of them!) have been together since zygotehood and are now completely reinvented, regenerated, and renewed, but have imprinted upon them the spirit of community, and always will.

The things that make up our physical bodies morph, change, die and are reborn. But upon strong foundations, new beauty emerges. We are constantly witnessing a steady stream of birth and rebirth with these entities we've been chosen to guide, and it is a mighty force of love, light, and pure, sweet laughter.

On the Sunday Morning Sidewalks

2010-10-03T13:20:00.008-04:00

This morning was glorious. A morning to be praised, to be worshiped, to be revered. Big B asked if we could take a nature walk, and we headed out the door before Papa was even out of bed. We talked about how paying attention to the little bits of beauty we whiz past on most days is sort of like going to church, in a way. We are mindfully giving thanks for the beauty of our existence, and internally vowing to be good shepherds of that beauty. My kind of church.

We started our nature walk by looking for patterns:

And discovered many little treasures, shining in the morning sun:

We found new beauty in things we pass every single day,

and reminders of the spirit of the village in which we live.

We brought a bag along for the walk and Big B and little b collected treasures. We spent the rest of the morning outside, admiring them, enjoying each other, and giving thanks and praises.

Inviting Fall: Paper Tree

2010-09-29T14:48:00.003-04:00

I was immediately inspired when I saw this post on my favorite children's craft collective, The Crafty Crow. It was a nice, slow process. The boys helped me cut branches from paper grocery bags. The tree stayed leafless for a couple of days, then we took out the watercolors and painted a handful of coffee filters I had stashed in the craft cabinet.

The next day, when the coffee filters were dry, we folded the filters in half, then in half again, then cut a leaf shape out of them, leaving a very cool star in the center of each.

I love our new door art! The leaves don't really change much where we live, so creating a bit of color brings the season that much closer. Looking forward to more cinnamon and pumpkins and apples and hay and all things autumn!

Inviting Fall: Pinecone Wreath

2010-09-25T22:12:00.006-04:00

Wednesday's Autumnal Equinox came and went without my planned seasonal fanfare, as our four schedules left us all passing ships in the night, with barely enough time for nutrition, homework and hygiene, let alone crafty ritual. But this morning was just right for it. A cool breeze, a slow pace, and nothing on the agenda but enjoying each other's company.

On our annual Labor Day trip to south Georgia, we went on a pinecone hunt, and gathered a bagful to bring home for fall decorating.

We pulled it out this morning, along with a styrofoam wreath form I've had lying around for way too long, and Big B and little b had fun sorting the pinecones into just the right arrangement. The real fun began when I told them I'd let them use the hot glue gun. The reverence of that tool held their rapt attention for the entire project.

I wrapped the wreath form with autumnal fabric, then let the boys take turns with the hot glue gun, gluing their pinecone of choice to the fabric, bottom side inward.

I glued small rust colored ornaments and cinnamon sticks between their pinecones as we worked. With the leftovers, we made a welcoming basket for the front hall table.

We all felt so proud to hang our welcoming wreath on the front door, inviting more cool breezes, cinnamon smells and warm, rusty colors. I immediately went into the kitchen and made butternut squash bisque! We wholeheartedly welcome you, autumn, and all your gracious gifts!

The Sketchbook Project

2010-09-22T13:37:00.006-04:00

Introducing the coolest thing Papa and I have made together in a long time. (Well, except for Big B and little b, of course). The Sketchbook Project from Art House Co-op.

As students together in college studying architecture, we carried sketchbooks everywhere, and prided ourselves on our improving drawing, composition, and conceptual communication skills. Now that we are juggling full-time careers, non-profit work and two very active boys, neither of us find the time we really need to nurture our own creativity--let alone each other's. Then this project came across my computer screen one day and a lightbulb went off!

Here's how it works: for a small entry fee, the Art House Co-op will send you a small and lovely Moleskine sketchbook and a theme, either selected by you or randomly generated, with which to fill it. We will send in our finished sketchbook, and it will join many others on a tour of libraries and museums nationwide.

Of course, I chose a random theme, and was overjoyed with the serendipity of it all when we received our book:

Our theme: Boys and girls. How perfect is THAT? We thought about it, talked about it, and came up with a way to treat this theme that we think will be fun for each of us while allowing us to see from the other's perspective. Rather than making each page "about" boys and girls, we decided to each take half of the book. On a given night, we pick a topic, and we each interpret that topic as we see fit. We talk about our interpretations, it's not secretive, not competitive, just...fun.

For our first topic, we did the old open-the-dictionary trick, and landed on the word PALM. These are our entries:

BOYS:

GIRLS:

I look forward to each night we are able to work on this project together. It's date night + creative outlet + being a part of something bigger than ourselves--and that's just fabulous.

Creatures, Big and Small

2010-09-07T23:24:00.006-04:00

We spent Labor Day weekend in South Georgia, and much of our time there was spent in the woods, on the trails, exploring, wondering, admiring. We marveled at every animal we saw, big and small, common and rare, tame and wild. These are a few of our encounters.

Look! Deer tracks!

Can you spot the spider?

A seed pod opened up by...?

A rat snake, who had just swallowed something very big...

A five (plus) foot Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, my first encounter...

This very grateful dragonfly we rescued...
A caterpillar...
A butterfly...

Grandma's beloved kitty cat...

And Magnus. This might have been Magnus's last trip to Georgia, and we are so grateful he was able to join us. He enjoyed himself so much, and rested in the sunshine to his heart's content.

He even made a few friends.

Wedding from a Two-Year-Old Viewpoint

2010-09-06T23:57:00.007-04:00

How do you keep a VERY inquisitive two-year-old busy at a wedding? Give him a camera. I've blogged about children and weddings before, but I've never been able to try this tactic with little b...until now. These are some of my favorites from quite a lovely collection.

New Traditions: Good Morning, Beach

2010-08-26T11:02:00.002-04:00

Little b began preschool this week. My heart has been in my throat for three days straight. As much as I love the school, the teacher, the children, the families...he's gone, and I miss him. Sure, I'm able to work more. Sure, the house is cleaner. Sure, I can have a phone conversation. But I feel like part of my body is gone. And with Big B now in first grade, on these preschool days the house is just so...quiet.

To help us both with the transition, little b and I have started a morning ritual. After dropping Big B off at big kid school, we head south to little b's school. The trip puts us there about ten minutes early, so we stop at a quiet beach nearby and say, "Good morning, Beach!" Little b finds flowers and shells, and I watch him, secretly wrapping him up with love and hoping it's enough to carry him through the day.

This is really, really hard.

Sending Summer Off in the Sunset

2010-08-22T21:35:00.001-04:00

The end of a great summer is so bittersweet. As this was the first summer which truly embodied a break in routine for our family, I am proud to say we embraced it fully. I am excited beyond words for the new experiences Big B and little b face this week, but there is a lump in my throat that holds the memories of beach days, field trips, lazy mornings and explorative adventures.

Many of the families in our village felt the same way, so we gathered at a favorite beach spot yesterday evening to enjoy the sunset, one last time. (For a little while anyway.) Us mamas and our babies have been so incredibly blessed to grow up together, but these gatherings with our partners are truly special. We are able to witness the harmony of our community and the common thread of parenting we all share: LOVE.

We played...

We gathered...

We laughed...

Our children worked together...

And explored in solitude.

And us mamas? We watched, fully soaking up these last moments of summer,

Until they were going...

going...

...gone.

And we have enjoyed every minute. Here's to the next adventure!

Raw: Being in a Natural Condition

2010-07-31T16:16:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is the first day of August, the beginning of late summer. I am feeling in every cell of my body the need to rest, recharge, rejuvenate, and revitalize. So after several days of research, I am ready to shut down and complete a two week raw food cleanse. I enter this practice with full intention to care for each of my systems. In addition to toxin elimination and healthful, mindful raw food preparation, this will include yoga, a full eight hours of sleep each night, and a break from distractions that weigh down my energy and productivity.

Papa took Big B and little b fishing today, which was perfect timing for me to prepare for Day One (tomorrow). After a beautiful raw lunch from a local restaurant and consulting with several friends who have knowledge in the cleansing arena, I visited the bookstore. There were a lot of choices...

...but I stuck with a tried and true recommendation from a friend. This book is gorgeous and I can't wait to create some of these dishes!

I made my grocery list and went shopping (by myself--a much different experience than usual).

I came home and am enjoying planning my menu for the cleanse. I will not be blogging during this process but will keep a journal and share results! Happy late summer to all!

"Late summer emerges around the first of August

and ushers us into fall at the Equinox.

Late summer is ruled by the Earth element.

The Earth is ruled by the Divine Mother energy

and fills us with gratitude, sympathy, compassion,

ability to give and receive nourishment of all kinds,

from being grounded, centered and balanced."

-Mary Lane, Divine Nourishment

The Quilts of Gee's Bend

2010-07-30T09:25:00.001-04:00

Last night, I had the immense pleasure of visiting an art gallery with my dear friend Rose. In and of itself that would have been a rare treat to be savored. But what was inside was a collection I've wanted to see for years, one that moved both of us more than we expected. The quilts of Gee's Bend.

Two years ago I scrapped (no pun intended) my measured method of quilting and joined droves of modern quilters in the improvisational movement. This liberating practice of piecing to your heart's content and throwing straight lines and rulers out the window results in a much more interesting, personal, creative expression. The quilters of Gee's Bend literally pioneered this movement, and not by going down the road to the fabric store, but by finding scraps, jackets, blankets, whatever--and creating history.

Stopping at this pre-war piece entered me in conversation with another quilter moved to tears.

This piece shows just how resourceful the quilters were. Using swatches from campaign ribbons, army gear, sweaters, mixing knitwear and cotton and polyester and bedsheets with beautiful results.

Log cabin-style blocks become so much more interesting when pieced in this way!

I think this was my favorite quilt in the room. Again, pausing to admire it found me in conversation with another quilter, this time trying to imagine how the quilter's pieced this beauty. The juxtaposition of fabrics is spectacular.

Another friend was there, and she recognized one of the fabrics from a doll she had as a child!

I loved this very improv log cabin piece that used cottons and courdoroys in perfect accord, contrasting them with denim from old blue jeans. They kept the pockets! Love that!

Each of the quilts was so inspirational. Every piece of fabric was carefully transformed into something much bigger than itself. The quilts of Gee's Bend are metaphoric, iconic pieces of Americana that showcase community, creativity, and true sustainability. I was grateful to be in the presence of so much love.

Nature's Complete Alphabet

2010-07-28T10:27:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago, we started our treasure hunt for the alphabet within natural elements around us. Here is our finished collection, accompanied by the great Arlo Guthrie.

Project Update: The Safe Motherhood Quilt

2010-07-25T22:28:00.009-04:00

Tonight is the Full Moon in Aquarius, a time to manifest awakening and compassion, and to examine the relationship between individual expression and service to humanity. I felt tonight would be the perfect occasion to revisit The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, and to honor a mother that lost her life in childbirth.

Pamela Jean Young Lippert died from an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) just hours after giving birth to her son Vaughn (Cameron), who is alive and healthy today. Ina May Gaskin, founder of the quilt project, noticed a sharp increase in the number of women dying with this diagnosis; moreover, a majority of these women (like Pamela) were induced with Cytotec, also known as misoprostol. Cytotec is a drug that has never been approved by the FDA for labor induction and causes the uterus to hyperstimulate like no other medicine. Furthermore, unlike Cervadil, it cannot be removed once it is administered.

Ina May wanted to create a special quilt to bring awareness to the far too many women who have died of amniotic fluid embolism. Pamela already has a square on the larger Safe Motherhood Quilt, which is how I came to know her story. The square, lovingly created by her sister Lauren, was on the panel I was honored to quilt last year. I communicated with Pamela's family and they gave me their blessing to create a new square for the special quilt.

I received many loving details about this beautiful woman, younger than I am, who was obviously in great health and full of love for life and the world around her. But one line in an email from her mother caught my attention:

"I remember how she loved trees, and how, if she saw a huge tree standing in a field by itself, she would marvel at its creation and at how strong it must be to stand alone."

I gathered the fabric that spoke to me and began to create a strong and mighty tree, alone, with Pam in contemplation. (The fabric I used for the trunk is the same fabric that binds the panel of the Safe Motherhood Quilt with Pam's original square in it.)

As I was working on this piece, little b was digging around in my notions and found two little oval mirrors, and tossed them in my direction. One of them landed right in the center of the tree. This moment of contemplation instantly became a portal between Pamela's birth experience and the strength and solitude she so admired.

After placing the pieces on the 12" x 16" square with fusible webbing, I gave each a decorative stitch treatment to reinforce and embellish the details of the square. For Pamela's silhouette, I used a free motion foot; it may not be perfect, but I think its fluidity represents the moment in a nice way.

Pam was only 26 years old when she transcended this world. The real tragedy here is that her death quite likely could have been prevented. If you would like to join Ina May and me and many others in the fight for healthier childbirth, there are many ways to help. If you would like to create a quilt square for a woman who has died of amniotic fluid embolism, please visit this list and find a woman (who doesn't already have a quilter assigned) that resonates with you. Please comment here or email me with your contact information and I will fill you in on specifications, etc. These stories need to be told.

Sushi for Kids

2010-07-22T19:13:00.005-04:00

Big B has loved sushi since he was old enough to eat it. He not only devours the veggie rolls, but genuinely enjoys the more adventurous sushi that Papa and I eat. We have intended, as a family, to make our own sushi--I used to do this in college at a macrobiotic restaurant--but it hasn't quite made it to the table. Then last week, on a trip to our local Whole Foods Market, I noticed a flyer for a free kids' sushi making class. I immediately signed Big B up, and this morning, we joined nine other families as their little ones, wide-eyed, awaited instruction.

The display before them was gorgeous: nori, rice, crab, tofu, cucumber, scallion, carrot, asparagus, cream cheese, mango, pineapple, melon, and strawberries.

Who knows what Nori is?

The teachers were patient and creative and helped the kids through each step. Big B laid out his nori and flattened sticky sushi rice into a neat little rectangle, leaving about an inch of room on either side.

He then chose from the filling buffet. For his first roll, he decided to go sweet: cream cheese, mango, and strawberry. He called this one the Jasmine Dragon roll.

His second roll was a bit more adventurous, including crab meat, cucumber, pineapple, strawberries, cream cheese and mango. This one was called the Rainbow Dragon roll.

Big B really impressed me today. Rolling sushi is not easy for adults, let alone six-year-olds. When it was time to roll the Rainbow Dragon, Big B did not need any help, and did a beautiful job.

The finished Jasmine Dragon and Rainbow Dragon rolls. I would easily pay $10 for this at a sushi bar.

After class, we found a table outside and shared Big B's creations. Little b and I raved about each piece, and we saved one of each for Papa. We are looking forward to creating many more rolls at home!

Book Love

2010-07-22T00:42:00.006-04:00

In the last two days I have acquired four coveted books that have been on my wish-list for some time, and I can't wait to dig in. All of them (only one purchased new) make me smile just looking at their tempting covers.

1 : Radical Homemakers, Shannon Hayes

How can I resist a book that comes so highly recommended by my dear friend and domestic muse Rose--not to mention one that has a preface entitled "Tomato Canning Feminists!"

2 : The Joy of Cooking, Rombauer, Becker and Becker

How I have not previously owned this book I have no idea. This should be a permanent fixture in any kitchen, right along side a Cuisinart and a music source.

3 : The Zuni Cafe Cookbook, Judy Rodgers

I have coveted this collection since I learned of my college friend and his darling wife working at the renowned San Francisco restaurant of the same name. We will dine there one day!

4 : Glorious Patchwork, Kaffe Fassett

Kaffe Fassett's work makes me dizzy, in a good way. The man has no fear. His bold color and print combinations and sharp, meticulous quilt patterns have me reeling.

The dog days of summer have many of us inside, gleaning inspiration from good books, sending us inward to continue our journeys. Happy reading!

Local Colors

2010-07-19T17:35:00.005-04:00

What a beautiful weekend we spent enjoying the vivid brightness of our village. Here are some snippets from our journey to our farmer's market, a hidden state archeological site, and a local fishing pier.

Yard Sale Score: Ukulele

2010-07-16T15:44:00.005-04:00

Could there possibly be anything sweeter than happening upon a fabulous estate sale on the way home from a fabulous morning at the beach?

I scored an antique German Little Red Riding Hood board book, a hand carved linoleum block for prints (which I am in love with and will be shown again in December, I'm sure), and a ukulele. In and of itself, a ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lay-lay, I've recently learned) wouldn't be a big deal, but Big B was gifted one for his sixth birthday, and we are both learning to play it. Such joy to see his face light up at the prospect of us playing them together!

Car Painting, Take Two

2010-07-16T15:39:00.007-04:00

The walls of our house are in need of refreshment. Recently inspired by the very cool, very comfortable, very efficient interior design in the small home of our friends, we have been rearranging furniture and artwork. At a quick stop at our local art and frame store, I saw large stretched canvases marked down beyond belief. I scooped two up and resurrected a project we enjoyed last year with shiny new paints and refurbished gusto.

Big B's finished Car Painting:

little b's finished Car Painting:

New Front Entry Table Art:

A Week of Celebrating Water

2010-07-16T13:52:00.010-04:00

I have written before about the healing power of the water. This week I have felt it in my soul.

Sunday I gathered with my New Moon sisters oceanside. We watched the most magnificent sun set over the pass, bouncing golden saffron then bright seashell pink light off of the water.

We were inspired by the idea of creating a communal, temporal homage to the ocean--she who brings healing, she who needs healing. So we set off on a treasure walk and came together to bless our patch of sand, while both the sun and our intentions began to set.

Monday was library day, and Big B decided to look up books about sharks and dolphins. He came back with these four, all about the ocean and the waves.

Tuesday we visited to the Florida Aquarium with Noni. Most of their amazing displays are indoors, and I didn't get too many photos, but the kids had a fabulous time. We'll definitely be returning!

Wednesday found us at The Children's Garden, where I found these magical seashell horns in their gift shop. I bought them and tucked them away for a special occasion.

Thursday was that special occasion. Finally, after almost three months of unbridled oil spewing into our Gulf, we heard the news that the broken well had been capped--at least for now. While we are by no means celebrating the fact that millions and millions of gallons of oil are still out there, we are all cautiously breathing a bit easier now. I presented the horns to Big B and little b, and told them that the ocean is indeed a magical place, and that we are so lucky to be living near her powers. They each have the spirit of the ocean inside them, and can call it whenever they choose.

And so today, Friday, we gathered again at our most sacred beach with our tribe, celebrating the water and all of its healing. And we felt the magic it contains.

On Children and Money

2010-07-05T22:45:00.006-04:00

Big B is one lucky kid. We are in the process of writing over thirty thank-you cards for the bounty he received upon turning six. Yes, when he's playing with a new birthday toy, we are mindful to pull out the gift list and remember who gave it to him. And sure, he's grateful. But merely two days after the bounty was received, on a routine trip to Target, he was dangerously approaching whiney-town for being denied a new action figure.

I realized that Big B is old enough and smart enough to begin to manage his own money, and to perhaps begin to conceptualize value. I posted the question of allowance to fellow parents in the social media world, and learned so much about the way other families handle this issue. Papa, Big B and I had a meeting, and agreed on a plan.

First, we emptied Big B's piggy bank, which contained, for the most part, all of the money he'd earned since his savings account was opened at birth. Big B helped me sort all of the money, bills and coins alike, by denomination.

When the money was sorted, I helped Big B count each pile, and then use a calculator to total his earnings. Tomorrow he'll make a nice deposit into his savings account. We talked about long-term savings and what he might like to use that money for one day.

And now, each Friday, Big B will get an allowance. This will not be tied to his household chores, as he is expected to pitch in as a family member anyway--and he can always go above and beyond to earn extra money. Like many families, we chose the dollar-per-year-of-age method. Together, we decided on his budget: one-third into his long-term savings, one-third is for spending (or short-term savings), one-sixth to charity, and one-sixth will go toward our family's Redwoods Forest Vacation Fund.

(We'll give little b a little allowance too--he loves to put money in his piggy bank, and I imagine the younger we start, the more savvy he'll be. There are also online games, like this one and this one, to help kids understand what things cost.)

No Title, Just a Perfect Morning

2010-07-01T22:54:00.006-04:00

There was no theme, no craft, no obligation, no preassigned template for today, and I am more grateful to preserve it through this medium than most--for it was perfect.

We met our Papa at his job site and were given the tour of a spectacular oceanfront home. None of us could stop smiling.

Just down the road from the house is a great park right on the water that has, until today, been off our beaten path. We spent hours there, swinging, scooting, watching heron eat a fisherwoman's leftovers.

On our way to the area of the park where the playground was, we stumbled upon a nature preserve boardwalk through a mangrove root forest. It was magical.

We noticed beautiful bits of native color peeking through the green...

...and little crabs digging holes beneath the roots. Big B counted them until he reached 100!

One leg of the boardwalk took us to an overlook where we could see our city's beautiful skyline and all of the boats and fish yet unaffected by the oil spill. We counted our blessings and talked about how incredibly lucky we are to live in this part of the world.

Happy Six, Big B

2010-06-30T08:20:00.006-04:00

I no longer have a five-year-old. Big B turned six yesterday, and we've been celebrating non-stop over here...so much so that I really don't have very many pictures to prove it. We had a Tiger Party on Saturday with a house and yard full of little roarers. Tiger tails, tiger toys, tiger books, tiger games, tiger prizes, tiger coloring, tiger balloons, poacher jeep pinata...okay, maybe that was a bit much, but the kids had a great time.

It was a scorcher until the rain fell, so we hired our good friend to come and serve our guests his famous Hawaiian shave ice treats. What a hit! He served over 100 of them!

We also had tiger-themed food, prepared by both of Big B's grandmothers.

Aunt S came through with some gorgeous face painting for our little cats.

Through rain and chaos, we had a wonderful celebration. Yesterday we intended to celebrate further with the real tigers at Busch Gardens, but little b's fever had other plans. So we stayed local, had a sweet day of game playing Grammy, Papu, Noni and Uncle Bob, and enjoyed being with our new six year old.

As I told him the story of his birth last night, I couldn't help crying. He asked if I was sad, and I said no, quite the opposite...that his choosing of Papa and me has made me happier than I ever dreamed. I thanked him for being exactly who he is, and I told him what an honor it is to watch him grow, and grow, and grow.

(this moment)

2010-06-25T13:46:00.002-04:00

Via Soule Mama: A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Neighborhood Lemonade Stand

2010-06-22T22:39:00.004-04:00

Have I mentioned before how fabulously fabulous our neighborhood is? We live on the greatest street in all the land, with five very close families with young children within mere feet of each other. I know that the value of this kind of community in the growth of my children is beyond measure. Today, one of these families called us and reminded us of an idea--and just a few hours later, five families came together to host a neighborhood lemonade stand.

Our children collectively decided that The Humane Society would be the lucky recipient of their earnings.
One family brought cookies, several brought lemonade, one brought paper goods, one brought ice, and many painted signs. We mostly just had a very sweet afternoon, pausing at the parental shout of "CAR!" to grab signs and entice passing motorists.When all was said and done, our amazing children raised $96 and change for their chosen cause. All of us agreed that we should do this more often! It has so many benefits: us mamas and papas truly enjoy each others' company, our children simply love each other, and they are learning valuable life lessons in the process.
We are so lucky.

Summer Solstice 2010

2010-06-21T21:40:00.010-04:00

Today is the Summer Solstice. We woke up ready to celebrate the summer sun.
What better way to pay homage to the sunshine we are so warmed and energized by than to visit the beach? We threw on our suits and were out the door. Our dear friend Rose and her monkeys met us there, and her sentiments echo the thoughts I'm trying so hard to suppress today. The water was clear and sweet and we celebrated it fully. Like little drops of sunshine, these mahoe flowers were everywhere on the sand near our blanket.We collected several of them, along with some shells and seaweed, and brought them home to add to our beach pebble, making a lovely palette for our solstice spiral: a nature devotional to the sun.
Later this afternoon, Big B and little b revisited our beach collection and made gorgeous vignette compositions on solar print paper. They were most pleased with the results! We'll be doing a lot of these this summer--a very gratifying project.

As the year's longest day came to a close, we read some of our new library books. This adaptation of the classic Canticle of the Sun was a perfect way to end our solstice celebration, and a reminder for us to give thanks and praise and act with respect and kindness toward the systems that sustain us. This is not optional. As Chief Seattle said so wisely: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."

The Circle of Days

Lord, we offer thanks and praise
For the circle of our days.
Praise for radiant brother sun,
Who makes the hours around us run.
For sister moon, and for the stars,
Brilliant, precious, always ours.
Praise for brothers wind and air,
Serene or cloudy, foul or fair.
For sister water, clear and chaste,
Useful, humble, good to taste.
For fire, our brother, strong and bright,
Whose joy illuminates the night.
Praise for our sister, mother earth,
Who cares for each of us from birth.
For all her children, fierce or mild,
For sister, brother, parent, child.
For creatures wild, and creatures tame,
For hunter, hunted, both the same.
For brother sleep, and sister death,
Who tend the borders of our breath.
For desert, orchard, rock, and tree,
For forest, meadow, mountain, sea,
For fruit and flower, plant and bush,
For morning robin, evening thrush.
For all your gifts, of every kind,
We offer praise with quiet mind.
Be with us, Lord, and guide our ways
Around the circle of our days.

A Man of Many Hats

2010-06-20T13:18:00.004-04:00

In honor of Father's Day this morning, after preparing a stellar breakfast-in-bed for our pater familias, Big B and little b put on a fashion and music show for their biggest fan. I don't have pictures of this spectacular display because I was too busy cheering and narrating the show--all I have is a photo of the pile of discarded fashions--but I'll describe it as a sweet celebration of how much two boys love their daddy.

And let me use this space to say this about the man that is their father. Papa never, ever ceases to amaze me. Even after a very long and cerebral workday, his enthusiasm, excitement, humor and strength nurture and grow these children on a daily basis. He has never once failed to seize an opportunity to make them happy. Perhaps above all else, Papa is simply a good man. His example has already laid the foundation for my two young princes to grow into greatness.

Our little fashion show was an appropriate tribute to a man who wears so many hats, and a chance for the recipients of his many gifts to tip their hats to him and say: Thank you, Daddy.

Calm Cushions: Zafus for Kids

2010-06-17T22:22:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we headed south to celebrate Papa's Grandma Ruth's 85th birthday. As is her custom upon receiving her grandchildren as visitors, she began offering the things in her house. She insisted that I take the two lovely hand-crocheted pillows I complimented on her couch. I graciously accepted. She said they were made by her friend's daughter and would love to find them a good home. Done!

Today I played catch-up around the house, and as a result, Big B and little b were getting a bit out-of-sorts toward day's end. I remembered the pillows and threw them on the floor and asked each boy which was his favorite. They chose differently (whew!), and voila, my children now each have their own "calm cushion." I told them that whenever they were feeling like they needed a moment to take a deep breath or read a book, they could use their cushion and it would bring them a bit of peace. It worked, if only for a moment (and perhaps for novelty's sake), like a charm.
Seeing the pillows on the floor also reminded me of my friend Rose's recent zafu creation. So there's something to this! A zafu is simply a round cushion traditionally used in zen meditation. Having a comfortable, portable piece of peace is a great idea for kids--why haven't I thought of it sooner? And these are just perfect. Thank you Grandma Ruth!

Summer Homesteading: Sweet as Honey

2010-06-16T12:50:00.004-04:00

Some things are genetic, I suppose. Like getting overzealous at a good locally grown crop of tomatoes. When my sister learned of my tomato bounty, she loaded up Big L and little l and headed south for a 24-hour food preservation whirlwind.

Big B and little b could just hardly stand it, waiting for their arrival.They came bearing tomato-trading gifts: four quarts of frozen blueberries they'd picked this spring, two jars each of homemade strawberry and blueberry jam, vidalia onions from a u-pick on the way to our house, and potatoes fresh from their garden.We spent twelve straight hours in the kitchen processing our harvest. This is one of two five-gallon containers of tomato puree!
We canned 18 quarts (about 50 pounds) of herbed tomato sauce and 12 pints of yellow tomato and tomatillo salsa, leaving us each with about 25 pounds of tomatoes to bring home.The next morning, Aunt S revealed the four frames of honey she'd brought from her hives to show Big B and little b how it was bottled.The honey glistened like gold as she scraped the beeswax from the comb.Big B got a turn scraping the honeyed wax......and little b got a turn eating the honeyed wax!
When the frames were emptied there were several containers of sweet golden wildflower honey on our dining room table.Aunt S poured all of the honey and wax into a large bucket fitted with a filter to catch the comb, squeezing out as much of the deliciousness as she could.
We left the bucket o' honey bathing in the sun while we took a quick dip in the ocean. When we returned, it was ready to pour into jars. And in case I haven't mentioned it, this is by far the most delicious honey I've ever tasted.
A quick visit with very little money spent yielded a feast of homegrown goodness for two families. Canning and processing is hard, fast-paced work, but there is so much love poured into each jar, and so much peace of mind knowing where every single ingredient comes from. This is one lesson that radical homemakers are re-learning, one that our elders know all too well. As one wise woman said to my sister upon seeing the many mason jars in her shopping cart: "I kinda feel sorry for you, and I kinda feel envious of you at the same time."

When Life Gives You Tomatoes...

2010-06-11T22:17:00.007-04:00

Earlier this week, I was blessed by a friend's delivery of locally grown tomatoes, fresh cream from local grass-fed cows, and two dozen farm-fresh eggs. I have been in domestic heaven all week. While letting the tomatoes ripen on our dining room table, Big B and little b helped me make butter for the very first time. I do declare I may never buy butter from the store again.We also made ice cream using the fresh cream, fresh eggs, hand-extracted vanilla and handpicked berries. Delicious.When the tomatoes were sufficiently ripe, I scored them, blanched them, peeled them, de-seeded them and pureed them.I wanted to can tomato sauce, something our family uses quite a bit of. The consensus recipe for such an undertaking was from Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The recipe calls for dried spices so as not to interfere with the acidity and pH of the sauce. As the other ingredients in the sauce were so lovely, local, and organic, the boys and I took a trip to our local spice shop to bring our herbs up to par.The sauce cooked for about three hours before we canned it. The house smelled divine, and Big B and little b just couldn't get enough tastes.I was hooked. Tomorrow is the last day of the summer tomato season at our local farm, and what isn't picked and sold will be plowed and burned. As a result, they are selling u-pick tomatoes for a dollar a bucket. That's one dollar for over 25 pounds of tomatoes. How could we resist? The boys and I and several other tomato lovers met out at the farm for a few hot hours of harvesting.When all was said and done, we piled over 200 pounds of tomatoes in our car and paid just $23. We'll be divvying these up among family and friends, and using our share for more canning, sauce, salsa, ketchup, and fresh salads. And counting our juicy red blessings all the while.

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts

while eating a homegrown tomato."
--Lewis Grizzard

Yard Sale Score: Vintage Goodness

2010-06-06T18:12:00.006-04:00

At a lovely Sunday-only yard sale this morning, I was delighted to find a large and tasteful selection of vintage wares. This darling 1960's serving tray was probably my favorite. Big B and little b are thrilled that I picked up a Donvier Chill Fast Ice Cream Maker, circa a very long time ago, in perfect condition.
I scored big on this gorgeous batik of four horses, perfect for a certain someone in my family with a summer birthday.
Signed, original, antique and described, this will make a very nice gift.
I love yard sales, especially unexpected ones. Have you noticed? Add a brand new dress to the tally above and for twenty bucks, I'm a happy girl.

Birthday Wishes: Thirty-Six Amazing Things

2010-05-31T23:14:00.015-04:00

After wishing our amazing Papa a joyous thirty-sixth trip around the sun last Tuesday, we loaded up for the weekend and headed north to celebrate in South Georgia. This was Papa's only wish. In his honor, here is the list we came up with on the way home: thirty-six amazing things we did over the long weekend.

1. Received nourishment from Grandma and her garden
2. Watched a mother whipoorwill protect her baby
3. Saw three deer
4. Saw two rabbits
5. Saw one fox squirrel
6. Saw one enormous red-tailed hawk
7. Saw one gopher tortoise
8. Saw one water turtle laying eggs
9. Found two nests with baby birds
10. Fed chickens and saw day-old chicks
11. Saw lots and lots and lots of butterflies12. Opened our camper door each morning to the sight of Grandma's flowers
13. Took a sunrise walk14. Tried to catch minnows in the pond15. Saw new quilts in progress
16. Shared freshly boiled peanuts in the sunshine
17. Picked blackberries (both in a garden and on a pond bank) and ate them off the vine 18. Drew water from a well 19. Caught frogs
20. Called to a bob-white bird and were answered
21. Went blueberry picking (and blueberry eating)
22. Played kickball in the rain
23. Got stuck in the mud
24. Gathered wildflowers in the fields
25. Went searching for interesting mushrooms
26. Caught a grasshopper
27. Held baby kittens
28. Welcomed a full moon
29. Stayed up late, roasted s'mores, had sleepovers
30. Went searching for arrowheads and found flint
31. Built fires
32. Revisited a goose nest we discovered on our last visit
33. Went swimming in the Altamaha River
34. Floated a watermelon in the river and ate it while swimming
35. Hiked to rock caves
36. Spent a long weekend with four generations of family

A Day at the Park: Animal Connections

2010-05-23T23:11:00.002-04:00

For me, the most rewarding part of our first family tri p to Busch Gardens was watching Big B and little b make connections with the animals there. In celebration of World Turtle Day, the park welcomed children to feed and pet a giant tortoise.
There were many other special connections, especially between Big B and the tigers--but my camera was long tucked away by then, and there will be plenty more tiger fun in the weeks to come. But for me, the most powerful moment of animal spirit came at the gorilla exhibit, when we happened upon a mama gorilla nursing her baby. By no means a newborn, this little b sized toddler was almost as big as his beautiful mama. As the babe rolled around playfully with a full tummy, little b made his way to the glass to get a closer look at the pair. He was instantly drawn to them, as he is still a nursling himself.
Coincidentally, Little b and I have recently begun the "big boy" conversations. I think we both know our moons of nursing are coming to an end relatively soon, and it is a bittersweet chapter to close. As if by magic, the mama gorilla just knew. She turned around to face little b, only a thick layer of glass between them, and looked right in his eyes...and smiled.
In one moment, my decision to nurse my babies until we are mutually ready to end the relationship was reaffirmed by this majestic mother. I felt right and true and innately wise for knowing what my babies need: to be held, to be loved, and to roll over with full bellies and play the day away.

A Day at the Park: Master Navigator

2010-05-23T22:56:00.008-04:00

This weekend we had the pleasure of taking our first family trip to Tampa's Busch Gardens. We will definitely be visiting the park several more times this summer, taking advantage of annual passes, proximity and a really fun place for everyone. An unexpected perk of the trip for Big B was his natural role as the day's navigator. Armed with a map from the get-go, he made sure we all knew where we were--and where we were going--all afternoon.
His affinity for maps and treasure hunting has inspired me to help him create maps of other places in his world. Here is a HUGE list of mapping and cartography educational sites for kids.

True Love and Homegrown Tomatoes

2010-05-18T23:17:00.007-04:00

A very wise man once said, "There's two things that money can't buy and that's true love and homegrown tomatoes." Now that we are successfully harvesting our first ever home crop of the grape variety, I could not possibly agree more.

Every afternoon after school, before we go and check on our ducklings, we inspect our plants for bright red jewels. Neither Big B nor little b have ever cared much for tomatoes (much to the shock of their Papa and me, as we both devour them) but these little sweets are a different story. And personally, I can't get enough of them. I understand the magic and hope to make this a mainstay of our early summer ritual for years to come.

Introducing: The Arlington Park Ducklings

2010-05-12T23:11:00.003-04:00

Well, we've become a bit obsessed with the ducklings we discovered the day after Mothers' Day. We've visited them twice a day since then, and Big B and I started a science observation journal to record our findings. Combine the journal with the bazillion pictures we snap at every visit, and whaddaya got? That's right, another blog. Introducing our summer science project: The Arlington Park Ducklings.

For more on starting your own science journal with your children, visit this post from Makes and Takes.

Nature's Alphabet

2010-05-11T21:25:00.007-04:00

Since becoming a parent in a digital age, I have found myself drawn to photographic essays featuring nature's alphabet. Little b was under the weather today, so on our way to visit the ducklings (for the fourth time) we quieted our pace and searched for letters. Big B and I are excited to collect all 26. Our only two rules: all letters must be made of natural elements, and no rearranging is permitted...only found letters count! Our first five: E (above, and my favorite), Y, V, U, and T. What will we find next?

A Late Mother's Day Gift

2010-05-10T13:52:00.009-04:00

A belated Happy Mother's Day to you! Yesterday was spent in the loving company of my family, who treated me like a queen. No time for blogging when there is all of that resting and eating to be done. I did snap the above photo of this statue, my Mother's Day muse, tucked in a sea of similar statues in my grandmother-in-law's mobile home park. I like her. She has Big B and little b sized children.

This morning little b and I experienced a true Mother's Day gift, one day late. We took a walk to our local park with our sweet friends (one amazing mother and one insanely cute little boy). I had just been observing that in the almost six years I had been taking my boys to this park, I had noticed a steady decline in spring ducklings. Just moments later, I heard my friend say, "babies!" and little b and I followed. Doesn't this mama look so proud? She was almost smiling at our praises.We sat and watched this mother and her five fuzzy babies for a good ten minutes. She had led them to the pond bank to show them to dig into the shallow water for food. I was surprised and grateful at how long she let us stay and how close she let us get. We watched her quack away ibis birds and turtles with fierce protection. She did give little b a warning quack after he threw a stick in the water, but I do declare it was a gentler quack, as if she knew he was just a duckling himself.
We will be visiting the pond much more frequently now. We will watch these five grow and learn from their proud and protective mama. We will learn to identify each of them and know who their father is. We will hope they stay strong in number and grow into fine young ducks this fall. As we finally watched the mama lead them away, soundlessly and powerfully, I was reminded that all mothers are united by the same feelings we saw her display: protection, pride, responsibility and love. Some of us may just quack a little louder than others.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Moment in Time

2010-05-02T12:13:00.003-04:00

In the ultimate experiment (much like Soule Mama's Friday moments), The New York Times asked readers all over the world today to submit a photo taken at exactly the same moment. A Moment in Time: A Timely Global Mosaic occurred for us at 11:00 am, at which point I was unloading groceries...so I handed the camera to Big B and asked him to take a picture that represented our family at this moment. This is our moment:For Big B, it was the image of his favorite tomato growing. For me, who finds the metaphor in everything, it was like seeing my own joy in watching my children grow. I can't wait to see how the global mosaic turns out!

The First Beach Day

2010-05-01T21:26:00.014-04:00

Welcome, Summer! Seemingly overnight, the cool, mild spring we were all soaking up gave in to the persistent, relentless heat of summer. We decided to ring it in by visiting one of our gorgeous local beach's annual sandcastle contest.Of course, when we were finished ooohing and aaahing at the sand creations, we had to take our inaugural swim in the Gulf. I soaked in the laughter and joy on the faces of my boys, and remembered my own childhood, when nights spent after days at the beach came with the very best dreams.As happy a day as it was for our family, I couldn't shake the nagging sadness and worry that this might be one of the very few times we are able to enjoy our beaches this summer. I am still processing the anger and confusion I am feeling at the recent oil spill and waiting, as is everyone else here, to see just how deep the damage will be. Perhaps this summer, instead of enjoying our beaches in the way we are used to, we will be joining the many who will clean them, a feeble apology to our Mother Earth for yet another poisonous indiscretion.

Tibetan Sacred Sand Mandala: Part Three (Finale)

2010-04-26T12:28:00.026-04:00

Friday night, I had the pleasure of taking Big B on a date. We went to dinner, and then to the closing ceremonies of the Tibetan monks' week-long residence in our community. We were excited to see the finished sand mandala that we'd visited every day the week before.
After dinner, we arrived at the performing arts hall just in time to watch the sunset over the Bay (very appropriate, as we had spent the car ride singing hip-hop versions of Down By the Bay).Before the closing ceremonies began, Big B had a few moments to work on the last of three children's mandalas.The lights dimmed and we went into the theater. I was thankful Noni joined us, because during the interludes between chants and dances, Big B was a squirmy wormy. But the dances kept his attention and he asked great questions. When the head lama (monk) asked the audience to put their energy into visualizing world peace during one of the dances, Big B asked, "How do I do that?"

He made it through to the end of the ceremony on the promise that we'd get to see the monks disperse the sand in the mandala they'd worked all week to create. We left the theater a couple of minutes early to get a spot up close, and I'm so glad we did. Big B stood immediately behind the monks as they encircled the mandala with their voices and instruments. This is their ornate drum.Finally, the mandala began to disappear. The crowd collectively gasped as the first grains were scraped away.
When the sands were piled in the center of the tekpu, the monks began putting teaspoonfuls into little bags for their spectators to carry with them. Big B patiently waited for his, then carried it like a treasure outside and to the waterfront, where we awaited the dispersal of the rest of the sand.The monks followed, chanting a final, climactic chant, blessing the sands' journey through the water to the rest of the world, bringing peace and healing energy.And just like that, it was over. I am so grateful to have shared this experience with my children. I am hopeful that the global perspective they are gaining in their childhood grows into a well of compassion as they get older. They have big hearts and thoughtful minds, and with each new special experience, I am among the lucky few that watch them grow. And grow. And grow.