Painting feathers....on a windy day.

I love the whole process of painting in nature. I love
wandering around looking for the perfect spot.



I love gathering potential subjects....(I always dream of
painting a pine cone-but lack the courage yet...)



And finally settling on a subject, then beginning to paint.




I love the whole process, the watery beginnings (pictured above),
before the the darks go on and the finishing off.

And painting a feather on a windy day you ask? Well....the
paint dries quickly in the wind- and there is something
humorous about scurrying after your feather and trying to
secure it with erasers and paint brushes.

But more than anything it is the luxury of losing yourself in
in concentration, on mossy ground, by a lake. Feeling the wind
and being so glad to be out and a part of it.

:: Morning Goodness::

Imagine waking up to these. Dashing out first thing....
to see if any more have opened, barefoot through the
wet grass. Hurrying to take some pictures, before their
colours change in the sun.

And all this....from just a tiny packet of mail order seeds,

tentatively scattered in early spring...wondering if they

would come to anything....hoping, watering and watching.

I am you may have guessed fond of poppies. I love the whole

process the seedlings, the flowers and now I wait in anticipation

for the beautiful seed pods, full of more seeds to scatter.

Surely little delights are the best.

:: Little Joys::

Sometimes, in this Christmas celebration of ours I have to
stop and think, amidst it all, of the things that I find beautiful.
And for me it is the little details, the small joys which I
really love:
How we build the nativity through out advent, beginning
with minerals in the first week...



And how this year, Mary and Joseph have begun their
long journey on top of the piano, moving a little each day,
(to my children's delight...)until some time in the third
week they will reach the nativity display.



And how at the Op shop, I discovered something
I had been wishing for-but never thought I would actually
own. Which has, in its own way brought joy and wonder
to our house.




Just little things, but so lovely. I hope that as time goes on
I have the courage to focus more on these little things that
I love about Christmas and somehow scale down the parts
that I find more difficult. To create a celebration that is
beautiful in its simplicity......

Pencils

I love the happy little indulgences that sneak into my

life at times....like finding a metal tin of drawing pencils

at the supermarket. Then how it rained the following

afternoon - which gave me the perfect opportunity to

do a bit of sketching.

Nothing ground breaking, just a few summery shells,

but so very enjoyable none the less.

And then I took a moment to reflect, upon how very lovely it

would be, if I ever got around to keeping a Nature Journal -

as I often dream of doing...... 2B or not 2B, that is the question!

(All rounded off with a little silliness.....which I was unable

to resist!!)

::An Edwardian Snippet::

I knew as the shop lady got the key and opened the glass
cabinet, I was in grave danger of needing this book. Then I
opened it....and the first page I flipped to (of crochet
lace patterns) confirmed this most decisively. A little window
into the lives of women in 1911, how they ran their houses,
what they read, how they dressed,the handcrafts, the recipes.....
Some very Edwardian and some so very timeless, nearly
100 years later.

Let me share with you a little snippet from "The Housekeeper's

Diary for December". Which is somehow fitting, in the lead up to

the festive season.

"This is invariably a tiring and exacting month

for the house mother and though the word "holidays"

is continually in the air, it is usually anything but

holiday-time for her!"

"When preparing for a party in your own house,

remember it is the poorest economy to use up all

your own strength before-hand in getting things ready

for the evening.

Too often the mistress of a small house gives herself

no time for proper meals, and keeps going up to the

last minute on the day of the festivity;

and then has the utmost difficulty looking cheerful

and keeping the worried look at bay when her

guests arrive.

No matter how busy and rushed you may be,

make it a rule to take good meals and allow

yourself at least a quarter of an hour's

rest before your friends come.

And do not forget that nothing recuperates the

tired body so quickly as a rest with the feet up,

on a sofa or bed....."

How very real....and in some respects more honest than a lot of

contemporary magazines, which are full of all the festive wonders

that can be achieved.

It inspires me to take a big deep breath and aim for simplicity.

And to reflect on the freedom that we have, to celebrate Christmas

in our own style. To create a celebration for our family that is

meaningful, what ever form it takes. I guess for an Edwardian

this would have been a very radical thought indeed. I just wonder

how much times have changed?

::Waldorf Birthday Goodness::

Yesterday was my little boy's birthday celebration at his kindy.
It was a celebration of his life so far, of the milestones and
highlights of his 5 years in our family.

We came home with a beautiful bunch of flowers, a gold crown,

a miniature cake, cards from all his friends and a treasure

stone in a little felt bag. Somehow in the Waldorf Kindy these

celebrations seem to happen effortlessly, as part of the daily

routine and yet they are so very special.

And from my point of view, any birthday celebration for my

child that I can just go to, with out a frenzy of baking, crafting

and organising is so very blissful.......

On being a Knight In Shining Armour......

You might recall some of my deliberations over weapons play
in this post. Its been a bit of an issue working out just how
it sits with me-and how I can balance that with who my children are.

It was after much thought that I decided to get my little
boy a wooden sword for his birthday recently. I guess there is
something mythical/ historical about a sword which somehow
softens the whole thing for me.

His response to it has been interesting. I had visions of the sword
much battered within a few hours, but he has been careful with it.
I made him a cape too and he immediately declared himself a
"Knight in Shining Armour". Although there have been a few
sword fights with his older brother, and(if I care to admit it!!)
the odd head chopped off, the sword seems more a symbol
of power than anything else.

The sword has been put through its paces, as you would

expect any knight's sword to be. But there have been some

outcomes that I wouldn't have initially expected too.

It seems that there are some things that a small boy is

more able to do with a sword at his side. Going into the

bathroom alone when it is dark, was a bit scary before (probably

because of trolls...) but with his sword its OK.

And at night, as well as his two much loved dolls, he also

takes his sword.

I now feel as though weapons are not quite so much

of an issue for me as they once were. Perhaps me letting

go of this, will allow my children to move through this stage

and flow on.

I have also found myself re-connecting with the girl I was,

in middle childhood. A girl who was frankly a bit of a

tomboy herself, quite partial to the odd gunfight or battle.

And -hey- perhaps it didn't do me any harm after all.

::Hawthorn Flowers::

"The fair maid who, the First of May,

Goes to the fields at the break of day,

And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree,

Will ever after handsome be....."

Although its not quite the first of May, all the Hawthorn trees are

in bloom at the moment. Maybe its worth a try.......

Spring fair:: The treasure cave::

I wish you could see the treasure cave, it is so very lovely.
But just imagine a verandah, draped with pastel
muslin, decorated with stars and flowers~and filled with lots
of little treasures. Tiny gnomes, knitting Nancys, felted mice,
walnut boats, capes, origami birds, felted balls, packets of seeds,
felt crowns, wool felted dolls, little purses-and many other small
wonders. Over the years, both my children have come home
with such beautiful treasures from that cave.

But I must admit, that when my turn came to make 25 odd small
treasures for the cave, I had a rather sharp intake of breath.
So I made little pots from terracotta clay, had them fired and
planted them with mustard seeds and voila! Lots of little gardens.

And thankfully that is the fair, over for another year.....phew!

Spring fair craft :Cardigans:

When my dear friend Tracey volunteered to knit me some little
cardigans for the fair, I had such a nice time fussing around
over colour combinations and wool.
And they turned out beautifully......all seven of them. She really
is a champion knitter.
Then I was left with the most pleasurable task of sewing
on the buttons-which luckily I had in my stash. Before I took
far too many photos-because they were just sooo lovely.

And you may be interested to know that they all sold~which

is kind of fortunate, because I would have been in grave danger

of buying one back. Now I might just have to embark on a little

knitted cardigan project of my own........

Thank you Tracey :)

Spring fair craft ::Puzzles::

My life has been quite busy recently~ and very craft focused.
Getting things ready for the annual fair at my children's school.
Each family is asked to contribute a not insubstantial number
of craft items to be sold as part of the fair.

I knew from the outset that I just couldn't make enough craft
on my own. So I was very lucky to enlist the help of a couple
of kind people, who have skills that I do not.
The first was a friend of my Dad's, who very patiently cut
out 4 rainbow jigsaws, similar to one my children already have.
They were sent to me, assembled and neatly wrapped~as if by
magic ! (Thank~you !)

I then had the lovely, most satisfying job of painting them, one
rainy Sunday afternoon. I must admit it took a bit of courage to
begin with~I was worried that I would somehow mix up
the pieces and paint the wrong colour combinations.....
but luckily all was well.
I used food colouring, which colours wood nicely,
doesn't wash off too readily and is food grade, so its
safe. It has such a lovely translucency, and I was so very
pleased with the end result.

In many ways it was nice for my children too, to see the process

of creating something beautiful. The painting and careful

wrapping, then taking it to sell on their school craft stall.

::A Birthday::

My little boy turned 5 on Thursday. I felt
such a pang, when he first uttered the words
"I'm five!" on his birthday morning. Almost
like I didn't want to hear.........how can this be????
That this beautiful baby boy, who came into our lives
so smoothly, by candle light, in front of the fire
has turned five!
But I know that I have soaked in every moment
of those 5 years. I have been there for all the joys,
milestones, delights and stresses.
And for this I am so very glad. They are years of my
life so blessed and very well spent.

Happy Birthday Little Clogs!

A few thoughts on birthday tables....

In a lot of ways I believe that less is more, when it

comes to children's birthdays. Sometimes its as much

about the little things, that create a sense of occasion,

as it is about choosing the right presents.

With this in mind I find that creating a birthday table

is such a lovely part of my children's birthday celebration.

I hang bunting, spread a cloth and decorate the table

with flowers and a birthday ring. On the table I have a

felt birthday crown and a plate of little cakes, one for every

year of their life so far.

Somehow with all this in place, there is already a feeling

of plenty~ and I feel comfortable giving a few carefully

chosen gifts. The table is lovely for them to come out to on their

birthday morning, and it stays set up for a couple of days.

...................................................................................................

Interestingly I wont show you the photos of my boy blowing out

the candles on his cake, with his little friends. I only realised as

I looked at the photos later......that I had only put 4 candles

on the cake!

Could it be that I am in denial of the number 5???

::Bluebells::

Sometimes there are just not words......

Although you may be relieved to hear, after all

my longing last year, a move to the UK is no longer

strictly necessary. A carpet of Bluebells proved to be closer

than I might have thought. (Thank-you Hirani!)

(But perhaps if I were to unexpectedly inherit, from a long lost

relative say, an English Country Estate~I might reconsider.

Georgian perhaps... with bluebell woods, walled gardens

and the odd lake or two..!!)

A little slice of heaven.....

Can you imagine.....
One sunny Sunday going on a painting expedition
and happening upon a whole grove of Magnolias?









The scent, the carpets of petals, the delicious light airy
blossoms, the soft mossy ground.........what a gift.

Can there ever be too many blossoms in Spring?
I think not. And to just pause and breathe in the
beauty and exuberance of this fresh growth, is such
food for the soul.

::Early Spring::

I love the misty delicacy of early spring. This year it seemed
to last such a long time~and yet be gone in a moment. All the
blue skies and sunshine have made me almost forget, how a
few short weeks ago I was trying to hasten spring. How I
felt there would be no end to the grey and rain.

The plants that I bought at the nursery, because they felt
like another step closer to spring.




And the cold rainy day that I set up the spring nature display,
feeling like it was really too soon, but giving in to my desire
for something spring-ish.



And how very grateful I was for this song,
which I sung to my little Kindy children:

"I have seen a mother bird~
Singing in the rain.
Telling all her little ones~
Spring has come again....."

(Author unknown)




But then slowly it crept along and I found
myself lying in bed at dawn listening to the
birds singing~and just being so very open
to their songs.....and now spring has come
at last!!

:: Winter Goodbye ::

"Winter goodbye, winter goodbye,
You may no longer stay.....
Springtime is on it's way.
Winter goodbye, winter goodbye"




I know there are things about winter I will miss. Cozy
book-ish days, crisp frosts, darkness and cold.



But somehow I need to farewell this winter. To let go of the long
journey that it has been. One of spiraling into myself, of deep
thought and reflection~to the point where I ached for spring.

Now I need to open myself to a kind of blooming from within. A
chance to outwardly show the efforts of this long inward journey.
For new things to manifest and for my life to flow in fresh
directions.

"In every winter's heart lies a quivering spring,
and behind the veil of each night, waits a smiling dawn..."

Kahlil Gibran

::Poppies in a vase::

Earlier in the week I invested in a small present
for myself. A little artistic perfection to put in a
vase.

I love it how poppies defy arrangement , but

gradually unfold in various perfections of composition.

A kind of work in progress, to watch as the week

continues. An artistic journey of sorts.

I love how they unfurl themselves, in all their crumpled

papery-ness. So somehow disheveled and new, yet so very

perfect at the same time. I find myself developing a favourite,

whose progress I watch. The salmon-y cream flower, which

reminds me of an Edwardian lady in layers of delicate, frilly

cotton.



And sometimes how they look like a watercolour

in progress, and I can almost feel the colours running

together in a watery blur of oranges and yellows.

Till it occurs to me that a spot of painting

would do me such a lot of good....and so I

keep myself entertained through a quite

average week, with thoughts of how I

would paint these poppies.....