Divine Sparks

"This wheel of many parts, that can rise and spin 
over and over again, 
full of gorgeous life." - Mary Oliver

Winter Break:  Wheels spinning and sparks flying - Street hockey in the dark and the glowing puck - Hurricane simulators and trampolines and pals -  Things to draw - Skeletal puzzles - Classic board games - Brunches and zendoodles  -  Theater sweets and Rise of the Guardians - Many meals with many friends - Vintage video nights (Brady Bunch, Lost in Space, Abbott & Costello, Land of the Lost, and The Munsters *which reminded me of the time I met Fred Gwynne at NoHo Star and Al Lewis on Bleecker Street.  I loved them and told them so.)

Wild and Sweet: Christmas 2012

"I heard the bells, on Christmas Day,
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men." - Longfellow

It was our first Christmas at Big Woods.  He awoke before the sun.  "I heard the bells!", he squealed. A white wintry fog greeted us.  He spied a trail of sooty Santa prints near the fireplace.  Tiny blinking lights donned the hermit crab tank, inducing giggles from our boy.  Delightful gifts from family and friends.  A pile of rumpled paper and colorful ribbons.

 "The big bottle vase that you wanted, Mama!"

Season's Greetings

Winter Solstice Party 2012

May the nourishment of the earth be yours, 
May the clarity of light be yours, 
May the protection of the ancestors be yours. 
And may a slow 
Wind work these words 
Of love around you, 
An invisible cloak 
To mind your life.  - John O’Donohue

It was our 5th annual Winter Solstice party, but our first at Big Woods.  On the shortest day of the year, our little nest filled quickly with family, friends and neighbors.  Our humble feast of vegetarian chili multiplied as guests arrived with edible offerings of their own to share.  The children overflowed into the yard, gathered 'round the fire, made paper snowflakes and pine cone bird feeders.  Guests took home a Paperwhite bulb for a bit of Springtime during the winter season...a symbol of growth in the coming year as we await the return of the light.

"All the freaky people make the beauty of the world" - Michael Franti

The Gift of Good Work

"May we spend generously
the time we are given....
and may we hold in our hands
the gift of good work"

- John Daniel (A Prayer Among Friends excerpt)


 

Get your Wintry Workbook from mighty girl art and make some cool stuff!

And since you're here, check out these lovely offerings from some talented mamas:

The Mother's Wisdom Deck by Mothering with Soul!

Yuletide sweetness from Erin Darcy Design

"Go Now and Live" print by peace.love.free

Handcrafted herbals from Desert Moon!

Gypsy Wraps to don your lovely locks!

The Art, Soul & Craft of Pixie Campbell!

The Word Alchemy of Marybeth Bonfiglio.


"Don't Miss This" book, by Jena Strong

Some guiding words...by BellaWish

A signed Giclee by Celeste Evans...

and if wings are your thing!