true inspiration

This photo speaks to me in so many ways. As a mother. As an educator. As a lover of simplicity and beauty. 

The colors, the warmth, the art supplies set out in a natural setting all perfectly speak to my senses and ideals. 

This photo is simply stunning and brings to mind and heart the epitome of Mother Culture, warmth, art, nature study, 

attachment, creativity and true living.

 

True inspiration. 

nourishment

"When you take food to nourish your body, you can scarcely be induced to leave the table before you have fully satisfied your need and, except for an urgent reason, you will not readily do so. How much more eagerly ought you to linger over spiritual nourishment and strengthen your soul with prayer; for the soul is as far superior to the body as heaven is above the earth and -heavenly things above those of earth."

                                                        -Saint Basil the Great on prayer

Soda Bread

My older pair are at a point where they are baking independently now. It is an excellent state to be in. When they get the idea and inspiration to bake something- whether to satisfy their own sweet tooth, or to produce something gift-worthy- they set to work, recipe in one hand and will in the other.

Today they baked up a superb Irish Soda Bread. It was tasty and perfect. Butter and jam were both coveted options for spreading on this warm slice of golden perfection.

We had baked several loafs a few weeks ago during our celebration of Saint Brigid. We also churned butter, wove crosses made of rushes and read a bit about the life of this saint from Kildaire, Ireland. It was a simple day for our family that spoke both to the oldest and the youngest children, each in their own way.

little hands

Been trying to be more mindful of the younger pair in my home these days. So much of what we do for our homeschooling is geared toward those who are either fully or partially engaged in formal academics.

Balancing the spectrum of ages and phases within this family of mine is the toughest challenge for me, personally, as a mother and an educator.

In addition to our trusted stand-by's of salt dough, thick Lyra colored pencils, picture books, blocks, train tracks, and simple games, I've been adding in some other simple activities to feed the minds and souls of the littlest members of our family.

Here is a basic Montessori activity involving transferring, that all of my children have simply adored right at about this age (2 1/2 years old) and even younger (and older!). It is stunning how much concentration this activity calls out in a young child and the focused delight of taking care of one's spills is just so satisfying.

Watercolor painting is always a favorite activity, and one that all the children eagerly join in on whenever possible. Our painting boards and sturdy brushes make this experience even that much more functional and beautiful.

It has been such a blessing to have solid blocks of time this weeks when all four of the children have sat and painted together in between lessons.

Making bird feeders was the highlight of our weekend as we put to use the empty rolls of paper products that we had saved and covered them with peanut butter and bird seed. The boys were so delighted to put on their boots and coats, trudge out into the cold, damp night air, and help me hang our feeders on the tree branches!

It has often been said, that if the mother is not happy, then the children are not happy. Personally, in my home, in this moment, I am finding it quite the other way around!

rested

Sadly, our 'burst of good health' that I wrote about as we started the new year quickly turned into a dark cloud of illness for myself that lasted over a week. It was a time of mixed emotion and was humbling and empowering all at once. I do believe it was the first true rest I have had, possibly in years since my last baby was birthed. Lying in bed for hours, days even felt difficult at first and then slowly but surely became a less bitter pill to swallow.

One of the most exquisite joys during this time was seeing the love and care my children lavished on me during those days. They were truly worried to see me not carrying on in my usual sense. Sweet kisses and tissues were brought to my bedside. Extra chores were eagerly taken on. Little siblings were helped and read to my older more able ones. And I was even brought "breakfast in bed", albeit a bit late at 2 in the afternoon (which is when I woke one of the days)!

As awful as the illness was, my time spent convalescing was sweet and was like solid food for my mind, body and soul it seemed like years spent on an all-liquid. It really made me think of the difference between truly being rested and restored versus getting enough sleep and stillness to simply just 'get by'.

So much to contemplate!

new year

Our new year started with a burst of good health, peace and a lovely day spent with family. We took New Year's Day as a holiday and started back to school the very next day.

I must admit, it was difficult for me to get into the right frame of mind, difficult to make all of the usual plans and arrangements so as to have a nice, flowing rhythm to our homeschooling. So much to prepare, more mentally and inwardly for me than on paper.

So very much of how our day feels and how it flows depends on my inner life- my thoughts, expectations, emotions and energy level. What a task!

Well, here is a photo I took on New Year's Day of Luca wearing a pair of 'trousers' and trying out his first pair of suspenders. I can't help but smirk when I look at this.

feasting

Christmas has come and gone and the new year is peeking just over the horizon. Home again, home again after a trip up north to spend the holiday with family. I honestly did not leave the house for three whole days. A change of scenery and a lull in household responsibilities is simply enough to quiet mind, body and spirit.

We were blessed with a snowstorm and waking up to the stillness and serenity of the outdoors was bliss. Trees frozen in time, white powdery perfection magically swirling at their steady roots.

In the quest to find good soul food, we took to some reading while away. Like a knitter, with her needles and yarn, there are always books tucked in when we leave home. And this time was no different.

With a budding, blossoming 'new' reader, a struggling, patient veteran reader and a hungry-for-life toddler on my hands (not to mention the steady, curious eleven year old), we must always pack a wide variety of reading material. Like a perfect picnic, one must spread wide the cloth and serve up this-and-that, something-for-everyone, the sweet, the savory, the nourishing for everyone present at that moment in time.

For us it was D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths, some Frog and Toad, a how-to guide on knot tying and an artist study book for young ones, Touch Mona Lisa's Hair spread unhurriedly and joyfully at the feet of my children.

What a feast!