Winter solstice the waldorf way

Yule was spent in a rather normal everyday kind of day. We spent lots of time outside and enjoyed the warmth that has been unusual the past couple weeks. The night before we went over to a friends house, and about 5 other families showed up to go house to house singing carols. Z is not usually great with these big social situations but I realized he knew he was giving something special. He shook his jingle bell and watched the Christmas lights dance and knew he was a part of something great. Of course S loved this social environment and sang into between houses and shook her jingle bell with just as much gusto!
When the light started to fade on the evening of Yule, we bundled up and walked our neighborhood looking at everyone's Christmas lights. We brought the book 'the little drummer boy' and we sang rum pum pum pum pum the entire walk. They could feel the energy from the night before of a crowd of 20 to our little walk of 3, but it was still reverberating in our souls. When we got home no lights were turned on only the Christmas lights and candles. Dinner was eaten in candle light, despite my husband saying over and over that he couldn't see his food! The children took a bath with only candlelight, then got into their diapers and wool pajamas, we have wool pants, boots, and sweaters.

When I think about the ideal of simple living, these past couple days fit the bill. We have continued lighting candles at dinner and only using firelight to guide our evening routine and it brings such a warmth to the process. I know firsthand how magical candlelit evenings can be, my mom would have us eat by candlelight on occasion and it made us so much more aware of our food, the glowing light, and what was really going on around us. I often think how much I would love to live in th east, but then I remember my bread maker and crock pot, and stop mid thought. I can bring simplicity into our lives while using all the convinces of modern electricity, finding a beautiful balance is a worthy and lifelong goal.

As for now with Christmas fast approaching my children have no idea that most other kids have a list for Santa of things they have seen and want. My children know nothing of cartoons, store bought dolls, or many other materialistic thoughts. They will be getting a rocking horse that hubby found on the side of the road, and added some reienforcement and a couple of screws, a basket full of new tree branch blocks, wheelbarrows made from old bar stools, and some vintage books that I printed out and hard bound myself.
I also tried my hand at whittling. I made Z and S these little wooden gnomes, for 2 days these little treasures have not left their hands. I am now fully inspired by Stiener's, the creator of waldorf schools, thoughts on handwork.

Life is simple in this house, but it makes for happiness, lots of playing, and me in the kitchen, a lot! But good food is being made and lots of love is being shared while the children see what really matters, in our own little corner of the world.
Happy holidays, and hoping simplicity finds you this season!

Goodbye Autumn, thank you for playing with us

He loves autumn because he gets to shuck corn, this kept him intertained for hours! Once the corn comes off the cob the kernels are used for corn necklaces for our door blessing and dress up. Then the cobs are kept in the play kitchen for use the rest of the year. The corn is also put through their grinders in their play kitchen to cook with.

With the change of the season it seems as though life automatically becomes slower and draws us into our homes. Longing for long baths, warm fires and deeper conversations. We begin to prepare for the real cold that is coming and reading our hearts for the shift that comes with being indoors longer. However that change is longed for come summers end. I love that on the cold mornings the coffee is longed for, not just to wake up, because some days I really need it, but to warm me up. I love pulling out my sheep skin boots, warm wooly sweaters, and once again that ever growing pile of wooly pants I have made for the kids. I think I have a bigger pile of wool pants that need patching from last winter, but I have the desire to stich and prepare that I didn’t once spring had arrived last year.

I have decieded what I am going to do with my career, which has been a pressing battle in my head. I am going to read the rudolf Steiner lecture he gave to his students, and see what I can acquire through them. The first teachers of waldorf, and subsequently have all learned from the lectures, why not do school myself. Simple. This is my goal, stop spending money on what other people figure out, do it myself! This will be for the benefit of not only my children but I will have the background to begin the waldorf nature school that will be a private school. This will be for homeschooling families that want a rich full experience for their children but still be a part of every aspect. I know that with the training I will feel confidant to teach the other kids and families involved to the best of my ability. I am eager to begin and longing to get families on board so that this can be fully funded and all the pieces in place once big brother begins kindergarten. I have 2 1/2 years, so I better get moving!!!!

I feel quite vulnerable right now, but that is when we are most mold able and trusting. So here is listening with my heart and my head, and meanwhile I will keep my hands happily busy making and creating! I know that the  Rudolf Steiner model of education is right for my family, I trust that the universe and all Godly knowledge will direct me, I must stay open, willing and know that the journey is so much more important than any "final" goal that will be reached.

The waldorf homeschool life, in all its simplicity

Welcome to the new blog! What was once the rags to road travel blog will now be a journey into our everyday lives. We will be discovering seasons, nature, and some new festivals along the way. I am so excited to get started with a new parent and me in our local forest.
I keep thinking I will be able to just jump right in, but finding families and creating a way to really serve those in our local mountain community is not as easy as I though it was going to be.

I am going to be striving for a balanced family rhythm, parent and me classes, and watching a kindergardener and third grader. I feel like I will have a full plate, but I am really excited for this opportunity. I know what I ultimately want it to look like, as far as the year is concerned but I don't want it to feel forced or rushed.

Since this is my first post in a while I would like to set up some goals for this blog:
* give support and encouragement to those starting out or looking for an alternative education for their children
* have a space to share rhythms, recipes, and new finds
* share what our simple life really looks like, being a stay at home, homeschooling mommy has added more pressure on my husband to come up with all the funds, so I get creative when I want something
* life is so much moe than materialism and stuff, find the spiritual and put the awe back into everyday living
* sharing my waldorf homeschool teaching journey and schooling!

I love blogging, I love sharing my life, and I also love getting people inspired to do what they really want to be doing! Why live life not wanting to do what you feel you have to do.

I truly believe that in the past couple years I have been developing my authentic self, I just don't care what the jones are or who I am supposed to be. I am who am I am, so come enjoy the adventure with me!