Scenes from Autumn and Me Playgroup: Acorn Fairies

It was the first days of November, and all of the grown ups went to the pumpkin patch to pick the last of the pumpkins for pies, breads, soups and snacks.

They were busy working when an Autumn fairy came to them and said it was time to start putting on coats and hats because November was soon to be cold and grey.

The grown ups heeded the words of the fairy and went home to gather the coats and hats, and they found their children were out, playing, all over the village.

Thank you especially to the Antonia family who helped this magical story come alive.

They wondered how they would ever gather all of the children in time before it got too cold and grey.

Just then an acorn child came to them and said that the small hands of little girls and boys would help gather their little ones and dress them with their beautiful coats and caps.

And that they did, and the acorn children celebrated Autumn with the loving children.

So Blessed with Mirth!

"Mama's on my right side daddy on my left

I'm so blessed yes yes yes" Jill Scott

{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.

{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.

The Warmth of Autumn

I recently read the October chapter in Amanda Blake Soule's book, The Rhythm of Family.  She talks about the darkness of the month, and I did sort of a double take because I couldn't instantly understand what she meant.  I get it of course, the day literally gets darker and cooler as a matter of fact.  I just always thought of it as the warmest of all seasons.

Autumn is our favorite season at home.  I vividly remember the smell and the feel of the air from childhood, it truly felt like a soul harvest.

Today, Autumn invites me to create a cozy home: light fires, light candles, carve pumpkins, roast pumpkin seeds, bake, watch browns, reds and yellows fly off trees.

A Rainy Day

{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.

You Are My Sunshine: A Scene from Paint with Me! Mommy and Me Art Class

The light opens up and I walk in,
The day invites me to begin,
I ask the day, "How shall I start?"
Says the day, "With a wish upon your heart."


From Seven Times the Sun by Shea Darian

Mother and son.  The real kickback, why I love what I do. 


 The morning light is one of my favorite natural wonders.  This morning it was as if a single angelic ray spotlighted Jackson alone as he said goodbye to our "rainbow breaths".

By the end of the 4-week  Paint with Me! playgroup,  Jackson has come to delight in putting the scarves back inside the basket from whence they came.

Waldorf Seasons: Michaelmas Festival

Though I have become more interested in Waldorf education over the years, I have admittedly glossed over the Michaelmas seasonal celebration in the Waldorf tradition.

I came across this really simple and informative article on The Magic Onions, and I am finding myself on board with Michaelmas (it always starts wee with me).

Why, because I believe children process the major themes of life through stories and celebrations, and this one seems pretty potent.

"Saint Michael is the archangel responsible for hurling Lucifer from Heaven...This equinox marks the beginning of darker days.  Since Michael is a herald of light, he is thought of as a protector during this time."


The way it has become expressed to children is the story of George slaying a dragon, which is adapted for children of different ages.  

Melissa recommends, Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman and Saint George and the Dragon by Geraldine McCaughrean and Nicki Palin.


Crafts, dragon bread and dramatic plays all easily accompany this celebration as well, to the Michaelmas Festival!

Ema, Aba & Mishpokhe

Holidays have always been a delightful way to tell "time"with my daughter.  Mudi has been given the gift of exposure to several religions, which makes the year even more prolific.

Apples and honey, books and festive songs help us celebrate Roshashana.  The Shofar Calls to Us, a board book by Katherine Janus Kahn, and the songs of Cindy Paley have been invaluable for imbuing the meaning, culture and history of this time of year.

Happy Roshashana, Le Shana Tova!

Owls, foxes and skunks!

Autumn and Me! Family Class, Hollywood Hills, CA

A unique parent-and-me class (nannies and grannies too!) where will enjoy and explore Autumn together.

There will be messy nature play, crafting, pumpkin hunts, gnomes and at the final class we will meet some of nature's favorite woodland creatures (with a professional facilitator): owls, foxes, skunks and more.

Sundays 10AM, October 23rd-November 13th

visit: http://playgrouplosangeles.com/autumn-and-me-toddler-class-los-angeles/

for details :)

{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.

The Apple Cake and Autumn

Apple Sprites and  Pot Giveaway! at This Cosy Life

We love Autumn!  This year Mudi's class is studying apples, last year was pumpkins.  At home we recently read the beautifully illustrated story, The Apple Cake, by Nienke Van Hichtum. 

What a great way to take a trip to a simpler quieter place.  

The Apple Cake offers a wonderful moral of faith and doing good for goodness' sake without adding any provocative elements of fear or danger.  Included is also the recipe for baking an apple cake, which makes the story even richer.

We have also been telling our own stories through the wordless book, Autumn, by Gerda Muller.   At first, my excited-to-be-reading-on-her-own seven year-old was disappointed there were no words, however, we are both finding much stimulation, excitement and delight creating our own.  

We can feel the (best) weather in every detail of our original story, and actually there would be no room on the page.

And I am aware that Fall has not officially started yes.