the shortest day

sometimes when you are absent from blogland it can be tough to jump back in. what started with a technical difficulty (note to self: surge protectors only protect through so many surges!) grew into extended silence in this space. i thought i might do a jumble post to *catch up* so to speak. however, i decided instead to take this special day to log back in and wish you a wonderful solstice!
we were so looking forward to the lunar eclipse last night. everyone was prepared to arise in the middle of the night to get a glimpse of the magic in the heavens. mother nature had other plans though and by the middle of the night our skies were too cloudy to view the moon. the overcast mood persists today so our sun prints will have to wait until the sun visits us once again.
so we are nestled inside awaiting the longest night of the year. yesterday we dried and strung orange slices to hang on our tree in honor of the sun. we have done this for several years but this year we added cinnamon sticks to our ornaments after being inspired by linda. i love that they represent warmth as well as add another delicious scent to our home.
this afternoon, we will leave our lights off and allow the darkness to slowly overtake us. we will light candles as needed rather than flipping a switch as usual. we will enjoy a candlelight meal together, another sun pavlova (with secret holiday topping!), and then have our family gift exchange.
the new header photo deserves a little mention. on the left is sienna's st lucia crown she made at school. next is a beeswax candle that jasper rolled in class nestled in a moss garden adorned with crystals that ms jessica made for each child to take home with them over the holidays. we light our candles nightly and think of our classmates as a way to stay connected over the long break. that stunningly beautiful glowing orb is a beeswax lantern made by one of my students, bryce. i just love that he made it for me and feel the love that he put into it. his mom has become quite the beeswax lantern pro and i will be back soon with a little update to my tutorial full of her words of wisdom.

wishing you a warm and light filled night,
rae

our first st nicholas day

this year we have added st. nicholas day to our festivities. we have been reading christine natale's sweet stories since december 1st. they are short stories meant to be told each night ending on st nicholas day. the children have enjoyed learning about this saint and his kind and generous deeds.

i have also enjoyed learning about st nicholas and his many different companions (some of them quite scary) as well as the various ways he is celebrated around the world. in christine's story, his companion is knecht rupert, which happens to be the name of the etsy shop where i ordered jasper's new solstice doll!

one of the things i love most about blogging is getting glimpses into how other families celebrate festivals through the year. my partner for the *seasonal handmade exchange* is kaya. through her blog, kriebevel, i was able to experience the festivities that take place for st nicholas day in her home of holland. it looks like so much fun!

after seeing the gorgeous wooden shoes of some of my dear blogging friends in past years, i wanted some of our own for this special day. it is not necessary of course, as many children polish their own shoes and leave them out in hopes that st nicholas will leave a treat. however, being that i am in love with all things wood, when i spotted three pairs at my favorite antique store this past summer, i knew i should pick up a pair right away, but instead waited.....until the very last day before st nicholas day! we lucked out and there was still a pair there waiting for us.

this sweet little fairy and hedgehog crafted by erin of *tiny twist creative*. great timing, erin! ;)

the children were delighted to set their shoes out with a carrot and an apple for st nicholas' donkey. when they awoke, their shoes were filled with golden chocolate coins, a wooden toy, and a beautiful book!
i love how this simple piece that we added to our holidays gave us an opportunity to recenter our thoughts around giving and doing for others in this busy season. we have packed up a box of the children's toys that they are ready to part with and will be taking them to a local women and children's center. this is something we do annually but it is so wonderful to have the story of st nicholas to illustrate our intentions so nicely.

this website is full of all things st nicholas if you wish to learn more.

summer solstice celebration

we celebrate each turn of the season in our home. the night before the solstice or equinox i change out our seasonal table. our children awake to a couple of gifts to enhance their seasonal play wrapped and waiting at the breakfast table. typically, they get a seasonal book and a handmade toy (either made by me or an etsy artist).

we incorporate activities to celebrate the changing season into our daily rhythm and prepare for our celebratory dinner throughout the day. today the children chose burgers on the grill and corn on the cob, both summer favorites, for our special meal. i made another pavlova and did my best to capture the essence of the sun in this scrumptious dessert.
seasonal celebrations, or any festival for that matter, need not need be elaborate. simply laying the table with a fresh cloth and adorning it with fresh flowers helps to set the mood for a special meal. including children in the preparations is just as important as the celebration itself! we sing songs and often i tell a special story to mark the occasion. today, we found ourselves singing about our friends the bees all day.

festive drinks are a favorite treat. here a glass of sparkling apple cider sits with a jar of clover picked enthusiastically by sienna for our table.

we intended to end our evening with a backyard fire and some firefly chasing. however, during dinner there came a sudden and intense thunderstorm that poured down solid sheets of rain. this mama loves a good thunderstorm so i was not complaining! the children were disappointed though so we scheduled a rain date with the fireflies.
hope you all enjoyed your day, however you celebrated and even if you didn't! happy summer to you all!