As we live very close to New York City there are some things we like to do annually in Manhattan at Christmas. One of our favorites is to go to The Plaza Hotel and see Santa. This seems to be a secret, because both this time and last time we went, we were the only family visiting Santa. I […]
As is our annual tradition, we make Christmas cards over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It seems to be the perfect time to make Christmas cards as we then have 10 days to write in the cards and get them to Australia before the Christmas postal cut off date. Last year I did not have a […]
I can overlook the things that make my life what it is, and I really respect a day dedicated to looking at your life, and giving thanks for it, no matter who you are, and what you may have. Thanksgiving is a lovely day, made so by giving thanks – however you choose to do […]
It is funny you know, just as I sit down to write about Lantern Walk, and the importance of keeping the inner flame, the spirit alive… I was struck with the fact that I have been really struggling to keep my inner light ignited. Oh life can feel hard sometime right? I will spare you all the […]
Tomorrow is Lantern Walk! It looks like the weather is going to be kind. We will gather on our lawn at 4pm, Sunday 11th of November. For those wishing to make lanterns, here is my glass jar lantern tutorial. The walk will go from our home to the Iris Gardens and back. After the walk we will be sharing a […]
Little black cat did not get to have her Birthday party. Once again, for the third year in a row Elle’s birthday was cancelled. As usual I went to considerable effort to prepare a party for her – this time trying to combine themes for Halloween, Black Cat Party and Lantern Walk to lessen the […]
You all know this already of course, Obama won, and we could not be happier! The world can breath a sigh of relief, thank goodness for a smart, kind, honest and inspirational leader to take make this country a better place. We are proud Obama supporters – and rose on election day with clear intent […]
Where to begin… in the wake of hurricane Sandy? Well, we are grateful to be alive and well. We are still technically without power, heat, hot water, and the internet six days later – although as of today we ran an extension cord from Nina’s, who was lent a gasoline opperated generator. So grateful of […]
Only two more sleeps until Elle turns four! Oh my goodness, I can’t bare it. I was snuggling her the other night and feeling a bit sad that she was going to be another year older. “I dont want you to turn four” I said to her. Elle empathetically, replied “You can’t stop four Mummy, […]
Yesterday it was leaf crowns, today it is a candy corn crown. Maya decided to be a candy corn princess for Halloween and so I made her this crown based on her design. Nice to have a Mummy to sew your designs right? I was lucky like this too, putting my Mother to work to […]
Today Elle and I visited Maya’s class to make leaf crowns. This is a project I do annually in Autumn with our girls and I thought it would be fun to share it with Maya’s class. I also thought you all might like to see my method, so I have included a tutorial below. I […]
It is that time of year again when we start to make glass jar lanterns. This is a wonderful Autumn craft activity that you can do before Halloween and use for both Halloween and for Martinmas Lantern Walk. We were introduced to the Lantern Walk by our Waldorf Playgroup when we lived in Brooklyn and […]
The whole reason we chose to go to Maine was to visit Mackworth Island, the home of the fairies. We heard about this island one afternoon while sitting and building fairy houses under a tree in our front yard. Emma, one of the older children in our street was walking home from the train and […]
Friday we drove south of Kennebunk for the second time, stopping along the way at Old Orchard Beach. Images of this beach had caught my attention as it is famous for the Pier that extends into the ocean with shops built on it and the games arcade on the beach. My hunch was that it […]
On Monday we visited the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. We went to one of the visitor use areas named Carson Trail, which is a small portions of the 5300 acre refuge. The Carson Trail is a one-mile walk along an upland edge which offers amazing views of one of southern Maine’s most valuable ecosystems. The trail walk […]
Our first beach outing in Maine was to Parsons Beach. This is a private beach, owned by the nearby landholders who allow the general public to use it, with the understanding that at any point they can change their mind. It is a quaint drive to the beach, along a narrow country road that has […]
Surprise! We are in Maine! Welcome to Kennebunkport! Cam finished work at Spotco on Friday and to celebrate the end of an era we planned a family vacation in Maine. I found a house in Kennebunk, Southern Maine through VBRO, and given it is off season in this sea side village, it was reasonably priced […]
A while ago now our family friend Nicole inspired me when she said that I should print Maya’s drawings onto t-shirts. I loved this idea, and it has sat with me as a really fun thing to do since she suggested it. My first visualisation was of a multi colour detailed print like you would see […]
Oh it feels so good to be back! Although it is like I am sitting on a swing, pumping my legs and waiting for my swing to move. I know though that eventually I will gain momentum again, life will push my swing…and I will do my best to soar high and share the ride. Such […]
You know something has become a tradition when I start titling it by the year, for example…Maypole 2012. It makes me so happy to know we have settled in America for long enough to have a larger pattern and rhythm forming in our life…we now have annual traditions….and lucky for us, Maypole is one of […]