Two Little Kings...

Last night we celebrated Three Kings day...the children each got a little present from Tom & I, I made a little cake, and they wore crowns...it was fun. The real end of the Christmas season has always been the Epiphany for me. Now we turn our attention to Mia, who turns five this month! Five is a real milestone in my eyes...and I can hardly believe I've been mothering for five whole years now!

~Dining by candlelight!~

~The children each found a crown at their placesetting.~

~Look at the cute little Kings!~

~Mama...take another picture of me!~

On a completely side note...look at the picture Mia drew of me! It is "Mommy goes to Paris." Oh and Paris....Mia pronounces it "par-eey." Very very cute...and makes me smile.

Santa Lucia

Now in the darkest night,

Guide us with your light,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Today I got in touch with my inner Swede...it did not come with outer Ikea furniture or a Volvo (ha ha ha)...it came via our Santa Lucia celebration. This traditional Swedish holiday is a lovely pause during a busy season...Santa Lucia is the patron Saint of Light...Mia dressed as her in a white dress with red sash and a lovely needle felted crown (instead of lighted candles!) made by Haddy2Dogs over in Etsy land! We made the traditional buns early in the morning, invited some loved ones over and Mia dutifully served us, while Ben fulfilled his "Star Boy" role by handing out napkins. It was lovely. Mia was so beautiful and really enjoyed the morning.

~My light.~

~Yummy buns!~

~Helping to make buns!~

~A beautiful new Santa Lucia candle from my Sister's boyfriend's Mother (who is actually Swedish!)~

I think this might be a keeper, as far as traditions go, as we shape our Lynch Family festivals and rhythms to the year.

Saint Nicholas

The children left out their shoes and a carrot (for St. Nicholas' horse) in the hopes that Saint Nicholas would leave a treat or two...

Well, St. Nick is pretty good...
Mia squealed with delight and claimed she's "always wanted an orange!" ha! She has had plenty but was so excited! I immediately read Sugar Snow...it is a great series I just found, picture books of the Little House series. This is perfect for Mia, I read to her at night from Little House in the Big Woods and I think the illustrations are charming. These are new illustrations inspired by (and with the permission of) Garth Williams. I think we will try to find more of the series!

Ben, who just received his first skis (via the hand-me-down process!), got Ollie's Ski Trip. I just love love love Elsa Beskow. Her illustrations are enchanting and her stories are so fun and imaginative. Mia & Benji promptly asked to go out & look for King Winter himself...Tom obliged...the first snow fall is so exciting.
For a special breakfast treat, I made Honey Cake from The Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book...which is another fantastic resource for fun, low-sugar, treats. I will be making the Santa Lucia buns from this book next sunday!

I am busy busy busy making all the gifts for Christmas...but it is so pleasurable, I really like being industrious in my home, knitting, cooking, canning and singing along to Norah Jones on Pandora....(I know I am late to the game, but Pandora is my new bff!)

Off to strain the herbes de provence wine jelly....

Martinmas

It was so nice to have yesterday off and spend the whole day celebrating Martinmas. This is our second year celebrating this delightful & reverent holiday of the Waldorf calendar. For some, the amount of holidays and festivals on the Waldorf calendar might seem overwhelming or even unnecessary. For us, it gives a rhythm to the year, and moments to pause and celebrate life. Celebrate every aspect of life in our busy world...it is spiritually moving to really recognize the passing of time, the changing of seasons, the coming and going of the light.

The festival of St. Martin, or Martimas, has two components for us, one is Charity. Like St. Martin, we gave of ourselves to the less fortunate. For my children, age 2 & 4, we picked a canned good from our pantry and donated it to a local food bank. Mia felt very proud of herself, but I don't think Benji fully understood...the whole car ride to Grammie's after he kept repeating "eat, eat." I tried to assure him that we will have plenty to eat!

~Posing on the stairs with their canned goods!~

The Second component is the Light. Martinmas falls almost exactly between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. This is literally the darkest time of the year. To remind us that the light will return, and on a deeper level to help us to reflect on our own internal light, we made a lantern. Mia watercolored paper and I glued it into a lantern. We went for a walk in the woods to find the perfect "lantern" stick.

~To help pass the time before Daddy got home & we could go outside with the lantern, I told Mia & Benji Grimm's Star Money by candlelight. m a g i c.~

Finally Daddy came home, we went outside, lit our lantern, talked about Martinmas, and Mia led us on a parade around the house. She took her role very seriously. We sang, "glimmer lantern glimmer..." Next year, Benji will be old enough to carry his own lantern. This year, he was content to be held by Daddy.

~the glow of the lantern~

~Our fearless "lantern girl." ~

After our "walk" we came in to a special feast. I had baked a chicken, with mashed pototoes, carrots and brussel sprouts...a soul warming meal for sure.

I really enjoyed the day...I wish that everyone can find the strength of their own inner light and count your blessings. I feel warmed and ready to face the darkness as we work towards the coming of the light.

~Our special dinner table~