~ november intention ~

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I promise that I have been absent from blogging for a good (though deeply personal) reason.  It ties in with my November intention, which I'll get to in a moment.

My October intention was to smile.  However, a few days later I severely injured my back.  Despite being in pain and fear that I was going to need surgery (it was that bad), it was probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  It was a catalyst for some personal growth that has been fermenting in me for months, even years.  I don't know if I'll be sharing that here, but suffice it to say that these days.....I feel better than I have in my entire life.

At the beginning of November, I decided on my new intention: to be more selfish.  On the surface, that doesn't sound very peaceful at all.  But right now it is the best thing that I can do for myself and my family, and by extension, the world around me.  I could not offer anything (genuine) to others when I didn't care for or about myself.  

I hope to be back to sharing our lives on this blog soon, as well as reading about others' journey towards peace. But if you don't see me or hear from me, it's because I'm being selfish.  I'm cooking myself and my family delicious, wholesome meals, playing with my girls in the leaves, singing in the shower, picking on the guitar, waving at my neighbors and creating a more beautiful home for us.

~carrie~

~ waldorf co-op ~

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The Autumn woods were so lovely on Friday for our weekly co-op!

We have been tweaking our rhythm and circle in the past few weeks,

to meet the needs of children who have whirled around the Sun another year,

as well as the needs of mommas whose infants have become toddlers!

Leading off with Rinka Ranka, then Circle Round,

we settle onto the blankets for our communal snack of muffins.

Each week someone brings mini-muffins for the group.

If there is a birthday, we sing and give small gifts now.

When muffins are finished, it's time for yoga.

We finish with some a few "ohms" then light our centerpiece candles.

This week was our third and final week of The Musicians of Bremen.

One of our mommas told the story, complete with needle felted figures,

created by another co-op family last year.

It was a truly magical telling - the children AND adults were captivated!

After the story, we sing sing SING

finishing with "The Little Light of Mine"

and the candle is extinguished and it is time for lunch.

We often have a basin of warm water for handwashing,

and the children all say a blessing before they eat.

After lunch, the children have a little bit of free time

while the mommas clean up from lunch and set up craft.

Please enjoy these pictures from our craft this week.

It is difficult to get pictures during yoga and circle and singing.

One momma went OVER THE TOP dehydrating apples

to make these amazing apple wreaths.

Lela had fun working AND snacking on her wreath!

One of the five babies/toddlers of our group.

I cannot believe that last year all five of them were tiny little nurslings in slings!

When their craft was finished, the children all romped into the woods for free play.

I went with them to a nearby spot where a large grapevine

had become a rope swing across a little stream.

Even the littlest of the children were able to swing across!

It was so exhilarating for them and me!

~carrie~

~ the raccoons ~

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We have been having problems with raccoons lately.

Here are some pictures of their latest antics.

There really is no way to raccoon-proof your life.

Initially I barked at them,

but then smiled and even laughed.

We worked together to pick it all up,

and all was well.

What are your raccoons getting into these days?

~carrie~