Archive for December, 2009

Rhode Island

My father has informed me there are lots of starfish along the ocean shore in Charlestown (maybe other places as well?). Going to the beach on New Years day might be fun!

Once again, the Coastal Growers Market is this Saturday and all Saturdays till March 13th in North Kingstown. (It’s really fun and if I can figure out YouTube I will upload a video of  my son and me dancing!)

There are lots of other great things to do here in Rhode Island… I suggest heading outside to enjoy the snow; stay safe this New Years my friends.

Around the Web

 Take this Green Hour survey and commit to spending more time in nature during 2010.

Kidoinfo has some great ideas for how to spend the winter vacation.  What are you doing?

As for walking your talk, here’s a family living in a yurt in Alaska… I dare say, I am jealous.

Taking sometime to set intentions is away to add special meaning to the New Year.  These Vision Boards are a wonderful way to start manifesting!

I wish I had found this challenge earlier in December in order to participate, however reading these posts has given me great material to reflect on. How ’bout you, what’s your best of 2009?

We are what we eat. What are your food resolutions for 2010? Some bloggers answer this question.

Traveling with kids? Get ‘em outside… one mother shares her ideas for how to do this.

Back Home in My Backyard

It’s snowing! We went out for a snowy hike this morning and found 1) a block of ice in a yogurt container, 2) some kinda old tracks from maybe a dog, or a cat, or perhaps a fox?… could there be a fox in the hen house? Oh no!

Snow is so fun to see who’s checking out our backyard.  Who’s in your backyard?

We’re eating lots of frozen peas and winter squash… all homegrown veggies!

I am starting to plan the next year’s garden.

I am excited about life and love and all my little friends.

Thanks to all of you for becoming a part of my life in 2009…. what will 2010 bring us and how we will change the world… one day at a time… on child at a time… one hour in nature at a time?

Blessings to all. I will share my resolutions for the New Year just as soon as I get some more quiet time.

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I have recently become a “mother” to a 6 month old who is a big, healthy, happy little girl.

A big part of taking care of a growing baby is feeding her and since she doesn’t get the benefit of the delicious healthy “mama’s milk” I am doing my best to supply her with lots of “real” food- not just formula. I feed her all the colors of the rainbow and she just glows!

I enjoy making her solid foods.  This morning she had brown rice cereal, with blueberries (handpicked and frozen by me!) and bananas.  For lunch she will have some rice with peas (homegrown) and carrots and for dinner squash (homegrown) and green beans.  I like giving her a variety of foods and nutrients and I feel especially happy when I feed her foods we grew.  The foods are so full of life and fresh energy.  I can tell from the gleam in her eye and the smile on her face that she can taste the love. Foods fresh from Mother Earth give her the sustenance that mama’s milk gives too.

I use a food mill and make up enough food for a few days, freezing some and leaving some in the fridge for quick use. I re-use baby food jars that I have had for a long time because I feel better about freezing food in glass!

And as a side note…. the feeding process has humbled me.  I have always had judgement about folks who bottle and or formula feed.. and although I believe that breast is best… I now have the experience of formula feeding because of a special situation.  It is good to have an alternative like formula; I still wish for every baby a healthy, happy nursing life.

And may all children eat food from their own backyard.. right from the beginning!

This post is part of the 30-minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. Say it in 30 minutes!

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This is our backyard after the beautiful “blizzard of 09″.

Rain this past weekend  wiped out most of the snow, but a few wonderful patches remain.

Today we went exploring and found 1) Chicken tracks!!! and 2) Bunny tracks!!! then we found our own footprints of many different sizes… from wee toddler tracks, to mid-size preschooler tracks, to giant backyard mama tracks.

We found sheets of ice that we could hold up and look through like windows.

Just as we were getting ready to build the biggest snowman… it started to rain! But we were having so much fun that we waited till the rain drops were icy-cold and big and plentiful before running to cover in the house.

We also decided that it would be nice to make a special tarp canopy so we could spend time outside while not getting wet (atleast not one these cold rainy days).

All this from 3 years olds.  The great outdoors is a wonderful teacher.

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1) Fresh air is SURE to tire ‘em out! Then mom’s (or dad’s) can get some well earned “free” time.

2) Rote learning actually requires a lower brain function then creative learning… unstructured outside play leads to smarter adults.

3) Kids that play outside have more self-esteem and confidence.

4) Outside kids move  lots and  they stay fitter and healthier… while “thin is in” really “fit is it” we can honor different body types and stay healthy.

5) Outdoor time has a positive effect on kids moods.

This way we have happy, healthy, smart, confident children who are ready to go to bed at bedtime!

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I got to run out in the snow this morning to make a snow angel.  It was so fun. 

Here’s what I did: Fell backwards into the snow… it caught me softly but I was a little nervous.

Then I swung my arms up and down through the snow and did the same with my legs. Then I carefully got up to take this picture!

But… oops! My camera fell in the snow so there was a moment of panic that I couldn’t get a picture… but I did!

It felt so fun to play like a kid.

How much fun did you have in the snow?

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A White Christmas.

And here’s what I want to do:

1) Make maple syrup “snow cones” with fresh fallen snow.

2) Make a snow angel.

3) Look for animal tracks or human tracks.

4) Use the tracks to “tell the story” of who walked on the snow first.

5) Shake the branches of a pine tree and wait for the snow to fall on my head.

6) Have a snow ball fight.

7) Build a snow man or maybe a snow woman!

Put out bird food and see who eats it first.

9) Make an igloo.

10) Dig out a fire pit and make a winter bonfire.

11) Drink hot chocolate outside in the snow and look up at the stars.

12) Make a list of all the great things I want to do in the next snow storm.

What do you love to do in the snow?

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It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the days are getting shorter and the nights longer, but just for the heck of it, I looked it up today and here’s the data (for Rhode Island): 7:01 am sunrise and 4:16 pm sunset; with the day length shortening by about 47 seconds each day… we are fast approaching the shortest day of the year (December 21st). 

Make a lantern, bundle up and head outside!

There are many ways to make a lantern and I am going to share two simple ones.

1) Materials:

• a) quart-size ball jar,
• b) wire for hanging handle,
• c) tissue paper cut up into small pieces,
• d) no-cook paste  
• e) a tea light (candle)

Wrap the wire around the neck of the jar, and make a sturdy handle for carrying, (I suggest making the handle to one side to avoid hand burning). Using the paste, glue small pieces of tissue paper to the outside of the glass jar, overlapping the colors like stained-glass.

2) Materials

• a) Wax Paper
• b) tissue paper cut up in small pieces
• c) an iron
• d) towel
• e) glue or tape
• d) a tea light (candle)

Sandwich pieces of tissue paper between wax paper.  Overlap the tissue paper for a stained glass effect. Make sure the “waxy” side of the tissue paper is on the inside of the sandwich. Make an approximately 15 inch by 8 inch rectangle. (Let the kids measure for a math reminder!)

Even out the edges so it’s a nice even rectangle, then make a three inch long two inch wide “fridge” across the bottom.  Connect the two side edges of the wax paper, interlace the fridge to make a secure bottom (adding a piece of round cardboard or heavy weight paper makes this a little sturdier). Tape or glue the bottom and the seam along the side.

Look up and check out the stars! Do you see any shapes in the stars? Do you think the stars can see the light from your lantern? Enjoy the night sky!

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 Coveralls: This past week, I went from yoga class to shoveling manure in a matter of minutes.  When I was knee deep in s**t, it occured to me that coveralls would be a great item on my gift list.  Since some ladies go from indoor activites to outdoor activities on the drop of a dime, these warm, durable, doesn’t matter if they get dirty, coveralls can come in mighty handy.

Dr. Hauschka Products: I had the awesome opportunity to get a facial using these wonderful products. I fell in love with the relaxing fragrance of the Lavender Bath Oil. A touch of these products soothes any skin type and moisturizes even the driest skin (from a summer of gardening and a winter of hauling wood!). The gift boxes are affordable and give a wide variety of choices for mamas!

Muck Boots: Well, you might guess at when I added these to my list… let me share the picture, yoga pants, sneakers, and knee deep in wet manure.  I spent a good 15 minutes cleaning off my shoes at the end of the day but still have to remember to take those sneakers off when I go to a friends house. Not great.  These boots could solve my dirty sneaker problem pretty quickly!

Hot Cocoa: Here in Rhode Island we had a gentle dusting of snow this morning reminding me of how wonderful it is to curl up on the couch with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa.  Yummy! I like to know that my joy and serenity is coming without expense to other’s, so Fair Trade Cocoa is my favorite! And what mom will turn away chocolate?

Snugly Pajamas: When I was little, my parents would get my brother and I one nice shared present from Santa, then we’d each get some socks and new pj’s.  I always looked forward to a fresh set of ‘jamas to cozy up in after Christmas. Us mama’s who spend so much time nurturing others, can really use a special bit of self-nurturing… these just might fit the bill.

Maple Syrup: Really this is a staple in every house.  I love maple syrup on my pancakes and sometimes even on my ice cream! We sweeten most of our baked goods with it too.  As a consumable gift, it a great way to keep down the clutter and a cute jar like this one can have lots of uses once the syrup’s gone!

Bomber Hat: A cozy, warm, hat (or hat, scarf, glove set) is a great gift for mama’s who spend lots of time outside with the kiddos.  It’s warm- maybe a little dorky- but stylish in an outdoor mama kind of way.  Maybe just calling it really functional, fun and cute is the most straight forward description.  I have looked high and low for a hat like this… yup I sure hope one ends up in my stalking!

Relaxing Music: Music, meditations or books that can help mom kick up her hard working feet and unwind is a wonderful reusable, valuable gift.  This particular CD is a Kundalini Yoga mantra that honors the divine feminine  and the mother energy.  A great way to strengthen mama from the inside out!

Travel Mug: Many moms spend lots of time on the go shopping, running errands, taking the kids here and there.. buying chicken food! When I am out on the town I like to stop and get a special drink, but I really don’t like it when I clean out my car and there are tons of paper cups.  A personalized ceramic mug could make the most special gift for that special woman.

What’s on your Christmas list mama’s?

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 Rhode Islanders… some local happenings

December 4th (5-8pm) and 5th (10am -4pm)  Crafty Faire featuring local crafts at Kentara Green at the Phoenix in Narragansett.

Food for Thought health food store is hosting a Dr. Hauschka event 12-3pm. Radiate beauty!

There’s a farmers market in South Kingstown at the Peacedale Mill… stop by Sweet Cakes for some waffles and head over for fresh produce.

Coastal Growers Winter Market  is held indoors in North Kingstown.

Not in South County? There’s always the Wintertime Farmers’ Market in Pawtucket.

Around Town

Hannah’s Harvest has a great recipe for some delicious squash soup… warm up from the inside out!

Some great ways to share the joy of the holiday season with friends we haven’t met yet.

I recommend Farmer’s Daughter for Christmas tree cutting (or buy a live tree to plant with the kiddos- even better) but, if all else fails, you can do what these folks in England did. That’s taking “safety” to a new level.

Get ‘em Outside!

The Grass Stain Guru has some great ideas for getting teens into nature!  New Years Resolution material!

Here’s a great readfrom Richard Louv; I just love the idea of all these little parks with children and families joyfully playing.

More on the benefits of children spending time outside in unstructured play.

Great Gifting Ideas

An awesome list of gift ideas from Natural Papa for all those practical dads.

Fun, neat and nature-oriented gift ideas from Debi for the littlest of explorers.

There are lots of ways to re-use or re-gift items we already have in our homes.

I am working on a Christmas list for Backyard Mama’s! So stay tuned! Also, am entering to win this great green toy giveaway!

Back Home in My Backyard

We might get snow on Saturday!  The snow suits are washed and ready.  I just got some new silk long underwear- yippy!

How did you enjoy nature this fall? Have some outdoor fun these last few days of fall.

I love these nature bagsmade by some mom’s in Canada and I suggest putting one of these in your kiddos stockings! {I do NOT benefit from sales}.

Take a minute to see what this Rhode Island mom did after learning about nature-deficit disorder.

We had an awesome birthday party… and my favorite tree climber is a big boy! More to come with pictures of 3-5 yo making apple cider!

There are so many wonderful ideas out there on the internet, this post has missed tons of great reads.  BUT my computer crashed this week. My camera has fizzled to barely working. And my life has been a little overloaded with stress.

So, instead of getting into a blogging frenzie, I took a walk, did some yoga, and decided to give my readers What’s Happening Wednesday… on Friday.

Happy Advent Friends.  Do something fun this weekend outside, in nature… the internet’s not going anywhere.

Send me your great reads to feature here on What’s Happening Wednesday… {which I usually publish on Wednesday}  to shannon [at] backyardmama [dot] com

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Happy Advent Friends!

I remember as a child advent was a very special time of year.  At Green Meadow Waldorf School  we had an advent garden. The auditorium floor was transformed into an evergreen spiral and each child was given an apple with a candle stuck in it to light and then place along the spiral pathway. Individually, we walked to the center of the spiral where a large candle was used to light the single candles. Each child placed her candle along the evergreen spiral as he walked out of the spiral.  It was magical.

When we arrived in the auditorium, the room was almost completely dark with only the one candle lite at the center of the spiral.  Then, each of us picked out an apple with inserted candle, and walked to the center of the spiral to light our own candle.  Kind of like the journey of life where we go the the center of ourselves to find our inner radiance to share with the world. Gems and crystals danced in the candle light; in the end, the room shone with such light. When our inner light shines it is always reflected back!

Many have seen or heard of advent wreaths {I still need to make ours} but each year I mark this special time of bringing my light into the world by acknowledging advent- a time of inner transformation.

As a child we sang a lovely song that I still remember today:

Advent! advent! our candle burns;

Advent! advent! our candle burns.

First one, then two, the three, then four,

Then stands the Christ child at the door.

May we each “light a fire” in our hearts this Holy Season.

This is part of the 30 minute blog challenge brought to us by Steady Mom! Spend 30 minutes writing your post… then get outside to play!

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