Archive for February, 2010
A Gift of Heart
February 26th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I love it when I see folks doing meaningful work with their creative genius. I went to school with the guys that made this video about the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
Thank you Remedy for this gift from your Heart.
What’s Happening Wednesday
February 25th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Rhode Islanders
This week is full of great opportunities for fun and community!
A nature-based, expeditionary learning charter high school is in the works for Rhode Island! Yeah! Support the Green School with donation, ideas, or some good old sweat and muscle!
An Evening of Refreshment is this Saturday 2/28/10 from 7-10 pm; hosted by mommy blogger Erin Goodman.. head over for great music, good food and fun company. Tickets are $20.00 online or $25.00 at the door and proceeds go to support the RI Food Bank and Coastal Growers Market.
The Children’s Museum in Providence is open from 5:30pm to 7:30pm this Friday 2/26/10 and admission is FREE! My handsome chicken farmer loves the Children’s Museum- head over to see us too this Friday!
Save the date March 20th for RI Families in Nature Hikeat my favorite bird watching walk- Trustom Pond.
Saddle Up the Chicken and head over to the Coastal Growers Market Saturdays in North Kingstown and March 20th from 7-10pm is a fundraiser for the market and celebration of the Vernal Equinox.
Around the Internet
Challenge your kids to spend time outside and learn how one Headstart Program in Alaska is encouraging nature play for their students. This is a great idea!
Garden lovers, Alison has shared why she gardens; are you ready to chime in?
The lovely pictures and sweet heartedstory by author and mother Marghanita is such a wonderful reminder of one of “mama’s” many jobs.
Lately, I’ve been observing my son as he builds with his blocks incredibly houses and then explains in great detail the forces at work. I enjoy watching him as he finds his passion. Then I read this post and really understood why I want to observe and not push.
I feel lucky to have the ocean so close, but for those further away, here are some great idea for how to heal and relax to the ocean. On a health note: nature needs to be a part of any good health plan.
Gardening is for the kids!I can’t wait to get my hands dirty, so reading this post from a California mom got me looking through seed catalogs.
Back Home in My Backyard
The little addition to our family is crying right now so I have to make this quick!
It’s raining it’s pouring…. we’ve got the rain boots out and ready for some puddle splashing!
I am really going to put in my seed order this week- although I have been saying this for three weeks.
In April 10th and May 8th the Backyard Mama will make her debut as a workshop presenter at early childhood conferences here in Rhode Island. I am excitedly nervous.
And that’s a wrap. I’ve enjoyed scanning twitter this morning for articles from all my favorites and am looking forward to keeping up better this week!
Thanks for the support and the great contributions!
Winter Fairy Houses
February 23rd, 2010 | Author: Shannon
One of my favorite summer activities is to build little forts and huts in the nooks and crannies of trees, or built a tipi with sticks and cover it with bark… all for the fairies of the forest.
This winter I decided to build winter fairy houses (cause the fairies need a place to stay all year- right?). So out in the winter-scape of sled tracks and snow angels, we built this lovely little igloo for the fairies of our forest.
After we built this, part of me climbed in to wait out the rest of the winter. I dragged myself out today to write this post… but I might end up back in hibernation.
How are y’all doing out there? I heard it snowed in Texas today- how ’bout that?
This is part of the 30 minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. Post time start to finish 20 minutes. (Although it took me all day to get the 20 minutes of sit down time!)
What’s Happening Wednesday
February 10th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
*** Wednesday comes too often.I feel like I just finished the last edition and I’m back at it again sifting through twitter finding all the great stuff from this week. I know I miss huge numbers of awesome articles. So consider this a snippet of what I am taking inventory of this week. Remember too that I forget stuff all the time, so if you read or write something great- send it to me! {Please!}
Rhode Island
Friday the 12th is the Mamaste Mother’s Circle with Erin of exhale.return.to.center. Mamas get a little Valentines Day Treat in for yourselves!
Author Pat Hastings {Simply a Woman of Faith} is leading a great program on Monday Feb. 15th on Spiritual Resiliency. She is a very cool woman with style and class… if you can’t make the class- get her book. It’s worth every penny.
Go birding this weekend at any of the great natural places we have in our wonderful state… it’s the Great Backyard Bird Count! Other’s else where please do the same!
Around the Internet
Being able to roam, explore, create and play are some of the greatest skills for children. Sue was inspired to write this post by the Free Range Guru herself. Did you have a Free Range childhood?
Finally proof! The NAEYC has written about the importance of nature based play and gardening in early childhood. Here ya go! There’s proof!
From Camp Creek Press {this blog was totally new to me this week and I am SO glad I found it – or it found me}. Education is being driven by testing, rather then by raising healthy, happy children. This is a must read for everyone pondering school choices!
What magical characters have inspired you to connect with nature? Toffee the Highland Cow shares some outdoor activities that lots of kids will love! Also from Marghanita beautiful pictures to inspire trekking into the woods to hunt for….
Another great post about enticing kids to play outside more! Nature is such a magical place and Caro writes of this with such ease.
Leave the references at home and go outside, explore, be adventurous, let go of the fear of not “knowing”. Bethe writes of all the great reasons why… and gives us some ways to learn what we don’t know!
A couple from the Nature Mama team, pulled together this week to write about great kids gear tips for those preparing for the snow (oh boy we need this!)
My first guest post over at Loving Nature’s Garden! Thanks once again Alison and all the rest of you, go birding this weekend and learn about some birds!
Back Home in My Backyard
We’re snowed in! We only got a few inches but it’s “wet” snow perfect for making snowman and snowballs.
Today, as the snow fell, we made Valentines Day cookies and Jeremiah painted what will become cards.
We went for a walk, at dusk, in the snow- my little man on the sled, me pulling, the pine trees dumping their little balls of snow on us the whole way.
We made a snowman!
Yesterday, in preparation for this storm, my under 4 year olds helped carry in about 7 loads of wood and had SO MUCH fun. When we needed a break from the work we went on a little walk {also to get the baby to sleep} the kids found a pile of old snow that is mixed with rocks and pine needles and proceeded to climb up and run down giggling!
I have spent less time online this week, but more “quality” time finding great blogs… and I am just in awe of the blogosphere and humbled to be a part of this great network of vast intelligence and information.
A Spectacular “T.V.” Lunch
February 9th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
There are all sorts of ways to enjoy nature: hiking, walking, running, stroller riding, investigating, learning, adventuring… but to me, one of the greatest ways to enjoy it is eating.
I remember backpacking trips where the entire day was full of splendid views, animals, butterflies, flowers, and what I remember the most is sitting down at the end of the day with my little whisperlite stove and cooking up something good.
I remember trips to beach with my grandparents, playing in the sand and the surf, flying kites, and going on walks yet what sticks out the most? Eating peanut butter and jelly and being told that this is why they call it a SANDwich.
I remember schools trips where we snacked in parks, fields, or in the woods: I even remember in first grade there was a huge forsythia bush that we played and ate under.
These days I love to take the kids in the stroller or just out out backdoor into the back field where we sit on a blanket and have a picnic.
It tickled me to death the day my son and his friend took their lunch trays out the backdoor for a “T.V.” lunch- this is what it looked like!
Kids are so creative when the walls of the house aren’t barriers.
How have you opened the door for your children today?
This is part of the 30 minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. Thanks for stopping by and remember to check out all the other great posts and help Jaime in supporting Love 146.
Guest Post!
February 8th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Head over to Loving Nature’s Garden to see what my adventurer has planned this weekend!
Thank you Alison for this great opportunity!
Love Letters
February 8th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
According to Hallmark 188 million valentines cards are given world wide; which means the cards are manufactured, shipped, distributed, purchased, sent or give. A whole lot of energy and fuel goes into this love holiday.
I challenge readers to hand make valentines cards, chocolates and buy real plants or seeds for their loved ones this year. Find lovely verses, like the age old favorite, “roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.” Hand write your love.
I challenge readers even further to let your love shine throughout the year with love letters. Make simple hearts out of construction paper and send them to friends and family, teachers, bosses, ministers, priests, librarians, all the people who serve our lives. I am going to send a love letter to my husband once a week this year. Reminding him of all the reasons why I chose to spend my life with him.
Homemade is special
In third grade, I have my teacher a handmade Valentines Day card, I made if from purple construction paper and glued dried flowers on it. When I graduated from eight grade, he gave it back to me as a memento from elementary school. Handmade cards mean so much to the giver and receiver.
Three years ago, instead of giving everyone in my family chocolates, I made a meal and invited all to share it with me. I decorated the table with chocolates, a beautiful table cloth and our best china, we spent the evening together. I did purchase little cards for each person, but I had a newborn baby and only had time for either cooking.
Three ways spend that special night
1) Have a potluck. Instead of heading to the restaurant, invite friends over for a candle light dinner; plan for a house large enough to accommodate kids with a movie and special dinner while the parents (adults) have a special night of conversation and cocktails. The romance can happen at home!
2) Go for a walk. Watching the sunset, snuggled under a blanket at the beach or on a mountain top or in a field of long grass is more romantic then any restaurant. Bring a picnic basket of your favorite finger foods, leave discussion of bills, and school, kids, or cars problems at home, and spend the evening basking in the last rays of the sun and the warmth of your honey’s arms.
3) Partner Yoga Find a class or get a DVD and roll out the yoga mats in the living room (maybe by candle light). Learn a new way of relating to your loved one by moving together through yoga poses to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility and bring you closer. (Other stuff can come later- that’s out of my comfort zone folks- I am talking YOGA here.)
What other simple fun (inexpensive) ways do you share your LOVE on Valentines Day?
This post was originally a contribution to 5 minutes for Going Green. Check out what the great writers over there have to say!
What’s Happening Wednesday
February 4th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Rhode Island
Local nature lover Jeanine has written a great post about wintertime play. To learn more about her read our great backyard chat or visit Rhode Island Families in Nature.
There’s still time to win this wonderful book Steady Days by mommy blogger, enter to win at this giveaway from Erin at exhale.return.to.center. while you’re at it, see what’s cooking this February!
Around the Internet
Plan ahead for Valentines Day, instead of Hallmark cards find unique ones like these from Maine based artists.
From National Wildlife, here are some great ways to spend your outside time with children. (BYM Note: The best is always to let the children lead and you follow!)
Everyone doesn’t get snow in the winter, so Adventuroo compiled this great list of lists from around the blogosphere in her effort to find something fun to do with her son when the snow came. How do you spend time in the snow?
For beginner gardeners, or folks like me who just might want some guidance, here is a great offer from Alison of Loving Natures Garden.
In case you are planning a special night in to celebrate February, or any other time of the year, consider greening your next dinner party.
Back Home In My Backyard
We have had a wonderful week of sunshine (and a dusting of snow). It has been delightful to play outside, and absorb some vitamin D.
I am “breaking” from spending tons of time on twitter, facebook and in the blogosphere. My family needs my attention. I need my attention.
My numbers on this blog are really not changing; I am re-evaluating whether or not to continue blogging as the summer comes and I want to spend more time “walking my talk” and get outside!
I will be present a workshop titled Nature Play: Learning through Wonder at the RI Early Childhood Conference in May! I am very excited about this!
I am thinking about preschools for my little adventurer, Waldorf? Montessori? Stay Home? Nature? These small choices are such a great responsibility.
That’s it folks. If you’re out there reading… have a great mid-week. Many blessings!
Share in a Spiritual Fasting
February 2nd, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Fasting means to “hold firm” or “have firm control of oneself”, it is associated with abstaining from food for religious observance or for medical reasons.
I woke up this morning thinking about fasting.
A few years ago, I did a weekly day long fast but with motherhood (and nursing) I abstained from fasting to keep my energy up. (Interesting that fasting- as in getting faster- is actually a way to slow down?)
But fasting is not just about limiting food; it can be about limiting some foods, or limiting “plugged in” time, or certain thoughts and words.
“Holding firm” or having “self-control” is what motherhood is all about. Motherhood (in some ways) is about fasting from self-centeredness and selfishness; it’s about making sure that our children learn self-control and discipline.
There are many ways to fast some are a physical fast (as in limiting food) some are more a mental fast (as in limiting thoughts or words).
Cleansing the body is partially about cleansing the mind- because it takes the ability to “hold firm” and be disciplined; and cleansing the mind is partially about cleansing the body.
I am interested in exploring the Master Cleanse for a physical fast and I am considering re-committing to a weekly day-long fast from food. This summer I would like to try a longer fast (10 days perhaps) when I have lots of fresh veggies in my garden and can prepare my body with abundant homegrown raw foods.
Ash Wednesday is next week and in some religious traditions lent (which starts on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter) is a time of fasting. Some fast from sugar, or chocolate, but this lent I want to go deep within myself to fast from negative thinking, from being critical to myself, and from setting my expectations so high that they lead to disappointment.
Not as a Christian tradition, but as a human spiritual tradition, what might you cleanse from this lent? What can you let go of that’s keeping you from your highest purpose?
This is part of the Steady Mom 30 minute blog challenge. Thanks to Jaime for this great opportunity to link-up and share with other mama bloggers. Have a great day everyone and be gentle to yourself and eachother! Please read about and support Love 146.
Love is in the air
February 1st, 2010 | Author: Shannon
It’s February! One more month till planting begins! It’s also Black History Month, so many US Presidents were born this month that we honor them with Presidents Day… and of course it’s Valentines Day! There’s lots of love about February.
I am offering myself some self-love too by sharing with you the Best of Backyard Mama. In case you missed these posts or just found me and haven’t the time to dig through the archives. These are my picks so enjoy!
Best of Backyard Mama
Butterfly Paradise (and related posts)
How to Build a Simple Tipi Fort
Materials that Encourage Creativity and Outside Play
Ready Set Fall! 10 Ways to Enjoy the Season
What do you think? Show some love, what are your favorite posts?
