Advent

I went to a, let's say "different", sort of school in my grade school years. It was called The Waldorf International School. Waldorf Schools around the world are based on a creative education developed by Rudolph Steiner and rooted in Anthroposophical ideas. I think it's such a crucial point in a child's life to nurture natural creativity and individual development that this type of education couldn't be more fitting. We learned such a broad spectrum of things and in so many different ways. 

We learned about Pythagoras by doing math, acting in a play, and reading. We learned botany by doing field work and making our own books. We celebrated May Day with a May pole dance and Advent with a spiral wreath ceremony which I remember fondly every year and wish my friends didn't think I was bonkers for suggesting we do our own. 

Advent today is much more associated with Christianity, marking the beginning of the Christmas season and Church year. But Advent has also signified the days before the winter solstice and the representation of life and light in the dark times of winter. This is the way it, and all festivals, are celebrated in Waldorf. They are not taught, but offered in ways that allows children to assign their own significance. For this reason, there is a nature table on which children progressively add more "life" - rocks, plants, etc. to the Advent wreath. The Advent spiral, made of evergreen, represents the kingdoms (animal, plant) of the earth. Children walk around it, lighting a candle from the center and leaving it on their way out, creating  light in preparation for the winter.

In keeping with craftiness and the holiday spirit, I made an Advent calendar, slightly more light-hearded and silly as the mister can only tolerate so much hippyness from me. We'll see if I can sneak in a wreath. But this one hangs at our entrance and there is a little activity for each day. All sorts of things from drinking hot buttered rum to advice from favorite poets.

See the easy tutorial after the jump

creations of the yarn variety

About a year and a half ago my friend from the far off land of Alaska came to visit me in the bubble of Boulder, CO. I made her an iPod case for her monolithic original iPod. To keep it warm in the cold winter months of course. I knocked it out in the short while she was visiting. As awesome as she is and as hard to resist as Colorado is, she came back to visit me this year, in my new home. Her iPod case was looking a little weathered. In my lack of craftiness in the last year, I still somehow agreed to make her a new one. Two new ones! What was I thinking right? Needless to say they were not complete, not even started, in those 5 days. I lost count of how many times she had to remind me of what I was supposed to be doing with that yarn stuffed in my desk drawer that the cat sometimes gets to. Four months later (I'm on top of things, I know) here you have it: Francis (thanks to my talented brander) the lackadaisical owl iPod case, a little personalized furry flap case, and an update to the worn original. 

Here's hoping the craft bug stays.

HOLIDAY MAGAZINE & GIFT GUIDE

Another treat! One of my favorite bloggers, Ez of Creature Comforts, just released Gifted, a fabulous online magazine of holiday projects, interviews and more. Every page is as inspiring as her blog posts. Start reading! And If you ever need a little beauty and inspiration in your life (who doesn't?) or just a little artful eye candy, check out her blog!

a little kick

I made this incredibly delicious bourbon pumpkin cheesecake from a recipe adapted from Gourmet by  the talented blogger of Smitten Kitchen. Which, by the way, has got to be my all-time favorite food blog, I just want to make every recipe on there!

Do more than just wear purple

Students Across the Country Pledge to be Allies to LGBT Youth During GLSEN's Ally Week

Ally Week Kicks Off in More than a Thousand Schools New York, NY (Vocus) October 18, 2010 Thousands of students from more than 1,000 middle and high schools across the country began participating in GLSEN’s Ally Week today to identify, encourage and support allies in addressing anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying in schools. A student-led and student-created event, Ally Week is a way to build upon the unifying work of Gay-Straight Alliance student clubs by encouraging people to be allies against anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. “Everybody deserves to have an education, and everybody deserves to feel safe at school,” said Moriah Rahamim, a 17-year-old senior from Cleveland. “I am an ally because of empathy, and by working to ensure the safety of students who face stigma due to their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, I believe that we are really fighting for the safety of all students, everywhere.” Students participate in a number of ways but usually encourage their peers to take the Ally Week pledge, which students and adults sign either through pledge cards in school or online at http://www.allyweek.org (http://www.allyweek.org). The pledge reads: I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to: Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs. Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed. Support efforts to end bullying and harassment. Nearly 9 out of 10 (84.6%) LGBT students experience harassment at school and 61.1% feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, according to GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey of 7,261 LGBT students in middle and high school. “Recent tragedies have brought attention to the longstanding public health crisis of anti-LGBT bullying in our schools," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "Allies can make a huge difference in creating safer schools for LGBT youth. GLSEN’s Ally Week offers students and adults an opportunity to show their support for creating a world in which all students are valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression." About GLSEN GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit http://www.glsen.org (http://www.glsen.org) ###

"We just do what we can and trust that the effort matters"

Educated as a biologist, Barbara Kingsolver is a detailed, well-read writer. Her collection of essays Small Wonder ranges from her response to 9/11 to her speculations on our culture’s “scientific illiteracy” to some of the personal lessons in her own life. It has the gems of wisdom that run throughout all of her works; truths like “We are all in the same boat. It’s the same struggle for each of us, and the same path out: the utterly simple, infinitely wise, ultimately defiant act of loving one thing and then another, loving our way back to life.” 

Kingsolver reminds us of the war every person fights and shows us the beauty in the world we still have. If there is anyone that can make genetic engineering interesting and understandable to the least science-minded of us, and add poetry to the every day, it is Barbara Kingsolver. I’ve found that even if I don’t agree with all of her insights, I am still fascinated by them. Her practiced patience in revering nature and her connection to the people and world around her are enviable. 

And best of all, she very honestly and humanly practices what she preaches: “Since it’s nonsensical, plus embarrassing, to be an outspoken critic of things you do yourself, I set myself long ago to the task of consuming less. I never go to India, but in various stages of my free-wheeling youth I tried out living in a tent, in a commune, and in Europe, before eventually determining that I could only hope to dent the salacious appetites of my homeland and make us a more perfect union by living inside this amazing beast, poking its belly from the inside with my one little life and the small, pointed sword of my pen. So this is where I feed my family and try to live lightly on the land.”

I think we could all take a bit of advice from Kingsolver's mighty pen and humble garden.

Struttin'

shirt: J.Crew
skirt: Top Shop
shoes: Target
ring: nOir
necklace: thrifted
hairpin: Etsy
clutch: thrifted


I don't know why I stand so weird but apparently it's not new. Ran errands like a housewife then blinged it up for a night out with the necklace and heels. How wonderful would it be to just rock outfits for a living? I should put that on my resume.

On another note, my lack of posts is due to the fact that I've been busy walking around the house talking to myself while I teach an imaginary yoga class because teacher training is making me nervous. In a good way.

xo