Zann Carter on Advent in the 80's

last night...

I've long been charmed by my friend Zann Carter, Waldorf-homeschooling pioneer, knittress, and sisterkeeper. She shared this bit in The Living Home Facebook group the other day, and I felt so moved by the continuum she created. It inspired me to bring a savory follow-thru to the season. I hope it resonates for you, too.  xx, Maya

"Steiner & Waldorf-inspired homeschooling came into my life in the late 80s and by 1992, when we moved to Indiana, we had radically changed our observance of Solstice & Christmas. We began to honor the Light of this season with a long, slow journey through Advent, the Twelve Holy Nights and Epiphany. It wasn't complicated: building up the Nativity scene, gathering most nights to 'do Advent' with candles, stories, carols, cookies. On St. Nicholas Day, our children would find chocolate coins & craft materials in their shoes. 
They absolutely loved this. So much that there seemed to be no disappointment when we pared down the gifts to one request and two surprises plus stockings. Christmas Day became just a slightly more special day among many special days. Because we continued on with activities (the Wise Men journeyed through the house to arrive at the manger on Epiphany - spotting their new position was a daily game...), there was no "day after Christmas let-down." The whole of the season became calm and gentle and renewing. 

I remember standing outside all those years ago, in our new home (cold Indiana instead of warm Florida where I had had all my Christmases before) looking at brilliant stars in a clear sky...and thinking that there was much in these Advent rituals that I could continue to do, that would continue to nourish me, even after my children had grown and left home. And that was true. 
But for the last few years, I have had the delight of sharing a weekly 'doing' of Advent with my granddaughter. It is a deep, deep joy I experience as I get out the handmade song and verse books my children used, as she rings the Advent bell, as we unwrap the same stones and crystals that her father and his siblings unwrapped." 

---

the hermit...

'Zann. Location: Terre Haute, Indiana, United States

Professor's wife, mother of four, zannma to two. Grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, transplanted to Indiana at age 40, where I saw my first snow and learned to love wool. We homeschooled three of the kids, I helped to create a used bookshop ( Wabash River Books 1996-2005)and became an online bookseller. I started this blog in 2005 to share my mid-life artwork (primarily fiber), poetry and creative explorations. On March 18, 2006 my 20 year-old son Patrick died...and my world irrevocably changed.

I own 63 years now. Life is very mysterious, magickal, beautiful and sweet and sad.

Needle-felted Advent Spiral + Lizards in the Leaves blog // Instagram 

#simpleseason, you + us on instagram

Let's gather...

Of course we're always thinking of ways to mine your magic and wise ways for the rest of us. You each bring so much hope and encouragement, and we bring bits of your warmth and meaningful practice into our own homes and learning spaces. Seeing how you do it shows us what else is possible. It's so inspiring!

We've set up a little Instagram gathering for us. Selfishly, we hope to see as many of you from Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia as possible. We'd like to repost your images, some here, on our Instagram, Facebook, and also on Pinterest. {our FB page is followed by parents, teachers, homeschoolers, & Waldorf schools from around the world) Here's how it works:

1. Get an Instagram account via the Apple Store or Google Play.

2. As you move thru each day, take a photo of your ways. Your home, your hands, whatever you are holding in your heartspace. We have 31 prompts up there. Use any prompt on any day!

3. Bonus points :: let the kids take the picture! 

4. Follow us, @waldorfishlife. In your photo comments, tag us by typing @waldorfishlife, and include the hashtag, #simpleseasons.

5. We'll repost some of your images and follow your stream.

6. Join our blogroll below, so others can follow you. Scroll to the bottom and tap "Click here to Enter." 

That's it!

With LOVE,

Maya @urbanorganica, D, Robyn @therobynwolfe & Brian @brianwolfe

{images via Pinterest}

The Journey of Analise: A Child's Journey Through the Temperaments.

I'm beyond excited to tell you that The Journey of Analise is now in PRINT and available for purchase!! I spent a good part of last year working on the 12 chalk drawings which are now featured as the illustrations for this beautiful story written by author Kristie Burns.

At the moment it is part of a package which includes a 90-minute instructional chalk drawing video and an e-book with step-by-step instructions for creating all twelve chalk drawings in the book.

This book is unusual in that it is a full color picture book but also a 166 page chapter-book. The story of Analise's journey through the temperaments is told in twenty-six chapters. It can be read independently by a child or it can be read out loud in daily increments. It would be the PERFECT story to read during Advent....one chapter a day.   

-Robyn

Waldorfish Gifting :: Beach Wood Bag

My kids gathered their godsiblings (at the East Bay Waldorf School) a "pasalubong" (Tagalog for "present from my travels") of beach wood & dried seaweed in a crocheted grocery bag. In our minds, it was to build menehune (island sprites) homes. Here's what they did with it first: a raft, sword, tomahawk, & hammer. You can see more of their creations on Instagram. 

~ Maya