Spring is here. I am happy and proud about my tiny garden, I think for the first time ever, even though my profession and passion in life pre-kids was gardening. (Before I launch into my ramblings, if you are a beginner family-home gardener, HERE are some resources for you!) Like every aspect of this mothering gig, … Continue reading
While I’m feeling energetic instead of overwhelmed in the garden (for the first time in years) I thought I’d share some resources. If you are a beginning gardener it is a great great project to learn together with your children! Don’t be shy, just jump right in there! But do start small and keep it … Continue reading
Last weekend we did too much, wore ourselves out. I kept having that feeling: I’m pushing them too hard to do too many things, I should stop now, where am I driving this ship, maybe we should turn back, this started as an adventure but now it is a bit scary, maybe we are getting … Continue reading
Winter. Here on the Mediterranean central California coast, this means not ice and snow but dark and damp. Waiting for Rain. Days and days of rain, gray skies, shiny sidewalk puddles, misty cloud forests, peeping frog voices, Rain. We had a good few weeks but we are waiting for more. Meanwhile, the days are short … Continue reading
I found so much meaning during the fall festivals of darkness and light, of connecting with the spirit world, and beginning the winter inner journey of spending time with oneself. And the start of the nourishing mediterranean rainy season. I hoped that the winter holidays would bring more light in the darkness, and with my … Continue reading
Today the lovely and talented Bernal mama Samantha Garcia led a group of us in a ritual, creating healing medicine for ourselves and our children, guided by the Black Elder tree. I will leave the moment mostly in the realm of spirit and images. Here are some images of making the medicine from elderberries, cinnamon, … Continue reading
Epilogue: Photos of the Lantern Walk with Days of the Dead I wrote about, anticipating them, last week. They were lovely. We made colada morada and guaguas de pan, traditional foods for celebrating Dia de los Difuntos in Ecuador. The harina de maiz morada (purple corn flour) is the purple, along with mortiños and moras … Continue reading
Continuing on the theme of visiting with spirits and ancestors, in New Mexico I took this picture with this story. The photograph shows my friend Erin who is pregnant. That sort of other-worldly light and the bright ray, it felt like a moment of a pause in time, when maybe the spirit world or the … Continue reading
Last year I enjoyed the Lantern Walk with our Waldorf school, but I had no context or understanding of its meaning. I assumed any festival that ended in “mas” (Martinmas, Michaelmas) was too “Euro” to have anything to do with me. But this week I got it, a meaning that I totally relate to. I’ve … Continue reading
Our family has stayed put for many months, to strengthen our household rhythms and to revel in what we have, our home. But two things are often missing for me: extended family or friends from the heart who have known me since childhood, and the rhythms of rural life. My husband and I are city … Continue reading
Chigüiri-cosas 