It's our week to bring flowers for the classroom. Our marigolds are so healthy with nice fragrant blooms. How wonderful it is to be able to cut these orange pompoms and share them with others!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Star Shine
I hope everyone has been enjoying a beautiful autumn.
We went to a nice fall festival at Old Oaks Ranch in Wimberley, TX.
What a wonderful place filled with great fiber artists and sculptors! I had brought home a skein of yarn from the Hill Country Yarn Crawl earlier this month that happened to be baby alpaca and merino wool.
My daughter loved it and asked if she could meet a real alpaca. Luckily, alpacas are sweet residents at this ranch and she got to pet their super soft coats.
I learned quite a bit about alpacas that day. They would prefer a llama as a body guard than a dog. Big brother llamas will stand up to predators. Here's my little knight running up to greet this brave counterpart.
With the traditional festivals of light coming up, I thought I would start a bit early.
Of course, with Halloween celebrations, there is always the jack-o'lantern. We brought one to our school's fall festival that evening. We are always amazed at the talent, cooperation, and artistic endeavor of the Waldorf community.
Now most people were wondering if our little miss was an angel. Read this short and sweet story by the Grimm Brothers and you will know who she is.
The Star Talers (Die Sterntaler - German)
Once upon a time there was a little girl whose father and mother had died, and she was so poor that she no longer had a room to live in, nor a bed to sleep in, and at last she had nothing else but the clothes she was wearing and a little piece of bread in her hand that some charitable soul had given her. She was good and pious, however. And as she was thus forsaken by all the world, she went forth into the country, trusting in dear God.
Then a poor man met her, who said, "Ah, give me something to eat, I am so hungry."
She handed him her entire piece of bread, saying, "May God bless it for you," and went on her way.
Then came a child who moaned and said, "My head is so cold. Give me something to cover it with." So she took off her cap and gave it to the child. And when she had walked a little farther, she met another child who had no jacket and was freezing. So she gave her jacket to that child, and a little farther on one begged for a dress, and she gave her dress away as well. At length she made her way into a forest and it was already dark. Then there came yet another child, and asked for a shift, and the pious girl thought to herself, "It is a dark night and no one can see you. You can very well give your shift away," and she took it off, and gave it away as well.
And thus she stood there, with nothing left at all, when suddenly some stars fell down from heaven, and they were nothing else but hard shining talers, and although she had just given her shift away, she was now wearing a new one which was of the very finest linen. Then she gathered together the money into it, and was rich all the days of her life.
Here she is in her brand new, white linen dress (soon to be favorite nightgown!) I used the simple pattern from The Children's Year: Seasonal Crafts and Clothes of a child's smock but added more length to make it a dress.
Time spent on kindness is not wasted. Without the expectation of return, we are all blessed.
May your inner light shine with the upcoming festivals of Martinmaas and Diwali!
We went to a nice fall festival at Old Oaks Ranch in Wimberley, TX.
What a wonderful place filled with great fiber artists and sculptors! I had brought home a skein of yarn from the Hill Country Yarn Crawl earlier this month that happened to be baby alpaca and merino wool.
My daughter loved it and asked if she could meet a real alpaca. Luckily, alpacas are sweet residents at this ranch and she got to pet their super soft coats.
I learned quite a bit about alpacas that day. They would prefer a llama as a body guard than a dog. Big brother llamas will stand up to predators. Here's my little knight running up to greet this brave counterpart.
 |
| Mariposa the mellow alpaca |
 |
| Brave knight meets brave llama |
With the traditional festivals of light coming up, I thought I would start a bit early.
Of course, with Halloween celebrations, there is always the jack-o'lantern. We brought one to our school's fall festival that evening. We are always amazed at the talent, cooperation, and artistic endeavor of the Waldorf community.
 |
| Star Pumpkin |
The Star Talers (Die Sterntaler - German)
Once upon a time there was a little girl whose father and mother had died, and she was so poor that she no longer had a room to live in, nor a bed to sleep in, and at last she had nothing else but the clothes she was wearing and a little piece of bread in her hand that some charitable soul had given her. She was good and pious, however. And as she was thus forsaken by all the world, she went forth into the country, trusting in dear God.
Then a poor man met her, who said, "Ah, give me something to eat, I am so hungry."
She handed him her entire piece of bread, saying, "May God bless it for you," and went on her way.
Then came a child who moaned and said, "My head is so cold. Give me something to cover it with." So she took off her cap and gave it to the child. And when she had walked a little farther, she met another child who had no jacket and was freezing. So she gave her jacket to that child, and a little farther on one begged for a dress, and she gave her dress away as well. At length she made her way into a forest and it was already dark. Then there came yet another child, and asked for a shift, and the pious girl thought to herself, "It is a dark night and no one can see you. You can very well give your shift away," and she took it off, and gave it away as well.
And thus she stood there, with nothing left at all, when suddenly some stars fell down from heaven, and they were nothing else but hard shining talers, and although she had just given her shift away, she was now wearing a new one which was of the very finest linen. Then she gathered together the money into it, and was rich all the days of her life.
 |
| Stars from Heaven |
 |
| A pumpkin carving of Blessings |
Time spent on kindness is not wasted. Without the expectation of return, we are all blessed.
May your inner light shine with the upcoming festivals of Martinmaas and Diwali!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
WIP Wednesday - Gopi Skirt
I finished my gopi skirt and was quite happy with how it turned out. I still have quite a bit of fabric left so I may make my daughter one too.
For our upcoming pumpkin path walk, I have a special costume to make for my little one. It's inspired by a more obscure Grimm's fairytale but it is well known in Waldorf circles.
Let's just say she will be giving away everything but getting the stars in return.
Also, I am almost done with a Garnet Hill inspired top. You'll see how a very unbecoming tourist T-shirt transforms into a floral masterpiece.
Hope everyone has a nice visit from the pumpkin fairy this weekend!
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| Floral Gopi Skirt |
 |
| I want one too! |
Let's just say she will be giving away everything but getting the stars in return.
Also, I am almost done with a Garnet Hill inspired top. You'll see how a very unbecoming tourist T-shirt transforms into a floral masterpiece.
 |
| My inspiration - from www.garnethill.com |
Hope everyone has a nice visit from the pumpkin fairy this weekend!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Happy Autumn & WIP Thursday
Happy Autumn Everyone!
Here's a blog post I particularly enjoyed about the autumn equinox - from Om School.
Yesterday was Michaelmas and my wish for you is that all your dragons be vanquished by the light of goodness and knowledge.
Now on to what I've finished and my WIPs. If you are thinking of making gifts for the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to start. Join other crafters at Handmade Holiday.
The little ruffled summer top is done. After doing the sleeves wrong a couple times, I finally figured it out with the help of a friend. Thanks Waldorfmama!
It came out with wonderful variegated pink stripes and will be perfect for layering during our mild Texas autumn. I'm glad I made the 7-9 version so she will be able to wear it for a couple more years.
Now on to something for me!
I think it's great when moms take the time to make something for themselves. Children can see that mom is worthy of handcrafted items too.
I have been wanting to make some skirts for myself for a while. This usually happens when long skirts are no longer in style and hence are hard to find in stores. I love tiered skirts and also those that are affectionately called "gopi skirts". These are long circular skirts that often are wrap around style. My mom gave me the Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics
book last Christmas and I'm finally getting around to using it.
September was National Sewing Month and I hope you got a couple stitches in. I hope to have 3 or 4 skirts finished this fall.
I do have some sewing projects for my little miss, including some from this darling book I found at the most awesome consignment sale in central Texas (the MamaCents sale). I have been going for 3 years and am amazed at what I find. If you are a fan of the Little House Books you will love this one.
I plan on making some doll aprons and hope to make a matching one for my girl too.
Hope you are enjoying the seasonal change and if you are in Texas, our second spring where plants come back to life! I'm off to my first Lazure painting experience.
Cristina
Here's a blog post I particularly enjoyed about the autumn equinox - from Om School.
Yesterday was Michaelmas and my wish for you is that all your dragons be vanquished by the light of goodness and knowledge.
Now on to what I've finished and my WIPs. If you are thinking of making gifts for the holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to start. Join other crafters at Handmade Holiday.
The little ruffled summer top is done. After doing the sleeves wrong a couple times, I finally figured it out with the help of a friend. Thanks Waldorfmama!
It came out with wonderful variegated pink stripes and will be perfect for layering during our mild Texas autumn. I'm glad I made the 7-9 version so she will be able to wear it for a couple more years.
Now on to something for me!
I think it's great when moms take the time to make something for themselves. Children can see that mom is worthy of handcrafted items too.
I have been wanting to make some skirts for myself for a while. This usually happens when long skirts are no longer in style and hence are hard to find in stores. I love tiered skirts and also those that are affectionately called "gopi skirts". These are long circular skirts that often are wrap around style. My mom gave me the Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics
book last Christmas and I'm finally getting around to using it.September was National Sewing Month and I hope you got a couple stitches in. I hope to have 3 or 4 skirts finished this fall.
 |
| Sew What Skirts & Fabric |
 |
| Gopi Skirt fabric |
I plan on making some doll aprons and hope to make a matching one for my girl too.
Hope you are enjoying the seasonal change and if you are in Texas, our second spring where plants come back to life! I'm off to my first Lazure painting experience.
Cristina
Monday, September 6, 2010
Love Feasts - Make Your Own Butter
The last 2 weeks were filled with some of the biggest Vaisnava festivals of the year. Balarama's festival was on the Tuesday with the full moon and then 8 days later Krsna's special day and then the following day, the birthday of our Guru. He said there is a festival to celebrate almost everyday of the year. With the traditional Waldorf/Steiner celebration ones as well, our life is filled with lots of meaning and joy.
You could say our branch of Vaisnavism is basically the "kitchen religion". Anything can be offered up to God...including food. In some temples, food is offered 6 times a day, many of the dishes being quite elaborate. On special festival days, sometimes there are 108 or more offerings. The Supreme of course does not need anything but accepts the love. This food becomes prasadam, which means mercy.
Make Your Own Butter
What You Need
organic cream (1 pint is a good amount)
mason jar with lid
3 clean marbles (we did Balaram white, Krsna blue, and Radha yellow)
jars or containers to store the butter milk and butter
Instructions
SHAKE IT
You pour the cream into the mason jar with the marbles. Seal the lid and start shaking. I remember doing this in 1st grade and it must have been easier with 25 children to help shake. With just the two of us, we almost gave up!
You will hear the marbles at the beginning. When it stars to thicken, the sound will disappear and you will begin to have whipped cream. This is when it gets hard, but keep going!
We took turns and chanted the maha-mantra while shaking.
Now we know why the gopis had such nice figures...all the physical work.
Eventually you can see through the glass again and thick curds start to form.
Then you will start to hear the marbles again and tinges of yellow appear. The yellow is the butter forming and the white liquid is the buttermilk. When you have a solid mass of butter, pour off the buttermilk into a clean container. Rinse the butter with cool filtered water until no buttermilk remains. This keeps it fresh longer as the buttermilk can make the butter go rancid faster.
You can then transfer the butter into a fresh container.
If you have cute butter molds, this would be a good time to use them.
After making butter, we made several more dishes and preparations for our celebration in the evening. We also dressed our Deities (traditional forms of the Divine) in new outfits and fresh flowers.
For our Guru's birthday, we made one of his favorite snacks - Kachoris. It also happens to be one of mine as I have a love for all things flaky and fried.
Wishing you love and devotion in all your relationships,
Cristina
You could say our branch of Vaisnavism is basically the "kitchen religion". Anything can be offered up to God...including food. In some temples, food is offered 6 times a day, many of the dishes being quite elaborate. On special festival days, sometimes there are 108 or more offerings. The Supreme of course does not need anything but accepts the love. This food becomes prasadam, which means mercy.
Rasagullas, Raspberry Halava, Mango Buttermilk, Cucumber Raita
My daughter and I decided we would like to make some butter to offer. It is said that baby Krsna loved butter! The gopis (beautiful cowherd women and girls) would spend much of their day making butter, ghee, and yogurt. So following in their footsteps, here is our modern attempt without a churning pot and fresh milk.Make Your Own Butter
What You Need
organic cream (1 pint is a good amount)
mason jar with lid
3 clean marbles (we did Balaram white, Krsna blue, and Radha yellow)
jars or containers to store the butter milk and butter
Instructions
SHAKE IT
You pour the cream into the mason jar with the marbles. Seal the lid and start shaking. I remember doing this in 1st grade and it must have been easier with 25 children to help shake. With just the two of us, we almost gave up!
You will hear the marbles at the beginning. When it stars to thicken, the sound will disappear and you will begin to have whipped cream. This is when it gets hard, but keep going!
We took turns and chanted the maha-mantra while shaking.
Now we know why the gopis had such nice figures...all the physical work.
Eventually you can see through the glass again and thick curds start to form.
Then you will start to hear the marbles again and tinges of yellow appear. The yellow is the butter forming and the white liquid is the buttermilk. When you have a solid mass of butter, pour off the buttermilk into a clean container. Rinse the butter with cool filtered water until no buttermilk remains. This keeps it fresh longer as the buttermilk can make the butter go rancid faster.
You can then transfer the butter into a fresh container.
If you have cute butter molds, this would be a good time to use them.
After making butter, we made several more dishes and preparations for our celebration in the evening. We also dressed our Deities (traditional forms of the Divine) in new outfits and fresh flowers.
We sang special devotional songs.
For our Guru's birthday, we made one of his favorite snacks - Kachoris. It also happens to be one of mine as I have a love for all things flaky and fried.
Kachoris with Roasted Peanut Chutney
Anyway, someone might ask why all this effort....can't the Supreme just be happy without your offerings? This practice of offering items with love helps us to go beyond ourselves and thinking of our material bodies. Love is a verb...it means thoughtful doing.
Wishing you love and devotion in all your relationships,
Cristina
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