Crossing Over

This is a bit late but still worth celebrating.  My sweet little girl finished her 3rd year in Waldorf kindergarten.  Here are some photos from her crossing over ceremony.
I attended the previous celebrations and always cried happy tears to see the children meet this milestone in their lives.  I was prepared this year for my own little girl to walk slowly over the bridge and only had big smiles for her.  We will treasure this innocent time and always be thankful for the beautiful foundation built to help support her growth for the years to come.

Almost forgot to go over the bridge :)

Smiling over the bridge

Gentle handshake

Thank you for a wonderful 3 years

Happy Easter!

A little Spring Bunny wanted to wish you happy Easter!

Ravelry info here

Daffodillies

daffodils, a photo by lalitaliving on Flickr.

A friend gave me these beautiful sunny daffodils and my daughter has been singing this song:

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
birdies build your nest,
weave together straw and feather,
doing each your best.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
flowers are waking too,
Daisies, lilies, daffodilies,
Now are coming through.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
All around is fair,
Shimmer, glimmer on the meadow,
Joy is everywhere.

W.I.P - Spring is here!

Nature's got her own W. I. P!  We've already had a couple 80 degree days here in Central Texas. Flowers are blooming everywhere.  Here's the view under the tree in our front yard.

I've already done a bunch of Spring cleaning!  It's been so long since I scrubbed our bathroom baseboards with a toothbrush.  How satisfying that was! I also cleaned out my baking cabinet and found some items that I forgot I had, including some ceramic apple shaped ramekins.  They would have been perfect in Autumn!

I'm in the process of finishing a quilt that I started when my daughter was 8 months old.  I still have quite a way to go (making more blocks, picking a backing, sashing etc.)  Since it's been such a long time, I feel like I am learning to do everything all over again.  Do you have a favorite way to quilt or know much about the "quilt-as-you-go" technique?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  I would like to finish the quilt before Summer.

Here's what I have so far:
8 Grandmother's Fan blocks ( put 4 together to create a flower center)
4 Log Cabin
4 (made with triangles - don't know the pattern name)
4 Simple 9 patch
8 Flip and Stitch half blocks (top and bottom diagonal borders of central flower)

My mother and I took the quilt class together to learn many different techniques, so the quilt is more of a sampler.  She's given me her finished blocks for which I am very thankful! I plan on using a natural fiber batting.  I'm still not sure whether to use cotton or wool or even the newer cotton/bamboo blends.  The finished quilt should cover a twin bed.

Besides the quilt, I'm also working on a Lady Spring needle felted doll for our Spring nature table.
Here's some fairies that me and my little miss made recently.  They still have super long braids while our lovely locks got more than a trim on mother/daughter haircut day.

I'm also thinking of some simple way to celebrate Gaura Purnima this year.  It is one of most special Vaisnava holidays that happens on a full moon around this time in the Spring.    I may make some moon shaped cookies,  Bengali food and go to a kirtan the night before being led by the Mayapuris while they visit Austin.  Another fun festival is Holi - where there is a lot of merrymaking by splashing bright colors on others in a playful mood.

Hope your Spring is blossoming nicely!

Winter Time

I hope everyone is staying warm and relying on that inner sunshine!

We have had quite a few cold days and even a bit of snow!  Making snow angels, sliding down hills in a cardboard box, and eating Nature's shave ice by a frozen stream are rare in Central Texas. We've also enjoyed a couple slower days to recoup from night coughing and lots of warm soup.

With the coldest part of the year upon us, I have been quite inspired to knit.  I was able to send off some small gifts to a friend (Devadeva at Sabjimata) who had a baby with the most adorable name: Bindumati.  I am reminded of how fast babies grow and what a special time it is with a wee one.

I also made some super leg warmers for my little miss. They were finished just in time for her half birthday at school.  Since she is a summer baby, she celebrated with her class last week.  Her teacher gave her the sweetest peg doll with long dark hair and a cute acorn cap beret.  This will be her 3rd and last year in the kindergarten.  I'm feeling a bit wistful about the change but at the same time I feel lucky to witness all of the growth she's experiencing.



I am thankful for the cold and what it brings: a slower pace, a respect for Mother Nature and her power, and how good warmth feels from a cozy home and family.