On my dining room table

We have a ritual every night at diner. When it is diner time, I ring the bell and the kids come to the table (sometimes they help set it). We light a candle and sing a song. We have several in our repertoire.

Fairy Sprite,
Fairy Sprite,
Bring to us your golden light.
We can light a candle,
love can light a star,
both of them are wondrous shining where they are


On occasion we have burst into a number by the Black Eyed Peas:) During dinner we share the best and worst parts of our day and something we are grateful for. Lately I have asked for them to share a part of their day, rather than specifically best/worst parts. It just gives me an in to open up conversation and establish that this is what we do at dinner (not throw food, or bounce out of our chairs, or sing throughout diner, or get out of our chairs to breakdance, which has all happened).

This has become important to the kids each night especially since Nick works in the evenings. It keeps things consistent for them, and ties us together as a family. One early morning Daddy bumped the diner bell and from back in her bedroom Teilee shouted, "It's diner time."

Lately my table has been half filled with Valentines Day card making for the kids classes. 50 valentines please. I hate the waste and I refuse to buy the already made cards (although I completely get why). This year we are making bookmarks. Landis is stamping, drawing, punching, and writing his name on all of his. Teilee is custom making one for each of her classmates with their interest in minds. Wood colored paper and a soccer ball for one, a dragon for another. If I could have convinced her to simplify I would have, but as long as she gets them done she meets my requirements. I look forward to clearing the space but am enjoying the creativity that is coming forth.





Many beautiful things are created at our dining room table.

Happy Dragony Valentines Day!!

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year!

Welcome the year of the rabbit. Welcome to a year of calm, reflection, peace and respite.

Winter Weather Flash Back

In the Middle of Poudre River Winter of 2010.
Happy Groundhog day/Imbolc/Candelmas!

Flash Back

Teilee and Adaira November 2008

New Year

The one tradition each B-W wants to do for the Winter Solstice/Yule/Christmas:

Teilee: Celebrate St. Nicholas Day and Christmas
Landis: Hang outside Christmas Lights
Dad: Make and eat a special Christmas Dinner
Mom: Family Light Night Bike Ride
Here are a few pictures from our month of December. Yes we got to do it all! We were even able to share x-mas day with Aunt Jessi and Uncle Ryan, as well as Grandma Lee and Papa.
I tried to edit the millions of pictures to help sum up our December.
Thanks St. Nicholas



Mom and Dad made a beetle kill pine desk for the kids. The beeswax finish really brings out the beautiful blue grain.

Dad also made art easels for the kids as well and they got to 'work'.

A fun gift from Grandma Lee and Papa, it is a giant ball that you can climb inside and ride in.



Winter Solstice Celebration with friends. This year I came prepared with books next year I am going to try to be a bit more confidence about sharing my songs too.

Teilee wrote a book at school, "Josie Sees Colors". (Hard back and everything). Unfortunately for mom, Teilee decided that she needed to give the book to Josie, rather than save it for her bookshelf. At least I got to be volunteer mom and be there to watch her and her book writing workshop (12 kids or so ages 5-10) take their books to a local preschool and read them to each kiddo there.

Love this picture of Landis.
As a family we went to the local kids gymnastic and dance performance of The Nutcracker with a Twist. Than Teilee and I had a mommy daughter date to watch the Canyon Concert Ballet professionals perform the Nutcracker. Here we are geared up to go!





Landis' preschool had their winter party. Our job of the day was to lead all the kids and their families in song until Santa arrived.



Ahhh yes, here we are placing our beloved FSM on the top of our tree. The kids took turns so they each received the honor of placement.
We traveled to a small local tree farm and got to pick our own tree. We have gone to this particular farm for 3 out of the 5 years we have lived here. We missed last years season (you can only cut for 2 weeks in Dec. and we really procrastinated) and the year before they were rebuilding after a tornado. 4 generations building, creating, and working on this farm. Last year we went with a nursery and got an untreated sustainable native tree which I felt great about, but there is just something about picking out your own tree on a small farm, sharing a tractor ride to the barn, and having a handmade wreath to take home.


Wow.....I could have written 30 pages on our traditions and activities in Dec. I left out so much out but now is the time for Brigid/Imbolc (Candelmas). A time for taking stock and cleaning out what is no longer needed.

Welcome 2011 and all that you hold!! Happy New Year to everyone!!

December is upon us!

In planning for this years festivities it is always a good idea to look back at last year. I am trying not to add anything new but would like to maintain the rituals and traditions that we have done in the past. It is also a great time to reminisce about all the fun we had and think about ways to decrease stress for this year.

I am looking forward to it all!!!

The First Snow

The first Snow of the fall!!

Today I have an enormous amount of gratitude and appreciation.
The fall was a transition time for us. I was absorbed in the duties of Landis' preschool co-op and Teilee's school, while helping my children through the change of no longer homeschooling. The kids have had to adjust to not having daddy around as well. We are still insanely busy, life is just like that, but we are getting the hang of experienced moments of joy through the chaos.

The fall held out for us until this week and today is our first day of snow. I am so grateful that we were given the opportunity to wait until we had time to prepare our house, yard, children, etc.... for winter. We were able to finish the yard/garden/chicken work on Monday, gather and sort and buy what was needed for the kids winter gear on Tuesday, Wednesday gave us time to prepare the house inside, and then today...........we have snow!!!!

The kids woke me up today excitedly whispering, "Mommy, wake up wake up there's snow!" They were gallivanting through the house looking out every window and giggling with excitement. Oh.....I could have just stayed in bed the whole day listening to their joy!

The first snow means sledding, snow sculptures, shoveling, hot cocoa, and our yearly tradition on the first snow of the season is to make snow ice cream. We substitute the sugar with agave nectar or honey.

Winter weather is here and we are relishing in this moment of joy.