Traditions

It was a weekend full of traditions in our home. From hiking out back to find the perfect little tree and adding the handmade ornaments my little man and I made when he was three, to the return of the Advent gnome and his scrolls, to the Advent spiral on our table and the beginning of the journey to Christmas day.

This time of year is steeped in tradition for most families, and we are no exception. I often wonder at what age my little man will decide the Advent gnome is too young for him. I thought maybe this year, but when I asked I got a very enthusiastic response that he is definitely not too old for the Advent gnome. And his excitement over the spiral and our Christmas tree hike was just as enthusiastic. As his mama, and one who loves these traditions and this time of year, I am over the moon that he stills enjoys our traditions.

Over the next few weeks other traditions will be a part of our days, things my little man now remembers from year to year. Our drive along Old Scugog Road to see the Christmas lights, our outing to buy hats and mitts for those in need, a trip into the city for the Toronto Christmas Market, decorating our Solstice tree, and of course our Solstice fire, complete with sparklers. There is baking to be done and friends to visit, hikes to enjoy and movies to watch. And hopefully there will be outdoor ice skating and a little snowshoeing too.

As things quiet down a little bit for me with work, and the darkness descends as we move towards the darkest day, I find myself craving space and comfort. I think that's why these traditions hold so much value for me, there is solace in returning to them, year after year, a feeling of familiarity that brings great joy to my heart.

What traditions are you returning to this year? Have you added any new ones?

Handmade Homemade Swap Party

Yesterday afternoon marked my fifth handmade homemade swap party, and goodness they just keep on getting better. Each swap party brings out the creative talents of my girlfriends, some sticking with tried and true creative talents and others stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something new. There was so much beauty, talent and love represented on the gift table, and it truly was beautiful.

Ten beautiful friends gathered in my home, each arriving with their swap gifts, food and an open heart. We ate, drank tea, shared stories, and then got down to the business of swapping gifts, and what fun it was. For this party every guest brought four gifts, and our names were put into a draw four times. When your name was drawn you headed up to the table to pick a gift. We continued this way until all the names were picked and all the gifts chosen. It was fun, exciting, and truly amazing.

I had plans to snap a few photos of the gift table and our gathering, but alas I was just having so much fun, and forgot to pick up my camera. The photos above are the beautiful, lovingly made gifts I have the honour of calling mine. I am so impressed with the gifts I received, and am so grateful to have them in my home.

Hosting these handmade homemade swap parties has become a beautiful ritual in the rhythm of my year, and they always leave my heart and soul full. Big thanks to all the lovely ladies who joined in, it was a joy to share the afternoon with you. And be ready, we will be enjoying our next swap party under the summer sun.

***Much gratitude goes to the lovely Amanda for sharing her own swap parties, and inspiring me to jump in and give it a go.

Finding Our Tree

Last year my little man and I began a few new traditions around the holiday season, one of which was heading to the woods behind our home to find our Christmas tree instead of going to the tree farm. It was a tradition we continued this year.

The second week of Advent began yesterday, and in keeping with the week of plants, the Advent gnome left a message that it was the day to cut down and decorate the tree. Let me tell you, I had one excited little man on my hands. We enjoyed breakfast, and then bundled up for a hike out back. We walked, searching for just the right tree, and it didn't take us too long to find it. Together we cut it down and dragged it back home.

As the Christmas music played, the two of us decorated our tree, remembering years past as we unpacked handmade decorations. It is amazing to me what he remembers, what he has attached to this time of year, and all of it makes my heart happy.

When the tree was done we stood back and admired our work. It isn't the most perfect tree, and it's tiny, but it's ours and we love it!

A Birthday Hike

The birthday boy picked the hiking trail, and away we went. It is one of our favourite places, Lynde Shore Conservation Area. Within the woods at this magical spot you can feed chickadees and chipmunks from you hand, the squirrels come up close to check you out and coax you into tossing a peanut their way, the geese and ducks hang out under foot, and the trees speak in whispers as you walk quietly on the earth along the trail. It truly is a magical spot.

My little man and I spent our time on the trail doing the things he loves, feeding the birds and climbing trees. As he climbed, I stood hand outstretched waiting for those chickadees. That, combined with the most gorgeous autumn day made for perfection. 

As with most times when we get off the trail, we were hungry. So we headed north to Port Perry for a lunch date in one of our favourite restaurants, Marwan's Global Bistro. Good food, with the best company makes for the perfect date. 

After lunch we headed home, played, read, and enjoyed a quiet night at home. It was a great day with my newly minted eight year old. Thank you little man, for a wonderful day, celebrating you.

On a Chilly Sunday Morning

We had to dig out the hats and mitts for our Sunday morning hike, but goodness it was worth it. The beauty of Mother Nature drew us in, the wind whispered to us, and the chilly air left us with rosy cheeks. Honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning with my little man.

Have a beautiful start to your week, my friends.

Hello October!

As I sit here writing this post October has arrived, the darkness has fallen on the day, much earlier than usual, my home is algow in candlelight, and it is quiet, so very quiet. I like it. I don't mind the darker evenings, I don't mind the cooler days, I don't mind the rainy days we have had because it all means one thing...I get to cozy up in my home, turn inwards and find solace and peace in the moment. I honestly love this time of year, and as I get older I find I crave the slowing down, the inward movement, the deep reflective pace of this time of year. It's good, so very good.

My little man and I hiked in the woods today, a slow, meandering kind of hike, noticing the leaves changing on the trees, and the ones that had fallen to the ground already, we heard the way the ruffed grouse drummed, and the sound of the woodpecker working away on a tree, we touched bark and smelled the flowers, we became one with the woods, and it made my heart so very happy.  

Nature sends out a clear invitation this time of year to slow down, to stop and notice, to soak up each moment. We should be doing that all year long, but I feel the message is stronger this time of year, the pull deeper to really slow down, to sit back with a cup of tea, to just be. 

It's what I intend to do. How about you?

Ten Things

One
The lilacs are in bloom...need I say more.

Two
The garden is growing. We have had some pretty incredible weather the last ten days, making it feel more like July than late May. With the heat comes lots of growth, and seeds sprouting much quicker than usual. I will take it. The only problem, we have been a little short on rain, which means lots of hand watering.

Three
I am harvesting food from the backyard daily. Asparagus, salad greens, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, violets, chives, and nettles are all finding their way into our meals.

Four
I did a large nettle harvest on the weekend, and it is currently drying. I have plans to add some simple tea blends to the shop this fall, and nettle will definitely be in the blend.

Five
We have made the shift, and are spending more time outside than in. Reece gets up in the morning, gets dressed and heads for the front door, and that is him pretty much outside for the rest of the day. All our meals are being enjoyed on the back deck, under the glorious sunshine, and I am spending time in the garden, in the yard, and on the deck. It feels good after such a long winter, to be outside soaking up these summer like days.

Six
I cleaned all the windows in my house on the weekend. It is amazing what a clean window can do for your home and for your perspective. Every time I look out one of the windows I feel like I am outside, they are so clean, and clear. I love it!

Seven
The chicks are growing. They spend most of the day outside, free ranging in a small run we created on the grass. When I bring them in the house at night, they eat, drink, and then snuggle up, all twelve of them together, and I don't hear a peep from them until morning. So sweet.

Eight
There have been lots of fires in the fire pit. Friday night Reece and I lit a fire, and sat around it chatting and laughing. He would run off every now and then to play, and I would sit and stare into the flames, letting my mind wonder. It was peaceful, and calming. Saturday night we enjoyed a fire with a friend and her kiddos. The classics were playing on the radio, there was dancing as the sun faded into the night sky, there were marshmallows and sparklers, and lots of laughter and great conversation. Oh, and there was wine, for the adults, not the kids. It was a great night, and I am pretty sure we will be doing it again soon.

Nine
This weekend I held the first in a series of workshops I am running this summer on putting food by. We chatted all about local food, and putting it by. In the next session we get busy in the kitchen, preserving food together. I can't wait!

Ten
Baseball season has started, and while Reece is loving his practices, he isn't enjoying game night too much. I am hoping as the season goes on, and they all understand the game a little more, he will come to enjoy it. If not, he does have the option of just attending the practice, and I think he would be very cool with that.

Wishing you the most beautiful start to your week, my friends.

Weekend Foraging

It's here, foraging season!!!

I have been patiently watching the wild foods in my area grow, waiting for the time to start harvesting, and this weekend was the time. We spent time in the woods on Saturday and Sunday, harvesting gifts from the forest. Coltsfoot flowers were picked and are already infusing in honey to make coltsfoot honey, the perfect remedy for winter coughs. Ramps were next, and goodness they smell so good. This was a small patch, so we only harvested enough for a batch of pesto, which we enjoyed for dinner last night. I have a special spot where ramps grow forever, and I will be heading there this week to harvest a much larger amount, most of which will be made into pesto and added to the freezer. And finally, a handful of trout lily, carefully harvested, for my evening salad.

This is just the beginning of foraging season, and I am excited for all the goodness still to come.