'Tis the gift to be simple...

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right.

(Shaker hymn)

Wishing you and yours a simply blessed Thanksgiving.

Tell a story, mama! (Story Dice)

Today at work I sat in on web-based training, facilitated by the American Association of State and Local History, about storytelling. Although it was directed to those of us who work in historic places, it made me think of my efforts to begin a tradition of storytelling, both fiction and nonfiction, in my own family.

My sons, and myself for that matter, are almost always ready to hear a good story and are thrilled with the adventures found at Sparkle Stories, which are great for long car rides. For shorter stories, we turn to Usborne's Farmyard Tales.

In a previous post, I wrote about using moving pictures as visual aids in tellng stories. This summer while sitting around a campfire, I found that my boys want to hear a story and help create the story itself. My oldest is learning that there is a beginning, middle, and end to each story and I am working on being more observant so I can add more "color" to my stories. Sometimes this just involves stopping to simply feel, hear and see my surroundings and take it all in so I can use it in a story that my children can get lost in.

To help them get involved in the storytelling, I make story dice. I begin the story, setting up the plot then the children roll the dice and I change the story according to what the roll brings, or they take over the story. Story dice are great inspiration when I find myself searching for direction on spontaneous stories.

Want to make your own story dice? It is a simple project that can encourage hours of storytelling fun.

First, find several wood blocks. (I found 5 to be a good number that is not overwelming for the storyteller.) If your child already has a wood block set, just use some of the small square ones or you can purchase them at a craft store. Since little hands will be playing with them, use sandpaper to smooth out rough edges or possible splinters.

Next, list one theme for each block and 6 subthemes to decorate your blocks:

Here are some ideas:

Weather: sun, rain, rainbow, clouds, moon, wind (a cloud blowing swirls)

Landscapes: mountain, cave, pond, rainbow, forest, flower field

Animals: bird, deer, dog, cat, bear, rabbit

People: boy, girl, adult man, adult woman, fairy, gnome

Fairy Tales: castle, prince, princess, unicorn, knight, dragon

Transportation: car, boat, train, hot air baloon, bicycle, horse

Structures: barn, highrise building, bridge, famous landmark, tent, house

There are several ways to put the image on the dice. I drew mine with colored pencils, but you can also use stamps, rub-on transfers, or stickers.

Now, off to spin a good story...

This Moment

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo. A moment to treasure.

The Rhythm of the Season - Autumn

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

~John Muir

Autumn has found its way to Pennsylvania this week. The brisk wind blows colorful leaves off the limb and in swirls before touching the ground as we gaze in wonder on our weekend hikes. Summertime with two young boys is a fun outgoing season, kind of like a big long party of outdoor play, boisterous and energetic. Now, with the onset of autumn our rhythm changes to one in which we draw close, contract if you will, prepare for colder days ahead, and we move more slowly and purposefully. Even our times outdoors are more quiet as we hush our voices to listen to the leaves crunch beneath our feet.

In our home we bring the outdoors in with harvest decorations, thanks to my mother who has always encouraged our family to celebrate the change of the season.

We prepare for our Tree of Thanksgiving found at Rhythm of the Home. And make a leaf-matching game of native trees and how their leaves look in spring and autumn.

The harvest is collected.

The pumpkins are picked.

Now it is time to enjoy the grand finale of nature's colorful show of leaves before we settle in for winter's beauty.

This Moment

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo. A moment to treasure.

Wandering in the Woods

One mile from our home is a park with extensive, unmarked, rarely-traveled wooded trails that we love to explore. Typically, we go on the main path, then cut off on one or two more trails. Any more divergence off the main trail and I am convinced we would be lost. With the three year old in tow, "lost" is not a feeling I want to experience!

One day a few weeks ago, I saw a card from the game/book The Dangerous Book For Boys. It had a drawing of an arrow made out of 3 sticks, and it struck me... that is our ticket to hiking freedom... stick arrows. Now when we take a turn off a path we mark the path we are leaving with a stick arrow so we can find it on our way back. (Hansel and Gretel's fate will not be our own.)

The children can lead the hike wherever they chose. Unlimited adventure is around every bend. The return trip has turned into a game for little Shane... "Who can spot the arrow first & which way do we go?"




Sometimes they are big and easy to spot on a main trail.



Some tell us which way to turn at a Y.




Others are small and lead to a barely noticeable trail.


I have a feeling the boys will hear, "Get your hiking shoes on!" a lot this autumn...

This Moment

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo. A moment to treasure.