Happy Solstice!

The kids collected natures symbols of transformation, added herbs and spices to seal their intentions and wrote, secretly, what they wish to transform. Tied tightly, the yellow pouches sit around our house waiting for the Celtic New Year.

Warm Sun...Sunflowers

Sowing the Seeds of Transformation

Children Know Nature

Homeschooling Charter

I'm so very excited for next year after talking to South Sutter Charter today. I get to use the Waldorf curriculum that I love AND get to pick and choose from their long vendor list for products and classes. All these extra things we haven't been able to do for so long will now be available to us. Karate, dance, horseback riding and drama are all possibilities. The violins we have had to pay for will now be covered and several tutors for music lessons are approved vendors. There's the Wholistic Learning Resources in Rancho Cordova that offers a variety of Waldorf inspired classes such as handwork, science, writing, drama, dance and Spanish. They even do a pentathlon training for the 5th graders! This year will be so enriching for all of us. Diving in!

Summer Salad and Squash Fritters

My dinner was the perfect combo of cold, creamy salad and hot, crispy, custardy summer deliciousness!

For the Salad
mixed greens
herbed goat cheese
avocado
logan berries
Dijon vinaigrette (homemade or store bought)


For the Fritters
2 medium to large summer squash or zucchini grated
half a red onion grated
3 beaten eggs
1/4c flour or more depending on desired consistency
1/2 tsp baking powder
finely chopped thyme, basil and oregano to taste
salt and pepper to taste


Mix all ingredients for fritters and fry tbs full of mixture in olive oil and butter till crisp. I never really measure for this recipe so it's completely up to the cooks taste and preference! Play with it, add fresh corn for instance. I like to serve them with sour cream and basil. 

Sun Baked

The heat is oppressive today. After spending the morning in the garden, I set out the sun tea jar filled with mint, lemon balm and lemon verbena and headed indoors. It's brewing away on a stump in the garden. That will be tasty later! The kids are both reading and the dogs are napping. It will be well into the evening before the hot pathways cool, I look forward to that. Something cool for dinner is in order. I think vietnamese noodle salad!

Good Night

The house is quiet
                           The garden is watered
                                                           Summer sleepovers are in progress

A morning walk will start my day
                                                  Baking in the afternoon
                     gardening in the cool of the evening

                                                           Good Night

The Balance

Too often we try too hard to do it all perfectly. We buy the perfect foods, car seats, clothing, cures, cleaners and education. There is so much pressure to be the most enlightened, organic parent and it can cause really unnecessary stress. I say, try to keep some perspective. Sometimes, when our kids are little, we just need to simplify to keep our sanity. Our children will be just fine, maybe even better, when we aren't so stressed. Ease-up on yourself and create a more joyful, relaxed environment! I do the best I can with buying organic and shopping locally but sometimes survival calls for mac and cheese with their organic greens. Sometimes we don't shop at the co-op. Sometimes they don't brush their teeth or take a bath. Sometimes they watch Sponge Bob and have lived to tell the tales! I think about how far we've swung the other way in terms of consciousness and think we can be a bit too hard on ourselves. Every generation has their thing, maybe this is ours. The perfect parent. I celebrate my imperfections, humor is the key to keeping things in balance.

We're Almost There!

School is almost done and summer is calling. Everything tells me it's time-to sleep in, go barefoot, pick berries, smell the ocean and the redwoods and pines. The crickets seem closer. My view has become filled with green vines dripping with baby grapes. Children laugh and run past sunset.  Mulberry tarts and plum cake will soon grace the table. Time for evening walks when the temperatures cool to visit the orchards full of fermenting fruits. No homework, no have to's, just free flowing life.

                    Summer, yes... it is nearly here.