Yes it’s been a while

Time has a funny habit of slowing to a crawl and then speeding up and slipping away through your fingers.

I know I’ve been quiet, I’ve sort of wanted to blog but couldn’t quite get up the impetus to do so.

My husband is moving some 2 hours away. Without the rest of us.

I’m not really that sad.  To a certain extent I’m not surprised.  It’s been a very difficult few years.

So I haven’t really wanted to blog because really, what would I say?  In this sort of situation it doesn’t really matter how you feel, because the fact remains that it is happening and I don’t have the time to think much about how I feel about it because I’m so busy sorting everything out.

I also want to say something about the Badman Review into HE, but right now I don’t really have the energy (although I’ve made some comments on the various lists and blogs).  For a far more concise summary it’s worth visiting Dare to Know and Three Degrees of Freedom sums up some of my initial thoughts on it.

Edit: Thought I’d add the photo as it’s looking very ‘texty’!  It’s from a quick play with the micro zoom in the garden - tenuous relevance to post is that it is crawling

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Sigh, sigh and thrice *sigh*

Was up late trying to catch up, had just gone midnight so I closed the laptop down, went to wake dh up from the sofa and pick Ted up to take to bed (he’d woken up earlier in the evening).

Picked Ted up, my laptop case and my handbag, went to walk into the hall and Ted threw up all down the inside of my top, then over my handbag (my nice one) and then all over the floor, just as Nin cried down the stairs that she’d wet the bed.

Why?  Why do these things all happen at once?

Had to admit I was laughing by this point (so much so I had to repeat asking dh to help Nin, whilst he looked at me very confused and bleary-eyed from the sofa) and then had to put Nin on hold as dh is like a witch and water in folklore (except in his case it’s running sick rather than water that he can’t cross).  So had to clear the sick up from Ted and in the hallway before dh would venture upstairs to strip the bed and sort Nin out whilst I tried to clean my bag and rinse out sicky cloths.

Oh the joys of being a parent…

Having weighed up the possible pros and cons of waking up in bed covered in sick in the early hours of the morning (Ted sleeps with us), I’m now downstairs on the sofa with Ted on a mini mattress on the floor.  I figure sick is easier to clean up from the carpet than it is to wake dh up again and convince him to move (he’s not very good at waking up unless a very loud alarm clock is involved), sort Ted out, strip the bed, clean it and then have to sleep in dampness…

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New Ostheimer animals in stock

New Ostheimer animals are now in stock in Farm and Country. I also have some lovely little wooden bird shaped whistles and water warblers in (you put water in them and then blow), however, I need to take a decent picture of them before I can get them on site *sigh*. Also in stock, but not on site yet is a Collie dog, Dalmatian dog, a Magpie, a Raven, a duck and a drake - they are coming once I get photos of them.

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Happy Beltaine

Yes it’s a little belated, but we were very busy yesterday! I’ve been having some health issues for a while now and was back at the hospital having various tests done and I’m back again on the 22nd. We then went off to the woods for some play and pond dipping. There were a huge number of tadpoles, more than I’ve ever seen before, the water was black around the edges with them!

So with Erk off to a Beltaine camp with friends, Nin, Ted an I went to the annual Faery Hunt at Brodsworth Hall with a couple of other families (no photos of faeries I’m afraid).:

Ted & a friend and a tree full of beautiful blossom (there were many trees laden with blossom and some Japanese tourists were busy snapping photos).

A herd of bullocks who ambled over to say hello.  The pale one to the fore came closest (much closer than he is in the photo above), but then got a little frightened and stood, knees shaking a little, unsure as to whether to come even closer.  It was strange to see such a large animal really not sure of such small children.  I did feel a slight pang at the thought of where they’re going to end up, they looked so peaceful lounging in the sun.

The Rose Gardens (above and below) - give them a couple of months and these will be absolutely beautiful.  I’m planning a trip back for the smell!

Wishing at the little waterfall in the Brodsworth Hall Grotto.

Brodsworth Hall Grotto

Some very unusual trees (they almost look ‘false’).  I have no idea what the flowers are above and below (they remind me of fuchsia - but I don’t think they are them) but I was really taken with them - little hearts hanging in a row.

Ted doesn’t look hugely impressed - but he had a wonderful day tearing around

So all in all I think the day was a success for all concerned.  All faeries were found and the children collected a sticker and chocolate at the end.  Nin loves the Faery Hunt - she remembers it and I think now waits for it to come around when we reach a certain point in the year.

Whilst I’m on here, a few photos from a recent trip to the park at the end of the village.  We have a few different parks here, I have to differentiate between them somehow, so there is the “park at the bottom of the road”, “the Horsefields park” (because it’s by fields with horses in), “the park next to the Children’s Centre” and the aforementioned “park at the end of the village”.  There is another one in the village, but I’ve never visited it, so haven’t had a chance to name it yet.

 The photo above is taken from the same location (roughly - the house in the photo below is also above, just not as easy to see) as the one below (taken in September last year).  It still amazes me how much the colours change from season to season.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Posted in Days Out, Family Life, Festivals |

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Spring has sprung!

And as a result I’ve been rather busy.

We have a new seasonal table stand on the seasonal table.  We have a very nice wooden stand, but I fancied a change.  This painted wooden one is from Erzi and injected a bit more ’spring colour’ into the table.  The candle is handmade from Brighter Blessings.  I knitted some eggs, but most went to the Seven Hills Steiner Initiative Parent and Child group, I only made a couple for here, in a little knitted dish with some wooden and a marble one:

I made a purse for Ted.  I don’t do very much sewing and on reflection the mouse’s tail could be a little longer, but he really likes it:

I also made a little knitted and beaded rose for Nin, but she squirrelled it away before I could take a photo and now can’t find it *sigh*.  Doubtless it will turn up and some point.

We’ve done some cooking - Erk making a salad for lunch)  Yes he lives in Clash t-shirts (he’s wearing a different Clash one in the photo further down - it’s becoming a bit of a standing joke here):

 Some digging.  We now have 2 blackcurrant and 2 redcurrant bushes in, plus broccolli, radishes, lettuce, carrots, spring onions and various flowers.  I’ve been given a rhubarb plant by some friends, so I really need to get that in soon too.  All I’d like now are some raspberries and gooseberries and I’ll be set (give me bowlfuls of raspberries over chocolate any day!)

We continued making papier mache shields - these aren’t happening fast, but one day they will be done.  Erk has been busy making a papier mache model of a geyser (he’s been learning quite a bit about volcanoes and geysers I now know more than I was ever really that interested in knowing ):

Attended the Easter egg hunt and various crafts at Longshaw (my youngest children are now convinced that they could possibly find a chocolate egg *anywhere* if they look hard enough).  Erk peeled one of the eggs before dye-ing it blue, then tried to eat it (yuck) and very quickly spat it out (but not before having dyed his teeth blue).  I think I might suggest a more natural approach to dye-ing next time around!  Below Ted has a peeled dyed egg (just the shell dyed on this one) with complementary bit of egg stuck to his lip.  T’other Erk is doing a ‘bored teen’ pose whilst helping Nin and the other little boy isn’t one of mine (hence the back shot).

The other fairly big news I have is that I have now officially applied to do the Foundation Degree in Steiner Early Years Education at Plymouth University.  I should hopefully hear sometime in July whether I have been accepted or not.  So, in two years time I could be a qualified Steiner Kindergarten teacher, with the option of doing a third year and either doing Steiner teacher training or going for Early Years Professional Status.  I am really excited about starting the degree (especially the craft and music side, plus the opportunity to learn something about Eurythmy).

With Spring it seems quite a lot of change is in the air and life seems pregnant with possibilities

Posted in Education, Festivals, Gardening, Sewing, art and craft |

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And I forgot…

I also set fire to my hair *sigh*

I now have frazzled bits all across the front of my hairline

Must remember - do not lean forward over lighters when you have long hair…

Posted in Family Life |

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I know I’ve been quiet

I don’t know where the time goes!  I’ve been so very busy recently, knitting up Easter Eggs for one of the local Steiner Parent & Child groups, finishing my spring lace scarf (still not finished), knitting a cardigan for the doll, crocheting bowls to felt, knitting a little flower as a present for Nin and sewing a little felt purse for Ted (pictures after I’ve given the presents to them tomorrow).

I’ve also been working on a website for a group I’m involved with (when it’s finished and the group is happy with it I’ll post the link up).

I’ve had to deal with dead baby rabbits courtesy of Gilbert - who may look like butter wouldn’t melt, but is a stone-cold killer given half a chance.  I really don’t like having to clear up dead rabbits, but he’s only being a cat and he very dutifully presents me with his gifts (and I have to admit, they less offensive than the half eaten dead fish he left in the dining room for me to narrowly miss stepping on with bare feet as I pottered off to bed *sigh*).

We’ve been on 2(!) Easter egg hunts (well one was for little chocolate rabbits).  One in the woods at Sandall Beat - and the sun shone down and we were joined by some teen girls who just happened to be hanging out at the park.  They were very helpful in supporting the little ones to find chocolate - really lovely!

The second at Longshaw, where we decorated eggs and Nin and her friend ran off to her friend’s ‘den’ and found some chocolate eggs in a nest in there that had been hidden in advance of the hunt.  Nin and her friend came rushing back, so excited because something had ‘laid’ chocolate eggs in the nest ;)  We had to distract them from finding any more before the hunt began!

I’ve also got some more Ostheimer animals on order for the shop.  This time some woodlands animals and these should be arriving over the next couple of weeks.

If you are celebrating this weekend, I hope you have a wonderful Easter-time.

Posted in Days Out, Family Life, Festivals, Ninny Noodle Noo |

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Lazy blogging

Because I don’t really have the energy to write much, so instead I’m posting some pics of a visit to Sandall Beat Woods (last week).

We went on the bus whilst Erk cycled (the daftness of this trip is that Sandall Beat Woods is only around 5 miles away, but the easiest way to get there, if you’re not driving or cycling, is on 2 buses.  I wish I had one of those lovely Dutch/Danish trikes that carry children, I’d save quite a bit on bus fare *sigh*)

We walked into the woods, seeing lots of squirrels as we went, usually too fast for me to catch on camera, but I did manage to take a photo of this little chap:

We met up with Erk and played on the wind pipes (you have to stand on the wooden beams in different places to make sound):

And then we discovered a roly wheely thingy which for some reason we’d never noticed before (which is a bit bizarre as it’s only just down from the playground, etc.)

It was a bit of a challenge for Nin to get up onto.

Feeling confident now…

And off!   And straight back on again. 

You can make little bells inside the wheels ring when you moved your feet, Nin thought this was fabulous and spent quite some time on it.

What you can’t see on the ground beyond it is the wonderful daffodils and irises.

And on the way out, just as the weather was beginning to turn, we saw a peacock in less-than-auspicious circumstances (next to rusty old baths in a farmyard):

Quite a bit else happening atm, so will hopefully have some time to blog it tommorrow (also trying to get some knitting done as I’ve had a lace scarf *for me* on my needles for a while which keeps getting cast aside for knitted easter eggs and making clothes for dolls).

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Knitted Waldorf Doll

I finished my first entirely Knitted Waldorf Doll (well, ok, he does need some clothes, I’m working on that).

He is predominantly knitted in Riihivilla Aarni (a naturally-dyed Finnish rare-breed yarn) from Ecoknits and his hair is from Spectraspun. 

Posted in Knitting & Crochet, art and craft |

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March Circle Time

Please note this photo isn’t one of mine - far too good

Now I have a spare minute (before I go off to bed), I thought I’d type up the Circle Time we are currently using.  I know it would probably help to have the melodies, so I might have a fiddle with the PC and see if I can record the melodies I’ve now started adding some recordings - erm, I have to lean over my PC to sing (I don’t have a separate microphone) so they sound a bit strained You’ll need to save the file to your PC and then open to hear it (sorry, at some point I’ll try and work out a player for on here, there must be some way of doing it).

Come to the circle where dreams are found
Take my hand and we’ll dance around
Round and round and round we go
Hello, hello, hello and hello.

Come the the circle, we’ll dance in a ring
Jumping like lambs to welcome the Spring
Round and round and round we go
Hello, hello, hello and hello.

come-to-the-circle

***

There piped a piper in the wood
Strange music - soft and sweet
And all the little wild things
Came hurrying to his feet.

They sat around him on the grass,
Enchanted, unafraid,
And listened, as with shining eyes,
Sweet melodies he made.

The wood grew green and flowers sprang up
The birds began to to sing;
For the music it was magic
And the piper’s name was Spring!

the-piper

***

Five little mice fast asleep
One by one, out they creep
Five little mice, wide awake now
One-by-one they take a bow

***

(to the melody of “Frere Jacques”)

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Little bulbs. Little bulbs.
Springtime is a-coming. Springtime is a-coming.
Time to wake. Time to wake.

***

(”Flowers Growing” by Jean Warren - sung to melody of “Here we go round the mulberry bush”)

This is the way we sprout our roots,
Sprout our roots, sprout our roots.
This is the way we sprout our roots,
When spring time is here.

This is the way we stretch and grow. [etc]
This is the way we open our buds. [etc]
This is the way we bend in the breeze. [etc]
This is the way we smile at the sun. [etc]

***

Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
One little body, twirls around.
One quiet body sits back down.

***

I then tell the story of The Three Billikin Whiskers (or Three Billy Goats Gruff)

Posted in Education, Family Life, circle times |

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Splurge!

Because it’s been a while since I last blogged.  I don’t know what’s happened recently, but life seems to have gotten a little bonkers on the busy front and by the time I have a minute to blog I’m too tired to actually do it.

So, a short recap of what’s been going on:

Nin has been back to hospital.  She has been having some blood tests which have shown anaemia, but also high allergy antibodies.  She will be having further allergy tests to try to pinpoint what’s causing this.

We’ve been attending the Steiner Initiative in Sheffield once a week, but things are rather up-in-the-air atm (regarding location, number of children attending, etc.) Myself and a couple of others in the local area are working towards a Woodland Parent and Child Group and Steiner-inspired co-op (more info. on SYHEC under Doncaster)

We are looking to gather a minimum of 6 6-8 year olds for this, at which point we might be able to bring in a teacher to lead a Class 1.  At present I’m going to be leading the simple co-op (unless any other parent would also like to be involved, which would be more ideal), but my preference would be for it to be teacher-led to enable me to have more input into a Kindy/Parent & Child thing.

I do have quite a bit more to say on this, but need to have a think about it.

I attended an interesting talk by Dot Male about Setting Up a Steiner Initiative last night in Sheffield, although it covered more, the setting up of a Steiner Kindergarten, but it was lovely to finally meet her (I’ve been trying to get to her “First Three Years” course for around 3 years now and to also meet other people involved in the Steiner Initiative in Sheffield (or just interested in Steiner Ed.)

Erm, aside from that the days have sort’ve blurred into one and we’ve been doing the ‘usual stuff’, including some felting of hearts and Ted finding a tiny, tiny snail in the playhouse (which he went on to carry around the house for the majority of the day - the snail survived and was later released back into the garden ):

Posted in Education, Family Life, art and craft |

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Long time, no blog…

I’ve had a dead laptop which has refused all attempts to switch on or charge.  It’s back now and working and I have alot to catch up with!

In the meantime we’ve been up to:

Ice carving - including what happens when you pour water on and then chip away at ice.

Ted helped Rik in the shed:

It snowed (whilst it might seem rather pitiful to some, we’ve not seen this much snow for a while):

Gilbert was very far from impressed:

Monty, on the other hand, loved it.  We let him off the lead on the playing fields and pelted him with snowballs which he thought was fabulous, but sorry, no pics, the snow was really coming down and I was worried about the camera getting wet.

Something you might miss if you were at school. A lorry had come to clean the drains, needless to say the children were fascinated.

And Nin made an apple and blackberry pie (English Bramleys from the market, blackberries from home-made blackberry jelly in the autumn, stirred into the apple mixture).  She decorated the top herself and was very pleased with it:

I ordered some Riihivilla Aarni from Ecoknits:

I’m currently knitting up the flesh tones, working on a pattern for a knitted Waldorf Doll.  I’ve finished one large doll’s head (photo to follow soon) and have started on a second, smaller head.

I also received this lovely sketch from Creative Mother:

Thank you so much Creative Mother!  I’m so pleased with it!

Posted in Cooking & Baking, Family Life, Gardening |

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Arrrrrgh! Mutter…

My laptop died. It has been a very poorly laptop.

It is back now and is feeling much better.  Once I’ve caught up with the backlog I will post a blog (plus pics I’ve taken in the interim).

Posted in Miscellaneous |

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CPSIA - Save Handmade Toys in the USA

Just resurfacing briefly to post regarding the Consumer Product Safety Inspection Act (CPSIA) in the USA that will affect items made for children under the age of 12 in the USA (and items imported into and then sold in the USA) and will put many small, cottage industries out of business

Allsorts has made a pretty comprehensive post about this and is far more knowledgeable than I, so please visit her blog to find out more.

Just wanted to pop my head over the parapet because it will affect so many people whose work I admire.

Posted in Issues and Causes |

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Cosy Tots Organics

I’m pleased to announce that Cosy Tots Organics hand-knitted cuddlies made from British organic yarns are now on site (YAY!)

Click on the images below to have a look at the item’s page:

They’re all wonderful, but if I had to pick just one for me, it would be that mouse!

Posted in Ninny Noodle Noo |

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