Fairies and Magic

I've been thinking of getting my blog up and running again but for now I thought I would repost one of my favourites.

In our backyard we have a fairy garden. The fairies have come to visit a few times leaving leaves and flowers pinned on the clothesline and fairy dust on the porch. This morning this is what they left.

The kids were very excited to find the fairy ring and I caught my son standing in it, just in case there was a chance he could be swept away to fairyland.

Our fairy garden took an afternoon to build and has provided fun and mystery for all my children since. The inspiration to create it came from the Magic Onions blog. We started by going to the garden centre and picking out all the materials. We bought a beautiful wooden bucket, a miniature tree, a birdhouse and pots of herbs to give the fairies room to hide. We planted moss all over the ground and made a rocky path to the house. Beneath the mint bush is a pond to swim in and under the tree is a clothesline for drying fairy clothing. All afternoon we worked together making tiny bicycles, beds, wagons, chairs and tables.

I love that my children believe in fairies. In fact my 6 year old son came home from school soon after we built the garden and said, “Mom, you’ll never believe this. At school today, I said if you believe in fairies put up your hand and guess what? Not many hands went up at all.” His surprise that the other children didn’t believe in fairies was my favourite part of his statement. His excitement when he checked the garden the next morning showed me he was willing to stand by his opinion even when a roomful of children said otherwise.

Now, I don’t go around during the day telling my children an abundance of mistruths. I simply say, “fairies only exist if you believe they do”. My son is a young six year old who still believes in magical things. He suspects his toys come alive and dance around the room at night. My daughter is absolutely sure Cinderella lives at Disneyland. The magic of childhood is short. We have our whole lives to know that Daddy ate all of those cookies left for Santa and Mommy put the two dollars under your pillow. My husband and I are content to let our children believe just a little longer.

So, for now, I’ll enjoy the way they run down the stairs every morning and ask if they can go outside to check our fairy garden. Doesn’t everyone need a little magic now and then?

Organic Food

I have spent a little time away from the blog this week. Hanging out with family, celebrating my son's birthday and of course writing a lot. I listened to a podcast from The Kathleen Show tonight and enjoyed it so much I started clicking around. I found this post and was intrigued. Enjoy and I'll be back in this space next week.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soule Mama. Have a wonderful weekend.

Snow Day

The other day we woke up to snow for the first time this year. My youngest asked to go outside to play right after breakfast. It was cold and windy but she didn't mind at all.

I ended up watching her for the first part of the hour we spent outside. The joy and curiosity she displayed was infectious. Oh, to see the snow through her toddler eyes! To feel the wet flakes falling and grab them on your tongue. To see a trail of snowy footprints and squeal with delight. To make a snowball and toss it in the air. When life gets busy these are the moments that ground me.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soule Mama. Have a wonderful weekend.

Autumn Daybook

I'm feeling a little under the weather today but it's not such a bad thing. I take my vitamins, make some tea and use it as an excuse to tuck up on the couch with a good book. The Simple Woman’s Daybook is something I enjoy posting. Here is the Autumn version.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... Autumn leaves swirling around on the lawn blown by the cool breeze.

I am thinking... the house is so quiet except for the sound of my daughter creating with play dough in the craft room.

I am thankful for... change. I feel a hint of it in the air.

From the kitchen... chicken soup. Good for the sniffles.

I am wearing... leggings, a cozy sweatshirt and slippers.

I am creating... stories. They follow me everywhere. The grocery store, my car, my house, my dreams. There is always a story to tell.

I am going... to pick my children up from school.

I am reading... The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Loving the descriptive passages.

I am hoping... to continue to find motivation.

I am hearing... the whir of the dryer. The laundry room floor can barely be seen through the piles of clothes.

Around the house... an Autumn nature table.

One of my favorite things... time to "be".

A few plans for the rest of the week: A change? A class. A circus!

Here is picture I am sharing...

Fill the Paper...

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
William Wordsworth

I always knew I wanted to write. I remember writing my first story about a pencil that could take you to a magical land. It was one and a half pages long written in big, careful grade one printing. When I was in Grade Seven my favourite part of the day was writing in my journal. Oh the possibilities! I would write a story about my weekend or a poem about my twelve year old life. Every morning I would look forward to reading the comment from my teacher. One morning I opened that journal and read the most inspirational comment I have ever received. It said, simply, “send me your first book.” I continued to write poems and short stories throughout high school. In my early twenties I took a lot of creative writing classes finally ending up in journalism school.

When I had my children writing took a back seat for a while, replaced by the important task of raising newborns. During those years I read a lot of great books while immersed in child rearing. Now my children are getting older and I'm starting to have a little extra time here and there. I felt the need to write again just before the summer when I started this blog. I love having a creative outlet. I love sitting down at my computer and wondering what will end up on the page that day.

Today I start on another journey that involves my creative aspirations. I am taking a twelve week writing class with a well known author. By the end of the class I should (will!) have a good start to my book. I am excited but also a little scared. Christmas preparations are looming. School activities don’t stop. Winter colds are sure to invade our household at some point.

The step I’ve taken is out of my comfort zone but it’s time.

“I write because I write - as anyone in the arts does. You’re a painter because you feel you have no choice but to paint. You’re a writer because this is what you do.”

Richard Price

What are you doing this month that is out of your comfort zone?

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soule Mama. Have a wonderful weekend.