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Welcome my friends to a re-run of the first ever Celebrate the Rhythm of Life through the Year in Caring for Children Newsletter! That is the official name of my blog and my program.
Please freely share the link to this newsletter with your online communities. There's a gift for you to download at the bottom of this page.
Each month I leave bits and pieces of myself and my work all over social media, then I see it show up hither and thither. I’ve decided to pull at least some of it together for you, in one place, at the start of each month.
December brings the snow in the north, along with the start of winter. It’s one of those pivotal months that takes us from the languor of November and propels us into the New Year, all within a few weeks. January brings hope and resignation. It's a time for slowing down, peaceful reflection and hibernation.
Here in the north, the blustery cold and short gray days urge us to turn inward, nudge us closer to the fire and make the woolen shawl and tea pot inviting, comfortable, and soothing friends.
The mood of December carries into January and calls us to work with that spark of inner light, the one we kindled during the dark days of November, to help guide us through the darkness of winter, to provide warmth within, as well as the glow of warmth to create a feeling of sanctuary in the home.
Tending the hearth becomes an inner and outer gesture. An opportunity to reflect on our gestures and the season in the late autumn eCourse Slow, Simple and Sacred Days will return in 2022.
This week between Christmas and New Year's on the road to the Epiphany feels like a time out of time. It's easy to feel lost in the dreaminess of winter, and cozy up with a good story and a cup of tea or cocoa.
If you're looking for things to do this week, consider celebrating the season of Christmas, Christmastide, and let the spaciousness of the Twelve Days of Christmas make way for the activities you may have wanted to do during Advent.
If you're looking for things to do this week, consider celebrating the season of Christmas, Christmastide, and let the spaciousness of the Twelve Days of Christmas make way for the activities you may have wanted to do during Advent.
What to Do?
Decorate a tree for the birds with bird seed treats made with a fat to help fortify the birds and seeds. Hang orange slices in spirals from tree branches. String cranberries and popcorn to make pretty edible garlands for the tree. How to make a simple pinecone bird feeder here.
Go for a walk under the stars and see if you can identify the North Star.
Take a walk in the woods and experience a Forest Bath.
Write and send Christmas or Solstice cards.
Bake Star Shaped Gingerbread Cookies to celebrate the star that guided the three kings to Bethlehem. Recipe here.
Warming Winter Recipes
Inner Reflection
The days after Christmas can feel like a let down, especially when there is big expectation lead up to Christmas day. If your child is feeling irritable or out of sorts, consider what might be soothing. A few questions for you to ponder:
Decorate a tree for the birds with bird seed treats made with a fat to help fortify the birds and seeds. Hang orange slices in spirals from tree branches. String cranberries and popcorn to make pretty edible garlands for the tree. How to make a simple pinecone bird feeder here.
Go for a walk under the stars and see if you can identify the North Star.
Take a walk in the woods and experience a Forest Bath.
Write and send Christmas or Solstice cards.
Bake Star Shaped Gingerbread Cookies to celebrate the star that guided the three kings to Bethlehem. Recipe here.
Warming Winter Recipes
Potato Leek Soup is warm and comforting and easy to make. My go to recipe is here, is over on Scrumptious Smidgeon, here.
Roast Vegetables. One of my favorite ways to prepare vegetables in the winter is to roast them, the heat of the oven warms the kitchen and is comforting. Roasted Vegetables are warm and warming and easy to find from local sources in the winter.. I like to include onion, garlic, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, brussels sprouts, and bok choy. Recipe here.
Roast Vegetables. One of my favorite ways to prepare vegetables in the winter is to roast them, the heat of the oven warms the kitchen and is comforting. Roasted Vegetables are warm and warming and easy to find from local sources in the winter.. I like to include onion, garlic, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, brussels sprouts, and bok choy. Recipe here.
A Little Game
A Chubby Little Snowman
~ from an article I wrote over on Rhythm of the Home, Winter 2010.
Here’s a little verse that is lovely done with finger puppets; one for the snowman, one for the bunny. A silk over the hands makes it even better. It can be done as a finger play as well and acted out by the children.
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny was looking for some lunch
He saw that snowman’s carrot nose
And went nibble, nibble, crunch!
That chubby little bunny hopped into the woods.
He wiggled his ears as a good bunny should.
He hopped by a squirrel, he hopped by a tree.
He hopped by a bird and he hopped by me.
He stared at the squirrel. He stared at the tree.
He stared at the bird and he made faces at me.
~ Be sure to put your thumbs to your ear lobes and encourage some fun face-making with this one.
Here’s a little verse that is lovely done with finger puppets; one for the snowman, one for the bunny. A silk over the hands makes it even better. It can be done as a finger play as well and acted out by the children.
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny was looking for some lunch
He saw that snowman’s carrot nose
And went nibble, nibble, crunch!
That chubby little bunny hopped into the woods.
He wiggled his ears as a good bunny should.
He hopped by a squirrel, he hopped by a tree.
He hopped by a bird and he hopped by me.
He stared at the squirrel. He stared at the tree.
He stared at the bird and he made faces at me.
~ Be sure to put your thumbs to your ear lobes and encourage some fun face-making with this one.
Inner Reflection
The days after Christmas can feel like a let down, especially when there is big expectation lead up to Christmas day. If your child is feeling irritable or out of sorts, consider what might be soothing. A few questions for you to ponder:
- How is bedtime, has it gone out of whack?
- Are mealtimes consistent?
- Is everyone drinking plenty of water?
- Is the sweet intake too much?
- How to temper it with some healthy protein?
- Are you all getting outside each day?
- What do you need to be present, take charge and hold the space for your family?
A Reflective Exercise
~ Looking Back and Looking Forward, here, this exercise can be done solo, as a couple or as a family with children 8 or older
It can be printed out or perhaps it will spark you to come up with questions of you own.
What's New at Celebrate the Rhythm of Life?
Set a Pretty Table
Set a Pretty Table
Set a Pretty Table is back for another run, Invitations have gone out to previous Set a Pretty Table members for 2022.
Return to Rhythm eCourse
Warmly,
~*~
*My Gift for You
If you like the activity ideas, movement game, recipes and reflective questions in the Newsletter, consider joining Celebrate the Rhythm of Life as Seasonal or Year Round Member, or sign up for an eCourse when a topic interests you. Seasonal membership registration will open in February.
Like Celebrate the Rhythm of Life on Facebook
Like Set a Pretty Table on Facebook
Return to Rhythm eCourse
My flagship course, first offered in will run from January 24th through March 6th for six weeks of practical support to help you establish and maintain healthy home rhythms that serve you and your family.
~ Registration information will be posted on the blogWarmly,
If you like the activity ideas, movement game, recipes and reflective questions in the Newsletter, consider joining Celebrate the Rhythm of Life as Seasonal or Year Round Member, or sign up for an eCourse when a topic interests you. Seasonal membership registration will open in February.
Like Celebrate the Rhythm of Life on Facebook
Like Set a Pretty Table on Facebook
