Welcome to the October 2012 Simplicity Parenting Carnival: Holidays This post was written as part of the monthly Simplicity Parenting Carnival hosted by The Lone Home Ranger and S.A.H.M. i AM. This month we are discussing how we simplify the holiday season. Be sure to read to the end to see a list of the... Continue Reading →
I've always known about orange pomanders. They were once used as air fresheners during the winter, a time when bathing was limited. I'm certain I even heard about my mother making them as a little girl. However, until recently I had never made an orange pomander. I bought a bunch of oranges and bulk cloves... Continue Reading →
Orange slices dried in the dehydrator or oven make lovely sun catchers, tied with some cinnamon sticks.
Welcome to the December Mindful Mama Carnival: Staying Mindful During the Holiday Season This post was written for inclusion in the Mindful Mama Carnival hosted by Becoming Crunchy and TouchstoneZ. This month our participants have shared how they stay mindful during the holiday season. Please read to the end to find a list of links... Continue Reading →
Ellen Jackson has a series of children's picture books regrading various Earth-based holidays. So, when I ordered a copy of The Winter Solstice years ago, I had great expectations. Instead, I found a book focused solely from a Judeo-Christian perspective, even stating empirically that we now celebrate the winter solstice with Christmas and Hannukah. Most... Continue Reading →
If you are looking for a children's picture book about the Winter Solstice that doesn't mention Christmas, Wendy Pfeffer's The Shortest Day will meet your requirements. Of the few childen's books available about the Solstice, almost all mention the Christian holiday. This fact alone makes the book worth purchasing for families who celebrate the Solstice.... Continue Reading →
There aren't many books available for children whose families don't celebrate Christmas, or at the least Hannukah. Children in families who believe differently are often at a loss as to how they fit in with the nonconscious religious ideology which surrounds us. A Solstice Tree for Jenny by Karen Shragg tries to bridge that gap.... Continue Reading →
Before my husband and I had children, we discussed how we planned to handle various aspects of holidays. We aren't Christian and don't celebrate Christmas, so it only seemed natural to me that we wouldn't bring the commercial aspect of Santa Claus into our home for the Solstice. It wasn't something I would miss. Not only... Continue Reading →
Today's activity on our Solstice Calendar was to make a wreath for our front door. I had originally planned something a bit more modern, but budget and time constraints, along with the fact that our steel door can get very hot in the sun (my original plan was edible), dictated some changes. I cut a... Continue Reading →
My husband grew up with an Advent Calendar. Every day his mother would dole out butterscotch candies that were pinned to it. A few years ago, he mentioned it to me, saying that it was a tradition he enjoyed and missed. We don't celebrate Christmas, so we needed to come up with something that would... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 