candlemas, a tiny celebration for a big thing

at school this week we celebrated candlemas, traditionally done on feb 2nd when the lengthening of days starts it's slow climb toward spring. we have been lucky enough to enjoy so many sunny days in maine this winter, and many of them felt more like spring than ever before. usually we feel all frozen until february or march when the little thaw creeps in ever so slowly taking it's time. this year it feels like we have alternated between full on winter snow days and muddy melting spring days.
either way we are glad to have longer days headed our way and mud season too.
we celebrated candlemas at playschool by simply making a few candles. we made a painted wax variety and also the dipping variety. i was bolstered by the efforts of the children in patiently dipping the wick again and again...out little candles might not look like much but very much time and effort and gentleness went into making each one.
cheers to bringing in spring!

dyeing silks

have been working in dying some silks this month. i started out dyeing some for playschool, i just wanted really soft soft colors, kind of like waldorf watercolors. the results were cheery and soft and i really love them. look forward to offering them in the new year! i'll keep you posted!

little ones garden

you see...we had some old old seeds, they had been on sale when i bought them years ago and shuffled from move to move. when we moved this spring i came across them and in the back of my mind i was thinking they might make a good first garden for out little bits. and so we let her go to town...pumpkins, squash, radish and peas...and as you can see a few are actually popping up! looks like there will be a late crop around here--and some thinning that will need doing...but t is kind of just glorious the way it is!