YAY!!! This weekend brought with it some very cool weather, completely sunny mind you but wonderfully crisp. Out, as in immediately out, came my sweaters. I've had myself swathed in wool for three days now.
Photo by Eileen Straiton or Sara Wilson
Also coming out were the quilts and afghans. My husband, Fiber Boy, commented that it takes me literally 15 minutes to usher in warmth. I love cool weather. Today I've promised myself that I'll start knitting something spiffy.
Do you know what else happens with Autumn? Michaelmas or better known here as Dragon and Lantern day, which happens on Friday September 29th.
"Michaelmas is a celebration of many important ideas. It is a harvest celebration, when we honor the blessings of agriculture and the work of human hands that toil to put good, life-sustaining food on our tables and in our bellies. The bounty of earth is all around us in the autumn, and yet the shorter days and cooler temperatures remind us that soon many of our food plants must die or go dormant. The earth must rest, so that new growth can occur next year.
Michaelmas is also a community celebration, in which we are reminded that we succeed when we work together to overcome hunger, want, and disease, and the less visible dangers of loneliness and fear. It is our chance to come together on the good, green earth and declare to one another: We are alive. We are together. Together we are strong. Together and with pure hearts, we can overcome. In this time, maybe more than ever before, we all need reminders of strength, selflessness, courage, hope, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil." From The Autumn Equinox and Michaelmas Feast E-book
I have a very special treat for you. Friends Eileen Straiton from Little Acorn Learning, and Sara Merkel Wilson from Love in the Suburbs have written a fantastic Michaelmas guide. They gave me a sneak peak and like all of the Little Acorn Guides, this one is loaded !!!!
The e-book is 133 pages full of verses, fingerplays, poems, songs, crafts, meditations, book recommendations, circle times, recipes and much more. Filled with amazing and inspiring articles and tutorials, some of the projects included in this e-book are as follows:
Needle Felt a Beautiful Apple Mother Doll
Go on an Apple Picking Field Trip and Learn About Different Varieties of Apples
Photo by Eileen Straiton and Sara Wilson
Design a Breathtaking Early Autumn Nature Table
Read Books with the Children Celebrating Autumn and Michaelmas
Make Your Own Apple Stamps
Enjoy Homemade Applesauce Together
Crochet an Apple for Your Nature Table or Play Kitchen
Create a Beautiful Autumn Candle Holder Centerpiece
Make an Archangel Michael Mobile
Photo by Eileen Straiton and Sara Wilson
Harvest Natural Dye Materials from Outdoors and Make Capes of Light Playsilks
Hold a Michaelmas Family Feast
Photo by Eileen Straiton and Sara Wilson
Create Dragons out of Nature Items
Bake Dragon Bread with the Children
Make a Dragon Tree Block Checker Set
Sculpt Dragons out of Modeling Material
Cut Out Paper Flying Dragons to Display on Your Wall
Make a Michaelmas Felt Play Set
Paint an Autumn Leaf Stencil Painting with Watercolors
Crochet Beautiful Autumn Leaves for Your Nature Table
Paint Your Own Interpretation of Michael and the Dragon
Look Inward and Face Your Own Dragons with our Caregiver Meditation
Share Verses and Songs About Autumn and Michaelmas
Meditate on Quotes from Steiner and Other Inspirational Individuals
Enjoy Pinecone Weaving
Share Circle Time Together
Photo by Eileen Straiton and Sara Wilson
Make Michael Sword Napkin Holders
Sculpt Michaelmas Worry Beads
Craft and Autumn Equinox Wreath
And Much, Much, More!
Whenever I enter into a Little Acorn Learning Guide I always feel so warm and nurtured. It's such a happy place for me and I know it will be for you too. To get your guide to prepare the most wonderful Michaelmas Feast Day go here.
