Summer raft

An afternoon of raft making and water play 💦

The book ‘Life of Pi’ came to mind as we explored the raft we made today from the cuttings of our Fennel plant (which has got a little out of control - about 8ft out of control 😬 this summer)

This story didn’t go quite as smoothly though and quickly took a sinister turn with a lady overboard and the tiger at the bottom of the sea, but in the end it was all ok, they were only seeing if they could all float or sink and all had a jolly good pool party!

The fennel branches turned out great for the raft making as the lower parts are hollow so they are super light. When fennel branches dry they remind me a little of bamboo, so we decided to use some tacks to fix it together (the little ones request she is obsessed with hammering nails atm) one dry I will block the holes with some beeswax to trap the sake and make it even better a raft.

We inserted a stick into the centre fennel stalk and then tied an off cut of some silk we had in our craft drawer to it for a sail.

It’s lovely to enjoy the summer weather again after a period of an autumn preview! I think we will be making more of these before the weekend is done!

Hand Carved Skipping Rope

Simple home made skipping rope.

So today I have finished one of five homemade gifts for the little ones third birthday in September. It’s been a while in the making as whilst whittling this and another branch for the another gift I ended up with blisters on my hands 😅 so I decided to give the woodwork a rest for a little bit 😂

I’ve seen a fair few of versions appear over Instagram the past week or so, so I didn’t know if to bother sharing but thought what the hey! The more the merrier let’s start a skipping rope revolution

The branch I used I found in the park a while ago and I have left it in the house to dry out, I have used a knife to strip the bark and sandpaper to smooth any rough edges, the wood has been oiled and I think looks so beautiful.

They are simple to make. All you need is some string, a drill a saw and some sandpaper. Swipe to see accompanying images and videos.

Starr with the rope, finger knit a length of rope, if your little one can do this let them take charge and choose their own colours. Tie a slip knot in one end, then use your index finger and thumb to pull the yarn through the loop whilst holding the knot and tail end, repeat until the length is around elbow to elbow resting on the floor.

Saw your handles from a branch, Sand back your branch to get rid of rough edges, you can leave the bark or remove it! Either look amazing. As the handles I chose were not straight (I was going for ergonomic 😂) I drilled a channel around an inch kind through the centre of the handle at the base, and then through the side into the top of the channel to create an L shale tunnel through which to thread the rope.

I threaded the rope and then tied a knot securely at both ends to stop it coming out, you could secure even further with some superglue if you wish into the hole.

Once done sand back any rough edges and then add a couple of coats of linseed oil or beeswax and allow to dry completely!

All done! It will now be put away for the little ones birthday .

Our call to priesthood in the home through the sacrament of Baptism

In ‘The Spiritual Task of the Homemaker’ Manfred Schmidt-Brabant refers to the ‘Sacramentalism’ of the home from Rudolf Steiner’s 1916 Lecture ‘The Karma of Vocation’

He talks about the beginning of a general priesthood, where we will all like priest’s serve our role in the home. Priests and priestesses of times gone by who find certainty and value in their work, a resurgence of spirituality and culture in the home - a tone which is established through ones beliefs and philosophy of life that will carry forward for generations.

The act of doing small things with great joy, and with careful attention which we all know Waldorf for so well is part of this growth of spirit.

As a Catholic Steiner’s words already ring true. This priesthood is here and now and in every Catholic who receives the sacrament of Baptism.

Through the anointing of Chrism on the crown of the head, a symbolic act which is used to anoint kings. We are bound to salvation, and the participation in the priesthood of Christ as a priest, prophet and King.

Through our homes, also referred to as the domestic church we bring soul and spirit, through our thoughts words and deeds. Through care and attention, love and laughter, prayer, debate and conversation. Through making our home a welcoming place we cultivate spirituality, a love for humanity and God, a culture which our children will carry with them for a lifetime.

Our homes are living breathing spaces which are mirrors of our private selfs. ‘If these walls could talk’ springs to mind.

I always pray and reflect on that saying, on these things, and I strive to always bring more joy, peace and love into our home.

So much in our home life has been blessed during the pandemic, but so much has also felt difficult and I feel this summer I will be moulding our rhythm for more time conversing, debating, playing board games and living joyfully in all we do.

What would your walls say? Have you taken any small steps yet to bring soul and spirit into your home in joy? I would love to hear the individuality of everyone’s homes?