The Story of the Bodhi Tree

On the up swing

We were able to get out today which made a HUGE difference in moods! This week has been really rough and it was nice to see my boy having some fun in the fresh air.

*I feel like our cold/flu came and went quite fast (though we are not completely better). For this one we had lots of VitC and GSE concoctions, tons of liquids (including water, ginger, lemon + honey tea, and the regular nettle, rrl, + peppermint), and wholesome foods. For B we also used homeopathics and rubbed the olbas cream on his chest and oil of oregano on his feet at night. We had the diffuser with eucalyptus going on as well.
Any other tricks that you and your family use for a cold + flu?

Park play

A beautiful day in the cold. It feels great to have a full day of play outside, especially with some of our most favorite peeps. We had a quick visit with Ella + Arlo as well as a big play with Jane and Cedar. Bodhi and Cedar are pretty funny together. Lots of running around being very boyish in my opinion!

By the way, if you have not visited Jane's new Etsy shop, then go over and take a peek. Her talent is undeniable and her sewing impeccable. Who wouldn't want to bundle their little folk up in one of her one-of-a-kind kimonos? I am just waiting until this little sprout is earth side until I decide!

What a day

Usually Saturday is a huge resting day for me. Randy is home, and B and him often hang out together to let me catch up on sleep! Today Randy had to go to a workshop, so it was just B and I. Man was I tired. It is like by body and mind are programmed to know that when the weekend comes I get space and quite time. At first I was feeling at a total loss of what to do, and then I made a yummy coco and whip cream for us and I perked right up!

We spent most of our day inside playing, building villages and homes. Driving trucks around and using the tool set. All of the toys we buy have been carefully picked out and are used with love. B is at an age where he really enjoys all of them, and our place is quite open so when he is in his playroom he still feels like a part of what is going on.

Indoor activities

This winter Bodhi has more activities than he ever has before; school, swimming, and art class. I do not believe in having too many things outside of the home, but I have to admit that with this cold rain that keeps us indoors it is great to have something for B to look forward to. This is especially so, since he no longer naps.

Today was a school day, and after that we were indoors. Most of our home activities consist of crafting, art making, cooking, baking, having baths, reading books (over + over again), playing with toys, and playing hockey or soccer in our hall way.

Most days I have to insist that we have a "quiet" time were I lay down and he plays in the room. So far this has worked really well, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have a rest.

Before we had our quiet time today we did some painting and chalk drawing with B's easel. We have a lovely set of blackboard chalk. The colors are really nice, though they break easily and are a little messy.

What are some of the fun things that your household does on rainy days?

All things wool

Wool is one of my most favorite fibers to work with. This holiday we were gifted some very beautiful items made out of wool. My studio is full of wool.... stashes of yarn, roving, batting, quilt batting, felt sheets, felted sweaters, wool fabric and the list could go on! Anyhow, here is a glimpse of some of the wool goodness we have been having around here.

A beautiful wet felted necklace from Kiki

A wonderful pair of sweater felted mitts from Ella + Arlo (Bodhi loves them!!)

A pair of the fingerless mitts that I knit up as gifts for big and little people (more to come, they are so easy to make!)

A pirate wee folk made out of felt that found its way into B's stocking

Last but not least, my first pair of knitted longies for the new baby (all the mitts and the longies were knit with Manos del Uruguay Yarn in black forest colorway)

What do you do when it is time to wrap a gift and you have packed everything away? Simple. Go outside and find some tree bark.

::simple baby top wrapped and ready to be gifted::

::fun at the park::

Let's have a hootenanny!

...and that is exactly what we did!

homemade playdough

We love playing with homemade playdough in our home. It is super easy to make, and stores for quite awhile. Bodhi can play with it for hours and I often have a small container of it in my bag for when we are out and about. Some things that we have added to ours have been sparkles, carrot juice, + beet juice.

Receipe for homemade playdough:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 T oil
2 T cream of tartar
optional: sparkles, carrot juice, beet juice

Place in a pot on medium heat and mix until it becomes the consistancy of playdough. Let it cool down, and then you are ready to play!