A Peek at Our Nature Table

The subject of nature tables came up on a forum site I frequent and it gave me the idea to share some pictures of our nature table here on my blog.

We've been "nature tabling" for about 6 years now. Sometimes our displays have been very elaborate, other times super simple. 

Right now our table is quite simple. It speaks to me of this quiet, winter time of sparseness and barren landscape.

 

We use a faux-fur lining. The man and woman figure were made by a friend using items she collects on the beach. The man is chopping wood (our papa) the woman is gathering or harvesting with a basket and she has a baby on her back (me!). 

Deer antlers are the large "bridge" like structure over the whole thing. My eldest actually found these in the woods near our home. A twig of madrone leaves with a red berry still attached is poised on top. 

 

 

 

Acorns and other winter treasures collected by the kiddies :)

 

This is where the nature table stands in relation to our home. It's currently located on the middle shelf of our dinning room display case. Underneath I usually place additional seasonally themed decorations, here we see our St. Lucia doll, yule gnomes and a book on the nativity. 

Our St. Lucia Celebration

 

Yesterday was St. Lucia day. In our tradition St. Lucia and her Yule Gnome travel on the eve of her day leaving treats of maple candies to good little boys and girls. This St. Lucia Eve happened to also be the third Sunday of advent.

We read this story about St. Lucia by candle light with our St. Lucia and Yule Gnome doll as props.

The next day, on St. Lucia day, we baked her traditional buns. We use whole grain spelt instead of regular flour and we skip the saffron because it's so darn expensive. We enjoyed the buns during family game night. Yum! What a fabulous day!

 

Mouthwatering eh?

Waldorf Playroom Decoration for Boys - Space!

 

Here are some pictures of our recent playroom addition - a universe. We hung up a large, dark blue sheet we bought from the thrift shop on the wall, in the corner. We then water colored planets, asteroids, stars, etc, cut them out and taped them out. The effect is a wonderful backdrop for imaginative play!

 

 

Recipe: Soaked Muesli Cereal

Photo Credit

I few years ago, and to my great sadness, I learned that supermarket cereals, even the organic ones, are really unhealthy.  And by really unhealthy I mean they are toxic. So I played around with some alternatives and here's my favorite.

Soaked Muesli, a natural Swiss cereal.

3 cups rolled oats and/or rye flakes
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup sunflower seeds


Pulse all ingredients in a food processor or blender a few times. Fill cereal bowl(s) 1/2 full with dry cereal. Add water (about as much as you would add milk if this was traditional cereal). Add a teaspoon of high quality yogurt. Stir. Set bowl, covered, in a warm place over night. In the morning add a pinch of salt, a bit of honey or raw sugar, and a dash of heavy cream.

I love this breakfast because it's so fast, easy, natural, healthy and filling. I like to make it on the mornings when I have a lot to do and need a quick, filling meal. The kids also LOVE it.

Another tip: if you can avoid it, don't take you kids down cereal isles in stores. We shop the outside of all stores, even the health food store. We get fresh fruits, veggies, dairy, meat, baking supplies and some bulk grains, like oats. My kids never even see the Mac and Cheese boxes with Sponge Bob or the half million different types of super hero breakfast cereal. They do not even know it exists. ;)