Photos of my grandpa when he was in the Army Air Force during WWII
I have been thinking a lot about your kind words last Wednesday and they reminded me of something Rahima mentioned at her conference. She spoke about creating a 'frontier' in a house of chaos. Of course, I loved her choice of words! Basically, she was saying if things seem to be chaotic and it seems like you don't have anything in order pick one area to work on and keep up with that area. Once you have it under control it will be easier to move onto other areas. That really does make sense! She spoke of this referring to rhythm as well as areas of the home.
So with your words and Rahima's teachings in mind I decided to make my 'frontier' in our home. I won't lie, I took the easy way out. I choose the simplest room in our whole house - the dining room. There are only 3 pieces of furniture in the room, it needs to be painted and we don't have any blinds or shelves to hang our art yet, so it's far from being done. I just wanted this space to be clear.
After moving boxes out and arranging the furniture, I took a good look and thought about what we use this space for. Meals, of course. The dining room is actually our main eating space. We do not have room in our kitchen for a table. But we also use it for our family arts and crafts. With this in mind I decided to store our art supplies in our cabinet in there for easier access.
The girls and I thought that cabinet would be perfect for our nature table, too. We haven't had a true nature table since we left Virginia in August and we have missed it so very much. This all came together with perfect timing because we received our beautiful Seasons Round package from my swap partner Meg of Sew Liberated. She really did an amazing job!
Preparing for Martinmas
Our beloved bat from mamaroots
So now I have my frontier and it truly is saving my sanity! My slump is a thing of the past and I am excited to get back to creating. I hope this motivates me to continue on and get our house in order so my head can feel in order.
Happy Monday everyone!
26 comments:
Perfect! I love that idea...it is hard to be creative and feel mentally clear when your house is not in order! I feel that way a lot and I didn't just move cross country! ha! Your nature table looks absolutely beautiful! I love it!
Kimberley
It is so pretty! I just love your nature table...we have just started one so it is still pretty simple. This is great inspiration!!
So wise mama! It looks fabulous!
Hello! I just wanted to let you know I just found your blog and have added it to my reader. I love what you are saying here and I can relate to it. It is uplifting and energizing to have at least one clear area. I have been working through something similar, I think, and trying harder to keep things picked up, put away, and cleaner all over. It takes a LOT of effort and I have to stay on top of it, but mentally it is so refreshing, I think it's worth it.
I love all your nature table items!
What a gorgeous nature area you have! I always worry about making our nature table too cluttered, but I love your multi-layered effect. :)
loving your frontier mama.
and appreciating the idea....hmm? now where to place my frontier in my home?
peace,
hillary
Nice. Now tell me your trick for keeping the 18 mos old from climbing up on top of that table & tearing down that lovely display! Our dining room chairs are stacked on top of each other & jammed between the wall & the table & our bar stools have to be turned upside down so the climber doesn't end up swinging from the light fixture in the two seconds we took our eyes off her! Seriously. Those are some mellow girls you've got there. :)
That season table is inspirational and beautiful, they have always been on my list of things I want to start doing. Perhaps now is the time.
My husband just left for the week. My plan? Cleaning and organizing. I've been feeling a bit out of sorts - what with all of us being sick for over 3 weeks. It's time to give everything a thorough scrubbing and sorting. Thank you for the inspiration.
How wonderful Nicole, it looks great! Now you have at least one beautiful peaceful space to enjoy.
I love how your tree/stand creates so many special little areas on your nature table!
Such a beautiful spot, Nicole. Your post really resonated with me as just last week in our parent/child class we were talking about what is the core for your family, and for us it is our home with all of our family finding strength from being in it, preparing us to be in the world outside. It is our sanctuary as well.
Though in looking at in on Monday mornings (as we spend the weekend not any doing housechores) it tends to look chaotic and in need of some loving care. Thank you for the motivation to get our frontier in order so that my family can find strength in it when they return at the end of their day
*hugs and gratitude*
Marina
I remember when I was getting ready to homeschool and I was doing all kinds of reading and preparing. The best advice someone gave me was "clean your house". At the time I thought it was kind of off topic, but I trusted this person and so I did what she suggested and what a difference in made in my life.
I would love to hear more about this conference that you refer too. I am not familiar with Rahima. Your diningroom is so filled with light and inspiration. I have to do mine too. lark
There is so much beauty in your home and on your nature table Nicole, your family is so blessed. I love to see the things that you make and the care and mindfulness that goes into everything.
what a soulfully beautiful nature table.
You're doing great. The nature table is a feast for the eyes. I saw your little teasel hedgehog. I have my eyes peeled for teasels so I can make some, too! I've never had a nature table. Do you think it is too late to start with a seven-year-old? Beth
what an amazing blog you have here! love your philosophy...and what prettiness!
lovely post. just the motivation i need....
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
what a beautiful place with richness and order, like a good lovely story!
You are also invited to my blog and to my little giveaway if you belive in faries....
here it is-
http://ganduna-manduna.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-do-you-belive-in-faries.html
What a beautiful nature table!
ruprecht.etsy.com
KnechtRuprecht.dawanda.com
knechtruprechtdolls.blogspot.com
I love Rahima's idea of the frontier in your home. It is an attainable goal for parents of small children.
I love your tiered nature table - I have noticed it before but never commented on it. I have a couple wooden post vases for putting flower (or now, grasses and seed heads).
Peace,
Carrie
I apologize for the delay in response!
Thank you for your kind words, you are all the inspiration for me to get around to this, so thank you, THANK YOU!
Mary Beth - Welcome and thank you!
Michelle - Tee hee. C is a big monkey but for some reason she leaves the nature table alone. I am not sure why. I just hope it continues this way *knock on wood*
Lark - Thank you. Rahima is the author of 'You are Your Child's First Teacher'. If you go a few posts back you'll see links to her website and info about the conference. HTH!
Beth - I don't think 7 is too late to start at all. Children in the Waldorf schools start 1st grade at the age of 7 and they have nature tables in their classroom :)
Sorry this is a short response everyone. Thank you, again so much!! Wishing you all well!!
Absolutely beautiful! And what a great idea...Now to decide which area of my house is going to be my frontier....
What a great idea! You did a beautiful job.
ah, a place of magic to inspire the muse that lives in all our hearts!
hi,
we really adore your place and living style, if you don't mind, we appreciate you can share on our website (it's all for free) www.decomyplace.com we trying to share everyone's living idea, and help more people to improve their living space. we appreciate any support from you. and sorry if we made any uncomfortableness to you, have a good day.
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