Light In The Darkness

 

With the heaviness of the world, Martinmas could not have come at a better time. 

In the word of Professor Albus Dumbledor: 

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, 

if one only remembers to turn on the light." 

November Decorations

 

Halloween decorations have been put away and November ones have been taken out. First up is Martinmas (one of our most favorite festivals) and the lantern walk to bring light into the darkness. xo 

All Things October (and November)

 

October began with a tour of Brown University (lead by the fabulous DG president Kelsey)! We had the most perfect October weather for our journey around Brown followed by a lovely meal and DG meeting afterward. The newly renovated Marlborough Public Library was finally completed and ready for visitors. We went on Opening Day and were in awe of how gorgeous it turned out (prior to this renovation the library was not a very welcoming space). A couple of days later we found outselvs back there during Morning Lesson. It was a lovely change of scenery and we decided to make that our Wednesday lessosn hang-out. Our hearts broke when Isreal was attacked by Hamas and Lewiston Maine became the latest place to have a mass shooting. It would be really fabulous if America would get its gun problem under control. Friendship bracelts were made and eras outfits chosen and we attended the Eras Tour concert movie not once but twice (the second time was just as incredible but the venue was 1000% better than the first)! Grace passed her drivers test on the first try and then went off to Production practice a couple of hours later! A Halloween lock-in at church and family pictures rounded out October. 

Since I forgot to "save" a post for November, pictures and summary are below: 

November was the month that I resigned from my job as Director of Children's Ministry in Holliston. While it had been almost five years that I ahd been there, and while I knew that my time there would likely end at the end of this school year, I ended up resigning shortly after Halloween. While I miss the children and families of the church, and was sad to leave while the senior pastor was on sabbatical, it was most definietly time for me to take my leave. 

November saw the girls take their first drive with Grace behind the wheel and me at home. It was yet another moment where I am sure that I saw the girls (espeically Grace) grow right before my eyes! We celerbrated Martinas and helped with the set up and logistics of the Veterans Day dinner at church. Emma did a beautiful job reading the Missing Man Table ceremony. She also spent much time knitting, whcih was a lovely surprise given that she had not picked up knitting needles in eight years and yet when she did this time she knit as beauifully as if she had been knitting all that time. Grace was at OSV a couple of times this month. Once on Veterans Day weekend and again during the first weekend of Christmas by Candlelight. 

We rounded out Novemebr with a lovely Thanksgiving gathering (and a rooster statue from Portugal that Jane brought back for us) and our traditional attendance of opening Night of The Nutcracker the following day. Other than the fact that it took us over an hour to get out of the garage after the show it was a fabulous way to being the festive season! xo 

Scenes From Our Lantern Walk

 

Visiting the hens. 

Our lanterns Thursday night after our Lantern Walk.

The new additions the girls made this year using the gorgeous lantern decorations from Twelve Little Tales. 

Martinmas is one of our most favorite festivals to celebrate. It's message of kindness, of caring for others, and of light in the darkness resonates deeply. We love that it connects us to the Waldorf community but also to our German ancestry as Saint Martin's Day is celebrated throughout Germany on November 11th. No matter how old the girls get I have no doubt that they will always celebrate Martinmas and make time for the Lantern Walk. xo 

On Martinmas

 

In Celebration Of Martinmas

This year we kept our lantern walk small- just our family. Lanterns were lit, a Martinmas story was read and then we headed out bringing our light into the darkness. As we walked we sang and when we were done we headed back in for molasses cookies and spiced cider. No matter if it's just the four of us or a much larger group, it's always such a sweet and simple celebration and one that we look forward to each year. xo