Maple Tree Tapping...at Dawes Arboretum...

Early this morning I slid down my driveway to meet Erin at Dawes Arboretum for story time with her Mothers group. "If you feed a Pig a Pancake" was the delightful story and the Dawes teacher was just great with all the three and four years old. We went downstairs in their small child library and gallery to spend a little time watching the birds feasting on a buffet of seeds in the various bird feeders. The full length window was mesmerizing for Miss Morgan...she did not want to really leave the bird watching for the story but was easily convinced to sit on my lap behind her big brother. For this moment in time I was in heaven...Erin got a chance to rest for a moment or two...she was craving sea food so badly today...that goes with her pregnancy. Cole was a big man and totally confident enough to sit by his friend Jackson and listen to the story...he has grown up so much this year with his going to school on Wednesdays. I had Miss Morgan on my lap and she was as perfect as a little one year old could be for the whole story. She did glance over at her Mom to make sure she was still in the same room. The group bundled up in coats ,hats and mittens to walk into the winter woods to the cabin where the men were cooking the maple sap down into a delicious maple syrup...yum yum! As we walked into the woods on the snowy path we saw deer...they heard us first... saw the buckets and sap bags collecting the sap...the old fashion kettle cooking over an open fire ...down past the Spring house by the creek...all of this was an adventure for all big and small. They had a roaring fire in the fireplace and we were treated to fresh syrup and watched the men stirring the sap ever so carefully. As we all made our walk back to the Nature center I realized how very lucky I am to actually be here ...in the moment with these young courageous mothers holding the hands of our future! Yes, Cole you are going to change to world...and Morgan you delight my soul just being Morgan!

I made a few stops and errands and then stopped by the gallery for a wonderful cup of coffee with Kathy....our docent of the day...and Tony the president of our Licking County Arts group. They we handling intake for tomorrow's new exhibit and we just had a chance to quietly catch up.... it feels with the snowbound weeks we have just experienced...like I had not seen them forever! When I came home I machine felted two woolen sweaters...hopefully to make them...repurposed...into a woolen bag. This is another process I have been experimenting with so little by little next Fall I will have a couple new hand crafted purses for gifts or sale. I made some fresh cornbread to go with our 16 bean soup for tonight's dinner. I made vanilla fun-fetti cupcakes with milk chocolate icing and sprinkles to take to Erin and Chance's tomorrow while they have a date afternoon. The doctor's office for prenatal check-up, lunch out with adults only and a movie! They are great parents who work extremely hard to make a home for their family and I am lucky enough to be able to witness their loving family grow.

I have had a very busy day but the household chores are almost caught up and the last load of laundry is in the dryer. Now I want to have my quiet time and quilt my meditation onto my quilts. My gel mediums are still a wee bit tacky so I have to wait until tomorrow to apply the next possible process. I am very pleased with how the night photo is shimmering...and hope I can maintain a fiber softness when I go to add the crystal beads with needle and threads.

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (unknown) Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart