Yesterday we celebrated Michaelmas up at Groom Creek. We started our afternoon creating a table centerpiece out of all the elements of the forest that we could find.
It turned out quite lovely. Now notice the pink tablecloth. It was not supposed to be that color. Lydia and I were dyeing it and it did not take any of the yellow dye. So we have a lovely shade of pink instead of orange.
This picture is so funny. The kids were so engrossed in the tales that I was crafting for them that they all look totally angry. We talked about the plan of happiness and the war in heaven. In truth they were all concentrating really hard.
We took our dragon and wrote all our discouraging, dark dragon words in our lives right now. Things like fear, anger, media etc... It was truly liberating writing these.
Then we enjoyed our supper. Chicken, homemade savory bread and really nasty tasting blackberries. We guess you know who fell into the bush before they were picked.
Maliea read stories to the littles.
Then our pinata was hung, to be conquered by all.
Get him Thayne!
Quayde broke off the dragon's tail
Chaiya the warrior!
Our pinata held all manner of things to remember the light. Wooden stars painted gold, beeswax candles in yellow and orange, SUNkist fruit snacks, butterscotch disks and STARburst candies. It was so fun seeing how all the kiddos got into conquering.
We were all so stuffed from eating supper and the fun stuff in our pinata that our sweet dragon bread had to be devoured much later in the evening. Chaiya said that this was her very favorite festival and that even as a grown-up, she will always come back to celebrate it with us. Of course that makes my momma heart happy.
This year we focused on the deep meaning and more spiritual aspects of this festival as it really might be one of the last that the older girls share with us. As the sun set and we left Groom Creek for the last time as a family, we said good-bye to our festival area. I hope that we will be able to find a new place that is just as magical when we get back East.
5 ponderings:
This was so much fun to see and read about. It's a great festival to celebrate for so many reasons.
What a beatuiful celebration! I came very close to not remembering Michaelmas this year, but you have inspired me. Our celebration will be a little late, but I don't want to let it go. As you said, the deeper meanings are so important.
xo
Beth
I love the Michaelmas festival and all the meaning behind it. My son wanted to make a pinata this year to, but we never got around to it. I like the idea of writing the words on the dragon.
It looks like you had a beautiful celebration this year. And I love your new blog space!
PS. We will be "neighbors." When are you moving? We will be in Newell, WV for the Fiestaware tent sale in 2 weeks. That may not be too far from you...
beautiful and thoughtful!!!!
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