Making honey...

The Twelve Blessing of Childhood

2010-10-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone

You may have noticed by now that Making Honey is having a rest. I just can't keep up with two blogs, a website, full-time work at the shop and being the mum I want to be as well. But do please come over to the Story Tree at Honeybee and join me there. I have moved my lovely felted banner over there too.

Today we are featuring the first of our articles from Amber at Mama Moontime on the Twelve Blessings of Childhood.

And in the next few weeks we will be sharing ideas for a peaceful Advent...

warmest hugs to all my old friends here

Winter Giveaway

2010-06-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let all my friends over here know that we are having a little winter giveaway over at the Honeybee Toys blog...thought you might like to check it out. http://honeybeetoys.blogspot.com/

Hope those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are enjoying this wonderful winter rain!!!! My garden hasn't looked so green for years!!!

Counting my blessings...

2010-04-28T04:50:00.001-07:00

In 2 weeks my first little baby will be 12! Yes, it might be a cliche, but it honestly seems like yesterday I was holding her as a little baby in my arms. Still the same blue eyes and sweet and honest soul! With Mother's Day to share on Sunday and her birthday the week after I am quietly counting the many blessings of being a mother, and still remembering to cherish every day, every moment....

Palm Sunday Blessings...

2010-03-28T03:21:00.000-07:00

And today we transformed our seasonal table for Palm Sunday. Making these sacred spaces in our home has brought us so many special times together, we have been doing this for 10 years now and we all look forward to it so much...whatever your own traditions are, it's nourishing for the soul.

Our gateway to Easter...

2010-03-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows me well, knows this is my favourite time of year. Somehow the turning of leaves, the gentleness of the light, reflects the sacredness of this time.

Thank you to the beautiful BHPS teachers who performed this play against the backdrop of the dawn light on Friday - it was truly moving, and a beautiful way to move into Easter. The children sat transfixed and we all enjoyed a feast of hot cross buns for breakfast afterwards.

My love to the people of Samoa

2009-09-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

Some years ago I had the privilege of holidaying in Western Samoa. It was by far the friendliest place I have ever visited. I attended a church service one Sunday morning and was touched by the beauty of the singing and the open-heartedness of the people. I was instantly befriended by a young woman, taken to her father's home, bought food, and welcomed with open arms in her village. A few days later, this same young woman took me to a waterfall, where we slid down the rocks together into the pool below. Her smile was as wide as the sky.

My prayers, thoughts and love go out to this young woman and her family and all the Samoan people there who have been affected by the Tsunami today. I hope their amazing sense of faith and spirit, and their abundant love gives them much strength. And may their enormous generosity be returned to them now in their time of need.

Wordless Wednesday...a spontaneous moment

2009-09-30T04:03:00.000-07:00

Farm Girls

2009-09-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

The coming of Spring for us always features a visit to Bundoora farm, and feeding time for the lambs and kids.

While the girls galloped around freely like two Spring fillies, I soaked up the warm sun on my back with a good light hearted (and long overdue) read with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. This little hen decided to join me. The joys of Spring!

My Story Tree Blog

2009-09-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

My toy shop blog The Story Tree was going through a bit of renewal today...it must be Spring!

It takes a while for a blog to find it's voice, well at least that's my experience. I've decided that the only way I can write is from the heart, and I would really like to write about what has inspired us to "play" as a family, the inspiration we have found from the work of Rudolf Steiner, and also hear stories from our customers too. My daughter was happy to pose for a photo or two, and she might even write some book reviews.

It's taken all afternoon, but I'm fairly happy with it, except for the banner which I have an idea for...

Here 'tis so far http://honeybeetoys.blogspot.com/

Book Week

2009-09-10T05:10:00.001-07:00

Introducing Miss Elizabeth Bennett...

Winter in retrospect...Part 3...winter by the sea...

2009-09-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

My Dad was diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer a few years back (he's taking Chinese herbs and it's not getting any worse) but as he turns 85 this year, we are conscious of spending as much time as possible with him. So, when T had to pick up her new glasses all the way down at Queenscliffe (3 hours drive) we decided to make it an adventure with Papa!

When we arrived the first thing we did was head for the beach - it was SO cold but that didn't stop the girls wanting to explore.

We had cosy "Hideaway" Cottage waiting for us. I really enjoyed being here, it was so simple and peaceful and set me reflecting about all the clutter we gather in our lives.

Charlotte and Irena seemed to feel right at home too.

The next morning the sun greeted us as we enjoyed breakfast watching the passenger Ferry's come in through the heads of the bay.

We took a little time to find out some history. At the time of European discovery of the area, it was inhabited by the Bengalat Bulag clan of the Wautharong tribe, a member of the Kulin nation. In her first term of class 5 this year E had learnt that William Buckley, convict escapee, was the first European settler in the area in 1803 (hopefully I can post some of her work on that at another time). Permanent settlement began in 1836. Because of it’s position at the head of Port Phillip Bay, Queenscliffe was originally a fishing village and soon became an important cargo port, hence it’s famous lighthouse. It became a popular tourist destination as early as the 1800’s, and now carries tourists across Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.

The main street of this historic town is delightful to wander around. I was very taken with this art deco shop front amongst the nineteenth century buildings.

There's some fun Op Shopping to be had here, and T bought herself this lovely necklace which we fancied was very 1960's.

I found a pretty piece of lace, and an old fashioned lolly shop where we indulged in sherbert foutains (just like Papa used to by me when I was little!).

In the pale afternoon sun, the girls paddled by the old jetty;

Until paddling turned waist deep - in the middle of winter!!! The joy of being 9 and 11!!!

We warmed up with hot fish and chips in the park overlooking the ocean - the end to a perfect day.

Our Winter...in retrospect...Part 2...life at a different pace

2009-09-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ever since we read the series of Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingles Wilder, our family has had a passion for the nineteenth century. The girls have been wanting to visit Sovereign Hill (recreating Victorian life during the 1850's Goldrush) all year, even Brendan was able to take a well-earned day off work - we had a great day!

This ice-sculptor was amazing to see in action...as was his work...

One of our favourite parts of Sovereign Hill is the Chinese village on the Goldfields, a part of our history we don't hear much about. I was touched when I turned around in the Chinese Temple to see E on her knees praying. I found out later that she was praying for the people who had died in the riots in China on 5 July, just a few days beforehand.

Our winter...in retrospect...Part 1...Midwinter Birthday

2009-09-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

As this little bear seemed to be hibernating over the last few weeks of Winter (ie. conserving energy for living and all that needed doing), I missed sharing how we enjoyed (for a few moments at least) the quiet hush of this season. Here's a glimpse of what we got up to...

T chose the theme for her 9th birthday "Christmas in July" - we really soaked up the Midwinter astmosphere.

My Dad

2009-09-06T04:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to my Dad...the best Dad a girl could have; my Dad taught me:

to catch a fish and skin a rabbit

build and fly a kite

paint a fence

not to take life too seriously

stay young

drive a car

burn the toast

build a campfire

put up a tent

swim

play practical jokes

plant vegetables

build the world's biggest sandcastles

boogy board

sing "10 Green Bottles"

be there for your children

polish my shoes

skin an apple

tie my laces

the art of storytelling

generosity

to rollerskate

not to pull faces when the wind was changing

to save money

to lift my face to the sun

to see the wide, wide world

to waltz

to prune a rose

patience

to work hard

a sense of fun

to enjoy life to the fullest

and my Dad taught me, to love...

aha!!!

2009-09-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

Finally found the time today to work out the new camera. I love this photo that my 11 y.o. took of her sister with her new camera on her 9th birthday. Beauty observing beauty.

Welcome Spring...

2009-09-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

Gosh, it's been something like 6 weeks since I've managed to blog. I've put it down to two reasons: firstly, all our photos since my daughter's birthday have been taken on her "new" camera, and I haven't had the time to work out how to download them yet; and secondly my physical body has been calling out to me to receive some tender loving care...and so I've been forced to listen...

Just received these lovely photo's tonight. My daughter's Class 3 started on their "Building Project" today - what a lovely way to welcome in the Spring sunshine. I can't wait until it's my turn to have a day off from my shop work in a couple of weeks, and enjoy time building with the children.

The Class 3's have chosen to build a Lizard seat near the Permaculture Garden...T came home exhausted but so happy today...

Stage 1...stay tuned...

Birthday prayer

2009-07-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

Each of my daughters has a candle that I lit as they made their way into this world. Each year, on the eve of their birthday, we light it again. Sitting beside them tucked up in bed, in the soft candlelight I tell these words:

When I have said my evening prayer,

And my clothes are folded in the chair,
And Mother switches off the light,

I'll still be nine years old tonight.
But, from the very break of day,

Before the children rise and play,

Before the greenness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be nine years old.
Nine kisses when I wake.

Nine candles on my cake!

Busy little bee....

2009-07-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Time is speeding up, we all feel it, and technology sucks away our time. Sit down at the computer and before you know it, hours can slip away. I have so much news to share, but no time to share it, and for now at least I need to be "present" with those around me and allow space for my inner work.

Consequently, my blog is being very boring. I have so much to share - all our school holiday adventures for one thing, my youngests birthday, many things which will have to wait while I go on "living".

I was commenting to a fellow blogger last week, that there have been a few moments in the last few weeks where I have wondered if the blog is reflecting life, or driving life? As much as I love writiing I have to be careful, I want this blog to remain authentic but not take over my life.

Hopefully, I'll be back soon, but I've decided very clearly this must be a "guilt free" blog, so I'll write as I can.

The healing power of stories

2009-07-03T04:47:00.001-07:00

A few nights ago we enjoyed one of those "spontaneous" moments. Our Papa was visiting, and another young friend, and we decided to light our open fire and roast marshmallows and chestnuts. Everyone got into the spirit of the night - collecting kindling and lighting candles. Then we sat back and relished the warm gooiness of the toasted marshmallows to the joyful popping sound of the roasting chestnuts (which by the way were buttery and good!) and the haunting tones of Loreena McKennitt. On our stove top, bubbling away all this time, was a big pot of split pea and frankfurt soup (from Nigella Lawson's Feast - food to celebrate life cookbook I was given for my birthday last year).

Afterwards we made a circle in front of the fire and had storytime....I started the story, then each person had a turn in adding to the story....this is when the magic really started....I was so moved my what came forward in the story from each person....how animated and serious each of them was; and in a way each turn revealed to me something of what is happening deep down inside of each of them right now. Our storytellers ranged in age: 6, nearly 9, just turned 11, 41 (that's me) and 85!!

It was a glorious story that involved a princess (of course) on a quest to find a mysterious light in the forest. It involved falling through a trap door, into a deep dark cave, meeting a giant bear (who was really a prince bewitched), building several shelters on the journey and gathering 12 magic crystals (from behind 12 magic doors) to release the prince from his bear-body prison. The princess in the end solved the great mystery of the mysterious light: it was really made up from the love of all human beings, and that the love gathered together would light up their way through all the darkest nights of winter (this from the nearly 9 year old).

To be honest, I totally lost track of the time, we were all of us transported into a hushed and imaginative place...like troubabours of old....I've been struggling a bit with certain things this winter, but this was just the healing balm I needed!

And the pea soup was good too!!!

High Tea

2009-06-28T17:40:00.001-07:00

Rose Tea anyone? Butterfly cake with that? Feeling very ladylike in Ama's gold gloves and pretty dress from Grandmama, off to celebrate a special friend's 9th birthday. It was like stepping back in time - the kitchen smelt glorious - of homely baking, the lace-covered table was piled high with old-fashioned goodies: matchsticks, peppermint and rose creams, sponge cakes; the pretty girls all dressed in their finest; and the cook resplendent in an authentic 1950's housecoat and apron! (Pity I don't have a photo).

Winter Solstice

2009-06-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

Last week our family enjoyed one of our favourite nights of the year - Winter Solstice. For seven years now we have rugged up in our warm coats and hats and ventured out into the darkness of the starry Southern skies. We have gathered with our school and kinder communities - many who have now become close friends - and celebrated the darkness and the light. Every year as I witness the children holding aloft their lanterns as they walk and sing I am reminded of that every human being on this Earth has a light inside of them and that when we hold onto this light within, we shed light on our world and all those around us. It is truly moving, hushed and beautiful night as we make a string of stars through the inky dark.

At my youngest daughter's school, the Grade 6 children bring the light to the school with a procession of fire torches, with reverance, they slowly make their way into the middle of our gathering and finish in a spiral...then we all sing and hand in hand step forward on our lantern walk.

I walk with my lantern,
My lantern walks with me.
The starts up in heaven,
They shine on me.
My light goes out,
we all go home,
Labimmel, labahmmel, laboom!

Under the full moon light we dance;
spirits dance, we dance;
join in hands we dance;
join in souls rejoice.

And my favourite

The gift of the light, we thankfully take
For it shall not be, alone for our sake
The gift of the light, we thankfully bring
To shine on our way, this midwinter's day
This soft candle light, we'll keep in our heart
To warm us each one, when we are apart

This year, we had the great pleasure of experiencing two winter festivals. At my oldest daughter's school we gathered in the hall in complete darkness - it was a truly reverant and holy atmosphere to be in. It is my daughter's turn to be part of this next year, so I am saving up to talk about it until then....

Each year my girls have made a new lantern in their class - we have quite a lovely collection now: glass jars decorated with tissue paper, tin cans with nail hole patterns for the light to shine through, ballon shaped paper-mache lantern, and watercolour painted paper lanterns.

This is how T made her paper lantern:

Take a piece of quality water colour paper
Cut it to size, and fold over the top by 3 cm for a smooth edge
Fold the paper into a cylinder shape and measure the diameter of the bottom
Cut a circular piece of cardboard to the size of your diameter
Make cuts half the diameter of the cardboard circle in length along the bottom of your paper
Unfold your paper and decorate using watercolour paints
Fold and glue to the top edge and then fold into the cylinder shape and secure with glue (use a peg to keep it together while the glue dries).
Place the cardboard circle into the base of your cylinder then secure in place by pasting the cut pieces of the bottom of your lantern over the top
Make two holes in the top of your lantern and use plaited wool to make a handle
Glue a tealight candle in the base
Light your candle and enjoy the beautiful glow....

The Art of Being and Bonding...

2009-06-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

There's something very special about the bond between a father and his daughter don't you think? For the last couple of years my girls have been spending time at Aussie Rules footy with their Dad. It's not that they are avid footy fans, in fact alot of the time they don't seem to know what's going on at all. But they do really enjoy this time for no other reason that it is special time just spent with their Dad, sharing his passion, sharing a whole day together, cheering together, talking together, walking to the game together, bonding...

Dan (who is a very special friend, and now works with us in our Honeybee stores, and helping out - and he is a HUGE help - in our warehouse), just sent me this lovely photo which captured something of his weekend - setting up this imaginative play scene with his 7 year-old daughter. There's no better way to spend a weekend as far as I'm concerned, than just "being" and "playing" with your children. The precious years of childhood pass so quickly. When I look at this photo I imagine the small nuances, the subtle moments, the real "creating" that may have unfolded - the creating of a relationship, of communication, of intimacy, of love, of discussion, of joy, of negotiation, of patience, of bonding, of being...

Today, I spent five and a half hours in the car with my youngest daughter, driving her to a specialist optometrist. We had to drive down one of the most BORING stretches of roads in Victoria, but I have to say it was a lovely trip. We didn't put the radio on, we didn't play any games (not consciously), we were just enjoying spending time together, we didn't do much at all except BE - basking in each other's company!!!

Favourite Rainy Saturday Fun

2009-06-13T20:06:00.001-07:00

Rollerskating spells:

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling (on two skinny blades)

Outstanding skill (after weeks of practise and falling over)

Linking hands

Legs moving, sprawling, wobbling, racing...

Endless giggles

Really good friends

Speed skating (which means Mummy turns white!)

Amazing balance

Top ten tunes and crazy dances

Impressing Mummy with boundless energy and daring skill :-)

Never wanting to leave

Great fun for all the family!!!!!!!

If you're in Melbourne check out Skaterz where we spend many a rainy Saturday.

The joy of turning 11

2009-06-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

My eldest daughter turned 11 a couple of weeks ago. I really don't know how the years fly by so quickly, but they do...always a reminder to me to enjoy every day, every moment.

Regular readers will know that this year my daughter moved to a new school, and being quite shy, it takes her some time to make friends - she's very thoughtful and considered they way she goes about it, and that takes time. I thought it might help if her classmates could come to her home, to get more of a picture of who she is, and to get to know her a little better. Besides, we love parties at home - I think out of "19" combined birthdays, we have so far only had one away from home, and that was for my youngest last year who celebrated at her 8th at one of her favourite past-times "rollerskating".

The birthday girl came up with her own "theme" for her party, browsing through her Great Big Glorious Book for Girls she came across the idea for an "Orange" party.

Orange Birthday Party (from The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls)

*Invitations: orange, of course, and orange shaped
*Dress code: anything, as long as it's orange
*Food and drink: oragnes, orange cheese, orange peppers and carrots; orange juice, orange jelly and anything else you can think of that's orange.

*Birthday cake: orange-shaped and flavoured, with orange icing!

We added pumpkin soup, melon and marshmallow skewers, and capsicum dip with carrot sticks.

And of course the orange birthday cake.

Party games included "Find the Orange" a variation on a treasure hunt; each orange had a number painted on it, and at the end the numbers each person had found were added up - the closest to the birthday girls age was the winner!!! There was also "Pass the Orange" which got lots of giggles from the girls as they had to pass the orange from foot to foot without dropping it.

It was a really beautiful day, all of the girls really enjoyed themselves, played beautifully together, and were very caring towards the birthday girl. A few were even heard to say "this is the coolest party ever". It makes my heart sing to know that a group of 11 year old girls can still have a really good time together in such a simple way.

And the wonderful thing is that my daughter gained her confidence that day, and her friendships have continued to blossom beautifully....

Threads of life, threads of silk....

2009-06-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that life is like a giant tapestry? Up close, we are weaving our threads, intent on our creation, our picture, and then we take a step back and we notice the larger picture, the many threads of our lives, and the lives of others, drawing together to make up the tapestry of life. Well this week was one of those weeks when my attention was drawn to the bigger picture for a moment, when threads from three corners of the world seemed to come together for a moment, to create a little detail, a small picture, of the greater tapestry.

It started in our Malvern store, we had visitors all the way from the beautiful province of Suzhou in China, which happens to be the ancient city of silk, as well as being known for it's beautiful gardens and landscapes (see above). Our visitors were a young family attending a Steiner Kindergarten in China - they took photos of our store - and were very excited about seeing so many Steiner-inpsired toys and books in one place. After three visits, and all of us overcoming our language barriers with lots of patience and smiles from both ends, they left with lots of new inspiration for their Kinder. Steiner books and art supplies are VERY expensive in China, so we rummaged around and found a big pile of donations for them, and in return we received a beautiful pure silk scarf and an address in China to go visit! (Here's wishing).

Now this morning, I logged in to see what all my bloggy friends were up to today, and another thread was drawn into the picture. Mike from Sarah's Silks in Forestville, California - who supplies us with all our lovely silk dress-ups and playcloths - is in China, and what's more on his way to Suzhou!!! If you meet Vivian, Mike, send our love from Honeybee!!!! You can read all about Mike's journey on his Sarah's Silk Blog. Mike has been visiting the Chengdu Waldorf School and has some great pictures and experiences to share. It makes my heart sing to know that Steiner education if finding a place in China.

Today is World Environment Day, so it seems rather appropriate to thread another needle and tell you a little about Sarah's Silks. Sarah's Silks is one of my favourite companies because they are living proof that it is possible to manufacture in China ethically and provide people with meaningful work. The people at Sarah's Silks (which is a family run business) have visited China from the outset and ensured that the workers have good conditions and fair pay. Their silks are hand-hemmed in a small village near Shanghai, and the seamstresses work often in their homes, as their children play nearby.

From an environmental point of view, silk is a natural fiber, produced by silk worms, and therefore a renewable resource. The majority of the worlds silk comes from China, so it makes sense (from a carbon footprint point of view) that the products be manufactured where the raw materials are grown. (photo courtesty of Alberto's photostream).

Thank you to these inspirational little creatures - for making the strongest thread in the world, and for all of you out there - each of us linking to each other in sometimes invisible ways - but nonetheless through the strong threads of being human!

And our day...

2009-05-10T04:48:00.001-07:00

I can think of no greater gift in life than being a mother, having the privilege of watching these two precious souls unfold, and no way I would rather spend the day than I did today...cuddling, chatting and walking in the bush with my two beautiful daughters (and hubby of course).

PS. A sign of the times - daughter number 1 wearing Mummy's new hat, daughter number 2 wearing Mummy's drop earings!

My Mother's Hands

2009-05-09T23:56:00.000-07:00

Inspired by thestoryofbee and her dedication to her mother for Mother's Day, I decided to share with you the story of one of my mums. Being adopted I have two mums - Carol, my birth mum, whom I discovered at 30 (but had known all my life - that's another story), and Patricia my adoptive mum who brought me up in the most loving way any daughter could wish. This is her story....I wrote it as part of a writing assignment about 10 years ago, it was very healing for me at the time, and yet I still cried when I read it out to my two girls today. Sorry about the quality of the photo, I must get my scanner organised.

When I was five years old, my mother would comb my hair, disentangling it ever so gently so as not to make me cry. Parting it squarely down the middle, she would take long sections in her sturdy hands, and weave them into two perfect golden plaits. At six, I cried myself to sleep when she took me to the hairdresser and had it cut to shoulder length. I had been able to sit on it until then. It would be much easier now to look after in the sun and surf she said tyring to calm me. I didn't understand the implications of this act then. Both the hair cutting and the move to a warmer climate in Western Australia, was an attempt to cope with the beginning of crippling arthritis my mother was to suffer from her early forties onwards. In only a few years it would be I that brushed my mother's hair.

On looking back I realise how much my mother must have missed, not just the touch of a daughter's hair, but many things she had done; baking chocolate cakes and flans, knitting warm jumbers for Dad, the multitude of daily tasks, drving for instance, and the personal things too, like bathing and applying make-up. It seems in looking back that the story of my mother's life became intimately entwined with her hands.

Patricia Alice Murray, my mother, was born to Irish parents in the then paddocked suburb of Reservoir. Born in 1926 it would have been her 83rd birthday this year. She died a fifty-eight. The oldest of four children the burden of bringing up two brothers and a sister was cast upon her at twleve when her own mother died. Eileen Murray was killed in 1938 by a drunk driver, a rare thing in those days, so that it made the headlines of the morning paper. Eileen had been returning from a dance with six friends when the driver ploughed into the group, killing two of them. My mother often warmed me to never let the sun go down on an argument, for she and her mother had fought as she left for the dance, and her mother had never returned. It was then that my mother lost her first pair of hands, those that would have comforted her through the war years, that had opened the door to stangers during the depression, and that would have buttoned up her wedding dress. The intimate hands that had fed and bathed her young life were taken in an instant.

Mum kept Eileen's watch in a tiny tattered envelope by her bed, the hands had stoped at the moment of her death, and the watch, although taken to many jewellers would never work again. In later years, during nights of great pain, my mother often told me how Eileen would come in spirit and stand by her bed - hands outstretched - beckoning to follow her so the pain could stop.

My memories of my mother were often of a sick woman, face lined and pinched with pain. Her grand-daughter Joanne though, remembers here differently, a noble, dignified woman, like a beautiful but distant queen. This image reminds me of an old black and white photo which used to sit above the fireplace in my lounge. Like a hollywood star of the forties, my mother poses in a ball-gown, short hair in crimped and golden waves. My parents loved to dance and party, whether in their own home or at the grand balls held at the Southern Cross in the early 50's. When Mum could no longer dance, I dressed up in her long satin gloves, my hand lay where hers had been, and I too felt like a queen.

Even when hospitalised my mother maintained her air of dignity. Every few nights I would bring her long silk and satin nighties, bordered with rich brocade. In the morning I would scrub out spots of blood, my hands turning red too in the cold, cold water. My childhood was dotted with these hospital visits as operation after operation was performed on her hands. I brought her bunches of deep blue-purple violets, her favourite flower. Later, when in season, I would lay them on her grave.

I think the turning point came for Mum when she fell during a trip to England. Her wrist shattered into tiny fragments and the insertion of a metal plate froze it forever. As the years went by her hands became little more than claws. For many years she was in a great deal of pain, and as a 10-year-old I would sit behind her on her favourite chair, massaging the hurt in her shoulders away as we watched Little House on the Prairie and The Sullivans together.

The morning of my mother's death sits like a moment strangely out of shape in my mind. I found her at the bottom of the stairs, wet washing sprawled around her. My memories, like the day, are filled with the echoing crash of her fall. The doctors couldn't really explain what had caused the aneurism to burst in her brain - but (I thought) I knew. Night upon night, my mother would rise from her bed, dosing herself with pain killers prescribed by a string of doctors and hidden amonst the towels in the linen press. Stumbling around the house like a drunk she would often fall and hit her head, until Dad, woken by the noise, would put her back to bed.

As I stood beside the hostile hospital bed where she lay in a coma, I longed to whisper words of magic, to bring her back, or to leave a parting message that would bring completion to our lives. But through the shock of tangled tubes and nurses, at seventeen all I could do was hold my mother's hand.

Even today, as I sift through the memementos of my childhood, Mum's hands still tell the story of her life. At 12, the writing on my birthday card is still quite strong and clear, loops and curves rising up from the page, how I longed to write like that when I was young. At 16 though, the scrawl is barely discernible, pain etched in the wavering letters. The message though is always the same - sweet and beautiful - in it the essence of my mother is revealed.

It was the perfect day....

2009-05-02T18:28:00.001-07:00

The perfect ride

The perfect friends

Perfect, wind-in-your-hair joy

The perfect light

The perfect picnic spot

The perfect Autumn day....

The Story Tree at Honeybee

2009-04-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

You may wonder where we've been over the last few weeks....well I've been off adventuring in the *interesting* virtual world of "Twitter". Now if you've dipped your toe into this strange new world you will know that not only does it make no sense at all when you first enter it, but that once you do get your bearings, it is totally addictive. Consequently, as I certainly do not wish to spend too much of my life in virtual reality, I am going to have to allocate myself just a certain small time each day there. For parents interested in Steiner/Waldorf education, you will find that I have started a "twibe" (which in Twitter world is a group of like-minded people that connect up from around the world) - feel free to join if you are interested: http://www.twibes.com/group/Steiner

I also discovered that there would be great value in sharing with my blog with my twitter friends, but not wanting to expose my children to that wide, strange world (I have 1,200 followers and growing) I decided to start a new blog that would be far less personal, and more devoted to providing parents with information on creative and imaginative play, reviews of our very favourite games, books and music, and articles on green and conscious parenting.

This does not mean that Making Honey is going anywhere, far from it. I am really loving keeping an online journal about the life of my family - as I have never found time over the last few years to organise our photo albums, and I am enjoying writing again. If anything it means I can keep family and business a bit more separate, and that feels good. Of course I will still chat about books we are reading, games we are playing and things we are making.

So, if you are interested in making a little visit over to my new blog feel welcome - it's called The Story Tree at Honeybee (you'll find out why over there)....

Keeping the art of handcraft alive

2009-04-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Remember these cute little pullalongs from your own childhood?

These very sweet traditional toys have been made in the same villages in the Czeck regions of Stráž nad Nežárkou since 1946.

With the growth of Chinese manufacturing and cheap labour, these lovely handcrafted toys were nearly lost to the world, but thankfully now with many people appreciating the art of handcraft the villages are able to continue their trade, providing valuable work for local people, and ensuring these toys are around for more generations to enjoy.

Gabrielle Talks 2009

2009-04-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

For those in Melbourne interested in Rudolf Steiner's philosophy from a parenting perspective, the Gabrielle talks are on again this year.

"Every birth is a gift to us of an innocent, beautiful soul.
How can one embrace the young child of today? What effect does the rushing in our lives, the noise in our environment, the pressure of achievement and the impact of the media have upon our children?
All children need peace in which to grow and love to help them flourish. Imagination is food for their little souls; and a safe environment, free from the pressures of modern life will help to sustain them for their whole lives.
Their physical bodies and sense perceptions need a nourishment that does not over stimulate their nerves, and they need good rest, time in which to experience the world and wonder at it.
The Gabriel Talks will address these issues and develop them further, providing a basis upon which to develop an understanding of the growing child in the 21st century."

For a calendar of events and more information you can contact the Gabrielle Centre here.

For new mother's who are interested in understanding their baby and child from the perspective of the threefold human being: body, soul and spirit, I also highly recommend this book: The Incarnating Child. Written by the late Joan Salter, the founder of the Gabrielle Centre and well known for her work in maternal and child health care, this is a rich and nourishing book for anyone intersted in seeking the deeper meaning behind birth and child development, while being highly practical. I discovered this book 11 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter and have drawn on it ever since in my work with children.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

It's been quiet here on the blog I admit while I have soaked in the peace and reverence of Easter. Here's a little window of our Easter experience... Once a month I meet with a group of friends where we spend time nourishing our souls...Maundy Thursday we spent in darkness, candlight and quiet music, washing each others feet...it's beyond words to describe this evening...you can hear some of the music we played here - the Lord's Prayer in the ancient aramaic - this is a very moving piece.

Good Friday - enjoying the loving company of special friends and sharing bread (hot cross buns) and wine.

The girls painted.

Easter Saturday - we made the long walk up to the Healesville tower where we scattered rose petals and remembered my sister, as well as all those people that lost their lives in the fires. The mist gently covered the surrounding countryside, much of which had been burnt. I didn't take my camera, but one of the lasting images of this Easter for me was a tiny fern frond poking up through the blackened earth; there was a real sense of hope here today, and the town of Healesville was filled with people enjoying life in the Autumn sunshine.

In the afternoon and dyed eggs for our Easter table.

Sunday morning, of course Easter Bunny had paid his magical visit. My 8 year old was sure she had heard his "bouncing" during the night....he certainly had bounced around our garden.

And Sunday afternoon we share more good company with friends and a traditional lamb roast.

I am feeling full (in many ways) and grateful; hope your Easter was special for you.

Our Palm Sunday...

2009-04-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

We've been baking and making getting ready for Easter in our house:

Our little dough roosters, ready for the oven...

20 minutes later all golden brown and smelling lovely.

It has become a tradition in our home to make Palm Sunday Easter tree on the Sunday before Easter. The children love this time as we get to spend all day together - we bake these little bread roosters for the top of our Easter Tree, we pick leaves from the garden, we light candles and tell stories. It calms us all down and brings us the lovely expectation that Easter is approaching and reminds us all that life is precious and that we can have reverance in our daily lives.

Personally, I love the symbol of the Easter Tree - the cross shape is covered in greenery indicates that there is always new life and hope after death - the orange represents the life giving forces of the sun and Christ, and the rooster of course crows in a new dawn, new beginnings. On Easter Saturday we will paint eggs and hand them from the branches.

In Christian tradition Palm Sunday was the beginning of Holy Week when Christ entered Jerusalem seated on an ass and the people welcomed him by placing palm branches on his path. Around the world Palm Sunday has been celebrated in different ways. In England the day was called Olive or Branch Sunday, Sallow or Willow, Yew or Blossom Sunday, or Sunday of the Willow Boughs - the people made a figure of Christ seated on an ass, carved out of wood and carried it in a procession to the church.

In Germany and France it was customary to strew flowers and green boughs about the cross in the churchyard. When I was a little girl I would strew rose petals around my garden on Good Friday - I don't know where this came from, certainly nobody ever told me about it, but somehow I tuned into something. This year, my girls and I are taking the journey up to the spot where my sister's ashes are scattered, and we will scatter rose petals to remember and think of her.

Blessings to you all for Easter. I hope you all find time to do whatever is precious to you at this time of year whether you celebrate Easter, Passover or just spend quality time with your loved ones.

Here's how we made our Easter Tree

Indian feast

2009-04-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately you can't blog smells, or I could have shared with you the wonderful aroma of the Lamb Biryani the girls and I cooked for the Class 5 Indian dinner on Thursday. This is a lovely mild Indian dish layered with rice and baked in the oven. The lamb is marinated with limes, saffron (yes we were indulgent), cardamon, cloves, garam marsala, mint and garlic. It is delicious. (Re Recipe: I find you always need to add more liquid than the recipe suggests, I added double the amount of yogurt and didn't use the mace.)

We had a lovely night, mingling in the vibrant sea of silk sari's and bobbing heads of turbans, and getting to know some of the other parents.

We ended the night on a high with a traditional performance from a lovely, graceful and very supple Indian dancer - so beautiful.

The girls looked gorgeous in their sari's, and Erin was really pleased with the way her henna turned out.

Been missing bedtime reading...

2009-03-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

I was determind tonight to get back to bedtime reading with my girls...

peaceful time, sharing time, cuddle time, dreaming time...I love it

tonight's tale opened with an injured Centaur seeking out the help of a 21st century 9 year old, mystery and intrigue...

my oldest has read it already and says "the best book I've read apart from Harry Potter", but wants to hear it read aloud now, and my youngest just wants me to read "anything" aloud as long as she gets to cuddle and dream...

What's your favourite bedtime story?

Behind the green door...

2009-03-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

Remember that lovely green door a few posts ago? Well, this is what I see when I step through it each day with my eldest. Her class is studying the ancient people's this year, starting with India. Each morning we are greeted by the heady scent of incense and fresh flowers. Little bits of paper are also turning up all over the house - an experiment with Mandala's. AND in a couple of weeks we are having an Indian feast at the school - better dig my dahl recipe out. Anyone out there got a good curry recipe? Apparently we all have to wear Indian attire - so could mean a trip to Savers! The mandala maker, however, has been learning to wrap a sari from the most gorgeous material her Dad picked for her. Can't wait to see her wearing it.

Sharing our wares

2009-03-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

Brendan and Dan worked really hard sharing all our lovely treasures with other shop owners at the Australian toy fair. I love the golden glow of the stand...It's really hard work at a trade show - especially when you don't have a big team - the guys did a wonderful job. Hard work aside, it's a fun time of year for us as we get to find lots of lovely new toys for the stores, as well as catching up with friends from other stores and wholesalers. This time five years ago it felt as if we were "nearly" the only wooden toy stand at the fair - it's great to see that this is changing now.

2009-03-22T04:33:00.001-07:00

Silvers Circus Big Top
Originally uploaded by vanessagx

Under the Big Top

2009-03-22T03:34:00.001-07:00

Roll up, roll up...

There's a bit of a circus theme happening in our house at the moment. Firstly, my youngest started "circus" classes a few weeks ago and is absoloutely loving it! It is doing wonders for her confidence: learning to balance, juggle, hoola hoop, cart wheel; she returns home with big smiles every Monday.

Then today we visited Silver's for the first time in many years. It was a really pleasant surprise. I had vowed to never visit a circus because of the mistreatment of wild animals (I had a bad experience with Circus lions once - such a sad thing to watch a beautiful creature that should be free being made to perform). But today there was not an animal in sight, just a bunch of really entertaining folk bringing us a great afternoon of fun - the African gymnasists were amazing. My 84 year old father came with us today too - he told the girls stories of when he was a boy and used to slip under the sides of the tent for a free matinee - they loved that!

I am always interested in exploring archetypes and the spiritual truths behind them - why does the circus hold that special mystique for us as children, that seems to stay with us as adults (even if the reality doesn't meet the fantasy). The circus is a place where dreams and reality intersect, where the limits of human ability and perception are tested and surpassed. It is a place of escape from the everyday (to “run away and join the circus”), a place of spectacle & entertainment, and a proving ground for the human imagination. http://www.circuscharacters.org/

The circus theme continues on at our shops too....somewhere on a ship between here and Germany (snuggled gently in a big wooden box) are the new release Circus figures from Ostheimer, which should arrive on Australian shores in the first week of April. I can't wait to build a whole range of circus related toys around them in the stores. Already I am thinking: hoola hoops, diablos, juggling balls.

The Ringmaster
"If the circus is the field of the senses at play, then the ringmaster would be that part of your mind which directs attention from one thing to the next. The ringmaster is the master of ceremonies, the stage play narrator, the television talk show host or tv news interviewer who acts as interpreter of events on behalf of the audience. In the Tao Te Ching, he stands at the center of the circle or wheel and all spokes radiate outward from him."

The Magician

"In the Tarot deck, the Magician card stands for consciousness, concentration and the action of the Will. The card stands, in some sense, for the self-mastery required of the practitioner of this or any circus art: a singular dedication to study, improvement and self-mastery."

Clowns

"Clowns invert social rules and roles in overly dramatic and ridiculous ways, enabling audience members to “blow off steam” and temporarily upset the normal order. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound those who are mighty.” — 1 Cor 1:27"

The acrobat
"The acrobat trains and trains, building muscle memory and pushing the body to feats of flexibility, balance and elegance which to the ordinary person may seem near miraculous. The Ancient Greeks believed in the principle of a “sound mind in a sound body” for which they built elaborate gymnasia, compounds where physical exercise and training took place."

Green Week - Day 7 Sunday

2009-03-15T00:53:00.000-07:00

Whew - I did it - I posted everyday for a whole week!!! This week I have really enjoyed starting to write again after a long absence. It has also been really, really lovely to read your comments. I am really starting to enjoy this blogging thing! That's enough "really's" I think. Time to put my feet up and enjoy a cuppa.

The end of Green Week - really.

Green Week - Day 6 Saturday

2009-03-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous green Phlegmatic Puzzle is handcrafted by Grimm's Spiel and Holz and is coloured with natural non-toxic dyes. It is one of a set of four that is based on the four temperaments.

I discovered the four temperaments when I was studying the work of Rudolf Steiner (founder of Steiner/Waldor education), and I found it incredibly insightful. The four temperaments were first described by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. He described the basic personalities of all humans as being made up of four temperaments being: Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic. While there are four temperaments, each of us may have a dominant one, but usually a combination of two.

As a parent I have found that by recognizing and working with your own and your child’s temperament you can turn a challenging situation into a much more positive experience. For instance, a child that is bossy and stubborn, may really respond to being given leadership situations.

Each temperament has it’s own unique challenges and attributes. You might be surprised to know that A A Milne based his main characters on each of the four temperaments:

Cholerics- passionate; natural born leaders, temperamental, stubborn and prone to anger, get things done. Like Rabbit.

Sanguines - optimistic, fun, talkative, popular and sometimes over-bearing, a social butterfly skipping through life, enthusiastic, lacking focus, curious, difficulty finishing things. Tigger, Roo, Christopher Robin

Melancholics- gentle and kind, moody, can suffer from depression or negatitvity, sensitive, preoccupied with their inner world, cares for others. Eeyor, sometimes Piglet

Phlegmatics - easy going, steady going, likes to observe, reliable, willing to comple tasks, slow to action, calm, gets-along-with-all types. Winnie the Pooh

If you would like to learn more about the four temperaments, you can visit:
http://www.openwaldorf.com/temperaments.html

Green Week - Day 5 Friday

2009-03-13T04:44:00.001-07:00

Was just wondering what to post today, when I came across this wonderful voice http://www.myspace.com/jakewalden - I love discovering new music and this is beautiful...sublime vocals and a poet too. Jake's favourite book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein which is also one of my own personal favourites - it was given to my eldest for her 8th birthday a few years ago. This is the story of a relationship between a young boy and a tree who become best friends. The tree always provides the boy with what anything he asks for: apples, shade, wood, until in the end "tree" makes a final act of unconditional love. Simply written and illustrated, I enjoy the rhythm of this book, both in the lilting language, and the sense of time and growth. Although simply told, this is not a straightforward story, it raises many questions for the reader about the nature of life, love and the human condition.

Green Week - Day 4 Thursday

2009-03-12T04:51:00.001-07:00

This is the door my eldest walked through for the first time two weeks ago - to be welcomed with real warmth, care and friendship into her new school. She's the happiest I've seen her for a long time and it is a joy to drop her off by this door each and every morning. More pictures and stories from beyond the door soon.

Green Week - Day 3 Wednesday

2009-03-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Look carefully, yes, it's true, there are raindrops in our pond!! We are having rain for the second time in a week. OK, it was only a little, but we are enjoying every single drop. The girls are very excited - 10 years of drought makes up their entire lifetime - so when we have rain they really do love it. Sometimes this means running around the backgarden in sheer delight - grabbing pots and pans from under the gutters and tipping them over all the ailing plants - all done with much laughter, squeels and dripping hair and clothing!

I'm loving this...

2009-03-11T05:04:00.001-07:00

I think I would have liked to have been a beekeeper in a past life. This gorgeous postcard comes from Marie over at Vintage Postcards - she has collected some very yummy things over there.

Green week - Day 2 Tuesday

2009-03-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - Tuesday 10th March

My favourite little green folk from Ostheimer - I can't resist them! Made it with a second to spare - too much twittering tonight!

Green week - Day 1 Monday

2009-03-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

I've been inspired by Shelley at waldorf mama. To mark the beginning of Spring, in the Northern Hemisphere they are celebrating green week . I thought I would celebrate too (albeit a week later). Here in Melbourne in the Southern Hemipshere we are entering Autumn, but with a little rain after a long hot summer, drought and bushfires, instead of turning shades of gold and amber, we are experiencing joyous (!) splashes of GREEN. This is a celebration indeed!!!

DAY 1: Monday
Even after the drought Mother Nature has still provided some harvest in our garden.

Easter is coming...

2009-03-06T03:03:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun in the shop over the last few days getting ready for Easter and redecorating our window. Lots of lovely treasures (that make a nice change from an overload of chocolate) - the painted wooden eggs look stunning hanging on a bare branch I think, and I do love the Ostheimer hen house - I've seen a few copies of these around lately, so do be careful and ask for the box or a label when purchasing. Walter and Adeline Ostheimer began the forerunner to today’s Ostheimer Wooden Toys company in 1939. Their toys are based on the theories of Waldorf (Steiner) Pedagogy. Each animal is handcarved and painted with tranparent non-toxic paints. The smaller fake animals I have seen are factory made in China - such a pity - and you can not be sure of their toxicity, timber and labour sources. Help support handmade goods and make sure you buy an original.

The little brown doll is by designer Evi - these are ethically made by women in Brazil using natural cotton and pure wool stuffing.

Can't wait to get started on some Easter craft now - I think the girls will be ready for some of the more complex egg decorating ideas from Easter Craft this year, and maybe we'll sew the little egg cosies too - this book has so many lovely ideas we find something new to do every year.

The waterfall place...

2009-03-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon at "the waterfall place" (as the girls call it). We have been coming here since they were first walking. It doesn't seem like a waterfall to them anymore now their perspective has changed...but it is still our special, secret, relaxing place.

2009-03-01T03:33:00.000-08:00

Autumn is here!!!! Everyone who knows me well, knows also that this is my favourite time of year - slowly (in Melbourne) the weather starts to cool, the leaves turn and the shadows grow longer. It is also the time of Lent leading up to Easter. For me, there is a golden thread of truth running through all spiritual traditions - it resides in the human heart - it is the mystery of being human.

It is a gentle time of year, and as I watch the garden's subtle changes, I am reminded of all that must die away in life in order for something new to emerge. It is a time of quietness. This year I am having to let go...the drought has really done it's work...so many plants lost...so much barren ground where there was once green...

In our kitchen stands a simple empty bowl (a punch bowl given on our wedding day) on white cloth (a lovely piece of linen I bought in Eygpt 20 years ago) - each time I pass it I am reminded to make space in my life for all that is really important, and to empty out all the noise and clutter - all that stuff we hold on to - whether it be material, mental or emotional.

It is a time to be still...and be.

Girls night out...

2009-02-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

The girls and I had a real treat tonight. The lovely Sarah, who runs our Montmorency store, is part of the community choir - Yirriba - who were performing in Eltham. As community and friends gathered in the mudbrick hall...the children languished on cushions at the front - picnicing on brownies and punch, while friends and strangers chatted over hot cups of Chai.

We laughed at Stephen Taberner's, quirky humour and were enchanted by his double bass - Beatrice. (The girls have decided they too are now naming their instruments.)

We tapped our feet to the funky, jazz, bluesy, sounds of the Teskey Brothers

And finally, we closed eyes, swayed, danced the gumboot dance, clapped and swooned to the soulful passion, purity and sheer joy of these gorgeous human voices joined in harmony...

I had to smile as two more little voices rang out from the back seat all the way home...

Wee, wee, wee, all the way home...

2009-02-22T16:07:00.001-08:00

These little piggies found a new home with a four year old girl today - lots of love to her family. They were donated by Suse over at peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com - thanks so much Suse, they are adorable.

Open hearts

2009-02-19T12:47:00.001-08:00

This week has been quite emotional as like many people around Victoria we hear of more and more personal stories from the bushfires. Sarah at our Monty store has worked incredibly hard to get all our bags finished and her partner Andy kindly did the delivery runs - we've sent 60 bags out so far. We know we are only a little cog in a big picture of thousands who are helping - but our hands need to reach out in some small way. More big thank-you's to the following people who have given: Bronwyn who whipped up a big bundle of bags for us in an afternoon; Mercurius for big boxes of art supplies; Just Toys for a big box of traditional wooden toys; and the many, many customers who have given so generously.
20 bags and bottles arrive from SIGG (thank you Mal) for the children at Middle Kinglake PS who lost their whole school.

Handmade dolly's and beautiful books arrive in store - much gratitude to our Briar Hill and Montmorency community, Footprint books and the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School!

This family in particular really touched my heart this week. Two little girls from NSW, 6 and 8 who went through their own toys, that were obviously very much treasured, and chose to share them with other children in need - thank you so much for your beautiful parcel and pictures. I would like to share with you that they are going to a family of 6 who lost their home near Kinglake. I know the four year old girl and a six year old boy, will treasure them dearly. Lots of love and blessings to you for your thoughtfulness.

The way in which Australian's have responded to crisis is truly inspiring. I heard of a woman in Queensland whose home was damaged in the floods who was going to donate her insurance money to the Red Cross; there are so many stories like this one - and of course stories of incredible courage too. As armfuls of toys came into our store, and all the charity warehouses around Melbourne overflowed, it seemed to me that as a people we have all been called to examine what the really important things in life are, and to be able to give up that which is only transitory. I am sure we will look back in time to come and remember that our nation changed deeply because of Black Saturday - and that through enormous sorrow we were able to lift each other up and find that love really is present in our world.

Bushfire Housing

2009-02-13T19:03:00.001-08:00

Please spread the word about the Bushfire Housing site. "Bushfire Housing http://www.bushfirehousing.org/ is an online tool to facilitate the pairing of those that are homeless due to the Australian bushfires with those that have room in their house, a vacant rental, newly purchased investment property or holiday home they wish to offer as temporary accomodation."

Sincere thanks

2009-02-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

A sincere thank you to all our customers who have donated already. xxx And thank you to our suppliers who have also been incredibly generous in supplying goodies: Russ Australia (for all the little cuddly kittens); Voila toys, Footprint books, Mercurius Art Makes Sense, and Secret Gully Puppets. We have already had our first families in store today collecting their bags - they thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts.

Over the next week we will be delivering personally to the children at Strathewan Primary School and children at Kinglake, so be assured your contributions will go straight into the hands of one of the children or babies to help brighten their day a little.

We haven't been able to secure a donation of cloth bags as yet - sadly the last of our eco silk bags have been used up - so if you are handy with a cotton and thread - libary type bags for the children to keep their treasures in would be very much appreciated.

Bushfire toy appeal - Care bags

2009-02-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

Honeybee Toys Montmorency stores has many customers with young children living in the bushfire effected areas of Kinglake, St Andrews and surrounding areas.

Our hearts go out to all our customers who have lost their homes, and especially those with young families. As a small gesture we would like to offer a Care Bag to all those families whose children have lost their much loved toys in the fires.

We have spoken to many of our toy suppliers today for their help in donating items, and we will post details here as goods arrive. YOU may be able to help too, by donating any of the following:

A handmade felt animal or doll from your family
By purchasing a toy from Honeybee to put in the bag (all toys sold for this purpose will be at sold at a special discount - we will make NO PROFIT from this venture)
A book (on good condition) from your families bookshelf that you don't need anymore

Honeybee Toys will also personally donate a toy to every family in need. A note will be included in the bag to let families know that the items have been donated by local families and businesses.

You can deliver your handmade items or purchase toys at either of our stores:
10 Were St, Montmorency 9434 1003
264 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern 9500 8632

We hope to have our first Care Bags available for pick up from our Montmorency store by Saturday 14th February. We will be contacting local schools and kinders in the effected areas to let them know about the appeal and how they can pick up their bag. If you know of families effected by the fires please spread the word.

If you have a blog or want to email people about Honeybee Toys Care Bags please link to us here: http://honeybee-blog.blogspot.com/

Melbourne Fires

2009-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Many of our customers from our Montmorency store live in Kinglake, Strathewan and the surrounding areas devastated by the bushfires yesterday and today. We have heard already of people today who have lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you...there will be no more blogs this week for this reason. We will be lighting a candle and keeping all those in need in our hearts. xxx

Snow White and Rose Red

2009-02-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

Santa bought Tara this beautiful book for Christmas which we are just reading today. I think it must have reminded Santa of someone he knew. Devoted sisters and forever friends, Snow White and Rose Red are as lovely and sweet as the delicate flowers that inspired their names. Reminds me of two other devoted sisters and friends that I know - Tara Lily and Erin Rose perhaps!!! Well, they do fight sometimes, but you can fight best with those you love - because they love you no matter what!

People sometimes comment that they worry that fairytales are far too violent for children. I think this is a real shame as fairytales are really a rich portrayal of the inner life of the human being - when a child listens to a fairytale the darker characters become ways to work out the darker aspects of their own life - their fears, their feelings or difficulties that they have no control over. Fairytales can be incredibly healing. Some very good articles are available on this blog: http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrtransf.html

Parents sharing stories

2009-01-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

I found this wonderful site today full of the personal stories of parenthood...as a writer I found it quite inspiring; as a parent I could relate wholeheartedly to many experiences shared... http://www.parentingexpress.com/
Parenting Express gives a voice to parents and others who care for children. If you write creative nonfiction, poetry or fiction about your experiences of giving birth and the challenges and rewards of raising the next generation, we want to hear from you.

The transition from child to adolesence

2009-01-28T16:16:00.000-08:00

My little baby is growing up right before my eyes - as the mother of a ten-year old girl I have been so aware this last year of her transition from child to being on the thresh-hold of becoming a young woman - it comes with great joy as I watch her blossom and unfold the beautiful person she is becoming and also with a tinge of sadness in saying goodbye to the innocent days of childhood.

Austrian philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, states, "In the ninth year the child really experiences a complete transformation of its being, which indicates an important transformation of its soul-life and its bodily-physical experiences."

Around the age of nine, children seem to leave the magical, imaginative world that they have lived in and "wake up". This happens as their identity and individuality starts to develop – Steiner observed this the “I forces” coming towards the soul.

If you observe you nine year old you may notice some fundamental changes – they may become more self-conscious, begin to form one on one friendships as opposed to playing in a larger group, become aware about being different to others, and may become more critical of their parents (especially the mother!) – there can be a lot of questioning and even a sense of lonliness.

Another inner process that can happen at this age is that they have an experience of their own mortality – now it may not be expressed in this clearly defined way – but you may find your child around 9 has an experience of death or illness that makes them aware of this part of life for the first time in a conscious way. For instance, they may have a dangerous fall when bushwalking and say to you: Mummy, I could have died.

I also noticed an interesting change in play – although my daughter still does continue with some imaginary play – she is beginning to collect things:

these little Japanese Momiji dolls

suncatchers, and “useful but weird objects – a box full of bottle tops, feathers, paper clips and all manner of bits and pieces.” Here I sense a search within her to “define” herself – to explore her own personality, likes and dislikes and what makes her different from someone else.

It's a good time to begin after school activities - learning an instrument, art-classes, girl guides, sports etc. Often society pushes us from a very young age to do this, but the younger child needs time and space to explore the world and develop their own imagination, while the older child needs to explore their emerging individuality and their new found talents.

It is a beautiful time to watch your child emerge from the cocoon of childhood and spread their wings and explore who they are becoming. And it is a journey of trust, as a parent, to allow them to become who they truly are and not impose upon them who we are or think they should be…

Some additional information can be found here.

50 Things about Me!

2009-01-23T03:52:00.000-08:00

1. I got this idea from another blogger and it seemed like fun!
2. I started Honeybee Toys when my youngest daughter was four years old because I hated all the plastic landfill out there.
3. My clearest memories are of childhood. Children live in a magical, imaginative world - we should cherish it.
4. I drink alot of tea.
5. I am NOT crafty. But I appreciate and love the work of all the crafty mum's out there.
6. I enjoy painting mandala's when I have time.
7. I live in a mudbrick home and love it!
8. I love gardening and French provincial plants mixed with Australian natives.
9. I have two mums - one I grew up with, one that gave birth to me - they are both inspiring women.
10. I have a dog, two cats, a rooster, four hens and several goldfish - the children promised they would feed them all, but I still have to remind them EVERY day!
11. I have a spiritual view of life - I embrace all.
12. My husband makes me laugh, and laugh's at me a lot!
13. He keeps me grounded.
14. I have a soft spot for Bono and U2.
15. When I was 7 I had a pet blue-tongue lizard, it lived under a prickle bush at Venus Bay.
16. I have a possum living on top of my clothes dryer and it eats the cat food.
17. My two daughter's go to a Steiner school and thrive.
18. I am surrounded by an incredible and supportive group of friends.
19. I don't like ice-cream that much.
20. I'm a published author - Growing into Gardening with your children.
21. Before becoming a mum I worked in publishing as a Managing Editor.
22. I once met a man called Mario Schoenmaker who changed my life, forever.
23. I cry at movies all the time.
24. I am inspired by people that make a difference in the world.
25. Swimming in the ocean is the best.
26. I love bushwalking and don't do enough of it.
27. I always stop to look at the stars on a clear night.
28. My favourite books are the ones I read as a child: The Secret Garden, Little Women, The Diary of Anne Frank, Heidi.
29. I really get into reading to my children.
30. Everynight since my girls were born I have sung to them or said a prayer. It is our favourite time of day.
31. I have always wanted to bake bread.
32. I love living in Melbourne and the changing seasons.
33. In our house, birthdays are a 3 day festival.
34. I didn't discover doula's and birth assistants until I had already had my babies - what a difference that would have made.
35. Red wine is definitely better when shared.
36. I KNOW life goes on after death.
37. Everynight I light a candle and connect with that which is greater than me, and yet within me.
38. I am one of those people who likes the Sound of Music.
39. I have a special Dad who taught me how to put a worm on a hook, build a kite, grow a cabbage, skin a rabbit, drink froth on beer, paint a fence, camp under the stars and see the world.
40. I believe that the world is our mirror - what you see reflects who you are.
41. I don't get enough exercise.
42. I would do almost anything for a foot massage.
43. I read Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom - that was inspirational.
44. I love the smell of Christmas.
45. I think there should be more creative architecture in this world, and less destruction of our incredible natural world.
46. I like fancy dress parties.
47. I believe in reincarnation.
48. I don't care if my kids get muddy, as long as they're having fun.
49. I believe in freedom for every human being on this planet.
50. Some of the saddest and hardest times of my life have turned out to have taught me the most...there's always a light shining in the darkness, sometimes we just need to wait until it shows itself.

The Tale of Despereaux!

2009-01-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

Last week our family went to catch the movie adaptation of one of our favourite children’s books of all time – The Tale of Despereaux. What a disappointment! The movie so lacked the subtleties and depth of character of the book. However, we used it as an opportunity to discuss the creative process of movie making with our kids and how they thought it could have been done better – they did say they thought Miggery Sow’s character was just how they imagined her!

If you haven’t read the book, then I can’t highly recommend it enough – a really great read out aloud book for children 6-10 years of age. The book opens with these words: "The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story", and it never looks back. It truly is a tremendous tale about love and courage, betrayal and friendship, darkness and light. The characters are rich and many-layered with great voices. My two girls and I would read it together on the bed every night and it was very hard to keep just to one chapter – we all adored it and of course I cried!!!

Kate DiCamillo is quickly becoming one of our best-loved writers and we will be stocking all her books in our stores: Miraculous Journey of Edward Tullane and Because of Winn Dixie – both of which we have also read and thoroughly enjoyed!!!

Water play!

2009-01-20T18:24:00.000-08:00

Summer if finally here in abundance!! If you're family is anything like mine you will have had lots of water play over the last few days. We have a big saucepan sitting in our kitchen sink saving water, and the girls used it this week to do apple bobbing - they totally enjoyed get their heads soaked!!! I have been a little sentimental these last few days remembering my own childhood when we could run under the sprinkler and summer days just seemed to go on and on forever! While we can't indulge in sprinkler play anymore, there's still plenty of ways to cool down with water play. How about testing the loading capacity of these little boats. In order to do this, first step was to collect everything, that can be loaded onto the ships (stones, shells, coins,...) and drop it into the water (saved from the shower of course). Taking turns, everyone now has to take something out of the water and load it onto the boat. The one, at whose turn the boat will overbalance will loose the game. Lots of fun on a sunny afternoon.

Little walnut boats are fun to make too. Take half a walnut shell for the full, a toothpick for your mast, a small piece of modelling wax or clay to attach the mast to the hull, and colored paper for the sail. We've found some great ideas like this one in The Big Summer Activity Book by Anne and Peter Thomas available at our stores - it's a great investment and inlcludes tips on watching the constellations, bush walking and orientation, as well as heaps of inspiration for the beach and summer art and craft!

New Blog!

2009-01-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

This year I am determined to start my blog in earnest! I love sharing parenting ideas with people as I meet them in my stores and hearing their inspiration and experiences too, so I thought this would be a great way to keep on sharing. But in addition to that, as a working mum setting up a new business over the last five years, I have noticed that I have taken far too few photos of my children lately, and they just keep growing before my eyes. So this blog is for me and my family too - to remind me to keep taking photos and enjoy every moment together!!!

I draw inspiration from many sources - the work of Rudolf Steiner is one - I see my work as a mother to nourish my children to be their true selves and trust all that is wonderful and unique about them!

Receive the children in reverence; educate them in love; let them go forth in freedom.
Rudolf Steiner