Sticks, Stones & Domes

I swore that I'd never be the kind of mother that you could tell had a lot of kids.  You'd never see bicycles and toys strewn all over my front yard, and my house would NEVER smell of diapers or sour milk.  You wouldn't see finger prints, and stains all over. But life with children is a bit of a trade off.  I have learned that you can have children and not entirely loose your swagger.

One of the things about children is they "LOVE" giving.  It is one of their greatest pleasures. They don't think about how much something is worth, or how much it costs, or what kind of name is on it. They give without any compensation in mind and with all their hearts.  They wait and watch with great anticipation as you unwrap, open, or view what they give.  Children are so genuine...

  

Mother Nature loves children and she she offers them all her beauty and wealth.  Most children don't have monetary resources, so Mother Nature becomes children's method for giving. 

So they will pick a flower from your well planted garden, or they will bring in a feather from a bird, or they will pick up seashells, acorns or sticks (which I can relate to). 

And since their discoveries are unique and one of a kind, you might find yourself with a whole collection of rocks from the driveway.

So after having so many children, I've had to think of creative ways to handle and display all that they bring in and resist the temptation of tucking it under the junk mail in the trash.

A cloche or dome jar lid is such a chic way of displaying these little treasures.  Visitors are naturally drawn to them and they set the perfect stage for our children's loving tokens. I picked mine up at Down East Outfitters for $9.  It's small.  But perfect for the nest that we found behind Albert's dresser last week and all the wonders my two little boys keep bringing in.  For them it takes the excitement to a whole new level.

You could use sparkling clean mason jars or jelly jars and have one for each child then run them down the center of your table, buffet, cabinet, or shelf.

Somehow capturing this passion that children have for nature and life is worth the time.

vicki

I Often Go Walking

Thoughtfully listen

1. I often go walking in meadows of clover,
And I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue.
I gather the blossoms the whole meadow over;
Dear mother, all flowers remind me of you.

2. O mother, I give you my love with each flower
To give forth sweet fragrance a whole lifetime through;
For if I love blossoms and meadows and walking,
I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you.

Words: Phyllis Luch, 1937–1995. © 1969 IRI
Music: Jeanne P. Lawler, b. 1924. © 1969 IRI

 One of my favorite books.

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