Martinmas Lanterns

We celebrated Martinmas a day late. The little one returned this morning and after our baking was done (molasses-honey cookies!), we set to work on our lanterns. We tried the paper-mache way, which was super messy, but super fun.

To make paper-mache lanterns (I got the instructions from here, but I'll write them out so I remember next year) blow up a balloon and place the tied end in a small bowl (to keep it steady). Make a mixture of half glue (we used regular old Elmer's) and half warm water. "Paint" the mixture onto the balloon and stick strips of tissue paper on until the whole balloon is covered down to the top of the bowl. Allow to dry and repeat several times. When the whole balloon is dry, pop it, and you'll have a hollow lantern to stick a candle in! We still have to punch holes in the top and loop a piece of yarn through for our evening walk.

We also started the tradition (inspired by Grace here) of setting out a tray with an orange and small piece of chocolate to share between the three of us, in honor of St. Martin. You can read the story of St. Martin here (scroll down!) which I told an abridged version of to the little one. We're still trying to weave our way in and around the religious aspects of Waldorf to help it fit with our family.

The little one and I sang our lantern song while we worked (her preschool teacher sent me this link to hear what it sounds like!) ::

I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
The cock does crow, the cat meows, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.

I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
So shine your light through the still dark night, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.

And just some cute photos from today. Sasa requested a bike picture. He was headed to an event for work and had loaded up the bike trailer full of books. The little one was fascinated by this and as Sasa started to ride off she said, "Stop Sasa! Wait! I have to give you a kiss!" Those two are pretty darn sweet!

Comments

[PaiselyJade]

Cute pics - love the lanterns!

[Grace]

I hear you on your concerns about what are perceived as the "religious" elements of Waldorf. But as you dig deeper into it and gain a deeper understanding of Waldorf education, its background, and the strength of the philosophy that grounds it, these elements may come to make more sense to you. What is important is the archetypes in use, not that we "believe" in x, y, or z.

This article may help: http://knol.google.com/k/eugene-schwartz/anthroposophy-and-waldorf-education-do/110mw7eus832b/26#

And this: http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/learning-more/articles-on-aspects-of-waldorf-education/is-waldorf-education-christian.html

This one is also helpful, but slightly different: http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/learning-more/articles-on-aspects-of-waldorf-education/working-with-the-spiritual-basis-of-waldorf-education.html

Anyway, good luck. How fun to see that you are on a Waldorf path now!

[hinke]

We make the lanterns from turnips, carrots or a beetroot (I hope this is the right translation ;)) The philosophy is that the turnip has grown the hole summer in the ground and gathered the strength of the sun, you can see it as a gift from nature. We hollow them with an apple corer and decorate it with fun patterns. I thought you would like to get know of this "waldorf style" lantern :)). groetjes hinke
There is an example on my weblog...

[Trinity Mommy]

Thank you for sharing how you did it! I am going to have to try these with my kiddos!

[Nadine]

Sweet pictures! Celebrating is great every day. The lanterns turned out exquisitely! I'm hankering to do some paper-mache now! : )

[natasha s]

I love paper mache.so much fun!
It takes me right back to being a child again.
I love the pictures of E with Sasa
x

[healing hillary]

beautiful photography. i can't believe i am just now discovering your blog. i can't wait to come back for more!

[Linda]

Such lovely lanterns...

[AmberS]

I attended a Waldorf kindergarten as a child, but then attended public school starting in first grade. I am working to incorporate more Waldorf elements into my life. Your recent posts, including this one, have been so sweet to me. It reminds me of my childhood in the best possible way, and gives me some tools to re-connect with it as an adult.

I think we may make some lanterns of our own, even if we are a bit late. :)

[AJ]

Love the lanterns. I haven't done papier maiche in such a long time. I think we will have to do this with the kids.

[Colleen]

Such beautiful lanterns. We made some a couple of years ago out of glass jars and tissue paper that we love; but I would like to try different kinds each year. The song is so sweet, thanks so much for the link. We sang this one:
my lantern, my lantern
shining near and far
shinging like a moon, shining like a sun, shining like a silver star

[The Magic Onions]

Ooh, please share this lovely craft on Friday's Nature Table... pop on over to my blog to post a link to it.
Blessings and magic.

[Bluebirdbaby]

Grace...Thanks so much!! Those are great links. Sasa and I were actually just talking about what you said last night and realized there is so much more than just a religious aspect :)

[Bluebirdbaby]

hinke :: Those are beautiful!! Maybe when the little one is older we can do this! Thanks for the idea :)

[Bluebirdbaby]

healing hillary :: welcome! I hope you enjoy what you see :)

[Bluebirdbaby]

The Magic Onions :: I added it! Love your blog. Looks like some great project ideas on there! Thanks!

[The Magic Onions]

Thanks so much for linking on Friday's Nature Table... Have a lovely weekend,
Blessings and magic.

[Tammie]

your lanterns are quite delightful!

[sarah in the woods]

Lovely post. Your pictures are so sweet.

[Julie Alvarez]

Erin,
I just left this comment on another blog today, so I am copying pasting here because I'd like to know more about your approach on this.
"I was always drawn to Waldorf parenting and education. Waldorf schools here are toooo expensive and selective (not the right word to what I mean though...) and there are only a few. But Waldorf parenting can do it.
Nevertheless, I am restrained also by the religious origin of many things there, because we are completely non-religious people, and I really don't like religion messing with our beliefs. At the same time, I know that they may take religious based stories to set a whole universal point. So, there's my coming and going about all this.
Also, many of these festivities, just CAN'T BE taken without adaptation, because our seasons here are the opposite. And that is another thing that often pulls me off these ideas (like we don't have much in common with the things itself, but I still do think a lot alike regarding parenting)."
Also, we made those lanterns last year and loved them! We still have them hanging on our livingroom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3175736406/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3138350261/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3175718262/

[brooke]

do you mind my asking where you got your beautiful kitchen table? did you get it old and fix it up? or did you buy it as is? i just acquired a very vintage old table, practically the same style. it's rusty and needing some love. i'm prepared to give it, but have no idea where to start.