Lesson #27 The Red Tent

The Red Tent is something I hope to share with my daughter for many many moons to come...this Red Tent gathering took place at a friend's house in Lexington, Ky. There were about 50 women and it was a beautiful experience. It was wonderful for Evie to experience the empowering beauty of women coming together for the sacred purpose of sharing, creating, crying, laughing, singing, and eating with other women in all stages of life. 

This is copied from our red tent homepage:

"This is a gathering for women in honor of our cycles as women whatever phase of life we are in. You can come if you are a maiden, mother or crone. It's a movement started by Alisa Starkweather based a little on the book the Red Tent by Anita Diamant. Women come together, wearing something red. A sacred safe tent like place has been created with tapestries, candles and we eat, share stories, sing, dance, share our stories, laugh, cry. Each woman adds something to the temple and we together co-create this into something empowering, healing, creative and beautiful. Typically this will be held on or near the new moon. You are encouraged to bring a journal and pen. Please always respect the confidentiality of everyone in the group as we want to keep this a safe and sacred place for women to share." 

Somehow we were not in the pics taken, but I will make sure to take one or two next month. Evie is already excited to go and so am I! 

                               

Lesson #26 First Formal Dance- A Formal Birthday Party!

A friend of Evie's, a lovely and sweet girl, had a Formal Sweet 16 party. Evie and her other homeschool buddies went together and had a great time. It really was the equivalent of a school dance, and that is exactly how it felt when I dropped her off! I really wanted to say something like...now don't be kissing boys outside, but since she would have been like, "MOM!" I didn't....heehe...I am glad she had this opportunity to enjoy this party and I know there will be more!

Her look was very classic and she looked just beautiful!

Evie looking all Hollywood

some of the kids out front of the building rented, Evie in the back to the left

Lesson#25 2012 Holiday Fun

 I have been slacking on my blog...so many things going on the end of the year that I will now have to add after the fact...oh well. That is how the holidays roll right :) This year we are grateful for the time that was spent with friends and family. Evie's dad was here visiting from California for a few weeks, we had friends over Christmas Night and as always spent actual Christmas Day at home together just cooking and enjoying each other and our gifts. It is a fabulous tradition we established years ago. We see family all around Christmas Day, such as the Eve, the day after, weeks before, ect. However, on Christmas Day itself we don't leave our home and it is a fabulous thing. No hustle and bustle just the enjoyment of our own health, good food, and each other. This year we walked in the woods a bit, and created our own giving alter in the woods, thanking the Universe, the Divine, Mother Nature, God, all names of the higher power, for our blessed family and for the blessed day. The pics are a little askew, they wouldn't aline right!

Me in my awesome new coat made of recycled sweaters, playing with Evie's Henna tattoo pen, opening her new elven quiver, and making ornaments with friends

We like to play dress up in the woods...yes we are those weird people and love it! 

Evie with her new utility belt on, our fabulous meal, and me and Mark.

Evie 14, Destiny 15...her comment was, "I am older than you again."