Beeswax & Candles...and the day that followed

This was our nod to Imbolc this year...sigh. Well, there was also the cleaning of the porch, and we certainly talked about this middle place between the solstice and the equinox, but we did not get more ceremonious than this, I'm afraid. I hope one day to be more prepared to imbue these particular marking points with more meaning, but in order for me not to get completely frustrated, I have to allow for being more casual about when things happen - so, I guess we mark the middle point today, instead of yesterday, and maybe more tomorrow, or next week, or...

So, this part of the year is traditionally a time to make candles for all of the celebrations of the year. I haven't gotten quite that brave (though this post makes me want to try!), but thought we could handle the decorating of some beautiful local beeswax candles that we purchased last week at market.

We pulled out our Stockmar beeswax, of which we have only stubs and balls left, and melted them on the lowest heat (~150 f.) for a few minutes in our oven. We then let them cool until they weren't going to burn little fingers. We found that we needed to pop them back in a few times during the process, as they would harden rather quickly.

We talked about thinking of the things we cherished in the world, the things we hoped for this year, the things we dreamt of growing...

I was so impressed with how focused the girls were on this; Ani stopping to sniff deeply - that beeswax just smells so good - and pry out another ball of wax to transform into a mushroom or a cloud...She was also diligent about helping me scrape the last bits out to salvage for another project! I love that this is the type of job that appeals so greatly to her.

Eliza immediately crafted an acorn, then a peach (she has big dreams), a brilliant cardinal...and as a last hurrah, this gorgeous sun, which is my favorite of all of them.

I got to play too, but you know, there is never enough time for me! I could have done this for hours....hmmmm...you know, this would make a fantastic project for an evening with some lady friends...a glass of wine, a whole lot of beeswax...very relaxing and satisfying, I would think.

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When we were done, we needed to get outside, though the clouds were low and the day felt a little gloomy...

We visited the Plot 55 - Hello Comfrey!!!

Of course the girls found a project - we smelled something dead-ish (as Ani put it, "I smell meat!") and the girls were determined to find the "murderer" - Mama, it's a REAL MYSTERY! I think they are digging a trench to catch the culprit; some poor hawk or raccoon, I'm sure...

And this is how we ended the day - an evening with Dan working at school. It is always wise to let the flow flow on evenings like these, when there are no reinforcements coming! This is where that flow went...they built a city on the kitchen floor.