.:Plates, cutlery, cloth napkins, and rings all set on a low shelf for the children to make their own place-setting:.
There is great meaning in the simple daily ritual of eating together as a family. We are very enriched by sharing time together during each meal. We have come to know a rhythm of cooking together, each taking a special role in the preparation of the nourishment we collaborate with love to create and share.
During the summer months we gather ingredients from the gardens, and year round we chop, slice and prepare beautiful medleys of flavor and color. The food we eat from the garden keeps us rooted in the earth. We harvest it's gifts and nourish our bodies and minds with its abundant rewards.
.: The table is set with natural beauty :.
Wooden plates, bowls, cutlery, and cloth napkins are set for each meal. They are stored on a low shelf in a glass cabinet. The children enjoy placing their own setting. When a meal is complete they excitedly bring food scraps for the Vermiculture bin. after the plates are rinsed, we take a moment to apply Beeswax to seal each wooden piece.
.: Each meal begins with a table blessing read from a handmade Waldorf book of blessings :.
We enjoy the tradition of having our oldest child read a table blessing over the meal from a handmade Waldorf book of blessings before beginning the meal. I have preserved a lifelong tradition from my own childhood in asking each family member: "What was your favorite part of the day?" or "What are you thankful for today?" to bring us closer as a family.
Another personally cherished part of our mealtime traditions is to set the table at each meal in a beautiful way. Flowers from the garden in the warmer months, berries and greens in the colder months, a beautiful tablecloth, table settings, and napkins. Candles are lit with each meal to bring reverence to a special time as we all sit in one space together as a family.
.: I have been thinking for some time about creating napkin rings to hold each cloth napkin. Today my imaginings came to life as I created these twig rings to bring nature indoors. I am happy to share it here with all of you! :.
.: Our cats always enjoy when I set out crafting supplies! Recycled paper tubes are set out for creating! :.
For some time I have been saving cardboard paper tubes. (I appreciate that they are recycled) They make a perfect form for this craft.
.: Paper tubes are cut in half to begin our time of creating napkin rings :.
Cut cardboard paper tubes in half.
.: Approximatly twenty three twigs cut to length :.
Measure the tube and cut a branch to length. Then use this branch as the template for each additional branch, cut to the equivalent length. In total I used approximatly twenty-three twigs to cover one tube.
.: Secure each twig onto the paper tube with hot glue :.
With hot glue begin to glue each twig to the paper tube. This method may also be used to create a twig vase like the one I created here.
.: The finished napkin rings bring natural beauty to the table :.
Now your napkin ring is complete! I enjoyed the process of conceiving and creating these nature-inspired napkin rings and also enjoy the beauty they bring to our table!
May your meal time with your family be met with love and togetherness and your table set with beauty. I look forward to sharing this table blessing with you so that it may also grace your family meal time...
For sun and rain
For grass and grain
For all who toil
On sea and soil
That we may
Eat this daily food
We give our loving thanks
To thee.
.: May meal times with your family be a time of beauty, rhythm, and love! :.
