The last two days have been the first two days of the school holidays - and life hasn't changed at all!! It is a whole new experience of 'flow' when the distinction between work and play, life and learning gets increasingly blurred....
BUSH TUCKER
The Satyananda Yoga ashram around the corner from us holds 'family yoga' weeks during most school holidays. We have contributed percussion, bush tucker and art workshops in the past and monday was the day for another bush tucker and bush medicine walk and talk.
Flex was the main presenter, confidently and passionately telling everyone about quandongs, blood tree sap, Davidson plums, gymea lilies, and native sarsparilla. We then went for a walk to wash our hands with Sydney Golden Wattle leaves (or 'saopy' wattle as we call it), and collect bracken fern and dianella leaves to make our 'bush sunglasses' with.
The Satyananda Yoga ashram around the corner from us holds 'family yoga' weeks during most school holidays. We have contributed percussion, bush tucker and art workshops in the past and monday was the day for another bush tucker and bush medicine walk and talk.
Flex was the main presenter, confidently and passionately telling everyone about quandongs, blood tree sap, Davidson plums, gymea lilies, and native sarsparilla. We then went for a walk to wash our hands with Sydney Golden Wattle leaves (or 'saopy' wattle as we call it), and collect bracken fern and dianella leaves to make our 'bush sunglasses' with.
The bush sunnies were a hit, bringing shade, insect repellant and of course huge smiles to most faces!! We all enjoyed passing on this valuable and fun indigenous knowledge, hanging out with lovely like minded people and as always, spending time at the ashram (which has become a bit of a home away from home). In fact, even though Flex wanted to go back to the farm due to a sore foot, Lucky chose to stay and help with the new art/play space at the ashram all afternoon, making friends and enjoying the serenity.
BAKING
Tuesday morning was our own private 'masterclass' with trained chef John, who heads up the kitchen at the ashram. He arrived having never really worked with kids before and was sooooo fabulous - patient, inclusive, relaxed and encouraging experimentation all the way. It just goes to show - great teachers are EVERYWHERE when you unschool!
We learnt how to make sourdough pizza crust and ciabatta loaves (with 20 year old starter which we have been left with - gulp - it's like having a new pet which needs feeding, warmth and love), potato gnocchi, tomato pizza sauce and simple pasta sauce.
It was so much fun - watching the dough rise, the starter come to life, hearing laughter and conversation, learning skills and making a new friend. Ann and Spencer came over just in time to help with the finishing touches and share in the feast which resulted - which was absolutely delish!!!
Tuesday morning was our own private 'masterclass' with trained chef John, who heads up the kitchen at the ashram. He arrived having never really worked with kids before and was sooooo fabulous - patient, inclusive, relaxed and encouraging experimentation all the way. It just goes to show - great teachers are EVERYWHERE when you unschool!
We learnt how to make sourdough pizza crust and ciabatta loaves (with 20 year old starter which we have been left with - gulp - it's like having a new pet which needs feeding, warmth and love), potato gnocchi, tomato pizza sauce and simple pasta sauce.
It was so much fun - watching the dough rise, the starter come to life, hearing laughter and conversation, learning skills and making a new friend. Ann and Spencer came over just in time to help with the finishing touches and share in the feast which resulted - which was absolutely delish!!!
Thank you so much for your time John. You are a true food and kid whisperer!
So after we had cleaned up the kitchen for the 8 millionth time that day, the kids ran out for a play in the paddock. They were soon treated to what must surely be one of the ultimate experiences in life - a handmade feast of fresh, tasty teeny tiny pizzas and homemade citrus and pieapple sage flower cordial - to be consumed UNDER the trampoline.
This is the stuff real life is made of ladies and gentlemen....now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to tuck in my sourdough starter and sing it a lullaby....
So after we had cleaned up the kitchen for the 8 millionth time that day, the kids ran out for a play in the paddock. They were soon treated to what must surely be one of the ultimate experiences in life - a handmade feast of fresh, tasty teeny tiny pizzas and homemade citrus and pieapple sage flower cordial - to be consumed UNDER the trampoline.
This is the stuff real life is made of ladies and gentlemen....now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to tuck in my sourdough starter and sing it a lullaby....
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