Friday 28 June 2019



Summer Solstice Celebration
What a day!  We arrived in the rain and left in the sunshine. Rain did not "dampen" the spirits today. With our flower head garlands and musical entrance parade, we were off to a great start, rain or shine! 
It was a day full of fun activities, laughter, socializing, and playing in the beautiful garden. Half the fun was just setting up the space for an engaging, child friendly event.  First, I want to say how amazing it has been to work in the garden with all of you fellow teacher candidates!  Nothing but smiles, laughter, and good, good fun. I will miss you all and wish you all the best. You will all make the most amazing teachers.  It was so impressive all the great food that everyone worked so hard to prepare for today's Summer Solstice Event.  And a big thank you for all the support from  the Saturday Workshop gals.  There was so much effort put into all the little details today. Such great team work. And to think we actually found a home for the 70+ loaves of delicious bread from the Bread Afair.  We rock!

We started the day with a welcoming parade into the magical Orchard Garden with the Trillium preschool enjoying  home made instruments made out of recycled apple sauce containers filled with dried beans and attached with colorful elastic bands. Solare led the group with her garden fairy attire and owl whistle, and with  Susan playing her mini accordian.

The preschool was led on a garden tour, exploring the vegetables, herbs, bees, flowers, and fruit.  It was so exciting to see all the smiles and excitement. 
  
Next, we divided into groups and the children had a chance to visit several stations, such as the  'Exploring our Senses' table, the 'Mud Kitchen/Story Telling' station, and the 'Herb Scavenger Hunt'.  At the 'Exploring our Senses' table, children were able to use playdough and imprint different items found in nature, such as rocks, shells, pinecones, acorn hats, cedar, pine, and sticks. 



 Students at the 'Mud Kitchen/Story Telling' station were able to have free play and  fun using mud and kitchen utensils. 


The 'Herb Scavenger Hunt' had the children adventuring through the garden... touching, looking, and smelling the different herbs and finding them within the Orchard Garden.  
       
Herbs used for the scavenger hunt
We were fortunate to have some very honoured guests visit our garden and share in the festivities.   The Dean of Education, Dr. Blye Frank (picture here with Susan Gerofsky) and.........who both spoke about their personal stories of connection to the land,  love for the environment and appreciation for the work of the Orchard garden.
Adults also had a chance to enjoy some activities at the Orchard Garden, such as making teas from fresh herbs and also making gratitude rocks.
We had plenty of homemade food to enjoy.  Many of the recipes were inspired by herbs and vegetables growing in the Orchard Garden, such as garlic scape cheese scones and garlic scape hummus, rhubarb jam, watermelon mint feta salad, lemon balm water,  honey herb tea, and apples baked in cinnamon.  There was green salad, pesto potato salad, beet hummus, oat bars and cookies, banana and lemon loaf, swiss chard, sweet potatoes, and more! 




Well, we said good bye to our guests, cleaned up and said farewell to the Orchard Garden until we meet again at the Saturday Workshop held tomorrow (Saturday June 29th).  Get ready for some more fun activities, such as weaving and making natural paint brushes in the Outdoor Garden.

Thanks again!  hay č xʷ q̓ ə









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