Wool - A Rich Gift From Nature - Here's To Our Sheep

For thousands of years mankind has had a give and take relationship with this peaceful creature.  The image of a lamb lying in the meadow is an image of tranquility for most.  Since Biblical times and longer man has provided protection for this humble animal and it has provided many of human kinds essentials. 

Wool had been the primary material used for garments in many cultures for centuries.  Then, the dawn of industry and technology presented to us a number of different textiles and blends to create our clothing and accessories.  Their bright colors, their promise to be flame retardant and softer had lured us away from our traditional fabrics.  Unfortunately we have learned that many of the wonderful traits toted by the manufactures have been linked to causing a gamut of diseases including cancer. 

We bathe ourselves with chemicals, consume mountains of processed and altered foods and don chemically treated materials for years and then wonder why we see an increase of these horrible diseases.   There is much kudos to be given to the people who provide wool and work with it:  spinning, weaving, felting, knitting and more.  Their beautiful artistry has revived this nearly forgotten resource and has brought this natural material back into many of our lives.

While I also enjoy modern technology and what it has to offer, I believe that we should always keep in mind what we are exposing ourselves to.  We should try to minimalize our exposure things that are not natural.  So, I have been choosing more natural and handmade items for me (practice what you preach.)  Not only does this help me prevent some of the exposure to the carcinogens found in manmade materials but it also supports independent farmers, artists, and crafters.

Here are some beautiful items I have found made from wool.

Happy Easter! Welcome Spring & Rebirth!

Easter is my favorite holiday even over Christmas.  While I love Christmas, to me Easter is such an obvious sign of rebirth and new life.  I have always been very in tune with nature, so when we are struggling through the dark cold winters I get an overwhelming feeling that the earth is void and its life gone.  Then at Easter a warm breeze and a refreshing rain awakens everything and I see the natural world come back to life. 


For Christians and those of similar beliefs this is also the day to celebrate Christ's rising from the dead.  It is the perfect time of year to celebrate His rebirth since all things around us are coming alive once again and you can feel the dawn of a new cycle of life.  I have so many things to be grateful for and I am especially grateful for our Savior’s precious sacrifice. 

While many say that the Easter egg hunts, bunnies, and chicks mask the true meaning of Easter, I disagree.  I believe that these are things that symbolize the rebirth and resurrection of our Savior and therefore are to be celebrated.  The butterfly is the symbol of the resurrection (reincarnation); eggs, chicks and baby bunnies are the signs of rebirth; and the cute little lamb is the symbol of our Shepherd and the Lamb of God.

So, I am very excited for this special day in my life and appreciate all the visual cues and symbols around me.  Whether you are of similar faith or believe differently I hope that you enjoy all of these beautiful treasures that we have around us and the sign of new things to come.
 

Happy Easter Everyone!!!