My Own Mudpie

My Own MudPie

NATURE. PLAY. MAGIC.
World Earth Day Mud Pie

Today I will sit in our mother’s lap…

AND LISTEN.

She whispers for you too.

She wants us to come to her kitchen and learn her recipes.

She wants us to make our beds, clean our rooms,

and take care of our brothers and sisters.

Let’s sit with her, brush her hair, remind her she’s lovely and adoringly list the reasons why we appreciate her.

She scolds, but nourishes.

She takes away some our favorite things, but points us to corners where we contemplate, rethink our actions, let go, and heal.

I’ve seen her mourning. I’ve seen her dancing.

You are her favorite child. Love her like love is meant.

Without her we would not be.

Today I’ll sit in our mother’s lap…and listen.

~ Gina Truscelli-Percival

I wrote this poem one Earth Day as I was thinking about my mother. She, like our dear planet, champions motherhood. She often says my five siblings and I are her greatest achievements. I can dream up a story of planet Earth feeling the same way about each and every one of us, but right before the story gets good there’s a commercial break tugging at our heart strings, asking for help for the near-extinct creatures, the hungry families, then spotlighting science-proven climate change and selling pharmaceutical products to lessen our physical suffering. Suffering which, at base, is often the pricey toll we pay for allowing stress to become the stormy, stubborn ebb from our surrendering to nature’s flow.

Are our greatest achievements mother-approved?

Perhaps I should claim ignorance when considering humanity’s efforts (or lack there of) when it comes to the significance of morality. I’m unwilling to judge what are the “bad” or “good” habits and lifestyles we lead, but I will say that common sense can prove quite heroic. I mean, if you don’t have it in you to shout loudly about an earthly cause, simply plant a tree. Plant a plant. Plant your bare feet on the planet and play so you’ll feel with all your heart and soul that you care about how things are going. How things are growing. See if being closer to your Mother Earth brings on a fuller sense of her needs and a craving for stories of her youth.

Now let’s get muddy! This World Earth Day Mud Pie VIDEO will give you joy and inspiration.

It starts with the heart…
Play time…
The World Earth Day Mud Pie

Prep Time:
Magical Minutes
Bake Time:
10 Breezes
Ready In:
Your Own Sweet Time!
What You'll Need
Go exploring to gather these treasures from nature!
  • Earth (Soil)
  • Water
  • 1-2 Petunias
  • 1-2 Peonies
  • 1-2 Iris
  • 1/2 handful of leaves – various sizes
  • 1 or more interesting stones/rocks/gems

 

Directions

For fresh results I place my chosen flowers and leaves in water while I’m designing my pie.

If you’d like to lay seeds into your mud pie, remember to do so in a pie pan that has small holes in the bottom for drainage. A pie pan is a wonderful container in which to start flower and vegetable seeds for future planting.

  1. To begin, let’s get centered. Take a deep breath and SMILE.
  2. With a large, sturdy spoon, clear your digging space while noticing the rhythm of your breathing. You may need water to help loosen the soil and clear away grass, rocks, etc.
  3. Here’s the part I call Scoop, Spread, Pat, Tap and Tip.
  4. Scoop the mud into your pan, spread it, pat it a bit, gently tap the pan on the ground (or whatever surface you’re using), and then tip it slightly to drip off any excess water.
  5. Note how the mud expresses reflections of the sky, the sun, perhaps shadows from nearby trees. Look closely at the colors, smell it, jiggle it, and take conscious breaths to center yourself in the experience.
  6. This is a perfect time to hide a secret something in the mud if you wish. Perhaps a crystal, a figurine, another gift from nature, a personal item; something which represents a certain meaning or intention for you and only you. (You can now insert seeds in your pie pan if it has drainage holes as mentioned above)
  7. Your muddy canvas is ready to meet your imagination.
  8. Take another deep breath.

Along with the creative calm during your pie process or after you’re finished, you may enjoy some stillness by listening to a guided meditation I recorded specifically for this mud pie. The Earth Day Mud Pie meditation can be found HERE. Listening with earbuds or head phones is recommended but not necessary. Be sure to listen to nature as well.

WHAT YOU SEE…

  • The Clouds – Peony petals
  • The Sun –  A  combination of an Iris petal and tiny yellow Petunias.
  • The Butterfly – The innermost part of the Iris petals. (I believe it’s known as the Haft of Fall).
  • A Peony holds tiny, thin petals and I used them for the butterfly’s antennae.
  • The Bird – A  combination of petal pieces from the same flowers.
  • The Greens – From a Spindle bush

MUDDY MENTIONS!

Peonies tend to attract ants to to the flower buds due to the nectar that forms on the outside of the buds.

Petunias are members of the Solanaceae Family and have potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco and chili peppers as relatives!

Iris was also the name of the Greek Goddess of the rainbow!

Your Earth Day Mud Pie can be used as beautiful display and once it dries, find your way to a place where you can roll it back into the Earth.

I hope this was a wonderful experience for you!

 

 

Please share a picture of YOUR own mudpie on our facebook page!

A little note or two…remember, mud pies are not to be eaten! Keep them away from pets. When playing in the sun, wear sunscreen, your “get messy” clothes and a big smile.

Wash your hands immediately after playing with soil of any type.

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Inspiration

By a garden is meant, mystically, a place of refuge. Stillness. Peace. Refreshment. Delight. ― Emma Scripps Jessop