March 16, 2014 Sunday. The Waldorf School of Orange County 2014 Annual Gala and Auction is now over. Thank you to all who knitted and crocheted and otherwise contributed to this “Stone Soup” silent auction offering!
The starting bid on this package was $85. There were multiple bidders and this package sold at $440.
You can bid on the above on our Bidpal website here.
Our Waldorf School of Orange County parents handmade knitted and crocheted vegetables and other ingredients in the spirit of The Stone Soup story. This project is to raise funds for our school’s March 15, 2014 Annual Gala and Auction. Each vegetable is handmade with care and love with natural wool yarn.
This Stone Soup set, when used as your children’s toys, it’s great way to raise a foodie child. It can aid your story-telling of this heart-warming tale (see below). You can also use these as props to make “The Stone Soup” play at home.
Alternatively, this beautiful bounty can also serve as a conversational starter in your home and thanksgiving feasts. Whatever you use it for, it is a visual reminder of the abundance of life and the beauty and resource attainable in a loving and connected community.
The Stone Soup Project: Progression Snap Shots
Thank you so much for all your hard work! I know most of you are very busy, yet you contributed. So, it is extremely special! Our Stone Soup project turned out FANTASTIC!!! – Jzin
Click here to bid on this! Ends March 15, 2014 8pm Pacific Standard Time.
Thursday. March 13, 2014. More ingredients to join the pot today! Thank you Sonia Parisi and Claudia Boden for peas and Wende Zomnir for the Pear.
Tuesday. March 11, 2014. Thank you Yvette Fabian, second grade assistant for the corn addition.
Monday, March 10, 2014. Thank you to everyone who made an ingredient for our community Stone Soup! We are still waiting for more items, but the soup is looking delicious so far!
You can bid on the above on our Bidpal website here.
March 4, 2014. Progress on Knitted Stone Soup Project.
February 12, 2014. Phyllis Gilmer turned in an adorable little pumpkin. Thank you! You may find Phyllis’ handwork on this link here: Rose Cottage Store on Etsy.
February 10, 2014. Thank you Susan Watkins for your beautiful artichoke and cute radishes! She is the first one to complete her handwork! YAY!
The Story of Stone Soup
There are many versions of this soul-warming tale. Here, I show you two.
This one is taken from Extreme Linux Page:
The Story of Stone Soup
Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
“There’s not a bite to eat in the whole province,” he was told. “Better keep moving on.”
“Oh, I have everything I need,” he said. “In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you.” He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the “broth” and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.
“Ahh,” the soldier said to himself rather loudly, “I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage — that’s hard to beat.”
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he’d retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. “Capital!” cried the soldier. “You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king.”
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.
Here’s a Chinese version of this tale on youtube:
This John J. Muth version above and below (in contrast to the also beautifully illustrated popular Marcia Brown version) is about discovering the joy and resourcefulness of sharing, as opposed to the humor of trickery.
…and here is a sweet and simple version perfect for memorizing and telling aloud to young children.
Thank you Ms. Jenell Carlson, Director of Playgroup at the Waldorf School of Orange County for sharing this following version…
STONE SOUP
Thank you Ms. Jenell Carlson, Director of Playgroup at the Waldorf School of Orange County, for sharing this version!
There was once a man who had been traveling for a long time. Having run out of food, he was weary and hungry from his journey. When he came upon a small village, he thought, “Maybe someone could share some food.”
When the man knocked at the first house, he asked the woman who answered, “Could you spare a bit of food? I’ve traveled a long way and am very hungry.” “I’m sorry, but I have nothing to give you,” the woman replied.
So the traveler went to the next door and asked again. The answer was the same. He went from door to door and each time he was turned away. Not one of the villagers were willing to oblige the man as times were tough and no one had much to spare.
But then one villager said, “All I have is some water.” “Thank you,” the traveler said smiling gratefully, “We can make some soup from that water. We can make stone soup.”
He asked the man for a cooking pot and started building a small fire. As the water started to boil, a passing villager stopped and asked him what he was doing. “I’m making stone soup,” the traveler replied. “Would you like to join me?” The curious villager agreed.
“First, we must add a special stone,” said the traveler. “One with magic in it.” He reached into his knapsack and carefully unwrapped a special stone he’d been carrying with him for many years. Then he put it in the simmering pot.
Soon people from the village heard about this strange man who was making soup from a stone. They started gathering around the fire, asking questions. “What does your stone soup taste like?” asked one of the villagers. “Well, it would be better with a few onions,” the traveler admitted. “Oh, I have some onions,” he replied.
Another villager said, “I could bring a few carrots.” Someone else offered, “We still have some potatoes in our garden. I’ll go get them.”
One by one, each villager brought something to add to the pot. What had started as just some water and a magic stone, had now become a delicious soup, enough to feed the whole village. The traveler and the villagers sat down together to enjoy their feast, and the miracle they’d help to create.
Thank You to the Many Hands that Created this Lovely Work
Thank you to the many hands that created this work of beauty. Truly a feast for the eyes, the hands, the heart.
- Artichoke – Susan Watkins
- Carrot – Lillian Zien
- 2 stalks of Celery – Michaela Hellar (OpenEndedCreations).
- Corn – Yvette Fabian, our second grade assistant
- Cucumber – Gloria Chang
- Eggplant – Arieta Bizaro, Miss Terri’s kindergarten assistant
- 2 bulbs of smaller Garlic – Maggie Levanski
- 1 large Garlic – Gina Franco
- 4 Mushrooms of different sizes – Geraldine Strub
- Pear, green – Wende Zomnir
- Peas in Pod. Light green peas in half shell, plus a small closed pea pod – Sonia Parisi
- Peas in Pod. green peas in half shell, plus a long pea pod closed – Claudia Boden
- Pumpkin – Phyllis Gilmer, handwork assistant (Rose Cottage Store on Etsy)
- 3 Radishes – Susan Watkins
- 2 Strawberries – Maggie Levanski
- Tomato – Gloria Chang
- Zucchini – Maria Matamoros
- Large wooden salad bowl – Linda Baldwin
- Apron with crochet vegetable motif – Geraldine Strub
- Organization – Michaela Hellar and Jzin Teng (CastleofCostaMesa.Com)
Patterns and Inspirations for This Project
If you are interested in reproducing this project for your community, I have prepared a lovely photographic list of knitting and crocheting patterns of vegetables. I wish your community all the best to your project. Do send a photo to share with us. We would be happy to share your joy! – Jzin
Patterns and Inspiration for Stone Soup Project:
Source: Knits by Sachi.
Unique Offerings from Waldorf School of Orange County March 15, 2014 Gala and Auction
Our community has lovingly prepared many wonderful one-of-a-kind offerings which are full of heart and soul for our Waldorf School of Orange County 2014 Annual Gala and Fundraiser. Here are some examples of treasures you will not find else where! Hurry and bid. All these end on March 15, 2014. Saturday, 8pm Pacific Standard Time.
$20 for a chance to win. Raffle No. 900: Dream Castle Kiki grand raffle.
Auction No. 615. A Testament of Abundance and Community: Our Knitted Stone Soup
Raffle No. 902. Starry Night Hooked Rag Rug by Christine Newell and WSOC Craft Group
Raffle No. 901. Stunning Heirloom-Quality Community Knitted Afghan Blanket
Auction No. 533 Handmade Offerings by our children: Fairy Tale Dolls Set in A Vintage Suitcase
Auction No. 107. The Foundry. Original Framed Fine Art by Jzin Teng
Our community has worked hard to bring quality and beautiful handmade, one-of-a-kind offerings to those who support our fundraiser. Please shop here to pour some loving encouragements into our endeavors. Thank you! https://cloud.bidpal.net/Portal10/bpe68199/main/home.html
Alternate view (My Pinterest board): Shop craft items to support our school
Gallery of Past Projects from The Waldorf School of Orange County Craft Group
Click on the image below to view our Waldorf School of Orange County weekly craft group projects.
Be in the know for upcoming handmade giveaways: Like CastleofCostaMesa.Com on Facebook
I give away my lovingly handmade dolls and crafts every season. If you “Like” my Castle of Costa Mesa Facebook page, you will be notified of upcoming giveaways. Click here to view the list of my past giveaways. Perhaps the next winner could be YOU?
Support Our Local Waldorf Community/ Place a Free Ad
If you are interested in placing an ad on “Support Our Southern California Waldorf Community” (free if you are a member of Southern California Waldorf community) please e-mail me a good picture and a link.
Meanwhile, please support our local peeps! Thanks! – Jzin
