自然の恵みで楽しく美しく December in Kyoto: Nature's blessings most Beautiful and Enjoyable

十二月の京都
近所の高速道路ののり面を森へ育てるボランティア活動に参加しています。毎年植樹し、木々の生育を測定し、剪定し、樹名板を作り、季節の花を植え、世話をしています。また、そこで育てた木や花に加えスタッフの各家庭で咲かせた花を持ち寄り、子供達と栞作りをしたり、木の下で集めたどんぐりや松ぼっくりで置物を作る活動もあり、楽しいです。
毎年12月はクリスマスリースを作るのですが、その材料が全て本物の木、花、実というのが自慢です。季節ごとの花はドライフラワーにし、蔓や枝は十分に乾かし、準備は一年がかりです。
リース作り当日は、相談しながら作る親子、一人黙々と仕上げる子供や大人、赤ちゃんをスタッフに任せ無心で時を忘れて取り組む親、などいろんな方に参加していただけました。皆さん熱中してリフレッシュできたという笑顔で、作品を大事そうに持って帰られました。スタッフ一同もホッとして笑顔が重なりました。
December in Kyoto 2023
I am participating in a volunteer activity to transform the road surface of the nearby highway into a forest. Every year, we plant trees, measure their growth, prune them, create nameplates, plant seasonal flowers, and take care of them. We also extend our efforts to eco-friendly cycle activities such as making bookmarks utilizing the on-site flowers and ones from staff member' homes additionally, and creating ornaments with acorns and pinecones collected under the trees without generating waste. It's a delightful experience.
Every December, we make Christmas wreaths using entirely natural materials—real wood, flowers, and fruits, which is something we take pride in. We turn seasonal flowers into dried flowers, dry vines and pruned branches thoroughly, and the preparation takes a whole year.
On the day of wreath making, there were parents and children working together, individuals silently finishing their creations, and parents entrusting their babies to the staff while they immerse themselves in the activity without a care in the world. It was heartwarming to see various participants. Everyone left with a smile, expressing satisfaction in actively participating and feeling refreshed. The staff, too, felt relieved and shared smiles all around.