tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9956002621378895112024-03-13T14:32:31.121-07:00Home With HeartWe are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-61260567480348506562017-01-11T13:06:00.002-08:002017-01-11T13:06:47.402-08:00{celebrating dailiness} wintry potpourri<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x88T-bUS3dA/WHacZoInJAI/AAAAAAAADLw/UqeSp5bUpKkBop-OSLoE-lTL51PM4NN3QCLcB/s1600/pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x88T-bUS3dA/WHacZoInJAI/AAAAAAAADLw/UqeSp5bUpKkBop-OSLoE-lTL51PM4NN3QCLcB/s320/pot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nestled in on a cold wintry day. Bunnies snooze. The heater hums. And wintry potpourri simmers on the stovetop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">few orange slices (best citrus for the job -- I tried lemon, lime & grapefruit as well)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cinnamon stick</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">whole cloves (doesn't take many)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">fresh cranberries</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also makes a nice little gift for a friend, if you include a whole orange along with the other ingredients, in a clear little bag & tied up with a bit of baker's twine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Wednesday!</span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-8814188763965595422017-01-07T09:00:00.000-08:002017-01-07T09:00:07.754-08:00Game Spotlight: Q-bitz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGholgBityM/WGg9ph4pPsI/AAAAAAAADLg/M9ERqVxD6DsBdpaXDJ6wAWa1uhF1YYi0QCLcB/s1600/qbitz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGholgBityM/WGg9ph4pPsI/AAAAAAAADLg/M9ERqVxD6DsBdpaXDJ6wAWa1uhF1YYi0QCLcB/s320/qbitz.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No reading involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Arrange the cubes as quickly as possible to match the cards.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />We add a timer to the game so that our youngest player is on par with other family members. (His assigned head start is 40 seconds.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />As short or long a game as players want it to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We all win!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Play on!</span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-1392078475869447692016-12-31T15:20:00.002-08:002016-12-31T15:20:56.045-08:002017: Nourish<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alongside the hustle and bustle of every day life, I will carry a word: nourish.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I sit down with my calendar, I will consider this word: nourish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do more of what nourishes us, and do less of what does not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of what has nourished me this week ( "2017 Pilot Project"):</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyqKaTp9MiY/WGg6qO7CStI/AAAAAAAADLU/FMpCg042icQLUYqxVVnU0bYfIXRZSj2JgCLcB/s1600/nourish%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyqKaTp9MiY/WGg6qO7CStI/AAAAAAAADLU/FMpCg042icQLUYqxVVnU0bYfIXRZSj2JgCLcB/s400/nourish%2BCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few much needed repairs,<br />little details that matter,<br />honing in on rabbit care that creates calm & peace,<br />noodling around with the sewing machine<br />& finally getting to some upcycling projects</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you keep a word close to your heart throughout the year? I'd love for you to share it in the comments.</span></div>
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We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-89925825152630911142016-12-30T16:48:00.002-08:002016-12-30T16:48:34.344-08:00Game Spotlight: Dragonwood<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-rHn_zQfG4/WGb8pv_vepI/AAAAAAAADLE/__Q3--5se_QB0fc4fpzC_P4tiXv5rz4OACLcB/s1600/dragonwood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-rHn_zQfG4/WGb8pv_vepI/AAAAAAAADLE/__Q3--5se_QB0fc4fpzC_P4tiXv5rz4OACLcB/s320/dragonwood.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Dragonwood </i>by Gamewright</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey! Our friends shared this game with us recently, and we loved it so much that it showed up under our Christmas tree!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meets our family game criteria: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fun (obviously)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easy to learn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Game stays fun for the entire length of play</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excellent for non-readerss</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good for 2 players as well as for more</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bonus gems:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good for early math learners</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inexpensive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reminds me of Castle Panic (though this is not a cooperative game)</span><br />
<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-14464777503102014722016-10-31T07:59:00.003-07:002016-10-31T07:59:50.586-07:00Happy Halloween!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Put away your books &</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">have a MONSTROUS night!</span></div>
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We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-82054062639392704022016-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:002016-04-28T08:44:48.554-07:00Thunder Cake<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning, Linus was afraid of thunder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tonight, he is not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn't have to go up against Nellie Peck Hen or old Kick Cow, but he did go out to the garage for butter and tomatoes, and brave the hand mixer and food processor. He learned to separate eggs, beat the whites into stiff peaks, fold them in, and operate the hand mixer all by himself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is brave. He is skilled. He has chocolate crumbs all around his smiling mouth.</span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-56055529367534281512016-04-19T08:32:00.000-07:002016-04-19T08:32:09.919-07:00Beautiful Day Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our recent artsy week -- talking about famous artists, watching a few movies about their lives, getting our hands messy -- reminded me to check in on current exhibits at local and local-enough museums. When Sela saw the we could see a painting by <a href="http://www.raphaelsanzio.org/">Raphael</a>, she was dazzled. Inspiration had struck at just the right time...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the joys of homeschooling is the freedom to pack up snacks and escape for the day without a lot of planning. So, we popped over to San Francisco to catch "Portrait of a Lady With a Unicorn" by Raphael in its final week at the Legion of Honor Museum of Fine Arts.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a view outside the museum!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">The "bonus" exhibit, in this case, was a collection done by Pierre Bonnard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And in the permanent collection, (wow) we saw works by these guys:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pissaro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Degas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Renoir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cezanne</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Manet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seurat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Van ault</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rembrandt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rodin</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puzzle souvenirs from museums are my FAVORITE.<br />We saw this work by Pierre Bonnard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">best of all-<br />this was my tour group <3</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-91028487278082737262016-04-18T08:28:00.000-07:002016-04-18T08:28:12.549-07:00No-Fuss National Poetry Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A quick walk-by grab at the library</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An acrostic poem scrawled on scrap paper </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to bring kids into an exhibit titled "Bloom 2"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An add-in to last's week geography class (North America) --</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://poetryteatime.com/?__hstc=230628099.28781d4f08d5c5b8880f1bc1f76b30d3.1460912791411.1460912791411.1460912791411.1&__hssc=230628099.1.1460912791412&__hsfp=1181215869">Poetry Tea Time</a> with a Twist (minus the tea, plus the avocado milkshakes)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inexpensive recent gifts</span></div>
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We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-51219632858971426942016-04-17T09:41:00.001-07:002016-04-17T09:41:28.322-07:00Game Spotlight: Solitaire Chess by Thinkfun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-OtZm32gcM/VxO7JQ_MbvI/AAAAAAAADHA/bcwgHRdExvs8nzGL7GEsEwjavMchCEalACLcB/s1600/chess1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-OtZm32gcM/VxO7JQ_MbvI/AAAAAAAADHA/bcwgHRdExvs8nzGL7GEsEwjavMchCEalACLcB/s320/chess1c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">We started with Attila (by Blue Orange). Clever little game where all of the pieces move like knights in chess. What a nice entrèe for those who don't know how to play chess!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We just picked up Solitaire Chess (by Thinkfun), and both kids are really enjoying the challenges and learning some chess basics at the same time. Me, too! Also making it a great family choice: it can be played alone. Sometimes we get at a loose end here, with one child assigned a task and the other not...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Linus likes to make up his own boards -- a little more math and some letters thrown in to boot!</span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-24047485491186082132016-04-14T10:47:00.000-07:002016-04-14T10:47:21.388-07:00It's For the Birds<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A pair of mated bald eagles is raising two eaglets in the U.S. National Arboretum, and we can see it all via the <a href="http://www.eagles.org/dceaglecam/">live cams</a> that have been set up! Now THIS is reality television I can get into!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1Go6OKH7B0/Vw_WM8W5kAI/AAAAAAAADGs/k3tXGGuk5LsRuSIaz8SZH1Dq1CIBO4kgQCLcB/s1600/birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1Go6OKH7B0/Vw_WM8W5kAI/AAAAAAAADGs/k3tXGGuk5LsRuSIaz8SZH1Dq1CIBO4kgQCLcB/s200/birds.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our little arboretum (i.e. our backyard), we're busy with birds, too. We've made our own bird seed blend by picking and choosing through the bulk bins at the feed store -- we went with thistle and black sunflowers to woo our goldfinches back. The chickens love the black sunflowers, too, so that's a bonus!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hummingbird feeder has been washed and refilled with a new formula. I have given up on the homemade versions. It gets syrupy in the feeder and mildews quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I'm daily trying to unravel the mystery of who is pecking the chicken eggs and for what reason (for the love of Pete!).</span><br />
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-76591791717805465802016-04-01T10:16:00.003-07:002016-04-01T10:16:33.054-07:00Art with the Masters -- And Some Famous Ones, Too<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week we hit the pause button on our regularly scheduled activities and made room for something different.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vo1837BeShE/Vv6rVXpPVTI/AAAAAAAADGY/TRT4bcwidKQldLupod-2ss8QvguVolBhA/s1600/kleeCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vo1837BeShE/Vv6rVXpPVTI/AAAAAAAADGY/TRT4bcwidKQldLupod-2ss8QvguVolBhA/s320/kleeCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We warmed up with this <a href="http://arteascuola-miriampaternoster.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/color-theory-inspired-by-paul-klee.html?m=1">Paul Klee-inspired project</a>. Because: books and paints.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dale Chihuly sparked our creative fires for this Bakit & Makit project we were gifted (those little plastic pellets you melt in the oven). We may buy more -- it turned out to be a dazzlingly-fun project!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVUKRxKGN2s/Vv6nbobqMgI/AAAAAAAADGI/jxQyXa_ESHctCZD2OxYnneCP6gllkd9uQ/s1600/gia%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mVUKRxKGN2s/Vv6nbobqMgI/AAAAAAAADGI/jxQyXa_ESHctCZD2OxYnneCP6gllkd9uQ/s320/gia%2BCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have never made a more fun sculpture than this <a href="http://www.knutselidee.nl/ideeen/beeldjes.htm">Giacometti project</a>. The materials are so fun and easy to work with, and I think the aged metal effect is stunning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://karuski.co.uk/2015/02/15/matisse-egg-3/">Henri Matisse</a> -- we had to go with his cut-outs this time. Mixing up our artist exploration with scissors and Mod Podge was a must. They make lovely tealight globes (battery-operated).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good.<br />Better.<br />And a well-deserved rest under A Starry Night.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We read that although many believe that Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel on his back, he actually painted while standing. Linus didn't care one bit. Laying down and drawing under the table was definitely the way to go. That's cool; why not?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We painted, sprinkled, melted, shaped, snipped, taped, bent, sculpted, cut, blew up, glued, drew, and worked from a new angle. And -- found two museums with some pretty famous works that we're heading out to see. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">time + materials = inspiration</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-73232595618109730212016-03-23T18:26:00.000-07:002016-03-23T18:30:52.632-07:00When Help Is On The Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uO-CjWj4QWY/VobyEQXLIVI/AAAAAAAADDA/BjqnnKy1t5c/s1600/coop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uO-CjWj4QWY/VobyEQXLIVI/AAAAAAAADDA/BjqnnKy1t5c/s320/coop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I kinda layed an egg with my chicken project. I forgot that my life isn't arranged as it used to be. And what's more -- it hasn't been for some time. Not quite sure how I did this. These funny human brains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our chickens need a bigger coop. And, hopefully, one that encourages them to roost inside it at night rather than the adjacent tree. Wouldn't it be great to build my own?! (Imagine me checking out books from the library, scribbling out plans with a friend, searching feverishly online for a just-right coop...) I bought some plans, had wood delivered to my friend's house, marked the wood, and she did a fantastic job cutting it all. And covering it when it rained. Multiple times. She delivered the wood to my house. (The woman deserves a prize.) She offered to help me build it. But -- I suspected by this time -- I was in over my head. I had already asked too much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In olden times, I could have pulled off the steep learning curve for this project. But, I made a tactical error: I forgot that I don't currently have those hours available to spearhead such projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, not all was lost. Not only did my dad offer to build it while he visited, he brought his tools! While my mom and I browsed the fabric store, he had my plan book at the hardward store. When we got home the saw had been fired up and the sawhorses were set. For three days he reworked the plans, and this is what we ended up with. I just love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You might notice that there are a couple finishing details for me. (A roof. The wire enclosure. Locks.) -- but those were left because <i>I can handle those.</i></span><br />
<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-53850442148505360742016-01-07T09:11:00.000-08:002016-01-07T09:11:27.099-08:00Mama's Got a Brand New Bag (Well, Sort Of)<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDNtl-2kaiA/VobuN5R91AI/AAAAAAAADCo/5lKm1PM5hLw/s1600/create.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDNtl-2kaiA/VobuN5R91AI/AAAAAAAADCo/5lKm1PM5hLw/s200/create.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I made breakfast this morning, my mind wandered over the coming weeks and months -- what we need to do, what that means. I realized I was using a family present that I had gifted us a few Christmases ago, and my thoughts settled on the mooncake molds under this year's Christmas tree. Among other things, t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he new year brings another round of the geography co-op class I've been teaching. We started in Europe and will be sliding over into Asia this week. Those mooncake molds will be just the thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It got me thinking about how we create opportunities -- opportunities for learning, opportunities for experiences. Homeschooling and parenting and learning and being who we are all become one and the same -- one big jumble. Was I thinking about geography when I bought the mooncake molds? No, not really. I was remembering the day that Linus and I looked at a cake cookbook together at Costco and how he tried to get it for me for Mother's Day, but it wasn't there any more. And how we looked it up online and found that the authors did some tutorials for cakes and cupcakes. And when we had watched all of those I remembered that I wanted to make mooncakes for book club, so we looked up tutorials for making mooncakes. And how he sat in my lap, so tiny and so engaged. And so now we have mooncake molds. The book club in question has long passed. But I've made room for new opportunities. I've created space for creating.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtdG_iyOR6M/Vo1B9EGNsQI/AAAAAAAADEQ/Zq15DuteTOU/s1600/create.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtdG_iyOR6M/Vo1B9EGNsQI/AAAAAAAADEQ/Zq15DuteTOU/s320/create.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">made for me by a friend-<br />another good reason to<br />hang on to CREATE</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last year I used the word "CREATE" as a way to focus. I've learned how vital it is for me to have opportunities to be creative. Sometimes book club fulfills that need -- I've loved learning to cook and bake new things. Sometimes I need to learn a whole new set of skills (starting a blog was that at one time). Sometimes I just need a project that doesn't require a lot of me, but lets me plink away at it, eventually resulting in a little something new and created-with-my-own-two-hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Other things needed creating, too. Space for a growing second child. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Always content to come along for the ride, it was time to arrange things differently for him. And I'd seen how much he himself enjoyed creating -- but he needed support in doing it his way, on projects he's drawn to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Worked out great. Through about June. So, for 2016, I'm bringing it back! And this year I'm one year wiser...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Crazy about these picnic placemats <br />with their little utensil pocket!<br /><br />Linus made the teeny jammies & I made the less teeny jammies</span></td></tr>
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We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-20578028474283418132016-01-02T08:30:00.000-08:002016-01-02T15:20:21.943-08:00We Love Gingerbread Houses<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Linus's creation<br />had an <i>amazing</i><br />set of storylines</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I never did post last year's gingerbread. And, now that I think about it -- the year before. Darn. We love our annual gingerbread-making for the Waldorf Winter Faire, but it's such a busy time of the year, it's hard to get to that last step. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll start with 2015 (and see how many other years I can dig up). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year both kids went with kits. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It all depends on what's driving their vision at the time. 2015 was about buckets of candy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is one of our very favorite family traditions. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We keep threatening to do it during the year, too. The possibilities really open up when one leaves December and snow...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Sela's bears warm their<br />paws at the fire<br />after a nice skate</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to try something new every year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gingerbread in an igloo pan (I KNEW</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I needed it). I made it the day before the auction and titled it "Tonight's Dessert."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really hope they cut into it that night and enjoyed it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The trees are ice cream cones with icing, the wreath is a spearmint gumdrop cut into small pieces, the light strings are licorice wheels from World Market. I have no idea what those little colored balls are called -- they are personally delivered by my Gingerbread Organizer Extraordinaire friend every year. A light dusting of powdered sugar -- I mean, snow -- finishes it off.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFuf2le3D0Q/Vob_8TqF6CI/AAAAAAAADEA/ZN_SjEMtGww/s1600/gbread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFuf2le3D0Q/Vob_8TqF6CI/AAAAAAAADEA/ZN_SjEMtGww/s320/gbread.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried the "grease & sugar" method for this cake -- turned out great!</span></div>
We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-17934177929878250602016-01-01T13:38:00.000-08:002016-01-01T13:38:53.602-08:002015 Board Game Challenge<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WamhgTwALGU/VobvZN80VhI/AAAAAAAADC0/jXV_V6McorQ/s1600/games.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WamhgTwALGU/VobvZN80VhI/AAAAAAAADC0/jXV_V6McorQ/s320/games.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We did it! The challenge was to play 10 games 10 times each in a year. We didn't officially register (our games weren't exactly the kind of games others were doing), but I loved the idea. In some cases, the challenge helped us to get more solid on the rules -- very helpful! In some cases, it pointed us in a direction when we needed focus. But in every case, it provided us with a relaxing activity that we all enjoy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We learned new things, we worked together, and we made use of our bulging game shelves!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've started with Fandooble this morning -- we should get another board going...</span><br />
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-7162253452477420422016-01-01T13:15:00.000-08:002016-01-01T18:38:41.702-08:00My Kids Had Their Own New Year's Eve Planned...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you a</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>MAGICAL </i>2016!</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-79811213691803127912015-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:002015-10-16T09:00:04.993-07:00Find Out Fridays<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life is so interesting -- so many things to explore, learn, and wonder about. We ask so many great questions, but so rarely go find enough answers. So we're doing something about it. We've instituted Find Out Fridays. All week we're trying to jot down some of these questions, and then on Friday, tracking down some answers. Right now, I'll be honest, it's a lot of internet searching. My goal is to integrate more ways to "find out" about our questions -- our book shelves, the library, experiments, videos, field trips, talking with people, who knows what else! But, I don't need to make the process more cumbersome. The point is to answer some of our questions, in whatever way that naturally happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you can see, our questions can really cover some ground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We found out some very cool stuff about chickens and egg-laying. Here's my <a href="http://www.enkivillage.com/how-do-chickens-lay-eggs.html">favorite</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(One of my favorite facts: the distinctive shape of the egg mirrors the shape of the bird's uterus.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly, yes -- <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/mary-edwards-walker-only-woman-receive-medal-honor-n111596">Dr. Mary Edwards Walker</a> really is the only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor. She was such an interesting person -- I strongly recommend getting to know her story! Jim Weiss includes her in his <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Women-Blue-Gray-Stories-American/dp/B006XKRGNA">Women in Blue or Gray: True Stories from Both Sides of the American Civil War</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, Fleetwood Mac. Well, that turned out to be very complicated. I'll let you decide whether to Google that one for yourself.</span></div>
We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-10431015186028653472015-10-14T09:21:00.000-07:002016-01-01T13:48:32.088-08:00The Harry Potter Project Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SAAMrmhXhY/Vg6wYt3HSzI/AAAAAAAAC_A/PnijMIbR2do/s1600/IMG_5390%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SAAMrmhXhY/Vg6wYt3HSzI/AAAAAAAAC_A/PnijMIbR2do/s200/IMG_5390%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When one of the kids wanted to "make t-shirts" I said, "What do you mean? Make how?" Oh! You want to make things ON a t-shirt! "Did you find some instructions?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No. I just want to do it."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Got it. I know just the person to go to -- Amy of <a href="http://amyhoodarts.com/2013/10/24/how-to-freezer-paper-stencils/">Amy Hood Arts</a>! Her tutorial is terrific</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">! Quick trips to the supermarket for freezer paper, the craft store for fabric paint and X-acto knives, and we were on our way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At twelve, the oldest kids could do every step by themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At ten, just a little support with the cutting out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: start;">At six, Linus designed it, I sketched (got the go-ahead) and cut, he ironed and painted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This project is too good -- we took it on the road!</span></div>
<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-76122871200952284072015-10-13T09:19:00.002-07:002016-01-01T13:48:48.957-08:00Harry Potter Summer: Group PBH*<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Early in summer we planned to have a couple friends over. THEY love Harry Potter. WE love Harry Potter. "Should we maybe do a couple Harry Potter crafts?" I asked their mom. So, I pinned a few ideas and said, "Have your girls take a look and see if they like any of these." Fine, good, they "like" a few, my kids and I go out on a Sunday evening and gather all the supplies (plus yarn in all the house colors -- just in case...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday night: kids go to sleep, I try to go to sleep but suddenly panic, "What if they don't really want to do the projects, and they were just being polite, and we are all TOTALLY PSYCHED here?! Oh dear. What have I set up?" Fret, fret, fret.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday morning. Our friends arrive. I play it COOL. One friend immediately asks Sela, "Do you have the Harry Potter station programmed into Pandora?" The other friend is wearing her Harry Potter earrings. We're GOOD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What started out as "Harry Potter Week" became "Harry Potter Summer." The kids (and I) took advantage of the time available and our shared interest and completely submerged into JK Rowling's magical world. One project lead to another and another. Many of the projects were so thoroughly explored that they lasted for days and sometimes weeks. They worked together to decide what they wanted to do next. They inspired each other and learned from each other. They shared ideas and resources. It was a true joy to watch and to be a part of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They learned new skills and cultivated them through repeated practice. I'm pretty sure they didn't see it this way -- they were just having fun. The works they created stunned me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOQST3gPsjk/VhvXmwWJo3I/AAAAAAAADAY/xN_YCiJYAjU/s1600/HP%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uOQST3gPsjk/VhvXmwWJo3I/AAAAAAAADAY/xN_YCiJYAjU/s320/HP%2BCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">tip of the iceberg</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two of the projects the group wanted to do involved lettering. And when I realized I would need to be pretty involved in supporting Linus's choices, I noticed I was feeling pretty squirmy about it. But, (of course), I set to work with him. Between the canvas quotes and and village signs, I had to roll up my sleeves and get messy (figuratively speaking). It was so interesting to notice just how anxious I felt at the thought of "lettering." (I mean -- people were going to SEE that I am not an expert. My shabby work will be just *out there* for everyone to *see*.) And then to work through it. And then to discover it wasn't as difficult as I had made it out to be (for yeeeeeaaaarrrrrrs, apparently). By digging in to the process, I learned so much about learning -- mine and the kids'.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I functioned as the word processor only - never underestimate kids' abilities</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HDoElRBEZY/VhvdE4oVIcI/AAAAAAAADAw/Q-RakMmwYjg/s1600/my%2Bhp%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HDoElRBEZY/VhvdE4oVIcI/AAAAAAAADAw/Q-RakMmwYjg/s200/my%2Bhp%2BCollage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I didn't do the projects they did -- I was the support team for four industrious kids. But, as I have a hard time getting to my bigger projects, I'm content to putter-craft while kids finish meals, when I need a creativity fix, and, you know, while we play Harry Potter word association at mealtimes. While I already know how to cross-stitch and had stitched up a handful of HP projects ahead of time, I did learn to make (house-color) pom-poms, a house scarf bookmark on plastic canvas, and how to weave a pouch any Gryffindor would be proud to carry her Knuts, Sickles, and Galleons around in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We shared <i>our </i>favorite parody videos - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdvogFyZZM">Dark Lord Funk</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7NiLhAhWUw">Before We Say Goodbye</a>. They shared <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4">this one</a> with us. They introduced us to Harry Potter Clue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We're planning to reconvene for our Harry Potter Ornament Making meetings. I can't wait.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>*For more on Group <a href="http://project-based-homeschooling.com/camp-creek-blog">Project-Based Homeschooling</a>, go straight to the source! Lori has a book, tip sheets, master classes, a blog, and a Facebook group. She's a wealth of information, ideas, and support -- an invaluable resource, not just for homeschooling families, but for any family.</i></span><br />
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-60881453189977002482015-10-11T18:59:00.004-07:002015-10-11T18:59:57.200-07:00Hosting a Co-Op Class<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The old "20% of the people do 80% of the work" paradigm can be a drag. But, I find that as one of the "workers," I guess it doesn't get me down so much. It just puzzles me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When our homeschool group was doing a little rethinking and restructuring, we tried to tackle this issue. I volunteered to put together a tip sheet to address questions and concerns that members might have about organizing a group activity. (Of course, I did.) I came up with a kicky little document with a Pollyanna smile splashed all over it. I'm sure it didn't help. But it illuminated my point of view on it (to me and to everyone else, I'm sure).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are so many things I want to do with my kids. So many things I want to share with them. Many things that I think are important to learn. But how exactly am I going to get to all this? Or even the better part of it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to do more geography this year. And I was thrilled when a friend said that she and her kids would be in for it, too! THE BUDDY SYSTEM. The granddaddy of motivational tools. With my friend's "we're in," I've locked myself into getting this done. It won't fall down the priority list, or off the weekly agenda. I'll do my homework on this because there are dates and times on the calendar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've only met twice so far, and I am loving it. We've sewn land and water form cubes (hello, I've had the materials prepped for this for a year and a half). We've started a world map lap quilt. We've made continent cookies, learned a continent song, watched videos, learned about plate techtonics, superoceans and supercontinents, and I can finally remember that the Earth is 35 billion years old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From where I'm standing, doing "the work" <i>is</i> the easy way out of the problem!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tN70CXpLMQg/VhsFykDD-pI/AAAAAAAADAI/ZXcefK-vPDY/s1600/IMG_5525%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tN70CXpLMQg/VhsFykDD-pI/AAAAAAAADAI/ZXcefK-vPDY/s320/IMG_5525%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Did I mention that I've also finally ordered a globe as a result? Not a globe<i> pencil sharpener</i>. Not a globe <i>ball</i>. But a <i>globe-sized globe</i>. Watch me go...)</span><br />
<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-8804893333484309102015-08-23T18:04:00.000-07:002015-08-23T18:04:00.364-07:00Camping Hacks: The Results are In<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hate packing. I'll do pretty much anything to avoid it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No matter how much I'm looking forward to the trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Procrastination: check</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">House cleaning: check</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Highly organized master checklists creation: check</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hmmmm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CAMPING HACK TRIALS: CHECK</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Fire starters</b></i> - Highly recommend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easy for kids to make, low prep (save the tubes & lint), easy to pack, effective</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stuff dryer lint into empty cardboard tubes, insert birthday candle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Spice straws</i></b> - Highly recommend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easy to prep (not so much for kids), great size for packing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Use striker/match to melt one end of a straw, pour in spice, melt the other end.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqTm5YHmOl4/VdfG--Xhb2I/AAAAAAAAC-A/35boPq3GCC0/s1600/camping%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqTm5YHmOl4/VdfG--Xhb2I/AAAAAAAAC-A/35boPq3GCC0/s200/camping%2B2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Teeccino bags</i></b> - Highly recommend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easy to make, low prep, easy to pack, fast & tidy use, effective -- <u>use two filters next time</u>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even mint dental floss wasn't a problem!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scoop teeccino, coffee substitute, coffee, loose leaf tea, what have you, into doubled coffee filters, tie with dental floss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Toothpaste dots </i>(not pictured) - interesting to try, but not worth the effort. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be fair, they were recommended for backpacking, with, I think, the intention being to chew & swallow them. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Easier to pack a tiny tube of toothpaste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In case you'd like to try them for yourself: squeeze dots of toothpaste onto tray, sprinkle with baking soda, and let dry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How will I procrastinate next time?! Please share your camping hacks.</span><br />
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-59069412838504693252015-08-22T09:32:00.000-07:002015-08-22T09:32:00.286-07:00Amigo Summer<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some summers what we really, really need is a break. I'm sure I've written about this before. It's a high ranking need. Quiet repose in our comfy cocoon. Time to putter and dip into things we don't get to during the rest of the year. More time to sit. More time to be still. More time to notice more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was our June. And it was lovely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I knew that July would be an uptick in the rhythm. And then August we would downshift again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We finished July -- my heart racing a bit at the pace. Not that I'm unaccustomed to this, though I am changing, changing my ways all the time. But what I realized in taking stock of summer (as I always do), is that we'd lose the fast pacing, but keep all the extra time we've had with friends this go-round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been the right summer to soak up friends. Friends we see all year, friends we don't see often, friends we've never met in person! Fun with friends. Friends in the back yard with chickens. Friends in the front yard with the sprinkler and ice cream cones. Road trip friends. Picnicking friends. Friends in living rooms in elaborate games of make-believe. Friends at dining room tables and craft stores. Friends downtown. Friends around campfires and with banana slugs. Friends on hikes. Friends on boats, in lakes, and in pools. Friends in sleeping bags. Friends with popcorn and movies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A pretty fine set of arrangements I've finagled, I'd say.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rntb-W-wpoM/VdfFJ_X3bsI/AAAAAAAAC9w/O5C7QFAcOmQ/s1600/pool%2Bamigos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rntb-W-wpoM/VdfFJ_X3bsI/AAAAAAAAC9w/O5C7QFAcOmQ/s320/pool%2Bamigos.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-50532548669236214502015-08-21T17:16:00.000-07:002015-08-21T17:22:01.628-07:00Shel & Poetry Teatime: Perfect!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HOW MANY, HOW MUCH</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How many slams in an old screen door?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Depends how loud you shut it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How many slices in a bread?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Depends how thin you cut it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How much good inside a day?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Depends how good you live 'em.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How much love inside a friend?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Depends how much you give 'em.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb6_xZ4vpnA/Vde8XTDyPYI/AAAAAAAAC9g/C9IoekR9e10/s1600/tea%2Btime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb6_xZ4vpnA/Vde8XTDyPYI/AAAAAAAAC9g/C9IoekR9e10/s320/tea%2Btime.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MOON-CATCHIN' NET</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've made me a moon-catchin' net,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I'm goin' huntin' tonight,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll run along swingin' it over my head,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And grab for that big ball of light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So tomorrow just look at the sky,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And if there's no moon you can bet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've found what I sought and I finally caught</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moon in my moon-catchin' net.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But if the moon's still shinin' there,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look close underneath and you'll get</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A clear look at me in the sky swingin' free</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a star in my moon-catchin' net.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And for the learnin' bit...</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ATIONS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we meet and I say, "Hi,"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's a salutation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you ask me how I feel,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's consideration.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we stop and talk awhile,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's a conversation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we understand each other,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's communication.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we argue, scream, and fight,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's an altercation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If later we apologize,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's reconciliation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we help each other home,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's cooperation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And all these ations added up </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Make civilization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is that exaggeration?)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This one's going up on the kitchen chalkboard...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PUT SOMETHING IN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Draw a crazy picture,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Write a nutty poem,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sing a mumble-grumble song,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whistle through your comb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do a loony-goony dance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'Cross the kitchen floor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put something silly in the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That ain't been there before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Aaaaand, this:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HERE</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">COMES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here com</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">es summer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes summer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chirping robin, budding rose.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes summer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes summer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gentle showers, summer clothes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes summer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here comes summer --</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whoosh--shiver--there is goes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-46252131673209928752015-06-02T13:55:00.000-07:002015-06-02T13:55:23.085-07:00Well it ain't much...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ta8hi1yiRQ/VW4SlJSeGbI/AAAAAAAAC88/YtgSHnyF3jo/s1600/teepee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ta8hi1yiRQ/VW4SlJSeGbI/AAAAAAAAC88/YtgSHnyF3jo/s320/teepee.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but we call it home. Or, "tent," or "tipi," or... something. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> It's that time of year, when schedules relax and days open out ahead of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, we grabbed the bamboo poles we picked up at the garden center two summers ago (still "tied" together from our last go), spread a blanket under and wrapped a temporary cloth around our frame (a safety pin works fine!). Perfect reading, snacking, drawing, chatting spot! We like to set up nearest the plum tree (yum) and the gardenias (mmmm).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And did I say "temporary"? Three summers may or may not be "temporary." No matter. We're not going for perfect, we're going for doing it. </span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995600262137889511.post-16469839664163585932015-03-27T13:23:00.000-07:002015-03-29T19:46:35.928-07:00So Many Ways to Tell a Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2G_X3JAlyj4/VRWx82omkUI/AAAAAAAAC8M/YmKmlovDQgM/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2G_X3JAlyj4/VRWx82omkUI/AAAAAAAAC8M/YmKmlovDQgM/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ruffles aren't really my signature style, but I have to admit, it is pretty satisfying to sew a ruffle once in a while. This project really called for it, and I'm so glad to be extracting it from the UFO basket. Inspired by a project in <i>Sewing Bits & Pieces</i> (which describes my whole fabric stash, I think!), I designed it as a Story Quilt. My idea was to use it as a cuddly way to tell stories together, using the graphics in the appliques as prompts. Well, and to use only fabrics I already had -- which, in hindsight, is not at all remarkable, considering... The one note about that, I guess, is that I discovered I had nothing neutral for the background and so repurposed a curtain from our first house. And this makes me smile quite a bit, thinking of waking with the sun streaming though, snuggled up with my first little one. (It's this kind of sentimentality that has me drowning in all of our Stuff lately, but that's another matter entirely.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Originally shown as a doll bed quilt, I can see how perfect that would be! But, I enlarged it, added a batting layer because the white curtain was so thin, and chose applique fabrics that were good for storytelling but probably not as visually appealing for a doll quilt. Or, maybe they would be?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In any case, it's been a fun project, encouraging me to practice some rusty skills and learn new ones. This morning while everyone slept, I treated myself to a YouTube tutorial of the ladder stitch -- a brush-up I needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It isn't quite finished. I still need to quilt around the story circles. I learned to do this a few weekends back while "watching" a movie with the kids I've easily seen eight times. But this project has now been transferred to the hand-sewing basket, which makes it much easier to plunk away at. And it feels so good to work with on my lap -- such nice weight and coziness. And, there's no reason the storytelling can't begin whilst I quilt it!</span>We are four:http://www.blogger.com/profile/11409771936014609894noreply@blogger.com2