The Next Step

There is the pumpkins, choosing and making the costumes, the actual trick or treating and then comes the next and equally important step in Halloween traditions. The part that is just as exciting as all the others. It is not to be missed. It is the dump, take stock and sort pile. Grouping the loot into chocolate bars, chips, suckers, gum, perhaps by cooler and most to least favorite. Watching the kids brought back memories of doing the same thing many years ago. It wouldn't be Halloween without it.

Happy Halloween

There is never a shortage of costume ideas, this year was no different. The only difference this year was there was no last minute changes in who they were going to be and no last minute costume additions. This isn't something they notice, because it is me running around sewing while cooking dinner or glue gunning while painting, but this year......no changes. Combined with being on a Saturday, it was a much less rushed time out the door.
They all looked fabulous; Elias was Annakin (from Star Wars- which was nice having a picture to follow and not just a hand drawing ), Aria was Cupid (she has been enjoying the book Juliet Dove- a girl who meets different Gods and Goddesses-hence the inspiration), Ben was a viking which was convenient because that was a large part of his birthday gift. Shai was a rabbit king. Original. He was clear on what he was wearing, requiring only a new cape from me. He was adorable with his 'trick or treat' in that cute toddler voice.
The weather was cold, windy and rainy at times, but it didn't hold anyone back. We went into town; which is still a really strange concept, for trick or treating. We joined another family in their neighbourhood which the kids especially enjoyed. Lots of loot and lots of fun- Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins

With three Halloween parties this past week leading up to the big day - each with pumpkin carving as part of the festivities, I was amazed that the kids did the ones we picked up last week. Aria choose to decorate the outside of the pumpkin with cut out decorations. It looked fabulous. The slimy insides have turned someone off every year I believe, so it's kind of tradition now.

It was a fun evening, with lots of silliness!

A Hidden Gem

During the warmer weather a few other homeschooling families and ourselves were getting together at the skateboarding park for some chat and play time. Now that it is a little cooler we still aren't ready to meet inside, but the skate park no longer the ideal spot. We have a few trips and hikes planned the next few weeks.

Today was the first of these 'new' adventures. There is a private school in the area, which also runs summer camps, located in a beautiful area on Lake Vernon. If you call ahead, they will let you know which days of the weeks there aren't outdoor programs and the public can come and use their trails free of charge.

The route we took followed through woods, with cabins along the way, two beaches, huge fire pits, reflective quotes were posted. Forts made by other kids were tucked all along the path, giving the kids tons to discover along the way. A highlight for them was a medical cabin on stilts which became a safe house for an imaginary game.

The trail led to a breath taking view, high on a rocky ridge. It over looks Lake Vernon, the water was so still this day. We often swam on this lake over the summer, just around the corner.

In the winter the school grooms cross country trails and opens up for snowshoeing. It is a gem of a community resource, which we are excited to add to our list.

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The Key

All these years of late night sewing, gluing, painting, cutting, knee high in feathers, sequins and duct tape, is how I usually spend the week before Halloween. There is always the good intentions of having it done without stress and time to spare but it has never happened. There have actually been years that I am sewing as we are getting ready to go trick or treating.

This year. I did it. It is Wednesday night and there is just one costume left. Aria's costume including a dress, props and a headband - CHECK. Elias' cloak, shirt and sash CHECK. Ben's gathered and completed. CHECK
The key to having it done? A week of Halloween bashes staggered over the week requiring a costume ready for the wearing. Now there is just one more to make and it has to be ready for a party on Friday. Tonight I will be sewing and then I will have two days to relax, go to bed early, tidy up my projects.
Now if I could only do that at Christmas. But I am not delusional.

Two is Pretty Sweet

That beautiful age of following you were you go, being a little shadow, finding such excitement in helping you with chores, picking his own clothes, falling asleep in big brother's arms. He finishes the sentence in the books that he loves best, he flops on the floor in desperation if an answer is no, he sings and chats all day long. He likes to tell you how big he is, that one day you can sit in the back of his car. He has plans this guy, big plans.

Fair Celebrations

This past weekend the Stisted Fall Fair held it's awards evening. We really enjoyed the fall fair itself, the country, grassroots feel to the whole fair. The evening stayed true to its style, with a potluck desserts evening, a silent auction and the handing out of awards. While we aren't new to the fall fair circuit, this is the first evening celebration we have been too. At the other fairs we have entered any prize money, ribbons and awards are all to be picked up at the end of the actual fair weekend. With a separate evening we were able to chat with other families who enjoy participating in fairs, lingering in the fun a little longer. With so much time passing, every one's memories had blurred as what they had done well in.

We really do enjoy entering our handiwork into the fair, sharing what we have crafted is reward enough for us. It is almost a surprise to be handed an envelope with some money for the prizes we won. The kids and I came away from the evening with a total of just over $30, combined with a few gift certificates for the kids to get french fries and milkshakes. What a haul!!

The biggest surprise was Aria's win of a large trophy acknowledging her first place win in the standard rabbit section. It is a trophy that will stay with us all year, her name on engraved for the year 2009, that we will return for next year. The trophy has found a home next to the rabbits indoor cage. No one was worried that it might go to their heads thankfully. Entering animals into a fair is a whole new ball park for us, it has been a very rewarding one. I think its a great reason to get more animals, don't you?

There is talk of entering more next year, starting earlier, trying new things. It's great to dream big.

Cooking Over a Wood Stove

With the cooler autumn weather we have been enjoying the wood stove for warmth. The stove is in the basement so even though it provides the whole house with warmth, because it is out of sight most of the time it is also out of mind. But I have been thinking a lot lately of how I can make more use of it for cooking or harnessing the heat.
We have had bags of apples for pies, sauce, cakes, fritters, the list endless. The kids love dried apple and I have made them in the past by having thinly sliced apples on hand to put in the oven whenever I have finished baking. I pop the trays of sliced apples to make use of the heat. This does work, it takes a few baking sessions though. To put them in the oven on their own always feels like a waste of energy.

So I put two and two together, strung the apples on strings horizontally above the wood stove while the fire was on and viola!!! beautiful dried apples. I wished I had taken a picture of them strung up because they really did look beautiful. We think we might try some pears next.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

While chatting about inviting some friends over for a movie night we were sharing ideas about what might be a good movie to watch. Lots of ideas where being thrown around.
A suggested how about an action movie, something like Beatrix Potter.

Pouring a glass of almond milk, B is reading the package. He stops and says this says is unsweetened, that means it has no sugar! What are we going to do about that (gasp!)?

This weekend we were bagging leaves, lots of leaves. We are going to use them as an insulator for under the chicken coop. While holding open a bag, while I filled it A was singing a song she made up;
I feel like my life and all my time is taken up by looking, looking, looking, into a bag.

Time to gather up everyone into the car, while doing roll call I ask S if he is ready to go
Of course, I have star shoes I can do anything

Detective Work

I often hear comments about how much I know of local happenings. I am not privy to secret information or on the other end of a leak, its actually the result of lots of hard sleuth work. We have always enjoyed being a part of and attending community events, exposing our family to different cultures, traditions, ways of life and thinking. These events gives us a chance to learn from local resources, meet our neighbours and discover the potential around us. Before moving to a smaller community, I was able to rely heavily on information posted on the web, through home school groups, information sharing, the city web site etc. Now that we are part of a smaller community, where a lot of people still have limited access to the Internet it has been more challenging to dig up the goods. There seems to be a little bit here in this paper, a little bit by word of mouth a little bit in the other paper, etc. As I said, sleuth work is required.
I have a plan of attack that involves a few steps. The first is a monthly visit to the local Chamber of Commerce, here I gather up the resent publications of magazines, tours, special events. I am amazed how many local places advertise to tourists, but very few locals are aware of what they offer. A chat with the employees helps fill in any of the blanks or points me in the direction of any pertinent information I might be interested in. This is also a good place to look out for coupons or discount books, their aim often being tourists there are sometimes packages to take advantage of.
When we are out and about I make it part of my routine to glance through the different bulletin boards at the library, the grocery store, community centre, jotting day anything that catches my eye. Many community places also put out a monthly news letter which highlights their special events, this also comes home with us. The newspaper also advertises a whole slew of different events, often some of the smaller venues such as Christmas singalongs or charity treasure sales.
I find that being kept up to date on what is happening means checking often. A few of our favorite places include local conservation areas, provincial parks, different guilds, nature clubs, the art society and the museums. Some of these groups have websites and through these they often have an email list you can join. These are great for reminders about the special events they hold or discounts. The larger museums, science centres, art galleries also have email lists, which are great for finding out when they have discount days or special exhibits worth trekking out for.
With all the information I have gathered I do two things with it. The first is write down any of the events and phone numbers of the ones we might like to attend down in my day planner. There are many events that conflict with our schedule but might be yearly events, or others that I didn't find out about until after it happened (drat!). With these dates I keep a calendar (I use an electronic google calendar) and keep a note of when it might be happening next year. I set it up to send me a reminder two weeks before hand allowing me to prepare for it if I need too. I can also pull the calendar up and have a look at what might be happening that month.
It would be great if there was one place to find all the events out, but it has become a bit like a treasure hunt, seeking out great events. It is most often worth the effort. We have met some amazing people, been exposed to fabulous experiences and created some very cool memories. An added bonus of many community events has been they are more often then not very small fees, if any at all. An important component if you want to get out and do lots.

Any excuse

I think a side effect of cold, rainy weather is a brain freeze. We joined some friends for a hike, it was a wet and chilly day, but the time outside won out over hiding out from the weather. The kids had a great time following the shore of the river, coming up to show us some of their treasures. I didn't get any photos, because I forgot my camera. After the hike back to the car I realized I didn't have any keys. We had to hike all the way back to the end of the trail, in now very wet weather, at a slow pace to see if I could find the keys among the leaves. Our only set of keys for this car. At the very end, I found them. Phew. Our walk back was quickened with the promise of the hot tea I had packed, waiting for us at the van. It turns our I forgot to put the tea bag in. The hot water tasted slightly like almond milk, obviously not washed out very well. We drove back home for hot showers, only to remember about needing to be back in town for choir.

I blame it on the weather.

More Beautiful Autumn Days

Frosty mornings, an icy layer on the pond, leaves to pile for jumping and hiding.

Around Town

I organized a tour of our local theatre and town hall, which took place the other day. This trip was motivated by our interest in local history and our embracing the community we live in. I invited the local homeschoolers, giving us a group of about 30 people.
The theatre tour took us through the front and backstage, the orchestra pit, on stage, the balcony, the side wings, the lighting booth and the scoop on the best seats in the house. Our family have all seen a show here, so it was great to get an official tour. For some family members being on stage is what dreams are made of, for others not so much.

Our tour of the Town Hall began in the Council Chambers, although this particular city is new to us, we are strangers to such a room. We were pleasantly surprised to have the Mayor pop in for a chat. He was surprised to see a large group of homeschoolers and learn that this was just a small size of what is in the area. The kids asked lots of questions about a recent fire that happened in town, displacing 70 some people. The Mayor shared that what he is most proud of is beautifying a certain section of town and the most difficult part of his job is the lack of kindness some people show when they don't have all the information.
As a group we were taken through the different departments, ending in the bylaws office. Here we were introduced to two of the bylaw officers, hearing about dog rescue and downtown parking. The office was extremely crowded, making it a little comical having the big long line of us wiggle through all the little cubicle corridors.

At the front of town hall there is a display describing who Captain Hunt was and the origins of Huntsville. We ended with a search for the dates on the outside of the buildings. It was another building block in local history for us.

The Joy in a Seed

A sure sign of autumn, the milkweed opening it's pods and releasing it's seeds. The fluffy, light silk, a little brown seed attached, with so much possibility inside. The chance to find one floating by, to catch and hold onto long enough to make a wish and set it free to find the perfect place to grow.
There has been busy hands collecting the empty pods, with plans to dry them out for boats and fairy cradles. Oh how we love our milkweed.

Turtle Lake

Another incredible fall day calling to be spent outside, with lots of outdoor work still needing to be done, we decided to go around the corner to the nature reserve for a hik. This particular trail took us around Turtle lake, an crystal clear lake named for it's shape. Along the way we found a beaver lodge with lots of evidence along the shore. A gigantic basswood tree that towered even the old growth pines, very impressive. Lots of twisty trees to sit in and persistent trees deteremined to grow right thru rotting stumps. The fungus finds rewarding, the leaves beautiful.

The favorite though was a creek which ran along side the trail for about 2-3 km. The kids had a blast moving the leaves from one little waterfall to another, increasing the flow of water as they went along. It was just like the water table at the museum they love so much but on a much grander scale. There is hopes of returning before the snow comes.

Welcome Back Friends!

After very few sightings of our friends the deers (not even in my garden!) all summer long, they are back! Out of the woods to eat as much as they can before winter hits. There have been four or five of them each day, feeding on the berries in the trees at the front of the house. We are thrilled to see them again!

Apparently it is a pretty tasty tree, I don't know what it is but it is popular. When the deer aren't eating out of it, the chickens have flown up for a snack!

(sorry about the blurry photos, camera troubles!)

Skate park...one last time?

There were the lasts with summer; last swim in the lake, last sandcastles, last time at the ice cream shop. Even though there is lots of time in fall still, with the frost on the ground and the temperatures dropping we know there are some lasts happening. The skatepark is one of them. Last week we went to our park with our Thursday friends and this week we also visited a neighbouring park. The kids will miss it over the winter, its a great way for them to burn off tons of energy...but then again so does mounds of snow!

World Food Day

Tommorrow, October 16th is World Food Day, a day to take action and reflect on world food issues, hunger.

At a time when the global economic crisis dominates the news, the world needs to be reminded that not everyone works in offices and factories. The crisis is stalking the small-scale farms and rural areas of the world, where 70 percent of the world's hungry live and work. With an estimated increase of 105 million hungry people in 2009, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, meaning that almost one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger.

From the World Food Day site

Even during really hard times, Chris and I have never had to watch our kids go hungry, feared our children were malnourished. We have had the privilege to grow some food of our own, not worrying that the government would come along and relocate us or take our land away. We have had the luxury of being able to can fruits and vegetables knowing that we have the option to buy produce that was grown locally and has little to no pesticides. We also know it is not an option to take these things for granted. It also isn't an option to stand by silently while people die of hunger. Children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, die. Donate to food banks, be thankful, write to politicians, volunteer, become educated and empowered to act. We can all do something.

Oxfam has some great resources for World Food Day to use with your family or school. Even a jeopardy game. Over 700,000 Canadians turn to food banks each month. As part of World Food Day, Foodbanks Canada has put Canadian faces to hunger. They have compiled and published stories about individuals who are facing hunger. As a problem that often feels far away, this publication dispells the myths.

The rice game
A Flicker photo group for World Food Day
Make Poverty History Resources

Games for kids based on social justice

Things I am Loving

There are always so many great recipes, writings, crafts, photos, catching my attention in blogland, I thought I would share a few of them.

I had a homeschooling meeting here the other night and needed to whip up a quick and easy snack. I tried maya*made's One Bowl Apple Cake. I used spelt flour instead of all purpose and we were out of nuts altogether and it was still delicious. The kids have since made it on their own. Very Yummy!

I have been loving this music! they do some great covers and original music

I wish I had the knitting confidence to take on this beautiful vest. I have a few people it would look super sweet on. I love it so much I would make one for ME in different colours, perhaps enough for everyday of the week!

This post about Halloween. The emphasis being on the changing of the seasons, the coming of the darkness. This post really resonated with me, the reason we celebrate.

I mentioned making some salves and rose hip syrup. The syrup recipe I used is a combination of a bunch of different ones. The closest is the one my friend Karen used, this recipe for their rose hip syrup. The only difference is we added a two inch piece of peeled ginger while it was cooking, then we mashed it a bit to get out every last bit of juice. The pieces were then strained out. We also added a pinch of cinnamon, cause we like it.

Hi Ho Hi Ho...its off to the woods we go!