Natural Wonders

Glass. Opaque Toffee. Ice Curtains. Popsicles. Delicate. Thick and strong. Beautiful. Scary. Caves. Gates. Another World. Swords. Wands. Real. Make believe. Smooth. Rough. Ridges. Waves. Glistening. Crystals.

Ragged Falls iced over

This is a trail friends took us on when we first visited, and we have been back many times, although this was the first time in the winter. Wow. I think I loved it more in the winter than the fall, which is crazy because I love the fall. It was a gorgeous day, that sun ( I just can't say it enough) was amazing. As soon as we got there the kids took off on their own trails, exploring the rocks covered in thick ice, sliding down ice covered hills, following tracks and tricking other hikers with their bird calls.

The actual falls still raged under the 3-5 foot thick ice which we could watch at different points. At other areas we were able to walk right across. The trees surrounded the falls were covered in frost and icicles. I am sure we will be heading back soon.

On the Pond

Sundays at the pond the town organizes some family activities. We have missed a lot of them because we haven't been around. The sunshine, crisp air and a free day just called for us to be on the pond. There was a game of casual hockey anyone could join, soccer balls to 'kick' around, hoops to roll and chase and parachutes with harnesses. The kids tried all of it, the parachutes being the favorite though. Shai loved the ride in the toboggan, being wiped around. Before we get some more snow this week we plan on visiting the pond again.

Crafting, lots and lots of Crafting!

While some of it has been for birthdays (they are none stop!), some for valentine's day, there has also been lots just 'cause' crafting. I think the tease of warmer weather, the longer days, the gorgeous sunshine on our faces and through the windows has been inspiring us to get busy with projects. I thought I would share a little of what we have been enjoying creating.

Some of the favorite crafts we made for valentines were heart shaped buttons and tea bag holders.

The buttons were made from fimo, a hard clay that softens quickly when you mold it and heat it with your hands. We rolled the clay into balls, pressed them flat and shaped them into heart. Then using a toothpick we poked two button holes into each center. The fimo needs to bake at a low temperature in the oven to harden them. They are super cute, and the kids were able to create them on their own.

The tea bag holder is something I saw on another blog, but alas I couldn't find the one I used for the pattern. I did find another blog which has a description of how to make this tea bag wallet which is very similar. I always feel a little bit intimidated by sewing because I think I should have more background information to do it...but most of the time I am surprised by how well I think it turns out. This was one of those times.

The kids got new corkers. In an extremely short amount of time they have gone through 3 large balls of yarn with the determination to sew the strips together to make a sharing blanket! How great!

Aria got her loom out after a long break and has made a few panels for doll pillows. There was a great article on weaving in the latest addition of Living Crafts magazine which has fueled even more enthusiasm into the weaving that's already been happening. The project is not only fabulous but the author talks about the simplicity and beauty of weaving, the breathing in and out, the interconnectedness of the fabric. So, not having my own loom and not feeling fully right about sneaking Aria's while she sleeps :P, I have made one out of card board and been loving that simplicity while experimenting.

Elias has been spending quite a bit of time on the front porch or in the garage with tools building with wood. He has carved and put together an axe and an airplane. He seems to have a whole process; pondering on what the wood might be, carving, glueing, sanding, carving some more, painting, varnishing, thinking of who to gift it to, or whether he should keep it. It is very interesting to see someone else go through this process, one so unique to that individual.

I love that the life path I have chosen has exposed me to these beautiful arts, but also that I get to do them beside my children, who inspire and encourage.

Happy Valentine's Day

A fire outside for lunch, in the gorgeous sunshine. Everyone home. Having crafted for friends we love. Chocolate treats and strawberry milkshakes on the menu. Surrounded by love.

Hmmm

What is this?

Either this is a really talented deer, or there is a jokester among us. hmmm.

What the rain brings

It was really rainy, gray and windy a couple of days this week (although we still have lots of snow), which meant more indoor time than usual. Before long the crafting supplies and the creativity was flowing. Followed by an invite to a hand 'puppet' show.

That's just 1/2 the story

Its all about fractions at our house. It so happened that the kids all happened to reach the fraction portion of their math at the same time. They all noticed this, and shared what parts they were struggling with or finding smooth. It very quickly with a little bit of organizing from me, a few books from the library and a strong deserve from everyone, became the focus for the past week. It doesn't seem to be waning either.

We have been making paper pizza, real pizza, making lunches and dividing them into fifths. We made cards, one set with pictures of fractioned pizza and one set with the fraction number. We played matching games, guessing games and on their own they came up with a memory version. We have been mixing building blocks with fractions to see if we can build walls with the combinations we picked. Allowance has been divided out per day; getting 1/7th of it everyday.

Lots of great stuff. It is so invigorating when everyone is so excited.

some on line resources

games

activities, more activities

lesson plans and more

elementary

More Carrots

It occurred to me that I actually have two great carrot recipes. This one is a cake. A truly yummy cake, very caloric cake We use this one as our traditional birthday cake and it is always a hit! I got it from my Mrs. Field's cook book (which I sadly forget in the grocery cart one day-yeah for the internet.

2 1/2 all purpose flour
2 TB baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups butter
cream cheese
1/2 crushed pineapple
1 cup raisins
3 large eggs
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts

preheat oven to 350, grease two 9 inch baking pans.
In large bowl mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and sugars. Add butter, one egg and vanilla, mix with electric mixer on low, then increase to medium and beat for two minutes. Scrap and add remaining eggs and beat until mixed. Add pineapple, carrot, raisins and walnuts until mixed.
Pour into pans and bake for 60 mins until tooth pick is clean. Cool for 10 mins and remove from pans.

Icing
1 16 oz pack of cream cheese softened
3 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
2 tbs extract vanilla
lemon juice 1 tbs

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth, add vanilla and lemon, mix and scrap sides. Gradually add the sugar mixing on low until smooth. Ice one layer, then put second layer on top and continue icing.

Another Recipe

A friend asked for this recipe. And I must say it's good. Really good. I got the recipe from a CSA we belonged to a few years ago. Its a carrot cake recipe, but really its more like a dense bread. Its really flavorful and filling, it never lasts long. The trick I think of this fabulous bread is that you cook and soak some of it over night. I usually grate the carrots in the food process so I often grate a whole bag and make a few batches (or freeze the carrot).

3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup water
1 cup raisins
2 cups finely grate carrot (about 4 medium)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts (I usually use walnuts or pecans)
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/8 cups all purpose flour (i have used all whole wheat or spelt or white depending what i have)
2 tsps baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan (bigger if you are doing more than one batch) combine sugar, water, raisins, carrots, butter, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring mixture to a boil over moderately high heat, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 mins. Cover the pan and let the mixture rest for 12 hours (refrigeration is not necessary.
In a medium bowl, combine the nuts whole wheat and all purpose flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add this to the carrot mixture after it has rested (i just leave it over night and mix in the morning) stirring just to combine the ingredients. Divide the batter between two oiled loaf pans. Bake the cakes in at 275 for 70 mins.
Enjoy

Two peas

They dress up together everyday.

Prince and Princess.

I love watching the stories they weave, giggling together.

She loves to lead. He loves to follow.


He feels like a big kid. She doesn't have to act grown up.

a pocketful of birthdays

Its tradition for my family to group birthdays together and celebrate them all at once, which makes even more sense since we moved. So January and beginning of February means four birthdays to celebrate. We got together for dinner at my sisters on the Saturday night. We had cake, the traditional birthday hat and gift exchange. As always lots of thoughtful gifts (we are just such a nice bunch).

My mum turned 60 this year (and is happy not to be having twins) so it was a special one. The kids worked really hard over several weeks making a collection of cards for her to use and but them in a box they decoupaged with tissue paper. I made a small quilt (my first!), my sister gave her a great watercolour set and my dad some jewelry.

On the Sunday we had a surprise party with my family and family and friends. We had a brunch style meal and lots of mingling. Most of my parents friends have been in their lives since we were teenagers and longer. So in a way I got to play catch up too and show off my kids.

I am blessed to truly treasure my mum, our friendship and celebrate her. She is pretty swell.

Friday Coop

Our Friday family coop (even though we moved we aren't leaving it!) having been exploring artists. While we were down for the birthdays we joined them for the session. One of the mums talked a little about the group of seven artists and the style of art they created. Then the kids were given a chance to look out the big window of the room and create their own landscape. It was wonderful to be in the mix with all of them.

The way a Friday afternoon should be

It was just the afternoon we needed. Pure playtime, chatting for mum, glorious sun and loved ones.

Feeding the Birds

With a tease of spring like weather (yeah for temperatures above 0!), we decided to give feeding the birds another attempt. When we first moved here one of our plans (and there are many) has been to have a bird feeder seen from every window in the house. We put a few up with in the first week of being here. And a few days afterwards we watched deer trample down the feeders and eat the seed. We were thrilled. Deer to watch out our windows! While feeding the deer is not our goal, neither is wasting money on feeders only to be trampled.

This morning we gathered all the containers out of the recycling, including a few plastic trays from packaging. We cut out holes, put in popsicle stick posts, strung some twine through and filled with seed. We divided the area and hung up our different collection of new bird feeders.

We are excited to see who visits!

The Nerve!

I got ticked the other day for jay walking. Unbelievable eh? And to top it off one of my kids gave it to me- in my kitchen! For Christmas Shai got a plasma car from my parents. Since then there has been a non stop flow of traffic circling the kitchen, living room, dinning room. I hadn't noticed speed signs put up on all the walls, and apparently you need to obey the lights changing which during lunch prep I didn't heed to. So there you have it, I have been ticketed.

Ding a ling a ling

I have always wanted a dinner bell. Really, for as long as I can remember, I have know I wanted to be a mama and own a dinner bell! One of the only things I bought when we moved (because we have a bigger yard) was a dinner bell. The kids roam all over the place, which I love. If they need to know we will be leaving soon or that dinner is almost ready, or that I can hear them arguing, I ring the bell. I must confess when I first got it I would ring it for all kinds of silly things - just to say hi or ask if they liked the bell. But then they reminded me of the little boy who cries wolf and well I ring it when I need too. I hug counts as a need though, right?