tales, treasures and tidbits!!

Every other Monday, (starting next Monday) notions & threads will feature a story, with a related craft and recipe. It incorporates many of my favorite parts of homeschooling; reading, cooking and crafting. This is something I have been thinking about for a while. Since Kelly's death, a year ago, I have struggled with what to do with this space. This blog was very important to her. For this reason it didn't feel right to close up shop. But at the same time, it didn't feel right to go on business as usual. And when I look back at this years posts, it seems like a whole lot of sadness. I feel it was necessary, but now I hear Kelly's voice saying, "enough already!" This is what she has helped me come up with. Kelly was always so encouraging and supportive in everything I did. But what seemed to bring her the most joy, were the projects I did with the kids.

What to expect
Each week I will start with a quote from the featured story. I will do my best to provide a link to the featured story in some form. Then, I'll write a bit about the story and why I chose it. Following that will be a tutorial for a related craft and then a recipe.

Join us

Following a model I learned years ago from The Junior Great Books program, this is how we are implementing Tales, Treasures and Tidbits into our life. On Monday we read/listen to the story. That is it. Unless they have a question, we are done. On Tuesday, we reread the story. This day, I ask if there are any lessons they have learned from it. This usually leads into a discussion. I love to hear their little minds at work. On Wednesday, we read the story again. This time we start to work on our project. On Friday, we read again but first we make a snack to enjoy after story time. We make our snack, read our story then enjoy our tidbit. So thats it. It's pretty simple. Mortimer Adler wrote a whole book on how to read a book and the benefits of rereading so I won't try to impart all the benefits of it here. In a nut shell, I believe the repetition helps them to take in all the story has to offer. I've definitely seen good fruits in working this way with my crew (at least in the 1 year old!!), but of course, join in however best fits your life.

So that's it! I'm pretty excited. So are the kids. I hope you join us. I promise great fun :)

365 days...

since you left us. 

Love you always.

p.s. come back on Monday for a Kelly inspired project :)

March

Last March we were here. When I think of the anniversaries of next few months, I feel a tightness in my chest. There is part of me that wishes I had known just how minute an amount time was left and another part that knows that there is very little, if anything, I could have done differently. I miss her so, so much. But the memories are precious and I have, an all-too-short lifetime of them. What a gift.

Zelie is three months now. Such a beautiful distraction. I have much to be thankful for.

been busy...

lovin' this baby.

Zelie Mae

11-23-10

7 lbs 15 oz  (ouch!)

I'll be back soon :)

Stones

Most of you know about this blog's connection to Gardenmama and the Wellness Tree. Well, true to form, in honor of Kelly's Birthday, the beautiful Nicole did a perfectly wonderful thing and set up a swap. An Artful Stone Swap. I chose to paint on my stones.

Each one different, I wrapped them in pieces of an old vintage pattern and bound them with raffia that had belonged to Kelly. As I said a little prayer for each recipient, I closed my eyes (to remain impartial), put each tiny parcel in their envelope and sent them off. I don't know who will receive which stone, but I trust that it's message is particularly for the one who receives it :)

Lots of love

Ch,ch,ch,changes

So, as you can see, I've made some changes here on the blog. I've been hesitant, for obvious reasons, but when I looked at the page there was so much that wasn't true anymore. Inspired by the fall, a transformation seemed in order. I hope it pleases :)

And for those of you waiting to hear about the family experiment, it was a bust. But that's okay. It was my own fault. I wasn't prepared enough. I promise to give a full report when it actually happens. In the meantime, I will give you a hint. It involves the question, how many "necessities" can we live with out for a week? Scary? I know.

We have been busy making things, which you all know is a favorite pastime.

pumpkin butter

bundt cakes

Wee Folk Felt Dolls inspired by this post

 our first ever corn husk dolls

 leaf piles

more bundt cakes

and pumpkin puree

See, loads of fun! It really has been quite wonderful. I love doing things like this as a family. Speaking of family, I wanted to share my sister-in-law's, sister-in-law (who is also my dear friend) Liz's etsy shop, While PJ sleeps! She is a new mama and an incredible artist. She has been making these unbelievable pictures using paint sample swatches from the hardware store! Her work is amazing so please check out her shop and spread the word. 

Lots of Love :)

Things have been a bit crazy here. We are in the middle of a family experiment :) Not much time to talk. But please enjoy these pictures (taken by K.T.) of the beautiful Autumn we are having and the first pie I have ever made from scratch (inspired by Ari)!!

Lots of Love

For You...

The picture above was taken 9 years ago, maybe to the day. A nine month old Maxie and I flew into Colorado so you and I could celebrate our birthdays together. So very much has happened in such a short time. It seems so unreal. So wrong. Today (like everyday) I missed you and can't get this song out of my head. After sending you a depressing message on Facebook and subsequent mini breakdown at 4:30 this morning, I have done my best to be happy (except when I almost gave in to the overwhelming urge to kick over the Breast Cancer sign at the door of the grocery store with the two smiling ladies and the caption, "We beat it", while ripping all the pink ribbons to shreds).* Not overly successful. But I did manage to do a few other things that I know would make you smile...

Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches (a staple in your junior high lunch box),

 Apple picking... ok so I didn't actually go apple picking, but I looked longingly at my neighbors tree and wished I could pick them,**

and your mama's "apple of my eye" bundt cake with caramel sauce. I have never had a bundt cake turn out so perfectly. Thanks for that :)

Happy Birthday Buff!! 

I love you.

*I am thrilled for Cancer survivors!! Truly. You know my grandma is a survivor. It just stung a little today. You understand.

** The cake was not made from stolen apples :)

apologies, reunions, creating and dreaming

First I want to apologize for my unacceptable over use of quotation marks in the last post. I have no excuse. But, it does remind me of point #1 of this. If you don't follow the blog Cake Wrecks and like to laugh hysterically, I highly recommend it!

 I am off to my 20 year reunion. I can't believe it has been 20 years since I graduated high school! Aren't I still 17? And who the heck had all these kids and left them at my house?! Although I jest, it really does feel that way sometimes. Especially when I see or talk to friends from high school. It feels so normal to be with them, like not a day has passed. I can't wait.

In further preparing for Lulu's birthday, I borrowed these books from the Library. Which have in turn inspired these...

Aren't they magical?

I want to live in one. Just a little larger, like this.
Actually, we really, really do want to live in a house like the one in the link. Maybe one day.

See you next week :)

Getting back to normal?

I'm not really sure what normal means or if anything about my life could ever be described that way, but we started back to "school" this week or home educating as some of my friends call it, and it felt good.

On a purely personal note, since the little toadstool, I have been getting back to "normal" by making a few other things. Inspired by this and this, I made this fairy crown for Lulu's Birthday Party.

I really love the way it turned out, even if it isn't a soft looking as the original felted version. It's supposed to go to a guest. But I might have to keep this one. I have three more to make.

After Susan, Kelly's precious mama and my adopted mama :), sent K.T. and me these lovely aprons,

 someone became a little jealous. So I made her this...

Apparently, a photo-shoot wasn't how Miss Lulu wanted to spend her time. So sorry Miss thing! 

I guess all this "making" is contagious. Kathryn made these the other day...

And Gabe, who is reading Robin Hood for school, made Solo these...

along with a belt and a cape. 

{Unfortunately the cape has been the victim of some misfortune (I'm sure the result of some battle to protect the poor), and the photos I took pre-incident are on my camera and the little dodad that allows me to put the photos on the computer has gone caput! All the lovely (note the sarcasm!) pics from today's post are courtesy of iPhone. Anyhoo, photos of the two foot Robin Hood will have to wait.} 

To celebrate a successful first week of "school", we had a delicious breakfast

peaches, pears, and cherries

topped with oats, flour, and butter

Baked to bubbly perfection!

So good!!!

So there you have it. I could show you much more. There's been drawing, book making, sewing, baking, and other fun stuff going on. It has been a good week. I think maybe "normal" means creating here in this happy, madhouse. I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Thank you to all the supportive comments. They mean so very much to me. Wish I could give you all a big hug :) It is my hope to post at least once a week, so you'll be seeing more of me.  

Take care and have a great holiday weekend!!