{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Joining SouleMama today

Family, home baked bread and sunshine - just perfect!

Autumn Homeschool Nature Study

I know this weeks challenge was to study the pear tree. The problem is, in our neighbourhood, we are surrounded by loads of wonderful apple trees which just beg to be climbed, fruit picked and eaten on the spot! 

So we took a bit of liberty and focused on what is surrounding us in abundance at the moment.

First up.... the walk. We appear to be experiencing a bit of an Indian summer here in England, so instead of reserving our walk for Friday (our nature study day) we decided to head out on Wednesday to take advantage of the sunshine, after all, you never know how long our sunny streak will keep on for!

We enjoyed the quiet of nature around us. The distant hum of life faintly reached our ears and provided an almost peaceful lullaby. The smell of fallen leaves tickled our senses. We listened to the birds calling in the trees and watched a few insects buzz busily about in some tall grass.

 Of course you simply cannot see an apple tree laden with it's jewel colored fruit and not be tempted to pick and eat. Did Eve feel this way I wonder?

We were startled by this little fella! He was hoping about in the long grass. I'm not quite sure what he was doing there, but he certainly gave Miss J-L a fright!

The rest of our lesson happened today. First we watched this little video on Johnny Appleseed, just to get into the zone.

 

I had done a little prep work by reading up on the apple tree from the Handbook of Nature Study, pages 665-670.  

We spent a short time discussing our observations of the apple trees. We noted that they are not very big trees - at least not the ones near us. 

The apples on our trees are all quite small, but we discussed the various types of apples that we have had in our fruit bowl over the years, which ones we enjoyed most, the different tastes and uses for various species of apple.

Next was nature journal time. We had cut an apple in two as Barb had recommended we do. 

I also wrote a poem or two on the blackboard for those who wanted to add a bit extra into their journals. 

I really love this time that we spend together working in our journals. It has become about so much more than nature. My girls open up and we end up chatting about this and that, whatever their hearts choose to share. Our journaling times seem to have grown comfortably longer. 

Most of our time is no longer spent trying to rush through our entries (although some of us below 5ft still have some days like that. The girls really do enjoy recording their findings and are proud to show their journals to daddy when he gets home, or to friends. Here are this weeks entries from the girls...

Yarn Along - September 28

{Joining Ginny for this weeks yarn along at Small Things}

Well, here they are - the slippers I shared last week all felted.

They shrank much more than I expected, so unfortunately for my eldest dd, they went to my youngest dd - much to her delight! She absolutely loves them, finding them warm and comfortable to pop on during our homeschooling days. I have already cast on for another pair, this time knitting bigger squares for a bigger pair. Not only are  my daughters in love with these slippers, but so are quite a few of my non-knitty friends. I have found myself with a list of orders and eager wearers-to-be!

I've had another 'On the needles - Off the needles' week again. (feeling pre-tty constructive at the mo!)

In August 2010, I bought this lovely yarn from a friend who is just so talented. She knits, spins, dyes etc...

Yarn on the right is today's focus ;o)

I had intended to knit a beret from it (yarn on the left was used for my Aestlight Shawl I shared last week), but I have been dying to knit a cowl. This was another opportunity to try something lacy. It was a quick knit and was able to continue my project in front of the telly with my family in the evenings (often the only time I get to knit), and felt just heavenly to work with! (eeeeek, I think I MIGHT becoming a yarn snob!)

Anyhoo, here it is...

I'm going to knit it again using a plain yarn (this beautiful yarn really did not need any lace - its pretty just as it is!), and I am going to make it wider so that it can cover a bit more of the head on those nippy winter days! I'm going to share this little pattern with you. My friend Wendy shared it with me. She simply found this lacy pattern she loved and kept knitting until her desired length was reached. Here is her BEAUTIFUL cowl which inspired me ;o)

Using Double knit wool and needles slightly larger than recommended (for a more open work effect),  cast on 31 stitches (use any multiple of 9 stitches plus 4)

Rows 1 & 3 always purl

Row 2: K3,*yo, k2, skp, k2 tog, k2, yo, k1 - repeat from * to end, k1

Row 4: K2 *yo, k2, skp, k2 tog, k2, yo, k1 - repeat from * to end, k2

Abbreviations: yo (yarn over) skp (slip one, knit 1 pass slipped stitch over) k2 tog (knit 2 stitches together)

On the book side - I've just finished my Jack Sheffield book which has ended on a cliffhanger, (oh the suspense!). The next book is only due for release mid January 2012 but I have already placed my order ;o) I haven't really decided what to read next. I am awaiting the arrival of the Charlotte Mason Series of books I have just bought so I'm not rushing to start something new right now. Not sure how long that will last though ;o) - probably until my next library visit!

Hope you all have a happy, knitty week!

Some Simple {frugal} Autumn Decorating

I had some grand ideas on sewing, embroidering and crafting loads of wonderful autumnal knick knacks to decorate my home this season. The reality of a homeschooling mama though, is that our days are not free to do this. Our days are purposed for teaching our beautiful children, for spending time laughing and sharing moments with them. A very small window of time is available to us (although we do need to carve this window of time out - it is important) to craft. Most of my knitting is done at night with my family around me ;o) To haul out the sewing machine is to have to set aside a whole afternoon, they are a rare thing what with having to keep home after educating hours ;o)

Yesterday I realised that the saying, 'The best things in life are free,' is indeed true. I can still bring autumn into the home by utilizing the best 'decor' of all - straight from mother nature herself. As I walked along the way with the children while on our nature walk, I thought how pretty a couple of sprays of autumn leaves would look in a vase. I had also read on some very creative lady's blog (I can't find it now for the life of me!) that she had made an autumn leaf collage years ago, and the trick to keeping those vibrant colors was to pick a whole branch of them, bring them inside and allow the leaves to dry on the branch. Picking the leaves off the branch eventually results in brown leaves - the russet colors lost forever.

So here it is, a simple spray of autumn color placed on a window-sill. It's so pretty and brings a smile to my heart every time it catches my eye.

I also receive the Woodland Trust newsletter - delivered to my email box. It keeps me in the loop as to what is going on in nature in England. (Why not visit Woodland Trust website and join up for their free newsletter?) They often have wonderful freebies and neat ideas to incorporate into our seasonal living. Yesterday was Woodland Trust newsletter day, I was so delighted with the little (simple) autumn project they shared that I just had to share it with you...

Picture from the Vistwoods Website

Look at that! Little autumn oak leaves to knit. Aren't they just so sweet? I shouldn't imagine they would take long to knit and you could probably rustle up quite a few in a couple of evenings. Imagine displaying this little collection in a little wooden bowl. Please visit the Vistwoods website for the pattern.

Autumn Blessings All...

OHC - Leaf Miners and Leaf Rollers

Our favourite school day - Friday. No, not because it is the last day of the week, but because Fridays are for nature study and lots of messy art fun. Today we had a little friend along for the ride. Everyone made sure that they were up dressed and ready to get the day started - (always a good start to the day ;o). I think having a friend join our lesson somehow made it all a bit more magical!

This week we focused on Barb's Leaf Miners and Leaf Rollers challenge. Having prepared for the lesson over last week-end, I was excited about the prospect of finding evidence of these two fascinating insects - but not hopeful. After all - I have NEVER seen such evidence! It became apparent as we left our back door (yes - evidence was found RIGHT in our own garden) that the reason I have never seen these marvels is because I have neglected to OBSERVE!

Once we had read the allocated pages and watched two short YouTube videos - here and here, we were ready to hit the park. As I mentioned, we had not even left our own garden and we found trails left behind by Leaf Miners on some of our plants.

As we walked through the park, enjoying the changing colors, picking apples to eat along the way, the girls hunted for a rolled up leaf. There was much delight when we found one!

Once all our specimens were gathered we headed home to record our finds. There was a surprise in our rolled up leaf however that got all the girls squealing! We expected to find a wee beetle, instead we found and Earwig! 'Eeeewww! he's SO ugly', they squealed. But then a remarkable thing happened before my eyes. As the girls spent time watching and observing him, as they listened to me reading a little bit about him, a change happened. 'Aaaahh! He's not so ugly - he's actually kindda cute!', utters one little girl, 'Can I keep him as a pet?'

Of course we decided that it would be really unkind to keep him in our small little observation tub. We set him free in our garden, although I'm not sure if that was very wise as we read that they do love to eat the petals of flowers!

I'll finish off this post with a peek into our nature journals...

{This Moment}

{this moment}, a Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

 

A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

 

 

Joining Soule Mama

Yarn Along - 21 September

HAPPY AUTUMN EQUINOX ;O)

Are you enjoying the start of this lovely season? I sure am. I have been totally inspired by the colors that are showing themselves around me. In Scotland I was inspired by the greens and purples of the Highlands. Closer to home I am inspired by russet colors of the leaves and apple laden trees.

With the onset of cooler weather, my knitting needles have been flying! Each day I look forward to the afternoons, after the children's lessons are done, so that I can sit and pick up my needles again. As a result, I have had two finishes this week plus a productive start on a new project. Let me share...

Joining Ginny at Small Things for today's Yarn Along

I have a friend in South Africa who is due to have baby number 3 in January. A friend of hers sent out the call for us to design and knit squares for a surprise baby blanket. I was quite excited about this as it was my first attempt at charting a design. After a few false starts and a bit of jiggling to get the design centered we had victory!

Last week I shared my prayer shawl that I was knitting for my Step-mother. I really found it hard to put down. The lace was really simple and I just loved watching it grow. I had finished it in no time, got it blocked, had a quick modeling session with my youngest daughter and then popped it in the post. I am hoping that it will arrive in South Africa later this week ;o)

Now for the current project, inspired by a visit through Yarn Along -*sigh* I am always so inspired when I visit all your lovely blogs!

I spotted this really easy tutorial for knitted - and felted- Norwegian slippers over at Moonbeams and Applesauce. So, loosing no time I orderd some wool - which arrived the very next day (always so efficient!) and started knitting. Here was so far - pre-felting

The book that I am reading at the moment is the last (so far) in a series written by Jack Sheffield. Jack Sheffield was Headteacher at a small Yorkshire. His books are a wonderful, often humorous account of his time there. I feel quite sad that this is the last book ;o) but always find great suggestions through this wonderful link up! Thank you Ginny.

Happy knitting all.

{this moment}

{this moment}, a Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

 

joining Soule Mama today

 

Little Autumn Book Basket

Now that the mountain of laundry is under control, I have begun to work on some of those Autumn plans I mentioned. I thought I would give you a peek at our little Autumn book basket display.

The girls think it looks really sweet ;o) I just love the corn! (found on ebay)

Yarn Along - 14 September

*sorry - I thought this pattern was free on Ravelry but it's not. Please accept my apologies.
I am so excited to be working on this shawl ( pattern on Ravelry)! For one thing, it is my first attempt at lace work.

Join Ginny at Small Things for this weeks Yarn Along

Simple lace work, but great for a first lace project. For another thing, I actually started this shawl last year. No, I have not been procrastinating, but I have been moving countries, then running out of the yarn and having to have some more custom dyed and then sent over to me in England. So it has quite a little story to it.

This shawl is purposed for my dear Step-mother. My dad was tragically killed last year May, and this shawl is my 'prayer shawl' for her. Have you heard of prayer shawls? If you click on the link you can read all about it. But basically, as you knit the shawl you pray for the person it is for. I think that this is such a beautiful ministry and such a personal way to keep the person you are knitting for lifted up in prayer.

The book that you see in the picture is titled 'Warm Fuzzies'. I found it on the shelves of my library and am thinking that it is a must have for my own personal library! It is full of wonderful ideas using old jumpers that you find in thrift stores and then felt at home. The ideas are fun, fresh and exciting. My crafty 'To Do' list has just grown considerably!

;o)

Holiday Snaps

I am still tackling a mountain of laundry, the only remnants of our glorious week away in Scotland. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So instead of boring you with lots of details, I will simple share a few moments from our wonderful time in beautiful Scotland.

Our diggs for the week

Super Excited Children!

Watching How it's done

Our First Lock

Entering Loch Ness

The Famous Urquhart Castle

A VERY impressive passenger liner passing through Fort Augustus

Evening walk through Fort Augustus

Simply fishing

Off To the Highlands...

Well, the time has finally come for us to set off for a week in the Scottish Highlands! We are so super excited. 15 years ago -BC (before children) my DH and I took a week on a houseboat and meandered our way across Scotland from Inverness to Fort William.

Later, our blessings arrived and we thought how nice it would be to make the trip again - on the very same boat - with them. Well, the dream is about to become reality.

So - hope you all have a wonderful week, I'll be sure to post lots of lovely pictures of beautiful Scotland.

Until then - far- thee-well.

Autumn Foods - Blackberry and Apple Crumble

Fresh picked apples (from our nature walk) and blackberries (from our garden)

I promised a recipe for Blackberry and Apple Crumble - a longtime favourite here in England. This recipe is from my all time favourite foodie chef - Hugh Fearnley-whittingstall of River Cottage. Right - here we go...

This little one went to our neighbor who so sweetly gave the girls a little spending money for their holiday ;o) Of course no apple crumble is complete without a little ice-cream!

Ingredients:

650g apples
250g blackberries
20g caster sugar
75g caster sugar for filling
125g unsalted butter
200g plain flour
75g roughly chopped hazelnuts
custard or vanilla ice-cream to serve

METHOD

How to make blackberry and apple hazelnut crumble

1. Preheat the oven to 190°c, Gas Mark 5.

2. Peel, core and roughly chop 650g Bramley apples. Put them in an ovenproof dish of around 1.5 litre capacity. Add 250g blackberries and 4 tbsp caster or granulated sugar (or to taste) and toss together.

3. Cut 125g cold, unsalted butter into small cubes. Add to 200g plain flour and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. (Alternatively, do this in a food processor, then transfer to a bowl). Stir in 75g caster sugar and 75g roughly chopped hazelnuts.

4. Spread this mixture lightly over the fruit, then bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown on top, and bubbling underneath. Serve hot with custard or vanilla ice cream.

© River Cottage

Enjoy!

OHC - First Nature Walk of the New School Year!

This little copse of trees lies just down the road - perfect to collect seeds.

As we have in the past, this year, we will continue to use Barb's Outdoor Hour Challenge to guide our nature studies. With this months newsletter guide being Weeds, Seeds and Other Delights - we were excited kick off our first nature walk with our focus being 'seeds'. 'Other delights' will come along with us at each walk as I have come to realise that nature tends to throw these in at every opportunity. Today was no exception and we were blessed with a double delights whammy! But before we get ahead of ourselves, let me start at the beginning.

Before setting off on our walk, we printed off these cute little seed collection bags (link in Barbs newsletter). We spent 10 minutes putting them together which got the girls into the spirit of things. I included a little home-made notebook which slotted into their little bags and a small pencil each.

Having all the necessary tools (mine being the camera and field guide) we set off down the road, enjoying the early Autumn sights, sounds and general atmosphere. Our first task was to see who could spot the first sign of Autumn...

The girls had eagle eyes this morning and both yelled out their sighting of leaves changing color.
Our way was just ladened with evidence of Autumn fruits and seeds. Our little bags filled up quickly.

I'm pretty sure this is of the Rowan family but could not find its name.

Berries of the Rowan or Mountain Ash (Pyrus aucuparie)

Hips of the Dog rose

 Now to quickly share our double delight. As we were walking we spotted an apple tree ladened with fruit, then another and another. These trees were not in anyone's garden, just by the wayside. Of course we could NOT resist filling up our nature collecting bag which I had fortunately brought along. I have taken out some blackberries from the freezer and tonight we will be making blackberry and apple crumble to celebrate the start of this wonderful Autumn season - (one of the dishes on my themes and plans post). I will pop in later or tomorrow to share the recipe.

Delight #1 - fresh crisp apples

While the girls were up the tree, I spotted some sweet peas growing wild in amongst the brush (delight #2) and so picked a small posy to grace a jam jar at home ;o)

Delight #2 - Sweet peas growing wild.

Once our hands and bags were filled with natures bounty, we headed for home to record our treasures in our nature journals. I set up a small disply of our treasures...

Our nature finds.

labeling each one with it's common and Latin name. This is something new I tried out today and I found it to be successful. The girls were able to see exactly what it was they were drawing and the correct spelling for their  journals.

With such a bounty of nature treasures, the girls chose 3 or 4 things to draw and paint in their journals. I took out my own journal and realised that it has been exactly one year since I spent time in it!!! I was shocked that I had let so much time elapse between entries. I find the time spent journalling relaxing and therapeutic, but realise that with the upheaval of our international move I have found little time to indulge in this pastime. We spent a good two hours on our journals and loved every minute. I was post impressed to the the improvement in my youngest's journalling. Here are our finished pages...

J-L's Page

V-L's Page

My Page

What a lovely end to the week!