Thursday, September 30

Leaves!

We don't have a huge variety of changing leaves yet, but we needed something to divert us from the rain, so we collected some to preserve in beeswax. I melted some beeswax candle stubs in a homemade double boiler (a large can from the recycling in a saucepan with a few inches of boiling water), dipped the leaves into the melted wax, and placed them carefully on parchment paper.

While the children napped, I strung them on some embroidery thread to make an autumn garland.

We'll be going on a little trip in a few weeks to my husband's seminary. Hopefully, there will be lots of leaves changing there so we can do this again!

Rainy Days...


Tuesday, September 28

Learning Basket: Zoo...

Field Trip to the Zoo
Scavenger Hunt at the Zoo (Create a sheet of animal pictures for children to find on the zoo trip)
Play with a Barrel Full of Monkeys
Listen to Peter and the Wolf

Monday, September 27

Farm Fun...

.:Miniature Horse:.

.:Llama:.

.:Piglet:.

.:Little Kids:.

.:Duck Race:.

.:Corn Maze:.
.:Straw Mountain.:

.:Hay Bale Maze:.

.:Cornbox:.

Observing Nature: Backyard Birds...


We recently moved our bird feeders near the screened-in porch and brought out a bird bath with the hope that the birds would come closer to the house. I also gathered up all of our birding books and folding guides, binoculars, and Audubon birds (from my father-in-law!) to create something like Playful Learning Spaces Bird Watching Station. As long as we stay behind the windows, they are happy to oblige! On Friday, an Eastern Bluebird family came to play! Sugar Plum and Little Man had fun looking through their folding guide for our area to find the birds that were visiting and Sugar Plum tried using binoculars to see them up close!

Friday, September 24

Friday's Feminine Tip: Femininity Through the Sense of Taste...


Here are some things that we can do to improve the feminine taste of things:

Make foods you know your family will enjoy eating.

Keep mints in your handbag to quickly freshen breath.

Be sure to replace your toothbrush as recommended by your dentist.

Introduce your family to a variety of different foods to help broaden their taste horizons.

Get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year.

Bring a signature dish to share at pot lock suppers, coffee hours, or to other events where food is shared.

Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your menu planning.

Develop a taste for your husband's hobbies and interests so that you are able to show him genuine interest.

Practice good taste when dealing with other people... whether they are in your family, friends, acquaintances, or even strangers.

Take your family's tastes into consideration when purchasing clothing, furniture, decorations, etc.

Use fresh herbs and spices in your cooking.

Thursday, September 23

The Harvest Moon...



Once the sky darkened and the little ones were all ready for bed, we surprised them by getting on their shoes and taking them for a little walk up the road to enjoy the beautiful and full harvest moon! Did you see it tonight?

Tuesday, September 21

Learning Basket: Autumn...

Books
A Tree for All Seasons
Flower Fairies of the Autumn
Circle of Seasons (Autumn pages only)
A Child's Calendar (September pages)
Out and About (Only Autumn pages)

Crafts and Activities
Put Away Summer Decorations and Put Out Autumn Ones
Enjoy the Fall Festival at a Farm
Autumn Felt Board
Play Hide the Apple (we'll take turns hiding an apple somewhere in a room while the others keep their eyes closed and then try to find it)
Bake Apple Cake
Create an Autumn Tree (Trace a tree trunk onto large paper. Color in the tree and glue torn bits of construction paper on for leaves)

Beautiful Day Blueberry Muffins...


A beautiful day is a sure thing when you put a basket of these muffins on your breakfast table!

Ingredients

Muffins
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups blueberries

Topping
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbs. butter
3/4 tsp. cinnamon

Method


Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ingredients, but be sure not to over mix. Divide batter into prepared muffin cups. Combine topping ingredients to make strusel. Sprinkle over each muffin 20 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Yields about 12 muffins.

Monday, September 20

Homemade Applesauce...


We made applesauce today using Sarah's Applesauce Recipe from AllRecipes. It is so easy and delicious!
Ingredients
  • 4 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method

In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.

**I didn't bother peeling or coring the apples. I just cut them into chunks and proceeded with the recipe. Once the apples were tender, I put them through a food mill. It worked like a charm and was a lot less work!**

Observing Nature: Wild Kingdom...

Huge Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis in Relation to a Four-Year-Old Hand

Fresh from the Chrysalis

Orthodox Christianity on the Football Field...



With the new football season in full swing, consider rooting for Troy Polamalu!

Friday, September 17

Friday's Feminine Tip: Femininity Through the Sense of Touch...

Pastel by Degas

Here are some things that we can do to improve the feminine touch of things:

Wear clothing that is touchable. Some great fabrics are: soft and crisp cottons, soft or fine woolens, and anything soft, silky, and womanly.

Be sure to apply lotion to your skin daily to prevent roughness.

Use conditioner in your hair to promote soft, silky strands.

Add texture to your decorating by using soft blankets, throw pillows, and other linens.

Be sure to keep surfaces in your home clean and dust free.

Use fabric softener or dryer sheets when doing laundry.

Wear soft slippers around your home during the day to keep your toes pampered and warm.

Use baskets of different weaves to hold odds and ends around your home.

Keep fluffy towels in your kitchen and bathroom.

Just as your husband gets into the shower on a cold day, toss his towel into the dryer so that it is toasty when he's ready to use it.

After going for a long walk, enjoy a hot beverage or an icy cold one... depending on the weather.

Take a cat nap in the sun and feel the warmth on your skin.

Take a long bath complete with bubbles or bath oils.

Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.

Exfoliate your lips and use a lip balm to help them stay soft.

Be gentle.

Learn to move more slowly, elegantly, and purposefully.

Walk in a light graceful manner.

Practice feminine facial expressions.

Keep your legs smooth by shaving or waxing frequently.

If You Can't Say Something Nice...


Two Conversations that took place within ten minutes of one another:

Sales Woman: How old is your baby?
Juliana: Oh, he's actually my sister's baby. He's three months old.
Sales Woman (with look of disapproval): Are those all her children?
Juliana (without missing a beat): Yes, isn't she so lucky?
Sales Woman: Uhhhh... Yes?

***

Shopper: Are you a princess?

(Sugar Plum shyly looks down.)

Shopper: You can't wear a pretty pink dress and pink shoes without being a princess!
Mama: Sugar Plum, say thank you.
Sugar Plum: Thank you!
Shopper (looking at Little Man seriously and a little meanly): And I know what you are... The devil in disguise!
Mama: ???
***

I do want to point out that though my children can certainly be naughty little monkeys, they were being quiet and very good in this particular store.

Tuesday, September 14

The Elevation of the Cross...

O Lord, save Thy people,
And bless Thine inheritance.
Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians
Over their enemies
And by virtue of Thy Cross
Preserve Thy habitation

Stained Glass Crosses from Orthodox Christian Craft Supply

Our feast day table

The cross decorated in the center of the church

Learning Basket: Harvest...

Books
The Ox Cart Man
Hello, Harvest Moon
Winter Days in the Big Woods
Strega Nona's Harvest
The Man and the Vine

Crafts and Activities
Hand Print Wreath
Make Homemade Applesauce
Watch the Harvest Moon go from Crescent to Half Moon to Full Harvest Moon on the 23rd
Snack on Cinnamon Doughnuts and Apple Cider
Watch the Combines Harvest the Corn Fields
Make Hay Bales (Pompoms) out of Yellow Yarn for Our Toy Farm


Sunday, September 12

Changing Seasons...


All of the sudden, there is a nip in the air... the children are wearing warmer pajamas at night and pulling on sweaters over their summer duds in the early morning. The curtains are fluttering in the cool breeze and the air conditioner that has been humming for weeks is finally off. The meals we are eating and planning are warming and hearty rather than cool and light. Darkness comes more quickly now and our beds are warm and cozy. we've ditched the iced tea (mostly) for a steaming mug of tea sweetened with honey. During the day, we are still feeling the heat of the summer but it is definitely waning and autumn is on it's way! This is my favorite season!
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