{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.
Happy weekend to you!
So, to tell you the truth, my little point and shoot camera broke on one of the rides at the fair that swirls and pins you to one side. You know, the one that makes you want to laugh and puke at the same time? My tummy just wasn't feeling good after that one! I needed to go on the ferris wheel. Anyway, I thought I could take some pictures with my camera even though the screen was broken. This is what came out.
The rain dance.
Well, we couldn't have another 4th of July holiday pass without a hike. It's funny to think back to 1995 when I moved to San Francisco with Jonathan. He was like no other person I had ever met. He liked to go hiking and although I was all for it, I was not a hiker. I remember one day, before kids and before we were married, he took me to Mount Diablo. By the time I got up the mountain, I was in tears. I told him at one point that I just couldn't make it to the top. He was patient and kind and didn't put up with my drama. We made it to the top and felt so good. I felt like I could climb mountains. Hiking is great therapy.
Yesterday we went to Thomas Creek.
Now, I have a little puzzle for you and your kids. I've labeled each of the 4 logs that have fallen over the creek. Tell me in which order they fell? If you and your kids leave a message on this post with the answer, I will pick a winner this afternoon at 5 pm. I may even think of a prize for the winner!
Zephyr was making me so nervous. I think he's going to do well in 4-H dog agility!
Wild onions are everywhere.
Goat's Beard, non-native.
We didn't find any snakes, but the kids had a blast jumping over the water and climbing trees.
Prickly Poppies are so pretty! I hope you had a nice weekend!
A few weeks ago, I got a surprise package in the mail. It was Rae Grant's new book Handmade Fun, 101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids.
I was thrilled to be able to get an early peek into her newest book (That was so sweet Rae! Thank you!)
Homemade Fun is full of down to earth, simple crafts, recipes and games for the young and old. Amelia actually swiped the book from me and sat with it the entire evening, going through each page. The next morning she woke up and make the popovers all by herself. They were so delicious (topped with jam) and easy!
If you haven't seen one of Rae's books, they are chock full of enticing vintage block print illustrations. Her books are both eye-candy and well detailed, easy to follow instructions for crafts and recipes that have been infused into our childhood memories for generations. Do you remember friendship pins? What about coffee can bird feeders? Every child should make at least one paper sailboat right? One of the ideas in her book that really caught my eye is the silhouette portraits. They're definitely on my to-do list this summer.
The nice part about homemade crafts in this book is that you probably already have everything you need to make them all.
Thank you Rae for writing this book. Thank you for keeping these crafts alive today and for the next generation of earthy, homemade children and their parents. This summer, I will be making a craft or recipe from Rae's book every week!
If you would like to win a copy of Rae Grant's new book, Homemade Fun, please leave me a comment! I will close entries next Friday at 8 am and announce a winner then. Good luck!
And please visit Rae's blog My Little Hen for more fun!
Have a great weekend!
Comments closed! The winner is Francesca! Congratulations : )
The spring and fall our kids play soccer. It's good exercise and they love playing. This Saturday Amelia didn't have a game so we could leisurely go to Solomon's afternoon game and enjoy the nice weather. It was perfect soccer playing weather. Not too hot and certainly not too cold thank goodness. Just a little breeze blew down from the mountains.
Amelia took a lot of pictures. Solomon wanted to document the fact that he played goalie this game. She said it was hard to get shots of him because he was moving around so much!
A little girl saw Amelia taking pictures and wanted to use the camera. This is the picture the little girl took of Amelia. I lightened up the exposure a little.
I love this mural.
A thorough soccer burn-out occurs some time in late May. Just about the same time soccer season ends. In the meantime, I don't have to tell you what I'm doing on Saturdays. : )
Yesterday, the wind howled!
I laughed with my neighbor about the fences being blown down once again.
Then, the wind subsided, the sky opened up and the rain fell.
We woke to gray skies and puddles. The desert soaks it all up!
Now, Mr. Rain, will you stay with us a while? I would very much like the soccer game to be canceled this evening.
I've been tagged by Heather at Light and Macaroni to write down 10 things you may not know about me. Ok, I looked back and it was only seven but I did 10.
1. I'm scared of swimming in lakes and oceans and even streams. When I was a little girl, I was at Lake Tahoe and jumped off the pier into the deep water. I remember sinking down into the water watching cartoon fish swimming around me. Literally, I saw fish swimming around me. I think that's when I was starting to drown. My mom jumped in and saved me. But after that, I have been scared of water. I love water. I am drawn to water but I'm scared of monsters that may be lurking in it. I'm slowly getting over it!
2. I read People Magazine. I know, you wouldn't think that. Or maybe you would! It all started a long time ago when I used to go to my Grandpa's house for dinner every Sunday. He was forever situated in the big chair by the sunny window. I would sit with him, sometimes he would drift off to sleep (I must have been boring him!!) and I'd pick up the magazines on the table. There was always a People Magazine. So, I guess, the magazine reminds me of my childhood. Or, maybe it's just mindless reading that helps me relax?!
3. I'm starting my first sweater.....for me!
4. I've lived on both coasts of the US - Southern California, San Francisco, Cape Cod and now Reno. I'm glad that I could experience so many different types of places and people. But, after having kids, it makes me want to stay put for a while. If it's in the cards for me.
5. I think this blog thing has taught me a lot. I feel more guarded sometimes. I wish I could just be free with my writing but most of the time, I seize up. I've been writing in this space for a little over a year now. I can't believe I've stuck with this for so long!
6. I love the color blue! But most of my house is yellow or green.
7. I so love things that were once my Grandma's. My Dad gave me two candle holders for my birthday that used to belong to her. I'm sentimental that way.
8. I am always trying to evolve as a person. I try to learn from experiences and move on. Yoga has helped me.
9. Quite often, I get really down about having to be gluten-free. I can't just go out to any restaurant I want. But, I feel so much better now.
10. One of my most favorite things to do is going to the movies...eating popcorn!
Now, I get to tag some people, right Heather? Now, only if you want to but I am tagging Amelia Pennie Stephinie Kerry, Sara.
My kids have waaay too much energy. Thanks goodness I've been getting some killer sleep lately. It's hard to keep up with them otherwise!
I think the wind triggers something in their memory about kites. It's a mathematical equation burned into their young brains. wind + spring = kites
A poem by Solomon
Kites fly high, like a shark flies in the ocean. Kites fly fast, kites fly low. Kites whirl down and hit the ground.
Ok, so I'm going about my day. I woke up and started craving granola. Off I go to make a batch of granola.
Meanwhile, Amelia says, "Let's play a game!"...."What about Go Fish?" Since we're trying to get Solomon excited about letters.
Today also happens to be garbage day. Every Thursday, we tour the house, collecting all of the garbage to bring outside. I've been trying to teach Solomon the days of the week. Each of our days has a special activity....Thursday just happens to be about garbage. Isn't that so romantic?
Learning can be so organic and fun. Whether you home school or not. It's just fun!
This is Reddo, the guinea pig playing Go Fish with us.
Now, would you like a granola recipe? I've adapted this from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics.
Mix together: 4 1/2 cups rolled oats (we use gluten-free), 1/4 cups oatmeal flour, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup hulled pumpkin seeds, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 2 TB agave nectar.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. When done, add one cup of raisins or dried cranberries. Enjoy.
I am a stay-at-home mom in Sparks, Nevada.
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