Thrifted

 It's been a while since I've posted a thrifted pic.  We still go thrifting, I just haven't remembered to take photos in a while.  This round was a huge blessing because it was things I was looking for. It was from a couple of different places. 

A chair that has a pocket for our nature journaling supplies.  So easy to carry.  Boots that Audra needed!  SOCKS that were brand new.  The Me on the Map book that I borrowed from the library when I did a mapmaking series. Now I have a copy.  Then the bird kit that has a book, CD and bird call.  All this for $8.50.

Another winter everyday.

 Could it be another day of books around the fire, crafts and puzzles? More playing in the snow? It won't be always we are gathered like this, so thankful we are now.

(Pole sledding is a new sport he made up)

Above and below are new hats my neighbor made them. Audra has one too.

She's wearing mittens I made. All three almost always wear my homemade fleece lined woolen mittens and they reach for their Nam hats.

His artwork of the day: 

Audra stitched booties for the dogs.  Anna-Kate did puzzles. She's wearing a mismatched pajama hand me downs...both of which I made. 

The ending was especially sweet with cookies for this one.  Thankful for my everyday.

Winter days

 I keep seeing these posts where folks are wishing winter away.  No.  Don't rush winter.  It's a lovely, lovely thing to slow down, read books, do art, slow cook, do some forgotten crafts (Audra's phase this week is making cheese), get those seeds in order and do some winter sports (we've been alternating between snowshoes, skis, ice skates and sleds).  I'm in no hurry for winter to be over.

My "Old Fashioned" Dress

 

I love to do 'old fashioned' things, but I've never personally been one to dress 'old fashioned' while doing them.  My girls have been wanting me to dress up with them for ages.  I finally made myself a dress to play old fashioned with them. They are thrilled. Audra made me a pocket and plans on making me a new apron. 

Art with Lines

 In December, I led a 6 part series...Dabble and Babble: Art with Lines.  Kids did an art challenge and then enjoyed games.

Aiming to record what I did so I don't forget! And if you want to do the series, go ahead! 

1) Lines and colored in rainbow order 2) Continuous line, filling in miniature designs in each pattern. 3) Designing wrapping paper/fabric with lines. 4) Draw a picture, put patterns in the picture. Color the pictures with oil pastels and then watercolor over. (The house and the truck ones) 5) Mandala (with a mirror in the middle) 6) Pieces of cardboard were dipped in paint to create the designs. 6) We glued cardboard on a wooden block to make a stamp 7) We carved a design into styrofoam, painted and stamped the inverted design.

Above are my examples, here are my kids' finished products.

A Good Book and a New Hobby

 We absolutely loved Lyddie by Katherine Paterson. The girls have been playing "Lyddie and Rachel" from the book.

Here they are coming home late from the long shift at the woolen mills.

Audra has been wrapping and dipping candles as her new hobby.  Plus she has more cans she plans on punching for lanterns.  I love when a book comes alive.

Birthday Baboon

 Happy Birthday to this dude!  We treated him to days of his fave foods, whoopie pies and gifts were lots and lots of chocolatey stuff.