Children’s picture books are a staple in the homes of most families. They have long been the first choice for bedtime stories or just for when someone needs a cuddle on the couch. Well-loved stories have stood the test of time and bring back good memories from our childhoods, and we all need that special reminder from time to time—no matter how old we are. Moreover, we are always discovering new favorites as we share them with our children, ever adding to the cherished cache.
Picture books can also help us celebrate the changing seasons as we read beloved classics concentrating on winter, spring, summer, or, as we are enjoying now, autumn. In fact, this delightful segment of the year brings us colorful falling leaves, cooler days, cozy quilts, and comforting smells of good things baking in the oven. Autumn also means pumpkins and APPLES and the many delicious possibilities they contain. Below are a few book suggestions and several ideas for using these stories as a ‘jumping off’ point for some yummy autumn fun for everyone!
How To Make An Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman is a wonderful story about what happens when it’s time to bake an apple pie, but the market is closed. Of course, this situation requires you to take a trip around the world to gather all the fresh ingredients, right at their sources. For example, you’ll need semolina wheat from Italy, a French chicken to lay a fresh egg, an English cow to give the richest milk, the bark of a kurundu tree from Sri Lanka that will be ground into cinnamon, seawater to evaporate for salt, and rosy apples from Vermont. No problem, right?
This delicious tale by Ms. Priceman is perfect for fall! There is a recipe for apple pie at the end of the book which would make a perfect finish! While eating a slice of your pie and a drinking a glass of milk, you might even want to explore a globe or map to locate the places mentioned in the story—a great geography lesson to go along with a delectable culinary creation!
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall is another great ‘pick’! Two young sisters follow the cycle of an apple tree and how the apples are formed—from the bud to the fruit. The story includes the role of weather and bees in the production of the fruit, as well as a little side story about the robins who build their nest in the tree. The tale concludes with the apple harvest, and of course another recipe for apple pie is included.
In addition to a pie baking activity, this book lends itself very well to the whole scientific aspect of fruit production, pollination, weather patterns, and life cycles in general. Visiting an apple orchard or U-Pick facility would make a great field trip to go along with any of these books.
Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz takes the ‘apple’ idea one step further. This book focuses on a family’s quest to gather enough apples to make enough applesauce to last through the winter. The pictures in the book are very helpful for understanding the process of making applesauce, and easy directions are included. Jars of homemade applesauce would make thoughtful gifts for children to give to family and friends.
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindburgh would make a wonderful wrap-up after baking up so many apple goodies in the kitchen. This poem about John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) tells the story of one man’s crusade to spread apple seeds from Massachusetts to the Midwest. Can you think up other recipes that use apples as the main ingredient? Search your cookbooks and see what yummy things you can discover. Create your own autumn recipe idea notebook.
There are also quite a few picture books about pumpkins too, and many can be used as a starting point for enjoyable kitchen activities as well. Perhaps a side trip to the pumpkin patch is in order before coming home to bake up some down home goodness. Some suggestions are:
-The Pumpkin Patch by Elizabeth King
-Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum
-Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
-Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Need more ideas? Here’s an excellent bonus recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.
Ingredients:
· 3 cups white sugar
· 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
· 1 cup vegetable oil
· 2/3 cup water
· 4 eggs
· 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
· 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
· 2 teaspoons baking soda
· 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
· 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Fill pans 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake for 1 hour, or until a knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.
So scan your library bookshelves, ‘pick’ a few great books to share, and pre-heat the oven. Don an apron, bake up some autumn goodness, and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labor!
I'll have another guest post up at Jewel of a Book today, but I thought you might enjoy the project too. I found this at Baking Bites, but it's how to slice a banana before it's peeled. I thought this was a pretty neat trick!
Here's how:
This is the guest post I will have up over at Jewel of a Book today, but it's so cute and easy to do, that I thought I'd add it here too! I did edit it just a bit since my post over there is geared more to kids, and most of you are moms! Enjoy!
Octopus for Lunch, Anyone?
How would you like to eat an octopus for lunch? No, not a real octopus! But you can make one from a hot dog for a special lunchtime treat! Here's how:
Use a knife to split a hot dog in half lengthwise, stopping about halfway up. Then split each of those halves into fourths (again lengthwise), being careful not to cut off any of the pieces. You should now have eight 'tentacles!' Now, simply put the hot dog into a saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, and cook until done. Voile! Place your 'octopus' on a serving plate and enjoy! For more variety, you could use ketchup and mustard to create eyes and a smile. A fun twist on an old favorite!
~Note: Although in our home, we don't equate bunnies and eggs with the resurrection of Christ, I do enjoy decorating for spring! And in the springtime, I think of flowers, baby animals, gentle days, etc. So enjoy the following project:
Spring has sprung! And to celebrate the season, you can create a special ‘bunny banner’ that is easy and fun to make. The basic idea is just the same as folding and cutting out old-fashioned paper dolls, but this project uses a cute bunny design instead.
Here’s what you’ll need:
8.5 x 11 inch paper or cardstock
Pencil
Scissors
Cut out of bunny template (below)- Copy the design on card stock for ease and durability, and cut out to use as a tracing guide.
Crayons or makers
Tape
Directions:
Fold the paper or cardstock in half lengthwise and crease, then cut.
Fold one of the strips of paper into fourths, then fold like an accordion. Each section will measure 2.75 in. x 4.25 in.
Position the bunny template so that the nose and back of bunny touches each side of the paper. Trace around the template.
Cut around the traced design, being careful not to cut where the outline touches the sides.
Unfold the bunny chain...you should have four connected bunnies.
Give each bunny an eye and a pink nose.
You can tape more than one ‘litter’ of bunnies together to create a bunny garland. Hang from a mantel or spot of your choice to add a little seasonal interest and enjoy!
(Bunny Template) Copy on cardstock and cut out to use as a tracing guide.
I have another guest post up at Jewel Of A Book! If you have a moment, check out how to make a 'Leprechaun Egghead'! Of course, you could take this idea in all kinds of directions and make lots of 'people' with green hair. You could have a whole village of these eggheads with all sorts of occupations! LOL I usually did this activity with my second graders when I was teaching in a 'real' school, and they always loved it!
Our homeschool group had a Talent/Sharing Night last Friday evening, and it went GREAT! Erin and Elisabeth organized the show and even wrote a couple of skits. All of the performers did an outstanding job...we have lots of talent in our group.
I just had to share this particular video. Erin and Elisabeth wrote a silly song that's sort of a spin-off from the 'Sisters' song sung by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen in the movie, White Christmas. So here they are, singing their version called 'Twin Sisters'...
Okay...I'll say it! I'm TERRIBLE about keeping up with awards and meme tags! So y'all just please forgive me if I've forgotten in the past. But my friend, Leah, tagged me a couple of days ago for a Photo Meme, and it was quick and easy. So here goes...
I am supposed to open my photos, choose the 6th folder and then the 6th photo in that folder. Then I am supposed to post the photo with a description about it and then tag 6 friends to do the same.
Here's the photo:
This photo is one I took in October of 2007 when I did a post on vanilla beans and making homemade vanilla flavoring. That post is here if you want to read it.
But now I have a funny thing to add. When I first opened my picture folders, I miscounted. I almost died laughing when I saw the photo I THOUGHT I'd have to use. But first a little background. We have good friends/church members who raise/sell goats. When they post photos on their website of the goats they sell, they include views from ALL angles. And buyers like to see the rear view as well. So anyway, Erin had taken a few photos for our friends, and here's the one I thought was the sixth folder/sixth picture. Are you ready? Sure? Well, here it is:
So now you can probably see why I had to laugh!!! Decisions, decisions!!! Should I show the bottle of bourbon that is strictly used for making homemade vanilla flavoring...or a goat's behind! Hmmmm.......LOL
Now I will tag six more people to do the photo meme. If you do participate, please let me know! And since I would've picked a bunch more of you to tag if I could've, consider yourself included if you want to play along. Just let me know.
My mom, Betty, at Country-Charm Marion, at Reflection of the Season Beth at Beth's Bountiful Blessings Melissa at Sack Family Jilann at Our Idaho Family Brenda at Coffee, Tea, Books and Me
My friend Christian forwarded the following email to us today! I've read it before, but had forgotten about it! I know my Georgia friends (and probably those of you from the South) will appreciate this...and the rest of you will probably be scratching your heads wondering about us Georgia folks! LOL
Things I learned being from Georgia:
1. A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.
2. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in Georgia ..
3. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in Georgia..
4. If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.
5. 'Onced' and 'Twiced' are words.
6. It is not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.
7. 'Jaw-P?' means, 'Did y'all go to the bathroom?
8. People actually grow and eat okra.
9. 'Fixinto' is one word.
10. There is no such thing as 'lunch.' There is only dinner and then there is supper.
11. Iced tea is appropriate for all meals, and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.
12. Backwards and forwards means, 'I know everything about you.'
13. The word 'jeet' is actually a phrase meaning, 'Did you eat ?'
14. You don't have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see.
15. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH EM.
16. You measure distance in minutes.
17. You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
18. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit,
vegetable, grain, insect or animal.(Mule Day, Rattlesnake Roundup, Gnat Day, Watermelon Festival, Pecan Festival)
19. You know what a 'DAWG' is.
20. You carry jumper cables in your car --- for your OWN car.
21. You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Texas Pete, Tabasco and Ketchup.
22. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and high school football.
23. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.
24. You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit 'a bit warm.'
25. You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.
26. Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite past time known as 'goin' Wal-Martin' or 'off to Wally World.'
27. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good stew
weather.
28. Fried catfish is the other white meat.
29. We don't need no dang driver's ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive, dag-nabbit.
30. You understand these jokes and forward them to your Georgia friends and those who just wish they were from Georgia .
Thanks to YouTube, you can watch this 20(ish) minute video of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but it brings back childhood memories of waiting for the 'once a year' TV special each November!
I've been a fan of Sky FM (online radio) for a few years, but I usually keep it tuned to the classical station. However, a couple of years ago I discovered that Sky FM has a Christmas station that plays Christmas music 24/7. I kept checking back over the last week or two, and it's already up and going. So if you want a great source for holiday music, tune in here.
It's fair time around here again, and the children have all been busy! I'll be posting more photos of projects, but today I'm going to share Elisabeth's colored pencil drawing entry that she entitled "Special of the Day." I thought it turned out wonderful...plus it makes me hungry!
It's absolutely amazing to me how many hours go into one drawing and the number of layers of colors that are used! But the results are worth all the hard work! Great job, Elisabeth!
My poor husband! Even though he's better now, he's had a severe sinus infection and ear infection. He's felt rotten. But he keeps right on going...like the Energizer Bunny! He's not a complainer either! Just so you know I'm not talking about my husband below! LOL
But I saw the following video on another blog, and I thought it was hilarious. In fact, every time I think about it...I have to laugh! So even though my 'Energizer Bunny' dh doesn't expect the 'Poor Little Bunny' treatment, I think some of you will really appreciate this!
As I was slathering on body lotion yesterday, I thought to myself...won't be long until I start using my Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. I guess I'm a creature of habit, but I seem to rotate three different scents from Bath and Body Works. I'm not a big user of perfume, but I do love the body lotion and body mist from BBW. For spring/summer, I use:
Japanese Cherry Blossom
Fall finds me slathering and spritzing on:
Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin
And by wintertime, I'm back to using my old standby of many years:
Warm Vanilla Sugar
Of course, I occasionally indulge myself with other 'specialty' scents, but these three seem to be the ones I return to over and over. What are your signature scents?
Oh my! We've been up to our eyeballs with garden stuff. But praise the Lord! With grocery prices skyrocketing, I'm SO thankful for every bucketful of vegetables that comes through the back door! Daddy and Wesley planted a big garden (of course before my daddy was put out of commission with blood clots/surgery), and we have truly been blessed with lots of good things to 'put up'!
This week we've canned tomato sauce, prepared breaded okra for freezing, and picked figs and blueberries. My cousin generously told us to pick the blueberries off his bushes because they don't eat them! Yay for blueberries and yay for sweet cousins! We will still have to go pick/buy some more from a local grower, but at least the 2-3 gallons we already have are ones we won't have to buy. Around here, blueberries are $8/gallon if you pick them and $12/gallon if you buy them already picked. And we use a lot of blueberries....so that can add up in a big hurry!
Today I will have more blueberries to pick, tomatoes to process, more okra to blanch, batter and freeze, figs to turn into strawberry-fig preserves (with lots more to pick) and zucchini to grate, blanch, and freeze...and who knows what else! It's a daily discovery and adventure! Oh and did I mention I need to be reorganizing bookshelves, cleaning out closets, and planning for our upcoming school year?? Plus, I'm behind on two reviews for The Old Schoolhouse! I need more of me! Hmmm...I wonder what Chad would think of that? I'm figuring he thinks ONE of me is quite enough! LOL Oh well, it will all get done when it gets done! Last time I checked, the zucchini was still staring at me from the bottom drawer in the fridge!
Now to some fun stuff....
Why didn't I think of this??? I just found this idea, but back in February, 'Cocoa' over at the Chocolate on My Cranium blog posted a great idea to make 'I SPY' bottles. What a neat way to get the whole family involved in a little wholesome 'friendly competition'! Ellie and Wesley have spent a lot of time playing Monopoly this summer, but I think we'd all enjoy playing 'I SPY' with our individual bottles. I'm going to round up the materials and do this ASAP.
And wouldn't it make a great on-the-road game???
BTW, I bunny-hopped my way to the post on 'I SPY' bottles beginning with Monica at The Homespun Heart (making butter) to Amy at The Motherload (making Who Bread) to Michelle at Scribbit (an old post on making Flubber) before making my way to Cocoa at Chocolate on my Cranium.
Also back in February, Michelle at Scribbit had an awesome post and video on making Flubber! This is something we did a long time ago, but I'd forgotten how fun it is. Definitely another activity to try before starting back to school!
What are some unusual and neat activities that you have done? Any more ideas?
It's never ever dull around here! To prove my point, check out my daughter Erin's blog today. She had fun with her camera and her post featuring younger siblings 'Georgia John' and 'Ellie Oakley'! If you need a good chuckle, you'll find it there!
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
(Bunny Template)
Japanese Cherry Blossom
Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin
