Nov. 20, 2009 Tales from The Dollhouse
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In her room she plays for hours...
dreaming up stories in her little doll house.
And so the tale begins....
Good day dear friends, do come in.
The house is busy this morning.
There is so much to do.
Smells of fresh baked goodies fill
the air as little Anne peeks in the kitchen,
in hopes to steal a little taste of bread.
Her dog Sally hopes to find any
morsels that may have dropped on the floor.
The kitchen was already cleaned and tidy...
There were no crumbs to be found anywhere.
The table was set for a feast.
The dolls ate their fill and
continued on to their chores.
Rebecca busily swept the
house from top to bottom.
while her sister played with
her playthings on the floor.
Later that afternoon the dolls
played quietly in the house.
Rebecca played with her
beloved Lucy doll.
She loved her so.
In the next room her baby brother Jon
quietly played with the kitten.
He was such a good baby.
Little Anne jumped on Rebecca's bed,
excited to see Lucy doll.
She wanted to play with her too.
Rebecca agreed, she could play with
her until it was time for bed.
The dolls had their supper early.
Rebecca held baby Jon in her arms
and comforted him with stories as she
rocked him back and forth, back and forth in her rocker.
Baby Jon loved to be rocked.
Little Anne sang him lullabys while
Rebecca laid him in his carriage for the night.
Goodnight Little Anne.
Goodnight Baby Jon.
Sleep tight!
Rebecca quietly crept into her
room and knelt down to say
her goodnight prayers.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Should I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take..
She climbed into her bed to watch the sun go down.
This was her favorite time of the day.
She laid her head down on her pillow
holding her Lucy doll close.
With happy thoughts in her
mind of a wonderful day.
Goodnight Rebecca.
Goodnight Lucy.
Sleep tight. |
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Nov. 18, 2009 Autumn Evenings
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If you have noticed through this season, I have been taking pictures of this tree and the changes it is going through. The leaves are almost all off.... a sure sign of Winter ahead. The day's have been warm yet, as I have mentioned in past posts. Yet, there is a friendly little chill in the evenings. Enough to light the fireplace.
These are the kind of evenings perfect for quiet embroidery. I am slowly making progress with this crewel project I started earlier this Fall from
this post.(click)
Of course I have my little Mini Me right along side me doing a project. Freckles just learned how to use a Knifty Knitter and is in the progress of making an Autumn Cap.
I also finished a puzzle that my son & I started.
It feels so good to actually complete a project!
This scene is one of the sweetest reminders of Autumn.
It tickles me to the bone.
We are now preparing for our
Thanksgiving dinner for next week. It has surely come too soon.
I am grateful to be able to spend the day with my little family.
I sure hope ya'll are having wonderful Autumn evenings along with making your Thanksgiving plans.
Many blessings from my home to yours!
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It's hard to believe that my beloved
most favorite Season is coming to an close!
Here in California the weather
has been too warm to even think
of Fall let alone Winter coming.
These are truly the times I miss back
home in Washington, where there's
still some sort of Seasonal change.
We have made the most of it though,
trying to build good character in our children
and giving them a sense of tradition.
I took the kids down to The Nut Farm
to get some Nuts of course!
We walked around the Farm
a bit and fed the animals corn.
Freckles and this goat
( which she affectionately called Blackie)
had a special bond within
their short time together.
And...this guy was starving for attention!
I caught Maestro coming out of the outhouse.
He is such a NUT !
With Thanksgiving coming upon us very quickly.
I ponder and absorb the things in which I am thankful for.
I must say, these are such things.
The times I have with my children.
It is precious.
"Lord,Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything."
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:20
Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:7 |
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Nov. 16, 2009 (Bench Monday) Tell Me A Story
I thought I would do
Bench Monday
for the first time.
It is a group on Flickr...
You take a picture of someone, anyone, or yourself
standing on a bench or whatever,
somewhere, anywhere, wherever...
This just spices up some creative fun for a while...
so hope you will like the shots I capture.
This of course is my daughter
sitting on a green bench in the bookstore
with Pooh Bear waiting for a story.
Feel free to join in the fun...
and if you do, please let me know...
I would love to see what you come up with. |
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Nov. 14, 2009 Take Me Out To The Fall Ball....
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This evening was very special to my children.
They got dressed up to go to The Fall Ball
held by our Homes School group &
Maestro's Speech & Debate Club.
Maestro accompanied his beautiful
sister Freckles to the dance.
This was Freckles first time at a dance.
A young gentleman graciously
asked her for the first dance.
I was so crying!
And, I was so proud of her since
she did a wonderful job dancing the classic dances.
They dance The Virginia Reel, The Waltz,
The Patty Cake Polka & The Gay Gordon
to name a few.
Maestro danced with his friend
to several dances this evening.
There was no stepping on toes with this guy!
He had it down, since he attended a
Spring Fling Dance
last Spring.
Freckles took a short intermission
with her friend, before going
back out onto the dance floor.
Let me tell you...
These kids were cuttin' the rug!
And of course...
Maestro saved the last dance for Freckles.
Too sweet!!!
( Proud Mama with flutter in her heart, fanning herself)
LOL
I just love these moments.
It was a night to remember! |
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GOD'S GOLD
Oh, the glory of this autumn day,
When the trees unfold their gold!
Oh, how lifted is my spirit, Lord,
When such beauty I behold!
Like precious coins,
each leaf holds on
Through sunshine,
fog, or haze;
The memory of this rich display
Will warm my winter days.
~~By Helen Kitchell Evans.~~
Swoop, Scoop,
Pile them up
In a stompy pile
and Jump
Jump
JUMP!
AUTUMN LEAVES
One of the nicest beds
I know isn't a bed of soft white snow,
isn't a bed of cool green grass
after the noisy mowers pass,
isn't a bed of yellow hay
making me itch for half a day--
but autumn leaves in a pile
that high, deep, and smelling like fall, and dry.
That's the bed where
I like to lie and watch the flutters go by.
~~By Aileen Fisher~~
The kids and the dog
( and a sweet Lady Bug)
had a fun day in the leaves.
We had planned to rake them up
and put them in the trash bins.
Of course temptation set in and
they started jumping in it.
Isn't it supposed to be work before play?
Heck, would you blame them?
These are the times to just STOP, slow
down and savor these moments.
They will all too soon be grown.
It was a pleasure for this
Mama to see them so happy.
P.S The illustrated pictures are from
Illustrator Carin Berger's book,
The Little Yellow Leaf.
Have a Happy day, don't be afraid to just jump in! |
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Nov. 11, 2009 Sweet Is November
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November brings with it colder days and early evenings.
Time to light the fires, and get out those sweaters!
Quiet times spent with your family,
the sweet aroma in the kitchen.
Mom is baking a
Pumpkin Roll
Oh so sweet, Sweet is November.
A time to rake the leaves from your yards,
a time to read silently.
A time for Thanksgiving,
a time of thanks.
Oh so sweet, Sweet is November.
******
Thank you dearest Clarice from
Storybook Woods
I love my acorn pin! |
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Nov. 10, 2009 Into The City For A Symphony
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Last week we headed down to the city for
a delightful day to the symphony in San Diego.
We met a few friends downtown to hear
the symphony put music to this sweet book called
Behold The Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems
By Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by
one of my favorite Illustrators, Carin Berger.
We were in for a treat indeed.
The author himself, Jack prelutsky
was there to narrate his quirky poems to the songs.
It was wonderful!
The kids and parents were entertained and delighted!
Miss Freckles couldn't help but smile from ear to ear when the Umbrellaphant poem was read to music...
Her favorite part was the french horn
making elephant sounds.
It was truly a symphony to remember! |
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Nov. 9, 2009 Painted Earth Ceramics...
This months Keepers At Home Club
was held at Painted Earth Ceramics.
A quaint little shoppe in our area.
The girls got the chance to paint ceramics...
Some for the very first time.
Miss Freckles was a little disappointed
to find there were no more elephants,
so she chose a sweet little owlet instead.
She was delighted to have the
opportunity to paint ceramics for the first time ever!
All the girls chose their pieces
and got busy painting their little hearts out.
They worked hard and long on their pieces.
Surely they will turn out lovely
once they are glazed and fired.
She can't wait to get her little owlet back!
It was a memorable time spent
with her friends this month!
Once we get her owlet home,
we will post it all finished!!!
Have an owlet kind of day! |
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Nov. 5, 2009 Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
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Welcome to our kitchen!
Miss Freckles had to bake a pumpkin cheesecake pie for her Keepers At Home Club to share
with her friends for the month.
We chose to do this pie since it is so close to
Thanksgiving.
We also thought we would share
the recipe with our dear readers!
~Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie~
1 & 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers
1 stick of butter
( you will need to do this twice for two pies)
3- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 C. sugar
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1- 16 oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs whipped cream
( This mixture will be enough to fill two pie plates)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
First crush graham crackers in
a bowl til you have 1 & 1/4 C.
Beat together graham crackers and butter til mixed thoroughly. Press mixture down evenly into the bottom of pie plate....
Don't worry about pressing it to the sides...
Just the bottom.
Do this whole step one more time for your second pie.
Bake on 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes...
Let cool while you are preparing your mixture.
Make sure once you take out the pie crusts to turn oven
down to 300 degrees!
Beat together two cream cheese blocks,
vanilla, ginger, cinnamon & sugar until well blended.
Now add 16 oz. pumpkin, mix while
adding each egg slowly one at a time.
Pour filling into each pie plate just to the top lip.
Bake both pies in oven at 300 degrees
for about 70 -80 minutes.
This will depend on your oven.
Our pies cooked in 70 minutes.
Check cheesecake with a knife right in the middle...
The knife should come out clean & the pie should be firm.
Let cool for 5 minutes then transfer
to the refrigerator overnight to chill.
The next day you will be ready to
serve with whipped cream on top !
By the way... this pie was a HIT
with all the girls & Mom's on Club day.
ENJOY!! |
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Nov. 3, 2009 November is upon Us...
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Time is set back...which can certainly be a set back....
just when you are getting in a routine..
the time has to change...
Well, that's how it goes.
The chill is in the air and the leaves are still changing.
We are enjoying books about Autumn.
And....eating comfort foods!
We celebrated
Reformation Day
on Sunday with our Church family.
There were lots of food, desserts,
games and great company to be had that evening.
Miss Freckles & I even had the pleasure of attending
a delightful play through our local Christian Youth Theater production.
The Secret Garden...
It was well done and stayed true to the book.
Later this week we will be attending
The San Diego Symphony where we
will be entertained by
Behold The Bold Umbrellaphant.
It should be fantastic!
Stay tuned for updates on Freckles, Keepers Of The Home,
our zoo trip, recipes for some fabulous
Fall desserts just in time for Thanks Giving!!! |
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Oct. 31, 2009 Harvest Time! Oct. 29, 2009 Autumn Is In The Air & Pumpkin Cookies Everywhere!
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Every week we have been watching this tree in our back yard. It is really awesome to see the changes trees make during different seasons. Whenever we think of these wonders, it brings us closer to God and His remarkable creation, which we are truly blessed to have. It amazes me every day!
I wish Autumn could last forever... but then again, I enjoy every season God has made. Though Autumn is my favorite Season... hands down! It is also my favorite time to cook and bake. I have been using my slow cooker quite a bit since the beginning of the season. There is nothing like comfort food on a cool, crisp day. We love to bake all those scrumptious baked goodies you find in the Fall time as well. One favorite of ours is pumpkin cookies. Mr. Darling calls them little cakes of heaven ! Today, I am sharing the recipe to these little delights! Let me warn you though...This recipe makes dozens... and will take an afternoon to bake them all... unless you save the dough for later...So here it is!!!!
~Pumpkin Cookies~
1 1/2 Cups butter
4 Cups sugar
3 eggs
1- 29 oz. can pumpkin
3 tsp. vanilla
7 1/2 Cups flour
3 tsp.baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. nutmeg
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. chocolate chips
( you can use butterscotch chips and nuts too...optional of course) *Directions*
Use you largest mixing bowl...
mix together butter, sugar, eggs, pumpkin and vanilla.
Add in baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.... slowly add flour...mix together well.
Lastly, mix in chocolate chips.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Drop by the Tablespoon...
Bake for 12- 15 minutes until golden brown.
Ovens vary...Mine baked in 12 minutes.
Keep an eye on them.
They will be puffy sort of cookie cakes...
and you won't be able to eat just one!
Enjoy!!! |
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Oct. 23, 2009 Corn Husk Dolls
 Freckles is continuing her studies in American History.
She has been studying The American Girl, Kirsten during 1854.
We decided to make corn husk dolls.
Of course I had to make one with her too!
These dolls were made by Indian& Pioneer children.
~Directions~
Pick up dried corn husks at the super market in the Mexican food, produce section or craft store.
Soak the dried corn husks in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them, then blot them dry.
Take four corn husks and place them on top of each other.
Tie a piece of string
about 1 inch from the flat edge of the corn husk.
Round the flat edges using the scissors.
Hold the tied end and fold the husks down over the knot.
Use a piece of string to tie a neck about 1" below the fold.
This will be the head.
Roll another husk, lengthwise, to make a long tube.
This will be the arms.
Tie the ends of the "arms," about 1/2" from the edges.
That will make the wrists and hands.
Slide the arm section up under the neck.
Tie a string tightly below the arms
to hold them in place and to make a waist.
Place 5 pieces of corn husk around the
dolls waist with the straight edge up.
Tie the corn husks close to the top around
the doll's waist to make a skirt.
If you want a boy doll use only four pieces around the waist.
Then divide the hanging corn husks into two parts.
Tie three pieces of string down
the corn husks to form legs,
one piece at the thigh, knee, and ankle.
Now, your child has a sweet dolly to play with.
Freckles played with her doll in her doll house.
They are quite happy in their new home.
Have a Happy Fall Weekend!!!
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Oct. 21, 2009 Apple Day Apple Sauce...
 We are celebrating Apple Day this month
along with my dear friend Clarice of
Storybook Woods.
I told her at the beginning of the month
that we would also join in...
so here we are.
This week we are makin' Apple Sauce!
We bought some delicious
Honey Apples Crisp apples to make our desserts.
I couldn't believe how many different apples there actually are. Here is a very long list of Apple types for you.
Miss Freckles got her Autumn smock
on just for the big event.
It was easier for her to peel, cut and core
the apples using this type of apple peeler.
You can get a lot done using this tool!
She then cut them up in chunks
before putting them in the pot.
After cooking them down.
She started the laborious work of
putting them through the sieve.
It was truly a magical sight!
She put her apple sauce in a big jar,
with pretty paper and string.
This jar of Apple Sauce didn't even
last a day in our house.
We had a lovely pot roast dinner then
ate the apple sauce for dessert.
It was a delight to the palette!
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Oct. 19, 2009 Apples, Strawberries & Pumpkins ..."OH MY"
We had the most fun time at The Farm over the weekend!
The setting was a perfect day for our History loving children. (Maestro, my son age 15, My daughter Freckles age 9 and my Nephew Doonie age 8.)
The Farm is nestled in the hills and filled with history,
from The Colonial period to The Civil War.
We had lunch in the Hawkshead Publick House
and ate Chicken Pot Pies, Soup in a bread bowl,
homemade chunky applesauce,
freshly baked bread and drank from heavy mugs.
Not to mention we got up with the band
that was entertaining us and played spoons
& sang along with the guys there!
The kids had the opportunity to
pick a basket of strawberries from the patch
and played Graces, Trap-Ball, and Hoop and Stick.
They had a blast putting apples through
some sort of apple cider mill...
it was quite crushing to the poor apples...
but oh, so fun!
The day was like walking back in time. The younger kiddo's
( Freckles & Doonie)
played in this little house for a really long time,
just pretending they were there in those days.
Freckles was keeping house while
Doonie had an adventure with his musket.
They even met a Colonial Gentleman
who played Yankee Doodle Dandy on his little flute.
Next, came the Hay ride to the Pumpkin Fields.
But first stop was to the General Store for some candy!
Freckles paid 20 cents for licorice.
Meanwhile, Doonie was occupied in another adventure!
How cute is that!
Ahhh, here is my little Prairie Girl in the fields...
trying to pick a suitable pumpkin.
They found their prizes and rested under a shady tent.
I think the day has come to an end for our little explorers.
A whole day spent with adventure and frolicking in the fields was enough to give them a nap!
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Oct. 18, 2009 Prairie Dress
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I finished Miss Freckle's prairie dress
just in time for
The Farm over the weekend.
She picked this apple red calico fabric
to match her gingham bonnet.
In history we have been studying
The American Girl, Kirsten from 1854
as well as the times of Laura in
Little House on The Prairie.
The dress was perfect.
She absolutely loved to dress the period.
She was as beautiful as a rose!
I have more pictures to share from the day at The Farm...
Be sure to check back the fun filled day! |
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Oct. 15, 2009 Crisp Autumn Mornings
 Crisp Autumn mornings are just
perfect with a little cup of love.
 I take my tea with two lumps of sugar
goodness and a bit of cream.
Quiet moments are spent with a cup of tea,
a devotion or a magazine and a little yummy cake.
Miss Freckles made these scrumptious maple cakes
from her Little House Cookbook...
they are just perfect paired with a cup of hot tea.
We are sharing the recipe with you here.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Use mini muffin tins for bite size yummies
or a regular tin for larger ones.
Dry Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
Wet Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions:
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Put dry ingredients into a bowl and mix.
Combine wet ingredients in another bowl and whisk together.
Add wet & dry ingredients,
mix quickly, just until thoroughly blended.
Grease muffin tins and fill them,
using two tablespoons, one to scoop the batter,
the other to push it off into the tin.
Bake for 12 minutes,
or until cakes are a light golden color.
Let cool.
Maple Icing:
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup maple syrup
Blend sugar, butter, salt and vanilla.
Add maple syrup and beat until completely smooth.
Decorate each cake by dipping the
top of each into the icing and giving it a twist.
Turn right side up, while the icing is still moist,
garnish with a variety of toppings.
We kept ours plain...
which is also yummy!
Enjoy your Autumn morning!
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Oct. 13, 2009 Foliage Faces....
 Since our studies on the Italian Artist
Giuseppe Arcimboldo
we decided to make some collage foliage faces ourselves.
The top face was made by me.
I decided to do it along side my kids for fun.
 
Even Maestro joined in making a face.
I think it sort of resembles himself.
The hair for sure!
Miss Freckles face turned out colorful
just like her character.
 This was a fun project to do with the kids.
I love how theirs turned out as well
as how it reflected themselves.
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Now it's your turn...
Got some old magazines lying around?
Just cut out flowers, fruits, veggies etc...
and make a face..
There is no right or wrong to this...
Have Fun!!
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Oct. 10, 2009 Time For Art History
 For our Artist/Art lessons this month, we are studying
Giuseppe Arcimboldo
an Italian Artist from 1530-1593.
He is well known for Portraits of heads made up of a variety of objects,
from fruit and leaves to flowers and vegetables.
Arcimboldo's work falls in the
period known as Mannerism.
To view his complete works and
biography click on the picture above.
Miss freckles water colored a drawing of
Vortumnus (Vertumno)
AKA, Emperor Rudolf II.
The colors turned out wonderfully!
This is a great project for the Autumn Season.
The finished piece from my little budding Artist!
Lesson ideas:
http://www.kinderart.com/drawing/fruitvegetableportraits.shtml
http://www.stonecutterskitchen.com/Images/Old%20Veg%20Gardener.pdf
Click the picture above to print your own color sheet like Miss Freckles did!
You can use whatever you like:
Crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint, oil pastels, water color... It's all up to you!!!!
Have fun!! |
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