Archive for the ‘nature’ Category
Just popping in to let you know about my March projects. So far my time away from the blog has accomplished me absolutely nothing. We have all been struck by a nasty cold and apart from my head feeling like it’s going to explode for the last several days, I’ve got four snotty children, two of whom now have lovely coughs to go along with the nose running.
Ugh, anyway, I have higher plans for the rest of the week provided that recovery is speedy. At least we all came down with it at the same time, way better than it dragging on for a month because everyone gets sick one at a time.
So, first off, Mousy Brown and Rattling On have set up a String-a-Long 2010 challenge. I was so excited as I have been making fabric shopping bags forever, and always loved string bags, but had never made one myself.
I’ve got my yarn and hook ready and as soon as I can think straight without all the pressure in my sinuses, then I’ll be off. I’m using the Econo-Shopper Mesh Bag pattern for my first one, but I have plans to try out several different patterns over the course of the month.
As you can see from my yarn choice, I have opted for a more outlandish colour, just kidding. I can’t seem to get out of my kick of coordinating colours at the moment. I’m trying to have several in the same shades to look nice on a hook by the door, but I do intend to make some more fun coloured bags to have in the car.
Next, my March change for One Small Change. I’ve struggled to come up with what change we should work on, so I think this month it will be a combination of a few small things. We’ve gone to shopping less often, yay, so making some more string bags will help as I need more to hold the larger amount of groceries.
I also want to bring in some air cleansing plants into the house. Ever since I ditched the peace lily I haven’t had any plants that are good at purifying the air, so I want to get a few in the house. Lastly, the winter wind is starting to die down, so I am hopeful that by the end of the month we should be able to go back to line drying our laundry. Our house is too small for me to hang it inside during the winter months, there is literally no room to accommodate all that much laundry so I can’t wait to be able to get it back outside.
As far as February’s change went, it went really well. I did have to get rid of two onions as they were bad, but I am pretty sure that they were already bad when I got them as they were in the middle of a huge bag of onions that I bought and every other onion was fine. We were very careful about eating every last bite of everything that came into the house and had very little waste.
Well, I’m off again for the week. I’m hoping to be back towards the end of the week, but that will depend on how everybody is feeling. I’ll pop in for sure on Friday and let you know what’s going on. I hope everyone is having a great week, I’ll catch up with you guys later.
crochet, gardening, green, home, nature • Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 • 13 Comments »
Dreaming of warmer days as we are under lots of snow and ice and cold, grey days.
Have a great weekend!
nature • Saturday, February 20th, 2010 • 7 Comments »
We drive 45 minutes away to go the kid’s dentist. We had a really bad experience with the one here in town several years ago and won’t take our kids to see him. Anyway, it’s a nice little drive and I thought I’d share some of the views.
nature, travelling • Friday, February 12th, 2010 • 15 Comments »
I would love to live in a little stone farmhouse, complete with lush, rolling fields.
With a warm fireplace, big bowls of fruit on a wooden table, and windowsills full of clay pots of flowers.
Look! It’s my bowl.
Where we can sit outside on a blanket, under a tree, surrounded by flowers, eating a picnic.
In a small village with a summer fete.
Where children can run and play safely, there’s a gorgeous church down the lane and maybe even a few cows on the lawn.
Where you can buy fruits, veg, bread, pastries, flowers, even fabric at the market.
Where everywhere I look there are green rolling fields, stone walls and bridges, and sweet animals.
Well, a girl can dream, can’t she?
All images from James Herriot’s Treasury for Children, one of my favourite children’s books.
family, home, nature • Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 • 21 Comments »
I’m enjoying the scent of my hyacinth as I try to mentally prepare for this week. We spent the last two days rearranging the living room to make more effective use of the small space. We’re nearly there, but I still have to finish sorting through our books and put the ones we are keeping back on the shelves.
This is also the week that our eldest gets his braces on. I know he’s getting so big now, but I still think 8 is really young to be getting braces. We don’t really have a choice though as his permanent tooth that grew in behind his baby tooth has to be pulled forward so it doesn’t throw the rest of his bite off. I had braces when I was a kid, and I have them now, so I know how hard it can be when your mouth hurts. It’s overwhelming right after they tighten them and it can be really tough to eat.
We’ve been trying to prepare him that it will hurt a bit, but that it will go away after a while. We’ll give him plenty of tylenol if he needs it and plenty of smoothies and other soft things to eat to ease the discomfort. I’m trying not to dwell on it in my own mind, it needs to be done.
All he can think of is how fun it’s going to be to get glow in the dark bands on his braces, just so he can show them off to his brother at night.
family, gardening, nature • Monday, February 8th, 2010 • 6 Comments »
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Don’t forget to leave a comment on Friday’s post if you haven’t already, for a chance to win some cloth bags.
nature • Saturday, January 30th, 2010 • 12 Comments »
A new year, so full of possibilities. I must admit, after all the gearing up for Christmas, it is sometimes a bit of a relief when it is finished. I immediately think of the spring coming (though that won’t be for many months here), and new life and warmth. I look forward to celebrating a new year of birthdays starting with all of my boys in the spring.
Thoughts of what to plant, where to plant it, and how much to plant. Dreaming of picnics every week in the warm summer sun, having it be warm enough to let my kids play for hours outside every day. We have serious cabin fever by this time of year. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just cold, but the wind makes it unbearable.
I’m not such a huge fan of resolutions, but a new year does make me reflective over how I would like to do things this year. Much of this past year was spent physically, mentally, and emotionally recovering from the previous two years. This year I feel a renewed vigor and enthusiasm, and I am excited for the possibilities.
This necklace was a gift from Hubby. It was made by Lisa Leonard and is called Be Still. I absolutely love it, and it is a constant reminder to be still.
Being still is sometimes a little difficult with four children. This year, I want to live in the moment more. Enjoy each and every hug, story, cuddle that I am blessed enough to have. I want to enjoy cooking more, so often it’s a matter of just trying to get a nutritious meal on the table while stopping a squabble, holding a fussy babe and trying to think straight and stir at the same time.
I want to be outside more, and truly enjoy the beauty of the world around us. To visit family more as time goes by so quickly, and the children are growing at the speed of light. I want to lie in the grass and read stories to my children, make them picnics to have on adventures in the back yard.
Then there are the more domestic things that I want to accomplish, such as being more organized, getting some sort of chore system worked out with the abilities of everyone in the family. Being really good about making a big shopping trip and then only going out when we need milk and fresh veg/fruit.
I could go on forever as there are probably hundreds of things I want to do, but my overarching goal is to be still, enjoy what God has given me, and make thousands of new, fantastic memories with my family.
I sincerely hope that you all have a wonderful new year and are able to accomplish all that you want. Happy New Year!
books, crochet, family, food, gardening, gifts, green, home, homeschooling, kid's art, nature, sewing, thrift store finds, travelling • Friday, January 1st, 2010 • 11 Comments »
I love living on the prairie, but the one thing I do miss most is the lush, green surroundings of just about anywhere else. Everything is so different here. It’s rainy (which I love), there is still so much green around (though I only managed to show pictures with more browns), and there is an abundance of wildlife and beauty.
There are wild mushrooms growing everywhere. I am waking up to loads of different bird song. I can feel the moisture in the air, and I love it. Hubby’s parents live in what used to be an old military academy and the grounds are gorgeous. They said that there are often deer, even wild turkeys running around out back. Also, lots of woodchucks, tons of birds and lately, there have been sightings of a coyote in the woods.
Yesterday while everyone else was taking a nap or watching football, I put the babe in the sling and my mother-in-law and I took a nice long walk. The weather has been in the fifties here, so a huge change from the below freezing weather at home. It’s been nice to be outside, and I have been trying to be out whenever I can.
Anyway, the walk, it was gorgeous. Beautiful stone and brick buildings everywhere, even a gorgeous brick sidewalk. I couldn’t take the camera yesterday as it’s really hard to take photos with the babe strapped to my front. She fancies herself a photographer which makes for an interesting time. I promise I will take more photos when I’m out with Hubby so he can carry her.
The only downside was that on our way back, we spotted a coyote across the street in front of a house, so I am a little nervous about being out with small children and I probably won’t go walking anywhere unless Hubby is along.
I still don’t have regular access to the internet which is making posting, reading, commenting, even e-mail a bit of a problem. Hopefully that will be resolved soon. Can’t wait to show you some more of the views here. Hope you are all having a fantastic week.
nature • Monday, December 14th, 2009 • 4 Comments »
Today I am grateful for my family, my beautiful children, my fantastic husband, the fact that we have friends and family who love us. I am grateful that we have a roof over our heads, and warm clothes on our bodies. I am thankful that we are able to educate our own children and that we have that extra time in the day to be close.
I am grateful for little bodies nestled close while sleeping, and for big hugs and high fives. I am grateful for the fact that my children have tremendous amounts of creativity and imagination, even if it does get them into trouble sometimes. I am thankful that nursing still comforts the babe when she is tired, or hungry, or just needs extra snuggles. I am thankful that, though they have their moments, my children all love each other.
I am thankful that God has given us life and love. Have a wonderful weekend of being grateful.
family, home, nature • Thursday, November 26th, 2009 • 4 Comments »
I’m not normally a wreath person, but I had seen several pictures lately of wreaths made with pinecones and other nuts that I just loved the look of. This past Saturday I was in our local thrift store looking for a few items and as soon as I walked in the door, this beauty was sitting on the table right inside. Someone had taken the time to individually wire all of the pinecones, chestnuts, walnuts and many other gorgeous brown items to a frame. It is absolutely beautiful and they were practically giving it away at $1. I really love that it’s not Christmassy as it can be displayed all through the autumn and winter.
It always make me a little sad when I see things that were so lovingly made go for such a small sum. On the other hand, I am thankful that it wasn’t just tossed out, and now my family can give it a new life where it will be much loved and appreciated.
home, nature, thrift store finds • Monday, November 16th, 2009 • 15 Comments »
