“Mama, I want to sew.” “Mama, I want to cook something.” “Mama, can you show me how to ‘broider again?” “Mama, we’re bored!” Oh, those are words I really don’t like to hear! In this world with so much to learn and so many good things to do, boredom should never happen. They know that at the merest utter of… Read More »Learning to Weave
My son, Josh, gave me an online art class for Christmas. It just started on Monday. Step one was to copy a portrait (the instructor supplied one). Step two was to shade/color using charcoal. Now, my children will attest that my drawing skills are pretty basic. And I’ve never ever used charcoal in my life. It is messy stuff! But… Read More »Learning
The girls have been watching me while I work on embroidering doll faces and they asked if they could do some hand stitching as well. It’s been a while since I first taught them how to embroider. Like so many things children learn, they’re interested for a while, then set it aside for a time. There’s something magical that happens… Read More »Teaching Them Embroidery
My little girls (ages 6 and 7) have been watching me knit for years. They’ve asked to learn, and I tried to teach them, but they found it frustrating when their fingers didn’t do what they wanted. So we took a break from actual knitting and they spent some time learning the basics on a Knitting Mushroom (like this one)… Read More »Knitting with the Littles
If it’s Monday, and if it’s after supper, and if all the dishes are washed, this is where you’ll find us. Gathered together, at the table, drawing. I’ve always wanted to draw better. My husband is pretty artistic. Our oldest daughter is very artistic. The rest of us kind of struggle along, often trying to capture something on paper, but… Read More »If it’s monday…
Homing:: After moving things in and out and around Maddie’s room (which is still not quite done) I had a chance to make some changes in other corners of our cottage. One of them was moving a tall bookcase out of Maddie’s room and into the little girls’, which made the coziest of reading corners. Made even better by moving… Read More »In and Around the Cottage
I love the look of a Waldorf and Montessori style room. They are so warm and welcoming. The rooms are designed not just for the sake of design, but for the exploration of the child who lives in the space. The amazing autumn that we’ve been having, combined with my love for the look of these naturally styled rooms had… Read More »Nature Table Fail
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I love this verse. I meditate on it frequently. But I also hate this verse. I have a tendency to only read and meditate on part of it. And that gets me into all sorts of trouble. If I focus only on… Read More »My Love/Hate Relationship with a Bible Verse
It’s Christmas Eve, the day before the second most celebrated holiday for Christians. The stockings are hung, the tree is strung with lights and decorated, there are presents wrapped under the tree, whispers and secret comings and goings, closed doors and smiles of anticipation all around. Katie and I are finally baking Christmas cookies – yes, its late, but its… Read More »Christmas Eve