Peach Coglo

Back to the DPNs

Joining Ginny today for yarn along . . . .

I am attempting to make some Easter basket gifts.  It turns out that I can't make my first choice knitted lamb from Itty Bitty Toys.  I mean I could, but that would mean I would have to find some boucle yarn at this late date.  Given my proclivity for procrastination and indecision, I thought it best to change things up.  Perhaps I'll try another lamb pattern or some Spring Chicks or Easter eggs.  For now, I am working on felted balls from Itty Bitty Toys.  So it's back to the dpns for me.

Right now we are reading The Four-Story Mistake.  This is an utterly charming book.  I love the words the author uses like "veils, plumes, plasticine, revolting, and whimsical"-great word fun for the kiddos.  Also the setting in the book is just as charming-a house with a cupola (I've always wanted one), a brook in the backyard and a child who plays Brahms.  I also love that the children in the book have such vibrant imaginations.  There is much talk of pirates, the Gobi Desert, Michelangelo and a ghost in the dumbwaiter.  It's a delightful book.

What have you been reading and making this week?

Weekending~February 26, 2012

Joining Amanda for weekending . . . .

Ah another weekend flying by-wow!

On Friday we watched Toy Story 3.  The kids were very entertained and I think even Greg stayed up for about 35 minutes of it.

Saturday there was some time for my studio and exploring color mixing with color charts-so happy with that time.

I spent some time trying to convince Elijah that these shelves would really help him keep the stuff in his room more organized.  He remains unconvinced.  Perhaps when a few more of his things get broken by his siblings, he'll see the light or maybe we'll just have to have a parental intervention.

Greg made this cinnamon-sugar delight.  The kids inhaled it within hours.  Incredible.

Sunday was slow and somewhat clean.   I have been filling bags with excess stuff so that they can be given to those who need it more.  I love the feeling of more room and less mess to move from spot to spot.

I managed (with a little help from the kiddos) to clear out our craft shelves.  I didn't delve too much into individual boxes.  That is for another day.  I realized we have more room than I thought-awesome sauce!  I found ric rac, my clear thread, some brayers, kiddie watercolor paper and various other odds and ends I thought were gone forever.  Helena even used some oil pastels that were hiding out.  That was a bonus.

Later in the day Helena and I hung out alone-a rare thing.  I painted her nails and we read An Egg is Quiet.  The book is truly beautiful.  I always enjoy Sylvia Long's art and the book is a cool way to learn egg facts and to see all sorts of eggs.

We spent some time during our family meeting planning this year's garden.  Hopefully spring and summer won't be as off and as challenging as this "winter" was.  Are you making garden plans?

The day ended with us all watching vintage television:  The Incredible Hulk. I had forgotten how jacked up that green wig was and how annoying Mr. McGee was.  The kids were asking all sorts of questions like:  "Isn't he a scientist?!  Why would he radiate himself?"  "Why can't the Hulk call the fire department?"  This made for some entertaining televising.  I do enjoy some 70's television.

I watched part of the Oscars with a friend and now have a list of movies and documentaries I need to see.

How was your weekend?

Photographic Friday ~ Forty-two

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

This is definitely an imperfect photo, but I love it.

Wishing you all a happy weekend!

"Boy" by Doran

Doran, like any child, always surprises me.  I suppose because he can't yet talk to us the way a neurotypical child might, I am always quite surprised by the glimpses he gives me into this world.  Actually though, at this point, I should know never to be surprised by all that Doran is.

Doran loves art and reading.  In the past couple of years, he has been writing poetry at school.

Here is his latest effort:

 Boy

Tall

I like to run outside

Playing ball

Digging dirt

Throwing basketballs and footballs

Eating spaghetti with my fingers

 

 Happy Thursday!

Next

Joining Ginny for yarn along . . . .

It's Wednesday again and time for some knitting and book talk.   After knitting the hearts for Valentine's Day treats, I haven't picked up my needles for a few days so I don't have any yarny pictures. 

Now it's time to start.  Lent begins today and before we know it, Easter will arrive.  I am thinking of Easter basket treats and springtime decorations-perhaps some knitted eggs in a felted bowl?  Hmm.  So I have consulted Itty Bitty Toys and I think I will try some of the felted bouncy balls.  That would be good Easter basket toy- not to mention quick.   I am always telling the kids to stop bouncing balls in the house; I think these will be safe in some parts of the house.

We've been reading quite a few books illustrated by Kadir Nelson, like Thunder Rose and Moses.  I gave the kiddos Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin of (Inside a Black Apple).   There are some wonderful creations on her blog and in her Etsy shop. She and I both share a love of cryptozoology.   Oddfellow's Orphanage is a magical and sweet book.  I love it and the kids love it.  It has all the elements we enjoy-mysterious lake monsters, food and circuses.  Her stories are quite cozy and interesting.  Helena was so inspired she has been writing a chapter book for a few days-bliss.

What are you making and reading this week?

Happy Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!  Since we can't be in New Orleans for at least the family-friendly celebrations, I decided we would have our own up here in CT.  I have made my first ever red beans and rice, gumbo,  and King Cake for our Mardi Gras dinner.  I don't dare try the etouffee or beignets.  I think next year we'll have to invite some folks over.  This party needs more of a crowd.  I do wish I could find my 1979 era beads.  I loved those things-the newer beads don't do much for me.  At least I have my old dubloons, yay!  I did pull out my green Halloween lights.  Turns out, I can use those for Mardi Gras  and St. Patrick's Day.  Sweet.

The day has been fun and busy so far with the kids stealing King Cake filling and helping me prepare.  Eden has been running around with her Halloween basket wishing everyone "Happy 'Olidays!", and looking for candy.  Hmm.  Now it's on to my bread pudding and fried chicken.  I have to put at least one vegetable dish in there somewhere.

Happy Mardi Gras!

And the Girl Fell Out of Her Chair

Joining Amanda for her weekending series in a picture-laden post . . . .

The coolest color wheel I have ever seen . . . .

We started the weekend with "trail mix" on Friday-the kiddos made a special request.  So popcorn went into the hand-cranked popper.  I do love that sound; it's fireworks in a pot.

Saturday we followed our new family routine of cleaning together.  Then there was laundry, ballet, red bean soaking and lots of hanging around.

Sunday was super cool and definitely the highlight of the weekend. We trekked up to Amherst to the Eric Carle museum to see Kadir Nelson and his art exhibit of the huge oil paintings that made the illustrations for his book, We Are the Ship.  He makes the most exquisite paintings-exquisite.  In the painting,   Some of his books are Moses, Henry's Freedom Box and Testing the Ice to name a few.  

 

Looking jar in the museum's art studio

We loved hearing him talk about his work and process.  It takes him about a month to complete paintings like Safe at Home and [Rube and the Giants] (not sure that's the right title).  In Safe at Home, you can feel and see the heat.  I almost felt like I was breathing in all of that red dust-amazing; about a month-insane talent.  Helena got to ask him a few questions that he answered quite sweetly, even though she and Elijah were practically speechless.  The kiddos got some of Mr. Nelson's books signed; that was pretty fun. 

Later in the afternoon, we were in the art studio section of the museum creating and relaxing.  Mr. Nelson strolled by and Helena fell out of her chair-quite gracefully though.  She was so cute; her face turned bright red and she chuckled along with the rest of us. 

I remember my mother taking me to see different artists -Rubie Dee and Ossie Davis, Maya Angelou, and Ms. Butterfly McQueen to name a few.  I didn't know exactly who I was seeing, but I knew it was important and a privilege.  Those trips left an indelible mark on me, so whenever I get a chance I take my kiddos out to see art and artists.  If you get a chance to catch the exhibit , do it.  The Eric Carle museum is incredible and this exhibit is simply amazing.

Luckily our weekend isn't over yet.  We're off to see a movie, make some more art and attempt a Nawlin's inspired dinner.  Gumbo anyone? 

How was your weekend?

Photographic Friday ~ Forty-one

It's Photographic Friday, the day when I share practice photographs from the past few days or so.  They aren't perfect.  What is really?  I'm enjoying the process of concentrating, creating and working up my 10,000 hours of practice.  If the spirit moves you, feel free to share your own creations, photographic and otherwise with a link!

Thank you all for your kind compliments about the knitted hearts; they were received with much joy.

Wishing you a glorious weekend . . . .

Knitted Hearts

Joining Ginny today.

I promised I would start early, but then came The Penguin and life in general.  I am almost at peace with the fact that a fast knitter I am not.  So the kiddos end up receiving their knitted hearts this morning.  I stuffed them and put a small bell inside, 'cause I like the jingle jingle.  I used Martha's pattern.  I must say it took me forever to figure out certain  part of the pattern where you cut the yarn, weaved through the back and then rejoined.  It's easy, but I must have been really, really tired.  This knitted heart process serves as all the more evidence that I am a pretty visual learner.   I am super psyched with this project though.  It was very quick, once my brain got unstuck, and quite satisfying.  I can even see making some hearts to applique onto something or other in the future.  Loveliness.

As for books, I am reading the chapter on slowing down in Just One Thing.  The more I slow down, the more I realize I am not a rushy-rushy person.  I used to get a thrill out of running hither and thither.  Now it's just 'meh'.  I do like having things to do, but I don't like being/feeling rushed while doing them.  We are still reading Heart and Soul and Our White House.  Helena perused Ten Amazing People in search of an inspirational subject for her biography project.  Nothing new right now until we finish Heart and Soul-just trying to keep it simple.  Speaking of which the author/illustrator has an exhibit at the Eric Carle museum, so we are going to try to get up there to see it.  Kadir Nelson's work is gorgeous, so if you can get to the exhibit, you won't be disappointed.

 

So what are you making and reading this week?

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day my friends.  Now off to make some Valentine's magic . . . .

 

love rocks by Helena