By henryjn, on October 27th, 2006%
We are finally having some nice fall weather again. We’ve been outdoors alot playing and enjoying some much needed cooler weather; especially for me the pregnant one. I thought I would share some things I’m grateful for these days:
- living in the country
- a hand-stitched quilt made by someone else with that worn in used look
- chickens to chase
- campfires during the day
- baking cookies and then seeing them in the jar looking all yummy and homemade (update: eating them of course)
- fall weather
- a completed project
- lists
- an organized junk drawer
- living close to family
- healthy boys with great imaginations
- a little baby girl on the way
Here is proof I can’t bake bread from scratch. I can make alot of things, which I do share on this blog often. But, bread baking is not one of those skills I have mastered. Not sure I will ever get it! This was supposed to be a hearty oatmeal bread. Instead, it was a hard oatmeal loaf.
By henryjn, on October 25th, 2006%
Since the recipient has received her gift in the mail I may now share it with everyone. Aunt Ruth got an apron because she had inquired about one some time ago and that’s just what I made her. It’s from a new pattern, but a vintage design. There is rick-rack on the pockets and around the top and straps, some buttons to hold the straps to the waist band and it’s made out of a petite calico print. Thanks for playing my little comment game and I look forward to giving more creations away!
Correction: Since I can’t figure out spell check when writing my posts, there may be the occassional spelling error, which is usually discovered by my husband. From my last post, the word for: To water at the mouth, as in anticipation of food; salivate; drivel, is spelled “drool” not “drule”.
By henryjn, on October 23rd, 2006%
Here’s the low-down of the weekend. I managed to squeeze in everything in my list of fun to-do’s and more. The boy’s had much fun on their mini-camping trip with their friends, which included hiking, roasting marshmellows, a restless nights sleep, and a full egg and sausage breakfast. Let me tell ya’, my man loves his breakfast! They did arrive home a little earlier than I thought and I was home, but was off for an afternoon of shopping and browsing soon after. A good friend and I braved the famous used book store around here call Chamblin Book Mine. The name describes it well, it’s full from floor to ceiling of used books; probably around 1 million of them. I haven’t been there in awhile and I was not prepared for how I reacted. After less than 5 minutes of looking for children’s books, I couldn’t take it. I was ready to run out of there, but my faithful friend stayed with me and helped me look. She even collected little mini-piles of reccomended books for me to browse through. I finally eased into it and found some good reads. We then ventured over to a popular historic area and browsed the antiques shops and malls and gained some much needed inspiration and just plain druled over some things. I did find a hand-stitched quilt and a sugar and creamer that had to come home with me. I’ve been wanting to get into quilting and have only tried small patchworks and machine quilting. I’ve longed for a real quilt that’s heavy and has that wrinkled worn in look. That’s exactly what I got!
By henryjn, on October 20th, 2006%
It’s an exciting time around here today. The boys are all going camping in the woods and Mama is stayin’ home. That’s a nice feeling. A little free time to do whatever!
- dinner out
- pedicure
- haircut
- thrifting
- shopping for books
Those are just a few of the things I have planned for the next 24 hours. Oh, and I guess I have to squeeze in some sleep somehwere. I might sew, but I’m really looking forward to doing some things that I can’t do with the boys.
I made this pie for company last night and it was as good as it gets. I discovered it here and here and I decided to try it out, since it got such rave reviews. Loved it, this recipe is a keeper!
Enjoy your weekend!
By henryjn, on October 19th, 2006%
I was reading an article this morning about pre-school/kindergarden curriculum and just wanted to share these words from the article:
From personal experience, and that of many friends who have traveled this path, I feel I can say that the sooner a parent lets go of the idea of being a teacher, and embraces the idea of being more of a tour guide or docent, the sooner it will all fit smoothly together and allow the magic to proceed. Lead them through the world and tell them a little about what you know – while also letting them lead you while they explore in their own way.
You can just go about living your lives, exploring, observing, and posing questions for yourselves. That is an appropriate pre-school/kindergarten curriculum for a homeschooler. Your child will ask plenty of questions – you won’t need to worry about what to teach. Promise! They want to learn and will learn about their world, because it’s a built in human drive – we need only to give them some freedom, provide rich opportunities, and model the joy to be found in learning.
Childhood is short and fleeting – and important – don’t let them miss the opportunity to fully experience it and be a child during those very important golden years.
I often wonder if I need to be doing some sort of structured curriculm with Ian for pre-school and I compare myself to what other parents are doing. But, then I read articles like this one and I am reassured I’m doing what’s best for us. Just giving Ian and Sean daily experiences to learn as we go about our day. What a lovely image!
By henryjn, on October 17th, 2006%
Here is the completed bag out of the faux black suede fabric. It was definately a trial run. I sort of fudged with the pattern enlargements and then the magnetic snaps were placed wrong. Overall, I like the bag. It’s a small clutch for going out, since I do alot of that these days. Well, I am going out on Friday night with a friend to dinner, since I will be single for a night. Whoo, hoo! I am going to try this bag again and I might even make the ribbon rose that goes on it as well!
By henryjn, on October 16th, 2006%
Aunt Ruth! You are the 1st blog anniversary comment drawing winner and your prize will be arriving some time this week as soon as the buttons are sewn on. That’s all I’m going to tell. It’s a secret! I just need your current address, so email me and I’ll pop it in the mail.
In other crafting news, I made a floor checker board out of fabric squares and Jay is planning on making the checker’s pieces out of wood once he finds the perfect tree to cut down. The idea came from the checker board rugs from Cracker Barrel. We borrowed one from next door to teach Ian to play, which we found out it’s way too early to attempt.
I am also very excited about making a vintage bag out ouf this faux black suede and black and green houndstooth fabric I bought the other day. It was intended for the checker board, bud I decided it would make quite a dashing bag for fall/winter. I’m going to use a pattern from this book my good friend Marce sent me. I realized the other day I haven’t made anything from it yet, shame on me.
Speaking of Marce, we received some mail from her neck of the woods last week. She knitted hats and mittens for the boys as part of a trade. I made blankets and bibs for her niece and nephew. She got the raw end of the deal, because I know knitting is alot harder than sewing, but I am glad we did trade. Sean didn’t want to take off his mittens to have his snack and wore his hat all afternoon.
I leave you with a picture of Ian with Petunia during here playtime out of the barn. You can see how big she is compared to Ian. This little venture included frolicking around and a swim in the pond where she dunked her entire head under. I wish I captured a shot of that, but I didn’t have my camera yet. I need to carry it around with me everywhere!
By henryjn, on October 11th, 2006%
Here’s a little beauty from NC. Jay went on a hiking trip last weekend with 6 other guys from our church for a little male bonding out in nature. They hiked for 3 days and camped out each night in tents. I know I could not do that simply because of the packing lightly thing. (Mom, you know what I’m talking about!) I am very impressed with the pictures Jay brought back, the views are just breath taking! Next weekend Jay is taking the boys, yes both of them camping with one of the guys and his two young sons to a local state park. I’m very excited about the me time I’ll get. Maybe dinner out, a movie, some sewing, and some pampering. There’s so much I can think of to do I just might sleep!
By henryjn, on October 10th, 2006%
We’ve selected a name for our baby girl that’s on the way. It’s an Irish name which goes along with Sean and Ian and it means Peace. Ian is getting very excited about her arrival and wants to make things for her like an “Ariel” costume and a braclet out of my button collection and he wants to buy her “Princess” things when we are at the store. He is worse than me. I’ve been very good and I haven’t even thought about buying clothes. I’ve just been concentrating on her bedroom collection.
This past weekend I finished the bumper and made a tab valance for the window. The bumper is quilted for durablity, it has pink satin ribbon ties and pink bias binding around the edges. The valance is box pleated with the pink check in the pleats and on the tabs. There is also a picture of the pillow I finished last week. It has the pink check around the Mother Goose Toile and is backed in chenille. Up next….a quilt, maybe a diaper stacker and tie-backs for the green drapes. Oh, and if there is fabric left some bibs and burp cloths of course.
By henryjn, on October 9th, 2006%
One year ago yesterday was the birth of “Emerald Lane” the blog. Throughout the year I have shared moments from our life as a family in our new home in the country. We have acquired new animals, the boys have played in the dirt and pretended to be pirates, I have made a few handmade things and Jay has built homes for the chickens and turned his piles.
As a little gift for reading and staying in touch I want to give away a little creation. So, write a little comment about why you read this blog and I’ll draw a name and send that special person a little something, not sure what yet, but it will be handmade by me!
Thanks for reading and here’s to another year ahead!
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Welcome I am Nancy Henry, mother to three really cool children, wife, designer, crafter, camera girl and a struggling writer. I share some of our life here when I get the chance. The focus is on the everyday and the beauty it beholds. Enjoy your stay and let me know you stopped by!
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