By henryjn, on January 23rd, 2009%
I’m not the collecting type. Usually I have a bag by the door with unused items ready to go out the door. I don’t like clutter and having children that love clutter and lots of little toys has stretched me for sure.
Over and over I have read about nature tables and collecting your finds from your daily nature walks and displaying them. I really loved this idea, I just didn’t have a place for it and it seemed sort of messy. I also didn’t think our yard/woods were that interesting, until I came across this photo.
While we were outside this week, I started gathering and the boys added a few things. They stayed on the sidelines pretending they were super heroes. Once we all came inside, I suggested we arrange our finds, but they weren’t interested and ran back outside.
So, I was left on my own to arrange my nature collection. I enjoyed it. I am going to try to make this a weekly project and see if anyone joins in on the fun!
More photos here.
By henryjn, on January 14th, 2009%
If I had to choose a woman who has influenced my life I would choose my great-grandmother, Po Po. From what my mom has told me she loved to bake, she had chickens and she was a beautiful seamstress. She passed this knowledge on to my mom who then passed it on to me.
Now that I have children of my own, I have given great thought to what I want to pass on to them. One of them is cooking. We eat at least three times a day and sometimes I think we are Hobbits
They enjoy at least seven meals a day, when they can get them – breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and, later in the evening, supper. They like simple food such as bread, meat, potatoes, and cheese, …
We spend alot of time enjoying food together in preparation and actual eating. I’m still working on the clean-up part, but they never seem to tire of helping out in the sifting, stirring and tasting.
There is one recipe that my Po Po left behind when she passed away that is a favorite in our family. It is Po Po’s Banana Nut Bread. My mom makes it and gives it as birthday presents. I save up my tired bananas in the freezer just for this bread. I was cleaning out my freezer the other day and discovered that I was long overdue for a warm loaf of that tasty bread.
Once I had my ingredients and mixer set up, the littlest one around here noticed what I was up to and pushed a kitchen chair right up to the counter and helped me out. She gets paid in batter-covered beaters for her assistance.
Here is the recipe for you to try and it’s best served right out of the oven and don’t forget to slather on some butter.
Po Po’s Banana Nut Bread
1-1/2 sticks butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
3 cups flour, sifted
5 bananas, mashed*
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, then sifted ingredients. Fold in bananas, nuts and vanilla. Grease and line pan with waxed paper (2 loaf pans or 1 pullman loaf pan). Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
*Overripe bananas work best, so save the last couple of bananas in the freezer that are just too ripe to eat!
:: Batter ready for the pan
:: In the oven
:: Ready to eat
By henryjn, on January 13th, 2009%
As Jay and I were planning our month this past week, we decided we were long overdue for a camping trip. The last time we went camping was the September before Erin was born.
There is a great state park about an hour northeast of us called Hanna Park. It has campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, many playgrounds and the most important part, a beach.
We planned on two nights, but decided that the firts night would be too cold and opted to drive up on Saturday and spend one night instead. The weather cooperated and we had a gorgeous day and perfect night with a full moon, not sure if it was a true full moon, would have to look that up. Overall, it was comfortable to be outside and in a tent.
Our time at the beach was fun and relaxing. The kids are so free there to play, run and dig. Erin likes the sand the most and loves to chase the birds. The boys favorite is the water. Jay even managed to get in the water, even though he said it was too cold for him. I saw him running in and going under before all was said and done.
That all sounds nice right? Our time did not go without some STRESS–trying to get there without directions, MESS–black dirt at the campsite, and FIGHTING–yes we all get mad at eachother. At the time, all that seemed to really matter, but I’m sure we’ll just remember the fun stuff–the excitement of planning, getting there, setting up, riding bikes, builing a fire, running on the beach, and settling in under the sleeping bag. Next time, we’ll be more relaxed, I’m sure and more prepared for the unexpected; like bringing directions.
By henryjn, on January 12th, 2009%
One of the things I managed to make for Christmas this past year was a new Indian outfit for Ian. I had made him one 3 years ago and the poor thing was struggling to put it on everytime and then getting really upset when he couldn’t take it off. So, that was a priority on my list of things to make for him. He also got a coonskin cap, which fits perfectly and goes right along with his Davy Crockett/Indian theme. Add a hatchett, a gun, a cowboy brother and they’re ready for some western fun.
By henryjn, on January 9th, 2009%
Here are the pictures I promised. The apron on the hook is one I made for her out of a pillowcase for Christmas. She still refuses to wear it. I did manage to get a picture with her wearing it just before she tried to rip it off! It sure looks cute on the hook though.
Ian is making her some potholders to go on the other side, from a kit I gave the boys for Christmas. Now she just needs some pots and pans and she is ready for some cooking!
We are preparing for a mini camping trip this weekend and hoping we aren’t too cold! Have a great weekend all!
By henryjn, on January 8th, 2009%
Stay tuned for more kitchen pictures and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, scroll down and read the previous post.
By henryjn, on January 8th, 2009%
Our little one turned two today and her Opa and Oma had a very special gift prepared. Dad is quite a master craftsman and having mostly recovered from his recent finger injury was able to build a beautiful kitchen for his youngest granddaughter with Mom’s help. The kitchen has a stovetop with turnable burner controls, an oven with plexiglass window, a sink with a carved out wooden faucet and knobs, display shelves for the “china”, and an undersink cabinet with shelves. And of course it’s all beautifully finished. Thank you so much, Opa and Oma!
We are trying to convince Opa that he could sell these as heirloom pieces! (Better pictures coming soon when daylight returns.)
By henryjn, on January 7th, 2009%
The first day back to school looked something like this. We brought blocks, a book and ourselves outside and enjoyed some warm florida sunshine under Ian’s tent. Ian was building an Age of Empires gate out of the cool blocks Sean got for Christmas. They are architectural blocks with columns and arches and pediments and such from Melissa and Doug. I think I wanted them for myself more than for the boys, but nonetheless they were used just as I thought.
I am hesitant to use the word school, but don’t have another one to use for what it is that we are back to. We had a break for two weeks because Daddy was home, some of the time, and family was here and we had late nights and parties to go to. The reading did not stop, the playing was still there and the learning was there too, just in a different way. When I start to think of homeschooling as school and work and start wondering if we spend enough time “learning”, then I dread it; but when I think of it as a lifestyle, the reality is, there are no boundaries between learning time and not learning time (thanks Lori). Check out Lori’s newest project all about nature and join the Flickr group and share pictures of your time outside.
I’m getting really excited about a project that is in the works, not by me, but by my Dad. He’s working in his workshop and making a little something for a special little girl who’s turning two tomorrow. Stay tuned for the reveal. Not sure when that will be, but the spot is ready and waiting for the fine handiwork of my swell Dad.
By henryjn, on January 3rd, 2009%
The spiders web, laces the hedge,
They look so pretty it’s true,
The tiny little diamonds shine,
Filled with morning dew,
Like little fairy beds they hang,
They have a special hue,
Lifting gently in the breeze,
Filled with morning dew,
They sway from gates and fences,
Twinkling drops anew,
They are nature’s necklaces,
Because their filled with dew.
-LD Redmond
::A little girl who likes to sit and watch the ducks with her blankie
By henryjn, on January 3rd, 2009%
Here is a look at what we did after Christmas.
It was the perfect day for riding our bikes, playing at the park, touring the fort and playing in the sand.
Yep, we got it all in, in one day and brought home 3 tired children.
Please remind me in August about this perfect day on December 27th!
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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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