This Moment

Joining Soulemama for {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

 Thank you Amanda for this wonderfully fun tradition.

Yarn Along

I can't believe it's Wednesday again!  The weeks are flying by so quickly this fall.  Joining the yarn along over at smallthings again.  We've had perfect knitting weather for the last few days as it's been chilly and rainy.

I got as far as separating for the the arms on the tummy warmer vest when I realized I had misread the increase rows and had to take it out and start over!  To take a break from that I started this hat from Friends Folly Farm (thanks for the recommendation Debbie).  This is a fun knit for sure, the pattern on the top is formed by knitting triangles together.  On size 9 with malabrigo worsted it goes quickly and is easy to figure out.  Of course being that I must have several projects going at once instead of just finishing the hat I went back to try the vest a second time with much better results.  This is going to be cute for sure.
As for reading I'm still plugging away at The Quarter Acre Farm a little here and there.  Yesterday I pulled out The Nature Corner and The Harvest Craft Book, We've had both these books since Molly's first year in a Waldorf early childhood nursery.  Some how over the last couple of years we seem to have forgotten about our nature table and I think it needs to come back to our lives.
Hope that everyone is enjoying this lovely fall.
Thanks to Ginny

Autumn Adventuring

Every day I am reminded how fortumate we are to live in such a beautiful corner of the world.  It makes days like this really easy.  We are surrounded by ocean marshes so a quick drive brought us to this lovely spot!

 

plank walkways keep your feet dry when walking through the marsh

 

gorgeous leaves to bring home for a project (a leaf bunting from The Rhythm of Family, I'll probably save that for another post)

 

A horse shoe crab shell (which led to a lovely little report and presentation about them)

 

some super cool mushrooms (perfect as we are talking about the 5 kingdoms in our science unit right now)

of course the planks don't help when the tide comes in! 
Another day we took a drive in a different direction and there was more fun to be had. Not far from our house is one of Maine's many forts built to defend the coast during wars such as the Spanish American war, civil war and world war 1.  The kids never tire of the adventures at these historic spots, and hey we're learning right?  One could call our adventures school field trips.

 

sword-fighting

 

The open space in the middle is perfect for a bit of gymnastics for my girl

lots of places to hide and explore

It's rainy and chilly today so our adventures may stay right in the house, but I know we have learned and will continue to learn so much from these lovely and magical adventures. 

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

 joining Soulemama as always.

Yarn Along

Again the week I'm excited to be joining in on the yarn along.

On the knitting end I've been busy finishing hats for the kids.  This pattern is great, simple and fast on size 9 needles!  I especially love that the ear flaps are double knit to keep them good and cozy.  I will be making more for sure.  I was planning on moving on to mittens next, but I happened to see the latest petite purls and my oh my  I'm in love.  I got started on the tummy warmer vest for my gorgeous little baby niece Charlotte in a lovely Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino burnt orange for fall.  I'm also making one for a new niece/nephew on the way over in Vermont (so exciting).
 As for reading I'm working through The Quarter Acre Farm, it's a fun book, sort of a memoir of this woman's crusade to live off her little piece of land.  I'm enjoying it.  I also read Made from Scratch last week.  Honestly I didn't enjoy this one as much.  It was cute, but I had a bit of a harder time relating to the writer. 
I've also been thumbing through How to be an Explorer of the World.  I picked this up for the kids, has anyone used this book?  I'd love to hear thoughts.

As always thanks to Ginny for hosting.

Tossing Aside Our Books

"And if the homework brings you down, then we'll throw it on the fire and take the car downtown"

David Bowie "Kooks"

Really it's not so much that the work is bringing anyone down, actually the kids are giggling as they work on long division together.  But It is a beautiful day and I am feeling the need to be out in nature! 
This wall just isn't cutting it today!

 Isn't that the beauty of homeschooling?  We can just toss our books aside and go outside and just enjoy the world?  I'm pretty sure that most teachers in the public school system would given the choice do just the same.

We're off, I don't know where this adventure will lead, but I'll be sure and let you know!

The Fair

We know that Autumn is officially here when it's time for the Common Ground Fair.  I look forward to this fair more than any other, there is just something magical about it.  Something real.

I don't recall a fair day that has been so warm!  Usually we are wearing fall sweaters and hats, but this year the kids were running under sprinklers and begging for ice cream.  No matter what the weather, this annual trip is something not to be missed.
Hoping your weekend was full of autumn bliss as well.