Fiber Fest

Over the weekend we attended a local Fiber Fest.  It was full of beautiful hand spun fibers, handwoven baskets and yummy wool! 

The merchants and artisans were amazing and inspiring!  T and O each got to try their hands at weaving and spinning.  T has decided he would like a spinning wheel for Christmas. 

We enjoyed watching the sheep shearing.  They all looked so skinny once they were shorn

I was amazed with the silk weaving.  It is hard to believe that such a beautiful fiber can come from such humble beginnings. 

To spin the silk cocoons they must first be soaked and degummed.  Then the magic can begin!

 O was especially taken with all the animals.  She made fast friends with the angora bunnies and the alpacas. 

How cool is this?  My friend is spinning the angora's fur as he sits patiently in her lap!

This festival was such a learning experience for us all.  I love that my children are seeing all the work that goes into the materials they use everyday.  So much of the world is oblivious to the countless hours and resources it takes to make just one t-shirt.  I'm sure we all would be less wasteful if we could see the human chain behind the products we buy and discard so nonchalantly.

Harvest Houses

We made harvest houses today in celebration of the Autumnal Equinox.  Who said gingerbread houses were only for Christmas?  I started by making this gingerbread cookie recipe. While the dough was chilling I drafted a simple house template out of cardstock.  Here is one I found online if you just want to print it out and use it.  Using the cardstock template cut out two of each piece. 

Carefully place the house pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown around the edges...11-15 minutes. 

Next use the remaining dough to cut out the accent pieces...having fall themed cookie cutters really helps out with this:)

Bake the accent pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet 8-11 minutes until the edges are lightly brown.  Let all the cookie pieces cool and harden for 24 hours before beginning house construction.  To construct the house first select a base; we used watercolored cardboard but really anything sturdy will do.  Next mix up the house cement...AKA Royal Icing.  I used Alton's recipe and it was perfect.  I did add food color to achieve this awesome orange color:)  Place the icing in a pastry bag and prepare for piping!  Liberally pipe the icing on the back sides of the front house piece and attach a wall segment to each side.  Let this harden and then attach the back house piece using the same technique.  Let this set for at least 20 minutes before attaching the roof.  Next liberally pipe each house peak with icing and carefully attach the roof pieces.  Let house sit for at least 1 hour before attaching the remaining decorations. 

After 1 hour, I filled two pastry bags with the remaining frosting and let the kids go wild piping and decorating their houses.  These are the end results.

Happy Fall everyone...now go make a house:)

Bidding Summer Farewell

When I awoke this morning I had every intention of homeschooling....and then I walked outside. I was greeted by the most beautiful late summer day, which was in fact beckoning me to run off to the beach.  So we did:)  We took this opportunity to have on last beach day, and what a glorious day it was.  Sand, surf and sunshine abounded as we bid a fond farewell to summer.  Lately I have been giddy with anticipation for fall, but the beauty of today has left me feeling bittersweet.  I shall miss the salty sea air and sun kissed children of the summer...

Not to worry we were able to do "night school"" when we returned.  I love the flexibility of homeschool!



A Fairy Good Birthday

Yesterday we hosted O's 4th birthday party.  It was a grand fairy soiree.  We donned our wings, painted our faces and reveled in the land of enchantment.  Here are a few pics from our adventure.

The Food

(I was able to find all natural jelly beans, sprinkles and marshmallows at Whole Foods...SCORE!)

The Festivities

One Very Pooped Fairy Princess

Our Lake Vacation

We were fortunate enough this year to take a much needed vacation.  We had not been on a family vacation in nearly 5 years!  We returned to our favorite vacation spot, a quiet little cabin on a lake in New Hampshire.  I have been vacationing here since I was a small child.......so 30 years.  It is a rustic 1920 cabin that sits right at the waters edge.  It is blissfully simple...no phone or telly.  We spent our days swimming, canoeing and fishing. 

At night we were serenaded by the loons.  It was such a delight to see my children discover the wonder and joy of this magical place.  It brought back cherished memories of my sister and I frolicking  through the woods, swinging in the hammock and building elf house under the eaves of the white pines.  I am so thankful we had this time to reconnect with each other and the splendor of the world around us.

We will definitely be returning next year!  I'm thinking of going back in the fall....