Today Rhett had a formal lesson in reading. He usually just goes around asking us to spell things for him and many times he will use the magnetic letters on the fridge to spell it back. I read to him quite a bit and he has gotten into the Dirk Bones series by Doug Cushman. He also loves Beatrix Potter.
After that he painted with watercolours. I am going to bind them into a book for him.
Dusty read about Queen Hatsheput. Did you know that she reined during the time Moses and the Isrealites wandered in the wilderness?
He's been reading books by Erin Hunter as well and welding. I wonder if he can learn to weld without blowing up the place??? Ha! I know he is reading this.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Monday, January 4, 2010
52 Weeks-52 Projects
One of the sites that I frequent has a challenge going on. Its finish a project a week for a year. Its supposed to help motivate some of us to get creative and finish some of the things we've got going on. Some wondered if they had enough stuff to do 52 projects and I'm thinking I need to do more than one a week to finish all of my projects especially since I want to open up a shop here in the spring at the local farmer's market.
So I am set to finish the projects that I actually promised a couple of friends that I would send them a few things. Then finish what I promised Dusty. I told Rhett I'd make him a pair of mittens. Then all open projects. I think I have enough to keep me busy for awhile. ; )
I am hoping that there will be someone giving away fleece again come spring/summer when all the critters are shorn. I don't mind buying, but until I get the shop up and running and start turning a profit...free is good.
So I am set to finish the projects that I actually promised a couple of friends that I would send them a few things. Then finish what I promised Dusty. I told Rhett I'd make him a pair of mittens. Then all open projects. I think I have enough to keep me busy for awhile. ; )
I am hoping that there will be someone giving away fleece again come spring/summer when all the critters are shorn. I don't mind buying, but until I get the shop up and running and start turning a profit...free is good.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Its finally done
Rhett was invited to a costume party and of course me being me would not go out and buy him one. Why should I? So I decided to torture myself and make him one. I wanted to make him a Japanese outfit. It has Hakama pants, kosode and jacket.
Now, I really can't sew. I like to think I can, but I really do detest it. I am not that methodical. I do not like to do things in order and sewing makes me do things in order.
I don't think it came out all that bad. My sewing machine hates me and made sure the thread broke about every 30 seconds or so. It took me such a long time to get the jacket done whereas I had no problem with the pants.
I would have made Rhett dress up, but he fell asleep on me. I was even tempted to wake him up and make him try it on. Oh well. I shall get pictures of him tomorrow at the party.
Unschooling method (yes, its a rant)
This is in response to those who tell me: "I know some unschoolers and they just let their children play video games all day, every day. They do absolutely nothing with their kids..."
I love unschooling and I realize that it is not for everyone. It does take a leap of faith to believe that your children will learn while letting them follow their own interests.
It may look like, to others especially critical ones, that my children do nothing all day. It may look like they play games all day or are on the computer all day. However, they are not with us all day. My four year old does play quite a bit of games but he also tells the most amazing stories from imagination, is learning to read, can recite songs as well as make some up on his own, is learning about different types of bugs, learning to sew, knows how to needle felt as well as wet felt and is learning to crochet. He is learning to read in Japanese, loves to help me cook, plays with the dogs, gardens and collect pieces of wood that he calls swords. This is pretty much on his own without my coaxing, coaching or making him sit at a table for hours on end.
My older son has a wealth of interests although you wouldn't think that with the amount of time he spends on Facebook or texting his friends. He wants to write a book, he is interested in atvs, motorbikes, horses, taking things apart, and music. He does awesome in public speaking and goes out of his way to help people.
Most unschoolers are not doing nothing all day. It may seem like it but there is usually a lot more learning going on than they let on and unless you spend 24/7 with one, you will not know it.
So before a person says: "I know an unschooler and they do absolutely nothing..." Make sure you have your facts straight and hard evidence before you start ranting about how the parents are ruining their children by this method and they are neglectful. It just might stop some animosity from growing.
Oh~I'm sure there are some homeschooling parents out there that do neglect their children and they are the ones that get the most publicity because they are the ones who get in the news. However, they are really few and far between.
I love unschooling and I realize that it is not for everyone. It does take a leap of faith to believe that your children will learn while letting them follow their own interests.
It may look like, to others especially critical ones, that my children do nothing all day. It may look like they play games all day or are on the computer all day. However, they are not with us all day. My four year old does play quite a bit of games but he also tells the most amazing stories from imagination, is learning to read, can recite songs as well as make some up on his own, is learning about different types of bugs, learning to sew, knows how to needle felt as well as wet felt and is learning to crochet. He is learning to read in Japanese, loves to help me cook, plays with the dogs, gardens and collect pieces of wood that he calls swords. This is pretty much on his own without my coaxing, coaching or making him sit at a table for hours on end.
My older son has a wealth of interests although you wouldn't think that with the amount of time he spends on Facebook or texting his friends. He wants to write a book, he is interested in atvs, motorbikes, horses, taking things apart, and music. He does awesome in public speaking and goes out of his way to help people.
Most unschoolers are not doing nothing all day. It may seem like it but there is usually a lot more learning going on than they let on and unless you spend 24/7 with one, you will not know it.
So before a person says: "I know an unschooler and they do absolutely nothing..." Make sure you have your facts straight and hard evidence before you start ranting about how the parents are ruining their children by this method and they are neglectful. It just might stop some animosity from growing.
Oh~I'm sure there are some homeschooling parents out there that do neglect their children and they are the ones that get the most publicity because they are the ones who get in the news. However, they are really few and far between.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Projects
Keeping busy and putting my mind to other things has been an obsession. If I stop to think I cry so I try not to think. I miss my mom. Its hard not to wish the person who hit her is suffering as much as I am. But I know she has her own thoughts and feelings to live with. Forgiveness...I am really trying.
So here are some of the projects that I have been working on
lately. I made another drop spindle so I can work on two projects instead of waiting to clear one spindle before starting on another. I want to make a top whorl spindle next.
I love how the green dye came out. In one bath I ended up with three shades of green due to the Ascorbic Acid I added to it. This is sheep wool from an unknown donor. I got a couple of bags of wool from a wonderful person off of Craig's list.
Yes, before you ask, that is a drop spindle mad
e from tinkertoy parts. It works fabulously too. This is a mixture of white and blonde from an llama. Another wonderful find off of Craig's list. Eight bags of llama fleece of varying colour.
Here is a finished hank of the green. I used food colouring. I was thinking of raiding a neighbours walnut tree, but then I thought...I already have some beautiful natural brown wool and llama fleece. I was trying to dig up some yellow dock that grows in the area, but they are hard to get out. I hear they make a vibrant yellowish orange. I suppose I should just try a little harder.
I am going to dye this using tumeric. I want to see the difference between tumeric and the dock root once I get it.
I am not much of a knitter or crocheter. I am learning to knit but I am slow and clumsy and forget where I am at often. I did make my little one some socks to run around the house in. They were full of mistakes, but of course he didn't mind. He watched me make them so he thought they were very special and each day he would ask me if they were done yet.
He loves to help me spin as he spins the spindle while I draft the roving. He also loves to play with the fiber and is getting quite good at needle felting.
So here are some of the projects that I have been working on
lately. I made another drop spindle so I can work on two projects instead of waiting to clear one spindle before starting on another. I want to make a top whorl spindle next.I love how the green dye came out. In one bath I ended up with three shades of green due to the Ascorbic Acid I added to it. This is sheep wool from an unknown donor. I got a couple of bags of wool from a wonderful person off of Craig's list.
Yes, before you ask, that is a drop spindle mad
e from tinkertoy parts. It works fabulously too. This is a mixture of white and blonde from an llama. Another wonderful find off of Craig's list. Eight bags of llama fleece of varying colour.
Here is a finished hank of the green. I used food colouring. I was thinking of raiding a neighbours walnut tree, but then I thought...I already have some beautiful natural brown wool and llama fleece. I was trying to dig up some yellow dock that grows in the area, but they are hard to get out. I hear they make a vibrant yellowish orange. I suppose I should just try a little harder.
I am going to dye this using tumeric. I want to see the difference between tumeric and the dock root once I get it.
I am not much of a knitter or crocheter. I am learning to knit but I am slow and clumsy and forget where I am at often. I did make my little one some socks to run around the house in. They were full of mistakes, but of course he didn't mind. He watched me make them so he thought they were very special and each day he would ask me if they were done yet.
He loves to help me spin as he spins the spindle while I draft the roving. He also loves to play with the fiber and is getting quite good at needle felting.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Herb 101...for Neil. =) Pt.1
You can take herbs in several forms, but the basic ones are teas (infusion), decoctions or syrups.
To make a simple tea using a single herb you would mix 1 oz of herb to 1 pint of boiling water. Infusions would be used for light herbs such as leaves, berries, flowers, etc.
Decoctions are used for harder materials such as twigs, bark, etc. The measurements are the same: 1 oz herb to 1 pint of water. Place herbs into a glass pot pour cold water over the herb then gradually bring to a boil. Boil for at least 15 minutes although certain herbs will require longer.
Syrups are basically a sugar concentrate that has reached saturation point. Syrups can be made and stored separately then add a dry herb or tincture to it or you could make an herbal syrup. For an herbal syrup, you would begin with a concentrated herb liquid (infusion or decoction) at least 1 pt of liquid...so take 2 pts of herb liquid and simmer it til it is down to a half to concentrate it. Add 1-2 ozs of honey and 1-2 ozs of vegetable (food grade) glycerine.
To make a simple tea using a single herb you would mix 1 oz of herb to 1 pint of boiling water. Infusions would be used for light herbs such as leaves, berries, flowers, etc.
Decoctions are used for harder materials such as twigs, bark, etc. The measurements are the same: 1 oz herb to 1 pint of water. Place herbs into a glass pot pour cold water over the herb then gradually bring to a boil. Boil for at least 15 minutes although certain herbs will require longer.
Syrups are basically a sugar concentrate that has reached saturation point. Syrups can be made and stored separately then add a dry herb or tincture to it or you could make an herbal syrup. For an herbal syrup, you would begin with a concentrated herb liquid (infusion or decoction) at least 1 pt of liquid...so take 2 pts of herb liquid and simmer it til it is down to a half to concentrate it. Add 1-2 ozs of honey and 1-2 ozs of vegetable (food grade) glycerine.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Local First Day of School
August 31st was the first day of school for many of the children around here. While they were lined up for the bus early in the morning, my son Dusty was walking to the place he has come to love. Hidden Valley Ranch. They raise Paint horses and he goes there two days a week to work in exchange for riding privileges.
His spirit free and happy doing what he enjoys, while the numerous children looked sort of downcast and tired for their first day. I am sure they were wishing that the summer had not ended.
As for Rhett's day, we spent the day in the garden, reading books and playing hide and seek. We caught grasshoppers and looked for a Praying Mantis that had found its way into our yard.
He is asking me to spell everything for him now, so we spend the days spelling out words and of course I must not go fast or he tells me to "do it more slowly..." You can see his little mind working as he tries to picture the letter in his mind as I spell it out.
So while the children were sitting at desks inside a building, my boys were outside enjoying the things they do best...being themselves, learning the way they want and what they want. I feel this is part of raising a holistically healthy child.
His spirit free and happy doing what he enjoys, while the numerous children looked sort of downcast and tired for their first day. I am sure they were wishing that the summer had not ended.
As for Rhett's day, we spent the day in the garden, reading books and playing hide and seek. We caught grasshoppers and looked for a Praying Mantis that had found its way into our yard.
He is asking me to spell everything for him now, so we spend the days spelling out words and of course I must not go fast or he tells me to "do it more slowly..." You can see his little mind working as he tries to picture the letter in his mind as I spell it out.
So while the children were sitting at desks inside a building, my boys were outside enjoying the things they do best...being themselves, learning the way they want and what they want. I feel this is part of raising a holistically healthy child.
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