Country Lifestyle and Looking Presentable

A few years ago my mom introduced me to the Madame Chic series of books by Jennifer L. Scott.  Her books are a light, conversational read that provide many useful tips and concepts to assist you in elevating all areas of your life.  One concept I felt I could really put some effort into was the notion of "looking presentable always".  As a stay-at-home mom, living in a rural setting, I found this particularly challenging to get my head around.  That being said, I really felt like I needed to update my look as I was approaching 40.   I was certain that if I put a bit more effort into my appearance that I would feel better about myself throughout the day. 


I spent a lot of time thinking about and working on this concept, as well as her ten-item wardrobe philosophy.  I figured out a suitable daily "no-makeup" look that I felt comfortable with.  I upgraded my wardrobe from jeans and t-shirts to nicer, well-fitting jeans, nicer tops and great footwear (:  I even put a few dresses in the mix.  I felt great....but I was scared of ruining my nice clothes! One wrong move around here and the damages could be catastrophic....from snags to grease stains.  Here were the challenges I found myself faced with:

• I live on a rural property with animals that require daily care.  We currently have chickens and ducks.  At one point we had four sheep.  Feeding and watering them is messy!
• I have a long gravel driveway and drive a truck-style vehicle.  Delicate footwear doesn't jive well with this scenario.  Our chickens are free run so my driveway has hazards to be avoided!
• I have two boys who are VERY active and into a lot of messy activities.  We often go to the skatepark so they can BMX, or to the pond, or to the beach......  Smearing myself in bicycle grease is a common occurrence when I'm helping with the loading and unloading gear.
• Exercise is a big part of my life.  Most days include two workouts - a weight program first thing in the morning and then a run when the kids are at school.
• We burn 3 cords of firewood a year.  Because I'm the one home all day, I pretty much look after the ferrying of this wood from the barn to the house on a daily basis....as well as running the stove all day in the cooler months.
• I'm a gardener!  Most years I've maintained a decent sized vegetable garden and flower beds.  This year the veggies are on the back-burner due to an injury, but I imagine they will return.

When I first looked at this list, I thought what is the point?  I'm constantly doing messy things and I will ruin everything in no time.  I was, however, feeling so great about the new me, that I devised a plan that seems to be working for me.

• Get the dirty work over with first thing!  As soon as I get up in the morning, I work out doing weights and then a run.  I love starting my day this way.  It gives me energy and such a boost. 
• Feeding and watering the birds is done right after my workout while I'm still in my workout clothes.  This is also the time I would do things like gather up the garbage, sweep the garage.
• In the winter, my barn chores also involve bringing in a couple of wheelbarrel loads of firewood and loading up the wood box for the day....again wearing my exercise clothes.
• Black and other dark colors are my friend.  I need things that just don't show the dirt, which is really inevitable.
• Washable fabrics are also my friend. 
• Jeans are still the best choice for me.  I think they can look great and a dark wash skinny really suits my figure.  In the winter I wear dark grey, black and dark blue.  They wash well, the fabric is sturdy and they can be dressed up.  They suit my lifestyle!
• Don't be lazy and change your clothes if the situation calls for it.  If I'm dressed in a nice blouse for the day and the boys beg me to take them to the skate part.....I change my top to a black t-shirt.  It only takes a minute and I usually have dark jeans on that can handle any messes.  I will also change into Converse sneakers over more delicate shoes.  My husband once caught me piling firewood in a pair of $200 jeans....not a good combination.
• There is no excuse for not taking the time to have a shower, do my hair and put on some light makeup.  I always feel better about myself.  I can still look cute and pulled together while I'm piling firewood or hanging at the skate park!!!  Even if I'm in "work clothes" I can still have clean hair, a fresh face and my sliver hoop earrings on.
• Jennifer recommends using an apron, and this is what I do throughout the day.  If I'm cooking, doing light weeding,  loading the woodstove or fetching eggs from the coop, I make sure I have my apron on.  It helps if you have one you really love.  I purchased a beautiful Japanese-style linen apron that goes well with my neutrals-natural look.
• Putting the "birds to bed" at night is usually delegated to my son or husband.  If I need to go out there, I usually have my PJ's on at this point and throw on a barn coat and rubber boots.  Not presentable by any stretch, but I can't be a perfectionist in this situation.
  

That about sums it up!   I feel like I've managed to fit "looking presentable always"....or at least most of the time, into my life.  I truly feel great about it and it puts a spring in my step each day!

Owls (and Elves) in the Family

Bedtime in our house is one of my favorite times of the day. When the clock strikes 7pm, Chi-Chi and Muffy are usually snuggled up under the covers with Mommy or Daddy and a good book. I'm loving the coziness that the darkness provides this time of year. Bedtime seems to run so much more smoothly during these darkest of months. My husband and I usually "divide and conquer" when it comes to getting the little ones settled down for the night. We alternate every night and it works out quite well. This gives us some quiet one-on-one time with each child. I do cherish this special time with each of them as it is often a time of connection between us.

Both boys share my love of children's books, so bedtime stories are very much cherished by all members of the family. I do believe even my husband truly enjoyed reading the Little House on the Prairie series. I think he was pleasantly surprised! We just finished reading Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat for the second time. This is such a great read for little boys! It is full of adventure, comedy and good old fashioned boyish fun. It has a nostalgic feel to it, which took me back to stories of my own father as a boy. It represents the classic boyhood adventures I want my own children to live and experience......tracking animals, building camps, riding bikes, being curious about nature. This sounds like a lot more fun than the video games of today!


The book that currently rests on the night stand is truly a treasure - something I found at the thrift shop last year. If anyone has any information on this book, I'd love to know more about it! I still can't believe I snatched it up for $1.99. Its called "The Wee Folk - About the Elves in Nova Scotia". It was written by Mary Alma Dillman in 1953! I have the 1964 edition. It is a collection of the sweetest, most enchanting tales and illustrations I have ever read. The children love the mention of Nova Scotia in the tales. I swear, those little elves just might be living in the woods out back, the text is so descriptive and rich with detail.



With owls on the brain, we got up to a little bit of crafting, inspired by materials we collected on a nature walk. We spotted a bobcat earlier this week - likely the culprit in the missing duck and rooster mystery. We've been out scouting for tracks in the mud, so it was easy to collect bits of nature as we explored. I got the idea here at Five Orange Potatoes. We used "down" from asters and goldenrod that had gone to seed for the fluff. Alder catkins made great beaks and talons for our little owlets.


This was the first time I let the boys use the glue gun. In no time, they had moved on to more festive inspired crafts! It looks like the Christmas crafting has officially begun around here! It's a bit earlier than I had hoped...but I'm going to roll with it.

A Welcome "Weed" In The Garden

The other day I popped into the library and found myself sifting through the "to be discarded" shelf. The sign stated, "Fill a bag for $1". That's a deal that can't be beat! I resisted the urge to stuff my bag full and was very selective in the titles I chose. I'm on a never-ending mission to declutter our home and keep the stream of "stuff" coming into our house to a minimum. There were, however, a few books I could not pass up! I was prettysure BMX Racing would be an instant page turner for the boys.

Both Chi-Chi and Muffy are incredibly fascinated with the sport of BMX these days! I have to admit, as a mother of boys, it's sometimes a stretch for me to be enthusiastic about some of their interests. Having travelled across Canada by bicycle when when Iwas 23, I'm no stranger to cycling.....however the jumps and tricks are a little hard on my head and heart! I actually keep a stash of band-aids in my pocket and I easily go through a dozen or so a day. I am, however, just happy to see them having lots of muddy fun and getting a good dose of daily exercise. Lucky for me, their BMX track is conveniently located within view of my garden. I'm able to keep an eye on the antics while I work away at my weeding.

It's definitely been a weak year for the garden considering the wet and foggy weather we've experienced! My great garden expansion project is still underway, with my efforts this year focusing on soil enrichment. Seaweed gathering has become a favorite activity for the boys and I. I'm betting we will all reap the benefits of our efforts in a year or so. Although the seaweed is currently serving as a mulch to keep the pesky weeds away, this nutrient-rich goodness will be worked into the soil come fall. The beach is just across the street so it has been fairly convenient to gather a decent quantity of it.

My little "helpers" usually assist in the gathering for a short spell. When their interest wanes, they shift their focus to beach-combing and exploring. We never leave empty handed. Our collection of unidentified bones is growing by the day! Today Chi-Chi discovered a starfish on the rocky shore. After confirming it was dead, he decided to take it home for further study. Oh, I do wish I could bottle that pure, raw sense of curiosity and enthusiasm that children exhibit. I found him parked at his desk with his journal, "specimen" and magnifying glass. What's so wonderful is that his questions push me to learn and grow as a person. He identified a "dot" on the top of the starfish and needed some answers!! It turns out the dot is called a madreporite, used to flush water in and out of the creature's body. It is moments like these that I love to capture and document. They serve as a reminder to nurture the boys' curiosity and desire to learn.

G is for Goalie!

Bedtime with my sweet boys is a time of day that I cherish. OK, I admit that I look forward to a calm and quiet house once the little ones are nestled all snug in their beds. It is the bedtime rituals themselves, however, that make this time of day so special. Once Daddy has the boys scrubbed from top to bottom, the two little monkeys are separated for a calm wind down to the busy day. Hubby and I alternate each night, ensuring we each have valuable one-on-one time with Chi-Chi and Muffy. I cherish this alone time with each of them. It is a very relaxing time as we settle into a stack of books without distraction. Chi-Chi and I are currently working our way through the Little House on the Prairie series and I look forward to diving back into these childhood favorites from my past. Story time with Muffy is full of cuddles and consistency as he's hooked on a few favorite titles at the moment. There is comfort in the routine for him.

Chi-Chi recently began to express an interest in learning how to sound out words. Pointing to words in his book, he asked for assistance in sounding them out. Little House on the Prairie was certainly not the place to start for this little guy who always seems to choose the most complicated of words to read! I knew we had to start somewhere simple, so I asked for help!

I consulted with the boys' Montessori teacher and she pointed me in the right direction. Not wanting to confuse Chi-Chi,it was important that our work at home be consistent and complimentary to the methods they were using at preschool. A big thank you to dear Ms. M who answered my many, many questions very patiently. I decided to set up a series of object sound baskets as an interesting and inviting way for Chi-Chi to work on his phonetic sounds. Each basket is dedicated to a set of sounds and includes a collection of beginning letter sound objects. I spent a good week digging through junk drawers and scanning dollar and craft stores for miniature sized objects. The tiny trinkets add an element of interest to the learning process and help reinforce the learning of sounds. I made a point of seeking out objects I knew Chi-Chi would find intriguing such as dragons, insects and our dear friend Santa. For anyone interested in setting this up at home, I encourage you to check out the language posts on My Montessori Journey.

I am following Chi-Chi's lead on our sound and reading work. A self-proclaimed book lover, he is quite tickled to be working through the pages of some very simple and basic readers. It's almost as if he has a sense of the magic he can unlock when he learns how to read. The boy who loves to spend "private time" flipping through the pages of books will most certainly marvel at the ability to read the words on his own.

As we snuggle under the quilts and crack open another chapter of Laura Ingall's life, I am transported back to my own childhood. I am once again that young girl with long brown braids (just like Laura!), cuddled up in the bottom cottage bunk. Flashlight in hand, up way past bedtime, I soak up every word of these tales from long ago. The next morning, I insist on cornbread for breakfast (just like Laura!). In a flash, I find myself back in the present, close to thirty years later. Once again, I find myself up past bedtime as my sweet boy begs for just one more chapter. I cannot resist those dark brown eyes. His head on my chest, he listens attentively to each word, soaking up the rich and beautifully descriptive text. He is captivated by stories of bears and guns and the enchanting tunes of Pa's fiddle.

Yes my dear Chi-Chi, let the magic unfold!

Slow Down and Take Notice

Ah, how I love a good book. I've been steering clear of page-turner type novels, however, as once I'm hooked I simply cannot put such books down. These days, sleep is high on my list of priorities. I've been known to pull all nighters when engrossed in a great story!

My latest and greatest read is Calm and Compassionate Children - A Handbook by Susan Usha Dermond. It's chock full of practical suggestions and exercises to both create a calm environment for children and to promote kindness. Though this is something I feel our family has been working towards, there is always room for improvement. Mommy's latest "science experiment" involves the use of calming music. Dare I say it is working?! Perhaps the children really are more relaxed. Perhaps it is Mommy herself who is mellowing out and in a better frame of mind to deal with certain "issues" as they arise!

With two very active boys under my roof, I do work on providing a home environment that is relaxing and peaceful. Like most little ones, Chi-Chi and Muffy definitely have the ability to get a little wild and crazy on me. They also have an amazing ability to focus on something quietly and with great interest and intensity. I find it very interesting to observe these two contrasting states of mind, particularly in an outdoor setting. They do love to run about the yard freely, stretching their bodies and voices to capacity! On the other hand, I often witness them silently observing the nature that surrounds them, soaking up the sights, sounds and smells offered to their senses.

Such was the case yesterday when Chi-Chi and Muffy set off on a backyard exploration expedition. I was busy piling firewood while the little guys were investigating our gigantic mud puddle. Last summer we had some hurricane Juan clean up work done on the property. The machines left behind huge ruts in the earth. The heavy dose of rain this summer has turned the area in a bit of a backyard pond. The tiny ecosystem developing within these mud puddles is really quite remarkable. When I glanced over to check on the wee ones, I found them imobile, observing in complete silence (instead of throwing rocks as I had expected). They were sporting huge smiles on their grubby little faces as they had discovered two green frogs. Because they were in a calm and observant state, they were able to witness a beautiful creature first hand. This discovery lead to lots of questions which lead to lots of research, answers, stories and learning!

Dermond's book offers some very good exercises to assist children (and adults!) in achieving a calm, focused state, particularly in a nature setting. Her suggestions are something we could all benefit from as we zoom through day-to-day life. Who knows what sweet surprise is hiding right under your nose!

(As a side, I'm not in the habit of enforcing a blanket helmet policy around here. The kids on are and off their bicycles and skateboards constantly and sport the head protection on their own free will. Bring it on I say, you can never have too much head protection with these two!!)

The Sound of Music

I’m slowly making my way through my current favorite book on the nightstand, The Creative Family by Amanda Soule. I have a natural tendency to burn through a book at lightning speed. Once I’m immersed in the pages of a great read, I find it nearly impossible to tear myself away. I decided to approach things a little differently this time around. I’ve slowed down my pace and am reading this book in tidbits as I take the time to absorb, ponder and simply enjoy the words. She has such a amicable and pleasant writing style! I’m taking little notes as I think of ways to incorporate some of the projects, ideas and concepts into our family life. The truth is, I will be sad to read the last page. I look forward to this little treat to savor at the end of each day.

I do admit to jumping ahead to a later chapter to check out some of the photos. One idea in particular caught my attention. There was no absorbing or pondering required. I simply HAD to make a banging wall! I knew Chi-Chi and Muffy would love it! Though I have nothing against those popular preschool music classes, my own children were less than enthusiastic about them. (Personally I thought they were lovely) Our new banging wall is a fun way to incorporate a little music and rhythm into their lives. It’s also a great outlet for all members of the family to release built up stress and frustration! Luckily, we don’t have any neighbors close by who might complain (:

This may sound odd, but most of the materials were sourced from our nearby forest. When we purchased our property, it was home to about forty junker cars and other objects from the past. Although we did a heavy duty clean up effort before breaking ground, a few relics still remain in a couple of obscure and hard to reach corners of our land. I took an hour or so to poke around and retrieved a couple of old hubcaps, a cooking pan and a Pepsi crate! How exciting to find a use for this old junk!

As one might expect, the outdoor percussion set has been a huge “hit” with the boys. I’m looking forward to the upcoming alfresco concert series this summer! Yes my friends, our hill is alive with the sound of music!

My Little Treehugger

Like so many others out there, I’ve been a faithful reader of the Soulemama blog for quite some time. Her first book, The Creative Family, has been on my wish list for what seems like an eternity. I finally treated myself to a copy this week and I’ve had my nose between its pages ever since. My friend April opened the doors to her beautiful new Nurtured retail store this past week. I dropped in to say hello, check things out and drop off a few goodies fromThe Wool Fairy. I was so thrilled to see several copies of The Creative Family lining her shelves. I immediately snatched up one for myself! Wanting to support April in her new and exciting endeavor, my purchase was completely justified (:

A few of the projects in the book caught my eye right away. Luckily, I had the required supplies on hand so the boys and I dove right in. We pulled out some unbleached cotton cloth and our fabric markers and set to work on her “Art Placemats” project. Over the last few months, Chi-Chi’s drawings have started to take on much more recognizable forms and shapes. I was awestruck by the seriousness and concentration he put into his placemat drawing. I was also happy to hear that my dear boy is actually listening to me when I’m rambling on about nature and how the world works. It’s always interesting to witness their interpretation of topics we’ve discussed. He loves to draw trees. His drawing actually depicts the water traveling up the roots all the way to the leaves. He also incorporated the sunrays shining on the leaves to provide food to the tree. My favorite part of all is the large burl pictured on the far right tree. We’ve been spending a lot of time in the forest, admiring and discussing burls in particular. His little loving heart decided to give this particular work of art to his Graga as a birthday gift. My Dad is a retired forester so it’s ironically appropriate! The man also likes to eat (who doesn't) so it's a perfect fit!

What’s so great about this project is that it is super simple, but very rewarding for the children. Both Chi-Chi and Muffy were beaming with pride as I took their canvasses and stitched up the placemats on my sewing machine. They were really quite delighted with the transformation. We only had one minor incident where Muffy snuck under the table and stomped down on my sewing machine pedal with his lead food. I escaped the incident without injury so it was all good!

We’ve had trees on the brain the last couple of days it seems. The boys were fascinated with a simple little science experiment we did this week. We took a stalk of celery and placed it in a cup of water and food coloring. I was actually amazed to see the dye travel all the way up to the very tips of the leaves. It was a great little exercise to provide the boys with a tangible example of a plant drinking water.

No doubt I’ll be burning my way through Amanda Soule’s beautiful book all weekend! More fun to come I’m certain!

Chasing Rainbows

I always seem to have a few books on the nightstand that I’m working my way through. They compete heavily for attention with my creative activities these days, so I don’t seem to be burning through them at record speed. At the end of a hectic day with the kiddies, I often find myself in the mood for something light and fun that doesn’t weigh too heavily on my brain! Every now and then I pick up a copy of my all-time favorite childhood book, There's a Rainbow in my Closet by Patti Stren. I’m certain I read this book one hundred times, but surprisingly I never owned a copy. I must have had it on a long-term loan at the library. A few years back Hubby treated me to a copy from a rare and used books seller. As soon as I cracked the cover I was transported back into Emma’s world of dreaming, drawing and painting.

In the story, Emma’s mother is traveling on a work commitment and her grandmother comes from afar to care for her. Emma soon discovers that she shares her passion for art and painting with her grandmother (and the love of the color purple!). Struggling with her mother’s extended absence, Emma initially resists developing a relationship with her grandmother. One day after school, Emma is touched and delighted to find a surprise from her grandmother – a rainbow in her closet! Using her eyeglasses and sunlight, her grandmother creates a beautiful rainbow as an effort to reach out to her troubled granddaughter.

I’ve admired prisms since a very young age. My own Nanny had a collection hanging in the living room window and I always delighted in studying and scrutinizing these tiny yet vivid rainbows. I thought it would be fun to bring a little light, color and beauty into our own day-to-day lives. I purchased prism beads for a very affordable price. I hung them discretely in a few carefully selected spots. One was placed in an east-facing window to capture early morning sunbeams. The other two were placed on a west kitchen window. On a bright sunny morning, I often hear Chi-Chi shout, “Let’s go check for rainbows!!”. We admire and appreciate the colorful little dancing rainbows during our breakfast routine. In the afternoon, the rainbows add a touch of beauty and mystery to my supper preparation routine. The little ones hover around my feet (not always a good thing) and try to catch the rainbows as they dance along the kitchen floor. Our little color beams are always a special treat, as they only appear when the sun is shining brightly.

I believe quite strongly that children should be surrounded by an environment that is pleasing, comfortable and beautiful. This is a fun, interesting and inexpensive way to add a splash of beauty into our daily lives that the whole family will enjoy.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has read, “There’s a Rainbow in my Closet” and who holds the same fond memories I do (Ok Mom, you don’t count! Of course I know you read this book. Thanks for all your much-appreciated help on the grade 5 book report!)

Buy the Book!

I found myself in desperate need of some new reading material this week. The straw that broke the camel’s back was likely the 1000th reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Wednesday evening. Wide-eyed and attentive, Chi-Chi and Muffy are captivated by this classic holiday tale and request it most days. Maybe I’m just not in a festive mood, but with spring on my mind, the last thing I want to think about is dear old St. Nick.

The boys and I have been visiting the local library on a weekly basis so we do indeed have some fresh reading material on hand. Every now and then, however, I get the urge to add a few books to the family’s “permanent collection”. I found myself dangerously perusing and drooling over the Usborne books catalogue one evening. With a few clicks of the button, my “wish list” quickly surpassed $100. Sigh… I reminded myself to “question every purchase” and hit the delete button before I could change my mind.

The next day I hit our Value Village Thrift Store to do some treasure hunting in the used book isle. It was my lucky day! All children’s books were 69 cents with an added option to buy 4 get 1 free. “Question every purchase” flew out the window as I filled my cart. I justified that I could not lose at that price.

With warmer weather on my mind, I was able to compile a rather lovely collection of spring-themed reading material for the coming months. I even did a little shopping for the Easter Bunny! Chi-Chi will be receiving a copy of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”. Little Muffy will be the proud owner of a vintage copy of “I Am A Bunny” by Ole Risom, illustrated by my favorite, Richard Scarry. It’s in mint condition I might add (which I fully realize it won’t be for long). Not surprisingly, the nostalgic in me is drawn to vintage books. The sweet illustrations just make me feel warm and fuzzy inside!

As an offset to all the lovey-dovey fuzziness, I snatched up some great dinosaur books for my monster lovers. To top it all off, I actually stumbled on a copy of one of the Usborne books on my wish list!

I bargained with myself, and do admit to ordering one special Usborne book for Chi-Chi’s upcoming birthday – the Animal Picture Atlas. He’s fascinated with a similar book at preschool and has taken a keen interest in geography lately. Purchase justified! I see no harm in fuelling his desire to learn.

I will not deny that these books are for my personal reading pleasure. Chi-Chi and Muffy will likely never tire of their faithful old favorites. Used books are a great way to keep things fresh for all members of the family and they are a lot kinder on the pocketbook!

The Story Unfolds...

In just over a month, my “baby” Chi-Chi will be turning four years old! At the very top of his birthday wish list is a goalie stick. It’s going to be a long wait for this poor little guy, who begs and pleads for this coveted item every day. A month is no doubt an eternity to a four-year-old. No, I won’t be attempting to a “Wood Fairy” version of a goalie stick! I’m sure the Canadian Tire version will do just fine.

As one would expect, I feel a need to make something special for my sweet little boy – an offering of my love for him on this memorable occasion. I’ve been racking my brain for ideas, but was starting to experience a mild case of “toy makers block”. I’ve done some serious toy making the last two years so the idea bank is starting to dry up!

Just when I least expected it, a light bulb went off in my head! I’m sure all parents of young children find themselves in this position. It’s bedtime and you are completely exhausted and zapped from the activities of the day. You are snuggled in bed with your little one, nodding off as you try hopelessly to get through the arguably painful text of Green Eggs and Ham. On such occasions, when I simply cannot keep my eyes open, I shut off the lights and pull out my repertoire of homemade stories. These stories are great as the little ones don’t know the words (and therefore can’t correct you when you fall asleep mid sentence). Since there is no book, they can be told with eyes closed! Chi-Chi is quite fond of my series of stories depicting the adventures and antics of my childhood dog, the infamous Barney Beagle. Anyone who has ever known a beagle will be well aware of the trouble these softhearted little characters can get into!

Despite my love of “no book” stories, I decided it would be fun to write and illustrate a homemade treasury of the Adventures of Barney Beagle. It will be a sure hit with Chi-Chi as he absolutely loves these tales. It will also serve as a keepsake for all members of our family who hold fond (and not so fond) memories of this special little dog. When I first informed Hubby of my plans, he reminded me of a report issued by my Grade 10 art class teacher, “You are attempting to draw all sides of the object at the same time”. Ok, I will admit, I’m no artist! Despite this constructive criticism, I pulled out my watercolor pencils and some paper and set to work on the first set of illustrations. (Thanks to Robyn for a little inspiration here) I did a test run and scanned a painting into the computer, pairing it up with the accompanying text. I’m not yet sure how I will print and bind the final product. Any suggestions would be welcome!!

These sample drawings give a sneak peek of what’s to come. I apologize for the graphic nature of some of the subject matter. Yes, that is a picture of someone pulling a pair of stockings out of Barney’s behind. All I can say is that it is based on actual people, animals and events. Family members out there, I’m taking submissions of stories to be included so drop me a note if you think of any!

No doubt in thirty years or so I'll be hard at work on the sequel to this book for my grandchildren...... "The Antics and Adventures of the Infamous Chi-Chi and Muffy". Oh, the stories I'll have to tell!!

My Little Bookworms

Chi-Chi and Muffy shocked and impressed me the other day. In need of a change of scenery, I planned a small outing for the boys in the morning. They were given two clear choices - skating at the rink or a trip to the local library. Both little guys eagerly shouted "Library!" in unison. Ah, music to my ears... They made their mama proud with their wise choice. I'm happy to see that the novelty of hockey is not overshadowing other important interests in their lives.

Chi-Chi and Muffy don't watch TV so their ever growing collection of books is something we call upon regularly when in need of "downtime". We do have one TV in our home, but it is kept out of the main living area, tucked away in the attic space above our garage. The children and I rarely venture up there during the day as it is not really a kid friendly space. This was by design. Out of sight, out of mind I suppose. Keeping the temptation of the TV out of our daily space is something Hubby and I are pretty adamant about for all members of the family! Since Chi-Chi has most of his favorites memorized, he's actually starting to "read" the stories to Muffy. He's providing Mommy with a valuable opportunity to pull supper together while he "babysits" little brother. I love it!

My latest stint in the workshop was inspired by Chi-Chi's fascination with The Gruffalo. I decided to add a fun little twist to story time by creating a set of characters - Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo of course. For those familiar with this story, I've even got a "good nut" on hand for the finale! What fun Chi-Chi and Muffy are having as they watch their favorite characters come to life in action. This endearing monster was definitely my most challenging wooden figure to date. I think I did a decent job by taking a "keep it simple" approach.

Chi-Chi's fourth birthday is over two months away, but he has already placed his order for a "banana, blueberry, strawberry, Gruffalo cake". Perhaps I should close up the workshop and get busy in the kitchen. This looks like a fairly tall order!

Buying Local at the Bookstore

No doubt, over the last year, many of us started exercising increased care and consideration when choosing toys for our little ones. My family’s toy box has certainly experienced a metamorphosis. Its contents consist primarily of handmade items created by yours truly. When purchasing toys, I attempt to stick to items made as close to home as possible. My reasons for this approach are varied ranging from safety, quality and aesthetic considerations to environmental and social concerns.

Recently, my focus has shifted from the toy box to the bookshelf. Have you ever taken a moment to read the fine print in your kiddies’ books? “Printed in China” appears time and time again. It seems that books, like most other consumer goods, make a long trek from the other side of the world before reaching store shelves. Practically speaking, it would be impossible for me to limit my library acquisitions to items printed in North America. My passionate love of books prevents me from setting such harsh restrictions! It is, however, worthwhile and rewarding to explore the numerous children’s titles available from our very talented local authors. Most often, these books are printed and published in Canada, something that just seems to make a lot more sense!

A new family favorite, which I recently picked up at The Box of Delights in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, is Bounce and Beans and Burn by Shannon Murray, illustrated by Doretta Groenendyk. Murray is from our neighbouring Maritime province, the beautiful Prince Edward Island. Groenendyk lives just a hop, skip and a jump from my parents in the Annapolis Valley. In fact, I’ve been admiring her whimsical, folksy artwork for the past couple of years at local galleries. What a treat to have some of them so beautifully presented in one of our cherished bedtime tales.

This is a fun, magical tale of a little boy with “Bounce and Beans and Burn” and a wonderfully vivid imagination. Chi-Chi seemed to connect with the main character almost immediately. Perhaps he feels a sense of kinship with our friend Sam in the book. My experience has been that books written by local authors tend to strike a chord with my children. Most often, the subject matter hits home with them as the stories include familiar landmarks, characters and concepts.

I’m looking forward to stocking Chi-Chi and Muffy’s summer reading list with more “local products” over the months ahead!

For the Love of Lowly Worm

Many of my fondest childhood memories can be traced back to the endless list of books and stories I read during these tender years. I was a voracious reader as a child. I suppose the apple did not fall far from the tree, as my mother is a bookworm to the core. My parents indulged in my passion and ensured I had a plentiful supply of reading material to keep me satisfied. I was always seeking out quiet and private hideaways to delve into the latest tale, uninterrupted. I could often be found perched high among the branches of our backyard poplar tree, nose buried in a book.

One author/illustrator in particular who brings back a rush of warm memories is Richard Scarry. His detailed illustrations are captivating and amusing to the young and old. Scarry’s Storybook Dictionary tops Chi-Chi’s current reading list. He has spent hours thumbing through the fun filled pages of this 125-page book. He’s fallen in love with a number of the endearing characters and often portrays them through his role-playing activities. As adults, my husband and I have been enjoying story time with Scarry. My husband in particular chuckles at the unique sense of humor sprinkled among the pages. I personally appreciate the simple, idyllic and comforting view of life portrayed in the books. Scarry's illustrations provide me with a warm and secure feeling. They are like comfort food for my soul. I’d love to spend the morning in Huckle Cat’s kitchen sipping fresh squeezed orange juice and nibbling on pancakes alongside Lowly Worm. Busytown seems like a picture-perfect place to raise a young family!

I recently left my local library disappointed. It was slim pickins’ in the Richard Scarry department. I’ve managed to stumble upon a few super finds at our local thrift shop and have recently been scanning the EBay listings for my old-time favorites. I’ve been careful in selecting which stories are appropriate for our family. Because many of these books were written forty years ago, there are a number of stories that would likely be considered politically incorrect. I focus on the positives and simply omit certain passages as we go along.

Dusting off the dust jackets of our childhood favorites has been a fun way for the whole family to enjoy story time. While we all certainly appreciate the new classics of today's generation, we are all having a great time tuning into the "oldies".