The Latest Buzz

We took the boys surfing today at Rainbow Haven Beach, which is so conviniently located 2km from our house. Being an avid surfer, Hubby is super keen to get the boys in the water at a young age. They can't get enough of it these days, begging and pleading to be taken to the beach for a surf or "goggling" session several times a day. "Goggling" is a term coined by Muffy, defined as any underwater swimming, sporting his much loved goggles.



So, I'm not much of a surfer girl myself! I do so love the ocean and the beach, but I'm not a strong swimmer and I'm much more content watching from the shoreline with my knitting basket by my side. My role is to provide cheering, photography services, towels and post-session cuddles to warm up icy cold little bodies.

This afternoon, Muffy and I were lying on the warm sand in an effort to shake off his shivering. There were some beautiful round and smooth beach rocks within reach, and we soon found ourselves admiring them. My sweet boy suddenly exclaimed that he had a GREAT idea! "Mommy, let's collect these rocks and use them for crafts at my birthday party! All my friends can make rock bugs!"



My sweet Muffy has had a passion for anything creepy, crawly for as long as I can remember. So, once again this year, he will have a bug-themed party. This makes 3 out of 5 years he has requested bugs to take center stage at his birthday. His special day is at the end of the month, so I have lots of time to pull things together. I really do love planning these parties for the boys! I sat down tonight to make a list of some fun plans and ideas, keeping in mind I need to keep it simple. Thanks to Muffy himself, I've got a cute, SIMPLE, eco-friendly craft already planned (:



Bugs are seriously a form of entertainment in our house. I'm not joking when I say I use "my bug supply" as a method to provide Mommy with a break. I leave the porch light on every night to ensure a plentiful "supply". Most mornings, I just send the boys out to the deck to hunt so I can enjoy a quiet cup of tea to myself. Same goes at supper-making time. Those two boys spend at least 1 to 2 hours every single day hunting for new bugs and feeding the collection of "pets" we've got visiting our science table. This week they are collecting pairs of crane flies to see if they can get them to reproduce in captivity! Chi-Chi is certain of success since he collected both male and female specimens, caught in the act! We've also got quite an extensive moth collection going on - and would you believe Chi-Chi snuck into my wool stash for food!!





Remember that painted-lady buttefly science project from the spring? Well, it's still going on. I believe we are on the fifth generation, as the butterflies continue to mate, lay eggs, hatch caterpillars....etc. It's been a very interesting life cycle study, that's for sure! I'm actually going to see how long we can keep it going. We were also excited to find a couple of "mystery" chrysalides recently, which we took home to study. Two beautiful mourning cloak butterflies finally emerged, to our delight. We observed them for a day and then realeased them.



Yes, the place is certainly buzzing these days. Even though some of the crawlies give me the creepies, I do love to see them so enthusiastic about the nature on their doorstep. I will admit that the Wool Fairy is having nightmares about the moth family residing in our living room. I can't believe they survived the household purge! What I'll do for a boy and his bugs!

Room to Breathe

I often view the arrival of September in the same light as New Year's Day. Being the beginning of the school year, it is always a time of new beginnings in our schedules and rhythm.

As a result, I've been feeling the need to get the house super organized and freshened up. I'm someone who thrives when there is order. Clutter and chaos make my head spin. Because of this, I like to keep my home fairly tidy....at least on the surface! I've got a fair number of "dump zones" where stuff accumulates. A little digging reveals many junk drawers, bulging closets and over-flowing shelves!

I sat myself down and made a list of areas to de-clutter, breaking the house down into reasonable chunks of work. I then embarked on my mission to sort through every single nook and cranny of our home - rearranging, re-organizing, cleaning and purging! Honestly, I don't know where the energy came from, but for the past week I've been going non-stop, staying up way too late and rising before the crack of dawn. With the exception of the basement and garage, I've managed to make my way through every closet, drawer, cupboard, storage bin, basket and bookshelf in our home. I'm feeling both exhausted and refreshed, if that makes any sense at all! It feels good to have some room to breathe with a few empty shelves and drawers. As I drove away from the thrift shop after unloading my trunk full of donations, I felt liberated.



This is not the first time I've tackled a major house cleanse/purge. I'm not sure why the dreaded "stuff" continues to creep into our home, despite the promises I make to myself and the resolutions I devise. It takes self-discipline to keep things in order and apparently I am lacking in that department. When "everything has a place", should it not be easy to maintain the order...apparently not! I'm guilty of rushing and dumping items in a convenient location - to be put away correctly later. A few years ago, Hubby and I came up with a motto, "Question every purchase". This motto was supposed to prevent unnecessary and frivolous spending and accumulation of stuff. Sometimes I am faithful to the motto, other times I fall off the wagon. It is like anything I suppose.



So, it appears I'm back on the wagon, for the moment anyway. I've got the whole family in on the action, as the boys and I tackled their bedrooms together. Chi-Chi, in particular, is a pack rat! On one hand, I love his resourcefulness. I love his imagination. I love his ability to see potential in the most basic items. The boy builds rocket ships out of Daddy's left over beer cans, and I do love them. However, how many empty drink boxes does one boy need, "just in case"? That's a tricky question. So, he and I went through every single item in his bedroom. I gave him two baskets for the storage of his stuff - one for miscellaneous items (drink boxes, party favors, straws, rocks, shells) and the other for paper items. We managed to whittle down his collection to something reasonable and manageable (for now!). I think he actually enjoyed the process of purging and rearranging his room. He seems to have a greater sense of pride over his space....which I'm hoping will translate to a neater bedroom!



Anyway, I feel like I'm heading into the "new year" on the right foot. With both boys in school, my own personal schedule is going to change quite drastically, which will take some getting used to. I've got some big projects on my plate this fall (shingling of barn!!). I may even get those wedding photos of ours from 2000 out of the box and in an album....or not!

So, the real question I must ask myself is, "Just how much wool does one Wool Fairy need?". That's a tricky one too!

Back to School Blues and Lunch Box Love

The first day of school is fast approaching, though I hate to admit it. I simply don't want this summer to end, for so many reasons. I've got some "back to school blues" going on with Chi-Chi entering grade 1 and Muffy headed for primary (kindergarten). My nest is feeling pretty empty ):

Although keeping up with these two this summer had its challenging and exhausting moments, it's been a magical time. I'm happy with the time and freedom they had this summer - time to ride their bikes, catch toads, make sand forts, learn some ukulele, dine alfresco, hunt for beach treasures ......

So, with school approaching, my mind can't help but jump ahead to lunch boxes. This year, I'll be packing for Muffy as well, who is a bit more finicky than his brother. I've been making lists of ideas and will soon start stocking the freezer with kid-sized servings of chili and homemade pizza. It's convenient to have warm-lunch options on hand.

I also decided to make some new cloth/velcro snack bags. I picked up some super cute fabric on vacation that I thought the boys would enjoy. These bags represent one of my efforts to reduce the use of plastic in our lives. I usually fill them with a little "trail mix" of treats like dried cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds and breakfast cereal. This was Chi-Chi's first choice for recess snack last year. I was impressed, he always brought them home and not one went missing all year.



I'm adding something new and fun to this year's lunches. I made up a couple of these fruit cozies in an effort to keep apples and pears from getting bruised and beaten. Those lunches can take a beating on that bus ride to school! The cozies are easy for little hands to slip on and off and should do the trick!

I guess these little handmade offerings are my way of adding some fun to my back-to-school preparations. Oh, and for more back to school fun, check out this great giveaway over at Maple Tree Montessori! I am going to miss this special school so much!

A Penny for your Thoughts...and your Piggy Bank

We are currently in Stage 2 of our summer vacation. This portion is a bit of a "staycation" as we are sticking fairly close to home. Hubby has had the opportunity to pick away at the barn/church project, which is slowly but surely coming together. With Hurricane Irene creeping up the coast, we felt we better get things tightened down a bit! I'm trying so very hard to remain patient as the project creeps along. My mind gets ahead of me with plans and ideas!!



This week saw the addition of some old church windows. They are not from the original structure, but I like that we have retained a bit of the church look and feel. I'm also feeling good about the reclaimed aluminum roofing - both more economical and aesthetically pleasing. The barn is a blend of old and new as we try to incorporate reclaimed materials where possible.





Power tools, scaffolding and eager little helpers are not a great combination! I needed a solution to make Chi-Chi and Muffy feel like contributors, while keeping them a safe distance from the construction action. The boys have been put to work over the last couple of days, collecting pennies for their piggy banks. Their work contract provides them with a penny for every nail they pick up from the work site. There is certainly no shortage of work! At the rate they're going, they just might pay their way through college!

A Boy and his Hunt for Treasure

As a child, I spent my summers at the shore, living at our family cottage in the tiny community of Seaside, New Brunswick. It was lovingly referred to as Seaside Farms and was the back drop for many fun family adventures, activities and celebrations. It was close enough to my father's business that he could drive back and forth to work each day. The days were pretty much ours to design, free from schedules or plans. My sister and I spent an endless amount of time on the beach, searching for treasures, doing crafts, exploring the sea life.



Hunting for sea glass was a favorite activity of ours. It was truly a treasure hunt as we scanned the pebbled beach for those smooth and tumbled gems. The discovery of a rare piece of blue glass was always particularly thrilling. Much time has passed since those childhood days, but my thirst for this type of treasure hunting has not waned. It is being passed down from one generation to the next, as my sweet Chi-Chi recently caught a case of the treasure hunting bug. Last week we visited Northern New Brunswick where I grew up, and walked some of those same stretches of beach I explored as a child. It warms my heart to see my little boy share my love of this pastime. He and I enjoyed some quiet one on one time, on some long morning beach strolls. As we slowly walked along, patiently scanning the water's edge, we chatted leisurely about our discoveries, conjuring up guesses of where they came from and how old they were. I have to say, that little boy has a keen sense for spotting sea glass and even managed to find some impressive pieces of blue.



We came back home to our own Seaside Farms (II), but not without some special mementos to reminisce about our trip. Chi-Chi's got his sea glass proudly displayed on his dresser. I'm loving the wine bottle my mother gave him to hold his treasures - rather appropriate! Of course, his goal is to fill the bottle to the very top! Sounds great to me - let's go back to the beach!

The Blissful Beach

No time or need for many words today and the beach is calling my name. This photos says it all for me - the sky, the sand, the sea, the waves, the discoveries, the peace....and those two boys. It is my definition of perfection.

Sand and Silliness

Just over 2 years ago, I started the tradition of maintaining a seasonal nature table in our household. It's something the children genuinely enjoy. It is a space in our home that is visited each day by both Chi-Chi and Muffy. Some days it might inspire a silent observation. Other times it is a stage for a bit of imaginative play or the addition of a newly discovered nature treasure. I love that it has become a fixture in our living space and a special spot to contemplate and appreciate nature, the passing of time and the changing of seasons. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating or discovering special items to add to the display. It is evolving and ever-changing. As the seasons come and go, some special items are tucked away and others are retrieved from storage.

Once special item I reserve especially for the summer season is our tiny zen garden. I put this together after first seeing it at the boys' Montessori preschool. To this day, the school's sand garden is always mentioned as the favorite work from preschool. Both Chi-Chi and Muffy were drawn to it. I think it provided them a sense of soothing comfort during those early days when they most likely experienced some separation anxiety. The contents of the tray often change. We keep little bits of driftwood, smooth rocks, sea glass and shells on hand to arrange. It's very simple to put together. I think a feather or a little twig could be used in place of the rake quite nicely.

Ah, these moments of quiet meditation are so sweet and precious (: It's always interesting to me how quickly Chi-Chi and Muffy can do a complete 360. Moving from a calm, solitary activity to fully rocking it out on their "saltbox guitars" just 30 seconds later. Those crazy boys, I do love them! They are OBSESSED with Matt Mays these days and anything they can find with some electric guitar, also referred to as "Zambonie Music" around here. After I took these shots, I decided that maybe the table dancing wasn't a good idea, despite the fact it made the perfect stage. That poor old antique table appears to be standing on it's last legs and I'm surprised it didn't buckle under all those rock star moves.

Crazy boys, I tell you! Happy Friday!

You Are What You Eat

When Chi-Chi was just a little wee one, beginning to eat solid foods, I became a mommy on a mission! My goal was to ensure that sweet, pure, innocent little boy was going to be fed the most wholesome and healthiest foods possible. It spent a great deal of time and energy both sourcing and preparing his homemade baby food. From fresh forest fiddleheads, to organic beef stew, that little boy would gobble up anything placed in front of him. I would drive 40km round-trip into the city, just to get the organic items I needed to make his food.

Time has marched on and that chubby, giggling baby has grown into a strong, energetic 6 year old with the same big appetite....and a brother who is not far behind. I still spend a huge amount of my time sourcing and preparing healthy food for our family. I can only imagine the shear quantity of food my two sweeties will be consuming at the age of fifteen and sixteen! I've certainly relaxed a bit since those days. Not every single item in my cupboards is organic or would be considered "wholesome". I certainly purchase local and organic when I can, but I'm not perfect and do not really strive to be. There are "no-no's" that I will likely not bend on, but we allow treats both inside and outside our home. I love the story of the time I went on a getaway weekend with a girlfriend. Hubby served up hamburgers and Ruffles potato chips - something the boys had never tasted. Apparently they could not stop munching on those chips. Chi-Chi exclaimed with great enthusiasm, "These potato crackers are the best thing I've ever tasted!" Chi-Chi once went to a birthday party where the only beverage served was orange pop. Although I don't serve this at home, I was not going to tell him he could not have it in this particular social setting. He spent most of the party sipping on orange pop with wide eyes, ignoring the other children and the events going on around him!

"You are what you eat". This is an expression I'm using a lot around our household these days, as the boys and I discuss and contemplate food choices. As a parent who wants her children to grow up on healthy food, it's not easy to navigate the ship at times. Since Chi-Chi started grade Primary in a public school, I've noticed the number of questions and requests have increased. In once sense, this is positive, as it brings about discussion and an opportunity for learning. In another sense, it is difficult and frustrating as he compares notes on what others have packed in their lunch boxes, or what the cafeteria is offering. Since wee ones often speak their mind with an unfiltered voice, we've also had some discussions on good manners! I can't tell you how many people my little Muffy has looked straight in the eye and asked, "Why are you smoking?". (I wonder if his honesty had an impact on any of those people??)

On this rainy morning, I find myself in the kitchen, baking up a huge batch of homemade granola. It's the breakfast of choice these days, served with a helping of my homemade yogurt and a drizzle of delicious Nova Scotia maple syrup. A couple of weeks ago I placed a bulk order from Speerville, through the Grainery in Halifax. With all the granola munching that's been going on, I really needed that 8kg bag of oatmeal. I don't have a recipe and enjoy sprinkling in whatever might be on hand in the pantry. Today this included:

oatmeal
Kamut flakes
barley flakes
quinoa flakes
almonds
poppy seeds
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
flax seeds
sesame seeds
drizzling of canola oil and maple syrup

I bake it in the oven at 325 Celsius until golden brown. It doesn't last long around here! Come fall, I will do up a nut-free batch for Chi-Chi and Muffy's lunch boxes at school.

I have also been making an effort to get the boys more involved in meal preparation. With all the greens we've been both harvesting and receiving from our CSA box, I've discovered that the mealtime salad is the simplest area to request assistance. They are always so eager to help and it can often get VERY tricky with "too many cooks in the kitchen". Sometimes, I'm just too tired and not up for it. Other days I put out a help wanted call. I'm loving this plastic lettuce knife I picked up online at Vesey's Seeds. Ok, so I personally don't use a knife to cut lettuce, but it's great work for the kids. It's not only wonderful for lettuce, but tomatoes, cukes...etc. It does the job, but is really quite dull and fairly harmless (but supervised use just the same!!)

I'm starting to realize that all those garden beans may in fact be the source of some crazy behaviour around here. After all, I keep telling them "You are what you eat" and Chi-Chi and Muffy are most certainly full of beans (:

Dye Pot Dreams

Despite the fact these summer days are action-packed with the antics and activities of Chi-Chi and Muffy, I'm still finding the opportunity to steal of few moments with my latest knitting adventure. That yarn basket of mine follows me wherever I go. I've managed to sneak in a few rows at the pool side, the playground and the backyard picnic table. It's slow going, but I seem to be enjoying the leisurely pace of the project. Sometimes I favour larger projects over the "quick hits". With the end nowhere in site, I can just relax and enjoy the meditative act of knitting itself. That being said, I am pretty excited about the final result. It is a gift to myself! I'm knitting the tea leaves cardigan, which I first saw on Soulemama (of course!). Aren't these pottery buttons absolutely beautiful? They were made by my very talented potter/artist cousin, Sarah! If you happen to be looking for the perfect finishing touch to a special project, you should check out her Etsy store. So hard to choose! I've had these starfish tucked away for quite some time, and I'm quite excited to finally use them. Inspired by the buttons and summer beach days, I intentionally dyed the wool in an ocean inspired palette. I'm imagining this cozy sweater will keep me warm on those cold winter days when the ocean is a little less "friendly" in these parts.

While I'm working away on my sweater, my mind is also dreaming of upcoming projects for the fall. With school starting, I will be eager to make some new warm woollies for those cold days at the bus stop. Both Chi-Chi and Muffy truly enjoy getting "involved" in the creation of their hand knits. This is certainly the time of year to plan ahead, as our property is bursting with blossoms that are absolutely perfect for the dye pot. Queen Anne's Lace is in full bloom and the goldenrod is just beginning to splatter the landscape with it's deep yellow hues. I also did some planning back in the spring and planted several pots of marigolds. Over the coming weeks, the boys and I will be harvesting these blossoms to create a few special items - hats, mittens and a new fall vest for each of them. A little tip: I freeze the dye stuff if I am not prepared to use it immediately. All three of these blooms produce some beautiful yellow dyes. I often throw in a bit of tea to darken the color and add a more mottled texture to the yarn. The photo shows the goldrenrod/tea hat and mitten set I made for Chi-Chi last year. These were favorites of his, most likely because he assisted in gathering that goldrenrod with his own little hands.

I do enjoy tinkering with natural dyes. It's not something I would likely do exclusively as the color choice can be rather limiting. I was fortunate to participate in a natural dyeing workshop last summer at Deanne Fitzpatrick's studio. More than anything, it was fun and refreshing for Mommy to have a day to herself! Anyone who has been to Deanne's studio and shop will know what I mean when I say it is a wool lover's dream and truly an inspiring place to pass the time. The course was taught by the talented Joanna Close, and was fun and informative. I left feeling confident and inspired.

Anyone else doing some "lazy summer" knitting? What's on your needles?

My Busy Bee

This hornet/wasp nest is a recent addition to our science study table. It blew down from the rafters of our unfinished barn and was abandoned by its creators. It is truly a masterpiece - a perfect blend of beauty, symmetry and amazing accuracy. It also served as a source of inspiration for yesterday's spontaneous rainy-day craft activity!

After a morning of swimming, tennis and errands, I arrived home, arms brimming with soggy suits and groceries. With yet another rainy day ahead of us, Chi-Chi was begging and pleading for a crafty activity. Not feeling particularly inspired or energetic, I grabbed a bag of plasticine scraps and a few Styrofoam shapes, urging the boys to "surprise me" with an interesting creation. With Chi-Chi and Muffy happily chattering away at the art table, I quickly went back to my laundry, grocery and lunch making duties, pleased to have them engaged in something quiet while I knocked off some chores.

My sweet Chi-Chi obviously didn't need much direction on this one! How could this boy have been seeking direction from me with such fantastic ideas rattling around in that six-year old head of his? He proudly presented me with his "wasp model", requesting that I assist him in designing a stand for his creation. More often than not, it is the unstructured, unplanned art activities that result in the most interesting and imaginative creations. Too often, I find we adults offer young children very structured, often contrived craft activities that leave little room for problem-solving, free thinking or imagination. I am certainly guilty of this. I also see the purpose of some of these craft acvities as they assist children in learning to follow directions and sequential steps in a process, while developing fine motor skills. My children actually do enjoy making such things. I guess, my thoughts are that we should offer a balance. Children need to learn to follow steps and directions, but they should also be presented with ample opportunities to simply create and experiment. Some of the boys' most awe-inspiring creations started simply with a pair of scissors, tape (lots!!) and a good rummage through the recycling bin!

He was adament that his wasp have a home, so Mommy did roll up her sleeves and offer some ideas and directions on this one. He is not-so-patiently waiting for his paper mache "hive" to dry. After a quick glance at the upcoming forecast, I may be looking to Mr. Chi-Chi to come up with more rainy day craft ideas! It's looking like a wet week!

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.

And They Call It.....Ducky Love!

The summer is flying by, and despite my good intentions and grand plans, I am neglecting this space! More than ever, I'm finding life with the boys busy. It's not hectic in the sense that our days are packed with planned activities, although we are certainly enjoying our summer swimming and tennis lessons. I'm learning that 5 and 6 year old boys are literally bursting with energy - energy that needs to be burned and refuelled constantly throughout the day! When they aren't sitting at the dining room table refueling their growing bodies, they are out the door in the blink of an eye.....off and running.....which ususally means I'm not far behind! We are spending our time soaking up as much of these summer days as possible, rain or shine or fog!

There has been lots of fun farmyard action this summer to keep Chi-Chi and Muffy occupied. Their pet ducks are now full grown and both boys are quite smitten with their special feathered friends. I'll take a pet duck over a puppy any day! Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, and have such fond memories of our childhood beagle, Barney. I am, however, happy to have any animal that lives outside the four walls of my home! Another creature to clean up after is not something this Mama needs right now (: We've had so much wet weather that the chicken/duck yard is pretty much a muck pit. Chi-Chi and Muffy don't mind at all, and are constantly "bonding" with Ducky and Lovey. It turns out we have two females - one Appleyard and one runner duck. We also have a male runner duck named Toyota. Do I hear new little ducklings in my future?? Our runner duck hen started laying this week, producing the most beautiful blue eggs. It took some Scooby-Doo style sleuthing to figure out that our duck was laying as opposed to our Americauna hens. I'm currently enjoying my first batch of "duck egg" brownies with my afternoon cup of tea. Any interesting suggestions for using my new eggs would be appreciated!!

We also have one new little baby chick on the farm, hatched by one of our broody mama hens. She's as sweet as can be...as all baby chicks are. The boys teamed up and named her "Sunny Rainbow". Ah, I do love the hilarious names these two monkeys dream up. How cute is that? It's enough to melt my heart.

Yes, lots to keep up busy in these parts and still lots of summer days to savour!

Keeping the Spirit Alive

My sweet baby Muffy attended primary orientation at "big school" last week. Mama's poor heart is aching at the thought of her littlest boarding the big yellow bus in the fall. My emotions, of course, are purely selfish in nature, as I know this boy is so ready to embark on a new journey, face new challenges and make new friends. I will get over it, but for the time being I am savoring the sweet and special one-on-one time we share together.

Muffy currently attends the most wonderful, amazing and inspiring Montessori preschool twice a week. When both boys were still in diapers, I became fascinated with the Montessori approach and felt a deep connection with the philosophies and teaching methods used. I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to send both boys to this special school. I've seen both boys blossom and flourish in the environment and I feel both were so well prepared to enter primary with both the social and academic skills they acquired. It's also been a growing experience for me, as I've been able to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the approach. I've also found great friendship and camaraderie in my now dear friend who runs the school, and the ladies who teach with her. So, it is also with a heavy heart that our family winds up our last days at the school.

That being said, I am committed to carrying on with the approach and lifestyle in our home. Although Chi-Chi is in French Immersion this year, we have continued our Montessori language work at home. I haven't attempted it in French yet as it was getting too complicated. It's so fascinating watching him switch from one language to the other, putting on his "English Hat" for the mat work we do together. I've been doing a fair amount of beginning sound work with Muffy these past few weeks. I spent so much time compiling these materials last spring for Chi-Chi, it was very satisfying to have everything ready and set to go when Muffy started showing some readiness in this area. The small objects we use to match with sounds really do perk his interest in the work. He is super keen to spend that quiet one-on-one time with me and the pride shines through in that dimpled smile of his each time we work together.

With all the butterfly action in these parts, I also created a fun matching game for Muffy to work on his math skills. The game helps him recognize the number of items visually, without having to count them out individually. By simply changing the pattern of the butterflies, it adds some interest and challenge. Four in a row and four in a square are a match!

I may find myself back-peddling on this comment, but I'm really looking forward for classes to end and summer holidays to begin! There are so many fun and interesting projects I'd like to delve into with the boys this summer. I've been cleaning and organizing my craft and science materials in anticipation of the end of the school year. This morning, while the kiddies were in school, I set up this little magnetic study and exploration centre. The boys will have fun "fishing" for magnetic items, and I'm betting they will be a bit surprised about the catch of the day. I know I was! There's always something new for mommy to learn (:

So, although our family's days of formal Montessori schooling are drawing to a close, I will take the wealth of information I have learned and continue on, keeping the Montessori spirit in my mind and heart each day. (and yes Ms. M, I will be coming to visit the classroom for ideas and inspiration next year....and maybe a few ducks and chicks will tag along with me!!)

I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover...

I enjoyed a little R&R at my parents' house in the Annapolis Valley this past weekend. Muffy bolted out of bed at 6 am on Saturday morning, upon hearing the backyard birds sing. "That sound is beautiful! Look Mommy, it is summer here. Look at all the leaves and flowers!" He then proceeded to wake all inhabitants of the house with the exciting (and very loud) announcement that June bugs were mating on the deck! I think this escape to the sun was in order. The ubiquitous fog in our area has us all going a bit snakey. I left home to a temperature reading of 11 degrees Celsius. An hour later I was donning shorts and a tank top in 28 degree sunshine! It's like another world down here!

I deserve the break! I've been a busy little bee this past week, working like a mad woman on that garden of mine! A big thank you to my sweet mother, who has been helping me out with the house and Chi-Chi and Muffy. With my dear hubby vacationing on the other side of the world, I've been forced to take things into my own hands if I ever want to get those seeds in the ground. Although I most certainly miss his company, I have to admit that I'm missing his muscles right now! Although I'm very active and pretty fit, I simply don't compare in productivity when it comes to manual labour! I've been shovelling, shovelling, shovelling, shovelling heavy wet soil. Each night I find myself hitting the pillow with aching, twitching arms and shoulders. I'm proud to say that progress has been made. In retrospect, I would have done everything differently, now that I'm reading up on no-till gardening.....but live and learn I suppose.

On Friday I planted my first row of Jerusalem artichokes and a small patch of rhubarb! I've been busy designing a garden layout in preparation for the upcoming week. My two sweet boys will be helping me out in this area. Although these two little monkeys certainly know how to get into mischief, I've found them to be very respectful of the garden space. Chi-Chi in particular, is so very careful with his planting - approaching the task at hand with such seriousness! This year I'm trying out edamame - a favorite snack of my little Chi-Chi. Involving the wee ones in the garden and allowing them to take some ownership for it is truly the best way to encourage healthy eating and veggie consumption!

The boys and I visited the Wolfville Farmers' Market at their new location on Saturday. What a great space with such a positive, energetic vibe. We picked up some fresh organic asparagus and broccoli - yum! I had to control my urge to buy everything in sight as I know I've got a box full of goodies headed my way from Taproot Farms early this week.

Since reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle just a few weeks ago, I've had food on the brain. I was scanning my posts from a month ago and immediately spotted the image of the fresh fruit I had purchased for Chi-Chi's birthday party. Certainly, a much better option than chips and cheezies, but all those items were certainly not local, shipped from lands far away, burning up fossil fuels to arrive on our plates. Perhaps I should have opted for apple slices and nova scotia blueberry muffins instead? It's been an interesting exercise to examine my shopping habits outside of my local CSA box, looking for areas of improvement.

So, do you think some good luck with sunny skies might be headed my way? Check out all the four and five leaf clovers the boys and I found during a nature walk this morning in the fields surrounding my parents' home! This is only half of them. Seriously, this has to be a sign (:

Mud Pies Anyone?

I actually had someone look at this "scene" and ask me if I'm putting in a pond for my ducks. That about sums up the very sad (and very very waterlogged) state of my great garden expansion project. The soil in these parts is not exactly ideal. Long before we purchased this property, it was mined for topsoil in certain areas. Because of the abundance of clay, we had to bring in some garden soil if we had any hopes of sprouting some seeds. Up to it's axles in mud, the dump truck simply could not unload a reasonable distance from the garden site. Over zealous to get this project started, I made a HUGE error and hired a Bobcat to ferry the soil to the site. In retrospect, I should have either waited for things to dry out, or sucked it up big time and pulled out my wheelbarrow (a near impossible feat I realized after just one load). The crawlers on the machine tore up the compacted clay and voila - I've got a huge mess on my hands. Oh experienced gardeners out there - any wise words of wisdom?


On to happier topics....I'm loving this sweet sign that my little chicken boys created. I was impressed with the collaboration that took place on this project. They are getting prepared for Friday, "egg day", as they anxiously await the sound of coins jingling into their piggy banks.


I found myself visiting Value Village this week in an effort to escape the rain and fog. I picked up these sweet retro Pyrex dishes. It's difficult to find plastic-free storage containers in such small sizes so I was pretty pleased with this find. Of course, they bring back warm fuzzy childhood memories so I enjoy using them for that reason alone!


Despite my sink hole problems, I'm celebrating the first sprouts from my garden. These are turnip greens, which I'm trying for the first time this year. I fell in love with them last year as they were a fairly regular offering in our CSA basket from Taproot. They are so tasty lightly steamed with a dab of butter. Yum!

Just a bunch of randomness today - as my mind contemplates that sink hole solution! Instead of fresh garden veggies, I may very well be serving mud pies to the family this summer.