Martinmas

Today is a great day to give the gift of warmth to those in need.   We traditionally, take coats, gloves and scarfs to a local thrift shop that gives to the poor. St Martin also, remembers our family with warm gifts.  This year it was hand knit red mittens for all.

Our breakfast table for the feast, even involved finding the hot cocoa mugs (not so easy) and serving red velvet cake.

You can read all about St Martin and learn about his devout life and service to the poor.

a stictch in time saves nine......

I recently had the opportunity to peek at this book, it is a delightfully illustrated reminder of days of yore. Taking me on a journey of women who use to pause prior to throwing away a ripped sock or torn dress.  It invokes simpler time when we did nto run to malls or shopping center, rather ran to our sewing baskets.........
Enjoy!

Chestnut picking time

September and October brings the ripening of the chestnuts, and planning our Christmas season.  A beautiful day to stomp around an orchard and make a few Christmas dollars for the children.

the world is our classroom

while other young souls are climbing in school buses and sitting in stuffy classroons, we took advantage of the summer weather to frolick in the water, explore herbs growing along the Great Lake Erie and enjoy just being together.

mushrooms and cornholes

I am loving these wonderful stools and tables that we recently finished making for Zelie.  The inspiration came from a blog source that I can no longer locate.  The stools are simple wooden bowls I had found at thrift stores, painted red and screwed to logs. The table, is plywood cut to shape and mounted to a log, so simple,. yet so whimsical to play with.

The cornhole game, painted in Steelers colors, is a recent addition, after having borrowed a set from our friends for a 4th of July party, and everyone enjoying hours of play, we made our own.  I confess, I really do not get the obsession with the game, but I do love seeing my kids enjoy themselves so much.

the laundress

Keeping little hands busy, Zelie hanging her dolls clothes out to dry.

Fishing on the Ohio

We are not naturals to fishing, I have never fished, my husband did not grow up fishing, and yet my boys really want to learn.

Armed with fishing manuals, making us look like the true green horns we are, we have been hitting the local fishing holes-that is if you can call the Ohio River a fishing hole.  WE have yet to catch a thing, seems we need to read a few more manuals, or better yet talk to some local fishermen.............