This week I crocheted a little flower bookmark for a friend. I mailed it to her “just because.”
I wish I did things like this more often, but I tend to get wrapped up in my own little world. I’m going to try and change that.
What about you?
More creative spaces here.
updated to add: This is my standard bookmark pattern. I replaced the ornament with “Daisies” from Crochet Embellishments. There’s a similar pattern online here.
I knew when my daughter started kindergarten that I wanted to be involved with her school. I checked the PTO committees and even went to a meeting, but nothing clicked. I also looked at the part-time positions available on the school website. Still nothing.
Then, a few weeks after school started, volunteer forms came home. Yes. This was something I could do. Something I wanted to do. I signed up to help in the classroom and library.
Today was my second time in the classroom. I’m just doing little things like math folders, cutting out trees for a Fall project, and helping with numbers and letters. Slowly I’m putting faces to all of the names my daughter talks about at home. I even got to tag along when she went to reading group.
I remember talking about volunteering with a friend one day and she replied: “Do it! Even if you have to take time off from work. You won’t regret it.” I’m starting to understand her enthusiasm. In a few weeks, I’ll be in the library helping kindergartners choose books. I just know it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Have you volunteered at your child’s school? Share your experiences in the comments!
breaking the rules with a few words today: It’s hard to tell in this photo, but my daughter has her sketchbook on her lap. She carried it around with her all morning, making notes about what she wanted to draw once she got home.
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in the fun here.
When my daughter was in nature school, we were at Pioneers Park at least twice a week. It’s a gorgeous wildlife sanctuary with paths, an outdoor classroom, water, flowers, bison, elk, and even a bald eagle. When I saw the weather report for her first day off from school, I knew we had to go for a visit.
After a full morning of climbing, playing and eating lunch in the shade, we stopped by the Butterfly Garden and oh my, how it has blossomed!
It’s hard to believe that so much change can occur just in one season. I think of the changes in my daughter since then. Her long braid has been replaced with a short bob. She’s grown at least an inch, maybe more. She’s in elementary school now and at yesterday’s book fair we bought her first chapter book. Seems like just yesterday she was chewing on her board books.
Here’s a peak at the Butterfly Garden back in May (and that beautiful long braid).
flashback: Mother’s Tea in May
What changes have you noticed lately?
I love books — old, new, hardback, paperback, electronic — I just can’t get enough of them. I am currently downsizing my collection, but couldn’t resist going to our city library’s book sale. I found non-fiction titles for myself, brand new books that will become gifts for others, and children’s books for my daughter.
Of course I had to check out the craft books and I came home with some not-so-typical choices. No sewing, knitting or crochet! Here’s what I got:
The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be The Artist You Truly Are This book looks like fun. Here’s the sentence on the back cover that sold me: “Somewhere deep inside, we all have a longing to make things — be they drawings, music, hand-knit sweaters or loaves of bread.”
Country Living Making & Displaying Quilts I don’t ever see myself making a quilt and don’t own any other quilt books, but I love Country Living publications. The beautiful pictures always inspire me.
Crafts and Keepsakes for the Holidays: Christmas with Martha Stewart Living I don’t own any holiday craft books, either. I am still committed to handmade holiday gifts and there are some really cute ideas in here, plus lots of yummy recipes.
Good Things from Tag Sales and Flea Markets Does this book even need an explanation? Honestly, I think I have checked out this exact copy at least twice. It’s filled with information on how to shop, what to buy, and how to restore thrifted items.
Print Magazine’s 2004 European Design Annual: Print is one of my favorite graphic design magazines. I love all of the annuals, but there’s something special about the European edition. It’s a nice change of pace from the design we are surrounded by every day.
I’ll be devouring these over the next few weeks and will let you know how they are. I’m curious what everyone else is reading these days.
Share your favorite crafty recommendations in the comments!
I don’t have a plan for this yarn yet, but I really do enjoy unraveling sweaters. These colors are so nice together. Any project recommendations? I’m open to suggestions!
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in the fun here.
When I first moved to Lincoln, it was a no-Starbucks town. As I explored the local coffee shops for my daily iced latte, one of them recommended an iced toddy. It was love at first sip.
If you’ve never had cold brewed coffee, let me tell you it’s the most amazing thing ever. It’s less acidic than the hot stuff and therefore easier on your stomach. It also has a subtle sweetness that’s just about perfect, and I say that as someone who cringes at the thought of adding sweetner to a cup of joe.
I immediately purchased a Toddy Coffee Maker so I could make decaf at home and drink it all day long. That’s only a slight exaggeration. My only frustration was the darn filter. They’re supposed to last a few months in the fridge, but mine were only making it through 2-3 brews. Then one day, the Pioneer Woman posted her recipe for The Perfect Iced Coffee and a lightbulb went off. I could make my own reusable filter!
Here’s how I did it:
I’ve used this a few times and it works great. I just rinse off the grinds and throw it in the wash. If you cold brew at home, quit buying filters and make your own!
project details: I used the tea towels from my failed attempt at coffee grind dyeing, and yes, they’re still blue. I bought my toddy online, but a lot of local coffee shops carry them. Buy local if you can. Here is Ree’s recipe for the Perfect Iced Coffee. Note: I just use coffee and almond milk, but her concoctions sound sinfully delicious.
This is not a product endorsement or paid review. The Toddy folks have no idea who I am. I just love cold brewed coffee and dislike buying disposable filters.
There’s a tree in my neighborhood that’s starting to change colors. Slowly, branch by branch, its leaves are turning red. Most of the tree is still a brilliant, summery green, but you can tell change is slowly coming. My website feels a little bit like this tree today.
Over the weekend I merged julie-bird.com with this site. I’m guessing most of you wouldn’t have even noticed if the rss feed hadn’t sent out one of my posts from a few weeks ago. (Seems feedburner is easily confused by change.)
Like the big green tree outside my window, most of the site remains unchanged. However, there are a few exciting things to note:
You may notice little changes in the coming months. I’ll let you know if I add anything terribly exciting. Right now, I’m just happy to have a little more elbow room to organize my creative thoughts.
Are the leaves starting to change in your part of the world? Real or metaphorical, share in the comments!
A few months ago, I wrote about my success at making soft and fluffy scones. At first, I thought their texture was because of the yogurt. Turns out, it’s because of the flour.
I have tried many variations of this recipe and the only scone that stays soft and moist is made with a mix of unbleached white flour and cake flour. I’ve had tasty success with whole wheat pastry flour, but the texture just isn’t the same. I’m posting the white flour version, but I encourage you to try different, healthier flours to see what you like best.
I’ve also tried different kinds of plain yogurt and found that a drippy consistency is best. Regular store-bought and homemade yogurt* work fine as is. I recommend thinning Greek yogurt with milk to get the right consistency.
This recipe is loosely based on the one found in Alice Water’s The Art of Simple Food. I almost always make them with lemon and cranberries. Try substituting orange for the lemon and play around with the dried fruit.
Lemon Cranberry Yogurt Drop Scones
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together:
1 cup unbleached white flour
1 cup cake flour
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c sugar
1/2 c chopped dried cranberries
grated zest from one small lemon
Stir in:
1 1/3 c yogurt or yogurt/milk mixture
juice from one small lemon (about 4 T)
Mix until the dough just starts to come together.
Drop 12 heaping spoonfuls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-17 minutes.
*I make my yogurt with 2% milk. I promise you won’t miss the butter or cream in this healthy treat. Enjoy!
