Paper and Cloth

New Crowns

I’m excited to offer five felt crowns in fresh colors plus a new birthday banner at Paper and Cloth: Stash.

Autumn Reading List: 2010

This year we stumbled across several books celebrating fall that were new to us. We’ve been delighting in:

The Festival of Stones by Down
Pumpkin Pumpkin by Titherington
Possum's Harvest Moon by Hunter
Boo to You!  by Ehlert
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Williams

Fall Foods

We have been basking in all things fall, especially food. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, roasted vegetables, homemade applesauce and apple crisp have been recent favorites that warm our bellies.

Fall Garland

Oh my, fall is here in all it’s glorious colors and fresh, crisp air. I’ve been contemplating why this is my favorite season and I think it has something to do with turning inward, cherishing warmth, a different type of light and hearty seasonal foods. It’s also the beginning of celebration.

We welcomed autumn this year by celebrating Michaelmas at school. On this bright, warm day we frolicked about the play yard, connected with friends and started our fall crafting. Mainly with my little one, and sometimes with my bigger boy, we strung a fall garland with chili peppers, soaked corn kernels, primrose, pinecones, holly berries and pumpkin seeds.

It seemed like such an obvious craft, but one I had yet to do. It was amazing to se all these goodies spread out for us to string. The colors were magical and celebrated fall — just delightful.

At the Kids Table

Not only was a chicken run built this summer, but also a hefty table just the right size for the smaller people of the house. I’ve been amazed at how handy their Dad has become and loving every bit of it.

With hammer in hand, Cooper and his Dad stamped the tabletop with a Frost poem. Once complete, a blowtorch was taken to the wood, the wood stained and dried, legs attached. Interested and excited children were at foot the whole step of the way — who wouldn't be with tools such as a hammer and blowtorch?

Recently, the table found it’s way from the studio into the house where it is used almost daily to work with clay, draw on or in other artistic ventures. It’s been tremendously rewarding for me to watch the creativity flow throughout our family. I hope it continues.

Fort Worden

This summer I was intent on adventure. I needed to escape the grey skies that had been plaguing us since April. I was lucky to find inspiration on a trip to Fort Worden — Hiking, bunkers, water views, graphic architectural elements and color galore kept all our interests. What I’ll do with the stock of photos I now have is yet to be seen : )

Legwarmers for All Seasons

I have yet to wear these this fall, but these legwarmers got plenty of use this sad, sad, summer. It might be time to break them out again since beautiful, sunny fall has arrived.

The pattern comes from Lion Brand Yarn.

Chicken Trauma

Once upon a time we had eight chickens, but now we have seven. Yesterday, we almost lost another. Two separate families have told me that we have a small pack of coyotes that travel in our neighborhood. I believed it, yet I didn’t. Really? Coyotes? We don’t live in the woods now.

But yesterday, one was spotted stalking and prowling our chickens — way too close for comfort. This scraggly guy, I am told, is thigh high and four feet long. Its sighting confirmed that indeed it was a coyote that effortlessly nabbed Marshmallow, our beloved white rooster several weeks ago.

Luckily our feathered friends have a roomy chicken run and a cushy coop that they will now call home — day in and day out. And, Frizzle has stepped up and assumed his role as rooster!