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Are you looking for some reading and writing inspiration?
I am excited to share with you an interview with award winning Minnesota author,
Mary, you have written numerous award winning books in a variety of genres for a wide span of ages for children, ranging from lyrical picture books to historical fiction young adult novels. Can you tell us briefly how your career as a writer has developed and grown to include such a rich variety of published literature?
I love reading historical fiction that somehow illuminates a time period and a slice of history. That's why it's no surprise that my favorite genre to write is historical fiction. Unfortunately, it's also the hardest. It requires so much research. Every detail must ring true and be plausible to the time and location, which is why I always do research on location (Norway for THE KLIPFISH CODE, set in WWII during the Nazi occupation), and the islands and locations used in FROZEN, set in l920 northern Minnesota on Rainy Lake.
One Dog Sleigh:
Harness bells jing-jing-jingle under branches frosted white, but is there enough room for everyone when squirrel, owl, lynx, and other forest animals ask to play?
Filled with lyrical text, bouncy rhythm, and whimsical illustrations, this is one heart-warming and adventurous sleigh ride you won’t want to miss. Bundle up and climb aboard!
Libby loves her horses, and although she doesn't have one of her own, she's lucky she can always visit with the horses that belong to her neighbors, the Porters. For years Libby has helped Mrs. Porter—Jolene—care for the horses in exchange for lessons. And during her time there, she has forged a special bond with Jolene's prize horse, Thunder.
Libby's world changes when Jolene mysteriously leaves and Libby is no longer free to see Thunder as much as she'd like. Bound and determined, she sneaks into the stable to visit Thunder. But Libby notices blood around his eye and realizes that Mr. Porter is taking his anger out on the horse. With the help of Griff, a new boy in her class with whom Libby is spending increasingly more time, she decides to steal thunder to ensure his safety. But Mr. Porter is on the lookout for Libby and has a backup plan of his own ...
In this fast-paced adventure, Libby finds her own voice as she stands up for what she believes in a world of adults who think they know best.
Struggling against a storm, a bear, and hunger, Alex uses resources she never knew she had to make it home again.
Readers will find When Eagles Fall to be an exciting adventure story of survival and self-discovery.
Posted at 02:37 PM in author interview, blog, Books, kids and eggs | Permalink | Comments (22)
We are in the process of making for the holiday season!
Into the mix this year........beeswax lotion bars!!
The process of making lotion bars is so easy!
Think: I could do this on a Wednesday evening with my kiddos while the daddy was away at a meeting. Easy.
The key is just having the materials on hand. I have been purchasing most of my soap-crafting supplies through amazon & Brambleberry.
The internet is full of recipes. I created this one by adapting the recipe I found here, to create a more solid bar:
Beeswax Lotion Bars
Ingredients:
Simply melt the ingredients on the stove-top over low heat, pour and/or syringe into a mold, and let cool.
Store in a tin or plastic bag. Use as you would lotion. Enjoy & give!
Posted at 08:00 PM in beeswax, Fall, kids and eggs, projects, soapmaking | Permalink | Comments (11)
Note to self:
When you are overwhelmed with the never-ending cycle of laundry, dishes, bills, meal planning, grocery shopping, etc;
:.go outside
:.take a breath
:.soak in some sunshine
:.notice and pay attention
:.practice gratitude
Hit the reset button and come back counting your blessings for the experience of living a rich and full life.
Posted at 03:37 PM in blog, inspiration, outdoors | Permalink | Comments (4)
::Novembering
::enjoying the sunrise
::trying a new recipe
::indoor play
::time outside
::starting new projects
This has been a lovely November weekend at home.
Posted at 04:31 PM in blog, Fall, Fiber Art, Food, kids and eggs, outdoors, play, projects | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sharing a couple of snap shots today of my hand-spun yarn! Because of its thickness, I decided to forgo the effort to try to ply the yarn and instead dove right into the process of dyeing the yarn.
Dyeing wool is easy. I just followed the simple process using water, food coloring, and vinegar.
After it dried, I took it to our local yarn shop seeking some help and advise.
Now I have the yarn on some needles, with hope to make this into a functional piece of fiber art. Stay tuned!
Posted at 08:46 PM in Fall, Fiber Art, kids and eggs, projects | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Kids and Eggs Sponsor ~ Artterro.com
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Check out the New & Improved Artterro web store! Now featuring a convenient, fun, one-stop shopping experience for high-quality arts and crafts supplies and gifts, the site includes a brand-new selection of Creative Gift Sets, plus crafting tools, extra materials, and the full line of Artterro Eco Art Kits. With a new Resources page and an expanded blog, it’s also a place for families to get inspired and easily access DIY family craft tutorials, mindful living tips, art education.
Artterro is celebrating the launch of their newly site with some very special coupon codes
(good through 11/10):
PAPER2014: Free Mini Paper Pack with your $20 purchase
FELT2014: Free Assorted Felt Shapes with your $30 purchase
Artterro is also generously offering one Kids and Eggs reader:
a Paper Craft Inspiration Gift Set
which includes: (1) Creativity Kit & (1) Bookmaking Kit -- a $40 value!!!!
To enter, use the rafflecopter below:
Thank you Artterro!
Posted at 05:26 PM in blog, Fall, giveaway!, inspiration, kids and eggs, projects | Permalink | Comments (8)
It's November!
For a kindergarten teacher, the start of a new month is much more than a flip of a calendar.
It's now time for turkeys, cornucopias, and cinnamon spice play dough!
Making a new batch of play dough was one of my weekend to-dos and I thought I would share the recipe that I am using for the month of November with you here today.
Enjoy!
Cinnamon Spice Play Dough
5 cups water
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups salt
3 T cream of tartar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 T cinnamon
1 T ground cloves
1 T ginger
Heat water and oil in a stockpot on medium-low heat on the stove-top. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, ground cloves, and ginger. Gradually add the flour mixture to the oil and water mixture, continuing to heat and stir until the mixture pulls away from the pan and is no longer sticky. Dump the dough on a tray and let cool. Knead until the dough has a uniform texture.
Store the dough in an airtight container and share it with a child in your life.
Posted at 07:29 PM in author interview, Fall, kids and eggs, kindergarten, play, projects | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sharing just a couple quick snapshots from the tricks and treats of Halloween this year.
This teacher-mama is relieved Halloween fell on a Friday! We had a fun night out and about celebrating together with a annual gathering with friends. I am looking forward to a low-key weekend at home.
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Do you have a Halloween post to share? If so link it in the comment sections below!
Posted at 08:26 AM in celebrations, Fall, kids and eggs | Permalink | Comments (0)