a picture story

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via Fifikoussout (via *Bootsie)
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winter hats for little heads

Image courtesy of Aliexpress via google


There are so many adorable and functional options out there for tots' winter head wear. Not only are hats necessary in these bone-chilling temperatures, but they always make for great gifts. After checking out the selections, I am convinced I need to expand the chapeau collection of my little ones!
This sweet gnome hat just makes me smile.

Snuggly pixie hat courtesy of BigLittle via etsy


The "hoo hat" looks like one of those pieces that gets passed down through a family- it has the heirloom look about it.



Hoo Hat- Upcycled Felted Wool Owl Hat- Blue, Orange and Green- Sz. Large courtesy of hoohats via etsy

Something to brighten even the greyest of winter days....

Teal Blue Hat with hot green flower courtesy of onajeans via etsy
On the Running with Scissors blog, Jessica talks about making this monster hat from an old McCalls pattern....I was immediately jealous and also regretted, for the bazillionth time, that I never learned to sew.

Monster Snow Hat courtesy of Running With Scissors

Another fleecy, stylish choice that would a giant hit with my little guy.




The Robot Hat courtesy of katiesegel via etsy
A knit aviator hat for those mighty tiny winter wanderers.

Aviator Hat courtesy of MaryYarns via etsy

Two teddy bear caps warm and cozy enough to bring on hibernation- I love the soft look of the cashmere in the first and the gorgeous blend of autumn tones in the second.

Cashmere newborn baby animal ears hat- chocolate mocha courtesy of thejunebride via etsy


Bear With Me Ear Flap Baby and Toddler Hat (Fall Colors with Stripe)-Ready to ship - courtesy of BuggyD via etsy

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Children's Book Winter

Image from Owl Moon courtesy of quadruplelife.blogspot.com


Since the look of winter has been on my mind as well, I started to think about some of my favorite images of the season and that many of them are from children's literature. An illustrated season can sometimes almost measure up to experiencing the real thing.
So many winters....

Image from The Snowman courtesy of daysoutguide.co.uk


Image from The Snowy Day courtesy of lib.usm.edu
Image from Snow courtesy of google.com

Hungry Bunnies courtesy of picture-book.com


Image from You Can Do It, Sam courtesy of inchmark.squarespace.com



Image from The Snow Day courtesy of scholastic.ca

Image from This Place in the Snow courtesy of McGowan Fine Art Gallery



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Pumpkin Books

Image courtesy of i.telegraph.co.uk
Starting October 1st, in every library, there is a run on pumpkin books. This is understandable given the curriculum of most preschool and elementary schools touches upon the pumpkin life cycle at some point- plus they are a key component in Halloween celebrations and , of course, visits to the pumpkin patch.
Over the years I have compiled a list of the selections and these are my five "go to" choices for pumpkin books....The Pumpkin Book - Gail Gibbons, Pumpkin Heads!- Wendell Minor, Pumpkins- Ken Robbins, Pumpkin, Pumpkin- Jeanne Titherington, and Pumpkin Jack- Will Hubbell. Take a visit to your local book store and check them out - plus you can read what School Library Journal has to say about these titles below (so you don't just have to take my word for it)!
Image courtesy of google

Bold, clear watercolor illustrations and a concise text work together to explain the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of pumpkins. Gibbons includes a description of their traditional use by the Pilgrims and at Halloween. Directions for carving are provided with cautionary reminders about knives and candle safety along with alternate ways to decorate a pumpkin using a variety of materials found in most homes. A page of interesting facts about the history of pumpkins, their nutritional value, pollination, and instructions for drying seeds to eat is appended. Gibbons succeeds once again at covering a topic in a useful way at just the right level for beginning readers.


Image courtesy of google

Minor illustrates this simple text with lush, rich paintings that portray resplendent autumn scenes. Jack-o'-lanterns, small and large, are found on a bench, floating in the air in the form of a hot-air balloon, and on hayrides. Some look like cowboys, snowmen, or a witch; all wish readers a "Happy Halloween." Very large print on creamy ivory pages on the left side stands in contrast to the realistic scenes on the right. This visually stunning book is sure to be a favorite autumn read-aloud.


Image courtesy of google
With color photos that equal any painting for artistry of composition and sensitivity, Robbins has created a book that is certain to become an autumn favorite. Without naming the season, it launches into a description of autumn as …that time of year when…, clearly and poetically evoking the crisp, cooler days with the leaves …splashing their color on the ground…. The author documents the life cycle of the pumpkin with close-up, naturalistic photos and clear, simple text. He discusses the wide variety of pumpkin colors and sizes, from the palm-sized types to those weighing more than 1000 pounds. Basic instructions are included for carving a jack-o-lantern, with adult help suggested. The next year's crop, ensured by the pumpkins and their seeds left to rot in the field, is the focus of the last spread.


Image courtesy of google

Softly colored pencil illustrations in a realistic style effectively communicate Jamie's pride as a very young gardener. He plants a seed, then grows and harvests a pumpkin from which he saves seeds for next year. The large, detailed drawings capture Jamie's anticipation and pleasure just right. The garden creatures appearing on every page and grandpa, whom we catch sight of now and then, are a delightful supporting cast. Nonreaders can easily follow the story in pictures alone. Very large, clear print on facing pages makes the simple narrative inviting for beginning readers, too.



Image courtesy of google
A simple, appealing selection for storytimes. When Tim carves his first pumpkin, he names it Jack. When it finally begins to decay, he puts it in the garden rather than in the trash bin. As the months go by, Jack grows moldy, sinks into the leaves, hides in the snow, and finally sprouts a new plant. By the next fall, there are plenty of pumpkins for Tim to share at school. He keeps just one for himself and when he finishes carving it, he says "Welcome back, Jack!" The plant's cycle throughout the seasons is told in a satisfying, straightforward fashion. Hubbell uses colored pencils with solvent wash effects to create vibrant double-page spreads that bring the story to life. These pictures complement the text, which flows nicely with its own descriptive details. Readers can hear the crinkle of old leaves, smell the earthy odors of the garden, and breathe in the crisp air of the first frosty day of autumn. Any child who has had to throw away a beloved jack-o'-lantern will appreciate this fine offering.
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aubergine

Image courtesy of google


The color aubergine is perhaps my favorite, at least for autumn and winter. It reads like a classy purple to me and I would take any one of the following, thank you (although the bridal bouquet is a bit less practical ...:) )

Image courtesy of L.A.Botanicals

Image courtesy of stylehive
Image courtesy of google


Image courtesy of peggyandminnie.co.uk

Image courtesy of headingupveils

Image courtesy of mywardrobe.com

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passion flower plate

This striking plate from Crate and Barrel is inspiring me to become the sort of person who sets a table for dinner with seasonal touches and ever changing centerpieces and linens.



It is funny because the colors are not usually what I would gravitate toward (well, it is also funny because almost every evening we eat in our kitchen, not the dining room, and certainly not at a charmingly set table), but every time I see these on display in the store I can't help but admire the spread. They are like little dessert plate shaped pieces of art. I wish I could find larger images, but the next time you are at your local Crate and Barrel- pop in for a peek.
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favorite fall treat

Image courtesy of google


The bakeries around here have that sign out that I love to see- "Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are back!". If your local bakeries aren't as excited about these delicious desserts as mine are, then I suggest you make them yourself and see what all the fuss is about.


The following recipe is from Everyday with Rachel Ray and is a great guide. Whoopie Pies are the best , but Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are seriously even better!


Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
1-2/3 cups flour
4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Get ahead
Freeze the whoopie pies for up to three days.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.

Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.
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Sand and Sidewalk Chalk

Image courtesy of knowledgerush.com

It is the season for unique artistic mediums. I don't think much about sand and chalk in terms of  creative expression (beyond my own children's drip castles and hopscotch games of course), but this past weekend there was a sand sculpture contest at a nearby beach and reading about that got me considering sand and chalk art.

I was amazed by the sand sculptures I found online- not just the architectural wonder of the beachside palaces, but the people and animals rich with detailed expressions and unbelievable texture.


Image courtesy of iimageworld.com


Image courtesy of phototraveltours.blogspot.com


Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

My search for sidewalk chalk art uncovered some equally impressive artistic feats. These three-dimensional renderings on sidewalks and streets are perfection in shading and perspective. It is difficult enough to draw something that looks as if it could leap off of the page, or something that draws you into the scene, on a piece of paper, never mind accomplishing that on a roadway and in such a large scale.  Neat-o stuff....



Image courtesy of google


Image courtesy of google


Image courtesy of cleancutmedia.com
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Rickeys

It is getting warmer and before long it will be raspberry lime rickey weather -I can't wait! It is a New England staple of sorts and although there are numerous variations, including those with alcohol, I love the ones that harken back to the days of drugstore soda fountains. That was before my time, but I remember my mum would order a rickey when we went for ice cream at the local Brigham's. Even though I could barely understand the complete craziness of passing up a giant sugar cone of chocolate chip for just a drink, I was intrigued. They seemed "grown-up", so when I was about 9-years-old I asked if I could have one too. I have never regretted it- now it is the refreshing, comforting, taste of childhood summers that I am so looking forward to on our next trip for ice cream....in addition to those sugar cones full of chocolate chip of course. Raspberry Lime Rickey


Ingredients
• 1 lime, quartered
• 8 fluid ounces carbonated water
• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger raspberry syrup
Instructions
1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Squeeze each of the lime wedges into glass, and drop in. Fill glass nearly to the top with carbonated water, and top with raspberry syrup.


Images courtesy of google.com
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Wreaths

Image courtesy of thegreenhead.com

This past weekend I put up the wreaths on my front doors. I was pretty proud of how they looked- evergreen circles with painstakingly tied gold bows that have a hint of sparkle. While I was researching the best bow option for a wreath (yes, I did a google search on this- I can't help myself), I came across so many cool versions of the holiday standard. Granted, I still went with my trusty evergreen, but I was definitely tempted to try something different next year. Just check out these contenders.....




Image courtesy of pixiegenne.typepad.com


Paper Floral Wreath courtesy of DanaandCarol via Etsy



Image courtesy of google.com



Image courtesy of  1.bp.blogspot.com
 

Poinsettia Wreath Kit courtesy of paper-source.com



Wrapping Paper Wreath courtesy of simplytseleta.typepad.com



Image courtesy of flickr



Image courtesy of google.com

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