Monday, June 23, 2008

Chocolate!

Looking for something fun to do this summer in the kitchen? Something that will also be just as fun to eat-

CHOCOLATE!

Buying in bulk is essential here-

go wild in the kitchen with melted chocolate which can be shaped or drizzled onto a cooking sheet.

Have fun and yum!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art!



Another backyard gem for us to explore- now that school's out take the kids for a day of art and creativity at this spacious
art museum. Plenty for a full day of fun!
R

p.s. send an Eric Carle postcard below


http://www.picturebookart.org/Send_Ecard

Look Park!



Looking for a fun adventure this summer?

http://www.lookpark.org/


Right in our back yard is the lovely Look Park!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Cardinal Creation!


A pair of mating Cardinals is dancing in my backyard . . right across the street from the Veteran's Skate Park in Northampton, MA. Beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1h4vGFO_Qg&feature=related

They dance and prance and chirp so loudly.

Here is what i found on the meaning of Cardinals:
Symbolic Meaning of Cardinals
September 28, 2007, 7:56 pm
Filed under: animal symbolism, animal totems, nature, new age, spirituality, symbolism | Tags: animal guides, animals, bird watchers, bird watching, birds, cardinals, meanings, signs, Symbol, thoughts, totems, wildlife, winter

The symbolic meaning of cardinals deals with vibrancy and brilliance.

As we observe the cardinal - particularly against the backdrop of the stark winter months, we are reminded that even when things appear bleak or isolated, there is always the presence of beauty, hope, and love.

Cardinals encourage us to express our brilliance and reveal our truest selves. Their radiant red is a symbol for us to recognize the gifts in our hearts that we have to give to others in love and friendship.

Here is a quick summary of the attributes & symbolic meaning of cardinals:

* Sexuality
* Vibrancy
* Renewal
* Self-reflection
* Friendliness
* Vitality
* Goodwill
* Industry
* Brilliance

More on the symbolic meaning of cardinals can be found here.

http://symbolic-meanings.com/2007/09/28/symbolic-meaning-of-cardinals/

Here is another video, especially pleasant to watch! Enjoy and be well friend,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cmr2IDIbdc&feature=related

Rachel

p.s. Cardinals must really like Holly trees because here is another Holly tree just like the one in our yard and the Cardinal looks red as a berry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS45FgG2LyQ&feature=related

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Sweet Cider-making video!



For a long time now I have wished I could drink cider vinegar for health, but it's just too intense. Now I have found cider syrup . . and I am a very excidered about it! lOL! mix the two and I've got a match made in New England!


http://woodscidermill.com/VIDEO/CiderVideo_Broadband.html

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Hilltown Families on tree learning

Tree Books Worth Discovering

TREES: A READING LIST

By HF Contributing Writer, Tony(a) Lemos

Sienna’s Arbor Day Episode on HFVS inspired me to compile a list of some of our favorite tree books I thought readers might find useful this time of year. One of my favorite things to do is to take my daughter Zoe on a hike with the intention of finding a new tree friend. We will hike until she finds one, then we’ll stop and spend some time with “her” doing a bark rubbing, tracing/ drawing the leaves, photographing, hugging, identifying and finally sitting up against her quietly to see if she has a message for us. Often we will end our time together by me reading or telling Zoe a story. Our favorites for our tree walks are nature tales by Thornton Burgess.

There are so many kids books about trees. Some fiction and some not. I am drawn to them all. There are the typical early science ones by Gail Gibbon or Bobbie Kalman, but here are a few of our favorites:

Fiction:

  • The Tree Farmer - By Leavell & Cravotta
  • The Old Tree - By Ruth Brown (A fun nature story with a great surprise at the end!)
  • An Elm Tree and Three Sisters - By Norma Sommerdorf
  • Sarah’s Willow - By Friedrich Recknagel
  • Spirit of the Forest: Tree Tales From Around the World - By Eric Madde

Art/Science:

  • Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art - Illustrated by Thomas Locker & written by Candace Christiansen (Beautiful Illustrations as we all expect from Thomas Locker.)
  • The Tree in the Ancient Forest - By Carol Reed-Jones (Beautiful lyrical story of life around an old-growth fir tree

Non-fiction:

  • Around the Oak - By Gerda Muller
  • My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America - By Diane Iverson (Kids share their special tree. Somewhat of a field guide)
  • A Logs Life - By Wendy Pfeffer (Decomposition for kids.)
  • Exploring the Forest with Grandforest Tree - By Joanne & Hand (Great homeschooling book! Like no other.

Guide Books:

  • Trees, Leaves & Bark (Take-Along Guide) - By Diane Burn

I have to stop. Oh don’t forget the story the Man Who Planted Trees and Hope, another classic! I’ll have to gather up some of my favorites from my adult collection and share a list one of these days!

After a couple of season of doing these tree walks I have found that Zoe notices trees where ever we are, ” Oh that would be a great tree house tree” or “look mama that tree needs a hug”.


About the Author: Tony(a) Lemos

Tony(a) Lemos

Tony(a) is the director of Blazing Star Herbal School in Ashfield, MA and maintains an herbal practice in Northampton, MA. She is a graduate of Natural Therapy at Raworth College in England and has apprenticed with many influential herbalist, including Susun Weed. She is the vice president of the North East Herbal Association, and has taught at conferences and festivals all over New England, including Green Nations Gathering and the Women’s Herbal Conference. tlemos@noho.com