Old George's Hidden Village

 Last week we went on a day trip out to Old George's hidden village in Whitewood, it's a couple of hours from here and it's a neat place to go (if a little dusty), part Museum, part antique shop, part something else entirely, Old George is the owner and quite the character- happy to tour you around and explain the place, and it's a great place for kids, (well maybe it's just that way for our kids, they're well versed in looking at old junk and finding it interesting). If your kid has any sort of imagination they'd love it- there's tons to look at and imagine about, N was almost every shopkeeper there was, a sheriff, a shoe salesman, a pioneer woman, a kid about to get eaten by a bear, you name it.

It's like an old curio cabinet you can walk around in, and it's really interesting, and inspiring to see this place, because it's huge and built out of one man's imagination and passion for old things and times. And also because there's a treasure trove of stuff to get your juices flowing, at least two new ideas for pots came out of this trip, and lots of designs that I'll appropriate, as soon as I get the chance to work in the studio again.

If you're passing by Whitewood Sask. this summer I highly recommend a little visit to Old Geo.

JUMP!

This is one way that N has found to burn off some steam in winter- bed jumping, which usually has me cringing each time she lands, but it is a good energy burner. Also good: Simon Says (which usually just devolves into me telling her to act out different animals- she does a great chicken), Follow the Leader, me pretending she's a pillow or blanket and 'sleeping' on her, me pretending she's a dead tiger and eating her (that one is purely her invention, and I have lots of unanswered questions about it; why a tiger? am I another tiger? if so why does she want me to use a knife and fork?). I also sometimes randomly ask her to do jumping jacks.

I am hoping that the predicted warm temperatures of next week will bring puddles and melting snowmen. Did you folk who live in warmer climes know that you can't actually build a snowman when it's too cold out? the snow needs to be wet to stick together, and our snow is mostly just dry, because it's so cold, so all winter there have been no snowmen and no snowballs, warmer temperatures will make it more 'melty' and hopefully allow at least one snowman before it all melts away.

Forcing Spring

I cut these branches from an ornamental cherry (or at least- that's what I think it is...but I'm just guessing) that is really full of blooms in the spring, to see if I could force them inside. That was about two weeks ago- and they have finally started blooming! This was a nice thing to do with N as well, and very easy- just cut the branches and bash up the stems a bit around the bottom- to help with water absorption, and then sit patiently and watch the buds start to swell and burst into bloom. We had some good talks about dormancy, and how the tree will 'wake up' in the warmth of the house, just like it will outside in spring. Also bashing the stem of the branch makes the green cambium layer visible- so I used that to show her that the tree is still alive, even though it looks dead. It was a good easy seasonal garden activity, that only required minimal attention from the 3 yr old, and was easy for her to understand.

Valentines

N went to pre-school for a day this week- it's a pretty light curriculum there- and we're not entirely sure that we want her to go again- it just seems like she's a bit young to jump into a school situation- no matter how pseudo school it is. This preschool resembles a really good playgroup- but with no Mama, and I think that I'd prefer to be there with her still. Also she's only 3 and a half- so we have one and a half years before we get into the whole school fundraising, and valentines, and school clothes, and groups of friends, and potential mean kids, and "what if my valentines are not as good as someone else's "- or too good, and they single her out and tease her for that- I'd really just rather put all that off a bit more y'know?

It really brings back to me that I'd like to be the main influence in her life for a little while longer (that makes me sound like a megalomaniac doesn't it?) but really, there is only so much influence you can stop them from picking up in that situation, and when it comes right down to it, I think it's best not to put her in that situation too early. Anyways... on to what I sat down to write about...

Valentines- we made these mixed up colour crayons that I've been wanting to try for a while, and man were they ever cool! we found a silicone ice tray in a heart shape (from Ikea- and it does work well in the oven if you ever wondered), of course once you use it for Crayon melting- you can't use it for anything else- so you have to sacrifice the tray to craft use only- but you'll probably want to make more of these- so it might be worth it.

The idea is simple- peel and break up crayons, and then put them in the molds- filling them pretty full- because the crayons will melt down quite a bit. You could use just one colour per hole as well- but I like the multicolored  it's so fun to see what comes next. After filling the tray put it in the oven at 250, and check often every 3-4 minutes, to make sure that it melts, but doesn't mix together too much- you want the distinct colours still.  Then let it cool and pop out of the tray.