Is summer boredom setting in? Shake things up with an informal camping day!
Day 7 – Camping Day
* We’re Going on a Campout! (spoken, in the tradition of "Going on a Bear Hunt")
We’re going on a campout in the middle of the woods
Hiking high, hiking low, off on our camp out – here we go!
First we pitch our tent.
Put up the stakes, zip the flaps, adjust the rain cover –
Done!
We’re going on a campout in the middle of the woods
Hiking high, hiking low, off on our camp out – here we go!
Next we gather some wood.
Little twigs for tinder,
Big dry logs for the fire.
Carry the heavy load to the fire pit!
Done!
It’s time to light the fire.
Make a frame with the tinder, light the match,
Blow it gently …
Watch the flames go!
Add some logs –
Done!
Supper time!
Wrap some potatoes in foil and put them in the fire.
Make some shish kabobs!
Yummy – let’s eat!
Time for s’mores!
Find some sticks.
Put on your marshmallows and toast them just right!
Make a sandwich with graham crackers and chocolate – yum!
*Yawn* Time for bed now.
Unzip your sleeping bag.
Curl up inside.
Mommy and daddy zip you up tight and warm.
Sweet dreams!
* Pitch a tent! – In your backyard, if the weather is nice, or in your living room, if it not! If you don’t have a camping tent to pitch, use a child’s pop up playhouse as a tent or create your own tent by stringing a piece of rope between two trees or from one wall or piece of furniture to another across the room, draping a sheet over and securing the ends down at an angle with rocks or other heavy objects. Add your sleeping bags or blankets and pillows and you have a great retreat for the day!
* Make a camp fire – If you are pitching your tent outside, collect some large rocks to make a fire ring and add some sticks and logs and light your own personal camp fire. If you are camping indoors, make a faux fire with real sticks and logs from outside, sticking construction paper flames or bunches of wool roving in between to resemble a camp fire.
* Ghost stories – No camp out is complete without telling ghost stories with a flashlight! (If you are indoors, dim the lights and) Take turns passing the flashlight around to family members to create a silly ghost story. Choose one person to begin and hand him/her the flashlight. Only the person with the flashlight may talk. This person will start the ghost story, then pass off the flashlight to someone else at a pivotal moment … continue until everyone has had at least one turn and/or the story comes to a conclusion.
* Camping eats – When we have Camping Day, we spend the entire day outside, eating only foods we have brought out in our cooler/backpacks and that we can prepare on our camp fire. Shish kabobs (hot dogs for those who eat them), turkey burgers, corn on the cob, baked potatoes for dinner; grilled cheese or pb&j for lunch; for breakfast we once toasted organic pop tarts over the fire! And of course, our two favorite camping foods, s’mores and watermelon!
* Sit-upons – Do you remember these from Girl Scouts? I always loved making a sit-upon when we went girl scout camping! Essentially, it is a pillow to sit upon on the ground outside. You can make your own a variety of ways. We use a layer of PUL as the bottom and a soft organic cotton for the top layer, then stuff it with all of my fabric scraps. You can use nylon or fleece for the bottom if you want something water resistant; if being water resistant is not a concern, consider any heavy duty fabric for the bottom … corduroy, denim, etc. A cute print for the top will personalize the sit-upon for your child. Lay the two squares or rectangles (depending on your size/shape preference) of fabric right sides together and pin. Sew three sides and half of the fourth side. Unpin and turn. Stuff, then sew down the opening. This is a great first sewing machine project for children since it only involves straight lines and is easily fixed if there is a boo-boo!
Book List:
* Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
by Kristine O'Connell
* Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe
by Vera B. Williams
* When We Go Camping
by Margriet Ruurs
(From Earth*School: One Day Fun Days, all rights reserved. Copyright Earth*School/Bonnie Vontz 2004 - 2010)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday Munchies: Paella
Super quick paella (it took me 40 minutes from start to finish!)
Cook 2 cups of your favorite rice according to directions. I used jasmine rice. Under cook it slightly and remove from heat when done.
Heat 1/2c olive oil in large pan (I used my wok). Add two chicken breasts and sear over medium-high heat. After browned, add 1T paprika, 2t oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and continue to cook on medium heat.
In a small frying pan, cook one onion, diced, and 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed, in 2T olive oil. Remove and add to chicken. use the same pan to cook 2 thickly sliced sausages (I used chicken sausage, sun dried tomato and garlic, because it is the kids' favorite, but chorizo is good). Remove and add to chicken. In same small frying pan, cook 1/2 pound shrimp and set aside.
To chicken mixture, add 1 can whole tomatoes, a bunch of parsley (chopped) and the rice. Add shrimp. Simmer for a few minutes to let everything mix together.
You can add clams as well, which I will do next time. The kids love them - I just didn't have any on hand!
Cook 2 cups of your favorite rice according to directions. I used jasmine rice. Under cook it slightly and remove from heat when done.
Heat 1/2c olive oil in large pan (I used my wok). Add two chicken breasts and sear over medium-high heat. After browned, add 1T paprika, 2t oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and continue to cook on medium heat.
In a small frying pan, cook one onion, diced, and 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed, in 2T olive oil. Remove and add to chicken. use the same pan to cook 2 thickly sliced sausages (I used chicken sausage, sun dried tomato and garlic, because it is the kids' favorite, but chorizo is good). Remove and add to chicken. In same small frying pan, cook 1/2 pound shrimp and set aside.
To chicken mixture, add 1 can whole tomatoes, a bunch of parsley (chopped) and the rice. Add shrimp. Simmer for a few minutes to let everything mix together.
You can add clams as well, which I will do next time. The kids love them - I just didn't have any on hand!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday Favorite: Red Hot Pottery
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious weakness for hand thrown pottery. My entire kitchen is filled with it. The majority of my pieces are from Rising Sun Earthworks, June, a potter in Rhode Island, that I had the pleasure of meeting last fall (after already having amassed quite the collection of her pottery), but I am also in love with Red Hot Pottery.
I have a few pieces from Christine at Red Hot Pottery - 2 gorgeous curvy mugs and a potluck dish. Being an avid bread baker, the potluck dish gets almost constant use - it is the perfect size to make up a gorgeous round loaf of Italian bread.
Which reminds me ... I must go take my bread out of the oven!
I have a few pieces from Christine at Red Hot Pottery - 2 gorgeous curvy mugs and a potluck dish. Being an avid bread baker, the potluck dish gets almost constant use - it is the perfect size to make up a gorgeous round loaf of Italian bread.
Which reminds me ... I must go take my bread out of the oven!
Somewhere over the rainbow
K&F is in full color this week! Join us for a special rainbow stocking where everything is anything but ordinary! Stocking today, Friday, July 23, at noon est
| www.flickr.com |
| www.flickr.com |
Thursday, July 22, 2010
500
We are celebrating - this afternoon we went just over 500 fans on our facebook fan page!!
To celebrate hitting that milestone, we are having a giveaway! You must be a facebook fan to win (but you can fan the page now - you don't have to have been a fan prior to this) and the winner will be chosen using random.org on Friday, July 30th.
Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world :)
Just comment on this post to enter ... it's as easy as that!
Oh wait ... you want to know what the prize is, don't you. Okaaaay ...
Your choice of BedBug (night time fitted) or fitted, in your choice of sizes, in our traditional rainbow - perfect for any little boy or girl :)
So go leave a comment to enter!!
(ETA - please make sure you leave me a way to get in touch with you if you are the winner - email addy, website, something!)
ETA - winner has been chosen! Congrats to Nyree, comment #2!
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1 Max: 98
Result: 2
Powered by RANDOM.ORG
To celebrate hitting that milestone, we are having a giveaway! You must be a facebook fan to win (but you can fan the page now - you don't have to have been a fan prior to this) and the winner will be chosen using random.org on Friday, July 30th.
Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world :)
Just comment on this post to enter ... it's as easy as that!
Oh wait ... you want to know what the prize is, don't you. Okaaaay ...
Your choice of BedBug (night time fitted) or fitted, in your choice of sizes, in our traditional rainbow - perfect for any little boy or girl :)
So go leave a comment to enter!!
(ETA - please make sure you leave me a way to get in touch with you if you are the winner - email addy, website, something!)
ETA - winner has been chosen! Congrats to Nyree, comment #2!
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1 Max: 98
Result: 2
Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Three for Thursday
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Together Tuesday: Down in the Orchard
It's peach season here in Connecticut and we have already been picking a few times. Share this peachy song with you littles while peach picking this season ♥
“Down in the Orchard” (sung to “Down by the Station”)
Down in the orchard
In the afternoon
See all the peach trees
Standing all in a row.
Pick the ripe peaches
So sweet and juicy.
Pick, pick,
Bite, bite,
Yum, yum, yum!
(From Earth*School: Summer Harvest Fun, all rights reserved. Copyright Earth*School/Bonnie Vontz 2004 - 2010)
“Down in the Orchard” (sung to “Down by the Station”)
Down in the orchard
In the afternoon
See all the peach trees
Standing all in a row.
Pick the ripe peaches
So sweet and juicy.
Pick, pick,
Bite, bite,
Yum, yum, yum!
(From Earth*School: Summer Harvest Fun, all rights reserved. Copyright Earth*School/Bonnie Vontz 2004 - 2010)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday Munchies: Sopapillas
I have vivid memories of long family drives on Sunday afternoons when I was a kid. At some point we would stop for sopapillas because my mom loved them. They are really easy to make at home, and are definitely better than I remember them!
Sopapillas
1 3/4 c flour
1T sugar
1t baking soda
1t salt
2t baking powder
2/3 cup milk
Cinnamon and sugar for rolling
Oil for frying
Mix all but last two ingredients and knead to form ball. Let rest 1 hour.
Roll dough and cut into strips. Cut strips into squares, cut squares into triangles. Fry in oil about 1 minute on each side; remove to paper towel covered plate. While still warm, place in a bowl of cinnamon-sugar and coat.
Sopapillas
1 3/4 c flour
1T sugar
1t baking soda
1t salt
2t baking powder
2/3 cup milk
Cinnamon and sugar for rolling
Oil for frying
Mix all but last two ingredients and knead to form ball. Let rest 1 hour.
Roll dough and cut into strips. Cut strips into squares, cut squares into triangles. Fry in oil about 1 minute on each side; remove to paper towel covered plate. While still warm, place in a bowl of cinnamon-sugar and coat.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Three for Thusday
Three things I have been working on ...
Kingfisher, a new colorway
Kingfisher, a new colorway
The Lions Play Tonight, a new print
Earth, a new vertical stripe
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Together Tuesday: Heigh Ho Blueberry-O!
Make your own Heigh ho Blueberry-O! game. My brother had the game Heigh Ho Cherry-O as a child, and he loved to play that game. You can make your own blueberry version with craft items you probably already have around your house.
To begin, roll a supply of 60+ blueberries from your favorite clay and let them dry. Fashion 4 small basket/cup shapes from the clay as well and let dry. Be sure to make them slightly larger than the size of a hole punched with a hole puncher. To make the board, you will need some markers or crayons, good sturdy cardstock and tape, a paper fastener, scrap cardstock, and a hole punch (you will want either a long handled hole punch or an “anywhere” hole punch, the kind you place and tap with a hammer). Cut a ¼ inch slit in each corner of the cardstock (from the top going into the center of the paper). After the board is complete, you will fold down the tabs you have just created (the sides of the paper) and tape them together at the corners, so that the board is raised up off the playing surface. In each corner of the board, draw and color a blueberry bush. Use your hole punch to punch 15 holes in each bush. In the center of the board, draw a circle and partition it into 5 pieces (like you were cutting a pie). Put the following, one in each section of the circle:
Picture of 1 blueberry
Picture of 2 blueberries
Picture of 3 blueberries
Picture of a basket of spilled blueberries
Picture of an animal of your choice with a blueberry in its mouth
Cut an arrow shape from the scrap cardstock and fasten it to the center of the circle with the paper fastener/brad.
To play, fill up the bushes with the blueberries. Each player sits by one bush and has one basket. Spin the spinner and pick the correct number of blueberries if you spin the picture of 1, 2 or 3 berries, put all your blueberries back in the bush if you spin the spilled basket, or put one berry back in the bush if you spin the picture of the animal carrying off a berry.
(From Earth*School: Summer Harvest Fun, all rights reserved. Copyright Earth*School/Bonnie Vontz 2004 - 2010)
To begin, roll a supply of 60+ blueberries from your favorite clay and let them dry. Fashion 4 small basket/cup shapes from the clay as well and let dry. Be sure to make them slightly larger than the size of a hole punched with a hole puncher. To make the board, you will need some markers or crayons, good sturdy cardstock and tape, a paper fastener, scrap cardstock, and a hole punch (you will want either a long handled hole punch or an “anywhere” hole punch, the kind you place and tap with a hammer). Cut a ¼ inch slit in each corner of the cardstock (from the top going into the center of the paper). After the board is complete, you will fold down the tabs you have just created (the sides of the paper) and tape them together at the corners, so that the board is raised up off the playing surface. In each corner of the board, draw and color a blueberry bush. Use your hole punch to punch 15 holes in each bush. In the center of the board, draw a circle and partition it into 5 pieces (like you were cutting a pie). Put the following, one in each section of the circle:
Picture of 1 blueberry
Picture of 2 blueberries
Picture of 3 blueberries
Picture of a basket of spilled blueberries
Picture of an animal of your choice with a blueberry in its mouth
Cut an arrow shape from the scrap cardstock and fasten it to the center of the circle with the paper fastener/brad.
To play, fill up the bushes with the blueberries. Each player sits by one bush and has one basket. Spin the spinner and pick the correct number of blueberries if you spin the picture of 1, 2 or 3 berries, put all your blueberries back in the bush if you spin the spilled basket, or put one berry back in the bush if you spin the picture of the animal carrying off a berry.
(From Earth*School: Summer Harvest Fun, all rights reserved. Copyright Earth*School/Bonnie Vontz 2004 - 2010)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday Munchies: Strawberry Shortcake Belgian Waffles
Strawberry Shortcake on Homemade Belgian Waffles - one of the best things about summer. And the very best part? You already have tomorrow's breakfast made!
For the strawberries and cream:
Cut up quart of strawberries and put in fridge. we used freshly picked strawberries, but any will do!
Whip whipping or heavy cream in stand mixer with 1/2t vanilla.
Belgian waffles (adapted from an Emeril recipe)
Preheat waffle iron
Separate 4 eggs - whip whites to soft peaks
Mix yolks in separate bowl with 2T sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add 1/2t vanilla, 2cupca milk, 4T melted and cooled butter and mix. Add 2 cups flour and 2t baking powder, stirring til just combined. Fold into egg whites. Pour in waffle iron and cook.
Add a generous helping or strawberries and a dollop of cream right before serving.
For breakfast the next day, serve Belgian waffles with butter and syrup, or with fresh fruit. These freeze very well - we just reheat in the oven for a quick breakfast!
For the strawberries and cream:
Cut up quart of strawberries and put in fridge. we used freshly picked strawberries, but any will do!
Whip whipping or heavy cream in stand mixer with 1/2t vanilla.
Belgian waffles (adapted from an Emeril recipe)
Preheat waffle iron
Separate 4 eggs - whip whites to soft peaks
Mix yolks in separate bowl with 2T sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add 1/2t vanilla, 2cupca milk, 4T melted and cooled butter and mix. Add 2 cups flour and 2t baking powder, stirring til just combined. Fold into egg whites. Pour in waffle iron and cook.
Add a generous helping or strawberries and a dollop of cream right before serving.
For breakfast the next day, serve Belgian waffles with butter and syrup, or with fresh fruit. These freeze very well - we just reheat in the oven for a quick breakfast!
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