small + friendly

Late Summer Bounty

It's that wonderful time of year when the garden goodies are abundant.  I hope you are harvesting a bounty of goodies these days.  I thought I'd share a few posts from the past to help you make the most of all that goodness.

First, don't struggle bringing in all that good stuff from the garden.  Grab a few old kitchen towels and make yourself (and your little helper) a Garden Harvest Apron.

Got zucchini?  You can never have too much Zucchini Bread.  Or click here for 11 more tasty zucchini recipes.

Having too many tomatoes is one of the best problems ever.  Whip up a huge batch of this Heirloom Tomato Sauce and stock the freezer with pure summer goodness. 

Wishing you and yours a long weekend full of it's-not-fall-yet fun!

More Fun (small + friendly) Crafts

I apologize for the quietness around these parts lately, I've got a few big things brewing behind the scenes.  (Is that not the most annoyingly vague sentence, or what?)  I swear I will share the moment I can, but in the meantime I've got three fun crafts up on the other sites I write for.  

It's back to school time!  Send a little love in your kiddo's lunch box with this simple chalkboard craft.  This was a big hit at Jude's preschool.  Full tutorial at Classic Play.

We are finally getting some warm summery weather here, perfect for busting out this floating tic-tac-toe board (a hit in the bathtub as well).  Head over the Classic Play for the full tutorial.

Lastly,  looking for a cool gift for a music lover?  How about some sheet music art?  I couldn't resist using "Hey Jude."   Get all the details at Inner Child Giving.

Wishing you and yours a beautiful weekend.

Happy Crafting!

Backyard Art Camp

When Jane of Buzzmills and Melissa of A Happy Stitch asked me to be a part of their Backyard Art Camp I was thrilled!  Jude and I love a good art project and this seemed like the prefect excuse to create a really fun, large scale piece.  Jude is at that phase where he gets frustrated when he can't draw or paint a literal image of what he has in his mind so I knew just where to turn for inspiration: Jackson Pollock.  

Currently Reading

Have you heard of Homeward Bound: Why Women Are Embracing the New Domesticity?  I was actually interviewed for it, you can find a few of my heartfelt, if less than eloquent, quotes in the first chapter.  The author Emily Matchar, was great to chat with, she was very nice and funny and I totally talked her ear off.  

Obviously, the subject of new domesticity (AKA modern homemaking) is near and dear to my heart.  I am only halfway through the book and I've already got lots to say, it is certainly full of food for thought.  Anyway, before I give you my two cents I thought I'd give you a chance to read it yourself, if you are so inclined.  Interested in a little book discussion?  Pick up your copy and meet me back here in about a month.     

P.S. - In the meantime, this post has some beautiful thoughts on the subject.

DIY Cork Boats

Wednesdays are Jude and mama days.  I don't work, he doesn't have preschool and I try my hardest to make it a fun day for both of us.  A few Wednesdays ago, I asked Jude if he'd like to make a craft and he said, "Yes, I want to make a boat."  This is what we came up with.  I originally had no intention of blogging it (sometimes that gets in the way of our fun) but this was such a blast for both of us I simply had to share it.  Be prepared for hours of fun.  Seriously, this might be my all time favorite kid craft.  Especially because when you are finished you have a toy!

this moment

My very favorite part of the fair. (I guess I forgot to post last year's, 2011, 2010)

Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend.

linking up with SouleMama.

The Magic of Friendship: A Winnie the Pooh DVD Review

Jude and I snuggle up on the couch, we pop in The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, and with the narrator's first words I am taken back to when I was a little girl.  Motherhood is filled with these moments: a surreal combination of nostalgia and vicarious living. It is as if you are looking backward and forward at the same time.  It's actually one of my favorite parts of being a mother, the chance to experience childhood joys through the eyes of my little one.  Because, like the end of this sweet, classic movie points out, those magical moments of childhood always exist in our memories.