Vases for Mom; Glass Painting
I found the idea in a pioneer crafting book and right away I knew it would make a great gift for Mother’s Day. I found the glass paints and vases at Michael’s craft... READ MORE
Embrace the riches of life
I found the idea in a pioneer crafting book and right away I knew it would make a great gift for Mother’s Day. I found the glass paints and vases at Michael’s craft... READ MORE
As we drive through Delta lately, we notice 8-10 Eagles perched on trees, standing in fields and on fences. If you are ever out in the Ladner area, and love natural settings, I... READ MORE
The school that I teach at decided to hold a school-wide “Cardboard Challenge“, inspired by the youtube video “Caine’s Arcade“. There were many reasons why we decided to take on this challenge, but... READ MORE
It seems like an old concept, “hands-on” learning; but isn’t that what the new curriculum in British Columbia is really all about? I always feel inspired by the local “Hyde Creek Salmon Festival”.... READ MORE
I enjoy a fall weekend away, just to relax, spend time together and to notice the changes of the season. Fall walks are my favourite kinds of walks. Through the woods, or even along... READ MORE
We’ve had plenty of days like this lately, but in my opinion, it’s the best weather for berry-picking. We have farms like these a few blocks from our house, which makes it convenient. And... READ MORE
We’ve been starting our summer out right with all of our favourite beginning of summer activities. This is the Point Roberts Marina. I’ve been getting more time to run. Here’s my favourite route... READ MORE
My students have been beyond excited to learn about the first Canadian Explorers, especially the stories, the risk and the adventure. I came upon this book, called Northwest... READ MORE
A beach house is really all about the front porch,
and ours needed a bit of a facelift.
I finished it off by painting the door yellow, adding to projects from past summers.
We’d always used the porch quite practically,
but I wanted to give it a bit more character and spark.
We’ve been enjoying more summer days at Pt. Roberts, days full of simple pleasures:
running at Lily Point,
horse fields,
beach time with friends,
project ideas,
evening bike rides to the marina,
tenting in the front yard,
lunch at Brewsters while the kids are at day camp,
and more beach time with cousins. Here’s wishing for more of the same!
I have a bit of a hobby collecting shells and making shell mobiles while we are staying at the beach house.
I got the idea for this mobile from a photo in House and Home magazine.
I thought I could make more of a Westcoast version of that style of mobile. I collected larger oyster shells, crab shells, sand dollars and driftwood. Starfish could be used as well and purchased from Micheals. I also used a foam, rope-covered ball that I’m pretty sure I purchased at Michaels. I used a thick cone shaped grinder bit on the drill and carefully drilled a hole in the center of each item. I had a couple of the shells crack on me and the driftwood even started to smoke, as I was drilling with the grinding bit, so I quickly switched to a regular drill bit for the wood. Apart from that I managed to finish the drilling quite quickly and easily.
All that is left to do is tie a knot in the rope and string all of the items on.
We’ve had some of these days off and on.
There is a difference between “rain” and “showers”. See we, Vancouverites have lots of different terms for precipitation. Sort of like the Inuit have many different terms for snow.
Showers are more brief and they come and go throughout the day. I actually don’t mind showers.
On a showery day, a great thing to do is make playdough.
Homemade playdough is far better than store-bought playdough. Especially when it is a huge, squeezable freshly made batch.
Here’s our playdough recipe:
combine: 2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tsp. cream of tartar
combine: 2 cups water
food colouring
4 tsp. oil (I usually add quite a bit more to give it that smooth texture.)
Add wet to dry and mix well. Cook over low-medium heat stirring frequently. Remove from heat after mixture forms a ball and knead until smooth. Place in a plastic bag to cool. We got our recipe from a playgroup leader and believe me, they know how to make the best playdough.
So no matter what the weather, indoors,
or outdoors, there’s playdough fun to be had all day long.
And here’s another recipe for my new recipe collection!
We were touring a museum of early Chinese bunkhouses at the Steveston Shipyards.
The museum had live props including a table with the well-known Chinese game, Mahjong.
My children instantly gravitated to the table and simultaneously began to touch, sort, match and pile the cube-shaped blocks according to the colours and symbols.
They asked the young volunteer how to play the game, but she explained that it was quite complicated. She did show the kids what some of the symbols meant. They could have sat there for hours, even in the thick heat, intent on discovering how to play the game.
After coaxing our kids to leave, I decided that we would have to get a game of our own (an idea which was met with much enthusiasm), and I greatly recommend the game for children in any home or classroom.
A cultural game for the hands and the mind, which perhaps one day I will actually learn to play!
We started off our summer in our favourite place, Point Roberts, Washington. It’s always fun to spot wildlife,
The lettuce was gigantic this year!
The best part is going to South Beach everyday.
Forth of July parade,The firefighters entertained the kids by making a sprinkler with their hose!
A community pick-up game of soccer. Myles was in heaven!
The firework display was unreal! Shot off 15 meters in front of us and 27 mins long. A great start to the summer!
When we cleared our property to build, we had to remove most of the trees because they were in the way of construction or turned out to be dead.
This spring and early summer, we did a lot of tree shopping. We picked out an ornamental cherry, apple, oak and spruce tree to plant in our newly-landscaped yard.
Each of the kids helped to dig the hole and plant his or her special tree,
in it’s specially chosen location.
Now a month or so later,
we are greatly enjoying watching these little trees continue to grow!
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2