July 1st, 2009
Today was a much better day for the bubelah and I. We went out into the sun and dirt to plant a few seeds and afterwards made a few markers for them. I managed to take some photos from my phone (yay for camera phones) so you can see what we did today.  I drew the flowers of the seeds we planted and she colored them in. I wrote the names on the back of the papers and just laminated over the paper on top of popsicle sticks. We made markers for california poppy, apricot sunflower, moonflowers, nigella and cosmos. She wanted to keep doing crafts and I suddenly remembered about some dried ginger root I had bought at the farmer's market several weeks ago. I loved their strange shapes and just reminded me of little friendly root monsters. She loved the shapes too and we decided to make a necklace out of one. She picked the one that looked like a flower to her. I made a whole in it with a knife and she painted it violet and green. Once it was dried, we put them string in and added the beads. Instant necklace :)    I have one root that I am drawing on with pen ink. I can't wait for it to be finished because it's just so different and quirky. We also made hair gel out of flaxseeds using Rebecca Crapabble's old fashioned flax hair gel recipe. Natalie helped me put the fir needle essential oils in it and it smells so good! The consistancy is so fun too because in the bottle it still looks like liquid but as you pour you can see that it's gelatinous. After I showered I put some on and now that my hair is dried, it feels springy and soft. Natural and recession friendly too! Today was pretty productive with always more things to do than gets accomplished, of course but now I am just completely thrilled that Nat has her first tooth becoming loose! Exciting, now I have to come up with a tooth fairy box/bag craft to come up with and do! You might like these stories:
what was left thereWednesday morning and the girl and I are doing much better since we caught a little summer bug of a cold (and a bit of a fever for her). The camera I had been so graciously loaned I think really did breathe it's last and I finally uploaded the last few pictures that were still on it. I don't know what I will do with out a camera, especially because I like to remember things and share things. Hopefully I won't suffer too much and hopefully this blog won't either :) With that said, the last photos from the little red camera that I would like to share :)  I won a great blog giveaway a few weeks ago from Karen Davis, the wonderful and magical mind behind her Moonlight and Haresartwork. She has such a lovely blog and I couldn't believe I won! She sent delightful cards with wonderful storytelling art from Roger la Borde (and I like that his cards are printed on paper from managed Scandinavian Forests) along with this beautifully made wooden polar bear hanger complete with little buttons and bells. It's perfect for my little bubelah who of course, is my little polar bear! It is in her room now :)  I also made a little purchase last week from The Social Cellar and I was so pleased with their presentation. I absolutely love my necklace and earrings and have been wearing them both since!  I wish I had better photos but maybe another time :)  And last, a few drawings I have done as of late. The first is the moon, playing with her dear animal constellation friends. This has been tea stained and fire burned around the edges. I really enjoy the effects it makes. The second piece is a little summer sprite. I think she is sweet faced and would make a cute little doll, if only I really knew how to sew! I would whip up one of these little fairies right away! This is a close up of the drawing, which is also fire burned. Both pieces are in the etsy shop. I've also started up an artfire shop, to see how it is. I've put up several of my first postcards there. If you are interested, it is at littlebighead.artfire.com. You might like these stories:
leaving the coast Coming back home we took the coast and I was perpetually delighted at all the forestry and beauty. All I could do was just dream and take a few photos from inside the car. I also had some time to finish re-reading Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince before the movie is released.
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monterey take two... Our second day at Monterey we returned to the aquarium but decided to park in a residential area not too far away from it. I wish I had more time in the town because there are so many houses and buildings that I just fell so hard for! Beautiful!
 Oh the breeze!  Returning to the street we were parked, we decided to take a peek into two consignment stores there. Once we left we also passed a Goodwill where we absolutely had to go to! While I was looking at the dresses my dad picked out this coat for me and he was so thrilled!! He said, look at it, it's all you and only 16 dollars and he was right! What a perfect fit and in such great condition! You will see my sporting this come fall and winter :)  Natalie also picked out a top for herself, channeling her inner boho spirit it seems!  And two more of my finds: this fabulous scarf for three dollars and change and these flats for five dollars and twenty five cents!  Yay for thrifting and yay for Monterey! You might like these stories:
the first day of monterey... I never thought I would take pictures of weeds but now that I am beginning to learn different things about plants, herbs and such, I have a newfound interest. This was right outside our room.
 She couldn't wait to begin the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
  I've forgotten the name of these jellies. Something like Tiger striped.  Ah, moon jellies!  And the amazing sea nettles!  Lots of little moon jellies too!  and so is this little gal! ;)  We walked the street a bit for lunch and had to take this photo of Nat with this huge otter! Rick loves otters so this one is for him. The t-shirts next to it were all 'Hairy Otter' shirts!  Speaking of things Rick loves, John Steinback is onw of his most favorite authors, so this one was also for him...  You might like these stories:
Both originals at the Etsy Shop And now, several postcards available only through the littlebighead shop at artfire!
June 19th, 2009
Visiting the thrift store with your daughter means that she comes home with more goodies than you do. :) Nat came home with this very unique (and Puritanical, as my husband called it) black dress along with a sleeveless black dress with red flowers; a pink, red, and yellow child poncho and a nick jr. magazine along with a very cool knitted shawl blanket which we 'share'. I skimmed off what I had and came home with a white long mexican dress for three dollars (though i need it hemmed) and a pair of rugged brown, strapped but closed toe sandal/shoes. I love thrifting!
She really likes her black dress!
Also, today I received a most lovely little package, a trade in fact that I did with the awesome Melissa of Tiny Happy. I was (and am still!) amazed and delighted by her craftmanship.
You might like these stories:
Bark Painting is a Mexican folk (or Aboriginal) type of painting which is done by pounding the bark of a tree, making paper out of it and using bright colors to paint village life, birds, flowers, animals and scenes from fables and stories.
(photo, Teyacapan)
A quicker way to do 'bark paintings' is using brown paper (from paper bags is a great way to recycle in a crafty way), black marker for the outlines and tempera or acylic paints.
You begin ny crumpling the brown paper as much as you can. You then wet the paper, unfold and iron it flat with the lowest setting. You can repeat these steps for more wrinkles on your paper. Nat and I had our first bark painting and here are our results:
She had a blast doing this but she also mention how she would love to do a true bark painting so that she could hammer the bark herself. Um, well see...
I also did another tea stained fire burned drawing yesterday. It is the moon and her friends at play...
and she grabbed a rock with some prisma colors and drew her favorite thing, hearts, all over it:
 You might like these stories:
June 16th, 2009
a white owl came to visit me and would like to do a little giveaway too where ada likes to wonder... http://ciderandfaun.blogspot.com/2009/06/visit-from-white-owl.html
a white owl came to visit me and would like to do a little giveaway too where ada likes to wonder...http://ciderandfaun.blogspot.com
a few photos from Disneyland as well... You might like these stories:
Yesterday we went to Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland again (before we get blacked out for the summer). We only visited the Brother Bear area at Cal. Adv. which I believe is called Redwood Creek Trails. That place is my favorite because it's so woodsy looking and though it's all man made, it's still a nice respite for those that long for the woods. You might like these stories:
As I look at the photos I have taken in the past few days, I feel like I am a bit behind in my sharing. I suppose a little recap is the best way for an overview so, here are photos...  Last friday was the Family BBQ and performance at Nat's school. I was presented along with all the other new Officers for next school year's PTA (yes, i joined and it's a whole other world for me! Wish me Luck!) Also, Nat's class performed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and I took a short video of it and posted it onto my facebook.   Saturday was my niece's sixth birthday where the girls got to go to Build A Bear ( Natalie picked out a panda and named her Sabrina) and afterwards headed back to the family's house for a BBQ! I have more photos that I will be putting up on my Flickr.  Sunday was face painting day and Natalie eagerly and joyfully painted both a heart and a bumblebee on both of my cheeks. Daddy was next with a flower and a shining sun. I decided for a nice little garden to paint all over her face :)  I've also been trying my hand at making a few herbal tea blends myself and so I have made two kinds that are very simple. The first I like to call 'fox in the flowers' with chamomile, hibiscus and licorice root and the second is 'honey blue' with chamomile and lavender. Maybe one day I will have a little Herb and Flower shop set up!   Yesterday before our day at disneyland, my husband surprised me with two books I have been wanting, The Backyard Homesteadand Wicked Plants (which is a pretty fascinating read thus far. I am really enjoying it!) You might like these stories:
June 10th, 2009
little fox on the rock sunflower and leaves red riding hood through the woods
(I apologize for flooding your friend pages! livejournal was not being my friend for awhile when i was trying to copy this posts in a timely manner. forgive me!) :) 
Mine to keep (I did this a few weeks ago)
And one for another, titled "The Garden Watcher".
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 Last week I found this photo on tumblr (via we heart it). I don't know where it came from since we heart it is always on the fritz when I try to check it but it's just amazing. I think it may just be my favorite photo. At least for now it is.
Speaking of favorite, I've been perusing the blogging world a lot and this past weekend I have just found so many things of interest, information and inspiration. Some things I have shared on Believing Nature and some I would like to share here (it's a hodge podge of things!): I suppose this is it for now. I am wondering if I have forgotten any links but that's okay. I've been working on Believing Nature too, adding links, finding articles and blog posts to share. I've also began a photo theme for every month. This month is 'At the Farm' and submissions are open to everyone. If you are interested, see here for more info. Other things on the to do list: - Making art/mail posts for: - Finish Nattie's twig & yarn doll - Make twig & yarn doll for my friend Yvette- Go to the Market for some good fresh foods to make - Take a walk There is so much I want to do, to try and to change. Everytime I read one of Kiva's facebook updates regarding primal food and herbal tonics, it just sounds so good and so nourishing. It gets confirmed by Amber and others as well ( Mothering, Organic to be, New Urban Habitat, Path to Freedom, etc.) and I am here wishing I knew how to cook more and how to budget grocery shop. I think of Nat and what she eats and how it's benefiting her health. I think of myself and how I need to be healthier, lighter and especially because of this GERD and eventually, because I do want to get pregnant again. I think of living simpler and with more passion and purpose. I think of the beauty He has given us, I think of His grace and mercy, I think of our little gardening growing and greening the inside and outside of this place. I think of childhood magic and how I want to encourage that in her and myself. I think of creating, making and doing. I think upon so many things... Well, I should get ready for the walk now. I think I just might find myself walking to the local thrift store that is within walking distance. :) You might like these stories:
The girl and I did a little craft while she was home on friday. I got the idea from a children's book but it was originally to make an angel, and i changed it to a fairy. So, with my change, she made a hands and feet fairy! I thought a little magical woodland fairy would be best but you can choose whatever kind to make (princess, all one color, different patterns, etc.) We trace her feet first (together) and afterwards her hands (also together). the feet tracing becomes the dress and the hand tracing is for the wings.
 We glued the pieces together, including cut outs i did for the neck, head, hair and arms. She drew, colored and decorated and with a couple of cut outs from a trader joe's bag. she also used two leaves and sequins.
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(from last week. i kept trying to post and it wouldn't let me...anyhow!) :)
 Natalie got a bit sick last night so I decided that she would stay home from school today. While I was trying to plan our day a bit I was told that Junie, the baby mockingbird, had passed away during the night. I had to break the news to Nat but she did very well with the news even through her sadness. I was very proud of her and I told her we could bury Junie next to Fred the hamster. After our breakfast we got ready to go in yard and Nat began right away digging the new little grave.
 She wanted to be able to put Junie in the grave and I made sure she put on gloves before handling him. She gently put him in and said goodbye. After putting the dirt back over she started looking around for things to put on top of the grave.  She gathered a few pine cones, rocks, leaves and a magnolia flower. She amazed me as she took each item out of her bag and placed them on the grave saying something with each thing. The one that caught my attention is when she placed the first pine cone and said "the pine cone of security". Wow. So she she continued on with each item and I had to help her with a few when she couldn't think of anything else to say.  She talked about life and death and about God. It's amazing the things children grasp. Afterwards, she looked up at the clouds and noticed how quickly the clouds were coming in and said that God was moving the clouds...  Junie's farewell place.  Watering the graves, something she likes to do.  Us together, just me and my girl... You might like these stories:
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