Being Productive

Looking at my day today, I was feeling a bit down that I hadn't gotten more accomplished. I managed one small work meeting and an errand to the bank. OK, I also battened down the hatches at the dock as the lake began to flood- this time, *before* the boats floated away. ;) . . . but that's pretty much it. I didn't even make the kids do all their chores. My miles-long to-do list looks pretty much untouched since yesterday.

But wait, I realized: today was extremely productive on the homeschooling/kids front. I started my day with an extended wrestling/tickling/cuddling match with my oldest, who seldom wants to do that anymore. Then he asked to make us waffles from scratch for breakfast, and I said "yes". I walked him through the recipe. . . which meant a lot of concentrated instruction on fractions. (I even used the math manipulatives!) Julian worked on an alphabet puzzle and asked me to help him with flash cards, which we used to work on number recognition, counting and beginning phonics. This video (shared by a friend) then led to a discussion about genealogy:

(I wonder if she's right?!?)

Both boys had some outside time to run in the rain and gawk at the flooding.

While we were out running errands (including a stop at the post office so Simon could mail his first letter to his new pen pal in Japan) I stopped at the bookstore, where they browsed. Simon chatted with the saleslady, she helped him find what he was looking for, and he made his own purchase. On the way home, I spotted something interesting and turned around to check it out- it turned out to be a whole parking lot full of restored antique working steam engines! Apparently there is an annual 4th of July steam engine parade here. Who knew? We walked around and looked at them all, and smelled the wood fires burning, and listened to the (VERY LOUD) train whistles blow.

(photo credit Nicole Gustin)

Back at home, Simon volunteered to make dinner (frozen pizza and fresh fruit), and spent some time reading his book. Then we had an impromptu detailed exploration (sparked by a small query) of astronomy topics, in which I answered questions, explained, and we looked up answers together on the internet. Some topics covered include:
- What is a light year?
- How do you say 6,000,000,000,000?
- What does the sun sound like? (This was the golden question of the night, which led us to this very cool 10-minute documentary about a project to sonify solar data, which sparked many more interesting questions)
- What is a sunspot?
- Can solar flares and coronal mass ejections harm the Earth?


- What is Earth's "magnetic field", and why does it protect us from solar wind?
(Did you know other planets don't have a magnetic field? I feel like I should have known that, but I don't think I did.)


- If we could be right next to the sun without burning up, what would the sun *really* sound like?
(The answer, of course, is that we wouldn't hear a single thing. Which of course leads to the question,
- "Why?" Which leads to a discussion of sound waves and how they are transmitted.)
We both loved all these explorations and questions, and dug into our ice cream tonight feeling energized and inspired by our learning.

I read Jules his new Scooby Doo book for a bedtime story, and after tucking the boys in I thought about my day and what got done. I've realized I feel pretty darn good about it, actually. :)

A Painting From my Past

Years ago, I was a penniless undergrad (art student) at the University of Georgia. I spent a lot of time in the Athens coffee shops, reading, writing and studying in between classes and work. My beloved Blue Sky Coffee house (OH! The Dancing Goats blend!) is gone now, and so is the downtown Jittery Joe's. But Espresso Royale, a stalwart landmark of downtown Athens, still sits just down the road from the old Lamar Dodd School of Art location. It was there when I first explored UGA as an option for higher education, and it is still in business now.

Sometimes I did not have even enough money to get a cup of coffee. Those days, I would buy a bagel for 75 cents (but not the 50 cent package of cream cheese) and get a cup of hot water to go with it. I'd brew my own tea with a teabag from home, and use the complimentary honey and butter for my bagel. I felt a little guilty, but at least I was buying something in exchange for taking up a table. Funny how fondly I remember these times. (And funny to think a bagel only cost 75 cents!)

Espresso Royale, like all the coffee shops and many other Athens businesses, served as a gallery space for local artists. The walls hosted an ever-changing display of local talent from painters, photographers, fiber artists, illustrators, printmakers. . . I loved to see what would turn up.

One day I looked up to spy this:

Well, I spied the painting on the wall, not a blurry reproduction of the painting on a magazine cover. Sadly, this is the best image that my limited internet skillz can reproduce for you here.

I was captivated by this painting. There's just something about it, something inspiring and beautiful, that spoke to me immediately and stuck with me ever after. I have never forgotten it. Many times over the years I've thought about it, and wondered who painted it (I'd checked, but had forgotten the artist's name), and where it was by then.

Yesterday I was making assorted phone calls that needed making, and during frequent hold times I started idly searching the internet for this painting. I had little to go on: girl in a yellow dress, Athens GA artist, surrealist style. But guess what? I found it! I found the artist!

His name is Terry Rowlett, and his portfolio is an inspiring collection of interwoven dreams and realities. You can browse the portfolio here:
http://www.terryrowlett.com/portfolio.html
And this painting from my past, called "Flight of Angela", is there on page 7. Click on it to view it larger- you can actually see it well.

I love the internet. :)

Music Monday: Johnny Mathis

In honor of Grandma, here is a favorite song of hers: "Eres Tu", which was performed so beautifully at the memorial service by Queenie. This version is performed by Johnny Mathis, with Carlos Calderon on piano.

Music Monday: Nickel Creek

In honor of Danny at the Burton 4-H Center of Tybee Island:



Nickel Creek performing their version of the classic tune "The Fox".

Want more? Try this one too.

Yes, my boys are on the blog bandwagon

A couple of my monkey men (namely, this guy

and
this guy

with maybe a little help from me and
this guy)

have started their very own blog.

It's about these little plastic bits of magic

(called LEGOs, of course)
and what they build with them.

The blog is Simon & Griffin's Lego Blog. Check it out, follow if you're interested and drop my boys a comment! They're enjoying it.

Camping with the 5 Bears

(photo by a friendly bystander)
We've just returned from a 4 day camping trip in the North Ga mountains. We arrived at Unicoi State Park on Wednesday, and got home Saturday night. Sharing the experience this time were my good friends from our homeschool group and their children (and dogs)- it was a great combination! Everybody got along really well and helped out.



The weather went from gorgeous, to wet and chilly, back to gorgeous. It was colder than I expected, but we managed just fine. The kids had a blast, of course! They ran all over the place, played in the creek, rode scooters and the trike, played ball, and had secret adventures in the woods with a "bear trap". We roasted marshmallows every night over the campfire. The older kids helped watch the younger, and though camping with kids isn't really a relaxing experience, we certainly found the trip to be a rejuvenating one. I'm looking forward to planning the next one. :)

(photo by Billy via iPhone)

Wednesday was warm and gorgeous. Everyone arrived and got set up, and before we knew it we were relaxing around the campfire with full tummies and plenty of happy, excited kids. Thursday dawned cool, grey and misty. Billy got our big tarp up just in time before rain began to fall, and it continued lightly off and on all day. After breakfast the older boys all went to play in the creek. They were having a great time building a dam, when just before lunch someone accidentally dropped a large rock onto Littleman's hand. The results were surprisingly gnarly, and after some hurried triage Billy took Littleman to the nearest ER.

(photo by Billy via iPhone)
Littleman ended up with 8 stitches, a bandaged splint and antibiotics to prevent infection. It was rough on him of course, but he was a real trooper and bounced back quickly.

The rest of us hung out around camp in the light rain, relaxing (OK and maybe worrying a bit) and playing Mancala and Canasta while the younger boys played or read comic books. Billy and Littleman got back in time for our big shared dinner: a traditional Low Country Boil. It was delicious! Billy and I were the last ones awake as the skies opened and dropped a ton of rain. We had fun rushing about to batten down the hatches before turning in for the night.

Friday morning:

(video by Billy via iPhone)


Friday we drove up to Anna Ruby Falls for a short hike. The double waterfall was looking pretty spectacular from the previous night's downpour!



Everyone had a snack before Papa Bear and Brother Bear took one of the dogs and joined Billy, myself and Babyman for a 4 mile hike back to camp. Mama Bear bravely took charge of the remaining 4 boys and one dog, and went back to camp for the afternoon.

The hike was wonderful! It felt amazing. I carried Babyman, who napped most of the way, so I'm pretty good and sore right now! It was just what I needed.

(video by Billy via iPhone)

Saturday we packed up and said goodbye to our friends, with promises to plan this again soon! Billy and I took the boys into Helen so we could visit our favorite rock shop and eat at the Troll Tavern. We stopped at the hospital for an Xray on Littleman's hand before heading on home that night. Whew! What a great trip! And now, it's back to chipping away at the resulting mountain of laundry. (FYI, Oxyclean does a fantastic job on bloodstains.) ;)



P.S.- Find Mama Bear's excellent account of the trip here:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4

Music Monday: That 1 Guy

Several of you have heard me mention That 1 Guy, especially over on Facebook and in my Twitter stream. Billy worked with That 1 Guy on his latest album Packs A Wallop. (The video is Mustaches from his previous album The Moon is Disgusting, since none of the new songs are on YouTube yet.) Billy and I went to see him play live in Atlanta last Friday, and it was amazing!! I can't recall a live gig where I've ever had so much fun. Mike (That 1 Guy) is a true performer and a great person, and he puts on a phenomenal live show. The energy in the room was fantastic. I danced for two hours- it was FUN.

Check him out- to learn more about his amazing instrument The Magic Pipe (which he invented), check out the Packs A Wallop EPK. And if you ever get a chance to see him live, GO! It's like nothing you've ever seen before.

Crafting for Charity

Today, I mailed off a couple packages. One of them has been a LONG time coming, and is in fact about 10 days late for the final deadline. I hope that's OK. . . I finished it ages ago, but didn't manage to mail it before today. C'est la vie. It was one of several craft-related charity/group projects that I have participated in- specifically, it is a contribution to the installation art piece known as the Milkweed Project. No, I don't have a picture of my contribution. Sorry, sorry! I was so thrilled to be finally mailing it today that I forgot to photograph it for posterity. It was a simple thing though, so you haven't missed much. :) There are many photographs on the website however, of contributions from all over the world. I've enjoyed checking them out, and I really look forward to seeing how it all comes together!

The second package I mailed out was a red scarf for the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project. I found out about this project from a friend, who learned of it through Craft Hope. Red hand-knit or crocheted scarves are donated to orphaned foster teens. I had some great red yarn leftover from another project, and it knit up very quickly. Again, I forgot to take a picture. I know, I know! Some photographer I am. It is a simple scarf though, mostly straight garter stitch. It's appealing for it's dense, cushiony softness, it's warmth, and it's deep garnet color, rather than for it's design. :) I hope it's new owner likes it. The deadline for this project is Valentine's Day, so there's still time if you'd like to make a scarf, too!

The other craft-related charitable project which I recently participated in was the Iraqi Bundles of Love (or IBOL) project. I blogged about it early on, but never posted pictures of our bundles. ("Our" meaning myself and a couple other wonderful ladies in a craft group I am in.) So, finally, here's a few photos of our finished bundles, ready to send:





(the above photos are by Kyddryn)



In addition, the boys and I participated in IBOL Sundae. It was delicious!


The IBOL project was exciting. It was so gratifying not only to help, but to see so much of the goodwill unfolding in Art's blog. I really enjoyed that. :)

Hmm. . . maybe it's time for a new charitable craft endeavor. . .
There's afghans for Afghans, or Artists Helping Children, or Project Linus, the local charity Tiny Stitches, or Warm the World. . .
Or, maybe I should just finish the numerous projects I've already got going. :P

Over-Parenting: a Time Magazine Article

All I have to offer tonight is this EXCELLENT article from the latest edition of Time magazine. Check it out.

Can These Parents Be Saved? - The Case Against Over-Parenting

Weekend Links

I have a couple links today, for your weekend browsing pleasure. First my current amor: my Holy Grail of chocolate bars:
Green & Black's organic Maya Gold chocolate bar. "Dark chocolate infused with spices and a hint of orange". Oooh, baby. Be still my heart. This is perfection. You can find them lots of places. Happy shopping. :)

* * *

Next, an essay for your reading pleasure. Please, don't miss this.
How to Talk to Your 43 year-old Son When He’s Only 13

(from the essay)
"When you speak to your children today, you are also speaking to every day of their future selves. Parenting is outside of time. Take care and take heart in that."

* * *

And finally, just some fun: a great list of some of nature's strangest critters.

Over The Top Blog Award

Look, it's another award! Too, too cool. Grace from Going to Graceland has gifted me with another award! I'm thrilled to add a new doodad to my small collection- what can I say? It makes me feel good. ;)



Aww, ain't it cute?

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award: Copy, change the one-word answers to suit you, and pass it on. It's quite tricky to use only one word answers! Once you have filled it out be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers. Alert them that they have been awarded! Have fun!

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket.
2. Your hair? Unsatisfactory.
3. Your mother? Involved.
4. Your father? Searching.
5. Your favorite food? Depends.
6. Your dream last night? Forgotten.
7. Your favorite drink? Water.
8. Your dream/goal? Improve.
9. What room are you in? Bedroom.
10. Your hobby? Many.
11. Your fear? Failure?
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Learning.
13. Where were you last night? Driving.
14. Something that you aren't? Malleable. (For better or worse. . .)
15. Muffins? Yum.
16. Wish list item? Assistance.
17. Where did you grow up? Atlanta.
18. Last thing you did? Read. (to Babyman)
19. What are you wearing? Jeans.
20. Your TV? Unplugged.
21. Your pets? Hairy.
22. Friends? Special.
23. Your life? Blessed.
24. Your mood? Cheerful.
25. Missing someone? Yes.
26. Vehicle? Clean. (Unusual!)
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
28. Your favorite store? Amazon?
29. Your favorite color? Purple.
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today.
31. Last time you cried? Recently.
32. Your best friend? Husband.
33. One place that I go to over and over? Laundryroom.
34. One person who emails me regularly? Anne.
35. Favorite place to eat? Sushi.

Now here are the 6 Bloggers I'm passing it on to:
(I'm going to make an effort to choose different bloggers than I awarded last time, so here goes. . .)

1) Laurie at Foolery Fun!

2) Sarah at Raising Three Thinkers Inspiring.

3) Alicia at Magic and Mayhem Learning.

4) Kitty at Into My Own Beautiful.

5) BHJ at BHJ Definitely.

I know a few of you don't do memes, so accept or ignore as you wish! Either way, your blogs are over the top!

Thank you, Grace! :)

Hello, and Kaleidoscope Fun

I'm afraid I've been a bit absent, around here. This is partly due to the sheer amount of BUSY that's been going on, but also partly due to the fact that my camera cable has disappeared. Someone picked it up accidentally, and it's taking awhile to get it back- which is driving me crazy, because I have all these pictures on my camera just waiting to be uploaded and blogged over! ;) I feel silly too, because I told a bunch of people at camp (more on that later!) about my blog, and I've hardly done a thing with it since! If you're new here, HI! (waving) Please stop by again later, follow the blog or subscribe to the RSS feed so you'll know when I get around to posting new content. (Links in the sidebar to the right) -->

Meanwhile I can toss out a really fun link to play with! I first read about it here at A Magical Childhood.

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Image Online!

See, you can use your own image (or the default floral image provided), set the kaleidoscope parameters, and voila! You might get something like this:


Or these:

(Doesn't that one look like a soft, intricately designed oriental rug?)



Have fun!
http://www.krazydad.com/kaleido/

Bella Sinclair Award

First of all, guess what brightened my evening last night? Well no, not that, though it was pretty nice. Oh yeah, and that was great too. . . but no. . . OK so a few little things brightened my evening last night! But I was especially pleased to visit Going to Graceland and discover that lovely Grace has gifted my blog with this lovely award:

Wow! What a happy surprise! Isn't it pretty?

All these blog awards come with instructions, and this one is no different: first of course I link back to the fun, inspiring and wonderful friend that bestowed this accolade upon me. Next I am to pass the love on to five deserving blogs. In the interest of not repeating ourselves, I won't include the other excellent blogs that Grace has already honored- please check them out. I don't actually read that many blogs, so I don't have a huge pool of contenders to choose from. Consequently, my regular readers may spot a couple sites here I have honored in the past- they are well worth revisiting! Without further ado, I award:

- Bird at The Birds in the Meadow. Her site includes an inspiring nature blog, plus a cool store where you can purchase her unique handcrafted jewelry and other creations. I love reading about her nature walks and other adventures- Bird's photos and descriptive style really make me feel like I am right there! I never miss a post.

- Kyddryn at Shade and Sweetwater. Her writing is sometimes funny, sometimes beautiful, poetic, enlightening, and entertaining. Plus lately, there's been plenty of gratuitous kitty cuteness to enjoy! Please consider sponsoring the adoption of Rook, a sweet (formerly feral) kitten. Click on the "tip jar" at the top right, and help pay for Rook's necessary vet visits. Every little bit helps. Thank you!

- Robin at Naked in Eden. Her posts make me think, and it's a refreshing mental exercise. ;) They encourage the sort of self-examination and wondering that is all too easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of being a Mom. I have often been surprised at the level of reflection to be found in the comments, as well- something about Robin's writing really seems to draw insightful thoughts from her readers. A wonderful mix of Nature and Philosophy.

- Alicia at A Magical Childhood. Look here for absolutely wonderful ways to have fun with your kids- that you can realistically handle in your day to day life! So many sites have inspiring crafts, games and other activities for kids, but they are often just too perfect, complicated, expensive or time-consuming to really be useful. Not at A Magical Childhood! Go find something silly and fun to do with your kids today!

- Amy and Sunshine at Rock Star Farms. Rock Star Farm is a very cool project started by a couple of friends, and I've only recently discovered, through Facebook, that they have a blog. Check out the videos on biodynamic farming- very interesting!

So I hope that this will provide you with some enjoyable blogsploring! Begone, and reap the fruits of these wonderful blogs.

(Thanks again, Grace!) :)

Iraqi Bundles of Love

I just want to use this moment to alert you to an awesome project!


Iraqi Bundles of Love (IBOL)
Here is a quick summary of the project, from the intro on the website:
* * *
Iraqi Bundles of Love is a short-duration project, set to last about six weeks, to surge fabric and sewing (and knitting!) materials into the area around which I live in Iraq. It is timed to coincide with both Ramadan, and the departure of my units from Iraq.

It is intended to be a simple project, requiring little effort and little expenditures from those wishing to participate. It is based upon my assessment that sewing fanatics and quilters and knitters tend to have stashes that far exceed their actual needs, and that sewing fanatics and quilters and knitters are passionate both about sewing / quilting / knitting, and about sharing with others.

The general premise is this. I am in Iraq, and I can get mail through the US Postal System. Willing contributors can send to me a flat-rate box of sewing / quilting supplies, all bundled up. I’d open the box, pull out the fully-contained bundle, and hand it off (with others) to our counterparts in the Iraqi Security Forces (Army and others) or the local police, for them to distribute. The stated intent of this operation is to put sewing and quilting and knitting supplies into the hands of two types of recipients: locals who desperately need such things, and local sewing co-ops who have received grants or loans (typically to purchase sewing machines, rent space, etc).

That is it, in a nutshell.
* * *

So, if you happen to have a bunch of fabric, sewing, knitting and craft supplies laying around, then why not share a bit of it with Iraqi women? I think this is a wonderful project. (Oh, and international donors can help, too! Go to the website and leave a comment requesting information on how to donate from your country, if you do not live in the US.)

Check out the instructions on building a bundle. It's easy! Here's information on what to send. But hurry! Boxes must be postmarked by September 7th.

The website, again:
http://ibol.wordpress.com/
IBOL on Facebook!


Plus, big thanks go to Grace at Going to Graceland and Monique at Five Bears A-Blogging for alerting me to this great way to give! :)

Perfect Egg and Cheese Sandwich

Quick, scrumptious breakfast or brunch:

- Warm a skillet over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, slice up some onions and mushrooms. I diced mine, but you can slice them any way you want.
- Melt a bit of butter in the skillet, and toss in your onions and mushrooms. Saute until the onions get translucent and your house smells heavenly.
- Remove the onions and mushrooms to a separate plate. If necessary, add a bit more butter to the skillet.
- Crack an egg into the skillet, and turn heat down to low. Sprinkle on salt and pepper.
- Thinly slice some sharp cheddar cheese, or whatever kind of cheese strikes your fancy.
- Just as soon as you can, gently turn the egg over without breaking the yolk. You want it only cooked enough to turn.
- Lay slices of cheese on top of the egg.
- Meanwhile, pop a couple slices of bread in the toaster- I used some homemade wheat bread from a local bakery, and it was fantastic!
- Check on your egg. It should cook very slowly and gently. If the cheese isn't melted yet, it's not done. You want the cheese to be melted and the egg yolk to be cooked but still soft and a little runny.
- Butter the toast, and pile the cooked onions and mushrooms onto one slice.
- When the egg is ready, put it on top of the mushrooms and onions on toast. Sprinkle a last spoonful of onions and mushrooms onto the cheese, and top with the other slice of buttered toast. (Though you could forgo the second slice of bread, and make this an open-face sandwich if you prefer!)

Enjoy it right away! (And have a napkin handy!)

* * *

I must give credit to Pioneer Woman over at PW Cooks for clueing me in on this method of frying an egg. I've never had much luck frying eggs, until now. She uses this method in a similar recipe which she calls Huevos Ree-os. Try that one, too- yummy!

Green Popsicles!

I have been telling anyone who will listen about this awesome recipe I found at Goddess of the Garden, a raw food blog. (Tiffany has a number of blogs I think- I read her Nature Moms blog regularly. Check it out!) This isn't a new idea- I've been putting spinach in our smoothies for a long time. I've never been able to get very much in there without "yucks" from the kids, though- until now! This is unbelievably delicious. I admit I was really surprised- and the kids LOVE them!

* * *

Electric Green Popsicles

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1 medium pineapple

2-3 cups spinach or other leafy green

Water

Blend until smooth and pour into molds.

* * *

This is perfect, because even kids who are suspicious of a green smoothie will often happily eat a green popsicle! What better way to get your raw leafy green veggies? You'll be amazed at how delicious this is- try it!

quote: the last word

Today, I offer a quote:

"Your last recourse against randomness is how you act - if you can't control outcomes, you can control the elegance of your behaviour. You will always have the last word."

- Nassim Nicholas Taleb
From this article

The Din in the Bathroom, Snow Trip and LAUNDRY

I am sitting on my bed, working on blog stuff. Electra Luna (crazy cat) is snoozing beside me. Theme music from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (the only music Littleman wants to listen to, lately) is wafting up from downstairs. I am listening to Littleman and Sweetcheeks banter, giggle and snort with laughter behind the closed bathroom door. What are they DOING in there? Whatever it is, it involves fart sounds, thumps, laughter, incomprehensible jokes, other random sound effects, more laughter, animal impersonations and I don't know what else. Babyman is in the hallway by the closed bathroom door- by the sound of it, he's sliding toys or books under the door for his brothers to slide back out. (That amuses him to no end.) Hmm. I hear water running. They are supposed to be brushing their teeth and washing their hands. I'd like them to hurry up and finish, and not make a mess. However, it's nice to hear them having such a good time together. I just hope there's not a lake in there to mop up, or toothpaste fingerpaintings on the mirror. Or worse.

* * *

You probably spotted my recent snow photo blog. (And I will be posting the second series soon.) No, it didn't snow here at home (except maybe a few flurries). However we knew Highlands, NC had a couple inches, and cold weather long enough to keep the snow on the ground a couple days. So we dropped everything to take the kids to the mountains. It worked out perfectly- Mitchell's Lodge and Cottages (our favorite place to stay in Highlands, especially with the kids) was running a special rate, and we were able to combine our snow play with a break to watch the inauguration by the fireside. (We couldn't have watched at home, since we have no TV channels here.) The kids had a blast- though the snow was too powdery for snowballs or snowmen, it was just fine for sledding. I was glad we went- it was a much-needed break for all of us.

* * *

Side note: there was no lake to mop up, but there was toothpaste fingerpainting. Sigh. After probably 40 minutes in there at least, neither boy had brushed his teeth or washed his hands. I had to send them back to accomplish the original objective. They had fun, though.

* * *

In honor of the laundry I am doing today, and was doing yesterday, and will be doing tomorrow. . . today's thumbs-up goes to this very useful page: a Guide to Home Laundering Symbols. Print that sucker out and post it in the laundry room- finally, a translation of laundry hieroglyphics!

Thank you!! (Dardos Award)

Wow. . . My blog has received an award!

They are not unusual in the blogosphere, but it's my first, so I'm. . . well. . . tickled pink! :) The ever-lovely Kyddryn of Shade and Sweetwater has bestowed this blessing upon me, for which I am quite grateful. It's a Dardos Award.

From Kitmama's Pensieve

"The Dardos Award is in appreciation of the merits - cultural, literary and individual- of every blogger who expresses him/herself on his/her blog.

The conditions are to:
Be tickled pink,
Copy and paste the award picture to your blog,
Write down the regulations,
Link the blog who bestowed you the award,and finally
Nominate 15 blogs for the award."

(Aside: "dardos" means "darts" in Spanish. Is it that the nominating process is like throwing darts at blogopolis?? Hmm.)

Anyway, thank you, Kyddryn!

Now for the nominating. . . I'm afraid I will have to gift fewer than 15 blogs, as I simply don't read enough blogs to choose that many winners, and some of the blogs I do read would be unlikely to "play" the award game. So, consider these 5 blogs to be the cream of the cream of the crop! :)

1) I begin with Bird of The Birds in the Meadow. Beautiful photography, inspired musings and a great shop, to boot!

2) Next, I award Robin of Naked in Eden. Simply because she is a true ray of sunshine in my digital universe.

3) I honor Black Hockey Jesus of The Wind in Your Vagina. For some of the best writing I've found in blogopolis.

4) And Laurie over at Foolery. Because she's FUNNY, and I enjoy her perspective.

5) And finally, to Kyddryn at Mainstream Green. Helpful musings and information on "Going Green". Right back atcha, darlin'!

I hereby give permission to my nominees to nominate as many or as few blogs as they please. ;) Thanks again, and thank you to all my honored blogs- you enrich my life! :)

The Milkweed Project

I am busy busy, but want to pop in to pass on some information on a cool collaborative project which knitters and crocheters can participate in:

The Milkweed Project

A college Art professor is organizing a huge installation art piece- she wishes to recreate the sensation of being inside a milkweed pod. From the site:

* * *
Why a milkweed pod?

This project explores connection: between humans all over the world, between humans and nature and between small things and large. By taking thousands of tiny stitches and making something huge, we are doing something that can't be done by one person alone, thus emphasizing our connection to each other.

The project also explores our interdependence with nature. Milkweed pods are a small but important part of the ecosystem. They spread because of the light nature of their seeds, which are carried by the wind. By using the internet as the wind, and each participant as a new plant, this project attempts to mimic that process.

And, milkweed pods are simply beautiful, as is white on white and fiber craft. I think the potential for a beautiful installation is great.
* * *

To participate, you simply knit or crochet a piece from white or off-white yarn. Any size is welcome, though she says long and skinny is better than short and fat. See the linked page for more information.

She hopes to have pieces by this Spring, so she can assemble the installation and hopefully get grants to allow the finished piece to travel.

I think this is so cool! Any skill level can easily participate. I will be starting my white knitting very soon!

http://sticksandstitches.squarespace.com/the-milkweed-project-you-p/