THE ART OF TREE CLIMBING

JANUARY 22, 2013

Today I recaptured the childhood wonder of viewing

the world from a tree branch high above the

untrampled ground.

My grandsons were willing participants climbing

this sturdy White Pine with their Gram. Without them

I would have stood out as perhaps problematic.

A 61 year old Gram up a tree in the middle of

a public park! For decades now I have

yearned to climb a tree once again.

 My childhood was full of climbing trees. My

favourite was a White Pine which grew on the

edge of a field along an old New England

stonewall.

Two boys climb fearlessly higher and higher.

One of the boys discovered a squirrel's nest.

He was thrilled to share in the high, safe and

secret place of that little hunter and gatherer.

After climbing numerous trees, including spruce and fir

in the back yard, we treated

ourselves to marshmallows. . .

roasted over a hot bed of coals. . .

yummmmm

Organized Storage For Craft, Sewing and Painting Supplies

When the time came to establish some order

in my "creative space" I intended to purchase

some cute storage boxes. I discovered that even less than

cute  boxes were too costly. I endeavoured to

make my own from plain cardboard boxes which I

found reasonably priced at Wal-Mart.

I applied black and white acrylic paint to ferns which I

plucked from my backyard. Once coated with paint I

pressed them onto the box. One fern frond can be used over

and over.

My little sewing nook with my faithful

White sewing machine of 43 years!

My Grandfather made this beautiful sewing

chest for me in 1970.

I use large and small clear plastic containers

with labels for all manner of craft and sewing

supplies. . .thread, sewing notions, buttons,

glue gun, wire, string, ribbon, shells, small pieces of

driftwood, chestnuts, acorns, stickers, grommet and

eyelet hole punches. . .etc.

My fabric is stored in an adjoining room in clear plastic

bags. I am blessed to have half of an unfinished

basement for my creative space. My husband

has the other half for his model trains.

My husband made this very simple but practical

cutting table for me. I make a great effort not to

allow anything to "rest" on it. Underneath I have a storage

unit for scrapbook paper.

Today it is covered with the makings of a

scrapbook journal of our trip to

Yellowstone National Park.

WHIMSICAL SNOWMAN

My snowman "danced" until he toppled !

HAPPY WHIMSICAL FELLOW

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

My Grandsons helped me make these

gingerbread cookies several years ago.

We shellacked them after the first year

so they are no longer edible. However a fresh batch

is always nearby in the kitchen.

Out of storage and waiting for the tree.

I have used this recipe from Betty Crocker

for more than forty years. It is truly an

old friend, now a favourite with my daughter as well.

SORROW

CHRISTMAS MOLASSES POPCORN

As Kids growing up in New England in

the 1950's my mom would make this

at Christmas time. She would involve the kids

toward the end of the process in forming

the popcorn into fist size balls. She didn't use

a recipe, nor do I.

You start with a large soup pot, add a stick

of butter, a couple of cups of molasses and

a nice portion of brown sugar. This is a no fail

non recipe recipe  :) if that makes sense.

Cook on a medium heat. Allow the mixture to bubble

away for 10 or more minutes.

While your mixture is cooking prepare

plain popcorn.

Add popcorn to your mixture and stir well

to coat the popcorn. Allow to cool before

bagging. If you are making it into balls it should

be done before it is too cool with buttered

hands to prevent it from sticking.

Bagged and ready for gift giving.

Small Fry Artworks Business Cards

I attached my homemade Small Fry Artworks

business cards to seasonally

wrapped festive soaps.

I attended the Christmas dinner for

the Valley Women's Network where we

exchange business cards. It was

added fun to be able to give the ladies at my

table a little gift of my homemade soap.

VWN is a great group of business ladies

meeting monthly in the lower mainland

of British Columbia.

http://www.valleywomensnetwork.com/node/53