Fall Craft

Looking for a fun, easy fall craft? Consider mini-pumpkin painting! It's as easy as it looks -- just pick a few of those super-cute mini pumpkins, get out some oil based/acrylic paint and let your creative juices flow.

Here are a few my kids did:



As you can see, they can be very non-traditional in color, though I've seen some done with pumpkin faces, fall scenes, leaves, etc.

Let us know if you try it.

For Apple Picking

It's prime time for apple picking in northern New England. The kids and I have had a lot of fun reading some of the books I posted in a previous blog and we learned interesting facts about the history of apples and apples today. For example, did you know that the leading state for apple production -- by FAR -- is Washtington state? A distant 2nd is New York and then the great, state of Michigan (where I grew up.) In fact, the apple blossom is Michigan's state flower.

Here's another one: The most popular apple is the Red Delicious. (Good -- that's my favorite!)

We all know who Johnny Appleseed is -- he was born in MA, but he spent most of his life planting and cultivating apple trees in the Ohio Valley and many of the apple trees there today are descendants of his.

New England isn't slack in the apple department either. In fact, states on both coasts are great apple producers. Around here, you will mostly find Cortlands and MacIntosh. My family is happy about that (they do not share my love for Red Delicious.) For them, the more tart the better -- and since "Macs" ripen earlier than other varieties (and fall and winter come sooner here), we decided that a sunny, September Saturday was perfect timing.

We head across the Connecticut River into Vermont (since it is the closest large apple orchard to us.):

Most of the apple trees there are of the dwarf variety -- perfect for climbing!

Like most orchards, they let you eat as many as you want on the go. My kids can't get enough. They wonder about all the apples on the ground and I inform them that they will be used to feed animals, make cider, and for applesauce.

It's fun to look for an orchard that offers a little bit more for the kiddies. Some have cider mills, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches, but this one is a little more old-fashioned. Here, the kids enjoy the petting zoo (full of cows, deer, goats, chickens, rabbits, and other small, farm animals.)

Not surprisingly you will also find loads of pumpkins and other vegetables. Harvest is in!

A must for apple picking is the ability to buy apple cider donuts. If they don't have 'em, we don't go! It's a once-a-year treat . . . fresh donuts, hot from the fryer (your choice, plain or sugar -- I prefer plain.) Mmmmmm . . . look at the grease on that bag!

And like many public farms and orchards in our rural area, you will find a country store with home-town goodies and souvenirs.

If you are one of those rare folk who do not want to bother trampling through the trees and up the hills in order to fill a bushel full yourself, you can always purchase pre-packaged bags (and still enjoy being at the orchard.)

If you are used to grabbing the apple sales at the grocery store this time of year, I encourage you to consider your local orchard instead. If you are in a mind to make pies, tarts, applesauce, cider, or other apple goodies, you can't go wrong picking the apples right off the tree (bruise-free) and the prices are usually pretty comparable as well.

Don't miss out on this fall ritual. (September is prime time for the northeast and other parts north; October is better in other areas.) You can start here or do a search in your area for orchards. If you have kids, they are bound to relish in the simple fun and the opportunity to get out into the crisp air and you will find memories and traditions to last a lifetime.

We Have a Winner!

And according to Random, the winner is . . .

Dauphyfan!
::wild applause::
Congratulations, Dauphy -- just email us with your contact information and we will get the goodie out into the mail ASAP!

Thanks for playing everyone. We hope to have giveaways on a regular basis. They are a really fun way to celebrate the seasons and holidays.

Check back for Giveaway #2 COMING SOON!

Enjoying Apples + A Little Giveaway

CLOSED
It's that time of year again in New England (and much of the north) -- apple harvest time! As late summer takes on a distinct chill in the evening air, my kids start to think about fall delights. I have to admit that with our short summers, it's a bit disenchanting to start thinking about these things as early as my kids would like to, so I try to put them off until the appropriate time. If some of my kids had their way, we would decorate in autumn glory on September 1, but I stress the importance of waiting.

First, I want them to appreciate the seasons in the moment. Like I said, summer is particularly fleeting in New Hampshire (especially this year) and, though it's tempting to jump ahead to the next thing, we need to really relish and enjoy the gift that God has given us now to its fullest. (I admit, it's a little harder to do when spring is on the horizon after our typical long winters.)

Second, I realize that celebrating too soon sort of kills the event. You know what I mean -- how many of us cringe when we see Christmas decorations at WalMart before Halloween? How does it feel to open your birthday presents early? We don't want to be immune to those very special times . . .

I love what the Bible says, in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." I always say that half the fun of any event is the anticipation of it, but in a timely manner. Nothing is more depressing than being sick of Christmas music by December 1.

These are some of our typical September rituals . . .

1. Celebrate Labor Day
2. Back to school
3. Celebrate September birthday
4. Do a homeschool study on fall events
5. Go to a County Fair
6. Celebrate first day of fall: decorate and make fall cupcakes. Start lighting candles every evening.
7. Go apple picking and take scenic drive

Though eager to get going on all these events, the kids really do appreciate the schedule and they appreciate the events more for their structure. I have read many times how important tradition is to children and you can bet that my children remember them ALL and will not let one pass by uncelebrated. We do change things up a bit in some years, depending on various factors, but we do not deviate very far from that schedule. I know that the children will continue these rituals with their own families.

So, we are up to step 4! In anticipation of our annual apple-picking excursion, I like to read some fun books about apples and Johnny Appleseed with the younger children. (But don't kid yourself -- my older children like to listen in, too!) I also add a lot of printouts, puzzles, and coloring pages for them to work on while I read out loud. I give them a notebook to keep them in as a neat Unit Study -- it's one of the times during our school day that the kids are eager to begin.

Here are a few examples of the books we read:

I particularly love The Life and Times of the Apple. Charles Micucci does an absolutely beautiful job with the artwork and the book is chocked full of information and history of apples in America (Did you know, for example, that only the crab apple is native to the United States?) He shows you various apple types, how they are grown, and even an "apple timeline." (Besides this wonderful book, he writes on other natural topics in the same delightful manner. Check him out on Amazon!)

We always read about John Chapman, AKA "Johnny Appleseed."

For kids who are a little older and reading independently:

This is also a good opportunity for me to pull out this gem:

Though not really scientific in nature, it is a beautifully explained practical example of the Holy Trinity. For example, the author explains that there are 3 parts to the apple -- the peel, the flesh, and the core. They are all different and unique, but they are still ALL APPLE.
(If you are interested in any of these books, you can find them on our "'Tis the Season" bookstore link on the sidebar.)

Like I said, I love to add activities and printouts to our study. I will post one link to get you started (I hate wading through dozens of links; it's overwhelming!), but if you want more options, do a Google search on "apples"; that will keep you busy for hours! ::grin:::
http://www.tooter4kids.com/Apples/apple_links.htm

Now for some fun for YOU! In honor of this harvest season, I thought it would be fun to have a little DRAWING! I found these cute finger towels at Rite Aid. (Who knew?) It is a 2-pack; one towel is brown with a basket of red apples and the words, "Bushel and a Peck" stitched on it and the other is a matching white towel with brown spots. These are fun to put out in the fall, but also for anyone with an apple decor in their kitchen.


To enter, simply leave a comment telling us what your favorite season is and why. Please feel free to elaborate or just a quick sentence. We love to hear your stories and connect as much as possible! I'm sure others enjoy it, too.

On Monday at noon, we will draw a name using Random.org, so it will be completely free from human error. If your name is drawn, it will be announced and you can contact us with your mailing information. If we do not get a response within a week, we will re-do the drawing. Thanks and God bless you during this wonderful season!