Appalachian Chic

The Hapiness Project...

  Two weeks ago I walked into our local Barnes and Nobles and a book caught my eye. It was in the New's Year's resolution area, just one book all by itself. The book was begging me to pick it up. 

 I think things are placed in your life to help you to become a better person, more aware, but you have to be willing for the change. Was it just in that time in my life, my mid-life to question. Question, have I lived my life the best way possible.

  So this book the Hapiness Project has made me aware...

                   

                The Hapiness Project by Gretchen Rubin                                                                                        

Be Creative...

Easy As Pie from Anna Hewitt on Vimeo.

 

Our Junior Ranger

 

  Our week has been filled with many activities, but one was our big momment of the week. Last summer I stumbled upon the National Parks Junior Ranger Program. It's a program for kids to learn about the parks, and pass on the torch to our future generation of park goers. Each National Park has a program that a child can work on. It usually includes a workbook and an activity such as picking up trash,and or enrolling in a park activity.

 

 

 

 

Let me introduce Junior Ranger Jack...

Just a few more days...

 

 

 

   In just a few more days we head back into the city, and I am dreading it. We are in the Smoky Mountain National Park visiting with family. Enjoying fresh mountain air, beautiful wildlife, and watching the leaves and snow fly as we gently roll into a new season.

     The Smokies envoke beautiful memories of when I started visiting this place as a kid with my parents and grandparents which now I can share it with my little guy.

   Retelling stories of his ancestors; who called these mountains of the Appalachians their home.People who where amazing artisans, who could quilt, make their own soap,make baskets,wooden cooking utensils,fry up amazing chicken and green tomatoes,and make blackberry wine which was only used purely as medicinal purposes due to their Baptist Snake Handling beliefs.

 

          

 

A New Halloween Classic for the Whole Family

   Jack and I went to the National Gallery this morning to watch Room on the Broom.

  It's produced by the same creators as the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child. You can purchase all these movies through Itunes or check your local libraries. It's a sweet tale of a witch that goes on a little trip on her broom and stumbles upon new friends. It's super sweet and kept our little guy entranced. A classic in our family!

 

 

  

My Ancestors are Calling ME...

Adventures in Yarn Farming from Shambhala Publications on Vimeo.

 

Super Sweet

Le retour from Natalia Chernysheva on Vimeo.

 

A beautiful new albulm by Frances England, Listen!

 

Afternoon in the Garden

 

   Yesterday afternoon my son Jack and I went to our local library to study wildflowers. We collected his journal ,art supplies, and found a spot near the gardens. Our library's gardens is filled with native plants that are taken care of by our master gardeners.

 

  We talked about native plants and what they are called, how wildflowers seeds are spread, and what types of insects we find in our gardens.

 

   Jack spotted a few Cicada shells laying around the trees, and we listened to the sounds they make. 

 

 

     Jack drew Black Eyed Susan's in his journal.

 

   We found some great books that we would like to share with you on the topics of late summer gardens, gardening, and insects.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Insects in Action By Thea Feldman

The Big Wish by Carolyn Conahan

Inch by Inch By Leo Lionni

The Unbeelievables by Douglas Florian

Simple Days

For Today:

Outside my window: The sun is starting to come up, and light is beginning to                    sparkle on the trees.

I am thinking : About what I am going to to today.

I am thankful: For my family and friends.

I the kitchen: Planning recipes for the rest of the week.

I am wearing: My balck cotton PJ's.

I am creating: Paintings in my head.

I am going: To the gorcery today.

I am reading: Dr. Wayne Dyer's Wishes Fulfilled

I am hoping: To have a cleaner house and carve out some creative time.

I look forward to: Visiting my family and best friend in Cincinnati!

I am learning: To be kind to myself

Around the house: Straigtening up from our family visit, and paint time with

                  Jack today.

A favorite quote for today: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things                               in the news, my mother would say to me," Look                                 for the helpers. You will always find people                                 who are helping." -Fred Rogers

A few plans for the week: Farm Market, Good Food, Clean House