Lowcountry Wind Symphony presents: Concert Classics

January 31, 2016 performance at St. John's Lutheran on Lady's Island

 

  

me: on the way to my gig:)

 

 

post concert gathering:

Happy 12th Birthday Little Angel!

There was shopping, and Starbucks:

(no, she did NOT have coffee:)

we dined!

and then there was cake!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl...I can't believe she'll be a teenager next year!
We love you!

bowling for Angel Girl's bday....photo with Grandma and Grandpa

new creations hit the shop today!

www.etsy.com/shop/DFInspirations

from toddler to twelve (almost...I have two more days of 11 with my little angel:)

scenes from my birthday:

it was a great two days...and there were two cakes...you know, because my husband and mom did not communicate with one-another.....SCORE!

Coconut Chai Latte

PREVIOUSNEXT

Rachel Morrow (The Food Matters Team) 

http://foodmatters.tv/content/homemade-coconut-chai-latte

CHAI SPICE INGREDIENTS 

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 2 tsp ground ginger 
• 1 tsp ground cloves 
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 
• pinch of black pepper 

METHOD 

1. Mix this spice blend together and store in a small jar. 

CHAI LATTE INGREDIENTS (Serves 2) 

• 2 tsp of your homemade chai spice blend 
• 1 cinnamon quill 
• 2 star anise 
• 4-6 cardamon pods 
• 2 cups coconut milk 
• Honey to sweeten (optional) 

METHOD 

1. Add all chai latte ingredients to a small pot over medium heat, bring to a simmer and lower heat. 
2. Simmer for 5 minutes then strain out spices. 
3. If you want to create a beautiful frothy latte, give your chia milk a quick buzz in the blender or with a blending stick. 
4. Enjoy immediately! 

in which daddy joins us for our girls' day out

Homeschooling Piper

Did you know that we always pull an ottoman up for Piper when we sit at the table to do school? Math is his favorite subject:

MADD (not Mother's against drunk driving...although I can't think of too many who are for it:)

Yesterday...went to Michael's....no kiddos....I think I was there for about three hours. I also think I might have a condition....I shall call it "Michael's Attention Deficit Disorder." I'm quite certain it's already a thing, just may not have been named previously.
Basically, I went in, not to buy, but just to look around, observe, learn, get inspired for a new and cool idea I have for my shop. I did accomplish that; made zero purchases towards that idea.
But somehow I found this nautical canvas ribbon. I knew I had to have it. And then I knew I had to create a nautical wreath for our front door....because you know....boating.

Then I saw these amazing large distressed letters of the alphabet. I think I walked around the store with them for two hours. I didn't buy them.
Then I found some smaller, colorful letters....I chose: S-E-A (that spells "sea," because you know...embracing our coastal life-style)
Then I knew I had to create a wall hanging for the downstairs bathroom...which still has primer on. We never finished painting it....it's been over a year. I'm happy with the bright white primer...it used to be a dank maroon in a small, enclosed space .... It kind of freaked my girls out...the white is good....anyway, I started wandering the store aimlessly trying to figure out what to do with those letters. And then I found a gorgeous ocean blue distressed frame...but not for that bathroom. Soon went back for more letters ... S-E-A...again ...and craft paper ....and, and, and..$100 later (after my teacher discount)....I have a bag full of cool burlaps and glitters and things.
So I'm sure y'all agree now, that if anybody has Michael's Attention Deficit Disorder...I do. I'm also willing to bet a few of my friends do too!
And if you're still reading this long-drawn-out post, you're more crazy than I am. 😜
The end!
(Finally:)
I created these last night:

sometimes a girl just needs a January picnic:

Yeah Packers!

new offerings in my shop!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DFInspirations  

Sacred Ornament/Adornments:

This would make a beautiful addition to your sacred space, a sacred meditation "mala," an ornament, a wall hanging, a talisman for your review mirror or a very thoughtful and unique gift. You can easily remove the sari ribbon and place the crystal on your favorite chain, and wear it as a gorgeous necklace!

 
 
 

some beauty and inspiration for you:)

keep it natural....keep it fun!

As part of our homeschool day, I asked the girls to write a 1-2 page short story....any topic, their choice. I'm a firm believer, since we have the luxury as homeschoolers, to let skills unfold as naturally as possible. Reading readiness, math readiness, writing readiness, etc.

The writer in mama is ready to help engage their creative writing muses, as they both seem more interested now, than they have been previously. Just like with reading, it is my intention for writing to always be a joy and a pleasure...and it is my hope that this creative process and outpouring will flow naturally for them.

We've done mini writing "exercises" here and there in the past...we started out a few years ago with the girls and I writing short stories together, and the girls illustrating the stories (you know how adorable children's art is!).

Over the last few years we focused more on the "mechanics" of the English language, in conjunction with literature-based teachings. It felt more natural to let the girls spend more time with pleasure reading (and they do spend a LOT of time reading for fun....mission accomplished!). Aside from the obvious, I intentionally used books (mostly of their choice), to be their English Teachers. I have a very vivid awareness of grammar and writing and spelling coming to me quite naturally, because of the magic of books; it was so easy for me, it sometimes felt like I was cheating in my English classes:)

Further, when my daughters do write creatively, I spend very little time correcting their grammar and punctuation because I do not want to disrupt the creative process! Like with math, when their numbers used to be written backwards, I chose to ignore that and focus on the content. And yes, it really did work itself out. I trust the same thing will happen with their writing. I do teach grammar, etc, but I will not correct their grammar in their stories. (Not yet anyway). I'm just thrilled that Katie is (finally) finding joy in writing stories, as it took awhile...she wasn't ready. I'm certain this had nothing to do with the stories not flowing, but more to do with the physical readiness of handwriting or keyboarding.

(Writing has come very naturally for Karina, and her English grammar and spelling skills are at a high school level...because she is an avid reader ...I majored in English and I can't tell you how many times I've been consulting her for spelling questions since she was nine:)

Anyway, my younger daughter created a mini book, with the intention of a short story series, as this will be continued. It's called "Think Before You Speak." There are almost no periods or paragraphs, but I have to tell you, the story is very imaginative, engaging, and well-written! It involves two sisters, the older eating ALL the food in the family, not sharing with the younger sister, who basically is melting away. And then, bam, younger sister wonders what life would be like without older sister, and instant manifestation...older sister vanishes in thin air....and because the parents don't have to spend so much Money on food now, the family is living large, In a mansion:)

(Hmmmm, stream of consciousness; sister themes;)

And the illustrations are so cute!

I'm looking forward to the next story in her new series:)

I'm sorry for the long post; I guess I just wrote my own little short story too 🤓

The End:)

No Rush to Put "Christmas Away":

And my word for 2016: Nuture!