Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines

Mothering.com interview with Nikki McClure - (plus a giveaway!)

I recently had an opportunity to interview Nikki McClure for a post on mothering.com.

I am a big fan of Nikki's work, her art is inspirational, validating and grounding for me.  

Read the interview post by clicking though the image below:

 I am happy to share I have the opportunity to offer Kids and Eggs reader a chance to win a copy of:

 THRIVE Nikki's 2017 Wall Calendar:

There's a good reason Nikki's calendars have become a staple in kitchens, offices and schools — they're amazing.

Each month is a different image from her original papercuts; cut from a single piece of black paper with an x-acto knife. 

Nikki features strong images of everyday life, each with a powerful verb that inspires to action.

This year's verbs and nouns: Become, Expand, Balance, Retreat, Thrive, Replenish, Reside, Go, Linger, Away, Adventure, and Converse.

Printed on wonderful Mohawk 100% post-consumer recycled papers using soy ink in Olympia, Washington by union-labor.

Purchase THRIVE and other work by Nikki McClure at www.buyolympia.com

-----------

To enter to win, simply leave a comment on this post.   If your comment is selected by the random number generator, you'll win!  Giveaway ends 11/5/16 7:00 a.m. CST

*Want even more chances? Earn bonus entries by:

• Following me on Instagram
• Liking Kids and Eggs on Facebook
• Sharing a link to this giveaway on your social media
• Following Nikki on Twitter
• Following  Buy Olympia on Twitter 

Just make sure, whatever you do, that you come back here and leave a comment letting me know how you shared.  Good luck!

....and the winner is: Jaclyn!

Jaclyn Nesbitt said...

I just read To Market to my newborn daughter Penelope Rose and can't wait to read more of Nikki's books aloud with her. They are so nourishing and lovely and they remind me of the truest and most important things in life. I'm grateful that she shares her craft and wisdom with the world.

Image Credit:  buyolympia.com

Good Tunes Giveaway! Priscilla Ahn -La La La

 

I am happy to share in the excitement of the release of internationally acclaimed film and TV songwriter Priscilla Ahn' album of 12 original songs for children and their grownups, La La La. 

Priscilla's lovely and heartfelt songs have enhanced numerous TV shows and films, the latest being the theme song for the Studio Ghibli film "When Marnie Was There." Hear these get a little preview HERE.  The album digi-pack includes a booklet with line drawings for kids to color.

Purchase La La La on iTunes or amazon.com,  Check out Priscilla on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and her Girl in a Tree blog. 

------------------

In celebration of the release of La La La, I get to giveaway a copy of the new album to one lucky Kids and Eggs reader!

 To win simply leave a comment on this post.   If your comment is selected by the random number generator, you'll win!  Giveaway ends 10/30/16 7:00 p.m CST 

*Want even more chances? 

Follow Kids and Eggs on Instagram, and/or Facebook.  Follow Pricilla Priscilla on Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter.

You can also give yourself another shot by sharing a link to this giveaway on your social media as well. 

Just make sure, whatever you do, you come back here and leave a comment letting me know how you shared.

Good luck!!

and the winner is:  Lisa!

 

Photo Credits: Priscilla Ahn

 

North House Folk School

As part of our weekend getaway to the North Shore we took part in several events at the Family & Intergenerational Learning Weekend at the North House Folk School.  Friday evening we participated in the Contra Dance, Saturday my daughter and I took an afternoon knitting class (where she learned the craft and I worked out all of my bad habits) and Saturday evening we joined in a wood-fired pizza bake with other families that participated in classes and offerings over the weekend. We had a lot of fun connecting as a family, meeting some new people and participating in these fun events at the North House Folk School.

A trip to the shore

 

We just returned from a long-weekend getaway to Grand Marais.   We loaded up the old deer-shack camper and hauled it to the shore for a fall weekend camping trip.   We had lovely weather and we all spent a lot of time outdoors exploring this unique little harbor town and some of the surrounding woodland areas.   There were lots of activities and events that were geared to vacationing families during this weekend's "Moose Madness" family festival.  We took part in a lot of the fun including:  swimming at the YMCA (that has a waterslide!), a city-wide medallion hunt and the Family & Intergenerational Weekend at the North House Folk School (stay tuned for a post about the folk school activities.)

Lots of fun!

 

pumpkining in kindergarten

Here are a few snapshots from short, busy and fun week in kindergarten.  

In the lesson plans were:  pumpkin investigations!

Monday:  Pumpkin seeds (My garden was generous this year I grew 16 pie pumpkins - and I had a couple donations - so each student was able to investigate their own pumpkin.  I brought home one 5 gallon bucket of pumpkin "guts" for the chickens - and two 5 gallon buckets of cut and seeded pumpkins.

Monday night:  The kindergarten teacher (and husband) roasted pumpkin seeds, the kindergarten teacher also bandaged the blisters that she got from slicing and cutting the tops off of 18 pumpkins.

Tuesday:  Roasting pumpkins.   In class we roasted a crockpot full of sliced and seeded pumpkins throughout the day, sharing with the kiddos one way pumpkins can be cooked.

Tuesday night:  Roasting pumpkins - I had two crock pots going at home roasting pumpkins overnight and during the daytime to make the most of our harvest.

Wednesday: Pumpkin puree and pumpkin smoothies.  In class I showed the kids what part of the pumpkin that we make into pumpkin puree and we celebrated our efforts by making (and enjoying) pumpkin smoothies.

Wednesday night:  Before we went out and celebrated our anniversary, I finished up making pumpkin puree from all of the baked pumpkins.  I was able to put up over 26 cups of fresh pumpkin.  (I freeze it in 2 cup servings in quart freezer bags.)

Another successful year of pumpkining at home and school - done!

Now I just need to make it through a Halloween on a Monday night.

If you are looking for some pumpkin inspired ideas, check out my recent post on mothering.com:

Fourteen!

 

 

Fourteen years ago we got married.  

Neither of us could have ever dreamed where our journey together as husband and wife would have lead us to this present day.

Having this man by my side has been a blessing - I love you James - Cheers to many more years together!

 

::Around here

Around here, we are making the most of this beautiful October.   With happenings both outside and in, short travels, hikes, adventures and projects - our life is rich and full! 

Not your average chicken nugget - chicken work party

Today was the day that we gathered with neighbors and friends to "turn our chickens into meat."   Every year we go in on a big order of cornish rock broiler chickens (also known as 'meat birds').  We all raise them on our own, then we gather after about 9 weeks to butcher the chickens - work party style.  

It is always a productive gathering with the added components of some playing around and a pot-luck style meal to celebrate our efforts.   We now have 22 healthy, home-grown chickens in our freezer to feed our family.   And - our kids have a concrete understanding of where their food comes from.

First Snow!

We had our first dusting of snow yesterday in our north-woods.  Starting in the early morning, the flurries lasted just long enough for the kids to throw their first snowballs of the season while waiting for the bus.   The snow is not here to stay....yet. 

 

::apples!

Apple season is coming to an end.  I made the most of our local fruit tree harvest....

::in kindergarten - visiting some apple trees near our schoolyard and sharing the experience of making apple sauce in a crock pot during the school day.

::at home - making dehydrated apple rings, canned apple sauce, and (not pictured, but devoured) caramel apple cheesecake.  

 

Yum!

 

 

Related articles

Applesauce in a Crock Pot