Calder & Company

Working as Pioneers...

~Well seeing that my husband has been on a fly fishing trip north of the Arctic circle for the past 17 days, my time for journaling has disappeared.  We have been busy (as one can imagine) and I will try to write a little every few days.

~Again this year, I am sending out some photos from last week when we worked as pioneers.  It is such a special time with the boys, and I am always amazed at how much the boys learn.  As you know, pioneers wore long sleeve tops EVERY day, so I find it is amazing how we all get acclimated to the heat in our garments. 

~Yes, the boys were "Finished" (capital "F" intended) weeding their row at this point...therefore, they thought to supervise moi.

 ~An authentic recipe that was a little heavy on the salt and baking soda...

 ~The boys had some free time for games and leaf rubbings...

 

Some of our favorite activities:

~made ink from berries and vinegar and used quills to write letters
~cooking on primitive stoves and/or open fires
~weeding the garden and feeding the pigs (the boys LOVED feeding the pigs)
~the boys worked on marching and were responsible for "sending up and retiring the colors (flag)" at the fort
~participating in court cases (one was accused of stealing)
~washing dishes--ha ha!
~playing indian games and lots of chores...
~using a primitive flint for starting fires
~looking through the straw bedding (mattresses) for mice and bugs...
~had a school day with math, geography, reading and a spelling bee.  One of the boys had to be punished, and thus had to hold a small log up on his outstretched arms.

~and on of the all-time favorite activities---hanging with the blacksmith!

 ~Oh, and I had to include this photo that one of boys inquired "are those large bottle caps up there?"  Which is EXACTLY what they look like to a boy from 2011!

Catching up with July...

~I know, I disappeared off the blog world for a while...The way that I see things is that I just needed a break from the--computer, creative, photo grind for a while.  Since school has ended, we have had many sport nights, summer visitors, art days, swim lessons...the list goes on and on.  So the solution (for me) was to just "un-plug" for a while.  Updating a blog, was just not an option for me last month.  I have been creating (of course--I am a "maker") and will try and upload some of those photos...

~also decided to enroll in a graduate Spanish classes (starting this summer)...because quite honestly, there is NO reason I am not fluent in Spanish, as much as I am around spanish speaking folks.  So, yes, just another thing to add to my list of responsibilities.

~Here are some photos from the last few weeks...Starting with the ever-popular "parades"

 ~Petite tooth pillow for Mr. "NS"...who has already lost one tooth, so must step up the work on this...

~My favorite deep purple allium this year (I have about 10 varieties)...

 ~Critters galore...

~Some quick summer sewing...love the "shoe choice" sweet boy...

~And of course we are working the vegetable garden whenever possible... 

May: Set 3.

~I have FINALLY had a morning to be at my house.  Whew!  First, I had to mail out the boys thank you cards (for their birthday presents), then tackle some projects in my sewing room.  (Like finishing an Amy Butler top that I started at the beginning of the month.)  I have been making notes in my mind about some necessary sewing items, such as:  more hats, more pants, more shorts...ect.  So glad to be at home, and I am purposely ignoring the laundry. 

~Out on a hike to the lake...found some moss-y love...

~"old man timber"....

 ~so many colors in the pine shoots...Okay, I really took this shot because the boys left me alone on the trail in search of frogs, and I was trying to keep my feet dry...thus the photo op...

 ~this has been the month of cakes...so MANY!  Made this for N. he is attracted to chocolate (aren't we all?).

~The taller the candle--the better!

~I spent almost the whole day yesterday outside tending to my garden (and thus activating my allergies).  I still have tulips blooming, and the weeding was joyous (I really don't mind it TOO much).  The boys had a giganto water fight, and changed their clothes at least three times each...

~Some of my tulips...

 

 ~fringed tulips seem to be the 'dainty' species of the tulip world...

 

~I went a little overboard on the dahlia's this year---planting (10) total--okay to be honest, still have three more to get in the ground---I am running out of space...

May: Set 1.

~I have been busier than a one armed paper hanger!  I honestly layed in bed this morning thinking about my day and wondering what I should tackle first on my morning at home.  We have had four birthdays, three full day field trips, visitors, school plays, select soccer, baseball and mothers day since my last post.   Whew!  It has been overwhelming.  For me, this month is TWICE as busy as December.  So I am going to just share some photos (because truly, that is all I can manage right now!)...

~Our kitchen table...

 ~The boys celebrating my birthday...

 ~So many birds have been coming to the feeders this spring, and we have baby birds under our deck...

 ~Some flowers that I planted at the woodland edge years ago...I love experimenting with new bulbs.  Planting bulbs in the fall is an experiment in delayed gratification---but makes the spring so exciting!

 

Pumpkins & gourds from our garden...

~More than a decade ago--I was too busy studying in college--with not even the slightest inkling of vegetable gardening.  Of course, I didn't have any children at that time, so it wasn't even on my radar to have a garden--nor did I have the time.  I was--of course--still working on my "flower" garden--just no vegetables (I did find some old sketches from our other house of flower garden plans--boy was I organized back then--will share sometime). 

~Now with boys of three, and after several years of successful vegetable gardening, I wanted to try growing pumpkins and snake gourds.   This was a monumental learning experience for all.  For example--wondering how much branching to trim back in order to yield sizeable pumpkins--or accidentaly trimming back stems that had small pumpkins starting--oops.  

~Halfway through the process we realized--the snake gourds were taking over our garden.  I was constantly cutting them back and instructing the boys to chop off any new runners (they loved giving haircuts)--because the gourds really wanted to branch out and choke the tomatoes--choke everything really.  Not to mention the size of the gourds were much larger than anticipated.  I envisioned a small snake shape that the boys could dry and paint...instead they turned out like baseball bats!  Still a lot of fun for the kiddos...

~All in all, there is something innately satisfying about carving a pumpkin that you have nurtured throughout the growth process.  The boys were clearly more excited--and proud to carve the pumpkins that came from our garden.  In the end, when all is harvested and composted--I will definitely grow pumpkins again...not so sure about the wildly, vigorous snake gourd.  We will see how the "gourd drying process"  goes--currently we have about 10 giganto snake gourds sprinkled throughout our place...which seem to draw alot of interest from visitors and friends...No one is quite sure what to make of these giant, alien-like objects--including us...

Summer eats...

~It is raining blueberries.  I mean really.  While at the farmers market last week the farmer told the boys that he needed help in cleaning up (eating!) all the blueberries that where overflowing out of his booth.  Blueberries were everywhere. 

~Made these muffins with Z. from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook.  I like the way he reads the recipes and tries to find which tool to use for measurement.  Sometimes he feels he needs to use every one in my cupboard!

~Spending lots of time in the garden lately.  I am trying to make a diagram of the new plantings, and label all the plants--I like labels.  Actually, I enjoy knowing the names of the plants because it helps me to remember the traits of each plant.  We have several hostas (nothing compared to our last property), and my favorite part about them is their sweet names.  So labels are a must in my garden.

~I planted only one dahlia bulb this year (see above), but intend to plant a gob next season.  I planted this gal sort of late, and had to baby her along through the slug and bug season.  N. likes to help me pick off the slugs.  I brought a bunch of dahlia bulbs back from the Netherlands and planted them at our old house.  I only wish I would have dug them up when we moved years ago.  At the time, I guess I was too busy tending to my newish babe (who is now eight--eek).

 

First Pick.

~Well, the boys and I have been busy in the flower and vegetable gardens.  Mostly the boys like to just pick the produce, not really weed.  They are great with a water hose.  I think they like to really just water each other.  Calling out what type of tree or plant they are so the water will swing their way. 

~This was our first pick a few weeks ago (I think we have taken a few more tomatoes and peppers since this photo--yes, I know my post is a little late...).  The garden tomatoes are simply the best.  I like the idea of being able to supervise the whole process of seed to vegetable. 

~When asked the other day what the best part of summer for me is--the reply is easy: PICNICS.  Or really just eating outside.  Life is slower, and the shade and summer breezes are refreshing.  Not to mention the clean-up is a snap.  We try to eat outside every lunch time if it works with the days agenda. 

~NOTE:  napkins above are Marimekko Fabric & N. refers to the dill as "eating grass"  and why would we want to use it as a topping?  It does sort of appear like grass doesn't it?

~We have been busy working as a family at our State Historical Farm this week, and will post some photos of our life as pioneers.  Adieu!

Scorpions:: Oh my!

~On N, are some newly constructed, elastic waisted boy shorts (with side pockets-of course!).  The fabric design and garment construction is by moi (fabric printed at Spoonflower).  N. loves simple, identifiable, objects on his garments.  Here he is strolling the milkweed for caterpillars.  

~The sun was bright the day I took these photos (never the best for photography of course), and hot, hot, hot. 

~On sunny summer days, it is such a sight to see the blue sky mend with the tall green grass and trees in the skyline.  Those are perfect days.  Happy days.  I remind myself when we are out in our car, or just playing in the lawn, to really 'see' the sky.  Days go by when I don't even look purposely at the sky.  So busy thinking about this or that, I seem to overlook all that vast, joyful, blueness.  Look up I say, Look up.

:~Luckily, we have some milkweed on our property, so we do not have to go far for the caterpillar quest.  In our garden, we try to have host plants for the butterfly eggs, as well as nectar plants for the adults.

~Oh, and nice GIANT bug bite on your arm C.C.! 

~'Hot Papaya' Echinacea is one of my new plants this season, so we will see how she fairs over the winter.  This plant adds great color, height (and nectar) to the garden in July.  It is 'hot' indeed!

Garden Days.

~I have been spending my evenings planting, weeding, replanting, more weeding (you know the drill).  The boys want to be outside all the time, so it works perfect for all of us.  Here is my favorite yellow pot.  Doesn't everybody need a happy yellow pot? 

~Heading back to the lake and creek to spy the newest wildflowers in bloom.

~Our bridge has been well used, and serves as the perfect: 

"dip-your-toes-and-sticks-in-the-creek-water-ledge"

 And yes, we have had to retrieve shoes that fall off and flow down the creek.  Except for that time that N.'s shoe was so deep in the mud, we didn't see it for a few weeks!

The ever-lovely Green Envy Echinacea that I am crazy about this year.  Actually, I am crazy about all flavors of Echinacea.  This is a particularly tall style, with large seed heads which are pink with pale green tips.  It is the large size that makes this plant so bold and humble all at the same time.

~Here i am in what I call my "flowing happy skirt".  I made this skirt about 4 or so years ago, and it is perfect for running around in.  This one is actually too big and was the first one that I made.  The next one I made was also about that time, but I made it a size smaller.  The pattern is from Favorite Things and is entitled "cute skirts".  Did I mention it has great movement.  This has a flat front with elastic backing.  I loath elastic waisted skirts because they are so unflattering on me, but this flat front is a smart detail.  Ok, off to water!

Garden Hands.

~With little notice, Z. decided to make some quick garden stakes for our vegetable garden.  They all love the plethora of buttons in my sewing room.  This tin of buttons was given to me by their nana, and we have been adding to it ever since.  The boys are crazy about the buttons.  Dumping out the buttons, running their fingers through the buttons, sorting the buttons.  This day, Z. was searching for buttons by vegetable color.

~Our vegetable garden was planted a week or so ago, and we are hoping to plant some more this week.  We still have some pumpkin plants sitting around in peat pots ready to go to the ground.  The boys planted those seeds during the coldest days of the spring.  On planting days, the kids enjoy comparing the simple, bumpy texture of the pea seeds to the smooth texture of the pumpkin seeds. 

~Alas, while I was finishing up our planting morning, N. presented me with a cheerful, blue egg he found near our garden.  I love how their active, quiet hands are always busy finding new things to touch.