what have we been up to?

Goose is still studying colonial america. She made her own hornbook.

They have discovered the joys of Monopoly.

As part of her colonial america study,

Goose made an Algonquin(New England tribe) drum, drumstick and headband.

They turned out great, don't you think?

Goose is teaching Binky to play "Jingle Bells!"

Scratch and Cody are always playing together.

Goose is trying to master card shuffling. Binky is watching a movie and Daddy is napping. This is how I left them one afternoon and they hadn't moved an inch when I returned!

We have officialy begun our cookie-making season!

I started this a little late but love it! Goose helped cut out the felt leaves and Daddy helped cut the cardboard. Even Binky did some gluing.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with lots of food and family. I hope yours was just as nice! The weather here has been incredible! LOTS of sun with crisp nights.

Perfect for fires and cocoa!

I can't wait to see what everyone else has been up to!

blue stripe test

Goose and Binky tested last night for their first blue stripe!

They were a little nervous and very excited!

Here's Binky in the air doing a round house jump kick!

Goose doing a perfect pinan 1.

Sensei Terri said all their hard work really showed in this test!

I know it's hard to see but they both recieved their stripes! One more stripe and then a blue belt. They have both been working really hard in Cuong Nhu. I am so impressed by their desire to succeed and learn new things. I am so proud of them!

yearly tree-lighting get-together

Coit Tower from Pier 39

Coit Tower and Transamerica Building

beautiful view

new hat and newly-pierced ears!

Pier 39 Giant Tree

mom, sister and I

Embarcadero holiday lights

Goose and I spent the afternoon with the girls! We do this every year to begin our holiday celebrations. We do a little shopping(Goose got some faerie dust, a mood necklace and that cute red hat!) have dinner and watch the tree-lighting. This year we had dinner early and missed the lighting, but still had a great time!

Today we are heading to the library and baking an apple pie!

The Colors of Autumn

Burnt umber

Burnt sienna

Mars red

Orange henna

Silver gray

Olive green

Naples yellow

Tangerine

A touch of black

But not much blue-

Autumn's down-to-earth in hue.

by Douglas Florian

in "Autumn blings"

Have a great weekend!

Yesterday was a big day for all of us! Both kids competed in their first Cuong Nhu tournament! It was very exciting! Goose and Binky worked very hard for weeks to prepare. They weren't supposed to compete against each other but there weren't quite enough kids in Binky's age and belt rank for a seperate competition. So Binky was the youngest in his group and he was amazing! In kata, Goose received the 2nd place trophy!!!!! So proud of her! And Binky received honorable mention and a medal! Couldn't be prouder! Binky also sparred with the same group of kids. Again he was the youngest and did a great job! He received another medal! Both Grandmas came to watch and fun was had by all. I am so proud of Goose and Binky! To celebrate we headed to our favorite ice cream spot and splurged!!!

autumn botanical garden

nature journaling

faerie friends

faerie tea

faerie picnic

these manzanitas are my favorite

favorite squat spot

shaggy manzanita

I love to experience the seasons in the gardens.

I hope you, too, are enjoying the season!

Colonial Cooking

Goose began her colonial america study with American Girl Felicity.

She read all the books and finished the study guide.

Now we are baking just like Felicity did(well, sort of) in 1774!

Next, Goose will cook a colonial dinner for us.

Can't wait!

This morning she made breakfast puffs.

They are very light and fluffy!

And especially delicious with blackberry jam.

To make colonial breakfast puffs...

Preheat oven to 425*

Grease muffin pan with butter and place in oven to heat.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in saucepan over low heat.

While butter melts, crack 2 eggs into small mixing bowl and beat.

Add 1 cup milk and melted butter to eggs and beat until well mixed.

In medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Slowly add egg mixture to the flour and mix until just blended.

Remove hot muffin pan from oven and spoon batter into pan about 2/3 full.

Bake puffs at 425* for 20 minutes. Then turn down oven to 325* for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and use a butter knife to loosen the edges and remove from pan.

Serve warm with butter, jam or honey.

These are so easy and so delicious!

I am really looking forward to that dinner!

A cute witch if I ever saw one!

Thank you Grandma for such a beautiful costume!

My brave protector, The Red Ninja!

Beware!

Hope your Halloween was as much fun as ours!