hallowe'enies

ready, set....

GO! GO! GO!!!!

chip-monkey

grapes in the cheeks.

natures' own halloween costume.

wooly bear season

these fuzzy fellows never fail to delight small fingers!

we really took this one off course...

found on a sidewalk blocks away, it was giggled all the way home.

it is hoped that it found a suitable place to live in our back yard;

 a quick google revealed that these little furries are isabella tiger moth caterpillars...

wouldn't it be so fun and educational to see
the transformation from cocoon to moth in the spring?
we could investigate life cycles, biodiversity, etc., etc...

~

but truthfully, we just want more tickley caterpillars, and you need the moths for that.

or bea's knees?

esther and i craftily conspired today...

baby bea has turned two, and what toddler doesn't need a take-along pillow?

(note the little loop of green ribbon to tote it by)

i had talked to esther about the idea, and she was eager to contribute.

she drew the flower/letter design, oversaw and encouraged every moment of sewing, and was personally in charge of stuffing.  

she even sat on the project thoughtfully as the stuffing got stuffier, just to make sure it was fluffy enough for bea's bum.  

when the pillow was all puffy and cosy, esther asked 

"can we make one of these for me one day, mum?"

il fait beau

camp radio was invited to play at the

 beau's brewery oktoberfest in vankleek hill,

so we came along for the fun.

obviously, there was some fine beer to be had,

but unlike most beer themed festivals of similar style,

this one had a petting (feeding) zoo, as well as a barnload of even more fun for the kiddies.

the  girl had done this sort of thing before, 

and enjoyed the snack-fest in a cautious and respectful manner,

while edgar could barely contain his glee. 

and, while oblivious to the meaning of the yellow sign,

 i'm certain he would have happily surrendered his fingertips, just to be a part of it all.

so, this kinderfest had colouring and facepainting,

a  charming jumbo tarp covered in enticing blobs of home-made playdough,

a clown show and pumpkin painting (yes, esther's is all pink,)

and a great place to leap around.

~

oh, yes, the other rock show was great, as well!

garden salad

esther often likes to help out in the kitchen by creating her own recipes.

 so this morning, at breakfast-time,

the girl, inspired by her new recipe for salad dressing, 

(a mixture of water, sumac, cumin and chile powder)

carefully chose greens from the backyard.

 the combination of colours and textures was quite convincing, at that...

it was gorgeous!

 she chose the perfect combination of 

chives, rue, boston ivy, mint, plantain, 

lily-of-the-valley leaves, parsley, berries and various weeds...

 the final concoction being both tempting and possibly toxic.

it was brought inside, dressed, tossed, admired, then 

returned to the garden to feed the slugs and squirrels.

it seems they know to pick out the foul bits.

bon appetit, critters!